05-30-1989 Barricade Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
BARRICADE WORKSHOP
MAY 30, 1989
The Barricade workshop of the Miami Shores Council was
held on Tuesday, May 30, 1989 at Village Hall commencing at
7:35 p.m. with the following members present:
Mayor Courtney
Spero Canton
Herb Spahn
Stephen Loffredo
Marty Stofik
Also Present: Elly F. Johnson
William F. Fann
Mr. Johnson stated that the Miami Shores traffic study was
50% complete.
Mr. Laubenthal, a landscape Architect and Miami Shores
resident, made a presentation to the Council with renderings of
the proposed permanent barricades. He explained the logic
behind his drawings and said no plans have been submitted to
the County. Mr. Laubenthal said the plans should be taken down
to the County and walked through, not Just submitted. In that
way the Council can see exactly what the County wants.
Mr. Canton asked Mr. Laubenthal what is the deciding
factor that requires a turn around at the end of a barricaded
street. Mr. Laubenthal replied the width of the right-of-way.
Mr. Canton stated that with the temporary barricades already In
place, not that many people will be turning around.
Mr. Laubenthal explained the costs and landscaping
Involved in different types of closures.
Mr. Loffredo suggested that berms are not appropriate on
the West side, but that the material removed from the West side
could be used on the East side berms.
Mr. Laubenthal stated that hedges should never be used to
hide a guard rail.
Mr. Loffredo stated that In Coral Gables the City Council
spent money with the Idea of esthetics first. He said In Coral
Gables It looks like there never has been a street where the
closures are.
Ms. Stofik asked Mr. Laubenthal about types of grasses and
hedges. Mr. Laubenthal responded explaining the types of plants
he had In mind. Ms. Stofik stated that she wants the closures
to look 1Ike they have always been there.
Mr. Canton thanked Mr. Laubenthal for the work he has done
on designing the plans viewed at the meeting. He went on to
say the Council should choose the plants with the lowest
maintenance. He said he liked flowering trees.
Mr. Loffredo stated that he agreed with Mr. Canton about
the flowering trees. He said that flowering trees with
reflectors would be the most effective.
Mr. Canton asked how much It would cost.per closure. Mr.
Laubenthal responded saying approximately $5,000 to $5,500 per
closure depending on what the County requires.
Mayor Courtney asked Mr. Laubenthal about having trees
only for a barricade. Mr. Laubenthal stated that he didn't
think that would be a good Idea because the trees can't be put
In close enough to stop cars because the tops would grow
together.
Mr. Spahn asked If flowering trees require alot of Initial
care. Mr. Laubenthal replied no, Just watering for the first 6
months.
Mr. Johnson stated that the Council should decide how
many barricades they want to Implement the first year. Ms.
Stofik asked how many temporary barricades are up at this time.
Mr. Johnson replied 25. He went on to say that Miami Shores
should submit the plan for the permanent barricades to the
County with the Traffic Study so the County can sign off on the
plan at that time. Mr. Spahn stated that the Council should
construct permanent barricades on the streets that have
temporary barricades up currently. He stated that he would
like to see a permanent barricade constructed soon so the
Council can see what the final product will look like.
Mr. Canton stated that the clean fill should be stored at
the Public Works yard. He also stated that some firms have
offered free services and it should be taken advantage of to
lower expenses. Mr. Laubenthal stated that free services
should be used after construction under contract Is finished.
Mayor Courtney inquired about using Village employees to do the
work to lower the cost. Mr. Johnson stated that the Village
doesn't have the necessary personnel.
Mr. Canton asked Mr. Laubenthal what course he would take.
Mr. Laubenthal suggested the 12"-18" curbs with low hedges or,
where curbs are not appropriate, wood fences.
Mr. Canton suggested the Council should instruct the
Village Manager to look at temporarily barricaded locations
with Mr. Laubenthal and come up with designs for each
Intersection. Mr. Loffredo stated that he agrees with Mr.
Canton that the temporary barricades should be looked at first
and that he would like to see a finished permanent barricade.
Ms. Stofik stated that the people who have had the orange
barrels the longest should be the first for permanent
barricades.
Mayor Courtney suggested the course of action for the
Council should be:
1. decide how many permanent barricades to erect
2. decide where to erect them
3. decide what they should look like
4. build a prototype barricade
5. decide what to do with the barrels.
Mr. Johnson stated that for the Council meeting Tuesday,
June 6th, he would prepare a list of the temporary barricades
so the Council can decide which ones to start with.
Mayor Courtney asked If an overlay of the intersections
can be created to show how each design would look at each
location. Mr. Laubenthal stated that It could be done but It
would be very expensive.
Mr. Loffredo stated that every house that abuts the
barricades has a family In it and the Council should take the
time to make sure each permanent barricade Is done fairly and
correctly.
Mr. Johnson stated the Council should look at an
additional 5 streets and temporaries should be put up as soon
as possible. Ms. Stofik stated that she would like to see the
results of the traffic study before the Council chooses 5
additional locations.
Mayor Courtney asked the Council to state their preference
for types of barricades.
Mr. Spahn: Curbing, grass, hedges and small flowering trees.
Ms. Stofik: Small flowering trees except where a signature
tree Is In place, curbing, under plantings, but not fences or
guard rails.
Mr. Canton: Low flowering trees, low berms, curbing , wood
fences and hedges.
Mr. Loffredo: Curbing, small flowering trees, hedges but not
wood fences.
Mayor Courtney: Palms, small flowering trees, grass berms,
wood rail fences and low maintenance hedges.
Ms. Stofik stated that graffiti could be a problem on wood
fences.
Mr. Spahn inquired about the status of the group that came
to the Council requesting barricades. Mr. Loffredo (at a later
meeting, 6/20/89) stated that the record should show that the
Duffy group came to the Council because of the perceived effect
that they felt Phase 1 would have on them. Mr. Johnson stated
that the locations are not In Phase 1 which will take
approximately 2-3 years. Mr. Canton suggested putting In new
barricades In areas that have requested them. Ms. Stofik
stated that the barrels will be used for Phase 1 and will not
be available for new areas. She said the Council should create
a new plan for phase 2. Mr. Johnson stated that any new areas
must be
approved by the County first.
Mr. Spahn inquired If a traffic study Is necessary to put
up a new temporary barricade. Mr. Johnson stated that the
County will require a traffic study to put any new barricades.
Mr. Canton stated that the Village should look at the Safe
Neighborhoods act for funding to do further traffic studies.
Mr. Spahn asked Mr. Johnson to write a letter to the
representatives of the groups that have approched the Council
requesting barricades to let them know what the current
situation Is with the barricade program.
Mayor Courtney stated that he would like to thank Mr.
Laubenthal very much for all the work he has done.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m..
Attest: Elly F. Johnson
Village Clerk
By:
Scott W. Davis
Deputy Village Clerk
enry Courtney
Mayor