City Commission - Regular Meeting

Yeah. Yes. If you squint. Oh, excuse me. I'm on the um mics are on Is it already live?

Oh my god. No problem.

Mr. Clerk, you ready to go? Yes, Mr. Mayor. All right, perfect. Thank you very much. Uh, good morning. I'd like to welcome everyone to the September 10th uh 2025 city commission meeting. September 25th, sir. Oh, September 25th. I apologize. I don't know why I said September 10th. I have here September 10th, but I am uh in September 25th, but it's okay. Rewind's fine.

Rewind. Uh I'd like to welcome everyone to the commission meeting. We have multiple different opportunities to uh engage with the commission. Either you can speak during the item as long as it's allowed. Uh you can also speak uh during our public comment section uh which we give everyone ample time uh to to to give their comments and speak on the record. I ask everyone to please I will mention it now. You have three minutes to speak and I'm going to ask everyone that comes up to state their name and their address for the record. You will have three minutes to share your thoughts with the commission. As a reminder, these comments are limited to the items on the agenda or within the scope of the city commission's jurisdiction. If you wish to speak on an item that is on the agenda right now, please remember that you will not be given an additional opportunity to speak again once that item is called. All comments should be directed to the commission as a whole. When the three minutes is up, the timer will beep. I ask you to please wrap up your sentence and leave the podium when you're done speaking. Uh, thank you very much. So, moving forward to begin to begin our day today, um I'd like to invite Yoli from the city clerk's office to lead us in our invocation.

Yoli, thank you for always coming in on relief from the bullpen.

You're welcome, sir. And thank you for the honor to pray. I don't take it lightly. Um let's begin. Um when I was told maybe I might be praying the chapter from the Bible that came to mind was the biatitudes and it's from Matthew 5 and it says blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven. For in the same way they have persecuted the prophets who are who were before you. Heavenly Father, as we come before you, we humble ourselves, Lord God, knowing that you are holy God. You are the great I am. We come before you. We ask forgiveness of our sins, Lord God. Those we know of and those we don't know of. Today Lord God as we deliver it in this meeting we ask that you oh God will be present that everything will be done to bring you honor and glory. Lord help us like you to be a public a servant to all. Heavenly father we pray Lord God for those who serve and protect. Watch over

them Lord God. We live in trying times. Help us not to lose faith, Lord God, knowing that you, Lord God, already know all about this that's happening. And you are with us. You said in your word, you will never leave us or forsake us. So we pray, Lord God, for the meeting today. We pray for our commissioners, our mayor, and everyone taking and participating in this meeting. Lord God, bless them. Bless their families. Lord God, we know it's a sacrifice and we know it can become difficult. continue to give them strength as they move forward. Lord God, enlighten their minds to find and make good decisions. Lord God, we thank you for the city of Coral Gables, the beautiful city. Lord God, help us each and everyone citizens, our elected officials, employees to make it even more beautiful. In all these things, we give you thanks and praise in Jesus name.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you, Yodi. As always, it's a pleasure to have you. We love you. Uh, Mr. Clerk, will you do us a favor and please lead us in the pledge? Absolutely. Please stand with me. Place your right hand over your heart. Repeat, pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nationy and justice for all. Thank you. Now, moving on to the mayor moment. Good morning, Mayor. If you give me one second. Um,

so for the past year, Vice Mayor, um, Rhonda Anderson has told me that she's allergic to my perfume, and I've tried my best to always remember not to wear perfume. But today, I wore perfume. So, I asked the clerk if maybe he could arrange something and Commissioner La could switch seats because I don't want my perfume to affect her health in any way. I appreciate that. Absolutely. Absolutely.

Okay. You you have your share of allergies, so I don't think you Good morning. Good morning. It's great to see you. Thank you. Thank you for always being here and giving up of your time. My pleasure. You do this for the love of the city and for the love of the history. So, thank you for that. Thank you.

As we celebrate our centennial, the Merrick House brings to the commission the Merrick moment. Little tidbits that add up to a remarkable story. I'm Joanne Maher, Maric House dosent and past chair of the board of governors whose members include Mary Beth Burke, Carmen Kasein, Alexis Arenha, Christina Onen, Genevie Our, and Bonnie Cip. As students have settled into the school routine, we'll consider Merik's education. As you may remember, George was not in the classroom from the age of 13 to 21. He was working the farm and self-educating on his 4-hour afternoon mule cart treks back from downtown Miami, where he would sell produce to Flaggler's Royal Palm Hotel and others. In 1907, George entered Rollins College in Winter Park, which was Florida's first planned community. Feeling trepidacious, I felt like a green, untried boy, raw from the pines and rocks and fuller of inferiority complexes than any college freshman, wrote the man who was two years their senior. He went on to win many awards and accolades for his writings and oration. His speech entitled, "A plea for the weak, where he stood up for the underdog, won him one of the school's highest honors. His accomplishment was covered in the pages of the Miami Metropolis newspaper. Upon graduating, George hoped to pursue a career as a writer and poet. His father had other plans in mind, law school, and one did not say no to Solomon Merik. He enrolled at New York Law School and lived with his uncle Denmanfink and his wife Betsy in the planned suburb of Hawworth, New Jersey. He hated law school, but the city of New York taught him more than any book. He

wrote that New York's sky climbing towers inspired him, none more than Madison Square Garden with its spire patterned after La Heralda in Sevilla, Spain. 15 years later, he would build his own Hiralda tower in Coral Gables. And before I leave the lectern, I just want to um mention that the Coral Gables episode of the Florida Road Trip debuts today uh on WLRN at 5:30 p.m. and at 11 p.m. and on WPBT on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. And you can also watch it on Florida Road Trips YouTube channel. So, let's learn more about Coral Gables and its wonderful centennial year. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Moving on to presentations and protocol documents. Item A1 vice mayor.

Yes. We have a proclamation um which I'll read into the record for Laflur Dominicana. Whereas Laflur Dominicanana was founded by Leto and Inz Gomez, visionary leaders whose dedication to craftsmen, family values and innovation has helped shape the global premium cigar industry for over three decades. And whereas Coral Gables has proudly served as a long-standing home of Laflur Dominicano's headquarters, anchoring a world-class brand that continues to elevate the city's global profile through its international presence and acclaim. And whereas Laflur Dominicanana has consistently demonstrated excellence earning top industry honors and widespread recognition for the quality and innovation of its cigars respected around the world not only for its products but for the people behind them. Whereas through their personal leadership and commitment, Lito and Inz Gomez have not only built globally respected company but have also become enduring examples of the ent entrepreneurial spirit and values that define Coral Gables. Whereas city of Coral Gables wishes to recognize the honor and le the legacy success, the continued commitment of Laflur Dominicanana as a business that exemplifies the values of excellence, innovation, and civic pride. Now therefore, Ian Slago as the mayor of city of Coral Gables and on behalf of the city commission do hereby proclaim September 25th, 2025 as Laaflur Dominicanana Day in Coral Gables. So, um, I'm going to continue to read because there's a little more to this one. It says, "In observance thereof, I hereby urge all residents, businesses, and visitors to join in recognizing and celebrating La Florida Man's fine cigars

as valued member of our business community. And we encourage patronage and support of this distinguished establishment with which exemplifies the internal spirit and cultural richness that makes Coral Gables a vibrant destination. A floor to Medicana fine cigars continue to prosper and thrive in our city for many years to come, contributing to the economic vitality and unique character that defines our community. We appreciate our business community as it brings so much richness to our city and that's why I wanted to read that final paragraph. Thank you.

Come on up. Come on up.

Congratulations. Thank you very much.

I I really appreciate u what's happening today here. Um we have been living in Kora Gabos for more than 35 years and um uh our company was founded in 1994 and it has always been in Kora Gabos and and we are so proud of it. We love the city and um uh we're blessed to uh have been able to build a global company um which uh we're honored uh and very happy. It it has um been a long journey but a beautiful one and u and I don't know if you guys uh smoke cigars or or know cigars um the product that we make it's a part of people good moments celebrations get together and uh people celebrate with cigars in some special occasions. So we're not only happy that uh we were able to build this company but also because we bring good moments to people uh in different celebrations and um so uh we started with a dream only and uh uh without any knowledge of cigars or tobacco in general and um uh so it took a lot of learning from us um to be able to build this company and u thanks to my wife uh as my partner um we were able to succeed and and uh build a company uh which uh makes us very proud. So we're very blessed and uh we really appreciate this moment. Uh it is extremely important for us. Thank

you so much. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Any other words?

We're going to take a photo. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to item A2, a presentation proclamation declaring September 2025 as World Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Coral Gables. Commissioner Lada.

Good morning and thank you for that. I'm very honored uh to be able to be the one reading this proclamation. and I sit on and for years as the chair of development for Easter Seals South Florida, an organization that's devoted to community service uh and autism is one of the main uh challenges that the organization serves to uh combat and assist the community. So with no further ado, whereas Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodeenerative brain disorder, tragically robs individuals of their memories and leads to progressive mental and physical impairments. And whereas Miami date county has the number one prevalence for Alzheimer's in the entire country with over 16% of the 65 and over population living with Alzheimer's. And whereas Alzheimer's disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. And whereas in 2025 in the United States, nearly 12 million caregivers provided an estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than 413 billion. In Florida, over 870,000 caregivers provided over$ 1.4 billion hours of unpaid care valued at an estimated 29 billion. And whereas Alzheimer's disease is one of the most expensive diseases in the United States. And in 2025, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's disease will total an estimated $413 billion. Whereas the human cost of Alzheimer's disease is immeasurable. And in recognition of the individuals, families, friends, caregivers, and researchers seeking to find a cure for this debilitating disease, we support you in selfless efforts. And therefore, on behalf of Vince Lago, the mayor of the city of Coral Gables, and on behalf of the city commission, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2025 as World Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Coral Gables. In observance thereof, I hereby encourage the residents of our city, beautiful, to recognize the

efforts of the Alzheimer's Association to raise funds and promote awareness to fight Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, thereby improving the quality of human life for those living with this disease and their caregivers. Thank you, Commissioner. Mr. Clerk, do we have anybody here on behalf of I do not believe so. No worries. Thank you very much. Moving on to item A3. Do we have our chief of the fire department here? Uh, Mr. Clerk, they should be walking in now. All right, perfect.

Thank you, Mr. DCM. Chief, good morning.

Good morning, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the commission. Uh, it's my pleasure to present our firefighter of the month. So, uh, Jada Toban is a captain. Um, just to describe that position, he is a senior officer at a fire station and that is his representative rank. However, he is, in my opinion, the backbone of the fire department. He is at our stations. They are the ones that make the most contact with our residents and the people that we serve. And uh nine times out of 10, if not 10 out of 10, when you ask a young firefighter who had the most impact in your career, they will name a captain, a station commander. Uh Captain Toban represents exactly what I just said, his leadership, his professionalism, his willingness to develop at all ranks. And that's representative by those firefighters behind me who range from a couple months to several years and they all are under his influence. So for his professionalism, his dedication and his commitment to our organization is why he's our firefighter of the month. So Captain Tobin, congratulations.

Thank you. Captain, congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations. Welld deserved. Thank you, sir. Uh, thank you for this recognition. Uh, it really means a lot. Uh, I've been working with KGA's fire department for 18 years. Uh, not one day I felt like I was coming in to work. And this is due to the passion that I have. Uh, instead I will come in uh, enjoy what I do, serve our community, and work with the best firefighters that we have. Uh, thank you for this recognition, and I share this with all the guys that work beside me all the time. Thanks. Thank you very much, sir.

Take a photo. We'll take picture that way. You can kind of inspire Yes. comfortable.

Moving on to item A4. Congratulations to Carlos Gutierrez, parking department recipient of the employee of the month award of July 2025. Good morning, sir. Morning, mayor, commissioners. Uh, Jose Rodriguez, assistant HR director. today have the honor of presenting you with four employees of the month uh for the general employees. So we're going to start with A4 which is Carlos Gutierrez. He's our winner for July. July comes Carlos comes from the parking department. Uh he's been Carlos has been with the city since 2005 as our parking supervisor. He was nominated by Monica. So I'm going to call up Monica so he can help recognize Carlos. Congrats. Thank you.

Good morning. I'm Monica Belchin. I am the director for parking sustainability and mobility services and it is my pleasure today. Um, and I am so proud of you, Carlos, because Carlos does one thing that I think characterizes the best leadership and that is he's good for unit morale. Productivity in the parking officer group is up. Complaints are almost unheard of. You know it because you were the ones that get it first. And he does this by caring for his officers on a personal level and a professional level. He motivates them to eat well. He he himself uh um embarked in a health uh challenge for himself. We've lost he's lost 70 pounds all on his own. motivates his officers to walk, to eat healthy, and overall officers will call him the best supervisors they ever had. So, from my selfish perspective, what you've done for productivity, I thank you. From my selfish um perspective, for what you've done for our external customers, I thank you. And for what you do for our team every day, I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you. Um, good morning everybody, commissioners, city manager. Just wanted to say thank you. Um, thank you very much for those kind words, Monica. Um, but I got to give the credit to all the officers that really make my job easier. You know, they're the ones out there in the street in the heat taking, you know, the beatings. Uh, but they make my job easier. I just hit my 20 years in the city and I I love working here. You know, it it's it's a great place to work. We're all like a big family here. So, I really do care about them. They care about me. And I treat them well. They treat me well. And we just look out for each other. That's what it's all

about. Thank you very much. Have a great day.

Congratulations, by the way. To the next to the next 20 years. Yes, sir. Thank you. How would you like would you like to handle the all four and then we can take I I only have one. Although take a photo. Thank you.

Here we go. We're good. This was the day my

moving on to A5. Congratulations to Susan Lane Fiesta, community recreation department recipient of the employee of the month award for August 2025. Good morning, gentlemen. All right, Susan is our August winner. Susan comes from the community recreation department. Susan has a 10-year veteran of that department. Last three years, she's been serving as a special events manager. Um, so she's actually nominated by Fred. So, I'll turn over to Fred so Fred can help me recognize Susan. Come on, sis. [Applause]

Good morning and thank you for having us. Um, it was a great pleasure to nominate uh Susan. for those of you that um enjoy the events that we do in our city like Fourth of July, our pumpkin patch, which is coming up by the way, um our uh Christmas tree lighting, um all of those events, she's the manager for them. It's she undertakes a very large operation. Um she from beginning to end, she's done great things in creating logistical plans. Um she's had to deal with me at events and I'm a handful so she gets an extra award for that one later on. Um her effort is great. Um she's a wonderful team player. Um since she became the special events manager, not only from community recreation, but all the other departments, public works, police, they all love working with Susan because of her cooperative nature. She is um I don't know where she finds the energy. Um and she's constant. uh she'll work as long as she needs to work to make sure that the event goes great and she really cares about what the community thinks. She doesn't like to put together subpar things. She likes high quality things and I can't speak enough about her. It's been a pleasure and I think this is a very deserving honor for her. So congratulations Susan. Congratulations.

Nerves. No worries. Good morning, mayor, vice mayor, city commissioners, and city manager. Um, I am deeply honored to receive the employee of the month recommendation. Sorry, members. Sorry.

No problem. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to director Fred, assistant city manager Karolina, assistant director Sarah and Carlos um for sorry your me your mentorship, guidance and support have been instrument instrumental and in my professional growth. Thank you for your trust and leadership. to my family. Your love, patience and faith have shaped who I am. I share this recognition with you. I also want to highlight the many the many departments whose collaboration makes our special events team truly exceptional. to my parks family, um, police, fire, code, my colleagues in public works, rideway, green space, general service, parking, and more. Your dedication, your hard work and commitment from the backbone of each event we deliver. Thank you everyone. It starts in parks. If I may, I um you're so worthy of this of this uh acknowledgement today and I want to mention just very quickly many people may not know Susan um but I have the privilege of working with you every time. We all have the privilege of working with you when there's events. Um you make us look amazing. You put the city first always. Your humility, you're always smiling. You're always working really, really hard. Uh you're everything that's right with the city of Coral Gables. So I want to thank you for your dedication to the city. Beautiful. Thank you to dedication to your fellow employees, to the residents, to the business community. You make it look seamless, easy. You make the director look amazing. Um, but we all acknowledge the hard work that you do. For example, how how everything went seamlessly at

the Dorothy uh dedication. Um, you know, I can't speak enough about your hard work and your dedication. you do it without much fanfare, without much, you know, pomp and circumstance, but it's first class. I want to thank you and I love to see that type of emotion because you're so deserving of this award and it means a lot. Yes, sir. Um I think uh there isn't a single event that you're not at and the first thing you do is smile and come and say hello. Uh regardless of how stressed out you are, how many things you're doing, you always put on a smile on your face and you're happy to be doing your job. and I think you're inspiration for all of us in the work that you do. We are lucky to have you here. So to the mayor,

madam vice mayor. Yes. So I remember when you were a part-time employee and you had the same passion, the same energy, the same drive to make everything perfect. Um, you didn't see Susan taking accolades for doing anything, but she was the person when you looked out at the peripheral was hustling to make sure everything was absolutely perfect, including even going to details like handing out water and making sure that everybody's taken care of like a mother hen around all of us. So, we are so lucky to have you, you know. Thank you for being with us. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Let's take a photo. Mom, thank you. Moving on to item A6. Congratulations to Norman Clark, human resource and risk management department, recipient of the employee of the month award for September 2025. Mayor,

if I can, I'd like to combine A6 and A7 because they're kind of a dual or a team from the HR department. So, this one's kind of special for us. So, I'd like to call up Norman Clark Jr. and Marilyn to be recognized. So Norman is our um employee of the month for September and Marilyn is our Maryland is our part-time employee of the month or part-time employee of the quarter. So it's an honor to present both of them. They work as a team. They're the ones that do all the public safety hiring for the city. So they hire firefighters, emergency dispatchers, police officers. They are the team behind the majority of that hiring. So they work in conjunction with the police department with the backgrounds unit, but they are the ambassadors. They're the first face that people see, they hear, they work with as they're trying to gain employment here at the city. So, just for some perspective, I want to share some numbers. I know numbers uh help paint the picture of what they do. So, in the 2025 calendar year, they're going to process upwards of a thousand applications for police officers, 500 applications for emergency dispatchers, and over 250 applications for certified firefighters. Every single one of those applications is personally reviewed by one of those two. They contact every employee or every candidate. They reach out to them. They schedule them for orientation sessions, open houses, after hours. They are very meticulous in what they do. They're very detailed in what they do. And I feel like they provide a very concier service our candidates from the moment they apply to the moment they hear from one of them. It's hours, sometimes days. So they they provide that service that really encourages people to want to work here to be part of the uh the city. Since Norman joined in January 2024 in this role, he has hired 42 police officers, 34 firefighters, nine emergency dispatchers, and 10 other miscellaneous uh public safety positions. Maryland joined just after in April of 24. So

that's why I asked to bring them up together. They're they're kind of a team. They they go back and forth. They bicker. They push each other, but they it works. They're they're a great team. It's an honor to have them in our department. I think they do a lot of good for the city. Um and I want to recognize I think they're well deserving of of this recognition. So, turn over to to Norman. See if he wants to say anything. And Marilyn, I congratulate you both. Thank you for what you do for our department, for our city, and the community as a whole. [Applause] Good morning everyone. Uh what a pleasure to be here. Um Norman Clark got the warmest welcome I've ever had in my entire life by Jose. So I appreciate that very much. Uh next to me you have ironically enough my partner in crime. Although we do uh tackle public safety here at the city of Coral Gables together. Um and you know we do it well. Um but it is an honor to be standing in front of all of you uh being a recipient or recipients of employee of the month and then part-time employee of the quarter. Um it would be foolish and unwise of me um and my partner to only just say thank you and walk off. There are a few departments that I think uh deserve some some recognition although they've been recognized uh previously. Uh one being the police department. I would like to thank the police department for making it so effortless uh when it comes to just hiring people, putting them through the process, and making sure that we're hiring quality officers uh for the city of Coral Gables. Um they have an immense duty and immense responsibility. So, I really appreciate uh the background investigations unit and how well uh they work with us. The next department that I'd like to mention would be the fire department. Uh the fire department exemplifies what it is to be professional um and and excellence. Um, ever since I've stepped foot in this role, they have showed me nothing but that. And I truly thank them all the way from uh, Chief Del Roza to Chief Jones, etc. Um, their professionalism and their

excellence when they're working with us. And lastly, I'm saving the best for last. I'm just kidding. Everyone's equal. Uh, lastly, I'd like to thank the human resources department, and that ranges um, under everyone within the human resources department. Speaking of compensation team, the benefits team, labor, um, etc. These are all role models that I I do admire and I look up to from the moment that I started working here. But one that I would like to highlight would be uh the recruitment team. The recruitment team, Marilyn and I, as you've heard the numbers from Jose, um that is an astronomical amount of interviews and um processing that we do and we could not do it on our own. Um the recruitment team has done nothing but help us when it comes to allowing uh them to step in and help out with interviews and help out with the process. They've been completely supportive throughout that entire process. So, I really thank them. And then to my leadership, um, one being Caesar, thank you so much for being a, uh, a great direct supervisor. I really appreciate you. Uh, Jose, someone I consider my mentor, uh, guides me through that everyday practice, allowing me to see the strategic goals of HR, past the operational duties. Um, and then unfortunately, we have, uh, someone leaving, Miss Raquel. Uh, Miss Raquel demonstrates what it is to be a, uh, transformational leader. Um, she is absolutely amazing. Her critical thinking skills are completely out of this world and I learn from her every time that I step foot into a room. Um, so I thank you. And then last but not least, Marilyn, my partner in crime. Um, I really do appreciate you. I could do nothing uh without you. So I appreciate the hard work that you put in every single day, day in and day out. And I know we and I ask a lot of you um as a part-time worker. Um, but you make it happen. And you know, we both complain, but we make it happen and that's what counts, right? Um, I think that's all I have to say. Um, God bless uh the city beautiful [Applause]

simple something simple, please. This moment you so welld deserved. Thank you. I just want to make sure that we hear from you. Um, I don't think I can top off what Norman said. I think he's covered everything. He has my seal of approval. He Um and again just to thank everybody in recruitment since I started. They always was very pleasant to be with, always made me feel at home, were always very helpful. Um like Caesar, Jose [Music] and um I just wanted to thank everybody and of course my partner in Brian. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm happy that both of you were nominated today and that you received this award because it's a thankless job and a lot of people see when the officers and the firefighters and the employees, you know, will parks or wherever it may be are actually on the ground working, but nobody really understands how we got there to a certain extent. They know there's a process, but it's people like you that do all all the background work, which is critically important to find the caliber of employee that we have here in the city beautiful that sets us apart from every other municipality in Miami County and not the state of Florida. So if it wasn't for you, for your diligence, for your hard work, uh we wouldn't be in the position that we're in right now. So every single effort that you make, it's just, you know, another drop of sand on the entire beach that makes us what we are today, the city beautiful. So thank you for that. I appreciate that so much. Uh you want to take a photo? I want you guys. Thank you.

Right. Yeah. Get rid of some of the uh we have one more item on the presentation and protocol documents item A8. The city manager will be handling this item.

