My Aventura July 2022 Newsletter

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Aventura City of Aventura Official Newsletter • July 2022 • CityOfAventura.com

OFFICIAL MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER BILLY JOEL

NATIONAL PARK & RECREATION MONTH A LOOK AT OUR PARKS

HURRICANE SEASON BE PREPARED

@cityofaventura

Mayor Enid Weisman Vice Mayor Denise Landman Commissioners Dr. Linda Marks Marc Narotsky Robert Shelley Rachel S. Friedland City Manager Ron Wasson Assistant City Manager Bryan Pegues City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC

Message from Commissioner Billy Joel It is an honor to return to the Aventura Commission after terming out of office in 2014. As I sit in the seat that was occupied by my late friend, Jonathan Evans, I know that some things in Aventura have changed, while the things that make us the City of Excellence remain.

This month is National Park and Recreation Month, and Aventura is proud to have some of the most beautiful parks in the country, as well as a never ending list of opportunities for kids and adults to utilize them through our city programs. If you haven’t visited lately, take some time to check out one of our five beautiful parks sometime soon.

We will soon have new tennis and pickleball courts coming to Founders Park South, while maintaining the community garden that many of our residents have made beautiful.

This is a win-win for our community.

City Attorney Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & I couldn’t be more excited to see Bierman our eight Freebee vehicles moving Directory around the city. This free Aventura ride sharing service is becoming Main Number 305-466-8900 more and more popular by the Mayor & Commission 305-466-8901 day. Freebee offers anyone in City Manager 305-466-8910 Aventura free transportation Ron Wasson within the city from 7:00 AM until City Clerk 305-466-8901 Ellisa L. Horvath 11:00 PM, 362 days a year. With this service, Aventura is leading the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 305-466-8006 Jeff Kiltie, General Manager modern innovation of local ACES Charter School 305-466-1499 transportation.

Dr. Anthony Tyrkala, Principal Community Development Keven Klopp, Director

305-466-8940

Community Services Kimberly Merchant, Director

305-466-8930

DSAHS Charter School Geoff Mckee, Principal

786-481-3032

Finance 305-466-8920 Melissa Cruz, Director Information Technology Karen Lanke, Director

305-466-8928

Police (Non-Emergency) 305-466-8900 Michael Bentolila, Police Chief Public Works/Transportation Joseph S. Kroll, Director

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My Aventura July 2022

305-466-8970

Our police department remains community oriented and extraordinarily effective. Aventura is an incredibly safe place to live, work, and visit. They aren’t only dedicated to our community, they are irreplaceable members of it. We should all be grateful for the service they provide each and every day.

As our city continues grow, we will continue to innovate to meet the challenges ahead. Maintaining our place as the City of Excellence means working everyday to earn that moniker. Our mayor, commission, and staff are all committed to doing what it takes.

www.cityofaventura.com

Calendar Highlights City Events July 4

Fireworks Spectacular

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Events July 16 Love for Sale, A Tribute to Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga July 27

Summer Theater Camp Begins

July 31

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids

A Commitment to Community Involvement

ACES Kindergarten Class of 2022

The City of Aventura’s newsletter represents the City Commission’s continued commitment to keeping the community updated about important City government issues and services. This newsletter is published periodically and your comments and suggestions are welcome.

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Mission Statement Our mission is to join with our community to make Aventura a city of the highest quality and a city of excellence. We do this by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative local government services.

with us! @cityofaventura

City Commission Meetings Commission meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month unless otherwise noted at the Aventura Government Center Commission Chambers located at 19200 West Country Club Drive.

For more information about upcoming Commission meetings and workshops, please visit cityofaventura.com.

To confirm meeting dates, times and locations, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 305-466-8901

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cityofaventura.com

www.cityofaventura.com

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Police Crime Prevention Coordinator Ernest Long Retires After 30 Years of Service

A

fter a 22-year-long career of Crime prevention with the City of Aventura, Ernest Long is ready to retire. “I started in crime prevention in 1983”, Ernest says. “Crime prevention is all about communication and educating the public on crime trends and how not to become a victim.” Though The City has a low person to person crime rate, other crimes like property theft and consumer fraud are prevalent. “If your hunting deer you go to where the deer are, you’re not going to downtown Miami to hunt deer but if you’re looking for money, you come to Aventura.” Some examples of consumer fraud include Emergency or Grandparent Scams, Sweepstakes & Contests, or investment schemes. Senior Citizens tend to be more susceptible to falling for these scams so Ernest spends his time teaching prevention. “There are a lot of crimes that occur that originate from out of the country. It’s very difficult to prosecute those people and get your money back, so the easiest and best way to avoid these crimes is to teach people the techniques of when these scams occur and how to avoid them.” After numerous years of teaching at seminars, receiving accolades, and serving the community, Ernest is ready to focus on his other passion, retired K-9s. The Retired k-9 Foundation of South Florida Incorporated raises money to cover retired k-9’s veterinary bills until that k-9 passes away. “When that Dog is retired, the ownership is passed to the handler. So, here’s a police officer with a 7-year-old dog that’s liable to go through many health problems after 7 years, they no longer get any assistance from the City so now the owner who already has been assigned a new K-9 has to worry about caring for his retired dog.” Local Veterinarians have offered free or discounted services to The Retired K-9 Foundation of South Florida Incorporated. Ernest will now be able to focus his time and efforts on his Foundation.

“

Everyone in this

”

organization is a star and that’s amazing to me.

One thing Ernest will miss is working with staff. “Working for the City and with the employees has convinced me that this group of people can accomplish anything they are tasked to do. Without question each and every one of the employees is a star in their own right. I have enjoyed working with them all. I am truly proud of the dedication each shows as they perform their duties.” Congratulations and happy retirement Ernest!

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www.cityofaventura.com

Calendar Highlghts National Park and Recreation Month

Community Services

July is National Park & Recreation Month. In Aventura, we are proud to have beautiful parks and recreation facilities where our community can exercise, play, garden, and soak in the South Florida weather which makes us so fortunate to call Aventura our home.

Founders Park

Located in the heart of the city just across the street from Government Center, Founders is our oldest and most dynamic park, featuring multiple sports fields that can be used for soccer and football, as well as a baseball diamond and dugouts. At this eleven acre gem, you can enjoy one of the three tennis courts or jog, run, walk, or bike along the quarter mile path. As you jog along the trail, you can stop at one of four workout stations to get in some calisthenics. Kids of all ages can have a blast on one of the three playgrounds or put on their bathing suit and get soaked in one of the city’s most popular summertime attractions, the Splashpad. The south side of the park sits on the intracoastal and features our community garden, where residents grow flowers and food.

Waterways Park

Located on the north end of the city, this seven-acre park serves as a recreation area for Don Soffer Aventura High School, as well as a place for our community to enjoy. It features large fields, a baseball diamond, a playground, and a quarter-mile fitness trail with two calisthenic workout stations.

Waterways Dog Park

Down the street from Waterways Park, you can find the city’s one and a half acre dog park, featuring a shaded and wateproofed pavilion, two doggie showers and water fountains, and a neighborhood full of furry friends. Walk along the path or let your pooch run free.

Located between Williams Island Blvd and 184th Street, this two acre park is a large open space with a playground and soccer goal where you can relax, play ball, or watch your kids enjoy the great outdoors.

Enjoy a shaded picnic with built-in tables and seating or sit out in the sun on a blanket.

Veterans Park

Peace Park On 188th Street, you can find this one and a half acre waterfront park features playing fields, a large shaded playground, and a shaded fitness station for adults to do calisthenic workouts.

www.cityofaventura.com

My Aventura July 2022

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Community Services Don Soffer Trail One of Aventura’s most utilized recreation options is this 2.9-mile circular trail along Country Club Drive. Whether on your feet or wheels, you can enjoy this open trail 24 hours a day.

Aventura Community Recreation Center This indoor and outdoor 25,000 square foot recreation center is located next to ACES K-8 on 188th Street. It features a NCAA regulation size indoor basketball court, a fitness center, multi-purpose classrooms for special activities and community classes, and a waterfront mini-park named for Aventura’s founding Mayor, Arthur Snyder where you can enjoy a shaded

sitting area with tables.

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season

CREATE A DISASTER KIT CHECKLIST Gather supplies and store them in a waterproof container. Be sure to include items that will be necessary during a pandemic.

PREPARE YOUR HOME Take pictures of your home. Secure windows and doors with County approved storm shutters. Bring in lawn furniture or other outdoor items that could become airborne.

Withdraw cash from the bank and get gas for your vehicle and generator.

PLAN TO EVACUATE The Miami-Dade County Mayor can issue an order of evacuation for areas of the County deemed to be in danger based on a storm’s track and projected storm surge.

STAY INDOORS Remain inside until local authorities say it’s safe to go outside. Stay updated with local news.

CodeRED

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM Don’t miss any important emergency notifications.

Sign up!

For more information, check out the Miami Dade Hurricane Guide at Miamidade.gov/Hurrricane

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www.cityofaventura.com

Community Development Florida Legislature Discuss New Condo Law at Town Hall Meeting

Following the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, the Florida Legislature recently adopted new legislation which impacts condominiums.

Aventura was proud to host our own Senator, Jason Pizzo, as well as Senator Jennifer Bradley, who sponsored the new condo legislation, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, and Speaker Designate of the Florida House, Daniel Perez for a town hall on the new law. If you missed the town hall, you can find a full video of the event on the City of Aventura YouTube page.

Under the new law, buildings in Aventura will undergo an initial recertification 25 years after construction. Under the prior law, this recertification was done after 40 years. Once recertification takes place, buildings will undergo recertification every 10 years.

Recertification requires that the building undergo structural and electrical inspections and make any necessary repairs.

Condominiums will now be required to undergo a reserve study to determine their needs every ten years, and fully fund reserves for structural integrity. Associations have until 2025 to achieve fully funded reserves. This requirement only applies to structural reserves. Funds for things such as upgrading the appearance of common areas or replacing furniture or equipment remain at the discretion of each association.

Last year, Aventura adopted the first legislation in Florida which requires all of its buildings to submit any engineering reports it receives to the city. All engineering reports submitted to the city are published on the city website and available for viewing to the public.

If you would like to read the full condo legislation adopted by the State of Florida, we have posted a copy of it on the city website.

www.cityofaventura.com

My Aventura July 2022

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City of Aventura Office of the City Manager 19200 West Country Club Drive Aventura, FL 33180

Public Works

Beginning in August, the city will be upgrading drainage, curbing, and pipes along 34th Avenue between 213th Street and Country Club Drive. This project will last approximately five months and will help ensure the area is not prone to flooding, and that the streets are freshly paved for smooth and safe driving. The northbound road from 213th Street to the front of Mariner Village will be temporarily closed and traffic will be rerouted.

We know projects like this one cause a temporary inconvenience. They are critical to maintaining our infrastructure. We chose long-lasting materials to lengthen the time before this type of work will need to be done again. As always, we will work to stay on or ahead of schedule and have this project completed as quickly as possible.

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