Hi everyone They they're not looking. They're talking. I don't even have to here I have my microphones there might not be
activated. your face. the they're
controlled together I know that I use I
don't know. Recording in progress. OK,
good evening, everyone. Welcome to this regular meeting of this city commission, April 7th, 2026. Let's call the meeting to order and uh let's have a roll call. Mayor
Weinberg, Vice Mayor Bloom. Here, Commissioner Ain, Commissioner Blatman, Commissioner Friedland, here, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Olinsky. here. Mr.
Baghese and Mr. Myers, you have a quorum. Thank you. Those that are able, let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Our pledge
allegiance to the flag. the United States of America. OK. Thank you Any uh lesions
or additions to the agenda, Mr. Manager? No, Mayor. OK. Any commission reports? OK
Special presentations. We have uh the Florida neuroinclusion Toolit, we're honored to have, ah, here you are, County commissioner Raquel Regalado here, and um,
welcome, welcome to Aventura. Thank you. Welcome to the greatest part of Miami-Dade County, um, the greatest city in Florida. You do not have to comment, but um this is
how we feel and we're welcome, we're happy to have you here and the floor is yours. Thank you. Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here with all of you, and I want to thank my dear friend Enid Wiseman for
making the introductions. I really appreciate it. Um, so my name is Commissioner Ric Cavalado and for those of you who don't know me, um, I was actually a school board member for two terms before becoming a county commissioner. And the
reason that I ran for office is because I am the proud parent of two neurodivergent adults. Uh, my daughter Isabella and Sebastian are both in the autism spectrum.
My daughter is 22 years old and my son turns 21 next week. Um, and this is the work that I will do until I draw my last breath. Um, so I've been working on
neurodiversity first at the school board and now as a county commissioner since I was elected in 2020. And one of the things that I've found is that um cities and counties want to do this work, but it can
be a little overwhelming. So with this tool kit is, it is a free resource, um, that I wrote and I'm, and giving out, you can go on the website which is
wwneuroinclusiontoolit.com. Um, and I have a physical copy uh for you all also, and it walks through everything that we've done, um, in Miami-Dade County as a pilot
to prove these concepts and how you can pick up at any point and do it, um, the most valuable part of the toolkit is the appendix, which has all the legislation already drafted, all the data points and
all the ways that it can be replicated. And I'm just gonna give you a few examples of the things uh that I've done over the last decade that I think are useful and
important, and I will say also that um the neurodivergent community continues to grow Now 1 out of 5 children and adults are neurodivergent, and I want to explain a
little bit why that term and why that term is important if you'll indulge me. But obviously I'm the parent of two autistic children. My daughter actually has a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD, which is
very common. Um, one of the things that we're seeing with neurodiversity is a lot of secondary, um, findings after a certain age, but when you look at what is
neurodiversity on one side, you have neurological delay, which is autism, epilepsy, um, Tourette's, um, uh, dyslexia
ADHD. There's a lot of different things combined in what could be categorized as a developmental delay. Then in the middle of the neural divergence spectrum, you have uh people who've suffered traumatic brain
injuries, um, and different instances where they became neurodivergent because of something that happened to them. And on the other side, you have uh neurological
decline, and that includes dementia and Alzheimer's. And I mentioned that because a lot of the things that are in the toolkit are also for that community. So a
prime example is um making events and places friendly. Although when you talk about dementia and Alzheimer's, usually the first time someone notices and when
people start forgetting things, um, 83% of that population, the first symptom that they have is issues with sensory overload.
