11-17-2023 Commission Workshop Agenda The C'ty of City Commission
Aventura Workshop Agenda
November 17, 2023
9:00 a.m.
Aventura Government Center
5t" Floor Executive Conference Room
19200 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Presentation: Investment Manager— Insight Investment (City Manager)**
4. Presentation: Revision of TAL Project to Include Hotel Use (City Manager)**
5. Discussion: Negotiations with Gulfstream Park Regarding Land for a School
(Mayor Weinberg)
6. Discussion: 2024 Proposed City Commission Meeting Schedule (City Manager)*
7. Discussion: City's Legislative Programs and Priorities for Upcoming Session
(City Manager)*
Future Action Required: Resolution
8. Discussion: Proposed Biennial Business Tax Increase (City Manager)*
Future Action Required: Ordinance
9. Discussion: Awarding City Key to Clifford A. Schulman (Mayor Weinberg)*
Future Action Required: Resolution
10. Discussion: Water Taxi (Mayor Weinberg)
11. City Manager's Annual Review
12. Adjournment
* Back-up Information Exists
** PowerPoint Presentation
This meeting is open to the public.In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,all persons who are disabled and who
need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the Office of the City Clerk,305-466-
8901 or cityclerk(&,cityofaventura.com, not later than two days prior to such proceeding. One or more members of the City of Aventura
Advisory Boards may participate in the meeting.Agenda items are available online at cityofaventura.com for viewing and printing.Copies
of agenda items can also be requested through the Office of the City Clerk at 305-466-8901 or cityclerk(&,cityofaventura.com.
0
2024 PROPOSED CITY COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
January City Commission Meeting January 9, 2024 6.00 p.m.
January City Commission Workshop January 18, 2024 9.00 a.m.
February City Commission Meeting February 6, 2024 6.00 p.m.
February City Commission Workshop February 15, 2024 9.00 a.m.
March City Commission Meeting March 5, 2024 6.00 p.m.
March City Commission Workshop March 21, 2024 9.00 a.m.
April City Commission Meeting Aril 2, 2024 6:00 p.m.
April City Commission Workshop April 18, 2024 9.00 a.m.
May City Commission Meeting May 7, 2024 6.00 p.m.
May City Commission Workshop May 16, 2024 9.00 a.m.
June City Commission Meeting June 4, 2024 6.00 p.m.
June City Commission Workshop June 20, 2024 9.00 a.m.
July City Commission Meeting July 2, 2024 6:00 p.m.
July City Commission Meeting (Budget Review) July 18, 2024 9.00 a.m.
July City Commission Workshop July 18, 2024 Following
Commission
Meeting
August NO MEETINGS
September City Commission Meeting September 3, 2024 6.00 p.m.
September City Commission Workshop September 19, 2024 9.00 a.m.
October City Commission Meeting October 1, 2024 6.00 p.m.
October City Commission Workshop October 17, 2024 9.00 a.m.
November City Commission Meeting November 12, 2024' 6:00 p.m.
November City Commission Workshop November 21, 2024 9.00 a.m.
December NO MEETINGS
1 Election Day is November 5, 2024 so the meeting would be on the second Tuesday of November.
CITY OF AVENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
FROM: Ronald J. Wasson, City Manager
DATE: November 9, 2023
SUBJECT: Legislative Program and Priorities for Upcoming Session
(City Manager)
November 17, 2023 City Commission Workshop Agenda
The following Legislative Program and Priorities for 2024 is submitted for City
Commission review and approval.
If you have any questions, suggestions or wish to add something please feel free to
contact me.
RJW/act
Attachment
CC03092-23
.6• F LC
FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES
DRAFT
2024 Proposed Priorities and Policy Positions
Each of the five FLC legislative policy committees will recommend one legislative priority and may
recommend one policy position. Prior to November 30, the legislative policy committees will not have
finalized their legislative priority and policy position statements. The following recommendations are in
draft form and will be considered by the policy committees at their November 30 meeting. The FLC
Legislative Committee will consider the final recommendations on December 1.
