Latest News from City Hall
At Its Last Meeting in January and Its Only Meeting in February, the Coral Gables City Commission:
Listened to an announcement by Mayor Vince Lago that henceforth, any member of the public addressing the City Commission will have three minutes to do so, with a three-light system (green for go, yellow for one-minute left, and red to stop). “This will encourage well organized and equitable opportunities for all who wish to speak on matters affecting The City Beautiful,” said the mayor, who has tried to rein in lengthy citizen harangues that have extended commission meetings by hours.
Listened to a report by City Manager Peter Iglesias on the status of Burger Bob’s, the diner adjacent to the pro shop on the Granada Golf Course. Iglesias said the city is replacing the roof, installing handicap accessible bathrooms, and replacing the sanitary sewer and grease trap. Construction is set for the second quarter. Mayor Lago said he would like to see the restaurant remain “a breakfast and lunch place, like a family diner.” Commissioner Kirk Menendez agreed, saying “I too would like to see it remain neighborhood focused. I don’t want to see a chain restaurant there.” The city currently has two private proposals for the restaurant, to be reviewed before the March City Commission meeting. Commissioner Michael Mena doubted any restauranteur could see a return on investment for such a small, inexpensively priced diner, leading the mayor to suggest it become “a city run establishment, like the pro shop,” and either hire someone to run it or lease it, with the city in control.
Resolved 5-0 to urge the county school board to create an education facility in Coral Gables for children and young adults with autism. Currently, parents of Gables public school children with autism must attend schools outside the city. Considering the amount of county school tax dollars contributed by Coral Gables, “For our residents to be underserved in this respect is not acceptable,” said Commissioner Mena. There are currently an estimated 500 Gables students between the ages three and 21 who have some form of autism.
Listened to a suggestion by Mayor Lago that residents be required to use clear plastic bags when disposing of bagged vegetation on their swales or in their trash pits. The reason? Some residents are using black bags to disguise the disposal of cardboard in trash pits, rather than recycling the cardboard, which is now required by city ordinance. Code enforcement reported that more than 700 citations and warnings regarding cardboard disposal had been issued since December; fines range up to $500.
Approved 5-0 a $400,000 matching grant to supply body cameras to all Coral Gables police officers, which should lead to a reduction in the use of force by both officers and citizens. Their use “leads to restraint and to trust by the community,” said Assistant Chief of Police Hajir Nuriddin.
Voted 5-0 to authorize $1.5 million for the demolition of the city parking garage behind the Miracle Theatre, to make way for the new Mobility Hub. The expense will be on top of the $42 million estimated cost for the design and building of the facility.
Listened to an admonishment by Commissioner Rhonda Anderson that the city’s public works department was not sufficiently training outside landscaping firms that trim the city’s trees, leaving amputated branches that lead to rot. “I know we have a shortage of the crew… but let’s not just lollypop the trees,” she said.
Listened to a half dozen discussion items by Commissioner Jorge Fors, which the mayor called “the Fors show,” including improving the city’s use of Zoom for public meetings, better control over landscaping companies, a pop-up beer garden at the Farmer’s Market, and Fors’ personal donation to the city of a drone and a punching bag.
Congratulated efforts by city officials and private business representatives who recently went to Tallahassee to secure funding for a variety of infrastructure projects and upgrades, including the Mobility Hub, the Venetian Pool, and the city incinerator. Five out of seven city projects are currently in the state budget, for a record $3 million in state funding.
Voted 5-0 to approve a contract with celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein to bring her Sra. Martinez restaurant to 2325 Galiano St., former home of the Open Stage. Bernstein will be granted 18-months rent-free for investing $1.3 million in the facility, which will also add Latin music to its culinary mix. The contract is for 15 years, with two five-year options to renew.
Listened to a presentation by the city’s sustainability officer, Matt Anderson, that the new Public Safety Building and the new Trolley Maintenance Building have both won LEED Silver designation by the U.S. Green Building Council. The designation means the buildings use energy and water more efficiently, along with other benchmarks of sustainability. “We are providing examples for the private sector,” noted Mayor Lago, a proponent of environmentally friendly practices.
Voted 5-0 to authorize the city’s finance department to refinance the bond for the Miracle Mile improvement project, saving the city at least $150,000 without changing the maturity dates of the bonds.