City Commission

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, Fl 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 12, 2013 9:00 AM City Hall, Commission Chambers City Commission Mayor Jim Cason Vice Mayor William H. Kerdyk, Jr. Commissioner Maria Anderson Commissioner Rafael "Ralph" Cabrera, Jr. Commissioner Frank C. Quesada Patrick G. Salerno, City Manager Craig E. Leen, City Attorney Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Mayor Cason, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Cabrera Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk Jr. and Commissioner Quesada INVOCATION [Note for the Record: Mayor Cason prefaced his remarks by stating that the City was happy to have Reverend Worth Carson from Grenada Presbyterian Church-Reverend Carson a Miami native who has served as Senior Pastor of Granada Presbyterian Church for over 12 years; adding that he is a member of the Faith Based Initiative of Miami-Dade County]. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Kerdyk led the Pledge of Allegiance. LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY The following minutes summary includes all presentations made, and actions taken which information is supplemented by the following exhibits on file in the Office of the City Clerk, and which are by reference made a part of the record herein: (a) Ordinance(s) adopted (Ordinance No. 2013-04); (b) Resolution(s) adopted (Resolution No. 2013-38 and Resolution No. 2013-39); (c) Video; (d) Audio Recording; (e) Minutes Folder with Agenda and background information, including items which were submitted at the meeting. City of Coral Gables Page 1 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 A. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS A.-1. 13-2245 Presentation of a Proclamation declaring March 2013 as Bike 305 Month in Coral Gables. [Note for the Record: Mayor Cason informed the viewing public that this agenda item is declaring March 2013 as “Bike 305 Month” in Coral Gables-and also “Bike 305 Month in Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County.” Following the aforementioned brief comments, Mayor Cason read the proclamation into the public record. Commissioner Quesada requested the privilege of inviting members from various bike organizations up to take a photograph in conjunction with this proclamation]. This Presentation/Protocol Document was Presented and Filed City Clerk Item No. 1 A.-2. 13-2230 Congratulations to Firefighter Juan Carlos Baro, recipient of the City of Coral Gables Firefighter of the Year Award for 2012. Attachments: Cover Memo - FF of Year 2012.pdf Notification Letter, FF of Year 2012.pdf [Note for the Record: City Manager requested of City of Coral Gables Fire Chief Walt Reed to introduce this item into the public record, whereby Chief Reed informed the viewing public that Firefighter Juan Carlos Baro, was this year’s recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award; further explaining that said individual was selected as the “2012 Firefighter of the Year” for his on-going acts of concern and consideration in dealing with the public, fellow employees and his supervisors; further informing those in attendance that Firefighter Baro has been employed by the City for over 5 years; further pointing out that Firefighter Baro was lauded for heroic acts in rendering aid to a victim of an assault the morning of April 15, 2012, while off-duty he was the witness to a stabbing incident, wherein he immediately rendered exceptional courage, awareness and compassion; he also provided aid to the Hialeah Fire Department in solving this case; further stating that because of these selfless acts, the Fire Department has recognized Firefighter Baro and selected him as the Firefighter of the Year]. This Presentation/Protocol Document was Presented and Filed City Clerk Item No. 2 City of Coral Gables Page 2 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 A.-3. 13-2233 Congratulations to Firefighter Joe Torres, recipient of the City of Coral Gables Firefighter of the Month Award, for the month of March 2013. Attachments: Cover Memo - FF of the Month, March 2013.pdf Notification Letter, FF of Month, March 2013.pdf [Note for the Record: City Manager Salerno requested of Fire Chief Reed to present Agenda Item A-3, whereby Chief Reed stated that he has the honor of introducing the Firefighter of the Month for March, namely Joe Torres; further acknowledging that Firefighter Torres is a 21-year veteran of the Fire Department, always maintaining a smile on his face, describing him as a “happy-go-lucky” kind of a guy; further explaining that he was selected as Firefighter of the Month for his unselfish acts in dealing with the public, more particularly for providing assistance to a young man who had become paralyzed as a result of an accident that occurred during basic training