HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1978-02-09 MinutesTY OF MIA
INCORP °RATED
18
MMISSION
MINUTES
OF MEETING HEU)�4 FEBRuARY 9' "78
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
_qv( HALL
RALPH GI ONGIE
cm( CLERK
INDEX
MINUTES 0!= SPECIAL <<i ING.
CITY COMMISSICN OF MIk' i, FLORIDA
1. DISCUSSION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS
MEETING.
2. UPDATE ON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DESIGN.
3. APPROVE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR NEW WORL
CENTER BICENTENNIAL PARK.
4, REPORT ON POSSIBLE REORGANIZATION OF DAY CARE SERVICES.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19
.20.
t1.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE OFF-STREET PARKING
AUTHORITY TO DISCUSS DEFICIT AT GUSMAN HALL.
DISCUSSION AND DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE
OF PLAT, CHOPIN PLAZA.
COORDINATION OF CULTURAL PROGRAMS.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF HAZFL BROWN REQUESTING COST OF
LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR RETIRED PERSONS.
PROCEDURE FOR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ON FUTURE CAN-
DIDATES FOR L'PARTMENT HEAD POSITIONS.
PRESENTATIONS, PLAQUES AND SPECIAL ITEMS.
AUTHORIZE AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH FRANK J. COBO,
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR.
AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH
RICK SISSER AS LEGISLATIVE LIAISON.
ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK -HAMMOCK ..TORM SEWER PROJECT.
ACCEPT SEVEN DEEDS OF DEDICATION FOR N.E. 64 STREET
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT.
ACCEPT TWO QUIT -CLAIM DEEDS FOR DIXIE PARK EXPANSION.
AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION
FOR FIRE STATION NO. 9.
PLAT ACCEPTANCE - MAXIMINO SUBDIVISION
BID ACCEPTANCE - LITTLE HAVANA COMMUNITY CENTER.
SID ACCEPTANCE - CRESTWOOD SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT
SR-5432-C, BID "B", SANITARY SEWERS.
BID ACCEPTANCE - CRESTWOOD SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT
SR-5432-C, PUMP STATION.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR OBJECTIONS TO CERTIFYING PENDING
LIEN - OMNI HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT H-43$4,
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF MARK ISRAEL - PRESENTATION "MAN
IN WASHINGTON" PROGRAM,
ORDINANCE 09
RESOLUTION N0" PAGE NO.
1..
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
M 78-82
M 78-83
M 78-84
M 78-85
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
R 78-87
R 78-88
R 78-89
R 78-90
R 78-91
R 78-92
R 78-93
R 78-94
II R 78-95
R 78-96
R 78-97
DISCUSSION
1-5
5-18
19-21
21-32
32-34
34-35
36-40
40-41
41-44
44
45
46
46
47
47
47
48
48-52
53
53
54
54-57
23,
2 4,"
25,
26.
2
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37,
36.
39,
40,
INDEX
MINUTES OF SPECIAL _' I,NG
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, :UA
SUBJECT
.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY ROBERT C. BERRIN IN REFERENCE TO
PEOPLE SHELTERS.
REQUEST CITY MANAGER TO REINSTATE ORIGINAL FUNDING
RECOMMENDATION FOR COCONUT GROVE FAMILY CLINIC. I M 78-98
ORDINANCE O
RESOLUTION t'o
DISCUSSION
DIRECT CITY MANAGER TO SEE THAT HEALTH RECORDS REMOVED
FROM DAY CARE CENTERS DURING AUDIT PROCEDURES ARE RE-
TURNED.
GRANT REQUEST OF DADE COUNTY COUNCIL OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
FOR DONATION FOR THE "SALUTE TO CULTURE" EVENTS. I M 78-99
DISCUSSION
PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY COMMUNITY LEADERS WITH REFERENCE
TO THE AMENDMENT OF ORDINANCES 8227 AND 8353-CULTURAL
ARTS COMMITTEE.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GREATER MIAMI
HOTEL AND MOTEL ASSOCIATION REGARDING ORDINANCES 8671
AND 8672, AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE CODE.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF CLAIRE WEINTRAUB AND MIKE CAL-
HOUN REGARDING ZONING CHANGES IN THE 300C BLOCK OF
BRICKELL AVENUE; URGE D.O.T. TO COMPLETE RICKENBACKER M 78-101
OVERPASS. M 78-102
M 78-100
FIRST READING
DISCUSSION
PUBLIC HEARING: FOURTH YEAR FUNDING OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
PUBLIC HEARING: REPEAL ORD. 8645 AND PROVIDE NEW
CHAPTER 66 OF THE CODE FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION OF
ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATERS, BOOK STORES AND ESCORT
SERVICES. FIRST READING 198-99
ADDING AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TRANSFER FEE, AMEND
SECTION 30-10 OF THE CODE. FIRST READING ( 99
PAGE NO.
58=60
61-63
63
64-65
65-72
72-76
76-81
DISCUSSION {82-98
AMEND SECTION 16-2, 16-3 OF THE CODE - ROTATION OF
CHECKING ACCOUNTS, TIME DEPOSITS, ETC. FIRST READING 99-100
AUTHORIZE ANTONIO MOLINA TO ASSIGN LEASE AGREEMENT FOR
CITY OF MIAMI COUNTRY CLUB FOOD CONCESSION. R 78-103 100
AUTHORIZE DISPOSAL OF FIVE MOTOR VEHICLES AS DONATION
TO THE SISTER CITY OF CALI, COLOMBIA. R 78-104 1100
AMEND PRIOR RESOLUTION CONFIRMING DESIGNATION OF INDI-
VIDUALS BY CERTIFIED BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE AND
APPOINTED TO CITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY BOARD BY
REPLACING ONE MEMEBER. R 78-105 101
AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT NEWSPAPER TO PLACE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE OF DELINQUENT SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT
ASSESSMENT LIENS,
BID ACCEPTANCE - 100' ARTICULATING BOOM FIRE APPARATUS
AND TRUCK,
PID ACCEPTANCE - INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TRADE FAIR OF
THE AID RI CAS ,
CONDITIONAL WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES FOR USE OF GUSN.AN
HALL AY Wig FT4ORIPA PHILHARMONIC,
R 78-106
R 78=-107
R 78,108
R 78,409
101
102-104
104
104
MI
r
INDEX
MINUS OF SPECIAL `"SING_
CITY OOMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
SU 3 ECT
41. PROCEDURE FOR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION OF FUTURE CANDI-
DATES FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT
HEADS - CONFIRMING RESOLUTION.
42. EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER UNSANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE
MIAMI RIVER AND APPOINTING A COMMITTEE.
43. APPOINTING JESUS ANGULO TO THE STORM SEWER BOND ELECTION
COMMITTEE.
44.
45.
46.
47.
INSTRUCT CITY MANAGER TO INVESTIGATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR NICKY CRUZ OUTREACH PROGRAM.
INSTRUCT CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEEMENT PRIOR INTENT OF THE
CITY COMMISSION REGARDING COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FO
RETIRED EMPLOYEES.
ORDINANCE 09
RESOLUf I ON No
R 78-110
R 78-111
DISCUSSION
M 78-112
M 78-113
WAIVE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING. MOTION
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF OCTAVIO BLANCO, ACTION COMMUNITY
CENTER REGARDING CETA POSITIONS AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT +
PAGE NO
105
-
106
106
106-107
108
109
109-113
106
r
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
ON THE 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1973, THE CITY COMMISSION OF
MIAMI,_..LOR DA MET AT ITS REGULAR MEET NG PLACE IN THE LITY
HALL, 3500 iAN AMERICAN DRIVE, MIAMI, 1-LORIDA IN REGULAR SESSION.
T-1E MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 9:10 O'CLOCK A,M, BY
MAYOR 1AURICE A. t-ERRE WITH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION FOUND TO BE PRESENT:
Comm.iss.ionen J. L. Pt'.ummc4, Jt.
Commissicnen Rose Go tdon
Comm.iss.ionen. (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayon Mano.eo Reboso
Mayok Maurice A. Fekne
ALSO PRESENT:
Joseph R. Gnass.ie, City Managers
R. L. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manage
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Ra.eph G. Ongie, City Cx'enh
Matty Assistant City Ctenh
An invocation was delivered by Reverend Gibson who then
led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
1. DISCUSSION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
Mayor Ferre: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is a Regular City of Miami
Commission Meeting. At this time is there a motion on the reading of the previous
minutes?
Rev. Gibson: Move.
Mayor Ferre: Moved by Father Gibson. .7e-onded by Commissioner Plummer, further
discussion? Call the roll on the minutes.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I'm going to have to make a comment on this procedure
which we accept, we do it all the time but we never have those minutes when we
are approving them and I wonder if the motion is intended to approve the minutes
or if the motion is an intent to acknowledge that there are minutes.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I first came to this commission in 1967 and we've been approv-
ing minutes, I was gone for about two or three years, but I guess 1 really don't
know, I guess the Clerk is the one who really has to answer that one because it's
your responsibility. Technically we should have the minutes and they should be
read by all the members of the commission before they're approved.
Mrs, Gordon: Absolutely.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Clerk, do you think you can have the minutes?
Mr, Ongie: Well, Mr. Mayor, even if I did have the minutes it would take you,
since we do them verbatim,a couple of hours probably to read through them because
they're a hundred and some pages,
Mayor Ferre: Well Mrs, Gordon may want to do that,
Mrs. Gordon: No, I'm going to make a different suggestion. I'm going to ask that
we approve minutes that We have reCeived. Now we may not be as current as we'd
like to be on the approvals, you may have to be approving minutes that are two
or three meetings back but on the other hand we can't really approve minutes that
we haven't read.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I think it is probably a provision in the Charter, isn't it,
that we approve minutes?
Mr. Ongie: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: And I Iuess when the Charter was originally written in the early
30' a it was fairly easy to follow the deliberations of this COmMisSion. Up until
very recently four of the Commissioners had one secretary and now four of the
commissioners have four secretaries and they they became administrative assist-
anss and now some Commissioners have administrative assistants and secretaries
and receptionists and assistants. So you know it is getting more and more compli-
cated,
Mr. Plummer: That's what you call the price of getting sophisticated, Mr.
Mayor, let me just ✓c.icc my opinion and then we'll have to turn to the legal
beagle. 1 think that the provision really means if there are minutes to approve
that you do them at the first of the meeting but it hurts me to say that I corn -
cur with Mrs. Gordon but she's right. You know, how can we, in fact, approve
minutes that we've never seen?
Mayor Ferre: You just lost. I can show you for the past +cur years, Mr. Plummer,
your ,notions to approve the minutes....
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, my motions to approve were as they were this morning
when my name was mentioned as seconding the motion and I hadn't said anything and
I know you fir,.. that tough but...
Mawr Ferre: 1 don't think anybody votes for you, Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: :hart':: pretty obvious around here.
Mayor Feria,: And as I recall, I don't recall in the five years that you and i
have served together that I have ever seen you vote against any minutes so let'
get on with it or not do it.
:ate::. Oordon: All ri ant, I then ask you, Mr. Mayor, to proceed to have a corgi:>ulta-
ti s with the Clerk and the Attorney and whomever else the Manager and find a
reasonaile procedure so that we are not placed in the position of approving some-
thing we've never see:.
Mr. Plummer: You mean the Clerk's replacement.
Mrs. Gordon: Not me, not with me, I'm very happy with the Clerk. I just think
that the procedure is incorrect and we have to correct it because of the reasons
1've stated before.
Mayor Ferre: You may have a valid point, on the other hand I think that you're
foolish to think that anybody including you is goSng to go through two hours of
reading minutes that end up four and five hundred pages thick.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh I read them.
Mayor Ferre: All of them, Rose, do you? Do you really?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, sir, I read, I certainly read the summaries, I read the votes.
Well, just to give you a little example, and this is not being critical because
I think our Clerks are excellent and I don't think anybody can compete with them
but I did nit vote for the beer ordinance and you know that and yet I came up
seconding- the motion an the minutes I saw. ...
Mayor Ferre. What was that again?
Mir"� Gordon: Shy. said it was on the agenda but nevertheless it was the Agenda
.';erk net the Cleri:s that made the mistake. But it is simply a matter of being
cf let's say correct in what we're doing and that pertains to everything we're
doing,
Mayor Ferre: 1 just find it very difficult to believe that anybody would really
t ae the rime to read... Let me finish. You're sure that I what? You know for
ter, or twelve hours that we talk around here that anybody would go back and really
go through the torture of reading ten or twelve worth of talking,,,
Mrs. Gordon: How many weeks behind are we generally before we receive the verbatim
minutes, Mr. Clerk?
2
Mr. Ongie: During the fall when we have a lot of Budget Meetings we get behind
hut now we're almost current.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, well then we could logically approve the last verbatim minutes
we have received.
Mr: Ongie: Yes.
Mr. PludiMer: Which was what date? ... Boy, I'Ve got tell you something, this
is going to be a hell of a day today.
Mayor Ferre: I think this is just a lot of foolishness myself and I'm certainly
completely and totally against it. 1 think it is just hooey and I'm going to
tell you how I think. I think what you ought to do, Mr. clerk, is you ought to
give us a summary of things that are approved, that I would be for.
Mrs. Gordon: Well I just said to you figure out a way.
Mayor Ferre: And by that I mean a ten page summary of the motions that were
made and that kind of stuff, that we can go through.
Mr. Plummer: We get that now.
Mayor Ferre: I know. But I mean to go through ter, hours of deliberations and
wait until we get ten hours of written minutes, nobody reads that stuff unless
you have a specific interest on a specific item and then we all go to you and get
it, we all do it all the time. So I think I would certainly go along with once
we get a summary statement from you on motions which is not more than ten pages
that that's when we would approve minutes. I would go along with that but to
have in hand the verbatim minutes of ten hours of deliberations is just a lot of
hooey. Nobody is going to read that.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, if they're not behind and Clerks have assured us we're not
behind, there is no reason why we can't proceed in the proper way. I believe
that we ought to do everything in the proper way without exception regardless of
previous procedure no matter how long they've been going on. If you find that
there is something that has been going on that's incorrect it is time to correct
it.
Mayor Ferre: Do we have the summary for the previous minutes?
Mr. Ongie: Well, the summary would be considered what we call the marked agenda.
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Ongie: Which is the actions of the commission together with what I call the
City Clerk Reports which are all matt_rs that were not on the original agenda.
Now that was available two or three days after the meeting....
Mayor Ferre: That was? All right, as far as I'm concerned that's good enough
for me and if nobody else wants to make the motion I'll be happy to make the mot-
ion to approve the previous minutes and move on one way or the other. Whatever
the will of the majority is is all right with me.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, since this matter came up for discussion I would suggest
that we table today's approving the minutes.
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion for it to be tabled... Call the roll to table the,
well we can't do that because there is a motion on the floor unless.... Oh, I
see. The motion is to approve the previous minutes, you want to table that motion.
Mrs. Gordon: Table it until we receive them and then we can approve them.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, call the roll on that.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Plummer,
Mr. Plummer: I see no harm, I vote yes.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Reboso,
Mr. Reboso: Yes,
Mr. Ongie: Reverend Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: No.
Mr. Ongie: Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Ongie: Mayor Ferre.
Mayor Ferre: I vote no. All right, the motion then carries, the matter is tabled
which means under the laws of procedure, Mr. Knox, the tabled matter comes up when
At a subsequent Commission Meeting or when somebody brings it up again?
Mr. Knox: If it has been tabled somebody has to bring it up.
Mrs. Gordon: The table was until we receive the minutes.
Mr. Plummer: Rose, do you know what you just dici with normal procedure around
here?
Mrs. Gordon: What?
Mr. Plummer: We'll have. a Special Meeting Monday to approve the minutes.
Mrs. Gordon: It was tabled until the next meeting, the table was to a time ele-
ment of the next meeting.
Mayer Ferre: When is it that you're going to have the summary? Can you have it
today?
Mx. Ongie: We car, do a summary of the last meeting if you want to start that
prcc edure, yes. I' l.i have somebody do it.
Mayor Ferre: When will you have that?
Mx. Ongie: Probably later today.
Mayor Ferre: Ali right, would you bring it up so that we can vote on it later
Mrs. C.;ordor.: C'k, I would accept a summary for today but I would say that in the
future we have our minutes they way they're transcribed and that we be able to,
if we don't want to read them then have someone else read them for you but I want
to read mine.
Rev. Gibson.: Mr. Mayor, you know we could have approved these minutes and set
the rules for the next set of minutes and saved us some time.
Mayor Ferre: Saved us twenty minutes of sheer hogwash.
Rev. Gibson: By the way, I want to announce that I'm going to catch a pla::e out
of here to go to North Carolina this evening. So if you aren't through by 5:30
shame on you, Gibson heading out that door to catch that plane. Ok? All right.
Be fore warned is to be fore armed.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, unless the ruling of the Chair is reversed I am going to
vote against the motion to table and I'm going to tell you why.
Mayor Ferre: But we've voted, Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me?
Mayor Ferre: I don't understand, du you mean you're reversing your vote?
Mr. Plummer: No, I said unless the ruling of the Chair is reversed I'm going to
change my vote. NOW as I understand the ruling of the Chair is directing the
Clerk in my estimation to completely disrupt his office to get a damned summary
which ie my estimation is not that important and I voted because it was my under-
staedine that that summary would be done for the next meeting, Now if you're
,,piny to require or ask of the Clerk to completely disrupt his office stopping
everything to get the summary out then I'm going to vote against the motion to
table. Po you understand what I'm saying now?
Mrs. Gordon: I have to agree with you, Mr. Plummer, because I don't think it is
that urgent or necessary that these minutes be approved today and there is nothing
that says it has to be.
4
FEB S1978
Mayor Ferre: All the important things
Mr. Plummer.: Where do we stand now? Let's get off... I agree, but the matter
has been brought to this table and now we must address it. I would agree that
the matter should not have been brought but that's beside the point, What is
your instruction to the Clerk right now?
Mayor Ferre: My instructions to the Clerk is to have a summary of the minutes
which is all I think that we're going to get from a practical point of view to-
day which he said he could and then I'm going to bring the minutes up again and
if we can't get three votes then .....
Mrs. Gordon: If we get a summary, Mr. Mayor, there is no problem we'll do it but
Mr. Plummer's concern with the burden being placed on the Clerk today and if there
is no burden then the Clerk will say Fo. Is there a burden, Mr. Ongie?
Mayor Ferre: He already said that he could have it by today.
Mr. Ongie: I can have a summary which will simply show the agenda as what you
did and if you want show the votes of the members of the commission on the items
that were acted upon. That's about all we can do.
Mrs. Gordon: All right, that would suffice for today, in the future we can take
other action.
Mayor Ferre: Then, Mr. Plummer, is that position clear with you?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, it's typical government by crisis but I guess that's the best
we can make of a sorry situation.
Mayor Ferre: Is there anything else you want to add to your statement? Then we
get onto Item E, updating on the Administration Building Design.
2. UPDATE ON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DESIGN
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor and members of the City Commission, in order to keep you
aware and informed on this particular project we have asked the architects to
come before you today and to report to you on the progress they're making. They
are here now and Mr. Lester Pancoast will introduce the subject.
Mayor Ferre: Good morning Mr. Pancoast, gentlemen. Mr. Pancoast, would you also
put it in such a way that members of the public, perhaps if you put it over and
turn it then everybody can see it. ...
M.r. Lester Pancoast: Good morning, Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, we
have been asked to give you a status re:t"t on the City of Miami Administration
Building which as you may or may not realize is one of the City's first truly
fast track projects. Another name for fast track used to be, and I don't know
why it's failed, concurrency. It was a good word because it explained what's
going on with the architects and the City administration. Concurrency means that
you do all sorts of things at the same time. There are several projects that
separate into different contract packages which will accomplish this building.
I'm explaining all of this to explain to to you if I can why our presentation is
so unlike that for other projects in the past. There has already taken place a
demolition contract that removed the old building that was on the site, I know
you have all seen that. There is currently under way a site preparation contract
and foundations are going out for bids very soon and bids will come in on the
foundations alone within a month. The working drawings for the shell of the build-
ing will be finished about the 24th of March and then the final contract will be,
what is called tenant work, the interiors and interior arrangements of the build-
ing. Normally by now we would have a superb rendering to show you because in the
linear process we would have gone through our work, our presentation, our approval,
the next phase of work, the next presentation, the approval but because we are in
a fast track situation we are both building foundations and designing the building
at the same time. We are, however, about to produce a formal rendering which will
he ready to show you if not at the Commission Meeting certainly the one after that
so we are caught without a fine rendering to show you at this moment but we have
a much refined Master Plan of the Government Center and we Pan at this point much
better than we could in schematics we presented before explain to you where the
element relates to all these othez things and that's a very critical thing about
this building. We are not simply designing a $3,000,000 building as an individual
entity. We are not simply making a design, we're making a very critical key to
all of the elements which will come later and which will comprise the Government
Center and that's why we think in talking with you about the status at the moment
it would be wise to look at this model and consider the various elements that are
either happening or have happened s0 that we can perhaps even suggest some
cautions and problems that we see Gown tr.e road. Once the ha= c'. 11 of the r as id-
ing that we are now designing is complete that is the entire City Hall element is
in place, we will have the begining of a City of Miami Complex, And let me show
you on the model what I mean by City of Miami Complex. This building right here
is the existing Police Headquarters and the garage that is behind it that you see
so clearly when you're on 1-95. That's the one that's right close to you as you
drive by on Ie95. This is the Police Headquarters Complex. The building that
we are designing now is this one right here, the lower portion of these two.
Phase II will occur in close conjunction with it, in fact, connect it with it and
create an internal space that we described to you back in the schematic stage.
These two buildings and the Police Headquarters will share the same general lang-
uage but will not look alike, after all they're two different functions and they
don't follow for the same language in all respects but they will be identifiable
as City of Miami buildings because we'll go that far in making them relate. The
building in between these two groups is a parking garage that was projected on
the Master Plan developed by the County or at least partly developed, developed
up to a point by the County several years ago. That same Master Plan was the one
that we related to when we built the Police Headquarters Complex. It is not much
further developed than it was at that time. We are still relating to it because
if you have a Master Plan you're very foolish not to relate to it, if you don't
you destroy the Master Plan or you begin to. We're still very much with the
Master Plan and we're quite aware looking at this model that this parking garage
is going to be critical to the understanding of this area as a Miami Complex.
Let me explain what the other areas are too so perhaps you get a little better
orientation. If these are all Miami buildings except for the parking garage it-
self. This is the new State building. It may look bigger to you than it does in
a::tuality because actually this piece is the only piece built to date. This is a
brand new building. The second that comes along will be this one and these two
back here are future buildings so this looks a little bit awesome it's because we
rut the estire thing or. the model. This black outlined area here is the site of
the new County Administration Building. It will be a highrise structure or sever-
al hiahrise structures, we're not sure yet, of course, it hasn't been designed.
Mayor Ferre: Is that the one, Parker, that your committee is involved with right
in front
>r. Pancoast: That building will occur in here and if it follows closely to the
Master Play: as it was drawn several years ago - and it may not - that would be a
very tail building right where r.y hand is now.
Mayor Ferre: But Lester, does that have self-contained parking or are they going
to be using our parking?
Mr. Pancoast: That's a very pertinent question because this parking garage was
originally projected in the Master Plan to be 2,000 cars.
yor Fcrre: That's big.
Mr. Pancoast: That's a very big garage but it could only contain 2,000 cars if,
in fact, it were a mechanical parking garage.
Mayor Ferre: You can't have a ramp, self parking?
Mr. Pancoast: You can, if you go too high with a ramp people get dizzy, they
literally find themselves wearing out driving around the ramps and they're un-
happy but a mechanical parking garage takes their car up by elevator, of course,
and parks it somewhere for you.
b:r. Plummer: Yes, but it eats you up on labor.
ru. Pancoast: It eats you up on labor and it eats you up on initial cost. It's
a very expensive initial investment. So we have been thinking of this all along
and I think many people have as a non-mechanial parking garage and for that
reason it will not contain 2,000 cars it will contain much closer to 1,000 cars.
Now that's both good and bad. I hate to try to see 2,000 cars on this site but
I do think that the consultants, whoever they are who design and conceive this
garage are going to end up without a mechanical garage. That's my own opinion
on the subject, maybe other things will come out of it.
Mayor Terre: Is that our land? Who does that land belong to?
Mr. Pancoast; This was the alternate site to the Police Headquarters as you rem-
ember',
6
F E B 51978
Mayor Ferre: Who has fee title to it?
Mr. Grassie: The City does, Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Excuse me, Lester, if we decide we don't want a parking garage
there but rather want to leave that as a park in between all of these monstrous
buildings we can make that decision.
Mt. Pancoast: I think it is a matter of balancing how the parking will be solved
for the government center otherwise. There is, as you know, a parking garage
going up west of the new library and art museum.
Mayor Ferre: Lester, once we get out structure finished where other than the new
parking garage would people of our administration building park?
Mr. Pancoast: Well, there is parking under the expressway which is well developed
even at this time.
Mayor Ferre: Sufficient to house the parking for...?
Mr. Pancoast: No, not sufficient, Mayor. I'm simply listing it as one of the
resources of parking that there is. There also is some potential in this direct-
ion but not very much. We have Lummus Park in that area if you can picture that
in your mind. There was an intention of parking on surface here until the garage
structure actually occured. I don't at least know exactly when this building
will be built but I have some indications that it is under consideration by var-
ious people.
Mr. Plummer: Let me just express something, and maybe it is an undertaker speak-
ing and he should keep his nose out of architecture, but I'm speaking from the
practical aspect. I think the thing is just completely backwards. If what you
are.... Completely backwards, and this is no fault of yours but you know as I
understand a complex you try to make it convenient for people to go from one office
to another. Now it would seem like to me the ideal situation is those two should
be reversed. Yes, those two should be reversed so that you put the Administrat-
ion close to the Police Department which is now Communications and Computers and
put the parking garage over on second street. What you're doing, you're isolat-
ing the Police Department from the administration by making it a full city block
where you could keep everything in a cluster and put the parking in the geographi-
cal center of the complex rather than putting it down and isolating it and I just
don't see the rational behind it.
Mayor Ferre: Do you agree with that?
Mr. Pancoast: I think the point is well taken. I think you have to balance it,
however, with the fact that in terms of parking facilities this could not be better
located to be convenient to the city :.,uiiuings.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but the Police Department already have their parking.
Mayor Ferre: They don't need the parking, they've got parking.
Mr. Pancoast: The police relate to this garage....
Mayor Ferre: Well that's Plummer's point. Now let me ask you, who did make that
decision, Lester? Was that your decision or was that the City's? Was that our
decision, Mr. Manager?
Mr. Grassie: This really comes from the Government Center Plan which originated
with Dade County, and I'm sure over the years has had the approval of the City
but really it is a carrying out of the basic Government Center Plan.
Mayor Ferre: I mean did our own Planning Department look at it and study and see
if that made any sense? Did we come to the agreement, is there a conclusion on
it?
Mr. Grassie: I don't believe that we've reviewed from that point.
Mayor Ferre; Mr, Fosmoen?
Mr. J'osmoen; Well, we've reviewed the Governme:;t Center Plan and this City has
accepted that Government Center Plan.
7
FEB 91978
t: . y stories i that garage
Mrs. Gordon:,,c,rian: Can I ask you a qut.� �.iaa„ i, ytc.r:' How many
building?
Mr. Pancoast: The garage building, this One, the new one, the central one that
we're talking about is as we've shown it here; now remember it isn't a design
building and we are not fesigning it, we have shown it here as eicactly the same
height as the Police Headquarters garage. That figure is approximately 60':
Higher than that makes a garage that is very difficult to use for self parking.
Mrs. Gordon: What is your opinion as a professional about the air rights over
that garage?
Mr. Pancoast: Over this garage?
Mrs. Gordon: Ar:: the utilization of the
Mr. Plummer: That was my next point, Rose.
Mr:;. Gordon: Ok, then we're on the same beam.
mr. Plummer: In other words, Lester, look here is my, and I think what Rose is
getting at also. That today looks like a big area for a government complex but
things have a way of expanding.
Mr. Pancoast: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: Now how high is that proposed off-street parking structure?
Mr. ?ansoast: It is sixty feet.
Mr. Piurzntr: is that six floors?
r. Panc<ast: That's right., and if you can imagine it as the same height as the
garage that exists.
Mr. Plummer: Now my question is why isn't the administration building being put
above that. and reserve that other land for some other use?
Mayor F:rre: Well, I'll give you one reason why.
Mr. Plummer: Is it cost?
Mayor Ferret That's right. One reason why is that those people that have tried
that have had horrible experiences and the reason is because of your column spac-
ing.
Mr. Pancoast: That's right.
Mayor Terre: The columns and the transfer of weights, the column spacing for a
building is not the same as the column spacing for a garage. When you try to
transfer weights to accomodate one or the other you either end up with poor spac-
ing in the office building or poor spacing in the garage or a tremendous cost and
most double purpose or piggy -back type of structures end up in today's market
costing six or seven dollars per parking unit and a straight simple ramp parking
garage, Mr. La Saw is back here who is the expert, he'll tell you that he can
build one for three or four thousand dollars.
Mr. Pancoast: That's right.
!/.7:. Gordon: Yes, but we're doing that downtown where the Dallas Park site is
:,,:,1;•vsedly if we proceed with the present intentions as has come before the Com-
mission for air rights over it.
Mayor Terre: In some places because of the unit value of the land you have to
do it, you don't have any choice. Now whether it makes sense or not I don't
know. It is a simple mathematical formula. It's saving $3,000 per unit for
?,OC•fl units, that's $6,000,00D. Can you buy $6,OuO,000 worth of land? It's
that simple.
Mr. F'atccast: yes, I think the Master Plan has to be looked as an economic prob-
lem and an economic problem over the years because the best Master Plan in the
world is still a matter of musical chairs. These projects come along only as
they can, we're not building it all at one time. The street grid that we show
under and through these buildings will disappear but only gradually so it means
you have to continue to respect it until, in fact, you get rid of it. Now all
of us look at this big open field with its nice trees and wish that it would be
a park and the natural thing to do is to go ahead and continue to aggregate build.,
ings around it and have our own little park quote, unquote but the Master Plan is
telling us that we're airiing at something much bigger. Now whether you like that
plan or not you have to either go with it or not go with it because you will kill
it if you don't go with it, it, in a sense, is an open space also with buildings
around it. That open space essentially is where my hand is now. So the.,..
Mayor Ferre: That's asphalt and ooncretc.
Mr. Pancoast: Yes, and it will end up being largely paved because asphalt and
concrete are the grass of the city so we will end up with a great deal of pavement.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh my Lord.
Mr. Pancoast: But we will also end up with trees, and to illustrate that we're
very aware of that these black dots diagramatically put on the model are existing
major trees, obviously we didn't show dozens and dozens of them because it would
have confused more than enlightened.
Mayor Ferre: The problem is that I wish you would put on dots over that monstrous
garage building the lots of the existing trees that are going to be felled.
Mr. Pancoast: I wish we were free to, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Lester, getting back to the question which I think Plummer said
about another member of this commission, I'm going to say about him I hate to
agree with him but I think he happens to be right.
>r. Pancoast: Let me tell you some other attributes of this site which is one
reason we as architects are not beside ourselves or coming to find out what we
could do about the....
Mayor Ferre: Could I interrupt you for just a minute? It might be all academic.
Is there anything we can do at this point? If the Commission wants to change it
can we change it today?
Mr. Pancoast: No.
Mr. Grassie: The reality, Mr. Mayor and members of the City Commission, is that
we do not have an option principally because of the funding source. You know we
have a federal grant which is specific to the site in question, the work has al-
ready started, the work has to be continuous and we really don't have that option.
Mayor Ferre: You started by knocking down a building, you haven't started by
digging any holes.
Mr. Grassie: But our contract work on that site has to be continuous, we cannot
interrupt it.
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you, Joe, with that kind of thinking do you know where
we would be?
Mr. Grassie: Well, either you're into federal funding with that kind of thinking
or you do without the funding.
Mr. Plummer: I commend to you to read the morning paper about the new Mayor of
Cleveland.
M . Pancoast: Well, we have been talking about the things that we're not neces-
arily happy about, maybe we ought to speak about some of the things that we are
happy about as architects because certainly if there is pleasure connected with
this process you ought to share in it. The City of Miami Administration Building
will be a very tall building, 15 stories. It will not, of course, be as tall as
the County one which will rise up from the middle of the Government Center but
this building from the Hxpressway is dead -aligned with it and if it weren't there,
if it were here as we've been suggesting to ourselves, it means that coming up
the expressway all that distance towards town ou'd be lined up on a parking
garage which to me is far less exciting than having at least a portion of the
government center ;Hove out close to I=95. The other thing is that we discussed
a rather finite space that the building that were now doing and the future phase
create. It is a tight space, it is an urban space, It is a place such as Havana
enjoys many of and Miami enjoys very few of and that space is allowed purposefully
to escape into the larger one, $o we are creal.i.ng a hierarchy of spaces even
though with difficulty. Let me talk for a Minute about this diagonal white i..:=e.
It is intended in the Master Plan to be a second level pedestrian connector of
all buildings and in the toaster Plan it is shown as a much more extensive much
more complete thing. We've shown it as a rather thin skeie al. thing because we
are nervous about the ultimate economics of that second level. It may grow much
more extensively than we've shown it but what we have to prove to you and to our-
selves, of course, is that our building is designed to relate to all of that.
The Master Plan proposes it then it becomes a design parameter and we have accom-
odated that situation when the County building is built here. If it participates
in this parking garage it may want a more direct route to that same connector but
we didn't know where to put it so we haven't shown it on this diagram. But theo-
retically this area in here could be loaded with trees and very nicely planned
and enjoyed from an upper level but when that upper level will occur is still very
much a question. I am sure the County will work at its infrastructure but exact-
ly when it is going to appear we don't yet know.
Mrs. Gordon: Which is your first phase of the administration building, those two
levels? That's our first one, that's the one you're doing now?
Mr. Pancoast: That's right.
Mrs. Gordon: And the other one is some future period in time.
