R-251-41 4,,
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE RESOLUTION NO.�� ,A
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BORROWING OF $7500.00 B MIAMI
;. SHORES VILLAGE FROM BESSBM PROPERTIES, INC. FOR SIXTY DAYS
AT 4% PER ANN[TM-,, AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR AND
VILLAGE CLERK AND MANAGER TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER A PNDMISSORY
NOTE EVIDENCING SAID INDEBTEDNESS, ACCOMPANIED BY A LETTER
4 PROVIDING THAT IF SAID NOTE IS NOT PAID AT MATURITY IT WILL
BE ACCEPTED IN PAYMENT OF TAXES.
-------
WHEREAS, it is considered the municipal funds on hand plus anticipated .' •
_ receipts mill be insufficient to defray the necessary expenditures of Miami Shores �•
Village during the next sixty days, and
WHEREAS, Bessemer Properties, Inc. is willing to lend to Miami Shores `
Village the sum of $7500.00 for sixty (60) days,at 4% per annum interest, said o;
loan to be evidenced by a promissory note executed in the name of the Village by Y
its Mayor and Village Clerk and Manager, and under its .corporate seal, accompanied .
by a letter providing that if said note is not paid at maturity it will be accept- ,
` ed by the Village in payment of taxes, and
WHEREAS, funds from tax collections and other sources will be avail-
able to liquidate such loan at its maturity.,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE,
ty ,
Section 1.- That Miami Shores Village borrow from Bessemer Properties
Inc. the sum of $7500.00, payable in sixty (60) days with interest at per anm m,�
and that in consideration thereof the Mayor and Village Clerk and Manager of Miami
Shores Village are hereby authorized and directed to execute, under the seal of the ~ h
Village, and deliver to Bessemer Properties, Inc. the promissory note of Miami
Shores Village evidencing said loan, accompanied
by a letter signed in the name of •:° �
the Village by its Mayor and attested by the Village Clerk and Manager, providing F.
t`. that if said note is not paid at maturity it will be accepted by the Village in � .
payment of taxes.
REGULARLY passed and adopted his ` of October, A.D. 1941. t '
.
�� Mayor.
Attest: ,y
Village Cl rk andanager
MAYOR KITSON
�r
' REPORT OF SURVEY AND INVESTIGATION
OF
BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICE
. . MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA
la
ksz
EVERETT W, NICE
MUNICIPAL CONSULTANT
1505 CONGRESS BLDG.,
MIAMI, FLORIDA.
41
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REG. ARCHITECT REG. ARCHITECT do ENGINEER'
STATE OF FLORIDA STATE OF MICHIGAN
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.yy
REPORT OF SURVEY AND INVESTIGATION
OF
BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICE
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA .
EVERETT W. NICE
MUNICIPAL CONSULTANT
1505 CONGRESS BLDG.,
MIAMI, FLORIDA.
REG. ARCHITECT REG. ARCHITECT & ENGINEER
STATE OF FLORIDA STATE OF MICHIGAN
• r of i
I N D E X
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FOREWORD Page 1
OBJECT OF REPORT " 2
SOURCES OF INFORMATION " 2
PRESENT ROUTINE " 3-4
PRESENT FACTS & CONDITIONS " 5
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION GRAPHS " 6
SUM 'lARY " 7
CONCLUSIONS " 7-8-9
PROPOSALS " 9-10-11
GENERAL '� 12
1505 Congress Bldg.,
Miami, Florida,
September 19, 1939.
Honorable Mayor and Councilmen,
Miami Shores Village, Florida.
Gentlemen:-
In accordance with your resolution, passed at the
regular council meeting of September 6, 1939, directing the
writer to make a survey and report of the general activities
of your building inspection service at Miami Shores Village,
accordingly, I am pleased to submit herewith, my report.