while enrolled in the United States Marine Corps; further noting that Firefighter Torre whose son and son-in-law are both Marines learned of the story of U.S. Marine Nick Battles and his family in trying to address his on-going health issues; further telling the viewing public that Firefighter Torres took the initiative on his own to organize a successful fundraiser on behalf of U.S. Marine Nick Battles and Nick Battles family; further stating that such acts as those that are displayed by Firefighter Torres which makes he and his department proud to be not only employees of the City, but also to recognize the freedoms we enjoy as a result of the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces; adding that the Coral Gables Fire Department is proud to award Firefighter Torre the Firefighter of the Month Award for his outstanding actions, and commend him for a job well done. In accepting this recognition Firefighter Torres thanked Chief Reed for presenting this award, he thanked Captain Albury for nominating him, he thanked David Perez, a firefighter who donated a lot of money, and finally his father, who put up the insurance]. This Presentation/Protocol Document wasPresented and Filed City Clerk Item No. 3 City of Coral Gables Page 3 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 A.-4. 13-2239 Congratulations to Officers Alfred Fernandez and Daniel Gonzalez, recipients of the City of Coral Gables Officer of the Month Award, for the month of January 2013. Attachments: NOMINATION - JAN OFFICER OF THE MONTH.pdf COMMISSION COVER MEMO - Officer of the Month - JAN.pdf [Note for the Record: City Manager Salerno called upon Coral Gables Police Chief Scott Masington to present this item, who in returned prefaced his remarks by stating that Ms. Bryant was also in attendance from the Kiwanis Club, who are the sponsors for Coral Gables Police Department for the Officer of the Month and the Officer of the Year event. The circumstances responsible for the selection of both Officers Alfred Fernandez and Daniel Gonzalez are as follows: the two aforementioned officers were dispatched (i.e. January 31, 2013) to a burglary alarm call at a residence; with said officers level of dedication to their jobs, these two units responded from different areas of the City and arrived within an estimated two minutes after the call was dispatched-with Officer Fernandez observation skills, he noticed some broken glass from a window in the side of the house, said officers coordinated with one another and within seconds they encounter someone coming from the house; said officers took the suspect into custody, they returned property to the residential owner victim-said suspect was later found to be linked to other types of crimes throughout Metropolitan Dade County; further acknowledging the dedication of our officers in taking an offender off the street, and for such initiative, that he wanted to congratulate them for that. In accepting this accolade Officer Fernandez stated that he was thankful for the manner in which he and Officer Gonzalez were able to apprehend the suspect, and they way everything went down the way it did, and that they were able to get home that night, that was the most important thing of all]. This Presentation/Protocol Document was Presented and Filed City Clerk Item No. 4 A.-5. 13-2244 Congratulations to Otto Cordova, Public Works Department - Automotive Division , recipient of the City of Coral Gables Employee of the Month Award, for the month of March 2013. Attachments: Cover Memo___EOM March 2013 OTTO CORDOVA EOM MARCH 2013 [Note for the Record: City Manager Salerno requested of Human Resources Director Elsa Jaramillo-Velez to present the Employee of the Month for March, 2013, wherein she informed the viewing public that Otto Cordova started with the City in 2010, from the Automotive Division has already been recognized as an Employee of the Month, and who is truly someone special; further unveiling the videotaped segment of the presentation, thereby introducing Automotive Department Director Steve Riley who stated the following: “Mr. Cordova has distinguished himself by dramatically increasing the division’s City of Coral Gables Page 4 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 efficiency and data tracking as the Automotive Service Writer. Through his efforts alone, our preventative maintenance and repair data collection of City equipment has never been more detailed and accurate than throughout the entire history of the division. His diligence and commitment to this division is displayed each and every day during his many interactions with the City’s equipment users (our customers). He has been directly responsible for significantly increasing our customer’s service levels. There is not one week that goes by where I don’t receive several positive accolades from fellow City employees