Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1985-03-12 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI ti l e� M MAI ..�U N ES OF MEETING HELD ON _ March 12, 1985 (SPECIAL) PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL RALPH G.. ONGIE CITY CLERK INDEX MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA PARCH 12, 1985 ITEM SUBJECT LEGISLATION PAGE N0. N0. 1 ELECTING AND APPOINTING SERGIO PEREIRA AS CITY MANAGER. M-85-222 1-4 2 DENOUNCING THE LOCAL PRODUCTION OF "SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL TO YOU". R-85-223 4-5 s1k, MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 12th day of March, 1985, 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 business of public import, namely, the selection of a new City Manager. The meeting was called to order at 2:10 O'Clock A.M. by Mayor Maurice A. Ferre with the following members of the Commission found to be present: Commissioner Demetrio Perez, Jr. Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice -Mayor Joe Carollo Mayor Maurice A. Ferre ALSO PRESENT: Randolph B. Rosencrantz, City Manager Lucia Allen Dougherty, City Attorney Ralph G. Ongie, City Clerk An invocation was delivered by Mayor Ferre who then led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 ELECTING AND APPOINTING SERGIO PEREIRA AS CITY MANAGER Mayor Ferre: At this time, it is my understanding that a member of the Commission has made a public declaration as to his position. I think this obviously breaks the deadlock. At this time I am open for a motion. Mr. Carollo: Mr. Mayor, I'd like to, at this point in time, present a motion to select Sergio Pereira our next City Manager. Mr. Plummer: Are you going to go back through the process again? Mayor Ferre: I don't think so. If there is a motion to select him, now if we want to, I'd be happy to do it. It's up to the Commission. I don't want to ram rod anything on anybody. Mr. Plummer: My understanding is that those names that are in nomination, stay in nomination.... Mayor Ferre: Absolutely. Mr. Plummer: ....if there is not necessary any renewal. Mayor Ferre: I would accept that, fine. Mr. Perez: That's not the vote in 36. That's a new vote now. Mayor Ferre: That's right. I'll do it anyway you want. It doesn't really matter how we do it. I think one way or the other, the results are going to be the same. Mr. Plummer: I think so. Mayor Ferre: I'm sure. INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. Mayor Ferre: Then we'll do it through ballot process. Write number one up at the top. This is the first ballot of the day. Mr. Carollo: Mr. Mayor, I think we should put all the names and nominations again; if we're going to do this way, we should do it right. Mayor Ferre: All right. Mr. Carollo: I nominate Sergio Pereira, Mr. Plummer: I put in the name of Cesar Odio. Mr. Perez: Mr. Mayor, I would like to move a motion that this selection, we have the opportunity to make a unanimous appointment. First, I will second Commissioner Plummer in what he proposed, if he makes that as a proposal, you know. I don't have any doubt to support again Cesar Odio. But I think that as a matter of unity, I think that this is an exceptional opportunity and as a matter of courtesy, if we have discovered in the media yesterday that we have the third vote, I would like to have the pleasure that Sergio Pereira, the first Cuban -American would have this position, be elected today with the five votes of the five members of - this Commission. I would like to move that motion. Mayor Ferre: I would thank you for doing it that way. I think whomever is to be the City Manager, that person should have as much support as is possible. I think if there is any way possible to get four or five votes, I think the City of Miami and the people of Miami are substantially ahead. I thank you for doing it that way. I'll accept it in that form. Anybody is, as far as I'm concerned, can vote for any person they want to, but I would hope that we would get a strong a vote, and I thank you. Mr. Carollo: Mr. Mayor, I don't quite understand what the _ Commissioner stated. He may repeat what he said over again so we could understand him a little better. Mr. Perez: That we make a unanimous motion in order that Sergio Pereira be elected with the five members, with the five votes in this Commission. Mr. Carollo: Well, that's what I was trying to do, Commissioner, when I presented my motion, but Mr. Plummer and apparently yourself weren't in agreement with that. Mayor Ferre: You see, he's seconding the motion and I'm accepting. Mr. Perez: I recognized your intention at the beginning, but when the Mayor called for a different nomination, I wanted to clarify my position and I moved that motion. Mr. Dawkins: this to say Pereira? sl Madam City Attorney, is the correct way to do that we cast one unanimous vote for Sergio 2 March 12, 1985 w Mrs. Dougherty: If there is a consensus of all the Commissioners. Mayor Ferre: No, excuse me, when you're finished, I'd like to tell you, because the way we operate in our rules, as Chairman, I rule, and you can overrule me on a legal technicality, three votes can overrule me otherwise. My rule is that I accept, recognize the Commissioner who spoke first, that being Commissioner Carollo. I accept the second of Commissioner Perez on behalf of Sergio Pereira after he made his motion. Out of courtesy to the members of the Commission, I'll do it any way you want to do it. If you want to vote, that's perfectly all right, and I will