North
Bay Village Commission Meeting of January 8, 2013
The
customary call to order, the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call and Mayor Connie
Leon Kreps’ usual meeting etiquette warnings, the business of running the
village began.
The
Business Development Board scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 16, 2012 and
had nothing new to report.
The
Youth Services Board reported on the success of the Junior Orange Bowl Parade
that was generously funded by private companies and residents of North Bay
Village. Mr. Kevin Vericker proposed for the village commission to personally
extend gratitude with special thanks for the sponsors. The commissions voted
unanimously to expand “The Youth Services Board” to “The Youth and Education
Services Board”. This adds the
responsibility of recommending ideas to the commission regarding educational
programs and initiative that affect youths in the Village, including those in
The Treasure Island Elementary IB Program. Mr. Vericker was also concerned
regarding the lack of participation from parents with the Treasure Island
Elementary School PTA. Additionally, Mr. Vericker hopes that with the windfall
from the private donations of the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade to revise the Bicycle Rodeo
for the second Saturday in March.
Mr.
Rey Trujillo reported on the Planning and Zoning Board and credited the P &
Z for bringing two new recognized businesses to North Bay Village. It appears
that Subway and Captain Joe are in the process of establishing themselves in
North Bay Village.
Chief
Daniels reported on public safety and the creation of a neighborhood crime
watch. Commissioner Richard Chervony
reminded the Chief that we are into the first quarter of 2013 and we need to
set goals for obtaining future savings to restart PALs and reduce our police
budget.
The
Village Manager report included good and bad news. The good news is that the
Kennedy Boulevard Causeway Project will include removing the link fence and
replacing it with pedestrian rails. The bad news is that our Village Manager
dropped the ball and we lost $ 118,000.00 in Federal Funding!!! Nice going!!! They
blame everyone under the stars except themselves.
Commissioner
Richard Chervony offered in his report to make 2013 the best ever. He pledged
to attempt to have the village business process more green. Commissioner
Chervony appears to be ready to the tackle the Police Department Budget issue and
has been consistent in voicing his discontent regarding the failure from Chief
Daniels in obtaining these goals. He
explained that in 2012 there were many questions asked concerning this issue
and we have yet to see any answers. It appears that Chief Robert Daniels and
Village Manager Dennis Kelly suffer from the same ailment; both commit
themselves in resolving an issue only to shelve it for another meeting. We are still waiting to see a detailed item
by item financial report from our police department.
Vice
Mayor Eddie Lim after wishing everyone a happy New Year and welcoming new
Commissioner at Large Jorge Gonzalez and North Bay Village Commissioner Wendy
Duval offered his report. He expressed his desire to see development on every
available lot by stating “I don’t want to see any empty lots”. Vice Mayor Lim continued pushing for the “Farmers
Market” success and encouraged everyone to support the vendors on Fridays. He spoke about other real estate projects and
the unfortunate accident at the Hess Station. He complemented Chief Robert
Daniels in the handling of the vehicle accident that went through the Hess Gas Station
window. The Vice Mayor was instrumental
in bringing Cars2Go to North Bay Village for a one year trial period.
Commissioner
At Large Jorge Gonzalez reported on meeting with the Village Hall Staff and
Village Manager and proposed to look into a Village Sponsor Scholarship
program. He expressed his views in redefining the current existing boards The
Youth and Education Service Board, the Planning and Zoning Board and the
Business Development Board. Zero mention
on cutting expenses, reducing crimes and lowering taxes. He touched on the
legal challenges regarding the present state of the village supermarket. I got
news for Commissioner Gonzalez this is not a “commission matter” it happens to
be a private matter between the landlord and the supermarket owner.
North
Bay Village Commissioner Wendy Duval did not have anything to offer for the
second time since her young commissionership. When this commission meets in February
this would be two wasted months for this commission. North Bay Island Commissioner
Richard Chervony was the the only commissioner that spoke about real village
problems and is looking for genuine solutions.
