HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013-06-04 Special MeetingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - JUNE 4, 2013
A Special Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at
the Bal Harbour Village Hall Council Chambers (655 — 96th Street, Bal Harbour, Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 6:01
p.m. by Assistant Mayor Blachar. The following were present:
Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachar
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Martin Packer
Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
Absent: Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Jay R. Smith, Interim Village Manager
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Brett J. Schneider, Village Attorney
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
Assistant Mayor Blachar reported that Mayor Rosenfield was not in attendance, because
she was in the hospital.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Village resident Mr.
Bloch.
3. SELECTION OF EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM FOR VILLAGE
MANAGER: The Council previously heard presentations from Colin Baenziger and
Associates and The Mercer Group, at the May 28, 2013 Council Meeting, to perform the
search for the next Village Manager. Mr. Smith requested direction from the Council on
which firm to engage.
Assistant Mayor Blachar spoke in favor of Mr. Stierheim's proposal to review the national
applicants that had applied with the Town of Surfside, at no additional cost to the Village.
Councilman Sanz spoke against looking at the Surfside resumes and in favor of starting
over with a new company.
Beth Berkowitz - 10160 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of hiring Colin Baenziger and
Associates.
Assistant Mayor Blachar wanted the Council and public to be aware of Mr. Stierheim's
proposal, which was at no additional cost to the Village.
Brian Mulheren 10245 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of hiring a new firm.
Dina Cellini - 211 Bal Cross Drive, spoke in favor of a new direction and requested that
the firm selected understand the importance of involving the community in the process.
Lynne Bloch -Mullen -10150 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of hiring someone new.
Councilman Packer didn't want to spend the additional money, but after public input he
spoke in favor of going with another firm.
Councilman Cohen spoke in favor of hiring another firm.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilwoman Cohen to hire
Colin Baenziger and Associates.
Steve Greenberg - 9800 Collins Avenue, clarified that the search would be national. The
Council agreed, but noted that wouldn't limit a local person from being hired.
Penny Sepler - 10275 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of hiring Colin Baenziger and
Associates.
Sean Baenziger, Colin Baenziger and Associates, reported that Colin Baenziger would
lead the search.
Councilman Packer requested that the proposed time schedule prepared by Village staff,
or similar dates, be followed.
The motion carried (4-0).
Mr. Smith also requested approval for the Baenziger firm to conduct a search for a Finance
Director.
Mr. Baenziger discussed the search process for a Finance Director, which would be
provided at a discount. It was the consensus of the Council for Mr. Smith to provide a proposed
contract, at the June 186 Council meeting.
It was clarified that the finalists from Merrett Stierheim's search would have to reapply, if
they were interested.
Mr. Baenziger reviewed the background check process on the candidates, provided by the
firm.
4. DISCUSSION OF BUS SHELTER PAVERS: Peter Kunen —Village
Engineer (Craig A. Smith and Associates), addressed the Council.
Mr. Smith reported that the Village had been granted the extension to complete the bus
shelter project, through August 31 st.
Mr. Smith requested input, to provide a shelter at the Bellini bus stop. The Council thought
that a shelter was already scheduled for that location. Councilwoman Cohen spoke in
favor of a shelter at the Bellini location. Mr. Kunen noted that an eighth shelter, for the
Bellini, would be presented as a change order, at the June meeting. The Council discussed
whether or not a shelter should be moved from another location to the Bellini location. Mr.
Kunen spoke in favor of keeping the scheduled shelters and not removing any of them. He
clarified that not every bus stop would have a bus shelter. He reviewed the location of the
eight shelters (including the Bellini). He reported that the shelters would be 24 feet long,
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except for at Harbour Way, which would have two 18-feet shelters (counted as one
shelter). He clarified that new benches and trash receptacles would also be provided.
The Council discussed the cost of the shelters and the money to be received for the project
from the St. Regis ($50,000.00), Consultatio Development Agreement ($100,000.00), and
the Federal government ($250,000.00 — with $25,000.00 of that kept by them as an
administrative fee). It was noted that the Village budgeted $100,000.00 for the bus
shelters.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Councilman Packer to approve an
additional shelter for the location at the Bellini. with the cost to be presented at the June Council
Meeting.
Penny Sepler - 10275 Collins Avenue, questioned how many of the bus stops did not
have shelters. Assistant Mayor Blachar reported that all the bus stops had shelters.
The motion carried (4-0).
Mr. Kunen presented samples for the pavers, for the areas around the new shelters. He
discussed the need to meet ADA regulations and the use of a sealer coat, to match the
existing color better. Councilman Packer did not want the new pavers to look like a patch
job. Mr. Kunen assured that the complete area would be done to avoid that, which he
would oversee. Assistant Mayor Blachar requested that extra pavers be ordered, for the
Village's future use. Mr. Kunen requested approval of the pavers, with the cost to be
provided in the shelter change order, at the June Council meeting. Councilman Sanz
requested that the old pavers that were removed be used to replace ones needed in other
areas. Mr. Kunen agreed to do so. Councilwoman Cohen requested that the two areas be
repaired that are missing the pavers now (with the saved old ones).
