And a city staffer may have fudged grant documents
Gables residents, 2 – City staff, 0
The Coral Gables Commission on Tuesday voted with a group of residents who don’t want bike lanes in front of their Alhambra Circle homes, nixing the second such project in less than two years. Last year, homeowners on Riviera Drive prevailed.
After hearing from a number of residents who fear the project would destroy their canopy and green space and create more 
narrow, less safe roadways, a resolution from Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli “directing the City Manager and City Staff to cease further consideration of bicycle lanes on Alhambra Circle as part of the Alhambra Circle Complete Streets Project” was approved unanimously. Well, after Commissioner Pat Keon hemmed and hawed a little bit (more on that later).
In fact, the city’s whole Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, adopted in 2014, may be reconsidered or “revamped,” Vice Mayor Vince Lago said.
Now the city, which has reportedly spent upwards of $300,000 and countless staff hours on this part of the “complete street” project, may never get that money back. While the “complete street” plan does not seem to be entirely abandoned — at least not yet — a $597,000 grant promised in 2015 by the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (today’s Transportation Planning Org), with monies from the Florida Department of Transportation, was based on bike lanes happening.
Read related: Unpopular bike lanes stir rally, may be halted by Coral Gables mayor Tuesday
But, let’s not allow this new peace and harmony between the homeowners and the administration gloss over allegations that this 
grant may have been applied for fraudulently.
That’s a serious accusation against Assistant Director of Public Works Jessica Keller, who has spearheaded this effort from the beginning, under then-manager Pat Salerno and then-acting manager Carmen Olazabal. But there are some serious emails from last year that seriously indicate Keller may have taken a serious short-cut to qualify for the grant.
One day before the deadline to submit the application, Keller realized she lacked one thing: the required “evidence of community support” for the project. In order to get that, she shot off an email just after 9 a.m. March 19, 2015, to John Swain, Deborah Swain and Robert Ruano, all members of the Bike Walk Coral Gables board.
“All
I‘m submitting two applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program.....due tomorrow, 5pm. I understand you may not be able to provide a BWCG endorsement letter without a board meeting but a resident letter with signatures would be great. Interested?”
She then proceeded to explain the project in detail.
“Projects described as follows:
Alhambra Circle Bike Lanes
Project includes engineering design services and construction of a total 4.6 miles of bicycle lanes on Alhambra Circle from Coral Way to San Amaro Drive. The project connects existing bike lanes on Alhambra Circle from Coral Way to Lejeune Road to the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida. The overall project includes reducing automobile lane widths to ten feet on Alhambra Circle to calm traffic, construction of two 5′ adjacent bicycle lanes as identified in the adopted Coral Gables Bicycle Master Plan and repaving of the entire roadway surface.
Safe Routes to School – Carver Elementary
This project includes the construction of ADA compliant sidewalks at various locations in the Historic Macfarlane Homestead District to provide safe pedestrian access to George Carver Elementary School located at 238 Grand Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33133.”
Ten minutes later, John Swain replied: “I think that can be arranged. One letter for both ok? Would you like one endorsing bike lanes on University Drive from downtown to UM also?”
Later that afternoon, Keller responded: “One letter for both is fine. If you want to prepare University for next year, of course! ;–)”
Score 10 p.m., Keller got the “evidence of community support” she needed from her group of cheerleaders. An endorsement on BWCG letterhead, to boot, though it is unclear if they had time to call an emergency meeting. In the email with the attachment, John Swain said “Here you go; it’s official”:
“The City Of Coral Gables is applying for grants under the Transportation Alternatives Program. One is for bike lanes on Alhambra Circle and another for sidewalk improvements around Carver Elementary school.
Alhambra Circle Bike Lanes
Project includes engineering design services and construction of a total 4.6 miles of bicycle lanes on Alhambra Circle from Coral Way to San Amaro Drive. The project connects existing bike lanes on Alhambra Circle from Coral Way to LeJeune Road to The University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida. The overall project includes reducing automobile lane widths to ten feet on Alhambra Circle to calm traffic, construction of two 5‘ adjacent bicycle lanes as identified in the adopted Coral Gables Bicycle Master Plan and repaving of the entire roadway surface.