Mayor
Connie Leon-Kreps on her report thanked the now “The Youth and Education
Services Board” on the exceptional job they did with the float for the Junior
Orange Bowl Parade. The Mayor commended Chief Robert Daniels for initiating the
drive for the Neighborhood Crime Watch. The Mayor pushed on the idea of spending
roughly $ 25,000.00 in a village wide survey. Additionally adding that possibly
sending out the survey to half of the village population may not be enough. This
can make the survey cost double, is anyone ever going to be fiscally
responsible? The Mayor explained that when she interviews some of the village
residents she gets mixed reports. The mayor sampled that some residents say
that the police department is doing a good job while others differ. Others say
we have too many parks while some say we need more parks. Could this have
anything to do with buying the property from the Jonas for roughly a million
dollars? I personally invite the Mayor to take a tour of the village with me to
indentify major quality of life issues including safety issues being ignored by
our police department; thus saving $ 25,000.00 to $50,000.00 on the survey. The
residents that I have interviewed most express frustration distrust on the
commission and an overall feeling of “why bother”. I walk the streets of our village on a daily
basis. I have seen Commissioner Chervony do his rounds. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps
is only seen around Treasure Island during elections.
Vice
Mayor Eddie Lim, Commissioner At Large Jorge Gonzalez and Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps
expressed their disappointment that continuously the same residents show up at
the meetings and expressed their view on the problems at hand; insinuating that
they have grown tired of these residents and their complaints; often turning a
deaf ear to these residents. I agree
that we can use more participation from our residents. However it is shameful
of these village officials when they ignore, or worst ridicule the opinions and
views of any resident. Yes, Ethics and etiquette should be part of educational workshop
offered to our village officials as Mayor Leon-Kreps suggested on her report and
Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez agreed.
No
“brainer ordinances” regarding additional homestead exemption for residents 65
and over, that have lived in their homes for 25 years or longer and their
property values are $ 250,000.00 or less. 2) Ordinance that seek to ensure that
all elected officials and advisory board/ committee members receive ethics
education. 3) Resolution that would allow the Village to pay postage for mailing
absentee ballots 4) The settlement with Valley Crest & Southeast to finish
the Kennedy Boulevard Causeway Project were all approve with 5/5 votes.
A
Subways store will be coming to North Bay Village and will be established on the
empty store front located at the Mini Storage on Kennedy Boulevard Causeway
However
Captain Joe’s aspiration for a Boat, Jet Ski, and Kayak rental business hit a
snag regarding the fifteen parking spots required. Mr. Al Coletta was fuming,
and rightly so because the Village Manager Dennis Kelly has dragged his feet in
confirming that in fact Al Coletta is free to assign these parking spaces. So
much for attracting new businesses to the village, Mr. Joaquin Ramirez was
gracious enough to allow the Village to solve the problem by next Tuesday
otherwise Captain Joe will dock someplace else. I certainly
hope that all hands on deck from the village elected officials, village manager
and his staff find a solution.
RFQ for Legal
Services continued from December 11, 2012 finally came for a vote. It was decided to choose a first pick and the
second pick in each of the three categories Labor, General Government, Land Use
and Zoning in order for Norman Powell and Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez to
attempt to negotiate a contract to bring back to the commission for approval.
By unanimous
choice of 5-0 Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole Boniske was chosen as first
pick for General Counsel and Land Use/Zoning. Second choice was
Rosen, Switkes.
Labor was split
with 3 first place votes and being declared first pick to Bryant, Miller, Olive
with Jim Crossland as the City Attorney for this practice. The Second pick went
to Weiss Serota with two first place votes and three second picks. The three
votes for Bryant, Miller Olive were: Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps, Commissioner
Jorge Gonzalez and Commissioner Wendy Duval. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim and
Commissioner Richards Chervony chose Weiss Serota.
The Village
Manager Performance Evaluation Status was a big item. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps
listed all the disappointments and lack of communications from our Village
Manager Dennis Kelly. The Mayor basically awarded the Village Manager a grade of
D and recommended no raise or bonus for a poor job performance. The Mayor was grateful
for the hiring of our Finance Director Mr. Bert Wreins. Commissioner Richard Chervony for the second
time in one year gave Mr. Dennis Kelly a minus D grade at best. Vice Mayor Lim
did not have the courage to verbalize his evaluation and stated it was not
completed. Commissioners Gonzalez and Duval were unable to offer an evaluation citing
their short time as commissioners.
Other Items on the
agenda were painting of the Village Hall by Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps. The
Village coffers must have endless pockets or maybe we can get volunteers to do
it. Wait there is a better idea, start planning
for a multi-purpose village hall and stop paying $ 18,000.00 a month rent. Get
out of the lot that is used to park the police cars and save another $1700.00
per month; FISCAL RESPONSIBILTY!!!!!!!!!
Welcome signs
introduced by Commissioner Richard Chervony, we are probably the only village
in Miami without a welcome sign; where is the pride?
“Humbly opinionating
and “PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST”
Mario Garcia
