03-17-2014 WorkshopThe City ®f
City Commission
A)TeEiura
Workshop Meeting
March 17, 2014
9 A.M.
19200 west Country Chuh Drive Aventura F1
Executive Conference Room
AGENDA
1. MAST Academy FIU Campus (Vice Mayor Weinberg)
2. Community Green Garden Update (City Manager)
3. NALEO Conference (Commissioner L. Weinberg)
4. Resolution Urging County Commission to Restore Full Funding
to the County Library District (Mayor Gottlieb)
Future Action Required: Resolution
5. Adjournment
X Back -up Information Exists
This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are
disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the
Office of the City Clerk, 305- 466 -8901, not later than two days prior to such proceeding.
CITY OF AVENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric M. Soroka, ICMA -CM, City Manager
FROM: Commissioner Howard Weinberg
DATE: March 3, 2014
SUBJECT: FIU MAST Academy
Please place on the March Workshop Meeting a discussion regarding the School
Board's MAST Academy at the FIU campus.
Thank you.
HW /tms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
03/11/2014
Contact:
Eric M. Soroka, City Manager
Phone:
305 - 466 -8910
Fax:
305 - 466 -8919
City of Aventura
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
AVENTURA COMMUNITY GREEN GARDEN SET TO OPEN
Aventura, Florida ...
The City of Aventura announces the opening of the new Aventura Community Green Garden at
Founders Park south on Monday April 5, 2014. This new project features the opportunity for residents
to grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, and other plants in their own 4' x 12' garden section. The City is
now accepting Green Garden membership and garden section rental fees which are $100 per year
and membership in the Garden Club is $10 per year. Garden sections will be assigned in the order
that applications and the required fees are received.
The Community Green Garden will feature garden sections filled with sterilized topsoil that will be
fenced off and gated. Two hose bibs will be available for hand watering purposes. The Garden hours
will be 8 AM - 8 PM during the summer and 8 AM - 6 PM during the winter months.
For more information, visit cityofaventura.com for the Community Green Garden Club Rules and
Application, or call 305 - 466 -8008 for more information. Applications are also available at all City
parks and the Community Recreation Center.
szCe W Saw-164
City Manager
Stay informed! Visit the City's website and subscribe to MyAventura E- Notifications.
cityofaventura.com If @cityofaventura
CITY OF AVENTURA
AVENTURA COMMUNITY GREEN GARDEN RULES AND APPLICATION FORM
Rules of Membership and Assignment of Garden Sections:
Members of the Community Green Garden shall submit an application for the Aventura
Community Green Garden (ACGG) Membership where annual dues are $10.
Membership is for an individual or family and is non - transferable and non - refundable.
Membership is from April 1 of the current year to March 30 of the following year. New
members may join at any time during the year, providing they are 14 years of age or
older. Membership is limited to Aventura residents. Proof of residency is required when
submitting Application.
Annual fee for one garden section is $100 for a 4' x 12' section. Fee shall be due at the
time of application and can accompany the application for membership to the ACGG.
Fee is for one year. Members are limited to one section per year per household.
Garden sections are the property of the City of Aventura and cannot be sold, traded,
sub -let or exchanged by members.
Garden sections will be determined by a lottery system if demand exceeds the number
of garden sections available. Priority shall be given to Aventura residents who have not
previously rented a garden section. A waiting list will be maintained for applicants for
whom a section was not available and is based upon date of submission.
Garden Section rental applications will be available annually from February 15 through
April 30. All fees are due at that time. Sections may be shared, but only one Member
can be designated as the primary owner and must provide relevant information (names
and contacts) on the application. All section primary owners and co- owners shall be
Aventura residents, subject to satisfactory proof of residency. Partial year applications
will be considered on a case by case basis, pending availability.
Assignment of the garden sections will be done at the Aventura Community Green
Garden in person on a date(s) determined by the Community Services Director, or
designee prior to the current season. All sections will be numbered and recorded with
the current gardener(s) assigned to that section.
All gardeners are expected to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per year toward
Aventura Community Green Garden efforts such as overseeing the garden, pest
inspection, applying mulch to the paths as needed, etc.
A Garden section assignment and ACGG membership may be revoked at any time if
the member is guilty of failing to follow the rules of the Community Green Garden or
fails to properly maintain their garden section, at the City's sole discretion. The member
will be given a fair warning as to their violation and allowed one week to remedy. The
City will notify the member in writing of their violation and will inspect the section to
determine the remedy was applied. In the event of a revocation, membership dues and
rental fees are non - refundable.