Safe Routes to School – Carver Elementary
This project includes the construction of ADA compliant sidewalks at various locations in the Historic Macfarlane Homestead District to provide safe pedestrian access to George Carver Elementary School located at 238 Grand Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33133.
Bike Walk Coral Gables is a non–profit community based organization. Our mission is to promote a safe and friendly environment for cyclists and pedestrians by sponsoring programs and events to educate the community. We envision a Coral Gables community that values cycling and walking as safe and healthy forms of transportation and recreation.
Bike Walk Coral Gables supports the two projects listed above.
Respectfully,
John Swain – Chairman”
Does anything look familiar? Yes, it seems that Swain simply cut and paste what Keller needed onto a Bike Walk letterhead and provided it to her. The only thing missing is the “projects described as follows” line, which now seems like instructions. And he says it’s official, but si cuatro gatos en bicicletas can endorse a $600,000 plus plan to change the landscape of the City Beautiful, well, that’s still not “community” support, is it?
It’s like submitting a job reference from your mother. In fact, could someone review Keller’s job references, please?
Read related: Bicycle lanes, a conflict of interest complaint and intimidation in Coral Gables
This is not evidence of community support. Where was the survey? Where was the poll?
The city wanted to conduct a poll on support for the Alhambra Circle bike lanes, but that would have included around 1,000 additional residents who would not have been directly 
impacted with asphalt and the possible loss of trees in front of their homes.
Janet Perez said that there was a survey conducted in 2018, The data of this community survey was presented at the Sept. 25 meeting. In the list of priorities, residents rated bike lanes as #20 out of 30 quality indicators. “About 1,000 survey results were returned and only 6 residents listed bike lanes as a priority,” Perez said.
Add to that the dozens of residents who met at the green space on Coral Way between Alhambra and 57th on Saturday — with signs and stickers to keep the Gables green — many of whom repeated their concerns at City Hall on Tuesday, and what we have is widespread evidence of community opposition, not support. People shouting “We don’t want it! We don’t want it,” should be a clue.
Commissioner Mike Mena said he feared that halting the project would provide a precedent for other residents to do the same.
“You are pulling the plug on bike paths,” Mena said, adding that anywhere else is going to be impossible if residents don’t want it. 
“Now they’re not only going to point to Riviera, but Riviera and Alhambra Circle.”
That’s when Lago said the city may have to start from scratch.
“I’m willing to revamp the whole master plan. We’re going to piecemeal every single project until we put it on a referendum,” he said, agreeing with Mena. “But I can’t look these people in the eyes and say I’m going to allow the residents of Riviera to say no and not you.”
Keon, trying to resuscitate a dead horse, suggested a rule that would allow the bike lanes on any streets that was at least 28 feet wide. “[Otherwise] There’s not enough right of way,” she said.
Interestingly enough, Keller — who has also apparently deleted a twitter account even after the city manager told her to preserve it because it 
was a public record — made no presentation to the commission when the mayor brought up his resolution. The staff had nothing to say about it, for the first time. Keller wasn’t even in chambers.
But she came before the commission later, conveniently after all the residents against what is known as “Jessica’s baby” had left, satisfied. She said her name had been smeared and that she may have a hard time finding a job in the future because of what people said at the meeting. She thanked only Keon for defending the project.
Ladra disagrees, Ms. Keller. Once city leaders find the courage to let you go, you might be hard pressed to find a job because of what you did, not what anyone said. Ladra also doubts that the Florida Department of Transportation — or any state or county agency, for that matter — will ever consider a grant application from you again.
If city leaders let this stand, what’s next? A grant based on false crime reports? An award based on exaggerated achievements?
Ladra bets Keller already has one of those.
Amid accusations, protest, Coral Gables commission stops bike lane project added by Ladra on
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Bikes are wonderful. They cause no pollution. They help many people commute to work.
