HomeMy Public PortalAbout1998-05-19 Workshop Meeting225
COUNCIL MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - MAY 19. 1998
The Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, May 19,
1998, in the Council Chambers at Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to
order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Spiegel. Those present were:
Mayor Estelle Spiegel
Assistant Mayor Andrew R. Hirsch!
Councilman James E. Boggess
Councilman Daniel S. Tantleff
Councilman Peg E. Gorson
Also present: Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Jeanette Horton, Village Clerk
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. Presentation by Bradshaw. Gill & Associates of Second
Conceptual Plans for Be_autification of the Beach and Repair of the
Jogging Path - Bob Gill: Mr. Treppeda explained this is a presentation of the second
set of conceptual plans. In September 1997, Bradshaw, Gill & Associates presented the
first set of conceptual plans.
Bob Gill, Bradshaw, Gill & Associates, Landscape Architects and Land Planners,
introduced himself to the Council. Harvey Sasso, Coastal Systems International,
introduced himself to the Council and explained they are the coastal engineers
assisting Mr. Gill and critiquing the plans from a coastal permitting point of view.
Mr. Gill displayed the conceptual plans and reviewed them. He explained the second
scheme accommodates some of the requests the Council made. They took the main
access path and made it more curve -linear and of a "free form" look. It's in the same area
but has more of a curving look similar to the existing jogging path. It will be a pedestrian
walkway and access for emergency vehicles and construction traffic, if needed.
Councilman Tantleff thinks the emergency access road is supposed to stay straight and
a couple of sections of the jogging path that keep getting damaged are supposed to be
moved west. Mr. Sasso stated since the last plan they have pulled the jogging path
backwards into the existing vegetation so there is not as much maintenance in terms of it
washing out. However, there is an expanded beach now. Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated
Bal Harbour is pretty much built out and he hasn't seen access roads anywhere along the
eastern Florida coast and doesn't understand why it is being kept. Mr. Gill stated it is a
pedestrian walkway that is going to be packed and made out of interlocking pavers. Mayor
Spiegel thinks curving the road will obstruct the vision of police cars, etc. that go through
there.
Councilman Tantleff thought the Council was trying to accomplish bringing the jogging path
portions that were washed out further west so they won't be washed out. He doesn't
remember discussing reconstructing the access path as much as beautifying the jogging
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path and making that whole area beautiful. Mayor Spiegel thought they had discussed
having uniform landscaping at the back wall of each building. Assistant Mayor Hirsch)
questioned what the point was spending any money on the access road when the Council
wants to enhance the jogging path and make it the pedestrian path. He doesn't think there
should be any path, it should be a beach. The Village has police vehicles that can drive
on the sand, and fire trucks can go in the front. Councilman Boggess stated Bradshaw,
Gill & Associates were brought in to move the jogging path west so it won't erode so
quickly and do something to dress up that whole area.
Mr. Gill stated the plans show the direction that the Council had given Mr. Sasso and him
to proceed in. The first plans presented a very straight pedestrian access walkway, and
the Council wanted more of a meandering path. The second plan reflects the Council's
comments from the last meeting. It was requested at the last meeting that the jogging path
be brought in tighter to the existing vegetation line, which they have done. That gives them
the ability to break up some of the existing vegetation and the groupings open up so there
is more of a view from the pedestrian access. Mr. Sasso thinks the previous design was
hidden behind the trees to a large extent and the Council didn't want that. Councilman
Boggess suggested trimming the sea grapes so the breeze can come through and that the
whole idea was the make the beach more attractive to tourists and Bal Harbour's residents.
Mr. Gill reviewed the plans for the jogging path and stated there are certain areas where
the view is blocked. The intention is to move parts of the path back against the existing
vegetation. Mr. Sasso stated the plans provide the meandering the Council asked for and
the ability for security vehicles to go through.
Councilman Boggess questioned if the Village is under any obligation to provide access
for emergency vehicles on the beach. Mr. Treppeda doesn't think the Village has to, but
needs to check into that matter to see. Councilman Boggess stated if the Village doesn't
have to, he suggests forgetting about the fire trucks and the construction. He doesn't think
the Village is obligated to provide construction areas on the beach. Assistant Mayor
Hirsch) agreed.
Mr. Gill stated the plan beautifies the rear of all the units. Mayor Spiegel stated the backs
of the parking garages and the pool decks need to be uniformly landscaped the full length
of Bal Harbour. Mr. Gill stated this plan accommodates that. Mayor Spiegel stated it is
also a safety measure having the greenery for any future hurricanes.
Marjorie Schiell, Balmoral Condominium, addressed the Council. Ms. Schiell feels the
islands of plants were put there for a purpose. Councilman Boggess stated they're not
removing those, they're just being trimmed. Mr. Sasso stated they will encroach into some
of the vegetation, but they're also placing additional vegetation both landward and
seaward.
