February 22, 2018 Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
Ay �} �e WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
i . ent ui I a FEBRUARY 22, 2018 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 9:01 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor
Robert Shelley, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi, Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Howard
Weinberg, City Manager Susan L. Grant, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney
David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
A moment of silence was observed in recognition of the mass shooting tragedy at
Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Mayor Weisman reported on recent County approval of the Citizen's Independent
Transportation Trust's (CITT) recommendation to utilize a more reasonable
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculation formula for the City; thus, increasing the
likelihood of the City's ability to retain all of the transportation surtax proceeds that it
receives.
1. CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE (Eric Soroka): Eric M. Soroka (CMCS
Consulting Services, LLC), along with Jon Hage, CEO Charter Schools USA (CSUSA),
provided an update on the new Charter High School. Representatives of the CSUSA
Education team provided a presentation highlighting the following: Ivy League
Feedback, Learning Environment (space), Key Educational Components, Challenge-
Based Learning, Sample Academies, Aventura Academies, Sample 9th and 10th Grade
Course Offerings, Technology Enhanced Learning, and Technology and Pedagogy.
The Commission discussed the following items: community connection and getting local
companies involved, guidance counseling process, interface between universities,
consistent awareness beginning at 9th grade, focus on well-rounded students while also
being academically rigorous, parent workshops starting at the end of 8th grade, strict
code of conduct, interpersonal skills, and importance of classroom design.
Mayor Weisman provided a letter from a principal in Singapore.
The following members of the public provided comments: Mrs. Stein, Steve Weisman,
and Carolina.
Mr. Soroka reviewed the timeline and the process with DERM for the site.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that the
CSUSA team proceed with surveying parents and plan a working session (K-8
principals, parents, high school teachers), with the plan to put together a strong outline
to bring back to the Commission for review.
The Commission took a five minute break. The meeting reconvened at 10:51 a.m.
Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—February 22, 2018
2. Charter High School Naming (Eric Soroka): Mr. Soroka reviewed the
proposed agreement with the Soffer Family for naming rights to the high school in
recognition of a $2 million donation.
After discussion of sections 3(b) and 4 of the agreement, it was the consensus of the
Commission that for section 3(b) no other naming rights would be allowed on the
exterior, but that naming rights for the interior should be allowed. Additionally, the term
for section 4 should be limited to ten years and that any other naming rights would be
upon mutual agreement of the City Commission.
Mr. Soroka and Mr. Wolpin explained that the resolution accepting the agreement would
provide a section exempting the proposed naming rights from Resolution No. 2000-39.
The following members of the public provided comments: Frida Lapidot.
The Commission discussed the name of the school. It was the consensus of the
Commission to remove the word "Charter" thus naming the school "Don Soffer Aventura
High School."
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission for Mr.
Soroka to review the items discussed with the Soffer Family and if they were in
agreement to proceed with placing a resolution on the March Commission meeting
agenda.
3. Is Medical Marijuana the New Opioid Crisis? (Commissioner Mezrahi):
Commissioner Mezrahi provided a PowerPoint presentation and clarified that she was
not against medical marijuana, but was in favor of educating people on its impacts. She
requested Commission approval to go to Tallahassee on behalf of the City Commission
before the next session, to provide information/education.
Chief Bryan Pegues provided comments on impacts to the law enforcement community
and discussed the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area study on The
Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: the Impact.
Mr. Wolpin discussed the City's ordinance banning dispensaries, which was the extent
of the City's current legal options.
Commissioner Mezrahi spoke against recreational marijuana being placed on a future
ballot, or if it is to be able to educate people on both sides of the story. As such, she
requested support for the item to be placed on a future legislative agenda, to allow her
to lobby Tallahassee on behalf of the City.
It was suggested that Commissioner Mezrahi first meet with members of the Miami-
Dade delegation locally on her own behalf, to gauge on where they stand on the issue.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes— February 22, 2018
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to obtain
additional information for this item. Mrs. Grant will provide the Commission with the
study discussed by Chief Pegues.
4. Discussion on Gun Violence (Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman discussed a
request from City of Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan to consider a resolution similar to
the one he provided urging legislative action on gun violence, in response to the recent
mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Chief Bryan Pegues, ACES Principal Julie Alm, and ACES School Resource Officer
Manny Diaz provided comments.
The Commission discussed a letter from the Miami-Dade County Mayor, Miami-Dade
County Public Schools Superintendent, Miami-Dade County School Board Chair, Miami-
Dade State Attorney, and Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners Chair
requesting State funding for items to enhance school safety.
The following members of the public provided comments: Frida Lapidot.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with drafting a resolution for the March meeting based on the resolution
provided by Mayor Ryan, with input from the Commission as provided to Mrs. Grant, as
well as adding language to support the letter from Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade
County Public Schools, and the Miami-Dade County State Attorney.
5. 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 approved; thus adjourning the meeting at
12:10 p.m.
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Ellisa L. Horvath,'
City Clerk
Approved by the Commission on March 6, 2018.
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