Agenda Digest: City Commission Meeting (11/14/2023)

On Tuesday, November 14, 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.

Watch Meeting

To watch the meeting live on Tuesday, November 14, 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. 23-6546 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Chief Procurement Officer to award the Drug/Alcohol Screening & Physical Examination Services to Richard L. Dolsey PHC, Inc. dba Physicians Health Center, the highest ranked responsive and responsible proposer, pursuant to Section 2-763 of the Procurement Code entitled “Contract Award” and Request for Proposal (RFP) 2023-022.
D.-2. 23-6578 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Chief Procurement Officer to extend the Trolley Operations Services contract with MV Contract Transportation, pursuant to Section 2-829 of the Procurement Code entitled “approval of change orders and contract modifications”, on a month-to-month basis to provide time for the Request for Proposals (RFP) process to be completed and a new contract negotiated and executed.
D.-3. 23-6577 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Innovations and Technology Department to waive the competitive process to purchase Saba Software Maintenance service as a “Special Procurement/Bid Waiver,” pursuant to Section 2-691of the Procurement Code.

D.-4. 23-6623 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Levi Meyer (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as a member of the Waterway Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
D.-5. 23-6624 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Celia Suarez (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
D.-6. 23-6646 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce to sell alcoholic beverages at Alhambra Circle and the waiving of electrical fees, parking fees, and barricade fees for the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce ’s “Burgerliscious” event on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 5:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. on Alhambra Circle.
D.-7. 23-6648 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing Graziano’s Gourmet in Gables LLC to sell alcoholic beverages on 2301 Galiano Street on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. during the “Wine and Dine Event,” subject to Florida Department of Professional Regulation Requirements.
D.-8. 23-6651 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Police Department to implement a Piloted Drone Program as a “Sole Source Procurement,” pursuant to Section 2-689 of the City’s Procurement Code.
D.-9. 23-6655 A Resolution of the City Commission approving an amendment to the professional services agreement between the City of Coral Gables and Plant Professionals Inc. for the construction and preparation of the seasonal Holiday Park and Santa House pursuant to section 2-764 of the Procurement Code entitled ‘approval of Change Orders and Contract Modifications’.
D.-10. 23-6656 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointments of Gustave Perez (Nominated by City Manager Iglesias) and Eugene Wolman (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as members of the Board of Adjustment, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
D.-11. 23-6664 A Resolution of the City Commission approving a Fourth Amendment to Lease between the City of Coral Gables and 338 Minorca Law Center, LLC for the property located at 338 Minorca Avenue, First Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33134 for an additional one-year term (01/01/24-12/31/24) for the temporary relocation of the City’s Finance Department Collections Division staff offices.

D.-12. 23-6670 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Aron Aizenstat (Youth Center Neighborhood Representative) to serve as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
D.-13. 23-6675 A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Jennifer Marques (Nominated by Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2023 and continues through May 31, 2025.
D.-14. 23-6679 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the waiver of parking fees in the City ’s public garages from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on November 25, 2023, for the 2023 Small Business Saturday event.
D.-15. 23-6680 A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the Economic Development department to sell alcoholic beverages on Miracle Mile on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the holiday Sip and Shop event to benefit a local non-profit, subject to Florida Department of Professional Regulation requirements.

Presentation of Boards

2.-1. 23-6669 A Resolution of the Transportation Advisory Board requesting that the City Commission direct staff to amend the traffic impact study methodology and scope of services for traffic consultants to require a presentation to the Transportation Advisory Board and consideration of micro-mobility in mitigation measures

“Transportation Advisory Board is concerned that developers are not providing adequate infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other people using micro-mobility devices to safely move about the City.“

“That the Transportation Advisory Board requests that the City Commission direct staff to amend the traffic impact study application methodology and the scope of services for traffic consultants to read that traffic impact studies must include a discussion of mitigation measures that include pedestrians, transit, bicycles and all other types of micro-mobility devices as well as demand management strategies such as the creation of park and ride facilities, carpool, and traffic calming where appropriate.”

E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING

E.-1. 23-6359 An Ordinance of the City Commission providing for text amendments to the City of Coral Gables official Zoning Code, Article 6, “Landscape,” by amending the utilization of artificial turf on open joints of pavement; and Article 10, “Parking and Access,” by providing review of materials in pavement joints; and providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. ( 10 11 23 PZB recommended denial, Vote 4-3)

“As requested by a member of the Commission, Staff has prepared Zoning Code text amendments to prohibit further installment of artificial turf in open joints of pavement in any location. Instead, a list of materials is provided to utilize in open joints of pavement, as reviewed and approved by the City Architect staff.
Planning and Zoning Board
At the October 11, 2023 Planning and Zoning Board meeting, members of the Board expressed concerns for limiting residents the ability to install artificial turf within their open driveway joints. A motion was made to recommend denial and have the Board of Architects determine the width of the open joints of pavement (vote: 4-3).“

ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING

E.-2. 23-5816 An Ordinance of the City Commission providing for a text amendment to Article 2 “Zoning Districts,” Section 2-405 “Residential Infill Regulations Overlay District (RIR)” of the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code to provide a maximum building length of three hundred feet for all properties seeking approval pursuant to the Residential Infill Regulations; providing for severability clause, repealer provision, codification, and providing for an effective date.(06 06 23, 07 12 23 and 09 21 23 deferred by PZB) (10 11 23 PZB recommended Approval, Vote 6-1)

