City Commission - Regular Meeting

Thank you very much. I see an old friend here, a little more facial here than last time. Would you gentlemen like to lead us in the pledge? Let's all stand please for pledge of allegiance. Ethan.

Ah, these young kids grow up and go off to college. It's crazy. Happened to my kids as well. Okay, well, this is very important. It looks like we're going to announce a new vice mayor pursuant to resolution number 2022-14. I'm pleased to announce that Clifford Ain will serve as vice mayor for the next six months. Congratulations, Clifford.

Is this is this your first rotation? This is this is my first rotation. And it's an honor to continue to serve the city. And we're so fortunate that our commission is a wonderful commission. And I'm following one of the best vice mayors we've had in recent history, I might add. It's the colleague to my left.

yes yes commissioner bloom the last six months out amazing incredible incredible your reign as vice mayor will go down in history couldn't agree more and and and vice mayor ain't i'm feeling a little under the weather you may have to take over the meeting no problem i'll try to fight through it okay so um mr manager any deletions or additions to the agenda no mayor Okay, any members of the commission have anything they would like to report? Sure, Commissioner Cruz.

Unfortunately, our dear friend and colleague, Commissioner Gustavo Blatchman couldn't be here tonight because he had a health scare, but he is on Zoom and he is recovering, thank God. And Gustavo, Commissioner Blatchman, we want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we wish you a complete and full and speedy recovery.

Yes, we do. And by the way, if he's half as tough as his son, he'll be fine very quickly. For those of you that don't know, Commissioner Blochman's son just retired, just finished his first career, which was as a professional hockey player. So he is a very tough guy. I'm sure he got that from his dad. OK.

Thank you, Mr. Manager for checking up on Gustavo. Um, okay. We have some special presentations, um, this evening and we're going to go through them and then we'll recess and, um, We'll do some other business, and then we will come back. We'll go to the local planning agency, the LPA, and then we'll come back to the commission meeting. But to start off, I'm pleased to introduce Alessandra Zuul, who is the new Miss Aventura, and will be competing in Miss Florida. You're more than welcome to come and say a few words. Let me just say that. I'm not sure what the right term is, if it's your mentor,

Yes, we're gonna have you come up here for a picture and congratulations and best of luck.

And then come up. When the photographer gets here on the Dade County's slowest elevator, we will take a picture. We have the president of the GSA from Dunsilver High School. You want to come on up? We heard from you last month, and this month we wanted to give you a certificate of special recognition. So same thing, when the photographer gets here, we'll have you come up here. I want to present you with this certificate. that says presented to the GSA club in recognition of your achievements at the Don Sofer Aventura High School, the City Commission of the City of Aventura applauds your dedica

Terrific. Thank you. We'll have you come up also in a couple of minutes. I'll give you the certificate up here. We'll take a nice picture. So just wait for a moment. Okay, we'll do one more and then we'll take picture. Okay, so for this one, I want to have Commissioner Cruz start off reading this one. This is a real honor. I love when we get to give these type of proclamations. And I wish that everyone in this room one day will receive one of these because it's really to reach a century is really, really amazing accomplishment. Paul, you want to start reading this?

I am very honored today to be able to present this proclamation, this amazing proclamation to a great gentleman, an accomplished, a very accomplished man, a world-class philanthropist, and somebody who I and many people look up to, who has done so much for our community, for our country, and for the world. And amazing that Morris Dechter is sharp as a tack still, and we should all do so well. So it gives me great privilege to start reading this proclamation. Whereas Morris Dechter is a longtime resident of the city of Aventura, who proudly served his country in the United States Navy during Wo

Whereas Morris Dechter built a successful business in South Florida through hard work, determination and entrepreneurial spirit and.

