October 21, 2021 Aventura City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2021
Following 9:00 a.m. City Commission Special Meeting
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 9:33 a.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, 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.
2. Presentation: Proposal to Amend Current Existing Arrangements with Clear
Channel Outdoor (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the request from Clear
Channel Outdoor to amend their current agreement with the City, due to the required
removal of an existing billboard structure as a result of the Brightline project and
subsequent pedestrian bridge. He reviewed the proposal to replace the structure they
need to move by placing it at one of their old locations in the City, as well as the new
annual fee.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with placing a resolution for the proposed amendment on the Commission Meeting
Agenda.
3. Update: Community Services Department (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
introduced Community Services Director Kimberly Merchant, who reviewed the specific
plan for the 26th Annual Founders Day scheduled for November 7th, including the news
release, flyer, activities & attractions, community stage, layout map, marketing plan, and
transportation & parking plan.
The Commission discussed the possibility of providing COVID-19 testing and/or
vaccinations on site, which Mr. Wasson will look into.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
4. Discussion: Impact Fees (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the information
on the current impact fees, as provided in the agenda.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—October 21, 2021
The Commission discussed the current fees, the school impact fee that goes to the Miami-
Dade County school district and is not currently shared with the City, and developers
improving the roadways as part of their development approval.
Mr. Wolpin reviewed the State law on development impact to the City.
Mr. Wasson will provide a report on the prior letter of credit discussed and a cost estimate
to determine if the amount of the credit will cover the amount of roadway work to be done.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to compare the current impact fees with neighboring municipalities, communicate
with the County on the amount of the school fees imposed, and to look at the legality with
the City Attorney on providing a mechanism to impose a certain amount for roadway
improvements as part of the City approval process, as well as the addition of other allowed
fees.
5. Discussion: Weekend Construction (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed a
request to discuss the possibility of not allowing construction work on Saturdays.
Commissioner Narotsky suggested that construction work in the City be limited to
Mondays through Fridays, due to issues with noise.
The Commission discussed reviewing approval on a case by case basis based on the
proximity to residential areas, the elimination of work on Saturdays resulting in increased
construction time to finish projects, buildings having their own restrictions, and the
possible restriction on heavy exterior construction.
Mr. Wasson and Mr. Wolpin reviewed the current City Code.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide the Commission with a plan at the November workshop outlining a
hybrid solution with options to consider.
6. Discussion: City's Legislative Programs and Priorities for Upcoming
Session (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed Legislative Program and
Priorities for 2022.
The Commission discussed the items as listed on the Program and Priorities, as well as
the addition of an item pertaining to no-fault insurance and safer driving efforts.
Mr. Wasson will invite the City's lobbyist, Ronald Book, to attend a meeting for review of
the items with him.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with a resolution for the items as discussed and presented, with the addition of an item
requesting the Florida Legislature to study the elimination of the automobile no-fault law,
as a means of enhancing safer driving.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—October 21, 2021
7. Membership: Mr. Wasson reviewed the following in order:
a. Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Advisory Board (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson discussed the three vacancies on the Board.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Mr. Wasson to advertise for the three vacancies.
b. Don Soffer Aventura High School Advisory Board (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson reviewed the applications received and recommended that the current three
members be reappointed to serve another two-year term.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
place a resolution on the November Commission Meeting Agenda reappointing Patrick
Brown, Jorge Garcia, and Dana Marin to the DSAHS Advisory Board for another two-year
term.
c. Don Soffer Aventura High School Foundation, Inc. (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson discussed the four vacancies on the Board and the amount of member turnovers
on the Board, and requested direction from the Commission.
The Commission discussed putting the Foundation on hold and readdressing it next year,
having a freestanding Foundation that doesn't report to the Commission, reviewing the
by-laws for possible modifications, speaking to the current members about their thoughts
regarding the Foundation, and speaking with the Principal regarding his relationship with
the Foundation.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for
Mr. Wasson to meet separately with the DSAHS Principal, as well as the current
Foundation members, and to come back to the Commission with the results of those
conversations.
8. Discussion: 2022 Proposed Commission Meeting Schedule (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed dates for the 2022 City Commission meetings.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to accept
the City Commission meeting schedule with the following changes: move the March 24th
workshop to March 15th, move the May 3rd meeting to May 10th, move the June 7th meeting
to June 14th, move the July 28th workshop to July 21st, and move the November 17th
workshop to November 3rd
9. City Clerk Annual Review: The Commission discussed the City Clerk's
performance during the past year.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to provide
Mrs. Horvath with a 5% salary adjustment and an annual performance bonus of either
$7,500 or the amount from the formula discussed, whichever is the maximum of those
two figures.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—October 21, 2021
The following additional items were discussed:
Mr. Wasson will provide an update on the Miami-Dade County School Board's school
mask policy once it has been decided.
Mr. Wasson provided an update on the pickleball court.
Mayor Weisman allowed for public comment from the following: Jonathan Hodorov
(Aventura resident).
10. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:13 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, M , City Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on November 2, 2021.
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