City Council - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our November council meeting. Today is Wednesday, November 12th. The time is now 1010 a.m. And I hereby call this meeting to order. Please remember to silence your phones. And if you must take a call, we kindly ask you to step outside and let's maintain a respectful atmosphere. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Pinedo. Okay, before we proceed, I would like to ask for a moment of silence this morning as we remember the passing of the Kendall District Deputy Devin Jaramillo from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Thank you for joining us and honoring his memory today. And now we will go into our invocation, which will be presented today by Rabbi Abraham Brashevisky. Nice to meet you. I mean, nice to see you.

Thank you, Rabbi. Great to see you always. All right. We will now go into our agenda order of business. We'll start with our city manager.

Okay. All right. Mr. City Attorney, anything for you?

Thank you. Okay. Vice Mayor Cabral? No. All right. Councilman Reynoso? No, Mayor. Thank you. All right, Councilwoman Boras? No, none for me. Okay, Adam City Clerk, something for you?

Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and move item 6N for discussion. 6N as in Nancy, that'll be taken up after 9F. And I'm going to ask to please defer item 6Q.

Okay. Okay? No problem. All right. If there's nothing else, we will go into public comments.

We will now open the floor for public comments. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak and address this council on any item that is on the agenda or germane to the city of Doral. Please begin by stating your name and address for the record and ensure you are registered with the city clerk before or after you speak. We will first hear from those who are preregistered, followed by any walk-in speakers. Once you have spoken, I will allow any final speakers who would like to speak. speak before we close public comments. As a reminder, in accordance with the city code of conduct, we ask that

Would anybody else like to speak during public comments? This is your reasonable opportunity. Public comments going once, twice. All right, we're now closing public comments, and I need a motion on the consent agenda. Madam Clerk, would you please read the items that were pulled?

Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. All in favor say aye.

Aye. Let the record reflect that the agenda has passed, the consent agenda has passed unanimously. All right, I need a motion on the minutes. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. All in favor say aye. Aye. All right, the minutes have passed unanimously and we'll now move into presentations. Item 8A, Keep Draw Beautiful Business Award.

Congratulations. Would you like to say something?

Long-lasting establishment in our city. Exactly. Thank you very much. Would you come up for a photo?

Thank you. OK, before we proceed, I just want to ask very quick if we could take a 10-minute recess. The members of the PBA are here. We just passed our contract. So we want to take a quick photo op with counsel. And then we're going to do a quick photo op for signing the contract in the office. And we'll be right back. Is that OK with everybody? Can we do a 10-minute recess, take a picture? Yes? OK, we'll be right back. We proceed into our discussion items of the PPA representatives. Mr. Stedman-Stahl would like to make a couple comments.

Thank you, Stephanie. I just want to very quickly, on behalf of our council, also thank you guys for the work that you do. Thank you for representing our officers. We do have great leadership in the department. I think the chief and his entire team do a wonderful job. And I think that that unanimous vote speaks to that. So I wish we could take all the credit. We can't. It's all them. We're here to support them, make sure they have the resources they need. So God bless you guys. Thank you very much. And we have a contract. Thank you. Bye, guys. Thanks for being here.

All right, this is my item. This is not a new item to most of you. You've seen this before. We have done this now a couple years. Last year, we actually ended up just doing a one-day ceremony to kick off what we wanted to be a bigger event. This year, we're moving it to spring so that it doesn't conflict with our holiday events, because it always used to be in December. So Ruben is here, who has been, is one of the the founders of the organization that does the Flower Festival, along with his wife, Yola. And it's been a great success every year. There's a lot of excitement around it. Now that

Thank you, Rueng, very much for coming and speaking today. I am going to do the proclamation for the week, so we're excited to do that as we get set. Everything is attached to the item on our support, which will be the use of the Cultural Arts Center. And then, yes, we will definitely be doing promotion and working with you and your team to make sure that it's a successful event once again. You guys do a great job of attracting people, though. It's a very well-attended event.