As a resident I bike around our city every weekend and is nice to see those signs with a bicycle designation. Safety is my concern and I never stop reading about another casualty the car always win and the driver feel sorry but the end result is the cyclist is dead. Why so much opposition? If they only left their car at home and used these lanes we would have cleaner air in the city beautiful and healthier bodies and not some many heart attacks from driving less than a mile to do errands. For your info noone sweats sufficiently in such a short distance. In Italy you will see women in heels riding. I do not suggest we do here but we need lanes, clean air and healthy bodies
It seems to me that some of you are getting your facts from someone who was either not there, or can be truthful. We were there and kept looking for Ms Keller, expecting her to tell the commission “her side.” She was NOT there all the time, but if she had been there, why was Mr Santamaria the only one that kept going up to whisper on Mr Iglesias’ ear? Was he delivering her messages, perhaps? Why didn’t the administration, ie, City manager, call on her, like it is usually done most of the time when discussing a project? PLEASE, let’s try to stop excusing her behavior. It’s obvious that either Ms Keller, or her protectors, chose to have her come up after almost everyone had left to play the victim card. She should have done her job better and could have avoided this debacle. Did she not learn from her other attempts? Did she forget about Riviera and Salzedo/University Drive?
By the way, do not blame MARIA & Co. for her failures to gain “real Community support.” Perhaps a better attitude would have help her!
She was in Chambers the whole time and was granted the opportunity to defend herself from all the vindictive comments with no merit at the end of session. My question is instead of questioning Keller why not challenge all your elected officials that signed this resolution prior to Keller’s employment with the City. I’m just amazed how much time you have in your hands. I’m on vacation but your activist group should be scavenging the City Beautiful to make sure no outsiders have entered your borders. It’s a sad sad situation and I have been a resident since 1985. I welcome all riders and pedestrians to use my driveway to rest but please don’t step on the sidewalk that is owned by MARIA & Co.
Parking on the swale is damaging to the trees and their roots. Maybe it’s time for the city to erect no parking signs and the police to enforce?
After all, we must keep the city beautiful green!
You know it isn’t just about the trees. The swale is used for visitor parking, numerous trucks (lawn maintenance, delivery, roofers, you name it). They have no other option. Add in lamps, water meters ++ that could be affected. It’s dangerous enough already (with the heavy traffic on Alhambra caused by certain streets from Red Road being closed off) exiting and entering the driveways. Adding bicyclists would only add to the danger (for both vehicles and cyclists). And what is environmental about taking about the green/grass and replacing it with concrete? It’s already a mini river during our heavy rains. More concrete would only add to the problem. As far as housekeepers needing the Bicycle Paths. I doubt if they live in the Gables therefore they would have quite a distance to cycle. I don’t think so! Many take the bus (if they don’t have a car). And can you honestly see people (dressed for work) cycling to their place of business in our climate? I don’t think so. As far as Jessica Keller, I would like to know why she wasn’t required to be in Chambers whenever the Bicycle Path was on the agenda? But she managed to be there after we all left chambers on Tuesday. Why?
So Sad….but then again you have to live with yourself.
“As a resident of Biltmore II I do not want the intrusion of bicyclists contributing to the noise pollution and traffic congestion, which we already have plenty of both.”
It’s difficult for me to see how moving people out of large, noisy cars and putting them instead onto small, quiet bikes would increase noise pollution and traffic congestion. I suppose Rachel Lauzurique must know something that I don’t.
Megan McLaughlin,
I am not surprised at all that as “the City Planner for the City of Coral Gables” (taken from Megan McLaughlin joins Plusurbia as Planning Leader htttps://plusurbia.com/megan-mclaughlin-joins-plusurbia-as-planning-leader/) you found Jessica Keller to be professional. You certainly would have agreed with her mission and vision for our City Beautiful. Her problem has been with those that do NOT see it her way, those that have questioned her plans, those that have seen through her methods to ignore the wishes of those who would be mostly affected. Those that have pushed back!!! I guess we should expect more comments from “consultants,” colleagues, bike enthusiasts, ex-employees, etc.
Maybe even Mark Brown will speak up! Oops, maybe not, since he was fired!
Maria, I don’t think Ms McLaughlin is a regular Political Cortadito reader. It seems to me that someone called her and asked her to comment, no? Ms. McLaughlin?
Perhaps you should consider taking up a hobby. I heard riding a bike relieves stress.
EduardA/EduardO,
Your writing and your thoughts sound very familiar. Could you be a Gables employee?
I’m just wondering why anyone had to hide behind a made up name unless they are afraid they have something to lose, like a job, or a city contract. I am never afraid to identify myself. I have nothing to lose fighting to keep our City Beautiful the way Merrick envisioned it !
