04-18-2000 Commission Workshop CITY COMMISSION
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TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2000 9 AM
(following Special Commission meeting)
Government Center
2999 NE 191st Street Suite 500
-. ,,.~.~' Aventura, Florida
The meeting was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by Mayor Arthur I. Snyder. Present were
Commissioners Arthur Berger, 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. Soroka, and City Attorney David M. Wolpin. As a quorum
was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
1. ROW ORDINANCE: Mr. Wolpin suggested deferral of this item until after the end
of the current legislative session. An ordinance to be drafted for consideration at the
May workshop meeting.
2. CAUSEWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS: At the direction of the Commission,
Lehman Causeway safety was addressed by City engineers and two alternatives were
suggested and discussed by the Commission. Consensus to proceed with Alternative A
and defer Alternative B for future consideration.
3, LEBOWlTZ MEMORIAL: Commission discussed erecting gazebo in Waterways
Park in memory of Eugene Lebowitz, subject to his family's approval. Commission
discussed setting guidelines for erecting memorials within the City, including length of
residency, amount of donation, and that the honoree be deceased. Resolution to be
drafted for consideration at the May Workshop meeting.
4. OFFICE BUILDING SIGNS: Mr. Soroka advised the Commission that City Code
Section 901.11(b)(3) allows non-conforming office building wall signs that registered
with the City to be continued as an exception to the amortization schedule and provided
a list of existing office building wall signs that are permitted to remain. Consensus to
amend regulations to delete office wall building signs and provide an additional 3-year
amortization period for compliance.
5, EMISSIONS TESTING: (Mayor Snyder) Mayor Snyder noted that emissions testing
program may be eliminated or drastically reduced through legislative action. Consensus
to prepare resolution supporting emissions tests for vehicles 4 years and older and
trucks, buses and other vehicles not currently tested, or eliminate program in its entirety.
6. DEFIBRILLATORS: (Commissioner Berger) Commissioner Berger introduced Ms~
Combs, representative of Complient, a company which offers comprehensive
environmental, health and safety solutions to its clients and requested that the
Commission deem Aventura as a heart-safe community, promoting educational
seminars and training in use of defibrillators. Consensus to proceed with generic
resolution, without support of specific company.
7. RAILROAD CROSSING ISSUES: (Commissioner Berger) Commissioner Berger
suggested City Manager contact FDOT to make certain safety improvements to the
railroad crossings and FEC to contribute funds therefore so that quiet zones may be
established by the City for stoppage of train whistles. In addition, he suggested City
Manager be directed to submit comments to FRA prior to May 26, 2000 regarding
environmental statement; provide for police preparedness in the event of a train
disaster; and passage of resolution as prepared by Railwatch.
8. OTHER BUSINESS: Due to adverse condition of the road, City Manager to review
suggestion to close NE 185th Street during present construction.
Noting a request he received from a condominium president within the City, Mayor
requested City Manager survey other cities regarding citizen awards and qualifications
therefore.
9. BOARD REPORTS: None
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 11:40 a.m.
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Teresa M. Soroka, ~3MC, ~ity Clerk
Approved by the Commission on May 2, 2000.
Anyone wishing to appeal any d~cision 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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