HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-80-0174RESOLUTION NO.
SO- 174
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY ATTORNEY TO FORTHWITH TAKE ALL POSSIBLE
MEASURES, INCLUDINGLITIGATION IF NECESSARY,
TO SECURE APPORTIONMENT OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLA
TURE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY, AND THE:DADE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD:. UPON THE BASIS OF SINGLE MEMBER
DISTRICT` ELECTIONS.
WHEREAS, the principle of single member legislative;.
districts has long been advocated by leaders in the field
ofgovernment, including former Governor Reuben Askew; and
WHEREAS, reapportionment
commissions an school boardsupon the basis ofsingl.e member districts.
state legislatures, county
has also: been advocated by leaders in government., including
former Florida Attorney General Robert
Shevin.;
and
WHEREAS, there has been no study made of the, Metropolitan
Home Rule Charterduring the past five years; and
WHEREAS, recent litigation in<the Federal courts has
resulted in the requirement of district elections in order
that minorities in diverse units of the population be given
the opportunity to elect their representatives from districts
rather than at -large; and
WHEREAS, the diverse social, economic sectors of Dade
County, with a population`of approximately one and one-half
million
persons in an area of 2,042 square miles, with
majority of the population residing in relatively small
land mass of incorporated municipalities, requires that
serious consideration be given to district elections in,
order.to --provide a more vocal and representative cominuni;ty
input into Metropolitan R.
P p government; and
WHEREAS,: with a social structure of black s,'"1ittspn ana.cr�,1
and ,:whites, , and with the economic structure of Dade County
being unusually diverse: industrial,financial, tourism,,
agricultural, aviation, commercial:' fishing and export-import,
all interests may have an indirect voi.ce intheir government
but. none of whom has
direct method
electing their
governmental representatives as defined by Federal -law; and
J DEX
11
CITY COMMISSION
MEETING OF
FEB2 8 1900
80-1 4
WHEREAS, having single member district elections as
the basis forelecting the Florida Legislature,, the Board
County Commissioners
of Metropolitan Dade` County and the
School
Board of Dade County is considered to be an immediate goal .:
is in the best interests of the citizenry of the' City of Miami;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF ,THE
CITY OF MIAMI," FLORIDA:;"
Section"1.', The City Attorney is hereby authorized and
directed to forthwith take ali possible measures, including:
litigation, if necessary, to secure apportioflmeflt of the
which
Florida Legislature, the Boardof County Commissioners of;
MetropolitanDadeCounty and the Dade County School Board upon
the ,basis of single member district elections.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of February
1980
TE
Maurice A. Ferre
RALPH ONGIE,a CI Y CLERK
by:
Deputy City Clerk
PREPARED AND APPROVED BY:
.asett9
ROBERT F. CLARK
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
GEO'IE F. KNOX,
CI AT 'ORNEY
SO- 174