Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of February 5, 2025.
Body
BOARD MEMBERS:
QUORUM: Quorum was reached
STAFF:
Raquel Elejabarrieta - Human Resources Director
Eglys Hernandez - P/T Administrative Assistant Labor Relations & Risk Management
Sarah Espino - Community Recreation - Administrative Operations Supervisor
Ana Lam - Crime Watch Volunteer / School Community Relations Committee
Martha Pantin - Communications & Public Affairs Director
Sandra Rodriguez - Part Time Communications Specialist
GUEST:
Eddy Martinez, Summer of Success, to be appointed Chamber Ex-Officio
CITIZEN ADVISORS:
Debbie Dietz (Via Zoom)
Jennifer Durocher, Director of UM-NSU Card
PUBLIC GUEST: None
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order 10:01am
MEETING ABSENCE:
Jennifer Ward Sando, Board Member
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
January 8, 2025
Motion by: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd Justine Chichester / Approved unanimously
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Ex-Officio Appointee - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta introduced Mr. Eddy Martinez, Summer of Success as the soon-to-be appointed City of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Ex-Officio to the board. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised that the appointment will be taking place at the February 11, 2025, commission meeting.
100th Centennial Celebration - Martha Pantin - Communications & Public Affairs Director
Ms. Pantin, along with assistant Ms. Sandra Rodriguez, addressed and provided information to the board regarding all which is taking place regarding the City of Coral Gables 100th Centennial Celebration. Ms. Pantin shared with the board screen of the city’s website dedicated to the 100th Centennial and the various ways the community can be part of it. Ms. Pantin stated she has had over fifty meetings between boards and organizations to encourage their participation.
Ms. Pantin advised how they have contacted former elected members, and other employees which provide different perspectives, some in specific areas in a three minute or less video. Ms. Pantin shared a video featuring Ms. Christine Dallas, Venetian Aquatic Club.
Ms. Pantin and Ms. Rodriguez provided information on various ways one can provide information to be included such as a one-line message, submitting pictures past and present like of their home or a location to show the difference or of other locations around the city. Ms. Rodriguez advised there is a more recent form where the community can participate in the centennial is at an audio booth available at the farmers market, which is being manned by the Communications & Public Affairs office, where someone can step into the booth, they are given a prompt such as “What does Coral Gables means to me” and the person can provide a thirty or sixty second recording, capturing their perspective. Ms. Lam’s recording was shared with the board. Ms. Pantin stated this is one way for anyone who would like to participate to do so. Ms. Pantin stated that perhaps at the upcoming Adventure Day event in October, they could have the booth available there.
Ms. Pantin and Ms. Rodriguez provided information on many other centennial themed events. Ms. Pantin advised the City of Coral Gables Garden Club will be having their own event during this month, the Coral Gables Museum, has had the Path to 100 with different activations, City of Coral Gables Landscape Advisory Board will be doing Tree of the Year, where people can participate by nominating their favorite tree and on Arbor Day in April the winning tree will be announced. Ms. Pantin also advised City of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will be organizing June Thomason Morris play, “Greetings from Paradise” which will premiere on the day of the Centennial.
Ms. Pantin advised the Tree Lighting was the kickoff for the Centennial Celebration, the Junior Orange Bowl Parade, the city’s float had centennial banners, the 4th of July Celebration will be Centennial Spectacular, and it will end with a Venetian pool concert with Orchestra Miami, date and programming still to be defined. Ms. Pantin advised they are also working with organizations such as the Coral Gables Bar Association, which will be doing their swearing in September, making it a centennial theme. Ms. Pantin stated they have provided information regarding past city attorneys, and a salute to them will be included. Ms. Pantin advised they will be interviewing current president of the Coral Gables Bar association, Mr. Alberto “Papo” Manrara, which will be part of the video series, taking about the history of the Bar Association.
Ms. Pantin provided information about past events which have already taken place. Ms. Rodriguez spoke regarding the great archive of photos which are available and showcase those images of familiar as well as not so familiar sites. Ms. Rodriguez stated if anyone is part of an organization which has been in the city and would like to include a historical photo, it can be submitted. Ms. Lam stated the Garden Club last year had a picture taken at the Biltmore which can be utilized to compare. Ms. Espino asked if the picture must be black and white or in color. Ms. Rodriguez stated as they get further in, they will be in color. Ms. Espino advised she had worked with pictures of the Venetian pool which are available.
Ms. Pantin advised as per the media perspective; it has garnered interest. Ms. Pantin stated Ms. Rodriguez had worked to generate interest from PBS, so the Florida Road Show will be here at the end of the month and Channel 10 will also be conducting a half-hour show on the Centennial. Ms. Pantin stated Community News also stated they will be doing a Centennial special, as well as Miami Today. Ms. Pantin stated the only thing that her office does is facilitate information and pictures to organizations which are interested in participating in the Centennial. Ms. Pantin stated they welcome new events; however, they are not able to create the events, but can take their audio booth, provide pictures and information.
