HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-82-0605- _ .,4".i 0 ow
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of
the City Commission
'82
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FROM a ge F. Knox, Jr.
Ci 4torney
UAIF July 1, 1982 FILE.
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kift r�SUBJ CT. Referendum, November 2, 1982
(General Election)
Rao;h C:.. is
Clt}44iEI�c Proposed Charter Amendments
City of Wallli• a-
ENCLOSURES.
With City Commission meetings in July scheduled for 7/22/82
and 7/29/82, and no meetings taking place during August, we
have prepared and are attaching pertinent calendar deadlines
for the guidance of all concerned with the question of char-
ter changes to be proposed at the November 2, 1982 General
Election.
The distribution of an authorizing resolution for the City
Attorney to draft charter amendments was made earlier today
to insure that any special charter committees appointed by
individual members of the City Commission would have the
opportunity to review the areas covered by the Mayor's Special
Charter Committee, as reflected in a preliminary informal
report prepared by Stuart Simon and distributed to the City
Commission on June 24, 1982 prior to review thereof by that
commmittee sitting as a body. The final version of any
authorizing resolution will have to be adopted no later than
July 29, 1982.
Presumably, the Mayor's committee meeting which took place
today at 10:00 A.M. will result in a formal report submit-
ted in final draft form within a day or two. After receipt
of all material for inclusion in the authorizing resolution,
we will then draft appropriate ordinance(s) to implement the
proposed changes. In accordance with the attached guidelines,
the amendatory ordinance(s) would have to have a first read-
ing on 9/9/82. A City Commission meeting would have to be
scheduled for Thursday, 9/16/82; Friday, 9/17/82; or Satur-
day, 9/18/82, to comply with our City Code which requires
the fixing of the ballot question 45 days before the election
and to have the second reading of the ordinance(s).
GFK/RFC/rr
cc: Howard V. Gary, City Manager
L Utty Hirai, Acting City Clerk
GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES FOR CHARTER AMEND-
MENTS) IN CONNECTION WITH NOVEMBER 2, 1982
GENERAL ELECTION REFERENDUMM
I. After 7/5/82 and before 9/3/82, a resolution is needed
authorizing and directing the City Attorney to draft proposed
charter amendment(s) regarding whatever subject matter(s) is/are
involved.
NOTE: The scheduled City Commission meeting for non -
planning and zoning items in July falls on
7/22/82. The City Manager's normal agenda prep-
aration deadline would be 7/8/82. If such reso-
lution is to be considered on 7/29/82 by the City
Commission (P&Z Meeting), the normal agenda
deadline would be 7/15/82.
II. Assuming a first reading of proposed amendatory ordi-
nance(s) on 9/9/82 (non-P&Z meeting), there would have to be a
published notice on 9/l/82 of the scheduled first reading. The
City Manager's normal agenda preparation deadline for this meet-
ing of 9/9/82 would be 8/26/82.
NOTE: This date (9/9/82) would also be the deadline date
for delivery of ballot questions to the County
Supervisor of Elections for necessary translation
by that office of the questions, which questions
will be set forth in a resolution* (see Paragraph
III).
III. Our City Code requires a resolution* to be adopted 45
days prior to an election calling for the election and placing
the proposed charter amendment questions on the ballot; accord-
ingly, a City Commission meeting will have to be held no later
than 9/18/82 for adoption of such resolution as well as for the
second reading of the proposed charter amendment ordinance(s).
NOTE: Because 9/18/82 falls on Saturday, we will assume
that Friday 9/17/82 would be an acceptable date
for such City Commission meeting.
IV. Assuming a second reading of the proposed amendatory
ordinance(s) on 9/17/82, there would have to be a published
notice on 9/9/82 of this second reading.
V. During the week beginning 9/26/82 but not later than
9/30/82, there would have to be publication of the notice of
special election, as provided for in the resolution listed in
Proposal III above.
VI. During the week beginning 10/10/82, there would have to
be a second publication of notice of special election.
-----------------------------------------
* Adoption of this resolution after 9/9/82 will necessitate
translation by City staff.
E' CtTY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA
f
INTER -OFFICE 01,4EMORANDUM
i
Mayor and Members July 1, 1982
of the City Commission
Special City Commission
(�J Meeting, 7/2/82: City Attorney
Selection; Referendum Questions
Ge ge F. Knox�Jrj "'' = Item., for Consideration
C1 Attorney
(5)
Attached you will find a proposed resolution authorizing and
directing the City Attorney to draft amendments to the City
Charter concerning the legislative governance of the City
including powers, functions, tenure and compensation of the —
Mayor, the City Commission and the City Manager; further
concerning the Office of the City Attorney and the effect of
opinions rendered by the City Attorney.
As I stated at the City Commission Meeting of June 24, 1982,
you will find attached a resolution calling for a referendum
on the question of the cable television City licensee's
offering the service of instant public opinion polling
through use of the cable system.
Our office has also prepared the attached resolution which
should secure an expression from the electorate on the ques-
tion of using City funds to support conferences or'conven-
tions where representatives from communist -bloc countries
may be in attendance (?lotion No. 82-210, 3/11/82).
In connection with securing an expression of citizen prefer-
ence on the question of City waste collection service, two
proposed resolutions in tentative form have been prepared
and are attached hereto for your review and consideration
(Motion No. 82-98, 2/11/82).
Our office has been in contact with the County Supervisor of
Elections, who advises us that our final wording of ballot
questions for the September 7, 1982 election must be deliv-
ered to him by Tuesday morning, July 6. 1982 in order for
that office to accomplish necessary translation of the
questions.
