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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-06-15 Regular MeetingBAL HARBOUR - VILLAGE - Mayor Gabriel Groisman Vice Mayor Seth E. Salver Councilman David J. Albaum Councilman Jeffrey P. Freimark Councilman Buzzy Sklar Village Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez Village Clerk Dwight S. Danie Village Attorneys Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L. Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Council Meeting Minutes June 15, 2021 At 6:30 PM Bal Harbour Village Hall • 655 - 96th Street • Bal Harbour • Florida 33154 On March 13, 2020, Village Manager Jorge Gonzalez declared a State of Emergency for Bal Harbour Village due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This meeting was conducted in -person and virtually via "Zoom" in order to minimize exposure to Councilmembers and members of the public. The meeting was also broadcast on the Village's website (www.balharbourfl.gov) and members of the public were encouraged to participate by email (meetings@balharbourfl.gov) or by telephone at 305-865-6449. CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Groisman called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. The following were present: Mayor Gabriel Groisman Vice Mayor Seth Salver Councilman David Albaum Councilman Jeffrey Freimark Councilman Buzzy Sklar Also present: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager Dwight S. Danie, Village Clerk Susan Trevarthen, Village Attorney The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Groisman REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONS, WITHDRAWALS AND DEFERRALS There were no requests for withdrawals or deferrals. PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS PA1 Legislative Update Ron Book, Bal Harbour Village Lobbyist, described the difficulty that COVID-19 restrictions had placed on advocating for clients' items during the legislative session. He said thatthere were a lot of really bad preemption bills saying that the assault on local governments is continuing to get worse. Regarding the Villages water project, he said that he said that he would be working on application to submit to DEP to get the Village's project funded. He provided and update on gambling, K -through -12, the anti -riot bill, transgender athletes, the general functionality of the legislative body, and redistricting. Vice Mayor Salver asked if we would me getting an additional legislative seat, to which Mr. Book responded that it would probably not happen, adding that the Census numbers have not been finalized. PA2 Homeless Trust Mr. Book provided and update on activities undertaken in the last nineteen months by the Homeless Trust, describing how staff had staff had COVID tested over 21,000 individuals. He said that the Homeless trust was out of money that was needed to purchase buildings to house the elderly. Mayor Groisman thanked Mr. Book and his entire team. Councilman Albaum added that he was assured that the Homeless Trust would be funded before September, and that he wished it could be more money. CONSENT AGENDA C6 - COUNCIL MINUTES C6A 2021 Council Retreat Minutes C6B May Council Minutes MOTION: A motion to approve the Consent Agenda was moved by Vice Mayor Seth Salver and seconded by Mayor Gabriel Groisman. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Pa 5 e 12 R7 - RESOLUTIONS R7A A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIALS IN BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; DESCRIBING THE METHOD OF ASSESSING SOLID WASTE COSTS AGAINST ASSESSED PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; DETERMINING THE SOLID WASTE COST AND THE INITIAL SOLID WASTE SERVICE ASSESSMENTS; DIRECTING THE PREPARATION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL; AUTHORIZING A PUBLIC HEARING AND DIRECTING THE PROVISION OF NOTICE THEREOF; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Gonzalez introduced the item saying that this item would set a time for the hearing for the Solid Waste Assessment and that it would propose a slight increase in the rate for single-family and multi -family homes due to an increase in the CPI (Consumer Price Index) and to cover associated costs. There were no comments from the public. MOTION: A motion to approve the resolution was moved by Vice Mayor Seth Salver and seconded by Councilman David Albaum. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). R7B A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS IN THE GATED RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; DESCRIBING THE METHOD OF ASSESSING SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE COSTS AGAINST ASSESSED PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE GATED RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF BAL HARBOUR, FLORIDA; DETERMINING THE COST OF SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS AND THE INITIAL SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENTS; DIRECTING THE PREPARATION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL; AUTHORIZING A PUBLIC HEARING AND DIRECTING THE PROVISION OF NOTICE THEREOF; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Gonzalez introduced the item saying that he had met with the Bal Harbour Civic Association, and there was an agreement to keep the rate flat, adding that these dollars would be allowed to cover the cost of paving the roads. Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Page 13 Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, speaking for the Bal Harbour Civic Association, affirmed that the amount of the assessment would not change, but that line items of the budget will be changed before presentation to the Council. MOTION: A motion to approve the Resolution was moved by Mayor Gabriel Groisman and seconded by Councilman Jeffrey Freimark. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). R7C A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; ESTABLISHING AN AUDITOR SELECTION COMMITTEE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE VILLAGE COUNCIL IN SELECTING AN AUDITOR TO CONDUCT THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT REQUIRED IN SECTION 218.39, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Gonzalez introduce the item saying that the Florida Statues now requires that a member of the Council serves as the Chair of the Auditor Selection Committee. Vice Mayor Salver said that he would like to present himself to serve on the Committee. MOTION: A Motion to approve the Resolution and appoint Vice Mayor Seth Salver as Chair of the Auditor Selection Committee was moved by Mayor Gabriel Groisman and seconded by Councilman Jeffrey Freimark. There were no comments from the public. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). R7D A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2018 ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE & BIERMAN, PL TO SERVE AS VILLAGE ATTORNEY FOR BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Gonzalez introduce the item saying that it proposed a modest amendment to the Village Attorney's contract. Mayor Groisman noted that the amended language was in the Council Memorandum but was not reflected in the resolution. MOTION: A Motion to defer the item until the July 20 Village Council Meeting was moved by Mayor Gabriel Groisman and seconded by Councilman David Albaum. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Page 1 4 R7E A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF A PROPOSED ART EXHIBIT BY MANOLO VALDES AT FOUR PUBLIC SPACES LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Gonzalez introduced the item saying that the Village, in following up a referral by Mayor Groisman, has an opportunity to partner with the Opera Gallery in curating an exhibit by Spanish artist Manolo Valdes, recently exhibiting monumental sculptures in the Champs-Elysees in Paris. He said staff from the Gallery and the Village had determined potential locations and have explored possible sculptures to locate in public spaces throughout the Village. He said that there were four locations identified as ideal, with six different art sculptures. After consulting with the Resort Tax Committee and with Lisa Austin, who has worked with the Village, both have expressed support for the exhibit in Bal Harbour Village, beginning in October and running throughout the year. He said that the artist and the gallery will cover the costs of the installation, the insurance and the move. Mayor Groisman said that the owner of the gallery, who lives in Bal Harbour for part of the year, met with him and expressed interest in exhibiting in Bal Harbour in lieu of the City of Miami, and he commended Mr. Gonzalez for making this happen. Councilman Sklar said that this was a great job, but that he had reservations of the placement on the corner of 96th and Harding, to which Ramiro Inguanzo, Assistant Village Manager, responded that they will be working with the Gallery to make sure that all installations are safe. He added that this will be used as part of the Village's 75th Year Anniversary. Penny Sepler (10275 Collins Avenue) thanked everyone saying that after having nothing, it looks like we are going to have a big splash. MOTION: A Motion to defer the item until the July 20 Village Council Meeting was move by Councilman Buzzy Sklar and seconded by Councilman Jeffrey Freimark. VOTE: The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (5-0). R9 - NEW BUSINESS AND COUNCIL DISCUSSION R9A Update on Sargassum Beach Renourishment - Councilman Sklar Councilman Sklar introduced the item asking John Oldenburg, Director of Parks and Public Spaces to provide an update of the remove of sargassum seaweed. Mr. Gonzalez said that Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 p a g e 15 he had met with the structural engineer of the Jetty project, who had proposed a possible solution that would create a natural eddy that would push the seaweed out. Mr. Oldenburg said that they do monitor the County and that they do a good job. Mr. Oldenburg then provided an update on the timeline of the beach renourishment program. R9B Discussion regarding Fishing on the Jetty - Councilman Sklar Mr. Sklar introduced the item saying that he had receiving complaints from residents regarding the mess left by people fishing on the Jetty. Mayor Groisman asked to expand the discussion to the videographers and separate the discussion to the current status and when the new Jetty project is completed. Ms. Trevarthen said that the Florida Constitution and the Florida Statues preempt what a municipality can do to prohibit fishing, with the exception of protecting public health and safety. She added that municipalities have greater regulation authority on properties that the local government owns. Mr. Gonzalez said that, for the long term, he is hope that he will get certain rights for managing and operating the site, adding that engineering the site is the best solution. Councilman Albaum said that the patch job on the Jetty had corroded, and it probably presents a safety issue, to which Mr. Gonzalez said that it would need to be closed to everybody. He said that, currently, the best approach for now is through policing and code enforcement, and later to try to have more authority granted to the Village in return for upgrading and maintaining the site. There was a general consensus to have the Village Manager ensure that needed patches and maintenance occur. R9C - PUBLIC COMMENT Penny Sepler (10275 Collins Avenue) said that she was very much enjoying the Farmer's Market and that she was hoping that the buildings could do something to get the word out. Mayor Groisman said that he had receive positive feedback, with the exception of the food and vegetable vendor, and that they would like itto be open on Sundays. Councilman Sklar said he receive positive feedback, except for the lack of available parking. Mr. Gonzalez said that if it does not generate enough economic activity, it is not going to last. Neca Logan (64 Camden Drive) said that she had receive an email from the Civic Association that the Farmer's Market had been cancelled. Mr. Inguanzo said that he had received feedback from the vendors saying that parking was an issue and that sales were low. He said that it is currently being re -tooled and will be brough back. Ms. Logan then said that the Bal Harbour Shops construction fence on 96th Street was obstructing the view for traffic turning left from Bal Bay Drive. Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Page 16 R10 - VILLAGE MANAGER REPORT R1 OA Update on Village's Efforts Pertaining to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mr. Gonzalez provided an update of the negotiations with the Bal Harbour Shops saying that they received in the spirit that it was provided, and that he had received a counter reply, and that he would be responding tomorrow. Mayor Groisman added that he was cautiously optimistic. Mr. Gonzalez then introduce Eliezer Palacio, the new Bal Harbour Village Building Official. R11 - VILLAGE CLERK REPORT R11A Lobbyist Report R12 - VILLAGE ATTORNEY REPORT R1 2A Attorney Report (Monthly) ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 P.M. Dwi.ht S. ianie, Village Clerk T Attest: tr s F 1, l.1 Gabriel Groisman Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Pa g e 17