Quote Quoting Florida7
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1) Since the City of Coral Gables owns the parking space, are they responsible to ensure any utility equipment that is located within their parking space is properly maintained and does not present a danger to users of their space?
Probably not. My guess is that the city gave an easement to the utility company that holds the utility company responsible for any equipment they install in that easement. You'll have to get a copy of that easement document to make sure.

Quote Quoting Florida7
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2) Since I notified the City of Coral Gables about this hazardous situation with the parking space over a week ago the cable/stake has not been fixed and the parking space remains open. Does this constitute negligence since they are now knowingly operating a public parking space (and collecting revenue from this parking space since it is metered) under hazardous conditions?
It could, but it doesn't help you.

Quote Quoting Florida7
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3) As I indicated above, I have started the claims process with FP&L, although I am not optimistic that they will reimburse me for the damages, based on the initial conversation with them today. If my claim is rejected what are my legal options?
Your option is to file a lawsuit. You can do it in small claims court without an attorney. But Florida small claims court allows attorney representation so you can bet you'll be going up against the utility company's attorney.

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Quote Quoting Florida7
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when the police officer wrote up accident reports for both of us he indicated this has happened several times previously to other vehicles, by hitting the stake/cable in this same parking space.
That could be important because one of the elements of negligence is to know about a hazardous condition and fail to remedy it.

However, you would have to prove that the utility company was actually notified of the condition, not just that others had been damaged. If all those others that had been damaged just filed police reports and then got their cars fixed by their own insurance or with their own money without making a claim, the utility company might never have known about the other incidents.

Florida small claims rules allow for discovery (Rule 7.020) so if you end up suing you can request production of records of previous claims arising from that location.

http://www.floridabar.org/TFB/TFBResources.nsf/0/5e3d51af15ee8dcd85256b29004bfa62/$FILE/Small%20Claims.pdf

I have no opinion as to whether you win or lose. There is some merit to the argument that the equipment was there in front of you and you hit it. There is also some merit in the argument that a hazard condition existed.