City Commission

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 6, 2025 9:00 AM Special Commission Meeting City Hall, Commission Chambers City Commission Mayor Vince Lago Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson Commissioner Melissa Castro Commissioner Ariel Fernandez Commissioner Richard D. Lara Alberto N. Parjus, City Manager Cristina M. Suárez, City Attorney Billy Y. Urquia, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 The City of Coral Gables will be holding its Special Commission Meeting Tuesday, May 6, 2025. commencing at 9:00 a.m. Members of the public may participate in person, but are also able to participate via the Zoom platform. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom at (https://zoom.us/j/3054466800). In addition, a dedicated phone line will be available so that any individual who does not wish (or is unable) to use Zoom may listen to and participate in the meeting by dialing: (305) 461-6769 Meeting ID: 3054466800. To speak prior to the City Commission taking action on an Agenda Item, please "Raise your Hand" or send a message to one of the meeting hosts using the Zoom Platform. If you joined the meeting via telephone, you can "Raise your Hand" by pressing *9. The public may comment on an item on the agenda using the City’s already-established e-comment function which may be found on the City’s website at: (www.coralgables.com/commissionmeetings) once the meeting’s agenda is published or by sending an email to cityclerk@coralgables.com prior to the start of the meeting. The Meeting will also be broadcasted live for members of the public to view on the City’s website (www.coralgables.com/cgtv) as well as Channel 77 on Comcast. City of Coral Gables Page 1 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: 4 - Commissioner Lago, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Lara Absent: 1 - Commissioner Castro PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Lara led the Pledge of Allegiance A. PUBLIC COMMENTS City Clerk Item No. 1 B. PUBLIC HEARINGS ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING ORDINANCE NO. 2025-08 B.-1. 25-8917 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 13, 2027 to November 03, 2026 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; amending Section 3 “Election to Office; Commission As Judge of Qualifications, Requirements, Ballots, Canvassing, and Qualifying Periods” amending the qualifying period; adopting such Charter Amendments pursuant to Section 100.3605, 101.75, and 166.021(4), Florida Statutes; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- First reading ordinance- Election Day April 27 to November 26 Draft Ordinance on First Reading - Election Day April 27 to November 26 Cover Memo- Second reading ordinance- Election Day April 27 to November 26 Second Reading Ordinance Election Day April 27 to November 26 O-2025-08 Signed A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lara, that this matter be approved as an Ordinance on First Reading. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Fernandez, Commissioner Lara and Commissioner Lago Nays : 1- Commissioner Castro City of Coral Gables Page 2 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 City Clerk Item No. 2 City of Coral Gables Page 3 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-07 B.-2. 25-8921 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending City Code Chapter 2, "Administration," Article III "Boards, Commissions, Committees," Section 2-79 "Order of Business," to clarify and amend public comment and Commission sponsorship procedures; providing for severability clause, repealer provision, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- First Reading Order of Business First Reading Ordinance- order of business Cover Memo- Second Reading Order of Business Second Reading Ordinance- order of business O-2025-07 Signed A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lara, that this matter be approved as an Ordinance on First Reading. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 3- Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Lago Nays : 1- Commissioner Fernandez Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 3 Agenda Items B-3a and B-3b are proposed alternative Ordinances. Only one will be adopted by the City Commission. ORDINANCE NO. 2025-06 B.-3a. 25-8918 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending City Code Chapter 2, “Administration,” Article II “City Commission,” Section 2-29 “Compensation of Mayor, Commissioners; Travel Allowance,” to adjust the compensation and expense allowance of the Mayor and Commissioners; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- First reading ordinance-reverting salaries agenda Draft Ordinance on First Reading - Reverting salaries Agenda Cover Memo- Second reading ordinance-reverting salaries agenda Second Reading ordinance- reverting salaries Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, that this matter be approved as an Ordinance on First Reading. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Lago Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 4 City of Coral Gables Page 4 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 B.-3b. 25-8919 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending City Code Chapter 2, “Administration,” Article II “City Commission,” Section 2-29 “Compensation of Mayor, Commissioners; Travel Allowance,” to adjust the compensation and expense allowance of the Mayor and Commissioners to one dollar annually; providing for severability clause, repealer provision, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Draft Ordinance on First Reading - Adjust Compensation $1 Cover Memo- First reading ordinance - Adjust Compensation $1 This Ordinance was Discussed City Clerk Item No. 5 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-05 B.-4. 25-8920 An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the City of Coral Gables Code by Creating Chapter 2 “Administration,” Article VII “Finance,” Division 1 “Generally,” Section 2-352 Fund Balance and Reserve Policy,” to codify the Fund Balance and Reserve Policy establish pursuant to Resolution No. 2016-34 and to require a four-fifths vote of the City Commission prior to spending general fund reserves, except during a declared State of Emergency, and to provide that the policy may be amended by ordinance approved by a four-fifths vote of the City Commission; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- First reading ordinance- general fund and insurance fund reserve policies Draft Ordinance on First Reading - General Fund and Insurance Fund Reserve Policies (5-1) 2nd reading Ordinance general fund and insurance fund reserve policies Cover Memo- Second reading ordinance- general fund and insurance fund reserve policies O-2025-05 Signed A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lara, that this matter be approved as an Ordinance on First Reading. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 3- Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Lara and Commissioner Lago Nays : 1- Commissioner Fernandez Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 6 City of Coral Gables Page 5 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-87 B.