From City Hall: Coral Gables City Commission October 2026
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At its last meeting in October, the City Commission:
Proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Month
Commissioners honored the contribution of Hispanic culture to the city by proclaiming Hispanic Heritage Month in Coral Gables. Hispanic culture is “woven into our history and the daily life of Coral Gables,” said Mayor Vince Lago. The consular officers of Mexico, Peru, and Colombia attended the brief ceremony. All three, along with the consulates of Spain, Paraguay, and Guatemala, are based in the Gables. Lago noted that city founder George Merrick drew his inspiration for the city’s architectural design from Hispanic culture.
Recognized the Fire Department’s Rare Accreditation
Coral Gables Fire Department Chief Marcos De La Rosa announced the department’s accreditation by CAAS, the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, the gold standard for emergency medical services (EMS). The award adds to the department’s accreditation by CFAI, the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, and its recognition as an ISO Class One Fire Department. “I can tell you that we, with this achievement, are in some rarefied air,” said De La Rosa. Only 17 of the 30,000 fire departments in the U.S. have this triple accreditation.
Illustrating why the CG Fire Department earned the trifecta of accreditations, Assistant Chief Xavier Jones described a recent rescue operation in which a resident who was electrocuted was saved because EMS arrived in three minutes and used a defibrillator to shock his heart back to life.
Bid Goodbye to Commissioner Ariel Fernandez
Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson presented Commissioner Ariel Fernandez with a ceramic replica of City Hall, “a reminder of your service and your place in the history of Coral Gables.” Anderson made note of the “strong differences” between her and Fernandez but wanted to recognize his time devoted to serving the city as a commissioner. The visibly moved Fernandez was elected three and a half years ago but decided not to run again in the November election.
Unveiled the Great Christmas Tree “Fraud”
For the past 30 years, the City Commission has given permission to the Coral Gables Firefighter Benevolent Association to sell Christmas trees on Baptist Church property at 5501 Granada Boulevard, believing its sales supported local charities. At the behest of Mayor Lago, that agreement was not rubber-stamped this year, but examined. The first problem: 70 percent of the charities “supported” were outside of Coral Gables. Upon closer examination, it turns out that the trees were not sold by the Firefighter Benevolent Association, but by Firefighters Christmas Trees Inc., a private, for-profit company. Upon yet further examination, no monies were ever distributed to any charity, only Christmas trees. When Lago and the Commission threatened not to grant permission – which required zoning waivers – Commissioner Melissa Castro declared herself “completely disappointed in the management and administration of this city” under Mayor Lago, and that she was “ashamed” the city would deny the permit based on “legal excuses, or loopholes.” Mayor Lago noted that Commissioner Castro had gotten free trees from the lot, according to the company. Commissioner Castro got her boyfriend Andrew Peach on the phone to dispute that; he said they gave a large tip for the tree, so it wasn’t for free.
The Commission decided to table the decision until the end of the day, so that staff could speak with Firefighters Christmas Trees, to see if they would donate some of their proceeds to a Gables charity. Rather than agree to that, the company withdrew its application. At that point Commissioner Richard Lara revealed that Firefighters Christmas Trees had purchased the use of the Coral Gables Firefighter Benevolent Association name and was using its logo on letterheads. Lara said the misrepresentation “may rise to the level of fraud. Anyone who receives this letter believes they are dealing directly with the Benevolent Association.” Commissioner Rhonda Anderson called it a blatant “act of deceit.” Mayor Lago asked city staff to find another organization to sell trees on the lot. Commissioner Castro, who earlier accused the Mayor of trying to make it “impossible for businesses to survive here in Coral Gables,” mysteriously disappeared for the final hour of the commission meeting when the facts were revealed about the Christmas tree sales.
Finalized the Art Cinema Expansion
The commission voted 5-0 to finalize the lease and funding ($450,000 of the $1.425 million total cost) for a second screen at Coral Gables Art Cinema. The Commission lauded the exceptional reputation and performance of the cinema (60,000 visitors annually, numerous first runs of movies), with Lago calling it “the most respected cinema in the State of Florida,” also recognizing its free programming for the elderly and school students. The Art Cinema has wanted a second screen for more than a decade.
Authorized the Pursuit of a Serra
The Commission voted 4-1 to engage in negotiations to purchase ‘Fin,’ an 18-ton sculpture by renowned American artist Richard Serra. The piece would cost $5 million from the Public Art Fund (paid for by developers) and would be transferred from the 11th floor sky lobby of the Swiss Bank Corporation in New York, for installation in the new Regency Park on Salzedo Street. Only Commissioner Castro voted against, saying residents she talked to didn’t like it and that she thought taxpayers were footing the bill (not true). “What we have here is another opportunity to bring a world class artwork to the city,” said Mayor Lago.
Entertained the Idea of New Cultural Events
The Commission listened to a proposal from Economic Development Director Belkys Perez to change how its annual budget of $100,000 to support cultural events is used. Rather than supporting two or three big weekend events hosted by consulates based in the Gables, the new idea is to create many “City Beautiful Nights,” a sort of “Around the World in Coral Gables,” with “A Night in Spain,” etc.