Dr Vogel Park Sea Wall

On my last blog I had signed off until 2014, however there is one more item that was discussed and most likely approved at last commission meeting that is important to cover. I left before this item came up due to other responsibilities the following morning. The sea wall at Dr. Vogel Park in Harbor Island is in need of repair. Hopefully this money most probably and should come from the impact fees that have been collected. Dr. Vogel Park falls under the category of Parks and Recreation that are eligible for funding under the indications of impact fees rules.  Every community needs and should have parks and recreation areas for its residents to enjoy. However should a local municipality with only 7,500 residents and with limited revenue have any business owning a water front property? It’s like someone with limited income owning a luxury yacht, does it make sense? Obviously North Bay Village owns the property and the seawall should not be ignored, but I am just sharing my thoughts.  Normandy Isle has a beautiful Pool and Park recreation area that services its residents and it’s out of reach for North Bay Village residents. This is the kind of recreation area that we should be striving for to provide to our residents. Is it possible? Anyone out there with any ideas please share. The countdown has begun!

Wishing each and every one of you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014!

Honestly opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

December 26, 2013

 

In other North Bay Village matters discussed at the last commission meeting was the proposed resolution to allow Robert L Switkes to serve as the Village Attorney on an interim basis until counsel is retained; with the excused absence of Commissioner Wendy Duvall the resolution vote was unanimous. Nina L Boniske of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske had given North Bay Village Commission and Village Manager sixty days to find other legal representation. Ms Nina L Boniske served the village well and will be missed. North Bay Village turns yet another page; let’s see where this leads us.

The welcome sign constructed by C & L Graphics was authorized by our previous village manager Mr. Dennis Kelly without consulting the commission. The sign was intended to be used at the NBV east entrance. The sign was overpriced to begin with but the commission approved payment. Hopefully it won’t have the word “city” of North Bay Village…The countdown has begun!  

Finally until our next commission meeting in 2014 the Garcia Family of Cutlass Avenue, North Bay Village extends our warmest and most sincere Merry Christmas to our family, friends and residents. That this holiday season be spent in happiness, health and prosperity with your family and friends.

 

Honestly Opinionating   

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE

Mario Garcia

December 20, 2013

TECO Peoples Gas North Bay Village Frenchise Agreement

…another issue addressed and approved at the commission meeting of 12/10/2013 was the renewal of TECO Peoples Gas System franchise agreement.  The 30 year franchise agreement that was up for renewal was discussed for what appeared to be an eternity. The new agreement will return 6% of the revenues produced by North Bay Village TECO gas company customers. If you are a customer of TECO gas, look at your bill and you will notice that the 6% is added to your bill. In reality it is like a hidden tax. One big difference between the new franchise agreement and the old is that now TECO gas needs to pay for work permits that were not required in the past. I wonder if this too will be passed on to the consumers. Another difference was that this franchise agreement is now for 15 years with an option to renew for another 15 years. It would be fair to point out that Commissioner Wendy Duvall did not vote because she was absent and Commissioner Chervony was the only no vote.  

There are properties in North Bay Village that TECO’s gas pipes do not reach.  TECO’s pricing formula to calculate the cost and allowances for those possible customers is complicated and difficult to understand. Let’s say you want to hook up and use gas appliances and happen to be one of those customers that TECO’s services do not reach. Imagine that the pipes have to be installed to service 20 homes in one area and you happen to be at the end of that area, however only 5 homes are thinking of converting to gas.  TECO needs to spend let’s say $ 25,000.00 to provide services to these five customers, they divvied the cost by the five customers at $ 5, 000.00 each.  These customers that are converting will spend, say $ 30.00 an month: $ 30.00 x 12 is $ 360.00 x 4 years $ 1, 440.00 that’s their credit allowance.  The difference $ 3, 560.00 would have to be paid by the new customer. The people that did not sign up after five years and a day can actually hook up without a charge because their properties fall between were the pipes were installed. This is basically why I think Commissioner Chervony voted no. He attempted to use the renewal as an opportunity to work up a better deal for the would-be customers. I can’t blame him but the franchise agreement has nothing to do with TECO’s cost recovery and pricing policies.  This price would not include the cost of installing the pipes inside your home to service the appliances. If you are already using propane gas appliances basically you are all set, if not then obviously is another cost to convert…you be the judge. Other topics to come, the count down has begun!