Issues with uh lights, noises, textures, a lot of the things that neurodivergent children um have and is kind of the, the entry point into that diagnosis. So one of
the very easy things that we did at Miami-Dade County is um, we partnered with the Sunflower Layard. This is a lanyard that you can purchase for invisible disabilities, and it comes with the
training. We have it at our airport, and we also have it at all of our transit stations and we give these out to our residents, and it's a very simple thing for people who do not feel comfortable
talking about their invisible disability, but when you see it, you know that that person may need some assistance. If you see them wandering or if you see them alone. The other thing that we did was
really focus on training. So, to date, we've trained over 4150 police officers in Miami-Dade County, specifically, um, on autism and neurodivergence, and that
training included meeting autistic adults and talking to them specifically about de-escalation. We rolled it out, uh, we rolled out the, um, special needs occupant
with autism decal, um, which we're now working with the sheriff and this year she expanded to include the registration on cars, but this allows uh parents and caregivers to register the individual on
the website. It's available throughout Miami-Dade County so that resource already exists and you're 911 will also receive that information, and that allows the parent to put in specific information
about their ability to speak, communicate, and also what is the best way to de-escalate. We've already reduced baker acting unnecessary arrests, dramatically,
and it really allows caregivers to feel more safe when they're neurodivergent children or adults are out in public. So everything from making public spaces more accessible by making them sensory friendly
and I'll give you a, a super easy example. Um, at the youth fair, we've partnered with them over the last 3 years. The first year they did a sensory room and social stories. The second year we did a sensory
map where parents could stop at different locations, so they could de-escalate, uh, and this year we uh started sensory Hour, which is we turned off all the music and
all of the lights on Saturdays and Sundays on all the rides from 12 to 3 o'clock, uh, making it more accessible for people who are interested in going during the sensory hours. So those are all super simple
things. uh, that are in the, in the tool kit. Uh, we also, um, ask folks to, uh, consider celebrating April and October. April, um, as autism acceptance and not
awareness Month and October as Disability Employment Month. One of the things that I did was instead of creating new things, I just tweaked existing systems that we had at the county. So for example, our
internships now a percentage of those are available to neurodivergent adults. Miami-Dade County's zero drowning initiative, now also includes autistic adults and neurodivergent children and
adults. Most people don't know that the number one cause of death for autistic children and adults is drowning. Um, water is a sensory relief, and they are drawn to
it and unfortunately, a lot of them do not know how to swim. So they're very simple things that we can do, um, to, um, include parents in these spaces, and one of the
things that I also recommend that's in here that I've done in my district and has been very helpful, is creating task force or um a special committee or including it in your disability committee, so that
parents can have a one-stop shop to go and talk about different things, and then ensuring that the cities are meeting also so that we don't duplicate resources. So you might have a parent that wants a
particular thing in your city, but there might be something right next door, um, that is accessible to them and it's just about giving them that information. Um, so those are just some of the things that are in the toolkit. I'm here to answer all of
your questions. Uh, we have a, um, big event on April 25th at Betham where we're inviting everyone and we're gonna have resources for all ages, but we're also gonna have autism speaks doing their
summit and talking about the tool kit and we're also gonna have a lot of information about adult services and programming that I've helped create that is also in the toolkit as an example of what we can do
working together with educational institutions. Thank you so much. Appreciate all that. That's a lot of information to unpack. Yes, but, um, I
actually think that in this municipality, um, we're actually very sensitive and very aware of um that. that battle and the autism and the neurodiversity and uh we
have people um 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, um, uh, including our manager, our police department, and our park and rec department. Um, I'm just thinking now about our, uh, Founder's Day event, if we,
we set aside a time to, to just have a quiet time with rides. It's something that um I'd I'd be willing to sacrifice us getting on the rides to do those promos in and have the, the children that will
really enjoy it. Instead, we actually shut down one of the rides because it's for children and we crammed ourselves in and it actually stopped running, so, um, we don't need to repeat that. Let's, let's do
it for the kids. Um, who, um, would like to comment in any way? Yes, vice Mayor. So just going off of what the Mayor said, um, just wanted to let you know that very
proud that the city of Aventura's police department has a resident autism expert on staff, so apparently you're aware of Officer Arocha, um, and, and her, you know
her expertise. So, uh, she's very involved with training our officers on how to deal, but to look for the signs and how to deal in those situations. Um, she also has a
police vehicle that's wrapped with autism awareness, so it's, it's just wonderful that, um, that she's part of this effort. Yes. Thank you Other comments. Yes,
Commissioner Cruz. So, Commissioner Regalado, thank you for coming and for uh this wonderful report. I just want to say I was just uh um welcoming our, 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, you're doing, um, a, a nice event at Bethamm 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 aware ness to it in our, in our Northate area. I would love to, and I would love to do it in October if you want or if you want to
wait till April. You know, one of the other things that's in here that's, that's very easy is uh creating social stories. So we did them in all of our libraries and in all of our parks, but those are super
easy things that can be done that just allows parents to kind of download that from the website and go to these events, and that way it's not, it doesn't produce as much anxiety because it's not an
unknown place, but I would love to host something up here, so thank you for that. I'll definitely take you up on the offer.