The Gardener shall notify the City immediately if, at any time (work, illness, etc.),
permanently or temporarily, they are unable to properly maintain their section.
The Community Green Garden hours follow the operating hours of Founders Park.
Gardeners are expected to park only in designated parking spaces and follow the rules
of the Park.
Maintenance and Use Agreement:
The Aventura Community Green Garden should be a safe and enjoyable place to
garden, learn and socialize. In order to help ensure this, members of the Garden agree
to the following rules, terms and conditions:
1. 1 am permitted to plant vegetables, flowers or a combination thereof, except for
the following:
• No illegal plants.
• No invasive plants such as mints, ivy, liriope, etc. in the garden.
• No tall crops unless the crops do not shade neighboring sections.
• No crops shall be planted in common areas outside your defined garden
section.
• Any violations will result in revocation of section rental without refund.
2. 1 will have my garden planted no later than April 1.
3. 1 understand I am expected to generally visit my section at least once a week.
4. If my section becomes unkempt, I understand I will be given a one week notice to
clean it up. After notice has been given and one week has passed, if my section
is still unkempt, access to and use of my section shall be terminated and re-
assigned to another gardener in accordance with these rules.
5. 1 may ask another gardener who is a member of the Garden to water my section
or care for it if I cannot, but a non - member is not permitted to stop by and water
my section, harvest my vegetables or carry out any garden related activity.
6. 1 will harvest my vegetables promptly so as to not invite vandals, destructive
insect pests or waste.
7. 1 will bring my own tools to the garden and will remember to take them home with
me.
8. The Community Green Garden will be accessible during normal park hours by a
combination lock. I am responsible for knowing the combination in order to
access the Garden, which I shall not disclose to non - members.
9. If I bring children with me to the Aventura Community Green Garden, I will
supervise them at all times.
10. Pets are not permitted in Founders Park including the Aventura Community
Green Garden.
11.1 understand that the application of synthetic herbicides and pesticides is
prohibited at the Garden.
12.1 agree to participate in at least one workday during the garden year.
13.1 will not pick from another gardener's section, even if I think they have neglected
their section, unless given permission.
14.1 will either use the produce or flowers grown in my section for personal
consumption, donations, or an approved association fundraiser, and I understand
that the sale of any grown plantings is strictly prohibited.
15.1 will place unwanted plants or weeds in designated compost areas and will
dispose of trash in proper receptacles, or by taking home.
16.1 agree to keep the common areas of the Garden around my section maintained
and weed free.
17.1 will conserve the use of water by only hand watering my section or the common
areas of the Community Green Garden for which I am responsible, and I agree
that use of water is restricted to garden activities.
18.1 will get permission from the City if I want to make any improvements to the
infrastructure of my section. I understand that the theft of any crops, tools,
hoses, signage, containers, etc. will result in an immediate revocation of
membership.
19.1 will park my vehicle in the authorized parking areas only.
20.1 understand that no alcohol or smoking is permitted in the Garden
21.1 understand that any conflicts among gardeners or problems that may result will
be referred to the City for resolution.
22.1 understand that I am responsible for any health issues that result from insect
bites or any unknown causes that are a possibility in a garden environment or
working with soil.
23. The City will be responsible for the maintenance of the border fencing, signage,
the materials and structure of the sections, and the paths.
24.1 understand that the City has the obligation to enforce these rules and the
authority to resolve conflicts, including dismissing gardeners, at the City's sole
discretion.
25.1 understand that vandalism is a possibility in any community garden, and will not
hold the City responsible for any losses I may suffer.
26. As a member of the ACGG, I understand and agree to these rules.
27.1 understand that the City of Aventura has the ultimate authority for determining
the use of the Community Green Garden; accordingly, my use of the Community
Green Garden is further subject to the laws, regulations and policies of the City of
Aventura.
28.1 agree to sign a Waiver as required by the City.
29. These rules may be amended from time to time by the City.
AVENTURA COMMUNITY GREEN GARDEN
MEMBERSHIP AND SECTION RENTAL APPLICATION
Print Name:
Address:
Cell Phone: Secondary Phone:
Email Address: (a
The following ACGG members are authorized to tend my section, and must be
Aventura residents. Provide name, address and contact number for each person. A
maximum of three alternates is permitted, other than immediate family living at the
same address.
I have read, understand and agree to abide by all the rules and conditions of the
Aventura Community Green Garden. I further certify I am an Aventura resident.
