Yes. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to our May Council Ed evening um session. Today is Wednesday the 13th. The time is now 6:11 p.m. hereby call this meeting to order. Reminder, please silence your
phones and if you need to take a call, we kindly ask that you step outside to maintain a respectful atmosphere. Um, madam clerk, please call the role. >> Councilwomanosu, >> present. >> Counciloman Maras here. >> Counciloman Rafael Pedo, >> present. >> Vice Mayor DNA Cabra is not present.
Mayor Christie Fraga, >> present. >> Mayor Horn, >> please rise for the pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Pedo. I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> All right. I don't believe there's any changes to the agenda order of business. I know that uh earlier today we pulled off item 20D. Correct. >> It was uh deferred to the next council meeting in June.
We'll move into public comments. All right, we will now open the public comments portion of this meeting. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak and address any issue on this agenda or any matter related to the city of Dorado. Please begin by stating your name and address for the record to
ensure that you are registered with the city clerk. We will first hear from those who are pre-registered to speak followed by any walk-in speakers. Once all the pre-registered speakers have spoken, I will make a final announcement for any walk-in speakers. As a reminder, in accordance with city code of conduct, we ask that all your remarks be made in
a respectful, courteous, and orderly manner, personal attacks, offensive language, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Um, and we ask that you please adhere to these policies so we can work together to keep this form productive and constructive for all. We will go ahead and start with Antonio
Carbayo. >> Thank you. Good evening. Antonio Garbayo, 9755 Northwest 52nd Street, apartment 413. And um I'm not sure where the item is on the agenda, but I got the email regarding the homeowner association. And
I just wanted to shed some light on that. Um, with my own example, when I moved into that condo, sold the big house, my wife and I moved into the condo, we were paying $450 on association dues, were up to,93.
Uh, another $117 special assessment, which is going to go on for seven years. Um, our community, if you're familiar with the raw oaks, the villages, the raw oaks, there's a town homes and then there's four buildings. Um, this building is the the oldest one. Some of those residents have
gotten on the bigger apartments. They've gotten hit with $58,000. U so that erodess any equity that kind of limits you from selling. Nobody's going to buy when this situation is going on.
And my thing is to vent a little bit. And then, you know, we are very different from the awful incidents in Surfside. We don't have underground parking. We're not by the ocean. We only have five stories. We're not a 12story building. Uh but in our unit, aside from
where I'm paying, the structural integrity report said that we have to replace the facade of that whole building and we have five years to do it. So I'm looking at more expenses and just the fact that I give that knowledge to all of you, you know, it might be of
help. Uh uh but I think that starting that committee that you're starting with the homeowners having to deal with or issues with dealing with the condos uh is a great idea and um and I thank you for that and thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. We moved on to the only thing it says is Jovu Jvu >> Joanna. >> It only says Gio Vu. Jo. >> Okay. Sorry. That's all it says on the
registration. Good evening major and council members and thank for council woman for bringing forward this important initiative. My name is Joanna Sosa as I mentioned. I am here today in support of the proposal
condominium and HOA advisory board of the city of Dorado. This initiative is both timely and necessary because condominions and HOAs communities are no longer a small portion of our city. They
represent a significant part of how Doral live operates and grows. Thousands of residents depend every day on the decision made between these associations.
These decisions impact not only finances and property maintenance but also quality of life, community stability and long-term property values. However, many associations today face increasingly
complex challenges. Board are are often made up of volunteer residents who are expected to navigate financial responsibilities, legal obligations, operational decisions, budgeting,
vendor relationship, reserve planning, collections and governance matters of them without access to sufficient guidance, education or practical resources. At the same time, homeowners
frequently struggle to understand processes, access to information of effectively participate in the communities where they live. This can create confusion, lack of transparency,
frustration and available conflict between association. That is why this initiative is so important. The creation of an advisory board could provide an opportunity to the city to support communities through education, shared
resources, best practices and constructive communication regarding recurrent challenges affecting communicate condominium sorry and hoas across the emphasize something very important. This proposal is not about interference in
the autonomy of associations nor replacing the authority of boards or management companies. Is about a strengthening communities through knowledge, guidance and access to better tools. A strong communities, a strong association create a strong
neighborhood. A strong neighborhoods create a strong city. An initiative like this can f help promote better governance, more informed decision making, greater accountability and healthier communication between stakeholders. It can also help identify
recovering patterns and trend affecting multiple communities allowing the city to better understand to evolving needs to its residents and K. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. All right. Um Odel Torres Madame Mayor, council members and staff.
