05-07-1991 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 7, 1991
The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council
was held on Tuesday, May 7, 1991, at the Miami Shores Village
Hall commencing at 7:30 p.m. with the following members
present:
Mayor Johnson
Robert Cook
Henry T. Courtney
Herb Spahn
Stephen Loffredo
Also present: Gail Macdonald
William F. Fann
The invocation was delivered by Harold A. Davenport from the
Miami Shores Community Church.
Mayor Johnson presented proclamations for Municipal Clerk's
Week, May - Correct Posture Month and National Music Week.
Mr. Hank Gaggstatter presented Shores Heritage Council donation
checks to representatives of Horace Mann Middle School, Miami
Shores Elementary and the Miami Shores Performing Arts Theater.
ITEM *1 MINUTES
Mr. Courtney moved approval of the minutes from the Regular
Council Meeting of 4/16/91. Mr. Spahn seconded the motion and
the vote was unanimous In favor. Mayor Johnson acknowledged
receipt of the minutes from the following meetings:
Downtown Revitalization Board 4/3/91
Fine Arts Commission 3/18/91
Recreation Advisory Board 4/29/91
Planning and Zoning Board 4/11/91
ITEM *2 APPOINTMENT TO THE FINE ARTS COMMISSION. Ms. Macdonald
explained the background and stated that there are 2 openings on
the Board. One with a partial term ending In 1991 the other
being a full term ending in 1994. Ms. Robin Gart and Ms. Violet
Anderson spoke on their own behalf. Mr. Courtney moved to appoint
Robin Gart to the full term on the Fine Arts Commission ending
April 1994 and that the Council appoint Violet Anderson to the
partial term ending September 1991. Mr. Loffredo seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous In favor.
ITEM *2A EMERGENCY ITEM: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE URGING THE GOVERNOR TO VETO SENATE BILL NO.
1902 WHICH WOULD EXPAND THE PREEMPTION FROM COUNTY REGULATION
AFFORDED TO CERTAIN NONPUBLIC -SECTOR BUS OPERATIONS.
Ms. Macdonald stated that she received an emergency request from
Dade County Commissioner Charles Dusseau requesting that Miami
Shores pass a resolution to assist the County. She requested
that the Item be placed on the agenda as an emergency Item. Mr.
Loffredo so moved. Mr. Cook seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous in favor. Ms. Macdonald explained the background and
read the caption and the body of the resolution. Mr. Loffredo
moved approval of the resolution. Mr. Courtney seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous In favor.
ITEM *3 DISCUSSION REGARDING PHASE II OF THE STREET CLOSURE
PROGRAM. Ms. Macdonald explained the background and Introduced
Dr. Cromwell from the University of Miami. She reviewed her memo
to Council dated May 6th 1991 and outlined the tentative street
closure work plan. Dr. Cromwell stated he Is looking only at the
crime Issue with regard to street closures. He outlined the
parameters of his study and how he is proceeding. Council
members questioned Dr. Cromwell on many different aspects of his
study. Dr. Cromwell stated that he is trying to complete his
study by May 31st. Ms. Macdonald inquired about the offender
resident portion of the study. Dr. Cromwell stated that when the
study Is complete the results will show where the criminal lives
and where they are committing their crimes. He stated that this
information could be helpful in placing the street closures. He
stated that auto theft has been significantly reduced in the last
12 months.
Ms. Chris Master asked If the study will have a bearing on where
the street closures will be placed. Ms. Macdonald responded yes.
Mayor Johnson stated that a traffic study will be performed and
that traffic will also be considered. Mr. Cook asked who gives
final approval of the street closures In Phase Il. Ms. Macdonald
replied that the County gives the final approval. Mr. Cook
suggested that the traffic study be all-inclusive for traffic
control devices such as 4 way stops and road striping. Mr.
Loffredo made a presentation regarding narrowing Miami Avenue.
He said it would be 4 lanes Instead of 5.
Ms. Margaret Burch asked what Dr. Cromwell's study will consist
of. Dr. Cromwell responded. Mayor Johnson asked for an
accounting for the closure program allocating Public Works
Department costs as well as outside contractors costs. There was
a consensus of Council to account for labor costs of Public Works
construction and maintenance of street closures as separate
Items.
Mr. Carlos Mogolion spoke about being left behind when street
closures are voted on. He also spoke about an Increase of
traffic on his street.
ITEM *4 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DOWNTOWN
CROSSWALK PAVERS. Mr. Spahn reviewed the background and
suggested not installing the street pavers until after the July
16th meeting to see If sewers are going to be suggested for
downtown by the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Spahn moved to
award the bid at the July meeting at which time Planning and
Zoning will have presented their plans for downtown and Second
Avenue. Mr. Cook seconded the motion. Mr. Courtney spoke about
the work that the Downtown Revitalization Board does, that the
sewer Issue is dead and that the Council should not delay the
crosswalk paver protect. Mr. Loffredo stated that the sewers are
dead and the money should be spent before an emergency comes up
and the protect Is deferred. He said that the Council should go
ahead with the protect now. Mayor Johnson stated that the
ultimate recommendations from P&Z will not be ready by July. He
stated that the crosswalk protect has been decided on and the
Council should move ahead. Ms. Barbara Witte spoke about the
total plan for downtown and that the plans for downtown are a
grass roots recommendation from the residents of Miami Shores.
