Javier Baños
Baños is the Editor of Gables Insider
On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 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.
Watch Meeting
To watch the meeting live on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 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. 24-7384 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Chief Procurement Officer to award the Landscape Services (King’s Bay Community) contract to Margarita’s Gardens, Inc., the most responsive and responsible bidder, pursuant to Section 2-763 of the Procurement Code entitled “Contract Award” and Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2024-009.
D.-2. 24-7413 A Resolution of the City Commission renewing the parking lease agreement with the University of Miami for municipal parking lots #42 and #43 for an additional twelve (12) months beginning September 1, 2024, and ending August 31, 2025, at the rate of $76,282.56 annually, payable in equal monthly installments.
D.-3. 24-7414 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the University of Miami appointments of Roy Carrillo Zamora (Student Government President) and Maxwell Boye (Inter-Fraternity Council President) to 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.-4. 24-7443 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation to waive the competitive bid process of the Procurement Code as a special procurement/bid waiver for the continuation of labor services with Hernas Salgado Corp. for services at the Coral Gables Golf and Country Club venue, pursuant to Section 2-691.
D.-5. 24-7442 Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation to waive the competitive bid process of the Procurement Code as a special procurement/bid waiver for the continuation of towel and mat services with Alsco for services at the Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Athletic Club, pursuant to section 2-691 of the City’s Procurement Code.
Presentation of Boards and/or Committees draft/final minutes requesting action from the City Commission [Note: A vote to accept the minutes does not mean approval of the substance within the minutes]:
2.-1. 24-7440 A Joint Resolution of the City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board and the Landmarks Advisory Board making recommendations to the City Commission regarding the replacements of certain streetlights by Florida Power and Light.
These Boards request the following collective action of the Commission:
1) That the City approach Florida Power and Light and request that they cease the removal of all silver lights within the City located in residential areas North of U.S.1.
2) That the City approach Florida Power and Light to re-install silver lights where recently removed.
3) That the City and Florida Power and Light adopt a policy to consistently and exclusively install the silver lights in those residential areas north of U.S.1 within the City.
4) That any future streetlight installation by Florida Power and Light or the City, other than installation of the silver lights described above in those residential areas north of U.S. 1, shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Board.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPEALS
E.-1. 24-7386 An Appeal to the Coral Gables City Commission from the decision of the Historic Preservation Board on March 20, 2024, to designate the property located at 1221 Milan Avenue, legally described as Lot 9, Block 39, Coral Gables Granada Section Revised, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 8, Page 113 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida, as a Local Historic Landmark.
City’s Argument and Determination:
The single-family home at 1221 Milan Avenue was one of eight homes commissioned for Milan Avenue by City founder George Merrick in 1923. In accordance with Garden City precepts that guided Merrick’s development of Coral Gables, he platted smaller lots on some streets in the new Granada Section intended for modest homes. Merrick envisioned Milan Avenue as a street of ‘moderately-priced attractive houses,’ offering housing for different income levels without sacrificing quality. He commissioned three
members of his design team to demonstrate that these smaller homes were built with the same high-quality construction and Mediterranean Revival style features as other structures that shaped the new city in the early 1 920s. The property has undergone modifications since its original construction but still possesses numerous of its character defining features.
A. Historical, Cultural significance
Criterion 4: Exemplifies the historical, cultural, political, economic, or social trends of the community
B. Architectural significance
Criterion 1: Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by one (1) or more distinctive architectural style
Criterion 2: Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, or period, or method of construction
Homeowner’s Argument:
Home has been modified extensively throughout the years, and the home no longer retains its original character and historic significance.
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
E.-2. 24-7212 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Chapter 74 “Traffic and Vehicles” to create Article IX “School Zone Safety” authorizing the enforcement of school zone speed limits by and through the installation of speed detection systems on school zone roadways; providing for a severability clause, repealer provision, codification, and providing for an effective date.
E.-3. 24-7311 An Ordinance of the City Commission updating the City Code to comply with State Law by amending Chapter 14 “Businesses”, Article VIII “Mobile Food Trucks” and creating Section 14-154 “Limited Operation of Temporary Commercial Kitchens”; providing for severability clause, repealer provision, and providing for an effective date.
“Section 509.102, Florida Statutes was amended during the 2023 Florida Legislative Session to permit mobile food dispensing vehicles (where permitted) and temporary commercial kitchens to operate on the same premises as the public food service establishment they are affiliated with during the same hours of operation as the public food service establishment. Additionally, the section was further amended to provide that a public food service establishment may operate a temporary commercial kitchen on the restaurant’s premises during a period of renovation, repair, or rebuilding or during a period of uninhabitability. Accordingly, it is in the City’s interest to update the City Code in order to remain in compliance with the Florida Statutes.”
E.-4. 24-7312 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Chapter 46 of the “Code of the City of Coral Gables,” entitled “Pensions,” amending Section 46-27, purchase of credited service for period of military service and/or employment with other public employers; and providing for severability clause, repealer provision, codification, and providing for an effective date.
