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2026-02-03 MINUTES MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2026 6:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor 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 Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4. ORDER OF BUSINESS ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, & DEFERRALS Vice Mayor Neil Cantor suggested moving item 9.A to follow item 5.A. The Council agreed to amend the order of business as suggested by Vice Mayor Cantor. 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.A PARKS AND RECREATION AFTER CARE PROGRAM UPDATE (STAFF: PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR). Parks and Recreation Director Angela Dorney provided an update on the aftercare program. She reported that the YMCA of South Florida, which entered into an agreement with the Village last fall to offer an aftercare program at the recreation department, had received their certificate of use permit and fire permit from Miami-Dade County. With these permits, they can now request the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to conduct a final walkthrough of the facility. Director Dorney anticipated a program start date of February 23, 2026, pending DCF approval. She noted that the program requires a minimum of 20 registrations to operate, with 10 participants already registered. The Miami Shores Recreation Department will handle transportation, picking up children from area schools and bringing them to the field house facility. Director Dorney also addressed questions about the current open recreation room, explaining that there is insufficient square footage at the field house to offer both programs simultaneously. She mentioned the possibility of continuing the open recreation concept at the community center in the future while offering the aftercare program at the field house. In response to a question from Councilmember Jesse Valinsky, Director Dorney clarified that some of the part-time staff had been interviewed by the YMCA and accepted positions with them, while others chose to remain with the Village. 6. MANAGER'S UPDATE No update was provided by Village Manager Scott. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS 3-Minute Time Limit There were no comments. 8. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 8.A APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 20, 2026 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (STAFF: VILLAGE CLERK). Councilmember Valinsky moved to approve the minutes and Vice Mayor Cantor seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. 9. ORDINANCE(S) ON FIRST READING 9.A AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 11, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, TO UPDATE REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR). Interim Planning and Zoning Director Eddy Nunez explained that the Historic Preservation Board had recommended amendments to Section 11-4 of the Village Code to clarify and refine the board's powers and duties. This came after the board's presentation at the June 3, 2025, Village Council meeting, where they identified the need for updates to better align with Miami-Dade County's historic preservation regulations. The proposed amendments would clarify the board's authority and ensure consistency with applicable County regulations. Village Chanae Wood noted that the ordinance included the entire section of the Historic Preservation Board code to allow for comprehensive review and potential additional changes. Vice Mayor Neil Cantor asked if the fourteen points in the code were standard practices seen in other historic preservation boards. The Interim Planning Director confirmed they were. Councilmember Jesse Valinsky raised concerns about the provision that would allow the board to accept and be custodian of donations of historical items and property. He questioned how this would interact with the archives at the library and whether there would be potential conflicts between different groups having custodial responsibility. Village Attorney Wood clarified that this language was not new but was simply being relocated within the code. She explained that any donations to the Village would need Council approval first, at which point the Council would decide who would have custody of the items. Councilmember George Burch expressed three main concerns with the ordinance: ● He objected to the provision that allows for the designation of a property as historic without the owner's permission (line 262). ● He identified what he saw as an inconsistency between sections of the code - one part stating that exterior elements couldn't be altered, and another stating that certain improvements like pools and driveways were permitted. ● He raised concerns about the ability of historic homes to be brought up to modern building codes if changes were restricted. Village Attorney Wood explained that regarding owner consent, the language complied with Miami-Dade County's minimum standards for municipal historic preservation ordinances, which specifically prohibit municipalities from exempting properties from historic designation based on owner non-consent. She agreed to research whether there was any flexibility on this requirement. Regarding the perceived inconsistency in the code, Attorney Wood said she would review it to ensure clarity and proper coordination between different sections. During public comment, Joan Lutton, a resident for nearly 80 years, explained that the county ordinance requiring that owners cannot opt out of historic preservation was primarily intended to protect public buildings like churches and schools, rather than private homes. Warren Bittner, a former chairman of the Historic Preservation Board and owner of a designated historic property, spoke in support of the ordinance. He explained that the changes were merely clarifying and reorganizing existing powers and duties, making them more accessible in the code. He confirmed that the county code specifically prohibits requiring owner consent for designation. After discussion, the Council decided to approve the ordinance on first reading with direction to the Village Attorney to research and possibly bring forth clarifications before second reading: ● Research whether there is any flexibility regarding the owner consent requirement ● Check for consistency throughout the document regarding what exterior changes are permitted ● Clarify language regarding the board being custodians of historic property ● Review the document for any syntactical errors Councilmember Jesse Valinsky moved to approve agenda item 9A pending clarifications on the discussed items on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilmember George Burch and carried unanimously. 