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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1997-08-08 Minutesr CITY -OF MIAMI 0 If1COR _01131TE.1) IV Cos, �o C-0 M MISSION MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON -AUGUST PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL WALTER FOEMAN CITY .CLERK INDEX MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING August 8, 1997 ITEM SUBJECT LEGISLATION NO. 1. PROCLAMATION: RUHAMA HERMON DAY - DISCUSSION COUNSEL GENERAL OF ISRAEL. 8/8/97 2. SELECT MRS. THELMA VERNELL M 97-560 ANDERSON GIBSON AS CITY 8/8/97 COMMISSIONER -- COMMENTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY AS TO NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS SERVING ON THE THEODORE GIBSON FOUNDATION, 3. APPOINT MRS. THELMA VERNELL R 97-561 ANDERSON GIBSON TEMPORARILY AS 8/8/97 COMMISSIONER, GROUP V, TO FILL UNTIL NOVEMBER 1997 COMMISSION SEAT VACATED BY SUSPENDED COMMISSIONER HUMBERTO HERNANDEZ. 4. SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF DISCUSSION COMMISSIONER THELMA VERNELL 8/8/97 ANDERSON GIBSON -- COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONER ATHALIE RANGE / MAYOR DAVID T. KENNEDY / RAUL DIAZ, CHAIRMAN OF DADE COUNTY COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD. PAGE NO. 1-3 KIEV 6-7 8-12 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 8th day of August, 1997, the City Commission of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida in special session. The meeting was called to order at 12:11 p.m. by Mayor Joe Carollo with the following members of the Commission found to be present: ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Joe Carollo Vice Mayor Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Edward Marquez, City Manager A. Quinn Jones, III, City Attorney Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk Maria J. Argudin, Assistant City Clerk An invocation was delivered by Father Eduardo Barrios, who then led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. PROCLAMATION: RUHAMA HERMON DAY - COUNSEL GENERAL OF ISRAEL. Mayor Carollo: Before we begin with today's scheduled item, we want to make a very special presentation. Today is the last day as Consul General for a very good friend, not only of this Mayor, and this Commission, and this City, but a good friend of all Floridians, and a good friend to America. I'm referring to Consul General Ruhama Hermon from the Israeli Consul General's Office in Miami. Ruhama has served with distinguishness in Miami for several years. We've come to know her for her work, not only for Israel, but for her work for all Miamians. She's someone that we could really call a hero. She's shown her courage, not only during war, as the first female colonel in the Israeli defense forces, but even more so, she's shown her courage when it's even harder at times during the peace process by bringing peace, and trying to bring that everlasting peace to the Middle East, a peace that will also help America, as the rest of the world. In times that we're living that terrorism at times seems to have had an open hand, where even here in America, we've experienced that evil hand of terrorism that, unfortunately, sometimes and too many times, through State -sponsored terrorism, those that commit those cowardly crimes have sanctuaries, it's been a relief to know that we have had courageous people as Ruhama here with us in Miami, talking the language of peace, and patience, and harmony. We're going to miss her very much in Miami, but we also know that for the meantime, God's August 8, 1997 mission and work for her in Miami was finished, for the meantime, and that she is needed even more so for the final chapter of the everlasting peace that we need to find in the Middle East. If I can ask Ruhama to come up, please. And I have to apologize to her that we did not contact her until this morning, when she's been packed and ready to go. If I may read the following proclamation: Whereas in the City of Miami, Florida, for more than 25 years, Ms. Ruhama Hermon has been a distinguished leader in both Israel and the United States; and whereas during the 25 years of service, Ms. Ruhama Hermon held various positions in the Israeli defense forces, including Executive Assistant to General Yitzhak Rabin, Chief Editor of the IDF Publishing House, Executive Director of Information, and Executive Director of Public Relations, ultimately attaining the rank of full Colonel, the highest rank held by a woman at that time; and whereas, since 1993, Ms. Ruhama Hermon has served as Consul General of Israel in Miami, Florida, an office established to promote educational, cultural, technological and economic ties between Israel and the State of Florida; and whereas, local authorities, on behalf of the community, are proud to honor Ms. Ruhama Hermon, who, throughout her career, has been a messenger of peace around the world, and who, since 1993, in her position as Consul General of Israel to Miami, has brought the vision and policies of Israel to our City; now, therefore, I, Joe Carollo, as Mayor of the City of Miami, Florida, do hereby proclaim - proudly proclaim - today, Friday, August the 8th, 1997, as Ruhama Hermon day in the City of Miami. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Ruhama Hermon (Consul General of Israel to Miami): Thank you. Can I say a few words? Mayor Carollo: One second. It is probably the first time that we've ever done this in the City of Miami, and Commissioner Plummer could probably remember longer than I can, he's been around longer, that we not only proclaim a day for someone, but at the same time, give them not only the key to our City, but the key to all of our hearts, in gratitude for her service to Miami. So, Ruhama, this is a key from all the residents of Miami, that we want you to bring a special message from Miami to Israel, a message that in Miami, they have friends here, friends that will be forever. May God bless America, and may God bless Israel. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Hermon: Thank you so much, again. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor for this honor. Thank you all for this privilege. It was really a great privilege to represent my beloved Israel here. It was a privilege to be in this City. I love the City. I love Miami, not only because it's so beautiful, but because of you, because of the people, because of your warmth, because of your openness, because of your being so different of all other people in places that I've known in America. Miami has a special flavor, even the flavor of the food and the rhythm of the music and the... Everywhere I go, it's so different, it's so wonderful. It's almost like Israel. I really want to thank you for being so wonderful to me during these four years. And I just want to tell you that together, with the Mayor, we had started to plan a plan of sister cities between Miami and a beautiful city in Israel, Ramata Sharon (phonetic). I hope after, you will be a Mayor again - that's how we say it? - you will remember to do something here between Ramata Sharon and Miami. I want you to touch the people of Israel through Ramata Sharon. I want you really to love the people of Israel, and I want them to come and see why I felt so lucky to be here, because of you, because of your being so wonderful. So thank you so much. Thank you again, Mayor. And it is a great honor and privilege. And I'm going to use this key. I'm going to open the door of Miami again. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mayor Carollo: We will see you in Israel next year, Ruhama, but you got to promise that you're going to come back to Miami next year, also. 2 August 8, 1997 0 Ms. Hermon: Thank you. Mayor Carollo: Thank you. Let's take a picture with all of us here. Let's get it together. Commissioner Plummer: OK. Mr. Mayor, while we're waiting, I just wanted to go on the record... Mayor Carollo: Is this dealing with the item that we have coming up, or... Commissioner Plummer: No, sir. No, sir. Mayor Carollo: I'm sorry. Commissioner Plummer: Some 'crazy lady called my office, because she obviously has nothing better to do, to complain about the fact that I didn't have a coat and tie on. I think it should be noted that this is our vacation time, and we're appearing here on vacation time. The rest of the three over here are Musketeers, but I'm on vacation. Just making a special note. You are, also. Mayor Carollo: We have duly noted the special note. Let's cut to the chase and get right to the item that we have to deal with today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. SELECT MRS. THELMA VERNELL ANDERSON GIBSON AS CITY COMMISSIONER -- COMMENTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY AS TO NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS SERVING ON THE THEODORE GIBSON FOUNDATION. Mayor Carollo: At last meeting, we established the guidelines that we were going to follow in choosing a new Commissioner today, that this Commission will do, as is our responsibility to do. I'm going to start right off by making a motion. If I could give the gavel to the Vice Mayor. And I will make a motion that Thelma Gibson be nominated as Commissioner for the City of Miami for the next 70-plus days, until the next general election, where we will select a new Commissioner for that seat. Commissioner Regalado: There is a motion by Mayor Carollo. Any second? Commissioner Plummer: Willy, you want to second, or you want me to? Commissioner Gort: Yeah, I'll second. Second. Commissioner Regalado: Motion seconded by Commissioner Gort. Mr. City Clerk... Commissioner Gort: Mr. Vice Mayor... Mayor Carollo: Now it's open for discussion. Commissioner Gort: In discussion, I think we had a lot of good people, a lot of young professionals who offered themselves to serve for this position. One of the reasons from the beginning I spoke very highly of Mrs. Gibson is because I've known Mrs. Gibson for many years. She is the widow of Father Gibson, who was an elected official