Other comments OK. We're, we're not done with you yet though. Stay right there with
Well, we have a, we have a special proclamation for you. Ah, thank you. 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
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States, highlighting the importance of increased awareness, early diagnosis,
and access to appropriate services and support. And whereas autism Awareness Month provides an opportunity to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion
of individuals with autism, while recognizing the unique strengths, talents, and contributions they bring to our
community and Whereas Miami Dae Commissioner Ricard de Gallado has developed the Florida Negro Inclusion
Toolit as a roadmap for local governments to build more inclusive communities for
neurodivergent residents and whereas the city of Aventura is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for
all residents, including individuals with autism and their families by supporting programs, services, and initiatives that
enhance quality of life and accessibility in whereas increased public awareness and education can help reduce stigma,
encourage acceptance, and empower individuals with autism to reach their full potential. You see, we share in this
city. It's amazing. I love it so much. I want every proclamation to be read like that moving forward. It's beautiful. But I I get to do the super fun part, so, um, 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. Ah,
wonderful. Thank you so much. Bye. If you'll come up, come on up to the base,
we'll take a picture, of course, and your folks can take pictures as well. Thank you
Yeah, I have one person over there or everybody scoops down. Yeah, there we go. That's better. 123. I'm gonna get just 2
more stay like that. 1 last one. Perfect. One more, please You, you, yes thank you.
Did you sign a waiver? I'm saying. Why not
? OK Thank you Thank you so much. good. OK
I. that this. Yeah that OK, moving on we
have another proclamation, but um uh 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. Wonderful is correct. And um Give everyone give everyone your name, please. My name is Jennifer Esline. and I am the
director of the Rock Steady boxing at the March ACC program. and there are no coincidences that we would be talking
about another neurological condition. So, behind me, on my left are members of the
Rock Steady boxing family includes my personal family, includes boxers who are Parkinson's patients includes coaches and
volunteers. If I may ask them to stand up for 1 2nd before I speak. Everybody who's
wearing a shirt is either a patient, a coach, or a volunteer. It's worth the
effort of standing up and being recognized because they are amazing fighters. Thank
you Doctor James Parkinson's. More than 200 years ago was the first to identify and document the condition known today as
Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder. Its hallmark is damage to the dopamine producing neurons in the brain that can lead to muscle stiffness,
slowness, balance issues, and a host of other problems. By 2021, public health researchers reported there were almost 12 million cases worldwide. The number of
people living with Parkinson's disease is projected to top 25 million by 2050. The disease burdens the patient, their family,
their community, and society as a whole. Parkinson's as a neurodegenerative disease is growing faster than Alzheimer's. That should grab everyone's attention.
Parkinson's disease is so much more than just a shaking palsy. As scientists have come to learn since 1817. It isn't just a disease of dopamine. It isn't just a
disease of the brain. We see it in the gut we see it in the skin, we see it in multiple organs. Genetics plays a key role
in about 20 to 15% of the cases. For many others, the underlying cause of the disease is due to exposure to environmental toxins, via the air we
breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the chemicals with which we regularly come in contact. I will share with you that the largest group of boxers
or patients in my program are former dentists who work with mercury for years. The second largest group, like my husband, are former golf players who were exposed
to pesticides that I sprayed on the golf courses. My husband Spencer's Parkinson's diagnosis 15 years ago, motivated me to seek alternative therapies beyond
medication. and hence, rock steady boxing at the MarJCC was born on August 2016. I like to recognize Commissioner Paul Cruz, who at the time was the president of the
MARJCC and was very supportive in my efforts and 10 years later, I'm still thanking you. We started this affiliate
available free of charge with the goal of offering hope to Parkinson's patients. Rocksteady boxing is a non-contact boxing program designed to help people with
Parkinson's disease, improve their quality of life, strength and balance. The goal is to fight back. against Parkinson's by slowing disease progression through
high-intensity exercise. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, this upcoming August I'm happy to share that since the start of the program, we have registered. more than
300 patients fighting back against Parkinson's disease, all of them attending free of charge. We are grateful to the dedicated coaches and volunteers. Some of
them are here represented and to our donors and sponsors for their continued support. Join us at the MARJCC on Sunday,
August 30th at 10:00 a.m. at our annual Box with a Heart event and 10th year anniversary celebration. Representing all
Parkinson's patients today. I like to say thank you to the city of Aventura Commission, for is this important proclamation and for helping to bring
awareness about this unforgiving and challenging disease. Thank you. Thank you,
Jenny, and um we have another proclamation but would you like to say something? Whoever wants to speak, please, on the commission, go ahead. I just want to
