September 21, 2023 Aventura City Commission Regular Workshop Minutes ry a� x
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 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
9:03 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 Marks2, 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 already done at the Aventura Governing
Board Meeting.
The following item was taken out of order:
Waterways and Founders Park Project Update (City Manager): Mayor
Weinberg introduced the item and read emails from 1 .) Rachel Silverstein, Ph.D.,
Executive Director & Waterkeeper - Miami Waterkeeper with the subject Turf Grass
Analysis and 2.) Alan Sataloff, Chief Executive Officer - Michael-Ann Russell JCC (North
Miami Beach) with the subject The Benefits of our Artificial Turf Fields.
Mr. Wasson provided brief comments regarding the newly installed synthetic grass on the
field at Waterways Park and the project to install the same grass on the field at Founders
Park. He introduced the experts in attendance to report on studies regarding synthetic
grass and briefly reviewed their bios.
Michael K. Peterson, M.E.M, DABT, Principal — Gradient, followed by Michael C. Meyers,
PhD, FACSM provided information on synthetic turf and responded to questions.
The City Commission discussed various aspects of synthetic turf versus real grass
including heat index, long-term side effects, use of fertilizer and pesticides, rubber tire
crumbs, maintenance, history of EPA study, research, forever chemical levels, infill
weight, and safety.
1 Participated via virtual communications media technology. Left the meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m., during
the Waterways and Founders Park Project Update.
2 Left the meeting at 2:27 p.m. following discussion of the Charter Schools Conference.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—September 21, 2023
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission that the
projects will move forward with the recognition that there is a difference of opinion.
RECESS AND RECONVENE: The meeting was recessed at 10:32 a.m., to continue the
Aventura Governing Board (ACES and DSAHS) Meeting, and reconvened at 11 :59 a.m.
3. Discussion: Development Proposed at 20605 NE 34 Avenue (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson introduced the item, with project modifications to the ground level.
Community Development Director Keven Klopp briefly explained the history of the project
and the prior application.
The following provided information on the project for Aventura Harbor including 22 units
and the addition of a linear park open to the public: Alan Rosenthal, Esq. (20900 NE 30
Avenue, Suite 600, Aventura), Kobi Karp — Architect (571 NW 28 Street, Miami), and
Dana Goldman (308 Poinciana Island Drive, Suite 710, Sunny Isles Beach).
Mayor Weinberg explained the process for Commission workshops to members of the
public.
Mr. Meyers discussed the restrictive covenant on the property, which the Commission
would need to approve releasing for the project to proceed.
The following members of the public provided comments: Cheryl Gerber (Bonavista
Condominium - 3375 N. Country Club Drive, Aventura) and Enid Weisman (Aventura).
The City Commission discussed the item including the need for the developer to meet
with the residents of neighboring buildings, the Commission's commitment to improving
the City, and improving traffic flow for the project.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
developer to meet with the stakeholders and, if done so in time, for the item to be
scheduled for the October 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting and, if not, then for the item
to be scheduled for the November 7, 2023 City Commission Meeting.
RECESS AND RECONVENE: The meeting was briefly recessed at 12:59 p.m., for a
break, and reconvened at 1 :13 p.m.
The following item was taken out of order:
Discussion: ICON Aventura HERO Housing (Mayor Weinberg): Mayor
Weinberg provided background information on the item.
The following provided input on HERO housing on behalf of the ICON Aventura project
including reduction in the number of units and rent reduction percentage: Michael
Marrero, Esq. (Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes PLLC, 200 S. Biscayne Blvd.,
Suite 300, Miami).
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—September 21, 2023
The City Commission discussed the item including reducing the number of units required,
the rent reduction percentage, a mix needed of 1 and 2 bedroom units, and the agreement
to be negotiated.
Mr. Meyers noted the changes that would need to be made to the ordinance to be
presented to the City Commission, as well as guidelines via a resolution.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for a City
Commission Special Meeting to be scheduled for October 19, 2023 (prior to the
Commission Workshop) since there wasn't time to meet the noticing requirements for the
item prior to the October 3, 2023 Commission Meeting.
The following item was taken out of order:
Discussion: Skyline Connection Between Sunny Isles and Aventura (Mayor
Weinberg): Mayor Weinberg introduced the item.
Ken Percy, President — SIB SkyLine Partners, LLC, provided a presentation for the
concept of a SkyLine for Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach, which would provide a platform
above the Lehman Causeway for a hydrogen powered electric-tram, as well as a
pedestrian area to facilitate access to the beach, etc. The City Commission was
requested to contribute $18,000 for a feasibility study.
The City Commission discussed the item including extending it further south, whether or
not there is a demand for it, similar projects, speaking to Aventura Mall and Brightline,
potential benefits for Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach, and state funding.
