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03-27-2003 Workshop19200 W~gt Country Club Dfiw Aventura. Fl, City Commission Workshop t4eeting March 27, 2003 10:00 A.M. 2. 3. 4. AGENDA Land Dedication Incentive Program* Aventura Cultural Center Foundation* Aventura Chamber of Commerce* Campaign Finance Reform (Commissioner Cohen) World Olympians Association Request (Mayor Perlow) * Lions of Jerusalem (Mayor Perlow)* Joint Council of Aventura (Commissioner Grossman) Adjournment *Back-up Information Exists 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, not later than two days prior to such proceeding. CITY OF AVENTURA OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: City Commission M~~~° Eric M. Soroka, ICMA-CM, City March 19, 2003 Proposed Land Dedication Incentive gram Recently, the City Administration was approached by a property owner located on N.E. 188th Avenue about the possibility of dedicating land to the City in exchange for granting height concessions from seven to 11 stories. Specifically, the property owner would dedicate to the City a 1.5 acre site adjacent to the Charter Elementary School site in consideration of the City allowing increased height for the residential development planned on the north side of N.E. 188th Street and to transfer the unit density attributed to the dedicated land to adjacent property. The property could be used as a middle school site or for other public purposes deemed appropriate by the City. The property owner has requested the additional height in light of the adjacent 11 story office building and proposed 11 story development at the Town Center. Last year the City Commission took action to provide an incentive program for residential property along N.E. 188th Street in the Land Development Regulations that would allow property owners to increase the height of the buildings from four to seven stories if they provide a public promenade walkway along the waterfront portion of the property. if the City Commission was interested, a similar incentive program could be included in the Land Development Regulations, whereby property owners who dedicated property to the City could receive, as a conditional use approval, additional height to 11 stories and the units could be transferred to the pamel that receives the conditional use approval. I have placed this item on the Workshop Agenda for review and further direction. EMS/aca CC01170-03 ORDINANCE NO. 2003- AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 31-143(g) "MULTIFAMILY MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS (RMF3B)" OF THE CITY'S LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR HEIGHT BONUSES WHERE DEDICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC LANDS ARE PROVIDED; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Aventura is desirous of amending the City's Land Development Regulations to provide incentives for the dedication of land for public educational, recreational and cultural municipal purposes in the appropriate circumstances in Multifamily Medium Density Residential Districts; and WHEREAS, the City Commission has determined that the ability to obtain height densities is an appropriate incentive for these purposes; and WHEREAS, the City Commission has been designated as the Local Planning Agency for the City pursuant to Section 163.3174, Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, the Local Planning Agency has reviewed the application pursuant to the required public hearing and has recommended approval to the City Commission; and WHEREAS, the City Commission has held the required public hearings, duly noticed in accordance with law; and WHEREAS, the City Commission has reviewed the action set forth in this Ordinance and has determined that such action is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, THAT: Section 1. Section 31-143(g) of the City's Land Development Regulations is hereby amended to add paragraph (9) as follows~: (g) Multifamily Medium Density Residential Districts (RMF3B), (9) Bonus height provisions. If the applicant for a development permit under this section 31-143(,q) dedicates land to the City for educational, recreational or cultural municipal purposes, which land is acceptable to the City Commission, the City Commission may approve a bonus height for any multifamily building not to exceed a maximum of eleven stories or 135 feet. Where the Commission approves such bonus height, the following standards shall apply: a. The development permit shall be considered a conditional use and the application shall be subject to the conditional use requirements of Section 31-73. b. The minimum size of the dedicated land shall be 1.5 acres. c. The density otherwise available on the land to be dedicated may be transferred in whole or in part, at the discretion of the City Commission, to the parcel that receives the conditional use approval. d. The form of the conveyance shall be approved by the City Attorney. e. Minimum open space shall be 40 percent of the total lot area. f. Any structure parking servin.q the primary use on the site shall be incorporated into the building envelope and shall be compatibly designed. Such parking structure shall comply with all minimum setback and buffer yard requirements and shall be counted in computing building height. There shall be no maximum floor area ratio. The City Commission may approve architectural design standards other than the Mediterranean design features required under Section 31-143(g)(6)a. of the Land Development Regulations. i. All other provisions of the Land Development ReRulations shall apply. Section 2. Severability. 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. ] Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text; st~,Aem,q~provisions indicate proposed deletions from existing text. Section 3. Inclusion in the Code. 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 relettered to accomplish such intentions; and that the word "Ordinance" shall be changed to "Section" or other appropriate word. Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption on second reading. 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 Jay R. Beskin Commissioner Ken Cohen Commissioner Manny Grossman Commissioner Bob Diamond Commissioner Zev Auerbach Commissioner Harry Holzberg Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow 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 Jay R. Beskin Commissioner Ken Cohen Commissioner Manny Grossman Commissioner Bob Diamond Commissioner Zev Auerbach Commissioner Harry Holzberg Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow PASSED on first reading this day of ,2003. PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading this day of ,2003. JEFFREY M. PERLOW, MAYOR A~-I'EST: TERESA M. SOROKA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: CITY ATTORNEY This Ordinance was filed in the Office of the City Clerk this day of ,2003. CITY CLERK CITY OF AVENTURA OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: City Commission ~y ~a~n g(~ Eric M. Soroka, ICMA-CM, Cil March 13, 2003 Aventura Cultural Center Foundation As requested by the City Commission, I met with the members of the Aventura Cultural Center Foundation (ACCF) to request that they recommend names of other interested individuals to participate on the Foundation. The members present at the meeting were: Amit Bloom Don Gustin Janet Laine Alan Lieberman Efrain Weinberg Lenore Toby-Simmons (Absent) Janet Laine recommended: Michael S. Yavner Rafael de Acha Kimberly Daniel Lenore Toby-Simmons recommended: Gloria Muroff Rem Cabrera Cindy Garren Pauline Winick I bring this matter to the City Commission for further action and possible appointment of the recommended individuals to the Foundation. EMS/aca Attachment CCO1164-03 HOV-20-2002 MED 03:17 PM 0 FR× NO, 805789t169 ?, 02/02 Michael S. Yavner joins No~hern Tn~ Aventut~ Mi~tm¢, S. Ymv~, ~tly jo~ M~I will ~ wo~ug wi~ No~'s ~inis~, He off~m co~mtve we~ ~d ~s~e~ m~gem~ ~icoi ~o ~ n~ w~ Mi~l b ~ ~ ~ Aven~ c~e~y ~vol~ In ~ Av~ M~g Co~l ~ ~h~ of Aven~ W~ for H~. ~ ~ e ~e of ~e U~v~ml~ of ~r~ B~sS ~h~l. ~ ~s~cs ~ Av~ wi~ his w~ ~luti~" f~ ~ uuiq~ ~d ~ek ~i~. N~ ~ ~ t~d ~ 3001 Av~t~ B~v~ F~ mow ~o~o~ ~1{ NOV 2 2 2002 O{:i'lC~. OF Th~ Rafael de A~;ha, dir . Director of over 150 professional productions of operas and wodd oremieres of new works, South Florida premieres of major ~r .. L ^ R Gumev, Jon Robin Baitz, ~p~by NaomiWa~ace, John Strand, Tony ~,.usnner, ~,. · z revivals of classics by Sophoctes, Shakespeare, Ibsen, Stdndberg, and contemporary plays by American and English playwrights, operas by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Monteverdi, Handel, and Mozart. Three-time Carbonelt winner, multiple Carbonell nominee,recipient of numerous honors and awards including Ambassador of the Arts from Dade Cultural Alliance, Phi Betta Kappa Honor Society Lifetime Membership, Miami Arts Exchange Maxy, New 'limes Best of Miami. Panelist for National Endowment for the Arts, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Miami Dude County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami Light Project Here and Now 2002. Founding Artistic Director of New Theatre (1986-present) and producer of sixteen seasons to date, which have featured productions of over 130 plays and the work of more than two hundred South Florida artists. Guest directing work throughout USA and abroad: La Boheme (National Opera of Venezuela), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Florida premiere at University of Miami). Former member of staging staff at the New York City Opera; founder and artistic director of New England Chamber Opera Group. ~~'~ Servant/Chorus), co-founder of New Theatre, ~ appeared..~y New Theatre productions Last year she received New Theatre's Outstandin9 Achievement Award, and was honored with Io cai members of the ads community by the Miami-Dade County School Board Her career has included opera musical theatre concert, lelev~s~on aod lheatre Credits include Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Aris National Symphony Orchestra. Lincoln Center Concerts, Yale Repertory Fheatre and Yale Conceals at Norfolk International Bach Society appear ances on NBC, ABC and CBS television and many more Daniet~sanad junct Associate Professor of Voice at University of Miam~ and is Phi, citing outstanding contributions to the arts She will be appeanng next at New Theatre in the upcoming production of W/t Daniel is a member of Actors' Equity Association History New Theatre utilizes the talents of South Florida artists to produce an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays for the South Florida Community. New Theatre was founded and incorporated by Executive Artistic Director Rafaei de Acha and Kimberly Daniel de Acha in 1986 and it has operated in Coral Gables since its beginning, firstly at 4275 Aurora Street for five years, secondly at 65 Aimeria Avenue for ten years and is now located on the site of a former movie house at 4120 Laguna Street, having increased its seating capacity to 104 seats and its suppor~ facilities by 60%. New Theatre produces a year-round season of plays, each of which runs for five weeks, playing to an annual audience of close to 15,000 which includes students from the city's schools and universities. The student segment makes up more than 22% of New Theatre's audience, making it one of the youngest of any theatre in South Florida. New Theatre's mission of "utilizing the talents of South Florida artists to produce an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays" is evidenced by the theatre's reper- tory choices: an imaginative sampling of provoking works by American playwrights, Florida playwrights, and classics by playwrights as varied as Williams and Sophocles, all sharing qualities that New Theatre favors in its play selection: rele~ vance and a focus on issues of social and humanistic interest. New Theatre has brought to South Florida the local, regional and national premieres of more than eighty plays by writers such as Tony Kushner, whose Angels in America earned New Theatre wide acclaim and recognition as the first Florida theater to pro- duce it after its Broadway production. Other significant contemporary playwrights whose work New Theatre has brought to its stage include Naomi Wallace, Terrence McNally, Jose Rivera, A.R. Gurney, Donald Margulies, Paula Vogel, Jane Martin, Edwin Sanchez, and David Mamet. Many of South Florida's finest actors, directors, and designers work at New Theatre in the spirit of a repertory company. This group of thirty theatre artists return to work with New Theatre year after year, augmented every season by new artists. New Theatre and its Artistic Director, Rafael de Acha have received many honors and awards, including the Key to the City of Coral Gables, the Miami Arts Exchange "Maxie," the Dade Cultural Alliance "Ambassador of the Arts" award, multiple nomi- nations for Carbonell awards from the South Florida Theater Critics Association, and three of these awards for best direction and best production, along with several nom- inations by Miami New Times as the "Best Theatre in Miami." New Theatre has been the recipient of funding from the City of Coral Gables, the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Department, and the Division of Cultural Affairs of the State of Florida, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Major corporations and foundations have also supported the company. Playography Here is a list of all the plays in the history of New Theatre. Bold lor titles indicates prern~eres, bold for authors indicates classics 86 87 WOYZECK, GEORG BUECHNER CHOPIN IN SPACE, PHILIP BOSAKOVSKI THREE ONE ACT PLAYS BY CUBAN-AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHTS: WE WERE ALWAYS AFRAID, LEOPOLD HERNANDEZ THE GUILLOTINE, MATIAS MONTES HUIDOBRO UNDERTONES JULIOMATAS KING UBU ALFREDJARRY 87-88 TO SIR NOEL, WITH LOVE, NOEL COWARD/REVUE) FEIFFER'S PEOPLE, JULES FEIFFER (REVUE) BRECHT ON BRECHT, TABORI, BRECHT, WEILL (REVUE) ON THE VERGE, ERIC OVERMYER ELIAS, MARC CAMERON MISS MARGARIDA'S WAY ROBERTO ATHAYDE MISS JULIEFrHE STRONGER AUGUSTSTRINDBERG THE AMERICAN DREAM EDWARDALBEE THE LESSON EUGENEIONESCO THE 'I HOPE I GET ',ORIGINAL REVUE THE MANDRAKE, MACCRIAVELLI 88-89 THREE ONE ACT PLAYS, ANTON CHEKHOV VOICES AT THE MARY ELIZABETH HOTEL, SUSAN WESTFALL GERTRUDE STEIN AND A COMPANION, WILL WELLS HOW I GOT THAT STORY AMLIN GRAY THE MAIDS JEANGENET LADIES AT PLAY JULIO NORA (A DOLL HOUSE), HENRIK iBSEN (BERGMAN) DEAR LIAR, JEROME KILTY SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, EDGAR LEE MASTERS LA RONDE, ARTHUR SCHNITZLER 89 90 FEIFFER'S PEOPLE II, JULES FEIFFER (REVUE) NO EXIT, JEAN PAUL SARTRE CAT'S PAW, WILLIAM MASTROSIMONE THE ANASTASIA FILE ROYCE RYTON SUMMIT CONFERENCE, ROBERT DAVID MCDONALD THE DANCE OF DEATH, AUGUST STRINDBERG BRECHT ON BRECHT II, TABORI, BRECHT. WEILL (REVUE) 90-91 YOU ARE HERE, SUSAN WESTFALL THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, BEAUMARCHAIS MOROCCO, ALLAN HAVIS PAINTING CHURCHES, TINA HOWE TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS, NOEL COWARD THE CHEKHOV STORYBOOK, ANTON CHEKHOV (REVUE) DON JUAN IN HELL, GEORGE BERNARD SHAW THE WHITE CROW, DONALD FREED 91-92 ALFRED STIEGLITZ LOVES O'KEEFE, LANIE ROBERSON THE PROMISE, ALEKSEI ARBUZOV HEDDA GABLER, HENRIK IBSEN NOEL COWARD: A TALENT TO AMUSE NOEL COWARD (REVUE) EDUCATING RITA, WILLY RUSSELL THE GOLDEN AGE AR GURNEY ALCESTE (THE MISANTHROPE) MOLIERE 92-93 A MAN OF DESTINY, G.B. SHAW THE COCKTAIL HOUR, AR GURNEY THE ROAD TO MECCA, ATHOL FUGARD BERLIN TO BROADWAY. KURT WEILL (REVUE) A DOLL HOUSE HENRIKIBSEN SPEED-THE-PLOW DAVID MAMEI BLITHE SPIRIT NOEL COWARD 93-94 SQUARE ONE, STEVE TESICH MOUNTAIN, DOUGLAS SCOT7 NO EXIT JEAN PAUL SARTRE (continued on next page) OTHER PLACES (4 ONE ACT PLAYS), HAROLD PINTER LENNY, LEONARD BERNSTEIN (REVUE) TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TR..., MICHAEL BRADY THE MIDDLE AGES, A.R GURNEY 94-95 A PERFECT GANESH, TERRENCE MCNALLY SIGHT UNSEEN, DONALD MARGULIES LONG DAY'S JOURNEY IN¥O NIGHT EUGENE O'NEILL TALLEY'S FOLLY, LANFORD WILSON THE VALUE OF NAMES/GEORGE'S FILE, JEFFREY SWEET TWO BEARS BLINKING, MICHAEL BRADY 95-96 PARK YOUR CAR IN HARVARD YARD, ISRAEL HOROVITZ THE GLASS