Mr. Pancoast: Exactly. Now this lower building as we said in schematics is a
more public related building so that the vertical circulation and so on is all
worked out very carefully so that people coming to City offices will be well ac-
comodated. It is also quite an open building underneath it, it is hard to see at
a scale like this but the renderings which are coming will explain that much more
clearly.
Mr_. Gordon: Lester, what would you anticipate the cost of the tall building
might be if it were in today's market?
Mr. Pancoast: Mr. Connolly, do you remember the total figure projected in the
;grogram oe the cost of the ultimate building? I'm not sure it was quantified ex-
eept in equate footage.
Mr. Connolly: It not quint 1t ll'tl 1)ul in the .;quit • ftwil Ia nin f1 would
Mr:. cordon: If we had $6,000,000 more we could go inot that.
Mx. Pancoast: Well, this government money that is coming for the first phase• re-
quires that the project be in the ground in 90 days and that is what all of this
struggle is about.
Mrs. Gordon: I know, and that is a i sn job and the other, if we were able to
complete it we would need another $6,000,000 in round figures.
Mx. Pancoast: Yes. But I would suggest very strongly that the design of this
parking garage is of the essence because it now must relate to both the Poli.•e
Headquarters and to the City Hall. If it doesn't it is going to do great darn;'.
Mx s. Gordon: When will that garage structure become a reality with regard to the
design and so forth? What's the stage of its progression?
Mr. Pancoast: I really don't know and I would like to know, I'm trying to find
that out myself because....
Mre. cordon: Who would know?
M.r. Pancoast: Well, the Off -Street Parking Authority might know.
M. Gordon; Ok, how about it, Richard, could you tell us anything with regard
to it? The question was what stage of progression is that garage structure?
Planning stage? That one right there, that's the one we're talking about.
mr. Rubin: Actually it has just been in the discussion stage so far
with Mr. Connolly. We're in a postion where we can acquire the property ar.d we
can go out and issue bonds as far as building the structure.,. But when you're
talking about design and planning and everything you're talking about two years
away before you...
10
EB 5197
Mrs. Gordon: I don't mean completion I man planning completion.
Mt, Rubin:
We haven't gotten any planning or any design or anything.
Mts. Gordon: Then it is quite a ways down the toad.
Mt. Rubin: Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Pancoast: I would like to say one more thing, Mr. Mayor, and then, of course,
we'll answer any questions that you have if I can. I mentioned earlier that the
Administration Building and the Police Headquarters related to each other in many
ways but didn't relate in every way. I would like to say that the palette, that
is the materials that we used on the original building are still very much with
us and it is interesting also that the State Building has respected the palette
of the Police Headquarters as well. So it becomes a possible continuim for the
entire Government Center and if we don't work out some of these continuims we're
just going to have more hodge-podge and it's not going to relate at all.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question. Mr. La Baw, are you the person or the exec-
utive for the parking garage? ... Parking Authority, for who?
Mx. Rubin:
�r. City of Miami.
Rev. Gibson: All right, good, beautiful. I hope you heard what was said here
and I hope you know of our concerns. What I think the Commission ought to do is
get a commitment and the commitment in the sense of a continuation of the idea
such as was expressed so that we don't be like a square peg in a round hole. Do
you understand what I'm saying to you?
mt. Rubin: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: All right, I would hope that since you know that's the way we feel
and since the property is our's I hope the Commission will try to solicit in the
spirit of cooperation to get that kind of an action.
Mr. Rubin: Well, we're ready to move forward as soon as it is humanly possible.
Rev. Gibson: I didn't hear that.
Mr. Rubin: I say the Parking Authority has been discussing the proposed garage.
As you are well aware we operate entirely on revenue and I would think the first
major problem the Parking Authority is going to be faced with is the acquisition
of the land in order to build this garage. As far as I know there has been no
decision as to whether that....
Mayor Ferre: The land already belongs to us, to the City of Miami.
Mr.
Rubin: The City of Miami, and it will be made available to the Parking
Authority for a garage?
Mayor Ferre: Well, I think that is something that we have to discuss, I mean that
is what this is all about. The question is has the process begun and I guess the
answer is no,
Mr. Rubin: Well, I think, Mr. Mayor, that one of the first things that we really
will have to discuss with the City is the manner of acquisition of that particular
piece of property.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, the point we're trying to find out is have you begun the dis-
cussions and if not we are concerned that they haven't begun.
Mr. Rubin: Well, we have not begun any formal discussions as yet but we will be
on schedule and the garage will be there if our preliminary requirements of the
land are worked out and I'm sure that the feasibility study will show that the
area will support the garage.
Mayor Ferre; Has a feasibility study been ordered? Is that under way? Who is
doing the feasibility?
Mr, Rubin:
No, sir, we have not ordered the feasibility study as yet.
Mayor Ferre; Well, Mr. Manager, perhaps you Gan clarify this because frar4kly at
this point I'm confused as to what is going on here. Obviously we're going to
need parking in the area, obviously this is going to impact what the County iS
11
FEB 91978
1
1
going ,
.. be doing and R 1 _ is in .-.i1r*i'_ of all of tr:ls'.
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you what is bothering Me.
Mayor Ferre: Wait a minute, I'm in the middle of asking a ouestion.
are we now, Mr. Manager, what is going on?
Mr. Grassie • If 'our question, Mayor, addresses the development of the entire
project....
Mayor Ferre: Do you want me to he specific in my question? Would you prefer that
I be more articulate in the specificity of the question?
Mr. Grassie: Fine,
Where
Mayor. Ferrer: Mr. Manager, have you or any member of your staff discussed with
the Off- Street Parking Authority the future parking requirements of the Govern=
ment Admir:is:ration Building under construction at the present time? If so, where
doe:; the specific prc,,ect stand?
Mr. �;rassie: The unswer in yes. I thin; that the answer that you got just a
minute ago addressed: that, Mr. Mayor. The discussions have been between Jim
Connolly and f',ick La Etaw. They have not resulted in any design or feasibility
study to this point which is what Mr. La Baw told you. So the need for the faci
ity has been discussed, it has not been translated into a feasibility study.
Mayor Ferro: Well when are you going to take the next step, Mr. Grassie?
Mr. -.>.`.assio: it uE %r::C::. ,n one key factor and that is the Parking Authority
achisv ns a ratio such that they can issue bonds.
ia,,'c: Ferre: They cannot do that until they order a feasibility study and since
r. Rubin doesn't ever; know whether we own the land or not obviously the discus-
sions haven't :one very far.
Mr. r i:±_; i e : Well, Mr. Mayor, their achieving the bond cover precedes their
.% iii° , tc do anythino.
Mayor err. : That, as yoi know, is not correct because there are alternatives to
it as you're discussing ir. the Dallas Park area. And the only way you can find
out whether or not you're covered is simply by ordering a feasibility study.
You're not using Ramp Associates any more, who is it that you use now?
Mr. Conrad Associates East.
Mayor Ferre: Well Conrad Associates lre the ones that have to do the feasibility,
they're not going to order it until you come to an arrangement as to what you're
sping to do if the feasibility is feasible. Right?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: That's right, sir.
Mayor Ferre: And so the question comes again to you, Mr. Grassie through you to
whoever is handling it, is when are you going to come to agreement with the Off -
Street Parking Authority so they can proceed in ordering the feasibility so that
we can then come down to discussing terms and the County has to be involved in
this.
Mr. Grassie: Yos, they do. I'm not aware that their planning has gone far enough
for them to be ir, a position tc know what their response would be.
Maser Ferre: You mean the County:
Yr. Grassie: Yes. Our needs in the short run can be met by surface parking.
Now you know t!-:e question of timing o2 this is really what we're talking about,
how ;oon should it get started.
Mayor Ferre: I'm going tc recognize Commissioner Plummer and I'm about to finish
me statement here but you see this is exactly why I requested all of this and this
is why I asked Parker Thompson, who is a very busy man, to be down here to listen
to all of this because he is involved in the selection process for the design of
the other building and you know because of the fact that we've come into some
federal money we're rushing into this thing and we haven't thought out about the
parking. The Off -Street Parking Authority hasn't teen really dealt with, we're
moving ahead, Plummer is right, we're putting the building in the wrong location,
now you tell me it is too late to change it around and we're just going ahead
12
doing things rush, rush, rush. We don't have a line drawing of the building+ we
don't know what it is going to look like. That doesn't tell us what it is going
to look like, that is a volumetric type of a thing and that's fine but you know
we're digging the foundations and building the building without knowing what the
building is going to be. I mean you know, Mr. Grassie, I know that we have cer-
tain problems. I have my suspicions that there are a lot of other federal funds
all over the country that ate being used in similar ways and I would hope that
we could do it in a more organized way so that we don't end up with some kind of
a crisis or a disaster or something and I have a feeling we're just heading into
this thing blindly without really thinking this whole thing true and I'm sorry I
have to say it on the public record and I'm concerned about what the end result
of it is going to be.
Mr. Grassie: The basic thinking through, Mr. Mayor, took place five years ago,
you know the community and that includes the County as well as the City.
Mayor Ferre: I'm not questioning any of that.
Mr. Grassie: ...been operating on a Master Plan and this simply carries it out.
Mayor Ferre: I'm not questioning the Master Plan, that's only part of it. I'm
questioning the specifics beyond the question of the location which is Master
Plan question I think there is a question on this commission about the parking.
There is a question in my position about the design. I want to know what the
design of that building, I'd like to see at least the floor plan. Do you have
the floor plan designs on this? I mean that is another subject all together but
f- I mean...
11,
Mr. Grassie: Yes, but do we understand the point that for the building that is
being built right now we do not need a 2,000 car garage, that the surface parking
which is available under the expressway and on that lot that we're talking about
is sufficient for the construction that we're doing? There is no crisis, you know
we know what we're going to do in the short run. Now if you're asking whether we
should be building a 2,000 space garage that's a separate question and it is not
a crisis.
Mayer Ferre: No, the crisis comes next. The crisis isn't here.
Mr. Grassie: The crisis comes only when the County builds 600,000 square feet
across the street. That's when the crisis comes. We have no indication that
they're going to do that before we can put up a garage.
Mayor Ferre: Joe, nobody is questioning any of that. There obviously is no
crisis now. What we're sitting here taking time talking about is to possibly
make sure that we've talked this whole thing through so that in a year or two
from now there won't be a crisis. Tnit's exactly the point. I mean for example
you hear a commissioner here, Plummer, say you know the location should be back-
wards. You hear the architect say he agrees with it. The architect said he
agreed with it)
Mr. Pancoast: Well the architect is not the architect of the Master Plan. It is
a part of our contract that we must relate to that Master Plan and we would have
no federal funds under any circumstances unless we did relate to a Master Plan.
So it is really not so much a matter of arbitrary decision as to whether we fol-
low the Master Plan or not. I think that the federal government has begun to re-
quire them and fundamentally I think that is a healthy move on their part.
Mayor Ferre: You know Master Plans are Master Plans in my opinion most of them
aren't worth a hoot, all they are is just working directions that you have to
deal with a step at a time and you know if you go by a Master Plan blindly, here's
a perfect case in point you know where it probably doesn't make a bit of differ-
ence whether you go this way or that way and it would have been better if you did
it this way.
Mr, Pancoast: Well, there are advantages to either of those circumstances in
this Master Plan in my opinion. I think that putting this building where it is
it is more dramatically located in terms of having awareness of the City than it
would be if it were here, Now yes, it would make a nicer complex from an archi-
tectural standpoint, I could make the Police headquarters seem like a lot bigger
place and make it very happy and all kind of inter -related but the fact is this
is a much more dramatic site and it also is diametrically related to where the
major building in the County is going and there is a kind of interesting parody
there even on a symbolic basis. So I think that you can argue these things back
and forth and we're extremely available for that kind of discussion because we
13
F £ 1978
are fasc1r atC.'i by it aea it we thought that this locatioe had been a tragedy be-
lieve me we would have brought that to your attention earlier.
Mayor Ferre: Plummer, do you want t.o say something?
Mr. Plummer: Why say it? Really, Mr. Grassi:' says there is no crisis. Do you
know what I'm hearing? I'll tell you what I'm hearing - right or wrong don't
jeopardize federal funds - and I think that's asinine. And that's what the Mayor
of Cleveland told them with their 841,000,000 grant this morning. I'm not going
to do it wrong. Now I think there is a crisis. When we, the City of Miami are
faced with doing it this way or no other way right or wrong because we're going
to jeopardize federal funds well let me tell you something, for one sitting here
I've had enough of Big Brotherism. Now, let me tell you what else is bothering
me. It is just awful strange and convenient that that parking garage by hook or
crook is toine on City property. Do you see where that walkway goes from? Not
from the Police Statioe, it goes from the parking garage to the Federal Building.
That's not going to be just the parking garage for the City of Miami but it just
happens to be on property which we have used taxpayers' money to buy and if we
don't give it to the Off -Street Parking Authority we're going to be bad guys.
But isn't it strange that it could not be put one block over on County property
or on federal property? Why on the City's disrupting our two buildings: Yes, I
fee] there is a crisis - if not today, we're absolutely faced in the future with
a crisis and I'm just more fed up every day with what we've got to do right or
wiong because we're going to jeopardize federal money as if it were a different
color. I'm sorry.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I wonder if we could move along with the agenda.
Ma'.'or Ferre: Yee, I think so, Rose. Is there anything else you want to say, Mr.
Mr. Rubin. Not on this subject, Mr. Mayor.
Mayer Ferrer Well then l'11 recognize you after we finish with this subject,
we're about eo wind up on this matter. Do you have, is there a plan, Lester:'
Mr. Pur.coast: A floor plan, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Ferre: Yes.
Mr. Pant oast: As a point of fact there are working drawings of this building,
that's the nature of the concurrency. I have a line drawing that I can discuss
with you, the particulars of how we relate or not relate to the Police Headquarters
end as ; said if not by the next meeting the one after that we'll have refined
materials to show you.
2 s. Gordon: I think if you brought us some renderings at some future meeting we
would like to see front elevations and so forth.
Mom. Pancoast: We are very disposed to doing that and intend to do that.
Mayor Terre: Before we wind this up I'd like to ask Mr. Parker Thompson to step
forward if he would because there was an article in the paper that said,"Fine
Arts Folks to Help Select Tower's Design". I don't have a date on it but evident-
ly, Chairman Thompson, perhaps you can explain how that came about and I think we
need to relate with each other because I think these buildings have got to some
how function together as a unit and perhaps you might give us your thoughts as
to how we ought to proceed on this.
Mom-. ?arker Thompson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My name is Parker Thompson. I am
Chairman: of the Council of ARts and Sciences. The Council became very concerned
whee the first County buildings were proposed which were for the cultural complex
ue next. to F1agier Street that a design process be generated which would produce
the top design architecture for what can be the area that is going to turn Miami
:rout;: and produce something that can be architecturally splendid and noted
throughout the country, We got the County Commission to adopt a design selection
p o.cess that resulted in the selection of a national architect, Phillip Johnson,
working together with a local architect for that project. The next major County
area came up, the County Administration Building, we asked that the Manager's
Office agree to follow the identical process so that the highest quality design
could be brought into that Government Center and at the same time that a process
of integrating these buildings in that are be accomplished so that they are com-
patible so that they aren't all excellent ego statements by individual architects
but they are a design ofcompatibility in that area, I wish that the City of
4 4 FEB 1978
Miami would adopt a similar process. I understand, however, that this building
is being built in a fast track, I am not commenting obviously on the design of
that building, in a way it is good that there is no design before us so that what
I have to say... relates to the fact that I hope that at :ninitum this Commission
will require some kind of design review process that will ensure that what is
being done by the City is compatible with what I hope will generate the finest
design throughout that Government Center. Selection of Phillip Johnson for the
Cultural Complex is very encouraging. I would asE;ume, I know that we are going
to get a similar competition for design of national and local architects for the
County Administration Building. Again, I hope that some kind of design review
process can be generated to make sure that what is being done by the City will be
compatible with what will be done by the County.
Mayor Ferre: Parker, how would you recommend that we go about that since this
thing is moving so quickly without hampering Lester Pancoast and his associates?
You know they've got to move on even though Plummer is worried about these federal
funds, and I think he's got a valid point, you know we also have these federal
constraints and there is a practical aspect of it. How can we do this so that it
wouldn't bog down the project and we could... Let me say as a Matter of principle
that I am in complete agreement with the statement made by Parker Thompson and I'm
sure Lester would have no disagreement with it and that is that we have to have
compaibility and all this kind of stuff between these buildings and I think that
the design review procedure as long as it is quick and won't hold back the project
is a healthy thing to have. Now how do we go about doing this?
Mr. Thompson: One possibility, Mayor, would be to go to Johnson's Office which
will be coming up with the design for the Cultural Complex within the next thirty
days and ask them to do a design review.
Mayor Ferre: That's a good idea. Lester, would you have any problems with that?
Mr. Pancoast: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I have a response to that. Most architects do not
simply design on an ego trip, they have things in which they believe in to which
they adhere. I hold my Johnson in very high esteem, I do not think he is a reg-
ional architect or has any understanding of regional architecture. I think that
he also....
Mayor Ferre: How would you recommend that we have a design review procedure that
would be compatible with what you are doing but would satisfy this community?
I'm not talking personally I'm talking about editorials in newspapers and commun-
ity which you are aware of just as well as I am.
Mr. Pancoast: Yes,
going to want to go
is what we did with
asked to and we did
a little bit longer
something not quite
absolutely. Well, obviously in a fast track method we're not
into presenting material that isn't ready and in a sense that
you on schematics. It was not time to present but we were
the best we could. I think at the end of another month or
, perhaps five wLeks, I don't want to rush our renderer to do
good.
Mayor Ferre: Who is going to be the judge of all of that? See, I happen to have
studied architecture and so did Reboso but I'm going to tell you something I'm
not going to put myself up as a judge in architectural design. I think the point
of it is very simply this: I think I'm going to go along with Plummer, I would
rather stop the project and lose the money than to end up with a design that may
not be compatible.
Mrs. Gordon: May I say something, Mr. Mayor? I don't know how you all feel
about it but I feel extremely uncomfortable about the conversation that's going
on right now and I think that we expressed confidence when we gave the job to
the Pancoast firm, It's not the first job they've done for us and I think with
all due respects to any future jobs that we may be wanting to give out before we
select architects, before we give out any plans, I mean I find this a very embar-
rassing situation that you're discussing and it even leads me to wonder about
whether there is some douit about credibility and I don't think you intend that
to be the way it sounds but that's the way it sounds.
Mr. Plummer: Let me make a comment, I find this healthy now, I disagree with
Rose. I think the discussion today is healthy, Rose. I'll tell you why. I
think it shows the concern of this commission about a project that is going to
be long after we are gone. Now I don't think that any conversation today has in
any way damaged or even dented Lester Pancoast's credibility. Ok?
Mayor Ferre: It certainly wasn't the intention,
•
91978
•
Mx. VIUMMer: NOW let me say to vou whe: Leeter t an..0 :i: rands up :here and
says to mu, "Well, but I've got because to do this" it's not L, ster's credibil-
ity if anything it is speaking highly that he is dong what he has been told to
do. The credibility comes before ',Peter ;ar.coast and that's where I find a tre-
mendous gap in credibility but in Lester lancoast at this point.
Mayor Ferre: Lester, lest me put it or the record, and I want you to please be-
lieve me, it has nothing to do with you personally or with....
Mr. Pancoast: I'm not taking it personally.
Mayor Ferre: Or your associate or with your architectural qualifications. I'm
talking about this as a matter of procedure not for this building for all build-
ings. I think that we need to have an ar.hitLcturai review board of some kind
or a procedure so that, and I think we should have done this a long time ago.
Mr. Pancoast: It should be built into the Master Plan itself in my opinion that
that, the protection and evolvement of the Master Plan should have with it mechan-
isms for review and consideration of each piece.
Mayer Ferre: see, and what concerns me is that since we are fast tracking this
project what concerns me is that we're going to have a building before anybody
nas had a chance to have a look at it. Therefore, with all due respects to you
then. I don't thin;:, what in effect we're doing is we're doing this without any
kind of are•.iew process where other people can have input into what we're going
to end up with and once it is done it is done.
Mr. Banc-.st: well, that is true, that's the nature of this process and we don't
feel out ceetrc1. There ie no sense in our minds that we don't know what we're
doir . 'c do feel kind of a frustration because we can't show you materials be-
fere they have, in t been accomplished. We are doing working drawing; and
desire: refinement at the same time right now.
Mayor Ferre: Let yo;: see, that's precisely the point. If you were able to show
us drewines I don't think that this commission is qualified.
Pancc t . Ah .
Mayor Ferro: You see, tc pass judgement on architectural matters because that's
not. cur function.
Mr. Pancoast: But i:n't it a bit curious that we would ask Phillip Johnson who
has nothing to do with Miami and hardly relates to this place to be the judge?
Mayor Fevre: Yes, but you see the alternate to that for example is if you say
we'll set up an AIA panel, but you know how that functions. Local architects are
loath to criticize their associates rr: or to recommend things and somewhere
somehow there has to be a give and take process where we have self critique. And
I'm not talking about your building I'm talking ,x::;out establishing a system for
every government building. Now we have a group that determines art in public
buildings, we're going to discuss it fairly soon again, it comes up in item 24
today. So this is coming up for discussion. Nora Swan is here and we've had a
functioning board. Now, I ask you, don't you think if we're spending millions of
dollars in architecture that that's important for us to have some kind of a review
procedure, Mr. Grassie, or are you satisfied, that perhaps you have the architec-
tural expertise to make judgements or that Mr. Fosmoer. might have it or that.
Connolly has it or somebody has it and that's it?
M Grassie: No, I think we're talking about two different things, Mr. Mayor.
When the City hires a professional firm of architects the assumption is that
eee architectural expertise comes from the firm but as I understood your comments
}we're really talking about something different than that. You're talking about
the Government Center as an integrated working whole. You're talking about how
do you make this building work with other things that exist now and are antici-
pated in the future and for that kind of review you're not talking about the sort
of thing that we do on staff level or that the architect himself does. You're
about integrating the whole governmental center, at least I understand
that to be the direction of your comments,
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Grassie: And if that is what you're saying then the question is if we are
going to have that kind of a review for this particular project riow can we do it
quickly enough so that it will be effective.
FEB S 1978jit
p
Mayor Ferre: And what do you think we should do if anything?
Mt. Grassie: I guess what I would suggest to you is that you give me at least
two days to try and develop an answer for you and we can set up if you indicate
through resolution that that is your intent we can in a couple days consulting
with the architect and with Parker Thompson develop something and get back to you.
Mayor Ferre: I'm not too sure that you're any more qualified to make that judge-
ment than we are.
Mt. Pancoast: Mt. Mayor, it is very interesting that....
Mr. Grassie: I'm not suggesting that I am, you asked me the question, Mr. Mayor,
Mayor Ferre: I'd rather frankly put it in the fine arts group until we restruct-
ure our own committee and then bring it back to our own committee to do.
Mr. Grassie: That's who I suggested we would contact.
Mrs. Gordon Our own committee is for art in the public buildings and that is
not what your discussion is relating to,
Mayor Ferre: That's correct.
Mr. Pancoast: That does come up this afternoon, of course.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes► that's a different subject for part of the finishing touches.
Mr. Pancoast: What's intriguing to us is that this administration has involved a
large number of architects on its own staff in the criticizing of our work and
they have been very helpful in helping us over hurdles that have come along during
the design. I would say that the tight schedule on this has been a perfect agony
for our office because we have realized the total importance of this relatively
small building in terms of determining much bigger things as they came along.
Mayor Ferre: That's the point.
Mr. Pancoast: So we're beating our breasts and tearing our hair and we're inter-
relating very carefully with department heads who at one time were not architects
but as they happen now to be architects we are delighted because we can talk to
them intelligently on our level with out own private language. So I think a lot
of architects are involved in the evolution of this building.
Mayor Ferre: Lester, I don't really you know want to press it too much stronger
i because I really don't want to embarrass you and I'm not trying to embarrass any-
nody and I think Rose has a valid point that we are treading on thin ice around
here and I don't want to in any way say that we're going to subject you to having
Phillip Johnson come down here and strut around your office and tell you how to
change three windows or to put a chimney stack somewhere else or to have a glass
wall where you have a steel wall you know, so I understand that. On the other
hand I think I really fell uncomfortable with a process that I think we have
such short time parameters.
Mr. Pancoast: Could we be discussing it with you or others who are interested to
make you more familiar with the rational which I think is extremely sound?
Mayor Ferre: Again the problem is that I'm not too sure that we're that qualified,
even I who studied architecture don't feel that I'm qualified to really do that
service and I think that we need to get some expertise of people that perhaps
might, and I really can't think, either we go to the Manager and do it the way he
said or we turn over to the fine arts group and ask for their help or somehow.
Mrs. Gordon: Could I ask you to consider postponing any further conversation and
briny this back for discussion at our next meeting?
Mayor Ferre: of course you know, Rose, it will be too late by then because by
then the design will be finished.
Mrs. Gordon; Well I'm not worried about the
really want to know I'm not worried about it
Mayor Ferre: I know you're not worried about
to snooker me into something which you know„
the next meeting and it is dead,
design to tell you the truth if you
at all. I'M very confident of it,
and that's exactly, but don't try
What you're saying is put it to
17
FEB 91978
Mr,. Gordon: What I'm saying to you is that for future buildings you will then
have a procedure to follow but you're not going to be able to put that into place
for this building.
Mayor Ferre: I'm going to make a motion and I'd like for you to be here because
I think after that statement of Rose's I'm going to push it and even if it is a
one to four vote I'm going to go with it.
Mr. Plummer: Well good,
Mayor Ferre: All right,
review procedure on this
City of Miami and that
now you know how I feel most of the time.
I
and
it he
will move you that this commission today establish a
every other architectural project going on in the
today and that until the Manager comes back
back with a specific recommendation which
establish a procedure in the future that
and ask them to involve themselves in guid-
He's the chairman of it. What's the full
until we come back and have our own system
on this matter.
done
Mx. Manager until Mr. Grassie comes
this commission can deliberate on and
we turn over to the Fine Arts Council
ance until we have our own committee.
title for it? What? ... All right,
:ere that we look to you for guidance
Mr. Pancoast: Mr. Mayor, may I interject?
Mr. Plummer: You're out of order.
Mx. Reboso: We have a motion on the floor.
Mr. Plummer: Call for a second.
Mr. Reboso: I'm waiting. The motion dies for the lack of a second.
Mr. Plummer: I'll now make you motion. I think that the Mayor has a 'very good
ides an. I like to idea to a certain extent but I think he went too far. I think,
and you don't need a motion a motion to this - well I shouldn't say that - but i.
think t:r. Pancoast would welcome if he is the man that I think he is, that they
have full access to any and all particulars relating to this building so that they
freely can come before this commission in areas where they feel of concern and
whether you want that in the fora of a motion or whether it is the instruction
of this commission to the Manager I see nothing wrong with them having full access
'o all of the things that are transpiring but to take and make them responsible,
Lester responsible to them - No, I can't go along with that.
Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to that motion?
Mrs. Gordon: Well he didn't make it a motion he made a comment.
Mayor Ferre: He made a motion.
Mr. Plummer: Oh, if you want it in the form of a motion....
Mayor Ferre: I don't want it in the form of any, I think it is meaningless.
Mrs. Gordon: Then let's move along, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Is there anything else to be discussed on this subject?
Mrs. Gordon: Nothing other than we expect that there will be renderings in the
next few weeks and we anticipate seeing them. Thank you.
Mayer Ferre: Thank you very much. Mr. Thompson, thank you for your time this
mo r:inrj we appreciate your interest.
15
APPROVE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR N11.4 14= CENT
BIc=8=AL PARK.
Mayor Ferre: We're now on Item B.
Mr. Grassie: Item B, Mr. Mayor and members of the City Commission, is a report
to the City Commission following your request that I believe initiated by Com-
missioner Gordon, following your request that we give you a proposal on athletic
facilities within Bi,.Centennial Park and Mr. Al Howard is here to speak to that.
Mr. Al Howard: Good morning. At the meeting when we were asked to go back to
BiCentennial Park and find out what kind of activities would attract more people
to use the park we met with the New World Center. Campus, Dr. Stokes, Mrs. Seigert,
the Downtown Action Committee and people who actually utilize the park to find
out whap they would like to see in the park that: would be attractive enough for
them to!come in and yet at the sane time not go through major physical activities
in the park. I believe you have before you a plan and what emanated from this
meeting was that the Downtown Campus, the New World Center in their opinion would
like to see more fields for use for soccer, for soft ball, for intramural on a
noncompetitive basis. Many of the people downtown and at Downtown Action Committee
mould love to see another Vita Course in the park and on your plan these little
yellow stations of which there are 19 would be another Vita Course. The course
was very successful in Kennedy Park, Allapattah and Morningside. That was another
recommendation that was made. Also to convert some of the existing chess tables
to domino tables so that as they could play dominoes here much similar to what we
do in the new Maceo Park. In the long range to have facilities for tennis, racket-
ball which is very popular right now and a possible community building for showers
and locker rooms and also to continue the initial idea by the architect of having
a bicycle outlet so that bicycles could be rented in the park. I think with all
of these types of activities combined with the fishing that we now have, the pic-
nic areas, the children's playground area and hopefully within 45 days we should
have some returns on the contract for the restaurant it would be a very active
park and not take away from the beauty of it. Our recommendation is that we con-
sider the things that can be done originally with the amount of money that is
available such as the Vita Course and the ball fields and then at a later date if
funds become available from fifth year CD to then consider the use of the tennis
courts and racketball but we could immediately within the next 60 days go in, put
ir. a Vita Course which would attract a lot of people and go in this area and
build the ball fields and still by putting the fields in there it would still have
a nice open area for such activities as the Special Arts Festival and other group
activities.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I like it and I want to ask you what you're planning to do to
improve the Tot Lot because I found the Tot Lot inadequate and dangerous in its
present facilities. Have you made any arrangements to improve that?
Mr. Howard: The Tot Lot has received an awful lot of comments and good comments
of people utilizing it. I did go down and invest,:gate the last time that you
mentioned it and we've had no accidents, I couldn't find the danger and I would
like to go down there with you and you show me.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I will be glad to go with you and bring a tot with me so that
I can demonstrate visibly the danger to a tot.
Mr. Howard: Fine, and if necessary we'd make the changes. We have done this in
other playgrounds.
Mrs. Gordon; Ok. Mr. Mayor, I'm satisfied that the plan as outlined is an im-
provement to the area and will bring people there and will be utilized to a much
greater extent than it is now and I'm satisfied with it from the lay out because
of those improvements that are listed on the chart as five, six, seven and eight
are in the corner that is least utilized and at the present time people would
rarely want to go over into that area so it is going to make use of space that is
not being used. I find it a very nice lay out and I move an acceptance of the
plan.
Mayor Ferre: Under discussion I'd like to ask Mr. Howard, 1 like the plan and 1
agree with it l think it is fine. My only problem with it is you're going to have
tennis courts and you're going to have basketball and a baseball field, you need
facilities for people to change. Now what size facilities are we going to have?
Are they going to have showers?
19
FEB $1978
Mr. Howard: We're talking about the area 48. There would be a locker room
facility with showers. However, our recommendation is that we do not have funds
to go into that part of this program imttediately and it would have .to wait for
funds to become available possibly through 5th year CD. We do have funds to
put in the Vita Course, to go ahead with the bicycle rental and to go ahead with
the bicycle rental and to go ahead with the ball fields.
Mayor Ferre: That's not my question,
Mrs. Gordon: Doctor Stokes indicated that outside funds would be available, are
you considering those?
Mayor Ferre: No, look, please. 1'11 recognize you in a moment, I'm asking the
question to you, Mr. Howard, about recreation/office building, Item #8, $40,000.
$40,000 is not a locker room with showers.
Mr. Howard: This would be a very small locker room where there would be about
three showers in there and an area...
Mayor Ferre: You have to have male and female, I don't think we've gone that far
yet. Can you do all of that for $40,000?
Mr. Howard: Possibly or maybe more, this is an early estimate on the building
that we could just put up four showers, there would be no recreation facilities
outside of showers and a locker room.
Mayor Ferre: I just want to put it on the record that when we approve this it
is the intention that we are going to put up a change room with showers for the
athletes and the people involved to be able to go in there and change their shoes
and ;rang up their clothes while they put on the uniform or whatever it is, sports
clothes and take a shower afterwards.
Mr. Howard: Yes, because what I think will happen you will have a lot of business
men cone in there during the lunch hour possibly to play tennis or to play racket
ball, it would be like a YMCA facility on a small scale.
Mayor Ferre: That's precisely the point. Businessmen and businesswomen and peo-
ple who are in the downtown area who are going to want to go and play handball or
racketball or run around the track or do something and then take a shower after
that and I don't think you're going to be able to do it with two showers.
Mr. Howard: Then we would have to increase that facility.
Mrs. Gordon: May I make a comment? If the design is such that it could be added
on when we have the money we can add it on and make it bigger.
Mayor ferre: Rose, the point is that I agree with all of that and we're going to
go into approving a plan. I want to make sure that it's in the record that when
we vote for this we're conscious of the fact that we're going to need a locker-
room facility whenever we have the money. I don't want somebody coming back five
years or ten years from now and say, well the intention never was to have any
type of lockerrooms or offices and I want to make sure that the record reflects
that today. Do you agree with that, Al?
Mr. Howard: I certainly do.
Mayor Ferre: Any further discussion?
Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, the only thing I wanted to bring and put on the
record, I've already brought it to Mr. Grassie's attention and Rose brushed the
subject, in this committee which Rose and I serve on in the Stadium Advisory Com-
mittee Senator Gordon came and spoke last week to financing and made it very
clear that there are funds available through the state as long as it is tied to
school and recreational. All I'm saying to you is if we can get those funds
let's discount that first that we can't get them before we go with City funds.
So it's practically tied to Dade Junior Downtown, man, if you don't pursue that
first I'm going to be upset,
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, because it is right here in your own memorandum and so I assume
that you will search that right away,
20
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved its
adoption:
MOTION NO. 784.82
A MOTION ACCEPTING THE PROPOSED RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
FOR NEW WORLD CENTER -BICENTENNIAL PARR SUBMITTED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION ON THIS DATE.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mf. Reboso, Mr. Plummer and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
4. REPORT ON POSSIBLE REORGANIZATION OF DAY CARE SERVICES
Mayor Ferre: Take up Item C which is the report on City organization of the Day
Care Services.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, let me announce, please, that at 11 O'Clock I must leave
the meeting.
Mr. Grassie: This discussion, Mr. Mayor, arises from a question raised in your
last City Commission Meeting when you were talking about the creation of a Leisure
Services Department. The question was raised by Commissioner Gordon, it had to
do with the best interests of the City with regard to the location of the Day Care
Program. We have concluded after some significant staff review of the question
that there could be some administrative advantage in running the program if a
transfer from existing Citizen Services to Leisure Services were to be made.
Mayor Ferre: To where?
:•r. Grassie: To Leisure Services. Not that is not a transfer, of course, that
could be made without some careful planning.
Mayor Ferre: Are you asking for a policy statement from this commission?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, sir. Really we are responding to the question the Commission
raised. We're indicating that after some analysis of the question, discussion by
the staff that this activity could very well be housed in Leisure Services but we
would anticipate that we could get it done by or before the beginning of the next
fiscal year which is October 1st of 78.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie, explain to me the logic of that because it seems to me
that if we have a community service program function it seems to me that that is
where it belongs. I think that eithc. we have a Community Service Department that
functions or it doesn't function and if it doesn't function let's hear about it
and let's find out why it's not functioning. And .f it is functioning then I think
Day Care Services and Senior Care Centers and services and all the other social
programs have got to be in that department.
Mr. Grassie: Well, I think you have identified, Mr. Mayor, one of the basic quest-
tions that we dealt with. As you know, we now have most of our preventive and
remedial programs which we do through third party contract run from what we call
the Citizen Services Department. These are drug addiction programs, delinquency
prevention programs, that sort of thing. Now the other kind of programming that
we run which has to do more with educational, health, welfare maintenance of the
individual, most of those programs are run out of ]Leisure Services and the Program
for the Handicapped, the Program for the Frail Elderly are examples. The question
now is where are we going to put the Day Care Program which seems to fall more in
the maintenance of health rather than in the preventive social programming area.
Mayor Ferrel In my perception of it it is more of a social program than it is a
leisure program. I don't think that the purpose of this is to spend $3,000 per
child to give them leisure.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, may I if you don't mind inject? The people who are really
knowledgeable as to whether or not they are one thing or another thing, if you
don't mind, Mayor, I'd like to ask you if I might call Dr, Maria Hernandez here
to speak to the subject,
Mayor Ferre. Pr, Hernandez,
21
FEB 2 1978
Dra. Maria Hernandez: I have been working cm a volunteer ba__with the Executive
Commission on Child Care. We are here as a result of the artzcie on Child Care
published by the Miami Herald last Tuesday, this program t::t has been serving
this community is suffering. As a result of the investigation
Mr. Plummer: Whoa! Mr. Mayor, please, this thi.:g here on the agenda is organiz-
ation. Mr. Mayor, I find it very very out of place to, in fact, interject at this
Commission Meeting any Fending investigation: Nc-+w I read the article and it is
my understanding that this is an investigation being done by the City Manager
into the Day Care Program and Mr. Mayor. here again as I said the other day until
that investigation is completed by the Manager's Office I think it is highly im-
proper that we speak to a pending investigation. Now if you want to speak to the
organizational which is on the agenda I find tha+ much in order.
Dra. Hernandez: Commissioner Plummer, will you :;lease allow me to continue you
will sex' I am n .t talking about the investigation.
Mx. Plummer: Well, ma'am, you referred to it.
Dr. Hernandez: well, as long as you refer to it I've got to stop you because I
find that out of order.
Mayor Ferre: Well ok, the Chair is going to rule, Dr, Hernandez, that we're
happy to have you here and we'd like you to address the Commission on aspects of
where a program like:: this belongs within the City of Miami so you tell us were.
Dra. Hernandez: I'll put it in other words. We think, as a member of this com-
;.issior:, sir, that because of the investigation, the environment that will create
and the results that we create between the position of the Child Care Director
and the Director of Community Affairs will endanger....
Mayor Ferro: Well, now you're talking about personalities. Excuse me doctor,
you're talking about people now and we're trying to think about this as to where
organizationally fits. Now what you're saying is that you think because you
:can't think that the head of the department functions with the head of the Day
Car` Center that, therefore, we should change the department. So, therefore, a
year from now if the head cf that Day Care Center doesn't get along with the new
head of the department we're going to change it to another department.
Dra. Hernandez: No, I real y didn't ask that, sir, but since this department was
before Parks and Recreation and it was transferred to Community Affairs to see if
it can work, a couple of years ago I think it was transferred from Parks and
Recreation to Community Affairs.
Mayor Ferre: Why was that done, do you remember?
Dra. Hernandez: I don't have
Mayer Ferre: But wasn't it done because it was the intention of this Commission
as a policy matter to create a Community Affairs Division that would handle Com-
munity Affair Programs? And isn't this a Community Affair Program?
Dra. Hernandez: Sir, I couldn't answer that properly, Mrs. Wilson is the Chair-
man of the committee and if you will allow her I'm sure she has a better answer
than I have.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, so that Dr. Hernandez is not misunderstood, I was handed
this morning a memo. Ok? And let me read into the record what this memo said
and my concern,. This memo said, "Since the Herald news article on February 7th
inadc certain allegations", and as I recall the article it was about possible mis-
ma:iagemen t (i s maybe the best word) , "it is important that these members of the
four year old committee share certain facts with the Commission." I think that
is totally improper at this time and was the reason that I interjected that.
Dx a . Herr,and
tion ... .
Commissioner Plummer, I can't say anything about the nvestiga-
M'. Plummer.: Yes. This memo indicates that these four people will speak to those
allegations and that is what I think is wrong.
Dra. Hernandez: No, Sir, I just was speaking in favor of transferring the depart-
ment. tc the other department.
22
FE S19 8
Mr. Plummer: Ok. The memo says that you're going to speak on allegations.
Ms. Anne Wilson: The memo says that Marie .is going to speak on her explanation
of our presence here today:
Mr. Plummer: I understand but read the preface of the Memo.
Ms. Wilson: Yes, I read that,
Mr. Plummer: Do you understand my concern?
Ms. Wilson: Yes, sir, I do.
Mr. Plummer: Fine, that's all.
Ms. Wilson: May I speak here? Months ago back in November before anything came
up our committee met to see the benefit of this program being back under Leisure
Services because of the other nine tot programs or creative experience programs
that are now in the parks, what could our full time Day Care Programs do to help
them and what could they do to help the full time programs. We started before
Thanksgiving inl,estigating this, J. L., and we have a report on it today Dr. David
will present and we feel that it is important that this report be presented but
we also feel it is important that this transfer be made for these reasons and for
other reasons which will go unnamed.
Mr. Plummer: Question, has the administration seen this report.
Ms. Wilson: Yes, we gave it to Manager Grassie.
Mr. Plummer: Whet.?
Ms. Wilson: We finished the report on Monday, I think it was given to him Tuesday.
Mrs. Gordon: Did you get it Tuesday?
Ms. Wilson: Yes, he got it Tuesday.
Mr. Grassie: Is that the one page memorandum I got from you, Commissioner?
Mrs. Gordon: That's I assume the memorandum that you got from me is what Anne is
talking about.
Ms. Wilson: That's a memorandum on why we feel these programs would be best to-
gether under Leisure Services... and Dr. David would like to present that report
at this time.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Dr. David.
Mr. Grassie: You need to be clear that what I got was a one page memorandum from
Commissioner Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, similar to the one page I got from you today.
Maycr Ferre: Is this the study you're talking about?
Mr. Grassie: It's not a report in any sense.
Mrs. Gordon: No, sir. ... All right, let's listen to Dr. David and hear what
she has to...
Mayor Ferre: No, let's not listen to Dr. David yet, Mrs. Gordon, let's wait and
see if we can get the same priviledge as some members of this Commission by all
of us having the same report. If it is a one page report I'm sure it is not that
difficult to get a copy of it.
Dr. David: I was just going to give it to you, Mayor,
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, Dr, David.
Dr, David: The members of the committee as Mrs, Wilson said decided back in Novem-
ber that there would be advantages in having the creative experience programs and
the Day Care Programs under the same management in order that both programs might
benefit from the same services. The nine creative experience programs were visit-
ed by members of our committee and on Monday evening the committee met to draw up
the results of those visits, The conclusions reached by the committee wore that
wori4shQps inciudin9 recreational- leaders, early childhood teachers would be highly
4b,
prodnetive to otAcnk Of the tws p:rorams
if integrated couoi -hare ih consu;tant:-, servt.(.c. A thi:i, ly serving larger
y*fl,,- May i.)f' m3z2 Uenctit more indi-
viduils in the City of Miami, moIe ch. o A fourth, access to
foo,l :rodrams for the o- rea-Y1..le ?ng the disparities be-
tween tr,,r anO tne creati's-, -)ar.iiit who briny a bag lunch
and the ::nildren in the other nrograms wh isuhstantial meal each day.
A fina: sonclusiot woo 7lat t Cteative Experience 7enters are
crTA 'ID1sonnel who have Lc. hen tr,tinih-7 th e.ttiv childhood education and by their
interchange could benefit from pntvided by on the job training with
the Day cw-e personnel. The we:-e e,--,r,ch,ns of the committee which we feel
Make it reasitle t-or the,,e two pro,.;rim ne integrated.
Mayor Forre: Now, r. Thvi3,ccale we have a copy the report that was given to
the Manager?
Mrs. Gordon: 1 don't hay, 3r=71' copies, it delivered for delivery and I
don't have a oozy.
Mayor Ferre: Sn, ihis is y7:ar report, 1 see. Ch no, i see, Alma David.
Ms. mayor, Lr.vii w. . the ':iie-Chairperson of the committee and
Is : professional as yon well know, 1 don't nave to give her credentials...
Mayor Fer:oulc we nave a copy?
M. it to MahaTDr Gra:;L;c, we thought that hc would disperse
it to yso. we did rict. nc:ve any idea thi. tnat it. would not be given to you.
• .f,o,s(on: 1 Ji n.rre: ssie has thc, only copy and it was a
mattf of dc:1:vez'y an: ho%.h.in
M. al aharsind that thc i'atioh of whc!thr or not pre-sc:hool
has (7)11;c oi;t&hlishori ircgram is not on the
Luoenda, it is not bec.?.n rto'..:;htu nd tha inection of this conversation is i:ure-
ly wimicul, it reslly nas nothing to io witn the Tacstion that is in trent of
you.
M. Wilson: : feel that it eoes nave something to co with what you're speaking
abc,It I'Jocaa,at wh,:n the program wa.t origin,illy transferred it was done in a matter
ot two or three days. feel for the health of the program, and you can rule me
cut of erder, i. L., and throw me out of the building if you want, for the health
of the piogram it would oe better servcd by being moved to whatever is decided
today - Parks and Recreation or Leisure Services - as soon as possible not waiting
until the end, they did not wait until the end of the fiscal year when it was
transferred the first time. 1 feel for the ne:lth of the program whatever has to
be done ,c ne sure the program is erly we have no argument with at all.
Maycr Ferre:
ir no going to rule that out of oi.L. so that's fine, Ms. Wilson.
M. Wilson: but we feel that it is 1m1-7%.:tant that i be moved irnediately, that
i not wait until 0::tcrer or June or Arril 02 M,y, U;JIL it I* moved. It's a mat-
ter of moving the budget codes and finding a place for the Day Care Office which
I'm sale is solvable.
Mayor Fcrre: Or not move it at all a:-.7 a miattcr of policy, neither now nor in
October which is uncther...
M. Wilson, Wc.:1, 51r, 1 fee: that that w„.3aldb. a grave decision that would be
very unhay for the pro..3rar.
M.J.ycr Ferro: That's a poly desision that this commission is faced with.
• Wilson! Sir, realize that, yes.
• Ftrre: liut I th1ri. thu s2ou are comp.:etc.-1y in order to bring it up at this
• ahA I think ts;ev aie reiared-, 1 c.d.. Yr. Grassi- and I rink that
is, soa.tCting th--ct proujni to a rinai dosision this morninq.
• ihon Thank yca, sil, 1 apprecisie yo-ai tie. We do have Mr. L'usti that
would like to speak to the Edison Little l'Aver Center that is now being supported
by Day Care and he would like to speak to that for a few minutes if that is in
order.
mayor ?erre: That's certainly in order.
Mr, Justi, bonjour.
24 FEB 5 1978
,(-
1110"
Mr. Vidal Justi: Thank you :sir. Mayor and Commissioners. My name, as you know,
is Vidal Justi and I am from the Edison Little River Community. I won't make
any emotional statement as I did before but considering the problems facing
Edison Little River I have been mandated by a group of parents not only to
speak on behalf of the Haitians like I did before but on behalf of the community
at large and its ethnic variety and speak out recommendations in the name of the
growing and Very interesting part of the rich City of Miami. As you know, Mr.
Mayor and Commissioners, the only Day Care facility in Edison Little River gives
toward low income families is located at Miami Court and 54th Street. (1) Com-
triunity Development and Community Action Agency Task Forces have put day care cen-
ters as a prime priority in Edison Little River target area. That's true in both
City and Community Action Agency. (2) I personally visited the existing facility
at 54th Street and I found it crowded for 43 children. Most of them are Haitians
and in my judgement and judgement of many other people the facility is substandard
since is a small home rented for $600 a month. (3) Since the owner of the adja-
cent property facing N.E. 54 Street and the corner is apparently willing to negot-
iate with the city for rental or acquisition. (4) I would like to propose that
the Community Development funds be allocated to acquire this property for a Day
Care Center and senior citizen activities on a multi -ethnic community activity
basis.
Mayor Ferre: How much longer are you going to take? Plummer has to leave in ten
minutes.
Mr. Justi: One more minute. (4) Acad will be happy, Acad the Haitain American
Community Association of Dade County, would be happy to be considered a lessee for
the small home correctly used for Day Care Centers. (6) If such acquisition re-
mains under CD the large landscape could be used for young children during the
time and by adult social activities on evenings and weekends. At the same time
the larger building can be used for night activities such as English classes or
French classes for parents and adults. (7) It is important to point out that
Edison Little River is considered as a down graded area with a large violent inte-
grated population. That can be considered as a true representation of various
groups working together. (8) It is in the best interest of this commission to
keep this part of the city from deteriorating. (10) Any positive consideration
given to this project will be a step forward to keep Edison Little River from de-
caying. I'm not this on the agenda for that fourth year<'cmmunity Develop
meat Programs will be decided today at... and here to a new task for the acquisi-
ion of property at N.E. 1st Place and 54th Street as soon as possible. The owner
of the home used for Day Care is in the same area under target area and at the
of the building. So any good consideration given to this recommendation
I will be appreciated by Edison Little River Community.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Manager, will you have somebody in staff respond to the ten
points specifically made by Mr. Justi?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, we will have to tA.. them off the record, Mr. Mayor and we will
respond to them.
Ms. Wilson: Mr. Mayor, I forgot somebody on the program, one of the parents is
here to speak for about two minutes.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, I will recognize...
Ms. Wilson: This is Pat Ramirez. She is a parent and has been involved in cen-
ters since they started.
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I see her name here, Pat Ramirez, parent member of committee
in response to audit currently under ...
Mrs. Pat. Ramirez: I'm not going to discuss anything except what's on the agenda
right now. You're asking, as a parent I brought my parent to the center two and
a half years ago. At the time the center offered a great deal of things for the
child: They had field trips, they had finger painting, they had plenty of supplies,
they had a lot of people in the centers. In the last eight months I would say
it has dropped. The child care itself has dropped.
Mayor Ferre: You mean the quality of the program?
Mrs. Ramirez: Yes, sir, the quality has dropped. And you could expect it because
it was a new program and everybody was entuhsiastic. Alit why see it happen? it
is a beautifyl program. It benefits all the children....
Mayor Ferre; Well what is your point?
25
:ars. oara a:
Wha ao yoa think it. has areal.a.:d, %ama,Tea..
'tra. T think it dropped becaoa... the ,an4ar 1aot strooliad the way It
aho.ol ha. Tne:e isa't enotioh help. ear: taara t,' C.1 lot of aelo there.
7aera'a haroJiy any helo at all any more. Tl.a anlidta, aoh" ao ab the 11al,1 triph
wa,ch they uaed Isc,, they went to nee Mohaomed Where hve they gone lately?
All ritrht, they took them to the ciraun but or - ohilarea were allowed to go.
What about the others':
Mayor Ferre: Al? right, thank you ,aary mesh Mrs. SaMirez for your statement.
Anybody else , Dr W i Ison? Yes. , rn.. '
Ms. Slauter: my toame la Ms. aiaiater. A ;treat tc: and 1 brought my child
Wit h me today ang I woulal like to ask you, Maariae Ferre, about the lack of funds.
Will we keep the Day Cara Conter ooen or whatI
Mayor Ferre: Yes. what is being disaussed her is not whether or not Day Care
Centers are to continue or not. What is bel.ig discussed now, or we net
discussing the inveatigatioa and we're not discussinc; the quality of the serviae.
What we're diaausaing is a policy matter as ta whether or not it should be keot
in the cleoartmeat whara ;t. is which is Coalmuaiy Serviaen or whether it anoula be
tranaerrad ta a ditterent departmebt. aats all that's being ula.:eaased here.
.1.aater: T'd like ta aSk yoa another ouc,stioa. Ia there any way that the
teachers coma act. more pay?
Mayor ?erre: Aaara, tht'a not up for this time. I think rt-. a
valid o:tiestion and th.T11 ia somethino, Mr. Manaaer, that we•can address at
fatura time c.t tnat's naa somethrna that we're discussing today.
416
Slaater: Ancther ia I have a little bay there aad he'a ocing
taer, ha's learning i lot because 1 know when I. had him at home with me he aaald
never get proper are like olayiag and al_ of that and here he's learned a lat.
broaaht him wita me today aad I think he's doiarr very good.
•
Mayci ;arto: :aaok you very muah. Ail right, new Mr. Manager, what we I-av,. ba-
for_ ua as oresentaa, and i. diaa;rea wit yoa I think :Y. Wilson is corrat, la
the question ot the City argarization, reorgaa...zation for Day Care Servieea. I
at this time will mooetu ciavl to the Vita -Mayor and make a motioh tnat taia
aommiaalan make a :_olicy atatement today that the Day Car.. Center Services be
Kept where it as at.
Mr. Rebosc: We have a motion on the floor, 1 motion and a second.
Mrs. ;c.rd-.: Ok, we're on discussion now? Ok. Mr. Mayor, I don't want to make
this a personality issue but it is a very definite personality problem and any-
body who wants to face the faats will achore that as being true. Now, yourself,
you are not. for Day Care. You have saatea. oa the public records that you would
see to it that this program would be eliminated ;In? you eao check those minutes
of those meetings where you made that statemeat. Mr. Plummer, with all duo re-
spects to you you have never been for Day Care and I don't blame you for your
seconding the motion because you know and Mr. Mayor knows that if this program is
not moved it will die and that is because of the way it is being administered
under thia department. And I'm going to tell you another thing and that is this
trumped up audit and the strange procedures that proceeded it and the way it took
place. If an audit is needed, Mr. Mayor, an audit is needed of that entire depart-
ment not only the Day Care Programa If you look into the facts you wila find
there are layers on top of layers, there is every attempt to subvert this program
being made and that is probably the reason why it is desirous on your part to
keep it where it is because if it is moved to Leisure Services, if Leisure Ser-
viceecomes a department which it ir not yet unless we vote on it today it will
die and if it goes to Leisure Services it will survive and that is not what you
want to happen.
Mavor Ferro: : just waniaa say that I'm not going to get involved in answering
schrill aacasations, i is not my intention at this stage of the game to kill the
Ly Care Program. I have mia3ivings ahoLt it, I think if there is something
wrone with the ooeration or with the department aa I have stated then in my opin-
ion then we ()ugh: to get tne department and that's your responsibility, straighten
out, and the man who is heading it or the women that are involved are not doing
the proper jot' then 1 think that is subect for discussion but I don't think that
we car: do as Father Crbson continually says, "through the back door what you can't
do through the front door". It you've oot a problem, Francina, let's face it
26
FEB 51978
head on. Let's not try to go around the side door:, and try to get by shifting
from departments and things like that and, therefore, I want to tell you on the
record and I want to tell you particularly because you and I know each other that
I am not by this action in any way trying to kill the Day Care Services and I want
you and those that are involved to understand that and I will support it and I
will be and my office and this forum is open for discussion any time you want.
Mrs. Gordon: There is further discussion and I would Like to continue, Mr. Mayor.
.... the entire procedure that took place the other day was something out of
some bizarre movie. It is incredible the way it was done and what was done. It
came to my attention the following day what had been done the day before. It is
an absolutely incredible situation. A police irocedure took place at each center.
My God, has anybody looked to see how much money of Day Care allocation has been
spent for other things? What about the money that is supposed to be kept for the
transportation needs of the Day Care Administrators so they can visit their cen-
ters. Why those cars have been given to the Assistants for the Director. I mean
the whole procedure that's handled in that department, in fact, even on the matter
of supplies that are needed by the department everything is red -lined. Everything
for the care of these kids is red -lined. Miss Skubish is here, she knows it, she
does the red -lining.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice -Mayor, I have to answer the....
Mrs. Gordon: No, I don't need you to get up I already know what you've done to
the program;.
Mr. Plummer: May I proceed? Francine, I think a coirunissioner still has priority.
Mr. Vice -Mayor, I of course, have to take exception to my good friend Rose's com-
ments as they relate to me. I have not been opposed to Day Care, I think that
the last records will reflect that I was the one who made the motion. Yes, I have
concerns in the Day Care Centers and those concerns have always been right on top
ef the table and that is the cost per child. I still have those concerns and more
sc• today when I hear this mother express to me that the quality of care which has
always been the strong justification of high cost has dropped. Now I then must
sit back and reflect upon the cost as I recall in the last budget was not dropped,
it wae at the same funding level and then say to myself, if we're paying the same
amount but yet the care has dropped there must be a big problem. This is what I
have been expressing at all times of concern not opposition in any way shape or
form. I feel that if anything the staff has been derelict. They have talked
about a year and a half of catering to more children which has been my concern to
bring the cost per child down through the same facilities we're using now and that
is a year and a half ago and it has not been done. My same concerns are still here.
Unfortunately whether Rose used a bad terminology or not I have not tried to abol-
ish the Day Care Center but I have expressed my concern and will continue to do so
when I feel there is a problem. I do feel there is a problem and I will continue
to express those concerns.
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., can I correct you on the figures, honey? I mean you know I'm
a friend of your's. I'm not condemning you you're entitled to your opinion but
the operating was $100,000 less was budgeted and another center was added and the
moneys are being diverted from the Day Care Program into the General Fund as well.
Now all of these things can be substantiated if you're really interested but the
only important thing is to be able to make it a workable program is to take the
Manager's recommendation on moving it in with the Play School Program and making
the best utilization of everything that is possible. First of all the parks are
the location for these Day School Programs that we have for the Day Care Programs
and the Play Schools are also in the parks. It is a logical move and anybody that
would oppose the move into the Leisure Services Division which is the division
that deals with programs that are run by the City of Miami would only be interested
in that retention where it is because they simply want the annihilation. Now, the
Citizen Services caters to programs that are run by other agencies and not by the
City of Miami, all of these non-profit agencies that need to be audited and I ap-
preciate if you'll go in and do a good job auditing those departments, persons
that are interested in that auditing procedure, those are the ones that need to be
audited but we certainly have to economize and we have to utilize the facilities
that we have now to the very fullest that we can and the only way we can is to put
it under Mr. Howard, a man who knows and understands the needs of people and demon-
strates it by his programs which he has in place right now, a number of programs.
They are eli programs that deal with the needs of people and they are services
that, are rendered by the City of Miami. This is the only one of the programs that
I know of that are still being run under Citizen Services that are a city run pro-
gram.
27
FEB $1978
"'.r. rPiuMm r . Me. Vice -Mayor, I m,_ •el. ,.,.:._ one co,:.meet any thee I'll shut
because I've got to tic, I've got to be somewhere at 11 : i . ::`= . Gorden, 1 merely
bring this to your attention are in expressing my concern. At all times Section
11 under the CrartE_r provides for a method in S•;h]on is a commissioner has a prob-
lem or know:, i f facts that exist in which misappropriations of funds it this City
are being done intentionally then I would expect that commissioner would exercise
that section under the Charter.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, Bali the questio:: then.
Mrs. cordon: I would like to have lei t.-eek if you would allow her to, please.
Mr. Feboso: Ok, Francins, be brief.
Ms. Franc ilia Thom `;: Than}c you. flood mcrr.in ;, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. 1
came here on an adminietrative matter and I think to some degree I have had some
revolution of that. However, sitting here listening to this discussion I am ap-
palled and disturbed by some of the thine:; that are being put forth, let m_ put
it this way. I hear nomenclature being a problem in terms of what did we name
and what did we call it and where should it be by virtue of its name. I thick we
ought t_:"> also leek at the functioe of what we're dealinc with. The other thing
I haYe _`i br:, , ua is something that is totally different and it is prompted by
:')nether:: C mmisei T;.er Gordon said and that i:; dealing with selective enforcement
ci certhe reaalatione that only affect women or minorities and from what I hear
crl1 ;' cne of those areas, only one department head, only one area was audited and
den 't know if that could he seen as a negative impact on women who are managers
or what have you bet. I :now that it would bring into question our procedure:: for
dealing with 'hest the:';',' and I think that before we, I think we Ought to look at
:_':.fit. Someeee mentioned there was an investigation pending. It Seems that before
e final dec1_ion is meae that all the farts WOU1d be in and, therefore, 2; more
ti,crcu;h: review cf the issues prior tc saying that it will stay cr it will move
that there be a more: thorough issue evaluation and then dealing with that from
t.'r;ert a:;<: e. For sornr_ reason women: and minorities find that when, and I regret
deem eni : Mayor Ferre, when white males are in decision making roles frequently
tee issue.isseee that affect minority women are shunted or pushed aside in order to main-
tain t;;i.: or to save face. 1 should hope that this is not an instance where we
would allow that kind cf thing to take place. My understanding and respect for
`:..^i• Commissioners and the Mayor, nothing exceeds that and I really believe that
yea art fair and upstanding gentlemen and women who think about what are we saying
to out co:,Sn...ity by the way we handle our internal problems. And so I would say
look at the issue of is the woman in question or the system that we're dealing:
with supportive of women and minorities in these leadership roles or are thir.as
done to prevent them from achieving what is their true potential. Ok, so that is
one of the issues I would like to put on the floor for evaluation assessment.
o
4* Mawr Ferre:: Arid that is something that I think we have to come forward when you polift
finalize your audit and, if it come. •_J a.,,:;:ussion I think that is something that
ought to be brought out.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I wanted to ask this question, has the audit been made,
>r. Manager?
Mr. Grassie: No, it just started Monday, Commissioner, and it is not an investi-
gation it is ar. audit.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I don't understand how
you're going to make some certain decisions and judgements that. would affect not
only the structure but individuals until such time as the audit is completed.
Now usually when you get panicky for an audit that is an indication you've danger
and trouble. That's what it means to me. That's the way it happens in our church,
mee, we're the greatest people for making audits and we don't touch it until we
.;et. suspicious. Either the priest is taking the money or the vestry members who
count the money did away with it or ;ome= such. I move that all this business be
tables until such time as the: audit has been completed and the blame is properly
placed where and how.
mayor Ferre: Father, one thing is a policy matter..
Mrs. Gorden: I second that table.
Mayor Ferre: One thing is a policy matter and the other thing is wrong doing.
If the audit shows that somebody is wrong or somebody isn't wrong then we deal
with the specifics of that. What is before us is not that at all. What is before
us is whether or not the Day Care Centers should be taker. from the Community $er-
vi ce .Department and put over in the leisure Department and it is just a matter of
policy. It has nothing to do with the program itself.
FEB w1978
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I want to tell eery member of the Commission whether I
vote for or against will deterir,ine whether or not I have an audit and I am going
to transfer I want to make sure I give a person a clean bill of health. It's
only the fair, right and Godly thing to do.
Mayor Ferre: Well Father, technically you have now made a motion to table and I
think that goes without discussion so you've got to bring it to a vote.
Mrs. Gordon: A point of information is permissitle. Mr. Manager, the audit that
you are conducting I am assured or rather I feel secure includes all of the depart=
ments in question?
Mr. Grassie: It does not, Corflissioner.
Mrs. Gordon: It does not. Ok, then I will after this motion is taken care of
move you that you will then expand your audit to see how the interplay of dollars
have been moved in that department and who is getting what and how it is being
used.
The preceding motion to table failed to pas.; by the following vote-
AYES: Mrs. Gordon and Rev. Gibson..
NOES: Mr. Plummer, Mayor Ferre and Vice -Mayo Reboso.
Kr. Reboso: Going back to the original motion of Mayor Ferre, would yo'.: please
call the question.
The following motion was introduced by Mayor Ferre, who moved its
adoption:
MOTION NO. 7e-8 3
A MOTION DECLARING THE CITY commisSION'S POLICY THAT THE
CITY OF MIAMI CHILD DAY CARE PROGRAM SHALL REMAIN UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENS SERVICES.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mayor Ferre and Vice -Mayor Reboso.
NOES: Rev. Gibson and Mrs. Gordon.
Mr. Reboso: For the record I want to state that I have been voting with this pro-
gram from the beginning. I think it is a bad precedent to change programs from
one department to another one. I don't believe what Commissioner Gordon just
stated, that the program is going to die. I vote yes.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I want to make an observation. I hope that you audit,
Mr. Manager, I hope you audit all there other things around here. You know I
heard just like Mrs. Gordon and I reaa in the paper that you had one of the most
gestapo method of going to make that audit as has ever been heard around here.
You know what was very interesting? I want to tell the public this. When there
was a lot of flack and a lot of people came here raising hell about a certain
agency you all never made that audit. I want to make sure and say that for the
record and that's the only thing I want to say. And Mr. Manager, I want to tell
you and all your staff ayes guine be watchin.
Mrs. Gordon: And I'm going to watch them too. Let me tell you I'm going to be
doing a lot of watching.
Mr. Grassie: Two clarifications if I can? First, Commissioner Gibson, we have a
process annually of auditing programs that receive money. The second process is
that a department head can ask Interral Audit for an audit of any part of its oper-
ation whenever he feels it is appropriate. That's what happened.
Rev. Gibson:: Ok, let me help yc+u. J want to agree with you, that's the way we
run the churz'h But you know what? I heard that same doggone guy say that he was
afraid to touch another issue that ycu know about and that I know about. Right:
Mrs. Gordon: He's right and you all know what he's talking about.
Mayor Ferre: Well I don't, tell me specifically on the record because I don't
know what you're talking about.
Mrs. Gordon; You ask him.
29
FEB 1978
Rev. Gibson I'm not going to say any more than that because he knows, Mr. Parkins
knows and his assistants know just like they come talk with me about this program
they came and talked with me about that and if I, you know, I ain't afraid nobody!
There is a certain program here that when, look man, you all saw those people rem-
ember the other day raising all that hell. Remember that? Ok. And if, Mr. Mare,
ager, what you would have me believe in this instance is the way it is what we
should have done right then was to have audited that program.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Manager, since a department head can ask for an audit is a com-
missioner entitled to the same priviledge? I would ask you to audit that entire
department.
Mr. Plummer: Sure you're entitled.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm asking it.
Mr. Plummer: I'll second the motion.
Mr. Grassier Be happy to have that done, Commissioner.
Mrs. Gordon: And I say that department, I mean that entire department, every bit
of it. ... You want to expand it, you expand it I'm asking for that department
to be thoroughly investigated. .... No, sir, I'm talking about Community Services
entirely.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I would like to expand it to Parks and Recreation too.
Xr. PLumror: Fine, 1'l1 second your motion.
Mayor Ferre: So have both departments investigated.
Mr.Plummer: It's called the "Auditors' Relief Bill". ...Mr. Mayor, let me say
something. You know all of this conversation is beautiful, all of this conversat-
ion in my estimation is healthy but nobody has spoken to what I think is the guts
of the issue and that is what this woman raised here. I'm more concerned about
the quality of the Day Care Centers than I am anything else and I'm not hearing,
everybody is talking to audits, everybody is talking to management, everybody is
talking around the issue. To me I am concerned about that kid who is not here
:.rein. able to speak for himself. Now what I'm more concerned about is, to me the
audits are secondary as it is to the Manager to immediately get into an accusat-
ion, call it what you want to me it is an accusation that the quality of the .gay
Care has dropped. That concerns me. And I'm going to tell you for one whether
it is a motion or whether it is the instructions of this commission I definitely
expect on my desk at the next Commission Meeting a full explanation from the
administration justifying that it has not dropped, it has dropped, I want some-
thing in my hands telling me what exactly is the fact.
Mrs. Gordon: And why it has dropped.
Mr. Plummer: The audits to me are secondary. That's water over the damn. It is
important but to me I want to know why, if in fact, it is true the quality has
dropped because the cost has not dropped.
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., let me explain to you why it has dropped. It has dropped
because the money is being misused into other phases of that department's opera-
tion and part of the money that's supposed to have been used for Day Care has
gone into the General Fund not into the Day Care Program. This is the reason the
quality has dropped. If you don't have the money to pay personnel, if you don't
nave the equipment, if you don't have the supplies, if you don't have all the
necessary things that you must have....
M 'or Ferrer Mrs. Gordon....
Mrc-. Gordun: I'll keep quiet in a minute, Mr. Mayor. I listen to you an awful
lot you can listen to me.
Mayor Terre: No, ma'am, the Chair calls you out of order, you've been shrill...
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, well I've already finished and I've made my point pretty well.
Mayor Ferrer You're getting shrill rind you're not going to solve the problem by
screaming. It's not going to solve a thing. 'You're not going to do it that way
and you're not the one that's going to do the report or the audit that is going
to be done by the Manager who under the Charter that's his job and then you can
00 FEB $1978
argue with him. All right, now is there anything else to come on this matter?
