March 18, 2021 Aventura City Commission Workshop Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 18, 2021
9:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting Via Video Conferencing
The meeting was held via video conferencing through Zoom, as specified on the meeting
public notice and agenda, as a result of the continued COVID-19 state of emergency.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid Weisman
at 9:03 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor Robert
Shelley, Commissioner Jonathan Evans, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland',
Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Marc
Narotsky, 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: Aventura Police Department Community Advisory Panel
(APDCAP) (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the presentation to provide
information to the Commission regarding the Panel, which enhances the relationship
between the community and the police department.
Police Chief Bryan Pegues provided a brief overview of the Panel and its creation.
Michael Stern, APDCAP Chair, provided a presentation explaining the initiative, which
included the following: Mission, How It All Started, Teamwork, Accomplishments, Current
& Future Initiatives, Social Media, Goal, and Questions. The Panel consists of Cindy
Orlinsky, Michael Stern, Aletha Player, Rabbi Guido Cohen, Yvonne Llauger, and Amit
Bloom.
The Commission provided comments including appreciation of the Panel, promoting their
efforts, and a portion of the money raised during their fundraising efforts going to the high
school.
Chief Pegues additionally discussed the new department K-9, staffing, and recent cases
closed.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
3. Discussion: Donation of Axiom Sculpture — Aventura Hospital and Medical
Center (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reported that the item was tabled at the Art in Public
' Commissioner Friedland arrived during the APDCAP Presentation.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 18, 2021
Places Advisory Board Meeting, to allow for the Board to review the available spaces for
art throughout the City.
City Manager Summary: Mr. Wasson will place this item on a future agenda, once
the Art in Public Places Advisory Board provides a recommendation.
4. Review: Budget Hearing Dates (City Manager): Mr. Wasson suggested that the
City's budget hearings be scheduled for the following dates/times: September 13, 2021
at 6:00 p.m. for the first hearing and September 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for the second
hearing.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
First Budget Hearing to be scheduled for September 13, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. and for the
Second Budget Hearing to be scheduled for September 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
5. Review: Terms of Service for Appointed City Boards (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson reviewed the terms of service for the Boards and suggested that the terms be
reviewed to attain continuity of duration and appointment/termination dates.
The Commission discussed two-year term lengths and the possibility of staggering the
terms of the members on each Board.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide a recommendation at a future workshop.
6. Discussion: Resolution in Support of Home Rule (Mayor Weisman): Mayor
Weisman discussed the current threat to home rule by the legislators in Tallahassee and
requested that the Commission support the League of Mayors in considering a letter
and/or resolution supporting home rule.
The Commission was urged to follow the bills, specifically the one dealing with the bright
futures scholarship, and to encourage their constituents to write letters and make phone
calls to the Florida legislators.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wolpin to provide letters for the Commission to send and for Mr. Wasson to also place a
resolution on the April 6, 2021 City Commission Agenda.
7. Update: COVID-19 (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the City's current
policies regarding COVID-19 and provided an update on park hours, upcoming movie
night, and the splash pad.
The following additional items were discussed:
Emergency Info Plan: Former Senator Ronald Silver, accompanied by John
Pastore and Matt Melton — Emergency Info Plan, provided a presentation explaining how
medical information can be stored on cell phones for access by first responders during
emergencies, as well as providing notification to emergency contacts.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 18, 2021
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to obtain additional information for a proposal for Aventura.
Mr. Wasson provided information on the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer
Department project on Island Boulevard and N.E. 183rd Street, with street closures
anticipated for two months. A video showing the closed area will be provided online and
to affected buildings to distribute to their residents.
8. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:15 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MM ; City Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on April 6, 2021 .
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