December 15, 2022 Aventura City Commission Workshop Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
DECEMBER 15, 2022
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 Howard S.
Weinberg at 9.16 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Vice
Mayor Billy Joel, Commissioner Amit Bloom, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland,
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Michael
Stern, 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. Discussion: 2023 Proposed City Commission Meeting Schedule (City
Manager) and Meeting Attendance Policy (Mayor Weinberg): Mr. Wasson reviewed
the proposed schedule for the Commission meeting and workshop to be held in 2023.
The City Commission discussed the schedule and clarified the following dates: January
511, January 1911, February 23rd, March 7th, March 16th, April 4th, July 11th, and September
5 t h
Mayor Weinberg discussed the policy prior to COVID for attendance at meetings and
workshops.
The City Commission discussed limiting access to meetings for Commission members
via Zoom to solely medical/family emergencies and extraordinary circumstances.
Mr. Meyers provided information on meeting policy as provided in the City Charter.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
establish the schedule for the meeting dates as provided with the changes discussed.
Additionally, it was the consensus to have an understanding on the meeting protocol for
access via Zoom rather than having a written policy.
3. Discussion: 2023 Proposed Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) and
Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS) Meeting Schedules for Governing
Boards (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed meeting schedules for both
school governing boards.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—December 15, 2022
The City Commission discussed the schedules and clarified the following dates: February
23rd and April 20th. The continuance of the Commission Liaison meetings was also
discussed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
establish the schedules for the meeting dates as provided with the changes discussed.
Additionally, it was the consensus to continue the Commission Liaison meetings at this
time.
4. Discussion: Adoption of IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism
(Commissioner Kruss): Commissioner Kruss discussed the increase in anti-Semitic
acts throughout the country and spoke in favor of proceeding with a resolution adopting
the working definition as provided in the draft in the agenda.
The Commission discussed the item. Mayor Weinberg reported on his recent trip to the
Mayor's International Summit to Combat Antisemitism in Greece.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with a resolution for the item as provided.
5. Discussion: Community Development Matters:
a. Proposed Color Palette for Buildings (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
discussed the prior request from the City Commission for staff to provide a
recommendation for a color palette for buildings in the City.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, reviewed the recommendation to utilize
a combination of the model from the City of Homestead for the process and the color
palette from the City of Coral Springs.
The City Commission reviewed the item including the following: addressing buildings
repainting the same color not within the color palette and including more color options
such as blue, etc.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with the process as outlined, but to research broadening the color palette.
b. Ten-Year Painting Requirement (City Manager) and c. Annual
Structural Maintenance Certification (City Manager): Mr. Wasson and Mr. Klopp
reviewed the recommendation to amend the City Code to require painting and/or
waterproofing of exterior building surfaces, as well as annual structural maintenance
certification, based on a report of the Miami-Dade County Grand Jury regarding the
condominium building collapse in Surfside, Florida.
Oscar Guerrero, Building Official, and Issac Villanueva, Building Department, provided
input on the item.
Mr. Meyers provided input on the City process on structural certification.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—December 15, 2022
The City Commission discussed the Grand Jury report, requirement versus optional, and
the process the City would follow.
City Manager Summary: This item will be researched further and brought back
for additional discussion.
d. Schedule for Zoning-Specific Workshop (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
requested that a special workshop be scheduled to focus on zoning-specific discussions.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
schedule a City Commission Special Workshop on February 16, 2023 at 9.00 a.m.
e. Drive Through — B-2 (Starbucks): Mr. Klopp reviewed the current Code
prohibition for a drive-through in the B-2 Zoning District, the request from Starbucks
Coffee Company to allow a drive-through in that district, and staff support that it be
allowed as a conditional use.
The City Commission discussed the item including the need for a traffic study.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the item.
f. 341h Street/Country Club Drive Deed Restriction: Mr. Wasson explained
the current restriction of 5 units and the receipt of a request to allow development of the
property with 22 units. He also reviewed the former dispute between the City and the land
owner which resulted in the agreement and the unit restriction.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, recommended that the restriction be
lifted and explained that there would still be a requirement for conditional use approval.
The City Commission discussed the item.
Mr. Meyers explained the City's discretion to lift the restriction.
Alan Rosenthal, Esq. — Rosenthal Rosenthal Rasco (20900 NE 30 Avenue, #600,
Aventura) on behalf of VyV Capital Management, provided information on a proposed
development (22 condominium units, 25 boat docks, and a passive park) at 20605 NE
34th Avenue and submerged land on the north side of the canal south of 207th Street.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
support the idea to lift the five-unit restriction.