For your convenience, I have sub-divided the report
under the headings as shown by the index on the preceding page,
If there are any questions or if I can be of further
service, feel free to call upon me at your convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
NICE
Municipal Consultant
REPORT OF SURVEY , AND INVESTIGATION
OF
BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICE
IrUTAMI SHORES VILLAGE
FOREWORD
This survey, investigation and report has been made by a Registered
Architect and Engineer, who is also a Registered Real Estate Broker. My ex-
perience has covered practically every angle of Municipal, Industrial and
Private work as applied to Building Construction; therefore, I am amply qual-
ified to make a true and impartial report.
Probably this is as appropriate a place as any to suggest that build-
ing inspection service by a municipality is for the general benefit of the com-
munity at large and in no way should such public service be confused with or ex-
pected to replace the .supervision of a construction project by the Architect.
The Architect's duty to the general public and his clients is to protect them
and assure himself that his plans and specifications are adhered to in the field.
I believe that this is the Architect's legal duty but at any rate, it is his
ethical duty to the general public and his profession.
Certainly no prospective home owner would expect that the municipality
at large should help pay any of the direct charges for the cost of his residence
and I am sure that all who take the trouble to investigate the fees derived from
building construction permits will understand that the amounts so assessed would
not begin to pay for the supervision required to check the detail conformity of
the plans and specifications to the work in the field.
The municipal building inspection field service should be to check the
Architect's field supervision.
Page 1 E.w.Nice
/ a 0 a .
OBJECT OF REPORT
Inasmuch as the Building Construction in Miami Shores Village has in-
creased to a considerable degree over a comparatively short period of time and an
unusual demand has been made on the public services rendered by the Building In-
spection Department to the general public, it was thought best to have the general
conditions concerning the services rendered by the Building Inspection Department
investigated and a report of such conditions made by a disinterested and impartial
source.
Further, it was desired to have included in the report, suggestions for
the improvement, if necessary, of the present services.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Personal interviews with resident taxpayers, non-resident taxpayers,
village officials, architects, contractors, sub-contractors, omner-builders and
lending agencies.
Inspection and study of the Village Charter, Ordinances 5 - 6 - 10 - 11 -
28 - 32 - 34 - 35 - 37 - 40 - 41 - 43 - 44 - 52 - 80 and 86.
Inspection and study of the accounting system, receipts and disbursements
of moneys, inspection service, personnel, office routine, field activities, applioa-
tion forms, permit forms, occupational license forms, receipt forms and filing system,
insofar as they concern the Building Inspection Service of Miami Shores Village.
Inspection and study of the organization, routine and authority of the
Planning Board, insofar as the Board is a part of the Building Inspection Service.
Inspection of some fifty odd residences in all stages of completion; also,
a number of finished residential structures.
The basis of all statistical information contained herein was compiled at
my request by the Village Manager from the Village records.
Page 2 E.W.Nice
PRESENT ROUTINE
Briefly, the authority of the operation of the Planning Board and the
Building Inspection Service, together with the authority for collecting occupational
licenses, building, plumbing and electrical permit fees and contractors cash deposit
bonds are included in the Village Charter and the Ordinances enumerated under the
heading "Sources of Information". The Building Inspection Service is attempting to
operate largely by your Ordinance No. 5, authorizing the use of the 1925 City of
Miami Building Code, which is replaced and obsoleted by the 1937 Code.
It is a well recognized fact that without tools, a workman performs his
work with difficulty and I must state in fairness to all concerned that your Build-
ing Inspection Department is very largely without tools.
Upon application for building permit information, reference is made to
the City of Miami Building Code, which, as I interpret your Ordinance, authorizes
the use of the 1925 City of Miami Building, Electrical and Plumbing Codes, which
have been obsoleted or out of print for some years. Also, there is available a
nine page multigraphed copy of building requirements, which was adopted by the
minutes of a Council Meeting and not by Ordinance; accordingly, its enforceability
is questionable.