Mrs. Gordon: There was a motion.
Mayor Ferre: what Was the motion, would you repeat it, please?
Mrs: Gordon: To expand the audit to include the entire department and it was
seconded.
Mayor Ferre: Will you also include Parks and Recreation in that?
Mrs. Gordon: No, sir, you can stake a separate motion if you wish.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-64
A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CON-
DUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND COMPLETE AUDIT OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote-
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
Mr. Plummer: Let me just make a short point because this is going to be expensive
I am sure to audit that entire department. But when a Commissioner of this City
makes a heavy comment of mismanagement and misappropriation I think any expense is
justified to get to the truth and I vote yes.
Mayor Ferre: I move you that we do the same thing with the Parks and Recreation
Department and I specifically want to know why I'm getting a memorandum from Mr.
Foreman on the Handicapped Program which states in the end, "Programs for the
Handicapped has experienced much success and growth since it began in 74. Still,
it is becoming increasingly clear that it cannot reach its full potential until
it becomes an independent department or an office under Leisure Services with..."
I don't know what the responsibilities that he outlines. "This action will recog-
nize the full potential ... recognize programs for the handicapped for its distance f`,
role within the City government." My question, Mr. Grassie, when you come up with
this whole discussion I think that perhaps we might also want to consider the cen-
tralization of all the citizens type functions into one department rather than to
have it spread into more than one department. So I make the motion that we do the
same thing for that.
The following motion was introduced by Mayor ?erre who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-85
A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND COMPLETE AUDIT OF
THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote-
AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: Commissioner Rose Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: It is a smoke screen and I vote no.
Mrs, Gordon: I have to ask you a question, Mr. Mayor, because you made a state-
ment, Are you suggesting combining the two departments?
31 FEB S 1978
Mayor Ferre: I think that is something that we can discuss at another time. I'm
now on Item D.
5. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE OFF-STREtr PARKING AUTHORITY TO
DISCUSS Di r'LCIT AT GUSMAN HALT-,.
Mayor Ferre: I know Mr. La Baw and Mr. Rubin are getting rather upset and anxious
with uc and I anolocize for making you wait, so at this time, your item is a non-
agenda item, Mr. Rubin but out of courtesy to you would you state what it is you
want to talk to us about this morning.
Mr. Arnold Rubin: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The item we would like to discuss is
not on the agenda. It concerns the Gusman Cultural Center and it is a question
of a deficit in the operation that we are attempting to resolve with the City.
It is a problem that really belongs to the City of Miami and not to the Parking
Authority.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I wouldn't accept that as a sound statement for this reason,
Mr. Rubin. If you didn't want to accept it as a problem of yours then why did
you accept to manage the operation? If you don't want the Gusman Hall then let's
get Mr. Gusman and Col. Wolfson to sit down and let's turn this thing over to
the city.
`,a.. Rubin: Mx. 'mayor, possibly I used the wrong terminology there. We have ac-
cepted the responsibility for the operation of Gusman Hall and it has gone along
I think reasonably smooth. The building incurred a deficit in its first year and
the city paid that deficit. We are in the same postion for the past year which
ended on September 30th. The deficit is some S29,000. Mr. Grassie is aware of
this and i think he may have taken some action to correct it. Mr. Grassie, has
anything been done?
Mr. Grassie: If you have a question you know this is not the place to ask it.
You could come and ask me.
1r. Rubin: Then if that....
Mayor Terre: I think that is entirely correct. Unless what you're telling me,
Mr. R::tin, is that Mr. Grassie won't answer your phone calls, won't talk to you,
refuses to discuss it and you, therefore, have exhausted your administrative
remedies and, therefore, you've got to bring it to the commission for a policy
decision, is that what you're telling us?
Mr. Rubin: That's what we're telling you, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: That is a plain misr.er-?'Q'-tation of facts, Mr. Mayor. I talked
with Col. Wolfson about this yesterday.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Rubin?
Mr. Rubin: Mr. Mayor, if I could for a moment, please. It is true that Mr.
Wolfson spoke with Mr. Grassie yesterday. It is true that Mr. Wolfson spoke with
me and Mr. La Baw yesterday. This item was requested to be placed on the agenda,
and you must remember this is a City facility. This is a deficit which exists in
a City facility. Mr. Grassie has not chosen to put it on the agenda.
Mayor Ferre: Ron, I have to disagree with that. You have a deficit in Parking
Garage #2 or the one on Biscayne Boulevard. Do you bring it to_the City Commis-
sion for us to pay for that deficit?
4r. Rubin: No, absolutely not, that's entirely different.
mayor Ferre: Why is it entirely different?
Mr. Rubin: Because those are separate funds,
Mayor Ferre: All right, why don't you then, why don't we turn the whole thing
over to the City and let the City run the theater which is what Mr. La Baw wants
anyway? Let's get that over with. You stick to parking and then we'll assume
whatever responsibility we have to.
32
FEB ii1978
Mt. Rubin: You know I'm not going to speak for tr. Wolfson but I think Mr. Wolf-
son has even intimated that to you all if you don't want to comply with proper
tanage.-nent procedures with regard to this facility then Maybe that might be the
answer.
Mayor Ferre: Turn it over to the City and let the City run it.
Mr. Rubin: You know we can't do anything that's Mr: Gusman who put that in the
deed, Mr. Mayor, as you well know, and if you al::. want to talk to Mr: Gusman
about that I think we're willing to do that.
Mayor Ferre: I think it might be time to start thinking about that. Otherwise,
Mr. Grassie, would you meet with Col. Wolfson in the next couple of days or week,
whenever he is available or if not Mr. Rubin or whoever it is that Col. Wolfson
designates as the representative of the board and, of course, with Mr. La Baw.
Mr, Grassie: Of course, Mr. Mayor. I called Mr. Wolfson again this morning.
You know the basic issues, I think that you're right we do have to resolve the
question of whether or not they really are better served by transferring manage-
ment directly to the City but it doesn't get us around the question of whether or
not any kind of budget justification for a presumed effort that has been presented
and you know that is one of the things that we have to talk about and, of course,
we are available to do that.
Mr. Rubin: Mr. Grassie, is there is a question in your mind of whether there is
a deficit?
Mr. Grassie: You know if you have some discussion, this is your chance to talk to
the City Commission, if you have some discussion with me you come and see me.
Mr. Rubin: All right. In addition to the deficit there is a delinquent tax bill
from Metro that we were presented with this morning.
Mayor Ferre: Again, Mr. Rubin, is this something that you have exhausted the admin-
istrative discussion with the Manager? I mean you know we're happy to see you if
you tell me that the Manager refuses to discuss this with you and it has to be
taker, care of.
Mr. Rubin: Well, I know that Mr. La Baw has attempted to resolve this problem
with the City and it has been going on now since November. This is now February
the 8th and so far we have not been able to resolve our problem.
Mr. Grassie: It is very simple, Mr. Mayor, and it really started even farther
back than that. You remember the difficulty we had in getting just basic budget
information out of the parking system before we started this budget year, that
:ontinues and very frankly we still don't have the first piece of paper that indi-
cates any kind of justification for tF.e c':bsidy that they expect the City to come
up with. Now before we have any kind of recommendation to you we ought to have at
least a beginning basis for knowing that it is justified. They simply have not
presented any evidence of that type. Now it is unfortunate that you know they
choose to talk about that and take up your time but that's the facts.
Mr. Rubin: Mr. Mayor, we're confusing two separate issues. One is parking, the
other is the operation of the Gusman Cultural Center. There is no relationship
between parking and the operation of the Gusman Center. They are separate and
distinct and the moneys are separate and distinct. We are operating that building
under a deed from Mr. Gusman to the City of Miami who specified that one of his
prerequisites for making the gift to the city was that it would be operated by the
Parking Authority. Now if there is a problem we are trying to resolve it with the
City Manager. If there is a deficit it is the feeling of the board that that defi-
cit belongs to the City. It does not
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Rubin, excuse me, sir, but we are retreading the same thing three
times now, I agree with you but you can't have it both ways. If you want to run
that theater then you swallow the deficit. If you don't want to run the theater
then let somebody else run the theater and we'll swallow it but I don't see that
you're going to have it both ways, that you have absolute authority and absolute
control of running the theater and then when there is a deficit you come to Us and
say, "Here's the bill pay it."
Mr, Rubin: Mr. Mayor, we would readily and happily relinquish the operation of
the Gusman Cultural Center to the City, We have no objections to turning this
building back to the City for management. I think the only problem you have is
the deed restriction that was in there originally, If that can be resolved legally
33 F E B $1978
I don't think the Parking Authority has any objection to turning the operation
of this property over to the City Manager.
Mayor Ferre: Well Mr. Rubin, we're back to peg one. Nam:. Manager, would you
please meet with Mr. Rubin or whoever is designated by the board, Ron, if you
would help on this and Mr. La Baw, whoever you want to have in on these discus
lions, would you please get on with it next week:
Mr. Grassier. Certainly, we'll. follow Mr. Rubin's latest comments and see if we
can get this accomplished.
Mayor Ferre: All right, thank you very much. That includes the tax bill. Ok?
Mr. Rubin: Yes, that includes the tax bill. There is just one other item, Mr.
Mayor, that is on the agenda and that is item 8. We have
Mayor Ferre: Accepting a plat on S.E. 2nd Street which is Chopin Plaza between
Biscayne Boulevard, Plat Committee recommends. Mr. Manager, you don't have any
problems with that?
6. DISCUSSION AND DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF ACCPETANCE OF PLAT
CHOPIN PLAZA .
Mayor Ferre: Accepting a plat on S.E. 2nd Street which is Chopin Plaza between
Diecaene eeulee4rri, Diet Cnnu ittee recommends. Mr. Manager, you don't have anV
problems with that?
Mr. Grassie: No, sir, we recommend it.
4. Mayor Ferre: Vince, you got any problems with that?
Mr. Rubin: Well we have a problem with it.
Mayor Ferre: Oh you've got a problem with that.
Mr. Rubin: Mr. Mayor, we just found out about this when the agenda came out.
This happens to be a lot, our Lot 420 that you're talking about with existing
parking meters on it and you know it behooves me, I just don't understand how we're
platting something and going through all this process and we haven't been consulted
on it, it's our lot, everything has gone through and here we are finding this
item on the agenda.
Mayor Ferre: Have you got the fee title to the property?
Mr. Rubin: By virtue of the original act creating the Department of Off -Street
Parking this was an existing parking facility at that time and all those facilit-
ies at that time were turned over to `1'0 nepartment of Off -Street Parking.
Mayor Ferre: Ron, that's not my question. Who owns the property?
Mr. Rubin: We do.
Mayor Ferre: The Parking Authority. Well, how could we be platting a property
owned by the Parking Authority?
Ms. Grimm: Well, that's where the rub comes in.
Mr. Grassie: That's simply not true.
Mr. Rubin: Well, Mr. Grassie, I would hope you're saying that's not true based
upon a legal principle and not....
Mayor Ferre: Of course.
Mr. Grassie: Yes, it's not true in the sense of being a fact. You know I'm sure
that you're representing exactly what you believe but it simply is not a fact.
Mayor Ferrer Well then tell us what the facts are.
Mr. Grimm: There is no question, Mr. Mayor, that somebody could always make a
legal issue out of something. What we're really contending here now is whether or
not S.E. 2nd Street exists as a street or exists as a Private piece of property.
Now I'm sure most of you have seen this book, This is a photographic history of
the development of Biscayne Boulevard and Sayfront Park that goes back to the
early 1900's. Now if you look in the page there yog'll see S.E. 2nd Street was
built as part of the park in 1925 and it has been a street to my knowledge ever
since that day.
34 FEB I1978
a
M. S.il7*1:: I'm sure Mr. Grimm based upon his age has knowledge of that.
Mr. Grimm: Not only correct for my age, but correct from 27 years with this city,
Mk. Silver.
M,r, Ron Silver: Vince, I was only kidding.
Mr. Grimm: And here is a resolution adopted by this commission in 1962 which
officially changed the name from S.E. 2nd Street to Chopin Plaza. Now what I'm
trying to show is historically there has never been any question in anybody's
mind but that 2nd Street existed as a street. When this commission decided to
allow the Water and Sewer Authority to run twin 16 inch sludge mains to Virginia
Key and the route selected 2nd Street we suddenly became aware that here was no
clear title to this piece of property and so we started to plat this piece of
property to make sure that title of it was held in the hands of the City.
Mayor Ferre: It all came into focus now, I see what this is all about. Obvious-
ly the City wants to make sure that that is City property and you would prefer
to keep the street as part of the Off -Street Parking property and keep title to
it but we have a right to plat it as a street.
Mr. Silver: I don't know by virtue of what, (1) some of the allegations in the
resolution are not true, they may be true but we've been paying the insurance on
that facility for many years now, every year we pay insurance for that.
Mayor Ferre: Well what are you worried about, the revenue from the parking, is
that what it's all about?
Mr. Silver: Yes, sure, we have existing meters there. Sure.
Mayor Ferre: Well, we can stipulate that we're going to let you keep the revenue
from the existing meters.
'•:r. Grimm; No, I think he's got to tell you the whole story. What he' really
concerned about is the fact that the Department of Traffic and Transportation for
Dade County has the authority to require meters to be removed or be relocated.
Now, if this eventually becomes a street the circumstances that exist today aren't
going to change but certainly some day Ball Point is going to be developed. Now
when they put a building on that those people are going to have to have access to
that building, and yes, some of those parking meters may have to be removed or
relocated and there is no question about that. That's a subterfuge on their part
as far as I'm concerned. ...
Mr. Silver: Vince, I have a great deal of respect for you, you know I do. A11
right, and for you to say that we're trying to commit subterfuge I take personal
afront to that but I'll tell you right now what happens in this particular case,
Mr. Mayor, is what happens throughou} t::i.; city and you know it as well as I do.
There is a complete lack of communication as to what is going on. This matter
could have possibly been completely resolved if somebody would have told us what
was happening.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Ron, I'll tell you what, I'll accept a motion that this
matter be deferred and I think that it is an appropriate request that again the
your department, Vince, your area of responsibility, you ought to gettogetherwith
La Baw and see if you can...
Mr. Grimm: I'd be happy to do that, Mr. Mayor, but is there any question in
their mind as to what our postion is?
Mayor Ferre: That's not the point. All they're asking for is for you to have
the common courtesy to communicate with them. That's all, And I think I would
like to point out vice -versa because with all due respect, there have been times
when the reverse has happened and I think that the same thing happens with the
DPA back and forth and I think it is an appropriate thing, I have no objections
to delaying this until the 23rd of February, Do you have any objections to delay-
ing it?
Mr. Grimm; No, sir, not in the least.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, thank you very much.
Mr. Grassie; And common courtesy, also, Mr, Mayor, it would seem to me requires
that they come to the department that knows about this and ask the simple quest-
ion, why are you doing this, you know, and they prQbably will get a very reason-
able answer instead of coming up here.
FEB £1978
7 . GC ORD.i NATICAN OF CULTURAL PROGRA .
Mayor Ferre: Now we're on Item D which is Cultural Programs.
"r. ro c c. mho i ter+ time ,..r to D,er7 ebodt this, ''r. Mawr, sou asto7ei t} 7+ e;.o
inform you on wha`.. the City is doiIng in this area. We have a reasonably sub:.;tant-
ial report in front of you and we have Mrs. Margeurita Ross here to speak to her
report and to cover some of the areas of activity, the principal purpose of which
will be to give you enough background so that you can judge what kind of Coordin-
ation is presently taking place. Also, Miss Anna Ravelle is here to expanc on
her report if you would have some cuestions that you would like to ask of her.
Ms. Margarita Ross: Mr. Mayor and commissioners, I'd like to report that to date
we are conducting a very full plan of cultural experiences and educational pro-
grams in the City within our department. We have also created sources of funding
for our owe, programs. Oar educational programs are based on child growth and
development, we cocperate with the Dade County School System in a program, called
Curricular through a series of 15 specially designed slide lectures and programs.
We have cooperated with the Dade County School System to present an exhibition of
the Dade County School Art last year at the Lowe Art Museum, that exhibition again
takes place this .'e_hr sometime in May. We have provided children with great pride
in their cultural heritage and their backgrounds by providing them with festivals
such as Kwanza by coordinating and participating in Hispanic Heritage Festivals.
1- have provideo a Day Care Program with an Art Therapy Program through the coordin-
atio;:. of Per. Marion Jefferson of the University of Miami, an expert on child day
core and programs. Ws are in contact with the Youth Community Leadership Program,
those are the outstanding students in Dade County Schools who are interned to dif-
}reet programs throughout. the City as their last semester of education. We have
a very creative and innovative educational programs through our silk screen work-
" sho:: w'.. ir_h is a CET/. Title ;'I program. It was funded last year, I think it is the
shining star of the CETA programs. We have many visitors from the CETA Consortium,
I'd like to show you today what we have produced here. We employ people from ages
IE, some of these students that come from all socio-economic levels had never held
a pencil their hands or designed a piece of art work, We can demonstrate 1 few
here for you.
Mayor Ferre:
• Rosa.
these people from, all walks of society?
All structures....
Mayor Ferre: Economic classes, I mean we're not catering to the rich around here?
• Ross: No, sir, we have young men on probation, we have young artists,
Latins, blacks, all colors of the rainbow. This is a four color silk screen post-
er that was produced as a community coordination service with the Salute to Culture
Committee of the Dade County Arts and Sciences Council. This demonstrates a highly
coordinated social, educational, cultural coordination. For the Kwanza Festival
that we had programmed and which was endorsed with funds from this Commission and
from Metropolitan Dade County Commission we produced a silk screen T-shirt...
Mayor Ferre: Why don't we give that one to hose, you can wear that one.
Ms. Ross: In coordination with the Miami -Dade Public Library we have supplied
them with posters and fliers again through this CETA grant. These are the people
who came to us with no knowledge whatsoever of design, drawing or silk screening.
They are being trained to be professionals in this area. They will be employable
after they finish this program. I don't want to exhaust your patience with the
CETA Silk Screen Program but I would like to invite everyone here to visit the
workshop. It as from 6 to 5 at 2550 S. Bayshore Drive. You will find great enthus-
iasm there and great progress being made. Another area of our program, an educa-
tional program that we'd like to touch on is our Rides to Cultures Program. We
bus senior citizens to cultural programes, we also bus children to cultural facil-
ities throughout the City. We know that many children in the lower socio-economic
structure have not had chances to make themselves available to opportunity to
visit cultural centers. We provide this by arranging with other agencies coordin-
ating buses, taking children to facilities, by providing them with tickets to
cultural functions. Fusion recently gave a major performance for children and we
weer able: tc take 50 children who had never seen a dance company before to make
• appearance.,. This is education. This is education of your community from
the younger level to the higher level. I belive that I have demonstrated that the
City of Miami and its Cultural Experiences Division does carry on an educational
program in addition to its other many cultural activites and enterprises, Any
questions?
Mayor Ferre; Thank you very much. Other than congratulations and I hope things
go well for the program. I am really surprised, Margeurita, I was really sur-
prise to see that you have gotten $360,000 in grants.
6 FEB 91978
Ms. Ross: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Awards for initiating and operating... Is that in addition to what
the City has given you? These are not City funds.
Ms, Ross: No, we generated those funds from the CETA Title Grants Program,
Mayor Ferre: Well then they are City funds.
Ms. Ross: No, CETA Title VI.
Mayor Ferre: But I mean these are Title VI allocations to the City of Miami which
are then given to you.
Ms. Ross: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: What I'm trying to determine is you haven't gone out and gotten the
Ford Foundation or governmental agencies other than what is allocated to the City
and gotten $360,000 separately.
Ms. Ross: Separately we five small grants from the Fine Arts Council of Florida
and a grant is in the process now from N.E.A. for support of a future festival.
It is not confirmed so I would not say it.
Mayor Ferre: We haven't gotten any N.E.A., National Endowment for the Arts grants
or anything like that?
Ms. Ross: Not in this department but the City has obtained it through another
department.
Mayor Ferre: No, I know that Dr. Antonino Lizaso has done a fine job on that but
I'm not questioning that. I'm saying have we gotten any funds in this particular-
ly the MCLAM, Miami City Lowe Art Gallery Program Over View.
Ms. Ross: Not beyond those that I have stated.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, thank you. Any questions?
Mr. Grassie: I don't know, Mr. Mayor, whether you also want Dr. Tony Lisazo to
speak briefly to his part of the program?
Mayor Ferre: We're always happy to hear from him.
Mr. Grassie: Go ahead.
Dr. Antonino Lizaso: Thank you, Mr. Grassie, thank you Mr. Mayor. We have as
you know two operations going in cui'.i� , one is the fine operation you just heard
about which began about a year and a half ago. We sort of had the honor of break-
ing ground. We are four years old. We started in October of 73 with a budget of
1,500 under Mr. Parades and we have grown to a total budget of $17,000 from the
General Fund with a staff of 8 and we have obtained $80,000 in federal and state
grants during 76-77. We have helped to organize, service and fund 60 local art
organizations covering all ethnic backgrounds with a concentration on low income
pockets. Most of these programs are held by the City Showmobile Unit at public
sites. We have engaged in street festivals, Spanish dance theaters, dance series
as well as concerts, Re-encuentro Cubano, we have had summer theater programs
with high school children under the care program as well as a series of paintings,
art exhibits and mural exhibits. Presently the N.E.A. has two grants for fiscal
77-78 totaling $250,000.
Mdyor Ferre; In N.E.A. grants? We have that much?
,r. Lizaso; Yes, sir. We are in the slate for $136,000, $25,000 and $50,000.
We have a three year guarantee from the N.E.A. to fund us $50,000 per year for
thc City arts. This office representing Mayor Ferre in the National Hispanic
Task Force is of enormous importance to our city. We are now on November 6th,
we'll be the meeting place for. 24 Hispanic nationwide representatives,,,.
Mayor Ferre: Not November 6th,
Dr. Lizaso; I'm sorry, next year, 1978. We have sponsored the Handicapped Festi-
val, we have been doing enormous amounts of works trying to be a catalyst between
the federal dollar, the community needs and the City's programs, We have a small
staff of 8 people and we're very proud to say that under Leisure Services we have
enormous potential for growth. I don't know whether this is the time or place,
37 FEB 91976
but we iLlvbeen dl`1.;1n with .,. _ 2c_ apossible
and look forward to a unity of purpose and a unit; -.1losopny with Mrs.
Ross' operation. This will onl;. bring one thing to the city, a better program,
a less costly program. But acai:i, _ mort be very honest . ._ . say that we have to
coordinate this under the proper umbrella.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you saying that you don't have a proper umbrella?
Dr. L1" -iso: I think that both progeaMs _.:,00ld cosh under a proper umbrella, one
cultural program for the City of N arri, one roof, one operation.
+t first let s it I appreciate the work you're doing
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. L1::c5f�, fir_ t. me �: -" !-'L .
and I understand that you are dealing with the exceptional as well as the ordin-
ary which I deeply appreciate. However, the '.Try thought of another department
beyond the numbers of departments and bureaucracy - we've created a monster in
this city. We've •. i;` depaart_.nients dividing into more departments into more depart-
ments, into mote uf.;partments. You are running a good program. Why do you need
another department? Are you being hammered under the department you're in?
Dr. Lizaso: Ma'am, m':' word. was not department. I say we should come under ):iu
roof. There is a :.ivision roof, whatever nomenclature you wish to use. I a::,
opposing a department at this moment because of the surpertive services and that
is my personal view which I expressed to m'; superior officers but I do think that
eventually the City of Miami due to its growth will have to consider very serious-
ly budgeting adequately and obtaining the federal dollars sufficient for us to
grew and have an international outlook, not only a local but an international
outlook.
Mrs. Gorden: Them is no question or problem in anybody's mind about the desire
and the r,::ed to fulfill the cultural appetite of this community. ok? But the
point I'm :,faking to you is that you can do it, you are showing us that you can do
it and you are doing it effectively in the department you're ir. which I a appreciate_
your efforts and the results you're bringing about.
Dr. Liz:.ljr: Thank you. We could do it better if we could do it together.
Mrs. Gordon: I believe if you brought the other cultural aspect in um -let and
with you again it would probably find a beneficial result in being coordinated
together with you under the same department that you are under.
Dr. Lizaso: Yes, ma'am.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, sir, because that is a department that is growing and is meet-
ing a tremendous need in this community.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Dr. Lizaso, let me understand this now. You have, you
are one department and Margarita, yot.'Y' another division. Now you report to wno?
gild who do you report to?
Dr. Lizaso: I report to Mr. Howard, sir.
Mayor Ferre: I see. So in other words the point is that these are two programs
that are doing similar types of things and reporting to separate departments and
what you're saying is that one way or the other it ought to be one department. Is
that what you're saying?
Dr. Lizaso: Excuse me, Mayor, I did not say one way or the other. I'm very very
strongly recommending openly that Leisure Services accomodate, not absorb, reorgan-
ize the entire operation of culture under ono roof.
!davr Ferre: I understand what you're saying. Ok.
Mrs. Ross: Mr. Mayor, I thin.}: that we have demonstrated that our divisions are
producing great things for the City of Miami and if there is a move to tie the two
sections they should be thoroughly studied and well balanced judgement given to
the whole proposal. I would like, thous:}, to tak<' the opportunity to correct the
impression that I gave you before. The CETA funds that receive were not City
allocated CETA funds, I've been informed by a City official. Those were paid by
us from the consortium, they were not previously allocated for City functions.
Mrs. Gordon; What you meant though was we receive a certain amount that we can
allocate, the City can.
38
FEB 9 1978
Mrs. Ross: Well, they were extras to the City operation.
Mrs. Gordon: We understand.
Mayor Ferre: No, wait, we don't understand because I don't. The point is that
if you hadn't have done it we wouldn't have gotten them.
Mrs. Ross: That is correct.
Mayor Ferre: It's not allocated to us and you went after it and got it.
Mrs. Ross: That is correct.
Mayor Ferre: If you hadn't existed we wouldn't have gotten it in another depart-
ment.
Mrs. Ross: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: Ok. Anything else?
Mrs. Gordon: Nora, did you want to speak to this? ... Well, I see this as co-
ordination of cultural programs.
Mr. Grassie: We have two purposes, Mr. Mayor.... Do you want me to speak to the
two purposes, Mayor?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I guess we have to keep on going otherwise we're going to have
to wait for...
M. Grassie: Would you like for her to speak first?
Mayor Ferre: It doesn't matter.
Mr. Grassie: Go ahead.
Mrs. Nora Swan: I had a meeting with Mr. Grassie last Friday and we discussed the
idea that was brought up a couple of Commission Meetings ago and he had called me
the other day and said to me that this was going to be deferred until further
study so I don't know whether I should say anything to this right now.
Mrs. Gordon.: What would be deferred, Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: Well, you asked that we report back to you on this date and that is
why it is on your agenda, because you asked for it. Now the question was should
we be talking about the coordination of cultural programs. The answer, of course,
is yes, and what I was trying to do through the presentation of the staff people
was first to give you some idea of wh-.t is being done and also to make clear to
you that at a staff level we are working very seriously at this business of trying
to coordinate our activities. So the two messages that we want to get across to
you are: (1) That there is a lot that is going on and (2) That we need to take
the additional step of bringing these two very active programs into a better co-
ordination. We're working on that and in that sense it would be tabled in the sense
that we're not asking you to do anything at this time but we're simply informing
of the status, the stage at which we're at.
Mrs.. Gordon: Can I ask you a question? Did you bring us a proposal that the
School Board was going to...?
Mrs. Swan: Yes, well that's....
Mrs. Gordon: Is that part of what we're talkinj about?
Mr. Swan: Well, that's what I was wondering, I would like them to bring in that
proposal to adu to what has already been said and then we could have....
M.r . Gordon: ... Why not listen to it?
Mayor Ferre: No, i have no objections except that we have bad news. Do you know
what the School Board decided?
Mr. Reboso: Not to give the $9,000,
Mrs. Swan: Well, has that been decided by Pr. Jones?
39
FEB V 1978
Mr. Rebos;: I t'noh's :re,m Dr. M.arthh
Becker lar-7.t sayih,.tc that th
to advino you that thvy ro'lecte•-1
Mr!:.
whi..'h h.. (..olr,1 1,,f • •
aqrt t.,) P._ that
from him.
I
. ; • •mv•11!;:., w, i
1 lave he11,1
Mr. ehozo Thj w ithe aft,_.-tca.;, honk Nora had better check
today.
Mrs. Gordon: Check it en,l chme rhos 47fic:,(;%, and tell uh what the
latest is with reard theLr L.yywithdrawn their offer to
supply that mchev thv ono thi n.j; t*•- haYe remcNed it because they think
we're not willin7 to c•DrtrObute a share thit is another thing. So
maybe you can fihtl
Mayor Ferre; All rig1,t.
wY'l. yTia afternoon.
. PER'SCXV-,j_. APPE.142i: TiParr COFT GFLI \.-IT'(3 ADJUSTMENT
FOR RETIRED PERSON.
Mayor Ferro: New before wu qo :ento tre the morning, wu have some
retired employee that have been putteh.y ii, all these meefinc.4a.
Wilcox, Mr. Wilcox, I'm (7:-inYi. to tfal.i out of' and 'I•apologiz. I don't
know who the are :::;ut I would brin,75 this matter u:•• at
46 11:30. Ali right, 7
Hazel Fro : I'm .1rd;ch, Xay,:,ro.Commissidh,..ars, Mr. Grassie. I
thinli we wore here a Jew me.e.hn- to ask .7iu to do sometninc; to help tho
of the retired emnicyee:, mat: twhyc. ,.he poverty 1ove. We'd
liko to ask tht aoho ha7f of thy yeai aliTt has gene by and :this
was a resdiutioh pas,,,ed at two years ago trying to do something for the
Tutored cmpleyrses and to datc haf dohe. Wed like to ask you if it
is at all possil.):e at this ti;-Ae. !I.()
Mrs. Gordon: If ] 'm mistake:. T1nO s7y memory vt. me correctly we pacs,sd at
that tin, an ihtent.. for the then nahaer, Mr. Ahdrews, tc., find a way of arrang-
ing a cost of iniease for those who. huc. 1)eeh retired eased upon trio number
of years of retirumeht so that those who had retired of very recent years not be
the beneficiaries particularly but those wno had been retired when possibly receiv-
ing maybe 150, 200 or $300 a month now would get something more substantial. Am
I correct in what I remember -
Mrs. Brown You are „•orrect.
Mrs. Gordon: Ck. mr. Grassiy, I haven't. changed my feelings about the need and
I guess you're aware of the circumstances of that period of time and I would like
to know your reaction to thu re -request for :;,h. impleMentation of that then request
of the Commission.
Mr. Grassie: At the time 'w. ushod this ]ast, Comir.issioner Gordon, I asked the
Finance Director to do an analysis of what reasonaCio way we could adopt to carry
out this kind of intention and al:w to cs;lve r:to kind of an idea of wnat the
costs would he, what the impact on the City would be. 1.7hfortunate1y he is at the
Police Departmet ri“ht now, 1 just had that 77.1.ec so I can't ask him how far
along th:.t, process 1tand, of ourse, 1 di,. h,T,i khow that tnis was coming lilt for
or I would hrIvo had an emi.-er l'or you. But maybe the most reasonable
tninq to do is to qet an answer fr-om thy wnat the OULCOM or
his study is.
Mrs. Gordon: Is it possible you cy,u.la, cat 7 a have figures today?
Mr. GraL:ie: cah only tell yo, after - to T.i0. I don't know how far along
thi study s, I'd ha.e tG talk woth him.
v,rs. ..;ordon: All right. Do yo.1 waht to :ay ehlse?
Mrs. Brown; Could we get an aLWcr. something defalAto today perhaps?
Mrs. Godon: I say it. is le::. -,.-:him-
40
FEB S 1978
•
tolt
Rev Gibson: I want to make this observation. I brought this up before. It
would appear to me that. the Commission ou lr.t t set a policy so that as you nego-
tiate with the unions and all the other people that there is a rule of life,
rule of thumb say. It is increasingly embarrassing to me to find that people: have
served this City, served it well, made it what it is and they retire at a very
low income and every time or every two or three years they trust come here with
their hat in their hand, I used this expression before. And if they have enough
pressure they could get one thing, if they have no pressure you turn them off. I
want to repeat again what Lindsey said when Lindsey was testing the water. He
said, "You could tell what a nation of people is like based upon the way they
treat their elderly." I happen; to be in one of the best pension systems in this
country that Rockafellar started and every so often we who are vet active place
this problem of the trustees of the Pension Fund of the Episcopal Church go across
the board. And if I lived that way I wouldn't want to ask a man, any other per,,
son who lived otherwise. It is demeaning and it hurts my soul. Now you know what
will happen if we aren't careful? Another meeting, maybe we didn't get it done,
see their's isn't a priority like firemen who are active, like police who are act-
ive, like the general employees who are active. I just want to appeal. Mr. Man-
ager, this is in no way, because you weren't here when it cane up, I would hope
that we the Commission would have enough foresight if it is a half a percent or
one percent that we ought to establish it as a policy when you go to negotiate
with the unions they know and instead of giving them all they know that they bear
the burden because if these people didn't make this city what it is you wouldn't
need the unions now. I want to make sure everybody understands that. Ok?
Mrs. Brown: We were the people that fought to help keep the City.
Rev. Gibson: You're darned right. Ok, I just wanted to make sure. When you come
back, Mr. Manager, for me, I want an answer in that vein,.
Mrs. Brown: Thank you.
9. PROCEDURE FOR BACKGROUND Lv'VESTIGATICN ON FUTURE CANDIDATES FOR
DEPZ' HEAD POSITIONS.
Mayor Ferre: ... The rest of the agenda is Item E which is a background investi-
gation for future candidates, that's not something that is pendinc now is it?
Mr. Grassie: No, basically we're recommending a City Commission policy and if you
act that, the policy statement is in your papers, if you adopt that paper then
we would follow up and carry it out.
Mayor Ferre: It is important now that you read the memorandum that is your packet
which is Item E. It is two and a half pages.
Mayer Ferre: We'll take up Item E at 2:00 when we reconvene Is that what you
guys are interested in? I don't mind staying. Do you want to stay and hear Item
E?
