HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006-09-06 Special Meeting445
BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 6, 2006
A Special Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Wednesday, September 6,
2006, at Bal Harbour Village Hall (655 — 96tt' Street, Bal Harbour, Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 9:00
a.m. by Mayor Roth. The following were present:
Mayor Seymour "Sy" Roth
Assistant Mayor Howard J. Berlini
Councilman Jean Rosenfield
Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, CMC, Village Clerk
Andrea Greenblatt, Admin. Assistant
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Absent: Councilman Joel S. Jacobi
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Michael Patrizio,
WCI.
3. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO CHANGE HEALTH INSURANCE
COVERAGE TO UNITED HEALTHCARE: Mr. Treppeda explained that the Village is
paying extremely high rates for insurance, through Florida Municipal (Florida League of
Cities). He reviewed a spreadsheet prepared by the Village's Agent of other insurance
plans available and noted that United Healthcare (Plan #2) is the most comparable plan in
terms of benefits, but at a lower rate. He noted that the new Plan would result in an annual
savings of $457,205.01. Mr. Treppeda recommended approval to enter into an agreement
with United Healthcare, beginning October 1st. Mayor Roth thinks that United is a great
company and noted that the Village will save 50% on health insurance costs.
A motion was offered by Councilman Rosenfield and seconded by Councilman Sanz to approve.
The motion carried unanimously (3-0).
4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BAL
HARBOUR CLUB FOR THE USE OF PROPERTY FOR A BEACH ACCESS
POINT: Mr. Treppeda explained that at a previous meeting the Bal Harbour Club offered
to provide land for a beach access point and WCI offered to provide financial assistance.
He noted that the proposed License Agreement was drafted by the Village Attorney and
approved by the Bal Harbour Club, to provide a beach access path. He reported that the
access will be fenced on both sides and noted that the Plaza has approved the path, as
1 Assistant Mayor Berlin arrived during discussion of the Beach Access License Agreement.
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long as a fence is provided. Mr. Treppeda explained that Mr. lmbesi, Bal Harbour Club, has
approved the path for pedestrian access, but not for vehicular parking. He noted that the
path will be locked at sundown for safety reasons and to avoid the need for lighting. Mayor
Roth explained that numerous residents complained about the north access (at 102nd
Street) being temporarily closed and that this is being provided, in response to that. He
noted that WCI is helping to resolve the problem. Mr. Treppeda explained that the path at
the Club will take two to three weeks to build.
Michael Patrizio, WCI, noted that they plan to open the north access path in January
2007. He explained that WCI is contributing $25,000 towards the $37,000 cost. Councilman
Rosenfield suggested that WCI pay the entire amount. Mr. Patrizio will look into that.
It was the Consensus of the Council for WCI to cover the complete cost.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Councilman Rosenfield to approve
the License Agreement. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).
5. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO EXPEND FUNDS FOR BEACH
ACCESS POINT AT THE BAL HARBOUR CLUB (10201 GOWNS
AVENUE): Mr. Treppeda requested approval to expend funds for the beach access path,
at the Bal Harbour Club.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Mayor Roth to approve proceeding
with construction of the Beach Access Path ($37,000) and for the Manager to negotiate the
contribution from WCI (minimum of $25,000). The motion carried unanimously (4-0).
6. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENT TO VILLAGE
RESIDENTS FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LIBRARY CARDS: Mr. Treppeda
explained that notice was given to Surfside that the Village was not renewing the Library
Agreement for the Surf-Bal-Bay Library. Councilman Rosenfield noted that Bay Harbor did
not renew the Agreement either. Mr. Treppeda noted that the termination would be effective
October 1st. He suggested beginning the reimbursement of Miami -Dade County Library
Cards at two cards per household ($50 per card). He requested permission to reimburse
residents and to start advertising the new program.
Mayor Roth explained that this new system will save the Village approximately $50,000 per
year. He suggested advertising the change on Channel 77 and mailing a flyer to all
residents, for the program to start October 1st. He also suggested having the County
applications available at Village Hall and handling the applications in bulk.
Neil Alter, resident - 9801 Collins Avenue, questioned how the system would work. Mr.
Treppeda explained that the Village would reimburse residents $50 per card, when proof is
shown that a library card was purchased. He noted that this approach is better than if the
Village joined the library taxing district, because then it would cost $1 million per year,
instead of $30,000-$40,000 per year.
A motion was offered by Councilman Rosenfield and seconded by Councilman Sanz to approve.
The motion carried unanimously (4-0).
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7. OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Weiss explained that the Village is being sued by the Bal Harbour Shops. In
accordance with Florida Statutes, he requested an Executive Session, to discuss litigation
strategy and expenses. He noted that the meeting will be held on September 12th (after the
budget hearing).
Neil Alter, resident — 9801 Collins Avenue, questioned if this is the first time that Mr.
Whitman has initiated litigation against the Village. Stanley Whitman, Bal Harbour Shops,
responded that it is. Mr. Weiss noted that this is the first time that he is aware of.
Mr. Treppeda introduced the Village Health Insurance Agent, Steven Olsen - Acordia.
Councilman Rosenfield discussed the County letter directing Surfside to open 96th Street by
July 31 st. Chief Hunker explained that the Surfside Police Chief has told him that Surfside
won't open the Street, unless a court order is received. Mr. Treppeda noted that the County
would have to get the court order.
Stanley Whitman, Bal Harbour Shops, discussed the traffic issue with Surfside. He noted
that he employed Cliff Schulman as the Attorney and Transport Analysis to study the traffic
issues. Mr. Whitman discussed the meetings held with the Municipality Mayors (Bal
Harbour, Bay Harbor, Surfside, and Indian Creek) and noted that County Commissioner
Sally Heyman attended one of the three meetings. He further explained that the topic was
placed on a MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) agenda and, as a result, FDOT
hired the Corradino Group to conduct a traffic study. He noted that study showed that the
best solution was to open Abbot Avenue and the second alternative was to provide three
right turn lanes for the east bound traffic, turning right at Harding Avenue (that alternative
was not liked by FDOT). Mr. Whitman explained that a public hearing was held, which
Surfside Mayor Tim Will and numerous Surfside residents attended. He reported that the
outcome of the hearing was for the Corradino Group to restudy the issue. He noted that the
next solution was a frontal road on Abbot Avenue for the residents, with the public using the
thoroughfare lane, and a median between the two, as a landscaped buffer. He reported that
the idea was presented to the Surfside Manager and the Town responded that they were
hiring a Town Planner and the aspects of the opening of Abbot Avenue would be handled
by them. He discussed the letters sent from FDOT to Surfside.
Dina Cellini, resident - 211 Bal Cross Drive, noted that Mr. Jacobi did not win the Judicial
seat and questioned how the Council will proceed in filling the vacancy, since he filed a
resign to run. She believes that the seat should be opened to other residents. Mr. Weiss
noted that his seat would become vacant at the time that the Judge elected takes office or
at the time that the Council replaces him. Mr. Weiss suggested that an item be placed on
the next Council agenda, to discuss how to proceed with the seat.
Mr. Weiss thinks that the Abbot Avenue discussion should also be placed on the regular
Council agenda (September 19th) for discussion, so people who are interested in those
topics can attend and participate.
8. ADJOURN: There being no further business, a motion was offered by
Councilman Rosenfield and seconded by Councilman Sanz to adjourn. The motion carried
unanimously (4-0), and the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
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May Seymour Roth
Attest:
Ellisa Horvath, CMC
Village Clerk
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