--------- Let's call the meeting to order. >> The planning and zoning meeting for December 9th, 2025 is called to order at 6:36 p.m. First, we're going to have a moment silent meditation followed by a pledge of allegiance. Pledge to the flag of the United States
of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much. Me is a roll call, please. >> Roll call. Chair Nickerson >> here. >> Vice Chair Martin's not here yet. Member
Urbum >> present. >> Member Winters >> present. >> Member Lightoot Ward does not show up. Also present for the record, Janice Jacobe, village clerk. Um, attorney Gellard. >> Thank you very much. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda?
>> So moved. >> Moved by uh member Winters. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is my microphone working? Second by second by a member today filling in as
the vice chair um bomb. Do you have everybody say I do have a motion? >> I all oppose say nay. >> Nay. >> Is that a nay? >> Is this working? >> Okay. >> Hearing none. Moving right along.
Moving to the first agenda item. This agenda item E1. Will the individuals um from the site playing 205 Northeast 87th Street Soulful please come up um come up to one of the podiums. May I please have Miss Hammonds first come up? Miss
Hammonds also you guys can come up. Miss Hammonds also come up to the other podium. Miss Hammonds, would you go through your staff report for us, please? >> Just hit the highlights for us and um go through your staff report also. Uh your
recommendation. >> Good evening. Um is this working? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um this is applicant is is um the applicant T real estate LLC is requesting site plan approval for
construction of a new K through2 private school located at 2052 245 Northeast 87th Street. The site plan is 1.8 acres in size comprising of two adjacent lots. There are currently and which currently is an empty church and a residential
building on the on the lots. Both of these buildings will be demolished. The proposed school use is permitted under chapter 24 and the proposed school is 32,362 square feet in size. There will be nine proposed on-site parking spaces at this
site. The off-site parking lot spans 0.3 acres comprising of two separate neighboring lots. The buildings on these lots will also be demolished. There are 33 proposed off-site parking spaces to be located at this site. The school and the off-site parking were reviewed in
accordance with the code's development standards and found to be in compliance. Se several applications are being sought here tonight. There's a special exception in addition to the site plan. A special exception, administrative adjustment, a comprehensive plan amendment, and a property reszone
adjustment are all requested. A special exception is required for projects on lots over 10,000 square feet. And this lot is proposed to have dense landscaping around the school to provide a blend with the neighborhood and the existing neighborhood. While the
current landscape plan proposes some tree removal and replacement, the overall mitigation plan far exceeds what the county will require. And Durm approval for the landscape plan is is required as part of this site plan. The site also proposes to be fully enclosed with a perimeter wall to limit noise and
other impacts to the neighbors. This applicant meets the standards for special exception and site plan approval. The administrative adjustment request is for the off-site parking lot. The subject property is situated on a lot corner at northeast 92nd Street and
Northeast 2nd Avenue, approximately 600 ft north of the school site. The site consists of two parcels located at 190 Northeast 90th Street and 8690 Northeast 2nd Avenue. The lots will be united and and recorded in a unity of title. The
current zoning allows for parking lots as a single use. The code allows for the proposed parking area to be located within 1,000 ft and the applicant meets the standards for an administrative adjustment. The next application is for the reszone. The applicant requests the reszone of
this property at 245 Northeast 87th Street from zone 3 to zone 4. Upon approval of a future land use map amendment and to medium density mixed use, the new zoning u district will com be compatible with
the comprehensive plan as required by section 1761 of the code. This applicant meets the standards for reszoning. The applicant is finally requesting an amendment to the comprehensive plan feature land use map for this property located at 245 Northeast 87th Street,
changing the zoning designation from single family resident, I'm sorry, the the future land use designation from single family residential to medium density mixed use. The redesignation would also be consistent with policy 12121 in the comprehensive plan, which
encourages educational uses and walkable development along Northeast Second Avenue. This applicant is found to meet the standards for the comprehensive plan map amendment. The project was reviewed for traffic circulation and potential impacts to surrounding areas from the trips from
the new school will generate. Approval from the Miami Dade County Department of Approval from the Miami Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works regarding traffic management and circulation is still outstanding at this time. The applicant has received one
round of review comments and has resubmitted a response to the county to address these comments. You'll find this in um the p the package that for this application tonight. The village will not finalize the site plan approval without this county um sorry the village
may not finalize the site plan approval without this county approval first. A recommendation from the planning director will be made after the county finalizes its review and any changes to the compre to the site plan may may be needed with that. Um the following
conditions are suggested for your review. All properties still need DURM approval for tree removal, relocation, and the demolition of buildings. A six-foot fence is needed to the south and west of the off-site parking lot. And finally, comments from the Miami
Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works regarding traffic management and circulation are all addressed to the satisfaction of the county. And any amendments to the site plan are provided as necessary prior to a second public hearing. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. If you guys would like to do your presentation. >> We good? This is good. Okay. Hi. Uh I'm Lauren Coploit. Do I need to state? >> Yes, please state your address. Name. >> It's 1170 Kane Concourse floor 3 Bay Harbor Islands, uh Florida. I'm the
owner's representative for Soulful, pronounced soulful like full of soul, but the acronym is for student of life for life. Uh, first and foremost, I'd like to thank the council and the Corinino group. Thank you, Scarlet. Thank you, Kimberly. Thank you,
everybody, for all the time and effort that you've put into this uh process. Um, I'd also actually like to thank the neighbors that have come out tonight in the rain to hear from us firsthand. We are drawn to Elportal not only for the
nature, but also for the people. And um, we appreciate you coming out in the rain to learn about us. Soulful is a nature school. Sorry, forgot. Soul Soulflal is a nature school and through our web of life curriculum, our students explore
not only literacy, mathematics, science and language, but also nature, our local ecosystem, environmentalism, and sustainability, thereby empowering our students to become environmental stewards and solutionists. This is why we feel Elportal is the perfect fit for
our curriculum. Albertal's commitment to the preservation of nature by being a bird sanctuary, a tree city, and a haven for the endangered native endangered and native species makes Albertal a leader in environmental protection and teaches by example the commitment to nature that we would like to impart in our next
generation. In short, we're a group of lifeloving, grateful giving, soul surfing, happy humans who are eager to be active members of the community. And with that, I'd like to introduce Ben Fernandez to run us through the leasal aspects of our application.
>> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Ben Fernandez, 200 South Biscane Boulevard. Um, you know, on behalf of the applicant, I'd also like to thank uh professional staff as well as your village attorney for working with us to get to this point, and we
hope to to hear comments from from all of you uh this evening. Um, with respect to this application, uh, I will say first of all, having gotten to know the village a little bit, that I think that what's most interesting about this plan is that
irrespective of what's on the property today, if you look at the architecture of this plan, it's really something that I think is goes well with with the village. And of course you know more than I, but the the whole concept that
the architects have put together is something that is very sort of um compatible with the lush landscape design uh lush landscape character of the village which to me reminds me of old Coconut Grove when I was a kid. You know, that's really what your village
has that's so attractive. Unfortunately, the grove has lost some of that. Uh but I feel like it's still here. And this project, as you'll hear, um is one that is developed below the maximum height, um below the maximum lot coverage. It
exceeds the uh minimum landscape requirements considerably. Um, and so it comports in many technical ways with your zoning code, which I'm going to try not to bore you with. But, uh, those are, I think, the the main things that I'd want to communicate and have you
remember this evening after you leave here, whether you like our project or you don't, I think it's hard to say that those things aren't true. And I know that there's um I know you have an old church on that site, which I'll admit is an attractive church. There's no
question. However, I will say that it has not been utilized for years and is and our project is lower in scale and also very compatible and very attractive. So, with that, I'll tell you
that we're requesting four different applications. A special exception, a site plan approval, comprehensive plan amendment, and a resoning. It sounds like a lot, but really two of the requests, the comprehensive plan amendment and the reasonzoning only
apply to one of the lots, which is the lot that if many of you have been driving down 87 Street, you may have seen some signs that were posted on the property. It's the one house that's eastern most on 87th Street. It's about 7,000 square feet and change, and it's
in not not in great condition. It's um if you look at the overall design of the property at present, it's rectangular, but there's a carveout. It's like a got a funny cut in. And if we reszone that
parcel, then we'll have a more perfect rectangle, which is why we've applied to do that. It seems like when you look at the plan, you have consistent zoning and comprehensive plan lines on your maps except for this one property um which has this this jog in it. So that's the
purpose of the of the reszoning application. Um the special exception is for the use of the school which my understanding is that this was previously used in some way as a school perhaps many years ago. Um and so we feel that uh it's an
appropriate use. It's a large property, 1.8 acres in size. Um, and um, so it's an appropriate location for a school. Um, the property is mostly zone Z4, which is
your main street zoning district. And, uh, one of the lots, the lots that we're reszoning is zone Z3. Um again the the design is uh to complement the village the village's unique character. Uh it includes adequate space
for vehicle circulation. Um there's a large driveway that starts on 88th Street and and flows south to 87th Street. The idea is that children can be uh dropped off and picked up utilizing the entire length of of the property as
much as possible. In addition, we're providing a um right turnin lane along 88th Street that will accommodate up to four parking spaces or four cars to increase the amount of queuing because
that's always the issue with schools is the amount, you know, drop off and pickup times. Those are the most impactful times when you have cars queuing up. So, we've tried to enlarge that space as much as possible to ensure that we have a good flow of uh of drop
off and pickup. And we've also staggered the hours of uh of pickup and drop off um beginning at 7:15 um and ending at 84 at 8:45 for the drop offs spaced out in 30 minute increments.
So, the idea is to keep the keep the flow going and space it out as much as possible. There's also on the east side of the property a tall 8-foot uh masonry wall which is designed to ensure that noise
or any kind of activity is abated as much as possible from all of the residential areas to the east. on site. We have 10 parking spaces uh along the driveway that um that you see on the on the plans up here, if you can
all see those. Now, from a Z4 zoning standpoint, our special exception application, it complies with all the setback requirements of the code. Uh again, it's only two stories in height where three stories is allowed. Um and
it complies with all parking requirements. We do have parking off site um within 600 feet of the property along Northeast 2nd um Avenue and the idea is that that will be
relegated to faculty and employees uh not to students. Of course, most of the students won't be driving anyway. The architecture is um comprised of small circular classroom buildings
arranged around a tiki themed hut which you know to me is very I call it bohemian. It's uh you know distinctive and um and I think very very attractive. the the roofs are sloped um to help
create a transition into the lower scale residential areas around uh the property and the landscaping. In addition to having more open space than is required, our landscaping also exceeds the minimum requirements of the code. And you're going to hear a little bit more about
that from uh Logan and and Jeff Snyder in a little bit. Um again the breakdown is we have 150 students um from um kindergarten through fifth grade 120 students from grades 6
through 8 and 80 students from 9th to to 12th grade at the beginning there won't be um some of the older students I think the the beginning and and perhaps our our team can tell you a little bit more about the details of how that will begin but I
think the initial uh development will only comprise up to about 10th grade. Is that right? >> Up to middle school. Right. The uh the comprehensive plan uh application that we have we think is um
appropriate for the reasons that I mentioned. I don't know if you can all see this, but the little square on the screen points out the property that that is being redesated. And again, it just looking at the color, you'll see how it makes more sense as a dark orange color
than a light yellow color. If you just complete the the rectangle, um it also if that lot were to be develop developed as a single family home, it would be a budding a higher density district on two sides, whereas by reszoning it, we're
only having the transition on one side. So, we think that that makes it appropriate as well. There's a policy in your comprehensive plan which is policy 1.2.1 and that one is important because it says that educational uses are only
allowed in your um in this zoning uh district and in this comprehensive plan designation uh area which is your main street area. So really, we have no choice but to go either here or to a civic civically zoned area. And the only
other area that I think is zoned civic is maybe Horseman and and maybe where we are today. Um but I don't think that there's any other place. So we're working well within the surrounding Main Street zoning. I also think that this is going to bring, you know, activity to
the area, people to the area that will want to shop, stop, you know, uh, with their children, without their children. I mean, I think it it will bring eyes uh to the area and, um, and hopefully help to spur additional development along
your main street, which is, I think, something that everybody wants, at least the planners that I've spoken to very much are in favor of that. Um there's also the question of infrastructure. Um as many of you may know, this property was on septic tank
for years and we would be required to extend the infrastructure uh in order to uh accommodate the the water and sewer for the property. And so that's something that we look forward to doing. And I think it would be a benefit for the entire village to to have that
extension uh down Northeast Second uh Avenue. Um, this is the parking plan. You can see that. Um, well, the property is very lushly landscaped. And I think I'm going to turn it over to to Jeff to to tell you a
little bit more about that because he knows more about it. But both uh this property and the off- streetet parking property are within 600 feet of each other. And I've already touched on the traffic operation plan. The the staggered pickup
and drop off that I described is in the traffic study that was submitted together with the application and uh it is being reviewed by Miami Date County as uh Miss Hammonds indicated and we by the time we come back to you for the next hearing, we hope to have more
information to you on that front. So Jeff, do you want to talk a little bit about >> or Logan? Thank you. Hi there. Uh, Logan Grant, uh, 220 East St. Elmo uh, Avenue in Austin, Texas.
Uh, I'm vice president of our construction operations for Icon Technology. I just want to give you a brief overview of what we do and then pass it over to Jeff. Um, we are uh, headquartered in Austin. Uh, that's where we're based. But we've recently
set up a permanent off uh office here in Miami as we look to expand our 3D printing operations throughout South Florida. So, we are a like I said a construction technology company. Uh we're focused on developing robotics uh software and I AI
systems uh and using advanced materials uh to revolutionize the way we we're building uh structures. Uh I think we're known mostly for homes, but we've expanded uh beyond that on a number of projects, including uh uh at least one school project. And our goal is to not
only just promote new technology, but doing it at the same time, create beautiful structures, sustainable structures, and more resilient structures, which uh here here in South Florida is is quite important in terms of um wind resistance and and hurricane
loads and and whatnot. Um, and so there's a on the on the s this aesthetic side of what we do, there's a freedom of form that is unlocked with the 3D printing that we try and take advantage of. And you'll see some more of that with uh Jeff's presentation. On the
sustainability side, uh concrete, we do 3D printing with concrete material that we produce. It's a proprietary uh mix that we've developed. But not only that is we've used uh different materials to reduce our embodied carbon uh uh demand
on the material and we have had uh we've been recognized by MIT as the most sustainable lowest embodied carbon material to build with its scale uh using our our system and our advanced materials. We've done um a number of scaled
projects. Here's an example of our I don't know if you can see it, but some of our Vulcan robots out at a hund 100 unit subdivision north of Austin uh called Wolf Ranch. So that's um deploying I think I think there's eight printers uh deployed at one time at
least in this image maybe 10. Um and we're continuing to advance the technology uh and and go larger scale. Uh you can see here with one of our prototype um robot systems called Titan um where we're going multi-story and
expanding the capabilities um of that machine. Um and this is a very resilient high-erforming wall system that we're developing. Um here's an image. I know again it's hard to see from uh from
y'all's vantage point, but uh we this is basically made up of two wides or two layers, an inner bead and an outer bead. Um we have vertical cores that are reinforced that tie the slab to the roof. And then we have inline reinforcement at each of the layers that
we're printing. So when we're printing, we do it one layer at a time. Uh and so this is a fully structural reinforced system. Uh and it we also uh insulate it so you end up getting uh incredible thermal performance out of the wall system too.
And a video speaks a thousand words. So just wanted to give a quick video. Okay. Um, my name is Jeff Snyder and I'm a senior architect with Icon. Um I have been uh managing the construction or the
design rather of of this structure with um a firm out of New York called Big B. And uh I'm going to walk you through a little bit about the design uh a little bit about the landscape um and I I think the most important
thing to understand about the design uh is is the access to nature. I think I think that's the lens that we have filtered every design decision through uh along this process. I think El Elportal is uh obviously uh a beautiful
community and there's a lot of natural elements and I think our design uh is right in step with that uh that aspect of your community and and we just want to reinforce that. So um this is an an
aerial view of uh of the school itself. Um you see Second Avenue along the top there and then 78th uh to the right. Um the big design move is is kind of this this horseshoe shape. Uh and this
achieves a number of different uh things for us. Uh it provides uh like a a womblike uh courtyard uh in the center where we have uh a tiki hut which will be built by indigenous people. Um it
also uh provides informal gathering spaces for the students um in in the center there where they're protected. Um another feature of this is this shape helps uh kind of hem in some of the
noise uh that could arise from a school. So uh there's a natural protection there. And then uh in addition to that, there's an there's a an 8-ft masonry wall around the perimeter which was needed for security and then also uh additional noise abatement. Um as you
see a landscape, the landscape is a is a huge part of the design. We uh you know we're planting a ton of trees, uh a ton of plants. There's a an active garden on site which you'll learn a little bit more about. Um but uh we really see this
as an ecological haven for the community uh and for uh you know native uh flora and fauna uh in the vicinity. So material selection was a was a big part of the design. So we have a terracotta roof which speaks to the
natural materials. Uh the clay comes from the earth. Um, our exterior wall system is comprised of glass panels and then these these printed kind of pill-shaped modules um which will be printed on site and then lifted in
place. Uh the colors that we chose for that speak to the terracotta of the roof uh and and kind of uh overall bring like a warm uh natural presence to the area. Um in the lower right hand corner you see
the the production garden which will be a part of the curriculum and be used to produce food uh for the students. You'll learn a little bit more about that uh as we progress. So this is the view along 78th um sorry
87th. Um, and you see the perimeter wall with uh fig ivy growing up the side. Um, and then those printed modules uh that I was discussing. Uh, this will be the first uh the first of its kind in Miami. There's no there's no other printed
structures in Miami. So, uh, we've done a lot of this in Texas and so we're we're very excited to bring this technology to Florida. This is a view of that production garden. So this is a this is a part of the curriculum. So the students will be
uh you know building life schools, understanding uh where their food is coming from uh creating it themselves and then they'll have a hand in the creation of of their meals uh in in the kitchen uh you know throughout the week.
This is a view of one of the typical classrooms. Uh with all these spaces, there's a lot of uh access to natural light and ventilation. Um big windows, and then you see the interior of those printed modules, which we're using for different
things like storage and uh seating areas and things like that. In addition to interior classrooms, we also have some exterior classrooms. Um, this is in the courtyard and it it really gets the students in the landscape uh and gives them a firsthand
knowledge of of the natural world. So, as we went through the design process, there was a number of sustainable features that we uh were kind of guiding lights uh for for this project. Uh the biggest thing is we wanted this the school to be didactic
and to uh teach kids about sustainability firsthand by seeing it used in this building. Uh another aspect was uh the natural ecology capitalizing on on what's uh present in your community and and just strengthening
that. Um and then these other principles, water, food, energy, materiality. uh we wanted to use these in smart efficient ways that that reinforced uh the mission of the school and and the mission of Elportal.
So this is just a diagram that explains a little bit about how how the school will teach these kids about uh the practice of sustainability. Uh so you know we we've had uh a number of shade structures. There's an interior walkway
uh which will provide circulation for the school. We also have cross ventilation. The idea is that uh the majority of the time or or as much as we can really um the school will be opened up um and we'll have to rely less on
mechanical ventilation um and uh which is there's a huge environmental impact uh or benefit to that I should say. Um, so like Logan mentioned, uh, our our concrete system, our 3D printed concrete
system employs, uh, low lowcarbon concrete. Um, we also have a number of mass timber elements inside which also sequester carbon. Um, and we really feel like this will be a net environmental
positive for the community. This diagram shows a little bit about the sustainable food program that we have where it'll be organic gardening. Um it'll it'll be a closed loop so they'll be composting on site and uh the kids will will really get their hands
dirty and understand where their food comes from and and also prepare it themselves. Another another thing that we looked at, we we had a landscape architect on this project and uh we made plant selections
and tree selections that were in line with uh native flora and fauna. So, we want this to be a habitat for a lot of migratory birds uh that will will be in the vicinity here. This is this is our landscape
plan. So uh again we have uh a plan that promotes biodiversity. It creates habitat. Uh there are a number of trees on site and we have uh protected those and relocated
some of those trees where uh where we had to. Um but again we have uh a number of a high degree of of native plant species. Um and uh overall a lot of uh green lush space which would be enjoyed
by the students but then also uh would be a benefit to the community as well. This diagram shows a little bit about our lot coverage. Um so uh we the the maximum allowed is 60% and and we're
much below that. We're we're at 39%. Um, so that's a 14% reduction from the existing building on site and then a 21% reduction from uh what's allowable where we have hardcaping. Uh we've made
selections for that where it's all uh uh pvious cover. So it it allows water to pass through uh which is great for storm water management and overall ecology health of of this of this area. And then again uh we
the green space that we're pro required to provide is only 5% of the lot size and and we're providing much more. That's a 720% increase from code minimum. Uh so there's lots of open space. uh which we'll be utilizing
and then again the the open space as well uh we're a 612% increase from what's required. So that uh concludes our presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um any questions or comments from the council and then I'm
going to go right to you guys in the audience. current question or comments from the council, from the committee. >> No, I think I'd like to hear from the residents first, obviously. >> So, we're gonna close this. We're gonna open up to the public hearing for this
particular topic. Um, if you want to speak, come up. You have say your first name and last name and your address for the record. And you have three minutes to speak. Okay, come on up. >> It doesn't matter. It's probably better
to go to Hi everyone, Edna Edelman 301 Northeast 88th Street so just down the street. Um so one of the first questions that I have actually and I have a bunch of them is um the legality of this meeting uh
given chapter 30. >> My first question really is about the legality of this meeting. Um, I believe section 33303 of the Miami date code requires uh at least 10 days notice. Um, I received my
notice today. Um, so I'd like to ask about that. >> Okay, we'll come back and answer your question, Mr. Then. The next the next question that I have um is the sewer plan. I saw a sewer plan on the on the
proposal. Um, I'd like to know where the pump would be placed on this on this lot and also um how is that going to be implemented? Right, streets are going to be dug up um to install pipes. Um who's going to do that? Um so I'd like an
answer to that. Um there's also the question of loss tax revenue for all these properties. Um is there any plan um to replace what we're losing? Um, I also have a question about traffic since
I live on 88th Street. Um, and that's something that really worries us on 88th Street. Um, I saw that the traffic um the traffic studies were done uh the week of May 29th and then again during uh Thanksgiving week uh which is
probably not totally representative of traffic flow in the area uh since school's out. Um, so is there a plan to actually do a real traffic study uh when schools are open um and and traffic is
flowing? Um, also um how are you going to keep cars from coming down Northeast 3 and on 88th Street uh trying to make a left turn um into the school? Um, I I'd like to know that 88th Street, I don't
know if you know this, is one of the narrowest streets in Elportal. It cannot handle current traffic. Um, and now we're going to massively add traffic. Um, what is the plan for dealing with that? Um, where will the turn lane be?
You I saw u mentioning of a turn lane. Where is that going to be carved out on a street that's barely one lane? Um, so I'd like an explanation of that. Also, trash and pickup recycling, when is that going to happen? Um, because that also
is going to add to traffic. Um, and I do have a question. Um, it it may not be the most polite question, but what happens to these properties if the school fails? Um, is what is the plan
for for that? Um I if anything um one two more questions um can we get a can our police department get a list of staff um and students car plates um so
that we can monitor whether or not they're cruising around and trying to park on our soils um because I I don't really see the viability of people walking from 90th Street um to 87th Street in the heat or the rain. Uh I'm
sure they're going to to look for closer spots. Um and then I have a friendlier question. Can we make use of these facilities um after hours? I saw that you have a running track. Um you have classrooms. Can the community use them?
Because otherwise I'm not really sure what the value is um to Elportal of this school. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are we gonna answer the questions one by one or how do you want to? >> No, like usual um after public comment
is when it comes back to the council. Yes. >> Okay. Uh Greg Steer, 120 Northwest 86th Street. First of all, I want to thank all the residents for coming out on a night like this. It just goes to show you what can happen when people are informed about what's going on in the village. So, thanks for coming out. We
appreciate that. I won't get into the fact that this 400page plan, which has obviously been in the works for months, uh, despite what we were told during the last two meetings, I'm I'm not even going to bring that up. I want to focus
on the plan. Number one, no notice. You have all our emails. You regularly distribute flyers, even about free turkeys. This is the biggest project since the launch, and we get radio silence. You just posted this plan about a week ago. You have a classified ad
buried in the Miami Herald, which nobody reads anymore. So why the secrecy? The church. Number two, Ben Fernandez, who's the same land use attorney representing the Bington brothers, no small coincidence, doesn't even mention in the 10-page letter that he sent to
the city that the church is going to be demolished. In fact, it doesn't even show up on the site plan until page 70. The United Methodist Church has been around since 1940. Another piece of Elportal history being
erased without so much as a whimper. Number three, the sewer connection. Edna brought that up. That's no small problem. It's going to require a pump station. It's potentially a huge expense, not to mention the construction and traffic nightmare if they have to
close down Northeast Second Avenue for a year. Number four, no parking. There's 350 students, 50 staff, and only nine parking spaces. Even it's laughable, right? Even the auxiliary lot, which is
three blocks away, and across Northeast Second Avenue, only has 30. They make no allowances for student drivers. Anybody who's ever had a teenager know in their home knows that at age 16, they get a driver's license and then they want a car. So that's another 80 to 100 cars a
day parking on the swailes on Northeast 88th Street and Northeast 3rd Avenue. And finally, property taxes. There aren't any. The former owners were paying $100,000 to the county and not even using the property. The new owners
paid about 14 million. So their property taxes will be about 300,000 of which a 100,000 goes to the village. And since it's non-residential, that number goes up 10% a year. So in 10 years, the village would have gotten
$1.7 million in tax revenue. With this plan, we get nothing. We would be better off with a mixeduse small-scale development as currently allowed by the Z4 zoning. Finally, I I don't think the council
fully appreciates who they're dealing with. Adam Newman is no ordinary developer. He's very shrewd. He's very persuasive. And he can be utterly ruthless if he doesn't get what he wants. We should not be negotiating a
deal of this magnitude without a strong, full-time, professional, experienced village manager in place. There should be no rush to judgment. Let's take a moment and get it right. My name is Jorge Carbelli and I live at 120 Northeast 90th Street just behind
where they want to put the new parking lot. My wife and I have been living in El Portell for over 38 years. We moved into this neighborhood because we like the small town intimacy, the lush tree canopy and quiet pace. We did not want to live behind a parking lot. This ruins
a whole quiet residential neighborhood feel and makes us feel like we're living in some semi-industrial neighborhood. And we wonder how will this negatively affect our property values. But let's look at the impact on the whole community. I think this whole proposal was rushed with no public input. There are many areas of concern for us all the
residents here. And here are some of mine. The traffic. This report does not mention how Northeast 2nd Avenue is packed most mornings when I 95 is backed up, which is several days a week. Drivers get frustrated and they speed through the alleys and the side streets to avoid traffic on Second Avenue. My
wife and I have feared for our lives on several occasions when we try and take a nice walk through our neighborhood and have to avoid cars speeding down the alley. Add to this an additional 350 or so cars on a daily basis. The frustration will increase leading to more cars racing down the side streets and alleys. Plus, the area around the
school will be converted to a school zone, slowing down traffic even more. Plus, the pedestrians walking from the parking lot to the school will stop traffic at the crosswalk more often so it can across Second Avenue, thus leading to more traffic slowdowns, more cars racing down the alleys, and
speeding down the side streets. The the addition of the school and the subsequent traffic will seriously impact the quiet enjoyment of our neighborhood. The students, how many times has Elort Police been called out to Horseman School? Neighbors complaining about children running through their lawns,
making noise, causing mischief. Why would we bring that chaos to the central part of our village? Another school. No, thank you. >> Thank you. And the trees, I did I read this right? There are over se 90 mature trees will be removed between the two
properties. 90 trees. That doesn't that doesn't make sense. This doesn't this impact our status and our pride of having beautiful mature trees in our community and helping promote being a bird sanctuary? The loss of natural beauty in exchange for a parking lot and
a school that we don't need >> and the village. I'm sure others will speak and have spoken about the loss of taxable revenue by removing residential real estate and replacing with tax-free commercial properties. So, how does this benefit the village? How does any of this benefit us as residents of this
lovely village? This project will make a negative impact on the quiet enjoyment of our neighborhood. No longer will we be a quiet family community. We will have to contend with additional traffic, lowered revenue, and the loss of these beautiful trees and birds. I strongly
object to the granting of this project. So, my name is Craig Smith. Uh, I live at 285 Northeast 88th Street. And, um, you know what, Mr. Geller, one of the greatest honors of my life was to serve on the council as vice mayor. I did that 2000 to 2002.