in the City of Miami. She 3 August 8, 1997 0 has knowledge of the City of Miami. She also, after he passed away, was the founder of the Gibson Foundation, which Foundation is to bring this community together. Part of her work is to have exchange students from different neighborhoods, visiting each neighborhood. And as a person, her organization and herself, through her work, one of the things that it's done is bring this community together and trying to have cultural exchanges among our community, so we can create better relationships among ourselves. As you all are aware of, I think this is something that we need in Miami to continue to grow and continue to progress. Those are the reasons why I second that motion. Commissioner Plummer: Under discussion. First and foremost, Mr. City Attorney, I asked you, but I want on the record that I have no conflict or problem in voting for Thelma Gibson, as is... how it has been my pleasure to serve on the Gibson Memorial Foundation since it's inception. A. Quinn Jones, III, Esq. (City Attorney): You have no conflict, sir. Commissioner Plummer: Now I'll tell you a story. Commissioner Gort: Excuse me. Then, that goes for me, too, also? Mr. Jones: That goes for you, too. Commissioner Plummer: No, not for you, because I'm a big wig there. You're just a little wig. Now I want to tell you a funny story. Mayor Carollo: Let's hear from the big wig. Commissioner Plummer: Back in April of 1972... I forget who was the Commissioner who resigned. Might have... Who was it? Ms. Range? I don't even remember. Unidentified Speaker: Father Graham. Commissioner Plummer: Father Graham? Unidentified Speaker: Yeah. Commissioner Plummer: Ed Graham. And so Dave Kennedy, the Mayor at that time, chose me to go and speak to Father Gibson about him serving as a Commissioner in this City. And I did as I was instructed by the Mayor. And I went to the church, and we prayed together, and I said, Father, we'd like for you to serve. And he said, "Well, I don't have any problem. I'd like to do that, but I got to ask Thelma, first." I said, "Don't do that, because if you do, she's going to tell you no." Now, Thelma, last night, I talked to Father, and Father said to tell you go for it. Mr. Mayor, it's my pleasure to vote for the 42nd Commissioner I have had the opportunity to serve with in this City, Thelma Gibson. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Mayor, I just want to make a brief comment. I like always to do what I said I was going to do, and this is why I wanted the opportunity to introduce other names into this board. I would have brought, for instance, the name of Oracio Aguirre, Jr., which I felt was a good person to serve this rest of the term. I recognize that there is a motion, and I am ready to proceed and vote. Mayor Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor... Commissioner Plummer: I think it should be said, Mr. Mayor, that we're all very, very friendly with Mr. Aguirre. He is a fine young man. 4 August 8, 1997 Mayor Carollo: Yes, he is. Commissioner Plummer: And that if he were to offer himself as a candidate for office, I think that the people of this community would look very favorably in his way. At this particular time, this is a temporary situation, it's only for 90 days, and I think that what we've all said from day one is that whoever was made this appointment would not seek the office as an incumbent to give them an edge. Thelma lives in West Grove. We know districts are going to pass and when districts pass, I know Thelma is not going to move just to run to be a full-time Commissioner. So we got that problem already resolved. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. City Clerk. Mayor Carollo: If you could, Mr. Vice Mayor, I'd like to make one final statement before we vote. Out of the handful of people that expressed themselves to all of us that they wanted to be considered or that some of us approached and talked to, to see if they would be willing to accept, if we would consider them - and there was only a handful of people - there's no doubt in my mind that out of that small group, Thelma Gibson stood head and shoulders above the rest, not only in experience and knowledge, understanding of the City, all it's communities and love for the City, but also in her integrity and honesty. Thelma is someone that I've known for 20 years. In fact, we were just talking a few minutes ago, when she saw my son, Joey, that she hadn't seen in a while. You know, she still remembers when he was born. The decision that we're making today is a very key decision at a very crucial time in the City's history. The City of Miami is poised to take it's duly rightful place as one of the major, international world class cities that we have always talked about in the past, but we haven't quite gotten there. Now we're getting there. And I'm very proud and grateful that she has been willing to step to the plate and serve this City well for this short period of time, some 90 days or less. Having said that, I... I'd