01-06-2015 Regular Meeting• MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
10050 N.E.2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Barbara Estep, MMC
Village Clerk
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MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held their regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 6,
2015 in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the
following individuals present:
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Herta Holly
Jesse Walters
Hunt Davis
Ivonne Ledesma
Jim McCoy
Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
PUBLIC INPUT: For items appearing on the Council Agenda.
No one present wished to comment on scheduled agenda items.
CONSIDERATIONS
1) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 2, 2014 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Councilman Davis moved to approve the December 2, 2014 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Vice
Mayor Walters seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
B) A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL CREATING
BUDGET AMENDMENT #2 TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 OPERATING
BUDGETS; APPROPRIATING $70,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE
TO THE SPECIAL PROJECTS: MANAGER ACCOUNT: $100,000 FROM THE
LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX (LOGT) FUND BALANCE TO THE
INFRASTRUCTURE: ENTRYWAY SIGNS ACCOUNT; $9,000 FROM THE
TRANSPORTATION TRUST (CITT) FUND BALANCE TO THE TRANSFER TO
GRANT FUND ACCOUNT; AND INCREASING GRANT REVENUE $36,000,
TRANSFER FROM CITT $9,000, AND SPECIAL PROJECTS: MULTIMODAL
MOBILITY STUDY $45,000 IN THE GRANT FUND.
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Ms. Estep read the caption of the Resolution into the record. Mr. Benton provided an explanation as to the
reason for the transfers and subsequently Councilman McCoy moved to adopt the proposed Resolution.
Councilman Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
2) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
A) REQUEST APPROVAL TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS VILLAGE PROPERTY.
Mr. Benton provided the Council with information regarding surplus property that despite the Village's
efforts; remains in our possession. Mr. Benton explained that he would like to offer the items to employees
prior to disposing of the outdated office furniture and equipment. Council Members suggested that after
offering the surplus property to employees, but prior to transporting the property to the landfill, the
Administration should contact charitable organizations, i.e. Heidi Hewes, Goodwill Industries, or Habitat
for Humanity to see if any of those organizations would be interested in the property. The Council
Members agreed that the Administration can offer the property to employees and then to charitable
organizations and then, if necessary, dispose of the surplus property.
3) VILLAGE COUNCIL
A) CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL LIAISON TO
THE LGBT COMMUNITY. Vice Mayor Walters
Vice Mayor Walters introduced the item, explaining that the Human Rights Campaign, a LGBT advocacy
group, conducts an annual survey and rates a number of cities nationwide, including Miami Shores Village
and that should the Council appoint a liaison to the LGBT community, the Village's rating will increase.
Vice Mayor Walters suggested that the Council appoint Councilwoman Ledesma if she would be willing to
serve in that capacity. Councilwoman Ledesma indicated that she would serve if appointed. Vice Mayor
Walters then moved to appoint Councilwoman Ledesma as the Council's liaison to the LGBT community.
Councilwoman Ledesma seconded the motion. Council Members Davis and McCoy voiced their concerns
with appointing a Council liaison to a certain segment of the community, expressing their view that all
Council Members represent the entire Village, not just one segment. When asked, Mr. Benton confirmed
that there were no other segments of the community that had a Council liaison. Vice Mayor Walters stated
that he would be happy to sponsor any other group of the community if they feel they need representation.
Councilwoman Ledesma indicated that the Village should do whatever possible to increase the survey
rating. Following additional discussion on the Member's opinions on the issue, Mayor Holly called for the
vote which was 2 to 3 in favor of the motion. The motion failed with Vice Mayor Walters and
Councilwoman Ledesma voting in favor of the motion and Mayor Holly, Councilman Davis and
Councilman McCoy voting against the motion.
4) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Estep read the announcements into the record.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
6) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Yvonne Ledesma Councilwoman Ledesma wished everyone a Happy New Year and spoke about
what a great day it is for the gay community in that they are now able to wed in Florida. She thanked Vice
Mayor Walters for bringing the LGBT Liaison issue before them.
Hunt Davis Councilman Davis also wished the community a Happy New Year and
congratulated LGBT couples who can now many in the State. In addition, Councilman Davis urged people
to pay attention while out biking, walking or driving.
Jim McCoy Councilman McCoy wished all a Happy New Year and reiterated his earlier
thoughts that being a liaison to the community is a major role of all the Council Members.
Jesse Walters Vice Mayor Walters spoke of the Council being a microcosm of the Country, with
two disparate groups.
Herta Holly Mayor Holly spoke of the Council servicing the community at large and the
"miracle of an ordinary day".
7) ADJOURNMENT
The Tuesday, January 6, 2015 Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk
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Herta Holly, Mayor