Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout1989-07-24 Special Meeting51 COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 1989 - 5:30 P.M. The special meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Monday, July 24, 1989 in the Village Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Mayor Estelle Stern and the roll was called. Those present were: Mayor Estelle Stern Asst. Mayor Matthew B. Blank Councilman Sol M. Taplin Councilman James E. Boggess Councilman Andrew R. Hirschl Also Present: Carole S. Morris, Village Manager Richard rT. Weiss, Village Attorney Marilyn P. Kreger, Village Clerk There being a quorum present, Mayor Stern called the first item. Item 2. Public Hearing - Second Reading - Oceanfront Zoning District The Village Clerk read the ordinance by title. Mayor Stern opened the hearing to the public, there being no comments from the public, she then closed the public hearing. C/M Boggess moved and Asst. Mayor Blank seconded a motion to adopt this ordinance on second and final reading. Vote Taken: All Vote Aye Item 3. Founders' Circle Dedication - Set date of ceremony Carole Morris, Village Manager, advised Council that she checked with Rep. Lehman's office as to when Congress goes back into session after the first of the year. She has learned that it is usually the second week in January. So either of the two dates previously discussed would be available - December 16th or January 6th. Asst. Mayor Blank stated that he is also working with Rep. Lehman office, as well, to secure a commitment for him to attend the ceremony. Mayor Stern and Carole Morris stated that the reason for the ceremony to be held on a weekend is to have the Sun Bank parking lot available for use. The consensus of Council is to have the ceremony on January 6, 1990 with December 16th as the alternate date. Item 4. Village Manager Report a. Budget - FY 1989/90 - Mrs. Morris brought forth the issues of the Village paying 1000 of Council and dependent health insurance coverage and an annual Broad Causeway pass for each Council person. Mrs. Morris further explained that currently the Village pays for all health insurance for each Councilperson and one half of dependent coverage. A suggestion was made for the Village to pay for this coverage completely in view of the fact that the Council remuneration is low compared to employees. Another item that has been discussed is cleaning of the beachfront. C/M Hirschl initiated this item as a result of a visit to Sea Ranch Lakes in Broward County. They use a private vendor who cleans the beach twice weekly and buries the weed. Mrs. Morris said that because Bal Harbour would be their only client in Dade County, they are not anxious to work here with any less frequency than 5 times a week with a twice a year sanitizing process. The cost for this work would be $4,000.00 per month/$48,000 annually. - The weed is buried under the sand which would eventually be washed away. C/M Taplin stated that sea week is''not a common occurrence. C/M Taplin spoke of someone the Villago,had hired several years ago to clean the beach daily for a very nominal fee. Mrs. Morris stated that the Village was left with liability problems as a result of the way the beach was being cleaned. C/M Hirschl further explained his reasons for introducing this item. The beach.at Sea Ranch Lakes is maintained very well. And when he is on the Bal Harbour beach once or twice a week, he is confronted with sea weed at the water's edge continuously. Asst. Mayor Blank recommended that Council wait until the beach is widened. Mrs. Morris stated that she needs an indication from Council because she would have to include the cost in the budget now. Mrs. Morris said she would attempt to contact the man who used to clean the beach since Council doesn't feel that the job the County is doing is adequate. Mrs. Morris said she would contact the County to determine what the priorities are for the beach cleaning program, as well as contacting the man that used to do it for the Village. Council agreed to provide $50,000.00 in the 1989/90 budget for this program. C. Gala 1989 - Mrs. Morris updated Council on the progress of the Gala by saying that she met with the women from the charity who were not happy with the idea of doing the fashion show featuring the models. However, they still want to proceed with the Gala and have been working with Enid Rosenthal to come up with an idea. They informed her that they would be interested in benefiting the Trauma Network in stead of the Cancer Care Unit. d. Purchase of boat for Police Department - Mrs. Morris said the cost could be anywhere from $20,000 up to $60,000. It would j Spec. Council Mtg. 7/24/89 2. 