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Doral resident urges action on odors, mosquitoes at council budget hearing
Summary
At the Sept. 17 Doral council meeting, Odell Torres, president of the Landmark at Doral, told the council residents report burning-odors near a waste facility and widespread mosquitoes; city officials said code compliance would inspect odors and staff would follow up on mosquito complaints.
DORAL, Fla. — Odell Torres, president of the Landmark at Doral homeowners association, raised concerns about odors near the Covanta facility and an increase in mosquitoes during the City of Doral’s Sept. 17 budget hearing, asking the council to help address the neighborhood complaints.
Torres, who said he represents more than 3,000 residents, told council members he has received “a lot of complaints” about an odor that some neighbors describe as tire-burning. "I'm not trying to explain to them that that is not the case," he said, and asked whether the city could invite residents to inspect the plant or have staff clarify the operations.
On mosquitoes, Torres said residents had filed 311 reports and that inspectors had not found obvious breeding sources during visits: "We have a lot of mosquitoes," he said, and asked whether the city could take steps or coordinate with the county.
Mayor Christie Fraga responded that city staff could follow up: "Regarding the mosquitoes, we we can get you an answer. We have gotten some other complaints. We did talk about it this week, so I can address that with you after if you'd like." The mayor also said code compliance could check the reported odors.
The council did not take formal action on Torres’s concerns during the meeting; staff indicated they would investigate and respond after the hearing.
Ending: Torres closed his remarks by urging that budget decisions be used to serve residents; city staff offered to confer with him after the meeting about next steps.
