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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1992-05-26 MinutesU 0 .� 1Ncoul' +lit%TE,l) ,• s1 -0++f LC PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL 1 N MATTY HIRAI City Clerk INDEX MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING MAY 26, 1992 ITEM SUBJECT LEGISLATION PAGE NO. NO. 1. CHANGE STARTING TIME OF COMMISSION R 92-339 1-2 - MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 28, 1992, TO 5/26/92 - 3:00 P.M. 'i 2. RESCHEDULE THE JUNE PLANNING & ZONING R 92-340 2-4 MEETING TO TAKE PLACE AT 2:00 P.M. ON 5/26/92 i JUNE 11, 1992. _ 3. CITY MANAGER STATES BUDGET BOOKS WILL DISCUSSION 5 _- = BE READY FOR INSPECTION BY THE 5/26/92 COMMISSION BY EARLY JULY. - 4. (A) DISCUSSION CONCERNING MIAMI M 92-341 6-34 MOTORSPORTS, INC.'S FUTURE PLANS FOR M 92-342 CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT RACETRACK 5/26/92 FOR THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX IN BICENTENNIAL PARK -- DIRECT MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE WITH MIAMI MOTORSPORTS. 'INC. FOR POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT, - AND POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONCESSION _ AGREEMENTS -- DIRECT MANAGER TO FORWARD WEEKLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS �_ CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS AND TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATION BY JUNE 11TH MEETING -- FINAL ACTION INTENDED BY CITY COMMISSION AT JULY 9TH MEETING. _ (B) RESCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING POLICE DEPLOYMENT TO JULY 99 _j =i 1992. I 1 = 3 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA r On the 26th day of May, 1992, 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 to consider a matter of public import, namely, concerns pertaining to the proposed permanent racetrack for the Grand Prix. The meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m. by Mayor Xavier Suarez with the following members of the Commission found to be present: ALSO PRESENT: Commissioner Victor De Yurre Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Miriam Alonso Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Mayor Xavier L. Suarez Cesar Odio, City Manager Matty Hirai, City Clerk Walter J. Foeman ABSENT: A. Quinn Jones III, City Attorney An invocation was delivered by Mayor Suarez and then Commissioner Plummer led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. 1. CHANGE STARTING TIME OF COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 28, 1992, TO 3:00 P.M. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mayor Suarez: This session is called as a special session to consider the Y issue of the Grand Prix and the possibility of a new location being found in _ =; connection with major capital improvements that we understand Mr. Sanchez would like to make, and which derive from new funding that has been identified. - Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor. Prior to that could we put officially on the record what I asked about, prior to the start of the meeting, about Thursday? If it's with no objection by anybody, I'd like to make a motion at -_ this time that the meeting on Thursday - after I've seen the agenda, there is about ten items total - about three. Mayor Suarez: All right. So moved. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. 1 May 26, 1992 Commissioner Plummer: Yeah, at least start the meeting about three, and notify anybody who might be on the morning agenda. I didn't even really see that much. So I'd like to move that Thursday's meeting start at three o'clock in the afternoon. Vice Mayor Alonso: Second. - Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded. Any discussion? If riot, please call the roll. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who } moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 92-339 _ A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING THE SECOND REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY, 1992 TO TAKE PLACE ON MAY 28, 1992, COMMENCING AT 3:00 P.M. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) — Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor Alonso, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Miriam Alonso Mayor Xavier L. Suarez NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. RESCHEDULE THE JUNE PLANNING & ZONING MEETING TO TAKE PLACE AT 2:00 P.M. ON JUNE 11, 1992. Commissioner De Yurre: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner De Yurre: In the same vein, I also requested from the City Manager to ask each and every one of you if we could change the June 25th meeting to another date, preferably the 18th, moving it up a week. Mayor Suarez: OK. a -� Commissioner Plummer: Victor, I can't... , 2 May 26, 1992 -1 - P-4 C Mayor Suarez: For June the 18th for the second session in June. Commissioner Plummer: Excuse me. I can't do it on the 18th... Commissioner De Yurre: Or any time that week, really. Commissioner Plummer: OK. I could do it... One meeting? (INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD) Commissioner Plummer: You tell us. If we've got one meeting, let's do it all on the 11th. Vice Mayor Alonso: You mean in June? Mr. Cesar Odio: You want to try for one meeting? Vice Mayor Alonso: One meeting in June? Commissioner De Yurre: That's fine. Mr. Odio: If you want to, we can try it. Commissioner Plummer: That's great with me. Vice Mayor Alonso: Me, too. Commissioner Plummer: Let me ask this question, Mr. Manager, when are we getting the budget? Mr. Odio: It should be... We'll get the information from the County in June, so by the end of July we should have something. We don't have the revenues until the end of June. Commissioner Plummer: I'm willing to try the first meeting for two if you want to do it that way. Let's try it. Commissioner De Yurre: That's fine. Mayor Suarez: So moved to consolidate the two June meetings on June lath. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes,... Mayor Suarez: Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... and then it will be the same date in June. Mr. Odio: We have the two meetings on the same day of June 11th. Vice Mayor Alonso: June 11th will be the only one in June. Mr. Odio: Right. 3 May 26, 1992 /W. Commissioner Plummer: No. No, by law... Mr. Odin: Two. Commissioner Plummer: ... we will have one meeting in the morning and then we'll adjourn, and we'll have a second meeting in the afternoon. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yeah, but only one meeting? Mayor Suarez: He's trying to be cute. Yes. Commissioner De Yurre: Well, only one day. Commissioner Plummer: No, I'm trying to comply with the Charter. Mayor Suarez: Two meetings. Two meetings in one day. Vice Mayor Alonso: Two meetings in one day. June 11th. OK. Mayor Suarez: So moved. Commissioner Plummer: Second. Mayor Suarez: Any discussion? If not, please call the roll. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre, who moved Its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 92-340 A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING THE SECOND REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF JUNE, 1992 TO TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 11, 1992 COMMENCING AT 2:00 P.M. (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 Victor De Yurre Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Miriam Alonso Mayor Xavier L. Suarez NOES: None. ABSENT: None. 4 May 26, 1992 r _ 3. CITY MANAGER STATES BUDGET BOOKS WILL BE READY FOR INSPECTION BY THE _ COMMISSION BY EARLY JULY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mayor Suarez: I want to pick up on what Commissioner Plummer asked. Mr. Manager, if you're able to get us the initial figures in late July, and we �. have an August recess, that doesn't help us a heck of a lot. By the time we're back... Commissioner Plummer: That's right. Mayor Suarez: ... it's September. Vice Mayor Alonso: We have to make a decision. Mayor Suarez: Last month. So can you push it for early July? Mr. Cesar Odio: Let me try. The problem is I don't have all the revenues in from the State and from the County until late in June. That's what... Mayor Suarez: Well, the State revenues are based on... Mr. Odio: Well, the new budget... Mayor Suarez: ... sales tax and... Commissioner Plummer: If you look deep enough, Mr. Manager,... Mr. Odio: I'll try. Commissioner Plummer: ... you're going to find there is a policy of this Commission that is in fact that is to be delivered to us no later than the 15th of July. I would hope that, that policy would not be necessary, that you could get it to us before the 15th. Mr. Odio: I will try. Commissioner Plummer: So I can find all the reasons I want not to vote for it. Mr. Odio: Yeah. Mayor Suarez: All right. Can we do that by then? So we have at least half of July. 5 May 26, 1992 --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- 4.(A) DISCUSSION CONCERNING MIAMI MOTORSPORTS, INC.'S FUTURE PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT RACETRACK FOR THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX IN BICENTENNIAL PARK -- DIRECT MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE WITH MIAMI MOTORSPORTS, INC. FOR POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT, AND POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONCESSION AGREEMENTS -- DIRECT MANAGER TO FORWARD WEEKLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS AND TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATION BY JUNE 11TH MEETING -- FINAL ACTION INTENDED BY CITY COMMISSION AT JULY 9TH MEETING. (B) RESCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING POLICE DEPLOYMENT TO JULY 9, 1992. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mayor Suarez: Commissioners, on the matter before us. Madam Vice Mayor do you want to inquire? Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. First, Mr. Mayor, I appreciate your accepting my request for a special meeting this morning I felt it was the responsibility of this Commission to discuss the importance of the Grand Prix prior to Mr. Ralph Sanchez making a formal presentation to the North Miami Commission. I feel that we have a lot of financial questions that have to be addressed publicly this morning. One of the things, I guess all of us were surprised to read in the pages of The Miami Herald that it was going to be a formal presentation of Mr. Sanchez's plans. I believe that the Grand Prix is very important for the City of Miami. I believe that the taxpayers have been very kind to the Grand Prix and Mr. Sanchez, and also the Grand Prix has been good for Miami. So, looking at those numbers of the investment that the taxpayers, the City of Miami have in the Grand Prix, it seems to me that when you invest in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand dollars a year for about five, seven years, approximately, you have an investment, and you would like to have a return. I guess the return that the taxpayers of Miami were waiting was license fee revenue, and also to see downtown, all of our hotels full to capacity, and the im pact of tourism in the City of Miami. We see that it's been discussed in a very serious fashion that the Grand Prix is leaving Miami. If we read our local newspaper, they tell us applaud and be happy because it's very good for the City of Miami. It escapes me to see the logic behind all of this. I believe that the situation for the citizens of Miami, for the taxpayers, for us as a Commission, would be ideal that the Grand Prix remains in Miami and that we can receive some benefits. If not, then we have to address what is the taxpayers of Miami going to receive in return? Are we going to ask that the five hundred thousand a year that was paid, is paid back to us? Are we going to tell Mr. Sanchez, "Mr. Sanchez, since you are going to stay here only for the remainder of your contract with us, the license agreement, we are not going to give you any more in -kind contributions or labor from the employees of the City of Miami." 1 think it's such a serious subject that it demands that the formal presentation, the unveiling of his plans as he's going to do tonight, be done to us, because we had no idea. I asked Mr. Sanchez if the rest of the members of the Commission knew, if the City Manager knew. He told me no. He had discussed very briefly with Commissioner Plummer, meaning he didn't know either. Commissioner Plummer: The night before. May 26, 1992 0 Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. So we had no idea of any... I think it's fair because we are partners. We have been partners. The numbers here show to me, and these are Mr. Sanchez's numbers, not mine, these are the numbers of information that he sent to us when Carl Goldfarb was writing an article. So he sent to us these numbers. We have his numbers. We have our numbers, the contributions, the audits that have been done in the past. looking at those numbers, I cannot say any other thing but we have been partners. And if partners are going to divide and go different ways, they have to have an understanding of the situation. That's exactly what we have to do this morning, and I think it's necessary that all of these issues are addressed, and when we leave here today, we have an understanding that Mr. Sanchez understands the City of Miami, and that we understand also Mr. Sanchez and the Grand Prix, and we know where we are going to go in the future. Mayor Suarez: Very good. By the way, we appreciate your being able to be here on short notice, Ralph, and I see you've got some of the other members of the team. I'm not... Commissioner Plummer: Yeah, the most important one, his wife. Mayor Suarez: Yes. And in-laws? Commissioner Plummer: In-laws. Outlaws. Mayor Suarez: I'm not in any particular quandary. I think I have an idea that you're looking at alternative sites, if the situation where the City of Miami doesn't work out for you, and perhaps a much more intense use than we would like to see at the FEC (Florida East Coast) Bicentennial. If that's the case, maybe we'll part ways on a very friendly basis, and if not, then we still have conceptually approved some of the improvements that you had wanted to build in the FEC/Bicentennial, and so we would still be at least conceivably, or embryonically on the way to some new agreement. What worried me, as you know, Ralph, is the extension of the contract because that kind of commitment is something that I'm not prepared to make for myself. Maybe the rest of the Commission would feel otherwise. So, in any event if you want to tell us 1n response to the Vice Mayors' concern, what, if anything, does your presentation to... Is it North Miami? Mr. Ralph Sanchez: Yes. Mayor Suarez: ... the City of North Miami represent, and what are we to make of that? - and should we be planning for you to reach some sort of closure with them at some point, and then want to get out of your contract with the City? - which actually may put us in a great situation of being able to negotiate with you if you in fact make that decision, as far as the remaining years of your agreement. Although I think it would take you some time to get set up over there. So maybe those are some of the questions you should address. Mr. Sanchez: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have a short statement to make that would basically hope... I hope to clarify every issue. First of all, I'd like to thank you for inviting me to be here today. I want to apologize for the fact that I did not talk to each one of you privately before you heard from the news media that we're talking to North Miami about the 7 May 26, 1992 r Grand Prix. We're not talking to North Miami just about the Grand Prix. We're talking about a total, full service permanent facility. I had intended to tell each one of you myself, but the reporters got ahead of me, and I know you know, from your own experience, how that can happen. Besides, the last two and a half, three and a half... Last week, I spent two and a half days in bed, sick, which I only came out last Thursday or Friday in order to go to the radio station that... when Vice Mayor Alonso was calling in. I don't know if that was Thursday or Friday. And I know it was a shock for you to read it first in the newspaper, and I know it makes me look like a rude person. That is not the case, and I do apologize. I'm also sorry that this meeting has been called as an emergency meeting because there is no such an emergency. Nothing has happened since the last time this Commission discussed the Grand Prix. There have been some news reports, but nothing has actually happened. And nothing is going to happen any time soon. We have... We feel we have a contract with the City of Miami for at least the next five years, and we do — intend to live to the letter of the law. We do intend to live up to our -_ agreement. It all depends on how the City, what the City plans to do with the :- property in the future. Like I said before, there is no emergency. No decision is going to be taken, is going to be made by us today, either here or in North Miami. But I repeat, the North Miami is just an option, it is just a possibility. It is not a plan yet. It is an idea, a vision, if you will. As _ to why we're considering these options, it is no secret that a lot of people are talking about doing things in downtown Miami. They include plans for improving Biscayne Boulevard, expanding the port into Bicentennial Park and other projects. We all know that some of those plans would definitely affect the Grand Prix, especially during construction. Most of those things, most of those plans are good, and I'm happy when, good things happen to the City of Miami. At the same time, my obligation is to do the best that I can for my = customers, my employees and my family, just the same as any other businessman. So I have to look out for the future of the Grand Prix. That is my first responsibility. Just as the future of the City of Miami is your first - responsibility. When we brought the Grand Prix to downtown Miami ten years ago, no one dreamed of how much would happen in the downtown area in the next few years. I believe that the Grand Prix contributed quite a bit to the success of the downtown area. But success means change. We have to examine all of the options, including the possibility of moving the race. Just as this Commission had to consider the Bayside development back in 1985, and =_ Bayfront Park, and the port expansion. You have to take a look at all the proposals that you think might be good for the City. You're trying to fulfill your responsibilities, and all of us at Miami Motorsports respect you for doing that. At the same time, we hope that you will respect us for us trying to fulfill ours. It will be many months before anyone can give firm answers to all these questions. For everyone's sake, and for the sake of the City, the City of Miami, and the sake of the Grand Prix, I hope that we will all still be friends in the future, no matter what those answers turn out to be. — I am sorry that I cannot tell you anything more definite today, but there is - that's all there is. There is nothing more. I thank you for listening, and most important than that, I thank you for caring enough about the Grand Prix = to call this meeting, and I thank the City of Miami and the taxpayers of Miami for the support that they have given the Grand Prix since the very beginning. Thank you. - Vice Mayor Alonso: If I may, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Madam Vice Mayor. 