MENAGERIE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THE BEST OF FRIENDS, HUGH WHITEMORE LATER LIFE, AR GURNE¥ KEELYAND DU JANE MARTIN SCHWEITZER BILL YULE 96 97 YOUTH AND ASIA, RICHARD JANARO THAT SOUND YOU HEAR, MICHAEL MCKEEVER LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, TERRENCE MCNALLY LOVE LETTERS, AR GURNEY CAMPING WITH HENRY AND TOM, MARC ST GERMAIN THREE HOTELS JON ROBIN BAIT2' PAINTING CHURCHES, ]INA HOWE tHE WOMAN IN BLACK, STEPHEN MALLAFRATT 97 98 ANGELS IN AMERICA, TONY KUSHNER CLARENCE DARROW, DAVID RINTEL MOLLY SWEENEY, BRIAN FRIEL OLD TIMES, HAROLD PINTER UNMERCIFUL GOOD FORTUNE EDWIN SANCHEZ 98 ~)~ CLOUD TECTONICS JOSE HIVERA BETWEEN EAST AND WESI RICHARD NELSON 37 POSTCARDS. MICHAEL MCKEEVER AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, JULES VERNE (AHLFORS/GOODSON) THE TURN OF THE SCREW, JEFFREY HATCHER (JAMES) A CHRISTMAS CAROL, CHARLES DICKENS (DE ACHA) DON JUAN IN HELL G.B. SHAW WHATI DID LAST SUMMER, AR GURNEY TAKING SIDES, RONALD HARWOOD AMOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN EUGENE O'NEILL 99-00 MICKEY AND WILL, RICHARD JANARO JUMPING THROUGH WINDOWS, GEORGE CONTINI ONE FLEA SPARE, NAOMI WALLACE THE STRONGER/MISS JULIE, AUGUST STRINDBERG HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, PAULA VOGEL I AM A CAMERA, JOHN VAN DRUTEN SIX ONE-ACT PLAYS ROGER MARTIN GEORGE CONTINI. ARNOLD MERCADO DAVIDKWIAT, RICHARDJANARO MICHAELMCKEEVER THE BOOK OF RUTH. MARLO DIAMENT NEVER THE SINNER, JOHN LOGAN THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES, RICHARD JANARO FAR EAS% AR GURNEY SEXY AND MIGGS, MICHAEL MCKEEVER FHE LEGACY, MARK HARELIK ELECTRA, SOPHOCLES (FRANK MCGUINNESS) WIT, MARGARET EDSON HORTENSIA AND THE MUSEUM OF DREAMS, NILO CRUZ THE WAVERLY GALLER% KENNETH LONGERGAN I'HE WEIR, CONOR MCPHERSON SMITHEREENS. MARlO DIAMENT ON THE VERGE, ERICOVERMYER 'new THEATRE 'UP CLOSR AND ALII/I!' At the Burstein Family Stage Rafael de Acha Execu#ve ~ Director EIlee~ Suarez Managing Director Kimberly Daniel Founding Company Manager (Ex-Officio) Board of Directors: Dianne Joyce, I.I.D.A Board Chainwan K]rnberiy Daniel Rafael de Acha David Ccmsh John Doyle AJfred Feingo~l, M.D. Janet Humphreys, Esq. Oienne Joyce, I.ID.A. Cad Kesser Pau~a Levme, Ph,D, Jules Oakiender, D.O, Ted Weinreich Marvin A. Williams New Theab'e 4120 Laguna Stree{ ComJ Gablee, Fled, da 33148 305-443-Sa~ (Sex Oft,ce) 305-443-5373 (au~neea) 305-443-1642 (Fax) www.new-theatre.org October 5, 2002 For immediate release Contact: Rafael de Acha or Eileen Suarez (305/443 5373) NEWS RELEASE: NEW THEATRE CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE FIFTY BEST REGIONAL THEATRE COMPANIES IN AMERICA BY THE DRAMA £EA G UE New York's Drama League announced October 1, 2002 that New Theatre, the 17-year old Coral Gables theatre company, has been chosen by a panel of theatre professionals as one of the fifty best regional companies in America. Along with larger major regional theatres, such as The Goodman Theatre (Chicago), The Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis), The Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), New Theatre is one of a recent slate of theatre companies honored for Theatre Excellence in America. The Drama League, founded in 1916, is a national organization dedicated to expanding audiences for professional theatre in America. A published list of the honorees is available on line from The Drama League at www. dramaleague.org as well as on the League's publication Theatre Today. The League's other activities include the prestigious Drama League Theatre Awards, The Directors' Project, and an extensive program of theatre discounts and perks for all its members. Thanks for your publication. FROM : SIMMMSnic FAX SYSTEM PHONE NO, : Nov. 14 ~2 10:49AM P1 3000 Island Boulevard - Williams Island, FL 33 ] 60 - USA Phm~ (JO~ S~.Oa~ - g-a~ (aOS) ~~ E. mail L~nomTf~aol, com Nov~nber 12, 2002 Anl~ Ber~, Commission~ 1000 Island Blvd. Williams Island, Florida 33160 Re.' Foundation potm~ial mmnbers I have spoken to the following persons nbom serv~g on the pnnel te~rding ~he Proposed Aventura Theater. I submit these to you to fo~va~d to Erie Siroka, City Manager, Plc.ss~ feel fi~ to contsct n~ at any tlme. Gloria Mu~off 2000 Island Blvd. W'dlimm Island, 33160 Phone- 305-932-9580 Servcs ma several Arts o ,r~mi~tions and variou~ charities. MTmmi-Dade Depat~n~n~ of Cultural Atfnirs. VERY high onmy list of experience. 305-375-4634 Gold Coast Sazz Soci~, Execufiw Director Has Well known lazz se~s at Browtmi The~er of FmrOtmlno~ Arts and FlU. Mr~ Pauline Winick Associn~ Vice President Forn~f Pveeident- Minml He~ 4925 Colli~ AvenUe, ~ Beach, 33140 305-538- 5236 City of Aventura Government Center 19200 West Country Club Drive Aventura, Florida 33180 Office of the City Manager March 13, 2003 Mr. M. Keith Marshall President Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 18305 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 300 Aventura, FL 33160 Re: City's Membership Dear Mr. Marshall: Reference is made to your letter dated March 6, 2003 regarding the above subject. I appreciate your expedient action to remedy the concerns expressed by the City Commission. In light of the withdrawal from the lawsuit and the resignation of Mr. Hubschman, I will recommend that the City Commission reactivate its membership in the Chamber. I would like to meet with you in order to discuss how we can mutually improve the relationship between the City and Chamber. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Eric M. So okra, I~MA-CM City Mana~x~ fiMS/aca cc: City Commission CM01530-03 PHONE: 305-466-8910 · F,x: 305-4608919 www. cityofaventura.com Aventura Chamber 0f Commerce,' Inc. 18305 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 300 ·: Aventura. Flodda 33160 Phone 305.935.2131 Fax: 305.935.2992 E-Mail: AventuraChamber@usa.com www.aventura.org March 6, 2003 Eric M. Soroka, City Manager 'City of Aventura: :Government Center', ~ ' '~'92065~r~stc0untr~ctub Drive .~ .... .. ~ ' ' 'Aventura. Florida 33180 . . Re: Your letter of February 21, 2003: Membership' Dear Mr. Soroka:' - - The Board Of Directors of thc AventU~i Chamber of Commerce,. Inc., [the "chamber':) has referred your 16tter of February,21 ,, 2003'~'. to me for response. - . -:,,, ' This will serve to confirm my-idvice to'yoU that th~ inclusion of th6 chambe~:ir/the case ~ofRobe/t Ndrris e} als, ;es, city of Aventura [Ci~'cuit Court of Florida; 11 Cxrcu]t; Case No. 065 AP] ar~se fi'om the ultra ~irus' authorization of Emil Hubichman, :the'Chamber's Chairman. It'appears, unfortunately, that Mr. ttubschman did not separate his pers0hal vieWs on c~ear Channel Outdoor Communication's application for a sign variance, as also reflected in the 'dissentingvotes of Mayo~ Jeffrey Perlow, Commissmner Patricia Rogers-Libert and .Commissoner Harry Holzberg, from the views of the Chamber which has adopted a P0tiCy 'liberal construction of the Citf s signordinance and an inclination to support a member's application for a sign variance where hardship is demonstrated'and public safety is not uur~as0n~bly compromised. ' Upon our confirming the fact that the Chamber was included in the lawsuit and the discovery of the idehtity of petitioners' counsel, we requested said counsel (Leslie W. Langbein, Esq.) to withdraw the Chamb~ as a party petitioner in the litigation; she respo[tded.that since ' she was not retained by the Chamber. she 9ould not effect the ~ithdrawal and suggested that the same be filed by the undersigned [as general counsel for the Chamber]. g/ccordingly, on February 26, 2003, I' marled a not,ce of the Chamber withdrawal from the litigation to the clerk of the court for filing. With respect to t~e utilization of public funds to finance a litigation against the City, as indicated above, counsel for the petitioners t~s provided written advice that she was not retained by the Chamber. No sum was paid by the Chamber or cormnitted to initiate the lawsuit. MAR 1 0 2003 Page 1 of 2 OFFICE OFTM[ CI"P./MANAGER As for the City's membership in the. Chamber, the Chamber's bookkeeper fin~ls h6 - record of the City's making any investment in the Chamber by v~ay of dues or otherwise. Therefore, the City Should have no further concern that either public~ funds or m~nbers' private funds were allocated to the litigation. Enclosed herewith please find copies of the pertinent correspondence and Notice,of, Withdrawal referred to abovel ' At a special meeting of the Board of Directors held on March 4, 2003,' .Mr. Hubschman tendered his resignation as a director and officer of the Chamber and the same was accepted by · :. :....