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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
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 – 6:00 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.

REQUEST, PETITIONS, AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

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.

 
3.

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Continued from March 3, 2025-Regular Council Meeting)
 
A.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA; RELATING TO COUNCIL RULES AND PROCEDURES; AMENDING ARTICLE II, DIVISION 2, SECTIONS 2-44 THROUGH 2-49 OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REVISE SECTIONS GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETINGS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)
 
4.

RESOLUTIONS WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Continued from March 3, 2025-Regular Council Meeting)
 
A.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSTRUCT A TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE AT 18198 OLD CUTLER ROAD TO HOUSE A FIRE RESCUE TRUCK UNTIL FIRE STATION 74 IS COMPLETED, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Patrick Fiore)
 
B.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, ADOPTING THE SENIOR ASSISTANCE FOR VETERINARY EMERGENCIES (SAVE) PROGRAM TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY VETERINARY SERVICES OF UP TO TWO-HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($250.00) PER PALMETTO BAY LOWER-INCOME SENIOR RESIDENT TO ACCESS EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE NOT OTHERWISE OFFERED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Marsha Matson) 
 
C.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO REQUEST AN OPINION FROM THE ATTONEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS TO WHETHER MARK MERWITZER HAS BEEN SWORN INTO THE OFFICE OF VICE MAYOR; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Councilmember Steve Cody)
 
D.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA; RE-ESTABLISHING A NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION AS STATED IN SECTION 10.2 OF THE VILLAGE CHARTER; REPEALING RESOLUTION 2023-15 AND RESTORING THE PROVISIONS OF RESOLUTION 2019-87 WITH ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES; PROVIDING FOR REPORTING TO THE VILLAGE COUNCIL; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)
 
5.

COUNCIL COMMENTS
 
6.

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 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.