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BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - MARCH 25, 2010
A Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Thursday, March 25,
2010, at the Bal Harbour Village Hall Council Chamber (655 — 96th Street, Bat Harbour,
Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 5:03
p.m. by Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present:
b
Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachar
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Martin Packer
Councilman Jaime M. Sanzi
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Matthew Pearl, Village Attorney
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: None.
3. DISCUSSION OF BUS SHELTER DESIGN: Mayor Rosenfield
explained the purpose of the workshop meeting to review the designs for the bus shelters
and to reach a consensus to go back to the Council in April
Mr. Treppeda explained the Federal funding process. He reported the available funding to
be $250,000, which would be expected in October at the latest. He reported that the funds
could .not be spent before they are received.
Councilman Sanz arrived.
Mr. Treppeda clarified that a designer, not a catalogued item, needs to be used for a public
bid.
Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue, requested clarification on the amount of money, which
he thought was $350,000. Mr. Treppeda explained that the Federal grant would be for
$250,000 and the Village would fund $100,000. Mr. Alter requested an average cost for the
eight shelters. Mr. Treppeda explained that the Council would need to agree on a design,
before a cost could be provided.
Tom Graboski, TGA Design, reported that the first four designs received cost estimates of
$19,000 to $22,000 per shelter, not including benches or trash receptacles.
1 Councilman Sanz arrived at the beginning of the Discussion of Bus Shelter Design.
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Mr. Alter discussed the need for the Village to live up to its reputation and to provide shelter
from the elements. He spoke in favor of an enclosed bus shelter. He didn't understand the
reluctance of the Architectural Review Board to approve the design and discussed his
reservations about the Board.
Mayor Rosenfield reviewed a PowerPoint of the existing shelters/benches.
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, requested clarification that the Council is in favor of
creating new bus, shelters that are enclosed. Assistant Mayor Blachar isn't sure that she
likes the idea of enclosing the shelters after hearing the Architectural Review Board's
review, etc. and, if they are enclosed, not necessarily enclosing them in glass. Ms. Cellini
pointed out that the bus shelters in Palm Beach County (which she thinks is comparable to
Bal Harbour), California, Santa Monica, etc. all have glass. She suggested incorporating
the landscaping, per Councilwoman .Cohen's ideas, and providing clear sides (Plexiglas or
glass) to enable the buses to see the people and the people to see the buses. She
discussed using a shrub or trellis in the back to provide insulation, but include the ability to
supplement that landscaping with glass in the future, if the landscaping doesn't grow
properly. She agreed with coming up with a compromise, but pointed out that all of the
communities are using glass in their shelters, which seems to be working.
Jaime Schapiro, Architectural Review Board Member, explained that the Board
understood that the shelters were needed, but the members felt that the proposed designs
were too bland and didn't represent the character and brand of the Village. He discussed
the use of landscaping. He noted that the existing shelters blend with the Village and the
proposed ones did not belong. He suggested working on the materials for better blending
with the environment.
Councilwoman Cohen reviewed Location 2 as being functional and suggested that it be
used as a guideline. Mr. Schapiro explained that all of the proposed roofs were very strong
and defined, while the existing shelter roofs are curved and gentler. He reported that the
Board would like to see more of those elements used.
Councilman Packer discussed the modern buildings in the Village (St. Regis). He thinks
that the curved roof creates rain on both sides, which isn't acceptable. Mr. Schapiro
explained that could be addressed. He clarified that he is not saying the existing shelters
should stay, but that they are gentler. Councilman Packer discussed the existing shelters
being dated, while the current design of the buildings is modem. Mr. Schapiro clarified that
the existing design is more within the spirit of Bal Harbour. Councilman Packer reported
that the Council had originally selected Option 3.
Mr. Graboski displayed Option 7, which the Architectural Review Board did not review. He
explained that glass could be added to any of the designs and requested consensus on the
direction. He discussed the design criteria that needed to be met and the possibility of
incorporating landscaping.
Assistant Mayor Blachar pointed out that the Architectural Review Board didn't approve the
design, because it didn't blend in. Mr. Schapiro agreed and clarified that the design needs
to speak the same language as the rest of Collins Avenue. He doesn't think that the glass
boxes would look like they belong. He suggested partial glass, but not as the main
element. He discussed the glass creating alot of heat, forcing people to walk out of it.
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Councilman Packer discussed the use of fans and air flow. He doesn't think that heat
would be an issue. He discussed using a white roof.
Assistant Mayor Blachar questioned if the roof could be larger for better protection, instead
of using glass on the sides. Mr. Schapiro agreed that could be done and also suggested
using some landscaping.
Councilman Sanz spoke in favor of listening to the residents who complain about getting
wet. He spoke in favor of an enclosed shelter and suggested the current design, with glass
and hanging plants.
Mr. Alter questioned if the current shelters are functional, give protection, and provide a
comfortable seat. Mr. Schapiro reported that he has never sat in one.
Assistant Mayor Blachar would like to provide protection from the elements, but doesn't
think a shelter is needed at each stop. She spoke in favor of providing hedges in the back
and on the side. She noted that everyone's goal is to keep the residents dry. She doesn't
think that the Council or residents should get angry at the Board, since they serve the
Village. Mr. Schapiro pointed out that the Board members are doing what they think is best
for the Village.