-; .... the Board, with regret. Mr. Hubschrnan indicatmd to the Board that he hoped ?.:i'.? ~::-'.'~l'. ieiignati0n wo~.ld help faci!itate the building of a strong alliance between the C~t' ana me Thank you for your courtemes. Cc: Commis~oners Perlow, Auei-back, Beskin} Cohen, Diamond, Grossman and Holzberg Page 2 of 2 Law Office of Tele: 305-935-0496 Fax: 305-935-9542 M. KEITH MARSHALL, P.A. Bank of America Building 18305 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 300 Alectura, Florida 33160 E-mail: MARSHALL1231 ~AOL.COM February24,2003 Leslie Langbein, Esq. Langbein & Langbein PA 20801 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33180 Re: Robert Norris, The Joint Council of Aventura, Inc. and Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. vs. City of Aventura, Florida Circuit Court of Florida (11th Circuit) Appellate Division Case No. 03-065 AP Dear Mr. Langbein: Please be advised that I serve as President and general counsel to the Aventura Chamber of Commerce. We understand that the Aventura Chamber of Commerce was included as a party plaintiffin the above styled action seeking the quashing of the City's grant ora sign to Clear Channel Outdoor Communications, Inc. You are hereby directed to withdraw the Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. as a party plaintiff forthwith because there was no resolution adopted by the Board of Directors authoriZing the inclusion of the Chamber in the said litigation. Very truly/ M. KEITH/~ARSHALL Fax: 305-936-1804 cc: David Wolpin, Esq. Weiss, Serota, Helfrnan, Pastoriza & Guedes, PA. Fax: 305-854-2323 cc: Eric Soroka, City Manager Fax: 305-466-8919 Law Office of M. KEITH MARSHALL, P.A. Bank of America Building 18305 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 300 Aventura, Florida 33160 Tele: 305-935-0496 Fax: 305-935-9542 E-mail: NI'ARSHALL 123 I~^OL.COY~ February 26, 2003 Leslie Langbein, Esq. Langbein & Langbein PA 20801 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33180 Re: Robert Norris, The Joint Council of Aventura, Inc. and Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. vs. City of Aventura, Florida Circuit Court of Florida (11~ Circuit) Appellate Division Case No. 03-065 AP Dear Mr. Langbein: Fu~her to my letter of February 24, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Aventura Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, March 4, 2003. In connection with the above matter I would like to be in a position to report that the papers have been filed with the court removing the Chamber as a party plaintiff. Accordingly, please be kind enough to send us a copy of said notice of withdrawal (fax no. above). Secondly, please confirm, so that I might in turn advise the Board, that the Chamber has no financial responsibility for attorney's fees and expenses with respect to the institution of the said action. ~, _....~IT~HALL Fax: 305-936-1804 cc: Eric Soroka, City Manager Fax: 305-466-8919 LANGBEIN LANGBEIN EVAN J. LANGBE1N, ESQ. Board Certified, Appellate Pracnce Certified Medhator / Arbitrator LESLIE 'v~ LANGBEIN, ESQ. Board Certi[icd, Labor & Employment M. Keith Marshall, Esq. M. KEITH MARSHALL, P.A. 18305 Biscayne Bivd, Suite 300 Aventura, FL 33160 RE: Norris et al v. City of Aventura, FL Dade Cir. Ct. 03-065 AP Dear Mr. Marshall: Thank you for your letter dated February 24~, 2003. The Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was included as a petitioner in the common law writ of certiorari based upon the attached letter of authorization. If your organization no longer wishes to be named as a party-petitioner, then all you need to do is file a Notice to Withdraw. Because the Chamber joined as an interested party and did not formally retain me as its counsel, I cannot file the withdrawal on its behalf. Very truly yours, Le'ls~e W. Langbein, Esq. (Mrs). 20801 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 506. Miami, Florida 33180. Tel: (305) 936-8844 Fax: (305) 936-9840 Email: langbeinpa@aol.com ROBERT NORRIS, THE JOINT COUNCIL : OF AVENTURA, INC. and AVENTLrRA : CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC., : Petitioners, : YS, CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, Respondent. iN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TM JUDICIAL CIRCUIT iN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA Appellate Division Case No. 03-065 AP NOTICE OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF AVENTURA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC. To: LANGBEIN and LANGBEIN, P.A. 20801 Biscayne Boulevard - Suite 506 Miami, FL 33180 RON2(LD SILVER, Esq. 203I NE 209~h Street P.O. BOX 801301 Aventura, FL 33280 DAVID WOLPIN, Esq. Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Pastoriza & Guedes, P.A. 2665 South Bayshore Drive Miami, FL 33133 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the AVENTURA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC. hereby withdraws as a Petitioner in the above styled cause. M. KEITH MARSHALL, P.A. Attorney for Aventura Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 18305 Biscayne Boulevard - Suite 300 Aventura, FL 33160 305-935-0496: fax 305-935-9542 M. Keith ,l~arshall, Esq. Florida Bar No. 852759 WORLD OLYMPIANS ASSOCIATION Office of the Secretary General 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Suite 140 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Tel: +305-446-6440 Fax: +305-446-4523 H.E, Juan Antonio Samaranch Patron Dr, Jacques Rogge Honorary President Dr. Pal Schmitt President (HUN) Dr. Liston Bochette Secretary General (PUR) Dr. Elizabeth Ferris Vice President (GBR) Mr. William Toomey Vice President (USA) Mrs. Irena Szewinska Executive Board (POL) Mr. El Hadj A. Dia Ba Executive Board (SEN) Mr. Hed3 E{liot Executive Board (AUS) Mr. Bob Cvrtlik lOC Member (USA) Mr. Gilbert Felli lOC Liaison January 23, 2003 Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow 19200 West Country Club Drive Aventura FL 33180 Honorable Mayor Perlow, It was our pleasure to meet with you and City Manager Mr. Soroka today regarding the relationship of the World Olympians Association and the City of Aventura. It is our hope to build this connection into a win-win partnership in the fixture. We are very excited about the ideas that were brought up at the meeting. Aventura would be an excellem location for our offices as well as for a Wall of Fame of Americas' Olympians. It is our hope to serve, educate and entertain the community of Aventura and to make it a even more international destination. We are very inspired by the potential of this project and look forward to working with you in the fixture. We will stay in touch with City Manager Mr. Soroka to develop this concept into reality. Sincerely, ~---'~Managing Director e.----~-lqlemb~g'~p Services ~2Co~n~ice os odlz/ .o 0 0 PAGE 81/B2 .~erusalern, 1~ February, Z003 ]ei~rey M. Pal'low Mayor of Aventura AVenl:ura Corpora:e Center 2~01 gL~ayna BI~ guita SOS Aventura, FL 33280 Unitod b"tates Vip Fpcsimllq~:- Dear 3efTrey, It was wonderful to mecL you during my ViSit to ~he Lr~ EaSt week, Please find aLtaclr~J a letter rmm Mayor Ehud Ulmert, the hard copy of which is in the post to you. Bes~ P~nal Regals, You,.In r~y, 28/82/2883 17:87 5232398 HEW ~ERUSALEH FOUl,IDA PACE B2/82 Jerusalem, 16 February 2003 14 Adar I 5763 Jeffrey M. Pedew Mayor of Aventura Aventura Corporate Center 20801 Biscayne Blvcl, Suite 505 Aventura, FL 33180 United States Dear Jeffrey, Re: Liana of dcruaolcm. I was pleased Le learn [iOlll ZY[ Raviv, direcLor el' Lhe New JeJu.'~alem Foundation ~f your favnrabla considemfinn fn display f9rly Jerusalem I ion.