[1:59] Mhm.

[3:54] » Mhm.

[19:07] » I'm seven.

[19:09] I'm tall.

[19:11] Thank you, sir.

[19:15] » Thank you.

[19:16] July 7th, 2026, let's call the

[19:20] LPA to order. I'll say again, July 7th,

[19:24] 2026, and let's have a roll call.

[19:27] >> Mayor Weinberg.

[19:28] >> Here.

[19:29] >> Vice Mayor Ahern.

[19:30] >> Here.

[19:30] >> Commissioner Blackman.

[19:31] >> Here.

[19:32] >> Commissioner Bloom.

[19:33] >> Here.

[19:33] >> Commissioner Friedland.

[19:34] >> Here.

[19:35] >> Commissioner Cruz.

[19:36] >> Here.

[19:37] >> Commissioner Olensky.

[19:39] >> Here. Mr. Feist.

[19:40] >> Here.

[19:41] >> Mr. Myers.

[19:42] >> Here.

[19:42] >> You have a quorum.

[19:44] >> Thank you.

[19:45] All that can, let's rise for the pledge

[19:47] of allegiance.

[19:52] I pledge allegiance.

[20:11] Okay.

[20:13] I see we have a very full house,

[20:15] standing room only as usual. I think

[20:16] it's our 35th sellout in a row.

[20:20] Very, very good. I'm glad you're all

[20:21] here.

[20:22] Um I need a motion to approve the

[20:25] minutes from June 2nd. Uh Commissioner

[20:29] Bloom seconded by Vice Mayor Ahern.

[20:32] Let's vote on that.

[20:33] >> Commissioner Blackman.

[20:34] >> Yes.

[20:35] >> Commissioner Bloom.

[20:36] >> Yes. Commissioner Friedland.

[20:38] >> Yes.

[20:38] >> Commissioner Cruz.

[20:40] >> Yes.

[20:40] >> Commissioner Olensky.

[20:41] >> Yes.

[20:42] >> Vice Mayor Ahern.

[20:43] >> Yes.

[20:44] >> And Mayor Weinberg.

[20:45] >> Yes.

[20:45] >> Motion passes.

[20:47] >> Okay.

[20:48] Uh

[20:50] Co- Commissioner Cruz, you can hear?

[20:53] >> Yes, sir. Uh somehow I'm not getting the

[20:55] not allowing me to video

[20:58] >> What um what city are you in?

[21:01] >> Tel Aviv.

[21:02] Enjoy.

[21:05] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for

[21:07] warming it up.

[21:09] >> [laughter]

[21:10] >> Our pleasure. Okay,

[21:12] we've got item four is public hearing

[21:15] motion recommending adoption of

[21:19] the following but I'm going to ask the

[21:22] since we're going to quasi judicial

[21:24] procedures invoked and ask the city

[21:25] attorney to explain the procedures.

[21:27] >> Thank you mayor. Please be advised that

[21:30] the following item 4B on the local

[21:33] planning agency agenda. This is zoning

[21:35] hearing and is quasi judicial nature is

[21:37] such the quasi judicial procedures of

[21:38] the city shall be invoked for this item.

[21:40] If you wish to object or comment upon

[21:42] this item, please inform the mayor when

[21:44] public comments are requested. An

[21:45] opportunity for persons to speak on this

[21:47] item will be made available after the

[21:49] applicant staff have made their

[21:50] presentations on the item. All testimony

[21:52] including public testimony and evidence

[21:54] will be made under oath affirmation for

[21:56] this quasi judicial item. Additionally,

[21:58] each person who gives testimony may be

[21:59] subject cross examination. If you refuse

[22:02] either to be cross examined or be sworn

[22:04] your testimony will be given its due

[22:06] weight. The general public will not be

[22:07] permitted to cross examine witnesses but

[22:09] the public may request the commission

[22:11] ask questions of staff or witnesses on

[22:13] their behalf. Persons representing

[22:15] organizations must present evidence of

[22:17] their authority speak for the

[22:18] organization. Further details of the

[22:20] quasi judicial procedures may be

[22:21] obtained from the clerk. The other thing

[22:23] I'd like to add is if any of the members

[22:25] of the commission had ex parte

[22:26] communications with respect to this

[22:29] item, you could disclose them now if you

[22:31] so choose.

[22:34] >> Thank you.

[22:35] And I will ask the clerk to swear in

[22:38] those wishing to offer testimony.

[22:42] » If you will be speaking on item 4B, I

[22:44] need you to stand up, raise your right

[22:46] hand and be sworn in at this time. This

[22:48] is for item 4B only.

[22:51] Do you solemnly swear or affirm the

[22:53] testimony about to give is the truth,

[22:54] the whole truth and nothing but the

[22:56] truth, so help me God? Thank you.

[22:59] >> Okay, and now Madam Clerk, if you could

[23:01] read four egg.

[23:06] » An ordinance of the city of Aventura,

[23:08] Florida, amending chapter 31, land

[23:10] development regulations of the city code

[23:12] of ordinances, to create section

[23:14] 31-144G,

[23:17] Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center

[23:19] Zoning District Overlay, to provide for

[23:21] a new zoning district overlay and

[23:23] related regulations and standards,

[23:25] providing for severability, providing

[23:27] for inclusion in the code, and providing

[23:29] for an effective date.

[23:32] >> Thank you. Could I have a motion to

[23:33] adopt?

[23:35] Commissioner Bloom seconded by

[23:36] Commissioner Orlinsky.

[23:41] Um

[23:42] Kevin, do you want to uh explain this

[23:44] one to us, review this?

[23:46] >> Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening,

[23:48] Commission. Kevin Klotz, Community

[23:49] Development Director.

[23:51] Very quickly, I'm going to go through

[23:53] presentation that I made uh earlier this

[23:56] year.

[23:57] Um and then we'll get to why it's before

[23:59] you again. This is the Metropolitan

[24:02] Urban Center Regulations. Uh the idea is

[24:04] to promote transit-oriented development

[24:07] in our city

[24:09] uh based upon the county's strategic

[24:11] Miami Area Regional Transit Plan

[24:14] and the city's designation of a

[24:16] Metropolitan Urban Center.

[24:18] And think of it like this, the

[24:20] Brightline station where Coastal Link

[24:22] Transit should be, where more uh bus

[24:26] traffic is available, we want to promote

[24:29] uh development which utilizes transit

[24:32] rather than vehicles.

[24:34] Uh our comprehensive plan in 2014 was

[24:39] amended to say that a Metropolitan Urban

[24:41] Center Overlay could be applied to our

[24:45] zoning map.

[24:47] Uh this, now 12 years later, is actually

[24:49] putting that intention into place.

[24:53] Now,

[24:54] the Commission adopted these overlay

[24:56] regulations on first reading in

[24:58] February.

[25:01] Revisions have been made since then, and

[25:03] that's what we're going to go into in

[25:04] just a minute.

[25:06] But because it's been a while and

[25:08] because the revisions are fairly

[25:10] substantial, we're bringing it back for

[25:12] first reading here tonight.

[25:15] Now, this is a slide from the

[25:17] presentation back in February.

[25:19] I've made note of the one area where

[25:22] there's changes, but just to go through

[25:24] the presentation again, the idea is to

[25:26] allow residential uses in addition to

[25:30] commercial uses in this urban center

[25:33] area, which is centered on the

[25:36] Brightline station Aventura Mall in that

[25:38] area.

