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SPECIAL
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MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 15, 1989
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CITY HALL.
MATTY HIRAI
City Clerk
3
INDEX
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 15, 1989
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ITEM
SUBJECT
LEGISLATION
PAGE
NO.
NO.
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1.
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INVOCATION BY REV. KENNETH MAJOR.
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DISCUSSION
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1
11/15/89
2.
INVOCATION BY REV. DR. EDMUNDO MORGADO.
DISCUSSION
2
11/15/89
3.
INVOCATION BY REV. STEVEN KIMMEL
DISCUSSION
2-3
11/15/89
4.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
DISCUSSION
3-5
(A) JUDGE FRED MORENO SWEARS IN MAYOR
11/15/89
XAVIER L. SUAREZ.
(B) SPEECH BY MAYOR XAVIER SUAREZ.
5.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
DISCUSSION
5-6
(A) JUDGE FRED MORENO SWEARS IN
11/15/89
COMMISSIONER MIRIAM ALONSO.
(B) SPEECH BY COMMISSIONER MIRIAM
ALONSO.
6.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
DISCUSSION
6-7
(A) REV. KENNETH MAJOR SWEARS IN
11/15/89
COMMISSIONER MILLER J. DAWKINS.
(B) SPEECH BY COMMISSIONER MILLER J.
DAWKINS.
7.
STATEMENT BY OUTGOING COMMISSIONER
DISCUSSION
7-8
ATHALIE RANGE.
11/15/89
8.
(A) CONTINUE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
R 89-998
8-11
MEETING PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR
11/15/89
NOVEMBER 16TH TO NOW TAKE PLACE ON
NOVEMBER 20, 1989.
(B) ANNOUNCE INTENT TO BRIEFLY CONVENE
NOVEMBER 16TH (TOMORROW) FOR PURPOSES
OF CONTINUING THE PLANNING AND ZONING
AGENDA TO A FUTURE DATE.
c
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the 15th day of November, 1989, 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 swearing in Mayor
Xavier Suarez and Commissioners Miller Dawkins and Miriam Alonso for their
ensuing four year terms of office.
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 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.
Commissioner Miriam Alonso
Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ALSO PRESENT:
Cesar Odio, City Manager
Jorge L. Fernandez, City Attorney
} Matty Hirai, City Clerk
Walter J. Foeman, Assistant City Clerk
1. INVOCATION BY REV. KENNETH MAJOR.
Mayor Suarez: Madam City Clerk, the first order of business, I believe, will
be the swearing in of the three newly elected members of the Commission.
Ms. Hirai: The invocation, perhaps, Mr. Mayor and the...
Commissioner Plummer: Canvas first. No? Oh, OK.
Mayor Suarez: And we have Reverend Steven Kimmel - is he here? -and Father
Major? Reverend? Father?
Reverend Kenneth Major: May we pray. Eternal God and Heavenly Father, the
author and giver of all good things, we pray you to guide and bless our
Commissioners of the City of Miami, remembering, especially, your servants,
Miriam Alonso and Miller Dawkins. Grant them wisdom and grace in the exercise
of their duties that they may enact such laws as shall promote and foster
unity and improve the quality of life for all people of this great City of
Miami. This, we ask, for your mercy's sake. Amen.
Commissioner Plummer: Amen.
1 November 15, 1989
i
INVOCATION BY REV. DR. EDMUNDO MORGADO,
Rev. Dr. Edmundo Morgado: Omnipotente Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial, que en
estos momentos nos reunimos aqua para felicitar y para al mismo tiempo que
comience su buena tarea como Comisionada de la Ciudad de Miami, a la Doctora
Miriam Alonso (APLAUSO). Te damos gracias porque tu' has contestado a nuestras
oraciones, y el esfuerzo realizado en dfas anteriores to vemos en estos
momentos culminados con el exito. En estos momentos, oh Sefror, to pedimos que
Tu bendigas a Miriam en la nueva tarea que comienza y que ella pueda siempre
tener la seguridad que Tif estaras a su lado porque no la has dejado antes ni
la dejaras despues. Te pedimos tambien to bendicidn para el Se6b r Comisionado
Dawkins, que tambien ha triunfado en esta campana. Bendicelo. Invocamos to
nombre y to direccidn para el Senor Alcalde y demas Comisionados que puedan
realizar una labor en la cual esta ciudad pueda ser beneficiada, y, al mismo
tiempo, que ellos comprendan que no solamente tienen que dar cuenta de sus
actos al electorado pero que tienen que dar cuenta a un Dios que todo to
puede, que todo to dirige, y que al fin y al cabo sera' el que juzgara nuestros
actos y nuestras acciones. Te pedimos todas estas cosas con todas tus
bendiciones nuevamente para Miriam y Dawkins en el nombre de Jesucristo,
nuestro Senor. Amen.
