By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Members of the Coral Gables City Commission will gather Monday morning for their annual ethics training, a session required by both city code and state law and open to public observation under Florida’s Sunshine Law.

The meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2020 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 12th floor, suite 1200. The city notice states that members of the City Commission and city staff will attend.

Required by code and statute

The training fulfills both local and state ethics requirements. Coral Gables Code Section 2-30 requires annual ethics instruction for elected officials, and Florida Statute 112.3142 requires elected municipal officers to complete four hours of ethics training each calendar year. That training must address, at a minimum, the Sunshine Amendment, the state Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, and Florida’s public records and public meetings laws. Because members of the same commission will attend, the city has noticed the session as a Sunshine meeting under Florida Statute 286.011. Minutes will be taken and made publicly available.

What the training covers

Recent Coral Gables ethics sessions have addressed financial disclosure, public records, public meetings, lobbyist interactions, procurement issues, gift rules and conflicts of interest. Past sessions have been led by representatives from the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust or the city attorney’s office, combining legal briefings with interactive case studies and question-and-answer periods.

Why this year’s session carries added interest

Monday’s training arrives during a period of sustained public attention to Coral Gables governance. Over the past year, residents and observers have closely followed matters involving development review, land use decisions, campaign finance and the conduct of volunteer advisory boards. The annual training offers a structured opportunity for officials to revisit the legal standards and statutory obligations that govern their work.

Open to the public

The city notice describes the session as open to public attendance. Residents may attend in person to observe how elected officials engage with the ethical standards and legal rules that guide their conduct. The city notice does not list a public comment period.

What to know

The Annual Elected Officials Ethics Training Sunshine Meeting takes place Monday, June 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2020 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 12th floor, suite 1200, Coral Gables. The session is open to the public. Residents requiring ADA accommodations should contact ADA Coordinator and Human Resources Director Clifford Friedman at cfriedman@coralgables.com, 305-722-8686 (voice) or 305-442-1600 (TTY/TDD) at least three business days in advance.