Mhm.
» Mhm.
» I'm seven.
I'm tall.
Thank you, sir.
» Thank you.
July 7th, 2026, let's call the
LPA to order. I'll say again, July 7th,
2026, and let's have a roll call.
>> Mayor Weinberg.
>> Here.
>> Vice Mayor Ahern.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Blackman.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Bloom.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Friedland.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Cruz.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Olensky.
>> Here. Mr. Feist.
>> Here.
>> Mr. Myers.
>> Here.
>> You have a quorum.
>> Thank you.
All that can, let's rise for the pledge
of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance.
Okay.
I see we have a very full house,
standing room only as usual. I think
it's our 35th sellout in a row.
Very, very good. I'm glad you're all
here.
Um I need a motion to approve the
minutes from June 2nd. Uh Commissioner
Bloom seconded by Vice Mayor Ahern.
Let's vote on that.
>> Commissioner Blackman.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom.
>> Yes. Commissioner Friedland.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Olensky.
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ahern.
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg.
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Okay.
Uh
Co- Commissioner Cruz, you can hear?
>> Yes, sir. Uh somehow I'm not getting the
not allowing me to video
>> What um what city are you in?
>> Tel Aviv.
Enjoy.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for
warming it up.
>> [laughter]
>> Our pleasure. Okay,
we've got item four is public hearing
motion recommending adoption of
the following but I'm going to ask the
since we're going to quasi judicial
procedures invoked and ask the city
attorney to explain the procedures.
>> Thank you mayor. Please be advised that
the following item 4B on the local
planning agency agenda. This is zoning
hearing and is quasi judicial nature is
such the quasi judicial procedures of
the city shall be invoked for this item.
If you wish to object or comment upon
this item, please inform the mayor when
public comments are requested. An
opportunity for persons to speak on this
item will be made available after the
applicant staff have made their
presentations on the item. All testimony
including public testimony and evidence
will be made under oath affirmation for
this quasi judicial item. Additionally,
each person who gives testimony may be
subject cross examination. If you refuse
either to be cross examined or be sworn
your testimony will be given its due
weight. The general public will not be
permitted to cross examine witnesses but
the public may request the commission
ask questions of staff or witnesses on
their behalf. Persons representing
organizations must present evidence of
their authority speak for the
organization. Further details of the
quasi judicial procedures may be
obtained from the clerk. The other thing
I'd like to add is if any of the members
of the commission had ex parte
communications with respect to this
item, you could disclose them now if you
so choose.
>> Thank you.
And I will ask the clerk to swear in
those wishing to offer testimony.
» If you will be speaking on item 4B, I
need you to stand up, raise your right
hand and be sworn in at this time. This
is for item 4B only.
Do you solemnly swear or affirm the
testimony about to give is the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth, so help me God? Thank you.
>> Okay, and now Madam Clerk, if you could
read four egg.
» An ordinance of the city of Aventura,
Florida, amending chapter 31, land
development regulations of the city code
of ordinances, to create section
31-144G,
Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center
Zoning District Overlay, to provide for
a new zoning district overlay and
related regulations and standards,
providing for severability, providing
for inclusion in the code, and providing
for an effective date.
>> Thank you. Could I have a motion to
adopt?
Commissioner Bloom seconded by
Commissioner Orlinsky.
Um
Kevin, do you want to uh explain this
one to us, review this?
>> Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening,
Commission. Kevin Klotz, Community
Development Director.
Very quickly, I'm going to go through
presentation that I made uh earlier this
year.
Um and then we'll get to why it's before
you again. This is the Metropolitan
Urban Center Regulations. Uh the idea is
to promote transit-oriented development
in our city
uh based upon the county's strategic
Miami Area Regional Transit Plan
and the city's designation of a
Metropolitan Urban Center.
And think of it like this, the
Brightline station where Coastal Link
Transit should be, where more uh bus
traffic is available, we want to promote
uh development which utilizes transit
rather than vehicles.
Uh our comprehensive plan in 2014 was
amended to say that a Metropolitan Urban
Center Overlay could be applied to our
zoning map.
Uh this, now 12 years later, is actually
putting that intention into place.
Now,
the Commission adopted these overlay
regulations on first reading in
February.
Revisions have been made since then, and
that's what we're going to go into in
just a minute.
But because it's been a while and
because the revisions are fairly
substantial, we're bringing it back for
first reading here tonight.
Now, this is a slide from the
presentation back in February.
I've made note of the one area where
there's changes, but just to go through
the presentation again, the idea is to
allow residential uses in addition to
commercial uses in this urban center
area, which is centered on the
Brightline station Aventura Mall in that
area.