Commissioner Alonso: That was Reverend Morgado.
(Applause)
3. INVOCATION BY REV. STEVEN KIMMEL
Rev. Steven Kimmel: Please be seated. To newly reelected Mayor Xavier Suarez
and Commissioner Miller Dawkins, to newcomer Miriam Alonso, congratulations on
you recent victory. We salute you. And I do appreciate the chance to be here
on this happy occasion. This is a fascinating City. You know, I've been here
for four years as Pastor at Central Baptist and it's an uncommon City and you
can just look around and see that. There was a lighthouse that was built on a
rocky coast of a remote island in the Pacific and the natives on that island
had never seen a lighthouse before and they were just fascinated with the
whole experience; the construction of it. They all came out everyday to
watch, were eager with anticipation as the project neared completion and on
the big day when the lighthouse was going to be set into operation, they were
all there. The light shone, bells rang and the horn blew and the fog rolled
in and slowly the people began to walk away in disgust. One of the
construction engineers was rather oblivious to that, he was so proud of the
project he'd been part of for so long and he enthusiastically asked one of the
natives, "What do you think of the lighthouse?" The native kicked the ground
and spit on the dirt, and said, "The light shines, the bell rings, the horn
blows, but the fog just keeps rolling in." And, I think sometimes we have
unreasonable expectations of our elected officials. Sometimes I think we
expect them to prevent the fog from rolling in. But anytime you have people
interacting with each other, there will be the inevitable fog of confusion and
mistrust, misunderstanding, occasionally hard feelings. We cannot expect
public officials to stop the fog from rolling in, but we can and we must
expect them to hold forth the only thing that is able to penetrate the fog and
that is the light. To hold forth the light that alone is able to penetrate
the fog that is so thick, thickly created, by people, flaunt people as we
interact with each other. So, I congratulate our newly elected servants and I
challenge you. I challenge you to serve us by relentlessly holding forth the
light, the light that will penetrate the fog that surrounds us. Serve us by
holding forth the light of honesty, by holding forth the light of fairness, by
holding forth the light of justice, by holding forth the light of personal
integrity. And if you succeed in doing these, you will be successful indeed.
Would you pray with me now. Our Father, we thank you today for blessing the
lives Xavier Suarez, Miller Dawkins, Miriam Alonso. I lift them and their
families to you right now, Lord, for your safe keeping. Give them the wisdom
2 November 15, 1989
of the serpent and the gentleness of the dove and Lord give them the stamina
for the job ahead and bless the people of our City, Lord, and teach us to love
them like you love them. And we know that our greatest days lie ahead. Lead
us as we step out to claim them for we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
4. SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
(A) JUDGE FRED MORENO SWEARS IN MAYOR XAVIER L. SUAREZ.
(B) SPEECH BY MAYOR XAVIER SUAREZ.
-------------------------------------------------
Mayor Suarez: Thank you Reverend. We have Judge
not a stranger to these proceedings. We had him
him in 191 and I would ask him at this point to
to the...
Commissioner Plummer: What do you mean, perhaps?
Fred Moreno, who, I guess is
in '87 and perhaps we'll have
administer the oath of office
Mayor Suarez: ...to the candidate in Group I who won the election, which I
assume, is myself. Judge Moreno.
(Applause)
Mayor Suarez: Judge, would you make sure that it reads four years, please.
Judge Fred Moreno: Raise your right hand. I, state your name...(Continues to
read oath as stated below)
Mayor Suarez: I, Xavier L. Suarez, do solemnly swear, that
I will support protect, and defend the Constitution and laws
of the United States of America and of the State of Florida.
And in all respects faithfully discharge the duties of Mayor
of the City of Miami, Dade County, Florida, for four years.
Judge Moreno: So help me God.