Whereas as an outstanding leader and generous supporter of the Jewish community, he is to be commended for his service on the board of the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center and support of the Jewish Federation and the Lion of Judah Foundation and

Whereas the City of Aventura wishes to recognize the numerous accomplishments of Morris Decker on May 5th, 2026, as he turns 100 years old. 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 May 5th, 2026 as Morris Dector Day in the city of Aventura. Congratulations. Now, why don't we all...

that it's already been a year, and we're back again to National Safe Boating Week. It's incredible. So important. And I remember last year, we were just after tragedy on the water. And of course, this year, there was more tragedy. It's so important. This is such an important effort. really respect the Coast Guard. I know I said last year that I'm born and raised in Connecticut where the Coast Guard Academy is located. So we're gonna read this proclamation and then we have representatives to accept it and you're more than welcome to speak and I'm hoping that you will. And then you'll come up he

whereas numerous residents and tourists participate in exercise and recreation in the waterways throughout the city of Aventura and whereas the sport of recreational boating can become dangerous when boaters or passengers fail to practice safe boating techniques and

Whereas National Safe Boating Week is observed to bring attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boaters to provide a safer, more fun experience out on the water throughout the year and

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Howard Weinberg, as mayor and on behalf of the city commission of the city of Aventura, to hereby proclaim May 16th through May 22, 2026 as National Safe Boating Week in the City of Aventura. Please.

Thank you. Come on up for a picture and to accept your proclamation.

Okay, one more special recognition and very proud of this one because I actually just returned from Savannah, Georgia in a mayor's antisemitism conference. And it was a very important event and it was very meaningful. And now we are at the very beginning of Jewish American Heritage Month. I don't know if any of you saw that the President of the United States just proclaimed that, I believe today, and said that the entire country should have a Shabbat service. Let me start on that end.

Whereas our city of excellence is home to a significant Jewish American population that has helped to define America's character and values, through the infinite value of every human life and the importance of education in the lives of children and

Whereas the State of Israel is now celebrating the 78th anniversary of its modern founding and its emergence over the last few decades as a beacon of freedom and prosperity and a world leader in technology, agriculture, water conservation, medicine, and all manners of innovation and

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 May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month. So it's a privilege to present this to both Josh Sales and Steven Chek from the Jewish Community Relations Council. Gentlemen, you're more than welcome to speak if you'd like, and then come up here for a picture and accept your proclamation.

Thank you. And before you guys come up here, I just want to tell you, it's very relevant what you just said, because at the conference that I was at, actually, you just mentioned Rabbi Heschel, and he prayed with his feet, and he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King. So one of our speakers was his daughter. And there was an effort in this conference to reconnect. It was the Jews that marched during the civil rights movement with the blacks. And that message that someone like mayor Adams, when he was a mayor of New York, he knows that he's of a certain age. He remembers that, that, that kind of,

Commissioner Cruz, while they're coming up, please. While you're coming up, I just wanted to say that we all know that things do not happen in a vacuum. It takes tremendous leadership, tremendous strength, tremendous pride. And I'm happy to say I'm also a proud member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council. It is because we have these organizations and institutions why we have the strongest, the most dynamic, the most diverse, and the most Zionistic Jewish community in the diaspora, and not only Jewish but non-Jewish community, that supports Israel, s

Okay. One more special recognition. The week of May 3rd through 9th is Municipal Clerk's Week. And we have a proclamation. We don't need to read it, but we are very blessed that we have the best clerk in the state of Florida. I don't know about the USA, but I would not be surprised. We have Lisa is the best and very humble. Doesn't even want me to read the proclamation. But the bottom line is that we stole her from Bell Harbor and they still have not forgiven me. was with the mayor bell harbor in savannah this past week and they're very pissed off and i don't care because we got the best and s

Okay. Is Myron here from Fabian's office? Would you like to? Myron Meckelson, representative from our state representative Fabian Bisabi's office. Thank you for your patience. We had a lot of good stuff to do. We start the meeting with good stuff and hopefully you'll continue with some good stuff. Tell us that we're still going to be able to fund our city with property taxes.

Thank you, Myron. okay with that i'm going to uh ask for a motion to recess so that we can um convene the lpa uh can i have a motion uh made by commissioner cruz seconded by commissioner bloom let's vote commissioner bloom yes commissioner friedland

OK. At 6.53, we are recessed. Let's call to order the commission acting in its capacity as the local planning agency. And let's do a roll call.