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

December 15, 2013

 

 

December 10th NBV Commission Meeting Continues...

In other North Bay Village matters discussed at the December 10^th commission meetings, was the Presidente Supermarket shopping carts scattered at times throughout NBV streets. I understand that this may be a cosmetic issue and do not want to diminish it, however fines, citations and warnings as it was suggested it’s definitely not the answer.  Why you ask? Before I continue “Food Giant” comes to mind! I know for a fact that the Presidente Supermarket management makes an effort on a regular basis to collect their shopping carts. I believe that penalizing the supermarket is not a fair and justifiable approach for the inconsiderate actions of the public.  Additionally, this is a small problem when you compare it with our dirty and unkempt streets.  While also overlooking our commercial garbage containers overflowing with garbage and totally making some areas look like a slum Village! One of the biggest culprits with this repeated offense is the Causeway Towers at 1666 Kennedy Causeway the building that houses our Village Hall. I challenge our residents to walk through Pirates Aly any given day and you will see for yourself.  In contrasts Treasure Island Cove Condominiums management and their maintenance staff almost on a daily basis sweep their sidewalks and curb including all their landscape and grounds.  This is the kind of effort that teaches others by example! Hats off to you Treasure Island Cove Condominiums Management for taking pride in our beautiful Village we live in. Keep up the good work we notice!

It is discouraging to see our own residents littering and not picking up after their dogs and pets. It is irritating when well to do people walk by the bagged poop containers and the bag dispenser and allow their dogs to do their business and just continue to walk as if this was a normal action! Or see people that just roll down their expensive car’s windows and toss garbage out as if this too was a normal action! Please take pride in our Village and do your part! This commission with the exception of one commissioner just does not get it! Other issues to come, the countdown has begun!

Honestly opinionating!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

December 14, 2013

   

Treasure Island Elementary School

North Bay Village Commission Meeting Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Dr. Sherry Krubitch Principal of Treasure Island Elementary School was honored for her apparent success in turning TIES around structurally and academically. Dr. Krubitch was surprised and pleased with the recognition. She explained how much progress has been made because of the one hundred and thirty thousand dollar North Bay Village participation for the IB Program. How last year and the year before that resistance from the staff had been overcome. The money provided allowed for staff education, training and acceptance of the global program approach that is the signature of the IB Program. This has allowed for a successful campaign to involve the students and their parents.  Dr. Krubitch is very hopeful and expects North Bay Village to continue funding the program. It would be fair to mention that Treasure Island Elementary School was downgraded and received a “C” grade.  This provides an excellent opportunity to see how effective the IB program can be and if it can influence a better grade then “C”. Additionally, it can be view as an improvement performance measure to justify the $ 130, 000.00 yearly contributions by North Bay Village. More to come in other NBV matters…

 

Honestly Opinionating

 

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

 

Mario Garcia   

 

 

Feeding the stray cats is it a problem?

Encephalitis and Dengue Fever are some of the mosquito borne illnesses. The CDC and other governmental agencies recommend not having standing water, puddles or receptacles that may be a reservoir to harvest the mosquitoes’ larva thus increasing the mosquito population.

 We have an elderly woman that does not live on Cutlass Avenue and drives a late model grey SUV that feeds the cats daily and leaves water in receptacles that may be a good source for harvesting mosquitoes. She, against neighbor’s wishes continues to disrespectfully leave these offending receptacles with food and water for the stray cats. 

This person trespasses private properties daily and leaves these receptacles in people’s private yards and Village owned public properties; additionally her actions can be considered littering.   She is very aware that the residents of Cutlass Avenue wish her to stop, so she comes around 6 am in the morning when no one is around to see her. Additionally toxoplasmosis can be transmitted from cats’ feces to humans. I love cats; however I love children and people more.

 I wonder why this person does not feed the cats on her own block.  Why does she choose Cutlass Avenue and North Treasure Drive where she is not wanted? The Mayor and the police department are very aware of this problem and have promised to address it but nothing has been done yet! Last Thursday and Friday I left the house very early and on Cutlass Avenue and North Treasure Drive counted over ten cats waiting for the elderly lady to arrive!   Where do her rights ends and ours begin, I ask?