[25:39] All development adds to the floor area

[25:42] ratio,

[25:43] which is unlike town center. Town center

[25:45] is our mixed-use zoning district now,

[25:48] but it uh separates residential FAR I'm sorry, residential density from FAR.

[25:55] In this case, we're counting it all as

[25:57] one.

[25:58] Now, here is where the change is.

[26:02] When we first presented this to you and

[26:04] you adopted it on first reading, it said

[26:07] that administrative regulations would be

[26:10] required for the sharing of density and

[26:13] FAR

[26:14] subsequent to the adoption of the

[26:15] ordinance.

[26:17] In the last few months, we've actually

[26:18] worked out those regulations, put them

[26:21] into the ordinance, so now the sharing

[26:24] that is allowed in this proposed uh

[26:27] overlay district is already documented

[26:30] in the code itself.

[26:32] So, that was the big change between

[26:34] February and now.

[26:37] If you'd like, I can go into the details

[26:39] of the sharing, but it is

[26:41] very technical.

[26:42] Um

[26:44] just to continue with this presentation,

[26:46] there is a density of 62 units per acre

[26:49] as of right in the Metropolitan Urban

[26:52] Center.

[26:53] Projects that have greater than 50,000

[26:56] square feet um

[26:58] require conditional use approval. So,

[26:59] basically anything that comes forward in

[27:03] the Metropolitan Urban Center overlay is

[27:05] going to come before you for a public

[27:07] hearing

[27:08] and for a discretionary decision of the

[27:10] commission.

[27:12] Same thing with anything under uh 35,000

[27:16] square foot lot size. So, you can't use

[27:19] this

[27:20] tool to develop the smaller lots. This

[27:23] is particularly important in Hospital

[27:25] South area, uh the area south of the

[27:28] hospital, also known as Uptown Aventura,

[27:31] uh where there are still some smaller

[27:33] lots and we don't want to necessarily

[27:35] encourage the development of the small

[27:37] lots uh with these higher allowances.

[27:43] There are three areas within the

[27:45] overlay, the core,

[27:47] and the details are the same as was

[27:49] presented to you the first time, the

[27:51] center,

[27:52] and the edge.

[27:53] The map that shows where these areas are

[27:56] proposed to be will come before you at

[27:58] the next meeting. Tonight is just about

[28:00] on first reading looking at the

[28:02] regulations.

[28:05] Uh

[28:05] if a project is to be approved by the

[28:08] commission, uh it will be conditioned

[28:10] upon those project providing enhanced

[28:13] connection to transit, open space above

[28:15] the minimum, a park dedication,

[28:18] attribution to public art, micromobility

[28:21] measures, or other procedurally

[28:23] determined uh contributions.

[28:26] Now, this is the new calendar, the next

[28:29] steps.

[28:30] Um at the special City Commission

[28:32] meeting later this month, July 23rd,

[28:35] uh we will have an LPA meeting and a

[28:37] commission public hearing on the map

[28:40] portion of this

[28:41] and the second reading of this

[28:42] ordinance. So, the regulations would be

[28:44] adopted it assuming you approve tonight

[28:47] and then approve on second reading

[28:49] you'll have regulations in place and you

[28:51] will have a map by first reading and

[28:53] then in September you'll have the actual

[28:55] map or second reading and final adoption

[28:59] and

[29:00] properties able to take advantage of

[29:02] this.

[29:03] So with that I'd be happy to answer any

[29:05] questions. Thank you.

[29:08] >> Thank you.

[29:09] Uh

[29:10] I'll open it for a commission questions

[29:12] or comments but um

[29:14] also then I'll open for public comment

[29:16] but

[29:18] the um

[29:20] the numbers I saw 90 I saw 100 on the

[29:23] UPA. That will not raise the bar correct

[29:26] me if I'm wrong on for a live local

[29:29] >> Correct.

[29:29] >> commercial project.

[29:30] >> Because it's conditional it does not

[29:32] raise the bar on live local.

[29:34] >> Thank you.

[29:35] And um

[29:37] this the MUC in general the idea is there a higher authority that is um

[29:44] pushing this?

[29:45] >> Miami-Dade County.

[29:47] so we can't just

[29:50] ignore there's other avenues for a

[29:52] developer if we're not playing ball so

[29:54] to speak. Am I correct?

[29:56] >> Absolutely.

[29:57] >> Okay so we're as I understand it you and

[30:01] your department and this commission are

[30:04] have been working and the city manager

[30:06] to get the best possible result with

[30:08] what we are faced with once again.

[30:10] Correct?

[30:11] >> Absolutely.

[30:12] >> Okay thank you and you're recommending

[30:13] approval.

[30:14] >> Yes sir.

[30:15] >> Okay. Commissioners

[30:18] comments question or I'll open it for

[30:19] okay public comment

[30:22] um

[30:23] Mr. Um

[30:25] attorney do you want to um

[30:27] just

[30:28] I don't know just I I guess I can say

[30:30] that uh

[30:32] there's you have 3 minutes to um

[30:35] make your comments. You I don't think we

[30:37] need an explanation for

[30:41] » Thank you.

[30:41] >> anything else so go ahead please.

[30:42] >> Yeah I I think I can do this in about a

[30:44] minute. Uh Mr. Mayor, Commissioners,

[30:47] Jeff Birk out with offices at 200 South

[30:50] Biscayne Boulevard. I'm here tonight on

[30:52] behalf of Turnberry Associates and the

[30:54] Aventura Mall. We've been working with

[30:57] your administration and staff on this

[30:59] concept for several years.

[31:02] As Kevin told you, this ordinance

[31:04] implements the Metropolitan Urban Center

[31:06] concept in your comprehensive plan.

[31:10] It makes sense because the urban center

[31:13] area already has major public and

[31:15] private infrastructure

[31:17] in transit at transit and transportation

[31:21] serving this area.

[31:22] The overlay links the mall and the bus

[31:25] depot with the Brightline rail station,

[31:28] and I know the bridge is

[31:30] constructed, it's waiting there. I think

[31:33] everything I've heard is in place other

[31:36] than the air rights issue, which is being negotiated. Uh but

[31:40] eventually, we will have that

[31:41] connection.

[31:43] The The ordinance locates higher

[31:45] intensity mixed-use development near

[31:47] transit, which is not only sound

[31:49] planning, but it's consistent with your

[31:51] comprehensive plan. It encourages

[31:54] quality urban urban design in a

[31:57] mixed-use pedestrian-oriented area,

[32:00] promotes reinvestment in the city's

[32:02] signature commercial area,

[32:05] and strengthens its tax base, and

[32:07] reduces reliance on the automobile by

[32:09] placing future development next to

[32:12] transit. Major projects will still

[32:14] require conditional use approval from

[32:17] this board, so the City Commission will

[32:19] have the final say on any significant

[32:21] development within the Metropolitan

[32:23] Urban Center. So, we request your

[32:25] approval this evening. Thank you.

[32:28] >> Thank you.

[32:29] Other members of the public wish to

[32:31] comment?

[32:33] If not, seeing none, I'll close for

[32:35] public comment. Uh if there's no other

[32:38] commission questions or comments,

[32:41] I'll ask for a vote.

[32:43] >> Commissioner Bloom.

[32:44] Yes. Commissioner Friedland.

[32:46] >> Yes.

[32:47] >> Commissioner Cruz.

