PayByPhone parking app coming to Coral Gables

Pay for parking

You can sign up for the PayByPhone by downloading the app for smartphones, go online at www.paybyphone.com, or call 866-990-7275.

Technology has overtaken the parking lot. Starting Nov. 1, Coral Gables will be upgrading from its old parking payment system to a newer PayByPhone technology for 4,200 parking spaces throughout the city.

“The new system is a more suitable way to pay for parking, it is used by a number of cities in our region and provides more services and options for our customers than our existing system,” wrote Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon, public affairs manager for the City of Coral Gables, in an email.

The city initially implemented PayByPhone in 2005, and will upgrade the system to allow access via any smartphone.

The original electronic system required users to pay a monthly fee or hang a tag in their car. Now, you just open the app, enter the space number, select how long you want to park and press enter.

For the less tech-savvy, old-school options remain.

Coin payments will remain available in all metered spaces, and many of the city’s metered parking spaces still accept credit cards, according to Higgins Fallon.

Other cities that have implemented this system include Miami, South Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

A selling point: If you get busy at, say, a musical at Actors’ Playhouse, or run into old friends while having a bite on Miracle Mile, there’s an alternative to rushing back to the meter and carrying pocket-stretching spare change. Hit the app and add more time without having to dash madly to the meter.

“This will help customers avoid parking tickets by providing a method of paying if they have no change for the meters. In addition, you can receive a text alert letting you know when your meter is about to expire,” Higgins Fallon wrote in her email.

Users can continue using the old phone system through Nov. 10, after which they will need to switch the new app.

A dining hall cashier wins her appeal following being fired when a man didn’t pay for breakfast. 1351651060

A free street party is on tap Saturday night with food by Allen Susser, Michelle Bernstein and Norman Van Aken.

The University of Miami’s Momentum2 fundraising campaign continues to make healthy progress toward its $1.6 billion goal, as UM officials announced on Friday that the campaign has just surpassed the $1 billion mark.

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Cutler Bay hires new clerk, talks about budget

Cutler Bay council members hired a new town clerk and talked about their annual budget Thursday night.

The Town Council chose Debra Eastman as successor to interim town clerk Missy Arocha.

Eastman, currently the Islamorada town clerk, has been a clerk for more than 30 years, first in New Hampshire and most recently in Miami Lakes, Surfside and Islamorada.

Interim town manager Rafael Casals worked with Eastman when he was the assistant town manager of Miami Lakes.

“The manager’s office has to work so closely with the town clerk,” Casals said. “It’s great to get someone like Debra that has so many years of experience under her belt.”

Arocha, who recently was named the assistant to Palmetto Bay town clerk Meighan Alexander, will remain with the town as a consultant until Eastman begins in late September or early October, pending final background checks and drug tests.

Next, Casals presented the council a preliminary proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to Casals, the proposed budget would take $2.3 million from the town's reserves to cover existing loan payments and the creation of a new high school.

The proposed numbers come out to a $2.7 million increase in the budget from last year. Changes include a $300,000 increase to public works for sidewalk repairs, a $300,000 decrease to the police department and a $50,000 increase to the town clerk’s office, which will provide for livestreaming council meetings.

Casals said police staffing will not be reduced.

The numbers can change later this month when the budget goes before the council for votes.

“This budget is going to include a situation in which we will be dipping into our reserves,” Casals said of the tentative figures. “This budget is a worst case scenario.”

According to Mayor Ed MacDougall, the biggest expenditure in the last year was the high school.

“When we look back at the course of the last six years, it’s unbelievable we haven’t had to go further into our reserves,” MacDougall said. “What I foresee, we’ll see a great improvement.”

The council members brought up raising taxes versus taking out money from the reserves as a topic that will be discussed at September’s hearing.

“Personally, I feel that we can’t take out any more debt,” said council member Peggy Bell. “Anything unnecessary this year I would hope and pray that our fellow council members put away for another year.”

MacDougall did not rule out the possibility of raising taxes to pay for the new school.

“The idea of the time was we want a high school and were willing to pay for it,” he said.

Among the items council members asked to be considered for the budget: LED signs for Old Cutler and Caribbean Boulevards, more programs for seniors, and a founder’s day for the town.

The two budget hearings will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 at Town Hall, 10720 Caribbean Blvd.

Cutler Bay residents must choose a vice mayor and decide on more than a dozen changes to the Town Charter.

Council members cancelled plans for a tax increase, opting to spend more of the town’s savings instead.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

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