July 22, 2021 Aventura City Commission Special Meeting Minutes ry a� x
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
J U LY 22, 2021
FOLLOWING 9:00 A.M. SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 10:49 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Enid
Weisman, Vice Mayor Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Jonathan Evans, Commissioner
Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Denise Landman, 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by interns Carolina Wesley and
Morgan Matlaga.
Mayor Weisman recognized Florida Senator Jason Pizzo, who was in attendance.
Per Mayor Weisman's request and consensus of the City Commission, the following item
(Item 4) was taken out of order:
ORDINANCE - FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Wolpin read the
following Ordinance title:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ARTICLE I "IN GENERAL" OF CHAPTER 14 `BUILDINGS AND BUILDING
REGULATIONS" OF THE CITY CODE, TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY TO THE
CITY OF BUILDING ENGINEERING REPORTS WHICH REFLECT BUILDING
CONDITIONS, INCLUDING STRUCTURAL AND LIFE SAFETY COMPONENTS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PENALTY; PROVIDING
FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Mayor Weisman and seconded by
Commissioner Friedland.
Mayor Weisman provided a brief overview of the Ordinance, which was drafted in
response to the building collapse in the Town of Surfside and to be proactive regarding
building engineering reports.
Aventura City Commission Special Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2021
The Commission discussed the parties to be responsible for providing the reports to the
City, penalties, timing requirements, reports to be filed after the effective date, and
payment of any fines.
Mr. Wasson and Mr. Wolpin explained the Ordinance further including the handling of the
City's internal operations by the City Manager, public access to the reports, demand for
reports, and life/safety issues.
Senator Jason Pizzo provided comments regarding the tragedy in Surfside, the upcoming
legislative session in Tallahassee, the Florida Department of Business & Professional
Regulation, and in support of the proposed Ordinance.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment.
The following members of the public provided comments: Steven Weisman (3802 N.E.
207 Street#603, Aventura)and Howard Weinberg (Hidden Bay Condominium, Aventura).
There being no additional comments, Mayor Weisman closed the item for public input.
A consensus of the City Commission was provided to amend the Ordinance as follows:
Section 14-1(a) add language to allow for the designation of a qualified designee by an
Association President with required written filing with the City, Section 14-1(b) provide
language to add a designee as a responsible person, Section 14-1(c) allow and/or email
filing of the report, and add a section outlining the responsibility of the Community
Association for the payment of any fines.
The motion for approval of the Ordinance as amended passed unanimously, by roll call
vote.
It was the consensus of the City Commission to schedule the second reading of the
Ordinance for August 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
2. OVERVIEW AND REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET: Mr. Wasson reviewed the
highlights of the budget process for the upcoming year as outlined in the budget message.
Mr. Wasson provided an overview of the proposed 2021/2022 budget document, as
follows:
A. GENERAL FUND: Revenues, General Government Departments
(including City Commission, Office of the City Manager, Legal, City Clerk's Office,
Finance, and Information Technology), Police Department, Community Development
Department, Community Services Department, Public Works/Transportation Department,
Arts & Cultural Center Department, Non-Departmental, and Capital Outlay.
Mr. Wasson additionally provided an overview for the following funds: (C) Police
Education Fund, (D) Transportation and Street Maintenance Fund, (E) 911 Fund, (F) Debt
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Service Funds, (G) Capital Projects Fund, (H)Aventura Charter High School Construction
Fund, (1) Stormwater Utility Fund, and (J) Police Off-Duty Services Fund.
A motion to approve the review for the General Fund (A) and additional Funds listed (C-
J) to proceed to the Budget Hearings was offered by Commissioner Evans and seconded
by Commissioner Friedland.
The Commission discussed the budget with the following items highlighted: Aventura's
continued lowest millage rate in Miami-Dade County, future review of annual cost of living
adjustment for employees, review of providing a receptionist, possibly increasing the
amount of park and recreation employees, future personnel salary compensation study,
additional income that is anticipated but not noted in the budget (American Rescue Act),
and scheduling a workshop when additional money is received for Commission input on
how the money should be spent.
Mayor Weisman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
The motion to approve unanimously passed, by roll call vote
B. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH TENTATIVE
MILLAGE RATE: Mr. Wolpin read the following Resolution title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA,
FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE 2021/2022
FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE PUBLIC
HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND TENTATIVE
BUDGET;AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion to approve the Resolution was offered by Commissioner Evans and seconded
by Commissioner Landman.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the Resolution to establish a millage rate for the 2021/2022 fiscal
year of 1.7261 per $1 ,000 of taxable assessed value.
The proposed dates for the budget hearings were presented, as provided in the agenda,
as follows: First Budget Hearing September 13, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. and Second Budget
Hearing September 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Weisman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
The motion to approve the Resolution unanimously passed, by roll call vote, and
Resolution No. 2021-43 was adopted.
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3. RESOLUTION: Mr. Wolpin read the following Resolution title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA,
FLORIDA, AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE CITY'S GROUP HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM TO UNITEDHEALTHCARE FOR ITS CHOICE PLUS
BWRJ WITH RX 124X AND V1458 FOR HEALTH AND VISION INSURANCE AND
SELECT AETNA FOR THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) AS
SPECIFIED IN THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ("RFP"); AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER, ON BEHALF OF SAID CITY, TO EXECUTE ASSOCIATED
CONTRACTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS
NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion to approve the Resolution was offered by Commissioner Evans and seconded
by Commissioner Friedland.
Mr. Wasson discussed the RFP process and the recommendation as provided in his
memo and subsequent Resolution.
Ruth Tickle, City Broker/Consultant — The Rhodes Insurance Group, and Jorge Godoy,
United Healthcare, provided comments.
Mayor Weisman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
The motion to approve the Resolution unanimously passed, by roll call vote, and
Resolution No. 2021-44 was adopted.
5. ORDINANCE - SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Wolpin read the
following Ordinance title:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ARTICLE VH"CODE OF ETHICS"OF CHAPTER 2"ADMINISTRATION" OF THE
CITY CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECENT AMENDMENT OF CITY CHARTER
SECTION 7.03(B) PROVIDING FOR ENHANCED ETHICS PROVISIONS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN CODE;AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Evans and
seconded by Commissioner Narotsky.
Mr. Wasson provided a brief review of the Ordinance, to implement the changes as
approved by the voters at the April 27, 2021 Special Election.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, Mayor
Weisman closed the item for public input.
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The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed unanimously, by roll call vote, and
Ordinance No. 2021-12 was adopted.
6. RESOLUTION: Mr. Wolpin read the following Resolution title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA,
FLORIDA, URGING PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR. AND THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TO CONDEMN THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING
OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS AND SUPPORT THE CUBAN PEOPLE IN
THEIR STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND BASIC NEEDS;EXPRESSING SUPPORT
FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY AND BASIC NEEDS
AND DENOUNCING THE CUBAN DICTATORSHIP'S VIOLENCE AGAINST THE
CUBAN PEOPLE; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion to approve the Resolution was offered by Commissioner Friedland and
seconded by Commissioner Dr. Marks.
Mayor Weisman reviewed the Resolution provided and sponsored in Miami-Dade County
by Senator Rene Garcia, County Commissioner.
Mayor Weisman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
The motion to approve the Resolution unanimously passed, by roll call vote, and
Resolution No. 2021-45 was adopted.
7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Narotsky, seconded by
Commissioner Dr. Marks, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at
12.46 p.m.
ziAl
Ellisa L. Horvath, M , ity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on September 2, 2021 .
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