Thursday, May 22, 2008

Gables Estates addresses growing iguana concerns among residents


Due to the continued increase of the iguana population within Gables Estates, we ask each member to participate in a collective measure to humanely capture and relocate these reptiles to a more suitable environment. There are several services that many of our members have employed to trap and remove iguanas from their property. Services require a removal fee per iguana.


1) Critter Control 305-258-3587


2) Miami Animal Removal 786-594-1189


3) Club’s Maintenance Man, Jose Luis Orozco 305-667-3604 (off duty from Club)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Hurricane Season notice sent to Gables Estates residents


TO: The general membership:


FROM: The Board of Governors


SUBJECT: Hurricane Season 2008


Dear Club Member:


Here we are once again, hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and ends November 30th. Weather Experts are predicting a very active hurricane season again this year. Please make sure our security staff has an updated Gables Estates Contact Form on file for your property. (You may obtain a form at either gatehouse.) This information is necessary to provide the optimum security during your absence (storms, business travels, vacations, etc.).
In the event a Hurricane Advisory is issued, the Homeowner’s Association has requested Wackenhut security to report loose objects not anchored or secured to the appropriate homeowner, to work closely with the City so that garbage and debris are removed prior to the arrival of the storm, and to contact construction personnel on site to request construction material be secured.


Please notify Kathleen or Captain Urra at either gatehouse (Arvida 305-667-3604 or Casuarina 305-667-3295) to report loose objects, your assistance is greatly appreciated.The following are some helpful numbers for information and assistance:


1) Emergencies call 911


2) Special needs 305-460-5560


3) Electricity problems 305-442-8770 (FP&L)


4) Telephone line problems 611 or 305-780-2840 (BellSouth)


5) Coral Gables Citizen Information 305-460-5401


6) City Gas 305-693-4311


7) American Red Cross (Shelter Information) 305-644-1200


8) Wackenhut Station One 1-800-666-5808


Since Gables Estates is located in a flood zone, Coral Gables and Miami Dade County Zoning Boards recommend that all residents evacuate the area in the event of a Hurricane with a category of two or greater, winds reaching 96 miles per hour or above and a storm surge seven feet or higher.


Wackenhut Security and Coral Gables Police as well as all other emergency response personnel will evacuate the area during a mandated evacuation. Immediately following the mandatory evacuation/hurricane, Wackenhut officers will resume patrol and assist members whenever possible.


Any security related issues should be reported to Captain Urra for the Arvida side at 305-667-3604 or 305-667-3295 on Casuarina.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Proposed boat length ordinance passed unanimously by the Coral Gables City Commission


The Proposed City of Coral Gables Boat Length Ordinance was unanimously approved at the first reading of said ordinance on May 13, 2008 by the Coral Gables City Commission.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Revisions to City Proposed Boat Length Ordinance to be heard by Coral Gables City Commission


PLEASE NOTE: (1) UNDERLINED WORDS OR SENTENCES INDICATE THE
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY CODE; (2) WORDS OR SENTENCES IN RED
INDICATE ADDITIONAL CHANGES FROM THE ORDINANCE DISTRIBUTED ON

MAY 8, 2008.

Ordinance No.:________
Amended Waterways Ordinance
Page 1 of 6

CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-_____
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 86, ENTITLED

"WATERWAYS", DIVISION 2, ENTITLED "ANCHORING, MOORING, ETC.";

IN PARTICULAR, SECTION 86-59, ENTITLED "TO ABUTTING PROPERTY",

BY RESTRICTING THE PLACEMENT AND PROJECTION OF BOATS OR

WATERCRAFT WHEN ANCHORED, MOORED, OR TIED UP TO

WATERFRONT PROPERTY; SECTION 86-60, ENTITLED "OTHER THAN

ABUTTING PROPERTY" BY ALLOWING ANCHORING OR MOORING OF

BOATS OR WATERCRAFT TO OTHERS DURING DOCK CONSTRUCTION

OR IMPROVEMENTS, SUBJECT TO SUFFICIENT ACCESS FOR SAFE

NAVIGATION; SECTION 86-61, ENTITLED "ENFORCEMENT BY CHIEF OF

POLICE" BY FURTHER AUTHORIZING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

TO ENFORCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CODE; ADDING SECTION 86-62,

ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS"; DIVISION 3, ENTITLED "OCEAN AND

WATERWAY REGULATIONS", MODIFYING THE TITLE OF SECTION 86-84,

TO "WATERCRAFT AS HAZARDS; UNOBSTRUCTED WATERWAYS", IN

ADDITION WITHIN THE SAME SECTION, DECLARING IT UNLAWFUL TO

POSITION A BOAT OR WATERCRAFT IN SUCH A WAY TO INTERFERE

WITH THE NAVIGATION THROUGH THE CITY WATERWAYS; AND

FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 86-86, ENTITLED "HURRICANE

PROCEDURE- REGULATIONS", BY DECLARING IT UNLAWFUL TO MOOR

A BOAT OR WATERCRAFT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT CONSENT;

PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEALER, CODIFICATION, AND AN

EFFECTIVE DATE

WHEREAS, the City of Coral Gables Commission finds that there is an alarminging increase of large boats and commercial watercraft which are being anchored, moored or tied up to waterfront properties within the city limits which have had a deleterious effect upon the City’s residents, marine life, and the navigability of the city waterways; and


WHEREAS, the Florida Statutes Section 253.141 provides that riparian rights are thoseincident to land bordering upon navigable waters and include the rights of ingress, egress, boating, bathing, and fishing and such others as may be or have been defined by law (Also see, Thiesen v. Gulf, F. & A., Ry. Co. 78 So.2d 491 (Fla. 1918))

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

City of Coral Gables Boat Length Ordinance Draft provided to Gables Estates residents


CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA



ORDINANCE NO. 2008-_____





AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 86, ENTITLED “WATERWAYS”, DIVISION 2, ENTITLED “ANCHORING, MOORING, ETC.”; IN PARTICULAR, SECTION 86-59, ENTITLED “TO ABUTTING PROPERTY”, BY RESTRICTING THE PLACEMENT AND PROJECTION OF BOATS OR WATERCRAFT WHEN ANCHORED, MOORED, OR TIED UP TO WATERFRONT PROPERTY; SECTION 86-60, ENTITLED “OTHER THAN ABUTTING PROPERTY” BY ALLOWING ANCHORING OR MOORING OF BOATS OR WATERCRAFT TO OTHERS DURING DOCK CONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENTS, SUBJECT TO SUFFICIENT ACCESS FOR SAFE NAVIGATION; SECTION 86-61, ENTITLED “ENFORCEMENT BY CHIEF OF POLICE” BY FURTHER AUTHORIZING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ENFORCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CODE; ADDING SECTION 86-62, ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS”; AND FURTHER AMENDING DIVISION 3, ENTITLED “OCEAN AND WATERWAY REGULATIONS”, MODIFYING THE TITLE OF SECTION 86-84, TO “WATERCRAFT AS HAZARDS; UNOBSTRUCTED WATERWAYS”, IN ADDITION WITHIN THE SAME SECTION, DECLARING IT UNLAWFUL TO POSITION A BOAT OR WATERCRAFT IN SUCH A WAY TO INTERFERE WITH THE NAVIGATION THROUGH THE CITY WATERWAYS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEALER, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

WHEREAS, the City of Coral Gables Commission finds that there is an alarming increase of large boats and commercial watercraft which are being anchored, moored or tied up to waterfront properties within the city limits which have had a deleterious effect upon the City’s residents; and

WHEREAS, Florida Statutes Section 253.141 provides that riparian rights are those incident to land bordering upon navigable waters and include the rights of ingress, egress, boating, bathing, and fishing and such others as may be or have been defined by law (Also see, Thiesen v. Gulf, F. & A., Ry. Co.78 So.2d 491 (Fla. 1918)); and

WHEREAS, in order to protect adjoining property owners from boats or watercraft encroaching unto their property line, the City of Coral Gables Commission desires to regulate the mooring and anchoring of boats or watercrafts in the waterways under its jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the City of Coral Gables Commission wishes to regulate the occasion for mooring or anchoring a boat or watercraft in order to avoid a position that endangers, interferes, or impedes with the navigation of other boats or watercraft through the City waterways; and

WHEREAS, the State and Federal regulations exist governing waterways and these regulations supplement those State and Federal regulations.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMISION OF THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA THAT:

Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Ordinance are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.

