01-04-05 Item 1DRAFT
\, 1 City of South Miami
2 Regular City Commission Minutes
3 December 21, 2004
4
5 CALL TO ORDER:
6
7 The City Commission of the City of South Miami, Florida met
8 in regular session on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, beginning at
9 7:30 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers, 6130 Sunset Drive.
10
11 A. Roll Call:
12 The following members of the City Commission were present:
13 Mayor Mary Scott Russell, Vice Mayor Velma Palmer, and,
14 Commissioners Marie Birts- Cooper and Craig Z. Sherar.
15 Commissioner Randy G. Wiscombe was absent.
16
17 Also in attendance were: City Attorney Eve Boutsis, City
18 Manager Maria V. Davis and City Clerk Maria M. Menendez.
19
20 B. Invocation: The invocation was delivered in silence and Mayor
21 Russell took the opportunity to remind everyone to have
22 Commissioner Wiscombe's family in their thoughts because of the
23 loss of a family member.
24
25 C. Pledge of Allegiance:
26 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
27
28 D. Presentation(s) 7 :00 p.m.
29
30 Parks & Recreation Department to present awards to the
31 annual writing contest winners.
32
33 The Commission presented twenty bikes and helmets to the
34 contest winners. The bicycles were donated by Bill Ussery Motors
-35 in Coral Gables and the helmets were donated by Mack Cycle in
3 -,6 South Miami.
37
38
39 ITEMS (S) FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION:
40
41 Minutes of December 7, 2004
42
43 Commissioner Sherar moved an amendment make a correction for
44 the word cessation on page eight line 27
45
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 1
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 Moved by Vice Mayor Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Birts
2 Cooper, the motion to approve the minutes as amended passed by a
3 4 -0 vote:
4
5 Commissioner Wi.scombe: Absent
6 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
7 Vice Mayor Palmer Yea
8 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
9 Mayor Russell Yea
10
11 2. City Manager's Report:
12
13 Ms. Davis addressed some of the concerns brought up at the
14 last Commission meeting: the request for interpretation of the
15 Dade County Bill of Rights is being handled by the City
16- Attorney; the Sylva Martin tapestry was already installed at
17 the Sylva Martin Building; about the salary survey she said
18 that the consultant, after many months, finally gave us a draft
19 last month. The draft was in such a poor condition that she had
20 to -send it back because it was totally unacceptable. This
21 consultant was terminated and she intends to go with the second
22 low bidder on the RFP. A resolution on this subject will be
23 brought up before the Commission in January 2005; about the
24 parking in front of the medical building on 67th and Sunset, she
25 said that it is taking a lot of research and will be completed
26 as soon as possible, and that it will then be presented to the
27 Commission; the parking garage is something that cannot be
28 discussed at all at the present time; she also said that she is
=29 working with the Hospital on the impact fee (although it is not
30 called impact fee which is an improper term) adding that at
31 this time she did not feel properly prepared to discuss that
32 issue. She then announced to the community that beginning on
33 January 2nd we will start our "Sundays on Sunset" and the
34 trolley service will begin that day. It will be held on the
35 first Sunday of each month from noon to 5:00 p.m. There will be
36 trolley service every Friday and Saturday; and one Sunday a
37 month. She then wished everyone a very happy and safe holiday.
38
39 Vice Mayor Palmer asked Ms. Davis about the purpose of the
40 salary survey and what course of action will follow. Ms. Davis
41 said that this type of survey is very helpful in order to know
42 where we are versus other cities. The survey may show that some
43 positions are overpaid while others are underpaid, but no
44 salaries will be reduced, but that she would probably freeze
45 any salaries where the position is overpaid until it is in line
46 with the appropriate classification. Any adjustments will be
47 addressed at the next, budget cycle.
48
49 Commissioner Sherar referred to the surveyor's marks left on
50 the sidewalks downtown which should have been cleaned. He said
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 2
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 that the permits should have some type of language addressing
2 this issue and perhaps requiring a deposit to make sure that
3 the contractors do not leave the sidewalks full of marks. He
4 also referred to the Hammock House and the Manager informed
5 them that we had closed on that purchase today. About the
6 workshop on the Red Road Commons, he said that after all he
7 thought that it would be a good idea to move it to January
8 because of the holidays.
