March 21, 2017 - Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
Aventura WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
MARCH 21, 2017 19200 W Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
9:00 A.M.
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CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Marc
Narotsky at 9:00 a.m. The following were present: Vice Mayor Marc Narotsky,
Commissioner Denise Landmanl, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner
Gladys Mezrahi, Commissioner Robert Shelley, Commissioner Howard Weinberg, City
Manager Eric M. Soroka, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney David M.
Wolpin. Mayor Enid Weisman was absent. As a quorum was determined to be present,
the meeting commenced.
1. CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE (City Manager): Mr. Soroka distributed
and reviewed a Recommended Action Plan for Aventura Charter High School. The plan
included an operating model, proposal to build a gym on the grounds of Waterways
Park to reduce costs and have a shared community facility, funding model for the
construction of the school and timetable, and Action items needed to open the facility by
August 2019.
Jonathan Hage, CEO - Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) and Rachel Windler-Freitag,
Vice President of Education for CSUSA reviewed information on Charter Schools USA,
experience with operating high schools, and the framework for a curriculum focused on
a college prep program.
The Commission discussed a variety of items including future public community
outreach meeting to be scheduled when the plan is further along, the possibility of
designing the school so additional floors could be added later, and possible donor
naming rights.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to authorize
the City Manager to proceed with the plan as presented and to send out a press release
on what was being done.
2. STORMWATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE (City Manager): City Consulting
Engineer Peter Aquart — Craven Thompson & Associates, Inc. reviewed a
Comprehensive Stormwater Management Master Plan PowerPoint, dated March 2017,
covering the following items: storm drainage system and basins, sea level rise, and sea
walls. It was pointed out that those not meeting the current level of service standard
were being addressed by projects in the CIP and that private systems may be required
to update. It was recommended that the items be reviewed every five to ten years.
Mr. Soroka summarized that the stormwater system was good for the next 50 years, a
review should be done every 10 years, sea wall criteria and private property drainage
should be addressed including the possibility of requiring additional wells at private
properties that are overloading the City's system, and the future possibility of changing
Commissioner Landman participated via telephone.
Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 21, 2017
the requirements for properties to improve their systems for projects renovating at 20%-
25% instead of 50% (FEMA).
City Manager Summary: No action - this item was provided for informational
purposes. Legislation to address private property drainage issues will be presented at
future workshop meetings.
3. PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS REVISIONS (City
Manager): Community Development Director Joanne Carr reviewed the nine
recommended updates, in the Land Development Regulations Recommended Updates
2017 PowerPoint. Mr. Soroka spoke in favor of the recommended revisions.
After receiving input from the Commission, Ms. Carr will review allowing more than five
feet, if the setback is larger, as part of the recommendation for item 9 (amending
Section 31-238 regarding awnings and canopies).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to proceed
with the recommended revisions, for placement on the May Local Planning Agency
Meeting Agenda, as well as the Regular Commission Meeting Agenda.
4. CITIZENS' INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION TRUST UPDATE (City
Manager): Mr. Soroka and Finance Director Brian Raducci provided an Overview of
The Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) PowerPoint, dated March 2017.
The following items were reviewed: a Background of the Program, the City's
Maintenance of Effort ("MOE") — Ongoing Appeal, a Suggested Recalculated MOE
Amount, the Inequity of MOE Calculation, and Action to Resolve the MOE Issue.
It was pointed out that the County was aware of the issue and is taking steps to address
the problem and has assured the City that no action will be taken on this item.
City Manager Summary: No action - this item was provided for informational
purposes.
5. COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS: Mr.
Soroka reviewed two items recommended by the CSAB for Commission consideration.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission for a member
of the CSAB to provide a report no longer than five minutes at the Commission
Meetings on forthcoming events. There was consensus that pictures of the Board not be
provided on the City's website.
6. PROPOSED RESOLUTION OPPOSING HB 17 - PREEMPTING LOCAL
REGULATION OF BUSINESSES: Mr. Soroka reviewed a Resolution from the City of
Miami Beach and explained House Bill 17, which would remove City Commission
authority to regulate local businesses.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 21, 2017
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April Commission Meeting Agenda, opposing
House Bill 17.
The following additional items were discussed:
It was the consensus of the Commission for the CSAB to receive feedback from the
organizer and the Community Services Director on the recent Arts Crafts & Jazz
Festival. The Commission also requested that the CSAB look at the possibility of a jazz,
wine, and cheese event in place of the art component at a smaller venue.
It was the consensus of the Commission to spend money on other events with better
participation rather than on the Senior Prom, which attendance had diminished.
Commissioner Dr. Marks recommended that an item be placed on the April Workshop
Meeting Agenda to review the process for the City Clerk's evaluation.
7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11 :20 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, ity Clerk
Approved by the Commission on April 4, 2017.
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