HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-15 Workshop City Commission Meeting MinuteslVlayor Mikes called the meeting to order
ROLL CALL:
Present:
MINUTES
DANIA CITY COMMISSION
WORKSHOP MEETING
JULY 15, 1997
Bob Mikes
Jim Cali
John Bertino
John Etling
Bill Hyde
IVlichael Smith
Marie Jabalee
Tim Ryan
[/ayor:
Vice-[\Iayor:
Com m iss ioners:
City Manager:
City Clerk:
City Attorney:
1. Discussion of community appearance and standards.
a) Landscape projects (this item was discussed with section b)
b) Creation of Community Appearance Board
Ivlayor Mikes stated that his main objective for this board would to be to review
and recommend various project recommendations from civic groups and
service groups to improve the overall appearance of the City; to suggest and
develop grant projects to improve the city's appearance; and to review
variances, special exceptions and site plans. He suggested that some ofthe
members should have landscaping and/or architectural expertise.
Commissioner Hyde felt that this board should only be an advisory board. He
didn't agree with the board reviewing site plans. He felt that the board should
not establish standards, but should recommend standards.
fi/layor N/ikes suggested a 15 member board rather than a ten member board
He felt that Section 3 - Power and Duties - a) should be changed from "shall
establish" to "should recommend standards acceptable..... "
1WORKSHOP IVEETING JULY 15, 1997
Commissioner Etling suggested that the antique/historical and nautical aspects
be incorporated.
Commissioner Bertino stated that the appropriate theme should be chosen for
each area of the City.
Mayor Mikes recommended hiring a part-time landscape architect or consultant
to help with these projects.
Clinton Hill stated that he had been in the landscape business for 50 years and
also suggested that a landscape architect be hired.
Alex Buchsbaum suggested that Griffin Road be one of the projects taken on
for beautification.
Vito Mancino stated that the Downtown Redevelopment Board was already in
existence and felt that they should be in charge of these kinds of projects. He
mentioned that US 1 between Dania Beach Boulevard and Sheridan was a
mess and should be cleaned up.
Mayor Mikes felt that it would be too much work for one board such as the
Downtown Redevelopment Board to take on the whole City.
Joel Ladsworth of 310 SE 4 Terrace stated that he was appointed to the
Downtown Redevelopment Board about 4 months ago and have yet to meet.
He felt that trying to establish another board was not necessary when current
boards already in place could take on these projects. He also agreed with the
idea of hiring a landscape architect.
Tim Mcleod did not agree with the idea of creating another board. He also felt
that existing boards should get involved in these projects.
Mayor Mikes was not concerned about new projects, but with existing problem
areas in residential neighborhoods.
Joe Dorsey of the Dania lmprovement Committee stated that codes were in
place and should be enforced to improve these problem areas.
Commissioner Etling felt that Dania's main streets like Federal Highway and
Dania Beach Boulevard needed to be improved before the residents would get
IWORKSHOP MEETING JULY 'r5, 1997
Anita Serpe stated that she attended a Downtown Redevelopment Board
meeting in Delray and was very enthused. She suggested that a project
coordinator be hired to meet with the different civic groups to accomplish these
projects.
enthusiastic about improving their neighborhoods. He also suggested that the
new Growth Management Director be involved in this task.
Commissioner Bertino suggested that the assistant to the City Manager be
involved in these projects when one is hired.
Jimmy Peterman stated that the city, as a whole, needs to be improved, not
just the downtown area.
Rose Lizana felt that existing boards should be involved and did not agree with
creating another committee.
Victor Lohmann stated that community involvement was more important than
community input. He felt that the City should allocate the funds and empower
the local civic groups to take on these beautification projects.
Mayor Mikes stated that a lot of the neighborhoods did not have organized
groups and suggested that they be established with the help of the City.
Charles Zidar felt that the board would make a lot of positive changes within
the City and volunteered his services.
c) Code Enforcement Standards
Commissioner Hyde felt that another Board should not be created but that the
City's existing codes should be better enforced by hiring more code
enforcement staff and by imposing fines on the properties.
Vice-Mayor Cali encouraged the Code Team (Police, Fire and Code
lnspectors) to become more active by going after the properties that have
numerous violations. He also felt that procedures should be changed to allow
for the aggressive collection of fines that have been imposed due to violations.
Mayor Mikes wanted to assure the property owners that Code Enforcement's
emphasis is on compliance of city codes not making money.
Peggy Breeschoten, member ofthe Code Enforcement Board, stated that the
purpose of the board is not to make money, but to clean up the city. She
stated that staff is limited with only two inspectors and recommended the hiring
of additional inspectors.
Vito Mancino also felt that two inspectors were not enough to cover the entire
City and suggested the hiring of one or two more.
JULY 15, 1997WORKSHOP MEETING
Commissioner Etling recommended that the current codes be strengthened
and brought up to date.
d) Modifications to City Sign Code
Commissioner Hyde stated that a time certain needed to be set for the
enforcement of the sign ordinance.
City Attorney Ryan reported that the law states that if you have a fixed
amortization period, and an administrative appeals process, then the sign
ordinance can be enforced.
Vito Mancino complained about several signs throughout the city.
e) Minimum Housing Standards
City Manager Smith reported that the Unsafe Structures Board has been very
active in bringing housing up to code and having those houses demolished that
can't be brought up to code.
f) Other suggestions for community projects.
Mayor Mikes stated that the major corridors in the City, namely, US 1, Dania
Beach Blvd, Griffin Road, Stirling Road and Sheridan Street, should be
beautified immediately.
The Commission agreed to have Charles Zidar, Landscape Architect, work on a
landscaping proposal for the major corridors throughout the City.
This workshop meeting adjourned.
City Clerk-Au r
4WORKSHOP MEETING
)CA
Mayor-Commissioner
JULY 15, 1997