also like to talk a little bit about my "child" Commissioner days, as some would call it, back when I was 24 years old, and I was the youngest Commissioner ever elected in the City's history. And that record hasn't been beaten yet, and I would advise anyone that's younger than that, don't even think about it, because the headaches you'll be going through at that young of an age is not worth it. But there are only two of us that are up here now that remember and served with Father Gibson. And during those early years that I was a Commissioner, 24, 25, 26, that I served with Father Gibson, I learned a lot from him. He was a great inspiration. He was a major force of unity, of tranquility in bringing all of us, the Commission, and all our communities together. And I'm sure that Theodore Gibson is nodding his head in approval and is very, very proud of this day. So having said that, Mr. Vice Mayor, if you could call the roll. Commissioner Regalado: Yes. Mr. City Clerk, call the roll, please. Walter Foeman (City Clerk): Roll call. Mayor Carollo. Mayor Carollo: Yes. Mr. Foeman: Vice Mayor Regalado. Vice Mayor Regalado: No. Mr. Foeman: Commissioner Plummer. Commissioner Plummer: Yes. Mr. Foeman: Commissioner Gort. 5 August 8, 1997 • Commissioner Gort: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Mayor, I have done what I said I was going to do, but I also said that this City needs unity and that we all share the responsibility in any decision that we take. So for the record, I'd like to change my vote to yes. Mayor Carollo: OK. If you could note that the Vice Mayor is voting yes with the majority, and that the vote will be a four/zero vote, Mr. Clerk. Mrs. Gibson, congratulations. (APPLAUSE) The following motion was introduced by Mayor Carollo, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 97-560 A MOTION APPOINTING THELMA VERNELL ANDERSON GIBSON AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gort, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Commissioner Wifredo Gort Commissioner Humberto Hernandez Vice Mayor Tomas Regalado Mayor Joe Carollo NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. [Note: Although voting "nay" on roll call, Vice Mayor Regalado requested of the Clerk to be shown voting with the motion.] ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- 3. APPOINT MRS. THELMA VERNELL ANDERSON GIBSON TEMPORARILY AS COMMISSIONER, GROUP V, TO FILL UNTIL NOVEMBER 1997 COMMISSION SEAT VACATED BY SUSPENDED COMMISSIONER HUMBERTO HERNANDEZ. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mayor Carollo: If I may ask one little favor of you, Mrs. Gibson. We need for you to come up, because we're going to swear you in right now. Commissioner Plummer: All right. (APPLAUSE) Mayor Carollo: Mr. Clerk, you do still remember how to go about swearing a Commissioner in, don't you? Commissioner Plummer: He's had too much practice recently. 6 August 8, 1997 Mayor Carollo: In the meantime, let me read the official resolution, Mr. Clerk, that this Commission will approve. A resolution appointing Thelma Gibson as a member of the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, Group V, to fill the temporary vacancy created by the Governor's suspension of Humberto Hernandez, to serve until such time as said suspension is lifted or the results have been declared and certified for the primary election on November 4, 1997, and in the general election on November 13, 1997, if necessary, which election shall elect a Commissioner to serve a term pursuant to Section 4 of the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: So moved. Mayor Carollo: There's a motion by Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Plummer: Second. Mayor Carollo: Second by Commissioner Plummer. All in favor signify by saying "aye". The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Mayor Carollo: It's unanimous. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gort, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 97-561 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING THEMLMA VERNELL ANDERSON GIBSON AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, GROUP V, TO FILL THE TEMPORARY VACANCY CREATED BY THE GOVERNOR'S SUSPENSION OF HUMBERTO HERNANDEZ, TO SERVE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS SAID SUSPENSION IS LIFTED OR THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN DECLARED AND CERTIFIED FOR THE NONPARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 4, 1997, AND THE NONPARTISAN GERNERAL ELECTION, IF NECESSARY, ON NOVEMBER 13, 1997, WHICH ELECTIONS) SHALL ELECT A COMMISSIONER TO SERVE A TERM PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Commissioner Wifredo Gort Commissioner Humberto Hernandez Vice Mayor Tomas Regalado Mayor Joe Carollo NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 7 August 8, 1997 • ---------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF COMMISSIONER THELMA VERNELL ANDERSON GIBSON -- COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONER ATHALIE RANGE / MAYOR DAVID T. KENNEDY / RAUL DIAZ, CHAIRMAN OF DADE COUNTY COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mayor Carollo: Mrs. Gibson. Commissioner Plummer: Swear her in, Mr. Clerk. Mayor Carollo: Mr. Clerk? Mr. Foeman: I need you to raise your right hand. Repeat after me. Mayor Carollo: A little louder, please. Mr. Foeman: "I, Thelma Gibson..." Mrs. Thelma Vernell Anderson Gibson: 1, Thelma Vernell Anderson Gibson... Mr. Foeman: "... do solemnly swear..." Mrs. Gibson: ... do solemnly swear... Mr. Foeman: "... that I will support..." Mrs. Gibson: ... that I will support... Mr. Foeman: "... protect..." Mrs. Gibson: ... protect... Mr. Foeman: "... and defend the Constitution..." Mrs. Gibson: ... and defend the Constitution... Mr. Foeman: "... and the laws of the United States..." Mrs. Gibson: ... and the laws of the United States... Mr. Foeman: "... of America..." Mrs. Gibson: ... of America... Mr. Foeman: "... and of the State of Florida... Mrs. Gibson: ... and of the State of Florida... Mr. Foeman: "... and the Charter of the City of Miami..." 8 August 8, 1997 Mrs. Gibson: ... and the Charter of the City of Miami... Mr. Foeman: "... in all respects..." Mrs. Gibson: ... in all respects... Mr. Foeman: "... faithfully discharge..." Mrs. Gibson: ... faithfully discharge... Mr. Foeman: "... the duties..." Mrs. Gibson: ... the duties... Mr. Foeman: "... of Commissioner..." Mrs. Gibson: ... of Commissioner... Mr. Foeman: "... of the City of Miami..." Mrs. Gibson: ... of the City of Miami... Mr. Foeman: "... Dade County, Florida." Mrs. Gibson: ... Dade County, Florida. Mr. Foeman: Congratulations. Commissioner Gibson: Thank you. Thank you very much. (APPLAUSE) Mayor Carollo: Mrs. Range, if you could join us, please? Commissioner Plummer: How about Mayor Kennedy? Mayor Carollo: Mayor Kennedy, if you could join us. Ididn't see you back there. Come on in, Dave. Commissioner Gibson: Councilman Bethel, you want to come up? Councilman from South Miami is a relative here. I've got many relatives here. Let me say thank you to the members of the Commission, the Mayor, the Vice Mayor, Commissioners Plummer and Gort. I want to thank Ms. Range for being here, and for my family, my sister, Doris. For those of you who may not know, this is my great-grandchild, Deveni Vernell Gibson. When my husband was sworn in one time, he had our grandson, Charles Anthony Gibson. And I've said to the Mayor that Charles is fluent in Spanish and he will be here next week. He went to La Luz for his first six grades, and he is in college, a senior, and he has been taking Spanish all those years, because his grandpa decided that he was going to have to live in this town, and if he was going to live here, he'd have to know the language of the majority. And I think all of you ought know that now the Hispanic community is in the majority. And we want to respect that and have people understand that we're about uniting this community. I think that all of us ought to realize... Joe Gibson, too, you can come up. All these family members snuck in here. Billy Rolle... Billy's here somewhere. Billy is a part of the community. He may have left, but we need Billy to help us unite the area. All the former Commissioners who are here... Dave Kennedy, I've know forever. 9 August 8, 1997 0 And of course, Ms. Range, I'm so pleased that you could be here along with other members of the family. And those of you out there who came.... one of the persons from the Status of Women, who's on the Women's Chamber of Commerce Board came down to be here, and all of you who came... "Boom -Boom," I know you're there and I expect you to help us unite this community as well. (APPLAUSE) Commissioner Gibson: I just believe that we have a great opportunity. There were people who opposed my coming for just a couple of months, and told me so, and felt that I should not come, and run for office. I had to explain to them that politics is really not my thing, but this City is. And because of my love for the City, I felt that I could put everything else aside and work for two and a half months to help prove to the citizens of this community that we could be one, and we ought to be able to share some of the pie. You know, the pie is round and if we have a percentage of it, we'll be satisfied. And I think that those people who are in the majority ought to have the majority. Those of us in the minority ought to have the minority, but we at least ought to have that. And so, if I could do nothing else but help this City to understand that we want just our share of the pie... I think that Henry's here and he's been great to me through the years, and I just want all of you to know how grateful I am that you have given me the chance to... and the privilege to serve this City of ours, and I will do my best. Thanks to Bruno and Elena, and those who have encouraged me. It's just a wonderful feeling to be given this privilege, and I do want the Hispanic community, the African -American community and the white minority