--------- the veteran here. Okay, >> go with your item first, Commissioner L. >> Mr. Clerk, you ready? >> We're ready, Mr. Mayor. >> All right, let's call it. >> Um,
>> we're going to start the meeting. Good afternoon. We're back. >> We're going to start out with item F5. F5. Commissioner Lada, your item. Thank you, Mayor. Every year on Veterans Day, our nation
pauses to honor the men and the women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. those who have defended our freedom, protected our values, and safeguarded our way of life. Here in Coral Gables, we proudly display flags in front of
city hall as a symbol of that gratitude. But I believe it's time that we do more. This year, we gathered to dedicate Staff Sergeant Carl Phillip Andis's Veterans Memorial Park, honoring a hometown hero who gave his life and service to our
country. That ceremony was deeply meaningful not only for this young man's family and friends, but for our entire community. It reminded us of the courage, the sacrifice, and sense of duty that defines all who serve. With that in mind, I would like to propose
that the city of Coral Gables establish an annual Veterans Day ceremony, a standing tradition that brings our community together every November to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. I recommend that our staff work closely
with the American Legion Post 98 and other local veterans organizations to develop a meaningful program beginning next year in honor as well of our nation's 250th birthday and a program that would honor our service. It will
preserve memory and strengthen the bond between our city and those who have defended it. Bringing this resolution on this day is particularly um poignant because the commission just returned from a memorial
service for one of our fallen officers um officer Devon Harmo who was deputy sheriff um as well as a former Coral Gables police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty on November
7, 2025. So we I believe uh it is profoundly important that we recognize those who serve to protect us while we sleep. They stay at the guard and they
choose a life of service, one that is uh to be honored every day. As President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be
fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Establishing an annual Veterans Day event will ensure that in Coral Gables. We never take that freedom for granted, and that we always remember the heroes who made it possible. And I humbly ask for the support of my colleagues on the DAS in
this resolution. >> Well, if you'd move it, I'll second. >> Move it. >> I move it. >> Second. So, with that said, I think it's a wonderful idea. Um, I know that we have some of our hometown heroes here
that would love to speak. Um, I wasn't there this weekend in regards to the celebration for Veterans Day. Um, I know the Enus family very well. I proposed the name change. That family's sacrifice is everything
that's right with this country. And like we said, we're also going to start adding now American flags to the parks. Something that I proposed at the last commission meeting. And this is just in line with another great opportunity to continue to highlight why this is the most exceptional country in the world.
And while we have to pay a huge, huge debt of gratitude to anyone who serves in one form or another. Um, another thing that I'd like to mention before before we pass it off to my colleagues or have the public comment is
like for this gentleman when he comes up talk a little bit about the American Legion and what the American Legion is doing. I've had the opportunity to visit and I've had friends of mine who got involved with American Legion. One of them is signature windows availabil that was I want him to speak a little bit about that. That's a donation. and
they changed all the windows uh in that facility and it looks amazing. It's never looked better because this gentleman has been working very hard on behalf of of that entity to you know bring it to new heights and that's the least that we can do. But even people
for example like the owner of Signature Windows who's never served constantly tells me that you know I got to do my small part. I got to give back. So I think we're giving back and doing our small part. If my colleagues have anything further to do say, we'll open it up after to uh to public comment.
>> Commissioner, I think this is a phenomenal idea. Um I commend you for it. Um I've always realized what other municipalities do and it kind of has fallen. Coral Gables has just not done something on this important day. I think Miami Lakes is one of the ones that does
it as big as anybody else. They have a parade and they actually have banners that they make and they display throughout the city with photos of current uh active members uh who who live within the city limits and veterans who uh live in the city. Um so I think
this is an incredible idea and I'm happy to support it. >> Well, thank you. I just want to comment though I would be remiss in not saying that for a few years Marri House has put on uh as they did recently um celebration of uh Veterans Day as well
uh Veterans Day a day to celebrate those that have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. But with the purpose of the resolution is to make it an annual citywide recognized event. Um, but I applaud the Merrick House and the and the and the volunteers with that
group for what they have done uh to to keep that spirit and that sentiment alive because I know that although we haven't had this uh before um I know that the the patriotism and the support of the residents of Coral Gables for the men and women that serve in the armed
forces has always been alive and well. We're just doing our small part. through the mayor, >> vice mayor. >> Uh the dedication of the endis park was remarkably beautiful and it was a sentiment of everybody that was present that we need to do something more every
year and the question is you know how should we do it and um I applaud you know your your actions bringing it forward today. It was very timely and thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Clerk, do you have any public comment?
>> Uh yes, Mr. Mayor Wilfredo Hi. >> Sir, thank you for being here with us >> and more importantly, thank you for your service. >> Thank you for the support. Good afternoon, Mayor, commissioners, and neighbors. My name is Wilfredo Howard, proud Coral Gables resident and United
States Marine. I'm here to support Commissioner Lara's request because Coral Gables should have a formal Veterans Day recognition. We already honor our fallen on Memorial Day and that tribute means a lot. But Veterans Day is different. It's about honoring
the men and women who came home and continue serving this community every day. This city has a long history of veterans who defended our nation and helped build Coral Gables. They're our neighbors, our business owners, our coaches, our mentors. They
carried the weight overseas and they carry it here at home. Recognition matters not only for applause, but because it tells veterans and their families, your service matters to your city. It also teaches our kids that courage,
sacrifice, and service are values that Coral Gables stands for. We're not asking for anything complicated. Just a moment each year where the city pauses to say to our veterans,
we see you. We thank you and we honor you. As a Marine, I didn't serve to be thanked. But when your own city recognizes your service, it hits differently.
It reminds you why you fought and why you choose to call this place home. I respectfully ask you support this initiative and make Veterans Day recognition part of our Coral Gables tradition and thank you and simplify.
Sir, >> thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Cler. We have anything further? >> That's it. Mr. Mayor, >> we have a motion and a second. >> Commissioner Lada. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes, Commissioner Castro. >> Yes, >> Commissioner Fernandez. >> Yes,
>> Mayor Lago. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you for being here. Thank you, Commissioner Lada, for bringing this long overdue and I appreciate your commitment to this the United States of America. Uh, item A6, F1, and F6 are time certain, 2 p.m.,
>> E2. >> No, >> E2. >> E2 is 1 p.m. >> Hold on. >> Sorry. >> Small business. >> Oh, you're doing Sorry, mayor. My apologies. Which one are we doing then? >> We have a We have a Hold on a Give me a second. Now I'm getting confused. >> Yeah, we have a 1:00, >> but I don't think the chamber's here. >> Hold on. Give me one. Just give me one
second. >> The chamber's here. >> One second. >> One second. Let me get organized here. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Everybody will be mayor soon. Everybody will be mayor soon. Don't
worry. Let me run the meeting. Let me run the meeting. So, I see the brakes wrestling. >> Now I'm confused. Now I'm actually confused. I don't even know where I am. >> Let's try this again. Let's start from the beginning. >> I have on my agenda, Mr. Clerk, please help me. That we have a 2 p.m. time sir.
Is that correct? You also have a 1 PM time service. >> We haven't taken the 1 PM yet. >> No, sir. >> All right. Let's take the 1 PM then. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Take the 1 PM. >> Mayor, would you like me to read them into the record? Are we ready? >> Yes. >> Okay. So E2 is an ordinance of the city commission amending the future land use
map of the city of Cro Gable's comprehensive plan pursuant to zoning code article 14 process section 14-213 comprehensive plan text and map amendments and some scoscale amendment procedures from commercial low-rise intensity and single family low density to multif family low density for the western 36 ft of lots 1 and 13 through
17 and from single family low density to commercial low-rise intensity for the remaining eastern portion of lots 1 and 15 through 17 and all of lots 2 through 4 block 18 crogate Flagler Street section Coral Gables, Florida, providing for repeater provisions of ability clause and providing for an effective date. E3 is a norance to the city
commission making zoning district boundary changes pursuant to zoning code article 14 process section 14-212 zoning code text and map amendments from mixuse 1 and single family residential to multif family 3 for the western 36 ft of lots 1 and 13 through 17 and from single family residential to mixuse 1 for the
remaining eastern portion of lots 1 and 15 through 17 and all of lots 2 through 4 block 18 coralgables laggler street section Coral Gables Florida providing for repealer provisions severability clause and providing for an effective date E4s Norance of the city commission granting approval of a planned area development pursuant to zoning code
article 14 process section 14-206 general procedures for planned area development for a mixeduse project referred to as 760 ponds on properties legally described as block 18 Coral Gables Flagler Street section Coral Gables Florida including required conditions providing for provisions seability clause and providing for an
effective date E7 will not be voted on today so it'll be it's on the agenda but it will be voted on um if this one is if these are all approved on first reading today these is a quasi judicial proceeding mayor Um, for purposes of the public hearing, I ask that we consolidate and anyone who will be testifying today should be sworn in by
the city clerk. >> Those who will be testifying on this item, please stand and raise your right hand. >> Do you swear or affirm that the information I'll provide today will be the truth and nothing but the truth. >> Thank you. >> And through the mayor, there's been exparty communications via email and in
person regarding this development. Um to the clerk, there's been a lot of exarty communication prior to this has gone through a lengthy process of resident input. >> Same here. >> I agree as well, Mr. Clerk. >> Yes, Mr. May.
>> Okay. >> Go ahead, sir. >> Good afternoon. Um Mr. Mayor, commissioners, George Zavaro with offices at 333 Southeast Second Avenue. I'll see if the clerk could put up our PowerPoint presentation if it's not up yet just to walk you through the project. Uh I'm joined this afternoon by
my colleague Devin Vickers and by our project architect Robert Behar. We're here to present the 760 project and uh this is a project that um has been the result of a lot of collaboration and working with neighborhood uh residents.
Uh we've been over the last two years working with the residents that live in the single family neighborhood uh to the north and west of our project and to the east. And the version of the project that you'll see today is um the one that reflects all of the feedback and all the
input that we received over the last uh couple of years. So let me quickly start by we're going to go we're going to go this way. There we go. Let me quickly uh orient you to where the project uh is located.
Uh the property is comprised of an entire block that's located just north of Southwest 8th Street. Um at the corner of Pon and Boadia, which is a street that I've become very well acquainted with over the years. Um the
property is currently an outdated vacant office building that has a surface parking lot. I'll show you here. Uh, and this property was the subject of a nuisance action a long time ago where it's a medical office building that's grandfathered and because it's outdated,
has very little parking and no drop off. Uh, so it's been creating an impact to the residents in the neighborhood with people loading and unloading onto the streets. So, the project that you'll see today will replace this medical office building uh with a new highquality, beautiful, mixeduse project that has
fully internalized pickup and drop off um and has plenty of parking. And also, as part of this project, we've worked with the neighborhood to provide for street improvements in terms of landscaping and sidewalk improvements, as well as traffic calming measures, which are all part of your conditions of approval. uh if this board was to
recommend approval. So, this site um and and and this is the project just a quick little glimpse of uh of what we're proposing. But this uh property is very unique because it not only serves as a transition between the commercial uses on 8th Street and the residential uses
to the north and to the west, but also it has a bifurcated zoning. Uh it's currently zoned single family. uh those areas that are shown as single family, they're actually approved for commercial parking, commercial surface parking. And it has an existing uh MX1 zoning. And
what we are proposing to do is to um readjust these zonings in order to create a true residential buffer along the eastern portion of this property. Uh designating that portion to MF3 and to develop that site with uh residential
town homes. and then the remainder of the site uh will remain MX1. And this allows us, as you'll see, uh to design a much more compatible project with the neighborhood. So, with that, I'd like to introduce Robert Behar so he could walk you through the plan. Um and um then
I'll provide a little more comments on the outreach we've done and then hopefully we could uh conclude the presentation. >> Good morning, sir. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, commissioners. for the record, Robert Behar, Behor and Partners, 4533 Ponds Deion. Um, thank you for the opportunity
to to present to you what's been a very long process. First and foremost, I do want to take this opportunity and thank the neighbors, the resident, immediate residents that for the last not two years, almost four years has been working together and it has been may not
hear this from me very often. It has been a very nice process. We have not always agreed but you know we have come together as as people and we have been able to work together. So I do want to thank them for working with us. As George mentioned this this project I'm
going to go very briefly is is a is a project that is comprised of a medical office building with a residential buffer on the west side of the property. >> Can we pull up the presentation please? Yeah.
>> We'll blame George for that. the lawyers. >> Easy. I'm going skip the site. George already mentioned the location the zoning of it and what we've done working with and this is the site plan and and you'll see
that the project is oriented primarily to face Pon DeLeon and and and what we've done in working with with the uh residents we have limited and and and eliminated any access to the residential development all along the the U avula
and Bobadia on the back side. So everything is internalized. What we done which is very important um we have incorporated all the drop off internal so we don't spill into the into the adjacent neighbor streets that is it is
a problem. So what we done by internalizing the drop off here concentrating it. We have probably between six to eight cars that we could drop off. We have incorporated a basement that is going to go down and we have a secondary egress point that is
going to be a little bit further south on on ponds to have the a nice continuous flow of traffic concentrated and within the building along ponds we we put in three small uh retail component and like George mentioned on
the uh on the uh on Babadia we have put four town homes unit that are going to be very similar. going to show you a rendering soon to be compatible with the resident. We have a full basement which is you know in excess. We require just
to give you quick overview. We require 545 spaces. We're providing the full 545 to be fully parked for medical office and the residential. I'm going to go back a second because we do have some garages that are very similar to the
residential but the the the uh the town home could also park inside. So we have the excess parking inside the property inside the project. We have two levels of fourth and fifth floor levels of of the uh of the office and we have some of
the images. This is on ponds and the reason for that is this tree that you see here. We kept it because the residents wanted to make sure that we kept those trees. This is a a view as you go north on Pon Stellion. You see it's a Mediterranean building. We went
through the board of architects. We got it approved. Everything was very very welcome. The entrance to one of the entrance to the uh to the garage, the main entrance to the building and the other entrance. As you can see as I come
around, this is the corner of Avalan Ponds. What we did, there was another large tree there that the residents wanted for us to maintain. We carved the building to make sure that that tree will be preserved and maintained.
This is as I'm going now on Aba to Barbadia is where we introduced the the the town homes that you could see. The idea is to and just gave you a view looking down south on Bombardia. You got the the single family on the right side. You got the rest the town homes on the
left. And what I did what we did is we pushed the the commercial building back to be away from the the line of sight from the residential units. In addition to that, you will see it as I go. What I did is put the put the uh the the town
home. We added a landscape buffer above the to further block the view of the building for the residents. Let me let me stress that all the resident across the street are in favor. They're really supportive of the project. This is the
the corner where I put the plaza to activate that area. and another shot of the uh the town homes from the adjacent uh the the residents across. That's pretty much describes the project. We
with the reszoning we will be allowed something about 271,000 square feet of F. We only have 118,000. We're like 1 two F. So we're way below the the pos
the possible maximum that we could reach. That concludes my presentation. If you have any question, be more happy to answer them. >> Thank you very much. >> Um so I think uh Robert did a great job. I just wanted to also uh personally
thank um Evelyn um Vicki and Zulie who are here as well as Anna Maria um Frank, Steve, Odal, and Mario who couldn't be here with us today. But these are residents that really over the last two years have made themselves available to meet with us. We've met many many times
uh changed this project many many times and I really think their input has made this project better. Um as Robert mentioned uh we have u recommendation of approval based on the Mediterranean design of the project even though we're not using Med 2 bonus. We also uh have a
positive staff recommendation which has all the conditions regarding streetscape and traffic calming that we've agreed to. And we also are proud to have gotten a unanimous uh recommendation of approval from your planning and zoning board which is no easy feat. Um I know
there are several residents that want to speak and you have a long agenda. So I'll wrap up my presentation but our entire team is here to answer any questions. >> Thank you. >> Thank you madam director. Afternoon Garcia, planning and zoning director.
Let's see. So, as we know, the site is um an odd shaped site just north of H Street off of Pon and it's an aerial looking at that. You can see the service parking lot that's on the west side of the block um facing the single family residences on Bo Evidia and it's a view looking
southeast. So the history of this area is quite unique. Um it was platted in 1924 to be commercial uses and we have a use from a use map of 1930 that shows that green color to be commercial uses and then
later in the late 30s and then 40s that whole area was reszoned to be single family most likely because of returning soldiers from um the war. So since 1946 this block has been um both commercial facing ponds and residential in the back
facing Bulbania. You can see the current zoning map on the right side there. So there are four requests. Three you'll be um considering today which is the conference of plan use map change zoning code change and also the plan area development.
So today, um, as you can see, it's a commercial low-rise intensity facing Pon Leon with a single family low density in the back. And then they're proposing to expand that commercial low-rise intensity and then to have a multi-family low density along uh along
Boadia to be able to transition from that commercial uses down to the uh single family residential. And then the zoning code uh map also reflects that change um to have the MF3 to be a transition between the MX1 and the single family on Boadia.
The plan area development uh donation includes a lot of public benefits for the area. So um includes bumpouts and landscape at Pon Leon and Boia as well as traffic calming or speed cushion on that block of Banana and then three-way
intersection improvements at of Avala Banana and the block north as well as streetscape improvements for those two streets. um landscape buffer and preservation of trees along the property and then um some improvements to Pon Leon especially that intersection with
Baragua and with Oedo conditional use site plan you know you're not going to be considering that today um you should be aware of the plazas along the south side of the property those four town houses that are facing Bobadia as well the commercial that's facing Pon Leon everything is
internalized all the patron drop off and pickup is all inside the building inside that block. Um, as was said, the F is 1.49 F for the mixeduse one section of the of the property. Um, the property, sorry, the
building is only 61 ft high or five stories. Um, mostly through four stories, sorry, four uh commercial, sorry, four town houses facing Bovadia and the commercial, um, facing Post Leon. Um they have 20,000 square ft of
open space and 545 parking spaces on that block. Um it's also a unique condition that the um med bonus requires the commission now approve the med bonus because location being adjacent to single family residential.
So it was reviewed by RDRC back in 2023. The board of architects recommend approval in 2024. Um there have been many neighborhood meetings in 2024 and earlier this year in September plans zoning board recommend approval um last month September two months ago. Um and
here we are first reading the letters were letters were sent out to property owners within 1500 ft of the property as required by code and that was done four times. Um four times the property was posted, five times the website was posted and then one time for news advertisement. So staff has determined
that this is consistent with the goals and policy of the comprehensive plan recommend approval with conditions. So they're laid out in your packets, but the highlights of those is that the maximum height cannot exceed five stories or 61 ft. Uh four townhouse
units along Bovadia. Um the public plaza located on Pon Leon and Boania. uh intersection improvements at Bobadia and Pawns as well as Avala and Boadia and then Pon Leon, Ovado and Vagua. Um the intersection right there um pedestrian
crossings across Pon Leon uh the speed cushion on Boadia as well as um streetscape vacation along those adjacent streets. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, do you have any public comment?
First speaker, Maria Cruz, Mrs. Maria Cruz. Here we go. We continue. And let me tell you, thank God I don't live there. But if past experiences any
is going to be considered, I can tell you that those that live there in their single families will be sorry that they went along with this. I hear about buffering. How do you buffer fivetory
building in front of your house? Um traffic. They're going to drop off inside. So, how do the cars get from the outside to the inside? I guess helicopters will drop them inside because if they're going to be driving on the street,
there will be times during the day that they will not be able to get in or out of their homes. I can tell you, we've lived through it. It will be a nightmare. I live in a street that we were promised it would not affect. will try to get
into my house at 9 in the morning or 5:00 p.m. or 700 p.m. with their activities at the university. I'll tell you this is what you are agreeing to. It's a big mistake. It's your choice. I hope that I'm wrong, but this is not a
good thing for you. Once again, we're getting rid of our resident uh single family and building up. And Bicko, here we go. Janette Canera. >> Amya, >> Vicki Vuso.
