City Commission - Regular Meeting

Oh. Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello. Hello, how are we? Hi, who do we got there?

It's just me, Gustavo, at home. I just had eye surgery.

Oh, I hope it went well. I think we got to have four people there, four commissioners, live. But I can't, I don't see any.

I saw Amit.

Me too, I don't see Amit. Rachel's coming on by Zoom, so... I need the rest to be there.

Okay, I'm sure there will be.

Well, it's five o'clock now. There's Robert.

Hello. No, no. Hi, Mayor.

We have most of the commissioners are here. We're just waiting for Rachel Friedland to come on.

Okay, but do we have a quorum live?

Yes, we do have a quorum live.

Great. So we can get started. We'll give her another minute or two.

Okay, let us know whenever you want to start.

Okay. Have you heard from her, Elisa?

I heard from her earlier today, so she said she was going to be coming on through Zoom.

Right, but you haven't heard from her lately. I know she presented that proclamation today downtown.

Yes, she did present it today and everything went well.

Great. I'm sure they were all very happy. I can see Paul in a meet, there's Cliff. Is Cindy there?

I'm here.

Hi.

Hi. You can't see us?

The shot, it's too much of a zoom in. I cannot see the entire commission from what I'm looking at. I can't see you. I can't see Cindy. I can barely see Paul's arm.

We need to change that.

Now it's pulling back. It's pulling back. Nope. I still don't have everyone. I can barely see Cindy's shoulder. Hello, Amit. I don't see Robert Myers. I know he's there because I saw him walk past. But why don't we get started if we have a quorum? And then Rachel can come on. You'll let me know when Rachel's there.

But let's call the... Is Rachel Zooming?

She is, but she's not on. Let's call the Aventura City Commission second budget public hearing meeting to order September 15th, 2026. It is 5.04. Can we have a roll call?

Mayor Weinberg?

Here.

Vice Mayor Ayn?

Here.

Commissioner Bloom? Here. Commissioner Blatchman?

Here.

Commissioner Friedland is absent. Commissioner Cruz?

Here.

Commissioner Orlinsky? Here. Mr. Begese?

Here.

And Mr. Myers? You have a quorum.

Thank you. Let me know when Commissioner Friedland comes on the Zoom, please. And this time, if Vice Mayor Ame would lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, I would appreciate it.

My pleasure.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

For all. Thank you. Okay, this is a public hearing. It's the second reading. Madam Clerk, 3A, please.

An ordinance of the City of Aventura, Florida, establishing and adopting the City of Aventura ad valorem tax operating millage levy rate at 1.7261 mills for $1,000 of taxable assessed property value, which as a percent change of rollback rate of 1.6918 mills is 2.03% above the rollback rate computed pursuant to state law for the 2026 tax year, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Can I have, and you'll have to tell me who you are or raise your hand, can I have a motion to adopt? Vice Mayor Ains, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mayor. It is recommended that the City Commission approve the proposed millage rate of 1.7261 mills for fiscal year 26-27. The Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser certified the City's 2026 taxable value at approximately $14.302 billion, representing an increase of approximately $113 million, or 0.8% over the prior year. The proposed millage rate remains unchanged from the current rate and is consistent with the City Commission's direction not to increase the millage rate. The proposed rate is projected to generate approximately $23,452,500 in ad valorem revenue, which is $185,815 more than the prior year's amended budget. Retaining the 1.726 mills is 31 years in a row without raising the millage rate, and we recommend adoption of this.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Let me open this item 3A for public comment. If any members of the public wish to comment on this item, Please come forward now. I don't see any. Correct me if I'm wrong. No one seems to be at the lectern or moving towards it. So I will close it for public comment and ask if any commissioner has a question or comment. I see Commissioner Friedland is now part of the meeting. She has joined. If you can mute yourself, any commission comment or questions, please. Seeing none, I will just say that I want to reiterate what the manager just said, 1.72 for the entire history of our city starting in 1995. Sorry. Yes, 1995. Never. Never. increased. Thank you for the fine work of the manager, the administration, the finance department, and the people of Aventura and the commission. Let's vote on this.

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

Yes.

Commissioner Bloom. Yes. Commissioner Friedland. Yes. Vice Mayor Ame.

Yes.

And Mayor Weinberg.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Item 3B.

An ordinance of the city of Aventura, Florida, adopting the attached tentative operating capital budget as reviewed and approved by the city commission at the meeting held on July 23rd, 2026, as the city of Aventura final budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, pursuant to section 4.05 of the city charter. Authorizing expenditure of funds established by the budget, providing for budgetary control, providing for personnel authorization, providing for gifts and grants, providing for amendments, providing for procedures regarding encumbrances and the reappropriation of unexpended capital appropriations. Establishing the committed fund balance for capital reserve, providing for sub-ability, providing for an effective date.

