Minutes of the Jan 18th 2006 general membership meeting

MINUTES of BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

January 18, 2006
Meeting Room at 20 Island Avenue

Herb Frank called the meeting to order and introduced the Board members sitting at the head table – Toby Maxwell, Josh Fisher, Keith Hark, Nancy Liebman, and Sandra Money. He then noted that those members elected last year to a one-year term must be replaced. He placed the names of the following individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for two year terms:

Barbara Gillman
Keith Hark
Toby Maxwell
Irene Sperber
Michael Walrath

and indicated that the following have one year left in their 2 year terms:

Josh Fisher
Herb Frank
Barbara Frank
Nancy Liebman
Sandra Money

Nancy Liebman made a motion to approve the new Board; Sandy Money seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Barbara Gillman then joined the head table.

Herb asked for approval of the minutes of the first meeting of the Association, held January 19, 2005. Nancy Liebman moved that they be approved; Sandy Money seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Nancy Liebman noted that a large group attended the meeting to stop the City from swapping land that would result in a Home Depot on Bay Avenue. It is hoped that the zoning will be changed to limit the size of industrial operations in that area. This should be on the Agenda for the February 28, 2006 meeting of the Planning Board. SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MEETING.

Jason Harler, General Manager of the Standard Hotel (Lido Spa) announced that the Hotel is open and will start offering dinner next week. He introduced Glen Valencia, the Assistant Manager, and noted that the opening rates for use of the spa, baths, pool and gym will be raised next month for others, but maintained at the lower rate for residents of Belle Island. He stated that they are seeing a rich mix of visitors. When asked, he said that there had been an attempt to move the liquor service from midnight to 2 a.m., but that had failed because it is grand-fathered at midnight. Several members commented on the positive experiences they have had there since the opening.

Herb introduced Lynn Bernstein, Community Resource Coordinator, CMB

Michael Bauman, Chief, Causeways Division Miami-Dade County Public Works, was introduced. His summary of the concerns expressed by members and details about each issue follows:

1) Changing the pass lanes from extreme right to extreme left.
He explained that changing the pass lane would only provide space for two more vehicles, but for some reason this was not understood by all. Perhaps the residents are not understanding the issue. He stated he is open to meeting with anyone on-site to better understand the issue. Aside from that, more Toll Collectors will be hired to staff additional lanes so that traffic backups do not develop when the bridge re-opens. This will bring much more relief from traffic jams.

2) Notification of Bridges Stuck in the Open Position
Mr. Bauman personally checked with the supervisor at the Venetian Toll Plaza in regards to this issue. She showed him the "Bridge Closed" signs for each direction and let him know that whenever they are called by the bridge operators, the signs are placed in the up position and motorists are informed of the problem. In the future, there are plans to install a flashing signal with a sign to advise motorists. However, anytime the bridge is stuck, residents need to understand that there will be a period of time when the bridge is determined to have a problem and calls are made to repair personnel and the toll plaza. This may take 5 to 10 minutes and a hundred vehicles may pass in those 5 minutes. Those 100 motorists will be upset that currently there is not a method to advise them when the bridge is broken. This issue will not go away as long as we have bridges that open and close for marine traffic.

3) Broad Causeway Bridge Openings vs. Venetian Causeway Bridge Openings
Mr. Bauman has contacted the Broad Causeway to determine if there are differences in Bridge Opening schedules. The following information is for your reference:
Broad Causeway (from their website http://www.bayharborislands.org/webpage/Text/causeway.htm)
The portion of the Causeway which crosses the Intracoastal Waterway includes a drawbridge to allow the passage of marine vessels. Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. the bridge opens to marine traffic only on the quarter hour and three-quarters hour, with exceptions required by the U.S. Coast Guard for tugboats, scheduled vessels, and vessels declaring an emergency. For those exceptions, the draw span is required to be opened at any time.

Venetian Causeway (from DOT Coast Guard Regulations)
The draw of the East Span of the Venetian Causeway bridge, between Miami and Miami Beach, shall open on signal except that from November 1 through April 30 from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, the draw need not be opened. However, the draws shall open at 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 5:15 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. if any vessels are waiting to pass. The draw shall open on signal on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Washington's Birthday. The draw shall open at any time for public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, regularly scheduled cruise vessels and vessels in distress.
As an interesting side note and having nothing to do with bridge issues, residents on the Broad Causeway or Bay Harbor Islands pay $250 per year for unlimited passage, which is 10 times the amount Venetian residents pay.

4) Inadequate lighting above lane signs
This problem resulted from the elimination of the Variable Message Signs previously planned in the new Toll Plaza construction. The solution is in process. Patience is appreciated.

5) Missing weight restriction signs
Hurricane Wilma knocked down the weight limit signs. We have requested the signs be replaced and are monitoring the progress. Your patience is appreciated.

6) Lack of weight enforcement
Frequently requests have been made for enforcement from law enforcement agencies on the Venetian Causeway. We will continue to request their vigilance. Our Toll Collectors distribute a flyer to any vehicle that might be overweight. These flyers advise motorists of the weight issues.”

Herb reported that Jeff Cohen was unable to attend the meeting. He has confirmed that, as requested by the Association, a pedestrian-controlled button traffic light will be placed at the crosswalk at Purdy Avenue, forcing traffic in all directions to stop. This should start to be installed in February or March.

Herb reported that Jorge Chartrand, who was to address the Park Renovation was unable to attend the meeting. They will be starting the work soon and it will take at least a year before it is completed. They will be striping the streets and painting the pumping station gray, and surounding it with vegetation.

Herb reported that work will begin on the Collins Canal and that will take one year. It will start with a new sea wall and then replanting and establishing a bike path.

The City has hired two new staff as of December 1, 2005 to patrol moored boats and notify them that they must leave if they have been moored for one week. Telephone numbers to call for infractions of this and other ordinances are on the meeting Agenda and the website.

Herb noted that parking on Island Avenue has improved since the Residential Parking Restrictions were implemented. He noted that 189 residential parking permits have been sold, 54 of which expire on January 21, 2006. 175 visitor’s passes and 25 scratch-off daily passes have also been sold.

Michael Hughes of the Wolfsonian described the current activities of the Museum, distributed information about their activities and welcomed Belle Island residents to enjoy the offerings.

Josh Fisher, developer of the website, reported that it has been redesigned and contains areas for suggestions to the web-master and contact information for the Board. Herb thanked Josh for all of his work on the website.

NEW BUSINESS

It was noted that there will be a marathon on the Venetian Causeway on January 29th at about 7 or 8 a.m. and the Great Skate on February 11th at 9:45 a.m.

It was noted that the traffic lights on Belle Island do not have sensors forcing them to change with traffic is coming off Island Avenue. Herb agreed to contact Lynn Bernstein about this.

It was suggested that Island Avenue be made a one-way street. Herb noted that the person to contact is Miami Dade County Road Division.

There being no further business Sandy Money made a motion to adjourn; Keith Hark seconded. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Prepared by:

Sandra K. Money