City Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the City Commission, April 7th, 2026. Let's call the meeting to order and let's have a roll call.

Thank you. Those that are able, let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Any deletions or additions to the agenda, Mr. Manager?

Okay. Any commission reports? Okay. Special presentations. Special presentations. We have the Florida Neuroinclusion Toolkit. We're honored to have, ah, here you are, County Commissioner Raquel Regalado here. And welcome. Welcome to Aventura. Welcome to the greatest part of Miami-Dade County, the greatest city in Florida. You do not have to comment, but this is how we feel. And we're... Welcome. We're happy to have you here, and the floor is yours.

Thank you so much. I appreciate all that. That's a lot of information. It's a lot to unpack. Yes, but I actually think that in this municipality, we're actually very sensitive and very aware of that battle and the autism and the neurodiversity. And we have people here at the city that are actually very, very involved. So this is great, and I'm sure you'll find that we're a willing partner. So long after this evening is over, however we can help you, including our manager, our police department, and our park and rec department, I'm just thinking now about our Founders Day event. If we set aside

So just going off of what the Mayor said, just wanted to let you know that I'm very proud that the City of Aventura's Police Department has a resident autism expert on staff, so apparently you're aware of Officer Arrocha and her expertise, so she's very involved with training our officers on how to deal, to look for the signs and how to deal in those situations. She also has a police vehicle that's wrapped with autism awareness, so it's just wonderful that she's part of this effort.

Other comments? Yes, Commissioner Cruz. So, Commissioner Regalado, thank you for coming and for this wonderful report. I just want to say I was just welcoming our police chief. If you see his shield, you'll be very proud to see that that's exactly what we stand for as well. And I also wanted to recommend that maybe next year you're doing... a nice event at Beth Am in the south. We have a couple of large synagogues here or facilities that we, I think it would be great to do something up here to bring more awareness to it in our North Dade area.

Other comments? Okay, we're not done with you yet though. Stay right there.

Whereas autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, ASD, is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction and impacts individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and communities and

Whereas increased public awareness and education can help reduce stigma, encourage acceptance, and empower individuals with autism to reach their full potential.

But I get to do the super fun part. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Howard Weinberg, as mayor, and on behalf of the city commission of the city of Aventura, do hereby proclaim this month of April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month.

If you'll come on up to the desk, we'll take a picture. Of course, of course. And your folks can take pictures as well.

Okay, moving on. We have another proclamation, but Jenny, do you want to speak first? You're more than welcome to. Come on up and tell us what you do and who these wonderful people are.

Thank you, Jenny. And we have... Another proclamation, but would you like to say something? Go ahead. Whoever wants to speak, please, on the commission, go ahead.

I'd also like to say a few words. This program, the Rocksteady Boxing Program at the JCC was one of the proudest moments I had as president of the JCC and the work that's being done there is incredible. I go every year to support and be part of, we get a lot of elected officials to go. But the truth of the matter is Jenny has said that she is the director, but she's also the founder and the driving force behind this incredible, incredible program. She did a tremendous amount of research to find out which was the best way to combat this terrible disease. And she's created a huge, amazing progra

So, you know the drill, commissioners. We're going to read this proclamation. Jenny, while we're reading this, if you want to start gathering everyone, we're going to take a picture, not up here. We're going to come down there so everyone can start lining up here. It's easier. And we will come down there after we read this proclamation.

Whereas Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination, impacting millions of individuals and their families around the world, and Whereas increased awareness, education, research, and community support are essential to improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson's disease, and

Whereas community-based wellness initiatives, such as the Rock Steady Boxing program at the Jewish Community Center, offer specialized non-contact boxing-inspired fitness training designed to help individuals living with Parkinson's disease improve balance, mobility, strength, and confidence, while also fostering encouragement, camaraderie, and hope, and...

Whereas the City of Aventura recognizes the importance of promoting public awareness and supporting initiatives that enhance the health and well-being of residents and neighbors. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Howard Weinberg, as mayor, and on behalf of the City Commission of the City of Aventura, do hereby proclaim the month of April as Parkinson's Awareness Month. Let's go down there, commissioners.

Okay, let's move on. We have some special recognitions. We're going to present some certificates of appointment. Mr. Manager, this is for the newly created Arts in Aventura board members. You want to take that?

Congratulations and thank you in advance for your service. I know you all will be great. Okay, I need a motion to recess the commission meeting so we can go into LPA. Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Ayne. Can we have a roll call on that?

Okay. So, we are adjourned, and that is at 6.42, and... We are going to sit here now in our capacity as the local planning agency. So I'm going to call the LPA to order with a roll call.