And, you know, as Ed say, I live on ADA Street. And one of the most important things is to follow procedure and are on the council. And the fact that I just got notice of this yesterday, that's just untenable. And there's no way that this project should go forward with that lack of notice. Uh the project, the
presentation was a beautiful presentation. There's a lot that I love about the design, the not to sustainability, the green space. Um you know, just looking at the project itself, and I spent a lot of time looking at it last night. There's a lot to be admired about it. But my concern
is um severalfold and they've been mentioned already, but I just want to amplify it. When I looked at the parking spots and I saw that there's only nine or 10 parking spots on the school property, but um and then only a few more parking spots a couple of blocks away. I realized that that overflow
traffic is going to go onto our streets onto our swailes and that's simply not acceptable. So I don't think that that has been looked at. I also looked that there's a pumping station and where you put the pumping station is closest to the residences there as well as the trash. So, uh there's a lot of places
you could put it. You put it closest to the residences. 88 Street, as we all know, is one of the most narrow streets in the village. And one of the issues that I see is that you have traffic coming off of Second Avenue that's going to drive, drop off people, and then purely go over to 87th Avenue. Uh but
then also I saw that you have school signs that are going to be on 88th Street uh facing so that when people drive west towards Northeast 2, they're going to see those signs. So it must have been anticipated that 88th would not be closed and that you'd have traffic going both ways. There's simply
not enough room on 88th Street to have traffic going both ways there. So either 88th would have to be blocked off in part or you'd have to make it a one-way street. Uh then there's the loss of tax revenue. um which I think is an important point to make and there's the
um um the other point that Eda made too is that what's the benefit to the village that there was no discussion is there going to be the possibility of classes or use of the village I see that it looks somewhat like a fortress there's an 8-ft wall going around the whole school with security on each side
so it's hardly something that when we walk by that we're going to be able to enjoy the beauty of what's taking place inside you know like the students so certainly this was done more for uh the benefit of the people inside than us. But I just think that the main issue
that I I kind of feel in the audience here is that we haven't had time to consider this. We haven't had time to look at it and there hasn't been there's just so many questions that we have answered. Another question I have is that we haven't heard anything about the period of construction. Uh somebody put
in our group today that oh this is going to be built by 3D printers and ready by this summer. Um, we haven't heard anything about the timing of demolition. We haven't heard anything about the impact where all these construction vehicles are going to go, the noise as a result, the timing of that. And for
those that live on 87th and 88th, I mean, this is going to have a huge impact on our life perhaps for years. Uh, so this is something that I think we all need answers to, right? Thank you. >> Thank you. Good afternoon or evening actually. Um,
Ibis Garcia, 500 Northwest 87th Street. Um, I'm going to give you not questions but a cautionary tale. When I purchased my home in Eportad in 2014, there was lo and behold a church
abandoned across the street that used to be a school and it was a private school during the No Kids Left Behind. So what happened after the 90s? The kids got left behind. The school ended up being abandoned. When I bought the house in
2014, it had been empty for quite a long time. And then fast forward to about 2021. The push in the private voucher systems in Florida created a new temporary full-time school for kids K through 12
across the street. They also have a small lot that holds about 10 cars. They also have a private home on the property. They also have septic with a huge septic mount on it. It's almost the exact duplicate scenario. What I can
tell you from experience and what I've lived through in the last four years has been chaos. Nothing but pure chaos. I have had to call the police numerous times. And lo and behold, you call the police now, you have to go through 911.
You can no longer reach our police anymore because Miami Day County changed protocol. So, as I call 911 for whatever that day brings, we end up having Miami Day police route it through their system to Elortal and then by the time the
police officers actually get there, everything's done. They're all gone. The biggest melee I can tell you happened with about a 60 of the students. This this school holds about a hundred students or less. It's not a very big school. K through 12, like I mentioned,
the kids come in about 10 in the morning and they leave about 2:00 in the afternoon. The big kids leave at noon. When the big kids leave, I can tell you fighting, cars, traffic, problems. I've had to call the police on one student,
attacking another student, tried to pull that student out of the car because it was a a female and they were having relationship issues. Then the father jumped out and so the father and the son and the and the kid were fighting on the street. Again, this is all happening on
Fifth Avenue and Northwest 87th Street. So today I took some video of what happened this afternoon, which is right about noon when the kids left school. They always use my swale to turn around and so there are cones on all the swailes of all the houses of all my
neighbors because of the amount of traffic that literally they don't bother to go into their driveways to park. No, the the parents are privileged. So therefore, they have to stay in the middle of the road as their children come out of school and get into their cars holding up traffic and not allowing
people to get past. I'm surprised somebody hasn't been hit by the car. But the day that I'm talking about, the melee was so big that there were over 60 children on the house across the street from me in full-on fighting mode. 60
with parents. So by the time police got there, I can tell you everybody, including the parents involved, were all gone. So this is literally just a cautionary tale. The village made a huge mistake once by not buying this property when we had the opportunity.
years ago, we had the opportunity and we didn't take it. Now, let's not make the s second biggest mistake this village has done and approve this kind of project. There are plenty of spaces for it's beautiful. It's a gorgeous project. Environmentalist, I've been one since
before probably most of you were born. I believe in it, but it doesn't belong in the heart of a small village of about 3,000 residents. It doesn't belong here. put it out towards Biscane Boulevard where you have the little farm, you have a huge property out there, you have the
river out there, you have more ecology and e than you can shake a stick at right there at the little farm, >> Biscane Boulevard already septic to sewer. You don't have to do any of that work. Why on earth would you put it in the heart of a small village to create
that chaos >> for our us the residents that have to live here? >> Thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Garcia. >> Good evening. My name is Shantel Rodriguez. I'm at 48 Northeast 86th Street. I'll first begin with the
construction of the bridge which was on North Miami Avenue. I'm within there. Okay. It was total chaos. A construction that should have taken six months took six years. That has nothing to do with
Alpert. That's Miami date. Okay. Now, I mind you, yes, this is a beautiful project. It was a beautiful presentation. Kudos. My hats off to you. But it does not belong in L. Portal. I moved here in 98.
Peaceful community up to now with 86 Street. 86th Street is a bypass for many people going north Miami who want to go to Northeast 2nd. 8 87th is busy. 88th is is busy. So they zip down 86th
Street. We Yes, we did have some speed bumps put on but really to no to no avail because they still speed. Okay, I just do not agree with this construction and for tax purposes as well. I don't have children in school. Why should I
have to foot the bill taxes for construction that someone else is going to benefit from? I totally disagree and will do if I have to sign a pet petition I will but I do not want to see this school in Alport. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Hi Marcus Leone, 456 Northeast 88 Street. And this is a big turnout tonight and I just I wanted to voice I guess support and also concern. I'm a resident on 88th Street. The mayor knows, the police know we have a big
problem just with the fact we have a 12t wide street and every time there's construction we end up with this catastrophe, people honking. I mean, I've got a two two-month-old at home. Um, I just hope that that's addressed within this traffic study because
without that, I think we're going to end up with more problems in the future. We don't have enough, sorry, police currently to deal with that. A number of my neighbors have been voicing concerns about the traffic on 88th Street already. Uh, but with that being said, I do want to say it's a beautiful project.
Um, I think it's I think it's gorgeous. I think the architecture shows intention and you guys have clearly thought this through and uh I think there's like a I don't know there needs to be a little bit of forward thinking within the village. I I I personally believe that. I know a number of my neighbors might
disagree and we can disagree on the details and that's fine. But I do think that in order for things to grow here and attract young families, I know myself, there's a lot of young families on my street with babies with young kids. You know, I'm a new father myself. I want to see this. I want to see
progress happen and I think that, you know, people will disagree on some of the details of it, but personally, I'm just here to say that, you know, I think the traffic issue is a big concern to me and my neighbors, but it's also a beautiful project and I wish you guys the best on it. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Leon. >> Hi there. I'm Ashley Luchio and I live at 127 Northeast 90th Street. I'm right down the street from this planned parking lot. Um, and I have several points I'd like to make. Um, one of them
is that, you know, despite this project being very lovely, it's beautiful. I think most of us in this room um really can um appreciate the sustainability aspect of it, the respect it pays to
nature um and just the fact that you know the students will be learning all of this really great echo stuff, right? Um however, it's quite tonedeaf right now. Um, the fact that you're tearing down
two multifamilies to put parking spaces for 32 cars I think is, you know, when we're in the middle of a housing crisis in Miami, okay, there's an affordability issue. People can't find homes. They're getting
people are homeless. They can't afford the rents. There's not enough housing. There's not enough affordable housing. Right? So, I think the fact that you're tearing down two multifamilies for this for just a parking lot is insane right
now. Um, the other point I'd like to make is um there will be a safety and security issue uh with a parking lot, you know, just right out on the corner of Northeast Second. What's the plan for security? What's the plan for residents
like me on 98 on sorry, 90th Street? um you know just for security are we going to be able to park it in the middle of the night if we want to I mean how are we going to what's the benefit for us right um but also the security issue is there
um and I think just uh scale-wise this is just it's not right for the streets that um will be forced to deal with this traffic um like everyone else has said here already 88th Street 88 87th street
um and my street, 90th Street, are all very narrow streets. They cannot accommodate the traffic that will come in with this. Um and I have a number of questions. Why wasn't the little farm
area considered for this project? It's the perfect place. It makes sense. Why wasn't the entrance and exit of the school planned for maybe Northeast 2nd
rather than 88th and 87th? Um, I also want to second what was previously said about public, you know, community access to this what looks to be a fortress. How are we going to be able to use this? I mean, you know, the
tuition is $44,000 for the middle schoolers. Is that correct? >> Okay. $36,000 for kindergarten. >> You're coming into a community of primarily middle class people. I mean,
it's again, it's tonedeaf. We would not be able to send our children to the school, most of us. So, you know, I think you need to really get to know the community a little bit better, a whole lot better, first of
all. Um, and really understand what our needs are. Uh, you know what? I think it was the attorney here that said, "Oh, you know, this will open up the community for retail. You know, we people might use the community to to shop when they drop off their kids or whatever." You're taking up the one
space we have. That's our main street. Where are we going to put shopping? Where's the Where are they going to go shop? They're going to go shop to in Miami Shores. They're not going to shop in Elport. We have no shopping. We need it. We
desperately need it. I would love to walk to a market. You want to put that in? Fine by me. Okay. So, uh, and I think also what you're hearing here is not nimism. And I think that's
going to be easy to brush off and oh, not in my backyard. That's not what's happening here. You're you're meeting a community that has a high level of distrust in its government. Um that you know, like others have said, I received
no notice, not a single, not an email, not a thing on Instagram, nothing about this happening on my block. Nothing. I found out because Greg drove by my house and was like, "Hey, do you know
that they're building a parking garage at the end of the block?" And I'm like, "What? No, I did not know that. Thank you for telling me, Greg, wherever you are. There you are. Um, I should not hear about something like this that's going to impact my the value of my home. Um, that I'm going to
have to subsidize with my already too high taxes. Uh, I I shouldn't hear about that from a neighbor. I should have heard about that from the council here. I think I've said a lot. So, thank you. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Khalik
Navarro, 335 Northeast 87 Street. Um, welcome to the village of Alport Soulful Soulful. Um, I just wanted to reiterate there. I want to discuss another aspect of the school.
I want to reiterate it is gorgeous. It is absolutely stunning. I love the project. I'll be just a few feet away from you. I'm right on 87th Street. And I think everybody's touched on the
main topics. Number one, the the the reasonzoning of lots. You're going to put this. Many years ago, a cheret was done. You're putting the school where we're supposed to have shops. This is our downtown.
And you're building a gorgeous compound that will be surrounded by an 8-ft wall. Although it you I love the lush green landscape and you know I converted my whole house also to native uh Florida plants
but you but this will be a non-forprofit meaning that we are losing in revenue two multifamilies two two multifamilies two lots there was a house that paid the taxes at the end of my street gone it
was demolished was finished demolished today and the other a lot. They were paying taxes and the school as well, the old school. But here is the problem that I think as residents and
hear this and this goes to Ben. So listen up. Ben and Geller. Geller. Listen. You're the two attorneys here. when when they were going when the arch dascese
owned that property at one time and they had nuns there that were cloistered and they asked permission to build an 8 foot wall because remember cloistered nuns cannot leave the convent. The village said no. The arch dascese sold it. Then
we had Kushman school who also very deep pockets came and wanted to build a school there. We said no. Then Christo Ray came and wanted to put a school there and we said no. They were
nonforprofit would not generate income for the village. Does this open up the village to lawsuits from the arch dascese and may you know archbishop winsky would love to have some money in his coffers
and I'm sure Kushman school would love to have money in his coffers and sue the village. The problem is that the size of the village is smaller than any condo on Miami Beach. You're looking at this is about 50% of the village here. Okay,
it's a tiny village and to lose millions of dollars in revenue. We have to pick up the tab and then you have built this gorgeous compound that is not I I I mean, you know, it's just
surrounded by an 8ft wall that we've always said, no, this is not welcoming. We said it to the nuns. We said it to the other schools and you know, and here we are. We're back here again when it should have been coffee shop, stores, something really entertaining. Can we be
sued, Geller? Can we be sued? Are we opening up ourselves to a lawsuit because we denied all these other people for the same reasons that we're going to allow them to do it? Are we can we be sued because now we're going to have to pick up the tab?
>> Yes. The taxpayers. Us. >> So, here we go. We're back here. I love that school. You know where that school would go beautifully? It would go beautifully. Adam Newman owns the old immigration building. Okay, that city of
Miami, that is city of Miami. There's sewer system there. There is everything. You just have to tie up. You're only paying what 20 ft to do a sewer line and hook up to 79th Street. you have that that it's going to be a really nice I I love the I'm a realtor
so I love this and I love development but I don't think this is appropriate to a tiny village like that the impact it will do to us is is really cost prohibitive
>> okay and then on top of really none I mean nobody's going to be able to use that you're going to tear up our street we're going to have to spend years dealing with doing the sewer line pump station. And let me tell you that pump station, they stink. That raw sewage
come flows up to the top and then they got to pump it out. It stinks. And you're it's going next to the houses. So, you know, that's not fun, you know. So, I'm just being fair. Put it on Biscane Boulevard in a little farm. Hey, that's and that's our land. That's El
Portal's land. put it on the little farm and then add the complex because I believe that they're going to do I believe that what Adam Newman is planning there's really nice um low-rise buildings with commercial and stuff. This would fit beautifully in that
concept. I mean it's a gorgeous I just don't think it really fits there. And I I wish Adam Newman, I think he could do beautiful spec homes there that are going between$ 2.5 and three million
dollars in Elportal. Imagine how much tax revenue the citizens can get from all those lots with a $3 million home sitting on there. Quite a bit of money, huh? to go to zero goose egg and have an
impact of all these of all these people in that in in that school. But don't take it away from us. Put it in the little farm. Put it in the little farm. Thank you. Thank you.
Good good evening everybody. I'm uh I'm Jonathan Strauss. I'm the owner of Skateird Miami. Um our our gem of a park for all the kids in the community. Um, I uh I I know the family that's behind this
very well and and I'm here in support of it because I have children that are the ages that can attend the school. I know several members of the village maybe don't have kids, so they they don't care. And I know that it's it's maybe not an
interest or not a value, but I I uh I want to just let's be honest, South Florida is facing a real shortage of schools. My kids have been to five different schools in the last five years. Um
we need to serve the needs of our growing community, especially for families with young children. many parents, the options just aren't there. There's too many weight lists at all the private schools. >> Excuse me, you guys.
No yelling from the audience. Please, >> please. >> Thank you. >> I I'm not them. I'm I'm one of you guys. Okay. So, let me speak, please. Excuse
me. >> We have to have the corner, please. >> The school system definitely needs a gamecher and it needs something that'll pioneer something new. Soulful is more than just another school. It's an answer to the pressing need for accessible quality education here where our
children or future families that move into the neighborhood which will drive the tax dollars higher for for the village because the property values will go up. The benefit of a school go far behind far beyond the classroom. Across the country neighborhoods with thriving
schools see higher property values and that's a fact. Families want to move where their kids can get a great education. And that demand lifts the entire real estate market. A school like Soulful is an investment in our property values, in
our homes, and in the long stabil long-term stability of our village. Let's also talk about what makes a village strong. It's not just roads and houses. It's the laughter of children at recess. It's the gathering of parents at school events and the shared pride when
our students succeed. A school is the beating heart of a neighborhood. It's where traditions are passed on, where diversity is celebrated, and where we build the kind of community we all want to be a part of. It's for everyone who believes in the power of education to unite and uplift.
Now, I know some are concerned about the tax revenue, but the reality is schools don't take away from a village's financial health. They add to it. Higher home values mean higher property tax revenues over time. Families who move here to attend soulful will shop at our
stores, at our parks, eat at our restaurants, and invest in our local economy. Excuse me. I am the only restaurant in Elportal, and we could use more families coming. Okay. There is going to be another development that will have several hundreds of thousands
of square feet of your shopping markets and other things that are closer so that everybody can access. You do not want a major shopping center in the middle of Elportal. I'll tell you that much. You don't want coffee shops there either because that'll create more noise for
you. >> Tonight, I urge you to see that Soulful what it truly is. It's a foundation for children, a boost for property values, and a catalyst for a stronger, more connected village. Let's build the kind of neighborhood we can all be proud of
together. Thank you very much. >> Can we can we please address the quorum here, Mr. Mayor? >> Thank you very much. Next individual, please come up and say your name address for the record.
Augustine Ramos, 60 Northwest 91st Street. Um, I most of my comments I want to make to to the council just I I think it's important that people don't view things like a school
is, well, I don't have kids, my taxes shouldn't go to that. Also, regarding uh retail, if if retail on Northeast Second Avenue is confusing on 87th Street, then you haven't seen 94th Street through
102nd Street, uh just a few blocks up in Miami Shores. So, retail works just fine. uh is my opinion. Uh what I came up here to say really was um I am not in favor of uh this size
project without parking and all the reasons that everybody else has said. As a matter of practicality, I have questions regarding um the development itself uh under the assumption it were to happen or a version of it were to happen. Uh so for the council uh
questions or or suggestions um the construction of it being that 3D soft serve concrete machine thing pouring uh stuff. Very cool. I'm
sure very quick. Um I'm sorry we walked in late. I don't know if you touched on this beforehand, but um has this been tried in hurricane proof or not proof, but uh meeting Miami date standards um
for hurricanes uh and and construction. Um the uh the other thing is I I don't know if the construction company is a uh a part of the developer which comes with its implications as far as the pockets and how much money there might be
depending on how they're set up and the limits to the funds being invested in it or if it's a third party. But if it's a third party very avantguard construction, if and I know nothing about the company, I'm not saying I know anything. But in the event the
construction company were to cease to exist and not be able to finish, I think it would be very hard for someone to finish the project based on that very uh particular way of building. It's not having somebody else come and put more concrete blocks and finish what somebody
else started. So, I would suggest if not already part of the package, um, getting some kind of financial disclosure, prior experience, examples of where there were delays or overruns, what they look like, how much they cost, how long it took to
undo stuff, do you have to knock the whole thing that was poured down and start over? Those type of logistical questions, um, I think should be asked of the the the contractor. Um, I I also I thought I heard something
about um ventilation and I I don't know if the I'm assuming that there's regular HVAC and that there's not some kind of dependence on crosswinds or open windows or something. I I get the green stuff, but it's Miami. It's hot. It's humid.
And well, there should be regular HVAC. Um, that's all. Thanks. >> Thank you very much. Hi, my name is Kayla Deoserta and I live at 124 Northeast 89th Street. Um, I am going to be one of those people not
in my backyard types. Um, I think that the Newman's are grifters. They've shown the world that they um bankrupt their own companies and they lie to investors and they lie to their communities that they build and try to convince people to be a part of. Um to me, this is a
for-profit school. They're making money off of kids learning. Um I think it's hilarious that the kids are supposed to grow their own food here and then eat it and compost and uh create a closed loop
waste system. That's insane to me. Um, what was I going to say? Yeah, there's a miniseries on HBO and two documentaries about the Newmans and how they destroyed Wei Work. Um, and everyone involved in Weiwork. So, you should definitely look
those up and watch them. I know that's like sounds silly and very pop culture of me, but um, it's definitely true. And uh yeah, I hope that the architects get paid for your work. I don't I don't think that they're very trustworthy
people. So I wish you the best of luck in getting paid. Thank you. Um, hello uh Alberto. I'm on 87 8750 North Miami Avenue. Um, I don't know about anybody else here, but I've never gone by a school 20 30 minutes before it lets out and there
isn't already a line of cars uh waiting for for school to be let out. So, you know, is there any plan to actually prevent it, not dissuade it? Um, I also like to echo the concerns uh better voiced by some of my neighbors about the
traffic, the effects, and the length of construction. I'm extremely worried about that. What happens when this experiment fails? If it fails, sorry. Um, and what are and I'm worried about the effects of like moving
these old trees like not just about like the ecology of it, but like what happens, you know, to the ground, you know, with this like do we need to be worried about uh like the properties nearby?
But to my point, this was way too rushed for this kind of change. Um the few days notice given is not enough for us uh to even give an informed opinion on the matter. I'm a proponent of reszoning parts of El Pora.
I think uh mixed and multif family use zones could have a potential good effect on on our community. Uh so we definitely shouldn't be getting rid of the few multif family homes that we have. We should be promoting building more.
Uh I some people that are pro this have uh voiced an opinion on you know their property values. Our property values have gone too high. I'm sorry but I don't want to live in a community that
can only be afforded by the rich. I moved here to be part of a community. I ask that any vote on on any approval be deferred at least until um
the the county has submitted their approvals. But even then, I uh would ask that you vote no. Hi, good evening. My name is Denise White. I'm at 173 Northwest 88th Street. I've been here since I was 12 years old.
So, I've been here for a really, really long time. Seen lots of things happen here. Um, first of all, can I say this isn't even really about them. They get to tell us, but this is about our council. I'm here because I'm asking you
not to disappoint us again. We have been disappointed many times this year. We going on 20 thou 2026. We would like you to stand with us and not disappoint us again. That's what we're asking here today. This is humongous. They don't seem like they listening, do
they all? But this is humongous. Now, I'd like you to also know that as a biology teacher. So, as far as ecology and pretty things and beautiful trees and all of that, I'm about that life. And while I was sitting back there and I saw him, you know, p pouring concrete, the the guy said, "Oo, the nerd is
excited." Yes, my nerd was excited. And I was just like, "Wow, that looks great." But guess what? I'm also here to stand up for the Afro people. Y'all know what I'm saying? And I know no Afro people or hardly any Afro people going to go to this school right here. lady who was talking about the fighting at
the school. You don't have to worry about their school because their school everybody gonna drive up, pick up their child, drop their child off. It's going to be perfect because ain't no afro children there. Do you understand that? So you can't afford my my my people not going to go here at all at all at all.
Maybe you'll have one maybe one or two and thank you for that. We appreciate that. She they asked are we going to have scholarships? They not It's a 8ft wall. Y'all not going nowhere near that. Nowhere near that. Can you use the facilities? What facilities? And break
their brand new stuff. No, no, no, you can't, Elportal. No, no, no, you can't. So, you know, here we are again. It's this little itsybitsy space. And the man is right. It's too little. We are what? 12 by 4. Mr. George, you said 12 by4. We
are little. And in the littlest place in the world, you want to go put this phenomenal school. It is. It is great. And maybe if it was a cuz I work in public school, y'all. They said, "Send your children to public school." Mhm. Because charter schools is eating us away. And let me tell you, I work at
DJJ. So I work at the jail, the school inside the jail, right? And my kids come in and we ask them what school they go to. They go to a charter school that all they do is sit beside a computer and nobody teaches them. Nobody attends to the fact that they're not okay or the
fact that they have learning disabilities. Nobody cares. But the state doesn't care. The government doesn't care. Nobody cares. And then you're going to put another private school over here to take away from my public schools. Yeah, I'm a public school teacher all day, every day.
So you going to put another private school in this place? Another private school. Now the gentleman said, "But schools and if the school is a success, it's going to be great and it's going to bring stuff in." Yes, but we are have a
deficit, boo. Here in Elportal, you got to come to the meetings. Oh, the meetings is where it's at. So, we are at a deficit of like $500,000, right? Oh, they gave me time up. That's crazy. But I'mma keep going though anyway.
>> Thank you, baby. Thank you. So, we at a deficit of $500,000. So, another thing where they not going to pay no taxes. That's worrying to me right now. And then I got people building a roundabout over by Horus van, which we didn't need for $700,000. Understand this. What is he paying for?