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilman Sanz to proceed with
the pavers. The motion carried (4-0).
5. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION OF BUDGET COMMI1TEE
MEMBER APPOINTMENT: Per the Council's direction, Councilman Packer provided
the name of Raj Singh, as the fifth member of the Budget Committee.
Raj Singh — 53 Camden Drive, agreed to serve on the Committee, at Councilman
Packer's request.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Councilman Packer, to ratify
Councilman Packer's appointment of Rai Singh. to the Budget Committee. The motion carried (4-
6. DISCUSSION OF POLICE RETIREMENT BOARD POSITION:
Assistant Mayor Blachar explained that the term of Daniel Gold would end this month and
he had expressed interest in serving another two-year term on the Board.
Councilman Packer suggested that the position on the Board be published (via postcard,
etc.) to solicit resumes, since Mr. Gold would be leaving the Village, if his house was sold.
Mr. Smith will provide a letter in the hurricane newsletter, regarding the available position.
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Beth Berkowitz —10160 Collins Avenue, expressed interest in serving on the Board.
The Council discussed whether or not to advertise, since someone was interested in
serving, who was present.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilman Sanz, to appoint Beth
Berkowitz to the Police Retirement Board, at the conclusion of Mr. Gold's term.
Doug Rudolph - 212 Bal Bay Drive, spoke in favor of consistency in the way that the
Committees were appointed. He noted that there may be more people that were interested
in serving, who were not in attendance.
Councilman Packer withdrew his motion. Councilman Sanz withdrew his second to the motion.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilwoman Cohen, to advertise
the position on the Police Retirement Board.
Councilwoman Cohen discussed the need to have a better way to communicate/advertise
to the residents. She suggested that a letter be sent out explaining what the Police Board
did, etc.
Mr. Smith distributed the proposed letter regarding the positions available on the Gated
Residential Section Advisory Committee. He will also provide another letter for the position
available on the Police Board.
Assistant Mayor Blachar requested that discussion of the Village Newsletter be placed on
the next Council Agenda.
Councilwoman Cohen will provide comments to Mr. Smith, regarding the letter for the
positions available on the Gated Residential Section Advisory Committee.
Anamarie Stoppa - 77 Camden Drive, agreed with consistency and spoke in favor of
appointing Ms. Berkowitz, to follow what was done for the appointments to the Budget
Committee (at a Council meeting without advertising).
Steve Greenberg - 9800 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of advertising, through the
Condominium Presidents, and using a yellow paper for posting at the buildings. He
discussed the need to improve Channel 77 (Village Information Channel).
The motion carried (4-0).
7. DISCUSSION OF AUDIONIDEO EQUIPMENT FOR COUNCIL
CHAMBER: Councilwoman Cohen spoke in favor of better equipment, including video,
Skype, conferencing, etc. Councilman Packer discussed showing the Council meetings
online. Councilwoman Cohen spoke in favor of doing so. Assistant Mayor Blachar spoke
against having video of the meetings online. Councilman Sanz spoke against showing the
meetings online, at this moment.
Brian Mulheren - 10245 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of a new system, including
teleconferencing, Skype, online video, etc.
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Mr. Smith reported that the cost for providing audio/video on the Village's web site was
$11,695.00. He also received a proposal from Sound Performance ($25,000.00), for the
items discussed by Councilwoman Cohen.
Assistant Mayor Blachar suggested an improved audio and teleconferencing system.
Councilwoman Cohen suggested that a proposal be received, for further discussion.
Lynne Bloch -Mullen - 10150 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of showing the meetings
online, to encourage more community participation.
Dina Cellini - 211 Bal Cross Drive, agreed that the audio/visual needed to be improved
and spoke in favor of providing video of the meetings online.
Councilman Sanz was not against discussing the issue, but requested more information.
Assistant Mayor Blachar spoke against providing video of the meetings online.
Mr. Smith will provide prices for discussion, at another meeting.
8. OTHER BUSINESS:
Public Comment:
Brian Mulheren - 10245 Collins Avenue, questioned if notice was provided on the site,
for the Architectural Review Board Hearing for the Consultatio Project sales center,
because he didn't see it.
Andrea Greenblatt— Executive Assistant, reported that notice was posted a week before
the meeting, at the site.
Mr. Smith will follow up.
9. ADJOURN: There being no further business, a motion was offered by
Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilman Sanz to adjourn. The motion carried (4-0) and
the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, MM
e Clerk
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