03-25-2004 Workshop
A'!he City of MINUTES
fiven.tura COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
-1}- MARCH 25,200410 a.m.
'"Y
Aventura Government Center
19200 W. Country Club Drive
Aventura. Florida 33180
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Mayor
Jeffrey M. Perlow. Present were Commissioners Zev Auerbach, Ken Cohen, Bob
Diamond, Manny Grossman, Harry Holzberg, Vice Mayor Jay R. Beskin, Mayor Perlow,
City Manager Eric M. Soroka, City Clerk Teresa M. Soroka and City Attorney David M.
Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
3. CULTURAL CENTER GRANT APPLICATION: (Taken out of order) Mr. Soroka
updated the Commission on the progress of this Foundation and the proposed
application. Foundation Chair Efraim Weinberg addressed Commission's concerns.
CITY MANAGER'S SUMMARY: Consensus to proceed with submission of grant
application with City's participation limited only to matching funds up to $18,000.
1. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROPOSED 2004 GO BOND PROGRAM: Mr. Soroka
explained this program and requested the City Commission establish a priority list of
projects to transmit to the County.
CITY MANAGER SUMMARY: Consensus to submit the following list: acquisition of
vacant land for public purposes and Waterways Park improvements.
6. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD: (Taken out of order)
Larry D. Capp, Executive Director, and Nancy Powell, No Place for Hate
Chairperson, explained the role of this Board within the community and requested
the Commission's support of and participation in a regional CRB Board.
CITY MANAGER'S SUMMARY: City Manager to seek input from Police Chief Ribel
and discuss at a future meeting.
2. PROPOSED ETHICS PROVISIONS: In accordance with Commission's request, Mr.
Wolpin prepared and discussed a proposed revision of the City's ethics ordinance.
CITY MANAGER'S SUMMARY: Consensus that proposed ordinance be submitted
to Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission for discussion at its upcoming meeting in
April and that Ethics Commission Director's input be requested at the next
appropriate workshop meeting.
4. RON BOOK CONTRACT: Mr. Soroka recommended that Mr. Book's fees for
lobbying services be increased to $50,000 annually.
CITY MANAGER'S SUMMARY: Consensus to approve.
5. AVENTURA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: (Vice Mayor Beskin) Vice Mayor
Beskin expressed concern that the Chamber took a position in the recent charter
amendment issue and recommended that the City withdraw its membership in that
organization.
CITY MANAGER'S SUMMARY: Commission requested that the City Manager
meet with the Chamber to determine if they are a viable organization.
Joseph Platnick addressed the Commission regarding establishing a Quiet Zone for
train whistles.
CITY MANAGER SUMMARY: City Manager to review with City consultants and report
back in 60 days as to cost and project specifications
Mr. Soroka notified the Commission that due to the renovations at the Aventura Library,
for the August and November 2004 elections, the Miami-Dade Elections Department
has advised that Precinct 103 would be moved temporarily to the Aventura Community
Center and early voting will be held at the Aventura Government Center.
7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission
at this time, after motion made, seconded and unanimously passed, the meeting
adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
Approved by the Commission on April 13, 2004.
Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at a
meeting or hearing will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim
record of the proceedings is made. which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based.
2