04-01-2003 Regular Meeting•
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The M iami S hores Village C ouncil h eld its r egularly s cheduled m eeting o n Tuesday, April 1,
2003 in the Village Hall Council Chambers. The Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with
the following members present:
PRESENT: Mayor Davis
Greg Ullman
Bob Blum
Prospero Herrera
Mark Ulmer
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
PRESENTATION
Mr. Berg, Planning & Zoning/Code Enforcement Director, made a presentation to Pablo & Luz
Pichardo in honor of their home being named "House of the Month" for the month of April, 2003.
CONSIDERATIONS
• 1) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
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A) APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 18, 2003 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES.
Mr. Blum moved approval of the March 18, 2003 Council Meeting Minutes. Mr. Herrera
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
B) APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
Neither applicant, Ms. Cadwallader nor Mr. Marshall were present to speak. As there were two
vacancies and only two applicants, Mr. Blum moved to appoint both Ms. Cadwallader and Mr.
Marshall to the Historic Preservation Board. Mr. Herrera seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous in favor.
C) APPOINTMENTS TO THE FINE ARTS COMMISSION
Applicant Michael Stock, was present and spoke on his own behalf. Mr. Ullman indicated that he
was aware of another individual interested in the appointment but had not submitted an
application as yet. Mr. Ullman requested that the other individual receive consideration for
appointment. However, it was pointed out that another resident in the audience had also
expressed an interest, Mr. Ullman withdrew his request. Ms. Estep indicated that she would re -
advertise the vacancy. Mr. Ulmer moved to appoint Mr. Stock to the Fine Arts Commission. Mr.
Herrera seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
2) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
• A) APPROVAL OF AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF.
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Mr. Benton offered background information on the item, indicating that Chief Masten was
requesting to become a contract employee in order to opt out of the Police Department's DROP
plan. Mr. Benton confirmed that the former Police Chief, Michael Zoovas, had a similar contract
prior to his retirement and relocation. Following a brief discussion during which parts of the
proposed contract language was clarified, Mr. Blum moved approval of the contract. Mr. Ulmer
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
3) VILLAGE COUNCIL Greg Ullman
A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DIRECTING THE
VILLAGE STAFF TO CONDUCT TRAFFIC STUDIES AND PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS, WITH EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON POSSIBLE
INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES PURSUANT TO SPECIFIC
CITIZEN REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. EMPHASIS SHOULD
BE PLACED ON ACHIEVING TRAFFIC CALMING GOALS WITH A
MINIMUM OF DISRUPTION WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGH AESTHETIC
STANDARDS OF THE VILLAGE.
1. Paul & Sarah Calli 37 N.E. 97th Street
2. Peter M. Lewis 1448 N.E. 104th Street
3. Stephen Mechanic 1236 N.E. 93rd Street
4. Margo Farah 137 N.W. 93'd Street
5. Daniel & Wendelin Heffron 9303 North Miami Avenue
6. Harbour Club Villas 1530 N.E. 105th Street
Mr. Ullman offered information relating to the item, stating that the Village had received
correspondence requesting consideration for various traffic calming measures to be taken in their
areas. Mr. Ullman expressed his belief that it is appropriate for the Council to ask staff to study
the specific areas listed, along with the area of 24 N.E. 111th Street, a separate request which he
had received via e-mail. Following Mr. Ullman's introductory remarks, he moved to direct the
Village Manager to have the staff conduct a study and evaluation of the listed sites to determine if
the installation of traffic calming devices is appropriate, and then to make recommendation to the
Council regarding the same. Mr. Herrera seconded the motion. Mr. Ulmer stated his belief that
the issue should be deferred until the newly elected Council is seated and moved to table the item.
Mr. Ulmer's motion died for lack of a second. Individual Council Members expressed their
views on Mr. Ullman's motion as well as their thoughts on the concept of traffic calming and the
different ways they believed the goals of traffic calming should be accomplished. For example,
as a Village -wide approach to traffic issues or individually as resident complaints are received;
in-house staff conducting a study versus an outside traffic consultant firm evaluating the traffic.
Additional Council discussion centered around the type of items to be studied and how the data
would be collected and by whom.
Following these discussions, Mayor Davis called for a vote with the following results, Mr.
Ullman and Mr. Herrera in favor of the motion and Misters Davis, Ulmer and Blum voting
against the motion. The motion failed. Mr. Ullman then moved to instruct the Village Manager
to come up with a proposal for a comprehensive study of those locations where traffic calming
devices may be needed in Miami Shores and that he make recommendations for how this study
might proceed. Mr. Herrera seconded the motion. A discussion amongst the Council ensued in
order to clarify and refme Mr. Ullman's motion and following this discussion, Mayor Davis
called for the vote which was unanimous in favor. A timeframe for the proposal was discussed
with Mr. Benton indicating that he believed six weeks time would be sufficient.
4) ANNOUCEMENTS
The Clerk read the announcements.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Clifton Rogers Mr. Rogers spoke about traffic on N.E. 103rd Street.
Herta Holly Ms. Holly congratulated the Council for the fine job they have done and
for their work on behalf of everyone in the Village.
Alice Burch Ms. Burch also congratulated and thanked the Council for their team
effort.
6) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bob Blum Mr. Blum stated that it has been an honor to serve the Village with his
colleagues.
Prospero Herrera Mr. Herrera congratulated the Pichardo's on their House of the Month
award.
Mark Ulmer Mr. Ulmer expressed his joy at serving the Village and appreciation for
all of the people he has worked with over the years.
Greg Ullman Mr. Ullman indicated that it has been an honor to serve with his fellow
members on the Council.
Mayor Davis Mayor Davis spoke of his years on the Council, his colleagues and the
Village Staff.
7) ADJOURNMENT
The April 1, 2003 Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Barbara A. Estep, CMC
Village Clerk
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