Finance,Taxation &Personnel
• Enterprise Fund Transfers
• Property Tax Protection
Land Use& Economic Development
• Mobility Fees
• Sovereign Immunity
Municipal Administration
• Cybersecurity
• Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention
• Short-Term Rentals
Transportation &Intergovernmental Relations
• Transportation Funding
Utilities, Natural Resources&Public Works
• Proposed Assessed Clean Energy(PACE)
• Legislative Ratification of Statewide Stormwater Rule
CITY OF AVENTURA
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES
� r
Oil Iof EXCe
� r � r
2024
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq.
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Billy Joel
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland, Esq.
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks
Commissioner Michael Stern
City Manager Ronald J. Wasson
City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath
City Attorney Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.
CITY OF AVENTURA
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES
2024
This document is intended to provide direction to the City Manager, City Attorney and
Legislative Lobbyist as to the official City position regarding issues and pending legislation
which would affect the operation of local government. This document further provides
priorities for the acquisition of supplemental funding (grants) for various programs.
The City of Aventura will endorse and support legislation that will:
1. Support the home rule powers of local government.
2. Amend Live Local Act (SB102) Provisions to grant more oversight and approval
authority to municipalities concerning density and local infrastructure impact.
3. Provide a dedicated revenue source for Charter School capital improvements at
the same levels provided to the local school boards.
4. Support legislation to increase financial support for Charter schools.
5. Increase educational funding levels for Miami-Dade County Traditional and
Charter public schools in order to meet per-pupil State Constitutional requirements.
6. Amend State law allowing a more economical method of advertising for a public
hearing relating to Comprehensive Plan adoption and/or amendments.
7. Adopt the 2024 Policy Statement of the Florida League of Cities as applicable to
the City of Aventura.
8. On a state-wide level, ban the use of handheld phones by persons operating motor
vehicles, but allow hands-free phone devices.
9. Preserve municipal authority for red light camera safety and speed camera
programs.
10. Support initiatives to address the impact of rising seas on the South Florida area.
11. Support legislation to amend Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, to expressly state
that sovereign immunity constitutes immunity from suit (not just immunity from
liability) to the extent not waived by applicable law.
12. Support the adoption of legislation to restore municipal authority to regulate drones
in order to protect privacy and to protect persons and property within the
municipality.
13. Support funding to reduce traffic congestion by developing alternate transportation
modes.
14. Requesting the Florida Legislature to study the elimination of the automobile no-
fault law as a means of enhancing safer driving.
The City of Aventura will seek state financial assistance for the following projects:
1. Target Harden 911 Communications Center and Police Station ($1,250,000).
2. 191st Street Stormwater Drainage and Roadway Improvement ($1,292,584).
3. Police Department and Emergency Response Radio Replacement ($975,000).
CITY OF "ENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
(92-
FROM- Ronald J. Wasson, City Manager
BY: Keven Klopp, Community Development Director
DATE: November 9, 2023
SUBJECT: Biennial Business Tax Increase (City Manager)
November 17, 2023 City Commission Workshop Agenda
RECOMMENDATION
The Community Development Department proposes a 5% biennial increase to the City's
business tax rates for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Section 205.0535(4) of the Florida Statutes, every other year municipalities
can, through an ordinance requiring a majority plus one vote from the governing body,
enact an increase to local business tax rates not to exceed 5%.
The City created its business tax classifications and rate structure through Ordinance 96-
13, passed on August 20, 1996 pursuant to Section 205.0535(1) of Florida Statutes.
Chapter 18 of City Code outlines the City's Business Regulations, including different tax
rates based on business type. Each business location and classification at the same
address requires a separate business tax receipt (BTR), and these receipts can be
transferred in case of ownership changes, relocations, or name alterations.
In 2008, the City of Aventura established a Business Tax Equity Study Advisory Board to
oversee a comprehensive Equity Tax Study. This study led to the reclassification and
revision of business tax rates, resulting in a 10% increase for most business types,
accompanied by the elimination of a few categories. These adjustments generated an
estimated additional revenue of$62,000 from business taxes.
At its workshop on November 4, 2021, the City Commission directed the City Manager,
City Attorney, and Community Development Department to bring forth a proposed
business tax rate increase of 5% for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. This directive culminated in
the adoption of an ordinance in early 2022. Renewal notices reflecting the 5% increase
were sent out in July 2022.
