Doral Central Park phases to open in summer

Since taking on the role as Doral interim city manager in February, Kathie Brooks’ top priority has been to ensure transparency throughout the city for its residents.

The next big item on her agenda is targeting the opening of phases two and three of Doral Central Park by summer and completion by the end of the calendar year, Ms. Brooks told Miami Today.

Ms. Brooks replaced interim city manager Francisco Rios, who took on the role after the immediate firing of former city manager Barbie Hernandez on Feb. 3. Mr. Rios has now resumed his previous position as the city’s deputy city manager.

“Aside from Doral Central Park, I am working to strengthen a centralized procurement role in the city and bring on board a forensic auditor to evaluate IT internal controls,” she said. “I am also working to move along as far as I can implementation of speed cameras in school zones.”

After a search for the right vendor, the city council approved beginning negotiations first with top-ranked American Traffic Solutions Inc., DBA Verra Mobility, to install speed-detection systems in school zones, which would enhance protection for children and pedestrians. If negotiations fall through with Verra, the contract motion would come back to the city council and negotiations would begin with the second-highest ranked vendor, RedSpeed USA.

Another major issue the city is facing is the recent fatal shooting at Doral Martini Bar, Ms. Brooks added.

 

“As you are likely well aware, we had a recent shooting in an entertainment establishment and the council wants to find the right balance for the city,” she said. “We are working with counsel to evaluate different approaches.”

Ms. Brooks has over 40 years of local administrative experience in Miami-Dade County. Most recently, she was the assistant city manager, interim city manager, and budget and performance improvement director for the City of Miami Beach.

“I have been honored to be trusted by the council to guide the city during this transition period. Doral is a great, dynamic and fast-growing city,” she said. “I have already applied for the position [to take on the role of city manager permanently], but I have not made a final decision yet. This is a great, prestigious job but I have to reconcile how it fits into my personal plans.”