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
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Attest:
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Gabriel Groisman
Bal Harbour Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes — June 15, 2021 Pa g e 17