I'm so proud that we're able to bring this up again, another year celebrating flowers and community. And I think both you and your wife and the people that help you do such an amazing job. And I think it could be almost a signature event that we have in Doral. Like the mayor said, a lot of the flower business comes through Doral. And I think it's just exemplifying the type of businesses and the community events that we have. So thank you for bringing this.

Thank you. All right. If there's no other discussion, I need a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo, seconded by Councilman Maranoso. Madam Clerk, if there's no additional questions, please call the roll.

Yes. Mayor Fraga? Yes. Motion passes. All right. Thank you very much. We look forward to it.

Okay, my esteemed colleagues, this is after our... workshop on the legislative priorities. We put this item together to be able to transmit an official record to the state through our lobbyists regarding our legislative priorities and so that we can all speak on these issues together. I think it's important and behooves our city to have a positive outcome on hopefully all of these. There's no other additional questions.

We just need a motion to approve so we can go ahead and transmit. Motion. Motion to approve by Councilman Reynoso.

Thank you, Mayor. And just to share with my colleagues, in an ongoing effort to promote digital inclusion and improve technological literacy among seniors population in the city of Doral, which I think we have been doing very proactive about it, I'm seeking your support to launch a pilot program entitled Doral Seniors IT Academy. This program is inspired by the resounding success that we already have it during the community following the city's first ever senior cybersecurity seminar, which was hosted by the IT department, Doral Police Department, and the Silver Club. And by launching the Dora

Thank you, Councilman Pinedo. Any comments? Madam City Manager?

Any questions? Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. If there's no additional questions. Second. Second by Councilwoman Porras. All right. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Thank you, Mayor. This is an item to requesting the use of the logo for the second annual Miss Teen Doral. The organizers are not here, but I've been working very closely with them. So if you have any questions, you can let me know. As most of you know, last year we held the first Miss Teen Doral here in the city. And it's a pageant that received approval from the city last year for the use of the logo, among other things. And the pageant really focused on showcasing young women who are talented, motivated, and represent the women of today. And so they would like to do the second annual. And a

So it's only the use of the logo this year.

Yeah. Okay. Any questions? All right. We need a motion. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor, sorry, Cabral. Second. Second by Councilwoman Porras.

Can I just clarify? So we're including Ms. Tienderell and Ms. Durrell, right? The logo for the two. It's the same organization. Yeah. OK.

The only comment I would have is that there's been a lot of discussions, and I actually met someone recently that said that they had the franchise rights to the Miss America, Miss Teen. They're working with them. And they were saying that people were paying to participate in it. So the only thing would be is that if we get a complaint or someone files a letter or something, that we would have the opportunity to pull it. if there is a dispute amongst people who have. But I'm not involved, so I wouldn't know. Otherwise, I have no problem with them using the logo, as long as they're in compliance

And that person is working with them. So yeah.

This is Public Works, City Manager's Office, and I believe Councilman Reynoso.

Okay, perfect. Thank you, Carlos. Any other comments from the city manager's office?

Thank you, Mr. Arroyo, for your presentation. So this idea, just to reiterate the thought, came from feedback that I received from the community. And I'm very pleased with the outcome to be able to offer the resources when needed When there's a complaint, a concern, a question from one of our residents. Again, as council members, the number one job that we have is to keep our ears out in the street, listen to residents' concern, and address them. And I feel that that has been done to have a service that is for the betterment of a community and hearing the concerns and answering them from our r

Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other comments, Mr. Arroyo? No? All right. OK, so I don't think there's any direction needed, or do you need any official action?

Perfect. Okay, great. Thank you very much. Thank you for bringing that forward.

All right. I believe that exhausts our discussion items, and we are going to go back to the item that was pulled from the consent agenda, which is item 6N.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. So I went ahead and pulled this item. I did some research. I had followed this only because, if you may recall, there was a bid protest, and the manager informed us of that the first time around. And it came to my attention that there was a discrepancy in the bid. And the recommended award was going to SFM, which had changed their original bid after the bid protest to the tune of almost $200,000 less. The company that protested originally would have been awarded the bid as the lowest bidder. They were disqualified the first time around on what they thought wa

OK, there's a motion by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilman Reynoso. Is there any questions as to the purpose? OK, being none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Yes, or any issues with service. Okay, negotiations or issues with services.

