HomeMy Public PortalAbout1987-11-30 Workshop Meeting99
COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 30, 1987 - WORKSHOP SESSION
A Workshop Session of the Bal Harbour Village Council was
held on Monday, November 30, 1987 at the Village Hall. The
meeting was called to order at 3:33 p.m. by Mayor Richard H.
Olsen and the roll was called. Those present were:
Mayor Richard H. Olsen
Asst. Mayor Estelle Stern
Councilman Matthew B. Blank
Councilman Sol M. Taplin
Councilman James E. Boggess*
Also present: Louise K. Miller, Village Manager
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Carole S. Morris, Village Clerk
As a quorum was found to be present the meeting was
commenced.
Mayor Olsen recognized Mrs. Miller who explained that the
purpose of this workshop session is to consider the revisions and
updates being made to three elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
These elements being: Land Use, Coastal Management, and Capital
Improvements. Mrs. Miller explained that a grant, from the
Department of Community Affairs, had been utilized to assist in
defraying costs associated with preparation of these plan
updates/revisions. In response to an inquiry from the Council,
Mrs. Miller reported that costs incurred to date have exceeded
the amount of the grant award. Mrs. Miller then introduced Mr.
Rod Rodriguez of the firm Ludovici and Orange, the Village's
engineering firm of record.
Mr. Rodriguez began by outlining the procedure, established
by the State, for adoption and revision of the Comprehensive
Plan. More specifically, the process which must be undertaken in
order to adopt the Land Use, Coastal Management, and Capital
Improvements elements. Mr. Weiss introduced Mr. Carter McDowell,
of his firm, to provide some additional insight into the
Comprehensive Plan process. Mr. McDowell explained that the
State is requiring that this process be completed by July 1,1988
and that, should the Village fail to meet this deadline, the
consequences could include a challenge to the Village zoning
laws. The Comprehensive Plan amendments must be adopted by
ordinance after public hearings on the plan.**
Mr. Rodriguez then displayed a slide of the proposed Land
Use map. He explained that, as the community is developed, the
purpose of the map is to reflect the actual usage of the
properties.
*Mr. Boggess arrived during Mr. Rodriguez's introduction.
**Public comments were solicited by the Council throughout the
hearing. This meeting is intended as a workshop session, to be
followed by the meetings required by State law.
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Discussion then turned to the Capital Improvements element.
Mrs. Miller, noting that the manner in which the proposed
improvements will be financed must be indicated as a portion of
the plan, announced that Finance officer John Kelly and Grants
Consultant John Adams were both present. The first element
of the Capital Improvements plan is the proposed renovation of
the Village's sewer pumping stations. The bulk of this
renovation would be completed during the first two years of the
plan with funds provided for infiltration rehabilitation through
year five of the plan. The total estimated cost for the sewerage
system renovation project is $593,000.*** Mrs. Stern queried as
to whether or not this would improve the flooding situation along
Collins Avenue. Mr. Rodriguez noted that the second item
included in the plan is a stormwater disposal management project.
This plan, targeted for completion over a five year term, would
cost some $515,000. It would address flooding problems within
the Village but not along Collins Avenue - as it is a state
maintained roadway. With respect to problems along Collins
Avenue, Mr. Rodriguez suggested the Village Manager contact the
Department of Transportation for assistance. As to funding of
these two projects, Mr. Kelly stated that it was his
understanding that grant dollars would be available to defray
some $850,000 of costs. The remaining $200,000 would be funded
partially through the General Fund, with the remainder ultimately
coming from sewer rate proceeds. There was some further
discussion between Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Adams as to the
advantages and disadvantages of utilizing grant funding to
accomplish these projects. Mayor Olsen requested comments on
this phase of the capital improvements plan from the public.
There being no comment, the Council consented to the use of grant
funding, if available, and urged implementation as soon as
possible.
The next item included in the Capital Improvements element
is the Sun Bank Park improvement. Mayor Olsen, noting that some
$275,000 is included in the proposed plan for improvement of the
area, stated that he feels the cost of said improvement should
not exceed the amount contributions of Sun Bank and the
Department of Transportation (D.O.T.), $187,000. Mr. Boggess
agreed, adding that no benches, or sidewalks should be provided.
Mrs. Miller explained that the agreement with the D.O.T. requires
perimeter sidewalks be placed. Mr. Rodriguez explained that the
cost estimates reflected in the proposed plan were provided by
the firm of O'Leary Cosio. He suggested, and the Council
concurred, that this estimate be returned to the firm to with
instructions that the cost should not exceed $187,000 and only
peripheral sidewalks be included with no benches. There being
no comments from the public discussion proceeded to the next item
in the plan.
