It's not that I want to dredge up discord. Much of the water is under the bridge. And whether it is or it isn't, what's past is past, and we can't have the time and opportunity back. Having said that, we have problems we're trying to solve, and those problems were different problems, solution-wise, in the past than they are now.
Various BP residents have considered for several or many years the idea of our annexing some neighboring tract. The idea was not given serious consideration, however, until about the past year and a half. We were offered the opportunity to apply to annex territory east of the railroad tracks, and our County Commissioner, Sally Heyman, has been encouraging to the point of practically insisting we apply. Our prior Manager thought we should annex, and every candidate to replace her agreed annexation was an important and valuable opportunity for a municipality like ours. The majority of the immediately past Commission was very skeptical, or resistant for some other reason, however, and the idea of applying was voted down. During the Candidates' Forum this past November, one of the candidates, an incumbent, was essentially mocking one of his colleagues, who was also one of his competitors in the election, for suggesting that "time was of the essence" regarding annexation.
What was or is the big rush, he seemed to demean her? A matter like annexation is so controversial to some Village residents that it deserves every available caution and deliberation. Even abundant delay is not unreasonable, so that every possible question can be asked and answered before even the decision to apply is made. And it's worth noting, though it's nothing unknown to the past Commissioners, that application does not bind us to anything. It costs us a little money, and it gets us answers we could not fully get any other way. It also gets our foot in the door, in case we decide we're interested, and in case it matters who's there, and who came first.
I have just learned two things regarding annexation and the area we are considering. First, in general, the County Commission has just passed its first reading of an Ordinance which will allow property owners, whether or not they are residents, in tracts which are available for annexation to vote on whether they would like to be annexed. Second, specifically, when we first considered annexing the tract in question, one of the two apartment buildings there was not yet open. Now, both buildings are open, both are well-populated, and there are now 283 "electors" (people registered to vote) living in this area. The County's rule regarding annexation is that if an area to be annexed has less than 250 electors living in it, then those residents have no say regarding annexation. If there are 250 or more electors, then residents of the tract in question are allowed to vote on whether they would like to be annexed. Last year, the choice was ours. This year, the choice is theirs. And to find out what those electors think, the Village would now have to spend $3300 to hold an election for the unincorporated residents.
So was time of the essence? You bet it was. Either the majority of the last Commission couldn't bring themselves to accept what they were being told, by everyone, or they wanted only to obstruct and prevent, and they didn't care that they were squandering an opportunity. In fact, they probably hoped very much that they were. If their concern was how much money the process of exploring annexation would cost the Village, as they sometimes asserted, they succeeded in making it more expensive than it would otherwise have been. And to add abundant insult to considerable injury, they left no viable or even sensible alternative.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Zaluski's "Ballplayer" Sculpture
I said this sculpture was on display at the recreation center. It isn't. For the moment, Chuck Ross has left it at my house until the pedestal slab is poured. The first question to be answered is where this piece will be, either temporarily or permanently, and that will be where the pedestal will be poured. To remind you, Jared Susi has very generously offered to take care of erecting the pedestal. We are all welcome to attend the meeting to answer the "where" question, and that meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:30 at the recreation center. Please do come, either because you have an opinion, or just because you're curious.
In the meantime, the fund-raising has begun with two opening donations totaling $250. We are all welcome to contribute now, or we can wait to see the sculpture on display, and maybe feel even more inspired. The goal, you recall, is to reach about $5500 in donations, and Chuck says he will supply the last $500. If we go over $5500, we can either lessen Chuck's burden, which would be good of us, and/or Chuck might decide to make partial reimbursements to the higher donors, so no one has to donate an inordinate share.
See you on the 28th. You don't have to wait until then to contribute, or you can bring your contribution to the meeting. Alternatively, you can wait to see the sculpture in all its grandeur, and see how you feel. Your contribution should be by check made out to the Village of Biscayne Park, and memo it "Zaluski" or "Ballplayer Sculpture." Maria Camara or Wendy Hernandez at Village Hall will take it. This post is entitled "Zaluski's" sculpture. It's no longer Zaluski's. It's now Chuck Ross'. Let's make it the Village's, and all of ours.
MLK Day of Service, 1/25/14
We had a nice gathering this morning. The Rosses were there, the Kuhls came, our Manager, Heidi Shafran, came and brought her partner Marlene and their delightful daughter, Shoshana, Jorge and Karen Marinoni stopped by, Dave Coviello and his partner Lucas were there, Dale Blanton and Louie Bowen were there, Bob Anderson was there, Dan Keys was there of course, Candido Sosa-Cruz, Cesar Hernandez, and John Jenkins were there from Public Works, our one-time Recreation employee Diane Kessel was there and seems to have brought a date, and Mai-lin Nguyen was there. That's a little more dedication than you expect out of a clerical employee. And an ex-employee. Milt Hunter came by early, but couldn't stay long. Erica Pettis came by late. Barbara Watts showed up after the work was done, but provided a final check on the project.