GFK/RFC/rr
cc: Howard V. Gary, City Manager
Matty Hirai, Acting City Clerk
Clarance Patterson, Director
Solid Waste
ji
July 1, 1982
FINAL REPORT
OF
THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUGGESTING MODIFICATIONS TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
The Advisory Committee appointed by the Mayor to
review and recommend changes in the City's Charter met on a
number of occasions during May and June of 1982. The Committee
was composed of the following persons: Dan Paul, Chairman, Al
Cardenas, Darrey A. Davis, George F. Knox, Jr., Thomas
McAliley, Jesse McCrary, and Stuart L. Simon. Clark Merrill,
Assistant to the City Manager, and Robert F. Clark, Deputy City
Attorney, attended the sessions, supplied requested information
of a factual nature, and assisted the Committee in other ways.
The Committee had no official status and was comprised of
members asked to serve by the Mayor to review the City's
Charter and to recommend changes on an informal basis to the
1. The legislative governance of the City is to be
the responsibility of a nine -member City Commission. Eight
commissioners are to be chosen from eight single -member dis-
tricts, each being approximately equal in population, into
which the City is to be divided. Each of the eight single -
member districts would elect a resident of that district to the
City Commission. The Mayor would be the ninth member of the
Commission and would be elected by the voters of the City in an
at -large election. Attached hereto is a map showing eight pos-
sible single -member districts, each being approximately equal
in population, and reflecting one way into which the City could
be subdivided into eight sections or districts. The Committee
does not recommend the division of the City into the eight
districts specifically shown on the map, but has used the map
merely to illustrate one way in which eight approximately
equal -sized single -member districts could be created.
The essential reason for the Committee's
unanimous recommendation of this proposal was its feeling that
the division of the City into eight single -member districts
would virtually guarantee a proper representation of each of
the major ethnic groups that comprise the City's electorate on
the Commission.
2. The. Mayor should preside at City Commission
meetings and should remain a voting member of the Commission
-2- SZ-GC
The Committee unanimously supported this proposal
after it was determined that the Mayor should remain part of
the legislative branch of government instead of becoming the
City's Chief Executive officer. ■
3. The Mayor should not have the power to veto
legislative enactments of the City Commission.
The Committee made this recommendation by a vote -
of four to one, for the same reason that it supported the
second proposal set out above. Mr. Cardenas cast the single
dissenting vote and supported a veto power in the Mayor with
the City Commission empowered to override the Mayor's veto by
the vote of at least six members of the Commission.
4. The Mayor and the present Commissioners would all -
serve until 1984 with those whose terms end in 1983 having
their terms extended by a year while those whose terms would
otherwise end in 1985 having their terms shortened by a year.
The Committee supported this recommendation by a
unanimous vote with the realization that a radically different
form of government must have a single point of beginning in
time despite the existing system of staggered terms.
5. The Mayor and the eight single -member district
commissioners would all be elected for a four year term
beginning in 1984. Similar elections would be held in 1988 and
every four years thereafter. In 1986 and every four years
thereafter the Mayor and the eight single -member district
-3-
commissioners would run in a City-wide election in which all
City voters would be eligible to vote on whether the Mayor and
each of the eight commissioners should continue in office for
the balance of their four year terms. The Mayor and each W
commissioner would be voted upon separately in these
elections. Rejected officials would continue to serve in
office thereafter until their successors were elected through —
special elections called in the individual single -member
districts to complete the balance of the four year terms.
Rejected officials would be permitted to run to succeed
themselves in the individual single -member district elections
despite their rejection in the City-wide elections.
The discussion on this novel issue was spirited
and the proposal wa., approved by a three to two vote. Members
Cardenas, Knox, and Paul voted in favor on the basis that
Commissioners elected on a single -member district basis should
only continue in office after the first two years of their
terms without having to run again in their respective districts
if they were acceptable to the City-wide electorate. Members
Davis and Simon voted against the proposal because they felt
that such a system would tend to generate and magnify tensions
between ethnic groups in the City.
6. The .present system of staggered terms for the
- elected officials should be discontinued.
- 4- 82-Go„I
This proposal was approved by unanimous vote
(5 - 0). The members felt that staggered terms would not be
compatible with the complex electoral systems described in
paragraph 5 above.
7. The City Commission should appoint the City
Attorney and all members of City Boards, Committees and
Authorities.
The members voted for this proposal unanimously.
8. The Mayor would have the right to nominate his
choice for City Manager to the Commission. The Mayor's nominee
would become City Manager unless rejected by the Commission
within 30 days of the nomination. Dismissal of the City
Manager would be by the same procedure.
The members approved this proposal unanimously
for the reason that it gave the Mayor, the only official
elected on a City-wide basis, the power to nominate without
diminishing in any way the overall power to govern lodged in
the legislative branch of government.
9. Salaries of the Commissioners should be $5,000
per annum increased by the same percentage as the cost of
living increase since 1951, and to be increased hereafter in
the same way. The Mayor should receive twice the salary of a
Commissioner together with reasonable and necessary expenses
within the amount provided in the annual budget approved by the
Commission.
{
The Committee approved this proposal unanimously
i
because it believed the small compensation presently received
by the City's elected officials should be increased to some
extent so that (a) the quality of the City's elected officials
would remain high and (b) the salaries would more fairly
compensate the Mayor and the Commission members for the lengthy
hours they spend and for the pressures that holding office
inevitably compels them to endure.
10. The elections should be held at the times set for
State primary system and general elections.
The Committee favored this proposal for reasons
based on economy, to insure a large representative turn -out at
City elections, and to reduce campaign expenditures.
11. There should be no limit on the number of terms
the Mayor and the Commissioners might legally serve.
The Committee voted for this proposal by a vote
of four to two. Those who favored the proposal felt that the
City electorate in a democratic society should be permitted to
return their most favored elected officials to office as many
times as they wished.