Sheryl Goldberg, Plaza of Bal Harbour, addressed the Council. Ms. Goldberg thinks the
interlocking brick path is redundant. Councilman Boggess stated some people like to jog
and some like to walk and there needs to be some separation of traffic back there. Ms.
Goldberg suggests meandering the path, but not using interlocking pavers and keeping it
as natural as possible.
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Mr. Craig Gorson addressed the Council and suggested the vegetation be constructed
so as there will not be blind pockets or where someone walking might be afraid there will
be people lurking.
Councilman Tantleff summarized that the Village Attorney needs to check if an access
road is legally mandatory. If it is not legally mandatory, then there should be vegetation
and one jogging path. Assistant Mayor Hirsch) stated the second conceptual plan is great,
except where they have interlocking pavers the sand should be kept there. Ms. Goldberg
questioned if the jogging path could be wider. Councilman Boggess stated that might be
the hardest thing to do because of the permitting from the State. Mayor Spiegel clarified
a new jogging path is not being built, the existing one is being repaired. Ms. Goldberg
suggested some benches and stools. Mayor Spiegel stated it would have to be the type
of bench that only allows people to sit on it and not stretch out on it.
Mr. Whitman, Bal Harbour Shops, addressed the Council and believes they are on the
right track and the access road is not needed. He suggests getting rid of the access road,
create an attractive walking/jogging area, and address the backs of the buildings with
landscaping. Mayor Spiegel stated that's what the Council wants.
Councilman Boggess doesn't think the jogging path needs to be any wider. He suggests
looking at the benches in Miami Shores. There cannot be any lighting because of the sea
turtles. Mr. Sasso stated that he and Mr. Gill worked on a similar plan in Miami Beach and
they put specific lighting with the shielding facing inward and that was approved.
Roberto Beltran, Middlebrooks & Associates commented on the project.
Councilman Tantleff questioned under the contract, if the Village would make the Sheraton
pull their bricks out or if the vegetation will stop at the Sheraton. It was the consensus of
the Council that the back of the Sheraton is landscaped beautifully and should be left
alone.
Jim Harrison, Atlantic Beach Clubs, addressed the Council. Mr. Harrison stated there
are so many activities for the guests at the Sheraton and questioned if there could be a
small modification where vehicles could get behind the Sheraton when they have a big
event. It was the consensus of the Council that vehicles were not wanted back there.
Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated the Sheraton put the bricks there at their expense and the
Sheraton agreed that if it's not what the Village wanted to do with the Master Plan, they
would remove the bricks. The Village may ultimately require the Sheraton to remove the
pavers, but its premature right now. It was the consensus of the Council that the
Master Plan will continue to 96th Street.
Mr. Gill questioned what material the Council wanted. It was the consensus of the
Council to use hard packed sand. Assistant Mayor Hirsch) summarized it will be the
access road that is there without pavers, instead it will be hard compacted sand similar to
the jogging path material, it will be meandering, and smaller. Assistant Mayor Hirsch)
questioned if grass can be put where the access road is now. Mr. Gill stated it would be
difficult and would need to be more of a sea oat type of material.
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Mayor Spiegel suggested landscaping the back of the buildings, have a place to walk
without it being an access road, hard pack the sand to walk on, and the rest should be
shrubbery with the jogging path.
Mr. Treppeda stated the Council needs to start looking at budgets. Mayor Spiegel stated
the Council needs to know the cost and eliminate the brick. Mr. Gill stated they would like
to revise the plans with the suggestions that were made. They will put together some
figures. Mayor Spiegel stated Mr. Whitman put it very clearly what the Council wants.
Councilman Boggess questioned Mr. Gill when the optimum time would be to do this work
and if an irrigation system will be needed. Mr. Gill thinks an irrigation system will be
needed on part of it. Councilman Boggess stated there is an irrigation system of sorts out
there. Robert Wheldon, the Village's Director of Public Works, doesn't think it can be used
for this project because it was put in 20 years ago and was designed to disintegrate on its
own in a little over a year, two years tops. It was put in just to get the vegetation started
and his department still maintains it to this day. Mayor Siegel questioned if the irrigation
system can be put underground. Mr. Gill responded yes.
Mr. Sasso stated they will go back and get the approval from the Department of
Environmental Protection for the landscaping and the compacted area. Councilman
Boggess stated its already compacted and they're just landscaping the areas. Mr. Gill will
come to the next Council meeting with the revisions and cost estimate.
3. Adjourn: There being no further business to come before the Council, a
motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Hirsch) and seconded by Councilman Tantleff to
adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). and the meeting adjourned at 5:15
p.m.
Attest:
due k;
Janette Horton, CMC/AAE
Village Clerk
/elw
Mayor Ester Spiegel
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