Thank you. Any other items, Madam Clerk? No, mayor's report. OK, we'll go into the mayor's report. All right, so I just wanted to remind everyone that on November 21 is our tree lighting ceremony. We did move it up before Thanksgiving this year, so we hope that you will join us. It'll be a beautiful event. On November 22 is our holiday bazaar. I also wanted to quickly just recap and thank everybody who was part of our first golf tournament and gala for PP4K. We raised over $355,000. for the first time for this organization that has never been done. So we look forward to being able to get a lot

All right. Thank you very much. I believe City Clerk's report is attached.

It's attached. All right. I think that exhausts our morning agenda then. We need a recess until our afternoon. Motion to recess by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinero. All in favor say aye. All right, this meeting is recessed until the afternoon. Please remember, we have a very long protocol hour, so please be on time.

Okay. Good evening, everyone. We are resuming our November regular scheduled council meeting. The time is now 6.18 p.m. Please remember to silence your phones. If you must take a call, please kindly ask that you step outside and respect our council meeting time.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Reynosa.

Do we have anything for the agenda order of business in the evening?

All right, we'll go ahead and open up public comments. The public comments portion of this meeting is now open. If you would like to speak on anything on this agenda, please do so at this time. You have three minutes to speak. You can approach the podium, state your name and address for the record. Make sure to pre-register with the clerk, or you can also register after. If you're not pre-registered to speak, Come up anyway and state your comments. I have no pre-registered speakers at this time. If anyone would like to speak regardless, please approach the podium.

Can you put your name on the record again, please?

We're actually restricting it, not allowing it.

Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Thank you. Any additional comments?

Being none, we'll go ahead and close public comments at this time, and we'll go ahead and move into our items. Madam Clerk. Madam Mayor, would you like to take up item 9E now from the morning?

I will read it into the record. Yes, thank you. Yes, Mayor.

All right. Questions? I have some. I figured.

So if we can go back to the proposed Route 1B, I believe that this is the route that connects Legacy to Central, correct? Correct. So I have a concern about where the hub for Central is. Did we explore at all with the moving of Doral Central Park's main entrance to 92nd?

I just think that with what we're planning with the garage and the retail and all that, that hub should be discussed or planned for either 92nd or 33rd. Understanding the 87th is a major throwaway, but I think that you can still have a stop, but I think a hub And more so, I think the people that are going to use that route and the purpose of that route being so utilized is because we're going to see a lot of our older population and the students using the connection between the two parks is extremely important. I think that it merits to discuss it being closer to the entrance, the main entranc

And what is the headway between Legacy and Central? How many stops is there in between?

Yeah, like how much time between them getting to, I mean, assuming there's no traffic.

It's just as we move forward and adopt a plan, I want to make sure that we're adopting a plan that's meeting the needs of the current request. I mean, I know you guys did a lot of community outreach and workshops and stuff, but sometimes things in theory are not as practical when they're put into practice. And so that's always my concern. So I definitely want to make sure we kind of look at those things. I would like to have those numbers before an adoption of understanding maybe some of the... Reduced headway, hopefully, it creates by splitting that route. I also didn't see here anything. Oh,

We discussed this. We discussed that at the workshop. Right. Right. OK. So obviously, this is a very ambitious plan. It requires a lot of capital. Because even though we have 23 vehicles, they're not on service at the same time. Go ahead, Rita.

Now, what the required or suggested proposed vehicles here is with a 15 to 20 minute headway at 33 is not that all 33 would be in service at the same time either. How many do you need in service to meet that?

On service at all times. On service, yes.