My name is O Torres, 1025 Northwest 66th Street, president of Lamar Adoral HOA, president of Laradoral condo association and chair of the Lamaradal CDD. Uh for the record, I have over 40 years
working on HOA, COAs, and CDDs. I'm here tonight to support the possibility of the creation of a city alter condominium um homeowners association advisor board item number 19 alpha. The city of the is composed mostly of
HOA COAs and rental units. We have folks that are the voting elements of this city. It is time to have a voice in the city government. I want to provide a bit of a history that some of you may not be aware of. Dural is a city today thanks to the HOAs
and COAs that were the first created in the Dural area thanks to the vision of our founder father Mr. Morgan Levy and the West Federation that he created united all the HOAs and COAs to work as a team to help with the creation of the
city. Unfortunately, once the city was created, we lost the links of all the HOA, COAs, and CDDs and now we are all working as independent mini cities. Yes, we share some differences, but we
also share many common elements since the Florida statues chapters 190, 719, and 720 are the law of the land we all must follow. One of my biggest concerns is that while
the condos, the COAs have the uh DVPR to help with some of their problems. However, the HOA do not have a place where we can go to complaint or look for guidance. I'm fully aware that the city cannot
interfere with our covenants and rules, but by the creating the advisory board, it may become the voice that we need at the city and the state level. Finally, I would like to recommend a friendly amendment to the council to please include the community development district as well in this
proposal since they all go hand in hand with the HOS. Thanks for the opportunity and the proposal moves forward. I would love to throw my name in the hat and become one active member. Thanks again. >> Okay, final U person who's registered.
Cesar. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Cesar. I has been in this desk in the past. Now I am uh going to start working on this because this initiative really is very good and I personally fully support it.
I remember that you organized here a um a meeting that invite the community in order to understand the problems that uh we are facing regarding the u homeowner association. Okay. I would like to give
you a couple of data so you can no I know that you understand so you can be aware of uh some statistic that can help us to um understand the size of the problem. Okay. I will start saying that
Miami day is the city with the highest um problem regarding uh homeowner association uh problems. All right, this is the number one. The number two is Brower and the number three is Palm
Beach. you know erh losttos the cost in Miami day is very high in Brower are high and the financial risk are very high in the case of the Miami day as well the participation is very high
regarding the problems that we're going to talk about um so in this context the association in the area um is charact are characterized by uh a lot of
violation of the rules among those violation I would like to mention uh illegal fine to the resident you know is estimated in about 30% the total expense of the total violation. The second one
is a lack of transparency. That is very key. And the third one is um I would call it espirial uh election. That mean that uh the
election normally you know uh are taken for a few group citizen. Consequently, there is no a real quorum that can legitimate that election, you know. So, this is the just three or four
most important violation that are happening in the environment, you know. So, now I would like to uh comment on on the election, you know. Election are related to the concept of legitimacy.
If an election is not supported by the right quorum, the election is not legitimate. >> Thank you, Mr. Avara. >> Unfortunately, we only have three minutes and we can't go over that. There's a currently a lawsuit going on
in different cities that if we allow any additional time, >> correct? Yeah. Have to >> I just want to close quickly. So, in order to >> I can't allow any one minute. I can't allow one second over three minutes anymore. I'm sorry. >> All right. Well, anyway, thank you very much. You I appreciate your your your
>> I'm sorry. We have to protect the city. Thank you so much. Is there any additional speakers at this time? Being none. Okay. Public comments is now closed. All right. Madame clerk, we move on. >> Item 19A, discussion creating of city
draw condominium homeowners association advisory board. This was deferred from the April 8th council meeting. >> Okay. Councilwoman Porz, this is your item. >> Thank you, Mayor. And um I want to start off by saying thank you to all the residents that are here. I know that there's a lot of residents that called,
emailed, um and that are probably watching too that couldn't make it to the meeting. So, thank you for your time and for those of you that spoke today, um I want to thank you as well. As you guys know, this is a discussion on the creation of a city of Dorado condo and
homeowners association advisory board. We probably the majority of us, I think it's more than 80% of us live in one of those condo HOA communities. So, this is a topic that's extremely important to this city and extremely important to the
residents. Something that you I think everyone here knows because I've had conversations with all of you. I've had conversations with um different folks too that have reached out. The city and we all understand does not have authority right over the internal
um over the internal happenings or governance of these associations. But I still believe that the city can play a very meaningful role in making sure that our residents and board members are educated, that they have
access to tools and resources, and that we are connected. And so the purpose of this board is very limited. Um I've had discussions with with the attorney before on you know obviously our jurisdiction over this. And so that's
why I decided to one turn this into a discussion and also make sure that it was understood that the the purpose is focused and limited and helping in three things I would say. One is helping identify legislative priorities where
the city can advocate at the state level. And that's something that we as as a council we do every year. We've seen um different pieces of legislations pass go through um through some of our elected officials. And so it's something
that at the city level we can do and we have been doing for several years. The second thing would be to support educational initiatives such such as community workshops for residents and board members because this is something
that it's not just about um coming in and learning, you know, what your rights are as homeowners, but it's also helping give the tools and guidance and really offer best practices for those that are part of the board right now. This is a
collaborative work between residents and um and board members so that governance can be better. Um and what better way to do it than together, right? We as a community I would like personally I would like to see um the city help
create the an annual HOA condo workshop as I've done it as part of my office as an individual council woman's office with attorneys organizations where we've had um different attorneys come and talk about uh frequently asked questions
rights responsibilities and we've done those workshops um I know that some some of my colleagues here have also done those workshops with with uh legislators, with DBPR, with different entities that really have a big role in in HOAs and condos. And so what I what I
envisioned was having the city have a stake in it as well where this board could put on that workshop um together. Right. Currently we have I believe it's about 10 different advisory boards and
each of them usually put on a yearly event. Like for example, we're having a women's uh event this year that's being again supported by the city. There is um a college fair that's being that's being put on by our youth advisory board that
again is also supported by the city. And so it's very it would be very similar to that. And I think that's something that would be a benefit to the community. And then lastly, I think it would be a great way to communicate, right, to really strengthen communication between again
residents and board members and associations and the city of Dell. I've spoken to some of you that um would also like that um to strengthen that communication when it comes time to requesting a permit, asking questions. I
think it would be a great way to again connect directly with the city. And I just want to reiterate that this proposal is not intended to create additional regulations um or interfere with association boards.
It's not our job as a city um and we've said this many many times, but rather help strengthen awareness, education, engagement, and access to information for our community. So, um, with that, I'll finish by saying that there's other
cities like Hyalia who have started, um, really getting involved and having a a bigger stake in what happens at the HOA condo level in our communities. They're doing something a little bit different. Um, but again, this is limited to being
an advisory board that can help um, strengthen that education and access to resources for everyone. I live in an in an association as well. So, with that, um, again, I'm hoping that we can have a a good discussion on it and hopefully
maybe if we agree, we can eventually bring something back to the council uh to formalize the advisory board. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. So, I I'd like to make a couple of comments and to clarify a couple things um as we have this discussion. First say I said I'm
sorry I had to cut you off but there's a lawsuit going around in different cities that if you don't give everybody a certain amount of time even if I was to give you an extra five six 7 seconds a minute we could be sued because everybody didn't get that opportunity or
I would have to open it up all again. So I'm a sorry that I had to cut you off but I have strict orders to do that. So I I apologize. So I just wanted to clarify. Um so I know that this is an issue that has really affected many of us. All of us live in associations. I think most of Dorado is under
associations for the exception of Vanderbilt Park. So, I understand that this is an issue that truly impacts families. It's something that I've taken um you know a big a big priority on and and and role on. I want to first talk about a couple things that we are
already doing as a city and then I'm going to really propose something that creates real results because while having an advisory board and let me explain a little bit about our advisory boards. We have several advisory boards and our dear clerk can attest to this
and I know she has a a big job. Her team actually manages the advisory boards and we're actually re reviewing and revamping our advisory boards because we haven't had a lot of success. These advisory boards are volunteer-based. And what happens is these volunteers get a
little frustrated because not enough happens. They don't get quorum. They can't meet. Everybody's working. Some people can't do nighttime. Some people can't do morning. So, we shut up these meetings. They don't show up. The public comes. No one's there. It's very difficult because it's volunteer-based.
And so the last thing I want to do and I think any of us wants to do is give a false expectation to anyone that this advisory board that's made up of same people like you that have the same concerns and the same issues are going to resolve them for you or are going to take these these complaints and then
what's going to happen? So I want to provide you something that really has results because I think that's what we're all here for is solutions and results driven um you know uh proposals. All right? because you know we can all contemplate what we can get done. So
first in 2024 we set up a fraud unit. It's an economics fraud unit at the police department. Okay? There's a person dedicated to that. If any of you have a complaint or a a real case of fraud that you have detected in your association, our police department is
there. The person will meet with you. will take all the information down and they will pursue it if there is a true case. Now we won't go and do the public records requests for you um from your association all that we are limited to that to certain authority there but we
can pursue fraud cases 100%. So I encourage anyone who has a case that they truly feel that there has been wrongdoings and fraud and theft and you have that documentation sit with our police department. take it to them. They
are here for that. Second, um I have been hosting an event every year for the past four years where the DPPR is present, the economic crimes unit from the county is present, the state attorney's office is present, our state
representatives are present. I stream it live. I bring attorneys from all different specifications and fields that relate to HOAs, elections, fraud, um assessments, fees, and they give free legal advice. We're there for an entire
day. We've had hundreds of participants, not just for this city. I get people from Broward, from the beach. Uh this is something I do every year in September. We do it after the legislative session so we can inform people on what changes have taken place in the legislation.
It's unfortunate to say we get a lot of attendees, but we just don't get enough for how many HOAs we have in this city. So that's a prime example of one day a year that we provide all these resources and unfortunately not enough people
come. And by the way, they are online. They're all recorded. They're on my YouTube. You can absolutely and the city partakes in them. So we do this already. This is something that the city and my office has been doing. Every individual council member can do it their own stuff as well, but this is something that's
been consistent every year for the past four years that we've done. DBPR participates all of that. So those are things that truly do provide opportunities for residents to engage with the right people with the people who make the decisions, the legislators,
the ones who are truly going to make this a priority in Tallahassee. We are up in Tallahassee every year. We went twice this year. I'll be back there soon for special session talking to legislators. We have lobbyists that we pay. We make this a priority in our legislative priorities every year.