12. The City Attorney should serve at the pleasure of
the Commission. His opinions should be binding on the
Commission and the City administrative staff.
_ 1
The Committee felt that the City Attorney's
position should be strengthened in the manner recommended in
-6-
82--Oc3
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the proposal, and that the Commission would then be less likely
to enact illegal ordinances and resolutions for essentially
political reasons.
13. The non -civil service staff of the City
Attorney's Office should be appointed by the City Attorney,
subject to budget limitations.
The Committee felt that this proposal would
stengthen the position of the City Attorney and help maintain
his independence from political pressures.
(14. The City Manager s ould appoint department heads
and assistant city managers, subject to the approval of the
`_y` � ommiss /on.
The Committee felt that this proposal would
further maintain and encourage a civil service system based
more on merit and less on patronage or political favor.
15. The Committee finds that the City of Miami
Charter is in need of in-depth examination and modification in
many other areas, but such changes were beyond the charge of
the present Committee and therefore not undertaken.
The Committee would be remiss if it failed to
acknowledge the dedicated clerical assistance that was
furnished to it continuously during its tenure by Berenice B.
I
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Bass of the City's Law Department who served as the Committee's
Recording Secretary in exemplary fashion.
Stuart L. Simon
For the Committee
July 1, 1982
5911AO70282
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FLAGLER ST.
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IN
VIRGMA
`GREATER MIAMI UNITED, INC.
539 Ingraham Building 25 S.E. Second Ave. A�Miami,Fla.33131 Telephone: (305) 577.1919 —
TO: The Steering Committee
and Board of Directors
FROM: Laurie A. Raskin
Executive Director
DATE: June 23, 1982
At the Steering Committee meeting on June 18, Jerry Cope,
Greater Miami United Reapportionment Task Force Chairman,
made a presentation on the attached materials concerning
a proposed charter revision affecting the Metro -Dade Com-
mission. He sought Greater Miami United support for plac-
ing this charter amendment before the public in a referen-
dum this fall. The Metro -Dade Commission will consider the
request for -a —referendum at the County Commission meeting
�ri"July 6, 1982.
The Steering Committee decided to call a special meeting
to obtain a fuller presentation and consider the request
for support. The special
a thcial meeting will be held on Thursday
,July 1, 1982 at 8 a.me
Holiday Inn Restaurant
2500 Brickell
(Brickell Avenue at the entrance
to the Rickenbacker Causeway)
Arrival at 7:45 will allow you time to order your break-
fast prior to the meeting. Please call the office at
577-1919 to confirm your attendance.
0
i
CONSENSUS POSITION
1. -The County Commission shall be expanded by two (2)
members to eleven
2. Each of seven members of the County Commission shall
represent the citizens of one of seven designated districts
from throughout the country as a whole and shall be elected
exclusively by the qualified electors of those districts.
3. Four members of the County Commission, including the
Mayor, each shall represent the citizens of the County at -large
and shall be elected by the qualified electors of the County +
as a whole.
4. `All Commissioners shall serve a four (4)`year term.
Four of the District Commissioners and two of the At -Large
Commissioners, one of whom shall be the Mayor, shall ve
elected during the same general election. The three remaining
District Commissioners and two of the At -Large Commissioners
shall be elected at the following general election.
5. A Boundary Commission shall 'oe established within
sixty (60) days (of the effective date of this ordinance),
composed of five (5) residents of Dade County who shall serve
until their charge is completed. The Chief Judge of the
Circuit Court of Dade County shall appoint the members of the
Boundary Commission upon presentation of three (3) nominees
from each County Commissioner, including the Mayor.
62_• V V l;
0
CONSENSUS POSITION
1. The County Commission shall be expanded by two (2)
members to eleven (11).
2. Each of seven members of the County Commission shall
f ,
represent the citizens of one of seven designated districts
from throughout the country as a whole and shall be elected
exclusively by the qualified electors of those districts.
3. Four members of the County Commission, including the ±w:
Mayor, each shall represent the•citizens of the County at -large
and shall be elected by the qualified electors of the County '
as a whole.
4. `All Commissioners shall serve a four (4) `year term.
Four of the District Commissioners and two of the At -Large
Commissioners, one of whom shall be the Mayor, shall ve
elected during the same general election. The three..remaining
District Commissioners and two of the At -Large Commissioners
shall be elected at the following general election.
5. A Boundary Commission shall be established within
sixty (60) days (of the effective date of this ordinance),
composed of five (5) residents of Dade County who shall serve
until their charge is completed. The Chief Judge of the
Circuit Court of Dade County shall appoint the members of the
Boundary Commission upon presentation of three (3) nominees
from each County Commissioner, including the 2•iayor.
The Boundary Commission, once constituted, shall
and
choose its own chairman/ shall.have the responsibility of
establishing *boundaries for the aforementioned districts in
accordance with the following specific standards: `
A. -Population Equality
B. Contiguity
C. Compactness
' D. Comformity to municipal and other election
boundaries
E. -Communities of interest
Non-discrimination
The Planning Director and the Elections Chief shall
staff the Boundary Commission.
6. The Mayor shall have the following additional powers:
A. Preside at County Commission meetings but vote
only to break a tie;
B. Veto power over actions of the County Commission
subject to a 2/3 majority for an over -ride;
C. Appoint or remove a professional County Administrator
with the concurrence of a majority of the
County Commission.
c� Respectfully submitted,
David A. Kobrin
April 27, 1982
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C1'i'"l OF MIAMI
SPECIAL MEETING
4
MEETING DATE: JUly 2, 1982 CITY HALL • DINNER KEY
Items" in the supplemental agenda attached hereto.
A MOTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING MR. JOSE GARC OSO AS M 82-604
CITY ATTORNEY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA. MOVED: PLUMMER
SECOND: DAWKINS
UNANIMOUS
A MOTION OF THE CIT MRT SION STIPULATING THAT ALL THE PROPOSED
CHARTER REVI AS ITEMIZED BY THE MAYOR AND AS MORE FULLY DISCUSSED
BY TH&MerERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION DURING THE DELIBERATIONS OF THIS
A MOTION OF INTENT OF THE CITY COMMISSION TO ADOPT PROPOSED CHARTER
REVISIONS, AS MORE FULLY OUTLINED DURING ITS DELIBERATIONS OF THIS SAME
DATE, WHICH ARE BASICALLY AS FOLLOWS:
I. (a) THE COMMISSION WILL BE COMPOSED OF A MAYOR AND SIX COMMIS-
SIONERS. THEY WILL BE ELECTED AS FOLLOWS: IN THE 1984
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND EVERY FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER, THE
MAYOR WILL BE ELECTED AT -LARGE. TWO COMMISSIONERS WILL BE
ELECTED FROM DISTRICTS AND ONE AT -LARGE. IN 1986, AND EVERY
FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER, TWO COMMISSIONERS WILL BE ELECTED
FROM DISTRICTS AND ONE AT -LARGE. THE FIRST DISTRICTS TO GO
TO ELECTION, TENTATIVELY, HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
IN 1984- (1) THE BAY SIDE DISTRICT (ALL PRECINCTS
ALONG THE BAY),INCLUDING THE CORAL GATE
AREA;
(ii) FLAGAMI TO SOUTHWEST LITTLE HAVANA.
IN 1986 (1) THE CENTRAL DISTRICT (INCLUDING THE
CIVIC CENTER, ORANGE BOWL, EAST LITTLE
HAVANA, AND THE SHENANDOAH AREA);
(ii) THE NORTHWEST DISTRICT (INCLUDING LIBERTY
CITY, BUENA VISTA, MANOR PARK, AND THE
ALLAPATTAH AREA).
(b) A BOUNDARIES COMMITTEE WILL BE IMPANELLED EVERY TEN YEARS
AFTER THE DECENNIAL CENSUS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING
THE BOUNDARIES. THE FOUR DISTRICTS WILL BE EQUALLY DIVIDED
TO MEET THE ONE-MAN, ONE -VOTE, CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE BUT
WILL LEGALLY GERRYMANDER SO AS TO MAINTAIN REPRESENTATION
BOTH ON A NEIGHBORHOOD AND ON AN ETHNIC BASIS.
(c) THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF DADE COUNTY WILL
EITHER SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OR APPOINT THE CHAIRPERSON OF
THE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE WILL BE COMPOSED OF THE
PRESIDENTS OF THE DADE COUNTY BAR ASSN., THE BLACK LAWYERS
ASSN., AND THE CUBAN-AMERICAN LAWYERS ASSN. EACH MEMBER OF
THE COMMISSION, INCLUDING THE MAYOR, WILL APPOINT A
REPRESENTATIVE.
M 82-605
MOVED: CAROLLO
SECOND: PEREZ
M 82-606
MOVED: FERRE
SECOND: PEREZ
NOES: DAWKINS
CITY OF MIAIV
i
CITY CURK REPORTS
MEETING DATE: July 2, 1982 PAGE NO. 2
II. THE MAYOR SHALL NOMINATE THE CITY MANAGER. AFTER WRITTEN NOTIFICATIOI
OF THIS NOMINATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS, THE COMMISSIONERS WILL HAVE
THIRTY (30) DAYS TO REJECT THE NOMINATION BY SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE. I1
THE COMMISSIONERS REJECT, THE MAYOR MUST SUBMIT A NEW NAME WITHIN
THIRTY (30) DAYS. IF, AFTER THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE NOMINATIONS BY THE
MAYOR, SAID PROPOSED NOMINATIONS ARE REJECTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION,
FROM THAT POINT ON, IT WILL BE THE CITY COMMISSION'S RESPONSIBILITY
TO SELECT A CITY MANAGER.
THE SAME PROCEDURE WILL WORK FOR THE DISMISSAL OF THE CITY
MANAGER; i.e., THE MAYOR CAN REMOVE, AND IF THE COMMISSIONERS REJECT,
IT MUST BE BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS. UPON
A DECISION BY THE MAYOR TO HAVE THE CITY MANAGER DISMISSED, THE
FOLLOWING PROCEDURE SHALL BE FOLLOWED:
(a) THE MAYOR SHALL SEND A WRITTEN FORMAL COMMUNICATION TO THE
CITY CLERK CLEARLY STATING THE REASONS FOR THE DISMISSAL;
(b) THE CITY CLERK WOULD THEN DISTRIBUTE SAID COMMUNICATIONS TO
THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION;
(c) IF THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE CITY COMMISSION, WHILE IN SESSION,
DOES NOT VOTE IN ITS MAJORITY TO OVERRIDE THE MAYOR, THE DISMIS-
SAL WOULD THEN BE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.
III. ANNUALLY, ON AUGUST 1ST, THE MAYOR WILL SUBMIT THE BUDGET TO THE CITY
OF MIAMI COMMISSION FOR DELIBERATION AND PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET
ORDINANCE BY OCTOBER 1ST, WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI. THE COMMISSION, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BUDGET
SUBMITTAL OF THE MAYOR, WILL BEGIN BUDGET DELIBERATIONS ON SEPTEMBER
IST.
IV. THE SALARIES AND EXPENSES FOR THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS, AS
CURRENTLY OUTLINED IN THE CHARTER, WILL BE INCREASED TO ACCOUNT FOR
THE COST OF LIVING INCREASE SINCE 1951. THE MAYOR'S SALARY WILL
ALWAYS BE TWICE THAT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
V. THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD AT THE TIMES SET FOR STATE PRIMARY
SYSTEM AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.