9
10 Mayor Russell said that it also would be a good idea to hold
11 a special meeting for the Red Road Commons on a different
12 night. The workshop was set for Monday, January 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
13 and a Special Meeting was set for Wednesday, January 12th at
14 7:00 p.m. for that purpose. Mr. Proctor, - the attorney
15 representing the applicant, said to have no problems with the
16 above dates.
17
18 3. City Attorney's Report:
-19
20 Attorney Boutsis reminded everyone about the attorney- client
21 session scheduled for Wednesday, December 22nd at 6 :00 p.m.
22
23 Moved by Commissioner Birts- Cooper, seconded by Commissioner
24 Sherar, the motion to take item no. 14 out of order passed a 4 -0
?5 vote.
-2 6
27 Commissioner- Wiscombe: Absent
28 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
29 Vice Mayor Palmer Yea
30 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
31 Mayor Russell: Yea
32
33 RESOLUTION (S) /PUBLIC HEARING (S)
34 7. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR & CITY COMMISSION OF THE
35 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO A REQUEST FOR
36 APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TWO PARKING VARIANCES IN
37 ORDER TO PERMIT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6230 SW 70TH STREET
38 IN AN "RO" RESIDENTIAL OFFICE ZONING USE DISTRICT TO BE
39 USED AS A COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDING: (1) VARIANCE FROM
40 SECTION 20- 4.4(B)(10) OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO
41 ALLOW FOUR OFF- STREET PARKING SPACES WHERE THE REQUIRED
42 OFF- STREET PARKING IS FIVE SPACES; (2) VARIANCE FROM
43 SECTION 20- 4.4(F) (3) OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO
44 ALLOW REQUIRED PARKING TO BE LOCATED IN THE FRONT
45 SETBACK AREA WHICH IS PROHIBITED IN THE RO ZONING USE
DISTRICT: AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 4/5
47 (Deferred 12/07/04)
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES December 21, 2004
3
1 (The request for these two parking variances was denied
2 9121104 on a 4 -1 vote)
3 (Commissioner Birts- Cooper)-
4
5 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Commissioner
6 Birts - Cooper to approve this item.
7
8 Vice Mayor Palmer said that she wanted to amend the motion
9 to defer this item until they are ready to discuss it; instead
10 of deferring it every time that comes up, why not wait until
11 they are ready.
12
13 Attorney Boutsis explained that they could either defer or
14 table the item. Tabling means that the Commission needs to vote
15 to bring it back. Motion to defer means that it will
16 automatically come back at the next scheduled meeting.
17
18 Moved by Commissioner Birts - Cooper, seconded by
19 Commissioner Sherar to defer this item.
20
21 Commissioner Sherar also had a question as to why they keep
22 bringing and deferring the item. Commissioner Birts- Cooper
23 explained that Commissioner Wiscombe is absent and that she
24 would like to have the full support of the Commission.
25 Commissioner Sherar said that he would vote to defer this time
26 but that the next time he wants to do it.
27
28 With no further comments or discussion the motion to defer
29 passed by a 4 -0 vote:
30
31 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
32 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
33 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
34 Commissioner'Birts- Cooper: Yea
35 Mayor Russell: Yea
36
37 PUBLIC REMARKS
38 (5- minute limit)
39
40 David Tucker Sr. addressed the Commission referring to the
41 Christmas Holidays and the traditional values that seem to be
42 threatened.
43
44 David Landowne said that he was attending the meeting for
45 item no. 14, adding that he did not get a notice this time. He
46 expressed frustration for having to come to the meeting for this
47 item and now is being deferred again.
48
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
4
Cathy McCann thanked the Vice Mayor for having the questions
'2 answered She then referred to some illegal sign on 57th Avenue
3 and 84th Street. She said that the sign is 3 ft by 4 ft and that
4 it is on public property. She said that the sign ordinance is
5 very exact as to when you are allowed to put signs up She also
6 referred to another very large sign from a mortgage company on
7 87th Street, the block between 59th and 60th Avenue. She said that
8 these signs have been reported to Code Enforcement by many
9 people. She also referred to a vacant lot without a building
10 permit on it and yet there is lumber and supplies on the lot. She
11 said that as long as these signs are on public property there
12 should not be a 10 -day notice requirement. She then urged staff
13 to enforce the sign ordinance.
14
15 Mark Richman said that he has been coming here for almost
16 five years now about the same issue and urged the Commission to
17 make a decision regarding the parking garage soon. He said that
18 he has spent a lot of money on this and also his tenants are
19 being hurt because of the uncertainty of the situation.
20
21 Dick Ward said that he was happy to see Mr. Richman at the
22 meeting to speak about his favorite subject. He also urged the
23 Commission to finalize the parking garage issue which is very
24 much overdue. He mentioned the coincidence of the parking garage
25` project for the First National Bank and the delay on the MRP
__.26 negotiation. He said to be concerned about the Bank's project and
27 the traffic study, urging the Commission and staff to hire
28 somebody to do that study and to have the Bank pay for it.
29
30 Jay Beckman spoke about the deferred item no. 14 regarding
31 Dr. Colsky's request for parking variances. He said that he could
32 not find anything in the LDC that would give the Commission the
33 power to bring this item back. He said that this is not a good
34 thing to do and that there may have been ex -parte communication
35 on the part of the Commission. Attorney Boutsis clarified that
36 whenever the Commission brings up this issue, by disclosing at
37 the Commission level any communications that they may have had,
38 there is no violation. Mr. Beckman insisted that the Commission
39 may have been influenced anyhow. He then said that in the event
40- that in the future these variances are approved, he wants to know
41 what recourses he has in order to appeal the decision. Attorney
42 Boutsis said that she would explain the appeal process later on.
43
44 Dean Whitman also referring to item no. 14 said that he has
45 come down five times to the City Commission meetings regarding
46 this item and finds it disrespectful. He also said that he
47 received no notice.
48
49 Former Commissioner Dan McCrea spoke in favor of item no. 12
'50 regarding the Rotary Club. He said that they are part of Rotary
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
5
1- International and that this is a very special year for them_ This
2 is the Rotary's 100th birthday which was founded in Chicago;
3 therefore, the Rotary wishes to commemorate this event by
4 assisting the City in the funding of the repair of the athletic
5 field lighting at Murray Park. Mr. McCrea urged the Commission to
6 approve the item.
7
8 Beth Schwartz also spoke about item no. 14 saying that she
9 also has been here five times for this item and she finds it very
10 unfair. She also referred to a traffic problem on 69th Street.
11
12 Sharon McCain spoke in reference to the items on the Agenda
13 concerning board re- appointments. She also referred to the
14 Planning Board where all of the terms have expired. She then
15 mentioned a few members who have been appointed to a couple of
16 boards. She said that there are a lot of people who have applied.
17 She then referred to the Economic Review Committee appointed by
18 the Manager, saying that those meetings were noticed on the
19 City's schedule for October 28, November 4 and 8. She said that
20 she had sent an email inquiring as to why the neighbors were not
21 involved because she lives right outside the area and is
22 concerned that for Sundays on Sunset people are going to park
23 around the residential area. She said that she was able to attend
24 the November 8th meeting and there were a lot of people there
25 that should not be on that Committee; she said that after that,
26 those meetings have been moved on to the Bank.
27
28 Commissioner Sherar referred to item no. 14 saying that when
29 he voted the way he did he was very confused; he then contacted
30 Dr. Colsky and indicated to him that he felt very uncomfortable
31 with the way things had been done, and that if he wanted to
32 reconsider it that he 'would.
33
34 After there were no more speakers, the Public Remarks
35 section was closed.
36
37 At this point Commissioner Sherar pulled items no. 4, 5, 6,
38 7, 8, 10 and 12 from the Consent Agenda (now nos. 7, 8, 9, 10,
39 11, and 13); and Commissioner Birts- Cooper pulled item no.' 10
40 (now no. 12).