>> Morning. >> Good morning. Good. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. I keep saying good morning. I'm sorry. This whole This whole break has got me >> upside down. >> My name is Vicki Busouso. I live at 117 Bo Aabadilla Street. Um, we've been
talking to the developer and the developer's attorney. He said an understatement when he said that there was conflict and we worked it out. Sometimes it was brutal things happened. Um, but we worked everything out. And I think the the
thing is that we're, you know, nobody's h they're not they didn't get everything they wanted. We didn't get everything we wanted, but I think we got something good and I think that's an improvement in the neighborhood. Um, the one thing I was worried about was the traffic. I talked to Mr. Eiglacius. We're going to be able
to work all that out, but I just wanted to let the commission know that we are in favor of the building. They did talk to us. We did work it out. Um, there were conflicts. There were discussions, but I think we came to an agreement and I think um I think the building is going
to be very attractive and very pretty and so we're happy about it. >> Thank you. Mr. Clerk, >> that's it, Mr. Mayor. >> All right, perfect. Before we before we move on, um I'd like to just mention just a few things on the record uh that
I'd like to see in between first and second reading. Correct. Um I I want to see a real detailed breakdown of traffic calming that is signed off by the residents. Okay. I'm in favor of the project. Okay. Um I think we've held probably 10 meetings in
my office between residents and applicant architect to find consensus probably would you I don't want to three years four years we've been working on this >> uh yeah we're going over >> so this is this has gotten to the point where we have built consensus between the resident and the applicant and I
think this is a good example of what can be done in a positive manner to design something beautiful that is complimentary to the neighborhood. So, what I want to make sure in between first and second, I want to have the director and the manager address it is make sure that we have comprehensive traffic coming. I know you're going to
tell me, Vince, the the road, it may not allow traffic calming. I want an answer from the county. I want to make sure that we're covered to have traffic calming. Okay? Sidewalks that need to be addressed in the neighborhood that are not taken care of, that could be missing. I want connectivity. I'm not
going to tell you which sidewalk it is because even though I've walked the neighborhood dozens of time with the residents, I want to make sure it's taken care of. Okay, trees on the median. I want to make sure that there's trees on the median. Okay, and that there's landscaping and it
looks beautiful and it's up to the Coral Gable standard. Just because you cross a street doesn't mean that again it's a different community. It's Coral Gables. That's why I purchased and I negotiated the at the entrance of 37th Avenue to have a
beautiful entrance feature. Mr. Manager, I know we have some plans for the other park that's there that's existing landscaping and and stuff that we put into the budget. Correct. >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. I want to make sure that's comprehensive. I don't want to put more
pressure on the neighborhood and then the neighbors feel that they were that they didn't get, you know, they're just due in regards to the agreement. So, I want to see these things before second reading. I want to sit down with you, the applicant,
and one representative from the neighborhood, and I want to make sure that we address these issues. We're not going to stop traffic. The whole goal is to slow people down, to make it friendly for pedestrians and for bicyclists,
families. We understand. Sir, what is the current zoning? What is the current zoning on the property? The current zoning is MX1 and SHR, >> which is MX1, what does that mean? >> That allows up to um 77 feet in height
with ME bonuses and F 3.5. Okay, there's a reason why I bring that up and I want the commission to be clear when we say this. In typical fashion, the previous the previous previous speaker misspoke, misleads based on an agenda. This is not
residential. Okay, it's not residential. Um, this is this is a commercial piece of property. >> Correct. >> And at the end of the day, something's going to be built here. And what was proposed years ago years ago was a much larger product and it didn't have a liner of town homes and and you worked
very extensively along with your architect with the residents because we had a lot of these meetings here in my office. Okay. So, I want you to do me a favor, please. I want to see a detailed breakdown between first and second reading of traffic calming that's being proposed. what we can do if they if
there's a county issue or state issue. Let's find a way. Let's get on the horn with Raquel. >> Let's really work this out. I think it's an opportunity to do something good. I know the answer's going to be it's a county road. We can't do this. We can't do that. Fire trucks. I get it. But >> there's a lot of traffic cutting through
this neighborhood. >> Yeah. To the mayor. >> That's number one. Number two, trees on the median. I want to see beautiful trees in the median. They have some beautiful oak trees in that neighborhood, but I want to see something nice, you know, and I know we can't afford to have huge, majestic trees put in there, but let's put something that the residents feel
comfortable with that's happy that bring some shade. That neighborhood needs shade >> and you want to see it on both sides of the street. >> And that's what our plan is, but we'll come back with a more detailed planet. >> I want to put it on the record. >> Yeah, >> I want to put on the record. That's what I want to have between first and second reading.
>> The third issue is I want a real analysis of sidewalks. If there's a missing sidewalk or a connection, for example, we had a lot of that in the neighborhoods. Remember, we've been tackling it for the last four years where you had a simple sliver of sidewalk that just ended and didn't connect to the street. Let's make sure that we have those little pieces of sidewalks. We're going to have to do it
anyways. All those sidewalks going to have to be redone anyways. So, the cost is minimal. So, I just want to make sure that we meet those needs. And if anything else on my colleagues feel necessary, that is that is a good point to put down between first and second. I'd like to see that just presented presented by you, but I'd like to have a
meeting on that with one representative from the neighborhood. Is that okay? >> Yep. >> That's okay. And just for the record, we are putting bump pow to add more landscape trees on both sides. >> But I want not just palm trees. I don't want palm trees. >> No, it's not palm trees. I said shade trees, mature shade trees. >> I don't want palm trees. I want to slow
traffic down. I want shade and I want to spend the opportunity that again let's be partners and help us with some landscaping in the existing in the existing park that's there. We could clean out all that landscaping except for the important trees like the pine trees, Florida pines, there's a few
oaks, things that are that are that are trees that are that provide shade and we could do something nice and and it's not going to cost a lot of money. It's not going to cost a lot of money, you know. It could be something really beautiful. Madam vice mayor, >> yes. Um I too have had I've lost count of the number of meetings I've had with
residents. Uh you know we we started with the reality that the the current zoning requires the traffic to exit onto the residential street not onto bonds. So I think we got a good result here by
requiring that not to happen because you wouldn't want that kind of traffic entrance and exit directly in front of your house on Bogodo or Avala. And that was a a major piece. The first iteration of the project had, you know, an accident right on Avala. Um, you know,
and measures were made and a building was massaged to to be able to save a specimen oak. Uh, and there's other concessions that have been made as well. Uh, one of the things that I'd like to
see addressed between first and second is um there was discussions with these multiple meetings that we had with residents uh about some bumpouts and trees on Baragua on the Douglas side and on the Pon side. And there's this area
that really there shouldn't be any parking and perhaps we could do something nice with the landscaping there. uh extend that median uh on the the street further uh south is a possibility too to prevent uh crazy
lefthand turns um that people do. I can't remember the name of the other street that's a little further south. >> Huh? >> Oo. Yeah, I figured you had it memorized. You've been dreaming this >> spoken with the neighbors in that area. So >> yeah. Yeah. So, I think there's some
beautiful stuff and I I know Dena is going to remind you if I don't irrigation. Nothing's going to stay pretty in that meeting if you don't have irrigation there. So, we need to make sure that there's irrigation as well. So, thank
you for being so thoughtful and patient with the residents. They're a very robust group and I think their efforts have paid off uh to get a project that will enhance the neighborhood. >> To the mayor, >> if I may, I'm sorry.
>> I laugh. I laugh because because I've seen this been going on for the last four years and I love the relationship that your architect has gotten with with the with the residents. >> I gave her a draw and I autographed it. >> I've made three new friends. >> It's it's Listen, it's been it's it's
>> we unified. We we we unified East and West Germany. All right. We unified. We're we're together again. >> We're together again. >> Yes, Mr. Manager. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Um we've uh we've also had through my office three meetings with the residents. We have two
very productive meetings to finalize the uh the project. We also had a third meeting concerning uh traffic. Uh we are looking right now at at phase four of pon which will be once we finish phase three we'd like to continue on with
phase four which will be from 8 street to flaggler street and so we look forward to working with the developer as we design pon the new ponelon we already have that in the in the budget I've asked the public works director to proceed with that and I think we can incorporate a lot of these issues uh
holistically into the into the design from from flat from from 8 Street to actually F flagger street. I relay that to the residents and uh we had very productive three three very productive meetings that I think finalized the uh the actual project. So we would like to
proceed with that and then and then as we move as we move through through a design of of pawns with day county and with everybody involved we can we can really provide that final step uh to to finalize pawns and and and we'll have certainly have resident input in
everything we do. If I may, just an idea and we can talk about it between first and second reading and pass along to the residents. If we were start designing phase four now and we would select a contractor and we would budget it next year, what are we looking at? A minimum two years, correct? Before the project
will start. >> Yes. Yes, sir. >> So that's the time that this project going to take to build. >> Exactly. Correct. So my point is maybe maybe we allocate funding from this project and not have them do certain scope. Maybe the resident say do the
scope. I'm just afraid that we we're going to have to end up tearing out certain parts that are built by these individuals and we could potentially save money. Save money and save you know you're absolutely correct and that's what we intend to do. You're absolutely correct.
And maybe we can even approach it a different way like we did with the Alan Morris project where they had the flexibility to take on the entire project. We paid for the other portion of it uh and then it got done, you know, at the same time as the project got done. >> Let me tell you why I prefer that. Okay?
And I'll tell you why I prefer that. Because if you look at for example in my neighborhood um doctor's hospital which is my Baptist uh we negotiated with them to do all the sidewalks and the street around the hospital which is missing the connection to university and now to Blue
Road which now we have sidewalks there when we negotiated a number was probably three years ago. The price of construction has gone up significantly in three years. So I'm not saying I haven't seen the latest budgets but I know it's close to starting correct that project. Uh yes, mayor. And and by the way, mayor, on this project, we also
have mobility and impact fees that that are coming that we could use for that. >> But I just want to make sure that we don't put a number, for example, maybe what Commissioner Fran said is the right the right path to go because I we put a number to say I'm just giving a random number a random number. Okay? A million dollars, $500,000 in regards to traffic calming, trees, sidewalks, different
things. And then we the probably takes three years and when it gets finally delivered, the the scope goes from a million to a million.5 or a million.3 or a million.2. So I think the Island Morris route that we negotiated was a better route for us because it took took it out of the city's hands. It brought accountability to the developer in the
sense of they can move quicker and they can do it a lot cheaper than us. Okay, that's the facts. The private sector does it cheaper and faster. So I just those are things that I want to talk about between first and second reading define a scope and define a way to deliver that so that we can make the quickest impact on the residents
starting with the park on the entrance feature on 37th Avenue and running all the way down down phase 4 which I think will be transformational for that neighborhood. Really transformational. At the same time, it it also ensures that it's finishing about the same time because then you have your project
finished and then we're starting the roadway a year and a half later and the neighborhood has construction now for, you know, four years, five years because of cost overruns or whatever it is that delays it. So, um I think that if if we can figure out a path that that makes that work, you I think I think it's
great. Um, I'm going to miss our 7 am meetings at the park, uh, that we had many, many times going over plans and figuring out what the best things were, creating a list. Um, but both sides worked together and both sides worked to
find a solution and I appreciate that. Um, we had a project here recently and it was the talk about the trees that were not being saved. You guys found a way to shape your project around the trees that needed saving and I commend you for that. And I think that's
something that developers should really look into going forward on ways that they can save some of our older trees in our properties and find ways to design around them. And I think you did a phenomenal job doing that, especially that corner. I know that's more expensive for you. I know that that that
removes office space that you were counting on, but at the end of the day, it's going to create a project that is better, not just for you because you have that beautiful tree that's staying there, but for the community because now there's a buffer. Uh the town homes, I think, are going to create that buffer
from those neighbors across Badia where they're now looking at residents who are going to be there, not necessarily the building. and the landscaping that we talked about many times that will pro protect those neighbors across the street from having to see the upper stories of the building. I think that
that's going to add to to this neighborhood. So, um I I really commend you on on the work that you've all done, the dedication and hours that all of you have dedicated and Frank and and Anamaria and everybody who has dedicated to this project and making sure that it's the best for the neighborhood. And
I think it's it's a really a big step up for the neighborhood. And if we can tie it in with our with our streetscape for that area, with our sidewalks for the area, with our trees for the area, this is going to be one of the upand cominging neighborhoods in in in our city that for many years you have felt
neglected. Uh you are now the focus of Coral Gables and and thanks to the developers for for their commitment to make that happen. >> To the mayor. >> Yes, sir. >> So, I want to echo Commissioner Fernandez as well as the mayor. Um and it was very well stated but I I feel I need to say something as well because
this is one of those rare moments that um eminent um professionals such as yourselves, Mr. Nvaro, Mr. Behar, but these three ladies um I've had the great pleasure to meet with them in my office um on more than one occasion. And you all are a force, however, respectful,
passionate, polite, determined, right? you you you to me embody what other residents who feel deeply about the love they have for the city put it into action and you've achieved quite a bit. So I commend you and I commend you all for being preeminent in your fields and
doing what you had to do to make what looks to me so far to be a fantastic project. And just like Commissioner Fernandez said, um it's it's it's like the hot spot right now in uh in Corables the focus, right? And like the mayor said, shade, shade, shade. And and like
the vice mayor said, don't forget the irrigation. I agree with you. >> It's a lot of concrete. There has to be a median. There has to be in the median there has to be landscaping. Things that are not that expensive. We're not talking about permanent infrastructure, things that will pay huge dividends in the future. I promise you, it's going to transform that community at the end of the day. Also raising your property
values. So I want to again before we take a vote I wanted to thank you uh for spending the time all parties involved staff amazing work by staff amazing work by Jennifer the managers the director the manager team uh building consensus I can only imagine how many meetings uh
you had with the residents and obviously the applicant so and the board what was the board on the what was the board vote on this in the planning and zoning board? >> Uh it was unanimous. Okay. So, to correct the record, this is not a residential piece of property that was said before. This is not Bickl. Uh, the residents are happy and it was a 70
vote. Okay. Anything else for the good of the order? >> All right. Well, I will entertain a motion on E2. >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Vice Mayor Anderson? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Castro?
>> No. >> Commissioner Fernandez? >> Yes. Commissioner Lada >> an emphatic. Yes. >> Mayor Lago. >> Yes. Uh moving on to E3. >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Castro.
>> No. >> Commissioner Fernandez? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Lada? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mayor Log? >> Yes. >> Moving on to E4. >> Move it. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Fernandez. >> Yes. Commissioner Lada,
>> yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Castro, >> no. >> Mayor Log, >> yes. Moving on to E7. >> E7 will be considered on next next meeting. >> Perfect. All right, Mr. Clerk, you need to update my uh my spreadsheet of the
development projects. For the first time in over two years, we do not all agree on a project. Even though the residents are in full agreement of of the project and where it's at today. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. And we look forward to working between first and second reading on those items. Bring me all the items, okay? Please bring me all the
items. >> Thank you. >> It's campaign season. >> All right, let's get going. We got a lot of stuff on the agenda today. Uh, moving on to Is it 2 p.m.? Let's go to 2 p.m. time. Certain. Mr. Clerk, correct me if I'm wrong.
>> Yes, sir. You're correct. >> A6. >> Hi. Good. >> Hi. How are you? Good afternoon, mayor, commissioners. Um, this is a presentation. This is a proclamation declaring November 29th uh, Small Business Saturday in Coral Gables.
This is something that we do every year with our partners at the Chamber of Commerce. We have Jorge Ari Zuri, I said it right, um, here with us if you want us to say a few words. that this is a great time to really show our support for small businesses and it happens on
the Saturday right after Thanksgiving. >> George, Mr. President, please join us. >> Sorry if I was >> and we do have your >> being a little forward there. >> How you been? You've been well. >> Good. >> You look good. >> Thank you, sir. >> Um >> amazing what work does to you.
>> Yeah. >> Keeps you young. >> You're skinny. You got to eat. >> I wouldn't overstate that, but I'm less heavy. some good restaurants in the Gables. >> Yeah. >> By the way, can I tell you something? I I am enjoying your updates that you're giving on a weekly basis. I think they're they're really wellreceived.
>> Um, and I recommend just my opinion, but I think that they're they're providing a lot of uh input and guidance and kind of, you know, exchange between the members of of u of the chamber, the residents, and obviously the chamber. So, it's a good it's a good window. It's a good window, and I think you've been
doing a good job on that. only been 45 days. So I uh >> more to come. More to come. >> Who's counting? >> Who's counting? Not me. >> Right. >> So what are we doing on on on the Small Business Saturday? I've been to all of them. It's a great opportunity to celebrate with the chamber and tell us a
little bit about what the plans are for the chamber and for the city. So, so as as um as you might know from from historic historically the chamber has always celebrated uh small business month uh which culminates with small business Saturday
which this year it'll take place on November 29th and we're going to have a a u an event of sorts uh that will allow our members to to participate obviously our small smaller business members our
our retailers and our restaurants and the whole category of of uh small business in our community which as you probably know is a great majority of our membership. uh you know we we can get easily carried away with uh
multinationals which they are important not to mention headquarters of Latin American I mean headquarters uh for Latin America of uh Fortune 500 companies private companies no different but at the end of the day uh the uh the bread and butter of this chamber is
small business so for us it's a great opportunity to in essence uh highlight uh uh the the the heart and soul of of our chamber and and of our city. So that'll take place on on November 29th,
Saturday. >> Perfect. >> Okay, Madam Vice Mayor, you have a proclamation? >> Yes, I do. I do. And um with great pride, I'll read it in. I'm looking forward to Small Business Saturday. It's always a a wonderful event. Whereas
small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a vital role in the character, prosperity, and vibrancy of the city of Coral Gables. Whereas the city of Coral Gables recognizes the importance of supporting local businesses, helps build stronger economy, fosters job creation, and
preserves the unique charm and cultural heritage of our community. And whereas Small Business Saturday was created to inspire residents to shop locally and support small businesses, strengthening their connection to the community. Whereas small businesses and Coral
Giggles provide exceptional products, services, and experiences that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors while fostering meaningful neighborhood connections. Whereas the city of Coral Gables in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting and supporting
local merchants, entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and encourages everyone to shop small on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Now, therefore, I Vince Lago as mayor of the city of Coral Gables along with the members of the city commission do hereby
proclaim November 29th, 2025 a small business Saturday in Coral Gables. So, thank you for all you do. But, you know, 45 days, I'm I'm not sure what you're going to look like after 90 days if you keep >> slowing down. >> Okay.
>> Before you take a picture, mayor, if you want to take the next item and then you >> So, can we hear item F1, which is the vice mayor's >> Yep. So item F1 uh typically uh the chamber always asks for a waiver of parking fees for uh Small Business Saturday and this is just another
incentive for our residents to really support our downtown. So we we really want to continue that this year again and so we're asking for uh parking um fees to be waved in public garages from 9 to 5:00 p.m. And thank you to the parking department also for um allowing
that to happen. And I' I'd ask for, you know, our communications department to make that loud and clear to residents that there's free parking. Come on down and patronize our businesses and we'll roll out the red carpet. So, um, if
there's no public comment, I'll go ahead and move it. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Clerk, do you have any public comment? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> We have a motion and a second. >> Commissioner Lada, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. Commissioner Castro, >> yes. >> Commissioner Fernandez, >> yes.
>> Mayor Logo, >> yes. Can we move on to item F6 also? >> Yes. So, I'm going to ask to share my screen. >> It's also Vice Mayor's item. By the way, thanks to staff for working so hard on
this. There it is. Okay, it's there. Um I will take So this is an item that the vice mayor had brought up last commission meeting um trying to address the vacancies that
we have on Miracle Mile. And so we came up with a um a popup guide some guidelines for a pop-up program on the 300 block of Miracle Mile in specific because that's the one that has the most vacancies. And so, um, the purpose again is to activate the sidewalks of the 300
block, uh, with local and temporary business, uh, storefront popups. And, um, really we want to prioritize the businesses that we have in Coral Gables. Um, the eligibility, uh, as we see it is that you, uh, should have first priority
will be given to the businesses that are in Miracle Mile, but in the 0, 100, and 200 blocks, and they can then uh, activate that 300 block. Second priority is the brick and mortars uh that are in Coral Gables and then uh everyone else. So what we are looking for is retail,
anything that has to do with art, uh any makers and um not restaurant because we do have a good amount of restaurants on the street and we do think that that would be a little messy if we do something like that. Um these are just a display requirements. We have certain
requirements because we want to keep it neat and tidy. So there are no tents or canopies, but we do invite umbrellas. Um there are no electrical hookups, but there is a possibility of bringing any um uh battery powered lights. Um and
everything should be freestanding. You uh bring it in, you take it down. Um there are no generators allowed. There's no amplified music. We want to mi mitigate the fact that we don't want any cords on the sidewalk that could impede some tripping hazards. the operating
hours. So, we are planning on doing this from now to January. Um, we're making this a requirement. It has to be Friday and Saturday during 4 to to 8:00 p.m. And the reason that we want that is that if we allow people to come at whatever time they want, then there's no critical
mass. There's nothing for people to go at a dedicated time to be there. So, that's why we wanted we want to do some uh PR around it and that way we have a time frame to do it. We uh again the 300 block will be giving out the vendors a
10 by10 area and they must keep a six foot clear pedestrian walkway which is really um easy to do on Miracle Mile. And then um we want to look and and see what type of merchandise they're they're selling and we will place them based on what we think they would do well. Um the
fee structure we do we will be offering a rate of 250 a month. There is a discount if you are on Miracle Mile. you will get a 25% discount. So that would be a $200 fee. It is nonrefundable. Um there is a special events application, so very similar to the application that
you currently have. Um when you go through special events and um the fee will be due when you submit that application. Just wanted to let you guys know that we did put this in our business report. I hope all of you are getting our business report for our
businesses. And um we had it listed there on Monday in the afternoon. and we've got four already people that are interested in uh participating. >> It's a great report by the way. Congratulations on that. Excellent work. >> Um and then the last one. Oops. There we
go. Sorry. So, it's uh this is just the process. You apply. You complete and submit that special events application. You need to submit some pictures. We want to see uh a sketch of what you're proposing and the merchandise that you're selling. and then you will go to
a special events committee um which that's where we will review your prospect what you're what you're proposing and we'll provide the necessary approvals and that's it. >> So with that being said I also wanted to mention um and uh talk to the president here that we will have our yearly flyin
uh to advocate um on behalf of the state legislature and the senate. Uh the commission will be joining me. Uh we had to cancel his trip obviously as a result of our schedule today. Um And I think it be it will be a good opportunity to continue to work hand in hand with the chamber the first week in December when
you have this when you have the flying. So I'm looking forward to that and I'm looking forward to being able to step out with you and my colleagues uh to truly uh do what's in the best interest of the city and our business community. So I welcome that. Um look, things are
great. You know, I think that uh right now in the business community, I think that the report is is is very positive. Uh we have work to do as always. We can always get better. Um, but I think that people are looking forward to the holiday season and and I'm and they always are. But I think that there's a spirit in the air. You know, people want
to come out. People want to go out to dinner. They want to spend time with their friends or family. Uh, there's a, you know, it's been an interesting year and uh, people are excited about coming to downtown Coral Gables. And u so I'm I'm looking forward to the chamber to the city to everyone coming together uh
just to deliver an exceptional holiday season to really have an amazing Christmas and and I want to see the city promote as many events as possible as we do uh but just to draw as big crowd as possible. you know, from the Christmas tree lighting to the Hanukkah celebration to the manora lighting. All
these things again are just the nativity >> beautiful things. The nativity scene which I'm going to talk about later uh which I think is a great opportunity things that again this is a time to be incredibly grateful. Incredibly grateful for who we are, what we have and 100 years of the
city beautiful. So, and we're blessed to have you here. Very blessed. So, I want to congratulate all of you for your hard work and I think that we need a resolution on F1. Correct. >> Yes, F1 is a resolution. >> All right. >> Yes, >> we did. >> We did already.