Honestly opinionating!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

November 17, 2013

 

Fighting for a Cleaner North Bay Village...The Countdown has begun!

 

North Bay Village Commission addresses the spilling garbage commercial container problem on Tuesday November 12, 2013 in their regularly scheduled commission meeting. The Mayor like in most meetings spoke very authoritative and basically ordered for the problem to be solved or at the very least improve greatly. Mayor Leon-Kreps continues to fail as a leader but wastes no time to make political speeches that sound good but get us nowhere. You will recall a picture that was posted about a month ago with the garbage spilled and numerous Turkey Vultures having a field day. Here is the status of the garbage containers belong to the Causeway Towers on November 14, 2013 at around 6:30 pm. Two days after the meeting. This is the building that houses the Village hall. Additionally at the commission meeting was proposed to rent additional space! You make your own conclusions positive? Negative? Too critical? The countdown has begun.

 

Thank You Veterans!

The Garcia Family of Cutlass Avenue in North Bay Village with immense gratitude and a heartfelt genuine appreciation we thank all of the past, present and future United State Veterans,  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Am I too Critcal?

Is it me? Am I too critical? Our taxes have gone up; our police budget was increased considerably.  Our Public Works budget was augmented; Sewer and Water charges have been raised. Yet our streets appear dirtier. There is a perception of less police presence.  Took the dog for a walk and some drains stink because of back up and debris accumulated.  North Bay Village Residents are getting a raw deal! Is it me? Am I been too critical; too negative; Realistic perhaps?

Mario Garcia

Putting North Bay Village First!

Honestly Opinionating!

October 19, 2013

Commision Meeting

The commission meeting of October 8, 2013 held at the North Bay Village Elementary School at 7:30 pm was a mixed bag of politics; absurdity, rhetoric,  bullying and good decision making. Welcome to North Bay Village commission meetings, just a regular day in the neighborhood. Commissioner Wendy Duval was out and very much missed, without her at the meeting, things are just lopsided. Mayor Connie Leon- Kreps, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez appear to have a very robotic and cookie cutter mentality that at times makes you wonder how they can possibly agree on all the issues that come up. I will not bore you with the Commissioners’ report filled with grandstanding and political speeches.

Our Interim Village manager was deservedly promoted to permanent Village manager. Mr. Frank Rollason is committed to shrink the budget where possible. He promised to continue working hard and to negotiate contracts that are more favorable to the village’s financial needs.  The village manager pledges to not leave any stone unturned to accomplish this difficult task. I believe he is capable and willing to do a great job for North Bay Village.   Good Luck Mr. Rollason! We are counting on you.

Commissioner Chervony proposed a resolution prohibiting the expenditures of funds for unbudgeted capital improvement projects, unless they are of an emergency status. Non emergency unplanned expenditures would have to wait to be included in the next year’s budget. I was pleasantly surprised when Vice Mayor Lim voted in favor. However, with Commissioner Duval out and the Mayor and Commissioner Gonzalez voting against it, the resolution went nowhere!   The Village manger expressed willingness to exercise constraints and was committed but explained that the commission needs to do the same.  

The Budget Oversight Board was finally formed and the members appointed. However at one point it appeared that another month was going to pass by without the appointments. After downsizing the requirements from 7 members to 5 members and getting rid of some ridiculous educational requirements or its equivalent in experience, Commissioner Richard Chervony and Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps engaged in a long discussion as to how it was best to pick the members.  Commissioner Chervony suggested that since the board consisted of five members that each commissioner and the mayor pick one. The mayor wanted to continue doing it the old way, were each commissioner votes in 5 members then the votes are counted. Commissioner Chervony’s way was too difficult for the mayor to understand or perhaps not to the mayor’s liking. The cookie cutter mentality prevailed.   Qualified, key residents that attend just about every meeting were overlooked and left out of both boards; purposely! Never the less we finally have a Budget and Oversight Board and a Community Enhance Board.

