[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.