2010-0902 Special City Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

Summary Minutes: Special City Commission Meeting September 2, 2010 Sunny Isles Beach, Florida The public hearing was opened and Mayor Edelcup called on those people who had signed up to speak. He called upon Architect William C. Kreidt, Sr. Architect William C. Kreidt, Sr., said that Temple B'Nai Zion should be designated as an historic site because of its importance to the history and the City of Sunny Isles Beach and to the Jewish community. He first came to know Sunny Isles Beach in 1950 at which time he designed the Pan American Hotel. The following year he designed the Sahara Motel, and shortly after that the Lucerne Hotel in Miami Beach. In 1957 The Board of American Missions of the Lutheran Church purchased the land for a new church to provide spiritual needs to visitors and residents in the area of Motel Row. This move would become the first step in the development of Temple B'Nai Zion. The building did not lend itself to any particular type of architect, it was the first building of that nature that he had ever done, and he would not have considered it at all without including three major elements because they all go together and fit so well, which are the Main Sanctuary, the Portico, and the Tower. It was an artistic approach, it came from his heart, and the cross like interior, he never planned that, it was brought out tonight but it was never his intention to do that. The only cross that was intended to be a cross was that on top of the tower. He complimented Ellen Uguccioni for her excellent report, he read it and was enthralled on how well she covered everything. Mr. Kreidt said over his years as Architect he has created many fine projects but none has been as rewarding as this one. The conditions that existed when the Temple was designed were unique to this site, the split parking and the need to have a vertical element led to the solution, that included a combination of features including the Main Sanctuary, Portico and Memorial Tower, because of these unique features, it would not be the same on any other site. It is truly a treasure, it must be saved, when it is gone, it is gone forever. Mayor Edelcup called up Rosita Kenigsberg and she attested to the fact that the event that took place [Holocaust Survivors Event] on March 28,2004 at 1 :30 p.m. at Temple B'Nai Zion was not common place, it was unprecedented, it was unique, it was uplifting, it was a truly historic moment for the 300 survivors and their families. She is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Mr. Wallach asked to cross examine her testimony and she refused, and therefore he asked that her testimony be stricken from the record, and Mayor Edelcup said it will not be stricken from the record. City Attorney Ottinot said that the critical evidence tonight is our Consultant's report, and that is the evidence that the Commission's decision will be based on. The witness was making public comment, obviously she has a right to refuse questioning. Mr. Wallach said while she does have the right to speak, equally true is the fact that the Temple has the right to cross examine her, and if we would have had that right, and ifher testimony is to be considered, we need to be able to ask her a few questions. One of two things is true, she can speak and we can cross examine her, or if she refuses to be questioned he asked that the City Commission completely disregard her testimony. City Attorney Ottinot said he has made it clear that the Commission's decision is based on the Consultant's report that is the evidence that they will make a decision on. Mayor Edelcup said we will make our decision based on the Consultant's report, but we are taking her comments, anybody's comments that wishes to speak, as this is a public hearing, any person who wishes to speak can speak, and we are not closing our ears to what they are saying, but we will make a determination based on the factual evidence before us. 8