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05-19-1992 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MAY 19, 1992 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on May 19, 1992, at the Miami Shores Village Hall commencing at 7:35 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Johnson Herb Spahn Stephen Loffredo Robert Cook Also present: Gall Macdonald William F. Fann Absent: Henry T. Courtney Mayor Johnson presented "Mayor For A Day" proclamation to Country Day School student, Heather Akers. Mayor Johnson presented a plaque to retired Assistant Police Chief Brenton. Mayor Johnson presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the FOCUS organization. ITEM *1 MINUTES Mr. Loffredo moved approval of the minutes from the 5/5/92 Regular Council meeting and asked that the following sentence be added to Item *5 after the colon. "A request for street closures and barricades at the following locations:" Mr. Cook seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. Mayor Johnson acknowledged receipt of the minutes from the following meetings: Recreation Advisory Committee 4/13/92 Fine Arts Commission 4/14/92 Code Enforcement Board 5/7/92 ITEM *2 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO APPROPRIATE FORFEITURE FUNDS. Ms. Macdonald Introduced the Item and explained the requests. She stated that the request Is In the amount of $765 for computer equipment and $1955 for fencing for a total of $2720. She recommended approval. Mr. Spahn moved approval. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. ITEM *3 DISCUSSION REGARDING LOCATION OF PROPOSED FIRE STATION. Ms. Macdonald Introduced the Item and stated that the proposed location for the fire station is at 95th Street and NE 2nd Avenue. She stated that the discussion Is an Informal discussion and that no action is to be taken at this time. She stated that she Is looking for a consensus from the Council on a location. Fire Chief David Paulsson stated that the Fire Department has been looking for property for 3 years and has narrowed the selection to the proposed site. He stated that the new station will Increase property values and that it meets the Department's needs best. Chief Paulsson stated that the Department has looked outside of the Village for a site but that none were acceptable. Mr. Loffredo stated that it Is a good Idea and he supports it. He stated that the Fire Station will enhance the downtown area and that it is a good use of the property. Mr. Cook stated that he was concerned with taking a piece of property off the tax rolls. He also asked Chief Paulsson about funds shortfall. Chief Paulsson stated that the Fire Department will build a fire station whether the Village helps with funding or not. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Village has a commitment to provide some funds. Mayor Johnson stated that he was not In favor of the proposed location. He stated that there Is no doubt that a new station Is essential: however, others are Interested In the property and that a fire station does not set the tone for a commercial district. Ms. Macdonald stated that Councilman Courtney instructed her to relay his feelings regarding the matter. She stated that Councilman Courtney was In favor of the proposed site for the new station. Mr. Tom Laubenthal: Spoke about other locations for a fire station and zoning questions. Mr. Marc Piper: Asked about traffic patterns for the exiting trucks. Ms. Shiela Glrshman: Asked about traffic and stated that she was In favor of the proposed location. Mr. Cliff Walters: Suggested that the Council sit back and look at other sites. Mr. Spahn stated that this Issue has been going on for a long time. Mr. Cook stated that It is not a new Issue; however, the Council should step back and make sure the site Is the best location. Mr. Mike Miguire: Spoke about accidents at 95th Street and 2nd Avenue. Mr. Spahn asked about the Fire Department's timetable after a consensus of council Is reached. Chief Paulsson replied that it would take 18 months for the station to become operational. Mr. Spahn stated that he was very supportive of the proposed location. Mr. Loffredo stated that he was not In favor of using park land for a station. Mr. Cook stated that he would like to take the time to see If other Ideas are generated for the property. Chief Pauilson stated that he will go back and restudy the triangle piece of property at 92nd Street and 2nd Avenue and speak to the two churches again. He stated that he will be prepared to return to the Council at their June 16th meeting. Mr. Jack Grieco: Downtown Is a good location for the fire station and the tax Issue Is not important. Mr. Tom Laubenthal: volunteered to work with the fire department to flt their station design to the triangle piece of property. ITEM 41,4 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO FILE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT APPLICATION FOR CREATION OF A MIAMI SHORES HISTORIC MUSEUM. Mayor Johnson passed the gavel to Mr. Cook and introduced the item. He stated that the house is on 88th Street 2 houses In from 10th Avenue and was built In 1904-1906 from Dade County Pine. He said the house is In disrepair at this time. He proposed to move the house to Memorial Park, renovate it and use It for offices for the Historic Preservation Board and display historic artifacts. Mayor Johnson stated that the building could also house the offices of the Chamber of Commerce. He stated that the grant application deadline Is June 1st. Mr. Spahn stated that he is not sure that there Is a need for a museum. He asked who will maintain the building. Mr. Loffredo stated that the site location Is totally unacceptable. He stated that he was opposed to taking any park land and suggested finding a location In the downtown area. Mayor Johnson stated that It will enhance the park, not Impinge on park use. Mr. Cook asked how will the Village pay for it. He stated that it was a good Idea If the Village has the funds. Ms. Macdonald stated that she was gravely concerned that a $75,000 match is needed for the grant. Mayor Johnson stated that the grant application is not a commitment, only an application. Mr. Charles Smith stated that he Is looking for an Interest In the concept, not looking for a commitment for funds. He presented a short video tape of the house In question. Mr. Hank Gaggstatter stated that the Historic Preservation Board voted to support the project and Is willing to contribute time due to their lack of funds. Mr. Loffredo stated that he liked the Idea but that he was not In favor of park use. Mr. Spahn stated that he Is not convinced that there is a need, the Village cannot afford the cost and that he cannot support the project. Mr. Cook stated that there are other projects In the Village not being completed due to lack of funds. Mayor Johnson stated that he Is only looking for a commitment to look into the project, not for funds at this time. Ms. Macdonald asked about the time frame for the grant and whether the home owner will wait before demolishing the house. Mr. Smith replied that the matching grant can be obtained immediately. Mayor Johnson moved to have the Council explore for more information on the possibilities of acquiring and locating the house somewhere In the Shores, to file grant applications which do not commit the Village to any expenditure of funds, and to get more information to allow the Council to make a better Informed decision about what is historically a very significant property which could help the Village to revitalize the community. The motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Loffredo moved to support the Historic Preservation Board and Mr. Smith in their grant application with the State of Florida for the acquisition at this property with the proviso that for siting purposes It be sited within the Miami Shores downtown area and that no park land be used as a site and that the Council not bind themselves to the exPenditure of funds until the Council receive a response back from the State and have further Council action. Mayor Johnson seconded the motion. The vote was taken and was as follows: Loffredo - Yes Johnson - Yes Spahn - No Cook - No The motion failed. Mr. Cook passed the gavel back to Mayor Johnson. ITEM *5 REPORT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO BUILDING PERMIT PROCEDURES. Ms. Macdonald reviewed the background and stated that permits are governed by the South Florida Building Code. She recommended that the Council not pursue this matter at this time. Mr. Cook stated that his original proposal Is unworkable. ITEM *6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Johnson read the announcements. ITEM *7 COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no Council comments. ITEM *8 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Tom Laubenthal: Spoke about the Village survey in relation to the vltacourse question. Mr. Arthur Taylor: Spoke about a flag for the Memorial Day celebration that flew over the Capitol. Mr. Jim Condit: Asked about placing a 3 minute limit on public comments. Mr. Fann stated that the Council should confine public comments to comments and not debate on future Council actions due to compliance with the Sunshine law. Mr. Mike Mlgulre: Spoke about the barricade at 95th Street and 6th Avenue. ITEM *9 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Attest: Gall Macdonald Village Clerk By: Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk Steven J,hnso Mayor /