The Village of Palmetto Bay, FL Logo
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 Quick
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, MAY 4, 2026 – 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.

National Parks Annual Pass Raffle

 
B.

Recognition of Coral Reef Elementary Cheerleaders

 
C.

Recognition of Michael Biamonte (Voice of the Miami Heat)

 
D.

Recognition of the University of Miami Engineering Students for Stormwater Masterplan Project (Jess Austin, Emma Gonsalves, Maria Mastrando, Courtni Spencer, and Aobo Wang)

 
E.

Recognition of Graduating High School Seniors - Class of 2026 (Youth Community Involvement Task Force)

 
F.

Recognition of Haitian American Heritage Month

 
G.

Proclamation for The Villagers, Inc.

 
3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
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.

Florida Neuroinclusion Toolkit (presented by Commissioner Raquel Regalado of the Miami-Dade County Commission - District 7)

 
B.

Departmental Updates
 
C.

Lobbyist Legislative Update
 
D.

Police Commander Report

 
6.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY'S REPORT
 
A.

Attorney Expenses
 
B.

Litigation Update

 
7.

VILLAGE CLERK'S REPORT
 
A.

Calendar: May 2026

 
8.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
 
A.

Charter Revision Commission Meeting (March 31, 2026)
 
B.

Resiliency Committee Meeting (January 26, 2026)
 
C.

Youth Community Involvement Task Force Meeting (February 20, 2026)
 
9.

EMERGENCY ORDINANCES WITH PUBLIC HEARING
 
10.

ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING
 
A.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES; AMENDING SECTIONS 2-49 AND 2-50 OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING CONSENT AGENDA PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer) (Passed on First Reading at the April 6, 2026, Regular Council Meeting)
 
11.

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS
 
A.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF VILLAGE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES, THE CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION, AND OTHER BODIES CREATED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Marsha Matson)
 
B.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, REGARDING COUNCIL DISCUSSION; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDIANCES BY CREATING SECTION 2-161, “USE OF CERTAIN VILLAGE PROPERTY”; 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, RELATED TO PROCUREMENT; APPROVING THE SELECTION OF E. RODRIGUEZ LANDSCAPING, INC. TO PERFORM LANDSCAPE/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 2026-12-007; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SAID COMPANY ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THEIR LANDSCAPING NEEDS BASED ON THE DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL BUDGETS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Administration and prepared by Procurement Specialist, Alessia Bencomo)
 
B.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, RELATED TO PROCUREMENT; APPROVING THE SELECTION OF THE GREEN EXPERTS LANDSCAPING, LLC. FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE THROUGHOUT THE VILLAGE OWNED PROPERTIES, PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NO. 2026-11-006; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SAID COMPANY ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO SERVICE THEIR LANDSCAPING NEEDS BASED ON THE DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL BUDGETS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Administration and prepared by Procurement Specialist, Alessia Bencomo)
 
C.

A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND CONCURRING WITH THE STORMWATER REVENUE SUFFICICENCY FORECAST PREPARED BY RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC. AS A SUBCONSULTANT TO KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO TRANSMIT THE APPROVED STUDY TO RELEVANT AGENCIES AND TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION; 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 SECTION 30-160 OF THE ART-IN-PUBLIC PLACES (AIPP) PROGRAM, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE AIPP ADVISORY BOARD OF THE PROPOSED ARTWORK BY ARTISTS GUS AND LINA OCAMPOSILVA FROM GUS LINA FINE ART, TO INSTALL THE ART PIECE TITLED “MANGROVE TREE” AT THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE LOCATED ON SW 152 STREET AND OLD CUTLER ROAD, PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA 33157; 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, FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS EVALUATE AND IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND CALMING MEASURES ON SW 87TH AVENUE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF THE SW 87TH AVENUE BRIDGE; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION AND ADVOCATE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Mayor Karyn Cunningham)
 
C.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING CONCERN REGARDING THE NUMBER AND COMPLEXITY OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS TO BE PLACED ON A SINGLE BALLOT; ACKNOWLEDGING THE POTENTIAL FOR VOTER CONFUSION AND FATIGUE; URGING A MORE DELIBERATE AND TRANSPARENT APPROACH TO CHARTER REVISIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE  (Sponsored by Mayor Karyn Cunningham)
 
D.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, DENOUNCING RACISM AND ANTISEMITISM IN ANY FORM; URGING THE PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO DISCIPLINE STUDENTS WHO ENGAGED IN RACIST AND ANTISEMITIC REMARKS THROUGH A GROUP CHAT; ENCOURAGING THE PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE RACISM AND ANTISEMITISM AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR SAID STUDENTS; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Patrick Fiore)
 
15.

OTHER BUSINESS
 
16.

COUNCIL COMMENTS
 
17.

NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT
 
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 DISABILITIES 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.