HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1993-11-10 Minutes;ITY OF MIANiI
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PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CITY HALL
MATTY HIRAI
City Clerk
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ITEM
NO.
1.
INDEX
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
November 10, 1993
SUBJECT
LEGISLATION PAGE
NO.
INALKXJRAL CEREMONY - SWEARING IN DISCUSSION 2-5
CEREMONY OF THE NEWLY K.ECTED MEMBERS 11/10/93
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI CCHMISSION.
2. A. ACCEPT CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION
AND DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE
NONPARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION (NOVEMBER
2, 1993) - FOR MAYOR (GROUP I) AND Ti+il0
COMMISSIONERS (GROUP IV AMID V).
B. ACCEPT CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION
AND DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE
SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 2,
1993) - CHARTER AMENDMENT N0. 1, TO
AUTHORIZE THE CITY CCMKISSION TO WAIVE
BIDDING AND REFERENDUM REQLJIRM49US IN
CONNECTION WITH LEASES OF CITY
WATERFRONT PROPERTIES - APPROVED BY THE
ELECTORATE.
C. ACCEPT THE CITY CLERK'S
CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF THE
RESULTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION (NOVEMBER 9, 1993) FOR MAYOR
(GROUP I) - ELECTED WAS STEPHEN "SIEVE"
P. CLARK; CU44ISSIONER (GROUP IV) -
ELECT D WAS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT;
COMMISSIONER (GROUP V) - ELECTED WAS
MILLER J. DAWKINS.
3. SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
(A) MAYOR STEPHEN P. CLARK, THE
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR (GROUP
I) , IS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY JUDGE FRED
MORENO.
(B) COMMISSIONER WIFREDO GORT, THE
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR COMMISSIONER
GROUP IV, IS SWORN INFO OFFICE BY JUDGE
MARIO GODERICH.
(C) COMMISSIONER MILLER J. DAWKINS, THE
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR COMMISSIONER
GROUP V, IS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY
COMMISSIONER J.L. PIUMMER.
R 93-696
R 93-696.1
R 93-696.2
11/10/93
DISCUSSION
11/10/93
5-8
8-12
e
4. SET DATE FOR THE NOVEMBER COMMISSION R 93-697 12-14
MEETING TO TAM PLACE ON NOVEMBER 23, 11/10/93
1993.
E'
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COM USSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the loth day of November, 1993, 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 for the purpose of holding the
inaugural ceremony to swear in the newly elected members of the City
Commission following the November 2nd, 1993 City of Miami elections.
The meeting was called to order at 12:12 p.m. by Mayor Xavier Suarez
with the following members of the Commission found to be present:
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J.L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ABSENT: Commissioner Miriam Alonso
ALSO PRESENT: Newly Elected Mayor Stephen P. Clark
Commissioner Wifredo Gort
Cesar Odio, City Manager
A. Quinn Jones, III, City Attorney
Matty Hirai, City Clerk
Walter J. Foeman, Assistant City Clerk
NO►M: Pursuant to City Charter Section 4, the Mayor and Commissioners
are to hold Office until their successors are elected and qualified [sworn -in]
from twelve o'clock noon of the day after the canvass of the vote and the
declaration of the results of the election."
1 November 10, 1993
---------------'---------------------------------- -----------------------------
1. INAUGURAL CEREMONY - SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF THE NEWLY ELECTED ED MEMBERS
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI CCMMISSION.
Mayor Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, today is a happy moment, and I...
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: Every happy moment deserves to begin by a prayer, and I would
now ask - I think we're going to have one, and what I would ask at this
point... Someone who is not only a great servant of God, but a great servant of
the people of this community. From an improverished area of Miami, he is
doing wonderful things in Wynwood. We all know him, we all love him. Father
Jose Luis Menedez, if you would step up to the mike, please.
Father Jose Luis Menendez: Our Heavenly Father, we came today before you
because we know that you are the source of our life and strength, and without
you, we are nothing. At this special moment in which a new day is dawning in
the life of our City, we come to you asking for your blessing upon these
officials and upon the City. The people have placed their trust in them.