All development adds to the floor area
ratio,
which is unlike town center. Town center
is our mixed-use zoning district now,
but it uh separates residential FAR I'm sorry, residential density from FAR.
In this case, we're counting it all as
one.
Now, here is where the change is.
When we first presented this to you and
you adopted it on first reading, it said
that administrative regulations would be
required for the sharing of density and
FAR
subsequent to the adoption of the
ordinance.
In the last few months, we've actually
worked out those regulations, put them
into the ordinance, so now the sharing
that is allowed in this proposed uh
overlay district is already documented
in the code itself.
So, that was the big change between
February and now.
If you'd like, I can go into the details
of the sharing, but it is
very technical.
Um
just to continue with this presentation,
there is a density of 62 units per acre
as of right in the Metropolitan Urban
Center.
Projects that have greater than 50,000
square feet um
require conditional use approval. So,
basically anything that comes forward in
the Metropolitan Urban Center overlay is
going to come before you for a public
hearing
and for a discretionary decision of the
commission.
Same thing with anything under uh 35,000
square foot lot size. So, you can't use
this
tool to develop the smaller lots. This
is particularly important in Hospital
South area, uh the area south of the
hospital, also known as Uptown Aventura,
uh where there are still some smaller
lots and we don't want to necessarily
encourage the development of the small
lots uh with these higher allowances.
There are three areas within the
overlay, the core,
and the details are the same as was
presented to you the first time, the
center,
and the edge.
The map that shows where these areas are
proposed to be will come before you at
the next meeting. Tonight is just about
on first reading looking at the
regulations.
Uh
if a project is to be approved by the
commission, uh it will be conditioned
upon those project providing enhanced
connection to transit, open space above
the minimum, a park dedication,
attribution to public art, micromobility
measures, or other procedurally
determined uh contributions.
Now, this is the new calendar, the next
steps.
Um at the special City Commission
meeting later this month, July 23rd,
uh we will have an LPA meeting and a
commission public hearing on the map
portion of this
and the second reading of this
ordinance. So, the regulations would be
adopted it assuming you approve tonight
and then approve on second reading
you'll have regulations in place and you
will have a map by first reading and
then in September you'll have the actual
map or second reading and final adoption
and
properties able to take advantage of
this.
So with that I'd be happy to answer any
questions. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Uh
I'll open it for a commission questions
or comments but um
also then I'll open for public comment
but
the um
the numbers I saw 90 I saw 100 on the
UPA. That will not raise the bar correct
me if I'm wrong on for a live local
>> Correct.
>> commercial project.
>> Because it's conditional it does not
raise the bar on live local.
>> Thank you.
And um
this the MUC in general the idea is there a higher authority that is um
pushing this?
>> Miami-Dade County.
so we can't just
ignore there's other avenues for a
developer if we're not playing ball so
to speak. Am I correct?
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay so we're as I understand it you and
your department and this commission are
have been working and the city manager
to get the best possible result with
what we are faced with once again.
Correct?
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay thank you and you're recommending
approval.
>> Yes sir.
>> Okay. Commissioners
comments question or I'll open it for
okay public comment
um
Mr. Um
attorney do you want to um
just
I don't know just I I guess I can say
that uh
there's you have 3 minutes to um
make your comments. You I don't think we
need an explanation for
» Thank you.
>> anything else so go ahead please.
>> Yeah I I think I can do this in about a
minute. Uh Mr. Mayor, Commissioners,
Jeff Birk out with offices at 200 South
Biscayne Boulevard. I'm here tonight on
behalf of Turnberry Associates and the
Aventura Mall. We've been working with
your administration and staff on this
concept for several years.
As Kevin told you, this ordinance
implements the Metropolitan Urban Center
concept in your comprehensive plan.
It makes sense because the urban center
area already has major public and
private infrastructure
in transit at transit and transportation
serving this area.
The overlay links the mall and the bus
depot with the Brightline rail station,
and I know the bridge is
constructed, it's waiting there. I think
everything I've heard is in place other
than the air rights issue, which is being negotiated. Uh but
eventually, we will have that
connection.
The The ordinance locates higher
intensity mixed-use development near
transit, which is not only sound
planning, but it's consistent with your
comprehensive plan. It encourages
quality urban urban design in a
mixed-use pedestrian-oriented area,
promotes reinvestment in the city's
signature commercial area,
and strengthens its tax base, and
reduces reliance on the automobile by
placing future development next to
transit. Major projects will still
require conditional use approval from
this board, so the City Commission will
have the final say on any significant
development within the Metropolitan
Urban Center. So, we request your
approval this evening. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Other members of the public wish to
comment?