recognize Jenny Einsle and her whole team. I'm so thrilled to see you all. I was introduced to Rock steady boxing because I learned that a lot of our avantar
residents were going to the JCC for this wonderful free program to get help and to make friends and have a community of getting stability and a little bit more than a year ago, I went to the event. I
missed the first one I was invited to, and I went to an event in April, and to tell you the truth, I had a great time exercising with everybody. And little did
I know that Parkinson's would hit my own family just shortly after that. So now I'm learning to find research and ways to help a close family member, something I didn't
even expect when I just went there because it was something helping, supporting the rest of our community. So as Jenny says, it's larger than Alzheimer's. It's, um,
affecting 25 million people in the United States and Jenny Einsella is a leader in finding alternative therapies, and we are thankful to have her in our community, and
we're not just recognizing her, but recognizing Rock steady boxing and Recising. um, that we all have to be aware of Parkinson's disease, and I want to encourage you, I will be back on April
14th at the JCC if they'll take me to exercise again with them, and anyone else in the commission, it was a beautiful, wonderful program to see and an
organization that if anybody wants to help and donate to because they do this for free. I highly support and ask you and encourage you to reach out to them. So,
thank you. Um, I'd also like to see a few words. This, um, this program, the Rock Steady pro uh program, boxing program at
the JCC was one of the proudest moments I had, uh, 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 program, um all of you on the the, the, um, coaches, the trainers, and all of you boxers are all heroes of ours. What you're doing is really, setting an
example for people around the country and around the world of how to combat this terrible disease. and uh Jenny, I just want to say that your dad was a mentor of
mine and one of my best friends, and I'm sure he's looking down now on you and Ariella and the whole family, and Spencer and the whole family, and beaming and very very proud of all the incredible work
you're doing with not only with rock steady boxing, but all your advocacy works so wish you rock steady boxing, uh,
continued success and will be there to support you. Thank you very much. So you know the drill commissioners. We're gonna
read this proclamation. Jenny, while we're reading this, if you want to start gathering everyone, we'll, we're going to take a picture, not up here. We're going to come down there so everyone could 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 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease demonstrate extraordinary strength, resilience and
determination as they face the daily challenges associated with this condition and whereas caregivers, medical
professionals, therapists, researchers, and community organizations play a vital role in providing compassionate care, innovative therapies, and critical support
services for those affected by Parkinson's disease and whereas community-based wellness initiatives such as the Rock
Steady Boxing program at the Jewish Community Center offers 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
let's go down there, commissioners. Where
we go my OK Maybe. Thanks. I'll take you
I'm talking to my I guess I. Yeah. I. YouTube look we switched that way I can
see the person behind me, yeah, and just it actually as soon as she moved perfect There Can you put it just like that. I
just wanna make sure I can see everybody perfect. Everyone look at these big smiles 123. I'm gonna get 2 more, say just like
that, 12, and one last one. Beautiful.
Thanks guys. you yeah Of course I'm a
that's a guy. Thank you for having I'll
make sure some people do this. Do you?
Yeah. I Oh. I. I. Yeah. I know know like
know know like know know like know know
like know know like know an MRI This is OK
so we Thank you. OK. It's good uh never OK
Let's move on We have some special recognitions we're going to, um, present some certificates of appointment Mr. Manager, this is for the newly created
Arts and Aventura board members. You want to take that? Yes, Mayor, thank you. The
city of Aventura recently created the Arts in Aventura board, and this board consists of 5 members who are going to bring arts and cultural initiatives here to the city, and I can assure you that all of the
members are extremely enthusiastic, qualified, and ready to meet and uh to get going. So I know 3, I think 3 of the members are here today. I'd like to present them with their certificates. This
is the uh newly formed board, first of its kind, and we're super excited and uh and enthusiastic about what you guys are gonna be able to accomplish. So if I could ask
Luli Solich to come up, please. Wonderful. Thank you so much, commissionersevier. Pam
Grenn Thank you Michael Jacobs Thank you very Yeah It's I'll take a photo. Sorry
There we go. All right 131 23. I'm gonna get just 2 more, stay like that. I want 2.
and 14. Perfect and thank you in advance for your service. I know you, I know you
all will be great. OK, I need a motion to uh recess the commission meeting so we can
go into LPA, uh. I guess Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner A. Um can we have a roll call on that, Commissioner Ang? Yes
Commissioner Blatmann. Commissioner Friedland. Yes, Commissioner Cruz. Commissioner Orlansky Yes, Vice Mayor
Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. OK. So, we are, we are adjourned, and that
is at 6:42 and um. 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. Mayor
Weinberg here, Vice Mayor Bloom, here, Commissioner Ain, Commissioner Blatchman, Commissioner Friedland, Yes, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Olinsky, Mr. Baghese.
