March 19, 2020 Commission Regular Workshop Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
A,6effura WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Virtual Meeting
Via Telephonic
MARCH 19, 2020 conferencing
0 9:00 A.M.
This meeting was held in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 2020-69.
Because of COVID-19, and the need to ensure the public health, safety and welfare,
this meeting was conducted remotely via telephonic conferencing through
GoToWebinar. Members of the public were provided with instructions on how to access
the meeting via telephone.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 9:02 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor
Marc Narotsky, 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: Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust - CITT (City
Manager): This item was deleted by the City Manager from the agenda prior to the
meeting.
City Manager Summary: None.
3. Annual Selection of Representative to the Miami-Dade County League of
Cities (City Manager): Mr. Wasson requested that the Commission provide the annual
selection of a representative to the Miami-Dade County League of Cities, which is
currently Commissioner Weinberg.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Commissioner Weinberg to continue serving as the City's representative and for Mayor
Weisman to serve as the alternate.
4. Discussion: Position of Assistant City Manager (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
explained his request to create an Assistant City Manager position, as outlined in his
memorandum dated March 13, 2020.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to proceed with the creation of the Assistant City Manager position as
presented and to provide a job description, as well as an outline of the daily items that
would be delegated to that position.
5. Discussion: Land Acquisition for Veterans Park Expansion (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson reviewed an offer by the Peninsula Condominium Board of Directors for the
City to lease approximately half an acre of land south of Veterans Park.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission to authorize
Mr. Wasson to have discussions with the Peninsula Board regarding the City's interest
in purchasing the land and the cost associated with doing so. Should a purchase option
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 19, 2020
not be available, consensus was given to proceed with a long-term lease of at least 50
years. Direction was also given for Mr. Wasson to provide the Commission with a
specific use for the property.
6. Discussion: Management of Don Soffer Aventura High School by Charter
Schools USA at Aventura, LLC (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the letter sent
to Charter Schools USA voicing the Commission's concerns regarding teacher
recruitment, curriculum, and equipment for the high school.
The following provided comments on behalf of Charter Schools USA: John Hage (CEO),
Dr. Eddie Ruiz (Florida State Director), Rachel Windler-Freitag (South Florida Area
Director), and David McKnight (DSAHS Principal). The Commission's concerns were
addressed including those items outlined in the response letter from Charter Schools
USA to the City.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Charter Schools USA to send a monthly report to Mr. Wasson, to be provided to the
Commission at the Workshop Meetings, including the following items: a list of vacancies
and new hires, recommendation on the use of new state funding, and an outline of the
steps taken to focus on a creative performance model for hiring teachers.
7. Discussion: Coronavirus Prevention Plan (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
provided a brief overview on the steps taken by the City thus far including closures and
working with the assisted living facilities.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide the Commission with all items including directives and press
releases that have been sent out thus far, as well as in the future, and to inform the
Commission of any known positive cases in Aventura. Additionally, Mr. Wasson will
provide the community with the County and State directives and ensure enforcement of
same. Finally, Mr. Wasson was directed to provide a plan to the Commission, as
aggressive as possible, to be put into effect by the weekend.
8. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11 :35 a.m.
ay Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on April 6, 2020.
Page 2 of 2