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05-30-1995 WorkshopMINUTES AVENTURA CHARTER COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING/WORKSHOP MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1995 1. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Young. Those present were Commissioners Irene Barouh, George Feffer, Dr. Mary Pankowski, Vice Chairman Leonard Brenner and Chairman Burton Young. Also present was Charter Commission Attorney Richard Jay Weiss. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Brenner led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of May 11, 1995 were read by Secretary Barouh. Commissioner Feller requested that the paragraph referring to the proposed budget on page 2 of the minutes be corrected striking the clause "Dr. Pankowski added an additional $40,000." He further requested that page 4 of the minutes be corrected to reflect that it is necessary to submit the Charter for Election by September 8th. Commissioner Barouh requested a correction be made on page 4 to reflect that the date set for the next public hearing is May 30, 1995. By unanimous consent, the minutes were approved, as amended. 4. INTRODUCTION: Chairman Young stated that the purpose of the public hearing was to formalize the form of government for Aventura. He then recognized Metropolitan Dade County Commissioner Gwen Margolis. Senator Margolis advised the Commission that a more detailed budget must be prepared for submittal to the County Commission. She urged the Commission to present the budget to the County prior to the start of the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 1995. In addition, she suggested that it would be wise to contact the County at this time to obtain the costs necessary to purchase services from the County during the transition period, i.e. Police, Fire, Public Works, Building Department. Chairman Young directed Attorney Weiss to meet with the County to begin compiling these costs. Mr. Weiss noted that the Village of Key Biscayne entered into an extensive agreement with the County during their transition period and he would provide a copy of same to the Commissioners for their information. Finally, Commissioner Margolis suggested that the Commission keep two things in mind in their future incorporation discussions: 1) not to divide precincts when districting and 2) that in a small community, residents should not be forced to run head to head, but in a group. 5. EXPLANATION OF SUGGESTED PROCEDURES: Mr. Weiss suggested that each Commissioner meet with him to discuss the issue assigned to him/her and in order to expedite the incorporation process, that a draft document be prepared following each meeting to present to the Commission regarding the specific issues. 6. PRESENTATION AS TO FORMS OF GOVERNMENT IN FLORIDA: Mr. Weiss explained to the Commission the different forms of government used by municipalities in the State of Florida and provided the Commission with portions of the Charters of several communities in Florida, as well as a model charter. He stated that the most common form of government in Florida is the Council/Manager form of government wherein the residents elect a commission and the commission appoints a manager, a clerk and an attorney. The manager runs the day-to-day operation of the municipality. The second most common form of government is the strong mayor. The mayor runs the municipality on a day-to-day basis and no manager is appointed. The council may elect a president to serve as a figurehead. Mr. Weiss explained to the commission that the size of a community does not determine its form of government and that it would be a decision of the Commission. 7. PUBLIC HEARING: Chairman Young opened the public hearing and recognized several local public officials who addressed the Commission on the form of government of their respective municipalities. Those addressing the Commission were North Miami Beach Mayor Jeffrey Mishcon, Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, Miami Springs Mayor John Cavalier, Key Biscayne Village Manager Samuel Kissinger and North Miami Beach Manager Michael Roberto. In addition, Russ Marchner, Director of the Dade County League of Cities, Inc. briefly addressed the Commission. Upon completion of the presentations, the following individuals addressed the Commission: Ruby Steiner, 20301 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; George Berlin, 1940 NE 194th Drive, North Miami Beach; Ronald Pallott, 3900 Island Boulevard, Williams Island, Aventura; Shelley Mason Buncher, 18181 NE 31st Court, Aventura; John Vega, 3000 Marcus Drive, Point East, Aventura; Judge Arthur Snyder, 20505 East Country Club Drive, Aventura; Harry Crook, Commodore Pla?a~ Aventura; Art Grossman, 20100 West Country Club Drive; and June Stevens, 20412 Belle Vista Court, Aventura. Chairman Young then closed the Public Hearing. 8. DISCUSSION BY COMMISSION MEMBERS. Each Commission member stated individually that it was their opinion that the Council/Manager form of government would be most suited for Aventura. At Commissioner Pankowski's suggestion, the audience was polled to determine their opinion as to the form of government for Aventura and it was their consensus also that the Council/Manager form be instituted. 9. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION AND DISPOSITIVE COMMISSION ACTION. After brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Pankowski that the Council/Manager form of government be established in Aventura. The motion was seconded and adopted by a unanimous voice vote. 10. BUSINESS MEETING: Commission members expressed their approval as to the format of the agenda, as provided by Mr. Weiss, which includes backup information, and Vice Chairman Brenner suggested that Mr. Weiss be responsible for the preparation and distribution of future agendas. After brief discussion, it was determined that the agendas would be prepared by Mr. Weiss and, in order to reduce delivery costs, delivered to Chairman Young's office for distribution to Commission members. Mr. Weiss suggested that a complete agenda be made available in the Aventura Library for review by interested citizens. After further discussion regarding the need for a more detailed budget, Chairman Young suggested that Commissioner Barouh contact Assistant County Attorney Murray Greenberg for assistance in completion of this matter. Motion was made by Commissioner Barouh and seconded by Vice Chairman Brenner, that Mr. Weiss be retained by the Commission to serve as their legal counsel in the preparation of the Charter for Aventura at a fee of $150 per hour, not to exceed $15,000, plus expenses. Mr. Weiss added that there would be no charge for phone calls to him by the Commission and that expenses may be slightly higher due to duplication charges for preparation of the agenda. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Weiss requested clarification as to the assignment of issues to individual Commissioners. Chairman Young stated the assignments are as follows: Form of Government/Structure - Vice Chairman Brenner; Election Issues/Districts - Commissioner Feller; Financial Issues - Commissioner Barouh; and Administration and Overall Charter Review, including miscellaneous issues - Commissioner Pankowski. After brief discussion regarding scheduling conflicts, Chairman Young advised the Commission and those present that the next meeting is scheduled for June 8, 1995 and will be held at the Aventura Hospital Medical Arts Building, 21110 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 101, Aventura. The subject matter of this meeting will be determined by Chairman Young and Mr. Weiss. 11. OTHER BUSINESS: There was no further business to come before the Commission. 12. ADJOURNMENT: After motion made by Commissioner Pankowski and seconded by Commissioner Feffer, the meeting adjourned. Prepared by: Teresa M. Smith Approved this ~__ day of ??~,-~1995. Irene Barouh, Secretary Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the Charter Commission with respect to any matter considered at such 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.