City Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay, good evening. Let's call the City Commission regular meeting June 2nd, 2026 to order. And we'll have a roll call, please.

Mayor. Here I'm back here ice marine president commissioner blue. Here question about you commissioner Friedman here commissioner crews commissioner let's keep here, Mister cookies here, Mister Meyers here you have a quorum.

Thank you if we could rise for the pledge of allegiance, please. Okay. Mr. Manager, any deletions or additions to the agenda? No, Mayor. Okay. Any reports from any commissioners? Yes.

Not really a report, just to save the date. October 23rd, we are having a golf tournament that is in support of the Aventura Police Foundation. So if you guys would like to support the Aventura Police Foundation, please go to aventurapolicefoundation.org or follow on social media, and the details for the golf tournament will be up shortly. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other reports. Special presentations. Mr. Manager, you have representatives here from the Charter Revision Commission?

I do. I think the only ones here is Sandra Crumbine. She's here.

Okay. So we, every how many years? Five?

Six.

Every six years, We form a charter revision commission. They look at our existing charter and they volunteer their time. These individuals make recommendations and their recommendations by law, basically, we don't have a choice here in the commission. They make their recommendations. Those go on the ballot at our next regularly scheduled election. And the people of Aventura get to vote and decide whether or not the recommendations of that commission should become part of our should become part of our charter. So we thank the people who served, Denise Landman, Michael Davis, Dr. Mark Dorn, Sandra Crumbine, and Gary Pyatt. Mr. Manager?

Yeah, I would like to thank the committee or the commission. They did a tremendous job, gave a lot of thought, deep thought and discussion into the charter review amendments that they came up with and worked very, very hard It was an honor working with them, and I have a certificate for Sandra. If she'd like to come up to the front, we can take a photo.

Thank you for your service, Sandra. Continuing on Mister manager we have. We want to recognize a couple of very special police officers detectives.

Yes, I would ask detectives can see Lee and Sandra Marquez if they would like to come to the front to be recognized.

In here use that so they have it on the people at home we have about 2 million people watching on average.

3 minutes, the detectives Ken Seely and Sandra Marquez work in our detective bureau, and they focus primarily on frauds. As you can imagine, frauds are some of the most incredibly complex, they plague our community, not only from the elderly community, there's all kinds of frauds, whether it comes from phone calls, different phone scams, credit card scams, takeovers. We've had, Sandra's worked some incredible cases where people have taken over people's deeds of their homes, extensive cases. Both of these detectives, and this is, and I want to give our chief of police kudos for doing this, they are sworn in as federal officers as well. And what that allows them to do is a lot of these crimes that occur here in Aventura, They may use your credit card here, but they also use it up in New York City or they use it in different places. Our detectives are able to investigate all of those crimes. And any of those across jurisdictions, they're able to prosecute them federally. And I can tell you with Ken and Sandra and a lot of their cases, they're putting people away for decades and decades. And one particular case and what they're being recognized for is one of the largest condo fraud cases here in South Florida was Turnberry on the Green. They worked this case. This goes back how many years? When I was chief here, so we're going back... Yeah, 2020. They've been working this case with their federal partners. Extensive case that went into art theft, international. They were able to put this together recently. They went to trial on this case. It was all over the media, and they achieved a conviction on this case. Sentencing is coming up in August, and the individual is looking up towards 20 years in federal prison for his crimes and what he did. So I want to give kudos and, I mean, there's not enough praise to give both of these detectives. I can tell you that they work 24-7, seven days a week on crimes, making sure that our residents are protected and that these perpetrators are brought to justice. So thank you so much for what you do. I can't thank you enough. You guys are incredible.

And any commissioner that wants to comment can certainly do so. But I just want to point out that everyone with a condo board at some point thinks that their board is stealing from them or taking money under the table. I've never been in a condominium where somebody didn't make that allegation. It's a very thankless job, kind of like being a commissioner. you'll hear people say, oh, the police can't do anything about it. So in our city, thank you both so much for your work. In our city, we tell you, take your concerns to the police department. We have a specialized detective bureau. It's not what you typically think of as the work of a police officer. These two brilliant detectives follow the money And they worked the cases, as you heard. That was a five to six year case. And they got the results. I know that in the last year, in at least two condominium associations in Aventura, there were people that were led away in handcuffs by our police department because they followed the money. So when you have concerns, you actually live in a city where the police are able, competent, trained, and willing to do the investigation, and it's really, it's actually incredible. If you Google that case, it's unbelievable, but it all happened, and they literally got the conviction just last month. So once again, we thank both of you detectives. Okay, unless someone wants to say something, we're gonna move on and, We want to, I think, is Steve Silverman here? We want to, come on up and tell us who you are. But I know you're going to talk about Eli and the good work that all of you people are doing. And Cindy, you're very involved and feel free to say anything you want.

Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Steve Silverman. I'm here with my son Josh on behalf of our foundation, Eli's Lasting Impact. I wanted to first personally thank City Manager Brian McKee and Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky for allowing us and paving the way for us to be here. We have a very strong and determined mission, which is to bring EKG screenings to youths, predominantly in the high school level, but of all ages, quite honestly. Beginning of this year, there was an act passed in Florida that is now requiring youth athletes to have EKG screenings as part of their physical to play sports. It's all in the spirit and the idea of eliminating sudden cardiac death in youths. So again, with the efforts of Commissioner Orlinsky and city manager Brian McKee, we have planned on July 28th at Don Sopher High School, potentially a couple of the other charter high schools will be joining us to conduct 400 no-cost EKG screenings. We're taking our mission to other schools, but tonight we're talking about just the city of Aventura. So we brought a very, very short video. We encourage you to follow us on Eli's lasting impact.com to show the impact that we're doing to the community and to ensure that our mission is accomplished. And Eli's light shines forever.

So I don't know who would say just a couple words and then we're going to play the video if that's okay. Okay. So Eli, which Steve didn't talk about, was Steve's son and my son's best friend. So Eli was one of those people who made everyone around him feel like they mattered. For our family, he wasn't just a friend. He was part of us. He and my son Carson shared the kind of friendship that you just don't forget, kind of shape you for life, and the kind that stays with you long after someone is gone. Losing Eli has been one of the hardest things that our family and friends and, of course, the Silvermans have had to face. As all of us know here tonight, we're not alone in that. The entire community, it felt like, felt the loss of Eli. But because of who Eli was and who the Silvermans are, they have done in Eli's honor nothing short of something extraordinary. Through Eli's lasting impact, they are providing free cardiac MRI screenings to children so families get a chance to catch what otherwise might go undetected and prevent the kind of loss that no family should have to endure. And with that, we present Eli's story and your video.

One morning, I woke up. My mom was screaming. I found my brother in his bed, non-responsive. It was the hardest day of my life. It was 250,000 sudden cardiac deaths a year.

Certainly, loss and emptiness first. And then, purpose.

About 48 hours before he passed, we played pickleball. My son and him were largely inseparable. I see you have a Gators thing. He convinced my son who had gotten a baseball scholarship to play in Tampa to leave it to go join him in the fun they were having at UF.

