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07-02-1991 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JULY 2, 1991 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on Tuesday, July 2, 1991, at the Miami Shores Village Hall commencing at 7:34 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Johnson Robert Cook Henry T. Courtney Herb Spahn Stephen Loffredo Also present: Gall Macdonald William F. Fann The invocation was delivered by Reverend John Harris from the Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. ITEM *1 MINUTES Mr. Courtney moved approval of the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting of 6/18/91. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. Mr. Loffredo moved approval of the minutes from the Code Enforcement Workshop of 6/20/91. Mr. Courtney seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. Mayor Johnson acknowledged receipt of the minutes from the following meetings: Downtown Revitalization Board 5/1/91 Planning and Zoning Board 5/9/91, 5/23/91, 6/13/91 ITEM *2 PLANNING AND ZONING REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF VARIANCE FOR DRIVEWAY. Mr. Lubien Introduced the Item and reviewed the background. Mr. Courtney moved to approve the variance. Mr. Spahn seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *3 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR PARTICIPATION IN PILOT PROGRAM TO ALLOW THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS TO PAY CERTAIN MUNICIPAL FEES. Ms. Macdonald reviewed the background. She stated that Consumer Payment Services will supply the equipment and training for Miami Shores staff. She also stated that this service will Increase cash flow and recommended approval of the contract. Mr. Spahn asked about future costs. Ms. Patricia Varney stated that the program will remain on a no cost basis. Mr. Loffredo asked about charge backs and refunds. Ms. Varney stated that the company will absorb the loss If refunds are granted and that there will be no !lability on charge backs. She stated that the Village will have the money In 48 hours and in the future in 24 hours. Mr. Cook asked how long will it take to get out of the contract if the need arises in the future. Ms. Varney responded 60 days. Mr. Spahn moved approval. Mr. Courtney seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *4 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE PARTICIPATING AS A CO-PERMITEE WITH DADE COUNTY UNDER THE PROPOSED EPA, NPDES STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROPOSED DADE COUNTY STORMWATER UTILITY SYSTEM. Ms. Macdonald reviewed the background and EPA procedures. She spoke about a stormwater utility system which will require fees to be paid by the residents. Ms. Macdonald recommended that the Village Manager be authorized to execute a letter of intent with Dade County with respect to participation as a co-permitee. She further recommended that the Village Manager be authorized to negotiate an Inter local agreement with Dade County In order for Miami Shores Village to participate In the Dade County stormwater utility. Mr. Carlos Espinosa, a representative from Dade County, explained the consequences if Miami Shores does not co-permitee with the County. He stated that the EPA requires 5 sampling points from each entity at a cost of $50,000 each. Mr. Espinosa stated that If Miami Shores Joins the pool It will cost approximately $15,000. Mr. Courtney moved to accept the Village Manager's 2 recommendations. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion. Mr. Espinosa stated that storm water causes pollution and that Is why the regulations have been developed. The vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *5 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONTRACTING WITH POOL ENGINEERS FOR ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING STUDIES. Ms. Macdonald stated that the item was being brought back to Council after being tabled at the May 21st meeting while waiting for more Information to be gathered. She recommended, as stated In her report, that the Council try once again to educate the public as to the realities of the situation and try once again to obtain voter approval for bond financing. Mr. de La Horra, from the engineering firm of HJ Ross, presented 2 pool options each showing Items that have been removed from their original presentation. He stated that there Is no covering on the pool deck for the lowest cost option. Mr. Loffredo asked about parking. Ms. Macdonald stated that parking would be expanded north of the clubhouse at a cost of 15- 20,000 dollars. Mr. Spahn stated that the Village can not afford the lowest cost proposal. He said that the VIIIage can not afford $110,000 for the next 10 years. Mr. Courtney stated that the VIIIage should have a pool; however, the problem is how to pay for it. He recommended