I want to know what Allen Newman paying for. Beside the fact that he paying to, you know, he he putting someone over here so he get over here for free. Besides that, and if you was a billionaire, why you need something for free? You should offer to pay us anyway. Regardless whether you put in a nonprofit or non- nonprofit, use a
billionaire. A billion dollars. You know, for a billion dollars, you know, I could give each one of y'all a million and still be okay. Y'all understand how much a billion dollars is. Then we got the little lady. That little lady just said, "But sometimes y'all start stuff and y'all don't finish stuff. Y'all going to finish this though?" The Afro
people want to know. I'm just saying. Y'all going to finish this though? And if you come into here and you ruck us all up and you pull everything all up in Elportal, just like all the developers that my council just happens to just let us walk all up in here. They just let us walk let let the developers walk all up
in our house. Do whatever they want to do. They not giving any hardly anything back. They give little things back. The other day we had some guy, he said, "Oh, is that y'all?" Said, "You going to build some stuff over here or somewhere?" They said they were going to build stuff, right, George? And then we
found out that they got a a tax cut. So what we thought was going to come in didn't come in. Our deficit is still $500,000. We still don't have no roads. I still have residents who have houses that are flooded. I hear my my my council doing
all kind Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for Christmas and Thanksgiving and the turkeys. We appreciate you. We appreciate all of that. I thank you very very much. But what I'm asking is, are we fixing what needs to be fixed? I saw park benches. I saw the the little trail got things I could exercise with. Thank
you very much for all of that. But my roads still messed up. And my place is still getting flooded. And I'm still confused. And come election day, I promise we going to make it happen. Now, I would like to, like everybody else, move this just a little bit back cuz, you know, I need election day to fix
this, y'all. Amen. Daniel Roa, 60 Northeast 86th Street. Um, so I I was the one that said that you you excited the nerd uh when you did all that stuff. So I I I there's a lot of beautiful things. There's a lot of like
the environmental stuff, all that. I love it. Um, first thing that that drew my I walked in a little bit late, but the first thing that drew my my concern is 8 foot walls. This So, so my there's a lot of opportunities. It seems I I
didn't get those cleared out from the presentation. That's what opportunities are for the community, right? So there's there's opportunities to maybe reduce traffic to northeast 2 second or maybe even bring more more commerce to northeast second with the sewage and all those things, but I I didn't see how
that's going to happen with the way it's planned. So I have great concern with the fact that it's a fortress to exclude us. Uh there's there really was no >> and I supposedly work with this stuff. Can you hear me?
check. Can you hear me better? >> All right. So, I have great concerns regarding traffic like everybody else. That seems problematic. I I like the idea of it slowing down traffic in Northeast Second and it's not supposed to be a throughway, right? We want it to
become commerce. Has anybody tried to walk across Northeast Second to make it to um to the forest right here? Just walking around. I feel like I'm gonna get run over every time I try to do so. So there is potential for improvement, but I I just didn't see it from the
presentation. Uh the concern about loss of revenue seems seems really big for all of us considering that the last three meetings we've had have been deep into the budget where we stayed until midnight talking about how we're in a deficit, how we're how we're going to make it up. We do talk about the
possibility of increasing business. How do we bring business to the village? So So there is opportunity. It just wasn't very clear to me where all how how this is all going to happen. And most importantly, it just it seems like it is not for the community. How how are we
going to afford this? I feel like we're getting continually gentrified out of Elportal. You bring this thing in at $34,000 for for tuition. We can we can afford this. We can't we can barely go out to dinner nowadays. We want to bring more restaurants. We need we need to
bring that actually are for the people who are living here, not just for the people are going to buy our homes. We don't want to move. We want to stay here. >> I don't know if this is kosher, but I I have another I'm doing a repeat. So again, Ashley Luchio,
>> hold on one second. No, you It's only one time. Three minutes. Yeah, it's only once. >> It's only once. >> Should I? Okay, I'm gonna take Vamari's time. Thank you, Omari. So, and I wanted to come up because there is another point that has not been
made. I was hoping it would and that's why I came back up. Um, so nobody has talked about the historic preservation of the buildings. Um, so, and I apologize if you all know this story about the church, and I'm beating a dead
horse, but it was recommended under um two criteria to be under the National Register of Historic Places. Okay, I know it's very expensive to refurbish that building. However, I mean, we're not even talking about that the fact
that it would be demolished. The other um thing I would like to bring up is in the survey I'm sorry in the research survey that was paid by the village to um Plus Serbia is that correct? Thank you. Um so in their survey that or their
research uh publication that they put out in 2023 or 2024 um they also recommended that Northeast 90th Street at Second Avenue. So those homes that you are tearing down um would be recommended for um historic
preservation as well. That whole area there are multiple homes. Um my neighbors uh Jorge and Janet live in a beautiful Spanish cottage home. Vamari and Nariman as well. Um so you have a
very unique um street there and um you know it's a mix of really historic homes um as well as like ranch homes and things like that. But um I just want to uh make a nod to the fact that we are
tearing down uh buildings that are possibly historic. Um and I don't really think that's right. Alexandra Vasa, 120 Northwest 86th Street. Uh, first of all, I want to thank everyone who's here uh for this
big turnaround. Um, given the very short notice that we had to review of 435 pages. Um, I really think that this needs to needs to change. This is is impossible that we don't have any resource to do any research about if a
property is historic. They're talking about the environmental impact. How many trees are you are you de the you know cutting? You cannot replace a a mature tree with all the environment you know all this life that it supports and just
put another tree and assume that it's just going to be just okay. Not in this environment. We are we are a birth sanctuary. That is just not it just doesn't happen despite of how many times the council has has overlooked that.
That is a very serious issue to address. I honestly think that this community be deserves better deserves be treated with respect. We're a community of business owners, smart people. We can all have,
you know, our voices heard and our opinions matter, but we're not being heard for a change. Now, they are proposing to change to, you know, do a a signing change that can open the door to have eightstory
buildings on Northeast 2 very easily if this, you know, happens that to be the third or fourth um Jewish school that is about to fail. So there are so many things that are to be considered.
We people if for any reason you didn't find out you know you were not looking on Thursday you would not be here. It's absolutely unfair the way that we have been treated. So, I really urge you
guys and I don't even understand why we're missing two council members in one of the biggest discussions that we have. I mean, we how many people do we have here? This is unbelievable. It's disrespectful.
Good evening. Uh I'm Noel Pace. Uh 206 Northwest 91st Street. Um welcome to Elortell. Uh sorry uh that uh um you know I I I wanted to come up here to see the map because I mean I haven't had even had a chance to look at the map
here and where Northeast 2nd is and where 88th Street is. Does everybody see where the the diagram of the map is? So this is Northeast 2nd Avenue. This is Northeast 87 Street Elportal Boulevard.
The street that's out here. Okay. And then northeast 88th Street is here and then over there is uh basically that back lot where they're knocking down the house that they knocked down this weekend. So the thing is is that you
know we have a community plan here and I think plus Serbia was mentioned. We did a sharet process. We have community standards. I mean, I don't know if you guys are aware, but our our residents are not even allowed to have hedges or walls or anything around their
properties. I I can tell you the house that we bought does have a variance and does have a wall, but that's because children were coming into the property from the school that we bordered, North uh Horus Man, and they were uh having attractive nuisance issues there. And this was over
25 years ago. So, um, you know, I just what I would what I would really ask you guys to do is is that you guys you guys have heard, you know, a bunch of a bunch of issues tonight. Course of action development is the key
to getting approvals on projects. You guys own a lot of land in this area already. Obviously, I I would really and I mean the architects done good work here. I mean I Hey, I think it's great. The inside of this place looks, you know, beautiful. If you could see it from the street, but with an 8ft wall,
you'll never be able to see it. My thing is is that you guys are asking for all kinds of variances, all kinds of ordinance changes, all kinds of zoning. You know the impact we're talking on this one property when you have acre after acre after acre of the little farm
property. Take all the good work you guys have done repackage it into a property the little farm and I think you'll get probably a different response here. I really do. And so you know no one no one is saying not in my backyard but maybe
it's not this yard. Okay. But there's lots of yards here that are available. And so, hey, I'm trying to be reasonable and I'm as a business owner here, my our property on 87th Street is right across from here. So, so the traffic that's going to come through out at 87th Street
is right in front of our our property on 87th Street. And so, hey, as good neighbors, I I personally think that that you have a lot of good work that's been done here. There has been some thought to this. I love the sustainability aspect of it, but I think again somebody mentioned they're putting
the whole brand new pelican uh bird uh uh process across the across the river from there. There's all kinds of natural nature activities that are on the little river that are at the little farm that this school would be oriented toward I think in a better location. And that's
all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you very much. My name is Velvet Connelly. I live at 355 Northeast 87 Street right here on the corridor. Um, and originally I really wanted to support this project in
terms of I liked what you were standing for and the idea of the type of education that you were bringing and just as a business and and as a homeschool mom, I like to see innovation in education. But I have to be honest, um, and I did
spend I also was frustrated at the 455page document that I got 24 hours to review. Um, but I did do the best that I could to go through that document and there were definitely some things that were very concerning. I mean, you've
heard it all night about the traffic, um, and there not really being a sustainable plan, not only for the parking, but also for the traffic of what would happen on 87th Street, the street which is our main corridor and on Northeast Second Avenue. Those are pretty big issues and I think that can't
be ignored. But I think what's most troubling to me as I've sat in many of these meetings with developers that have come, I want to see progress take place in Alport. I'm not a person who believes that we should stay the same or that we should just see ourselves as a small
place who does small things. But I am very troubled that there's an environment and a climate that seems to have been created that keeps allowing people to take advantage of this community. And that for me is just unacceptable. For you guys to come and suggest a $40,000 a year school and
you're not going to pay taxes, you're not going to give anything back to the community is not acceptable. I understand you didn't create those rules. I understand that that's not a policy that you presented, but it is one that you seem to be fine benefiting from. And I would really like to see
people come to this community and have a level of integrity that says even though the rules say that I can take advantage, I would like to propose that I don't do that to you. And I think that that mentality would go a lot further than a than this kind of paytoplay, right? And
so I don't know as far as like this location, this definitely seems like there are a lot of issues that need to be worked out before this could be a feasible plan. I don't know that this is the right location for this. You know, obviously you've heard other suggestions of where else it could be. There may be
some ideas that could come up that you could come up with that would allow this to be viable in the location it's in. I'm a big thinker. I think solutions are possible. So, I'm not shutting that down, but I'm more concerned at the idea that something like this would come into our community at any location and not
truly be a benefit to this community. And that you have all these highlevel thinkers who have not come up with any ideas of how you can pour into this community. I don't want to see presentations about grand ideas that don't benefit this community. And I think any level of thinking that says
you win and we lose is not going to fly in Elpr. So that's just all I have to say. Amari Roman, 112 Northeast 90th Street. I want to thank all the residents that came up to express their thoughts. I share all of your thoughts. I've been
here since 2005. And again, it is a beautiful project. So, congratulations on the project. I agree that it should go to the little farm. The one thing that the one question that I have here and it's a big concern that
we're just finding out within 24 hours you see a room full of people here but the question is more for the council. Why is it that we're just finding out? I want to know what's in it for you as
council people. I want to know what's in it for you as mayor. If you all supposedly live here and own homes here, why is this even being presented to us
at this location? That's the question that I have. My name is George Alvarez. I live at 165 Northwest 88th Street. When I was four years old, I was
admitted to the preschool at the Raider Methodist Church where I attended for a year and I distinctly remember being in a play in which I dressed as an alligator and sang a song. I thanked the Methodist church for
allowing me to attend pre kindergarten there despite the fact we were nowhere near Methodist. They were very nice. El Patel is very nice. Um, and it's very nice to see everybody out here.
This happened within a couple days. Somebody called me and said, "Okay, there's a 400 some odd page document about this project." I found that a bit of a hurdle to get over in a short number of days. Another
thing that I find a bit of a hurdle to get over is that we do not have a city manager in which to not only negotiate some of the uh finer points of this agreement. Um we are behind on nearly everything.
So on a personal note, I've got no problem with a school being at this location. I think the devil is in the details. I've got no problem with the the the um scholastic goals that I read about, but I do think that the devil is
in the details. If the school should win, that is to say, be built where it is, then there will be cars lined up on Second Avenue, 90th Street, 89th Street, 88th Street,
87th Street. It will be a cluster zone. If the school fails, then we don't know what happens to that space. So whatever happens and if the school actually doesn't go in that spot,
let's say by some miracle the school ends up in the little farm property. Let's just say that that happens theoretically speaking. or let's say it ends up well wherever it ends up maybe the INS building the former INS
building whatever happens there's going to be pros and cons and if we don't get an opportunity and enough time to read and study and get good legal counsel on the pros and cons so
that we can make a decision or so that we can politely encourage our council to make the decision isions that we want, then we're screwed. Then we're not being listened to. There are some facts. We don't need to get
into them too much. Attendance in public school is down. So for those who say that schools are hard to come by, Horseman's at about 50% attendance. That is a huge danger to this community. If they close down Horus Man, well, we
might have two little farms popping up. So, that's putting the cart before the horse. I'm hoping that the council and the mayor and the mayor was good enough to hang out with me the other day. we, you
know, always enjoy my conversations and um I hope that uh the three council people here and uh the the two that are not here will make it an urgent priority to
give us the time so that we can decide what the pros and cons are. We don't want to root for a school that's going to screw up the character of the village. We don't want to root against it either when it might end up being a good thing. We don't know because the
devil's in the details and none of us has a crystal ball. So, I'm going to encourage the council to table this for now. We do not have a city manager. of the I don't know how many pages of
the 400 some odd pages that I was able to read, I found a few things that I believe uh were counter to the goals and objectives of our comprehensive plan when it comes
to current land usage, future land usage and resiliency. questions unanswered. Perhaps this project will be um amended and uh I follow Barkc Engles on Instagram, so that's got to count for
something. Fan and maybe I follow you guys, too. So there's some good and serious people who are involved in this project. But if our ability to move into the future as El
Patel to modernize to the degree that we are comfortable to the degree that doesn't shoot ourselves in the foot to the degree that Eltel is not just filled with traffic filled with
public safety issues and not filled with trees and remember although there's a lot of trees in the rendering Sometimes renderings lie. >> Hopefully that will be worked out by people of good faith and people who have
the faith in their constituents that our opinion matters. I urge you guys to table it on the reasons of the city manager, on the reasons of contravention. I would suppose that's a word I'm not an attorney. Mr. Geller can
advise uh to the goals and objectives of some of the parts of our comprehensive plan. And I thank you for your time and wish you guys good luck. Sorry, one second. Um, Scott Cobri, uh,
400 North 8 Northeast 85th Street. Um, okay. So, thank you council for being here tonight. Thank you to all the residents. Um, and there's an amazing turnout tonight and I really appreciate
that as part of this community. Um, so I'm not sure some of you might know me, some some not. Um, I am currently uh in a lawsuit with the Barington brothers
uh who are developing the launch project and previously developed the kavista um along with uh attorney Ben Fernandez um and um I uh am am currently in in in a lawsuit with them and with with the
village of El Pora um about the essentially uh not following our comprehensive plan and zoning code when approving those projects. Um, and I just want to quickly um read
just a quick uh read of of what those elements from our comprehensive plan were. Um there was uh from the coastal management element of our comprehensive plan objective 1.1 retain the natural limited water uh
waterfront stretch on Little River Canal. Policy 1.1.1 preserve and mitigate where possible the natural canal banks to further marine and wildlife habitat. Objective 1.3 improve the environmental quality of
Little River Canal. Policy 1.5.1 continue to coordinate with Miami Dade Miami date county office of resilience to shape the little river adaptation action area from the conservation element goal one to preserve and enhance
the natural features in Elportal objective 1.6 to ensure the that resources are effectively managed to preserve protect and enhance the natural systems wildlife fisheries and habitat policy 1.6.1 6.1 The village shall
continue to protect its natural resources to continue to provide a haven to local wildlife. Um those were from our comprehensive plan from our zoning code section 24/19 environmentally
sensitive and uh areas uh states and I won't read the whole thing but essentially reinforces those ideas and blatantly states explicitly states that those trees on and natural banks were supposed to be preserved. Um
I do not blame our council. I do not blame the mayor or anybody. I blame the system for what happened here. And a lot of the things that have been mentioned tonight are the reason that this lawsuit is taking place and that I have had to
spend tens of thousands of dollars that I really don't have to put towards trying to maintain the laws in our village. Um, and what the comprehensive plan was supposed to state. Um, and part of that was a big big part of that was
notice. Um, and a lot of people have mentioned that tonight and I said that throughout every single meeting that came here. I wish we would have gotten the turnout during those that that is here tonight. Um, and I don't think we would be in this place, but a lot of I I
don't believe that the council had even received these documents uh be, you know, with with time to review them for that project prior. and it seems like the same exact thing is happening here. Um, so that is a major major issue when
we're talking about big projects like this that seems to be recurring and I really cannot believe that it's happening the same way. Now, that notice is not when the clerk sends out the email. That notice is public enga it's the level of public engagement that we
need in this village or that we want in this village uh before these things are gotten to the point where they're done deals. Um so great things I I will say I actually this project I love it. I love
this project. I think that I am my number one goals are green infrastructure and canopy and and and and climate resilience because I want my children and my grandchildren to have a place to live here. And if we don't do
those, we won't have our grandchildren having a place to live here. Those are my number one goals. This project seems on paper to be amazing with respect to that. Um but again I have not really had a chance because I just heard about this
from a neighbor. I got the email you know on whenever few days ago and yeah and um you know I have not had to time to review the tree plan have not had to time to review the extremely long
traffic study which I see seems to be a major major concern for so many people. Um and with the former project and with this other concurrency studies that were supposed to be done um again the mixed
use from the other project there was a variance we lost mixed use that was supposed to be mixed use project now we're losing potentially mixed use here um and again yes it seems like a fair
proposal to potentially have it moved. Um but if it can be worked out, I heard that there were some um you know traffic uh you know uh sorry um you know different pickup times etc etc. So if
that can be worked out great but none of us have had time to review that and understand it um and it might be that it is a good good fit for there and can add to the retail and other mixed juice that we want there. Um
sorry. Okay, finish up now. Um, so anyway, yeah, I I I think that the biggest thing is the t is the notice um and and the and the and the time. Um, the construction stuff looks great. I also have been abudded to two major
projects. Um, Pelican Harbor as well as the other the Kavista building. Uh, noise from construction is something that hasn't been mentioned that I do want to mention. I am wondering if this equipment is quieter etc. But certainly
um you know a perimeter of you know that can be created for uh containing that noise would be greatly appreciated. Um and the other big thing and the last big thing is that if this project does end
up going here, um the historic preservation element and maintaining the character supposedly this this church which I think is the only church in Elportal or at least the you know most prominent one and most historical one
was built in 1926. Um, and I question whether or not even if because of course I love the canopy, I love the green infrastructure, even if there's elements of that that can be preserved, the perimeter, maybe an open air roof, etc.,
but elements of the historic church that could be preserved if it does stay in this location. Um, I hope those can be considered. Uh, thank you. Thank you very much to everybody. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Good evening, council. Good evening,
everybody. Uh, Louisis Pila, 103 um Northeast 89 Street. Um I just asked uh the council to reconsider these projects and uh I'm not in you know the school looks beautiful like everybody has said um stated before uh the project looks
amazing and I don't want to put a kibash on the on the the whole um uh project but the concern is actually the parking issue if the and the parking is actually something that is needed for the school to take
for the school to take case. So to tear down two multif family homes, multif family buildings and uh the busiest corridor we have a corridor that based on the uh the sharet and all of that is being you
know the the goal is to have a business um corridor not a parking lot. So um it's it's not a big right now it's not a big area. is a 10,000 square footage when you add the two lots, right? Um but
just to put up a parking lot on northeast second and mind it, the next two other properties are also mult multifamily um properties. The one of them is also selling for $1.4 million. So we're
talking about a $5 million parking lot right here. That's almost 200,000 per parking space. So that's huge. So it's obviously uh just to benefit the the investor, not to
benefit the village whatsoever. So the next thing you will see is them to buy the other two properties and build a bigger parking lot because it's needed for the school. You know, right now they're saying 350 students.
Maybe again they decide to, you know, just put more kids in uh per room and then it's all of a sudden you have 500 students. So I just urge the council to reconsider this
and um be mindful of not just the school but the parking situation is the most critical um point over here. Thank you. This next public comment public comment This is the public hearing portion of
this item. Anybody who would like to speak, this is the public comment portion of this item. Public hearing portion going once, going twice. Public hearing portion for this committee item will be closed at 8:38
p.m. Let's bring it back to the council. All right, you guys. So, if Mayor Yes, Counc. All right. Good evening, everyone. I also want to say thank you to all the
residents for being out here tonight. Uh, forgive me. Okay. So, uh, I also first learned about what the scope of this project was just last week, maybe a
little bit ahead of when you guys found out. I do want to thank Miss Lauren uh, for a meeting with me. My initial concern about meeting with her was that she would not be able to act as uh a true voice title of representative for
the developer. But my my initial concern meeting her was that she would not have answers that uh she would not be someone that I would be able to uh uh you know get information directly from the horse's mouth as it were. Um she was exceptionally wellprepared. Um I was
very relieved uh at that all by itself. I was like, "Okay, we can have a a real conversation." I did give her a bit of a warning that I was going to dive deep very quickly and and she kept pace with me without any trouble. Um, and was able
to articulate uh from the developer side what it is they're trying to accomplish here. I do not find the developer to have deceitful intent. So there I think that it's as presented. I think the project
is what as presented here tonight is what they're trying to accomplish. I did not find a need to circle around or find other wrangles or tease answers out of out of her. So, um
I was again very relieved at that reality of I met with her twice. Um and so I I sincerely want to thank her for a time. Um, and so I will say for the project itself, if uh it it does seem to
be as presented what they're trying to accomplish here, I was very clear with her that my first two major concerns with this was first and foremost that it was going to be uh a a business that was not going to be generating tax receipts
for the village. That was first and foremost what I established with her was going to be a uh a major hurdle. The second of which was the private nature of the business itself. So the 8-oot
wall as discussed uh was my second concern that I brought up with her in terms of uh uh my own personal priority. The first was tax receipts uh for the village for the lifetime of this project. My second concern was the uh
elimination of public use of this property which is an iconic property uh here in the village and that uh as mentioned by the residents tonight, our Cherret, our comprehensive plan does outline Northeast Second Avenue as a
future business corridor. And that property in particular is the most iconic of all of the lots along Northeast Second Avenue. It will be a gateway. Uh it will be a beacon. It will be use a bunch of adjectives, whatever
you might find in your lexicon to establish that it's what people are going to notice when they drive through that section of the village. Traveling west on 87th, traveling east on 87th, uh as well as Second Avenue itself.
I do believe that the school will bring attention from outside communities to make our community more visible um uh to communities that we already are kind of sister communities with in terms of uh
you know different locations uh within uh Miami Beach, you know, Bal Harbor, Surfside, North Bay Village, uh Miami Shores itself. I mean, I I I I do believe that this would uh bring attention to Elportal from outside
communities that our residents already interact with on a daily basis. I was very adamant about my concern for reszoning the residential uh lot on the east end of the property, but as we uh
as we got through the discussions that actually lessened in terms of my overall concern. I do think that uh it is a problem that we are behind on updating
our sharet our comprehensive plan. Uh we are already a couple years overdue on this. And so while we do reference it quite a bit in these development agreements, a lot of the times when we're referencing it, it's that it doesn't have enough teeth. It's not
where we want it to be. it doesn't accurately reflect what we're trying to accomplish in the future of the village because as uh Terrence McKenna pointed out our society is becoming exponentially more complex on a daily
basis. All right. So understanding that our society as a whole is becoming more complex on a daily basis, uh it becomes increasingly more difficult to understand what's coming in the future, which technologies are going
to be viable and have long lasting tenurship in our society, which technologies are going to disappear and go the way of the dodo. I do think that this project is well thought out. I think it's well presented.
I think its intentionality is above board and a honorable intentionality. Aside from the project itself, I have even more concerns beyond tax
receipts. It has been a frustration of mine as developments have been have been presented to the council in the past that we seem to have an the village of Elporttowal, your leadership, us on the council, the
attorney, the manager, the mayor. I might exclude the clerk from this commentary, but to understand that it has been a frustration of mine as developments have been presented to us that we do not have a team that is organized that is
prepared to present in a timely manner information coming out of these discussions with the developers to be presented to the council persons. Um, and that is a disservice to both the developers trying to do business with the village as well as to the residents
of the village because it creates it creates an environment of distrust where maybe there doesn't even need to be. I certainly think there is uh more than reason enough to have distrust at this point in time. I accept the fact that I am a community leader. Even
though historically I have used some of the harshest words available to describe politicians and community leaders, it is a choice that I consciously made when I decided to even run for this seat that uh that I would have to accept the fact
that I would be going to the other side and accepting all of the everything that comes with it. So, I actually do think that you need to hold your council responsible in any way that is uh reasonable and uh prudent up to and
including unelecting people as in electing other people. Having said all of that, from the outset, I expressed to Miss Lauren almost in the opening statements
that my primary concern was that we did not have a proper team put together to be able to present this in a digestible way initially to the council and ultimately to the residents. And
I will express extreme frustration to an unbelievable level at what happened at the last meeting where we put ourselves in a position to have an absolutely competent interim manager that would at least
be able to navigate the day-to-day activities in the village as well as entertain any meetings with outside parties. The mayor and council person Winters ensured that that process was stopped
dead in its tracks at the last meeting. We are back to square one. The candidate that was the most qualified and that was chosen by the village. I am hoping will still consider coming to work for us. but as she was not just personally
attacked, her entire lifelong career was publicly attacked by council person wyinners. So, I'm expecting that she's coming back to this council to present some receipts to defend her good name and walk right back out the door.
That is a problem. That is a problem. It's a problem for us to go into negotiations on the most iconic lot in the village with no assembled team
to confidently navigate those discussions to completion. Again, as I say, does a disservice not just to the developers, but more importantly, a disservice to the residents. I cannot express how frustrated I am
right now. It's not even possible. And so all I can say is that it should be absolutely obvious that we as a village are not in a position to entertain any developer, any development whatsoever
because we do not have a competently organized team to address these issues. I will be bitter for a very long time about this, but I will be also looking
for a way to move forward in the most not just expedient. Expediency would be great, but competent way possible. All right. Thank you very much, Counc. Um, all right, you guys. So, as far as the the application process,
why you guys are hearing this um before us and then I'll go straight to uh Miss Edelman's questions. You guys are hearing this um because the application process went through. So, the application process on December 1st,
we received one second. on December 1st first, we received uh we have formally sent the requested documents um to the sheriff folder. You all have the materials needed for the planning and zoning meeting. This is
December 1st at 3:57 PM. So for the any comments that were made about um any previous meetings and things like that, our last council meeting was November the 18th and we received the documents on December the 1st. the documents were submitted at 3:57 p.m. Um,
right there on that day at 3:57 p.m. My email went out at 4:31 p.m. Good afternoon all. I would like to have a virtual Zoom meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, at 1:00 p.m. How does that work
with your schedules? >> All right. So, No, to them that had just submitted it earlier that day. So, what I'm saying is is that every that there was a comment made saying that we had the documents or we had the the site plans prior to
November December 1st. That was a that was a >> Yeah, Mr. Mayor. >> Mr. Mayor, >> there was a comment there was a comment by the second person who stood up and
the individual said, "We've been told for the past couple of months that there has been no sight plan." And I'm saying that our last meeting was November the 18th. on December the 1st
is when we were sent this the final plans. >> Yeah, there were two separate comments. The one comment was about the notice regarding 10 days and we need an answer on that from legal and the other comment was that to the effect that the council had known about this for a few months and had not said anything and I believe
that's what you're addressing now. Uh Mayor Nickerson, >> that exactly what I'm addressing right now. Um so that was that's the answer to that comment. Uh, Miss Edelman. So, the legality of the meeting. Um, the first comment she brought up was the 10 days. I wrote everything down, you guys. So,
I'm going right in order of everybody's comments. I wrote everything down from everyone. All right. So, I was answering the first comment. This comment um for Miss Edelman, you guys, um, Attorney Fernandez or your team, the legality of the meeting and
the 10 days notice. Um, if you guys want to speak on that. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. U I certainly respect the comments from the neighbors and their desire to have notice. I just want to make it clear for the record that we followed the black letter law in
your code with respect to notice. In fact, the letters that you all received in the mail about the meeting tonight is a courtesy notice. It's not required by your code. And our client paid for the notice which was considerable for both properties.
Okay, maybe some of you didn't. >> Some of Well, >> all right. >> If I can explain, some of you live outside the mailing radius, but many of >> If we can, >> many many of many of you do.
>> My my point is simply that the courtesy notice is not required and we did it. The properties are also posted. They were posted physically with large signs and they've been posted for over a week >> right on the property. I can show you the pictures
>> and and we followed the code noticing it in the paper. >> Moreover, we did it. >> The village didn't do it. We've we've we've paid for all of it because I think the village is only accustomed to providing notice as I understand it from your interim manager and your clerk. Uh
doing it for residential properties. So, it's atypical for it to happen in commercial properties. So we went ahead and paid for it all and assisted with it. So I just wanted to make that clear >> there. There was a
you all. >> So so so that was that was answering the legality of the meeting. Um and it seems like even with that the process maybe there needs to be a change in the code for the process.