The Planning Board requirements are authorized by several Ordinances but
no printed information, zoning map or Village map is available for general distri-
bution. Under these circumstances, the matter of disseminating building construc-
tion requirements is largely a departmental jurisdictional matter rather than by
specific ordinance.
By ordinance, the Building Inspector must check and can issue no permit
unless all plat restrictions are adhered to first. I could find information on
file for only three sub-divisions in the Village office, consequently this provis-
ion of the ordinance would be difficult to fulfill.
Page 3 E.W.Nice
One set of plans and specifications are delivered by the applicant to the
Village office for approval; the Building Inspector forwards same to the Planning
Board, and they in turn, approve or disapprove in writing. The permit is then issued
on the approved plans and specifications from the applicant's estimated cost; in
other words, the Zoning Ordinance fixes the cubical contents in certain areas but
gives no yard stick by which to find the cubical contents or any method for trans-
posing cubical contents to dollar value, and consequently, the permit is issued on
the applicant's stated prices, without other evidence of the dollar basis of the
permit. This is an obvious opportunity of loss to the Village, not only in permit
fees, but in the tax assessment rolls.
I find that minor corrections to plans and specifications are being made
in the Building Inspector's Office, which is an improper practice for the Village,
as the plans and specifications are part of the contract documents between the owner
and the contractor and cannot be changed without their mutual consent.
The matter of occupational licenses has been issued on a rather indefinite
basis but I understand these licenses are no longer issued by the Building Depart-
ment but must be approved by the Village Manager.
The issuance of electrical and plumbing permits follows the same general
routine as outlined previously, with instructions to contractors of a personally
direct nature, rather than by a stated ordinance.
The positions of Building Inspector and Chief of Police are handled by
one individual and the Plumbing and Electrical Inspectors are part time employees,
working on the basis of 50% of the collected fees for electrical and plumbing work.
The Building Inspector has one part time male employee and partial use of
the services of the office bookkeeper and office stenographer, together with assist-
ance of the Plumbing and Electrical Inspectors, mentioned in the previous paragraph.
There is little, if any, systematic method of filing for follow-up or
future reference and no prescribed routine tie-up for Building, Plumbing and
Electrical Inspection.
Page 4 E.W.Nice
PRESENT FACTS do CONDITIONS
The prevailing opinion is that, in the absence of specific information in
the form of a Building, Plumbing and Electrical Code and a proper Zoning Ordinance,
with accompanying maps, far too much departmental discretion is exercised, with the
obvious consequences.
The present tubage requirements of the Zoning Ordinance are being question-
ed as to its legality, but personally, I believe the principle and intent are proper
and constructive, and could, in my opinion, be re-drafted into a comprehensive and
enforceable Zoning Ordinance.
Minim= seventy-five foot width of lot requirements for residences is also
being questioned, but once again, I believe that the principle and intent are proper,
constructive and enforceable.
The contemplated construction program for the new college and the apparent
large developments by builder-owners, does not and cannot receive the proper infor-
mation, office check and field inspection under the present set-up.
There are at present approximately four thousand (4000) platted parcels of
property, together with considerable unplatted acreage, and of this platted property,
approximately five hundred and fifty (550) parcels are improved with building con
struction. The charts on Page 6 of this report, indicate graphically a four year
increase in building construction service rendered by the Village and fees collected
for such service. It is apparent that, if this rate of construction continues, and
I see no reason why it should not continue, the present facilities are entirely in-
adequate to maintain the Village standards, as ostensibly is the desire of all con-
oerned.
Page 5 E.W.Nioe
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SUMMARY OF PRESENT CONDITIONS IN BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICE
WHICH SHOULD BE RECTIFIED
1. Absence of proper and readily accessible Village requirements.
2. Absence of proper and readily accessible Village Maps.
3. Absence of proper supervisory capacity for the inspection and
checking of plans and specifications.
