04-02-2001 Planning Session MINUTES Aventura Government Center
COMMISSION PLANNING SESSION 2999 NE 191~ Street #500
APRIL 2, 2001 9 AM Aventura, Fbrida 33180
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Vice Mayor Jay R. Beskin. Present
were Commissioners Arthur merger, Ken Cohen, Manny Grossman, Harry Holzberg,
Patricia Rogers-Libert, Vice Mayor Beskin, Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow (arrived at 9:10
a.m.), City Manager Eric M. Soroka, City Clerk Teresa M. Soroka, and City Attorney
David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting
commenced.
1. INTRODUCTION: (Mayor Perlow)
2. COMMUNITY/RECREATION CENTER: Mr. Soroka reviewed revisions to several
areas of the facilities included in this project in accordance with Commission concerns
expressed at the March 27th Workshop Meeting. Commission expressed approval of
the changes.
Discussion ensued as to purchase of the Tempest property. City Manager to give
written notice to present owner that Commission will commence "slow-take"
proceedings to acquire the property in the event that Seller does not accept City's
present offer of $4 million purchase price within the next 2 weeks.
3. 199TM STREET OPENING ALTERNATIVES: Mr. Soroka read a letter he received
from FDOT, requested by George Berlin, stating that FDOT would not consider an at-
grade crossing at Biscayne Blvd./192® Street. Commission discussed in detail the
Lehman Causeway and 199th Street openings. Commissioners merger, Cohen,
Holzberg, Grossman and Vice Mayor Beskin expressed their desire to place a
Resolution on the April 3, 2001 Commission agenda rescinding Resolution 2000-75
regarding 199th Street crossing at Biscayne Boulevard and indicating that Commission
does not support the reopening of this crossing. City Manager to discuss with Florida
Department of Transportation opening of crossing at Lehman Causeway/Biscayne
Boulevard.
4. TOWN CENTER/NE 188TM REDEVELOPMENT: Staff presented revised Town
Center Concept Plan. Consensus of Commission to proceed with preparation of
Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendments to implement the revised concept.
5. EXPANSION OF RECREATION AND CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY BOARD:
Mayor Perlow proposed expanding both Advisory Boards to 15 members (7 appointed
by Commission and 8 through application process) and time change of meetings to late
afternoon/early evening. Mayor formed a Committee comprised of Commissioners
merger, Holzberg and Vice Mayor Beskin (Chair) to discuss increased participation by
the community through Advisory Boards, i.e. additional Boards, change in selection
process, number of members and time/date of meetings, etc.
Mayor appointed another Committee comprised of Commissioners Cohen (Chair),
Grossman and Rogers-Libert to study ways to achieve increased voter turnout, policing
public safety and recommendations regarding traffic improvements.
6. ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT PROCESS: (included in #5 discussion
above)
?. IMPROVEMENTS TO VOTER TURNOUT: (included in #5 discussion above)
8. MAYOR'S CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION: Commission discussed and
approved honoring a deserving citizen on a regular basis in the form of a Mayor's
Certificate of Appreciation.
After further discussion, at the suggestion of the City Manager, the policing of public
safety was removed by the Mayor from the Committee's responsibility (as formed
above) and Commission requested that a Workshop be scheduled to discuss with
staff, including the Police Chief, the concerns of the Commission regarding police
issues. Commission expressed desire to televise monthly police briefings in
conjunction with televising of Commission meetings on the cable channel.
Commission discussed other potential projects and suggested plans for the future.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission at
this time, after motion made, seconded and unanimously passed, the meeting
adjourned at 12:35 p.m. j ,,~
Teresa M. Soroka,~MC, ~ity Clerk
Approved by the Commission on May 1,2001.
Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at a
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.
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