We had an amazing home life. family, friends, sports, travel sports, football, basketball, super, super close to my boys. That's the environment that I grew up in. And I was fortunate enough to have the same kind of bond and relationship with him.

He had a genetic issue that now is completely treatable 100%.

When Eli passed, my son Josh went and got tested. He was maybe six weeks post my son's passing where we were at the University of Miami with a renowned electrophysiologist for a procedure. And when they went in, for the procedure, which was to be an ablation, to repair an ablation, they discovered it was a double ablation.

After my brother passed away, I went in for medical testing and soon found from Dr. Sofer that I had WPW, which is also known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

My son's cardiologist, Dr. Sofer, said essentially, and I'll never forget these words, is a ticking time bomb. And through the loss of my son and then discovering my older son through medical understanding was potentially compromised. Truly was like turning our world upside down. The importance of understanding the resources that we have, the resources that we don't know, is beyond so many of our friends and family during our grieving said there's just no way you could have known you can't blame yourself but that's actually not the truth the day or so after this happened i asked his brother who we also knew was a bit older to come in and

get evaluated. Obviously, all the young kids at that age were worried because this was sudden. This is a person who did not have any prior conditions. He was an amazing athlete, multi-sport athlete. He had participated in athletics for days beforehand. When Josh came in to see us, And I first looked at his EKG, it all became very clear to me that he had a genetic issue that now is completely treatable, 100% treatable. We don't say that a lot in medicine, but it's a very clear thing. So we're able to immediately get him treated. cured, that was the one thing that got a lot of us through this difficult time.

Because I went in for testing and because of my brother passing away, that story and that experience potentially saved my life. Shortly after, the ambulance told us that he wasn't with us anymore. From that day, I knew that we wanted to create a difference and an impact.

And with that, you can save lives.

And that's what we're going to do with the high school.

Okay. Any other comments? Any remarks?

Yeah, I have a question. Thank you so much, Mr. Silverman. Our hearts go out to you and your family, and I think what you're doing is so commendable. I have a quick question, and maybe Cindy can answer, Commissioner Orlinsky, and that is, is this something that you think all kids should take or kids with specific issues or that to have certain signs? So this is something you think should be not only local, but should really go national, correct?

Thank you. And that's the goal of the foundation, right, to get everyone tested?

Correct, to early detection, so that at all ages, doesn't matter how young,

So you want to say again when the event will be happening here?

So for high, it'll be July 28th, held at the school. And they'll also have ACES is going to be participating. I don't know if they'll be attending at the high school, but they'll also have it either on campus. And Dr. Beck is here. She's been working closely with her team to work with the Silvermans to make that happen on campus for them as well.

Okay, so on a personal note, I just want to let you know that whatever we can do here, and if there's ever an additional need to get the message out here in this chambers, you don't have to ask, you just tell us. You're always welcome to come here. I want to tell you that I attended the funeral And it's so clear to me how special your son was to so many people. And to see so many young people speak. And each one of them started speaking by saying, Eli was my best friend. I never saw someone, I never heard of someone with so many best friends. I was personally very, very struck by it. It's very clear. And so let's help you to make sure that he has a lasting impact and that your foundation is very successful. So we're always here for you. And I thank you for coming tonight. Okay. With that, I'm going to need a motion. We're going to, We're going to recess the commission meeting so that we can start the LPA, local planning agency meeting. So who, Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Vice Mayor Ayn. Let's vote.

Commissioner Blatchman. Yes. Commissioner Bloom. Yes. Commissioner Friedland. Yes. Commissioner Cruz. Yes. Commissioner Walensky. Yes. Vice Mayor Ayn.

Yes.

And Mayor Weinberg. Yes. Motion passes.

Okay, so we are recessed at, 625 PM. Okay. Moving on. Now we're going to act in our capacity as a local planning agency at 625 PM. And let's call that meeting the LPA to order. With a roll call.

Mayor Weinberg.

Here.

Vice Mayor Ame.

Here.

Commissioner Blatchman.

Here.

Commissioner Bloom. Here. Commissioner Friedland. Here. Commissioner Cruz. Here. Commissioner Walensky. Here. Mr. Pegues. Here. Mr. Myers.

Here.

You have a quorum.

OK. I need a motion to approve the minutes of May 5, 2026. Commissioner Walensky, seconded by Commissioner Blatchman. Roll call, please.

Commissioner Bloom. Yes. Commissioner Friedland. Yes. Commissioner Cruz. Yes. Commissioner Orlinsky. Yes. Commissioner Botchman. Yes. Vice Mayor Aime. Yes. And Mayor Weinberg.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Okay. Item four, motion recommending adoption of the following. But first, we're going to, this is going to be a quasi-judicial procedure, so I'm going to ask the city attorney to provide those procedures for everyone here.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Please be advised that item 4B of the LPA 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 the applicant and staff have made their presentations on the item. All testimony, including public testimony and evidence, will be made under oath or affirmation. for this item. Additionally, each person who gives testimony 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 not be permitted to cross-examine witnesses, but the public may request the commission ask questions of staff or witnesses on their behalf. Persons requesting 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. And the other thing I'd like to mention, if any members of the Commission had any ex-party communications with any individual prior to this hearing, you can disclose it now. You can disclose it at the Commission meeting.

Okay. And if anyone wants to disclose, let's do that now. Anyone? Okay. Go ahead, Commissioner Friedland.

Yes, I would like to say that I've spoken to the applicant.

I would also like to disclose that I've spoken to the applicant.

Anyone else? I also had a meeting with the applicant.

I also did a while ago before it came to us, yes.

Yes, several, I guess several weeks ago I looked at renderings potential renderings that were shown to me by the applicant.

I had some brief discussions from the applicant.

Like Mayor Weinberg, I think about a month ago I saw some renderings.

Okay. Madam Clerk, would you like to swear in those offering testimony?

If you will be offering testimony, providing comments on item 4B, I need you to stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in at this time. Do you solemnly swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I hope you God. Thank you.

Okay, Madam Clerk, if you could continue by reading 4A.

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 B2 District, Subsection 2, Conditional Use, to establish hospitals as a conditional use within the district, providing for servability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

Okay. Can I have a motion recommending adoption? Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. Okay. Okay, I need a motion to recommend adoption. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Blum.

Okay, Mr. City Development Director, you want to review this for us? Certainly, good evening, Mayor, members of the Commission, Kevin Klopp, Community Development Director. This first item, item A, is a broad change to the B2 code. It is not property specific. So this item specifically is not quasi-judicial. It is an application by Mount Sinai, as you know, but it will apply to all of B2. If I could have the screen with the presentation, please. Okay, this application, as I mentioned, is from Mount Sinai. It requests hospital to be added into the B2 zoning as a conditional use, meaning somebody could apply for a hospital in the B2 zoning district, but it would have to come to the city commission for consideration and approval. That's what conditional use is. We have reviewed the application against the five criteria in the land development regulations. We find it meets those criteria and staff is supportive of the request. I do not have a detailed presentation, but the applicant is here and has a detailed presentation of what Mount Sinai is considering. But again, this application is not about their project, but is about a broad change proposed to the B2 zoning district. Happy to take any questions.

