February 6, 2024 Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes &`?i
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
6:00 p.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 7:20 p.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Howard
S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Paul A. Kruss, Commissioner Amit Bloom, Commissioner
Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Billy Joel, 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 done at the Local Planning Agency
Meeting.
3. AGENDA: REQUESTS FOR DELETIONS/EMERGENCY ADDITIONS: None.
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
• Proclamations: None.
• Special Recognitions: None.
• Employee Service Awards: None.
• Charter School Update: An update for the Don Soffer Aventura High School
was provided by Principal Dr. Geoff McKee, accompanied by student
Saniya Dhawan.
5. CONSENT AGENDA: There were no requests from the public to address the City
Commission.
A motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda was offered by Commissioner Dr.
Marks, seconded by Vice Mayor Kruss, and passed unanimously by roll call vote. The
following action was taken:
A. Minutes approved as follows:
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• January 9, 2024 City Commission Regular Meeting
• January 18, 2024 City Commission Special Meeting
• January 18, 2024 City Commission Regular Workshop
B. Resolution No. 2024-08 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE SPENDING PLAN APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION AS DETAILED
IN RESOLUTION 2022-15 AND AMENDED IN RESOLUTIONS 2022-33, 2022-62 AND 2023-
19 FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY
FUNDS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN ACT (ARPA); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO UTILIZE RECOVERY FUNDS
TO INCLUDE POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, HUMAN RESOURCES, NON-DEPARTMENTAL,
AND PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROJECTS; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C. Resolution No. 2024-09 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED CONTRACT
RENEWAL WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ONE YEAR,
TO COMPENSATE THE CITY FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RIGHTS-OF-WAY ON BISCAYNE BOULEVARD,
FROM THE OLETA RIVER BRIDGE NORTH TO THE MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD COUNTY
LINE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY
OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
D. Resolution No. 2024-10 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO EXECUTE AND
OTHERWISE ENTER INTO THE ATTACHED MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF AVENTURA AND THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACTIVITIES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
E. Resolution No. 2024-11 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE CITY OF
AVENTURATITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND AS REQUIRED BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS, OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR
RELATIONS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
F. Resolution No. 2024-12 adopted as follows:
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Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
SELECTING WALKER CONSULTANTS FOR FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT
SERVICES PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 23-08-25-2; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR THE APPROPRIATION AND ALLOCATION OF
FUNDS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
G. Resolution No. 2024-13 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA;
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN A LAWSUIT SEEKING A DECLARATION THAT THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 112.144(1)(d), FLORIDA STATUTES, THAT REQUIRE
MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FILE FORM 6 FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORMS IS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND INVALID; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
H. Motion approved as follows:
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATION IN CONNECTION WITH SCG ATLAS AVENTURA LLC'S REQUEST
FOR RELIEF UNDER THE FLORIDA LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTE
RESOLUTION ACT.
6. ZONING HEARINGS — QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
7. ORDINANCES — FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING: Mrs. Horvath read the
following Ordinance title:
A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 31,
"LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS" OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
AMENDING SECTION 31-21 — "DEFINITIONS", TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR "EXTENDED
STAY HOTEL" AND AMENDING SECTION 31-143(F)(2A) "MULTIFAMILY HIGH DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS (RMF4)" TO ADD "EXTENDED STAY HOTEL" TO THE LIST OF
USES THAT MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN RMF4 IF FIRST APPROVED AS A CONDITIONAL
USE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Friedland and
seconded by Commissioner Bloom.
Community Development Director Keven Klopp entered the comments from the Local
Planning Agency Meeting into the record by reference as well as the staff report
recommending approval.
No additional comments were provided on behalf of the Applicant (Brian S. Adler, Esq. —
Bilzin Sumberg, on behalf of Got 183 LLC).
Mayor Weinberg opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
No additional comments were provided by the City Commission.
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Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
The motion for approval of the Ordinance on first reading passed (6-1) by roll call vote,
with Mayor Weinberg voting no.
8. ORDINANCES — SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE II "LOCAL
BUSINESS TAXES" OF CHAPTER 18 "BUSINESS REGULATIONS, TAXES AND PERMITS"
OF THE CITY CODE, BY AMENDING SECTION 18-42 "TAX SCHEDULE"; BY PROVIDING
AN INCREASE OF FIVE (5%) PERCENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING
FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Dr. Marks and
seconded by Commissioner Bloom.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the item.
No comments were provided by the City Commission.
Mayor Weinberg opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, Mayor
Weinberg closed the item for public input.
The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed unanimously by roll call vote and
Ordinance No. 2024-04 was adopted.
Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
B. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE AMOUNT FOR THE MAYOR AND INDIVIDUAL
COMMISSIONERS AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 2.06 OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA
CHARTER; APPROVING A$500 MONTHLY INCREASE TO THE LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE
ACCOUNT FOR EACH CITY COMMISSION MEMBER; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS
ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Bloom and
seconded by Vice Mayor Kruss.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the item.
No comments were provided by the City Commission.
Mayor Weinberg opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, Mayor
Weinberg closed the item for public input.
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Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed (6-1) by roll call vote, with Mayor
Weinberg voting no, and Ordinance No. 2024-05 was adopted.
9. RESOLUTION/PUBLIC INPUT: Mrs. Horvath read the following Resolution title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING A LETTER OF INTENT WITH GULFSTREAM PARK, LLC TO ACQUIRE A
THREE-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN GULFSTREAM PARK AND THE CITY TO USE SAID PARCEL FOR FUTURE
USE AS A CHARTER SCHOOL SITE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL
THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING
FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion for approval of the Resolution was offered by Vice Mayor Kruss and seconded
by Commissioner Bloom.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the Letter of Intent and the items being considered by Gulfstream
Park as suggested by Commissioner Dr. Marks regarding relocation of the dog park,
allowing a total of three driveways, and providing a time certain for expiration.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: providing a date certain
for expiration, the positive aspects of providing another school in Aventura, the success
of Charter Schools USA, and the ability for Commissioner Dr. Marks and former Mayor
Weisman to provide educational expertise.
Mayor Weinberg opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, Mayor
Weinberg closed the item for public input.
The motion for approval of the Resolution passed unanimously by roll call vote and
Resolution No. 2024-14 was adopted.
10. REPORTS: No reports were provided by members of the City Commission.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments were provided by members of the public.
12. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, a motion to adjourn was offered by Vice Mayor Kruss, seconded by
Commissioner Friedland, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at
7:43 p.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, ity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on March 5, 2024.
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