OK. Do we have, so I didn't see the numbers here. I'm sure you have it within your studies. The number of ridership, because I know what we're talking about, the new trolleys. I personally like the nostalgic look of the other trolleys. It gives it that small town feel. However, I do. know we have to modernize a bit. I always envisioned as we expanded our routes for them to be more direct, more frequent, connecting shorter distances, that we could look at smaller buses. Not replace particularly our trolleys, leave those for, for example, the FIU route. Some of the more, the routes that cover a

No, we also, even though we have 23 on fleet, we have probably... six, five to six that we need to retire. Completely. That just are, I think we have one from like 2009. Yeah. Yeah. So this is, yeah.

I think we need to have a bigger discussion about how we're going to continue to manage our fleet and purchase the capital. And I know that that's a discussion I've had with the manager, and you guys are studying and looking at right now at the feasibility of what that means for us. So I'm going to reserve my comments for a discussion in-house before we take this to having a discussion fully about it, because I think that there needs to be a lot more information. And I think it behooves us to have the discussion because if we want to provide the service that we anticipate and that our resident

Yeah, there's some other areas there that I don't know that we have that right-of-way.

I don't hate the new models, but I'm nostalgic when it comes to the trolleys.

I was just going to ask about the gas and the saving. Is there any maintenance and operational savings with the gas?

And this enhanced plan has two routes that lead into the metro rail now, right? We only have one right now?

And in Route 5, can we go to the new Route 5? Did we really see a need to create a direct, yeah?

Yeah. OK. All right. You're not expecting us to adopt this today, right?

I'll tell you, I'm not comfortable adopting the plan today without having a discussion about the future of our fleet, personally.

Yeah. And it's not my purpose or I'm not asking for this to be put on a shelf and not brought back out in a year where it's outdated. Definitely not. I think that we do need to move forward. But I think by adopting it, we're sending a message of implementation. And it's unrealistic if we don't have a plan for the capital and if we don't have a plan for how we're going to manage. the dated fleet we have. So what I'd like is, if we have the support, is maybe to come back in the next 90 days. I think 180 days is too much. But I think we have holidays. But I think maybe by February, if we can come

OK, yes, Councilman Reynoso and then Councilman Pinero.

OK, thank you. So first of all, obviously these routes benefit the most needy residents. or residents that are looking to afford living here, cutting on cost of transportation, whatever the name may be. Our elderly population, our younger population. So the realization of this study is very disappointing to me. And repeating, it's to no one's fault, but I think we need to align ourselves, like the mayor is saying, for a more realistic approach to getting this done. Because right now, my calculations are, The efficiency rate that we have in our transit system is about a 50, 40%, which is bad. A

Okay. So essentially, even if we were to adopt this plan today, we wouldn't see it coming online for about another two years. And I think that transparency and that clarification to our residents needs to be said and needs to be broadcasted to them. So I like the proposed routes. I think they're going to be a benefit. I agree with coming back in about 90 days or so with a more concrete plan on how to get this going because we're still going to deliver this to our residents in about two years. And in two years, a lot of things can change. So I would like also to have a campaign kind of build in

Well, technically, it doesn't take that long to implement. Between the approvals at the county and stuff, we can be implemented in six months, probably less. The difference is we implement without the amount of vehicles. You're going to have 30 to 40 minute headways in between, and then you're going to have people that are not necessarily happy. The other thing that we could look at The other thing that we could possibly look at is in the ridership, and I would have to break down the numbers more than what we saw here today, is that if we can shift, and I know we do this now, right? We have mo

But they still don't pay for the route. So it's still not going to provide me the funding to be able to make the purchases. So I get what you're saying, but it's a free route. I hear you, and I agree. I would want to implement the split of Route 1 tomorrow because I know it's going to address some of our bigger issues, like connecting Legacy Park to Doral Central Park, which is an issue for our seniors right now. So I hear you 100%. I'm with you on it, which is why I say I don't want this to be put on a shelf and not implemented. My goal is to get this done in the next three months. but we nee

Yes, limited, but it just takes a long time to produce these vehicles. Of course. Yes, I got it. Okay, Councilman Pinedo?

