Love is in the air. But just because it’s Valentine’s Day this week doesn’t mean we’ve taken a break from our love/hate relationship with local politics, right?

This week is chock full of events, government meetings and fundraisers — ending with nothing less than the much-anticipated (for some, dreaded) public hearing and Miami-Dade county commission come-to-Jesus meeting on Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s 180-degree turnaround on detainer requests for illegal immigrants. If last Tuesday is any indication of what we can expect, there will be dozens of people ready to blast the mayor for his decision to kowtow to President Donald Trump threats against sanctuary cities.

Read related story: Miami-Dade: Esteban Bovo cuts public speech on i-word

As always, please keep sending news about meetings, campaign rallies, political club powwows and other events to edevalle@gmail.com. Show the Cortadito Calendar some love.

Oh, and happy Valentine’s Day.

MONDAY — Feb. 13

6 p.m. — A bunch of lawyers and Gene Prescott, the guy who owns the company that runs the Biltmore Hotel, will have a fundraiser for Coral Gables Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick, who is running for mayor. The legal hosts are Roland Sanchez-Medina, Tomas Gamba, Araly Herrera, Leslie Lott, Carlos Garcia, Ben Reid, Brian Barakat, Bruce Jay Colan, Gene Hernandez (once president of the Cuban American Bar Assocition), judicial kingmaker Hector Lombana and Steve Zack, former president of the American Bar Assocation (2010-2011). The list is illustrious if only because Ladra doesn’t think there’s one single land use attorney (read: lobbyist) among them. These are all business mergers and acquisitions, personal injury, criminal defense and intellectual property lawyers. Naturally. This is Jeannett Slesnick, we’re talking about…not the most development friendly elected, ya know? The party is on to about 7:30 at — where else? — Prescott’s digs, the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave.

6 p.m. — Meanwhile, also in Coral Gables: Residents will get their first community meeting on the creation of a South Dixie Highway Master Plan, a blueprint to find development and redevelopment opportunities along the 2.5 miles of U.S. 1 in the City Beautiful (more on that later). This meeting at the Holiday Inn, 1350 S. Dixie Hwy., is only the first of three meetings, so Slesnick can miss it for her shindig above. The other meetings are also at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Shannon Rolle Center, 3750 S. Dixie, and Thursday back at the Holiday Inn.

6:30 p.m. — Looks like Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez cancelled on the Women’s Republican Club of Miami Federated. The official reason is a schedule conflict. Unofficially: He doesn’t want to have to talk about his about-face on the federal detention requests (even though it would be a mostly friendly and Trump supportive crowd). But now the guest of the monthly meeting Monday is Allen J. Thompson of Americans for Fair Tax (fairtax.org or flfairtax.org), a non-partisan 501 C(4) organization. Thompson will talk about the FairTax Plan, which advocates for tax reform, including the replacement of income tax with a national sales tax. Members of the club can attend for free, guests must pay $10 — which pays for the “complimentary” appetizera at John Martin’s Irish Pub, 253 Miracle Mile.

TUESDAY — Feb. 14

9 a.m. — Coral Gables Commissioners will meet to consider the North Ponce Infill regulations for redevelopment between Douglas Road and Ponce de Leon in North Gables, to create a more visible “connection.”  These regulations, by the way, allow for increased density of up to 75 units per acre. Is this going to encourage a condo canyon to North Ponce? There’s also an update on the status of the retirement board time certain at 9:45. There’s also an amendment to the city code removing the human resources director from the retirement board and add the director of labor relations and risk management. The commission meets at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way.

WEDNESDAY — Feb. 15

6 p.m. — That second South Dixie Highway Master Plan meeting, again, is at the Rolle Center, 3750 S. Dixie.