Congratulations and good luck to:

Budget Oversight Board Members:	Community Enhancement Board:
Robert Breiner Maria Haviland Temante Leary Myra Perez Oliver Pfeffer	Doris Acosta Odalys Becerra Andreanna Jackson Benjia Morgenstern Diana Quintero

 

Commissioner Chervony proposed a resolution recognizing October as an anti-bullying month in an effort to acknowledge and heighten awareness about the serious issues and negative effects of bullying.  The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioner Gonzalez could not just accept it as presented by Commissioner Chervony.  They recommended expanding it to adult bullying as well; a novel idea but not the intended concept. What do you think? Should adults have been added to Commissioners Chervony proposed resolution?  Here is some information obtained from the internet.

National Bullying Prevention Month

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention.^[1] The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. Traditionally held the first week in October, the event was expanded in 2010 to include activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month. National Bullying Prevention Month is recognized in communities across the United States, with hundreds of schools and organizations signing on as partners. Face book,^[2] CNN^[3] and Yahoo! Kids^[4] have supported the month through media outreach and dissemination.

PACER developed the initial campaign National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week in response to the need to raise awareness of bullying, as it was historically viewed "a childhood rite of passage" and believed that bullying "made kids tougher", when the reality is that bullying has devastating effects such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. PACER reached out to the community through partnerships with education based organizations such as National PTA, American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association to provide schools, parents and students with resources to respond to bullying behavior and to begin the shift of societal acceptance of bullying to social change of addressing the issue through education and support. PACER disseminated nationwide press releases through the partners and media channels, encouraging a call to action to educate the community about their role in bullying prevention, which provided the groundwork for the campaign to be consistently recognized as an annual event.

There is more to come, stay tuned....Vice Mayor Eddie Lim wants to terminate the Business Development Board or start over with new members. Today I officially resigned and step down as Co-Chair of the BDB effective immediately.  

The commission passed an ordinance that will renew the franchise agreement with Peoples Gas System to provide natural gas service for North Bay Village. The agreement needs to be renegotiated because it was not as favorable as once thought. The actual moneys returned to North Bay Village are obtained by surcharges that are paid by North Bay Village TECO gas consumers.  In returned Peoples Gas does not pay for permit charges that are pulled when doing work in North Bay Village.  TECO’s gas wins, North Bay Village loses.   Our Village Manager Frank Rollason promised to look into this matter and will report back to the commission.

Honestly opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

October 9, 2013

 

North Bay Village Crime Watch

The Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade., Inc. 38^th Annual Awards Ceremony was held on Friday October 4, 2013. The beautiful ceremony was held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center. The event was very well attended by political and law enforcement dignitaries as residents from different communities that support the citizens crime watch program.  Courtesy of North Bay Village Police Department some North Bay Village residents, law enforcement and village management were able to attend the event honoring law enforcement and the crime watch community.

This event serves as evidence that politicians, law enforcement and residents can work together to obtain and generate positive results. It was encouraging to see unison and cooperation from government and law enforcement. Who was there was not as important as why they were there, one common objective “MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS SAFER”.  It was clear that to make our streets safer is not more expensive it just requires more participation from all.  Furthermore, it does not require positive thinking but it does require genuine desire to play a part! It does not require divisionary political rhetoric but it does require team work! It does not require more money it requires given of yourself! It does not require more policemen it requires more people caring! Finally, it does not require making speeches it requires preparedness and most important it requires action from you!   

Honestly opinionating,

 PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

October 6, 2013

North Bay Village residents and property owners lose again!

North Bay Village residents and property owners lose again and will continue to lose until this commission realizes that raising taxes is not the answer to the Village’s financial troubles.  The commission needs to learn that over spending is what got us into our financial problems. Shuffling money from one department to another, giving raises, adding positions and adding police personnel is not making sacrifices and cutting the budget. Fear tactics of increase in crime, increase police response time and decrease services are not balancing the budget! Nor is it fiscal responsibility! We expect more of our elected officials.

I guess we can consider ourselves lucky that the original mileage proposed increase of 6.2719 % from 4.7772 that would have a total increase of 7.5% including the debt service down to 5.4720% plus the debt service mileage of roughly 6.5 %.  What does this mean to the average homeowner of an assessed house at $ 240,000.00? It means that your real estate taxes will be roughly $ 125.00 more per year. It could have been $ 600.00 more per year.