appreciating Mr. Cordova’s efforts. Mr. Cordova’s work ethic, positive attitude and dedication to the City are in keeping with the highest traditions of public service.” Later, during the presentation before the City Commission, he further noted that some two and-one-half years ago, when he was looking for a Service Writer, many people interviewed for the position, adding that this was a very important position for his department, when one looks at our main job function, which is to keep the fleet in its entirety, on the road and available for user departments; secondly, the most important job we have is data collection, which determines a lot of things in the fleet-our cost allocation, our availability and the downtime of the equipment, our lifecycle management; further adding that such issues as how much is budgeted for the fleet, whether any equipment goes outside the door, etc. that is the job and responsibility of the Service Writer, to collect said data from all of the work orders that are done by the mechanics in order to determine how to appropriately use and purchase said equipment, and whether or not said equipment is living up to its expectations. Department Director Steve Riley further pointed out that the Service Writer’s job is immensely important, recalling that since Mr. Cordova has been with the Automotive Department for approximately two-and-one-half years, he has really been impressed, noting that he comes in every day with a positive attitude, a smile on his face, regardless of all of the turmoil involving things that can happen in the department, he always shines through, and for that he says he is extremely thankful]. This Presentation/Protocol Document was Presented and Filed City Clerk Item No. 5 City of Coral Gables Page 5 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES B.-1. 13-2247 Regular City Commission Meeting of February 19, 2013. Attachments: Meeting Minutes Verbatim Transcript - Agenda Item H-1 - Presentation of Quarterly Report three months ended 12 Verbatim Transcript - Agenda Item H-2 - Reso negotiating two loans not to exceed 22 million Verbatim Transcript - Agenda Item D-1 - Actors Playhouse Productions presenting plaque to City A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Quesada, that this matter be approved. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., Commissioner Quesada and Mayor Cason Absent : 1- Commissioner Anderson City Clerk Item No. 6 City of Coral Gables Page 6 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 C. CONSENT AGENDA All items listed within this section entitled "Consent Agenda" are considered to be self-explanatory and are not expected to require additional review or discussion , unless a member of the City Commission or a citizen so requests, in which case, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered along with the regular order of business. Hearing no objections to the items listed under the "Consent Agenda", a vote on the adoption of the Consent Agenda will be taken. Passed the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Quesada, to Adopt the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yeas : 4- Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., Commissioner Quesada and Mayor Cason Absent : 1- Commissioner Anderson RESOLUTION NO. 2013-38 C.-1. 13-2246 Resolution appointing Alexander Binelo (Nominated by Commissioner Quesada) to serve as a member of the Economic Development Board for the remaining balance of a two (2) year term, said term which began on June 1, 2011 and continues through May 31, 2013. Attachments: R-2013 - Draft - Alexander Binello - Economic Development Board Alexander Binello Bio C-1 Signed Cover Memo Signed Resolution 2013-38 RESOLUTION APPOINTING ALEXANDER BINELLO (NOMINATED BY COMMISSIONER QUESADA) TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD, FOR THE REMAINING BALANCE OF A TWO (2) YEAR TERM, SAID TERM WHICH BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2011 AND CONTINUES THROUGH MAY 31, 2013. This Matter was adopted by Resolution Number 2013-38 on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 7 Presentation of Boards and/or Committees minutes requesting no action from the City Commission: C.-2. 13-2226 Communications Committee Meeting of February 21, 2013 Attachments: Agendaitemmarch2013 minutes february 2013 This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City of Coral Gables Page 7 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 City Clerk Item No. 8 C.-3. 13-2227 Historic Preservation Board Meeting of February 21, 2013 Attachments: HPB meeting minutes - 2-21-13 - Draft HPB.2.21.13MinutesforCC03.12.13 This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 9 C.-4. 13-2228 Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting of February 7, 2013 Attachments: BC Cover Sheet 02-07-13 Minutes BC 2-7-13 (R) LBAB Signed Minutes 2-7-13 This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 10 C.