and Mr. Myers, you have a quorum. Can I have a motion to approve the March 3, 2026 minutes. Commissioner Ain, seconded by
Vice Mayor Bloom. Roll call, please. Commissioner Blasman. Yes Commissioner Friedland, yes, Commissioner Cruz,
Commissioner Orensky. Yes, Commissioner Ain Vice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. motion passes. OK We have uh an ordinance,
um I'm gonna need, uh, for the clerk to call to um read for us the ordinance that's item 4A please. An ordinance to the city of Aventura, Florida, amending
Chapter 31, Land Development regulations of the City Cut of Ordinances by amending Section 31-145B Town Center, TC1 District.
Subsection 3, Conditional use is permitted to allow hotels and mixed-use structures within the district, providing for several ability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.
Thanks. Could I have a motion to approve? motion to adopt the ordinance, uh, Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Ain, um, I'll turn it over to our development director to review this
item, Kevin, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening to the LPA board. Uh, this is LDR 26030001. It's an application for a change
to our land development regulations, uh, specifically the town center one regulations. It would add a conditional use to allow hotels with a minimum of 100
units to the TC1 district. um that would make it similar to the TC3, 4 5 districts. Uh, on the screen, you can see here the
TC1 district, uh, that exists, so you would know where hotels now would be added as a conditional use. to show you an aerial photograph, uh, you have the
publics along Biscayne Boulevard in the center and the TC1 is in the surrounding area. The applicant for this specifically the town center area just west of the
building we're in now. Uh, here at uh the government Center complex. Staff, uh, believes this is an appropriate thing. We support it because it will increase this
as an active mixed-use district and encourage infill development. Uh, the development is proposed by the Apollo is proposed by the Apollo companies and the next step is assuming this is approved
tonight, they actual conditional use request will be on the next LPA and City commission agenda. The applicant and attorney are here for questions if
necessary, uh, but, uh, this is uh simply a change to the code at this point, not the project. Thank you to see uh applicant
want to provide any comments whatsoever? OK You don't have to. It's your choice. OK no problem. Um, 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. Commissioner Friedland, Yes, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Orinsky.
Yes, Commissioner A. Commissioner Blatchman, Vice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg motion passes. 4B, please, Madam Clerk. An ordnance of the city of Aventura
Florida, amending Chapter 31, Land Development Regulations of the City Cut of ordinances to create Section 31-144G, Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center Zoning
District Overlay to provide for a new zoning district overlay and related regulations and standards, providing for several ability providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective
date. OK Uh, Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this? Yes, Mayor, thank you. We request that this item be deferred to the May 5th, 2026, local planning agency
meeting. Can I have a motion to defer to May 5. Uh, Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Let's vote. Commissioner Cruz. Yes, Commissioner
Orlinsky. Yes, Commissioner Ain. Commissioner Blatchman. Commissioner Friedland, Vice Mayor Bloom, Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. Uh, motion to
adjourn the LPA. Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Ain. All those in favor say aye. Any he opposed We're
adjourned OK let's return to the commission meeting for the rest of the agenda. It is 6:48. Let's have a roo.
Mayor Weinberg. Here Vice Mayor Bloom. Here, Commissioner Ain, Commissioner Blotmann, Commissioner Friedland, still here, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner
Oensky. Here, Mr. Baghese and Mr. Myers. You have a quorum. OK. Anyone on this da want to remove an item from the consent
agenda? Seeing none I will ask for motional proof, consent agenda, Vice Mayor Bloom, very quick tonight. Commissioner Ain, almost just as quick tonight.
Seconded by Commissioner A, um, let's vote on that. Commissioner Olinsky Yes, Commissioner A. Commissioner Bachmann, Commissioner Friedland, Commissioner Cruz,
Vice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes OK. Does any, uh, commissioner want to comment on any of the
items that were in the incent agenda Seeing none, we will move on. 2, zoning hearings. Uh, we've got first reading of
an ordinance, it's 7A, Madam Clerk. An ornance of the city of Aventura, Florida, amending Chapter 31, Land Development Regulations of the City Cut of Ordinances
by amending Section 31-145B Town Center CC1 District, Subsection 3. Conditional use is permitted to allow hotels and mixed-use structures within the district, providing for severalability, providing
for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date. OK. Emotional proof that ordinance, Commissioner Blonschmann,
seconded by Commissioner Cruz, uh, it sounds very familiar, Kevin. Unless there's any other questions, I'll just, uh ask that my previous presentation be put
into the record for the commission meeting As it shall be, uh, I, I'm assuming the same response from the applicant. You don't need to get up. Um, public, has
anyone come in the room in the last 4.5 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. Commissioner A, Commissioner Blatchman, Commissioner Friedland. Yes, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Orensky.