Thank you, Mayor. I also want to, well, first of all, I want to thank you because the fact that you mentioned about the leasing versus the capital, I think is the right way or the route to go. And I also want to thank you because you guys have been working on this for months, and I know it's a lot of work, especially for our public works department, which, by the way, I don't want to kind of blame everything on you guys because I think the blame comes to us. as elected officials and the administration, not only now, but previous administrations as well. Because when we talk about the derailed

Thank you, Councilman. Okay, any other comments?

Yes, Councilwoman Porras. I have a quick question. So are we proposing to defer the item and come back after a longer conversation? I don't think we're going to defer it.

I think we allow the administration, give them direction to come back in, I guess, February with a full plan, also the proposal for how we're going to manage the fleet, because we do have a lot of vehicles we need to retire, so...

Are we including, like, the leasing option as well?

That's what we're looking at doing, is coming back with an option for O&M and everything we need to do to manage a fee.

Yeah, because I know I've asked you guys about, you know, the pros of leasing versus purchasing, because I know a lot of cities lease. So I would also like to see the leasing options, too. Yeah, that's what we're looking at.

One more comment. Yep, any more comments? I do, Mayor.

Yes, go ahead. I just want to thank staff. The study is excellent. I think it was super easy to understand, and staff are always doing an amazing job. I know that this is a job that you take pride in doing, and you can tell by the quality of work that you produce as a department. So I don't want to end the discussion on this item without letting you know wholeheartedly how much I do appreciate you, and I know that our residents do as well. So thank you.

All right. I don't think we need a motion. I think there's enough direction to come back with a full discussion on this, and we'll work on that. So thank you guys also.

And thank you to the consultants. I did participate in many of the workshops. You guys did a great job in listening to everybody, all of you. The department, everybody did a great job. So we're going to move forward sooner than you think. Thank you. All right. We'll move into the first reading items.

All right. I'm going to go ahead and open up the public comments for this item. Public comments is now open for first reading of 19A25-6400. Anyone who would like to speak, please approach the podium.

Being none, public comments now close, and I believe we will hear from the Planning and Zoning Department. Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second. Second by Vice Mayor Cabral. No additional questions. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN It's item 19B. Being none, public comments now close, and we will turn it over to Public Works. Hi, Rita.

No, I checked the ordinance. Anybody have any questions? It's just implementing the additional parking passes and the permits and stuff. Any questions? Motion. Okay. Motion to approve by Councilman Reynoso. Second. Second by Vice Mayor Cabral. There's no additional questions. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Pinero? Yes. Councilman Porras? Yes. Mayor Fraga? Yes. Motion passes. All right. Thank you very much, guys, for implementing that.

All right, I'm going to go ahead and open up the public comments. Public comments is now open Friday, 19C or 25-6413. Anyone who would like to speak, please approach the podium. All right, being then, public comments is now closed, and we'll go ahead and hear from this Councilwoman Reynoso's office, I believe, with planning as well.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. So this ordinance would create local rules for Cava and Kratom, nobody really knows how to say this, establishments in Doral. As these businesses have grown statewide, so have the concerns for health and safety and the accessibility to our youth. State law limits those sales to 21 and over, but it doesn't address where these establishments can operate. This ordinance adds responsible distance requirements for schools, parks, playgrounds, and places of worship, and prevents the clustering of other similar regulations such as alcohol. The goal is to protect public health,

Any comments or questions? Yes, Councilman Pinedo.

No, thank you, Mayor. I just want to say thank you, Councilwoman Reynoso, for bringing this forward. I think this is great. And it's certainly needed in order to keep our quality of life and protecting our families and children. So I place a motion to approve.

Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilman Reynoso. Any additional questions? I just had a comment also. I think this is great and similar to what we did with the tobacco shops. I think it's important to limit. So great job. All right.

Open up public comments for Item 19D, also known as 25-6415. Anyone who would like to speak on this item, please approach the podium.

BEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENTS IS NOW CLOSED AND WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMAN PINERO. THIS IS YOUR ITEM.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. DURING THE OCTOBER 2025 COUNCIL MEETING, The city became the first municipality in Miami-Dade County to pass legislation regulating the use of micromobility devices on cities' right of way. Subsequent to the legislation passage, the city held a regional micromobility conference workshop with local municipalities. And I want to thank Mayor Fraga, Councilwoman Reynoso, our city attorney, Lorenzo Cubiela, our city manager in the state of Sardinia, and our chief of police, Edwin Lopez, for being present, among other elected officials from different municipalities that came to the

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMAN. ANY QUESTIONS? MOTION. MOTION IS APPROVED BY COUNCILWOMAN REYNOSO. SECOND. SECOND BY VICE MAYOR CABRA. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. IS THERE A FEED FOR THE REGISTRATION? NO ADDITION. All right, Madam Clerk, let's call the roll.

All right, thank you very much. Move on to the next item.

All right, I'm going to go ahead and open up public comments. Public comments is now open for item 19E or 25-6279. Anyone who would like to speak on this item, please approach the podium. OK, being none, public comments is now closed. And we'll hear from Roman, our procurement division.

Can you just explain the purpose of having three quotes

Does this make it easier or harder, more restrictive, more lenient for the city manager to expend under the threshold?

So this basically creates more transparency, more guardrails, makes it a little stricter to make sure that we're not just going with any vendor, but we're providing three quotes to make sure that it's market rate. Okay. And then the reason for moving from $1,000 to $10,000 for the bid protest, you explained it to me. I just want it for the sake of the public to understand why we are increasing that rate.

Right. So right now it's $1,000 for any size contract, to my understanding. Now it'll be based on a percentage, which is the 1%. Or less.

All right. Any other questions? I have a quick question. Yes.

So the bond that they, it's a bond, right, that they post? Or is it, they're just paying? Okay. So they wouldn't get it back if they win or lose the protest?

Okay. Any other questions? Motion. Okay. Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

All right. I'm going to go ahead and open up public comments for this item, item 19G-2, I'm sorry, or item 25-6369.

Anyone who would like to speak, please approach the podium. Being none. Public comments now closed. This is the second reading for the use of the seal and the logo that we enhanced to make sure that it was being followed and that nobody was misleading the public in a disparaging manner as to their personal or political opinion versus their position as an official representative of the city. Also for the use of the seal or the logo by any member of the public. There's no additional questions. I don't believe there was any material changes from first to second reading.

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

I think the seal. So most of our state representatives have a seal in their offices that have been gifted to them as a representation of the cities they represent. So I believe what the election supervisor is trying to do is no different. She's putting up a wall of all the cities that they represent.

OK. Yep. All right. We have exhausted this meeting. And there's nothing else. And we can adjourn the meeting.

Motion. Yes. Vice President Cabral has a question. May I ask for a point of personal privilege? Sure.

I would like to take this opportunity that today will be the last council meeting before you go to maternity leave to our councilwoman, Maureen Porras. This is a personal gift to you with no tax dollar there. Just putting that on the record. I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for our community, and I wish you the best during this time that you're going to be with your baby, to your husband, and to your loved ones, and to the bundle of joy of Lily. And God bless you for everything that you do, and I hope that you enjoy my little gift.

Thank you so much, Vice Mayor. Honestly, it's been such a privilege to work with you and all of you. I'm very looking forward to this new stage in our lives. And we're truly blessed and excited. And I'll be back a changed person. And thank you all for, you know, everyone has been giving me and wishing me well. And so, you know, I want to thank you all for that as well. So thank you. And, you know, I'll be back. Great friend. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Congratulations. We look forward to you having a safe delivery. And yes, a baby definitely softens your heart, makes you a different person. So God bless. Maybe she'll be healthy. And may you guys enjoy it. All right. I need a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Councilman Pinero. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. All in favor say aye. Aye. This meeting is adjourned. We'll see you all December 10th, I believe. Yes.