WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

City Plans To Bill Residents
For Emergency Medical Transportation

In order to inform citizens about the billing process for the new Emergency Rescue Transportation Service fees, the City of Coral Gables has published an on-line Citizen’s Guide available at the City’s website, www.coralgables.com. To help cover the increasing cost of providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the community, and in order to rely less on property taxes and other City revenues, the City of  Coral Gables is planning to bill residents for rescue transportation services, effective October 1, 2009. No payment will be expected at the time of transport, and all persons will be transported regardless of insurance coverage or their ability to pay. For many years, the City of Coral Gables has been billing non-residents for these services but was the only City in Miami-Dade County that until now did not charge its residents for EMS transportation. The new charges are identical to the fees charged by Miami-Dade County to the unincorporated areas and the 30 cities it serves. Most of the fees will be paid by third party payers, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance. Seniors living in Coral Gables who have Medicare will not be billed for any co-payment; Medicare will be billed directly. The on-line guide explains the different fees based on the level of service provided. The billing process is similar to that which happens when a person receives services from a doctor or hospital. To access the Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Rescue Transportation Fees, click here.  

City Employees To Increase Pension Contribution

In order to curtail the increasing cost of the pension plan, the City Commission passed on first reading an ordinance on September 8 requiring all managerial, professional and other non-union employees to contribute an additional five percent of their salary toward the City’s retirement system. Such employees already contribute five percent toward the pension plan, bringing the total of their contribution to 10 percent. To our understanding, this is the second highest employee retirement contribution in comparison to other municipalities in Miami-Dade County. In addition, at an Impasse Hearing with the police union held on August 31, the City and the Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police agreed for union members to make a contribution of five percent toward the City’s retirement system, among other concessions. This agreement was later ratified by the majority of police union members. City leaders continue to make pension reform a high priority and these steps will help reduce the costs to the retirement system by approximately $2 million annually.  

Waterway Renaissance Project Unites Neighbors

The Waterway Renaissance Project (WRP) is the work of neighbors getting together to preserve Coral Gables’ treasured body of water. The WRP has been working with the City of Coral Gables and the Community Foundation’s Parknership Program to beautify waterway bridges to be enjoyed by all residents in our community. Thanks to this donor-funded initiative, the Granada Bridge has been repainted with Mediterranean earth tones. The group is also cleaning up and restoring seawalls, carefully removing the overgrowth and invasive plants that are destroying fragile waterway walls. There are many ways you can help the Waterway Renaissance Project either through volunteer work or donations. The group is planning a Gables To The Bay Regatta on Saturday, October 17. For more information on the Water Renaissance Project, click here. 

Coming Soon To An Art Cinema Near You

The walls are being painted and the air conditioning will soon be working: the Coral Gables Art Cinema build-out is moving fast. Next in the list to dos are the installation of seats, the special acoustical treatments, the projection and sound equipment, plus the necessary furnishings and fixtures. Opening date for the Coral Gables Art Cinema is projected for late 2009. This 144-seat arts house will showcase the best in American and international cinema. Other organizations will be able to rent the venue for a modest fee, which will provide additional cultural programming to the community. The Coral Gables Art Cinema is located at the bottom floor of the Museum Parking Garage at 260 Aragon Avenue in downtown Coral Gables. The City of Coral Gables is working with this non-profit organization in order to enhance the City’s cultural offerings and offer a great benefit for the community. The new Art Cinema is looking for volunteers to help run the facility and is also offering tax-deductible membership plans to help support its operation. For more information on the Coral Gables Art Cinema, contact info@coralgablescinemateque.org.  

Coral Gables Senior Art Contest Is Back

You only have two weeks left to enter the third annual Celebration of Talent Senior Art Contest. The popular competition is open to residents age 55 and over. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of photography, sculpture, paintings and needlework. An entry form is located in the current edition of the senior newsletter Golden Gables or you can pick up a form at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The deadline to enter is October 1st. It’s evident from previous years that there is plenty of talent in the City Beautiful and now it’s your time to shine. The reception and awards ceremony takes place at the War Memorial Youth Center on Friday, November 13th at 7 p.m. with a gallery viewing on Saturday, November 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Senior Services Specialist Anastasia Smith at 305-460-5609.    

Preventing H1N1 Flu In The Workplace

Because the H1N1 flu is still present in Miami-Dade County and a significant increase in cases is expected during the fall and winter months, Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD) is providing updated guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for non-healthcare employers to help decrease the spread of the H1N1 flu in the workplace. One of the best defenses against influenza is vaccination. MDCHD recommends encouraging your employees to get vaccinated. Seasonal influenza vaccine is currently available through private physicians and clinics as well as some pharmacies. The H1N1 vaccine should become available in the upcoming months. The CDC has established priority groupings to be vaccinated first against H1N1. These groups include pregnant women, adults caring for infants under six months, children, and young adults. The spread of influenza can be slowed by encouraging employees to stay home when sick and by promoting good hand washing habits and respiratory hygiene in the workplace. For more information, please review the CDC Guidance for Business and Employers To Plan and Respond to the 2009-2010 Influenza Season by clicking here.