Ms. Witte explained where the Village is on the bid process for
the paving protect. Mr. Spahn withdrew his motion and Mr. Cook
withdrew his second.
Mayor Johnson called for a recess at 8:52 pm.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:02 pm.
ITEM *5 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF
NEW SWIMMING POOL. Mr. Spahn explained the background and spoke
about the 10 mil cap and taxes. He reviewed the cost of
different protect options. Mr. Spahn proposed the following:
1. Request the Village Manager to renegotiate with the
Village's engineer to give the Council a figure to
rebuild the pool exactly the way it is now except for
allowing for handicapped access.
2. Have Mr. Benton take on the pool protect to ascertain
the costs to rebuild the pool as it Is.
3. Close the pool for 3 to 4 months Instead of 1 year.
4. Spend $250,000 - $300,000 Instead of 1 million
dollars.
Ms. Macdonald suggested waiting for the Long Range Financial
Planning Workshop, planned for June, to see what number the
Council would be comfortable with for construction of a pool.
Mr. Courtney asked Ms. Macdonald why the cost Increased from the
original estimate of $800,000 to $1,016,000. Ms. Macdonald
responded that the first figure was a ball park figure and the
second Is an exact price. Mr. Cook suggested figuring what the
Council's pool reconstruction budget is first so the engineers
can determine what the Village can do. He gave the examples of
repairing the current pool or building a new pool. Mr. Loffredo
asked if the underground area could be filled to support the
deck. Mr. Varney stated that no one has investigated that. Mr.
Loffredo proposed doing as little as possible now and see how the
financial climate Is at a later date. Mr. Peter de La Horra, an
engineer with H.J. Ross & Associates explained the process of
designing a new pool. He stated that a new pool and equipment
would cost $300,000 - $345,000. The amenities are what Increases
the cost. Mr. Cook reviewed the cost of pools and stated that
40% of the cost Is for the pool Itself. Mr. Loffredo asked if
the pool could be built then the amenities be added later. Mr.
de La Horra replied yes. Mayor Johnson asked If location would
change the cost of a new pool. Mr. de La Horra replied no. Mr.
Cook spoke about the benefits of developing a target budget that
the engineers can work with. Mr. Courtney suggested giving H.J.
Ross the 5 alternatives that Seiler Keller developed and get
current prices. Ms. Macdonald stated that there will be a charge
to review the Seiler Keller proposals. Mr. Courtney withdrew his
suggestions. Mr. de La Horra reviewed what is Involved In
renovation of the pool. Mr. Cook reviewed what he felt the cost
of renovation vs construction of a new pool would be. Mr. John
Waller, pool consultant with H.J. Ross, stated that he has not
looked at renovation of the current pool and that he was at a
disadvantage In discussing renovation prices. Mr. Spahn asked for
a price quote on redoing the pool exactly as it Is. Mayor
Johnson asked for a proposal of what it would cost to:
a. Bare bones minimum to keep pool operating for 5 years
b. Minimum cost to reconstruct the pool as It is
c. Build pool with a minimum of amenities
Mr. de La Horra stated that he would return at the next meeting
with a cost estimate to complete the 3 studies. There was a
consensus of Council to have the engineering firm return at the
next Council meeting with a fee proposal to complete the
requested studies.
Ms. Margaret Burch spoke about the cost of pools and the
demolition of the old pool.
Mr. Spero Canton spoke about the vote on the bond Issue.
Mr. John Davies spoke about the vote on the bond Issue and the
number of voters.
Mr. Owen Henderson spoke about reasons why residents voted
against the bond issue.
Mr. Larry Hull stated that the Recreation Advisory Board supports
construction of a new pool.
Mr. Ed Harrigan spoke about the wording of the referendum on the
ballot.
Mr. Frank Nowlan spoke about the vote on the swimming pool Issue
and the cost of the proposed pool.
ITEM *6 REQUEST TO AMEND LIBRARY BOARD BYLAWS Ms. Macdonald
reviewed the background and recommend approval of the amendment.
Mr. Spahn so moved and Mr. Courtney seconded the motion. Mr. Fann
suggested that he should investigate the Issue and return at the
next Council meeting. Mr. Spahn withdrew his motion and Mr.
Courtney withdrew his second.
ITEM *7 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROCESS OF
NOTIFYING RESIDENTS OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE CODE REQUIREMENTS.
Mr. Cook reviewed the background and proposed identifying the
most common code violations, generate a simple publication which
states basic codes which must be adhered to and mall to existing
residents and potential residents. He also suggested a code
violation inspection prior to closing on any property in Miami
Shores. Mr. Courtney stated that the newsletter is a good way to
disseminate the Information. The Council asked Mr. Fann to
Investigate the legal aspects of code enforcement inspections
prior to closing.
ITEM *8 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson read the announcements.
ITEM *9 COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Johnson spoke about the theater.
ITEM *10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
ITEM *11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm.
SIGNATURES FOR THE 5/7/91 COUNCIL MEETING
Attest: Gall Macdonald
Village Clerk
By:
Scott W. Davis
Deputy Village Clerk
Steven Jo
Mayor