~ thrm~thnut Aventt]ra prior to their auction et the end of the year. I value highly the ability to cooperate with Aventura in thi¢ project in the hope the~ wc can cstablish a atrong relationahip with your city in the future. It is our hope that, together with a team, which we are i. the pruuess or establishing, we ~l~all be able to hold colorful and enjoyat~le events auring WhiCh ama we snail ml.~. the funds needed for programs for underprivileged children in Jerusalem. I would appreciate if you could be eo kind os to bring thc mattcr up for a formal decision by your council at your earliest convenience, in order that we may speedily procccd onto the next stage of preparation. WiLh kind ~egards, Cc: Ehud r~ Mr Michael A~el - consul G~eral of fs~el t~ Mtamt, Edc M. Soroka - C~ Manger of Aventu~. Dr, Amir Baron - Ex~u~ve V~ce P~ident, A~ntum T~m~er~ JewL~h Center- Beth 1 gaf re Sqaa~ .POB 775, Je.u*et~ pi 007~ Is~l~ TuL~ 02-~30~'PP~, Far. 03-~'~e&OI 4 LIONS for the children °gERUSALEM A Presentation of the New Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Municipality to the City of Aventura, Florida Jerusalem, February 20, 2003 18 Adar A, 5763 Shalom from .~erusalem, We are pleased to present to the City of Aventura Flodda, a concept outline for "Lion Parade - Lions for the Children of ~Terusalem~. The past few years have seen a veritable menagerie of animal sculptures in many major cities around the globe. Cows grazing in New York and Chicago, moose in Toronto, bears in Bedin, and Flamingos in Florida have turned city streets into open-air galleries, creating an atmosphere of fun-filled humor and inspiration. Jerusalem displayed over 80 lions on the capital's streets in 2002. The emblem of the city, the "Lion of .ludah" symbolizes the courage, heroism and majestic quality of .lerusalem, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In 2003, nearly 100 new and established artists representing a wide range of Israeli artistic expression, will produce another 160 life-size lion statues, intended to decorate the streets of New York, Los Angeles, Aventura, and Toronto. .~erusaiem holds a special place in the hearts of individuals and communihes around the world. With this in mind we present to you the concept of bringing 40 painted .lerusalem lions to each of these cities for display, along prominent avenues, boulevards and promenades. Your participation will help a 3erusalem child grow, learn and flourish. This is our hope and our future, this is the wish you can grant a child. After a pedod of display and community events surrounding the Lions' exhibition they will be sold at a public auction, which the New ]erusaiem Foundation will organize with you in your city. Proceeds of the auction sale would be directed to financing a variety of specified programs to benefit .lerusaiem's children. We would deeply appreciate if Aventura would join us in this creative initiative and indicate to us who on your staff could serve as a liaison with the New .lerusalem Foundation. We look forward to partnering with you on this fun and exciting endeavor. Sincerely, Zvi Raviv Director General The New Jerusalem Foundation Background Tn 2002, the Lions of Jerusalem were produced and displayed throughout the city for nearty 10 months - bringing color, creativity and inspiration to 3erusalem residents and city streets. This year, the Municipality of 3erusalem and the New .~erusalem Foundation wish to bdng our Uons to you - the community of Aventura- FIodda. Now more than ever before, opportunities for positive and encouraging events representing Israel abroad are needed. By bdnging you our Lions we invite you to share in "Lion Parade - Lions for the Children of Jerusalem~- through a creative and cultural event that will give a sense of solidarity, warmth and positive publicity for .~erusalem, the nation's capital. ,Gtatement of Purpose - Goals/Objectives · To have 3erusolem join the international stage of outdoor public art initiatives by bringing l'sraeli art and creativity to North America · To focus attention on 3erusalem - national capital of the State of Israel and the spiritual center of the .~ewish peopte and home to three monotheistic faiths. · To create a sedes of public relations opportunities for positive and creative support for 3erusalem and Israel. · To encourage organizations and institutions involved with [srael and 3erusalem to be partake in a unique and creative program benefiting 3erusalem to strengthen their ties and expand the scope of their activity. To give North American communities the opportunity to join and share in a creative and exciting project that promotes solidarity and philanthropic support for 3erusalern's children. The Local Lion'~ Committees: .4 Suggested Framework Aventura~ Florida 2003 [n Aventura "Lion Parade - Lions for the Children of.lerusalem' committees will be established to promote, plan, organize and carry out activiUes related to the Uons' arrival in the following areas: 1) Promotion and Sponsorship - the collaboration and sponsorship by local organizations or local branches of national organizations and institutions (especially ones that may have Lions in their Iogos!) are a key element to the success of "Lion Parade - Lions for the Children of Jerusalem - Aventura 2005~ in your city. Prominent members of the Public Board in each city (see outline below) will be critical in securing sponsorships for events and promotion and for the Lion Parade CelebraEon Day, Auction and Gala Event. 2) Placement, Community Events and Public Relations of the Lions in your city - The promotion and placement of the Uons in your city will rely on the knowledge and familiarity of local teams. Creating public events around the arrival of the Lions (walking tours, creative arts events for kids, theme events etc.) will provide opportunities for the community to get to know .~erusalem, and to create "hype" leading up to the ~/on Parade Celebration Day. .7) The intemaUonal launching of "Lion Parade - Lions for the Children .leru~alem~ will take place at the upcoming General Assembly of the C3FWF scheduled in .lerusalem November :16 -:t9, 2003. Here, at the GA, participants will be able to see and experience .~erusalem's Lions firsthand and begin tracking their journey to North America. Catalogues and information packets of community activities and auctions for each city will be made available at the GA. In the case of Aventura, "lion Parade= will begin earlier according to the outlined schedule. Lion Parade Celebration Day, Auction and Gala Event - this final day of spectacular events will include a community day picnic and entertainment, the Lion Auction and a Gala Event finale. The day itself will require community-wide promotion, the auction itself will require coordination, planning, invitations to local VTP's artists and community philanthropists as well as for the Gala Event finale. Proceeds of all the day's events will be dedicated to programs benefiting .~erusalem's children. "Lion Parade- Lions for.Terusa/em's Children" Establishment and Structure of Commiitee$ for Aventura An Tnternational Team headed by Aliza Olmert, Zion Turgeman of the 3erusalem Municipality and Zvi Raviv of the New .Jerusalem Foundation will join Aventura in planning: ~.) Public Committee - A Public Committee will be created to include prominent ciUzens of the community in order to set out policies, and establish the credibility and importance of the project and the events. The Public Committee should include members who are willing to host or sponsor the events, and can convey a sense of strength and presUge to the project. We are pleased to welcome the following individuals who have agreed to date to join the Public Committee of "Lion Parade -Aventura 2005~: Chairman of Public Committee of Lion Parade Aventura (~ill to be appointed) Honorary Co-Chair- I~rael Consul to the State of Florida, ~fr. t4icky Arbel ~fember~ of the Public Committee: · William O. Cullum - President, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce · ]oaquin F. Blaya -Governor of Broadcasting Board of Governors USA, Chairman of Radio UNZCA · Ileena Ro~ Lehtinen- Chairman of the Middle East Committee, United States Congress · Cathy Feroandez-Rundle - Miami State Attorney · David Effort · f4ario Kreutaberger- "Don Francisco" the most prominent television character on Hispanic TV for North and South Amedca · Paul Ha~ften- Former Chairman of Keren Hayesod Venezuela now residing in Aventura · f4artin Lindenfeld-Former Chairman of Keren Hayesod Venezuela, now residing in Kendall, FL · ' Dr. Amir Baron -- Executive Vice-President of Aventura Turnberry 3ewish Center And other~-. Structure of Committees for Aventura continued... 