Vote and select the name for the 114th Avenue Park

After the City of Doral called a contest for residents to participate in naming the park to be built soon in the NW 114 Ave., already has ten submissions for you residents to vote On Line and decide the name of this important project in our city.

As you might remember, the Department of Parks and Recreation organized the competition, and since last September 6^th, 2014, the city began accepting applications through an online process and by the call that was made in all city parks.

The contest was announced online through the city’s website, Facebook, Twitter, email and by 8,000 flyers distributed to all public and private schools.

One hundred seven proposals and possible names were received, discarding only one, which did not meet the requirements.

Finally, a selection committee integrated by Javier Ramirez , Parks and Recreation and Chairman of the Advisory Board; Daniel Ferreiro, Parks and Recreation and Member of the Advisory Council; Ricardo Alarcón, Director of Compliance, and residents of Doral as Stephanie Bortz, Event Specialists and Santiago Sellan, Park Maintenance Supervisor were appointed to select the top 10 names.

It was on Monday December 8^th, when they selected ten of the names, which are now subject to a public vote On Line, for residents to continue with the next round of competition. The names selected are:

• Doral Sports & Recreation Complex

• Doral Glades Park

• Doris and Alfred Kaskel Park

• Freedom Park

• Harmony Park

• Island Park

• Legacy Park

• Liberty Park

• Unity Park

• Westside Park

It is important to mention that online voting will open on Monday, January 5^th, 2015 and will close on January 19^th, 2015 at 4:30 pm.

To all the authorities of the City of Doral, their personnel and especially the Department of Parks and Recreation, we are proud of the great participation that we have obtained from our residents. We have a great commitment and we are working for each  of you.

City of Doral Grows with Planning and Zoning

We are responsible to care for all the residents of the City of Doral, as well the developers that are willing to build in the city. Therefore, we will be assured that the projects regarding the zonification are in accordance with the master plan, determined in our maps of land use in its distinct categories, residential, commercial or industrial.

The Zoning and Planning Department, leaded by Julian Perez, understanding the compromise of being adjusted by the rules determined in the ordinance code, goes hand in hand with the city’s legal department, with the purpose that both departments compliment the task of respecting the owner’s rights regarding the base of justice and equity.

It is there that the extreme potential that these properties have – the lands- are reasoned with the goal in mind in order to project them on the basis of the standard, so that it might be used and execute the planned under a concept adapted over the base of a modern city that is projected as far as growth and future developments.

I could say that the city is growing in such a proportional way between what it is the residential, commercial and industrial area. As a matter of fact, the meaningful development in the residential area it’s appreciated in different areas of Doral, even more, it’s very well planned. The industrial base, by which it can be said that from thence Doral took off, has been well kept throughout the years.

This industrial aspect has been achieved for the city’s own benefit, given the strategic location that we have, with some very important roads such as the Turnpike, the 826 and the 836. Another factor that contributes with the enforcement of this sector, is its closeness to the Miami International Airport, and with it, the business relationships that are developed with other continents having as a point of encounter the transportation mobilization and its merchandise, to its corresponding places thanks to this merchant movement that it’s generated in the best possible timing.

Another important aspect that makes Doral a city of investments, it’s the international projection that has been reached thanks to these merchant relationships that have been developed through the small, medium-sized and large companies located in the city.

There is no doubt that the strategic location has empowered us.  Actually, already exist attractive business areas in South Florida, but our advantage is that the property value is much more competitive and that makes our city even more attractive for investors.

We won’t leave aside our human resources, multicultural, very well represented by different Hispanic groups.

Where are we heading? We are destined to keep growing towards the north of the city. However, in a few years, 79th avenue, towards the Northwest, will become a big commercial avenue, with significant construction, that combine residential and commercial zone. The 79th avenue is heading towards its own development, due to its nearness with Downtown Doral, a major development that will project the city for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors.

We have a big responsibility, we keep working with a staff that without a doubt it’s committed with our society. The Planning and Zoning department, headed by Julian Perez, is proof of professionalism and compromise.  We continue to progress and Doral will be a point of reference for the world.      

Sebastian & Alejandro: Mayor and Chief of Police for the Day

Today, accompanied by Chief of Police Don De Lucca and City Manager Mr. Edward Rojas, John I. Smith K-8 School Principal Mr. Genaro Navarro and staff, and family Mejia friends, celebrating an honorary ceremony in which the key to the city was given to Sebastian Mejias and acknowledged as Honoree Mayor. At the same time, his younger brother Alejandro received honoree Chief of Police badge.

Below you will find today’s remarks.

Remarks from Mayor Luigi Boria

We are here today to acknowledge two young brothers, Sebastian and Alejandro Mejia who live in the City of Doral with their parents Maria Fernanda Gonzalez and Ivan Mejia and serve as an example of brave young hearts.

