Latest News from City Hall

At the Last Meeting Prior to the Election of a New Mayor and Two New City Commissioners, the Coral Gables City Commission:

Voted 5-0 to establish the concept of Neighborhood Protection Zones. The idea is to protect streets next to commercial areas, schools, churches, hospitals and UM where “vehicle intrusion into residential neighborhoods” is affecting quality of life. Solutions to be examined include adding more no parking signs or offering “swale packages” of plantings that block parking. 

Voted 5-0 to issue $15.25 million in new bonds to pay for upgrades and preemptive repairs to the city’s sewage system, so as not to become “another Fort Lauderdale” – referring to the burst sewage pipes that spewed millions of gallons of waste in that city last year. 

Voted 5-0 to authorize the city’s IT department to engage Infor Public Sector, Inc. to implement a new software enterprise system for electronic plan reviews and payments. The system will cost $3.2 million and will be “the last piece in our technology” to move the city forward into a paperless system that will make the Gables one of the “top IT cities in the country,” said City Manager Peter Iglesias. 

Voted 5-0 to approve a 15-foot sculpture for the plaza entrance to the new Public Safety Building. The sculpture will consist of stacked green glass with a glowing “eternal flame” in its core that will be lit by sunlight during the day and LED lighting at night. Both the police and fire chiefs endorsed the $450,000 work of art, which will have a plaque at its base to inscribe the names of fallen officers. 

Voted 5-0 in favor of a resolution declaring Principles of Inclusion for individuals with autism and other special needs, urging government, businesses and residents to act within these principles (sponsored by outgoing Commissioner Pat Keon).

Gave the key to the city to City Manager Peter Iglesias in recognition of his accomplishments in keeping the city fiscally sound and completing its capital projects. 

Presented a certificate of recognition to residents Ray Corral and Alina Meledina for their donations of orchids to the public “paseo” green space on Country Club Prado (sponsored by Commissioner Jorge Fors).