Coral Gables | Coral Gables Watch

What is “Quality of Life” in Coral Gables?

September 17, 2010 Leave a comment

Given the pervasive use of the term “Quality of Life” by city commissioners and the city manager of Coral Gables, among others, let’s see if we know what Quality of Life is.

The following summarizes a Quality of Life framework for another city (from which I have extracted the following).

The major elements elements of Quality of Life are

Urban Environment that depends on a clean city, water quality, a vibrant downtown (no or few vacancies); the degree of urban sprawl; deterioration of the infrastructure; well maintained and well functioning infrastructure; active energy and water conservation; waste minimization.

Urban Economy hinging on the quality of jobs; brain drain; availability of professionals; good municipal financial management; avoiding over reliance on a single revenues source like property taxes; having a diverse economy; support for small businesses; fostering community-based businesses.

Community Assets involve affordable housing; maintaining quality of housing stock; active culture, arts and entertainment; good community centers; available sports facilities; access to public transportation; local urban planning; solid educational systems; opportunities for all cultural and ethnic groups; multi-cultural environment; strong sense of community and neighborhood; disaster response and preparation services.

Individual Well-Being related to personal and property safety; crime and safety; social equity; meeting basic physical needs; quality education; inclusive education; income and material comfort at reasonable price; access to health services; water quality and supply; disaster response capacities.

Community Leadership and Pride stemming from good governance with strong and local accountability; responsive, respected and trusted governance; improved community image; distinctive character; sense of individual empowerment; participation and belonging.

Quality of Life is complex and multifaceted as it supports a full community of citizens, businesses, university, government, temporary residents and visitors each with its role in the city.

The Quality of Life in Coral Gables does not just depend on the city government, commissioners or the city manager, how much money the city has in its treasury or how it spends its money. The city is only partially able to determine the Quality of Life in Coral Gables and it is only partially capable of ensuring good governance and citizen participation–there are many community actors outside of the government.

We need a Coral Gables government that leads, promotes and faces the greater problems of the city, embracing economic growth and employment, promoting and protecting cultural values and creating sound structures of political and social participation. We have made some progress in this city, but there is much to be done.

Filed under Coral Gables

Tropical Audubon Conservation Workshop: FYI

September 16, 2010 Leave a comment

TAS Conservation Workshop

Sat., September 18 | 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.|The Deering Estate

Tropical Audubon will host its annual conservation workshop to set the conservation agenda for the coming year at The Deering Estate. The day will begin with a bird walk at 7 a.m. followed by breakfast at 8 a.m. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a series of knowledgeable speakers will discuss conservation issues.

7:00 a.m. Bird Walk

Meet at the visitor center, Ernest Lent to lead

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

Meet at the visitor center

8:15 a.m. Opening

Remarks by Tropical Audubon President, Joe Barros, and

Conservation co-chairs, John Ogden and Dennis Olle

8:30 a.m. Growth, Maintaining the Urban Development Boundary

& the Evaluation Appraisal Report

Mark Woerner, Chief, Metropolitan Planning Division, Miami-Dade Planning and Zoning

9:30 a.m. Parks Master Plan to Improve Bird Conservation

Maria Nardi, Park Systems Planning, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation

10:30 a.m. Conflicting Issues for Restoration: Agricultural Drawdown & FPL

Sarah Bellmund, Ecologist, National Park Service

11:30 a.m. Next Steps for the Southern Everglades: Tamiami Trail, C-111 & BBCW

Ken Ammon , Deputy Executive Director, Everglades Restoration & Capitol Projects,

South Florida Water Management District

12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided

1:00 p.m. Open Discussion

3:00 p.m. Optional Historical Walking Tour

Lead by Deering Historian, TBA

Read for more information. If you would like to volunteer at this event, please contact Stephanie. Check us out on Facebook!

Filed under Coral Gables

Somerset Gables and Biltmore Neighborhood Association

September 15, 2010 Leave a comment

At this website you can follow the Biltmore Neighborhood Association’s battle against the establishment of a 735-student sized school in their neighborhood.

Their main point–you may like charter schools, but would you want one in your backyard?

…Somerset Gables, despite Judge Bailey’s ruling to not allow more than 110 students, has filed a lawsuit against the City to increase the number of students to 735.

via Home Page.

Filed under Community, Coral Gables

What I Learned during the Budget Hearing Tonight

September 14, 2010 Leave a comment

I learned a few things from the Commission meeting today.

The Director of Finance sings the same song every year, and he has for many years. “We have a great millage rate.” “We really need the money.” “We are a great city that needs the money.” “Don’t worry, Miami-Dade is taking a much bigger share of the rate so our tax rate isn’t that bad, really.”
The City Manager has a plan to reorganize, restructure and right size the city’s government. [I wonder what is the plan and whether we, the citizens, hear about it in more detail.]
The City Manager feels that the employees have sacrificed a lot and when the economy comes back the sacrifices can be rectified. [Many citizens think it is the taxpayers that have been sacrificing, rather than the employees. Maybe the Manager is just playing up to his staff.]
One Commissioner reminded us that employees haven’t received salary adjustments for a couple of years. [I am personally reminded that there is been literally no inflation for two years, so their salaries haven’t gone down in real terms for two years.]
Mr. Kerdyk said that there are 1,000 housing units in “pre-foreclosure” out of 16,000 so times are really, really, tough for the community.
The City Manager said that there are plenty of candidates for the jobs of police and firefighters. [Economics tells you that we don’t have to pay the police and firefighters as much in these conditions–supply and demand.]
There are 7 police officers and 2 lieutenants positions that are unfilled and will mostly remain so as a financial buffer.
The reserves have taken a huge hit because of the FEMA double billing debacle. We just have $3.3 million after repaying FEMA.
I have the feeling that the City Manager and the Commissioners are praying for a strong economic recovery as a way of digging out of the financial mess. [The City Manager said we have a financial mess (in so many words). Don’t count on a strong economic recovery.
Nothing, nothing was said about the Biltmore. [Maybe, I missed it.]