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VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY
Mayor Karyn Cunningham
Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer
Council Member Patrick Fiore (Seat 1)
Council Member Steve Cody (Seat 2)
Council Member Marsha Matson (Seat 3)
Village Manager Nick Marano
Village Attorney John C. Dellagloria
Village Clerk Missy Arocha
 
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation, a sign language interpreter, or hearing impaired to participate in this proceeding should contact the Village Clerk at (305) 259-1234 for assistance no later than four days prior to the meeting.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 – 7:00 PM
(PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, & PRESENTATIONS WILL BEGIN AT 6:30 PM)
VILLAGE HALL MUNICIPAL CENTER
9705 EAST HIBISCUS STREET, PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157
(305) 259-1234
1.

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND DECORUM STATEMENT, IN THAT ORDER:

Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks, or who becomes boisterous, while addressing the Council may be barred from further appearance before the Council by the Mayor, unless permission to continue or again address the Council is granted by a majority vote of the Council. Applauding speakers shall be discouraged. Heckling or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker, or his or her remarks, shall be prohibited. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the Council meeting. Persons exiting the Council meeting shall do so quietly. All cellular telephones and beepers are to be silenced during the meeting.

 
2.

PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS
 
A.

Proclamation in honor of Saving a Life (Bristney D. Vera Drayer-Park Recreation Attendant)

 
B.

Proclamation in honor of Black History Month (Andre Gorden)

 
C.

Recognition of VPB Policing Unit Officers Deployed for the President's Inauguration: Sergeant Dennys Fernandez and Officer Rolando Lechuga (Rapid Deployment Force of Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office)

 
D.

Recognition of Advisory Board & Committee Volunteers: Sean Kramer-Art-in-Public Places Advisory Board, Pamela Schlachtman-Education Advisory Committee, Michael Lesman-Parks & Recreation Committee, and Susette Irizarry-Resiliency Committee.

 
E.

Recognition of Teachers of the Year (TOY): Veronica De Los Rios-Howard Drive Elementary School; Maribel Pizarro–Miami Palmetto Senior High School, South Region Office Finalist-Vivian Ventura-Southwood Middle School; Nicole Lischner-Dr. Henry E Perrine Academy of the Arts, and Catherine Merced-Coral Reef Elementary

 
F.

Recognition of Rookie Teachers of the Year (RTOY): Karla Wilson-Howard Drive Elementary School; Bianca Mejias–Miami Palmetto Senior High School; Omar Angulo-Southwood Middle School; Liyu Zhan-Dr. Henry E Perrine Academy of the Arts; Flavia Alvarez-Coral Reef Elementary

 
3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
A.

Regular Council Meeting (January 13, 2025)
 
4.

REQUESTS, PETITIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED

Individuals wishing to speak on matters on the agenda and on items pertinent to the Village may do so by speaking during this section of the agenda. The Mayor will recognize those persons who wish to speak. Each speaker must sign-in prior to speaking on the designated public commentary sign-in sheet. Items for public hearing provided for within the agenda shall not be a topic of discussion during this section of the agenda. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less. Public comments made by members of the public are important to the Village Council. Speakers will address the Village Council with respect.

 
5.

VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
 
A.

Departmental Updates
 
B.

Police Commander Report

 
6.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY'S REPORT
 
A.

Monthly Report
 
B.

Litigation Update

 
7.

VILLAGE CLERK'S REPORT
 
A.

Calendar Update: February 2025

 
8.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
 
A.

Youth Community Involvement Task Force Meeting (October 25, 2024)
 
9.

EMERGENCY ORDINANCES WITH PUBLIC HEARING
 
10.

ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING
 
11.

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS
 
A.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 2-49(E) OF THE VILLAGE CODE BY PROVIDING THAT THE VILLAGE CLERK SHALL READ ALOUD WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS AT COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR ONE (1) MINUTE; CONTINUING TO  MAKE THE WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS PART OF THE  RECORD OF THE MEETING; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Patrick Fiore)
 
B.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A WILDLIFE PLAN; AMENDING SECTION 2-55 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CREATE THE WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE; ESTABLISHING INTERIM WILDLIFE PROTECTION MEASURES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)
 
C.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO RESCINDING ORDINANCE NO. 2023-18 REGARDING WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 2-49(e) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE  DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO READ ALOUD WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS AT COUNCIL MEETINGS; REQUIRING THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOTTED TO IN-PERSON AND WRITTEN COMMENTS; TO FACILITATE MEETING EFFICIENCY, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SET A TIME PERIOD BETWEEN ONE (1) TO THREE (3) MINUTES EQUALLY APPLIED TO IN-PERSON AND WRITTEN COMMENTS; MAKING THE WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD OF THE MEETING; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Marsha Matson)
 
12.

CONSENT AGENDA
 
A.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE “TREE CITY USA 2025” APPLICATION; RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL ARBOR DAY BY REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO THE VILLAGE’S “TREE CITY USA” DESIGNATION; PROCLAIMING APRIL 25, 2025, AS “NATIONAL ARBOR DAY” IN PALMETTO BAY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Administration and Prepared by Public Services Director, Dionisio Torres)
 
13.

RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
 
14.

RESOLUTIONS WITH PUBLIC COMMENT
 
A.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO VETERAN’S PARK; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO ENTER  INTO AN AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED SIXTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($65,000) WITH PG MEMORIALS, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT THE VILLAGE’S VETERAN’S PARK; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Administration and Prepared by Sustainability & Resiliency Planner, Andrea Candelaria)
 
B.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, URGING SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING HANDS-FREE CELL AND HANDHELD DEVICE USE WHILE DRIVING; AMENDING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)
 
C.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATION; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH EVERGLADESS EQUIPMENT GROUP, A DISTRIBUTOR OF DEERE AND COMPANY, FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) JOHN DEERE 4044M COMPACT UTILITY TRACTOR PURSUANT TO THE FLORIDA AG & LAWN EQUIPMENT CONTRACT 25101900-21-STC; AND AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO APPROVE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $32,443.29 FROM THE FY2024-2025 PARKS AND RECREATION CAPITAL BUDGET; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Administration and Prepared by Parks and Recreation Director, Fanny Carmona)
 
15.

OTHER BUSINESS
 
16.

COUNCIL COMMENTS
 
17.

NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT

(MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2025)

 
WE, THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, HEREBY COMMIT OURSELVES TO MAINTAINING CIVILITY IN OUR PUBLIC AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND PLEDGE TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:
  • We will respect the right of all citizens in our community to hold different opinions;
  • We will avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate or question the wisdom of those whose opinions are different from ours;
  • We will strive to understand differing perspectives;
  • We will choose our words carefully;
  • We will speak truthfully without accusation and we will avoid distortion;
  • We will speak out against violence, prejudice, and incivility in all of their forms, whenever and wherever they occur.
 

NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 286.0105, the Village hereby advises the public that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Council with response to any matter considered at its meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that for such purpose, the affected person may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the Village for the introduction or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed.

 

AMERICAN DISABBILITIES ACT OF 1990

This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the American Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation or a sign language interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the Village Clerk at (305) 259-1234 no later than four (4) days prior to the meeting. Hearing Assistance Devices are available with the Village Clerk.