(Applause)
Mayor Suarez: I want to make sure that the Clerk records, "So help me God,
which I didn't get a chance to say, but the Judge repeated it. Fourteen
hundred days have passed since you first elected me your Mayor. In that time,
we have tried to govern without being authoritarian, to build many large
projects without forgetting the small concerns of each constituent, to
cultivate Miami's image without taking emphasis away from the reality of poor
neighborhoods and racial tension. In those four years, we've had some babies
born, Miami has gone from being a laughing stock to primacy among local
governments. A local writer has said that the message of this election is
that the voters want to stay the course we have fashioned for our City, a
course whose hallmarks are steady progress and leadership by example. True
enough. But Miami cannot do it alone. Having pushed through the Legislature
a modified food and beverage tax with a high economic development component, I
am not going to stand on the sidelines while the County delays enacting
legislation to implement it. Nor can I expect newly elected Commissioner
Miriam Alonso... who has fought for a system of police mini -stations and
substations, to sit idle while the State fails to provide enough jail space
for serious offenders apprehended by that very police. Nor is Commissioner
Miller Dawkins, who has challenged private sector institutions to match
resources with our two -hundred and seventy million dollar budget, just
$270,000,000, in an effort to promote affordable housing and economic
development going to remain quiet while the County fails to do its
proportionate share with its 1.8 billion dollar budget. Greater Miami has a
G.N.P. of almost forty billion dollars. Assuming national standards, forty
one percent or about sixteen billion dollars, of the income we produce goes
through some local, State or Federal government. The City of Miami receives
but .625% of what we, as a community, produce; and yet City government is the
focus of almost all the joint public and private projects, the efforts to
reach out to the homeless and the disenfranchised, the reforms to guarantee
minority participation in government at all levels. The media has missed the
3 November 15, 1989
most exciting and innovative thing we have done. Knowing that we couldn't tax
our citizens any more without forcing them out of the City to outlying areas,
_ we began using land resources and guaranteed stream of revenues to produce
capital improvements totalling almost half a billion dollars in the last four
$ years. J. L. Plummer, Commissioner Plummer, is right to caution at this
aggressive effort to spur the building of the urban core has limitations and
that we have been just about overtaken by those constraints. Their multiplier
effect, thankfully, is being felt by the spectacular increase in tourism and
trade which in turn makes our unemployment rate among the lowest of all major
cities. As our land resources that are still unproductive diminish, it will
take every legal skill of our Vice Mayor, Victor De Yurre, to negotiate land
j swaps, trade development rights for neighborhood improvements and leverage our
exclusive powers of condemnation such that the private sector continues the
wave of capital improvements we have seen in our first our years. Thus is the
i effort to build the Latin Quarter Specialty Center and the Performing Arts
1 complex. Thus, have we built the Arena, Overtown/Park West, Bayside, the
I Coconut Grove Playhouse, the Blue Lagoon Senior Housing, Rio Plaza and Edison
Towers; and now, hopefully, Las Palmas, Fern Isle - these are housing
projects - Melrose, the Wynwood Free Trade Zone and the F.E.C. Park
improvements. Thus have we improved our parks system to the point that the
County Parks Director was prompted to write me just last week to compliment
the revamped appearance; and thus have we built our exhibition centers and
marinas in self-sufficient fashion as allowed by well managed enterprise
funds. Many of these improvements have benefited from Off -Street Parking
financing. As promised, we put this authority to work for our priorities and
{ checked the natural tendency of any semi -autonomous, revenue -producing agency
to engage in self empire -building. Not so with the County. Their airport and
cruise ports, both of which are enjoying huge increases in demand from private
users, are so far unwilling to apply their spillover profits to improve the
transportation infrastructure built by us and used by their clients. Our own
government has been streamlined drastically by our reform minded City Manager,
Cesar Odio. Our own Police Department has been decentralized under a forward
_i thinking Chief, Perry Anderson. When are we going to see the same
efficiencies in the County, which now pays its County Attorney 50% more than
we pay ours? And when are we going to see State legislation to provide
j substantial help to poverty stricken areas so that commercial growth is
j fostered and police presence not so needed? How long can we remain a high
taxed City in a low taxed State? This election made manifest a concern by
inner City residents that they are being taken for granted by government
generally. We admit that, we understand that. We've gotten that message.
f Even if the City does its best to reduce taxes and create an attractive
environment. Those in State and the County seems to think that they can plan
their transportation systems, locate their jails, and pay their bloated
bureaucracies on the backs of our people. And so today we three new
Commissioners and our two incumbents have a double task. First, to carry out
our own duties faithfully and aggressively as required by our circumstances.