Those who know Sebastian and Alejandro can attest to the spirit and motivation they share with their classmates, friends, and family members. Their teachers know how dedicated they are to their school work despite having to miss school due to circumstances that are beyond their control.

Let me share with you who the Mejia Brothers are: 

Sebastian Mejia is 8 years old; he is the older of two brothers, in a family of four, including his Colombian born mother and father. 

Alejandro, the younger brother is 7 years old. 

They are in 3^rd and 2^nd grade, and love school.  Both brothers excel in academics and have received several awards in the past years for their outstanding dedication to education.

They have lived in the City of Doral for the past five years, and have been students at John I Smith K to 8 Center for the past year.  We thank those classmates, teachers, and school representatives that join us today as we recognize these two young boys.

Sebastian wants to graduate, go to Harvard and become President.  Although he feels pain, and has weakness, he insists in going to class.  Just a couple of weeks ago he made Honor Roll!

Alejandro likes to follow in his brothers footsteps and says he will be piloting Air Force One when Sebastian is President.  He has more energy and loves to play around.

Today, the City will recognize Sebastian and Alejandro for their courage and their daily motivation and inspiration to continue to strive at school.

Although we do not have the authority to run an election and nominate Sebastian as President of the United States or have Air Force One available for Alejandro, we would like to do the next best thing which is to acknowledge Sebastian Mejia as Honoree Mayor. In addition, I would like to let you know that I’m sending a letter to President Obama and the Conference of Mayors for them to know the story of these two young brave hearts.

Remarks from the City Manager – Honorary Ceremony

I would like to thank you all for joining in this ceremony to honor two very brave and courageous young men that reside in our community.

My name is Edward Rojas and I am proud to be the City Manager for the City of Doral.

Thomas Merton an acclaimed twenty century spiritual writer, poet, author and social activist. Once wrote about courage and said…“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” 

 

The two young men that we are honoring today personify exactly that…They may not understand exactly what it is that is happening to them or why…or even where it is all going….But they do understand what it is to live in the present and what it is to work through the daily challenges life has set in front of them.

They do know…what it is to face those challenges with: courage, faith, and hope.  The Courage…to triumph over their fears and make the most of what life has to offer. The Faith… that there is a higher cause in control of their destiny.  The Hope… that they will have the strength to live out their dreams.

Personally, I have been touched by this story…Every day that I come to work…I sit at my desk…turn and place my hand on the Bible…The same Bible that was used to swear me into the position of city manager…and I pray. Every day I seek to find the courage in myself not only to overcome the challenges of the day, but also to find the strength to… Be an example to my family…To fulfil my obligations to the people that I work with and work for…To find that faith to believe that there is a higher cause in control of my destiny…And to find the strength to live out my dreams. 

Personally I have learned from these two young men’s example…Having the opportunity to recognize them today has brought me closer to understanding what it is that I am looking for. To them I am truly thankful. 

NW 114th avenue Groundbreaking

Since the foundation of our City, it has been a priority the creation and maintenance of green areas for family enjoyment and the development of our children and youths. One of these parks, in which I feel a compromised, will be constructed in the Section 7 of the City of Doral, 18+ acres of land, what is basically known today as NW 114th Avenue and 82nd St.

The construction, it’s a Multifunctional Center designed by JW Architects, their 35,000 square feet of construction to the disposition of our residents will offer areas of: indoor basketball gymnasium and exercise track, community/cultural room with seating capacity for 200 people, a senior room, arts and craft room, recreational room, aerobics/dance room, multi-purpose room, and a conference room.

In addition, there will be soccer fields with artificial grass, tennis courts, youth/adult softball field, Outdoor junior-sized basketball court, sand volleyball courts, children’s playgrounds, splash pad, outdoor movie area, walking and running paths, pavilions, covered bleachers, public restrooms, and an extended natural area as a representation of our beautiful City of Doral.

Likewise, the users count with 321 parking spaces, and will have the adequate infrastructure for the inside and external transit conserving the security of our people.

It’s also very important to highlight the different meetings that the Park Department leaded by Barbara Hernandez and a talented team has held with our communities. A workshop with the neighbors association/ home owners that are close to the Park in the 114th Avenue has been interested and productive, in which was discussed and planned points of interest that without a doubt will be reviewed and studied with the goals of not missing the details and opinions of our residents.

It’s all ready for the construction stage to begin. If you wish to know the design, you can visit the website www.cityofdoral.com, and view the proposal in images of this new park in the City of Doral.

We’ll continue to work to maintain a “green” city. As a matter of fact, we were recently awarded with the “2014 FRPA”, Florida Recreation & Park Association, for being the city with most parks in the State of Florida.

Groundbreaking

It has been a pleasure to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony, accompanied by our City Council, and different department directors. I have no doubt that residents are also joyful about this as well. There will be twelve thousand people between Doral and visitors that will be benefited, just as it will be an alternative for residents of the North part of the city, which will also enjoy this park in their place of residence.  

By the end of 2016, its construction will be a fact. The quality of life of our residents it’s our priority. Allow me to invite you, once again, for you to be present in our meetings and exchange any ideas that you may have on the projects that are taking place. Thank to our neighbors that accompanied us today in this very important city event.

Office of Charter Enforcement (OCE)

Most likely many of you have already read about the Office of Charter Enforcement (OCE) that will be installed in our city, as part of the amendments approved during last August’s election.

However, I would like to cover this topic since we recently had a workshop in our city that had the presence of Judge Robert Meyers and The Commission of Ethics of the Miami-Dade County, representatives from the Anti-Corruption Division of the County Police.  In addition, representatives from different parts of the city and residents of Doral were present.  

I highlighted the key points, in a non-textual way and inside the intent of the legislator, that specific order:

a)      The OCE’s responsibility will be the application of the provision of the Federal, State, County Law, Doral City Law and related regulations to the public correction, conduct and to the ethic that shall prevail. It explains the rule that the OCE will supervise and investigate the activities that reflect negatively the Doral City Government executed by the elected officials, by mentioned electors in the constitution, workers and in designated positions.

b)      In order to avoid internal and external meddling of the city, the rule refers that the organization and administration of the OCE would be independent City Council, departments and City Clerks, ensuring the objective of said Office.

c)       Although the rule says the Officer that carries this function inside the OCE should have been named by the Circuit 11 Judge on September 11th 2014, this didn’t take place. First of all, because the amendment results were not certified until September 2nd and because the Presiding Judge of Circuit 11 of Florida refused to appoint it and name it, the Miami-Dade County Commission of Ethic, proposed authority in its defect.

d)      Continuing with the timeline, no later than November 1st 2014, the Selection and Supervision Committee will select a qualified person to direct the OCE.

It was a very interesting workshop conducted by Lawyer Robert Meyers, because his exposition was presented about the procedures to formalize the complaints before the Official of the Constitutional Enforcement.

The procedures will be the following:

• The office receives a sworn complain from the people.
• The OCE under its initiative directs the investigation.
• Of finding a good cause, the office shall issue the written and filed charges through the City Clerk and would form part of a public record.
• After the investigation is complete and determined there is a Possible Cause, the right agency should be notified.
• Of being settle that there was no violation, the PCE should publish that there is no violation found.
• The OCE should deliver the copies of all the final reports.
• In case of sanctions, the same shall be imposed by the Hearing Officer; the fines shall not exceed $500; the officer should reject to the right or administrative privileges; it could be submitted to rebuke or public censure.
  

Some of its functions were also highlighted:

• Every 3 months the OCE should issue a written declaration informing about the status of complaints.
• The Selection and Surveillance Committee should review the annual declarations and publish the report before the City Council with any recommendation.
• The OCE should complete its investigations within a six months period that begins starting on the date that the complaint or the date the investigation was started. Issue the results with them, the factors on which the same are based with any other joint remission.
• The pretend violators have the right of confronting its accusers regarding the accusation results.

Finally, regarding its operation:

• The OCE could use the Commission of Ethic investigation personnel of the Miami-Dade County if its investigation overpasses the OCE.
• The OCE Manager should serve for four years.
• The City Council should provide the OCE with the sufficient funds to complete its tasks.
• Some amendments to this section should be made through referendums if the council approves it.

It’s important to know the laws and rules, in which our city complies with, participate in open workshops to the public and make suggestions. That way you can contribute to the formation, growth and strengthening of our beautiful city of Doral.

M-DCPS New Investments in our Great City of Doral

 It has been a great satisfaction to hear the Miami- Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, talking about the investments that would take place in Doral regarding schools infrastructure, set to be done in a short term and serve better our different grades students

Present at the meeting were  the Associate Superintendent, Iraida Mendez Cartaya, and the Chief Facilities Officer, Mr. Jaime Torrens, with whom we boarded important topics such as: school enrollment, installed capacities of the different educational facilities in Doral.

 The first news offered to us was the construction of a new K-8 facility, which could possibly be ready for 2015, in a landfilled located in the West part of Ronald Reagan High School. Such construction responds to the need of ease out the grades K-8 in our city, in which we have a high student population.

 With the goal to have a better quality education and security to our students in high school, the second good news presented to us was related to Doral Middle School, located in 5505 NW 112th avenue. It will be converted to a Senior High School, with the capacity of hosting 627 students. The estimate inversion it’s in the order of $3,000,000; in which equipment and school materials are not included.

In regards to improvements:

•          New digital technology in the classrooms
•          Infrastructure remodeling
•          Better electric systems
•          Substitution of doors and windows

The advantage is that Doral Middle School was built under a “high school structure design” and  today the necessary changes can be made, so that it could work as such.

