Remarks by Mark Merwitzer
132 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 5 of 6
- Play at 3:28:30
“Yeah, real quick. I'll also just say I mean, I had conversations between the last meeting and this meeting with members of the CRC on how they want this handled. And members of the CRC intimated to me the best path forward and I am inclined to agree with them is to dispose of this lawsuit entirely dispose of any kind of legal claims related to the CRC process entirely. and just put cleanly the item that I'm bringing on the ballot, um, straight to voters. So that way you can't litigate the CRC processes, the exact same items that the CRC brought. And if we want to make one or two changes, I…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:39:23
“yeah so just to get a little bit into the process and why I brought my own separate item and this is essentially it because of the litigation surrounding the CRC I thought it was best that the council just initiate its own item and forward that to electors that happens to be identical to the CRC and if we don't adopt this item we can take up my item it's the exact same but without the legal controversy that we have with the CRC And it's just cleanly within our powers to do this. We don't have to litigate whether or not there's this power to send it directly to voters. Um, it's just something…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:45:54
“Thank you. So essentially I have two quick things. One is to respect the wishes of Commissioner Fiore and the second one is I just want to add a whereas clause if the attorney is okay with it. Just for extra clarity, I'd like to just add a whereas clause saying notwithstanding the recommendations of the Charter Revision Commission, the Village Council, acting as the governing body of the Village of Palmetto Bay, chooses to forward such items to the electors of the Village of Palmetto Bay. Is that permissible, and would that be okay to do?”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:46:31
“Yeah, and it also would be pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Village Charter and 6.03 of the County Charter. So, just add that, too.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:46:54
“Is the motion debatable? I mean, my question is to Commissioner Fiore. I think you had a challenge with one of them, which was the actual cost of reimbursement. I'm comfortable making a motion to strike that just to save time. And also, it's already 1020. I don't know if it displeases the council that I feel like it's up to the commissioner, in my view, because to be blunt, he's deciding about here by the looks of it.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:47:57
“no i think you can have public comment on the on the item you guys are just dividing it for purposes of uh of your consideration okay that's fine so my first motion then is what i just said about adding the whereas clause and i'll go to the attorney for that and then i'll entertain the motion to divide the question and then we'll go from there is that okay okay so that's my motion regarding the whereas clause okay can you repeat the motion please Notwithstanding the recommendations of the CRC, the Village Council, acting in its authority as the governing body, chooses to forward such items to…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:57:30
“Yeah, I mean, this is something that the Charter Revision Commission recommended, and I think it's fine as is, and I think it should go to voters. And this is their recommendation, and based on prior conversations publicly on this council, I support all of them. So I'm going to be supporting this as well.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:58:11
“Madam Mayor, I move to reconsider the item.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:58:15
“I'm going to take up your amendment, Commissioner, if it's dependent on your vote. I was on the prevailing side, so I believe I can make a motion to reconsider, correct?”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 3:58:23
“I'm going to move to reconsider the item. If it comes back under reconsideration, I'll vote with Commissioner Fiore on his change. Thank you.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:00:19
“I'd be able to bring back your amendment, Commissioner. Which amendment? The one with the three years.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:02:02
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:05:40
“This is on the amendment or the actual item? This is a vote on the amendment. Thank you.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:09:26
“Yeah, I support it too. I mean, I remember last time this conversation came up, a lot of people reached out to this council expressing concern about the future of this property. And I think giving voters a say in the future of that is really important. And I would also just say that having aspirational language in our charter to do well with our residents and their wishes, I don't think is dumb at all. And it's unfortunate that we're making those characterizations. Thank you very much.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:12:19
“Yeah, I told the CRC, or members of the CRC, that I'm not a fan of this. I don't think it's the best idea, but I gave them my word that I would put this forward to voters in spite of that, because I think people should have a say on this. And it's ultimately, as the Commissioner said, this came very close last time. If people want it, great. If people don't, then also even better. So... I'm going to support it. I don't like the item. I just want to put that on the record. Thank you.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:22:09
“Vice Mayor? I don't think it has support, but I'll just say that I think it's a fair idea, especially in light of the car allowance issue that we took up last year. And I think this is in direct response to that. And I think that if this were to go to voters, it'd probably pass with flying colors because I think people should have decisions as to compensation. And I think anything that's not an actual expense or per diem is just not... a reasonable reimbursement to take if you didn't have the expense. So I support it, but it probably doesn't have the votes. So I just want to be on record.…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:30:19
“Yeah, two things. One, I'm glad I don't have to argue that in court now. But number two, I would also just say I'd like to make a motion to change the word oversight to approval because I think that's more accurate because there will be oversight. There will be a council liaison overseeing the process. But I think the more accurate word is approval because that I think is the intention here. And that's actually what's in the amendment. So that's my motion.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:30:49
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:30:59
“Move to strike the word oversight and replace it with approval.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:32:49
“Yeah, my core concern is that specifically within the charter of both the village of Palmetto Bay and within the county, it's the governing body that has to propose the amendments to electors, not the village attorney's office. So my core concern is that if he has to make changes after we approve it, we're going to be in a position where technically speaking with this particular amendment, from my own perspective, that wasn't the final language that was approved by the governing body. So I'd be very weary of that. If it comes to it, I'll just withdraw my motion and not have a vote on it. I'd…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:39:59
“Yeah, really briefly, if any of you all have questions, I worked with the sponsor on the CRC on this, so I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:41:58
“Yeah, I'll just be quick to our attorney. If we don't initiate a project, will we be required to put sidewalks in on every street or buy with eminent domain right of way if we don't have a project involved on that street?”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:42:31
“Yeah, look, and I'll just say this. My concern is that throughout this entire process, the colleague to my left has opposed every single amendment from the CRC. I think this is one of the most important amendments that the CRC has put forward because I think it's going to save lives because safe infrastructure will save lives. And more importantly as well, A lot of the deliberation that we have as a council, I think, should come directly from the people on projects like this. And I think a lot of people, the number one issue that they have is traffic, and the number one way to get people out…”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:43:20
“No, I mean, I didn't create it. I just worked with a member of the CRC on it.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026
- Play at 4:44:29
“Thank you. I assume Commissioner Fiore gets the gavel then.”
Village Council · Jul 6, 2026