Secondly, to motivate and prod other governments which have much greater
resources to fulfill their much greater duty to our citizens. This
Commission, as presently composed, is up to that double task. We have the
right composition on this Commission with the two new Commissioners that were
elected yesterday. Today we're tired, but we're also full of hope, and
determined to let the world know that we stand ready for the challenges of a
community so vibrant and an environment so extraordinary that we have been
termed the "City of the Future." Each of us can say today, in the words of
Abraham Lincoln; "I know there is a God, and I know he hates injustice. I see
the storm coming and I know his hand is in it. But if he has a place and a
part for me, I believe that I am ready." Thank you and God bless you all.
j (Applause)
Mayor Suarez: Muy brevemente les quiero dar las gracias a todos los que estan
aqui, los que han participado en esta eleccion, sobre todo los que
participaron porque de una manera muy especial, ese treinta y pico porciento
que voto y que participo'con nosotros en el proceso del gobierno de la ciudad
de Miami. Felicidades especiales al Comisionado Miller Dawkins. Creo que su
espiritu ha sido renovado. Esta'cansado como todos nosotros en el dfa de hoy.
Fue una campafra dura y dif fcil para el, pero creo que vamos a tener cuatro
anos magnfficos por parte de nuestro querido hermano, el Comisionado Miller
Dawkins. Una bienvenida muy especial a la npeva Comisionada Miriam Alonso.
Hace muchos a4Y'os y algunos en la prensa se han olvidado - ella apoyo
precisamente el esfuerzo para decentralizar la policia con mini-cuarteles y
subcuarteles. Creo que era casi una de las pocas, posiblemente la u0nica, con
nosotros en ese esfuerzo; y de hecho posiblemente lidereandolo antes que yo me
4 November 15, 1989
involucrara. Tambien ayudo siempre a los pequefi"os contratistas para que esto
no fuera una situacion en la cual los contratistas grandes fueran los que
cojieran los contratos de la ciudad, y nos ayudo con el esfuerzo de sacar el
Departamento de Viviendas y Desarollo de por debajo del Departamento de
1 Bomberos. Creo que en ese momento fue la unica que nos ayudo en ese esfuerzo.
Y fue una activista en los vecindarios, y su capacidad academica es
extraordinaria. Y puedo darle fe a su Doctorado de la Universidad Catolica
porque soy miembro de la Junta de Regentes de la Universidad Catol.ica de los
Estados Unidos. Asi que a Miriam, a Miller, a Victor, a J.L., que es nuestro
Comisionado minoritario... dicen que esa minoria se va ha desaparecer de la
ciudad de Miami - tenemos que asegurar que tengamos una participacion complete
de todos en nuestra gran ciudad. A mi propia senora, Rita Suarez, que ha
estado conmigo estos cuatro anos, a mis padres, el Doctor Manolo Suarez
Carreno y mi mama, Eloysa, que estan aqui, a mi suegra, Olga- I've got to
mention my mother-in-law, otherwise, I'm in trouble. My brother George, any
of my other brothers are here? There's fourteen of them, so I'm never too
sure if there is more than one in the room at any one time,... they're
usually pretty large. You can usually tell them apart. A todos los amigos, a
todos los partidarios, a todos los que votaron en esta eleccion por mi, contra
mi, a todos los ciudadanos de Miami, las gracias. Vamos a tener cuatro anos
magnificos. Que Dios los bendiga a todosl
(Applause)
I
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5. SWEARING IN CEREMONY:
(A) JUDGE FRED MORENO SWEARS IN COMMISSIONER MIRIAM ALONSO.
(B) SPEECH BY COMMISSIONER MIRIAM ALONSO.
Mayor Suarez: I'm not kissing the judge. Madam City Clerk, I believe the...
OK, we've done that and I guess I'll have to sign it at some point. Group IV,
Commissioner.
Ms. Hirai: Yes, the oath should be before you, Mr. Mayor. We continue with
the swearing in ceremony.
