July 22, 2021 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
J U LY 22, 2021
Following 9:00 a.m. School Governing Board Mtgs. and Commission Mtg.
Aventura Government Center
19200 W. Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid Weisman
at 12:58 p.m. 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', City Manager Ronald J.
Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney David M. Wolpin. Commissioner
Robert Shelley was absent. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting
commenced.
2. Discussion: Electrical Vehicle Transportation — Freebee (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson provided a brief update on the pilot program, which is in its seventh week.
The Commission discussed enhancing the application to be more user-friendly similar to
Uber, using transportation dollars towards the program, reviewing the ridership amounts
for both the City shuttle bus and Freebee, possible future expansion of the Freebee route,
and increasing awareness of the program.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to place
this item on the November Workshop for further review and discussion.
3. Discussion: Miami-Dade County Ordinance Amending Chapter 33C of the
Miami-Dade County Code Expanding the Rapid Transit Zone in Incorporated and
Unincorporated Areas (City Manager): Mayor Weisman discussed the proposed
ordinance, prime sponsored by Miami-Dade County Vice Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, reviewed a brief analysis of the impacts
of the County's proposed ordinance including density and a new taxing district that would
include all of Aventura.
Mr. Wasson discussed the County's attempt to regulate/rezone the area and explained
the importance of the unity of cities to protect home rule.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes, with
future updates to be provided.
1 Commissioner Narotsky left the meeting during the discussion of Item 2.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—July 22, 2021
4. Review: Recommendation to Appoint Members and Alternates to the 2021-
2022 Youth Advisory Board (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the application and
interview process. The list of recommended members and alternates was reviewed.
The Commission discussed possibly limiting the members/alternates to 11th and 12th
graders in the future, placing a review of the ordinance on the next workshop agenda,
and providing ideas for this year's project.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to place a
resolution on the September Commission Meeting Agenda appointing the Board
members and alternates as recommended by Mr. Wasson. The students will be invited
to the September Commission Meeting to receive their certificates of appointment.
5. Discussion: Covid-19 Vaccine Outreach (Vice Mayor Dr. Marks): Vice Mayor
Dr. Marks suggested that the City be more proactive and have an initiative to encourage
residents to get vaccinated.
The Commission discussed different ways to promote the vaccine, as well as being a part
of the County's initiative.
Carolina Wesley, City intern and resident, provided comments.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to continue to explore ways to encourage vaccination participation and come up
with a plan for the City to be more proactive.
6. Discussion: Request to Change November 18th Workshop Meeting Date to
November 10th (Vice Mayor Dr. Marks): Vice Mayor Dr. Marks requested that the
November Workshop Meeting date be changed to November 10tn
The Commission considered alternate available dates.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to change
the November Commission Workshop Meeting from November 18, 2021 to November 4,
2021 at the same time of 6.00 p.m.
7. Discussion: Community Services Advisory Board (Vice Mayor Dr. Marks):
Vice Mayor Dr. Marks requested a discussion on the Board's duties regarding events
versus those of the Aventura Police Department Community Advisory Panel (CAP) and
the Aventura Police Foundation (APF).
Mr. Wasson discussed the CAP, which was formed to enhance the community's
relationship with the Police Department. It was explained that certain events were done
by the CAP in 2020, when City events were canceled due to the pandemic.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—July 22, 2021
The Commission provided suggestions on smaller events that could be done and the
need for improved coordination between the entities discussed to provide additional
events for the community.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to implement a plan to provide better coordination between the Police
Department, the CAP, the APF, and the Community Services Advisory Board for events.
Additionally, Mr. Wasson was requested to plan something to recognize the City's
volunteers.
Per Vice Mayor Dr. Marks' request and consensus of the City Commission, the following
item was added to the agenda:
Communication: Vice Mayor Dr. Marks discussed the need for enhanced
notification to condominium and homeowner associations for City items including updated
social media platforms not limited to postings on the website.
Mr. Wasson discussed a system that was being looked at to increase communication
efforts via text messaging.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to continue working on improved communication efforts to the community, with
the assistance of Commissioner Landman as needed.
8. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 2:28 p.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath City Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on September 2, 2021 .
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