HR director, please come up. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh today we recognize Raquel for nine years of dedicated service to the city of Coral Gables. She has been a key part of my leadership team and she will be very difficult to replace. Her background as an attorney and her ability to both lead our human resources department and serve as our chief labor negotiator is something truly unique. In most organizations, these responsibilities are divided, but I had confidence in Raquel's ability to combine them. She brought the right mix of skills, judgment, leadership to succeed in both. As human resources director in risk management, she has strengthened policies, supported our workforce, and led important initiatives including disability affairs. As head of our labor relations, she has guided the city through complex union negotiations with professionalism, fairness, and diplomacy. I have always valued Raquel's council and leadership and her contributions have made a lasting impact on this organization and the people who serve it. While we are sad to see her go, we wish her the very best as she takes on an exciting new opportunity in the private sector. Raquel, I will miss you. We will all miss you, but we wish you always the best and you have an open door here for for forever. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Good morning, mayor, commissioners, city managers, city attorney. Um, I was really surprised when I saw my name on the agenda. Um, honestly, I didn't expect it. don't think I really deserve it, but at least me gave me an opportunity to gather my thoughts and write something down so I can sound somewhat coherent before you. But I really, Peter, first and foremost, I want to thank you. Um, words really cannot capture the impact that you have had on me professionally and personally. You have been more than a leader. You've been an amazing, exceptional mentor. You have inspired me. You've challenged me. And most importantly, you've trusted me. um your willingness to let me and all of us take calculated risk um your assurance that you will always have our back, you will always stand behind us or like you would always tell me I'll stand in front of you um even when mistakes are made um has fostered an environment where creativity can thrive and where real growth is possible. I am not sure what would have done without your support and your encouragement. I know for a fact that you will be on speed dial and I hope that I can you can continue to be my contact and my sounding board in the future. Thank you for believing me, for pushing me, and for showing me and all of us what true leadership looked like. It's been an unbelievable ride with you, Peter. I really appreciate it. To my amazing HR team, wow, what a group of professionals you all are. Um, I know I the face of HR, but you guys are the engine behind it. Um, you always make me look really, really good. Um, and as you can tell by just a small sample of the two employees in the HR department, what an exceptional job they do. Um, thank you

for your dedication, your professionism, most importantly for putting up with my demands and high expectations. You made my job not only easier but extremely rewarding. I really appreciate all of you. Egles, you've been here with me since day one. You've been my support, my rock in our office when we were labor, when we combined with HR, and it's been amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to my fellow directors, assistant directors, you are all just simply amazing. Um, I don't understand um I don't think people understand the solidarity that we all have and what a true family we have. And it's not a dysfunctional family. It's actually a really functional family. Um, we have the mutual respect. We work together as a team. All of all of us together. It's something really special and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find that elsewhere. Um Paula, Diana, Hermas, Chief Hudac, Chief Delar Roa, just to name a few. Thank you. Especially in times when we have disagreed. We've been respectful, but mostly we've had fun doing I've had fun doing this job with all of you and I really really appreciate it. To Mayor Lago, Vice Mayor Anderson, thank you for the trust you've placed in me for your steadfast support, especially during challenging times. It's been an honor to serve the city beautiful during my nine years here. And to all the city employees that are watching or listening, you know, what can I say? This is truly truly a special place to work. And I have it's been my privilege to get to know many of you or most of you and learn so much from all of you. Your dedication, passion and resilience for are inspiring. Keep up the amazing work. You truly are the heart of this city. I will deeply miss missing deeply miss working with all of you but and I want to thank you for the opportunity to grow to lead and to serve

alongside all of you. Um while I'm excited for what's next to come with me for me, um the city will always hold a special place in my heart. So I really appreciate everyone. Thank you so much. Madame director, I just want to say you will be missed. Today is a new beginning, a new chapter. We will miss you a lot here in the city of Coral Gables. You and I not did not always agree. But it was always respectful, thoughtful, kind, and you did it in a way that always put the city first. It never was about personal gain. It was always in a manner of mayor, vice mayor, commissioner. This is what I believe is in the best interest of the city. We were involved in some very contentious discussions in regards to labor negotiations, union contracts, and you always did it with grace and with dignity. The city lost an incredible employee today. Not just a director, an employee that cared about the employees, cared about the city, and your words about the manager truly sum up not only his character, but all the directors and all the employees here in the city. Sometimes we get caught up in politics. Sometimes we get caught up in issues that at the end of the day are not really that important. But you have always been steadfast in putting the employees first and doing what's right by the city. I've trusted you. I continue to trust you

and I wish you the best of luck. The city will miss you immensely. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Madam Mayor,

so you've always made our city shine. So I was invited to a podcast called Aut by Autism Dad. And I called and I asked, "Can I bring somebody on with me?" And I brought our director and she made our city shine. And if you haven't watched it, watch it. And you get a great example of just the breadth of knowledge and the impact that you've had on everybody within our city and everybody that visits our city. Um, I appreciate you and good luck. Thank you. really appreciate it. It was my first podcast. It was a lot of fun.

It was. I have a small token of appreciation on behalf of the city that we like to present with you. May we take a photo?

Yes, of course. All right. All right, let's go for it. My eyes actually are burning. Could I have a Could I have a motion to approve B1 special assessment hearing of September 12th, 2025?

I'll move it. Second, Mr. Clerk. All in favor? I I B2. I need a motion to approve the first budget hearing of September 12th, 2025. I'll move it. I'll second. All in favor? I I Moving on to public comment. Mr. Uh yes, Mr. Mayor. First speaker this morning is uh Jay Shah. Good morning. Morning commissioners. Good morning.

Uh thank you again for the time. My name is Jalal Shahada. I live at 1133 North Greenway Drive in the Medic House. I'm here to give comments about the mayor's proposal to raise the Israeli flag, to only honor Israeli victims, and to ignore the over 60,000 Palestinians that have been slaughtered. I'm here to speak to you for a second time in two weeks, a totally unnecessary endeavor. I'm here to speak to you about a proposal that wasn't even written by the mayor. I'm just going to quickly say an a vote for this is an endorsement of genocide. It would be a public statement from this city that it differentiates among its residents based on their ethnic and religious background and it would say that you don't actually care about the residents of this city. So please don't do it. Thank you sir. I appreciate you being here. Okay.

Catherine Shahad. Good morning.

Morning. Good morning. Ma'am, can you please speak into one of the microphones?

I live at 1133 North Greenway Drive. My name is Katherine Shahada. Um, I just wanted to note how last time when this came up for a vote with the exact same language that caused the community so much pain and division, which the may the mayor now sponsored for a second time, despite dozens of emails, meetings, and calls for residents to reconsider, here we are again. The last time we heard from the other side in support only from Javier Fernandez, the elected official, the supposedly anti-gun violent South Miami mayor who louded Israel based on his recent sponsored trip to the genocidal state. Last week, the brave Ohio State Senator Beth Lon shared her personal account of participation in a sponsored trip to Israel, saying that she helped she hoped to ask tough questions and in preparation for the trip, she studied history books, news articles, publications. And what she decided that was that she didn't just need to guard against propaganda. She said, "I was the propaganda on the sponsored trip. I did not want to be used as a tool in support of the Israeli government actions and I canled the trip. And that's really the point of these trips, isn't it? To capture public officials in the US at all levels of government from the federal judiciary all the way to state legislators and local commissioners and officials who take part in these trips. They're then asked to go spread the message of the carefully manicured so-called democracy and equality of the state of Israel, where mixed religion marriages and same-sex marriages are not legal, where a nation state law gives priority status to Jews over non-Jews who make up 20% of the country's population. And that's not counting the West Bank and Gaza, who are effectively controlled by Israel, but subjected to its brutal military law and occupation. people who do not have the benefit of

civil law in this so-called democracy. These talking points and the people who come to our city to share them are paid propagandists. And just know that your constituents see through this. We know better. We ask you to consider our words and the impact that this has on Coral Gable's residents and Florida residents like Muhammad Zahir Ibrahim, a boy and Florida resident that I emailed all of you about who's currently being held hostage by Israel, one of hundreds of children and thousands of hostages who are currently being held against their will indefinitely without due process. The key marker of democracy. If you support victims and that's what you actually want to do here, do it in a way that does not promote genocide or racism and division in Coral Gables. Thank you.

Thank you very much. No Clean. Good morning, sir.

Good morning. Morning, mayor, mayor, commissioners. Thank you for allowing me to be here. My name is Noel Cleveland. I live at 5990 Southwest 50th Street. And I wanted to start off by uh thanking you for acknowledging Mr. Merrick and his contribution to our city. I go to Coral Gable's Congregational Church. It was the first public building in our city and uh it's he's obviously had an important impact on on our city. So, thank you for that. Um, I also wanted to acknowledge the difficult situation and the and the fact that you're willing to try to jump into the waters of controversial issues. That's not an easy thing to do. U, but, you know, sometimes it's it's a question of um whether we want to address the color of the crosswalks. Maybe we want to decide where to put bike lanes on Alhamra. Maybe it's the impact of an incinerator on our community or transitioning away from fossil fuels. There's plenty of things that are important to our our neighbors here and it's and it's the fact that you're willing to step up and try to make a decision about this is important. So, I thank you for that. However, uh the issue with the with the flag over the city hall is the wrong issue to attack. Um there's a lot of people that are appreciated, but there's a plenty of people that are not going to appreciate it. So, it it doesn't really serve a purpose of bringing people together, which I think is the the intent. Um, we all acknowledge October 7th was a horrific day. It's it's it's just tragedy that's on on the par with 911. Um, but the conflict didn't start on October 7th and it didn't end on October 7th. So, if we wanted to turn this into something more generic, maybe we need to just honor all the the affected individuals of conflicts around the world because it doesn't it it it continues and we haven't seen very much to stop that. Um, so maybe maybe reconsidering something a little more

appropriate that would be more inclusive I think would be appropriate. Uh, and then lastly, in the spirit of of trying to to get involved in issues, I invite you to come out to Alligator Alcatraz on Sunday. Our church, Coral Congregational Church, is going to be leading a prayer vigil out there at 5:00 pm, and we need more people to support the issue of uh of unfair detentions. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Martha Coleman, good morning. Thank you for being here with us. Everyone, good morning. Can you very short? Okay.

Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Um, so my name is Martha Spman. I live at 851 Anastasia in Coral Gables. Um, I'm also here to speak against item F9, which is the proposal to raise the Israeli flag over the city of Coral Gables on October 7th. I'm speaking as a Coral Gable's resident and as a member of the Jewish community. Um I assume that the people I'm speaking before today are all either Christians or non-believers with very limited interactions with Jewish residents of this city. If I'm not mistaken, there was no official acknowledgement of Rosha Sha which ended yesterday on the part of the city. And I believe only one commissioner um thank you commissioner Fernandez posted a message wishing the Jewish res residents of this community a happy new year on social media. So let me tell you tell you a little bit about about myself before you decide to dismiss my comments as coming from a bad Jew or a self-hating Jew or just the wrong kind of Jew by your non-Jewish judgment. I am Jewish by every measure of lineage and practice. My father's parents were brought to New York around 1900 as young children by parents who sought refuge from European anti-semitism. My father is a rabbi who is ordained in the reformed tradition in 1963. My mother's parents were both born to Jewish families who immigrated from Lithuania and the region once called Balitzia on the Polish Ukrainian border. They were sent to Texas in a period in the early 20th century when Jewish philanthropists feared that keeping too many Jews in New York would cause anti-semitic backlash. My mother's family were distinguished Jewish institution builders in Texas, rabbis, teachers, and synagogue presidents. Her great uncle founded the campus hill organizations at both UT Austin and Texas&M. Our families collectively continue to produce rabbis, educators, and Jewish leaders with every new generation. My

grandmother was the temple choir director. My cousin is also a rabbi, and my own teenage daughter teaches Sunday school at the synagogue where we are due paying members. So, as someone who cares about Israel and Judaism a lot, I find the proposal to raise the Israeli flag in Coral Gables to be an act of deeply offensive wararmongering out of touch with the views of many in this community. This war, deeply unpopular both locally and globally, is tearing apart Jewish families with some Jewish elders insisting that this is a war for survival. While many of their children and grandchildren tend to view the consensus um in the international human rights community that this is a genocide and a nearly completed one at that. As we saw recently in the Herald, this divide describes the family of county neighborh county mayor Daniela Levine Cava who is in public disagreement with her own adult son. Who is this commission to rub salt in our community's wounds and to score a few political points and with whom exactly? I don't know if any of you have traveled to Israel and Palestine. Um I think my that my time is up. Okay. So please, Mayor Lago, keep the the peace. Leave the Israeli flag to fly over Israeli territory. And please honor the hostages and the um the uh events of October 7th if you wish, but please under your own flag in your own city, not under the Israeli flag.

Thank you very much. Do I actually have 19 seconds? No. Okay. Thank you, Thomas Carney. Good morning, sir. Thank you for being here with us. Morning, Mayor.

Mayor, commissioners. My name is Tom Carney. I live at 824 Cortez Street, Coral Gables, and I'm here to speak in opposition to the resolution to raise the Israeli flag. Um, it's my understanding that a foreign flag has never been raised at city hall. And while the attacks, the unprovoked attacks by Hamas on October 7th, 2023 were horrific and the loss of over,200 individuals tragic. The number of deaths pales in comparison to the over 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, who have been killed in Israel's brutal and indiscriminate retaliation. Um, there are currently 17 wars uh being waged across the globe right now. Eight major wars with the loss of over 10,000 people in the past year and nine minor wars with between 1,000 and 10,000 casualties in the past year. Um I do not impugn the intent of the resolution to honor and commemorate the lost lives in of the of the attack by Hamas. However, raising the flag of just one nation of the many nations who have lost in innocent lives over the past year um is the perception is is far different and and and divisive. and I ask you not to raise the flag on October 7th. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Clerk, Janette Copelan,

Edward Dud, good morning, sir. Welcome back. Good to see you again.

Good morning. Thank you for having me. Edward Dabdu. Um, I reside at 2517 Granada Boulevard and um, I'd like to introduce myself. I am of Palestinian descent, Roman Catholic. My family hails from Bethlehem. We ended up in Jamaica around the time Israel was created. I spare you the details, but we go back as a Palestinian family centuries. If you visit the Church of the Nativity, take a look, ask for the records of my family. You will see that we can trace every member of our family tree going back centuries to the 1600s. And we can trace back even further than that. Um, with that in mind, and perhaps because of my Catholic upbringing, I will tell you I strongly support honoring the victims of October 7. Mr. Mayor, I shared this with you personally. I sincerely mean that. And I think that the intent is is is right. I think it's the right thing to do, but I think we can do the right thing in a way that brings the community together. We are indeed a diverse community and it was decided at the last meeting and it was well received that we want to find common ground on how to do this. It shouldn't be a question of if. It's just how. And I don't think you'll hear from anybody here today saying we shouldn't be doing this at all. And a vigil is the way to do it. That's how you honor victims.

We also heard at the meeting that it's not a political thing. And if indeed that is the case, then we must hold a vigil because a vigil is not political. raising a flag is inherently political. There's a second point I want to make and I want to raise it because Mr. Mayor, I believe you you brought this resolution out of empathy for the Jewish lives that were lost and I think lives were lost from over 50 countries. And drawing on that empathy, I want you to imagine if the roles were reversed. Imagine if the resolution you brought was to raise the Palestinian flag to honor only innocent Palestinian victims. How would members of our Jewish community feel? Would they be upset? Would they feel excluded? Yes and yes. And they would be justified in feeling that way. and I would be here speaking on their behalf just as I am here speaking on the behalf of the 60,000 Palestinians who were also uh killed. So I will conclude by just saying let us be inclusive and not mistakenly make it a political thing. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Thank you everyone sir.

Joseph Fidel. Joseph good morning. Good to see you. That was good to see the commission together.

We need more togetherness here. Um I don't think it's a good idea. Uh I sent you an email. Uh I I first I think that it's a subject that is generally not within the purview of a of a municipality. It's something that the federal government handles, foreign affairs. I I hope those those hostages and their are returned as soon as possible. Um I I don't know when that's going to happen. Uh they seem to be pawns in a political game, but I think something more um less political, less divisive uh in uh in remembering these people uh and also the other thousands of people that have died. I mean, they they cite this figure of 60,000, but those are direct deaths. Those are not indirect deaths. Maybe a vigil would be a good idea. Um, maybe a proclamation by the city would be a good idea, but I I don't think raising a foreign flag on city hall is a good idea. I think it it it only is going to further divide the the community and maybe even divide the commission, which is the last thing we need. Anyway, that's that's all I have to say. Good luck with your decision. Thank you for being here. Where are we at, Cruz? This is Maria Cruz, 1447 Miller Road. Uh, I'm wearing a different hat and I hate to say it, but I'm the bearer of bad news today. Again. Here we go again. Today, an upper management employee is

recognized because she's resigning to pursue a better job. I do not believe in coincidences. This is an employee who failed to fulfill her job duties as stated in the coral gables rules and regulations. This book the humans direct rule two 2.10 the human relations director is responsible for the proper and efficient cooperation and administration of these personnel rules and regulations right here. Well, she did not enforce the rule. Rule 12.48. For examples, there will be no payment regardless of circumstances for unused sick leave in a sick leave account at a time of separation for reasons other than death or retirement. So, in fact, in this case, the employee was paid for the unused sick days by the actions of those following orders. payroll was submitted as if he were still working for the city when he had already moved to Texas. The investigatory report of the investigation conducted not by internal affairs or any other external or internal body not associated with the HR department but by the same people who were responsible to enforce the rules and failed to do so. Nowhere in that report is there any mention of how the $6,25744 wrongfully paid will be paid back. There are no plans for restitution and the people identified as being involved were offered resignation in lie of termination. Of course, those who investigated were not identified as having any responsibility in what happened. Perhaps

perhaps resigning is the best move for the director instead of waiting for the results of a real investigation. Anyone who would like to confirm what I have brought up as well as the other cases that I'm working on just have to contact me. I will be happy to share the information. Some people talk of fiscal responsibility and transparency. As soon as I become aware of something, I act on it. I do not try to cover it up. And this is a shame. Another scandal, another cover up. And you know what? Maybe the director before she leaves, she should look into Xavier Williams is worse than this case. He got paid for months of days that he didn't even was entitled to. This is a shame. Can you give can you hear me? One second.

Mr. Manager, would you like to respond? Uh uh yes, mayor. Thank you. Uh this happened when there was a potential transition for that department to be its own department and uh which has which has been cancelled. We we don't need three additional departments and uh the uh HR director had had no responsibility in this at all. something that was submitted and uh this may be going an ongoing uh issue. So I would like to maybe stop it at at this point because we may have some some legal issues and some uh and and uh and and some other things happening now. We will try to recover.

Okay. When you say we will try to recover, what do you mean by that? we will be contacting that person to to attempt to re re recover. Uh we we we're working on these legal issues now. So So that's why I I would rather not comment on everything that we're going to be doing. So madam city attorney, would you like to provide some color? Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Mr. Manager. I think as the manager mentioned, we um for there will be foreseeable perhaps legal action or legal steps taken by the city. There's also potential administrative matters that are being handled. So, at this time, I don't think it'd be prudent to have discussions publicly about this matter.

Okay. I just want to put him on the record because as the Herald sits next to the individual who just spoke, um, you have to understand people have political agendas and acts to grinds. It's very easy to talk about somebody who's not on this dis or not in front of us at the present moment. Everything is politically motivated especially with individuals to your right. So understand that we have a responsibility to uphold a process and we have to be very careful and thoughtful to ensure that we do not put ourselves the city the residents and the employees in a position of exposure that is not appropriate. The individual to your right does not have that responsibility.

So the mayor Yes sir. U I'd like to make it perfectly clear. The HR director acted uh very responsibly. She had absolutely no issue in this zero. And what she did is bring it up and act very responsibly and we acted immediately in in response to it and and appropriately. But she had absolutely nothing to do with this and uh to say so is just just completely incorrect. Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, excuse me. I want to clear the air and make sure we put everything on the record. Mmud Shahad. Good morning, sir. Thank you for being here.

Good morning. My name is Mahmud Shahada, 522 Alhamra Circle. Uh I was here a couple weeks back, so I'm just here to reiterate literally the same thing that um I oppose uh raising the Israeli flag at city hall. Um, again, only the flags right behind you should be should be raised uh at city hall. And as a matter of fact, something I forgot to mention last time I was born in Venezuela. If if for anything, God forbid, that would happen or is happening, if if that flag were to be proposed to be raised, I would still be against it because uh for a hundred years, uh this year marks 100 years of Coral Gable's history. Uh no foreign flag has been raised. Why today? That's all I have to say.

Thank you very much,

Jackson Holmes. Good morning, sir. Thank you very much. Uh Jackson Holmes. Uh I live at 35 Sedonia Avenue here in Coral Gables. Um I want to um speak out in favor of the mobility hub and uh uh help maybe all of us can start thinking about ways to fund it. It is expensive. It's a necessity. Um and uh I I you know I said to myself, do I have anything constructive new to say? Right? Because I' I've already spoken out in favor of this before. Uh I'm thinking that maybe we could get with the uh asset manager in the uh development department's uh office. I I met her the other day, you know, and they they their responsibility is to look over all of the city's considerable assets. I think she told me there's, let's just say, 60 to 70 properties. I probably have that wrong. It's probably 90 or something, whatever. But, um, if if we need to come up with upwards of $60 million, I think it's actually less. I was told 52. Um, then, uh, there are ways to do it. and um and she would be the person to find out, you know, um maybe we maybe there's uh a less valuable property that we have, less needed property that that we could sell to raise the money. And I I'll I'll go ahead and wind this up. I still got a minute and 30 seconds. Um two two experiences of my own. Uh, number one, years ago, back in 1998 or 99, my family had enough property to develop. We had the footprint of 200 front feet. I met with uh the Allen

Morris Company and uh what they told me was, you know, because we're we're bonding, right? And they said, "Look, let us tell you a little secret here. We hate parking because we lose money on parking. we make money on non-parking and we we we we're in business to make money. Um so developers really don't like parking because it's a it's a money loser. Uh the second thing which is kind of personal but I owe it to you so you at least understand. Uh, a couple of years ago, I said to my tenant, uh, you know, that there's a some turmoil about parking and this and that, and he said, uh, he said, "Well, then then count us out. We're not going to renew the lease." And I said, "But I I need you to renew the lease. That's my source of income." And of course, that's embarrassing for me to tell you that, but on the other hand, how are you going to know if I don't tell you, right? And um and then I I said, "Well, wait a second. No, we got we got the mobility hub coming." I said, "I'll prove it to you, you know, so don't worry. We'll have parking. We'll have the a giant parking behind us and um uh so I'm running out of time, but we got to get our act together. We can Let's get with the asset manager and and come up with the money."

Thank you, sir. I appreciate that's it, Mr. Mayor. All right, Mr. Thank you very much. We close the public comment. We're moving on uh to the consent agenda. Before the vote adopting the consent agenda is taken, is there anyone who wishes additional discussion or review of any item on the consent agenda? If not, may I have a motion, please? I'll move it. I'll second. All in favor? I Thank you. I'd

like to congratulate uh Iggy Alvarez, uh the new appointment to the planning and zoning board. I've had the pleasure of meeting with him on multiple occasions over the last few weeks. uh is a professional attorney and individual who I think is very well respected in his community and I think will do very well uh on the planning and zoning board. I congratulate him on his service and his willingness to serve on a very very difficult board. Um I'd like to take a personal point of privilege if I may and um I know he's not on the on the agenda and I apologize. I wanted to put on the agenda, but this is a thought that I that came to mind and I brought it up uh last week at the end of the very long commission meeting about the issue of Blue Road open space. I'd like to see if u I know the ACM was hunting for a photo and I should have done better homework, but I completely forgot uh to uh to take a photo of it. Do we have a photo of the Blue Road open space that I could show everyone?

We do.

So, if you get a chance, this is right next to my house. I have I drive by it every single day, very early in the morning when I go there around 4:30, 5:00 on the way to the gym and on the way back. So, I usually don't get to see it as beautifully lit up as this. Uh, the park looks amazing. I want to congratulate the manager, the DCM and the ACM, the parks department, procurement, um, everyone that played a role in it, landscaping, um, everyone that had a hand in it. It looks amazing. Uh, it is a testament to our standards here in the city. Beautiful. and it is something that the kids in that area are going to enjoy forever. Uh it is a pocket park in the sense of there's no parking. It's a neighborhood park. So, it's going to be for the neighborhood. This is part of what I've worked on for the last 10 years, bringing these type of parks to our community, both in the downtown and in the residential neighborhoods. This has been a dream of mine to be able to deliver this park. It's not walking distance to my house. It It could be. It could be, especially now with the sidewalks they've installed, but it's not. I'd rather go to the other ones. The Blue Road open space. Um, not the Blue Road. I apologize. The one in Alhamra, which is the Blue Road, um, is is much closer, and that's the one that I've used in the past. But I want I mentioned something about dedication of an open space. Um, and I've had the privilege of of getting to know somebody over the last few years who I've had breakfast with who I just want to read you a little bit about his resume. Uh, his humility and his selflessness is one that I could only wish that I could emulate as freely and easily as he does. It's amazing to be in the presence of this individual, David Lawrence. David Lawrence. and I want to read you some of his resume. Retired in 1999 as publisher of the Miami Herald to work in the area of early childhood development and read and readiness. He chairs the

children's movement of Florida aimed at making children the state's top priority for investment and decision-making. In 2002 and 2008, he led successful campaigns for the Children's Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami Dade. In 2002 2003, he chaired the governor's blue ribbon panel on child protection. And in 2011, he chaired a similar panel for the Secretary Department of Children and Families. In 2002, he was a key figure in passing a statewide constitutional amendment to provide prek for all four-year-olds. The David Lawrence Junior K through8 public school opened has own school named after him in 2006. An endowed chair in early childhood studies is established in his name at the University of Florida College of Education. He is a trustee at Barry University and for six years served in a similar role at Florida&M University. His memoir, a dedicated life, journalism, justice, and chance for every child was published in 2008. If you have not read this and you have not run into David Lawrence, he'll give you a copy. It's within $100 of the of the gift, right? So, don't worry. No one's going to get in trouble. He gave me the book and if you're fortunate enough, he'll dedicate it to you, which is a beautiful, beautiful note. I highly recommend you read it. Before coming to Miami in 1989, he was publisher and executive editor of the Detroit Free Press. Previously, he was editor of the Charlotte Observer and earlier in reporting and editing positions at four newspapers. During his tenure at the Miami Herald publisher, the paper won five Puliter Prize under his leadership. He is a graduate of the University of Florida. He's got one thing against him. And the advanced management program at Harvard Business School to say the least. His 13 honorary doctorates include one from his alma mater, the University of Florida.

