Palmetto Bay: Atty-Client Session, Special Council Meeting, LPA & Zoning Hearing- Oct. .20, 2025
Summary. The Village of Palmetto Bay held a special council meeting on October 20, 2025, beginning with an attorney-client executive session regarding the Yacht Club by Luxcom LLC v. Village of Palmetto Bay lawsuit. After reconvening, the council addressed several ordinances and resolutions, with mixed results on key items including a failed transparency ordinance, approved park fee increases, and successful business promotion and tree preservation measures. The meeting continued with extensive public testimony on the Westminster Christian School site plan amendment, which was unanimously approved after addressing resident concerns about traffic and construction impacts. The council also processed several parking-related items, establishing $2/hour parking fees and regulations that passed 4-1, along with a 20% reduction in variance hearing fees for homeowners. The Woods property designation was changed from residential to parks and recreation on first reading. The most contentious portion involved censure motions and a travel policy debate during the special council meeting. A censure resolution against Councilmember Matson was ultimately withdrawn after heated exchanges, while a comprehensive travel and expense reimbursement policy failed 3-2. The meeting was marked by significant tension between council members, with multiple calls for parliamentary order regarding personal attacks and inappropriate comments.
Agenda Items
Executive Session. Attorney-Client Session - Yacht Club by Luxcom LLC lawsuit
Closed session to discuss litigation strategy and settlement negotiations
- Case number 2020023918CADash08
- Settlement negotiations
- Litigation expenditures
- Required statutory notice given
3A. Procurement and Transparency Ordinance
Ordinance requiring notice for contracts $1,000-$25,000 and equal access to professional services
- Three business day notice requirement
- Equal access to consultants
- Media consultant controversies
- Administrative burden concerns
- CBS news coverage discussions
3B. Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule Amendment
First reading of ordinance updating park fees to market rates with amendments
- Fee increases since 2019
- Market rate comparisons
- 10% increase compromise for softball fields and gazebo
- Resident vs non-resident usage data
- Fee waiver program concerns
4. Westminster Christian School Site Plan Amendment
School's request to amend master site plan to incorporate a 5-acre parcel with traffic management conditions
- Staff presented detailed conditions of approval including traffic management requirements
- Public testimony from supporters emphasizing traffic improvements and community benefits
- Resident concerns about construction hours, lighting spillover, and cut-through traffic
- Westminster's response including $1,000-$2,500 fines for families cutting through neighborhoods
- 15-year time frame condition added
4A. Shop Palmetto Bay Initiative
Resolution directing manager to develop plan prioritizing local businesses
- 966 business tax licenses
- $258,523 in tax receipts
- Working with Palmetto Bay Business Association
- Cost concerns and amendments
- Political tensions over budget votes
4B. Tree Preservation Protocols
Resolution establishing tree preservation protocols for village properties with amendments
- Tree resource surveys
- Early project planning requirements
- Administrative cost concerns
- Tree Board unanimous support
- Sections 3 and 4 struck from item
4c. Resolution establishing hourly on-street parking rates
Resolution to establish $2 per hour parking rate for paid parking zones
- Public opposition citing discrimination and business impact concerns
- Staff clarification that businesses support the measure for customer turnover
- Discussion of enforcement by Miami Parking Authority
4c (Special). Settlement in Cody and Meritzer Case
Item failed for lack of motion
- No council member moved the item
- Mayor called for motion three times with no response
4d. Censure of Council member Marsha Matson
Formal censure resolution for leaving meeting to avoid vote, ultimately withdrawn
- Matson left July 7 meeting claiming illness during fourth hour
- Mayor claimed it was to avoid important vote
- Matson provided detailed explanation of illness and travel fatigue
- Heated exchanges about motivations and past behavior
- Motion withdrawn by Mayor Cunningham at Council member Fiore's request
4e. Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy
Comprehensive policy to restrict luxury travel expenses and establish spending guidelines
- Restrictions on minibar expenses, luxury hotels, valet parking
- Requirements for most economical transportation and lodging
- Prohibition on certain reimbursements for those receiving car allowances
- Heated debate about past travel expenses and practices
- Policy failed 3-2 vote
5a. Ordinance reducing variance hearing fees
Second reading of ordinance reducing planning and zoning fees by 20% for single-family homeowners
- Addition of multiple council members as co-sponsors
- Discussion of future red tape reduction efforts
5c. On-street parking ordinance
Second reading of ordinance regulating on-street parking with time restrictions and fee structures
- Debate over parking permits for business employees on 95th Avenue
- Amendment to allow parking fund transfers to general fund
- Failed attempt to increase parking fines
6a. Woods Property Comprehensive Plan Amendment
First reading to change Woods property designation from estate density residential to parks and recreation
- Public support for protecting the green space
- Discussion of timeline for comprehensive plan changes
- Amendment attempt to prohibit school co-location withdrawn
6b. Capital Improvements Element Update
Annual update to capital improvements element for comprehensive plan and five-year schedule
- State requirement for annual updates
- Florida Department of Commerce requested updated schedule
- Compliance with comprehensive plan amendment requirements
Motions & Votes
Motion to recess for attorney-client executive session
Moved by Mayor Karen Cunningham
Passed by voice vote
Motion to adjourn executive session
Moved by Mayor Karen Cunningham
Passed by voice vote
Ordinance relating to procurement, reporting, and transparency
Moved by Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer, seconded by Council member Marcia Madsen
Failed 3-2
Amendment to reduce softball/baseball fields and gazebo fees to 10% increase
Moved by Council member Patrick Fiore, seconded by Mayor Karen Cunningham
Passed 4-1
Parks fee ordinance as amended
Passed 3-2
Motion to add condition that amended master site plan development program is approved for fifteen year time frame starting with adoption of resolution
Moved by Mayor Karen Cunningham, seconded by Council member Patrick Fiore
Passed 4-1
Westminster Christian School site plan amendment with conditions
Passed 5-0
Shop Palmetto Bay initiative resolution
Moved by Council member Marcia Madsen
Passed 3-2
Amendment to strike sections 3 and 4 from tree preservation resolution
Moved by Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer
Passed by voice vote
Tree preservation protocols resolution as amended
Passed 4-1
Resolution establishing $2 per hour parking rates
Passed 4-1
Ordinance reducing variance hearing fees by 20%
Passed unanimously
Motion to change parking fines from $32 to $50 initial and $42 to $60 after thirty days
Moved by Council member Patrick Fiore
Failed 2-3
Motion to amend parking ordinance to allow discretionary transfer of parking fund monies to general fund
Passed 4-1
On-street parking ordinance as amended
Passed 4-1
Woods Property comprehensive plan amendment
Passed on first reading
Motion to extend meeting until 10:30 PM
Moved by Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer, seconded by Not specified
Passed 3-2
Motion to approve Capital Improvements Element update ordinance on first reading
Moved by Not specified, seconded by Not specified
Passed 5-0
Motion to withdraw censure resolution
Moved by Mayor Karen Cunningham, seconded by Not specified
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve travel and expense reimbursement policy
Moved by Not specified, seconded by Not specified
Failed 3-2
Action Items
Provide update on Tanglewood park acquisition status
Assigned to Village Manager Nick Marano · Due November meeting
Develop Shop Palmetto Bay initiative plan working with business association
Assigned to Village Manager Nick Marano
Adjust park fees for softball/baseball fields and gazebo to 10% increase for second reading
Assigned to Parks Director Fanny Carmona · Due Second reading
Work with Tree Board on sections 3 and 4 of tree preservation protocols
Assigned to Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer
Westminster to coordinate with Miami Dade County DOT for traffic signal timing optimization
Assigned to Westminster Christian School · Due Within sixty days of first building permit issuance
Install traffic cameras with license plate readers to monitor cut-through traffic
Assigned to Westminster Christian School
Work with planning director to create parks and recreation zoning designation
Assigned to Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer and Planning Director
Create environmentally protected zoning designation
Assigned to Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer and Javier Gonzalez
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Village of Palmetto Bay held a special council meeting on October 20, 2025, beginning with an attorney-client executive session regarding the Yacht Club by Luxcom LLC v. Village of Palmetto Bay lawsuit. After reconvening, the council addressed several ordinances and resolutions, with mixed results on key items including a failed transparency ordinance, approved park fee increases, and successful business promotion and tree preservation measures. The meeting continued with extensive public testimony on the Westminster Christian School site plan amendment, which was unanimously approved after addressing resident concerns about traffic and construction impacts. The council also processed several parking-related items, establishing $2/hour parking fees and regulations that passed 4-1, along with a 20% reduction in variance hearing fees for homeowners. The Woods property designation was changed from residential to parks and recreation on first reading. The most contentious portion involved censure motions and a travel policy debate during the special council meeting. A censure resolution against Councilmember Matson was ultimately withdrawn after heated exchanges, while a comprehensive travel and expense reimbursement policy failed 3-2. The meeting was marked by significant tension between council members, with multiple calls for parliamentary order regarding personal attacks and inappropriate comments.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 14 agenda items: Attorney-Client Session - Yacht Club by Luxcom LLC lawsuit; Procurement and Transparency Ordinance; Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule Amendment; Westminster Christian School Site Plan Amendment; Shop Palmetto Bay Initiative; Tree Preservation Protocols; Resolution establishing hourly on-street parking rates; Settlement in Cody and Meritzer Case; Censure of Council member Marsha Matson; Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy; Ordinance reducing variance hearing fees; On-street parking ordinance; Woods Property Comprehensive Plan Amendment; Capital Improvements Element Update.
How many motions were voted on?
20 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
8 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
10 members were recorded as present: Mayor Karen Cunningham, Vice Mayor Mark Meritzer, Council member Patrick Fiore, Council member Steve Cody, Council member Marcia Madsen, Village Manager Nick Marano, Village Attorney, Village Clerk, Parks Director Fanny Carmona, Planning Director Javier Gonzalez.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Palmetto Bay in?
Palmetto Bay is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Browse other Miami-Dade County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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