Bless them with the sense of commitment so that they can fulfill their duties
with honesty and dedication. Bless them with your light so that they can find
what is good for our City. Bless then with your wisdom so they can do their
job, committed to the cause of justice, especially toward the needy. Bless
all of us so that we can help them in achieving these goals, and make of our
City a place in which all races, languages and cultures can call home; a place
in which all families, free from the threat of violence and drugs, feel
secure; a place in which our youth can grow in the hope that theirs is a
better future. We ask you this in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner Dawkins, would you like to step up to the mike for
a special invocation?
(APPLAUSE)
Commissioner Dawkins: Oh, Supreme Being, Maker of all things, Healer of all
ills, Corrector of all thoughts, we stand before you today asking that you
remove all evil from within our hearts and that this new Commission move
forward to unify Miami, and let these five Commissioners go down in history as
being one unit. Amen.
(APPLAUSE)
2 November 10, 1993
Mayor Suarez: I'm going to ask the Vice Mayor, who certainly had a lot to do
with what has been going on in the last few weeks, Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre,
to lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
(AUDIO DIFFICULTY)
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: At this point, Vice Mayor De
Yurre led all those present in a pledge of allegiance
to the flag.
Mayor Suarez: Do we have sound?
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: We have sound. All right.
Commissioner Plummer: Back in business.
Mayor Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen - what is the next step? Oh, I remember.
Commissioner Plummer: It's been a long time.
Mayor Suarez: Before I say a couple of remarks - they're going to be brief, I
know some of you are used to my longer ones - I want to say that we're
dedicating this particular part of the ceremony to - he stands - he sits right
in front of me, and he is someone that is dear to us, not only as a community
organizer extraordinaire, for many years in Allapattah, but also as a member
of the glorious 2506 Brigade. He is someone you can always count on to be
there when the community needs him. He is affected and afflicted by cancer,
but he's with us today. Orlando Urra.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Vice Mayor, Reverend, Father Jose Luis Menendez, fellow
members of the Commission, Judge Federico Moreno, Judge Mario Goderich, Mr.
Manager; I think we also have the former Mayor of the City of Miami out there,
David Kennedy, is he here?
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: I believe he was a consultant. Mr. City Attorney, Madam City
Clerk, ladies and gentlemen, Miami has just been engaged in one of its most
difficult electoral battles. The results have confounded the experts. We
stand in awe of the democratic process in which the masses became the people,
reversing the conventional hierarchy and appropriating to themselves the
leaders of power. For me, it's a rewarding end to eight years which began
with a newspaper article that put doubt on my ability to govern, referring to
me as an altar boy in the topsy-turvy world of Miami politics. They thought,
apparently, that I and my supporters were the timid souls who could only pray
for our dreams to be fulfilled. Well, perhaps we are more like those the
author called the "Killer Angels". I want to tell you that in Spanish.
3 November 10, 1993
PENSABAN QUE 'ROS ERAMOS COMO RATONES DE SACRISTIA, PERO OW40S UN POQUITO
MAS COMO LOS ANGELES QUE SI TE DESCUIDAS, TE DESPEDAZAN. We worked, and
walked, and warmed to the task of energizing a sleepy electorate, confused by
one or two radio broadcasters and the mistaken idea...
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: ... and the mistaken idea that people should be judged as a
group instead of by the divine spark which marks our humanity. And how did we
do it? Exactly what motivated us to support underdogs, move heaven and earth
to get their names, and their ideas, and their integrity into the public
consciousness? What motivated us? Again, I must rely on the author who gave
the reasons why soldiers laid down their lives for the union in the famous
battle of Gettysburg, where perhaps for the first time, a war was fought not
for land, or for 'loot, or because the king dictated it, or because they liked
killing. That war was fought for an idea: The essential solidarity of all
men and women. Like that battle, in this one, some of us came because, as the
author says, not because we were bored and this looked like it might be fun.