-5. 13-2229 Library Advisory Board Meeting of February 13, 2013 Attachments: LAB Cover Sheet 2-13-13 Library Minutes 02-13-13 (2)a Library Minutes 02-13-13 signed This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 11 C.-6. 13-2231 School and Community Relations Committee Meeting of January 15, 2013 Attachments: 01-15-13 Commission Title 01-15-13 Minutes This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 12 C.-7. 13-2234 Cultural Development Board Meeting of January 23, 2013 Attachments: CDB Commission cover CDB 3-12-13 CDB Minutes January 23 2013 This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 13 C.-8. 13-2236 International Affairs Coordinating Council Meeting of February 19, 2013 Attachments: Microsoft Word - IACC-Minutes February 19, 2013 Microsoft Word - cover letter 02-19-13 City of Coral Gables Page 8 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 14 City of Coral Gables Page 9 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 C.-9. 13-2237 Disability Affairs Board Meeting of February 6, 2013. Attachments: Disability Affairs 2-6-13 Minutes COVER 2-6-2013 minutes This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 15 C.-10. 13-2238 Green Task Force Meeting of January 23, 2013 Attachments: Green Task Force 1-23-13 Minutes COVER Green Task Force 1-23-13 MINUTES This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 16 C.-11. 13-2242 Property Advisory Board Meeting of January 30, 2013 Attachments: PAB 3-12-13 Commission cover 1-30-13 PAB minutes This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Item No. 17 D. PERSONAL APPEARANCES None City Clerk Item No. 18 City of Coral Gables Page 10 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 E. PUBLIC HEARINGS ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING Anyone who wishes to address the City Commission on an item to be considered for public hearing must fill out a Speaker Card and turn it in to the City Clerk. Speaker Cards can be obtained on the credenza located outside the Office of the Mayor, during the day of the City Commission Meeting. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-04 E.-1. 12-2060 City Code Text Amendment. An Ordinance of the City Commission of Coral Gables , Florida amending the Code of the City of Coral Gables, Chapter 105, “Buildings and Building Regulations”, Section 105-28, “Construction staging plans”, to require City review and approval of decorative wraps and signage at construction sites; providing for severability, repealer, codification, and an effective date. (Passed on First Reading November 13, 2012) Attachments: 11 13 12 Exhibit A City Code Amendments 11 13 12 Exhibit B Draft Ordinance E-1 Signed Cover Memo 11-13-12 03 12 13 CC Cover Memo re: construction site wraps 2nd reading 03 12 13 Exhibit A Ordinance initially considered by CC with revised language re maintenance of 03 12 13 Exhibit B Ordinance including PZB recommendations 03 12 13 Exhibit C 02 13 13 Staff Report with attachments 03 12 13 Exhibit D-1 01 09 13 Excerpt of PZB Meeting 03 12 13 Exhibit D-2 02 13 13 Excerpt of PZB Meeting 03 12 13 Exhibit E Visual illustration of two proposals E-1 Signed Cover Memo 3-12-13 Signed Ordinance 2013-04 Verbatim Transcript 3/12/13 - Agenda Item E-1 - Ordinance amending chapter 105 Buildings and Verbatim Transcript 11/13/12 - Agenda Item E-1 - Ordinance amending Code Buildings and Buildi AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES CHAPTER 105, “BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS”, SECTION 105-28, “CONSTRUCTION STAGING PLANS”, TO REQUIRE CITY REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF DECORATIVE WRAPS AND SIGNAGE AT CONSTRUCTION SITES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEALER, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., that this matter be adopted by Ordinance Number 2013-04. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 5- Commissioner Quesada, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr. and Mayor Cason City Clerk Item No. 19 City of Coral Gables Page 11 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING ORDINANCE NO. 2013-05 E.-2. 13-2248 An Ordinance of the City Commission of Coral Gables creating Section 34-2 through 34-10 of the City Code expressly prohibiting squatting in Coral Gables and establishing remedies for addressing squatters, and providing for severability, repealer, codification, and an effective date. (Passed on First Reading March 12, 2013) Attachments: Squatters Ordinance First Reading E-2 Signed Cover Memo 3-12-13 E-2 Signed Cover Memo 3-26-13 Squatters Ordinance Second Reading Signed Ordinance 2013-05 Verbatim Transcript 3/26/13 - Agenda Item E-2 - Ordinance prohibitying squatting Verbatim Transcript 3/12/13 - Agenda Item E-2 - Ordinance prohibiting squatters in Coral Gables A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., that this matter be approved as an Ordinance on First Reading. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 5- Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., Commissioner Quesada and Mayor Cason City Clerk Item No. 20 ORDINANCE NO. 2013-06 E.-3. 13-2240 An Ordinance of the City Commission of Coral Gables, Florida providing for various text amendments to the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code, adopted via Ordinance No . 2007-01 as follows: 1. Article 3, Division 9, Section 3-901 - 905, Article 4, Division 1, Section 4-101 - 103 and Appendix A, A-1, clarification of lot and building facing requirements; 2. Article 3, Division 2, Section 3-207, removal of the $500.00 dollar building permit threshold for issuance of a building permit; 3. Article 3, Division 11, Section 3-1107, revision to the appeal provisions for determination of historic significance and eligibility of a property for designation as a local historic landmark and clarification of city application and review requirements; 4. Article 3, Division 11, Section 3-1115, requires claims of undue economic hardship to be considered only in conjunction with applications for Historic Preservation Special Certificate of Appropriateness and clarifies the city application and review requirements ; 5. Article 3, Division 11, Section 3-1113, minor editorial changes to variance provisions considered by the Historic Preservation Board; 6. Article 4, Division 1, Section 4-103, reduction of the Multi-Family 2 (MF2) Zoning District setback requirements to accommodate surface parking and parking garages; 7. Article 4, Division 1, Section 4-101, exclusion of basement as a part of the calculation of total gross floor area of a single-family residence; 8. Article 4, Division 2, Section 4-201, clarification of the maximum allowable height of mixed use buildings within a Mixed Use Overlay District (MXOD) and clarification of the review process; 9. Article 5, Division 5, Section 5-502, necessitating historic landmark designation to qualify as a Coral Gables Cottage; City of Coral Gables Page 12 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 10. Article 5, Division 5, Section 5-503 and Division 14, Section 5-1409, removal of the provisions that allow for a “breezeway” to count towards satisfying the minimum residential parking requirements; 11. Article 5, Division 11, Section 5-1105, clarification of landscaped open space requirements with reference to landscape materials; 12. Article 5, Division 14, Section 5-1402, provides for minimum dimensions for porte-cocheres and clarifies the minimum interior clearance requirements for garages; 13. Article 5, Division 24, Section 5-2403, clarification of the permitted height for column caps and architectural features in connection with a fence; 14. Article 5, Division 28, Section 5-2801, removal of provisions that classify generators as an auxiliary or accessory use; 15. Article 5, Division 1, Sections 5-101, 5-120, 5-121 and 5-122, clarification of the installation of fountains, planters and flagpoles on properties; 16. Article 4, Division 1 thru 3, Sections 4-101 thru 4-104, 4-201, 4-204 and 4-301 thru 4- 303, clarification and reorganization of accessory uses and creation of a new Zoning Code Accessory Use Category Table; 17. Article 4, Beginning of Article 4, update of the Zoning Code Use Category Table; 18. Article 8, Definitions, revised definitions; and, providing for severability, repealer, codification and an effective date. (Passed on First Reading March 12, 2013) Attachments: 03 12 13 Exhibit A Draft Ordinance 1st Reading 03 12 13 Exhibit B Zoning Code Text Amendments (cover, chart and marked up amendments) 03 12 13 Exhibit C 01 09 13 PZB Staff Report 03 12 13 Exhibit D 01 09 13 Excerpts of PZB Meeting Minutes E-3 Signed Cover Memo 3-12-13 03 26 13 Exhibit A - 2nd Reading Ordinance 03 26 13 Exhibit B - Eighteen (18) ZC Text Amendment (clean version) 03 26 13 Exhibit C - Eighteen (18) ZC Text Amendments (in underline strikout format) E-3 Signed Cover Memo 3-26-13 Signed Ordinance 2013-06 Verbatim Transcript 3/26/13 - Agenda Item E-3 - Ordinance providing for text amendments to offic Verbatim Transcript 3/12/13 - Agenda Item E-3 - Ordinance providing for various text amendment A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Quesada, that this matter be adopted by Ordinance Number 2013-06. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 5- Commissioner Cabrera, Jr., Vice Mayor Kerdyk, Jr., Commissioner Quesada, Commissioner Anderson and Mayor Cason City Clerk Item No. 21 F. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS None City Clerk Item No. 22 G. BOARDS/COMMITTEES ITEMS None City of Coral Gables Page 13 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 City Clerk Item No. 23 H. CITY MANAGER ITEMS None City Clerk Item No. 24 City of Coral Gables Page 14 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 I. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS None City Clerk Item No. 25 J. CITY CLERK ITEMS None City Clerk Item No. 26 K. DISCUSSION ITEMS Mayor Cason: So we move onto Item K - Discussions, Commissioner Anderson. Commissioner Anderson: No, not at all, thank you. Mayor Cason: Commissioner Cabrera. Commissioner Cabrera: Yes. Thank you. I have a few items. It was interesting the last time we were together Commissioner Anderson brought up an interesting commentary relative to the new municipal signage that is sprouting around the City faster than political yard signs, and specifically what I’m speaking of are the signs that announce the construction of the LeJeune Road median, Ingraham Park, I think the William Kerdyk Tennis Center. Now, I see one that sprouted up on Ponce, may have been there a while, but it was interesting because we had a fairly animated conversation regarding this, and I think if I’m not mistaken I believe that we got talking about the bridges and that project that was underway, remember Bill? Vice Mayor Kerdyk: Yes. Commissioner Cabrera:…And I didn’t have a chance to measure the municipal signs, but I can tell you they are taller than Frank Quesada, that’s for sure (laughter), that’s pretty tall, but Bill I went by one of the bridges the other day… Vice Mayor Kerdyk: The one I mentioned on Granada, I think it is. Commissioner Cabrera:…I did yes, I took a picture of it, and incidentally, for those of you in the audience and those who are watching at home, the signs that I’m speaking of, the municipal signs that are now around our City, the new fashion statement City of Coral Gables Page 15 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 basically say nothing, they just generally say what the name of the project is and there is a tag line that says, I think its “Building a Better Coral Gables for Tomorrow” or something like that, I’m sorry if I didn’t get the tag line correct, and then it’s got a website and it’s got the five of us prominently displayed with our names on there. The Waterway Renaissance Project is very simple Bill, it says, Granada Bridge Restoration, initial funding for this project has been provided by the Partnership Program of the Coral Gables Community Foundation in cooperation with the City of Coral Gables; and I continue to commend you for the Partnership Program that was under your leadership, and I’ve got to tell you that really has been a phenomenal program, but strangely enough that sign, while I wasn’t right, it wasn’t 20 by 28, its 30 by 48, so a big difference between this small sign that displays a project that merits this kind of display versus the kind of signage’s, the kind of signs that we are seeing all throughout the City. So this is just for us to keep in mind, if at some point in time we want to take the right leadership and not be silent on this ordinance, on this particular portion of the sign ordinance and come up with a sign ordinance that is appropriate and it was decided by this Commission not by an administrator. So with that in mind let me move to the next item, and that is to compliment Commissioner Anderson for her foresight and tenacity and bringing forward the squatters ordinance. Commissioner congratulations. Commissioner Anderson: Thank you - unnecessary, it’s a team effort. Commissioner Cabrera: Yes, I know; and also to the City Attorney for working with Commissioner Anderson so quickly to get this done. I know you worked hard on this issue and it’s been a challenging one for both of you, so congratulations. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve been hearing rumors out there throughout the senior community that the senior center is opening soon. At a recent Commission meeting I asked for an update and since then I have heard nothing, is there anything that can be brought forth today?- or is it something that we are keeping under wraps? Commissioner Anderson: Till we leave. Commissioner Cabrera: Or just before we leave. City Manager Salerno: I’d be glad to let you know what I can at this point. I don’t know where you are hearing it, I have certainly not heard from anybody about a senior center opening soon. So if you’d like to share that with me at some point Commissioner, I’d be glad to correct… City of Coral Gables Page 16 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 Commissioner Cabrera: I’m doing that right now sir; I’m actually sharing with you right now along with my colleagues. City Manager Salerno: I’d be glad to convey to the individual who’s saying that and give them the best information I can. We are having discussions with one property owner, we have had discussions for some time, we continue to explore any opportunity in the City where property