If not, seeing none, I'll close for
public comment. Uh if there's no other
commission questions or comments,
I'll ask for a vote.
>> Commissioner Bloom.
Yes. Commissioner Friedland.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Olensky.
>> Yes. Commissioner Blachman.
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ayan.
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg.
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Okay, I don't see any other LPA
business.
In which case,
am I correct?
>> There's a resolution as item 4B.
>> Let me see where I am.
4B.
Okay, sorry. Read that, please, Adam.
>> A resolution of the city commission of
the city of Aventura, Florida, approving
a sign graphics variance under section
31-191M7
for the Aventura City Center mixed-use
development located at 2999 Northeast
191 Street, providing for implementation
and providing an effective date.
>> Thank you. I need a motion to adopt.
Uh
Commissioner Bloom, second by
Commissioner Olensky.
Uh Mr. Director.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a sign
package, is what we call it, for the
proposed
Aventura City Center project.
The package signs were presented in
workshop. We're happy to present them
tonight. You have them in your packet.
The uh
requirements for a sign variance, which
is what this is technically called, are
less
than are for other variances. So, we do
this so we can
help a project with their signs, still
make them
very attractive, but maybe not exactly
as the code would allow.
Um
happy to go through it in more detail or
have the applicant present if necessary
or if you just want to move to the
public hearing and move forward. Thank
you.
>> Okay, let me see if the applicant wants
to
offer any comments.
Go ahead and
Sure, come on up.
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. For the record,
I'm Commissioner Brian Adler Loftus at
Bilzin Sumberg, 1450 Brickell Avenue
Suite 2300. The actual development was
approved back in the early May
commission hearing. And and again, we
went through workshop in late May, May
21st for the signage variant. I didn't
see anyone
in the public objecting, so I agree with
Mr. Clapp if we're here to do a full
presentation, but if you'd like to just
go ahead based on what we presented at
commission, we're also happy to proceed
that way. Thank you.
>> Let me see if any other members of the
public, any members of the public at all
wish to comment.
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment and ask if any commissioners
have questions or comments.
Really, no one wants to ask where the
attorney got his jacket?
Might I just say it's an ill-fitting
jacket, but
we're not going to we will not be
prejudiced by that, so um
uh any other um
comments by the commission? Okay, let's
vote.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
Yes. Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Olensky?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blachman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ains?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay, now I think we're done with the
LPA business, and so I'm going to ask
for a motion to adjourn.
Vice Mayor Ains, seconded by
Commissioner Friedland. All those in
favor say I.
Any Any knows?
Okay, we are adjourned.
Thank you. Let's move to our
regular City Commission meeting for July
7th.
It's 6:21.
I'm calling the meeting to order and
I'll ask for a roll call.
>> Mayor Weinberg.
>> Here.
>> Vice Mayor Aein.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Bloom.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Blatman.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Friedland.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Cruz.
>> Here.
>> Commissioner Linsky.
>> Here.
>> Mr. Peguero.
>> Here.
>> And Mr. Myers.
>> Here.
>> You have a quorum.
>> Okay, Mr. Manager, any deletions or
additions?
>> Yes, Mayor, I have one. Um I'd like to
move items 8B and 8C on the agenda um
and to move them from um to ordinances
first reading public hearing as items 9B
and 9C.
>> Okay, without any objection.
So be it.
Um
Any commission reports? I know that I
know that we um
I know that we have reports of a uh I'll
just let me just say that it's
great to report that um
three of us were in Israel. Was it Has
it been 2 weeks yet since we got back?
I guess, 2 weeks ago, but
um
uh it was tremendous opportunity. First,
as I always like to clarify,
uh not one dime of tax dollars was spent
on the on this mission. Um I'm very
fortunate. It's the third time as the
mayor of Aventura that I've been able to
go on a mayor's mission to Israel. I was
with about 30 mayors, most of whom are
from uh Europe. And for them to see,
instead of
the narrative that's in the mainstream
media and on social media, they saw
firsthand um what Israel is about. So,
it was really terrific. And for me, it
was my second opportunity
to visit our sister city Modi'in and our
sister city mayor
and to see
the ambulance sent there by the people
of Aventura
on the streets saving lives. And I guess
I usually tell the story that when we um
when this ambulance first went into
service um in the very first week um
I've said it so many times people roll
their eyes, but a baby was born in the
ambulance. So symbolic. But what we
found out now is that that type of call
they gave us the statistics that has now
happened 18 times. So, it's pretty
amazing, pretty incredible. So, I'd like
there were two commissioners that were
on the trip. We were on different
missions, but we rendezvoused for our
visit to our sister city and we
rendezvoused for the one of the main
purposes of being there, which was the
um Muni Expo um high-tech convention in
Tel Aviv. So, we were together for a
couple of things.
And two of our commissioners [snorts]
were on a different mission of elected
officials. And so, I I would love for
them to um if they want to comment on
their uh on their aspect their
perspective uh Commissioner Bloom.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
So, as Mayor Weinberg said, um he,
Commissioner Orlinsky,
our communications director Evan Ross,
and myself recently had the honor of
participating in a municipal leaders
delegation in Israel through the Israeli
Consulate Miami.
Although I personally have been very
fortunate to visit Israel many times
over the years as a tourist or visiting family,
this experience was unlike any other.
Over several days, we met with leaders
from Israel's Foreign Ministry, the IDF,
and the Institute for National Security
Studies.
Having the opportunity to hear directly
from the people making decisions on
diplomacy, security, and national policy
gave us a much deeper understanding of
the challenges that Israel faces every
day.
Some of the most powerful moments came
from visiting the Old City of Jerusalem,
the site of the Nova music festival
massacre, and the memorial displaying
the burned vehicles from the October 7th
terrorist attacks.
Those are experiences I'll never forget
as they showcased the extraordinary
resilience of the Israeli people.
We returned home with a broader
perspective, a greater appreciation for
Israel's strength,
and gratitude for the people dedicated
to building a safer future, not only for
the state of Israel,
but for here in the United States as
well.
One of the unexpected highlights of the
trip were was the friendships that were
formed along the way.
I'm especially pleased that a member of
our delegation is with us here this
evening, and I would like to recognize
him.
Tom Nadler, Deputy County Administrator
for Palm Beach County.
Thank you very much for your friendship,
for your leadership,
for your unofficial security services on
the trip,
and for joining us tonight.
» Thank you, and welcome. Thanks for being
here.
Commissioner Olinsky.
>> So, again, to um represent some of the
items that um Commissioner Bloom and
Mayor Weinberg have mentioned, um a year
ago, we were invited on this trip, and
um a year ago was canceled. So, when it
came up again, I was super hesitant to
go to Israel, nervous for what was going
on, but made the decision that I was
going to go
and um see
what was going on over there and hear
from a different perspective that I
thought I would never hear
um again in this type of capacity. So,
when
we arrived to um Israel,
it was filled with warmth, um
courageous, and optimistic
people of Israel thanking us for coming.
As we boarded the plane home, I realized
the one lesson
that I learned from this trip, which was
to simply show up. So, us showing up as
a commission um and a delegation, we
were able to support the local retailers
of Israel who told us that or me in
particular that they hadn't had a sale
in 3 months, and this was an elegant
nice store, or some of the uh restaurant
tours and our actual tour guides who
explained that they hadn't seen
Americans in many, many weeks and many, months. And so, us showing up and
showing our support and understanding
and listening made a big difference
um and we were able to learn not only
from um the experiences that we were
exposed to, but by listening and hearing
what's going on.
Um and what we did hear from the Nova
Festival and from
many stories that were shared with us,
um we had a dad whose son went back and
is a hero of uh October 7th, went back,
you know, two or three times, um saving
many lives, which turned into many more
lives that, you know, will continue with
us in the years to come, but that
individual was um
unfortunately killed on his last journey
back saving the last set of lives that
he was trying to do. And we were
fortunate enough to meet his dad who was
there
showing us the car that he actually
drove and saved people.
Um so
being a part of that and being part of
the Israeli defense
conversations and learning what happened
and being a part of the Muni festival
and seeing what kind of technology is
coming our way with world delegations,
people from around the world coming
together and sharing their insight,
showing up and listening I think made a
difference.
The Aventura City Commission made a
difference. And um
Tom, thank you. Thank you for coming and
thank you for supporting the Aventura
Commission. And we got lucky. Our
delegation was paired with
the Palm Beach Broward County crew.
And we were so fortunate to blend
together, have fun together, and be able
to experience Israel together. So thank
you for coming here and thank you for
being a part of that with all of us.
And that that's pretty much it.
Thank you.
>> Terrific. Thank you, Commissioners.
Any other commission reports?
>> If if it's okay, I'd like to as well,
Mayor.
>> Yes.
>> So I'm in Israel I'm in Israel now in in
Tel Aviv. I just got here today.
I was in Jerusalem for a week with my
wife.
