Resolution No. 2025-17 Legislation Public Records Exemption for Municipal Clerks - March 4, 2025CITY OF AVENTURA RESOLUTION NO. 2025-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA URGING THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE
TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORDS
EXEMPTION FOR MUNICIPAL CLERKS AND EMPLOYEES WHO
PERFORM MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WORK OR HAVE ANY PART IN
CODE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS OF A CITY; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, many municipal staff who perform duties that include, or result in,
investigations into complaints regarding election fraud, legal enforcement of hearings that
could lead to a criminal prosecution or code enforcement actions are exposed to threats
and other acts of violence; and
WHEREAS, municipal clerks often administer elections and some election workers
have been targeted for threats and violence due to the nature of materials they are
responsible for; and
WHEREAS, municipal clerks are often involved in legal enforcement proceedings
in actions related to violations of codes and ordinances and, occasionally, these
proceedings have led to retaliation and threats by defendants; and
WHEREAS, currently public records exemptions in Florida include those for local
personnel who either investigate, enforce or otherwise provide a service that can result
in contentious interactions when action is taken and municipal clerks and their staffs fall
within the need for a window for greater protection; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Association of City Clerks is very concerned for the safety
and well-being of the municipal clerks and their staffs who serve the public on a daily
basis and are, oftentimes, the first contact of citizens with cities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aventura has complied with all requirements and
procedures of Florida law in processing and adopting this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Aventura hereby adopts the
recitals set forth in this Resolution (whereas clauses) as the legislative findings of the City
Commission.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Aventura, Florida, hereby urges
and encourages the Florida State Legislature to enact legislation to provide a public
City ofAventura Resolution No. 2025-17
records exemption for municipal clerks and employees who perform municipal elections
work or have any part in code enforcement functions of a municipality.
Section 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed and authorized to send a certified
copy of this Resolution to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Jason Pizzo and
Representative Fabian Basabe, the Miami -Dade County League of Cities (MDCLC), and
the Florida League of Cities (FLC).
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Bloom, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ain, and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Clifford B. Ain
Yes
Commissioner Gustavo Blachman
Yes
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Yes
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Yes
Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky
Yes
Vice Mayor Rachel S. Friedland
Yes
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg
Yes
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of March, 2025.
•
WARD S. WEINBERG, ES
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
�ji. 1.7 1 �
ROBERT MEYERS
CITYATTORNEY
WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, P.L.
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