E.-5. 24-7319 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Ordinance No. 2022-32 which approved a Planned Area Development for the project known as “Regency Parc” on the property legally described as Lots 1-12 and Lots 35-46, including the public alleyway lying in between, Block 10 and Lots 1-4, Block 15, Coral Gables Crafts Section (290, 272, 250, 244 Valencia Avenue, 247, 297 Almeria Avenue, and 2701 Salzedo Street), Coral Gables Florida to allow for the Art in Public Places contribution to be made pursuant to an Escrow Agreement.
“Prior to the issuance of the first Building Permit, applicant must make the required contribution to the appropriate Art in Public Places (“AIPP”) fund or receive approval for a waiver in accordance with the requirements of Article 9,” of the City of Coral Gables Zoning Code (the “Art in Public Places Obligation”).” Developer shall deposit with Escrow Agent the amount of $1,226,788.241 for Art in Public Places Obligation.
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
E.-6. 24-7407 An Ordinance of the City Commission sunsetting and dissolving the Mayor’s Advisory Council. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
E.-7. 24-7424 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the Code of the City of Coral Gables, Florida, Chapter 6 entitled “Alcoholic Beverages,” Section 6-12 “Retail Package Store” and Section 6-13 “Retail package Beverage Stores; Retail Beverage Stores; Retail Liquor Stores; Club Vendors: by changing the prohibited hours of operation on Sundays for Retail Package Stores’ providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
Proposed Language: “The business of retail package liquor stores, as classified in section 6-2, may be operated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight each day, except that such business may continue open through Saturday night to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. No alcoholic beverages may be sold or dispensed by any such retail package beverage stores between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.”
E.-8. 24-7198 An Ordinance of the City Commission approving the vacation of a public right-of-way pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-211, “Abandonment and Vacations” and City Code Chapter 62, Article 8 “Vacation, abandonment and closure of streets, easements and alleys by private owners and the city; application process,” providing for the vacation of the seventy (70) foot wide Biltmore Drive between Lots 1 and 2 in Block 25 and Lot 1 in Block 27, Riviera Section Part 1 (757 Blue Road), Coral Gables, Florida; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (Legal description on file). (04 10 24 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-0)
“The City of Coral Gables Public Works Department submitted an Application for consideration to vacate the remaining portion of Biltmore Drive that is north of the Blue Road traffic circle. Biltmore Drive is platted to dead-end into the canal and is not serving a purpose as an unimproved right-of-way. The right-of-way, together with the abutting lots, are only being used to provide access for canal maintenance. Additionally, the remaining portion of Biltmore Drive does not have any hardscape elements nor has any roadway development plans. The purpose of the vacation is to execute the park improvement project known as the “Blue Road Open Space” at 757 Blue Road with quality landscape design and pedestrian amenities.”
E.-9. 24-7431 An Ordinance of the City Commission approving the purchase and sale agreement between the City of Coral Gables, a municipal corporation existing under the laws of Florida, and 4241 Aurora, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, for the transfer of development rights, as defined in Article 16 and Sections 8-114 And 14-204 of the Zoning Code from the Coral Gables Museum property located at 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, and directing that all proceeds from the transfer of the development rights be placed in the City’s Historic Building Fund, and providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Commissioner Menendez) (Co-sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson) Lobbyist: Jorge Navarro
(a) City agrees to sell and Purchaser agrees to purchase 25,812 square feet of Transferable Development Rights;
(b) Purchase Price shall be $40.00 per square foot (total amount equal to $1,032,480.00);
(c) Deposit in amount equal to ten percent (10% )of the Purchase Price ($103,248.00); and
(d) Closing no later than either the date of issuance of the building permit for the 4241 Aurora Street, Coral Gables, FL 33146, project or one (1) year following the date of City Commission adoption of the Ordinance approving this Agreement, whichever is earlier.
E.-10. 24-7453 An Ordinance of the City Commission providing for a text amendment to the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code, amending Section 14-202.6 “Building Site Determination” to facilitate building site determination applications. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
The proposed Ordinance recognizes the need to streamline the conditional use application process for building site determinations and support homeowners in their efforts to seek City Commission approvals. The proposed change removes redundant regulatory language that is already comprehensively addressed elsewhere in the Zoning Code.
E.-11. 24-7416 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the Code of the City of Coral Gables, Florida, Chapter 2, entitled “Administration”, Article III “Boards, Commissions, Committees”, Division 3 “Trial Board” by creating Section 2-124 “Procedures” and amending Chapter 2 entitled “Administration”, Article IV “Officers and Employees” by creating Section 2-255 “Employee Protection” in order to provide for an administrative procedure for handling complaints made in accordance with the Florida Whistle-Blower’s Act, F.S. §112.3187; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date
In consultation with the City Manager, Commissioner Menendez has proposed the attached ordinance to create an administrative procedure for handling complaints made pursuant to the state Whistle-blower’s Act. This Ordinance establishes an administrative procedure utilizing the City’s existing trial board and requires an amendment to the City Code to create that procedure and codifies the trial board’s authority to establish rules of procedure consistent with state law.
