Controversy is brewing in the Village of Palmetto Bay, where some residents and councilmembers say a new $400 monthly car allowance offered to elected officials violates the village charter and amounts to an unauthorized pay raise.

The allowance, proposed by the village manager in January, could cost the village up to $24,000 annually if all council members opt in. 

Critics argue it constitutes additional compensation that should require a charter amendment and public input.

Residents say they were left out of the decision

“They’re not listening,” said Palmetto Bay resident Haydee Sanchez.

Sanchez and her longtime neighbor Carol Vega said they were blindsided by the move and believe it’s unfair to taxpayers.

“Basically they’re just giving themselves money,” Vega said. “There’s no need. We’re very disappointed.”

“We don’t approve of that,” Sanchez added. “They didn’t run it by us. We didn’t get a chance to vote on it and it’s our money.”

Split among council members over legality and ethics

The village charter provides a $1,000 monthly stipend for council members and the vice mayor and $2,000 for the mayor. Any increase or decrease in compensation must be made through a charter amendment.

While Councilmembers Patrick Fiore and Steve Cody defended the car allowance during an April meeting, others pushed back.

“It’s an item that will attract people to run for office,” Fiore said during the meeting.

Cody added, “(The) City of Miami, their city commissioners make something on the order of $70,000 or $80,000 plus an unaudited expense account. We’re not looking for that.”

Cody also explained his personal need for transportation assistance: “I have to Uber most places because I don’t have a right foot. I can’t operate a gas pedal.”

But not everyone on the dais agreed. District 3 Councilmember Marsha Matson declined the allowance.

“I thought about it and I said no because that’s compensation,” Matson said. “I don’t think that it’s justified.”

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer also strongly opposed the decision.

“I sent (the village manager) an immediate email afterwards saying how unacceptable it is that administration, without any consultation of the public, without any consultation of the council, was able to put forward essentially a 40% pay increase for council members,” Merwitzer said.

Village attorney responds, residents remain frustrated

Councilmember Fiore responded to CBS News Miami via email, referring all questions to the village manager or attorney. The mayor, Councilmember Cody, and the village manager did not respond to inquiries.

Village Attorney John Dellagloria said in a phone interview that the payments are reimbursement-based and allowed, but he plans to introduce an ordinance to address the concerns.

“Well that’s rich,” said Merwitzer, who has called for the allowances to be revoked.

Residents like Vega and Sanchez remain skeptical.

“The point is that we were not consulted,” Sanchez said.

“(Council and the mayor) were hired for a certain amount of money and I don’t think you just pay yourself more and more.”

MIAMI – Two Port Miami employees were arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing multiple pieces of artwork from one of the terminals, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office announced.

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According to their arrest reports, Tangela Denise Parks, 50, of Miami, and Angel Junior Prudhomme, 27, also of Miami, were arrested on charges of grand theft and criminal mischief.

Deputies said they are both custodial workers at the port.

According to their arrest reports, port authorities notified MDSO detectives assigned to Port Miami about a possible theft that occurred inside a terminal.

“MDSO detectives met with port authorities and reviewed surveillance video, which depicted Port of Miami workers removing artwork from a terminal, loading it in their personal vehicles, and exiting the port,” an MDSO news release issued Thursday stated.

According to the suspects’ arrest reports, the thefts occurred May 12 and were reported via the public corruption tip line on May 23.

Deputies said detectives reviewed surveillance video this week which showed Prudhomme on May 12 removing artwork from the walls in Terminal G and concealing them in a stairwell.

Deputies said he then concealed the mosaic/marble pieces in trash cans and trash bags while trying to evade security cameras.

According to the reports, surveillance video shows that on the next day, he placed the artwork in Parks’ vehicle.

Deputies said 12 of the 24 art pieces were damaged due to their improper removal and transportation.

The damaged items were left behind at the port and were recovered by the sea port General Investigations Unit.

According to the reports, the remaining pieces were recovered Wednesday at Prudhomme’s home.

Authorities said the art pieces were last appraised at $50,000.

According to his arrest report, Prudhomme confessed to stealing the artwork and taking it home. Deputies said Parks also admitted to her involvement in the theft and confessed to “removing additional property from the Port of Miami.”

“As Sheriff of Miami-Dade County, I take individuals using their employment to steal very seriously. I am committed to ensuring that anyone involved in dishonest actions will be held accountable” Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said Thursday in a statement.

As of Thursday morning, Prudhomme and Parks were both being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Online jail records listed their bonds as “to be set.”

MIAMI – A Miami man is facing a felony charge after police said he sexually assaulted a young girl.

A Miami Police Department arrest report states that the allegations against Osher Joshua Pittman, 21, of Allapattah, were laid out in a forensic interview on May 19.

Police said the victim, an 8-year-old “family friend,” told investigators that the assault happened at Pittman’s home in the 2000 block of Northwest 19th Terrace after he “placed his hand inside her pants and then her underwear.”

The report states that the girl was unsure of the day the incident occurred.

Authorities said they located Pittman on Tuesday in the area of Northwest 22nd Avenue and 20th Street and took him into custody.

They said he “denied the allegations” and told detectives he has had “ongoing issues with the victim’s mother” since he was 18.

At least three additional statements were redacted from the arrest report.

As of Wednesday, Pittman was being held without bond in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult.