City Council - Regular Meeting

We're calling this meeting to order. Today is Wednesday, March 12th, 2025. Today is our regular council meeting for March. And it is now 10.15 a.m. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Pinedo.

I would like to call up Pastor Edwin Castro for our invocation. Before he does that, I'd also like to quickly ask for a minute of silence for those who have passed, that have closed to us this past month. Former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balard, a dear friend of our community, Jose Prusa, and the former school board chairwoman, Perla Tavares-Hattman. Thank you. Pastor Costa.

All right. We've got the agenda order of business now. I'd like to hear from our city manager's office if there's anything that they'd like to pull.

Okay, Councilwoman Cabral. 6A and 6C. 6A and 6C? Z like zebra.

I'm going to go ahead and pull 6Q for discussion as well.

All right. Mayor? Yes. Could you give me one second? Yes. Can you repeat? Mayor, could I pull item 6U? Yes.

All right. We're going to go ahead into public comments now. This is our reasonable opportunity to be heard. If you have anything that you would like to address this council on, please approach the podium. You have three minutes to speak in a respectful manner. Please state your name and address for the record. I'm gonna call the comment cards first. If you do not fill out a comment card, you can still come up to the podium. Just make sure to fill out a comment card with the city clerk after. If you need translation, please let us know. We're gonna go ahead and start with Mr. Richard Glidstad.

Thank you, Mr. Gladstock. Okay, next we have Lizzy Arbonos. Arbonos.

Would anyone else like to speak in public comments? This is your opportunity. Being no more public comments, public comments is now closed. Okay, we need a motion on the consent agenda. However, I believe there is one more item that will be pulled.

I think you had already pulled 6U, so 6V.

Madam clerk, can you please review the items that have been pulled so that we understand what is being passed in the consent agenda.

Okay, I need a motion on the consent agenda. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. All in favor say aye. Aye. Okay, show the consent agenda passed unanimously. All right. I need an approval of the minutes. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. All in favor say aye. show the consent agenda approved unanimously. We'll now move into presentations, Madam Clerk. Item 88, presentation, Keep Draw Beautiful Business Award. I believe we have Mr. Edgar Estrada.

Okay, thank you very much, Mr. Estrada. We send our best to them.

OK. This is my item. So this is just basically a legislation that is right now going through the Senate. It did receive a House sponsor. I will be in Tallahassee next week. I wanted to take this. This is legislation that was sponsored by Senator Brian Avila requesting that future waste energy facilities or any facility that burns waste would be required to be at least a mile away from the closest resident. Obviously, we've been dealing with the waste to energy facility here in Doral for many years. We're right now in a holding period as the county decides where they're going to rebuild. This l

Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras. Second. Second by Councilwoman Cabral. Councilman Pinedo has a question.

And if you don't mind, I would like to co-sponsor as well.

Absolutely. Yes, Councilman Pinedo. Thank you.

Yes, absolutely. Would anybody else like to co-sponsor? You can add me. I think we can all add everybody. So Madam Clerk, you can add the co-sponsorship of the entire board. All right, thank you very much. We have a second and a motion. Please call the roll.

Thank you. Sorry, I'm a little bit sick today. Well, a lot sick. As you know, for many years we have dealing with the blasting, especially on the north side of our city where we have many complaints of many residents for years. And I hope that you will. You already have read the memo, so I can limit myself for talking too much on supporting Senator Brian Avila and to this build on the effort on the direct mining blasting that is affecting residents and also commercial areas.

Okay, thank you very much. Do we have a motion? Motion. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras. Anybody else? Second by Councilman Pinedo. There's no more questions. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras. Second by Vice Mayor Porras. Yes.

Thank you, Mayor. The reason of moving forward with this resolution urging the Florida State to amend Florida Statutes 316.2128 and 316.2065 is number one, first of all, because we recognize that the route keeps growing and expanding, connecting, and a lot of people use micromobility devices to get to one place to another, especially when it comes to work or school. So at the same time, we keep receiving, I'm sure you as well, some concerns about these micro mobility devices around the city when it comes to especially safety gears and depending on the hour that they're used, especially during

Thank you, Councilman Pinedo. Any questions or comments? Motion. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. Oh, sorry, Councilwoman Cabral. All right, if there's no more questions. Thank you, Councilman Pinero.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, THIS RESOLUTION ORIGINALLY WAS PASSED IN JUNE OF 2023, WHICH WOULD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION 23111. AT THAT MOMENT, THAT RESOLUTION REAFFIRMS THE CITY'S SUPPORT FOR THE VENEZUELAN ADJUSTMENT ACT which is a bipartisan legislation that will allow eligible Venezuelans national to adjust their immigration status to lawful permanent residency, offering then stability and legal protections. Two, at that moment, we urge federal action. The resolution calls on a federal representative to advocate for policies that provide legal stability and pathways to permanent resi

Thank you, Mildred. And since you're here, I know you're getting more support now than before, especially from 2023. Now there are more congressional members reaching out to you and getting more information from you as well, right?

Thank you. I just want to thank you one more. Yes, please. Sorry.

Thank you. Before you leave, can you provide your address? My name is Francisco Rodriguez.

Just for the record, it's the same address for Mildred as well, right?

Thank you so much. Thank you to my colleagues as well.

Thank you, Councilman. Do we have a motion on the item? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Cabral. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. We will now, if there's any comments. I have a comment. Go ahead, Councilwoman Cabral.

Thank you. I would like to ask to Councilman Pinedo to see if I could co-sponsor this resolution. For me, the Venezuelan community is very close to my heart, not just because majority, like Ms. Rodriguez said, Ms. Rodriguez as well, majority are residents for our city. But I always said this when I am within our Venezuelan brothers and sisters, that I am very grateful in the Dominican Republic is always very grateful because you were the one who actually embraced our father of our country. Juan Pablo Duarte, when he exiled from Dominican Republic in Venezuela. So for us Dominicans, Venezuela i

Thank you, Mayor. I've said this little piece of facts throughout a few council meetings, but my husband is Venezuelan. He's from Maracaibo, and I have three Venezuelan children. Anything Venezuelan has a priority in the office that I hold here in Doral, especially with the injustices that are happening in the country. I want to thank Council Member Pinedo for putting this out. I heard one of the council comments saying, I'm sorry, a public comment saying that we need more people to be involved, more of our leaders to be involved. But, you know, a movement starts with one and then it grows. We

Thank you, Councilman. I'd also like to co-sponsor it. That's okay with you? Yes. I want to thank Mildred, Francisco, the entire team for all of their hard work because without them, this would not have gotten this far. So congratulations on all the great work. I think you guys have over 300,000 signatures now. We need to get to 500,000 guys. So go to the website and sign the letter. It's very easy and quick. I'm very proud and happy to see that we are reaffirming our support for this piece of legislation. And of course, I wholeheartedly support it. And I hope that we can also get the same sup

Thank you. I'll just quickly say, I think all of us want to co-sponsor, so if you can add our name to all of them. Thank you, Councilman Pinero, for bringing this forward. Mildred Fernando, it's been a couple years now that you all have been working on this, and since we met, I think there's a lot of a lot of progress that has been made and I'm happy to see that it continues to move. I know it's a lot of hard work and sometimes when one door shuts, another door opens. And so there's a voice that continues to be spread regarding the impact that has been made with legislation like this. So we wh

Okay, Councilman Reynoso, this is your item.

Thank you. Well, colleagues, I am bringing this item very similar to the item that I brought last month for our Silver Club. I want to be able to represent the special needs community and make sure that the things that are important to them is being well represented. I was very disheartened to know that last year one of their equivalent to their end of the year gala was not programmed. And I want to make sure things like that do not happen to them again. We need to include and represent and take care of them just like we do any other function that the city does. And that's not to say that's no

Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second.

Thank you very much, Guillermo. All right, if there's no other questions, I need a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras, second by Councilwoman Cabral. Yes, Councilman Pinero.

Thank you. I just want to say, first of all, happy birthday to Eduardo.

Yes. And second, I spoke to the city manager and the administration to see if it's possible to waive the process of every year of the organization coming to apply for these permits since this is the third year that they hosted in the city. I think that numbers have been increasing every year. We all participate. We hope that we can actually improve our mark this year, right? Our time. But I think that it's becoming more like a signature event for the city than anything else without waiving any fees or anything like that, but at least to expedite the process so they don't have to come back for

I have no problem with that. As long as legally, through legal, we have no issues with giving direction to the administration to move forward and creating this more like a, obviously it's continuing to have the fees because it is for profit for them, but to give them some type of concession as a signature event that's consistent.

Yes, I have no issues with that. We can add to have administration meet with the applicant through legal and create some type of memorandum of understanding for a couple years.

I think that he can have the conversation with administration and the memorandum of understanding can come back with what events he wants to include there. Thank you so much. But let's try and limit it to just the events he's been hosting with the 5Ks and the half marathon.

Thank you. All right. Okay, we need a roll call.

Councilwoman Cabral. Yes. Councilman Pineda.

Yes. Motion passes. Okay. Madam Clerk, we're going to take up the items that were pulled in order, alphabetic order. So we'll start with 6A.

To the chair, to the city manager, I just would like to, for you to please to elaborate a little bit the reasons. I know that we have our meeting before the meeting, I mean, before our council meeting, the revised agenda, but I would like you, if you can elaborate a little bit on the reason that we are, that you're requesting for another proposal. to negotiate again.

Through the chair, to the city attorney. So what was the, were you able to talk to them, have any communication with Vera and see why was the delay on them on having this up running?

So they were not working with the staff or anything after this was approved, or...

And with the within the new vendor that that was the second. Within the bid at that time have that they have given you at least a time if they get this approved today how long it's going to take them to be able to put this up running and they're going to be able to do this before school year or.

Is there anybody from the company that is here? Because I would like to ask through, if I may, some questions to the vendor.

I do believe they are here present. Correct. They are? Mm-hmm.

Thank you, Greg. Council. Thank you. I just received an email and I also wanted to understand some issue. And if you could please elaborate. About the program that you had in Palm Bay and also in Manatee County.

And what were those issues that were corrected?

I just wanted to know, Mr. Attorney, if you will, Madam Manager, If you already have an idea, let's say if anything happens, you know, I don't know whether permitting with the county and, you know, to have this running. If you already have a set on time, like if this doesn't happen within, you know, like this other company of what you have expressed that had happened, what would be, if you have an idea, what would be the next step? Or if you're going to be taking any steps, depends on how long this will take.

And the timeline, could you please repeat?

We will be. Perfect, thank you so much for answering my questions. Thank you. Thank you very much.

All right, I need a motion. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. I need a second. Second by Councilman Pinedo. Okay, Madam Clerk.

Okay, thank you very much. There's no comments or questions. We need a motion.

I have a question. Could you please, because I remember at the time that we went through a few years back with this issue, that the cost at that time of the land was $10 million. And now we're buying it for $20 million, if it's not my understanding, no?

Could you please elaborate a little bit about it and how is it that it was determined? I guess that it was a study or how they came up with that amount and that we're planning to settle for that amount.

How many years from the time? Because I don't remember. I mean, I know that. Oh, this has been going on since 2018. Five years? Five, six years? More. Yeah, about six. At the time, like in six years, it was $10 million, no? That was like the pricing at that time.

Thank you for answering. I am all to resolve the issue. Just for the record, I wasn't at the time that this was brought up. I was absent at the time. Okay. All right. No worries. So I'm unanimous with the ones that were that day, I guess. So I just wanted, you know, for us to keep finishing, you know, with all the different litigations that we have, but to look always, you know, keep fighting on having something that is positive, a positive impact to our city.

Thank you. We have a motion by Council Member Reynoso. I need a second. Second by Council Member Pinedo. There's no more questions. Madam Clerk, it's callable.

Okay. Vice Mayor Porras. Thank you. I pulled this item just so that we could have a very quick summary on, you know, how the vendors were selected. I know that there's a lot of individuals that want to do business with the city, which is great, And now that we're opening Central Park, we have a lot of programming as well as in our facilities outside of Central Park. So I just wanted to just do a public sort of a very brief explanation of all the great things that the city has already been doing to encourage participation and how we're selecting vendors so that the public just hears it. Thank y

No, I think that's fine. Just wanted to make sure that, you know, we talked about it, and thank you. And with that, I'll just place a motion. Thank you.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Porras, seconded by Councilwoman Cabral. If there's no more questions or comments, Madam Clerk, please call the vote.

Yes, thank you very much. Very briefly, I pulled this item because they actually are not here. I don't believe there's anybody here for them today, but I've been meeting with representatives of the Live Tour for a couple weeks now, and they want to have more participation in the community, and we've been able to come up with some great activities for the community, which will include the youth, volunteers, and so... With that, we have decided to, or we have come to a term that we would be a sponsor as a city by providing just this relationship with the community. It's no in kind or anything th

Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso.

