City Commission

City Hall, Commission Chambers

Agenda — 32 items

1. 1 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.
2. 2 page break
3. 3 CALL TO ORDER
4. 4 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. 4 ROLL CALL
6. A. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. 7 ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
9. B.-1. 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) 25-8917 approved as an Ordinance on First Reading Pass ▶ jump to 13:19
10. B.-2. 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) 25-8921 approved as an Ordinance on First Reading Pass ▶ jump to 31:50
11. 10 page break
12. 11 Agenda Items B-3a and B-3b are proposed alternative Ordinances. Only one will be adopted by the City Commission.
13. B.-3a. 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) 25-8918 approved as an Ordinance on First Reading Pass ▶ jump to 46:06
14. B.-3b. 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) 25-8919 Discussed ▶ jump to 46:11
15. B.-4. 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) 25-8920 approved as an Ordinance on First Reading Pass ▶ jump to 63:42
16. 15 RESOLUTIONS
17. B.-5. 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) 25-8915 adopted by Resolution Number Pass ▶ jump to 73:59
18. B.-6. 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) 25-8916 adopted as amended by Resolution Number Pass ▶ jump to 82:53
19. 18 page break
20. B.-7. 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) 25-8922 adopted by Resolution Number Pass ▶ jump to 100:17
21. B.-8. 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) 25-8923 adopted by Resolution Number Pass ▶ jump to 104:34
22. C. DISCUSSION ITEMS
23. C.-1. Discussion regarding City Manager. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago) 25-8924 Discussed and Filed ▶ jump to 121:36
24. 23 page break
25. 24 ADJOURNMENT
26. 25 NOTE
27. 26 Billy Y. Urquia City Clerk
28. 27 page break
29. 30 page break
30. Non Agenda Item A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the resignation of the City Manager, providing for transition, and approving a cooperation, resignation, and severance agreement. 25-9057 adopted by Resolution Number Pass
31. 40 [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]
32. 42 Billy Y. Urquia City Clerk