Mayor Suarez: OK. Madam Commissioner, you choose who you want to administer
the oath of office. Judge... like myself, she wants to make sure it's done
right and for four years.
Judge Fred Moreno: Please raise your right hand. I, state your name...
(Continues to read oath as stated below)
Commissioner Miriam Alonso: I, Miriam Alonso, do solemnly
swear that I will support, protect, and defend the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America and of
the State of Florida and in all respects faithfully
discharge the duties of Commissioner, Group IV, of the City
of Miami, Dade County, Florida. So help me God.
Judge Moreno: Congratulationsl (Applause)
Commissioner Plummer: Miriam, are you going to speak?
Commissioner Alonso: Yes. They asked me, Miriam, are you going to speak? Oh,
my Lord, of course I will. I'm very proud today, and first of all I'm going
to say thank you to all of you. Thank you to Miami of the support you gave me
in the elections yesterday. To me, this is a great day for Miami. This is a
beginning of the vision that I had through the years that Miami should be a
great City. That the voice of the people have to be respected and that key
word I want to stress today, respect. Respect for the citizens of Miami,
respect for the neighborhoods, respect for all of us. I could thank so many
people today. I did not prepare any speech, I had a hard campaign. I was
working day and night. Miriam Alonso had to prove herself many times.
Recently twice. But today we stand here and say in the past, I was labeled
the Commissioner of the people. Today, officially, I am the Commissioner of
the people of Miami. (Applause) Ms. Al I like to thank everyone in the City
of Miami, my dear friends in the black community that came and voted for me
and said, "Miriam Alonso, we want you to represent us." My
5 November 15, 1989
friends... (Applause) the Anglo community, came forward and said, "Yes, Miriam
Alonso, we want you to represent us." (Applause) And, yes, the Hispanic
community, who came forward and said, "Miriam, yes, we want you to represent
us." (Applause) I'd like to thank the Mayor for the words he has expressed
here today. I come, as 1 said, many times during the campaign with my hand
extended in a shake for all the members of this community, for everyone in the
City of Miami. Miriam Alonso is equal to the word unite. Unite Miami, that's
what Miriam Alonso wants to stand here and tell you. I'm going to respect you
the same way you respected me during my campaign and this is a great day for
Miami. Thank you so very much for the help you have given me. (Applause) And
now, with your permission, I'm going to say a few words in Spanish. Gracias,
muchas gracias a todos ustedes que me han ayudado tanto a travelsde los anos.
Gracias a Miami por la ayuda que me dieron. Gracias a todos mis amigos de la
comunidad negra. Gracias a todos mis amigos de la comunidad Anglo. Gracias a
todos mis amigos de la comunidad Hispana. A todos ustedes que siempre
estuvieron conmigo, que tuvieron fe en el proceso en que Miriam Alonso tuvo
que probarse, no una vez, pero dos veces. Y hoy vengo ante ustedes y les
digo, gracias de todo corazo'n. Miriam Alonso fue denominada la "Comisionada
del pueblo," y hoy, oficialmente, vengo ante ustedes y les digo soy
oficialmente su Comisionada, la Comisionada del pueblo. Quiero felicitar a
todos los miembros de la Comision por el dia que comensamos hoy, muy
especialmente al Comisionado Miller Dawkins, que fue ganadou en la eleccion de
ayer. Quiero felicitar al Alcalde Suarez en su eleccion ce la semana pasada,
y quiero que nos felicitemos nosotros todos, los que participamos en el
proceso electoral en Miami para elegir un gobierno apropriado. Vamos a
trabajar juntos por Miami, por un Miami mejor, y que Dios nos ayude para que
nos ilumine el camino. Gracias, y que Dios los bendiga. (Applause)
6. SWI:;ARING IN CEREMONY:
(A) REV. KENNETH MAJOR SWEARS IN COMMISSIONER MILLER J. DAWKINS.
(B) SPEECH BY COMMISSIONER MILLER J. DAWKINS.
Mayor Suarez: We're still on that - the Vice Mayor is saying, is that it? Do
we - no, actually, we're still on that section of the agenda that is devoted
to grandparents. First, Dr. Alonso, with a grandchild, and now Commissioner
Dawkins... Judge Moreno, would you administer the oath? I'm sorry, Father
Major, would you administer the oath?
