02-21-1984 Regular MeetingREGULAR MEETING
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL
February 21, 1984
The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held
on February 21, 1984, at the Miami Shores Community Center, commencing at
7:30 p.m., with the following Council members present:
Mayor Kevin O'Connor
Elspeth Jensen
Robert J. Lodge
Herbert Spahn, Jr.
Terry Cuson
Absent: None
Also present:
L. R. Forney, Jr., Village Manager
William F. Fann, Jr., Village Attorney
Chief of Police John Fletcher
Between 250-300 other persons were present
including Village residents, Police Officers
and their families, union representatives, etc.
The meeting was opened with an invocation given by Mr. Mel Roberts,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
This meeting was held at the Community Center in order to provide
additional seating capacity for those wishing to attend the public hearing
on the Police wage dispute.
MINUTES: (a) Regular Council meeting of 2/7/84 - approved as
written by motion made by Mr. Lodge, seconded by
Mr. Cuson and passed unanimously.
(b) Code Enforcement Board of 2/2/84 - Mr. Cuson
questioned the abstaining votes and also asked
if foreclosures come before the Council. Mr. Forney
stated that he had avised the Chairman of the Board
on the voting and it was further reported that
foreclosures are done administratively.
(c) Downtown Revitalization Board 2/9/84 - accepted.
(d) Planning & Zoning Board 2/14/84 - accepted.
P.B. A. HEARING.
Mayor O'Connor reviewed the history of the negotiations with
the Police Benevolent Association and subsequent hearing
before a special arbitrator who had recommended a 5% increase.
As the recommended 5% was not acceptable to the Police Officers
this hearing was called for the purpose of giving the Officers
an opportunity to be heard.
Mr. Donald Sleznik, attorney for the P.B.A., introduced his
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bargaining team of Nelson Perry, Dade Co. Police Dept.,
and Richard Harrison, Jim Young and Bill Koons of the
Miami Shores Police Dept.
Mr. Sleznik stated that their goal was to reach a fair
labor contract with the city. On the first issue - the
four-day ten hour work schedule for detectives, the P.B.A.
is willing to accept the Special Masters recommendation on
this point - to study and reconsider in next negotiations.
The outstanding issue - wage increase: all parties agreed
this would be retroactive to Oct. 1, 1983 but the 5% salary
increase was not acceptable that the Special Master made
his recommendation on faulty information. In order to
maintain their present standing (salarywise) among county
police departments they would need at least an 8% raise.
Detective Dick Masten was the next speaker, who stated it
was an honor to represent the 26 men in the bargaining unit,
and made an impassioned speech on behalf of the Police Officers.
In conclusion the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Mr. Forney, Village Manager, explained how the negotiations
got to the State arbitrator, or Special Master, and that
the Village had accepted his recommendations. It was Mr.
Forney's recommendation that the Council accept the agreement
with one additionalstep for Sgts. and Lieutenants. Compara-
tive police salary figures were shown to indicate the position
of the Miami Shores police with regard to other cities.
Mayor O'Connor read letters received in support of the
Police Officers, from the following:
Mr. & Mrs. Horace Johnson
137 N. E. 105th Street
Mr. Ralph D. Rich
Fla. Vacuum Cleaner Co.
8980 Biscayne Blvd.
Mr. James Rose
The Coin Emporium
8985 Biscayne Blvd.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Hugh Silvani, 77 N. E. 100th St., asked questions about
taxes, why not raise taxes to increase Police Dept. salaries?
Why not allow all citizens an opportunity to say let's increase
the wages of the Police Dept.? As Shores property owners we
demand the best, why not continue to demand the best in our
protection? Can we not afford to pay 8% to the Police Dept.?
Other Village employees received 3% but'he has yet to see a
tree trimmer risk his neck for him.
Mr. Joe Dugoni, 166 N. E. 92nd St., thought we have the best
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Police Dept. and he wanted to go on record as to raising
taxes and supporting the Police Dept.
Mr. William Bryson, 10667 N. E. 11th Ave., asked how much
it would cost topay these men 3% more? Mr. Forney replied
about $10.00 per home.