Bulkhead and seawall improvements, at a cost of $44,000,
were next included in the plan. Mrs. Miller explained that this
work is required in order to shore up the existing seawall and
***A11 costs quoted are 1987 dollars - no inflation adjustment is
included.
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prevent potential damage to the parking lot and public works
facility. Mr. Adams reported that preliminary grant applications
have been made for funding of this project.
The next item of the plan for discussion is roadway lighting
of state roads at a cost of $88,000. Mr. Rodriguez stated that
this item had been included in the plan as a recommendation of
the firm Ellis Schneider. The proposed improvements would
provide better lighting of Collins Avenue at a reduced cost via
usage of a more efficient light fixture. Mrs. Miller added that
this is a relatively low priority item as indicated by its
inclusion in the fifth year of the plan. There was some
discussion as to why the Village should invest funds in
improvements to a state maintained roadway. Mr. Rodriguez
explained how this investment would benefit the Village via lower
utility bills. There was also some concern as to whether or not
this lighting improvement is required. Mr. Bernie Burke, 9701
Collins Avenue (Singapore Hotel), urged inclusion of lighting
improvements in the plan pointing to lighting gaps in the inside
(faster) traffic lanes. He suggested a switch to sodium lights
may accomplish similar results. After some further discussion it
was agreed that Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Kelly would review the
economic ramifications of this proposal (pay -back schedule).
Mr. Rodriguez then presented the next item for
consideration, the inclusion of some $250,000 for construction of
a new police station as per the plans submitted by Frankel &
Associates. Mrs. Miller explained that this project has been
under discussion for some 3 years and would call for the
renovation of the Public Works Director's current home into a
police station and some resultant renovations to Village Hall.
Both Mayor Olsen and Mr. Boggess expressed concern over growth
of administration in Village Hall, noting that while the
community has undergone no significant growth the space
requirements of the government have vastly increased. Both noted
that Village Hall had formerly housed the administration, as well
as police and fire departments. Chief Baquero responded to these
comments noting that his cost estimates for renovation of the
house were significantly less, $80,000 - $90,000. He further
pointed out that, in anticipation of moving the police station,
police department space in Village Hall has been reduced by about
1/3. Chief Baquero added that additional space is required for
computers as well as record keeping requirements. Mr. Blank
recalled that during the Budget Committee meeting the idea of
renovation of a separate building had been abandoned in favor of
construction of an addition to Village Hall - at an estimated
cost of $70,000. Mr. Sidney Feldman, 9801 Collins Avenue,
concurred adding that this addition would accomplish provision of
additional space as well as the desired separate entrance area.
After some further discussion, it was agreed to leave this item
in the plan but to rephrase it at a cost not to exceed $100,000.
Further Mrs. Miller was directed to interview some space
planners/architects and report back as to proposed fees. Mr.
Taplin suggested Mrs. Miller contact the architect who designed
the Bay Harbor Town Hall.
Trash transfer station improvements, at a cost of $57,000,
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were the next item included in the plan. Mr. Rodriguez explained
that the current facility, located adjacent to the Marina, is
inadequate. He explained that the configuration of the area is
wrong, directional signs are lacking, and no equipment is owned
to compact the trash, thus resulting in the overflow of trash
spilling onto Bal Bay Drive. Mr. Rodriguez also displayed the
proposed redesign of the area. Mayor Olsen noted that this
design would require acquisition of property adjacent to the
existing site and inquired as to ownership of this property.
Mrs. Miller replied that the property is probably owned by the
Club and that some sort of agreement could probably be negotiated
that would be mutually beneficial. Mayor Olsen reported that his
experience in using the trash site has been that people tend to
dump in the front portion of the bin rather than at the rear.
Mr. Taplin suggested that closing the bin at night might resolve
this problem. Mr. Robert Wheldon, Public Works Director,
explained that in any event, some type of equipment must be
purchased to compact the trash - a front-end loader perhaps.
Moreover, the bin has deteriorated with age and is in need of
repairs. It was agreed to leave this item in the plan and
perhaps modify it at a later date.
The final component of the Capital Improvement plan is beach
restoration at an estimated cost of $20,000 annually for each of
the five years. Mr. Rodriguez reported that this element will
tie-in with the Coastal Management element and is still being
prepared. Further refinement of this element is required.
As there were no further elements
Improvements plan to discuss, and no other
before the Council, a motion was offered by Mr.
the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr.
meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
bUtkvo
illage Clerk
of the Capital
business to come
Taplin to adjourn
Boggess and the
Ma or