March 15, 2022 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2022
Following 9 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 9:20 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor Rachel S.
Friedland, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Robert Shelley, City Manager Ronald J.
Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney Robert Meyers. As a quorum was
determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. Update: Charter Schools USA Legislation (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
introduced the item to be reviewed by Mr. Pozzuoli.
Ed J. Pozzuoli, Director — Tripp Scott Attorneys at Law, provided an update on the
legislative session including new legislation impacting the City's two charter schools
including the following: Budget, Charter School Legislation, Parental Rights in Education,
Student Assessments, School Campus Safety and Mental Health of Students, and
Financial Literacy Instruction. He will provide a summary of the items discussed for
distribution to the Commission. Mr. Pozzuoli also provided a brief review of the City
Commission's role to set policy, as Governing Board Members for both schools.
The Commission discussed the items presented.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes. Mr.
Wasson will send thank you letters to Senator Diaz and Representative Rizo for their work
during the session.
3. Discussion: Proposed Modifications to the Shadow Limitations within the
City's Land Development Regulations for the RMF4 Zoning District (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson briefly explained the letter from Attorney Brian Adler requesting the
adjustment of regulations on shadow limitations in the RMF4 zoning district.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, reviewed the City's Code regarding
shadow restrictions on adjacent properties, which limits the shadow an RMF4 property
can cast and is more restrictive than the B2 zoning district.
The Commission discussed the item and available options.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—March 15, 2022
Mr. Wasson and Mr. Klopp spoke in favor of changing the regulations.
Brian Adler, Esq. - Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP(1450 Brickell Avenue,
Suite 2300, Miami) provided comments and encouraged a change in the Code.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the addition of an allowance for conditional use approval on a project-by-project
basis, for properties in the RMF4 zoning district.
4. Update: Special Election for Commissioner Seat 3 (City Clerk & City
Attorney): Mrs. Horvath reported that following the qualifying for candidates held last
week, Billy Joel was the sole candidate to qualify for Seat 3 and, as such, is deemed to
be elected by operation of law. A Resolution certifying the election process and also
cancelling the Special Election scheduled for August 23, 2022 will be provided on the next
Commission Meeting Agenda. The term for Commissioner-Elect Billy Joel will commence
on April 5, 2022, when he is provided with the oath of office, in order to allow him time to
complete his work on the City's Police Pension Board.
The City Commission discussed the item and congratulated Billy Joel, who was in
attendance.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April 5, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda for
the item as presented.
5. Discussion: Runoff Elections (City Attorney): Mr. Meyers reported on the lack
of direction in the City Code regarding a tie vote for elections and recommended that
something be implemented by Ordinance, prior to the November 2022 election, to
address that.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Meyers and Mr. Wasson to provide a report on how other municipalities address the issue
and recommendation on the procedures the City should adopt in the event of a tie vote
at the April Workshop.
6. Update: Conversion Plan to On-Demand Transportation Service Review and
Follow-Up (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the conversion plan as provided in the
agenda outlining an increase of on-demand transportation and decrease of the express
bus service.
The Commission discussed the item and requested that the Tesla "Y" model be
considered, without a third row, to allow more room for riders.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for information purposes. Mr.
Wasson will advise Freebee that no gambling or advertising for things in other cities
should be allowed on the City's Freebee vehicles.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—March 15, 2022
7. Discussion: Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement Between the City and
the Village of Biscayne Park (City Manager): Mr. Wasson, accompanied by Assistant
City Manager Bryan Pegues and Police Chief Michael Bentolila, explained the item as a
standard agreement with other law enforcement agencies, which is used daily. The plan
to consolidate all of the individual mutual aid agreements into one agreement, through
the Miami-Dade County Chiefs of Police Association, was discussed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April 5, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda for
the item as presented.
8. Discussion: Approval to Re-Roof the Gym at the Aventura Community
Recreation Center as an Emergency Expenditure (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
reviewed the item for a full roof replacement at the Recreation Center, with a 25-year
warranty.
The City Commission discussed the item.
Mr. Wasson reported that the work on the roof at the Arts & Cultural Center was done as
an emergency repair, with a 20-year warranty, in lieu of a full roof replacement due to the
urgency.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April 5, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda for
the item as presented. Additionally, Mr. Wasson will look into the potential for the use of
solar.
9. Discussion: Revision of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the City's
Police Department (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the request to add two items
to the Police Department's American Rescue Plan Act project list.
The Commission discussed the item and requested that monthly updates on the approved
projects be provided at the April 51h Commission Meeting and at future monthly
Commission Workshops following that.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April 5, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda for
the item as presented.
10. Discussion: Adoption of Resolution Awarding Contract to the Lowest Bidder
for Electrical Maintenance Services (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the bids
received for electrical maintenance services and recommended the award to the two
lowest and responsive bidders.
The City Commission discussed the item and pointed out that the best bidder should be
awarded, which may not necessarily always be the lowest.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—March 15, 2022
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the April 5, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda for
the item as presented.
11. Discussion: Rescheduling May 101h Commission Meeting to May 3rd (City
Manager): Commissioner Shelley requested that the May 101h City Commission Regular
Meeting be rescheduled to another date.
The City Commission discussed alternate dates.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to change
the May 101h City Commission Regular Meeting to May 12th
12. Discussion: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman's
Retirement (City Manager): Mayor Weisman requested that the City Commission
consider doing something for Commissioner Heyman, who will be leaving office in
November 2022.
The City Commission discussed various ideas, with specific emphasis on a cocktail
reception.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to move
the September Commission meeting to the Arts & Cultural Center, to be followed by a
cocktail reception in honor of Commissioner Heyman.
The following additional items were discussed:
Following a request by Commissioner Dr. Marks and discussion, Mr. Meyers will look into
the possibility of the City requiring packaged foods at delis to have "packed on" and "sell
by" dates on them.
Commissioners wanting to visit the new Miami Lighthouse for the Blind facility should
coordinate doing so through Mr. Wasson.
Mr. Wasson reported on the possible land available west of the dog park, to move the
Waterways Park tot lot.
The Commission discussed the upcoming private service on March 31 st for Commissioner
Jonathan Evans, as well as the event honoring Bryan Pegues on March 7tn
Following a suggestion by Mayor Weisman and discussion, each Commissioner will
nominate a woman who either works or live in Aventura to be recognized as a "sheroe".
Evan Ross - Public Communicators Group, provided comments on what could be done.
This item will be discussed at the April Workshop.
Following discussion to show support of Ukraine, Mr. Wasson will look into the possibility
of lighting Government Center in blue and yellow.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—March 15, 2022
13. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:01 a.m.
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Ellisa L. Horvath IVIMC, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on April 5, 2022.
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