Jessica has displayed total disrespect as several community meeting rolling eyes and attitude when things don’t go her way. She doesn’t work well with others. Employees have left CG because of her and the people protecting her.
It’s unusual in coral gables to have so many people saying things about a particular employee. Usually it’s about an elected official or top administrators. that alone says a lot about this individual and her inability to work with others. This city isn’t ready for her ideals ask Pat Salerno who eliminated her position. He knew early on she’d be a problem.
It is quite interesting to read some of the comments posted here. It may be hard for some to understand why this issue became so personal. There are city employees, such as Jessica Keller, that choose to forget WHO they work for. They seem to think that they were hired to push their agenda and make it happen regardless of what the taxpayers, who by the way pay their salaries, want for their city. Had the city employees taken the proper steps it would never had gotten to this point. Ms Keller has, in many instances, chosen to scream at residents that didn’t agree with her, turned her back while people were speaking to her, called people names, etc., etc. And now she is the victim!!! She chose not to speak while the residents were presenting the facts that were obtained from documents gathered as part of public records requests, including the grant she wrote, the emails, etc that she sent out. Are we to believe that the commission directed her to ignore the residents while spending money to concoct this ill planned project? It took her almost 5 years to reach out to the residents! Yet, she had time to gather several “bike groups” to come up with a study to present to the commission in order to get their consent to proceed. Who were the groups, listed as the only stakeholders: BikeWalk Gables (see email in the story), Mack Cycle, Bike UM, the Dutch Consulate (????). Where were the neighbors, the drivers, etc? I guess they were not invited because she did not see them as possible supporters. Enough said; hope you get the picture!
It’s ok not to agree with Jessica Keller but the personal attacks are disgusting. Imagine your daughter presenting a project to a group that she was instructed by the Commission to do and she is treated and bullied by residents during and even after they won in commission. Gables residents acted like school kids and our city officials allowed it. As a mother of a City of Coral Gables Police Officer I am so ashamed of the Commission; I am convinced if my daughter ever needed help she would have to turn to the union because the City Officials will do nothing to help staff.
It’s not personal attacks! She literally fabricated that she had community support when there was never a reach out to the community! Why is this soooo hard for you to understand. Facts are facts.
The bikers had 9 supporters at best show up.
Bike lanes in the Gables have complicated even more the vehicular traffic thru the Beautiful City and the fact is that in rare ocasions you see them used properly. Traffiç has ben even more complicated because of the circles
So many in Coral Gables prefer traffic sewers of automobiles in front of their homes to pedestrians and cyclists.
And then they’ll complain about traffic in Miami-Dade ruining their quality of life.
Make Alhambra one way. It’s a win for everyone. Bike lanes + a wide lane for cars. No impact to trees or any other green space. Everyone gets what they want. Why not do that?
In the City of Coral Gables we dont have streets that the City allow them create an other line space becaouse the streets are very narrow. In some streets the City knows that the bike carril doesent make more than a meter and this is terribly dangerous for the car and the bike.
I think we have to fine an other way or to let bics circulate for the same street than6º8 cars.
Than you.
Resident
We are In The Miami Dade Swamp First and Latter Do bicycles and Scooters Have A Rules of The Roads or they could Do What They WanT ? Can They go on Side Walks ? Can They Opposite side of Traffic ? And Now Electric Motor cycles ? Do they have INSURANCE ? Do they pay TAXES? Do they Pay For Parking ( Blocking The Sidewalks )?
“Bikes add to noise pollution” 😂
Noise pollution from bikes! Now I’ve heard it all.
If you have speeding issues then the narrowing of the roadway would do wonders for your problem. Road design dictates how comfortable a driver feels at a given speed. Narrow lanes = lower speeds.
Safer for everyone around.
Sounds like even if the bike lanes are off the table for now the city should still look at a road diet and some traffic calming.
Florida ranks first in bicycle fatalities at 5.7 per million. On average, the State sees 110 cyclist death annually. Alarming, when compared to the national average, which is only 2.3 deaths per million.
Most of the fatalities involve drivers not seeing the cyclist.
I have a question for all who support bike lanes along side our already congested, move over heavily trafficked Coral Gables streets.
