HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-07-11 Regular MeetingMayor Gabriel Groisman
Assistant Mayor Seth E. Salver
Councilman David J. Albaum
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Jeffrey P. Freimark
13.Al_ HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
VILLAGE COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 11, 2017
AT 7:00 P.M.
Village Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez
Village Clerk Dwight S. Danie
Village Attorneys Weiss Serota Helfman
Cole & Bierman, P.L.
Sea View Hotel, 9909 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Groisman called the meeting to order at 5:06 PM.
The following were present:
Mayor Gabriel Groisman
Assistant Mayor Seth Salver
Councilman David Albaum
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Jeffrey Freimark
Also present:
Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager
Dwight S. Danie, Village Clerk
Susan Trevarthen, Village Attorney by telephone
Stephanie Marquez -Quintero, Deputy Village Clerk
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Groisman.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Ms. Trevarthen announced an attorney/client session to discuss the following litigation:
KENT HARRISON ROBBINS VS BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, A FLORIDA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, ET
AL
2017-000235-AP-01
LYNNE BLOCH-MULLEN ET AL VS BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA ET AL
2017-015260-CA-01
LYNNE BLOCH MULLEN ET AL VS DWIGHT DANIE ET AL
2017-003330-CA-01
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, LLC VS VILLAGE OF BAL HARBOUR
2017-015374-CA-01
Ms. Trevarthen then left the Special Meeting.
Bal Harbour Village Regular Council Meeting Minutes — May 16, 2017
A general discussion ensued regarding the the retirement of Village Attorney Richard Weiss and the
appointment of Susan Trevarthen in his place. The Council discussed the pros and cons of hiring a
permanent staff attorney versus contracting legal services . There was general agreement that although
a permant staff attorney would be more accessable, there would be a steep learning curve for the staff
attorney and outside legal services would still need to be accessed for litigation. All were generally in
favor of a flat fee for contracted services and that the Council have the abilty to hire litigation firms best
suited to the type of litigation.
There was general agreement that Susan Trevarthen's work had proven to be smart, strategic and
effective and that she should be given the opportunity to show her capabilities.
Mayor Groisman suggested that the Village Manager begin negotiating a flat fee with Weiss Serota,
excluding litigation costs, and provide for office hours during a 6-month probation period, after an
agreement is signed, after which the Council can revisit and make a final decision. He suggested that the
Manager start to reaching out to litigation firms.
Mr. Gonzalez suggested that Mayor Groisman work with him in these negotiations.
Public Comment
Neil Alter (9801 Collins Avenue) asked if it were possible to determine what legal services had cost the
Village over the past decade.
Ree Kelly (2000 Towerside Terrace, Miami Shores) spoke in favor of not utilizing Weiss Serota.
Lynn Bloch -Mullen (10150 Collins Avenue) spoke in favor of hiring an in-house attorney.
Babak Raheb ( 128 Balfour Drive) agreed with cutting costs, and commented that an in-house attorney
would get experience, then leave. He said that the main issue was to avoid litigation in the first place.
The Council expressed approval of Mayor Groisman's suggestions.
MOTION: Mayor Groisman moved to adjorn the meeting at 6:06 PM.
:briel Groisman
Attest:
Dw':ht S. Dan illage Clerk
Ba1 Harbour Village Special Council Meeting Minutes —July 11, 2017