Anyone know if Commissioner Andrews is coming to me? No? Yeah, thanks. No? Is that her? I didn't want to get started if she was on her way. All right, then. >> 9:00, right?
Who are they playing? Doesn't matter. They They Some days they'll start earlier. I think just yesterday they started at noon. >> Play against Australia. >> He's right. Yeah, and then that night there's a like
a late game that starts at midnight. It's all Yeah, it's like West Coast. Right, exactly. It's 9:00 their time. Answer? We have someone else Is there someone else on Zoom? Okay. All right. All right, good evening everyone. Uh I
have 6:04. We are here for our special commission meeting today, June Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. Um and we will call the meeting to order. Uh Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? >> Mayor Groth. >> Here. >> Vice Mayor Gonzalez. >> Here.
>> Commissioner Amsler. Commissioner Huntington. >> Here. >> Commissioner Samara. >> Here. >> Mr. Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Could we do the Pledge of Allegiance, please? >> And I'm stuck. All right, so let's go ahead and now move on to our public comment. We'll start with the folks here in the log
cabin, then we'll move on to Zoom. Oh, no. One sec. There we go. >> No problem. >> 519 Northeast 121st Street. First of all, I really appreciated the discussion around the property tax amendment during the last meeting. I just want to mention
one thing that wasn't mentioned was how this would affect renters in the village. The tax burden would most likely be shifted to landlords causing increases in rent, which is already way too high in Miami-Dade. I know that's for the commission meeting, but regarding the free bee termination, there is something we could
do today. The way this all went down was not befitting of a village that cares about its elderly and disabled residents who cannot walk to a bus stop. For a matter of 20K, it should be a no-brainer to keep this service that was
added after bus routes were removed. It's actually a matter of public safety. I'd like you I'd like to remind you that when Al was hired, residents brought up concerns that doubling his salary would take away from much needed road repairs. We were promised it wouldn't, that our
current services wouldn't be affected, and that a village manager of his caliber could figure out how to fund his salary and road repairs another way. I continue to be dumbfounded by your decisions that are making us a less inclusive community. Like eliminating
emails has communication to elderly residents who do not use apps. Mayor Groth, please call a special meeting to vote again again on Freebee when all commission members can be present. If there are defensive responses made to the public's Freebee comments, I ask
everyone listening to ponder exactly who those rebuttals are serving. Thank you. >> Barbara Q, 777 Northeast 111th Street. I also urge Mayor Groth to call a special commission meeting to hear the Freebee issue once again and
allow the a full commission to vote on it. At the May meeting, four of you voted for extending the Freebee contract. And I don't think anybody expected at the June meeting that it was going to end up the
way it did. And you know, I watched the I watched the video at home. And uh um [clears throat] when Commissioner Gonzalez left at 10:00, which is his normal practice. Everybody knows 10:00
comes, he's going to be leaving. You asked to bring forward several items that were time sensitive. Freebee was one of them. Yet that was left off that list. As soon as he left, then Freebee came up. And actually, it was only the
manager who knew that Dan Santa Maria had already changed his mind, which meant it was going to be a two-two no vote. Which is pretty disingenuous. The purpose of commission meetings should be that the will of the majority
prevails. And that's not what happened. In this several times the manager has also given out misinformation stating that um $120,000 that's being used for Freebee somehow is going to be used for roads. I wrote to I
wrote to you I think you all know by now that there's only about $20,000 that could could be used for roads. The other would be used for direct transportation and $60,000 would be lost when you because of the
the match the grant of $60,000 provided by the county. This is an important service and for $20,000 of road repair please revote this and
extend Freebee. Thank you. >> You know trying to claw back the 20 grand when pardon me. Oh. Gary Chul, 777 Northeast 111. Um I thought you were reminding me what my
name was. Anyway, um trying to claw back 20 grand when there's a balance even if you were to use that money uh for Freebee, you have $139,000. And what about last year? And what about what's happening with that money?
What What is the significance of that $20,000? In the sense of well, like I don't use the Cat Tot line. So, should I say that we should eliminate it? Or I don't use Freebee. That's not why I'm talking, but I don't
want to eliminate it. And we could eliminate tree planting, but I don't want to eliminate it. Part of what makes a community out of a village are the things that are different that serve the community and that's very much a part of it. It's not
only the disabled, the disadvantaged. We have one car. If I want to go to the mechanic or go to the grocery store, it would be a great convenience to be able to use Freebee. And there are other people that have spoken to that as well. The other thing that's really
disturbing, aside what from Barbara and Melanie said, is that everybody in the community had the impression this was a done deal. And then unless you came to the meeting or watched the meeting, you didn't know. So, in effect, we were misrepresented at
that meeting. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh thanks very much. Do we have anyone on Zoom? Okay. See Cena uh head shaking no. Okay. Um all right. Well, I I appreciate um uh folks here providing public comment.