53 be adequate for service on the Intracoastal and the ocean. The boat could be staffed with existing personnel by taking a patrol officer off the road or hire an additional officer to man the boat. Mrs. Morris stated she would like an indication from Council as to whether they feel the need for a marine patrol, if so what kind of a commitment they would like to make. She added that Chief Baquero is against the idea, that the cost is extreme. C/M Taplin stated that the Village had a marine patrol several years ago and was discontinued because it didn't seem to serve any useful purpose. C/M Taplin doesn't think it would be warranted to start up a marine patrol again. Asst. Mayor Blank said the Village should look to the marine patrol station on 79th Street and Biscayne Bay for additional assistance. Mrs. Morris said they do patrol our waters, however, they are very thinly spread. e. Consulting Planner - Zoning Code Revisions - Mrs. Morris stated that she has had discussions with Ed Plotsky, Chief Planner with Craig A. Smith & Associates. She has a simple work project prepared by him to share with the Council. He is proposing that the Village hold meeting with the various segments of the community, such as the residential district, oceanfront district, etc. to get an indication from the people of their feelings in order to know which way to go in the revisions. Mr. Plotsky would then give a lump sum contract addendum,for the work he would do. He feels it is premature to offer a lump sum price at this point because he doesn't know the scope of how much work will be involved. She feels Mr. Plotsky is very sensitive to the needs and desires of the community and in that respect he is unique. This work would be in lieu of the proposals offered by Professor Warburton for an architectural review board to set standards of design. Mrs. Morris stated that the Village will be paying $71.68 per hour for Mr. Plotsky to set up the scope for this program. Upon question from Mrs. Morris as to when to hold workshops for the residents' participation, Council indicated they should hold off until at least October when many of the residents will be back in town. a. Council Health Insurance and Broad Causeway Tolls - Mayor Stern directed Council back to the discussion on these two issues for resolution. Mayor Stern doesn't feel the Council should use taxpayers' money to subsidize Council crossing Broad Causeway and C/M Taplin agreed. C/M Boggess also feels it would be wrong. Asst. Mayor Blank felt that Council is entitled to this benefit. C/M Hirschl doesn't feel Council should receive a free pass for Broad Causeway. If any member of Council uses the Causeway for Village business, he/she could get a receipt and be reimbursed. Spec. Council Mtg. 7/24/89 3. The Village Manager advised that Council members are treated the same as employees regarding health insurance. The Village pays for the employee and half the dependent coverage. The employee pays the other half of dependent coverage. The cost difference is about $3600 to $4000 per year total because only three Council people currently have dependent coverage. C/M Boggess doesn't feel Council should take special privileges that employees don't get. Asst. Mayor Blank spoke in favor of the proposal. Mayor Stern, C/M Hirschl and C/M Taplin agreed with C/M Boggess. The majority of Council agreed not to pursue the Causeway passes or fully paid health insurance for themselves. Mrs. Morris invited all the Council people to the employee picnic on August 26th at Oleta River State Park. Mrs. Morris displayed a drawing of the plan for the trash bin in the residential area. She described how the area would be changed. The proposed cost has not been determined as yet. There is $60,000 budgeted for this project. An easement needs to be secured from the Bal Harbour Club. Tony Riso, president of the Civic Association and Vice President of the Bal Harbour Club has been approached for his assistance in obtaining the easement. Item 5. Other Business - Mayor Stern read a memo written by the Village Clerk as a commendation for Teresa Smith,, secretary to the Mayor and Manager. C/M Hirschl notified Council that graffiti has been sprayed all over the bus shelters along Collins Avenue. He feels something should be done about it. C/M Hirschl said he received a call someone who lives in the Carlton Terrace about cat feeding on the beach. Discussion was held regarding this problem in various other areas of the Village. The Village Manager is aware of.these problems and is addressing them. C/M Taplin asked that the plaque on the jogging path be cleaned up, it is getting corroded. C/M Boggess asked that all the signs be spruced up after the hurricane season in preparation for the Breeder's Cup and the winter season. Item 5. Adjourn There being no further business, C/M Taplin moved and C/M Hirschl seconded a motion to adjourn at 6:25 P.M. Attest:t! Mayor 11ag le Spec. Council Mtg. 7/24/89 4.