Coral Gables residents were left with unanswered questions Tuesday night after Commissioner Melissa Castro did not attend the City Commission meeting, citing travel to Tallahassee for a Florida League of Cities engagement. Commission meetings are the primary public forum where residents weigh in on zoning, development, and city policy. That explanation, however, has drawn skepticism from some residents who question whether an auxiliary role should supersede a scheduled commission meeting. Against that backdrop, Castro’s absence from Tuesday’s meeting has raised broader concerns about accountability. At minimum, critics argue, remote participation could have demonstrated respect for residents’ time and underscored that City Commission business remains the top priority.