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MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village
Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at the Village Hall. The Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the following members present:
PRESENT: Mayor McCoy
Herta
Holly
Al Davis
Ed Quinton
Greg Ullman
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara A. Estep, Village
Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village
Attorney
PRESENTATION
Mayor McCoy presented the
Principal of Miami Shores Elementary School, Sherry Krubitch,
with a $500 check representing the Village’s Dade Partner Program
contribution.
CONSIDERATIONS
1)
MINUTES Barbara
A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE MAY 6, 2003 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Ms. Holly moved approval
of the May 6, 2003 Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the
vote was unanimous in favor.
B) A
RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA,
WITH RESPECT TO REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN COSTS AND EXPENDITURES RELATING TO
THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES (CHARTER
SCHOOL) TO BE LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE.
Ms. Estep read the
caption of the Resolution. Mr. Davis
moved to adopt the Resolution. Ms.
Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
2) VILLAGE MANAGER TOM
BENTON
A)
PRESENTATION
BY CONSULTANTS FOR THE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE 103RD STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
Mr. Benton offered
background information relating to the item and introduced representatives
from Reynolds, Smith & Hill, designers for the
103rd
Street
Department of Transportation project.
Mr. Joe Gomez, Project Director, presented specific information
regarding the project plans, including the planned installation of a
traffic light at the N.W. 2nd Avenue intersection.
Mr. Gomez reviewed the improvements to be made from N.W. 2nd Avenue east to N.E. 2nd Avenue, which include the installation of curb and
gutter, new drainage and irrigation, as well as enhanced driveway
sight-lines which will require widening of driveways and a reduction in the
existing landscaping materials. Due
to restrictions imposed by Florida Power & Light, a shorter species of
palm tree will replace the current sabal
palms. Based on the limited list of
acceptable trees, majesty palms will be installed. Some of the Council Members expressed
their concerns regarding the palms.
Mr. Gomez went on to
review the proposed improvements for the portion of roadway from N.E. 2nd Avenue east to N.E. 6th Avenue. Due to
the discussions with the Village, the FDOT will only be resurfacing, from
edge of pavement to edge of pavement, this section of 103rd Street. Mr. Gomez
outlined the plans to add a north bound turn lane on the east side of the 103rd Street/N.E. 2nd Avenue intersection.
He stated that in order to obtain the necessary space to install the
turn lane, the Department will need to remove/relocate three large oak
trees that are currently in the right-of-way.
FDOT plans on improving
the drop off area of the Miami Shores Elementary School by installing new drainage and a paved area for
this purpose. This will enhance the appearance
of the area, as the current drop off area is dirt/grass and has poor
drainage.
Mr. Gomez stated that it
is anticipated to have the contract awarded in December of 2003 and for
construction to begin in the early summer of 2004. This timeframe will be coordinated with
the Village and the School officials.
Mr. Gomez indicated that the project costs are approximately $8.4
million including the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer portion of the project.
Individual Council
Members questioned Mr. Gomez regarding project particulars and all
expressed their deep concern with respect to the removal of the oak
trees. Their discussion centered around what criteria was used for determining the need
for a new turn lane, feasibility of moving the trees, the aesthetic value
of the trees and the consequences of leaving the intersection as it
currently is constructed.
Subsequent to these
discussions, Mr.Ullman moved to formally oppose
the removal of the three oak trees located in the 103rd Street right of way just east of N.E. 2nd Avenue, and to request that the Florida Department of
Transportation reconfigure the N.E. 2nd Avenue/N.E. 103rd Street intersection.
Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
It was the consensus of the Council to have Mr. Benton relay the
Council’s concerns to the Florida Department of Transportation and to work
with them to attempt to resolve the dispute.
B)
PRESENTATION
BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE TRAILBLAZER
DIVERSION SYSTEM.
Mr. Sergio Bravo, a
representative from FDOT presented information regarding the Trail Blazer
Diversion system, offering background information on the system’s purpose
and the Department’s intent for its use.
As the Village had previously been informed that North Miami Avenue would be used as the north bound alternate for
traffic detours, the Council discussion focused on the inadequacy of Miami Avenue to be used for that purpose. Mr. Bravo introduced Mr. Rory Santana,
Traffic Operation Manager, who continued the presentation. Mr. Santana stated that contrary to the
previous information provided, North Miami Avenue would be the secondary diversion route, with N.W. 7th Avenue to be used as the primary route for both north
and south-bound traffic. Additional
Council discussion regarding the stanchions, the system, and the roadway
limitations ensued.
Subsequent to the
presentation and discussion, the Council, by consensus, requested that Mr.
Benton explore all means to keep the project from moving forward.
C)
DISCUSSION
AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SUBMITTING A BUDGET TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN
ORDER TO RECEIVE PROPORTIONATE FUNDS FROM THE ½ CENT TRANSPORTATION TAX
MONIES COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY.
Mr. Benton offered
background information on the item, including the County’s requirement for the
Village to submit a preliminary budget and the Village’s ability to amend
the submitted budget following the adoption of our budget. Mr. Benton confirmed that the budget to
be submitted to the County will not limit the receipt of funds should the
Village be entitled to additional monies as a result of the tax
receipts. Mr. Davis moved to approve
submitting the budget as presented.
Ms. Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
3) ANNOUCEMENTS
The Clerk read the
announcements.
4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Candy Rengstl Ms. Rengstl
spoke about the 103rd Street project and the trees that will be removed from
the western portion of the project.
Robert Eustid Mr. Eustid
offered his opinion that there is not a traffic problem at 103rd Street and N.E. 2nd Avenue. He
expressed his appreciation to the Council for their attempt to save the oak
trees.
Bobbie Mumford Ms. Mumford,
who lives in the corner home that has the oak trees in the front, spoke of the
oak trees and her safety concerns should they be removed. She thanked Mr. Benton for his support
and notice of the DOT’s intent, as well as the Council for their intention
to resist the removal of the trees.
Alice Burch Ms.
Burch spoke of the time it takes to have oak trees mature. Ms. Burch also spoke of the bay clean-up
efforts and the possibility of studying air quality and applying for grants
to move ahead with the plans to clean up the bay.
Leon Newman Mr. Newman spoke of the CERT
Team.
T.J. Chambers Mr. Chambers spoke of the
important job that Code Enforcement does.
Denise Ede-Aloise Ms. Ede-Aloise thanked the Code Enforcement Department members
and relayed a success story due to their intervention.
5) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Greg Ullman Mr.
Ullman spoke about the recent publicity regarding Code Enforcement and his
opinion that the Council should review the matter.
Ed Quinton Mr. Quinton encouraged
residents to attend the Memorial Day Service.
Al Davis Mr.
Davis spoke about the new banners that have been
installed along N.E. 2nd Avenue.
Herta Holly Ms.
Holly spoke about Sherry Krubitch and the
Elementary School. In addition, Ms.
Holly spoke about the Memorial Day Program scheduled.
Mayor McCoy Mayor
McCoy spoke of the Theater’s production of Blood Brothers. He also spoke of the Charter Middle’s
School FCAT results.
6) ADJOURNMENT
The
May 20, 2003, Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.
________________________
Jim
McCoy, Mayor
_________________________
Barbara
A. Estep, CMC
Village
Clerk
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