Not too many came for that reason, I should say. Some came because we were
ashamed not to. Many of us, ladies and gentlemen, most of us came because it
was the right thing to do. I am pleased, Mr. Clark, to remember that moment
in American history by giving you Lincoln's memorable speech. May it guide
you and help you during the difficult times ahead. I'd also like to give you
this very much homespun, homey version of a painting of Frederick Douglas, the
great emancipator and civil rights activist who fit the description which
Adlai Stevenson gave of John Kennedy. "Douglas was a blazing talent whose
words reverberated like the call of a trumpet which beckons us to labor longer
at man's unfinished agenda of peace and prosperity for all." My third and my
last gift, you will be happy to know, is this book which, by the way, I need
back. It contains quotes from the apostle of Cuban liberty, Jose Marti.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Clark, you will find in there a fitting quote for almost
every occasion, but today, there's one in particular that I want to quote to
you when we must first and foremost heal the wounds of electoral battle, unite
brother with sister, opponent with newly -elected Commissioner, citizen with
political leader, union head with rank and file employee, victor with
vanquished. None is more fitting than the poem I am going to recite to you,
and then I am going to try to translate this. I have worked at this
translation to try to give you a flavor in English:
"CULTIVO UNA ROSA BLANCA
EN JUNIO COM EN ENERO
PARA EL AMIGO SINCERO
QUE ME DA SU NANO FRANCA.
Y PARA EL CRUEL QUE ME ARRANCA
EL CORAZON CON QUE VIVO
CARDOS NI ORTIGAS CULTIVO.
CULTIVO UNA ROSA BLANCH."
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: This is a very liberal translation by me. "A white rose grows
in my garden. It is meant for my good and faithful friend. But for the cruel
4 November 10, 1993
enemy who would pluck out my heart, something else grows in my garden. It is
another white rose."
(APPLAUSE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. (A) ACCEPT CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AMID DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF
THE NONPARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION (DER 2, 1993) - FOR MAYOR (GROUP
I) AND TWO COMMISSIONERS (CROUP IV AMID V) .
(B) ACCEPT CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF
THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION (NOVE:'4BER 2, 1993) - allMMR AMEM4W
NO. 1, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY COMMISSION TO WAIVE BIDDING AND REFERENDUM
REQUIREMENTS IN COMECTION WITH LEASES OF CITY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES -
APPRCVED BY THE ELEC'IrORATE .
(C) ACCEPT THE CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF THE
RESULTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 9, 1993) FOR MAYOR
(GROUP I) - ELECTED WAS STEPHEN "SIEVE" P . CLARK; COMMISSIONER (CROUP
IV) - ELECTED WAS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT; COMMI ISSIONER (GROUP V) - ELECTED
WAS MILLER J. DAWKINS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mayor Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, I have nothing further to say, except to
get on with the agenda. And I believe before we can swear you in, Mr. Mayor -
and now I can call you Mr. Mayor - I think we always call you Mr. Mayor. I
think that's his first name, J.L. Before we do that, Madam City Clerk, I
think we must go through the certification of the tallies.
Ms. Matty Hirai (City Clerk): Mr. Mayor, last night...
Mayor Suarez: We didn't give her sound either.
Ms. Hirai: ... last night, the Canvassing Board adjourned, and the
certificates were signed. The results are official. The City Commission may
decide at the November meeting to accept the results of that election, but you
can proceed with the swearing in ceremony.
Mayor Suarez: All right. Or we can make a motion to accept the results right
now.
Ms. Hirai: As you wish, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: I'll entertain a motion.
Commissioner Plummer: So moved.
Vice Mayor De Yurre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: So moved, seconded. And I think they reflect reelection of
Commissioner Dawkins in Group V; election of newly -elected Commissioner Willy
Gort in Group IV: and in the Mayor's seat, I was reelected; is that correct?
5 November 10, 1993
Mayor Suarez: Stephen Clark. All right. Ladies and gentlemen, without any
further ado, I would like to ask then, call the roll.
DOTE FOR THE RECORD: AT THIS POINT, THE CITY CLERK
COMMENCED THE ROLL CALL
Commissioner Plummer: You can't call Gort.
Mayor Suarez: I think you should call the prior Commission.
A. Quinn Jones, III, Esq. (City Attorney): Yes.
Commissioner Plummer: Haven't been sworn in.
Mayor Suarez: In any event, without any further ado, ladies and gentlemen,
Federal District Court Judge - Mr. City Attorney is going to undo what we just
did.
Mr. Jones: No. Just do it - you need for the record...
Mayor Suarez: The existing Commissioners?
Mr. Jones: ... the roll call of the existing Commission.
Mayor Suarez: Please call the roll of the existing Commission.
Commissioner Dawkins: You got one last vote here, now.
6 November 10, 1993
The following resolutions were introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved their adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 93-696
A RESOLUTION, WITH ATTAC MU(S), OFFICIALLY ACCEPTING
THE ATTACHED CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AMID
DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMi
NONPARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 1993,
FOR THE ELECTION OF MAYOR (GROUP I) AND TWO
COMMISSIONERS (GROUP IV AND V).
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
RESOLUTION NO. 93-696.1
A RESOLUTION, WITH ATTAC=T, OFFICIALLY ACCEPTING
THE ATTACHED CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AMID
DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS PF THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 1993, IN WHICH THE
QUESTION OF AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER (CHARTER
AMENDMENT NO. 1) TO AtTrHORIZE THE CITY COMMISSION TO
WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND REFERENDUM REQUIREMENTS
IN CONNECTION WITH LEASES OF CITY -OWNED WATERFRONT
PROPERTY WITH NON-PROFIT, NON-CRCIAL, WATER -
DEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE OR SEEK TO
PROVIDE MARINE -RECREATIONAL SERVICES AND/OR
ACTIVITIES, PROVIDED CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET
PERTAINING TO PUBLIC PURPOSE, aX4UNITY SERVICE,
PUBLIC ACCESS, WATERFRONT SETBACK AND VIEW -CORRIDOR
REQUIREMENTS, FAIR RRIURN TO THE CITY, AND COMPLIANCE
WITH THE MASTER PLAN, AND WITH THE REQUIRIIME14TS
PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE FOR ORGANIZATIONS USING CITY -
OWNED FACILITIES WAS APPROVED BY THE ELECTORATE.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
RESOLUTION NO. 93-696.2
A RESOLiTI'ION, WITH ATTACf bGW(S) , OFFICIALLY ACCEPTING
THE ATTACHED CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION AND
DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 9, 1993,
FOR THE ELECTION OF MAYOR (GROUP I) AND TWO
COMMISSIONERS (GROUP IV AND V).
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
7 November 10, 1993
Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor De Yurre, the resolutions were passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Miriam Alonso
COMMMVTS MADE DURING ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Plummer: Two more years, I vote yes. No, no, you can't call
Gort. He's not a Commissioner yet. There are three of us. No, there are
four of us, actually.
} Mayor Suarez: I thought you'd never say my name. Thank you. All right.
(APPLAUSE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
(A) MAYOR STEPHEN P. CLARK, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
(GROUP I), IS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY JUDGE FRED MORENO.
(B) COMMISSIONER WIFREDO GORT, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR
COMMISSIONER GROUP IV, IS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY JUDGE MARIO
GODERICH.
(C) COMMISSIONER MILLER J. DAWKINS, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR
COMMISSIONER GROUP V, IS SWORN INFO OFFICE BY COMMISSIONER J.L.
PLU4W,R.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mayor Suarez: Federal Court Judge Federico Moreno, Fred.
AT THIS POINT JUDGE FRED MORENO ADMINISTERS OATH OF OFFICE TO STEPHEN P. CLARK
(I, Stephen Clark, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the
Constitution of the United States, and the State of Florida, and the Charter
of the City of Miami, to the best of my ability, so help me God.)