Section 2. The City Code of the City of Coral Gables, Florida is hereby amended to provide additional restrictions and prohibitions under Chapter 86, entitled “Waterways”, Division 2, entitled “Anchoring, mooring, etc.” amending Section 86-59, entitled “To abutting property” to read as follows:

DIVISION 2. ANCHORING, MOORING, ETC.

Sec. 86-59. To abutting property.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to anchor, moor or tie up any boat or watercraft of any and every nature whatsoever to any waterfront property abutting the waterways and canals within the city, unless he is the owner of the property to which the boat or watercraft is anchored, moored or tied up or is the lessee of improved property having a dwelling structure thereon, under a written lease from the owner of the fee simple title to such property or is the guest in the house of the owner of improved property having a dwelling structure thereon, except in an emergency.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to anchor, moor or tie up any boat or watercraft of any and every nature whatsoever to any waterfront property abutting the waterways and canals within the city in such a position that the length of the boat or watercraft extends beyond the side property lines of the property or is of such a length that when docked or anchored adjacent to such property it extends beyond such side property lines, unless the adjoining property owners agree to such extension. if the length of the boat or watercraft extends beyond the adjoining owner’s property line or projects from the adjoining owner’s property line.Lot lines shall be extended into the waterway for purposes of the measurement.

(3) It shall be unlawful to moor, anchor or tie up a commercial boat or watercraft in residential districts to conduct any commercial activity.

Sec. 86-60. Other than abutting property.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to anchor or moor any boat or watercraft in the waterways and canals within the city other than to property abutting on the waterways, such as, but not limited to, any other boat or watercraft, except during dock construction at the construction site or for , maintenance or improvements and only when there is sufficient access for safe navigation of a boat or watercraft through the passage in the waterway. unless he When requesting to moor or anchor a boat or watercraft to another such vessel during any construction or improvement, the abutting property owner shall first have obtained a permit for the construction or improvement and such permit shall be displayed on the property. applied to, and received from the chief of police, a designated spot, at which such craft may be anchored or moored. In making such application to the chief of police, such information shall be given by the seeker of the anchoring or mooring privilege as the chief shall deem necessary or expedient for the purpose of rendering the waterway safe for the passage and use by the craft thereof.

(2)(0)It shall be unlawful to moor, anchor or tie up a boat or watercraft in a position that endangers, interferes, or impedes with the navigation of other boats or watercraft through the waterways.

(3) A clear channel shall at all times be left open to permit free and unobstructed navigation through the City’s waterways.

Sec. 86-61. Enforcement by chief of police.

The chief of police or designee is hereby authorized and designated to receive such information, keep records and details provided for in sections 86-59 and 86-60 and the police department and any code enforcement official is hereby authorized to enforce and carry out the provisions of this division. division Section.

Sec. 86-62. Definitions.

Boat or watercraft means any human, motor, wind, non-powered or artificially propelled water conveyance and every other description of boat or watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation in the water and used for pleasure by the owner or others.

Boat mooring space means any place where a boat or watercraft can be anchored, moored, or tied up, and the entire portion of boat lifts, personal watercraft lifts, davits, mooring piles, wharfs, or other similar structures or equipment used in the anchoring, mooring, or tying up of boats or watercraft.

Commercial boat or watercraft means any boat or watercraft conducting an excursion, sightseeing, drift fishing, charter boat, head boat, or other watercraft, providing services to the public for compensation.

Length means the measurement from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern, including the rudders, outboard motor brackets, handles, and other similar fittings, attachments, and extensions.

DIVISION 3. OCEAN AND WATERWAY REGULATIONS

Sec. 86-84. Watercrafts as hazards; notice, removal unobstructed waterways

(a) Whenever, in the opinion of the police chief, or designee the condition of any watercraft in the city waterway is such as to constitute a hazard, either to the safe passage of other water craft or because of due to the unsanitary conditions created thereby, or because of due to the dilapidation or unsightliness thereof, the owner of such watercraft shall, within three days after receiving notice from the police chief, or designee, director of public safety remove such watercraft from the city waterway, and for failure to do so shall be guilty of an offense and the owner of the watercraft shall be responsible to the city for any cost or expense undertaken by the city for the purpose of removing the watercraft.

