Agenda Digest: City Commission (09/13/2023)

Javier Baños

Baños is the Editor of Gables Insider

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the Coral Gables City Commission will hold its next City Commission meeting. Here is a rundown of the agenda for this upcoming meeting. Click here to see the full agenda.

Non-credited quotes in this article are excerpts from the memos presented to the Commission explaining the items.

Gables Insider comments on specific items can be found in blue.

The City will have two additional meetings on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. A Special Assessment Meeting to various City sponsored Taxing Districts set for 3:00 PM. Click here to see the full agenda. A second Budget Meeting set for 5:01 PM. Click here to see the full agenda.

Watch Meeting

To watch the meeting live on Wednesday, September 13, at 9:00AM, click here. The meeting will also be available live on the City’s YouTube Channel. You can watch it by clicking here.

Consent Agenda

• D.-1. 23-6304 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the University of Miami appointments of Niles Niseem Boyd (Student Government President), Justin Tulloch (Inter-Fraternity Council President), David Rivero (Public Safety Director), Maite Alvarez (Executive to the President) and Patricia Whitely (Vice President of Student Affairs) to serve as members of the City of Coral Gables/University of Miami Community Relations Committee, for remainder of the current term, which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
• D.-2. 23-6306 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointments of Cecilia Slesnick and Sharon Watson (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as members of the School Community Relations Committee, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1,2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
• D.-3. 23-6307 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Leticia Milian (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as a member of the Library Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31,2025.
• D.-4. 23-6324 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Thad Adams (Nominated by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce) to serve as a member of the Economic Development Board, for the remainder of a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
• D.-5. 23-6325 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Anabella Smith (Nominated by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce) to serve as a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board, for the remainder of a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.

Ordinances On Second Reading

E.-1. 23-5814 An Ordinance of the City Commission granting Conditional Use for a Building Site Determination approval to separate two (2) single-family building sites on the property zoned Single-Family Residential

An Application was submitted on behalf of Adrian Construction Group, LLLP for conditional use for a separation of a building site. The subject property consists of 2 individually platted lots, Lot 21 and Lot 22, at 631 Zamora Ave, that total approximately 11,300 square feet (0.26 acres). The Applicant seeks to build two single-family homes – one home on Lot 21 and the other home on Lot 22.

The Planning and Zoning Board at their July 12, 2023 meeting recommended approval with conditions
(vote: 5-0) of the separation of a building site. No changes were made since First Reading.

E.-2. 23-5978 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Ordinance No. 2014-05 to increase the maximum student enrollment from 140 to 195 students at the Margaux Early Childhood School at Temple Judea located at 5500 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida; all other conditions of approval contained in Ordinance No. 2014-05 shall remain in effect; providing for repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (07 12 23 PZB recommended approval, Vote 5-0)

“No changes have been made since First Reading.”

E.-3. 23-6188 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Section 1- “Creation, Composition, election, Terms, Vacancies, Qualifications” and Section 1.1 “Run-Off Election” of Article 1 “City Commission and Mayor” of the City Charter to change the date of the General Election from April 08, 2025 to November 05, 2024 and to change the date of all subsequent elections; providing for a four (4) month reduction of existing terms of office; moving the Run-Off Election to four (4) weeks after the General Election and moving the Swearing-In date to five (5) weeks after the General Election. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson) (Co-Sponsored by Mayor Lago)

No changes have been made since First Reading. Under the sponsorship of Vice Mayor Anderson and Mayor Lago, this proposed ordinance seeks to move all future City elections to coincide with partisan November congressional and presidential elections, moving the upcoming April 2025 election to November 2024, with a runoff election four weeks later, when applicable. “If the City Commission adopts this Ordinance as drafted, it would result in a shortening of the terms of each Commissioner and the Mayor. Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 will have terms shortened four months. Rather than ending terms in April of 2025, those officials’ terms would end in December of 2024. Subsequently, the Commissioners in Group 4 and 5 terms will end in December of 2026 rather than April of 2027. This item was adopted on first reading during the August 23, 2023 City Commission meeting.”

Ordinances On First Reading

E.-4. 23-5916 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the Chapter 82 Vegetation of the City Code in order to clarify tree protection provisions and associated code enforcement actions and fines. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)

“During the normal course of business, City staff identified inconsistent terms and language in the existing City’s “Tree Code”, specifically Chapter 82, and therefore is seeking to update the code to clarify any issues and improve the general process.” The body of the ordinance seeks to discourage the use of palm trees as part of the canopy in the City, specifically for replacement and mitigation purposes.