-5. 25-8915 A Resolution of the City Commission calling a Special Election on the proposed ballot question and City Charter amendment to be held on November 3, 2026; providing for submission to the electors for approval or disapproval of a ballot question asking whether the City Charter should be amended to require the convening of a Charter Review Committee every ten years and outlining the composition of that committee; providing for notice; providing for inclusion in the City Charter; providing for related matters; providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- Resolution- Special Election Charter Review Committee Resolution - special election, charter review committee R-2025-87 Signed A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE PROPOSED BALLOT QUESTION AND CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORS FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF A BALLOT QUESTION ASKING WHETHER THE CITY CHARTER SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE CONVENING OF A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE EVERY TEN YEARS AND OUTLINING THE COMPOSITION OF THAT COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, that this matter be adopted by Resolution Number 2025-87. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Fernandez, Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Lago Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 7 City of Coral Gables Page 6 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-88 (As Amended) B.-6. 25-8916 A Resolution of the City Commission calling a Special Election on the proposed ballot question and City Charter Amendment to be held on November 3, 2026; providing for submission to the electors for approval or disapproval of a ballot question asking whether the City Charter should be amended to require an Inspector General with certain powers (including the power to subpoena witnesses) either by the Miami -Dade County Inspector General or other City-Appointed Inspector General, provided that such office ’s appointment term functions, and powers shall be further established by ordinance; providing for requisite ballot language; providing for procedures for balloting; providing for notice; providing for inclusion in the City Charter; providing for related matters; providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- Resolution- Special Election OIG Resolution- Special Election OIG -May 6 Special Meeting November 26 special election A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE PROPOSED BALLOT QUESTION AND CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORS FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF A BALLOT QUESTION ASKING WHETHER THE CITY CHARTER SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL WITH CERTAIN POWERS (INCLUDING THE POWER TO SUBPOENA WITNESSES) EITHER BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OR OTHER CITY-APPOINTED INSPECTOR GENERAL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH OFFICE’S APPOINTMENT TERM FUNCTIONS, AND POWERS SHALL BE FURTHER ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR REQUISITE BALLOT LANGUAGE; PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURES FOR BALLOTING; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, that this matter be adopted as amended by Resolution Number 2025-88. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Lago Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 8 City of Coral Gables Page 7 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-89 B.-7. 25-8922 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution No. 2023-267 (As Amended) to expand the existing Charter Review Committee to include two additional members with one member chosen by the City Manager and one chosen by the City Attorney. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover Memo- Resolution- Charter Review Committee Amending 2023 Committee Composition Charter Review Committee - Amended 2023 Resolution (05-06-2025) (002) R-2025-89 Signed A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-267 (AS AMENDED) TO EXPAND THE EXISTING CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE TWO ADDITIONAL MEMBERS WITH ONE MEMBER CHOSEN BY THE CITY MANAGER AND ONE MEMBER CHOSEN BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lara, that this matter be adopted by Resolution Number 2025-89. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 3- Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Lara and Commissioner Lago Nays : 1- Commissioner Fernandez Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 9 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-90 B.-8. 25-8923 A Resolution of the City Commission amending Resolution No. 2021-225 which amended the policy adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 2019-55 for City Commissioner Expense Accounts/Office Budgets and directing City staff to reduce the amount from $ 10,000 to $5,000 in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) Attachments: Cover memo-Commissioner expense accounts Resolution amending expense account policy and reducing amount R-2025-90 Signed A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA AMENDING RESOLUTION 2021-225 WHICH AMENDED THE POLICY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2019-55 FOR CITY COMMISSIONER EXPENSE ACCOUNTS/OFFICE BUDGETS AND DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT FROM $10,000 TO $5,000 IN THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Lara, that this matter be adopted by Resolution Number 2025-90. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Fernandez, Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Lago Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City of Coral Gables Page 8 City Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 City Clerk Item No. 10 C. DISCUSSION ITEMS C.-1. 25-8924 Discussion regarding City Manager. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) This Agenda Item was Discussed and Filed City Clerk Item No. 11 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-91 Non 25-9057 A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the resignation of the City Manager, Agenda providing for transition, and approving a cooperation, resignation, and severance Item agreement. Attachments: R-2025-91 Signed A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, PROVIDING FOR TRANSITION, AND APPROVING A COOPERATION, RESIGNATION, AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, that this matter be adopted by Resolution Number 2025-91. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas : 4- Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Lago Absent : 1- Commissioner Castro City Clerk Item No. 12 [Note for the Record: The verbatim transcript for this meeting is available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk and in Legistar] ADJOURNMENT [Note for the Record: There being no further business on the Special City Commission Meeting Agenda. The Commission of the City of Coral Gables adjourned its meeting at 11:15 1.m. The next Regular Meeting of the City Commission has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, beginning 9 a.m.] Billy Y. Urquia City Clerk City of Coral Gables Page 9