September 14, 2017 Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes The :City of CITY COMMISSION
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y WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
entura SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 19200 W. Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 9:00 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor
Howard Weinberg, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi, Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Robert
Shelley', City Manager Eric M. Soroka, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney
David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
1. FOUNDERS DAY UPDATE (City Manager): Mr. Soroka requested that
discussion of this item be canceled until the October Workshop.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to cancel
discussion of this item until the October Workshop.
The following item was taken out of order, by consensus of the Commission:
4. SITE PLAN UPDATE (City Manager): Community Development Director
Joanne Carr reviewed an application for the Turnberry Resort Water Amenity Expansion
and reported that the applicant was directed to meet with the neighboring property
(Coronado) regarding the project.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes. Mr.
Soroka will report back with additional information.
2. 2018 MEETING SCHEDULE (City Manager): Mr. Soroka reviewed the tentative
schedule for the 2018 Commission meetings.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to review
the schedule and provide Mr. Soroka with any requested changes within a week. The
schedule will be finalized at the October Workshop.
3. LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES (City Manager): Mr. Soroka
reviewed the proposed list of legislation, for the City to endorse and support for 2018, as
well as seeking financial assistance for stormwater drainage improvements.
The Commission reviewed the items and the following suggestions were made: adding
an item to support traffic needs by alleviating congestion and rewording the stormwater
funding item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a
resolution to be placed on the October Commission Meeting Agenda adopting the 2018
Legislative Program and Priorities as presented, with the addition of an item supporting
the reduction of traffic congestion through alternate transportation modes and rewording
' Commissioner Shelley participated via telephone.
Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 14, 2017
the stormwater funding item.2
5. CONFERENCE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST (Mayor
Weisman/Commissioner Dr. Marks): Mayor Weisman and Commissioner Dr. Marks
requested that the resolution addressing attendance at conferences be reviewed to
allow for the Sayfie Summit and attendance at other conferences to be automatically
paid for by the City, in lieu of the need for approval and reimbursement.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that the
current Resolution (2015-66) not be changed and that approval be given for Mayor
Weisman and Commissioner Dr. Marks to be reimbursed for their attendance at the
Sayfie Review Florida Leaders Summit, should it be rescheduled.
Item 6 was moved to the end of the agenda, by consensus of the Commission.
7. HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION UPDATE (City Manager): As directed
by the Commission at the prior Workshop, Mr. Soroka provided information on the cost
of Commission members to participate in the City's group health insurance plan as
follows: $10,039 annually ($836 monthly) per individual, not including spouse or family
coverage.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission that a
resolution be drafted to allow individual members of the Commission, not dependents,
to participate in the City's health insurance program, with applicable premiums to be
paid by those elected officials who participate. Additionally, Mr. Soroka will provide the
cost for spouse/family coverage at the next Workshop.
8. PROPOSED CHARTER REVISION (Vice Mayor Weinberg): Vice Mayor
Weinberg suggested that a Charter revision question be placed on the November 2018
ballot to determine if the amount of time a term-limited Commissioner is required to wait
to run for a Commission seat again should be changed back from four years to two
years.
The Commission discussed the staggered Commission terms and the resign to run
requirement.
After Commission discussion, Vice Mayor Weinberg amended his request as follows: to
place a Charter revision question on the November 2018 ballot to determine if a term-
limited Commissioner should be allowed to run for the Mayor seat.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission for Mr.
Wolpin to provide draft language at the October Workshop, as discussed for a Charter
revision question.
2 Commissioner Narotsky did not participate in the discussion of item 9 of the Legislative Program.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 14, 2017
6. CITY CLERK PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROCESS (Commissioner Dr.
Marks): Commissioner Dr. Marks reviewed a salary survey for the City Clerk and
suggested an adjustment in Mrs. Horvath's salary.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to
provide Mrs. Horvath with a salary increase to $120,000 and a 3% increase (as included
in the budget for all other employees) based on that amount, effective October 1, 2017.
The Clerk's performance bonus will be discussed at the October Workshop, in line with
her hiring anniversary date.
The following additional items were discussed:
Commissioner Dr. Marks discussed the information provided to the Commission
regarding the recent hurricane (Irma) and requested direction on the information that
she is able to distribute as a Commissioner. It was the consensus of the Commission
that any information provided be consistent with the reports provided by the City
Manager.
Mr. Soroka reported on the impact of Hurricane Irma on the City. It was the consensus
of the Commission for City personnel that worked to receive a letter of commendation
from the Commission, in recognition of their efforts during and after the storm.
Additionally, Commission members should provide the names of those in the
community that should be recognized with a proclamation for their contributions to the
City as a result of the storm.
Commissioner Landman suggested that the City collect items for the Key West
residents that were still at a shelter at FIU, as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Irma.
Mr. Soroka discussed the plan to organize a drop-off at a City facility next week. It was
the consensus of the Commission to proceed with collection efforts within the City and
to provide the informational flyers to the condominiums, as well as online, etc.
Mayor Weisman requested that the Commission be provided with cell phone numbers
for the Police Chief and Public Works Director, to be used for emergencies if the City
Manager could not be reached. It was the consensus of the Commission for the
Commissioners to contact the Police Dispatch to reach the Police Chief or Public Works
Director, should they be unable to reach the City Manager.
Mayor Weisman requested that the Commission be provided with access to all of the
floors at Government Center. It was the consensus of the Commission for the
Commissioners requesting access to all of the floors to be provided with such.
Mr. Soroka provided an update on the traffic lights affected by Hurricane Irma.
9. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Dr. Marks, seconded by
Commissioner Narotsky, and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at
11:35 a.m.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 14, 2017
i
C.
Ellisa L. Horvath, 0, City Clerk
Approved by the Commission on October 3, 2017.
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