Any questions for the development director? Seeing none, let me open for public comment. Anyone wishing to speak on this item? Oh, OK. Well, the attorney can speak if you'd like.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Mickey Marrero from Burka, Rudolph, Fernandez, Larkin and Tappan is here on behalf of Mount Sinai. We went through a pretty detailed presentation at the March workshop. And I will tell you if this goes forward today, we will hopefully be before you next month with second reading and the conditional use that would allow this project to be entitled. So probably makes more sense to do the full presentation then. But if you all want to see it now, it's available, and I'm happy to do it. But just to be brief, and again, we went over a lot of this at that workshop that I barely made it to because of traffic down south, but we made it just in time. The existing Mount Sinai facility right off of Biscayne was a legally nonconforming use that was approved when this was Miami-Dade County. zoning there today B2 doesn't even allow the use that's there so not only does Mount Sinai have a non-conforming illegally non-conforming use they could never expand or improve on that project because of the zoning restrictions so what this does is it makes it it'll allow to become a conforming use and it will allow us with the protections provided for in the ordinance and Kevin's review to not only keep that use but expand to be really a a hospital that can serve this community I think you all saw those drawings. It's a phenomenal project that we believe is going to be a huge asset to this neighborhood. Angel Palin, the Vice President of Development Operations for Mount Sinai, and Rob Brown, our architect from Bermuda Architects, are also here. So again, this is first reading. We'll be back next month with second reading and the project-specific CUP request. But if you have any questions, we're here to answer those questions. And I can do that presentation now if you like. But again, it probably makes more sense next time when that is actually before you.

I think so. OK. I'll let any commissioner ask any questions. I do want to first say, because it's open now, any member of the public wish to speak on this issue? OK. Seeing none, I'm closing it for public comment. Any commission questions of the director or the applicant's attorney? OK. Any comments at all by the commission? OK. So then let's vote.

Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Orlinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Vice Mayor Ain?

Yes.

And Mayor Weinberg? Yes. Motion passes.

Okay, 4B please, Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Aventura, Florida, granting conditional use approval pursuant to Section 31-145E4 of the City Code of Ordinances. One, to permit a density of 69 dwelling units per acre for a project providing hero housing units, where the City Code permits 25. Two, to permit heights up to 32 stories, 367 feet, where the City Code permits 10 stories, 100 feet. and three to permit 1,556 parking spaces, where 2,505 spaces are required by the city code for the property located at 20801-20807 Biscayne Boulevard, providing for conditions of approval and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to recommend adoption of the resolution? Commissioner Orlinsky, seconded by. Commissioner Bloom. Kevin.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Kevin Klopp, Community Development Director. This is a revised proposal. A conditional use approval was previously approved for this site. So it'll be a new approval, but I wanted to mention just briefly what the changes are. And first, we'll start by identifying the site. On the bottom part of the photo you see on the screen is Biscayne Boulevard. And the project sits between 207th Street, 209th Street, facing Biscayne Boulevard, which you see in this picture here. The applicant has much more renderings and presentation to provide in a few minutes. The revisions are that the project is actually adding open space to what is already a nice plan with a park that will be open to the public. So they're increasing that open space. They'll be increasing the public contributions to infrastructure and other city needs. There's a completely new design, which you've seen at workshop, which you'll see tonight. Changes the massing and the facade, the look of the building completely. It does add 56 feet of height to what was previously approved and 45 units to what was previously approved. And they're increasing the shared parking percentage meaning that they will have less parking than was approved with the previous proposal. The staff recommendation is that we believe this provides mixed uses that are essential for town center designation, which is appropriate to support transit near Biscayne Boulevard, such as the Brightline Station. It does provide density within walking distance to existing retail uses and transit, and it provides hero housing. I do have a few supplemental wording changes to read into the record for you from the conditions that are included in your packet in the agenda. Item 3B, just a clarification that the first contribution of $2.5 million would be due at issuance of the first vertical construction permit for the first residential building. The wording right now just says the first permit. We wanted to be clear that it's the first permit for vertical construction. Item five, we want to add in a little clarity. We've worked further on the Hero Housing, and it will be with a mix of 15 two-bedroom and five one-bedroom units, no more than two of those units per floor, non-adjacent units, and they'll be in the rental building. And all of this is unless otherwise determined during the site plan approval process with specific units to be identified at that time. Additionally, the location and or mix of units may be changed from time to time based upon the need or demand by a mutual agreement between the applicant and the city manager or his designee. And the applicant, I believe, will come up and acknowledge they agree with the changes to the conditions. And then we'll be adding a condition 10 If ever necessary to resolve a chronic backup of cars on Biscayne Boulevard due to the car stopping at the entrance to the south residential building, the project will post a security guard at the location for the specific purpose of ensuring the cars do not stop or queue at this point, but instead proceed around the corner, either to the right to park or to the left to use valet or drop off pickup passengers. In the event that the project does not provide the security guard determined necessary by the city or otherwise implement a resolution facility city will provide one and recoup the cost for the project. This was a condition that we had worked out when we were still concerned about some of the valley and the traffic. they've made amendments that satisfied us that we're not concerned about the valley and the traffic anymore, but. THEY AGREED THAT THIS CONDITION CAN STILL BE PLACED IN THE APPROVAL BECAUSE THEY'RE CONFIDENT THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEM AND ALSO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY WOULD WANT TO SOLVE IT JUST AS WELL. SO WITH THOSE THREE CHANGES TO THE CONDITION, I DO WANT TO SAY WE REVIEWED THE APPLICATION, THE PROPOSAL AGAINST THE SEVEN CRITERIA IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND STAFF IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROJECT. AND WITH THAT, I WILL BRING UP THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION. And turn it over back to you, Mr. Mayor.

Long time, no see.

Good evening again. Mickey Marrero, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Burkard, Rodel, Fernandez, Larkin, and Tappan is here on behalf of the Aventura Corporate Center team and FLOW. With me today is Jeffrey Davis, as well as many folks on our project team, which I won't introduce individually, because I know you're on a short time here. But this one you guys saw at the workshop, I think three and a half weeks ago, so it should be fresh. As Kevin pointed out, and I will tell you, what you don't get to see is the labor that Kevin has put into this, working with him, with our traffic consultants, with the city's traffic consultants, and our applicant to get here. Because when Jeffrey's partners at Flow came into the project, their biggest push was to try and make this more open, bring more open space, more lush, really make it a centre for the community. And that shifted a lot of the structures. It created a lot more open space, which you can see in these kind of go through them you can see here the everything that's green everything that's lush has been expanded that did create some concerns with kevin on how traffic would be impacted so we spent months working with them to get that right and we were very confident now and the city's team is confident that we got it right and we're very excited with this version of the project one thing that we wanted to make sure was addressed before we came to you was traffic And the conditions that Kevin has put in, which we of course agreed with, are protections in case there was ever a problem. We all agree, us, city, all the engineers, there won't be a problem, but the conditions there as a fallback protection. Essentially, while there are 45 The way it's distributed and the way this was redesigned, there really is not going to be, the impact on traffic is negligible at most and probably zero. While there are 45 more units, our traffic engineers, and again, this has been reviewed by the city's traffic engineers as well, there's no increase, zero, in the a.m. peak hour trips and only an increase of 10 trips in the evening peak. That is what traffic engineers consider de minimis and something you wouldn't even notice. the increase in traffic with this additional density is less than 1%, which is, again, in traffic terms, nothing. In addition, we're making it more open. We're making it work better. But most importantly, I think something to you all, because of the changes, we are also increasing the amount and the expediency of the profits that we're making to the city, which will go help the construction of the school and other things. So we think the overall package for the city is a net plus. So we're here to answer questions. If you have anything, you know, our team is here. I hope you, I think we got comments from you that generally everybody loved this new design and we're thrilled with it. And I think we've been before you all probably more times than I've been on any other project. And hopefully at this point, we'll get this thing started and deliver this amazing project for you in the next couple of years. So again, we're here to answer any questions you need, and we hope you get your support. Thank you.