4. Office and field routine.
5. Office records.
6. System of fee basis and collections.
7. Lack of coordination between building valuation and tax assessments.
CONCLUSIONS
From practically all with whom I have come in contact, whether resident
taxpayer or otherwise, the consensus of opinion is that Miami Shores Village is
in a unique position as a small, better than average, residential, community and
it is the expressed desire to maintain that position with a "better than average"
type of residential design and construction.
If this desire is concurred in by the Council and Planning Board, as
representative of the will of the residents and voters of the Village, then, I
unhesitatingly recommend the following, to better carry out the will of the people.
1. Prepare for general distribution, a Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.
2. , Prepare for general distribution, a complete but practical Building
Construction, Plumbing and Electrical Code.
3. The Zoning Ordinance and Building Code, if prepared together would
save considerable time and expense and could be combined in one volume
and sold at a price mhioh would probably pay the expenses involved.
4. The initial checking, by a qualified individual, of all plans and
specifications presented for permits, as to conformity with the
Village requirements.
Page 7 E.W.Nice
5. The Building Inspector to use liberally the services of the agencies
available for the protection of the general public, namely:
a. The Florida State Board of Registration of Architects and
Engineers,
b. The Florida Real Estate Commission.
c. The Federal Housing Administration.
d. Members of Approved Lending Agencies for building construction.
e. Village law enforcement agencies.
f. Village Attorney.
6. Revision of the Building Inspection office routine, field routine and
records, administered with the proper personnel.
7. Revision of fee basis, inaugurating a re-inspeotion fee basis and the
collections of same.
8. Coordinate the Building Inspection records with the Tax Assessors
Department.
9. Take all necessary steps required to at least maintain the present fire
insurance rates.
10. The Council, at the earliest possible date, should authorize the
Planning Board by Ordinance, the necessary authority to have all plans
and specifications presented for permit, checked in accordance with the
following paragraphs:
a. The Building Inspector shall issue no permits for any branch of
the building trades, unless the plans and specifications are prepared by a compe-
tent architect and the architect shall be responsible for the adheranee to his
plans and specifications of all field work. Upon completion of the entire project,
the architect shall file with the Planning Board, a satisfactory completion certi-
fioate, signed with seal, that the work contemplated in the plans and specifications
on file in the Building Department have been completed and fulfilled.
Page 8 E.W.Nics
b. The Building Inspector shall issue no permits for new construction for
any branch of the building trades unless there is contained in the specifications,
a guarantee clause by the general contractor, seller or owner-builder, that the
contractor, seller or ower-builder shall make good any faulty material or work-
manship, which appears in his work for a period of six months from the date of
filing of architect's completion certificate.
c. That all general contractors, which shall include owner-builders, shall
furnish to Miami Shores Village a bond in the sum of $5000.00 as guarantee of faith-
ful performance and maintenance of work performed in Miami Shores Village, thru the
Building Inspection Department. (This bond would aocompany the application for
occupational license and would eliminate the present $50.00 cash deposit.)
Miami Shores Village is now in the stage of "Growing Pains" and has
undoubtedly outgrown the present facilities of the Building Inspection Service
and the Planning Board.
PROPOSAL
In order that this report contain not only my recommendations for the
. benefit of the Village at large but also the definite means of placing mor re-
commendations in practical effect, I am pleased'to offer my formal proposal for
such services as your Honorable Body may direct.
1. I will furnish Consulting Services, prepare all rough drafts and
corrected drafts, make necessary search of Dade County and City
of Miami records and supervise the completion of a Zoning Ordinance
and Zoning Map, as required for Miami Shores Village, for the am
of $250.00, payable $125.00 when completed preliminary drafts of
the Ordinance and Map are presented for your approval, the balance
to be paid in full upon completion of the final ordinance and map.
3. I will furnish Consulting Servioes, prepare all rough drafts,
corrected drafts and supervise the completion of a practical Build-
page 9 E.W.Nice
ing, Plumbing and Electrical Code for Miami Shores Village for the
sum of $450.00, payable $225.00 when completed preliminary drafts
are presented for your approval, the balance to be paid in full
upon completion of the final Ordinance.
