May 19, 2022 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
MAY 19, 2022
9:00 a.m.
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 9:05 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Commissioner Rachel S.
Friedland', Commissioner Billy Joel, 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. Vice Mayor Denise Landman was
absent. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. Discussion: Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Aventura
and the Dade County Police Benevolent Association (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
explained the proposed MOU allowing officers to buy back prior military service to count
towards pension credit for the City, at no cost to the City.
The Commission discussed the item and possibly paying for actuarial calculations one
time and also changing "he" to "they" wherever used in the document.
Police Chief Michael Bentolila, Assistant City Manager/Former Police Chief Bryan
Pegues, and Mr. Meyers provided comments.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of a Resolution on the June 14, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda
for the item as presented, changing only the word "he" to "they" in the MOU document
Section 36-27(b)(3).
3. Discussion: Amendment to Section 36-27 of the Police Pension Plan and
Trust Fund "Buy-Back for Military Service, Prior Law Enforcement or Correctional
Officer Service" (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained that an amendment to the Code
would enact the changes as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, as discussed
in the prior item and detailed in the agenda via the proposed Ordinance.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of the Ordinance on the June 14, 2022 Commission Meeting Agenda
for the item as presented, changing only the word "he" to "they" in Section 36-27(b)(3).
'Participated via virtual communications media teclmology.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—May 19, 2022
Consensus was provided to recess the City Commission Workshop at 9.18 a.m. until the
conclusion of the School Governing Board Meetings, in order to accommodate the
schedules of the Principals.
The City Commission Workshop was reconvened at 10.17 a.m. The meeting was called
to order by Mayor Weisman. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman,
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland2, Commissioner Billy Joel, 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. Vice
Mayor Denise Landman was absent. As a quorum was determined to be present, the
meeting commenced.
4. Discussion: Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Zoning Requirements (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson provided introductory remarks for the item.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, reviewed information on the Floor Area
Ratio requirements, as outlined in the agenda.
The Commission discussed the item including the upcoming Brightline, the County's
desire to increase the City's density to sustain the train, and the need to review certain
sections of the City's building code.
Mr. Wasson and Mr. Klopp discussed the transit zone, the metropolitan urban center, and
the County's proposed ordinance.
Mr. Meyers and Mr. Klopp will provide an analysis on what the City and Miami-Dade
County would have control of.
Police Chief Michael Bentolila provided comments.
Former Commissioner Howard Weinberg provided comments.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to schedule a workshop, provide the date of the County meeting, get the City's
lobbyist involved, and provide the County's proposed ordinance. Additionally, a
comparative analysis will be provided to the City Commission.
5. Discussion: Designation of Voting Delegate for the Florida Leaque of Cities
Annual Conference (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the request from the League
to provide the name of a voting delegate to represent the City at the Business Session at
the Annual Conference in August 2022.
Mayor Weisman offered to serve as the voting delegate and Commissioner Friedland
offered to serve as the alternate.
2 Participated via virtual communications media teclmology.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—May 19, 2022
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to select
Mayor Weisman as the voting delegate and Commissioner Friedland as the alternate.
The following additional items were discussed:
City Advisory Board: Mr. Wasson reported on the current Youth Advisory Board
application process and suggested that the name be changed to allow a child of a
Commissioner to serve.
The Commission discussed the different options as provided by Mr. Meyers.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to amend
the Ordinances for all City Advisory Boards to provide language for them to report to the
City Manager, in lieu of the City Commission. An Ordinance will be placed for first reading
on the June 14, 2022 City Commission Meeting Agenda and for second reading on the
July 12, 2022 City Commission Meeting Agenda.
Communications: Mr. Wasson introduced the new Communications Manager,
Joanna Johnson, who then provided comments.
Evan Ross, City Consultant - Public Communicators Group LLC, explained his role in
creating content for social media.
Mr. Wasson responded to questions regarding the department and consultant.
The Commission suggested that the property managers throughout the City be invited for
a lunch meeting to review the communications plan.
Police Chief Michael Bentolila provided comments.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide the structure of the Communications Department, as well as job
descriptions for employees and consultants, within a week.
Founders Park South: Mr. Wasson distributed and reviewed plans for the
Founders Park South Facility, including areas for tennis, pickleball, and planters.
FreeBee: Mr. Wasson distributed and reviewed the Zone Summary for FreeBee,
showing the number of passengers/rides and wait times. He reported that ride requests
around 2 p.m. were being analyzed.
The Commission discussed minors using the services.
Mr. Meyers provided comments on the Commission's ability to restrict the age of riders.
Mr. Ross provided comments.
Former Commissioner Howard Weinberg provided comments.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—May 19, 2022
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to limit the
age for passengers to 18 and up.
6. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11.55 a.m.
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" G Ellisa L. Horvath IVIVC, City Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on June 14, 2022.
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