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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2003-01-28 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI n CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 28, 2003 PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK/CITY HALL Priscilla A. Thompson/City Clerk Chairman Winton: Fellows Commissioners, could we take our places, please. First of all, I would like to start off by apologizing to all of you, including the media, for the delay in starting this Commission meeting. The Commission meeting was designed to follow the MSEA (Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority) board meeting, which many of the Commissioners sit on, and the Mayor chairs, and they figured that meeting would clearly be over no later than 3:30, and it just ended -- I think it took -- I went down to see if I could encourage them to get out a little earlier -- Commissioner Regalado: Because you were chair. Chairman Winton: So, anyway, here we are, and my apologies for the delay. I hope it didn't mess up anyone else's schedule. Commissioner Gonzalez, would you mind leading us in the pledge, and Commissioner Teele, could you do the invocation, please? An invocation was delivered by Commissioner Teele, followed by Commissioner Gonzdlez leading those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. Chairman Winton: And is Commissioner Sanchez on the speakerphone? Commissioner Sanchez: Yes, I am. Good afternoon, everybody. Chairman Winton: Welcome, Commissioner Sanchez. Is it cold up there? Commissioner Sanchez: Very cold. First of all, my apologies for not being in your presence, but this confirmation hearing came to many of us as a surprise, and I was scheduled to be up here in Washington, DC attending the annual Florida League of Cities Delegation Forum. So, I hope you're having better weather than we are, because it's very cold. Chairman Winton: It's fabulous here, Joe. I don't have -- I don't even have a jacket on today. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, it's about 21 degrees and about to start snowing any minute. Chairman Winton: Well, welcome back. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we have one order of business, and I would like to turn the agenda over to the Mayor. Mayor Diaz: Actually, we started with one item of business. Commissioner, now that you've indicated your expressed desire to replace me as Chairman of the MSEA (Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority) Board, I'd be more than happy to advocate that -- Chairman Winton: How did that express that? You're not getting me back there. Mayor Diaz: I want to thank my colleagues for being here. I know this is a particularly difficult week for all of you, because you, I think, have three or four meetings already scheduled, and certainly this is added to your time commitment for the week. So, I am very grateful for all of January 28, 2003 you being here. As you know, the order of business is that I bring before you a nomination for new City Manager of the City of Miami. His name is Joe Arriola. I know that many of you have had an opportunity to work with him during the course of the last few months, where he has served as an advisor to me and to the Manager on many, many issues. During this period of time, his help has been invaluable. He has provided us with a tremendous amount of business acumen and expertise, which I think has been very critical in moving the City forward over the last few months. I think we should really be, from my perspective, at least I am, flattered that someone of his business reputation, his stature, someone who probably would rather be playing golf, at least his wife would say so, has agreed to give something back to his community through public service, which, I think, is something that is -- all of us that sit here and assume the positions that we assume fully recognize, because we are all public servants and give of our time for the betterment of our City and our community. I am extremely excited about this opportunity. I think the City, all of us, I believe, is about to -- not about to. The City is exploding. There is so much good that is happening in the City right now. There's a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. And I think that this is the right moment and the right time to have the right person in this position, and therefore, I nominate, for your consideration, Joe Arriola, for City Manager. Chairman Winton: And we would entertain a motion. Commissioner Gonzalez: I move to accept the nomination of Joe Arriola. Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Chairman Winton: We have a motion and a second. Discussion. Being no discussion, Madam clerk, I'd like for you to call the roll, please. Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman, the duty of confirming a City Manager is granted under the Charter, and I think it doesn't serve our citizens or the public or, for that matter, an opening and transparent dialogue in the future. And so I intend to ensure, as the United States Senate ensured of me when I was up for confirmation -- and even though Senator Foxmire decided not to vote and left the floor, it was a unanimous confirmation. But I intend to establish on the record -- but I would like to yield, because I do note the presence of a very distinguished civil servant, who called me office today and asked to just be heard very briefly, and I'd ask the Commission's indulgence, if you would allow the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Public Health Trust, Mr. Ira Clark, if he could just say not less -- not more than one minute. Mr. Clark. Chairman Winton: Mr. Clark, right here. Vice Chairman Teele: Would you just give your name and address for the record, please? Ira Clark: Ira C. Clark, 9271 Southwest 72nd Street. I'm sorry. 