[32:48] >> Yes.

[32:49] >> Commissioner Olensky.

[32:50] >> Yes. Commissioner Blachman.

[32:52] >> Yes.

[32:52] >> Vice Mayor Ayan.

[32:53] >> Yes.

[32:54] >> And Mayor Weinberg.

[32:55] >> Yes.

[32:55] >> Motion passes.

[32:58] >> Okay, I don't see any other LPA

[32:59] business.

[33:01] In which case,

[33:03] am I correct?

[33:04] >> There's a resolution as item 4B.

[33:07] >> Let me see where I am.

[33:10] 4B.

[33:14] Okay, sorry. Read that, please, Adam.

[33:18] >> A resolution of the city commission of

[33:20] the city of Aventura, Florida, approving

[33:22] a sign graphics variance under section

[33:24] 31-191M7

[33:27] for the Aventura City Center mixed-use

[33:29] development located at 2999 Northeast

[33:33] 191 Street, providing for implementation

[33:36] and providing an effective date.

[33:39] >> Thank you. I need a motion to adopt.

[33:42] Uh

[33:43] Commissioner Bloom, second by

[33:45] Commissioner Olensky.

[33:47] Uh Mr. Director.

[33:49] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a sign

[33:51] package, is what we call it, for the

[33:54] proposed

[33:56] Aventura City Center project.

[33:59] The package signs were presented in

[34:03] workshop. We're happy to present them

[34:05] tonight. You have them in your packet.

[34:07] The uh

[34:09] requirements for a sign variance, which

[34:11] is what this is technically called, are

[34:14] less

[34:16] than are for other variances. So, we do

[34:20] this so we can

[34:22] help a project with their signs, still

[34:25] make them

[34:27] very attractive, but maybe not exactly

[34:30] as the code would allow.

[34:32] Um

[34:32] happy to go through it in more detail or

[34:35] have the applicant present if necessary

[34:37] or if you just want to move to the

[34:38] public hearing and move forward. Thank

[34:40] you.

[34:41] >> Okay, let me see if the applicant wants

[34:43] to

[34:44] offer any comments.

[34:46] Go ahead and

[34:47] Sure, come on up.

[34:52] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. For the record,

[34:54] I'm Commissioner Brian Adler Loftus at

[34:56] Bilzin Sumberg, 1450 Brickell Avenue

[34:58] Suite 2300. The actual development was

[35:01] approved back in the early May

[35:03] commission hearing. And and again, we

[35:06] went through workshop in late May, May

[35:08] 21st for the signage variant. I didn't

[35:11] see anyone

[35:12] in the public objecting, so I agree with

[35:14] Mr. Clapp if we're here to do a full

[35:16] presentation, but if you'd like to just

[35:19] go ahead based on what we presented at

[35:21] commission, we're also happy to proceed

[35:23] that way. Thank you.

[35:24] >> Let me see if any other members of the

[35:26] public, any members of the public at all

[35:28] wish to comment.

[35:29] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[35:31] comment and ask if any commissioners

[35:34] have questions or comments.

[35:39] Really, no one wants to ask where the

[35:40] attorney got his jacket?

[35:44] Might I just say it's an ill-fitting

[35:45] jacket, but

[35:47] we're not going to we will not be

[35:48] prejudiced by that, so um

[35:53] uh any other um

[35:56] comments by the commission? Okay, let's

[35:57] vote.

[35:58] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[36:00] Yes. Commissioner Cruz?

[36:03] >> Yes.

[36:04] >> Commissioner Olensky?

[36:05] >> Yes.

[36:06] >> Commissioner Blachman?

[36:07] >> Yes.

[36:07] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[36:08] >> Yes.

[36:09] >> Vice Mayor Ains?

[36:10] >> Yes.

[36:10] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[36:11] >> Yes.

[36:12] >> Motion passes.

[36:14] >> Thank you.

[36:16] >> Okay, now I think we're done with the

[36:17] LPA business, and so I'm going to ask

[36:21] for a motion to adjourn.

[36:24] Vice Mayor Ains, seconded by

[36:25] Commissioner Friedland. All those in

[36:27] favor say I.

[36:29] Any Any knows?

[36:30] Okay, we are adjourned.

[36:34] Thank you. Let's move to our

[36:37] regular City Commission meeting for July

[36:40] 7th.

[36:41] It's 6:21.

[36:43] I'm calling the meeting to order and

[36:44] I'll ask for a roll call.

[36:47] >> Mayor Weinberg.

[36:48] >> Here.

[36:49] >> Vice Mayor Aein.

[36:50] >> Here.

[36:50] >> Commissioner Bloom.

[36:51] >> Here.

[36:52] >> Commissioner Blatman.

[36:53] >> Here.

[36:53] >> Commissioner Friedland.

[36:55] >> Here.

[36:55] >> Commissioner Cruz.

[36:57] >> Here.

[36:57] >> Commissioner Linsky.

[36:58] >> Here.

[36:59] >> Mr. Peguero.

[37:00] >> Here.

[37:00] >> And Mr. Myers.

[37:01] >> Here.

[37:02] >> You have a quorum.

[37:03] >> Okay, Mr. Manager, any deletions or

[37:05] additions?

[37:06] >> Yes, Mayor, I have one. Um I'd like to

[37:08] move items 8B and 8C on the agenda um

[37:12] and to move them from um to ordinances

[37:15] first reading public hearing as items 9B

[37:19] and 9C.

[37:21] >> Okay, without any objection.

[37:25] So be it.

[37:26] Um

[37:28] Any commission reports? I know that I

[37:33] know that we um

[37:35] I know that we have reports of a uh I'll

[37:37] just let me just say that it's

[37:41] great to report that um

[37:43] three of us were in Israel. Was it Has

[37:47] it been 2 weeks yet since we got back?

[37:49] I guess, 2 weeks ago, but

[37:51] um

[37:53] uh it was tremendous opportunity. First,

[37:56] as I always like to clarify,

[37:58] uh not one dime of tax dollars was spent

[38:01] on the on this mission. Um I'm very

[38:04] fortunate. It's the third time as the

[38:07] mayor of Aventura that I've been able to

[38:09] go on a mayor's mission to Israel. I was

[38:13] with about 30 mayors, most of whom are

[38:16] from uh Europe. And for them to see,

[38:19] instead of

[38:21] the narrative that's in the mainstream

[38:23] media and on social media, they saw

[38:26] firsthand um what Israel is about. So,

[38:28] it was really terrific. And for me, it

[38:31] was my second opportunity

[38:33] to visit our sister city Modi'in and our

[38:37] sister city mayor

[38:39] and to see

[38:41] the ambulance sent there by the people

[38:43] of Aventura

[38:45] on the streets saving lives. And I guess

[38:48] I usually tell the story that when we um

[38:51] when this ambulance first went into

[38:53] service um in the very first week um

[38:57] I've said it so many times people roll

[38:58] their eyes, but a baby was born in the

[39:01] ambulance. So symbolic. But what we

[39:03] found out now is that that type of call

[39:08] they gave us the statistics that has now

[39:10] happened 18 times. So, it's pretty

[39:14] amazing, pretty incredible. So, I'd like

[39:16] there were two commissioners that were

[39:18] on the trip. We were on different

[39:19] missions, but we rendezvoused for our

[39:22] visit to our sister city and we

[39:24] rendezvoused for the one of the main

[39:27] purposes of being there, which was the

[39:30] um Muni Expo um high-tech convention in

[39:34] Tel Aviv. So, we were together for a

[39:35] couple of things.

