City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the regular council meeting. Today is March 19, 2026. Call to order at 631. Can we please rise for the invocation led by Councilman Arcee and the Pledge of Allegiance.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you have sent our way. We ask you to protect all our soldiers and police officers and give us wisdom during this meeting. Amen.

Amen. I pledge 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, okay. All right. Madam Clerk, can we have a roll call, please? We'll do.

Councilman Orson.

Here.

Councilman Fernandez.

Here.

Councilman Turner.

Here.

Councilman Cuadra. Present. Mayor Nino.

Present.

All right. Spring break. On to meeting notices. Nothing to report. Presentations, nothing to report. Citizens' comments. Do we have any citizens' comments? We can move on right along. Announcements of amendments directed to the agenda, nothing to report. Approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting held February 26th. So moved. We have a motion on the floor by Councilman Narcy. Do we have a second? We have a second by Councilman Turr. Any other discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. On to Mayor's report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Council President. So the only thing I have right now to report on is the Central Granger Improvement Project. I know Laz and Ken met with the company, with Metro, on Monday. Was it Monday? Was it this past? Yeah, this Monday, starting Thursday. We're on track. They already submitted their shot drawings for structures. We're looking at the first week of May to get started, give or take. If the FP&L is still in the area, they may hold up a little bit longer, but the drainage portion should start the first week of May, and then we go from there. That's all I have, unless anybody has any questions. And the FP&L projects moving along? So we met with FP&L today, too, by chance. He happened to be in the area. And we sat down for probably about 15, 20 minutes with the representative. How many phases, 15 projects? 15.

Like what?

Something like that, in the village. So right now, they're concentrating on the central portion, 64th to 59th Avenue. They broke it in three phases, 59th to 57th Avenue. 59th to 64th, and then 65th to 67th. So some of the projects will be, well, the one they're already working on now, you expect them to be completely done with all the boring by next week, next week. And then they're already going back, putting manholes in and splicing. You see the pipes sticking by the ground? They're splicing everything together now, and then they'll start bringing in transformers and running all the conduit to the meter channels. Where did transformers go? Well, apparently not in your yard because you don't know, so I guess that's a good thing. Well, no, I think in the front of people's yards.

Okay. Yeah. First I told me to sign something that I've had.

Then you might be getting a transformer. Disregard. Disregard. So if you drive by, there's squares. There's four stakes and there's squares.

Every house has normal stakes, which is where the property line is, and then you'll see one house that has...

They already found somebody else. So each transformer will feed, I think, four homes or six homes or something. How many? Three, maybe four. Three, maybe four. So one person may say no. They go to the next one. They finally get one. So they've found enough right now, at least for that portion. But there are projects they're going to be releasing. He said he'll get with us next week or a week after to go over the entire project. So within three months, they should be completed with this entire central portion. And then they'll start working on the other side, east and the west, which is kind of strange to start in the middle. But it worked out better for us for our project coming up. It worked out better.

Anything else? On to administrative items and beautification. Hector is not here, but the minutes for the month of March 2026 have been submitted. Does anybody have any questions?

Did he say he submitted or Teresa to USA? He was working on it. So do me a favor, Macbeth. Next time you speak to Hector and see him, have him come in quarterly to review that stuff. He waits until the end of the year and he's going crazy on a Sunday or Saturday. He's sending me messages and Send me messages. He needs to be here quarterly. That way he's not looking for a whole year full of stuff. Exactly. And if he has questions, like Laz will be here. The chief will be here. Whoever signed off the work order, they can explain where the trees are. Another option is does whoever gets the initial work order, that gets emailed to someone, right? No. They turn them in. They actually physically turn them in. So we have a book.

And work again?

Any emails? No. Okay. It goes into a file. The file he pulled off. So if he came here every quarter, every two or three months, he's not having to go through a whole year for this stuff. Of course. It makes sense.

And if there's an issue, address it there so it doesn't keep going.

Oh, back nine months ago, eight, ten months ago.

I mean, come on.

I mean, it's kind of ridiculous.

All right. On to planning and zoning. We have a wonderful guest here from planning and zoning. Thank you so much.

Last Thursday we had our planning and zoning meeting and we were presented with a site plan for new construction at 3809 Northwest 60th Avenue. The owner is Rayson Morales-Monroy. It has no variances. They did get a variance from the county for the septic tank. They had to get an approval because it's not exactly the right size. and the county did approve it. So other than that, there's no variances right now. If they change the site plan or do anything, they'll have to come back to DT to decide what they're going to do. But other than that, it's a beautiful looking home by the pictures.

