08-06-2024 City Commission Special Meeting Agenda CITY OF AVENTURA
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
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CITY COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
August 6, 2024
9:00 a.m.
Aventura Government Center
5th Floor Executive Conference Room
City Commission
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq.
Vice Mayor Dr. Linda Marks
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland, Esq.
Commissioner Billy Joel
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
City Manager Ronald J. Wasson
City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC
City Attorneys Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
Aventura City Commission Special Meeting Agenda August 6, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. RESOLUTIONS:
A. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024 IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE AVENTURA GENERAL ELECTION AS WELL AS THE MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION, TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE CITY COMMISSION
FOR COMMISSIONER SEAT 2 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY CODE OF
ORDINANCES CHARTER SECTION 2.05(c)(ii); PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF SAID
ELECTION; ESTABLISHING A QUALIFYING PERIOD TO FILE FOR CITY COMMISSIONER
SEAT 2; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
B. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO MAKE COBRA PAYMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
AND THEIR DEPENDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY'S GROUP INSURANCE PLAN
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE OFFICIAL'S CURRENT TERM IN OFFICE OR THE
MAXIMUM COVERAGE PERIOD, WHICHEVER IS SHORTER, WHEN THE OFFICE IS
VACATED DUE TO DISABILITY OR DEATH; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
4. ADJOURNMENT
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
proceedings. One or more members of the City of Aventura Advisory Boards may participate in the meeting. Anyone
wishing to appeal any decision made by the Aventura City Commission with respect to any matter considered at such
meeting or hearing will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim
record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. Agenda items are available online at cityofaventura.com for viewing and printing,or may be requested through
the Office of the City Clerk at(305)466-8901 or cityclerk@cityofaventura.com.
Page 1 of 1
CITY OF "ENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
FROM: Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk
DATE: August 2, 2024
SUBJECT: Resolution Calling for a Special Election on November 5, 2024
for Commissioner Seat 2
August 6, 2024 City Commission Special Meeting
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Commission approve the attached Resolution calling for
a Special Election on November 5, 2024, to fill the vacancy created by the passing of
Commissioner Michael Stern and to also set the qualifying period for the Special Election.
BACKGROUND
Due to the passing of City Commissioner Michael Stern, a vacancy has been created on
the City Commission for Commissioner Seat 2. The City Charter dictates that when more
than six months remains in the unexpired term, it is necessary to hold a special election.
Such an election shall occur not sooner than forty-five days or more than ninety days
following the occurrence of the vacancy, but the special election can be extended beyond
such ninety days for an additional sixty days if there is a City, County, State or national
election, in which case the vacancy shall be filled by special election on the first such
election date.
The City of Aventura will hold its General Election on November 5, 2024, in conjunction
with the Miami-Dade County Election. By scheduling the City's Special Election on this
date, the City will be operating in accordance with the Charter and will save significant
costs by not holding a standalone special election. Miami-Dade County Supervisor of
Elections Christina White has approved the City's request to hold the Special Election on
November 5, 2024, should the City Commission decide to do so.
In addition to calling for the Special Election, the Resolution also sets forth the qualifying
period, which must commence on the first Monday after the adoption of the Resolution
for five consecutive days, from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Consequently, the qualifying
period for the Special Election will start at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 and
terminate on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 4.30 p.m., in conjunction with the qualifying dates
for the candidates for the Aventura General Election for Seats 1, 3, and 5.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the Special Election is scheduled in conjunction with the Aventura General Election on
November 5, 2024, the fiscal impact to the City is estimated to be approximately
$15,085.28. If the City scheduled a standalone special election, the cost is estimated to
be approximately $59,921.29.
CITY OF AVENTURA RESOLUTION NO. 2024-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA, CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024 IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
AVENTURA GENERAL ELECTION AS WELL AS THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION, TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE CITY
COMMISSION FOR COMMISSIONER SEAT 2 IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES CHARTER SECTION 2.05(c)(ii);
PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF SAID ELECTION; ESTABLISHING
A QUALIFYING PERIOD TO FILE FOR CITY COMMISSIONER SEAT 2;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, due to the passing of City Commissioner Michael Stern, a vacancy
has been created on the City Commission for Commissioner Seat 2; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter Section 2.05(c)(ii), it is necessary to hold a
special election not sooner than forty-five (45) days or more than ninety (90) days
following the occurrence of the vacancy, but the special election can be extended beyond
such ninety (90) days for an additional sixty (60) days if there is a City, County, State or
national election, in which case the vacancy shall be filled by special election on the first
such election date; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aventura will hold a General Election, in conjunction with
the Miami-Dade County General Election, on November 5, 2024; and
WHEREAS, in coordination with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections,
the City Commission wishes to set November 5, 2024 for the Special Election, to be held
in conjunction with the Aventura General Election as well as the County-wide election;
and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to provide for a qualifying period for any
eligible person wishing to fill the vacancy as required by Section 26-31(2)of the City Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals Incorporated. That each of the above-stated recitals are
hereby adopted and confirmed.
Section 2. Special Election Called. That a Special Election is hereby called for
November 5, 2024 for the purpose of electing a person to the City Commission to fill the
vacancy created by the passing of Michael Stern, and to serve the unexpired portion of
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-
the term of Commissioner Stern for Commissioner Seat 2.
