The election of two new council members and Mayor Christi Fraga in Doral has turned to a shake-up of the city administration as at least two top officials have been asked to resign.
City Manager Hernan M. Organvidez and City Attorney Luis Figueredo both submitted their resignation letters, which will be considered at Wednesday’s council meeting, Fraga’s first. Fraga has already nominated someone to replace him: Barbara “Barbie” Hernandez, the city of Miami’s parks and recreation director, with a proposed salary of $238,442, according to the employment agreement the council will consider.
That’s a big raise from her current salary of $153,602 in Miami. Hernandez also gets a $700 monthly car allowance, a $150 monthly cellphone allowance and a monthly expense account of $500, in addition to her health and insurance benefits.
Read related: Doral elects new mayor, Christi Fraga, and two new city council members
Hernandez worked in Doral for 14 years from 2005 to 2018, first as a parks superintendent and then as director of the parks department. She spearheaded the parks $150 million bond referendum in 2018 — which, interestingly, Fraga was against — that passed with 52% of the vote.
“Mrs. Hernandez is a passionate, experienced, and dedicated public administrator with over nineteen years of municipal and government experience as well as a history with the city of Doral and impeccable trajectory with the city’s staff, residents, current and former elected officials,” Fraga wrote in her memo to the council.
Currently, Hernandez oversees a department with 800 employees and a $63 million operating budget in Miami.
Barbie Hernandez is also the wife of newly appointed Miami-Dade School Board Member Daniel Espino, a former Doral City Attorney, who was recommended to the governor by Fraga. They were married in July.
Las malas lenguas say that this deal was made months ago, but that Fraga did not know then that she would have her entire slate to support her agenda. With newly-elected Council Members Rafael Pinyero and Maureen Porras, the mayor has the three votes she needs for whatever.
Ladra has not heard who would replace city attorney Figueredo, but it is likely to be someone else connected to Espino.
It’s all one big, happy family.
Read related: Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Danny Espino to Miami-Dade School Board
And some insiders expect “a bit of a bloodbath,” after Hernandez is hired and begins to axe people on Fraga’s behalf and to bring in her own confidantes. This happens often when new people are elected. “To the victor goes the spoils,” is what many say to justify these political cleansings.
But it also causes uncertainty in the public offices. People are dusting off their resumés because they don’t know how deep the changes will go. And this may cause some bumps in the delivery of services.
Organvidez, who was the city’s police chief before being named manager just last May, wrote in his resignation letter that it takes effect Jan. 6.
“Over the next several days, I will be working with you and our team to ensure a smooth transition, complete high priority projects, close out other key initiatives and leave our city in a stronger position than when I assumed the city manager role in 2021,” Organvidez said.
“I will ensure that our team is on good footing for the future and that the next city manager is set up for success,” he wrote.
The Doral City Council on Wednesday could also approve the master development agreement and site pan for Bridge Point Doral, more than 164 acres on the corner of Doral Boulevard and 107th Avenue that a Chicago-based developer wants to turn into 2.6 million square feet of industrial warehouse space. Originally, there were six buildings proposed for the “distribution center.” The council on Wednesday will look at the site plan as well as staff reports. For the documents, see agenda here.
Figueredo asked for more time so that he would get his severance pay.
“It is certainly my desire to cooperate and assist with the smooth transition of your administration. If I resign, I would not be able to collect my severance which I am entitled to receive under Section 4 B. of my employment agreement,” Figueredo wrote in Friday’s resignation letter.
“As we discussed it is my desire to assist you, the city council, and your team with the transition. In that regard, you initially estimated that thirty days would allow for a successful transition to another City Attorney,” he said. “I am certainly prepared to work through the transition and assist in any way possible, provided that I receive the severance in my employment agreement.”
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Remember remember
The penalty for TREASON…is death
For all these Hispanics and mafioso who pledged to become citizens extraordinaire who will do everything they can to protect their new found greed Ms, are instead SUCKING THE SYSTEM DRY.
