controversy, confusion and disappointment

I sit in front of my computer’s keyboard and can’t decide where to begin writing about last night’s commission meeting held at Treasure Island Elementary School’s Auditorium. This commission meeting was packed with controversy, confusion and disappointment.  It occurred to me that maybe it would best to break it down into multiple blogs.  Vice Mayor Eddie Lim was absent for the meeting. The customary addition and deletion that appeared to take forever was finally settled. 

The first item was 12H: The proposed Resolution will authorize the renewal with Florida Power and Light (FPL) for electric service. The commission voted quickly and approved the Resolution. The renewal of the thirty year franchise agreement with FPL at 6% represents revenues for the village of roughly $ 38,000.00 per year.

More shuffling and discussion and items 12 A, B, C, D were next to be heard.  The first two items 12A and 12B were proposed by Commissioner Richard Chervony. These two Ordinances will change the membership requirements from seven members to five members. The Citizens Budget & Oversight Board and Community Enhancement Board will now be composed of five members.

Mayor Connie Leon Kreps proposed the same exact two ordinances. Why? The mayor felt that she had proposed these two items way before Commissioner Chervony and that she was the author of these two proposed ordinances.  Petty arguments by the Mayor and more wasted time, finally the mayor conceded and Commissioner Chervony got the credit; rightly so! It got done and that is the bottom line. Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez proposed that these board members should stay in place until such time that the new members are appointed assuring continuation of services. Commissioner Wendy Duval and Commissioner Richard Chervony quickly agreed and amended the Ordinance.   Great, finally the appointments to these boards are going to take place and the much anticipated Citizens Budget & Oversight Board will be formed; wait a minute not so fast!

The Mayor points out that since each member of the commission should appoint one member and in Vice Mayor Eddie Lim’s absence the appointments should be referred to the next commission meeting.   Commissioner Chervony quickly pointed out that since there is a quorum these appointments should take place. I agree Village business should not be held because of one absent commission member and a quorum in place. Then a discrepancy and disagreement as to the manner to choose the appointment of the candidates took place; back and forth we went; more wasted time! No Citizens Budget and Oversight committee until next commission meeting in July; North Bay Village Residents Lose again!

Here is an idea, when Vice Mayor Eddie Lim returns and hopefully no one else is absent at the next commission meeting, Treasure Island Commissioner Wendy Duval appoints a member to represent Treasure Island.  North Bay Island Commissioner Richard Chervony appoints a member to represent North Bay Island. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim who represents Harbor Island appoints a member for Harbor Island. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps and Commissioner At Large Jorge Gonzales appoint from the three left out of the six candidates. Additionally if the island’s commissioners wish to appoint someone outside their island they should reserve that right. Citizen and Budget Oversight Board Members look out for North Bay Village and I would hope that their integrity and ethics has nothing to do with where they live. There are only six candidates and forming this board needs to be a priority…Until next blog.

 

Honestly Opinionating!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

Wednesday June 12, 2013

 

 

Do Over!

 On Wednesday at 7:30 pm North Bay Village held a special commission meeting, a public interview of the two candidates on the short list.  Each member of the commission was allowed two questions to each candidate.  Mr. Colin Donnelly currently a Dania Beach Assistant City Manager and Mr. Frank Bocanegra with city manager, law and police experience were the two candidates on the short list to fill the position for Village Manager.  Questions like evaluate cost of services provided to the community? What was your biggest accomplishment?   What are your goals in six month for North Bay Village? The commission asked the proper questions geared to get to know the candidates and their abilities. I will not bore you with the details at the end both candidates were not indisputably convincing.  It was apparent that most likely the commission will return to the drawing board.

 

Hopefully, maybe they will recall what Commissioner Richard Chervony had recommended in a previous meeting. Commissioner Chervony had suggested forming a committee or hiring a head hunter to evaluate our needs and properly advertise the position with the requirements. However if this commission should decide to choose one of the two candidates for the job, my choice would be Mr. Frank Bocanegra precisely because he is a lawyer, has law enforcement and city manager experience.

 

Commissioner Wendy Duval showed courage and initiative by attempting a motion to go back to the drawing board and start over. It is obvious that Commissioner Duval wasn’t convinced with either candidate.  It was an awkward ending to the special meeting with confusion and lack of direction; frankly if I was one of the candidates I would have not been a bit impressed.  We should learn from our mistakes going forward let’s plan a little better. Overall I am satisfied with the commission questions and results, they get a passing grade; let’s hope they strive for an A, we deserve nothing less. Do Over! 

 

Honestly Opinionating

 

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

 

Mario Garcia

June 6, 2013

Clarifications are in order

Clarifications are in order for those who read my blog. I am neither a writer nor a reporter. I am simply a concerned North Bay Village resident. What I write is my opinion and perception of our North Bay Village commission meetings with the limited information we are provided. However, I am in touch with the residents and many have expressed their hopelessness and disappointment: “nothing changes” “what for”  “I have given up” “it’s all the same”.   It is abundantly clear that what affects Harbor Island affects North Bay Village.  It is also true that what affects Treasure Island affects North Bay Village; what affects North Bay Island affects North Bay Village.  We are greater than the sum of our parts. We have been hearing from this commission since its inception about transparency; have we gotten it? If what I write rattles your cage, maybe you should give it some thought and ask yourself why? Does the shoe fit?

