Doral council proclaims Autism Awareness Month, selects solar-streetlight vendor and backs community programs

Doral — At its April 8 meeting the Doral City Council approved a slate of community measures, including a resolution recognizing April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month, selection of a solar streetlight vendor following a pilot evaluation, and several modest community sponsorships and program approvals.

Autism awareness and flag: Councilman Rafael Pinedo presented the autism-awareness resolution, arguing the flag-raising is a symbolic but meaningful step toward inclusion for families affected by autism. "By raising the autism awareness flag at City Hall, we're doing more than making a statement. We're actually taking a stand," Pinedo said. Multiple councilmembers, including Councilwoman Reynoso who cosponsored the item, voiced support; the resolution passed unanimously. Staff said the flag-raising will take place this month and residents will be notified about the ceremony.

Public comment on inclusion: Several preregistered speakers supported the recognition. Andrena Escalante, who identified herself as an integrative health coach for neurodiversity families, said the flag "represents that evolution and awareness" and called for continued action and supports for families.

Solar streetlight pilot: Public works staff reviewed a side-by-side pilot of two solar streetlight systems installed along NW 82nd Street. Staff provided costs and pole counts for both systems: one vendor’s installed package was presented at about $366,776 for 36 poles (19 dual-arm, 17 single), the other at roughly $273,074 for 21 poles (14 single, 7 dual). Councilmembers who visited the site favored the locally based vendor (presented in staff materials as 'Sels') for its lighting controls, FDOT compliance and local fabrication. The council voted to select that vendor and approved moving forward with the project; staff confirmed the award includes the budgeted 10% contingency and that funds were budgeted for the fiscal year.

Other approvals and community items: The council also approved a one-week summer 2026 government externship pilot for high-school students (to start in the finance department), a staff-directed policy effort asking hotels to post 'no hourly rate' signage to discourage exploitation, a pulled consent item to use a Florida state contract for office furniture purchases, and a $1,000 municipal sponsorship to the Presley Center for Women. The council granted permission for the Get Red Foundation to use the City of Doral logo on promotional materials for its Miami Wellness & Movement Festival (April 25), which includes an on-site bone-marrow donor drive in partnership with Gift of Life.

Votes on these items were unanimous unless otherwise noted; staff will provide timing details for ceremonial events and implementation steps.

What’s next: staff will publicize the autism flag-raising ceremony, finalize vendor contracts for the solar streetlight project and integrate the pilot results into future public-works work, and return with implementation details or agreements where appropriate.