Okay, thanks. Any questions or comments from the Commission? Okay, I have a couple of, I have a few comments. I want to just address the, this This is often the case because, as I've said from this seat many times, the people that own property in Aventura have development rights that predate the incorporation of our city. The rights come from the county more than 30 years ago. We're only in our 31st year. So when a project comes before us, I often hear, just say no or enough is enough or we don't need it. So I would venture to say that if that was a real possibility, probably everyone up here would say we'd rather not see that site redeveloped. We're not in favor of it. The problem is it's not a responsible position to take to just say no because we can't just say no. If a developer builds what they're allowed to build as of right, as a matter of fact, it doesn't even come before this commission. That's the way it works in Aventura. It's all done administratively. Many projects we never even see. We never vote on. So if the developer wants to make some changes, it comes before us. That's when we have an opportunity to work with the developer, hopefully a responsible developer, to make the project better for the city. But one option we don't have is to say, no, we don't want you to build anything. It doesn't work that way. That would actually end up costing us tens of millions of dollars of your tax dollars because it would be considered as taking by a court of law. So they have rights. And when someone buys over 10 acres of land, they're not buying it because they want us to tell them there's nothing you can do with it. They're buying it because they know what they can do. Unfortunately for us and for all of you, Tallahassee is in the mood lately, the last several years, to eat away at what we call home rule, to take away our rights as a local municipality to make decisions about zoning. So there's what we consider to be a terrible law called live local. And we don't want to be victimized by it, but you should be aware that it's a very pro-developer law. Obviously, they had lobbyists in Tallahassee. They had people carrying their water. And with Live Local, if you Google Bell Harbor and you see the situation they're in right now, spending millions of dollars on litigation because Bell Harbor Shops wants to build a high-rise right in the middle of the shops and a hotel and have hundreds of affordable housing units in the middle of the mall. Now they don't really want to do that, but the law allows them to and the cities are not allowed to say no. So that's when they work with them and try to get a better project. So in this case, just I want everyone to be aware of what this developer could do under live local. They could build 62 units an acre. They could build 300 feet, they could have almost 1 million square feet of commercial space. We can't say no to any of this. They would have 40% of their units as affordable housing, workforce housing, which in Aventura, with our 3.5 square miles, nobody wants. That doesn't help your property values. So they could do that and give us nothing, and we're not even allowed to say no. Instead, the responsible developer worked with us We have a much better project. Instead of affordable housing, they're going to give us 20 units of hero housing, which is only for our teachers and our police, not anyone from outside our city. And it's not workforce. It's luxury. You just heard, it's the same units, the same granite countertops, the same sub-zero appliances or whatever they're going to put in. So we've got a much better product, a much better project, by working with them. But again, one thing we can't do is say no. We also got them to agree, correct me, I need to be corrected if I'm wrong, to give us $5 million towards the new high school we're building. Because we're not raising taxes to build the high school. And we're not charging tuition for our high school. But we have to get it built. If they do live local, they don't have to give us a dime. If I'm not mistaken, they're also going to have a fleet of automobiles available for people who live there, because we don't want them to bring cars to our city. We want live, work, and play. They don't have to do that. But there'll be cars there, electric vehicles, for people who need a car once in a while, instead of bringing cars to our city. They'll also have rideshare drop-offs, freebie drop-off points, and pickup points, Uber and Lyft pickup points. They're also going to have a shuttle to the Bright Line. running all the time. They don't have to do any of that if they just say those magic words that we hate, live local. Bless you. That's the reality and I want our community services director to tell me if I've said anything that's inaccurate and our city attorney to tell me if I've said anything that's inaccurate. We can't say we don't want you to build a project. We can only try to get the best project for the people of Aventura. And we never want to live local project in our city. Never. As far as I'm concerned, it would be the worst thing that could happen to us. This is what Tallahassee does to us, folks. Do you know that for years we couldn't say no smoking in our parks? Our kids are playing soccer, and we can't tell people they can't smoke cigarettes because of the erosion of home rule. The state told us you can't do that. They finally changed the law, but guess what? They exempted cigars. It's called a cigar lobby. Believe me, there is one. I can't stop someone from smoking a cigar while our kids are playing soccer, okay? This is what happens. I can't tell this developer, we don't want you to build in our city. So having said that, I just want you to know the reality of the situation. And again, I don't want you to just take my word for it. This is what Kevin does professionally. I want you to take the microphone and tell me where I'm wrong, if I'm wrong. You're nodding your head that there's nothing I said that's inaccurate, okay? Because I want this to be on the record. Mr. City Attorney, same thing. If I said anything that's wrong, I want you to tell me. By the way, Bell Harbor, in my opinion as an attorney, has a shot. They have a shot to win because, as I understand it, In their case, in their lawsuit against the owners of Bell Harbor shops, there was a pre-existing development agreement with the owner of the shops, with the Whitman family, because, as you know, the Bell Harbor shops expanded recently. So they might be able to hang their hat on the fact that they have an existing development agreement, so maybe the live local rights were waived by the developer. I don't know. But they may have a shot. But this is bad. And we go every year to Tallahassee to try to get them to reverse this. This is not a good thing for us. However, having said that, this is a good project. And to Kevin's credit, he made sure that all the traffic will be on site. And we don't have street parking. We don't have meters in Aventura. The idea is for people who are going to buy there or rent there, they don't have cars. We don't need more cars in our city. We all know that. Anyway, I think you get the point.

Yes. I would like to add to your comments, Mr. Mayor, that the fact that we can interject made this project what it is today. I have seen renderies in the past that gave me some acid reflux and to the I want to commend Kevin Klopp for making this project the way it looks and to the developer for listening and to allow us to bring these comments because now you have a project that is magnificent in my opinion. Also, it's with green areas and a lot of nature and it's a combination of everything that I think it makes this city what it is, the city of excellence. Thank you.

Thank you. And again, it's easy... I could say no, and then I can go tell everyone that I voted no, because it's not the right thing to do for the people of Aventura. That's just grandstanding, because be careful what you ask. I say no, and he says live local. We lose. Anyone else, comments? And then I'll open it to, okay, sure.

Just a quick silly comment. We're talking a lot about the open green spaces. I just want to throw it out there to the architects, developers, everybody. Please no park benches. Thank you.

Okay. Members of the public, anyone that wants to speak on this particular issue, step up. No? Okay. I will close it then for public. No other Commission comment, in which case we'll vote.

Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Alinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Vice Mayor Aime? Yes. And Mayor Weinberg? Yes. Motion passes.

Okay, I need a motion to adjourn the LPA. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? We're adjourned. Okay, we're gonna return to the commission meeting. And it is 6.54. Let's call the roll, make sure we're all still here.

Mayor Weinberg.

Still here.

Vice Mayor Ayn.

Present.

Commissioner Blatchman.

Here.

Commissioner Bloom. Here. Commissioner Friedland. Here. Commissioner Cruz. Here. Commissioner Olenski. Here. Mr. Pegues. Here. Mr. Myers. Here. You have a quorum.

Okay. Anything, any item need to be removed for discussion from the consent agenda? Seeing none, I'll have, I'm asking for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Vice Mayor Ayne.

How does that sound?

Vice Mayor, you like that? Let's vote on the consent agenda.

Commissioner Alinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Vice Mayor Ayne? Yes. And Mayor Weinberg? Yes. Motion passes.

OK. Item 7, this is quasi-judicial. Mr. City Attorney, will you repeat yourself?

I wish I didn't have to, but the law requires me to repeat myself. Please be advised that Item 7B on the Commission agenda is a zoning hearing in its 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 a person to speak on this item will be made available after the applicant's staff have made their presentation on the item. All testimony, including public testimony and evidence, will be made under oath or affirmation for this quasi-judicial item. Additionally, each person who gives testimony will 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 not be permitted to cross-examine witnesses. but the public may request the commission to 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. And I should also mention that if you had ex parte communications which weren't disclosed during the LPA meeting, you can disclose them now if there are any additional ex parte communications that you didn't mention at the prior meeting.

Okay, thank you. Now, I'll ask the clerk to swear on anyone that may be giving testimony.

If you'll be speaking on item 7B, I need you to stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in at this time. This is for item 7B. Do solemnly swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give. It's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Thank you.

Okay, 7A.

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, B2 District, Subsection 2, Conditional Use, to establish hospitals as a conditional use within the district, providing for servability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to... Recommending adoption. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Vice Mayor Ayne. Kevin.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to ask if the presentation from the LPA meeting could be brought into this. The LPA did recommend favorably for this change to the code, and I'm available for any questions, as is the applicant.

Thank you. Everything from the LPA is on the record here now. Same thing with the applicant. Okay. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this item, 7a? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment and ask if the Commission has any questions or comments. Seeing none, we'll vote.

Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Walensky? Yes. Vice Mayor Ains? Yes. And Mayor Weinberg? Yes. Motion passes. 7b a resolution of the city commission of the city of aventura florida granting conditional use approval pursuant to section 31-145 e4 of the city code of ordinances one to permit a density of 69 dwelling units per acre for a project providing hero housing units where the city code permits 25 2 to permit heights up to 32 stories 367 feet where the city code permits 10 stories 100 feet and three, to permit 1,556 parking spaces where 2,505 spaces are required by the city code for the property located at 20801-20807 Biscayne Boulevard, providing for conditions of approval and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Motion to approve adoption of the ordinance. Commissioner Orlinsky, seconded by Commissioner Blanchman. Kevin.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again, I would like to bring forward my presentation, all the information from the LPA hearing earlier. I would ask if the Commission would recognize that the approval or recommendation from the LPA was with the changes to the conditions as you see on the screen. If that could be acknowledged, I'd be happy to answer any other questions.

Thank you.

Yes, those changes are noted and part of the record and part of any approval. Any questions? Any member of the public want to speak on this item 7B? I'll close it for public comment. Yes, did you want an applicant to have a comment?

Good evening again. Mickey Marrero, Burke-Awardoff-Fernandez-Larkin. Not to take victory from the jaws of defeat here, but defeat from the jaws of victory, but just wanted to clarify one thing to echo your point. It's not that there's no parking. There's going to be plenty of parking. Slight reduction. And the reason for it, as Mr. Mayor pointed out, is a lot of these mobility things, when the city became a city, it adopted the county code. And back at that time, everybody drove. Everybody had two, three cars. garages were popping up everywhere. That world is changing. We all have cars, but we're all using Brightline. We're all using Uber. We're all using freebies. So that's changing. So there will be less parking that's required in your code. And one thing that Kevin and I have spoken about in the recent few months, you may be seeing in the future some reductions in your parking when applicants do take on those measures, because we see in our world the more and more mobility becomes the way of the future, the less garages we need taking up space. So this project is kind of a leader in that. And I just want to clarify that for the record with that. We appreciate your support. And again, any questions you have, we're here. Thank you.

Understood. I'd like to see people move to our city without cars. That would be wonderful. Okay. Again, any member of the public wish to speak on this item? Yes, I have one. Come on up. Name and address.

My name is Marjorie Rosenblatt. I live at 19333 West Country Club Drive, Aventura. I have a question about this no cars.

Can you answer that? Sorry, sorry. Comment to us. I'm not asking questions of the attorney.

I was sitting back there trying to figure out, with all the housing, how do you tell people they can't have a car?

I'll answer it. Thank you. Are you done?

I am.

Okay, thank you. And I'll ask if he wants to answer it for you.

Yeah, just, I think it's not that there's no, and again, Mickey Murrow for the record, it's not that there's no cars. There will be cars. like over 1,500 parking spaces. It's just that because we're providing all these other mobility measures, we're asking for a reduction in what would have been the required parking. But our parking study and our traffic study confirms that with the mobility measures that the mayor spoke about that we've all agreed to, not as many cars will be needed. There'll still be more than 1,500 spaces. There will be cars, just less than would have been required had this project come in like 10 or 15 years ago, before Uber, before the Bright Line and those things.

And to your question, Marge, if somebody is interested in purchasing a condominium there, and they say, where is my parking space? And they say, you don't have a parking space, and that person is probably not the right fit to purchase a condominium there. And that's the idea. Someone who doesn't own a car, doesn't feel they need a car, for example, My children don't have cars. They live in an urban area. They don't own an automobile. It's a tremendous relief to them that they don't need a car. They use rideshare or public transportation. So someone who says, where do I park my car? Where is my space? And they say, that unit doesn't come with a parking space. That's not a good purchaser, right? They're not going to buy there. That's the idea.

Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, any other member of the public? Okay, then I'll close it for public comment. Any commission comment on 7B?

Yes, Commissioner. In this day and age, and after COVID, a lot of young professionals that move to new condominiums like this one with a lot of amenities, live and work from the site. So the requirement of transportation happens, but less frequent. And to the best of my knowledge, they're providing transportation to the Bright Line. So if you have to go to a meeting in Brickell, they take the train and go back and forth. They also have to the best of my knowledge, providing some ride sharing options for those who choose not to have a car and still need to go and we still have the freebie in the city of Aventura and we also have the option of Ubers. So that is why this seems to be a next century type of project where you have all the amenities that the city provides and all the technologies that are coming these days that are available to all of us. Thank you. Thank you.

Ms. So while I'm trying to keep silent, I do have to agree with the resident that spoke up. I think that it is 949 spaces less than what is required under our code. And I do have a lot of issues with the project. I did listen very carefully, and I'm very unfortunately familiar with Live Local, and that makes a lot of my decision, but I'm not going to tell you that this is necessarily the perfect project for our city. It just may be better than some other options. So I do hear our residents and their concerns, and I just want to put that on the record too. Councillor Neill.

