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05-03-1994 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 1994 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on May 3, 1994 at the Village Hall commencing at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: PRESENT Mayor Heffernan Michael Boyle Robert Cook Richard Fernandez Steven Johnson Also Present Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. Barbara Fugazzi Absent: Scott Davis Mayor Heffernan welcomed Reverend Charles Robertson of the Advent Lutheran Church as a new member of the community. Reverend Robertson then gave the invocation. PRESENTATIONS Mayor Heffernan presented a Proclamation to Tom Benton, as Director of Public Works, In honor of, and proclaiming, May 15 through May 21, 1994, as National Public Works Week In Miami Shores. ITEM *1 Village Clerk A: Minutes Mr. Cook moved approval of the minutes of the April 19, 1994 Regular Council Meeting. Mr. Boyle seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous In favor. Ms. Fugazzi presented the minutes from the following meetings and the Council acknowledged receipt: Recreation Advisory Committee 4/11/94 Fine Arts Commission 4/12/94 Planning and Zoning 3/24/94 and 4/14/94 Mayor Heffernan pointed out that the Recreation Advisory Committee has been busy. In conjunction with the Public Works Department, plans to replace hurricane damaged trees in the Tot Lot and southern baseball diamond are being made. In addition, a non -slippery surface for the Tot Lot sidewalk is being Investigated. Mayor Heffernan thanked the Gerrits family for their generous donation of $4,000 to the Recreation Department. Preliminary considerations are being entertained regarding In -Line Hockey leagues and increasing the payscales for coaches and counselors. ITEM *2 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY CONGRESSMAN CLAY SHAW'S WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, LEE JOHNSON. Mr. Johnson Informed the Council of pertinent legislation that Is currently pending in Washington. He spoke about the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1993. At the State level, he stated that their offices are working with the D.O.T. to allow for Miami Shores Village signage on 1-95. Mr. Cook inquired as to Congressman Shaw's stand regarding the law suit which was filed against the U.S. Government to attempt to recover funds which are spent on the Immigrant population. Mr. Johnson stated that Congressman Shaw agrees with the measure but realistically, the U.S. Government could not allow itself to be sued In this instance, due to the States of California and Arizona following the lead of Florida and initiating similar suits. Mr. Cook then Inquired about Congressman Shaw's District size and whether there were plans for redistricting. Mr. Johnson addressed the Issue of how Congressman Shaw's District was formed and indicated that there may be redistricting next year. Mr. Boyle asked Mr. Johnson to relay back to Congressman Shaw the Council's concerns regarding the flow of immigrants into the area. Mr. Fernandez stated that he hopes that Congressman Shaw will be able to personally address the community In the near future. Mayor Heffernan requested that Mr. Johnson advise Congressman Shaw of the concerns regarding crime. Mayor Heffernan stated that police departments are frustrated because of the lack of Jail space, arresting the same people over and over again. He stated that the answer is not more police officers, but more Jail beds. Mayor Heffernan thanked Mr. Johnson for his time and consideration on behalf of the Village. ITEM *3 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SELECTION OF A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Mr. Fernandez stated that he placed this Item on the agenda to determine whether or not the Council would like to see a Charter review and if so, think about possible candidates for a Charter Review Committee. He Indicated that the formulation of a Committee was not his Intent for tonight's meeting. Mr. Johnson asked for clarification as to the way the Charter can be changed. Mr. Fann stated that the Charter can be changed by referendum. Mr. Johnson further asked whether the Council can state what they want In the Charter and then hold a referendum. Mr. Fann was unclear on that point and said he would investigate. Mr. Johnson stated that the Village Charter is currently only 14 pages, the majority of the original Charter having been deleted due to the Home Rule Act. He stated that what Is left In the Charter refers to fiscal year parameters, and the form of government (Council/Manager). Mr. Fann clarified that the Council cannot affect a change In the Charter. Mr. Johnson read the Code of Ordinance section relating to time constraints Involved with Initiating a Charter Review Committee. Mr. Boyle stated that he shares Mr. Johnson's views on the condensed version of the Charter and reminded everyone that the last revision was in 1985. Mayor Heffernan gave a brief synopsis of past Charter review activity. He stated that according to the Charter, the Council does not have the power to change the Charter. Mr. Fernandez stated that what he is proposing would not Involve any cost due to the fact that the Charter Review Committee would be comprised of volunteers, and that the Village Attorney and the Village Clerk are salaried positions. Mr. Boyle stated that there would be associated costs for revisions, printing and elections. Mr. Boyle wanted to have Mr. Fernandez clarify his views on residency requirements for Council members because Mr. Fernandez had raised the Issue on a number of occasions. Mr. Fernandez stated that his Issue Is with Charter review, not residency Issues. Mr. Fann stated that an Impartial Committee should be appointed to avoid the appearance of Improprieties. Mr. Couzzo stated that the Council should allow Mr. Fann to research the Items which he Is not clear on. In addition, he stated that he would look Into the costs associated with revising the Charter alone as well as revising the entire Code of Ordinances because 9 years have passed since the last recodification. Mayor Heffernan stated that he would like to see Mr. Couzzo's suggestion followed and requested a status report at the next Council meeting. ITEM *4 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING REHABILITATION GRANTS AND RENT INCENTIVES FOR 61 DISTRICTS Mr. Fernandez withdraw this Item from the agenda Indicating that he will bring the topic back to the Council at a later date. ITEM *5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Fugazzi read the announcements. ITEM *6 PUBLIC COMMENTS Brian Gart Loretta Olsen Leon Newman Mr. Gart Indicated his pleasure at seeing the outcome of Agenda Item *3. He stated that costs and timetables should be investigated by the Village Attorney and Village Manager. He stated that this whole Issue was raised when Mr. Cook moved to Boca and stated that it was a credit to the Council that Mr. Cook has stayed. Mrs. Olsen stated that she has been a resident since 1942 and Is against annexation. She wants to keep the Shores beautiful and Is afraid the Village services will decline if a larger service area Is realized. Agrees with Mrs. Olsen's comments. He asked If It Is within the County's power to change the boundaries of Miami Shores. ITEM *7 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Cook called to everyone's attention the Miami Shores Diner as being an asset to the community where you can get a good, decently priced meal. He announced that Cook Construction Is sponsoring a baseball team within the league. He thanked Lee Johnson for his presentation from Congressman Shaw's office. Mr. Johnson thanked Mr. Couzzo, the Mayor and fellow Councilmen for their tolerance during the tax season and stated he will be more available In the future than In prior months. Mr. Fernandez announced two new businesses that are open on N.E. 2nd Avenue: Park Shore Pharmacy and the Nitrox and Technical Divers. Mayor Heffernan thanked the sponsors of the baseball teams: Betty Lasch, Mrs. Brian Gart, Jorge Garcia and Cook Construction. ITEM *8 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. By: Barbara Fugazzl Executive Assistant ATTEST: Scott W. Davis Village Clerk tlf I ---- WI 1 J. H ff an Mayor