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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1985-01-29 Meetingadjourned at 12:35 P.M. Attest: f! 6 ://:7e,E i Village Clerk December 11, 1984 COUNCIL MINUTES January 29, 1985 The Council of Bal Harbour Village met Tuesday, January 29, 1985 at 9:30 A.M. in the Village Hall. Present: Mrs. Antiles, Messrs. Laikin, McKeehan, Sherman and Taplin Also present were Fred W. Maley, Village Manager; Mary T. Wetterer, Village Clerk and Alan S. Gold, Village Attorney. On motion of Mrs. Antiles, seconded by Mr. Laikin and voted the minutes of the Budget Hearing of October 30, 1984 and Council Meetings of November 27th and December llth, 1984 were approved as submitted. Mayor Sherman reviewed the Mayor's expenses that were referred to in the Miami Herald the previous Sunday as they pertained to the Gala and Florida League of Cities meetings. Mrs. Doris Hastings of the Beautification Committee said that an Awards Dinner would be held at the Sea View Hotel on April 3, 1985. There will be awards made to properties on both sides of Collins Avenue and in the Resi- dential Section. Mr. Maley said we are preparing to replace the trees on the east and west sides of Collins Avenue. The contract will be signed next week for the refurbishing of the hotel and apartment signs on the east side of Collins Avenue and new signs for the apartments on the west side of Collins Avenue. Mayor Sherman said that the matter of the 96th Street gate to the resi- dential section was discussed at the previous meeting. Since that time he has had several calls from residents who did not join the Civic Association who are being denied use of the gate. After conferring with Mr. Gold, he wrote the president of the Civic Association, Mr. Santucci, asking that the gate be changed back to the former combination until this meeting. Both the police department and Mr. Gold were concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents. Mr. Shiel, attorney for the Civic Association said he does not believe this is a public matter, and if the council has a legal opinion saying it was, they would challenge it. Mr. Gavigan said that the civic association policy is an intrusion on his rights as a property owner, as the deeds give all property owners common rights to the streets. Mr. Valardo, President of One Harbour Way Apartments, said their owners had bought under certain conditions and had always enjoyed the use of the 96th Street gate. January 29, 1985 Now, the Civic Association says they cannot have access to the gate. Mr. Maley reported that One Harbour Way Apartments were part of the residential section and had paid a street assessment. Discussion followed with others present, both for and againstthe Civic Association's policy. Mr. Gold said that if the people in the residential section want security, the problem is how to pay for it. As the Association is a non-profit corporation and the streets are not public, they cannot create a special taxing district. The Associa- tion has determined the way to make residents pay is to deny them partial ingress and egress. He said the village has the responsibility to protect the residents' use of the streets and cannot allow a precedent to be set to deny access. Mr. Sherman said he hoped the factions could work out their differences. Mr. Santucci said the Association would have a meeting Sat- urday morning and report back the first of the week. Mr. Borman of the Fifty Park Drive Apartments said what must also be decided was how many cards apartment buildings would be given for their association dues. Mayor Sherman said the council had requested an opinion from Kruse, O'Connor and Ling, Actuaries and Consultants, regarding the lump sum benefit option in our retirement plan. Mr. Rizzo and Mr. Palmquist were here from the firm. Mr. Rizzo said he would like to present two alternatives for the council's consideration. One; requests for lump sum payments would be approved under $20,000. Any requests over that amount would be denied. Two; the employee's own contribution would be returned, with interest. If the remaining amount is under $10,000, it would also be paid in a lump sum. If more than $10,000, then in monthly payments. The council could still reserve the right to grant lump sums in exceptional cases. Sgt. Baquero, speaking for the members of the Police Benevolent Association, said they wish to again state their position, that they are against removing a benefit which existed in the past. Mr. Maley said that in regard to the council's fiduciary responsibility, all five benefit options are the same cost to the taxpayers. Also our pensions do not have cost of living increases, which are very expensive. Our employee's have shown they do not take their retirement money and run. The Trust has ample money to pay lump sums. (Mr. Taplin left the meeting at this time.) The council discussed the alternatives as presented by Mr. Rizzo. Ms. Wetterer explained that due to some of the employee's particular circumstances, it would be very costly to administer an estate based on monthly payments. Also, that if the actuaraires and council really believed that the lump sum benefit is wrong, the plan could be changed for all future employees and let those already in the plan continue to have the lump sum benefit. It was moved by Mr. Laikin, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and unanimously voted that the employees of the village as of this date would be entitled to the lump sum option. On motion of Mr. Laikin, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and voted that the plan be changed to adopt Alternative #2 for all future employees. It was also suggested that Cost -of -Living increases be looked into. Mr. Maley said that the Admiralty Apartments had requested that the question of placing a bus shelter in front of their building be delayed until this meeting so that their President could be present. He said he has heard nothing from them. No one was present to represent the building. Mr. Sherman said that this location has been approved by the Metro Transit Authority and due to the cost of placing it elsewhere, he believes the village should go a- head and place it in the original location. It was