West Miami OKs alcohol sales for Cuban American Bar Association fundraiser at Cooper Park

The City of West Miami Mayor and City Commission voted 4-0 to approve dispensing and sale of alcoholic beverages for a special event organized by the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) at Cooper Park on April 4, 2025.

The resolution, read during the special agenda as Item 3(b), cites section 3-7 of the City Code to authorize sale and dispensing of alcoholic beverages by the Cuban American Bar Association during "CABAs inaugural carnival cookout, bottle of Los Puellcos" on 04/04/2025 at Cooper Park. Commissioners voted by roll call; Vice Mayor Natalie Miliano Orbis was excused.

A representative of CABA, identified in the transcript as Gustabayo of 6141 Southwest 18th Street and introduced as a director of the Cuban American Bar Association, described the event as a 100% fundraiser for CABA Pro Bono. He said every dollar raised at the event would fund CABA Pro Bono, which the speaker described as a legal-services program providing free help to people who cannot afford attorneys. The speaker said the organization has conducted immigration drives in this room in the past and that the event will be family friendly with bounce houses, cotton candy and popcorn. He said the event is ticketed but open to the public and that CABA Pro Bono has more than 10 volunteer attorneys.

The speaker invited the commission and staff to attend and noted there were sponsorship opportunities and a title sponsor already in place. He also suggested community teams could compete in activities at the cookout and asked anyone seeking help from the legal program to search for "CABA Pro Bono" or contact any director at CABA to be connected with Leslie, the point of contact for pro bono services.

Commissioners moved and seconded the item and approved it on a 4-0 roll call. No amendments or conditions beyond the standard code-based permit language were discussed on the record.