His national honors include the National Association of Minority Media Executives Award for Lifetime Achievement in Diversity. He has chaired the Miami Art Museum, the United Way, the New World School of the Arts, and the Foundation for the Child Development in New York. He was the local convening co-chair of the 1994 Summit of the Americas. And he co-founded a nonprofit vocational technical school in Porto Porto Porto Haiti, Prince Porto Prince, Haiti, excuse me. He and Robera with a masters in social work from Barry live in Coral Gables and have three daughters, two sons, and seven grandchildren. His honors include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding commitment to serving our nation, the Loy Collins Lifetime Leadership Award from Leadership Florida, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service Citizen of the Year, the Fred Rogers Leadership Award from the Grant Makers for Children, the Youth and Families, the Sand in My Shoes Award from the Greater Miami Chamber, the Claude Pepper Lifetime Achievement Award from the United The United Homecare, the Equal Justice Humanitarian Leadership Award as a trailblazer in the pursuit of equity and justice from Legal Services of Greater Miami, the Champion of Philanthropy Award on the National Philanthropy Day, and the 40th Miami Bookfare Anniversary Award for the relentless dedication, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to making lasting impact. This resume doesn't stop here. It keeps going and going and going and going. So, um, last night I gave him a call and I caught him late night as I was coming, uh, home from work and I asked him for his permission to throw his name in the ring to name this park after him. Uh, he was taken aback as always in immense immense humility, but all he did was talk about his two granddaughters. I'm not going to get into that because I

want to not cry, but at the end of the day, um, if you know about his granddaughters and what happened recently, he lived for his grandkids. He loved those two children like they were obviously they were his, but um, they they died in that horrific horrific uh, natural disaster in Texas. This gentleman when I've had the presence and the opportunity to be with him has not only changed my life but has changed the lives of many people in this community and I think you'd be a person that would be perfectly the perfect opportunity to name somebody in regards to this park. I ask for your consideration of this gentleman. I ask you to provide me with names of other individuals who I think are worthy of worthy. You know, we gave Mark Trobridge the opportunity. We've given countless leaders in the community like Dorothy Thompson just recently. We've had we've had members of the garden club which were welld deserved. Yeah.

So I just wanted to get your input and and tell me what you thought about uh Mr. Lawrence and the opportunity to name the park after him.

So as mayor I I think it's a very appropriate um opportunity to recognize the many many benefits that Mr. Lawrence has provided our community, the leadership he's provided, the guidance he's provided. Um, he's ultimately a person that can speak on many, many different topics and help provide us very wise advice in the future. Um, you know, I I can only imagine what his comments would have been here today during public comment and they'd be very well taken based upon his broad background and experience. He is the most incredible public speaker I've ever met in my life. Off the cuff or prepared number one. And number two, if you want to see him uh go to Bashure three to four times a week, he has a standing breakfast there with a with a member of our community. Anyone in Miami County, he treats them to breakfast. And it's all about getting to better understand community and really bridging gaps. And I see it all the time when I'm there conducting business or meeting with residents. I think one of the uh words that for me sums up David Lawrence's humility. Uh this man, the accolades you read are just some of the ones that we know of.

I didn't know about any of that.

No, but I'm I'm just saying those are the ones that are public, but when you start hearing his stories and the things that he has done and the the rooms he's been in with the decision makers that he's been with, um it's it's incredible. Uh having breakfast with him has been one of the highlights of of my role here as commissioner. uh having that opportunity to sit down with him and my son calls me a nerd because I've taken up reading again. Uh I've read over 35 books since May. Um and I owe that to David Lawrence uh because he gave me that first book that I started reading and I haven't I've decided not to put down reading and and continued uh my own personal edification thanks to David Lawrence. Um Mr. Mr. Mayor, I think there's there's no better person to name this after. If you make the motion, I'll be happy to second it.

Well, through the mayor. I do that through the mayor. Yes, sir.

So, um I echo the sentiments of my colleagues on the dis. I've had the great privilege both my wife and I of having gotten to know David Lawrence. Um and uh and what and what a real privilege because uh I feel my mind is expanded from having had the opportunity to sit with him and I have been uh very fortunate to have had the Bashure breakfasts uh with uh with David. By the way, one thing you have to remember just as an aside uh David's mind is uh something to behold. His ability to recall events, people, names. you uh know he's going to remember your birthday and he'll let you know before anyone else does and you better be able to name the last three books that you've read because he'll challenge you

right off the cuff.

Yeah. So, uh and I was ready, you know, I was ready because uh I I love to read history books and uh and I was very impressed with the fact that he had read the books that I had read already, you know. So, but more importantly, right, he he is um as uh Commissioner Fernandez says, a humble man who's the epitome of humility. He's an individual that is selfless. He's somebody that um cares so much more about elevating the community and and he hyperfocused on how he can help you elevate yourself as an individual as well. So, um we could be here all day. We have a very long agenda. Um but we could be here for a very long time. identifying and we would still fall short of all the accolades that he has rightfully earned and that we should be um honoring him is an understatement and you have my wholehearted support. Uh Mr. Mayor, uh were we to move on naming the park after David Lawrence.

Yeah. Through the mayor, um I think he has an exceptional resume, great person. I I also feel that I I know we named Mayor Thompson's park under her and she's still living. I kind of hold back a little bit. Maybe naming it after his two granddaughters would probably be a better a better idea or maybe waiting until the time is correct. I think um history has we we followed history here and and naming a park over a living person really is not the way we usually go. Um, I do know we're still waiting to name a park under Roxy Bolton. I'm not opposed to naming a a park under David Lawrence, but I think it takes a little bit more time until the time is right.

So, if I may, we've named the park after Bill Kurdike. We've named the park after Dorothy Thompson. This is not the first time we do this. Uh, this gentleman's resume is impeccable. I have no issue naming it after the Lawrence family, but I think that this gentleman, David Lawrence, deserves deserves to have a park named after him. Um, you know, be after David Lawrence and his family, whatever that may be. Those are things that we can iron out later. But I just want to build consensus that Mr. Lawrence will be acknowledged uh for his for his great great commitment to our community. If I can make a suggestion, um

maybe we can get creative with the name and maybe have um the two girls name playground at David Lawrence Park and that could be the name of the park. Yeah, it's a perfect good idea. We can we can uh we can uh at the end of the day, you know, figure out a way to spit the baby. Um I'll make a motion. I'll second. It's an excellent excellent um motion and thank you uh mayor for bringing this forward. Yeah, you know, we can name it David Lawrence Park and then we can name the playground after after the two grandkids which are again in their memory. Um Mr. Clerk, we have a motion in a second. Yes, sir. Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes. Commissioner Castro? Yes. Commissioner Fernandez?

Yes. Commissioner Lada? Yes. Mayor Lago? Yes. Thank you. And I apologize. I don't like to bring pocket items, but I just wanted to make sure that we took the opportunity to acknowledge that today. Uh, moving on to items on first reading. Uh, E1. E1 is an ordinance of the city commission providing for a text amendment to the city of Coral Gable's official zoning code by amending appendix A sight specific zoning regulation section A-67 Mahi Canal requiring additional review and approval for all mooring piles, docks, warves, davits, boat lifts and similar structures located in MF and MX districts that abut the Mahi Canal providing for repeated provisions of ability clause codification and providing for an effective date.

Good morning, Jennifer Garcia, finance zing director. Um this is a proposed text to our zoning code to require additional review for any dock or um um boat lift or any of those encroachments into the waterway for the Mahi Canal when it's zoned MF or mixed use. But those commercial uses usually have a little bit more impact on our waterways. So we're requiring additional review. Um usually right now today it is approved administratively. The the proposal is that we it would be reviewed by the waterways advisory board make a recommendation to this commission. The commission would then review it and approve it. Mr. Clerk, do we have any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. We'll change the public. We'll close the public comment. Do we have any Can I have a motion or a second? I'll move it.

I'll second. Mr. Clerk, Commissioner Castro, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Commissioner Lada, yes. Vice Mayor Anderson, yes. Mayor Logo, yes. Thank you, Madam Director. I'm moving on to E2. E2 is an ordinance of the city commission amending city code chapter 2 administration article 3 boards commission committees section 2-83 citizen input addressing the city commission to add additional rules of decorum for public meetings providing for severability clause repeater provision codification and providing for an effective date

thank you good morning mayor vice mayor commissioners Stephanie Throck Martin deputy city attorney this item is sponsored by mayor logo at the last meeting if you'll recall the city attorney gave a brief overview of the rules of decorum that apply to um board and committee meetings as well as city commission meetings While a majority of those are included in our city code, there were a few additional um provisions that the sponsor wanted to add to the code. So those are that all persons in the audience shall refrain from consuming food or beverages in the commission chambers. All cell phones and electronic devices should be silenced and you should exit the chambers to answer those phone calls. All persons entering commission chambers are required to wear um appropriate dress. And all persons entering and exiting the commission chambers shall do so quietly. There's also um some provisions in the ordinance which require that that a summary of those rules of decorum be placed outside of commission chambers which I believe they are today and that a small summary be included in the printed agendas. So I believe the mayor may have had some additional suggestions between first and second reading regarding audiovisisual but I'll I'll defer to the sponsor on that.

Thank you madam direct madam city attorney. Do you have any public comment Mr. Clerk?

Yes sir we do. Okay. Uh, first speaker, Miss Mary Cruz. This is Maria Cruz, 1447 Miller Road. Um, I love the idea of having the quorum rules, but I I'm wondering the quorum only fits those of us on this side, not necessarily the people sitting in the das because today today it was very disappointing to me and I'm sure to some of the people that were getting recognized that during A6 and A7, Jose from Hart was presenting the employee of the month award and the part-time employee of the third quarter award. And guess what? The mayor missed the whole presentation. He walked out, did not hear anything that was said about those two employees. That's disrespect. I'm sorry. Respect begets respect. If you do not respect those of us that come here to express our opinion, if you walk out, and by the way, record it. How long every presentation there was somebody on the phone not paying attention. If you do not respect those of us that come here, then you should not be offended when somebody doesn't respect you. This is the issue that we have. You preach not

by what you say but what you do. Actions speak louder than words. If you do not respect the residents, the people that were talking, there were serious issues being discussed here today. And while some of those people that were really hurting were talking, not everybody was paying attention to them either because I guess the minutes, the private calls, whatever were more important than what they were saying. That is shameful. And I'm sorry, I'm always the one that bears the bad news. Not everybody is willing to take the wrath, the insults, the bullying that comes after you say something that um are is not seen as the Coral Gables way. Coros is and has been the beautiful city, but some of us think it's our private u property and we can do whatever we want and get away with it because we see it on the dis. That is wrong. We all deserve to be respected. Little big important not important. And I'm glad that Commissioner uh Castro brought brought up Roxy Bolton because she deserves to have a park. We have voted on it and it's time to come through. Before we move on, I'd like to address this state. Okay. This is dedicated at the Herald again. What you just witnessed right now was misinformation slander and intimidation. This is constant. I missed two minutes of A6 and A7. I was here for the photo and I acknowledge

both employees. This is the constant attacks that occur. Madame Vice Mayor, when I asked you to run the meeting, would you like to explain why I stepped out? The mayor needed to use the restroom. I've had to use the restroom before, too. And I could hear the presentation. This is the problem. This is the problem, Miss Cruz. We're in the middle of a meeting. You're in the middle.

This is the way the meetings are going to work. You get one warning. The meeting will be adjourned for 15 minutes. You'll be allowed to come back if you commit the same disrespectful as she just did right now. You'll be escorted out of the commission meeting. This has not happened in Miami Day County. This does not happen in the city of Miami. Recording in progress.

This is constant intimidation by Miss Cruz. I had to use the bathroom. I am entitled to use the bathroom. This morning I had a 655 ribbon cutting at the Publix on US1. I had something to drink at the Publix with the employees. I had to use the bathroom. I'm a human being. This is the constant misinformation by Miss Cruz who's the ring leader of the blogs and is constantly railing and railing and railing misinforming and misleading. We will take a 15minute break. Miss Cruz, this is your first and only warning. The next one you will be removed for the entire day of the commission meeting. 15 minutes. We'll be back at at 11:05.

What was an infraction? I mean, thank you very much.

We are creatures of habit. First Cheers.

Thank you. We'll resume E2. Uh madam city attorney, will you provide some clarity as per the last exchange? Yes, mayor. So, of course, our city code um does not allow, you know, disorderly or disruptive conduct. Specifically, we have sections 2-78 and 2-83 of our code. 2-78, which refers to the chairperson's duties and authorities, um states that all comments and questions should go through the the chair of the meeting, which is you, the mayor. Um and 2-83 has rules of decorum, specifically um addressing um the requirement that that there be order and decorum um in chambers. I can read some specific sections, mayor, for the record,

please. Yes. So, mayor um no person other than a member of the commission and the person having the floor may be permitted to enter into any discussion either directly or through a member of the commission without permission of the chairperson. No question may be asked except through the chairperson or by vote of the commission. Uh moreover, we have specific rules of decorum that state that order must be preserved. No person shall by speech or otherwise delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the commission or disturb any person having the floor. No person shall refuse to obey the orders of the chairperson or the commission. Any person making irrelevant, impertinent or slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing the commission shall not be considered orderly or decorous. Any person who becomes disorderly or fails to confine remarks to the identified subject or business at hand shall be cautioned by the chairperson and given the opportunity to conclude remarks that is someone who has the podium of course which was not the case here. Um any person failing to comply as caution shall be barred from making additional comments or to con um during the meeting by the chairperson unless permission is granted to continue. Um and and and generally any person who becomes disruptive or interferes with the orderly business of the commission may be removed from the commission chambers or other meeting room for the remainder of the meeting.

Thank you. Does that apply to individuals um and I ask this so we can clarify now as we're passing this legislation today. Does that also apply to individuals in the grand stands or who are here visiting us? Residents, business owners, other elected officials, employees, city attorneys, anybody, any position, any person who is in these chambers sitting across from the DAS. Does that also apply to them? Yes sir. Yes. Want to be very very clear. I think shouting from from shouting from where? From from the audience without obviously without permission of the chair because that wouldn't be permitted is would be disorderly. Do we need to get more granular in this piece of legislation and and spell that out just in case or is it or do you feel comfortable with that interpretation? I think our code is clear on that point.

Okay. Um Mr. Clerk, uh so as I said before, going to be very simple. You're out of order. You will get one warning. We have a 15minute recess so you can get yourself together. We'll come back like we did. If it happens again or you break the rules of conduct or the quorum, you'll be escorted out of the building and we'll have another 15-minute break. Madam city attorney, will you please join us? Will you explain what other municipalities do because I want to be very very clear for my friends at Palo Portalito and the Coral Gables Gazette as the rhetoric will now be a dictatorship. Please.

Um, Mr. Chair, Mr. Mayor, um the new proposals in E2 are consistent with um the rules of the bounty, the board of county commissioners, and um other similar municipalities, the entering and exiting, the no cell phones, the new food or drink are consistent with um similar municipalities and bodies. What about shouting from the grand stands? I haven't looked at those exact codes, but I would assume that those are similarly um not decorous or disruptive. Thank you very much. Uh Mr. Clerk. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Moving on to public comment. Okay. Uh, next speaker, Jackson Holmes. Good morning, sir.

Good morning. My name is Jackson Holmes. I live at 35 Sedonia Avenue in Coral Gables. Um, this is, in my opinion, the death of free speech in Coral Gables. Um, and even now as I speak, I cannot actually I'm not I'm afraid if I give my true opinion, I'll be found uh in violation of of this and and so what what really uh upsets me personally is that this is cottifying it's this is in my opinion a dictatorship of the chair. Whoever if you agree with the chair uh you can accuse a commissioner of a crime and demand and answer whether that commissioner is guilty of a crime. Uh even uh the chair asked a commissioner are you guilty of a crime? And that's yet somehow compliant with the quorum. Uh but when I said well what about the quorum? Suddenly I'm being put in the crosshairs for eviction from the meeting. It's a dictatorship of the chair. It's a dictatorship. This is my opinion in Coral Gables of the chair. Um uh the chair told me in a phone call I think on May 11th that if I opposed in my public comments a new um proposal he was making to change the law I could be uh banned from city hall. That's my constitutional right to oppose a new ordinance. But I was told no that you're opposing the will of the people and if you oppose a new ordinance you can be banned from city hall

dictatorship of the chair. The worst aspect of this is this ordinance is threatening citizens with arrest. I I submit in that particular case that there should be a compromise reached between first and second reading. um where the person who does speak longer than the 3 minutes uh agrees that that person, the citizen, shall not do so in the future and that you delete this threat of arrest. I mean, you know, that's pretty farfetched. You know, um there's more for me to say. I don't have time. Uh, we're looking at a dictatorship of the chair and the suppression of free speech and Coral Williams, the end of free speech. Thank you.

Thank you, my friend. That's it, Mr. Mayor. All right, Mr. Clerk. Thank you very much, Madam City Attorney. Just want to clear up a few things for my friends at the blogs. Um, number one, what we're doing here today, does it compare or mimic what the county and municipalities do?

Yes. And and just for the record, the changes that are proposed in today's ordinance don't affect any of the existing provisions about the removal, the declaration of out of order, etc. Those have been existing in our code for numerous years. I'm happy to pull the history, I don't know, off hand, but they've been in there for a long time. What's being added today are these four specific provisions added to the section on decorum, which include the consuming food or beverages in the chambers or meeting room, all cell phones being silenced, entering and exiting um the commission chamber silently, and wearing shirts and shoes as the minimum standard of dress. So that's the only change proposed today. Everything else has already been existing in our code.

Yes. So I just want to make sure it's on the record um because uh there's a lot of things that are being tossed out there about arrests and u would you like to give a little bit of more clarity on arrests? So that that um provision in our code has been there for a while. It has to do if you have been um declared out of order. You've been asked to remove from the chambers and you know failure to follow directions on removal etc may result in arrest. that's been in our code existing and I believe is similar to those in other municipalities and counties. Can you do me a favor, please? Will you um find out when that provision included arrest? Of course, I'm happy to do so.

So, that's one. Number two, when you look at the city of Miami and Miami Day County, when we talk about the time frame for public comment, we allow three minutes. What do other municipalities out? I believe that's similar. Um some municipalities have as few as two minutes. But three seems to be a fairly standard amount of time.

So, for example, I went uh to speak before the city of Miami in regards to the Miami Loop the other day. An incredible project that brings a lot of connectivity between the city of Miami and Coral Gables. God willing, it's a very ambitious project. Uh kind of like the underline, very similar to the underline when we started talking about it 10 years ago. Nobody dreamed that it would actually come to fruition, but this is a really interesting project that I wanted to go and support Commissioner Rosado on that front. The chairwoman greeted me. She offered me one one freedom and that was you can go first before anyone else as an elected official but she told me you have two minutes to speak. I stayed under two minutes. I thanked her and I left and she was very nice and kind telling me thank you for staying under two minutes. We have a long agenda. So an elected official going to speak at another city was granted two minutes. We grant everyone here three minutes. And as you can see when we talked and I'm just using them as an example because they were predominantly the most of the individuals are here this morning the individuals that were talking about the Israeli flag they went you know 3 minutes and 15 seconds 3 minutes and 20 seconds I give a little bit of leeway just to make sure but the days of 6 7 10 15 minutes are over on both sides of the issue whether I'm in favor or against. Another item that I want to make sure my colleagues are aware and members of the grandstands. I have asked um the city the city manager and the city clerk to do exactly what all other municipalities have. There will be a camera now facing the grandstands. So when individuals act up and start screaming and you know acting up and making comments again that are disrespectful uh when they're speaking to other individuals and it will be visible to everyone in the community. You can see uh the individuals that are being the most rambunctious and they're and that are continuing to talk and that are continuing to eat and that are continuing again to just so misconduct in an effort uh to try to be instead of productive just continue

to be uh not productive members of our community. So these are simple things. Every other community has them. Every other municipality has them. And I think it's time that we rein in uh the conduct here in the commission meetings so we can run an efficient meeting so that we're respectful to people's times. Anyone else would like to add anything else to the to the item? Do the mayor.

Quick question for um madam city attorney. So we've heard public commentary the free the first amendment is being trampled uh through this proposed ordinance. You've just identified I think four amendments that the ordinance have carried would be to the existing code. In your legal opinion are any of these four uh items which are u what comprise the ordinance do they in any way diminish uh trample affect first amendment rights? I I certainly no believe so. I think they're appropriate, you know, time, place, manner restrictions consistent with um our other code of decorum.

Now, we're talking about things like wearing shoes and and a shirt as a as a minimum dress, right? Correct. And entering and exiting the chamber silently. I think um it's just just to be clear again, it's the food or beverages, silencing phones, entering and exiting silently, and um shoes and shirts. That's the that's those are the proposed additions from the chair. everything else is already existing in our in our code. I I it was a somewhat rhetorical question to you, but one that I think might be a important so that the public is aware of what's actually being done today. And uh thank you for your answer through the mayor. Yes.

Yes. So, what is a civility code when it addresses residents and elected officials maybe targeting a certain resident by name or um a resident in particular with how do we go about that?

The civility code, we have various civility codes as we discussed at the last meeting. The one that applies to elected officials has certain um suggested consequences for violations of the civility code. um the ones that apply to members of the public and employees do not have the same procedures applied to them and their resolutions. They're not in the code as the rules of decorum are. So I think we need to be a little mindful when we're addressing the public in specific especially when you're targeting one resident in particular. Um we cannot address a person and then accept that p not give that person an opportunity to go ahead and def defend themselves. And I think that's something that we need to be very mindful about.

The mayor,

for the record, uh that individual has every opportunity and speaks on every single issue and speaks during public comment. The last thing I need is a lesson on how to be civil when at the last commission meeting I was gracious enough to not censure Commissioner Caster again for calling me a liar. Um we're trying to go above and beyond this. We're trying to move on, but there will be there will it will not be a free-for-all. It can be a free-for-all on the blogs. I can't control the blogs, but it will be respectful here and we're going to continue to do that. Remember, for two years, you were you ran ruckshaw on this commission. Run ruckshaw. You did as you pleased. You did whatever you wanted. You took away my my staff. You did you did all kinds of ridiculous things just to make my life as difficult as possible. All I'm doing here today is I'm trying to maintain control of the commission. I will not allow people to be screaming from from the chambers outside like happened here, not only today, but it's happened before. It's constantly happening here. There's the constant snickering. There's the there's there's a foul language that's used. There's constantly comments that are coming from that area so that you can hear it. And it's just getting to the point that I'm hearing from residents and I'm hearing from business owners and I'm hearing from employees who are telling me, "Put your foot down because it's embarrassing the city." Madam Vice Mayor,

so one of the cardinal issues that we had in this last election was the issue of civility and I continue to hear from residents about it that we must control and it's not people that you normally hear from. We must control the public comment in this this form in if we're going to get business done. Okay. So suggestions that were heard such as you shouldn't be allowing somebody to speak on every single item as I'm sorry they have a right to do so. Okay, you have a first amendment right to do so but you have to do so with the quorum and civility and you know behave properly in a chamber. You wouldn't dare go into a federal courtroom or a state courtroom and behave the way the type of behavior we've seen here. Yes, you would be escorted out by the baiff and if you refuse to go out, you would get arrested. I have a friendly amendment to um to the civility matter because it's come to my attention that some folks don't realize that vaping is one of the the things that should not be done in this chamber. Uh you know, it's pretty clear to most people that you don't smoke in the building, but vaping is looked at as not smoking for some reason. And we did have somebody vaping in the chamber um a few meetings ago. So, uh, I think that that needs to be brought to the attention of folks that vaping is also prohibited.

Perfect. We can certainly add that before second reading.

Um, there's I think no bigger proponent of the first amendment than myself. My first amendment right was violated by the city prior to my term as commissioner uh for a period of time. Uh, the mayor was gracious enough to uh intervene at the time. uh and through several meetings with a former uh city attorney, we were able to address the issue. Uh it cost the city $5,500 uh to violate my first amendment right and u it was a very disappointing situation that should have never happened uh prior administrations, prior prior city manager. Uh, but I just want to make sure there are no first amendment concerns with the legislation that we are passing. I want to make that concrete. I think you answered it for Commissioner Lara. I want it 100% clear. There are no First Amendment uh affecting changes to the legislation that's being passed today.

Again, the changes are very minimal. They have to do with food and beverage in the chambers, entering and exiting quietly, silencing cell phones, and appropriate dress. None of it addresses any speech at all that's given in um public comment or at any point during the thing. It has to do with the manner in which you enter and exit and um seat yourself in the chambers. I don't think it has anything to do with any restrictions on speech itself. Okay. The second question that I have is regarding um I guess it would be rebuttal. Uh if a member of the commission is addressing a resident, do they have under our code a right to rebuttal what is being said to them by the member of the commission?

The chair is always welcome to recognize members of the audience to come and speak or a majority of the commission can recognize somebody to speak. So, it falls back on the the the general rule, which is the chair has the right to to determine that. The chair and the commission as a whole can always um recognize people or bring them up or address any any discussion. And and I I know the answer. I'm just asking to put this on the record. Are there any municipalities that provide a rebuttal period for any public comment? I I haven't looked at that and I'm happy to look at it between first and second reading. I'm I'm just not aware.