VI. THE CITY ATTORNEY SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSION.
HIS OPINIONS SHALL BE BINDING ON THE COMMISSION AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE
STAFF.
VII. THE CITY MANAGER SHALL APPOINT DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ASSISTANT CITY
AGERS, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COMMISSION.
IT qfAFURTHER STIPULATED THAT ALL THESE ITEMS SHALL BE PLACED ON THE
NOVEMBER, 1982 BALLOT AS ONE VOTE, EXCEPT THE SALARY INCREASE ITEM WHICH
ITEM SHALL STAND AS A SEPARATE QUESTION. PREVIOUS TO THE PLACING OF ALL
THESE ITEMS IN THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, THE CITY CLERK SHALL PROPERLY ADVERTISE
FOR THE HOLDING OF A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (NAMELY THREE [31) TO BE
HELD IN THE FOLLOWING GEOGRAPHICALLY CHOSEN AREAS:
(a) ONE PUBLIC HEARING IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, AT THE MIAMI EDISON
SENIOR COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
(b) ONE IN THE LATIN COMMUNITY, AT THE LITTLE HAVANA COMMUNITY
CENTER; AND
(c) ONE PUBLIC HEARING AT CITY HALL, AT DINNER KEY.
ALL THE HERINABOVE PROPOSED CHARTER REVISIONS TO BE FURTHER REFINED,
EXPANDED AND/OR CHANGED SUBSEQUENT TO THE HOLDING OF THE THREE (3) PUBLIC
HEARINGS. THE CITY ATTORNEY IS HEREBY INSTRUCTED TO LEGALLY RESEARCH,
PERFECT, AND COME BACK WITH THE APPROPRIATE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL PASSAGE
AND ADOPTION AT A COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD SOMETIME BEFORE THE SECOND
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.
Informe del Secretario de la Ciudad = Sesion de la Comision de la Ciudad de Miami
celebrada el 2 de julio de 1982.
Mocion expresando la intention de la Comision Municipal de Miami de
adoptar las revisiones propuestas a la Carta Constitutional de la Ciudad, segun
fueron discutidas en esta fecha (2 de julio de 1982) y quo son basicamente Como
sigue:
I. a) La Comision estara compuesta de un Alcalde y seis Comisionados.
Los mismos seran elegidos de la siguiente forma: En las elec-
ciones presidenciales de 1984 y cada cuatro anos a partir de
esa fecha, el Alcalde sera elegido por toda la Ciudad. Dos
Comisionados seran elegidos por distritos y uno por toda la
Ciudad. En 1986 y cada cuatro anos a partir de esa fecha, dos
Comisionados seran elegidos por distritos y uno por toda la
Ciudad. Los primeros distritos que se presentaran a elecciones
son, tentativamente:
En 1984 (1) E1 distrito colindante con la bahia (todos los
precintos a to largo de la bahia), incluyendo el
Area de Coral Gate;
(11) Flagami hasta el Suroeste de. la Pequena Habana.
En 1986 (1) E1 distrito central (incluyendo el Civic Center,
Orange Bowl, el Este de la Pequena Habana, y el
Area de Shenandoah;
(11) E1 distrito Noroeste (incluyendo Liberty City,
Buena Vista, Manor Park, y el area de Allapattah).
b) Un comite encargado de supers*isar los limites sera elegido cada
diet anos, depues del Censo quo se lleva a Cabo tambien cada
die-z anos, con el proposito de establecer dichos limites. Los
cuatro distritos seran igualmente divididos de acuerdo al mandato
a
constitutional de un-hombre, un-voto, pero de manera que se
mantenga legalmente una representation basada en el vecindario
y la composition etnica del mismo.
c) E1 Juez Jefe de la Corte de Circuito del Condado Dade servira
comp presidente o elegira a un presidente para dicho comite.
E1 comite estara compuesto de los presidentes de la Asociaci6n
de Abogados del Condado Dade, La Asociacion de Abogados Negros,
y la Asociacion de Abogados Cubano-americanos. Cada miembro
de la Comision, incluyendo al Alcalde, podra nombrar un re-
presentante.
II. E1 Alcalde nominara al Administrador. Despues que esta nomination
sea comunicada a los Comisionados por escrito, los mismos tendran
30 dias para rechazar la nomination con el simple voto de la mayoria.
Si los Comisionados la rechazan, el Alcalde debera someter un nuevo
nombre dentro de los 30 dias siguientes. Si despues de tres nomi-
naciones consecutivas por parte del Alcalde las mismas son rechazadas
por la Comision Municipal, a partir de ese momento sera responsabilidad
de la Comision el seleccionar el Administrador.
E1 mismo procedimiento sera utilizado para la remotion del Administra-
dor. Por ejemplo: el Alcalde puede despedirlo, pero si los Comisio-
nados se oponen, debe ser por una mayoria de votos dentro de 30 dias.
Cuando el Alcalde tome Ia decision de despedir al Administrador, se
hard de la siguiente forma:
a) E1 Alcalde enviara una comunicacion formal por escrito al Secretaril
de la Ciudad, especificando claramente 1a razon del despido;
b) El Secretario de la. Ciudad distribuira entonces dicha comunicacion
a los miembros de la Comision Municipal;
c) Si durante los pr6ximos 30 dias y durante una sesi6n del Consejo
3
el mismo no vota en su mayoria para vetar la decision del
Alcalde, el despido sera entonces considerado oficial.
IIi. Anualmente, el 12 de agosto, el Alcalde someter5 el presupuesto
de la Ciudad a la Comision, para deliberation y aprobacion de la
ordenanza de presupuesto el 12 de octubre, fecha on quo comienza
el Ano Fiscal para la Ciudad de Miami. La Comision comenzarg
las deliberaciones sobre el presupuesto el 12 de septiembre, haya
o no el Alcalde presentado dicho presupuesto.
IV. Los sueldos y gastos de los Comisionados y el Alcalde, segun se
encuentran descritos en la Carta Constitutional, seran aumentados
de acuerdo al aumento en el costa de vida desde 1951. El sueldo
del Alcalde sera siempre el doble que el de los Comisionados.
V. Las elecciones se celebrargn de acuerdo al sistema de las elecciones
primarias estatales y las generales.
VI. E1 Abogado de la Ciudad sere*ir5 a gusto de la Comision. Sus
opiniones seran obligatorias para la Comision y el personal admi-
nistrativo.
1'lI. E1 Administrador nombrarg a los Jefes de Departamento y a los Sub-
administradores, sujetos a la aprobacion de la Comision municipal.
Se estipula ademas que todos estos puntos seran puestos on la boleta de
noviembre de 1982 como un solo voto, excepto el epigrafe que concierne al
I aumento de sueldos y que aparecerg como una proposition aparte. Antes de
poner los puntos arriba mencionados en la boleta de noviembre, el Secretario
de la Ciudad deber5 anunciar publicamente la celebration de una serie de
audiencias publicas (tres para ser exactos) que seran llevadas a cabo en
las siguientes area geograficas:
4
a) En el area de la comunidad negra, en el Centro Joseph Caleb;
b) En el area de la comunidad hispana, en el Centro Comunitario
de la Pequena Habana;
c) En el ayuntamiento, en Dinner Key.
Las anteriores revisiones propuestas a la Carta Constitucional a ser mejoradas,
extendidas y/o cambiadas despues de celebradas las tres audiencias publicas. Por
este medio se instruye al Abogado de la Ciudad a que lleve a cabo las investigaciones
legales pertinentes Para que perfeccione y presente la debida ordenanza para ser
pasada y adoptada de forma de£initiva durante una sesion de la Comision a celebrarse
en una fecha anterior a la segunda semana de septiembre.
Alcalde Ferre: E1 Senor Reboso.
Sr. Manolo Reboso: Senor Alcalde, Miembros de la Comision Municipal de la
Ciudad de Miami, Comisionado J.L. Plummer, Demetrio Perez, Miller Dawkins,
City Manager Howard Gary, mi nombre es Manolo Reboso, vivo en 40 Shore Drive
North, Miami, Florida. Antes de empezar a hablar sobre la revision de la
Carta que se planteo`el 2 de Julio de las Camaras de la Comisidn Municipal
de la Ciudad de Miami, quisiera dirigir una pregunta al Abogado de la Ciudad
de Miami, y si no se encuentra aquf, a su representante referente a algo
que tuvo lugar ese dfa que aparentemente no se aclard y quisiera saber si
ya hay una respuesta para la pregunta que hizo el Alcalde Ferre. Hay
alguien representando la oficina del Abogado de la Ciudad?
Mr. Jorge Fernandez: Un servidor representa las oficinas del Abogado de
la Ciudad y en particular cual es la pregunta a que Ud. se refiere?
Sr. Reboso: O.K., el Alcalde Ferre dijo en esa oportunidad que la Carta
preclufa y dijo, "George, help me on this, the Charter says that there
will be no changes in the Charter during an odd year; and that there will
be... no signatures must be collected for any Charter change during that
odd year."
Alcalde Ferre: Dejeme, Sr. Reboso, si podrfa aclararle eso. Despues yo of
en la Carta Constituyente, y to puede aclarar el Sr. Fernandez, que en la
Constitucion de la Ciudad de Miami, to que dice es que no se pueden conseguir
firmas para cambiar la Constitucion, es decir, el "Charter," durante los
anos nones, Y solamente se puede hacer durante los anos pares. Ahora, eso
no tiene nada que ver con una votacion que el Consejo Municipal en su plenitud
y en su mayorfa disponga que se le pregunte en consulta como dice la
Constitucion de los Estados Unidos, que se puede hacer en cualquier momento.
Sr. Reboso: Correcto.
Alcalde Ferre: Es decir, que la consulta, por parte del Consejo Municipal
al pueblo se puede hacer en cualquier ano.
Sr. Reboso: Ud. fue el que hizo la pregunta.
Alcalde Ferre: Si, senor.
Sr. Reboso: E1 Abogado de la Ciudad, George Knox, le dijo que tendrfa que
chequear los Estatutos del Estado, porque en estos momentos la Ciudad de
Miami operaba bajo los Estatutos del Estado por una regulation que habfa
pasado hacfa una decision de la Corte Suprema que se habfa llegado.
Alcalde Ferre: Es correcto.
Sr. Reboso: E1 Abogado de la Ciudad de Miami ha dado alguna opinion en el caso?
Alcalde Ferre: Si, senor.
Sr. Reboso: Cual es esa opinion?
Alcalde Ferre: La opinion, segun yo entiendo, es que es legal poner esa
pregunta para cambiar la Constitucion de la Ciudad de Miami en este ago.
Sr. Reboso: O.K., correcto. Eso satisface mi pregunta. Aquf se ha hablado
de que hay algunas personas que estan a favor de un alcalde fuerte. Y yo
quiero que Uds. sepan que to que se estd aprobando no es un alcalde fuerte.
Se esta aprobando un alcalde "part-time." En esta sesion del 2 de Julio,
el Comisionado Demetrio Perez le hizo la pregunta especfficamente al
Alcalde Ferre, donde le pregunto si este cambio significaba: "The position
will be a part-time position, or full-time?" "Mayor Ferre: Part-time,
the Commissioners and the Mayor will be part-time."