Any other comments by the commission? Okay, if not, let's vote.

Commissioner Bluh. Yes. Commissioner Friedland?

Yes.

Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Walensky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Vice Mayor, yes. And Mayor Weinberg?

Yes.

Motion passes.

Eight. Madam Clerk.

In ordinance of the City of Aventura, Florida, amending section 14-62 registration of chapter 14 of the city's code of ordinances to eliminate the requirement that contractor registration be done in person, providing for several ability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

Motion to approve. Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Commissioner Blanchman. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. Again, this is second reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of our code. This is to eliminate the requirement for contractors to come in physically in person to our building department to register. This allows them to register online, and it's in line with our efforts to modernize our building department. And I can tell you that this item has been very well received, and the public and the contractors are very much looking forward to this.

Okay. Any member of the public wish to comment on item eight? Seeing none, I'll close with public comment. Any member of the commission have a question or a comment on this?

Yes, Vice Mayor. I'd like to point out that when you can do online registration is that will require less people driving to City Hall in order to spend their time registering, which is another example of traffic being decreased. And I can also say that the county and the city are looking at trying to modernize the lights using different vehicles of AI, et cetera. And I think that as we go forward with this project and other stuff, there's a concerted effort to be doing that. Also, I just wanted to bring up that on the other side of Biscayne Boulevard, with all the development, and understand that because of Brightline, certain things can happen to developers that allow them to put up more units. And so as everybody has echoed, we do our best to try to mitigate and do the best that we can, what we think is in the best interest of the city, long term and short term.

Thank you. Any other comment? Okay. Let's vote.

Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Walensky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman? Yes. Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Vice Mayor Ains? Yes. Mayor Weinberg?

Yes.

Motion passes.

Item 9, Madam Clerk.

In 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 several ability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

Motion to approve. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. During the 2026 legislative session, the state of Florida adopted House Bill 803, which will become effective into law on July 1st, 2026. This new law places additional requirements and restrictions on how municipalities may calculate, 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 total value. The law also requires permit fee reductions when private providers are used, including reductions of at least 25% when inspections are used and at least 50% when both private plan and inspections are used. This proposed ordinance amends our city code to allow building permit fees to be established by the city manager's administrative policy in accordance with Florida law. and adjusted no more than once per fiscal year. If an additional adjustment is needed within the same fiscal year, city commission approval by resolution would be required. This approach provides the city with flexibility necessary to remain compliant with the new state law while continuing to maintain high quality building safety plan review and inspection services.

Thank you. Any member of the public wish to speak on item nine? Seeing none, I'll close for public comment. Any commission comments? Seeing none, I'll ask for a roll call vote.

Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Commissioner Alinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman? Yes. Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Vice Mayor Ayn?

Yes.

Mayor Weinberg? Yes. Motion passes.

Item 10, Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Aventura, Florida, providing for the submission to the electors of proposed amendments to the City Charter as provided by the Charter Revision Commission in accordance with Section 7.06 of the City Charter, consisting of proposed Charter amendments concerning Section 2.06, Compensation Reimbursement for Expenses, and Section 4.11, Independent Audit of the City Charter. providing requisite ballot language for submission to the electorate, calling a special election on the proposed amendments to the city charter to be held on Tuesday, the third day of November 2026, in conjunction with the city's scheduled general election, providing for notice of special election, providing for inclusion in the charter, and providing for several ability, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to approve? Commissioner Orlinsky, seconded by Vice Mayor Ng.

Mr. City Attorney, are you going to review this? I think the clerk had some things to say first. Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Mayor. And of course, with the city charter, five members, as you know, were appointed to serve on the Charter Revision Commission at the March City Commission meeting. Members of the Charter Revision Commission met four times to review the city's charter and provided opportunity for members of the public to also provide comments. The Charter Vision Commission identified two proposed amendments to the city's charter, as indicated in their final report, which was provided to you. The Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections had tentatively approved the date of this election to be held in conjunction with our general election scheduled for November 3rd. I just wanted to make it clear that the city charter dictates that after receipt of the submission of the proposed amendments from the revision commission, the commission shall submit them to the electors of the city at the next general election. The two ballot questions are the first one is an amendment of city elected officials' annual salary. The city charter provides that the mayor receives an annual salary of $10,000. and commissioners receive an annual salary of $7,500. The current salaries have been in effect since 2001. The Charter Revision Commission has proposed that the charter be amended to increase the mayor's annual salary to $20,000 and each commissioner's annual salary to $15,000. The second question is an amendment to independent audit or rotation requirement. The city charter requires that an independent audit of all city counts be conducted by a certified public accountant or firm, and that the accountant or firm shall be rotated at least every five years. The Charter Revision Commission proposed that the charter be amended to require that the accountant or firm shall be rotated at least every seven years. And I believe the City Attorney may have some additional comments.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So a few things, and the Mayor alluded to this earlier. The City Commission has no discretion in this matter. You're performing a ministerial function. Unless there was something legally defective about the title, you have no choice but to approve it. And since I was part of the Charter Revision Commission, I sat there as their attorney. I can tell you that the questions are not legally defective. So the only way you can get this on the ballot is for the City Commission to pass a resolution. So you're acting, like I say, in a ministerial capacity. The other thing that we made clear in the question, by the way, the question can only be 75 words. So we're limited by that. And it's clear in the question that this proposal is coming from the Charter Revision Commission, not from the City Commission. The other thing I would add, it's really, I don't know if this is something for the city manager to consider, but you have the right to You know I guess educate the public about the ballot questions as long as those the education is purely factual. You can offer an opinion you can't advocate for against but factual information can be included in any sort of materials that you release to the public. Similarly, the questions that are in front of the voters, everything in there is purely factual. The question cannot contain anything that advocates for the adoption of the ballot questions. So if you read it carefully, as the clerk did, you'll see everything that the charter or revision commission came up with that's drafted is factual. Any questions about the process?

Just something doesn't seem to make sense to me, I guess, as an attorney. So this commission here, the elected body, has no discretion because the Charter Revision Committee chose two items to put on the charter, to revise the charter, to put on the ballot. So we can't say no, we don't want those on there, correct?

That's correct.

But at the same time, we have to vote to adopt a resolution to put those on the ballot.

That's the only way the supervisor of elections will put it on the ballot.

Okay, so we can't vote no.

you you can't vote you cannot vote no i would advise you against voting no okay but let me let me i wanted to make sure i'm not crazy you know we have to vote yes you have to vote yes but let me let me let me add something mr mayor uh aventura and many other cities uh give the city commission no authority with respect to the charter revision process when a charter review committee is created, you know, every six years, every five years. Some cities just give the Charter Review Commission, they can recommend, but they don't approve. But in Aventura's charter, it's required that you approve what the Charter Revision Commission presents. You could change the charter to stop that, but in fact, there's a battle in one of the cities in Miami-Dade County over that. What does that language say? Well, in Aventura, It's very clear that the commission just can perform a ministerial act, must approve it. And if you were to vote no, I would say that your vote is invalid. You cannot vote no.

