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Aventura approves budget amendment including $3.2M land purchase, clears series of ordinances on arts and e-mobility
Summary
The Aventura City Commission approved a FY24–25 budget amendment that allocates $3.2 million to buy land for a new high school and passed first reading on a micromobility ordinance. Commissioners also repealed the Arts & Cultural Center advisory board and created a new Arts and Aventura board; several land‑use items were deferred to January.
The Aventura City Commission on Nov. 4 approved a budget amendment that includes a $3,200,000 allocation to purchase additional land for a proposed new high school and voted on a package of ordinances affecting zoning, arts governance and micromobility.
The commission adopted ordinance 9a (first reading) to revise the FY2024–25 operating and capital budget after the city manager said year‑end surpluses and higher‑than‑expected revenues allowed the land purchase to be fully funded from surplus and interest earnings. “This amendment includes the allocation of $3,200,000 for the purchase of additional land for the new high school,” City Manager Myers said during the item presentation.
On land‑use items 8a–8c — a small‑scale comprehensive‑plan amendment and zoning changes for an approximately 13.93‑acre tract — the commission voted to defer consideration to the January 2026 meeting. Vice Mayor Amit Bloom moved the deferral and Commissioner Blochman seconded; the motion passed by roll call.
The commission unanimously approved ordinance 9b to repeal the Arts and Cultural Center Advisory Board and approved ordinance 9c to create a new Arts and Aventura board. The manager said the new board will expand programming, public‑art projects and partnerships beyond the scope of the former advisory board.
On ordinance 9d (first reading), the commission adopted local rules for electric bicycles, motorized scooters and micromobility devices. The ordinance defines device classes, authorizes operation on designated streets and multi‑use paths, and sets safety rules including a maximum sidewalk speed of 10 miles per hour, a requirement that riders yield to pedestrians, a helmet requirement for operators under 16, and front and rear lights for evening operation. The city manager said enforcement will be important; the ordinance authorizes civil infractions carrying a $100 fine with warnings for first offenses.
Several items approved on the consent agenda were also noted by staff: the city approved a three‑year PBA (police) contract that includes an automatic reopener if there is significant property‑tax reform, and the commission approved purchases and contracts for an aggressive‑driving enforcement unit, replacement in‑car cameras and a new marine patrol vessel.
The council opened public comment on the matters and received no speakers. Where votes were recorded by roll call, the clerk recorded unanimous "yes" votes for the items listed above; no formal no votes or abstentions were recorded in the transcript. The commission adjourned after routine announcements about upcoming events.
Next steps: deferred land‑use items (8a–8c) are set for January 2026; ordinance 9d will return for second reading (and may be amended between readings), and the budget amendment will move forward per the ordinance schedule.