Our unreserved reserved to begin the fiscal year is $ 338, 553.00. Subsequently any unplanned expense or any additional legal expense we will be in the red again! Our commission will have no choice but to revisit raising taxes for 2015.  Commissioner Chervony and Commissioner Duval’s financial recommendations are falling into deaf ears.  Mr. Rollason did a phenomenal job for the short time he has been here. I urge him to continue to look at every dime expend and see where else we can cut. I implore Mayor Connie Leon – Kreps, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and At Large Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez to pay attention to the writing on the wall; Election time is around the corner.

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

September 26, 2013

Mario Garcia

 

 

Real EstateTaxes are going up in North Bay Village!

Residents of North Bay Village if you missed yesterday’s budget meeting do not despair, next Wednesday September 25, 2013 at Treasure Island Elementary School Auditorium/Cafeteria at 6 PM is the final budget meeting; be there! We had new faces at the meeting but the turnout was not large enough to make an impact.  To those that were at the meeting I thank you. Please attend the next meeting September 25 and bring as many neighbors as you possibly can.  If you cannot afford any tax raise I urge you and implore you to be there and plea your case. Once the millage for the 2014 is set it cannot be changed nor turned back.

Commissioner Wendy Duval was impressive and expressed her disapproval with the presented cuts. Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Chervony were the only ones asking for further cuts. The police budget continues to be a big item. Commissioner Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Lim and the Mayor used their time to make useless comments and really did not offer much. One thing that really bothered me was when Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps attempted to defend the roughly $ 500, 000.00 increase to the Police Budget and alluded to wanting to keep crime down. Like anyone of us wants crime to go up. Here is an idea Mayor, lets keep crime down and still cut the increases to a reasonable millage rate!

The questions of having performance measured for each of the department heads that are measurable and accountable attached to the budget was too much for Commissioner Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Lim and Mayor Leon Kreps to understand and support.

Our Interim Village Manger Frank Rollason and our Finance Director Bert Wrains were absolutely transparent, clear and detailed on their tentative 2014 budget presentation.  If there was ever a chance in North Bay Village Budget History to make things right it’s now. I am sure that with the continued leadership of Commissioner Chervony, Commissioner Duval, Finance Director Burt Wrains, and Interim Village Manager Frank Rollason and his North Bay Village staff we will come up with a 2014 budget and performance measures that we all can live with! North Bay Village residents you can make the difference be there Wednesday September 25, 2013.

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

MARIO GARCIA

September 18, 2013

Residents of North Bay Village roll up your sleeves and get ready for the biggest conflict of the year.

 Mark your calendars for Tuesday September 17, 2013 and Wednesday September 25, 2013 at 6 pm Budget Hearings at Treasure Island Elementary School Auditorium.  Our Village Budget is out of control and may cost our home owners as much as $ 600.00 to $ 1,000.00 more in real estate taxes depending on the assessed value of your home.  In today’s economy this may have a big impact on many of our North Bay Village home owner’s budget.  You can ask yourselves why? Is it the out of control police budget? Could it be our very expensive legal Department?  Or is it just the inability of our commission to control expenses? Mr. Kevin Vericker’s gave you the details and figures of where the money went and will continue to go if the hard decisions are not made.

 Many of us would want to blame our legal department. However our unplanned legal costs stem from our administration and department heads picking and creating legal conflicts that are impossible to win!  The lawyers that represent North Bay Village don’t work for free and charge by the hour for work not anticipated on their contract.  We all know how expensive legal fees can be. If you stop these legal conflicts you automatically reduce the legal cost.  You ask what is left?  Some of us will say control the police budget and you can save more money.  Furthermore stop the frivolous spending such as the Fourth of July celebrations and any other non-necessary expenditure and you will see our taxes roll back to 2012 rates.  Many of our municipalities are reducing their millage while ours want to raise it to historic levels!  North Bay Village Residents on September 17, 2013 at 6 pm and September 25, 2013 Budget Hearing at Treasure Island Elementary School Auditorium, be there! to voice your opinion and raise your concerns!!!!!!