I have not found any. I I personally looked into it. I have not found any. Um, look, I it's a shame that we're having to be here having this lengthy discussion on this item. Um, I would like to see us move forward from the battles that we've had over the last two and a half years and start working for the benefit of the residents, not having to overlegislate just to get things accomplished. Let's find a path forward where we can all respect each other, work together, and get things accomplished. That's that's my two cents um through the madam city attorney

the response that we're that we provide anyone who'd like to be here for three minutes public comment section in regards to the following piece of legislation that is proper correct was for item F2 am I correct I'm sorry response the individual that came up to speak because I don't want to mention their name the individual that came up to speak they had an ample time over three minutes to speak about the item F2. Correct. I I'm I wasn't aware of what was happening right then, so I'll defer. But I I know that that individual has I think I'm understanding the mayor's question. It was during the public hearing. I'm leading you into a question. Yes. Um there was public there was a public hearing for this item that is now under consideration and that is when you were offering three minutes to anyone who came up and spoke during the public hearing for that item.

They could have spoken about the legislation. They decided like usual to make it about me as they always do. and they take the opportunity to sit next to the herald as they do to misinform the herald. I recommend that you don't sit next to her. Okay, that's number one. Number two, you cannot sit here and make outlandish, slanderous comments and expect that I'm not going to respond. It's every day. It's constant. These rules are in place before I ever stepped onto this dis with previous mayors. People who came to speak were held accountable. But time was respected. You did not come up and insult any member of the commission just like the commission did not insult you. I served on this commission for the for 12 years. I've never had a member of the commission ever call me or anyone else a liar on the commission. That's a first here in this commission. We took the high road. Do I have every right, madam city attorney, if these rules are broken to take a 15-minute recess and state very clearly that if this happens again, you will not be allowed into the dis onto the chamber, excuse me.

I think that's documented in the um the chairperson's um ability to run the meeting. Yes. In the code. The attempt the attempt is simple. We have to maintain order. As the vice mayor said, if you go to a courtroom, you're not allowed to do that. When I have to give presentations before countless organizations like the school board or other public institutions, you have to conduct yourself with respect. You're not allowed to speak out of order, and you're allotted a certain amount of time. We're very generous with that time. I'm just asking for a little respect through the mayor. Yes.

Yes. I understand that sometimes we don't hear what we like to hear and sometimes things can get a little rough, but that doesn't give us the right to dictate what somebody can say or what they cannot say. So that's why I wanted a little more clarification in what the infraction was and what I'm understanding right now is the fact that the resident sitting in the in the audience spoke out of chart because they were addressing her by name. I think they were saying the the person to my right was saying she was a liar and and it was I mean I I think it was pretty strong what the person to my right was saying. So just to clarify the infraction was what exactly? I believe the city attorney already mentioned those but it has to do with um being recognized to speak was one of the primary um code provisions. We have multiple code provisions regarding a requirement to be um as you all do go through the chair to be recognized to speak and interrupting proceedings. Let me let me have Okay, but I'm not done. As soon as I'm done, you can correct me.

One second. One second. So the commissioner to my left, Commissioner Castler said that I called her a liar. This the young lady sitting in the back. Again, it's on the public record. I said it's she misinforms and I wrote it down here. She slanders and it's intentional. If the commissioner Casher called her a liar, then that's her decision. But I never called her a liar. Okay? Now, you can hide it whichever way. I know you want to I know you want to stick up for her and you want to do everything you can cuz she does a lot of your dirty work for you and it's perfectly fine. But at the end of the day, the rules are the rules. They've existed. We're going to follow them and that's it.

Okay. So, let me go ahead and continue. The other thing about the whole liar situation, I took accountability for that, right? But during that same meeting, guess what happened? You went ahead and called me incompetent. And then you said you lost 50 brain cells listening to me. So I believe respect goes both ways. I believed at that moment you weren't saying the truth. And I use terminology that I could have probably used in a different way, but just a reminder, respect goes both ways. Nor am I incompetent or nor will you lose 50 brain cells from listening to me. Commissioner, okay,

we tried to explain to you something that was very simple. You insisted you insisted and insisted on not understanding. It's your choice if you want to scream into the, you know, into the abyss. I don't have a problem with it. It's your time. We're moving on. Uh, Mr. Um, yes, sir. All the comment is closed. Do you have any further comment from the commission? Okay. I need a motion in a second. I'll move it. Commissioner Fernandez,

no eating, no cell phone, uh, not a rowdy uh, entrance into the chamber. And the last one was shirt and shoes. shirt and shoes inv if I may. Everything that we're applying today here already exists. The 15 minutes, the break, the the you have to be respectful. You can't scream from the grand stance. Oh, sir. I want to be 100% clear when I cast my vote. Yes. And they're not required to be in the code. I think that those are um measures that the city manager could always take on his own for um decorum for the facility and um standard facilities. And we just to clarify, we did have the amendment by the vice mayor to the smoking and vaping and that will be in there for second reading.

We have no smoking in there. Correct. Um we can make sure that it's very clear smoking and vaping if it's already not allowed under state law. If you would accept it as a friendly amendment just to make sure that that smoking is also in there. Understood. Commissioner.

Right. So before I vote, I just want to say I think that we've spent entirely too much time uh discussing this uh this this proposal. Um to me it feels a couple things I want to say to one one of them. It feels to me clearly it's an enforcement issue. We're not wholesale amending anything that has been on the books for decades. It's a it's a it's a minor modification, but the issues that have been complained of to me appear to be more of an enforcement issue. Um I want to remind everybody on the dis and certainly all of our residents we are a collegial body here on the commission and and uh and we we we must always lead that way knowing that we are a collegial body and we expect um collegiality when uh engaging with the residents and that is a two-way street as well. I think that if collegiality leads the day and leads the way, you know, we both has we interact with ourselves on the dis and with the residents um when they come before us during public comment or while they're just sitting in the audience observing the the actions that we take during a commission meeting, we we would never need to read uh reach into um the code, right, for enforcement. Um you know, but but that being said, um I I I'd like to move along. My vote is yes.

Vice Mayor Anderson, yes. Commissioner Castro, yes. Mayor Lago, yes. Thank you. Moving on to F1 time certain 11:00.

Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for your patience and I apologize for the last commission meeting. I'm I'm the one the responsible party. I No, of course. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I appreciate that. I apologize myself. Last time I had to catch a plane, so I had to uh flee from from this uh chamber. So, it's a great honor to be uh able to talk to our great city leadership team. And um this is going to be very short and simple. Can you provide us your name, your address, and the board that you sit on?

Yes. Um I am Sergio Ley and I'm chairman of the mayor's board of advisors. Um, and I'm going to talk to you today very briefly about something that we call the NOPO uh North Pon pilot. And I say it's going to be very very uh short and simple because this is about um you know we think more freedom more and no cost to the city and some benefits to citizens. So it's extreme extremely simple. It's a good example of how we can sometime engineer or re-engineer uh some some rules uh to to bring benefits to our citizens. So uh we could call it beautify your block. Uh this is not about just adding one more page to the to the swell package. Um but it's an example of how we can beautify an area uh without creating expenses to the city as I mentioned before. So thanks to uh our friends from the public works department and especially Dina whom we we teamed up uh to work on that. So the issue was uh and Dina feel free to jump in to add anything uh as I'm going through this. Um the issue is that the North Pon streetscape standards kind of lag behind other areas uh in terms of quality and living experience and certainly don't bring the same opportunities to property value and to um uh and and and and to businesses. So, uh, many homeowner associations, uh, would like to take an active part in beautifying their block, but they can't really do that right now. Um, you know, besides outside of their boundaries, the swell package, the current SW package really applies to single family homes mostly. It doesn't apply to North Pony. uh sidewalks are narrower and um and and

and street parking is parallel to the sidewalk etc etc. So if they want if HR want to do that they have to hire a landscaping architect. They have to create a project on their own. It's complex. It's costly and everything. So um the the concept is just to empower to unlock the possibility for HOAs to beautify their streetscapes. And we've put together a very simple addendum, draft addendum to the soil package. Um with a pre-selection of native plants um some very it's kind of a menu really. Um no need to hire landscaping architects. The process is very simple. It's about a twoe turnaround and the benefits totally optional by the way for HOA. So it's not that HOS are forced in North P to do that and totally optional and the benefits to citizen there is no additional cost to the to the city of course um property value appreciation you beautify your block you get direct benefits in some property value more business opportunities for retail some of some parts of North Pon right now are not the best areas to set up say a restaurant with a terrace or or a high-end store um and again the cost to the city zero. So this is what this project is about. It's very simple as I promised and um I'm happy to take any question.

Dina like adding color to the uh to this amazing opportunity.

Yes. Um good morning Dina Bellan, public works assistant director, green space management. So our swale permit package has been in effect for many years, probably eight years. Um as Mr. Marie said it was mostly for the larger swailes in single family residential areas, but we want the North Pants residents to know this is also for the narrow planting areas in front of their properties and even the street bumpouts that might be a landscaped area with a tree in front of their property. If they would like to beautify it and replant it, they follow the simple permit. It's a public works permit. They can reach out to me at publicworks greenspace@coralgables.com directly. We'll give you the application and help you with the process to beautify your area.

I love it. So, um I just want to first and foremost thank uh Mr. Chairman for your hard work and commitment. I know that you have a a thriving business. Uh you're very busy. Uh you take a lot of pride in Cole Gables and especially the North Gables area. I want to thank you for volunteering on this board. Uh this board is made up of 100% volunteers, people who want to give back. Uh two years ago, they came up with the idea of the the uh the app which was funded, thank you, by our our incredible clerk. Um that was one of the projects that we worked on. And the whole purpose of this organization is to bring incredible people like yourself, Harvard educated individuals who want to give back to the community in their expertise. They see a need and they want to be able to advise. I ask my colleagues to take advantage of these individuals. How many members do we have now of the mayor's council?

Uh I think we are one to three six members. Six members. Yeah.

Uh I think we have an opening now. If you know anybody that would like to serve would be great. Um these are individuals that are interested. You have any ideas? Schedule time with Sergio. He's amazing. He comes to office hours. He sits down with myself. I know he visits with the vice mayor. I know he met with with Commissioner Lada. Um he's always interested in in g, you know, giving you a little helping hand. He's an expert. He has a lot of information, a wealth of knowledge, and this is he's doing this because he loves his neighborhood and he saw a need. And this is something that the mayor's council is offering offering the city to say, "Look, we're going to push this forward. What do you think about this?" And they have a whole host of other ideas they're going to be presenting to pretty soon. Very ambitious stuff. And we're talking about satellites. We're talking about green space. We're talking about a lot of cool things that again uh we're very grateful because of highly technical individuals that are involved that are giving of their time to be involved with the city of Kate. So I want to thank you and uh thank the mayor's council.

Mr. Mayor, if I may build on what you're saying. So uh thank you for this this introduction. Yes, we are a board of volunteers. We donate our time. We are united with the passion for our city and the willingness to serve. Um and we uh the way we work it's very simple. Also you know the mayor may mayor mentioned that there's an opening. So we identify collectively uh projects initiatives. We assign a champion for each initiative that individual is the primary owner even though other members can can be involved. Um and we um and and hopefully we're going to be presenting some some making suggesting some of those initiatives uh to the commission uh very soon. One of the interesting ones, I'm just giving you it out there because I know a lot of you are very involved in schools and public safety. They're involved. They're right now really analyzing Coral Gable Senior High and they're really focusing in on child safety, pedestrian safety, accessibility. They're working with the school board to devise a plan of how can we address the buses, how can we address the drop off, how can we address public safety. So again, they're like doing all this leg work for free. They've been doing it for years. They They're the ones that put together the app. It was amazing. Some seriously technical technically savvy, you know, informed people. And I hate to say this because we have to use these people. If you have an idea and you want to to look into it, they'll flush it out. Really interesting stuff.

Madam Vice Mayor,

for the mayor, uh, I appreciate this update. You know, it's nothing that we have to vote on. I appreciate the effort that's gone through it. We should connect. I'm going to throw another idea out to you that I just had, you know, it's been gathering dust in my my pile of things to do and that is um town homes. We have kind of a hodgepodge going on in and these swailes and it's uh not cohesive with the true intent of that type of architecture. Um, I'm going to ask you to take it under your wing and make some suggestions uh of how you know the landscaping should be done whether be one block length or you guys have a discussion about it. Drive around look at what we have and how we can improve it.

Very nice. But um like to meet with you on some other stuff too if you and we can brainstorm some more ideas and you guys can run with it. Of course, with great pleasure. We'll do that. You had the you had the actual example up a few seconds ago. Will you put that up one more time so the residents here can see it? Mr. Gorgeous. Want to see it? So, this is what they're working on. You see? Yeah. Yeah. I think it's page 11 in this package.

Yeah, this is it.

Yeah, go ahead, Dina. This is the new image we just added specifically for narrow swailes for multif family and commercial buildings in the north part more urban areas. And you can see they there might be street parking. There's a curbed area and between the curb and the sidewalk might be a very narrow planting space. You can plant small trees and fill it up with any ground cover of your liking. Um and it's a simple permit that we will walk you through. It's explained here in the swell package. It's online in the public works green space management section of the website if you want to download it there. You can read all about it.

Anything else? Perfect. Well, Sergio, again, thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate you and I'll see you at the next meeting. Thank you for your hard work on the city. Looking forward to the next few ideas. Thank you. Looking forward to it. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to item F7, which was 11:30 time certain. Dina, by the way, we're we're moving forward with this, correct? Or do we need do we need action from the commission? I just want to make sure to the mayor. Yes, sir. M. We're moving forward, mayor. We're moving forward. You going to bring it to the commission? Uh, we No, I I believe that that that we can that we can move forward with it on our own. Yes. The the prior resolutions adopting this will package gave authority to make administrative view.

Just want to make sure that we're in good hands. Okay. ready to go today. They worked hard on this. So, thank you. Perfect. All right. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Mr. Clerk, if you could play that introductory video that I sent you, please. If cable TV could put uh put the YouTube video with audio, please.

She grew up in a Catholic family. Her four sisters would all enter religious life and her parents would become the only married couple declared saints of the Catholic Church. Her four other siblings would die young as did her mother who died when TZ was only four. At the age of 14, she decided to request admission to the Carmel of Lisu, a Carmelite monastery. TZ enlisted the help of her father who called her his Kif or little flower. The two met with the father's superior who would not allow her to enter on account of her age. did not give up. She and Louis set off on a pilgrimage to Rome where on November 20th, 1887, she knelt before Pope Leo the 13th and asked him to allow her to enter Carmel. His holiness replied, "Well, my child, do what the superiors decide." TZ insisted, he replied, "You will enter if it is God's will." By April 9th of 1888, TZ had received the blessing of the bishop and was admitted to Carmel as a postulant at the Carmel of Liu. Her life in the convent was hidden and simp by love. TZ developed what she called her little way, a spirituality centered on doing small everyday actions with great love and trust in God rather than seeking grand deeds. She believed holiness was accessible to everyone through humility, simplicity, and childlike confidence in God's mercy. TZ endured great physical and spiritual trials during her short life, especially during her final battle with tuberculosis. Despite her suffering, she radiated joy and faith, famously writing, "My vocation is love." Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, written at the request of her superiors, has become a spiritual classic, inspiring countless people with its message of trust and love. TZ died September 30th 1897 and was canonized by

Pope Pas the 11th on May 17th 1925. In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II declared her the fourth woman doctor of the church recognizing the depth of her teaching despite her young age of 24. Today she is one of the most beloved saints in the world with more than 1700 churches, chapels, cathedrals, and basilas consecrated to her around the world. TZ reminds us that even the smallest act when done with love can transform hearts and build the kingdom of God. Right here in Coral Gables in the spring of 1926, just a few months after TZ's canonization, the Church of the Little Flower was established by Bishop Patrick Barry of the Dascese of St. Augustine. The church was to be built adjacent to the newly opened school St. Joseph's Academy, today known as St. Teresa Catholic School. The church, currently undergoing renovations, was completed in 1952 and is the religious home to over 3,000 families in our community. The school operated by the Carmelite Sisters has graduated thousands of students who have become active members of our community, including members of our city staff. Today, with the commission's support, we will honor the legacy of St. Terz of Lisu and the work of the parish and school in her name by designating Indian Mound Trail between Palmo and Valencia as St. Teresa's little way in time for the school's anniversary celebration in November and the presence of the relics of St. TZ at the parish in December of this year.

Richard, thank you very much. So, um, I had a resident approach me, uh, Jorge Santio about the possibility of naming, uh, Indian, excuse me, Indian Mount Trail in front of the school and the church as, uh, St. Teresa's little way. So, I spoke with staff and co-desation is the best way to do it. Um, they're really the only tenants of that block are the church and there's one resident at the end of the block uh, who are parishioners at the church as well. And um I think this is a way to honor the legacy that the Carmelite sisters uh St. Teresa uh the church of the little flower have had in our community here in Coral Gables. Uh I think George Merrick had a great vision for our city. Part of that vision including bringing in different faiths and denominations into this city and ensuring that residents had access to their religious uh and their faith uh in the the city of Coral Gables. And this was the the first Catholic parish in the city of Coral Gables. Um I was talking earlier about David Lawrence and bringing you back to reading. One of the books that I read this summer was uh the bio the autobiography of St. Terresa of Lisu. And if you have not had the opportunity to read it regardless of your faith, you should pick this book up. Uh it is an incredible read. She was 23 and 24 years old when she was writing this book. And the Catholic Church in nearly 2,000 years has only had 38 doctors of the church declared. St. TZ was one of them. This 24 year old became one of the doctors of the Catholic Church because of what she wrote for this book. And she never expected this to be published. Uh in fact, she always said, "If it is published, make sure it's after my lifetime." Because she did not want the recognition. Um, one of the sisters who

was in uh the Carmel with her often said, "Such a religious person and nobody will ever know anything about her because she lived in a monastery." How things have a way of working themselves out. And today, uh, over 1,700 I tried to figure out which order Coral Gables uh, church of the Little Flower was, uh, since it was dedicated so shortly after uh, St. TZ's uh canonization, we were way down the list. There were a lot of uh people who really had a connection uh just a short 37 38 years after her passing uh that many churches were dedicated in her honor. Uh and we've seen just recently the canonization of Carlo Autoutis, a 15year-old uh in the Catholic Church uh very similar to the faith of of St. TZ. Uh St. TZ has touched the lives you Pope Leo the 14th has mentioned St. TZ uh Fulton Sheen wrote a book about uh St. TZ uh it's incredible what this one little nun who had a very strong faith in God was able to do for the faith of so many people around the world and she still does so today. She said that uh she would spend her days in heaven working for the souls on earth. Uh and it's an incredible life. Uh I wanted to put this on here. I would like for us to um move forward on this. I think it's an opportunity that we have uh to honor St. TZ and again like I said uh an incredible parish uh which has a large number of our uh residents being a part of the parish and many more who have been a part of uh the school. Emily is here uh from the clerk's office. She is one of the alums from St. Teresa. Uh and uh I'm open for discussion from uh the rest of my colleagues.

Thank you, Mr. F. Do you have any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. I will close the public comment. Anyone in the commission would like to add anything? If you move at all, I'll second. Anything else from the commissioner?

I think I think that was great, Commissioner Fernandez. You know, I think we all have a deep connection one way or another, some deeper than others, uh to the church. Uh uh St. a little flower and uh and and and it is a a jewel of the city. It's a part of the city's history and um you know on a personal note, you know, I was married to the church of Little Flower and and and I think a lot of people um you know can recount the benefits and the the blessings that um fall upon us all for having that in the city. And I think that your uh your resolution, you know, it seems quite appropriate to me and I think that the residents will be very very happy as well with this um with this recognition.

The mayor. Yes. Just a brief comment that I think this is a a wonderful way to not only recognize u the person she was but also what she stood for and it's a good appropriate day to do that. Um and dedicating that section will help remind people and look up what story was and hopefully they'll pick up the book and they'll learn a lot more and try to emulate that behavior. So, thank you. I'm 100% behind it. And today's actually the feast day of her parents uh saints uh Zeli and and Louie. So, uh with that I'll make a motion

and I move that a motion a second. Commissioner Lada, yes. Vice Mayor Anderson, yes. Commissioner Castro, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Mayor Lago, yes. Moving on to F2, update regarding the art cinema expansion timeline, an item that I'm put on the agenda that we've been working on, working on for probably the last six or seven years. I'd like to invite our friends from the cinema to please come up. Oh, you you would like for Okay, madame director. Good morning,

Mr. Mayor. Commissioners, good morning. I'm Paige Perez, asset manager. Um, the art cinema has applied for their building permit and is currently working with the city's development services department on corrections. We're waiting on a current bank statement and commitment letter from their board. They do have a board meeting scheduled for October the 8th. Additionally, there is an environmental inspection that took place today at the current patio and things space. So, today they were checking for asbestous. Um correct. Uh that building was built what maybe 15 20 years ago 20 uh mayor 15 20 years something like that but but as you know Durham requires it nonetheless.

Yeah I don't I don't foresee it having asbestous that was but again I understand it's a DM requirement. Um I'm looking forward I'm looking forward to moving forward and I did hear that it did go smoothly this morning.

Good. Good. So I'm looking forward to moving forward. Uh and I want to be very clear about this. Okay. This is going to cost the city money, but it's not only about money because I foresee the expansion of cinema being something incredibly positive for the community on a cultural front. Just like we're going to lose a great tenant, I think the expansion of cinema is going to make up and not surpass that loss in parking revenue and also the money that people will spend in the community at the restaurant at books and books, shopping, enjoying themselves, parking on the street, parking in the parking garage hopefully if there's space. But this is an important part of our community and I'm a big supporter of the cinema. I love the work that's being performed at the cinema and they really hit all the high notes. When we're celebrating, for example, Black History Month, they have a great uh movie on Black History or when we're talking about, you know, something like Bastil Day, they'll have something in regards to France or when they talk about in sustainability, they do great things about the environment. They do a lot of work with uh Miami Day County public schools, with private schools. So, I'm proud. I'm proud to have worked with this with Marlin for a long time. Uh, it's time. Uh, the money's in place, which is my understanding. The commitments are there. Um, I want to see us move forward. Um, I need to be through the manager updated and the commission to make sure there's any roadblocks, if there any issues, if let's say sometimes, you know, sometimes we forget things, they forget things, just keep us in the loop. If there are things that are owed, you know, I know we waited two months to be able to access the site, which is okay. It's fine. We got it done today. It was not their fault. It was not our fault. Just a tenant. It was a coordination issue, but we're moving forward. I'd like to see this, you know, move forward as quickly as possible. I think it's a great benefit to the community.

Mr. Mayor, just a comment. Um I think it's um we've been waiting a long time for this but for some of the folks because I know we have to be you know very wise with the monies that we spend just remind folks for every dollar we invest into the cultural arts it yields a seven times the benefit in the business community for the restaurants the businesses the hotels etc that come and patronize our city um so I think this is an excellent opportunity going forward Thank you. The mayor commission.

So, um I'm not going to echo because it is obvious and and it's self-evident what the mayor and the vice mayor has been saying about on the economic side for sure. It's a no-brainer. You know, expanding the art cinema yields demonstrable tangible economic benefits for everyone in the city. But I will echo and add what's already been said that from the cultural side of things um and from the sense of community, right? I I I recently went to see Downtown Abbey at uh the art cinema. There wasn't a spare seat in the house. I we need the expansion. Okay. I I I was sitting in the back. They were kind enough um to bring a chair for my wife and me to enjoy the movie. It was um particularly special because so many residents came in period peace, you know, um to try and share a communal experience. So from the the benefits of the the the driver of the engine to provide u you know uh the dollars that the downtown area needs to elevating the cultural experience that we're so proud to have in the city. there's so much more we need to do. And for the sense of community because when you when you go to watch a movie there um with your fellow residents, you know, it elevates the experience and it and it helps bring you closer to the people that call uh Coril Corgill's home. So, I'm I'm a big supporter of it and I really applaud my fellow colleagues for putting so much support behind this and uh there's nothing better than a dollar invested that has a great ROI and the ROI comes in many different ways. So, thank you. Thank you. And thanks to Marlin sitting out there in the audience for all that you do. We really appreciate you.

I think the uh uh the art cinema has an incredible board um that is beyond dedicated and incredible team. I had the opportunity to tour during their summer program and to see so many young people who are interested in getting involved in the industry uh was incredible and and it's an industry that unfortunately has been dying out here in South Florida. Uh I served for a period of time on the Miami date county film and entertainment board and we were always trying to find new ways to attract the industry back uh because we have lost the film industry in to to the state of Georgia. But um having places like the art cinema provides a a venue for these young people to come and experience it firsthand. uh to see uh films that perhaps are iconic but you can't find unless you're watching them on Netflix at home and it's not the same experience. Uh so thank you for the work that you do. I think this is an a great project. It's going to continue to expand in our city uh on our city's cultural uh front. Uh something that we have taken great pride in for many many years. Um so um happy to support this.

