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Home My WebLink AboutCC 1996-02-26 MinutesOF MIAMI \� �ao� .l�ec�i►r PREPARED BY TWE OFFICE OF UE CITY CLERK CITY HALL WALTER FOEMAN CITY CLERK INDEX MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING February 26, 1996 ITEM SUBJECT NO. LEGISLATION PAGE NO. 1. URGE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO: (1) R 96-82 CONDEMN DOWNING OF TWO UNARMED 2/26/96 t:�.. CIVILIAN PLANES ON FEBRUARY 24, 1996, BY CUBAN GOVERNMENT; (2) IMPLEMENT FULL BLOCKADE AGAINST —.. _._._ ..._...,... CUBAN GOVERNMENT; ( 3 ) NEUTRALIZE ALL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION TO .,'.. CUBA; AND (4) USE ALL MEANS NECESSARY TO INTERNATIONALIZE s, ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA -- URGE UNITED NATION'S AND ALL ITS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDEMN ACTIONS OF FIDEL CASTRO / CUBAN GOVERNMENT, AND IMPART SANCTIONS. 2. WAIVE FEES AT ORANGE BOWL STADIUM R 96-83 IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL MASS 2/26/96 FOR DOWNED "BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE" PILOTS. 3. EXPRESS SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES R 96-83.1 TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF: (1) R 96-83.2 ARMANDO ALEJANDRE, JR., (2) R 96-83.3 CARLOS COSTA, (3) PABLO MORALES, R 96-83.4 AND (4) MARIO DE LA PENA -- 2/26/96 DOWNED "BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE" PILOTS. 1-4 5-7 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 26th day of February, 1996, the City Commission of Miami, Florida, met in its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida in special session. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Mayor Stephen P. Clark with the following members of the Commission found to be present: ALSO PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor Stephen P. Clark Vice Mayor Wifredo Gort Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Ralph Diaz, Assistant City Attorney Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk Maria J. Argudin, Assistant City Clerk Commissioner Joe Carollo A. Quinn Jones, III, Esq., City Attorney Cesar H. Odio, City Manager ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. URGE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO: (1) CONDEMN DOWNING OF TWO UNARMED CIVILIAN PLANES ON FEBRUARY 24, 1996, BY CUBAN GOVERNMENT; (2) IMPLEMENT FULL BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBAN GOVERNMENT; (3) NEUTRALIZE ALL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION TO CUBA; AND (4) USE ALL MEANS NECESSARY TO INTERNATIONALIZE ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA -- URGE UNITED NATIONS AND ALL ITS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDEMN ACTIONS OF FIDEL CASTRO / CUBAN GOVERNMENT, AND IMPART SANCTIONS. Mayor Clark: Mr. Clerk, ladies and gentlemen, this is a special Commission meeting, and it's an emergency meeting. Let me have your attention, please. I sent out a news relese today. I'd like to read it, first of all. Teddy Roosevelt warned years ago that in order for the United States to be the leader 'bf the free world, we must walk softly and carry a big stick. Now, in light of the criminal action of Castro's Cuban Air Force shooting down two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue February 26, 1996 : `.I Aircraft, the time has come for Washington to take action. I have a resolution prepared. I also have a letter - I'll give you a copy of it later - to the President. Mr. Chairman, I'll give you a copy of it now. You know, we've dillydallied around this thing for 37 years, and I think it's time for the local legislators to take a position very clearly of where we stand. I am offering a resolution tonight to my colleagues on this Commission urging the United States Government to condemn the downing of the two unarmed civilian planes on February the 24th by Fidel Castro and the Cuban Government. Two, that... Implement a full blockade against the Cuban Government. They didn't go that far today, but we're asking for it anyway. And the President said in finality, he's not finished with this situation, it could happen. Neutralize all means of communication to the island of Cuba and use all means necessary to internationalize the economic embargo against Fidel Castro's dictatorship. Further urging the United Nations and all of its affiliated organizations to condemn the actions of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Government, and to impart swift and immediate sanctions against the Cuban Government for its lawless and inhumane actions on February the 24th; directing the City Clerk to immediately transmit a copy of this resolution to the herein designated officials. I'm going to have my colleague, Willy Gort, read the rest of this so