The following members of the public provided comments: Steve Weisman (Aventura).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to support
the idea of a feasibility study without contributing funds.
The following item was taken out of order:
Discussion: Charter Schools Conference (Commissioner Dr. Marks) and
Discussion: Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance - Miami-Dade
County Code Sec. 2-11.1(w) — Travel Expenses Paid by Vendors and Service
Providers (City Attorney): Commissioner Dr. Marks requested that she be able to attend
the Charter Schools Conference.
Mr. Meyers reported on the Florida Ethics Commission no longer recognizing the
County's waiver allowance for travel expenses to be paid by vendors and service
providers. As such, members of the City Commission could still attend if the City paid,
which is already covered via a Resolution.
City Manager Summary: Mayor Weinberg and Commissioner Dr. Marks will
attend the Charter Schools Conference based on the resolution of approved items they
are allowed to attend.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—September 21, 2023
The following item was taken out of order:
Discussion: Proposed Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in Aventura Mall Food
Court (City Manager): Mr. Wasson introduced the item requiring conditional use
approval.
The following provided information on the project for Treats Spirits, LLC: Alan Rosenthal,
Esq. (20900 NE 30 Avenue, Suite 600, Aventura) and Vianny Sanguily, Director of
Creative Development — OOMM Interior Architecture and Design (7265 NE 4 Avenue,
#101 , Miami).
The City Commission discussed the item.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
schedule the item for the October 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting.
4. Discussion: Proposed Contract for Professional Consulting/Comprehensive
Planning Services to Fulfill the Miami-Dade County Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ)
Requirements (City Manager): Mr. Wasson discussed the need to hire a professional
planning consultant, TranSystems, for a three-phased plan.
Community Development Director Keven Klopp reviewed a map of undeveloped land in
Aventura and the recommended next steps to meet the County's requirements as
required by July 2024.
The City Commission discussed the item including the time frame, explaining the process
to developers waiting to apply, County requirements, holding an open community forum,
and educating residents.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
schedule the item for the October 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting.
5. Discussion: ICON Aventura HERO Housing (Mayor Weinberg): This item was
discussed earlier in the meeting.
6. Discussion: Proposed Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in Aventura Mall Food
Court (City Manager): This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
7. Discussion: Additional Hours for Freebee (City Manager): Mr. Wasson
discussed the success of the FreeBee program and suggested expanding the service
hours by adding 2 hours for each of the 8 Tesla vehicles at a cost of$134,870.
The City Commission discussed the item including educating the public.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
schedule the item for the October 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—September 21, 2023
8. Discussion: Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Homeless Camping in Public
Places (Mayor Weinberg): Mayor Weinberg discussed the recent ordinance adopted in
Miami Beach to combat the homeless and ways Aventura could provide something
similar.
Mr. Meyers discussed the legal options available to the City.
Assistant City Manager Bryan Pegues discussed working on an agreement as well as an
ordinance to also address littering and public urination.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
schedule the item for the October 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting.
9. Discussion: Anti-Defamation League Open Letter to Combat Antisemitism
(Mayor Weinberg): Mayor Weinberg reported on signing the open letter on behalf of
himself, read the language provided in the letter, and requested that consensus be given
to sign the letter on behalf of the City Commission.
The Commission members discussed the item. Mayor Weinberg noted that the letter
would not be signed on behalf of the City Commission unless there was unanimous
support to do so.
City Manager Summary: Unanimous support was not provided to sign the letter
on behalf of the City Commission. Individual members of the City Commission will be
provided with the letter to sign it should they wish to.
10. Discussion: Changing the November 16, 2023 City Commission Workshop
to November 14t" or 17t" (Mayor Weinberg): Mayor Weinberg explained his request to
change the date of the November City Commission Workshop.
Mr. Wasson reported that the date would be changed to November 17, 2023.
Mr. Meyers reported that the Workshop would be followed by an annual 2-hour ethics
training session.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
November City Commission Workshop to be changed to November 17, 2023.
11. Discussion: Skyline Connection Between Sunny Isles and Aventura (Mayor
Weinberg): This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
12. Discussion: Charter Schools Conference (Commissioner Dr. Marks) and
Discussion: Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance - Miami-Dade
County Code Sec. 2-11.1(w) — Travel Expenses Paid by Vendors and Service
Providers (City Attorney): This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
13. Update: Promenade Appeal (City Attorney): Mr. Meyers provided an update on
the appeal by the Promenade regarding their violation of the City's short term rental code.
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Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Minutes—September 21, 2023
City Manager Summary: This item was provided for informational purposes.
14. Waterways and Founders Park Project Update (City Manager): This item was
discussed earlier in the meeting.
No additional items were discussed.
15. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the City
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 3.12 p.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, IVIN City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on November 7, 2023.
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