Mr. Plummer: He doesn't need the law at his age, he needs the preacher.
Father Major: That's right. I got the iiigher authority. Would you raise
your right hand and repeat after me. (At this point, Father Major recites the
oath followed by Commissioner Dawkins response)
Commissioner Miller Dawkins: I, Miller Dawkins, do
solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend
the Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America and of the State of Florida and all respects
faithfully discharge the duties of Commissioner, Group V,
of the City of Miami, Dade County, Florida. So help me
God.
(Applause)
Commissioner Dawkins: Since I don't speak Spanish, and the Mayor has been so
eloquent this morning, I'm going to ask that he summarize what I say when I
finish. First, I'd like to thank everybody in the City of Miami. Me and my
family are honored that you would allow us to serve you for four more years.
I said from day one that this would have to be a tri-ethnic win. Everybody
said something different. We ran a race knowing that there would be a runoff,
that it was almost mathematically impossible to be in a race with six people
and you come out with 51 percent of the vote. So we were geared for a runoff.
We went into the runoff and because of you, I am the winner. Now, there are
those who will contradict that but once the votes are counted, contradictions
mean nothing. We are happy that you elected us and we will continue to serve
the total community, I must say to you that all of the thing enumerated by
the Mayor, all five of us take one -fifth of the credit for doing them. You
can't do anything up here with one vote. There must be three votes to get the
6 November 15, 1989
:* 46
job done. Therefore, all of the failures of this Commission, I take one -fifth
of because I was a member of the total Commission. So, therefore, we will
move forward to meet and address the evils and the ills of the City of Miami.
You've heard us say that we are no different than anyone else. The City of
Miami does have problems, but we will address those problems. And when you
look out among this crowd and you see like I do people who are with you in
1981 when nobody knew you, like Reverend Anorga, Tony Zamora, Pepe Hernandez,
just to name a few, and all of the other people who were here when we started
and who are here now. We got a tri-ethnic vote and I want us to pat ourselves
on the back. Contrary to what the media would have you believe, we're no
different than any other place in America. Just recently, the City of New
York, the total City of New York, banded together and elected a black Mayor.
The confederacy, Virginia, the total community, State of Virginia, elected a
black Governor. And I thank God that the City of Miami banded together and
elected a black Commissioner. Thank you. (Applause)
(Mayor Suarez translates prior speech by Commissioner Dawkins): E1 Comisionado
Dawkins me ha pedido que le traduzca, y va a ser dif fcil hacerle honor a un
discurso tan elocuente. E1 ha dicho que se siente verfdicamente honrado por
su eleccion. Que la victoria fue tri-etnica. A veces la prensa no to explica
bien, pero asi fue. Explico que con seis candidatos es un poco dif fcil salir
en la primera vuelta, pero, y eso to vimos en los dos escanos de hecho que
estan hoy siendo cumplidos con los juramentos de los Comisionados Dawkins y
Alonso, pero el xito en la segunda vuelta se debio' a ustedes. Dice que...
recalco, que todo aqui se logra con cinco votos. Que la quinta parte de todos
los logros que yo enumere y de todas las cosas buenas que hemos hecho le toca
a 41, al igual que la quinta parte de los fracasos y de los fallos, y asi to
acepta. Prometio` luchar para resolver los problemas de esta ciudad, que son
veridicos, palpables, y los conocemos todos. Dio gracias a personas que han
estado con el en muchas campanas y que to acompanan en el d is de hoy como to
acompanaron en el 179, y se refirio', en el 181 se refirio al Reverendo -un
poquito mal pronunciado y de hecho casi no to reconocemos porque esta tan
flaco- el Reverendo Martin Anorga, a Pepe Hernandez, que tambien es buen amigo
de nosotros, y a Tony Zamora, mi ex-socio en el bufete y todavia socio en
asuntos de beneficio a la comunidad. Y dijo finalmente que la Ciudad de Nueva
York, eligio a un alcalde negro que to hicieron con participacien de todos los
votantes de todos los grupos eftnicos, que el Estado sureno de Virginia eligio
a un gobernador negro, y que el se siente muy orgulloso de nuestra Ciudad, que
con participacion de todos en el dia de ayer eligieron a un comisionado negro,
su propia persona.