>> We've already done. Okay. So, we have three items. >> Just wanted you guys to know that >> holiday decorations are going up already. I hope you've seen them. >> Um there's a lot of beautiful bows that are on Miracle Mile already. So, we should be done in the next four days. >> F6 doesn't need a vote. And we'll get we'll take a photo for the proclamation. Yes, sir. Of course.
>> If I may, Mr. Mayor, >> first and foremost, thank you um Madame Vice Mayor for sponsoring this small business popup uh pilot program. I think it's one of many examples of what this commission has done throughout the years
for business in general, but especially for small business. It's from our perspective, there's no greater stakeholder in our city to this chamber than than the city is. It's it's it's among the top I'd say if I were to number them you know five with the city
being at the number one uh spot. So for from our perspective to have you support business this way is a is a great and something that we you know are incredibly indebted and appreciative of. Uh the mayor mentioned our fly in to Tallahassee which will be December 2nd
and 3rd. That is no different an opportunity for us to show collaboration to work together. There are issues that you have that perhaps we don't have but that we're supporting and vice versa working with Chelsea and and and your team to to make sure that we have that
um completely integrated so that the message we send when we're there those two days is a unified message because I think that's for certainly both organizations benefit but certainly for the benefit of the residents of of the city. So, I'm I'm excited about uh
continuing the the good work and I'm very thankful and I convey that on behalf of the uh 1,600 members of this chamber. >> Okay. Thank you. Let's take a photo. >> Take a photo. And thank you for >> all the work you've done and the synergy
between the city and and the chamber. >> Absolutely. Thank you. appreciate. Sorry, I think I was Okay, Mr. Clerk, our next item is um time, right? >> Yes, sir.
>> We also defer item E6 is >> deferred. So, we're moving on to item F9. F9. Perfect. Please join us. >> You said E6 is deferred. >> Yes, E6. Moving on to F9. So, I want to be as brief as possible. We have a lot a
lot of items today, but I wanted you to bring bring you before the commission. I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman the other day. He joined me. I don't know if it was for office hours or we had a meeting. I'm not sure if it was office hours. Uh you were recommended to me by a friend that we have in common. um who knows that we're always looking
for new ideas in regards to how we can continue to be as sustainable as possible and be environmental stewards. What this gentleman talked to me about was right up our alley. This community depends, lives, and dies by our water.
If we don't have water, clean water to drink again, we cease to exist. I think every community does. It's a lifeblood. Correct. >> Yes, sir. And as we're growing in size here in South Florida, you know, water contamination, saltwater intrusion, our
canals, our lakes are constantly in jeopardy. When you look at the city of Coral Gables, we have over 20 miles of waterways, which are a significant portion of our tax base. So having clean water is critical to having a healthy tax base. It goes hand in hand.
So, I'd like for you to talk a little bit about the invention that you've produced and what you need from us. So, hopefully we can come to some consensus and find a solution. Sir, the floor is yours. Basically, if you permit me, we brought a sample case. >> Can you say your name? My name is
Richard Ricardo, a resident and uh the inventor of the process which is basically an aquatic uh an open aquatic sensing inoculation system which basically takes the pollutants in our waters, kills off any pathogens and and
generates oxygen. We have been triing it by putting it in the water in Dinner Key. It's 8 by 8 ft. It fits on a trailer and basically the fish jump up out of the water because they're not used to having oxygen. And the other thing is that I don't mind my daughters going in there because I don't have to
worry about them coming out with flesh eating bacteria. So what we're requesting is that this science that's taken us almost a decade and we've got a lot of support. Uh this is actually your tap water that if you look at it with with a laser, you
can see that it's converted to oxygenated water. And by the way, before before you do this, okay, before you do this, I've been reading a little bit about this. I have a lot more to go and I want to be very candid, okay? I think this is so cool that I even told him I want to invest in this, okay? And I and
I thought it was I thought it was not real. So, I wanted to show you an opportunity that something we can do here in our own backyard. It's going to cost the city nothing. And what could be the outcome? Clean water, you know. So, I knew the vice mayor was going to like
this, too, because she's into all these nerdy things like I am. >> I mean, one of the most important things. It's cool. I think this is super cool. I love all this technology, like all this engineering. I think it's great. >> No, I I think it's very cool. I I'll I'll I'll chime in here in a minute. Of >> course. Look, watch this. Let them finish.
>> One of the most important things is that uh I've got a lot of children and grandchildren. So basically this is taking our tap water and filling it with oxygen that doesn't evaporate. It stays in the water for 3 to 6 months. That's the science. Since it stays in
the water, had a daughter with bleeding gums. Stop bleeding. I mean basically oxygen cures everything. We have a lack of oxygen in our water. That's why it smells bad. the introduction of oxygen that stays in the water as nanobubbles for long periods of time. No
maintenance. We run the thing on a solar panel. Uh we're we're only requesting a place that we can park it because every day we have to put it in the ramp, take it out because it's not a boat, so nobody knows what to do with it. Wildlife from Florida, they love it. They took pictures with me. They said, "Wonderful.
Something that makes it safe for our kids to go in the water." That's all we're looking for is some kind of location that we can put it in, collect data. Um already certified that that we pulled mercury out of water. How cool is that? You know, and lead. So if we can
pull out microlastics, mercury, PFAS, and lead, let's prove it to the world that it came out of Coral Gables. This is where it started >> from a resident. >> As a resident, it came from here. >> Madam Vice Mayor, >> so um got a few questions for you. Looks like you have charcoal, right?
>> It's not charcoal. It's graphine. >> Graphine. >> Can you explain a little bit what graphine is? >> Uh, yes. Basically, we take we take you can pass these around up there. I brought samples for you. We you can take the wood that that's required to cut from the power lines in order to keep
the power lines free from hurricanes. We take that wood. Has to be fresh. Can't be dry. Instead of mulching it, we take that wood and we convert it 3,000° into this graphine that doesn't weigh anything. It's 99% air. It doesn't decompose. It's been in orphanages in in
Africa for seven years without replacement. >> So >> So sort of sort of like charcoal, but it's >> it's not it's not greasy. >> No, no, I didn't say it was greasy, but it's sort of a similar process.
The difference being that that that without getting into details that charcoal >> charcoal is the result. Yeah. >> Clogs very quickly. >> It does. >> And this takes it's been running for seven years. >> Yeah. No, I can see that it's >> it's not as Yeah, charcoal is very
porous and you have to change it out. And then you have a light in there. UV. This is UV, but the UV was just to kind of just show you how this light, which is infrared, shows you. See all the sparkles? That's oxygen. >> No, I know. And are you using ozone?
>> I'm using ozone. But the only reason >> Oh, no. No. It's just difference between 03 and O2. >> We environment. Because we know I mean ozone's used in cleaning
pool water. It's used for something. >> It's also used for wound therapy. They put it in a bag. I had a client that did that one time. His only problem was he didn't pay his taxes. So, he ran into a trouble and needed my services for other things. Um, I think this is very
amazing. What I would ask is that we take a look at the scientific data we have from the SAM testing from FIU and find the most oxygen depleted area. My educated guess is the areas with the least flow. Maybe the Mahi Canal,
something like that that are dead ends. >> Dead end. >> The dead ends. There might be others that are better qualified. >> There were some it smelled so bad. >> I know. I know. There was a particular resident told me how bad it smelled because you know the bleed out from the septic tanks alone.
>> You have a lot of organics that are that are dying there obviously >> and we have seven years of studies that we take the septic tank overrun. What we've created is a way I started by taking my spit putting it in the aquaar and populating it with with good bacteria so that no matter how much bad
bacteria I put in I would test with like raw sewage. It didn't compete with the good bacteria for the for the food source. So, it quickly 72 minutes 72 hours it was gone. >> No, no. Ozone's amazing. >> Super fat. You glad you're familiar with it.
>> No, no, no. I'm very familiar with it. My my my client made some claims he shouldn't have also done which, you know, got the attention of a particular agency with three letters which then went to another agency with three letters and u they got him out of the market. But this is exciting. I would
love to see the before and after results. >> Thank you. >> Um perhaps we can fi have fiou focus on or you guys can focus on that the water testing in that area. You know if there is not a son there for do the testing I guess we need a son.
>> Uh we don't need anything. Everything is is it's called it's on board. Everything is automated. >> Everything is on B board. So >> doesn't need anything. It doesn't need power. It's all self-powered. It's >> I mean I mean the before and after testing. Uh you just basically like I tell people just go down 10 feet and test the water that's not next to it and
test the water coming out of it. It's got a central waterfall that you can just constantly 24 hours a day test the water. It's like an it's it's pretty immediate >> because we we we figured out that it would take us 214 days to turn over all the water in >> Kiscane.
So we have a project to try and raise the funds through our foundation on nonprofit >> to clean key this game as a as a demonstration to other cities that it can be done. >> So maybe we can run the experiment a step further and after this it
reintroduces the oxygen and the turbidity is down and you have good clarity down there. Let's see if we can replant the seagrass in a second. We did that up north and and uh where the manatees were dying up in in Lucirna Beach >> and we just ran a small three-foot
platform and the manatees would come religiously every day to eat the seagrass that we had in floating beds. >> Excellent. >> Above the platform. So basically we were oxygenating the roots of of the seagrass and then we were weighing it down so they would just >> sink. >> Sink. Exactly.
>> Sink. So they could they could dine and then come back >> because they couldn't reach the food while it was floating. So I had to put rocks on it so it would sink down. >> So it sink down. >> But they came back every day because I told the people, "Stop feeding them lettuce. You're going to poison them because the lettuce has salmonella and a whole bunch of other things." But
>> yeah, and if it's not the right lettuce, you're not really giving them any nutrition anyway. You're just filling them up. >> But yeah, I'm >> excited. Thank you. >> Do we have to move on this or >> So we will now, Commissioner L. >> Uh yeah, this sounds very exciting, Mr.
Ricardo. Right. So um in Gable's estates. I'm aware of uh where the canal or the water sort of comes to an end like a dead end like the vice mayor was saying and like it's an unbelievable stench that happens sort of
seasonally when there's it looks like you can almost walk on on the water surface because it's a it's a gathering of seaweed dead stuff, you know, I guess, right? And then this this terrible smell. I'm assuming that there's an absolute lack of oxygen
underneath that animals like fish are dying and then you have like the sun coming down and just baking everything that's off and it's like a complete disaster. Does that have any potential beneficial application to to at least deal with the smell that might come from
that kind of condition that I just described if you're familiar with what I'm saying where there's >> Yes, we did it over by monkeys like we snuck it over. >> Okay. Okay. We figured out that it would take 72 hours to get rid of the dead fish smell. >> It would take 3 days because basically
all we did was we like just did a quick test and let it run for as long as we could stay there. We couldn't park it for a few hours and then uh people would just say it's gone. >> So there's a few like for example Sunrise Harbor, we have some dead ends, right? >> And this could be the prime location, the prime opportunity.
>> What the smell is the ammonia being produced by decomposition. We interrupt the decomposition. We break the DNA in the bacteria that is decomposing human waste and dead dead algae. We break their their DNA in two.
They can no longer reproduce. Then the good bacteria, we take probiotics, we put it in the aquaar and kickstart, inoculate the system with just go over to the mangroves, grab some some water that's got the good microbe in it, throw it in the system. Now you've got
>> so because we have a pretty long meeting today. So I would like a motion and I'd like to make a motion. Um someone here would like to make a motion >> on this item. >> What do we second? Second the motion >> with motion. >> I said I moved it >> to to approve a location for this
gentleman that that the manager recommends. But I'd also like for you to meet with water keepers >> Rachel met with them. They've asked me and I said uh I wasn't ready when I met with them. I met with them five months ago. I said, "Let me finish the prototype and when I'm done, let's
circle back and we'll talk about storm drain." >> But but but but I still want they're in they're in the city of Coral Gables. They're literally two blocks away. I'd love they're on Miracle Mile. I'd love for you to meet with them again, especially when we finally get a location uh to deploy this. And I'd also like to follow the suggestions of the
vice mayor in regards to the FIU findings and work together with FIU and University of Miami. I think these are two incredible resources in our in our in our backyard and I think it'll only help the project. Uh so let's coordinate that. You think you need six months to come back. >> Uh I'm ready to go whenever you guys.
>> I'm saying six months to come back in the sense of some with some results and some data. >> Well, I think that two months will be more than adequate. >> Come back in three months. >> Yeah, three months is fine because I've got Pomp Beach and other cities that are waiting for our results to be published. >> Okay. So, Mr. Clerk, once we approve something today, can we put an item
three months from now on the agenda uh to come back with some findings and have a conversation with industry leaders? We have waterkeeper, um, FIU, uh, so we can really, you know, just keep pushing this agenda forward about clean water. >> There's something that he can do now
that would put him in front of all these folks, which is speak to our waterway advisory board because they have representatives of all these organizations already. So if you can do a presentation to our waterway advisory board, >> uh I think you know you'll be in front of Miami water keeper, you'll be in front of you'll be in front of FIU. Uh
they will all they're they all have seats on the board. >> Okay. >> So it might be also useful you to know that the the living seaw walls are going to do a presentation before uh my the waterway advisory board. I mean the
amount of good growth that you can get on living seaw walls will be >> with them. We have an appointment with them this week. >> Yeah, >> they've offered to support us. >> Maybe we can even sink uh tell them to sink a piece down in there in the area that you have it so they can show.
>> Well, they want to add the powders to the uh kind designs, want to add it to the seaw walls that are being put in at our area, the new developments, uh for the simple reason that they've looked at all the science. I mean, the EPA signed that we took lead out of Lake Michigan's water. So, it's not like we don't have
some preliminary test results. We have years of testing and uh we're a nonprofit. Like I said, they can have the powder. Let's just fix the waterways so that we can enjoy them again. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you, sir. So, we have a motion and a second. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor.
>> Go ahead. >> Vice Mayor Anderson? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Castro? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Fernandez? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Lada? >> Yes. >> Mayor Lago? >> Yes. Um, can we have item E5 and E8 next, please? E5 is an ordinance of the city
commission amending ordinance number 2022-14 which approved the planned area development for the property legally described as lots 1 through 12 and lots 35 to 46 including the public I think this is there might be a typo here but including the public alleyway lying in between block 10 and lots 5 through 27 I
don't think this is the correct legal description mayor so I'm I'm going to probably have to revise it but um it is essentially the addresses that are 340 330 322 314 310 300 Catalonia Avenue 301 309 317 323 325 333 341 Malaga Avenue,
Coral Gables, Florida to allow for certain work to be completed after the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy subject to the terms of a performance bond. >> And then E8 is will be >> I think we can correct that. I mean with you between first and second reading, correct? >> Yes. Yes, I can do that. And then um E8 will be um considered at the at the next
meeting if this one's approved today. >> Okay, >> sir. Um, uh, Commissioner, uh, mayor, this item is simply to allow us to post a bond to complete some of the, uh, pending off-site improvements. They're substantially complete, but we've had a couple of issues with the utility
companies. Uh, we expect to have this work done quickly, but we're going to be TCOing, uh, in the next couple of weeks. So, uh, this item allows us to post a bond for the >> Pretty self-explanatory. Quick question. Yes. >> Um, >> we'll get a motion in a second on that. Can I get a motion? A second. >> I'll move it. >> I'll second.
>> Mr. Cl, do you have any public comment? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. Before we move on, do have we addressed the issue that's pending with the park >> with the issue the conversations we're having with the with the with the manager. We've had >> we are working through those. Yes. We've had very good on the December 9th agenda
if it requires to be on the December 9th agenda. Does it require to be >> It does not. >> Okay. Mr. Manager, can we get that finalized before the end of the month? >> We will try. Mayor, >> please. >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> I think it's important. No, I I want to get it done. That's one of the parts that we were able to do a few years ago and I want to have it under under the control.
>> I know it's the missing piece. >> I want to have it under control of the city, which I have full faith and confidence in you, but again, I think it's an asset that belongs in our coffers, not yours. >> Um, we have >> Yes, sir. >> Uh, there may be a couple of issues here that that have evolved and we'll work that out. >> Bottom line. Bottom line is
>> I love the way he said. >> I mean, very direct. Like he came to me that time with with the with the property in front of Nordstrom's. He wanted to keep the park. I said, "You keep the park. I'm I'm a no vote." immediately. I I want the part. We made the mistake. We made the mistake on this project and you know, we got to correct that. So,
>> we speak clearly. There's no issues. >> I I want you to know where I'm coming from. Real simple. I want the land in the city's coffers. That's it. >> You got a great city manager to make it happen. >> I want the land. I know you're working with the manager, but I want to get that done already cuz you know, things things slip. >> See if we can get that before we come back in December.
>> I I think the message is clear. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh Mr. Clair, we have a motion in a second. Do you have any public comment? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. Mayor, if it's okay, can I just read the correct legal description into the record for this? You have the correct one. >> I have the correct one. I want to just read that into the record. So, we'll we'll make sure we adjust the title for next time. But it's a property legally
described as lots 5 through 27, block 28, Coral Gable's Craft Section. >> All right, we're good. Mr. Cl, we have a motion second. >> Commissioner Castro, >> yes. >> Commissioner Fernandez, >> yes. >> Commissioner Lada, yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. >> Mayor Log, >> yes. All right.
>> Thank you all so much. >> Thank you very much. We'll see you on second reading. Uh, now we're moving on to city commission items. Right. Did I miss anything, Mr. Clerk? >> No, sir. >> All right. The next item is item F.
>> F2. My item. >> So F2 is a resolution of the city commission directing city staff to design on new parks that will be conveyed to the city with the majority of the park to be of landscaped areas and minimal areas for hardscape. >> Okay. Do we have staff here with us today? >> Uh, yes, mayor. I think our plan
director should be coming up. >> Perfect. Well, this is simple. The intent and as you have been briefed of this legislation is to ensure that all these parks that I've been working on for the last six, seven years in the downtown have green space, are actually
green. They're not plazas. They're not extensions of the buildings adjacent to them. Um, we want them to be green. We want people to go and enjoy them. We want there to be shade. So, what I'm trying to do right now is make sure that we pass legislation that ensures in perpetuity. I've said 70% of the park
should be green space. If you're interested in making it 75, I'm more than willing to listen to you. If you're willing to make it 80, I just wanted to kind of do something that was 7030 where you obviously need you need some heartscape for sidewalks and you may need some heartscape for example for
like a platform for a work of art for a certain area, but just putting it out there. I'm flexible. I just want a lot of green space. So, um, you know, 7525 was what I required from Kodina and then I saw some of the drawings and there actually was quite a bit of surface on
there. Um, I think we not only have it green space, correct me if I'm wrong here. Um, we also need shade trees, not just grass. >> Then then make it a make a make an amendment to it. So um
so landscaping is just not uh a plot of grass. You know we need adequate shades for for pedestrians and so forth. So um the staff have an opinion of how much shade we don't afraid of shade percentage
maybe >> species of tree I'm assuming. So, I wouldn't know top my head what that coverage should be, but >> so I'd like I'd like our esteem department uh for landscaping to make a recommendation how we can achieve a
large amount of shade with with very little hardscape in there because um what we want is places where people can enjoy the art and go see it but not have a paper plaza. We've had enough of those paper plazas before and then no one really wants to occupy them and then you
have to put umbrellas in them in order to make them livable. So 7525 is what we did on Kodina. I'd like staff's recommendation on that. >> Okay, >> I'm fine with that. >> Okay. >> Uh and I'd like to address the issue of shade trees also, please.
>> Mayor. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, vice mayor. We we're looking at a 30 approximately 30 to 30 70 to 30 split uh on that. Um so if the commission wishes to go 7525 I think we can look at that and see what where it should be.
