Coral Gables talks to Miami International Airport CEO for manager

Coral Gables assistant city manager Alberto Parjus has stepped in as the city’s interim city manager after the city commission voted to terminate Peter Iglesias from the role and commissioners moved toward hiring the county’s aviation director as city manager.

With a 3-2 vote Feb. 13, the city manager was ousted despite Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson’s pleas to their colleagues to keep Mr. Iglesias at least until the city found a qualified candidate to take over.

“As your new interim city manager, (I’m) filled with enthusiasm and a profound sense of responsibility to lead us through this period of transition,” Mr. Parjus said in a letter to all city staff members.

He went on and extended his deepest gratitude to Mr. Iglesias, citing him as a friend for many years with whom he had the privilege of working closely with for the past two years as his deputy.

“As we embark on this new chapter together, I want to assure you that my priority is for a smooth and seamless transition and to uphold our shared mission of serving the residents of Coral Gables with the highest level of excellence,” Mr. Parjus said. “Your hard work, professionalism, and resilience are the foundation of our success, and I am committed to being your ally and supporting you in every possible way.”

Mayor Lago spoke to residents late last week.

“As your mayor, and a proud resident of this vibrant community, I am committed to ensuring that our city not only recovers from this period of upheaval but emerges stronger, more unified, and more dedicated to the principles of good governance than ever before,” he said. “As we navigate through this period of transition, it is imperative that we look forward, focusing on the path that lies ahead… Mr. Parjus, with his considerable experience and deep understanding of our city’s needs, will provide the stability and leadership required during this time.”

At last week’s meeting, the commission’s direction was to begin a discussion with Miami-Dade County Aviation Director Ralph Cutié for the position of city manager after Commissioner Kirk R. Menendez nominated him.

“Mr. Cutié is a 32-year veteran of Miami-Dade County government and has 35 years of experience in the fields of project control, critical path method scheduling, project management, construction, contracting, and construction claims administration,” Mr. Menendez said. “Mr. Cutié has worked extensively in various capacities on numerous Miami-Dade transit projects of significance including the $248 million Metromover extension project, the $88 million Metrorail extension to the Palmetto Expressway, and the $106 million busway extension of Florida City,” Mr. Menendez said.

Mr. Cutié is held in very high esteem throughout South Florida, both professionally and personally, he added, saying Mr. Cutié would resolve the city’s key issues and be a great addition to the city’s long history of excellent city managers.

“I have spoken to Mr. Cutié and I’m very excited to report that he is ready, willing and able to start the conversation with the city concerning the city manager position,” Mr. Menendez said, “and I’m thrilled for our residents and our business owners and the city at large for this amazing and unique opportunity.”

During the meeting, Mayor Lago said he had reached out about the recruitment of Mr. Cutié to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and stated that she was very disheartened with the process. She said that this is not the most respectful thing to do, and it taints the process, Mayor Lago added, and that she wished that it would have gone a different way.

“Why don’t we look for the most capable person?” the mayor asked. “I’ve never had the opportunity to sit down with the gentleman who you proposed. I think that this should be an individual who’s going to move us forward [and] should be a person that represents the entire commission the entire city. Let’s have a conversation with this gentleman and anyone else who would like to throw their hat into the ring to be city manager.”