OK. So just so the record is clear, no one here is asking for a raise, but it's going to be on the ballot. and we can't say no, don't put it on the ballot. That's correct. Fascinating. Although I do want to point out there's been no raise for 25 years, which it's pretty reasonable.

And the question says that, and that is factual. So we could put that as part of the question. Got it. Okay.

Just so everyone understands, we're not asking for anything, but we can't say no.

Yes, Vice Mayor. I have a question for you. As you know, we're up for order selection this year. Right now, we're in the middle of it. And I think the language is going to say that those auditors that do get selected would be part of the extension of the process to seven. That's correct. Yes.

Okay. At this time, I guess, well, I... I will ask the public if they have any comments on this. Seeing none, I'll close it. I see a member of the commission there. The Charter Revision Commission, I'm referring to. Okay, so the commission has no comments, no questions. Let's vote on that.

Commissioner Alinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman?

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland?

Gave me no choice. Yes.

Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Vice Mayor, yes. And Mayor Weinberg?

Upon advice of council, I'm voting yes.

Motion passes.

Any staff reports, manager, clerk, attorney? Seeing none, I will ask at this time if any member of the public would like to speak on an item that's not on the agenda tonight for three minutes. Once again, I will ask that you can come forward. You could tell us we're great. You could tell us we suck. If you want to come forward, don't all come up at once. Anyone? Okay, so now, come on up, but now I'm going to have the city attorney read the rules while you're coming up.

Mayor, you sort of explained it, but at this point in time, you have the speaker can come up and speak for three minutes on matters that were not otherwise handled earlier on the agenda. It's not a back and forth between the speaker and the commission. It's just the time to make comments about whatever item you think is within the jurisdiction of the city that hasn't been addressed so far.

Thank you so much. I'll do my best to do it in three minutes. I'm going to read

Your name and address, please, first.

My name is Arisa Divi. We live in Aventura Lakes. Would you like the address, the correct one?

It's okay.

Okay, so thank you. Good evening, commissioners. My name is Iris. I'm a parent and a caring resident of Aventura. Basically, I'm here for something very important, the safety of Aventura residents, especially for kids and parents. We have a problem here. And there's a growing safety concern in Aventura with the high powered electric motorcycle like Suran and Razor MX350 being operated by minors on our streets, sidewalks, bike paths and within gated communities. On the way here on 207 and 30 Ford on the making right coming to this There was, I think I would say, an 11-year-old or a 12-year-old on something that looks like a motorcycle riding on sidewalk about to cross. Very scary, like going on the right side and all of a sudden you see like a 12-year-old on a motorcycle right there in front of you. These vehicles have no pedals, they weigh over could be like a hundred pound and the reach speed of some of them like between like 47 to 80 miles per hour. Yet they can be purchased online and delivered to minors without driver license, training or instructions. We have a TALA here, which you're probably all familiar with, reports an increase in injury calls involving young riders on those vehicles. Other cities are already responding. Orange County changed laws after a 13-year-old fatality. Weston began stricter enforcement only after a tragic pedestrian incident. I think it was a 14-year-old boy that crashed into an 81-year-old man. and killed him, basically. Respectfully asking Aventura to act with this. There is, in my understanding, there is audience gap. I reviewed audience number 25. 26-04 that was passed with Commissioner Gustavo Blatchman to a neighbor of mine. Done?

Go ahead, finish up, but go ahead.

Okay, thank you. I appreciate the Commission taking action on e-bikes and scooters. Thank you for that. After reading this section of 48-51, I see a gap in audience defines. Electric bikes, massive pedals, seats motor under 750 watts, capped at 28 miles per hour. uh micro mobility devices 50 pound or less and no more than 28 miles per hour i want to say suran and their razor mx their 350 have no pedals they exceed 50 pound and they exceed the 28 miles per hour pair r On definition, they don't appear covered by audience 2026-04. I've submitted, I wanna submit, I have like something I wanna submit with photos for the record showing vehicles in Aventura that falls outside those definitions. This leaves uncertainty for Aventura police, for parents and for gated communities trying to keep residents safe. i'm respectfully requesting audience 2026-04 is a strong foundation i'm asking the commission to consider an amendment clarifying that vehicles without pedals over 50 pounds of capacity of speed over 28 miles per hour are treated as motorcycles under this the florida status 31.2123 Specifically restricted to sell to individuals under the age of, I'd say maybe 18. Restricts use on street sidewalks, bike paths, parks and within gated community unless restricted and insured per state law. Also require motorcycle license for riders 16 and plus. and establish a clear penalties including citation and impoundment with parental responsibility under Florida status 316.20658. And also most importantly I would say maybe education to inform the parents which are not knowledgeable about the law because it's a new vehicle of the new laws and share safety information with schools and provide guidance to gated communities so HOA can enforce the consistency. I think that's pretty much it.

Okay. What's your name?

My name is Iris Adivi.

Hi. So thank you for coming. I want you to know that everyone up here shares your concern. That's why we have a new ordinance. I probably call the manager three times a week on this specific issue. Today, I just sent him the Sunny Isles ordinance that just started on June 1. I'm a walker. It's a huge problem. It's a very dangerous problem. There was a head-on collision on the Queensborough Bridge in New York two days ago where an e-bike and a bicyclist in the bike lane had a head-on collision. They were both killed. It's my worst nightmare, and I am actually in the middle of writing the script for a video that I'm going to do for our social media, and I'm actually admonishing the parents that would allow their children on these vehicles. I can't even comprehend how, with no helmets. Again, part of it is, and that's why we're monitoring Sunny Isles, part of it is, again, Tallahassee, the Department of Motor Vehicles, what a definition is of a motorcycle, what the age limits are. We don't know for sure what we can or can't outlaw. It'll clearly, Sunny Isles, I believe, their ordinance will be tested in court. I'd rather err on the side of saving lives and be stronger, but just so you know, I don't know the number, but we have impounded many of these. We are taking them off the streets. Obviously, it's hard to get them off. We're taking them off the streets. It costs hundreds of dollars for parents to get them back. We did a whole education program because it's the mornings to the high school where they're all going. We did a whole education program with the high school. We'll do it again before the kids come back. I'm pretty sure we'll be amending and strengthening our ordinance, but we Agree with you 100%. It is a huge problem. And again, we're faced with a situation. When they're on the sidewalk, they're a danger to pedestrians, to the elderly, to someone walking their dog, to someone pushing a stroller. When they're on the street, they're a danger to themselves. Do you want them on the street in between cars? So it's a rock and a hard place. Is the answer to outlaw them entirely? Well, I don't know. Maybe. But clearly, someone that's younger than 16 and riding on something with the power to kill is not a good recipe. We all agree and we take all the suggestions we can and our police department is well aware of it. And I would say in the private communities behind your gates, you guys make all the rules you want, go ahead and outlaw them. You can set any rules you want in your own associations, okay?

It's hard because the laws are not clear on that, and that's the reason why parents actually purchase those things. Let me tell you something. In our community, we have the small surrounds, and people with like a four-year-old, five-year-old, six-year-old ride those things.

So again, in your gated communities, your condominium or homeowners association can make your own rules with regard to that.

