Coral Gables City Manager Peter Iglesias can count. Only because he knows he has three votes, can the manager lash out at Commissioner Ariel Fernandez like he did at Tuesday’s city commission meeting.
Se puso feo.
“You are the most disrespectful person,” the manager told him.
They were talking about the lease at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, which got a last minute three-week grace period to provide a plan for their extension option (more on that later). It’s something Fernandez brought up because he didn’t believe the negotiations were handled properly and in good faith.
“We failed on this process again,” Fernandez said. “To be honest, it has looked bad on the city every single time we have had an issue with a tenant the last few years. Le Parc was mishandled. The country club was mishandled. Burger Bob’s was mishandled. And now we’re mishandling Fritz and Franz.
“We didn’t learn from the first three, and we’re at number four.”
Read related: City of Coral Gables closes country club on Day 1 for termite tenting, repairs
Fernandez said that the change at Le Parc cafe has not been a positive one.
“This is what happens when we allow the manager to take over a process and say ‘I know what’s best,'” Fernandez said, and wouldn’t let anybody stop him.
“The manager said to me during my last agenda review with him, he only answers to three members of this commission. In other words, he doesn’t answer to commissioner Castro or to myself,” Fernandez said. “Mr. Manager, there was an election in April and we were elected and yes, we are your bosses. This entire body is the one that gives you instructions on what to do.
“So, I don’t know why you think you are 100% in charge here. You answer to the commission who answers to the residents. The people who sit in those chairs,” he said, and there was some applause.
“It looks really bad on us that we said on Aug. 3, ‘Hey, come here. Give us your proposal.’ And then on Sept. 27, we said, ‘You know what. We’re not even going to take your proposal.'”
Iglesias asked the mayor for the right to respond.
“Commissioner, I would say that I have never worked with a more disrespectful person than yourself,” he told Fernandez. “That was the third time you threw me out of a meeting for no issue, simply because you accuse me of siding with the mayor.
“I work for the commission. This commission is my board of directors, and they tell me to do something and I will do it,” Iglesias said. “But you intimidating and threatening me? That’s not going to work.”
“Then there’s the door,” Fernandez told him.
“I don’t need the door because you can’t throw me out of here,” the manager shot back.
Read related: Coral Gables manager Peter Iglesias beats ouster attempt by commissioner
That’s true. Fernandez tried already when he tried to terminate him last May. Only Castro backed him up. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Kirk Menendez sided with Mayor Vince Lago to keep Iglesias.
But Fernandez has continued to have issues with him. Fernandez told Political Cortadito that Iglesias doesn’t return his calls or emails and that an assistant city manager responds instead.
“I do not trust you and I do not trust the work you are doing for the city,” Fernandez told the manager at the meeting. And that’s what it comes down to.
Of course, Lago had to get some kickin’ in while the kickin’ was good.
“Commissioner, commissioner,” he said, voice dripping with condescension. “You got here nine months ago. You said you were going to revolutionize the system and you haven’t passed one ordinance yet.
“The manager is an honest man. You may disagree with him but show some respect,” Lago said. “When you attack a man like that, when you do the things that you do, it shows weakness in your character.
“At the end of the day, you’ve been here nine months, you have the will of the commission to do what you please and not one ordinance have you passed,” the mayor repeated.
“Is that really necessary,” Commissioner Castro asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“I don’t think so. Stop it.”
But Lago is a bully. He wouldn’t stop yet.
“At the end of the day, you have very limited experience when it comes to contracts and business and real estate,” said Lago, who does have experience when it comes to contracts and business and real estate. Shady experience. Lago was one of the realtors who sold the 1505 Ponce building to Rishi Kapoor, the developer that the Miami Herald discovered was paying Miami Mayor and Lago BFF Francis Suarez $10,000 a month — for a grand total of at least $170K — while he was seeking permits.
Suarez is being investigated by the feds for potential bribery, because that’s what it was. Lago could be next. Maybe Fernandez doesn’t need that kind of experience.
Lago said negotiations with Fritz and Franz have been “exactly in line with protocol,” adding that the commission has had to come and clean up the other leases. “Seriously, what was happening at Burger Bob’s was not the best look for the city,” Lago said, giving reason to the people who think he’s got an inside deal for a fancy restaurant at the Fritz spot.
“There’s nothing wrong going on here.”
Iglesias told Political Cortadito that Fernandez is always accusing city staff of being inefficient or malfeasant and he was still reeling from the questions about the P-card purchases, something Fernandez brought to the dais publicly instead of inquiring with his office, when he lashed out.
“Why don’t you ask the question ahead of time? Ask the question, and you will get an answer,” Iglesias told Ladra. “We don’t have people going to Las Vegas on vacation.”
