A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments and council discussions regarding a proposed waste-to-energy facility. Environmental scientist Salma Garcia expressed concerns about the health risks associated with the project. Garcia, who had reviewed documents related to the facility, highlighted discrepancies in the health risk assessments and criticized the lack of comprehensive analysis for alternative locations. She emphasized that the proposed facility would be larger than existing ones, posing heightened health risks to the community. “Doral has the highest risk of non-cancerous diseases,” Garcia stated, underlining the importance of prioritizing health impacts over cost considerations in decision-making.

The council members debated the waste-to-energy facility’s potential impact on Doral residents, weighing Garcia’s concerns against the project’s benefits. Community integrity and health emerged as central themes.

Financial transparency was another key topic, with Andrew Fierman from the auditing firm Gavo F and Garcia presenting the 2023 annual comprehensive financial report. Fierman detailed the structure of the report, which includes sections on financial, statistical, and compliance information. He noted that the city had received a “certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting” for the previous year’s report and expected to receive it again for 2023. The audit revealed no deficiencies, and the city’s financial position was described as strong, with a clean opinion from the auditors.

The council also addressed several resolutions, including one supporting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. This resolution had been deferred from a previous meeting and was brought forward again following recent events highlighting the relevance of reaffirming positions against anti-Semitism and bigotry. The council members expressed unanimous support for co-sponsoring this resolution, emphasizing the city’s stance against discrimination.

Another major discussion centered around a resolution opposing Amendment Three, which seeks to legalize the personal use of recreational marijuana in Florida. Council members expressed concerns about the amendment’s implications for community safety and resident well-being. One council member shared a personal anecdote, stating, “the last thing that I want for my seven-year-old boy is to see people smoking marijuana in the streets,” underscoring the potential impact on families. The council ultimately decided to defer the resolution until after the November election, allowing more time to gauge public opinion and the amendment’s outcome.

In other business, the council approved a resolution recognizing Edmundo Gonzalez as the president-elect of Venezuela, aligning with a bipartisan resolution from Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart and Senator Marco Rubio. This move was particularly significant given Doral’s substantial Venezuelan population and ongoing political oppression in Venezuela.

The council also discussed the opening of Doral Central Park, scheduled for August 24. Members deliberated on the importance of keeping the proposed date to respect the efforts of professionals involved in the project and the community’s anticipation. Despite potential logistical challenges, the council leaned towards maintaining the original timeline, emphasizing the need to prioritize the expectations of both professionals and residents.

Additionally, the council addressed a resolution concerning a call to artists for creating and installing art on the Central Park water tank, with a budget not exceeding $60,000. A council member suggested incorporating community involvement in the project, which was supported by the mayor.

Lastly, the council discussed the issuance of keys to the city. Mayor Christi Fraga expressed concerns about the frequency of such recognitions, noting that over-issuance could diminish their prestige. Despite these concerns, the council proceeded with the recognitions, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging contributions to the city.

The meeting concluded with updates from various departments. The Parks Department reported a 9% increase in park visits compared to the previous year, nearing one million visits. The police department was progressing positively in its reaccreditation process following a successful mock assessment.