09-16-2003 Regular Meeting•
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held their regularly scheduled Meeting on Tuesday, September 16,
2003 beginning at 7:07 PM. The Meeting was called to order immediately following the second and final
Public Hearing on the FY2003-2004 Budget with the following individuals present:
PRESENT:
Mayor Jim McCoy
Herta Holly
Al Davis
Ed Quinton
Greg Ullman
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
CONSIDERATIONS
1) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
• AND THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 BUDGET HEARING.
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Mr. Davis moved approval of the September 211d and September 4th Meeting Minutes. Ms. Holly
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
B) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL AMENDING
SECTION 6.7 OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES
RELATING TO BUILDING PERMIT FEES; RESTRUCTURING THE PERMIT FEE
SCHEDULE, PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION OF PERMIT SURCHARGES,
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The Clerk read the caption of the proposed Ordinance. Mayor McCoy opened the floor for Public
Comment on the permit fee issue. As no one present wished to comment on the proposed Ordinance,
Mayor McCoy closed the hearing. Mr. Davis moved to adopt the proposed Ordinance. Mr. Quinton
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
2) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
A) PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE
RESULTS OF THE BISCAYNE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY.
Mr. Benton presented information regarding the history of the Bay's debris problem, including the reason
the debris piles up in the corner, the agencies involved and a description of the past and current measures
used to mitigate the problem. Mr. Benton offered background information regarding the grant obtained to
conduct an environmental study. Mr. Benton responded to questions from Council Members dealing with
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the way the Village has dealt with debris removal in the past. These questions centered around the
circulation motors/pumps which a resident has installed, their cost, the procedures of actually picking up,
off-loading and disposing of the debris, etc.
As a number of residents were present from the Bay area, Mayor McCoy opened the floor for public
comment on the issue.
Lee Barchan Mr. Barchan who lives in the "corner" house, spoke of the conditions at his
property and the pumps that he has installed. He relayed to the Council the drawbacks of the pumps and
their inability to move the debris effectively when there is too much built up.
John Kathe Mr. Kathe spoke of the long-standing problem with the debris that accumulates
in the corner of the Bay.
Armando Romero Mr. Romero talked about problems he has incurred due to the debris.
Anna Alvarez Ms. Alvarez offered her opinion that the problem is a community problem, not
just a problem for the residents fronting the shoreline.
Mayor McCoy closed public comment.
Mr. Benton introduced George Turk from URS Engineering, the firm who completed the study. Mr. Turk
and his associate, Clinton Thurlow, reviewed the data gathered during the engineering study on tidal flow,
wind direction, material make-up, environmental impacts and other factors relating to the debris problem.
Mr. Turk then provided the Council with information regarding their proposed solution to the debris pile-
up. URS suggested that a barrier be installed. The deflector barrier would be installed far enough out
into the Bay to keep the debris away from the Village's shoreline and allow for the debris to continue
floating in the natural currents. URS had investigated two different types of barriers, a floating debris
deflector and a fixed debris deflector. Mr. Turk reviewed the pros and cons associated with each type of
deflector, as well as the costs to purchase and install the apparatus and estimates on permitting and
mitigation costs. Mr. Thurlow spoke of the mitigation issues, including the various agencies that are
required to review and approve plans.
Following URS's presentation, individual Council Members asked questions regarding various aspects of
the proposed solution. Issues that were raised included on-going maintenance requirements, possible
liability to the Village, whether similar conditions exist elsewhere, placement of the proposed barrier,
composite material to be used, aesthetic issues and permitting and mitigation requirements.
Mayor McCoy called for a recess at 8:47 PM and reconvened the meeting at 9:00 PM. Mayor McCoy
reopened the floor for public comment to hear the resident's views regarding the deflector installation.
Lee Barchan Mr. Barchan thanked the Council for exploring how to maintain the area,
indicating that it is a lot of money for the barrier.
Alice Burch Ms. Burch offered her opinion that the study allows for a plan for the future.
As no one else chose to comment, Mayor McCoy closed the floor.
Council Members provided the audience with their thoughts, comments and ideas regarding the
• presentation and proposed solution.
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Subsequent to these comments being offered, Mr. Ullman moved to direct staff to come back with a
report or proposals, including the costs of continuing present method of trash removal but on a more
regular basis; explore a long term contract with a vendor to pick-up and/or pick-up and dispose of the
debris; explore the feasibility of pushing debris out into the current rather than pick-up and removal; and a
method of cost-sharing between the Village and residents. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous in favor.
3) ANNOUCEMENTS
The Village Clerk read the announcements.
4) PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 Minute time limit per speaker).
Lee Barchan Mr. Barchan asked about a timeframe for the staff report.
5) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Ed Quinton No comment offered.
Greg Ullman
Mr. Ullman asked whether 6 weeks time was enough to complete the requested
report. Mr. Benton indicated that he should be able to have a report in that
amount of time.
Al Davis Mr. Davis spoke about the Council's appointments to the Charter School Board
of Directors.
Herta Holly Ms. Holly spoke of Hurricane Isabel.
Mayor McCoy Mayor McCoy announced the upcoming DOT Meeting regarding the 103'd Street
project, as well as the Property Owners Association Meeting. In addition, Mayor
McCoy spoke of the award nominations the Shores Performing Arts Theater has
received for recent productions.
6) ADJOURNMENT
The September 16, 2003 Regular Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Barbara A. Estep, CMC
Village Clerk
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Jim McCoy, Mayor