Read related: Coral Gables commission votes to audit Amazon buys on city-issued P-cards
That statement is in reference to the investigation into and arrest of former Miami-Dade School Board Member Lubby Navarro, who spent almost $100,000 on her public dollar P-card on personal expenses for herself, her family and her former boyfriend — including a trip to Las Vegas for the then couple. Her arrest caused Fernandez to seek an update from the city about its own safeguards.
“This city is run very well. We have nothing to hide,” Iglesias told Ladra. Gables Procurement Officer Celeste Walker-Harmon “is by the book, which is the way I like it. She’s asks you for paperwork on two cents.
“But directors have to have a little bit of latitude,” the manager said regarding their approvals of things like a steam cleaner, lint rollers and Celsius fitness drinks. He said the audit would find a legitimate reason for each expense.
Plates and silverware? An employee purchased them for the 427 lunchroom so that they wouldn’t constantly need paper and plastic products, Iglesias said. “Having a nice lunchroom is great. Employees are more efficient. And we’re being eco sensitive.”
The $1,400 Havana Harry’s bill? A catered Christmas lunch approved by everyone all the way up the food chain to Iglesias. “We had 100s of people there,” he said.
The resumé folders are actually folders for field inspectors in the building department. The feminine napkins were ordered after a couple of female student interns had menstrual accidents. “That was really sad. That one really hurt,” Iglesias said.
However sad it was, the manager should have stayed quiet or told the commissioner that he was eager to do the audit and show him that every expense was justified. It shouldn’t bother him so much if Iglesias has nothing to hide.
“Peter was out of control. That was unacceptable behavior, 100 percent,” Commissioner Castro told Ladra Friday. She said the manager had not shut her out. “He talks to me. That’s his job. He’s cordial.”
Commissioner Menendez, who would be the third vote to remove the manager if it came to that, said it was “evident” there was friction between Iglesias and Fernandez.
“Even on the commission, you have different members of the commission year after year. Not all personalities are going to get along,” he said. “But we have to find a way to work together.
“It doesn’t mean we go on vacation together or go out to dinner. But we have a responsibility to the people of Coral Gables to get the work done,” Menendez said.
He hadn’t talked to the manager about the exchange when he spoke to Ladra Friday. But he said “I’m sure the opportunity will present itself” in the three weeks before the next meeting.
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Coral Gables commissioner, manager spar at City Commission meeting added by Ladra on
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I would like to see everyone up on the dais acting friendlier to one another. Disagree with each other, debate each other, but let’s get rid of the low blows and open hostility. (Closed hostility is much more palatable)
All,
Let me bring the truth based on facts and not emotions. Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Castro are within their rights as newly elects to question and push back on everything. Why?
Because Mayor Lago is being investigated for corruption for possibly using and abusing his public position to broker side real estate deals by conspiring with “Mayor Francis Suarez”. Ladra has documented his criminal behavior on this very same blog. This is a matter of fact. Not an opinion.
The Feds are looking into charging Mayor Suarez with RICO charges and Lago is not too far behind as the developer Rishi Lapoor is cooperating with the authorities and revealing the pay to play scheme in exchange for charges to be dropped and immunity.
Now let’s move to another politician and City Management. Commissioner Menendez as well as the City Manager Peter Iglesias character is questionable. They both know that the person ultimately responsible for procuring and managing the city’s finances and money is corrupt and unethical. Commissioner Menendez and City Manager Iglesias worked for the City of Miami when it was charged with securities fraud. Who was involved? The City of Coral Gables Finance Director DIana Gomez. She was forced out and quickly jumped ship to serve in the same role in the Gables.
Moreover, Celeste Walker-Harmon was forced out of Miami-Dade County because the Union filed grievances against her for her bullying, badgering, and harassment of employees in the Miami-Procurement Department. The Human Resource Department was about to fire her when she departed and jumped ship to the Gables.
Why is it that Iglesias and Menendez have allowed Gomez and Walker-Harmon to stay at the Gables in their capacity speaks volume of their character, honesty, integrity, and ethics. Especially since Commissioner Menendez and City Manager Iglesias have known about Gomez because they both knew Gomez from their days working for the City of Miami.
Commissioner Fernandez and Castro both of you need to bring an Agenda Item to discuss these issues. You must bring Gomez and Walker-Harmon to the podium to discuss the issues out in the open. You need to direct the City of Coral Gables Human Resource Director to contact the Union and Human Resource Department over at Miami-Dade County to retrieve information about the hostile work environment caused by Walker-Harmon.
In the meantime, here is the information on Gomez during her days over at the City of Miami.
https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1953396.html
The collection of information on both individuals should lead to a motion to fire the City Manager for not removing these two individuals knowing all of this. The next City Manager must fire the Procurement Director and Finance Director.
Anything short of this will call into question Commissioner Fernandez’s and Castro’s character.