That's what it see that's what it sounded like. Okay. So maybe something needs to be addressed in the change or adjustment in the code for the process for that. The sewer plan pumps uh was was Miss Edman's next point. So the sewer plan
she had a question about well she has kind of a statement or question about the the pumps and is there a plan about the streets being dug up with the sewer plan um with the pumping station that's going there? Um
she would kind of like to know is there a plan about the streets being dug up? How long will it take? You know what streets would be dug up? How will that impact our residents for the sewer plan? If anybody wants to quickly speak on that.
>> Um okay. So can everyone hear me? Can we hear? Okay. So, first of all, I do want to say thank you for every single person that came up here and that shared your thoughts. Um, I apologize that I haven't been able to hear them sooner, but we
did take many of them into consideration um in reference to and I'm happy to work with you and to hear you continually. This is not something that is going to be um a problem at all. So, in reference to Ms. Edelman's uh question regarding
the sewer plan um where the pump is placed and how it's going to be implemented. So the requirement from Miami date county and WAD and WA was that because we're building a new building that we do connect to sewer. How that happens is not fully fleshed
out. That's the bottom line truth. And the reason that that is not fleshed out is because we have not gone through this process yet. We are here to go through this process to hear your concerns and then to move forward through that in order to address them recognize your
community which we would like to become a part of and then go from there. So there are very many options when it comes to how sewers are run and how they are um pumped connected to etc.
Um really it's our problem on how to do that. But our goal is not at all to be intrusive. It's not to open your streets. It's not to create traffic. It's quite the opposite. It's to create infrastructure that is possible for
future use. Now that's also not in our hands. That's actually up to Wasa Wazdi and the professionals at the Miami Date County level where we are working with some of the best engineers um who are very familiar with Miami date county and
Elort um and we are happy to do what it takes between our engineering and with the city in order to do this as quickly as efficiently and as least messed as possible.
I'm not sure if that answered your question. >> Is is is is WSD um saying that you all have to put in sewer right away or is there like because sometimes I know wise with new developments that have never had sewers
um they give like a twoyear or threeyear or fiveyear um leeway. Are you guys required to put in sewage right away or are you guys going to be on on the sip tank for a while? So, um, our goal is to have connection as soon as possible, uh, we wouldn't really be able to operate in
the long term without water, without sewer. Um, so while there may be some way to mitigate a temporary condition, it's not in our best interest or yours for us to function without it. So, it's
as quickly as possible and um, as efficiently as possible. >> Okay. Yes, that was a really good point. I appreciate that. Um, and we absolutely can look at placing it elsewhere on the property. It was placed there for ease of um,
uh, maintenance. Um, someone else mentioned, I'm sorry I'm skipping ahead, I can tell you exactly who, but someone else mentioned, uh, trash pickup, recycling pickup, all that would be done on property. We're not interested in blocking your roads anymore. Uh as that
is a major concern. So the pump station was placed for best ease of access and ease of maintenance. We recognize that maybe that was not the best place and we're absolutely willing to look at alternatives. >> Thank you very much. What about So the
next thing um is the loss tax revenue. Now, I will say that and I'll get into this a little bit later, but um last week, I think it was around Thursday, I did Wednesday or Thursday, um I did
list certain conditions that I think should be um put in place, and the full property taxes was one of those conditions that I thought should be put in place. There's other conditions that
um or pillars that are here that I'll get into later. I want to get everybody's questions answered, but uh full property taxes is something that I felt should be a condition um of the property. The next is a traffic study. You guys, when you guys did the traffic
study, um do you feel that it was done at the best time or or did the county make any comments about it? I know your traffic study right now is at the county level and it and it comes back I believe next week or something like that but um the traffic
study did they feel like it was an efficient traffic study? >> Um first may I address the taxes issue because that was something that came up a lot. Um, so taxes, you're right. It would become a
nonprofit and it would not be taxable for property taxes. Now taxes go to Miami date county, right? and a portion of which that breakdown a portion of which comes to Elort where
you would lose taxes that we would pay directly to Miami Dade. We do have the opportunity to help with impact fees and millage rates that we can deduce based on calculations to help with your streets
>> to help I'm sorry. >> We don't Right. Exactly. We don't want you. We don't want to increase your taxes. We don't want you to have to foot any bill. What I'm saying is rather than us pay taxes to Miami date county, which doesn't actually legally make sense as a
nonprofit, we're willing to look at what the impacts of our project would be directly on your community and on our future hopefully community so that we can help mitigate those costs so that you're not paying for whatever is lost
in terms of our taxes. We're happy to look at that and calculate that. Absolutely. That's what this is for. We're here to hear you. We're here to move forward and we're here to recognize your concerns. Take those into consideration and move forward with a
development agreement in writing. >> Okay. So, next thing I'm sorry, you mentioned was the traffic study in Have you heard? You get it back next week. >> We actually have the traffic study engineer here. I'm not sure if this if
he's allowed to speak or not allowed to speak. I personally do not know traffic except that I'm a native Miamiian and I know what it is to be in traffic all day every day. So um again it was follow it it was
professionally done by one of the top engineers. It was also looked at and reviewed by your traffic engineer through Corinho. It is also being looked at and studied by Miami Dade County. So,
it's on its tertiary review currently for traffic and how that might affect the neighborhood. Um, we have taken every consideration possible into making sure that we are not influencing you or impacting you in a
negative way any more so than you could already possibly feel. Right? So, we have limited traffic to solely be circulating directly around our property, entering right lane, turning right, exiting, right turn only. So,
there is no left turn. I I I'm sorry. I could look through my notes, but someone on 87th Street mentioned that they don't want someone to make a left turn into the school. That's not going to be allowed. So, it's a right turn in only. And we have
security and we are willing to support your police department by helping to fund a police officer if necessary, two police officers or some portion of their salaries so that we can have a police officer stationed at our school in the
crosswalk or wherever is most needed by the community to help mitigate those impacts. >> Yeah. So the let's address
let's let's address the so let's address the um >> in the study >> let's address the traffic I mean the trash recycling you all and let's address and we still need to address just traffic on 88th as a whole I know we have um the aspect of of coming off
of Northeast 2 making that right turn the and then putting them behind the school and then coming out of the school and only a right turn on onto 87th Street. >> It kept coming up the idea of Northeast
Second being the main the main place where you do the drop off and pickups where you'll be coming down Northeast Second. Therefore, the traffic would be on Northeast 2. Individual pull into the property off of Northeast Second and then pull out onto Northeast 2. Um can
you just explain why you you guys feel like that wouldn't work for you? >> So um already it was mentioned that Northeast Second Avenue has a tremendous amount of traffic um when I 95 is backed up and that people trying to get to work are not able to get to work. It is
really um untenable based on the two intersections on either side of the property to have queuing on Northeast 2nd Avenue in either direction at any time of day. So in making the entrance to the school on the other side, we
actually were doing two things. Number one, we were trying to eliminate more traffic passing our property line. So as people would come to school, right? You don't want people leaving school and entering the entering the community to create more traffic for those of you
trying to leave your driveways. So, by making the entrance into what seems to be the more residential section, we're creating a traffic flow which allows continuous traffic in either direction from Northeast Second Avenue, as well as
a queuing lane that allows for stacking outside the property, queuing within the property, and then a safe queuing and only right turn out of the property. So it allows for the cont the containment of more cars and traffic.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yes. >> So there was a question I mean I don't know how to answer this. What happens if the school fails? Uh I know they don't plan on failing but uh I don't know much you can say about that.
>> It's a great question. Um the school has been in existence. Um our teaching staff is exemplary. We have some teachers here today uh that have been teaching and have experienced teaching for over 20 years. Um maybe
more. Um there's no promise, right? We can't say that our school is going to last forever and and be a forever successful school. That's really dependent also on you guys. It's really dependent on whether or not we can create the community that
we want to create and that our goal is to create. So, nobody can promise you success 100%. But what I can promise you is that we're not a business that's here for like in and out. We're not here for $2 and you know 50 and then we're going to leave you
with a vacant building that you can't fill. We're creating something beautiful. We're creating a legacy. I feel that we're creating the gemstone that Elbert Hall should be proud of. It's gorgeous. But but I can't tell you that it's going to last forever.
It's a school and it's a nonprofit, so the chances are way higher than if it was a restaurant. the >> the the next thing is to the next thing that
was brought up about was making use of the facilities um for Elpert residents and explain why that wouldn't work for you guys. >> So, this is a tricky one. Right now, it's private property, right? So, it's an abandoned building that's vacant with
a chainlink fence and a mesh thing around it. nothing to look at. I mean, yes, the building happens to be beautiful and we really need to try to save it. That's the truth. Um, but nobody's able to use the facilities as they are, right? That's not going to make anyone feel better in this moment,
right? Just because you can't use it now doesn't mean we can't use it in the future. So, being that it's going to be a private school, yes, it's not designed for community use in this way. However, and this is a big however, a rising tide
lifts all ships and really we believe in partnering with the community and doing things to enhance a horseman. We have um a future meeting actually next week with uh the principal with Horus man, with
the district, with um a few people that our goal is to create a curriculum similar to what we are creating for this school for Soulful where we'll be creating farms and we'll creating gardening and we'll be creating
a a curriculum regarding earthworks selling ing those uh selling the produce in farmers markets and making it available to everyone. That's that's a partnership that we're looking to create not only in Horus man and
Elportal but in many other areas as well. Elportal is our cornerstone. It's our gemstone. It's where we're starting and it's where we would like to get everyone on board with us. We would really love to create partnerships. We would love to create more green spaces
that are usable for the community. Everyone mentioned this parking lot. I hear you. Okay. Pave paradise and put up a parking lot. No one wants it. No one's interested. I could tell you it's going to be a gorgeous parking lot, which it is. It's going to have gorgeously
planted, gorgeously native fenced in for safety parking. However, it's a parking lot. You're right. Now, we can use a parking lot for farmers markets. Why can't we have farmers markets on Sundays? We can use the
parking lot for movie nights for kids. Why can't we put up an inflatable movie and have everyone bring a picnic blanket? We can come up with great. >> All right, you guys. >> I'm sorry,
>> you guys. We We >> This is This Oh, every So, All right. >> Listen for the corn you all. We can't be yelling from the audience. All right. >> All right.
So, >> we understand and we hear you. There can't be the back and forth from the crowd, you guys. All right. It doesn't get picked up on a transcript. It doesn't get picked up on the official records. And we need everything picked on the official records. Okay. Now, if
you guys need me to reopen things again for another public hearing, I'm I'll gladly do it. >> Okay? I'll gladly do it. I'll gladly do it. But but for right now, you have to let this part here happen. All right? I appreciate it. I understand. I
understand. But we have to pick up everything on the transcripts. Okay? We got to pick up everything. All right? Um if you're asking questions of the audience, please refrain from that. >> Sorry. >> All right. just answer the questions that are asked here so that we can get through um these questions. All right.
So, that was the facilities and you said that and you went to the parking lot for the parking lot. There was also that came up um uh Mr. Carbelli, you had um the parking lot on 90th Street, the school zone, slow
traffic, um school students possibly causing problems. Uh with the parking lot being on 90th Street, how does that affect maybe like traffic and slow traffic being extended um longer than it probably normally would have because it's on a street
that's much further away extending the possible school zone. um if you just want to address that and school students causing problems and how that how you would address that. >> So our goal is to have um
student drop off and pickup completely on property. The off-site parking is for faculty and staff only. Um, so it would be adults that are walking to and from the parking lot to the school, which allows for the opportunity of a coffee
shop or people to stop and uh people to stop and partake in any businesses that may come up in the corridor. When that corridor does become more businesses, more cafes, more
restaurants, you will need parking. So the parking and the students students are self-contained. Faculty faculty would be walking. I'm sorry. Am I missing a part of the question? >> Um it was about the parking 90 with the
school zone possibly being extended. It would slow down traffic even um much more and the students uh possibly causing problems. But you did say that it's faculty >> you did say it's faculty parking over there. Um, but if you can just address
uh just the concern about students causing problems and you know students being mischievous. >> Our goal is not to have the students out and about causing problems. I I understand that that's everyone's goal, but ours is that drop off and pickup
will be taking place on property only. I I can't make you a promise once a family leaves the school that they won't be misbehaving, but that's not the type of student um or family that we're looking to have. Like I I mentioned earlier,
happy helpers. >> Givers, >> can I move this back? I'm sorry. It's hard for me to see you. No problem. >> How many trees are being removed? We heard a number like 90 being floated around.
>> Um we have Do you have this on a slide? I think that we have this on a slide. There are trees being removed. The trees being removed are mostly palm trees. There are um if we look at the picture, there is a cluster of oak trees that are
not um they're saplings. They're not well-developed oak trees. We are preserving actively any live oak on the property. We're also preserving all sable palms that are native that are
there. Um, it's not on here. Okay. Um, I can get it's not this I can get you the exact numbers. I don't have them on me at this moment, but we are exceeding by we're exceeding the requirement by
almost 700% in terms of landscaping and native planting. So in the grand scheme of like things where we where they fall, we are we're really well above board in terms of native and uh landscape
plantings. >> Okay. Um before we move on to the next one, I just want to Oh, this one right here. Uh for the the uh the 3D um printing of the concrete for the
property. Um, is it up to hurricane stand? >> That was my favorite, the soft surf. Um, yes. So, Miami date county has NOAS approved. They have been engineered for and actually I shouldn't even answer this. I should let the people that work for Icon answer this, but um I'm really
really proud of it. It's really really cool and great. >> Hi again. Uh, short answer is yes. We've gone through testing, uh, ballistics testing, and meeting Miami Dade, uh, county requirements for for hurricane rating of our wall system. Um, and we've
got reports on on the results of those those, uh, uh, tests. So, yes. >> Okay, that's the hurricane standard question. Um, as far as uh, there was a few questions about um, about why are we even hearing this? Like why the council
even allow this to be heard? So once somebody goes through the application process, they pay and they go through the application process, we hear them once they're ready and their application goes through. It doesn't matter who it is. So we can't you can't like for example, if
you wanted to do a garage conversion, we can't say as a committee or a council, I don't care if you did a garage if you applied for a garage conversion. We don't want to hear your garage conversion. We can't do that. So once you apply for whatever you're applying for doesn't mean we have to agree but
you have a right to apply but once you apply and once your site plan or whatever it is you know once this once you go through that process and it's ready then it comes before us and we hear it. So that's why that's why we're hearing it. So because I think there was
like you know there was kind of like a feeling of you know council you like you guys brought this forward but it's not like that. Whoever applies they go through the application process when their application is ready to be heard then there it's heard and that's just
the way the reason why it's being heard. Okay. There was another comment um about being in a deficit. Albertal is not in a deficit. The only thing that happened in Alberta with um this year's budget
season is the property taxes for the kavista went online. >> The property taxes for the Gavista went online. When the property taxes for the Kavista went online, we were getting like almost a million dollars or a million dollars for the property taxes.
We get a call about three, four days later. The owners of the Kavisa development had without telling us that they had applied for affordable housing
with the federal government. So, we get a call a few days later after we get the property tax paper and it says, "Oh, this has to be adjusted because they applied for federal house
for for affordable housing through the federal government months ago and it just came through. So, instead of getting an extra million dollars, it went down to like 400 and something or almost $500,000.
because they get tax breaks for affordable housing. So, we're we're not in a deficit. We're just not receiving. And the the the Kavisa property just went online, you guys. It just went online this
budget season. So, it's not a deficit. It's not good. We're getting much less than we thought we would get, but it's not a deficit. Okay. So, We're not getting as as much as we
thought we'd get from the Kabis department. Um, Mr. Smith, we have the parking spots, traffic pumping. What What about the trash? That question has not come up yet. >> I did every question every every question that's on page one. I just
finished page one. I'm on page two. The the first the first question >> I have here the I have here parking lot on 90th Street. I have school zone slow traffic school students causing problems. Um I
have how many trees will be removed? It's 90 trees. If I if I miss if I missed if I missed that, I apologize. >> If I missed that, I apologize. But I do see it on this page also. So it came up a couple of times. Okay, that's what I have. >> All right. Um
so the next thing was trash recycling also. How was the how was the trash recycling? Have you guys thought about that or that far forward with the trash and recycling and how that maybe will affect the um surrounding neighbors? >> It's taking place on property. The the
we have it we have it located where the truck can pull in, the dumpster will be rolled out, trash will be taken, recycling will be taken, the trash will truck will back out or go through driveway and exit.
Okay. >> So, you're keeping it. So, you're saying that it's it's all taken within the property, >> correct? >> Okay. Behind your property. Um, the next one is right here. Benefit to the village.
>> This was I just got finished doing the pump the the trash, you guys. And it was right here. So, I'm going in order. I'm going to get there. I'm going in order. This is Mr. Craig Craig Smith. Benefit to the village. That's the next
one right here with the question mark. So, what's the benefit to the village? Um, or how do you feel like do you feel like what you're doing is a benefit to the village or do you feel like there's other ways where you could do things to benefit the village? How is this benefiting the village by being here?
>> Um, okay. Well, yes, besides the beautiful trees, besides So, I really see this as a as an amazing opportunity for Elport. And the reason that I see that is because you have Yes. 350 kids. That doesn't mean
350 families. So, it also doesn't mean 350 cars, but it does mean 350 children eventually. We're starting not at 350 children. We're starting only with the lower and some middle. Our plan is to metriculate and grow as the community
grows and as we are more uh welcome uh in the community, right? So, how does it benefit you? Well, if you have 350 kids that come to school every day, then the possibility for a dance studio where
maybe moms do yoga, kids do dance. How does it how that is a benefit? That is a tax benefit. That's dollars. That's dollars in pockets. Okay. How does that how does it benefit you to have the active corridor that I heard so many times tonight to create businesses to
create opportunities that's benefit how >> do you >> how does it benefit green space we can we're doing green space we have farmers markets we have outreach we have the
opportunity for community involvement so I I think I think that would be I think that would be >> I think that would be something that when we get later on I think that um what I had uh in my pillars that I made up last week would spell out some of
those things and we'll get to that. you're >> so so we can't we can't yell from the audience everybody. >> We can't yell from the audience. Okay. The next thing is the construction timeline. um what did you guys envision
as a timeline for construction and the impact on the surrounding area? >> So the benefit of 3D printing is that it's actually really really a quiet and non uh pollution noise or otherwise
um process. So actually um it can be self-contained. We can 3D print in a tent. So, it's something that would be um quiet, self-contained, not polluting, and our timeline is very aggressive. We
would like to have the school opened for next year. >> Okay. Um next this is >> property tax again >> 26 >> study signs of 88
um housing. So there yeah there is the concern about uh knocking down the um existing properties for a parking lot um with the concern of affordable housing um in Miami day county.
There's the concern. Okay. So, um, why not the little farm area? Why not the the trailer park? >> So, they're actually two separate projects and they're actually two
separate owners. So, um, while there is one investor that is involved in both, the little farm is a completely separate ownership group and entity from Soulful. Um, soulful is in and of itself its own
property and entity. And it's not like we can just randomly choose. I can't just pick another investor and their property and say we're going to put the school here because this makes more sense to other people. This investment
was purchased for this project because we feel that it is a great match for Elportal and for and for the environment. >> All right. So, so you're saying that the little farm area is a different owner
than the >> It's different investors. Yes. >> Different investors. Mhm. >> The um we already spoke about that the community access for uh Elbert. Oh. Uh do you guys have any knowledge about the
church being historic or possibly moving towards being a historic property? >> So I did a lot of research on this and unfortunately it it's not we could not find anything that was that makes it historic. It's not designated. It does
not meet the criteria and it actually doesn't even meet the criteria from the placerbia group that did your recommendations. We did possible that I miss it and I misread it, but I did look and from what I saw
it was not there. What was there was the house opposite. So the the homes that you mentioned uh on 90th, the the home directly across the street that is a doctor's office, I believe is recognized as historic for its art deco.
So >> what? Yeah, we're not supposed to answer from the crowd, but just I think we need staff to clarify that it is it it you know, one thing is a recommendation, another thing is a designation. And in fact, in most municipalities,
a church building has a higher burden for designation because if you design because every church would want to be designated as a historic church. There are many beautiful churches and religious buildings. So the burden is actually more difficult. It has to be a
super uh you know high level of architecture to be designated as a historic structure. I just point that out with all due respect. It may have been recommended but I think your professional staff would have confirmed that whether or not it's historic. >> And wasn't the prior shopping center
plan going to demolish the whole thing? >> They were keeping it. I don't know. I'm asking. >> Okay. have to be designated. >> So, >> so yep. >> So, yeah. So, we can look into that about
the historic designation. Just for um clarification though, the previous owners um they did apply for a demolition permit. >> Yes, >> they applied for a demolition permit, but they didn't go through with it because they sold the property, but they
also applied for a demolition permit. >> Okay. >> And and and also um just understand the demolition these demolition permits, they're not through Alberta, they're through the county, right? Like we have nothing to do with a demolition permit. The only thing they have to do once they
get it is to come and just show us that they were approved for a demolition permit with the with Monday County. >> Um, and the previous owners also had applied for a demolition permit and they were approved for a demolition permit, the previous owners. >> Okay. So, we should look into that u
with the historic designation. Well, we actually we actually applied for through Miami date county and Delport >> uh for a demolition permit and we do have a demolition permit to knock down the church. We have not done so out of
respect for this process and to hear your voices. So, we are we are legally allowed at this moment. We could have done that already to knock down the church. We have not done so because we were interested in hearing this
conversation, but that is the plan >> if I'm being completely honest. >> The the lawsuit um attorney Geller for the schools that came before and were denied um is there any lawsuit? But I think the short answer, if I would think, would be no, because you can
approve or deny um anyone that comes before you at the discretion of the committee or the council, but I'll let you uh correct me if I'm wrong. Well, you're not wrong, mayor. That's that's a correct statement, but it's only one reason. Uh first of all, yes, there is
discretion in what you prove and deny. It's not absolute discretion. It's not unlimited. you have to stay within the law. But there are a lot of reasons why things can be denied. Some of those
things were actually not denied. They didn't go forward because in the face of opposition, sometimes people withdrew their plans. But in any case, another reason would be if you are
actually denied, then you have the right to challenge that in court. But if you fail to do so, you can't come back years later and say, "Oh, I wish I had challenged that in court." So, for a
number of reasons, no, I don't believe we would be subject to that. And and if I can add one thing, mayor, it's a little off that topic. Yes. >> I I think it's important because I don't think it's been said when people say, "Oh, this should not go forward or be deferred."
>> This is this whole meeting technically is not a village council meeting. It is a meeting of the planning and zoning board sitting as the land planning agency. That is the first step.
But two of the things here, the comp plan amendment and the reszoning require an ordinance. The others require even site plan approval is a resolution. So site plan
and some of the other things absolutely require approval at a full village council meeting, not a planning and zoning committee. That's at least one more. and a public hearing. But the reasonzoning
and the comprehensive plan amendment require an ordinance. And my reading says that that's at least two more meetings, first and second reading in front of the village council. So everyone should understand
even if this land planning agency, this planning and zoning committee approves this tonight, there's a minimum of one for half of it and two more meetings where the full council has to consider
this. This is not done tonight or close to it under any circumstances. And I guess that's that's not been pointed out. So when you say don't act or defer or or don't rush ahead with it, this is
the first step in a a fairly long process. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um what about HVAC ventilation and all those things as far as like um you know the logistics of for the contractor and things like that. Um,
how is it that or or or do you are you guys which I assume the answer is yes, but are you guys following the protocol and the procedures that need to be followed um when it comes to that? >> Absolutely. >> Is this the first property like this
that you guys have have have have done? >> Is it the first property that Soulful has built or is it the first property that Icon has built? is the first property Icon has built. >> Okay. And Icon has built like this type of property with the 3D printing. How
many um buildings do they have? >> 300 total. >> 300. 300 structures plus the school. >> Okay. And with And with those structures, have there been any problems after the structures were built? >> Not at all. >> Any any problems or compliance problems
or anything like that? Um, nothing in term nothing major other than the normal typical warranty items. Um, usually with the non-printed items um but nothing nothing major. >> Okay. All right. Um, as far as the
relocation of the old trees, that's something that um is a concern especially like the mature trees. How many mature trees are you relocating? >> Um, there are a few. Uh it depends on how you look at them. There are sable palms that are being uh preserved and
moved. There is there are so some are being just preserved. Some are being moved preserved and moved um and others are being added. So I'm sorry I'm not sure what was exactly the
question. >> It was how many if you knew the >> how many are being preserved? >> How many are being relocated? >> Oh relocated. the the yeah concern was you know moving these these older mature trees. >> Can you follow the plan? I have the >> We have the Hold on.
Is this is just a schedule of trees. >> Sorry. We're going to >> why you guys are why you guys are looking for look for that. Um yeah, so there there was a a constant concern about why do walls have to go up. If you just want to kind of talk about why there needs to be walls around the
project. >> So the walls are for safety. Um it's safety for children. It's also to keep the kids where they're supposed to be on the property. It's also acting as
noise abatement. Um, and we were actually told that people may want a larger wall. Um, we we were we we lowered the wall because we felt that it was going to be too high. Um, and and it
has been brought to our attention that perhaps the residents that are abuing the property would want a higher wall. Um, which is not allowed per code, but it is something that we would explore if the residents wanted it. Um, I'm a
little bit surprised by the reaction based on our our input previously. So, um, I'm not really sure what more to say. So,
so, so, so that's for that. Um as far as different location uh application process notice the parking. So the location continues to come up you guys. the
property taxes and taking advantage um the process um the notice uh asking the table the comp plan parking as far as madam clerk um there were a couple
people that said that they were they got notice 24 hours ago >> no it was sent out Thursday >> you sent it out Thursday. >> Yeah. >> And that was via email. >> Email. >> Okay. >> And it's also on the website as of
Thursday as well. >> And it's on the website. Um can you walk through the uh Madame Clerk really quickly if anybody um wants to make sure they're on the email list? Is it on It's on the first page of the website. >> They have to sign up as it is. Um
everybody's it's up to you guys to go up to the website and look at it. um you do sign up. Right now, we're having a little bit with Gmail and I think I've spoken to several and there's some people that have addressed it and I've sent it to them. There's at least maybe five here that have told me they haven't
received it, but they're here tonight because I sent it to them and they've let me notice. Um other than that, it's on the website. That's the first. We are getting larger and larger um files. So, when I send it out, I even spoke to it. They have a problem with the Gmail
kicking it back. not exactly from our end, from the other end. Um that is something that I have been um looking into so we can hire a company so they can actually do it like that. It takes it away from my hand because we're doing it very old school
as it is. That's >> okay. >> What? >> All right. Thank you very much. Um there was a concern uh which I share um greatly and that's about and uh Miss
Hammonds and Attorney Geller and M attorney Fernandez you guys might be able to clarify this with the zoning change um when we're talking about the the distinction of mixeduse commercial
in relation to the live local act that zoning change and that that particular distinction of mixeduse uh commercial these are in these are in my notes. That particular distinction of mixeduse commercial is that something that if you guys know
can be used if the school does fail to later um like kick in the live local act and then possibly increase the density over there on northeast second. I can give you a maybe on that. Mayor,
>> the live local act is very frequently misunderstood and we don't know what it's going to look like because every year the legislature comes back and tries to tinker with it and sometimes those are
bad ideas. But live local applies based on how tall other buildings within a certain distance from the site you're
talking at are located. And in this case, without the act right in front of me, I mean, there's nothing that is very tall right around the old greater church. Now, we do have a couple buildings that have just gone up or
going up and the act absolute distance measure of that. I mean, maybe Mr. Fernandez knows. I happen not to know that exact distance measure. >> I think it's one mile. >> Yeah, I'm being told by Miss Hammond she
believes it's a mile and I don't think those buildings are a whole mile away. Maybe, as I said, Mr. friends might know better, but if they're within a mile, then yes, they could be the basis for somebody coming in and live locally at
that site and doing something that's a lot taller than anything very close to it. But we're a small village. To say it's more than a mile from there to where some highrises are going up, I would I'd be hesitant to say that. So, yes, it it's possible that that could be
used under live local if they're within the appropriate radius. Ben, do you happen to know the distance? >> I I don't want to misspe, but I believe that it's also limited to the jurisdiction. So, you can't go and base your comparator site to a site in the city of Miami or Miami shores.
>> I'm talking about the ones that um are being built right now in our annex area. >> We're asking about that. We're asking about this resoning. >> So >> they can they can look at what how tall nearby buildings are. I'm not sure if
the two that are going up in Alpert, right, are within that if is that a mile? I I'm not sure. >> I don't know. We we would have to we could study that question. We'll have another hearing, get back to you with an educated response. >> Okay. Because my concern is is that it's
a valid concern that you have, mayor. we have to would measure it, you know, but it is a valid concern. Yes, sir. And and I'm and I'm curious like I'm wondering if if if this gets ignited the live local act simply by the zoning change or
is it through the mixeduse commercial distinction because you know if if you guys need the zoning change but that doesn't automatically kick in the live local act possibly in the future. Can't would it hurt your project to do
the zoning change without the mixeduse commercial distinction or do they go hand in hand and they have to be that way? Attorney, do you know? >> Are you sure? >> I could I would prefer to get back to
you with an answer since we have multiple hearings coming up. >> No problem. >> Right. >> No problem. But yeah, that's something that um is a huge concern. Um, like I said before, you all, I think property taxes, uh, full property taxes is something that we should look into. Um,
I think something like those I because if we're thinking about, you know, the future the future of Northeast Second and we want that to be, you know, Albert's downtown the same way Miami Shores has their northeast second downtown there. We kind of want to extend that. you know, Elpert,
unfortunately, we have the Miami Shores downtown and then we have South of Us, um, that's being developed right over the bridge and then you get to Elpert, it's like a death area kind of. So um so one thing that I would say that should also be something is if you know this
this would move forward and like and like you know attorney yellow pointed out we have a few more meetings before it's finalized but if this would move forward those um parking lots I think since they're right there they should be utilized after hours and on the weekends
for Eltowal's downtown area possibly. you know, if if if we're looking to in the future have a downtown area like Miami Shores, you know, then we need some type of parking next to the downtown area or behind that if we're
going to develop a downtown area in the future. So, that's just something that um you know, possibly we could keep in mind. >> Mayor, mayor, if I could just real quick, >> let me just get through this real quick and I got you one second. >> Yeah, I got you. No, no problem. I also
think that I'm going turn it over to you guys in a second. Anyway, I also think that um you know the sewage if it needs to be done, I would say that you know maybe should come down Northeast Second so that in
the future the businesses could tie into the sewage coming down Northeast Second. I think that's something that that also should be something. Um, I think that, you know, I think that, you know, we should also have because not not not
specifically for this school, but for the neighborhood as a whole. And just like with Horus, man, when they have their um their pickup and their, you know, and their release, we do have, you know, an officer that does go by there.
Even though they have a school resource officer, one of our officers still go by there. I think that I'm just throwing it out there. I think that, you know, we should have, you know, two or three police officers paid for for a number of years. You know, I think that should be
something that should be part of that. Um, for a s significant number of years, you know, I think that should be part of that also. I think also um there should be an element of some type of green space purchase, you know, and or development,
you know. I think that for example, right there on Northeast 2nd Avenue, um across from 86th Street, you know, where the entrance to Short Forest is, there's that place that used to be the gas station back in the days that was next to the sub shop that's been empty. You
know, so many residents for a long time have been asking for a dog park, right? So many residents have been asking for like another park, another screen space, and I think that that's that's a park right there we could utilize. Um, I think you know more more tree planting, more canopy, especially on the west side
of Elbertau, I think should be something else that should be looked into. And also, you know, um there should also be uh since we can't, we know Elbert, we don't collect impact fees, there should be a a a fee, you know, a monetary fee for to
help out with our our sidewalks that are messed to help out with the roads since the roads are going to be impacted by more cars and things like that. So, I think those are some of the things we should think about. Um, I still haven't forgotten you guys there, but um my uh my committee members uh councing
or the sewage? >> I believe well >> right now sewage, but there was something else that you had mentioned before. Let me get through. >> It was the parking. it was it was the parking and and maybe being able to use it in the future um or use it for like after hours and on the weekends um for
you know to start to utilize our possible downtown. >> First, just real quick, I want to acknowledge that we've been in this planning zoning committee meeting now for over three hours. Um so I do want to acknowledge that um because everyone's feeling it, but saying it out loud is a
little bit different. So three hours and 25 minutes we've already been doing this. on the sewage. I guess my question would be for uh Lauren um because from our discussion is my understanding I'll finish my statement. You can correct any
discrepancies. Um the requirement for the property to run a sewage line for their own purposes is a 2-in line. Okay. Uh, it's the develop it's this developer's understanding that a previous owner of the property in their
business plan was going to put in a 4-in pipe, double the requirement. It's my understanding from Miss Lauren that they would be looking at driving an 8 in uh pipe uh from 87th up to 90th or 91st.
they weren't sure exactly where it is. And then possibly cutting a blocking east to where there is a pump station, which I believe was someone's question earlier, or at least a uh a primary hookup. I'm not sure if it would be a pump station, but the point being that um the point being that
additionally the construction method of laying that pipe as outlined to me was a uh was an underground like a um a boring uh method as opposed to a trenching method. So, I'll just let uh her answer
to those issues right now before I talk about the parking. >> You were really close. um our uh the needs for the property of the school would be a 2 inch, right? That would be more than covering um what we need. The previous owners actually um
looked into an 8 inch and that was because they were a restaurant. Um we are actually not able to exactly decide what we would like to do. We would like to do what is the easiest,
cheapest, fastest, most effective that is also dictated by WASA WASDI and engineering. Um we also would like to um be able to contribute in some way to
the infrastructure of the city and so we are looking into all options in regards to that. Does that answer Okay. And then regarding the parking, so um so in uh the two discussions I had uh
with her as well, I I I outlined a frustration that I had with the plans for the parking lot. Um because it seems that the obvious place to go for a developer who's looking to get their project approved within the
village would be to make the project be as appealing as possible to the village. Right? So the resident's primary concerns tonight are clearly what is the village going to benefit from this commercial development that should be benefiting the village because it's a
commercial development, right? And so the question becomes for me personally, how did the developer miss the opportunity to turn the two they're going to raise two structures to put in parking razor
to put in a parking lot. two parking lots, right? The the one parking lot occupying a double lot, right? How is it not just obvious that you would build a three-story structure with parking on the bottom? Uh it would still qualify as commercial and you could
immediately start generating a benefit through businesses to the village. And so I have a personal frustration that this was not just an obvious thought to do as a I'm I'm pleased that it's an open air parking lot, a flat parking lot
as opposed to a structure. I'm at least pleased for that. But um uh but on the parking issue, additionally, the county is in the process right now. Might be several years, could be a very long time, we don't know. that a road diet is
on the menu for Northeast 2nd Avenue for the specific purpose of uh traffic calming, meaning there would be a median, there would be central turning lanes, uh there would be uh upgraded and modernized uh traffic uh pedestrian
crossing uh activities as well as an elimination of uh one lane north, one lane south to provide for like street curbside parking, things like that. uh spaces that would be more conducive to buses be and the jitneys and the buses
public transportation to be able to to allow uh traffic to flow still and so so while I am grateful that a look the what they're proposing is probably one of the most beautiful things we're going to see
proposed on that lot that is a fact that really is a fact what they're proposing is one of the most beautiful concepts that that might be in that commercial space. So that's a pro for the developer, right? My problem is is that
we council specifically, but the village in general does not have its ducks in a row. Say that. Um, and while it's nice to have a developer come in and offer things like
uh, you know, this one piece of infrastructure, if that did happen, it would allow other commercial businesses to be to be developed. And as I had told her, in a healthy established commercial district, even in a small village like ours, you will probably find a school
and you will probably find a parking lot. So picturing Elportal 50 years from now with a fully developed established commercial district uh you know small businesses somewhere in there there's probably going to be a school and somewhere in there there's probably
going to be a parking lot. So you have to you know figure out are we ready now for a school? Are we ready now for a parking lot? and and my short answer is no because we we don't have the fully
developed plan for Northeast Second Avenue and to the resident's points tonight that responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the council members. So, so we have got as a council
uh from our legal team and from our chartered manager position, we have got to get some planning in order in the village of Elportal. We are backpedaling into the future.
>> May May I address one one point? >> Is that okay? Um so you mentioned um a multi-story building, right, with parking underneath and perhaps mixed use. I don't think
that it's unreasonable to feel that that would fit on Northeast Second Avenue and if that is what the appetite of the community is, there is the possibility that that would be developed. But I I do want to be clear that we are offering what we feel in terms of what we're
developing on our our site a beautiful project with a beautiful school and we're h and and we're unfortunately being met with not the happiest and that's fine. But if we were to have come in here and say that we are going to raise two
multifamilies to put a parking lot and mixed use, would we not have received the same push back? The last project that was on our site was meant to be restaurants. That is exactly what I've heard repeatedly. It was meant to be
restaurants. It was meant to be cafes, right? And I understand. And and they were turned down. I understand. And they were turned down, right? And then they left because it wasn't feasible, because it wasn't
received, it wasn't tenable. So, I understand I hear I hear very clearly the frustration. I understand very clearly the distrust or or not understanding of the process. I get it. If there is a vote tonight that says
that we are approved to move forward, all that means is that we're approved to move forward in further conversation. It doesn't mean that we're approved to move forward and we're building a building tomorrow, right? That's what that means. So, if we're turned down tonight, that
means that there is no more possibility here. And I want to be very clear that that's not a future prospect. That's not a future. It doesn't allow for a future if every developer and every person that
comes with an opportunity is said, "No, no, not here. No, no, not that. No, no, not this. No, no, not now. It it it will never it will never become anything. And I think that what we're offering. >> I I
>> Okay, >> I hear you. >> All right, you guys. All right. Um I need Council Person Winters if he wants to speak and then I'll open it back up. Okay. >> Thank you so much. Um, first I'd like to thank everyone for
coming out today. It's really amazing to see such a turnout and everything you've said has been listened to. I have about 25 pages of notes from everything you said today. So, it was wonderful and I'll do my best to get through this without wasting any time. So, um, this
week I also just found out about the plans. I got the 455 pages on Friday. So, it has been quite an ordeal trying to get through everything. Um, and of course with everything going on, Lauren uh showed up and met with me for almost
six hours the other day as I drilled every single thing that we basically talked about today trying to find solutions for all the issues that we're going to have to deal with if this actually goes through. Uh, then again, she met with me again today and walked me through the property. We looked at
trees. We saw the trees that would need to be removed which were basically weeds growing out of the the rocks that were seeds dropped by animals and these these uh trees are basically dying inside of concrete. So they're not real trees that they're moving everything that's lovely
and meets Sherwood forest all the oak trees all the beautiful uh palms that not the other palms but the >> you know what I mean >> they're they're keeping all of them. I was even impressed that I noticed trees on the property that I thought were in poor condition and I saw in poor
condition on there and they were still keeping them and they're trying to keep the whole view of way that it is still as Alport. Um so I want to make it clear Elportal supports education
opportunities. We support children. We support families. We support reasonable development. But supporting a school does not mean approving a project without addressing serious impacts that were exposed in the 455page document. We also need to remember something
essential. This location is in Elbertal's business corridor as established by our sharet. A business corridor by definition will have activity, parking, foot traffic, noise, storefronts, community events, regular
movements. This is not a residential culde-sac. It's an active district designed to attract economic development. So, the Cherrett envisioned this area to be walkable, vibrant, mixeduse corridor
that would support highquality businesses and bring value to residents and family. But lately, the atmosphere in some of our meetings in including moments tonight has created a negative tone that discouraged investments. We have already had potential investors and
business owners step away from Elporttow because they felt unwelcome or sense instability in our public process. If we want to build a thriving downtown and attract the businesses envisioned in the Sharette, we must create an atmosphere
of professionalism and constructive dialogue, not hostility. So before I go any further, I would like you to please not yell from the crowd because I have a long speech. I know everyone wants me to finish it as quick as possible. So
before I go any further, I want everyone to understand this process. This is not a final improvement approval. This is not a last opportunity for input. This is not the end of a conversation. We have minimum two more meetings, which means a whole three months. We have a
lot of time to fix or deny. This is not the final vote today. and by everyone showing up and know we know how important it is to this community. So this project requires multiple approvals tonight the planning and zoning right and then we have the council meetings
two of them. So the project when it goes to the council for the first reading through an ordinance it requires a second reading for the ordinance. So after that the applicants must negotiate and finalize binding development agreement which incorporates every condition that we require. So, and
finally, the council holds a second reading and then a final vote. Tonight is one step in a structured multi-step process. The goal is determine whether this project can move forward only with conditions that protect the village. I also want to share something personal
that gives me a unique perspective on the project. My masters was in education. I've worked at Guliver Academy. I've worked at Westminster School. I worked at Miami Country Day School. You guys might have seen it when I brought Phil Collins out of retirement at Miami Country Day School and basically had one of the biggest
concerts uh for middle school in in the history of that school. Million hits on YouTube. So I understand private schools, not from the outside, from the inside. I have seen firsthand the operational
realities, the traffic patterns, the parking demands, the event surges, the parent cues, the construction impacts, and the long-term pressure that institutions place on the surrounding neighborhoods. My concern tonight are not theoretical. They're going to be
based in facts. They are based on real world re real world experience inside of Miami's major private school system. So with that context, the shared vision, the business quarter, the multi-step approval, and my direct experience in private schools, I want to walk through
this applicants, but I don't want to take all 455 pages. So tonight's discussion by myself will be about is the school good or bad. It it it's about whether the project is submitted is safe, functional, and compatible with Albertal. And if they're going to get passed, it
has to be through a lot of conditions. Um, so today I did meet with Lauren and I brought out my three full pages of conditions to get met in order to get this passed. Um, the first section was about the traffic
impacts. the traffic pattern approved last year. If everyone's not familiar with this, we approved a five-year plan to make all the streets from 85, 86, 88, 90, 91st Street one-way
streets from east to west. This means every single person that wants to go down these streets has to drive down 87th Street. When you drive down 87th Street, you're hitting 55 trains a day. Now, let's think about this. This already got passed. No one showed up and
and complained about this. So, all of you are about to see a traffic pattern without the school where everyone that lives here in short force from 85 to 91 has to drive down 87, get stopped by the train 55 times a day, and then just to come backwards on their street from east
to west. This is currently in the works. This has already been approved actually into the actual plan. So, also as my my council person next to mentioned, there is a road thinning. We have a business corridor here and we're
road thinning a road from five lanes to two lanes. Now, a business corridor needs to have restaurants. It needs to have businesses. It needs to have cafes, everything else. What do those restaurants and businesses need? They need semi trucks to stop in front of them and drop off the keg of beer, to
drop off the food, to drop off the clothes. What happens when you take a two-lane road and you put a semi-truck on it, stopping and unloading? Well, everyone has to drive around it into the opposite lane. This is the road thinning that they approved. This means our
entire business corridor has been hurt from the very beginning. There's no way this can happen. And of course, there's no way this school can survive if we have a two-lane road where everyone's waiting to take a lefthand turn off northeast second and blocking traffic
from south north to south or they want to wait to take a righthand turn off a northeast second and they're also blocking from south to north. We're basically creating a traffic hazard with the school, but it's not the school's fault. It's our fault. I didn't vote for it because I was on the council yet, but
this is something that is about to happen. And if you guys have not seen this, I would heavily look into this. So with this traffic and this one-way network of fundamentally reshape how cars move through the village, we are going to be in a lot of trouble. The
pattern forces all residents through a single choke point. And with that single choice point, we're basically going to be then stuck by school zones, by uh people going in and out of the schools, by us basically hitting the the train 55
times a day. It's a disaster. So, it was never actually modeled into this school as well. I've read through this long report and their entire traffic study is based on the current conditions. It does not work with the way our actual traffic
is going to be in Elportal. So, the first step, if this school ends up fixing everything that everyone here came and talked about tonight, there's no way it's going to work until we fix this traffic pattern that's been voted on. This means undoing it.
Otherwise, we're not having a business corridor. We're just going to have traffic, congestion, and noise. So the applicant also modeled wrong road networks. So the applicant's traffic study compounds the problem as they mo
as the model they was from the world does not exist. All east west streets model as two-way second avenue model as four lanes. Full turning movements assumed everywhere. No one constraint no train blockages included. And of course I know this because I've worked with the
private schools. The nannies come and pick up their kids. The nannies don't just come at the right time. They come an hour before because they have nothing else to do. So, this means they're going to be sitting all around Elportal trying to get to that school. So, where are
where are we going to put all these cars? And what happens when they're waiting in a line or they're waiting down the street and then they're getting then they're blocking a road that's also being blocked by a train? You guys think it's bad now? Imagine what's going to happen if this all goes through. So
in their actual study section 9, it is completely incorrect. They talk about being prepared for the future traffic. They are not prepared. Now I've already shared this with them a few days ago and they are already diligently trying to work and find a way to make it work. But
it's up to us on the council to fix this for our business corridor. Whether it's a school or actual businesses, it needs to be fixed. It needs to be fixed fast because if it happens, all of you guys, there will be 10 times the amount of people here as you won't be able to even leave your house without a car being
behind your driveway sitting in in traffic waiting for the train to pass. All six streets going down 87th Avenue to get to their homes. So, the Northeast 2nd Avenue modeled incorrectly was only one of many things. Um, and of course
they they're going to have to work with sidewalks. are going to have to work with how they're going to do crossings. We're going to need police activity. Every single school I worked at takes and pays for offduty cops. They're going to have to pay for offduty cops to come and work. And it's not just one. It's
got to be multiple. Every street that has people waiting or coming in, this includes 87th, Northeast, 2nd, 88th, needs to have a police officer. This isn't just the way it is. This is the way it is everywhere. So, of these
required tum traffic fixes, and the whole Q analysis based on incorrect surrogate. We need to talk about the uh impact for parking and the the analysis they did within the Sherid
Forest area. Off-site parking lots areas counted through will be demolished. Right? So, the off-site buildings multi-use are going to be demolished. We're going to build a parking lot there that fits 33 cars. Well, we have a school that's
possibly to have a high school. It's in their plan. So, 350 kids, 80 of them are supposed to be high schoolers. Of those 80 high schoolers, 20 in each class, 11th graders and 12th graders will be driving vehicles. That means 40 kids driving vehicles. So, 40 people driving vehicles with 33 parking spaces. How
will that work? So, we cannot handle this school unless we fix the parking situation. There's a lot of way to fix it, but it's going to require almost complete change of their plans. My thoughts on this, they could raise up
their building and have a whole underground parking space. Maybe that's stupid, maybe it doesn't work. Another plan, obviously, they mentioned earlier, was to do a twostory parking structure with business in front. I kind of like that because our um our dead business um
district has no restaurants, has no cafes, no bread, no donuts, nothing. But if suddenly they uh inject it with some some kind of business, I I want food honestly, but whatever a business and then you do a ground floor
basement of parking, then the next floor up so it doesn't look like two floors. You could probably put another 60 spaces right there. But that still that 60 spaces does not equal 40 11th and 12th graders. It does not equal maybe I don't know four or five. How how many
security? Five four. >> How many secrets we have? >> They're counted in the faculty. >> Say again. >> They're counted in staff and faculty. >> So how how large will the staff and faculty be when the school is fully functional? >> What is the number?
>> I think that it's on the page of the traffic. I I'm sorry, but I've been standing for a really long time and my brain no longer functions about numbers and where it's located on the chart. >> I appreciate that. >> But it is there and I promise you that it is per code if not exceeding the code
of whatever the requirement is plus the number of teachers. >> Well, as we learned tonight, the code is wrong. There's no way you can put 40 people and 12 teachers and let's say 10 faculty at 60 people in a 33 space lot.
>> I understand that and I'm hearing it. But with all due respect, I we we can only we can only build and design to the code and we have done our best to meet and exceed that in every area >> and I appreciate that and that's
obviously not your fault but obviously we need to make sure that we do not have people parking on their swailes in their driveways blocking their driveways. >> So the there's also other things that can happen. Do you guys plan on having events, school performances, parents
nights, athletics, entrepreneurship fairs, community events, anything else like that? >> Yes. >> Yes. So there, let's say there's 350 students and per chance there's three um
three students to a family. That's 120 families. That's 120 cars. So one parent night with 120 cars. Now let's break that up a little more. Let's say we only we separated it by lower school, middle school, and upper school. Now we have 40 cars coming for that parents night. That's still more than 33 parking
spaces. So the parking is not going to work and it needs to be addressed if we're going to move forward. Um >> we hear you. >> So we we have ideas for parking solutions. What I want doesn't mean it's what the rest of the neighborhood wants. I I would like to see more inside of our
corridor. And I I I see a unhealthy business quarter with not a lot of businesses. I would like to see it grow and thrive and have an injection of life into it. >> I'd like to not have to walk to Starbucks in Miami Shores and walk to our own little coffee shop here instead. I think it's important that we start
this business here, but it's it's I don't know if you're the right person to do it or if you're even willing to do it. >> I don't I don't know that that's up to me. >> I mean, that's fair. what you're what you're what you're proposing, if I
understand you correctly, is that we buy more property and we make more parking lots and we develop more businesses. But what I would like to propose is that we're providing an opportunity for an audience that would patronize businesses that is that are brought forward by the
community. We would like to partner with the community in order to bring business and patronize those businesses. I mean, I I I'm not really sure if the answer for me to tell you is sure, we can buy another house or we can buy another. I
don't believe that that's what >> the quorum, please. >> I don't believe that that is um based on this evening, I don't believe that that's the appetite or the appropriate response. >> Yeah, I understand. Uh, but I I can tell you uh as a resident here as well, I
would rather drive by and see an ice cream shop with a parking lot behind it that's hidden than just a parking lot by itself. Even though the parking lot you're designing is be beautiful, full of plants and the the houses around are not going to see it. But again, everyone who lives that area is already in the
business corridor and there will be businesses there if Elporttowal continues to go towards the Sharet, which is what we originally approved. So, we need to find a way to make it all applicable. I appreciate everyone's patience because
there's a lot to go through. Um, >> I please will we stop screaming from the audience. Appreciate that. >> Are you good? >> I have not. I'm just asking everyone to stop yelling out and follow. So the the infrastructure and
environmental impacts have a lot of problems here in El. We all have septic. I can tell you I have to have my septic system pumped off and I'm sure a lot of you do too. Some septic systems are failing. There's an opportunity here because as we have lost certain grants
over time, there are certain people fired in Washington that I do not know when we're going to get SE sewers. Honestly, I and I I can't tell you that it's going to be 10 years, 20 years, or 50 years, but right now, I believe Miami Dade is requiring them within the next 5
years to have sewers. So, my belief is if we want to revitalize our business corridor, we need sewers. Sewers are required for restaurants. The only way you can have a restaurant without a sewer is if you have, let's say, a Starbucks or a Subway
or a sushi shop. Something that does not need to drain in a certain way. And that's why Miami Shores does not have certain types of restaurants where they are. They have restaurants that work with a septic system. If we can make the uh school pay to run a septic system
down northeast second to get to the school, it will allow uh actual ways for us to connect to the sewer and that can be put inside the development agreement. So in the development agreement, we also have green space contributions. The school must contribute to the village
green space improvements, parks, and possibly making more ways for us to enjoy the environment and the beautiful nature we have here in Portal. and I believe they'll be willing to do that. Um, but the general infrastructure is a burden and you know this 455page study
does not address key impacts on infrastructure which require mitigation. So I mentioned earlier the tree preservation she Lauren walked through the property with me uh and we went through all the trees and if you've been
to any of the meets before you know I'm I really love the trees in Elportal. I live in Sherwood Forest. This is where I plan to live forever and I don't want the trees to go away. I don't want especially the mature oaks. Um but after
going through everything there were 11 trees in poor condition that will remain. Eight trees in fair condition that will remain. And by the way, trees in poor and fair condition, this council has always passed to remove them and
they're remaining. Um the live oaks that are in good condition on 205 northeast was one and of course is staying. So they are going to relocate number 43. Um but number 77 82 83 85 86 87 will be
removed. So I went there today to look at these um trees and I took pictures. Um these oak trees have trunks that are about 2 to three inches wide. They're they're suffering. They're growing out of concrete and they're not like the oak beautiful majestic oaks we have here.
All the majestic oaks that are on the property are all on the the remain list. So, I'm happy that they're keeping Sherwood Forest of Elportal Sherwood Forest and keeping those trees. Um there
was uh a bunch of other small plants that they were going to remove, but then they added that they were going to add what was it 125 plants? I think it's more >> 125 trees, was it? >> I I Yeah, it's 125 trees.
>> Okay. So, they're removing trees that basically are already dying and they're going to replace them with trees that um will thrive and hopefully stay in Elpatau for the next 100 200 years as all these trees in Elpatau are are over
century old that are large oaks. >> Um We don't want to do this right now. >> Then you should leave. >> I'm not going to listen to disrespect anymore. There's a decorum here. The decorum is that you do not yell out from the audience.
>> All right. So So um >> you mean I yelled noise? So show you the impact of what noise does. Correct. That's an artsy way of saying the word noise. >> All right. So, there's no back and forth, you guys. Council person Winters. >> Coun. I got you. >> I got you.
>> I got you. I got you. I got you. Council >> Council Person Winters and um all our residents in the audience. Um it's getting late. We do have another meeting with with seven seven uh individuals that are waiting. I know there's kids in the back because they're
waiting for the next meeting. um before they can leave and go home. Uh Council Person Winters, can you kind of pull it together? I don't want to cut you off. Um I stayed quiet for the
entire time. I did with every resident talked when every person talked and I I I tried to create a list. I haven't even answered a lot of the questions that the um residents asked. And I understand this is a long process and but I need to
let this wonderful group over here that might be just denied here to know what some of our stipulations are for if they are to be here what is required and I can't get to that until we get through all this. So if we move this to another
day I have to go through this entire list all over again. Council person Winters, um, can you just continue and just, uh, try to get through as quickly as possible, please? >> Okay. >> On the section of full property taxes,
everyone should know that our property taxes do not go to Albertal. They go mostly to Miami Dade before they come to Elbertal. If we make them pay property taxes, we won't get very much of it. But if in our development agreement we ask them to pay a yearly stipen directly to
Albertal, not only can we make more, but we can use that money every year to help develop and fix all the infrastructure in Elportal. It's a great way to make it more viable solution since they are tax exempt.