We worked hard for an hour and a half, and we got some good cleaning up and new planting done. The result won't be obvious, yet, but the border of the 6th and 113th corner will in time be more impressive than Dan Keys and Ana Garcia already made it.
Roxy Ross is the sponsor of these MLK Day of Service events. She chooses the task, and she asks for money donations. The task was very satisfyingly accomplished today (this year). Roxy raised $580 in donations in hand today, and some other people made pledges. Roxy is hoping for a final tally of $1000. Whatever money is raised will go toward the larger project across the street, in the "pocket parks" on either side of the 6th Avenue bridge. So even if you didn't come today, you are more than welcome to contribute something in the names of the people who did come. Two of our neighbors stopped by for no other purpose than to make a donation.
Speaking of which, Candido Sosa-Cruz was remarking after several people had gone that Biscayne Park is unique in having people, residents and "staff," who wear different hats. I think that's right, and I added that we are unique in so often asking residents to donate to the Village. You're asked to make a donation to something, you think you just made a donation a week or a month ago, and the response is yes, but this is a different project. So now, you're welcome to donate to the "MLK Day of Service," to help the Village get more done in the "pocket park" project, and you're welcome to donate to the Zaluski sculpture, and you might soon enough be hit up for the Lueza sculpture, or some other piece of public art. Well, it's all for a good cause: you, and your Village, and the investment you made in the homestead you bought.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
I'm Taking a Poll, and I Need Your Vote: Sanitation.
We pay about $575 per year per dwelling to collect and remove our garbage and trash. In reality, we should pay more than that, because we did not make provision for repair and replacement of equipment and vehicles. By my rough calculation, we should correct that oversight by an emergency one time assessment now of $225 per dwelling, and then add $25 per dwelling per year from now on to the approximately $575 per dwelling per year.
The question has been raised as to whether it is "better" for us to continue to operate, and pay for, our own independent system of solid waste management, or we should outsource this municipal function. The common theory is that it would be cheaper for us to outsource. The matter has not received careful study, and adherents of this theory do not know and cannot yet know how much cheaper it would be. In fact, the questions are just now being asked in detail, and the answers will be presented at the February Commission meeting. (Come to the meeting.)
The result will be either that it is cheaper for us to outsource, it costs the same as we're paying now, or it is more expensive to outsource. I assume there would be no disagreement that if it cost us the same or more to outsource, then we would not choose to do it. So for purpose of discussion, let's assume it would be cheaper to outsource. And again, we do not at present know how much cheaper it would be.
The decision then rests on how we balance two preferences. One is the preference to save money, and the other is the preference to have "in house," personalized service. Just to illustrate, one of my friends assumes we would save money by outsourcing (although he has no idea how much we might save), and he considers it a "no-brainer" that we should outsource. Another of my friends says he likes the service we provide ourselves, and he would rather pay more to keep it. So two completely opposite conclusions. One would rather save money where possible, and the other would rather pay a premium for specialized service.
At the February Commission meeting, there will be comparison and discussion of the costs and other intangible factors regarding solid waste management. It's possible there will be a motion to vote for one system or the other. More likely, such a vote would be delayed slightly for more community input. I'm only guessing, because I have no way to know. What I do know is that we have two expensive trucks that need imminent replacement, and we cannot wait long to decide either to come up with the money to replace them, or to transfer the responsibility and the entire collection system to some outside company: to outsource. At some level, this decision cannot wait. At least it cannot wait long.
Let's then consider that we might save money with outsourcing of sanitation. Again for purpose of discussion, let's imagine it would be enough money to talk about. For example, let's imagine that we could find someone who would charge us $450 per dwelling per year instead of the $600 per dwelling per year we should be paying, with an added $225 per dwelling we should pay right now to keep our service "in house." Obviously, I'm completely guessing about the $450, but we need some kind of basis for the question.
If you could pay enough less to talk about, to outsource sanitation, and in exchange you would lose "our guys" and the level of service we now have ("our guys" will come to your side yard to get your containers, and they'll replace them there; an outsourced company most likely will not), what would you prefer to do?
