WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

Beautification of Segovia Street Update

If you've driven by Segovia Street lately then you've noticed it's bustling with activity. The street's transformation into a beautiful, lush, pedestrian friendly road is currently underway. This past week, the contractor began planting oak trees along the street and constructing the median. Approximately 200 oak trees, 20 to 22 feet tall, and 100 oak trees, 28 to 30 feet tall, will be planted in the swale and median, respectively. These 300 trees will instantly create an inviting neighborhood street. The Segovia Streetscape Project, almost a mile in length, will include other substantial improvements to the roadway. The street, from Bird Road to Biltmore Way, will be narrowed from four to two lanes, resurfaced and striped for bike lanes. A median with curbing will meet safety requirements, and an irrigation system in the median will promote the healthy growth of trees. Once completed, a wide sea of asphalt will no longer be the predominant feature of Segovia Street. The focal point will be a lush green tree canopy. "Segovia will be transformed into a beautiful street that will add value to the community and enrich our quality of life," said City Manager Pat Salerno. Construction is expected to be completed within four months.

Segovia Street pre-construction.

Rendering of Segovia Street upon completion.

Mayor Cason Tours Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant

Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason recently visited FPL’s Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant in order to gain more knowledge about the facility, including how it can withstand the direct impact of a major hurricane. An operational briefing was conducted by FPL representatives who discussed nuclear security, emergency preparedness, as well as natural preservation efforts on behalf of FPL and the impact on many animals and plants. The briefing included observing a live simulation in the training control room which is capable of enacting many different situations. 

From left to right: Site Vice President Mike Kiley, Mayor Jim Cason, Coral Gables Deputy Fire Chief Marc Stolzenberg, UM Dean of Marine and Atmospheric Science Roni Avissar, FPL External Affairs Manager Ramon Ferrer, and FPL Sr. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Mitch Epstein.

Most Beautiful Town Judges Visit Coral Gables

On Saturday, June 25, the husband and wife judging team from Rand McNally/USA Today's Best of the Road contest arrived at Coral Gables City Hall for a welcoming ceremony. Coral Gables is one of six finalists competing for the title of Most Beautiful Town in America. Daniel and JoAnne Schaub, "The McNavigators," set off from New York on June 23 to visit the finalists. The couple was very impressed by the warm reception they received from Coral Gables City officials and business community leaders. Mayor Jim Cason presented the couple with a proclamation from the City Commission declaring June 25, 2011 as "Best of the Road Rally Day." The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce also extended their own proclamation wishing much success to the Best of the Road contest. During their visit, The McNavigators were able to experience some of the best and most beautiful aspects Coral Gables has to offer. They will finish their cross-country road trip in Los Angeles on July 15.

From left to right: Coral Gables Commissioner Frank C. Quesada, former Mayor George Corrigan, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Chairman John O’Rourke, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce member Laura Russo, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce past Chair Sarah Artecona, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President Mark Trowbridge, Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason, Daniel Schaub, JoAnne  Schaub, Economic Sustainability Director Cindy Birdsill, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk Jr., former Mayor Dorothy Thompson and former City Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers.

Grace Period For Compliance
With Truck Restrictions Ends On August 8th

The two-month grace period the City is offering before intending to enforce the restrictions pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas ends on August 8th, 2011. Tickets are presently scheduled to be issued after August 8th if compliance has not been achieved. Fines are $100 for the first violation, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation. The City of Coral Gables has prevailed in the legal court case challenging the City's ordinances restricting the parking of trucks. The Third District Court of Appeal previously upheld the constitutionality of section 4-411 and 4-412 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. On May 18th, the Florida Supreme Court decided not to review this decision, and the City will now enforce the restrictions following a grace period. Based on the provisions that have been upheld, the parking of trucks in residential areas is prohibited unless the truck is parked in an enclosed garage. Likewise, the parking of trucks upon the streets or other public places in the City is prohibited between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day. The City's truck ordinances seek to preserve the integrity of residential areas and the unique aesthetic qualities of the City of Coral Gables. For more information, please contact Code Enforcement at 305-460-5226.

July Is Parks and Recreation Month

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. During this month, Coral Gables residents are encouraged to visit the City’s parks and open spaces which are so important to maintaining the quality of life of our community. There are five weekends in July this year and what a better way to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month than by getting out to a park, trail, playground, tennis court, golf facility, the Venetian Pool, or any other public space every weekend. Our nationally accredited Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of excellent programs such as fitness and wellness, summer camps, gymnastics, youth sports games, tennis, senior programming, and much more. If you’re looking to admire other local parks and South Florida landscapes, an exhibit on ParkScapes of oil and pastel paintings by artist Patricia Cummis will be on display through July 31 at the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue. For more information on this exhibit, call 305-603-8067. To see a list of programs and park locations in Coral Gables, click here.

Recycling In Coral Gables Preserves Resources
For Future Generations

Before you discard an item that you would normally consider as rubbish, think that it could be used for other purposes. Recycling at home is very important to preserve the natural environment for future generations. The City of Coral Gables provides a 14-gallon red recycling container to all single family properties (not commercial or multi-family properties) and collects all recyclable items once a week. The following items are collected for recycling: phone books, paper materials (newspapers, paperback books, magazines, advertising inserts, paper grocery bags and light cardboard from cereal boxes), glass (rinsed out bottles and jars of all kinds and colors. Include lids separately), aluminum (rinsed out soft drink and beverage cans), metal cans (used for vegetables, juices, pet food, etc.), and plastic (rinsed out soft drink bottles, milk, juice and water jugs, detergent and bleach bottles with a #1 thru #7 recycling symbol on the bottom). Please do not place hardcover books, plastic wraps, plastic bags, nozzles, rubber or Styrofoam items in the recycling container. Residents must make materials accessible for collection prior to 7 a.m. on the scheduled recycling collection day. Recycling containers should be left in an area easily accessible and immediately adjacent to the garbage cans on the garage side of the house. Please do not place the recycling bins out near the street as City workers provide rear yard collection service as a means of keeping the containers out of public view. If you have a question regarding recycling in your area, please contact the Public Service Department at 305-460-5346. For information regarding recycling for commercial and multi-family properties, including duplexes, contact Waste Management of Miami-Dade County at 305-471-4444.

Seniors With Special Needs Must Register
For Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program

If you are a senior living in Coral Gables who may require additional assistance during emergency evacuations, you must register with Miami-Dade County’s People with Special Needs & Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program. During this hurricane season, the elderly and persons with disabilities need to plan ahead in case they need to evacuate their homes to get to safety. This is a registration driven program for anyone who requires skilled nursing care on a daily basis, needs assistance with daily living or has life-saving medical equipment dependent on electricity. The registry may be used for any emergency requiring evacuation, such as flooding, gas leaks, hurricanes or hazardous material spills. Resources are limited and those persons registered will have priority when an emergency arises. Avoid getting caught unprepared: Do not wait until an evacuation begins to request being added to the registry. To obtain an application for the Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program, click here.