Yes, Weis Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. 7B please. An ordinance of the city of Aventura, Florida, amending the official zoning map by applying the
Aventura cops Subdistrict Overlay MUC1 to an approximate 122 acre tract of land currently zoned community Business District B2 generally located east of
Biscayne Boulevard to West Country Club Drive and south of Aventura Boulevard to the William Layman Causeway, providing for several ability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an
effective date. Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this? Yes, sir. We, we'd ask that this be deferred to the May 5th City
commission meeting on 2026. OK, I would do it if I could, but I need a motion. Commissioner A, seconded by Vice Mayor Bloom. Let's, let's vote on it.
Commissioner Blatchman, Commissioner Friedland. Yes, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Wolinsky? Yes, Commissioner Ain Ice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg.
Motion passes. 8A and ordnance of the city of Aventura, Florida, amending chapter 31, Land Development Regulations of the city C cut of ordinances to create Section
31-144G Aventura Metropolitan Urban Center Zoning District Overlay to provide for a new zoning district overlay and related regulations and standards, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in
the code, and providing for an effective date. Mr. Manager, did you want to comment on this? Yes, one more time, Mayor. We requested this item again be deferred to
the May 5th, 2026 City commission meeting. OK, 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 Ain. Let's vote. Commissioner Friedland, yes. Commissioner Cruz. Commissioner Orensky. Yes, question our aim. Commissioner Blatman, Vice Mayor
Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. 8B and ordnance to the city of Aventura, Florida, amending Article 2, local business taxes of Chapter 18, Business
regulations, taxes and permits of the city code by amending section 18-42A Schedule by providing an increase of 5%, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for
implementation and providing for an effective date. motion will approve Commissioner Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Ain, Mr. Manager, thank you,
Mayor. This item is a proposed biennial adjustment to the city's business tax. rates, also known as our BTRS for fiscal year 2627, in accordance with Florida
State statute 205, the city may increase business tax rates by up to 5% every two years through commission approval. The Community Development Department is recommending a 5% increase as a prudent
and consistent approach to maintaining revenue that supports ongoing city operations. This adjustment is projected to generate approximately $55,000 in
additional revenue for fiscal year 2627. and the city has historically reviewed and adjusted BTR structures periodically to ensure fairness and competitive competitiveness with surrounding municipalities while continuing to support
economic activity, and I would recommend that the city adopt this resolution. 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, Commissioner Orensky. Commissioner Ain, yes. Commissioner Blatchman, Commissioner Friedland,
Commissioner Orensky. Vice Mayor Bloom. Yes, and Mayor Weinberg, motion passes. 8C and ornance of the city of Aventura,
Florida, amending Article III advisory Boards of Chapter 2 Administration of the city code by amending Section 2-191, Creation and composition by authorizing
the city manager to increase the size of the board when necessary and removing the residency requirement for board members, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for
an effective date. Motion approve And about Vice Mayor Bloom, Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mayor. This item is a proposed ordinance amending Section 2-121 of the
city code related to the arts and Aventura Advisory Board. As the board is being established, this amendment is intended to provide greater flexibility and ensure that the city can appoint the most
qualified individuals. The key changes include increasing the board size to allow up for 7 members and modifying the residency requirement to permit non-residents with relevant arts experience to serve while still
maintaining preference for city residents. It's my recommendation that these adjustments will strengthen the board's effectiveness and support the continued growth of the arts and cultural
initiatives within the city of Aventura. Thank you Any member of the public wish to comment on this item. I'll close it for
public comment, any commission er have a question, comment? OK, let's vote Commissioner A. Commissioner Blatchman. Commissioner Friedland, Yes, Commissioner
Cruz. Commissioner Orlansky. Yes. Vice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. I 9 An ordinance of the city
commission of the City of Aventura, Florida, amending Ordinance Number 2025-17 which ordinance adopted a budget for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year by revising the
2025, 2026 fiscal year operating in capital budget, as outlined in Exhibit A attached here too, authorizing the city manager to do all things necessary to carry out the aims of this ordinance of
providing for an effective date. Can I have a motion to approve motion to adopt Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Ain. Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mayor. This
item is our mid-year budget amendment for fiscal year 2526. This suggests a budget to account for items that were not included in the original adoption to align with revenues and expenditures based on
actual activity. Overall, the general Fund reflects a net increase of approximately 1.49 million driven primarily by higher than anticipated revenues, including grants, interest earnings, and prior year
carryover. These additional revenues are being used to fund operational needs and one-time ex p end itu re s Just some key highlights from this are um additional funding for state lobbyists, personal