“The Residential Infill Regulations (RIR) were adopted as a conditional use in May of 2017 to allow an increase of density from 40 units per acre, or 50 with Mediterranean Bonus, to a maximum of 100 units per acre if the property is 20,000 square feet or more within the North Ponce neighborhood. However, a maximum building length or lot area was not adopted with the regulations. Therefore to be more compatible with the existing North Ponce neighborhood, a member of the City Commission requested a Zoning Code text amendment to limit the length of the building to 300 feet.“

Planning & Zoning Board

“At the October 11th, 2023 meeting, City Staff presented the history, current conditions, past studies, and the impact of the proposed text amendment. The Board discussed their concerns regarding the North Ponce apartment district and how the City should preserve the value and quality of the area. Several Board members voiced their concerns, such as the compactness of the area and the loss of affordable housing, quality of buildings, and open space. The Board recommended approval of the zoning code text amendment (vote: 6 to 1) with the clarity that 20 feet will be required between multiple buildings. The Board member that voted against the proposed text amendment preferred to limit the building length further to 200 feet.“

RESOLUTIONS

E.-3. 23-6400 A Resolution of the City Commission granting conditional use approval pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-203, “Conditional Uses” for a School on a property zoned as Mixed-Use-1 (MX1) located at 141 Grand Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date.
Lobbyist: Edward Baker

“A conditional use application has been submitted by Mr. Edward Baker on behalf of Spark Learning, Inc., DBA Spark Learning XIV (the “Applicant”) to the City of Coral Gables for a proposed school referred as “Spark Learning” on a property zoned as Mixed-Use 1 (MX1). The Applicant seeks to operate the school to serve approximately 35 students, between the third to eighth grade, who are taking virtual core classes with Primer Microschool teachers. Students will be supervised and assisted by an educator, who has former professional experience as a teacher or homeschooler.“

F. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS

F.-1. 23-6629 Community presentation regarding enhanced Mediterranean Design requirements.(Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-2. 23-6638 Discussion regarding implementation of hydrogen powered trolleys. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-3. 23-6639 Discussion regarding a proposal for humane iguana removal. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)

(Agenda Item F-4)
F.-4. 23-6640 Discussion regarding the Mayor’s Ball sponsored by the Coral Gables Community Foundation. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-5. 23-6641 Discussion on legislation regarding abandoned vehicles. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-6. 23-6642 Presentation regarding illegal dumping and code concerns in North Gables. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-7. 23-6643 Legislation regarding Art in Public Places. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-8. 23-6644 Discussion regarding hiring a preliminary consultant to create a conceptual plan connecting Lot 25 with Pittman Park. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-9. 23-6645 Discussion regarding recycling plastic film. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
F.-10. 23-6658 A Resolution of the City Commission directing City Staff to include an appendix in all City Budgets presented to the City Commission for approval detailing those specific changes made from each prior version. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)

Proposed Language: “That the City Commission hereby directs the City Manager to include a schedule(s) in each version of the budget presented to the City Commission that outlines the changes in salaries by department from the previous version of the budget presented to the City Commission.”

F.-11. 23-6659 A Resolution of the City Commission directing the City Manager to include a focus area or goal related to Cultural Arts in the 2026-2029 Coral Gables Strategic Plan. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-12. 23-6660 A Resolution of the City Commission directing the City Manager to include an item on the City Commission agenda regarding City Commission compensation at a regular City Commission Meeting prior to the presentation of the draft budget to the City Commission. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-13. 23-6661 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Ordinance 2015-17, As Amended, waiving all City Permit Fees directly related to the conversion from septic to sanitary sewer for single family residences and duplexes and directing City staff to expedite permits for those conversion. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
F.-14. 23-6681 Update regarding sidewalks and crosswalks on the south side of Bird Road. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)

“The conclusion of the report recommended that a sidewalk will be added on the South side of Bird Road from Red Road to University, with a cross walk across Bird Road to facilitate access to the pedestrian bridge on the North side of Bird Road. In addition, the report recommends that a sidewalk will be added on Bird Road from Granada Boulevard to Riviera Drive. These recommendations will facilitate pedestrians to safely commute to and from Coral Gables High School, to existing bus stops and to destinations west of Red Road.“

H. CITY MANAGER ITEMS

(Agenda Item H-1)
H.-1. 23-6622 Update regarding annexation process for Little Gables.

“Tallied petitions to ascertain support in annexation areas (minimum 20% of registered voters required); a total of 356 petitions were received (21.43%); 333 (20%) were required to initiate the annexation process.“

LITTLE GABLES Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Total Estimated Revenue 3,600,000 3,750,000 3,850,000 3,960,000 4,070,000
Total Estimated Expense 5,260,000 4,233,000 4,520,000 4,700,000 4,881,000
Estimated Surplus/(Deficit) (1,660,000) (483,000) (670,000) (740,000) (811,000)

H.-2. 23-6574 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Chief procurement Officer to award the Fire House No. 4 Construction Project to West Construction, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, pursuant to Section 2-763 of the Procurement Code entitled “Contract Award” and Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2023-017.

“The Public Works Department concurs with the Chief Procurement Officer’s recommendation to award the Fire House No. 4 Construction Project to West Construction, Inc., in the total amount of $7,608,209.00 as well as an additional $1,141,231.35 for a 15% contingency allowance to address unforeseen conditions with the project.“

H.-3. 23-6581 A Resolution of the City Commission electing to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments levied within the incorporated area of the city; stating a need for such levy; providing for the mailing of this resolution; and providing for an effective date.

I. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS

I.-1. 23-6634 Charter Review Committee update.