Mayor Fraga? Yes. Motion passes. All right, thank you very much. We'll now move into the item. Madam Clerk, we're going to take up item T, T, U, and V together. Okay.

Yeah, read them all into the record because they're all regarding the same So councilor Reynoso does not mind taking them up together.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Well, these items I pulled on a matter of principle, I cannot stand and approve two monuments, sign structures that are exceeding a million dollars and the additional costs that come into placing this. I think about the programmings that we could fund with this money. I think about other projects that the city can fund with this money. So on principle, I cannot vote yes on any of these three items for that cause, so thank you.

Okay, any questions? Any other questions?

Through the other chair to our Madam Manager. I know that this thing going for quite a while this project going back and forth also in the design and all of that if you could please elaborate a little bit or our city attorney to about this particular 3 particular these 3 items.

If I may, now that you are our new city manager, my recommendation will be if maybe you can look into it now that you are on board. and see if there's any other alternative that maybe it can be presented again to the council to see all the alternatives and see if maybe we'll be able to bring the cost, minimize the cost for this because now might be a better materials or another design that maybe... will enhance the limits of our city. Because the ones that are now I do understand that they're very small. I mean, they're hardly visible for who comes and visit our city. I think that is needed. B

if that will end it on being more costly because of all the other work that has to be done that we already have, I mean, prior years have been already done. Then no. That's why I'm asking these questions because you are the expert on this and public works as well. Excuse me. So then we can make a thoughtful decision.

I'm going to chime in here because I've been, I think I was the only one that's been sitting up here since this project initiated. And what happens is every time that there is change in council, there is a change in opinions of how this should be done. We've invested several hundreds of thousands of dollars already on redoing our monument signs. They're super outdated. They look like tombstones, which in my opinion are just not, They don't fit the design and the look of our city. There's been a push to modernize. I think that the design we have is one that is tasteful and takes into account th

Are these the tall monuments, like the really tall ones? I personally don't like them, but I don't know. I agree that, I mean, I don't like either, to be honest. I just wanted to put that on the record.

Again, this is something that every time we have new people on the council, it's art is in the eye of the beholder. And it was put through committees. It was, I mean, it's a design that is supposed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of our community and also resemble what the city has become. And that's why these, also, this is not up to just us. It goes through FDOT. There's several agencies involved that have to approve. So it's not just us saying we like this and we want this. Many times we provided a design and FDOT rejected it. So we also have to take into account that there's several agenci

Thank you, Mayor. I also agree with you. I mean, I was not sitting here, but I was part of the staff when this was approved back in 2015, and I believe the current city manager was part of the staff too, so I know it has been going around for 10 years at least. And I do remember it's exactly what we're seeing today. I mean, so this conversation has been going on for the last 10 years. And I do agree with Councilwoman Reynoso. I mean, I know it's expensive now, but I mean, unfortunately, and I mean, I like to call it how it is. I mean, we're having the conversation again is because of lack of p

It was separate. It was never part of the bond, but it was the pedestrian bridge incorporated one of the monuments. But that's no longer happening.

Right. So we all know what happened with the bond and how the money was actually had to be moved around. And again, those are decisions that were made by previous council members. So I'm in favor of moving forward based on the fact that, yes, it's horrible what we have right now. I mean, let's call it the way it is. I mean, when you enter the rally, you don't believe you're entering Doral. So it's very bad, I mean, and we have to change it. And at least we're making a proactive step on Doral Boulevard. I agree we have to look into other maybe options regarding other entrances to Doral, but at

Through the chair? Yes. Well, based on the information, like I said before, that you have, and I remember also, I mean, I've been here for seven years, that this is also something that is going back and forth. And the information that Public Works have provided and that they have worked for, I have a motion to approve the project to keep moving forward.

Okay, we have a motion to approve by Councilman Cabral. Second by Councilman Pinedo. Okay, any other questions, comments?

Thank you so again with this item on I with all due respect to councilwoman reno so I understand that your comments has been based on saving money. I mean risk physical response responsible, but if we. bring just what have been approved in the last month when it comes to some positions that for me really we are not in need of those positions that are way more than 2837 29 base on the information the memo that i i have here i don't think that this fight it is really needed among uh vice mayor um Excuse me, both us here. This is something that since the beginning, it has been always going forwar

But I really wanted to ask, and I hope and I'm pretty sure that you all going to support this, that to amend this resolution, that then at the time that we are here, all of us, this resolution would not be amended.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Yes, Councilwoman Reynoso.

