February 23, 2023 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
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 Weinberg at
9:05 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. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge was led by Mayor Weinberg.
3. Presentation: by Aventura 2999, LLC of Proposed Project Known as "Icon
Aventura" (Administrative Site Plan Approval Application #SP2212-0001) (City
Manager): This item was presented later in the meeting following Item 9.
4. Discussion: Approval of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Purchase of
Audio-Visual Upgrades for the Commission Chambers (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
explained the plan to use ARPA funds to provide upgrades to the Commission Chambers,
including improved speakers and a new video wall behind the dais, at a cost of
$94,103.50.
The City Commission discussed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of the item as a resolution on the March Commission Meeting Agenda.
5. Discussion: Waterways Park Field-Turf Change Orders (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson explained the current upgrade from regular grass to artificial turf at the
Waterways Park and the change orders needed for additional costs for environmental
engineering services as required by DERM, as well as additional sports markings.
The City Commission discussed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the item.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—February 23, 2023
6. Discussion: FIU Vice Provost Luncheon Table (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
reviewed the Golden Gift First Generation Scholarship Ceremony on March 12th and
requested input on whether or not a table should be purchased. He noted the current
policy followed that the City would buy a table if a member of the City Commission was
being honored and, if not, approval would be needed. No Commission members are being
honored at the event.
The City Commission reviewed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to continue
to follow the policy in place and not to purchase a table for this event since no members
were being honored.
7. Discussion: Selection of Community Services Advisory Board Members
(City Manager): Mr. Wasson reported on the interview process and the following three
recommended members to fill the vacancies on the Board: Bruce Davidson, Donna Mairs,
and Jesse Potack.
Mrs. Horvath explained the one-year terms and Mr. Meyers explained other aspects of
the enabling ordinance.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: sending residents to Mr.
Wasson that are interested in serving on boards, the required attendance of board
members at board meetings, each member selecting one member to the boards, and one
member from each board attending Commission meetings to provide updates.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the appointment of the three recommended members to the Board through the
placement of a resolution on the next Commission Meeting Agenda. Additionally, the
current process/policy for all boards will be discussed at the next workshop including
appointing and reappointing members.
8. Discussion: Selection of Aventura City Representatives for Appointment to
the Don Soffer Aventura High School Advisory Board (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
reported on the interview process and the following two recommended members to fill the
vacancies on the Board: Clifford B. Ain, CPA MST and Nadine M. Weltman Laham.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: better communication
on available Board vacancies and involving the principal in the interview process.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the appointment of the two recommended members to the Board through the
placement of a resolution on the next Commission Meeting Agenda. Additionally, the
current process/policy for boards will be discussed at the next workshop including
appointing and reappointing members.
9. Discussion: Emergency Replacement of the Government Center Air
Conditioning Chillers (City Manager): Mr. Wasson discussed the need to replace two
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Regular Workshop Minutes—February 23, 2023
air conditioning chiller units at Government Center using a piggyback contract at an
estimated cost of $1 .6 million with an anticipated 20-year lifespan.
Mr. Meyers explained the use of a piggyback contract versus a bid process.
The City Commission discussed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the item as presented.
Item 3 was presented at this time.
Presentation: by Aventura 2999, LLC of Proposed Project Known as "Icon
Aventura" (Administrative Site Plan Approval Application #SP2212-0001) (City
Manager): Mr. Wasson briefly introduced the item to be presented by the owners and
developers of the proposed project west of Government Center.
The following were in attendance to present the project: Michael Marrero, Esq. (Bercow
Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes, PLLC), Fidel Zabik, Architect (Arquitectonica),
Kansas Goodrum, Traffic Engineer (David Plummer & Associates), Jeff Bercow, Esq.
(Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes, PLLC), Gray Crow, Esq. (Bercow Radell
Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes, PLLC), and Isaac Toledano, Manager (BH Group).
Mr. Marrero reviewed various aspects of the proposed project including the original
project allowed by Code versus the proposed project with more residential and less
commercial providing for better traffic and less parking, which would need to come before
the City Commission for conditional use approval for height, density, and open space.
Mr. Zabik reviewed the proposed plans for the mixed-use project including a new
residential tower with 308 units (257 market units and 51 hero housing units), existing
commercial tower, and new parking garage (1 ,011 parking spaces) with retail on the
bottom floor including storage for the Police Department. Other aspects reviewed were
possible public pickleball courts, contribution to the City Freebee program, providing hero
housing (20% - 50 units), green environmental buildings, and the City possibly using the
parking garage on the weekends.
The City Commission discussed the items including the following: support of hero
housing, increasing the storage area for the Police Department, addressing the
disconnect between the residential building and the parking garage, allowing public
access to the pickleball courts, and keeping the gate closed to vehicular traffic between
Government Center and the project.
Mr. Wasson provided comments on the productive meetings, with the project being in the
review phase.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, discussed the concept of installing a
public path from Country Club Drive to the Hilton hotel property, which was being
discussed with the developer. He also explained that specifics regarding open space for
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—February 23, 2023
the project had not been addressed/reviewed yet and that it may require conditional use
approval.
