City Commission
Police and Fire Headquarters, Community Meeting Room
Agenda — 89 items
- 1 The City of Coral Gables will be holding its Regular Meeting on September 29, 2026 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 page break
- 3 CALL TO ORDER
- 4 INVOCATION
- 4 ROLL CALL
- 5 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- 6 AMERICA'S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL MOMENT
- A. PRESENTATIONS AND PROTOCOL DOCUMENTS
- 8 Time Certain 10:00am (Agenda Item A-1)
- A.-1. Presentation by Glory House. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
- A.-2. Presentation of a Resolution of Condolence to the bereaved family of Yvette Diaz.
- A.-3. Presentation of a Proclamation declaring September 2026 as "Service Dog Awareness Month" in Coral Gables.
- A.-4. Presentation of a check to the City by Senator Ileana Garcia and State Representative Demi Busatta.
- A.-5. Introduction of Rafael Villalobos - Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent.
- A.-6. Introduction of the Coral Gables Principals in honor of National Principals Month.
- A.-7. Update from Miami-Dade County Public Schools regarding Referendum 268.
- 16 page break
- A.-8. Presentation regarding the overview of Venezuelan earthquake response by Fire Division Chief Louie Fajardo.
- B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- B.-1. Regular City Commission Meeting of August 25, 2026.
- B.-2. First Budget Hearing of September 15, 2026.
- C. PUBLIC COMMENTS
- D. CONSENT AGENDA
- D.-1. A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Amy Sedeno (nominated by Vice Mayor Anderson) to serve as a member of the Communications Committee, for the remainder of a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2025 and continues through May 31, 2027.
- D.-2. A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the execution of a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the City of Coral Gables for disbursement of FDOT funds in the amount of $60,340.00 for 12 months to the City, for the maintenance of turf and landscape areas within FDOT’s right-of-way on State Road (S.R.) 5/South Dixie Highway, S.R. 976/Bird Road, and S.R. 959/Red Road (east side only).
- 25 page break
- 26 Agenda Items D-3 to D-5 are related
- D.-3. A Resolution of the City Commission approving the cost difference of site work and construction for the installation of three sculptures: Julio Larraz's “Mars”, Agustin Cardenas’ “Le Couple” and “Untitled”; authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 amended budget to transfer AIPP Funds in the amount of $90,000 from the Miracle Mile Streetscape project to be used toward the cost of installation for the sculptures.
- D.-4. A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing emergency installation of two (2) Carrara marble sculptures within the courtyard of the 427 Biltmore Way building, pursuant to Section 2-690 Emergency Procurement, in the estimated amount of $53,500.
- D.-5. A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing emergency installation of one (1) “Mars” sculpture within the plaza of Parking Garage #6, 60 Merrick Way, pursuant to Section 2-690 Emergency Procurement, in the estimated amount of $92,027.
- D.-6. A Resolution of the City Commission approving the “Morocco Days Festival” as one of five events of the International Cultural Events Program.
- D.-7. A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Isabella Prado (nominated by the Board-As-A-Whole) to serve as the High School Representative of the Sustainability Advisory Board, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2025 and continues through May 31, 2027.
- D.-8. A Resolution of the City Commission confirming the appointment of Joseph Roque (nominated by City Manager Iglesias) to serve as a member of the Board of Adjustment, for a two (2) year term which began on June 1, 2025 and continues through May 31, 2027.
- 1. Presentation of Boards and/or Committees minutes requesting no action from the City Commission:
- 1.-1. Budget Audit Advisory Board Meeting of August 19, 2026.
- 1.-2. Cultural Development Board Meeting of July 21, 2026.
- 35 Passed the Consent Agenda
- 1.-3. Economic Development Board Meeting of August 5, 2026.
- 1.-4. International Affairs Coordinating Council Meeting of July 20, 2026.
- 38 page break
- 1.-5. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting of August 13, 2026.
- 2. 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]:
- 41 Time Certain 12:00pm (Agenda Item 2-1)
- 2.-1. A Resolution of the Historic Preservation Board requesting that the City Commission adopt a Resolution authorizing Ad Valorem tax relief for the property located at 720 Madeira Avenue, a Local Historic Landmark, legally described as Lot 7, Block 7, Coral Estates Section, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 19, at Page 7 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. (Historic Preservation Board Meeting of July 16, 2026, Vote: 6-0, three members absent).
