The newly formed Miami Lakes Charter Revision Commission met to choose its leadership and set a schedule for future meetings.
The commission is formed every 10 years to review the town charter, which sets forth Miami Lakes’ form of government; election procedures; administrative processes; legislative rules and other topics.
The body decided on Dec. 16 that it will meet the second and fourth Thursday of each month from January through April, and review two or so chapters of the charter at each meeting. In January, they will convene on Jan. 8 and Jan. 22.
Deputy Town Attorney Lorenzo Cobiella warned the commission that they must abide by state Sunshine laws and cannot have conversations in any format – via phone, text, email, Facebook or through a third party - with another member outside of the public meetings.
Cobiella told the committee that any charter changes they recommend will eventually be voted upon by the town council and town residents.
“Once adopted, it’s the law of the land, the law of this town,” Cobiella said.
They chose attorney Javier Ley-Soto, general counsel for Miami Dade College as chair.
Ramiro Inguanzo, assistant village manager for Bal Harbour who served on the charter commission a decade ago, was chosen as vice chair. Other members are former councilwoman and certified public accountant Marilyn Ruano; Lynn Matos, a Real Estate Associate and former member of the town’s Planning & Zoning Board; Hector Abad, a former candidate for town council and a social worker in Miami-Dade County Public Schools; David Bennett, a dentist and former candidate for town council and Councilman Juan Carlos Fernandez, a non-voting member.
Ruano was absent. Homero Cruz was previously named to the commission. He serves on the Planning & Zoning Board and the charter doesn’t allow service on another town board or committee so he was replaced by former Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez, Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo said in an email.
All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Town Hall.