Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting of March 12, 2026

CITY OF CORAL GABLES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD https://zoom.us/j/83110285038 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026 – 10:30 A.M. - MEETING MINUTES - MEMBERS D J F M A M J O N D J F M APPOINTED BY: 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 Carolina Estefan-Chahine P P P E P P E E P P P P P Mayor Lago Anne Boynton-Trigg P P P P P P P P P P P P P Vice Mayor Anderson Elizabeth Parnes P P P P P P E P P P U P E Commissioner Fernandez Preston Dickerson - - - - - - - P P E P P E Commissioner Castro Nancy Leslie P P P P P E P E P P P E P Commissioner Lara Amy Dash E E E U P P P P P P P P E City Manager Kurt Schubert U U P P P P P U P P U P P Board-As-A-Whole P – Present E – Excused Absence U – Unexcused (-) – No Appointment (*) – No Meeting STAFF: Deena Bell-Llewellyn, Assistant PW Director, Greenspace Pilar Wiesse, Recording Secretary, Greenspace Amanda Curras, Administrative Assistant, Greenspace CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 10:3 a.m. The roll was taken, and a quorum was present. MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL: The board reviewed February 12th, 2026, minutes. A motion was made to “Approve the minutes of February 12th, 2026”. The motion was seconded, voted upon, and adopted unanimously. Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting March 12th, 2026 – Minutes PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS: LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS: The Board selected one award recipient per zone for the 2025 Landscape Beautification Awards, resulting in seven total recipients. Award recipients will receive an invitation to receive a plaque of recognition at a City Commission meeting in April 2026. The 2026 award recipients are as follows: • Zone 1: 800 Catalonia Avenue • Zone 2: 3404 & 3406 Ponce de Leon Blvd • Zone 3: 4504 Alhambra Circle • Zone 4: 4900 Granada Boulevard • Zone 5: 6506 Leonardo Street • Zone 6: 600 & 620 Arvida Parkway • Zone 7: 11090 Snapper Creek Road Board members reviewed photographs of the selected properties during the meeting. Once winners are confirmed, the Public Relations and Marketing Division will coordinate photography of the properties for use in the award plaques and related materials. The property selected in one zone is a townhouse; therefore, two award recipients will be recognized for that location. FARMER’S MARKET PRESENTATION: The Board discussed an educational presentation addressing street tree and sidewalk maintenance responsibilities, including ADA compliance, pruning standards, and repair obligations. Coordination with Special Events staff is underway to confirm presentation logistics. EVENT PLANNING 2026 – Arbor Day Celebration: The Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for April 24, 2026, in partnership with the Coral Gables Garden Club. The initially proposed City-owned green space in front of the Biltmore Hotel was not approved, as management declined the request. Alternative locations discussed included the new park at 4521 Riviera Drive (Blue Road east of Riviera and Granada), Fewell Park, the Manatee Overlook area, and a location near Old Cutler Road. Following discussion, the Board made a motion and unanimously selected Fewell Park as the 2026 Arbor Day planting site, noting its educational purpose and upcoming re- landscaping, which aligns well with the event. As Fewell Park is located along Coral Way, a county road, the Board will invite Dalton Goolsky of the Urban Horticulture Program of Miami-Dade County to speak at the ceremony. Program planning is ongoing. The Board will finalize speakers before submitting event materials to Public Relations and Marketing for distribution. The proposed tree species is a native Miami-Dade County pine representative of the Pine Rockland ecosystem, reflecting the site’s historic landscape prior to George Merrick. Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting March 12th, 2026 – Minutes LBAB OBJECTIVES – PLANNING 2026: The Board discussed ongoing concerns regarding swale damage resulting from construction activity. In response, Planning and Zoning prepared a proposed amendment to the construction zoning code requiring submission of a construction parking plan as part of the permitting process. The amendment applies to both residential and commercial projects and establishes requirements for designated parking areas, duration of use, post-construction restoration, and enforcement measures for non-compliance. The draft ordinance was presented to the Board for input prior to ratification. The ordinance has passed First Reading and is pending Second Reading and public approval. Upon adoption, the amendment will be permanently incorporated into the City Code and enforced by Code Enforcement on active projects. UPDATE CITY PROJECTS: Micro Forest Project: Funding efforts are underway for the Micro Forest Project. The Coral Gables Garden Club has raised $25,000 to date, with additional support pledged by the Vice Mayor and private donors. Project plans have been completed and were recently authorized by the City Manager’s Office for public presentation. The Greenspace Division will begin presenting the project plans to the Garden Club and the Vice Mayor to support continued fundraising efforts. A formal presentation is scheduled for the Garden Club meeting in April. Board members are invited to attend. The project anticipates the installation of approximately 140 new trees. Biltmore Way Streetscape: The Capital Improvement Project plansfor street tree planting along Biltmore Way between Segovia Street and Anderson Road is approximately 80% complete. The project includes full sidewalk replacement, installation of shade trees, and new irrigation infrastructure. Tree Succession: The City is planting and staking 125 trees at designated locations. Contract was awarded to SFM as the lowest bidder. Historic Entrances: The historic entrance located at Country Club Prado and 8th Street is currently undergoing a redesign. The project includes new irrigation infrastructure, updated landscaping, and crushed stone walkways. Design plans are approximately 60 percent complete, with bidding anticipated to begin in the upcoming year. US-1 Relandscaping: Construction is in progress and nearing completion. Improvements include native landscaping, reinstallation of royal palms, and irrigation upgrades. Site maintenance will be managed by SFM. City Hall Reconstruction: A comprehensive renovation of City Hall is planned to restore the building to its original architectural design, including interior and exterior improvements and the removal of the Cottage in the Courtyard to reopen the historic Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting March 12th, 2026 – Minutes central courtyard. The project was presented to the City Commission by historic preservation architect Richard Heisenbottle and has been approved to proceed. The project also includes the addition of street trees along the south side of Biltmore Way adjacent to City Hall, creating a continuous streetscape from LeJeune Road to Anderson Road. Future updates will be presented at upcoming Commission meetings. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:30am THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026 at 10:30 AM