January 24, 2020 Commission Regular Workshop Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
Aventura WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES ventura Government Center
1 vent W. Country Club Drive
JANUARY 24, 2020 Aventura, Florida 33180
--- 9:00 A.M.
1. 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
Marc Narotskyl, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi, 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. Presentation: Aqua Development Biscayne Boulevard (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson introduced Mr. Bercow for the presentation of the Aqua Development project.
Jeffrey Bercow, Esq. (Bercow Radell Fernandez & Larkin - 200 S. Biscayne Blvd. Suite
850, Miami, FL), along with Bernardo Fort-Brescia, Architect (Arquitectonica — 2900 Oak
Avenue, Miami, FL) and Sherri Gutierrez, Architect (Arquitectonica — 2900 Oak Avenue,
Miami, FL) reviewed a proposal for a project at 17651 Biscayne Boulevard, which would
require comprehensive plan and zoning code amendments.
Joanne Carr, Community Development Director, reviewed the City's current policy not
permitting residential projects on Biscayne Boulevard and recommended that a planning
study of the commercial corridor on that street be done to determine the impact, should
the Commission decide to proceed. The next steps including submittal for site plan
approval, comprehensive plan and code amendments, and conditional use approval
subject to staff review and comment during the process were discussed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
project to proceed through the process.
3. Presentation: Freebee (City Manager): Mr. Wasson introduced Mr. Spiegel,
Freebee, who was invited to provide a presentation regarding on-demand electric
shuttles, as a follow-up to the request from Commissioner Weinberg and direction from
the City Commission at the November Workshop.
Jason Spiegel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner — Freebee, reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation highlighting the aspects of the alternative electronic transportation solution
including the following: introduction, company overview, program benefits,
drivers/community ambassadors, economic development, proposed demonstration
project, and funding solutions.
The Commission discussed the cost, the current shuttle bus program, and receiving
proposals.
Vice Mayor Narotsky participated via speaker telephone.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—January 24,2020
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to move
forward with a request for proposals and for the City Manager to provide a financial plan
for an on-demand electric shuttle program to the Commission.
4. Discussion of Establishing an Auditor Selection Committee (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson explained the new state statute requiring an auditor selection committee,
as part of the process to assist the City Commission with the selection of a new auditor
for the City and School annual audits.
Commissioner Shelley offered to serve as Chair. Mr. Wasson reviewed the resumes of
the two local government finance professionals recommended by staff to serve on the
Committee as follows: Scott Simpson (Chief Financial Officer— Miami Parking Authority)
and Melissa Cruz (Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director — Town of Bay Harbor
Islands).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that the
Auditor Selection Committee be established with the following three members:
Commissioner Robert Shelley (Chair), Scott Simpson, and Melissa Cruz.
5. Changes to the 2020 City Commission Meeting Schedule (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson reviewed requested changes to the 2020 City Commission Meeting
Schedule.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to accept
the proposed changes to the 2020 Commission Meeting Schedule as follows: move the
March Commission Meeting to March 10th, move the May Workshop Meeting to May
14th, move the June Commission Meeting to June 9th, move the September Commission
Meeting and First Budget Hearing to September 9th, and schedule the Second Budget
Hearing for September 16th at 6:00 p.m.
6. Update: Waterways Tot Lot (Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner Dr.
Marks updated the Commission on her meeting with the City Manager regarding this
item. Mr. Wasson discussed the possibility of leasing property to relocate the tot lot to a
property near the LA Fitness at Waterways. The Commission also discussed moving
the tot lot to the southeast corner of the Waterways Park and providing a separate
entrance.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide information for both options outlining the costs, etc.
7. Discussion: Pickle Ball Court (Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner Dr.
Marks discussed requests received from the north end of the City to provide a pickle
ball court.
The Commission discussed requests for pickle ball courts, as well as additional tennis
courts.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to ascertain the interest of the community in a pickle ball court and to provide
costs to possibly convert a tennis court to a pickle ball court during a time the court
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—January 24,2020
wasn't used.
Following a request by Commissioner Dr. Marks and consensus of the City
Commission, the following item was taken out of order:
9. Discussion: Community Services Advisory Board (Commissioner Dr.
Marks): Commissioner Dr. Marks recommended that resident Marjorie Rosenblatt be
appointed to the Community Services Advisory Board. Mr. Wasson reported that there
was a vacancy on the Board, due to the recent resignation of Annette Weissman.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
provide a resolution on the February 4, 2020 Commission Meeting agenda appointing
Marjorie Rosenblatt to the Community Services Advisory Board, for the remainder of the
term for Annette Weissman.
8. Discussion: High School Information Letter (Commissioner Dr. Marks):
Commissioner Dr. Marks requested review and input on the information requested by
the Commission at the November Workshop Meeting.
The following documents were distributed for discussion: Don Soffer Aventura High
School Frequently Ask Questions, School Grading Framework (Don Soffer Aventura
High School 2019-2020), and Don Soffer Aventura High School information pamphlet. A
brief video was viewed.
Rachel Windler-Freitag, Charter Schools USA Vice President of Education, provided
comments.
The Commission provided input on the video and documents.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Commissioner Landman to work with Don Soffer Aventura High School in conjunction
with Charter Schools USA to create a positive public relations campaign.
The following additional items were discussed:
David McKnight, Principal — Don Soffer Aventura High School, reviewed the application
process at the high school.
Commissioner Dr. Marks requested that the Commission consider looking at the
possibility of creating a middle school or a primary center for ACES, to provide
additional seats for residents.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Commissioner Dr. Marks to work with Mr. Wasson on obtaining information to provide
the Commission with available options.
Rachel Windler-Freitag, Charter Schools USA Vice President of Education, provided
information on amending the ACES charter.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—January 24, 2020
A Commission Liaison Meeting will be scheduled for February 18, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.,
per Commissioner Dr. Mark's request.
10. Update: Visitor's Center (Commissioner Mezrahi): Commissioner Mezrahi
reviewed a proposal to provide a Visitor's Center in partnership with the GMCVB on the
first floor of Government Center, at no cost to the City.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with a Visitor's Center as proposed.
11. Discussion of Resolution Authorizing the City to Join the Florida Hate
Crime Coalition (FHCC) (Commissioner Weinberg): Commissioner Weinberg
requested that the Commission consider adopting a resolution authorizing the City to
join the Florida Hate Crime Coalition and supporting House Bill 655 to enhance Florida
hate crime laws.
Eric Ross, Senior Associate Regional Director — Anti-Defamation League Florida
Region, provided comments.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with consideration of the resolution as provided on the agenda for the Special
Commission Meeting, following the Workshop Meeting.
12. City Manager Annual Review: Mr. Wasson distributed the 2019 Manager's
Report outlining accomplishments for the year. The Commission provided input.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
provide Mr. Wasson with a $10,000 salary adjustment.
The following additional item was discussed:
Mr. Wasson will provide a schedule to the City Commission members participating in
the trip to Tallahassee.
13. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:43 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, Cit Jerk
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Approved by the City Commission on February 4, 2020.
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