you'll know exactly what's in the resolution. Willy, right here, whereas. Vice Mayor Gort: (Reading) "Whereas on Saturday, February 24, 1996, the Cuban Air Force downed two unarmed civilian planes belonging to the humanitarian organization, Brothers to the Rescue; and whereas said planes were flying over international waters and the pilots and passengers of said planes were American citizens and are presumed dead; and whereas Brothers to the Rescue is a humanitarian organization seeking „ to assist Cuban rafters crossing the straits of Florida and providing additional humanitarian assistance to refugees; and whereas the agents of Brothers to the Rescue were participating in a humanitarian mission on Saturday, February 24, 1996; and whereas waves of Cuban refugees have made Miami, Florida, their home since an oppressive Marxist regime took over the Cuban Government in 19,59; and whereas Miami's Cuban exile community has maintained the drive for freedom and democracy in Cuba and have sustained its position as political 'refugees rather than immigrants; now therefore, let it be resolved by the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida: Section 1: The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference therefore and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this section. Section 2: The United States Government is hereby urged to: Condemn the downing of two unarmed civilian planes on February 24, 1996, by Fidel Castro and the Cuban Government; to implement a full blockade against the Cuban Government, and to neutralize all means of communication to the Island of Cuba; and four, to use all means necessary to internationalize the economic embargo against Fidel Castro's dictatorship. The United Nations and all of its affiliated organizations are hereby urged to condemn the action of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Government and impart swift and immediate sanctions against the Cuban Government for its ..lawless and inhumane actions of February 24, 1996. The City Clerk is hereby directed to immediately transmit a copy of the herein Resolution to Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary of the United Nations; United States President William J. Clinton; United States Vice President/Senate President Albert Gore, Jr.; Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich; United States Senators Connie Mack and Bob Graham, and to all the Florida members of the United State House of Representatives. Section 5: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption." So move. Mayor Clark: You move it, Mr. Gort. Is there a second? 2 February 26, 1996 Commissioner Plummer: Of course. Commissioner Dawkins: Second by J.L. Commissioner Plummer: Under discussion. Mayor Clark: Yes, sir. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, one thing I've never been able to understand about Washington - maybe they can correct in this action today - they saw fit to go in and liberate the country of Haiti. I'll never understand why they never took the same attitude or action in relation to Cuba. And maybe this might be able to rectify, in my estimation, a wrong to a right. Mayor Clark: And also Granada, the same situation. Commissioner Plummer: Yes, sir. Mayor Clark: You're dead right. Commissioner Plummer: Let's see if, in fact, they're talking real or whether they're talking political. ..._. ....__ Mayor..Clark: You know, we've been bouncing around so much down here, and we've suffered all the brunts of this. We... And there's no doubt about it, the influx of these poor people that had to leave their country because of religious oppression, their right to vote, their right to d, practice their own religion, came to this country and did an awful lot for us with their help, and I think this,is only fair that the City of Miami should become involved in this, because we are the most affected community in the United States concerning this issue. j Commissioner Plummer: I have a motion after this one, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Clark: Yes, sir. Commissioner Dawkins: Call the roll, Mr. Clerk. 3 February 26, 1996 The following resolution was introduced by Vice Mayor Gort, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO.96-82 A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: (1) CONDEMN THE DOWNING OF TWO UNARMED CIVILIAN PLANS ON FEBRUARY 24, 1996, BY FIDEL CASTRO AND THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT; (2) IMPLEMENT A FULL BLOCKADE AGAINST THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT; (3) NEUTRALIZE ALL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION TO THE ISLAND OF CUBA, AND (4) USE ALL MEANS NECESSARY TO INTERNATIONALIZE THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST FIDEL CASTRO'S DICTATORSHIP; FURTHER, URGING THE UNITED NATIONS AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDEMN THE ACTIONS OF FIDEL CASTRO AND THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND IMPART SWIFT AND IMMEDIATE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT FOR ITS LAWLESS AND INHUMANE ACTIONS OF FEBRUARY 24, 1996; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS. (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 'qv! I., - by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Wifredo Gort Mayor Stephen P. Clark NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Carollo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. WAIVE FEES AT ORANGE BOWL STADIUM IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL MASS FOR DOWNED "BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE" PILOTS. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, in the same light, and would be incorporated in a special call, it has been indicated to me that the community would like to have a mass in the Orange Bowl in the very near future, and I make a motion at this time that the City Manager be empowered to waive all fees to allow this very orderly process to take place. I so move. Commissioner Dawkins: I second the motion if J.L. Plummer's funeral home picks up the cost. Mayor. Clark: There's no exception. Cast a unanimous ballot. 4 February 26, 1996 The following resolution MIS introduced by C0111I11iSSioner Plllllllllel-, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 96-83 A RESOLUTION RELATED TO A MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BE HELD AT THE ORANGE BOWL ON SATURDAY MARCH 2, 1996, TO HONOR ARMANDO ALEJANDRE, JR., CARLOS COSTA, PABLO MORALES, AND MARIO DE LA PENA, THE FOUR BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE VOLUNTEERS WHO PERISHED WHEN THEY WERE DOWNED BY THE CUBAN AIR FORCE WHILE FLYING A MISSION ON FEBRUARY 24, 1996, TO ASSIST POSSIBLE CUBAN RAFTERS CROSSING THE STRAITS OF FLORIDA; WAIVING ALL WAIVABLE USER FEES AS PERMITTED BY THE CITY OF IVIIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; SAID WAIVER CONDITIONED UPON THE ORGANIZERS: (1) PAYING FOR ALL OTHER NECESSARY COSTS OF CITY SERVICES AND APPLICABLE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH SAID EVENT; (2) OBTAINING INSURANCE TO PROTECT THE CITY IN THE AMOUNT AS PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE; AND (3) COMPLYING WITH ALL CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Wifredo Gort Mayor Stephen P. Clark NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Carollo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. EXPRESS SYMPATI-[Y AND CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF: (1) ARMANDO ALEJANDRE, JR., (2) CARLOS COSTA, (3) PABLO MORALES, AND (4) MARIO DE LA PENA -- DOWNED "BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE" PILOTS. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mayor Clark: And Mr. Clerk, I want you to prepare a resolution of condolences to all the family members, and we will present it at that mass. At that mass, we'll have maybe Agustin Roman, Bishop Roman to say the mass, and I think it will bean excellent idea of at least the people of the City of Miami showing their concern about this terrible accident. Accident? Terrible murder. 5 February 26, 1996 The following resolutions were introduced by Mayor Clark, who moved their adoption: RESOLUTION NO.96-83.1 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS CITIZENS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ARMANDO ALEJANDRE, JR., UPON HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. RESOLUTION NO.96-83.2 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS CITIZENS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF CARLOS COSTA, UPON HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. RESOLUTION NO.96-83.3 Af RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS CITIZENS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF PABLO .__._._.__MORALES, UPON HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. RESOLUTION NO.96-83.4 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS CITIZENS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MARIO DE LA PENA, UPON HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. '(Here follows body of resolutions, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor Gort, the resolutions were passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Wifredo Gort Mayor Stephen P. Clark NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Commissioner Dawkins: I move we adjourn. Mayor Clerk: No further actions. 6 February 26, 1996 Vice Mayor Gort: Second. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:45 P.M. Stephen P. Clark MAYOR f ATTEST: Walter Foeman CITY CLERK Maria Josephine Argudin ASSISTANT CITY CLERK 7 February 26, 1996