LTC 319-2019 City of Coral Gables Resolution Nos. 2019-117 and 2019-133MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
No.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
319-2019
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members .~y Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk 7<Jt
June 3, 2019
SUBJECT: CITY OF CORAL GABLES RESOLUTION NOS. 2019-117 AND 2019-133
Attached for your information are Resolution Nos. 2019-117 and 2019-133, adopted by the
Mayor and Commission of the City of Coral Gables on May 141h and May 281h, 2019.
Resolution No. 2019-117
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION CONDEMNING ANTI-
SEMITISM, DISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY AGAINST ALL MINORITIES.
Resolution No. 2019-133
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
URGING GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS TO VETO HOUSE BILL 1159, A BILL
RELATED TO TREE TRIMMING AND REGULATION.
The City of Coral Gables Clerk has requested that copies of these resolutions be provided to the
Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7 411.
REG/Ic
Attachments
F:\CLER\$ALL\LILIA\LTC's -Transmittal's\Coral Gables\Resolutions 2019-117 and 2019-133 City of Coral
Gables.docx
CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION NO. 2019·117
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION
CONDEMNING ANTI-SEMITISM, DISCRIMINATION
AND BIGOTRY AGAINST ALL MINORITIES.
WHEREAS, Coral Gables is home to many Jewish people and Jewish houses of
worship; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of State uses the "working definition"
of anti-Semitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward
Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish
or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and
religious facilities"; and
WHEREAS, according to the Anti-Defamation League, the number of anti-
Semitic incidents in the United States rose 57 percent from 2016 to 2017; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported a 37 percent
increase in hate crimes against Jewish people and institutions, and found that attacks
against Jewish people and institutions made up 58.1 percent of all religious-based hate
crimes; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade metropolitan area is home to one of the largest
Jewish communities in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, and welfare of all residents of Coral Gables is of
the utmost importance to the City of Coral Gables; and
WHEREAS, the increase in violent attacks on Jewish people in the United States,
including the recent shootings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Poway, California are tragic
evidence of the anti-Semitism and bigotry that exists in our country; and
WHEREAS, the City of Coral Gables stands against anti-Semitism in all its forms,
and against discrimination and bigotry against all minorities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CORAL GABLES:
SECTION 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed
as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon
adoption hereof.
Page 1 of2-Resolution No. 2019-117
SECTION 2. That the City Commission stands against anti-Semitism, bigotry,
and discrimination in all its forms and reaffirms our commitment to the health, safety, and
welfare of all residents.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage and adoption herein.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS FOURTEENTH DAY OF MAY A.D., 2019.
(Moved: Keon I Seconded: Fors)
(Yeas: Lago, Mena, Fors, Keon, Valdes-Fauli)
(Unanimous: 5-0 Vote)
(Agenda Item F-2)
ATTEST: APPROVED 'AS TO FORM .
AND LEG L SUFFICIENCY:
Page 2 of2 ··-Resolution No. 2019--117
CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-133
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA URGING GOVERNOR
RON DESANTIS TO VETO HOUSE BILL 1159, A BILL
RELATED TO TREE TRIMMING AND REGULATION.
WHEREAS, House Bill (HB) 1159 would detrimentally afiect the City's emblematic tree
canopy and its ability to enforce its Tree Protection Ordinances, Zoning Code minimum landscaping
requirements, and guard against abusive development practices; and
WHEREAS, HB 1159 prohibits local governments from requiring a notice, application,
approval, permit, or fee, for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if
the property owner obtains documentation from a certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape
architect that the tree presents a danger to persons or property; and
WHEREAS, the Bill also prohibits a local government from requiring a property owner to
replant or "mitigate" a tree that was pruned, trimmed, or removed in accordance with the bill; and
WHEREAS, the legislation also removes the requirement that a property owner receive
approv~l by the local government before requesting an electric uti\ity to maintain vegetation in the
adjacent utility right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, HB 1159 does not contain a carve-out provision for specimen trees, heritage
trees or other protected species, as defined by local ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Bill fails to define what constitutes a "danger to persons or property,"
imparting a tremendous amount of subjective discretion on individual landscape professionals in
making a detennination for removal; and
WHEREAS, the Bill's year-round applicability will likely result in mass tree removals
immediately preceding hurricanes and other severe storm events, placing a significant strain on ·
municipal resources and a danger to public safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF CORAL GABLES:
SECTION 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being
true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon adoption hereof.
SECTION 2. That the City Commission hereby urges Governor DeSantis to veto liD 1159 and
that the Mayor shall transmit a letter to the Governor enclosing this resolution.
Page 1 of2-Resolution No. 2019-133
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its passage and
adoption herein.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF MAY, A.D., 2019.
(Moved: Lago I Seconded: Keon)
(Yeas: Mena, Fors, Keon, Lago, Valdes-Fauli)
(Unanimous: (5-0) Vote)
(Agenda Item: G-3)
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFP IENCY:
Page 2 of2-Resolution No. 2019-133