And to make this question a bit more interesting, let me give you two other examples. One is the example of a Griffing resident who complains that our median maintenance company (we outsourced that a few years ago) makes a racket by cutting the grass at 7:00 on Saturday mornings, when the resident would like to be sleeping. A BP crew would not be working on Saturday mornings, and they would not be awakening residents with very early AM grass-cutting anyway. There's too much of a personal connection for them, or their supervisors, to do that. There's a feeling of personal accountability. Similarly, we outsource recycling to Miami Shores. Have you found that the plastic recycling bins get tossed around in such a way that they break before long, and you either have to tape them up, or request replacement bins? The recycling guys are not accountable to us, and it appears Miami Shores doesn't really mind if they're frequently called upon to replace broken bins.
So please vote. You can leave a comment in the comment section, or you can e-mail me your vote. I'll tabulate the votes, and I'll let you know what we're all thinking. At some point, I myself will be called upon to vote, and I'd rather vote for what you want than for what I want, or for what I imagine you might want, or what I might think you should want. So tell me what you want. I will of course get back to you when I know what outsourcing will actually cost. I just want to have a preliminary position if I can. If it entirely depends on the unknown fact, the actual cost of outsourcing, just say so, and we'll all wait.
Correction: I am informed that the Commission discussion which will include proposals from outside companies will not occur at the February meeting. It might be a subsequent special meeting, or it might be the March meeting. The general question remains, however, as to whether you would in theory prefer to save money or preserve our "in house" sanitation service. The understanding now is that neither you nor I know how much money we might save.
The question has been raised as to whether it is "better" for us to continue to operate, and pay for, our own independent system of solid waste management, or we should outsource this municipal function. The common theory is that it would be cheaper for us to outsource. The matter has not received careful study, and adherents of this theory do not know and cannot yet know how much cheaper it would be. In fact, the questions are just now being asked in detail, and the answers will be presented at the February Commission meeting. (Come to the meeting.)
The result will be either that it is cheaper for us to outsource, it costs the same as we're paying now, or it is more expensive to outsource. I assume there would be no disagreement that if it cost us the same or more to outsource, then we would not choose to do it. So for purpose of discussion, let's assume it would be cheaper to outsource. And again, we do not at present know how much cheaper it would be.
The decision then rests on how we balance two preferences. One is the preference to save money, and the other is the preference to have "in house," personalized service. Just to illustrate, one of my friends assumes we would save money by outsourcing (although he has no idea how much we might save), and he considers it a "no-brainer" that we should outsource. Another of my friends says he likes the service we provide ourselves, and he would rather pay more to keep it. So two completely opposite conclusions. One would rather save money where possible, and the other would rather pay a premium for specialized service.
At the February Commission meeting, there will be comparison and discussion of the costs and other intangible factors regarding solid waste management. It's possible there will be a motion to vote for one system or the other. More likely, such a vote would be delayed slightly for more community input. I'm only guessing, because I have no way to know. What I do know is that we have two expensive trucks that need imminent replacement, and we cannot wait long to decide either to come up with the money to replace them, or to transfer the responsibility and the entire collection system to some outside company: to outsource. At some level, this decision cannot wait. At least it cannot wait long.
Let's then consider that we might save money with outsourcing of sanitation. Again for purpose of discussion, let's imagine it would be enough money to talk about. For example, let's imagine that we could find someone who would charge us $450 per dwelling per year instead of the $600 per dwelling per year we should be paying, with an added $225 per dwelling we should pay right now to keep our service "in house." Obviously, I'm completely guessing about the $450, but we need some kind of basis for the question.
If you could pay enough less to talk about, to outsource sanitation, and in exchange you would lose "our guys" and the level of service we now have ("our guys" will come to your side yard to get your containers, and they'll replace them there; an outsourced company most likely will not), what would you prefer to do?
And to make this question a bit more interesting, let me give you two other examples. One is the example of a Griffing resident who complains that our median maintenance company (we outsourced that a few years ago) makes a racket by cutting the grass at 7:00 on Saturday mornings, when the resident would like to be sleeping. A BP crew would not be working on Saturday mornings, and they would not be awakening residents with very early AM grass-cutting anyway. There's too much of a personal connection for them, or their supervisors, to do that. There's a feeling of personal accountability. Similarly, we outsource recycling to Miami Shores. Have you found that the plastic recycling bins get tossed around in such a way that they break before long, and you either have to tape them up, or request replacement bins? The recycling guys are not accountable to us, and it appears Miami Shores doesn't really mind if they're frequently called upon to replace broken bins.
So please vote. You can leave a comment in the comment section, or you can e-mail me your vote. I'll tabulate the votes, and I'll let you know what we're all thinking. At some point, I myself will be called upon to vote, and I'd rather vote for what you want than for what I want, or for what I imagine you might want, or what I might think you should want. So tell me what you want. I will of course get back to you when I know what outsourcing will actually cost. I just want to have a preliminary position if I can. If it entirely depends on the unknown fact, the actual cost of outsourcing, just say so, and we'll all wait.
Correction: I am informed that the Commission discussion which will include proposals from outside companies will not occur at the February meeting. It might be a subsequent special meeting, or it might be the March meeting. The general question remains, however, as to whether you would in theory prefer to save money or preserve our "in house" sanitation service. The understanding now is that neither you nor I know how much money we might save.
Friday, January 10, 2014
A Little Tour on the Midtown Trail
Linda Dillon advised me to go to two restaurants: Lemoni's at 46th Street and NW 2nd Avenue, and Lost and Found Saloon on 36th Street. Barbara Watts and Candido Sosa-Cruz suggested Lagniappe House, an establishment owned by BP resident David Tunnell. I've promised myself for a long time to make it to these places, and I decided Friday to kill two birds with one stone. The precipitant was an interesting sounding quintet called French Horn, which happened to be playing at Lagniappe House, where they play every Friday night. I found an interested partner, Milt Hunter, and set out to see what the fuss was about.
Now Linda. Lemoni's is not Lemoni's. It's Lemoni Cafe. And it's not at 46th and NW 2nd. It's at 46th and NE 2nd. Apparently, it's part of Buena Vista Cafe. Why didn't you just tell me that, Linda? I know it's Lemoni Cafe, because I looked it up online when I got home. Nothing at the restaurant says Lemoni Cafe. Remember that next time you give advice and an address. Milt and I couldn't find it where it wasn't, so we tried Lost and Found instead. We did find that, although it's not Lost and Found Saloon. It's Lost and Found Restaurant.
This is a very funky place. You would find such a place in any college town. The theme is out west, with a large wagon wheel hanging from the ceiling, rough wood furnishings, a mural that reminded Milt of the Red Hills vista in Utah, and a large cutout of John Wayne guarding the men's room door. John had his gun drawn, and he was pointing it at Milt.
The service was good, and terrible. The servers were a very pleasant young woman and an equally pleasant, though harried, young man. They were attentive, when they were there. Which wasn't much, as they were mostly flitting around doing who knows what. There were few patrons when we were there, so I have no idea what was keeping the servers so busy. The food was uninspired, but good enough. Platters were not filling. A black bean veggie burger for me, and a barbeque chicken sandwich for Milt. The very small serving of cole slaw looked like a mistake. Nothing else, like fries or something, came with the sandwiches. The whole effect made the under $10 price, which would normally have been attractive, seem almost a bit high. The menu listed about six beers on tap. They only had three. The beers on tap were good, though.
On to Lagniappe House. It's at 3425 NE 2nd Avenue. It wasn't easy to find, because it looks like a hole-in-the-wall. It is, and crowded, too, until you go through and out the back to find a huge enclosed patio with lots of tables, a bar, and food preparers. The food menu is extremely limited, focusing mostly on salads, and cheese, salami, and bread plates. Milt and I didn't eat at Lagniappe House, but the plates looked appealing. The establishment didn't look appealing, though, since it was done in warehouse chic, with all exposed cinder block and electrical conduits. A few oriental rugs were strategically placed, though I don't know what the strategy was. I saw one patron almost fall when he tripped on one. There were tables, cheap and mismatched chairs, and boxes of liquor everywhere in the main indoor section. With all that and the couches strewn around, it was quite a jumble.
They have a very odd system of providing drinks, especially wine. There are display racks on all the walls and in the middle of the floor. The racks are loaded with wine bottles, and the prices are on the bottles. You bring them the bottle you want, and they open it for you, and give you glasses. I did not find one label I recognized. Neither did Milt. He did find a couple of beer labels he recognized, but most were new to him. So it was very hard to imagine or predict how a wine would taste. For example, they had maybe 10 malbecs ranging from $26 to $40. They sold one of those by the glass. The counter man let me and Milt taste that one, which happened to be the $29 bottle. Neither of us liked it. $9 a glass for any wine, by the way. I'm sure glad I didn't pay $9 for that glass of malbec. You have no idea what you're getting, unless you've had it at Lagniappe House before. Milt settled for a beer he knew. My excuse was that I was driving.
But here are the interesting things about Lagniappe House. First, it was packed. It was mobbed. It was very definitely jumping. Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings love Lagniappe House. I think I saw some forty-somethings and maybe a fifty-something or two there also. And I was there, so that's at least one sixty-something. David Tunnell was not supposed to be there, according to the counter girl, but he showed up and was working feverishly to bring in and set up furniture. This is a VERY hot spot, especially on Friday nights, we were told. I'll tell you in advance that the music-- that's what Milt and I were there for-- was played in the front room, the cramped entry, and there was no broadcast to the huge back open patio area. All those people out there were not there for the music. They were there to unwind, meet up with their friends, show off how good-looking they were (they were), and drink that wine and eat that food.
Friday night at Lagniappe House is French Horn night. French Horn is a quintet with one French member, the leader, who plays guitar and trumpet (hence the "horn"). The other members are a bass player, a drummer, a violin player, and a keyboard player. The first several pieces were pure French cabaret swing, totally Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, some of whose tunes they played. Once the guitarist switched to trumpet, the theme turned to blues, then jazz. This combo was spectacular. I loved the music, Milt loved it, and everyone who listened loved it. Unless you hate music, you must go to Lagniappe House any Friday night. The band starts around 9:00, but if you get there early, as Milt and I did, you will get a small table and chairs.
Milt described Lagniappe House as both "cool" and "rough." I think that covers it. Unless you want to throw in trendy and a definite place to be. Lagniappe House features live music every night. I didn't ask what bands or performers appeared other than Fridays, but I'm game to find out. The chalk board above the servers/cashiers suggests you could pay a $3 fee for the music, but no one asks you for it. So it's free, unless you buy drinks or food. No one asks you about that, either. You have to be a bit assertive, if you want something. Do check out Lagniappe House. I just wish it was easier to negotiate the wine selection.
Now Linda. Lemoni's is not Lemoni's. It's Lemoni Cafe. And it's not at 46th and NW 2nd. It's at 46th and NE 2nd. Apparently, it's part of Buena Vista Cafe. Why didn't you just tell me that, Linda? I know it's Lemoni Cafe, because I looked it up online when I got home. Nothing at the restaurant says Lemoni Cafe. Remember that next time you give advice and an address. Milt and I couldn't find it where it wasn't, so we tried Lost and Found instead. We did find that, although it's not Lost and Found Saloon. It's Lost and Found Restaurant.
This is a very funky place. You would find such a place in any college town. The theme is out west, with a large wagon wheel hanging from the ceiling, rough wood furnishings, a mural that reminded Milt of the Red Hills vista in Utah, and a large cutout of John Wayne guarding the men's room door. John had his gun drawn, and he was pointing it at Milt.
The service was good, and terrible. The servers were a very pleasant young woman and an equally pleasant, though harried, young man. They were attentive, when they were there. Which wasn't much, as they were mostly flitting around doing who knows what. There were few patrons when we were there, so I have no idea what was keeping the servers so busy. The food was uninspired, but good enough. Platters were not filling. A black bean veggie burger for me, and a barbeque chicken sandwich for Milt. The very small serving of cole slaw looked like a mistake. Nothing else, like fries or something, came with the sandwiches. The whole effect made the under $10 price, which would normally have been attractive, seem almost a bit high. The menu listed about six beers on tap. They only had three. The beers on tap were good, though.
On to Lagniappe House. It's at 3425 NE 2nd Avenue. It wasn't easy to find, because it looks like a hole-in-the-wall. It is, and crowded, too, until you go through and out the back to find a huge enclosed patio with lots of tables, a bar, and food preparers. The food menu is extremely limited, focusing mostly on salads, and cheese, salami, and bread plates. Milt and I didn't eat at Lagniappe House, but the plates looked appealing. The establishment didn't look appealing, though, since it was done in warehouse chic, with all exposed cinder block and electrical conduits. A few oriental rugs were strategically placed, though I don't know what the strategy was. I saw one patron almost fall when he tripped on one. There were tables, cheap and mismatched chairs, and boxes of liquor everywhere in the main indoor section. With all that and the couches strewn around, it was quite a jumble.
They have a very odd system of providing drinks, especially wine. There are display racks on all the walls and in the middle of the floor. The racks are loaded with wine bottles, and the prices are on the bottles. You bring them the bottle you want, and they open it for you, and give you glasses. I did not find one label I recognized. Neither did Milt. He did find a couple of beer labels he recognized, but most were new to him. So it was very hard to imagine or predict how a wine would taste. For example, they had maybe 10 malbecs ranging from $26 to $40. They sold one of those by the glass. The counter man let me and Milt taste that one, which happened to be the $29 bottle. Neither of us liked it. $9 a glass for any wine, by the way. I'm sure glad I didn't pay $9 for that glass of malbec. You have no idea what you're getting, unless you've had it at Lagniappe House before. Milt settled for a beer he knew. My excuse was that I was driving.
But here are the interesting things about Lagniappe House. First, it was packed. It was mobbed. It was very definitely jumping. Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings love Lagniappe House. I think I saw some forty-somethings and maybe a fifty-something or two there also. And I was there, so that's at least one sixty-something. David Tunnell was not supposed to be there, according to the counter girl, but he showed up and was working feverishly to bring in and set up furniture. This is a VERY hot spot, especially on Friday nights, we were told. I'll tell you in advance that the music-- that's what Milt and I were there for-- was played in the front room, the cramped entry, and there was no broadcast to the huge back open patio area. All those people out there were not there for the music. They were there to unwind, meet up with their friends, show off how good-looking they were (they were), and drink that wine and eat that food.
Friday night at Lagniappe House is French Horn night. French Horn is a quintet with one French member, the leader, who plays guitar and trumpet (hence the "horn"). The other members are a bass player, a drummer, a violin player, and a keyboard player. The first several pieces were pure French cabaret swing, totally Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, some of whose tunes they played. Once the guitarist switched to trumpet, the theme turned to blues, then jazz. This combo was spectacular. I loved the music, Milt loved it, and everyone who listened loved it. Unless you hate music, you must go to Lagniappe House any Friday night. The band starts around 9:00, but if you get there early, as Milt and I did, you will get a small table and chairs.
Milt described Lagniappe House as both "cool" and "rough." I think that covers it. Unless you want to throw in trendy and a definite place to be. Lagniappe House features live music every night. I didn't ask what bands or performers appeared other than Fridays, but I'm game to find out. The chalk board above the servers/cashiers suggests you could pay a $3 fee for the music, but no one asks you for it. So it's free, unless you buy drinks or food. No one asks you about that, either. You have to be a bit assertive, if you want something. Do check out Lagniappe House. I just wish it was easier to negotiate the wine selection.
Board Openings. We Want, No, Need, You.
We have six regular Boards at the present time. Planning and Zoning and Code Compliance are our most critical Boards, they have statutory influence over BP residents, and they are full. Either one can accept alternate members, in case a regular member announces in advance that he or she will not be able to attend a given meeting.
Code Review is not a regular Board, and it has at least one opening. This Committee is ad hoc, although it has been going on for at least four years, and it is charged with reviewing and possibly revising the BP Codes. Much of its work is most likely done, and it would be hard to join this group this late in its life.
Recreation Advisory has at least one opening.
Parks and Parkways probably has two openings, although the "alternate" should be a regular, and there should only be one regular opening.
The Ecology Board probably has no openings, but any Board can accept alternate members.
The Biscayne Park Foundation has at least two openings. It needs more members, and they should have relevant expertise (relevant to fund-raising) and leadership skills. You hear what I'm saying, right Sylvia and Steve T?
The Commission decided in its January meeting to start a new Board. This would be an arts committee, and it would be charged at least with approving public art for Biscayne Park. It has not been discussed whether it would also find art and raise funds to acquire art. The minimum advisable requirement is familiarity with and fondness for, if not "expertise" in, art. (Amy? Susan W? Susana? Dan C? Judi, you're on a Board already. I know, Louie, you're too busy and out of town too much. Come on, David T, think this through again. You'd make Barbara happy.)
All Board meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend, and Boards can have more members than are needed. Extra members would be listed as alternates, and they can either attend meetings if they are called upon (if an absence is announced in advance), or they can simply attend and be part of meetings. Technically, they can't vote if the full slate of regular members is present. No one, however, would ignore their counsel.
There is a new form, and it's called the "Board Member Application." It's at Village Hall. Anyone interested in any Board should fill out this form. The form indicates your interest and availability, and you can contact individual Commissioners as well. We might be moving away from a system in which Board applicants had to be sponsored by a given Commissioner, so the personal backing is less important than it was.
If you think you might be interested, but you're not sure, or you're not sure what a given Board is about, feel free to attend meetings of any of them. The meeting schedule is in the Village website at www.biscayneparkfl.gov.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
We Missed You
Last night's Commission meeting was called for 6:30, for presentations. The main meeting was called for 7:00.
I'm happy to report that we started on time. Presentations were completed by 6:45 (thank you, Rotary Club, NMB Home Depot, and Sherwin Williams, and congratulations and thanks, Jose Andino and Jared Susi), so we took a break until 7. The Consent Agenda was reasonably lengthy, but uncomplicated, and it passed. One item, the school at the church, was pulled for further exploration next month.
Discussion about annexation and sanitation did not draw crowds, and both matters were discussed in some detail. We will continue to explore annexation, and we are considering outsourcing sanitation. All we agreed to do last night was find out how much private companies would charge to do our garbage and trash pick-up. Depending on what they say, we might decide to switch, or we might decide we're willing to pay, maybe extra, to keep what we have. Input from you is more than welcome. Comment in the blog, or write to all of your Commissioners. And come to the meetings. We need your opinions and insights.
One piece of public art (sculpture) was accepted by the Commission, and the Commission decided to try to impanel a new arts committee to choose pieces in the future. One resident, Susan Weiss, advocated for an arts committee, is an artist herself, and agreed to consider possibly accepting a seat on such a committee herself. I didn't get to ask her what her reasons might be not to be on an arts committee.
We're still working on how to make the plan and get the money for log cabin renovation.
There are vacancies on some of the Boards, and with an arts committee, there will be probably five new vacancies. We might also switch from having each Commissioner appoint one Board member to having a Commission majority approve any prospective Board member. If you're interested and available, please let us know.
The meeting ended at 9:00, all business having been completed.
By the way, Rosemary Wais outdid herself. There were three desserts last night (four, if you count two versions of one of them), and regular and decaf coffee. She also "forgot" to bring a receptacle to accept donations. What are we gonna do with you, girl?
I'm happy to report that we started on time. Presentations were completed by 6:45 (thank you, Rotary Club, NMB Home Depot, and Sherwin Williams, and congratulations and thanks, Jose Andino and Jared Susi), so we took a break until 7. The Consent Agenda was reasonably lengthy, but uncomplicated, and it passed. One item, the school at the church, was pulled for further exploration next month.
Discussion about annexation and sanitation did not draw crowds, and both matters were discussed in some detail. We will continue to explore annexation, and we are considering outsourcing sanitation. All we agreed to do last night was find out how much private companies would charge to do our garbage and trash pick-up. Depending on what they say, we might decide to switch, or we might decide we're willing to pay, maybe extra, to keep what we have. Input from you is more than welcome. Comment in the blog, or write to all of your Commissioners. And come to the meetings. We need your opinions and insights.
One piece of public art (sculpture) was accepted by the Commission, and the Commission decided to try to impanel a new arts committee to choose pieces in the future. One resident, Susan Weiss, advocated for an arts committee, is an artist herself, and agreed to consider possibly accepting a seat on such a committee herself. I didn't get to ask her what her reasons might be not to be on an arts committee.
We're still working on how to make the plan and get the money for log cabin renovation.
There are vacancies on some of the Boards, and with an arts committee, there will be probably five new vacancies. We might also switch from having each Commissioner appoint one Board member to having a Commission majority approve any prospective Board member. If you're interested and available, please let us know.
The meeting ended at 9:00, all business having been completed.
By the way, Rosemary Wais outdid herself. There were three desserts last night (four, if you count two versions of one of them), and regular and decaf coffee. She also "forgot" to bring a receptacle to accept donations. What are we gonna do with you, girl?
Black Base, Silver Figure, Red Ball, Green Light
The Commission accepted this sculpture for the Village. It was displayed at the 1/7/14 meeting. Chuck Ross has purchased the sculpture from the sculptor for $6000, and he is now making it available for the Village to acquire.
Chuck will loan the piece to the Village for up to one year. The piece will be displayed somewhere, very likely outside the recreation center. Village residents are asked to donate toward the cost of this piece, and if donations come adequately close to $6000 (Chuck expects to make his own donation, so he does not need the reimbursement to be $6000 exactly), the piece will be given to the Village, which will then own it.
The procedure is for interested people to write a check to the Village, memoing "Public Art," "Ballplayer sculpture," "Zaluski," or some other indicator, and give it to someone at Village Hall. Give as much as you like. If donations are too great (we should have such a problem), the Village will either return part of the donation to the donor, or the money will be kept for other expenses related to the sculpture. Jared Susi has already offered to pay for the slab, but there may be landscaping involved, too.
In any case, please donate. Now is the time. If you want to see the sculpture, it's at the recreation center, inside. Ask Issa.
The Price of Fame and (Good) Fortune
Here are two conversations from the 1/7/14 Commission meeting:
Not only can we not do a lot of things, because we don't have the money, but we can't afford a lobbyist. Two lobbyists approached us, offering service, and they wanted somewhere around $13K. We have $2K available. As Roxy Ross pointed out, the last time we had a lobbyist, we got some State money. This year, we just really don't have the money to pay a lobbyist.
There are two events coming up that do or could affect us. One is the League of Cities banquet, and the other is a law enforcement event, for which one of our officers has been nominated for an award. The problem is we have to pay to attend. Even the nominee has to pay. It's about $150 a seat for each event. We have enough in one account to pay for the nominee, the Chief, and the Captain to attend the law enforcement event. We don't have enough to pay for Commissioners or the Manager to attend. Roxy Ross said she would pay for her own ticket. David Coviello said he didn't want to put his Commission colleagues "on the spot," but he would pay for his ticket, too.
I have season tickets to some arts organizations, like GableStage, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and Sunday Afternoons of Music. Because I think these organizations do an excellent job, I also give them a donation beyond the price of the season ticket. I could have gotten on the Board of the Miami Symphony Orchestra, but I couldn't afford it. To get on the Board, you have to donate $10K a year. Right, if you're on the Board, they don't pay you; you pay them. One of my friends is the CEO of a non-profit arts agency. Her Board Chair supplies tens of thousands of dollars, or more, every year to keep the agency afloat.
Sometimes, this is what you have to do. You are privileged to be called upon to pay more money. We all support the Village more than it supports us. Presumably, we get back something worth more than money.
Not only can we not do a lot of things, because we don't have the money, but we can't afford a lobbyist. Two lobbyists approached us, offering service, and they wanted somewhere around $13K. We have $2K available. As Roxy Ross pointed out, the last time we had a lobbyist, we got some State money. This year, we just really don't have the money to pay a lobbyist.
There are two events coming up that do or could affect us. One is the League of Cities banquet, and the other is a law enforcement event, for which one of our officers has been nominated for an award. The problem is we have to pay to attend. Even the nominee has to pay. It's about $150 a seat for each event. We have enough in one account to pay for the nominee, the Chief, and the Captain to attend the law enforcement event. We don't have enough to pay for Commissioners or the Manager to attend. Roxy Ross said she would pay for her own ticket. David Coviello said he didn't want to put his Commission colleagues "on the spot," but he would pay for his ticket, too.
I have season tickets to some arts organizations, like GableStage, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and Sunday Afternoons of Music. Because I think these organizations do an excellent job, I also give them a donation beyond the price of the season ticket. I could have gotten on the Board of the Miami Symphony Orchestra, but I couldn't afford it. To get on the Board, you have to donate $10K a year. Right, if you're on the Board, they don't pay you; you pay them. One of my friends is the CEO of a non-profit arts agency. Her Board Chair supplies tens of thousands of dollars, or more, every year to keep the agency afloat.
Sometimes, this is what you have to do. You are privileged to be called upon to pay more money. We all support the Village more than it supports us. Presumably, we get back something worth more than money.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thank You, Rosemary.
Either you live on the east part of 116th Street, or you come to Commission meetings. Either way, you know Rosemary Wais. She's the irreverent redhead who loves to work in her yard, and crack wise. She used to be in the airline stewardess business, which may be where she got her tendency toward style and assertiveness. I'm sure it's where she learned to deal with what comes her way.
Rosemary has a special place at Commission meetings. In fact, she has two special places. She sits in the back of the room and provides the cleverest heckling. She used to be the second most avid heckler, until the most avid heckler got "kicked upstairs" and is now on the Commission him-/myself. The title, and the throne, are now Rosemary's.
Rosemary's other Commission meeting claim-to-fame is in the lobby. Rosemary provides coffee and home-made pastries for every meeting. The coffee is as good as coffee should be, and Rosemary even makes decaf, for wimps like me. The pastries are spectacular. Rosemary usually makes some sort of cinnamon crumb cake, but she has been known to compete with herself by making a fruit-filled version as well. As best I can tell, as someone who helps the process, the cakes get completely consumed over the course of each meeting.
From time to time, I slip Rosemary a $5 bill. The fact is, she pays for all of this-- the coffee and the ingredients for the pastries she makes-- herself. I keep telling her she should put out a receptacle into which her dependents could leave a 25 or 50 cent, or a dollar, gesture of appreciation, but Rosemary keeps not doing it. Maybe one of these days.
In the meantime, thank you, Rosemary.
Rosemary has a special place at Commission meetings. In fact, she has two special places. She sits in the back of the room and provides the cleverest heckling. She used to be the second most avid heckler, until the most avid heckler got "kicked upstairs" and is now on the Commission him-/myself. The title, and the throne, are now Rosemary's.
Rosemary's other Commission meeting claim-to-fame is in the lobby. Rosemary provides coffee and home-made pastries for every meeting. The coffee is as good as coffee should be, and Rosemary even makes decaf, for wimps like me. The pastries are spectacular. Rosemary usually makes some sort of cinnamon crumb cake, but she has been known to compete with herself by making a fruit-filled version as well. As best I can tell, as someone who helps the process, the cakes get completely consumed over the course of each meeting.
From time to time, I slip Rosemary a $5 bill. The fact is, she pays for all of this-- the coffee and the ingredients for the pastries she makes-- herself. I keep telling her she should put out a receptacle into which her dependents could leave a 25 or 50 cent, or a dollar, gesture of appreciation, but Rosemary keeps not doing it. Maybe one of these days.
In the meantime, thank you, Rosemary.