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10-30-1990 Special Meeting MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 30, 1990 The Special meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on Tuesday, October 30, 1990, at Village Hail commencing at 7:36 p.m. with the following members present : Mayor Courtney Herb Spahn Spero Canton Stephen Loffredo Also present : Gall Macdonald William F . Fann Mayor Courtney convened the meeting and Introduced Mr . John Zobler , Chief of Special Taxing District, Dade County. Mr . Zobler Introduced : Charles Small , Public Works Department George Aguilar , WASA Alberto Estevez, WASH Vince Arrebola, DERM Eduardo Vega, DERM Mr . Zobler reviewed the steps In sewer construction . Mr . Small reviewed the costs and methods of payment . He outlined the time table of the project . Mr . Arthur Shandloff Inquired why sewers are being Installed after Miami Shores has gone so long without them. Mr . George Frix asked questions relating to mandating sewers for Miami Shores. He asked If It was guaranteed if his property value would Increase. Mr . Small spoke about the cost to connect to the sewer line. He stated that construction would take 9 months to 1 year . Mr . Canton asked for the criterion for alleys to be used. Mr . Small explained how the decision would be made to go down 2nd Avenue or the alleys. Dr . Stein spoke about granting easements in the alleys to allow sewers to go down the alleys. Mr . Tom Laubenthal asked about the size of the water mains. Mr . Aguilar replied that the sewer lines would accommodate most anything in a city the size of Miami Shores. Mr . Bruce Keller asked about other cities that have had sewers Installed . Mr . Small responded the 167th Street area. In response to questions regarding hurricanes Mr . Small stated that an extended power outage would Incapacitate the sewer system. Mr . Canton stated that FP&L has preferred customers to get the power back on . Ms. Betrice Shandloff asked about business during construction. Mr . Small replied that if the sewers are placed on 2nd Avenue work would be done at night . He said that each business would be Impacted 1-2 days; however , access to the business will never be cut off . Mr . Gene Parry asked if his parking lots would be Included in his assessment . Mr . Small replied no. Ms. Betty Jensen spoke about the taxpayers paying for the assessment assigned to the Library and Village Hall . Mr . Henry Everett stated that he was concerned that there Is no total cost for the project . Mr . Les Forney asked if the lines on 2nd Avenue could be used for sewer lines. Mr . Aguilar replied no. Mr . Condit asked who makes the final decision on sewers. Mr . Zobler replied the Council and Dade County Commissioners . A recess was called at 8:40 pm. The meeting was reconvened at 8:50 pm. Ms. Macdonald reviewed her memo titled "Downtown Sanitary Sewer Installation" dated 10/29/90. She said community support is essential and recommended completing the planning process before any commitment is made. Mr . Spahn spoke about zoning and height restrictions and the support of downtown property owners. He said sewers alone will not solve problems downtown . Mr . Loffredo spoke about single family residential vs multi-family residences and the negative Impact that multi-family residence creates. He also spoke about parking needs for larger buildings and the process to get sewers and that the County Commissioners will reject the project if the property owners are united against sewers. Mr . Spahn spoke about the zoning change process. Mr . Canton stated that sewers are not the only option to solve problems downtown . Mayor Courtney stated that the Intent of Investigating sewers Is to make Miami Shores a better place. He said sewers Increase options downtown and that Second Avenue is dying and the Village has to do something to keep it from doing SO. He also spoke about the environmental Issue regarding septic tanks. Mr . Spahn moved that the Council accept the Village Manager 's recommendations. There was no second for the motion . Mr . Canton stated that there was no clear plan on where downtown is going . He said that there is no marketing plan for downtown . Mr . Loffredo spoke about the cost of planning for downtown and that it Is not necessary at this time. Mr . Everett spoke about the lack of final costs for the property owners for the sewer project . He asked if sewers were in the public Interest . Mayor Courtney replied yes. Mr . Everett stated that there was no reason to Install sewers with current zoning . Mr . Canton asked Mr . Everett what, are the answers for the problems downtown. Mr . Everett replied a Business Development Board would help. Dr . Jay Stein spoke about changing information that effects decisions. He spoke about his costs for a septic tank or sewers. Mr . Canton stated that he Is not in favor of tearing up the buildings on Second Avenue to install sewers. Mr . Ed Harrigan spoke about sewers not being the end-all solution for downtown . Mr . George Bennett stated that the P&Z Board voted to put the sewer project on hold. Mr . Tom Laubenthal spoke about planning for Miami Shores. Mr . Bruce Keller spoke about the Downtown Revitalization Board 's efforts to help downtown. He said that there is no master plan for Miami Shores. Mr . Gene Parry stated that the property owners care about downtown and that sewers will cause tenants to move out . Mr . Loffredo spoke about concerns with high density buildings in urban areas. He stated that residents should share a larger cost of the sewers and suggested that the city pay for the sewers for the first 3 years then assess the property owners. Mr . Canton moved : That the Village Manager return to Council within 90 days with B1 and B2 zoning recommendations. To have the Village Manager return to Council with a County feasibility study as soon as they can make it available r3garding whether the alleys can be used and if not what alleys can 't be used. To have the Village Manager come back to Council with a list of economic aids that the Council can give to property owners including possible tax breaks or different options. To form a task force of property owners, staff and DRB to talk about a possible compromise in what exactly can be done. There was no second for the motion . Mayor Courtney stated that the property owners should assess what the cost would be to them and evaluate whether It would be beneficial to them or not . Mr . Spahn stated that he was In favor of further planning . Mr . Loffredo stated that he does not agree with the Village Manager 's recommendations. Mr . Canton recommended bringing Ms. Macdonald's recommendations back up at the next Council meeting and have Ms. Macdonald bring back a feasibility study from the County for the use of the alleyways for sewers. There was a consensus of Council for Mr . Canton 's recommendations. Mr . Canton suggested putting on the next agenda "Discussion and possible action regarding staff recommendations for economic subsidies or economic breaks to the property owners along Second Avenue. Ms. Macdonald stated that she could not have the Information for the next Council meeting . Mr . Canton stated that he would give the Village Manager 60 days to gather the Information . He suggested a task force with property owners, DRB and staff to come together to develop a compromise on the sewer project . Ms. Fran Everett stated that sewers have become an end rather than part of a business plan . Mr . Arthur Taylor spoke about leaking water lines. Mayor Courtney stated that there is agreement among Council against property owners having to break up their buildings to hook up to sewers on Second Avenue. Ms. Barbara Witte stated that she was in favor of a professional planner for downtown . Mr . Loffredo stated he will place "Final action on Dade County's report on sewers"on the next meeting 's agenda. Mayor Courtney suggested waiting 1 more meeting so the Village Manager can get the alley information . Mr . Spahn stated that a business plan Is necessary downtown. Mr . Vince Shafineister spoke about a past plan for downtown. Ms. Macdonald suggested postponing the decision until November 20th. Mr . Spahn so moved . Mr . Loffredo seconded the motion and suggested taking final action at that time. The vote was as follows. Canton, Loffredo and Courtney - Yes, Spahn - No. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11 : 12 pm. e ry T Courtney Mayor Attest : Gail Macdonald Village Clerk . BY' Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk