COUNCIL MEETING

>> Thank you for joining us. Welcome to our April Council meeting. Today is Wednesday, April 8th. The time is now 10:13am I hereby call this meeting to order. Reminder to please silence your phones. And if you have to have a conversation, we kindly ask you to step outside side so that we maintain a respectful atmosphere. Madam Clerk, please call the role. >> [ CALLING ROLL] >> Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Reinoso. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> If you please remain standing. Please remain standing. We're going to ask for a moment of silence as we remember two young members of our Doral community, Matteo Davila and Alessia Tucci. Their lives were taken far too soon yesterday. Our hearts are with their families, friends and classmates, teachers today and all those who are grieving this unimaginable loss. Let us pause together in their honor. Thank you. We'll now have our moment of prayer led by Pastora Marian Delgado from Alpha and Omega. Gracia Pastora. >> What an honor to be here. Honorable Mayor of Doral, Christi Fraga, and the City of Doral Council. It's a sad time that what happened here yesterday. But through prayer, God and the Holy Spirit will give the comfort to the families that are in so much pain right now. Right now we're going to pray. Father, thank you for the mayors, Christi Fraga, and the City Council of Doral. Thank you for your godly wisdom. Thank you. Because they all have in their hearts the best for this city, Lord. And you are the only one that give them. That give them the godly wisdom, the design, the ideas to develop this city into a great city. Thank you for your protection. I believe and I declare that every plan of the enemy will be destroyed and only the plan of God will take place in this beautiful city. Plans of God and not evil plans to give this City of Doral a way of prospering and a way of blessing. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen. >> Amen. Thank you, Pastora. Thank you for being here today. God bless you. All right, we'll now move into agenda order of business, starting with our city manager's office. >> Mayor, I don't have anything. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. >> Mayor, I don't have anything. Thank you. >> All right. Councilman Pineyro. >> Mayor, I don't have anything. >> Thank You. >> Thank you. Vice Mayor Cabral. 6M. Okay. 6m. Yes, Councilwoman Reinoso. >> Yes, mayor. Item 6P, >> As in Paul. Okay. Councilwoman Porras. >> Yes, I have a couple. Both are in the evening. >> 6M. Oh, sorry. >> 20B, which is my item. It deferred to May. >> Both of them. No, 20A. >> If we could. If everyone's okay, we could hear it this morning. >> The organizers are here and can't answer any questions. >> It's just a request for a logo. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So just to move that to the morning. >> Yep. >> And again, 6B or 20B to me. And deferring 20B. Yeah. Okay. All right. So we will hear item 6M and 6P after 9F. And then we'll hear item 20A, just so that we do it in the order they were moved. All right. Okay. If there's nothing else, we will move into public comments. All right. The public comments portion of this meeting is now open. Each speaker will have three minutes to address any item on today's agenda or any other matters that are germane to the City of Doral. Please begin by stating your name and address for the record. We will start with pre. Pre registered speakers. If you do not pre register, you can still speak. I will give opportunity at the end. Just make sure you see the clerk to register after you speak. As a reminder and accordance with the City of Doral's code of conduct, we ask that all remarks be made in a respectful, courteous, and orderly manner. Personal attacks, offensive language, or disruptive behavior will not be permitted, and the microphone will be turned off after three minutes. Let's work together to keep this forum productive and constructive for all. We'll go ahead and start with the Pre registered speakers, Mr. Jose Rubio. Jose Rubio. Going once, going twice. Okay. Analys Perez. Perez, Please approach the podium. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> My name is Annelise Perez. My address is 8201 Northwest 41st street, zip code 33166, here in downtown Dora. I just wanted to say that I'm a mental health counselor, new here in the community, and I just want to say that I'm very happy here with Doral. Everything for families, parks, activities for kids, everything to help with physical and mental health so all, you know, everybody in the community can have healthy lives. I just wanted to say that I'm open for collaboration as a mental health counselor for any programs, anything that I can serve the community. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Janelli. Annelise. All right. Maria Herrera. Maria Herrera. Yes. Good morning. >> My name is Maria Herrera. >> I am the manager for Grand Central Clubhouse. My address is 10551 Northwest 88th Street. I'm here for the facade Grant. I didn't register, but I can answer any questions. Okay. No. So if you wanted to speak, you needed to register. Maybe you registered to come into the meeting and didn't want to speak. >> Okay. >> It's okay. If I call your name and you don't want to speak, you don't have to come up. >> Okay, thank you. >> We're trying a new system. We used to do. You used to hand write if you wanted to speak, so we're trying to do it electronically. >> Okay. >> So we apologize if you didn't want to speak and just registered that you were in the meeting. Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. Okay. Daniel. I think it's Zuluga because there is no last name here. Daniel. I think this is about advisory boards. Okay, I'll move on. Claudia Rojas. Claudia Rojas. Andreina Escalante. >> Hello. >> Good morning everyone here. My name is Andrina Escalante. I am an integrative health coach for neurodiversity for families. And today for me, is very special because I represent a huge community in a huge commitment for the happiness of our kids. And today, for me and for everyone, we're not just raising a flag. We are raising awareness. We are opening pathways. We are reminding ourselves as a society of what truly matters. Autism for a long time, has been a reality for many families that have lived in silence. Today, that silence transform into a conversation, into education, and into an action and a possibility. Because when a family finds support, guidance, and community, everything change. We are here today to build a possibility. That's why inclusion is not just a word. It's a daily practice. It's a collective decision, and it's a living commitment. And what is happening here today in the City of Doral is exactly that. A living commitment for all of us. A commitment to our families, to education, to creating spaces where every child can grow with dignity, respect, and support. Because true inclusion is not about forcing a child to adapt. It's about educating ourselves as a society to understand, respect, and support. And there is something essential we must remember. We are talking about human beings. And if there is one thing that defines our humanity, is that we are all unique. And because we are all equal in dignity, in rights, and in value. And because this is a living commitment, we must educate ourselves. That's the only way that we transform fear and into connection. I have spent eight years walking alongside many families as an integrative health Coach, especially in pediatric neurodevelopment. And a true driver of transformation is more than a strategy. It's about love. Love as a decision, love as an alignment, and love as a daily action. Because when love guides our actions, families grow stronger, children progress and society evolves. This flag we rise today represents that evolution and awareness. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. >> [SPANISH] >> She would like to speak in Spanish because she can better speak and express herself. >> [SPANISH] >> I didn't have anything prepared, but I'm going to be. I'm be speaking anyway because I'm a mother of an autistic kid and I want to express myself. >> [SPANISH] >> My son is Christian. He is 14 years old. >> [SPANISH] He's in high school. Something severe happened and I want to talk about it today. >> [SPANISH] >> One day he came into the car. I asked him what was wrong. He was crying. He was extremely sad. And he explained that there was bullying in school and a lot of kids were bothering him. She was just explaining that >> [SPANISH] we're all different. And sometimes some people have it harder than others to express themselves, even herself. But that's what she was telling him. >> [SPANISH] >> Until she saw the biggest red flag, which was when they moved to America. She said, or he said, I'm not happy with my life. >> [SPANISH] >> I was added to a couple of WhatsApp chats where all the high school moms are and even I'm new to Miami. >> [SPANISH] I sent a message explaining what had just recently happened to all the moms in that WhatsApp group chat, explaining that of the red flag that she had heard from her son. >> [SPANISH] >> You won't believe the amount of support that she received from all those WhatsApp group chats on. A lot of mothers reached out to her showing support, but also they were a little surprised because they thought that her son was just timid. >> [SPANISH] >> Thank you. Gracias. David, just wrap up the translation, please. >> Very happy shows the support. And the biggest lesson for this is for the mothers to speak to their children to encourage this good behavior. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Richard gladstad. >> Good morning, council. Richard Glad, 4768 west side or 14th Avenue. Many people I know have left or are leaving the Miami area. And the two biggest reasons are. You've told me the people here are terrible. They found people in other places, like in North Carolina, to be much nicer. So that's where they're moving. And the second thing is what I've been trying to get you guys to do something about is the traffic. But because you're married to the developers. You just keep making it worse. But it is bad. The only place that has worse traffic than us is California. But we're rated the worst drivers in the USA. 98% score out of 100. We're the worst drivers. That goes to show you what type of people we have. Also were the most congested, especially in Doral. Build, build, build. Give Trump his big giant stuff. More congestion. We're the most congested. But that's okay. We got a 98.5 score for being the most annoying drivers in the United States. Annoying, very annoying people here. It's not my imagination. I don't really like it. Or I'd rather live in Europe, but or Colombia than this place. But my wife just won't leave. Also, we're the most aggressive. We're the most aggressive drivers. And I think in many respects the people here, sitting up here are examples of some of the most aggressive or passive aggressive people that you're ever going to find. They also have the drivers here. It says in Spanish. It's an article in Spanish which I gave to be passed out. Were the worst manners. Most >> [SPANISH] >> In Miami, >> [SPANISH] >> It says that in Spanish were the most haughty, stuck up people in the United States. A lot of the people come here from other countries, especially in Latin America. They have a little money, they get a car. >> [SPANISH] >> Also, we're the most bothersome. We bother people. Another thing, the people are they do not use turn signals. They think turn signals are Christmas lights. Red and green and all yellow. It's for Christmas. Don't use them to. To change lanes. Nope, don't use them. And another problem here is there's very few places to live here. It's turned into a giant rental community and it's very, very expensive. So just look at yourselves and see what you can do to remedy the situation. >> Thank you. Mr. Gladstad. >> Yes, >> J.C. velasquez. >> One moment, please. Let me get this put away. >> Thank you, Mr. Klutznos. >> [SPANISH] >> I prefer speaking in Spanish to better express myself. >> Okay. >> [SPANISH] >> I wrote something here and I wanted to read it out. >> [SPANISH] >> I'm extremely moved by the proposal today of lifting the autistic flag to show the inclusion and the unity. >> [SPANISH] >> Thank you for listening to all of us and for the promotion of this community of inclusion and autism. >> [SPANISH] >> Today we unite for the support and for rounding all of us together for lifting the flag and in showing the support of this inclusion. >> [SPANISH] >> My son is in a pilot program here at City of the Raw as well. He lives and works and it promotes what exactly makes them happy and the best for them. But also as a mother, very proud of being in part of the program. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Gracias. Thank you. Okay, that is the conclusion of our registered speakers. Would anyone else like to speak at this time? If you did not sign up, >> This is the last call for reasonable opportunity being none, public comments is now closed and we'll move into the consent agenda vote. Madam Clerk, please reiterate the items that were. >> Yes, Mayor. >> The consent agenda will be approving all of the items with the exception of 6M and 6P. >> Okay, I need a motion on this Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reinoso. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Pineyro. On favor say aye. I that the record reflect the consent has passed unanimously. We'll now move into the minutes. Need a motion on the minutes. >> Motion. >> Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reinoso. Second by Councilman Pineyro. All in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Let the let the record reflect the minutes have been approved unanimously. And now we'll go into our presentations. >> Item 8A presentation. Keep to our beautiful business award. >> Good morning, honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of the Council, Madam Manager, Mr. Deputy Manager, Mr. City Attorney, Madam Clerk. Danny Del Toro, Code Compliance Director. This month we are pleased to recognize Tesla for their outstanding commitment to keeping the route beautiful. The property for which they are being recognized is located at 9950 Northwest 25th Street. Tesla has been in the city of the route a little over a year. The Property is approximately 186,000 total square feet. The business has 90 employees. Tesla is automotive company dedicated to building electric vehicles that are safe and fun to drive. At this Doral location, you may test drive, purchase or service your vehicle. When Tesla moved into this location, they did major renovations, including a complete facade improvement, painting of the entire building, a new flat roof, asphalt paving and new landscape which is maintained bi weekly basis. These improvements have revived this area of 25th street and it is with great pleasure that we named Tesla for the Keith Durrell Beautiful Business Award for their continued efforts to keep the raw beautiful. Madam Mayor and Council, here to accept the award on behalf of the business is Mr. Alec Garcia and Jonathan Ordonis. >> All Right. Please, please join us. Would you like to say a couple words and then we'll come up for a picture? >> Good morning, everybody. Jonathan again, service manager for the raw service. To my left is Ale Garcia, management for delivery as well. First of all, guys, I wanted to thank you for the city of Doral to basically work with us to earn this spot right in this community. So above all, thank you for that. And around this award already six volumes. And we're gonna have our commitments to keep it that way and at the same time, to keep it safe as well. So again, thank you for everybody. >> Okay, we'll move on now into our discussion items. >> Item 9A resolution the mayor and the city Council of the city of al Flora recognizing April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month, authorizing the display of the Autism Awareness Flag at City hall, providing for authority of the city manager and city attorney, providing filamentation, incorporation or recitals, and an effective date. >> Okay, this is Councilman P's item. Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good morning. Today I rise to present a resolution that it's simple in form, but powerful in meaning. By recognizing April 2026, as we have done before, as Autism Awareness Month in the City of Doral, but now by raising the Autism Awareness Flag at City hall, we're doing more than making a statement. Were actually taking a stand. A stand for inclusion, a stand for dignity, and a stand for every child and every family that deserve to feel seen, supported, and valued in our city. Autism touch more families than many realize. Behind every diagnose, there is a story of love, of resilience, and often of challenges that required a community to step back, step up. And that's exactly what this resolution is about. Because the role of local government is not only to manage a city, it is to lead with purpose, to reflect the values of its people and to ensure that no one feels left behind. By raising this flag, we will be sending a clear and unified message that in Doral, inclusion is not optional. It is who we are. This is also an opportunity for us as council to continue building policies and partnerships that support families, improve access to resources, and position our city as a model of inclusion in South Florida. I also want to share something personal for my wife and me. This is not a new cause. It is something that we have supported and been involved in long before I had the honor of serving in this role. While we might not have a family member on the spectrum, we have walked alongside friends, families and residents who do we have seen the challenges, but more importantly, we have seen the strength, the love and the incredible potential within this community. And that is, is why this moment matters. And today, for the first, very first time in the history of our city, DROW will proudly, I hope, approve raising the autism awareness flag at City Hall. This is not just a moment, it is a milestone. A milestone that places Doral alongside other forward thinking communities, including our neighbor city of Coral Gables, thanks to Mayor Vinz Lago that have taken meaningful steps to recognize and support the autism community. I also want to recognize County Commissioner Regalado from Miami Dade county for her leadership and for actually being an important or having an important role on this important cause. I also want to take this opportunity to recognize our own Mayor Fraga, because I know she has been working for this cause even when before becoming a mayor, and has been helping not only our special needs community here in the City of Doral, but has been also a strong advocate for this cause. To the families here today, the organizations, advocates and those watching online, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your strength, your voice and your trust. These recognitions belong to you. And let me close by saying this. Years from now, the children growing up in our city today, including those on the autism spectrum, may not remember this meeting, but they will feel its impact. They will grow up in a city that choose to see them, to include them, and to believe in their potential. And if we do this right, which I'm sure we will, they won't have to ask for acceptance because they will already belong. That is the legacy we have the responsibility and the privilege to build today. And that's why I respectfully asked my colleagues for your support on this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilman, any comments? Yes, Councilwomanoso to the mayor. >> Yes, I would like to co sponsor >> this item, if possible do that. Thank you. >> I think it's very important as leaders in this community that we highlight this section of the community that we represent. And I think the new generation, our children's is a more inclusive generation, more accepting. They understand that their actions have a reaction and, and to be able to support this from a leadership role is amazing because it does trickle down to the community. And to be able symbolically to raise a flag shows more than just a flag being raised, right? It's showing that the leaders of this community are connected with our residents, that we see them, we hear them, and we always hope and strive for better changes within our community. So I don't like to say this is a good first step. Because I think the City of Doral has been doing this for a while, and the relationships that we have with our community is different, and it's positive. So thank you for allowing me to co sponsor this item. I think it's amazing to have this type of recognition of what we do here in the community, and I want the residents to know that we're here to represent every aspect of our community. And I think that this is an excellent item, and I'm glad to support it. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Cabral. >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Porras. Councilman, you know, I support this 100%. I think it's very important. I do have family members on the spectrum, and. And we are very much a family that supports anything that, you know, has inclusion and from workforce to providing opportunities within the city. I wear my autism awareness pin the whole month of April as a sign of solidarity and that we will continue to push for our communities to be more inclusive, that they have more opportunities. And I think in the city, we've done a great job to do that. So this is just another checkbox that we get to. That we get to. To have. To show our support for. For our community. So, absolutely, we're. We're looking forward to supporting this item for you. >> Thank you, Mayor. And just one last comment. I know, because the next question is going to be when this is going to take place. So I'll be working with the city manager. >> Yes. >> The intention is to do it this month, obviously. So we will be letting the residents know when this is going to take place so you can be part of the ceremony as well. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. All right, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. >> Motion to approve May by Vice Mayor Cabral. Seconded by Councilwoman Porras. >> [ CALLING ROLL] >> Motion passes. >> All right, wonderful. Thank you for participating. All right, next item. >> Item 9B, a resolution of the mayor and the city council of the City of Doral, Florida, approving the implementation of a summer 2026 pilot government externship program for high school students in the City of Doral, providing for authorization, implementation, and corporation recitals and an effective date. >> Okay, Councilwoman Pineyro, so this is your item. >> Thank you, Mayor. So this is hopefully going to be a pilot program. Program that we're going to implement within our city. There has been a lot of interest from high schoolers that want to know the city functions, what we do here, how our actions in influence and impact our community. So I think it's great to have a program that. That we know that students can come here. We're going to try it out for a week or so, and they're going to learn, particularly through this pilot program. It's going to be in our finance department. I hope that in the following summers we can extend that program to cover other departments within our city. So I hope to have the support of my colleagues for this. And if there's any questions, I'm here to answer them. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Any additional questions? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Cabral. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman B. NATO. There's no additional questions. I think it's a great idea. Get our students actively engaged. Madam Clerk, please call a roll. >> Motion to approve made by Vice Mayor Cabral. Seconded by Councilor Pineyro. >> [ CALLING ROLL] >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. All right, next. Item 9C. >> Item 9C. A resolution of the city council of the city of Florida instructing staff and the city attorney to create a policy requiring hotels to post a new hourly rate. Signs to create penalties, which may include withholding of their business tax receipt, providing for implementation, incorporation recitals and an effective date. >> Okay. Sorry, Councilman Moreno. So this is your item. >> Thank you. Through the mayor. So this item is aimed at hotels that we have within our city. The hourly rates is already something that is not supposed to be done. So it's basically asking for our hotels to be more vigilant to those that are renting out the hotel rooms. And this, the main point in this is obviously safety, which goes into human trafficking, prostitution, drug trafficking. So we want to prevent that as much as possible. So the onus is now being transferred on those business licenses that we give to hotels. If there is these type of activities in the hotel, then their business license could be at risk. And I hope to have the support of my colleagues for this item as well. >> Okay, thank you. Motion to approve by councilman for us. Second by Vice Mayor Cabral. There's no additional questions. Madam Chair, please call the roll. >> Motion to approve my council maor. Seconded by Vice Mayor. Cabral. >> [ CALLING ROLL] >> Motion passes. >> All right, moving to 9D. >> 9D. A resolution of the mayor on the city council of The City of Doral, Florida approving the awarded Request for Proposals. RFP2026.01 Pre Construction and construction management iris services for the new police department headquarters Authorizing the city managers negotiate an enter to an agreement with core construction and as a top rank firm subject to approval as to form a legal sufficiency by the city attorney for the provision of pre construction and construction management at risk services. Authorizing the manager to negotiate and enter into agreement with the next highest ranks firm successively if an agreement cannot be negotiated authorizing the City manager to expend budget funds and furtherance hereof provide the implementation incorporation of recitals and effective dates. >> All right. I believe that this is going to be taken by the administration, City Manager and capital Improvements division. >> Good morning, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. As you go as the council knows, we have been for months going through a process where we had conceptual design done for the new police building. We then have gone through two rigorous procurement processes for both design and for construction of the police building with a model for CMR at risk. So we are going to do a quick presentation right now. I'm first going to bring up Chief Lopez and have him speak to that. We're also going to have capital improvements. Our CFO is going to also present and our public works Director Chief if you could join us, we have a presentation just to put on the record. >> This is the presentations will be done with Both for both 9D and 9E. We'll have to take individual votes but the presentation and the discussion will cover both items. >> Chief so I believe it has a presentation. >> Good morning, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council Madam City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Mr. Attorney, Madam City Clerk as well. Our City of Doral new police headquarters. The renderings here. We're very proud as an agency and I want to speak on behalf of the police department, both sworn and civilian personnel. How excited we are to have the opportunity to explore a new police headquarters for our police departments. Much needed as our current headquarters has quite a bit of limitations some outlined here. The existing police headquarters has reached full operational capacity and can no longer support the department's continued growth. The department has almost doubled over the past 12 to 13 years coming from 100 sworn personnel and 39 personnel in 2013 to where it stands now with 191 sworn personnel including 10 PSAs and 61 support personnel. The current site layout limits accessibility and scalability as well to adjust for future growth over capacity and parking. Constrained fleet management, reduced efficiency in day to day operations with our patrol personnel, investigations and other agencies as well. As you know, Doral is an economic engine in Miami Dade county and is in the Middle of the county and works hand in hand with the Miami Dade Sheriff's Office and a ton of other agencies as we have operational needs that involve a multitude of hands on deck and we often host these meetings at our headquarters. Well, so the square footage many times is not susceptible to our growth and our collaboration. Our infrastructure does not align with the long term general safety of public needs and the general location even of our police headquarters in a hidden industrial area, so the public doesn't get to see it. So those are some of the operational consequences. But in a nutshell, we've simply outgrown it and we look forward to the possibility of our new headquarters being constructed over the next few years. Without this strategic investment, these constraints will continue to hinder services potentially and deliver future readiness. Long term solution for public safety excellence involves a proposed three story facility designed for modern law enforcement operations. Significant increases in parking capacity is critically important for us in terms of our personnel, fleet, vehicles, specialty units, visitors that we often have. Scalable design as I mentioned earlier, with projected growth involving public safety demands that our current day needs. Strategically, the location on 3719 Northwest 97th Avenue enhances visibility, accessibility and community presence as well the proximity to the U.S. southern Command and Miami Dade Sheriff's Office strengthens interagency coordination and regional preparedness. Modern infrastructure also improves operational readiness, efficiency, officer safety and community engagement. This investment is not only a new building, it's a long term infrastructure commitment that ensures sustainable growth, operational effectiveness, enhanced public service for our community for decades to come. I want to recognize the past leaders of the Doral Police Department who have been instrumental as well in outfitting our current headquarters, which was originally designed as a public works building. And this provides us an opportunity to explore the feasibility and implementation of a new headquarters that can be the staple of our community for many, many, many years to come. Thank you and I'll pass it to our Director of Public Works, Carlos Roy. >> Good morning everyone. So, with the construction of the new police facility, the city has the opportunity to retrofit the current facility and restore it to its original purpose. So the facility as mentioned, was originally designed and intended to function as a polyworks facility prior to its convention to a police station. So the city currently does not have a dedicated polyworks operations facility, resulting in fragmented storage and an operational that could be more efficient. So repurposing the building would allow the city to restore the site to its original planned operational use while maximizing the existing infrastructure. Utilizing an existing city facility is more cost effective than faster than constructing A new polyworks complex and it provides a centralized operation hub for polyworks staff, equipment, storage and logistics. So with the facility retrofit, we maximize the use of existing infrastructure while addressing a long standing operational need for the city. So with the retrofit of the of the current facility, the city will have operational benefits and an expanded capacity for public works operations. Some of the potential benefits are centralized storage and inventory, which increases storage capacity for materials used across the city departments improves the ability to purchase and store supplies in bulk while reducing procurement costs and improving availability and secure storage for equipment, tools, traffic devices and emergency responses response materials. I'm sorry. It improves the operational efficiency with a dedicated workspace for public works crews and supervisors. It improves staging areas for vehicles, equipments and field operations and provides for a faster deployment of staff and resources for daily operations and emergency response. It also improves citywide support functions for storage for signage, signature, I'm sorry maintenance materials, landscaping supplies and infrastructure repair components. It also supports special events, storm response and citywide maintenance needs. So the facility retrofit will improve efficiency, reduce downtime and strengthen the city's ability to maintain infrastructure and respond to service requests. So, looking at long term organizational benefits, the retrofit will support the city's growth and service demands. It will establish a permanent operational hub for polyworks, aligning with the city's continued growth. It will enhance the city's ability to maintain infrastructure, parks, roadways and stormwater system efficiently and it will improve interdimental coordination for projects, maintenance and emergency response. It will reduce reliance on temporary storage locations and off site facilities and it will provide capacity to support future service expansions infrastructure needs. So in summary, centralized Polyware's facility will increase operational efficiency, reduce long term costs and strengthen the city's ability to maintain infrastructure and respond to community needs. Thank you. Now I'll leave you with Lazaro. >> Good morning. So, as presented during last year's strategic planning session, the location for this proposed project is on the current site where the police training facility is located. Last June, staff and administration began working on the creation of a concept plan for the proposed new police department headquarters. And after several discussions and meetings, the concept plan you will see the next few slides was developed. So the concept identifies a new approximately 63,000 square foot three level building to be constructed on the existing surface level parking area on the site to serve as the new police department headquarters. The concept also includes supporting secured parking on the south and east portions of the building along with a new surface level parking lot on the west side of the proposed Building providing for an approximate total of 200 combined spaces. During the development of this concept plan, the project team worked closely with the police department on the space programming of each floor in the building to ensure proper adjacencies between divisions and units. To support operational effectiveness, each floor was carefully looked at to maximize utilization in space. The programming of the first floor was focused on all the required ground level functions needed for department operations. So the first floor is planned to consist of a reception area, public records area, multi purpose community room, training unit, Crime scene investigations, Special operations, tactical response unit and property and evidence. The second floor is planned to consist of the patrol Division, Real time operations and communications, budget, community outreach, a gym area and general investigations unit. And finally, the third floor is planned to consist of the Internal affairs Unit, the Executive command staff and the Office of the Chief. The concept contemplates the construction of the building to primarily consist of tilt up concrete panels offering faster delivery, cost efficiency and long term durability. Here you have a rendering showing the southwest corner of the building. Here is a rendering showing a side by side view between the existing training facility and the new proposed headquarters. And finally, here you have a rendering of the northwest corner of the building in the evening hours. To recap, here are some of the main concept elements. The overall concept will be further reviewed and validated with the awarded design firm and construction manager to determine any potential modifications which will serve the project better from a constructability and functional standpoint. With regards to the estimated construction costs, here you have the opinion of probable construction costs based on the concept which was developed. And as far as project timeline is concerned, we are anticipating approximately nine and a half months for design work, followed by an additional 120 days for permitting and the development of a guaranteed maximum price proposal by the construction manager for construction. We're anticipating a 20 month construction period. The schedule will be further refined once we have both the awarded design firm and construction manager on board. And next I'll pass it to our Assistant City Manager. >> Good morning everyone. Fernando Casa, Mayor, Assistant City Manager and CFO Much like we did with the parking garage project, we're assuming that we would be issuing some sort of debt in order to cover the full cost or a portion of the construction of the building. This particular slide is assuming a complete debt issuance without any additional money. So if it was the entire construction cost of approximately $54 million, we would be looking at a 30 year debt structure which would. The City of Doral will be paying about three and a half million dollars per year. As part of the repayment of debt. And in the following slide, this is assuming that either a combination of fund balance and grants that would be received as part of this project that we will be financing approximately $33 million. That would bring our debt payments to approximately $2.2 million per year. Now, again, that is assuming a 5% rate on a bond issuance, which is an incredibly conservative number at this time. Triple A ratings right now is about four and a half percent for a 30 year debt. And in two years, when we assume we will be issuing this debt. I'm not an economist, but I'm hoping that our bond interest rates will come down some so that this numbers get increasingly better. So this is something that I believe the city can absolutely afford. It's something that the city could probably not afford to not have. I think the chief made it very clear that there's an operational necessity for his department. I believe that Carlos made it incredibly clear that there's an operational necessity for the public works department. And even though the city would be entering into some sort of debt, in the end, the city would be increasing its value with a significant new asset. And with that, we'll take any questions that you may have at the center. >> Okay, we'll take questions. Debate. >> I have two quick questions. >> Yes, Councilwoman, for us, what would be >> the capacity for this new facility or, >> you know, like an estimated. I know you guys had numbers for the old facility, and the number of personnel is way higher than what the building can absorb. Right. So what, what's like the new capacity? Is it enough, big enough for, you know, our current force, for a growing force? You know, Chief, just. >> The answer is yes, but I'll let the experts answer that one. >> Yes, Councilwoman. So during the concept, the concept development process, we engaged the police department to not only factor in their number of officers right now, but to also have room for potential growth within the next, you know, five, 10, you know, 10 years. >> And that's my question. >> Is it going to be big enough to support the current staff and, you know, anticipate growth? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, Councilwoman, just to add to that, I participated in all of the conceptuals and the meetings that we had with the architects, too. I think the main advantage here is we are increasing square footage, but we're also using the square footage in a way that makes it more functionable to be able to house and, you know, have the capacity for the force that we have and for growth. Because if we also wanted to do that, we didn't want to build Something that in a few years, we will then, because the city will have continued growth. So we wanted to kind of set up policing for the next 20, 30 years to be able to. To accommodate all of that. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. And that's what I wanted to confirm. And then my other question is, is the old police department building large enough for public works? >> Yes. More than large enough. >> So, yes, it's more than large enough. We, again, are trying to do the same thing, set up the city for the next 20, 30 years to be able to do that. We will have space now to be able to buy in bulk, to have maintenance pieces that we have to order when something goes wrong. In other words, to set us up better and to maintain fleet better to. To do all of that within that facility. >> I mean, I like that. Our largest departments have or. Or will have their own departments, like the Parks, Public Works, and police, which are the largest departments. So. Okay, that was all the questions I had. >> Okay. Any other questions? Yes, Councilman Pineyro? >> Just. It's just a quick comment. First of all, I just want to thank the. The staff, the administration, because what we've seen is it's pretty much what the route represents. You know, when we speak about the future, the growth that we're having. Thank you, Chief, for all the. Everything that you have been doing in the last two years already. Three years. Three. We have to celebrate that, so. Because when we speak about our police department today, it's. We have to feel proud of what we have. And when we. When you see what we're going to have, it's. It's actually make me feel even prouder. So for me, is no, no brainer. And I just wanted to let you know that, as I always like to say, you know, for me, not only safety, our police department, but our parks department, too, are the heart of the city. And if we don't have a police department that is strong, that has all the resources, all the equipment, and all the support, then we're not doing our job. So I want to thank you. I want to thank the administration. And also I place a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Councilman Pineyro. We have a second. Second. Second by Councilman Reinoso. Is there any other comments? >> I'll make one. >> Okay. Councilwoman Reinoso. >> Well, I'm excited for this because I think it's. It's only right for the police to have their own building, although it's a little ahead of the future, and I know time goes by very quickly. I think it's the Appropriate timing to bring this up and for Public Works also to have their space. So thank you. >> All right. I do have some comments, too. We've gone back and forth about this quite a bit. I think that this is a very appropriate move for many reasons. One, this land that we have is land that's designated for law enforcement, that was designated by the state, and we were able to get an increase in the amount of years that we have it for. So after speaking with the state, they extended the lease. As many know, land is scarce in Doral, particularly for the City of Doral, and it's important that we utilize every asset we have to the best of its capabilities. And because of the limitations of what we can do on this land due to the fact that it is, you know, it's been designated for law enforcement, I think creating a law enforcement campus, including a police facility that has all the needed bells and whistles, we'll say for them to do their job, I think is as appropriate the. The facility they currently have, which I believe I was the only council member on up here that was on the council at the time when the building was finished, was created for a public works facility. At the time, Public Works didn't have all of the equipment it has today, and the council made a decision because the police was in a leased facility to retrofit it for police. Clearly, it's. It's been. It's. You know, we've outgrown it because it wasn't built for police. It wasn't built for the growth that we knew we would have for our police department. So I think we've come to that crossroads where a decision needs to be made. It is not a. It is a costly endeavor. Understood. But it's something that the city will need in the future, regardless. So doing it now is, you know, where we're locking in the price of construction now. So it's important that this gets done, done for the efficiency and capabilities of the department, both actually Public Works and police, in the future. So I think it's the right step. You know, we are very fortunate to have a, you know, financially healthy city. We have a