06-08-1988 Special MeetingSPECIAL MEETING
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL
JUNE 8, 1988
The special meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council
was held on Wednesday, June 8, 1988, at the C. Lawton McCall
Community Center commencing at 7:25 p.m. with the following
members present:
Mayor Spero Canton
Stephen Loffredo
Robert S. Butler, Jr.
Karen Kirby
Marty Stofik
Also Present Elly F. Johnson, Village Manager
William F. Fann, Jr., Village Attorney
Mayor Canton announced that the purpose of the meeting
was to discuss criteria and long range aspects of the barri-
cade plan. He Introduced Barbara North Burton, Chairman of
the Mayor's Task Force and Chairman of the Task Force's
Street Closure Committee.
Mrs. Burton Introduced members of the panel: Bob Lodge,
Dottie Yates, Vince Schafineister, Debbie Seigler, Capt. Paul
Urschalitz, and John LaCapra. Absent from the panel was
member Jay Stein.
Upon inquiry from Dr. Butler regarding a financial
program for the barricade, Mr. Lodge reported the committee's
recommendation. Their cost analysis of the proposed
landscaped barricade was approximately $4,800 per barricade.
With 72 proposed locations, the protected total cost was
$345,000. Financing plans were to borrow funds against
general fund and amoritize this over a 5 year payback at the
current Interest rate. This would be In addition to the
capital Improvement loan and would result in a protected
estimate of $23 per home owner per year for 5 years.
Dr. Butler recommended an additional $500 to $800 per
closed street to accommodate vehicle turn around areas.
Mrs. Burton advised that the committee did not take Into
account the $250,000 which was available In state grants.
Capt. Urshalitz stated the city had a good chance to receive
a grant. Mrs. Kirby advised that workshops were being
conducted throughout the state by the Florida League of
Cities to address this funding.
Mrs. Seigler stated response from residents indicated
requests were primarily made to (1) decrease traffic flow and
(2) Improve property values. The committee recommended
the following criteria for establishing location of
barricades: (1) request Is presented through a neighborhood
structure so that one barricade will not adversely affect
surrounding neighborhood, (1) does not block major
thoroughfares, (2) requires the least number of barricades In
order to achieve the overall desired effect, (3) approved by
Council, Fire and Rescue, Police Department, Public Works,
Village Hall and Dade County (4) petition be signed by at
least 60 % of residents within the designated neighborhood,
and (5) streets would not be closed without the temporary
evaluation period. Barricades could be evaluated by traffic
counters, polls taken by residents before and after
placement, crime statistics before and after placement, and
long term evaluation of property values.
Mr. Johnson advised he would check with the Department
of Transportation to obtain any statistics on areas that had
prior traffic counters. He explained the difficulty In
securing counters due the busy schedule of that Department.
Mr. Loffredo stated It would be difficult to determine Impact
on neighboring streets unless counters were used.
Cpt. Urschalitz stated statistics In cities using barri-
cades show a 40% to 94% reduction In traffic In the affected
area and an Increase in property values. Statistically
opportunistic crime decreases when barricades are
established. Initial response to barricades Is generally
negative, however, after placement residents reacted
positively to them.
Mrs. Burton recommended the use of colored scored
concrete In streets entering the Village and scattered
throughout main avenues and streets as part of a total
beautification protect. Funding through grants was available
for such a protect.
Don Larson, 474 N.E. 95th Street, stated his
neighborhood was organized and did present a petition to
close 95th St. at 6th Avenue.
Jack Bailey, 102 N.W. 97th Street, stated perception on
his street was good. He requested alternatives to closing
alleyways. Mrs. Burton advised alternatives will be investi-
gated and presented to Council at a later date.
Bill Rauer, 125 N.E. 104th Street, expressed concern
there was no barrier for the west side of 104th Street and
2nd Avenue.
Leo Price, 1000 N.E. 96th Street, expressed concern
about Increased traffic in collector streets and police
response to criminal activity. He did not think barricades
would defer anyone from driving over them or across adjacent
lawns.
Joe Dugoni, 166 N.E. 92nd Street, commended the Task
Force for Its work. He stated his neighborhood endorsed
barricades and requested priority for temporary barricades.
Of 102 homes contacted In his neighborhood, 90 said yes, 6
said no, and 6 have not as yet been contacted.
Carl Commissiong, 338 N.W. 111th Terrace, expressed
concern that the extreme northwest section of the Village was
not addressed In the plan. He stated his neighborhood was in
favor of barricades and was one of the first to submit a
petition.