On the other hand, this commission has been faced with unprecedented hardships and problems. I also believe that our commission is made up of basically honest people and they are trying the best they can.  If the components are there then why is it so difficult to get things done? It is important that we begin to be more proactive rather than reactive regarding our financial and budgetary health.   It is my perception that what is lacking is constructive dialogue from our commissioners; from where I sit at the meetings they talk but are not listening to each other. North Bay Village residents deserve nothing less!  

Honestly Opinionating!

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Mario Garcia

June 2, 2013

 

Damage done!

Yesterday was a moment of realization and revelation. The Special Village Commission meeting held on Thursday 30, 2013 called to order at 7:04 pm. The agenda had two items for commission action. The Lease for The Causeway Tower Village Administrative Offices that includes the Post Office and not the village hall; meetings will continue to be held at Treasure Island Elementary School. The other was the Short List of the candidates that applied for the Village Manger Position.

 

The Causeway Tower Lease is all one sided, the Landlord’s side. Although Commissioner Wendy Duval voiced her concerns regarding the termination clause and Commissioner Jorge Gonzales voiced his concerns regarding end of lease issues other than that there was very little resistance. Commissioner Richard Chervony who usually has something constructive to say basically went along. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps and Vice Mayor Eddie Lim were basically already on board to sign the lease; the vote was 5/5 unanimous.  At that very moment I realized that this commission lacks the will and the fortitude to defend the Village’s interests.  It’s not like tenants are lining up to rent at the Causeway Tower and we needed to act quickly. In every negotiation there must be leverage without it you get a one sided deal. The village again is left holding the wrong end of the stick. Our interim village manager and our legal department almost appeared to be on the landlord’s side. It was a very discouraging revelation to say the least.

 

We were promised at the last commission meeting that the process to choose our next Village Manager was going to be slow, deliberate and focused; so much for promises. The Commission vote 5/5 unanimous on basically two candidates and one token candidate to begin interviewing for the position; so much for promises and caution. However the most depressing and discouraging fact of the night was not the lack of will and fortitude from the commission to defend our interests but if it weren’t for Rey Trujillo and myself there were no other North Bay Village Residents at the meeting.  It will be a packed village hall when the taxes are raised and the residents voice their outrage; it will be too late! Damage done!

 

Humbly opinionating…PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

May 31, 2013   

Disrespectful, where is the pride?

Disrespectful, where is the pride? This is no way to announce a cancellation of a meeting. Signs found on North Bay Island, Harbor Island, Adventure Avenue, Hispanola Avenue and East Treasure Drive; LAGE ? ETING? new words, what do they mean?   Please move the trailer to the side where is less visible, stop dumping on Harbor Island; take pride! Our Village Local Goverment should be ashame of themselves...there is no pride or vison!

Cleaning Up The Garbage

On the last commission meeting of Tuesday May 14, 2013 there was a bit of good news and a much needed ordinance. The unanimous vote of our commission in favor of the proposed Ordinance will regulate garbage waste and waste containers for commercial developments in order to prevent spillage, unsanitary conditions, and shield garbage from public view. A picture is worth a thousand words. Our village financial house looks pretty much the same way. Our commission needs to step up and put their differences aside. Work together in devising a fiscal responsible short term and long term financial   plan.  Secure our financial future without the need to raise taxes. It is time for our residents to voice their opinions and attend the meetings

Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up!

Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up! It is inevitable.  Why? Fiscal responsibility is not part of this commission’s vocabulary.  Wait lets be fair, Commissioner Richard Chervony has been mentioning the budget woes at every commission meeting.  Last night’s commission meeting was no exception. It is very discouraging to see the unreserved reserves shrinking to red numbers.  Let us start with the projected general fund deficit for fiscal year ending September 30, 2013 according to our Finance Director Mr. Bert Wrains to date is $ 73,608.00.

The Commission approved by a vote of four to five to transfer $ 50,000.00 from the general fund to the special event line item of the general operation fund for professional services to update the Village Zoning Code.   Everyone is in agreement that updating the village zoning code is necessary. Why can it not wait until next fiscal year budget for October 2013 like Commissioner Chervony suggested? You guessed it - he was the only no vote, but does the commission listen?

Next is the matter of the cost to break the lease with the LEXI, which by the way is in Bankruptcy Court and Mr. Scott Greenwald is the Developer/Owner. $50,000.00 plus 2 month’s rent from the day of notice at approximately $ 18,000.00 per month equaling $ 36,000.00 for a grand total of $ 86,000.00 give or take.  The Interim Village Manager Ms. Jenice Rosado and her staff are going to reach out to the Bankruptcy Courts with Mr. Greenwald’s support to forgo the $ 36,000.00 since the Village Hall moved out more than two months ago. I would not hold my breath since the lease is totally one sided in favor of the LEXI; are you keeping tab? North Bay Village is always holding the wrong end of the stick! Just look at its history. Why?

Next, the partial shared cost to have a much needed registered nurse on a part time basis for Treasure Island Elementary School of $2,166.00 for the remainder of the school year. Settling with P.O. Mc Vey, gross less earnings of $ 125,000.00 and the Leave Accrual Payout of P.O. Costa roughly $ 90,000.00. The cost of moving out of the LEXI and into the Causeway Towers can add into the thousands. Additionally, landscaping cost not part of the signed contract, pending over budget legal police costs, Citizens survey study $ 15,000.00 and on, and on. Poof the $ 550,117.00 unreserved reserves is vanished and on the red.  Who is listening you ask…no one!!!

Humbly Opinionating

Mario Garcia

May 15, 2013

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!