Mr. Grassie: We do have some staff here that are not going to be able to be here
at 2:30.
Mayor Ferre: Well I'll tell you I'm perfectly willing to listen to it.
Mr. Grassie: We can make it very brief if you wish.
Mayor Ferre: Make it very brief and make your statement. Will you tell Reboso we
need him for a quorum. All right. If we have any dissention or if somebody else
wants to review or change his posture this afternoon0I'1l bring it up again but in
the interest of getting it on the floor,why don't you go ahead and make your state-
ment since some of you may not be here this afternoon. Wait until Reboso gets
here. All right, we have a quorum now so you can proceed.
Mr, Robert Krause: Mr. Mayor and members of the commission, we have submitted to
you a proposed procedure for backgrounding department directors prior to appoint-
ment. The procedure includes several steps, one would be that when we screen
down to the very last few candidates the City manager would be considering we
would do inquiries of their previous employers and make other appropriate refer-
ence checks. When the City Manager has narrowed that group down to a single fi-
nalist, one person that he is considering employing we would then fingerprint the
applicant and have his fingerprints sent to the FbI in Washington and get back.
We would do this through the Police Department, The Poirce Department would re-
turn a report to us indicating either that there were or were not records of
prior arrests or convictions in the FBI files in Washington, That material would
be forwarded to the City Manager so that he could make a final determination;.
41
FB 197B
Mayor Ferre: I'll te...1 that TU botners
me....
Rev. Gibson: That isn't Ma_eral
Mayor Ferro: Mr. Er -us, oT.rry. Thateo, Mr. Krause, I was
thinking about Madera h H:eCl.Y 'I've got a deep problem
with fingerprinting people_ nhs' 5,omtning that bothers me
About taking an ordinary Amrican e:.1O -,u11 them that we've got to take a
mug shot of them and fingerprint :nem an. that. Maybe we're in a day and
age where we dor't have any cbaic, ',ust bothers Me - I think of
1984 and Big Prcther and having sdme n WachiLcton have my name and my
fingerprint ad everytnLng elae aad sorAe kind of identity number in
some secrt tile somewhere in Wash..a7aoa. It yast calls me. But. I guess the
only way we can check whether et not pecble hive craminal records is to do that,
Is there any otaaa way we can do that witadat having tc fingerprint people?
Mr. Krause: There ia no wey yo:a can do tt on i compiet.e consistent basis. There
may be sum rease d'oihr; onv on a elGti.vo La sis rather than on a compre-
hensive basis. There arc come position that are more sensitive than otners.
Positions of publio trust, ,az- ey..a he Ii.hance Director, the Police Chief,
those jobs are ri mate. aaaaia_ve taaa
Rev. Cinson: Mi. Maybr anf: members of c, 1 am unalterably opposed
of hiring any man in this ,;annot produce a clean record -
analterably oposed!. Let r7,e say t.hts: :f ca.i told me that Madera
had an alias and tht. :„iovernniy't td cooperate and Tive me
sorri enlightenment, yo:: know what_ 1 e? Forget about Madera,
there aLe a lot. or ;',eop.;e virm, aren't alio,e:1 that we could f..Lnd and a:1 we had to
to was loo;. nar,l I on', bay 1 ,e,n't buy. hiran anybody who isn't
goib tG be Lh:.erpr,nt or no fingerprint I
want hi,- backgrnan:i hagcr:..7.1eera we would have
known the linkage Ing bercie wa vtr.haled1 UC.Thal.L's what i'm talking about
and 7 win. everybsdy',: 1 :o t3 tne public and say to
the p.L.a.lib, "Yoa knew run tc" Commisionr, your representative"
and I mast protect t7):1 - I would have hired him and my
position is if yoa nve to t-,cverh7mont oan't disclose - forgat
him, there are enouh ofean out nere. Tnore are eriouh clean people.
Mayor Ferre: All riht, hen your mion ab . undertttand it, let's put it in the
for, of a motion. Im !:f“.]:i,71 ir::)1-71r. w, 1Thc Miami Ci tyh Commission de-
clares tha: it shall be the poiey the C:i7 chat the City Manager in selecting
qualified people to be heads of departments s,hall conduct. a thorough investigat-
ion into the background of e.,,ry final cnindidate for hirir.g into these positions.
By following this procedure the City Commission can be assured that all responsi-
ble efforts have been made to select candidates of the highest caliber."
Rev. Gibson: Well, let me make
because tho Manaer
mentioned thia to me. If whea you, see i daa't .aaa iiscretion you're talk-
ing about, man. If when this thing is investigated and you have any alias, be-
cause the paper said you knew. Ok? That yea couldn't get clearance from where
this man La s worked in two or three other cities. I it gets to that point for-
get that duck - forget him! We don't need him. 1 doa't caa7e how doggone good he
is or how valuable you think he may :-)e he .urts us more because if we hac had
that. kind of investigation cr. Madera ‘1 thcase thousahi plus dollars worth of
scraF that's gone wouldn't have been gane. isn't that right? It might have been
gone but at least.... We wouldn't be in the same box. I'm saying that when it
comes to that point that if he can't clear himself, and 1 don't think we ought to
hire anybody within the next, if anybody who we've hired within the last thirty
days, we ought to ask his prev:ous employer what about. the man. I don't care.
Man, don't COMO giving me that. ln :he 1aistry you don't, get it unless you
clean up yourself. Now you mny get dirty after you get in there but man, you're
sure going to be whie befo: ycu get tias and 1 believe this City
qovernment whevc we are responsible to tae pearle ought to be just as clear dnd
just as responsible and -;aat t.kmanaiaa. dan't want discretion on the part
of the Manager because you may have a good judgement. today, the man who followa
you may not have judaement worth a dam:,
mayor Ferro: ia there a st:cond to tne motiaa?
Mrs. Gordon: Would you repe,-.t the
/IL
42
FEB 51978
Rev. i. ib :r:: The motion is that nobody w;.c cannot clear and has an alias whose
record cannot be disclosed should be hired by this City.
Mayor. Ferre: And further adopting on page 3 the policy as typed out and stated
in your packet.
Mrs. Gordon: That is a broad statement then that nobody car, be hired if they
have an alias, is that it?
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT: Mr. Plummer.
The preceding motion, introduced by Comm3 ssioncr Gibson and seconded by
Commissioner Reboso was passed and adopted by the following vote
Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Rebo3o and Mayor Ferre.
None.
Mr. Grassie: The basic recommendation that we're making is that just for
clarification, Mr. Mayor, does that include adoption of the Commission Policy or
not?
Mayor Ferre: YoL. We adopted the policy as stated in the last portion here plus
there was an addition to it that unless somebody clarifies an alias they cannot
be hired by any future City Manager, yourself or any department.
Mrs. Gordan: Mr. Manager, may I ask you a question? Are you absolutely sure
there aren't any already on board?
Mr. Grassie: Well, it really depends on what level you're talking about.
Mr s . Gordon: Any level.
Mr. _;rassie: in checking with people in the FBI, they're really very unsure that
there is any kind of a fool proof system. You know they don't think that they're...
Mrs. Gordon: No, I mean onboard in our City government now.
Mr. Grassie: I think that you need to be aware that as part of our Affirmative
Action efforts we do take people who, in fact, have records. Now, basically....
Mayor Ferre: I'm sure you're aware of that, that isn't a surprise to you is it?
Mr. Grassie: No. They're taken into...
Mrs. Gordon: On board now?
Mayor Ferre: Absolutely. You don't know that we have a lot of people that have
served time in a lot of our departments? You know you're touching on very very
dangerous grounds because there are an awful lot of the City employees who have
been to prison and who have served,
Mrs. Gordon: You're bringing up a whole new subject, Mr. Mayor.
Rev. Gibson: But see, but let me make sure that everybody understands Theodore.
I believe I ought to employee prisoners if they tell me, man I've been to jail for
stealing. I hire them with the full knowledge that he stole and he wants a new
chance - he wants a chance. And he need not come lying to me that I'm John and
all these years I've been Harry. That's what I'm talking about. So make sure the
motion is clear. If he comes here under some color other than I want him fired on
the. spot because he has lied and he hid from me. I'm responsible, the Manager
doesn't have to face the public. I want to rut this on the record - the Manager
doesn't run for office, I do.
Mrs. Gordon: My question was not as broad as the Mayor wants to imply that it was.
My question was a very simple one and it is simple. I just asked Mr. Grassie if
he has any knowledge of any present employees who are operating with an alias
since that is the policy we have just adopted I want to know whether we have any-
one bOarci with an alias new.
Mr. Grassie: That I know of, no,
43
FEB 9 1978
Mrs. Gordon: He said on the record no.
Mr. Grassie: I said on the record n
Mrs. Gordon: And off the record?
Mr. Grassie: Off the record it is sill ::o.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, Mr. Mayor, let me press this or.e.... Mr. Mayor, let me press
this one a little bit further, indulge me one minute. I would hope that since
nobody say within the last 30 days, anybody that you have hired within the last
30 days I think you owe it to us to ask them, "Do you have an alias?" and I think
that anybody you've hired within the last 30 days you owe it to us to get a recom-
mendation from his previous employer.
Mr. Grassie: That we do always, we do that routinely.
Rev. Gibson: I just want to put it in the record so that you know that Theodore
Gibson now plans to live by that rule. Ok?
Mrs. Gordon: How about going back a little further, would you like to know any
other aliases that are existing?
Rev. Gibson: No, I'm going to grandfather those in.
Mrs. Gordon: You're going to grandfather in all aliases existing to thirty days
ago.
Gibson: Yes, but anybody as of this moment you could forget it. And I want
to know that you got a recommendation from anybody you hired recently. I want you
to tell this commission at the next meeting that anybody who was hired within the
last thirty days does not have an alieas and that you have a recommendation from
the previous employer.
Mx. Plummer: Does anybody know Mr. Grassie's real name?
Mr. Grassie: Or your's, Commissioner?
10. PRESENTATIONS, PLAQUES AND SPECIAL ITEMS:
A, Presentation of commendation to the Dupont Plaza Hotel upon its 20th Anniversary.
B. Presentation of retirement plaque to Leonard Ray Parker, Department of Building
and zoning after 23 years of service to the City of Miami.
C. Presentation of photograph of the Folk Festival's Bicycle Race to Mr. Mike
Gordon, proprietor of Mike Gordon's Seafood T st�urar.t. Mr. Gordon contributed
$7,000 to this event.
D. Presentation of Vocational Education Week Proclamation to Mr. Joe Zaher,
Coordinator for Distributive Education, Dade County Public Schools.
E. Presentation of Lithuanian Independence Day Proclamation to Mr. Petras Silas,
President of the Lithuanian American Council of Miami.
F. Presentation of Engineers Week Proclamtion to Mr. Dudley Scrogis, President
of the Miami Chapter of Florida Engineering Society.
O. Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to David Kampf for his valuable
contributions in helping to restore and enhance City of Miami monuments.
44
FEB 91978
11. AUTHORIZE AMENDMENT TO AGRME T WITH FRANK J. COBO, ADVaNISTRATIVE
ASS IS TAN TO 1HE MAYOR.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Manager, have you reviewed Item #1?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, sir, and there are no problems. basically it is a housekeeping
item which will allow the City to take Social security and withholding from that
payMent to Mr. Cobo.
Mayor Ferre: What :'foes that do in effect, it just puts him into our insurance
program and the different benefits, or what?
Mr. Grassie: No, it changes his status from self-emnployed to being an employee
of the City basically.
Mayor Ferre: Well., what is the purpose of that? Is that something you recommend-
ed? ...
Mr. Grassie: No, it is his request.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, what, in fact, it does is it keeps him from being
a bookkeeping and leaves it where it's been. That's the truth of the matter..
Mr. Grassie: It's just that he doesn't have to do this for himself, that's all.
Mr. Plummer: If not, he would have to file reports every quarter, have to furnish
checks ever: quarter and it's really a pain in the neck.
T1-,e following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 7b-87
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND AN AGREE-
MENT WITH FRANK J. COBO, FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR, FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1978 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1978.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
40 Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodor 7i77son
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: *;one.
45
FEB 91979
12. CITY 'SAIW::.R O 4 i .-: i ' U iV; :`EN: itii i�l'��y. S`I..SSER AS
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON .
The following resolution was introduc:+emu iiv Corj.:lsslc,n r Plummer, who moved
itc ac1onti on :
RESOLUTION NO. 7 > -
A RESOLUTION AUTHO J .I'. AN:) GIBE TIN TEE CIii MANAGER
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MR. RICK SISSER, AS LEGISLATIVE
LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE, TO REPRESEN: THE CITY BEFORE ALL
FLORIDA STATE LEG1SLATIvr : Essi ' .. AND BEFORE THE CONSTITU-
TIONAI, REVISION 'OMISSION AT ITS LL. SIONS, AS WELL AS SESS-
IONS OF COMMITTEES THEREOF HELD CURING THE :JO-YEAR TERM OF
THE SAID AGREEMENT, AND AUTHDRI:.TN THE PAYMENT OF $36,000
AS A i EF FOR SAID SERVICE; AND :"UR.THER AUTHORIZING THE LUMP
SUM PAYMENT OF $i2,OCO TO MR. KISSER TO COVER EXPENSES IN-•
C ETER' INC FUNDS
_'RF' :� D='kI�;., THE �•, OF THz, AGREEMENT; ALLOCATING
FROM THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND AC-:= rJNTS - SPECIAL SERVICES -
LIAISON FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on fill
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. Z. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner {fic•v. 'r Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor :,4nol ; Rebo o
Mayor Maurice A. F errs NOES: None.
13 . ACCEPT COMPLETED STMI SE; : PRDJ EC i
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-gig
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE COMPLETED WORK PERFORMED BY
MARKS BROTHERS COMPANY AT A TOTAL COST OF $111,7�:0.50 FOR
THE HAMMOCK STORM SEWER PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING A FINAL
PAYMENT OF $15 , 792 . 7C .
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner vlhsor , the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayer Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
46
FEB 91978
ACCEPT SEt i ` DEEDS OF DEDICATION FL Z iv . l:.. G s1 . Tl ' 1 C -fir- r,
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who rnovr':i
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NG. 7t-92,
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING SEVEN DEEDS OF DEDICATION C0NVEYIN
5-FOOT STRIPS oi'' RESERVED ZONED WIDTH i'H RIGHT-0-WAY ABUTTINu
N.E. 64TH STREET, BETWEEN BISCAYNE BOULEVARD TO N.E. 4TH
AVENUE, REYEiIRED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF N.E. 64TH STREET.
(Here follows body resoiutic"i, or'.ittted ricre and on file
in the Office of the City CIe,I_ )
„lion being seconded hj Connission Y .'lu: per, the re:..; •lutioni was passed and
adopted ty thi(: following vote
AWES: Commissioner Ri)3E2 Gordon
Commissioner J . L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Fey.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Y.3naio i.ebus°
M,iyor Maui iCf_ A. Ferro
15 . ACCU'r TATC (WIT -CLAD', DEEDS FOR DIX E PARK EXPAN S IO .
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLU i0N NO. - 1
A i-7LU I ON ACCEPTING TWO DEEDS RELEASIN; ALL RIGHT, TITLE
AND REVE.:r.: ION ;R'_' INTERESTS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OF
N.W. 13TH ST?,LE FOR THE CLOSURE OF SAME IN CONJUNC'IION WITH
♦..E RE?:..;TrIN , OF DIXIE PARK (WEST OF N.W. 3RDi AVENUE).
,Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
it the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon be..ng st:•corced by Commissioner Plummer, the resolution was passed
adopted by the following vcte-
AW:.E . Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Marioio Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferro NOES: None.
16. AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION FOR FIRE
STATION NO. 9.
The following resolution was introduced by Co:'.r.i':;sioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-92
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE IN LIEU
OF CONDEMNATION, A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND THREE (3) LOTS,
SAID LOTS BEING COMPRISED OF TWELVE THOUSAND (12,000) SQUARE
FT., M/L LOCATED AT 6230 NORTHEAST FIRST AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
FOR. THE SUM OF FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($45,000) DOLLARS, AND
ALLOCATING FORTY-SIX THOUSAND ($46,000) DOLLARS FROM FIRE FIGHT-
ING FIRE P}EVENTION & RESCUE FACILITY BOND FUNDS TO COVER THE
COST OF A72UISITION OF FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO THIS PROPERTY AND
OTHER COSTS INCIDENTAL TO THE ACQUISITION.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and or. file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
upon being seconded by Commissioner Peboso, the resolution was passed ar,a
adopted by the following vote -
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore aik�sor.
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: Prone,
47 FEB £ 1978
1 . PLAT ACCEPTANCE - I'SAMU.NO SUBDIVISION.
The following resolution was introduced ty Commissioner r Reboso, who move.:)
its adoption:
RESOLUTION ION NO. 7
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FLAT ENT3 TLED MAXIMINO SUBDIVISION,
A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: AND ACCEPTING THE
DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT: AND ACCEPTING THE COVENANT TO
RUN WITH THE .SAND POSTPONING_ THE I',..EDIATE CONSTRUCTION OF
SIDEWALK, CURB AND GUTTER AN3 PAVEMENT ON N.W. 14TH STREET UN-
TIL REQUIRED BY THE DEPART`:ENI OF PUBLIC WORKS; AND AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE
THE PLAT.
(Here follows body or resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner .Gibson, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
r:ommissior.er J. L. Plummer, Jr..
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibsor.
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
13. BID ACCEPTANCE LITTLE hAVANA CO K:N1W C lfr. R.
Mrs. Gordon: I want Vou to explain this to me, please, where you're going to get
- fun'. 7 leno,,, thn roacnn for ti"P Ge.cnnn hie' an.i the additional en_t
factor;; i:ut 1 want to be sure I understand how much money you've got.
Mr. Grassie: The amount of honey is $964,204, Commissioner...
Mrs. Gordon: That you've got for this
Mr. Grassie: Yes. Now this is slightly more than we had originally anticipated
for the budget and Ms. Spillman will ex, lain it.
Ms. Dena Spillman: We currently have approximately $800,000 allocated for this
project. We're asking that $250,000 be allocated from our Third Year Contingency
Fund in addition to the $800,000 which we currently have.
Mrs. Gordon: C. D. Contingency?
Mr. Grassie: This is C. D.
Ms. Spillman: Yes.
Mrs. Gordon: Third year?
Ms. Spillman: Right, the year that we're currently in.
Mrs. Gordon: Do you have that much money in there?
Ms. Spillman: Yes. We have a balance of $558,000.
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you something. Fair is fair. Now why wouldn't that be
taken out of the Fourth Year of the Little Havana?
Ms. Spillman: Because we will not receive that money until July of 78 and cannot
contract for dotiars that have not been approved by HUD, we can't do it.
Mr. Plummer: Well, what I'm saying, Dena, i., that if yo.. have 500,000 under the
formula that we have always used certain percentages go to certain of the district
there are eight as I recall. Now, it would seem to me out of fairness that if,
in fact, you are using money from the Contingency Fund and you're using 50% of
that fund for one district to me that would be unfair.
Ms. Spillman; Let me make two comments. One is this year we did not use a form-
ula allocation for target areas which I will talk about later. We did not use the
formula, Secondly, as I said before we cannot spend C.D. money before we get
•
48 FEB 9 1978
them. ....tti tr u're bout taki:. m07a_ r Wci1 from i t.tle Havana, ..25 „ 0U0
in the t c)urtr. Year because or this which 1:: 1 qu ss what i hear you sating. 1:5;
that. what I heir you saying?
Mr. Flum.-ner: Sure that's what you hear me saying.
Ms. Spillman: Well, .i guess that you'll have to decide that later and secondly,
Mr. Plummer: No, we decide it now.
Ns. Spillman: Well, we have a public hearing at 3:00 O'Clock.
Mr. Plumper: No, we're talking about Itcr 7
Ms. Spillman: All right, I only have one other comment. The purpose of the
Contingency Fund is for cost overruns. tiow w'- have taken money from the fund
before for other target areas and other projects.
Mr. plummier: At the level of 50 of the fund for one project?
Ms. .iliman: Not at this level.
Mr. l'iummer: That's what I'm getting at.
Ms.Spillman: W ell, I'm sorry, we did. In fact, you approved this last year, we
used $250,00C for a housing land acquisition program in Wyndwood and that was
from our Second Year Contingency Fund.
Mr. f 1u1rim r: It the fund going to be reimbursed from the Fourth Year? ... All
I'm talking about is in the equity of fairness. That's all I'm speaking of.
Mx. Grassi'::: This particular fund, Commissioner, is specifically designed to take
care of u.._`cr.seer, problems like this so that your projects can go forward. If we
aor.'t do this it will simply end up being a laugh and you know that means that
wt'rc not goin,.; to be able to award this project until August. What it will mean
at we're going to have to delay this prciect for half a year.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question. You have the money, you want to proceed.
Ms. Spillman: Yes, I want to add one thing. Little HUD is going to be ready to
start construction on a 75 unit elderly housing porject on that site in October.
If we don't proceed with this now we're going to hold up the housing project.
Rev. Gibson: Let me follow through on what Plummer is saying.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute, Father ' sorry. You know this is the same damned
thing I heard this morning and I'm telling you - I'm not telling you, please,
personally, I'm telling everybody - I am a little put out around here that if we
don't do this right or wrong we're going to lose the money. Now by God, somebody
around here had better start putting some priorities on right or wrong not we've
got to do it because of the time frame. I'm going to tell you something, you know
I've had about as much Big Brotherism as I can stand, forcing down my throat if
you don't do what I'm going to tell you I'm going to pull back my check. Now you
know let me tell you we're putting the cart before the horse. Are we the five
people up here running this city or is the Federal Government running this City?
Well sometimes I'm beginning to wonder and twice in one day when I hear, "If we
don't do this we're going to be putting that in jeopardy". ... Oh, I'm sorry.
Maybe I knew the federal was government but I just didn't want to lay down and
accept it. ...
Rev.. Gibson: Isn't it possible that if you're going to borrow this money ...
Ms. Spillman: Well, we're not asking to borrow it we'd like to take....
Rev. Sib:7on: Well, darling, you don't have it and you need it from me. Isn't
that right:
Ms. Spillman: That's correct.
Rev. Gibson: So you're talking borrow - you're either talking borrowing or gett-
ing my permission. Now the point I make is that, following what Plummer is saying
if I give you $i50,000 this year more than you're supposed to have somewhere down
the line some of the other people ought to get, you know. You know what I hear
49 FEB 1978
y
you saying? If you're going to use a formula you know you've got to
You rrear> you don't plant to use it now.
Ms. Spillman: That's correct.
Rev. Gibson: But what you're telling me, you have used it.
Ms. Spillman: Well We have in previous yeai
, yes.
Rev. Gibson: Right! It is convenient not to do it now.
.:c:rmuia.
Ma. Spillman: T .at's not the case.
Rev. Gibson: Look, look....
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner Gibson, that simply is not the case and the demonstra-
tion of that is or. your agenda just a few items down. One of the things that the
City Commission asked the last time we talked about C.D. was that we make a dif-
ferent e.m basis in what areas of the city receive C.D. moneys. You will see when
w2 talk about the C.L. clan that is presented to you that we're trying to reflect
that new direction of the City Commission expressed the last time we talked about
this. So it i:: not, a question of simply using a formula, we are, in fact, adapt-
ing a grogram to some of your directions. Now what is recommended here is that
we take the Contingency Fund and use it for the purpose that you normally use a
contingency fund which is to :make possible a protect when it runs into this lnd
of a cost overrun. We've done it in other areas before and what the staff is
suggesting now is that we do it in this area this time. It is not an unusual
process, not the first time we've done i v, it just happens to be this area at
this time. Last year it wa: Wyndwooa.
Rt:v. Gibson: Hy whapercentage do you create a ccr.tingeoey fund?
`:-. Lpilirman: I believe our contingency fund last year was about %? of our total
gran..
Re . =i son.. What is it this year:
Ms. Sp_11ma:: I don't have it, I believe it is 7 or 8
Rev. Gibson: Maybe what I'm not saying is what I need to say. You mean to toll
me oar planning process is of such that we will have this king of money sitting
around hoping that we'll find a way to use it? That is what contingency is all
about, if there is an emergency I go get it. What I'm saying to you is maybe
Little Havana should have gotten more than they were allotted and maybe some of
the other people should have gotten a little more than they have been allotted.
You know I deal with budget too, man.
Mr. Plummer: Let me say something, Ok? Because T_ want the record very very clear.
I'm all in favor of the project, let's all underotand that. I think it is a good
project, it is good for the community
Mayor Ferri: That's the best thing I've heard this afternoon.
Mr. Plummer: I find problems in the method of funding.
Ms. Spillman: It is our only alternative.
Mr. Plummer: No, I disagree. You didn't look very far if that is your only
method. I'll find you another method just like that,
Ma i'erre: I've kept quint and I'd like to express an opinion now but before I
do oo I'd like to ask, Dena, let me ask you a question. We're at a point now where
we either kill the Little Havana project or we fund it, Now if somebody has a dif-
ferent. alternative the I would like to know, after I finish making my statement
how we're going to find funding. The problem is very simple. The problem is that
we all decided to proceed with the project by knocking down an old office building
which I was against in t.tie beginning and the majority of this commission, I was
out voted you all wanted to spend the money and I think I was wrong and you were
right and I accepted it. They designed it, they put it out for bids, it came in
two hundred and some odd thousand dollars higher than what it was put out to bid
for than what we thought we had. Now, the fact is that we cannot go for a smaller
building. If we go for a smaller building then we may as well just forget the
whole project and let it go. Now I think that we've put so much time and so much
FEB 51978
effort into this, it is such an important protect that unless we go forward with
it today I think what you're doing is, the destiny of this is you're killing it.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm happy, and this is not a racial thing, you know this;
is not whites against blacks and it is not an ar.ti-Cuban or ;pro -Cuban anything.
The fact is that this is a sector of our community which needs this protect, We'Ve
all agreed upon it, it is before us at this point, there is no alternate funding.
If you can find alternate funding the-, tell us where it is otherwise let's move
head with the project or kill it today and forget about it.
Mr. Plummer: Hark! I'm ready to snake a motion.
Rev. +.=ibson: let me respond. I want to respond. r.r. Mayor, nobody is telling
you to kill the prOect. Let Me tell- yot something about budgeting, and you know
tat better than I could even know because that's your line, preaching is my line
but I've get to watch a budget. If I got in trouble in Little Havana this time
and I am over generous over here this year I just want to make sure for the record
next year when I get in trouble in some other areas Little Havana knows that I'm
going to cut them snort and take care of some of those other areas. That's all
I'm saying and I don't want anybody to misunderstand what I'm saying because Us-
ually why.:. I talk about anything that affects certain people they go and they mis-
C'.:ote ar.d they tel another kind of tale and lie. I'm sailing that if 1 gave you
two hundred and odd thousand dollars out of this fund this time next time you know.
That's whit I'm sayin .
Mayor Father, I'd like to respond to that. And you know that if anybody
has stood up, to defend your position on that it has been me and you know it very
done it more than once: And I'll tell you right on the record o:;
this mi =ro .i.or.e right here that next year when that time comes I'm going to be
there with you.
Plu.Tmer: Are you ready for a motion?
':r. Brassie: Just by way of information, Mr. Mayor, you don't have to wait uI;til
next year. We have taken an additional $261,000 and put it into Dixie Park, more
than the project was initially budgeted for already.
Rev. .]lLso:i: Mr. Manager, I don'twant to say nothing here today that's gong to
cost nobody - I don't want to say nothing here today. You know, don't let me
really show that other side of me. OK? You'd better get your $200,000 knowing
that I'm going to watch you. OK? Let's end in peace.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, what bothers me I guess is that the staff was unable to
come upwith any other viable recommendation. Now that bothers me. Either the
staff isn't doing their homework or they didn't look very deep. Now to me a very
viable alternative is simple. That is we approve the project for the amount of
$`f8 4,204
Ms. Spillman: It is $1,049,204 with everything. OK?
Mr. Plummer: Well, let me tell you something, you'd better go back and rework
this one because it was just handed to me by Mr. Homan.
Spillman: No, if you'll read the first figure and then it says "further
allocating". The first figure is 984,204 then "further allocating" several dif-
ferent amounts of money.
Mr. Plummer: You're allergic to a total. So in other words it's ...
Ms. Spillman. $1,049,204.
M . Plummer: Ok, give it to me again.
Ms. Spillman: $1,043,204.
Rev. t ibsor.: I'm going to move that item.
Mr. Plummer: Well wait a minute, Father, you'd better know how I'm going to word
this motion. This would motion would be that we allocate for this work of the
Little Havana Activity Center and award the bid in the amount of $1,049,204 and
that the excess over budgeted amount be allocated from future years of funding
to Little Havana Activity Center,
51
FEB 51978
Spillman: I tried to explain that before, We cannot: let a contract for CD
money unless we have the funding approved by HUD. Fourth Year CD funding will
not be approved until June or July. We can't proceed unless we take the money
out contingencies now and
Mr. Plummer: I'm telling you take it out now. That's what I'm saying, you're not
listening to me.
Ms. Spillman: All right, I see....
Rev. Gibson: What's he's toiling you is y.ou take that money out now but after you
get that other money you just start putting a proportionate share of it elsewhere.
That's what he's telling you.
Mr. Plummer: And I'm not saying that you tak& it all out of next year's funding.
OK? I'm saying you take it out of future years.
Ms. Spillman: Out of Little Havana's allocation.
Mr. Plummer.: Out of their allocation. OK? I move it.
Mayer Ferri,: . . Mx. Manager, do you agree with the motion?
M. Cr issie: Yes, sir.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
It,- a6opt.lon:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-94 ".
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF BEC CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
IN TII? PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $984,204 FOR THE LITTLE HAVANA COMMUN-
ITY CENTER (2ND BIDDING) ; ALLOCATING SAID AMOUNT FROi1 THE (1ST,
2ND AND 3RD YEAR) FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FUND AND FROM THE 3RD YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CON-
TINGENCY FUND TO COVE,I•: THE CONTRACT COST; FURTHER ALLOCATING
FROM SAID CONTINGENCY FUND THE FOLLOWING SUMS: THE AMOUNT OF
$20,00CTO COVER TEE COST OF PROJECT EXPENSE; THE AMOUNT OF
$16,000 TO COVET; THE COST OF SUCH ITEMS AS ADVERTISING, TESTING
LABORATORIES, POSTAGE, AND CONTINGENCIES; THE AMOUNT OF $20,000
TO COVER THE COST OF ADDITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES; FURTHER
PROVIDING THAT THE SUMS OF MONEY HEREIN ALLOCATED FROM THE 3RD
YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONTINGENCY FUND BE DEDUCTED
FROM FUTURE MONIES THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE APPROPRIATED TO LITTLE
HAVANA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TARGET AREA UNTIL THE TOTAL OF
SAID SUMS HAS BEEN REPAID ^'"' .. CITY OF MIAMI COMMUNITY DEVELOP-
MENT PROGRAM; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CON-
TRACT WITH SAID FIRM.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Major Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
Plummer: I want too jut on the record, and even though It might be controversial
.,:.i be misunderstood, 1 personally have never heard of the company who is doing the
.sect of Little Havana Activity Center, a ompany called BEC ar:d I asked the staff
w.:i . furnishe,?, :'\' the staff a full resulrn on this company and they do feel com-
fortable and after I nave had the chance to look it over I think that they do qual-
ity t.c d: tnis kind of work but I want this added to the record for Item fi9.
52
FEB 51978
19. BID ACCt I A.AsiCE C'"? $T; O ,i S< ARY SEER EYiPRWEENT SR-5432-
BID "a"SANITARY SEWS S .
ThL following resolution; was intt :iu.'e3 by Commission i Reboso, who moved
its adotion:
RESOLUTION N
A RESOLUTION ACCE''.ING THE F•IC ,-f; IF: :1EELI,I COtiTRACTING, INC.
IN TiiL AMOUNT OF $1,999,591.6C FOR EID "A" (SANITARY SEWERS)
OF PROPOSAL FOR THE CRES.WOOD SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT
SR-5432-,. (centerline sewer) IN THE r RESTWOO . SANITARY SEWER
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT SR-5432-C ;cer:t erline sewer) ; FRO THE.
ACC^.:fT ENTITLED "SANITARY SEWER O.c.i. BON ruNDs" IN THE
AMOUNT OF '1, 0 ,` 91.E2: AND A.': i3R.I ING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SAID FIRM.
(Here fellows body of resolution omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being LA2conded by Commissioner Gibson, the resolution was passed an
a o.. te,_ by the `.: lowing vote-
AYr:... Commissioner Rose Cordon
Commissioner J. L. PiumMer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev..) Theodore Gibson
is -Mayor ';anc_•lo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferro NOES: None.
?1r". i t.u-lner: We are awarding almost S2,1)Or2,oc;O wort}' of work to a compary that.
have not r:eard anythind abut. OK? And 1 think that in th-.. future it would be
C ... to :add to ,he items wt,e:. you give them to us somewhat of a brief backk.;;rcun;:i
of who the officers arc, how ii ong they've been in business and have they clone
pr" ect: of this size. 1 think it would be very important. I would feel :Tore
comfortable with such.
2 . B AC4JF.ZiANCE - CRIST.Jc1)D SNITARY SEWER DIP RDVF2` T1 SR- 5432-C,
PITY STt TIOE`; .
T. foliowinu_ resolution was introduced by Commissioner Reboso, who moved
itr 3a4yrti on .
RESOLUTION NO. 78-96
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF INTERCO'JNTY CONSTRUCTION IN
THE AMOUNT OF $203, 500. 00 FOR BID "B" (PuX'P STATION) OF PROPOSAL
FOR THE CRESTWOOD SANITARY SEWER IMPRGVEME.'T SR-5432-C (center-
line sewer) IN THE CREST"•-'.NITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
SR-5432-C (centerline sewer); FROM THE ACCOUNT ENTITLED "SANITARY
SEWER G.O. BOND FUNDS" IN THE AMOUNT 7F $2C3,.`.00.00; AND AUTHORIZ-
ING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WIT`- SAID FIRM.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here a:.d on file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferro NOES: None.