Thanks. I need a motion to approve the minutes of April 7th, 2026, Vice Mayor Ayne, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. That was my first time calling you Vice Mayor. How did that feel? You look like a million bucks. Let's vote on that.

OK. We're going to invoke quasi-judicial procedures for item 4B, 4C, and 4D. So Mr. City Attorney, can you provide the procedures for that? Also, I guess you'll see if there's any ex-party communications that need to be disclosed.

Oh, I have had conversations with the applicant. I've never met the applicant in person to discuss the project.

Okay, I believe that I, I believe it was prior to workshopping this. I met with the applicant to see renderings.

Yes. I also talked with the applicant about the project.

Okay. Madam Clerk, can you swear in anyone who's going to offer testimony?

Okay. Madam Clerk, if you could read 4A.

Mr. Manager, we're going to defer this to the June 2nd LPA. Is that correct? June 2nd, 2026?

Can I have a motion to defer until June 2nd? Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Let's vote on that.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to adopt the resolution? Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Orlinsky. Mr. City Development Director.

Can I ask a question? So as Mr. Abbott comes up, is this presentation more or less what we saw two weeks ago at the workshop meeting, the publicly noticed workshop meeting?

Okay. So it may or may not be necessary to replay it. Let me see if members of the public have questions and comments, and let me see if the commission does. We're obviously incorporating into the record everything that was presented at the workshop. So let me ask if any members of the public would like to speak regarding this item, which is 4B, 4B at the LPA. Okay. I don't see any. So I'm opening for public and I'm closing it for public comment. And let me ask the commissioners, is it your pleasure to see the presentation again? Or do you have questions that? Okay. I don't think it's going to

actually building something smaller than what you could as a right and what you're bringing looks like a beautiful wonderful project to bring to our city with that said rather than you do the presentation like attorneys say when you made the point sit down and stop absolutely okay any other comments from the commission if not okay i think we'll we'll we'll do a roll call vote now and with the modified commission

With the modified conditions, and we appreciate the fact that the shuttle to the Bright Line will be to the Bright Line or any other reasonable form that we deem necessary, because unfortunately, Bright Line may or may not survive. And we certainly hope that it does and offers. We want the pedestrian bridge as well. We're working very hard to get it, but it's out of our hands right now. There's a bunch of other entities of which we have no control over. Everybody knows that that bridge has been sitting in the Brightline parking lot for two years now. But what you're doing is helpful, and we ap

And I just want to clarify one thing with Kevin. This is a project that you recommend approval of, am I correct? Can you just say it into there? Thank you.

And one last question. You prefer, if given your choice, this project over the previously approved viceroy project, is that correct? OK, thank you. Sorry to put you on the spot, but thank you for answering. OK, Madam Clerk, 4C.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to adopt? Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Kevin.

Thank you. Kevin, I don't think you need to add anything with the 4D being said. Okay. So applicant, once again, and I'll say to you, let me ask if there's any members of the public that are here to speak on these items, 4C and 4D. Anyone here to speak in favor or opposed? Okay. I see none. Take that as you will. I don't think you need, you're more than welcome to, but I don't think you're gonna need to do an entire presentation. I think we're very familiar with this. I have a very important question, is who named it Vitalis? And does anybody remember what Vitalis was? You have to be of a cert

Okay. You're reserving, please. Once again, I'm officially opening for public comment. You want to talk about Vitalis, the hair gel, or the building? OK. I'm going to close it for public comment. And I'm going to ask if any commissioners have any comments or questions. Seeing none, we're ready to vote.

And that's OK to do, Madam, Mr. City Attorney?

I need a motion to approve 4D. Commissioner Walensky seconded by Commissioner Friedland.

With the revised conditions as mentioned by the director. That is OK. The motion makers understand it's with the revised conditions. Yes? OK. Let's go.

