City Council

VILLAGE OF VIRGINIA GARDENS 6498 N.W. 38th TERRACE VIRGINIA GARDENS, FLORIDA 33166 TELEPHONE: (305) 871-6104 REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF VIRGINIA GARDENS, FLORIDA THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 TOWN HALL 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Council Members: Elizabeth Taylor Martinez Gabriel Fernandez Debbie Conover Richard Block Jorge Arce Mayor: Fred Spencer Deno, IV Attorney: Jose Herrera, Esq. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Council President Arce at 6:34 p.m. INVOCATION (MOMENT OF SILENCE) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Taylor Martinez. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Council Meeting – April 19, 2018 A motion by Council Member Conover to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 19, 2018 was seconded by Council Member Taylor Martinez. The motion passed 5-0. 2. BEAUTIFICATION Council President Arce reported that the minutes for May 3, 2018 have been submitted. Mr. Martinez reported that he had contacted Mr. John Harris of Earth Advisors to proceed with the Tree Ordinance. Mr. Martinez reported that we should hear form Mr. Harris within 90 days. Mr. Martinez reported on the list of trees which will be turned in to Superior Landscaping. 3. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Deno and the Council congratulated Chief Hernandez as our new Chief of Police. Mayor Deno reported on the grant for $50,000 which was applied for from the state of Florida and $79,000 for the Small Community Energy Efficient Lighting grant for the tennis courts lighting. Mayor Deno thanked the City of Miami Springs for inviting the Village to their ribbon cutting ceremonies. 4. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Arce reported that there were no citizen comments. 5. OLD BUSINESS Council President Arce reported that there was no old business. 6. NEW BUSINESS Council President Arce reported that there was no new business. 7. PLANNING & ZONING A. Council President Arce reported that the meeting for the month of May, 2018 was cancelled. Mayor Deno reported that A3M building has requested an extension regarding the demolition of the two buildings. Mayor Deno reported that the 6501 building will now be in the process of remodeling and those renters will be moving into the other buildings. 8. PUBLIC SAFETY A. Council President Arce reported that the statistics for the month of April, 2018 have been submitted. B. Request council approval for attached applicants. Chief Hernandez reported that he would like council approval to hire Mr. Manydaniel Santos and Mr. Eugene Morales as part-time officers. Chief Hernandez stated that Mr. Santos had retired from the Village of El Portal and Mr. Morales had also retired as Chief of Police from the Village of El Portal. A motion by Council Member Taylor Martinez to approve hiring Mr. Santos and Mr. Morales as part-time officers were seconded by Council Member Conover. The motion passed 5-0. Chief Hernandez reported that an active shooter demonstration class was held by Officer Lewis Mertz and Detective Darwin Villavicencio at Blessed Trinity School.  It was noted that a video of the active shooter class was provided for the Council to view. Chief Hernandez reported that he received a quote of approximately $50,000 for 8-9 Solar panels regarding the issue of the speed limits. Chief Hernandez also visited The traffic division of Miami Dade County regarding speed limit signs and was Informed that we do not meet the criteria for additional speed limit signs. Chief Hernandez reported on the issue of the Muscovy ducks. Chief Hernandez reported that a tag number was obtained by a resident who witnessed a vehicle run over a number of Muscovy ducks. The vehicle is owned by a woman; however, an investigation was not conducted. Council Member Block reported that a resident advised him that 20 Muscovy ducks were beheaded. Chief Hernandez was not aware of this matter. 9. RECREATION Mayor Deno reported that the soccer field is looking good after all the rain we have had. 10. PUBLIC WORKS Mayor Deno reported that Public Works Director Martin was not present. 11. ATTORNEYS REPORT A. RESOLUTION NO. 937- SECOND READING A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF VIRGINIA GARDENS, FLORIDA, GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO CHAPTER 16, SECTION 7.1.4A TO POP FLORIDA PROPERTIES LLC SO AS TO PERMIT THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE FOR THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED BELOW: FLA FRUITLAND CO SUB ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 17 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; A/K/A 5875 NW 36 STREET VIRGINIA GARDENS, FL 33166 A motion by Council Member Block to approve the second reading of Resolution No. 937 was seconded by Council Member Taylor Martinez. The motion passed 5-0. 12. GOOD & WELFARE Council Member Taylor Martinez is asking for prayers for Melanie Martinez. Council Member Fernandez reported that long time resident Mrs. Alazar passed away. Council Member Taylor Martinez is asking for prayers for a speedy recovery for Chaplain DaSilva. Mayor Deno and Council wished Happy Birthday to Council members Taylor Martinez and Conover. 13. MOTION TO ADJOURN A motion by Council Member Taylor Martinez to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. was seconded by Council Member Conover. The motion was approved 5-0.