RESOLUTIONS
E.-12. 23-5485 A Resolution of the City Commission approving the Final Plat entitled “Arcana Subdivision” pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-210, “Platting/Subdivision,” being a re-plat consisting of two existing lots which total 97,377 (ninety seven thousand three hundred seventy seven) square feet (2.24 acres) into a modified two lots on the property legally described as Lots 4 and 5, Palm Vista, together with that portion of the vacated 50-foot platted right-of-way lying between Lots 4 and 5, and dedication of 1,748 (one thousand seven hundred forty eight) square feet between (5400 and 5401 Banyan Trail), Coral Gables, Florida; including required conditions; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (04 04 23 PZB recommended approval, Vote 5-0) Lobbyist: Jose Jimenez
“The application has been submitted by Mr. Jose Jimenez on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Barlick to review a final plat referred to as “Arcana Subdivision.” The Applicant is requesting to replat Lots 4 and 5, which
total 97,377 square feet (2.24 acres), into a modified two lots together with that portion of the vacated
50-foot platted right-of-way and dedication of 1,748 square feet. The replat will decrease Lot 5 by 1,318
square feet to become 44,420 square feet and increase Lot 4 by 7,219 square feet to become 52,957
square feet.”
E.-13. 24-7427 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution No. 2022-170 which approved a mixed-use site plan for the project referred to as “Regency Parc” on the property legally described as Lots 1-12 and Lots 35-46 including the public alleyway lying in between, Block 10, and Lots 103, Block 15, Coral Gables, Crafts Section (290, 272, 250, 244 Valencia Avenue, 247, 297 Almeria Avenue, and 2701 Salzedo Street) Coral Gables, Florida to allow for the Art in Public Places contribution to be made pursuant to an Escrow Agreement. Lobbyist: Jose Jimenez
F. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS
F.-1. 24-7214 Discussion to require door hangers in the Zoning Code as additional notification for required neighborhood meetings of proposed mixed-use and multi-family projects. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
F.-2. 24-7370 Discussion regarding paseos on Miracle Mile. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-3. 24-7444 Discussion regarding Sunday Hours for Open Courts at the Youth Center. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-4. 24-7447 Update regarding North Ponce Historic Designation Study. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-5. 24-7446 Update regarding PACE Green Corridor and Resolution supporting S.B. 770. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-6. 24-7445 Discussion regarding temporary speed tables. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-7. 24-7448 Update regarding letter to FDOT concerning all FDOT roads. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
Time Certain 11:45am (Agenda Item F-8)
F.-8. 24-7452 Update on pickleball courts. (Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez)
F.-9. 24-7454 Discussion regarding the involvement of the inspector general to discuss the state of the
City. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-10. 24-7456 Discussion regarding the Alhambra Water Tower. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-11. 24-7455 Update on discussion of forensic audit. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-12. 24-7339 A Resolution of the City Commission directing City staff to explore potential traffic solutions to address safety concerns along LeJeune Road in the City, and directing staff to work with outside agencies and resources as needed. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
F.-13. 24-7365 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution No. 2019-359 to expand the resident rate discounts offered to Coral Gables teachers who purchase an annual membership at the War Memorial Youth Center or Venetian Pool. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-14. 24-7425 A Resolution of the City Commission approving an amendment to the intergovernmental agency agreement with Miami-Dade County to perform traffic engineering functions. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-15. 24-7426 A Resolution of the City Commission approving an intergovernmental agency agreement to perform the installation and maintenance of electronic speed feedback signs with Miami-Dade County. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-16. 24-7473 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the City Manager to approve and issue reimbursement to Actors’ Playhouse Productions, Inc. for the labor and materials necessary to install a new ADA compliant ramp and railings to access the second floor stage area of the city-owned property known as the Miracle Theater located at 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134 in an amount not to exceed $41,900.00. (Sponsored by Commissioner Menendez)
G. BOARDS/COMMITTEES ITEMS
G.-1. 24-7471 A Resolution of the City Commission appointing __(Anna Alvarez) (Nominated by Commission-As-A-Whole) to serve as a member of the Historic Preservation Board, for remainder of the current term, which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
H. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
H.-1. 24-7472 Discussion of No Parking Signs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
H.-2. 24-7429 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing acceptance of an amendment for Grant Agreement No. 23h.sc.900.154 from the State of Florida, Department of State (DOS), Division of Historical Resources for a six month extension to the agreement from June 30, 2024 to December 31, 2024 for the Restoration of the Historic Gondola Building and authorizing the City Manager to execute the amendment of the agreement with DOS for said financial assistance under Agreement No. 23h.sc.900.154, for financial services.
H.-3. 24-7430 A Resolution of the City Commission for a grant application requirement from the Florida Inland Navigation District for Attachment E-7 Resolution For Assistance. The grant application was submitted on 04/01/24 from the Waterways Assistance Program (WAP) related to the purchase of a marine patrol vessel. The grant amount applied for is $190,000, the City matching amount is $150,000 for a total project cost amount of $340,000.
