Wednesday, May 2, 2007
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CONTENTS:Tax Property Relief Debated In Tallahassee
Fourth Of July Celebration Suspended This Year
Last Metal Roof Meeting Is Today
UM Prepares For Emergency Situations
Renovation Work Begins At Columbus Plaza
City Discusses Increase Of Homestead Exemption For Seniors
Reaching Seniors With Special Needs
Gables Supports Global Climate Protection Agreement
Take The Commuter Challenge On May 17th
Inking The Gables Historic Monuments
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Tax Property Relief Debated In Tallahassee >>> The Florida House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Marco Rubio, is proposing a much debated property tax relief that will affect Florida’s taxpayers, including residents of the City of Coral Gables as well as business owners. The House of Representatives passed two versions of the tax-cut plan, recently. The first proposal approved by the House is to cut taxes by 19 percent for all property owners, while the second eliminates taxes on homestead property in exchange for an increase in sales taxes. The Senate unanimously rejected the House package and instead proposed its own version of a property tax rollback that lets voters decided whether first-time homeowners should get an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for a total of $50,000 and whether businesses should get a $25,000 tangible personal property exemption. The Senate is also proposing a portability plan allowing longtime homeowners to sell their homes and move to a new house without increasing taxes significantly. Both the House and Senate are negotiating to reach a unified tax relief agreement which will be forwarded to Florida Governor Charlie Crist for his signature. The City of Coral Gables is closely monitoring the legislation in Tallahassee, as all these preliminary proposals from the House and the Senate are expected to heavily impact local government funding and therefore services. You can submit your comments on property tax reforms to the Florida Senate, by clicking here.
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Fourth Of July Celebration Suspended This Year >>> With much regret, the City of Coral Gables has announced that this year’s A Gables Fourth, the yearly celebration at the Biltmore Hotel that brings thousands of people to its grounds to observe music and fireworks, will be suspended for one year. The Biltmore Hotel is upgrading the golf playing surfaces by re-soding the greens, and improving its irrigation drainage, the Clubhouse, Pro Shop and lockers. The resurfacing of the greens needs to begin prior to the rainy season to allow time for the green’s grass to grow into a perfect surface. The Independence Day celebration has been suspended for this year to prevent any damages to the resurfacing work at the Biltmore Golf Course and to avoid any injuries in the construction area. After this work is completed, the City of Coral Gables expects to bring back this popular event to the Biltmore in 2008.
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Last Metal Roof Meeting Is Today >>> The third and final workshop to solicit input from the public about metal roofs will take place today beginning at 6 p.m. at Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. These public meetings are an important step in gathering public sentiment on whether metals roofs should be allowed in the City of Coral Gables. All interested parties are encouraged to attend this final meeting. For further information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 305-460-5202.
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UM Prepares For Emergency Situations >>> After the recent tragic killings of 32 students and professors at Virginia Tech, the University of Miami has beefed up security to handle an emergency situation. According to a statement issued by UM President Donna E. Shalala, the University of Miami Police are available for any emergencies around the clock by calling 305-284-6666 on the Coral Gables campus. On the Miller School campus, students can call Security at 305-243-6000, and on the Rosenstiel campus the number to call is 305-421-4766. Nearly 80 emergency blue light phones, which connect directly to police and security, are strategically located throughout the Coral Gables and Miller School campuses. UM’s Department of Telecommunications can quickly disseminate an urgent voice message to all University community land and cellular phone numbers that have been supplied. All students are encouraged to provide contact information by clicking here. Information is updated on a recorded message on the University Emergency Hotline at 305-284-5151. Other hotlines numbers are305-243-6079 for the Miller School of Medicine and South campuses, 305-421-4888 for the Rosenstiel School campus, and for outside the South Florida area, 1-800-227-0354. When a situation warrants, mass emails containing emergency information will be sent out. The Coral Gables campus’s residential colleges are equipped with a loudspeaker system that can relay emergency messages. In a time of crisis, messages are immediately posted on the University’s homepage at www.miami.edu. If you are a parent of a University of Miami student, please ensure that your child has the above information available at all times. In addition, a comprehensive emergency response plan exists between the University of Miami Police Department and the Coral Gables Police and Fire Departments. To review all the emergency preparedness measures of the University of Miami, click here.