[39:37] And two of our commissioners [snorts]

[39:39] were on a different mission of elected

[39:41] officials. And so, I I would love for

[39:43] them to um if they want to comment on

[39:45] their uh on their aspect their

[39:48] perspective uh Commissioner Bloom.

[39:50] >> Thank you, Mayor.

[39:52] So, as Mayor Weinberg said, um he,

[39:55] Commissioner Orlinsky,

[39:57] our communications director Evan Ross,

[39:59] and myself recently had the honor of

[40:02] participating in a municipal leaders

[40:03] delegation in Israel through the Israeli

[40:05] Consulate Miami.

[40:08] Although I personally have been very

[40:09] fortunate to visit Israel many times

[40:11] over the years as a tourist or visiting family,

[40:16] this experience was unlike any other.

[40:20] Over several days, we met with leaders

[40:22] from Israel's Foreign Ministry, the IDF,

[40:25] and the Institute for National Security

[40:27] Studies.

[40:29] Having the opportunity to hear directly

[40:31] from the people making decisions on

[40:33] diplomacy, security, and national policy

[40:36] gave us a much deeper understanding of

[40:38] the challenges that Israel faces every

[40:40] day.

[40:42] Some of the most powerful moments came

[40:44] from visiting the Old City of Jerusalem,

[40:47] the site of the Nova music festival

[40:49] massacre, and the memorial displaying

[40:51] the burned vehicles from the October 7th

[40:53] terrorist attacks.

[40:55] Those are experiences I'll never forget

[40:58] as they showcased the extraordinary

[41:01] resilience of the Israeli people.

[41:05] We returned home with a broader

[41:06] perspective, a greater appreciation for

[41:08] Israel's strength,

[41:10] and gratitude for the people dedicated

[41:12] to building a safer future, not only for

[41:14] the state of Israel,

[41:16] but for here in the United States as

[41:17] well.

[41:19] One of the unexpected highlights of the

[41:21] trip were was the friendships that were

[41:23] formed along the way.

[41:25] I'm especially pleased that a member of

[41:28] our delegation is with us here this

[41:30] evening, and I would like to recognize

[41:32] him.

[41:33] Tom Nadler, Deputy County Administrator

[41:36] for Palm Beach County.

[41:38] Thank you very much for your friendship,

[41:40] for your leadership,

[41:41] for your unofficial security services on

[41:44] the trip,

[41:45] and for joining us tonight.

[41:51] » Thank you, and welcome. Thanks for being

[41:52] here.

[41:54] Commissioner Olinsky.

[41:56] >> So, again, to um represent some of the

[42:00] items that um Commissioner Bloom and

[42:03] Mayor Weinberg have mentioned, um a year

[42:06] ago, we were invited on this trip, and

[42:09] um a year ago was canceled. So, when it

[42:12] came up again, I was super hesitant to

[42:15] go to Israel, nervous for what was going

[42:17] on, but made the decision that I was

[42:19] going to go

[42:21] and um see

[42:23] what was going on over there and hear

[42:25] from a different perspective that I

[42:26] thought I would never hear

[42:28] um again in this type of capacity. So,

[42:32] when

[42:33] we arrived to um Israel,

[42:36] it was filled with warmth, um

[42:39] courageous, and optimistic

[42:41] people of Israel thanking us for coming.

[42:46] As we boarded the plane home, I realized

[42:49] the one lesson

[42:50] that I learned from this trip, which was

[42:53] to simply show up. So, us showing up as

[42:57] a commission um and a delegation, we

[43:00] were able to support the local retailers

[43:04] of Israel who told us that or me in

[43:08] particular that they hadn't had a sale

[43:10] in 3 months, and this was an elegant

[43:13] nice store, or some of the uh restaurant

[43:16] tours and our actual tour guides who

[43:19] explained that they hadn't seen

[43:20] Americans in many, many weeks and many, months. And so, us showing up and

[43:26] showing our support and understanding

[43:28] and listening made a big difference

[43:31] um and we were able to learn not only

[43:34] from um the experiences that we were

[43:37] exposed to, but by listening and hearing

[43:40] what's going on.

[43:41] Um and what we did hear from the Nova

[43:43] Festival and from

[43:46] many stories that were shared with us,

[43:49] um we had a dad whose son went back and

[43:53] is a hero of uh October 7th, went back,

[43:56] you know, two or three times, um saving

[43:59] many lives, which turned into many more

[44:01] lives that, you know, will continue with

[44:03] us in the years to come, but that

[44:05] individual was um

[44:07] unfortunately killed on his last journey

[44:10] back saving the last set of lives that

[44:12] he was trying to do. And we were

[44:14] fortunate enough to meet his dad who was

[44:17] there

[44:18] showing us the car that he actually

[44:20] drove and saved people.

[44:23] Um so

[44:24] being a part of that and being part of

[44:27] the Israeli defense

[44:30] conversations and learning what happened

[44:33] and being a part of the Muni festival

[44:35] and seeing what kind of technology is

[44:38] coming our way with world delegations,

[44:41] people from around the world coming

[44:42] together and sharing their insight,

[44:45] showing up and listening I think made a

[44:47] difference.

[44:49] The Aventura City Commission made a

[44:51] difference. And um

[44:54] Tom, thank you. Thank you for coming and

[44:57] thank you for supporting the Aventura

[44:58] Commission. And we got lucky. Our

[45:00] delegation was paired with

[45:03] the Palm Beach Broward County crew.

[45:07] And we were so fortunate to blend

[45:10] together, have fun together, and be able

[45:12] to experience Israel together. So thank

[45:14] you for coming here and thank you for

[45:16] being a part of that with all of us.

[45:19] And that that's pretty much it.

[45:21] Thank you.

[45:24] >> Terrific. Thank you, Commissioners.

[45:27] Any other commission reports?

[45:30] >> If if it's okay, I'd like to as well,

[45:32] Mayor.

[45:33] >> Yes.

[45:35] >> So I'm in Israel I'm in Israel now in in

[45:38] Tel Aviv. I just got here today.

[45:41] I was in Jerusalem for a week with my

[45:44] wife.

[45:45] And it was just wonderful to see you

[45:48] know, so many people out after

[45:50] almost 3 years of war,

[45:52] see so many people out and about and

[45:55] enjoying life. I the last day I was

[45:57] there we saw we went to the Western

[45:59] Wall, the Kotel, we saw

[46:02] 30 kids from the US having a joint a

[46:04] Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah together,

[46:07] uh which was very special. But that as you and the commissioners were

[46:11] saying, it's great to see the strength

[46:12] and the resilience of the of

[46:14] the Israeli people.