great bond rating. I think we need to take advantage of those things at this time to solidify money as cheap as possible so that our residents are not paying, you know, more on those bonding capacities. I have been vocal with some staff as to how much we would bond. I think that there is capabilities to use funds we have. I wouldn't want to bond the entire thing, but clearly we will have to Bond a percentage of it. So because it's not a revenue generating asset, it is more of a service required asset that we need. You know, I think, I think we, I would not like to see it bonded completely. I think we need to do a percentage. So we need to work hard to make sure we're being cost effective. And I know that the contractors are listening to us and, and the design professionals. We need to make sure we stay on budget, we stay as, you know, as, as frugal as possible. I tell the chief Alten, this is not the Taj Mahal of police stations. This needs to be an efficient long term property that we can continue to grow into as a city. It's absolutely neat. I think the location is strategically well placed in, in the middle of our community. So I'm, I'm looking forward to seeing this take off. I don't know if I'll get to see it completed. Probably I'll see it as a resident, but I'm very happy for the city that we're doing this and kicking it off because I think it's important. So I want to congratulate the entire team that made this a priority that has really taken the time to be just very meticulous about what we're doing, but financially, but also in the components that are being put into this building. >> So. >> And we're always thinking about the community. Community room was put in so more spaces. That's always important. So I look forward to seeing it. I think it'll be a beautiful building and will meet its needs and purposes. So congratulations to the entire team and I'm. I'm ready to move forward on this. Okay, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. >> First question for clarification before I place my vote. So the. If I may. >> Yes, go ahead. So the. >> It will be by 2028 then the starting of the construction or for issue the bond? >> No, the starting the construction will be immediate or the bond will be. Will be when. >> Yeah, we, we anticipate the beginning of construction in 2027. We typically government. We typically don't issue debt until we've actually started spending money. It's the best way to issue it because once you issue debt there's some timing constraints that come. So if you have any delays in a project, unforeseen issues, you could have some tax implications if you issue debt, receive it and don't spend it in time. So the idea would be for construction to begin at some point in 2027, probably mid 27 and then issuance of debt at some point in 2028, once we've actually started spending money. >> So we should have bond with 28. And what is the vision? I know that you show some numbers there on how much it will be the bond issue for. >> So again, assuming there is no monies, it's like buying a house. Right. You put a big down payment or you don't. Right. So assuming we don't put any additional funds in, so we get no grants or, or we don't use any fund balance to cover it, the total amount we will be financing is about 54, $55 million. That would be about $3.4 million a year in payments over 30 years. Again, that's assuming a 4. >> Something you said, or close to. >> Yeah, that's assuming a 5% rate for bonds. That's kind of high. But we want to be very conservative. If we did put some monies in and sorry, I'm getting over something, assuming $20 million, whether it's a combination of fund balance and grants that we've been able to receive for this project, that would bring the payments to about 2.18, 2.19. Assuming the same 5% rate, which again, I believe is a little high, it would probably be 2 or $300,000 less if interest rates go down over the next two years. And I'm not an economist, but most economists are assuming that they probably will reduce. >> So through the mayor, just one second. So, Vice Mayor, I think one of the things that's important here is we need to evaluate between now and then exactly with all of the different budgeting that we will have for those budget years and where we end up exactly what it is that we're going to recommend about how much it is that we would want to bond out. It all depends on how things work out at that particular time. So we wanted to give you a conservative assessment of what it would be to bond the entire building, which we're probably not going to do. But we wanted you to see what the numbers were and then give you an assessment of what we, where we think we're going to end up. We have been talking to different agencies at state, at federal level in order to be able to get grants, which is going to be able to probably bring that number down. So we're being very conservative in what we're saying today, right. That we're going to bond a certain amount, what the entire amount is and what we think where we think we're going to end up. But we'll be able to tell that more in the future. >> And allow me to clarify, I don't think I mentioned it in the presentation. This is not general obligation debt like we did for our parks where the voters of Doral decided to tax themselves in order to pay for the improvements. This is special debt which is using our general fund as a backstop where it doesn't require voter approval, but you don't have to increase taxes in order to cover these payments strictly for the bond issuance. >> So that's one of my concern because like you said, I mean, you are not sure if you're going to get grants or not. So I really encourage that even before we start already with the construction, that I think that is a great facility. Something that it's needed for our departments is to make sure that we incur, not just for this project, for any other project that will come to make sure first that we have allocations that we get those grants from the state or even federal if there's any opportunity to be there before we decide, okay, let's do a construction, let's see how this might be. So. Because I don't think that, that it's the, the route to go, especially for our residents. And I do understand what you're saying, that it's not going to be like the park bond, that then it's going to be through the taxpayers money to be able to pay. But at the end of the day it's still taxpayer money. I mean the money doesn't come from any other source. That is not our taxpayers money always. >> No, there's a few, there's a few other sources, but a good percentage of it. >> I mean, to be able to run the city, we need some. The taxpayer money. >> Yes, we do. >> Yes. >> So it does come from the taxpayer money. At the end of the day it's not. I mean from all the residents and businesses from the city. So my concern is that the amount of money that is going far, we're talking roughly, maybe depends on how things go. Inflation, everything by $55 million. That is a big ticket item. I do understand that construction exposure, especially after Covid, everything went up. That's something that I hear experience. I have to make decisions for the park at that time. But my concern is that, that we should first plan ahead and try to see all the resources for when we can get the funds before we bring something like this large amount of money to be. Even though we do inquire, we need the facility because the department have grown, it's going to keep growing the city. I don't