Thank you. Um and I completely lost my agenda. Here we go. Um all right. So, is there any commission reply uh to public comment? >> Yeah, I just want to say something about the roads. You know, I keep hearing
about, you know, whatever we're going to do to fix the roads. We we didn't fix the roads before Freebee was here. We weren't having fixed the roads since Freebee's been here. We're not going to blame Freebee for the roads or that that's the solution to fix the roads because, honestly, we've just ignored the roads. I don't even know what the
last time anybody's paved the road here. Um so, the this whole road thing is is is a moot point uh for me, okay? Just and so I want you guys to understand that I don't get I don't get the core uh the the the the connection there, but
we'll talk about that at later. All right. Okay. You want to go? Okay. Um well, I think we can You know, I do want to address um obviously what we've heard uh, very quickly, but also I do want to um, take care of the business that we have on the
resolutions. Um, the resolution that we have before us for this evening's agenda, uh, John, would you please read it for us? >> Yes, sir. Uh, this is resolution number 2026-48. A resolution of the Village Commission of the Village of Biscayne Park, Florida, amending resolution number
2025-46 to reschedule the July 7th, 2026 regular commission meeting to July blank depending on what you all say, 2026 and providing for conflict, scrivener's error, severability, and effective date. >> Okay, thanks, John. Do I have a motion and a second to uh, discuss?
>> Make a motion to approve resolution number 2026-48. >> Second. >> Okay, great. So, um, uh, I understand that we we are talking about uh, amending the resolution for the July date simply because uh, there's going to be only two of us that
are traveling at that time. Um, so, I know we were set for the 7th. If we were to look at I'm coming back the 10th. But, I can be there on Zoom for the 9th. Um,
when do you get back, Art? >> Back on the on the 8th at 2:00 in the afternoon. So, I mean, I can I can make the >> Okay. >> I'm I'm good the whole week. >> Then? >> Second. >> Uh, yeah, we're looking at it. So, 9th is Thursday, 10th is Friday.
>> Yes, I'm available. >> Both of those? Okay. Al, by any chance, do we do we have any understanding of whether uh, Commissioner um, Amsler has availability on that like those dates? I'm going back. Um, okay. Well, I'm, you know, I'm
remiss to to reset it without knowing when she's here, but this is really our probably be opportunity to do it. Um how is I'm not available on the 8th and I I'm going to be flying back on the 10th. I just don't know what time yet. Um
I And I can be here I can be here on Zoom on the 9th. So are we all right? I'm sorry. So we Say that again, I'm sorry. >> Please state this quorum. >> Um there is three. >> Please identify your presence.
>> Um You all uh >> You have a quorum. >> Yeah, we have three. >> That will I I can state that we have seven. I'm out of town. >> Do you have a tag team partner? >> Yeah, I I I can uh or you know,
certainly any other I can make it on the 13th. I will make um I will arrange my schedule around >> I can Whatever you got Whatever works for you, dude. I don't I'm I'm open the rest of the month. >> What about the following Tuesday, the 14th?
13th is a Monday. >> We have planning and design on the 13th. >> That is Monday. Planning and design on on the 13th, that Monday. Yeah. Well, then let's just we can go with the 9th.
And if we if anything changes from here between now and the the 9th, I guess we can reset. Um we'll have to call again, but we have three, we have quorum, and you know, hopefully presumably Commissioner Andrews will be available to on that date.
Um John, sorry. Apologies. >> Thank you. Thank you. Wait, you're going to move forward your vacation? >> Uh, no, it's actually both. So, >> Right. >> Um, we're launching the city parties
>> I mean, I don't want to take that away from you, John. Do you have someone that can sit here in your stead? We should. Okay. I'm not trying to I I understand. I'm just trying not to inconvenience you because we're moving this around a little bit, John. >> I'm not advocating for this, but I will point out that it says in our charter
we're allowed to not have a July meeting and take a vacation. Just saying just to everyone not I'm saying I'm not advocating for this. Just a lesson of our charter. It's in there that that our crafters of our charter even thought this could be a problem. So. >> Understood. Well, we'll keep it on I think for now so we can address anything that might be
time sensitive at that time. All right, so it sounds like we're we're good with the 9th? Right. >> So, resolution filed by the clerk and the mayor. A valid action. There are more to turn by the mayor.
By Mr. Miller. >> All right. Well, very good. All right. Well, that handles the the resolution. Um, you know, I I'm sure everyone has seen uh, over the last couple of days we've been um, a lot of attention drawn to and we've already and we've heard this evening here about the the item with Freeby.
Uh, you know, Art, I know you didn't have the benefit of being with us when we discussed it. Um, you know, it was my intention to to ask the commission this evening if there's a desire to uh, What's the motion, John? >> All those in favor, say "Aye". Aye.
Aye. Aye. I would say there is a possibility Um, there is a And they will let us know as soon as they can. by some by the um
holding the permit and fees to reflect um access box. I had done review that item to you in the live meeting. Uh it would have been right time that
we schedule has to be in effect on July 1st. Something uh this my chance to violation. And that's all. >> Okay. And just to be clear from a procedural perspective, John, we
wouldn't be able to take that action here this evening because it's not on the agenda and it's a special meeting agenda, is that correct? >> Robert's rules of order uh specifically provides that uh the item 10 served as a public
those that are not noticed that So the argument is not out of order. Use Robert's rules of order's uh language for this commission to be placed on the agenda. I think I can miss
>> Got it. Okay. >> Mr. May, if the contract ends in by the end of June, that means we have to have this special meeting before the end of June. Correct? >> That would be correct. My understanding is that That would that be correct, John? >> That is my understanding. >> Okay.
