Miami Gardens Police Commander Erik Gleason said it’s part of his makeup to be open and accessible to the public. It’s a trait he said he intends to bring to his time on the Westlake City Council.
Some people get elected and lose connection with their community, said the council’s newest member. “That’s not my m.o. I intend to be there for the community. I want to make sure they know I’m there for them,” he said.
Gleason was the consensus pick of the other four council members at their Tuesday, Feb. 25 special meeting to fill Seat 2, left vacant by the Feb. 1 resignation of former Councilman Julian Martinez.
The four council members were asked to list their top two choices among the six applicants for the position. Gleason’s name appeared on all four ballots.
Councilman Gary Werner made a motion to appoint Gleason, seconded by Vice Mayor Greg Langowski. The motion passed 4-0.
Werner, who met face to face with all six applicants, said he was impressed by Gleason’s experience in government administration and law enforcement, plus “he came across as a reasonable, rational guy.”
“I believe he has a good sense regarding government’s role in the community and where [law enforcement] fits into local government,” Werner said.
Westlake contracts with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement in the community.
Langowski said Gleason’s police background was a plus, along with his history of working in municipal procurement and financial oversight.
“He’s very easy to talk to… [and] had some great ideas for ordinances” that can help Westlake head off issues before they become problems, Langowski said.
The other five applicants were: Rudwin Ayala, an attorney; Chad Isaacson, who heads a “rapid response team;” Ted Sarandis, a property manager; Ray Sulla, a retired New York City Police Department detective sergeant; and Frank Winewski, a firefighter in the Village of North Palm Beach.
In his application, Gleason wrote, “I have extensive experience in municipal government administration, public safety and policy development.”
He noted that he has “managed budgets, worked on ordinance implementation and overseen government procurement” in his work as a police commander.
“My expertise in municipal finance, strategic planning and community engagement makes me well-suited to contribute to the city,” Gleason continued.
Gleason said that almost as far back as he can remember growing up on Long Island and watching the television reality show “Cops” he has wanted to be in law enforcement. He joined the New York City Police Department, but after five years, Gleason had enough of the cold and moved to Florida.
In 2007, Gleason joined the Miami Gardens Police Department as a patrol officer. He became a sergeant in 2014 and played a key role in developing the department’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Crime Analysis Unit.
The RTCC consists of a 15-member team of uniform and civilian personnel “using cutting-edge technology and analytics to detect, predict and prevent criminal activities,” according to Gleason’s résumé. He has commanded the unit since 2019.
“Technology is my passion. Put together with public service, it’s my dream job,” he said.
Gleason and his wife Korine moved to Westlake just over two years ago. They have two teenage sons and a two-year-old daughter.
While Westlake’s reputation as a haven for first responders, teachers, nurses and veterans played a small role in their decision to move to the community, Gleason said it was mostly the high-rated schools and family lifestyle.
“We plan for this to be our long-term home,” he said. “We’d like to see our two-year-old grow up in Westlake.”
Gleason said his main focus on the council will be on fiscal responsibility and making sure that Westlake continues to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment.
“I’ve always been interested in being an elected official,” he said, adding that his experience with the young City of Miami Gardens — incorporated in 2003 — would be an asset in steering Westlake, which was incorporated in 2016. “I’ve been there to see it’s growing pains and its successes.”
In other businesses:
- On Wednesday, Feb. 19, City Attorney Donald J. Doody submitted his resignation, a matter added to the special meeting’s agenda.
The 74-year-old Doody told the council that the demands of the growing city and the prospect of possible charter and comprehensive plan reviews were more than he felt comfortable handling personally.
However, council members came to an agreement that they would continue their relationship with the Fort Lauderdale firm of Goren, Cherof, Doody & Ezrol, but that Doody would handle less of the in-person work, instead sharing the load with associates in the firm.
Doody and his firm have been the attorneys of record for Westlake since April 2021.
Werner said he was comfortable with retaining Doody’s firm for now but that he does not favor the idea of an “open-ended contract” for any professionals or vendors doing business with the city. He’d like to see regular performance reviews of such people and firms and have Westlake reach out for requests for quotation (RFQs) when appropriate.
- Westlake has sent out an RFP (request for proposals) to local commercial property owners seeking a 1,500- to 3,000-square-foot office area that can be used for council and other meetings, plus have room for several offices.
City Manager Kenneth Cassel said this week that scheduling around the many events at the Adventure Park Lodge on Kingfisher Blvd., where the council now meets, has become problematic. The municipal government needs its own space that it can control, especially if charter and comprehensive plan committees are formed, he said.
Eventually, plans call for a combination community/government building on part of the regional park being built on the west side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road near Sycamore Drive. However, such construction is likely at least several years away.
- Cassel noted that the residential building boom in Westlake continues with 3,094 single-family residences now occupied as of March 1. For several years, Westlake has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida and the nation.