Can I have a motion to approve adoption? Commissioner Cruz and seconded by Commissioner Orlinsky. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm happy to propose the 26-27 capital and operating budget that is balanced and preserves the city's current service levels, continues major investments in public safety and infrastructure, and does not increase the property tax rate. The total budget for all funds is approximately $69.05 million after Interfund transfers are removed. That is $1.77 million or 2.5% less than last year's amended budget. Before Interfund transfers are removed, total spending is approximately $71.64 million. This is about $3.5 million or 4.6% below last year's amended budget of $75.14 million. The general fund is balanced at approximately $56.87 million, which is about $458,000 less than last year. No general fund reserve carryover is needed to balance the budget, preserving reserves for emergencies and unforeseen economic conditions. And the savings reflect a completion of most ARPA-funded projects, the temporary exclusion of the new high school construction fund until the project costs are better defined, and reductions in discretionary departmental spending. Savings include eliminating the printed city newsletter, reducing selected training, conference technology, maintenance, communication, and special event expenses, and eliminating two vacant positions. Final insurance updates were incorporated. Property and liability insurance came in at about $170,000 below the amount budgeted. However, health insurance is now expected to increase to about 23%. adding to the general fund taxes and service levels the recommended millage rate as we mentioned earlier remains unchanged at 1.7261 mills this marks 31 consecutive years without a millage rate increase Public safety remains the city's largest operating priority. The police department budget increases by approximately 1.46 million, or 5.3%, primarily for personnel pensions, contracts, and technology. Key investments include $260,000 for police vehicles, $104,000 for vehicle equipment. mobile radios, ballistic vests, and for the police records expansion. And the budget also continues the body-worn camera program and provides about $160,000 for police drone program, strengthening officer safety accountability and our emergency response capabilities. The five-year capital improvement program totals approximately $24.5 million, including $4.9 million in the first year for technology, drainage, parks, facilities, transportation, and equipment. And some major projects include $336,000 for citywide computer equipment, $120,000 for Biscayne Boulevard landscaping, $105,000 for HVAC replacements, in the police IT server room and some improvements to our community recreation center at $170,000. Stormwater and drainage remain a major priority with $2.5 million for drainage system improvements, and the monthly stormwater fees remain unchanged. And the new high school, the new high school, Don Surfer High School construction is not yet included because final construction costs are still being developed. We anticipate by the end of this year that we'll have the final GMP from the builder. We're working through that right now with final designs, which we'll be presenting to the commission shortly. for the new high school. And I can assure you it is going to be a iconic building that is going to last for generations here in Aventura. And in closing, this budget spends less than last year, holds the millage rate steady, preserves reserves and services, and invests in public safety, infrastructure, and the city's future. And I want to thank the commission for their support and also our finance team that is here that worked diligently for months and months with everybody to get this done. And this really reflects with property tax, potential property tax reform looming in November on the ballot and a couple of other things in Tallahassee. We were really able to put some savings in here and come in and not be reactive, be proactive in our budget for the things that we expect to come and also have enough money and be in a good position for the build of this new high school. So I want to thank everybody again for their hard work and it's going to be a stellar year.

Thank you. Thank you very much. It's pretty incredible. We are the envy of our neighbors. It just keeps getting better and better and more excellent and more great in Aventura. Thank you, Mr. Manager and your staff and the Commission. Would any member of the public like to comment on 3B, this item? If so, come on up. I don't see any movement. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm correct, I will close for public comment. I will ask the Commission if they have any questions or comments.

I just wanted to thank you. Did you want to, Cliff? I just wanted to, again, this is not something that happens in every municipality and it hardly ever happens that we have the same millage rate for 31 years and we're so fiscally responsible. So I, again, and I'm sure everybody on the commission feels the same way. We want to thank the manager, the finance team, the whole staff, and the previous commissions and management teams for making sure that our city is the envy of the municipalities around the area, around the state. And I just wish the federal government would learn from us.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Yeah. I just want to also add to what Commissioner Cruz says, that we also want to thank the hundreds of people who are in attendance in the audience and the thousands that must be watching us on Zoom for entrusting all of us to properly try to run our city in an efficient way. And without our citizens, we wouldn't be sitting up here. So thank I, as current vice mayor and the commissioners and the mayor, want to thank everyone for entrusting us. And hopefully our commission will stay in place for another two years. And I guess another two or four. and that's it so and finally to the finance department who i work a little more closely with when some of the other commissioners because of my background that they've really done an outstanding job no one really has any idea the transitioning that was done and the awards they've gotten to be diligent that we are in the space we are and i think it's Also, very important to recognize that by lowering our operating costs, we're trying to be ahead of the curve. I can't say that about many other cities in what may happen and what may not happen with property tax reform.

So thank you, and thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Any other Commission comments? Seeing none, I will ask for a vote, please.

Commissioner Orlinsky? Yes. Commissioner Blatchman? Yes. Commissioner Blachman? Commissioner Bloom? Yes. Commissioner Friedland?

Sorry, yes. I was in mute.

Okay, that's a yes for Commissioner Blachman. Commissioner Friedland? Yes. Commissioner Cruz? Yes. Vice Mayor Aime?

Yes.

And Mayor Weinberg?

Yes.

Commission passes.

Can I have a motion to adjourn, please? Raise your hand.

Mr. Mayor, if I can, I'd like to also, before we adjourn, I'd like to wish a speedy and complete recovery to our fellow commissioner, Gustavo Blatchman, who just underwent cataract surgery today. So we wish you a speedy and complete recovery, but hopefully you won't be able to see us too well the next time you come in. Thank you.

Yes, we wish you well. And I'm glad you're able to make it on Zoom currently. Okay. Motion to adjourn. Raise your hand if you want to make that motion. Commissioner Orlinsky, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Thank you all. We are adjourned.