adjustments within our finance department. We reclassification of a position to procurement manager, tuition reimbursement um, for, um our police department, we
received a grant for CEST training that provides crisis intervention training for all of our police officers, and that training is fully funded. It's about $243,000 that we brought in through a
grant, um, for that. We also had some facility improvements um over in our uh community recreation center, one of our buildings, and then our HVAC system at the Arts and Cultural Center that uh needed an
emergency repair, if you recall, um, earlier this year or last year. Also one large expenditures, which is a positive thing, and this is for our new state of
the art, uh, high school that we're building, so we had um additional monies that were required to hire the construction manager at risk, the architectural firm, and also to begin site
clearing and permitting with the South Florida Water Management District to relocate a stormwater drainage pipe with within the site. So in summary, this, this amendments ensures that the city's budget
accurately reflects current revenues, supports ongoing operations and advances key capital and public safety initiatives, and it's recommended that the City commission approve this ordinance. Thank
you Any member of the public wish to speak on this item. I'll close it for public comment, any commissioned comment. Seeing none, let's vote. Commissioner Aim. Yes,
Commissioner Blaschman. Commissioner Friedland, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Orensky, Vice Mayor Bloom, and Mayor Weinberg, ocean passes. Item 10 A
resolution of the city commission of the City of Aventura, Florida, authorizing the city manager to continue to negotiate with Gulfstream Park for the purchase of a 0.84
acre parcs of land adjoining the existing 3.7 acre parcel for a total conveyance of approximately 4.5 acres from Gulfstream Park for future use as the new charter
high school. Director the city manager to purchase this parcel in an amount not to exceed $6 million authorizing the city manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement for this parcel, authorizing the
city manager to do all things necessary and proper to carry out the aims of this resolution, providing for implementation and providing for an effective date. I
need a motion to approve Commissioner Bachmann, seconded by Commissioner Friedland, um, Mr. Manager, you can discuss this, but I want to first
congratulate you because I know you've been um 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 um we are committed to building a new school and we have already acquired uh,
first we acquired 3 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 about $10 million an acre. We got 3 acres to build a new school. And then through the efforts of the city administration, we got another um 007 and
now, which we paid for at a very fair price and now another 0.84. So the bottom line is we are going to have a footprint
for a new school of 4.5 acres, just to put that in context, the existing high school is on 2 acres. We will be building a state
of the art high school. It will be a fantastic high school. We're going to put another 6 million if we vote for this tonight. It's actually less than that because our manager negotiated. It's 5
million in change and um we are going to um build that high school, the current high school will become our middle school. The K through 8 right now, ACES will
become our elementary school. We will have 3 schools. We are we will hire a superintendent, and our goal is to be the finest public school system in the state of Florida. The reason why we're spending
this money is for the future. This is a legacy item. There are children that have not yet been born, that are going to benefit from this. There are children in our elementary school that are going to benefit from this. There are children in
our middle school that are going to benefit from this and our high school. So we're gonna do everything we can to get that school up and running in less than 2
years. It's very ambitious, but we're already preparing the ground, right, Mr. Manager? We're already preparing the ground. That is correct. There's some preparation that needs to be done to
satisfy Durham, just like with the existing high school, but we have closed on the bulk of the land. We will close on this 0. 84 soon. We have our architect, we
have our general contractor. We have our owner's rep. We have everything. We are, we are rocking and rolling. If we have to get out there ourselves with a shovel and a hard hat, we are getting that school
built and open, and we are taking 1000 kids off that waiting list that breaks mom's hearts every year. And I want, and I wanna thank this commission and this
administration and we haven't voted on it yet, so do not make me look bad, ladies and gentlemen. Um, uh, Mr. Man, do you want to add anything? No, I think you covered it, Mayor. This is just to allow
me to negotiate the purchase and sale agreement for this additional 0.84 acres to build a state of the art world class high school. And let me say publicly, I've done it in person, but I want to say here
for the record, thank you, Belinda Stronic from Gulfstream, the owner of Goldstream. She has been wonderful to work with. She cares about our city, 30 acres of Goldstream is in Aventura. Most of it's in
Hallendale. She cares about us. She knows what's most important to us, which is the children. And uh she's been a pleasure for us to work with and negotiate with. And um
uh 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 recognition. She just wants to do the right thing, so I just want to thank
her. Maybe I'll send her this video, but we appreciate it. Um, I'm opening it up for public comment on this specific item, if anyone wants to say anything. being none, I will close it for public comment.
