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