[46:16] And um

[46:17] you know, it it's it's amazing to see

[46:19] that

[46:20] um

[46:21] every year they do a survey of the

[46:22] happiest people in the world,

[46:25] and Israel always comes in the top 10 in

[46:28] spite of all the challenges and

[46:29] difficulties that they face, and it's it's really unbelievable. Uh

[46:34] tonight um

[46:35] uh we had dinner with um with with the

[46:38] mayor uh with the mayor and his wife the

[46:41] mayor of uh the Gaza envelope, which you

[46:44] met uh mayor

[46:45] uh Ori and his wife Ayelet, and we're

[46:48] going to be visiting uh the south and

[46:50] the Gaza envelope as well as the um

[46:53] the Cyber Nova Festival, which I've been

[46:56] to before with them, which which should

[46:58] be really special. And also with we're

[47:01] going to be stopping at uh Or Haner, which is also a kibbutz in

[47:05] that area in the Gaza envelope, uh which

[47:07] is also partnered with our uh federation

[47:10] in Miami. Uh

[47:12] all in all, I just say that I'm very

[47:14] proud of of our commission

[47:17] uh and our management team and the not

[47:20] only because we've we've we've shown our

[47:23] leadership on on this issue. I think

[47:26] Israel has been shown to be our best

[47:28] ally in the world. Um

[47:31] and

[47:32] for us to not only do it for our own

[47:35] city and its people, but to be an

[47:38] example a shining example uh around the

[47:41] country and around the world of acting

[47:44] with moral courage courage, integrity.

[47:47] Uh I think it's it's really wonderful.

[47:49] So, I'm very proud of the whole

[47:51] commission, and we should just continue

[47:52] to do

[47:53] to to be involved like this

[47:56] and see our relationship grow. Thank

[47:58] you.

[48:01] » Thank you, Commissioner.

[48:03] Any member of the Commission or the

[48:04] manager need to remove an item from the

[48:07] consent agenda?

[48:10] Okay, I'm going to ask for a motion to

[48:12] approve the consent agenda. Commissioner

[48:14] Freeland, seconded by Commissioner

[48:16] Bloom.

[48:18] Uh let's vote, please.

[48:20] >> Commissioner Olensky?

[48:22] Yes. Commissioner Brachman?

[48:24] >> Yes.

[48:24] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[48:26] >> Yes.

[48:27] >> Commissioner Freeland?

[48:28] >> Yes.

[48:28] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[48:30] >> Yes.

[48:30] >> Vice Mayor Ahern?

[48:31] >> Yes.

[48:32] >> Mayor Weinburg?

[48:33] >> Yes.

[48:34] >> Motion passes.

[48:35] >> Okay. Um Tom, would you like to say a

[48:37] few words? We'd love to hear from you.

[48:40] came down from a couple of counties

[48:41] away, so.

[48:47] » So, thank you for having me. It's a

[48:49] pleasure being here. A lot of old faces

[48:50] that I know from the past. Um thank you

[48:53] for being on the trip with us. Uh it was

[48:55] very important for me to take my

[48:56] commissioners over there as we are one

[48:58] of the largest investor in Israel bonds

[49:00] in the world. Palm Beach County has

[49:02] invested 1.2 billion dollars in Israel

[49:04] bonds in the last few years. So,

[49:06] I want to make sure that our commission

[49:08] went out there and saw it. We took our

[49:09] clerk and controller and we took uh our

[49:12] tax collector over there. So, it was a

[49:14] great trip. Um I was born and raised in

[49:16] Israel and we make sure that our

[49:18] investment of

[49:20] Israel and IDF is still going and I

[49:22] thank you so much for having me here.

[49:23] And it's great seeing you and Chief Noni

[49:26] for a long time. So, thank you for

[49:27] having me.

[49:28] Thanks.

[49:29] >> Thank you. Thank you very much for being

[49:31] here and uh we love the the the amount that number is

[49:35] staggering of the bonds invested by Palm

[49:37] Beach County. It's really terrific.

[49:41] Okay.

[49:43] Uh zoning hearings. Uh these are going

[49:46] to be This is item seven. These are

[49:47] going to be quasi-judicial.

[49:49] So, uh Mr. City Attorney.

[49:52] >> Okay, thank you, Mayor. Uh, please be

[49:54] advised that the following items 7C on

[49:56] the commission agenda is a zoning

[49:58] hearing and quasi-judicial nature. As

[50:01] such, the quasi-judicial procedures of

[50:02] the city shall be invoked for this item.

[50:05] If you wish to object or comment upon

[50:06] this item, please inform the Mayor

[50:08] when public comments are requested. An

[50:10] opportunity for persons to speak on this

[50:12] item will be made available after

[50:13] applicant staff have made their

[50:15] presentations on the item. All

[50:17] testimony, including public testimony,

[50:18] evidence will be made under oath or

[50:20] affirmation for this quasi-judicial

[50:22] item. Additionally, each person who

[50:23] gives testimony may be subject to

[50:25] cross-examination. If you refuse either

[50:27] to be cross-examined or be sworn, your

[50:28] testimony will be given its due weight.

[50:30] The general public will be permitted to

[50:32] cross-examine witnesses, will not be

[50:34] permitted to cross-examine witnesses,

[50:35] but the public may request the

[50:37] commission ask questions of staff or

[50:38] witnesses on their behalf. Persons

[50:40] representing organizations must present

[50:42] evidence of their authority to speak for

[50:44] the organization. Further details of the

[50:46] quasi-judicial procedures may be

[50:47] obtained from the clerk on the zoning

[50:50] assuming since no one disclosed any ex

[50:51] parte communications during the LPA,

[50:54] there are none, but I still want to

[50:55] mention in case you you do have ex parte

[50:59] communications you want to disclose on

[51:01] this item.

[51:03] >> Thank you. And

[51:05] Madam Clerk, you could swear in anyone

[51:07] wishing to offer testimony.

[51:09] >> If you will be speaking on item 7C, I

[51:11] need you to stand up, raise your right

[51:13] hand and be sworn in at this time. This

[51:15] is for item 7C only.

[51:19] Do you solemnly swear or affirm the

[51:21] testimony about to give is the truth,

[51:23] the whole truth, and nothing but the

[51:24] truth, so help you God?

[51:25] Thank you.

[51:28] » Okay, and can you read the ordinance for

[51:30] 7A, please?

[51:32] >> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,

[51:34] Florida, amending chapter 31, Land

[51:36] Development Regulations of the City Code

[51:38] of Ordinances, by amending section

[51:40] 31-144C,

[51:43] Community Business B-2 District,

[51:45] subsection 2, conditional use to

[51:48] establish hospitals as a conditional use

[51:51] within the district, providing for

[51:53] severability, providing for inclusion in

[51:54] the code, and providing for an effective

[51:56] date.

[51:58] >> Can I have a motion to approve adoption

[52:00] of that ordinance? Commissioner Bloom,

[52:02] seconded by Commissioner Olensky.

[52:09] Uh

[52:10] Mr. Development Director, please review

[52:12] that.

[52:14] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is the second

[52:16] reading of an ordinance. Uh it's an

[52:18] application from Mount Sinai

[52:21] uh to add conditional use

[52:25] uh in B2 to allow hospitals.

[52:28] Uh it was approved on first reading in

[52:29] June, and we would recommend approval on

[52:32] second reading. However, I do need to

[52:35] bring to your attention one scrivener's

[52:36] error that has been corrected in the

[52:39] packet. Um

[52:41] but uh it was in their application, and

[52:45] we failed to add it into the ordinance.

[52:48] A phrase

[52:50] um

[52:51] that says as follows. Uh but first, B2

[52:55] has a height limit of 12 stories.

[52:58] And that includes a gradual step back if

[53:02] that B2 is adjacent to residential.