2 January 28, 2003 Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Clark, you had said you wanted to just say a word about Mr. Arriola, and I -- Mr. Clark: First of all, I just wanted -- a lot of people that I know, who haven't had the privilege that I have had in knowing Joe well. I've been associated with him through common involvements in public service, and in task, and in commitments, and in needs that a lot of people, like Joe, needed to have involved, and involved he was. And, in part, he was -- that's the reason why I was involved. And I was tremendously impressed by him, and I did not know anybody who was nearby who wasn't equally impressed. He works very hard and sparingly, and always enunciating in ways that people at all levels could understand the purpose of what that was about, and I identified with that, as did most other people. And I thank Mr. Mayor, because of your selection, and being fortunate enough to have that be made available to the needs of all kinds, for all stations of people in the City of Miami, which I serve. I want them to know that they are well served by you, and will be served by him, assuming his confirmation. And I join in that, Mr. Mayor. Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Clark, I want to thank you for coming. I want to put one question that I asked you, very privately on the public record. I'm well aware of the tremendous challenges, candidly, institutional and invidious racism that seems to permeate this community. I'm very frustrated with the lack of diversity that currently exists in our City. Did you have the opportunity to -- well, you did have the opportunity to deal with Mr. Arriola. Have you detected or found him, in any way, to lack a concern for diversity? Mr. Clark: I have not. I have found the contrary to that. Again, anybody who's known him more than 15 minutes knows that he can be very, very outspoken in things that he feels strongly about, and those are most things that he knows about. But, anyway, I have never, never heard him say or man fest in any other way a lack of concern or lack of respect for any elements of our community. Vice Chairman Teele: Were there any comments that any of my colleagues would like to direct to Mr. Clark? If not, thank you, Mr. Clark. I really appreciate that. I appreciate the time of you coming over, and we all appreciate the tremendous work that you're providing at the Public Health Trust. Thank you. Is Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Arriola if he would just come forth, please, and make at least any statement that he'd like to make, and I'd like to ask him about four or five questions. Joe Arriola: Well, first of all, I want to thank you for this wonderful, wonderful opportunity. As you all know, this was as big of a shock to me as anything that has ever happened in my life, bigger shock to my partner of 35 years, as of yesterday. But I won this challenge. I won this challenge, and I look forward to this challenge. I think that I could bring things to our community and things to our City that will make an impact, and I'm here to offer my services to you, and to promise you, nobody will work harder, nobody will be more honest, and nobody will dedicate more of itself than I will to this job, and you can count on that. And that's my only statement. 3 January 28, 2003 Vice Chairman Teele: Thank you for your statement, Joe. I have a real concern about diversity. As I said, I grew up in the South. I've lived in Arkansas, Texas. I worked even in the Reagan Administration. I've never been in a community or in a governmental body in which the weight of the lack of openness and fairness, as one very distinguished citizen, who's father loaned the money to Mr. Burdine's to open his first store, said before she died that "This is a difficult community." And even though her father loaned him the money, she couldn't go into the front door and use the dressing room of Burdine's. This community is unique and it has been very much an uphill challenge for African Americans. I am very concerned about the lack of diversity in the City of Miami today. In the last 180 days, African Americans headed the Department of Community Affairs, Community Development, Public Works, Purchasing, Human Resources, and several other departments. To date, none of those African Americans -- or no African American has been appointed, even on an interim basis -- I'm understanding today, again -- and I want to express my appreciation to the Manager, who has expressed his concerns today before this meeting, that a pending appointment of a senior person will be imminent in the Finance or Budget area. He didn't say who it is and I didn't ask. And I'm not interested in personalities. I would like to gain from you a firm commitment that you will practice aggressive, proactive efforts to recruit and find people, without regard to their gender or their ethnicity, and that you will go beyond the good ole boy or the people that you know -- as I like to say, Bill Clinton named his best friend from kindergarten as his Chief of Staff, and that's sort of the way life works sometimes. But you -- by doing that, you automatically exclude other qualified people. Can we gain some assurance that you will be aggressive in ensuring diversity, and that you'll look at the historical patterns of