Mr. Meyers discussed the concept for hero housing such as providing a density bonus,
which would require a Code amendment, and addressing the situation if not all of the hero
housing units were occupied/needed by teachers/police.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson and staff to proceed with discussions with the developer.
The workshop was briefly paused at 10.40 a.m. and reconvened at 10.51 a.m., with all
members still in attendance.
10. Discussion: Consideration of 511k/1011k Aventura Road Race (City Manager):
Commissioner Stern explained the interest from the new Nike store at the Aventura Mall
in working with City for a 5k/10k race.
Mr. Wasson reviewed his discussions with Nike including speaking with the referred
organizer for the run and Nike participating in the event at some level. He additionally
discussed receiving sponsorships, the City funding for the event, and the Commission
deciding where any extra money would go. A City budget of $50,000 to $70,000 was
estimated, with additional money received from registration fees and sponsorships.
The City Commission discussed the event, location around the circle, dates in
March/April/Fall, and possible places that extra funds should be donated to include the
police foundation.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to move
forward with a 5k/10k race.
11. Discussion: Newsletter Update (City Manager): Mr. Wasson briefly introduced
the item to streamline the newsletter.
Commissioner Bloom reviewed the proposed vision to change the current 8-page monthly
newsletter to a smaller mailer done 7 to 9 times a year, at a cost reduction as outlined in
the agenda.
Evan Ross, Director of Communications, reviewed the proposed newsletter sample
content and discussed the printer and mailing process.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: having a mix of printed
and digital newsletters, adjusting the scope of the contract, providing items in the future
in the newsletter so that it isn't outdated, using the money saved on the printed newsletter
for other items such as more digital items, providing upcoming projects on one side of the
mailer, the positive aspects of the videos done, and providing the City's videos to the
condominium buildings to broadcast.
Commissioner Bloom was thanked for her work on the newsletter.
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Mayor Weinberg and Mr. Wasson reported on the upcoming City Government Channel
anticipated soon to broadcast the City Commission Meetings and to provide other content
as well. City Commissioners will be requested to provide input on the content for the
channel.
Mr. Ross discussed working with the schools and the City for newsworthy items.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to move
forward with the newsletter/mailer as presented and for Commissioner Bloom to work with
Mr. Wasson on the design for it.
12. Discussion: Digital Advertising Monitors for Public Display - Pilot Program
(Commissioner Stern): Commissioner Stern proposed that digital monitors be provided
in the mail rooms at the condominium buildings for residents to view information from the
City.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: positive feedback on the
idea, starting with buildings that already have monitors in the mailrooms, researching the
cost for an additional monitor or a monitor exclusively for City content, testing the idea at
Commissioner Dr. Marks' building, providing sponsors, and whether or not advertising
should be allowed.
Bryan Pegues, Assistant City Manager, provided comments on the existing monitors at
buildings that may allow the City to put content on them and what that content could
include.
Mr. Meyers provided comments on allowing sponsors, but not ads.
The following members of the public provided comments: Marjorie Rosenblatt (19333 W.
Country Club Drive, Aventura).
Mr. Wasson reported on using the billboards for items as outlined in the agreement.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with a pilot program for the monitors as presented with Commissioner Stern working with
Mr. Wasson.
13. Discussion: Food Freshness Dates (Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner
Dr. Marks discussed the increase of food freshness dates that are expired at many of the
major retailers and requested input on ways the City can create awareness for residents
to check freshness dates.
The City Commission discussed the item including the inclusion of information in the new
newsletter format.
Mr. Meyers provided comments on the process that the City can use to inform.
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Regular Workshop Minutes—February 23, 2023
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to include
information in the newsletter and the City's social media content, as well as the City's
representative bringing it up at the Miami-Dade County League of Cities meeting for other
municipalities to also inform their residents.
14. Discussion: Impact of Condominium Assessments on Residents/City
(Commissioner Dr. Marks): Commissioner Dr. Marks discussed the increase in
insurance rates as well as requirements for condominiums to be fully funded for increased
maintenance, etc. and suggested the City provide more education for the condominium
buildings for residents and property managers.
Mr. Ross reported that the County would be providing a Town Hall Meeting at Aventura
Government Center on March 1st with Mayor Levine-Cava and County Commissioner
Steinberg on the available Condominium Special Assessment Loan Program. The
meeting will be Iivestreamed.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to provide
that information to the residents.
The following additional items were discussed:
The City Commission members were requested to wear blue on March 1st to participate
in a photo session at Government Center for Colorectal Cancer Month in recognition of
Commissioner Michael Stern.
The City Commission members were shown the new blue blazers with the City seal and
informed to contact Mr. Pegues should they be interested in ordering one to wear at
meetings.
Mrs. Horvath updated the City Commission on the new dates for the Golden Beach
swearing in ceremony.
Mr. Meyers explained the Miami-Dade County ethics rule that does not allow the City to
purchase food from Mo's Bagels & Deli any longer unless a competitive process/bid was
followed that would allow the City Commission to grant a waiver to do so.
15. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the City
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 12:07 p.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, U16ETity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on March 7, 2023.
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