CITY OF SWEETWATER

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES
__________________________________________________________________________________________
MEETING DATE: APRIL 2, 2007 AT 8:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 500 SW 109 AVENUE 

1. ROLL CALL.

Present: Honorable Manuel L. Marono, Mayor; Commission President Ariel J. Abelairas; Commissioners Jose Bergouignan, Jr., Jose M. Diaz, Manuel Duasso, Jose M. Guerra and Orlando Lopez; City Attorney Ralph Ventura and Deputy City Clerk Carmen J. Garcia.

Absent: Commissioner Prisca Barreto and City Clerk Marie Schmidt.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

Honorable President Ariel J. Abelairas led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. INVOCATION.

Commissioner Diaz gave the Invocation dedicating it Mr. John Schmidt, City Clerk’s husband and former Commissioner for the City of Sweetwater who had recently passed away.

4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS.

Ms. Jane Miskell, MA. From MAU (Millennia Atlantic University) awarded the City with a valuable and free Full Scholarship Tuition worth $30,000. 

Mayor Marono presented a Proclamation to Mr. Joe Chi and Dr. Dennis Rod for founding the organization China Latin American Trade Center.

5. PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AWARD.

Presented to Natasha Santos, Mayor’s Secretary.

6. PRESENTATION OF OFFICER OF THE MONTH AWARD.

Presented to Detectives Garcia and Hounshell for seven identified graffiti cases. Arrests were made.

7. ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA.

None this month.

8. CONSENT AGENDA.

Upon motion by Commissioners Guerra and Lopez, second by Commissioner Diaz and unanimous 6-0 vote items A through E on the Consent Agenda were approved.

A. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SWEETWATER, FLORIDA , AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR RECEIPT OF $100,000. IN GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO UNDERTAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO CARLOW AND DOMINO PARKS PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF SWEETWATER; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. (MAYOR MARONO AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR)

Adopted and assigned #3280

B. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SWEETWATER, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR RECEIPT OF $1,996. FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS PROJECT IN THE CITY OF SWEETWATER; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. (MAYOR MARONO AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR)

Adopted and assigned #3281

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 5, 2007. (CITY CLERK)

Approved as presented by the City Clerk.

D. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SWEETWATER, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT #1 TO ITS CONTRACT WITH STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FOR THE CITY’S STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #LP6102; AUTHORIZING TRANSMITTAL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (MAYOR MARONO AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR)

Adopted and assigned #3282

E. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SWEETWATER, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR PURCHASE OF TREES; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. (MAYOR MARONO AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR)

Adopted ans assigned #3283.
9. STAFF ITEMS.

A. CONSIDERATION OF EARLY VOTING EARLY VOTING FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. (MAYOR MARONO AND CITY ATTORNEY)

City Attorney Ralph Ventura informed the City Commission that after carefully reviewing City’ Ordinance #3149 adopted by the City Commission on March 7th , 2005 pertaining to early voting that the City has no obligation to conduct early voting. Upon motion by Commissioner Bergouignan and second by Commissioners Diaz and Lopez and unanimous 6-0 vote not to have early voting in the upcoming elections.

B. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SWEETWATER, FLORIDA TO AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE MODIFIED AGREEMENT AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO RECEIVE THE CITY’S SHARE OF THE PEOPLE’S TRANSPORTATION PLAN FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. (MAYOR MARONO AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR)

Upon motion by Commissioner ___________, second by Commissioner ________________ and unanimous 6-0 vote the foregoing resolution was adopted and assigned #3284.

10. PETITIONS - COMMUNICATIONS - REMONSTRANCES.

None.

11. REPORTS.

A. POLICE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT.

Written report submitted.

B. PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT.

Written report submitted.

C. MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT.

Written report submitted.

D. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT.

Reported on:

B. Correction on date for hearing on attorney’s fees for Officers St. Germain and Alvarez was on March 30, 2007 not on April 13, 2007. City Attorney drafted a Memorandum of Law to the Court, Case will probably go to the Supreme Court on April 17, 2007.

$ Requested a closed session of the Commission to discuss active litigation matter Villanueva VS City. Meeting schedule for 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 10, 2007. Attending will be Mayor Marono, Commission President Ariel J. Abelairas, Commissioners Barreto, Bergouignan, Diaz, Duasso, Guerra and Lopez, and City Attorney Ralph Ventura.

E. MAYOR’S REPORT.

$ 
Mayor Marono informed the Commission of the closing of a Senior Center. This center has participants from other cities and is located near Westchester area. Mayor told the Commission that the Senior Center is willing to have a space available in our city and also will pay the city up to $50,000. per year for renting. Mayor thought it was a very good business for our city to offer them a space at the Mas Canosa building due to the fact that the city will not be liable in any aspects. Upon motion by Commissioner Guerra, second by the whole entire Commission to have Southwest Social Services Senior Center come to the City of Sweetwater

$ Mayor reported on surprised visit to his office of three representatives form the Blue Green Fontainebleau Committee to discuss their interest to become part of Sweetwater. City Commission authorized the Mayor to keep on. 

$ Mayor congratulated Commissioners Duasso and Barreto for being re-elected.

$ Mayor Marono officially announced that Sandra Novoa, Senior Center Director will soon leave the City.

F. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.

$ Commissioner Diaz commended Mayor Marono for always making good decisions and also it was good that the Commission voted no on early voting.

$ Vice Mayor Abelairas affirmed that Sweetwater being such a small city does not justify to have early voting.

G. ELDERLY SERVICES PROGRAM REPORT.

H. SPECIAL PROJECTS REPORT.

Written report submitted.

I. BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT.

Written report submitted.

J. FINANCE REPORT.

None.

K. CITY CLERK’S REPORT.

Written report submitted.

L. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

None.

12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

None.

13. NEW BUSINESS.

None.

14. GOOD OF THE ORDER.

15. ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business before the City Commission, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:55 P.M.