both women and African Americans, specifically, as well as Hispanics and Anglos, and ensure that we will go back to the balance -- the relative balance that we had, say one year ago? Mr. Arriola: Well, be assured, I can't hire my best friend because that will be nepotism, because that's my best friend sitting there. So, I definitely can't hire my best friend. Vice Chairman Teele: Could we get his name on the record? We'll make sure he doesn't show up as a -- Mr. Arriola: Well, by the way, she knows that she's going to work hard, too. She just won't get paid. I'll increase it -- well, actually, I shouldn't increase it, at home she increases my budget at home. Commissioner Teele, as I stand here before you, if that's your concern, you've hired the right man. If you look in my past, in my private life for the last 20 years, I will tell you that I was always, always very sensitive to the issue of race. If you look at my record and you will see how I served on the board of Florida A&M before that was a -- that was -- let me -- that was -- before it was new and it was chic, it was everything. There was a guy sitting there working hard -- and I didn't take any credit. I didn't want to take any credit. If you go back and see the programs of scholarships I created at Florida A&M and RIT for Afro Americans, you will know that this was my commitment before I even thought of doing anything in my public life. Vice Chairman Teele: Well, that may be a good point. Will you confirm or deny that you, in fact, provided work experience scholarships for students at Florida A&M out of your -- Mr. Arriola: Absolutely, sir. 4 January 28, 2003 Vice Chairman Teele: So, you did do that? Mr. Arriola: Absolutely, sir. I think it was for six or seven years that I had to an interim program until -- obviously, until I sold my company. I couldn't do that. Vice Chairman Teele: That was with Avanti Press. Mr. Arriola: That was with Avanti Press. Vice Chairman Teele: Avanti Press. The final two concerns that I have are, the citizens approved a two hundred and fifty-five million dollar ($255,000,000) bond issue. I know that I'm speaking for the majority of my colleagues on the Commission, that we all are very anxious to see projects moving. And I think Carlos Gimenez has done an outstanding job in organizing and positioning the City to move forward. But I think it's really important that the Manager understand that there is no higher priority that's mandated upon the Commission than that that the voters have mandated, that the voters have mandated in the two hundred and fifty-five million dollar ($255,000,000) bond issue. Can we receive some assurance that the implementation of the programs in all five districts and across this City will be a very high priority of your Administration? Mr. Arriola: That will be my number one priority, by the way. I'll have shovels in the ground in the first few days of the new administration, sir, I guarantee you that. Vice Chairman Teele: Well, in my case, I'm not as concerned about shovels in the ground. I'm just concerned about a commitment of the City. Let me just mention this. The largest single item in the bond issue was twenty-five million dollars ($5,000,000) for a park in Little Haiti. That bond issue passed about 15 months ago. To date, over 40 parcels have been purchased, voluntarily, and sold, including a Laundromat, which has more chemicals than Sadam Hussein's admitting to. The fact of the matter is, there's no reason why, with twenty-five million -- twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) available that the City has not aggressively purchased land. And, in fact, I'm being told now that the land values have already began to increase by some very large percentage greater than 10 percent, in the last 18 months. Would you commit that you'll look into the Little Haiti Park, voluntary, Land Acquisition? And would you also look at the valuation of lands that have increased since the bond issue passes, and a case example of why it's important for the government to move properly and not let the private sector surround us? Mr. Arriola: You have my word on that. Vice Chairman Teele: Well, the final point that I'd like to make is that we all have districts. I'm very privileged to represent Model Cities and Overtown, Little Haiti, as well as the -- a portion of Wynwood. But there's one event that I think, in the context of the proposals for the free trade agreement of the Americas -- Miami being a gateway City and all of those things, it's going to be very important over the next nine, 11 months -- and that is the Bicentennial Celebration of the Second Republic in this hemisphere. There's a lot of talk about Lewis and Clark's expedition being studied, but there would never have been a Lewis and Clark expedition if the Haitian 5 January 28, 2003 Independent Movement -- Anti -Slavery Movement had not ousted the French. And Napoleon, at that point, realized that there was no reason to hold on to that territory, known as Louisiana, and he sold it. And that, of course, is a whole another story that America will be engaged in for the next four or five years. But To Haitian Americans and Haitians, who don't have the sophistication, perhaps and resources, this is a very important period. And I think, when you counter balance this against the Mayor's new-found homeland of the Bahamas, which will be enjoying its 30th independence on January 10th of this year, 30 years of independence versus Haiti's 200 years, this is a very momentous occasion. I would like to be able to work with your office and the Mayor's office in ensuring that we do a very appropriate celebration, and we use this opportunity as a way to try to bring tens of thousands of Haitian Americans who, for whatever reason, can't go to Haiti to celebrate the Bicentennial -- that they'll celebrate it in Little Haiti, a part of my district. Would you -- Mr. Arriola: I look forward to that. Vice Chairman Teele: Thank you very much. Mr. Arriola: I look forward to that. Vice Chairman Teele: Thank you, Mr. Arriola. And I'm going to be voting in support of your nomination. And thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: Yes, sir. Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: Commissioner Regalado, then Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I -- this morning, I had a long conversation with Joe Arriola, a conversation that we did not need to have, because I know Mr. Arriola for many years, and I know about Mr. Arriola for many years. And, Joe, there's always a concern in the minds of the elected officials and, of course, the minds of many people in government, who are on the top, but sometimes it trickles down and it falls through the cracks, the wishes of the people upstairs. I know about your business for many years. I know that what you had, you took a very small printing shop and made it into a huge business, and you did that by offering good quality and taking care of the people. And I also know something that many people may not know, is that, you know, when you have somebody that comes to you with a struggling publication, you help these people. And I know, for a fact, that -- because I used to write for one of those, and I thank you for the memories and for the history of your commitment to help these people that wanted to do the right thing. But one of my concerns have been to have a peoples -friendly government. I mean, if you treated me bad when I go to do some printing in your shop, I would not come back to do it. So, my question -- and believe me, we have changed a lot, and we thank -- I thank Carlos for that. But still, still people are being rude to people. Still inspectors are being very adamant and bullying people. That's the right way to describe it. And 6 January 28, 2003 I'm concerned, because our stockholders are the residents of the City of Miami. So, as a businessperson, do you think that you can help this City to be more resident friendly? Mr. Arriola: Well, Commissioner Regalado, I could assure you that I did not succeed in business by mistreating my employees or my clients, and I think I told you a story today how my Customer Service Department in my own business became known in the industry as being the friendliest people in the world, and I absolutely believe that. I think that one of the biggest problems that you face today in government is when people go visit their government, government they're paying for, they get mistreated and they don't get the appreciation and the correct mannerism that they're entitled to. So, I would tell you that I will work very, very hard to make sure that we are a people -friendly government. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Chairman Winton: Anything else, Commissioner? Commissioner Regalado: No, sir. Chairman Winton: Anything else Commissioner Regalado? Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a question for him. If the City should fall in financial crisis, could he provide us with a loan? Mr. Chairman, I'll go on now. Mr. Arriola: You'd have to talk to my wife for handling the money of the house. Commissioner Sanchez: If I could be recognized. Chairman Winton: Yes, Joe. Commissioner Sanchez: Yes. Can you hear me? Chairman Winton: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: This is probably the largest phone bill that I've gotten since I was in the service at Fort Dix and I used to call my family and spend hours on the phone. Mr. Chairman, naming a City Manager is one of the most important decisions that the Mayor and the Commission can make, right there neck -to -neck on approving the annual budget. The hiring of a Chief Executive Officer, you know, is clearly going to establish the City administration's future. The Mayor has made it very clear that the City should be administered like a private business. That's been his forte, focusing or increasing, of course, the accountability and the efficiency of the City. I would like to hear from Mr. Arriola what has he attempted -- what are the steps that he's going to take to assure more accountability and more efficiency in the City. And then, I have some other questions that I would like to ask him. Mr. Arriola: Well, first thing, I'll make sure you're in town next time we have the meeting, so it doesn't cost us so much money in making a long distance call. You know, when you're running 7 January 28, 2003 a business and it's your business, every dollar you waste is a dollar that your family, and your employees and your suppliers don't get. So I think nothing -- if nothing else, I will bring that kind of philosophy and that kind of thinking into City government, that efficiency. Efficiency creates jobs, creates a good economy. Efficiency creates an all around good feeling in government. And I think that that's something that I am adamant about, and I will make sure that it occurs in our City. We'll bring efficiency through methods, through techniques that I've learned, and through a very, very good team that we're putting together, and some very good members of that team that I'm blessed that Carlos Gimenez left behind for me. Chairman Winton: Another question, Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, your