April 19, 2018 Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
y eye WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
�Y � ���1 APRIL 19, 2018 19200 W.Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
Following 9 a.m. Commission Meeting
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 9:56 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.
2. APPOINTMENT OF ADHOC CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
LIAISON (Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman withdrew this item from the agenda.
City Manager Summary: None.
3. CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE (Eric Soroka): Eric M. Soroka, CMCS
Consulting Services, LLC, distributed and reviewed the Aventura High School Update,
dated April 2018 covering the following items: Variance Requests, Site Plan Approval,
Site Clean Up/Interim Source Removal, Construction Drawings/Plans/Permitting,
Charter Contract, FF&E, and Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Mr. Soroka discussed the costs for site cleanup and scheduling a groundbreaking
ceremony.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that the
Groundbreaking Ceremony be scheduled for June 12, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
4. INVESTMENT POLICY UPDATE (Brian Raducci/Insight Investment): Brian
Raducci, Finance Director, reviewed the City of Aventura Investment Policy Overview
PowerPoint dated April 19, 2018 covering the following items: Today's Objectives,
History of Investment Policy, Scope/Objectives of Investment Policy, Portfolio Summary
03/31/2018, Summary of Interest Rates (Annual), and Investment Manager/Custodian
Annual Fees.
Mrs. Grant and Mr. Raducci responded to questions regarding the following: investment
and banking fees, exploring other banking opportunities that provide interest instead of
only earnings credit, increasing amount for Israeli bonds, and providing a
comprehensive review of the investment policy.
David Witthohn, Senior Portfolio Specialist — Insight Investment (the City's Investment
Manager), distributed and reviewed the City of Aventura Investment Management
Program Review dated April 2018, covering the following items: Portfolio Performance
Review, Market Environment & Strategies, Investment Policy Review, and Important
Disclosures.
Mr. Witthohn reviewed the recommended changes to the Investment Policy,
(Administrative Policy Directives and Procedures Manual — Investment Objectives and
Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—April 19, 2018
Parameters) specifically items for the following: Performance Measurement (6.6.3),
United States Government Agencies and Maturity Limitations (6.6.5), Portfolio
Composition (6.6.6), and Investment Parameters — Maturity and Liquidity Requirements
(6.6.9 and 6.6.10).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission that an RFP
be done for banking services, the current bank be notified of the City's plan, the
investment strategies be reviewed, and that an investment update be provided every six
months. A meeting will be scheduled once recommendations for a more comprehensive
change to the Investment Policy is available.
5. AVENTURA TALKS (Commissioner Mezrahi): Commissioner Mezrahi reported
that the Youth Advisory Board had recommended proceeding with the Aventura City
Talks Program and had suggested that the first topic be Cyber Safety/School Safety, to
be held at the library in Aventura. The concept of a panel of speakers with interaction
from those in attendance was discussed.
In response to comments provided, Mrs. Grant will contact the State Attorney's Office
regarding their program on cyberbullying for possible participation in the City's program.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with scheduling the first Aventura City Talks Program on May 17, 2018 from 6
p.m. until 8 p.m. at the library, geared towards middle school and high school aged kids.
6. ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
(Susan Grant, Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman reported on the application process.
Mrs. Grant explained that six of the seven current members had requested to continue
serving on the Board, thus leaving a vacancy to be filled. Additionally, she
recommended that the Board be increased from seven to nine members, as allowed per
City Ordinance. The following were recommended for appointment to the Board: Amit
Bloom, Ellen Elias, Judy Scott Lotwin, Gloria Muroff, Rita Regev, Lisa Robbins, Renee
Rotta, Edna Schenkel, and Lenore Toby-Simmons.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a
Resolution to be placed on the May Commission Meeting Agenda, to appoint the
following members to the Arts & Cultural Center Advisory Board: Amit Bloom, Ellen
Elias, Judy Scott Lotwin, Gloria Muroff, Rita Regev, Lisa Robbins, Renee Rotta, Edna
Schenkel, and Lenore Toby-Simmons.
7. MOU WITH PBA FOR PENSION BUYBACK (Susan Grant): Mrs. Grant
explained the negotiation with the Police Benevolent Association to allow officers hired
prior to the time that the City established a pension plan to buy back pension credit at
the impacted members own expense. It was reported that the PBA voted unanimously
in favor of the MOU.
Chief Bryan Pegues provided comments and explained that the Ordinance would affect
13 employees.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—April 19, 2018
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that a
Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding amending the existing PBA contract,
as well as an Ordinance amending the City's Code, be placed on the May Commission
Meeting Agenda as presented.
8. DOG PARK UPDATE (Commissioner Dr. Marks): This item was removed by
consensus of the Commission and discussed during the Commission Meeting on April
19, 2018.
City Manager Summary: See Commission Meeting minutes dated April 19,
2018.
9. BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS RESOLUTION (Commissioner
Landman): Commissioner Landman explained the BDS movement and requested that
the Commission consider passing a resolution opposing such discrimination, similar to
the Ordinance adopted by Bal Harbour Village, as provided in the agenda.
The Commission discussed the bill recently signed by Governor Scott.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a
Resolution to be placed on the May Commission Meeting Agenda, including reference
to the State's bill.
10. 25TH ANNUAL PBA AWARDS GALA (Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman
requested that the Commission consider purchasing a table for the gala, in support of
the PBA and the City's Police Department.
Chief Pegues provided comments and noted that the Police Department would be
purchasing their own table.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission that the City
purchase a ticket for those Commission members wishing to attend. Any spouse/guest
accompanying the Commission member would need to pay for their ticket.
Commissioner Weinberg discussed the upcoming Miami-Dade County League of Cities
Annual Gala and suggested the City increase its ad size to a full page from a quarter
page, in support of the League. Mrs. Grant will find out if the ordered ad could be
increased, since the deadline had passed.
11. SUPPORT FOR MIAMI-DADE POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION ADOPTION
OF FEDERAL DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM (Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman
requested that the Commission consider a resolution supporting the Chiefs of Police
resolution as provided in the agenda.
Chief Pegues explained the resolution.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—April 19,2018
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a
Resolution to be placed on the May Commission Meeting Agenda, supporting the one
passed by the Miami-Dade County Association of Chief of Police.
12. 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
11:25 a.m.
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EllisaL. Horvath, MM Wiity lerk
Approved by the Commission on May 1, 2018.
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