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03-07-1995 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 1995 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on March 7, 1995 at the Village Hall Council Chambers, commencing at 7:35 P.M. with the following members present: PRESENT: Mayor Heffernan Michael Boyle Steven Johnson Richard Fernandez ALSO PRESENT: Michael R. Conz7o, Jr. Barbara A. Fugazzi William F. Fann ABSENT: Robert Cook PRESENTATIONS: Vice Mayor Boyle presented a Proclamation in honor of Save of Your Vision Week, with Dr. Jill Turner accepting the Proclamation on behalf of the Dade County Optometric Association. Vice Mayor Boyle presented a Proclamation in honor of the Daughter's Of The American Revolution's 100th Anniversary. Mrs. Frederick Mueller accepted the Proclamation. CONSIDERATIONS: ITEM #1 CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting 2/21/95 2. Planning & Zoning Meeting 2/9/95 3. Pension Board Meeting 12/14/94 The Clerk read the items on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Fernandez moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. ITEM #2 DISCUSSION OF BARRY UNIVERSITY'S POCKETS OF PRIDE PROGRAM Michael Boyle, Vice Mayor Mr. Boyle offered the background information regarding placing this item on the Agenda. He indicated that the recent Miami Herald article which profiled the Pockets of Pride Program was harmful to the Village's image. He stated that he wanted to make it clear that the issue is one of "community", not "religion". Mr. Boyle further stated that although representatives from Barry University were invited, both Judith Jerome and Sister Peggy Albert accepted invitations to attend, then later declined, and Sister Jeanne had prior commitments which precluded her from attending the meeting. She will be attending the next Council Meeting, March 21, 1995. Mr. Boyle expressed his concerns with waiting until the 3/21/95 Council Meeting, stating that the issue was too important to delay, and he was dismayed that no one from Barry University was in attendance. Mr. Boyle read excerpts from the article and presented a slide show of various homes within the Pockets of Pride target area. Mr. Boyle rhetorically questioned the scope of the Pockets of Pride program, statistical information, and the noted lack of invited participation by either the Village's elected officials or staff by the administrators of the Pockets of Pride program. He stressed the need for assistance in the Unincorporated Dade area surrounding the University but questioned the inclusion of the majority of Miami Shores Village in the program. He indicated that the article set back not only the Pockets of Pride program, but the Village as well. Mr. Boyle pointed out that Barry had arbitrarily picked the boundaries of 119th Street on the north, 95th Street on the south, I-95 on the west, and N.E. 6th Avenue on the east, for the Pockets of Pride target area. Barry later told the Miami Herald the eastern boundary should go all the way to the Bay. Mr. Fernandez agreed with Mr. Boyle's concerns. He stated that he received a large number of telephone calls from residents and a number of real estate agents. He stated his concern with the article's "showcasing" Miami Shores Village as a "blighted" area. Mr. Fernandez questioned the logic of the Pockets of Pride program focusing on Gratigny Elementary versus the Miami Shores Elementary School. He further stated his opinion that the only solution to correct the situation is to have the corrected information printed on the front page once again. At this time (8:15 P.M.), Mayor Heffernan arrived at the meeting. Mr. Johnson stated that he was pleased that Mr. Boyle decided to keep the item on the Agenda even though Barry University was not represented. He indicated that there are aspects of the Pockets of Pride Program which he agrees with. However, he stated that he disagrees with the manner in which the University has used Miami Shores Village. Mr. Fernandez left the meeting at 8:20 P.M. Mayor Heffernan stated that he and Mr. Couzzo had met with Sister Jeanne and advised her of their disappointment with the article and the subsequent negative reactions. He expressed his Page 2 views that Miami Shores Village is the solution to the problems that Pockets of Pride is trying to solve. He reiterated that Sister Jeanne will be attending the 3/21/95 Council Meeting. Public comment was invited at this time. A number of residents, namely, Margaret Burch, C.F. Chambers, Susie Lawson, Ed Harrigan, Betty Lasch, Mark Sell, Georgee Kluck, Carlos Navarro, Carol King, Judith Boyle, and Charles Smith spoke of their concerns regarding the impact that the article will have on property values, and the Village's marketing strategies. Residents also discussed the lack of communication between Barry University and the administration of Miami Shores Village. It was the consensus of the Council to have a copy of the 3/7/95 Council Meeting tape delivered to Sister Jeanne when available. ITEM #3 VILLAGE MANAGER Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. A. Presentation Update on the Status of the TCI Contract Negotiations by Attorney Ila Feld of Matthew Liebowitz's Office. Mr. Couzzo introduced Attorney Ila Feld, who is representing the Village in the negotiations with TCI Cable. Ms. Feld indicated the status of the contract negotiations and the current organizational restructuring which is taking place at TCI. She stated that the individuals who had negotiated with the Village are either on a leave of absence or are no longer authorized on negotiate contracts. Ms. Feld outlined the areas of the contract TCI will no longer allow to be included, including "state of the art technology", and its possible consequences. After a discussion regarding alternatives, it was the consensus of the Council to conduct a Council Workshop subsequent to receiving a formal staff recommendation report. B. Request by the Fine Arts Commission for $1,100 to offset costs for the 1995 Taste Of The Shores. Mr. Couzzo explained the Agenda item. Mrs. Donna Baxter represented the Fine Arts Commission and outlined the individual expenditures expected for the event. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the request. Mr. Fernandez seconded the motion. Mr. Fernandez expressed his concerns regarding subsidizing a private charity. Mayor Heffernan asked for clarification from the Mr. Couzzo. Mr. Couzzo explained that the funds were not being allocated to the charity, but to the Fine Arts Commission for entertainment purposes. Mr. Boyle stated that there is a new expense this year, the showmobile rental. Additionally, he stated that for years prior to the co-sponsorship of the event by the Village, the Village benefitted from the publicity of the event. Mr. Fernandez stated his intent to support the expenditure but asked for a short report on the cost impact to the individual departments. The vote was taken and was unanimous in favor. Page 3 ITEM #4 VILLAGE CLERK Barbara Fugazzi A. Request Approval of the Election Board for the April 11, 1995 Village Elections. The Clerk read the agenda item. Mr. Boyle moved approval of the Election Board. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. ITEM #5 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Clerk read the announcements. ITEM #6 PUBLIC COMMENTS Charles Smith Discussed the TCI cable services. Ed Harrigan Spoke about the Publisher of the Miami Herald. Charles James Spoke about TCI. Michael Maguire Spoke about barricades on the northwest side of Miami Shores. C.F. Chambers Spoke about TCI. ITEM #7 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Johnson Mr. Boyle Mr. Heffernan ITEM #8 ADJOURNMENT Spoke about the Heritage Days article in the Neighbors Section of the Miami Herald Expressed his appreciation for those residents who attended the meeting. Stated that Ms. Tatiana With had resigned from the Miami Herald to begin work with the Boston Globe. He thanked Tatiana for her dedication and wished her well in the future. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. Page 4 William . ffe s , Mayor