Judge Moreno: Congratulations.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: Indies and gentlemen, we have two former City Cammissioners,
both beloved, both female. Commissioner Athalie Range, right back here;
Commissioner Rosario Kennedy. Another definitely former Commissioner,
definitely female, Commissioner Rose Gordon; former Commissioner, definitely
not female, Manolo Reboso. Where is Manolo? We have County Commissioner Alex
Penelas. Welcome to City Hall. We hope to get a little of that... With a 3.8
billion dollar budget, the County Manager, Joaquin Avino. You have got your
i
i
8 November 10, 1993
hands on both sides there, or however you phrase that. To swear in the newly -
elected Commissioner Willy Gort, we have Judge Mario Goderich.
AT THIS POINT JUDGE MARIO GODERICH ADMINISTERS OATH OF OFFICE TO WIFREDO GORT.
(I, Wifredo Gort, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the
Constitution of the United States, and the State of Florida, and the Charter
of the City of Miami, and in all respects faithfully discharge the duties of
Commissioner, Group IV, of the City of Miami, Dade County, Florida, so help me
God.)
Mayor Suarez: We have to swear in - I'm sorry - we have Miami Police Chief
Calvin Ross who's back here. Chief.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: To swear in Commissioner Dawkins, he has requested his "Blues
Brother." This is a most embarrassing moment in history - no. Are you in a
hurry?
Commissioner Plummer: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: There you go. He has requested Commissioner J.L. Plummer to
swear him in.
(APPLAUSE)
Commissioner Dawkins: Since everyone said that I was the divisive one on the
Commission, I've asked that J.L. Plummer, as a white American, two Latin
priests standing with me. And where is Reverend White, a black pastor? I
have a rainbow coalition as my good friend swears me in.
Commissioner Plummer: Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, would you now
raise your right hand and repeat after me.
AT THIS POINT COMMISSIONER J.L. PLUMMER ADMINISTERS OATH OF OFFICE TO MILLER
j DAWKINS. (I, Miller J. Dawkins, do solemnly swear that I will support,
j protect and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, and the State of Florida, and the Charter of the City of Miami, and
in all respects faithfully discharge the duties of Commissioner, Group V, of
the City of Miami, Dade County, Florida.)
Commissioner Plummer: So be it. Don't worry about my beard.
Mayor Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, is there a more beautiful sight than what
we've got here today? This is beautiful.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: I give you the Mayor of the City of Miami, Stephen P. Clark.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Stephen P. Clark: I know it's hot out there, but I'm not trying to keep
you any longer than necessary. I've got all of my friends here. Orlando, I'm
9 November 10, 1993
so happy to see you here today. Father Menendez, Father Nelson, Judge Moreno,
Judge Goderich; Notary Public, J.L. Plummer. Now, ladies and gentlemen, J.L.
told me, "Notice that I was here when you left. I'm here when you cane back."
He said, "You remind me of that old song made by Gene Autry, 'Back in the
Saddle Again."' But I'm here - and a very short statement - as I said
yesterday, I'm very proud of the people of the City of Miami. They have said
"no" to divisive politics and hatred. They have said "yes" to the inclusion
and cooperation of all concerned. Voters along all ethnic lines, geographic
lines in this City have sent a clear message to this Commission that they are
i tired of disruptive and divisive politics, and want the many problems that
face our City to be addressed. Having received that message loud and clear, I
f am proud to say that today marks a new beginning for the City of Miami. There
are many challenges that face the City of Miami, and many important issues
that must be addressed. The greatest challenge today is to build the sense of
unity we experienced yesterday, and create a common purpose among all
Miamians, and most importantly, among all the members of this Commission. We
must remember that we are all Miamians first, and we must, take the
responsibility for our problems, and work together to find solutions. Keeping
that always at the forefront of our thinking, we must take bold steps in the
next 100 days to address the many problems that face us - and there are many.
