HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-2026 City Commission Regular Workshop Agenda1.
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The City of
Aven'tura
Call to Order/Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
City Commission
Workshop Agenda
June 18, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Aventura Government Center
5th Floor Executive Conference Room
19200 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180
Proposed Fee Increase and Process Revision for Lien Search Requests (City Manager)
Sister City Discussion (Mayor Weinberg)
Review of Protocols for Charter Amendment Ballot Items (City Attorney)
Property Tax Update (City Manager)
Arts in Aventura Board Update (City Manager)
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 proceeding. One or more members of the City
of Aventura Advisory Boards may participate in the meeting. Agenda items are available online at cityofaventura.com for viewing
and printing. Copies of agenda items can also be requested through the Office of the City Clerk at 305-466-8901 or
ciIyclerk@cityofaventura.com.
CITY OF AVENTURA
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Commission
FROM: Bryan Pegues, City Manager
DATE: June 12, 2026
SUBJECT: Commission Consideration of Lien Search Fee Increase
June 28, 2026 City Commission Workshop Meeting Agenda
July 7, 2026 City Commission Meeting Agenda (First Reading)
September 8, 2026 City Commission Meeting Agenda (Second Reading)
RECOMMENDATION
The Community Development Department brings forth for consideration an increase of
the City's lien search fee from $50 to $120 in order to better align with pricing structures
in neighboring municipalities and adequately recover administrative costs.
BACKGROUND
Lien search requests are processed as an administrative function by the Community
Development Department to provide information regarding expired permits, outstanding
code violations, unpaid fees, and other encumbrances on properties within the City of
Aventura. The department maintains a turnaround time of three business days, and
typically less.
The City's lien search fee has not been adjusted in over two decades; the last change
occurred in 2004, when the fee was increased from $25 to $50. Because this fee has
remained unchanged for so many years, it is significantly lower than the rates charged by
nearby municipalities. Increasing the fee to $120 will bring Aventura's pricing in line with
regional standards and ensure that the City is adequately compensated for the staff time
and resources required to maintain records and complete each search efficiently.
Based on historical data, the City receives roughly 1,560 lien search requests annually,
averaging about 130 per month. The proposed fee increase is projected to generate
additional revenue that will support departmental operations and offset the administrative
costs associated with lien processing.
To prevent the lien search fee from becoming structurally outdated in the future, the
proposed ordinance will allow the fee to be adjusted periodically — annually at most -- as
an administrative function. The increases will be capped by the annual increase in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring cost recovery keeps pace with inflation.
CURRENT FEES
Aventura $
Bal Harbour $
Key Biscayne $
Sunny Isles Beach $
Pinecrest $
Hallandale Beach $
SUGGESTED INCREASE
50.00
50.00
55.00
75.00
156.00
295.00
.,
Bal Harbour
$
50.00
Key Biscayne
$
55.00
Sunny Isles Beach
$
75.00
Aventura
$
120.00
Pinecrest
$
156.00
Hallandale Beach
$
295.00
CITY OF AVENTURA ORDINANCE NO. 2026-_
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ARTICLE IV "FINANCE" OF CHAPTER 2 "ADMINISTRATION" OF THE
CITY CODE, BY AMENDING SECTION 2-232 "REQUESTS FOR
INFORMATION CONCERNING PENDING CHARGES OR LIENS;
PREPARATION AND RECORDING OF LIENS AND LIEN
SATISFACTIONS" TO INCREASE THE LIEN SEARCH FEE FROM FIFTY
DOLLARS ($50.00) TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS ($120.00);
ALLOWING AN ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE FEE TO BE MADE
ADMINISTRATIVELY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING
FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on November 9, 2004, the City Commission (the "City") passed and
adopted Ordinance No. 2004-18, which provided for an increase in the fees for
information concerning pending charges or liens, preparation and recording of liens and
lien satisfactions; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has not increased such rates since 2004; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to increase the current fee from fifty
dollars ($50.00) to one hundred twenty dollars ($120.00); and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that the adoption of this Ordinance is in
the best interests of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED 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. City Code Amended. That Section 2-232 "Requests for information
concerning pending charges or liens; preparation and recording of liens and lien
satisfactions", of Article IV, "Finance", of Chapter 2 "Administration" of the City Code of
the City of Aventura is hereby amended to read as follows':
1 Proposed additions to City Code are indicated by underline; Proposed deletions from City Code are indicated by
trikcthrough.
