September 19, 2019 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
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y �{-u�l eye WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
erLa SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 19200 W.Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
9:00 A.M.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Weisman at
9:01 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor Denise
Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi,
Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Robert Shelley, Commissioner Howard
Weinberg, City Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City
Attorney David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting
commenced.
2. Discussion of Awarding City Key to the Consul General of Israel (Mayor
Weisman): Mayor Weisman requested that the Commission consider awarding a key to
the City to Lior Haiat, an Aventura resident and Consul General of Israel, based on the
information provided in the agenda.
Following Commission discussion and review of the criteria and procedure for awarding
a key to the City, Mr. Wolpin reported that the key could be awarded without placement
on the October 2nd Commission Meeting Agenda, in order to meet the timing and
presentation requirements discussed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to award
a key to the City to Lior Haiat, without a formal resolution, to be presented by the Mayor
at the event discussed. Additionally, consensus was given to have Orvieto's Awards
create a City key fob, to be presented with the key.
3. Proposed General Housekeeping / Updates to the City of Aventura Code
(City Manager): Community Development Director Joanne Carr presented a
PowerPoint titled Land Development Regulations - Recommended Additions & Update
2019 and reviewed the recommendations as outlined in the agenda memo. Ms. Carr
deferred proposal III regarding regulations for electric vehicle charging stations, for
further review of changes proposed by an electric vehicle manufacturer.
The Commission provided the following comments for review and/or inclusion in the
recommendations:
• VI. Wall Sign Regulations for Assisted Living Facilities — review other municipal
codes for limitations on illumination and colors.
• VII. Sign Regulations for Business Ownership Identification Logo — require
variance request to allow for Commission review.
• VIII. Artificial Turf Regulations - add the following language as a requirement for
turf in roadway medians: "where water drainage remains problematic."
The following members of the public provided comments: Mickey Marrero, Esq. (Bercow
Radell Fernandez & Larkin, 200 S. Biscayne Blvd. Suite 850, Miami) on behalf of the
Imperial Club.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 19,2019
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with the proposed recommendations, with the comments provided.
4. Discussion of Appointment of Applicants to the 2020 Census Complete
Count Committee (City Manager): Mr. Wasson provided the name of an additional
applicant, for a total of 13 recommended committee members, as provided in the
agenda memo.
Community Development Director Joanne Carr provided an update on the process, with
the Count Committee scheduled to meet in October to formulate the promotional
program, to be presented to the Commission at the November 21, 2019 Workshop
Meeting.
The following members of the public provided comments: Aventura resident (the
Atrium).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to invite
the 13 noted applicants to participate on the Complete Count Committee and to
continue an enhanced community outreach for volunteer applications.
5. Recommendation to Appoint Members to the Youth Advisory Board (City
Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the recommendations for the Youth Advisory Board
members and alternates.
Following Commission discussion, a student from Don Soffer Aventura High School was
placed on the Board as a member, in place of a student from another school.
Mr. Wasson briefly discussed the projects he anticipated the Board working on,
including the upcoming census.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to place
a Resolution on the October 2, 2019 Commission Meeting Agenda appointing the
following members to the Youth Advisory Board: Emily Briskin, Chloe Freitas, Sofia
Korn, Rebecca Richmond-Parks, Gabriela Sartan, Jade Stein, and Carolina Wesley,
with the remaining applicants to be appointed as alternates.
Per Mayor Weisman's request and consensus of the Commission, the following item
was taken out of order:
10. Discussion of Sister City with Israel (Mayor Weisman): Mayor Weisman
explained the interest from Ramat Gan, a City in Israel, in becoming sister cities with the
City of Aventura.
Haim Yehezkel explained that Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama would like to provide a
presentation to the Commission regarding his city.
The Commission discussed the desire to work something out on its own, in lieu of going
through the sister cities organization, should it be decided to proceed. Mr. Wolpin
discussed the process for an agreement.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 19,2019
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
City of Ramat Gan to provide a presentation at a future Commission Workshop Meeting.
October Commission Workshop Meeting: Mr. Wasson requested that the
Commission Workshop Meeting scheduled for October 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. be
changed, due to a conflict with a meeting with the Miami-Dade County Public School
Board.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
change the October Commission Workshop Meeting to October 14, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Wasson reported that the school opening celebration for the Don Soffer Aventura
High School was scheduled for October 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
6. Discussion of City's 25th Anniversary Commemorative Issue of the
Aventura News (City Manager): Mr. Wasson distributed the Aventura News
commemorative issue from the City's 20th Anniversary and requested approval to
proceed with something similar for the City's 25th Anniversary.
Mr. Wasson also discussed the upcoming 10th Anniversary for the Aventura Arts &
Cultural Center and requested the approval of funds for an event.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with an Aventura News commemorative issue recognizing the City's 25th
Anniversary in 2020, for approximately $4,000. Additionally, consensus was given to
budget up to $50,000 for the Arts & Cultural Center 10th Anniversary celebration.
7. Discussion of Communication (Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner Dr.
Marks engaged the Commission in a discussion on communication from the City
Manager, including meeting/event calendars and upcoming items in the City involving
the school, traffic, etc. to enable the Commission to provide the information to their
constituents in a timelier manner.
In response to Commission discussion, Mr. Wasson will increase community outreach
to local veterans for participation in Veteran's Day. Additionally, communication with the
local publications will be increased regarding the achievements at the City's schools.
The following member of the public provided comments: Mariana Vargas (Florida
International University student journalist).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to notify them of any major policy decisions ahead of time and to provide
meeting/event calendars applicable to them for enhanced scheduling, as well as any
other pertinent upcoming items in the City.
8. Discussion of Extension of Contract between CMCS Consulting Services,
LLC and the City of Aventura for an Additional Two Months (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson reviewed the remaining items left to resolve with the contractor for the high
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—September 19, 2019
school building and requested that the contract with CMCS be extended to allow Mr.
Soroka to finalize everything for the project.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a
Resolution to be placed on the October 2, 2019 Commission Meeting Agenda extending
the contract with CMCS Consulting Services, LLC for a period not to exceed December
31, 2019.
9. Discussion of Active Shooter Quick Reference Guide (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson distributed and reviewed the City of Aventura Active Shooter Event Quick
Reference Guide.
The following members of the public provided comments: Aventura resident (the
Atrium).
City Manager Summary: No action — this item was provided for informational
purposes.
11. Discussion of Visitor Center (Commissioner Mezrahi): Commissioner
Mezrahi discussed a request from the GMCVB to provide a visitor center in Aventura,
consisting of a rack with brochures for activities in Aventura, as well as south Florida.
The Commission discussed the un-manned kiosk, as well as alternate locations other
than at Government Center.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
photos of the proposed kiosk to be presented, for possible placement at the Arts &
Cultural Center, for further discussion at a future Commission Workshop Meeting.
The following additional items were discussed:
The Commission discussed the upcoming Super Bowl (LIV) and the need to be involved
in discussions and to explore endeavors with the Super Bowl Committee, since
Aventura is the host city for one of the teams. Mr. Wasson will report back to the
Commission at the October 14, 2019 Commission Workshop Meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:15 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, M ity Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on October 2, 2019.
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