2) Executive Committee - smaller in size, the Executive Committee will carry out the daily activities to execute the events, public relations and promotional materials, and coordination between partnering bodies in Aventura. It is suggested that a staff or staff persons from the local federation or municipality would be suitable for heading and running this committee. The following have agreed to be part of the Executive Committee of "Lion Parade -Aventura 2003": · Elaine Adler- President of Aventura Harketing Council · Patty ~offer- Partner, Sofferadkins - Advertising · FredAdldns - Partner, Sofferadkins - Adverstising · Phyllis Apple - CEO The Apple Organization - Public Relations and Promotions · PaulHaritun · Martin Lindenfeld · MiYata Zdhen - Former Chair of Women's Division, Venezuela, Keren Hayesod The Executive Committee will be divided into three sub-committees. The committees, working together should promote events and activities and engage in planning for their financing. The committees will address the following aspects of the program: 1) Display Sponsorships- In efforts to bolster community involvement through local sponsorship, each Lion will be "adopted" by a local sponsor whose name, company name and/pr logo will be displayed on the base of the Lion statue. Each display sponsorship will range between $4,000 - $5,000. Our goal is to receive 40 such display sponsorships - one per Lion. This committee should also be responsible for the placement and moving of the Uons for the duration of the display and activities. 2) Education and Community Programming- A pdmary means to encourage community interest and involvement in the Lion Parade is through a series of planned educational and social events designed for all ages that coincide with the arrival and placement of the Uons in Aventura. Each event, accompanied with public relations and promotional media campaign for the Lions will generate interest and excitement over the display period. Some suggested examples of community events include: · Lion Treasure Hunt- with colorful maps and dues that will take residents and visitors for a tour around the city · Lion Marathon or Bike-A-Thon -creating a city-wide route for participants and spectators alike to follow the Lions and the competitors · Letter Exchange between Jerusalem and Aventura Children and Youth · Lion Painting Conte~t by Aventura Children and Youth Structure of ornrnittee$ for Aventura continued,,, 3) Lion Parade Celebration Day, Auction and Gala Event- Decem/~_r 4~ or 11~' 2003 -this final day of spectacular events will include a community day picnic and entertainment, the Lion Auction and a Gala Event finale. Ti~e day itself will require community-wide promotion, the auction itself will require coordination, planning, invitations to local ViP's artists and community philanthropists as well as for the Gala Event finale. Prior to that day all of the Lions should be transferred to one venue that will serve the full day of activities. The suggested programs for this day include the following: · Lion Parade Picnic A fun-filled day combined with music, entertainment and sale of small Lion replicas and Lion Parade memorabilia (-f-shirts, posters, calendars etc.). Lion Parade Au~ion ($ p.m. - 7 p. rn,,) Zn the presence of former Hayor of .lerusalem Ehud Olmert, Governor of the State of Florida Hr..leb Bush, Hayor of Aventura Hr..leffrey i~1. Perlov, the Consul General of Israel and other dignitaries. · GalaEventDinner-(Sp.m.)Afive-starphilanthropiceventfor Z,O00 guests on behalf of the Children of .lerusalem, in the presence of the aforementioned dignitaries and the final auction of three Lions selected by the committee 40 Lions will be displayed in A ventura~ 37 of which will be painted in .lerusalem by local Israeli ertist~ Three Lions will be decorated by local Florida arti~c; chosen by the Lion Parade Execulfve Committee and sold at the Gala Event Dinner 4) Public Relations and t4edia Campaign -All public relaUons, advertising and media campaigns should be coordinated by the ExecuUve Committee in conjunction with events planned for Aventura and in cooperation with the Israel Team of the Lion Parade. The New .lerusalem FoundBtion "Lion Parade- Lions for the Children of ]erusalem" The .Tsrael Team: The New Jerusalem Foundation and the I~unicipality of ]eru~alem Every city committee should periodically report to, and be in regular contact with the [srael Team of "Uon Parade" in order to facilitate mutual assistance and minimize costs when possible. The Zsrael Team will be the "hub" of the project whereby key resources and program material Idts will be produced Lo help each city launch its "Lion Parade" events. Tasks of the !srael Team include: · Creating and Producing the Uoos · Shipping the Uons Overseas to various participaUng clues · CreaUon of Logo/Image/Theme (Branding of Materials to be used) · Catalogue · Website · Available Resources and Assistance for pitching of sponsors and key figures in each city · Information and Public Relations - Kits Partnered Bodies of the Israel Team include the Municipality of 3erusalem and the New .lerusalem Foundation. A staff coordinator from each office will be made available for the development and implementation of the project. Feel free to contact us with any inquiries at: The New 3erusalem Foundation 4 Koresh Street~ POB 775~ 3erusalem 9:t007 TeI:972-2-6Z3-2227 Fax: 972-2-623-2390 Email:zravivOjerusalem.muni.il "Lion Parade- Lions for the Children of .lerusalem" Timetable of Activities and Programs for Aventura · .luly-October 2003 - Lions will be on display in 3erusalem · September 2003 - 40 Lions to be shipped to Aventura Florida for community events and December Auddon · October - December 2003 - Lion Parade -Aventura - community events and activities · November 16-19, 2003 International Launching of"Lion Parade" in 3erusalem at the GA. Uons will be displayed at the 3erusalem Conference Center. Haterials available at the event will include: the Lions, promoUonal PR materials of Upcoming Events in each city, "Save the Date" for Auctions in each city, Uon's Catalogue , · December 4u~ or 11t~ 2003- Lion Parade Celebration Day~ Auction and Gala Event Timetable for Other C/ties: · March - April 2004 Arrival of Lions to North America · April - May 2004 - Placement and Exhibition of Uons in North Amedcan cities, community events and PR campaigns for auctions (Suggestions for community events include: Getting .1CC's involved to create a map/walldng tour of the Lions, activities for youth around themes of .~erusalem, .