- E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 44 ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
- E.-1. An Ordinance of the City Commission amending Chapter 2, “Administration,” Article III, “Boards, Commissions, Committees,” to create Division 13, “Coral Gables Youth Leadership Council,” and amending Chapter 42, “Community Recreation,” to remove Article III, “Parks and Recreation Youth Advisory Board”; and to transition the members from the Parks and Recreation Youth Advisory Board to the Coral Gables Youth Leadership Council; providing for repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
- E.-2. An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coral Gables by amending Chapter 6, Section 6-3, “Retail beverage store and retail liquor store licenses issued to bona fide restaurants” to allow restaurants of 120 seats or over to serve alcoholic beverages or intoxicating liquors from bars; providing for repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date.
- 47 page break
- 48 Time Certain 11:00am (Agenda Items E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6, E-7 and E-8 are related)
- E.-3. An Ordinance of the City Commission amending the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Coral Gables, pursuant to expedited state review procedures in Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes and Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-213, “Comprehensive Plan Text and Map Amendments,” 1) to increase the maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for the “University Campus” land use category; 2) to include hospital use and increase retail use within the Multi-Use Zone; and 3) to modify the boundaries of the “University Campus Multi-Use Area” to include the Central Energy Plant building and extend southwest to Red Road and northeast to the Mahoney-Pearson Parking Garage, excluding properties that are not owned by the University of Miami; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- E.-4. An Ordinance of the City Commission requesting amendments to the Future Land Use Map of the City of Coral Gables Comprehensive Plan pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-213, “Comprehensive Plan Text and Map Amendments,” and Small Scale Amendment Procedures (ss. 163.3187, Florida Statutes), to change from “Commercial Low-Rise Intensity” to “University Use” for Lot 3, less the southwest one-half, Lots 4 and 5, and Lots 14 through 17, Block 192, Riviera Section 14, Second Revised Plat, Coral Gables (1530 Levante Avenue, 5827 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, and 5855 Ponce de Leon Boulevard); providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- E.-5. An Ordinance of the City Commission providing for a Text Amendment to the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-212, “Zoning Code Text and Map Amendments,” by 1) amending Article 16, “Definitions,” to clarify Health Center and relocate the University Campus Frontage definitions to Appendix D, “University Campus District (UCD);” 2) amending Appendix A, “Site Specific Zoning Regulations,” Section A-89 to remove inconsistent Site Specifics for the properties owned by the University of Miami; 3) amending Appendix D, “University Campus District (UCD)” to update and increase the permitted square feet to Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0 with a FAR definition; to redefine the University Campus Frontages and revise the associated performance standards; to include hospital use and revise the other allowed uses with related requirements to the Campus Sub-Areas Table; and update other requirements; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, codification, and providing for an effective date. (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- 52 page break
- E.-6. An Ordinance of the City Commission making Zoning District boundary changes pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-212, “Zoning Code Text and Map Amendments,” from “Mixed-Use 1 (MX1)” to “University Campus District (UCD)” for Lot 3, less the southwest one-half, Lots 4 and 5, and Lots 14 through 17, Block 192, Riviera Section 14, Second Revised Plat, Coral Gables (1530 Levante Avenue, 5827 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, and 5855 Ponce de Leon Boulevard), and to modify the boundaries of the “University Campus Multi-Use Area Overlay District” to include the Central Energy Plant building and extend southwest to Red Road and northeast to the Mahoney-Pearson Parking Garage, excluding properties that are not owned by the University of Miami; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- E.-7. An Ordinance of the City Commission amending and restating the City of Coral Gables and University of Miami Development Agreement, adopted by Ordinance No. 2010-31 on 09.28.10, pursuant to Zoning Code Article 14, Section 14-217, “Development Agreements,” for the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- 55 RESOLUTIONS
- 56 Time Certain 11:00am (Agenda Items E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6, E-7 and E-8 are related)
- E.-8. A Resolution of the City Commission requesting Conditional Review pursuant to Article 14, “Process,” Section 14-203, “Conditional Uses,” and Appendix D, “University Campus District (UCD),” for the University of Miami Campus Master Plan to reflect Comprehensive Plan and Zoning amendments; providing for a repealer provision, severability clause, and providing for an effective date. (LEGAL DESCRIPTION ON FILE) (08 12 26 PZB recommended approval, Vote: 6-1) Lobbyist: Jeff Bass
- E.-9. A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the Police Department's 2025-2026 Red Light Camera survey responses and written summary after a public hearing and presentation at the September 29, 2026 City Commission Meeting in accordance with Florida Statutes § 316.0083(4).