To the mayor, I would agree with Councilwoman Cabral, but then we would both read wrong. So I would like to just call the question. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilwoman. All right. I need a motion.

Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Okay. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the mayor's report. Madam Clerk, if you could please pass around the letter. In my report this month, one of the things that I wanted to bring forward was, I believe all of us were at the February 19th BCC meeting regarding the waste to energy facility, but there was also an item discussed there regarding a moratorium for annexation for municipalities throughout the county. Originally, Section 6 and Section 15 were excluded from that moratorium. And then there was a motion to amend on the table that was laid on the table at that time to include S

While Councilwoman's checking her calendar, I also wanted to wish some of our directors a happy birthday. Edgar Estrada, March 4th, happy birthday. Carlos Arroyo, March 5th. And our Parks Director, Erin Sullivan, March 30th. So happy birthday, guys. That's it for my mayor's report. I think we're just checking the councilwoman's agenda for the 16th, but I believe some of us already committed to day days, so we really don't have another option at this point.

I'm going to move a few things that I have in the hospital that day then.

Okay. All right, so April 16th it is. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to council comments.

Well, once again, I'm very happy to see all these wonderful faces at our council meetings. Again, I think community engagement is super important to the job that we do here up in council. I want to thank each of our department directors. I haven't gotten around to meeting all of you yet and having our one-on-ones, but I'm extremely proud of the work that each of you do for the city of Doral and the team that you lead. I think it's... You know, it's just the sense of teamwork and the pride that we have for our city and always committing to excellence. So thank you for leading that. And thank yo

Thank you very much. Any other council comments? Councilman Pinedo?

Thank you, Mayor. I would like to, first of all, to recognize some of the members of the community that are here as well. I know we have members from the Silver Club, they're here. We have veterans here, so thank you for your service.

Thank you so much. I also want to recognize, we have Ms. Doral here. Ms. Garcia. Ms. Garcia. So welcome, and I also want to thank everybody from the community that actually show up today because it is important. I mean, it's important to participate. It is important to get involved. We're a wonderful community, and please keep doing it. We need you guys. Aileen, Pablo, you're always welcome here. I also want to thank our police department, our police officers. I echo Councilwoman Reynoso's comments. We have a great, great police department. And I also want to thank you for the great response t

Thank you, councilman. Any other comments?

I want to reiterate my condolences to the family members of all those that passed away in the last couple weeks. I also want to thank our city staff, our manager, everyone that's doing the great work and continues to do the great work. We really have had amazing turnout at a lot of our events, and I'm hearing it from all of our residents. They're very, very happy. They love all the programming. Erin, her team, and everyone else that's worked on it, thank you. keep up the great work. I also want to congratulate all the women as well for Women's Month. This is really the time to recognize all of

Yes, thank you. I know that we acknowledge the passing of those leaders on our community that made a great impact in our community and they will be missed. I also would like to recognize the incredible contribution of women in our community. And to our Venezuelan community, your presence here today shows strength and unity. We stand with you, especially during this challenging time with the TPA's challenges. I apologize that I'm not feeling well today. That's why I'm with a mask, trying not to spread the germs or anything like that. Thank you to our chief for reaching out and letting me know w

Thank you, Councilwoman. I also wanted to mention, just before we move on to the manager's report, it was also Lorenzo's birthday, March 5th, so happy birthday, Lorenzo. Thank you. Forgot, sorry. And I also wanted to, yeah. I also wanted to recognize, we have some students here from Miami Dade College, and their professor, Ralph. Welcome, Rivas. Nice to see you guys. They are political science students, so we'll be doing a tour of City Hall, and they're here to just witness our council meeting today, so welcome to all of you. All right, city manager's report.

We're happy to have you. Jane, thank you for holding down the fort. I know it was a tough two months, month and a half. So thank you for holding down the fort. And it's rare you see women in construction management in the field. And so we're happy to have you. And I know you come with a wealth of knowledge and experience for many years. And I've already had several people that have sat with you and have said, wow, I finally got the answers I needed and progress and solutions. Not to say that Jane and her team have not done it. They're wonderful. But it's definitely important that people feel t I know she does. I've seen her. Thank you.

Thank you, Eileen. Congratulations. Thank you, Eileen.

There's a trend here. I don't know if you all have noticed.