accept any nominations, so that we do it in an orderly fashion. I have now accepted Cesar Odio in nomination. I have accepted Sergio Pereira. Are there any other nominations, -in a moment, Cesar, in a moment. Any other nominations at this time? I will now ask for a motion to close nominations. Mr. Plummer: So move. Mr. Cesar Odio: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Ferre: I'll recognize you as soon as we finish with the order before us. There's a second on closing of nominations. Call the roll on the closing of nominations. ON MOTION DULY MADE AND SECONDED, THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR CITY MANAGER. Mayor Ferre: Now, Mr. Odio. Mr. Odio: Sir, with respect and with my appreciation to Commissioner Plummer and Commissioner Perez, I would like to withdraw my nomination. I would like to see the new City Manager elected with the full support of the City Commission. I understand what it takes to run the City and I think it is for the best interest of the taxpayers of the City of Miami. Thank you, sir. APPLAUSE. Mayor Ferre: I thank you, Mr. Odio, for doing what you have just done. Technically, that brings us back to one. There is only one person as nominee; and therefore, there is no need to go through a ballot. I will now accept a motion. Mr. Carollo: Mr. Mayor, I again make the original motion that I made to select Sergio Pereira to be our next City Manager. Mayor Ferre: Is there a second? All right, is there further discussion? Mr. Carollo: It was seconded by Commissioner Dawkins. Mayor Ferre: By Dawkins... this is the final vote on the selection of Sergio Pereira. It was moved by Carollo and seconded by Dawkins. Is there further discussion? If not, call the roll, please. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Carollo, who moved its adoption: sl MOTION NO. 85-222 A MOTION ELECTING AND APPOINTING SERGIO PEREIRA AS CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI EFFECTIVE ON A DATE IN APRIL 1985 TO BE ANNOUNCED. 3 March 12, 1985 1"*%N e"IN Upon being seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Commissioner Demetrio Perez, Jr. Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice -Mayor Joe Carollo Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None. ABSENT: None. Mayor Ferre: In voting yes, let me say that I think -I know this has been painful to some people, and I'm sorry for that; but I think this is a unifying factor for the City of Miami. I'm proud that we have come together and that the new manager has five votes. I vote yes. 2 DENOUNCING THE LOCAL PRODUCTION OF "SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL TO YOUR ------------------------------------------------------------ Mayor Ferre: We have a resolution denouncing the local production of the play "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it all to You" as being an offensive travesty on the religious values held on high regard by a large number of citizens of the City of Miami. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a difference between freedom of the press and a violation of the first amendment and common courtesy and decency. I. think it would be wrong in this community to have a play that would be offensive to Israel, for example, and the Jewish people. I think especially when you get into the realms of religion, that we can't prevent this play from showing here, but certainly we can protest it. The Mayor of Boston himself went on a picket line and I may follow the example of the Mayor of Boston in his protest. I would like someone to make this motion of simply denouncing this play. Mr. Plummer: I don't know what they hell you're talking about. Mayor Ferre: Well, you talk to the archbishop. Mr. Plummer: No, the archbishop should talk to me. Mayor Ferre: I didn't talk to him, J.L., but I do read the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine, Newsweek, and everything else and this has been headlines all over the country about this play. The Catholic bishops have condemned it publicly. Is there a motion? Mr. Dawkins: Plummer moves it. Mayor Ferre: Plummer moves. Is there a second? Mr. Dawkins: Second. Mayor Ferre: Dawkins seconds, call the roll. sl 4 March 12, 1985 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 85-223 A RESOLUTION DENOUNCING THE LOCAL PRODUCTION OF THE PLAY "SR. MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL TO YOU" AS BEING AN OFFENSIVE TRAVESTY ON THE RELIGIOUS VALUES HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY A LARGE NUMBER OF CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Commissioner Demetrio Perez, Jr. Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice -Mayor Joe Carollo Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: "::, i,e. ABSENT: None, Mayor Ferre: Is Mr. Pereira here? Mr. Pereira will not be taking office until April. Therefore, he will not be sworn in today. Therefore, Randy Rosencrantz remains City Manager until Sergio swears in in April. Is there anything else? ------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE FOR THE RECORD: "Happy Birthday" was sung to Commissioner Carollo. ------------------------------------------------------------ ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the City Commission, on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 2:21 p.m ATTEST: RALPH G. ONGIE City Clerk sl MATTY HIRAI Assistant City Clerk � 5 MAURICE A. FERRER Mayor t I2C66R OR�7E� 1� Ld March 12, 1985 u DOCUMENT INDEX MEETING DATE MARCH 12, 1985