41
42 CONSENT
43
44 Resolution No. 192 -04 -11971
45 4. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION THE
46 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
47 MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CORRADINO
48 GROUP FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL
A9 CONSULTANT SERVICES NEEDED TO PREPARE THE CITY'S
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 6
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 COMPREHENSIVE- PLAN EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT;
2 APPROVING A CONSULTANT FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,000;
3 CHARGING $17,200 TO ACCOUNT NO. 01- 1620- 524 -3450,
4 PLANNING CONSULTANT SERVICES AND $28,800 TO THE GENERAL
5 CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
6 (City Manager)
7
8 Resolution No. 193 -04 -11972
9 5. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
10 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA RELATING TO ATTORNEYS'
11 FEES FOR AKERMAN SENTERFITT IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,581.99;
12 CHARGING ACCOUNT NO. 2100 - 519 -3440, CONSULTANT LABOR
13 ATTORNEY; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
14 (City Attorney)
15
16 Moved by Vice Mayor Palmer, seconded by Commissioner
17 Sherar, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda passed by a 4-
18 0 vote:
19
20 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
21 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
22 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
23 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
?4 Mayor Russell: Yea
-25
26 ORDINANCE (S) SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING (S)
27
28 Ordinance No. 15 -04 -1822
29 6. AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
30 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA RELATING TO THE PERMIT FEE
31 SCHEDULE; AMENDING ORDINANCE 14 -90 -1454 AS AMENDED BY
32 ORDINANCES '6 -92- 1501, 17- 92- 1512A, 10 -95 -1583, 18-99 -
33 1692, 28- 00- 1730, 32 -01- 1763, 14 -02 -1782 AND 21 -03 -1805
34 IN ORDER TO ADJUST LAND USE APPLICATION FEES, PROVIDING
35 FOR SEVERABILITY, ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT, AND AN
36 EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
37 (City Manager)
38
39 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Vice Mayor Palmer
40 to approve this item.
41
42 Mr. O'Donniley explained that in examining our fees and
43 comparing them with those of surrounding jurisdictions, staff
44 found that they should be revised.
-45
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 7
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
j 1 With no further comments or discussion, the motion to
2 approve this item passed by a 4 -0 vote:
3
4 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
5 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
6 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
7 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
8 Mayor Russell Yea
9
10
11 RESOLUTION (S)
12
13 Resolution No. 194 -04 -11973
14 8. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
15 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO BOARDS AND
16 COMMITTEES; RE- APPOINTING JENA STALY, JOYCE PRICE AND
17 DONNA MASON, TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN FOR A
18 TWO YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 6, 2006; AND PROVIDING AN
19 EFFECTIVE DATE. (Deferred 12/07/04) 3/5
20 (Mayor Russell)
21
22 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Commissioner
23 Birts- Cooper to approve this item.
- 24
25 Commissioner Sherar explained that his concern was about not
26 giving other people the opportunity to serve on the boards.
27
28 Mayor Russell explained the reasons for the re- appointments
29 on the different boards on the Agenda. For instance, on the
30 CRB, she said that this board had been neglected and that these
31 members are doing a good job and that these re- appointments
32 were actually the board's recommendation; they are a good group
33 and are working together very well
34
35 About the CFW, Mayor Russell said that the board lost a
36 couple of members and without these re- appointments they would
37 not have a quorum for their meetings. Jena Staly has been
38 incredibly active and has been guiding the Jr. CFW as well.
39 Also, they are hosting the National Commission for Women in
40 Dade County and are very much involved on that.
41
42 About the ERPB, Mayor Russell explained that this member
43 started on an unexpired term and that she is allowing her to
44 finish a full term by her re- appointment and that she is also
45 doing a good job. About Lisa Simeon, she said that her daughter
46 is the chair of the Jr. CFW this year and they are having the
47 meetings together this year.
_ "48
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 8
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 Mayor Russell then explained that she is aware that the
2 Planning Board terms expired on November 21St; however, it does
3 not make sense that they all expire at the same time, and that
4 they should be staggered terms and that she will be asking the
5 Commission to help her in working this out; also, she is trying
6 to distribute them geographically so that all the neighborhoods
7 are represented. Mayor Russell said that she is not taking this
8 lightly, it takes a great deal of her time and that she is
9 trying to do her best so that the boards function the way they
l0 should.
11
12 Commissioner Birts- Cooper asked the Mayor if they will be
13 looking for someone for the Planning Board; she emphasized that
14 we need someone on that board with planning expertise.
15
16 Mayor Russell said that we do have people with those
17 qualifications now, but that it is also as valuable to have the
18 input of people without planning experience.