Parece que algunas de las personas que me precedieron en el use del
microfono estan confundidos pensando que esta revision convierte al
Alcalde de la Ciudad de Miami en un alcalde fuerte.
Los puntos que se han planteado aquf en el dfa de hoy, que son siete,
yo creo que algunos de ellos se debieron de haber planteado hate mucho tiempo.
Son necesarios para el buen funcionamiento de la Ciudad de Miami. Los distritos,
Sr. Reboso (CON'T): ....en mi opinion, son algo que van a beneficiar a
la Ciudad de Miami y a la futura composition de los Comisionados de la
misma. Lo que si no estoy de acuerdo, o sea, estoy en desacuerdo con
cuatro de los miembros de la Comision, y en acuerdo con el Comisionado
Miller Dawkins, es en que se estan poniendo estas elecciones hasta 1984,
o sea, se esta apurando que se apruebe esto dentro de dos meses porque
tiene que estar listo de acuerdo con el Abogado de la Ciudad de Miami
antes del 18 de septiembre. Se esta'apurando que se tome esta decision
y al mismo tiempo se estd posponiendo la implantation de la misma durante dos
anos. Como es posible que hays tanto apuro para aprobar siete puntos
en dos meses, y despues no se puedan implementar en un ano? Que hay,
de incorrecto en que tengamos las elecciones en 1983, en que las tres
o cuatro personas que aspiren no se pierdan entre los 300 o 400 candidatos
que aspiran a las elecciones en noviembre de 1984. Porque senores, con
solo cambiar dos fechas aquf, esto seria aceptable para todos los votantes
de la Ciudad de Miami.
Pero aqua es donde esta la cosa. Se separa la parte del salario, y
es un terra que nadie ha tocado en una pregunta totalmente aparte, porque
se Babe que el salario siempre es dificil que pase aunque es necesario
aumentarles el mismo a los Comisionados y al Alcalde de la Ciudad de Miami.
Quizas no en la proportion que se dice aqui de que el Alcalde gane el doble
que los Comisionados, porque hay casos, a veces, en que los Comisionados
estan mas tiempo o le dedican mas tiempo que el Alcalde, pero 10 cierto es
que si esto se pone todo en una Bola pregunta, se trata de confundir a la
ciudadania, y cuando alguien menciond en ese meeting del 2 de Julio que
to que planteaba la Comision era ilegal, el Alcalde recurrid al abogado
Stuart Simon, que dijo, "es legal, porque la Corte Suprema hizo un fallo
ahora justamente hate unos meses, donde los Senadores del Estado de la
Florida se han tenido que acortar su mandato dos anos, y es legal." Pero
fijense bien, los Senadores estan acortando su mandato dos anos, que es
algo que debe de ser apl.audido cuando se quieren tomar medidas en
beneficio de la comunidad. Aqui, la Comision entera se ester prorrogando
un ano. Unos, alargando del '83 al '84; y otros alargando su mandato del
'85 al '86. Por eso es que formalmente yo propongo que la Mocion 82-606,
que fue la motion de intento de la Comision de adoptar la revision a la
Carta de la Ciudad de Miami, se modifique unica y exclusivamente,el parrafo
1-a, donde dice que la Comision estard compuesta de un Alcalde y seis
Comisionados, y que seran elegidos de la siguiente manera: en el 1984,
cambiar esa palabra y poner, en"1983", porque no hay razon ni justificacion
alguna para que se pierdan injustificadamente el mandato desde el proprio
gob ierno. Y despues donde diga: que las elecciones seran cada cuatro
anos, y mas adelante en ves de decir: en 1986, en'1985�. Porque la unica
razon, y no encuentro justificacion alguna, para que se extienda este
periodo es como dije anteriormeate, que se quieran perder en las elecciones
generales de 1984, o que alguien no quiera corner el riesgo de it a la
Convencidn Democrata del '84 sin ser un oficial electo. Muchas gracias.
Alcalde Ferre": Muchas gracias. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen,
por la concurrencia del dia de hoy. Yo le contestare�a las recomendaciones
hechas, a las de buena fe y a las de mala fe, igualmente, en su debido
tiempo. Lo unico que si le voy a Pedir al Dr. Xavier Suarez, que posiblemente
como el es abogado tan dstacado y conocido aqui en esta comuniiad, y graduado de
Harvard University, que me extrano muchisimo que 61 no se recordara por
ser tan erudito en cosas de las leyes, que la Corte Suprema de los Estados
Unidos rechazd la limitation de los gastos en elecciones, y yo con mucho
gusto maAana le voy a mandar copias de las declaraciones de la Corte Suprema
de los Estados Unidos. Eso yo 10 hubiera esperado de alguien mas, pero de
un abogado tan estudiado como el licenciado Dr. Xavier Suarez, pues me
extrano. Si, senor, Ud. tiene el derecho a la replica.
(VOCES INAUDIBLES; FALLO DE MICROFONO)
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
c c. �•
*attyHiraiO4_
Assistant City Clerk
it
CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE August 3, 1982 FILE
SUeJEC Letter of Explanation from
Miami News.
REFERENCES
ENCLOSURES
Enclosed herein please find the response from the Miami News which we have
been waiting for.
We shall continue to request that City of Miami ads be placed in the Local
Section of all the newspapers in which we advertise.
MHgl
Encl.a/s
p p RAIPH G. ONGIE
City Clerk
` M.ATTY HIRAI
Zbe Ovimi THE MIAMI NEWS
A KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPER A COX NEWSPAPER
Two editorially independent newspapers, printed, sold and distributed by
THE MIAMI HERALD PUBLISHING COMPANY
1 HERALD PLAZA. MIAMI, FLORIDA 33101 • (AREA CODE 3O5) 350-2111
July 27, 1982
Ms. Georgia Little
Office of the City Clerk
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Ms. Little:
In response to your
notice of July 12,
of The Miami News.
