05-11-1995MINUTES OF THE NEW PROPOSED CITY OF AVENTURA
MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 11, 1995
IN THE AVENTr/RA TEMPLE AT 7=30 P.M.
AGENDA FOR THE EVENING:
Chairman Burton Young introduced Senator~wen Margolis, County
Commissioner, who explained that the Commissioners sitting on the
dais were invited to put together a Charter for the new City of
Aventura. She introduced the Commissioners on the dais to the
audience=
Mr. Burton Young, Chairman of the Committee
Mr. Leonard Brenner, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Irene Barouh, who is a Financial Planner and Secretary of
the Committee
Mr. George Feffer
Dr. Mary L. Pankowski
First order of business was to have the Commissioners sworn
in. This procedure was officiated by Judge Young.
Chairman Young encouraged the audience to participate in their
suggestions for the Charter of the birth of the City of Aventura.
Next item on the agenda was the hiring of an attorney to draft
the Charter. The name of Howard Leonard was brought up. He is a
distinguished public servant and although Mr. Leonard has been
available for advice to Chairman Young, it was felt that it would
be an imposition on Mr. Leonard's time since the Charter would need
to be drafted possibly many times~ working up a Charter would
require the time of someone who would be available and on call.
MINUTES OF THE NEW PROPOSED CITY OF AVENTb-RA 2
The resume of Richard Jay Weiss, Esq. had been presented to
the committee and George Feffer was called upon for his opinion of
the resume. The Vice Chairman, Mr. Leonard Brenner brought up the
subject of fees and after Mr. Weiss, who was in the audience, got
up to introduce himself and answered questions posed to him from
the members of the co~unittee, it was voted upon that should the
fees of the attorney meet with the satisfaction of the committee's
proposed budget~ after the secretary and Mr. Weiss would come to a
satisfactory dollar amount, Mr. Weiss has the approval of the
co--~ssioners on the co--,~ttee. Mr. Weiss did advise the
com~issioners that each and every one of them would be free to call
him individually, at any time, for advice regarding the drafting of
the Charter.
Next item on the agenda, Secretary Irene Barouh was called
upon to read the proposed budget of distribution to Electors, copy
is attached. Since the newly proposed City of Aventura has no cash
assets, Chairman Young advised that there would be a request to the
County Commission to loan us the money needed to obtain a Charter.
This money will be paid back to the County once money starts coming
in.
Chairman asked for a vote to accept the proposed budget as
submitted. Proposed budget was unanimously accepted. There is a
possibility that the election might be piggly-backed, which would be
a financial benefit to the budget.
Senator ~wen Margolis, Commissioner, explained "The Sunshine
MINUTES OF THE NEW PROPOSED CITY OF AVENTURA 3
Law" to the Committee, stating that members of the committee are
not permitted to discuss anything with other members regarding the
meetings or drafting of Charter.
It was also suggested that the students from FIU be requested
to offer their input with regard to the drafting of the Charter and
since the Birth of City is such an exciting event, inviting the
students to participate in the preparation of the municipal
government could be most beneficial to its creation. Some of the
items that have to be addressed in the Charter are:
I Power of City
2 Form of Government - Mayor-Council
3 Role of Mayor - Vice Mayor
4 Structure of Government - Council
5 Districts - Qualifications
6 Prohibitions - Vacancies - Procedures - Restrictions
7 City Management
8. Departments - Office Agencies
9. Financial Production
10. Elections
11. Charters
The Chairman would like for each of the Commissioners to sub
chair the various programs listed above. A public meeting will be
called for May 25 to discuss all of the above and from that point
forward, there will be public meetings held every Thursday evening.
It is necessary to submit the Charter for Election by September 8th
MINUTES OF THE NEW PROPOSED CITY OF AVENTURA 4
so there is much work to be done in a limited amount of time.
The Chairman turned the meeting over for the opinion of Vice
Chairman, Leonard Brenner who believes we have the advantage of the
experience of the Charters from cities like No. Miami Beach and
will avoid some of the errors that were incorporated into their
charter. Secretary Irene Barouh believes that we should keep our
charter as specific and simple as possible to avoid having to make
any amendments at a later time. George Feffer believes that we are
off to a marvelous start. Dr. Mary Pankowski echoed the sentiments
of the other commissioners and her enthusiasm for the public
interest of those who live here and for the generations to come.
A date was set for the next public hearing which will be on
Tuesday, May 30, 1995. Location of meeting will be advised at a
later date. There will be ongoing meetings every Thursday evening
until the Charter has been drafted for approval.
Ruby Steiner, Mr. Schneider, Susan Freed, old time friend and
activist, Bob Diamond, former Mayor in New Jersey (and resident of
Williams Island, who complimented ~wen Margolis on her
appointments. He looks forward to good government in the place he
lives and offered his assistance at any time. Bob Whitman and
Jacob Cohen lauded the choices and wished the committee good luck
to the committee. Jean Stevens thanked all the people who had
volunteered and worked so hard to make this a reality; project
started 15 years ago.
Attorney Weiss reiterated the Sunshine-Law and warned the
MINUTES OF THE NEW PROPOSED CITY OF AVENTURA 5
Commissioners
proposed charter and development of
outside of the public.
Any additions or corrections?
Motion was made to adjourn and seconded.
of the importance of not discussing any of the
the proposed City of Aventura