HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubstitution Memo from City AttorneyCITY OF MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: George K. Wysong III, City Attorney eof-ge'x. Wysong'III
DATE: September 9, 2025
RE: Substitution of Item RE.13 on the September 11, 2025, City Commission
Meeting: Resolution proposing to codesignate Southwest 16th Street between
Southwest 32nd Avenue and Southwest 27th Avenue as "Eduardo `Valdi'
Cruz Way."
File No.: 18043
Item RE.13 on the September 11, 2025, City Commission Meeting Agenda
proposes to codesignate Southwest 16th Street between Southwest 32nd Avenue
and Southwest 27th Avenue as "Vicente Eduardo Cruz Way."
The Legislation is being substituted at the request of the family to provide that the
proposed codesignated segment be named "Eduardo `Valdi' Cruz Way."
cc. Arthur Noriega V, City Manager
Marie Gouin, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Miriam Santana, Agenda Coordinator
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City of Miami
Resolution
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18043
Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
(4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET RENAMING
CONTAINED THEREIN, CODESIGNATING SOUTHWEST 16TH STREET
BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 32ND AVENUE AND SOUTHWEST 27TH AVENUE
AS "EDUARDO 'VALDI' CRUZ WAY"; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE CODESIGNATION;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado
WHEREAS, Vicente Eduardo Cruz was born on April 5, 1933, and raised in Sabanilla,
Provincia de Matanzas, Cuba; and
WHEREAS, following the rise of the Castro regime, Mr. Cruz fled Cuba in 1966 16 segah
of freedom and opportunity, ultimately settling in Miami, Florida with his wife Ursula and their
two children; and -6
WHEREAS, in 1978, Mr. Cruz sought to establish a business to support his family and
discovered a package store and lounge on Southwest 27th Avenue in Little Havana; and -� '
v
WHEREAS, that same year, Mr. Cruz purchased the business and, despite ;n
encouragement to rebrand, chose to preserve its original name—Jensen's Liquors --out of —
respect for its wholesome identity and community roots; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cruz successfully operated Jensen's Liquors at 1646 SW 27th Avenue
for over 24 years, transforming it into a beloved neighborhood fixture and a symbol of
entrepreneurial spirit in the immigrant community; and
WHEREAS, in the early 2000s, Mr. Cruz retired and passed the business to his son,
Eduardo Cruz, who expanded the brand into one of Florida's most prominent package store
chains, with seven locations across the greater Miami area; and
WHEREAS, the original Southwest 27th Avenue location remains the flagship store and
a lasting testament to Mr. Cruz's legacy and contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of
Little Havana; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 14317, adopted on September 26, 2024, provides that the
restrictions related to street co -designations contained in Section 54-137 of the Code of the City
of Miami, Florida ("City Code"), may be waived by a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the
City Commissioners, or an unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 18043 (Revision:) Printed On: 9/9/2025
File ID: 18043 Enactment Number:
abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation, death, suspension, or physical
incapacitation; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Miami wishes to honor Vicente Eduardo
Cruz's enduring legacy and his impact on the community by co -designating a portion of
Southwest 16th Street in his name;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. By a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the City Commissioners, or an
unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting
from resignation, death, suspension, or physical incapacitation, the Miami City Commission
hereby co -designates Southwest 16th Street between Southwest 32nd Avenue and Southwest
27th Avenue as "Eduardo 'Veldi' Cruz Way."
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to effectuate this co -
designation, including the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works; the Miami -Dade County Commissioner of District 7; the
United States Postal Service; and, if a State of Florida road, to the Florida Department of
Transportation, District Six, for sign installation within the newly designated roadway.
Section 5. If any section, clause, or provision of this resolution is declared invalid, the
remainder shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
Cr,
6-71
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 18043 (Revision:) Printed on: 9/9/2025
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
File Number: 18043
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING THE
RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET RENAMING CONTAINED THEREIN,
CODESIGNATING SOUTHWEST 16TH STREET BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 32ND
AVENUE AND SOUTHWEST 27TH AVENUE AS "VICENTE EDUARDO CRUZ WAY";
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO
EFFECTUATE THE CODESIGNATION; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Vicente Eduardo Cruz was born on April 5, 1933, and raised in Sabanilla,
Provincia de Matanzas, Cuba; and
WHEREAS, following the rise of the Castro regime, Mr. Cruz fled Cuba in 1966 in search
of freedom and opportunity, ultimately settling in Miami, Florida with his wife Ursula and their
two children; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, Mr. Cruz sought to establish a business to support his family and
discovered a package store and lounge on Southwest 27th Avenue in Little Havana; and
WHEREAS, that same year, Mr. Cruz purchased the business and, despite
encouragement to rebrand, chose to preserve its original name—Jensen's Liquors —out of
respect for its wholesome identity and community roots; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cruz successfully operated Jensen's Liquors at 1646 SW 27th Avenue
for over 24 years, transforming it into a beloved neighborhood fixture and a symbol of
entrepreneurial spirit in the immigrant community; and
WHEREAS, in the early 2000s, Mr. Cruz retired and passed the business to his son,
Eduardo Cruz, who expanded the brand into one of Florida's most prominent package store
chains, with seven locations across the greater Miami area; and
WHEREAS, the original Southwest 27th Avenue location remains the flagship store and
a lasting testament to Mr. Cruz's legacy and contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of
Little Havana; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 14317, adopted on September 26, 2024, provides that the
restrictions related to street co -designations contained in Section 54-137 of the Code of the City
of Miami, Florida ("City Code"), may be waived by a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the
City Commissioners, or an unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either
abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation, death, suspension, or physical
incapacitation; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Miami wishes to honor Vicente Eduardo
Cruz's enduring legacy and his impact on the community by co -designating a portion of
Southwest 16th Street in his name;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. By a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the City Commissioners, or an
unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting
from resignation, death, suspension, or physical incapacitation, the Miami City Commission
hereby co -designates Southwest 16th Street between Southwest 32nd Avenue and Southwest
27th Avenue as "Vicente Eduardo Cruz Way."
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to effectuate this co -
designation, including the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works; the Miami -Dade County Commissioner of Districts 7; the
United States Postal Service; and, if a State of Florida road, to the Florida Department of
Transportation, District Six, for sign installation within the newly designated roadway.
Section 5. If any section, clause, or provision of this resolution is declared invalid, the
remainder shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: