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Aventura amends ARPA spending plan; commission defers several land‑use ordinances to March 4
Summary
The Aventura City Commission on Feb. 4 approved an amendment to its American Rescue Plan Act spending plan to reflect year‑end project costs and added public‑works items. Commissioners also unanimously voted to defer four zoning and land‑use items to the March 4 meeting.
The Aventura City Commission on Feb. 4 approved an amendment to the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan and unanimously deferred four land‑use and zoning items to its March 4, 2025, meeting.
City Manager Brian told commissioners the amendment is a “true up” of project costs based on expenditures and obligations through Dec. 31, 2024, and that the revised plan exceeds the city’s original ARPA allocation by about $1 million but that the overage will be covered largely by interest earned on the funds. “These updates ensure that the city maximizes ARPA funding to meet federal deadlines and address key priorities while responsibly managing the overages,” Brian said.
The amendment, described in a resolution read into the record as modifying the spending plan first adopted in resolution 2022‑15 and later amended in resolutions 2022‑33, 2022‑62, 2023‑19 and 2024‑08, authorizes ARPA funds for projects across parks and recreation, information technology, police, public works, community development and human resources. The manager identified two new public‑works allocations added to meet ARPA deadlines: $2,200,000 for police facility hardening and $1,300,000 for HVAC at the government center. The manager also said a Yacht Club Drive pocket park project was removed from the plan and that Founders Park lighting and court enhancements had higher costs because of added features such as shade canopies and sound barriers.
Mayor Weinberg praised prior and current administrations for the work paid for with the federal funds, saying, “These are federal monies that we put to very, very good use.” The commission approved the amendment on a unanimous roll‑call vote after no members of the public spoke on the item.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission considered four ordinance items related to a proposed Town Center North plan development and related map changes for an approximately 26.5‑acre tract near the northeast corner of Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 213th Street. Each zoning and future‑land‑use ordinance (items 6a–6d) was read into the record and then deferred to the commission’s March 4, 2025 meeting at the city manager’s request. The read titles included a new TC‑5 Town Center North Plan Development district and companion changes to the comprehensive plan and zoning map. The motion to defer each item passed unanimously on roll call.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: Approved. Motion by Commissioner Bloom, second by Commissioner Cruz. Roll call: all yes; motion passes. - Item 6a (create TC‑5 town center north plan development district): Deferred to March 4, 2025. Motion to defer by Commissioner Orlinski, second by Commissioner Bloom; roll call: all yes; motion passes. - Item 6b (small‑scale future land‑use map amendment pursuant to Florida Statutes section 163.3187 for ~26.5 acres at NE corner of Biscayne Blvd and NE 213 St): Deferred to March 4, 2025. Motion to defer by Vice Mayor Friedland, second by Commissioner Blachman; roll call: all yes; motion passes. - Item 6c (zoning map amendment changing ~26.5 acres from Community Business/Medical Office to Town Center North PD TC‑5): Deferred to March 4, 2025. Motion to defer by Vice Mayor Friedland, second by Commissioner Ainge; roll call: all yes; motion passes. - Item 6d (zoning change from Medical Office to Community Facilities): Deferred to March 4, 2025. Motion to defer by Commissioner Cruz, second by Commissioner Haines; roll call: all yes; motion passes. - Item 9 (resolution amending ARPA spending plan): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Cruz, second by Vice Mayor Friedland; roll call: all yes; motion passes.
The meeting also included brief non‑action items: a recognition of Dr. Michael Jacobs joining the Don Soffer High School advisory board and an employee service award for Detective Carlos Rivas. Commissioners briefly showcased new Biscayne Boulevard monument signage planned for the city entrances; the manager said the signs will be backlit and required permits from the Florida Department of Transportation. The meeting was called to order at the commission chambers and adjourned after votes and any remaining remarks.