FEB V 1978
21. PUBLIC HEARING FOR OBJECTIONS TO GERTI}YLNG PENDING LIEN -
Ot,1 VI HIGHWAY l•PRCNiH- 4384 .
Mayor Ferre announced that the City Commission was now I.eady to hear any
fljlprtiorc: th n:mr:tiinc 1i n for non tructic}r of Omni Hicihwav
improvement, H-4 st,4.
NO r-BJECTOR. APPEARE%
The following resolution Was introduced d by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 7E 7
A REL;OLUTION CERTIFYING THE PENDING LIEN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
GA HICHWA, 1YI'ROVE.'LNT H-4384 IN OMNT. HIG,Ht+AY IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT H-4364, AGAINST TRACT "A" O' OMvI INTERNATIONAL
S EDIVI:.:oN PLAT BOOK 1J2 PAGE 3; FIXING THE DATE OF THE FIRST
PA's'• :N: , AN SUCCEEDING PAYMENT::, AND REMOVING ALL PENDIN:,
LIENS FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT NOT iiEREbY CERTIFIED.
(here re follows body of resolution, omitted here and or. file
in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being sec. nded by Commissioner Gordon, the resolution was passed
i.dc . ted by the c following vote-
A,YEn: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. :.. Plummer, Jr.
,� Commissioner i i c v. Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor : ;an :•lo r.eboso
Mayor Maul:icn A. Fcrrt NOES: None.
7•)
PERSONAL AFP&\RANCF: OF ISRAEL - PRESENTATION "MAN IN WASHINGTON"
ri.Q„Wi .
Mayor rerre: Is Mark Israel here yet? Mark, we thought that you had taken as
"elf ti` �c• +nse rn I1,t r,f 't':,i F !"'(1mmissirn'ss deliberations area had clone hack to Wa,z}linr7-
ton but I'm lad to see that that is not the case and we welcome you to City Hall.
Marti Israel: Thank you very much, honorable Mayor and members of the Comrris-
ni ;... 1 appreciate the opportunity for my annual trip to Miami to give yo•a a brief
report on some cf m' activities on your behalf, to highlight some of the federal
developments and prospective developments in urban policy that can help you in
•cur program Manning and answer any specific questions that you have. As you
I am the City of Miami's representative in Washington and my activities in -
program analysis, information on federal developments, liaison with the Con-
gressional Offices, liaison with the federal agencies and a very heavy load of
scheduling for city officials who seem to fill up the :airplanes between here and
Washington. I have essentially daily contact with various city officials and I
stay in close touch with the city. The theory of our program is that I'm one per-
son in Washington who knows Miami's operations intimately. Every one else in
theory knows cities in general but that doesn't mean a whole lot with Miami's speci-
fic problems. Over this past year I did a lot of work on the local Public Works
Program. That was this one shot anti -recession program that funded the Converence
Center and the Administrative building. We had a number of problems on it, it
looked like in the first round we weren't going to get anything and we ended up
getting a good In the second round we looked like we were going to lose it
all again cr. environmental questions and we won. those. That took a lot of work.
Those are the kind of issues that take a lot of follow up and a lot of time.
Forme: How much was involved in that, Mark?
Israel: As 1 recall the first round was seven million plus and the second
r s.:nd w.sa ,nother five million, roughly those figures, so a total of thirteen mil-
:,o::. I bav . .2::he a great dear of work in preparation for and then applying for
funds for and :c'llcw up, for the Trade Fair of the Americas. This started at least
..'gar age, working with a number of people including the State Department, the OAS
a:.J the. Departmeet. of commerce and we received, we are in the final stages of gett-
ing funding for a very healthful portion of the funding for that.
Mayor Ferro: And how much did we get in that?
Mr. isr.:.e1: We're getting $1:u,00c total.
4 FEB 1978
Mayor r r , t o 1- r t . y. , r';t. f. , :.;t;
:���_ _� it fair .. 7�?", :i,i -:. .., _.0 i.t �C�. .,•.:'� LL•2: `i::.t .
first t
t. rt l-' :.Irtime that 'yyouand t and
i.C)':x7r C;,.;C,,l. .'•.:1..,..•er sat with Assistant Seeretary
Paul, he and most of the department people them' said, "Lock, you've got it back-
wards we assist in trade fairs where we stela American rrcdu::t:i, we certainly don't
assist in helping foreign: corporations sell their products American territory
and so we went and started discussing to explain the iIiporta:ice of long term and
the benefits of doing it this wav an,l this is really one of the very first times
the Department of COn1,Tieree has done something Like this and I might say that we
hd the help, of Congressman Peeper and others but certainly without your able as-
sistance we would have never gotten that $100, 000 .
Mx. Israel: That was an uphill effort. tt€: imd to show them that an import fait
creates jobs and we showed teem and they icceptee the theory.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, let me just add .3 wood of compliment to Mr, Israel. As
you know when you 'sent me out to San Francisco tc, represent - Rose and I - tc
represent this .:it', at the Nat..icaa. League of Cities you told me at the time that
I left that if 1 di.ii no more than make in -roads at that convention with the proper
people for this World Trade Fair; as soon. as I got there I informed Mark of this
and I want to tell you something, it sure makes it rice for a City Commissioner
to have a mar, who walks you around and says, "You remember so and so" and he says,
"V. surely, I remember him" And we were able: then to talk about the World Trade:
Fair. And if it had not been for Mark Israel Rose nor I would not have had the
door completely omen for us in which to discuss this matter which was so critical
to this city. And I think really that is what Mark Israel is all about, what he
represents - that he knows the interests of this city, that he represents us in
fighting for those dollars that we sometimes and I sometimes raise holy hill about
but are very helpful In the long run. And I'll tell you as far as I'm concerned
thick Mark Israel is a very fine credit to this city and does a fine job for
this city.
Mr`. Gordon: Mar.`., 1 want to congratulate you. 1 know their attitude was It
you're br1:,Ciog them, the importing coming this way we're really not interested
but I think you must have done a tremendous sales jot on them to get that one
hundred thousand.
Mr. Israel: I did:-.'tt do it personally.
Mrs. Gordon: Well yo'3're: a modest man. Ok. We appreciate your, it really wa • a
uoh L. battle I k:,o'w that and J. L. and I appreciated your efforts with us.
Mayor Ferre: I think you can include all of us in that, Rose.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm sure everybody does. It was an interesting experience I'll say
to meet these people. That was something that I shall never forget.
Mayor Ferre: Mark, on another side rf this same thing, you know you've done a
terrific job and we've done a terrific job of getting federal funds but there is
always that extra couple of hundred thousand dollars sitting there that you're
wondering about whether or not we could have gotten or we should be getting. We've
got the UDAG application pending which is close to $5,000,000 and I sometimes
wonder, and I'm not saying it critically of the press or of the media but I don't
think the story has gotten out very well about the millions of dollars that the
City of Miami has been getting in these federal programs. I would say that I
would :Hatch our track record with any other city and I don't think that anybody
has done better than we have. I think we have one of the best on a per capita
basis if you look and see the money that we have gotten from Washington. It's a
tremendous amount and I think, nevertheless, there are other areas that I think
that we could hopefully be more forceful in Economic Development, perhaps National
Endowment for the Arts funds. We haven't made any applications for National
Endo.,ment for the Numanities. There arc a tremendous... As Anne Wexler told you
ar.:.ie when we visited her, and she's a power house as we all know, and I think
you met her, J. L., Anne Wexler; that there is an awful lot of untapped areas that
most cities don't even know about.
Mx. Israel; We have a meeting following that up next week in Washington arnd the
next ste, will be to bring those Department of Commerce officials down here to
sit around the table and see if they car: really contribute.
Mayor Ferre: _I think it is important that we get Fabian Chavass, for example
down here and that we get some of these people to see if see if we can get some
funding say for Tourist Promotion, that type of. thing.
55 FEB $1978
Mx. Plummier.: I war: di... ritr,':t W1.".`. _rne Wexlea in _
roes from Mauriai• Yerrt:e" and the+n the s,,aol t:.
Mrs. Gotdoh: Yes, I remember that.
Mt. Israel: Wou1i •y::au be interestad i.r,
this: urban poiiry muddy=•?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
aaala
year i s
Mr. Israel: Well, obseirvin.I the oevemont urban polio i:. the administration
has been cne of the strangest exp rie:,:'F'; I''•'e.. had in following feteial develoL'-
nents. It started a year ago and they got no where and now they're coming around
to it. It is really, they're having an t' ,Crn'aus i';' difficult time doing it because
of the differonce among American cities, between old deteriorating northeastern
Midwestern cities and sunbelt cities. Supposedly the President is going to announce
sore policy on March 15`_h, maybe he will, I don't expect that there is going to be
a lot come out of it:. I think what you probably will see is an urban development
bank and an urbin development bank if it is structured properly can be helpful to
Miami. I think you also night sec: something called a "Soft Public Works Program"
which is a sort o: a oL creation program. Another thing to look for in federal
developments... _Cmmis iOner '.,Or.1O1i, do you have a question?
Mrs. aaord(Jn: I wa::ted to ask you a question on that Urban Development Jack because
was reading the minutes of the hearir s in Washington and found that we had
representation there by cur Finance Director, also that Nick Carbone made quato a
very powerful impact on them with the speech that he made: about the need for the
rban Development Lank. Ana: I don't know if everybody here is as familiar with
what it would to for cities so maybe you could explain it a little bit.
Mr. I:arae_.: : T::E bark would set up as a new independent agency with authority to
make loads hopefully at attractive interest rates and we also hope that a portion
of the funding would be a Grant :situation and it is debate: whether it will bt'
r,iy for private bu51. nesaes to locate in distressed central cities or also for pub-
iit :rejects. It is a concept that is still being debated. I do think it's a
cn:ept idea as here. And : also expect t'mt we might see it enacted as a kind of
memorial tc riabort Humphrey who was the biggest champion of it.
Mra . 7_C".ic .: Is it al-0 to keep; industries in and within a community from. mcvina
_ it to other areas?
.r. Israel: Yes. I would address the capital needs of companies that need a new
pant ar.d the only place they could do it would be in the suburbs or in another
location and it will enable the city to help. I think it will be a very useful
tool.
Mrs. Gordon: It is an important. the City of Miami which is an area....
Mr. Israel: Which has development projects under'i'ay. Yes.
Mrs.Gordon: Tremendous you know deterioration in some of our areas that need to
be rebuilt. This is a tool that will have a tremendous impact if we get the rr.oney
down hers:. The Urban Development Bank concept is a very important tool for retc::-
tion of industry within a community. ... It's not called the UDAG.
Mx. Israel: No, it is the Urban Development Bank. That's the concept.
Mrs. Gordon: Do you want to go on with what you were talking about?
Ms. Isr7.el: Well, another important dev•elopment...wore like the Countercyciical
':=0.,•aical Assistants, the cash grant to the City runs out the end of September.
Tit last payment will be the July 1 payment. That is a program as you recall which
kicks off if the national unemployment rate goes beyond 6% and the latest monthly
unemployment rate was 6.34. The President has asked for an extension of it at
:l u-it the same funding level but we are told that he doesn't really have his heart
in it and won't fight very hard for it. And the Countercyclical Physical Assist-
anTeY, it s about three and a half million, has beer that for Miami. The question
that we have to look closely at is if Countercyeli :al goes down what do we replace
it with. : the national unemployement rate goes below six we're going to have a
hard argument for a countercyclical program because it will he pretty strong evi-
dence that the recession is over but that doesn't help a city budget that's facing
very tight restraints and it doesn't help take up the 3/ million dollars. The
thinking is already starting if we lose Countersyclical how do we replace it and
I think that might be: one of the big battles in the legislative scene late spring
56 FEB $1978
and sumntr a: this develops. The wav to :i1 .f that is going to happen is watch
the monthly national unemployment rates. If they keep down were going to have a
problem.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but like for instance a community like o::rs where we have a
higher than normal unemployment rate...
Mr. Israel: That's precisely the problem. This is a program where the national
figures trigger the money but it is recognized now that unemployment is concen-
trated and it is concentrated in the central cities.
Mayor Ferre: And thev're addressing that in Congress and I think the budgetary
hearings they're going to do that.
Mr. Israel: W;,'re :Dina to help them do that.
Mayor Ferre: Is there anything else, Marc, that you'd like to bring up at this
time?
Mr. Israel: Are there any specific: questions any of the commissioners have?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes. 1ii you bring us any kind of written material we may read?
'r. Israel: I've already given it to someone. There is a lot of good material
or, the budget which can be...
Mrs.=ordcn: Someone, who is the someone?
Mr. Israe•i: I forget, I've been here for a day and a half.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, you only brought one copy? Will you try to remember...
Mr. i5•rae: There was a limit to how much I could carry. Just tell me what you
want ar:c'. I can send it to you.
Mrs. 3rd:,n: I want it_ ail. I want to read it all, every bit of it.
Mr. Israei: You'll get it.
Mayor Ferry: Is there anything else, Mark, that we can do for you at this point?
I might once again remember that it was Jack Orr that brought us together when
Mike Calhoun was on the Commission and Jack Orr was Mayor. Mark Israel was at
that time working for Metropolitan Dade County and I had the good fortune of rid-
ing in an airplane with Jack Orr to Washington one day and Mark was at the airport
and introduced us and from that happy event our relationship developed. Metro, I
.'.ink unfortunate for them but fortunrte for us, dropped the Man in Washington
1,rogram and they have another situation which I don't think is bearing anywhere
hear the kind of fruit that our's is and I'm sorry for them and happy for us and
I want to thank you again, Mark.
Mr. Israel: I don't mind saying at all our organization works with about 45 cities
in the same arrangement and I have some contact with a number of those and Miami
is a marvelous city to work with. I enjoy it immensely.
57
FEB 9 1978
PE-v. of"'t'a ii' E BY R)..J ..,.;1'
SHELTERS.
mayor Ferri..: We're now on item =ins, Mt. Thbc•re Berrie.
Mr. Robert C. Herrin. 'co. atterrioo,, ten-bers 6t tit Commission. S eerie
is Robert 7Gerrin. I'm .-a 1:ec h hel_e.p, Inc. whom we represent. We have sent
letters describing our c1.tent':> produ':t, uservice which we .et"fetel semet.Y"iil:cg
which should be attractive tc:' the: C:.I.'_, of Miami in Early 7anuar;.'. I'd like to
approach the table and slow you some information. What People Shelters has to
offer is a a tr !.lc burr: which would aa" at a Lit e or wri with In coordination with the
present hue bench system t hrc:'ug olat the .;1. ;-"et Miami. These shelters are made
in accordance with South Fli`,`ida buildina lode and provide :protection from sun,
rain, win: for j',l-•.le'strlar,s either in conjunction with bus benches or in any area
throughout the cl':v wh.srt there m1',?ht be ut11. Lat icli where i>;3ODie might congregate
and we coe c: incorporate this particular unit. We have negotiated with and con-
tracted wiTh several cities within and witr:ou'. Dade County, throughout the State
of Florida Ior a:: Jr"rani]t=mer;t in which we would have a non-exclusive franchise
where we c._ale _o: . r icv, erect and aii;t l n and place thestheseshelters throughout
the city at r1_ i ;`n c to the city and from advertising revenues derived therefrom
we CoUld prove'.. ar iecome to the city as well. It is something welch Going through
our br : cxlere • :... thraejh tree information w...' p c;v 6.ded this m e aht j resont an attract-
ive 3r-1 al5.o an et..riomicai ly beneficial alter:iata.ve to the present bus bench a s-
te'.m. We understaed as well that the city is now mandated to enter into some type
of agreement with Bus Bench Company, some bus bench company s.cmcthi.ng alone tnt'St'
bees by the eo.,. t. :z'-:Lst•_ et City Attorney ..eb'.rt .:teinfeld advised me accord-
: i ii' that some contract should be r:endiee within several months.
Mayer " r:' : M r . b. , r ie, let me brine jee up te da__ . Welcome aboard, you .._"t'
fourth : raui' that has Shown an interest in doing this type of tnieg for the
of Miami. Steve Fisher whe is here 1 think was the first and probably the
meet a-ifeet, hill's bee-. after t1.1:. 1 think for well over a year. We've bee:. very
very slew, I':.. very embarressed about. it and I'm sorry that we haven't moved on
le ciel c... There have been a _o•.: of other cir:umetances. Perhaps we can get
frem _.._ Manager de exeaeatfoe ae to why t.hla is taking so long and what the next
ree .S_ i thine ?:.i,lf c.umm?.. siori t::.i :- sed a resolution well over six month:' ago
thie n•iiter be diseuefed and brought for a public discussion and then. event-
eallycet for ._ de. New where do we Star... in this whole: process?
. ._a :e?. u3; iw:, rills happened, ?r. Mayor, is the County DOT, the CiI,.iee
Tz ee _rtatic:. ..as mane!! welch it is able to spend for bus shelters ana we have
Lei_:-, trylna tc eet. from them some idea as to whether or not they were going to put
:1::v of t.r._ it money into bus shelters in the city. We have not been successful in
that. Obviously they have some other priorities apparently.
Mayor Terve: So what else is new?
Yr. '=rassie: Now we have finally concluded, and we have agreed I believe with
Richard Settler of your firm, that within ninety days tr;,e about fifteen days
ado we would go cut to bid. So we are in the: process now and we have a time cer-
tain by which this has to be bit:.
Mayor Ferro: Joe, how long have we been dealing with this matter:
!'ter. 3raseie: We have been waiting for some kind of response from Metro fo: a
little over a year, about a year and a half.
Mayor Ferre: Let re ask you something. You know every time we ask Metro for a
response we always get, 9N of the time, we end up in the salve place and that is
nowhere. toed It really take ._ year and a half to figure that one out?
Mr Brassie: Wel i , they doll't say no.
May r Fe: e"e: Yes, bet by not saying yes isn't that sayir.y no? And I under:"*"and
Wt11 .1Ilder.,tanca what the problem s, Ma
yor.
Meeer r_l re•: Yes, but 'in I don't understand. 1 understand what their problem
i.s, what. 11 don't understand is what. our problem is. 1 understand their problem,
don't understand cur problem because our problem really is that we get these
run arounde and run aro.lnds and we dorf't. yet. .a solution and obviously after two
or three months when they don't answer us isn't that really all we need? Do we
really have to wait a year ,end a half?
58
F E B 91978
Mr. Grassit. . 1.._ basic assumption is triiL if you have governmental funds which
are eligible to C' spent for this purpose that o'u: government wou1:l wart that
money spent that way in our community. You say should we count them off after
three Months or two months....
Mayor Ferre: 'Five, six months, seven, ei ht., nine, teh, a :ear?
Mr. Grassie: No, it has taken about a year, that's true.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, I.:..
Mr. Plummer: Weli let me answer this que`stlon: Where did they get the money from?
Mr. Grassic: From the federal government.
Mr. Plummer: well then wiry don't we Qo to the federal government and tel: them
that they're not going to share that money with the major user of Metropolita:.
Dade County?
Mr. Grass;':':
pciitan area.
Mr. Plummer:
Mr.Grassie:
ion.
Plummer:
per:
Mr. Grassie:
Mr. Pi'..:rit r:
Well, they are the designated transportation agency for the Metro -
That's s i*;e.
I don't think that the federal government would listen to our petit -
You know you' 11 never know unless you try.
Is that the: same story about dancing, Commissioner?
That's right, if you don't ask inc you'll never know.
Mayor erre: Well, k'.:t it seems to me that with Mark Israel here you might wan:
td discuss that and see how we can approach that. You know I might one more: time
repeat the story of my visit. Is Mark still around? Mark Israel and I ended up
going to one of these Department. of Commerce Economic Development Offices and
they said,"well, we understand you don't need any more money in Miami: I said,
"Well whoever told you that?" He said, "Well one of your representatives." Well,
it turns out that the representative was from Metro not from Miami and as a con-
sequence of that you know we've been missing out on some of these things. Now my
point is I think perhaps we'd better try to solve that and in the mean time, Mr.
Grassie, if the private sector is willing to go out on a bid process and put up
some of these shelters then I think it is not going to cost the taxpayers of this
community anything let's put it out for bids for goodness sake.
Ms. Grassie: That's in process now and we have a deadline by which we expect to
yet it done.
Mayor Ferre: Steve, do you want to make any comments on this at this time?
Mr. Steve Fisher: Yes, Mx. Mayor and members of the Commission, I do. Well over
a year ago, as you know, Mr. Mayor, we initiated conversations aimed at trying to
sit down with the City Manager to make a presentation for him to approve us to
come on before the commission and show what Bus Stop Shelters of Florida had to
offer to the City. Our company is a direct subsidiary of Bus Stop Shelters of
New York, a very successful operation. We spent one year getting approval of the
South Florida Building Code. Our shelter has been approved, it's been approved
by the county, we have a letter from Mr. Dyer saying so. We have an existing
contract within a minicipality elsewhere in the community and on several occasions
I talked with Mr. Grassie's secretary. She assured me that we would have an aud-
ien a with hire. I never heard back, I finally in desperation several weeks ago
wrote you a letter as you're well aware and out of the clear blue sky two days
ago I was informed that Mr. Berrir.'s Company was on the agenda.
Mayor Ferre: Weren't you informed by my office?
Fisher. Ye:..
Mayor Ferre: Yes, and I want to tell you that Kenny Treister also is interested
in this thing and I informed his office too because there are a lot of people
that are showing an interest in this matter and I didn't want anybody to feel
that we were, we're not making a decision here today, you're entitled to come
59 FEB 91978
More t'ris commission any time you want to discuss this matt.':: which 1S what
Mr. Berrin has done. I didn't want you to think, or your cl .t:.:ts of Ken Trt_lster
to think that we were trying to do a'I';'thi[:g otheo than lust :Jr1rg this thing to
a head one more time.
Mr. Fisher: Mr. Mayor, that's why I'm reviewing that history is for this reason:
there has been reference made to federal money a":ailable to the county. This is
a situation: where you have private industry wieicn is going to erect shelters and
produce revenue and the monEns t'ra county has, federal money, can be used for some-
thing else. As long as the private sector is willing to erect these things I see
no reason why aovern:r:ent should pay for i t .
Mayor Perre: corlplat.eiy agree with that any: tat is why I'm concerned that it
has taker: over A year to bring this Matter to a .'lead and we still have almost 90
days to cc but hopefully.that is it. Are you telling me then, therefore, Mr.
Manager, that certai:.:y by April this matter shoald come for a bid by the end of
AI'r i.1 ?
Mgt:. Gras i : We soouid be out to rid:; within leis than 90 days and then as soon
as we get them back, of course, we'll present them to the City Commission.
"r. .'isior: .._. Mayor, may I ask one _dial question? II there are going to bt.
bid: , we're interested, is fioancial responsibility going to be required?
Mayor Ferre: Abs:i'..tel\ .
:•tr. Fir : is there ^yoir.o to be evidence that the product is going to be approved
by the South Florida building Code?
Malo7. Farce::. Abs:. i °.t.e l; .
. Fish-. : The lact that they have the approval of organized labor and so forth
and so eop gees•. I tbi.".k are sort of essential...
Ma'.'or Ferre: 1 think it is important, Mr. Manager, that you or the staff arrant''
for a meeting of the potential interested bidders so that we don't have that slow
us dow:: Cr lawsuits or what have you so that we get all of the input. Certainly,
Steve, we're not going to have a bid process that is exclusive of competitive bids
but certainly there have to be minimum standards and requirements established.
Mr. :.,rassie: Well, I would like right now if I could since two of the potential
bidders are here, Mr. Mayor, to invite them to submit to my office and specifically
to Mr. Fosmoen your suggestions and recommendations with regards to bid provisions.
This is not to indicate to you that we're going to follow whatever you recommend
but we would like to have that input as part of the process of building a set of
specifications.
Mr. Plumi'. r: Mr. Mayor, also for the record, from a competitor of these people I
was given a copy today of the possibility that what is being here proposed is con-
trary to state law. I have forwarded a copy of this to the City Attorney asking
that he discount this matter before it go to bid that if there is something here,
of course, that is contrary to state law that we *ill not be in violation of the
law.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Manager, c_:e more item on this. Would you make sure that you
alao extend the same courtesy to Mr. Louis Wolfson and to Mr. Ken Triester who are
parties that are interested in this. All right?
Mr. Berrin: J'use one last. thing, I don't want to get into a competing posture
here hat we had contacted Mr. Mullins, the Purchasing Agent. who I understand will
he responsible for the bids and we requested that possibly we have some input in
^.r: ..bidding process since we've had a great deal of experience and just the last
thine we have, your Building Department has approved, we have a building permit
a.'.,, o theist' _'t: acLurt::5 so it has beer. shown to be in compliance with the City
.1h,i the state Cole and the County and so forth. Thank you very much.
AV r "tiro: T::a:cr, yt,;. very much. Thank you.
60
FEB 91978
K-7,: v-,' ^ •�.�_(.�t YiAlt`L .T CLINIC PEf_NST 1.is o i{r:Nt.i. FUNDING ! Ec ..`'t' Y 1 ili.r t Vi<
CcOY i GROVE : A`f:I .tr �.l��IC. .
Mayer : t:ri _.. Mr. Cilar ie e Jackson, Cci_or:... Greve Family C3 i:,lw..
Mr. Charles, Jackson: Mr. Mayor, members of the City cf Miami Commission, the
nature of my being here: is the harrying over from the City of Miami resolution
with res;-'ect to Revenue Sharing Funds approximately two Commission Meetings ago.
Before I get into that I would like to thane: the Mayor himself for allowing us
the opportunity approximately three years ago, Mr. Mayor, to get in contact with
Mr. Mark Israel in Was11ingtoe, of course, we have done so over the period of
years with respect t', the availability of funds. The Coconut :Drove Family Clinic
as you know i i the only hualtn center thae provides services to residents based
on their ability to pa',.' between here aria .iack.;on eosei.tal. The distance between
here arid Jeek 3n Elospieel dependent upon which route you take is approximately
15 miles which tales e eatient approximately an hour and a half to get there.
Over the errod of ye -re and because cf the concern of this by the City of Miami
the community at large particularly the City of Miami we at the Coconut ;.rove
aI mily health Cl in e have been able to help alleviate medical problems and acute
medical problems and we are attempting to continue to dog so. In Septetber of
psis year we comwool:' tt:d to the Community Aft -airs Department indicotir:e the needs
the:. we hrd tc. maintaie eervicee at our current level. Personnel in the partic-
ular < eeartnent ieeleate- : that health services and our Elderly peoples service
are the rrioritiee for the City of Miami and that they will give our apelication
zhe ereeer evaluation and, of course, our program. In October we communicated
tc persoi net indicating that we are also receiving funds from the county on a
met;:r.i. , basis based or the County resolution in 1975 and that in order to main-
tain teen . fund: from the county thee we respectfully requested them to evaluate
our i rog: am based e: eeieritiee a' wbice time personnel indicated that they could
fund us ae that partieu:ar time at _he level that we were funded last year. Ir,
the shin e of N;:vt crier personnel indicatee t0 u s, first of all we indicated
pereeen e . Our mo'ee aeeete concern tveaust 1 f we did not receive matching funds
and adhit.;::. 1 fend we'd have to curtail services which means that we'd have to
ia' off aeether full time do::tor, a nurse in personnel, etc. Personnel within the
City ef Miami department indicated that they y weren't able to recommend us an addi-
_icne:. iecrt=a _ ie our budget. During that period of time until the eleventh-ane-
a- ialo - our of tee day of the Commission Meeting, I say the eleventh-arid-a-hai -
hour because ..f:ey prier to the Commission Meeting of Revenue Sharing, personnel
of the City of .;iam.. indicated that evening that our budget would be asked what
they are recommending aed that was it. Approximately five minutes prior to our
administration presentation we were informed that our budget would be curtailed,
would be cut. The eaturc of our presentation, Mr. Mayor and members of the Com-
mission, is again to reiterate and to express to you all facts, there is no ques-
tion about it, an acute need on our part to receive additional funds and by golly
if we didn't need those dollars and cents I would not be here and constantly com-
municating with you and corresponding concerning that need. We are requesting,
the board of directors and the commu.._ty a:. large that you all will respectfully
reconsider the additional dollars that were recommended initially by administra-
tion here that the City of Miami Community Affairs Department. Thank you.
Mrs. :.or:on: Mr. Grassie, when we were discussing these agenda items and this
item was the sineect of our discussion you told me you would check out certain
Information and then make a recommendation. What is your recommendation on this
item?
!ar. Gras_,it; well, if I remember the question that we were talking about, Commis-
sioner, was whether or not there might be some money available from basically the
Dallas Park fund.
Mrs. r'..:rc'_on:: No. The question that you and I were talking about was with regard
lee regeeet, anc this was a broader statement of your type of investigation where
aeee iee receive funding from mnre than one source whether, in fact, you would by
your cheek find if these moneys were needed. Maybe you haven't gotten to that yet.
Mr. :,rays e: O'., axe you talking about this, the request here being matched by
other eeeele?
s'''il .:. • rdon: No. We discussed the fact that a cumber Of our non-profit agencies
receive funde frazre a variety of sources. When we receive a request for funding,
we were talking not only of this agency but we were talking about other requests
that are going to come before us today for some other moneys, whether or not they,
in fact had to need, they really needed these dollars in ord r to survive and you
were going to be able to get that information by researching heir other funding
sources.
F E B $1978
Mr. (grass[' :
anal; .
,,),.r':; to have to ter.}: .:r. Horne he
Mr. iOhrh" Horne. • ,�`�. ( +r�I-.n, _ we're 'I 'ier:'1 it e .. rant now ..if putt-
.....
in; together a report for the commi:iori and ;:7 ��::i'r+` to y iu at the
Grassie to
next_ Comrtii ;iuri Meeting regarding the legislaticn that was ,issed at the last
meeting and question: that were railed regardi r. those programs that needed addi-
tional funds.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. Well all right, I'm (going to ,peak to this particular program
from my own knowledge, and I car: speak to it because I'm on the Health Systems
Agency and from that board that 1 sit on the Health Systems Agency objectives are
to spread primary cart away from Jackson Hospital and the two areas that they
recor:Imenat:d was one this one, and the other one was up in the northwest Section
where there is a severe need for primary :are. This 1s to cut down On the load
of .indigent patient: that hav to have primary care so it comes secondaiy care or
whatever. I will move to approve this one Even though you don't have all the data
but the procedure I would expect that we will follow in the future.
Mr. iiu.:,.ne_r: I second the motion.
Mr. `;rassn e: Well just for clarification, what is it that we're approving?
Mrs. 7,cr en: The request is for the allocation as recommended by the dt=e:rt.mo:'t
originally, is that correct?
M:. Jac!:sr:h: Thc;;, i::: correct and a matter of fact the department, Mr. Horne has
1,..iica ci. I don't neces_ar'i1y like names, Mr. Horne indicated to me at the e:_lev-
er:th-dne -a-half-hour, also indicated that it was a typographical error en the sheet
441. that you had, which you -asked the question, Commissioner Gordon, in respect to the
center. therefore_', those dollars should be subtracted. I think if you check the
record you will find that c.ertainly it was no typographical error. This was com-
municated to me oh an on-i c.`i; _ basis fro :l: October through the day of the Commission
Meeting and hat is what i'rrt specifically addressing myself to.
Mrs. Gordmn:
That la specifically why we moved this motion.
..... Horne: Mrs. icrfion, if I May, since Mr. Jackson refers to the record 1 would
also like to refer tc the record and point out to you that on each occasion when
I was before the cc..,.nissicel; and made presentations regarding Federal Revenue Shar-
ing I explicitly pointed cut that we were nolding all agencies that were being
recommended for funding to the 1976-77 budgetary levels because of the amount of
:moneys we had to expend. I also pointed out to you at that time as I pointed out
to you today that we're in the process of preparing a report that would indicate
to the commission and Mr. Grassie where we are in terms of finding the excess mon-
eys that were needed to cover legislation that has already been passed.
Mrs. Gordon: I understand, and I know that we do have some remedies. However, I
said before and I say again this is not an ordina--v Snciai Service Program, this
is a primary health care center which has been approved by the governing body that
governs and makes recommendations for health care in this entire region and for
this reason I moved the motion.
`.r. Re o.;o: Do we have the money?
Mr. Grassie: No, we do not have any identified money at this point and you know
we're really not in a position to make a motion to approve the expenditure unless
we know where the money is coming from.
Mayor Ferro: Well it is against the Charter.
AL-. F'lummor: Well, I thin;. I understood Mrs. Rose Gordon to say that we, the Com-
mission in princ•�I'le endorse this project and we think it is a good project and
we want you, Mr. Manager tc come back and tell us how it can be funded.
Mr*. . Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: That's what you said wa5r,'t it Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: Like the S;1'50,000 Contingency.
Mr. Plummer: I thought that's what you said, Rose,
Mr. Grassie: And if it can be funded.
62 FEB y 1978
Mayor Ferro: It's a statement of p:incipa_ that if you can :irid th.s mjnwi w
feel it shcul,i be funded, if you car, fine and if you can't come back to this Com-
mission and tell us.
Mt. Plummer: Well, Mr. Reboso, let i:1u clarify somet:.i.r:that maybe Rose didn't
get across. 1 don't look at this particular prograr it the `,am'' sense as 1 do in
the normal social programs which this City puts on. For every dollar that this
clinic loses they loge two because it is matching funds from the County. This,
in fact, is an arm of Jackson Hospital which they can't afford to fund to supply
our people with the need of the community. F o I am not saying nor am I intending
that this money shoal ] necessarily come from . ocia l Service Programs of Federal
ReVe„ue Sharing. I think it is important enough and I might recall my two prirary
concerns as 1 said to all of you before w stilted (1) take care of the: sick and
elderly, (2) feed the hungry and everything else we'll talk about. This comes
under 41 in J. L.'s took. so that's just comments for the record.