Unfortunately, Tallahassee has not acted enough even though they've made stronger uh uh changes to the laws to enforce misdoing uh wrongdoings and fraud and and you know the elections and everything. So that's that's something
that they are trying to fix, but it's out of our hands. It's something that happens in Tallahassee. And it's unfortunate. One of the things that I have advocated for for years is that they create some type of fund so that if there is an issue, residents can tap
into that fund. You know, you have association managers who are licensed individuals that you can also pursue um complaints and things through the DBPR. Unfortunately, DBPR just doesn't have enough funding to, you know, really pursue some of these cases. But those
are all Tallahassee issues that we need to as a city be more aggressive on. One of the things I proposed last year is to get a bus, two buses. I'm happy to have the city organize it. We'll pay for it and we get two buses of residents up to
Tallahassee to go lobby for changes. Real changes. Let's do it. I'm all in. I think that that's something that we can really make an impact for. So, those are real things that we can do to help our residents find true relief on these matters because otherwise we're just
going to continue to spin our wheels as residents complaining to each other and that's not going to fix the problem. We need to find the real solution. Additionally, I've been talking and I and uh I'm going to two things that I'm we're going to be doing next. I've been
talking to our supervisor of elections. Um, one of the things we're trying to set up right now is that these elections, you as homeowners can ask the elections department to supervise the elections of your associations. So, we're going to
set up a task force from the elections department. The elections department, you can request through the elections department. There may be a fee, but the elections department will oversee the elections of your HOAs and condos. I'm currently working with Alina Garcia on that proposal and we're going to make an
announcement on it. So, we're working with her office to assist in that. The second thing that we're going to start doing that actually an email will go out right after this meeting on June 6 on June 9th, I'm sorry. We will have another constituent service day, we have
now gotten the DBPR to agree to be once a month in this building. So, they will be here available to hear from you once a month. The DBPR with constituent services. you can come and you can speak directly to them. I cannot promise you that they're going to solve your
problem. Unfortunately, again, they don't they don't answer to us. They answer to Tallahassee, but at least there'll be direct access to them here in city hall once a month. And we'll be putting that out directly through the the constituent services um office,
which works under us uh mayor and council. So, we're going to be putting that out immediately. I know there was conversations about CDDs. Those are even worse because that has I've been I've been advocating for that to be completely rehauled and repealed at the state. I've said here we will not
approve one more I will not vote for one more CDD in our city because I think that it's I mean horrible management of how not all of them but many of them unfortunately it's it's horrible management. I think that we're better served um using that of some people think that that money goes to the city
of Dorado. It doesn't. It's it's administered just like a an HOA or a condo. So I think that needs huge legislative amendments and overhaul or completely repealed. So we are working on these things actively in Tallahassee
to really provide relief to our residents. What I would like to say um and and again we're going to keep doing all this the HOA event we're working on ours again for September starting June you're going to have the DBPR here every month with the constituent service to be
able to come talk to. So, I don't believe that an advisory board is the right answer. I think it's giving you false hope and expectation. And I think those residents, unfortunately, are just going to grow frustrated. They don't have the expertise either. Not to offend anyone, but it's a very complex
situation. They're going to turn to us and ask us to solve the problem for them. And unfortunately, we just do not have that authority. However, here's what I do want to do. I want to place a motion to um ask our city attorney to look into requiring HOAs and condos to
register and potentially charge a extra fee or a BTR for HOAs and condos to create a fund that will help investigate and provide relief on complaints to residents if these HOAs are found guilty of fraud. So that would create a
registry and a fund within the city to allow us to pay for a misdoing or an investigation if we were to find one. I don't know if we have the authority to particularly do that, but I want the city attorney and the manager to look into that and that
way when we come back and have this discussion, we have it based on something that really does res uh result in a solution for you all because truthfully, I don't think the answer is in a group of volunteer residents. As much as I love you all and
I think you do a great job when you come here and you give your your time, but we're all suffering from this issue. So, let's find a solution and propose things that truly have answers. So, that would be my motion. If I get support for that,
we'll move forward in uh having the city attorney, I'll give them 60 days to really look into that and come back at our at our council meeting um with a response on if we can create a fund, a fee that's paid, which means that fund will be earmarked to HOA investigations,
uh complaints, if we have to hire a specialized attorney, whatever it is, let's let's actually build something that's going to respond to this community and this problem. So, I think that that's that's a a way that we can move forward as we start to look and we
go back up to Tallahassee and we work on opportunities um to change and advocate for real change and and and uh and amendments to our laws that will help us all towards
the future have real accountability and transparency in our associations as we do here in the city. So that would be my proposal on this matter. Um because again my goal is to provide you guys real results. U making sure that you actually get something
that's tangible and will you know um will solve this problem. And I I truly don't think an advisory board is I'm already doing a huge event that many of you come to that your boards come to and that I hope that everybody that's sitting in this room will be at this year. I truly hope because I think that
it's a great opportunity. One more thing that we've been doing as well and we'll be doing now is uh through code compliance we have provided certifications. So you can actually go and take a free course done by attorneys and get a certification that the board members are
required to do by the way but it's open to anybody in the public to come and get certifications so you can learn the laws on HOAs and condos and also learn your rights. So it's an actual certification you get provided by attorneys that are certified to do this. We'll be having
another one very soon. We've done it a couple times with code compliance. Um, and so I welcome all of our residents to take that course and and get more engaged. Um, those are really the the comments that I have. I just took some notes to the things that you all were
saying. I think the key here is consistency and having the DVPR here monthly, which is something that we always envisioned with constituent services that you can come to and you can reach out to and you know they're going to be here on a consistent basis. Consistency is going to be key. So, uh, unfortunately, I just haven't seen that
from some of our boards. Some of them are great, but it's hard to get residents who are, uh, very, very busy and on a volunteer basis to come here and hear complaints from other residents. So, I hope that everyone understands that and I hope to have support on my motion.