Don McIntosh, 313 N.E. 92nd Street, questioned If deed
restrictions where barricades were to be placed had been
Investigated. He thinks Council should make the decision
on their location.
Jim Condit, 1036 N.E. 96th Street, stated he represented
the Committee for More Informed Villagers. He expressed
concern that barricades would delay emergency response and
that the Issue of cost and maintenance of barricades had not
been addressed. He requested a referendum on the Issue.
Don Clippinger, 165 N.E. 98th Street, stated residents
in his neighborhood were willing to pay for barricades and
requested competitive bids on their construction.
Sharon Manley, 50 N.W. 101st Street, stated she saw an
Improvement since the barricades were placed In her neighbor-
hood.
Marilyn Blackburn, 231 N.E. 104th Street, requested a
referendum.
Tom Cromer, 346 N.E. 93rd Street, requested a referen-
dum. He stated all neighborhoods are related and there
should be a master plan.
Mr. Loffredo stated the concerns of those that live on
maJor thoroughfares may not be addressed In a referendum as
most of the residents do not live on maJor thoroughfares.
Mrs. Kirby requested more temporary barricades In the
perimeter areas and suggested these may eliminate some of the
Interior problems.
Harvey Abrams, 166 N.W. 100th Street, stated although he
was Initially opposed to barricades, he has seen a positive
change In his neighborhood since they have been placed.
Oscar Buschbaum, 10533 N.E. 3rd Court, stated barricades
were unfair to neighboring nonresidents.
Mary Goodenow, 341 N.E. 104th Street, requested
Information on how to proceed with obtaining signatures from
home owners not In residence.
Betty Jensen, 2 N.W. 111th Street, questioned the
statistics that were presented, expressed concern about
police and fire rescue response time, and inquired about
funding.
Seon Moore, 65 N.W. 95th Street, requested a pilot
program.
Betty Zern, N.E. 96th Street, questioned why speed
limits are not enforced. She requested overall cause and
effect studies to avoid traffic backups and excess travel
time.
Sam Michels, 1070 N.E. 92nd Street, said most of the
residents In his neighborhood are In favor of barricades.
Alex Herrera, 61 N.W. 96th Street, stated his neighbor-
hood has Improved since the barricades were placed.
Mrs. Stoflk commented there were many loose ends the
Council needed to address. It needed to develop an overall
plan to decide what criteria should be established to decide
which of the 18 neighborhoods receive barricades. She
suggested timing on traffic lights may Improve traffic flow
and eliminate short cuts and rumble strips In alleys may
deter outside traffic but not Impede garbage and trash
collection.
Dr. Butler stated the Council should present a community
wide program and investigate funding for the program. These
two Items should be presented In a November referendum. He
requested an estimate on manpower needed for barricade
installation.
Mrs. Kirby commented that the main issue on barricades
has been one of philosophy. A Public Hearing should be held
when permanent barricades are considered. She was in favor
of a referendum and proposed the Council proceed with plans
to put the Issue on a referendum. She commented that It may
be necessary to hire a professional planner.
Mayor Canton stated there is a need for barricades.
Their Intent Is to keep those that don't belong off the
streets and to keep others from using Interior areas as short
cuts to avoid traffic lights. He expressed concern about
the northwest area residents feeling they were being Ignored.
He feels neighborhoods should decide where barricades would
be placed In their areas rather than leaving this up to a
Village wide vote.
Mr. Loffredo stated the major concern should be the
funding before proceeding. He thinks barricades will Improve
property values which will In turn Increase tax revenue. He*
recommended a progressive program of first putting up tempor-
aries and, if funding Is available, proceed with permanent
closings.
Mrs. Burton recommended the Council and the Task Force
work together to investigate funding. It may be necessary to
put up temporaries throughout the Village before funding Is
available to begin replacing with permanent ones. She stated
it would be difficult to protect costs unless neighborhoods
get together with their own plans. She will Investigate cost
of maintenance and irrigation of protected barricade design
and present to Council.
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Mayor Canton identified several Items the Council needed
to address: (1) Master Pian, (2) priorities, (3) funding,
(4) percentage of approval for neighborhoods, (5) temporary
barricades, and (6) approval process. Mr. Loffredo added
traffic counters should be Included In order to get objective
data.
Mr. LaCapra stated he wanted to assist the Village with
obtaining state funds. He stated effective control of
transportation could not be measured unless a master plan is
In place.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
ATTEST: Elly F. Johnson
Village Clerk
BY:
Aria Clayton
Deputy Village C erk