~ewish Day School programs - all are with the aim to create "hype" and interest in local community and media) · May 2004 - Gala Event Auction- Tn each city near the dates of either Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Hay 7~) or Yom Yerushalayim (May 29~-30~) For further information, please contact us: The New :Jerusalem Foundation 4 Koresh Street POB 775 3erusalem 91007 TSRAEL Tel: 972-2-623-2227 Fax: 972-2-623-2390 Email: zraviv@jerusalem.muni.il The New Jerusalem Foundation SAMPLE OF PROGRAMS FOR JERUSALEM'S CHILDRENTO BE FINANCED BY THE SALE OF THE JERUSALEM LIONS 4 Koresh Street, POB 775 Jerusalem 91007 Tel: 972-2-623-2227 Fax: 972-2-623-2390 Email: zraviv @jerusalem. muni.il Jerusalem's Children: A General Overview: Of the total 680,000 residents of Jerusalem today, 291,000 of Jerusalemites are between the ages of 0-19 equaling about 44.2% of the city's total population. As a result, Jerusalem itself is considered a very "young" city - in contrast to Israel's other major urban centers such as Tel Aviv where this age population is 23.1% and in Haifa 26.6%. Jerusalem also has on average has a much higher percentage of large families throughout the city's neighborhoods. The level of education among Jerusalem's children and youth is relatively high with 26.3% of those over the age of 18 having more than 13 years of educational studies. A significant factor to the high education level is a result of the increased number of immigrants to the city in recent years, primarily from the Former Soviet Union. The high percentage of educated residents (many of them new immigrant parents to children currently enrolled in Jerusalem's multi-faceted education system) who possess academic degrees as well is an enormous resource potential for Jerusalem's future growth and development. Thus the City of the Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem Foundation view the investment in its children and youth as an integral aspect of the progress success of Jerusalem's development in the future. Taking care in the educational and social development of the next generation of Jerusalemites translates into addressing a number of areas of child- oriented projects that include educational, social and welfare needs. In the past several years of ongoing violence and economic decline, Jerusalem has faced many obstacles in creating a "normal" and quality living environment for its children. From the need to employ guards at schools and community centers to day camps, to parents' fears to bring their children to enjoy and visit the city center. Cutbacks due to economic constraints have meant the halting of many programs and improvements to facilities and activities - impacting the quality of life for our children. The financial and economic constraints have been undoubtedly felt on the municipal level - but they are even more acute among the many poor and struggling families among Jerusalem's residents. The New Jerusalem Foundation is dedicated to raising funds and resources to help meet the growing needs of Jerusalem's residents. Working closely with the Municipality of Jerusalem, the foundation strives to enhance the quality of life for Jerusalemites addressing projects that meet the daily needs of its residents including, education, culture and the arts, assistance to the needy, new immigrant absorption, and more. The projects enclosed are among the many exciting and important endeavors that the Foundation has embraced as part of its efforts to enhance Jerusalem and her citizens' lives. · PROJECT "TZAMID" - Programming For Jerusalem's Special Needs Children · "CARE4KIDS" Afterschool Program For Jerusalem's Underprivileged Children · "HATZLANA- SUCCESS"A Drop-Out Prevention Program for Jerusalem Teens · Jerusalem's Children at Risk - Addressing the Needs of Battered Children · Adventure Park for Children of Gilo Neighborhood PROJECT "TZAMID" - PROGRAMMING FOR JERUSALEM'S SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN One of the important characteristics of an open and caring society is one that recognizes and addresses the needs of the weaker members of its community. In Jerusalem today there are over 4,500 children and young people with special needs, who are confronted with the daily challenge of physical and mental disabilities. "Tzamid" meaning "chain" in Hebrew is the driving force behind a unique system of city-wide programs, activities and support networks established by the Jerusalem Municipality to provide services and assistance to special needs children and their families. Special emphasis is made to implement creative quality of life programming that includes activities that enhance the social, cultural and artistic effods of these special children and their integration into everyday Jerusalem society. Today children and youth with special needs, with our help can have access to the tools and teaching that can unlock them from within. A life enriched with cultural and social activities that include dance, the plastic arts, music, sports and more can give these children the self-confidence and motivation toward becoming an integrated part of Jerusalem society. Tzamid aims to provide the latest facilities and tools available for the physically and mentally challenged, allowing them to explore, with the guidance of caring and trained professional staff, who they are and what they can become. Through Tzamid programming children will not only have the opportunity to learn, they will have the chance to teach us, the Jerusalem community, through programming that encourages integration, training and a deeper understanding of the special children among us and what they have to offer. Tzamid programming aims to: · Enrich the cultural life for the physically and mentally handicapped · To give them the opportunity to acquire the tools and knowledge to develop their talents To increase their personal and collective self-esteem by developing their creativity for the expression of personal needs, dreams and aspirations To increase their ability to integrate into society through programming (concerts, exhibitions, sports events, and other communal events) that will include the participation of schools, organizations and related institutions The New Jerusalem Foundation, views "Tzamid" programs as the chain that links special needs children and the world around them - giving them the stage to perform, express themselves and share their talents. Tzamid gives all of us an opportunity to help these special children and teens to enjoy a better quality of life that celebrates the artist, dancer, painter, musician and athlete that is hidden within each of them. "Care4Kids" An Afterschool Program for Jerusalem's Underprivileged Children The City of Jerusalem is the second poorest urban center in the country with 36% of Jerusalemites living below the poverty line. The last two years of economic decline has brought high and still growing rates of unemployment and salary cutbacks. The result of the deteriorating economy is a phenomenon known as the "New Poor" - individuals and families that until two years ago were able to support themselves and their family members and today are barely able to give their children a wholesome meal once a week. The Problem: Kindergartens and schools operating in poverty stricken areas are reporting that there are and increasing number of children who are unable to take part in after-school activities such as music, science or sports, and that many of the children do not have access to a computer at home. Some 50% of the children do not have sufficient clothing, others are only eating a hot meal once every few days, and many children come to school each day hungry. The Solution: "Care4Kids" In our efforts to grapple with this disturbing trend the Municipality of Jerusalem with the help of the Ministry of Education and private contributors have created "Care4Kids" programs within Jerusalem's kindergartens and schools. The children, who have been fortunate enough to participate in "Care4Kids", take part in enrichment activities such as drama, music, arts, sports and more as well as receiving remedial assistance with school studies. Children receive help in the rudimentary subjects such as Hebrew grammar, mathematics, English; etc. in order to help them achieve their academic goals. The children study from 8:00 am until 3:45pm and thus receive a hot lunch meal as well. The meals include all the basic food groups including fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and proteins. To date we have succeeded in placing 5,000 children from kindergarten through elementary school ages in "Care4Kids" programs within the poorer neighborhoods of Jerusalem including Ir Ganim, Katamonim, and Kiryat Menachem. There remain another 1,200 children who are unable to benefit from the full range of activities that "Care4Kids" has to offer. Many of these children take part in the enrichment programs for school studies and extra-curricular activities but due to lack of funding are unable to benefit from the hot meal program. The result is that these children spend an entire day in school and programs with little more than a sandwich to get them through the day. A child with an empty stomach cannot live up to his/her fullest potential. In light of these needs the education system has embarked on an ambitious goal to ensure that all Jerusalem