Honestly opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

September 8, 2013

The role of government is to protect its citizens.

This basic concept applies to local state and local government as well. North Bay Village residents will be placed at a disadvantage and could face possible dangers that could be a matter of life and death if the planned cuts to the fire department and fire rescue take place. Our Village has an elementary school, multiple day care schools and a senior citizens facility all of which will be placed at risk should an emergency arise and help is not available or  takes too long to get here. We have multiple high rise condos and apartment buildings that could suffer should an emergency arise and help is delayed.  Mr. Kevin Vericker has published all the stats and North Bay Island Commissioner Richard Chervony has clearly explained what these cuts could mean to North Bay Village residents.  On Tuesday August 27, 2013 at 6:00 pm there will be a meeting to decide the future of engine 27 at  Little Haiti Cultural Center 212 - 260 NE 59 Terrace Miami, FL 33137. 

I will not be able to attend because our neighborhood crime watch meeting had been previously set up for the same day. I am asking all our North Bay Village residents to answer the call and attend this crucial and deciding meeting. Please be there and let Mayor Carlos A Gimenez know that this is a dangerous and intolerable choice that affects the safety of us all in North Bay Village.

Honesty Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

August 22, 2013        

 

Finally score one for the village!

 Yesterday at the special commission meeting, Ms. Nina Boniske North Bay Village Attorney of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, P.L. presented a detailed report of the litigation history that started January 2006 and hopefully has ended August 2013 against then property owner Mr. Rose.  The bills, fees and penalties were for unpaid water, wastewater, sanitation, and storm water plus unpaid fines.  The property owner of 1755 Kennedy Causeway went back and forth with negotiations and at times making ridiculous settlement offers that were insulting and disrespectful.

The new owners, a prestigious real estate investment company offered a settlement of $ 210, 000.00 under the corporation known as 1755 NBV, LLC.   This amount will cover the legal fees that total $ 70,000, 00 leaving $ 140, 000.00 to cover the unpaid bills and fees.  In return all liens, charges and fees would be deem paid and balance zero.   This is the same real estate investment company that purchased the property where the Crab House Restaurant was located.

The commission with Commissioner Chervony absent but according to Mayor Connie Leon Kreps let it be known that he would not approve anything but the full amount paid.  It was pleasant to see Treasure Island Commissioner Wendy Duval back on the dais where her financial knowledge is welcomed. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim, Commissioner At Large Jorge Gonzalez and Mayor Connie Leon Kreps made their political statements and accepted the settlement with a unanimous vote. However the victory is for North Bay Village and the Credit goes to Nina Boniske our Village Attorney.

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

August 14, 2013

 

 

The stage is set and the parameters are in place.

 North Bay Village’s millage was set at 7.5 for Trim Notices at yesterday’s commission meeting. This number was arrived at because the commission agreed to give themselves some room to maneuver.  The North Bay Village operating budget for 2013 -2014 Fiscal year if no changes are made will require a millage of 6.0031.  In addition the proposed debt millage was set at 1.0405. The total millage is geared to be set somewhere from 7.0031 to 8.5405 if no further cuts are made to our operating budget. In perspective an assessed home valued at $ 240,000.00 will receive a North Bay Village Real Estate Tax increase from roughly $ 237.26 to $ 606.24 per year.

The largest item and most relevant is the police budget, if adopted will go from $ 3, 182,368.00 to $ 3,802,453.00 an increase of $ 620,085.00. Additionally this commission is not making any serious attempts to making wasteful cuts and painful decisions.  Commissioner Richard Chervony is on a well deserved vacation and Commissioner Wendy Duval made an attempt to partially participate via conference call. The audio was terrible but from what little we understood through audio interference and low quality noise polluted sound it was apparent that Commissioner Duval was not happy with the proposed Trim Millage, but voted yes with Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps. The absent vote was Commissioner Chervony which we know it probably would have been a nay.

We are making some progress however, at the meeting the new Interim Manager Frank Rollason controlled the discussions and made sure that the commission stayed on track. Mr. Rollason was articulate and spoke with authority. It was clear that he was prepared, informed, and cooperative and provided professional wisdom to the commission.    