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Renovation Work Begins At Columbus Plaza >>> The third renovation project in a series of four makeovers planned for the City’s historic entrances, has begun at Columbus Plaza, on the intersection of Coral Way and Columbus Boulevard. Walter Lista, the contractor responsible for renovating the Alhambra Circle, Granada Boulevard, and the future work at Le Jeune Road and Coral Way entrances, began pressure cleaning the Columbus Plaza to prepare for repairs. Trees that were damaging the wall have already been removed and the wall has been patched and repaired. Damaged columns that were hit by cars have been repaired and future work will concentrate on the Plaza’s fountain, including plumbing. Construction is expected to last throughout the summer. The next entrance on the list to be tackled is Le Jeune Road and Coral Way, located in front of City Hall. All these entrances are being completed with funding assistance from the Parknership Program of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. In other restoration news, vendor Key Stone Restoration is busy working at the DeSoto Fountain and the work is expected to be completed in the next five months.
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City Discusses Increase Of Homestead Exemption For Seniors >>> On November of last year, voters amended the Florida Constitution to increase the Senior Citizen Exemption from $25,000 up to $50,000, giving municipalities the option to adopt local laws that will apply this additional homestead exemption in each jurisdiction. At the last City Commission meeting, leaders discussed the creation of a new City ordinance for this additional homestead exemption available only to low income seniors who are residents of Coral Gables. Currently, there are 489 properties in Coral Gables that are eligible for the $25,000 Senior Citizens Exemption and that could benefit seniors if this new law is passed in the City. A taxpayer that qualifies for this exemption would benefit with an additional annual tax savings of $153.75 for the additional $25,000 exemption, receiving a total tax savings of $307.50 with the increase. If this law is passed, the total annual property tax revenue reduction possible is approximately $150,000. Stay tuned to e-News for further announcements on this proposed ordinance.
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Reaching Seniors With Special Needs >>> The City of Coral Gables Senior Citizens Advisory Board, in conjunction with the Disability Affairs Board, are conducting an outreach campaign to assist residents in Coral Gables who are over 65 years of age. Seniors with special needs should contact the City of Coral Gables through Paul Hunt, Senior Citizens Coordinator at 305-460-5608 or by calling the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5392. A call for information will also be included in the May issue of the Golden Gables which will be mailed to homes in the upcoming weeks. If you know of a neighbor that may need help during an emergency situation, and more specifically during hurricane season, please contact the above numbers to register ahead of time.
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Gables Supports Global Climate Protection Agreement >>> Did you know that the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world’s population is responsible for producing 25 percent of the world’s global warming pollutants? To address the issue of climate disruption globally, your local government is supporting the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which targets to reduce global warming pollution levels to seven percent below 1990 levels by the year 2012. The agreement requires the federal, state and local government work together to reduce air pollutants that create global warming by taking action. The Broward County Audubon Society presented the Mayor and Commission with the Protector of the Climate Award 2007 at the last City Commission meeting for the City’s contributions. The City recently adopted the principals of the Kyoto Treaty through the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is committed to reducing climate pollution. Coral Gables has already implemented the popular Trolley as a transportation option that reduces the amount of vehicle emissions in the air. Recently, it began testing biodiesel fuel in Public Service vehicles using 20 percent of palm based oil and 80 percent diesel. To find out what are the top 15 things you as an individual can do to help prevent global warming, click here.
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Take The Commuter Challenge On May 17th >>> Frustrated by traffic and gas costs? Don’t drive alone, take the Commuter Challenge on Thursday, May 17th by either carpooling, riding the Coral Gables Trolley, biking or walking to work. The South Florida Commuter Services, a program of the Florida Department of Transportation, is asking that commuters use this day an alternative mode of transportation than driving alone to work. This is a community campaign to reduce traffic, protect resources and enjoy cleaner air. Event participants may have a chance to win prizes such as free gas, tolls, or transit passes. Register by May 16 by calling 1-800-234-RIDE OR on-line, by clicking here.
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Inking The Gables Historic Monuments >>> With great patience and detail, local artist Jorge Fornes has created incredible art pieces that showcase the architectural detail of the City of Coral Gables’ most famous historic monuments. Currently on exhibition at the first floor of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, Fornes’ artwork includes 14 drawings using black ink on white board of historic landmarks such as Coral Gables City Hall, the Water Tower, the Venetian Pool, De Soto Fountain, among others, a project that took him more than three years to complete. The public is invited to view the exhibition until the end of May between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between Southwest 16th Street and South Dixie Highway: Expect delays on Le Jeune Road with lanes closing between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. as crews complete road improvements. Furthermore, expect delays in the overnight hours Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Crews will be paving the streets during this time, the final step in the Le Jeune Road improvement project. At least one lane will remain open in each direction. Access to residents and businesses will be maintained along with left turn lanes at major intersections.
> Le Jeune Road Between Palermo and Sevilla Avenues: Throughout the month of May construction crews will be connecting new water lines to the water main in the area. The work will require two lanes to close from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The work, which started this week, is taking place on the southbound lanes of Le Jeune Road first, shifting southbound traffic to the northbound lanes with one lane in each direction.