moved by Mrs. Antiles, seconded by Mr. Laikin and unanimously voted to erect the shelter where originally planned. Mr. Maley said the village has received permission from the Sheraton Bal Harbour so that the large bus shelter can be recessed into their wall. He has two bids for the concrete and paving work. One from C. G. B. Construction Co. in the amount of $8,000 and the other from Lightsey Concrete for $4,818. As the Lightsey January 29, 1985 firm is reputable and has done work for the village, he recommended the work be awarded to them. It was moved by Mrs. Antiles, seconded by Mr. McKeehan and unanimously voted to award the contract to Lightsey Concrete in the amount of $4,818. Mr. Maley said that a small shelter is going to be in- stalled at Harbour Way in order to move a large shelter to the Sheraton. The small shelter may also be too small for the Harbour Way location. He said they will make the move and then check the usage. Mr. McKeehan said that he had been thinking about having a monthly Newsletter for the residents. The council discussed possible items that could be placed in a monthly letter. After consideration, it was decided to continue on a quarterly basis, making sure that the issues are prepared promptly. Mr. Gold said that changes in the proposed burglar alarm ordinance read at the previous meeting were not ready to give to the council for their con- sideration. He said the ordinance will be changed and readvertised for the February meeting. Mr. Maley said he was not ready to comment on the Long Associates' salary and staffing study. Mr. Kelly said the Public Works building is below estimate and that Mr. Desharnais has done a good job on the bids. Mr. Maley said that now he needs permission to get bids on the wall, gates, and fence. Also, he wishes to purchase shelving and fixtures for the building. It was moved by Mr. McKeehan, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and unanimously voted that Mr. Maley get bids for the wall, fence, gates, shelving and fixtures. Mr. Desharnais said that he feels the building should be stuccod inside for a finished look. He said this can be done for between $4,000 and $4,200. It was moved by Mr. McKeehan, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and voted that this be done. Mr. Maley said he and Mr. Sherman have been discussing the use of Tourism Department office space. He mentioned that the lack of space for the police department had been discussed before. Closing -in the garage space behind the village hall had been considered. However, by moving the Chief, Lieutenant and Secretary upstairs we will save money on the garage. Chief Staubesand said there is also adequate storage room in those offices. It was moved by Mr. McKeehan, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and voted that the Police Depart- ment be allowed to move into the Tourism offices. Mr. Maley explained that the Sun Bank had formerly used twelve public parking meters north of the bank on certain days of the year for a fee. Mr. Kent Little, Manager of the Bal Harbour branch, said they would like to lease the meters on a full-time basis during banking hours. Mr. Gold said that a long time arrangement such as this would not be permissible. He said that the old arrangement was worked out after a public hearing. He suggested that the Village Manager and Mr. Little try to work something out. It was moved by Mrs. Antiles, seconded by Mr. Laikin and unanimously voted that the Sun Bank be allowed to go back to the old arrangemnt of providing use of the meters on social security and other heavy banking days. The council agreed to consider the three months operating statements next month, and go ahead and have the final audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984 sent to the printer. Mr. Maley said that he had advertised for land planners to review and update the village's Comprehensive Plan. He said he has four planners to consider and would like to interview them all. It was moved by Mr. McKeehan, January 29, 1985 seconded by Mrs. Antiles and unanimously voted that Mr. Maley be authorized to interview the firms and negotiate with one and bring his recommendation back to the council. Mrs. Antiles asked about the status of the Beau Rivage. Mr. Maley said that they are working on holding up the demolition until April. Mr. Maley said that Bay Harbor Islands was pressing the issue with the Miami Dade Water and Sewer Authority to get the contract for the new water line to come across the Broad Causeway. He said the agreement for water had always included Bal Harbour and he believes that we should be part of the new contract. It was moved by Mrs. Antiles, seconded by Mr. Laikin and unanimously voted that Mr. Maley should notify WASA that Bal Harbour should be included in the new contract. On motion of Mr. McKeehan, seconded by Mrs. Antiles and voted the meeting was adjourned at 12:50 P.M. Attest: %f!C Ce .' Village Clerk January 29, 1985 COUNCIL MINUTES February 26, 1985 The Council of Bal Harbour Village met Tuesday, February 26, 1985 at 9:30 A.M., in the Village Hall. Present: Messrs. Laikin, McKeehan, Sherman and Taplin Absent: Mrs. Antiles Also present were Fred W. Maley, Village Manager; Mary T. Wetterer, Village Clerk; and Alan S. Gold, Village Attorney. On motion of Mr. McKeehan, seconded by Mr. Laikin and voted the minutes of January 29, 1985 were approved as submitted. Mayor Sherman commented that the Bal Harbour police officers are dedi- cated men. We have a low crime area, morale is good and lately we are having a low turnover. He said he was sad about the letter the police sent to the residents, as Mr. Maley is fair and decent. Also, the letter did not mention that our police officers are the fourth highest paid in Dade County. The Special Master's report recommends that a 5% raise be given retroactive to October 1st, an additional 2% July 1st, and the Sergeants be raised an additional 5% retroactive to October 1st. Mr. Don Slesnick, attorney for the Police Benevolent Association, stressed that Bal Harbour must stay competitive with other departments. He said the dollar amount is significent to the police department, and wants acceptance of the Special Master's recommendations. February 26, 1985