Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1329 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 5, 2002 1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Flury at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Pat Flury Vice-Mayor Robert Chunn Commissioners: John Bertino C.K. McElyea City Manager Ivan Pato City Attorney Tom Ansbro City Clerk Charlene Johnson Absent: Commissioner Bob Mikes A motion was made by Commissioner Bertino, seconded by Commissioner McElyea to grant Commissioner Mikes an excused absence. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino — yes Vice-Mayor Chunn — yes Commissioner McElyea — yes Mayor Flury— yes 3. Discussion and possible action on resolution relating to the widening of Sheridan Street. Laurence Leeds, Growth Management Director, reported that the Florida Department of Transportation was planning to widen Sheridan Street from Dixie Highway (Fourth Avenue) on the west, running east to east of SE Second Avenue. Mr. Leeds explained that there were three main components with regard to property acquisition that would take place in this plan. The first component and the most significant would be the acquisition of residential properties on the north side of Sheridan Street between Dixie Highway and Federal Highway, including the Amoco gas station. FDOT indicates that they would purchase the entire depth of the lots from Sheridan Street to the alleyway. The second component would be the acquisition of property on the west side of Federal Highway, from Sheridan Street north to approximately SW 13th Terrace, which would include Patio MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING 1 FEBRUARY 5, 2002 Land, Granada Bar, the small strip shopping center, 7-Eleven and a portion of McDonalds. With the exception of McDonalds, the acquisition would be approximately one-half the depth of each lot, which would leave a portion of the buildings and little or no parking. The third component would be the acquisition of the portion of Sheridan Street on the north side, east of Federal Highway, beginning at Miami Subs running east to the small office building directly east of SE Second Avenue, which would include a few older homes, a commercial building, an office building and an apartment building. The acquisition will eliminate all the parking between the buildings and Sheridan Street and the properties would become functionally, obsolete. Mr. Leeds explained that the proposed resolution supports that portion of the Sheridan Street widening plan that contemplates the full acquisition of properties west of US 1 and objects to that portion of the plan that proposes the partial acquisition of commercially zoned properties along Sheridan Street and US 1. The proposed resolution supports either the total acquisition or the non-acquisition and it also supports the installation of a landscape buffer between the reconstructed Sheridan Street and the adjacent residential neighborhoods. Mr. Leeds reported that FDOT staff and consultants advised him that, due to the expense of this project ($50 million) that if any negative input is received by FDOT or the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) it could cause the whole project to be cancelled. Mr. Leeds advised that a response must be sent within ten days of January 31, to make it part of the public hearing. If the MPO decides to fund this project, the acquisition of land would take place five years after the plan was approved and construction would begin a year or two after the acquisition. Commissioner Bertino felt that one useful purpose of the plan would be for drainage. He felt it would be a good opportunity to beautify and lend impedance to beautification and upgrading of the area by having FDOT acquire the whole parcels and use half the parcels for a dry retention area. He felt that if only half the parcels were acquired, it would leave a slum, blighted area. Mayor Flury agreed that the area would become a blighted area if only half the parcels were purchased. She felt that it was poor planning on the part of FDOT. Commissioner McElyea supported the acquisition of the parcels along Sheridan Street, west of Federal Highway, but not the parcels east of Federal Highway. He did not agree with putting the commercial properties out of business and decreasing the City's tax base. MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING 2 FEBRUARY 5, 2002 In response to Commissioner Bertino, City Attorney Ansbro.stated that the business use of the properties would become legally non-conforming, and the City could not prohibit them from continuing the existing business. A motion was made by Commissioner Bertino, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chunn, to keep the language positive and amend the resolution to support the acquisition of the entire parcel of each property needed to complete the project along Federal Highway and Sheridan Street. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino —yes Vice-Mayor Chunn — yes Commissioner McElyea — yes Mayor Flury - yes 4. Discussion of public sidewalks. City Manager Pato explained that there were a significant number of sidewalks throughout the City that are in less than good condition and the Code Enforcement Division is looking for direction from the Commission to enforce the ordinance addressing this issue. Laurence Leeds, Growth Management Director, explained that in the past when the City attempted to enforce the existing ordinance, residents would • complain to the Commission about the expense of repairing the sidewalks and the City would back off. However, the condition of sidewalks throughout the City is getting worse. Commissioner Bertino mentioned that it was discussed in the past that the BSO prison crew could do this work to help minimize the cost to the property owner. City Manager Pato mentioned that there might be grant funding available as well. He questioned whether certain financial criteria would need to be met or would all property owners be afforded the same consideration. Mayor Flury felt that only those property owners with financial hardships should be given assistance. City Manager Pato advised that if something isn't done soon with regard to repairing these sidewalks, the City could be held liable in case of an injury. Robert "Bud" Palm, Public Works Director, advised that the plan was to provide the labor through the BSO prison crew and the property owner would only pay for the concrete. He advised that the proposed plan was reviewed by the attorneys at the time, and they were of the opinion that if the City repaired a sidewalk, it would assume all future liability for the repair • of that sidewalk, so therefore, the plan died. MINUTES — SPECIAL MEETING 3 FEBRUARY 5, 2002 City Manager Pato advised that there were grants available that would allow up to $5,000 for residential properties that are at, or below poverty levels. He felt it was important to take the position that would send a message that the safety and image of the City are in jeopardy. Mayor Flury agreed that the ordinance should be enforced, but felt that the citation should include wording that would allow residents to apply for financial assistance, however, criteria must be set. William Johnson, Chief Zoning/Code Officer, suggested that a courtesy letter be sent, prior to a violation notice being issued. Commissioner Bertino felt that the City should go forward with the old plan of using the BSO prison crew and having the property owner pay for the concrete. It was generally agreed by the Commission that the code should be enforced. City Manager Pato confirmed that complaints would be responded to, that programs would be looked into that would allow the City to assist those who need it, and a courtesy campaign would be conducted to alert everyone that • a 90 day grace period would be given to repair their sidewalk. 5. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ATTEST: Avi O A ON MAYOR-COMM{ IONER ARLENE J O HNSON CITY CLER Respectfully submitted by Nanci Denny APPROVED: MAY 28, 2003 • MINUTES — SPECIAL MEETING 4 FEBRUARY 5, 2002