Thank you. So, let's move forward. Let's get excited and let's support the cinema. How many members do you have now? Well, you want come up here. I know I asked you a question, but come up here. Let's do it the right way. Thank you. I just want to acknowledge your name. Hi, I'm Brenda Mo, executive director, programming director at Art Cinema. What do you your address? Um, 260 Aragon. Florida.

Follow the rules for everybody. Thank you. Um I just want to acknowledge Paige. She has been a phenomenal um asset manager partner um and just the onboarding process that she's been going through. I just want to acknowledge her and thank you city manager for everything that you've done for us. How many members do we have now? Um we're approaching 2550. So we hit 2500 this year which is a significant milestone for us. um having only 141 seats, it's um it's really um a testament to how committed this community is in our cultural landscape.

So, this is important to me and they there was an article written the other day in the Herald and I'm happy that it got some good exposure uh because at the end of the day, you know, we need to grow that membership base. I think it's incredibly important, especially with the work that you're doing. So, now's the time. By the way, a great Christmas gift, you know, a great Hanukkah gift. Yeah, thank you for mentioning whatever you support, you know, you give a membership, uh, give a membership to the museum, uh, you know, give a membership to the cinema. There's a wonderful opportunity. I mean, it's a gift that keeps on giving. Yeah, it's a great that's a great mention. Thank you for bringing it up. We love promoting membership and gift cards for the holidays.

You know, you bring up a pretty good suggestion or something that came to mind from what you you mentioned. Maybe there's a way to create a multi-tered um membership that includes maybe the museum and uh Miracle Theater uh so that folks can enjoy all three and and maybe it's a partnership that can be worked out with the three entities.

So um we offer uh we have um reciprocal membership um benefits that we offer uh our local partner organizations. All you need to do is come to the cinema, say, "I'm a member of the museum," and we'll give you member price tickets. Also, I want to mention all city employees just need to mention that they are employees of the city. This is fire, police, um, anybody in the city. Our ticket price for members is still only $8, which is phenomenal. On Mondays, it's $5 and you get free popcorn.

It's it's doesn't even make sense, though. So the whole point is that if you told me that there was an organization in in South Florida that had 2500 members that contribute and are proud to contribute and growing. I mean that's that's something that again you I brought it up because it's always impressed me and how it continues to grow. That means that you're doing something right. That means that people see the value. They see the value of continuing to support this institution. Well, it's your support over many years that has been wind in our sales. And I just want to say we're really incredibly um grateful. Just let's expand. Y that's a good thing. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Um let's we have a we have a time certain item at 12:00. 21 and E3. Mayor 21 is a resolution of the historic preservation board requesting that the city commission consider the historic preservation board's previous discussions regarding the location of the gondola building as well as the previously issued certificate of appropriateness for the reconstruction and location of the gondola building prior to approving the proposed new location and proceeding pursuant to section 1-104 of the city zoning code. Madam director, sorry. Sorry, I apologize. No, sorry, Mayor.

Excuse me. E3 is a resolution of the city commission pursuant to zoning code article 1 general provision section 1-104 jurisdiction applicability approving the location of the gondola building located at the site of Builtmore Hotel Golf Course Coral Gables Florida. A lengthy legal description is on file providing for repeal provision severability clause and providing for an effective date. This is a quasi judicial item. So I will ask that the clerk please swear in all individuals who will be testifying today. Those who will be testifying on this item, please stand raise your right hand. Do you swear a firm testimony you'll provide today will be the truth and nothing but the truth? I do. Thank you.

Good afternoon, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners. Um, I'm Anna Peris, historic preservation officer. I want to introduce to you our vice chair, Alex Silva, who's going to present our resolution. We also have a board member, Kelly Shield, as well. How are you, sir?

How are you? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Madame Vice Mayor, members of the commission, and Mr. City Manager for allowing me to speak to you today about this item. My name is Alejandro Silva with offices at 135 San Lorenzo Avenue, Sweet 880, Coral Gables, Florida. I come before you today as vice chair of the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board representing our board. Uh, I know you've all read the item in the backup material, so I'll just briefly summarize uh the issues. The gondola building was an original accessory historic structure of the Builmore Hotel complex. Constructed in 1925, it was the launching point for George Merrick's imported Italian gondilas. The gondilas were used to provide canal tours for prospective buyers and reinforce Merik's vision of the city as a Mediterranean inspired paradise. The original building fell into disrepair and in 2019 the city applied for and received a grant from the state of Florida to reconstruct an exact replica of the structure. Plans were generated and the project moved into the permit approval process with the building coming to the historic preservation board in December of 2024 for review where the board unanimously passed a motion to approve the application as presented which was a full reconstruction on the original site. Since then, the city has decided to invoke zoning code section 1-104, which allows the city to bypass any normally required board review and go directly to the city commission for approval. The city's new proposal is to locate the gondola building to a different site within the Buildmore Hotel property. Now, this was not a decision made in a vacuum. Uh I respect the city manager and his hardworking staff and personally I'm very glad he's come back for another term of service to the city. I understand the attempt to balance all of the city's concerns on this particular issue and the recommendation to move the proposed site for the reconstruction of the gondola building. I would however

urge the commission to review the conclusion that moving the site is the best way forward for this project. When our board considered the original application for the project, it became clear that the most authentic, correct, and viable solution was for the gondola building to remain in its current and original location. The Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation are very clear on this, stating that quote, "Changes that create a false sense of historical development shall not be undertaken." End quote. The integrity of a building's location and setting is a key factor in determining its historical significance. The standards recognize that a building's site and environment are defining characteristics of its historic character, and moving a building severs this connection. Now, will reconstructing the building in its original site possibly disrupt the operations of the golf course? Honestly, the answer is most likely yes. During construction, leaving it on its current site will most likely require a temporary asphalt path for construction access. This could be managed effectively by the selected contractor, but deliveries onto the site managed for off hours either before or after the golf course is in operation. We recognize this would most likely slightly lengthen the construction time period as well. But these temporary, and I stress the word temporary, challenges should be overridden by the fact that overcoming them will result in a building that is cited in its original historically accurate site for another hundred years. Public works and the city manager have reviewed this project under a strict framework of cost and operational concerns from the Buildmore, which we all acknowledge. But we believe strongly that leaving the building in its original location is the right thing for the city to do. Not only from a historic preservation standpoint, but from a public access standpoint and for a possible future adaptive reuse as well. Leaving the building in its

original site allows for more public access and allows the city and the Builtmore Hotel to plan for any future adaptive reuses, which we would highly encourage as a historic preservation board of the building as a cafe, a simple elegant rest station for golfers or as a permanent uh historical exhibit. When George Merrick conceived of this building back in 1925, he carefully and thoughtfully placed it almost at the center of his grand golf course. He placed it in the widest portion of the canal, bisecting the course specifically to create a lagoon-like romantic setting for the launching of these gondilas that he imported from Italy to reinforce his grand vision of Coral Gables as a Mediterranean revival city. The placing of this beautiful gem of a building at this specific location, I would argue, is another one of the city's gestural vignettes, no different than the Dotto Fountain or Granada entrance or any of the plazas along Coral Way. The gondola building in this location evokes the beautiful renderings of Denman Fink that we're all familiar with as iconic images of the city. The building is an important and interesting part of our city's history. Moving the gondola building to the proposed obscure location where it would be hidden from public view and most importantly break an important connection to the city's past would be a grave disservice to our history and our residents. As a proud citizen of Coral Gables and member of our Coral Gables historic preservation board, I respectfully request that you reconsider the relocation of the gondola building and direct public works to proceed with the historic preservation board's original recommendation to reconstruct it on its original historic site. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration.

Thank you for your service, by the way, and I appreciate you being here. I know you're very very busy. Thanks. I'm going to touch on on a few points. Uh do we have do we want to hear um from staff? Yes, mayor. I think you should um have the staff presentation.

Good afternoon, Hermes. Uh Hollywood director. Um so the presentation I touch on a few points that has already been discussed. So I'll I'll try to be brief. Um just general history. The Bilmore Hotel, the construction began in 1924. uh an original accessory building 15 to 25 gondilas used to be uh stored there uh for access to Tahiti Beach and Biscan Bay. In December 2024, the historic preservation board passed a motion recommending the approval of the reconstruction of the Gond building at its current location. Um on August 14, 2025, we made him aware that we will be coming to commission that we were going to invoke section 1-14 zoning code. Um, and we're going to ask the commission for approval to relocate it. Um, that's map of the original location of the gondola building. And these are some photos of the building prior to um, its collapse. Um, we are actively working on um, plans for the reconstruction of the building. Um, you know, trying to maintain and reuse as much as the features of the building um, that can be reused. And uh the following map shows the original building location and the new proposed location further downstream along the canal. And this is a little bit of blow up of the new location adjacent to the path. And um now why do we think the proposed location is better? Um first of all, it's going to be more accessible from to the public from Bur Road. Um you have a decreased likelihood of disruption from golfing activities. not only during construction but after construction. Um increase safety for both patrons and golfers. Uh better access to construction equipment and personnel. Um reduce risk of damage to the

historically recognized golf course to do construction activities. And I want to point out that the BIMO hotel does support the new location and um that location um has been uh accepted by the grand tour um and the Florida uh the state of Florida Division of Historical Resources. Um that's it. All right. Um thank you, M. Thank you, Mr. Director.

Um I first of just like to briefly acknowledge our friends from the board. Thank you for being here. Thank you for giving of your service, your time. I know you're very busy and we appreciate your expertise. Thank you very much. Also, uh to the staff, amazing work to the city manager. This has been a point of contention for some time. I just want to ask you a few questions just to refresh my memory because I don't I don't remember everything. I remember when I went to Tallahassee with uh the vice mayor, uh we advocated for an appropriations for this project. Do you know what the amount was exactly? When I say $750,000. And you know when do you know when that was? 2019 something like that. Uh 20 no 20 20 2021

2021. Okay. I just want to make sure people understand that to to really give the context the time the time that this is taking. Correct. Um this is this is a very complex project. Um not because of its size just because you're talking about the historic nature the location the location and we were able to get almost $800,000 uh from the state. And I want to be thankful to the state. I want to thank our state representatives. I want to thank our state senators, our governor. Thank you for for making this appropriation happen. It wasn't for you along with our amazing team. Uh we had Chelsea that worked there. We had uh you Naomi. Uh we had um who else we had that went up with us?

Well, the commissioners back then.

This is an important important piece of our history. And with that being said, it's also a complicated part of our history. And let's talk about it very candidly. I think we can have a candle conversation and leave the politics aside. I'm not a historic preservationist, but I have a deep deep love for it. Obviously, being the mayor of the city, what we've done with the Whiteway Lights, you know, I found the George F studio to buy and a lot of things that we've been we've been doing. But this one's a complicated one for me. I would love to have it in its original location, but I want to see it original location. How many people honestly in our community go out there to take a look at this building? How many people really understand where this building is right now? Even if you were to go out there, by the way, I'm not a golfer. I've never played around the golf. Not saying it's not fun. It probably is. I just have never played golf. If the the golf is going on, if a game golf is going on and you're in like next to this building, it's a liability. Correct. I mean, I don't I'll leave that for the attorneys. It could be an issue. Correct. I

I'll follow up on some

Okay. So, I'll leave it up to the vice mayor who's more of an expert than I am on that front. So, first and foremost, you really don't get that much access to it. And I respect what the gentleman was saying because he's the truest. He wants it the way it was. And I respect that. I'm going to go a little further. This building, in my opinion, needs to be treasured and needs to be used. People need to see it every day. I thought it would be the most appropriate is to have it next to the tennis center in one form or another, to have it used by the garden club, to have it used by the Girl Scouts, to have it used by historic preservation so they can have their meetings there, to we can have a little maybe a museum to use it, to use the building, to really touch the building, to understand the building. It's a major part of our history that I'm pretty sure a lot of a lot of people or a majority of the people in this community have never even seen it because of the location it's in because a lot of people don't golf. A lot of people don't go to the Builmore to be around the golf is 200 plus dollars. Sometimes it's expensive and you got to go out there. It's not like you can be in the Builmore and you're going to see it from one of the ballrooms or anything like that. You've got to make a trek out there to make sure you get it and you look at it closely.

A lot of steps. A lot of steps, which is fine. It is what it is. It's just like those beautiful bridges that are out there. I mean, they're stunning. If you get close to those bridges out there, you really acknowledge how how exceptional they are. So, I know that we don't have the ability to move it to the tennis center.

But one thing that I want I want my commission to think about, if they don't want to do it, I won't waste the time. I was thinking about reaching out to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House and saying, "We're going to move this. If we're going to move this, let's move it to somewhere where it can be used, where it can actually get real admiration, where people can see it. Move it next to the tennis center, adjacent to the tennis center. Now, we're going to have the pickle ball courts. You could have something very well done, manicured, landscaped, something that something that could be done so it could be used and it could be treasured and we could have other boards use it. So, that's something I just wanted to put it out there. I'm willing to write a letter with the my colleagues in the commission signing it saying if we're going to move it, we should move it to something that again in my opinion I think is a little bit more in line will get more use. Mr. Manager,

for the mayor, thank you. Thank you, mayor. That was our preferred site because we feel that parks can do some amazing programming in that building and the people will appreciate more what they see than what they don't see. So, that was our number one preferred site. However, the the the state required it to be adjacent to water, but but that would certainly we completely agree that that would be our preferred site because I think people would appreciate the building and uh it's hard to appreciate what you don't see.

I'm I'm willing to move forward today today and if I could just write a letter if my colleagues say I don't want to write a letter to an elected official of this magnitude without approval from my colleagues on the commission. I want to make sure that I get the appropriate approvals from all my colleagues on this matter. Um, if you're interested, we move forward. I will write a letter to the state senate president, to our to our state representatives, uh, you know, speaker of the house, Danny Paris, to the governor, and we we ask for this opportunity. We send them an actual map showing where it is currently right now, where the state is stating for it to be put and where we feel, not because there's a convenience for it. I think it's just better for the community to really really look at this. Like I see people stand in front of the Fin Studio after the renovation that we did and they mesmerized at the beauty of the Fin Studio. They spend time looking at it. It's like a it's an exceptional building. I think this building should have the same opportunity. Commissioner.

Um, so I was really torn by by just hearing about this during my agenda review and and and just trying to figure out the best path path forward. Um, because like our board vice chair, I'm also a truest. I think it should be at that same location. But I have been to that location. I have walked that area. Uh, actually we drove through there on 4th of July last year and it's not a good location for any use. um just because of how distant it is um and how dangerous it is in the golf course. So, one of the things that I thought of is is there a way to keep it on the property? And I think when you start looking into the history of the Builtmore, um and I only found this out when I started doing research for an article when I was at Gable's Insider and I sat down with our archavist and we started going through old files. The number of buildings that were on that property at one point was incredible. There were over 30 buildings on there. Um, it was hard to figure out which ones were the original ones and which ones were new, uh, just because of how much that property had been built out over the years for the hospital's needs and for the VA's needs. Um, but I think the the location near the tennis center is probably the one that would have the most use and the least liability when it comes to uh the golf course. having walked that area as well, looking for a location for pickle ball. Um, and I I liked your idea of a coffee shop. I think that would be a great location for a coffee shop, very similar to what we have at Granada Golf Course in in um the park. Uh I I forgot the name all of a sudden. Um but something like that where you don't just have to be going to the tennis center or to the Builtmore to enjoy that coffee shop. you could be just be driving around, you say, "You know what? I'm going to go to the coffee shop at the Gondola building." And I think that would be a location that that

would be beneficial. Um, I think, Mr. Mayor, the letter idea is phenomenal. I think Tallahassee is always concerned about the division that they've seen in the news of this city. Why don't we all sign the letter? I think we should all sign the letter and show a sign of unity that we are behind this as a a commission uh supportive of ensuring that the Gondola building remains on the Builtmore property but in a location that is safe, accessible, that is not contingent on storms because we have a hurricane, water comes up that waterway and all of a sudden we have storm uh damage to the building. Um, I think it's it's it's a great idea and I think it's it's something that can really get this community behind a historic preservation project, slight relocation on property. Um, but we watch the videos online all the time of being historic buildings being relocated to save them and uh the incredible work that's done to relocate them. You would never figure out that they had been someplace else. Um, and right now it's an eyesore. We need to do something. we need to move on this. Um, I think the time is now and let's try to find a way forward.

So, Mayor, I'm going to cover some some items that that weren't covered because I I understand the pain of trying to make a decision on where to move this this building. I had the opportunity long before I ran for office to go out on the golf course. I was trying to getting conditioned to go on a major hike with my u girls who were 30 years younger plus than me um to out to Yoseite and do half dome. Well, you're 21. Yeah. Yeah.

So, I I was out there running with my dogs and going up and down the hills and stuff and I would go over the bridges and so forth. You couldn't see the gond build building. In fact, no one saw the gondola building. No one got the experience of got gondola building. Then I was elected and I went out to see the gondola building. Mr. Brett Gillis was with me and you know I tried to warn him about the golf balls because I was familiar with looking for the golfers to make sure that they were hitting the balls away from me when I was out there doing my training. And lo and behold, of course, he didn't quite watch the golfers and he got hit in the head. and it was severe and he had to go to the hospital. Uh the building was already in very bad condition at the time and the final blow I understand was a tractor uh when the lawn tractors backed into it. It's a bad location. I also studied the the soil the elevation. I know I know we have an amazing engineer that can fix everything but the reality is you know water levels are getting higher. I had the opportunity uh when I went to the League of Cities to meet with some other managers and I was uh unpleasantly surprised that some cities in our our state are going to go underwater very shortly because St. Augustine's only 12 in above sea level level 12 in. So all those wonderful historic buildings are going to be lost and some unless some drastic measures are taken. [Music] don't know that you can save St. Augustine, but we can save the Gondel building and we can put it somewhere where it is not uh hazardous to your your life because that golf ball hits in the wrong spot on your head, you're gone, where people can actually enjoy it. So,

I will take the blame for trying to move it further east along the waterway. Um, because I was so concerned about life safety. The last thing we want to do is you put something out there that's a gem. And you people want to go see it. And how are we going to feel if they get hurt? How are we going to feel if a child gets hit in the head with a golf ball? and ends up in a hospital or worse. Um, at that point, the purpose of a historic preservation is lost because people don't get to enjoy it. So, that's that's why I'm in favor of moving it.

So, um, thank you, Vice Mayor. Um, on item E3, is the commission in favor of amending amending uh this resolution that a letter from the commission uh to our state senate president or to the speaker of the house to the governor obviously the appropriate uh departments at the state level with a detailed letter talking about sea level rise use prior accidents for example we can we if allow us maybe can write a letter stating that he was he's he's a he's an individual who's been very involved in the city uh historic preservationist and he actually was hit by a golf ball. I think that would be impactful and send a message. There's actually should be records of him actually going to the hospital um talking about we know we have to move it and this is where the prescribed location is to move the gondola building, but we're thinking about this building and why and detail that letter and then have the entire commission sign it uh and forward and you know obviously we have we have some time a lot, but we we can put this together in the next week or so, two weeks, I'll send it to to our to the leaders of at the state level and hopefully we get a response and we'll have the lobbying team u uh respond accordingly and follow up on that measure and I'll reach out to the elected officials and and hopefully uh we can get them to get a little bit of a better understanding. I think we should put a map, a map that really explains things, photos of the gondola building, you know, address issues one one by one by one. Um, and see if we have a little bit of luck.

A quick question uh for the city attorney. The language that is currently on there regarding it being next to the water. What is that language exactly? Do you have that? That's the requirement from the grants. But what is the what is the the written? I I just want to see if there's like what the actual wording Yeah, I don't have that language. I think that perhaps our budget director can provide that.

Good afternoon, assistant finance director for budget compliance. Um, so we're looking back at our uh conversations with the grtor. We had several conversations back and forth over the last couple of years about the location. Um they um originally we were proposing doing it at the Kurdike Center and they expressed concern about the location and so um I'm looking back to the original emails um where they stated that their preference was one location over the bridge um closer to Kurdike but still on the waterway. and they gave us four locations on the waterway um because they felt that it was more historically significant and in line with the fact that the building was used for gondilas which were used along the waterway. But I'm going to look for the specific emails back and forth. I don't believe that it's um outlined in the grant, but it's been in our communications back and forth with them to to

I'm just trying to think outside the box here. Um because maybe we can add a feature outside the building with maybe a fountain or a pool that commemorates the the gondola portion of it. Uh and it would satisfy their need and requirement. I'm just thinking outside the box, you know, put that on your, you know, something that'll just, you know, showcase what it was. Um it doesn't have to be on the waterway, but we can create something there that that mimics what its original purpose was with a gond there. something to that effect. I think it's a great idea. I don't know what would satisfy their requirement, but suggestions figure something out.

Right. Exactly. With with those requirements sometimes, you know, as long as there's water there, they're okay with it. You know, it it doesn't necessarily have to be the actual waterway where it was. And I think that we if we engage the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, I think we, you know, we explain the reason why. We actually have evidence providing reasons about sea level rise, about safety, examples and testimonials from people. We put together a comprehensive letter. I think that it may may resonate and we're trying to do the right thing. At the end of the day, I want to pass a resolution. We got to move forward with this. We got to rebuild this because it's an eyesore in the city. Uh we the gentleman in the back, you want to say one thing, please come up just because we're trying to move on the agenda. Perhaps we can invite them over and show them on site.

Uh thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Um I live on the Granado golf course, so I'm very familiar with the uh the skill level of our Gables golfers. Uh, so I appreciate all your concerns and all the comments. Um, I'm not going to reiterate our our our position. I we do think it's it's the more historically accurate thing to leave it in its place. If it does, however, need to be moved and the way the winds are blowing seems like that's going to happen. Um, we would the great public benefit that would come from moving it would be better access, right? So, if if it if the the grtor rejects your letter and and insists on having it along the waterway, I would really request that the city um make a really concerted effort to provide access to whatever site is done. if it's moved to the to the location where where it's being proposed now that maybe funding gets added to really provide true public access from Bird or from wherever it may be because if if it does move then then to me that is the only benefit that we would be that the city would be getting this greater access and something true access. But can I be frank with you? Andrew, we can have this conversation back and forth all day and I value your input. It means a lot. But can you imagine if you put this gone little building in the middle of a golf course, even if you did do a trail, how many people are going to go out and walk all the way into the golf course to go and look at the gondola building, you know, when or when you could have it, for example, where there's an where there's a brand new parking lot where it's lit next to the tennis center where people can people can use it in the mornings, for example, the garden club or, you know, another another group in the in the community. I'm just saying that that's where that's where I'm all for the historic purity of it, but I'm also lost in the fact that I want people to use the building.

We're making a $2 million investment and we want to make sure that people get to use it. I I hear you. I hear you. And if it if it does move, but the if the granter rejects that location in the tennis center, then then I would just ask that if it does move to that other location, we do provide access, which is possible, right? It's very close to Bird Road, so that's that's uh Thank you again. Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Mr. Manager, the mayor. Thank you, mayor. Uh due to the fact that we thought we were going to have these this issues on the location of the of the building. The structure of the building has been designed that it's easily can easily accommodate all these sites. It's just a matter of changing the actual site plan and maybe we can get some art or something in the building that would go with the gondola concept. So, we will be looking at that.

Can you do me a favor? Can you work with your staff and my office and also Chelsea from your office and basically start putting together a letter and basically addressing all the comments that we've made here so we can be prepared to reach out to the state? Yes, mayor. We'll do that for for the commission. Yes. Like to see if we can reach out and send that and then I'll make personal phone calls and and meet with our state legislators uh to see how we can Yes. find find an opportunity to maybe address all the matters and meet the needs of the grant but also uh give it give this Julie the opportunity to truly shine. Of course, mayor will do. So, we have uh E3 and with a friendly amendment as I mentioned before. I'll move it. I'll second. We have any public comment? Yes, sir. We

Okay, go ahead.

First speaker, Mr. Murray Cruz. This is Maria Cruz, 1447 Miller Road. This is a deja vu moment. years ago, some of us stood in these chambers and we called what happened to the gondola or gondola building demolition by neglect. I guess we were looking ahead and we knew what the plan was at that time. That building was a problem where it was and we let it go this way so we could justify moving it. I'm sorry. You know what? I hope I don't live long enough to see other historical buildings that by convenience we're going to find another place to put him as long as we put the building someplace. That was not the way it was designed. That was not the way we thought it should be at that time. At this time, I'm sure if we were to talk to some of the people that were here then, they would say, "I told you so." There had to be a reason to let it get so bad that we could move it.

Mr. Mayor, I want to go to Zoom next. Before we do that, I'd like to respond accordingly because again, misinformation in an effort to mislead again this building and to say that anyone on this commission or a previous commission allowed this building to deteriorate to move the building, it's absolutely ridiculous and shameful. And it's the constant rhetoric that comes from individuals that don't understand what happens. We went to Tallahassee and we almost got a million dollars in appropriations to make sure that we could save the taxpayers in this community. What we had to do, we made a commitment to historic preservation. Just off the just off the bat, we've spent millions of dollars on renovating the George Frink studio. We've spent millions of dollars on the Venetian pool. We're going to spend tens of millions of dollars on city hall. We have in our sites the water tower, which is something that we've been working on. We've had countless meetings on to figure out a way. It's going to cost us $2 million.

