At last week’s City Commission meeting, Commissioners got an update on how the search for a City Manager is going so far. Colin Baenziger, from Colin Baenziger and Associates reported that interest is high from more than 90 applicants who are looking to be the next Coral Gables City Manager. The executive search firm has been conducting background checks and a list of 10-13 finalists is being forwarded to all five City Commissioners. After the Commission reviews this list, a secondary list of the top six candidates will be narrowed for individual interviews with each Commissioner. A final decision on who will be selected for the post is expected to be made by all five commissioners in early February. 

City To Educate Public
About Proposed Charter Amendments

The City of Coral Gables is going to do its best to educate the public about the upcoming election scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2009. In conjunction with the General Biennial Election when two City Commission seats will be elected, a special municipal referendum election will also take place allowing qualified electors to cast their votes on four charter amendments: the threshold increase for formal public bid and award from $25,000 to $100,000 on public works projects; the elimination of the Trial Board; reducing the Mayor’s term to a two-year term; and providing for term limits for the City Commission. City staff will begin a public education campaign that will include the mailing of a voter’s guide to all Coral Gables households so the voters understand the issues on the ballot prior to Election Day. Look for upcoming information on e-News about the April 14th General Biennial Election and Special Municipal Referendum.  

If you drive daily through Old Cutler Road, you’ve probably seen the ongoing construction and restoration work of the badly deteriorated sewer main. The City has been conducting phase two of the Old Cutler Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main repair, an effort that has temporarily inconvenienced the public, but when finally completed will greatly benefit the entire community. Electronic boards have warned drivers of road conditions, but an unexpected sewer break in early December created heavy traffic congestion for a few days. The City is now back in track in its efforts to complete the job and restore the pavement and grass swale areas along the project route. All restoration should be completed by the end of the month. However, the project continues as the sewer main extends further south on Old Cutler Road to the intersection of S.W. 57 Avenue at Campamento Avenue. This segment of sewer line is scheduled to be replaced over the next year. Once this segment is replaced, the City will resurface the entire pavement of both driving lanes on Old Cutler Road from Kendall Drive to Campamento Avenue. The City wants to send a message of appreciation to the public affected by this project for their patience and understanding. The execution of these construction activities will be improved to minimize any future inconvenience. For additional information, please contact the Public Works Department at 305-460-5001. 

New Law Created To Prevent Downtown Litter

City Commission recently approved a new law that will hopefully reduce the litter on public property caused by uncontrolled distribution of commercial handbills, pamphlets, leaflets and flyers. From now on it will be unlawful for anyone to distribute any commercial advertising material in the City’s commercial district that will cause litter on any public sidewalk, street, parking lot or any other public place. City leaders recognize that a portion of the advertising litter in Coral Gables is caused by businesses outside the City that send their representatives to our non-residential districts with their commercial handbills, causing a financial burden upon Gables residents. The City will enforce these regulations through code enforcement and the Police Department. 

Mayor Slesnick Named To Top National Post

Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick has been appointed to chair the National League of Cities’ CityFutures Panel on Democratic Governance. The panel assists in strengthening local democratic governance by gathering and collecting information about strategies and best practices for cities. Mayor Slesnick will work with other advocates for U.S. cities, towns and villages to make sure that issues such as infrastructure investment, workforce development and funding for municipalities are part of the new Washington administration. The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunities, leadership and governance. 

Seniors Invited To Annual Lunch At Biltmore

On Monday, February 9 seniors are invited to the Biltmore Hotel for lunch and to listen to a very powerful advocate on senior issues, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs E. Doug Beach. Secretary Beach has worked in the aging network for more than 12 years. The Department of Elder Affairs is a state agency responsible for administering human services programs to benefit Florida’s elderly population. The event, which is being sponsored by the Bank of Coral Gables and the Palace Group, kicks off at 11:30 a.m. This is a free event which includes lunch. Space is limited so please make reservations by calling 305-460-5609. No walk-ins will be permitted. 

Save The Date For Legacy Celebration
At Gables Library

Save February 26 as a date to celebrate the lives and works of the Pancoast family. The City of Coral Gables and the Miami-Dade Public Library System will honor the legacy of the Kay Pancoast, creator of the mural that hangs in the Margaret M. Beaton Room inside the Coral Gables Branch Library. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the library located at 3443 Segovia Street and is free and open to the public. The mural created by Pancoast depicts the very essence of the City of Coral Gables showing off major landmarks and hubs of activity in the City. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Public Service Department at 305-460-5131. 

What You Need To Know About Garbage
and Trash Collection

With the start of the New Year, the City of Coral Gables wants to remind residents about the proper way of leaving garbage, recycling and trash out for collection prior to pickup. Please place any food scraps and household materials that are not recyclable into plastic bags and then into your garbage cans.  Ensure that sharp objects, such as broken glass or needles, are placed in puncture-resistant containers and sealed to prevent injury to collectors. Leave the cans next to your garage for collection.  Deposit materials like newspapers, empty aerosol cans, glass bottles and jars (with no lids), plastic containers, aluminum and metal cans, and phone books into your recycling container for collection. Do not include books, magazines, grocery bags, cardboard, plastic wraps or bags, nozzles, rubber or Styrofoam items in this recycling container. Place the container next to your garbage cans for collection.  Never place your garbage cans or recycling containers out near the street as this is a violation of City Code.  The City will remove up to one cubic yard of combined household refuse and yard waste from in front of your home once per week. Please leave your household refuse such as cardboard, bicycles, small appliances, rubber, tires without rims, plastic and small pieces of furniture in front of your home no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening before the scheduled trash collection day. Yard waste can be placed out at any time during the week, but the City encourages you to wait for the night before collection to do so. Box or tie up loose household refuse items such as stacks of books or magazines. By following these simple steps, you will help us maintain our City beautiful.

EVENTS ROUNDUP
For the definitive guide
to upcoming events in the
City of Coral Gables,
click here

TRAFFIC

Special Event
February 7: Due to the Carnival en Miami’s Coronation of the Queen ceremony there will be extra traffic in the area of Fred B. Hartnett/Ponce Circle Park. Throughout most of the afternoon and early evening, one lane around the park will be closed. The park is located on 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Please avoid the area if possible.  

CITY OF
CORAL GABLES

MISSION
Dedicated people providing exceptional services to residents, businesses and visitors while preserving our heritage.

VALUES
Accessibility
Accountability
Competency
Dedication
Innovation
Integrity
Loyalty
Responsiveness

Visit the
City of Coral Gables
web site:
www.coralgables.com
 

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