I know there was one question about the easement on the east side.

Oh, okay, perfect. The easements are supposed to be all okay, because we asked about that.

Yeah, and labs actually call for utility locations on the east side. There is no utilities on the east side, so we're good there.

Would you say that's the biggest house we have in Virginia? I didn't say that, but... No, I said we do.

Oh, it's not. It's one of the biggest, yes. The pictures are beautiful. It's the access to that area, for sure. That's... That's going to be a nice, nice home. Swimming pool, cabana, lots of nice things, yeah.

That's probably the last vacant lot we have in Virginia Garden since I was a kid growing up. We used to ride our bikes across there.

I think he said he got chased by the cops through there.

There used to be a hill there, right, where you went across to keep the cars from cutting across?

I don't know about hills. Yeah, but that's it, and we asked a lot of questions, but it all seems pretty good.

And normally, we would not come in front of Planning and Zoning or to Council if there's no variances needed. Maybe that's something we need to look at in the future, which we won't have any more vacant lots, but whenever you have a brand-new building or a brand-new house, our code requires you go to a site plan approval. So maybe that's something we need to look at. Especially if it doesn't require any variances.

Okay, so we have a motion to approve the new single-family home at Northwest 38th Street and 60th Avenue.

Actually, not at this moment. That's the report from the chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee. We got the item coming up.

Okay. So then let's go on to public safety. The statistics for the month of February 2026 has been submitted. Mr. The one and only Chief Nandy Fernandez. Chief Ferry Council. Nandy Perrier-Fernandez. Good afternoon.

Perrier-Fernandez.

Thank you, Nandy. We appreciate you bringing George's well-chilled Perrier water. Thank you. See?

George, you got to hide.

They're not going to let go of that one.

No, I know. They're not going to let go. That's all right. That's all right. No problem. We have a new employee that we're trying to hire as a part-time police officer. Actually, it's going to be his first go-around. And his name is Daniel... Liberato. We're not going to put, don't put the information. I didn't put it down.

All right.

Go ahead. Okay. There were some things I forgot to omit.

Normally before they come or the chief comes up from the council, the background check's already been done. Our detective already went out and vetted the employee, future employee, and now it comes up from the council.

So he's working currently for the College of Florida Keys?

Say that again?

Well he's not working as a police officer, he just got certified so he's coming in brand new.

Yes.

So he's gonna come in as a part-time and he's gonna go through his FTO and learn all the basics and learn the area so he's gonna be a new employee.

Okay. As a part-time. Start somewhere.

Yep.

And I was going to introduce you to the new full-timer, but I think he took off on me.

But as soon as he comes back in, I'll introduce you to a new full-timer that you probably met already. His name is Morales.

Where did he get cold feet? I don't know where he went.

I told him to hang out here, but he took off on me.

That's it.

He's not listening very well, is he?

For a new employee. That's it. Probation.

No, he's a good kid, and I know you guys have met him, and he's...

I'm too nervous.

No, I don't know. He just took off on me. I don't know if he had a car or not.

I blame the chief.

All right. Do we have a motion on the floor to approve the new employee, Mr. Liberato?

So moved.

We have a motion on the floor by Councilman Arcee. Do we have a second?

Yes, we do.

We have a second by Councilman Tur. Any other discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes to approve Mr. Liberato.

He's coming now? All right, go ahead and I'll just bring him up as soon as he comes in. But this is the one that we have here or is it the other one?

No, this one. Got it. We'll go ahead and move on.

All right, public works, nothing to report? Oh, public works?

Oh, nothing to report, but if you have any questions besides what the mayor was saying about FPL and Metro Express.

How was the meeting with Metro?

It was good. We went out to the field, especially 63rd Court. It went great. It went good. They're scoping the area. They want to be ready for May, beginning of May. Yeah, they've worked here in the past many, many years ago, It's a good company. We've worked with them in spring.

And the crew that's coming to do the drainage is they actually did the drainage on 64th and 38th Terrace, I want to say, or 38th Street by your house. Okay. So we know we have a good drainage crew coming in town, so that's good. Thank you so much. Do you know who the project manager is going to be? Who did you meet with?

Well, it was Angel.