City Commission Items

F.-1. 23-6130 Discussion regarding the installation of the F.P. Journe clock in the city center. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-2. 23-6213 Discussion regarding protocol for honoring members of the City Commission who have passed. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)
F.-3. 23-6218 Discussion regarding sponsorship for the play “The Placemaker Poet”. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-4. 23-6219 Discussion regarding outdoor patio and alleyway business landscaping. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-5. 23-6245 Update regarding the Coral Gables Courthouse. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-6. 23-6303 Discussion reminding business owners on Ponce that the maintenance of landscaping in front and back of the property, including alleyways, are the business owner’s responsibility. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-7. 23-6308 Discussion considering the naming of a City Park after Sallye Jude and Mayor Dorothy Thomson. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-8. 23-6310 Discussion regarding assessed property values. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
F.-9. 23-6311 Discussion regarding number of properties in the City with assessed value over $ 1 million. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
F.-10. 23-6312 Discussion regarding acknowledgment of elected officials at events. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
F.-11. 23-6313 Discussion regarding memorandum on proposed change of date of municipal elections from April of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro) Link to the Letter from Commissioner Castro
F.-12. 23-6340 Discussion regarding Annexation. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)
F.-13. 23-6341 Discussion regarding Biltmore Way Streetscape. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)
F.-14. 23-6343 Discussion regarding the process of placing items on the Commission Agenda. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)
F.-15. 23-6342 Presentation regarding Waste Management Recycling Program. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)

F.-16. 23-6314 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the City to be a Silver Eagle Sponsor of the Coral Gables Preparatory Academy Centennial Gala. (Sponsored by Commissioner Menendez)

Proposed Resolution reads as follows: “That the City Commission does hereby approve a two thousand- and five-hundred-dollar ($2,500.00) donation for Coral Gables Preparatory Academy’s Centennial Gala. The Centennial Gala is being held at The Biltmore Hotel on Saturday, September 23, 2023, marking the 100-year anniversary of this City of Coral Gables landmark celebrating the school’s storied past”

F.-17. 23-6339 A Resolution of the City Commission creating a Charter Review Committee. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)

Proposed Language of Resolutions reads as follows:

“The City Commission hereby creates a Charter Review Committee to be composed of five (5) members. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioners will each appoint one member who must be a City resident. The Commission shall ratify its appointees to the Committee, at the October 10, 2023, regular City Commission meeting.
The Commission shall take input from residents on potential questions to be considered by the Committee after the appointment of the Committee members and prior to the first meeting of the Committee in the form of two (2) town hall meetings to be held no less than (30) days apart and the meetings cannot coincide with any religious or federal holidays.
The Commission will discuss resident input from the two (2) town hall meetings at the next regular City Commission meeting following the last town hall meeting, in order to provide guidance to the Committee on the questions it should consider.
The Commission will then hold a joint sunshine meeting with the Committee in order to provide the Committee with guidance on the questions it shall consider.”

Boards/Committees Items

G.-1. 23-6266 A Resolution of the City Commission approving artists to submit proposals for a commemorative public artwork aligned with the city’s centennial honoring Bahamian and Black residents; and authorize an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget to recognize the transfer of funds from the Art in Public Places Reserve and to appropriate such funds to put towards the cost of the proposal process and artwork.

“As the city nears its 100-year anniversary in 2025, the city seeks to commemorate the influence, contribution, and dedication to the city of Bahamian and Black residents through a work of public art.”

City Manager Items

H.-1. 23-6301 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the City Manager to execute a Certificate and Plan of Termination of 427 Biltmore Way Condominium on behalf of the City as Termination Trustee and as the Sole Unit Owner and the final Warranty Deed as Termination Trustee.

“The City as sole fee simple owner, desires to terminate the 427 Biltmore Way Condominium and approves of the Certificate and Plan of Termination and final Warranty Deed.”

H.-2. 23-6246 A Resolution of the City Commission with attachments, ratifying the Collective Bargaining
Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1210, for the period Of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2026.

“The City of Coral Gables (“City”) and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1210 (“IAFF”), have been negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement and have reached an agreement for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2026 (the “Agreement”). The IAFF has ratified the Agreement. Upon ratification of the Agreement by the City Commission, the Agreement will reflect the following material changes:
 Article 6 “Wages”
 Fiscal Year 2021 – 0%
 Fiscal Year 2022 – 2% increase (retroactive to October 11, 2021)
 Fiscal Year 2023 – 2% increase (retroactive to October 10, 2022)
 Fiscal Year 2024 – 3.5% increase
 Fiscal Year 2025 – 3.5% increase
 Fiscal Year 2026 – 3% increase
 A one-time pensionable lump sum wage payment equal to $550 for every year of service the
employee has completed as of September 30, 2023, up to a maximum of 10 years of service.
 Article 15 “Overtime”
 Increased off-duty rate for officers (lieutenants, captains and battalion chiefs) from $55 to $60 per hour.
 Updated article with language concerning the distribution of overtime and overtime lists.
 Article 48 “Substitution”
 Increased number of substitution hours to 720 hours.
 Article 50 “Air Technicians”
 Updated article on how an eligibility list is established.
 Article 53 “Medical Screening”
 City to cover the cost for a Life Scan Test for each firefighter during life of the collective bargaining agreement.

City Clerk Items

J.-1. 23-6330 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution No. 2023-305, and in Accordance with Section 2-30 of the City Code, entitled “Regular Meetings, Special Meetings” setting forth the revised Meeting Dates for 2023; more specifically, changing the previously scheduled Tuesday, December 5, 2023 City Commission Meeting to Wednesday, December 6, 2023