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2025-05-20 Council Meeting Minutes1 MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2025 6:30PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jerome Charles called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Jerome Charles Vice Mayor Neil Cantor Councilmember George Burch Councilmember Patrick B. Devaney Councilmember Jesse Valinsky (arrived at 6:43 PM) Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) ORDER OF BUSINESS Village Manager Esmond Scott deferred Item 10A. There was consensus to amend the order of business. 5) PRESENTATIONS 5.A CEREMONIAL RECOGNITION: PROMOTION OF OFFICER CALVIN RAYBURN TO SERGEANT (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER). Police Chief David Golt announced the promotion of Officer Calvin Rayburn to Sergeant. Chief Golt administered the oath of office to Sergeant Rayburn, who was then pinned with his new badge by his sister. Chief Golt commended Sergeant Rayburn for his excellent work 2 and dedication to the police department. Sergeant Rayburn expressed gratitude for the promotion and noted his lifelong residency in Miami Shores Village. Village Manager Scott mentioned this promotion ceremony was part of an initiative to introduce new and promoted officers to the community. 5.B CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE CITIZEN ACADEMY GRADUATES (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMEMBER JESSE VALINSKY). Council member Jesse Valinsky presented certificates to the graduates of the Miami Shores Village Citizens Academy. He expressed pride in the program and thanked Village Manager Scott, Deputy Village Manager Kathleen Gunn, library staff, tech support, and department heads for their contributions. Councilmember Valinsky emphasized the importance of resident involvement in local government and the diverse talent pool in Miami Shores. Graduates were individually recognized and photographs were taken. 5.C A PRESENTATION OF THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE ANALYSIS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY AND VACANT LAND BY ROBERT MILLER OF THE URBAN GROUP (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE). Robert Miller from the Urban Group presented an analysis of the highest and best use for the 25+ acres of village-owned land at the corner of 103rd Street and 17th Avenue. Key points included: Mr. Miller reported that the land currently occupied by the Public Works facility is more valuable than its existing use. A recommendation was made to relocate the Public Works operations to the northern 9.8 acres of the property. The remaining portion of the site could potentially be redeveloped for mixed-use commercial and multifamily buildings. A long-term lease to private developers was proposed as the most effective way for the village to retain ownership of the land while generating steady income. The intersection at NW 103rd Street and NW 17th Avenue was identified as the most valuable portion of the property. It was further noted that any future development would likely be an improvement over the current underutilized and partially vacant land. Council Member George Burch raised several concerns. He noted that the police department currently utilizes a section of the property for firearms training, a use that would be difficult to replicate at another location. He reminded the Council that, under the Village Charter, any lease longer than 10 years or sale of public land requires voter approval through a public referendum. He also emphasized the importance of the site as a critical staging area for hurricane debris removal, which is essential for rapid post-storm cleanup. Additionally, he cautioned that the land could serve as a vital financial reserve for the village and should not be committed without careful long-term planning. Mayor Charles provided background on the origin of the item, explaining that the Council had previously directed the Village Manager to initiate a competitive solicitation process to select a consultant. The consultant's role was to evaluate and determine the highest and best use of the Public Works property. 3 Vice Mayor Cantor expressed interest in exploring non-permanent uses of the land that could generate revenue for the Village while preserving long-term flexibility. Council Member Devaney inquired whether space for hurricane debris management had been considered. In response, Mr. Miller confirmed that the consultant’s recommendation did allocate a portion of the land specifically for that purpose. Mr. Scott informed the Council that the Village has a comprehensive debris management strategy, including primary, secondary, and tertiary plans. He emphasized that in the event of a natural disaster, the Village is prepared to proceed even if contracted debris haulers are unable to fulfill their obligations. Mr. Scott also noted that DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) has requested the Village identify two prospective sites for debris staging. Other Councilmembers and the mayor engaged in further discussion. They stressed the need to preserve the police training facility even as redevelopment options are explored. There was interest in identifying temporary or non-permanent uses of the land that could generate revenue without limiting future options. Members agreed on the importance of keeping flexibility for future municipal needs. The conversation also included how the proposed redevelopment might align or conflict with the current timeline for golf course renovations. No action was taken on the proposal. 