6:30 p.m. — SAVE, formerly SAVE Dade, will have a political powwow on Wednesday for LGBT activism in a post-Trump America. “On November 9th, SAVE promised that despite the rise of Donald Trump, we would mount an all-out fight to keep Florida moving forward on LGBTQ equality,” reads the Facebook invite. “2017 presents a huge [cute!] opportunity to lay the groundwork to win back Florida – and SAVE knows how to win here, But first we want to hear from you.” The human rights organization boasts having won 14 pro-equality seats and getting pro-equality legislation passed at dozens of towns and cities across the state. But there is much work to do, especially now. The townhall titled “Save Your Rights in the Trump Era,” is at CIC, 1951 NW 7th Ave., Suite 600.

THURSDAY — Feb. 16

5:30 p.m. — The elected leaders in Cutler Bay must got money burning a hole in their collective pocket. They are having a workshop Thursday on the “visioning” for the town for the next two years and, apparently, that includes the “acquisition of property,” (more on that later) according to the agenda, which is pretty much that. One line: “Visioning for next two years — acquisition of property.” The meeting is at Town Hall, 10720 Caribbean Blvd.

6 p.m. — The people who love the South Dade Pine Rocklands will have their monthly meeting at the Tropical Audobon Society, 5530 Sunset Dr., to discuss their ongoing efforts to save the little patch of environmentally endandered land near Zoo Miami.

6 p.m. — Last chance to have a say in the shaping of a new “Coral Gables Corridor” at the last town hall on the South Dixie Highway Master Plan at the Holiday Inn, 1350 South Dixie Hwy.

6 p.m. — In Miami Beach, residents are getting increasingly organized against a City Hall that seems indifferent to their demands. Miami Beach United will have a panel discussion Thursday to let residents know about their “rights to know” what decisions and plans are being made by their city electeds and the administration. Speakers include former City Commissioner Jorge Exposito, Stop The Train Chairman Robert Landsburgh, activist Mark Needle, former commission candidate Mark Samuelian and Glenda Phipps of the North Beach Neighborhood Alliance. It’s at the Miami Beach Woman’s Club, 2401 Pine Tree Drive.

FRIDAY — Feb. 17

10 a.m. — This is it. We saved the best for last and end the week with the meeting to end all meetings — the Miami-Dade County Commission meeting to ratify or reject the mayor’s immigration detainer requests directive. If there is a quorum, that is. There are rumors already that there won’t be — which seems like a strategic move if they already know there won’t be.  Was that the plan all along? Every single commissioner should make an effort to be there, whether they support the mayor’s measure or not. Every district deserves to be represented in a matter that affects so many lives. Ladra can’t imagine that commissioners would be so descarado as to not come to the meeting and force a cancellation due to not having a quorum. Especially after so many people were not allowed to speak last week. They’re going to delay them again? Not smart. Expect this meeting to happen and to go long as both the pro-immigrant side and the pro-Trump side finally have their say. County commissioners could send a strong message to the mayor if they vote to do anything other than what he said — and they should. If only to send that message that he cannot act in a totalitarian fashion. It is one thing to be a strong mayor, and it is another entirely to be a tyrant. Even Commissioner Sally Heyman, who at first had supported the mayor’s actions, seemed to have an about-face of her own Sunday on WPLG’s This Week In South Florida, where she said she hoped someone would sue the county and force the decision to be made in the courts. It’s going to be an interesting way to end the week.

The construction of a new Miami-Dade civil courthouse — such an “emergency” in 2014, that leaders, lawyers and lobbyists rushed a ballot question for a courthouse tax that was soundly defeated at the polls (64%-36%) — is back on the horizon.

More than two years later, county commissioners Thursday again looked to address the deterioration of the historic downtown building, known as Cielito Lindo, and the construction of a replacement courthouse. The Chairman’s policy council discussed different potential funding sources and heard from Chief Civil Court Judge Bertila Soto, who has been the lead proponent of a 600-square-foot facility with 60 courtrooms.

There have been two task forces studying the building at 73 West Flagler and the county has spent about $39 million on repairs so far, including $25 million on the facade. But Soto said that there are still $73 million in unfunded repairs that are needed. Where do they get these numbers?

