WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009

City Faces Financial Challenges
Resulting From Decline In Revenues

The City of Coral Gables, like other local governments throughout Florida and the nation, is facing a decline in revenues due to the downturn in the economy. The latest financial information reveals approximately a $9 million general fund budget shortfall for the fiscal year that ends September 30, 2009. This shortfall is due to a number of factors, beginning with a decline in revenues totaling nearly $5 million. Added to this number is approximately a $2.5 million increase in expenditures as a result primarily of collective bargaining agreements with the general employees’ and firefighters’ unions and other operating costs. Also adding to the shortfall is approximately a $1.5 million appropriation from last fiscal year’s reserves to balance the budget. In addition, the City is projecting a similar shortfall as it enters the budget preparation process for next fiscal year which begins October 1, 2009 and that would need to be addressed prior to adopting a balanced budget. In a letter sent to all City employees on April 28th, City Manager Patrick Salerno announced a citywide freeze on hiring, capital and discretionary spending as initial steps taken to address the situation. Furthermore, 16 part-time temporary positions were recently eliminated. The City Manager has expressed his desire to minimize the number of positions that need to be reduced further from the City’s workforce. City administrators are analyzing other cost cutting measures and revenue enhancement strategies to address the current financial challenge. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205. 

William H. Kerdyk Sr. Avenue To Be Dedicated May 27th

A portion of Douglas Road, from S.W. Eighth Street to 22nd Street, will be dedicated to honor a long-time Coral Gables Commissioner who served the City for 28 years. On Wednesday, May 27 at 11 a.m., officials from the City of Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County will designate “William H. Kerdyk Sr. Avenue” in a ceremony to take place at Alhambra Circle and Douglas Road. The public is invited to attend. Kerdyk Sr., who passed away last year, was the longest serving commissioner of Coral Gables and the father of current Vice-Mayor William H. Kerdyk Jr. The patriarch was a key promoter of Coral Gables’ historic preservation ordinance and was committed to the wellbeing of the community for close to three decades.    

Keeping You Informed Regarding H1N1 Virus

In the last couple of weeks, Coral Gables residents have been bombarded with news media information regarding the H1N1 virus (swine flu). With information comes power, but it is also important to keep calm and not create a sense of unnecessary panic in the community. The City of Coral Gables Emergency Management Team has been receiving constant updates from county, state and federal authorities since the virus outbreak was reported in late April. The most important public actions recommended by health officials is to wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness; stay home if you come down with the flu to avoid spreading infections to others in the community; avoid contact with others who are coughing or appear ill; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and call your doctor if experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, along with diarrhea and vomiting. The Florida Department of Health has received over one half million individual courses of antiviral medication. A toll free Florida Flu Information Line is available to answer calls at 800-342-3557 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To access related information from the Florida Department of Health, click here. To link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here. To view a listing of school closures from the Florida Department of Education, click here. For updated information on what you need to know regarding the H1N1 virus, click here.  

Venetian Pool Reopens May 15

In just two days, the Venetian Pool will re-open its doors for its peak summer season featuring some noticeable improvements. Guests to the pool will see new public restrooms and lockers. The restrooms were fully renovated and include features that make the bathrooms more accessible to people with disabilities. The pool’s roof tiles have been replaced along with the external and landscape lighting. The fence surrounding the property received a fresh coat of paint. Pool hours until May 24 are: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From May 25 through September 7, 2009, pool hours are: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Built out of a rock quarry in 1923, Venetian Pool is on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, contact the Venetian Pool at 305-460-5306. 

Sign Up For Gables Summer Camps

The last school bell of the year will ring on June 4th and it’s time to think about summer camps for the children. With less than a month away to make a decision, the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center offers wonderful summer camps to choose from. This year, summer camp programs will focus on several different themes, including sports and superheroes. The counselor-to-camper ratio will remain 1 to 10 for most camps with smaller ratios for specialty camps. For the first time this year, children registered in a half-day camp can now select and afternoon half-day camp and be transported between camps on the Coral Gables Trolley. Among the summer camps to choose from are: Baseball Camp, T-Ball Camp, Club Play, Sunblazer Soccer Camp, Kixs 4 Kidz Soccer Camp, Smash & Splash Tennis Camp, Jr. High Performance & Junior Development Summer Camp at Salvadore Tennis Center, My 1st Camp, Art Camp, Petite Artiste Camp, Creative Camp, Teen Outside Camp, CGYC Basketball Camp, John Crotty Basketball Camp, Half-Day Fun Camp, Gym Kidz Co-Ed Gymnastics Camp, Junior Lifeguard Camp. Open registration for summer camps begin on May 18. For registration fee and more information, click here.   

Best Coral Gables Landscapes Are Selected

Congratulations to Ernest Coscia, Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Diaz, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Fredman, Mr. & Mrs. Eugenio Coscuelluela and Harold White & Brian McBride for being selected as the newest recipients of the City of Coral Gables Landscape Beautification Awards. These proud Coral Gables property owners were recognized during Arbor Day, held on May 7 at Riviera Park, for having the best gardens in Coral Gables. The awards were presented by the City’s Landscape Beautification Advisory Board which each year selects the landscapes that best represent the character of the City. Thank you to this year’s winners for inspiring other property owners in continuing to enhance the quality of life along the streetscapes of every neighborhood in Coral Gables.  

Trolley Driver Helps Nab Suspect

The City’s Trolley drivers are trained to get you where you need to go safely and with a smile, but there is much more to their job than meets the eye. One driver was instrumental in the arrest of a man wanted in an armed robbery at Barnes & Noble. On May 1st, the suspect stormed out of the bookstore on Miracle Mile and asked a Trolley driver for directions to the Metro Rail Station. The suspect crossed the street and waited for the next Trolley. The driver then heard on her hand-held radio a police message of “Be On The Look Out” and immediately informed them of the suspect’s location. Luckily, the incident ended quickly and without any injuries. Every year, trolley drivers are trained on emergency situations and learn how to communicate effectively with public safety personnel.