[53:05] It's implicit that when you have a

[53:07] conditional use in a public hearing, uh

[53:10] that would not apply. And there are

[53:12] other exceptions in the code for that

[53:14] step back. But to make it clear, we

[53:17] would add the phrase uh excepting from

[53:19] this height and space unit requirement a

[53:21] hospital or a clinic approved as a

[53:23] conditional use. So, with that one um

[53:27] scrivener's error corrected, we would

[53:28] recommend favorably for this change.

[53:32] >> Okay. Thank you.

[53:34] Um let me ask if the applicant has any

[53:37] additional comments. Okay.

[53:40] Um any member of the public

[53:43] wish to come in on this item 7A.

[53:47] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[53:48] comment. Ask if any commissioners have

[53:51] any questions or comments.

[53:54] Seeing none,

[53:56] I think that um

[53:58] we were we are ready for a roll call

[54:00] vote.

[54:02] >> Commissioner Blaschman?

[54:04] >> Yes.

[54:05] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[54:06] >> Yes.

[54:06] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[54:07] >> Yes.

[54:08] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[54:16] » I meant to say

[54:16] >> Commissioner Cruz is absent.

[54:17] Commissioner Orlinsky?

[54:19] >> No, no. No, no.

[54:20] >> Oh.

[54:21] Commissioner Cruz, how do you vote on

[54:22] this item?

[54:29] Vice Mayor Ain?

[54:30] >> Yes.

[54:31] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[54:32] >> Yes.

[54:33] >> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote

[54:34] on this item?

[54:35] >> Yes.

[54:37] >> Thank you. Motion passes.

[54:38] >> Thank you.

[54:40] >> Okay.

[54:42] 7B, please.

[54:43] >> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,

[54:45] Florida, amending chapter 31, land

[54:47] development regulations of the City Code

[54:49] of Ordinances, to create section

[54:51] 31-144G,

[54:54] Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center

[54:56] Zoning District Overlay, to provide for

[54:58] a new zoning district overlay and

[55:00] related regulations and standards,

[55:03] providing for severability, providing

[55:04] for inclusion in the code, and providing

[55:06] for an effective date.

[55:08] >> Motion to approve the adoption.

[55:12] Commissioner Bloom seconded by

[55:14] Commissioner Orlinsky. Uh

[55:17] and I don't think we need uh you want to

[55:20] make

[55:21] the record that

[55:23] you're including everything from

[55:24] earlier.

[55:24] >> Bring the uh

[55:26] LPA meeting uh

[55:28] presentation into the record for City

[55:29] Commission. I'm fine with any questions.

[55:32] >> Got it. And um

[55:34] any public comment on this? Anyone that

[55:36] didn't want to speak 10 minutes ago, you

[55:38] can speak now. Yes.

[55:41] Your comments are so incorporated, Mr.

[55:44] Berkowitz.

[55:45] Um

[55:47] no other members of the public. I'll

[55:48] close it for public comment. Any

[55:50] commission comment or questions

[55:52] that you thought of in the last 10

[55:53] minutes?

[55:55] Okay, let's vote.

[55:57] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[55:58] >> Yes.

[55:59] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[56:00] >> Yes.

[56:00] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[56:09] Commissioner Olensky?

[56:10] >> Yes.

[56:11] >> Commissioner Blachman?

[56:12] >> Yes.

[56:13] >> Vice Mayor Ainge?

[56:14] >> Yes.

[56:14] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[56:15] >> Yes.

[56:16] >> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote

[56:18] on this item?

[56:21] Commissioner Cruz is absent on this

[56:22] item. The motion passes.

[56:25] >> Thank you.

[56:26] Uh

[56:27] 7C.

[56:28] >> A resolution of the City Commission of

[56:29] the City of Aventura, Florida, approving

[56:31] a sign graphics variance under Section

[56:34] 31-191M7

[56:37] for the Aventura City Center mixed-use

[56:39] development located at 2999 Northeast

[56:42] 191st Street, providing a for

[56:45] implementation and providing an

[56:46] effective date.

[56:48] >> Thank you. Motion to approve the

[56:50] resolution. Commissioner Friedland seconded by Commis-

[56:53] Commissioner Blachman.

[56:57] Um

[56:58] Kevin, same thing we just heard?

[57:00] >> Yes, please incorporate my presentation

[57:02] from the LPA and I'm available for any

[57:04] questions.

[57:05] >> Okay, applicant, any further comment

[57:08] from the LPA?

[57:11] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the of

[57:13] commission. Just to note my um presence

[57:15] for the record. Thank you.

[57:16] >> Thank you. Any member of the public wish

[57:19] to speak on this?

[57:21] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[57:22] comment. Any commission comment,

[57:24] questions?

[57:26] Seeing none, we're ready to vote.

[57:29] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[57:30] >> Yes.

[57:31] >> Commissioner Cruz.

[57:34] Commissioner Olensky.

[57:36] >> Yes.

[57:36] >> Commissioner Blachman.

[57:37] >> Yes.

[57:38] >> Commissioner Blue.

[57:39] >> Yes.

[57:39] >> Vice Mayor Ain.

[57:40] >> Yes.

[57:41] >> And Mayor Weinberg.

[57:42] >> Yes.

[57:43] >> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote

[57:45] on this item?

[57:47] Commissioner Cruz is absent for this

[57:49] item. The motion passes.

[57:51] >> Thank you.

[57:53] Uh

[57:53] item eight, second reading.

[57:57] Madam Clerk, A 8.

[57:58] >> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,

[58:00] Florida, amending section 14-91,

[58:03] fees for permits, inspections,

[58:05] certificates, and related services to

[58:08] authorize such fees to be adjusted

[58:09] annually by administrative policy,

[58:11] providing for severability, providing

[58:13] for inclusion in the code, and providing

[58:15] for an effective date.

[58:17] >> Can I have a motion to approve?

[58:20] Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Vice

[58:22] Mayor Ain.

[58:23] Uh Mr. Manager.

[58:25] >> Thank you, Mayor. This item relates to

[58:27] section 14-91 of the city code, which

[58:30] governs fees for building permits,

[58:31] inspections, and certificates, and

[58:33] related services.

[58:35] During the 2026 legislative session, the

[58:37] state of Florida adopted House Bill 803,

[58:40] which became effective on July 1st of

[58:42] this year. This new law placed

[58:44] additional requirements and restrictions

[58:46] on how municipalities may calculate and

[58:48] collect building permit-related fees. In

[58:51] particular, inspection fees must now be

[58:53] based on actual costs and may no longer

[58:55] be based on a project's value.

[58:58] The law also requires permit fee

[58:59] reductions when private providers are

[59:01] used, including reductions of at least

[59:03] 25% when private inspections are used,

[59:05] and 50% when both private and plan

[59:07] review inspection services are used.

[59:10] The proposed ordinance amends the city

[59:12] code to allow building permit fees to be

[59:13] established by the city manager by

[59:15] administrative policy in accordance with

[59:17] Florida law, and adjusted no more than

[59:19] once per fiscal year. If any additional

[59:21] adjustments are needed within the same

[59:23] fiscal year, it would have to come back

[59:25] before the city commission for approval.

[59:27] Um I would recommend adopting this

[59:29] ordinance.

[59:34] Okay. Thank you. Any public comment? Now

[59:37] is the time.

[59:39] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[59:41] comment. Any commission comment on this

[59:43] issue on this item 8A?

[59:46] Seeing none, we're ready to vote.

[59:49] >> Commissioner Olensky?

[59:51] >> Yes.