Read related story: Commission approves courthouse fixes, P3 task force

“Our needs at the courthouse are well established,” Soto told the eight-member board, reminding them of not one, but two task force reports on the conditions with recommendations for its fix. “The courthouse needs to be replaced. The building needs to be 600 square feet.”

Commissioner Rebeca Sosa asked if it wouldn’t be better to have satellite courtrooms across the county to cut down on transit and make it more accessible to the users, the constituency. But Soto said that both task forces had come to the same conclusion that one building was a better option. She explained that having satellite courts for criminal and traffic cases worked because it was just the affected party accessing the court. 

“But when you are talking about civil court, the plaintiff might be from Homestead and the respondent from North Miami,” Soto said. “We try misdemeanors and some cases locally, but for circuit, civil and probate cases, it’s different.”

But, she added, they have looked at satellite courthouses that have some space — like the one in South Dade — and they could be used more with the right technology for the meetings that lead up to trials.

What’s at stake, she added, is the health of the more than one million people who go through the doors of the Flagler building every year. “We have judges with upper respiratory conditions. People with eye conditions.”

Read related story: Courthouse tax debate — scare tactics vs. common sense

Really? Then why on Earth hasn’t this been addressed in the two years since a tax to pay for it was shot down by voters? It was an “emergency” two years ago — remember the ominous ads and the talk about mold and unhealthy conditions? — and people are still getting sick? Oh, yeah, guess there was a mayoral election in the way. Commission Chairman Esteban Bovo said at the beginning of the meeting that he doesn’t want to kick the can down the line. But where has he been for the past two years while judges develop respiratory conditions?

“We don’t care who builds this building. We don’t care how it’s built,” Soto said. But Ladra is a bit concerned that our chief judge would be so flippant about such a major capital improvement project and the opportunity that exists for graft. What if the mayor’s son’s construction firm gets to build it? She certainly should care, shouldn’t she?

Tara Smith of the county’s Internal Services department (read: procurement) said staff had identified 11 downtown sites — county-owned and underutilized assets — where, plausibly, a courthouse could be built. She said these are sites where the county is actively considering “for potential development” of the courthouse.

Really?

Toppping the list is the current location, though Ladra doubts they would be able to tear down the historic 1928 structure. Besides, selling the building is also being considered as a potential funding source for the new courthouse (couldn’t we enter into a development agreement instead and still own it?). Deputy Mayor Ed Marquez said there has been some  interest in “converting the old courthouse into a boutique hotel.”

Other sites identified include the cultural center where the Main Library and our historical museum are located, the downtown motor pool and lot, and the little plaza/park with public art just north and west of County Hall. All three of those were vetoed by commissioners.

“Green space right now is prime in downtown,” said Commissioner Bruno Barreiro. “For me, that’s sacred.”

And Audrey Edmonson said the one lot in Overtown near the historic Lyric Theater was off limits, too.

“We have plans for that. Take that one off,” she said.

Read related story: Courthouse clean bill of health begs questions, investigation

Later in the day, several County Hall insiders said that there are issues to take off most if not all the sites identified. One source said the list was “laughable.” But the property that is adjacent to the new juvenile courthouse and contiguous to the FEC line, which is apparently Commissioner Sally Heyman‘s favorite spot.

Several commissioners also wondered if this would be a good project for a public-private partnership (duh) and if they should put out feelers to private land owners in the downtown core. Commissioner Dennis Moss , who said he had also talked to the boutique hotel people, said this was a “tremendous opportunity” to use some of those county assets, perhaps along with private parcels, to “really create a new direction for the downtown area.

“If we do this right we have a chance to create something really special,” he said.

Edmonson thought that perhaps getting a footprint with both public and private land could work. Smith told the council that she would come back in 90 days with a cost analysis of using the identified properties for the courthouse and going with a P3 process or a traditional build/design bid.

