May 14, 2020 Commission Regular Workshop Minutesq �x
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
MAY 14, 2020
Following the 9:00 a.m. Special Commission Meeting
Virtual Meeting Via Video Conferencing
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 11.13 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor
Howard Weinberg, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi, Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Robert
Shelley, 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.
Mayor Weisman previously provided a statement regarding the virtual format of the
meeting held via video conferencing through Zoom, as specified on the meeting agenda
and enabled by the Governor's Executive Order 2020-69 (extended through Executive
Order 20-112), as a result of the state of emergency due to COVID-19.
2. Discussion: Resolution for Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS)
$1,000 Student Scholarship Award (Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks):
Commissioner Dr. Marks suggested that a scholarship for high school seniors be
established for Don Soffer Aventura High School, similar to the one the City established
for Michael Krop High School.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with a resolution establishing a scholarship for high school seniors, in an
amount of at least $2,500, for Don Soffer Aventura High School.
3. Discussion: Employment (Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks): Commissioner
Dr. Marks requested that the Commission consider ways to assist unemployed
residents with finding jobs.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to research the feasibility of providing links on the City's website to entities that
provide employment assistance, including the Aventura Marketing Council, and to report
back to the Commission.
4. Discussion: COVID-19 Testing (Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks): Mr.
Wasson discussed the plans for Miami -Dade County and the City for reopening, as part
of Phase 1 on May 18, 2020. It was reported that the Banyan testing site, currently at
the Aventura Mall, would open at Waterways Park on May 18th for approximately a
month. Commissioner Dr. Marks suggested that the Commission may want to consider
extending the length of time the testing site is at the Park.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes — May 14, 2020
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide an update on this item at the June Commission Workshop and for
the Commission to determine if the testing site should be extended past June at that
time.
5. Update: Investment (Commissioner Robert Shelley): Commissioner Shelley
suggested that the City consider different investment options, due to the current
environment. Mr. Wasson provided a summary of investments. Brian Raducci, Assistant
City Manager — Finance and Administration, reported on the City's investment portfolio,
which was being monitored and adjusted as needed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for an
investment update to be provided at every Regular Commission Workshop, with the
investment advisors in attendance.
6. Discussion: Resolution Expressing Support for Police Efforts in
Combatting Cyber Crimes (Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi): Commissioner Mezrahi
requested a resolution be considered to create awareness of the Commission's support
of the police efforts in combatting cyber crimes.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
City Attorney to proceed with drafting a resolution for consideration.
The following additional items were discussed:
Mr. Wasson provided additional information on the Phase 1 opening plan for the City on
May 18, 2020 and will provide the Commission with the opening plans for the Aventura
Mall. The Commission discussed the importance of the businesses and the public to
follow the rules and guidelines, which would be enforced by the City. It was the
consensus of the City Commission for Mr. Wasson to provide updates on this item at all
Commission Meetings.
Vice Mayor Weinberg requested that the Commission consider an anti -hate resolution,
related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as requested by the Anti -Defamation League. It was
the consensus of the City Commission to place a resolution on the June 9th Commission
Meeting agenda.
7. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 12:15 p.m.
A�� -
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on June 9, 2020.
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