That was the actual guy with the green.

Right, Angel and then... Did Tito come? What's that other guy's name? One that's going to actually do the... No, no Tito.

Okay. One thing I want to find out is who the project manager is. That way, if we have an issue or a question, who... Well, I got it.

I got it. I got direct contact with Metro Express. Okay. Okay. No, we're fine.

I didn't do anything wrong. I got it.

Okay, thank you.

Good job. Chief?

Council President, Mayor, staff, I would like to introduce you to the new full-time employee, Morales. Come on.

No, this is the other one.

No, the guy in the back is an old-timer.

Oh, okay, okay. Oh, that's it. Strike one.

Oh, I see. You got to know the right people.

Great, guys. Nice to meet you. Thank you for the opportunity.

I'm blessed to be here.

Thank you.

Thank you for joining us.

My name is Duro Morales. Hi, George. How are you? Thank you, guys, for the opportunity. Chief blessing of the opportunity, and I'm glad to be here with you guys. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Sacramento's hiding back there. I see him. Speech from Sacramento. No, he'll say, he's got a fight to catch, man.

On to resolution, recreation of the report and resolutions. We have Mr. Attorney.

Thank you, Mr. President. Item number one is a resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Virginia Gardens, Florida, approving the award recommendation for request for price quotations number 001-2026 for the Virginia Gardens Phase 2 Central Drainage Improvement Fiscal Year 2025-26 project. Awarding project number 2026-01, Virginia Gardens Phase 2 Drainage Improvements and Project 2026-02, Virginia Gardens Phase 2 Milling and Resurfaces to Metro Express Inc., authorizing the Village Mayor and Village Clerk to execute an agreement. and any other contract documents subject to final review of the former legal sufficiency by the village attorney authorizing the mayor to take all action necessary to implement the purposes of this resolution and providing for an effective date.

So we already approved the contractor last meeting. We needed a resolution to go along with their approval. So that's what this is about. We need a motion, right? We need a motion. Yes. Do we have a motion on the floor? Yes, we do.

Move. Do I move? Yes, you move. All right. We have a motion on the floor by Councilman Tura, and we have a second by Councilman Arcee. Any other discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed? Resolution G1 passes. On to resolution number two.

Thank you, Mr. President. Our resolution, the Village Council of the Village of Virginia Gardens, Florida, approving a site plan application from Brace Morales for property located at 3809 Northwest CXF Avenue, Virginia Gardens, Florida, 33166. to permit construction of a single-family residence, providing for conditions of approval and providing for an effective date. So moved.

We have a motion on the floor by Councilman Arcee.

Second.

We have a second by Councilman Turr. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed. Resolution G2 passes. On to attorney's report. We don't have anything to report, if I'm not mistaken.

Nothing to report, Mr. President.

Old business, nothing to report. New business, nothing to report. Do we have good and welfare?

Anybody? I changed my dates again. My flight to Michigan that I keep changing. You keep changing? I'm leaving in May. Okay. God. I'll be here next month.

We'll make sure to... Soon enough. We'll make sure to make the proper arrangements now that you're going to be here. Not soon enough. We're going to have to move a couple things.

No, I want to make sure he's got some... Oh, that he's stocked up on Perrier. Okay, got it. So we do have a special birthday in the house.

What, what? Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Marissa. Happy birthday to you. Yeah. Happy birthday.

Where are the candles at? Where are the candles? I saw some numbers on there today.

It would have been a fire hazard.

I saw a big 6'5 on there. I don't know. Yeah, I think it was that one. I didn't see it that way. I saw it the other way.

If you saw it the other way, it could be 95. No. 64.

Was that the cake Debbie requested? I don't know. Was that the cake Debbie requested?

Yeah.

Look, she's telling the chief what kind of cake to buy for your birthday, and she didn't want to show up because she wouldn't.

No, she knows the cake I'd like.

Oh. I know what?

Um. All right. Anything else for Good and Welfare? Do we have a motion on the floor to adjourn?

So moved.

We have a motion by Councilman Arcee. Do we have a second?

Second.

We have a second by Councilman Turr. Any other discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed? Meeting adjourns at 6.49.

That's probably the easiest meeting you guys can come to, right? Very much. Okay, time to film. Sorry. I got another text. I'm going to delete it. You're going to keep deleting it.

Can I leave for the airport? She's on a different flight.

okay but but but but but but but but but but but but