The Coral Gables City Commission considered banning campaign contributions from vendors, certain lobbyists and real estate developers at its Sept. 15 meeting. The proposal appeared on the agenda 49 days before the city's Nov. 3 municipal election.

Commissioner Melissa Castro sponsored Ordinance 26-2102, which would create a new "Campaign Finance Reform" article within the city code's existing administration chapter. The measure appeared on the Sept. 15 agenda as a first-reading ordinance, meaning it would need a second reading before taking effect.

The ordinance follows a summer of large contributions to local political committees. The Gables Gazette reported that Coral Gables First, a political committee linked to Mayor Lago, received $134,500 in four days after candidate qualifying ended.

Castro raised similar concerns at the Aug. 25 Crystal Residences hearing, pointing to a $10,000 contribution from developer Steven Fifield to the Lago-linked committee made 12 days before the commission's first-reading approval of that project.

"Coral Gables is not for sale," Castro said at that hearing, casting the lone dissenting vote.

The Nov. 3 election will be the city's first November municipal contest, the result of a voter-approved charter amendment that moved races from April. Voters will choose a mayor and two commissioners.

$40 million bond proposal targets City Hall

Commissioners also took up Resolution 26-2068, authorizing up to $40 million in Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2026E, to finance work on City Hall. The bonds would carry a maximum true interest cost of 5% and mature no later than Dec. 1, 2046. They would be paid from non-ad valorem revenues, not property taxes.

City Hall, completed in the 1920s, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. The bond language contains a discrepancy: the resolution describes the project as "restoration, renovation, construction and equipping" of City Hall but also states the project "will be to replace the existing City Hall," according to the Gables Gazette's preview.

The Series 2026E bonds would add to the city's 2026 borrowing. Coral Gables issued Series 2026A ($11.9 million) and Series 2026B ($2.9 million) in April to refinance earlier debt. In July, commissioners authorized up to $70 million in separate bonds for the Mobility Hub.

Additional funding sought for Phillips Park

Resolution 26-2096 would waive competitive bidding and award HG Construction Development & Investment roughly $900,000 for additional Phillips Park work at 90 Menores Ave. The scope includes $273,020 for gazebo replacement, $269,914 for restroom renovation, $264,337 for pickleball courts and $92,728.61 for exercise equipment.

HG Construction won the original Phillips Park contract in August 2025 for about $3.88 million after the city received four bids.

Alcohol seating rule, grant funds also proposed

The commission also considered Ordinance 26-2028, which would let restaurants with 120 or more seats serve alcohol from bars. A resolution directing staff to explore visitor transportation partnerships with hotels and tour operators was on the agenda, as were resolutions to establish a Senior Relief Grant Fund and a Veterans with Disabilities Relief Grant Fund, both sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez.

Commissioners were also set to cancel the Nov. 17 regular meeting because of the municipal election.

Vote tallies have not been published. Official minutes from the Sept. 15 meeting were not available as of Sept. 17. The full meeting video is available on the city's Swagit platform.