Ariel is cleaning up malfeasance in his City
Ariel could make an effort effort not to grate on influential professional staff. On the other hand, we understand that ” noblesse oblige “. There’s a culture of exclusivity to life in Coral Gables, where we share between the obviously wealthy and the upward climbing young professionals We ‘re all bound by an ethos of civility. Ariel’s curiosity is well grounded ,and in contrast to the Mayor, may not be privy to business practiices , like the Mayor who can call on his experience in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office
One of these comments was written by someone whose pseudonym is similar to my surname (except for the “p.”) Please know that I am still alive and that the comments expressed are not mine. Dorothy Thomson-former mayor
Ariel Fernandez is no different from every two-bit politician you see in Latin American countries. Vote for me and we will finally rid Coral Gables from all the corruption and malfeasance. But wait, I must first double my salary and give myself a car allowance. And now that it’s time to make true on campaign promises I bring to you the culprits, administrative assistants who wasted your dollars in utensils and markers. “Off with their Heads”
Congratulations Coral Gables way to get your money’s worth.
Comm. Fernandez brings up a valid point. Everything the CM has handled in the past has been fumbled. I’m told by employees the City is a house of cards. Just waiting to fall.
Use this Fritz & Franz as an example. If you just listened to the City..Fritz and Franz is behind in rent, the place is falling apart inside.. it would make sense to move on…. but.. then you listen to the owner of Fritz &Franz… The non payment of rent was 15 years ago when the city had their entire business blocked due to months of construction. That was settled. How do you know?? No eviction. Code violations were minor and fixed ..
From an outsiders point of view , it appears the City doesn’t want them because it doesn’t fit the “Coral Gables” look.
Ariel is right on this one. It’s tough to fight the machine when the narrative is set in stone … Sometimes you need to take out the jackhammer crack that narrative.
It’s embarrassing how our commission can’t get along and work together for us, the residents of Coral Gables. The mayor shows such a lack of respect, decorum and leadership. We’re the laughing stock at the state and across the community. Wear your big boy pants, all of you, and learn to collaborate for the betterment of our city!!!
The City Manager needs to go! The City is falling apart. Look at all the City Departments… completely mismanaged.
“Mr. Lago is ‘bad'” does not equal “Mr. Fernandez is ‘good.'” Publicly embarrassing someone like Mr. Fernandez did (and I’m no fan of Mr. Iglesias) will not get you what you seek or help the City. It makes the target respond in a similar unkindly fashion. At best Mr. Fernandez’s outburst is out of frustration because other methods have not worked; at worst it is petty and nasty. I hope for the sake of the City and residents (remember the folks you all work for?), Mr. Fernandez’s behavior is the former. As others have said, these folks need to work together.
Don’t be a dick. Play nice or get out of the sandbox.
Great article.
You are missing points though.
About Comm Fernandez … remarks Fernandez brought up,” because he didn’t believe the negotiations were handled properly and in good faith.”
The BEST example of mistrust in this City is when Fernandez,Castro and Menendez, went to negotiate their pay raises and Highly PERKS for themselves. What a Negative for the City and lack of respect for the residents and all employees at the City.
This is the very WORST, immature Commission this City has ever had, when Castro and Fernandez came in….
I believe Fernandez SHOULD be the one to look at the door, NOT the City Manager*.
Ever since THE VERY Start THE FIRST thing Fernandez wanted to do is get rid of the City Manager , who by the way is a very respectful and quiet person. Very professional in his work and intelligent. Then comes along a NO BODY (Fernandez), he had not even tried to get along and work with the City Manager and first thing he did was try to get him out.
YES, we all know that Fernandez, has a very big dislike for Mayor Lago and Manager Iglesisas.
They were there when he came in to the Commission, really, Fernandez MUST go…. Fernandez, is the MOST unprofessional person sitting on this commission, followed by Castro
We need professionals, not witty disrespectful persons.
Who cares about Fritz restaurant, move forward for the best of the City.
.
Decorum & Civility are an important part of governing.
Commissioner Fernandez while elected by residents should learn to work with City Manager Iglesias & his staff. It is a Manager form of government & these public disagreements make Fernandez look more like Carollo.
I miss the good old days of Valdes-Fauli, Thompson, Kerdyk, Chip, and Ralph Cabrera. Now that was a commission.
Ariel Fernandez, no only is consistently mistreatment of City employees, but he is a great example of political interests in action.
It is well know in the city that he got, and probably he still gets, free meals from local restaurants and bakeries.
So whenever there is an issue with a restaurant, Ariel becomes the defender of the little guy, the restaurant owner, against the powerful City of Coral Gables government.
It makes great politics, and it gets him free meals.
In the meantime, we, the residents keep paying taxes, so that Ariel can collect his self approved, increased monthly salary.
[…] January 27, 2024 0 6 min read […]
Manager talking to the press. This is a new behavior. He insisted we not speak before.