I have NO PITY for those in Miami, about to be executed …you EARNED it
That is a heart wrenching resignation letter from City Manager/Police Chief Hernan Organvidez. A true tear jerker.
The reality of the matter is Mr. Organvidez is not qualified to run a corner bodega and least of all the workings of a city as Doral. He is political puppet at best.
Organvidez rose to his current position with the help of Jorge Más, the son of Jorge Más Canosa who has “managed” his career from the days he was a lowly patrol officer at MDPD. Organvidez is known to have dropped Más Canosa’s name at every term to ensure promotions and benefits came his way.
The citizens of Doral will surely benefit with the absence of Organvidez and his side kick Chief Ubieta. No worries though, we are sure Organvidez will reappear in a new “out of the ashes Phoenix moment” at another position of importance with the help of his influential master.
For now, rejoice Doral, you’ve rid yourself of a couple of dead logs. The city of Doral thanks you Mayor Fraga.
.” He does not respect our Constitution and is too far to the right now.”
I think Fraga is further right then Bermudez .
I agreed more with Mariaca but ANYONE who sides / works for developers I vote against and that was all she did as Bermudez led the charge .
I also voted against Digna for being part of Bermudez’s junta who worked only for developers , in fact voted against ALL the incumbents who I once voted for but Barbie Hernandez who was part of the Bermudez park fiasco is any better ?
Would have voted against against her also if I could have .
Fraga won because the FEW who vote in Doral , care about anything wanted to break this cycle but then again Bermudez was rewarded and now Commissioner .
Fraga ran on one thing I loved which is HOA fraud task force but politicians talk a good talk and once elected become self serving , do nothings unless for developers who are the real Mayors of Doral.
” Corruption is almost completely wiped out at City Hall.”
IMO , Hispanics regardless of tribe and political corruption in Miami go hand in hand , perhaps things will be better but to early to tell..
[…] Read related: Post election shake up in Doral as new mayor ushers in new administration […]
Attend County Commission meetings to keep the pressure on Bermudez so he can’t rise to positions like County Mayor or Congress. He does not respect our Constitution and is too far to the right now.
The Mafia has left the Doral Government Center… well, almost all of them!
Cabral demonstrated her hatred, disdain and lack of professionalism by not showing up for swearing in and walking out on the vote for Barbie Hernandez.
The citizens of Doral were definitely swindled by not really knowing who she really is… We have two Mafia members left. Hopefully we can finish disinfecting City Hall in 2024.
Corruption is almost completely wiped out at City Hall.
Good riddance!!!
NOT AGREE WHIT FUTURE INCREASE ,THE NEW PIÑA.IN GOD WE TRUST.AMEN. PDTRUMP NATION.ULTRA MAGA.SAVE AMERICA.AMEN
” Sad part is that citizens continue to elect and re-elect subjects such as Fraga.”
I agree but for me the choices were like getting punched on the right side of my face or getting punched on the left side of my face .
Mariaca voted with Bermudez , Digna , Cabrera every time to change zoning laws for their Developer masters .
FPL told me Doral has exceeded the amount of people it is zoned to have or simply should have ( whatever the term is ) , either way anyone who sides with developers I vote against .
Thus I voted against EVERY incumbent .
Will I regret it ?
Already do as far as Fraga goes BUT I was not going to vote for anyone who sided with Bermudez who is another Developer owned Jose Pepe Diaz .
There was no victory in this election but at least Fraga can not stand Bermudez who is now Commissioner and neither can I .
Again, I agree with you but she was also against the ridiculous property tax raising never going to be finished park so who could see this coming .
Voters here are often Charlie Brown and Miami politics is Lucy .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TC_V3tlTlU
Organvidez writes a nice letter detailing his accomplishments.
Figueredo writes a letter demanding his severance.
Like the saying goes, el Que tiene padrino se bautiza!
What the article says isn’t new, and plays out all over.
Sad part is that citizens continue to elect and re-elect subjects such as Fraga.
It’s ONLY MONEY , And Will ask for Future TAX Increase , The NEW PIÑA at Doral ?