City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026 -
Chapter 2 — Administration
ARTICLE IV- Finance
Section. 2-232. - Requests for information concerning pending charges or liens;
preparation and recording of liens and lien satisfactions.
The service fee charged to a person making a request for information
concerning outstanding or pending charges or liens shall be $120 per request
effective October 1, 2026 for the City's Fiscal Year 2026/2027. This fee may be
increased annually by the City Manager as necessary to reflect increases in the
consumer price index and shall be published annually in the City's Schedule of
Fs
Section 3. Severability. That the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to
be severable and if any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall for
any reason be held to be invalid or unconstitutional such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining sections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance, but
they shall remain in effect it being the legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand
notwithstanding the invalidity of any part.
Section 4. Inclusion in the Code. That it is the intention of the City
Commission and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become
and be made a part of the Code of the City of Aventura, that the sections of this Ordinance
may be renumbered or re -lettered to accomplish such intentions, and that the word
Ordinance shall be changed to Section or other appropriate word.
Section 5. Implementation. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to take
any action which is necessary to implement this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. That this Ordinance shall be effective on October 1,
2026.
Page 2 of 4
City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026 -
The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Commissioner , who moved its
adoption on first reading. This motion was seconded by Commissioner and
upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Gustavo Blachman
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky
Vice Mayor Clifford B. Ain
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg
The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Commissioner , who moved its
adoption on second reading. This motion was seconded by Commissioner and
upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Gustavo Blachman
Commissioner Amit Bloom
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss
Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky
Vice Mayor Clifford B. Ain
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg
PASSED on first reading this 7th day of July, 2026.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading this 8th day of September, 2026.
Page 3 of 4
City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026 -
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 4 of 4
Overview of Dakhla, Morocco
Dakhla is a coastal city in southern Morocco, located on a narrow peninsula between the
Atlantic Ocean and the Dakhla Lagoon, where desert landscapes meet the sea. It is widely
promoted as one of Morocco's most distinctive destinations, known for its beaches, lagoon,
water sports, fisheries,and emerging role as a regional economic and logistics hub. Morocco's
official tourism office describes Dakhla as being"between the waters of the Atlantic and the
sands of the Sahara,"with beaches and water activities as defining features.
Dakhla is the capital of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region. The city is located in Western
Sahara,a territory whose status remains internationally disputed; Morocco administers the area
and considers it part of its southern provinces, while the United Nations continues to treat
Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. For diplomatic or policy settings, it is best to
acknowledge Dakhla's role within Morocco's administrative structure while being mindful of the
broader geopolitical sensitivity.
Economically, Dakhla has traditionally been tied to fishing, seafood processing, and maritime
activity,but it is increasingly associated with tourism, renewable energy, logistics,
aquaculture, agriculture, and trade. Its lagoon and consistent winds have made it a world-
class destination for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and other water sports, attracting international
visitors and investment in hospitality.
A major part of Dakhla's future is the Dakhla Atlantic Port, a large infrastructure project
planned north of the city. The port is intended to support fishing, industry, logistics, trade, and
connectivity with West Africa and the Sahel. Recent reporting indicates the port is expected to be
operational in 2028 and is being positioned by Morocco as a gateway for landlocked Sahel
countries and future green hydrogen exports.
Dakhla is also emerging in Morocco's broader renewable energy and sustainability strategy.
The region has strong wind resources, and development plans have included wind energy,
desalination, green hydrogen, and sustainable agriculture. These efforts align with Morocco's
national push to position itself as a leader in renewable energy and green industrial development.
From a municipal and policy perspective, Dakhla is notable because it represents a city being
shaped by several overlapping priorities: coastal tourism,port-led economic development,
renewable energy,regional trade, environmental management, and geopolitical strategy. For
mayors and policymakers, it offers an interesting case study in how a relatively remote coastal
city can be repositioned through infrastructure investment, branding,tourism, and regional
connectivity.
In simple terms, Dakhla is becoming one of Morocco's most strategically important
southern cities: part tourism destination,part maritime economy,part renewable-energy
platform, and part future gateway between Morocco,the Atlantic,and sub-Saharan Africa.
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