7030 seems to be reasonable because that's 70% green. >> Yeah. I mean I saw the drawings conceptual drawings that um God was proposing. It still has to come back to us. Um, by no means did I think it was
necessarily what we wanted. Uh, but there was still quite a bit of surface area. My concern is if it just says landscape, it could be grass. >> Yeah. >> And I think we need clarity uh and staff's recommendation on having adequate shade areas for for people to
be able to, you know, you need sun for flowers, but you also need shade for people. No one's going to want to go in there without some shade for people. >> Through the mayor. Yes sir. >> Uh I think what we can do is is maybe leave it 7030 and then look at the some
type of shading coefficient that we can add to this to to further further uh look at that 30 that 3020. It could be 7030 and then I think that we can look at at a canopy like some something like a shading coefficient that that we could
address in this and we can work with uh with uh with Dana our our landscape director and assistant director and see if we can work something. >> Why don't we do this? Should we codify this further than just a
resolution and maybe put together an ordinance that is a little bit more robust and in line with what the vice mayor is saying where addresses multiple topics, not just the green aspect of it, but addresses shade, hardcape, you know,
real detailed numbers, talks about uh what type of shade trees we're looking at because we have an opportunity to do this right and right once because once these landscaping once these projects are done. For example, the Kina project has two beautiful oak trees in the back.
Then you have obviously the piece of property, the Nordstrom's property. Uh you have the property, the public's property. You have the the other property adjacent to uh which is a large piece of property about 15,000 ft, which is the one adjacent to the plaza, which
is another corner corner park. And I looked at that design this week. You're going to have a portion of that's a play area and a portion of it that's a green space. I don't have a problem if you want to push this back and then work on it and bring it back in December. It's fine with me. We'll work on it together and I don't have an issue with it. >> No, >> when I say we'll work on it together,
let me be clear. >> We'll work on it. The next thing is that, you know, we're we're violating the sunshine law. I can already see it on the gazette. >> Um so, um we can work on it with staff and staff can work on it and we can figure out a way to put something a little bit more robust instead of a
resolution. Madam City attorney, maybe an ordinance. So, we can include more details in the resolution. That can be done. If it's a direction to staff, um, you can include as many details as you want. If the commission wants an ordinance, we can do that as well. >> Yes, sir. >> I'm Yeah, I'm going to I'm going to add
to it first because some of the things that I see lacking and and if you have landscaping, it's great. So, you do need a patch of grasso because everybody complains that the, you know, four-legged furry friends might go on a
pa or in the plants, but having a patch of grass there makes a difference because they'll know where to go and and do their business. So, I do want our our staff to weigh in on that to have a cohesive design so that you know there's
a walking area for pets, there's a walking area for humans and still you can have the beautifification with the ground landscaping and a percentage of shade trees. Has to be a well planned uh ordinance that landscape architects are
extremely well-versed on handling. And so that's why I don't want to be the one making the final decision on this without the foot with the weighin from our landscape architects. I'm not a landscape architect. I plant things that attract butterflies and birds and stuff
like that. And whatever order they end up in my yard where the sun is, I plant that stuff and and because I planted uh I planted what possibly way too much shade for to be able to have the the flowers in the front. What I was going to say was maybe we can come up with
something similar to the swale package uh where we have the types of greenery that we're okay with uh and then maybe formulated in a different way where we put limitations as well where we don't have you know 100% of it be grass. Uh
maybe we can limit you can have grasp but up to a certain percent of it. Um just to give it a little more structure and make it less uh open-ended where it comes to the commission. We and we've had a couple that we've had to send back and we've had to make changes. I remember there was one project that they
wanted to set up a ton of tables outside and they were taking up most of the green space to set up heartscape to put tables and we ended up sending it back and they ended up having to redesign. Uh, but I don't know, maybe maybe staff can work on something that can be sort
of like um a blueprint of what we're okay with for parameters that they can work with, types of of foliage. We don't want palm trees. We've discussed it many times. We want shade trees. What type of shade trees uh would work well uh in that area
because not everything will grow next to a tall building. Uh but just to make sure once that project gets approved, we have something that's going to last. It's not going to be requiring maintenance every other month because it didn't last. >> So I feel I spent considerable amount of
time um with our landscape department. I think we need to unshackle them to determine what can be planted. They need to make recommendations on percentages of shade, percentages of ground landscaping,
and every single one of these plans go through their fingers anyway. So, I have the full confidence that um they will look at what the shade is created by the building and what's most likely to grow well there and not
going to be lifting the pavers and creating a trip hazard. We've gotten away from Green Island fus. We've gotten away from a lot of things. And the only thing I'm asking is in in these areas, you allow a little little patch of grass for the pets. Doesn't have to be a big
area. Be a 10 by 10 and that's it. >> So, let's do this. >> Let's go ahead, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you, mayor. I think I think the wish of the commission is for us to look at this. I think we can look we have shading, we have grass, we have landscaping, we have hardscape. we can
look at some of those percentages and also our green space department is fantastic in in reviewing all this. Uh instead of making it so um so so so hard as to what has to be used. I think I think our our assistant director for landscape DBL is is very very very good
at at uh at uh at certainly looking looking at parks and and and knowing what what what they need. So, I think what we could what we could do uh is provide a resolution that has certain certain requirements for shading grass grass landscaping and hardscape and then
make sure that those are reviewed through our green space department and make sure that that those percentages work. Uh because I I believe I believe I understand what the intent of the commission is. >> Okay. All right. Um so, what I'm going to do is I'm going to defer this till December 9th. Okay. Pretty simple. Let's
have staff work with the members of the commission and let's do something especially Dena. Jesus, why haven't we said Dena's name? Work with Dena, work with our zoning director, work with our public works. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Um, so work with our incredible staff, our city
manager, uh, and make sure that, um, that everything is considered. I don't know why I didn't. My bad. Um, so we'll defer to we'll defer to the ninth. If you're talking about trees and landscaping, we should always be talking about Dena. I don't know why I didn't bring this up, sir.
Okay. All right. Um, so we'll defer to the ninth. Thank you, Madame Director. F3. >> F3 is a resolution of the city commission urging the state legislature to amend the Live Local Act to allow for municipal based median incomes rather than the area median incomes currently
utilized in the Live Local Act. >> This This is an item that I sponsored. I've been working on this since last year and I really would want the commission's um support on this. The whole point of this legislation is to strengthen the Live Local Act. The Live
Local Act is not going away and I think we need to find ways that it benefits both parties. So, that being said, um I don't believe a statewide or countywide affordability schedule
works in large. I think um let me put something into perspective. Miami day county opalaka halyia gables city of Miami we are so diverse. Now let's say there a building comes up and a onebedroom is
$2,200 countywide. That means that if you're going to develop something in Hyalia, you're going to be paying the same amount as if you're going to develop something in Coral Gables. So what happens there? What happens there is that the probability of building a live
local act building here or in a more affluent municipality is a lot higher and I think the legisl legislaturator's intent is to build more affordable housing. Now, how about we give every municipality a fair chance to go ahead
and improve housing? That's why I'm proposing, if the commission can please support me, that um we do municipality based AMI schedules. So depending on the municipality, that's how much the live
local act building uh price schedule would be. Um and yeah, this this basically works better for counties like Miami Day County, Broward County, Palm Beach, Hillsboro, Hillsboro, and and
Orange County. Those are one of the big those are the biggest counties that this would take effect on. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> You done? >> Want to make sure you're done. >> I mean, my the ultimate goal here is to obtain more affordable housing throughout the state. That's the
ultimate goal. >> Throughout the state or in the city of Coral Gables, >> throughout the state. And in combination, I think it helps the city. Wouldn't you agree? >> Let me respond. Colleagues, I want to be absolutely clear about where I stand on this
proposal and why I'm vehemently opposed. What's being suggested here is that the city of Coral Gables should raise the income threshold used to define workforce housing under the live local act from the county median income to the higher city of Coral Gables income. And
let's be honest about what that really means. It would allow developers to charge higher rents while using calling units workforce housing. This does not produce more affordability. It produces more profit. It does not reduce developer pressure.
It actually encourages more high density projects. Let me reiterate that. It actually encourages more high density projects. How do I know this? Because I spoke to more I spoke to several developers about this and they're chomping at the bit that this passes today.
Live Local already overrides local zoning. Let me repeat this because I think that some people who are especially the sponsor of this doesn't understand this issue. Live local already overrides local zoning, grants a 190.5 ft height entitlement, allows a
floor area ratio of five that doesn't exist anywhere in the city of Coral Gables, and provides unlimited density with administrative approval. It gives developers a fasttrack path with no minimal public hearing and no commission oversight or board oversight.
If we now voluntarily raise the income threshold, we're simply sweetening the deal, making Coral Gables even more attractive for larger, taller projects, not less. Let me reiterate that again. And I want to make sure that everybody hears that if we now voluntarily, this
is what we're asking to do here, raise the income threshold, we're simply sweetening the deal, making Coral Gables even more attractive for larger, taller projects, not less. So, let's call this what it is. This proposal makes it easier for developers
to build more towers, more density, more highrises while offering fewer truly affordable units for the working families we came to be helping. I cannot and will not support a change that expands live locals reach and fuels even
more intense development in our city. We have fought tirelessly to protect the scale and character of Coral Gables. Case in point, 760 ponds. five years of negotiating with residents between a developer to get a building that was within scale and received complete resident approval from the neighborhood.
We have fought tirelessly to protect the scale and character of Coral Gables. We have stood up to state preeemptions that strip away local control. I will not sit here and endorse a change that hands developers an even bigger incentive to build higher, denser, and faster under
live local. This proposal undermines affordability and supercharges development. It is dangerous and reckless. It moves Coral Gables in the exact opposite direction of what our residents expect and deserve. For those reasons, I strongly and unequivocally am
opposed to this. >> If you look if you look at the legislation, it's very key. It's very simple. It's not my opinion. These are facts. If you look here under this whereas right here very clearly I hope everybody
can read it. It says whereas a municipalbased approach in large counties would expand the number of viable locations where developers can build attainable housing. Therefore increasing the total the total statewide supply of workforce
units and strengthening the local economies that rely on essential workers. So in closing, this is a Trojan horse. This is an opportunity to have live local throughout our city. No other city is moving in the direction of expanding
live local. What they're trying to do is restrict live local. Everybody's afraid of live local. That's the battle that we have right now. And I know that one thing has nothing to do with the other. The manager and I have had multiple meetings with the with the project and the RTZ. And we've made significant process progress. Correct.
>> That is correct, ma'am. progress on impact fees, on art in public places, on the design, on the height, on the articulation of the building, on parking, a line of issues that again under the RTZ,
we would have no actual uh jurisdiction to. And by the way, they wouldn't even have to come and get consent in regards to the exterior skin and design. We're pushing Mediterranean. They were pushing a more more contemporary design. So, we've reeled all these in through the
negotiations and I thank the commission for allowing me the presence to represent them. So, I am adamantly opposed to this. I think it's dangerous and reckless and it's a Trojan horse for more development in our community. Madam vice mayor, so I was going to start off with a simple statement and the math
hurts us and it hurts us tremendously. Instead of a minimum um rental profit margin of $2,200 per unit, you're going to $2,600 per unit. My god, they would be coming here in droves. 760 ponds is
an example of of a piece of land that easily could have gone to live local. And instead of two years of negotiations with residents, they wouldn't had to talk to them at all for their input. The math tremendously hurts us. It increases
the profits for developers. It'll encourage more live local act projects. When I ran for office, my goal was to limit the tall buildings to the central business district because that that zoning was that that horse had left the barn and it's not coming back. It's
already been approved for tall buildings. I didn't want it coming outside of there. But live local expands the reach of the height and density that we have in a central business district a mile beyond its borders. 190.5 ft in areas that we never dreamed would have
been appropriate for um that kind of height or density. And on top of it all, it decreases our tax revenues. So the rest of the residents that are paying taxes are shouldering more of the burden for all the the goods, services,
transportation, and maintenance of the roads and sidewalks and so forth that that live local project brings to us because we're collecting fewer revenues from that project. It's a wrong direction to go. The math doesn't work.
So, sorry to be that blunt about it. Perhaps it wasn't clear uh for you. Um, but this is a bad idea. >> Where's your letter? >> Well, I understand that what Commissioner Castro, you're proposing is a resolution to to appeal to the
legislature to amend live local, right? This is not an ordinance that we're looking to pass or resolution to pass to actually amend it ourselves. But with that being said, based on what the mayor said, based on what the vice mayor said, based upon what I understand from having read the resolution, to me, this appears
to be an attempt to convert live local into more of a prodeveloper version of live local. Can you explain to me why I'm wrong if I am? >> Absolutely. The whole point actually in this legislation is to give other municipalities surrounding us the
opportunity to build more buildings and maybe push them out of Coral Gables. That's the whole point of this legislation. I'm sorry that my colleagues had to change the narrative completely. It's a shame that their vision doesn't go as far as mine. I've been meeting with all the states in
Florida within the committee that I am in and I think this is a wonderful idea. >> May I respond? May I respond? The preeemption starts from the tip to the end of the state of Florida. It does not cherrypick
certain cities and counties that is preposterous and absolutely ridiculous by far. It just is. And another attempt to confuse people in this community. This legislation here that you're passing and the city attorney can help you understand it and the city manager
can help you. I know that you don't you don't understand it. Will promote more buildings, taller buildings. He just says it there. You want to extend our F to five. We don't allow F under our current zoning code under any circumstances. The highest is a 4.25.
Correct. With with with uh 4.25. Madam Madam Zoning Director, I want to make sure I get it correct. The highest F currently allowed in the city is a is what, Madam Director? >> It's Yeah, with my bonus and with TDR is 4.375. >> Okay. 4.375. >> Right. >> So, I'm happy it's coming from the
zoning director. No one is trying to misdirect or or or scuttle your legislation or your resolution. We're proving points. You're asking for an F5. It doesn't exist in the city. You're asking for a blanket live local approach which will allow buildings to be built of 190.5.
This this goes against the city completely against our zoning codes and our standards. And think about it. If if we're urging the state of Florida to pass to to to make live local more intensive, you think they're going to
say, "Hey, thanks Coral Gables for uh for for sending this a resolution. We're going to exclude you, but we're going to include every city around you, so you're going to be the donut hole." They're going to say, "No, we're going to include every city in the state of Florida. If the the cities are asking for it, we'll bring it to the entire
state. No one is asking for this. This is lunacy." So, Commissioner Lada, I apologize I interrupt. >> No, no. Um, no, no worries. To me, what you're proposing, and I'm trying to make it simple, is that you're incentivizing
the developers to build via Live Local here in Coral Gables. more than anything else, if you were to successfully lobby the legislature to amend live local in the manner that you say um by raising it to being a municipal based income versus
area based. I still believe that that's in the end a prodeveloper move on your part. I don't know how to see it any other way. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, um maybe I just saw it a different way. Um
because coming in here I thought it would be something that would benefit us because of the impact that we're going to have from projects like Sears which would not benefit from the Coral Gables rent prices. But I think the arguments that are being made and that's why it's
good to have these these discussions where we all kind of talk through it. I can see the adverse effect that it may have on promoting uh indirectly promoting live local within our city. it. I have heard the same
concerns up in in uh at the League of Cities where there are municipalities and actually a lot of municipalities are trying to see how this this component could be changed because it is raising in certain cases the uh the the low threshold of rent in their
municipalities and in others it is reducing it instead of just focusing on a municipal basis. Coming into here, I thought it was it was a great idea because it would prevent us from dealing with issues like Sears where we have no say on on the matter and we would have no benefit from
it. But I also don't want to send a message to Tallahassee where hey, let's raise it and let's attract it here in Coral Gables because to this point, let's let's be honest with Live Local, it has been used as a method to try to
increase what they're able to get. Nobody has actually come through with a live local project in Coral Gables. Why? Because it has not made s right. We have one that that >> it's on the pipeline. >> We have one in the pipeline. Different neighborhood. And and that's something that that also has factors into where
that project fits in, but it's not something that makes sense across the street from the plaza. >> May I interject? when you say a different neighborhood. >> We just approved the project >> 77 ft >> across the street from this proposed project.
>> This live local which is being proposed would be 190.5. Correct? Or am I What was the number? >> What was the number? Final >> was the approved was less than 77 ft. >> I apologize. Excuse me. Excuse me. I Thank you. No, no, correct me. Correct me if I'm wrong. Not a problem. I say better. So, you're literally saying across the street you're going to have a
building that is potentially 130 feet taller. Almost 120 feet taller. say, um, so we can go back and forth. I've had conversations with state representatives and state senators. I've called them about this. I did my due diligence. I did my homework. I read them the legislation, the resolutions being
proposed. They said that this is like the Titanic hitting an iceberg. Why would you want to do this to yourself? You're asking us to spread live local even further and increase density, increase d intensity, increasing your f.
doesn't make any sense. But >> and I understand I I think we should just tone down, you know, the conversation. I think we're having a productive conversation and I I think let's not lose the message because we're
trying to attack each other and I and I I don't want any the attacks don't need to be here. I think just having a conversation on the facts convinces me that this doesn't work for Coral Gables. And and that's what I that's what I'm the
message I'm trying to send across. And that's why these conversations are productive because I came into today looking at it from a perspective of how are these projects that are in neighboring neighborhoods and you never know what could come in South Miami what could come I mean we
all we have the 39story building that's coming where um sense of place is that's going to have a huge impact in Coral Gables and I'm sure there are others that are going to follow those are going to have a major impact on us the Coral Gables property value or the the the
rental value of Coral Gables is raising their ability to get a little bit more from those projects. That's the way I saw it coming in. But the arguments that all of you have made show me that perhaps we just have to look at it in a
different way because that's not going to solve the problem that we're trying to solve. It really could create more problems for us in the long run. In fact, I think one of the biggest issues live local has is the definition of jurisdiction when it comes to height. It
has never truly been defined. It has been left there as jurisdiction. It's been interpreted as the county, but I'm sorry, as a city, but developers could technically come in and say, "Hey, you have a building in the county across the street. It hasn't been taken to court
yet, but they could technically come in on that front." That's a term that should be defined as the municipality because that keeps the projects lower and that that assures us that you're not going to have a 27 or a 39 story building because now you have a 39 story
building uh within the onem radius and they're going to want to take advantage of it in Coral Gables. That's an issue that that we definitely could see coming forward in the future unless the legislature does define that term as the municipality, not jurisdiction. >> The mayor. >> Yes.
>> Yeah. So the whole intent of this this legislation um was not to increase density or F and and when Commissioner La says here is very pro-development. I I think we both are all of us here know that I'm not prodevelopment at all. If
anything I am pro residents pro quality of life of the residents I represent. Well that might be a a misconception or maybe I express myself wrong. Okay. The whole intent of this legislation is to one support the legislature to go and ha
go ahead and have more affordable housing through all municipalities in the county right now. The way the fee schedule is does not work for us. Now if you guys feel more comfortable and you guys can support whatever we have right
now if it was 4.3 please do so. Um I the there there was no intent here to raise anything. The whole intent here is to spread it around to give other municipalities a chance to go ahead and build. Municipalities like maybe Miami
Gardens or or Opalaka, Hay Alia, maybe industrial zones can also take advantage of this and we can spread the love everywhere not just say in you know city of Miami >> and um Poros.
>> Let me ask I want to ask two things really quick. First of support the legislator. Who's the legislator you're talking about? >> We can go ahead and have a conversation with Representative Vicky Lopez. >> Okay. She's no longer a representative as of this afternoon. She's now your county commissioner.