Can I have a motion to approve the March 3rd, 2026 minutes? Commissioner Ayn. SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR BLOOM. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

OKAY. WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE. I'm going to need for the clerk to call to read for us the ordinance. That's item 4A, please.

Thanks. Could I have a motion to approve? Motion to adopt the ordinance. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Ayn. I'll turn it over to our development director to review this item. Kevin.

Thank you. Does the applicant want to provide any comments whatsoever? Okay. You don't have to. It's your choice. Okay. No problem. Public comment on this item 4A. Any member of the public want to speak on this particular item? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment. Any commission comments or questions? Seeing none, I will ask the clerk for roll call vote.

Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this?

Can I have a motion to defer to May 5? Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Let's vote.

Motion to adjourn. The LPA. Vice Mayor Bloom. Seconded by Commissioner Ayn. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? We're adjourned. Okay. Let's return to the commission meeting for the rest of the agenda. It is 6.48. Let's have a roll call.

Okay, anyone on this dais want to remove an item from the consent agenda? Seeing none, I will ask for motion to approve consent agenda. Vice Mayor Blum, very quick tonight. Commissioner Ayne, almost just as quick tonight. Seconded by Commissioner Ayne. Let's vote on that.

Okay. Does any commissioner want to comment on any of the items that were in the consent agenda? Seeing none, we will move on to zoning hearings, item seven. We've got first reading of an ordinance. It's 7A. Madam Clerk.

Okay, motion approved that ordinance. Commissioner Blanchman, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. It sounds very familiar, Kevin.

As it shall be. I'm assuming the same response from the applicant. You don't need to get up. Public, has anyone come in the room in the last four and a half minutes that wants to speak to this item? Seeing none from the public, I will close for public. Any commission comments? Seeing none, I think we're ready to vote, Madam Clerk.

Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this?

I would do it if I could, but I need a motion. Commissioner Raines, seconded by Vice Mayor Bloom. Let's vote on it.

Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this?

Okay, I'm not sure the Commission has the stomach for that, but let's try. I need a motion to defer. Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Commissioner Ayne. Let's vote.

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

Thank you. Any member of the public wish to speak on this item 8B? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment, and I will ask the commission the same question, comments or questions. Seeing none, let's vote.

Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Vice Mayor Bloom. Mr. Manager.

Thank you. Any member of the public wish to comment on this item? I'll close it for public comment. Any commissioner have a question, comment? Okay, let's vote.

Can I have a motion to approve? Motion to adopt, Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Ayne. Mr. Manager.

Thank you. Any member of the public wish to speak on this item? I'll close it for public comment. Any commission comment? Seeing none, let's vote.

I need a motion to approve. Commissioner Blanchman, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Mr. Manager, you can discuss this, but I want to first congratulate you, because I know you've been negotiating with Gulfstream, and I just want to say that I'm confident in how these commissioners are going to vote, and I want to let people know what we're doing. We are committed to building a new school and we have already acquired, first we acquired three acres, which is something that I promised during my campaign. It worked. We dealt with Gulfstream, and we got $30 million of land, appraised value abou

And let me say publicly, I've done it in person, but I want to say here for the record, thank you, Belinda Stronich. from Gulfstream, the owner of Gulfstream. She has been wonderful to work with. She cares about our city. 30 acres of Gulfstream is in Aventura. Most of it's in Hallandale. She cares about us. She knows what's most important to us, which is the children. And she's been a pleasure for us to work with and negotiate with. And we obviously wish her all the best. I've asked her to come here so that we could publicly recognize her. Nothing could be less important to her than the public

Thank you, Commission. Thank you, Aventura. Okay, any staff reports?

Okay, so we'll move on to public comment. Mr. Attorney, do you want to state the rules for any member of the public that wants to speak?

Okay, any member of the public that wants to speak, come on up, step right up, and state your name, and you've got three minutes. Hi. Make sure that's green on that microphone. Can you hear me? Perfect, perfect.

Thank you. Very well done. By the way, your timing was impeccable. I was going to give you extra time, but you were perfect. So thank you for coming. Appreciate you.

Sure. Anyone has it here? Sure. Go ahead, Commissioner Cruz. I just wanted to address the young man. I just want to say, Ian, we're very proud of you to come out and come to a commission and express your views and we all stand behind you. My question to you is just a quick question. Do you have succession planning so that at Aventura, Don Sofa Aventura High School, we have some kind of continuity? Are you working on getting new leadership?

Okay, any other public comment? No one wants to tell us we're great or that we suck. This is your opportunity. Okay, I'll close it for public comment. Any other business commissioners? Okay, then I'm going to entertain a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hayne, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you.