Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout1987-04-20 Special Meeting40 COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 20, 1987 A special meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, April 20, 1987, at the Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to order, following the adjournment of the Induction Meeting, by Mayor Richard H. Olsen at 10:15 a.m. Those present were: Mayor Richard H. Olsen Asst. Mayor Estelle Stern James E. Boggess Sol M. Taplin Also present: Louise K. Miller, Village Manager Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney Carole S. Morris, Village Clerk Presentation: Mayor Olsen presented a plaque to Estelle Antiles, retiring Council member from District 4, in appreciation of her 4 years of dedicated service. Mrs. Antiles thanked the residents for the privilege of serving on the Council and wished success to the new Council. Reports and Recommendations - Award of Bid: Mrs. Miller requested that the Council award the bid for repairs to the groins to the Ebsary Foundation Company in the amount of $60,000. Ebsary was not the low bidder. The low bidder, Alpha Marine, has a poor record in neighboring areas and for this reason, the second lowest bid is being recommended. A motion was offered by Mr. Taplin and seconded by Mrs. Stern to approve awarding of the bid to Ebsary Foundation Company. There being no discussion the motion carried unanimously (4-0). Reports and Recommendations - Management Study: Mrs. Miller requested that the Council approve retaining the firm of Cannon Stierheim Busutil to perform an evaluation of the Public Works Department. This study would provide information relevant to the user -fee structure currently being used to defray expenses in solid waste disposal and to evaluate the delivery of other services. The current garbage rate structure has provoked a great deal of controversy and in view of the coming budget preparation, Mrs. Miller urged this study be undertaken. The cost of the study would be $12,150 and would take between 6 and 8 weeks to complete. Mr. Busutil a partner in the firm, present at the meeting, explained the guarantee offered with the project. If the firm does not present savings equal to or greater than the projected fee, there is no charge. Mr. Bob Maute, 9801 Collins Avenue, noted that the issue of the fee structure for solid waste disposal is not only quite complex but extremely controversial. Consequently, he urged the Council to return this cost to the ad valorem tax structure. Mr. John Bruno, 50 Park Drive, overall, commended the previous study performed by Arthur Andersen and 41 Company. He stated that his difficulty with the study is in the assessment that an apartment unit should be charged one-half of the rate for a home. Mr. Sidney Feldman, 9800 Collins Avenue, inquired as to what percent of the budget is spent on solid waste dispoal. Mrs. Evelyn Gilbert, chairperson of the Civic Association's Committee on Solid Waste, joined Mr. Maute and the Village Manager in calling on the Council to address this issue as quickly as possible. Mrs. Miller explained that this study would present an important management tool - and that no such study is on record. Mr. Boggess expressed the sentiment that such a study should include each of the Village's departments. Mr. John F. Kelly, Finance Officer, explained that the public works department and the police department employ the vast majority of city employees. As such, a thorough study may need only address these two areas. A motion was offered by Mr. Boggess that this item be deferred until the next meeting for a decision and seconded by Mrs. Stern. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). A motion was then offered by Mr. Boggess that a committee be appointed to make a recommendation to the Council as to a firm that could perform such an evaluation of all Village departments at a cost not to exceed $12,000. This motion was seconded by Mrs. Stern and carried unanimously. Mayor Olsen then appointed Mr. Taplin to chair the committee and Mr. Everett Lent and Mr. Sidney Feldman to serve on the committee. Mr. Weiss, noting the scope of the committees duties, stated that the committee meetings should take place in accordance with the sunshine law provisions. Reports and Recommendations - Harland Bartholomew Workshop: Mrs. Miller announced that the Council workshop meeting scheduled to hear the report of Harland Bartholomew regarding zoning in the ocean front district has been rescheduled for May 19th at 10:00 a.m. Additionally, she requested that the Council enlarge the scope of the study to address rooftop parking structures. The additional cost would be approximately $1,350 for a total of $4,550. Apparently there is a conflict in the code relating to this topic. Mr. Weiss advised that an opinion was issued by Alan Gold relating to this and indicated that he is seeking a copy of this opinion. Mr. Lou Brandt, owner of the Regency Hotel Spa, stated that his is the only property that may be redeveloped in the foreseeable future, that this study seeks to restrict his rights. Mayor Olsen reassured Mr. Brandt, stating that it is not the Council's intention to harm anyone but to protect the interests of the Village, as a whole. Mr. Taplin noted that currently, rooftop parking, already exists at the Shops and the Harbour House. Consequently, he sees no value in studying this question. After some further discussion, the Council concurred, instructing Mrs. Miller not to proceed with the study of rooftop parking. Reports and Recommendations - Beautification/Birthday Event: Mrs. Miller reported that the Beautification/Birthday event held on Friday, April 10, 1987 was quite a success. Some 225 persons 42 were in attendance. Mr. Taplin thanked Mrs. Miller for all of her efforts on this project. Reports and Recommendations - Increase in Village Attorney's Retainer: Mr. Weiss explained the agreement that he is requesting to increase his retainer to better reflect the among of services rendered on behalf of the Village. The agreement calls for the retainer to be increased to $25,000 annually through the end of this fiscal year. This will include 50 hours of work each quarter (not including attendance at meetings) - anything above that 50 hours will be charged at the hourly rate of $125 per hour. A motion was offered by Mr. Taplin to approve the agreement and seconded by Mrs. Stern. There being no discussion the motion carried unanimously (4-0). Other Business: Mr. Lou Brandt addressed the Council regarding complaints that he has with the current solid waste disposal fee structure. While his hotel is closed 6 months during the year, Mr. Brandt is billed for service year-round. He noted that his legal counsel has corresponded with the Village regarding this issue but has received no response. Mr. Weiss stated that this matter had been forwarded to him and that a response would be forth -coming shortly. Discussion then returned to statements made during the Induction Meeting by Vince Santucci. Mr. Santucci was not present at this time. Mr. Matthew Blank, 9801 Collins Avenue, spoke to Mr. Santucci's remarks stating that the letter, signed by some of the candidates, reflected only a statement of position. Mrs. Anamarie Stoppa, 77 Camden Drive, objected to Mr. Santucci making any remarks in his capacity as Civic Association President. Mrs. Stoppa noted that this item has not, as yet, come to any vote by the Civic Association. Mrs. Miller reported that the Village Attorney is currently reviewing the agreement relating to "The Superstars". Mr. Taplin, noting that the Resort Tax Committee would be meeting on Tuesday April 21st, suggested that a representative from the Council attend the meeting. Mayor Olsen urged this Committee to select their own chairman to conduct meetings and agreed to attend this meeting. Mr. Sidney Feldman inquired as to the procedure and timing for appointing someone to fill the vacant Council seat. Mayor Olsen indicated that the Council will be accepting resumes from interested persons. Mayor Olsen further explained that the Charter does not require the Council to appoint a representative from District 1 but may chose the best at -large candidate. Mayor Olsen also thanked the Council for electing him to serve as Mayor. He indicated that he hopes to return the post to a more ceremonial function. 43 There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. ,.�. 7ic/1zi---- M yor ATTEST: (62 4:424 /1,110442) Village Clerk