WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012

Creating A More Pleasant Experience
At Building & Zoning

One of the City’s busiest departments is making welcomed improvements in customer service. A new automated system to manage the flow of customers is now in place at Building and Zoning on the third floor of City Hall. The goal of the new automated system is to provide customers with quality service and reduced wait times. Upon arrival, customers will be directed to a touch-screen ticket kiosk where they will select the reason for their visit. Based on that information, the system will route the customer to the most appropriate staff to handle their specific needs. “We will always do our best to save residents time. This new system is an example of our continuing efforts to increase convenience and customer satisfaction,” said Mayor Jim Cason. Before it was implemented, customers had a difficult time identifying where to go to get their needs met. Customers needing guidance regularly waited in line at the reception desk and were then directed to another line where they waited again. In other cases, customers would just stand in the shortest line only to find out it was the wrong line. Either scenario caused confusion and wasted time. This new management system immediately directs customers to the correct counter. It increases customer satisfaction, offers added convenience and saves time. Supervisors can track a customer’s progress through the system and they can shift resources more effectively to the areas where they can help the most people. “We are here to be as helpful as possible to our customers. Since the automated queuing system is taking care of the overall efficiency of the process, we can focus our efforts on our customers,” said Assistant Development Services Director Carmen Olazabal who has been looking at ways to improve the customers’ experience with the department. Coral Gables is among a handful of municipalities, government agencies and health care centers in Florida using this state-of-the-art system.    
Top photo, above: Ticket kiosk; second photo: Carmen Olazabal, Assistant Development Services Director

Planning & Zoning Board Conducts
Workshop To Discuss Truck Ordinance

The City of Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Board will hold a workshop today, Wednesday, February 15, to discuss the regulation of truck parking in the City, as well as abandoned and junk motor vehicles. The purpose of the workshop is to allow the Board to review and discuss the current regulations in preparation for a future Board meeting on this topic. The Board will not take any formal action or make any recommendation to the City Commission at the workshop. The public is welcome to attend; however, public comments will not be taken. The Planning and Zoning Board workshop will begin immediately following the Board’s regular meeting, which starts at 6:00 p.m. and is held in the Commission Chambers located at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. The Planning and Zoning Board workshop will be televised live on Coral Gables Television, Channel 77 for Comcast subscribers. It can also be viewed online via live streaming on the City’s website, coralgables.com.

French Delegation Visits Coral Gables

A delegation from France visited Coral Gables last week on a mission to expand our international boundaries. The Mayor from the Commune of Cognac, Michel Gourinchas, accompanied by members of his office and from the French Consulate of Miami, received a welcoming proclamation and the Keys of the City from Mayor Jim Cason. Commissioner Frank C. Quesada, City staff, and representatives from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce also welcomed our distinguished visitors. Members from the French business community and dignitaries visited South Florida for a week-long symposium produced in conjunction with the Alliance Francaise, which is expanding its French course offerings to Coral Gables at the University of Miami’s Casa Bacardi at 1531 Brescia Avenue. During their visit, Cognac’s Mayor and the French delegation enjoyed a Trolley tour of the City and a visit to the Coral Gables Museum. Anyone interested in French lessons, children or adults, can contact the Alliance at 305-859-8760 for more information. 

From left to right: Commissioner Frank C. Quesada, Mayor Jim Cason and Mayor of Cognac, Michel Gourinchas.

Enjoy “Jazz In The Gables”
Today With Clarinetist Paul Green

Renowned clarinetist Paul Green is the featured artist of today’s Jazz in the Gables, the lunchtime concerts taking place every Wednesday through March 28, 2012. The concerts begin at 12:15 p.m. on the Plaza of the Coral Gables Museum located on Salzedo Street, two blocks north of Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables. Lunch will be available for purchase from Tropico Restaurant. There will be prize drawings every week. Performing next week on Wednesday, February 22 is the UM Jazz Vocal One Ensemble. The concerts are free and open to the public. The event is presented by the City of Coral Gables in partnership with the BID/Downtown Coral Gables, Coral Gables Museum and Miami Jazz Cooperative, with a portion of the funding being provided by the Knight Foundation. For more information, contact the Economic Sustainability Department at 305-460-5313 or click here.
photo: Paul Green

Experience The Epicenter
Of Arts & Culture Along Aragon Avenue

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is presenting An Evening on Aragon, a tour through the Coral Gables Art District. Join us tomorrow, February 16 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. for a night of networking, art, culture and much more. The event starts with an art show at JGB Bank, 205 Aragon Avenue, with a chocolate tasting reception provided by Peterbrooke Chocolatier, followed by wine tasting at the Alhambra Water Tower Gallery, and a VIP tour of the Coral Gables Museum featuring a classical guitar performance by the Miami Bach Society and hor d’oeuvres courtesy of Fit2Go. For ticket and other information, click here.

Mark Your Calendar For Arbor Day Celebration

The City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Garden Club, and the Coral Gables Landscape Beautification Advisory Board cordially invite you to this year’s Arbor Day Celebration and the presentation of the 2011 Landscape Beautification Awards. Mark your calendar to attend this event on Saturday, March 3, beginning at 12 noon with Junior Arbor Day activities, followed by the Arbor Day Celebration at 12:30 p.m. The event will be held in conjunction with the Coral Gables Farmers Market, at Merrick Park, across from City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. Pinecrest Gardens Horticulturist Craig Morell will present a lecture on “New Tree and Palm Choices for the Modern Landscape—New Ways to Solve Old Problems.” For additional information or to RSVP for the event, contact the City of Coral Gables Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.

Green Business Certification Helps
The Environment And The Bottom Line

Miami-Dade County’s Green Business Certification Program is a free, voluntary program designed to help businesses go above and beyond basic green measures. Any business with a physical commercial location in Miami-Dade County can apply for certification. The program is a wonderful opportunity to implement green practices, receive on-site technical assistance, join the green business community and receive recognition from Miami-Dade County. General Office/Retail, Dental Practices, Garment Cleaning and Restaurants may apply. The program focuses on day-to-day operations and policies that, when implemented, will not only benefit the environment but will also benefit the bottom line by learning ways to conserve energy, water and reduce waste. For more information, click here.