Without the support of you, it's hard to go and even tell them that.

I'm just telling you that legally, you can do it. You can make rules that are more restrictive than we might be able to in your private community with your association.

Mr. Attorney? That's absolutely right. And state law limits the jurisdiction that the city has over roadways and streets and sidewalks.

Your streets are your streets inside your community. Okay. Anyway, outside of that, we continue to work on it. I am so frustrated when I walk and they come up behind me. I can't hear them.

Very dangerous.

And I feel the breeze where if they hit me, we're both going to get hurt.

Okay.

And they're young enough to not make good decisions. We all agree with you. Any other commissioner who wants to comment, you're more than welcome to.

I live in Williams Island, and the whole island has been addressing it big time. We're all over it as well, and it's a problem. So we've been addressing it in our community.

I just want to add, I live in the point, and I'm very familiar with Aventura Lakes, and I have four kids, and they all want to ride on their friends' motor scooters with electric bikes. But the mayor is correct. Within the Aventura Lakes community, your HOA can make their own restrictive laws. In the point, we have a speed limit that's 15 miles per hour. That's not the same as the speed limit outside the community. And they just put up signs. They are fining people for going above the speed limit. They have their own speed cameras in our community. So I would highly encourage Aventura Lakes community and any other communities to ban or outlaw these electric bicycles, motorcycles, whatever you want to define them as. And maybe if the children and parents know that they have to walk them out of the community, it'll, you know, reduce the number that are purchased and bought and used. I think that's a powerful message. All of us living in different communities should kind of encourage them to consider that might help reduce the number of them that we're seeing there. But it's a first step that Aventura Lakes and any of the other communities can take because we are completely behind you. We are scared for all of the children and we don't want to see any of these injuries or fatalities.

Thank you so much. I wanted to ask if in the power of the city, because there's no legislation exact for that, you have the power to maybe ban cells In Aventura for like minors, they could come with their pocket money and go buy a and come back home with a powerful vehicle.

But I'm not familiar with any Aventura location actually selling these in our city. Even if you just like.

They're buying them on Amazon, they're buying them online. They also buy them in location. I wish I could show you pictures. There's like little kids at the age of five and six riding those things.

May I say one thing? I'm a board member in Aventura Lakes. Unfortunately, our HOA docs are very restrictive when it comes to the fines and we have to sometimes refer to the Florida statute, which it's a little bit more aggressive than our HOA docs. Our fines are $25 and they don't care.

Exactly.

Parents don't care. The kids don't care. They ride at night without lights and there's very little we can do. We cannot enforce it. They don't seem to pay attention and we cannot, we don't have the police capacity of impounding a vehicle. We just can't. But we're working diligently in improving our HOA documents. It requires 75% vote of every homeowner, which is almost impossible to achieve. when you want to do something. So, I mean, we're all working as a commission. We're all concerned. That's why I sent to Jennifer the resolution, and that's why you're here. We heard you. Actually, our mayor today sent us, all of us, some requirements to make it 16, the legal age for use, which we hope we can. I don't know that we can, but I hope that we can. We're working with our city attorney saying, You see, some of our members in the commission are attorneys. I am not one of them. They know the law better than I am. And even they know the law, we have an attorney in the city that tells us what we can and cannot work with. He drafts the resolutions. But as a HOA board member, and as a city commissioner, this is one of my biggest concerns. Because people get hurt. I walk on Shabbat, and At night, it becomes dangerous in the circle. It becomes dangerous in 34. It becomes dangerous in 213. There's no lights. There's not enough lights and kids come flying with those scooters. So we hear you. We are aware. We know and we're working on it. And we have an education campaign going in the schools. The police is there. We demanded helmets to be used. And we want to do everything within our power And more. And even if we have to go to Tallahassee and advocate for new legislation, we will. That's all. Thank you.

I have a question to the city attorney, if I may.

You ask me and then I'll ask him.

Okay. Is it in the power of the city, because there's no clear legislation regarding this, to overpower basically something that does not exist in the law?

you'd have to tell him specifically what you're referring to.

Like if there is no law or maybe there is, I don't know if you know the law. I mean like the majority of the problem is that parents don't know the law. And even in the Western case, the policeman that stopped that kid, he was a 14 year old. He told the mother, I don't know what's the law, but it looks to me that this is dangerous. Please advise your son not to ride it. And a few months later, basically crashed into a 80 year old man. So I don't know, it's very hard because when we go to the HOA and even just to regular parents, I'm telling you as a parent that my spouse went to buy a vehicle like that. And now when I tell him it doesn't look safe to me, he says, there's nothing in the law. And I'm like standing with nobody to protect my children and myself with that.

Mayor, may I say something? Sure. I know she has a lot of questions and there's a lot of details. I'd be more than happy myself or the police chief after the meeting, we can address a lot of these specific questions.

Meet with the manager, he and their police chief, one or the other, they are on this. We know this is a huge issue. So however they can educate you and then you can educate the others. And when you see my video, please spread it on social media because it's really, at the end of the day, It's on the parents. We can have all the laws we want. They're going to give these things to their kids. Those kids are going to jump on them. They're not looking at the ordinance. They're looking at how to get to their friend's house or how to get to Lowman's Plaza. By the way, I just put our manager with the owners of Lowman's Plaza this week so they can work out a way to make it so you go over there and they're all there and there's little kids on that little soccer field near the pizza place and these kids are flying by in these... uh, e-bikes and I call them electric motorcycles. That's what they are. So we want to work with the private landowners to get rid of that issue.

But talk to them after the meeting and thank you for coming. Mr. Mayor, can I just add one thing that I mean part of this, if there are gaps in the law, what I would recommend, because this is state law, that, you know, these people meet with their state representatives and state senators to see if they can improve the legislation in Tallahassee to cover some of these circumstances that are such concerned in gated communities and elsewhere in the cities.

Agreed. Again, Tallahassee, we've been saying it all night. They need to do their job and make it better. The Department of Motor Vehicles, they should be classified as motorcycles, which means you have to have a license, which means You have to be 16, period. Okay, thank you so much.

Thank you so much for everyone. It is a city of excellence. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other member of the public wishing to speak? Yes, sir. Come on up.

Hi, everyone. My name is Myron Melickson. I live at 20250 Northeast 34th Court. I just wanted to update you a little bit on the business center in North Miami that is now going to be opening in a few weeks for women entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs. We really want to have one here in Aventura. I would love to build one. I'm hoping a few of you can come and see the programs that we're building for amazing women, minorities, young people, students from down so for high school that are not ready to go to college yet. We really want to build new businesses here in Aventura. So I'm hoping a few of you, especially women, want to come in and mentor and coach and help new businesses rise here in Aventura. Come and visit. If you want to learn more, we'll be pushing some information out soon. But we'd love to build something here with your support. And I've been working really closely with city manager Brian Pegues and a few commissioners here as well. Hope to see you soon. Thank you.

Terrific. Thank you very much. We're all for empowering women. So send the emails to us so we know what's happening. Thank you very much. Any other member of the public? Okay. Then... If there's no other business, I'm going to entertain a motion to adjourn. Vice Mayor Ains, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you, everyone.