OK. Thank you very much. Thank you. I need a motion to adjourn. The LPA, Vice Mayor Ains, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Okay, the LPA is closed, is adjourned. Let's go back. The next order of business, we're going to return to the commission meeting and take up the remainder of the agenda. It is 7.19 p.m. Let's call the roll.

Great. Any member of the commission or the manager need to remove an item from the consent agenda? Okay. Then I need a motion to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Walensky, seconded by Vice Mayor Ayne. Let's vote on that.

OK. 8C, 8D, and 8E will be quasi-judicial. Would you like to once again remind everyone what that means, Mr. City Attorney?

Not from me. Anyone else? No, sir. Okay.

Motion to defer till June 2nd. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Let's vote.

Motion to adopt the ordinance. Commissioner Friedland, second by Commissioner Orlinsky. Kevin.

Any member of the public wish to speak on 8B? Seeing none, I'll close for public comment. Any commission comment? Seeing none, I will ask for a vote.

Motion to adopt. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Kevin, are you incorporating the LPA?

Yes, that's my understanding also. Any member of the public wish to speak on this item? Seeing none, I'll close for public comment. Does the applicant's attorney have a comment?

Any, now I'll give one more opportunity for members of the public. Do not rush the microphone. There's plenty of time for everyone. Okay, I will close it for public comment. Any commissioners with a comment? Nope. Okay, let's vote.

Motion to adopt. Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Linskey. Kevin.

Thank you. Any member of the public wish to speak on 8D? Seeing none, I'll ask if the applicant's attorney wants to comment.

So done. Questions, Commissioners? Nope, let's vote.

Thank you. Motion to approve adoption. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Vice Mayor Ayn. Kevin.

Thank you. 8E, any member of the public which should speak on 8E? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment. Applicant's attorney, do you want to incorporate your presentation into this?

So done. Any commission questions, comments? Okay, let's vote.

Are we going to defer this, Mr. Manager?

Motion to defer 9A to the June 2nd Commission meeting. Commissioner Bloom is seconded by Commissioner Olinsky. Let's vote on that.

Thank you. Could I have a motion to approve the ordinance? Vice Mayor Ng, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mr. Manager. And congratulations on this. This is great, great news. And congratulations to your staff as well. and to everyone that lives in Aventura. It's such a well-run city, and from a financial standpoint, so responsibly run. This is why our tax rate has never gone up. Any member of the public wish to comment on 9b? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment. Any commissioners? Okay, let's vote.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Any member of the public wish to comment on item 10? Seeing none, I'll close it for public comment. Commissioners, any comment, questions? Okay, let's vote. Item 10. Did I not get a motion? I'm sorry. I'm slipping. Motion approved. Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Friedland.

Motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Freeland, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Mr. Manager.

and approval of this agreement is essential to maintain the uh the funding and the current um number of freebie cards that we have in our system thank you very much mr manager any member of the public wish to comment on item 11. seeing none i'll close it for public comment any commission comments seeing none let's vote commissioner olenski

Motion to approve the resolution. Vice Mayor Haynes, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Mr. Manager.

seeing none i'll close it for public comment any commission comment seeing none i'll ask for a vote commissioner bloom yes commissioner friedland yes commissioner cruz commissioner orlinsky yes commissioner blatchman yes vice mayor ayne yes and mayor weinberg yes motion passes uh any staff reports mr manager mr attorney madam clerk no mayor report okay uh public comment any member of the public wish to take up to three minutes and tell us we're great or we suck you have the right to do either okay seeing none i will yes sir which one do you want to tell us no i'm come please just uh wait one s

You will definitely have an opportunity because before you leave, you'll get with the manager and he'll schedule a meeting with him. And you'll pitch what it is the I'd like to know cost part of it.

Okay, so just the manager, we're more than happy to meet with you. Appreciate it. Right, Mr. Manager? Sure, thank you. Any other member of the public wish to speak? Okay, if not, I'll close it for public comment. Any other business commissioners? Okay, then I'm going to ask for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Orlinsky, seconded by Commissioner Bloom. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned. at 742. That is amazing. I said 743.