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A regular meeting of the Village of Palmetto Bay on Monday, Mar. 3, covering several resolutions scheduled on the agenda and sponsored by various members of the council at times became hostile and confrontational.
Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer dominated the meeting and seemed combative, directing pointed comments to the village attorney and village manager. Votes on the resolutions often were divided based upon political views, while some resolutions passed unanimously.
The meeting was sparsely attended by residents.
Village officials in attendance were: Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer, Councilmember Patrick Fiore (Seat 1), Councilmember Steve Cody (Seat 2), Councilmember Marsha Matson (Seat 3), village manager Nick Marano, village attorney John Dellagloria, and village clerk Missy Arocha.
On the approval of minutes of the previous meeting, everyone voted yes, except Councilmember Cody.
Regarding Board and Committee Reports: Art-in-Public Places Advisory Board Meeting (Nov. 14, 2024); Education Advisory Committee Meeting (Sept. 24, 2024) and Youth Community Involvement Task Force Meeting (Oct. 25, 2024). The items were unanimously passed.
Ordinances for Second Reading and Public Hearing
An Ordinance of the Mayor and Village Council limiting public comments at meetings to one minute passed unanimously.
An ordinance requiring that elected officials must take the oath of office by an officer authorized to administer oaths as required by section 92.50, Florida statutes, sponsored by Councilmember Patrick Fiore, passed with Vice Mayor Merwitzer and Councilmember Matson dissenting.
An ordinance relating to wildlife protection, sponsored by Councilmember Cody, was withdrawn by the sponsor.
An ordinance relating to rules and procedures governing meetings, sponsored by Vice Mayor Merwitzer, was continued to the Mar. 18 Special Council Meeting.
An ordinance relating to the Village Heritage Committee, sponsored by Councilmember Matson, failed. Voting on favor were Vice Mayor Merwitzer and Councilmember Matson.
An ordinance reducing residential building permit fees passed unanimously.
A resolution supporting the Deering Estate Foundation’s 2025 Seafood Festival passed unanimously.
A resolution approving the selection of Vault Parking Systems Corp., to provide valet parking services for Thalatta Estate Park for three years passed unanimously.
A resolution approving the selection of Marlin Engineering Inc. to complete a study for traffic calming at up to 30 locations for an amount not to exceed $48,116.87 passed unanimously.
A resolution approving the selection of Florida Sidewalk Solutions to inspect and repair sidewalk trip hazards for an amount not to exceed $39,690.63 passed unanimously.
An ordinance authorizing the village to auction surplus property passed unanimously.
A resolution appointing members to the Charter Revision Commission for the consideration of ballot questions for the 2026 general election passed unanimously.
An ordinance authorizing the village to enter into an agreement with Redspeed USA for automated traffic enforcement solutions for the purposes of improving road safety and compliance with traffic laws as it relates with school zones only, sponsored by Mayor Karyn Cunningham, failed. Those voting on favor were Mayor Cunningham and Councilmember Cody.
A resolution requesting that the Miami-Dade County Fire Department construct a temporary enclosure at 18198 Old Cutler Rd. to house a fire rescue truck until Fire Station 74 is completed was continued to the Mar. 18 Special Council Meeting.
A resolution expressing opposition to the proposed development of a multipurpose sports complex adjacent to Homestead Air Reserve Base was withdrawn by Vice Mayor Merwitzer.
A resolution adopting the Senior Assistance for Veterinary Emergencies (SAVE) program to provide reimbursement for emergency veterinary services was continued to the Mar. 18 Special Council Meeting.
A resolution re-establishing a neighborhood protection committee to review and provide recommendations was continued to the Mar. 18 Special Council Meeting.
The entire meeting may be viewed at https://palmettobay.granicus.com/player/clip/2020?view_id=3&redirect=true.
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