6. Discussion: Legal Definition of HERO Housing Program (Mayor Weinberg):
Mayor Weinberg spoke in favor of the City Attorney moving forward with creating a
definition for HERO housing, to provide housing at below market rent for a certain number
of units for police officers and teachers working in the City.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—December 15, 2022
The City Commission discussed the item.
Michael Bentolila, Police Chief, spoke in favor of providing incentives for police personnel.
Mr. Wasson discussed the process with applicants/developers to work out details on the
number of units, etc.
Mr. Meyers suggested that another workshop be held to review all aspects of the item
including code changes versus a case by case basis.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Meyers to research the item further and report back.
7. Discussion: Vacancies on the a. Don Soffer Aventura High School Advisory
Board (City Manager), b. Police Pension Board of Trustees (City Manager) and c.
Community Services Advisory Board (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reported on the
vacancies as outlined in the agenda with the City to solicit applications to fill the positions
and come back in January/February with the applications submitted.
The City Commission discussed the item and were directed to provide any recommended
applicants for the vacancies to Mr. Wasson.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
8. Discussion:
a. Selection of an IT Consultant (City Manager): Mr. Wasson provided
information on the item including the ranking of firms to perform Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) and IT consulting services relating to implementing new financial system
software.
Melissa Cruz, Finance Director, discussed the plan to provide one integrated platform, as
well as the assessment of technology needs, etc.
The City Commission discussed the item and also recommended that it be used for the
charter schools also either through the same company or another.
Karen Lanke, IT Director, discussed the items that were currently in the process.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with a resolution and to see if they can provide the other items requested and, if
not, to look into another consultant for the other item.
b. Change in Procurement Code (City Manager): Mr. Wasson explained the
recommendation to change the purchasing threshold from $2,500 to $5,000, similar to
other municipalities in Miami-Dade and Broward.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—December 15, 2022
The City Commission discussed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with an ordinance increasing the threshold on the January agenda.
9. Discussion: Insurance (Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner Dr. Marks
suggested that Commission members be provided with health insurance similar to other
municipalities.
Mr. Meyers provided information on the ability to do so. The City Commission discussed
the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that
this item be revisited in the future.
10. Update: Yacht Club Drive Pocket Park: (City Manager): Mr. Wasson reviewed
the proposal to provide a pocket park on Yacht Club Drive to serve as the replacement
for the tot lot currently located at Waterways Park.
The City Commission discussed the item and requested that Mr. Wasson look into adding
a bathroom at the park.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
11. Mayor Items:
a. Attendance at Conference for Mayors: Mayor Weinberg reported on his
recent trip to the Mayor's International Summit and requested that the U.S. Conference
of Mayors be added to the list of allowed conferences.
The City Commission discussed the item and also adding an annual national educational
conference as well as the allowance of all members to attend the Miami-Dade County
League of Cities meetings.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with amending the resolution for allowed conferences with the three items as
discussed.
b. Rotation of Vote Order: Mayor Weinberg discussed his request that the City
Clerk rotate the order of Commissioners called for roll call votes, with the Vice Mayor and
Mayor being last.
c. Request to Speak Update: Mayor Weinberg discussed his request to provide
an electronic method for Commission members to use at meetings to request to speak
and to provide motions.
Karen Lanke, IT Director, displayed the monitors to be used and how the system will work.
She will look into the possibility of providing a display for public viewing of the system.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—December 15, 2022
The following additional item was discussed:
Mr. Meyers reported on a challenge to a recent Aventura Special Magistrate ruling
regarding a short term rental and the upcoming mandatory mediation regarding it. He and
Mr. Wasson will meet individually with Commission members regarding options once the
mediator provides a recommendation.
12. City Manager's Annual Review: Mr. Wasson reviewed the list of his
accomplishments throughout the year. Mr. Meyers discussed the procedure and review
process.
The City Commission discussed the process to follow for the review. Commissioner Dr.
Marks provided input on what had been done historically.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Vice
Mayor Joel to provide a report at the January Workshop with a recommendation, with
input from Commissioner Dr. Marks on anything additional that had been done in the past.
The following additional items were discussed:
Per the request of Commissioner Stern, the City Commission discussed looking into
providing concerts at Founders Park through the use of sponsors.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with looking into the possibility of doing so.
Per the request of Commissioner Stern, the City Commission discussed a company that
would like to start a run in January either on their own or in conjunction with the City.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with looking into the possibility of working with the company or assisting them with the
run.
13. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the City
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 12:58 p.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, M C, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on February 7, 2023.
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