- 59 page break
- F. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS
- F.-1. A Resolution of the City Commission directing the City Attorney to seek, through all legally available and jurisdictionally appropriate mechanisms, an independent ethics review, opinion, guidance, or other determination regarding any potential voting, participation, employment, contractual, financial, or other conflict of interest arising from Mayor Vincent Lago's professional and financial relationships with Hammer Commercial Construction, LLC and/or Hammer Construction Corporation and any current or recent business, contractual, professional, client, contractor, or financial relationship between those entities and the University of Miami, in connection with the pending amended and restated University of Miami development agreement and related matters; requesting review of participation in negotiations, communications, discussions, deliberations, direction to staff, and voting; requesting determination of any applicable disclosure, abstention, recusal, or non-participation requirements; providing for the preservation and review of relevant records; providing for public disclosure of any resulting determination to the extent permitted by law; and providing for an effective date. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
- F.-2. Discussion regarding beautification of North Gables. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
- 62 Pulled from Consent Agenda
- F.-3. Presentation regarding LoneStar StarVaults Lunar and Space-based Data Backup and Recovery Service. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
- F.-4. Update regarding the investigation into alleged false testimony provided during the August 25, 2026 City Commission Meeting. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
- F.-5. Update to Bird Road Street Lighting. (Sponsored by Mayor Lago)
- F.-6. Discussion regarding the ground-level businesses and ramp at the Mobility Hub. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
- F.-7. Discussion regarding the ingress and egress to the overflow parking of the lots located at 430, 440, and 450 University Drive. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)
- F.-8. Discussion regarding extended working hours at the Aurelian. (Sponsored by Commissioner Castro)
- 69 page break
- G. BOARDS/COMMITTEES ITEMS
- 71 None
- H. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
- H.-1. A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the award of a contract to the highest-ranked responsive, responsible proposer, CBIZ CPAs P.C. for Request for Proposal (RFP) 2026-013 for External Auditing Services as the proposer offering the most favorable contract price, pursuant to Section 2-763 of the Procurement Code entitled "Contract Award" and Request for Proposal (RFP) 2026-013.
- 74 Time Certain 2:00pm (Agenda Item H-2)
- H.-2. A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation of the Public Works Department authorizing the City to negotiate and execute a Construction Management at Risk (CMR) Agreement with Thornton Construction for the construction phase of the City Hall Renovation & Restoration Project (Project), pursuant to (RFQ) 2025-031, in an amount not to exceed $39,977,989 or the budgeted amount.
- H.-3. Innovation and Technology Department update on public Wi-Fi.
- H.-4. Discussion regarding an initial funding commitment for the operations and maintenance of the Underline within the City of Coral Gables, and direction to staff on next steps for a potential agreement with the Underline Management Organization, Inc., d/b/a the Underline Conservancy.
- I. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
- 79 None
- J. CITY CLERK ITEMS
- J.-1. A Resolution of the City Commission making provisions for holding a General Biennial and Special Election on November 3, 2026, for the election of candidates for the office(s) of Mayor and two City Commissioners; and voting on four Referendum questions. Further designating and appointing the City Clerk as the official representative of the City Commission, with respect to the supervision of said General Biennial and Special Elections; further directing the City Clerk to give notice by publication of the adoption of this Resolution and the provisions hereof.
- 82 page break
- J.-2. A Resolution of the City Commission granting permission to the City Clerk to proceed with preparation of the Municipal Election Order Form in conjunction with Miami-Dade County Elections Department for services, materials and support to be rendered, in connection with the Coral Gables General Biennial and Special Elections of November 3, 2026, to procure the necessary ballots and other forms, to arrange for the use of voting machines, provide appropriate absentee ballot request policy (in those instances wherein Miami-Dade County manages the distribution of absentee ballots) and canvass of returns from designated precincts within the City of Coral Gables.
- K. DISCUSSION ITEMS
- 85 ADJOURNMENT
- 86 NOTE
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