7. STATEMENT BY OUTGOING COMMISSIONER ATHALIE RANGE.
Mayor Suarez: I would be inclined to lend a microphone to our outgoing
Commissioner, but that could be dangerous. She has been known to be eloquent
and lengthy, but - would you like to? Yes, I'd like Commissioner Athalie
Range to say a few words. (Applause)
Ms. Range: Thank you, thank you very much. How could anyone be dangerous at
a time like this? (Applause)
(Applause)
Ms. Range: We are - I first want to thank you again and again for having
allowed me the privilege of coming to be the caretaker of this particular seat
for these past four months. I have enjoyed every moment of it and I go now
with the satisfaction of knowing that I've done the very best I could. And as
I part these doors, I would speak especially to our incoming Commissioner,
Miriam Alonso, and... (Applause)
Ms. Range: ...wish her the very, very best. I'd say to you, Commissioner
Alonso, that the electorate has chosen you and I, as the outgoing
Commissioner, am proud to pass you the proverbial torch. I'll tell you,
Commissioner, at times that torch can get awfully heavy. At times you'll feel
very, very lonely. At times, these men being men as they are, they'll run off
and leave you alone. But you stand tall, you stand fast and take your burdens
along with you for as you take this torch, just remember that as moments come
when there will be so much indecision, when you won't be able to see the light
7 November 15, 1989
at the end of the tunnel. Those are the times when good and earnest
politicians know that then is the time they must put aside political
expediency and go with what is really in your heart. For God is always there.
And you'll find the right answer when you least expect it. I pass you this
torch with compassion and understanding and, above all, love. Thank you no
much. (Applause)
Mayor Suarez: I told Commissioner Range, who is a Catholic, "Wait till the
Pope hears about this reception you're getting here." Madam City Clerk, I
guess you were going to certify the election returns, but we don't need to do
that today.
Ms. Hirai: No, Mr. Mayor, we can do that at the regular meeting, yes.
Mayor Suarez: They have been certified?
8. (A) CONTINUE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR
NOVEMBER 16TH TO NOW TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 20, 1989.
(B) ANNOUNCE INTENT TO BRIEFLY CONVENE NOVEMBER 16TH (TOMORROW) FOR
PURPOSES OF CONTINUING THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA TO A FUTURE DATE.
Mayor Suarez: OK, and we have the business of deciding what to do about
tomorrow. We had scheduled a session including regular items and planning and
zoning for tomorrow. I have talked to our newly elected Commissioner, Dr.
Miriam Alonso, she has expressed, I think, correctly, and fairly, that there's
no way she could possibly go through all of the materials between today and
tomorrow that she would have to be properly prepared. So what we're going to
have to do procedurally, if Commissioner Plummer would...
Mr. Plummer: You can bring my brother back from Tallahassee, Wednesday's all
right.
Mayor Suarez: ...shut up for a second. What we're going to have to do is
we're going to have to convene tomorrow for purposes of continuing - I know,
the planning and zoning agenda and perhaps the regular meeting too. Am I
right, Mr. City Attorney, on that?
Mr. Fernandez: For certain, the planning and zoning agenda has to be
convened.
Mayor Suarez: And perhaps the regular meeting. And, J. L., you got a problem
with next Wednesday?
Mr. Plummer: I'll try to work it out.
Mayor Suarez: OK. And would, otherwise, we'll announce it tomorrow, I'll be
working with Commissioner Plummer and his calendar. We'll announce it
tomorrow, but most likely, we will be convening for our regular agenda and
planning and zoning on next Wednesday right prior to Thanksgiving. This gives
you an idea of the kind of work involved in being a Commissioner. Hopefully,
the media will carry that to all of you. And if there's no other further
business...
Mr. Fernandez: What time do you intend to meet, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Suarez: As we would have met tomorrow, which is 9:00 a.m., right?
Mr. Fernandez: Nine a.m., but that would be for the regular meeting.
Mr. Odio: Just for continuance.
Commissioner Plummer% Victor going to speak?
Mayor Suarez: I think I checked with the Vice Mayor. You're OK on that
timing, right? And Miller...
Commissioner Plummer: Do you want to speak?
8 November 15, 1959
Commissioner Dawkins: Tomorrow? Wednesday, I'm not all right.... Wednesday
is no good for me.