Between July 20, 2023, and October 25, 2023, the Community Development Department
issued 1,893 new and renewed BTRs for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, generating $885,151 in
revenue. A 5% increase to the rates for FY 2024 rates would, conservatively, augment
the City's BTR revenue by approximately $49,000. The highest BTR revenue contributors
in the city are primarily merchants, followed by medical professionals, other professionals,
stocks and bonds brokers, insurance companies, restaurants, banks and trusts, hotels,
and consultants. With the City Commission's concurrence, an ordinance enacting the
increase will be presented for the Commission's consideration in early 2024.
On average, the Community Development Department staff processes 393 new BTRs
annually. New business applications are carefully reviewed by the Zoning Division and
Business Tax Receipt Division to ensure compliance with local, county, and state
requirements. Renewal notices for existing businesses are distributed each July for the
upcoming fiscal year, with the payment being due before October 1.
The Community Development Department recommends the 5% biennial increase in
business tax rates as a sound financial decision for the City that will provides consistent
financial resources to support continued operational excellence.
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CITY OF "ENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
FROM: Ronald J. Wasson City Manager
er
DATE: November 9, 2023
SUBJECT: Discussion of Awarding City Key to Clifford A. Schulman
(Mayor Weinberg)
November 17, 2023 City Commission Workshop Agenda
The Mayor has requested the above matter be placed on the Workshop Agenda for
discussion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
RJW/act
Attachment
CC03093-23
RESOLUTION NO. 200~2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR
THE AWARD OF KEYS TO THE CITY OF A VENTURA;
APPROVING PROTOTYPE KEY TO THE CITY OF
AVENTURA; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION;
PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, from time to time, it is appropriate for the Mayor and the City Commission of the
City of Aventura to award or present keys to the City of Aventura (the "City Key") to individuals who are
worthy of special recognition by the City because of their actions or accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to establish criteria for the award and presentation of
the City Key, as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF A VENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
Recitals. That the above stated recitals are hereby conftrmed and adopted.
Section 2.
Citv Kev Prototvoe. That the prototype or sample of the City Key, which is
depicted on Exhibit "A" attached hereto, is hereby approved for use as the City Key pursuant to the
provisions and procedures provided herein.
Section 3. Award of Citv Kev. That the City Key shall be awarded to those persons,
ftrms, organizations or entities who have distinguished themselves for public recognition and appreciation
by their achievements or accomplishments, by activities which include but are not limited to, the
following:
a.
making of a valuable contribution in the ftelds of art, science or public
health for the betterment of the lives of others;
b.
contributions to the enhancement of the quality of life in the City of
A ventura, county, region, state or nation;
c.
contributions to the economic development of the City of A ventura;
d.
acts of heroism for which recognition is appropriate;
e.
rendering of service to the public;
f.
activities which otherwise warrant recognition by award ofthe City Key.
Section 4.
Procednre.
That the procedure for the award of the City Key shall be that
nominees for receipt of the City Key may be suggested by the Mayor or any Commissioner and be placed
on the Agenda of any Commission Workshop meeting for consideration by the City Commission. Final
Resolution No. 2005-62
Page 2
placed on the Agenda of any Commission Workshop meeting for consideration by the City
Commission. Final approval shall be at a regular Commission meeting. Additionally, the Mayor or
the Vice Mayor in the absence or unavailability of the Mayor may, in his or her discretion, from time
to time, award the City Key to persons, firms, organizations, or entities who:
a. clearly meet the criteria of Section 3 of this Resolution; or
b. are dignitaries of Florida local and state government; or
c. are foreign dignitaries who are recognized as valuable allies of the United
States of America;
under those circumstances in which time does not permit presentation of a nomination to the City
Commission at a Workshop or regular meeting.
Implementation.
That the City Manager is authorized to provide for the
Section 5.
implementation of the policies which are provided for herein and to arrange for the supply and purchase
of the City Keys in accordance with appropriations made within the municipal budget.
Section 6. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption hereof.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Diamond, who moved its adoption. The
motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Joel and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Zev Auerbach yes
Commissioner Bob Diamond yes
Commissioner Harry Holzberg yes
Commissioner Michael Stern yes
Commissioner Luz Urbaez-Weinberg yes
Vice Mayor Billy Joel yes
Mayor Susan Gottlieb yes
2
Resolution No. 2005- 62
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11 th day of October, 2005.
Attest:
d Legal Sufficiency:
Hfn1~
City Attorney
3