$2 million.

$2 million. We're in the process of finding a way now to ensure that once we spend those $2 million, we don't have to do it every 10 years because of the structure of the building. What else am I forgetting that we've done here in regards to historic buildings? Oh, the museum. Millions of dollars in the museum to say I'm sorry. the whiteway lights. Thank you, commissioner. I think it was $2.3 million. That was an item that I worked on. I can't believe I forgot that. And there's other items to get up here and say that we do not support historic preservation. It's just a continued effort, the continued effort to mislead and then to come up and say that we intentionally allowing this building to fall down. Do you think I want to hear from any one of my colleagues that this building fell down? I mean, it's absolutely ridiculous. It's absurd. A tractor hit it and it was already in extremely bad shape. We should have taken care of it and we didn't. And now we are. And we just have a difference of opinion in regards to where the location should be. But at the end of the day, if the state says no, the state says no. And we're going to put it where they say. We just think that it be in my opinion and I think in the opinion of my colleagues, I don't want to speak for them. They haven't voted yet. We just want people to see it. We want people to use it. We want people to see its splendor. It's a beautiful building. Well, again, I know I know that we are in the continued effort uh to sew a negative negative narrative in an effort to hurt people and get sound bids and all kinds of crazy things, but doesn't work. Didn't work at the last election and it doesn't work now. Let's conduct ourselves like professionals and not lie.

Yes, sir. Uh Mayor, we will also spend millions of dollars on Miracle Theater. Miracle Theater. So, I mean, and we can keep going and going and going. Which one? House. Mer House. Uh, by the way, we we I wrote the piece of legislation that required that asked us to put the put the wall back, which we had in a photo uh that we found that one of the mayor House members brought to my attention. It's it's it's never ending. It's never ending. Historic preservation is is part of our DNA and it's never ending. Thank God because that's what makes makes our city so beautiful. So, moving on. Um, Mr. Clerk, you said we had another another uh

we have additional speakers on Mr. First speaker on Zoom is going to be I believe to be Karia Carbon, Miss Garbell. Good afternoon. You want to go back to her? Oh, she's got it. Okay. Hello. Hey, how are you?

Hi, everyone. Fine, thank you. Um, I've, you know, as you know, mayor, um, with all due respect, I have been, um, just being a proponent of this gondola building, and I have to say, and I am a witness to this, you and I were in the office when the gondola building, we realized it had collapsed, and you personally called and and and really started conversation about the funding so that the city didn't have to um you know take take the full uh uh you know the full cost. So I I am a testament to that and I I really thank you because you you took that on and you called and I heard you. Um and then of course the other thing is um I support the historic preservation board's resolution. you know, um, from the beginning it's, you know, it's a gondola building and of course it it should never have collapsed, but it did. And, you know, it it was part of the the historic um designation obviously of of of the Billmore Hotel. And um, you know, I I do want to read and it's just one paragraph that that talks about it, but I'm all for adaptive reuse as well. And you know again um I I also um want to uh say that Mr. Silva when he said you know if it has to be moved you know let's try and move it to somewhere where it's on the waterway because that's really where you know this building and of course to have access to it. Um obviously the third would be you know somewhere else but um if if I can just say that but you know I

do want to thank you mayor you you did the reason we have 700 and I I don't know if that's obviously the full reason but you know for the state to fund $750,000 um for this particular building um I I have to thank you because you took that on um and so um but let me Just read one paragraph and it says, "Merrick's vision of marketing Coral Gables as the Venice of South of the South included beautifully stencled wooden Venetian style pillars as markers around the waterways. The original pillars along with the gondelas are long gone. A project to bring back a fully restored gondola building land. The gondola building is an important historical building that serves as a treasured link to the original vision for the city of Coral Gables. As seen through the eyes of the founder, George Merrick, it represents it is represent of the era. Restoring this building to its original use will underscore its relevance within the concept of the Builmore Hotel's original 1926 visitor guest experience. Now that said, of course me as a as a you know historic preservation uh uh if I may, would you mind?

I would love the gondola. We're running out of time. Yes, I know I am. But anyway, I just want to say, you know, you you you get the credit. Thank No, you get the credit. Thank you. I hope. All right. Bye. Next, if I may add something there. So, As was as was witnessed before, I had completely forgotten about that conversation. Kabon, I have agreed and I have disagreed with her. But one thing you can't say is that she doesn't stand up for historic preservation. Okay. So, my point is this on that front. This is not a $750,000 item. This is a what? What's the total number? What's the budget number? It's going to be close to $2 million.

Close to $2 million. So, this is a big big number. It's a big big big number. So, I want to make sure that we do this the right way. We're literally on the cusp and we got to get this done. We got to get this done. So, next speaker is going to be Mr. Joseph Fidell. Joe, welcome back.

Hey, thank you. Uh uh commissioners, uh Commissioner Anderson uh mentioned uh safety golf balls. Um there is a problem with that right now. Um, a an acquaintance of mine, Janette Slesnik, was hit by a golf ball while walking on North Greenway Drive in her father's driveway. You had to be rushed to the hospital, an MRI. She had a brace over her neck for months on end. And so anyway, the point I'm trying to make is where where and I'm all in favor of this gondola. Uh but what measures will can be taken regarding golf golfers that are not, you know, don't have good aim because there are many people on the golf course that do not have good aim and that shouldn't be on the golf course. But can the city do something? Can public works I don't know who would be in charge of the contractor working on this restoration uh or the golf course people to protect golfers uh and and and residents in the vicinity of of the work that's going to be done. That that's my concern and I think it it's important.

Thank you very much. Janette Slesnik was not the first person to be hit by a golf ball by the way. Thank you. Uh it's something that we got to work on and it's not uh within my purview. Uh we'll see if we can get an answer for that one. All right. So, we have a motion and a second uh with an amendment uh to to draft up a letter to see if we can find a solution. We may have a back against the wall, but at the end we can try. But the the main thing here, the main thing here is that it's going to get done. Let me ask you one last question, Mr. Manager. Depending on the response to the letter, we give it a few weeks, whatever the our state leaders tell us. When do you think we get this started?

The plans are very close to finishing. We just need the the final location to to take care of the site plan issues. The foundation issues and stuff, right? Foundations. We we've done it in such a way that that can the building can go anywhere. It's a it's a site plan issue. Now, is it safe to say maybe January we could start? I think so. January, February. I think so. January, February. All right. Yes. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. And I again I want to reiterate, thank you to the historic board for all their effort and their dedication. It's listen and it's a thankless job. Okay. Vice Mayor Anderson. Yes. Commissioner Castro. Yes. Commissioner Fernandez. Yes. Commissioner Lada.

Oh, I just want to say briefly, I echo the comments made on the dis. This is not an easy um not an easy subject because I I truly care about as does the mayor and the rest of my colleagues about the history of the of the city especially those aspects of the city that were part of the original vision of George Merik. So I want to also recognize the the fantastic work done by the historic preservation board. Want to recognize Kelly Shield sitting there as well with all of your tireless work and great ideas and great energy. Um, this is a difficult one because I'd love to see the gondola building in its original location and more than that having gondelas launched, right? That would be wonderful, especially if they came from Italy, right? That is to say, if they weren't actually manufactured here in Coral Gables, which I would prefer even more. Um, however, as much as I'd also like to see the tombs of the uh Egyptian pharaohs deep inside uh a pyramid in their original location, practicalities don't permit that. And millions and millions of people have seen the tours of the the pharaohs as they've gone through the world museums where they would never have ever been able to do so otherwise. So there is quite a bit of merit to the point of per permitting accessibility when the times and the circumstances have changed since the original uh building of that structure. Climate is one thing the vice mayor's brought that up and safety is always paramount to I'm sure not only me but everybody here on on the on the dis. So, I am supportive of um the mayor's idea of having a full commission signing off in a letter to the folks in Tallahassee putting forth the basics for why we should relocated to a place that makes the most sense so that we can provide the most accessibility, safety, and enjoyment for the residents of Coral

Gables of this beautiful structure, especially given the amount of money that we're going to be investing. But we need the support of the state as well. So, I'm supportive of that. uh mayor um and and and hopefully we get this resolved very very soon because the sooner we get to enjoying the building the better for all. So yes, Mayor Lago.

Uh yes, and just two quick points. Uh I think that a water feature would be amazing next door tastefully done like a little simple lagoon. You could have something some native uh cypress trees, hammock, something that' be interesting, something beautiful. Again, I don't think it'll ever meet the need or or meet the scope of of the RFP or the RFQ was required, but I think it would be a good look. So, I like the commissioner's uh comments on that. And I also received notice from Mayor Thompson who said that she's all on board. She agrees uh we, you know, that potentially moving it would be a great idea. Uh that that she would be interested in signing on also as a supporter and that we should reach out to the other mayors uh and see if they would like to also uh show support and be included in that letter. Again, the more the marrier. I think it's great. So, I'm a yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right, moving on. Let's let's see if we can get the city manager items before we go to lunch. Um, H1. No, I'm sorry. Let's go to G1 first. Let's get G1 done. A resolution of the city commission.

G1 is a resolution of the city commission amending the art and public places program funding goals and implementation guidelines to align with the updated art and public places zoning code. So, come on up. G1. Good afternoon. Katherine Cathers, arts and cultural coordinator for the city. And this is just a resolution that's supporting the ordinance amendments that we had already that the commission had already passed.

I think it's beautiful. I think we should just move move it. And uh I'll move it. Someone want a second? Second. Mr. Cler, we have a motion to say there. Any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. All right. Commissioner Castro, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Commissioner Lada, yes. Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes. Mayor Log? Yes. Thank you. Great work. Do we have any updates on the uh on some of the art that we've been reviewing through the boards? Yes, we have some updates. Um, will you do me a favor? Will you send them to my colleagues? I would like for my colleagues to see the art that we're reviewing. Absolutely. That's being considered by the board. I'd like for them to get a get a little I'd like to get their input. Okay.

And do it in a way that obviously we we can do it through the sunshine through some sort of memo and maybe bring it back to the next commission. I'd like to see where we're at. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Item 22. 22 is a resolution of the historic preservation board requesting that the city commission adopt a resolution authorizing advalorum tax relief for the property located at 717 North Greenway Drive. a contributing resources in the country club of Coral Gable's Historic District legally described as lots 23 and 24 block 23 Coral Gable section B according to the plat thereof is recorded in platbook 5 at page 111 of the public records of Miami date county Florida

good afternoon mayor vice mayor um commissioners thank you for taking up the item today we do have the homeowner present and she's excited on her renovation and to and and so support our office and this process today we ask for your support in the advorum tax exemption 47 717 North Greenway Drive. This was a renovation project uh with architects Lewis Higgy and contractors FXD Construction for a project of value of over $2 million and so we're excited to see them go through the Advorum tax exemption process and we request your support and approval. Beautiful, beautiful house. Congratulations. Thank you for the hard work and investing in the finest the finest materials. Well done. Well done.

Did you want to say anything? Yeah. and photos of the before and afters were provided to the commissioners in advance of the meeting. So, they've seen everything. Great. Thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm Kathy Marlin, 717 North Greenway Drive. Um, the mayor mentioned historic preservation is never ending and it's true. We bought the house in 2018 and we moved in in 2013, sorry, yeah, 2023. And um we continue every day and it's been a labor of love and um but that's why people move to Pro Gables. Yep. And um it's we're taking care of it now, but hopefully it'll be here for another hundred years and that's the book.

Thank you for your hard work. You did a great job. Amazing work. And your contractor and your architect first class. First class. Thank you. Mr. Do you have any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. I'll entertain a motion. I'll move it. I'll second. Mr. Commissioner Fernandez. Yes, Commissioner L. I just want to say thank you very much for everything you've done because it is an absolute gorgeous um labor of love. Have you said I love walking by it every day and have seen the work going through. I never had an opportunity to peek what you did with the garage and in the back there but through the photos that I've seen in the presentation. Amazing. Uber bravo. So yes, Vice Mayor Anderson. Yes. Commissioner Castro. Yes. Mayor Logo. Yes.

Moving on to city manager items H1. So, this is uh something that we've been working on uh since the last commission meeting. Uh we gave the ACM uh through the manager's office some marching orders to see if we could potentially do it because because they kind of changed what we're doing. So, can you give us a little update of where we are on this front now? Could I ask that we go to another item? Just we're waiting on the maestro. He was going to be in attendance at 1:00. We'll go we'll go to H2. Thank you so much, sir. H. We have good We have good news though. It's good news. We have excellent news. Yes, sir. I just want to We have good news with a special member in attendance. We want to wait for him. Thank you.

We like We like good news. Madame H2. H2 is a resolution of the city commission accepting the recommendation of the chief procurement officer towards storm water system cleaning to flow techch environmental LLC as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed budgeted funds pursuant to IFB 202520 and section 2-763 of the city's procurement code entitled contract award. How are you? Hi, good afternoon. Sus Walker Harmon, chief procurement officer. This was a solicitation that was issued on behalf of public works for the storm water cleaning services. We had four biders and we're awarding to the lowest responsive responsible bidder. No performance issues or no litigation? No. You know it was you know it was coming. Yes. You know I was going to ask you. So we're in good shape. Yes. Okay. Perfect. Do you have any public comments? No. Mr. Mayor. Uh may I have a motion?

I'll move it. I'll second. Commissioner Lada. Yes. Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes. Commissioner Castro? Yes. Commissioner Fernandez? Yes. Mayor Logo? Thank you very much. H3. H3 is a resolution of the city commission authorizing the acceptance of amendment number two to the grant agreement number LPA0271 with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of $500,000 providing for an extension to the Coral Gable storm water master plan project from October 2025 to March 2027 authorizing city manager to execute the amendment to this agreement with FD for said financial assistance. Mr. Clerk, do you have any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. Does the commission have any comments? They like to add I'll move it. Second, Mr. Clerk. Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes. Commissioner Castro. Yes. Commissioner Fernandez. Yes. Commissioner Lada.

Yes. Mayor Log. Yes. Um H5 we're going to do at 2 p.m. Uh you want to handle You want to handle H4 now. Builmore Hotel. Yes, ma'am. Okay, perfect. Let's do it.

H4 is a resolution of the city commission approving a parking management agreement between the Builmore Hotel Limited Partnership and the city of Crow Gables to allow the operator of the Builtmore Hotel to implement and manage a paid parking system at the West parking lot. uh mayor and commissioners, this agreement would implement and manage allow the Builtmore to implement and manage a paid parking system at the west parking lot. Um if some of the terms in it are that the parking rates would be $4 an hour um a maximum rate of $4 an hour, a daily maximum rate of $30 an hour. Those can be increased um in in the future consistent with increases to city rates. Um it does provide for exemptions as have previously been discussed. For example, city of Coral Gables officials on municipal business, built more golf course members, built more club and fitness members, built more executive office tenants, garden club members, um employees of the operator, uh p patrons of the golf course, um as well as certain contracted group or business groups, um certain specialty type events and certain VIPs that are designated by the operator. Um and then there are um of course uh provisions for use of the revenue generated from the charging at the parking at the west parking lot. Initially 100% of those revenue shall go toward improvements to the west parking lot as approved by the city to the city's satisfaction and then following satisfaction of those improvements to the parking lot. The proceeds should be used for restoration projects for the monument for the historic monument of course with approval of the city. Um there is, you know, in addition to termination for cause, there is a termination for convenience, uh provision, and there's some some minor modifications or tweaks the city manager and I are going to work out with the Bilmore operator um prior to finalizing, but we we're confident we can get agreement on those.

Okay. Through the mayor. Yes, sir. May I say that the uh mayor that the the increases will have to be subject to city manager approval. It will not just be automatic uh by the bill more. Okay. So, this is this is why I'm in favor of this. Okay. Um, first and foremost, I want to make sure that there's audited financials that are provided for the yearly intake of parking revenue. We're going to we're going to be required audited financials. Correct. Agree. Madam vice mayor. Yes. Excuse me. I apologize. Madam City attorney, there are reporting requirements um in in the agreement. Um, and yes, we're requiring financial statements on a yearly basis.

I want to make sure I see all the money where it will spend if you repaved. I want to see it. I want to see uh, you know, a receipt for repayment. I want to see a proposal. I want to understand where all that money went and what it was spent because eventually we will exhaust our needs. Even though there's a lot of needs there, the the the parking lot, you're talking about a few million dollars that's going to be have to be spent there. You have paving issues, you have the bumper issues, landscaping needs to be refurbished significantly, you have ADA issues there, okay? Tripping hazards, you have root issues. So, I want to I would love to see that parking lot be something that is very welcoming. I would like to see a little bit of a lighting some of the lighting issues. Uh again, you have to be very careful because the residents don't want it to be, you know, like a dentist office. Uh you have to be very thoughtful, be very careful on that front, but I'm going to tell you also why I think this is important. Okay? I think it's a matter of safety. I've heard from the residents across the street that they're concerned about people parking there for weeks at a time. They leave their cars there. nobody's auditing it. Instead of leaving it at the airport, which cost $40, $50 a day, um they leave it there, they catch an Uber, they come back and they pick up their car. And you know, again, that lot is very transient. Obviously, there's events going on constantly. Um it's a safety issue. I think there has to be a level of accountability and I think we can have flexibility. For example, you just saw that when we talked about the garden club. I'm all in favor of the garden club having access uh being able to park there for free. Um, so we can we should have a little bit of flexibility. Uh, for example, for other organizations if there are going to be involved and I think it should be at the discretion of the city manager. If one of us comes up and says, "Hey, we're doing an event for um I don't know, let's just say the garden club or another one of our board members that they're going to be parking there." I think there should be they should have the ability to use that parking

facility. Mayor. Uh, mayor, we have we have uh the agreement has controls and everything that you've mentioned. Construction of the of the uh parking parking lot and then and then of course construction in in the monument in in the Builmore itself. We are uh we we we don't want to affect the uh the billmore from a financial perspective. So, so we have all those all those uh issues covered through through the approval process. So, I all those all those things that you mentioned, Mayor, which are very important are covered in the in the agreement. Okay.

I know that Mr. Prescott was trying to call in. You do you have him there? Mr. Mayor, while we're waiting, I just I forgot to add that I did email each of you this morning an updated version of the agreement that had some changes from the one that was added to the agenda. Y um and um and like I said there's a few little points that we will work out with the um I know that you were negotiating to the last minute. Madam Vice Mayor, you wanted to add something?

Yes. Yes. I a little bit of context too because there are a few residents don't realize the problems that existed at at the parking lot itself. You've covered the Uber aspect where people will come up from a much further distance away in Uber from the Builtmore. The other thing that I've encountered there is there were tractor trailers parked endlessly. you know, free parking and taking advantage of our our city resource there for and and really an eyesore as well. Um uh the other thing that I wanted to uh address in addition to ADA compliance is um one in the landscaping. I'm just going to ask staff to make sure that, you know, we're replacing trees because trees have been lost there for decades that haven't been replaced and that uh the the maintenance uh is consistent with city standards. We've asked our city staff to use electric blowers. I do know they have some electric blowers, but if we can maintain that standard, I think it would be appropriate for a city piece of property as well. So, u thank you all for your hard work. I think this is going to be very beneficial to our city.

Okay. Do you have a motion? I'll move it. Um, I'll move it. Second. Commissioner Castro. Yes. Commissioner Fernandez. Just a quick point. Um, I think very valid changes have been made to this since it first came up. Um, but I am not going to be speaking out of both sides of my mouth and vote for this when I've been against this uh for several years. So, I'm I'm going to vote no. Uh, but I appreciate the work the staff has put into it to make sure there are protections for the city and that 100% of the funding is going to go to the renovations or the restoration of the Builmore Hotel. Uh, but I am going to be a no vote on the city. Commissioner Lada, yes. Vice Mayor Anderson, yes.

Mayor Lago, yes. Thank you. Ready. H1.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, mayor, vice mayor, members of the commission, city manager, city attorney, and city clerk. My name is Karolina Veester, assistant city manager for the city of Coral Gables. And here to give you an update on our centennial concert. At the request of the commission during the last meeting, we did um explore other orchestra performers and providers for our centennial concert. And we did originally consider orchestra Miami, but the MISO. We have our meestro here, Eduardo Marur from the miso. Uh we actually have historical background in the fact that 10 years ago when we did our first concert at the bottom of the pool for many many years obviously the first was in the 1920s but when we commemorated that event for the 90th um right before the event when we convinced Eduardo to come and see the Venetian pool we actually did a site visit at the basin of the pool empty and he tested the acoustics and right then and there he fell in love and he did a beautiful performance for the 90th. So, we're extremely honored for him to consider coming back for our centennial and not just coming back, but giving us an amazing deal. So, um he is with the orchestra subsidizing additional costs through some underwriters that we have agreed to on the terms. Uh but originally the cost was going to be up to $50,000 from the other orchestra and they were having a hard time fundraising those funds. So, we actually negotiated $15,00015 with additional underwriters. And I want to give the floor to Eduardo Murret about what he has in store for us.

Well, what a pleasure to be here with you. It's a great honor to have the opportunity of doing 10 years after the concert once again on this occasion of the 100 years. Of course, we are preparing a very unique program connected with a theme subject and even with a song that was uh yes, we have the original song uh from the orchestra at the pool. Um, and we shared the those lyrics with the the maestro and he's going to make sure that that is included in our centennial to commemorate 100 years of our city.

So, it's going to be a multi- cultural um repertoire from classical to pop, but it's going to be very much connected with the occasion. I'm so happy and I hope you keep supporting concerts at the Venetian pool because it's really really unique and I'm very glad also to be able to get some support. Mr. Kos Beckman told me he's was with you and he's very happy recently I think two days ago and he's very happy to to support sponsorship. Thank you.

And featured here you'll have our save the date. Uh thank you to our communications team and Martha Pentine for putting this together. Um the event will be on Sunday, December 7th. That is also Pearl Harbor Day. Um and we will make sure I think we will start with a recognition and honor um and the honor guard and then a tribute musical tribute to Pearl Harbor Day.

So I wanted to uh first thank you for being here and I also wanted to recognize Martha Panting. We started talking about this in my office probably about two months ago, three months ago. before we start talking about this longer. Um, and and we we transition now and we're very blessed to have you here. So, uh, this is an exciting opportunity for the city. Again, another one of our many celebrations for the centennial. And I just wanted to recognize Martha and the whole team and the ACM uh, for bringing this idea to my office and then, you know, really pushing forward to really celebrate the hundth in the appropriate way with a master like of your caliber here. So, thank you so much. We're looking and I'm telling you, I think the biggest problem that we're going to have is that we're not going to have enough seats

because everybody's going to want to be there. This is going to be an opportunity that a lot of people are going to are going to want to really enjoy. It's going to be a first class opportunity that's going to be uh representative of of of what our standards are here in the city. Beautiful. Mr. Commissioner through the mayor.

Yes, sir. I echo your sentiments, but I I really hope that the residents who are watching at home and those in the um in the audience with us today and my fellow colleagues understand the um great honor we have to have MRO Ed here with us today. I have watched you conduct miso over the years. We are in the presence of greatness. I am sort of fanboying fanboying here a a little bit, right? But um uh Venezuelan born absolute preeminent in your field in this centennial year. To have uh uh you leading us a a a great great performer in your own right is just kudos to you for bringing this all together. I am absolutely uh beside myself with excitement for what we're going to be experiencing. It's going to be one uh to remember for the ages and um bravisimo. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Commissioner. On the contrary, I'm really very convinced that we are blessed in this city to have officials like you taking care of it is unique. Really, very much so. Thank you. Thank you. You do we need to take any action?

No, I just also want to share tickets will be going out on sale soon. uh we're going to go put them out through Eventbrite and uh we are envisioning a high-end cocktail reception as part of that evening. Um staff will be working with additional sponsors like we mentioned and underwriters for the orchestra and the event to subsidize some of the offsetting expenses to make sure we provide the most highest level of caliber event that you expect of us as we close out the centennial event. Um and then of course we also want to look ahead and begin celebrating another milestone on the horizon, our nation's 250th anniversary. In that way, the evening will connect us to our past, our present, and our future. Thank you, Maestro.

Thank you, sir. Looking forward to it. Thank you, Martha. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Uh, moving on to item F8. F8 is a resolution. Sorry. Give me one second. My glasses. F8 is a resolution of the city commission adopting Mayor Logo's 2025 to 2027 strategic priorities plan.