19
20 Commissioner Sherar then said that the question could be
21 called on each one of these board items with no further
22 discussion.
23
24 With no further comments or discussion, the motion to
25 approve this item passed by a 4 -0 vote:
26
27 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
28 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
29 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
30 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
31 Mayor Russell: Yea
32
33 Resolution No. 195 -04 -11974
34 9. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
35 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO BOARDS AND
36 COMMITTEES; RE- APPOINTING LILLIE HARRIS AND FRANK
37 CUZZOCREA TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR
38 A TWO YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 6, 2006; AND PROVIDING
39 AN EFFECTIVE DATE (Deferred 12/07/04) 3/5
40 (Mayor Russell)
41
42 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Vice Mayor
43 Palmer, the motion to approve this item passed by a 4 -0 vote:
44
45 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
46 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
47 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
48 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
-19 Mayor Russell: Yea
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 9
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
l
2
3 Resolution No. 196 -04 -11975
4 10. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
5 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO BOARDS AND
6 COMMITTEES; RE- APPOINTING ALICIA MORALES -FERNANDEZ TO
7 SERVE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PRESERVATION
8 BOARD FOR A TWO YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 6, 2006; AND
9 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Deferred 12/07/04) 3/5
10 (Mayor Russell)
11
12 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Vice Mayor
13 Palmer, the motion to approve this item passed by a 4 -0 vote:
14
15 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
16 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
17 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
18 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
19 Mayor Russell: Yea
20
21 Resolution No. 197 -04 -11976
22 11. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
23 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO BOARDS AND
24 COMMITTEES; RE- APPOINTING LISA M. SIMEON TO SERVE ON
25 THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN FOR A TWO YEAR TERM ENDING
26 DECEMBER 20, 2006; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
27 (Mayor Russell)
28
29 Moved by Vice Mayor Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Sherar,
30 the motion to approve this item passed by a 4 -0 vote:
31
32 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
33 Commissioner Sherar: Yea
34 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
35 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
36 Mayor Russell: Yea
37
38
39 Resolution No. 198 -04 -11977
40 12. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
41 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
42 MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH H & R
43 PAVING, INC. FOR ROADWAY RESURFACING SERVICES TO BE
44 FUNDED THROUGH THE PEOPLE'S TRANSPORTATION TAX FUND AND
45 THE LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX TRUST FUND ACCOUNT NUMBERS
46 124- 1730 - 541 -3450 AND 112 -1730- 541 -4640 IN AN AMOUNT OF
47 $62,500; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
48 (City Manager)
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 10
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
2 Moved by Vice Mayor Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Sherar
3 to approve this item.
4
5 Commissioner Sherar said that he had some questions
6 about this item and that he had not really have enough time to
7 review it. Ms. Davis then recommended voting for the amount and
8 then they could discuss the locations later so that they do not
9 have to hold up the contract
10
11 Mr. Balogun clarified some of the concerns for Commissioner
12 Sherar, explaining that when there are undergoing developments
13 _ we require the contractors to resurface the entire 'right -of-
14 way. He then continued to explain the resurfacing process.
15
16 Commissioner Sherar then spoke of his concern about streets
17 such as his where repairs are scheduled to be done in six
18 months for a possible leak; therefore, it may not be practical
19 to resurface it in the interim and end up with a patch.
20
21 Attorney Boutsis recommended to Commissioner Sherar that if
22 that is his only concern, that he could do an amendment to the
23 resolution providing for a second verification pertaining to
24 WASA's Emergency Department for those streets of concern, so
25 that they can proceed with the contract.
126
27 About replacing the old lines, Ms. Davis said that WASA
28 would determine if it is more economical to fix them than it is
29 to replace them. There is not a lot of capital dollars out
30 there to replace lines, Ms. Davis continued, saying that she
31 spoke specifically about this with WASA during the GOB.
32
33 Commissioner Sherar then moved to defer this item until the
34 next meeting and put it on the Consent Agenda. The motion to
35 defer failed for lack of a second.