The September Commission meetings were set for Tuesday September 17, 2013 and Wednesday September 25, 2013. These are the meetings where the commission decides and votes to finalize the operating budget and set the millage rate. Mark your calendars! Mark your Calendars!

We need to show up to these meetings! Residents of North Bay Village let us show this commission that we are fed up and will not take it anymore! I am hoping for wall to wall Village residents to be present at these commission meetings held at Treasure Island Elementary School Auditorium. If we don’t we will face the same budget problems for the 2014-2015 budget. Fiscal responsibility is not a choice, it is an obligation.

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

August 1, 2013   

 

There is a new Sheriff in North Bay Village!

The Special Village Commission Meeting today July 22, 2013 at 6:30pm to hire Mr. Frank K Rollason marks yet another page in our village history. The three member commission dais consisting of Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and North Bay Island Commissioner Richard Chervony voted unanimously on hiring Mr. Rollason as our new Interim Village Manager. Treasure Island Commissioner Wendy Duval still recovering at home once again unable to participate because this matter is that urgent according to our Mayor.   Commissioner At Large Jorge Gonzalez out on vacation was absent as well.  The Mayor was all smiles ear to ear and is taking all the credit for initiating the hiring.

We could continue to illustrate the lack of transparency with the process; however it is beneficial for the village to table it for now. I must say that Mr. Rollason was well prepared and addressed the sequence of events that led to his hiring. His explanations were clear and thought out. I am satisfied enough with his explanation and he earned my vote of support.  

Commissioner Richard Chervony once again proved to be on target. He reminded the commission members that if they were comfortable voting with just three of them present; that he was ready to vote if they were.  Commissioner Chervony was referring to the commission meeting of June where the commission was unable to appoint board members because Vice Mayor Eddie Lim was absent, imagine that!  When it was readdressed on the Public Comments section, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim offered some silly explanation about having the right to a vacation totally not answering the question or understanding it.  However it is best to table that as well for now!

Turn the page, Mr. Rollason was impressive in setting the tone of his Village Interim Manager Administration reign. He explained that changes must come from the top. Starting with vacation needs to be first earned then taken. Additionally, vacation earned not taken would be lost   and not carried over. He detailed plans regarding the fire department cuts, police budget and changing the attitude that the way of doing business in the past has come to an end.  He acknowledged and praised the village staff and pledged to work hard and lead them in bringing the village out of our budget, contract and infrastructure problems. He appears to be the right man for the job. I was satisfied with his explanation, impressed with his resume and confident with his ability; time will tell. Let’s support Mr. Frank K Rollason our new Interim Village Manager until proven otherwise.  Good Luck Mr. Rollason for your sake as well as ours your success is our success!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Honestly Opinionating

Mario Garcia

July 22, 2013

   

The Positives and The Negatives!

North Bay Village “positives” and “negatives” let’s take a look. Positive, the Village Clerk Ms. Yvonne Hamilton is quiet and gets her work done. Positive, our Interim Manager Ms. Jenice Rosado and her staff gets the job done and can dialogue to make things better. Positive, Mr. Bert Wrains our Finance Director transparent, professional, resourceful and detailed, not afraid to say “I don’t know”. Positive, Public Works Director Rodney Carrero-Santana Professional, resourceful, detailed and no nonsense type of person.  Positive, most of our policemen are professional, caring and doing a superb job. Positive our garbage collection people do a fabulous job and have no problem accommodating our residents. Positive, North Bay Island Commissioner Richard Chervony is always prepared and not afraid to call it as he sees it. In addition he works hard to keep our residents informed.  Positive, Treasure Island Commissioner Wendy Duval in short time appears to have the ability and knowledge to get things accomplished. Currently Positive, FSM Landscaping Inc is improving their services and have been more visible doing their job, definitely an improvement. I am sure to have missed a few more, feel free to add.