So, this should be brief. I hope that everybody had a chance to take a look at it. Um, it's pretty simple. Again, it's from the mayor's council. I would like for you to take a look at if you haven't gone in depth. This should be the embodiment of what we want our city to be. Everything here is positive. Everything here is about solutions. Everything here is about maintaining the city beautiful, about elevating the city beautiful, about making this, if we're not already, even though we all think we're the best on the block, just to continue to get better. Uh it talks about everything from sidewalks to culture to government engagement, street improvements, mobility, uh parking, trolley services, freebie. Everything here is just a breakdown in an effort to try to meet these issues to push the city forward to get engagement. I wanted you to bring I wanted to bring Sergey here in not only talk about the project that he's been working on with the mayor's council, but I wanted you to to really meet an individual who loves this city, who's engaged in the city, who wants to, you know, take the bull by the horns and deliver on amazing amazing things. For example, the app that we did two years ago that thanks thanks uh thank God to the uh to the clerk funded it. So there's environmental stewardship, there's footprint, there's energy usage, there's issues of beautifification, there's issues of public safety. So the intent is if you want to add to this. This is a constantly living breathing document and I'd love to have your input and your guidance. Madam vice mayor,

so on that note, I wanted to ask for you to consider on trolley service the next steps. Uh I've been meeting um with the CITT um South Miami or DCM has been going to the meetings as well regarding uh establishing a TMA transportation management agreement between the city of South Miami other stakeholders. University of Miami has been in attendance. The underlying has had representation on it and the idea is forward looking to um build out a trolley service that connects the two cities together and also services the University of Miami and services the Builtmore Hotel and other you know as we design it going forward. Uh the manager has uh been involved as well. manager, you can fill us in as to where you are right now on uh the next steps u in the TMA uh process. So, at least it's on on in the public. Um and so the mayor's advisory council consider this as well and as our new appointee to TPO can be brought up to speed on some of the work that we've been doing for roughly over a year now uh trying to get this TMA off the ground. to the mayor. Uh vice mayor, we we can certainly put all this information out. We're looking very much uh to our new uh uh trial of of going to west to the University of Miami, which is as as big as South Miami. And so we are looking at at that we've uh are are looking at that northern uh commercial area, southern commercial area adjacent to South Miami. and we will be trying trying to work with them with their new project coming

up and see how we can improve 57th Avenue and improve connectivity uh to what what is a major project coming at at Sunset Place. Yeah. And I'm just going to mayor add to that that you know uh a new trolley study is part of that and uh trying to determine where we need service the most, what are the best routes to use uh for servicing more people in our in our city. So, I would just say we need a next step provision under mobility. Um, love it. And and consider putting that in there.

So, listen, I'm I'm if you're if you're willing to to adopt this and say in the next commission meeting, we're going to bring you 10 ideas. I don't have a problem deferring it and say I'm going to bring you I'm going to I'm going to look at this and I'm going to review it. I'm going to give you five ideas, whatever that may be. This is a document that I want just because it says the mayor's council doesn't mean it's the mayor's council. Can be anybody's. Okay? And it can be our our document. Uh, and I think that if you look at it, it's pretty benign in the sense of it's just all good things for the city.

So, just um I honestly did not have a chance to fully review it and I was going to ask you for a deferral. I appreciate the openness to add to it as well. Uh, I think I would be prepared to maybe make some recommendations and um I appreciate the openness to work together on on on a plan that we can work on as a commission moving forward.

Yeah, this is a these guys work. When I say guys, I mean guys and gals. The entire the entire mayor's council worked very hard on this. Um this is something that we've been working on now for four years. Had it been adopted before. It had been adopted I think three years ago and the first year the second year. Um and I think that this is just an opportunity to be a beacon a beacon of something to strive for. And you know when we do a report card we say we got to 75% we got to 80% like we've done in the past. We're never going to get to 100%. But the idea is, you know, this is aspirational in a way that we can really get things done. So, what I'll do is uh I'll defer, Mr. Clerk, um for the next commission meeting. Um and I'd like to have my colleagues receive a copy of this via email, Mr. Manager, so they can review it. It's a it's a pretty lengthy document and just give me their comments and not to me obviously they can put it in an email and copy the clerk so we can have it for the next commission meeting and we can adopt those and go over it and and uh hopefully ratify uh this priorities plan.

Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. We're going to move on to item F3. Actually, let me go ahead and defer this item, but I'm going to ask the clerk to please for when it comes back next commission meeting to please add the conceptual design to the item. I want people to have the chance to please look at it first before just going straight into it. Yes, ma'am. When you say people, you mean residents? Item F4. Madam Vice Mayor,

uh I attached to uh item F4. It's an update regarding uh the letter that I sent to the FDOT uh with the participation of the underlying and our senator Garcia. Uh we and our wonderful staff and uh making suggestions on additional improvements that we need in our city. Uh I I included in addition to the items that the underline wanted all the intersections throughout uh the underline because if you're going to be riding the underline, you're going to be encountering all the intersections whether you're in Coral Gables or outside of Coral Gables for public safety reasons. And there were other intersections that were added to this as well. So I really just um attached this so you know what is going on and what can happen when we collaborate with other stakeholders such as uh folks like the underline and our senators to push items forward. So we have gotten the um audible signals. We have uh gotten a number of improvements. there's uh no right-hand turns that have already been put into place uh when pedestrians are crossing on US1 in certain areas and and if you go down to 17th and 27th you'll see an example of what I foresee coming after they finish their study process and they've offered to come down and do a meeting. So we'll do a meeting on site there. Um and madam director, would you like to add something uh to what we've what we've added? For instance, on Bird Road, uh the university um crosswalk there, um there was a couple other areas that you touched upon.

Okay. Melissa Desai is assistant director for public works. Um I did speak to DOT about their intersection improvement on Granada and Bird Road and um we anticipate they'll be starting construction there next year. Um they're finishing up the design right now. Yeah, that's a very um challenging intersection with all the various inputs. And um just so the public, you know, if anyone's listening now on Gr on Granada and Corway, I think the estimate is now that we're going to be done with that intersection by the end of the year. Correct. Yes. Okay.

So that one should be completed. We're going to by the end of the year, we're going to be milling and resurfacing potentially next week. Um, but construction should be completed within the next two months. Okay. We'll all be looking forward to it, especially those who live closest to it. Notice the smile down there. That's it. You have anything else to add? That's it. Thank you. Thank you. F5 and F6 and then we'll go to lunch. Mr. Pis, F5. Mr. Mr. Mayor, if I can read it in. Yes.

F5 is a resolution of the city commission establishing a senior relief grant fund for fiscal year 2024 to 25 and directing city staff to identify a source of of funding. And F6 is a resolution of the city commission establishing a veterans with disabilities relief grant fund for fiscal year 2024 to 2025 and directing city staff to identify a source of funding. Thank you very much. Uh I don't know if uh anybody from staff is here to prepare to discuss the the the dollar amounts. I am discuss commissioner. Go for it.

Okay. Oh, thank you. Through the mayor. Uh item number five uh is is approximately 235 uh residents and we the the proposed amount was $150. So it's about $35,000. Uh in item F6, it's about 53 residents at $150. The proposed $150, it's about $8,000. About 43, that data is from last year. So it's about it's 43,000. So we we estimate it'll be under $45,000 uh for item five and six.

Thank you. So um we have uh historically been giving the $100 the last couple of years. Um however, the county has now eliminated their programs. So, um, I suggested we raise it to $150 to try to supplement some of what the county is no longer giving these individuals who have been historically receiving this check is even before Coral Gables uh was providing them with uh this relief. Um, and um I had a question about fiscal year 2425. This program generally comes from the end ofear funding uh that we have uh prior to the new fiscal year. That is why we do it in September. Um, and this comes from current surplus funds from the current uh fiscal year. Um, so I open to discussion and humbly ask for your support

through the mayor. Yes. Um, I mean this is consistent with, you know, how I think that we should be given residents relief on on taxes is really from the bottom up. Um, why I propose the homestead exemption and supporting that with the uh with the state And I hope that we can provide more relief in the future uh for those who need it the most. And I think I applaud doing this and especially in a year when the county um has fallen short. Thank you. Anything else for my colleagues? I'll move it. I'm in favor. I think this is a great way. Second

to help those who are most need in our community. They they they qualify and it's an opportunity to help. So just to clarify that it's on F5 the first motion. Commissioner Fernandez, we don't have any public comment, right? No, sir. Commissioner Fernandez. Commissioner Lada. Yes. Vice Mayor Anderson? Yes. Commissioner Castro? Yes. Mayor Lago? Yes. Will we go on to F? So we need to vote on F6. F6. Yes. You need to read it. You already read it. I did. I did. Second. Commissioner Lada. Yes. Vice Mayor Anderson. Yes. Commissioner Castro, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Mayor Logo,

yes. Okay, we have um two remaining items on the agenda. And Mr. Cler, correct? F9 and H5. Is that correct? Okay. Um would you like to hear those now or would you like to have a lunch and come back because FH5 is uh time serious to come here? You want to take lunch? 2:00 over here. Okay. So, I'm gonna I'm gonna hand out reading material for you all. Okay. while you eat lunch. Make it go faster.

So, we'll we'll read this over the break. Is that fine? Yes, that's that was the intent. Okay.

[Music]

Mr. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Ready? Yes, sir. Welcome back to the commission. Uh, we have a 2 p.m. time certain. Item H5, Mr. Manager. H5 is a resolution of the city commission approving the city's 2026 legislative priorities and substantially the attached form.

Good afternoon, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commissioners. Chelsea Grenell, government affairs director. Today, I'll be presenting our proposed 2026 legislative priorities, both our policy agenda and our appropriation request. These priorities are the result of a truly collaborative process shaped through thoughtful input from our department directors, the executive team, and our lobbying partners. Together, we worked diligently to identify projects and policy initiatives that will strengthen our community, improve quality of life, and position Coral Gables to meet both today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities. I want to underscore that this process reflects not only the city's immediate needs, but also our long-term vision for resiliency, sustainability, and responsible growth. The legislative package demonstrates our collective commitment to advancing initiatives that directly benefit our residents, businesses, and overall character of our city. Beautiful. And if you could please cue up the PDF uh the PowerPoint the PowerPoint presentation, please. I think that's the wrong one.

Just checking to see if you're looking for it more fun. Yeah, we can play that one. Get out of here. We'll do that.

So before we look forward, let's briefly review the outcomes of last session. We secured full funding for two key projects, the police department's high water rescue vehicle and the Granada basin sewer rehabilitation for a total cost of 750,000. While ADA improvements in the downtown central business district and roadway safety projects were initially approved, those were unfortunately they were vetoed by the governor. This track record underscores both our successes and the areas we'll continue to advocate for. What is the legislative agenda? Our legislative agenda is a roadmap for the city's policy and funding advocacy. It is adopted annually by this commission and becomes the basis for our lobbying work in Tallahassee. This ensures our advocacy reflects both the commission's priorities and the best interests of the city. The legislative process. So the process of developing this agenda is highly collaborative. We've engaged department directors, assistant directors, the city manager and executive team and we have worked closely with our lobbying team. Most importantly, the the commission's feedback was incorporated. Um so thank you all for taking the time uh to meet with me. Uh your feedback was incorporated to ensure that these are are shared priorities and these priorities are the result of that collective effort. The policy priorities are very much similar every year. Um the removal of some of them uh happened because they're no longer u items that are being discussed at the state level. There have been uh quite a few additions. Uh there are six to be specific that we have added. Um we've added the sovereign immunity. We've had that in the past, but last year we didn't have that as part of our uh legislative package. We've added

redundant communication infrastructure polls, which is an item that recently came before the commission. expanding property tax relief for vulnerable Flidians, an item that the commission also voted upon, and electric bike and micromobility safety, protecting cyber security information, and supporting excellence in education, which was the most recent addition based off of resident feedback and collaboration among members of the commission. That's that's what it looks like. You all have a copy of that as well, and you can obtain it on the study website with the agenda. And then the second part of the legislative package includes the state appropriation request. So there are two parts. There's the policy which we had just gone through and then there's the appropriation request. So this year um we are advancing six appropriation requests totaling 3.1 million in state funding. Just to remind you last year was 1.4 4 million I believe and we were able to secure 750,000 of that. These projects have to um they have to meet certain criteria which makes it all the more challenging to work with directors and to narrow the list as to how we come through this. So they these the ones that we selected that are on the screen are shovel ready. We're able to match them. So money has to be allocated on the the budget uh and they address critical infrastructure safety and resilient needs. So, as you can see, we have gravity sanitary sewer pipe rehab. We're making a $450,000 request, $400,000 for traffic calming and safety. Downtown drainage flood mitigation, 450. Pon corridor waterway, 450 generators for the emergency response continuity, uh that's 500. and the environmental remediation

of debris management um and trash reclamation. And so the next steps is um once once these priorities are adopted uh they would allow us to guide all our advocacy e efforts at the upcoming session. Commission adoption gives us a unified voice in Tallahassee. We will continue our coordinated lobbying efforts at both the state and federal levels to advance these priorities. Together with continued collaboration, we are well positioned to build on last year's successes. And I think that it goes without saying that we have to be incredibly grateful to our um our legislative champions, uh Senator Lyanna Garcia and Representative Demi Busada. um they represent us exceptionally well in Tallahassee and they advocate strongly on behalf of the residents of the city. Um in addition, I'd like to thank all of our department directors and staff. Their hard work and collaboration have been essential in identifying and shaping our appropriation requests. And I really just want to thank all of you for your leadership and the amount of collaboration and feedback that you have provided me uh throughout the process. So, thank you for that. And last but not least, I'd like to thank our incredible lobbying team, Jared Ra, who's here today, Ra Brown, and Nelson Diaz um for their continued guidance and expertise throughout the process. So, we stand here if you have any questions, but our hope is for you to uh approve our package um for this session.

Uh thank you very much. Uh what I'd like to add uh very quickly because I've had the privilege of working with Chelsea for a long time and the manager. Uh a week and a half ago uh there was only two appropriations. Correct. Was there two out of the six? A week and sorry. Yes. Yes. It was very difficult for us to to actually move forward with appropriations because of the criteria that we talked about. There's specific parameters. It has to be done before a certain time. Um so because of that we only had to but that wasn't that wasn't enough. We had to find more. And so the manager's leadership and his team, the the DCM and ACM were instrumental in addition to the directors.

So what I wanted to say was um two about about two weeks ago I had met with the manager the ACM and the DCM and we were talking about the fact that there was only there's only two items as a result of them being shovel ready which is critically important. We can make a 100 asks but if they're not shovel ready or they don't meet a certain criteria, I'm not going to talk about that here. I think the commission understands what I'm talking about. Certain things are within the wheelhouse, some things are not within the wheelhouse of the state legislature. But I want to commend you because you with RA got us from two to six. You worked incredibly hard. You found in the budget, combing the budget, looking for ways to match. Uh you you figured out which which are the best opportunities for us to present with the help of RA and her team uh and Jared and uh our other gentleman who helps us out. I forgot his name right now. He's going to kill me. Nelson, um, to put us in a position today where we have six over $3 million of appropriations. Um, not saying we're going to get them all, but I will task you with with hope help hopefully getting us all that money uh, with the support of the commission uh, and our lobbyists. But then at the end of the day, we wouldn't be here without your your effort and your leadership on this along with RA and the whole team, the ACM, the DCM. It's been a lot of work over the last two weeks and I commend you for that and I thank you because you've met I know you've met with all the commissioners multiple times um you know and all the directors uh interested stakeholders. So the kudos go to you.

Thank you. Yeah, it truly was a collaborative effort and may I add that I've learned through this uh that every word counts. Um, I think I had this conversation with Commissioner Fernandez. Uh, the level of strategy that goes behind this is it's just that's an understatement. Um, every word matters, especially when you're playing to the uh the tone of the current state of affairs in our in our state. Yeah. So, thank you. Um, Madam Vice Mayor,

and I I just again want to applaud you and city manager's office and city manager's team. Not only is it a a beautiful package this time, I mean really word smmith well the I have been I wasn't happy last year. Um some people really knew that I wasn't happy last year but I am thrilled this year with the work product that we've gotten out of this. So thank you very much for all your efforts and the timeliness. I mean it it's you know not even the end of September and we have this ready to go. So,

and if I may add another thing, and I know that my colleagues have other other items that they want to discuss in regards to this, um, we put ourselves in a position to truly take it to the next level. What do I say? Why do I say that? Uh, you know, inviting Demi, something that we worked on for the last three years uh to get her here. She's finally here on the premise. She has her office here. Uh, we've really worked hard on that. That that to us is again, it's not saying we're going to get anything, but imagine our director can literally meet with Demi whenever she'd like or her staff. Uh I know that she's met with a senator, all the senators over half a dozen times, uh other state representatives. So to have her here in the building is a really big deal. To be honest with you, my understanding is that we're the envy of a lot of other municipalities. Uh and and again, it's just another opportunity for us to to just constantly be leaving our fingerprint on hopefully next year's uh legislative session.

I I think that uh being the envy of other municipalities is always our goal. Uh we're very good at it and uh I appreciate the work that you put into this. Uh we talked about the word smithing. It is incredible uh work because just having two words out of order auto automatically will have somebody click and say oh I'm not interested in this project. Um so uh I appreciate the work that you put in RA and Jared and and the teams up in Tallahassee uh guiding us through the process as well. um Representative Busanta Cabera Garcia and Kalatayud who was also instrumental in getting us uh funding last year. Uh we appreciate all the work that has been put in. Um I'm optimistic. I think that our asks are in the silos that are important to a lot of members in the legislature going into this year. Um and um you know if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Thank you through the mayor. Thank you very much, Chelsea, for everything you're doing. Last year, the recommendation was that we should bring in probably two to three appropriations. I know we're get we brought in six. What's the direction this year?

Uh I think Ra can chime in on that. Um we were I'll let her um we felt that while last year there was quite a lot of vetos and we certainly expect the same this year. We felt that um going through these projects such as we did with uh Chelsea and Chelsea's extensive work with the department heads um putting these together, we wanted to be sure that the projects that we had uh are exactly what they're looking for first. Second, give them some options as far as you know if if an appropriator doesn't want to fund this type of project, we have other options. And so I I feel good about the entire list and uh we'll work towards getting all of them and keep hoping on that. So um but it but I do want to restate though that we do expect it to be a tough session. Um the governor has made it known that he would like to further reduce the state budget. Um as you know the previous budget was less than the previous year and we expect that trend to continue. So um but we feel that these are very strong projects. So, but even given the I I was the one from the commission that went up there I think three or four times and I want to thank you because you were so supportive but I think we're in a great situation especially last year compared to other municipalities that we at least got two appropriations from the four two of them were vetoed but um $750,000 I think is is comparing ourselves to other people or not other people but other municipalities a great job and I want to I want to congratulate you for that and thank you so much for your support.

Well, thank you. It was a team effort and you're right. It was a very tough year for a lot of municipalities and I think it's reflective of this city um and your values and the legislators that represent you who worked extremely hard on on getting these into the budget. Thank you very much. Thank you. Congratulations. Do we need to uh make a motion, Mr. Clerk? Yes. It's a resolution. I'll move it. Second. Do we have any public comment? No, Mr. Mayor. All right, we'll close with public comment. We have a motion in a second. Vice Mayor Anderson, yes. Commissioner Castro, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Commissioner La,

I'm I'm going to vote yes, but I also want to add that it was my first time um working through this process as we prepare for going up to Tallahassee. And I'm absolutely spoiled because I I have no reference uh as the vice mayor does to something that she wasn't happy with before, but that I'm very happy to hear that you're very happy with things today. But that's how I launched into this. It was not only educational, it was inspirational and I also had a lot of fun doing it. So, best of luck to all involved. Yes, Mayor Lago. Yes. Thank you. Moving on to the last item on the agenda. Mr. Clerk, am I correct? Yes, sir. F9.

F9 is a resolution of the city commission directing the raising of the flag of the state of Israel at city hall on October 7th, 2025 in morning in honor of the victims of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel.

Thank you very much. Uh we had a few uh individuals who uh graced us this morning uh to voice their concerns um and their guidance uh in regards to F9. I heard a few individuals who um I'll take it that maybe they didn't they didn't hear what I said before at the end of the commission meeting. Uh I was putting the item exactly on the way it was because we came to no resolution. I deferred the item in an effort and I wish I would have done the homework and asked the clerk to put the video up uh so that we could come together and find a solution. Uh we are not allowed to talk to each other. It's a violation of the sunshine law. So what I said from what I remember, Mr. Clerk, I don't know if you have uh the meeting minutes there uh for for for this last item. I said, "Think about opportunities, bring them back, and we have more than enough time before October 7th as a result of the next commission meeting is on the 25th." I'm going to be clear, if it was up to me, and it was only me voting on this issue, I would raise a flag. This is not about marginalizing any community. I respect the community. I got many phone calls from members of the Jewish community, members of the Catholic faith who did not see it as anything that was anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, anti-Muslim. That again, there are difference of opinions, but I also heard from people that they were scared and they were nervous about writing an email uh in opposition or in favor of what I was saying. Both people told me that on both sides of the issue. Look, Vince, I'm against I'm against raising the flag. I don't write on write an email because I just don't feel nervous putting on the public record. It happened on both sides of the issue. But if I don't have the votes to do that, I still think that we should do something. One of the things that I talked to Laura in my office and Nicole was about an interfaith event which we should have no matter what. I'd like to bring in the priest from uh the Santa Teresa uh

Father Viggoa which is my priest at St. Augustine Granada Presbyterian. Uh bring in the rabbis from M. I think there's four or five rabbis here in the city of Coral Gables. uh Temple Judea Cor Shabbad. Bring everyone together. And if I forget anybody, I apologize. Members of the Muslim community and bring everyone together and we can have an interfaith event. But I think we can still do something besides that. Uh if you don't want to raise the flag and you're in opposition of raising the flag, I don't have the votes. Uh we talked about lighting city hall blue and white in support. Again, not about marginalizing any community, but there has to be a there has to be a moment where we feel comfortable doing something. Um, so like I like I left the last meeting, I bring it back to my colleagues and I'm more than willing to negotiate on this issue because at the end of the day, it's about building community just like when I received uh emails, not email, excuse me, phone calls in favor of of what we've done for other communities. Some people are in favor, some people are not in favor, but at the end of the day, there was never, like I said before, any intent to marginalize any community. Anyone?

Yeah, Madam Vice Mayor, by the way, I reviewed your documents over lunch.

Thank you for that. Well, uh, and mayor, I thank you for putting putting this item on because it does cause time to do a type of research and deep reflection about not just October 7th, but many other events that have happened uh throughout the centuries and throughout our lives. Um, there's been movies, there's been music. um as I shared with one member of the community um the song let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me it doesn't have the origin you think it is and that's is one thing I learned when doing the background research on this thing so trying to find something that that fits the purpose of promoting peace and remembering victims of war um I tasked our commission aid with coming up with some banners because I was driving towards city hall and I saw a banner That's one idea. Certainly an interfaith uh gathering uh would be uh very welcome. Uh and I also shared with you all some information about victims in general because people get the the impression that you know it's just if you raise the flag for Israel, you're de marginalizing one other community. But the reality is the number of victims um from other countries in in the October 7th attack for a total of you know 43 countries plus residents of Israel. Lots of different people were present. Same thing happened in 911. You know, we had 58 different nuh, you know, from different 58 different countries, people were there, all victims, you know, and no one no one signed up for for it. And I had some, and I mentioned this last time, deep reflections when I was young about the

fact that I, part of my nationality is German, that no one in the United States of German descent signed up for what Hitler did in the world in World War II. Uh fortunately uh Germans weren't put into concentration camps. The Japanese had different experience. So I do think that we need to highlight victims and pray for world peace. Um I know it's just words, but I think it's to not marginalize anyone in our community or make them well. Not that we are, but not make them feel like they're marginalized because there's unintended consequences of of things. Sometimes when you try to do something symbolic for a group to remember October 7th, that can happen. So, if you like the banner idea, there's four different options here. Would have to correct a typo on one of them. Uh, I'm going to leave it to you all. I'm not beholden to doing a banner. It's just an idea. Um, lighting city hall is beautiful, too. I'm not sure everyone historically would understand why we're lighting city hall. So, you know, this is something we kind of also think about when, you know, um, Pearl Harbor Day comes and other days of significance in our city to help recognize and remind people that these events come and it really does have to begin with us. to promote peace.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. Commissioner,

um I actually like this idea. Um like the mayor, I probably would be the first one out there supporting raising the flag, but I am not immune to the heartache that has caused for some members of our community. And I think that the vice mayor is 100% correct. Peace has to begin with us. And there are ways to honor. And I think even raising the flag, a lot of people wouldn't see it. Placing a banner is something that people will see. I had not seen those banners until I drove past city hall a couple of days ago and it immediately caught my attention because it's something that's out of place. It's different. It's not something that you're used to seeing. And um I actually like option number three um from the ones that you you put out there. Um I just like the globe with the uh the dove of number two better. Uh but I think it's simple. It's not overly worded and it's a clear and concise message. May peace prevail. Honoring those who lost their lives. Um, and I think it's it it definitely it it Okay, there you go. You can see that there. Perfect. Um,

it sends the message that we're trying to send, which is a uniting message. It's a message that everybody can get behind. Um I I think that the idea of a vigil uh I had talked about it last commission meeting as well. I think that's something that that we should also try to do. I think you mentioned also lighting and mentioned

I talked about lighting lighting city hall as well. Um we've done that numerous times. I think we did it with Ukraine at one point. Um if I remember correctly. Um we've done it on other commemorating other dates as well. Um one thing Mr. Manager actually Now that we're on that topic, I had asked in the past. I don't think it ever got done. Maybe have a schedule online so people know what city hall is being lit for. Uh because a lot of times you're driving by and you really don't know why city hall is lit a particular color, but maybe we can have an online calendar where people can see why it's being lit that color. Uh and and people are going to generally go and look. Uh, but I think if you tie in the banners which can be seen daytime

with lighting that can be seen at nighttime um it really does something special for that day. And perhaps we can even just do it without the date so that we can use the same banner like you were saying on other memorial holidays that that we should be putting it up 911 um maybe um Pearl Harbor Day uh on those days that we're also remembering those who innocents who have lost their their lives. uh just just with

no no it is and and I you know I tasked um our commission senior commission aid Gabby for with uh doing some of the creativity and I and I there it was a lot more wordy than this and I said less is more. Um so you know I appreciate your contribution and thoughts on this. I'd like to hear from everybody else. you know, the one with the the dove in the middle of the globe might be more for looking at things from a distance graphically when it's on a building, I think would be more um clear that it's a dove there as opposed to when you look at a a giant banner with two two doves in the background here. So your idea that the dove in the middle of the globe, you know, is a nice idea and just saying in remembrance, may peace prevail, honoring those whose lo who lost their lives.