James Silvers, Architectural Review Board Member, agreed with Mr. Schapiro's
approach to the existing shelters. He agreed that a larger roof would be better, without the
need for sides. He discussed the problems with glass enclosed structures including graffiti,
deterioration and affecting the streetscape. He reported that the glass enclosures were
changed to a more open design in South Beach, due to those problems. He suggested that
the Council look at other solutions to keep a design more in keeping with the Village,
before deciding on an enclosed shelter. Mr. Silvers thinks that the current shelters are
compatible with a modern structure. He supported Mr. Schapiro's position that the existing
design has been consistent with the quality of life in Bal Harbour. He thinks that anything
rigid would not be sensitive. He discussed the impact of the shelters to the streetscape. He
suggested looking at a larger roof structure, maybe curved, with a softer structure and
design that keeps people dry. He discussed the uniqueness of the Village and the need for
something that is compatible with that.
Councilman Packer noted that the designs shown were custom designs. Mr. Silvers didn't
think that the designs were good enough yet.
Mr. Graboski reviewed Option 3 and discussed the use of landscaping or shrubs behind
the glass, as well as protection from the elements.
Mr. Silvers thinks that the designs look like they are off the shelf. He discussed the
experience of the Architectural Review Board members and the need to do more. He
explained that the Board serves the Village and the members are giving their opinion. He
clarified that it's up to the Council to make a final decision.
Councilwoman Cohen reviewed her PowerPoint presentation. She discussed features to
embellish the Village and spoke against anything that would compromise the beauty of the
street. She noted that the majority of residents want what enhances the Village and
proposed using natural elements to do so. She discussed problems with graffiti, postings,
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etc. Councilman Packer doesn't think that would be a problem in the Village.
Councilwoman Cohen discussedthe maintenance for glass and not being able to use
landscaping behind the glass because it would stick to it, etc. She suggested that the
shelters be approached from an aesthetic perspective. She reported that the majority of the
residents do not want an enclosed shelter.
Councilman Packer spoke against having the shelters any wider or longer than the existing
ones.
Mr. Graboski reviewed Option 7 and Option 8. He requested direction from the Council. He
reviewed that the proposed roof is wider than the current one, the landscaping behind the
shelters won't prevent all of the rain (glass on three sides would alleviate that), and the
existing landscaping is on private property (if landscaping is added in the back, then the
shelters would have to be moved forward). He discussed the budget restraints. He
requested clarification on whether or not the shelters should be enclosed and whether or
not they should have landscaping.
Bill O'Leary, Village Landscape Architect, clarified that the Council needs to provide
direction on whether or not protection from the elements should be focused on. He
discussed the harsh growing environment, but noted that some landscaping could be
introduced.
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, discussed providing protection from the elements for
pedestrians. She noted that the glass on the sides wouldn't have to equal the width of the
roof, as long as they're wide enough to protect the benches, which would not result in a
box. She explained that landscaping shown in back of the shelters is on private property.
She discussed the need for uniformity. Councilwoman Cohen explained that she was
exploring possibilities and noted that the hedges would be good for the areas where it
works and then the other locations could be looked at. Ms. Cellini spoke against having a
custom design at every stop. She spoke in favor of providing glass in the back and at least
some glass on the sides. She noted that the use of landscaping to soften the shelter would
be nice. Ms. Cellini pointed out that communities don't provide a shelter at every stop,
because they can't afford it. She thinks that the goal of the communities is to have a shelter
at every stop. She spoke in favor of providing a shelter at every stop, if the Village can
afford it. She pointed out that the St. Regis is not in operation yet, but thinks that the bus
stop would be full when it is.
Councilman Packer reported that the St. Regis offered to pay for the bus stop in front of
their building. Councilwoman Cohen discussed comments received that the street sells Bal
Harbour's image and people don't want to see the shelters.
Ms. Cellini doesn't think that a hedge should be used, if it's not feasible atevery stop. Mr.
Graboski reported that a hedge could be added, but they would have to dig up the
sidewalk. He discussed the growth of hedges at each location. Councilwoman Cohen
discussed the various plants available that would grow in different conditions.
Councilman Packer discussed trying to replace the existing shelters with another invisible
shelter, without touching any of the shrubbery, giving protection to the residents, and
placing three pieces of glass around it, which he thinks Option 7 may provide.
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Councilwoman Cohen thinks that design option would change the entire character of the
Village and explained that most of the experts have said that the glass is undesirable.
Assistant Mayor Blachar agreed that she doesn't like the glass either. She also noted that
the Architectural Review Board did not like the glass. Councilwoman Cohen did not think
that Option 7 worked with glass.
Mr. Graboski discussed other options using decorative glass or louvers. The Council spoke
against using decorative glass. He requested direction on whether or not the Council
wanted protection on three sides.
Dan Nieda, Building Official, noted that glass tended to be opaque and read like a wall.
He discussed Option 8 and suggested using that type of louver, which would allow air
through it. He suggested expanding the louver scheme to provide sufficient protection, with
stainless steel wire in between, with the use of vines throughout (similar to the Bellini). Mr.
Nieda spoke in favor of both Options 7 and 8.
Councilwoman Cohen agreed and offered to study the plant material with the Village
Landscape Architect, Bill O'Leary.
Mr. Graboski was directed to come back with a design, based on the discussion. He
clarified that the panel facing the approach for the bus would need to be clear, but the back
and other side could use the louver concept. Councilman Sanz questioned if vines could be
placed on top of Option 8. Mr. Graboski reported that they could be.
It was the consensus of the Council for Mr. Graboski to come back with ideas to the Council. Mr.
Graboski will also present the designs to the Architectural Review Board.
4. ADJOURN: There being no further business, it was the consensus of the
Council to adjourn and the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, illage Clerk
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