Crime on our streets, our deteriorating neighborhoods, the City's crumbling
financial condition, the renewal of the downtown area is so important, the
expansion of the Port of Miami, and the recreation of jobs and economic
opportunity within our City. Within the next ten days, I will present what I
believe should be the goals and priorities for the next 100 days. To address
the problems mentioned, I will ask each of my colleagues to play important
roles in the first 100 days to get this message out to the people, and make it
a positive true message. I have always believed in the people in this great
City, and after yesterday, now I have more confidence of what their thoughts
might be, in the faith that they have expressed, and I have more confidence
and faith than ever, that together as a unified community and Commission, we
can overcome the problems before us and get this City back on track. I thank
YOU, Xavier, for serving nobly for eight years in this seat. It's not an easy
' seat. Politics is not all fun and glory. There's a lot of sad days, a lot of
hard work involved in it. I am proud of the artifacts that you've given me.
I notice that the Gettysburg address was made on November the 19th, which will
be my next birthday; not 1883, though. I have the ability to help this
Camussion, to help this City. I have served this Commission before for some
seven, eight years, and now I'm back. And I want you to know that, that
office up there will be open to all comers and all takers, and whoever wants
to cane and have anything answered, I will be there. I know each and every
one of my colleagues personally for a number of years. Mr. De Yurre, Mr.
Dawkins, Mr. Gort, and of course, my longtime personal friend, J.L. Plummer.
1 It's in the best interest of you fine people here today that you've given us
your time today to cane down and express your thoughts by being here. Your
support is extremely important. We don't have a miracle wand to do all the
! things you would want us to do, but we want to let you know that we are
f interested, and the next hundred days will tell exactly whether our promises
are true or false. I never made a promise I could not fulfill. I am so happy
today that after November 1963, when I first took office in this room, and to
cane back 30 years later, and still be alive, and still be vibrant, and still
1 be able to move and shake a few people around...
(APPLAUSE)
10 November 10, 1993
Mayor Clark: This is a homecoming for me, truly. I only hope that this
Commission can be responsible for people that 50 years from now would read the
stories that take place today, and be as proud of this Commission 50 years
from now, as we are of our forefathers who gave us this legacy here today. I
thank you all. God bless you. I want to thank everybody that helped we, the
volunteers, the firemen were superior, I'll tell you that. The police
officers, the general employees...
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Clark: I am your friend. I may be the Mayor, but my name is Steve.
Call me that. Thank you all. God bless you all, and thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Clark: I hope this is in the budget.
(LAUGHTER)
Mayor Clark: Thank you, J.L. Thank you.
Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, if that was a grand prix race, it would have
rained out.
Mayor Clark: I hope it's not raining on my parade today. Thank you all,
ladies and gentlemen. Xavier, please.
Mayor Suarez: I was thinking of a great suggestion for the Commission. From
here forward, what you should do is, the part of the agenda, for the "Blues
Brothers" begins at 9:05, that's for Dawkins and Plummer, and that you end the
meetings at 9:00. That will take care of it.
Mayor Clark: I've chaired a Commission for 22 years. I said, if you're not
there at 9:00, you'll be gone in five. You watch and see what I do here.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Suarez: The Chair acknowledges former State Representative Jefferson
Reeves. If I have left any other former public officials out, please let me
}mow. And newly -elected Commissioner Willy Gort, if you would like to say a
few words.
(APPLAUSE)
Commissioner Gort: You all lucked out. I've lost my briefcase here
somewhere, so I don't have a speech. I want to take this opportunity to thank
my family, old friends, volunteers, and all the individuals who made it
possible for me to be here today. We made a lot of promises, we made a lot of
commitments. And I'm telling you, as a team, we can do that. We talk about
the events and the things that we're going to do. And people ask me, "How are
You going to feel when you take over?" I feel very comfortable. I've been
here before as the Chairman of the Zoning Board, as the Chairman of the
Planning Board, so to me, it's nothing new. I've been in this comminity for a
11 November 10, 1993
long time, and I've learned a lot more about the problems. But not only did I
learn about problems, I've learned from all of you about answers also, and we
could be applying those answers. And I know with the team that we have here,
we can work... As a matter of fact, you all know that tomorrow is a holiday.