children in need will benefit from both enriched academic and extracurricular activities and a hot meal every day. The cost per meal for a child is $2.25. $360 will allow a child to receive a hot meal every day 5 days per week throughout the school year from September until the end of June. Help us to help a Jerusalem child grow, learn and flourish help us to nourish our future. "HATZLAHA - SUCCESS" A Drop-Out Prevention Program for Jerusalem Teens "Hatzlaha" is an intervention program operated by the Youth at Risk Division of the Jerusalem Municipality in cooperation with the Jerusalem Education Authority and the Ministry of Education in local Jerusalem schools, that is dedicated to assisting junior high and high school students who are on the verge of abandoning formal educational frameworks. The concept of "Dropping Out" generally refers to youth who have completely left the school system, or alternatively have been transferred to various schools (generally of a lower level) due to behavioral and psychological problems. Studies in the United States have shown that early intervention programs aimed at preventing "drop-outs" have a high rate of success among students who are potentially at risk to leave educational programs. Such intervention, that provides the support and assistance that a student needs can help them to integrate successfully back into positive educational environments. Over the years many of the drop-out prevention programs operated across Israel have tended to focus primarily on academic/scholastic achievements in the classroom. Haztlaha provides a holistic approach to drop-out prevention among youth by including intensive work on the emotional, psychological and social factors that have led teens towards their downward spiral. Students who join Hatzlaha are between the ages of 14-16 who have been identified as "at-risk" for dropping out. They are generally from Iow socio-economic backgrounds and from poverty stricken neighborhoods, and/or suffer from problematic home environments (such as domestic violence, emotional abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, single-parents, crime, lack of parental support, etc.). These students have been identified as having 3ersonal emotional and psychological issues due to these and perhaps other factors. Over the course of 2 years, students are involved In an intensive program that includes therapeutic and remedial work on a number of levels: Individual therapy and support; · Group work aimed at strengthening self confidence, changing attitudes, enhancing motivation and instilling normative behavior patterns; Learning through experience to promote group cohesion and to channel negative energies towards constructive activity; · Reinforcing and developing learning skills including provision of private tutors and creating special learning groups; · Parental contact aimed towards developing communication skills for releasing parent- child tensions. This is only done where necessary and with the cooperation of the student; Ongoing contact with school staff to generate a deeper sense of involvement with the aims of Hatzlaha and gain their cooperation in assisting students to cope with their academic and functional difficulties. This integrative approach combining assistance in the academic alongside personal spheres of influence is directed at addressing the "psychological price" weaker students are confronted with when trying to cope with the pressures of academic success in an environment laden with emotional and social traumas. Hatzlaha is a relatively new program of the Youth at Risk Division that integrates formal and informal educational tools. To date 90% of participants have stayed in school and completed high school studies, among them nearly 40% have continued their education to complete matriculation exams that will enable them to pursue higher education. Jerusalem's Children at Risk - Addressing the Needs of Battered Children Of the 2,340,000 children in Israel, 28 percent live under the poverty line and as the economy slides further, these numbers will increase. Approximately 330,000 of these children are considered to be at varying levels of high risk and 200,000 have been identified and are being monitored by the Ministry of Social Welfare. Of these 68,000 are being raised, to some extent, outside of their biological homes and 10,000 have been removed from their homes because they are in imminent danger. These children are Israel's most vulnerable. And in reality in Israel today there continues to be an alarming rise in family violence, exacerbated by the increased levels of stress associated with the political violence across the country. For children who already exist in an abusive environment - whether it is physical, sexual or emotional - the level of risk increases exponentially. As attention focuses on meeting the extraordinary needs at this moment of crisis and challenge in Israel, we wish to meet the needs of kids who are already in crisis. There are generally a number of options available in the placement and assistance of these children who are in need of front-line protection and a warm nourishing environment in order to heal. There are five main placement options available. All are offered in Jerusalem to its children in need, and in many cases to children country-wide who are sent to the nation's capital for assistance. · National Family Group Homes: Israel's child welfare network provides facilities throughout the country and particularly in Jerusalem for children at risk. · Community Family Group Homes: This model is designed to enable children to remain close to their biological families and receive placement in their local community. · Adolescent Girls' Homes: homes for adolescent girls who have suffered severe physical and often sexual abuse. Their needs cannot be met in a family group home and this model enables tailoring programs to meet their individual needs. · Home for Severely Troubled Young Boys, ages 6-14. This is an intensive-care facility and has 24 hour staff and a special education school on the premises. · Foster Family Program: This program, is geared to children whose special needs prevent them from living in a family group home or in any other institution within Israel's child welfare network. There are a wide-range of needs that must be addressed once children are placed outside of their home environments. Among them are psychological and rehabilitative services, educational needs to bring them up to grade level in their studies (including in- school supplemental teachers who can attend to individual needs and private after- school tutoring), foster-parent care, parent-child therapy and more. A myriad of support staff are involved in the process of helping a battered child including house parents, social workers, therapists, counselors, and supplementary teachers. Adventure Park for Children of Gilo Neighborhood The Gilo neighborhood is located on the southern border of Jerusalem and is a front-line neighborhood that has been under fire with over 100 shooting incidents in the past two years of violence. There is a need to develop new outdoor "green" recreational facilities for children in the Gilo neighborhood to serve the large and growing population and to provide a safe and welcoming environment for children to play. The park will include a number of shaded areas as well as three unique recreational sculptures designed for youngsters by new immigrant sculptor Ruslan Sergeev. The proposed play area is suitable for young children and toddlers, and will include the artist's colorful and fantasy-like creatures enhancing the park and the play environment. The artist has designed a number of works for children's kindergartens and schools, utilizing what he terms "environmental sculptures" that are designed to serve a both creative and functional purpose for the enjoyment of the public in general and children in particular. The "environmental sculptures" utilize materials suitable for the urban setting combining elements and themes of Man & Nature, and the environment. Sketch of a sample sculpture by artist Scale model of sculptures in Adventure Park - Gilo