WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

Coral Gables Lowers Property Taxes

At the second and final budget hearing held on September 27, the City Commission approved a reduction in the property tax millage rate for the fiscal year that began October 1. The rate was set at 5.869 mills, a decrease from last fiscal year’s millage rate of 6.072. The rate represents $5.869 per $1,000 of assessed property value and results in a decrease in property tax revenue of more than $2 million. It’s been at least 25 years since the City has reduced the amount of property tax revenue collected for two consecutive years. "I am very pleased with this year's budget, which reduces the millage rate while maintaining our high-quality services. This is what the residents and I wanted," said Mayor Jim Cason.

Out of 35 cities in Miami-Dade County, nine are increasing their millage rate, 12 others remain the same, and Coral Gables was among 14 cities that decreased their rate. Of those cities, Coral Gables had the third largest property tax rate decrease.

The City’s workforce is budgeted to remain the same with 791 full-time employees. That’s fewer employees than the City has had in at least the past two decades. City Manager Pat Salerno has continued his personal analysis of the City’s current administrative organization and distribution of responsibilities in the ongoing pursuit of an optimal organizational arrangement. The changes will streamline the organization and reduce the number of departments from 17 to 14.

The budget provides funding for Capital Improvements totaling approximately $8.5 million. It includes $1.8 million in repairs/improvements to the public safety building, necessary structural repairs to City Hall, repairs/improvements to Venetian Pool, and bridge and waterway repairs/improvements, among others. The Roadway Improvement Program will provide $768,000 to resurface and rebuild streets and make related improvements. Other capital projects include $5.7 million for required improvements to sanitary sewer force mains, lift stations, sanitary sewer pipe replacement and $200,000 in storm water drainage improvements.

City To Recognize Random Acts Of Kindness

Known to be the place of all things beautiful, the City of Coral Gables is now making a name for having a heart. Beginning January 2012, the Coral Gables City Commission will recognize individuals, groups or organizations that display “Random Acts of Kindness” throughout the community. This award program will honor individuals who live or work in the City of Coral Gables as well as local organizations and groups that have done a caring deed that helped make our community a great place to live or work. “Each of us strives to make a difference in this world,” said Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason when announcing the new program during his first State of the City speech at the Chamber’s breakfast last month. “Serving others makes that difference and those who’ve performed a spontaneous act of compassion and caring in our community will be duly recognized at a City Commission meeting.” City officials are looking for nominations for Random Acts of Kindness which are defined as spontaneous and unexpected — done simply out of the will to extend goodness without expecting anything in return. Anyone can nominate someone who has performed an act of kindness. You may send a card or letter, even a photograph that shows an act of kindness, to Office of Public Affairs, Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Nomination applications can also be downloaded by clicking here and are available at City Hall’s reception desk. For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.

City Hires New Development Services Director

Jane K. Tompkins has been selected by City Manager Pat Salerno to be the City’s Development Services Director. This position will oversee the newly restructured depart­ment. She began her employment with the City on October 3. She is well qualified to serve in this role and has more than 15 years of local government experience in planning and development related services. “I am honored to be chosen by such a wonderful community and I will work hard to help make Coral Gables the best it can be,” said Tompkins. Ms. Tompkins was Director of Community Development for Montgomery, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and held that position for more than four years. Prior to that, Ms. Tompkins spent more than five years as the Development Director for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in Finance, a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning also from the University of Iowa and a Juris Doctor degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. She has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 1998. Ms. Tompkins will oversee the Development Services Department's three divisions: Building, Planning and Zoning, and Code Enforcement.

Senior Art Show Presents Best Works Of Art

The City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and The Palace cordially invite you to the Dr. William M. Schiff Senior Art Show, scheduled for Friday, October 21, from 6–9 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The art show was named last month in honor of Dr. Schiff, a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Board who was instrumental in creating this event. It will feature exhibits in various media created by Coral Gables senior residents. The event includes an opening reception, awards presentation and artwork exhibit. The event is free and open to the public. There will be free valet parking. For additional information, contact the Senior Services Division at 305-460-5609.

Residents Can Buy One, Get Two Free Tickets
For Canes Vs. Georgia Tech Game

Coral Gables residents have until Friday, October 21 to purchase one ticket (per resident) and receive two free tickets for the “Coral Gables Day” game between the Canes and undefeated Georgia Tech scheduled for Saturday, October 22 (Time is TBA). The football showdown will take place at Sun Life Stadium, 2269 N.W. 199th Street in Miami Gardens. This offer is made possible thanks to a 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami. Coral Gables residents must show proof of residency at the time of purchase. This promotion is good for all available seating excluding suites and club seating. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in person at the Hurricane Ticket Office, UM Hecht Athletic Building located at 5821 San Amaro Drive, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. This promotion is not available for online or phone ticket purchases. For more information, call 305-284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES.

Enjoy Gables Bike Day On Sunday, October 23

It was the summer of 1817 when Karl Drais invented a walking machine with two same-size in-line wheels mounted on a wooden frame. The device was propelled by pushing the feet against the ground, thus rolling a person and the device forward in a sort of gliding walk. This invention evolved into what we know today as the popular bicycles. Currently, there are more than a billion bicycles worldwide, with about 70 million in the United States. Learning to ride a bike is a classic rite of passage and is often used by adults because of its many physical, social and eco-friendly benefits. No matter what your age is, if you’re an avid bicycle fan don’t miss the first Gables Bike Day, to be held on Sunday, October 23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come on your bicycles, skates, or on your own two feet to celebrate this event on Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Miracle Mile to Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park. Enjoy a fun-filled family day with music, food, children’s activities, bike tours, and other demonstrations.  For more information, click here.

Looking For Queen & Princesses
For The Junior Orange Bowl

Does your teenage daughter love the glitz and glitter of beauty pageants? If she’s the ultimate girly girl who loves the spotlight, the Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) is looking for confident 12-14 year old girls to be part of its 2011-2012 Royal Court. A Queen and two Princesses will be chosen based on personality, poise and a dedicated service to the community. This 61-year old pageant tradition helps young ladies become future leaders and role models in our community. The Royal Court will reign over all of the Junior Orange Bowl Festivities and will ride on the Royal Court Float during the Annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade. Preliminaries will be held at various locations during the month of October. The Final Royal Court Queen and Princesses will be crowned on Sunday, November 6 at 1 p.m. at the Coco Plum Woman’s Club. If you know someone who’s interested in participating, contact Isa Goenaga at 305-904-0279 for more information.

2010 Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court: Queen Leia (middle) with Princess Sloane (left) and Princess Valerie.

Take Precautions To Limit Mosquito Bites

County Health officials have issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Miami-Dade County after a human case of West Nile virus was confirmed in a 27 year-old resident of Miami-Dade County. Thankfully, the individual has fully recovered. Everyone in the City of Coral Gables is encouraged to take basic precautions to limit their exposure to mosquito bites. The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with mosquitoes is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, primarily in artificial containers that hold water. Please remember to drain standing water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected. Also drain water from discarded old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used. Remember to empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week and to protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don't accumulate water. It is also important to maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Remember to empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses and what you can do to prevent them, click here.