6) MANAGER'S UPDATE Village Manager Esmond Scott provided updates on the following items: ● A potential Council retreat was discussed, with June 13, 2025, proposed as a date. Individual meetings with Council members were suggested for May 23rd, 28th, 29th, and 30th to prepare for the retreat. ● The compensation and classification study is ready and will be presented at the next Council meeting. Individual meetings with Evergreen representatives were being scheduled for Councilmembers. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 8) CONSENT AGENDA 8.A APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 15, 2025 INSTALLATION CEREMONY MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). 4 Councilmember Burch moved to approve the consent agenda and Councilmember Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 8.B APPROVAL OF THE MAY 6, 2025 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). PASSED ON CONSENT. 8.C A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CURRENT MAYOR TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE PRIOR MAYOR, AS SIGNATORY FOR APPLICABLE VILLAGE BANK ACCOUNTS; PROVIDING FOR IMPLENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: DEPUTY FINANCE DIRECTOR). PASSED ON CONSENT. 9) BOARD APPOINTMENT(S)- 9.A APPOINTMENT TO THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD (ONE-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM). Village Clerk Rodriguez provided introductory remarks. Natalia Trushin-Jimenez introduced herself and answered questions posed by the Village Council. Councilmember Burch moved to appoint Natalia Trushin-Jimenez to serve on the Education Advisory Board and Councilmember Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 9.B APPOINTMENT TO THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (ONE-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM). Village Clerk Rodriguez provided introductory remarks. Councilmember Burch moved to appoint Edelman Lopez to serve on the Sustainability & Resiliency Committee and Councilmember Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 10) RESOLUTION(S) 5 10.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE LANDSCAPE, IRRIGATION, AND TURF MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT; PROVIDING FOR IMPLENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR). This item was deferred. 11) MANAGER'S REPORT ● The compensation and classification study is ready and will be presented at the next Council meeting. Individual meetings with Evergreen representatives were being scheduled for Council members. ● Two RFQs related to the golf course (one for the course itself and one for the clubhouse) have been issued and committee members have been assigned to review them. ● The manager noted that there is a cone of silence in place regarding the golf course RFQs to avoid compromising the process. Mayor Charles suggested publishing an RFP for a new golf course management company to take over after April 2026, when the current contract with PCM expires. The Council reached consensus on this suggestion. Council member Burch requested a detailed timeline for the golf course project. A discussion ensued about the project's timeline, coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, and the best approach to manage the project. Village Manager Scott emphasized the need for a focused task force to handle the complexities of the project. 12) ATTORNEY'S REPORT Village Attorney Chanae Wood reported on the following: ● She informed the Council about SB 180, a recently passed bill awaiting the governor's signature. The bill impacts land use and emergency management, placing restrictions on local governments' ability to modify comprehensive plans and land development regulations between August 2024 and October 2027. ● The attorney advised that most of the Village's recent land use and zoning changes were made prior to the statutory cutoff date. ● She recommended postponing community workshops related to district code updates until July, after more information about the bill's status is available. There was consensus amongst the Council to postpone said workshops. The Council discussed the potential impacts of the bill and the need for communication with state representatives about their concerns. 6 13) ANNOUNCEMENTS Village Clerk Rodriguez read the following announcements. 14) VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmembers made the following comments: ● Councilmember Valinsky distributed copies of Robert's Rules of Order to his colleagues as a helpful reference. ● Vice Mayor Cantor congratulated several Doctors Charter School students on their achievements, including eight seniors who participated in Miami Dade College's commencement ceremony and two debate team members competing in a national tournament. ● Councilmember Burch expressed concern about proposed offshore drilling and encouraged writing letters to oppose it. ● Mayor Charles encouraged residents to attend the Memorial Day event at Memorial Park. 15) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.