Thank you. Awesome. Great work. All right. City Attorney's Report.

That's a birthday this month. Okay, if that's it, then we just need a motion to recess to our 6 p.m. meeting. And we do have 5 p.m. protocol. Motion to recess by Councilman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. All in favor say aye. Aye. All right, we'll see you all. The time is now 6.12 p.m. Today is March 12th, and this is our second session of the day. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice Mayor Porras. allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, agenda order of business. Is there any additional items? No, all right. Being none, we will go ahead and open up public comments. The public comments portion of this meeting is now open. If you would like to speak to anything on this agenda or anything germane to this council, now would be your opportunity. Please approach the podium. You have three minutes to

Thank you, Mr. Valdez. I'm actually going to, through the manager's office, ask for Carlos Arroyo to see you in the back, our public works director, so that he can address this and take it down as we'll follow up with it. Thank you. Anyone else would like to speak? Public comments? Seeing none, okay. Public comments is now closed. We will move on with our public hearings.

All right. I'm going to go ahead and take any ex parte communication on this item at this time before I move forward. Been any ex parte communication? I did speak with the applicant, and it will not affect my decision. We will now hear from staff.

We're gonna do public hearing real quick. Sorry, I didn't realize this was a public hearing item. We're gonna go ahead and do public hearing. If there's anyone who would like to speak on this item, please approach the podium. We're on item 25-6077. Public hearing for this item is now open. Seeing none, okay, we'll go ahead and close public hearing. Thank you, Michelle.

Did the renderings change from this? No, it didn't.

Thank you, Michelle. We'll hear from the applicant.

Thank you, Ms. Tappanist. All right, any questions or comments for the applicant? Councilman Bineto.

Thank you, Mayor. It's good to see you, Melissa. If you don't mind, can you go back to your presentation for a second?

The next slide will help. That way. And through the manager, we can have Michelle to... I'm going to use your map. Yeah, of course. To ask Michelle a couple of questions, if you don't mind. Thank you. Thank you. So I know we had conversations back and forth based on some of the concerns that I have when it comes not to your project. You always do a great job and it's good to have you here. But I like the fact that we're using this graph to show exactly what we have been talking that unfortunately in the past had nothing to do with you or your applicant. is the mistakes that we have been making

Which it will help because right now you have trucks blocking 89 Court trying to make a left and they block the two lanes westbound in order to make a left turn on 89 Court going on, taking 33rd Street. So I'm glad that we're going to have traffic lights. Those traffic lights, it will help. And now we're also installing the school traffic lights as well.

Right. So my question is, how soon is it going to take for those traffic lights to install before we have the project installed? Because it's going to be 89 Court and then 91st Court where we're going to have the same issues of trucks blocking to make a left turn on 33rd Street.

And that will be kind of my request to the administration to see what we can do in order to make sure that at least these two traffic lights are installed before we have the opening. Again, it's a nice project, and it makes sense based on the area. So those are my concerns, and those are the points that I want to leave on the record, especially for my colleagues to think about it. Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks, Carl. Thank you, Councilman. Any other questions, comments? Okay, if there being none, we need a motion to approve. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Cabral. Need a second?

Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please call the vote.

All right, I'm going to open up public hearing. Anyone would like to speak on item 25-6050, please approach the podium. Being none, we now close public hearing on item 2505, 6050, sorry. All right, this is my item. Basically, in review of the rules of procedure to make sure that we have efficiency in our meetings, working with the city clerk's office as well as the city attorney's office, decided to take a deeper dive into this part of our code and rewrite the section. Really, what... The reason we went to go and rewrite the entire section was because there was a lot of duplicity in the code a

Thank you for reviewing it I think that we we did need to look at it and and really like you said eliminate sort of like The repetitive stuff. I just have a couple questions Who should I direct my questions to the attorney or to you either one? Okay, we worked on it together Okay, so my first question is on page 18 of the ordinance under section 2-6 9d where it says Robert's Rules of Order are superseded by the Rules of Procedure. Does that also mean that if the rule is not here, then we're gonna use Robert's Rules as gap fillers, or no? Is that what it is?

Okay. Our Rules of Procedure will always supersede, but if there's a silence to it and it's not addressed directly, then we'll use Robert's Rules and how it's addressed in Robert's Rules. Okay, perfect. Which is really the way we've always governed our meetings.