The negatives, The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioner at Large not taking our budget seriously and not having the courage to listen and make the necessary responsible budget cuts! This is a problem foreseen since 2011.  Negative, our police budget and over spending. Negative, the red light camera program makes money only for ATS, Inc.  and their answer is to add more cameras.   Our roads, speed bumps and sidewalks need repair. The Public Works grounds and facilities have deteriorated and are an eye sore. The Tot Lot needs the proper flooring, our children deserve nothing less! Our Building Codes need to be updated to the 21^st Century and the costs to do business in North Bay Village need to be transparent and fair. Negative, no appointments to the Budget and Oversight Committee could have come in handy given the disarray of our Village finances.  Negative, the backdoor way that the commission is a hiring a new Interim Village Manager.  Negative, the cost of our legal department, I am sure to have missed a few, feel free to add.  

Honestly Opinionating!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

July 20, 2013

 

I don't Know About You but this scares me!

I encourage all North Bay Village residents to log on to the North Bay Village website.  On Monday, July 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM a special North Bay Village Commission meeting will be held.  The proposed contract for hiring Mr. Frank Rollason as an Interim North Bay Village Manager is posted. I opposed the backdoor way in which Mr. Rollason has been hired. However, Mr. Rollason’s resume and credentials are excellent. Given the results of the first budget workshop it was apparent that this administration is unable to handle our financial needs with restraints and fiscal responsibility. Commissioner Richard Chervony and hopefully Commissioner Wendy Duval with the help of the Interim Village Manager Mr. Frank Rollason can influence the Mayor, Vice Mayor and the Commissioner At Large to begin making the necessary cuts and sacrifices to tame the budget monster.

As the budget for 2014 was presented and if all the suggested expenses are adopted there will be an increase from Fiscal Year 2013 of $ 5,330,317.00 to Fiscal Year 2014 of $ 7,879,948.00 a difference of $ 3,059,557.00. What does this mean? In ordered to make up for this increase the North Bay Village Real Estate Millage Rate would need to be raised to 9.2800 from 4.7772.  That’s a 95% increase on your taxes.

 Let’s say a $ 350,000.00 assessed value home paid @ 4.7772 the sum of $ 1,672.00 for the North Bay Village portion of the Real Estate Taxes.  Now at 9.2800 the same home will be paying $ 3,248.00. I don’t know about you but this scares me.

 Out of the proposed budget increase of $ 3,059,557.00 the Police Department portion is $ 1,689,529.00 from a Police Budget for 2013 of $ 3,182,368.00 to a proposed budget for 2014 of $ 4, 871,897.00. I don’t know about you but this scares me.

 Commissioner Wendy Duval will most likely be present at the next workshop and she will be a crucial participant to the process.  I wasn’t impressed at the urgency to make painful and necessary cuts by Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and Mayor Connie Leon –Kreps.  

It could be a tactic to scare us so that a raise of let’s say a Millage rate of 7.5000 won’t sound so terrible.  The same house assessed value @ $ 350,000.00 will now pay $ 2,625.00 it would seem like a bargain to pay $ 953.00 more a year from $ 1,672.00. I don’t know about you but this still scares me.

North Bay Village Residents get involved and participate in the process.

Honestly Opinionating

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

July 19, 2013

 

Finally a Productive North Bay Village Commission Meeting

Yesterday, North Bay Village’s commission meeting addressed two crucial issues affecting North Bay Village. In retrospect this was one of the most productive meetings in a long time.

 The continued funding of the IB (International Baccalaureate) Program received overwhelming support by the residents of North Bay Village. The commission voted unanimous to commit to the program and continue funding it beyond the 2013/2014 school year.

Finally the commission is recognizing that we are indeed having financial difficulties. Commissioner Richard Chervony is no longer alone with budget and financial concerns. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps and Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez finally acknowledged that budget difficulties are indeed real.  Commissioner Wendy Duval is returning to the dais soon and will have no problem rejoining the team and getting back to work given her financial experience. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim will have no other choice but to get a crash course on local municipality finance; he will need to roll up his sleeves and get to work as well.

North Bay Village residents need to attend the Budget workshops and get involved.  Tomorrow, Thursday July 18, 2013 at 6 pm at Treasure Island Elementary School, the first workshop will be held.  We all need to work together and make all necessary cuts without affecting services.  Every department must be scrutinized with no exceptions, cuts, cuts and more cuts period.  Raising taxes should be kept to a minimum and as the last resort. I encourage all concerned North Bay Village residents to be there!

Opinionating Honestly

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

July 17, 2013