“There are a lot of rumors out there about interests in the private sector,” Barreiro said. “Before we go into one of our own public assets and spend money on a study, let’s see if a private entity comes forward.”

Heyman said that there was interest from private property owners and they would be reached out to.

Smith said the county assets were identified first because there has been no funding identified for the project. “But that doesn’t exclude private properties.” 

Commissioners decided to seek some input from the Downtown Development Authority at its next meeting.

“At least we were able to at least set the table on this,” Bovo said.

But nobody ever talked about the dinner bill, or funding for construction of any new courthouse. Obviously, going to the taxpayers again is not a good idea and, luckily, Bovo realized that. 

Read related story: Top 5 reasons to vote no on courthouse bond tax

“The voters already opined on the issue,” he said. “I’m hoping that we guide ourselves in a way that does not rely on a bond issue. I think that would probably be dead on arrival.”

Heyman also said they were not considering asking voters to approve another general obligation bond.

Government affairs consultant and lobbyist Al Maloof told the council that his office was involved with a bill filed in Tallahassee this week that would provide a funding mechanism for coutrhouses, libraries, schools, jails and prisons. It is likely a companion bill to federal legislation known as the Public Buildings Renewal Act that allow state and local governments to establish P3s for infrastructure improvements through the creation of at least $5 billion in new private activity bonds for public buildings.

Isn’t that still public money?

Because you know it’s going to be expensive. What was going to cost $390 million in 2014 is going to be more than $450 million when all is said and done. Mark my words. 

Commissioner Jean Monestime wants it to be an inviting space that becomes a city center for a downtown with a growing residential community. A plae for people to meet and have a conversation.

“Our County Hall is not inviting. Our cultural center is not inviting,” Monestime said. “People come here because they have to, not because they want to. Nobody says, ‘Let’s go for a walk to the square.’”

So, we’re talking about a public square, too?

Ka-ching.

“It ought to be spectacular,” said Commissioner Javier Souto. “Showing to the world what Miami-Dade County is.”

Ka-ching.

“All around for acres and acres, it should be spectacular.”

Ka-ching, ka-ching.

He may not have gotten his hands on our public golf course, but President Donald Trump gets to keep a golf cart and pedestrian bridge on Miami-Dade property for the next ten years.

And it only cost the millionaire leader of the free world $7,200, which the county said was fair market price.

Quietly and without any fanfare, Miami-Dade Commissioners on Tuesday authorized the “conveyance of a temporary aerial easement” across Northwest 97th Avenue at 52nd Street to Trump Endeavor 12, one of the president’s, er, his son’s companies, so they can continue to use a pedestrian bridge — for people and golf carts — they built with a permit and have been using since the World Golf Championship in 2014.

In 2015, Mayor Carlos Gimenez suggested giving the county’s beautiful Crandon Park golf course to the Trump organization to run — during the time his son, CJ Gimenez, was working as a lobbyist for them. The plan, which was hatched quietly between the mayor’s office and Trump’s people, was quashed after the community balked.

Maybe keeping the bridge is a consolation prize.

After Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo became the board’s chairman in December, he created the Chairman’s Policy Council, a new sort of super committee to take up the most important issues the county faces in the next two to four years — including the renovation of the historic downtown civil courthouse, which was once a $400-million tax grab emergency many moons ago. 

According to the county website, the Chairman’s Council will be responsible for:

• Identifying innovative transportation funding solutions
• Developing a courthouse capital improvement plan
• Identifying critical capital needs, and a corresponding funding plan for the county’s jail system to ensure and promote the humane treatment of inmates while maximizing the safety of county correctional officers
• Developing a coherent and proactive sea level rise response plan
• And preparing a workable county response to gun-related youth affecting our community

That’s a lot of responsibility, ain’t it? It hits all the main community issues and some of the more expensive ones.