Mrs. Gordon: i agree with you on the #1, the health care of our citizens is prob-
ably ore of the most important things that: we can do if we do nothing else 1s
help them from beinsick ar.d this is a nrcVentivc care type of program.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-98
A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INVESTIGATE FUNDING
SOURCES TO REINSTATEREINETATE THE ORIGINAL ALLOCATION FOP COCONUT
GROVE FAMILY Y CLINIC IN THE AMOUNT OF S130, 000 FRO.'. FEDERAL
REVENUE SHARING FUNDS, AS ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE
DEPARTMENT.
pon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
ad:rted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
`.'ice -Mayor Manoio Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
25. DIRECT CITY MANAGbi: TO SEE THAT HEALTH RECORDS REMOVED FROM DAY CARE
CENTERS DURD C AUDIT PROCEDURES ARE R NED .
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, may I bring up a short thing because I don't think there
c„hula he are' cnntr.oversv? Mr. Grassie, I was approached during the recess and e_.
(110 in the acquisition of records of the Day Care Centers - this will be quick but
you've got to do it now or these pco7 ..7n't get it back, Mr. Mayor - they also
acquired health records which I can see of no reason for that to be part of an
audit and I would like the assurance that those r^cords will be returned today to
the Day Cares so that these parents can avail themselves of those records. I
think you know what I'm saying and I ask you to follow through.
Mr. Grassie: Sure. My understanding from the staff person who is responsible
for that is that they did not take the health records but in any event, Commis-
sioner we'll...
Mr. Plummer: Well since there is controversy I know that you'll follow through
on it.
Mr. Grassie: Weil make sure that they are available.
Mr. Flulnmer: Thank you.
63
FEB $1978
26 . GRANT P,FQ' ', ST OF ' DE COUNTY C' NC Ti . Of ART; AND J E. C. I ENCES FOR DONATION
POP '11if: " i\i i ; TO CULTURE" L.YL' 'T'S
. :.tr rteas, et:, 41. . , ;iq .i an Ll'
r1`f";ilf!^,e:in7 ti dona'..i(;n 'C' asain,. '.. Lf nm at, "o:Int. "`'. nai' or iAr'.a.
Mu . Philip D. Gibers+or,: Mr. Mayer and commis'_-io.' , r_ , 11 think you, it is m1' pleas-
ure to appear before you today or: behalf of the Cultural Executives Council of the
Dade County Council of Arts and Selene s and largely and globaly the salute to
culture. I believe Sou had a package: delivered to you that outlined in broad
terms, this was a media package that we r•: epared describing Salute to Culture con-
ceptually, how it was going to operate a;;I what it was going to consist of this
year. This is the aelcOn1 annual Salute to Culture in Metropolitan Dade County.
wc_ ar ".led ef yi :ud ct this bumper sticker which heralds: the fact that we believe
Miami is more than jest sunshine, it is the arts and sciences too. The idea for
Salute, to Culture was bora a little over twc years ago amongst a group of people
who got fed u' ;with hearing that there was nothing to do in Miami and Miami was a
:ulteral. wasteland. So we set about a year and a half ago to conceptualize and
impie::i_r t'. the first ::elute to Culture, it operated at a budget level of apt,rox1m'-
... ' _e This year our total budget, and the budget incidentally is
aeaei : a .7oe ire.iree prodr ar:S , tree culture' events _ that we have generated dur in:
the January le tc Fe'c'rUary 1`' time period offering up to the genera: public at
1eeat ana ail evet the city cultural eventt that would give them the opportunity
t; avail the'maelve , of an experience that was maybe new to them. The Dade County
of Ake_ and Sciences has undertaken the fundraising to offset the coat-i
asaeeeated with
programs and there has beer, will be over by the env or the
nat Grove Arts Festival on February 19th, have been over 36 free public events..
:aeeed all ever tee county during this time period. I would like to point out
we :i'...'t duC 11c a'.c because cf the massive nature •?f the information but we created
_ :t: rc x::rutel., te:e: ty eorgies of a master calendar of all cultural events previously
e:Ie?.i'v.4 :: by all cultural institutions of all sizes and locations in the county.
:nere were previcesly scheduled over 30:. events taking place January 16 to February
..a:' .. think Salett'_ to Culture has accomplished among other things putting to
rent fer'ever that .;13:'.',i is a cultural wasteland and there is nothing to do. My
reaucat, my reason: for appearing before you today is to solicit from the City of
Miami a donation te Salute to Culture to help defray over $23,000 worth of program -
min: . uri,..g this time period and I believe 1 will stop my remarks there and receive
a.. , ..tioaa that you may have re:gardiric; this proposal.
Mre. ;urdon: What are you asking us for?
Mr. Giberson: Two thousand dollars.
Mre. Gordon: And you have programs that are taking place in the City of Miami?
Mr. _iberson: Yes, ma'am, we have nc.. wig.;: the cooperation of Antonin^ Lisazo,
we tried to relocate events around the county to take events out of their neighbor-
hood; and into other locations. A play by Grupo aeoreteo which was staged down-
town late this fall in the Miami -Dade Downtown. Campus and the concept for the show
en espanci was that it was going to take place in a boxing ring. Well, I called
Dr. Lisazo and I said, "Could we move it into the Golden Gloves Boxing Ring and
offer it as a free event during Salute to Culture?" which we did. There was a
j:::et concert by Fasion and Pace in Gusman Hall that was attended by over 1,200
people ar.d I stood in the lobby and shook their hands and it was fun to see a
rest montage of Miami and Miamians coming out to have a cultural experience that
was free.
Mayor :'erre: Mx. Giberson, I think that this city is obviously interested and has
Lh:y.-e', tremendous interest in culture and we spent tremendous sums of money and
W; were over that a little bit this mornir. . I would, of course, before and I
w..11 1.es:o.tnizc you for the motion in a moment, Rose, but I would like to have the
.a'zeir.i: trot _ a 's position on this and we have our own Cultural Departments, I'm
sere: they've looked into it, I want to :rake sure that it doesn't conflict with any-
t. leg that they might have.
Mt. Gibet:.;on! Fine:.
Mt. olassie: rie have a ;uality of Life Fund which you budget: specifically for
ttri .;art of thing. There is enough money and we would recommend it, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Fer:e: You would recommend it, all right.
64
FFB S1978
M.r F e they' I" .'' o e l asking f' _; r
Mrs. Gordon,: I retiec is less thar of your budget.
Mr. Gibers5r:: Yea"., ml'ar
The following motion was introduced by Co=',issioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 7e-99
A MOTION APPR )VING 1 REQUEST FO7 =ZING IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,00e FROM THE QUALITY OF LIVE EUN,e TO ASSIST THE CULTURAL
EXECUTIVE IVE COUNCIL AND TEE LADE COUNTY COUNCIL OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES FOR "SALUTE TO CULTURE.'
Upon bein:r seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion Was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose cordon
Commissioner 3. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
Mr. r fiber :or,: Thank you very much.
27. PERSGNAL APPEARANCE BY CO!TiL ITS: CULTURAL LEADERS WITH REFERENCE '
THE AMENDMENT OF ORDINANCES 8227 AND 8353 - CULTURAL ARTS COMXIT L: .
Mayor Ferro: Take up) item 417. This is on the Cultural Arts Committee, it's in
your racket. 'fir. ; aw'ey, we're '":spry to see you '":ere to71Lt1 "hat car. we ':4o for
you, sir.
,fir. Charles Harrison Fawley: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, I'm Charles Harrison rawlev
I'm an architect, I'm also the President of the South Florida Chapter of the Amer-
ican Institute of Architects. I'm here in favor of this proposed ordinance and
I've been asked to spear: on it because the South Florida Chapter is one of the
three groups that wouold be on the three member panel. I'd like to say that...
Mayor Ferre: Wnat ordinance number is this going to be?
Mr. Grassie: I believe they're speaking to Item 24, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferro: it's Item #17 but it is in reference to 24.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, can we take them .`.her?
Mayor Ferro: Yes, I think we can do it but I jest wanted tel refer to it in your
packet as to what we're talking about. I'm sorry, go ahead.
Mr. Pawiey: I wanted to comment that I want to thank whoever put together this
ordinance because I think it is a very fine idea and I'll tell you why and also
whoever wrote it because I can understand it and that's a little rare. I want to
comment about several things. It says in the ordinance, "highly competent in eval-
uating sculpture, painting, artistic and structural design" and then they also say
"to be able to integrate that into public spaces". What you have asked is that
you have people from the Cultural Executive Council from the American Institute of
Architects and from the Dade County Council of Arts to put together a panel that
would pit ten people that are qualified to do this. I think the people that would
core from those three organizations would be highly qualified to pick the ten peo-
pIt still leaves in the hands of the City Commission the option to pick five
from those ten so you have not lost the option to pick the people but what it has
done for you is taken away the I think unfair responsibility of having you have to
go out on your own into the community and say, "Now who is really going to be good
at this:" You've got people who are highly qualified that can tell you that and
then you still get to pick from that group. I think that is a tremendous advant-
age to the City Commission: and I think an advantage to the community. Really
other than that I think that is how clear it is. You've got a three man committee
from these very qualified people, you have the ten men that you can pick five when I say men it's meh, women, whoever is qualified - and I would like very much
to say that we are in favor of this. We think it is a fine idea. Thank you. Are
there any questions?
65 F E B 91978
i
Mayor Fero_': Than you very mach, Mr. ?awitty. 1 completely agree with your
statement, 1 think we're dealing ir. ar area which is Very c:eilc3te and I hints:
heuq' t
we need to have professionalism and i even r:_ J-.:'. 1 studied architecture and am a
graduate of the University of Miami do not feel myself quilt:iec in this field
even though I think I do have some knowledge of it and I completely subscribe to
doing it in a profe. slonai way and getting professionals to recommend and then WE:'
would choose and that way we would get away from the area of perhaps choosing peo-
ple that nerhal:s shouldn't. servo oi; these comet ttee_: .
Mr. Pawleys I would like to say one more Chit.;, Mayor, if 1 can. We feel that
there are many qualified people in this area that could be on this committee.
Mayor Ferro: That's correct.
Mr. Fawley: Anti we: also feel that there will be people frorr all segments of life
tat we can pick from.In other words we're tilling about Cubans or blacksor
women or an'. yroue se they would be highly recommended.
Mayor Ferre: I see Lester Pancoast is a1:o up and I know that he's had personal
experience in this field and I would be curious to know, and I see that you are
one of the speakers ..ere., you're the next speaker on this list. Perhaps we could
get :our opinion at thin point. Thank you, Mr. Fawley.
Mr. Nester Pancoast: Nr. Mayor and Commissioners, my opinion is exactly the same
as Mr. Pawleyle. I think it is interesting that ae item that was up a few minutes
ago, this possible shelters advertising thing that is going to appear all over
this city could be balanced not only to practical review and economic review but
also: to review as art objects by a structure of people exactly like this. Thank
Mayor tc_re: Ahrn,,r:. Mrs. Peggy Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, we want tc congratulate you,
we're very proud of your new assignment as Fine Ares Chairman for the State of
. ':or1 i. We're proud of your past contributions and look forward to your many
future ecao ibltiun ..
Mrs. Peggy Hurt: Thank you very much, Mayor. I want to thank the City of Miami
for being so genEercu : and understanding with the Cultural community. I too sup-
port the i.rcposcd ordinance?, I think it is a very valid one. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: We ha•'c 'X,r. Phil Giberson.
Mr. Phil Giberson: Hello again, I would simi•1y like to second the remarks of Mr.
Fawley, Mr.. Pancoast. It seems to me that this proposed amendment addresses it-
self to some specific problems in the ordinance as it presently stands. It lends
professionalism and continuity to the on -going process and I endorse it 1000.'
Mayor Ferre: Good for you. Thank voe, Mr. Giberson. Mr. Frank Cooper, we wel-
come you to our community, Mr. Cooper, we look forward to having many great results
come out of your deliberations and your participation.
Mr. Frank Cooper: Thank you, sir. I am delighted to be here on behalf of the
Dade County Arts and Sciences in support of these changes to ordinances 8227 and
6353. We feel that the amendment as written here coffers the greatest possible
opportunity to relieve this present body of some of the more delicate problems in-
volved with art in public places and we are from tae Dade County Council of Arts
and Sciences behind this amendment 100% and quite willing to cooperate in any way
that we can to serve as one of the three organizations which might be involved if
this amendment is adopted to help you carry out this project. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, sir. Jean, do you want to give us your good advice?
Ms. Jean Johnson: I just wish to say I'm Jean Johnson, manager of the Fine Arts
1.) f::lrunent of Southeast Banking Corpc.ratior, and as a representative of the business
community that supports visual and performing arts I wish to support the new
amendment to tht. City of Miami ordinance which will put the selection of art for
the City of Miami in the hands of recommended qualified civic minded citizens with
a cultural arts background.
Mayor Ferre: All right, thank you very much. Are there any other speakers at
this time? All right
Mr, gt w..l t borovay: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I'm Srewart borovay, former
member of this advisory council. I have addressed this council on the premise
that you have an ordinance on the books which worked very effectively, has produced
6 FEB 1978
yak
4IP
resn's, aehieved this purpose and I in't unee.Istang the hestitancy of the
council in dccerting the respoesibility tnfy Ie initially proi)osing
anC enae:ie; tee oraeln,inee, making a sele-tioe aed having effective results. Why
disaesociate yourself from that responsileaiity when you e:feetively did it? You
have it on the books, it can work, it has worked and I don't understand why you
cannot continue with this. 1 think the inference is that what has been done has
not been successful or not acceptable. I ask t..oe ordinance be retained.
Mayor Ferre: Thank ycu very nuCh. Next speaker.
Ms. Nora Swan! T just wanted te say too that his commission has seen fit to set
uo an ordinanee and to chose a certain committee that they telt were knowledgeable,
respoheihie people and receptive to what is oolng on in this city as far as art
in public buiidiro I feel that tha7. has worked very deligently and 7
dhn't feel that thete is any reason to have to go to Dade County or anywhere else
to look for help. I think the city cando it within its ot..en circle. I don't see
wrong, 1 think Dade County is doing a great job and I think that they are very
well oreanized but I think that we also can do that, I don't see like even this
morning wleen we were asked to give over to the Dade County Arts Council the respoe-
sibility of ehoosine the type or architecture that we need. I think that what we
nee is a group right here which we have set up. It should be expanded, certainly.
we -,0uld take in more people. We now have on the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee
twc architects, Kenneth Troister and George Kooley and they are certainly qualif-
ied archtects. We have people who are very knowledgeable in the arts, we have
who have worked for this community and have worked very deligently and have
been very very interested in what is going on here in this community and how it
de'eelope culturally and 7 think that that should be the nucleus of whatever expan-
si.00 you expect to have. I do not feel that that committee should be cast. aside
completely and start with something else from an outside source.
Mayoo Ferre: All righe, thank you very much. Yes?
Mr. Ray my name is Ray Hanley, I'm managing director of Fusion Dance Com-
: euoport the change in the ordinance because I believe what we are talk-
.Dr.;.:t is an effective use of public funds. What we hope to achieve is have
prcfFhional input as was said before, the Commission still has the final selection
l'.1tc,cs. So simnly what we're saying is we need to get professionals before the
cOmmission for the commission to chose from so that they can most effectively use
th.? money. There has been controversy over this money in the past and we feel that
this process will help by giving public input in that the public, the professional •
rtist public, will have an input into what happens. I think it will save money
and time for the commission.
Mayor Ferro: All right, sir, thank you.
Ms. Virginia Miller: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I am Virginia Miller
and I own Virginia Miller Generics -- 0-Timodore Plaza. I would urge you to
adopt the amendment because I feel that it is the best way and most equitable way
of securing the best art to be put in front of vIr buildings of Miami. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any other speakers at this time on this item? If not, I
am not open for comments from members of the commission.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I can see some merit in a panel approach but I also see
some problems with the ordinance as it is drafted. The ordinance as is drafted
could very well preclude some very fine and talented people unknown to the panel
from ever being able to serve. If it is the desire of this Commission to adopt
an ordinance and set up a panel at all then the wording of the ordinance should
be amended under paragraph (a) to read may instead of shall and further to say
that nothing prohibits the commission from making nominations other than those
re-e'Jmnendd by the panel. In that way the commission has the best of two worlds.
I would move it that way with the amendment.
Mavor Ferre: Rose, I would recognize you in a moment but I would not want to
preclud‘..• the other members of the commission from expressing their opinions and
the71 I will recognize you for your motion to get a second. Are there any other
members of the commission that wish to express an opinon at this time?
Mx. Plummer: ...express my second to Mrs. Gordon's motion.
Mayor Ferre: Ali right. Are there any other members of the commission that wish
to express an opinion? I would like to urge that we not adapt the proposed mot-
ion, substitute motion and T would like to explain '- I'm talking about the may
1
67
FEB 9 1978
rather than the shall. Isn't that what you just made as a motion?
Mrs. Gordon: I lust wanted to say it's an ordinance.
Mayor Ferre: Excuse me, an ordinance. I would like to express my opinion against
that motion and I want to explain My reasoning. We have a eeocedure in the City
of Miami for the selection of architects, for example, and in that procedure a
panel of experts review the various xualifications and select and recommend to the
commission and then the commission votes, we recently did it in the selection of
an architectural firm to do, for example, the City Administration Building. Now,
even though I, for example, voted in the minority position I feel very comfortable
about the fact because I know that the three recommended finalists from, which we
picked one were all qualified to do the job. So you know I expressed my opinion
and I was in the minority but I know that the selection process was done with a
great deal of thought and I think that I have no qualms about the selection process
tat has been used .in the past excert that I think there is a better way of doing
it. I think that I'm not as qualified to select expertise in art as people who
live in that world. If, for example, we were choosing as to who is going to be
the next t,ishop of the Episcopal Church in this community I would certainly nc)t co
and ask people who are outside of the knowledgeable, and you know being a bishop
of a dio ese is rapt an easy task. If I were to select who is to be the next chair-
man fat tee Medical Sobooi, the Department of Medicine it doesn't mean that I know
somet:in'; about medicine but I certainly would not go to the general public to try
to find cut who should be the next chairman of the School of Medecine of the Univer
sity of Miami. If, for exanpie, there was a selection process to choose the Dean
of the School of Law, now T. serve on the Board of Trustees of the University of
Miami, I wasn't involved in that process. I know a little bit about the law but I
don't think that I'm qualified to really select who the next Dean of the School of
Law is. So 1 think that you know there is a process in which, Father, the i-port-
aet thine: le that a group of professionals are going to recommend ten. Now I think
what I would ecceot is that: if we don't like the ten we can say look, we don't like
tncs.: tee, come back with another ten.
Mrs. _ordee: Nothing le this ordinance would permit you to do that as it's drafted.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Manor, let me ask a question. What Rose is saying is she does
not want to have the Commission procludee fro:, say offering the name of someone.
What is wrong with having those three organizations so qualified and let them be
the depository fur any and all names so that if we... So if we finally want to
nominate John and don't know that John isn't qualified those people would know
that John isn't qualified and they would have to say to us John isn't qualified.
Mayor Ferro: I accept that.
Mrs. Gordon: Father Gibson, it would seem to me that if the panel is making the
.• nomination and ever. though the ordinance wording shall is changed to may which
makes it more permissive for the c(,Ir:Iiie`-'on to make a nomination it would have tc
require a majority of this commission to accept that nomination in order for it
to replace any one of those ten that were nominated by the panel. The chances_ of
it happening are very slim but I still feel the option belongs with the elected
officials of this city. We were elected by the people and we have to have the guts
to stand up and accept that rsponsibility and be able at least to have the option:
of making nomination if we felt we had a person qualified to do so.
Mayor Ferre: How come we don't do that in selecting architects, Mrs. Gordon?
Mrs. Gordon: Maybe it's a good idea. T don't know how the ordinance reads, Mr.
Mayor, with regard to the architectural selection, I'm not sure I've never checked
into it and it has never come to us as an amendment at least not since I've been
on this commission.
Mevor Ferre: Look, I'm going to tell you, and I don't want to hurt anybody's feel-
ings, bet I am not into -rested in political patronage in something of this nature.
A. far a:. I'm concerr:ed I'm for the quality selection of art and I don't need to
have any political patronage. I want to go to experts and have them recommend ten
and I think I've got plenty of right to choose rive out of those ten.
Rev. Gibson.: mr. Maya. , I understand what you're saying and I'm with that. I
would hope that we could word the ordinance so that the commission may or shall or
can nominate and give the names to those people. You know that don't bother me,
Mrs. Gordon: Why don't we defer this item and let the ordinance be redrafted to
meet the intent of - Father Gibson is saying what I'm saying. And there is a mo-
tion on the floor, Mr.Mayor, and it doe; have a second. You can call for a vote.
68 FEB S1978
Mayor Ferri•. Al_. right, do you want me to call it. Jo you wait me to Caji it?
Mr. Piumrner?
Mrs. Gordon: I would repeat the amendment so that those. , . The amendments are
in paragraph (a) if you'll get your copy. The word is may instead of shall.
Mayor Ferre: All right, there is a rnotion and a second. Is there further discus-
sion? You know every time something, doesn't co one way then we've got to put it
off and delay it and all that stuff. I'm ready to vote today.
Mr. Plummer: I am too.
Thereupon the City Attorney read the proe ordinance into the record.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, 1 want to have ?e bt.st of two worlds. I think that if
a Commissioner knows a person: who he or she thinks is qualified then he might. nom-
inate that person and it doesn't mean that that nomination will go to that committee
and if that committee knocks that guy cut of the ball game because he isn't qual-
ified he's knocked cut. That's what I'm talking about.
Mayor Ferre: 1 will second that motion.
Rev. Gibson: Well all right, how do I do it? You tell me, counsel, you tell me
how to Jo i t .
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Knox, do you want to give us an answer to that?
Rev. Gihsor.: What I want to do, counsel, is I want to have the right as a commis-
sioner to nominate John Doe and turn that name over to the qualifying committee.
That's all I'm saying.
Mrs. Gordon: May I add the word, Father Gibson, I have the balance of the words,
which you wish to have in here. The two words shall to may and nothing prohibits
the co%..ili_.i0n from .making nominations ether than those recommended by the panel,
these noes shall be giver; to the panel... I'm trying to help you, Father to get
the wording into it.
Mayor Ferre: Boy, the way you help is really something.
Rev. Gibson: But I don't want us, let me give the spirit of it. I don't want us
to be the determining factor, I don't want us setting qualifications. I want to
have the right if I know Johr. Doe who lives on 6th Avenue and 21st Terrace to
nominate him, give him to those people and say, "Look man, you go check that guy
out" and if that guy doesn't qualify knock him out.
Mayor Ferre: Father, may I recommend that the way to do that, with all due re-
spects, is to vote against this subs*itute motion and then make your motion, I
think I have the sense of it and I'll be happy to make it or I'll be happy to
second the motion. I know what you're trying to do and I accept it. I would vote
with that amendment. I cannot vote with this amendment that Rose is proosing be-
cause it changes the whole guts of what we're trying to achieve here.
Mrs. Gordon: What Father Gibson wishes to achieve, what I wish to achieve, Mr.
Mayor, is not being destroyed in the way you're saying it is, not at all. In fact,
it is exactly what we want to achieve. We want to be able to make additional recom-
mendations. Ok? Father wants the panel to research those people and see if they
have the proper degrees. Fine.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon, your motion guts the intent by changing the word shall
to may. secondly, what you are saying is not what Father Gibson is saying. What
father,Gibson is saying is that this commission wants the right, and I agree with
that, to submit names that shall be considered by the committee when it, as it
operates, the three board committee. I agree with that. What you are trying to
do .s to say that we can ^ircumvent the recommendations of the committee by select-
ing people of our own. That, is political patronage. I am not interested and I
Will vc;te against that. Now you know we can all do whatever we want, I think we've
gone through this enough now.
Mr. Plummer: Well, let me tell you where I've got a problem because maybe I've
got a third problem. Mr. Mayor, my problem is, let me tell you what I'm in favor
of and then you tell me where I'm either in or out. I want this committee to re-
view all applications whether there's five within the Committee or they are spore-
scored by this commission or the public at large wish to make recommendations.
Where I find the problem is that binding this commission to the ten names in which
they proffer. Now, what I'm saying is that this commission would do well to try
and limit itself to those ten names and pick five but I don't think that we can
FEB 1978
or we Sl J'_i i.J l:_ ; C rail by that rioommk ndat
Mayor Terre: agree with that too. ... hit. that's very different. It is sub-
itartt ial ly different. Let me tel 1 you now t.h" -reeia er;',: i a V .7ommittee on Selec-
tion of Ambassadors resor rnr.'nde to the Presi ge t five to six names for a notinr3-
tion. The President on os asiar. has cent t}:C'.ri back to un and said, "hook, I
don't accept these now you give me six more." T,nd you know what '.c'ye done, We
have taken throe off and sent him back six ter( with three of th. old nar`.es and
three names and then he accepts that.
M_rs. Gordon: 'cc....rg in here :3%i',•c[ that, ttr. Mayor. Nothing at all in this ordin-
ance reads what vcu re saying
Mayor Per. re : If you will give me the opportunity I think we can word that prop-
erly.
Mrs. Gordon: That's wh•, 1 asked you to let it go to the next meeting and word it
properly.
Mayor Terre: i?e: a'.lse we keep p putting things off and I think it could be done
right h •. r e
Rev. Gibson:
take, time and you word i. t .
Mrs. Gordon: All right, then let's take it in its proper sequence, we're on num-
ber 17 iot's tke r rber 18.
Kr. Plummer: Eighteen?
v. Mrs. ordoe: Yes, that w a . 17 that we just stepped up.
Mayo Y" Ferro: Rose, don't be Glenn about it, you're not oing to make all these
people wait now....
Mr.,.Gordon: No, Maurjct', vcu .are
Mayor 1 uric: Look, the matter is very simple, lust vote on it. There is a motion
_r: the flocs. I would offer a substitute motion, I think that is the simplest
way .-.f .orrectirq this whole thin;. The substitute motion would have a Section
d) tha`. would read as follows, Mr. Knox, and would somebody write this now so
we can read it back to Father Gibson: The Miami City Commission may recommend
names to the Selection Committee; the Selection Committee will analyze all inter-
ested submissions before making final recommendations. If the City of Miami Com-
mission is not satisfied with one or all of the recommendations and selects less
than five the committee will resubmit names for the Commission's final consider-
ation. Now does that cover it?
Mx. Plummer: It covers it as far as I'm concerned.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm not satisfied with it, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Plummer: It is as far as I'm concerned, it accomplishes the same end and
that's what we're interested in.
Mrs. :Gordon: But J. L., if you read this it is the way paragraph (a) is worded -
.t is mandatory and if you have that actually you have a conflict between the two.
IL is ambiguous ' Y:eri.
Mr. Plummer: Well Rose, I agree with you but. I don't see any disagreement with
wr.a the Mayor has worded. It still accomplishes the bottom line which we want
mt s . Gordon: Well, I think there is an ambiguity there between A and D and I feel
that w,. can come up with a proper wording if we weren't in such haste and I think
Mx. Knox, we pay him well and he can come up with a good wording that will satis-
fy as. all. Obviously we're nor that far apart but we are somewhat apart and I
think for the saki: or. harmony, Mr. Mayor, you ought to be willing to let it be
done that way.
Mayor Fer:re: Mr. Pancoast, Mr. Pawley, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Borovay, those of you that
ai-e in the art world, did you understand the sense of the substitute motion that I
made? Do you agree with it? Does anybody disagree with it? Mx, Clerk, would
you read back for the commission the wording of the substitute motion .,..
FEB 91978
Mr. Plummer: 1.1X. Mayor, may I save sprat time or try tc? Mr. Mayer, may I sug-
gest to you that we all understand that we pass it this way and between now and
the second reading the City Attorney clean up any language that has to be cleaned
up, any ambiguities that flight exist, any problems, let's do it that way. Why
sit here and hassle all day? As you recommended it.
Mayor Terre: Would you read back Item D then?
Mr. Ongie: The substitute motion?
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Ongie: The Miami City Commission may recommend names to the Selection Commit-
tee and the Selection Committee will analyze all interested submissions before
making any final recommendations. If the City Commission is not satisfied with
one or all recommendations and selects less than five the committee will resubmit
names for the commission for final consideration.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, Mr. Knox, you heard it and in the contest of the ordinance you
have drafted is there an ambiguity with paragraph (a)?
Mr. Knox: No, because there would be, again the City Commission would be bound
to select one of ten names but with the additional paragraph (d) any recommenda-
tion by any member of the Commission after having been reviewed by the Committee
would be a part of the ten names that you finally have to choose from. So it is
not ambiguous in that sense. ...
Mr. Plumper: You know I sit here and wonder if we can't get one per cent cf a
building which is art finished how do we ever get the building finished. ...
The following motion was introduced by Mayor Ferre who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-100
A MOTION EXPRESSING THE POLICY OF THE CITY COMMISSION THAT
THEY MAY RECOMMEND NAMES TO THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR
CULTURAL ARTS AND THAT THE SELECTION COMMITTEE WILL ANALYZE
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS' SUBMISSIONS BEFORE MAKING FINAL
RECOMMENDATIONS; FURTHER STIPULATING THAT IF THE CITY COM-
MISSION IS NOT SATISFIED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE RECOMMEND-
ATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE AND SELECTS LESS THAN A TOTAL OF
FIVE, THE COMMITTEE WILL THEN RESUBMIT ADDITIONAL NAMES TO
THE CITY COMMISSION FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
71
FEB 9197$
AN ORDII,ANCe aNelTILL-
AN ORDINANCE AMENDiNe SECTION 16.e5. '')F THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIANT, FE-0IDA, WHICH Ler;TAIJ5HEE A
CULTTieeAL ARTS Xe_T.SORar COMMIT= BY BEPEALINa 6A1E
EeCTION IN ITS EOTTRETM AND 8e:ESTITUTING THLREE0=,, \
NEW SECTION RENAmING eaID C•CMITTEE aae RY-1.TABLISH-
ING THE SAME, DEXCFIDiNe fTe3 STRIRE, MEMBERSHIO
aEECTION YR[.1,CE":e8 AND TEPMS C:e CagmTWE MEMBERSHIP,
ANn. CONTAININe A REPEALER PFnVISION AND A SEVERABIL-
ITV CEAUZF..
Was introduced Maycr I:erre and sa-ed I.y Commissioner PlumMer
and passed on its :irst reading by title by the following vote -
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferro
NOEs: N.
The Cil.y Aei.oieey read the ordinaaee iatc the euhlie :cord and announced
tbat copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
PL-SONAL APPEARS -NCI: OF REPRESENTAIIVES OF GREATER NEL-Ala HOTEL AND
MOTEL ASSOCIATION REGARDING ORDINANCES 8671 AIW 3672, AMENDMENTS TO
la FIRE CODE.
Mayor 7erre:
ru ee ikee .
Mr. Lester Moaa: ster Moss, apparihe for Bob Jackson, I didn't want to be
eiticieed fer anythinr I miant sey. I'm representing the Greater Miami Hotel
Association aed Metci Asseciatiee, gentlemen and ladies. ... Honorable Mayor,
aed Commietioa, we are very appieciative uf your concern as to the well be-
ine, lives and v,hat net of the guests of hotels or any property. We are concern-
ed with that because this is oar piimary responsibility. However, we do feel
that in passine Ordieance 6'671 ane 8672 of ehe Fire Code that there may have been
SOMQ guideliees established without giving full consideration for its effect and
poesiray lavir,q counter -productive affect. ve were concerned as hotelers with
the prohlems that would be created by door closures, it's affect: upon the secur-
itv cf our guests, its affect upon our ability to be of good service to them
not juse casually but important service. We find no question or problem with the
fact that the commission recommended a solid core door. This is probably the
most expensive part of the Code that we might consider but we feel that this is
necessary and important and we want to protect our guests. However, the door
closures do pase another problem. They pose a problem which could be very irjet-
ioes to our guests and to p.Jcpl.si oc buildings. As a matter of fact, two
of the folks who came down who we acquieed :or their expertise, Mrs. Florence
Fox was appointed by Governor Askew to head up- ,7'ivision of Physically Handi-
capped is here and Mr. Jack Mc Dohough, President of the Coral Gables Chamber of
Commerce is also here as experts in this field and when I apologized to them
for the delay they said, "Well, if we can save one life our time is well spent".
Gentlemen, I eodld go on with many things, the smaller objections we might have.
One I would point out if I might, what do we do with the door closures in the
event ef a fire and there is a penic in the room with two children and the par-
ent in seeking to determine whether or not that fire is close by leaves the room,
the doer closes and there are two children in that room?
Mayor Ferre: ?..r. Moss, in the interest of time I think you might have a valid
po:ni here. Is there any way, gr. Manager, that we can get the Fire Marshall
aea pethaps...
Mr. areasie: Cbiet Ed Fioli is here to answer any questions or to respond to
Mr. Mosti' pornts if yoki win
Mayer Ferre: Mr. goes, rather than go throaan right at this point perhaps
miqh' be more frittul ii Mr. Moss cax et together with the Fire.Department
aed then it we eae't eume to any kind ot e....
Mr. Moss: Mr. Mayor, with all due r-epcct, considerable time was spent in this
roam over the weddina of al, ordiaance, I thiak that we have invited two experts
who have sat here since 2:3a, I think they should be heard, sir as a courtesy
to them.
72
FEB V1978
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Mus`;where are yo`.'+r two expert;'
Mr. mass: Mrs. Florence Fox who is the need, as appointed by Governor Askew of
the Division for the Physically Handicae;;ed.
Mayor Ferre: Well, we all know Mrs. Fox and we're all very proud of Mrs. Fox.
She is an old friend of every member of this commission. By old, 1 mean in time
not in years and net in age. Florence is a traveling companion, of mine so you
can't... We won't tell them the rest of it, Florence.
Mrs. Florence Fox: May I ask Jac, Mc DonOub to please join me? ,Mayor, just a
few minutes ago you made e statement chat when the :Medical School wanted to sel-
ect they call in the expert:, but thin; or.dinar:ee by the door closing one very val-
uable segment of our community was never consulted and that is our handicapped
whether they are in a wheel chair or with a walker or the elderly or the arthrit-
ic. Jack and i when we heard about this closing inquired where we could survey
this obstruction I call it. And Mr. Mayor and CoTtrnissio.ers, even a small child
would yet caught. I couldn't even open the door and I'm going to let Jack tell
his experience.