So, let me just say a couple things. I reached out to the attorney. I've talked to Al about this. Um obviously I was surprised at the vote. Um I didn't expect that to be the case, but it is what it is. Uh and obviously, you know, it's disappointing that I wasn't here.
Um but I am very much for uh another meeting to discuss this and ideally have everybody here. But now that Commissioner Adams is not here, uh we don't know if you know, if she's going to make the special meeting and then we're back to a two two two people.
Um so point, but I think the I think the the answer to that is that in setting a special agenda meeting, the manager or the clerk is allowed to pull commissioners via email to get a date for which that person would think of us as available.
>> Okay, good. Yeah. >> You don't have to set we don't all have to agree on the date right now. We can say, "Hey, let's let's hold a one item um one item special agenda on this issue, you know, or you'll have the benefit of being with us to discuss it and we can go from there."
>> Okay, that sounds good. >> Good. Right. >> What's the noticing requirement for this special meeting? Is it 24 hours or is it 24 hours? >> Look, we have 2 weeks before the end of June, so I think there's >> I think we we we have to giddy up
because of state funding. Yeah. I think we've had conversations already with the state and we need to notify them again that we have we're either proceeding or we're >> not not. >> That would be my ultimate concern is if you even have any
if this passes any inclination of the of staff trying to resurrect this. I'm sure they've already had conversations with the state, the county. >> Sure. >> BB, time is of the essence and I wouldn't expect to pass this on June 30th and then see
>> No, I I don't Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest June 30th is the date. >> Just select a date if if you're calling this special meeting and go from there. I'm not going to support it because I did not extend that meeting. I chose I voted no to extend
that meeting. And so to Commissioner Gonzalez, I'm not going to support a special call meeting because I didn't support continuing the meeting that we had. So the votes are the votes. If you would like to call on Mr. Mayor, you're more than within your rights to and we could pick a date that we're all available, but time is of the
essence for administration. >> I understand. I I understand and and appreciate it, Ryan. Um Look, so so understanding Sorry, Dan, do you you have anything you wanted to add? Okay. Sure. I know I know we got some I know we got
some of those some of the data from Paul, too, on that. I think, right? From the finance. On the numbers? I think Paul had had forwarded something. Did Did Did Paul prepare anything or am I completely mis- Maybe I'm misremembering.
Um All right. So in that case, I know we have a federal holiday on the 19th. If we tentatively set it for Thursday, is that an issue for anyone? Yeah. Tomorrow's Wednesday.
>> Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'll be I'll be out of town. >> You're out of town on Thursday? Okay. Do we need Do you need to be here, though? I Basically, yes. >> You want facts and figures out of it. Just you have to ask for them to
forward. >> But different figures and stuff. So I don't think so. But can But But he can he can send them to all of us individually, can't he not? I mean, I don't want to inconvenience Al, but at the same time I want I want to I want to get this done.
>> Different numbers when What are the numbers? So I want to have exactly what it's going to cost us. >> Again, he can send it to you, can't he not? Or Or do you need him here to to have a conversation with him is my question. That's all. What would you prefer? >> The residents would have to have a
conversation to I just think that, you know, you need to have him here. Because we had the numbers >> I I don't think so, but that's my opinion. >> When Isa was here as the temporary city manager, we had information from city manager. >> I'm fine with whatever's convenient for
everyone here. because I've done ample research on this topic. I have my facts and the figures, so I'll I don't have to be here during during your vacation. I'm ready to go. >> So then why don't we do this? I I I want to give us enough time to go back to the
state. Why don't we tentatively set it for Thursday? Um and if we have if if we have an issue if if um Commissioner Adams is unavailable, um we can look at early next week, but I really don't want to push it past I really don't want to go past, you know, Tuesday, Wednesday of next week because
every day we wait is every day is another day towards expiration, I guess. So are we are are we comfortable setting it tentatively for Thursday night? Dan, is that all right? >> We have to get this done. >> Okay.
John, is that all right? Sure. At 6:00 p.m. Instead of 6:00 p.m. 6:30 Okay. And one of the things one of the things that I'm asking from the public is if you really I mean I'm seeing the same people here so I know what they're saying but I want to hear from the
public. Okay, if you all these people talking about how freebies so important then they need to show up to the meeting and to to have a talk about it. >> Mr. Attorney Yeah, sorry. >> Mr. Attorney John Are we listing two items or one?
>> Okay. So then at this point we'll we'll Yes, thank you. So we will have the special meeting. We're tentatively set for Thursday if there's any issues that come up or if if we need to reschedule I know you can pull us
to to reset for early next week if we have to but for right now tentatively we'll look at Thursday night. Okay? All right. We're very good. Well, then we'll plan on being back on Thursday and that covers all of our our work here for this evening. So I'll ask for a motion to adjourn.
>> Motion to adjourn. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Thanks everybody.