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08-01-1989 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING _AUGUST 1, 1989 -- The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on Tuesday, August 1, 1989 at Village Hall commencing at 7:35 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Courtney Herb Spahn Spero Canton Stephen Loffredo Marty Stoflk Also present: Gall Macdonald' William Yates The Invocation was delivered by Dr. Harold Davenport from the Miami Shores Community. Church followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Courtney explained to the audience how the meeting would be conducted. He then presented a proclamation to Ms. Dottie Yates and Ms. Lila Jacobson for National Night Out. ITEM *1 MINUTES Mr. Canton moved approval of the minutes from the Regular. Council meeting of 7/18/89. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. Mayor Courtney acknowledged receipt of the minutes from the Planning and Zoning Board meeting of 7/13/89. ITEM *2 REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FOR WROUGHT IRON FENCE. Mr. LuBlen explained the background behind the request and described the physical location. Mr. Loffredo moved approval of the action taken by the Planning and Zoning' Board In granting the variance._ Mr. Spahn seconded the motion and Mr. LuBien read from the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Board to outline how the board reached their decision. The vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *3 DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION ON ANNEXATION Mr James Larue, an annexation consultant, reviewed how an. annexation study Is conducted. He said it Is very Important to convince the people who would be entering the city about the. benefits of annexation. Mayor Courtney asked Mr. Larue about his past experience. Mr. Larue reviewed his experience with. annexation. Mr. Canton asked about marketing services. Mr. Larue .stated that he would coordinate neighborhood meetings and produce any necessary information that Is needed. Mr. Canton asked about zoning In the surrounding areas. Mr. Larue sald that zoning Is part of the study. Ms. Stoflk asked about the time frame of the study. Mr. Larue replied about 6 - 8 weeks. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Council Is Interested in three areas: Quayside, Davis Harbor and West Shores area. He asked If economies of scale in public services Is considered. Mr. Larue replied yes. Mayor Courtney asked how much do you charge for your services. Mr. Larue replied $76 per hour. Mr. Canton moved to have Mr. Larue meet with Ms. Macdonald and come up with a fee schedule and come back to Council with a proposal. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion. Mr. Spahn suggested a workshop to discuss which areas would be most feasible for annexation. Mr. Canton stated that Is what Mr. Larue would do In his study. Mr. Canton withdrew his motion and Mr. Loffredo withdrew his second. Ms. Stofik moved to have the Village Manager .and Mr. Larue discuss an annexation study and bring back to Council a proposal at their earliest convenience. Mr. Canton seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *4 REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSMIT TRAFFIC STUDY TO DADE COUNTY. Mr. Ramon Alvarez from David Plumber and Assoc. reviewed the traffic study and spoke about why the study was conducted. He said that the conclusion of the study was that the barricade program would not adversely affect County roads. He recommended that the barricades be built so that emergency vehicles could go across the barricades Instead of around. Specific barricades and Intersections were discussed In detail. Mr. Alvarez recommended that minor changes be made at the Intersection of 96th and Biscayne. Mr. Spahn stated that he needs to know If fire and police service will be aafected. Mr. Loffredo stated that this plan would not affect local fire and police response time. Ms. Macdonald stated that fire department planners have determined that it is quicker to go around the block than open a gate or chain on a barricade. She said some hydrants may need to be relocated. Mr. Spahn stated he would like to know specifically which barricades will Impact emergency service. Mr. Canton stated that the fire department Is satisfied with the plan. Ms. Stofik asked who takes the study to the County. Mr. Alvarez stated that It Is done through a resolution of the Council. Ms. Stofik asked If there were any barricades that were determined to be unnecessary. Mr. Alvarez stated that the plan Is doing what It was Intended to do the way it Is. Mr. Canton asked that Mr. Alvarez and the Village Manager review the map to make sure that it Is correct. Mr. Alvarez stated that he doesn't see a major problem with the County approving the plan. Mr. Canton asked Mr. Alvarez to review the area around 105th and Biscayne because of problems getting Into the N. Country Club area. All comments were made by Miami Shores Village Residents In this section. Dr. Robert Butler spoke about specific statistics In the report such as times of traffic counts. Mr. Alvarez stated that the counts were taken at 3:30 and 6:00 p.m.. He said most of the counts were for 15 minutes. Ms. Betty Zern asked about specific areas of the Shores with regards to the street closures. Mr. Alvarez stated that his firm looked at all of the street closures. Ms. Candy Larson asked about barricades on 96th Street. Ms. Stofik replied that those barricades were Included In the study. Mr. Jim Wilkerson asked If the annexation study will be coordinated with the traffic study. Mr. Loffredo replied yes. Mr. James Condit asked who has the authority to place barricades