Resolution No. 2023-30 Rules of Decorum and Participation Etc. City Commission Meetings - May 2, 2023 CITY OF AVENTURA RESOLUTION NO. 2023-30
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR RULES OF DECORUM AND
PARTICIPATION AND ADDRESSING POSSIBLE DISRUPTIONS
DURING MEETINGS OF THE CITY COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 4.01 of the City Charter of the City of Aventura, Florida,
provides that the City Commission may establish procedures relative to City Commission
meetings and agendas; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 96-18 sets forth the general authority for the Mayor to
maintain decorum at Commission meetings but cites no specific rules or policies for the
Mayor to rely on when a speaker or member of the audience acts in a manner prejudicial
to the proper conduct of a City Commission meeting; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to provide uniform rules of public
participation and decorum for the orderly and effective operation of City Commission
meetings; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of this Resolution is in the best interest and welfare of
the residents of the City of Aventura.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. That each of the above-stated recitals are hereby adopted,
confirmed, and incorporated herein.
Section 2. General Requirements. That the Mayor shall rule out of order a
member of the public who speaks without being recognized or who does not address the
City Commission from the podium or other established speaking area. The speaker shall
direct all comments to the City Commission as a body and not to individual City
Commission members. A speaker shall observe the three-minute limit set for public
comments unless extended by the Mayor for good cause.
Section 3. Decorum: Speaker. That any person making impertinent or
slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing the Commission shall
relinquish the right to continue to speak. If, after sufficient warning by the Mayor, the
speaker fails to cease the disruptive conduct, the individual shall be removed from the
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2023-30
meeting by the Aventura Police Department, at the direction of the Mayor, for the
remainder of the meeting.
Section 4. Decorum: Audience. That no clapping, applauding, heckling or
verbal outbursts from the audience in support or opposition to a speaker or the speaker's
remarks shall be permitted. If such disruptive conduct continues after warning from the
Mayor, said audience member shall be ordered to leave the meeting.
Section 5. Signage. That for public safety purposes, no signs or placards
mounted on sticks, posts, poles or similar structures shall be allowed in the Commission
Chambers or other meeting rooms when the City Commission is in session. Other signs,
placards, or banners shall not disrupt the meetings or interfere with the view of others in
attendance at City Commission meetings. The Mayor is granted the authority to disallow
all signs, placards and banners during a meeting of the City Commission.
Section 6. Implementation. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to take
the necessary steps to implement this Resolution.
Section 7. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately
upon its passage and adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel, and upon being put to a vote,
the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland Yes
Commissioner Billy Joel Yes
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss Yes
Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks Yes
Commissioner Michael Stern Yes
Vice Mayor Amit Bloom Yes
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg Yes
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of May 2023.
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City of Aventura Resolution No. 2023-30
•
OWARD S. WEINBERG, ES
e.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
CITY ATTORNEY
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