> Le Jeune Road at Altara Avenue: The north entrance and exit to Coral Gables Senior High on Altara Avenue is now closed for traffic signal installation work. All motorists have access to the parking lot through the south entrance and exit which is located across from the Village of Merrick Park. Pedestrians wishing to cross Altara Avenue will be directed to Le Jeune Road and Bird Road. Police officers and flagmen will be present to direct traffic. This work is expected to last approximately two weeks. There may be intermittent single lane closures on southbound Le Jeune Road between Bird Road and Altara Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Please contact Construction Public Information Specialist Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410 or via email at carlos.sarmiento@dot.state.fl.us.BACK TO TOP
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Events Roundup >>> Here is a partial list of upcoming cultural events in Coral Gables. Please call ahead to confirm, as dates and times may change. For a complete list of events in Coral Gables, click here.
Ongoing: The historic Merrick House, the family home of Coral Gables founder George Merrick, is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays for tours at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The tour of this charming home built of coral rock, still home to the artwork and early possessions of the Merrick family, lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and students with ID; $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under. The Merrick House, a remarkable example of South Florida architecture, is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5095.
First Friday of The Month: Art lovers flock to Coral Gables the first Friday of every month for Gallery Night. Boasting dozens of galleries, Coral Gables is the premier destination for art and cultural events. The City offers free trolley service to most of the galleries locations from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Some galleries may feature musicians for your entertainment. For a list of art galleries in Coral Gables, click here.
May 3 & 10: Unwind every Thursday after work with fellow professionals at Chispa Restaurant. In this new Networking Event for Business Professionals, you can enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers. The event starts at 6 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. Chispa is located at 225 Altara Avenue. For more information, call 305-648-2600.
May 5 & 12: The AARP is offering a 55 AliveCourse for seniors that can help reduce personal involvement in traffic accidents. The two-day Saturday session will be held at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a fee of $10. This class will be given in Spanish. Contact Joe Arias at 305-595-7072 to register for the class.
May 8: Today is the last day to make reservations to attend a charity event that will take you on a night tourof Chihuly Glass Sculptures at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The event starts at 7 p.m. at Fairchild Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, on Tuesday. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The private tour of the garden starts at nightfall for a fee of $75. The money collected will benefit the non-profit Samantha Foundation which focuses on child home safety and injury prevention. For more information on the event or to make reservations, call 305-670-0096.
May 10: The Miami–Dade Public Library System is giving you a taste of French culture through its French Film Series. The Library System will be showcasing the films at several library branches including the Coral Gables branch. On Thursday May 10th at 7 p.m. catch a selection of contemporary short films to include fiction, documentary, animation and live action. The event is part of the Library System’s 2007 Art of Storytelling International Festival. The Coral Gables library is located at 3443 Segovia Street. For more information call 305-375-BOOK (2665).
May 11: The next Lunch & Listen event for seniors ages 55 and over will focus on preventing falls. The Coral Gables Fire Department will give seniors tips to avoid injury from falls. A healthful lunch will be served before the lecture starts at noon at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. Make your reservation by calling 305-460-5600.
May 12: Enjoy Mother’s Day with your daughter one day early. On Saturday, the War Memorial Youth Center will be transformed into a Mediterranean oasis for a Mother and Daughter Day. Moms and daughters can learn the exotic dance moves of belly dancing, create accessories and enjoy a Mediterranean luncheon. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. You must register for this event by May 6th. The cost for resident members is $38 a couple, residents pay $50, non-resident members pay$38 and non-residents pay $68. For more information call 305-460-5600 or go online and register by clicking here.
May 13: Bring Mom on her special day to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for Afternoon Tea at the Garden. Guests will be seated at tables adorned with an eclectic collection of antique china and enjoy tea and an assortment of sandwiches and scones. The cost is $37 per person. For more information, call 305-663-8091.
May 12 – 13: The Tropical Flowering Tree Society is hosting a Flowering Tree Show and Sale at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. View a wide selection on flowering trees, vines and shrubs and the introduction of new species that will be on display and for sale. Experts will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice on picking a tree that is right for you. Admission to Fairchild Gardens, 10901 Old Cutler Road, costs $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children ages 6 through 17.
May 14: The University of Miami Center on Aging is hosting a Distinguished Lecture Series to discuss “Why and How We Age: Clues to Reducing Human Aging.” The event starts at noon and concludes with a healthful lunch. The lecture series will take place at the Diabetes Research Institute, UM Miller School of Medicine Campus, 1450 NW 10th Avenue, on the first floor conference room. Make your reservations by calling 305-355-9081 or via e-mail at spurcell@med.miami.edu.BACK TO TOP
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For e-News en español, click here.
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