 Other investments mentioned by Superintendent Carvalho are directed towards Doral Middle School (John I. Smith).  The drainage system is currently being designed, reparation or substitution of the air conditioning system; internal sound and classrooms with digital technology. The budget for this project is: $272,429

 For the Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 a new area for the playground has being designed; replacement of the internal audio system; repair and external painting; internal painting; digital technology for the new classrooms. The budget for this is amounted around $324,651.

And for John I. Smith improvements have been proposed in the surface of the children playground; improvements in the air conditioning system; painting and implementation of new digital technology in the classrooms. Budget: $509,724

 This is the latest information to share with all the parents and residents of our city in regards to education and there are good news. We know your worries for the increasing in the school enrollment and the need in Doral to comply with the new educational installations. I also take this opportunity to remind you of the construction of the Charter School in Downtown Doral, complex that is currently being developed.

We truly thank Miami-Dade County Public Schools, an institution that's being led by Superintendent Alberto Carballo, who has definitely planned to increase the quality of educational programs and offer high quality schools to our students.

Topic of annexations in Doral is back to the table

It’s of important concern for me to resume the topic of the annexations of three very important areas inside the Doral boundaries, today under the administration of the Miami-Dade County. These are defined as Sections 6, 15 and 16, they have been for us a thorough review and since some time ago, our City Council has taken some actions in the achievement of a sole objective and such areas to become part of our City.

Allow me to make a description of each section, understanding that our city grows daily with new residents, which need to be informed of these important developments.

Section 6

A square mile, built by its northern with NW 106th St. South, 90th St of the NW. East, of 107th Ave. From the NW and West from the Florida Turnpike.

From the infrastructure point of view, section 6 represents an attractive for the city; we will have an area of plain development given to the office range, industries and commerce that have been established there.

These characteristics, could possibly allow new incomes to the city that can be around $900,000 coming from taxes. This axis that additionally has plots of residential land that are not yet developed, summarizes Doral as another attractive for new inversions within the zone, by which the city is in capacity of addressing, and it could even suit up to the interests of our residents as entrepreneurs in the zone, the meaning of this is, that we’ll continue planning its growth over the base of our needs according to the established rules by the Miami-Dade in planning, zoning and construction matters.

We would also assume commitments with the maintenance of streets (10 miles) that will be incorporated of the annexation of Section 6 and other services such as Public Safety and Parks.

Definitely, for being surrounded by developments I would assure that the residents will want more service businesses, recreational and sport areas, with the goal of creating a sense of belonging in the Northern part of the city with that area and the sole shopping center in the Flagler Station, in which, as a matter of fact; operates two formation and studies center that bring attention to our children of Doral.

Section 15

Comprise .87 squared miles, in which boundaries are the following: North: NW 74th St., South: NW 58th St, East: SR 826 and West: NW 87th Avenue.  Today, in an industrial zone otherwise constituted we are sure that with the industrials installed there we could plan services to the worker and entrepreneurial sector that it’s found there.

We have no doubt that this zone hosts Doral, so for us it is needed to bring the attention and grow based on this axe in which it also represents new incomes, that would be reinvested in maintenance of 16.8 miles of highways, sidewalk constructions, green areas. In addition, we would emphasize the transportation services and even more in public safety matters that could be imply through the joint efforts and strategies that benefit the industrial force in the zone.

With the Miami-Dade County, we will establish agreements with the arrangements to understand all of the other areas and services that require the participation of both entities.

In relation to the revenues, it would be around $1,300,000 a quantity that could be reinvested in the zone.

Section 16

North: NW 74th St; South: NW 58th St; East: NW 87th Ave; West: NW 97th Ave. of the NW. It’s the old garbage landfill. An area that by its use throughout the years, today it could be and area that oxygenates our city to the service of specially our youth and athletes.

This field could be used for the practice of mountain bike and soccer courts, serving our youth and would be better used by our community. As a matter of fact, 97th Ave in which will be open very soon is soon all the way to 74th Ave., is one of the investments that will not only help the mobility within the area, but we’ll also plan other services that would go in hand with this great park that is being considered in the heart of the city.

Our Actions

As mentioned in the beginning of this note, our City Council has not thrown out the possibility of achieving these annexations. Since I was elected as Mayor of the City of Doral, three possible resolutions have been raised to the Miami-Dade County. They have accepted it and we know that we have taken these three applications for its respective reviews/analysis.

About this matter, we have been working thanks to the efforts that of League of the Cities and its chair Cindy Lennar, Mayor of the Pinecrest Village. We have exchanged opinions with our neighbor townships, especially with the City of Medley, which also shows interest in the topic due to that some of the mentioned areas also touch this city.

We continue to work in this matter. We have no doubt that the annexation of these three important sections, are extremely essential to our city.