And it was just wonderful to see you
know, so many people out after
almost 3 years of war,
see so many people out and about and
enjoying life. I the last day I was
there we saw we went to the Western
Wall, the Kotel, we saw
30 kids from the US having a joint a
Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah together,
uh which was very special. But that as you and the commissioners were
saying, it's great to see the strength
and the resilience of the of
the Israeli people.
And um
you know, it it's it's amazing to see
that
um
every year they do a survey of the
happiest people in the world,
and Israel always comes in the top 10 in
spite of all the challenges and
difficulties that they face, and it's it's really unbelievable. Uh
tonight um
uh we had dinner with um with with the
mayor uh with the mayor and his wife the
mayor of uh the Gaza envelope, which you
met uh mayor
uh Ori and his wife Ayelet, and we're
going to be visiting uh the south and
the Gaza envelope as well as the um
the Cyber Nova Festival, which I've been
to before with them, which which should
be really special. And also with we're
going to be stopping at uh Or Haner, which is also a kibbutz in
that area in the Gaza envelope, uh which
is also partnered with our uh federation
in Miami. Uh
all in all, I just say that I'm very
proud of of our commission
uh and our management team and the not
only because we've we've we've shown our
leadership on on this issue. I think
Israel has been shown to be our best
ally in the world. Um
and
for us to not only do it for our own
city and its people, but to be an
example a shining example uh around the
country and around the world of acting
with moral courage courage, integrity.
Uh I think it's it's really wonderful.
So, I'm very proud of the whole
commission, and we should just continue
to do
to to be involved like this
and see our relationship grow. Thank
you.
» Thank you, Commissioner.
Any member of the Commission or the
manager need to remove an item from the
consent agenda?
Okay, I'm going to ask for a motion to
approve the consent agenda. Commissioner
Freeland, seconded by Commissioner
Bloom.
Uh let's vote, please.
>> Commissioner Olensky?
Yes. Commissioner Brachman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Freeland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ahern?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Weinburg?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Okay. Um Tom, would you like to say a
few words? We'd love to hear from you.
came down from a couple of counties
away, so.
» So, thank you for having me. It's a
pleasure being here. A lot of old faces
that I know from the past. Um thank you
for being on the trip with us. Uh it was
very important for me to take my
commissioners over there as we are one
of the largest investor in Israel bonds
in the world. Palm Beach County has
invested 1.2 billion dollars in Israel
bonds in the last few years. So,
I want to make sure that our commission
went out there and saw it. We took our
clerk and controller and we took uh our
tax collector over there. So, it was a
great trip. Um I was born and raised in
Israel and we make sure that our
investment of
Israel and IDF is still going and I
thank you so much for having me here.
And it's great seeing you and Chief Noni
for a long time. So, thank you for
having me.
Thanks.
>> Thank you. Thank you very much for being
here and uh we love the the the amount that number is
staggering of the bonds invested by Palm
Beach County. It's really terrific.
Okay.
Uh zoning hearings. Uh these are going
to be This is item seven. These are
going to be quasi-judicial.
So, uh Mr. City Attorney.
>> Okay, thank you, Mayor. Uh, please be
advised that the following items 7C on
the commission agenda is a zoning
hearing and quasi-judicial nature. As
such, the quasi-judicial procedures of
the city shall be invoked for this item.
If you wish to object or comment upon
this item, please inform the Mayor
when public comments are requested. An
opportunity for persons to speak on this
item will be made available after
applicant staff have made their
presentations on the item. All
testimony, including public testimony,
evidence will be made under oath or
affirmation for this quasi-judicial
item. Additionally, each person who
gives testimony may be subject to
cross-examination. If you refuse either
to be cross-examined or be sworn, your
testimony will be given its due weight.
The general public will be permitted to
cross-examine witnesses, will not be
permitted to cross-examine witnesses,
but the public may request the
commission ask questions of staff or
witnesses on their behalf. Persons
representing organizations must present
evidence of their authority to speak for
the organization. Further details of the
quasi-judicial procedures may be
obtained from the clerk on the zoning
assuming since no one disclosed any ex
parte communications during the LPA,
there are none, but I still want to
mention in case you you do have ex parte
communications you want to disclose on
this item.
>> Thank you. And
Madam Clerk, you could swear in anyone
wishing to offer testimony.
>> If you will be speaking on item 7C, I
need you to stand up, raise your right
hand and be sworn in at this time. This
is for item 7C only.
Do you solemnly swear or affirm the
testimony about to give is the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?
Thank you.
» Okay, and can you read the ordinance for
7A, please?
>> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,
Florida, amending chapter 31, Land
Development Regulations of the City Code
of Ordinances, by amending section
31-144C,
Community Business B-2 District,
subsection 2, conditional use to
establish hospitals as a conditional use
within the district, providing for
severability, providing for inclusion in
the code, and providing for an effective
date.
>> Can I have a motion to approve adoption
of that ordinance? Commissioner Bloom,
seconded by Commissioner Olensky.
Uh
Mr. Development Director, please review
that.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is the second
reading of an ordinance. Uh it's an
application from Mount Sinai
uh to add conditional use
uh in B2 to allow hospitals.
Uh it was approved on first reading in
June, and we would recommend approval on
second reading. However, I do need to
bring to your attention one scrivener's
error that has been corrected in the
packet. Um
but uh it was in their application, and
we failed to add it into the ordinance.
A phrase
um
that says as follows. Uh but first, B2
has a height limit of 12 stories.
And that includes a gradual step back if
that B2 is adjacent to residential.
It's implicit that when you have a
conditional use in a public hearing, uh
that would not apply. And there are
other exceptions in the code for that
step back. But to make it clear, we
would add the phrase uh excepting from
this height and space unit requirement a
hospital or a clinic approved as a
conditional use. So, with that one um
scrivener's error corrected, we would
recommend favorably for this change.
>> Okay. Thank you.
Um let me ask if the applicant has any
additional comments. Okay.
Um any member of the public
wish to come in on this item 7A.
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment. Ask if any commissioners have
any questions or comments.
Seeing none,
I think that um
we were we are ready for a roll call
vote.
>> Commissioner Blaschman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
» I meant to say
>> Commissioner Cruz is absent.
Commissioner Orlinsky?
>> No, no. No, no.
>> Oh.
Commissioner Cruz, how do you vote on
this item?
Vice Mayor Ain?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote
on this item?
>> Yes.
>> Thank you. Motion passes.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay.
7B, please.
>> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,
Florida, amending chapter 31, land
development regulations of the City Code
of Ordinances, to create section
31-144G,
Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center
Zoning District Overlay, to provide for
a new zoning district overlay and
related regulations and standards,
providing for severability, providing
for inclusion in the code, and providing
for an effective date.
>> Motion to approve the adoption.
Commissioner Bloom seconded by
Commissioner Orlinsky. Uh
and I don't think we need uh you want to
make
the record that
you're including everything from
earlier.
>> Bring the uh
LPA meeting uh
presentation into the record for City
Commission. I'm fine with any questions.
>> Got it. And um
any public comment on this? Anyone that
didn't want to speak 10 minutes ago, you
can speak now. Yes.
Your comments are so incorporated, Mr.
Berkowitz.
Um
no other members of the public. I'll
close it for public comment. Any
commission comment or questions
that you thought of in the last 10
minutes?
Okay, let's vote.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
Commissioner Olensky?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blachman?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ainge?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote
on this item?
Commissioner Cruz is absent on this
item. The motion passes.
>> Thank you.
Uh
7C.
>> A resolution of the City Commission of
the City of Aventura, Florida, approving
a sign graphics variance under Section
31-191M7
for the Aventura City Center mixed-use
development located at 2999 Northeast
191st Street, providing a for
implementation and providing an
effective date.
>> Thank you. Motion to approve the
resolution. Commissioner Friedland seconded by Commis-
Commissioner Blachman.
Um
Kevin, same thing we just heard?
>> Yes, please incorporate my presentation
from the LPA and I'm available for any
questions.
>> Okay, applicant, any further comment
from the LPA?
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the of
commission. Just to note my um presence
for the record. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any member of the public wish
to speak on this?
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment. Any commission comment,
questions?
Seeing none, we're ready to vote.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz.
Commissioner Olensky.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blachman.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blue.
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ain.
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz, are you able to vote
on this item?
Commissioner Cruz is absent for this
item. The motion passes.
>> Thank you.
Uh
item eight, second reading.
Madam Clerk, A 8.
>> An ordinance of the City of Aventura,
Florida, amending section 14-91,
fees for permits, inspections,
certificates, and related services to
authorize such fees to be adjusted
annually by administrative policy,
providing for severability, providing
for inclusion in the code, and providing
for an effective date.
>> Can I have a motion to approve?
Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Vice
Mayor Ain.
Uh Mr. Manager.
>> Thank you, Mayor. This item relates to
section 14-91 of the city code, which
governs fees for building permits,
inspections, and certificates, and
related services.