background is in business and while we want to make the City a more -- run like a business, government is a unique institution with unique rules and procedures. How do you plan on working within the governmental system to maximize those benefits to the taxpayers? Mr. Arriola: Commissioner, you know, it's funny, because everybody talks about the efficiency of business. I bought two bankrupt companies, so I know what inefficiencies are. So not every business is efficient. But I could tell you that government is no different than a business. It's run by people, and it's run through systems, and if you don't bring the systems into government, and if you don't bring the disciplines into government, that's what creates inefficiency. And one of the first things that I will bring to the table is efficiency and disciplines. Commissioner Sanchez: Another question that I have, you know -- Mr. Arriola: It's long distance. Commissioner Sanchez: Being a City Manager is a unique position, you know. You're under a lot of pressure from, you know, the administration. You're going to be directed from five very opinionated Commissioners, you know, input from the Mayor, and a strong feedback from the public. Do you feel that you have the diplomacy, and the statesmanship and the patience to deal with that position? Mr. Arriola: I knew somebody was going to bring my hot temper up. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, the reason I bring that up is because I read the article this morning in The Herald. Mr. Arriola: Well that's why I'm bringing my wife to all the meetings. She's the only one that's been able to put up with me and control me for 35 years. So, she said as part of this job, I got to be with her when I meet in public, so she's here. But don't worry. I mean, I've had my experiences. I've made my mistakes, and I think I've learned from my mistakes and I will deal accordingly. Vice Chairman Teele: Joe, would you -- could I just piggyback on that one other question? January 28, 2003 Commissioner Sanchez: Yes. I have some other questions, but I'll yield to you, Commissioner Teele. Vice Chairman Teele: Yes. I've heard those rumors, too. Can we get an assurance from you that you will not punch any of the Commissioners? Mr. Arriola: Commissioners are safe. I'm not sure about the rest, but the Commissioners are safe. I'm not sure about the Mayor, either, by the way. I said the five Commissioners. Commissioner Regalado: But -- Chairman Winton: Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Regalado: But, if we ever got the new dais, you'll be sitting way down there, and we'll be sitting here. Chairman Winton: Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Regalado: I don't have a problem, I'll be at the -- Chairman Winton: Commissioner Sanchez, do you have another question? Commissioner Sanchez: Oh, yes. Well, some people have criticized the way the administration interacts with the City Commission during the Commission meetings, you know. Department heads are spending an entire day, sometimes 12 to the entire Commission meeting, even though they may only be called for maybe five minutes to -- for a presentation. You know, there's been many times that people think the staff should be out there -- instead of being at the Commission meeting, they should be out in the administration building or in their departments. What does he think about that? Mr. Arriola: Well, again, we go to the efficiencies. I think that I am going to make sure that staff is prepared, staff gives you plenty of information before we go to the meetings, and I'm going to make sure that I'm well informed before I go into the meetings. I don't want to have 12 hour meetings, believe me. I come from a -- the system that in the school board that we used to do 18 -hour meetings. And I used to go home, and my wife would say, "Boy. That was a long one." And then the next time around it was an extra hour. So I want to keep them short. I promised my wife that I'm going to stay away from cameras and microphones. So, believe me, I will work in the front end to make sure that the efficiencies will show in the back end of it. Chairman Winton: Well, and to the defense, Commissioner Sanchez, of the Manager, I think the length of our Commission meetings has nothing to do with the Manager or his staff. Commissioner Sanchez: No, no. I didn't say that. I'm just saying -- Chairman Winton: I think that's right here. 9 January 28, 2003 Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: And as the new Chair, I'm going to work very hard to make sure that we don't have 12 -hour meetings. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, Mr. Chairman, that's -- it's always been a concern that I've had that sometimes you may have a department head just giving a five-minute presentation, and they'll spend the entire day there at the Commission meeting, sitting down, when they could be more proactive in getting things accomplished. I mean, I know the City Manager has to be very careful as to, you know, having someone at the department and sending them back out to the field and bringing them back, but I just -- if we're going to focus on accountability, and we're focusing on efficiency, these are issues that, you know, I would like, you know -- and I got this as feedback on how he's going probably be handling that. I also have another question for him, which is -- I think it's very important. I just want to ask him is he familiar with the City Charter and the form of government that we have in the City of Miami, and does he know the difference between the