By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables City Commission voted Tuesday to hire outside counsel to pursue additional records from the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association, after a one-hour debate that highlighted questions about transparency, governance and the future of one of the city’s most valued properties.

The 3–1 vote followed a report from City Attorney Cristina Suárez, who said the association’s lawyer, Jane Muir, had provided limited documents “in the spirit of transparency” but maintained that, as a private nonprofit, the group was not obligated to comply with public records requests. The association turned over annual corporate filings, IRS Form 990s, the deed, and court rulings affirming the reverter clause that requires the land to remain a youth center.

Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara supported the motion, which Lago made and Lara seconded, to retain outside counsel. Commissioner Melissa Castro opposed. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez was absent.

Mayor calls for outside counsel

Lago sharply criticized the association for missing deadlines and withholding financial records, board minutes, and election documents. He argued that only outside lawyers could compel a full review and protect the Youth Center’s future.

“This is an asset worth $200 million,” Lago said. “I do not want to develop that property. I do not want to sell that property. I want to protect that property.”

He accused the association of past mismanagement, citing a lapse in its nonprofit status for five years in the 1990s, and alleged conflicts of interest by former Commissioner Kirk Menéndez. “He was the chair of the board, had his family on the board, and at the same time was promoting a $150 million bond as commissioner,” Lago said. “That’s nepotism. That’s a dereliction of duty.”

Lago added that without stronger oversight, questions about the association’s finances and governance would persist. “If you don’t have anything to hide, then just give me the documents,” he said.

Commissioners divide on approach

Castro cautioned against escalating the dispute, noting that the association is a private nonprofit with no legal obligation to comply. “It’s their decision to decide if they want to give us something or not,” she said. She argued the purpose of the reverter clause is simply to guarantee the property remains a youth center and said taxpayer money should not be used to settle personal disputes.

Anderson acknowledged the deed and reverter clause provided safeguards but said the nonprofit’s long lapse in corporate status created uncertainty. She argued the city should document the Youth Center’s history carefully so future generations understood its origins as a war memorial.

“This isn’t about five days or five weeks — it was five years,” she said. “That raises questions about whether the reverter was continuously valid if the nonprofit was dissolved.” Anderson emphasized that the land was gifted to the city with conditions and said proper records were essential to preserving that intent.

Lara criticized the association for selective disclosure. “If you’re going to quote transparency and cooperation, then just turn over the documents,” he said. He noted that Menéndez had previously assured residents at a town hall that “the money’s there,” which Lara said only made it more important to verify the accounts.

Residents weigh in

During public comment, residents reflected the same divide. Maria Cruz criticized Lago for shifting positions on Menéndez and recalled the issue first arose when a private school sought use of Youth Center fields. She also raised broader transparency concerns about city and elected officials’ financial practices.

Maite Halley, appearing via Zoom, argued the reverter clause is a deed restriction rather than a cloud on title and said the commission had no authority to demand financial records from a private nonprofit. She warned against wasting public funds but expressed confidence that the current commission would not sell the property.

Lago closed the discussion by restating his aim. “The end goal is to protect the asset, which is the Youth Center,” he said.