In specific locations. Mayor Courtney replied that the Council votes on each location. Mr. Condit also spoke about the response time of emergency vehicles. Ms. Stofik suggested that the Council members review the study and get their comments to Ms. Macdonald before she transmits the study to the County. Mr. Loffredo moved to authorize the Village Manager to transmit the traffic study to Dade County as corrected, and request approval from the County. Ms. Stofik seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Courtney thanked Mr. Alvarez for his presentation and for the work he did on the study. ITEM *5 APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD. Ms. Macdonald explained why the position Is available. Mr. Robert E. Cook, Mr. Steven J. Johnson and Mr,. Thomas P. Wyman explained to the Council why they thought they should be appointed to the Board. Mr. Cook was selected unanimously. Mayor Courtney called for a ten minute recess. ITEM e6 REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO COVER COUNTRY CLUB CURRENT FISCAL YEAR DEFICIT. Ms. Macdonald reviewed her memo of 7/28/89 to the Council. Ms. Stofik asked Ms. Macdonald to review the figures of the transfer. Ms. Macdonald explained how the figures were arrived at. Mr. Loffredo asked If the Club was aware of the losses and made no effort to reduce expenses. Ms. Macdonald replied that was correct. Mayor Courtney asked why was no fund transfer request of this nature made before. Ms. Macdonald replied that she could not account for the actions of the prior Village Manager. Ms. Macdonald recommended that the Club repay the loan at $100,000 per year plus Interest, for 7 years. She also said the loan should be repaid at the end of the year instead of at the beginning. Mr. Spahn suggested a monthly update so that the Council knows In advance what the protection Is for the Club. Mayor Courtney stated that he was concerned about why the Council was not made aware of the situation at the Club sooner. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Council was given assurances at budget time last year that there would not be a deficit at the Club. He said that he had seen nothing about the losses In the audit from the Independent audit report. Mr. Loffredo asked that the auditing firm come to the next Council meeting to answer questions about why this situation was not In the report. Mayor Courtney asked Ms. Macdonald what would happen If the Council did not approve the transfer. Ms. Macdonald replied that Mr. Fann advised her that the Country Club Is a department of the Village and the Village Is legally responsible. Mr. Loffredo asked when can he get a report on the progress at the Club. Ms. Macdonald replied the end of next week. Mr. Loffredo stated that the memberships are not down and the revenue is not down by much but the expenses are up by alot. Mayor Courtney asked Ms. Macdonald If she saw the problems, why didn't she come to the Council to report. Ms. Macdonald replied that it was her Job to make her Manager aware of problems and his Job to keep the Council Informed. She said that If she saw criminal actions she would not have hesitated to make the authorities aware of the situation. Ms. Stofik stated that she tried to make the Council aware of financial problems back in January. Mr. Canton stated that Ms. Macdonald would not be here tonight If she had circumvented the Village Manager. Mr. Canton moved approval to authorize the transfer of sufficient funds from the General Fund to the Country Club. Mr. Spahn seconded the motion. Mr. Loffredo suggested that the motion should specify that no further transfers will occur. Mr. Spahn stated that that was impossible. Ms. Macdonald stated that she Is committed to reducing expenses at the Club. Mr. Loffredo suggested immediate layoffs at the Club. Mr. Canton suggested letting Ms. Macdonald work on the budget and come back to the Council with a proposal. Mr. Harrigan, a Miami Shores resident, spoke about why Ms. Macdonald should not have gone behind Mr. Johnson's back. Mr. Norwood .Nelson, a non-resident, spoke about how good Ms. Macdonald Is. Mr. Charles Leeds, a Miami Shores resident, spoke about the report that the Council gets each month about the Country Club. The vote was taken for the motion on the floor and was unanimous In favor. ITEM e7 DISCUSSION OF COUNTRY CLUB DUES STRUCTURE. Ms. Macdonald reviewed a memo from Ms.<Stoflk regarding Club dues. She said she Is looking for guidance from Council. Mr. Spahn suggested putting dollar amounts with the percentages so the Council can compare the current structure with the proposed changes. Mr. Loffredo stated that he Is concerned about an Increase In the membership fees due to the current situation at the Club. Mr. Spahn. asked ``what Is the total change In revenue with the proposed changes. Ms. Stoflk stated that she would put the figures together for the next meeting. Mr. Canton suggested that If the changes are drastic that they should be phased In over a few years. Mr. Arthur Leeds, a Miami Shores resident, spoke about making all residents of the Shores members of the Club and adding the cost to their taxes. He said golf and tennis would be extra. Mr. Frank Nowlan, a Miami Shores resident, stated linking dues to the cost of living would be self defeating. He said the Council should stick to the present dues structure. ITEM *8 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF A COUNTRY CLUB TASK FORCE. Mayor Courtney reviewed why the Item was on the agenda and explained the makeup of the task force. He proposed the makeup as follows: Mike Tailent - Chairman Amy Lehman Drew McIntosh Ed Cote Robert McGrath Herb Spahn Mr. Spahn stated that the task force Is a good idea and