Title
City of Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of September 3, 2025.
Body
STAFF:
Raquel Elejabarrieta - Human Resources & Risk Management
Eglys Hernandez - Human Resources & Risk Management
Yanessa Rodriguez - Community Recreation - Administrative Operations Manager
Catie Hastings - Community Recreation - D.E.I. Coordinator
CITIZEN ADVISORS: Dr. Jennifer Durocher
PUBLIC GUEST: None
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order at 10:02am
MEETING ABSENCE: None
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
August 6, 2025
Motion by: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd: Vanessa Bedoya / Approved unanimously
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Explore Partnership SFACS Expansion - Contractual Agreements Community Agencies - Director Elejabarrieta (Information provided by Mr. Sam Joseph - SCRC) (Exhibit 1)
Director Elejabarrieta shared information provided by Mr. Sam Joseph of SCRC about what they are doing through Miami Dade County Public Schools regarding their request for authorization to enter into agreement with six community agencies to operate programs for children with disabilities. Director Elejabarrieta stated it seems this is something they do every year, and they sent this information to let this board know, review, support, or not support.
Director Elejabarrieta stated another of the SCRC issues was a directive to explore strategic partnerships with South Florida Autism Charter School for facility expansion at the former Country Club middle school site located in Hialeah. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated the SCRC board had not had the opportunity to further discuss this matter, because SCRC’s main concern is the Compact Agreement and there has not been enough time to further discuss this issue.
Compact Revision Section 1 and Section 8 (Exhibit 2). - Ms. Mary Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike provided information on the Compact Agreement. The board went through the document and made revisions to it.
A motion was made regarding the Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs to accept the revisions:
To accept and recommend these provisions of the School Community Relations Committee Compact Section 1 and 8 as revised
Motion by: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd: Vanessa Bedoya / Approved unanimously
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated these revisions will be presented at the next SCRS meeting so that they can be further discussed.
OLD BUSINESS:
October - National Disability Awareness Month - Presenter / Recipient - Ms. Chichester
Ms. Chichester asked Ms. Dietz to provide suggestions regarding possible receipt of the proclamation. Ms. Dietz stated perhaps it would be great to showcase Ms. Hastings programing by having the person who has attended the most receive it. Ms. Hastings stated this would be an idea which requires a bit more research and time to come up with the best way to proceed. Ms. Blaire stated it is a great idea, however, it would be best to check with the families and perhaps to have a back-up in case needed.
Director Elejabarrieta stated there are two commission meetings in October, one on the 14th and the other on 28th. Director Elejabarrieta stated Ms. Hastings and her will further discuss. Ms. Blaire suggested as to Ms. Hastings and Recreation department may be the recipients. Director Elejabarrieta stated they have been the recipient in the past. Director Elejabarrieta stated perhaps the board should consider ex-officio board member, Mr. Eddy Martinez’s program “Summer of Success” as the recipient for this October’s proclamation. Ms. Blaire stated perhaps it would be best to have Mr. Martinez as the recipient and that will allow for more time to work regarding the previous recommendation. Director Elejabarrieta stated it sounds like a great idea and will provide Ms. Hastings with a better time frame to review and put something together with her group.
Motion to have Mr. Eddy Martinez, Summer of Success, as recipient for October Disability Awareness Month & suggestion to have participants of My Squad to prepare to be recipient of the April Awareness Proclamation
Motion by: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd: Vanessa Bedoya / Approved unanimously
Ms. Chichester stated she would like the board to keep in mind conversations which have taken place in the past, regarding best ways to proceed with prompting the city’s available programming for individuals with disabilities.
Community Recreation - Ms. Catie Hastings
Ms. Hastings provided information regarding the various events and activities coming up for the next months. Ms. Hastings advised My Squad has had up to thirty participants. Ms. Hastings advised lighting would be improved at the My Squad location. Ms. Hastings shared pictures from Mud Day Event with board.
Ms. Palacio-Pike shared with board tool provided by Dr. Laura Olivos (Exhibit 3) which can be used by first responders when aiding individuals with disabilities. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would be sharing it with the Coral Gables Police Department.
Mr. Jauregui stated he would like to include as a topic to discuss at the next board meeting the delivery services robots currently around town.
Mr. Martinez stated he would like to include for discussion at next board’s meeting regarding input from the board for the Coral Gables Monopoly Game.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
NEXT MEETING: October 1, 2025
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 11:09am
Motion by: Vanessa Bedoya / 2nd: Jennifer Ward Sando / Approved unanimously
Recommended Action
[Enter Recommended Action Here]