So we also mentioned that there are students that may not be able to go to the school in Albertal. I believe that we should allow for at least 10% of that school to be Alport residents and there should be scholarships put in place so that Albertar residents that cannot
afford to go there can go there so they can match that 10%. This way we can always guarantee that there are actual students from Elbertal in that school. If anyone does not know, Horus man has zero Elbertal residents going to that
school. >> All right. >> Okay, you guys. Council person Winters, please continue. >> Thank you so much. So on my motions, if I was to do this, there are so many contingencies for approval, these
conditions would have to change the mixeduse educational enterprise to not a general mixeduse because the property should be reszoned to permit educational use with accessory mixeduse educational enterprise rights. Accessory mixeduse rights shall include only those
activities that directly support the school's curriculum such as entrepreneurship training, student business projects, farmers markets, community events, and instructal infrastructural storefronts. This shall protect us from us having a mixeduse corridor that if this ends up failing,
we do not have a live local act take over in that spot. Further that zoning of this school if it choses we need to have a reversion clause that if at any time the primary educational use ceases terminates transfers to a non-educary
entity or becomes inactive for 12 consecutive months all mixed use rights shall automatically terminate and the zoning shall be reverted to its prior classifications with further without further action by the village. Again this is to protect us from the live local act. don't have a 12-story
building there because we changed the zoning and they decide that they don't want to be here in El Portal. So, I don't know if this is even prop uh possible, Mr. Geller. All right, I'll come back. Um,
>> are we allowed to put inside of development agreement a live local act immunity clause that the applicant shall enter binding that the property should not be eligible to invoke live local act development rights unless a future village council expressly votes to authorize such
>> no sir can't put a provision in that contradict state law directly. Okay. One possibility that I was actually just discussing with their council is there are some circumstances possibly where they can offer a voluntary
covenant that restricts their ability to do certain types of development as the owner of the property and that could be a covenant running with the land. But in the same way that we could not have forbidden the other property in the
village from seeking to do affordable housing because that's a state law. We cannot have a local law that contradicts state law on live local because if you could every single municipality in the
state would adopt that. >> Thank you so much. So part of the conditions obviously I I spoke about this earlier but the traffic and roadways >> I'm sorry just but there is more than one way to skin a cat council.
>> Okay thank you so much. Um we would need to undo this major plan and Mr. Mayor I would like to see that on the agenda next month. Whether this school is with us or without us, I can tell that most
of the residents here do not want that to happen. We do not want to see one-way streets leading from 87th Avenue onto a two-lane road that's supposed to be a business corridor. Um, so obviously in the development agreement, we're going
to have to ask for impact fees. We're going to have to ask for fees because there are no impact fees. And there's going to have to be um timelines and milestones, annual reporting, provisions to to run with the land, um automatic zone reversions if educational use ceases, traffic, sewer, roadway
improvement obligations, public safety funding, parking, access conditions, green space, and tree planning commitments. You know, making everything extremely short. Mr. Mayor, I have over >> I'm sorry, Mayor. I don't mean to
interrupt. Um, it's getting close to the mark where a charter only permits to 11:00. We do have another meeting to go. That meeting was advertised. There may be people here who want to talk on behalf. Those are hearings. We are way past the mark.
>> So, Mr. Mayor, I do not think I can say all three pages of this these conditions to approve it tonight cuz it's it's it's just too long and we really need to really knock them and make them acceptable before I put them out for a
vote. Um what what are the steps that we can take right now? >> It depends on what you're trying to um when you say you need to speak about it first. Um there's things that can also go into a development agreement. So
there's certain things that and um I promise I open it back up also, but there's certain things that you can say I want to either you know I either disapprove um or I want to approve these things with these conditions. You can say that with certain conditions
or um like you know because we have three meetings or you can say that you want to approve with conditions that will be implemented on the upon like you know second reading or the next meeting. You can say that also
>> that might make it easier because I would like to definitely redefine a lot of this and make sure that we get more resident input as we make the conditions more uh resident friendly and we make sure we include what is basically being
spoken. Remember remember since since this you know this um takes a few readings you all up to the last reading it could be denied >> if we if just to clarify if it if there's a motion made this evening to
approve this for planning and zoning recommendation. All we're recommending is that we move forward in conversation. Is that correct? So, is it possible to say that we could make a motion that is conditional on further conversation
prior to council reading and pri contingent on conversation and town halls? >> We could do that, but it's my understanding that in the world of deal making, we are extremely far apart right now to the point that I'm going to move
to deny the application. That's a motion. I move to I move to deny the application. It's a motion. >> There's a motion on the table. Is there a second? >> With apologies to all involved. >> There's a motion on the table. Is there
a second? Going twice. Is there a second for the motion on the table? >> Going three times. Is there a second for the motion on the table? >> Motion fails for lack of a second. Is Is there any other motion on the table?
>> I would like to motion for approval with a lot of conditions and I don't know if we need to have someone writing them down. >> No, >> I need the decorum to be fixed, please. I yelling out does not help here.
>> So, you have a motion a motion for approval with conditions. with conditions. So condition I mean condition one is a mixeduse educational enterprise not a general mixed use. >> Why don't you say this? You have a
motion with conditions that you will submit to the village clerk to then be to then be released to the applicant that they can then negotiate with you. mayor
>> as opposed to the public stated >> is an alternative to what you said. It would be >> it would make more sense to say with conditions >> to be spelled out in a development agreement failing which the project does
not go forward. >> It's my understanding that this is a simple site plan approval and that there will be no development agreement. Is that correct, attorney? No, because we have both a comp plan amendment and a
reszoning and in connection with those, it's not a site plan approval would not allow the project to go forward. It needs these other pieces as well. conditional use and site plan approval
that can be done by resolution, but also >> does that automatic >> site plan amendment and reszoning and certainly you can have a development agreement in connection with those. >> Okay, those don't trigger a development agreement. It's simply that we could
have a development agreement. Is that right? And yeah, but if the motion is that there will be conditions imposed in a development agreement and if we do not come to a development agreement uh with
satisfactory conditions, there is no approval that makes it not just the possibility that makes it mandatory that you have that. >> Okay, very good. All right. So, did I
understand that Mr. Geller, I can put a motion through that we put forward a approval with the condition and I can turn it in later. I just I cannot >> that the condition you would I you can't
turn in something you can't vote on something that doesn't exist. >> That's what I thought. >> Period. But you can say that the as a condition that there be a development agreement
to the satisfaction of the village that the applicant agrees to failing which there is no agreement. That that is a condition for the approvals that are being sought. the
site plan and the special exception and the comp plan amendment and the reasonzoning. And that would allow not just the council, but it would allow since there are at least two more meetings to talk about it. It would make
sure every resident can be heard at least twice more before the development agreement itself is adopted. That every resident could weigh in on it. uh whether though is at least one more of those is got to be a public hearing, but
our mayor certainly allows comment at every meeting. So you really have at least two more meetings and the conditions could be negotiated and the public can be heard. You have to present the development agreement
publicly before the first meeting where the development agreement is voted on. It has to be in writing and then there are two meetings where the development agreement itself must be considered and the public gets to be heard on all of
the conditions of those. So then you're not conditioning it on something that doesn't exist. you're conditioning it on something that you're requiring must to to Councilman Arbomb's point
must take place in the future or there's no approval. >> Okay. So, I will continue then with my long list of conditions. So, condition number one, mixeduse educational enterprise, not general
mixed use. Um and so these conditions obviously I'm expecting them to show the change in the next month's u meeting if it passes and they will show this happens otherwise it doesn't go through with the council meeting it fails there. So the property shall be reszoned to
permit educational use with accessory mixeduse educational enterprise rights only. Accessory mixeduse rights shall include only those activities that directly support the school's curriculum such as entrepre entrepreneurship training, student business projects, farmers markets, community events,
structural storefront uses, etc. Condition two is the reversion of the school zoning if the school uh ceases. So if at any time the primary educational use ceases, terminates, transfers to a non-educational entity, or becomes inactive for more than 12
consecutive months, all mixed use rights shall automatically terminate and the zoning shall revert to its prior classification without further action by the village. Next part, the parking site activation conditions. They need to come up with u
new options for additional parking. I need them to make their own options, but I also would like to see the off-site parking um uh provide um a new version of that 33 um space light. So, all
off-site parking controlled by the applicant shall be made available for also downtown Elportal public use after school hours and on weekends. Um I want to see the parking expansion where the applicant shall complete at least one of the following. construct basement parking under the current parking area
with storefronts or secure an additional off-site parking lot that supports school and public access. I would also um be okay if they were to raise the school up and allow for 150 or 200 spaces underneath the school out of
sight out of mind. Um condition 2.4 Four. Now storefront activation requirement. If the basin parking is constructed, the ground level frontage must include two retail storefronts and at least one must be food or beverage establishment. Now section three, the condition is
traffic and roadway conditions. Uh we need to have an updated traffic plan from them. Assuming that we are going to fix the actual traffic road diet and one-way streets, assuming that 88th
Street continues to stay one way but in a different direction from uh west to east. Uh so that the narrow street of 80th Street does not have extra conditions. This also includes that I would like them to use the entire swale
on their east I'm see their north side as a um entrance for their school so that all people who live on 80th street does not do not wait in the line to go into the school is a separate road. So there's two lanes that I would like to have first one lane that's there the
second lane built by the school on their property or the swale to actually enter so it does not restrict traffic into 88th street. Um, I want to see Sherwood Forest traffic coming roadway improvements as we will have more traffic on all the Sherwood Forest streets. I'd like you to come up
with a a plan to mitigate the increased traffic. I want to see um different ideas that will basically be funded by the the school. And um my personal belief is that the thing that will slow down traffic and mitigate the most is cobblestone. But that's also about a $12
million project, right? So, I'm not expecting you to do that, but I'd like to see mitigation done. Show the way you're going to mitigate traffic. Make sure you're going to mitigate also the off-site parking and of course um using the the way that we're actually going to
run the um the roads. Section four, infrastructure improvements. I want to see the extension run down Northeast Second instead of First. I understand we're going to use hopefully an 8 in instead of a 2 in. And I want to see this not running from First Avenue, but down Northeast Second with the ability
for future uh companies uh restaurants, any kind of enterprises to hook up to that system. Um I want to see a green space comp contribution um on 86th Street, Northeast Second. Um there's a empty lot
there. I'd like to see a park that goes on the river and allows all of our residents to have a park that has uh river access. Um condition 4.3, I want to see tree planting. The applicant shall fund a village approved tree planting program. Section five, public
safety conditions. I want to see long-term police officer funding at least for three officers for minimum 15 years as we are having to pay and do more police officer watching for it. Okay. So next 5.1 um I
I want to see financial conditions in the development agreement. There will be a monetary contribution. It can be de um discussed later on. I want to also see u minimal minimum 10% of the students from Alportal will be will be required to be able to go to the school. I want to see
scholarships put in place so that that 10% can be met. Of course if 10% cannot be met, I would like to see that as many can be underneath that that that apply. Yes. Yes, I I I would like to honestly hear and understand all of the things that you're putting forward
>> and so I'm I'm not able to in this form. Is it possible for you to word it that it would be contingent on the development agreement, the future development agreement?
and and then privately and with attorneys you can discuss all of those with the opportunity for people to have input on them and then that way it's specific and it it is something that we can actually like work towards. We would
like to work towards your goal. >> Okay. So, Mr. Mayor, what do you think? >> Um, you made a motion. Um, >> no. She talked about adding that part. >> That could be part That could be the motion. >> All right.
>> If you want to just submit your MO. That could be the motion. And then um you would just need a second. >> All right. Um I wanted to ask um their attorney really quickly. You asked you said earlier you might want to have an extra hearing to compensate. Can you
explain that? That was your words. I just wrote them down. Was there um a reason for that? I don't think it's an additional hearing. I think he meant a town hall or an additional conversation, right? I don't think that he said that. >> Okay. >> Maybe maybe he said something else.
>> Okay, that's fine. So, on the last on my list, um the applicant shall provide a substantial monetary contribution. I already did that. So, um, full property tax obligations. The applicant shall agree to pay a yearly stipend equal to
the tax amount of that building to Elortal. That will go directly to Elportal and not to the Miami Dade government. Mr. Geller, is that legal? I certainly we can as a development
agreement condition we can put in a stipend can if we can tie it directly to the amount that their property taxes would come to. I honestly would prefer to to research that issue and not take a
position on the record. We definitely can charge one, but I just don't know that having it directly tied to that as opposed to an amount or something. I I'd have to do a little more research. >> So, we'll call it then and said just the development agreement and those that we
decide to choose in development agreement at the future council meetings. Correct. >> Well, that was what I suggested, sir. Yeah. Before that, >> that's added on to it. Correct. That's that was also in my list number seven. That's that's the end of my motion.
All right. So, there's a motion on the table. Uh, is there a second? >> There's a motion on the table. Is there a second going once? Is there a second to the motion going twice?
>> Is the motion a I don't Is the motion with a development agreement? Is that what the end was? >> I don't >> Is there a motion? Is there a second to the motion? um going three times. Motion fails for lack of a second.
>> All right. Then I will compromise and I will move to table this to a special planning and zoning committee meeting in the first half of January. >> There's a motion on the table. Is there a second? >> I'll second it.
>> We have a motion. We have a second. >> Madam clerk, may I please have roll call, please? >> Roll call. Um, member Winters. >> Yes. >> Member Bomb. >> Yes. >> Member Nickerson, I mean, Chair Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Three to Thank you very much. Um, moving
on. Uh, does anybody want to make any comments? Good and welfare. >> Say your name, address for the record. >> All right. Uh, sorry everybody, but uh just wanted to make one quick comment. 400 Northeast 85th Street. Um, so the
the just wanted to ask about if there or for the future if this is over now. Um, if there is any >> No, we have a good and welfare good and welfare comment. >> Is there any distance uh or for us to look into in the future for the next
meeting? Um, we're talking about this as a business district. Um I know from my experience that there with a liquor license for restaurants and bars there's a distance between uh from schools. So I just wanted to look into that as well. Um and also I just wanted to make a
quick thing about we keep um for the next planning and zoning meeting um and um the live local act um a aspect of things. Um, you know, I have looked into that. I
believe that, you know, we would like to make sure that there is um no chance that this could open up a a can of worms for live local. So, I think that we really should all make a uh a further uh analysis of that. Thank you very much,
>> sir. You cannot contradict a state law. You can't say that the live local act does not apply in Alberta because every city would say that. >> That's not what I meant. What I meant is for us to be clear on sort of the uncertain information about the onem
radius whether it's in the jurisdiction etc. Uh which there seemed to be a a lot of uncertainty on. So >> thank you. Thank you very much. Um, oh yes,
>> Alexandra Vasa, 120 Northwest 86 Street. Um, what it was clear to me from all this meeting is that we're simply not prepared to receive any kind of um developers. Uh, we cannot treat a project of this magnitude um and a
long-term impact with the same way that we treat a simple garage conversion. And the truth is that we're not prepared to reserve or evaluate larger business even though that even those that could uh contribute to the spirit of a portal or improve our revenue because our current
system lacks transparency, structure and meaningful community involvement. As it is, residents are not allowed to participate in committees because their charter restricts participation of participation of the residents who are the um larger, you know, the res larger
stock of um investors in this community. In the meantime, is the same people saying over and over again and dismiss our opinion every single time. Our representation is inade inadequate and insufficient. speaking starting from
plus Serbia who apparently is u giving the wrong information to developers. So I just needed to express that. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Anyone else good in welfare >> Greg Steer Northwest uh 120 Northwest 86
Street. I just wanted to go over something. You said that you guys didn't receive any information until December 1st, but the fact is that the public notice was published in the Miami Herald on November 12th. There was a letter from Christian to
Newman's real estate company that you were copied on, mayor, dated November 3rd. There was a letter from Ben Fernandez to the village manager dated October 31st.
There was a letter from Coastal about the garbage pickup that was dated October 8th. There was a letter from WASDY about the sewer connection for the school on February 4th.
And some of the traffic data was from January. Interesting enough, the 10-page letter from Ben Fernandez to Christian on the original site plan was dated October 31st. I know because I made a PDF of it and I
sent it to several people. If you pull up the site plan now, that same letter, the date has changed. The date is now December 4th. On the same letter,
somebody changed the date. Adam Newman single-handedly built Wei Work into a $40 billion company with other people's money. He convinced some very smart, savvy people to invest in a company that never made any money. Only
Adam Newman made money. And then through a combination of hubris, inexperience, greed, and incompetence, he tanked the company, which eventually went bankrupt. but not before he walked away with $700 million.
He talks a good game. There's no better fundraiser, but he's also a master manipulator. Bottom line, he's a businessman. He says he wants to change the world, but not if he can't make money doing it. By the way, they've already had a school. It lasted two
years and failed in the middle of the school year. >> Anyone else good in welfare? Anyone else good in welfare? >> Hearing none. >> One more. Good in welfare. >> Be very very fast.
>> Say your name address for the record. >> Ashley Luchio. Um, I just want if if this does end up getting passed against all of our wills, I just please beg of you to consider what you were talking about earlier. The
parking needs to be on site and not on the corner of Northeast 2nd and 90th. I'm sorry. I do not agree with that at all. So, just please heavily consider that that they need to redo those plans a bit and reconsider
putting parking on their actual own site instead of off two, three blocks away. It just makes no sense. Thank you. >> Thank Thank you very much. Anyone else for good and welfare
hearing? Seeing no more for good and welfare. Good and welfare is closed. Coming back to the committee meeting, let me just say before we adjourn that anyone can send anybody anything until the moment comes where the
applicant sends in the official site plan. That's when it makes it official. There's been other projects at that property. There were other projects that people were talking about for years they thought they were going to do and it end
up not coming true. So until the application process goes through the proper channels that's what makes it official for us. >> Yes. Uh Mr. Mayor if I could. Um that is very true which is why I think the
residents are a little bit frustrated that as this application came in we did not essentially immediately schedule like a town hall to digest the site uh application. And so um and so it seems
that we are arriving at the meeting where we decide on a site plan very close to the time the site plan was submitted. essentially to accommodate the developer while it puts the residents in a position of not having the time allowed.
Okay, the site plan came in, but now it's time to schedule a town hall at that point for such a property as this, such a plan as this. the you know so I think that I think that is well taken that you know we're not going
to consider an unofficial site plan but at the same time the residents are correct and that there have at least been discussions that could have been discussed there could have been residential feedback to be passed along to the developer over the past six months it sounds like and it's
exceptionally frustrating to the residents clearly that the first step from receiving the site plan was not to schedule a town hall. >> So the only thing I would say is this. If you've dealt with any type of business developers, the the things change all the time. So we would be
meeting on information that developers would change a month later, >> right? But once the site plan submitted, now you have tangible material to go through with the town hall. So once the site plan submitted, >> you know, then that then now it's time
to talk about it. So, I I understand not talking about it before the site plan submitted, but once the site plan is submitted for for a project like this on the on this specific lot, it just seems like >> it just seems like if we had a normal functioning team, manager, attorney,
mayor, and whoever else, there might be some residents on that uh committee as well. It just seems that the the natural course of action from receiving this type of site plan would be to immediately schedule a town hall. >> I understand what you're saying. Um, anyone else? Good and welfare is closed.
Do we have a motion to adjourn? >> I just wanted to say really quickly, uh, Scott Cobri, is he still here? I really appreciated what you said earlier. >> He must be gone. All right. >> Thank you very much. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Move to he is. Yeah. >> Moved by was that council person? >> Yes.
>> Committee member bomb and seconded by Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by committee member Winters. All in favor say I. I. >> I. All say no >> or nay. Hearing none. The planning zoning December agenda committee meeting is adjourned at
10:58 Part: 2
The regular council meeting for Tuesday, December 9th, is called to order at 10:58 p.m. >> business mayor is extend. >> Yes. >> I move to extend the general council meeting for 90 minutes. >> Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> I have to name a time. I have to name a time. I have to say a time. I can't just extend the meeting indefinitely. I have to say a time. >> I thought I'm sorry. I thought you meant like for >> No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm not motion.
>> I have a motion. I have a motion. We are in the general council meeting right now, but we are at a point where we have to extend the meeting uh by obligation. And so I'm extending the meeting through a motion to say I I move to extend the meeting the general council meeting for 90 minutes.
All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose say nay. Hearing none. Council means extended. We've already done silent um silent meditation and we've already done the pledge of allegiance. Um madame clerk may please have a roll call. >> Roll call. Mayor Nickerson >> here.
>> Council person bomb >> present. >> Uh council person winters >> present. >> Council person life board and council person Martin Vice Mayor Martin R. not in Janice Jacobe um village clerk and her manager Joseph Geller village attorney.
>> All right. Thank you very much. Um do you have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Herb. Do I have a second for motion to approve the agenda? >> Second. >> I have a motion by council person winter, second by council person. All in favor say I. I.
>> I. All oppose say nay. Hearing none. Um anyone for good and welfare um for any agenda item? You also will be be able to speak at every agenda item. So, seeing no good and welfare, um, do I
have a motion to approve consent agenda? >> Oh, good and welfare. Okay. You have a good and welfare speech. Say your name for the record, please. >> Yes, sir. Kamitra Driver 27364.
Sorry. um Homestead Florida. So on November 10th, um I had the the pleasure of going through the interview process um for
village manager position and then had the um honor of being voted in and um as the interim village manager during that meeting. and the vice mayor was instructed to then begin negotiation
process um with me at the November 18th 18th meeting um which was happened to be the day that I received the draft uh contract. Um it was brought before this this council
um information from my previous employer that um and it was um expressed by the person who brought it forward that this information um basically
did not uh go in agreement or did not align with what I had presented as my reasons for separation from my previous employer, which was the city of Belgrade. During that meeting, I did get up and and speak and acknowledge that I
was on the phone texting with the manager of city of Belgrade um expressing my concern with the documents that uh the council person had received and that they were inaccurate. And um I advised this council that no matter how
they proceeded with their vote that I would then um ensure that you all had the correct information um that accurately reflected uh my reasons or the conditions of my separation from the
city of Belgrade. On November 20th, the city of Belglade emailed um the mayor and all the council persons as well as the city clerk and the city attorney. So hopefully you all received their email um with the correct information, but I
did want to make sure that the record and that the um residents were aware of u the communication that the city of Belglade had received so that they would all know what um the actual res the
conditions regarding my separation from the city of Belgade. So I would just like to read this is very brief. Um it this is from the city of Belglade in response to a public records request that um that one of the council persons
has submitted to them and in that public records records request uh my employee action form was actually marked terminated when it should have been marked resigned. And so this is city of Belglay's response. Please accept this communication as a formal redaction of
the previous action form submitted concerning Miss Driver's departure from the city's employee. Subsequent to review of Miss Driver's personnel file and submitted resignation letter, it has been determined that the initial action form incorrectly indicated a termination
of employment. Miss Driver was a valued member of our team and her contributions during her tenure are greatly appreciated. Her departure was initiated by her voluntary resignation. This redaction serves to correct the attached action form record and accurately
reflect the nature of her departure. We regret any confusion or inconveniences error this error may have caused. Please update all relevant records to reflect Miss Driver's resignation. This is signed by the interim HR director and
then the city manager. So, Mr. Mayor and council, I just wanted to make sure that this was read into record so that this would accurately reflect and um what transpired and
dispute what was expressed at the last meeting. >> Thank you very much, Miss Travis. Appreciate it. Thank you. Is there anyone else um good in welfare for this agenda agenda these agenda items? Again, you will have a chance to speak at the agenda items themselves.
Denise White, 173 Northwest 88th Street since I was 12. Um, I'm not even sure where to start. First, I'd like to say Mr. um, oh, what's his name? Mr. Erv, thank you very much for trying to hear
us and move forward somewhat with what we needed or we felt would make us feel a little bit more comfortable as residents of Elort. I wish the rest of the council members too
would follow your step. Um, and then Councilman Winters, I know you look like you took a lot of time to create your 25 issues. It sounded like you were listening to us. You did say you were quiet the entire time. I do appreciate
that. I wish you would have more patience with my residents though because they are very incensed about the fact that they are not listened to by the council. But I do like the fact that you did sit down and come up with 25 issues that you heard us speak about and
you were trying to address them. So I appreciate you for that. Although when Council Herman said that he was going to negate it, nobody seconded it. Again, my council. Um, as the people were leaving, my lady
asked me if I would sit and talk to her. I have nothing against anybody who was here earlier. Um the biggest problem that I have is that again my council
when my residents are upset with um the the people as a whole moves me a little bit because I know it is because for months we have been asking for things and
nothing we ask for or nothing we fill the room for has been moved in on our behalf which leads us to feel powerless. Some people say there aren't people
coming to the meetings but when you're not feeling heard at a meeting or when things are passed even though we fill the room or filled the whole place. That that doesn't make any sense. And then the
last meeting that I went to because I can't I don't know but these meetings drain me, right? That's why I brought snacks, right? I had to bring snacks. No, no, no. We be here we be here much too long to not have snacks. So, um I
did bring snacks this time because these meetings drain me. So sometimes when I come to a meeting and I stay in for a whole eight or what feels like eight hours like I just left my job and then I come in here and I I have to take a break and then I have fellow residents
who ring the alarm and they're like, "Hey, hey, hey, we got important stuff. They doing crazy stuff again." And then I come I'm only here when the stuff get too crazy, y'all. I've been here too often. I'm not going to say y, but I've been here too often. They calling me too often. And I'm going to need y'all to
fall back a little bit and listen to the people who helped elect you to your seats. I I urge you, I'm begging you to listen to the people who have helped elect you to your seats. Mayor Nickersonson, thank
you for the, like I said before, and I was not being facitious, the turkey, the the things that have to do with um the holidays and helping us feel like you you know, you're you you're caring about the people around you. Thank you for
that. I really appreciate that. But again, the big issues, she wanted to know what we were, you know, how we could how she could help. We're we're really upset because we're not heard. I know. I know. I know. I know. I'll be pushing the envelope anyway. You allowed me to push the envelope. I thank you for
that, too, cuz you let me talk and I like to talk, right? So, but I'm asking the council again, please listen to us. We don't all come in here just because we like each other or we want to see
each other. We haven't seen each other in a long time. When we come and the rain, it was raining outside. It's almost a flood outside and we are all here. that moves to understand that it's not that we want to say no to
everything, but when we feel like developers are running over the little 12x4 that we have, we just got 12x4. And each of us chose Elportal for our own little personal reason. Maybe it was the trees, maybe it was the birds, maybe it was the peacocks, maybe it was the fact
that you saw kids that were in the street with their with their um skates and stuff and nobody was running them over. Maybe it was that fact. I'm not sure. I know that's what my parents saw. I'm asking you all to please stop putting your own needs above your
residents needs and work with us, not against us, so that we can make it. And I know all of you have your own version of what you think Elportal should be. But together, not singular, can we move the world. I'm asking you to help me
move the world in Elportal together with your residents and not by yourself. Amen. >> Thank you very much. >> Anyone else good in welfare um for this particular meeting? You also have
the No Pace 206 Northwest 91st Street. Hey, I just want to thank the council for having some some common sense here and the fact that it's the holidays. This was a special meeting night. Two council
people are not even here tonight. All right. And that hey, that that the cure to indigestion is digestion. All right. And so it's going to take a a lot to digest all of I mean the proposal is
massive. Okay, this is a massive thing. It's the largest property other than the little farm in in uh El Portal. So, you know, you heard from the residents tonight that you got to crawl on this one. All right. Then walk maybe then run
sometime. But it appears they started out with a sprint and thought they could hurdle over the holidays here into, you know, construction here starting in the springtime. And there's no there's no effing way that's going to happen with
what the residents want here right now. So, but I think everyone is is willing to listen. I mean, people here sat here for four hours, okay? Five hours are still here listening. So I think I think reason common sense and I think you guys
did a good job and trying to churn through all the issues trying to talk through I mean you know everybody had their own prerogative on this but I think that I think you had a good outcome here uh considering that it's tabled that people can now read the 435 pages that you know you guys can uh hear
from them again um you know I I mean I I I think there's a lot of alternatives that can be proposed opposed. Um, I'm not I'm not for I'm not against. What I am for is I am for Alpert though. I am for Alpert and the residents of Alpert.