is properly zoned, we will consider - we haven’t located a vacant site that would be suitable at this time, but certainly we asked and I have asked specifically of the Senior Advisory Board for them to come up with any suggestions and staff will evaluate those. We are having discussions ongoing with the Palace, there is a possibility that we may be able to come to a satisfactory arrangement, I’m not prepared to say that we will or we won’t, and as soon as we have something to discuss those discussions will encompass the fees, the cost, and in that regard those discussions I would rather not get into at this point because I’m trying to get the best price for the City. As soon as I have something that I can report that’s concrete I will be glad to do so. That’s what I can report to you at this time. Commissioner Cabrera: Well that’s a pretty good update, thank you. I appreciate that because I had asked for it two Commission meetings ago, so I appreciate you getting back to me on it. City Manager Salerno: I understand. Commissioner Cabrera: I’m sorry sir? City Manager Salerno: I said I understand. Commissioner Cabrera: Oh, OK. Thank you. I’m sorry; I thought you were just interrupting. One final question for the day and this is to the Manager, what’s the status of the cost-sharing increase that we have seen in that memorandum that we had in our boxes at the start of the last Commission meeting and we didn’t get to see it until after the Commission meeting, and as it specifically relates to the excluded employees? City Manager Salerno: The Finance Director addressed that issue briefly with the Pension Board at their last meeting, I think it was last Thursday, where she gave them that we are currently evaluating that information, although we received it in mid February, we had subsequently asked the Pension Board’s Actuary to provide us City of Coral Gables Page 17 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 additional information, which has been and continues to be reviewed at this time and will be coming in the near future taking a course of action that will be prudent and in the best interest of the City, I hope in the near future. So that’s where we stand at this point. Commissioner Cabrera: Very well. Last comment of the day. I forgot to mention this at the last Commission meeting, but I had the opportunity for the eighth year in a row to participate in the “Daddy/Daughter Dance”, which was held this past year, February 15th, the day after Valentine’s Day at the University of Miami Alumni Center, I think it’s called the Alumni House, if I’m not mistaken, and I have to tell you for those of us that are fathers and have daughters it is a wonderful event to take your daughter to, and the City of Coral Gables does a phenomenal job in hosting it and a special thanks goes out to the Parks and Recreation Department, specifically Fred Couceyro and his entire staff. I mean for them it’s a labor of love, but for me it’s just a fun event to hang out with your daughter and have dinner and dance and do all kinds of fun things. It was well attended by Coral Gables residents; I think the majority of the attendees were Gables residents because I recognized many of them and so once again, kudos to the Parks and Recreation Department and kudos for moving it to the Alumni Center at University of Miami. I understand we got a better deal and it was a lovely, lovely venue. So thanks to the U for that as well. That concludes my comments for today, March 12, 2013. Mayor Cason: Bill? Vice Mayor Kerdyk: A few issues, yes, thank you. As development starts rearing up again, I had a meeting with a developer and this is a gentleman that’s built in the City and built parking garages, and one of the topics of conversation was parking lifts, and his recommendation even though he has utilized that to this advantage was that we need to look at that again, because the parking lifts are not being utilized like we want to, but the developers are getting credit for the parking in their structures. So we need to address that issue again and maybe look at the viability of parking lifts in our new developments that may be coming up. Commissioner Cabrera: How do you feel about those? Vice Mayor Kerdyk: I’m not crazy about them. Commissioner Cabrera: Did you come to my workshop that one time? City of Coral Gables Page 18 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 Vice Mayor Kerdyk: Yes, yes. Commissioner Cabrera: You don’t like them? Vice Mayor Kerdyk: You know, I like them in smaller buildings when you can control the amount of people that come and go and that you know, oh yes Betty Sue the secretary can park under here, but when you are in bigger structures and it's unweilding, I don’t think they work. I really think it’s really tough and I think we should do another look at that before we get inundated with people utilizing