05-20-1997 Council Meeting MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA
TUESDAY, MAY 20, '1997 7 P.M.
COLUMBIA AVENTURA MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING
2'1'1'10 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD SUITE 10'1
AVENTURA, FLORIDA
'1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor
Snyder. Present were Councilmembers Jay R. Beskin, Ken Cohen, Harry Holzberg,
Patricia Rogers-Libert, Vice Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow, Mayor Snyder, City Manager
Eric M. Soroka, City Clerk Teresa M. Smith, and City Attorney Richard Jay Weiss.
Councilmember Arthur Berger was absent. As a quorum was determined to be
present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mrs. Crook led the pledge of allegiance.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion to approve the minutes of the April 30, '1997
Workshop Meeting, the May 5, '1997 Workshop Meeting and the May 6, '1997 Council
Meeting was offered by Councilmember Rogers-Libert and seconded by
Councilmember Cohen, with the following amendments: April 30, '1997 Workshop
Meeting - correct spelling of Turnberry and note in Section '1 that Council requested
letter height restrictions in all sections; Item 7.A. of the May 6, '1997 Council meeting
to provide that the amendment passed unanimously and the motion for approval
passed 6-'1. The motion passed unanimously and the minutes were approved as
amended.
4. AGENDA: REQUEST FOR DELETIONS/EMERGENCY ADDITIONS:
Councilmember Beskin requested removal of Items 6.A. and 6.C. from the Consent
Agenda.
$. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Certificates of Appointment to the Planning Advisory
Board were presented to Harry Crook and Schelly Strauss.
6. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Weiss read the title to Agenda Items 6. B. and 6.D. A
motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Perlow, seconded by Councilmember
Rogers-Libert and unanimously passed by roll call vote. Thus the following
ordinances were approved on first reading:
B. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVFNTURA,
FLORIDA; ADOPTING ORDINANCE CONCERNING
ZONING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8.03 OF THE CITY
CHARTER, AMENDING METROPOLITAN DADE
COUNTY ZONING CODE AS APPLICABLE TO CITY
OF AVENTURA; PROVIDING FOR PUBMC HEARINGS
AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS; PROVIDING
FOR REPEAL AND REPLACEMENT OF SECTION 33-
310 OF THE METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY
ZONING CODE CONCERNING PUBLIC HEARINGS;
SUBSTITUTING CITY COUNCIL AND DESIGNATED
CITY OFFICIALS FOR COUNTY AGENCIES AND
OFFICIALS, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY FOR
REVIEW OF PUBMC HEARING APPMCATIONS,
ZONING VARIANCES, SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS AND
OTHER QUASI~JUDICIAL ACTION WITHIN THE
SCOPE OF CHAPTER 33 "ZONING" OF THE COUNTY
CODE AS MADE APPLICABLE TO THE CITY;
PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ZONING AND
PLANNING TRANSITIONAL ORDINANCE,
DESIGNATED AS ORDINANCE NO 96~)8 UPON THE
SAME SUBJECT MATTER; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR SAVINGS CLAUSE
AND RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ADMINISTRATIVE
ACTION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
D. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 96-18, WHICH ORDINANCE
ADOPTED A BUDGET FOR THE 1996/97 FISCAL
YEAR BY REVISING THE 1996/97 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; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
Mr. Weiss read the title to the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING SPECIAL
EVENTS WITHIN THE CITY; ESTABLISHING AN
APPLICATION PROCESS; ESTABLISHING
CRITERIA FOR APPROVING SPECIAL EVENTS
HELD WITHIN THE CITY AS CONTAINED IN EXHIBIT
"A" ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART
HEREOF; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE ALL SPECIAL EVENT AGREEMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO TAKE NECESSARY AND EXPEDIENT
ACTION TO CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS
RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
An amendment was offered by Vice Mayor Perlow and seconded by Councilmember
Rogers-Libert as follows: Section C. of the fee structure to read "up to" 15%; Section D
of the fee structure to provide for an administrative service cost of up to 25%; include a
provision that sufficient public notice be given for all events to be held in City parks; and
Section 10 to provide that copies of all licenses and insurance schedules be furnished
to the City for each event. The amendment passed unanimously. A motion for approval
was offered by Vice Mayor Perlow, seconded by Councilmember Rogers-Libert,
unanimously passed by roll call vote and Resolution No. 97-34 was adopted.
