January 13, 2026 Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes��F
6"r6 4
y a� x
G
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2026
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 6:05 p.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Howard
S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Amit Bloom, Commissioner Clifford B. Ain, Commissioner
Gustavo Blachman, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Paul A. Kruss,
Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky, City Manager Bryan Pegues, 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 led by the Aventura FC Bold Nation
10 Under Girls Soccer Team.
3. COMMISSION REPORTS: No reports were provided by members of the City
Commission.
4. AGENDA: REQUESTS FOR DELETIONS/EMERGENCY ADDITIONS: None.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamations: A proclamation was presented to the Smith Family for
Captain Andy Smith Remembrance Day (January 13, 2026). Remarks were
provided by Chief Bentolila.
Special Recognitions: Special recognition certificates were presented to the
Aventura FC Bold Nation 10 Under Girls Soccer Team members and
coaches for the achievement of number one Gold team statewide by the
EDP Elite Development Program. Remarks were provided by Christian
Blandon, Club Manager.
A special recognition certificate was presented to Carlos A. Penin, P.E. and
C.A.P. Government, Inc. for the achievement of 30 years of service to the
City. Remarks were provided by Mr. Penin.
• Employee Service Awards: Special recognition certificates and appreciation
items were presented to Public Works Transportation Dept. Facilities
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
Manager Frank Galletti (15 years) and Police Department Records
Supervisor Kaytrinia Doe (10 years).
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 Vice Mayor Bloom,
seconded by Commissioner Ain, and passed unanimously by roll call vote. The following
action was taken:
A. Minutes approved as follows:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• November 4, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting
• November 12, 2025 City Commission Regular Workshop
• December 17, 2025 City Commission Special Workshop
B. Resolution No. 2026-01 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY 2025;
PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C. Resolution No. 2026-02 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED CONTRACT 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. 2026-03 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH JAMES B. PIRTLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
INC. D/B/A PIRTLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
AT RISK (CMAR) SERVICES FOR THE PROPOSED AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 2025-07; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $379,900; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
E. Resolution No. 2026-04 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA
HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Page 2 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
F. Motion approved as follows:
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD
FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL (ACES) AND THE DON SOFFER
AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS): A MOTION APPROVING THE 2025 A+ SCHOOL
RECOGNITION FUNDS SPENDING PLAN FOR ACES AND DSAHS.
G. Resolution No. 2026-05 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE ATTACHED AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY OF AVENTURA; AMENDING THE
PROCESS FOR GRANTING INCREASES TO THE CITY MANAGER'S COMPENSATION;
PROVIDING FOR A SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND BONUS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
H. Resolution No. 2026-06 adopted as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
APPROVING THE MOBILITY PLAN FOR UPTOWN AVENTURA; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
7. ZONING HEARINGS — QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
8. ORDINANCES — FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
9. ORDINANCES — SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Ms. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2024-18 WHICH ORDINANCE ADOPTED A BUDGET FOR
THE 2024/2025 FISCAL YEAR BY REVISING THE 2024/2025 FISCAL YEAR OPERATING
AND CAPITAL BUDGET AS OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED HERETO;
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 to approve the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded
by Commissioner Ain.
Mr. Pegues reviewed the adjustments to the budget and recommended approval.
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 to approve the Ordinance on second reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2026-01.
Ms. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
B. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY CODE
OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 2 "ADMINISTRATION," ARTICLE III "ADVISORY
Page 3 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
BOARDS," BY REPEALING DIVISION 5 "ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD";
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
A motion to approve the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Ain and seconded by
Commissioner Blachman.
Mr. Pegues reviewed the item repealing the Arts & Cultural Center Advisory Board, with
plans to replace it with a new board with broader duties, and recommended approval.
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 to approve the Ordinance on second reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2026-02.
Ms. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
C. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, CREATING DIVISION 5 "ARTS
IN AVENTURA BOARD" OF ARTICLE III "ADVISORY BOARDS" OF CHAPTER 2
"ADMINISTRATION" OF THE CITY CODE BY CREATING SECTION 2-191 "CREATION,
COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS," SECTION 2-192 "PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT
OF BOARD MEMBERS," SECTION 2-193 "JURISDICTION, DUTIES AND MEETINGS,"
SECTION 2-194 "RULES OF PROCEDURE; QUORUM," AND SECTION 2-195 "STANDARDS
OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS"; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION IN THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion to approve the Ordinance was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded
by Commissioner Ain.
Mr. Pegues reviewed the item creating a new Arts in Aventura Board, with a broader
range of duties than the prior Arts & Cultural Center Advisory Board.
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 to approve the Ordinance on second reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2026-03.
Ms. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
D. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 48, "VEHICLES, USE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY, PARKING AND OTHER
REGULATIONS, BY CREATING A NEW ARTICLE V, "ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTORIZED
SCOOTERS, AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES," RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF
ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES IN THE
CITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Page 4 of 5
Aventura City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
A motion to approve the Ordinance was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom and seconded by
Commissioner Orlinsky.
Mr. Pegues reviewed the item establishing local regulations and noted that a public
service announcement via social media and other means would be done to educate the
public. It was also noted that 500 helmets had been donated for the Police Department
to distribute to those not wearing them.
Mayor Weinberg opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing
was closed.
The City Commission discussed the item including it being an issue that all municipalities
were dealing with.
The motion to approve the Ordinance on second reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2026-04.
10. RESOLUTIONS/PUBLIC HEARING: None.
11. STAFF REPORTS: No reports were provided.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS: The following member of the public provided comments:
Judah Sabag, 21391 Marina Cove Circle, District Intern for Representative Fabian
Basabe.
Commissioner Kruss provided comments in support of the freedom loving people of Iran.
Mayor Weinberg provided information on the breakfast hosted by the City for the
delegation from Israel including the Mayor of Modiin, Aventura's Sister City, with the
presentation and plans for the continued collaboration of Smart City technology.
13. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Kruss, seconded by
Commissioner Blachman, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at
7:00 p.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, W6ity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on February 3, 2026.
Page 5 of 5