will provide a vehicle to look at many options. Mr. Loffredo suggested that each member of the Council should appoint a member of the group. Mr. Canton stated that he would like to see the work of the task force be in tandem with the work Ms. Macdonald Is doing at the Club. Mayor Courtney stated that the Ideas would be for the long term not short term goals. Mr. Canton stated that the Council needs Input from the Country Club Advisory Board and hoped that they would be included In any decision making. Ms. Stofik moved to authorize the Mayor to form a task force on the Country Club. Mr. Canton seconded the motion. Mr. Jim Meyer, a non _resident, stated that the Village has a Country Club Advisory Board that doesn't accomplish much. The following residents made comments: Ms. Angela Daley stated that she resents the fact that Club management never comes to the Advisory Board when they want to do things.. Mr. Mike Boyle stated that the Task Force Is In conflict with the Advisory Board. Mr. Charles Leeds spoke about past success of the Club and the quality of the food In the dining room. Ms. Sally Abdella requested that the Council does not get an outside management firm to manage the Club. Mr. Canton stated that the Council has spent many hours working on the problems at the Club and they have been misinformed. The vote was taken for the motion on the floor and was unanimous in favor. ITEM *9 REPORT ON CURB SIDE :RECYCLING PROGRAM Mr. Tom Benton reviewed the written report that was given to the Council. Mayor Courtney suggested that the recycling containers be purchased by each household or that they could be donated. Ms. Macdonald stated that the residents will pay for the containers. Mr. Loffredo stated that he Is concerned with the cost of maintenance of the recycling equipment. Ms. Stoflk asked how long the containers will last. Mr. Benton replied that the containers have a 5 year unconditional guarantee. Mr. Canton asked how often wilt the materials be picked up. Mr. Benton replied once a week. Mayor Courtney stated that the residents will have difficulty with curb side pickup. Mr. Benton stated that pickup will be impossible in °T" alleys. Mr. Spahn asked If the Council Is pushing too fast. He asked If the Council would be smarter waiting a year to see about new developments. Mr. Loffredo suggested an insert In the garbage bilis and an article In the Village newsletter to promote recycling. Mr. Dan Brant, a Miami Shores resident, spoke about kids doing recycling In the Village and said that Mr. Benton's program Is a good one. He sald that education Is the biggest problem. Ms. Stoflk stated that the education process should be done through the schools In order to get the children of the residents Involved in recycling. ITEM *10 PRESENTATION OF RECYCLING VIDEO Due to the late hour Mayor Courtney deferred this item until the August 15th meeting. ITEM *1.1 DISCUSSION REGARDING LONG TERM CAPITAL PLAN. Mr. Loffredo spoke about the renovation of the pool and adding a snack bar and patio. He also spoke about moving the pro shop and building a putting green. ITEM *12 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPOINTING A SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR THE CHOOSING OF CANDIDATES FOR VILLAGE MANAGER POSITION. Mr. Canton stated that he Is Impressed with Ms. Macdonald and moved to have Ms. Macdonald stay on the Job for 90 days and at that time the Council and Ms. Macdonald would come back and evaluate the Job that she has done and she would evaluate the Job of Village Manager at Miami Shores. Ms. Stoflk seconded the motion. Mr. Spahr% stated that Ms..Macdonald is a good -communicator and keeps the. Council informed. Mr. Loffredo stated that he agrees with Mr. Canton. Mayor Courtney stated that- It was important for the Council to receive input from people who are interested In the position. The vote was taken for the motion and the vote Is as follows: Stoflk, Canton, Spahn, and Loffredo - yes, Courtney - no. The motion paSseo.. ITEM *13 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 239 (a) OF ARTICLE II OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE ZONING ORDINANCE 270, AS AMENDED; REDEFINING INCIDENTAL SIGNS: TO INCLUDE SIGNS OF NOTICE OR DIRECTION DISPLAYED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY; PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATE. Second and final reading. Mr. Loffredo moved approval and.Ms. Stoflk seconded the motion. The Vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *14 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-4(a) OF CODE OF ORDINANCES OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE; PLACING SIX MONTH MORATORIUM ON ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED FOR A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE CLOSURE: PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Loffredo moved approval and Ms. St0flk seconded the motion. Mr. SPein obiected to tying up someone's property for 8 months. Ms. Stoflk stated that the Council can cut the time back If Planning and Zoning finishes reviewing the matter before 8 months. The vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *16 DISCUSSION AND •POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PRO. SHOP LOSSES. Mr. Loffredo deferred the item until the next Council meeting. FTEM *18 ANNOUNCEMENTS We to the late hour the announcements were not read. ITEM *17 COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no Council comments, ITEM *18 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ITEM *19 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1201 a.m.. y . Courtne Mayor Attest: Gall Macdonald By: Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk