At Its Only Meeting in June, the City Commission:
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Voted for More Flags
After listening to a presentation by Lt. Col. Juan Carlos JC Gomez about the American Legion in Coral Gables (their post is on Alhambra Circle), the City Commission voted 5-0 to put American flags on Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Giralda Plaza to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. “I want people who come to our downtown to feel our patriotism,” said Mayor Vince Lago.
Limited the Speed (and Ads) of Delivery Robots
The Commission voted 5-0 to limit the speed of the delivery robots that roam downtown, from 10 mph to 7 mph. The ordinance was introduced by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who said the delivery bots were a threat to residents with disabilities, since they halt and do not back up when faced with a human. “The biggest issue here is that these robots do not give way to pedestrians,” said Anderson, who was against “increased speed in robots that don’t know how to move out of the way.” Anderson had initially proposed a 6-mph speed limit, but Commissioner Melissa Castro advocated for 7 or 8 mph, saying this allowed robot deliveries – typically of food – to be made more efficiently. The Commission also voted to limit advertising on the robots. Serve Robotics has six months to comply.
Confirmed Its Payments for The Underline
The Commission voted 5-0 on second reading to confirm a payment of $180,000 for Underline maintenance fees for fiscal year 2026. The Commissioners unanimously voiced their disappointment that the county is now backing out of its commitment to maintain the Underline, which will cost some $300,000 per linear mile to keep clean, in good repair, and safe. “This is an unforeseen situation that we, as a city, have to address,” said Mayor Lago. Commissioner Richard Lara likened the situation to having the playing cards switched on the city. “I don’t like finding ourselves in this position,” he said. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez previously suggested the county should deed the Underline property to the city if forced to pay for upkeep. All agreed that the Underline was a world-class park and exemplary public-private partnership that will enhance the lives of residents.
Said Yes to More Land Next to City Hall
The Commission voted 5-0 to let City Manager Peter Iglesias negotiate the purchase of property at 475 and 495 Biltmore Way, next to City Hall and the adjacent Development Services building, so that all government services can ultimately be located together.
Learned About the First Live Local Building
The City Commission listened to a presentation about Ponce 8, the first Live Local Act building in the city, a 16-story, 192-unit residential high-rise going up on 8th Street near the intersection with Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The state’s Live Local Act grants automatic approval to any residential building that offers 40 percent of its units for “affordable” rent to families earning up to 120 percent of the average income in the area (in this case Miami-Dade). The building can be as large as any other within a one-mile radius. The Commission voted 5-0 to use the initial $160,000 impact fees from the development for mobility and transportation improvements in the adjacent North Gables neighborhood.
Advanced Zoning for a NIMBY Dog Park
The Commission voted 3-2 to alter the zoning on city owned land at 520 University Drive, making it possible to convert the open field – now used for overflow parking at the adjacent Youth Center – into a dog park. Residents who live next to the proposed dog park objected angrily, saying it would hurt their property values and disrupt their “quiet” neighborhood. Their group, the University Green Association, is suing to stop the city, even though no plans have been put forth and the city continues to seek neighborhood input. Proponents for the park have gathered hundreds of signatures from residents in nearby neighborhoods who want the park. Citywide, more than 70% of residents polled favor the park.
Gave In to FPL on Silver Lights
After a three-year standoff, the City Commission reluctantly voted 5-0 to allow FPL to continue replacing silver streetlight poles with taller, black Washington streetlights. Three years ago, the Commission voted to stop FPL from replacing the silver streetlights on Greenway Drive with new black streetlights, hoping to change the utility’s mind. But FPL has refused to install the silver poles after removing them from their catalog of selections. The city could have taken over FPL’s role and installed 86 silver streetlights on Greenway, but balked at the $2 million price tag, which did not include substantial ongoing maintenance and repair costs. More millions would be needed to replace hundreds of other silver streetlights in the city. City Manager Peter Iglesias noted that the city was simply not in the business of installing and maintaining streetlights.
Moved Ahead With the Mobility Hub
The long campaign to replace the aging parking garages on Andalusia Avenue between LeJeune and Ponce (one block south of Miracle Mile) with a new Mobility Hub finally got underway with a 5-0 vote to move forward with demolition. The project was placed on hold for several years after COVID drove estimated construction costs from $47 million in 2020 to more than $73 million by 2023. The current cost estimate is somewhere between $50 and $60 million. The mayor called the project “a massive investment in our business community,” because it will supply a safe, modern parking facility for downtown shoppers and diners.
Prepared for Bad News on Tax Income
Mayor Lago warned that a fiscal “winter is coming” thanks to the new tax laws proposed by Florida Gov. Ron Desantis. If the homestead exemption is increased to $250,000, the city will lose an estimated $11 million a year in tax revenue; if the exemption then grows to $500,000, the shortfall will grow to $22 million. The mayor urged fiscal restraint but predicted that certain programs – like putting $4 million a year into the city’s fund to combat rising sea levels – would have to be scrapped.