8 May 26, 1992 Vice Mayor Alonso: You're going to make a formal presentation to unveil your _ plans tonight. There has been some contradictions in the statements that the _ press has reported and has said Ralph Sanchez said different things. In some articles, it has shown you saying that the plans that you had for a permanent - facility have been killed as a result of only receiving nine million instead of twenty million as you had anticipated of public funds. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: If that is the case, and you made the statement that the permanent facility was not going to be possible because nine million was not enough, how do you explain your statement today that you are looking at permanent facilities? Are you looking into that direction, or not? Mr. Sanchez: Yes. The plan that we presented to the County was a twenty, eighteen, twenty million dollar plan to build the permanent facility in Opa- Locka. When the County Commission in December voted only to give us the nine million dollars, that basically killed that project because of the cost incurred in dealing with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in airport - owned land. The plan that we're looking at North Miami, it is probably about a third to a half of the size of what we had anticipated in doing in Opa- Locka. Instead of having an oval and three road courses, we will only have two road courses total. So it is a much smaller plan. We envision that the nine million dollars will be only phase one. We hope that after phase one is complete, that we will be able to go to a phase two, but never to the magnitude of what we had planned out in Opa-Locka. Vice Mayor Alonso: Mr. Sanchez, when you came in front of us approximately a month ago to obtain what you said was a very important commitment from the City of Miami, because it meant losing the nine million or not,... Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmm. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... you came to us and you never mentioned once in your presentation... Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmm. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... that you had plans to leave Miami. You stressed the importance of Grand Prix to Miami, and our commitment to you and to the Grand Prix,.., Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmm. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... and also the emergency of our taking a vote that morning. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: We, in fact, went along with you and gave you a vote of confidence in principle. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. 9 May 26, 1992 Vice Mayor Alonso: Why didn't you mention your plans to leave the City of Miami first,... Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... and second, why, if you were thinking into that situation, were you going to use the vote of this Commission to obtain the nine million because the Grand Prix, when you came in 185, was a dream as you stated today. It was in fact very much of a dream. The City of Miami went along with you, gave you a license agreement, helped you fulfill that dream, and became partners with you. How can you possibly, along the way, a partner that has been very good to you, that has never been able to make any money because we got no money from the license fee, there was no revenue. Therefore, we got no revenues either. Mr. Sanchez: Let me explain that one. Vice Mayor Alonso: Why in the world you came in front of us and asked for a vote of confidence, and never once stated to us the possibility of your leaving the City of Miami? - and I do understand that you are a businessman, and you have to think of the future, but we were more than a City giving you permission to use the streets for one day. We were partners on this. When we give you amounts of six hundred and fifty thousand in 185, and then from then on to over two million dollars we have put into the Grand Prix, it seems to me that this important amount of taxpayers' money makes us also part of the Grand Prix. Mr. Sanchez: Absolutely. Vice Mayor, let me explain first of all that when I came in here several weeks ago, I did not have a plan. I had not even contemplated North Miami. We were called by North Miami after that meeting with the news that they had recently - and I don't know how recent - but they had won the lawsuit with the environmentalists and so on and the courts had granted them the OK to move forward with the closure plan to close the dump site and to have it developed. When they came to me... They've been talking to me for the last two years. Never in the last two years had I ever even given it a thought of going up there. When they called me a couple of weeks ago, they said that basically they were ready to move, that they wanted me to come tonight to the City of North Miami with a tentative plan of what it would be. Like I said, I don't have a plan. I have only gotten to know some of those people within the last two or three days. I am going to go there to talk about the permanent facility and see what their reaction is. We have not been negotiating. We have not gone beyond saying, yes the land is available, yes I would like to build a permanent facility, why don't you present something and let us see. There is no such... I don't think there is going to be a vote of any kind, and if there is a vote, I am certainly not in a position to give a commitment to do one thing or another at this time. So the fact that they came to me after the vote here is because I did not... That's why I did not get back to you. I did not give it proper credibility. I was going to first let you know that I was going to be making the presentation, but I was not going to come to you in front of this Commission fully until I knew that the plan was a real plan. Today it's still not a real plan because I don't know. I have just... I am going to go there with a plan and see what their reaction is. They may say some things that I may not like, or I may say some things that they might not like. 10 May 26, 1992 Vice Mayor Alonso: Well, my point on all of this, is my concern about the future of the Grand Prix in the City of Miami, and the taxpayers' money. Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmn. Vice Mayor Alonso: As I see it, and I have stated before and repeat again, we have an investment. When you invest,... Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmm. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... you want returns. The City of Miami - if you plan to leave - has made a very bad investment of the taxpayers' money because we are not getting anything in return. We don't even have the hope of eventually receiving any revenues because you are leaving. Let's say you are thinking of completing and living up to the commitment of five years, and then you say, "Miami, you were good to me, but I am leaving." What about the taxpayers' money? What about this amount of money that every year we have given you of around five hundred thousand dollars? I understand that you are a businessman. We are government, and we are supposed to protect the investment and the taxpayers' money. And what I'm saying here today is I believe - and I don't know if my fellow Commissioners feel the same way I do or not - but I feel very strongly that if the Grand Prix is going to remain in Miami, and we have a future that, let's say in the next five years, in the next ten years, in the next whatever number of years, Miami will receive something in return, plus the positive media reporting of Miami, the tourism, the hotels full to capacity, all of these things are things important to us. So it balances the investment that Miami has made. But if, at this point, what we have ahead of us is that perhaps you are going to stay here only for the five years left in your contract, I, for one vote in this Commission, cannot possibly vote to waive any more fees, or to provide free labor to the Grand Prix, because I cannot justify the investment of this City to the Grand Prix that is thinking in the business world in the sense that they have to move on to better things, and I do understand, and I have always respected you, and I do respect you, and I have had the best relationship, but I have to think as a representative of the taxpayer. How in the world we could possibly say, "yes, Mr. Sanchez, we are going to give you an additional half a million this year and next year and the year after that, when we know quite well that you are leaving Miami?" What is the benefit for the taxpayers? How do we explain to the taxpayers two million given to you? Mr. Sanchez: Let me explain something. Like I said before, I am very thankful for the support that the City of Miami and the taxpayers have given the Grand Prix because I think it's an investment that paid back immediately to the City. You helped the Grand Prix with each of the individual years that we staged the Grand Prix, so as we staged the Grand Prix, the hotels were full that year. The restaurants were full. The economic impact to the economy was immediate. Talking about the future, let's say that... Let me just say, this is a true statement because you... Commissioner Plummer: Wait, wait, wait. Please. Go one step further. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. 