02-04-2014 Regular MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
10050 N.E.2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Tel: (305) 795.2207
Fax: (305) 756.8972
Barbara Estep, MMC
Village' Gie#k
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held their regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, February
4, 2014 in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the
following individuals present:
PRESENT: Herta Holly
Jesse Walters
Hunt Davis
Ivonne Ledesma
Jim McCoy
IllALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
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CONSIDERATIONS
1) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 21, 2014 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Councilman Davis moved approval of the January 21, 2014 Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Councilman McCoy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
2) POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief Lystad
A) A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL, AUTHORIZING THE
VILLAGE MANAGER TO APPLY FOR THE FEDERAL DRUG CONTROL AND SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENT FORMULA GRANT PROGRAM AVAILABLE THROUGH MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, AND TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE, EXPEND AND AMEND BYRNE/JAG
FORMULA PROGRAM FUNDS AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE PURPOSE OF
CREATING A RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Ms. Estep read the caption of the Resolution into the record. Chief Lystad offered a brief history and
explanation regarding the program to be funded by the grant. Councilman McCoy moved to approve the
proposed Resolution. Councilman Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the
motion.
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B) REQUEST APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $225,500 FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT,
AND/OR SERVICES:
1) Informed Families of Miami -Dade County $ 7,500
2) Video Surveillance System $140,000
Police Dept Facility/Bayfront Park/Recreation Center
3) Police Vehicle Technology Upgrade $ 78,000
Chief Lystad provided information related to each individual request, providing the Council with program
applications and how they will assist the Department and Village residents. Councilman Davis subsequently
moved to approve the request for appropriation and expenditure of Forfeiture Funds. Councilwoman Ledesma
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
3) VILLAGE COUNCIL Councilwoman Ledesma
A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF
INSTITUTING TERM LIMITS FOR VILLAGE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
Councilwoman Ledesma introduced her first item, offering her rational for placing the item on the agenda
and her belief that term limits should be imposed on board and committee members; similar to the term
limits set for council members. Councilwoman Ledesma indicated her recommendations that board and
committee members be allowed to serve no more than two consecutive terms before being required to sit
out a term. Councilwoman Ledesma spoke of individuals feeling as though there is little opportunity for
newcomers to be appointed to the various boards. Councilwoman Ledesma then moved to direct the
Administration to prepare a resolution or an ordinance in order to effect these changes. Vice Mayor
Walters seconded the motion and thanked Councilwoman Ledesma for bringing the item before the
Council. Councilman Davis expressed his concerns regarding board member term limits, specifically the
small number of residents that have volunteered for appointment and his belief that long term experience
on a number of boards is important to provide a historical perspective. Mayor Holly called for the vote
which was 2 to 3 in favor of the motion, with Councilwoman Ledesma and Vice Mayor Walters voting in
favor of the motion and Mayor Holly, Councilman Davis and Councilman McCoy voting against the
motion.
B) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF
FORMING TWO NEW TEMPOARY ADVISORY BOARDS: The Downtown Revitalization
Advisory Committee and the Environmental Sustainability Board.
Councilwoman Ledesma introduced her second item and provided information regarding her vision for the
two new boards being proposed, including the purpose of each board and the fact that she is not suggesting
that a staff person be assigned to either Board, nor is she suggesting that any funds be allocated to either
board. Vice Mayor Walters mentioned that due to an upcoming Community Redevelopment Association
(CRA) workshop that he plans on attending, Councilwoman Ledesma may want to table the item. No
motion to table was offered. Individual Council Members expressed their thoughts on establishing two
new boards, offering alternatives to official boards being created, and their pros and cons to the proposal.
At the conclusion of the discussions, Councilwoman Ledesma moved to direct Staff to create two
resolutions for two new boards, one being the Downtown Revitalization Board and the other one being the
Environmental Sustainability Board. Vice Mayor Walters seconded the motion and the vote was 2 to 3 in
favor of the motion. Councilwoman Ledesma and Vice Mayor Walters voted in favor of the motion and
Mayor Holly, Councilman Davis and Councilman McCoy voted against the motion.
4) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Estep read the announcements.
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5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Sasso Mr. Sasso commented on the status of downtown and the sewer project. In
addition, he spoke of the increased frequency of train whistles throughout the night.
David Hunter Mr. Hunter applauded the Village's efforts with respect to walkability and
bikability and acknowledged the Village's limited resources and believes that more people need to get
involved and work together.
Tony Gispert Mr. Gispert spoke about his concern with his quality of life should N.E. 2°d
Avenue be redeveloped with additional restaurants and bars because of his proximity to downtown. He
cautioned that downtown revitalization is a two-edged sword.
Ashley Pillar Ms. Pillar spoke about the increased train traffic and the whistles that blow
throughout the night. She also spoke of respecting the environment and the need to get more people out
and about the Village.
Gwen Burzycki Ms. Burzycki expressed her support of term limits and her thought that organized
boards indicates a priority of the Village. She also spoke of front yard gardens.
6) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Yvonne Ledesma Councilwoman Ledesma spoke of the items she presented and indicated her
desire to bring resident concerns before the Council.
Hunt Davis Councilman Davis encouraged residents to contact him or other council members
with their concerns as they are accessible and available. He also indicated that the Village has been
looking into the train whistles.
Jim McCoy Councilman McCoy sympathizes with the train whistle issue and assured the
residents that the Village has been discussing the issue with the appropriate agencies.
Jesse Walters Vice Mayor Walters thanked Councilwoman Ledesma for bringing her items
before the Council. He also spoke of his recent involvement in various celebrations.
Herta Holly Mayor Holly spoke of being available to speak to residents and her attendance at
many meetings where different issues are discussed. She assured the residents that the Village has
discussed the quiet zone railroad crossings with the proper officials and that the outcry for more public
transportation will mean more trains running through Miami Shores. She reminded the audience that they
(the Council) live here and love the community.
7) ADJOURNMENT
The February 4, 2014 Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM.
Herta Holly, Mayor
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Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk