2009-1217 Regular City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes: Regular City Commission Meeting December 17, 2009 City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 12. DISCUSSION ITEMS 12A. Discussion regarding the South Collins Park System, Including the Possible Development of an Archway Entrance on Collins Avenue at the South End of the City. Action: [City Clerk's Note: Renderings of the South Collins Park System were distributed prior to the Meeting. See action under Item 4A.] Assistant City Manager Vera reported and presented a power point on the plan for the properties that the City has been purchasing south of 163`d on the west side, and for the southern entryway to the City. Public Speakers: none Assistant City Manager Vera said the City will be requesting easements from Arlen House to widen that area along Collins Avenue to coincide with the Park area. Mayor Edelcup said there is an entranceway into the Arlen House, and Mr. Vera said that they are currently not using it and we will be discussing that with them. Commissioner Brezin said they are aware of that and it will be part of the discussion in the meeting when we are requesting the easement. Mayor Edelcup noted that there is also a bus shelter there, it needs to be inserted. Mr. Vera showed an aerial view wrapping around the entry of 158t1i and that we will be taking a lot of that property, around 20 -foot easements, we are going to be requesting all the way around, in some places a little more. It will be a nice exit and entryway for the City with lush landscape, and continue the same wall motif that we started in the Oceania Park area with the same lighted columns, etc. He said a project that they still have to get FDOT approval on is the archway going in and out of the City. The pillars that are holding the archway are within the private properties of the easements that we are going to request. It will have to go across to the other side and we will have to request an easement from the other property owners but they are going to be on City property. Commissioner Brezin asked about the section in the median and Mr. Vera said they will have to go to FDOT for that. Mayor Edelcup asked if that is still carrying out that same coral rock, and Mr. Vera said that is correct, everything is the same. Commissioner Brezin said the residents have concern regarding security and so that wall will have to be of a certain height where it would protect the residents. Mr. Vera said the wall would be about 6 -feet high and would hide the parking area as well. The style and lighting would be the same. Mayor Edelcup said when we do this it will be divided into phases and we can figure it out much better. Mr. Vera said there is a continuous sidewalk/bike path running along Collins Avenue which will connect throughout the City. Mayor Edelcup noted that the sidewalk is being moved away from the curb for pedestrian safety. Mr. Vera said that we opened up the view into the water, we still kept the mixture of wall and columns with a regular fencing type, and the columns will be lit up like at Oceania. In the covered areas you will be able to play games such as bocce and chess. Mayor Edelcup noted in some of those areas where they are covered, not all of that is waterways, some is Poinciana Island, etc., and so there really isn't a need to have them all open, but certainly the areas that should be open are the fingers that run east and west. Mr. Vera instructed the designers to look at the area especially in the areas of homes where you have the wall. Vice Mayor Thaler said to put in as much covering as possible because that is a big complaint in our parks that there is not enough covering. The consensus of the Commission was that it was a very good concept with excellent renderings.