Good Management and Major Projects in Coral Gables

In further reading of the Mayor’s_State_of_the_City_Address_2010 I am struck by his good defense of good management and better city organization.  Better management is a good step forward for the city and all are to be congratulated for this.  Witness the relative success of the the new city manager and his quiet, ambitious steps to bring in good people and restructure some of the management units.

In his speech,the mayor singles out three major successful projects: the Biltmore lease agreement, the “re-birth” of the Coral Gables Country Club and the University of Miami Development Agreement.  All three of them came about as problems, or were delayed, because of weak city management that let problems run until they became crises.

However, still there is much to do.

• The Biltmore lease still seems much like a postponement of a problem before the current budget cycle, pending negotiation of a long-term agreement between the city and the lessee.
• The Coral Gables Country Club arrangement has yet to prove itself after having been restricted by the city commission.
• The University of Miami Agreement, while certainly important, has the feeling of being rushed through because of the possible approval of a constitutional change in Florida, Amendment 4, that might put land us plan modifications in the hands of voters.

Amendment 4.  Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice.

Therefore, the major projects are still mostly projects and agreements; they are important achievements, but they have yet to prove their viability and worth to the community. Time will tell.