About Melissa Castro
Melissa's Background
Melissa is an expert in understanding why we behave the way we do. She’s has over 12 years of experience and has been trained in the scientific processes of human and business behavior. She’s excellent at figuring out solutions to problems by changing a few variables in the environment. Melissa graduated from Florida International University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. Several years later, she returned to graduate school and obtained a Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Melissa has always had an inexplicable passion for humanity and her community. During the first decade of her career, she specialized in evidence-based interventions that focused on improving the overall quality of life for individuals, schools, and communities. She has a proven record for LISTENING, ANALYZING and DELIVERING RESULTS. Melissa is a scientific data-driven woman that stands up for what is right. Very experienced in listening and being the voice for others.
Sadly, in September 2020, Melissa's mother passed away. It was then that Melissa was forced to leave her career and take over her moms Permit Expediting Business. Melissa has had great success during the time she began to manage M.E.D. Expediters. During this time Melissa's involvement with the Coral Gables community grew and became a priority.
Now Melissa sees a need to contribute to a bigger change that needs to happen here in her community of Coral Gables. Melissa can be a fresh voice to advocate and make the change all residents urge to see.
Support and Educate Residents (Septic to Sewer)
Phase plan to change septic tanks onto our sewer system. Our antiquated septic tanks are leaking and contaminating our aquifers.
- If elected I will help obtain state and federal funds. I propose to begin this change by phases based on resident input and desire.
- I’m opposed to raising property taxes.
Permitting - Coral Gables Building Department
"As someone who constantly works with the city, I have noticed the lack of knowledge that residents have when it comes to obtaining a building permit. I will work with the City of Coral Gables on providing the community with accessible information by hosting trainings and creating how-to video clips which are both reliable and user-friendly. With my expertise, my proposals will make accountability, organization, and transparency a priority. The residents come first and we must implement ways to make the permitting process faster and enhance user-friendliness technology".
As the commissioner, I will recommend these strategies and methods:
- Resident Concierge Service. A department that picks up the phone, returns calls, and replies to emails. This department will answer questions and provide guidance regarding permits, plans submission, code violations and related processes. Online live chat (for the ones that are more tech savvy) that could support residents with information during open office hours.
- Resident awareness to programs that are already available: Silver Permit Program or Mobile Permitting.
- We pay a significant amount for permitting fees! As residents we (at least) need to know who to call or email in the building department (accountability and organization).
- In house structural reviewers - review time is up to 3 months
- Identify training and development needs
- Assess consumer preferences and customer satisfaction
- Develop criteria to evaluate the performance of employees
- Implement training programs and evaluate their effectiveness
- Design and optimize job, work, and quality of work life
- User-friendly how-to video clips
- At least 30% of the Building Department employees should be cross trained and should have standardized trainings for each position, including code enforcement.