
    CITY OF MIAMI, Appellant, v. Jose L. RIVAS, as parent and natural guardian of Mike Rivas, Appellee.
    No. 98-1976.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
    Jan. 13, 1999.
    Alejandro Vilarello, City Attorney, and Manny Anon, Jr., and Myrna D. Bricker, Assistant City Attorneys, for appellant.
    Richard A. Barnett, Hollywood, for appel-lee.
    Before JORGENSON, GERSTEN, and SHEVIN, JJ.
   PER CURIAM.

We find no gross abuse of discretion in the trial court’s reinstatement of the appellee’s case against the City of Miami. Florida policy dictates a strong preference that cases be decided on their merits. See Venero v. Balbuena, 652 So.2d 1271 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995); Cinkat Transp., Inc. v. Maryland Cas. Co., 596 So.2d 746 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992).

Affirmed.  