So, however that works out is how it works out. Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else good in welfare? Daniel Roa, 16 Northeast 86 Street. U I want to thank uh our fellow villagers and the mayor and the council people for
everything that you guys do for us, for the patience, for being here. Uh I'm going to bring something up like almost I think almost every time and and the mayor knows I care a lot about it. The trees and we're going into this meeting to approve some tree removals. Um, so
it's just basically I I don't know if at any point uh maybe like stricter rules on tree removals specifically like I was looking through some of the applications. They don't even specify what kind of palm trees they're removing. It's It seems to be very
generic. And uh I I guess I got a little fired up especially when I drove by today and saw what happened to that lot across the street with all the oaks where I they moved they transplanted but four of them look like they're dying and
and it looks also like not all the efforts necessary was made if they transplanted. They need to make sure they take care of trees so they could they don't shock go into shock and die. Okay. And it doesn't seem like all efforts were made. And it seems like developers are in a habit of basically either killing trees or letting them die
so they can get what they what they want without having to pay for any consequences. And considering we're a tree city, we're a bird sanctuary, every single tree counts. And I would like to see if the village can do something about that. >> Thank you very much.
Hi, Velvet Connelly. Excuse me. Um 355 Northeast 87th Street. Um so quite an eventful night. This is crazy. Um I just wanted to say um just two things.
One, in general, let me just make a point of housekeeping. So, as far as the information, right, I know that we're super understaffed. I know everybody is like working to the best of their capacity, but it has happened now a few
times where there's like information that just hasn't gotten to the public. And I'm not fingerpointing about that. I don't even know who's responsible, right? But it just seems like there's this pattern of there being this really important information that the public
gets really late. I know I only got wind of the um 455 page document yesterday and so I don't know when that was made available. I don't know how I was supposed to find
out about it if it was on me, but that for me just like I just was astounded by that. Like how could that happen? And I think that creates a lot of unnecessary tension, confusion, misunderstanding when we get into these forums because a
lot of things that we could have worked out, we could have found out about we're finding out as the public here, right? And I and I think that wastes a lot of time. I think it creates a lot of confusion in the back and forth. And so I'm just wondering how we just how do we
solve that? I'm just bringing that just as a point. Again, I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just trying to figure out how do we get a a funnel of information to the public in enough time and attention that people can ask questions even ahead of time, right? Where everything doesn't have to be discussed
in these like long uh meetings. Um, aside from that, you know, just after the meeting that we just had, I would also just like to say to the community and and of course I fully acknowledge the council. I think their job is is you know more
challenging than what you know I would say I recognized um just with so many things that are coming at them and so I just fully acknowledge the job that they're doing. But I would just like to see in general that the mentality toward this village shift, right? Like El is
the gem and we have people that come here a lot and talk about how they are do bringing something to us like they're the you know the jewel in our crown or they're doing us some big favor. Elpal is the gem. We are the opportunity. And
I would just really love to see not only that mentality from the residents, but that be an enforcement from our council, from everybody that has any authority in this village that when people come to us with something, we demand that they step right. That it's not like we're some
charity case and we got to accept whatever they bring to us because they're doing us a favor. We are the prize. And that's how I see El. And I would like us to stand of the collected vision of making other people see Alport that way in the way we enforce that they
come in the way that they enforce that we enforce that they come to us with their best offer, not some, you know, thrown together thing that tells us everything they're going to receive at our expense. Mayor, I'd like to answer her question
regarding the documentation. No, no, you don't need to go back. I'm just going to answer it for you. So, as of the last meeting, I received the stuff on Tuesday and I send it to you guys on Thursday. Um, as I received the information, then I put it out. It solely doesn't depend on me. Right now, I'm doing two jobs as
everybody knows. And even within I've stayed till late, very late nights to get the stuff done. Trust me, my position is to get it to the public as soon as I can, but as completed as I can. I will everybody here knows and we had a meeting on Monday that I was very
firm about giving it to the public if it wasn't ready. Why? Because first of all, you need to be educated. So they need to be educated as well because they're the ones voting and you guys as residents deserve that deserve, you know, to have that. Um I am not sitting in that
position. If I was, I probably would have asked for a town hall so you guys can have this discussions and all that stuff and all that time. But I'm not in that position. I am talking to you from my position. And my position is that right now I'm doing the two top jobs that the city has and I stay long hours, which those hours I'm not even getting
paid for, but that's fine as long as I can get the stuff done and the stuff get out to everybody. I'm not asking for any uh specific consideration or anything like that. I'm just telling you that I'm trying to get the information as fast as I get it out. So, for me to receive it on Tuesday to me was unacceptable. I
said Monday, but I still give it the opportunity. Um, like I said, the mayor called for a meeting because he was also not happy. not having the full packet. Without having the full packet, there's no way that I was going to be able to send it out. And I said it, I don't we can move it to another time. I'm not
going to send it out unless the residents have anything in their hands for them to look at it. So, if you received it at a later time, I'm sorry, but I sent it out on Thursday. I received it on Tuesday, which for me still was not acceptable. But it so happens that it just does not depend on me. Trust me, if it depended on me, you
guys would have had it way before. Alexandra Vasa 120 Northwest 86 Street. One thing that I wanted to point out is um like Ben Fernandez clearly um stated several times as well as the you know proponent how they have met their their
requirements and sometimes they have gone above the the minimum requirements. The problem here is that requirements are very low ve extremely low. We don't like our bar could not be lower. So anything that they want to throw at us
is, you know, like they're doing us a favor. So I just wanted to point that out. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah, >> you know, for probably for an >> uh No Pace 206 Northwest 91st Street probably from an initiative perspective,
I think they took a lot of initiative trying to get in here, get information you guys, whatever, but from a style and a advisement perspective, I I don't know and I'm not sure that they got the best advisement here on how to approach this, but yes, there there needed to be some
town halls in this There needed to be some coffees. There needs to be some socialization. Like I I personally was under the impression like, hey, that they were just, you know, going, hey, didd up the middle. We can punch this through here on a special uh meeting right before the holidays. There won't
be that much resistance. There won't be that many people attending and that they'll just get this thing done. And and and again, you heard from their council, yeah, well, you know, we did more than the minimum, so we should get a attab boy for that. And that is totally you know the wrong answer. I
mean this is the the second largest property in the village and it's the and it is as Velvet said like this is the gem that is the center of gravity. Okay. That is our main street you know. Yes it's true the little farm exists but it
is on the other side over there right and it's pretty it's got a natural wall of foliage and everything else that's there but this is right in our uh main area. And so it's got to be respected and it's got to be protected. Um, and if
if we've waited 15 years to develop something there, what's an extra 15 days, 15 weeks? The hell's the difference? Okay, at this point. All right, let's make sure we get it right. Whatever it is. Thank you. Thank you.
Anyone else good in welfare? All right. Hearing seeing none. Um do I have a motion to approve consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Moved by council person Winters. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person. Um all in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. Post say nay. Hearing none. >> Uh you guys. Let's go to the resolutions. Um let's go to the H1. Uh Attorney Geller. >> Yes. >> Uh I don't know. Do you have the the agenda in front of you? Yes, sir. Have
it right here. You ready for the first item? >> Yeah. Let's go to the H1. Yes, sir. Um, Miss Hammonds, if you can please come to uh one of the micro. >> Okay. Item H1, resolution. >> I'm sorry, ma'am. >> No, no, I'm seeing the application. >> Oh, okay. Item H1.
>> What? >> Okay. Everyone who's going to provide testimony, thank you. >> On any item tonight, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. As anybody on any of these items, please stand, raise your right hand, and repeat after me.
>> I and state your name. >> Do hereby solemnly swear >> that the testimony I will give tonight >> will be the truth, >> the whole truth, >> and nothing but the truth. So help me God. Or you may take an
affirmation. Okay. Thank you. I said tonight, I almost said this morning. Mayor, please let it go. >> Thank you very much. You can read H1 H1. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh item H1, I'll read it and then we can get the staff report. Item H1, the
resolution resolution to the village council of Elpert, Florida, authorizing the approval of a variance for a garage enclosure conversion which does not comply with section 5-66 garage enclosure of the code of ordinances at
24 Northwest 86th Street as requested by BVR Enterprises LLC providing for incorporation of recital providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much. Uh have there been any uh condition changes? Were there any conditions or anything they had to meet?
>> Nothing has changed since first um from since the planning and zoning board committee meeting. >> I appreciate that. Any questions or comments from the council >> hearing? Seeing none. Any questions or comments from the audience about this particular project? Hearing seeing none. Um back to the
council. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Approve. Motion moved by Council Person Winters. Do I have a second? I'll second. Second by council person. Madame clerk, >> the kids.
>> With the kids. >> May I please have roll call, please? For >> it was motioned by council person Winters, I believe, and second by council person. >> Roll call. >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes. Council person Bomb. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 3 to none. >> Item H2, resolution of the village council of Elportal, Florida, authorizing the approval of a variance for a garage enclosure conversion which does not comply with section 5-66 garage enclosure of the code of ordinances at
9010 Northwest 3rd Avenue is requested by Martha Grimaldo providing for a corporation of recital providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Um, Miss Hammonds, were there any conditions? Anything changed? Any adjustments?
>> No changes since the um presentation at the planning and and zoning committee meeting. >> Thank you very much. Any questions or comments from the council? >> Ridiculous. >> Hearing seeing none. Any questions or comments from the audience >> about this particular
>> hearing? Seeing none, back to the council. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Council Person Winters. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by council person bomb. Madam clerk for H2. May I please have a roll call, please? >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes.
>> Council person Bbomb. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to none. >> Item H3, resolution of the village council of Alpert, Florida, granting site plan approval for an addition to residents at 8900 Northeast 4th Avenue
in zone 3 suburban residents in the village of Alport. an application by John Uubardi providing for findings, providing for conditions, providing for appeal, providing for an effective date. Um, I hope I pronounced is Mr. Ubarti here. Well, he doesn't have to be.
That's the item. Mayor, >> thank you very much. Appreciate that. Um, it's okay. >> We don't need >> Do I have a Do I have any questions? Oh, what's the uh any adjustments or conditions? >> No changes since the planning and zoning approval.
>> Thank you very much. Any questions or comments from the council? >> Yeah, my only question is just to be double sure on this addition that uh setbacks are correct on all perimeters. >> Yes. >> And then with the um it looks like they're just going to repave the
existing driveway, but there will be a walkway with another connecting walkway that adds a fair amount of concrete coverage in the front. I just want to be very positive that we are within parameters and there is no we're not we're not uh
>> missing something >> or going beyond what is allowed specifically with the uh driveway and walkway concrete coverage in the front. >> We count all of that. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Any questions? Councor.
>> Okay. Um moving out to the audience. Any questions or comments from the audience hearing? Seeing none, back to the council. Oh, y say your name, address for the record. >> Daniel has 16 Northeast 86 Street. So,
this is one where there's a tree removal permit from the Miami Date County where they state removing palms. However, there's no mention to what type of palm, whether it was a sable palm, whether it's a royal palm or anything that's actually protected or actually native,
not not easily removable stuff. Uh, does the city um have anything to do with that or can the city do anything about like maybe provide a clarification on that? >> Usually tree removal um is strictly through DURM until I put the ordinance
that I'm working on in place. Um it's it's strictly through Durm in the county. >> Yeah. You for for a tree removal. That's they apply and they get get the permit from from Durm. Um unfortunately that's why I'm trying to put that confident in place. We got we got to speed it up. I
appreciate you. Thank you very much. Um any other questions, comments from the audience. All right. Hearing seeing none, back to the council. Um do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Council Person Winters. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Second by council person
bomb. Madame um cler roll call please. >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes. >> Council person Bbomb. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to none. >> Item H4. A resolution of the village council of
Elpertel, Florida granting site plan approval for an addition to residents at 124 Northeast 89th Street in zone 3 suburban residents in the village of Alpert. on application by LMH Development LLC providing for findings, providing conditions, providing for
appeal, providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much. Uh, Miss Hammonds, any changes, adjustments, conditions? >> No, no changes since planning and zoning approval. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Um, any questions or comments from the council >> hearing? Seeing none, any questions or
comments from the audience about this particular item? Hearing seeing none, back to the council. Do I have a motion to approve? Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. Um by council person winters. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. Second by council person
bomb. Uh madam clerk, please have a roll call. H4, please. >> Roll call. Uh council person Winters. >> Yes. >> Council person bomb. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to zero. Thank you very much. Item H5, resolution of the village council of Alpert, Florida,
granting site plan approval for an addition to residents at 151 Northeast 88th Street in zone 3 suburban residents in the village of Alpert. An application by James and Robert Cruz providing for findings, providing for conditions, providing for appeal, providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much. Uh, Miss Hammonds,
any adjustments, conditions, changes? >> No, no changes since um, planning and zoning approval. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um to the council, any questions or comments? Hearing seeing none to the audience, any questions or comments about this particular item?
Hearing seeing none. Um back to the council, do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Council Person Winters. Do I have a second? >> I will second. Second by Council Person. Madam Cler, please have a roll call, please. >> Roll call. Um Council Person Winters.
Yes. >> Council person Urban. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to none. I >> appreciate that. >> Item H6, a resolution of the village council of Alport, Florida, authorizing the approval of a variance for a garage enclosure conversion which does not
comply with section 5-66 garage enclosure of the code of 311 Northeast 90th Street as requested by SPS Miami 5 LLC. providing for incorporation of recitals, providing for an effective date.
>> Thank you very much. Uh, Miss Hammond's adjustments conditions. >> No changes were made since um, planning and zoning board approval. >> Appreciate that. Um, any questions or comments from the council? >> Questions or comments from the audience? Back to the council. Do have a motion to
approve. >> So moved. >> By council person. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second by council person Winters. Cler, please have a roll call, please. >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes. >> Council person Bbomb. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to none.
>> Um H7, a resolution to the village council of Elpert, Florida, granting site plan approval for new construction of a one-story residence at 194 Northwest 91st Street in zone 3 suburban residence in the village of Elpertal. an application by Ra uh Raquel Cismeto and
Nathan Wigglesworth providing for findings, providing for conditions, providing for appeal, providing for violation of conditions, providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Um any qu any conditions or um adjustments, changes? >> Um yes, on this one, um the applicant
had made some revisions to address comments that they did receive at the planning and zoning board approval. Um if if you want me to I have a couple notes. Um but I but the applicant is here maybe she can explain it a little better. >> Hi you.
>> Hi yeah we wanted to reflect more accurate the the foliage the trees everything that was around it. So we want to also show that um we also um wanted to have a more hearing what everyone was saying have more
transparency more open uh if we could. So we opened the the shed even more so we could see um how the trees are behind as well. We can see the garden and also we we were able there was a note about being a little bit of maybe like commercial and so we we took that note
as well into consideration and we were able to open the windows a little bit more so it was more welcoming even and more transparent. So yeah, >> thank you very much. We appreciate that. Any questions or comments from the council? Um, this is the property that has hedges
on the on the street line currently, right? Okay. And there is still currently no plan to remove those, right? >> No. Yeah. >> Okay. That's my only question. >> Any other questions from the council? >> Okay. Any questions from the audience? >> Yeah, I think we need to hear from these
two young men before we can approve. >> They waited this long. I think we should give them a chance to talk. >> He's like, what? speaking to the mic, my brother. >> And it's I love like the nature like our
um >> our neighbor next door. They have like her name is Sarah. They have dogs and we can walk them around the neighborhood >> and it's fun. Yeah. >> We appreciate it. Any other questions or comments um from the audience
>> hearing? Seeing none, um do I have a motion to approve by the council? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Council Urban. Second by Council Person Winters. Um >> roll call. >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes.
>> Council Person Bomb. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> You know, the first time I voted no. Um, my vote really doesn't matter at this point really to tell you the truth. Like it's already passed with the two yes votes. Um, but but I do want to say
right before I vote that, you know, this is something that we just have to be careful of you all with like the the older houses. Um, you know, they're the house that they originally had. It's the it's a Key West house style house. and and these type of houses that we have in Alberta, we got to be careful with like, you know, knocking them down and um and
building newer, more modern houses. I love you guys. You guys are wonderful and you guys have already passed. So, don't take it personally, but I really feel adamant about that. So, I want to vote no. But you guys are good. You guys have passed anyway. Okay. All right. Thank you, Mayor. We go back now to item G1, interim village.
>> Congratulations. You guys are good. All right. Take care. See >> interim/village manager position. Congratulations. Good job. >> Nice job, too. Thank you,
>> madam clerk, madam manager, intern manager. >> Yes. >> Um, for for the village manager position, uh, we brought back uh some of the applicants from before. >> Correct. Um, and we we have shaved down the amount of questions um that we're going to be asking them.
>> Correct. >> Uh, who is it that has uh returned tonight for the >> um Mr. Roose and Mr. David Roseman? Mr. Hector Roose and David Roseman. >> All right. We can have those two individuals
uh come up here for us. Mr. Roseman and Mr. Roose, >> just come sit up toward the front. Um, I also like to add into the record that council vice mayor Martin was not able to make it and she wanted really to be a part of it. She had asked me to ask
you to defer. That's something that you have to take up on you guys, but I'm just giving you what she had uh relayed to me. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> There was also you guys had to provide questions. I guess you guys have those questions with you. >> Yeah. Um,
how you doing, Mr. Ro? Okay, you can just sit up any any first or second row. Thank you very much. Um, as far as uh what Vice Mayor Martin suggested, what
do you guys feel about that? Um, are you ready to move forward? Only three of us are here tonight. >> What do you guys want to do? >> Council, >> I can't hear over all the chatter. I would say we need to move forward in
some capacity if possible. We definitely need to be having this discussion and talk to both these candidates tonight. Even if the result isn't tableabling it, I think uh the ultimate I think we need to have this discussion. I think we need to move forward if possible.
>> Okay, let's see if we could possibly move forward. Um let's go with uh we had the order that we had uh originally. Uh Madame Clerk, uh Mr. Roseman. Can we put Mr. Roseman in the back room and we'll have Mr. Roose, we'll have you come to
the the podium. Thank you very much. Um, so we're going to go through uh, madam clerk, how many questions each piece we have? >> No. Okay. >> So, nobody else provided. I guess you guys have your own question. So, what we'll do is >> What did we just last meeting was three
or >> No, no, no. Was one question per one question per um >> per member. So I guess we will what we will do is um >> we can start with the mayor and from there on to from senior and down. >> Okay.
>> How you doing Mr. Ruth? >> Good evening Mr. Mayor. >> How you doing my brother? Um good to see you here. We appreciate you coming back as manager. What would be some of the priorities
that you feel should be addressed within our community? Um, if you can give me like three to five priorities um that you feel that should be tackled and addressed um within our community. >> Well, the first one is uh is listening.
Uh and what I mean by that is that I don't know which is the best priority or which is the which should take priority order. Uh but certainly there are ideas that both the yourself and the members of the council have. And let me just say thank you for having me here. Uh Mayor Nickerson, Council Members Urban and
Winters. And uh I'm I'm here because um I I just wanted to uh to relate that you have a fantastic village here. I would love to be a part of it. Uh and I think the se the reason why I'm here is because I feel like I can play a role in in that listening to build to restore
trust uh from from what I hear from the the big turnout that was here earlier. There's people who feel that there needs to be more communication and that's not because anything nefarious. It's literally because for 29 days uh uh clerk Jacob has been has been the
interim manager and p pulling double or triple duty. And so that's will be my first priority is to step into that into that space. >> Um as far as priorities like uh tangible priorities in the community, is there uh
one or two priorities that pop up in your mind um that you would have as far as what needs to be addressed like in Alberta? That's that's kind of what I was >> like in terms of for example the the the adjustments to the budget that that been talked about >> in terms of that or any infrastructure
any type of like anything that you see or that you feel um or that you've learned uh you know as far as what needs to be taken care of in Eltown um what needs to be you know one or two priorities in Elpertile needs to be you know >> Sure. I mean I mean the the the form
manager left a number of items that were in the middle and needed just to be finished. So for example the arborist report the the tree inventory uh there should be an inventory about historic properties in in in in the village for instance and recognize that there is money out there for to help restore
them. Uh and the the best house uh the uh the they they say that the uh the best house you you have is the one already built. Right. So that uh that for me is those are some of the easy lowhanging fruit that should be taken care of as well as just sitting down
with department head and saying well where are we here with the priorities that that were left by the the former manager and she's left very detailed uh reports I have to say. So >> perfect thank you very much uh council personal we'll go by seniority you guys. >> Good evening thanks for being here. Um
uh my question is to know uh when was when was the last time that you were part of the executive team or management team of a department and which department was that? >> Uh it's >> like public works, building code
enforcement, etc. So I've uh I've worked on the outside uh look uh in terms of um not in that government space but working with whether it's a qu enforcement issue or whether it's a lifest uh a quality of life issue. My experience comes from property management. So when I am
talking to so which is basically duplicating the services of of local government in terms of garbage collection management of pro of uh uh of the common common areas uh and of course budgeting which is a really important part of of of uh of uh our conversation
here and so when I'm advising so uh so to answer your question I have that experience it's just in a different facet of it uh but it's uh uh and it's a different I'm held to it actually to an even higher standard because the contracts there are not you know they're
uh uh they are they're not contracts. So I'm not I'm not I'm I'm asked to do these things on >> on a u on a case- by case basis uh either advising advising a board who who may switch me out for somebody else or asking me to uh be play a different role
at at any given time. So I hope that I hope that answers your question. Fair enough. Uh, Council Person Winters, >> Mr. Roose, um, our village currently suffers from s significant budget constraints. Uh, would you be willing to
take less salary up front in exchange for performance-based incentives on the back end according to your ability to bring in tangible solutions to issues in our community? >> Uh, yes, I've I've always communicated that. I'm I'm certainly willing to uh to take the pay at the lower the lowest end
of the uh of the pay scale. I I think I've I said at the first meeting that a salary commensurate with the median income of of residents here in Elporttow is uh uh is import uh sorry the double elite no more than double that is what a
a manager of a of a municipality organization like this should be somewhere between 90 and 95. Thank you very much. Um >> uh yeah, bring in question. We doing the same thing we did last time. You guys write them down and give them to me. Write them down and give
them to me like last time. Get Sergeant Gutierrez, can you get some printer paper, please? And a pen. Can you get some printer paper out of uh out of the printer for me?
>> How you doing, Mr. Rose? doing very well. Thank you. >> I'm good. I'm good. Each one of us is going to ask you a question. Um and then you possibly may get questions from the um the the residents, but that will be afterwards. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. So, my first question is
>> No, no. I need I need paper for the residents to write down a question or two. >> Oh, absolutely. >> All right. So my first question my first question is um what do you see is you know a few priorities
um that you would tackle as as manager. What are what are a couple things you look around Elpertile? What what are a couple of things that you see or a few things three three to five maybe or whatever three things a few things that you see that um is a priority in Elpertile that that you think needs to be tackled right away.
Well, I have been sitting here with um you and and the residents for four hours, and it was pretty apparent to me that there's a lot of um distrust, lack of communication,
um lots of um differences of opinion as to how to handle things. Um, I remember that when I first came the first time, um, I noticed some of these same qualities, but it was not as
intense as it is now. And one of the first thing that I did was make sure that I got to know the community. I walked around, I got to know a lot of the people, a lot of the um, community activist. I wanted to make sure that I
got not only in this kind of a setting but that I could speak to them uh individually about some of the things that they were concerned about. Um the first two or three meetings I was
surprised at the level of um cander, honesty that um the residents had and and I enjoyed that because when you have that level of energy um you have stuff to work with. And uh I made sure that I
got to know those individuals who spoke and spoke repeatedly and I made sure that I took notes and then I made sure that I went and visited them and to find out exactly how long they have been in this community etc. and um we were able
to do some amazing things. Um the mayor of you remember we had the opportunity to uh revive the the project of um um septic tank to sewer and within six months we were able to get things moving
um to to be considered for funding from the state and um we had this room filled with people um at that time all of which wanted to participate in in that in that project. So I think that one of the
things that that I'm always um amazed at how in a democracy when people are free to speak their mind and there's no fear of having any kind of repercussions against them people will speak their
mind and um I enjoy that because even when they did not know me um I was able to convey I guess a sense of I am here for you. I'm not here to dictate what it is
that you want me to do. You're here to tell me what it is that you want me to do and I proceeded accordingly. So, it was unfortunate that my tenure here was not as long as I would have wanted. Um but I um in this seven eight years since
then I have gained um much wisdom, much um experience and u I think that you have your right person in Miss Driver. Um but I cannot help but to feel
a little sense of gee this is you know second bite of the apple and I was not able to to gain your u your trust or your confidence and that I could be the right person to deliver you to the
promised land. So I wish you all best of luck. Um I would not be interested in my interim position. Um I am doing very well. Um at the city of Miami and um as I spoken
with some of you, um the salary that I'm making now is $30,000 more than what you could offer. So, um it's it would have been a great opportunity for me to kind of like
finish my my uh professional career here, but I I still have friends here and I I wish you best of luck. I hope that you can get it together. Bring there's a tremendous amount of good
energy in this room. I saw that in spite of the rain and the kind of weather condition that u people came out and um so there's a lot of energy in this room that should be able to be turned into
positive outcomes and um so >> I thank you um I thank all of your staff Mr. Geller, Mr. Jacobi, Mr. mayor, two of you who I just met. Uh, but the three
I had worked with them before and I had hoped to be able to to have some of those opportunities like about this time of night to talk about some of the things that had happened during the council meeting. So, um to you,
um residents, I I wish that you continue to express yourself in a honest and intelligent way as you have. Those of you who have repeated uh who came together, um I I I applaud you for
your commitment to the cause. So, >> thank you very much. I appreciate that, Mr. Roseman and thank you very much for coming back and thank you very much for sitting through this for the world. >> We appreciate it. Thank you very very much and take care. Can >> I just ask I I was talking to a resident. What was your your statement
uh about your availability sir? I didn't catch it. >> Well, what I was saying is that I was not available for the interim position. If I were to take to move from where I'm doing now, this is a very critical point. We just got elected a new mayor
and um she's someone that I have worked with in the downtown area. So I look forward to renewing that relationship. Um I already have some ideas of the things that I want to present to her and her staff
with regards to the issue of homelessness in downtown Miami particularly. So, I have lots of exciting things that I'm going to be able to to uh to do. >> So, you would you would be available if the council were to choose you as
permanent at this point. >> Oh, yeah. Well, definitely. >> Thank you. >> Actually, mayor, that's why I put in room/village manager because I did advertise as a village manager position. I did not advertise in room. In was to push you out of that hurry, which I have
been stepping into. That was what the in room was. Um again you guys know that even if he was to at the capacity of village manager or in room just for the technology of the word you guys it we all work at the pleasure of the council.