3. Inasmuch as the following items are largely of an uncertain character
and depend somewhat upon the desires of the Council, the Village is
to furnish work space in their offices, stenographic services, all
office supplies, drawing supplies, drafting services, blue-printing,
certified copies of City and County records, legal services, all
cuts, plates and printing as required in the preparation of both
the Zoning Ordinance and the Building Code. It is assumed that
complete co-operation of the Village Council will be given in the.
necessary hearings and approvals required, and if reasonable
dispatch in this regard is fulfilled, I can complete all, on or
before January 1, 1940; and, it is upon the basis of completion
on or before January 1, 1940 that my specified prices are made.
4. I will further undertake the position of Chief Building Inspector
in charge of Building Inspection work for the Village and will as that
official be on duty within the boundaries of the Village limits for
three days, of eight hours each day, per week. As Chief Building
Inspector, I will attend to the following, as Departmental Routines
a. Inspect, approve or disapprove all plans and specifications
submitted for building permits.
b. Supervise the entire personnel of the Building Inspection
Department.
o. Prepare and place in effect office routine.
d. Prepare and place in effect field inspection routine.
e. Prepare all printed forms required.
Page 10 BOW.Hice
f. Submit to Council, suggestions for fee collections.
g. Make the necessary field inspection as time will permit.
h. Handle personally so far as possible, the field inspection
for the new college.
i. Will meet with the Planning Board every Wednesday evening,
if necessary.
J. Will meet with the Council at all regular meetings and at
such Special meetings as the Council may direct.
k. The present personnel in the Building Inspection Division
is to remain for the present at least and perform the duties
of Inspectors under my direct supervision.
1. I agree that so long as I am employed as a salaried Village
officials I will not directly or indirectly engage in my
professions as Architect, Engineer or Real Estate Broker on
any project within the confines of the Village limits.
I will accept the duties as outlined above for a period of six months
from September 6, 1939, on the basis of salary at $150.00 per month, plus milage
from my residence in Miami.
The present fiscal budget contains the following items:
Building Inspector's Salary $1800.00
Planning Board 300.00
Contingency Fund 7085.58
The fee oollections through Building Inspection Department
for the previous year:
Permit fees 3287.43
Contractors & Sub-Contractors licenses 2150.00
Should the Building Department oollect fees this year in proportion
to last year's collections, it appears that the costs of all the services in '
Page 11 E.W.Nice
a
47 k
ry$,
this proposal could be properly financed out of this yearts budget allowance.
I would suggest that as soon as practical, your Honorable Body advise
4 me your wishes regarding my proposals, in order that we may adhere to the time
limits specified.
GEMRfUL
In the investigation and survey for the preceding work, it has been
Y:x
necessary for me to overlap other departments and records, not directly applicable
to the Building Inspection Department, and accordingly, I have had an opportunity
to observe that there are other departments and routines which were probably satin-
factory heretofore, but are now somewhat outgrown, uneconomical and not in
sufficient detail*
I realize the impractioability of inmedigtely doing away with your present
system of office routine, accounting, tax appraisals, eto., but I do recommend that
a gmeral and comprehensive plan of Municipal Organization and Operation be prepar-
ed, as the basis to which all departments, routines, operations and expenditures
shall conform as changes are to be made from time to time in personnel, printed
r ,
forms, budgeted items, eto. Important items for your consideration are your
Accounting System, Tax Appraisal Systems Adjacent Municipality Sewerage Disposal
and future source of Drinking Water Supply.
In concluding, permit me to advise that my requests for information „
from the Village Manager and his staff, have been many and varied; and I am
pleased to say that I received the utmost in co-operative effort from all '.
concerned.
�.r
Respectfully submitted, y.
gym;
IICS
Municipal consultant
F
Page 12 R.W.aiee