>> So don't don't support her. She's your county commissioner now. Just so you know that she was she was n I'm not done yet. I'm not done yet. I'm speaking. I'm speaking. I waited. I listen I waited for you. So I have a literally congratulatory note here for her and I already sent her a nice congratulatory note. Uh so that's number one. She's no longer a state rep. She's she's now a
county commissioner as of this afternoon. So that's number one. Number two, preeemption. Why are we supporting? Why are we passing other legislation for Miami Gardens, for you know, Opalaka? Why? Let
them pass their own legislation. If they want more density, if they want more intensity, if they own more F, let them reach out to their state reps and their state senators and say, "Hey, listen, expand on live local." Why would we want to be more preempted? Why would we want to say, "Hey, preempt us even more so we
lose control of design like we're negotiating with the mark now so that we have more units, so that we have more square footage, so that we have more height." I don't want any of that. We want to bring our cities our our projects down or at least have the ability to negotiate an additional height, for example, our Mando Codina
and Manny Gather's project for additional 17 ft to get a beautiful park or Publix to get a little bit of a setback and get a beautiful 20,000 foot park. The whole point is that we lose the ability to negotiate by by the RTZ, even worse, live local. So, the idea of
of you're helping out other cities and I don't know, I'm in the business of helping out Coral Gables. I'm not in the business of helping out other cities. And Vicky Lopez is no longer a state rep. I love her to death. I supported her. I've been a lifelong supporter of Vicki. She's great. But she's now in the county commission. >> Madam Vice Mayor,
>> to the mayor, I'm going to make a couple suggestions that I think will >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry. Madam Vice Mayor, I told Commissioner a lot. I got I got interrupted. I'm sorry. >> Okay. It's all right. >> He gave me He gave me the If you'd like to go, we can go. >> It's all right. You want to finish and then I'll go? >> Well, I can start. >> You didn't start? Okay. You want to hear
my suggestions or not? >> I'll be quick because I want to address specific a couple of points that Commissioner Castro directed to me. I I'm not accusing you of being pro-developer. I know you've professed to not being that. What I was referring to specifically is that your resolution
may have let's say the unintended effect actually being if it were to be passed and if it would be successful up in the legislature actually definitively prodevelopment may not be what you intend but that's the conversation we're having here in the dis today is to show you something you may not have realized
sort of like what commissioner Fernandez said just through today's conversation he's he's seeing it from a different perspective um you you say that you're trying to help out other communities, you know, to get uh additional u uh
entry level points for for for low-income housing, right? I would suggest all that I'm doing here is putting the uh interests of the residents of Coral Gables at the forefront. That's the most important thing to me, not to worry about neighboring communities, right? The most important thing to me is what's
happening today here for the Coral Gables resident. This resolution, if passed, would lead us down a path that would be actually, as everyone so far who's chimed in on this point said, would actually increase the density in the city, would strengthen live local, which would actually pave the way for
further uh intrusion on home rule and uh and and we have got to hang on to that. In fact, this was a point that I spoke very passionately about with respect to what occurred at the mark and with respect to the RTZ, the decisions we make and the people that we put on these
boards, their actions have consequences. So what may not have been intended to be pro-development coming out of the delays occasioned by the PNZ forced or made it pretty obvious to the developers to go the roots of the RTZ
and bypassed us completely. We have to be thinking with all respect how to work around live local not headon like this. At least the attempt that you're trying to do would actually play into the hands of the developer. At least that's what I believe very strongly. And by the way,
little preview. I'm working on something right now too on how to attack live local. But going to going to think a little strategically, going to think a little bit outside the box. But this here and I hope I can prevail upon you to see um my view right is that this is
playing into if you were to successfully lobby the legislature right into the hands of the developers which in turn would be referred to unintentionally I assume as pro-development. >> Madam vice mayor >> so I'm going to dovetail on that.
There's a couple points and I've been in my conversations with the state's legislators bringing them up for time time to time. If you want to encourage development in other areas where it's more affordable to build, increasing the funding for section 8 housing would be a
beneficial piece. Land is more expensive here and therefore that would encourage the development. I think the intent that you're trying to achieve here is for development outside of Coral Gables. The short-term rental issue. While we're blessed with a grandfather position uh
position of having six months rentals minimum, it is destroying the rental rates elsewhere because the rate of return, the profit margin on short-term rentals which are competing with hotels is taking off the table. All these
living units that used to be for, you know, someone starting out, you could have a rental apartment. The choices are clear for people who own those buildings. Why not get the higher profit margin and reap in the dollars and over
fist allow the municipalities to control this and you the state would be much better off and we'll have more housing units available for people um of all types of needs. Discussions were also had by state legislators about using
land on school grounds to build housing. You know, our our children need space to play. You need the green space. I did make the suggestion for the state legislator put some money into the schools that if you're putting money into a gymnasium,
you can add a floor or two and have some affordable units there for uh first responders, people uh people that work in the school, people that live within a certain radius, uh I should say, work within a certain radius because what you're trying to do
is make it more affordable for people so they don't have to drive as much and have the luxury that I do to be six minutes away from where I work because literally I can walk or drive within six minutes to where I need to be. Um, and lastly, you know, one of the points that
I made to each one of the uh legislators is live local is not live more affordable. Transportation is key. So, unless you're building along where there's a transportation route or expanding the existing uh free
transportation Um, we know what insurance costs. We know what it takes to maintain a car. It's extremely expensive and prohibitive for many families. So, those were my points that that you may want to use in your
discussions. >> Um, through the mayor. >> Thank you, vice mayor, for at least sharing some of the vision that I was trying to to explain. And as a closing remarks because I can see that I don't have any support on this dis I want to
close by saying that the purpose of this legislation was to increase the number of viable workforce housing sites. And in conclusion to that was to be able to push people outside. There was never an attempt to preempt anything or to really
increase density. If I I probably if there was an increase in that legislation, it was I oversaw from when the city when the city attorney went a city attorney's office went ahead and drafted it. But um I did approve it. I
oversaw it. So the whole point of this legislation was to push things that could be coming to us outside. Now if you guys want to help me to amend this to reach that purpose, I would be more than happy to do that.
>> First and foremost, a preeemption is the entire state of Florida. It's not just by city or jurisdiction. Madam city attorney, will you please explain Did you write this legislation? Did you draft this legislation? >> Um yes, mayor. At the request of the commissioner, we we drafted the the resolution. She obviously had had input as as you all do with these um types of
items. Um but I I just I don't want to speak for you, mayor, but I don't think you were suggesting that the resolution was specifically requesting an increase in density. I think you were saying the effect of it would be that there would be% >> more opportunity for >> projects that have an increased density. I I I think that's what So, it wasn't
that the resolution itself, Commissioner, had something in it requesting an increase in density. >> I I was looking for it. I couldn't find I couldn't find it because that's what the mayor was saying. >> I was blown away. >> Listen, you don't have to be blown away. The outcome is the facts are the facts. Am I wrong? Yes or no? I I as I understood your comment, that's what you
were saying that this would if if there's more of these projects, the the legislation already, the state statute already provides for the um the increased F and density. >> Obvious if you expand on live local, it's a threat to our zoning code. So, what
you're asking to do would not happen in Opalaka or or or city Miami or West Miami and South Miami and not happen here. It'll happen here because your live local encompasses the entire state. So by proposing a resolution that requests that live local be expanded,
that the FIR be increased, that the hype be increased, that the increase in the rent rates, again, you're just causing damage to the city. But I think that's something that's so obvious that I I I don't understand how that was even missed. So to me, I'm not I'm not done yet. Um, let me just finish. So to me,
that's what's scary. this piece of legislation, this this resolution is a Trojan horse. And when I spoke to state representatives and senators because I wanted to speak with them and say, "Let me ask you a question. Where what am I missing here in this legislation? Where am I?" They said, "No, Vince, you're not
missing this legislation as proposed, sent to the state house and to the Senate as a resolution would cause damage to your zoning code, would cause damage to your way of life, to your quality of life because you're increasing live local. you're increasing
the the the interest in doing live local. So you would be this would benefit developers. You would be something and everybody's saying yes. It would be look we're giving you we're incentivizing developers. We want you to build live local. We don't want people to build
live local. We want to have control over design. We want to have control over heights. We want to have control. And if at the end of the day somebody comes to says we want additional height. We want additional F. We want additional uh density or intensity. Perfect. We can negotiate. We can negotiate for something and have a conversation. Live
local and the RTZ are out of our hands, especially Live Local. Why would we want to empower Live Local? Does it make sense? >> Through the mayor. Yeah. We're not empowering Live Local. Live Local is already here. What we're trying to do is push it to other municipalities. That's
the whole point of this legislation. You keep on talking about it and and more opportunities. Actually, what this does is the complete opposite. We have what we have right now. We need to work with it and make it work for us. The way we could make it work for us is pushing it
to other places that cannot offer it. That's the whole point of this. >> Let me just take a stab at. I think what the commissioner is trying to say is the intent of her legislation was to make it more lucrative for a developer to do live local in another municipality, not
in Coral Gables. The adverse effect is you're also raising the value of what they can get from a live local in Coral Gables. So it'll promote it'll have the two effects. A developer who has more money to invest is going to try to do it in Coral Gables. One that
doesn't have as much money to invest is going to do it in another municipality. But it it does open up the adverse effect of the legislation is that it opens up Coral Gables a bit more. But I I don't think there was any malicious intent. I think the the intent was to
try to promote pushing live local across the border and trying to keep it out of Coral Gables. The adverse effect of it is it still makes Coral Gables a little more vulnerable to the live local uh initiatives that are that are out there. >> Again, we can go in circles all day and
you can try to explain any way you like. This is reckless and dangerous. And when you say you're anti-development, like if anybody read my read my my u my newsletter, it was very clear. I put a chart of our voting record over the last two years. It's there. It's clear. Your
voting record is there. So you can spout off and say that you're anti-development. You're anti development to try to appease certain people in the room and I understand that. But at the end of the day, the facts are in the way you voted. And at the end of the day, the voters will decide. But my point is, but my point is this right here, you're not going to
convince me that this pushes live local to other cities. This opens the door to live local in our in our in our city because it incentivized developers. Am I Madam Vice Mayor, I just want I just am I missing something here? No. >> Because all the state reps and senators that I brought this up to, they're like, "Vince, this is a you're opening the
door. You're unlocking the door and saying come to our city. We're going to pay you more rent. We're going to give you more density." So, I mean, I know it wasn't your intent and when I've been on teams of lawyers, they usually come to me to do the the stuff that deals with
financial data and so forth. Wasn't your intent. However, it does have that impact. It's black and white. It's very very extremely clear to me. Okay. So, thank you for trying to help. I know the
intention was good. We'll see if we can move forward. >> Yeah. All right. Do you want to make a motion on your item? >> There's no support. >> Do you It's I'm giving you the opportunity. So, you say >> I'll move it. I'll move it. I'll >> move it. We have a second.
>> No, it dies on the floor. Moving on. Um F4. >> It's 6. >> That's the one at 6 p.m. May. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you for that. I appreciate it. >> I had a question about that though. Why 6 p.m.? Some of us have to pick up kids at 5. >> Okay. This is May may I interject for a
second? That's a good point. >> I don't have a problem at 6 p.m. I I don't have an issue breaking at 5 and coming back at 6. All right. >> I have no issues with that. Just you know, it actually it actually I'm going to be tell you why. Because I they actually asked me to do a ribbon cutting for a new business that opened up here
and I want to help out with them. I help this new this new entity that just opened up here. So, I don't have an issue with it. >> No time certain for next meeting. >> There's this is a lot more complicated than you think. Okay. We had an agenda. >> There's a lot of people coming too.
>> We had an agenda. Everybody was Everybody, you know, I asked them. That's >> fine. I asked them when people could come. >> Four other items so we can Let's get We'll get it done quick. Get those done. >> We done. Okay. F F7. >> Madam Vice Mayor, your item >> update update on Builmore Way.
I will invite our esteemed staff up to give us that update. I had the mini update when I went to the landscape advisory board. You're going to give us the professional update. Yes. Hi. Uh, good afternoon, Hermes. Poly director. Um, you know, we're working through the plans for those two blocks between
Anderson and Siggoia. Um, I think we have about 60%. And, you know, we expect to put those out to bid early next year. >> Okay. So, let's go on the east side of Siggoia since we're >> on the east side. On the east side of Seduggoia, um, we're working with Dober Cole and, uh, the plan is those to we
should be ready for a community meeting probably on February. So you'll be able to break ground in each section approximately. >> There is no funding on the east side of Segoia. That's just a community meeting so we can have a discussion about what we're going to do because that area is very complicated. The area that does
have funding where we're going to do all the landscaping and the trees on the sidewalk is between the circle and that's the one that we should be breaking ground next year. >> So let me be more precise because this was something that was discussed with along city hall. >> The section here in front of city hall,
>> the trees in front of city hall. Okay. My apologies. So, you're talking about those planters in front of city hall? >> Yes. >> Not the larger project. >> I'll I'll >> Let's get some shade trees for the farmers market, please. Thank you. >> Okay.
>> The planters in the streetscape here in front of city hall on the south side. That's also the plans are about 60% complete right now. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you mean the north side closest to city hall? >> Mhm. on the Builtmore Way in the parking
area, removing some of the parking spaces to plant Besia trees and detached bumpouts, >> right? >> Completely separate from the city hall renovation project. >> Okay. Okay. So, if if resident comes in to ask when when are we going to see
trees? >> Well, plans are at 60%. Um I'm assuming do you project schedule is probably >> I'll say probably the first half of next year. >> Yeah. >> Next year. >> Yes.
>> This time next year, end of next year. >> No, it doesn't have to be that long. I will say the first half of next year. >> First half of next year. I mean next year is coming really soon. So >> we would love to see the trees in the first part of next year. >> That's the plan.
>> Okay. And and and if I may add something also since we're talking about bill Wayne and I'm going to bring in at the end, Mr. Manager, we really really got to step up with um in regards to Mr. Ramirez and code enforcement, the issue of of holding people accountable for pressure cleaning the sidewalks. The sidewalks are filthy in the commercial
districts. The legislation that I wrote requires every six months to pressure clean. I'm more than willing if we're going to do the bid and if we're going to have a we I'm more than willing to even have the city fund sidewalk cleaning and have the bid pay into it so we can do it in a more
choreographed way so people are not spending $200 just to do their small little portion or having to buy a machine. But the sidewalks the sidewalks in downtown especially on build way we got to tell those buildings I don't want to find people. I just want people to be aware if you don't do it in a month and like I like for example when I when I
text every single day with the DCM my statement is we have a we have a code enforcement issue let's educate let's educate let's educate um you know at the end of the day it's important because you're talking about the beauty the beauty of the city so since we're going to be working a bill more way I think
it's let's bring it up let's bring it up to our standard what >> I would say I think it merits updating the legislation to include all commercial properties in the city because when you drive down 8th Street, the conditions of the sidewalks and business. >> I think it's all >> well I can assure you those have never
been pressure cleaned. >> Okay. >> And and it's they're it's in horrible shape. You go down US1, there areas where you have issues. You go down ponds close to uh the University of Miami, there are businesses there that are in the same situation. >> So, let's do this. Madam city attorney, will you look up that piece of legislation and bring it back December
9th, the one that I wrote in regards to sidewalks to see what areas if it if it if it encompasses the entire city? If it doesn't, let's amend it. Yeah, I'm confident that it does, mayor, but I'll confirm. I can I can send an email to the commission as well. >> Again, it's not we're not here to penal. I don't want to hurt people, but again, the sidewalks need to look beautiful.
>> So, I I think it would be more costefficient to do it, you know, a one block bid for pressure cleaning and it wouldn't you wouldn't have this clean dirty clean dirty look that emphasizes, >> you know, the dirty. So, I'm going to go back to the west of
>> Siggoia >> uh section and ask you when are you going to have trees in the ground there? >> So, so if we put it out to bid around February, bidding process takes about 3 months. So, you're looking at the later part. That's a little bit of a larger
project. >> It's a larger project more expensive because you have to cut you have to break the cement, put the silver cells in, right? >> Then bring the those sidewalks and bring the trees in. >> It's much more complicated. So, you're talking about
>> third quarter, fourth quarter of 26. >> So, if it goes out to bid on February, usually takes about 3 months. So, now you're looking at uh May more or less. We have a contractor between one thing or the other will probably break ground sometime in the summer. sometime in the summer. Yeah. And trees
>> looking beautiful and sidewalks all poured and everything all the mess done with by when? >> That work should take about I would say about six months. >> Mhm. >> Something like that. >> So before Christmas of next year. >> That's going to be hard. It could happen, but we're going to have to push
them. >> You'll have to push >> because that that that puts it, you know, especially when you start getting through the holidays and then in the summer you get rain. So that's when you start seeing a little delay. So that's it. may be possible, but I don't want to promise it. Let us let us see if we can somehow expedite that schedule a little bit.
>> Go ahead and expedite it. >> So, since we're talking about sidewalks and stuff, I've noticed a uh increase in amount of cardboard and trash pits. >> May I since we're talking about that too, another major issue, and again, we got to get on top of the issue of
there's no plastic allowed. You cannot put plastic green matter in plastic all week. all week there. You know, code of force has got to get on top of that. Your green matter has to be loose. You cannot put the the plastic bags all week. I'm getting calls from Mr. Mr. DCM
because you know you have people here who love to make public records and they tried in the last campaign and failed miserably when we won by almost 20%. Um, how much how many residents are writing about the issues with illegal dumping?
>> Oh, goodness, mayor. Uh, I between the the texts I I get from you and the residents sending in, >> you know, and the text from me from residents neighbor saying, "Listen, I can't educate my neighbor who keeps dumping 50 bags of of of of landscaping inside. Just dump it loose."
>> You're talking about a dozen to two dozen a week. >> Yeah. So, it may be a funny campaign fodder and it may be fun, you know, to make up things like in the last campaign that we're done with the fake little code enforcement things. The concept and idea is just to beautify the city. Just try to do our job. I mean, and try to
help out code enforcement and try to do the best that we can. What I would love to do instead of attacking people and wasting time and doing all this BS with with with the blogs, get involved and walk your street. Make your street beautiful. Help us get rid of trash
pits. Help us get rid of cardboard. That cardboard that should be put recycled to save us money so we don't have to continue to raise our tipping fees. So that that's what bothers me about this whole issue that that we're the staff is trying to do an amazing job. They can only do so much if we just get some
compliance from people on this front instead of making it a political issue every single time because they don't get people don't get their way. You know how much we do this every day. Every day. >> Every day. I mean it it's it's a con continuous issue on a on a daily basis
and and and we do go out and we do find them in cases where they they have excess amount of of green waste. Uh then we get the push back um you know that it was somebody else and um so it's a continuous effort. >> So we tell them get rid of your get rid
of your trash pit. You know >> we do and we get the push back of not not they want the trash pit. So, uh, it's a challenge. >> And then the neighbors are complaining. The neighbors are complaining because they have a they they they have a trash pit that's full of full of, uh, garbage
bags an entire week in front of in front of their house. And they're like, "How do we get rid of this?" >> So, Madam Vice Mayor, thank you, Mr. D. >> So, so, while we're doing trash pits, a reminder, code enforcement is supposed to have the report to us on their enforcement efforts on dog waste bags.
>> Um, you know, I I heard that it really wasn't being enforced. I provided the deputy city manager with a photo of two dog waste bags u going down the gutter in this close about less than a foot
close to the actual drain itself. Um, I made a suggestion my the code enforcement officer in my area, take some signs with you, have a me, you know, knock on the door, say hello to somebody, give them the warning, put the sign up. It helps
educate. I think it decreases the amount of dog waste bags in the pits that I've noticed uh by over 90%. >> So, I only find one or two occasionally and pretty soon there's zero. So, that's it on trash pits, folks. Okay. You want
to move on to the next item? You're good, Madam Vice Mayor. >> Yep. >> Okay. We'll move on to item FA, which I love to do in five minutes. >> And the reason why I put this up is because I want to give staff kudos. Amazing job by staff. We are we are what everybody's following in the state of
Florida. Can I say that? >> Yes. And who deserves a credit back? >> All the whole team. Both of you, Salange and yourself, brought this to the city. You brought this to the city. did a huge effort and it was incredible to go and welcome all
these cities including the mayor of Key West to the city beautiful and they want to emulate what the city beautiful is doing. So we have our issues and we're being picky when we talk about garbage bags and this and dog bags and all that kind of stuff. It's good to be picky. That's what keeps our standards high, but I wanted you guys to see the amazing
work that staff is doing and how we're leading on this front. And by the way, anything you can do, anything you have an interest in, any way you want to help, we're all in. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh so yeah, we wanted to give a brief update. Uh on November 5th through the 7th, we hosted the Keep Florida Beautiful Conference here in the
city. Um so we had affiliates from all over the state uh as part of it. We do have the PowerPoint that's up. So uh so from November 5th to the 7th, we had over 100 attendees come and attend and be part of the conversation and we had 29 other affiliates from throughout the
state um coming and collaborating, sharing best practices. There was a lot of education uh going on. So again, it was it was an honor to be able to host this conference. We can transition to the next slide. >> I will say uh one thing that I want to add here is we hosted the conference at the Hyatt Regency here in the in Coral
Gables. Um bringing in all of those attendees to the hotel and using the conference space that the hotel provided and their food and beverage. So bringing in that economic impact to the city as well during this time. >> So the next slide, uh mayor, you were talking about this. You came and gave opening remarks. Thank you again for for
doing that. and the comments we received were uh unanimous. Uh people loved the the speech you gave and praised the city for their leadership. Um and how you talk about how the environment, it's not a partisan issue. It's for all of us to to be able to do. So that that we saw
that in the comments uh from the attendees on you know the city's leadership um and and you know on these issues and just wanted to share that and the photo you see there is the mayor of Key West uh Mayor Henriquez who was there. um they're hoping to attend to host one of the future Cape Florida
beautiful >> conference. So they heard that we were hosting this year and immediately said that they wanted to host uh one of the next ones. So they're in line to host the annual conference in 2027. >> And something that we did was very interesting. So I gave a speech, a prepared speech and then I went off the cuff and then we did a Q&A session for I
don't know how long you think that Q&A session was. I mean it wasn't part of the plan but I saw it for >> probably about 45 minutes. 45 minutes and I and I we talked about everything that the city is doing, you know, and our staff and how, you know, we're doing some incredible things and how we're always looking for ideas. Give me ideas.
Give us ideas. Let's let's do some great things. >> And I think they enjoyed that. I think it was an opportunity. I kind of blew the program. But um but it was I think it was a good opportunity just to >> show people that our community cares, that we're interested. And I'll tell you a few of the ideas that that were that
we spoke about later on in the conference were um Terracycle who we're already working with on the cigarette litter and a few other programs. They're looking at doing uh for um those e vape e- vaping and ecigarettes coming up with some sort of program that can have uh
for that as well. So that's something that should be coming out next year. Um and then looking at a few of our other programs. So next we have just we were able to obviously the mayor mentioned this we were able to showcase uh the city um we actually received an award for hosting the conference. This award
is made out of recycled microlastics and it's the logo of the conference. So again >> the so the keep Florida Beautiful every year for the awards that they give out they work with a local um artist to make the awards unique every year and always have a recycled or um litter component
to them. So, this award is made out of uh microlastics that the artist collected during beach cleanups and other cleanups that they attended. And it's actually the conference logo for this year, which was really great how they did that. Um, we also not only
showcased the different programs that we do through Keep Coral Gables Beautiful, we had a panel where we talked about all of our programs, but in the mindset of it takes a community um a collaborative effort. So, we talked about all of the different city departments and different organizations in the community that it
takes to make these programs a success from our residents to the chamber to the Coral Gables Women's Club, um, garden club and all of the different partners that we have, which we received great takeaways from that. Um, other affiliates have been wanting the presentation and they want to implement
some of those programs and learned a lot from it. But we also got to show off our downtown especially. I gave restaurant recommendations to the attendees. They went out almost every night. Um, some of them got in on Monday, so they had been going out to restaurants. I got great
feedback from Fraatelino. Uh, people loved when they went there and our Conano on Geralda Avenue. So, they were actively patronizing our restaurants and businesses, having a great time and um, saying nothing but great things about them. And I'll also mention on the collaboration, you know, overall
government gets a bad rap because they say, you know, we work in silos and departments don't talk to each other. That has definitely never been the case here in the city. Um, and I think a lot of our programs showed that very example where we just work across all city departments and there's this collaboration going on with every event we do, with every program that we do.
There's multiple departments that are involved in that and then the participation from our businesses and and our residents as well. Do you want to >> this is just some of the different presentations and speakers that uh participated in the panel discussions during the conference agenda. Uh we had
Zoo Miami come out and do a presentation on butterflies. Uh we had a recycling panel with NXTrex, Terraycle and other uh the EPA and other uh members of that kind of community. Um which got great
takeaways. >> And part of the conference every year we kick it off, they kick it off with a sunset social the first night of the conference. This year it was held at Bay13 Brewery right across from the
Hyatt. Uh almost all of the attendees had already arrived that first night. They were very excited to be in the gables. So we had around I would say 80 to 90 people at the sunset social bringing in over $5,000 into the Bay 13 in that night with that large party. Um
everybody had a great time and they truly enjoyed the food and and drinks that night. So very successful for our downtown. >> And last slide. Um, we did do host a downtown cleanup the last day of the event in the morning and we had the experts out there with us. So, similar
to us, but all throughout the state, uh, we had 32 volunteers that that that came out, collected 325 lbs of trash in less than 30 minutes. They actually found a little illegal dump site that was actually just outside of the city that they actually went across and cleaned up and brought that over. So, we were able
to address that really quickly. Um, and also be able to uh to collect later that they some letter that they found in the downtown. So again um you know thank them for coming out, thank them for allowing us to host this conference and also I need to thank uh Diego Nicole and from my team uh who attended every
single meeting as part of this planning and put a lot of work into helping us host this. So um >> we started planning the conference at last year's conference when it was held and and we were chosen for the host site. So they were great and making sure that everything was a success and ran
smoothly as the conference got near. >> Super proud of you guys. you guys did an amazing job. Really uh shined a real positive light on the city and we're an example. I'm very proud of the hard work you've been doing over the last decade just really showcasing the city. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you for your guys. >> Deserve all the credit. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Um F10 update on the centennial. So, we've been uh working with staff and Martha Pantene deserves a lot of credit. Um she's worked hard. The ACM's worked hard. DCM, the manager, Belies,
everybody who's involved, um, been really, really pushing. Uh, we had a handful of tickets sold last week and now we're really doing well. You want to come up and talk a little bit about this and so I need everybody to make their push and sell. This is going to be a wonderful event, especially with a fully
renovated Venetian pool. It's going to be really nice and it's going to be something that again that will be memorable. >> Thank you. Good afternoon, mayor, vice mayor, members of the commission. And yes, a definitely a big shout out to Martha Pantene, Director Pantene. She has been kind of the leading charge behind the ticket sales, the marketing
plan, and also a big thank you to the parks department as well as economic development because it takes a village to make the event of the century come to fruition. And I know Martha's team prepared a beautiful video. So, we have a short video that we will
be running on uh our social media. We will share it with you as well. uh starting tomorrow. We didn't think it was appropriate today regarding >> today's earlier events to do that. Sorry, I ran up. We also have been
pushing it on e- newsws and other uh areas. You'll see that there's like a banner downstairs. So, Michael, if you could run the video, >> but also we've been making personal phone calls. You've been really pushing coming to my office, you know, having conversations with people. And I just want to commend you for your hard work. And if any of you have any ideas of
other people that we can reach out to, please call me and we will follow up. I >> think it's seven or seven. It's good. It's going to be great. Briefly, um yeah, thank you all very much. Very excited about this upcoming uh concert. Everyone on the DIS and everyone who's watching at home should get them while
they're hot because the tickets are going to fly. >> Y >> and I wanted to give you a special shout out. Happy anniversary to Karolina and her husband Dariel because today is the day and she's working here hard. I hope that he has something planned very special for you this evening.
>> Thank you. >> And we're we're we're at close to 100, but our goal is to really to get to 200. >> Yeah, it's good. We're moving and selling. >> Uh I just do want to say something that it is uh for ages 21 and up. Nearly a century ago, the city beautiful dreamed
of a place where art, architecture, and nature would unite. Now, 100 years later, that dream returns as the Miami Symphony Orchestra transforms the Venetian Pool into a stage of timeless beauty. Join us for
the Centennial Grand Finale Concert, a once-in-a-lifetime performance under the stars, celebrating 100 years of Coral Gables. Love it. All right. >> And kudos to Michael Roachcha, the man always behind the scenes, but because
he's the one that put that together for us. >> Amazing. Thank you. And we'll do a final push in the next two weeks. >> And I just want to share we did have a discount for employees. So, a lot of employees did ask, they would love to attend and with the manager's approval, uh, we did have a discount 50% off for
employees so that they have an opportunity to attend as well. And we are actively securing sponsors. I just want to give a shout out to already. We have John Bell uh who's one of our sponsors and also the historic preservation association of Coral Gables who are also committed to a sponsorship. So I just wanted to give both of them a
shout out and hopefully we can obtain a few more sponsors. >> Love it. Perfect. Uh moving to the final item before we take a break till 6 o'clock. H4. >> Madam director. >> Good afternoon. Anna Peris, historic
resources and cultural arts director. I know I'm not your familiar face for public art projects, but um Katherine couldn't be here today. Um we do have a presentation. If they could put that up, please. Thank you. So, uh in 2022, the commission had passed a
resolution approving a rotating public art exhibit titled Art on the Plaza at the Cro Gables Museum. Um, as part of this program, the museum has reached out to city staff um to install a work of art by Jean Plansa in the u next well
it's already arrived so it'll be up in the next couple of days um for a temporary art exhibit um in the plaza. Uh this is Mina. She is a 11 foot painted bronze uh piece on a marble base. Um she's about 4,000 to 5,000
pounds and um we'll be there for the next few months while the um development at 4241 Aurora is completed. Um staff has been working with the museum and the developer on the location here at the plaza and um you'll see her the next few
months. >> That's it. >> I love it. >> Thank you. >> I love it. It's going to grow. is going to go very well in that little park in front of North Bridge. >> Yes. >> Be something beautiful. >> Permanent home will be at 4241 Aurora and um it'll be donated to the city once the completion of the development is done >> and that's already been approved and
gone through the process. >> So, I'll just add the residents in the area had a little meeting with the developer and they just love the piece of artwork. >> Yeah, >> I actually saw uh one of his works in Brussels. Uh it was pretty impressive. Not as large as this one. Uh but it was
interesting how different perspective gives you a completely different view of the artwork. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So if I could I would like to schedule a meeting with you >> and the manager through the manager and Elvis Fuentes from the museum. >> Okay.
>> Because I have an idea for a show and I was having conversations with some large collectors who live here in the Gables and I'd like to finally bring that event to fruition. I think it'll shine a very positive light on the museum and on the city. >> Yes, I'm sure they'd appreciate We can schedule maybe we can schedule something for next week. It'd be nice before the
end of the year. >> Sounds good. >> In preparation to work on something before our boss. >> All right. >> Would you like to um would you like to Thank you very much. >> Final comments so we just deal with the issue or you with with the six o'clock time or do you want to
>> No thanks. >> Okay. Madam Vice Mayor, you have any any items for the good of the order? Oh well, I'm reflecting upon, you know, the events of the day. Just remind everybody that um live each day to their fullest.
Hug and meet with everybody, your family members during Thanksgiving. Have a joyous time. Value every day as if it's your last. >> Yep. >> Because it goes by too quick.
>> For sure. Happy Thanksgiving. True. Yeah, I I echo your sentiment in your words as well. I think today was a was a rough day. Not not for all of us, for the whole city. Um I wanted to let the
mayor know that because you guys were going to be out in Tallahassee, I am going to be in that ribbon cutting. They are expecting me. I was um the one who was actually going to do it, but it's great that you're going to go ahead and be there as well now. Um, and I won't be able to come back for the six o'clock
because I just found out today that it was changed. I was not aware of that and my day is going to continue till very late today. >> I just wanted to say um that it was a very beautiful weekend. Um we were
celebrating the centennial of the church of Little Flower the school at the church of Little Flower. Um on Sunday it was a beautiful event that was presided over by Archbishop Wensky. We had a a magnificent turnout uh from the the
residents as well as the commission uh the colleagues that attended. Thank you very much for doing so. Um, Commissioner Fernandez spoke very uh very well. Um, and we we did the unveiling of the sign for uh for for the church. Um and uh and
I think that was a a wonderful event as and I'm getting a little bit um sentimental right as we're coming near the end of the centennial year because uh it's been an extraordinary year and there's so many things that have
occurred this year uh based on that and we still have a few really great ones left to celebrate before the end. So, >> um, I just want to thank our, uh, police and fire for all they did today, uh, for that ceremony. It was an incredible
ceremony. Um, very moving. Um, and it really was a a great sendoff, uh, for our former police officer. Um, I think, Vice Mayor, you said it perfectly. Uh
it's a moment for us to reflect about our own lives and how much how many times we tell our family members that we love them and that we appreciate them and we never do it enough. Um Commissioner Lara, you mentioned the event this weekend. It was an incredible
event honoring St. Teresa. Um they were very appreciative uh of the commission. Uh not only the commission but the city manager was there. Uh our police chief and fire chief were also there. uh and they were extremely appreciative of of the city making this such a priority for
the city as well. Um and I'm looking forward to um doing the official co-desation ceremony once we have the signs for the street. Uh and um really highlighting that that street and continuing closer to the actual centennial of the church because this
was the school. The church's centennial is uh next year uh next uh yeah beginning of next year. Um and uh just uh this is our last meeting before Thanksgiving. So wishing everybody a very happy Thanksgiving. All of our staff, thank you to all of you for your
dedication to our city, dedication to our residents, and all that you do for us. Uh and to the residents for bestowing the trust that they have upon us. >> Thank you. Um wholeheartly agree with all my colleagues in regards to today's
uh services for officer Haramo. Uh it was really impressive uh our police. It was just amazing to see the unity amongst all the departments and just the precision and respect that was given to this young man. Uh very welld deserved obviously. Uh but it was an extreme show
of support at a magnitude that that I've never seen in my life. Uh, and again, I want to thank the county and all agencies that were involved for giving this young man the respect that he deserves. Uh, that's number one. Number two, uh, I have multiple items, so I ask you to bear with me. I received multiple
uh, comments from different board members and uh, individuals who I guess enjoy watching the the parks uh, board uh, the parks and Rex board. and they brought to my attention some comments that were made by Kirk Menendez in
regards to the to the uh to the uh naming of the David Lawrence Park uh that later came out in the infamous Coral Gables Gazette which as many you know is not actually written by somebody. It's actually written by AI. Um I took just a very simple thing that
I wish the Gazette would have done is you write the city attorney an email. Just takes two seconds. I wrote her an email. It's a public record. Um, and I said, "Will you find out exactly the procedures and protocols for a park naming?" Just took me maybe 10 seconds. The response from our city attorney was, "It's a public record was,"Good evening.
On October 13, 2020, the city commission adopted resolution number 2020-237 adopting the attached revised city policy for naming and renaming city parks, open spaces, and public facilities. the policy. The general guidelines in the policy provided that
the Coral Gable City Commission shall have final approval of all names by resolution. While the policy sets forth criteria and guidelines for for naming parks in honor of individuals, groups or events, it specifically states that a member of the city commission can supersede this process by presenting a
name nomination directly to the city commission for consideration. All namings must be approved by the commission resolution. If the gazette wants to be taken seriously, you just need to do simple due diligence. The concept then the the constant idea of just pounding and pounding and pounding
on me hasn't worked in the past and it's not going to work again because this is misleading. This is again and it's ridiculous on the simple things they're pounding on. And by the way, attacking David Lawrence makes you every single person that call
me says how ridiculous it is. you can do better. Just a simple email to the city attorney. Simple, but it's okay. We know what the gazette is. That's number one. Number two, pickle ball recap. I went to
the pickle ball tournament. I'm going to tell you, I sold out the vice mayor. She ended up teaming up with Laura because I had to go watch my daughter play a soccer game. Amazing, amazing job by the vice mayor. um the amount of money that she raised,
she personally donated. She got the city to contribute and the money that was raised for the Ronald McDonald House charities raised $30,000 with 165 players, 45 volunteers, and dozens of spectators and 30 teams that place either first, second, or third. She's not going to bring it up. I knew she was
going to bring it up, so I wanted to make sure she got the credit she deserved. She worked her butt off. She deserves that, right? An amazing job. Many of you may not have heard this of this individual, but I hope you do, and you probably passed his name while you're at the at the airport. The reason
why I wasn't yesterday at the St. Terresa event because I was stuck on the tarmac for three hours like many people in this country as a result of the delays that have been happening. So, I missed that. >> Been there, done that. >> Yeah, I' I've been traveling three times in the past week. I've been delayed in every single time I've caught a plane. I
caught a plane in Atlanta and I was also delayed. But the reason why I bring that up is because if you walk through the terminal in American Airlines, you're going to see a name by the name of Peter Delora. Peter was a gentleman who I had the pleasure of knowing. I met him years
ago. He was a titan. The guy worked incessantly on behalf of his family, his community, and American Airlines. And he just passed away recently. And it was and it was truly sad to see this gentleman pass away
because he's a pillar of this community and lived his life for others. Reminds me a lot of my father. So we want to wish him God speed and uh we lost a legend in Mr. Dora. I also want to Oh, I received an email
from Mayor Jim Kase that he wanted me to read on the record. Statement of thanks from Ambassador Jim C. case and retired. On October 28th, I was fortunate to receive a successful kidney transplant at the Miami Transplant Institute from a young woman whose selflessly or organ
donation saved my life. I am now home and doing extremely well. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my friends, colleagues, and all who offered their prayers and best wishes for my recovery. A special expression of gratitude goes towards Mayor Vince Lago for his personal concern, encouragement,
and attention to my health during this time. Your support has meant a great deal to me. I look forward to rejoining the community once I complete my three-month recovery period. Speak to him every single day. I've been speaking to him for months because we've been working on a program that deals with
kidney transplants. I am a recipient at 5 years old to what is called a kidney transplant via bench surgery. I had renal I have renal artery stenosis. So that brought myself and the and the mayor very very close. as a mayor, as a matter of fact, another transplant survivor, Mayor Valdley has
also been helping us in put together a real awareness campaign. Um, so I didn't even know he had received that and I had spoken to his wife the day before. So my point is that the mayor is doing good spirits. He's healthy and he is uh in
God's hands doing an amazing recovery. Um, moving on other items. Uh this past week I bought the nativity scene that we so much talked about. Uh it was a little more than I expected. It was $8,800 I paid for with my American Express. And I
want to thank uh the individuals who came out of the woodwork after they heard in the commission meeting to donate money because they wanted to have their name attached to the nativity scene. Uh it will be here tomorrow and we will be putting it up soon and we're going to put together a little plaque that I'll pay for which everybody who
donated will have it and I hope that we can put it on the wall there. after the renovation we can put it up and so that everybody sees every single year the nativity scene uh who was gracious enough to help help out unlike the the manora which I paid for myself I need a little help you know the girls are
getting older it's getting a little bit more costly private school so I can't fund the whole bill myself and I am grateful for the people who came out to support me on that um with the support of my colleagues we voted three to two on this matter uh madam city attorney I
would like on the agenda an update on December 9th in regards to the the Coral Gable was the Corable was youth center. I know that we submitted a letter to Kirk Menendez's attorneys and they did not respond. We have a scheduled meeting for
tomorrow with the attorneys but they did not they did not respond by the deadline. I want to be very very clear this is non-negotiable. I want a response to the answers and my colleagues do also. The city and the youth center depend
on transparency. I hope that the questions put forth by our outside council will be responded in tomorrow's meeting. With that being said, I think we have um I think we've covered everything. We
will be back in one hour for the six o'clock time certain. I know that several residents have reached out to me looking forward to it. Um I'm I have I think I think an hour is probably more than enough. What do you think, Madam Vice Mayor? >> I think it's more than enough. I I don't even think it's going to take that long. I
>> I I told them to tighten down the presentation. They're on their end to 15 minutes. So, >> the reason why I said because I also have a work dinner at 7:30 and I just want to make sure that I get there. >> No, no, no. I told him it's a busy day. >> But if I have to push it back, I'll push it back. I don't >> listen. It was originally supposed to happen around 11:45.
Uh but you know, being that we didn't know about the um the service today until after the agenda published, >> you know, things had to be changed. >> Perfect. So, do we have consensus and an update for December 9th on the matters of the of the of the youth center appropriate?
>> Yes. Okay, madam city attorney, I wish you luck in tomorrow's meeting with their attorneys. Uh, thank you for your hard work to staff. I'll see you at six o'clock. Thank you very much. Back. Peter, let's say this. Jonathan, let's say
Mad Vice Mayor, this is crazy. >> Great. >> Recording in progress. >> F uh F what? F what? You expecting me to know? >> I literally have to be at a dinner at 7.
This is crazy. >> At 4. >> All right, Mr. Clerk. Ready? >> Good evening. How's everybody doing? >> Let me tell you, I've been I've been in public office for 13 years as a commissioner and a mayor. I've never seen these many people for one item. I
love it. I love the fact it's participation. It's great. >> Thank you all. >> So, I want to I want to tell us we're going to be talking about item F4. Uh we're going to open it up to a public public hearing, but first I want to have uh my our vice mayor speak a little bit about the item that she sponsored. Madam
Madam Vice Mayor, >> so um as you can see from the audience in the room, there's a lot of support for dog parks in our community and I was looking for additional space so that we have dog parks sprinkled throughout our city and people can be able to walk to
them. Um, so I spoke to some of you, uh, others of you heard through the grapevine about this project across from the library or proposed project across from the library and I handed it off to staff and individuals who have worked
their uh, tails off uh, making sure that we had support for the item before we moved forward. So um, staff has a general overview of the area. It was actually something that I drew as a conceptual idea of where we're going to
do it. I'd ask for it to be brought up on screen. So, and then staff will develop, you know, a professional drawing. This is this is my handywork. I apologize. So, but it it gives the idea that there there's a patch of land that has a
heavily shaded area on one end for small dogs and we can put some canine grass in there uh in that area and then have two large dog areas where you have real grass and it can alternate back and forth. You close one to let the grass
recover from the activities of the large dogs and then open the other one and and rotate them back and forth. I saw this when I was traveling in California and it seems to work extremely well. Uh there's a buffer area between uh residential homes and stuff that is going to be like a little mini force by
Dena. It's just going to screen it from the residential area. There'd be a hedge around the exterior of the fencing so it doesn't, you know, people driving by don't see that necessarily that this is a dog park. This is for the neighbors. This is for the neighborhood to be able
to walk there and enjoy it. So, um, Miss Baldwin, would you would you like to make some additional comments on it? >> Sure. Good evening. Um, I am, uh, green space assistant director of public works for green space management. I'm a landscape architect. And as vice mayor
said, this was her concept. That is very basic at this point. Um, the small dog area is going to be separated on the southwest side of the property. I guess it's located at Kadeimma and University is the corner that it's located and then
to the northeast side will be the two separate large dog areas. This green space measures approximately 400 ft by 150 ft. So, it's really sizable enough to have these different elements and
components. The fencing is going to be the black, um, Coral Gable standard dog park fencing that you would see at the underlying. Um, it's a wire fence that's, you know, tight enough to keep the small dogs from going through the fence. And we might
recommend it be buried so that, you know, the dogs can't dig below the fence. Um, landscaping wise, I see this buffer zone. It's going to be 25 ft wide of buffer zone between the fencing and the residential homes to the south. A
combination of native plants that form a a multi-layered buffer like we might have gumbo limbo, buttonwood, stoppers, wild coffee, um something like that that brings the Florida native plant scheme into here
and creates just a really thick buffer. Um the the large dog area will be natural grass that I'm sure will have to be switched out according to where and the small dog area will be the artificial turf made especially for dog
parks. And then of course we're talking about adding irrigation into this to make sure the planting is um maintained and really healthy for a long time. So I'm going to add one other aspect about this and that is it is going to be uh
funded by private donations and um there's been a lot of discussion between me and and individuals that uh are willing to contribute towards this and we we're working on the budget. So right now this resolution is to give uh
staff the green light to be able to move forward on the the plans going forward. So, mayor, I I know that we have public comment on this uh based upon the number of folks in the room. >> So, before we have public comment, and I
ask everyone to be as concise as possible. I think we have a lot of people going to be speaking today. I want to give credit to the vice mayor. Um for years before she was elected, we had had conversations and also me daily who's here from the underlying. If you're not aware of what's happening here in our city and what she has been
at the helm of, uh it's going to be transformational and I'm telling you, get ready for what's coming. The underline is three mile linear park here in the city that is going to have a dog park that is completed that is about to open. Uh that's something that I worked on for 10 years and u the vice mayor and
commissioner LA have been instrumental in making sure that gets delivered to the community. Getting back to what I was talking, we talked a lot about dog parks. The community came out. We tried to fit dog parks in existing parks, fencing areas off, you know, retrofitting existing parks. It just
didn't work. So, my understanding is that right now we have how many including the including the underline on the way? >> Underline's on the way. We have one at Salvador Park. There's that one at um on off of Pon that is there. We don't know
what's happening with the property yet, but that one will be a future dog park. Um there's tiny ones inside of some developments, but that's that's where we're at right now. >> So, the goal of the commission is to try to open up a few more dog parks here in the city. And there's going to be an
announcement pretty soon on something that I've been working on for the last decade on a big piece of property that's going to come into the city's hands from the private sector. Uh we should be announcing that next month, Mr. Manager, God willing, and it's going to be a transformational piece of property. It's going to be the largest piece of
property in private hands that is left and it will be the largest green space probably that the city's ever accepted almost six acres. Uh and that is something that I've been working on for a long time and we're very very close to finalizing. I think the negotiations the terms are finalized now. We're just in the process of papering it up between
lawyers. So it's going to be and it's not going to cost the city a dollar just development rights. So why am I telling you this? I'm telling you this because you have elected officials that are listening. We've been working on green spaces. When I got elected 13 years ago, we have one green space in downtown,
which was Pon Circle Park. Now, we have seven green spaces, many of them that are coming that are under construction or that are already programmed. And as properties are being finished, the parks will be developed. Uh, and we've also, as you've seen, we've opened a litany of different parks in in the residential
neighborhoods. Uh, the latest one that we opened was on Blue Road, which is exceptional. Uh we also opened one which is the Dorothy Thompson Park um on Bird Road and we continued to look for sites and we also bought a large piece adjacent to Salvador Salvador which you haven't seen that big piece of green
space. Well, we were able to acquire that piece of land. So I tell you this and I bring this up because you we need eyes and ears on the ground. So if you see properties that are that are for example adjacent to an existing park that come up for sale, call the city. If you know a friend that is going to sell
a piece of land, contact the city. Contact my office, the vice mayor, commissioner lot. Contact the manager's office. Let us know before somebody else scoops it up because we are looking for parks, but there are guidelines and our parks director can can explain that to you later. It's got to be within a certain distance of where we don't have
parks. So, we are looking for green space. We want to continue to buy green space. It's a big priority. So, with that being said, Mr. Clerk, uh, how many public comments do we have? >> Mr. Mayor, so far I've only received one. >> Okay, perfect. No problem. And that is that it's amazing. Then can we uh can we
have that person who's gonna come and speak? >> Mary Powell. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> They're very well organized. >> Yes. This is what I like. I love this. I love this. >> Yes. Uh good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor. >> If I can if I with that being said. >> Yes, sir. >> I can imagine that you're representing
everyone, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, that the three minutes won't apply to you. So, take your time. >> Oh, you can breathe. >> No, but I did I've been practicing. >> No, I want to make sure. There's no need >> and timing myself today. The commission is really grateful the fact that you guys are so well organized. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um well, so my and city attorney, I don't know if I missed you on the um so my name is Mary Powell and I live at 3267 Rivier Drive. I'd like to begin with a simple look at where we are today as a community. Coral Gables is
home to 70 city-owned park parks, 26 of which allow dogs and only one offering an off leash area. Now, I do know that you mentioned some other parks, but I'm talking about just the ones that we physically own and are opened by the residents here. So, that's I understand
what you were saying earlier. So, it says, "For a city of more than 50,000 residents, many of whom are dog owners, that number is striking. It clearly shows that we have an opportunity to better meet the needs of our residents. What's even more striking is how strongly the community feels about this
need. In just the past five days, more than 225 residents have signed a petition and um I've given it to the city clerk via email as well as Rhonda so that you guys have it on the record. Um some of those supporters are here tonight. If
you're here in support, would you please kindly stand? >> Thank you all. >> Thank you all. >> The only people not standing are staff, right? >> It's a day of first. It's a day of first non-stop. So, okay. >> I want to connect this moment to
something Mayor Lago has emphasized in the city's 100th anniversary reflections. Coral Gables has always been shaped by bold communitydriven ideas. Ideas that honor our past while investing while investing thoughtfully
in our future. You spoke of generations of leaders who never compromised on values and who understood the importance of investing in the quality of life that makes Coral Gables extraordinary. Creating a a permanent dog park reflects
that same vision, a small project with a meaningful, lasting impact. Vice Mayor Anderson also said something very important. Dogs need exercise, too, and walking around the block isn't going to do it. She's right.
A purpose-built off leash space isn't just convenient. It's necessary for safety, health, and community connection. This isn't a divided issue. It's one where residents are showing extraordinary unity. They've asked for
this, they've signed for this, and they've shown up for this. City manager Glaciius has said proudly that Coral Gables is a small city that works like a big city. To that end, a well-designed,
centrallylo dog park is precisely the kind of quality of life investment that great cities make. This is the right project in the right place at the right time. And so tonight, on behalf of the
more than 225 residents who signed this pet petition, the many supporters in this room, and the countless neighbors who will benefit from this amenity, I respectfully ask you to vote in favor of creating a permanent, thoughtfully designed, off leash dog park at this
site. Thank you. I did just want to add we we did have other people that wanted to be here but when the time changed unfortunately we lost some of our older residents who wanted to support and we lost some of our friends that have kids to soccer. >> Perfect. >> So sorry. And it was for good reason. We
understand. We all >> So we would have we would have had all the seats filled is what you're trying to tell me. >> Yes ma'am. >> Don't worry. My kids are at soccer right now. I know. I know. >> Yes. So, Vice Mayor, before you before you take the floor again, listen, I'm I'm a I'm a big big believer
that dog parks are essential. We are changing the way that we do business in the neighborhoods, especially when it comes to parks. I want to buy as much land as possible, and with that comes, people want to have their dogs be able to be enjoy these parks, but it's got to be the right use.
We have we've had this conflict, and you you've dealt with it, and so have you, where people want to take their dogs, certain people are following the rules. Some people are not. And I'm not even talking about the people who have dogs. Talking about the people who don't have dogs. And we get into this conflict.
We we I think through the leadership of the vice mayor, I think we have a solution. And you know, she's worked incredibly hard. And I want to thank you again for your hard work on this because sometimes it's very difficult to bridge the gap when you know, people don't want to see something happen or see us
evolve. they have concerns just like we did with the sidewalks out of Hamra when we were able to get the sidewalks out of Hamra, those three blocks of of sidewalks done. It took time. We had to knock on the doors, explain to them, we went with staff, we sat down with, and I think this is what you've done here. And it's a prime example of why we have so much support. And I think the big thing
for me is seeing friends like Sam who are here with us, people who live in the neighborhood, people who are not only going to potentially use a dog park, but are people who are engaged in the neighborhood, people who have an understanding of what the neighborhood really wants. So, Madam Vice Mayor, So, um I'm going to add to your statement
about land. I mean, there's the the this centrally located um one is centrally located for folks between like Bird and Coral Way. We are looking for properties up around Venicia Terrace. We need properties in other locations. God
willing, you you uh are successful on that other piece of property. There's plenty of space there for another dog park there. The idea is to have something walkable so you don't have to load your dog in a car and have to drive to necessarily to a dog park. So the
underlying is going to be another fabulous amenity where where this socialization can can happen. And it was very very apparent during COVID that um people were meeting and letting their dogs run loose in parks that were not
supposed to be dog parks, but the social interaction was not just beneficial for the dogs. It was extremely beneficial for the people there. The social connection between neighbors was immense and it was I think healing too for the for the uh neighborhoods. So, I'm hoping
that this can help us all work together and have a better community. So, thank you for being here. I'll move it. Um it's up to you to >> Yes, ma'am. >> Can I read it into the record just for Yeah. >> No. Yeah, it's true. minor details. No worries.
>> Um F4 is a resolution of the city commission authorizing city staff to move forward with the development of a dog park on the city own parcel located at 520 University Drive at the corner of Siggoia Street and University Drive providing for design parameters including landscape buffer, screening and materials and providing for an effective date.
>> Yeah, I wanted to say um and it's been a day of of an extraordinary day of having the residents come together in a way that we haven't seen in a long time. >> 765. >> Exactly. Right. where you have passionate uh residents who are um very
dedicated, respectful, and uh committed to to trying to improve the community they love, they live, not only for themselves, but for their for their neighbors. And so you mentioned sidewalks, right? So one of the things about sidewalks is it's all about
connectivity. So the community becomes a smaller one. Even as we increase the number of people that we meet and that we interact with, it becomes smaller. Uh, ironically, and you know, the vice mayor made an excellent observation as well because it's a sense of community
for the people that go to the parks with their dogs. Sure, the dogs are going to socialize and they're going to know their neighbors, too, but the people who are the dog owners are going to be also socializing in a way that um the city always has room and need to improve and increase. And I think that Miss Powell's
points were really well put, you know, during the public comments that um a sense of community goes all the way back to the days of George Merrick and and that's what makes us unique and makes us stand above the rest is that we have residents who don't just live in a great
city, but because they live in the city, they make the city a great city. And I know that each and every one of us is very proud to call Coral Gables home. So, I applaud my colleagues who have been here so much longer than I have and have accomplished so much for the betterment of the city. So, thank you
and thank you very much for all you've done. >> Oh, thank you, commissioners. You can tell, you know, he's been doing a great job since he got elected and you can tell you have your you have your elected officials here who are putting their foot their best foot forward on all these issues. So, I want to commend both of you. Thank you again. Um, you have a
motion on the floor. Would you like to make a second? >> Second, >> Mr. Clerk. No further public comment. No comment from staff. Uh, can we have a vote, please? >> Commissioner Lada, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. >> Mayor Log, >> yes. Thank you for this opportunity. U,
a lot of great things are happening in the city. As we've told you, um, and I want to thank you for being engaged. This is what I hope and I wish and I say at every single commission meeting, I say, show up, give us your opinions, even if it's contrary to the way we're voting. At the end of the day, this is what makes Coral Gable special. So, I
want to thank you all. God bless and God bless the United States of America. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Amazing. Part: 2
So my wife represent Mr. Clerk, it's 8:00. >> Still have 7:59. M. It's 8:00 now. There we go. >> 8:00. [laughter] >> All right, let's get let's get the meeting started. >> 8 o'clock on mine. Yeah. >> Recording in progress.
>> Good morning. >> I'd like to welcome everyone to the November 18th, 2025 commission meeting. We're starting things a little bit differently. These remind me of the rule Valdis FA days when we used to start early at 8:00 in the morning. Um, but we're starting today in in an effort to
accommodate a very important uh moment today in our city in regards to paying respect uh and a farewell uh to a fallen hero, a police officer that worked for the city of Coral Gables and now uh is a member of Miami Day County and will always be a member of our city and will
always be a member of this community. Um, so we're trying to accommodate as many things as possible to finish the meeting here on 9, 9:15, to make it to the funeral arrangements at 10 and be back by one o'clock. Uh, to begin, um, I'd like to first off
and foremost thank uh, Reverend Roger Tobin, assistant priest at St. Phillips Episcopal Church. Uh, it's truly an honor to have you here once again. Thank you so much for getting up a little early. I know you're an early riser. You know, everything for the faith, but it's a little bit different today instead of 9:00.
>> It's a privilege to be here. Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate that. On behalf of Reverend Conroy, the Vestrian wardens of St. Phillips, we give you our greeting. And uh in the shadow of Devon and his family, um I think it
would be appropriate for us first to take a moment of silence and remember Deputy Ymo before we say God's blessing upon this commission meeting. And so let's take that moment of silence now. Heavenly Father, giver of all good
gifts, we remember before you this day all those who put their lives on the line for our sake, especially the first responders of our community. And we remember you before you especially this morning Devon and his family in this their time of grief. Pour
out your mercy upon them. Help them to know, trust, and believe that even in this difficult time, you are doing more for them than they can even hope for or imagine. And give them the hope of everlasting life with you. Rest eternal
grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May the soul of Devon and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. >> Amen. >> Amen. And now let us pray for this city commission meeting. Heavenly Father,
in your word you have given us a vision of that holy city to which the nations of the world to bring their glory. Behold in visit, we pray the city of Coral Gables.
Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Bestow on our leaders the spirit of willingness to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression.
That peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with order. that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another
the fulfillment of their common humanity. Almighty God, our heavenly father, send down upon those who hold office in the city commission of Coral Gables the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice
that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of every single citizen of our community. And this we pray in your most holy name. Amen. God bless you all. Reverend, uh,
thank you very much. We extend our best wishes to you and your congregation as always. It's a privilege to have you here. A >> privilege to have you as our leader. God bless. >> Send our best to the congregation. Uh, before before we move on uh to the pledge of allegiance, I'd like to read some comments off the record and thank
you for the reverend for leading us in a moment of silence. Uh, it it has been a heartbreaking few weeks for the men and women who protect South Florida, those who risk their lives for us every day. Some three weeks ago, our Miami Beach family suffered a profound loss. We
mourn the passing of one of their dedicated motorcycle officers, Officer David Cailluso, who gave his life in service to the community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and every member of our law enforcement family who
continues to protect and serve with courage and compassion. Motorcycle officers, motormen as they are profoundly called, proudly called, excuse me, face some of the most dangerous conditions in law enforcement. Whether responding to emergencies,
escorting dignitaries, or keeping our streets safe during special events, they serve with skill, precision, and unwavering bravery. Then on Friday, November 7th, the unthinkable happened. Officer Devon Harmo was murdered. Officer Harmo served
our community with honor and distinction before joining the Miami Date Sheriff's Office in 2024, following in his father's footsteps. 11 days ago, he was tragically shot and killed in Southwest Miami Day while responding to what he thought would be a routine call.
During this time in our city, we made a he made a real impact, including being recognized as officer of the month for his outstanding work. Our hearts are broken as we mourn alongside with the Haramo family, the Miami D Sheriff's Office, and our own Coral Gables Police
family. We are united in grief and in gratitude for officers Haramo's service and sacrifice. May his memory be a blessing and may we never forget his commitment to keeping our community safe. Today, we honor the
memory of both officers and salute all who serve, especially our own Coral Gables Police Department. Your commitment keeps us safe and we stand with you. In Officer Haramo's honor last weekend, we lit city hall in blue and we will once again be lit in blue today. We
have also adjusted our schedule to be able to attend his memorial service, one in which many of our officers will participate. Before the pledge of allegiance, like I said before, I wanted to have a moment of silence, but thank you to the reverend for leading us in that effort.
Thank you very much and please keep both of these offers officers, excuse me, and their families in our prayers, not only today, but as long as we can. Amen. >> Moving forward, um I'd like to have our clerk, which I don't think I've had the
privilege in in a while, to lead us in the pledge of >> allegiance. Place your right hand over your heart and repeat with me. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Our merit moment. >> Good morning. Thank you for being here with us. >> Holding up a little uh
something for you today as we celebrate our centennial. The Merrick House brings to the commission the Merrick moment. Little tidbits that add up to a remarkable story. I'm Joanne Maher, Maric Dossent, governing board, excuse me, [clears throat] board of governors members include Genevieve our chair,
Mary Beth Burke, Carmen Kase, Alexis Arinhoff, Christina Onen, Susan Rodriguez, and Bonnie Sight. On November 28th, 1921, the very first land auction took place in George Merrick's city beautiful. It
was led by auctioneer Edward Doc Dammers, a medium-sized man with a giant personality who would become the city's first mayor in 1925. The Merrick House commemorated this event with Doc Dammer's Day in October
of 2021. And this is the book that commemorates um that first land auction. George awoke early on auction day. This was not unusual as he typically slept only four or five hours a night. Ignoring the naysayers who thought him
crazy or stupid for pushing development so far west, he was confident that his design plus utility philosophy would attract willing buyers. His national publicity blitz had been unprecedented, and he had made travel to the event
extremely easy. Signature coral pink buses were scheduled to leave downtown Miami every few minutes. The route to the auction site was lined with colossal wooden signs encouraging travelers to follow the Golden Gallion which included the words westward hoe on the gallion's
unfurled flag. Cabieros dressed in fanciful Spanish attire directed over a thousand automobiles from Flaggler Street to Lune Road and then west on 8th Street to where two immense billboards showing renderings of the rockwalled
entrance to be the Granada Gate. A newly landscaped Granada Boulevard gave visitors a taste of the fair new land that awaited them. The guides reported that auto tags were evenly divided between those of Florida
and northern states. A crowd of 5,000 made their way to George and Ununice's front lawn on Coral Way for what Doc Dammers called the chance of a lifetime. When the section A auction closed six days later, 300 lots had been sold for
more than $500,000. That's equivalent to about 9 million in today's dollars. And that was just the start. So for more of the story, come to the Meric House at 907 Coral Way. And we're open most weekends for tours at 1,
2, and 3:00. And as always, tours are free for city employees. And [clears throat] might I take a little moment of personal privilege because I know that we are all very, very committed to historic preservation for it is a hallmark of our city. And so I would encourage anyone
who is listening uh to to support uh our partner organization, the villagers on Give Miami Day, which is Thursday. But um the um giving is open right now on givemiamiday.org. And um those of you who are interested
in seeing some of the um some of the the places and people that the villagers have supported, if you go on Miami Villagers at Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, you can see yours truly playing
Charles Daring, Glenn Curtis, Flora McFarland, Ella Mundy of Pinewood Cemetery, Althia Merrick, Doc Thomas, Commodore Monroe, Julia Gordon Lowe for Camp Mahachi and Elellanar Golt Simmons, our first um physician in the area. So,
those of you who are interested in seeing Joan Marmar in a beard and mustache, um take a look. >> Thank you. >> Joan, as always, thank you for your hard work and always being such a great steward of the city. >> Thank you. Have a wonderful day. >> Uh just a few announcements before we
move on to presentation and protocol. Item A3 will be deferred to December 9th along with item E1 which will also be deferred December 9th. Time certain 12 p.m. as a result of our schedule which is F9 will be moved to 3
p.m. And item F4 on the agenda is a time certain for 6 PM. We'll move over from A1 because our guest of honor is not here yet. We will move on to item A2. know if we have anybody here from the
March of Dimes, but um Oh, please come on up. >> Would you uh Good morning. Would you introduce yourself? >> My name is Sarah Bloom. Um and I'm the senior manager of donor development for March of Dimes here in South Florida. Wonderful. Thank you for being here. So,
um, we're going to read the proclamation today. Whereas moms and babies face serious health risks and March of Dimes fights for their health through research, education, advocacy, and programs. Whereas, March of Dimes has developed a collaborative
model to study and prevent pre-term births through groundbreaking research at five premature prematurity research centers. And whereas March of Dimes is committed to mobilizing the nation by amplifying the voices of women and families. And whereas more than one in
10 babies are born pre-term each year in the state of Florida, representing 10.7% of all state births. And whereas Florida received a grade of D plus on the 2024 March of Dimes report card. And whereas in Florida, March of Dimes has worked
extensively to improve the health of moms and babies across Florida through education, community programs, and advocacy, helping ensure every baby has a healthy start. And whereas March of Dimes looks forward to partnering with the city of Coral Gables in response to
the continued maternal and infant health crisis. And whereas the month of November is recognized as prematurity awareness month and November 17 is recognized as World Prematurity Day to raise awareness of this crisis. Now therefore, on behalf of Vince Lago, the
mayor of the city of Coral Gables, and the rest of us on the commission, do hereby proclaim November 17, 2025 as World Prematurity Day in Coral Gables. >> Morning. Thank you so much for this amazing
opportunity to raise awareness for maternal and infant healthc care struggles um here in Miami and across Florida and across our nation. Um we still do have a D+ rating um when it comes to premature birth and maternal
mortality. Um our 2025 report card was released yesterday on World Prematurity Day, November 17th. um and those results are still the same. So, it just shows that we have so much work to do. So, thank you so much to Mayor Lago and everybody here at the city of Coral
Gables and of course um Vice Mayor of City of North Miami, uh Cassandra Timothy who has worked with us tirelessly in honor of her situation and her daughter who was born premature as well. Um so, thank you so much for helping us raise awareness for this cause and thank you for having us. We're
here today. >> Thank you for being here with us. We take a photo. Moving on to item A4. >> Item A4. >> A4 I think is mine. according to the incor. >> Good morning. >> Even though we haven't met, I could tell
immediately it was you. >> You know how Whereasto founded in 1978 by Taylor Epolito Ramon Pña Rodriguez has devoted over 47 years to the art of fine tailoring often celebrated as the tailor
of presidents. And whereas Epipito's legacy has spanned three generations upholding the values of family, craftsmanship, and heritage. Each generation ensuring that the tradition is not lost. And whereas born in
Stomingo, Hippolito Pñena's vision has elevated the roots of the Guera and similar attire to a distinguished garment worn by heads of state, dignitaries, and communities across the world. And whereas Hippolitos Guavas and
his devotion to fine tailoring have united traditions from Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic also becoming a cultural symbol for the Cuban-American exile community. And whereas Epolito has used this devotion to tradition and
craftsmanship to expand from a modest workshop in the Dominican Republic to a global brand with boutiques in Sto. Domingo Pontagana Casa Deampo and Coral Gables, Florida. Now therefore, we the Coral Gable City Commission do hereby
proclaim November 19th, 2025 as Epolito day in Coral Gables. Dominicch. for Latina, Latina, Americana. Speech. Speech. Speech. Miami. Commission.
Yeah. forcas. Let's do it. Wait, what do >> sounds like a plan? Gracias. Moving on to item A5. >> Good morning.
Whereas epilepsy is a neur neurological disorder that affects more than 3.4 million Americans and approximately 65 million people worldwide, making it the fourth most common neurological condition and affects more individuals than autism, Parkinson disease, multiple
scerosis, and cerebral policy combined. And whereas epilepsy affects people of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and genders with no geographic, social or racial boundaries. And whereas one in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some
point in their lifetime with more than half a million fidians currently living with epilepsy. And whereas seizures can be controlled through proper medical care and medication for approximately 70% of the people with epilepsy allowing
them to live a full life, productive lives. And whereas despite medical advances, epilepsy continues to be widely misunderstood and people with epilepsy often face discrimination, social stigma, and barriers to education, employment, and participation
in community activities. And whereas increased public awareness and understanding of epilepsy can help eliminate fear, myths, and misconceptions while promoting acceptance and inclusion for all members of our community. And whereas Epilepsy
Awareness Month is a nationwide effort in November for Epilepsy Alliance Florida to raise awareness about and change the conversation about epilepsy, seizures, and side effects as well as to improve and save lives through care,
advocacy, research, new therapies, and public health and education. And whereas it is important to recognize the courage and determination of individuals living with epilepsy and their families as well as the dedication of health care
professionals, researchers and advocates who work to improve treatments and find a cure. And whereas the city of Coral Gables is committed to fostering an inclusive community that supports all residents and visitors regardless of their health conditions or disabilities.
Now therefore, I Vince Slago as the mayor of city of Coral Gables and behalf of the city commission to hereby proclaim November 20 November 2025 as epilepsy awareness month in Coral Gables. >> Want to come up and say a few words
before we take a picture. >> Good morning. Welcome to the city. Beautiful. We're blessed to have you. >> Thank you guys so much for the recognition. This truly means a lot to our organization. Um epilepsy is a really popular not popular but really common neurological disorder that affects so many people espec um
especially here in the United States and um there's so much misconception and misinformation about it and this proclamation really helps shed a light on to what epilepsy is and the resources the epilepsy alliance offers. I can truly tell you from a personal perspective that the Epilepsy Alliance
has changed my family's lives. My mom has epilepsy and through this organization, we were able to receive the resources that she needed to get her seizures under control and to allow her to live a more fulfilling life. So, thank you guys so much for this recognition. It means a lot. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you again for being here, >> but more importantly, thank you for the work that you do on behalf of that organization. Again, um this is a type of my father's a physician and we've had friends and family who have epilepsy. very close friend of mine uh has
epilepsy who was a doctor also and um you know it's pretty dramatic when you see somebody who is in perfectly fine health all of a sudden I want to be careful the words that I use suffer a >> seizure >> a seizure um and an uncontrollable seizure where
they bite their tongue there's blood everywhere and I I've seen it I've seen it I've seen it actually on a vacation trip um and it is something incredibly dramatic >> horrific Um and the person has no control over themselves. Uh no matter if they take medication, no matter if they
follow their strict protocol, which maybe some some cases maybe a diet, maybe uh working out and and then I know things have evolved and changed over the years. Um but it is um it is and is it appropriate to say illness? >> Yes. >> I just want to be very careful the words
that I use because I don't want I I >> it's not a psychological illness. It's a neurological. So it's something in your brain that causes you to have seizures. They present in many different ways and there's been a lot of advancements in technology and a lot of new education that has come but there's still so much
misinformation and a lot of like misconception about epilepsy. >> I just think we used the key the key in the proclamation was the issue of the stigma and when you see that in person and you see somebody having an epilelectic seizure again it's it changes your perception on things and the person who usually comes when they
come back from the seizure they're they're not really cognizant of what happened. It's a very very kind of interesting >> uh illness that um >> that God willing with more advancement uh will be cured soon. God willing. >> You the mayor. >> Yes sir. Go ahead. >> Good morning. Thank you for being with
us here today and I think um it's a very important thing that you're doing raising awareness for epilepsy. I've been around um like all of us have uh individuals family sometimes friends for sure who have this uh disease. the uh
importance I think of raising awareness is that because for most whether it's a petite or a grandm seizure that they have it's just a moment that we have to make them comfortable when they're going through it and um and it should pass in most cases like the mayor was saying
right but if people around you um aren't really aware of what's going on they could even sometimes endanger the person >> yes >> who is experiencing the seizure. So raising awareness is a very important and um very um valuable thing that uh
you do and that I'm very proud to support along with my colleagues here on the commission so that um certainly we can eliminate any sort of stigma but most importantly make sure that the people who suffer from this um lead as close as possible uh normal and healthy lives.
>> I think I think the uh commissioner pointed out a very good uh point. Uh my first experience with it was in Washington DC. Uh we were in our close-up trip our uh junior year of high school and one of the members of our group. They were perfectly fine. All of a sudden they started having a seizure. We were in a member of Congress's
office. Thankfully, we were there. So the Capitol Hill medical team was able to come and find a solution because nobody knew he suffered from epilepsy and unfortunately he hadn't been taking his medication which just made the situation worse. >> Yeah. >> Uh it was also we hadn't been sleeping
much because of the trip. So there were a lot of different components that influence it and after the fact I've learned more about it just to be prepared in case I see that in somebody else. So I appreciate the work that you all are doing just to raise awareness and and inform the community. Uh it's
like the work that the autism community has been doing to inform the public as to best practices and what to do. I appreciate what you you're doing as well because it does make a difference in people's lives. >> Thank you, >> Vice Mayor. Um, my, you know, I I was aware of epilepsy for a long time, but I
got a full color experience of it when I was a passenger in a vehicle in the front when someone had a a major seizure and uh was on the turnpike and uh I did see that the gentleman was not feeling well. I attempted to discourage him from
driving and assured him that I could operate the vehicle. It was a vehicle with an individual. It was set up for an individual with disabilities because we were transporting somebody. Uh perhaps with, you know, through measures like yours and the efforts you're making,
which I truly appreciate, um this young man would have taken more seriously my insistence that he hand the wheel over to me. And you know, we were lucky. We were very very very lucky that day. It was frightening. and but the the stigma
that followed for that young man, it took a lot for him to get over it. Um, and I appreciate what you're doing. So, thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> Let's take a photo. Thank you. George.
Item A6 is a time certain for 2 p.m. Uh, approval of minutes B1, regular city commission meeting October 14th. May I have a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> U, can I have can I have a motion for
the consent agenda? Before the vote adopting the consent agenda is taken, is there anyone who wishes additional discussion or review of any item on the consent agenda? >> Mr. Clerk, we we would have to do public comment on the consent agenda. So, but we shouldn't do it till after the 9:00.
>> Oh, you want to do it after 9:00? I thought we could do consent agenda >> because we were noticed for Yeah. >> Okay, that's fine. All right. Well, don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't no don't problem. We'll do it after. Um are we ready for item A1? >> I believe we are. Mr. Ray >> Dr. Josephine Johnson please join us.
Good morning. >> Right there. Oh, you look very elegant today. >> You look very elegant today, doctor. >> Thank you for being here with us. If I may read, I want to read a certificate of recognition on the record if I may.
Dr. Josephine Johnson celebrated her 100th birthday on January 25th, 2025. Born in the same year, only months before the city of Coral Gables was incorporated. Dr. Johnson holds a distinguished title of chair emeritus of the University of
Miami and was honored as the founder of the school of communications which she established through her tireless efforts in 1985. Dr. Johnson is a dedicated and active member of the historic preservation association of Coral Gables residing in
a beautifully restored old Spanish home in the Alcazar historic district which she and her neighbors helped designate. In 1989, Dr. Johnson researched and championed the historic designation of the Chica Lodge Cemetery in Islamada,
now known as the Pioneer Cemetery, saving the sacred site for future generations. An accomplishment of which she is most proud of. Dr. Johnson authored SS Asteroid or Tell It to the Bees in 2009,
chronicling with humor and heart her restoration of a historic World War II vessel that rescued troops from Dunkerk. And Dr. Johnson and her late husband founded the Dearborn School at 311 Sevilla Avenue, contributing to the
educational fabric of our community. Because of Dos Dr. Johnson's unwavering dedication to historic preservation and enduring love for our city beautiful. She is a true Coral Gable's treasure. In observance, therefore, I encourage the citizens of the city beautiful to join me along with the members of the city
commission in recognition of this extraordinary woman and honor Dr. Josephine Johnson for her remarkable century of life, scholarship, and service to the city of Coral Gables and beyond. Congratulations,
Doctor, we welcome you to the City Beautiful. Not that you need a welcoming. You've been here longer than the City Beautiful. Uh we'd love to hear from you. >> I'm sorry. >> We'd love to hear from you. >> You would love to hear from I wasn't prepared to speak, but thank you for uh
acknowledging uh 100 years. And as I go into the 101st year with the city of Coral Gables, we have to see what we can do in this really challenging next century. I can't uh stay around long enough to
make another school for Coral Gables or even another school for the University of Miami, but I encourage everyone to keep on doing their thing and somehow you'll get the information to me. So, I
wish everyone the greatest success and especially everyone sitting up here today and thank you so much for taking the time uh to acknowledge me. Thank you. >> Thank you. About a year ago, I had the honor of
welcoming you during my office hours and started hearing your story, which was captivating. And the first thing I did was call Martha Panting and I was like, we need to get her interview done for our centennial videos. I don't know if that ever got done. I haven't seen it. But I hope we got your centennial story
uh for others to hear about your history here in the city of Coral Gables and everything you have done because I think it's important for folks to hear it directly from you. Well, we got a little bit into the what three minutes we're allowed on the 100 uh celebration for
the 100 people, but not about cemeteries and not about old ships. Uh but a little bit there. So, that's done. We did not finish uh getting a plaque for Dearborn School and so I hope that that can be
accomplished this year. uh it isn't there anymore but certainly somewhere on the street or near the building perhaps we can get that because most everybody I speak to here either went to Dearbornne school or knows someone who went to
Dearbornne school and I think they would like to see some acknowledgement of that. >> Mr. Manager on behalf of the commission if they'll grant me that privilege can we make this request happen? >> Yes, of course ma'am. >> Okay, perfect. Do you need a vote on
that or >> do you need a vote on that? >> No, mayor. I I can make we we we can certainly do it >> and I think they already started working on it. I think they started Historic Preservation has already started working on that. So, >> we will work with historic preservation to make that happen. >> It's a true privilege to have you here.
Uh we want to wish you not only a happy birthday, obviously important, we want to thank you more than anything. Thank you for your service to the city of Coral Gables. Thank you for always leading uh and being a agent of change, being a person who preserved uh the city
um and really focused on education, you know, philanthropy uh preservation. Uh you you truly led by example and I want to thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you on behalf of the commission, behalf of the city. Beautiful. >> Thank you. >> Thank all of you. >> Let's take a photo.
Yeah, we're to look this way. Shine flowers over there. Good. All right. Hey, >> how are you? >> How are you? How's it going?
>> Very good. >> I haven't seen you by Rotary anymore. >> Well, we'll be a ground rule. Yeah, but the best part is the lighting from here to here. >> I'm all about the lighting. >> Yeah, but the cameras would look
terrible if the sun was in the back and the cameras are here. But I don't I love that place. Mr. Clerk, >> Mr. Clerk, we're going to take a 15minute recess. Madam City Attorney,
>> Mr. Clerk, we're going to take a 15minute recess. We'll be back at 9:00. We will address public comment and consent agenda and then we will leave by 9:10, 9:15. Okay. Thank you very much. See you at 9:00. So to continue it would be
recording in progress. >> 9:00. >> All right, welcome back. Uh we'll try to address uh two final two final issues uh public comment and the consent agenda before we break uh to attend the funeral and we'll be departing from the city
probably around 9:15. Mr. Clerk, Miss >> uh Mr. Mayor, I have one speaker for public comment at this time, Miss Cruz. >> [clears throat] >> Good morning. It is Mrs. Maria Cruz. It is indeed a [clears throat] very
summer day today. I'm sure that some of you will not be surprised to hear what I have to say today. It saddens me that officers had to die for some of our elected officials to choose to honor them. It took one of you to speak up
before the decisions was made to do so. Let me remind those of you that continue to object to granting cola to our retired first responders. [snorts] Those of you who today speak so highly about
the officers, the falling officers, but do not show your respect and concern a contract negotiation time that actions speak louder than words. Some of you may be aware of my involvement with the Kiwanas Club of
Miami Beach. Our club honors police officers from various police departments. It is very common that we recognize officers that began their careers in this city, in our city. When
asked why, they always talk about the difference in salaries and what they perceive as lack of respect from some of our elected officials. It makes me very sad. Very sad. as we
know officers officer Haramu was one of them. he had a very very good um career in front of him in this city and he chose to go and I'm going to tell you I
have friends that have spoken to his family and the issue was as a young officer the future the future other places pay higher salaries all the places have better benefits and I know
that we always say and I'm one of them that say, "But our city is safer." And they say, "Yeah, but when I have to worry about my family, money comes into play." And also the fact that when I retire,
they have a difficult time giving us a fair call. That is a black eye in our city. And I'm sorry that I have to bring it up a day like today, but you need to think about it when you talk about how
we love the police. and it's all fake. Some people are hypocrites. Thank you very much. >> That's it, Mr. Mayor. >> Uh before we move on to consent agenda, I want to adamantly apologize to the
Haramu family for the grotesque statement by Miss Maria Cruz. To use today to talk about pot shots and take shots at a commission is not only
embarrassing, but it's not representative what the city's about. Let me remind everyone our last negotiation with the union. It was a unified vote in favor of the contract negotiations.
We do not have to get along, but there's no need to use even something as somber as today as an opportunity to take shots at me at the commission or anybody here at the end of the day. So, Mr. Clerk, uh, moving on to consent agenda.
>> Before the vote adopting the consent agenda is taken, is there anyone who wishes additional discussion or review of any item on the consent agenda? May I have a May I have a a uh motion? >> I move.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Perfect. Thank you. Uh we have a few moments. Is there any items that we should take or you want to wait? Does the commission want to wait till we get back? What would you like to do?
>> We have items at the end of the day. Um >> city manager items >> maybe or city manager. >> Hold on. Wait one second. I have um Hold on. Wait one second. >> Yeah, we can do You want to do city
manager items, Mr. Manager? >> Yes, Mayor. >> Let's do the city manager items if we can. That way, I mean, they're they're pretty pretty standard. >> So, I'll read H1, mayor, into the record. H1 is a resolution of the city commission authorizing a contract modification to FG Construction LLC contract number 12 20681 median
improvements console on phase 3 project pursuant to section 2-764B approval of change orders and contract modifications in the amount of 500,000 to cover unforeseen items >> uh through the mayor. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, this is
just a contingency adding contingency to the uh Ponilon project. I'll move it. >> Just for the record, at the end of the day, the contingency is not used. It goes back to the general fund. Correct. >> That is correct, Mayor. >> Okay. >> We have a motion in a second. Any public comment? >> No, Mr. Mayor.
>> All right. >> Vice Mayor Anderson? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Castro? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Fernandez? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Lada? >> Yes. >> Mayor Lago? >> Yes. Uh just again, uh just for the record, uh this is something that we've been working on for almost a decade and it's really happy. I'm really blessed and happy to see on behalf of the
commission. Thank you to Hermy's. Uh, thank you to the procurement department. Thank you to the DCM, ACM, city manager. Again, just like city hall, this is finally coming to fruition. And I want to thank all our employees for their hard work. Thank you very much. And by the way, another thing, too.
Bear with us, that whole area. You've been asking for a beautifification project. You've been asking for landscaping. You've been asking for shade. You've been asking for a median. You've been asking for better roads. sidewalks in certain cases are going to be replaced and corrected. All we ask you on behalf of the
commission is just patience because these projects you got to break a few eggs to make a beautiful omelet. So, and we're going to break a lot of eggs. It's going to be a lot of dust and we're trying to do our best uh to minimize that, but we have to be honest with ourselves. So, I apologize that that's
not a very good analogy, but it kind of is a very good analogy. So, >> so through through the mayor, I mean, during the last septic to sewer meeting, I did bring up the fact that there's nothing >> going to be pretty about either replacing your septic tank, >> your drain field, or going septic to
sore. There's no pretty way to do this stuff. But it will be pretty when it's done. >> Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. >> Moving on to H2. >> Mayor, um, if if it's okay with you, can we do H2 and H3 together since they're both leases? >> Let's do them together. >> Okay. So H2 is a resolution of the city commission approving a lease between the
city of Coral Gables as tenant and 2020 Ponelon LLC as landlord regarding the property located at 2020 Pon Boulevard sweet 102A Coral Gables Florida for a period of three years for the purpose of relocating numerous staff members of the city's finance department. H3 is a resolution of the city commission approving a lease between the city of
Coral Gables as tenant and 2020 Ponzel LLC as landlord regarding the property located at 2020 Pon Boulevard sweet 1200 Coral Gables Florida for a period of three years for the purpose of relocating numerous city hall staff members >> through through the mayor. >> Yes, >> mayor. This is uh uh for uh 2020 pon
which is right across the merit garage. Uh finance will be on the first floor. The the city clerk, the city attorney and city manager's office will be on on 12th floor. We need to get up city hall to finish city hall, do exploratory demo, and move on with uh construction
in the second half of next year. >> Good morning. >> Thank you for being here with us. >> Good morning, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners. Paige Perez as a manager. 2020 Ponleon LLC and the city as tenant are mutually seeking approval to enter into a lease agreement regarding the
property located at 2020 Ponel Boulevard sweet 102A for a period of 3 years beginning on December 1, 2025 to house numerous members of the city's finance department during the ongoing restoration of city hall. The following
are the key terms. The premise is 3597 square ft. The base rent will start at $53 per square foot with annual increases of 3%. Rent commencement will be 60 days after lease commencement providing a rent abayment period. And
the city will have an option for a one three-year renewal term at fair market rent. May I move on to the next item? >> Yes, of course, please. 2020 Pon LLC and the city as tenant are mutually seeking approval to enter into
a lease agreement regarding the property located at 2020 Pon Boulevard sweet 1200 for a period of three years beginning on December 1, 2025 to accommodate the offices of the city manager, city attorney and city clerk during the
ongoing restoration of city hall. The following are the key terms. The premise is 6,870 square feet. The base rent will start at $53 per square foot with annual increases of 3.5%. The city will have an option for a one
three-year renewal term. During the renewal term, rent will continue to escalate annually by 3.5% consistent with the adjustments in the initial term. Happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you very much. I think you were you did a great job explaining the
breakdown and I appreciate you including the increases after year one. Thank you so much on that. Mr. Clerk, do we have any uh public comment? >> No, Mr. Mayor, >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> So, this will be on H2 first motion. >> Commissioner Castro, >> yes. >> Commissioner Fernandez, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Lada, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. >> Mayor Logo, >> yes. Moving on to H3. Can I have a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Second. >> Commissioner Fernandez? >> Yes. Commissioner Lada, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Anderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Castro, >> yes.
>> Mayor Lago, >> yes. I've looked through all the items. We have everything on first reading. There is no second reading items, unless I missed it. I apologize. Um, I don't think there's any other items that are not time certain or items that require
staff. And we have two minutes. I was going to adjourn at 9:15. Um, you know, so I guess we will see each other at one o'clock unless there's an item that you guys want to bring up right now. Anything else? All right, we'll be back. Uh, I'll adjourn till 1:00, uh, when we
expect to be back. I know we'll have a maybe a small opportunity for lunch. So hopefully we get back earlier and we can and just start at one 1:00 on time. If not, we'll probably start around 1:30. Thank you so much.