executive form of government and a strong Mayor? Mr. Arriola: Yes. I sure do, Commissioner Sanchez. I was given a big, thick book by Carlos Gimenez, and he reminded me of my authority and what I can do and I cannot do. Again, I could never thank anybody as much as I can thank Carlos, who has unknowingly trained me for the last four or five months. I -- you know, like we just talked about, "Gee, who's going to be the fool taking this job next." I had no idea that I was it. So I've been trained well. I do understand it, and it's very clear in my mind. Chairman Winton: Commissioner Sanchez, do you have another question? Commissioner Sanchez: Yes. Mr. Arriola, I had an opportunity, before leaving there yesterday, to sit down and have a lengthy discussion with you on a lot of issues that, you know, you answered them. Let me just say that what this City is heading to -- we are a completely different City. I say that today, I say it tomorrow. This is a new city. It's a city that has resources. We have political stability and a very bright future. We're looking for -- the key word here is "reform." I just want to wish you the best and thank you for the long hours that you put at the City Commission working on a dollar or two dollars. I mean, I'm glad you can do it. I couldn't do it. But, you know, I want to thank you for it and wish you the best, you know. As soon as we vote on this issue -- I made the second, so if no one has any other further discussion, we could, Mr. Chairman, we could roll call or call the motion. Chairman Winton: I'll determine that in just one moment. Do you have any other questions, Commissioner Sanchez? Commissioner Sanchez: No, I do not. Chairman Winton: Thank you. Commissioner Gonzalez, any questions? Commissioner Gonzalez: No, Mr. Chairman. I just want to add that it was an honor for me to be the maker of the motion to the appointment of Jose Arriola. I have the privilege and the honor of 10 January 28, 2003 knowing Mr. Arriola for many, many, many years, and I know of his character, his reputation, his leadership, his know-how to run big business. And the way -- as a matter of fact, I had family members that worked for Mr. Arriola, so that I can confirm, Commissioner Teele, what he said about him believing in diversity. Because when I visit his plant I saw diversity there, and I saw the treatment that Mr. Arriola's employees got from him and his company. So that's why, once again, it was an honor for me to be the maker of the motion. Thank you. Mr. Arriola: Thank you, Commissioner. Chairman Winton: Madam Clerk, would you call the roll please. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call. 11 January 28, 2003 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gonzalez, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 03-132 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, RATIFYING, APPROVING AND CONFIRMING MAYOR MANUEL A. DIAZ' APPOINTMENT OF JOE ARRIOLA AS CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 28, 2003, AT 4:40 P.M. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Johnny L. Winton Vice Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. COMMENTS MADE DURING ROLL CALL: Commissioner Regalado: First of all, I'd like to thank Mrs. Arriola, because nothing would have happened without here. Second, I am -- Joe, I'd like to welcome you to the City of Miami. I really do. I admired you for many years, and I am looking forward to work with you. I want to congratulate my Mayor, Manny Diaz, for his wisdom and decision. And so my vote is "yes." Vice Chairman Teele: Carlos Gimenez, I want to thank you for a tremendous job. I think you've worked extremely well, especially over the last 180 days when you pretty much decided you were going to leave. And to come and to do what you've done, I think you've served this City well, certainly the employees well. And I wish you godspeed. And, to the Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I want to commend you for your selection. I think, clearly, this City needs a person that brings -- has the background, the training, and the reputation that Joe has. And I think it's a grand slam homerun. And I really think that our community is going to be well. And to you, Mrs. Arriola, I'm -- I want to express my condolences. It may be a moment that Joe gets to make an announcement to the press. I want to apologize. I understand they were at your doorstep last night at 10 o'clock. And I want to congratulate you on your 35 years of marriage that was almost interrupted by the press, but just get used to it. But we look forward to working closely with you. To Joe, we look forward to working with you, sir. Madam Clerk, I vote "yes." Chairman Winton: Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is Carlos Gimenez there? 12 January 28, 2003 Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): Yes, sir. I am. Commissioner Sanchez: Carlos, I want to also take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to the City, your great career with the City for 28 years -- your entire family. I know the great sacrifices that you made for the City. I want to take this opportunity -- although I've told you before, I want to thank you and I wish you the very best at the firm you're going to go work for. Also, to Joe Arriola and his lovely wife that's there, I wish you the best and I look forward to working with you to making Miami a better place for all to live, work, and play. And my vote is "yes," Madam Chair -- Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: Actually, it's the -- the "Mr. Chairman" here messed up, because it was really Madam Clerk's responsibility to call on you for your vote and I got a little carried away. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, you know, you're the Chairman. You can do whatever you want. Commissioner Gonzalez: Yes, ma'am. I also would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart as a citizen, resident of the City of Miami, Carlos Gimenez for all the years of dedication and hard work and commitment to the residents of the City of Miami, and especially for the last three or four years as a City Manager, where he has done a great job. And I want to thank you as a newly elected official for your assistance and for working with me, and for, in many instances, giving me a bit of guidance on some of the City matters. And it's just so -- I really thank you, Carlos, in my name and the name of my family, you know, that we're all blessings of the City of Miami. And, Mr. Mayor, I also want to thank -- congratulate you for this appointment. You know, we are not always going to agree on appointments, but you see, this time we agreed. This time we agreed. Yes, ma'am. I vote "yes." Chairman Winton: I, too, must say Carlos, you know, you and I have -- you helped me immensely. I think we did an awful lot together. I think you're one heck of a guy. You know, you're just a great guy. You're going to a place where I think you're going to have a lot of fun. You're going to be out of this mess that we're all going to stay in, but I wish you the absolute best of luck. And I really do appreciate all the help you gave me. And, Joe, you're -- this -- somebody said it already. This is a very demanding group. The Mayor's a very demanding guy. The Chair is a pretty demanding guy, but I tell you, I couldn't be more excited, because I think with the political cohesiveness we have at this table, with the leadership of our Mayor, and with your leadership as the Chief Executive Officer -- is that the new title? -- of the City of Miami, I think we're going to have an awful lot of fun. And Carlos put the foundation in place. It's our job to move this thing on up the ladder and create what I think a lot of people will look back in five years and say, "Y' all created one of the best cities in the entire United States and one of the most visible cities in the world." And so, I'm thrilled to be a part of that, thrilled to be working with you, and look forward to really rolling. The City Attorney has reminded me that we need -- do we need a modification to the motion? Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney): You just need to state an effective date. 13 January 28, 2003 Chairman Winton: And the Mayor wishes the effective date to be immediately. So does that need to become a part of the motion? Or just -- Mr. Vilarello: If the rest of the members of the board acquiesce to it, you can include it as part of the resolution. Chairman Winton: OK. So what -- do we need to modify the motion at all? Commissioner Sanchez: The second -- I accept the amendment. Chairman Winton: And who seconded it? Commissioner Sanchez: I seconded it. I accept the amendment. Chairman Winton: The maker of the motion accept that? Commissioner Gonzalez: I accept the amendment. Chairman Winton: OK. And the second accepts it also. Commissioner Sanchez: Yes, sir. Chairman Winton: And I vote "yes" as well. COMMENTS MADE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Your motion has been approved 5 - 0. [APPLAUSE] Chairman Winton: Mr. Arriola, would you like to make any further comments to the crowd? Mr. Arriola: Yeah. It's OK? Chairman Winton: It's all yours. Commissioner Gonzalez: I resign. Chairman Winton: And I won't even time you. Mr. Arriola: It'll be very short. First, thank you to my wife. She's here supporting me, like she's been for me for 35 years, and you have no idea how important this is to me. And I want to recognize that without her, "A," I wouldn't be here, `B," I wouldn't be successful, and that I really look forward to her encouragement, pushing and kind of taming me, like she's always tamed me. I want to thank also, Carlos Gimenez, because he was -- we were both put in a very odd position about six months ago. And he had resigned. I came in. I was advisor to the Mayor, 14 January 28, 2003 and he embraced me and he showed me the ropes. Now, I had no idea he was showing me the ropes to stick me with this job, but you did show me the ropes. You were extremely kind to me, and as long as I live, I'll never be able to thank you enough for your kindness. To Mayor Diaz, I'm not sure I should thank you, sir. Obviously, I went through this whole process -- Commissioner Sanchez: You better wait six months before you do that. Mr. Arriola: Yes. Yes. Yes, Commissioner. I'm not sure -- you know, I think that it's a nice thing to say, thank you, but I'm going to thank the five Commissioners, and I'm going to hold on my thank you to the Mayor for a few more months, OK? And to the citizens of the City of Miami, I'm going to tell you. I'm not going to let you down, and I'm going to work real heard for you. Thank you. [APPLAUSE] Chairman Winton: To the staff of the City of Miami, to the citizens of City of Miami, and to the media who have come, I would like to thank you on behalf of the Mayor and my colleagues for coming this afternoon. This is a momentous occasion and thank you all for your time and attention. This meeting is adjourned. 15 January 28, 2003 THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:43 P.M. ATTEST: Priscilla A. Thompson CITY CLERK Sylvia Scheider ASSISTANT CITY CLERK (SEAL) M A N N Y DIA Z MAYOR 16 January 28, 2003