During the 2026 legislative session, the
state of Florida adopted House Bill 803,
which became effective on July 1st of
this year. This new law placed
additional requirements and restrictions
on how municipalities may calculate and
collect building permit-related fees. In
particular, inspection fees must now be
based on actual costs and may no longer
be based on a project's value.
The law also requires permit fee
reductions when private providers are
used, including reductions of at least
25% when private inspections are used,
and 50% when both private and plan
review inspection services are used.
The proposed ordinance amends the city
code to allow building permit fees to be
established by the city manager by
administrative policy in accordance with
Florida law, and adjusted no more than
once per fiscal year. If any additional
adjustments are needed within the same
fiscal year, it would have to come back
before the city commission for approval.
Um I would recommend adopting this
ordinance.
Okay. Thank you. Any public comment? Now
is the time.
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment. Any commission comment on this
issue on this item 8A?
Seeing none, we're ready to vote.
>> Commissioner Olensky?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Lotsman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Aein?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Item 9, first reading.
Madam
>> An ordinance of the city of Aventura,
Florida amending Article 4, finance, of
Chapter 2, administration, of the city
code by amending Section 2-232,
request for information concerning
pending charges or liens, preparation
and recording of liens and lien
satisfactions, to increase the lien
search fee from $50 to $125,
allowing an annual increase in the fee
to be made administratively, providing
for severability, providing for
inclusion in the code, providing for
implementation, and providing for an
effective date.
>> And for the record, that was 9A.
Could I have a motion to approve the
ordinance?
Vice Mayor Aein, seconded by
Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager?
>> Thank you, Mayor.
We We're recommending that city's lien
search fee be increased from $50 to
$125.
Lien searches are processed by the
community development department and
provide important property-related
information, including expired permits,
outstanding code violations, unpaid
fees, and other encumbrances on
properties within the city.
has not adjusted this fee for
over two decades, and since that time
the cost of staff time, records
management, administrative processing
has increased while the city's fee has
remained significantly lower than those
charged by neighboring municipalities.
The proposed increase will better align
Aventura's fees with regional pricing
and help ensure the city is adequately
recovering the administrative costs
associated with processing these
requests. I recommend adoption of this
ordinance.
>> Thank you. Any member of the public wish
to speak on this item?
Seeing none, [snorts] I will close it
for public comment and ask if there's
any commission questions or comments.
Seeing none, we're ready to vote.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Arlensky?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Balchuman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blue?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ain?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> 9B
>> Aventura City Commission acting in its
capacity as a governing board for the
Aventura City of Excellence School and
ordinance of the City Commission of the
City of Aventura, Florida amending
ordinance number 2025-07,
which ordinance adopted the Aventura
City of Excellence School budget for
fiscal year 2025-2026
July 1 to June 30th by revising the
2025-2026
fiscal year budget document as outlined
in exhibit A attached here to,
authorizing the City Manager to do all
things necessary to carry out the aims
of this ordinance and providing for an
effective date.
>> Motion to approve, please.
Commissioner Balchuman seconded by
Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager?
» Thank you, Mayor.
This is the year-end budget amendment
for ACES, and this proposed budget
amendment totals 604,000
and $6 and was prepared by Charter
Schools USA as part of the school's
standard year-end fiscal review process.
The proposed amendment includes a net
increase in operating revenues of
$163,713,
which includes adjustments to several
revenue categories, including lower than
budgeted funding from the Florida
education finance program,
the FEFP
monies and capital outlay outlay. This
is offset by net increases in food
service revenue, grant revenues, and
other program revenues, and referendum
stipend revenue.
On the expenditure side, the amendment
reflects a total increase of $604,006.
The most significant adjustments include
increases in compensation-related costs,
including tutoring bonuses, stipends,
increased vendor services, and pupil
transportation, and increased operating
expenditures, particularly building
repairs and maintenance. We replaced
several HVAC system units on the roof of
the building this year.
Um and also some elevator repairs to the building to the facility.
Um it's important to note that although
several individual revenue and
expenditure lines are being adjusted,
the proposed amendment does not change
the originally budgeted change in fund
balance, and it's recommended the City
Commission approve this ordinance
amendment for fiscal year 25-26.
>> Thank you.
Any member of the public wish to speak
on this item 9B?
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment. Any commission comment this
item?
Seeing none,
call the question, please.
>> Commissioner Blachman?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Friedland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Orlansky?
>> Yes.
>> Vice Mayor Ahern?
>> Yes.
>> And Mayor Weinberg?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> 9C.
