May 7, 2024 Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes &`?i
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MAY 7, 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 6.10 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.
The passing of Bob Graham, former Florida Governor and United States Senator, was
noted, as he was recognized for his contributions.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by former Aventura Mayor Enid
Weisman, former Aventura Commissioner Luz Weinberg, and Aventura Police Chief
Michael Bentolila.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VICE MAYOR: It was announced that Commissioner Dr.
Linda Marks will serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
4. AGENDA: REQUESTS FOR DELETIONS/EMERGENCY ADDITIONS: None.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
• Legislative Update — Senator Jason Pizzo: Senator Pizzo provided an
update on the recent legislative session in Tallahassee, as well as his top
priorities.
• Proclamations: Proclamations were presented as follows: Safe Boating
Week (May 18-24) presented to Vice Commander Natalie Bunting - United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Division 3 and Coast Guard
Auxiliarist Amanda Mitchell, Municipal Clerk Week (May 5-11, 2024)
presented to City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, Judge Jennifer L.H. Azar Day
(May 7, 2024) presented to Judge Azar, and Jewish American Heritage
Month (May 2024) presented to Steven Scheck - Incoming Chair of the
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2024
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Miami and Vice Chair of
the Anti-Defamation League ADL Florida Region.
• Special Recognitions: Certificates of Appointment were announced and
presented to the Arts & Cultural Center Advisory Board Members. A
Certificate of Special Recognition was presented to Tzippy Holand for
sharing her story about the Holocaust.
• Employee Service Awards: Special recognition certificates and appreciation
items were presented to Police Officer James Martin (10 years) and Police
Detective Kenneth Sealy (20 years).
• Other: The Don Soffer Aventura High School outgoing Student President
Ethan Bazak introduced the incoming President Saniya Dhawan.
6. 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
Kruss, seconded by Commissioner Bloom, and passed unanimously by roll call vote. The
following action was taken:
A. Minutes approved as follows:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• April 2, 2024 City Commission Regular Meeting
• April 18, 2024 City Commission Regular Workshop
B. Resolution No. 2024-22 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA
DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY LISTED UNDER THE ASSETS OF THE CITY AS
SURPLUS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITY; DESCRIBING THE MANNER OF DISPOSAL;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT
THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C. Resolution No. 2024-23 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE CITY OF AVENTURA ARTS AND
CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM;AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
D. Resolution No. 2024-24 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
VARIOUS CONSULTANTS FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES
PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 2023-11-01 CONTINUING
Page 2 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2024
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
E. Resolution No. 2024-25 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
SELECTING SFM LANDSCAPE SERVICES, LLC FOR COMPREHENSIVE LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AND THE GOVERNMENT
CENTER PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 2024-1-1 IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $494,871.85 ANNUALLY FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF THREE YEARS;
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.
F. Resolution No. 2024-26 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AWARDING A CONTRACT TO ALPHA PLAYGROUNDS TO PERFORM A"POUR IN PLACE"
RUBBER SAFETY RESURFACING ON THE PLAYGROUNDS AT FOUNDERS PARK AND
PEACE PARK; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT;
PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATION AND
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
G. Resolution No. 2024-27 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AWARDING A CONTRACT TO
SEAWATER CONSTRUCTION CORP. TO REPLACE AND ADD FENCING AT FOUNDERS
PARK, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING
FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATION AND ALLOCATION OF
FUNDS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
H. Resolution No. 2024-28 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A MATCHING FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $877,316 TO EXPAND THE
CITY'S ON-DEMAND TRANSIT SERVICE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
7. ZONING HEARINGS — QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
8. ORDINANCE — FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING: Mrs. Horvath read the
following Ordinance title:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY CODE
OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 2 "ADMINISTRATION," ARTICLE III "ADVISORY
BOARDS," BY REPEALING DIVISION 6 "ART IN PUBLIC PLACES ADVISORY BOARD";
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
A motion for approval of the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Bloom and
seconded by Commissioner Kruss.
Page 3 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2024
Mr. Wasson reviewed the item.
Mayor Weinberg opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
No comments were provided by the City Commission.
The motion for approval of the Ordinance on first reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote.
9. ORDINANCES — SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mrs. Horvath read
the following Ordinance title:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 1 "GENERAL PROVISIONS," OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA CODE
OF ORDINANCES TO CREATE SECTION 1-22 "URINATING OR DEFECATING IN PLAIN
VIEW IN PUBLIC PLACES PROHIBITED"; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; 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 Stern and seconded
by Commissioner Bloom.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the item.
Mayor Weinberg opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
No comments were provided by the City Commission.
The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed unanimously by roll call vote, and
Ordinance No. 2024-07 was adopted.
10. RESOLUTION/PUBLIC INPUT: None.
11. REPORTS:
• Scooters (Mayor Weinberg): It was reported that the City is working on a
solution on an issue with electric scooters and electric bikes on the sidewalks.
• Additional Reports: Discussion continued by members of the City
Commission regarding a resident hit by a scooter and offering to assist with a solution,
practicing caution on limitations due to some kids needing to ride scooters to school, and
driving safely with the upcoming end of the school year.
• Request for Executive Session: An executive session was requested to be
scheduled for May 16, 2024 at 11 :00 a.m., for the notice of appeal from Promenade
regarding their short term vacation rental violation.
Page 4 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2024
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comments were provided by the following member of the
public: Robert Ebaugh (3375 N. Country Club Drive, #305, Aventura).
13. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Bloom, seconded by
Commissioner Kruss, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at 7.30
p.m.
•
j_ Ellisa L. Horvath, M City Clerk
� a
Approved by the City Commission on June 4, 2024.
Page 5 of 5