11 May 26, 1992 Commissioner Plummer: OK? When you say it was an immediate impact, tell that there was a study done, not by the Grand Prix, but a study done by the Chamber of Commerce that showed an annual impact of approximately - as I recall - forty million dollars. We have had years in the... We. Excuse me. We. Yeah. God knows I've put ten years of my life in it. We have had years where you could not find a hotel room in this town, that you had to go to Broward County. So I think that there is an immediate impact that is successful each year, and when you have a study done by an outside, not internally by us, the City, or by them, the Grand Prix, that shows a return of turning dollars in this community of forty million, I think that's very, very important. Mr. Sanchez: The other thing that I... Commissioner Dawkins: The same people who did the study don't contribute one penny to nothing. Commissioner Plummer: That ain't no lie. Commissioner Dawkins: Thank you. Mr. Sanchez: One thing that I... I'm sorry. I'm still recuperating. I wanted to also mention that without the support, especially of the in -kind service support that we have received from the City of Miami, there would be no way that the Grand Prix could have been able to get here, and certainly if the support hadn't been there a few years ago and every single year, we wouldn't be talking today because the Grand Prix would have died without the support that we received from the City of Miami. You have the financial statements, you can read those numbers. The Grand Prix cannot exist if we don't have that support from the City of Miami for any one of the Grand Prix, whether it's the fifth, the sixth, the fifteenth, or any one of the next five years, the Grand Prix cannot happen. It cannot happen. The numbers are not there. Commissioner Plummer: The only way that it can happen - and I think it's something that we looked into, Ralph and I, about four or five years ago - I would love to see a permanent track in this town, and you'd love to see it, too. And the reason for it - and we have the study - to my knowledge, every Grand Prix road race in the United States is subsidized by someone, and, namely, it's usually the cities that do it, except for the New York race, which has just been subsidized by Lowenbrau, I think it's final... Mr. Sanchez: It's Marlborough. NOTE FOR THE RECORD: City Attorney A. Quinn Jones, III entered the meeting at 9:37 a.m. Commissioner Plummer: ... Marlborough, for $10 million for one year, one year. But the point I was trying to make to you is, the permanent track in Daytona, according to their study, and the Mayor of Daytona, is worth $750 12 May 26, 1992 1.1 rl million a year, a permanent track. And that's based on, I think, thirteen events that they have there. They have one event, there, the Firecracker 400, the 4th of July, but they have in excess of a half a million people there at that race. It's very important. Vice Mayor Alonso: This is... the numbers that Commissioner Plummer has Stated for the record are very impressive. Then I think we have to come to terms and say if we believe this is so important to Miami, and we have been partners of the Grand Prix and Mr. Sanchez, what are we going to do to maintain the Miami Grand Prix in Miami? Is it worth keeping it here? What can we do with the Grand Prix and this partnership that we have established since 1985? He came in front of this Commission with a dream, and I was not up here, but I was down there watching all of the sessions, and I followed through the years all the different occasions that you came in front of this Commission and I followed very closely through the years. What are we going to do to maintain? I think that it is important to know we have seen Mr. Plummer very supportive of the Grand Prix through the years. I am very supportive of the Grand Prix and I will continue to be and I would like it to stay in Miami. What are we going to do? What is the feeling of this Commission? Is it important for us? - and, if so, what is the problem and how can we work together to maintain the Miami Grand Prix here - and if not we have to know it's not going to be here, and we are not going to continue to support it. What I don't think is right is either the Miami Grand Prix stays here and it's good for Miami, or from this year, at least with my vote, I will not vote in favor of providing anymore in -kind services to the Miami Grand Prix because it's not going to be here. One day it's going to be gone. A very short time from here. Therefore let's do it for now. If it's not important, it's not important. If it is important let's show it to the world that we care, and that we are going to move ahead together to make it a reality. That's what I want. Commissioner Plummer: Madam Vice Mayor, what do you suggest? Vice Mayor Alonso: I suggest that first of all we know where we stand. Commissioner Plummer: OK. Number two. Vice Mayor Alonso: Number two, that we ask Mr. Ralph Sanchez what he really needs and what he's looking and not play games with one another. Know exactly what he needs, and what we are willing to give. Commissioner Plummer: Are you willing to talk about an extension of contract? Vice Mayor Alonso: And, of course, the final decision maybe will not be made, but at least where we stand here today. Commissioner Plummer: Ok. The question I am asking is the question that came up at the meeting of a month ago. Are you willing, or is this Commission willing, really, to talk about going into a contract that is yes, in fact, an extension, yes, in fact, is both fair to both sides, and, yes, in fact, will be good for this community. Because I think that's where it's at. That's where we are today. And that is he has 5 years and then there's a debatable another 5 years that could or could not be involved in that. Let's also re.,nember that there's another important factor here, and that factor is 13 May 26, 1992 I # I something that he's not going to do anything about. Well, he will react to, and we will react to, is that we got a little guy running around out here who is saying I don't give a damn what you do, I am going to court and tie you up. Vice Mayor Alonso: Not if we go to the voters and ask them, "is the Miami Grand Prix important for Miami?" Yes or no. Commissioner Plummer: OK. I agree with you. Vice Mayor Alonso: And let the voters decide. Commissioner Plummer: But are you willing... Are we willing to go to that point of sitting down, right now? - because that's what it would take. Talk about what is going to happen as far as a possible extension and the City's participation, the obligations of Mr. Sanchez, i.e. the Miami Motorsports, the City of Miami, and let's go to the voters in November. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: Now is that what you want to do? - then let's do it. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: Because the time is fleeing, Mr. City Attorney, how many... or Madam Clerk how many more days do we have the availability of getting something, I am assuming at this point, on the November ballot? What's the final date? Ms. Matty Hirai: We have a communication with the exact dates, Commissioner, and if you will allow me I will retrieve it right now. Commissioner Plummer: Well I think that's important because if we are going to do something, I think that the Administration has got to immediately come about the scenario of getting down with Miami Motorsports, determining the number of years, determining what's going to be the obligation of Miami Motorsports and the obligation of the City. And let's take it from there. If not I think, you know, we just can't keep talking in realms. We've got to have something definitive. Vice Mayor Alonso: That's why they are here this morning to find out exactly what is needed. And I do understand that when you have something like the Miami Grand Prix, and it's growing, and it's a tremendous investment, and it's pressure on Mr. Sanchez for maintaining it, and the costs going up and so on. You cannot have a business and say I have only 5 years in my lease, and tomorrow the owner kicks you, and you have nothing to go. I do understand that as a business person and I think it's the key of what we should discuss, and go to the ones who really know, the taxpayers, the citizens of Miami, let them made the decision. Commissioner Plummer: Yeah. Vice Mayor Alonso: Do they want the Grand Prix or not. After all it's waterfront land. i -j 14 May 26, 1992 r Mr. Ralph Sanchez: Vice Mayor. Mayor Suarez: We have a few questions that have been thrown out there, and I know the Commissioner wants to inquire, if not, I want to inquire, so go ahead, Commissioner De Yurre. Commissioner De Yurre: Well, Mr. Mayor, I have a number of concerns, and, first of all, I would like to ask the City Attorney, who I welcome him at 9:37 this morning. Glad to see you here. Mayor Suarez: Apparently he was not notified of the session and I don't know whose fault that is. Commissioner Plummer: That's what happens when you live in Broward County. Commissioner De Yurre: We're talking about the... Vice Mayor Alonso is saying she's not willing to vote for any other in -kind services but... and I think there's a certain reality to that concept. My question is, are we contractually obligated to provide those services, yes or no? A. Quinn Jones, III, Esq.: Well let me first explain that it's not really a contract that Miami Motorsports has with the City. Commissioner De Yurre: Or license... Mr. Jones: It's a license agreement. Commissioner De Yurre: ...or whatever obligates us mutually. Mr. Jones: OK. Under the license agreement certainly there is an obligation on the City's part to provide these in -kind services, and, of course, there is a specific provision in the agreement that talks about default of the parties. So, certainly, as long as this license agreement is in place, that obligation does exist by virtue of the agreement with the City. Commissioner De Yurre: OK. Then you're saying that irregardless [sic] of what Vice Mayor Alonso does, or anybody else on this Commission, we cannot go back on not providing the services. We are obligated to provide those in -kind services. Mr. Jones: Under the license agreement the City is obligated to provide those services. There are terms and conditions that impose on both the City and both Mr. Sanchez. Now to the extent that this Commission decides that it wants to take action to the contrary then, of course, I don't have to tell you we would have to suffer the consequences of that action. Commissioner De Yurre: I am talking about you can always renege, or you can always not do something, and then you end up in court, you have to pay for it. I am saying what is our obligation? Are we obligated to continue for the length of this agreement to provide these in -kind services? Mr. Jones: For the length of the agreement, the license agreement is very specific in terms of what the City is supposed to provide. 