Section 3. Qualifying. That it shall be the duty of any person desiring to
become a candidate to fill this Commission seat vacancy to file a written notice of
candidacy and other filings mandated by law with the City Clerk during the qualifying
period (the "Qualifying Period") commencing at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024
and expiring at 4.30 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, accompanied by the qualifying
fee(s) required by law. The place of qualification shall be the Office of the City Clerk by
appointment. Only electors of the City who meet the definition of qualified persons under
Sections 2.03(b), 2.04, 2.05(c)(iv) and 2.05(c)(v) shall be eligible to hold office of
Commissioner, as provided by the City Charter.
Section 4. Election Procedures. That the Special Election shall be held and
conducted as part of the Aventura General Election and the Miami-Dade County General
Election scheduled for the same date in the manner prescribed by law for holding
elections. Places of voting in such Special Election shall be the designated places of
voting within the City for general elections, unless otherwise provided by the City
Commission or the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections. The polls shall be open
at such voting places on the date of such Special Election from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on
said day. All qualified electors residing within the City shall be entitled, qualified and
permitted to vote at such special election.
Section 5. City Clerk. That the City Clerk, acting as the local Supervisor of
Elections, is hereby authorized and directed to file and cause to be published notice of
the qualifying period and the election at least one time between the passage of this
Resolution and the commencement of the qualifying period. The City Clerk is further
authorized and directed to make appropriate arrangements with the Miami-Dade County
Supervisor of Elections to carry out the responsibilities necessary for the conduct of the
special election.
Section 6. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon adoption.
Page 2 of 3
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner and upon being put to
a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland
Commissioner Billy Joel
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Vice Mayor Dr. Linda Marks
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6t" day of August, 2024.
HOWARD S. WEINBERG, ESQ.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
ROBERT MEYERS
CITY ATTORNEY
WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, P.L.
Page 3 of 3
CITY OF "ENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
FROM: Ronald J. Wasson, City Manager
DATE: August 2, 2024
SUBJECT: Resolution Providing for COBRA Payments for Elected Officials and
Dependents
August 6, 2024 City Commission Special Meeting
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Commission approve the proposed resolution
authorizing the City of Aventura to make COBRA payments for elected officials and
their dependents participating in the City's group insurance plan under specific
circumstances. The proposed resolution aims to address the financial challenges faced
by elected officials and their families in the event of disability or death by continuing
their health insurance coverage.
BACKGROUND
Resolution 2023-31 allowed elected officials and their dependents to participate in the
City Group Health Plan, provided the official paid the premiums. The following key
points associated with the proposed resolution are provided for your review:
• Issue: In the event of an elected official's disability or death, securing affordable
health insurance becomes challenging due to the cessation of employer-
sponsored benefits.
• COBRA: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows
for continuing health insurance coverage up to 36 months after a qualifying
event.
• Authority: Federal law permits state and local governments to cover COBRA
premiums for eligible individuals and their dependents.
• Proposal: The City Manager will be authorized to pay COBRA premiums for
elected officials and their dependents for the remainder of the official's term or
the maximum coverage period, whichever is shorter, upon the office being
vacated due to disability or death.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
CITY OF AVENTURA RESOLUTION NO. 2024-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO MAKE COBRA
PAYMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY'S GROUP INSURANCE PLAN FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE OFFICIAL'S CURRENT TERM IN OFFICE OR THE
MAXIMUM COVERAGE PERIOD, WHICHEVER IS SHORTER, WHEN
THE OFFICE IS VACATED DUE TO DISABILITY OR DEATH;
PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Resolution 2023-31 authorized the City to pay health insurance
premiums for the City's elected officials who participated in the City Group Health Plan
("Plan") and allowed eligible dependents of the elected officials to be covered by the Plan,
provided the insurance premiums were paid for by the elected official; and
WHEREAS, in the event a member of the City Commission vacates his or her
office due to a disability or death, the financial pressures placed on the official and the
official's family are likely to be significant, particularly the ability to secure affordable
health insurance with good coverage after the employer-sponsored health care benefits
end; and
WHEREAS, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA")
enables the covered individual and eligible dependents to continue coverage under the
employer-sponsored health insurance plan for a maximum of thirty-six (36) months from
the date of the triggering event; and
WHEREAS, federal law permits state and local governments to pay the costs of
the COBRA premiums for covered individuals and their eligible dependents; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission authorizes the City Manager to pay the COBRA
premiums for any elected official enrolled in the City's Group Health Insurance Plan for
the remainder of the elected official's current term in office or the maximum coverage
period, whichever is shorter, when the office is vacated due to disability or death; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that this Resolution conforms with all
applicable laws, enhances health, safety and welfare, and is in the best interest of the
City.
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals Adopted. That the above-stated recitals are hereby
confirmed and adopted.
Section 2. Election. That upon election by the official or the official's surviving
eligible dependents to take advantage of COBRA benefits, the City shall pay the
applicable premiums for the duration of the official's term or the maximum coverage
period, whichever is shorter.
Section 3. Implementation. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to take
any action which is necessary to implement this Resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner and upon being put to
a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland
Commissioner Billy Joel
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Vice Mayor Dr. Linda Marks
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of August, 2024.
Page 2 of 3
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-
HOWARD S. WEINBERG, ESQ.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
ROBERT MEYERS
CITY ATTORNEY
WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, P.L.
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