>> Mayor, I will second the motion. >> Thank you, Councilman. Did you have some comments? >> No. Well, first of all, as I just want to thanks everyone that is here because uh certainly it's an issue that affects everybody in Dorado. I mean
is we're not it's not a secret. It's not something new. We have been facing this issue for for years and uh but at the same time I do recognize that uh as a city especially since we got elected we have been working on this matter as the mayor explained. I mean we not only
every time that we go to Tallahassee but the relationship that we have at the state level and especially with our state representative has been something that for the past especially three four years has been uh very significant and has created a good changes at the state
level. Uh I know it's not perfect. We we still have a lot of work to do. There's a lot of frustrations in between. uh but I do agree that uh you know creating uh an ad an advisory board certainly we create a false expectation and that's
the part that I'll be concerned as well because I think that you guys already as a residents are expecting for us to do the job we're representing you every time that we have the chance not only as the mayor said to go to Tallahassee but to speak to our representative you are
paying us to do that already. So, it's not that we don't we don't want you to get involved. I think that you should keep getting involved. I I have been participating. Uh I haven't done any on my own as an office because I do participate at the one that the mayor
has been hosting for the past it's going to be the four this year. So, which is is very well attended and it's true you have people from all over the place. But the fact that at those particular annual workshops, you have state
representative, the county, you have everybody that is involved that can really make an action and a change in what we're looking for. It's important for you to participate as well. If you haven't done it, hopefully we see you in
September. Uh but as as you heard at the end is gonna it's going to take all of us to work together. We have been doing it. There's more to do. But I I like, you know, certainly I think that what
the mayor is proposing really can create uh a much better not only communication, understanding, educational resources, but at the same time, you will see a result because at the end of the day, advisory boards, we do have great advisory boards like the veterans advisory board. They do their
activities, they host, they they provide resources to veterans. So that means that they're providing they're giving solutions and unfortunately by having an advisory board that uh that pretty much everything is controlled by the state to
provide solutions to the residents coming from the advisory board will be a little bit difficult if we don't get involved. So I commend you for being here today. Uh, but believe me, I think that you're in a very good hands with the current administration and and
that's why I'm happy to support the amendment presented by the mayor. >> Thank you, council. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> I do have a comment, may I? >> Yes, Council Marino. So, >> yes. So, I I feel that I can I can
recognize the intent of the original um item brought by my colleague. However, I feel like it's slightly misleading. We just don't have the authority to truly process and do anything other than just hearing the voices of the residents.
Now, last year, um, one of our state representatives, Juan Carlos Poras, did bring up a bill that had to do with HOA. His house bill was 983. And in that bill, he had said he wanted to expand oversight of board elections,
increasing financial transparency, strengthening recall pro uh procedures, and enhancing protections for the homeowners. And even so, the only authority that we had here as a council was to support a bill that was already
trying to be passed at the state level >> and didn't pass. >> And it didn't pass. And he tried again and it didn't pass. So, I'm only saying this to kind of have some type of guideline as to the limitations of how far our voices can go, essentially how
far the residents voices can go into effectuating change based on current situations within the community. So essentially all we can can continue to do is hear what is happening at certain HOAs
continue to advocate to the state in hopes that they will produce a bill that will be accepted by both the house and the senate and passed as law to hopefully change what is happening truly within HOAs as a city. We also like the
mayor has stated within our police department if there are strong enough cases being brought by the different HOAs or condominium associations right there's a uh a good factual base the residents within that community have come with um different backup to maybe
an issue that is happen having happen happening in their community. the police can continue to investigate that issue once um the the HOA or the residents within the HOA and the in the condominium associations have done their part providing the facts. So those are
the different things that are happening. What I don't want to approve is a soundboard, a space where everybody's going to come to complain and there's not going to be anything that the city can truly do. We're aware because we do listen to the things that our residents tell us. That's our job. We're aware of
the issues that are happening and we do advocate for the residents in every opportunity that we can but these are truly the limitations that you have from your city council. So I don't want to give false expectations to the residents and that's why I do back up let's say
for example the workshop opportunities that we have and also you know there are legal councils that dedicate themselves to the um difficult to explain and the task that is HO HOA law and condominium
law. Um and those are really the resources that are available to the residents. Um, again, whenever there is something that we can do for all of you, that's what we do. But definitely, I'm not going to sit here and
try to give an avenue that is is is not really going to resolve anything. And and those are my comments. >> Thank you, Councilman. Yeah. I think at the end of the day, the last thing we want to do is create another layer of bureaucracy. And truthfully, I think that that's um
that's what would be caused with with an advisory board. It's just another layer of some some other board that has no authority. Well, that's what we're here for. That's what you elect us for. So, you guys come here and complain to us and we do what we can to support you.
So, I think my motion um was has a second. I want to make sure administration is clear on what we're looking into. Mr. City attorney, would you like to add anything? >> No. Very clear. here. Okay. I think that this may give us some type of avenue and I'm not even sure yet. We're going to
have him the motion is for him to go and investigate to create a fund and a fee the associations will have to pay into yearly almost like a BTR that will hopefully grow over time that will help the city pay in the case that we get a you know a complaint that can be
pursued. Fair. So, I think that may be the only avenue we have to be able to create a real um a real opportunity that that that will pursue a case. Otherwise, there's not much that
that that can be done. However, I think what happens in many of these uh circumstances is that the residents hands are tied because it costs money to pursue, you know, wrongdoings. You have to go and get an investigator. You have to pay
for public records. You have to do all these things to find out if your HOA is acting in good faith or not. Now, let me also be clear. In many cases, we have seen unfortunately through the police department is that people come with all this evidence. Look, they're stealing. And the truth is they're not
just because your association decided to go with a more expensive insurance. It's not illegal. They're elected to make that decision. Now, you don't agree with it. Vote them out. But it's not illegal for them to choose a higher insurance that you have to pay
more for. That's their choice. So, a lot of times I find myself explaining that to residents is that they come with all this information saying, "Look, they're stealing." And it's unfortunately it's not a theft. It's not a illegal act although we may disagree with it. Um
that that point it's important to have the community get together and recall, get involved, join the board, all things that require a lot of time and effort, but it can be done. So we'll
continue to host the workshops. will continue to provide the free consult, the free um uh the free certifications through the attorneys that give us proono time. We we're going to be doing that very soon. DBPR will start being here once a month. These are all our commitments to you right now because I'm hearing you. This is what were our
responses. We we've already been working on these things and we will continue to do it. If you have a current case with proven evidence, please make sure to go see the police department. They will take you they will take your case. they will look into it and they will do their best to bring it to justice if there is
proven wrongdoings. In the meantime, we'll go ahead and look into if we can create some type of fund to create another opportunity to pursue wrongdoings and we'll continue to lobby in Tallahassee so that these changes happen. I really encourage all of you to
come to the event I do once a year. The legislators are there, the representatives are there. If you have something currently, email it to us. I will make sure that office gets it. I will make sure the legislators in Tallahassee get it and that they see
what we're all suffering so that your voices are continued to be transmitted to the right people that make those decisions. Pay attention to those elections. They're important as important as they are the ones here in our city. So, I want to thank you all for being here today. Um, if there's no additional comments, we'll go ahead and
have them. >> I have I have some comments. >> Oh, go ahead. So everyone here is I think everyone here is part of the board some right. Okay. So you know coming in here offering a an opportunity to be part of
the solutions that are being mentioned and I think they're great by the way. I think that it's it's definitely good work that the city is doing. I think the advisory board was to have better participation and organized
participation and all of you guys being part of a board you are coming here and now hearing that you guys are going to be charged more fees that is not a solution. I I mean I'm I'm very sorry. I know that, you know, it's well intended
and I I think that yes, there's there is fraud being committed, but I didn't intend for you guys to be charged an extra fee coming out of here. By the way, I don't know if it's it's it's actually doable. I I would not support the attorney looking into charging HOAs
and and associations more fees than what you already have. That's that's not the intention. Um the other thing is I'm going to name all the advisory boards that we have. Okay. Citizens Audit Advisory Board, Commission on the Status of Women,
Dorado Parks Bond, Economic Development, Environmental, Faith, Military, Parks and Culture Advisory Board, Police, Special Needs, Youth, Civic Committee. They're important, but I think a very important one is missing. This one. If
this wasn't important and if these issues were not important, there wouldn't be an advisory board. This is a way for the residents to directly participate in all of the most of the solutions that I agree with that are that have been said today and we can
continue doing them. But again, not having a structure, not having a residentled organized group that can actually be, I don't want to call it liaison, but you
know, be the communicators. We're just back to where we have always been because everything that's been said that our solutions have been happening for years and we're still not where we want to be, right? So, I think we should definitely try something new. I think
this is a good way to have residents engage in even more. Come to these meetings, come to the workshops because you guys are going to go out and deliver the message. You're going to communicate. You're going to multiply the people. I mean, we've tried it.
We've done it. We're doing it apparently and we're still doing it. So, obviously, as you guys can tell, the will of the council is not to create the board. Um, you know, I I do regret that. Um, but again, I'm not going to support looking
into tacking on additional fees to the HOAs. So, with that, you know, again, I I'm sorry, and we can't speak anymore. I'm sorry. It that's not allowed. Um, and so again, thank you guys for for being here
and um, you know, I'm glad I'm glad that you guys voiced your your opinion on it. Thank you. >> So, just to clarify a couple things. All the boards that were discussed, we're actually currently looking at consolidation because, madame clerk, uh, how is the issue with attendance? How
many times do the boards really really meet? >> Yeah, they they have it has a a very low turnout. they have a a hard time looking getting quorum and having people showing up and >> and staff has to stay overtime and be able to so we're currently in the process of consolidating our boards.
There's actually an item that will be coming forward. We're letting them finish up this year. There's elections in November so it'll the boards will change again. So once that happens, we will actually be consolidating boards because they just they just don't meet. It's it's hard. It's a volunteer basis.
So it's a it's a very you know it's a commendable thing to do but it's unfortunate that they don't they just don't meet. So it it really again creates another layer that is not uh doesn't result in anything. Secondly the
purpose is not to create a new fee. The companies that run your associations already pay a BTR fee. So the idea would be and again that's why we didn't we're not voting to create any fee. We are asking the city attorney to look into
creating a real solution that would allow the city to have a fund that would not be used to for us. It's used for you all to be able to come and be able to tap into if everybody is feeding into it in case there's a situation that you
really want to be able to there's a BTR fee that is paid every year. What you can't you can't >> I don't know what BTR means. BTR is a is a business tax receipt. Every business has to pay for it. Every business pays a business tax receipt in our city. >> Mayor who's paying that fee? My
homeowners, my >> No, you the the fee and again that's you. So we are not supposed to you can't speak from the audience, but so that's what the the city attorney will go look into. It would basically be a BTR is the association as a business would have to
get like a license, right? So it's a registration. It's a registry. It's a a license. Those license cost $60, $120 a year. It's not I'm not talking thousands of dollars. It creates a registry and a fee to be able to tap into it because at
the end of the day, this is not a city. It's not something the city falls under our jurisdiction, right? So, there's not a specific person in the city. There's not a attorney with that specification in the city, which means we would have
to go out and get this. Many times there are attorneys that will do things proono. Again, we see them every every year at our condo uh expo. The attorneys come, they give their their free time, they give free consultations, all these
things. But it all costs money and time and expertise. So, the idea, and again, it's something that occurred to me as we were sitting here talking about it, is what can we actually do? Create a registry, create a fund that the residents can tap into. Uh, we're not
talking thousands of dollars. The communities, the the the the CAM holders, the businesses that you all hire to run your associations, right? You all have management companies. Those management companies have to pay BTRs, business tax receipts. So basically, it
can be a like a business tax receipt for the HOA that creates this fund. Again, we're not talking thousands of dollars. Our business tax receipts are $60, $120, and that will create a fund that we can tap into to be able to f find a solution
for the HOAs. Right now, I think your best solution for many of you that have may have certain situations is that if you have real fraud going on, you have a real case is to go to the police department so that you can have them investigate. Other than that, the person
who or the the agency that investigates licensed individuals like CAM individuals are is the V the DBPR. Okay. So, I understand a lot of us don't agree with decisions that are being made within our
HOAs, but doesn't mean that they're illegal. It means you have to change your board. So, again, we're going to work with the elections department. The elections department will oversee elections of HOA so that there's an oversight committee. There's an audit of them. I hear a lot about fraud on HOA
elections and things like that, ballots that are signed by other people. So, I I think that those are real opportunities to provide more oversight, but sitting here and saying that a board that is going to be engaged, by the way, the
board is made up of five people. It's not like all of you could be on the board. It's five people that are part of the board. So, if if you don't have quorum, the board can't meet, which means if three people are not there, the board can't even meet. So there's a lot of nuances that go into these boards
that at the end of the day it's going to come right back to us and we're going to sit here and say there's not much that we can do. We're already doing the things that are being proposed which is workshops, education. So all we can do is create
another opportunity which our city attorney is going to look into that there is a dedicated person in the city that can investigate or look into some of these things. But that's going to cost money. That's going to cost the city money. And so, and we have to see if we even have the authority to do it.
So, we have a motion on the table. We'll come back in in 60 days. Give them some time to look into it. Come with a proposal. You're all welcome to come back to that meeting with that proposal. Nobody's looking at charging thousands of dollars that it's going to cost you. The idea is to provide something that's
really going to give you results because the truth is that another advisory board of residents is just not the answer. It's not the answer. It's we're going to end up here again and with more frustrated people because you're going to have those who are appointed to the
boards who are doing it on full voluntary time listening to more complaints that and more frustration that they just can't answer to because they don't have the authority to. So, let's create some type of authority to be able to look more into these issues.
Other than that, there's there's uh there's not enough there's not enough authority on the city side to be able to pursue some of these matters. I really wish that they would delegate more authority to the local electeds, through our code compliance departments, through
police to be able to pursue them, but we just don't have those answers or those abilities at this time. With that, we'll ask the um uh clerk to please call the motion and in 60 days, we'll have another discussion about what opportunities or avenues there is to
pursue. >> Have a motion to direct the city attorney to look into HOA and condo registry and fees and bring the item back in 60 days. Made by Mayor Fraga, seconded by Councilman Pedo. Mayor Fraga, >> yes. >> Counciloman Pedo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Reoso, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Pores, no. Motion passes.
>> All right. Thank you very much. We'll move on to the next item. We have two items left, three items. >> First reading item 28, ordinance number 202606, amending chapter 26, article 3, shopping carts. An ordinance of the mayor of the city council is here, Florida, amending chapter 26, article 3, shopping carts, providing
implementation, incorporation to the code, incorporation of recital, servability, and effective date. Okay, we're going to go ahead and open up for public comments on item 266591 or also known as 20A. Anyone who would like to speak on this item in this item alone, please approach the podium.
Being none, public comments is now closed. Madam clerk, the work of reflect. No one has chosen to speak at this time. Mr. Del Toro. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Danny Del Toro, code compliance director. It there's a presentation.
All right. The code compliance department is recommending this ordinance amendment to create a more efficient enforcement process for shopping carts left on public property. As written today, the code requires that our department to store carts for a
period of 5 days before allowing civil citations to be issued and it does not require businesses to have control measures for those carts. Due to the lack of storage space, it's been a department practice to remove and return the carts to businesses without
penalty. Uh basically providing a free service to maintain the cleanliness of the city. Uh as you see on the chart there, we do a good amount of cases throughout throughout the year. Um,
so this amendment will have the two key changes we're proposing are to make requirements for the business to install car disabling devices and secondly to remove the storage burden from the city. With these two changes, uh, we
anticipate being able to hold businesses accountable for maintaining carts on their property. uh we foresee a reduction of the carts on public property and for those carts that are left on public property, we would we would be able to do enforcement immediately without uh needing to store
carts anywhere in the city. And finally, it'll free up officer time to address more serious violations. Uh there will be an outreach period for the businesses of two months with an effective date of August 3rd uh for
voluntary compliance. Okay. Any questions? >> I do, Mayor. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, currently we're not charging to recuperate the carts. >> No, we're just returning, >> right? And it's and it's uh an involvement that the city is having with
these businesses. Okay. And now we're going to um create a code to charge for the service of returning the cards. Well, the codexes were just amending it um to require them to have some type of device to keep the carts on
their own property. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Some of them have it. Yes. >> Already they do. They do. They do. But in the in But we're also adding that if we do recuperate the cards, the city is now going to be able to charge for that service. >> Uh not charge, issue a citation for the
violation. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. but some form of monetary compensation for the time that it's taken the city to essentially do another business's job. >> Some type of a cost recovery. Yes. >> Okay. Great. >> Okay. >> Motion. >> Motion to approve.
>> That's great. >> Yes. Uh I second. Second by counciloman Reynoso. Madam clerk, please call a roll. >> Motion to approve ordinance number 2026 on first treatment by council pen. Seconded by council marinos. Council Pedo.
>> Yes. Council member Reynoso. >> Yes. Mayor Frago. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> All right. We move on to the next item. >> Item 20B. Ordinance number 20268. No hourly room rental signage. An ordinance of the mayor of the city council of city of D Florida amending chapter 80 article 7 human trafficking and signs creating
section 80-326. No hourly room rentals public awareness sign providing for implementation incorporation to the code incorporation recital serability and an effective date. Okay. I'm going to go ahead and open up public comments for item 20B also known as 26-6603. Anyone who would like to speak on this item,
please approach the podium. Being none, public comments is now closed. Madam clerk, please let the record reflect no one has chosen to speak at this time. >> Danny, city's journey. >> So, this is an item that I worked with
uh Mr. Del Toro. Uh it's it's basically u codifying the uh resolution that uh with the instructions for us to create the uh no uh human trafficking signs uh that follows uh Florida statute. Uh and now it's part of our code and it's a requirement for all hotels to have it
and it creates a penalty if they don't. Did I miss anything, Mr. Del Toro? >> No. And there will also be an outreach where the approved sign will be delivered to all these establishments for simple compliance. >> All right. Sounds good. This is going off of
Councilwoman Reynoso's item from last month. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Councilman Pedo. Second. Second by Counciloman Reynos. Madam Cler, please call the role. >> Motion to approve on November 20268 on first reading made by Counciloman Pedo. Seconded by Council Marinos. Council Penedo. >> Yes. >> Council Reynoso.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Fraga. >> Yes. Motion passes. >> All right. We move on to the second reading. Item 20 C. >> Second reading. Item 20 C. Ordinance number 20265 fiscal year 2526 budget amendment. An ordinance for the made of the city council of the city of D Florida providing for an amendment to the general fund budget for fiscal year
2526 and the capital improvement fund budget for fiscal year 2526 as reviewed modified and approved by the city council at the meetings held on April 8th 2026 and May 13, 2026 providing for transmittable by the city clerk implementation serability conflicts and an effective date. This was approved on first reading on April 8th. All right.
I'm going to go ahead and open up public comments. Public comments now open for item 20 also known as 26-6552. Anyone would like to speak, please approach the podium. >> All right. Being none, public comments now closed. Madam clerk, like the record, no one has chosen to speak at this time.
>> She's good. >> Yes. Good evening, mayor. Um, I just wanted to state there are no changes between first and second reading. >> All right, there's no changes. >> Motion to approve by Counciloman Pedato. >> Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. >> Madam Cler, please call the role. Motion
to approve ordinance number 202605 on second reading made by council pedo. Seconded by council marinoso council penedo. >> Yes. >> Council marinoso. >> Yes. >> Mayor Fraga. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> All right. Motion pass. This is exhaust our agenda. Motion to >> motion. >> Motion to adjourn by council messo.
Second by counciloman pedo. All in favor say I. I. >> Meeting is adjourned. We'll see you all on June 10th. Thank you very much.