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Home My Public Portal About1997-07-15 Regular Meeting118 COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR METING - JULY 15, 1997 The regular meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, July 15, 1997, in the Council Chamber at Bat Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 1:04 p.m. by Assistant Mayor Hirschl. The roll was called and those present were: Assistant Mayor Andrew R. Hirschl Councilman James E. Boggess Councilman Peg E. Gorson Councilman Daniel S. Tantleff Also present: Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager Jeanette Horton, Village Clerk RichArd J. Weiss, Village Attorney Absent: Mayor Estelle Spiegel As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Boggess. 3. Approval of Minutes: A motion was offered by Councilman Tantleff and seconded by Councilman Gorsoh to approve the minutes of the June 17, 1997, regular meeting. There being no additions or corrections, the motion carried unanimously (4-0), with Mayor Spiegel absent, and the minutes were approved as submitted. 4. Presentations - Officer of the Month: None 5. Public Hearings: None 6. Ordinances Second Reading/Public'Hearing: The ordinance was read, by title, by the Village Clerk amending Section 14 of the Village Charter, and Sections 8-3, 8-4. and 8-5 of the Village Code, as well as providing for submission of the Charter amendment to the Electors, and providing requisite ballot language. Assistant Mayor Hirschl then proceeded to open a Public Hearing for comments. There being no comments, Assistant Mayor Hirschl closed the Public Hearing. A motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to enact this ordinance. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye: Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye: Mayor Spiegel absent, thus becoming 119 ORDINANCE NO. 422 AN ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA. AMENDING SECTION 14 "VILLAGE COUNCIL: QUALIFICATIONS; ELECTION" OF THE VILLAGE CHARTER AND AMENDING SECTION 8-3 "ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS-GENERALLY", SECTION 8-4 "ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS-QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES AT LARGE" AND SECTION 8-5 "ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS-RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT" OF CHAPTER 8 "ELECTIONS": PROVIDING FOR ONE YEAR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AS QUALIFICATION FOR CANDIDACY FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION OF THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT TO ELECTORS FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL; PROVIDING FOR REVISION OF GENDER REFERENCES TO INCLUDE BOTH GENDERS; PROVIDING FOR REQUISITE BALLOT LANGUAGE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY: PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE CHARTER-, AMENDMENT AND THE CODE AMENDMENT. Mr. Weiss stated at the appropriate time he will come back to the Council with a Resolution placing this amendment on a Ballot. Once the Resolution is adopted this question must be put before the Electors within a certain period of time. The Village Clerk was directed to send out a card at the appropriate time advising the Electors of the intent of this amendment. Councilman Tantleff asked if a candidate must be a resident of Bal Harbour or of a district. Mr. Weiss replied the candidate must live within the Village for one year prior to running for Council. 7. Ordinances First Reading: None 8. Resolutions: None 9. Selection of Budget Hearing Dates: After reviewing the suggested dates, a motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to hold the first budget hearing on Monday, September 8th at 5:15 p.m., and on September 16th to have the regular meeting commence at 4:00 p.m. and break for the second budget hearing at 5:15 p.m.. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye: Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye: Mayor Spiegel absent. 10. Reports and Recommendations: A. Mayor and Council: Councilman Tantleff thanked Mr. Treppeda and Mrs. Horton for taking Regular Council Meeting July 15, 1997 120 the time to explain the budget. Councilman Boggess stated he was very impressed with their knowledge and ,joined Councilman Tantleff in thanking them. Councilman Gorson stated, in her opinion, on voting on variance issues 5 votes should be necessary. Mr. Weiss read from the Village Code the provision of 4/5 votes and requested the Village Clerk provide the Council with a copy of Section 21-55 in their weekly packet. The discussion on changing the time of the regular meeting was deffered. B. Village Attorney: None C. Village Manager: Certification of Millage Rate for 1997/98 Fiscal Year: Mr. Treppeda explained the mi•llage rate for the 1997/98 Fiscal Year must be certified to Dade County by August 4, 1997. Once the millage rate is certified, the -Village can adjust the rate lower, but it is nearly impossible to increase the rate. He then proceeded to explain as discussed with Council members individually, he is recommending that the Village certify the millage at the rolled back rate of $3.33. A motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and "seconded by Councilman Tantleff to certify the millage rate at $3.33, which is the rolled back rate. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. Purchase of Coconut Trees for Residential Area: Mr. Treppeda explained there is $8,000.00 budgeted for the annual purchase of coconut trees to be planted in the 10 foot easement areas in front of properties in the residential area. He continued to explain Public Works Supervisor Robert Wheldon has checked with the following nurseries and found their prices to be the same at $12.00 per foot: Oglesby Palms Unlimited High Hope Nursery Plant Finder Since the price is the same for the three nurseries, Mr. Wheidon will decide which company to use based on the quality of their trees. At this time, he requested the Council approve the expenditure of Regular Council Meeting July 15, 1997 3 121 $8,000.00 for the purchase of coconut trees. The price of $12.00 per foot includes purchase, shipping, and planting. A motion was offered by Councilman Tantleff and seconded by Assistant Mayor Hirschl to approve this expenditure. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye: Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. Resort Tax Recommendation - Travel Agent Reception for Emissary: Mr. Treppeda explained the Resort Tax Committee has recommended approval of $3,000.00 to fund a reception at the Sheraton Hotel for local area travel agents. He further explained the purpose of the reception is to promote the Hotel/Village and introduce them to the Travel Agent Incentive Program. At this time, he requested the Council consider the Resort Tax Committee's recommendation to approve $3,000.00 for a Travel Agent reception. A motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to approve this expenditure. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. Resort Tax Committee Recommendation - Approval of Pachtman Communications' Proposal: Mr. Treppeda explained Alice Fisher, the Village Public Relations consultant. has recommended that the Village arrange a press trip to Bal Harbour through Pachtman Communications. He continued to explain that Pachtman Communications would develop targeted lists of journalists to be invited on the press trips from upscale travel consumer and trade magazines, meetings and incentive publications, women's magazines, high -reaching online media outlets and contributing freelancers, and major feeder market daily newspapers. The Resort Tax Committee voted in favor of approving $5,000.00 for one press trip to be held in the Fall. At this time, he requested the Council consider the Resort Tax Committee's recommendation to approve $5,000.00 for Pachtman Communications to arrange a press trip to Bal Harbour in the Fall. Councilman Boggess asked if Pachtman Communications pays for the transportation and accommodations once they receive the $5,000.00? Mr. Treppeda stated this still has to be defined. Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated that Rochelle Pachtman has a long standing track record as the guru of being able to secure the finest writers of the best travel publications. She is a New York based operation, and the best results for the Village has been Regular Council Meeting July 15, 1997 4 122 editorials. A motion was offered by Councilman Tantleff and seconded by Councilman Gorson to approve this expenditure. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. Resort Tax Committee Recommendation - Internet Provider for Ba1 Harbour Village: Mr. Treppeda explained the Resort Tax Committee heard presentations from three internet provider companies. The companies which made presentations were: Guru Communications, Inc., ExpressWeb/Web2000, Inc., and Alpha Site Online Strategies. He further explained the Committee narrowed down the list to Guru Communications, Inc. and Express Web/Web 2000, Inc. He then proceeded to explain the Committee voted in favor of retaining the services of Guru Communications, Inc. to produce and launch an internet web site for the Village. At this time, he requested the Council consider the recommendation of the Committee to retain the services of Guru Communications, Inc. to produce and launch an internet site for the Village. Also, authorize the Village Manager, in cooperation with the Village Attorney, to enter into an agreement with this company. Their proposal is for S8,297.50 plus $99.00 per month hosting fee. A motion was offered by Councilman Tantleff and seconded by Councilman Gorson to retain Guru Communications, Inc. to produce and launch an internet site for the Village, as well as authorizing the Village Manager and Village Attorney to enter into an - agreement with Guru Communications. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. 11. Other Business: Mr. O'Leary addressed the Council and explained at the last council meeting he was requested to take a look at the bus bay area at the Bal Harbour Shops in order to determine if additional date palms could be added. He stated he has met with engineers and had discussions with the transit authority. There are some problems and concerns to be addressed such as the different length of the buses, and the closeness to bus shelters. Therefore, in his opinion, this issue should be addressed when the street furniture and bus shelters are redesigned. Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated that the Resort Tax Committee has begun discussions on replacement of the bus shelters. Councilman Boggess asked what was the original estimate for phase Regular Council Meeting July 15, 1997 5 123 three of the Collins Avenue project. Assistant Mayor Hirschl replied it was in the million dollar range, which included bus shelters and street lighting. The Council requested Mr. O'Leary look into the warranty on replacement palms. Mr. O'Leary stated he will address this issue and advise Mr. Treppeda. Councilman Tantleff asked Mr. Treppeda for an update on the bike path, and the repairs of the jogging path. Mr. Treppeda replied at this time these items are still being worked on. Discussion followed about the repairs to the jogging path that were done when the President visited the Village. Mr. Wheldon stated the cost was $34,000.00 to repair three sections of the path. Mrs. Tumpson, 10185 Collins Avenue, stated promises were made at election time that the jogging path would be repaired. A motion was offered by Councilman Tantleff and .seconded by Councilman Gorson to authorize the Village Manager to expend the necessary funds to repair the jogging path. The motic5'n carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Hirschl and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to amend the motion to authorize up to $35,000.00 to repair the three areas of the jogging path north of the Balmoral. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Tantleff aye; Mayor Spiegel absent. It was the consensus of the Council that Councilman Tantleff work with the Village Manager to arrive at a solution on the repairs. 12. Adjourn: There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0), with Mayor Spiegel absent, and the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. istant Mayor Andrew R. Hirschl Attest: Jeanette Hcfrton, CMC/AAE Village Clerk Regular Council Meeting July 15, 1997 6