Does a person have to die, for you to realize the danger this posts for both bikers and drivers ? Are you prepared to add more names to the Florida Traffic Crash Record Database ?
*Source: flhsmv.gov
To clarify, Ladra is not against bike lanes, per se. And this story was not an argument against bike lanes or for cars. Ladra is a huge proponent of improving/expanding our mass transit and adding bike lanes WHEREVER they make sense. Here, they do not.
Also, the main problem was the process. By the time the city had plans and had applied for the grant, the residents of Alhambra had no idea this was coming. In fact, as “evidence of community support,” Ms. Keller asked the obvious proponents of this — four people — to provide a letter suggesting the community was behind her. This was disingenuous at best, fraudulent at worst. And it begs the question: What else has been fabricated like this? ‘
Ms. Keller may be very passionate, but that sometimes gets in the way of being a good public servant. She works for the residents of Coral Gables. She needs to heed them, not force her agenda down their throats.
Sorry, not sorry.
Ladra
Saving the trees and green space was not the only objection. The swale is where visitors park, lawn maintenance workers, delivery trucks, roofers, plus many more. And that’s where the trash pits are located. In taking away this green space (including damage to certain trees) this would not be adding to the environment. Quite the opposite. It’s already dangerous entering and exiting the driveway so a Bicycle Path would only add to the danger. The sidewalk is already a mini river with our heavy rains so with concrete instead of grass, you have another problem.
VERY IMPORTANT: There is a Bike Path one block over on Red Road. They have commercial buildings for a few blocks otherwise it is residential. No need for one on Alhambra (just one block away).
As far as the meeting there were only 9 Proponents (for the Bike Path) in attendance.
I agree with Megan. While I haven’t personally met Jessica I get the impression that she is very passionate about her work and was trying to make the city she lives in better for herself, her family, residents and visitors.
It’s really upsetting to read the stories posted here as well as other sites about the lengths people are going to prevent bike infrastructure from being built. They want to talk about “green” yet they won’t give up their cars which most certainly aren’t green.
A project like this and others on the City’s ADOPTED master plan are about safety of *all* people not just about cars. Not providing options is just plain selfish.
Someone like Jessica seems to be rare down here and I certainly would welcome her in the transportation and planning department of my city!
Please be aware that I vehemently oppose bike lanes in front of 600 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
As a resident of Biltmore II I do not want the intrusion of bicyclists contributing to the noise pollution and traffic congestion, which we already have plenty of both. To have a bike lane would not be a positive addition to our quality of life. We already have horrendous traffic and speeding issues to deal with.
I also have concerns about the way that this whole project was presented and spearheaded.
It lacks transparency and it feels like a back room in the dead of night kind of deal.
I see very little community support for this idea.
Thank you
Rachel Lauzurique
600 Biltmore Way
Unit 510 and 1110
Coral Gables Fl 33134
Tel; 305-910-9898
[email protected]
Cross Coral Gables off a list of Cities I’d ever consider living, working or playing. Having an option than the automobile is a valued amenity to many.
Very short sighted decision by the City Commission and residents.
Would you please, please promise to take your other macho, road-warrior wannabes with you?
We really don’t need (more) people so easily captivated by the pack instinct and drawing (false) strength from it: there are plenty of B- and C-grade movies on internet TV that satisfy those cravings. Go back to Opa Locka.
I had the pleasure of working with Jessica Keller and I found her to be a professional who worked hard to implement best practices in transportation.
I am saddened that these particular residents of Coral Gables have put a stop to a project that would give more opportunities for mobility to neighborhood children, elderly, housekeepers who can’t afford a car, and just plain old people who like to exercise. It is surprising that in an era of increased awareness of climate change and the role of automobiles in exacerbating climate change, that the City is not taking a stronger stand on multimodal mobility in the City. This project was low-hanging fruit. I spent many years walking in the grass or in the roadway itself on this stretch of Alhambra, and I can attest that it is not safe, but unfortunately it is the only good connection through this part of the City.
Well said. I still believe the OIG should be contacted on the process. It is extremely concerning on how there are conflicts of interest between special interest groups like Robert R and staffers who are married to individuals who were associated with this project.
The City states transparency, then let’s have it!!!