It was an eventful Village Council meeting last week, with council members addressing a range of community issues while reviewing results from this year’s community survey and the Key Biscayne Police Department’s annual activity report.

The Council also heard plans for this year’s Independence Day celebration among several other topics.

Code Compliance

Regarding code compliance in the Village, Building, Zoning and Planning Director Jeremy Calleros Gauger said the group of Special Magistrates held eight meetings this past year and heard 31 cases, the bulk of those dealing with building violations, specifically about coming into compliance with fire codes.

There were also a couple of 40-year re-certifications that came in late. His team was still poring over each case to see if any fines had been assessed, “but most things are settled beforehand,” he said.

On the advice of Council member Nancy Stoner, fines will be tabulated in an easier-to-read format from here on.

Undergrounding

Stoner wanted the Village to explore possibly the thought of undergrounding only the power lines, rather than everything.

“In light of technology advancing as fast as it is with wireless, maybe it’s a waste of money,” she said.

Councilman Michael Bracken explained that “We have easements which we have to provide” such current service.

The difference in FPL (roughly $10 million) and the telecom services (roughly $20 million) is startling.

Village Manager Steve Williamson has spoken to Coral Gables officials who are in a predicament finding out when the utility poles will be removed, but it can’t happen until the telecom issues are solved. In the meantime, FPL will “top” their share of the poles.

“It’s likely going to have to take legislation at the state level (to solve all this),” said Williamson, who will go through the cost structure to implement each undergrounding phase.

Urban Area Security Initiative

A resolution to approve a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Miami for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) 2024 grant program passed 6-1, with Stoner dissenting because she did not have all the details early enough to study.

Deputy Fire Chief Terrence Davis said the document is a formality.

“We’re trying to play catch-up; 2024 was never done, so to keep the relationship going … we spent the money (now the Village is looking for its reimbursement).”

He realized later that no agreement had been signed for the grant, used specifically for tools and equipment related to the mitigation of threats or hazards.

Williamson noted that “We are a satellite EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and pledge to work with the City of Miami during an emergency. It requires is to work as a team.”

UASI was born after the 9/11 attacks to enhance local police and fire units.

Other items on the agenda:

• The Athletics Advisory Board will now have until Oct. 15 to bring back suggestions on how the youth soccer program should be managed in the future.

• Bill Stephens was reappointed to the Pension Board.

• Mayor Joe Rasco presented a proclamation recognizing April as “Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month.”

• The next monthly Council meeting has been moved from May 12 to May 14.