Mr. Littman 9404 N. Miami Avenue, spoke in favor of the
Police Dept., and suggested comparing Police wages with
the minutes and hours of exposure for the Police.
Mr. Mel Roberts, 370 N. E. 101st St., commented on the few
people who attend budget meetings when salaries are discussed.
He added that he didn't think we should let sentiment run
away with us.
Mrs. Loretta Olson, 69 N. E. 98th St., spoke about calling the
police for a medical emergency and thought they were"terrific:'.
Ms. Agnes Conlon, 10290 N. E. 2nd Ave., stated we should base
our consideration on need, not money, that we cannot get along
without our Police Dept.
Mr. John Bergacker, 1009 N. E. 104th St., asked why not 5%and 3%,
the same as Metro.
Ms.Lorraine Rose, 102 N. W. 101st St., commended the Police
Dept.
Mr. Ralph Bowen, 685 Grand Concourse, stated that since this is
an affluent community the extra tax dollars would make our
homes more secure.
The Mayor called a recess at this point.
When the meeting was reconvened Mr. Spahn moved that we grant
5% retro active to October 1, 1983, and an additional 3%
increase as of July 1st, with an extra step in the agreement
for Sgts. and Lts. and agree to arbitrate in good faith for
the four-day week for Detectives. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Lodge and Cuson.
Mrs. Jensen refuted the rumor that she wanted to turn the
department over to Metro. She further commented on the salaries
of the Officers and that one of them received more money than
the Village Manager or the Chief of Police.
Mayor O'Connor read a list of salaries paid the Officers
(which included overtime, supplemental pay,etc.)
Mr. Dan Hughes, 250 N. E. 104th St., stated that overtime
should not be considered in comparing salaries.
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Mr. Cuson stated that everyone is behind the Police
Dept. and no one ever intimated that we turn our Police
Dept. over to Metro.
A roll call vote was taken which indicated that the motion.
on the wage: increases was passed unanimously, as repeated
by Mayor O'Connor: 5% 10/1/83, 3% 7/1/84, an extra step
for Sgts. and Lts. and negotiate on the 4 day work week for
Detectives.
After another recess the Council reconvened to.complete.the agenda.
BID RECOMMENDATION ON RE -ROOFING 17th AVE. MAINTENANCE BUILDING.
A recommendation was received from the Public Works Director
that the bid be awarded to the low bidder, Tomco Roofing,
in the amount of $6250.00 plus $100.00 per panel for wood
replacement. After discussion Mr. Lodge moved that the low
bid of Tomco Roofing be accepted. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Cuson and passed unanimously.
DESIGNATION FOR 5.42 ACRES IN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
Mr. Forney reported that the property could either stay as
residential or refer the matter to the Planning & Zoning Board
with a request that they consider amending the plan to its
former designation, Parks & Recreation.
Mrs. Jensen moved that this be referred to the Planning &
Zoning Board to place the property back to Parks & Recreation
in the Comprehensive Plan. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Cuson. Mrs. Jensen mentioned how easy it would be to sell
this property with only a simple majority vdte without a public
hearing, that if the Plan had to be changed it could not be
sold immediately and there would have to be a public hearing.
Mr. Cuson stated that the people had spoken on this issue
and they wanted the property to be returned to Parks & Recreation.
Mr. Spahn thought future Councils should go through the
procedure (for any change).
The motion passed 3/2 with Mayor O'Connor and Mr. Lodge dissenting.
VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT:
(a) Country Club Membership report.
(b) Country Club financial reports.
(c) Investment report.
Mr. Spahn mentioned the low golf play and suggested
reconsidering the limitation on social members playing
only once a month.
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COUNCIL.
Mrs. Jensen called attention to the recent article on
libraries in North Dade which indicated that the Miami
Shores library leads (in number of volumes per capita,
hours, etc.).
Mr. Cuson stated he was proud of the negotiations with
the police and proud of the Council's actions. He also
spoke complimentary of the soccer program at the Community
Center.
Mayor O'Connor encouraged our residents to return the surveys
on downtown revitalization.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:50 p.m.
Vil age Clerk
2/21/84