[59:52] >> Commissioner Lotsman?

[59:53] >> Yes.

[59:54] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[59:55] >> Yes.

[59:55] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[59:56] >> Yes.

[59:57] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[59:58] >> Yes.

[1:00:00] >> Vice Mayor Aein?

[1:00:01] >> Yes.

[1:00:01] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[1:00:03] >> Yes.

[1:00:03] >> Motion passes.

[1:00:05] >> Item 9, first reading.

[1:00:07] Madam

[1:00:08] >> An ordinance of the city of Aventura,

[1:00:10] Florida amending Article 4, finance, of

[1:00:12] Chapter 2, administration, of the city

[1:00:14] code by amending Section 2-232,

[1:00:18] request for information concerning

[1:00:20] pending charges or liens, preparation

[1:00:22] and recording of liens and lien

[1:00:24] satisfactions, to increase the lien

[1:00:26] search fee from $50 to $125,

[1:00:30] allowing an annual increase in the fee

[1:00:32] to be made administratively, providing

[1:00:34] for severability, providing for

[1:00:36] inclusion in the code, providing for

[1:00:37] implementation, and providing for an

[1:00:39] effective date.

[1:00:41] >> And for the record, that was 9A.

[1:00:43] Could I have a motion to approve the

[1:00:44] ordinance?

[1:00:46] Vice Mayor Aein, seconded by

[1:00:47] Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager?

[1:00:50] >> Thank you, Mayor.

[1:00:51] We We're recommending that city's lien

[1:00:53] search fee be increased from $50 to

[1:00:56] $125.

[1:00:58] Lien searches are processed by the

[1:00:59] community development department and

[1:01:01] provide important property-related

[1:01:02] information, including expired permits,

[1:01:04] outstanding code violations, unpaid

[1:01:06] fees, and other encumbrances on

[1:01:08] properties within the city.

[1:01:10] has not adjusted this fee for

[1:01:12] over two decades, and since that time

[1:01:14] the cost of staff time, records

[1:01:16] management, administrative processing

[1:01:18] has increased while the city's fee has

[1:01:19] remained significantly lower than those

[1:01:22] charged by neighboring municipalities.

[1:01:25] The proposed increase will better align

[1:01:27] Aventura's fees with regional pricing

[1:01:29] and help ensure the city is adequately

[1:01:30] recovering the administrative costs

[1:01:32] associated with processing these

[1:01:33] requests. I recommend adoption of this

[1:01:35] ordinance.

[1:01:37] >> Thank you. Any member of the public wish

[1:01:38] to speak on this item?

[1:01:42] Seeing none, [snorts] I will close it

[1:01:44] for public comment and ask if there's

[1:01:48] any commission questions or comments.

[1:01:51] Seeing none, we're ready to vote.

[1:01:54] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[1:01:55] >> Yes.

[1:01:56] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[1:01:57] >> Yes.

[1:01:59] >> Commissioner Arlensky?

[1:02:00] >> Yes.

[1:02:00] >> Commissioner Balchuman?

[1:02:01] >> Yes.

[1:02:02] >> Commissioner Blue?

[1:02:03] >> Yes.

[1:02:03] >> Vice Mayor Ain?

[1:02:04] >> Yes.

[1:02:04] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[1:02:05] >> Yes.

[1:02:06] >> Motion passes.

[1:02:08] >> 9B

[1:02:09] >> Aventura City Commission acting in its

[1:02:11] capacity as a governing board for the

[1:02:13] Aventura City of Excellence School and

[1:02:16] ordinance of the City Commission of the

[1:02:17] City of Aventura, Florida amending

[1:02:19] ordinance number 2025-07,

[1:02:22] which ordinance adopted the Aventura

[1:02:24] City of Excellence School budget for

[1:02:25] fiscal year 2025-2026

[1:02:28] July 1 to June 30th by revising the

[1:02:31] 2025-2026

[1:02:33] fiscal year budget document as outlined

[1:02:35] in exhibit A attached here to,

[1:02:37] authorizing the City Manager to do all

[1:02:39] things necessary to carry out the aims

[1:02:41] of this ordinance and providing for an

[1:02:42] effective date.

[1:02:44] >> Motion to approve, please.

[1:02:47] Commissioner Balchuman seconded by

[1:02:48] Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager?

[1:02:54] » Thank you, Mayor.

[1:02:55] This is the year-end budget amendment

[1:02:56] for ACES, and this proposed budget

[1:02:59] amendment totals 604,000

[1:03:01] and $6 and was prepared by Charter

[1:03:04] Schools USA as part of the school's

[1:03:05] standard year-end fiscal review process.

[1:03:08] The proposed amendment includes a net

[1:03:10] increase in operating revenues of

[1:03:12] $163,713,

[1:03:15] which includes adjustments to several

[1:03:17] revenue categories, including lower than

[1:03:19] budgeted funding from the Florida

[1:03:20] education finance program,

[1:03:23] the FEFP

[1:03:24] monies and capital outlay outlay. This

[1:03:27] is offset by net increases in food

[1:03:29] service revenue, grant revenues, and

[1:03:31] other program revenues, and referendum

[1:03:33] stipend revenue.

[1:03:35] On the expenditure side, the amendment

[1:03:36] reflects a total increase of $604,006.

[1:03:39] The most significant adjustments include

[1:03:41] increases in compensation-related costs,

[1:03:43] including tutoring bonuses, stipends,

[1:03:46] increased vendor services, and pupil

[1:03:48] transportation, and increased operating

[1:03:50] expenditures, particularly building

[1:03:52] repairs and maintenance. We replaced

[1:03:54] several HVAC system units on the roof of

[1:03:57] the building this year.

[1:03:58] Um and also some elevator repairs to the building to the facility.

[1:04:04] Um it's important to note that although

[1:04:05] several individual revenue and

[1:04:06] expenditure lines are being adjusted,

[1:04:08] the proposed amendment does not change

[1:04:10] the originally budgeted change in fund

[1:04:12] balance, and it's recommended the City

[1:04:14] Commission approve this ordinance

[1:04:15] amendment for fiscal year 25-26.

[1:04:19] >> Thank you.

[1:04:20] Any member of the public wish to speak

[1:04:21] on this item 9B?

[1:04:24] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[1:04:25] comment. Any commission comment this

[1:04:27] item?

[1:04:28] Seeing none,

[1:04:30] call the question, please.

[1:04:31] >> Commissioner Blachman?

[1:04:33] >> Yes.

[1:04:34] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[1:04:35] >> Yes.

[1:04:35] >> Commissioner Friedland?

[1:04:36] >> Yes.

[1:04:37] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[1:04:38] >> Yes.

[1:04:39] >> Commissioner Orlansky?

[1:04:40] >> Yes.

[1:04:40] >> Vice Mayor Ahern?

[1:04:42] >> Yes.

[1:04:42] >> And Mayor Weinberg?

[1:04:43] >> Yes.

[1:04:44] >> Motion passes.

[1:04:46] >> 9C.

[1:04:48] >> Aventura City Commission acting in its

[1:04:50] capacity as the governing board for the

[1:04:51] Don Soffer Aventura High School, an

[1:04:54] ordinance to the City Commission of the

[1:04:55] City of Aventura, Florida, amending

[1:04:57] ordinance number 2025-08,

[1:05:00] which ordinance adopted the Don Soffer

[1:05:02] Aventura High School budget for fiscal

[1:05:04] year 2025-2026,

[1:05:06] July 1 to June 30th, by revising the

[1:05:09] 2025-2026

[1:05:11] fiscal year budget document as outlined

[1:05:13] in exhibit A attached here to.