10.BOARD APPOINMENT(S) 10.A APPOINTMENT TO THE PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD (THREE VACANCIES). Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez explained that there were three vacancies on the Personnel Appeals Board since July, and the Village had received one application from Mr. Robert Armstrong. Given the lack of additional applications, she recommended his appointment while continuing to search for more applicants. Councilmember George Burch asked for clarification about which of the three current board members would be replaced by Mr. Armstrong. The Clerk explained that technically, all previous members whose terms had expired would continue to serve until relieved, and Mr. Armstrong would be an addition to ensure sufficient participation if the board needed to be activated. Vice Mayor Neil Cantor moved to approve Mr. Armstrong as a member of the Personnel Appeals Board. Councilmember George Burch seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 10.B APPOINTMENT TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ONE UNEXPIRED TERM). Village Clerk Rodriguez presented the application of Ms. Ivette Ruiz to fill the unexpired term of Mr. La Capra on the Recreation Advisory Committee. Ms. Ruiz introduced herself as a 20-year resident of Miami Shores, a business owner, and a parent of four children who have participated in Village recreation programs. She expressed her desire to contribute her time and experience to the committee. Vice Mayor Neil Cantor moved to appoint Ms. Ruiz to the Recreation Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by and the motion carried unanimously. 11.DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 11.A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON (1) THE SELECTION OF TYPE OF STREET SIGNPOSTS AND (2) INSTALLATION OF SPEED LIMIT SIGNS (SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMEMBER GEORGE BURCH). Councilmember George Burch presented photographs of different types of street signposts in the Village, highlighting the decorative posts with a Miami Shores emblem versus the simpler, less expensive options. He expressed concern about the condition of some existing decorative lampposts, noting rust damage, and questioned their ownership and maintenance responsibility. Councilmember Burch indicated his preference for the more decorative signposts to maintain the Village's character. Mayor Charles raised concerns about FDOT approval and liability issues with non-standard signs. Village Manager Scott requested time to bring back a comprehensive presentation with all necessary information to allow the Council to make an informed decision. Regarding speed limit signs, Councilmember Burch provided a historical overview of speed limit regulation in the Village. He explained that in 2016, the Village's traffic calming study did not include speed limit signs. In 2018, the Council voted to reduce the speed limit on Village streets to 25 mph and began installing signs. In 2020, the Village signed an interlocal agreement with the county to formalize this authority. Councilmember Burch noted that the Federal Uniform Traffic Control Device Law from 1935 (with subsequent amendments) regulates sign types, shapes, and placement. He acknowledged that the Village had applied for a grant to conduct a new traffic study but pointed out that the funding was not guaranteed. His concern was that some streets had 30 mph limits while others had 25 mph limits, creating an inconsistency he felt should be addressed. Mayor Charles asked if the Village had the required engineering documentation to justify the placement of speed limit signs. Public Works Director Delroy Peters and Police Chief David Golt confirmed they were not aware of such documentation. Chief Golt explained that improper signage could lead to traffic tickets being dismissed and emphasized the need to comply with legal requirements. Village Manager Scott assured the Council that staff would bring back comprehensive information on both signage issues for future consideration. 12.MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Esmond Scott provided an update on the RFP process for management of the Miami Shores Country Club & Golf Course. He reported that the Village received six timely proposals, and the evaluation committee had identified a short list of the top four firms. Oral interviews were scheduled for the following week, and staff anticipated bringing forward the committee's recommendation to the Council soon thereafter to begin negotiations. The Manager also noted that the naming of the swimming pool would be on the agenda for the next Council meeting. 13.ATTORNEY'S REPORT Village Attorney Chanae Wood provided an update on the Our District updates, explaining that legal review was taking longer than expected. Due to the 20-day lead time now required for Planning and Zoning Board meetings, the item would not make the February agenda but would likely be scheduled for March. 14.ANNOUNCEMENTS Village Clerk Rodriguez read the announcements into the record. 15.VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMENTS Vice Mayor Neil Cantor made two announcements: ● He announced that DCS would be holding their annual "Evening in the Courtyard" event on Friday at 6:30 PM, celebrating the school's 20th anniversary with live music, refreshments, a silent auction, and food. Proceeds would benefit DCS programs. ● He provided an update on EV charging stations for the Village. Working with the procurement department, they found several companies willing to take over the FPL contracts. However, there would be a connection fee of approximately $10,000 per station that was not budgeted for the current year. The Vice Mayor suggested either including this in the next budget or pursuing grants. Councilmembers discussed various aspects of EV charging stations, including potential revenue generation, the importance of having fast-charging capability (requiring 440 volts), and the need for more detailed information on business models and options. Vice Mayor Cantor agreed to gather more specific details about the various offerings and potential revenue. 16.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM. 8