Mayor Suarez: Why not Monday or Tuesday? What was the problem Monday or
Tuesday?
Mr. Plummer: I would like Tuesday.
Mr. Odio: There's a technicality on Monday because...
Commissioner Dawkins: Monday's the only thing....
Mayor Suarez: If the Manager can't be here on Tuesday, we can do it with the
Assistant City Manager.
Mr. Odio: Oh, no, it's not me, it is the advertising.
Commissioner Plummer: What about the advertising?
Mr. Odio: That's the problem...
Mayor Suarez: We have to meet tomorrow to continue all the items.
Mr. Plummer: Will we meet at nine and at 2:00, or just at nine?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes... no, no, the problem is, Mr. Mayor, that to continue the
P&Z meeting which is scheduled to start at 2:00, you must meet then at 2:00
o'clock.
Mayor Suarez: OK, we will convene tomorrow at 2:00 o'clock for purposes of
continuing the planning and zoning agenda and today we'll announce that we
will have the regular session also. Well, we're going to have to...
Mr. Fernandez: You need a motion and a resolution for that.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, we're going to have to do that. We're going to have to do
that tomorrow at two. I guess we'd better do it today.
Mr. Fernandez: You'd better do it today.
Mayor Suarez: All right, how about Tuesday? We'd better do it today,
otherwise people will be here tomorrow at nine.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Plummer: Tuesday's all right with me.
Mayor Suarez: Tuesday?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes, for the regular agenda, you may, by motion, now postpone
it to next Tuesday.
Mayor Suarez: And tomorrow, when we convene, we can also choose Tuesday for
the planning and zoning, but we cannot do that today. All right, I'll
entertain a motion...
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Plummer: So move.
Mayor Suarez: ...that the Commission meeting that would have been held, the
regular session tomorrow at nine, be deferred or continued until next Tuesday
at 9:00 a.m.
Commissioner Plummer: That's fine.
Mayor Suarez: Dr. Alonso? OK, so moved and second...
Commissioner Dawkins: Under discussion.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner Dawkins.
9 November 15, 1989
•
•
Commissioner Dawkins: I hate to do this to Miriam Alonso to miss her first
meeting, but Tuesday is a bad day. I have a previous engagement I've already
made and I will not be here. But, therefore, because we have a new
Commissioner, I'm sure she'll be able to carry on and vote for me and her.
Mayor Suarez: You get two votes on Tuesday. All right, how about Monday?
Monday?
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, we continue...
o
Mr. Fernandez: You don't need to do any advertising.
Mayor Suarez: We can do it Monday.
Commissioner Dawkins: Well, Monday is good for me, but Tuesday is bad.
Mayor Suarez: Monday?
Commissioner Plummer: What about Monday? Xavier?
Mayor Suarez: We have the hot one, I don't know.
Commissioner Plummer: Is Victor going to speak? Yes. I got the performing
arts on Monday. Nine a.m. Which - where do you want?
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: All right, the motion is restated for Monday.
Commissioner Plummer: I'll be here instead of performing art, fine.
Mayor Suarez: We'll have to send a representative for Commissioner Plummer to
the performing arts. Do you want to second the motion? Thank you. Moved and
seconded. Any discussion? If not, call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 89-998
A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING THE FIRST REGULAR CITY
COMMISSION MEETING IN NOVEMBER, 1989 TO TAKE PLACE ON
NOVEMBER 20, 1989, COMMENCING AT 9:00 A.M.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Alonso , the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner Miriam Alonso
Commissioner Miller Dawkins
Vice Mayor Victor De Yurre
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Suarez: Unanimous, unanimous! We're adjourned.
Mr. Fernandez: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, you're still then meeting at 2:00
o'clock tomorrow for the P&Z?
Commissioner Plummer: We'll be here at 2:00, 2:00 tomorrow.
10 November 15, 1989
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY
COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 12:51 P.M.
Xavier L. Suarez
M A Y 0 R
ATTEST: •y�`�. .
Matty Hirai
CITY CLERK G� +,•
Walter J. Foeman
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK �' 'rh ���-•.,,
M
C VO
11 November 15, 1989
R
CITY OF MIAMI
DOCUMENT INDEX
MUMM MTE November 15, 1989
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