As the commission if they have any comments before we vote, seeing none, let's do it. Commissioner Blatmann,
Commissioner Friedland, Commissioner Cruz, Commissioner Orensky. Commissioner A, Commissioner Orlinsky. Vice Mayor Bloom.
Yes, and Mayor Weinberg. Motion passes. Thank you, Commission. Thank you, Aventura
OK, any staff reports? No. OK. So we'll move on to um public comment, uh Mr. Attorney, do you want uh state the rules for any member of the public that wants to speak. Sure, if anyone wants to speak, you
have 3 minutes to address the Commission on things that haven't already been covered on the agenda. It's not a back and forth with the commission. You don't ask questions of the. You just speak for three
minutes about the item that you wish to come up here and speak on. OK. Any member of the public that wants to speak, come on up, step right up and um state your name
and you've got 3 minutes. Hi Mhm I'm, I'm sorry Make sure that I'm green on that microphone. Do you hear me Perfect,
perfect. Good evening, Aventura. My name is Ian Ursie, and I'm the president and founder of my school's Gay Straight
Alliance, also known as GSA. I'm gonna show you two photos. These are the faces
of Max Benedict and Brianna Gay. These aren't headlines, they're or stories. They're students whose lives were impacted far beyond any school protection. There
were both two beautiful souls, living in spaces which were unfortunately dismissive towards LGBTQ rights. They face rampant bullying and harm from their peers, which
ultimately resulted in their deaths. These are the stories we are lucky and fortunate to hear of, but for everyone which reaches the public, there are many more students in similar circumstances, experiencing the
same treatment in our schools. When hearing the term GSA, many don't actually know what it is. I've had people come up to me and ask me what a GSA does as they've never heard of it at all. Others
hear the name and start to make assumptions. It's pushing beliefs or influencing students to think negatively, but the reality is, it's much simpler. A gay straight alliance is about two things,
safety and understanding. at SOA, GSA is making change beyond our school. Recently, we had a successful service drive with the Lotus House, a women's shelter in Miami
which was able to raise more than $500. This shows what our club is truly doing, bringing people together through service and our connection. But despite that, there's still exists a major gap in our
understanding. Like I stated previously, many people don't know, or and make assumptions about GSA. When I was putting up posters for the school, seeing a brightly colored flyer with a rainbow on
it. People obviously started making assumptions, making fun of it, or even opposing it just because it has the word gay in it. At the same time, harmful language is thrown around all throughout
school. These unaddressed moments send out a message to students, staff, and faculty that this behavior is acceptable and OK. This is why GSA matters for both advocacy
and protection. when there's no safe space consequences can become real, just like in the unfortunate cases of Max Benedict and Brianna Gay. It's crucial for us to act on
importance of protection for both student safety and also our staff. As the board of Aventura, you have the ability to make change. Unfortunately, since I'm a senior and I graduated in May, I won't be able to
carry on GSA with me. You can support and promote our spaces and work together with students to create stronger protections and create a safe environment, because at the end of the day, it's not about
feelings, politics, or about how someone truly feels with any bias. It's about walking into a class and feeling safe.
Thank you 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, sure, go ahead, Commissioner Cruz. I just wanted to uh, address uh the young man. I just want to say, uh, we're very, Ian, you, we're
very proud of you to come out and, and, and come to a commission and, and express your views and uh we all stand behind you. My question to you is just a quick
question. Do you have succession planning so that at Aventura Don So for Aventura High School, we have some kind of continuity. Are you working on getting new
leadership So, the way that the club was set up is that we have both Junior and senior positions. So I'm fortunate enough to be the senior president and founder, um
we currently have a junior president, a junior secretary and a junior treasurer. Thank you. Thank you. Have a great evening
OK. Any other public comment. No one wants to tell us we're great or that we suck. This is your opportunity. OK? I'll close it for public comment. Any other business
commissioners. Um, OK, then I'm gonna entertain a motion to adjourn. Commissioner A, seconded by Commissioner Cruz. All those in favor say aye. All
right. Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you. bye Bye, Cindy. Recording
stopped yeah