a ballot on the next scheduled election asking the residents whether they want a pool and whether the community Is willing to pay for a pool in the form of a bond. Mr. Loffredo stated that the money In the general fund was not there for a new pool. Mr. Cook stated that he agrees with Mr. Courtney that the VIIIage needs a pool; however, the Village cannot afford it. He stated that it does not make sense to ask the public again about bonds. He proposed setting aside a capital Improvement fund for the pool. He recommended 2/10 of a mil per year for the life of the existing pool. Mr. Spahn stated that the Village currently has a capital Improvement fund. He suggested spending $14,000 for a study to redo the pool as it Is. Mr. Loffredo suggested further remedial measures to keep the pool open longer. Mr. Cook stated that the decision is a bond issue or not. Mr. Spahn stated that If residents vote no then the VIIIage is out of the pool business and that the Council has expressed a desire to have a pool. Mayor Johnson called for a recess at 8:27 pm The meeting was reconvened at 8:41 pm. In response to discussion about going out to bid for the construction of a pool, Ms. Macdonald stated that the Council needs engineers to develop bid specifications. Mayor Johnson stated that he needs all of the information possible to make the best decision. He stated that he likes the Idea of getting new figures to reconstruct the old pool and suggested hiring a new firm to do the engineering study. Ms. Macdonald recommended that the Council allow the Village Manager and staff to talk with the current engineers to develop a Joint recommendation as to the most feasible manner In which to proceed. Mr. Courtney spoke about the cost of a new pool and the life of a new pool comparing the life of the old pool If It Is renovated. Ms. Macdonald stated that the existing facility needs $50,000 In maintenance that has been deferred. Mr. Cook stated that the Council needs to give the engineers a budget to work with. Mayor Johnson stated that the vote on the ballot was not a valid barometer of the public's opinion. He stated that the Council needs a viable plan to have a bond Issue. Ms. Sheryl Piper: Asked if a committee of residents was put together to develop pool options. Mayor Johnson stated no. Ms. Piper stated that it Is a waste of money to renovate the old pool. Mr. Bob Blum: In favor of a new pool and feels a bond Issue could be successful. Mr. Brian Gart: Problem is that the public Is not Informed. Feels votes could be mobilized for a bond Issue. Mr. Gary Pappas: In favor of a new pool. Ms. Mimi Whitefield: Mr. Joe lorlo: Mr. John Contey: Ms. Linda Haun: Mr. Bill Peoples: There was much confusion regarding past bond question on the ballot. Suggested that the Council move quickly on the pool Issue. If bond Issue Is reduced it could be successful. Recommended engineering study for renovation of the pool. The pool was a strong draw for her to move to the Shores. Suggested spending downtown revitalization money on the pool. Spoke about building a new pool on the lot north of the clubhouse. Mr. Spahn suggested having a community group taking the pool Issue on as a protect. Mr. Fann reminded the Council that the agenda Item was contracting with engineers. Mr. Courtney stated that the Council has been working to solve the problem for 3 years; however, the Village cannot pay for a new pool. Mr. Loffredo stated that there has been little community Involvement In the past; however, support seems to be increasing. Mr. Courtney suggested not taking any action regarding contracting with pool engineers. Mr. Cook stated that the demographics of the speakers at the meeting do not reflect those of the community. He stated that he was in favor of an ad-hoc committee and not In favor of a citizen committee. Ms. Macdonald stated that she objects to appointing an ad-hoc committee. She said that grass roots action Is more effective. Mr. Loffredo moved that the Council take no action regarding contracting with pool engineers for additional engineering studies and further move that the Council adopt In principle the recommendations contained in Ms. Macdonald's report about bond Issue at a future date and solicit citizen group Input In the furtherance of her recommendations. Mr. Cook seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Mr. Cook stated that the Council needs a public hearing on this Issue. ITEM *6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Johnson read the announcements. ITEM *7 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Spahn spoke about a community group taking on the pool Issue. ITEM *8 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ITEM *9 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 pm. Attest: Gall Macdonald Village Clerk By: Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk Steven Jo Mayor