June 15, 2023 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Minutes ry a� x
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
JUNE 15, 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
9:04 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Amit
Bloom, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland', Commissioner Billy Joel, 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.
The following item was taken out of order:
6. Discussion: Sister City (Mayor Weinberg & Commissioner Kruss): Mayor
Weinberg and Commissioner Kruss provided background information on the item,
including discussions by the former Commission without resolution due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Comments were provided by Maor Elbaz-Starinsky (Consul General of Israel in Miami
and Aventura resident), Gabe Groisman (former Mayor — Bal Harbour Village) and Enid
Weisman (former Mayor— City of Aventura).
The City Commission discussed several cities in Israel to consider.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with establishing a sister city relationship with Modiin Maccabim Reut, with an update and
further discussion on formalizing the process at the July workshop.
3. Discussion: Undeveloped/Vacant Property Review (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson briefly explained the item as requested by the City Commission for a review of
open lots throughout the City, etc.
Keven Klopp, Community Development Director, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation
titled Aventura's Comprehensive Plan — A Workshop Discussion covering the following:
"The Right Way to Plan?" In Context with the Community, More of the
Good/Redevelopment Needed, Strength/Opportunity, Coming Soon, Area Specific
'Participated via virtual communications media technology.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—June 15, 2023
Overlays and Incentives, Map of Undeveloped Land, South (TAL, CABI Food Hall, and
Port Aventura), Central (2745 NE 193 Street, Two Turnberry, Safra Bank, Turnberry
Marina, Belmont A.L.F., and ICON), North (20605 NE 34 Avenue, Aventura Corporate
Center, Centtral, Chabad, Two10 Aventura, and Gulfstream Park), Aventura Eco Office,
Uptown Aventura, North Distrikt, Hospital South, Map of Undeveloped Land, Pause for
Discussion/Submerged Land/Recommended Next Steps, '/4 Mile from Biscayne Blvd. and
"Vacant" Land, Parcels with Submerged Land and 1/4 Mile from Biscayne Blvd., Area
Specific Overlays & Incentives, Ojus MUC (Metropolitan Urban Center) Overlay Adopted
by Miami-Dade County and Aventura MUC Overlay?.
Mr. Klopp reported on the idea to combine the MUC (Metropolitan Urban Center) and the
RTZ (Rapid Transit Zone), which the County provided a positive response to. He
additionally noted that comprehensive planning was needed for the west section of the
City.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: uptown area (additional
units/residents), demographic study, traffic study, impacts (on schools, hospital, police
and fire, service providers, and government), the need for a comprehensive plan to
prepare, incorporating the vision of developers with the City's vision, professional advice,
incentives for developers, comparing what could be built without asking and if that would
cover increased expenses to the City, looking at increasing fees now if needed, and a
joint impact fee study with neighboring communities.
Mr. Wasson and Mr. Klopp reported on the contract with Transystems for a
comprehensive study, with meetings planned with the stakeholders along Biscayne
Boulevard and a future presentation planned for the City Commission.
Mr. Klopp reviewed the need to correct a conflict in the Code with language to provide
protection for open space and the City, if someone wanted to count submerged lands.
The City Commission discussed the language and requested that a clarity statement be
provided in a simplified way for residents to understand the proposed language.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for Mr.
Wasson to provide an accurate message for residents via social media with a
question/answer portion regarding submerged lands. Additionally, a proposal and
presentation, as a result of the comprehensive study meeting, will be presented to the
City Commission.
4. Review: Capital Improvement Program 2023/24—2027/28 (City Manager): Mr.
Wasson reviewed highlights of the CIP document for 2023/24 — 2027/28.
The City Commission discussed the item, with Mr. Wasson and Police Chief Bentolila
responding to questions.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with placement of the item on the July Commission Meeting Agenda.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—June 15, 2023
5. Discussion: Legislative Review (City Attorney): Mr. Meyers reviewed the 2023
Legislative Update including the following items: Form 6, Permitless Carry, Affordable
Housing, Business Impact Estimate, Natural Emergencies, Technology Transparency,
and Elections.
The City Commission engaged in discussions throughout the review, with Mr. Meyers
responding to questions.
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
6. Discussion: Sister City (Mayor Weinberg & Commissioner Kruss): This item
was discussed earlier in the meeting.
The following additional items were discussed:
The City Commission discussed the need for members to voice their opinions in a
respectful way at meetings.
Mr. Meyers provided information on the quasi-judicial process.
Mrs. Horvath reminded Commission members that completed Form 1 documents were
due by noon on July 1 , 2023.
7. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the City
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11 :31 a.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, ity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on July 11 , 2023.
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