36
37 With no further comments or discussion, the motion to
38 approve this item passed by a 3 -1 vote:
39
40 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
41 Commissioner Sherar: Nay
42 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
43 Commissioner Birts - Cooper: Yea
44 Mayor Russell: Yea
45
46 Vice Mayor Palmer said that WASA seems to have a long
47 standing problem with incomplete work, referring to the work on
48 62nd Street which has taken over a year and where they have left
49 two big holes we have called them on several occasions to no
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES December 21, 2004
11
1 avail, she added. She also referred to other places such as "59"
2 where the sidewalk is uneven with the potential for an accident
3 Mr. Balogun said that they would check it out.
4
5 Mayor Russell said that we can start with the project and
6 move forward; however, if between now and the next meeting
7 Commissioner_ Sherar finds that there is a problem with some of
8 these addresses, we could amend the locations and move some place
9 else. She then referred to the property of one of her neighbors,
10 where WASA came to do some water pressure adjustment, placing the
11 heavy equipment on the driveway to get to the meter, causing a
12 rupture and leaving holes which WASA should repair.
13
14 Resolution No. 199 -04 -11978
15 13. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
16 CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO HONOR HUMAN RIGHTS
17 ACTIVIST REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., BY RE- NAMING
18 CHURCH STREET (SW 59Tx PLACE) BETWEEN SUNSET DRIVE AND
19 SW 62nd TERRACE, MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD;
20 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THIS RESOLUTION
21 TO MIAMI -DADE COUNTY AND TO TAKE ALL OTHER RELEVANT
22 ACTIONS NECESSARY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5
23 (Mayor Russell)
24
25 Moved by Vice Mayor Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Sherar
'26 to approve this item.
27
28 Commissioner Birts- Cooper said that the reason for pulling
29 this item was to discuss the fact that the selected street is
30 too short to be called a boulevard, and perhaps some other such
31 as a "drive" would be more appropriate.
32
33 Mayor Russell proposed to co -name it as Martin Luther King
34 Place.
35
36 Ms. Davis said that we had the MLK Parade coordinators
37 present and asked if the Commission would like to hear from
38 them One of the coordinators approached the podium and
39 addressed the Commission, saying that they had given it great
40 consideration as to what it should be called, and that at the
_41 majority of the communities and states that she has visited,
42 she has found that they had chosen "boulevard" and not place or
43 anything else. She then urged the Commission to support their
44 recommendation.
45
46 Vice Mayor Palmer said that she thought that there are so
47 many streets named after Martin Luther King that perhaps they
48 should choose another activist that was part of the Civil
49 Rights Movement such as Rosa Park, for instance.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION 12
MINUTES - December 21, 2004
2 Commissioner Birts- Cooper said that it would not seem
_,- 3 appropriate to have a parade in Martin Luther King' s honor and
4 have the street named after somebody else.
5
6 Mayor Russell said that maybe we could name other streets
7 after another important person; however, she said that they
8 wanted to do this in time for the actual parade.
9
10 The coordinator said that even though there is no doubt that
11 there were many other activists who - contributed to this cause,
12 it was really the zest of Martin Luther King what brought this
13 dream alive and that he should be recognized for that.
14
15 Commissioner Sherar said that he does not believe in naming
16 streets after anybody. He also concurred with the Vice Mayor
17 saying that there are already many streets named after Martin
18- Luther King. He added that the City should have some type of
19 policy, ordinance, or resolution setting the criteria for
20 naming things.
21
22 Commissioner Sherar then moved to amend the resolution on
23 line 28 under Section" 2 to say "Rosa Park Place" instead of
24 "Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard." The amendment failed for
25 lack of a second.
26
27 With no further comments or discussion, the motion to
28 approve this item passed by a 3 -1 vote:
29
30 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
31 Commissioner Sherar: Nay
32 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
33 Commissioner Birts- Cooper: Yea
34 Mayor Russell: Yea
35
36 Ms. Davis clarified for the Vice Mayor that the next step
37 would be for Dade County to approve it and therefore the
38 request will have to go before the County Commission.
39
40 Mayor Russell said that they are going by the County's
41 criteria that is imposed on us and perhaps they should be
42 looking at some criteria for street naming.
