Loading...
05-18-1999 Regular Meeting• MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1999 The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center, commencing at 7.35 PM with the following members present: PRESENT: Mayor Ulmer Robert Blum Al Davis Steve Loffredo ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager Barbara Fugazzi, Village Clerk Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney ABSENT: Mary Ross Agosta 41) PRESENTATION Judge Taylor presented an American Flag which has flown over the United States Capital Building to Mayor Ulmer. • CONSIDERATIONS 1. MINUTES Barbara Fugazzi A. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 4, 1999 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Mr. Davis moved approval of the Minutes. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. 2. VILLAGE COUNCIL Vice Mayor Blum A. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE DESIGN CHARRETTE CONCEPTUAL PLAN Mr. Blum offered background information regarding the Chamber's Design Charrette and introduced Ms. Herta Holly, current President of the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Holly provided a time line, and explained the steps involved in the process of the Charrette. Ms. Holly stated that tonight represents the official presentation of the Design Charrette's Conceptual Plan. Ms. Holly stated that the available grant funds were awarded to • • • conduct the Design Charrette and to include a portion of El Portal. Ms. Holly introduced resident Dr. Douglas Stokesberry, who is the Chair of the Downtown Steering Committee. Dr. Stokesberry provided hi • blights of the workshop that was held, including some of the specific ideas which were presented, i.e. additional traffic calming devices, a park along the Little River, a train station, etc. Dr. Stokesberry introduced Michael Busha, Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Mr. Busha gave some introductory remarks about the process and presented a slide show of the ideas which were developed during the workshop and subsequently expanded upon for the "conceptual plan". He stated that the packet of information which was provided represents a "draft report", enumerating the basic ideas which were formed: A. Create a Downtown Center B. Create and restore great streets. C. Restore the waterfront (El Portal) D. Connect and restore neighborhoods. E. Create new public places. Mr. Busha stressed the main points of the "master plan" which calls for the reconstruction of N.E. 2nd Avenue, narrowing the roadway from four to two lanes; improving the entrance -ways into the Village; redeveloping green spaces to allow for public events in the downtown area; installing traffic calming devices to slow traffic; redeveloping the Biscayne Boulevard corridor; and the construction of a commuter train station. Mayor Ulmer introduced the former Mayor of West Palm Beach, Nancy Graham, who had spearheaded the successful redevelopment of downtown West Palm Beach. Ms. Graham told of actual experiences and encounters when putting the redevelopment plan into action. Ms. Graham offered some ideas on incentives, planning, studies, and funding sources. Mayor Ulmer recessed the meeting at 9:10 PM and reconvened the meeting at 9:20 PM. The Mayor asked if there were questions from the Council, indicating that he had too many to ask and would follow-up via telephone. Mr. Blum congratulated and thanked the presentors for an inspirational presentation. Mr. Busha thanked the Council and audience. Mayor Ulmer opened the floor to public comment, allowing for a three minute time limit. Javier Reynaldos Mr. Reynaldos stated that he had been a participant in the process and asked that the Council keep in mind that the design is a concept/master plan developed from the brain storming workshop. He also asked the Council to look at the project as a whole. Ed Harrigan Mr. Harrigan spoke about the installation of sewers and the downtown business/property owners. 2 • Sergio Vasquez George Frix Spero Canton Michael Maxwell Joseph Kohl Mr. Vasquez stated that he is a planner for Dover, Kohl Planners and stated that the work on 2' Avenue can be done without closing the businesses. He indicated that he witnessed the change in Winter Park and Gainesville. Mr. Frix spoke about the misconception regarding the need for sewers versus septic tanks. Mr. Frix provided the names and telephone numbers of contacts at DERM and the Department of Health who could verify the information. Mr. Frix stated that there has been no demand for any restaurants on 2nd Avenue. Mr. Canton stated that new homeowners in the Village are demanding a better infrastructure. Mr. Maxwell stated that the Village should use the plan as a sales tool and a catalyst for funding. Mr. Kohl spoke about the need for redevelopment of the Village. Max Sturman Mr. Sturman expressed his opinion regarding the presentation and sees the plan as a positive step for the Village. • Cheryl Marken Ms. Marken stated that as a new resident she is excited about the plan. • Mayor Ulmer closed public comment and asked whether Mr. Busha had a recommendation to the Council as to what the next step in the process should be, i.e. set up a workshop, a task force, or refer to the Planning & Zoning Board. Mr. Busha stated his belief that whatever action the Council takes should ensure that the ideas and plans not get lost, that someone has to lead the efforts. Mr. Loffredo spoke of the project and asked about specific funding sources. Mr. Busha stated that there are a variety of funding sources and that the Village needs to have a "champion of the cause", whether it be the Mayor, the Manager, or a business owner. Mayor Ulmer advised those in attendance that there is a window of opportunity based upon Miami -Dade Mayor Penelas' current proposal for an additional one cent sales tax to fund transportation projects. Based upon a meeting between Mayor Penelas and the Mayors from Northeast Miami -Dade County, Mayor Ulmer outlined the proposal and the resultant monies that Miami Shores would be receiving. Mr. Loffredo suggested that the Council designate Mayor Ulmer to go to Mayor Penelas and the County and request the necessary funds to redesign and reconstruct N.E. 2nd Avenue in return for support of his one cent sales tax increase. 3 Mr. Blum agreed with Mr. Loffredo's suggestion; thinking that the Village should receive funding • as the County will be receiving over $100 million in excess funds if the additional sales tax is successful. • Mr. Davis expressed his thought that the issues should be discussed in a workshop setting, and that the property owners on N.E. 2nd Avenue should have input. Following the refinement of a motion, Mr. Davis moved to direct the Village Manager to coordinate the scheduling of a Council Workshop for attendance by all Council Members, to take place prior to the next regularly scheduled Council Meeting of June 1, 1999. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion. Topics for the Workshop will include Council Meeting Agenda Items 2A and 3A: the Design Charrette and Discussion regarding the Miami -Dade County On-going Design of N.E. 2nd Avenue. Mayor Ulmer called for a vote which was unanimous in favor. 3. VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S CURRENTLY ON-GOING DESIGN OF N.E. 2ND AVENUE. This item will be discussed at the scheduled Council Workshop. 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Clerk read the announcements. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Max Sturman Mr. Sturman reiterated the need for someone to take charge of the Charrette's Conceptual Plan. 6. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no Council Comments offered. 7. ADJOURNMENT The May 18, 1999 Regular Council Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM. Barbara A. Fugazzi, CMC Ill Village Clerk 4 Mark S. Ulmer, Mayor