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12-05-2000 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING The regularly scheduled meeting of the Village Council took place on Tuesday, December 5, 2000 at the Village Hall commencing at 7:30 PM with the following members present: PRESENT: Mayor Ulmer Bob Blum Al Davis Steve Loffredo Mary Ross Agosta ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager Barbara Fugazzi, Village Clerk Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney PRESENTATION Mr. Gaspar Miranda, Chief of the Miami -Dade County Highway Division, and representatives from the firm of Kimberly Hom, traffic engineers, provided information to the Council regarding the various design plans for the N.E. rd Avenue improvement project. Representatives indicated that based on the input received from the Village, they have developed a "hybrid" plan which is similar to the design plan utilized by Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale. Discussion regarding the pros and cons of the different plans ensued, including parking availability, landscaping options, and sidewalk widths. Mr. Miranda indicated that the County would provide basic landscaping and light pole fixtures, stating that upgraded lighting, landscaping and irrigation would need to be paid for by the Village. Throughout the presentation, Mr. Miranda stressed that the County would work with the Village and will schedule a public hearing for the residents and business owners. Mr. Miranda outlined the County's public hearing meeting process. The Council advised Mr. Miranda that the possibility of sanitary sewers is an item which will effect the County's project and will be discussed later in the evening. Mr. Miranda stated that the Village should let the County know, as soon as possible, the outcome of the bond initiative and a fmal decision on the roadway design plans. CONSIDERATIONS 1) CONSENT AGENDA Barbara A. Fugazzi A) APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 21, 2000 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. B) REQUEST APPROVAL FOR ALLOCATION AND EXPENDITURE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,500 TO FUND ONE HALF OF SERGEANT SALARY EXPENSES ASSIGNED TO THE IMPACT SPECIAL TASK FORCE. The Clerk read the items for consideration under the Consent Agenda. Mr. Loffredo moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. • • • 2) VILLAGE COUNCIL Mayor Ulmer A) MOTION TO APPROVE ERECTING A WROUGHT -IRON FENCE ON THE EAST SIDE OF BISCAYNE BOULEVARD FROM THE BRIDGE OVER THE CANAL NORTH OF N.E. 104Th STREET TO THE FIRST RESIDENCE FACING BISCAYNE BOULEVARD. Mayor Ulmer introduced the item and provided background information. As this issue was originally proposed by Councilman Loffredo, Mayor Ulmer asked if Mr. Loffredo would like to introduce a motion. Mr. Loffredo declined but thanked the Mayor for bringing the item back before the Council. Mayor Ulmer then moved to approve the erection of a wrought iron fence on the east side of Biscayne Boulevard from the 104t Street canal bridge south to the first residence facing Biscayne Boulevard. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. Mayor Ulmer offered his opinion on why the fence should be erected now and his thought that the Public Works Department would be able to accomplish the task rather than having to contract the work to an outside vendor. Council discussion centered on the need for a fence to address safety concerns with the new aquatic center, as well as added security for residents; and the preferred height for the fence. Council Members expressed their preference that the proposed fence be installed all the way south to N.E. 10t Avenue. Mayor Ulmer stated that he would re -state his motion to read that the fence would continue south provided that the homeowners grant permission and an easement. Mr. Benton provided the Council with approximate costs for Public Works to install a wrought iron fence on FDOT right-of-way property and indicated that funding is available for the project without any appropriation at this point in time. The cost to install the originally proposed length of fencing is $6,700 and $20,000 if erected south to N.E. 10t Avenue. These costs do not include any gates. Mayor Ulmer opened the floor for Public Comment. Colleen Huff Ms. Huff indicated that she is in favor of a fence. Bob Williamson Mr. Williamson offered his endorsement of the fence. Alice Burch Ms. Burch thanked the Council for their support of the proposed fence. Mayor Ulmer closed Public Comment and Mayor Ulmer, with Mr. Davis' assent, restated his motion as follows: Approval to erect a wrought -iron fence on the east side of Biscayne Boulevard beginning at the canal bridge and continuing as far south as N.E. 10t Avenue, providing the residences facing the Boulevard will allow. The vote was unanimous in favor. Mayor Ulmer called a recess at 8:55 PM and reconvened the meeting at 9:03 PM. B) MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS FOR A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FOR FUNDING OF CONSTRUCTION OF A SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM TO SERVICE THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ON N.E. 2'''D AVENUE. Mayor Ulmer moved to authorize a referendum for the April 2001 election, seeking approval of the voters for a general obligation bond for funding of construction of a sanitary sewer system to service the commercial district on N.E. 2nd Avenue. Ms. Agosta seconded the motion. Mayor Ulmer offered his opinion that due to the County's improvement plans for N.E. 2nd Avenue, now is the time for a decision to be made regarding whether or not a sewer line should be installed for the downtown district. Mayor Ulmer provided information regarding the various ways a sewer project could Page 2 • be funded. He stated his thought that all Villager's should have a vote on this issue as he believes that if a redevelopment effort is to be made, all residents would need to fund the infrastructure necessary to support the revitalization of the downtown area. Individual Council Members shared their thoughts on the proposal, with all of them agreeing that the issue should be decided by the voters of Miami Shores. The question of whether or not the property owners would be mandated to hook up to the sewer was raised. Mr. Benton indicated that he would research and advise the Council on this issue. Other topics discussed related to system design particulars, the impact on the N.E. 2nd Avenue roadway improvement project, and the overall redevelopment of N.E. 2' Avenue. Mr. Benton stated that a design engineer consultant would need to be retained for approximately $13,500 in order to develop drawings and price out the project so that we can provide a dollar amount for the bond referendum question. Mayor Ulmer opened the floor for Public Comment. Boris Moroz Mr. Moroz spoke in favor of sewers but not in favor of only two lanes of traffic for N.E. 2' Avenue. He stated that the revitalization of Las Olas Boulevard started with the influx of restaurants. Raymond Stovall Mr. Stovall spoke about the need to be consistent with sidewalk widths and that he is in favor of wider sidewalks. Alice Burch Ms. Burch spoke about the high cost of hooking into the sewer lines. • T.F. Chambers Mr. Chambers asked that the Village look at the old plans for the installation of sewers. Mayor Ulmer closed Public Comment and reiterated his thought that the Village is at a critical juncture - if the Village is going to do sewers they should be done in conjunction with the County's roadway project. Mayor Ulmer called for the vote which was unanimous in favor. 3) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Clerk read the announcements. 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS Bekky Leonard T. F. Chambers • Ms. Leonard provided the Council with an update on the re -drawing of the boundaries for the Miami Shores Elementary School. Mr. Chambers congratulated the Village on the Aquatic Center dedication ceremony. Page 3 • 5) COUNCIL COMMENTS Mary Agosta Ms. Agosta stated that it was a great tree lighting ceremony. Bob Blum Mr. Blum concurred with Ms. Agosta and his thought that the band did a great job. Steve Loffredo Mr. Loffredo wished everyone a happy holiday season. Mayor Ulmer Mayor Ulmer thanked everyone involved with the tree lighting ceremony including the ballerinas, the band and the recreation staff. 6) ADJOURNMENT The December 5, 2000 Council Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 PM. • Barbara A. Fugaz7i, CMC - Village Clerk • Page 4 Mark S. Ulmer, Mayor