I've already made arrangements to make Mr. Odio work with me tomorrow, so Mr.
Odio is going to be here with me. Is my understanding correct, Mr. Odio?
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Gort: We know we've made some promises and commitments, and we'd like to
follow with it, like you said, Mayor, within 100 days. And it's a great
pleasure to be here. Like the Mayor says, I'm here to serve all of Miami.
Now I'd like to say this in Spanish. ANTES QUE NADA, QUIERO DAR LAS GRACIAS A
TODOS USTEDES QUE ESTAN AQUI, A MI FAMILIA, A TODOS LDS VOLIWARIOS QUE ME
AYUDARON A LLEGAR A DONDE ESTAMOS HOY EN DIA. HAY MUCHAS, NLXHAS PROMESAS Y
YO ESTOY SEGURO QUE PODEMOS CUMPLIR. YO SOY UN HOMBRE DE POC,AS PALABRAS Y DE
ACCION. MANANA ESTA SUPUESTO A SER UN DIA QUE LA CIUDAD ESTA CERRADA, PERO EL
CITY MANAGER, EL SENOR CESAR ODIO, VA A TRABAJAR MANANA... (END OF STATEMEI!
INAUDIBLE, NOT PLACED IN THE PUBLIC RECORD) ...M MiAS GRACIAS POR TODO LO QUE
HAN IIKMADO. The elections are over. Democracy... We all came together now.
We've got our problems to solve, and we've got to work to solve all those
problems. Thank you very much.
Mayor Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, please pay close attention to this
message. We need to have an automobile removed, and you probably have to do
it, because I have a feeling that if you don't remove it, we're going to
remove it for you. It is a four -door, license number HTM792. It is behind a
car that has to be removed for emergency reasons. It's a Lincoln Continental.
Thank you. A four -door, licence number HTM792, please remove that. Mr. Vice
Mayor, at this point, I do not know if I am the presiding officer. I do not
know if he's the presiding officer. I do not know if you're the presiding
officer, since my term has ended and you are the Vice Mayor. So, sir, what do
we do next?
Mayor Clark: Is there a motion to adjourn this meeting?
Mayor Suarez: That's the way to end the meeting, I agree.
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4. SET DATE FOR THE NOVEMBER COMMISSION MEETING TO TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER
23, 1993.
Vice Mayor De Yurre: We will have to change the date of our next meeting.
Mr. Cesar Odin (City Manager): November 23rd.
Vice Mayor De Yurre: But what date can we go...
Mr. Odio: The 23rd.
Vice Mayor De Yurre: Huh?
12 November 10, 1993
Mr. Odio: The 23rd.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
The 23rd? That is a Tuesday. Tuesday, is that OK with
all the members?
Mr. Odio: Yes.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
OK. I so move that we change the Commission meeting to
the 23rd of November.
OK? Call the roll.
Commissioner Plummer:
Second.
Commissioner Dawkins:
Hold it, hold it. I'm supposed to be in Washington the
23rd.
Mr. Odio: No.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
How about the 22nd?
Commissioner Plummer:
That's bad for me.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
How about the...
Cammissioner Dawkins:
OK, no problem.
Mr. Odio: It's OK.
It's OK.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
The 23rd is all right?
Commissioner Dawkins:
Yeah, OK.
Vice Mayor De Yurre:
OK. Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Vice Mayor De Yurre, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLITPION NO. 93-697
A RESOLUTION RESCHEDJLING THE ONE REGULAR COMMISSION
MEETING IN NOVEMBER, 1993 TO TAKE PLACE ON NOVIIMBER
23, 1993.
(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 Willy Gort
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Miriam Alonso
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Vice Mayor, I guess otherwise we're adjourned.
Vice Mayor De Yurre: So moved.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY
CCMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 12:47 P.M.
ATTEST:
Matty Hirai
CITY CLERK
Walter J. Foeman
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
Xavier L. Suarez
MAYOR
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14 November 10, 1993