The second one is page 22, section 2-73, number 10. No member shall leave a regular council meeting without permission from the mayor. Any non-permitted exit from a regular council meeting shall result in an unexcused absence. Does this also apply to having to leave to the restroom? Because I don't think that's something we should be announcing.

Again, that's something that has always been in our code. It's always been required for if a member needed to exit the meeting that the mayor be notified as the chair. We need to make sure we don't lose quorum if we're in the middle of a discussion. It's required in the code. And so we just rewrote it so that it's in here the way it is. And really, it's so that we don't have a disruption in the middle of a debate. Clearly, no one can force you to stay in a meeting if you don't want to. You can leave, but this is really a procedure that's put in to make sure that there's protocol, policies, and

So again, you're saying that if we need to take a restroom break, we have to get permission?

You're supposed to notify the chair, yes, because we may be in the middle of a discussion, and either the chair can decide to take a recess or ask the council if they'll take a break so that that way everyone continues to be a part of the conversation. So notification and permission are two different things.

Do you want to add that in those cases where it's a very brief absence to use the restroom, it should be notification as opposed to permission?

I think that the way it's written, again, it was the same way it's always been in the code, and it's because the intent is that the mayor should provide permission to say, yes, you can go right now, or hold on one second, we're in the process of taking a vote, let's take a vote, and then you can go, and that's the reason that language of faith is there, but I leave it up to our city attorney.

Well, quick question on that, kind of a follow-up. The old version said, the first part, which is the first sentence, but it didn't include that if you leave, it would count as a non-excused absence. That's a big penalty.

Yeah, we did include that because there has been several instances where people have left, stormed off of a meeting because they haven't liked the way, the direction the meeting is going and that's not a reason to leave the meeting, so.

All right, I have an objection to that and I'm putting it on the record. Next one is, Page 25, section 2-75A. And this is in regards to calling for a division of the question. And correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Attorney, the division refers to when we're taking a role as a whole versus individually calling the vote, right?

So what item are you looking at again, I'm sorry?

It's 25, section 275, 2-75. What? A. Member actions, a member may speak on any item. And then the last part says, Call for the question, ask for a statement of the question, call for a division of the question.

That's to bifurcate, if we need to bifurcate an item. OK, so it's not the individual. It's just if you need to bifurcate an item.

OK, because division under Robert's rules is something different. Like when you call for a division, it means that when you are taking a vote as a whole and you don't think it was unanimous, you get to.

Yeah, then you have to call individual roll call.

So that's not what it's referring to. Just want to confirm.

Yeah, it was like this in the... We just copied what was there previously.

I know, but the first one had also, like, issues. So that's why I think it's important to look at it.

Yeah, I mean, this is a... this is a procedure from Robert's rule. So to your question, I think now reading the entire section again, I think it does have to do with if there's a misunderstanding of a unanimous, if it's a roll call, obviously each person takes a vote. If we ask for a yay or nay, I mean, most of the time I think it's pretty clear, but if we need to have a question of who, I think the mayor can call a roll call if it's required.

Right, but for example, if the mayor decides that we're not going to call individual roll call, but I know I didn't agree, I mean, I want my vote on the record as no. So, I mean, I think there should be, I don't think that the, you know, the mayor should have the ultimate decision on that. I think that individually, if we feel that our vote was not heard properly or misinterpreted, we should be able to object to it.

I have no problem with that. Again, this was copied from the other section. I don't think there's ever, there's no intention of foreseeing a vote that wasn't taken. I think in the purposes of when we take a vote as a body, most of the time I'll read back into the record that the vote was unanimous. And if someone has an objection to that, they can absolutely say they have an objection to it.

Yeah, and I think the safest way to have that happen is to have it in writing. So can we eliminate that part or rewrite it, however, with that intent?

Okay. Then the same section C, is C referring to lay down items? This one, I'm not sure I understand well. Consideration action by the City Council. The City Council may consider and act upon such other business as may come before it, and when new business is offered as a motion and seconded, it shall be written and read into the City Council. by the city clerk before the date.

Yeah, you still need a majority. You still have to follow the charter. You need a super majority to be able to lay down an item. But this is in here for the purposes of if something like that is to come before us, you still do need the rules of procedure.