The Miami News.
The Miami News does
page of local news
ments on that page.
guarantee position.
letter of July 22, you did request the
1982 to be placed in the local section
It ran in the local business section of
not have a local section but only one
with editorial copy and no advertise -
As you know, The Miami News does not
lie will try to place your notices as close to the local page
as possible but of course this cannot be guaranteed for
every insertion.
If I can be of further assistance please feel free to call
me anytime.
Sincerely,
Jeff Stah
Account Executive
JS!mbEs
-n-+�
C7
3Crc',,,C�
W
Zhc Miami Ucrala� THE h'itaMi NEWS
A KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPER `" A COX NEWSPAPER
Two editorially independent newspapers, printed, sold and distributed by
THE MIAMI HERALD PUBLISHING COMPANY
1 HERALD PLAZA, MIAMI. PLORIDA 33101 • (AREA CODE 305) 350-2111
July 27, 1982
Ms. Georgia Little
Office of the City Clerk
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Ms. Little:
In response to your letter of July 22, you did request the
notice of July 12, 1982 to be placed in the local section
of The Miami News. It ran in the local business section of
The Miami News.
The Miami News does not have a local section but only one
page of local news with editorial copy and no advertise-
ments on that page. As You know, The Miami News does not
guarantee position.
Ile will try to place your notices as close to the local page
as possible but of course this cannot be guaranteed for
every insertion.
If I can be of further assistance please feel free to call
me anytime.
Sincerely, /
rz��
Jeff Stah
Account Executive
JS; mb
m
N
� ��
rn
�=4-'
0
C-6
w
�
6
July 22, 1982
Mr. Jeff Stahl
Miami News
1 Herald Plaza
Miami, Florida 33101
Dear Mr. Stahl:
0
RALPH G. ONGIE
City Clerk
MATTY HIRAI
Assistant City Clerk
DEPUTY CITY CLERKS
Robert E. Tingley
Georgia M. Little
Ilia Teems
Sylvia M. Mendoza
Evelio Rizo
MICROFILM DIVISION
Dorothy Brown
Domingo Acosta
On July 8, 1982, I had hand delivered to you a notice of public
hearings to be published on July 12, 1982, in the Local Section of the
Miami News. However, I was informed that, that notice was not published
in the Local Section of the Miami News, but in the Business Section of the
Miami News. In our telephone conversation of July 22, 1982, we discussed
the reasons why the notice was not published as requested, and your answer
to me was, "I don't know why they put it in the Business Section. There
is no Local Section in the Miami News, if you want notices published in
the Local Section of the paper you will have to put them in the Miami
Herald. There is no guaranteed section in the Miami News." I then asked
you, "Where do they normally put ads requested for the Local Section of
the Miami News?" You replied, "They would normally put them in the Main
News Section of the Miami News."
Nevertheless, Jeff, I need from you a letter stating that we did
in fact requested that the notice of July 12, 1982, be published in the
Local Section of the Miami News and also, the reasons why it was not
published in the Local Section of the Miami News, but in the Business
Section, as per our conversation of July 22, 1982.
Thank you, for your cooperation in this matter.
GLgl
Sincerely,
yleer��
G6orgiadf Litt7e
Deputy City Clerk
OFFICE OFRHE CITY CLERK / City Hill / 35W Pan American Drive / Miami, Florida 33133 / 579.6065
6 a
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
All interested persons please take notice that the City of Miami
Commission is planning to hold three (3) Public Hearings in connection
with proposed revisions to the City of Miami Charter mainly dealing
with size of the Commission, districts, compensation of the Commission,
and powers of the Mayor. The City Commission intends to place said
proposed revisions on the November 1982 ballot. The Public Hearings
have been scheduled to be held in the following, geographically chosen
areas:
First Public Hearing - to be held Monday, July 19, 1982,
at the Little Havana Community Center, 900 Southwest lst
Street, Miami, Florida, at 7:00 P.M.
Second Public Hearing - to be held Wednesday, July 21, 1982,
at Miami Edison Senior Community School, 6161 Northwest 5th Court,
Miami, Florida, at 7:00 P.M.
Third Public Hearing - to be held Tuesday, July 27, 1982,
at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida,
7:00 P.M.
MATTY HIRAI
ACTING CITY CLERK
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
(CITY SEAL)
Honorable Members of
the Commission
rF Attyirai
Acting City Clerk
CITY OF MIAW. FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE July 9, 1982
SUBJEC' Amended Schedule of Public Hearings
in connection with Proposed Charter
Revisions.
REFERENCES
ENCLOSURES Copy of Adverstisement
Pursuant to instruction from Mayor Maurice A. Ferre, enclosed herein
please find a revised schedule of three (3) Public Hearings to be held
in connection with proposed revisions to the City Charter.
The amendment in question was the substitution of Miami Edison Senior
Community School site for the Caleb Center, due to the fact that the
Auditorium at Caleb was not available on the night of July 21st.
If you have any questions, please call.
MH:sl
ENC: a/s
CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE DATE July 8, 1962 FILE
CITY COMMISSION.
SUBJECT public Hearings Schedule.
FROM ATTYIRAI REFERENCES
Acting City Clerk
ENCLOSURES Copy of Advertisement.
Pursuant to instructions from Mayor Maurice A. Ferre, we have made arrangements
to advertise for the three (3) Public Hearings in connection with the proposed
revisions to the City Charter. Enclosed herein please find a copy of the
advertisement stating specific locations, dates and time of meetings. If you
have any questions please call.
MHgl
Encl. a/s