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07-15-1975 Regular Meeting REGULAR MEETING MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL July 15, 1975 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held at 7:30 o'clock p,m. , July 15, 1975, at the Village Hall, with the following Councilmen present: Mayor Donald W. McIntosh W. Alfred Davis Dean R. Claussen James W. Condit Jon E. McLeod Mr. David Peace, Village Manager, and Mr. Richard Lund, Village Attorney, were also present. The meeting was opened with an invocation given by Councilman Condit, followed by the pledge of allegiance. In regard to the minutes of July 1, 1975, Mr. McLeod stated that on Page 3. he wanted the minutes to reflect, in the discussion of the flooding on the east side of Biscayne Blvd. at 91st St. , that he had called attention to the drainage problem on the west side of Biscayne Blvd. also, between 90th and 91st Streets. Mayor McIntosh asked for several changes to be made in the minutes on the subject of the closing of Park Drive. It was suggested that the Mayor and Clerk review the taped recording and Mr. Claussen moved that approval be withheld until this is done. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed. Mr. Jerry W. Lance - to discuss Village procedures on tree trimming and trash collection. Mr. Lance, 246 N. E. 102nd Street, presented a picture of a tree 7/15/75 on his parkway that had been recently trimmed, or "butchered'; as he put it. Mr. Lance thought the property owners who maintain their parkways should have some say on what happens to the parkways. Complaints were also voiced on slow tree trimming and trash pick up. These remarks were taken under advisement for the Village Manager to investigate. Mr. Michael Khoury, Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, to discuss property tax assessments. Mr. Khoury voiced complaints that he had received on this year's increases in the assessments in Miami Shores from 15 to 20% which is not representative of the economic conditiors in Florida. Several other residents voiced concern over the high assessments. It was pointed out that complaints to the Equalization Board have to be made by the individual property owners. Mayor McIntosh stated he would write a letter to the Tax Assessor protesting unfair increases in improved and unimproved property in the Village. Opening bids on Police Department carport. The following bids were opened and recorded: Hurst Awning Co. $1, 596. 00 Hurricane Awning Shutters 1, 780. 00 Mr. McLeod moved that the bids be referred to the Village Manager for his'recommendation at the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Davis and passed. Underwater rescue equipment. Mrs. Richard Dunn, 10611 N. E. 10th Court, had requested to be heard on this subject but could not attend. Some of her neighbors were present and asked to be heard in her absence. Because of a recent drowning in 7/15/75 -3- Biscayne Canal the Villagers witnessing the attempts to recover the body asked why our rescue truck does not have underwater equipment. Because of the equipment cost and training period, as reported in a memo from Lt. Zoovas, and the transfer of our department to Metro on October 1 st, Mayor McIntosh stated that this request would be forwarded to Metro Dade County for serious consideration of an underwater program in an area such as Miami Shores. Paying off loan on the fire truck. Mr. Claussen moved that the balance be paid off on the fire truck with the money to come from the current budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed unanimously. Bills for the month of June. Mr. McLeod asked if this list included all checks written and also if he could get copies of the purchase orders. The coffee expense was Metro Court questioned by Mr. Davis which has been blamed in part by /�employees getting free coffee. The bills were approved by motion made by /Mr. Claus sen, seconded by Mr. McLeod and carried. In a discussion of Metro Court using our facilities free of charge Mr. Davis stated that the Village Manager should look into this and find out if we can get some revenue. Mr. Davis then moved that the Village Manager look into the possibility of charging Metro Dade County for the use of our court room. The motion was seconded by Mr. Condit and passed unanimously. Unfinished Business (a) Removal of dead palm trees on private property - Mr. Lund 7/15/75 -4- reported that if we adopt an ordinance similar to the Council ordinance we will be required to give the property owners notice to remove the trees, hold public hearings, provide for appeal, and the filing of liens against the property. Mr. Lund questioned if this is practical, depending on the number of trees involved. Before taking this action it was suggested that the citizens be asked through the bulletin to cooperate by removing their dead trees. Mr. Claussen moved that an item be put in the bulletin appealing to the people to remove the dead palms that are on private property. The motion was seconded by Mr. Condit and carried. In this discussion Mr. R. W. Raymond, 10804 N. W. Znd Ave. , spoke to the Council about four dead trees on 108th St. and about the property next store to him which has dead trees leaning over his property and is not being maintained properly. (b) New Fire Department site location - Mr. Claussen moved that the Council table action on this for further study. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS: Planning & Zoning Board - Mr. Claussen moved that James O. Denham and Kenneth R. Phoenix be re-appointed for a two-year term. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed unanimously. Mr. Davis moved that Albert R. Toussaint be reappointed to fill out the unexpired term. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and carried. Concerning a replacement for the vacancy created by Mr. Astor's 7/15/75 -5- resignation, Mr. Condit moved that Mr. Joe Curry be appointed to the Board. Mr. Davis recommended J. Bob Stobs, II, and the Mayor submitted the name of Mrs. Betty Jensen. The appointment will be made at the next meeting. Pension Board - Mayor McIntosh announced the resignation of Mr. Michael J. Franco from the Pension Board. In regretfully accepting the resignation it was moved by Mr. Davis that a plaque of appreciation be presented to Mr. Franco. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed. Mr. McLeod submitted the name of Robert E. Day as a replacement on the Pension Board. Personnel Appeals Board - Robert E. McKenney L. M. Showalter Robert O. Hach Oscar H. Martel Mrs. James J. Lynch Mr. Claussen moved that this Board be re-appointed for a two-year term. The motion was seconded by Mr. Condit and carried. Insurance Advisory Committee - Gordon Boulton Robert Frix Duke Reynolds William F. George Mrs. Frances Everett (nominee) Mr. Davis moved approval of the committee as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Condit and passed unanimously. Appointment of Village officials - Village Manager Village Attorney Village Clerk Chief of Police Mr. Claussen moved that the two year appointments be discontinued 7/15/75 -6- inasmuch as these people serve at the will of the Council according to the charter. The motion was seconded by Mr. McLeod and passed unanimously. Village Manager's report. Concerning the 91st Street drainage problem, Mr. Peace reported that Mr. Bradford has been in touch with the Department of Transportation, that we plan to get photos of this flooding and then notify them of the problem. In the meantime Mr. Peace reported, they will put acid in the catch basins which may alleviate the problem. Mayor McIntosh complimented the Manager on drafting the club manager job description and Village budget but pointed out that the budget did not include what was spent in the first 9 months of the fiscal year, and projected figures on 12 month expenditures. Village Attorney's report. Mr. Lund reported, in regard to conflict of interest on the part of Council members belonging to the Presbyterian Church and voting on the closing of Park Drive, that special counsel be employed to advise on this issue (since he, too, is a member of the Presbyterian Church), or submit the question to the Fla. Commission on Ethics to render an opinion. Mr. Condit moved that the Ethics Commission be requested to answer this question and that the Council abide by the decision. Mayor McIntosh relinquished the chair to second the motion and on vote it was passed 4/1 with Mr. Claussen dissenting because he didn't think it was necessary at this time. Mr. Davis asked the Village Manager to look into the reasons why at the scene of a robbery that we send three Police cars and two detective .cars and if it takes five people to write one report. 7/15/75 -7- Referring again to Mr. Lance and his tree trimming at 246 N. F. 102nd St. , the Mayor stated that the Council will ask Mr. Peace to review operation of the responsible department. Mr. William Fann, Chairman of the Charter Revision Committee, reported that a meeting of that committee had been held on the previous evening and that work was underway. Mayor McIntosh reported on recent correspondence on the sludge line controversy and thanke dthe North Dade Journal for the editorial writen in favor of the Village's position. Mr. McIntosh stated that we are still attempting to get the line off N. F. 2nd Ave. and if something positive happens the public will be advised. Mrs. Helen Morton, 140 N. F. 105th St. , voiced a complaint about the many solicitors that are coming to her door in the last few months, that were never permitted in the past. The Mayor asked the Village Manager to check into this with the Chief of Police. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. r Village Clerk A OVED: X] AMayor