Tag Archive for ‘Eric Soroka’

Court case could halt red-light camera bonanza

In a comfortable fifth-floor conference room of Aventura’s Government Center, the City of Excellence is printing money.
It happens almost every Friday morning when a hearing master works through the formalities of adjudicating appeals from motorists caught in the city’s web of red-light cameras. It’s a well orchestrated dance — read the docket number, play the [...]

Aventura rips county but takes stimulus money

The Aventura City Commission looked at the stack of free federal stimulus money, swallowed hard and signed on the dotted line.
At stake Oct. 15 was $296,000, enough to build two bus shelters along Country Club Drive. That’s the net from a $312,000 federal grant that shrank as it passed through the hand of Miami-Dade County, [...]

Arts center topping-off event Dec. 2

Construction of Aventura’s Arts and Cultural Center has reached the point that the city is planning a topping-off celebration for Dec. 2.
In updating city commissioners Sept. 17 on progress of the NE 188th Street facility, City Manager Eric Soroka said Suffolk Construction, the contractor on the project, is sponsoring the ceremony that marks the point [...]

No quick fix for Ives Dairy Road traffic backup

Everybody is in agreement: There’s a traffic flow problem at the intersection of Ives Dairy Road and Biscayne Boulevard in Aventura.
The state Department of Transportation has studied it, measured it and come up with a recommendation.
But don’t hold your breath. Any change is years away and could end up making matters worse.
That’s the grim picture [...]

Aventura OKs above-ground fuel storage tanks

Miami-Dade County will replace underground fuel storage tanks with larger above-ground models at three emergency pumping stations in Aventura.
The Aventura City Commission peppered county officials with questions Sept. 1 about safety, environmental risks and inspection schedules before voting unanimously to grant the variances. For a city concerned about visual appearances, this could have been a [...]

Despite tax loss, Aventura holds line on millage rate

A $1.5 billion dip in property tax values will cost the City of Aventura about $2.4 million in tax revenue next year, but residents will be spared an increase in the city tax rate.
 
The City Commission approved a 2010 millage rate of 1.7261 — the same rate as last year — at its July 16 [...]

Aventura seeks its own Little League charter

Aventura is applying for a Little League charter and hopes to start playing baseball next March.
 
The City Commission gave its approval July 16 to the application plan presented by Community Services Director  Bob Sherman. City Manager Eric Soroka called the step “a milestone for the city” and a tribute to the progress made in developing [...]

Aventura working on a stay-the-course budget

Aventura, faced with a decline of more than $1.5 billion in its property tax base, is taking an unusual approach to budgeting. While neighboring cities are planning major cutbacks, the City of Excellence is staying the course with programs, staffing and services.
And its doing so without raising millage or tapping its reserves, although it will [...]

City manager wins praise, in line for pay boost

Aventura City Manager Eric Soroka has received high praise and is in line for some additional compensation for what commissioners are calling a job well done.
Commissioner Billy Joel reported at the workshop session May 14 on his discussions with Soroka as part of the city manager’s annual review. He said Soroka had offered to forgo [...]