15 May 26, 1992 Commissioner De Yurre: OK. Mr. Jones: As Commissioner... Commissioner Dawkins: What is that? I mean you keep... no, no, now wait a minute. What is that, that you're supposed to provide? OK. Do you provide garbage? Do you provide what? Fire. Mr. Jones: All those. Commissioner Dawkins: And the two million dollars ($2,000,000.00). Mr. Jones: All those support services are spelled out in the agreement. Commissioner Dawkins: And you are supposed to provide them. Mr. Jones: The City 1s obligated to provide that under the agreement. Commissioner De Yurre: So we can not hold that gun over his head saying that, hey, if you leave we are not going to give you anything else for the remainder of this agreement. We cannot do that legally. Mr. Jones: Legally you can not. Commissioner De Yurre: Ok. So that's out the window. Commissioner Plummer: Well, except one provision. Vice Mayor Alonso: Why do we pass this resolution every year waiving all fire, solid waste, planning, building b zoning, public works, park and recreation... Commissioner Plummer: Because they are fees. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...fees required of the event promoters? Is this also included in the agreement? Mr. Jones: The agreement only speaks to services. The resolution you make reference to talks about waiver of the fees involved for those particular services. Vice Mayor Alonso: And we're talking about... —; Commissioner De Yurre: How much is that? How much? Twelve thousand dollars _j ($12,000.00). 1 � Commissioner Plummer: Minimal. Mr. Odio: Memory says twelve thousand. Vice Mayor Alonso: So you are telling Commissioner De Yurre that we have an obligation based on the license agreement that is very specific. That it's our obligation to provide free labor, all of this in -kind because we pay to our employees so, actually, it's out of pocket. We pay. It's not in -kind. 16 May 26, 1992 Ransom QQ' 7 }y i We actually pay to the employees. It's labor that we pay. Is that included in the license agreement as stated? Mr. Jones: The agreement, yes, and it specifically says, spells out those particular services. Commissioner Plummer: With one exception. Vice Mayor Alonso: Which one? Commissioner Plummer: The only exception is, if he were to walk tomorrow, as I understand the agreement, is that the two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00), which the City pays to him for the purposes of moving, at the City's request, from the old track, which was south of the causeway, to north of the causeway would not be due and owable because he's no longer creating, or has any obligations as to that facility. Vice Mayor Alonso: When do we have to renew his license agreement? Mr. Jones: Well, as Commissioner Plummer mentioned at the outset, there is one last 5 year option that would run from, as I read it, from next month for 5 years that would put it through 1997. OK. Vice Mayor Alonso: OK. At that point when we go for that extension, we can make changes, or decide that we don't want to extend it for 5 years. Mr. Jones: The agreement does not call for anything beyond this last 5 year option. Vice Mayor Alonso: No. No. I am talking about is it in June? Mr. Jones: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: The City has to say, yes, we want to extend or it's only up to Mr. Sanchez? Mr. Jones: My reading of the agreement, and I don't have it, but my recollection is that the exercise of that option is solely Mr. Sanchez's option to exercise. Vice Mayor Alonso: So it's one of these contracts that the City of Miami has historically done, everything goes to the party outside and no protection for the citizens of Miami. Was a contract done that it was only Mr. Sanchez's desire. The City had no rights. Is that the case? Mr. Jones: Well the City has... Well it depends what rights you are referring to. Vice Mayor Alonso: Well meaning, yes, we want to extend this for 5 more years or not. It's not convenient for the City of Miami. Mr. Jones: Well, Madam Vice Mayor, I can only tell you what was agreed upon between the parties back in 1982 when the original agreement was put into place, and, of course, I am sure there was negotiations on both parties' parts, and the agreement speaks for itself. 17 May 26, 1992 Commissioner Plummer: Yeah, but there's no... If Mr. Sanchez were to walk. = There's no obligation on the City. Mr. Jones: There's no obligation whatsoever on the City. Vice Mayor Alonso: Just a minute, Commissioner Plummer, I happen to disagree. I am talking about today. I am talking about this extension. Let's say we know... Commissioner Plummer: Oh, oh. I am sorry. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...he's going to walk 5 years from now. What I am saying is I don't want to give away anymore of the taxpayers' money, if that is the case. If we don't think it's important for Miami, and it's going to walk in 5 _ years, let him walk today. Commissioner Plummer: No, ma'am. Vice Mayor Alonso: In June, let him say, no, walk today. What difference does it make? What is not important for Miami's future in 5 years, it's not important for today. I cannot justify, in front of myself and the public, that I continue to give away taxpayers' money knowing we are not going to receive anything in return. And if I am saying, yes, this is important enough that the City of Miami gave to Mr. Sanchez that authorization that he could extend an additional 5 years, and also we were going to provide all of these services, then we are saying, yes, it is important. If it is important let's do something to maintain the Miami Grand Prix here in Miami where it belongs. Commissioner Plummer: May I ask a question of you, and then I know the Mayor wants to ask questions. Commissioner De Yurre: I haven't finished yet. Commissioner Plummer: OK. The only question... Commissioner De Yurre: I just got started. Commissioner Plummer: ...I am asking that I have not heard. I am in favor of an extension and sending it to the Manager to negotiate and come back to us, but are we talking about an extension of 5 years, 10 years and from what date? That's what I want to know. Commissioner De Yurre: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner De Yurre: If we look at the economic... First of all there are certain questions that need to be addressed as far as the economic viability of the concept that we're dealing with here. For example, is Ralph contemplating, or is he handcuffed to a great degree because he's in downtown Miami, from making or generating a lot more income by having multiple races throughout the year. Something which he cannot do where he's at right now. Does he envision maybe having instead of the one race, or the two races that 18 May 26, 1992 he's had annually, does he envision having six, eight, ten races? - and if that's the case, then downtown Miami is not the place for it. if he envisions holding on to the same concept that he's had throughout these 10 years, of having one or two races a year, then that's something that we can work with. But I think, first of a11, there has to be a business decision as to what Miami Motorsports is going to be in the future. If the future of Miami Motorsports and Miami's future go hand in hand, in that what he wants to do is something that we wanted to happen, in our downtown, in our City of Miami, then we must continue. Next question that we must ask is, then a nine million dollar ($9,000,000.00) investment, is it economically feasible to put a nine million dollar ($9,000,000.00) investment in a piece of property knowing only, with certainty, that you only have 10 years to use it? What happens after the tenth year? Are we going to be here naive enough to say that after ten years we are going to say to Ralph, Ralph, that's it. We keep all that we have here. It really means nothing to us because we can't do a damn thing with it now. But you go somewhere else. We got to deal with the realities of the business world, and if we're going to talk about Ralph Sanchez, the downtown community, Dade County in general, the taxpayers and everybody else investing nine million dollars ($9,000,000.00) into this project, then we have to look at it a lot longer term than 10 years, and we have to deal with that concept. Forget about a 10 year deal because it doesn't make sense. What's he going to do 10 years from now after we put the nine million dollars ($9,000,000.00) were put into that area? Is he going to go to North Miami or Opa-Locka or Mozambique? No wayl We're talking about making a long, long term deal. That is what we are discussing right now. Not a medium range 10 year deal. We're looking at something that's going to be in the twenties maybe thirty years into the future because it's that kind of investment that merits that kind of time. We need to look at it from that point. But I think that, first of all, we need to know what Ralph has in mind as far as the future of Miami Motorsports and what 1t means as far as the number of events, and what he envisions for Miami Motorsports and the City of Miami and let's see if it's cohesive enough that we can do it together, then we move on. If not then, you know, we continue with our commitments, we finish our commitments, and we move on with life. Mr. Sanchez: Commissioner, Mr. Mayor, I'd like just to take 30 seconds and to tell you what my position... Vice Mayor Alonso: May I just make one clarification for the record, so everybody remembers that the nine million is public monies. Public monies. It's not Ralph Sanchez money. It's public money. Mr. Sanchez: Yeah. Let me... Mayor Suarez: Is it a fair statement too, as you answer that, and clarify that, as stated by Commissioner De Yurre that you need to have, and you would like to have a lot more than one or two events? Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Let me... Yes, absolutely. Let me tell what the actual reality is, and what our position is, and most important, after I tell you what our rositions are, what our goals. Because that's probably as important, or more important. First of all, we're trying to find a permanent solution to the Grand Prix. We need to know, not only where we're going to be 5 years - - from now, because that's all basically all we've got in our contract. We have 19 May 26, 1992 an option that we hear from the City Attorney, and we hear from Dan Paul and some of the others that it's one of those that may or may not be real. Number two, we do not wish to be involved in any other legal, in any legal controversies, much like the Lipton. I don't want to go through that. OK. Number three... Commissioner Plumper: Neither does Lipton. Mr. Sanchez: Pardon me? Commissioner Plummer: Neither does Lipton. Mr. Sanchez: OK. Number three, we do understand the need to develop... for the City to develop -the FEC (Florida East Coast) and Bicentennial Track. As a taxpayer in Dade County I feel that, that is the most important track of land, and it's a shame that we have not been able to make it as a focal point to this community. So I agree that development should be eminent and should be something that we should focus as a priority in this City. Mayor Suarez: Which track are you talking about now? Mr. Sanchez: The track. The FEC tract and the Bicentennial. Mayor Suarez: The FEC. I certainly agree with that. Mr. Sanchez: OK. And the last thing. We do not want to be the ones standing on the way of development. I don't want if the project precludes the Grand Prix from being there. I don't want anybody ever to say the Grand Prix stopped the construction. When Bayslde came in 1984, and for the record, I would like to, you know, Vice Mayor Alonso to be aware that negotiations went on for months with the Rouse Company. We were called 7 days prior to Howard Gary, the then City Manager, leaving and given 7 days to get to a negotiating table and sign a contract, otherwise, the City was going to evict us. Under the present contract, the City can evict us, also, at any time, and that was not nice what happened back then, and we helped by moving, by agreeing to move to where we are right now. We... Vice Mayor Alonso: They gave you six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($650,000.00) that year. Did they not? Mr. Sanchez: Yes. That was the year that they paid us for all of the improvements that we had done to the existing... to the Bayfront Park areas. We had paved all the parking tots. We have moved water lines. We had moved trees. We had done our track in which we ran for three years, and they paid us back for those investment and for the headaches of having to move to a new location, and the perceived revenue loss that we were going to have by moving. Now, let me go... Vice Mayor Alonso: And two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) cash... Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...every year... 20 May 26, 1992 Mr. Sanchez: Absolutely. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...since then. Mr. Sanchez: Absolutely. And that... those two hundred thousand and the in - kind services, Vice Mayor, is what has kept this Grand Prix here, and what will continue to bring it here. Without that we would have been out of business a long time ago. Vice Mayor Alonso: That's why I call it a partnership. Mr. Sanchez: OK. Now, please focus on what my goals are because if you understand my goals, and I understand your goals, then we can move forward. If you don't know what my goals are, we can't do anything. Vice Mayor Alonso: That's why we are here this morning. Mr. Sanchez: Great. Goal number one is to find a permanent home for the Grand Prix in South Florida in which we can, number one, reduce substantially the cost of operation, and bring additional events to South Florida and to this community, television, economic impact, etcetera. Number two, and probably even more important than number one, is finding a way of reducing the cost of operating the Grand Prix, and number three, we hope to become self- sufficient without any public funding for operations, in the long term. Those are my goals. It hurts me when I hear here that, you know, the public is subsidizing the Grand Prix and it's like a give-away. It is not a give-away. but it's an investment in this community. But even though you are doing that, and it has helped us, I see the need for now finding a long-term permanent solution so that the City is, or the City or the County, or whatever, the taxpayers, are not subsidizing the Grand Prix over the next ten, fifteen, twenty years. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yeah. Correction. If you referred to me when you said give-aways, I have called it always an investment. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Well. Vice Mayor Alonso: It becomes a give-away if we don't get anything in return. Mr. Sanchez: Right. Vice Mayor Alonso: And if we accept, as a matter of fact that it's just something that was not important. I am calling it an investment, and that's why we are partners. Because the... Mr. Sanchez: I appreciate that. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...citizens, the taxpayers, have invested in your dream. Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: That became then the dream of all of us in Miami because - we, as taxpayers, were part of that investment. That's why I call it an investment, and that's why I say I assume it's important for the City of Miami. - 21 May 26, 1992 Mr. Sanchez: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: And that's why let's continue to be that way. Mr. Sanchez: Appreciate it. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, for the record. Mayor Suarez: Anything further? Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner Plummer: If we wish to place anything on the ballot this year, assuming it would be in November, the final date for putting something before this Commission for approval would be September the lath. That would be for the November ballot. Mayor Suarez: Very good. Commissioner Plummer: Second of all, Mr. Mayor, I am informed by the Manager where we changed the date of June meeting, we would have to continue the Police Budget Hearing and Deployment to June, to July the 9th. Mayor Suarez: That would be fine with me... Commissioner Plummer: Same with me. Mayor Suarez: ...if it's ok with you and the other Commissioners... Commissioner Plummer: I'll so move that... Mayor Suarez: ...that wish to inquire. Commissioner Plummer: ...that hearing be moved to July 9th. Mayor Suarez: It will be in effect not a half year review, but almost end of the year, which works out because it's a... Commissioner Plummer: Yeah. Mayor Suarez: ...the beginning of the consideration of the budget for next fiscal year. Yes, Madam Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor Alonso: He said July? Commissioner Plummer: Yes, July the 9th. Vice Mayor Alonso: July 9th? Commissioner Plummer: Yes. Mayor Suarez: The first session in July. Vice Mayor Alonso: It will be then continued to July 9th... Commissioner Plummer: Correct. 22 May 26, 1992 171 Vice Mayor Alonso: ...the deployment. Commissioner Plummer: Yes, correct. Vice Mayor Alonso: Ok. Since we are going to have the two meetings in June in one. Commissioner Plummer: That's correct. Vice Mayor Alonso: All right. Commissioner Plummer: I so move. Vice Mayor Alonso: Second. Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded. Any discussion? If not, please call the roll. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved Its adoption: MOTION NO. 92-341 A MOTION TO AMEND M-92-274 - RESCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING ON POLICE DEPLOYMENT FOR THE JULY 9, 1992 COMMISSION MEETING. Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor Alonso, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer Commissioner Victor De Yurre Vice -Mayor Miriam Alonso Mayor Xavier L. Suarez NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Mayor Suarez: OK. So if there is no further discussion, question, inquiry, I see a lot of folks here, I've a... Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think that we can't leave here today without, at least, at least, asking Mr. Sanchez, and the Administration, to = sit down and immediately start talking about an extension, as well as all other ramifications as to what is the future. I just don't think we can walk away from this table... Mayor Suarez: I kind of assumed that, that had been going on, but if you want it in a form of a resolution, you are welcome to make it. Vice Mayor Alonso; We do. 23 May 26, 1992 l Commissioner Plummer: Madam Vice Mayor, if you wish. Vice Mayor Alonso: We need a formal vote on this to know the feeling of this Commission in that sense. And knowing quite well that it will have to go to the voters in November for a question. — Mayor Suarez: It doesn't have to go to the voters. You mean that you would like to go to the voters in a sort of nonbinding referendum or something? Vice Mayor Alonso: Mr. Mayor, I feel... I even feel that legally we have an obligation to go to the voters. But, if not, morally it's strong enough... Mayor Suarez: All right. You would like to have a voter... Vice Mayor Alonso: ...I don't want that a few months from now someone comes and says, you are going to end in court because of a threat. We will just erase... Mayor Suarez: Well that doesn't erase that. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...that possibility if we go to the voters. Mayor Suarez: No, that doesn't erase that. I wanted to eliminate that impression in your mind. The voter referendum would not eliminate most of the legal challenges that I can think of... Vice Mayor Alonso: Well. Mayor Suarez: ...that somebody could raise. But it might otherwise give you moral support. Sort of a feeling that the Commission has acted in a particular way, which the voters happen to support. And that's always important in a democracy. Vice Mayor Alonso: I don't know but sometime the ordinance in existence in the City of Miami, we overlook them in such a way that we feel we have no obligations to go to the voters, and inquire. And it seems to me that in this particular case, being waterfront, it is definitely a legal obligation of the City of Miami to go to the voters. But if not legal I feel, morally, we should go to the voters and get their feeling. Co they want it or not? And it also gives us a vote of confidence as to that what we are doing is right or not. Mr. Jones: Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Plummer: Whether we do or do not go to the voters. Mayor Suarez: It may be but... by that time, it may be what we call in the law a moot, question but yes. Mr. Jones: Mr. Mayor, I have to... I would be remiss if I didn't at least put it on the record. As you know, subsequent to this agreement, this license agreement having been entered into, the City adopted... this Commission, I sorry, the, ah, by referendum what is referred to as the "Carollo Amendment," and as you probably well know... 24 May 26, 1992 (INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.) - Commissioner Plummer: Yes. Yes. Mr. Jones: As you probably well know. Mayor Suarez: Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga, you can keep your comments to yourself, sir. — Mr. Jones: As you probably well know, Mr. Mayor... Commissioner Plummer: At least once a meeting. Mr. Jones: ...and members of the Commission, that particular Code Provision, Charter provision rather, has specific requirements dealing with... as relates to the sale or lease of City property. I have some concerns about the present agreement, which I would rather not state on the record, but I had intended, and I apologize if I didn't get to you timely enough to meet with you and express the concerns that I have. I would like for you to be aware that there may very well be an impediment to extending this particular agreement, and we would have to follow, 1n my opinion, those requirements that are layed out in 29B. Mayor Suarez: All right. Very possibly, there would be a need to go to a referendum in any event, certainly on any extension of the lease. Commissioner Plummer: All I think what we should be is prepared if we do have to by September 11th date. Mayor Suarez: Very good. Commissioner Plummer: That's what I think. Mayor Suarez: Do you want to try to give the Manager some instruction in the form of a motion, or do you want to have him take to heart everything that's been said here today? Commissioner Plummer: Does the Manager need it? Mr. Odio: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: The Manager needs it. I will move... Vice Mayor, it's your meeting, if you wish. Vice Mayor Alonso: Go ahead. Commissioner Plummer: I would move at this time that Miami Motorsports by its president, Ralph Sanchez, sit with the Administration with the City of Miami to talk about any and all obligations, contractual obligations, on both parties' part. About extensions and anything else as it relates to the future of the relationship beyond the 5 years presently known of Miami Motorsports and the City of Miami. I so move. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes, and I second that motion and... 25 May 26, 1992 Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Manager. Excuse me. Mr. Manager, do you need anything else? I think I've made it as loose as possible to give you the latitude to go into all aspects. Mayor Suarez: Move and second. Any discussion? Vice Mayor Alonso: Let's wait and see if he needs something else. Mayor Suarez: There's obviously discussion between the City Manager and the City Attorney. I can't imagine, folks, Mr. City Manager and Mr. City Attorney that there would be any problem with that motion, as stated. I mean a motion... Commissioner Plummer: I couldn't make it any looser. Mayor Suarez: ...that requires you, or resolves that you meet and talk about all the possibilities that we've been discussing for the last six months, and, actually, longer than that. I can't imagine that would have any legal difficulties. Commissioner Plummer: The only thing that needs more discussion, Mr. Manager, between the two is who's buying lunch,... Mayor Suarez: Really. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: ...and they can't decide that either. Vice Mayor Alonso: And they want it also included in the motion. Now when will this come back to us? It has to come in time as to us making a decision to put it in the ballot. Commissioner Plummer: Well if it comes back July the 9th... Mr. Jones: Well, if in fact, Commissioner, Madam Vice Mayor, I really want to look at this very closely because I really think there's some serious implications behind it. I have already... If in fact it can be done, there are two resolutions that would be made at one... Vice Mayor Alonso: Mr. City Attorney... Mr. Jones: Yes. Vice Mayor Alonso: ...let's not play any more games. Mr. Jones: I am not playing games, Madam Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor'Alonso: It's all right. But I think we came here this morning to discuss this openly,... 26 May 26, 1992 a Mr. Sanchez: Um-hmm. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... and I have every intention of discussing this with the public. The question here is, do we need an RFP, or we do not? It seems to me that it 1s very difficult to get an RFP for the Grand Prix when it was the creation of Mr. Ralph Sanchez, and he owns the Miami Grand Prix. If we, we know that it is a joke if we open for an RFP, are we going to get three people competing for his business? Can we do that legally? Commissioner Plummer: Wait a minute. That doesn't even come into play. Hold on a minute. Vice Mayor Alonso: Let me finish... Commissioner Plummer: Sure, go ahead. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... Mr. Plummer. And the second is, it will be an RFP for the location. What do we want to do with that? The end result is going to be the same. We go to the voters and ask for permission. Can we have it, or can we not? And I think that is bottom line. Mr. Odio: The same argument... I even 1f you went out on an RFP for the licence to hold the Grand Prix. Vice Mayor Alonso: Of course. Commissioner Plummer: Yeah, but... had asked... In the past I had said that a Grand Prix, he's the only one that holds Vice Mayor Alonso: He has the license. I believe he's the only one. Commissioner Plummer: You're missing a very important point. He holds the only Grand Prix licence. He does not have an exclusive for Bayfront Bicentennial Park. Mr. Jones: That's what I'm saying. Commissioner Plummer: He has permission from this City, and back now, to one time a year, for approximately thirty days. Others can hold events if they come and negotiate with the City. He holds a licence with one sanctioning body, at this point, which is known as IMSA (International Motor Sports Association). That's the only one. If someone else wanted to come before this Commission tomorrow from CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams), which is the Indianapolis type of racing, and a different franchise that wants to race down there, under the existing conditions today, this City has the right to negotiate with them. Mr. Odio: As you stated, that 29B doesn't apply, and that's what I need a clari... If that's the case, 29B does not apply. Commissioner Plummer: But that is... We are simply renting to Mr. Sanchez, as far as the use of the park, a thirty -day window, which is maybe 35 days, OK? Anybody else, if I want to go down there and I'm lucky enough to get a CART franchise, OK, I can come to the City and I can negotiate, if the City wants to negotiate with me, and I can use that park as long as I'm not in conflict 27 May 26, 1992 with contractual dates that he holds presently with the City. But there's no exclusive franchise to him. Remember, when he wanted a second date for motorcycles, he had to come back here, because it was not automatic. So I'm saying to the Administration and to the lawyer, hey, this is not an RFP, this is a rental agreement between this City and Miami Motorsports for a period of five years. It's not exclusive. No way. I don't think he wants it exclusive. Then he's got to take care of the park. Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. Mayor Suarez: Madam Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor Alonso: And, if we need an RFP, let's have an RFP. Why not? And see what's best for Miami. Commissioner Plummer: Effort in futility, in my estimation. Vice Mayor Alonso: But I agree with you. It doesn't make sense, but if it has to be done legally... Commissioner Plummer: So be it. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... let's do it. Why not? We shouldn't be afraid of it. Then we have the RFP. Then we will probably get one. Then we go to the voters, and get the approval. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, we're going to need a lot of answers to a lot of the questions being asked. We don't have a public hearing scheduled on this, sir, but you can certainly... Mr. Wally Rinz: (OFF MIKE) I understand, but when there's a resolution on the floor, and you do conduct these meetings by Roberts' Rules... Mayor Suarez: We do not conduct them by Roberts' Rules. Have a seat. You're wrong on that, too. We conduct them by Mason's Rules. As a matter of fact, that's generally true, Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga. Sir, have a seat. All right, we have a motion and a second. The gentleman with the glasses, you seem like a very nice person with all kinds of positive things to offer us. We have many, many hearings on this envisioned, and we'd love your input, sir, privately to the Commissioners, and publicly at all the public hearings that will be scheduled. I did not mean to... Mr. Rinz: (OFF MIKE) I have to apologize, Mr. Mayor, I may appear like I just got off the boat, which I did, and was certainly unaware of this meeting until I called your City Clerk at 8:00 o'clock when it opened up... Mayor Suarez: Very good. Mr. Rinz: (OFF MIKE) And that's the first time... Mayor Suarez: Very good, but we're not making any determinative decisions _ today, in any event, so we'll take your input, sir. 28 May 26, 1992 Commissioner Dawkins: What are we making a motion on? Mayor Suarez: I just wish I had your name so I could put it on the record - since we've dialogued, and you didn't do that properly, so.,.- Commissioner Plummer: And, Mr. Mayor, there's nothing to preclude this gentleman who has thoughts on the matter to make them known to the Administration for thoughts at this time. Mayor Suarez: Yes, absolutely. Mr. Rinz: (OFF MIKE) I have. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I would ask... Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Dawkins: What is the motion? Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. I'm just about to restate it. The motion is that the Administration meet and sit with Mr. Sanchez, with a view to negotiating possible future concession agreements, or license agreements, and if they require a referendum, bring back to this Commission, certainly by no later than September 11th, I guess was the date that was stated. Vice Mayor Alonso: No. Mayor Suarez: Any... Commissioner Plummer: No, no, no. Vice Mayor Alonso: No, no, no. No way. It has to come to us to... Commissioner Plummer: No, no. As a matter of fact, I was going to amend and ask the Administration... Mayor Suarez: Wait, folks. What I said as to any referenda, it must be voted on, I think, by September,... Commissioner Plummer: That is correct. Mayor Suarez: ... and as to the rest of the negotiations, I think report back to us by the July 9th meeting. Commissioner Dawkins: By the what? Commissioner Plummer: The July what? Mayor Suarez: July 9th meeting. Commissioner Plummer: 19th? 29 May 26, 1992 Mayor Suarez: 9th. Vice Mayor Alonso: Nine. _ Mayor Suarez: July 9th meeting. Commissioner Plummer: No, sir. No, sir. I would want... _ Commissioner Dawkins: OK. Let me say... Let me say... Commissioner Plummer: Excuse me, Miller. Commissioner Dawkins: Go ahead, J. L. Mayor Suarez: In other words, we didn't expect the whole thing to be worked — out in June,... Commissioner Plummer: No, no, no. Mayor Suarez: ... but we expected it to go to July, Miller. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I am... Mayor Suarez: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: ... going to ask the Administration to come back with something tentative by June the 11th. Nothing definitive. Mayor Suarez: All right. Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes. Commissioner Plummer: OK? But something so we can start chewing... Have something to chew on so that, hopefully, we can start to take action in July. Mayor Suarez: There's the expectation then, as part of the motion, that the Administration will get back something we can chew on by June 11th, and -� something a little more definitive by July 9th, and certainly anything that must be put on the ballot for a referendum by the September meeting. All -_ right. Commissioner Dawkins: Under discussion. Mayor Suarez: Which is nothing more than a simple straightforward... Commissioner Plummer: That's all. Mayor Suarez: ... schedule what we would have to do anyhow to take any action. Yes. Commissioner Dawkins: Under discussion. I want to chew on it daily. I do not want it brought to me at the last minute, so I'm going to chew on it now. =� Mayor Suarez: Very good. And Commissioners be... _ 30 May 26, 1992 Commissioner Dawkins: OK? I want to know each week what you're doing. Mayor Suarez: ... apprised on a weekly basis... Vice Mayor Alonso: Weekly report. Mayor Suarez: ... of any progress... Commissioner Dawkins: All right. OK. Mayor Suarez: ... and any tentative agreements or whatever. Commissioner Plummer: Well, here, add this to 1t, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Manager, I would ask, sir, that every Friday morning you deliver to us, the Commissioners, what you have accomplished since last Friday morning. Mr. Odio: Well, the first thing we have... We requested... Commissioner Plummer: No, sir. Do you ask to hear my request? Mr. Odio: Yeah, but let me say something. Commissioner Plummer: Regardless of what you do, even if it's a blank sheet, say nothing. Send us that every Friday morning at nine o'clock. Commissioner Dawkins: If it's nothing. If it's nothing, send a blank piece of paper. Mr. Odio: OK. But, let me tell you this. I asked Lunetta to bring his plan here on June lath. Commissioner Plummer: He doesn't... Whoa, whoa, whoa. Commissioner Dawkins: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Commissioner Plummer: Whoa. Don't mix "apples and oranges." Vice Mayor Alonso: No wayl Commissioner Dawkins: That's right. - Commissioner Plummer: No wayl He is not involved in this discussion. Commissioner Dawkins: None at alll Mr. Odio: Well,... Commissioner Plummer: You... Wait. Excuse me. _ Vice Mayor Alonso: Well, the problem is Lunetta does not have an acceptance from this Commission... - Mr. Odio: That's why he should come here. 31 May 26, 1991 Vice Mayor Alonso: ... as yet, so he has no role whatsoever. - Commissioner Dawkins: Nor does Lunetta have a vote on this Commission. Vice Mayor Alonso: The County does not own that piece of land. Mr. Odio: No. _ Vice Mayor Alonso: It's still the property of the citizens of Miami, and Lunetta... - Mr. Odio: So you don't want to hear... Commissioner Plummer: Not in this. Vice Mayor Alonso: ... is talking as he owns that piece of land. Mr. Odio: No. Commissioner Plummer: Not in this. Vice Mayor Alonso: So he's not involved. He has nothing to do, and I hope they never get it[ Mayor Suarez: Let the record reflect that Mr. Lunetta does not own the FEC/Bicentennial. We've established that. All right. Commissioner Plummer: Let the record reflect that Mr. Lunetta is in serious trouble. Mayor Suarez: We have a motion. I don't think... Vice Mayor Alonso: Well, the problem is that the history of the City of Miami has been "give away to the County." Give away to the County the airport and the port, and finally Mr. Lunetta believes that he owns not only the port, but the City of Miami, and then the rest of the world feels like telling, leave Miami, go somewhere else. Leave Miami. Move. Go. It's great to do it. Miami doesn't know how to function. The City government doesn't care. So applaud and leave. And what about the taxpayers of Miami? I... Mayor Suarez: Madam Vice Mayor, we have a motion and a second on a... Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes, Mr. Mayor, but I have a statement to make, and I have every intention to complete it, and I think it's about time this Commission r takes a position that tells them this is not the way it functions, this is not the way it is. We believe in Miamians first, and then the rest of the world. - Mayor Suarez: Very good. We'll make then into the form of a motion. Commissioner Plummer: Mr. Mayor, we should put on the record that Mr. Lunetta's "waters just got deeper." Vice Mayor Alonso: Yes, I think we should perhaps. 32 May 26, 1992 Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. call the roll. 11 Any further discussion? If not, please The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 92-342 A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIT DOWN WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MIAMI MOTORSPORTS, INC. WITH A VIEW TOWARD: (a) NEGOTIATING POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI; (b) POSSIBLE FUTURE CONCESSION AGREEMENTS; (c) TO CLARIFY ANY AND ALL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS ON BOTH SIDES; AND (d) ANY OTHER PERTINENT ASPECTS AS THEY RELATE TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MIAMI MOTORSPORTS, INC. AND THE CITY; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON A WEEKLY BASIS (ON FRIDAY OF EACH WEEK) CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT OF SAID NEGOTIATIONS, AND TO HAVE A PRELIMINARY REPORT READY FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION BY THE JUNE 11TH MEETING, TO ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO BE PREPARED AND TAKE FINAL ACTION ON THIS ISSUE BY THE JULY 9, 1992 MEETING. Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor Alonso, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Miriam Alonso Mayor Xavier L. Suarez NOES: None. ABSENT: None. 33 May 26, 1992 11 C THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 10:18 A.M. ATTEST: Matty Hirai CITY CLERK Walter J. Foeman ASSISTANT CITY CLERK Xavier L. Suarez MAYOR It ; 0 l� c 96 — �dD 34 May 26, 1992