C. Mr. Weiss read the following resolution by title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR AND
ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW, PLANNING AND ZONING APPLICATIONS;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL
THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF
THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Snyder opened the public hearing and there being no speakers, the public
hearing was closed. A motion for approval was offered by Councilmember Rogers-Libert
and seconded by Councilmember Holzberg. An amendment was offered by
Councilmember Beskin and seconded by Councilmember Rogers-Libert that the fee for
variances for signs in existence on the effective date of the Sign Ordinance be reduced
to $350. The amendment passed, 5-1, with Vice Mayor Perlow voting no. The motion for
approval passed unanimously, and Resolution No. 97-35 was adopted.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: ORDINANCES - SECOND READING - None
8. RESOLUTIONS: None
9. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. PROGRESS REPORT: STATUS OF PROPOSED
SIGN ORDINANCE
Mr. Soroka noted the issues yet to be resolved in finalizing this ordinance.
Community Development Director Jaye Epstein presented Staff's recommendations
for resolution of those issues. The following individuals spoke relative to this
ordinance: Lionel Socolov, 3530 Mystic Point Drive; George Feller, Admirals Port;
Dave Siegel, Promenade Shops; Robert Jordan, Commodore Plaza; David Romanick,
Gulfstream Racetrack; and Joel Gustafson, Esq., Holland and Knight. The following
action was taken regarding the revisions as proposed by Staff:
Recommendation #1 - A motion was offered by Councilmember Cohen and seconded
by Vice Mayor Perlow to increase the overall wall sign size referred to in Section 7.b.
to 1% sq. ft. per lineal ft. with no reference to setback. The motion failed, 1-5, with
Mayor Snyder voting yes.
A motion to approve recommendation #2 was offered by Vice Mayor Perlow,
seconded by Councilmember Rogers-Libert and unanimously passed.
The City Attorney was directed to research Florida State Statutes relative to
recommendation #6.
At this time, this matter was deferred until later in the agenda.
B. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE MOTION TO CHANGE
THE TIME FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS (Mayor Snyder)
This item was removed from the agenda by Mayor Snyder.
10. REPORTS: Mr. Weiss advised Council of an investigation by the State Attorney's
Office into a possible violation of the Sunshine Law by members of the Planning
Advisory Board. A motion was offered by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by
Vice Mayor Perlow to declare this an emergency and place it for discussion on the
agenda. The motion passed unanimously. After extensive discussion by Council, a
motion was offered by Vice Mayor Perlow and seconded by Councilmember Rogers-
Libert to direct staff to request, in writing, the resignation of all members of the
Planning Advisory Board, including detailed explanation to the two newly-appointed
members who have not yet participated on this Board, and to provide alternatives for
discussion by Council at the June 3, 1997 meeting as to the future of this Board. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. A motion was offered by
4
Councilmember Rogers-Libert, seconded by Councilmember Cohen and unanimously
passed that the Planning Advisory Board meeting scheduled for May 28, 1997 be
cancelled.
11.PUBLIC COMMENTS: The following members of the public addressed Council:
Ginger Grossman, 20100 W. Country Club Drive; Emil Hubschman, Aventura
Chamber of Commerce; Robert Jordan; and Lionel Socolov.
Discussion resumed as to the proposed Sign Ordinance: (Mayor Snyder left the
meeting at this time - 10:05 p.m. and Vice Mayor Perlow assumed the chair.)
As to Staff recommendation #3 - a motion for approval was offered by
Councilmember Rogers-Libert, seconded by Councilmember Holzberg and
unanimously passed, 4-0. Councilmember Beskin was not present for the vote.
As to Staff recommendation #4, a motion for approval was offered by Councilmember
Rogers~Libert, seconded by Councilmember Holzberg and unanimously passed, 5-0.
As to Staff recommendation #5:
Section 6b) - a motion for approval was offered by Councilmember Rogers-Libert,
seconded by Councilmember Holzberg and passed unanimously, 5-0.
Section 7c) - a motion for approval was offered by Councilmember Rogers-Libert,
seconded by Councilmember Cohen and unanimously passed.
Section 7e) A motion to provide for the letter height at a maximum of 4" was offered
by Councilmember Rogers-Libert, seconded by Councilmember Holzberg and
unanimously passed.
A motion was offered by Councilmember Beskin and seconded by Councilmember
Cohen to reconsider the action taken as to Staff recommendation #5. The motion
failed, with Vice Mayor Perlow, Councilmember Beskin and Councilmember Cohen
voting yes and Councilmembers Rogers-Libert and Holzberg voting no.
It was the consensus of Council to address letter height again at second reading.
As to Staff recommendation #7 - A motion was offered by Councilmember Rogers-
Libert, seconded by Councilmember Holzberg and unanimously passed to table this
recommendation and direct Staff to further research this matter.
As to Staff recommendation #8 - A motion for approval was offered by
Councilmember Rogers-Libert, seconded by Councilmember Cohen and unanimously
passed.
It was the consensus of Council to address the issue of amortization at second
reading.
12.ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business to come before Council at this
time, after motion made, seconded and unanimously passed, the meeting adjourned
at 10:45 p.m.
Teresa M. Smith, CMC, City Clerk
Approved by Council on June 3, 1997.
Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Council 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.