that as parking. Commissioner Quesada: Can I ask a question for clarity? What is a parking lift? Commissioner Cabrera: It’s a robotic parking system… Commissioner Quesada: That you drive in. Commissioner Cabrera:…and it takes the…yes. Commissioner Quesada: OK. There is one downtown that I’ve seen. Commissioner Cabrera: And they are very prominent in Europe and in the northeast. We had a special workshop some time in, I think it was 2008 or 2009, where we went over it and we talked about the positives and negatives of them, and I’ve done some research, I’ll tell you what if it’s not violating the Sunshine, may I send my colleagues some information on them, because it will give both the good, the bad, and the ugly as it relates to them. City Attorney Leen: Yes, yes you can send them, they just can’t respond to you. Commissioner Cabrera: OK. So I’ll be sending you some information on that. It’s really not pro or against them, it’s more of an educational piece that tells you the good things that come from them and then the challenges. Like Bill said, there are challenges, but now they have developed redundancies to avoid those challenges, but notwithstanding South Florida just hasn’t adopted them to the degree that the northeast and the west has adopted some of those techniques. Vice Mayor Kerdyk: I think Commissioner Cabrera has some valuable input and there City of Coral Gables Page 19 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 are two ways of looking at parking lifts, there is a parking garage structure that basically moves around and moves pieces around and that’s one viable option; and the one we’ve applied to our Code is the parking lift where there is just two cars, two cars as the lift goes up. So what I think maybe that works, but you are talking about the multitude of parking - the way they do it in Japan, let me just say that, where you drive in, you go up and it goes around and you pull your car down later on… Commissioner Cabrera: You like that one? Vice Mayor Kerdyk: Yes, I like, but I don’t think this lift where you have two cars in once space works… Commissioner Cabrera: 2, 4, 6, those are the measurements right now, 2, 4, and 6. Vice Mayor Kerdyk: But we’ve been using the 2, but anyway that’s just “food for thought” and maybe Mr. City Manager you can have staff look at that, revisit that issue again. The second item I have is, we have a wall that runs along U.S.-1 corridor, it’s basically over by the Lola B. Walker Homeowners subdivision, and on that wall there are some ivy or some growth there, but what also is on that wall is a lot of mildew. If staff could over there and clean that wall that would be great. That’s such a nice area and also fronts U.S.-1 there that would be helpful. The other thing I wanted to talk about just briefly is signs, entrance signs to the City, I’m not talking about arches, I’m talking about signs in the City. Maybe the City needs to sort of come up with an idea that all the signs are consistent entering in the City of Coral Gables. For instance, we have a sign that we’ve talked about here is on 57th Avenue and Old Cutler there is a sign there; there is a sign as you enter into the City of Coral Gables on U.S.-1, there are a multitude of signs. It would be nice to sort of have some conformity to those signs as you get into the City of Coral Gables; and the final thing is, I think everybody will certainly echo my sentiments by telling you that one of our great employees is retiring on Friday. A very dedicated, honest, has been a great liaison for the City Commission and more than that she is a great person, Candy Suris is retiring and I’ve been begging her to come up here, but since she won’t come up here, I can certainly say it because I have the latitude to use my time to tell her how great a job she’s done and if it’s OK with the Mayor I’d like to give her a presentation after the meeting so that we can thank her for her service. Mayor Cason: She’s been a terrific help in my office as well. City of Coral Gables Page 20 City Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013 City Manager Salerno: We’ve asked Candice and as shy as she is, we all know that, we’ve asked her to attend the next meeting so we could recognize her and she’s agreed to do that. Vice Mayor Kerdyk: OK. Mayor Cason: Alright. Super. Frank? Commissioner Quesada: No, I don’t have anything. Mayor Cason: And I have nothing for today, so this meeting stands adjourned. City Clerk Item No. 27 ADJOURNMENT [Note for the Record: There being no further business on the Regular City Commission Meeting Agenda. The Commission of the City of Coral Gables adjourned its meeting at 10:39 am on February 19, 2013. The next regular meeting of the City Commission has been scheduled for March 26, 2013, beginning 9 a.m.] JIM CASON MAYOR ATTEST: WALTER J. FOEMAN CITY CLERK City of Coral Gables Page 21