Signed
FOR CITY USE ONLY:
MEMBERSHIP FEE COLLECTED:
SECTION RENTAL FEE COLLECTED:
SECTION # ASSIGNED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
PROOF OF RESIDENCY PROVIDED
(ATTACH COPY)
WAIVER SIGNED:
STAFF NAME (PRINT) AND ID #
DATE:
Date
($ AMOUNT)
($ AMOUNT)
(SECTION #)
(MM /DD/YYYY)
(DOC. TYPE)
(STAFF INITIALS)
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -14
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF PINECREST,
FLORIDA, URGING THE MIAMI -DADE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO RESTORE FULL
FUNDING TO THE MIAMI -DADE LIBRARY DISTRICT;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Whereas, the Dade County Home Rule Charter, adopted in 1957 by the electorate, assigned
the authority to provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, recreation areas, libraries, museums and
other recreational and cultural facilities and programs; and
Whereas, in 1961, the Florida Legislature adopted an act relating to libraries; providing for
appropriations to the state library board for disbursement as grants to counties, qualifying therefore,
to implement the state policy to encourage the establishment and development of free library service
throughout the state by grants of money to counties maintaining a free library service; and
Whereas, in 1962, the U.S. Congress passed the Library Service and Construction Act to
provide federal assistance to libraries for the purpose of improving or implementing library services
or undertaking construction projects; and
Whereas, in 1963, the Dade County Commission created the Dade County Public Library
Advisory Board detailing its duties, functions and responsibilities; and
Whereas, in 1965, Dade County provided for the establishment of free library service,
adopted a special library fund by budget ordinance, and approved an agreement originally
between Dade County and the City of Miami, which had established its library service in 1931, and
Coral Gables, where the City of Miami agreed to furnish library services to unserved areas of Dade
County, and those municipalities which may enter into inter -local agreements with the county to
operate their municipal library services, as part of the county free public library system; and
Whereas, in 1965, the Dade County Commission adopted a budget ordinance directing the
tax assessor to assess the millage for the Special library fund for the 1965 -66 year of .26 mill upon
all lands in the unincorporated areas of Dade County along with the ten municipalities not already
taxed for library services by their own municipality, and to enter into contracts for library services
with them, while additional municipalities then also joined the public library system paying into the
special library taxing district; and
Whereas, the Miami -Dade County Public Library System (the "MDPLS ") has now grown to
include 49 branches with a service area of over 2.5 million residents and over 8 million annual
visitors, and, as evidence of their vital importance to our community, opened a Pinecrest Branch in
2008; and
Whereas, the MDPLS, which is funded through ad valorm taxes and through state grants,
and Pinecrest property owners pay into the library special taxing district which was set at .3822 for
the library system in 2009, however each year thereafter, the millage rate was reduced; in 2010 to
.2840, in 2011 to .1795, and in 2012 to .1725, a significant reduction in special taxing district
millage rate, reduced by half over the past four years, which created a $23 million gap in required
funds, resulting in severe reduction in materials, staff, hours, and circulation and
Whereas, the impact of reduction of funding in 2010 - 2013 at the Pinecrest Branch - staff
were reduced from 16 full time staff to 6.5 full time staff, and public access hours have been reduced
by 13.5 hours, including one less day a week, and the critically needed student tutoring program
named SMART has been eliminated system -wide, and similar reductions in service have been seen
throughout the entire public library system; and
Whereas, a healthy public library system is critically important to promote literacy and
cultural awareness, fosters the joy of reading, and lifelong learning, and public surveys conducted
recently by the Miami -Dade County Mayor's office, as part of his Blue Ribbon Task Force,
demonstrate significant public support for the libraries and a willingness by the public to pay to
maintain our level of service; and
Whereas, the severe reduction in funding has caused a serious reduction in materials,
staff, resources and the inability to provide updated books and subscriptions with significantly
reduced service hours and resource materials to the Pinecrest Branch, and every library in the
county -wide system, thereby significantly reducing circulation and most importantly, access to
learning by children, teens, and adults alike throughout the county over the past four years;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF PINECREST,
FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Village Council hereby urges the Miami -Dade County Mayor and
Board of County Commissioners to fully fund the Miami -Dade Public Library System so that the
entire countywide system will return to the level of service achieved in 2008 so that the taxpayers
of Pinecrest, and every other municipality that has joined into this cooperative sharing of
resources, receive full value for their invested tax dollars.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this nth day of February, 2014.
indy Lerner, r
-2-
Attest:
Guiddl'I. In anzo, Jr., CMC
Village Cle
Approved as to Form and Legal Sufficiency:
it ell Bierman
Village Attorney
Motion by: Councilmember McDonald
Second by: Councilmember Ross
eZ
Vote: Councilmembers Cutler, McDonald, Ross, Vice Mayor Corrodino, and MayoF Lerner voting Yes
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