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Aventura honors youth soccer team, remembers long-serving police captain and recognizes 30 years of contractor service
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Aventura City Commission recognized the Aventura FC girls travel soccer team for an EDP conference 'team of the year' honor, proclaimed Jan. 13, 2026, as Captain Andy Smith Remembrance Day, and presented a 30-year service recognition to Cap Government Inc.
Mayor Howard Weinberg opened the Jan. 13 City Commission meeting by inviting members of the Aventura FC travel soccer program to the dais and asking them to lead the pledge of allegiance. Christian Blandon, coach and program representative, told the commission the club grew from roughly 30 players in 2018 to about 400 today and asked leaders to recognize the girls’ team after it was named EDP conference Team of the Year. "We started in 2018 with 30 players. Today, we're 400 strong," Blandon said.
The commission then read a proclamation honoring the late Captain Andy Smith, noting his 37-year law enforcement career that included service with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Aventura Police Department and declaring Jan. 13, 2026, Captain Andy Smith Remembrance Day. The mayor presented the proclamation to family members; a senior department official recalled Smith’s sense of humor, mentorship and presence at staff meetings and invited the family for a photograph with the commission.
Later in the meeting the city presented a certificate of special recognition to Carlos Pennan of Cap Government Inc. for 30 years of service to the city. Pennan accepted on behalf of his employees and praised the longstanding working relationship with city staff.
The meeting also included brief employee recognitions for long-serving staff (noted speakers identified 'Frank' and Katrina, a records supervisor responsible for public records requests).