community to understand that... Commissioner Plummer: Thank you. Commissioner Gibson: ... to understand that I know - and said this to a couple of the television people - that I realize that this used to be a white man's world. The white man feels that he is no longer in the majority, and so he has not worked to help keep things going. And I'm hoping that we could help have white men and women understand that this is ours and we ought to do it together. And again, thank you and God bless all of and Mayor Carollo: So be it. Mrs. Gibson, thank you so much for those kind words to this City. And now we can get back to the business of building and reconstructing the best City in our country, and making sure that on September 4th, we go out and vote "yes" for Miami. Mrs. Range. Commissioner Athalie Range: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Gibson has pushed me here and told me to say something. I don't know what I ought to say, but seriously, let me say this. I think it was so fitting this morning, the opening words of the prayer from the book of Micah. It is: "Show thee, oh man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God." I think those of you who chose to name Thelma Gibson as the interim Commissioner have done exactly what those words have said. And I believe this is sufficient to let us know that we do, indeed, deep down in our hearts, have the same love, the same understanding, one for the other. I'm grateful, the black community today is grateful, because we know that whatever happened was in your hands and the fact that you have done this makes us know that we are all for the same goal of having a better Miami. Thank you very much. Mayor Carollo: If I could ask former Mayor Kennedy to say a few words, please. Mayor David Kennedy: Thank you, Mayor. I had the privilege of nominating Mrs. Range as the first black person ever to sit on the Miami City Commission, and that was one of my most proud moments. And we've always had wonderful representation from the black community, and I 10 August 8, 1997 0 think Thelma Gibson, one of our great civic leaders that this community has ever had will till so ably. And I think that the Miami City Commission showed a unity of purpose that the whole community will understand in the years to come. Thank you. Mayor Carollo: And lastly, if I may ask one our colleagues from Dade County government, Raul Diaz, who is the Chairman of the County... Dade County Community Relations Board to say a few words. Mr. Raul Diaz (Chairman, Dade County Community Relations Board): Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mrs. Gibson, congratulations. Commissioner Gibson: Thank you. Mr. Diaz: And congratulations to the Mayor and the Commissioners of the City of Miami for showing the kind of class and the kind of decision -making that we need to unite this community. Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Regalado, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Plummer, thank you on behalf of the CRB (Community Relations Board) for doing the right thing for this community. Mayor Carollo: Mrs. Gibson, could I ask you the favor, the minute that my colleagues would say a few words, to adjourn the meeting? (INAUDIBLE COMMENT NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD) Mayor Carollo: We could... If you'd like to bring it up briefly, so we can meet afterwards. Commissioner Gort: What I'd like to do is afterward, meet, if it's possible, to sort of bring the names out for the people to... for the PAC that we're going to create for the "Save Miami." Commissioner Plummer: Well, you can do that by memo. Commissioner Gort: We can do that by memo? Commissioner Plummer: Sure. Commissioner Gort: Well, I'd like for each one of you to send me the names of the persons you like, and I'll call a meeting, if you all will allow me to, to get going on this campaign. Thank you. Mayor Carollo: Wonderful. Thank you. We're ready. Commissioner Gibson: Mr. Mayor, before we do that, I just need to thank Commissioner Plummer, Commissioner Dunn for bringing me roses this morning. Thank you. And I have to apologize to the rest of my family. I had a niece who wanted to be here if I was sworn in, and I had said to her, "Don't come because I'm not sure what's going to happen." So I just need to make that apology public. And now, for all of us who are here, thank you for being with us today. We're asking God's blessings on all of us as we try to unite this City of ours. And as we go forth from this place, let us go knowing that it's in love and charity that we really get to know each other, and we get to share the warmth of this great City of ours. And thank you, again, for being here. Commissioner Plummer: Move to adjourn. Commissioner Gibson: And I adjourn this meeting. 11 August 8, 1997 N (APPLAUSE) THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 12:48 P.M. JOE CAROLLO MAYOR ATTEST: Walter Foeman CITY CLERK Maria J. Argudin ASSISTANT CITY CLERK �� * INCORF'"ORATED �/ Q. 18�9 6 •� 12 August 8, 1997