Dr. Durocher asked if the city is doing anything in collaboration with the University of Miami which is also celebrating their Centennial, and Ms. Pantin stated they have met extensively. Ms. Pantin spoke of banners placed on Ponce from Granada to Salomao, northside, about the city and the university making history together. Ms. Rodriguez stated there are various centennials being celebrated this year within the city and that is why the event page is like a hub where they can be highlighted. Ms. Pantin spoke of various events with them coming up and how they would like to present a proclamation at their upcoming game during have time.
Ms. Lam asked if there was anything taking place at the upcoming July 4th celebration. Ms. Pantin stated there are discussions taking place now. Ms. Blaire asked if there was anyone considering doing a time capsule and Ms. Pantin advised they city is not, however; she believes the Museum is thinking about doing one.
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would like to open the board for feedback and ideas. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated if it would be possible for Ms. Pantin when meeting with various entities, the conversation regarding representation of people with disabilities be included. Ms. Palacio-Pike shared an experience she had during the Tree lighting where the commissioners brought up people from the public up to the stage, however, there was no representation of people with disabilities. Ms. Palacio-Pike asked for example at the upcoming UM football game. Ms. Pantin advised that the event is not done by their office, but by commission. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated perhaps then it would be best to address the commission directly. Ms. Pantin stated if there is anything that needs to be added to the website, they will be glad to do so, however, they can bring the topic up, but they are not the organizers of these events. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated perhaps the board could provide Ms. Pantin with information reference things that have been done to make the city more accessible. Dr. Durocher stated perhaps highlighting when this board was created. Ms. Bedoya states she feels this is special enough to create its own timeline for disabilities and what the city has done to support people with disabilities within the city, which many residents may have no idea of what has been accomplished. Ms. Blaire stated there is much to come up with considering where this board started to what it is now. Ms. Pantin stated they will be happy to include information, however, they will need to receive all this information from the board. Ms. Blaire stated this is a two-way discussion, the board will try to work to come up with this information and at the same time when Ms. Pantin is speaking with other organizations, she can address whether there is some aspect of disability services or accommodation they provide or can do so.
Ms. Pantin advised that during the year, Centennial Sunday is being done focusing on a specific item, therefore, perhaps during Disability Awareness Month, in October, this could be the focused item. Ms. Pantin stated the information will need to be provided to their office. Ms. Pantin stated they will be happy to once again attend a meeting if needed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update - Parks & Recreations - Ms. Sarah Espino
Ms. Espino provided information regarding the various ongoing programs, such as E Sports Club/Tournament, weekend events for teens, and an event in February like My Squad. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would like to know about the attendance of these events. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she does share information with all her contacts and via social media, and she would like to know if it is happening. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated events being conducted by other cities such as Key Biscayne have had participants from throughout the county and have been very successful. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated Key Biscayne works with S.T.A.R.S Miami and their events have been successful. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated in the past; she had put in contact Ms. Hastings and Mr. Aguilera, who oversees S.T.A.R.S Miami, which is a vendor, and is not sure what happened thereafter. Ms. Espino provided information on parks and recreation funds, availability and distribution regarding the cost of services with this vendor. Ms. Espino advised it was not that they did not want to work with S.T.A.R.S, it was that funds were not available at the time, and they would revisit this possibility. Ms. Espino provided information regarding attendance for the ongoing programs and process regarding distribution of information for upcoming events. Ms. Chichester stated information regarding these programs has been included in the DIG newsletter as well.
Ms. Blaire stated she feels we need to pay attention to how we develop our community communications. Ms. Blaire stated we would have to be a bit more creative in how to disseminate information to our unique population. Ms. Palacio-Pike expressed interest in addressing this further at the March 5, 2025, board meeting.
Update - Crosswalks - Ms. Elejabarrieta
The Board was advised update regarding Crosswalk will be provided at the upcoming March 5, 2025
Update - School Community Relations & Committee - Ms. Lam
Ms. Lam advised she had not been able to attend the School Community Relations & Committee meeting. Ms. Lam stated she will try to attend their next meeting and provide an update at this board’s next meeting. Ms. Palacio-Pike said it was important to follow up regarding some pending issues she has been hearing about, Department of Education and funds being lost.
Ms. Lam provided board information regarding upcoming events, program regarding presentation Identify Theft with Department Agriculture and a free event at the Merrick Park House.
Ms. Bedoya asked if it would be possible to obtain the numbers for GUIDE for the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:01am
Motion to Adjourn: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd Vanessa Bedoya / Approved unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: March 5, 2025
Recommended Action
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