Okay. Through the mayor. Yes.

Yes. So, a little over two weeks ago, I started receiving calls maybe at 7 in the morning, and I I'm sorry, but I I called the city manager right away because I thought this is something of very large importance. During last commission meeting, I tried to refrain myself from commenting because I really wanted to be um sensitive to both parties. Um, and I just went ahead and I voted to defer because I thought that was the best place to take at that moment. However, on July 1, I did bring up a resolution basically stating that I think we need to respect the United States flag. And in my opinion, that is the only flag we need to be flying over city hall. I think we need to stand strong. um with honor, respect, pride, patriotism, and I think it shows a symbol of unity at the end of the day. My resolution wasn't approved. I think it would have been great. I still stand very strong. There should not be any other flag but the United States flag here in city hall. The United States is the best country in the world and we should feel as Americans honored pride and respect for our flag. Nor would I nor would I accept to fly a flag of my own country. I think that's disrespect to our country. We live here for a reason. this is the best country in the world and I think that's um the only flag we should be we should be flying. Another a last note here is also as commissioners we represent every single resident,

okay? Whether they're a minority or whether they aren't. So, I do not feel comfortable raising a flag from any country because we're here to represent every single resident. And I think what we need to display here is unity. This commission at many times is very divided, but we should not be dividing our residents and we should not be dividing our community. And that's basically where I stand. I will support any other method that is not bringing up another flag. Whether it's this situation, this an Israeli flag or whatever flag, I don't think it's appropriate. That is it. Thank you, Mayor. I just

Yeah, just just in case there's some confusion. Yeah, I think there is. This is not for a flag. This is a banner. This is a banner. I I support this. Okay. I didn't I didn't know Got to get it in there if we're in the gram. Mr. Mr. Commissioner, you have you have anything you have anything else you'd like to add or no?

Uh, briefly, I think everybody's pretty much said everything um that needs to be said. I mean, I I other than I'll say I I really applaud u this commission for the way and you in particular, Mr. Mayor, because you know, when I when I expressed my views last meeting, there was um because I'm not in support of raising um it's not that I'm anything other and I've said it before, I'll say it again. um perhaps the staunchest supporter of the state of Israel, but that's not what matters because as a commissioner, we're here to rep represent everyone. And this I do believe it's an awfully um conflictive subject and a very uh divisive moment if we were to raise a flag which is undoubtedly a political symbol versus something else that could be in memorial or in remembrance or or a sign of hope for those who are still hostages after the October 7 events. And when I when I expressed my views, everybody took a moment to say, "Let's reflect and let's let's think about it again." So, and and in particular, Mary, you said you don't want a split vote and you want unity from all of us here. So, I applaud you for for taking leadership on that point and and here we are again. So, no one's talking about raising a flag. I I I understand that when you started you you needed to um clarify that because it's quite quite confusing when the resolution reads exactly the same way it did last time. But that's kind of to my point, right? Even if the flag were raised with a crystal clear resolution, the optics could be taken the wrong way, just like this resolution as identified the way it was was taken the wrong way by some people. So I'm uh focusing now on on the suggestions that the vice mayor has raised with respect to these really beautiful options for a banner. I in particular just whoever cares, you

know, I like number three

with just a slight typo. It says in it just we got to spell remembrance correct on that, but that's like you did this in a hurry. Um but that one's the one I think probably represents best. There's two sides at least to every issue, maybe more. You have two doves there. The prevailing point is that pre peace needs to prevail in honoring those that lost their lives. I think it sums up the sentiment beautifully and it's inclusive which is what um I think we always need to have as the as the as the banner leading the way for us because we represent one Coral Gables and you know there's a lot out there that causes division and and uh and and conflict uh despite our best efforts. So pivoting the way we have to avoid inserting any there I think was the right move. So I'm supportive of of that. Thank you. Um, and if you notice in the commission, there's four comments. There's one Instagram post. And the key here is is not is not to is not to continue to poke in the eye and poke in the eye for the next comment, which is a cut and paste opportunity as is on the Graham constant. Um, but thank God our residency passed that. As you said so eloquently, we finished the last meeting with a deferral of the item, right? With the objective of finding something that pays the proper respect. As I said, still stand by my position, but I'm flexible in an effort to finish something and get something done appropriate. I think we should do the banner. We should have the interfaith event. And I'm willing to light the city, city hall, if you're interested in doing that. We do a blue and white. It's a beautiful gesture. And I would like to make the motion on that with those three items. If you

would indulge me on that, I'll second. Mr. Clerk, we have a motion and a second. Do we have any further public comment? No, Mr. Okay, perfect. We'll close public comment. And just to be clear, banner three, how about even better? You can I don't whatever banner is fine with me. What do you What do you say? Banner three is fine. I I I think the majority wants banner three. So I I'm not going to weigh in on it other than the typo. Banner three is banner.

And thank you Gabria Torres for creating these in a rushed fashion to be able to give us something to talk about and ponder. Um she did a beautiful job. Matter three. It is uh through the mayor. Yes sir. A quick question. So, I don't know about the logistics, but like when are we contemplating putting it up and for how long? I think what do you think? 48 hours. Appropriate a week. And it takes staff some time to put it up and take it down anyway. So, day before, day after. Yeah, day before day after is fine for me. I have no problem with that. Three days as amended then based on what you're saying.

Okay. And if if just um mayor, I don't know if the manager needs any further direction regarding the interfaith events.

Well, I was talking to this is something that I mentioned at the last commission meeting and I was talking to Laura Nicole in my office. I actually had a meeting with a manager just very briefly. We're just talking just kind of over the top. Let's invite every religious organization in the city. everyone, you know, everyone who is engaged here in the city in one form or another, uh, invite them to join us. We can allow them to have maybe, you know, a few moments to speak. Maybe we can offer some coffee, some some light bites or something. I don't have an issue sponsoring it if I have to personally. Um, so I want everybody to feel welcome and it's an opportunity. I would request that we have security as always like we had today. I think it's important. I want people to feel comfortable. Um, but I think this should be a simple something simple kind of what we do for uh other events here in the city. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second.

As far as location outside city hall, right here in front where the banners are going to be. We do the monora, right? Will we do the monora? Will we do like the Christmas tree lighting kind of that area? Exactly. Commissioner Castro. Yes. Commissioner Fernandez. Yes. Commissioner LA. Yes. Vice Mayor Anderson. Yes. Mayor L. Yes. Thank you very much. All right. Madame Vice Mayor, do you have um do you have anything that you'd like to say for the good of the order?

Well, this Saturday morning for everyone that wants to join with the pollinator pooa. We have that on Saturday morning starting at uh 9:00 in the morning. Bring your kids little gloves. We'll probably have stuff there. Uh I have coloring books for the kids as well. Uh compliments of the garden club where they can color butterflies and learn a little bit about butterflies and the importance of bees. Um that's our first upcoming event. Uh tomorrow night we have inking history. Um as well for those who are u planning on going I hope to see you there. Uh and we had a wonderful event too with the Junior Orange Bowl. Commissioner uh Pastor was there with me. Uh they got an amazing group uh do some wonderful things in our community uh promoting the youth to engage in sports uh throughout the world and come to Coral Gables. So we have an opportunity to showcase our great city once again um from tennis to golf to uh many different sports that they promote people to engage in. So, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you out there planting some pollinator plants.

Commissioner, I just want to thank our team for the incredible work with the Dorothy Park uh the Thompson Park uh ribbon cutting. It was an incredible event. The work that was done in that park, if you haven't had an opportunity to go out and see it, you need to see this park. Uh it is incredible. Um and it's a lot of fun for the kids. I think I saw there were probably 20 kids there playing as we were already doing the ribbon cutting and there were just neighborhood kids that were already going and enjoying the park. So, it's it's nice to see that. Uh the other thing I wanted to ask uh my colleagues um if we can have two proclamations for November 16th, one uh declaring uh church a little flower day, another St. Terresa Catholic School Day on uh for their centennial celebrations.

Commissioner Lto. No, I just wanted to echo the um uh the the uh the points raised by Vice Mayor Anderson, right? The Junior Orange Bowl. I couldn't attend that night as I tried I tried to be um in three places at once, but I I sometimes fail, but I was we all were very well well represented by having Commissioner Castro, Vice Mayor there. Um but I would like to put in the days to come a lot more focus on the Junior Orange Bowl. Um, such an amazing organization. Um, did the trivia fact is anybody know that the Junior Orange Bowl used to have an office here in city hall years and years and years ago. Um, and they were part of a continuous funding that they received in our budget. Who knows, maybe we'll we'll explore that opportunity in the days to come as well. But in the meantime, um, uh, I want to just remind everybody that tonight at 6:30 on Jungle Island is the annual Festival of Chefs put on by Easter Seal, South Florida, uh, where the funds will be used to support the culinary arts school they have for um, for the young people who are suffering from autism where they learn amazing skills that make them transition even easier into mainstream uh, workforce. and the greatest chefs locally here in South Florida or will be there. I hope I can see those who haven't already gotten tickets there this evening. Uh and come hungry as they say. Monday I have my office hours 8:30 to 11. Hope to see you there.

Commissioner,

so I want to congratulate the three new officers we commission Vice Mayor Ron Anderson and and I were there too. There's three three new officers and there was one promotion. There's nothing that makes me happier than seeing that we keep on hiring police officers at the end of the day. The other thing is that we have a budget hearing, a 501. I know everybody's very excited for that, but we need to speed it up a tad bit because I might have to leave early. I have a bright line to catch. I am on my way to the Florida League of Cities to vice chair that committee. Um the other thing I want to mention is that I've been working very very hard on putting resident focus and resident involvement events together which really make me very happy as an individual. One of them is a doggy walk and what I'm trying to do is promote dog adoption but on top of that I'm trying to bring neighbors together. I want them to mingle, to get to know each other, and I also want to bring foot traffic to Miracle Mile. I see a lot of vacant storefronts there, and that makes me sad. I want to um promote our our downtown. So, what I'm planning on doing is every Saturday, every second Saturday of the month, I'm going to bring all this group of people. The dogs that could be adopted are going to have a little bandana that say, "Adopt me." We're going to start in front of City Hall. It's going to be at 11 in the morning. It's a two-mile run. Not run, you could walk. Um all the way down to Miracle Mile coming back. Then there will be a social hour on Geralda since it's a space that is closed off for the dogs and the dog owners. And you can and there's outdoor seating. And I'm going to go ahead and promote Gerala as well and bring people that normally don't come to these places to to these local restaurants or or stores. So,

finally, one more thing I've been working really, really hard on is my Hispanic heritage event, which is this Saturday from 3 to 6 PM. I joined forces with uh council member and chair member Christian Mansera. Right there, it's on the screen. This is going to be a cultural event. I know it says festival, but but more than anything, it's cultural. There's going to be performances from different denominations from different countries and um then there's also going to be food representing different countries. This is going to be extremely interesting, very cultural and um I'm very excited for this. We have a high registration and I would love for my colleagues to be able to join if they could. This is going to be a very good event. Thank you very much and I will see you at 501. Uh first off, thank you uh Vice Mayor for covering for me at the Orange Bowl. I was at a at an event called PAVE uh at the Coral Gables, uh Country Club. Uh it's a Jamaica charity, which is I hope that everyone gets to know it a little bit better. Uh they do incredible work uh in regards to u teaching young men and women a craft in Jamaica. And it's a pretty impressive work that they're doing. A lot of orphans, a lot of individuals who grow up to actually have a trade. and it's uh I hope that you will learn a little bit about it because it's interesting. It's a worthy cause. One thing that I've been working on for some time and I'd like for the commission uh to get behind it if they're interested is a few years ago I donated um a minora for for the city of Coral Gables. I pay for it personally uh with my own money. Um I would like to do something very similar. Uh, I'd like to this year if possible donate donate a nice manger uh to put in front of city hall. Uh, I think it would be a nice statement and we could also do something for other religious uh, you know,

affiliations if they're interested. I don't have a problem with that. Um, and I think it would be something nice and beautiful that we put in front of city hall and it could be something that again brings unity. We have already the minora and as a Catholic I think it's an opportunity to continue to build on God's grace and continue to talk about all the things that are good with with this country. We focus on a lot of negativity. I think this is something positive. Uh another thing that I like uh Mr. Clerk if you'd be so kind can you put up the Monopoly event. I'm using this opportunity to to give it a little bit more publicity. Uh we're going to be sending this out. Um, I wish they had another picture of the of the actual board game. Uh, because I wanted to have you guess what item that I personally bought. Personally bought with my own money and it'll be uh the mayor's the mayor's office. Can you guess what what spot I bought? Any guess or no?

Go to jail. You knew it. Had to do it. I did. I did. Had to do it. Had to do it. Had to do it. So, getting to know you.

Yeah. You know, trust me, you know what I'm surrounded by. So, at the end of the day, uh, off all in good fun. This is for charity. It was a $1,500 personal donation. I ask you to give give a lot if you have an opportunity. The Gable's already sponsored obviously with their $10,000. This is for the Mark Trobridge Foundation. Uh, this is a wonderful cause. You have some some spaces that are 500, 800, a thousand. This one was 1500. I actually had uh Iggy Alvarez call me. He was upset that I took go to jail. He said, "I'm the lawyer that actually would want to have my name and my law firm on it." I said, "No, no, no. I'm taking that one for myself." So, it was all in good fun. Um, office hours tomorrow, as I've been doing for the last 12 and a half years, starts Oh, there it is. That's what we're going to do. We want to do something very pretty like that. I didn't want to use my private company name. I wanted to be about the city. So, we did something uh something fun. If you have any ideas that we could how we could make it look better. Um, you know, I welcome it. Uh, I welcome it and I'd love to, you know, engage. So, we have some time before it goes to print and I think it' be something nice. So, I leave it up to, uh, maybe the ACM and give me some ideas of of how to how to make it a little bit more fun. Uh, office hours, we've been doing it for 12 and a half years. It's a great opportunity uh to get to know to get to know not only the mayor but get to know my staff uh get to know the city. Uh we will go tomorrow from 2 to 5 maybe 5 maybe 6 o'clock depending on who's there and I ask you to please come and uh spend some time. Uh we have a we have today at 501 a budget hearing the final budget hearing. We ask people to engage. Uh please come please join us. Uh we'll be here. Uh it's an opportunity if you haven't had a chance to go over the budget, you can ask questions, you can bring items that are important. Uh I know that we're not talking about the budget here, but one of the things that I want to read it

again and I'm asking for my colleagues to provide a little bit of support is items, for example, funding to do a little to do a small study uh for under the Cocoa Plum Bridge for a potential path. The other one was obviously ensuring that we have the Flagler Flagler area funded. Um just looking for small things that can kind of catapult us into 2027 where we can then really push forward on that. I think we had some traffic calming requests, Mr. DCM, um in certain areas. I think one of them was, by the way, this is a big one for the commission. If they could just give me one more second because I know that you're getting a lot of calls on this and I've been doing a lot of site visits, a lot of site visits, probably about three a week that I've been doing with the DCM and with staff. One of the areas that's really giving us a lot of trouble is the area in front of the the Coral Gables Country Club. They're very concerned about traffic calming. They're very concerned about the runners. They're very concerned about the amount of people that are running there. We're going to have to face something. Okay. I've requested a study to be done and also in the country club area. Let me tell you first before we adjourn. Let me tell you a little bit about the issue that we're facing in the in the country club. And you know it. I don't need to tell you, but I want to put it on the record and we need your support on this. We're going to have to build a running path there no matter what because I was there this morning um after I finished the the the groundbreaking of Publix. I had I had another meeting then I rounded about in that area. The amount of people that are running on the golf course or on the street is I know it's very difficult. We're getting these calls that people want enforcement. Um, we have to push people to either get on the sidewalk or get on the grass. There's way too many people running on the street. We're going to have a catastrophe. So, we have to come to the understanding that we're not going to make everybody happy. But certain people don't want a

running path because they feel that it invites people. By the way, I don't know who you're inviting because they're already here. Okay? Everybody wants to run in the gables. The the the the canopy, the civility, the beauty, you know, cleaner air, it smells better, it's nicer, it's prettier, you know, it's so they're not they're coming here to run. If it's people from West Miami, South Miami, City of Miami, Coral Gables, they like the scenery. So, I really think that we need to focus in on as a as a commission and say we're going to offer some sort of running track. When I mean a running track, we can do something where it's a material that is, you know, soft that kind of blends in with the grass, but there has to be something. But that's that you're suggesting. So you take people off the street.

Yes. Okay. And then onto the edge of the golf course. Yes. Right.

And I think that and I'm just I'm just I'm talking openly here that this is the opportunity. We have a moment to have a conversation. We can't talk about this anyone else. My vision was is to to spend a little bit of money, 25,000, 30,000, whatever it may be. Maybe it's 15,000 to do a study and just kind of get a little simple design where you have you have the edge of pavement that meets the grass. Then you have some sort of running path and then you have trees. So the trees block the golf balls. You already saw that we planted a bunch of beautiful oak trees staggered to stop the to stop kind of the intrusion of of of the golf balls. They have to grow obviously, but think about how pretty that would be. You know, it's not perfect because you maybe want the running path on the other side, but at the end of the day, it gets people off the street, but we got to we got to have a real conversation about this. We've been talking about it for way too long, and sometimes, for example, like the windows here in city hall, we talked about it for a long time. It's not perfect, but let me tell you, it's a lot better than we have right now. Madam Vice Mayor,

so I did meet out there with staff.

Yep. about that as well as ADA issues and ability to get from the current asphalt path to be able to cross over. That was one of the issues. So, I'm going to tie this in also with the Builtmore Hotel, the tennis courts, the pickle ball courts. We have invasive pines there. And we also have our our finest out there blowing their horns, doing their job. So, I'll wait for one second. I spoke with our staff about bringing in some trees to stage and and screen the golf balls because it was brought to my attention the Australian pines serve that purpose. They're invasive. They got they need to be replaced. They fall over during hurricanes. They're a problem that way. We do have opportunities with some project coming down the line that instead of losing healthy uh trees uh that these trees can be brought in and substitute in for some of these items that are missing. Uh we have diseases impacting the palm trees right now. So we need to look at a transitionary stage. Uh green buttonwood make a really nice um tree uh for screening. there happens to be some on a future construction site that we may want to encourage uh a developer to donate to the city and bring it to where we need it. The height's already there. The movability um is something that our staff can evaluate along with a qualified tree mover. Uh these are some of the things that we we can do if they're using them for screening. Trees are being used for screening um at the the Builtmore, we can use them for screening here, too. So, the path, whether it's a rubberized surface or or or some other surface that we put along there, I think it's a benefit because

we're not going to be able to get people off of the street otherwise. The bicyclists, the walkers, there's not enough room on the sidewalk alone. You have walls along the way, so it makes it difficult for the homeowners to be able to back out of their driveways with that many people there. I think it's time to to look at a a broader solution. And I think that there was a discussion was probably 10 years ago about this and and there really wasn't a resolution because I think everybody wanted something different. There was even a discussion about making uh both North Greenway and South Greenway one way to take that other lane and make it into a bike path and a uh a walkable path. Um, I think we really need to revisit all the things that were discussed back then and start considering what options we have at the table. I think Mr. Fidel actually brought up today the issue with the golf balls on uh the Granada golf course and we've seen it. My neighbor was hit by a golf ball uh and had issues for a few months because of it. Um I I think it's about grabbing the bull by the horn and trying to figure out a solution that'll work uh and solve the problem. I'm telling you now, someone's going to get hit by a car out there. The amount of people that are out there, it is growing by the day.

So, I think that we really have to do something and you're and you have to come to terms that you're not going to make everybody happy. You're not going to. And I remember that Matt Mihan, they had even him and his his partner had said that they would they would fund from what I remember, they were they were considering funding doing uh doing some sort of path uh on the golf course. They live right adjacent to the golf course. So I think we we have to just like we did with the bus shel with the bus shelters, excuse me, like we did with the golf shelters where we were able to build some consensus. We called that meeting. I called that meeting. We sat down. We went over everything. And now we're moving forward and replacing those dilapidated shelters that were there. It's not what we designed preliminary, but we found some common ground and we're moving forward. So I think that we're going to have to do something and you're going to have people who are detractors and I understand that and you know who they probably are. But at the end of the day, if we can truly push people off the street and get them onto a path, then you're going to have room for the bikers and you could potentially do something like a one-way street. I mean, that would be amazing. That would be amazing. But again, you also have the tractors to that. And by the way, let's be honest with ourselves, too. Have you driven on that street when you have a car coming onto you? It is so tight. That has to be one of the tightest streets outside of the one in North Gables, the one that we wanted to do one way.

Yeah. Phoenicia that we're still trying to figure out how to put a sidewalk on that street. It is so necessary. So, actually, now that you bring that up, there's also been changes since then because now we have the traffic circle that's going in on Anderson and Coral Way, which would facilitate a one-way street there because the issue back then was a one-way street, you're going to have traffic ending on Coral Way in a very difficult to cross intersection. A traffic circle now facilitates the flow of traffic.

Yeah. So, I'm just telling you, I had even thought about the one way. I I asked you to please talk. I would just like to figure out a way we can kind of start working on that now with some minor minor design, you know, bringing in maybe a consultant to have a conversation about this. I think we really need to have this discussion so that we're ready for next year's budget cycle so we can say, okay, what's it going to cost?

The mayor real quick. So, I think that what you're proposing is um really really spot on. And just to give you sort of my preliminary support going down this path as we as we explore it because as a as a uh a person who walks that golf course every single night, it is um it can't be that it's the norm that you're always kind of thinking of yourself as the player in a game of Frogger because you're you're walking and then you see the car, you hopefully are hearing a car coming from behind you and and you you're the one going momentarily off the road, but you also have bikes that could be going in any direction. People walking their dogs, people who are way beyond just the residents because it's a an attractive type nuisance where so many people come because it's such a beautiful place to walk that if we just bless you if we just leave it um alone and hope that everybody will kind of take care of themselves. It's like you said, I hate to say it too. It's a it's a tragedy just waiting to happen. So um safety is always number one. It's got to be first thing of all and uh and it'll be benefit for everybody if if the study turns out the way that we anticipate it would. Uh it'll it'll serve to um greatly reduce the likelihood of injury or death consistent with the vice mayor's uh vision plan as well as if we do it right it'll be something really really good looking. And by the way, there's already a path. It's a path that and Mayor Kase brought it to my attention saying, "Let's extend it beyond the circle. Beyond the circle, which comes down, you know, the path goes down Corway and then it goes right behind the fountain." And it just stopped there. We extended it all the way down to to um a country, not country club,

Granada. Yeah. It extended it right there and it it just dead ends on That's beautiful. That works nicely, you know. Yeah. If you just continue, you're all the way, you know, up, you know, you continue to Burger Bobs and, you know, you have something that's actually you could use it. Well, somebody who knows how to do the studies, get them on board. So, I want we'll see each other at 501, but this one I'm sorry. Go ahead, Vice May. So, so I'm going to add one more thing. It's not if it's going to happen, it has happened.

That's true. back when I was, you know, campaigning what, five years ago, knocking doors, there was a professor that was hit and killed because when her head hit the ground, her her skull fractured and uh that she was hit by a bicyclist, a regular bicycle, you I had some detailed conversations with uh our director of legislative affairs about just how fast a regular bicycle can go. and and how fast I've even gone on a bicycle. We need to separate the pedestrians from the bicyclists from the runners um and the cars. There recently also was an accident where um an architect was hit while walking on the grass on the golf course because a vehicle veered off. That's another issue. Do we put intermittent curbing? Is that going to be acceptable? There are going to be people against it, but curbing at least will get people back on the highway as opposed to hitting an individual. The reason I came up with the the curbing is as I bike down to uh Blackpoint Marina, you have that intermittent curbing. It helps it allows the drainage to occur, but yet prevents vehicles from easily and always being able to veer off. you put them in the in the most vulnerable areas where people are most likely to veer off. So, thank you all.

All right, we'll see each other at 501. Thank you.