[1:05:16] Authorizing the city manager to do all

[1:05:18] things necessary to carry out the aims

[1:05:19] of this ordinance and providing for an

[1:05:21] effective date.

[1:05:24] » Motion to approve.

[1:05:26] Commissioner Freeland seconded by

[1:05:28] Commissioner Bloom.

[1:05:30] Mr. Manager.

[1:05:32] >> Thank you again, Mayor.

[1:05:33] And this is the Don Soffer Aventura High

[1:05:35] School year-end budget amendment. It was

[1:05:37] prepared by Charter Schools USA as part

[1:05:39] of the school's standard year-end fiscal

[1:05:40] review process.

[1:05:42] The amendment includes a net revenue

[1:05:43] increase of $647,281.

[1:05:48] Uh this is primarily due to higher than

[1:05:49] budgeted student enrollment, which

[1:05:51] resulted in additional Florida Education

[1:05:53] Finance Program revenue, as well as

[1:05:56] increases in grant revenue,

[1:05:58] miscellaneous revenue, A+ bonuses, AP

[1:06:01] and Ace revenues.

[1:06:03] Uh these increases are partially offset

[1:06:05] by decreases in capital outlay revenue

[1:06:07] due to lower than budgeted per student

[1:06:09] rate from the Florida Department of

[1:06:11] Education. On the expenditure side, the

[1:06:13] amendment reflects a net increase of

[1:06:15] $425,227.

[1:06:18] The most significant adjustments include

[1:06:19] increases in compensation-related costs,

[1:06:22] including bonuses, stipends, and

[1:06:23] benefits. And the amendment also

[1:06:25] includes increases in vendor services,

[1:06:27] primarily related to contracted food

[1:06:29] service and instructional expenses,

[1:06:31] largely due to uh increased AP and Ace

[1:06:34] testing material costs, and other

[1:06:36] operating expenditures, particularly

[1:06:38] unplanned building repairs, maintenance,

[1:06:40] including some HVAC maintenance,

[1:06:42] plumbing, and parking lot repairs. And I

[1:06:44] recommend adoption of this ordinance.

[1:06:47] >> Thank you. Any member of the public wish

[1:06:49] to comment on this item?

[1:06:51] Seeing none, I'll close it for public

[1:06:53] comment. Any commissioner

[1:06:55] with a comment or question? Seeing none,

[1:06:58] we're ready to call the question.

[1:06:59] >> Commissioner Bloom?

[1:07:01] >> Yes.

[1:07:01] >> Commissioner Freeland?

[1:07:02] >> Yes.

[1:07:03] >> Commissioner Cruz?

[1:07:04] >> Yes.

[1:07:05] >> Commissioner Orlansky?

[1:07:06] >> Yes.

[1:07:06] >> Commissioner Blochman?

[1:07:07] >> Yes. Vice Mayor Aime? Yes. And Mayor

[1:07:09] Weinbach?

[1:07:10] >> Yes.

[1:07:11] >> Motion passes.

[1:07:13] >> Any staff reports, Mr. Manager?

[1:07:15] >> Mr. Mayor, I have a brief update if I

[1:07:18] may.

[1:07:18] >> Sure.

[1:07:19] >> So, as you know, our law firm filed

[1:07:22] a lawsuit challenging the statewide

[1:07:24] ballot question on property tax relief

[1:07:27] focused on the fact that the question

[1:07:29] itself and the summary is misleading.

[1:07:32] There is a hearing on July 29th. If we

[1:07:36] prevail, the attorney general has 10

[1:07:39] days to change the question and and

[1:07:42] change the summary. If he chooses

[1:07:46] not to do that, if that's how the court

[1:07:47] rules, he can appeal. If if the court

[1:07:50] rules in the state's favor, then I guess

[1:07:54] the you know, we have to decide what we

[1:07:57] would do, if we would follow appeal or

[1:07:59] not. But, it's a pretty quick process,

[1:08:01] like I say, if the attorney general is

[1:08:04] ordered to to change the language, he's

[1:08:07] got 10 days to do it.

[1:08:09] And like I say, the other option is is

[1:08:11] to appeal it. If it's appealed, there's

[1:08:14] a very good chance that the question's

[1:08:15] going to come before the voters, because

[1:08:17] there's a deadline. I don't have the

[1:08:19] exact deadline where the Department of

[1:08:21] State has to put the ballot questions on

[1:08:23] the ballot, but it's it's quickly

[1:08:24] approaching. But, this hearing will be

[1:08:26] prior to that deadline and the ruling

[1:08:28] will occur before the deadline. So, it's

[1:08:30] possible, but highly unlikely that there

[1:08:33] won't be that question on the ballot,

[1:08:34] but if I were going to bet on this and I

[1:08:36] don't bet, I think there's going this

[1:08:38] question will be on the ballot in some form.

[1:08:42] >> Do you bet on the World Cup?

[1:08:44] >> No, I know. I only bet on the

[1:08:46] hurricanes.

[1:08:48] >> Good answer. So, you know, Tallahassee's

[1:08:50] always so interesting. I note with

[1:08:52] interest that the governor said he won't

[1:08:55] be doing a full court press on

[1:08:56] advocating for for this.

[1:09:00] » Really interesting comment. I agree with

[1:09:02] that. Yeah.

[1:09:03] >> So, you know, something's going on which

[1:09:05] we're obviously not privy to at that

[1:09:07] time but at this time but thanks thanks

[1:09:09] for the update.

[1:09:10] Um

[1:09:11] we've reached uh public comments.

[1:09:14] >> I think

[1:09:16] Just want to comment.

[1:09:17] >> Just ask the attorney, did you speak

[1:09:19] with your law partners about

[1:09:21] why or why not they didn't file an

[1:09:22] injunction?

[1:09:24] >> Yeah, this is what I was This is the way

[1:09:26] to go with a with a challenge like this.

[1:09:29] So, they got the expedited hearing and

[1:09:32] the declaration, the way this is set up,

[1:09:34] the only way to get the relief that you

[1:09:36] want is to get a declaration forcing the

[1:09:38] attorney general to change the question.

[1:09:41] So, it's not a standard, you know,

[1:09:43] injunction case.

[1:09:45] >> Thank you.

[1:09:47] >> Okay.

[1:09:49] Members of the public,

[1:09:51] you have 3 minutes

[1:09:53] to come up here. You can tell us we're

[1:09:55] great. You can tell us we suck or

[1:09:57] anything in between.

[1:09:59] Is anyone

[1:10:01] wishing to speak, come on up now.

[1:10:04] Okay, I don't see anyone. So, I'm going

[1:10:07] to close it for public comment and ask

[1:10:11] the commission

[1:10:12] if there's any other business.

[1:10:15] Seeing none,

[1:10:17] I'm going to ask for a motion to

[1:10:19] adjourn.

[1:10:21] Uh

[1:10:22] Vice Mayor Ainsworth, by Commissioner

[1:10:24] Orlinsky.

[1:10:25] All those in favor say I.

[1:10:27] Any opposed?

[1:10:29] At 6:54, we are adjourned.

City of Aventura Local Planning Agency and City Commission Meeting July 7th 2026

Transcript