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05-20-2003 Regular Meeting• MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING The Miami Shores Village Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at the Village Hall. The Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the following members present: PRESENT: Mayor McCoy Herta Holly Al Davis Ed Quinton Greg Ullman ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager Barbara A. Estep, Village Clerk Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney PRESENTATION Mayor McCoy presented the Principal of Miami Shores Elementary School, Sherry Krubitch, with a $500 check representing the Village's Dade Partner Program contribution. CONSIDERATIONS • 1) MINUTES Barbara A. Estep A) APPROVAL OF THE MAY 6, 2003 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Ms. Holly moved approval of the May 6, 2003 Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. • B) A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA, WITH RESPECT TO REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN COSTS AND EXPENDITURES RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES (CHARTER SCHOOL) TO BE LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE. Ms. Estep read the caption of the Resolution. Mr. Davis moved to adopt the Resolution. Ms. Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. 2) VILLAGE MANAGER TOM BENTON A) PRESENTATION BY CONSULTANTS FOR THE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE 103RD STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Mr. Benton offered background information relating to the item and introduced representatives from Reynolds, Smith & Hill, designers for the 103rd Street Department of Transportation project. Mr. Joe Gomez, Project Director, presented specific information regarding the project plans, including the planned installation of a traffic light at the N.W. 211d Avenue intersection. Mr. Gomez reviewed the improvements to be made from N.W. 2nd Avenue east to N.E. 2nd Avenue, which include the installation 1 • • • of curb and gutter, new drainage and irrigation, as well as enhanced driveway sight -lines which will require widening of driveways and a reduction in the existing landscaping materials. Due to restrictions imposed by Florida Power & Light, a shorter species of palm tree will replace the current sabal palms. Based on the limited list of acceptable trees, majesty palms will be installed. Mr. Gomez went on to review the proposed improvements for the portion of roadway from N.E. 2nd Avenue east to N.E. 6th Avenue. Due to the discussions with the Village, the FDOT will only be resurfacing, from edge of pavement to edge of pavement, this section of 103rd Street. Mr. Gomez outlined the plans to add a north bound turn lane on the east side of the 103r1Street/N.E. 2nd Avenue intersection. He stated that in order to obtain the necessary space to install the turn lane, the Department will need to remove/relocate three large oak trees that are currently in the right-of-way. FDOT plans on improving the drop off area of the Miami Shores Elementary School by installing new drainage and a paved area for this purpose. This will enhance the appearance of the area, as the current drop off area is dirt/grass and has poor drainage. Mr. Gomez stated that it is anticipated to have the contract awarded in December of 2003 and for construction to begin in the early summer of 2004. This timeframe will be coordinated with the Village and the School officials. Mr. Gomez indicated that the project costs are approximately $8.4 million including the Miami -Dade Water & Sewer portion of the project. Individual Council Members questioned Mr. Gomez regarding project particulars and all expressed their deep concern with respect to the removal of the oak trees. Their discussion centered around what criteria was used for determining the need for a new turn lane, feasibility of moving the trees, the aesthetic value of the trees and the consequences of leaving the intersection as it currently is constructed. Subsequent to these discussions, Mr.Ullman moved to formally oppose the removal of the three oak trees located in the 103rd Street right of way just east of N.E. 21'd Avenue, and to request that the Florida Department of Transportation reconfigure the N.E. 2nd Avenue/N.E. 103rd Street intersection. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. It was the consensus of the Council to have Mr. Benton relay the Council's concerns to the Florida Department of Transportation and to work with them to attempt to resolve the dispute. B) PRESENTATION BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE TRAILBLAZER DIVERSION SYSTEM. Mr. Sergio Bravo, a representative from FDOT presented information regarding the Trail Blazer Diversion system, offering background information on the system's purpose and the Department's intent for its use. As the Village had previously been informed that North Miami Avenue would be used as the north bound alternate for traffic detours, the Council discussion focused on the inadequacy of Miami Avenue to be used for that purpose. Mr. Bravo introduced Mr. Rory Santana, Traffic Operation Manager, who continued the presentation. Mr. Santana stated that contrary to the previous information provided, North Miami Avenue would be the secondary diversion route, with N.W. 7th Avenue to be used as the primary route. Additional Council discussion regarding the stanchions, the system, and the roadway limitations ensued. Subsequent to the presentation and discussion, the Council, by consensus, requested that Mr. Benton explore all means to keep the project from moving forward. 2 • C) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SUBMITTING A BUDGET TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PROPORTIONATE FUNDS FROM THE %Z CENT TRANSPORTATION TAX MONIES COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY. Mr. Benton offered background information on the item, including the County's requirement for the Village to submit a preliminary budget and the Village's ability to amend the submitted budget following the adoption of our budget. Mr. Benton confirmed that the budget to be submitted to the County will not limit the receipt of funds should the Village be entitled to additional monies as a result of the tax receipts. Mr. Davis moved to approve submitting the budget as presented. Ms. Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. 3) ANNOUCEMENTS The Clerk read the announcements. 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS Candy Rengstl Ms. Rengstl spoke about the 103'd Street project and the trees that will be removed from the western portion of the project. Robert Eustid Mr. Eustid offered his opinion that there is not a traffic problem at 103rd Street and N.E. rd Avenue. He expressed his appreciation to the Council for their attempt to save the oak trees. Bobbie Mumford Ms. Mumford, who lives in the corner home that has the oak trees in the front, spoke of the oak trees and her safety concerns should they be removed. She thanked Mr. Benton for his support and notice of the DOT's intent, as well as the Council for their intention to resist the removal of the trees. Alice Burch Ms. Burch spoke of the time it takes to have oak trees mature. Ms. Burch also spoke of the bay clean-up efforts and the possibility of studying air quality and applying for grants to move ahead with the plans to clean up the bay. Leon Newman Mr. Newman spoke of the CERT Team. T.J. Chambers Mr. Chambers spoke of the important job that Code Enforcement does. Denise Ede-Aloise Ms. Ede-Aloise thanked the Code Enforcement Department members and relayed a success story due to their intervention. 5) COUNCIL COMMENTS Greg Ullman Mr. Ullman spoke about the recent publicity regarding Code Enforcement and his opinion that the Council should review the matter. Ed Quinton Mr. Quinton encouraged residents to attend the Memorial Day Service. Al Davis Mr. Davis spoke about the new banners that have been installed along N.E. 2nd Avenue. 3 III Herta Holly Ms. Holly spoke about Sherry Krubitch and the Elementary School. In addition, Ms. Holly spoke about the Memorial Day Program scheduled. • • Mayor McCoy Mayor McCoy spoke of the Theater's production of Blood Brothers. He also spoke of the Charter Middle's School FCAT results. 6) ADJOURNMENT The May 20, 2003, Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM. Jim McCoy, Mayor 4