(b) It shall be unlawful to moor, anchor or tie up a boat or watercraft in a position that endanger, interferes, or impedes with the free and unobstructed navigation of other boats or watercrafts through the waterways, except as provided for in Section 86-86, entitled “Hurricane procedure-Regulations.”

Sec. 86-86. Hurricane procedure- Regulations.

(a) In consonance with the provisions of this article and in recognition of the inherent responsibility of the city to protect the lives and property of its citizens, the chief of police will promulgate, distribute, post, and enforce regulations for the use of the city waterway in the event of a hurricane, or other act of God or natural disaster. It is recognized that a hurricane is considered a natural disaster or an act of God, and therefore, certain regulations, laws and ordinances may be negated by such an event.

(b) In view of the proficiency of the National Hurricane Center in predicting a hurricane, the following shall obtain:

(1) Vessels using the city waterway for refuge will be securely moored not later than 24 hours prior to the officially predicted approach of a hurricane.

(2) Such vessels will be moored only with adequate equipment and safeguards and in a manner so as to eliminate or minimize damage to other vessels, property or persons in the city. However, no such mooring will constitute an official approval thereof by the city, and no resultant damages or liability will accrue against the city.

(3) It should be clearly understood that any damages to vessels, property or persons flowing from any hurricane moorings in the city waterway will be the personal responsibility and liability of the vessel’s owner, including removal or salvage of the vessels.

Section 3. Severability.

If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.

Section 4. Repealer.

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, are and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 5. Codification.

It is the intention of the Commission of the City of Coral Gables, Florida, that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the City of Coral Gables Code of Ordinances; and that the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention, and the word “ordinance” may be changed to “section”, “article”, or such other appropriate word or phrase in order to accomplish such intentions.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon the date of its adoption by the City Commission.


PASSED AND ADOPTED this __________ day of ______________ 2008.





___________________________________

DONALD D. SLESNICK II, MAYOR

ATTEST:



________________________________

WALTER FOEMAN

CITY CLERK

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:





___________________________________

ELIZABETH M. HERNANDEZ
CITY ATTORNEY

Monday, May 5, 2008

Public Works Director, Alberto Delgado's commitment to Gables Estates Club


For your information on April 17th I met with Gables Estates Homeowners' Association chairman, Mr. Rene Guerra, Mr. Bill Box, the Club's Administrator, and Kathleen Richardson, Administrator to the Board of Governors, to discuss the streets condition and repair schedules for that area. As part of the discussion the rating system that Public Works uses to evaluate our streets was fully explained. It was also discussed the fact that even though their streets are rating in the upper 70's and low 80's, their rating is relatively higher than the rating of other streets in the City which are in the high 60's and low 70's, and which we are currently addressing.
I reiterated the fact that based on our Street Improvement Schedule, and due to the limited amount of funding that we have for that purpose every year, we will not be able to reconstruct their streets in approximately three years, which will bring them to the 2011/2012 component of the City's Street Improvement Program, at which time the improvements will be done at no cost to the homeowners.

After listening to their concerns and reviewing some of the photographs that they have taken of specific areas in which the roads are showing signs of deterioration, it was agreed that in the interim Public Works will address those situations immediately in a three-phase approach:

Phase 1 - Identify all the areas that due to their deterioration must be addressed immediately and proceed with the milling and resurfacing of those sections of the roads.

Phase 2 - Subsequently, identify all the areas in which the edge of pavement has been eroded and the surface is uneven, in order to make the necessary corrections.

Phase 3 - Concurrently, identify all the areas that need re-striping in order to make a formal request to the County for implementation. If the County does not provide us with a timely schedule for the implementation, the City will use its contractor and make the necessary arrangements with the County for payment.

As a follow-up to the meeting Noel Polo, Survey Chief, met at the site with Ms. Richardson on April 22nd to identify and mark all the areas of concern and prepare a plan of action.

The City is currently working in the repairs of the force main along Arvida Drive and additional patches have been placed on that road (see picture sent by Ms. Richardson on her April 22nd e-mail). The complete replacement of that line was authorized and work is in progress. Once this work is completed, that portion of the road will be addressed as part of Phase 1 of our schedule.

The above confirms what transpired at the meeting and our commitment to address the present condition of the Gables Estates streets.



R. Alberto Delgado, P.E.

Public Works Director

(305) 460-5001

Fax (305) 460-5080