43
44
45 Resolution No. 200 -04 -11979
46 14. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
47 SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
-.48 ACCEPT A MONETARY DONATION FROM THE SOUTH MIAMI ROTARY
9 CLUB FOR THE REPAIR OF THE FIELD LIGHTS AT MURRAY PARK
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MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 AND OFFICIALLY NAMING THE FIELD AS "ROTARY FIELD AT
2 MURRAY PARK "; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE 3/5
_3 (City Manager)
4
5 Moved by Commissioner Sherar, seconded by Vice Mayor Palmer
6 to approve this item.
7
8 Commissioner Sherar pulled this item, and again referred to
9 the fact that we have no criteria for naming places. He said
10 that he has an issue on how they are donating the money.
11
12 Ms. Davis said that the Rotary offered to offset our
13 expenses to do the repair.
14
15 Commissioner Sherar said that Dan had mentioned that one of
16 the things that the Rotary does around the world is to donate
17 for potable water. He then said that in his opinion this money
18 would be better used to provide potable water for one or two
19 residents.
20
21 Mayor Russell said that the idea is to recognize Rotary
22 International's` Centennial and at the same time help people
23 become familiar with the Rotary and with what they do.
24
'25 Commissioner Birts - Cooper said that the Rotary can take care
26 of things such as helping with potable water later; however,
27 this is a special year for them and this particular thing is
28 something special; and this is not to say that drinking clean
29 water is not special.
30
31 Vice Mayor Palmer said that in her estimation this is a very
32 good idea, and that when doing something like this you want to
33 impact as many . people as you can with a donation; and having
34 500 people using the Park, this could reach maybe 500 people as
35 they go through the Park; therefore, they are impacting a wider
36 community because more people are benefited by this donation.
37
38 With no further comments or discussion, the motion to
39 approve this item passed by a 3 -1 vote:
40
41 Commissioner Wiscombe: Absent
42 Commissioner Sherar: Nay
43 Vice Mayor Palmer: Yea
44 Commissioner Birts - Cooper: Yea
45 Mayor Russell: Yea
46
47 ORDINANCE (S) FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING (S)
18 (None)
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MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1
2 ORDINANCE (S) FIRST READING
3 (None)
4
5 COMMISSION REMARKS
6
7
8 Commissioner Sherar spoke for all the people that were in
9 attendance for item no. 14, saying that if the situation were
10 reversed and the people that were complaining about all the times
11 that they have had to come here were the ones who had something
12 that they wanted to get done, there is no doubt that they would
13 not be complaining. About the parking garage he said that instead
14 of a parking garage problem, he has a $6 million problem,
15 however, these things take time. He also said that this delay has
16_ nothing to do with the Bank. About the signs he said that he does
17 not see a problem with Code Enforcement giving people with a
18 violation a notice warning them. He also said to make sure to
19 notice the public hearings. He then spoke about the American
20 troops scattered all over the world who are in "harms way" and
21 doing a great sacrifice He then encouraged everybody to go to
22 the South Miami Post Office where a calling card may be purchased
23 and be sent overseas to those soldiers who always need to call
24 home, not only during the holidays.
25
26 Vice Mayor Palmer thanked Mr. Ricke and Ms. Stout -Tate for
27 the good work with the awards. About item no. 14 she said that
28 everything is being discussed at the dais and that is where they
29 make a decision. She also said to be happy to see Dan here
30 tonight. She finally said that she always decides according to
31 her conscience and tries to do the right thing to the best of her
32 ability.
33
34 Commissioner Birts- Cooper wished everyone a very safe and
35 happy holiday.
36
37 Mayor Russell said about item no. 14 that there are
38 different opinions about interpretations and that they will work
39 at it further at the next meeting and will make a decision on it;
40 also indicated to make sure that everyone is properly noticed on
41 the meeting. She also congratulated the Parks and Recreation
42 Department for all the good work with the bicycle awards and for
43 the concert. She congratulated the Clerk for the successful
44 annual Food Drive. She then asked to remember Commissioner
45 Wiscombe who lost one member of his family, and to keep him in
46 everybody's thoughts
- 4 7
8 There being no further business to come before this Body,
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MINUTES - December 21, 2004
1 the meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m.
2
3 Approved
4 Attest
5
6
7 Maria M. Menendez Mary Scott Russell
8 City Clerk Mayor
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17 J: \My Documents \minutes \12,21.04 Minutes.doc
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