Okay, but with the understanding that you still need to follow the charter? Absolutely. Okay. Code would never supersede the charter. Okay, and then... JUST TWO MORE. PAGE 26, SAME SECTION 2-75 BUT H1, THE MOTION TO POSTPONE THE SAME AS DEFER, RIGHT? OR IS THERE A SEPARATE SECTION FOR DEFER, MOTION TO DEFER? ARE WE REFERRING TO THE SAME THING? PRETTY MUCH REFERRING TO THE SAME THING. Okay, and then the last question that I have is for the sponsorship. And I really don't recall what the old one said, but on section, let's see, page 29, on two, actually just in general, is, so when we talk about

There's just for special we took out the all I mentioned of events through this sponsorship program because it conflicts with our council initiated events policy It's a it would be circum circumventing that policy to leave it in here so really the purpose of our council sponsorships for nonprofits through this policy or through this code is for the purposes of supporting local NGOs and nonprofits that are doing a benefit to the community and you can be listed as their sponsor at through that program that they're offering or on their website but we wanted to to have clarity that this is not in

Okay, so just for clarification, because this one says the sponsorship funds shall not be used for those events that require a special event permit.

That was in there from the first initiated policy. We always had it in there that you could not use this funds to pay for special event permitting.

Okay. Any other comments or questions? Yes, I do.

On page 22, the 273 on the 10, the number 10, about the permission. I mean, I understand if you might not have quorum and the person had to stand up because either they have to pick up a phone call or they have to go to the bathroom. and resulted in a not excuse. So what, you're going to request a vote at that moment that the person needs to stand up and have to go to the bathroom or something? It's like today, I feel really bad. I send you an email so I can be excused for the rest of the afternoon. I didn't receive an answer or anything and I'm still here. So... I don't think that this is fai

Councilwoman, first, I haven't had a chance to look at my emails today. I've been in meetings all day. But you have four assistants.

I mean, where's your assistant that doesn't check your, she doesn't follow and check on the emails? Because mine does. That's part of being a legislator aide.

Yeah, I don't have four assistants. Everybody has a role to attend to the residents. The attorney did ask me earlier, and I did tell him, absolutely, that you could go home. We have excused your six sick absences. I'm sorry, you've missed the last two meetings.

One of them. The other one, unfortunately, I didn't have the time to send that. And then the one before, I was denied.

You don't need to answer to me, Councilman. You answered to the residents of Doral.

Exactly. And they know exactly how I work and my dedication to the city. In seven years that I've been here, you can count. Three times that I haven't been able to be here. That's it in seven years. But if we go and count by yours, for example, the years that you were a councilwoman. I mean, it's a huge list and I can share that. But, you know, the thing is that I don't think that this is fair that you have to. have a non-excused absence for someone even though you will have quorum. I really think that this has to be revised and taken into consideration. If it is something that will limit to m

And I think everybody can govern themselves accordingly. We appreciate your opinion and comments. If you have no other ones, we can move on. Otherwise, we'll...

There are many other things that right now don't feel good to go over that I really think that they should be taking consideration. Anyway, my vote is gonna be no for this. Okay, thank you very much for your time and consideration.

We appreciate you being here. Is there any other comments or questions? Motion to approve by Council Member Pinedo. Second. Second by Council Member Reynoso. No other comments, madam clerk, please call the roll.

Yes. Councilwoman Cabral. It was going to be approved without not even taking consideration. This is the number 10. I understand. So my vote is no.

Yes. Motion passes. All right. Thank you very much. We'll move on to the next item.

You're excused if you would like, Councilwoman Cabral.

I already requested, so staying here until what, three items that we have left? It's not worth it.

Okay, thank you very much. We're going to go ahead and open public comments. Public comments is now open on item 25-6056. Anyone would like to speak on this item and this item alone, please approach the podium. Being none, public comments is now closed, and we need a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Reynoso.

All right, I'm opening up public comments for this item. Public comments is now open for item 25-6060. Anyone would like to speak on this item, please approach the podium. Being none, public comments is now closed on item 25-6060. And if there's any comments, otherwise I need a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. If there's any comments or questions, I believe there's no changes from first to second reading.

Okay, we're opening up public comments for item 25-6052. Anyone would like to speak on this item, please approach the podium. Being none, public comments now closed. Anyone would like to speak? That would be your time. Otherwise, I need a motion to approve. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso.

All right. Thank you very much. We have a motion to adjourn by Councilman Pinedo. Motion. Second by Councilman Pinedo. So all in favor say aye. All right. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you for joining us. We'll see you next month.