think that there's much too much room to keep growing unless it just keep building up because of the land that we have right now available. But my concern is that so >> Vice Mayor again, the mayor and I have been speaking with Congressman Diaz Balart's office. We've already started those conversations. There are constraints of being able to apply for grants today for something that we're going to spend two years from now, because when they allocate can you repeat that again, >> the mayor and I have a meeting with Congressman Mario Diaspola's office. There are constraints in the federal government of when you can do grant applications because when they get awarded, they have to be spent within the year that you apply. The so the applications can't go now for something we're going to start to build in 27 because it's not designed yet. But we have all confidence and he has assured us he's going to work with us to be able to get as much grant money as is available for some of the interior improvements from equipment and things of that nature. We are looking and the chief has an active effort right now within his department to look at state level and to look at everything that's out there for law enforcement. So we are going to do that. It's just we have an idea more or less of how much that's going to be, how much money we would take from general fund towards it. Again, like Mr. Casamayor explained, it's kind of like how big of a down payment are we going to have to figure out how much we're going to bond? So obviously we want to be able to minimize the bonding part as much as possible, but we won't be able to determine all of those things until a little bit more time passes again, because the constraints of the grants has to be spent the year that they're awarded. >> I'd also like to if that's the >> way most of these grants works that we've explored, whether it's federal and I've been in conversations with, as the manager said, with Congressman ballard's office and with the state is you have to have ready construction documents, shovels in the ground to be able to apply. A lot of times it's even for technology or the stuff that goes in the building. So. But we have been assured that there is money that can come our way and significant money, which is why we decided to proceed. >> And the other good news about the flexibility of a special obligation bond versus a general obligation is as you find money along the way. So if we're in construction and we find a $2 million, you know, technology grant that would help outfit the building. That's money that can be applied to that debt payment so that it would reduce the reliance on, for lack of a better term, general fund monies in order to cover the cost. Again, as your CFO, I take pride in telling you that your city is in excellent financial condition, not because of me, but because of the team that we have and because of the community that we have here. But I would not be recommending adding any additional debt for the City of Doral or the citizens of the City of Doral if I and my team of professionals and our financial advisor didn't think that we were capable of doing so. So I want you to have that assurance. >> For so many years, the city have kept valuing the taxpayers, making sure that it's been spent in an efficient way for many years, so that I know that we're standing in a good position when it comes to that. But anyway, I wanted to make sure that the resident understand from where the funding is coming and what is the work that has been done behind the scenes so we don't end then having them carry the load later on. Thank you for the explanation. Thank you. >> I think the most important thing to remember here is that this is something that the community needs. It's not, you know, it's. We're going to need it today and tomorrow and the next day. It's one of the. It's the primary source of why we became a city. It's the safety and security of our residents. So making sure that we have the facilities to house that and produce for infrastructure and public works are two very important departments. So I think these are justified, you know, needs for the community. With that, I think we're ready to call the roll. >> Motion to approve made by Councilman Pineyro, seconded by Councilman Reinoso. >> [ CALLING ROLL] Motion passes. >> All right, if you can just read Item 9E into the record and Item 9E. >> Resolution of the mayor and the city council of the Cedar, Florida approving the award of Request for Qualifications RFQ 2026 architectural and engineering services and related disciplines for new police department headquarters authorizing the city manager to negotiate an enter to an agreement with DLR Group Inc. As a top ranked firm subject to approvals to form and legal sufficiency by the city attorney for the provision of architectural, design and engineering related services, authorizing the city managers negotiate and enter into an agreement with the next highest ranked firm successively, if an agreement cannot be negotiated, authorizing the city manager to expend budgeted funds and furtherance hereof providing implementation incorporation recitals on an effective date. >> All right. >> We will incorporate the presentation, the comments from the. The previous item into this item. And if there's no additional questions, we need a motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Motion to approve by councilman Pineyro, second by Councilwoman Reinoso. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. >> Motion to approve made by councilor Pineyro. Seconded by council Reinoso. >> [ CALLING ROLL] >> Motion passes. >> All right, we move on to Item 9F. >> 9F. A resolution of the mayor of the city council of the city of Florida approving the implementation of a solar street light project along Northwest 82nd street from West 107th Avenue to Northwest 114th Avenue. Selecting Blank as a vendor, approving a project in an amount not to exceed blank, which includes a 10% contingency for unforeseen conditions. Authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents and expend budgeted funds, providing for limitation incorporation recitals and effective date. >> All right, Madam City manager or public works, I don't know who's got. >> Great. So thank you again. So mayor and council as directed during the January council meeting, staff coordinated with both vendors sells and front roach to install solar street lights for a side by side evaluation. Both systems have been installed along 82nd street between 107th and 109th Avenue and are operating from sunset to sunrise. This pilot has provided the opportunity for you all to visit the site and evaluate performance firsthand, including lighting coverage and visibility, as well as equipment design and overall esthetics. At this time, staff's requesting direction from mayor and council on how they would like to proceed, including selection of a preferred vendor. We are also here, the public works directors here to answer any questions you may have. >> All right. Did everybody go and see the lights? I saw the light and he saw the light. >> I have a question. Do we have multiple vendors? >> Only two. >> Oh, only two. Does the staff have a recommendation or >> is it a. I don't think staff. >> We. We put both of them up. They're both reputable companies. We wanted you to go and see which one aesthetically or visibly or. And you have the cost breakdown also and which one you preferred as far as costs. >> What are the two figures? >> S