And it’s all in the hands of the seven commissioners who voted for Bovo as chairman: Jean Monestime, Audrey Edmonson, Bruno Barreiro, Sally Heyman, Rebeca Sosa, Dennis Moss and Javier Souto. They were rewarded with a  juciy spot on this new and important board while Commissioner Xavier Suarez and those who voted for him were left out.

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez, er, Stevie Bovo wins commission chair

Thursday’s meeting has the eight-member board looking at three $11-million contracts for engineering services for the Department of Transportation and Public Works (including one that has the mayor’s BFF listed as a subcontractor, again). The three contracts look like they are for the same thing — engineering work on a variety of projects, including the study of using driverless vehicles (though we need to get cars off the road, not drivers) — and also include side deals for 41 subcontractors.

But they will also be looking at and discussing different possible transportation funding sources, including:

• Tax increment financing
• Local option gas tax
• Auto tag renewal fees (which is what Suarez has been pushing for but he’s not on the committee)
• Fees on parking violations
• Whatever is left in the People’s Transportation Plan surtax after Mayor Carlos Gimenez takes out millions for operations and maintenance
• Tourist bed taxes
• Monies from the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
• Public-private transit-oriented development opportunities

Bovo also wants to talk about “deficiencies” in Transportation and Public Works and an update on the construction repairs or renovation to the civil courthouse. 

There’s also a $1.5 million contract to consider for Perez & Perez Architects Planners for an update to the 2008 master plan for the court system and the county jails. That money will come from the Building Better Communities general obligation fund.

The Policy Council — or the Bovo Buddies Bunch, because you can call them that — meets at 9:30 a.m. in commission chambers at County Hall, 111 NW First St.

Ralph’s back for more public money.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez‘s best friend and campaign finance chair is up for another piece of a multi-million dollar county contract.

Oh, he’s not the one bidding. They’re smarter than to do it like that.

Ralph Garcia Toledo‘s company is one of the subcontractors listed for one of the bids that will be considered and likely awarded by the county commission in March. It goes before the Commission Chairman’s Policy Council at their first meeting Thursday.

The resolution is a contract award for $11 million for engineering services to Parsons Brinckerhoff to help the Department of Transportation and Public Works execute projects in its capital improvements plan and implement the all-powerful Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, including the study and implementation of future technology, such as driverless vehicles.

Ralph Garcia Toledo with the mayor’s daughter in law, Barby Rodriguez Gimenez, at a fundraiser years ago for a Miami commission candidate

Garcia Toledo’s bite is tucked inside the contract, where his firm, GT Construction, is listed among the 18 subcontractors. We don’t know what his piece of the pie is, but it can’t be as big as the one he’s already feasting on in the water and sewer department. Ralph is already getting $200 an hour mostly, and self-admittedly, for clerical work — to go to meetings and file documents. He stands to make $18 million over the next 12 years just on that contract.

Now, he’s just getting greedy.

Read related story: Mayor’s pal Garcia-Toledo eats lobster with county staffers

And he’ll get it, too. Chairman Esteban Bovo, who wants to run for mayor in 2020, will want Ralph to help him raise funds. And Garcia Toledo took Commissioner Sally Heyman‘s staff to lunch one day –– at Joe’s Stone Crabs.

This new contract is one of three separate $11 million contracts that are being considered Thursday for the same thing: professional engineering services for the Department of Transportation and Public Works for their capital improvements and the SMART plan. And there are a dozen subcontractors on the other two — one for Parsons Transportation and one for Aecom Technical Services, which is the same company that messed up the reverse osmosis plant in Hialeah but the county still keeps contracting nonetheless.

That makes for 42 subcontractors — or 41, really, since Manuel Vera is on two contracts — who are feeding from this $33-million buffet.

What it looks like, since this has been divided up into three contracts and 41 subcontractors, is that Gimenez is beginning to make good on the campaign IOUs he collected during the last mayoral election, where he took close to $8 million or more in contributions, many from companies and developers doing business with the county.

Or, if not, Ladra bets they’re doing business with the county now.

Ralph can’t be the only lucky duck.