Days after new Doral mayor takes office, Miami parks head hired as city manager

The Doral City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to hire the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Hernandez as their next city manager.

Her appointment comes a month after her husband, Daniel Espino, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Miami-Dade County School Board to fill the seat vacated by Doral’s newly elected mayor, Christa Fraga.

Councilwoman Digna Cabral and Councilman Oscar Puig-Corve were not present for the vote. Hernandez told the Miami Herald her focus is on improving the city. “I’m going to work with everybody. I’ve been part of this community,” she said. She will replace Hernan Organvidez, who resigned from the council last week after holding the position since May 2021. His last day is Jan. 6.

“I believe I’m leaving the city in a better place than when I came. I believe that the foundation is solid to continue building,” Organvidez said during a speech. “In conclusion, Madam Mayor, after our conversation last Wednesday, I agree with you. I believe you should have the opportunity to bring your own team. I believe Barbie will do a great job and I will be available to her if needed.”

Hernandez previously served as the city’s parks and recreation director from 2011 to 2019, when she left to work for Miami Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department as the division director over park development and special projects. Since March 2021, she has been the Miami Parks and Recreation director. She is also chairperson of the Hialeah Housing Authority.

Espino, Hernandez’s husband, filled the school board seat vacated by Fraga when she resigned to run for Doral mayor. Espino has donated to DeSantis’ reelection campaign and to Next Generation Leaders, which is chaired by Fraga.

According to her compensation package, Hernandez, a first-time city manager, will get a $238,442 salary, an annual 5% salary increase unless otherwise decided by the council, a $700 per month vehicle allowance, a $150 cell phone allowance, and a monthly $500 expense stipend. She is also allowed to provide recreation consulting services, provided she lets the city know and it does not interfere with her duties as city manager.

Fraga said she will review what has happened in the city for the past two years since she was a councilmember. One major project she wants to tackle is the city’s bond project to overhaul Doral Central Park. “That’s definitely something I want a full timeline on, an understanding of, and the full financials on so that we can address our residents and let them know transparently what’s been happening and how we’re gonna fix it,” she told the Herald after the meeting.

Hernandez’s hiring comes as the city is experiencing a change in leadership. In addition to Fraga, the city also elected councilmembers Rafael Pineyro and Maureen Porras during the Dec. 13 runoff election. Cabral was reelected to her seat in November.

City Attorney Luis Figueredo submitted his resignation last week, but was asked to stay for another 30 days. His last day has not been decided, but Fraga said a search committee will be formed to find his replacement.

“I understand his intentions to move on. You know, this happens with every change. When there’s a big change, administration and top tier administration tends to change over because you want to bring in people that have a similar vision,” Fraga said.

This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 11:14 AM.

Raisa Habersham

Miami Herald

Raisa Habersham is the race and culture reporter for the Miami Herald. She previously covered Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale for the Herald with a focus on housing and affordability. Habersham is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She joined the Herald in 2022.