>> Aventura City Commission acting in its
capacity as the governing board for the
Don Soffer Aventura High School, an
ordinance to the City Commission of the
City of Aventura, Florida, amending
ordinance number 2025-08,
which ordinance adopted the Don Soffer
Aventura High School budget for fiscal
year 2025-2026,
July 1 to June 30th, by revising the
2025-2026
fiscal year budget document as outlined
in exhibit A attached here to.
Authorizing the city manager to do all
things necessary to carry out the aims
of this ordinance and providing for an
effective date.
» Motion to approve.
Commissioner Freeland seconded by
Commissioner Bloom.
Mr. Manager.
>> Thank you again, Mayor.
And this is the Don Soffer Aventura High
School year-end budget amendment. It was
prepared by Charter Schools USA as part
of the school's standard year-end fiscal
review process.
The amendment includes a net revenue
increase of $647,281.
Uh this is primarily due to higher than
budgeted student enrollment, which
resulted in additional Florida Education
Finance Program revenue, as well as
increases in grant revenue,
miscellaneous revenue, A+ bonuses, AP
and Ace revenues.
Uh these increases are partially offset
by decreases in capital outlay revenue
due to lower than budgeted per student
rate from the Florida Department of
Education. On the expenditure side, the
amendment reflects a net increase of
$425,227.
The most significant adjustments include
increases in compensation-related costs,
including bonuses, stipends, and
benefits. And the amendment also
includes increases in vendor services,
primarily related to contracted food
service and instructional expenses,
largely due to uh increased AP and Ace
testing material costs, and other
operating expenditures, particularly
unplanned building repairs, maintenance,
including some HVAC maintenance,
plumbing, and parking lot repairs. And I
recommend adoption of this ordinance.
>> Thank you. Any member of the public wish
to comment on this item?
Seeing none, I'll close it for public
comment. Any commissioner
with a comment or question? Seeing none,
we're ready to call the question.
>> Commissioner Bloom?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Freeland?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cruz?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Orlansky?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blochman?
>> Yes. Vice Mayor Aime? Yes. And Mayor
Weinbach?
>> Yes.
>> Motion passes.
>> Any staff reports, Mr. Manager?
>> Mr. Mayor, I have a brief update if I
may.
>> Sure.
>> So, as you know, our law firm filed
a lawsuit challenging the statewide
ballot question on property tax relief
focused on the fact that the question
itself and the summary is misleading.
There is a hearing on July 29th. If we
prevail, the attorney general has 10
days to change the question and and
change the summary. If he chooses
not to do that, if that's how the court
rules, he can appeal. If if the court
rules in the state's favor, then I guess
the you know, we have to decide what we
would do, if we would follow appeal or
not. But, it's a pretty quick process,
like I say, if the attorney general is
ordered to to change the language, he's
got 10 days to do it.
And like I say, the other option is is
to appeal it. If it's appealed, there's
a very good chance that the question's
going to come before the voters, because
there's a deadline. I don't have the
exact deadline where the Department of
State has to put the ballot questions on
the ballot, but it's it's quickly
approaching. But, this hearing will be
prior to that deadline and the ruling
will occur before the deadline. So, it's
possible, but highly unlikely that there
won't be that question on the ballot,
but if I were going to bet on this and I
don't bet, I think there's going this
question will be on the ballot in some form.
>> Do you bet on the World Cup?
>> No, I know. I only bet on the
hurricanes.
>> Good answer. So, you know, Tallahassee's
always so interesting. I note with
interest that the governor said he won't
be doing a full court press on
advocating for for this.
» Really interesting comment. I agree with
that. Yeah.
>> So, you know, something's going on which
we're obviously not privy to at that
time but at this time but thanks thanks
for the update.
Um
we've reached uh public comments.
>> I think
Just want to comment.
>> Just ask the attorney, did you speak
with your law partners about
why or why not they didn't file an
injunction?
>> Yeah, this is what I was This is the way
to go with a with a challenge like this.
So, they got the expedited hearing and
the declaration, the way this is set up,
the only way to get the relief that you
want is to get a declaration forcing the
attorney general to change the question.
So, it's not a standard, you know,
injunction case.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay.
Members of the public,
you have 3 minutes
to come up here. You can tell us we're
great. You can tell us we suck or
anything in between.
Is anyone
wishing to speak, come on up now.
Okay, I don't see anyone. So, I'm going
to close it for public comment and ask
the commission
if there's any other business.
Seeing none,
I'm going to ask for a motion to
adjourn.
Uh
Vice Mayor Ainsworth, by Commissioner
Orlinsky.
All those in favor say I.
Any opposed?
At 6:54, we are adjourned.