>> Madame clerk he also mentioned that he'd be making $30,000 more than we can offer him at his current position. >> I'm glad you're paying for it. >> So um so a couple of things. First of
all, um, as I stated, as I stated in in the last meeting, the manager, the clerk, the attorney, they exist to the pleasure of the council. So, at any given time with a with three
votes, with majority votes, we can vote them out um at any time. So, the difference between an intermittent, there's really no difference. It's been said, mayor, that every manager, attorney, and clerk is an interim all the time.
>> All the time because there there really is no difference um because of the way it's just set up in government. Um it just takes majority votes, doesn't matter when, at any time. So, you can hire somebody on a Wednesday and by majority vote or you vote them out the next Tuesday. You vote them out by
majority vote. You can do that at any time. Um it's kind of how that goes. Uh if you would put Oh, you got two more questions. Um, and then I'm going to ask you go back to the room, but just in case, let me get the last two next two questions. Uh, Council Person, >> good evening. Thank you sincerely for
being here. Uh, my question is to understand uh most recently uh what in what capacity in what department have you been part of either the executive team, management team, etc.,
etc. But and what is the most recent I understand it's probably your current position but what is your most recent role in helping to run a department and which department is that? >> Um the department is the uh the department of human services and I am
the assistant to the director. My role um now is is is basically serve as a strategic u coordinator for the services. Um that um >> what's the what's the official name of
the >> assistant to the director? >> No, I mean um of the department. >> Oh, the department of human services. >> Department of human for Miami date county. >> Miami. The city of Miami. >> City of Miami. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> So basically um I get pulled in to to figure out
exactly how to provide services most efficiently and most effectively. Um to be able to have relationships with our continuum of care. Those are the agencies that provide services to the homeless population and people who are
uh unemployed because our Department of Human Services basically has two um service uh populations, homeless individuals and folks who are unemployed. Sometimes they are the same.
But um basically because there's such a close relationship between those two um I serve as being able to to identify those individuals who who can you know u benefit from from what we do.
>> Very good. And for the benefit of the residents that is the role you currently hold. Is that right? >> That is the role that I currently >> and so you have a team underneath you as well as a need to interact with the public. >> Yes. Basically, I work with a a team of
officers. Um, and I also work with a team of outreach workers and a team of solid waste collectors. And we go out into the streets. Um, and we tackle each of those individuals who find themselves
uh unemployed, unhoused, and we try to figure out the best way to to provide assistance to them. I also get on the phone and work with the agencies u identify resources what are the opportunities for specific individuals.
Um as such I also work with um the um private sector many times people who have businesses get affected because homeless individuals are in front of their shop etc. So we talk about ways
for them to to deal with that problem. We provide uh police assistance. I train the officers in terms of how to deal with homeless population, how to identify people who are suffering from mental illness and uh and or drug abuse.
So it's it's it's very exciting. Um I have been doing this for five years now. I have been back with city for eight. Um, so, excuse me. When I first went back to the city, I
was the assistant director for the uh, neighborhood enhancement team. And basically, that was more focusing on neighborhoods and understanding what were the needs etc. uh, which um, helped me because I had done a lot of that
here. People with uh, I need to get my tree. I don't know if it is is in the right away or is it in my property? Those kinds of things dealing with neighborhoods. Um in my current role is dealing with a little more difficult population.
So surely Council President Winters. >> Yes. Uh so thank you Mr. Roseman for talking with me on the phone today. It was wonderful. I mean, it was we talked before last month and uh you were one of my top finalists and we spoke in depth
and you you had so much to offer the city. Um and you know, I understand that there are bigger and better things for you and in our budget constraints, there's no way we could spend $30,000 over budget and you deserve it because
you are very wellqualified. Um, my question actually, you answered it when you talked. I was going to ask if you'd be able to work within our budget, but obviously it's not going to be able to happen. But, um, I want to thank you for showing up today and giving your time. You stood through the entire 4-hour
meeting. I saw you in the back. I said I sent you a text and I was like, that that's that's a trooper. That's that shows a lot to your character. >> Thank you. Thank you. And I I enjoy um you being the only other person with the hat on. So So >> I appreciate that as well.
>> So it was it was actually I I bumped my head and and I had a um a I had a a band-aid that my girlfriend. >> So he says, "You're not going to go into a meeting with something in your head." So I said, "I'll stick a hat on." And
and I said, "I will be the only one wearing a hat." And >> you look great. I I'm all for hats. >> All right. Thank you very much you all. Um >> question >> how we looking with.
>> Okay. No problem. >> No problem. No problem. You good? Take it. Take take your time. We We don't want to rush you, man. We >> We don't want to We don't want to rush you. >> I was just gonna >> All right. Uh,
do me a favor, Mr. Roseman. Go to go to the back. >> Okay. >> Step into the room. >> Yeah. Go into the room. Yeah. Yeah. Go into the room, >> Mr. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appcate. I was gonna try to get his questions out of the way while he was already out
here, but um I I think so. Uh do do your do you do your report your report real quick? Let me get uh hold on Roose. Roose uh
Roose Roose. I don't think there's any questions for Oh, one's to the council. One's to the council. Uh, let me get let me get Roose, you guys. >> Well, we can we can discuss that also
before we we can discuss that. Discuss question. >> No, no, it's it's okay. I'm just Yeah, I'm just gonna find a way to word it kind of different. Um, how you doing, Mr. Rose? Uh, these are questions from the audience. Uh
it says um you mentioned that you participated in the campaign of uh Cheros representative. You you you participate in a campaign of a representative.
>> Uh I mean congressional probably. Yeah. It was what was the question? >> In what capacity and how would you address alleged third or illegal behavior in a workplace if you were to become aware of it.
>> Well, uh in a workplace there was uh there's there's an HR person that you can report things to us using confidence uh and then uh and then get advice on on how to proceed. But that's u was that >> okay
>> is that the question? I believe that's the question. Um the next question is have you ever run a city or municipality or a government department at any level city, state or federal? >> Uh the only uh the only time when I
worked in uh county, I just was in the office. I didn't work didn't operate the office. Uh so uh so in terms of organizations that I've worked with that yeah I I managed uh I was part of I managed a $4 million budget in um in one
of the organizations u and uh uh and budgets for asso for associations uh that I uh that was a uh for homeowner associations uh that was typically $10 million a year. >> Okay. The next one is um are you the
roose that ran for governor of Florida? >> Yes. Yeah. Somebody asked me that last time and yeah I did. >> And then the next one is you have a couple more here. >> Sure. >> Um what is your relationship with Council
Person Winters? >> Uh Winters I I know Councilman Winters. uh um I've u I guess uh in in the in the time that we've spoken about this position and before when I became aware
of it uh we struck up a a friendship. >> Okay. Thank you. And uh what were the last three jobs that you had and how um how did they qualify you for an executive position? Sure. Uh
so uh so the in terms of the last three jobs uh you're asking me how uh the association of of um Malibu Bay down in Homestead is uh was a 4,000 unit uh uh
homeowner association. Um so I was working with one of the subdivisions for that. Um and uh that prepared me because of uh prepared me in regards to establishing budgets, talking to uh stakeholders and property owners uh and dealing with um with the county that uh controlled also controlled the uh uh
roadways and uh public facilities for the for the association. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And I think that is it for you. Let's have uh uh Mr. Roseman come out, please. Mayor, um the CFO, Go ahead. The CFO
brought something to my attention um regarding the salary. What we have um advertised was from 90 to 150 based on experience. >> Okay, >> just for clarification because I don't want no misunderstanding. So, it was based on experience. It was from 90 to 150.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. If we can get Mr. Rosen. I have one question for him. How you doing, Mr. Rosen? We have one question for you and then we'll send you back. Um, do you have a relationship with or do you know any council member?
um not a relationship but I consider us to have been colleagues when during my tenure here seven eight years ago. >> Okay. Anyone else
>> on any one of the on the >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> Sure. >> There is another question. >> Oh yes. >> Mr. Colri had another question. He wanted to know what was the interpretation. He didn't have time to come here. What was the interpretation
of Mr. Roseman of what the salary would be, >> which I think I kind of answered without knowing it, but Mr. Roseman, >> huh? >> Oh, like what do you require? What would you require as a salary if you were full-time uh manager here?
That's a tough question to ask because I was shooting for the maximum of 150 which is what was advertised. Um but I would say that I could absorb um
I could I could take 130 125 130. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Um you go back to the room for us please for sure. All right, y'all. So, um Oh, there's one more >> for both
Yeah, bring them out, please. All right, Mr. Roose, one more question for you. How does your job experience qualify you to negotiate with developers of large projects? >> That's a great question. So, I'm I'm also a licensed realtor. I have
represented uh property owners uh that were potential development projects in Miami Beach. I've worked in the city of Miami with with neighborhood groups in regards to their zoning code and modifying their zoning code. uh and ultimately the uh I've worked with um
with other in the city of Miami worked with other groups in terms of developing their community benefits packages. So which which is something you may have seen earlier people were talking the council was talking about uh you know what benefits when you don't have them fixed in in the code uh uh can can you
request of a developer in lie of an agreement that goes above and beyond the requirements of code. So something that uh you know so it could be as basic as uh as a signage for neighborhoods neighborhood signage as well or a contribution to public art or or u some
other type of uh placem like u upgrading uh uh sidewalks you know but these they can be sizable depending on the development agreement. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Um go go back to the room. Thank you very much Mr. R.
Uh, no, no, no, no. We're good. Thank you. All right. So, these are our options, you all. Um, council person council person Vice Mayor Martin um called in and said she apolog. She asked us to
table it. Um, we have a motion that we could make. We understand that um for uh Mr. uh Roseman the motion would have to be for just village manager without the interimm attached to the front of
it. Um, and then we also have Mr. Roose uh who I believe would be either village manager or inter village manager. So those are options. So we have a tableabling option. We have an option for a motion for Mr. Roseman for village
manager. And we have at this point an option for Mr. Roose for village manager. Might as well say. So I mean >> I have a question because I'm I'm looking at the agenda and the agenda even though it was listed indeed as >> both it says interim village manager on
but when I advertised it I advertised it as a village manager so the intention thereof was to be they applied as to be a village manager >> it's either okay >> or >> um those are options you guys you know the mayor can't make a motion or second so it's
>> I make a motion to ask for Hector Roose as the village manager Sure. >> All right. So, we have a a motion on the table um for uh Hector Roose to be the village manager. Um do I have a second?
Do I have a second going once? Do I have a second going twice? Do I have a second for the third time? Okay, the motion uh fails for lack of a second. Do I have Do I have another motion? >> I would move to select Mr. Roseman as a
permanent attorney. >> Do I All right. So, I have a motion on the table for Mr. Roseman. Do I have a second? >> Yeah. Yeah, I understood what you were saying. Yeah. What did I say? >> You said attorney. Oh my god. Now it's late. >> All right. I've only been up for 17 hours. So
>> Geller Geller's like, I don't want to lose my job right now. >> I will Okay, I'll mend my I move to select Mr. Roseman as >> permanent manager. >> All right, we have a motion on the table for Mr. Roseman. Uh, do I have a second?
Do I have a second going once? Do I have a second? Going twice >> for the third time. Do I have a second? >> Mayor, you guys need to make a decision tonight whether it's one or the other. And I'm going to tell you why. I said in the last meeting, I've been holding two jobs
at the same time. That is not the best practice. The ma the attorney has spoken to me in several times. I've pushed it as much as I could. I could be covering, but it's not the best practices. I cannot be doing both jobs. That's dual
responsibility. >> I will try it again. We had a >> I've heard from the audience today that we have a $500,000 deficit apparently and I I can't see us spending more money than we have to. I can't even take that I I refuse to
take that comment seriously. I refuse to take that comment seriously. This is from the person who recommended $350,000 be paid to the council members just so he could get his 67. There is no way that that comment can be taken seriously
that we don't have the money to pay a manager that we desperately need. I >> ad hominant attacks are not considered real ways to speak to your councilmen. >> So we had two motions um and two uh
fails for lack of a second. Do I have any other motions? I mean you you guys can do the motion again, I suppose, but do I have another motion on the table? >> I make a motion that we offer the job to Mr. Roseman at 75,000 and as for Mr.
Hector Roose at 70,000 to be deputy manager and both of them will be under budget and both be able to work. >> That would not work because I didn't advertise for any of that. Um other than that um the negotiations were for 90 to
150 that needs to be negotiated anyway >> regardless it has to be negotiated. So I did not advertise for a deputy manager. I I advertised for a village manager. This is the peculiar situation the village is in right now. As if would I not stepped in, you guys would have been rolling without a village manager and
that is not attainable. That is not sustainable and that needs that's why I said at the last meeting you guys need to decide by the next meeting. What are you guys going to do with the position? >> And is the chair unable to second? >> No, he can second. >> Okay.
>> All right. You know, the only other thing you could do, um, typically I don't recommend it, um, but in this circumstance, you could try to get Vice Mayor Martin on the
phone. She said she was amendable. >> Uh, we also received an email from Bob Cook that asked you on the phone and he was denied. >> I'm sorry, I'm not understanding you, sir. It's late. Please repeat what you're saying. >> One of the applicants replied. He said he'd like to make it, but the flooding did not allow him and he'd want to do it
by phone. He was denied. I don't not think we should do anything by phone if we denied it to one of the applicants tonight. >> It's merely a comment. It's an available course of action. She said she was available. >> There's a difference between a council member and an applicant. >> So, we're awaiting a new motion right now. Is that right?
>> Yeah. Is there a motion? >> So, are we going to create a president where we contact every council member when they're not here? My predecessor was unqualified and that's why I'm on this position. So, let's try and figure out a way to make this work.
>> Do I have a motion? Do I have a motion on the table? You guys, we either have a table. We can either table. >> Can you motion it and I will second whatever you feel >> just so I can work through this. Mr. Mayor,
>> excuse me. >> I'm just going to move again to select Roseman as a permanent manager. >> We have a motion on the table. Do we have a second? Second going once. I will only second for interim manager, not for regular manager
for Roseman. >> And I'll table every uh freaking agenda we have coming in front of us until we have a manager. >> So we have a motion, but the motion's for your motion, Council President for Roseman as
permanent manager. >> So then All right. So then do I have a second going once? Second going twice. >> Second for the third time. >> Mayor, I think you need to put up for vote um calling a third party. Uh calling Martin. Put it up for vote
between you guys. You guys need to decide. This is you know the village. I'd like to make a motion for David Roseman as interimm manager. >> I have a motion for David Roseman as interim manager. Do I have a second? >> Second going once.
Second going twice. Third time, David Roseman, interim manager. No second fails for lack of a second. You guys, we either can get on the same page or there's a table option
or do I have a motion to call uh council person um I mean like >> either >> Vice Mayor Martin. Vice Mayor Martin. Do you have a motion
for that? >> I'll make a motion to table the issue till next meeting. >> That's right. >> Who's going to be the manager? Because I'm going back to my clerk position. I said it at the last one. So, you guys can't function without a manager. >> I agree. >> And you guys can't force me to stay as a
manager either. Our charter allows for any chartered officer to be um manager. So those are the two charter officers that are there. Those are our only choices for >> Yes. But I I already did it for the time
I did. Tonight's the night you guys picked it. You guys kept moving it around. I I don't think you would be doing me any justice. So, it seems like there's no way that um you guys can get on the same page. Um I don't even have a motion to even call Vice Mayor Martin. Um
>> I voted for both of them and I also voted to table it. I mean, I did all three. I refuse to select an unqualified candidate and I'm looking for leadership here from the chair. >> Only thing I could do you guys is give you guys the options. So
I if if you guys are a part on this then the only thing that I would say is >> table it till she comes. >> So this No, that's what I was going to say. Yeah. No, >> that's what I'm That's what I'm Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
>> I What I understood was that you guys No, >> no, no, no. I'm talking about tableabling it until we get our other council members here and we do like a full like a special meeting for the village manager like whenever we can,
like as soon as possible. That's what I'm talking about. That that would be the tableabling aspect of it that we table and we come back with a special meeting for the village manager. We could do that Monday if we if we What's wrong? What other candidates?
>> Well, yeah, that's no problem. Whoever was in because our our motion was whoever was in the original six that came. >> I understand. >> It It depends. It depends on what the motion is.
>> Can we make a motion? It depends on No, I don't second. >> Can we make a motion? >> I never I never have. I never have. >> And usually And usually the chair doesn't second is usually up to the members of the of the committee. >> So my patience is I'm at a point now
where the two council people I sit on the council with at presently tonight. Okay. The two people that are here other than myself tonight sitting on the deis. All right. So I've been in this situation before. This is like dja vu times three for me right now. Okay. So,
one was uh a motion for $67,000 each to the council for a part-time position that for the record, I've never grossed more than $55,000 in a year. >> And it's obvious in your intellect. >> Yeah. Yeah. No problem. So, so because
the billionaires are geniuses, right? They got >> That's such an insane comment. Such an insane comment. So, so if the residents support $350,000 a year to the council, well then there's
your answer right there. Okay. Now, time number two, we selected a manager, an interim manager, even an interim manager even. And what happened with that present company? I'm sitting here, but
then my colleagues say, "No, back to square one." because seems very obvious and I'm tired of beating around his bush. He's got somebody he wants to be manager for him. He's got somebody he wants to be manager for him, but he's not saying anything about it. We don't know who that is yet. I don't know any
of these candidates. I don't know any of them. >> Cuz you didn't call him. >> I talked to five. I talked to five. >> Did you call Hector once? >> Hector RS is not someone I consider to be qualified for this position. >> I called people that I didn't think were qualified. I called 23 candidates even
if I did not want them. So that's where I stand. >> You got to put in the time. >> Okay, guys. Guys, this is this is Let's bring it back to what business. Let me um >> drifting far and farther away from >> Let me let me just interject two weeks ago.
>> I was a little confused. I thought you guys were talking about starting all over. Um we're going to be closed for a whole week due to tenting and what and that can buy you a little time. Um due to the holidays, I mean, I can still hold the fort. I thought you guys were looking at a longer longer time, honestly. because the holidays are in
the way. I can go ahead if you guys want to have your full counsel here because this is a big decision. This is not a small decision. This is a big decision. This will impact residents and >> project trying to make a decision. The other two people on this DES right now are not trying to make trying to force
in somebody that they want. His isn't here. His is. That's the only reason we're sitting here right now. Time to get his and he's hoping to shove his through tonight. >> Understood. But um the minds are not in agreement. But if you guys do agree to table it until your other two members
are here because obviously we're going nowhere. We're like not going we're going full circles and circles and circles. So I understood I thought it was that it was for me to stay a longer period. That's not attainable. That's not that's that's not even correct. But
if it is with the week that we're going to be closed, I think that'll buy you guys time. It's the holidays. We can come back when your other members are here because you three right now are not in agreement. >> Is it possible to talk to David Roseman one more time? >> You wanted to talk to David Roseman.
>> That's up to >> cuz I I have you know he conflictingly told us that he didn't want the job. He was going to make more. Then afterwards he changed his mind. >> I think there was a confusion and I did go with the motion with him. I need >> with all different sar that's why I clarified. >> He said what he was making and then when he was asked the question he said he
could do it for like 13. Actually, you were on the phone when he said it the first time. >> He said 130 135 >> 125 135. >> Those are negotiations to be had. We don't even know if he's going to have the job. I think for the >> But he did say it had to be permanent for him for him to quit his job. That is
what >> So, I'd like to just talk with him one more time if that's okay. >> Hold on. >> Hold on. You guys, everybody wait. >> I move to extend the meeting 15 minutes. >> I have a motion. We're at 90 minutes.
It's 12:30. I move to extend the meeting. >> He second. So I have a motion to have a second on f say I. I. >> I. >> So the motion is listen you all. >> If you guys feel like we don't have and
and I won't even address you. Uh council person. I love you to death, but I don't know where that came from. Like when I when I think about who the secret member is who I'm waiting for. I'm thinking about who our candidates were who first came is it was those two. It was Driver who doesn't want to be it anymore. If
she's my secret candidate, she's not ever coming back. So I don't know why why I'm holding out for that. Um it was the the the the young woman said that she withdrew her application. >> Yes. After the last events, she said she Okay. She wanted >> I'm not waiting for her. So I don't know
what Council President Urban saying. I'm waiting for a secret person. Um but >> and Mr. Cook said he had prior commitment. >> Yeah, he's not my secret person. >> I'd like to ask um Mr. Geller a question. Mr. Geller, >> now that uh Mrs. Driver is no longer
part of this application. Um can you share what we offered her last time? >> I It's pointless because it was based on her experience. I'm reluctant because it was not my offer. It was from
the vice mayor. If she was here to authorize it, I would not have any objection, but it's not mine to say it was the vice mayor's offer, and I'm
reluctant to reveal that without her permission. >> The vice mayor obviously is the one that came with the contract. My question would be that >> No, sir, I drafted the contract. >> She she worked with you on She made the the number offer and I'm reluctant
>> to speak for her in her absence. >> I would be curious as to what she offered someone who my constituent here thinks was more uh worthy of being the manager than Mr. Roseman what they offered him and that would make a big difference and and what we would be able
to offer him in the future and if we're able to do the same thing again >> because he has a specific number he's thinking of and it's >> he said his number sir he stated his number from the podium if you want to bring him back I assume the mayor doesn't object to bringing the man back
in you just extended 15 minutes mayor can he come back and maybe he can satisfy the councilman >> but that was again for for her number. >> Sir, I don't feel authorized to do that. The council, the vice mayor made that
decision. I'm sorry. I would like to accommodate you and if I could, you know, she was here and I could ask her, she could just say. >> So, the question is, it's not up to me. >> If she offers the same amount and it's less than he's asking right now and she's going to do that again, he's not going to accept it. Then we will be
stuck in the same position we are right now. >> No, sir. Not that was for interim. If Mr. Roseman has said he can't quit his job unless it's to be permanent. So, it's different. It's not the same circumstance. >> All right, you all. So, Mr. Mayor, for
my first choice was a Kimra. That's not it's off the table now, but I was at 150 for her. My second choice uh a woman named Peggy Castano, which did not interview in person, so she was not considered. I would be at 150 for her. My third choice is Mr. Roseman based on
experience, and I'm at 150 for him based on experience. There are no other candidates beyond those three who have the experience that we are looking for in this village. And so if we want to discount manager interim or otherwise, we have four other three other options
for that I believe. >> All right, you guys. So this is how this goes. Um, one more time, one last time. I'm going to ask for a motion. >> Have Dave come out first. >> Okay. You need to speak to him again, Mr. Rose. >> Just quickly.
Can somebody please get Mr. Rose? >> Thank you. >> That is our CFO by the way hanging out with us till 12:30. >> Mr. Roseman, um, uh, Council Person Winters has a question for you. >> I appreciate you giving this time. I'm exhausted. I'm sure you probably feel
the same way. So, right now, a little conflicted, right? We had a wonderful phone conversation today and at the beginning of your speech, you you bowed out, but then you came back later and you said you'd be willing to work with us again and and take a lower number. I
I'm I just would like to know if you can clarify why we went in two different directions and and what you really want for yourself because as you mentioned on the phone, you're you want you're close to retirement. You want to get all that together. So, you have a short tenure left, right?
>> Let me know what you're thinking of and why it everything changed. Well, when I saw the the specifics of the position that was, you know, like as low as as 95, uh, the salary, I knew that
regardless of how much I will get in my pension, I would not be able to make, you know, what I'm I'm making now. So, um, I said, well, I'll just keep, you know, hoping for for another opportunity. um
whether here elsewhere but you know I definitely don't want to and seeing the amount of of work that needs to to be put into into this village uh I said there's no way because I thought we could negotiate um a 4 day week um you
know shorter schedule etc. But this is going to be a a position that at least for the first six nine months is going to require me doing a lot of these late evenings, early mornings, you know. So this is my my concern. Um as it is right
now um many times my my girlfriend thinks that I have a shake on the side because you know I am here at 12:35 and uh it's like you know I I never seen a a a council meeting that goes past
midnight. So, >> exactly. So, >> I did warn you on the phone it would go till 1:00, didn't I? >> Exactly. So, I said, you know, it it will be I'm committed to doing public works. I'm a a true public servant, but
not at my expense, not at 71 years old. I want to be able to enjoy. I want to be able to go on vacations, you know. uh spend time with my family. So, and I seen, you know, the level of
energy that this room generated. I said, there's no way that I can do this job the way that I that needs to be done that I would like to to do it um and make the kind of sacrifices in time and energy that it would require. So, so
that's uh uh and I'm sorry if there was some confusion, but I just when I heard, you know, 80 95 85, I was like, "Okay, this is um definitely, you know, um I can go low, but no, not that."
>> What was the number? You said it had to be permanent. And what number did you say you were willing to do with it? >> 130 125 130. Yeah. >> Now, this would be Can can I share what you told me earlier today? >> So, this would be far below the 163 that
you're making plus full benefits, >> right? >> So, I mean, it'd be a big sacrifice for you. And if we were if you were to make that sacrifice, I think it's very important that we also have you long term. How long can you give us until retirement? >> I'm planning to to work until I am past
75. >> So, four more years. >> Four more years. >> Okay. >> Past 75. I I am I feel energetic enough to >> to go easily four or five years more. >> All right.
>> Is that it? Council, >> those of us who've interviewed people like in the hundreds over decades know that that was an outrageously inappropriate line of questioning, right? >> To the borderline of like beyond ethical violation, but we're talking like
freaking legal violation here. the question that was just posed. So I might not have the intellectual capacity to grift my way into a higher salary in life. However, I have interviewed hundreds of people and engaged in hours and hours and hours of
training of what you do and don't ask in an interview for legal reasons and that line of questioning was insane. >> You might try your motion again though, Councilman. Thank you very much. Get it this time. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Roseman. You can go back. Please go back one more time. We're almost done. Thank you.
>> Might have a different outcome. Councilman. >> All right, you guys. We're back to the same three options. >> I make a motion for Mr. David Rooseman to be the manager of Elportal. >> All right, we have a motion for David Roseman to be the manager of Elportal. Do a second.
>> Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Madam clerk, please have a roll call, please. >> Roll call. Council person Winters. >> Yes. >> Council person Irv. >> Yes. >> Mayor Nickerson. >> Yes. >> Motion passes three to none. >> Very much.
>> Um. One second. >> I will move to adjourn. >> Uh, do you want to say anything about your your the report? >> Yeah. >> You want to say need to appoint >> whether it's vice mayor again? you need to >> Yeah, we we'll stick with we'll continue to stick with the vice mayor.
>> Okay. For negotiation purposes. >> Um yeah, we're going to be closed for tenting and also the holiday. So, I I had them place a sign. I will be emailing everybody and I would put um also on the website for the week of the 22nd to the 26th. Those first three days
need for tenting and then the other days is the holidays. That's about it. Um I think I put also that I've been trying to restructure and raise the morale with the employees. We have a new hire which is a new police officer. I did put it there so everybody's aware. It's a
female officer. She You will be seeing her. She's right now training. That's it. >> Yeah. Thank you very much. You guys see my report there? If you have any questions, let me know. Um do I have a motion to adjourn? Oh. Uh uh Attorney Geller, do you have a report? Were you good? >> Yes.
>> All right. My report is I want to go home. >> All right. The report. Um do I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion adjourn. >> Motion. Motion moved by council person Winters. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person. All in favor
say I. I. Oppose say nay. Hearing none. The council meeting for Tuesday, December 9th is adjourned at 12:40 a.m. December 10th.