Mr. Jack Mc Donough:'hank you Florence. Honorable Xayor and distinguished
Commissioners, for the record my name is Jack Mc Donough. I'm President of the
Ccral gables Chamber of Commerce and I'm representing the Committee on Total
Employment today. I'm not an expert...
Mrs. Fox: Jack is State Chairman on Architectural Barriers so he knows whereof
he is peaking.
Mr. Mc mono' b: I'm not an expert in very many areas but when it comes tc t.nt:
areas of handicapped 1 'think I have some knowledge and I think what has been
overlooked in the Code to the Chief is the fact that the very heavy doors when
you put these automatic closures on them make it very very difficult to open and
close and I noticed Monday at one of the very reputable and outstanding facilit-
lee in Miami their new wing has the door closures already put on them and if a
little child put their finger in that door and that door shut it would take the
f.r.cer right off, there is no doubt about it. There is a problem there. I think
with the 'heavy steel door, the combination of the pressurized closure at the top
you've *jade a trap - they can't get in and they can't get out. It's a serious
situation and something should be done about it.
Mayor Ferret Chief, do you want to answer that?
Deputy Chief Ed Proli: I'm Deputy Chief Proli. Very simply you know the back-
ground of the entire ordinance, why it was passed. Apparently Mr. Jackson takes
issue with the door closures. It comes back to a very fundamental issue, perhaps
the Commission doesn't know it but all of the national codes, model codes, the
South Florida Building Code has bee_ e-leated by you people as your Building Code
for the City of Miami since 1972 requires door closes on construction buildings.
Now in terms of a door closure, they are vitaliY.r arrant, I'm going to call the
Fire Marshall for just a moment here, I'm not going to take too much of your time.
They are fundamentally important to permit the door to close in the event of a
fire. If you leave the room the door closes behind you so that the toxic gases
and fumes do not contaminate the corridors. We are not requiring them to have
a latching device that when you open the door and leave it locks behind you.
Very simply, have a little knob to open it up. There are adjustments on the
door closes which will release this pressure they're talking about so the door
will open and close, slowly close and latch. It's a fundamental issue. It is
recognized throughout the United States. Door closes are of primary fundamental
importance in terms of life safety. I've been in codes for at least ten years,
I served in the National Life Satefy Code on an NFPA, I served on the Board of
rules and Appeals in promulgating the highrise ordinance for nine months and I'm
well aware of all of these features. Now I'd like to call upon the Fire Marshall
lust for a moment tc give you just one more inkling then we'd be very happy to
meet with them and explain to them the value of door closes and latching devices.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, you didn't catch your finger in one of those doors did you?
Chief Proli: No, I didn't.
Chief Ken Mc Culiough, Fire Marshall: it's not too often we get the benefit of
20-20 hindsight but there is a tremendous analogy in the Southgate, Kentucky
fire where 164 people died and what we're talking about today. This is an
73 FEB 91978
inveatirr Live report ure ;i; ";_'u fox :.I:e V 'tr r C•: i entuck . an the .sectire that
deals With tniinvestigator's ecneluaiu,e it aa•;, "Two sne i f i c aspects cf the
structural system Which contributed directly to Brit' loss of lire and injury are
the lack of firs:: .,_naration devices." Fire st:p:ratioe are door closer.
"Fi_'e separation devices in exit t;or.:ridors", and a corridor in a hotel is an exit
crirridot, ''are required in the Code context to have a one hour fire resistive
structure", that's the moor and the door closer and the door frame, "and all
doors used as fire separation devices are required to be equipped with self-
closing door closers." "There was no evidence that any door in the corridors
were equipped with self -closing devices", and they're talking about the corridor
that led to the Cabaret Room where 362 of these_ people died. "These open door -
says", they state, 'created excessive draft end accelerated the rapid rate of
:„-poke and ya n theouahout the corridors in the remainder of the building. The
absence of salt lode doors in the north-seuth corridor permitted unimpeded
travel of the firs' :i;:d the as aes." And tn. tinal statement, "The investigative
team is c` the epieiee that the deficiencies in the structural system ennumerated
above contributed di reet 1v to the loss or life and injury."
Mr. Plummer: Ali r_a;.t., the obvious question, Kenny. Do you see any problem for
the handicapped with this system being i:_ place?
Chief Mc l:UlioUc,:L: i C'. Sir, I think t:e problem that has been pointed out te.` us
most : ikely is an ac. , astm. r t problem. These doers have string tension and they
can be adjusted to el'= :e rather softly.
Mr. Mc Donouet': Mr. mayor, I know about that fire and just reading it and w,atc_h-
. r,':: it in the news an' I don't think 1'm knowledgeable to know or to say what
weul'1 „ace hatpered ex cot harnene•d but to me it looked like a fire tray: whei: the
whole =1-'ini:I weet c ., r'a '•:4tri'✓. We're not talking about y.a, doorways s . breezew�i GGOrWB � and
:.all'.'._,;'., I'm t.alki:.<.: _bout yoiny into a motel, getting out of my car, opening
U;' that door anti cone in that room, one: room. There are no breezeways, there
are ee hallaaays, there are no ccrr.idor_a, one sirioie room. And, I challenge
either one of .'cu two gentlemen to go with me and sit in the wheel chair and open
the a cr .ar:a try to _et ie and try to get out again. You' 11 be amazed, you can't
do .t.
Mayo• . :re: flow alecat that, Chief, what is the answer to that one
Cuidou re Weet we're talking about are door& to individual rooms which
.,_v " dccs To a c:rriaoa by which you would escape. The whole corridor
sheal:J have d tire rating cf one hours, the walls, the doors and the door closers.
Mayor F'rre: Well, isn't the volution to this for us to actually ask Mir. Moss,
Florence and .lack to go with you to an actual live location and test it on site?
I think they've got a valid point. We're talking about whether or not invalids
are able to :open the door and gee: out in the case of an emergency. You know
'vicusi 1 don't thin) we want to .. .ae c situation safe for everybody but people
.,r:o co have physical problems of one sort or another in opening a door.
Chief Mc Cullougn: Difficulty to enter is a lot different than difficulty to
escape under emergency conditions and I'm certainly sympathetic to that situation
but we're talking about a life safety package that has been ir. the South Florida
buildir: Code since 1972, is in existence in every new building that is construct-
ed throughout South Florida for many years.
Mayor Ferree: Well, how does it take six years for it to code to a head now, Mr.
Moss, why wasn't this brought up before?
Mr. Moss: Weil, Mayor, when the new ordinance was passed recently no one called
up.,e the hotel Association for their v put as is the case. Again, I would like
aaa we're not talking about. as :ir. Donough said about hallttiays, breezeways or
: el buildings. We have no objeetaox s to the solid core door, we'll take that
expense, we want to protect our guest:.. We want our walls to be one hour, one
hour and a hall fire proof, we go along with the Chief. We understand his prob-
lems, we understand his con;e•rns but we feel without pressure that a door closer
is •_-oueter -t rode: tive not cely to h,andi _apred but to young children and we're not
talki ,,b.out 01 ! ; ui 1` '.r:fs which are fire traps unto themselves we are talking
: Nut in Illost ca..;ee moder e structures that are soundproof, with windows that are
5..,lii ly cloaed ao tbeia ie rio draft from that room into the corridor.
Mr. Plummer: Mi. Mayor, may I interje-c- Because we co.11c stand here and argue
all day, they're adamant on their sides and they're adamant on their side, NOW
74
FEB $1978
you know —ather says it's a red . man tnei won't compromise it i:. legal.
want to t.t:•11 you something. I've got some concerns in what these people are say-
ing. Now I':n saying to you that just because something has been in the Building".
Code since 72, you know codes are changed every day, it is : living workable
instrument. Now I want to tell you from the beginning so we don't misunderstand
each other. You know I've got great respect in these people and I don't think
for one minute that. these people come here with any intent except the best thing
for this city. But 1• do feel there is an area of concern in my mind and I want
that concern put to rest. Now as a favor t.c. met cr to this coranission I want you
to sit down with this group of people, I want you to discuss it and I'm sure if
they've got a wheelchair big enough for Kenn he'll try to coo and see if that is,
in fact, the case. But I tell you I thi.-.k it is important enough that you sit
down with these people, you work it out with these. people. You'd always have
the availability of coming back to this Commission....
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Plummer, in the interact o= time, we all agree. Would you do
that and come back at the next Commission Meeting which Will be on the turd?
Mr. Moss. (7ale question, your honor. What do we do in the meantime about being
liable for fulfillment of the responsibility of the ordinance?
Rev. Gibson:: Mr. Mayor, if it is within human possibi ilty - I know what the law
says - isn't it possible, Mr. Manager, to not bother the industry until you sit
down and resolve. . .
Chte; Proii: Commissioner Gibson, we have already enforced the code in 75 build-
ings, we've got active cases going for a hundred more. Which specific building
is he talking about?
Rev. Gibson: Let rice do this: You have the intent of what we are saying, I'm
aisle: of what the law will do with us. You a:..1 go sit down and talk and...
Mayor Ferre_: What we cannot do, Mr. Moss, is to interfer with the law because
there are an awful lot of consequences. You know God willing there won't be any
.''.ire; between new any the 23rd but this ccrjrisc,io n cannot assume the responsibii-
, and again we were talking about expertise a little while ago or.. art. 1 want
to tell you if I don't feel that I'm qualified in making ari opinion on art I want
to yell you 1 feel a lot less qualified in making an opinion on something dealing
with human lives and a fire and I'm not about to put myself on the record in a
position superimposing my judgement over the Fire Department and the Fire Marshall.
Sc I just want to tell you that I'm perfectly willing to listen to all sides of
this but until this matter is clarified the Fire Code of the City of Miami is to
stay enforced.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, let me ask one other question.. I know our time is gone.
It might be that somehow the hotels could come up and say, "X number of rooms are
particularly designed for handicap;:•-., all the other rooms", you know as you sit
down and talk throw that up in the air and see where it falls.
Mr. Moss: It isn't a practical thing, sir. Honorable Mayor, I didn't appear
here ir.conflict with the Fire Department, I respect their expertise just as you
do. We brought people who would be affected and who are knowledgeable and have
exhibited their concern. This is not a matter of personal opinion. Now the fact
that this has been on the books for seven years, I think we will all agree that
the awareness or the need to take care of the handicapped has only been increas-
ing in the past six or seven years to the point that now where we are giving there
their proper. consideration. We are not against anything that will protect the
lives of our guests and Fire Chief, please be aware of this. We want to cooper-
ate with your department. We need your department, we respect your department.
We feel that the one hour solid door is a necessary thing, we agree with you,
the fire retardants that you require, we do. The fire extinguishers that are
rtuired, we are happy to perform. We have a moral and legal responsibility
plus a humanitarian responsibility but if we're going to keep time... we were
given ninety days. Now if there is need for discussion for a solution for re-
s:lving this, a little time, I would suggest and recommend that we be given time
until such final decision is made.
Mayor Ferre: I'll tell you, I would only go along with that if the Fire Chief
and the Fire Marshall tell me that that is all right with them. I'm not about
to assume that responsibility myself.
1
75
FEB 9 1978
Chief Pri ri'zst of all, Mr. aeeer, know tile aeilaino they'ia telkiag
abuut. Secena of all, we're while to neet with them riaht now, tomorrow all
day lona, go to the particular builoiee they're talking abo.it...
Mr. Mess: We're not talking about e heilding w. re talkine about all hotels and
motels.
Mayor Ferre: Well Chief, yoo tell me.
Mr. Moss: To my knowledge, air, there haven't been that many properties who have
conformea beeauae this is the purpose of eul- aiscussiOn here today so we would
know where to oc:.
Mr. Grassie: aet we arc not in a positta. suaaene the Building Code. We are
not in a position tc ae that it is net affeetive for 9a days.
Mr. Moss: Diain' t.the Commission vote this ordinance in? The Commission voted it
in why don'% they have the authority to mkae some adjustment?
Chief Mi Cullouga: WI:a% he was speakine just a moment ago we thought that he was
talking ahout a eartleelar problea: for the handicaheed. Now he is talking about
all of the hotels ene all of the motels. We fix a door so they can open easily
but maybe there are ooirq to be steps to get into that hotel. Now there are many
options to this l'ire Cort. The options are you can make your alarm system auto-
matic, you don't have to put in door closers if you're so very concerned about
the hanaivaeped. You can jot in a sprinkler system or you can put in automatic
smoke detectors you have all of these options, you do not have to put in door
closers.
Faa. elbeea, ...he :aitea yoe have an option other than the door cloers. See,
that why it is imaortant that you all sit down and talk because if you want to
rat in smeae dotecteers that may be one of the solutions. So, sir, Theodore Gibson
wuld uree yea ali not to leave here with your minds made up but go in that room
in there ana you all talk where we won't be guilty of telling you not to violate
the law.
Mayor Ferre: Father, we got to move alona and I would like to, Skippy, sue if
I speak for the sera:e of the Commission here. If anybody objects to what I'm going
to say, stoa, re. We cannot suspend the Fire Code and I don't think you would
want ut tc Jr it, cod foraid that there should be a fire and somebody should lose
their life, it just has all kinds of implications. Now, I think, stop me if I
don't speak for the Commission on this, Chief, we want you to meet with these
people and extend all courtesies, discuss all items, reason as far and as well as
you can, 21,e at reasonable as you can, compromise where you can without compromis-
ing the safety of the people in case of a fire, and if you can work it out admin-
istrativela fine. If you can't and it requires modification then you come up
with a specific modification and I ,D tell you before hand you'd better have
an awful lot of expert testimony and an awfel lct of real heavy weight opinions
for this particular vote to go against the recoae•endarion of our Fire Marshall.
Ok? All right, thank you.
29. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF CLAIRE WEINTRAUB AND MIKE CALHOUN RECARDING
ZONENG CHANGES IN la 3000 BLOCK OF BRICIZLL AVENUE; URCE D.O.T.
TO COVPLETE RICKUIBACKEa OVERPASS.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Weintraub, we apologize for making you wait two hours.
Mrs. Claire Weintraub: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, my name is Claire Weintraub
and I live at 300 Briokell Avenue. I am here to present to you a very serious
rrohJun which is of great corrl, to oar neighborhood. I'm going to ask that
nie Calhoun present our aroblem to you at this time if you will. Mike, will
you introduee, please the subject that we want to discuss? And by the way,
Maurice, you have a lovely daughter. She was with me at the fair.
Mr. Mike aalhou:a: Mr. Mayer, Commissioners, you have before you a map, an offic-
ial plat aaewiaa the races already built in our neighborhood. You have be-
fore you a coLy and the original of a petition signed by 18 of the 19 homes and
memhera of the families in these homes. You have before you a plat that shows
that every aae of tLeso homes are bailt en 100' minimum lots. There are several
homes facing J.S. 1 already. A. a Matte/ of fact, if you look at the ones
colored in blue there is a brand new one in the upper left hand corner just built.
76
FEB 9 1978
yee teen,:,tic e ' u a su ge: ' e . a . e r hat'_ vc . Now we vc js1: _ a little probie .
In this petition we're asking you for a Planning Department study of this area.
Now ordinarily this would just be an Ordinary request hut we've got a problem.
We are here in dire straits. We went to a Zoning Board hearing the Other day
that has _:one on for two or three months, there were two hearings on it, and low
and behold we find that the Zoning Board that your Zoning Director, Mr. Whipple,
is, in fact, arguing for the advocate, had already approved 14, 16 housing units
to be built in that triangle on your map there that I have chopped off in a sug-
gested solution.
Mayor Ferro: Which triangle are you talking about now, Mike? Do you mean the
area in blud here-? ... Ok, I see what you're talking about.
Mr. Calhoun: And Mr. Mayor, we've got a problem.
Mayor Ferre: You've- .-at more than one.
Mr. Calhoun: Well we've got a big problem and we're here, at least I'm here
representing myself and my family and the other people that have signed this peti-
tion and on my own I want to say that the biggest problem here is that it is un-
fortunate when we got to this public hearing that your department had already
made uf. `heir mind to place some 16 houses in an area where only four should be
according to what is already there. We fir:d out that apparently during the years
tnc law has been ;:hanged, you new have a PUN and a PUD. We didn't know all of
this, that it would ao_nly to this property. We felt that the law was not designed
for this little triangle of a piece where no body in their right mind could put
that :zany houses on that little piece of property especially in a neighborhood
where it would literally ruin it. Now we get down there and we find out that
we're. is a big f l frit a:ic an argument with your own staff. In fact, one of the
a• .._r ncye for nr. Danielson made the statement that had never appeared before the
Zoning Bard before but he was of the opinion Mr. Whipple was an advocate. Now
there has to be some reason tot this. Every member of that Zoning Board in these
two hearings were seeking ways to destroy our neighborhood and using the Zoning
Department recommendation and the Planning Department recommendation and we've
nevc_r been consulted on this.
Mayor Ferre: Come on, Mike...
Mr. Calhoun: Mr. Mayor, I'm a little hot but I'm sorry but you don't know what
is going or. with thi.
Mayor Ferre: I happen to think that what you're telling me you happen to be right
but let's not get paranoid about this, nobody is out to destroy anything.
Mr. Calhoun: Well, Mr. Mayor, we can't think of any other reason why anybody
would want to built 16 houses which was reduced to 13 - they're apartments, they're
townhouses in an area that was buil- :. 19 single family homes on a minimum
area of 17,500 square feet. Now this just doesn't make sense. Let me make one
more point, Mr. Mayor. If that plan is passed, ;'-c: reason we're asking for this
study to be made and we know we've got it against us because your Planning Depart -
mend and your Zoning Department is going to tell you they've already made a study.
... All right, we're her on our knees to you then. If that plan, PUN is allowed
to apply to the last reamaining property on that block you can forget that area.
We will never be able to move the entrance to park to where it should have been
all along, we will never be able to explore a traffic situation and not only that,
when I brought that up at this meeting Mr. Whipple says, "Oh no", he couldn't
understand how cars would get in and out of the park. In other words they were
criticizing the traffic plan before we ever got in to study it. I want to remind
you, Mr. Mayor, up and down South Dixie Highway at the Riviera Theatre in Coral
Gables and a much more heavily traveled area of South Dixie Highway there are
um gee crossings identical as the one I have suggested could be used here and
not let: the park use the entrance down here where they're presently using which
is fast traffic. This fast traffic traveling up and down at 32nd Road yet down
hero where we would propose the entrance to the park it is slowed down. Not only
that, Mr. Mayor, the red lines on your map if you'd look at it, sir, those red
lines indicate a proposed fly -over that Dade County has been wanting to build for
years. If that fly -over is built to Rickenbacker Causeway which the other one
is already built, the one red is the proposed, ... I understand that, but Mr.
Mayor, there won't be the traffic problem at that intersection. Now the last
planning study made on this that Mr. Ferrell brought up at the last meeting showed
that this area should be low density. All right, now the question came up. Mr.
Whipple said, "Well, it's how you interpret low density." He's interpreting 13
to l6 units as low density, So we find ourselves in an argument when we get up
FEB 51978
thei t ti i i. `1 . '." F., `. '.. tot • Y t. ; i3 `. _ h F: ^' _ r ` r_• , - _.. 1 ,e_ , . e:_, _ .1 _. _ c:c i",.i ,S'id: `v.'c=2 511 ci"�1' ;nor1E ai: ;l,ltllri:} ti•
this Cot to. all uoset. Therefore, we're asa i ne your .:amble opinion: to cause to
havemake _ ,. _. -
yi�itr' Nanning ilt-ii�,2'ti?ic�nj" rfaKt- Hanin : 'le.l',' but �, Or:E': simple ingred-
ient, nut lust. ';cl outaod maac it, we want thu neighb r-1 oad involved in that.
This is a unique aad historical Iieighhorhood and 1'13 tell you the truth, I had
a lot of people come up to me aft :-.r thatmeetlno the cthez day on other matters
and what have you ar.,1 several of the media and the;: wanted to know what was going
en that something really smelled had there. You know that was the impression you
got at this hearing. 1t was awful. .., Well, I'm telling you, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: iris, b.lt Mike, let me glv(' you some advice. i think you're goini.i
to get a lot fort:le:'' if you don't, tress that kind of t.hino at this point....
Mr. Calhoun: We .i i , won't press it at this pe.10t but I'm going to press it at
the next roi::t.
Mayor Terre: Mr. Fesmoen, I have a feeling you want to respond.
t.11... Calhoun: H. w- s:i't there, I'll take up for him, he wasn't there. But there
was somebody there_ s;peaning for him.
Mavc,;r Ferro: Mike, let him respond.
Mr. Fosmoen: I really don't want to respond in the same way that this gentleman
:lei:,. We fully intend if the commission directs us to do an obaective study, I
can assure you that there is nothing rotten going on or any subtrifuge. We gave
the Zcr.in; Board our professional opinion, it this gentleman disagrees with it
se be ..t.
M,r. ti.alheon: Mr. Moyar, before this professional opinion is made on thi:-, unique
historical area which is not another one In the day gum world like it, would It
not be ar rot;os For this commission tc have the Planning Department make it in cc)n -
nuctlon with the r.e•igt.Lorhoud, have the input of the neighborhood? Because none
of there thi" :s had a cha :.:o to come oUt.. I stood up there with this plan, sir.
Now tale ge.1'_ieR,.n wasn't here, I have a great deal of respect for him but some-
body Up there and saild "Oh no, that won't work" and they hadn't ever) seen . t .
So r;a` anal J v we're a little hot under the collar and if I have offended anybody
5o be it. But caa you imagine someone wanting to build 13 to 16 units and for-
ever orc:.hibit. out :lobe, rhooc from being what it should be? So we respectfully
re:'::oeat, that yoo order your Planning Department to have a planning study mace+:' of
the a particular. area and expend it if you so desire because across the street
over there you've got the same problem.
Mayor Ferre: Mika, I don't want to start opening up old wounds between you anti I
but. I want to tell you something. I'm somewhat ted up after many many years that
every tirac• you don't happen to a<; r,a a: . something something smells bad and
somebody is being paid off and something is crooked down at City Hall and you're
joir:g to throw all the bums out. Now we're not_ talaing about that and I hope you
don't come here putting it in those terms because if you do, my friend, you're
not going to get very far today or tomorrow. Now if what you're talking about,
and I think that the sense of what Claire and Marshall and all the other neighbors
around there and Bob Russ is talking about is that we have an open process. If
you want to prosecute somebody criminally...
Mr. Calhoun: No, sir.
Mayor Ferre: If '.'ou think that somebody is taking a pay-off or a dive therm I
suggest that you :io down to Janet Reno and make your accusations and take some-
body here to the Grand Jury. Otherwise, let's get on to something based on....
Mr.Calhoun: No, sir, I'm sorry, I apologize for that inference, but Mr. Mayor,
the ogler night it was stated, "Well, if Mr. Calhoun goes down" - we toed them
we wetc.. corning Uowo here today to ask for this - and we were told, sir, by an
employee of rhe City of Miami in public and it is right in the minutes that there
really no use to do that because we've already made a planning study. I mean
really t t,at riot ua a little heated.
Mayor Ferro : Now M }:e , you know that you and people of Coconut Grove and the
Tiraertail Association and God knows what: have stopped more things, changed more
directions, gotten: more things done than any other group in this community.
Mr. Calhoun: I understand, I apologize,
78 FEB 91978
Ma; Ferre: t'i.':-i I think you've got a darned e c,: chance because 1 think you
happen to be right but don't come here making accusations that somebody...
Mr. Calhoun: No, sir, it was the attitude that was thrown at us that causes me
with this attitude that I have today anti I'll back off. I':.: Sorry, all we want
is this planning study made but we want to be involved in i . We don't wart
somebody to come throwing one at us.
Mayor. Ferre: On behalf of Mr. Fosmoen and everyone in the department, I accept
the apology and now can we get back to talking about this on a basis of... I
think, Mr. Fosmoen, that we have to be very •car€ fui. This= is a very important
cross section of the City of Miami. It is a historical area, it is an area that
we have to preserve as best we can, 1 ;.ave always, as you know, Mr. Grassie,
and before you with Kr. Paul Andrews„ I have always; felt that that particular
area should eventually be is the public domain, we'Vf never had the money to do
it. I would hope that someday we would be able to do it. I'm sorry but people
who own the property have a right to develop it since they own it, we can't take
that away from t hem wi Lr out buying the property but I think we have to be very
careful in how we approach this. So what is the next step? Have you got any
ideas, J. L.?
M.r. Plummer: Well, it. is very simple if I understand the process at all. AZ I
understand at this present time it has beer. approved by the Zoning Board. Now
thin the outline of procedure says that either the neighbors can petition for an
appeal to this commission or this commission...
Mr. i'ismoen: I. will be before you at your March Planning and Zoning Meeting.
It is a rezoning, sir, not. a variance.
Plummer: Oh, so it is going to be before us. Ok, so it is before us and
that is the next procedure.
Mr. Calhoun.: We're asking for another procedure which we understand that we
nave the ?tight to, is to ask for an area play, study of this area which is separ-
ate fro:, that.
Mayor Ferre: They're entitled to that.
'•:r. Plummer: Mike, you're premature, that's all.
Mayor Ferre: No, I don't think he is.
Mx. Plummer: Assuming, Mr. Mayor, that at that hearing the majority of this com-
mission have the feeling that a study needs to be done then they just order the
study, that's all.
Mayor. Ferre: Yes, but what he is as':i',• is for this commission to do that today.
Mrs. Gordon: May I ask the Planning Department to please initiate a study of
this area?
Mx. Grassie: Well, don't you think we ought to find out from the Planning Depart-
ment wnat the status is and what their opinion is so at least you'll have that
information before you make a motion?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I think on discussion we can get that. Is there a second to
the motion?
Mr. Plummer: Well, I have no reservations about seconding it but I do feel Mr.
Grassie has a point.
Mayor Ferre: All right, we have a second and Mr. Grassie, I recognize you for
discussion.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, on discussion, there is a very serious problem not only in
this area but in other areas that we're going to be facing this from time to
time and we'd better face it all at once. We have a number of areas similar to
this that have a characteristic which people do not want to change, people who
Lave lived in this community want to keep it with the kind of flavor, the low
density, the residential character that it has. And there is something wrong,
Dick, with the PUN, PAD ordinance which permit:; the minimum amount of square
footage per dwelling to be placed on any size lot and we have to address our, -
Selves to the major problem which is that ordinance. I believe that at a time
FEB 9 198
several years ale it served wortrtwu iE p rpe.!,e perhaps but I believe that we
have outgrown the nurposc that it served then anc we ought to take another look.
Mr. fosmoe'n: Mist one cr)n1ment:, ComP1lioner, 1 think it r _ I1 ty hinges on the
solution to this area if there is one and at ._::'n.l Avenue and several other areas
of
this communit ,v.
Mrs. Gordon: And along South Payshorc Drive :sere you're going to be facing appli-
cations very shortly I`rr. afraid for these little scatter huts, I have to call
therm that because compared to what is or: these lets now they are nothing but that.
Mr. Fosmoen: The na is question is whether or not we can deny a building permit
on an existing platted lot. `That's really the hinge to this whole question and
we will pursue that question as well as the }:Manning study.
'-Ls. Gordon: The ma or point is whether or not we are courageous enough to set
up a system of not ,permitting the subdivision of platted lots. Nov, Coral Gables
has that ordinance on their books.
Mr. 'csmcc,n: Commissioner, the property in question is already platted in 50 by
100 foc:t lots.
Mr. Calhoun: No, sir, they go to a point, I agree with
him
on thin. ones but the lt
ones we're talking about are not. 50 X 100 by any means.
Mrs. Weintraub: When t..F bunt our home we had to build it a hundred foot out of
iv.
Mr. Fosmoen : That may be the covenant... 7
Mrs. __rdor,: There are manners and ways of controlling that too because you can
say a site at'.d not a bull:iioq lot, a site must contain, Specific areas could have
Iin:.nur,, sites so there have to be a combination of lots in order to put up a
Mr. 10 moon: We'll :ievelop a recommendation.
Mrs. 67,i1'Jr..: know you can, I knew you have the expertise and I would assume
:a lt?oun : duiwe be involved In that, ma'am?
Mrs. Gordon: I would certainly hope so, I'm sure you would.
Mr. Calho,.:n: We haven't bee and that's our reason. I think maybe we should be.
Mrs. Gordon: It's ;;art of the motion:.
The following motion was introduced by Ccm.T,.i sioner Gordon who moved
ir-s adoption:
MOTION NO. 7H-101.
A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REQUEST THE PLANNING
DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE A PLANNING STUD' OF THE AREA IN THE
VICINI _'Y GF HE 3000 SLACK OF BRICKELL AVENUE, THE ZONING FOR
WHICH WAS CHANGED FROM F:-1 TO R-1.B AND FURTHER REQUESTING THE
PLAN? 1Nr, DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE IN THIS STUDY THE PARRTICIPATION
OF ALL RIISIDENTS OF THIS AREA.
'.upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
Commissioner Rose Cordon
Coo rnissioni r J, L. Plummer, Jr,
Coi.rnissioner (RPv. t Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Mar,olo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Terre
NOES: None.
.
Mayor Ferro: Rosa cordon moves and J . L. Plummer seconds that we request that
the Department of Transportation of Metropolitan Dade County look on the possi-
bilities of completing the elevated overpass system at the expressway which Was
SO FEB 9 1978
done under the leadership of then chairman MikeO'Neil but because they didn't
have enough money they only did half of it and we would like to request that the
local Metropolitan Dade County Transportation Department and the DOT in the State
also look into this thing and come back with a recommendation, and see that we
fully support the solution to that location.
Mrs. Gordon: All right, fine, and Mr. Fosmoer:, when you are working for a solu-
tion to this area beat in mind that our concerns are on South Bayshore Drive as
well. Ok?
Mr. Fost oer,: Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Calhoun: We will be notified of discussions or whatever so we can get our
neighbors together and be involves in this?
Mayor Ferre: Absolutely.
Mrs. Weintraub: The motion didn't say that we be included did it?
Mrs. Gordon: Oh yes, I added that.
Mayor Ferre: Now this is a second motion about the overpass.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-102
A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COM-
MUNICATE WITH THE PROPER OFFICIALS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION TO URGE COMPLETION OF THE ELEVATED EXPRESS-
WAY SYSTEM AT THE RICKENEACKER CAUSEWAY AND BRICKELL AVENUE
AREA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
81 FEB F 1978
30. PUBLIC YEAR :. ri:' ' OF 03,11.'ti 'ii its C» PROS -RAN,
Mayor Ferre: We are now on the 2 o'cli:ck pu )lie. he_arini„ for forth year funding
of the Community Development program. Mr. Gr:tszi.t_?
Mr. C;rassie: Ms. Dena Spillman will introduce the subject Mr. Mayor.
Ms. Dena Spillman: Mr. Myer a::ci members ,.)f the Commission,as you nre aware
this is our first public hearing ors the 19 r`-79 applications to the Department
of Housing and Urban Deaeiopment for Community Development funding. Our second
public heari<<; is scheduled for February and immediately after that we must
submit cur appl t dti' .:or review. Thia is the first appl ication that we are
going to s ' ::;lit under the new Housing and Communit\ Development Act of 1977.
Mayor Ferr : Excaae mt. Ladies and gentlemen I know you are anxious to he heard.
By the time she speaks and the following people speak, it is going to be a long
Lime. 1. recommerhd you keep your seats, otherwise: you are: going to be up on your
feet for a long time.. Why don't you sit don and enjoy it.
Ma. Saiilman: okay. We iscussrd with you in October the new guidelines. I would
like to refresh your memory_ on a few of them. HUD is asking this year that we
concentrate our fur..i.s into comprehensive neighborhood revitalization area::. hUD
ha., a'.ao developed tighter regulations on social service funding. At thin point
.n time we have draft regulations from HUD which rakes social service tunainr: a1 ost
impcssiLle. I can di`- . us;; that with you later. We are also dealing wi th a 3 year
plan thi , year. We are coming„ In the back of your package on page 32, we have
recommendations for not only the +th year program but the 5th and 6th year programs.
These are also including Dace County recommended project:;. As I mentioned on an
earlier item., we took a ditferent approach this year than we have in previous years.
As you are aware, we used tue Formula .allocation for funding during the first three
vocal:, et Community Development. The commission had problems with that. .1 lot of the
community people had problems with that. So we looked at the City as a whole. We
defined arena; of net:d wi thin the target areas and based our funding recommendations
on that. 1 think if yet: lo.ok at the tundin?, the funding ever a 3 year period, which
you pan find on :age ; 9, you will find that this change has not made a lot of
t it t'rellcc. However, cu1.?:or iS recommended to receive the most amount of money of
any target area this year. The package you 'nave before you, includes the status
repot on 1st, 'nd ant 3rd year projects. On page 28 you will find the funding
analysis that we Old it determining which projects would get funded. I would like
to take a few n inu c•s and discuss that. There's two items in here that appear to
be so:r_ewhat dontrover';ial today. One is a recommendation of no new social service
funding;. This is the posture we have taken in making recommendations to you. This
was explained to all chairpccpl ar ;71 residents in September and throughout
the planning process. There are several reasons for this. I think you all know that
community development is a physical development .;ro ,ra;r. Social services are eligible
in support of physical development activities. HUD has come forth with new regulations
which makes social service funding even more difficult than it has been in the past.
It is our considered opinion that this is not the right area for social service funding.
A lot of people in our target ;areas seems to equate community development with federal
revenue sharing They are not the same thing and we do have restrictions on the use
of our money.
We have also recommended that we not ,et into any new park acquisition this year,
because we have several parks underway .and we feel the maintenance burden to the
city would be overwhelming in the future.On i a e 29 you will find a gLnera1 budget outline for this year's funding. We
nave on page 30 the: proposed projects by Larger arer and city-wide projects. .As I
mentioned before Uri pu'e i is a comparison table of the 4 years of Community
Development furuiin.`,. We have on page gO baps which agree with the map you see
up there. On pate' :ih w4 have our pro'>o.sed housing assistance plan which must
he submitted with our application to RUM :and c,':lieh outlines our housing needs
for the next three year �teriod
On page 98 you find the component: of our proposed neighborhood improvement
prop am area wnich 1 will talk abo).t in just a manure. I just want to take
:1 few minutes and go over the map with you, and point out to you where our
recommendations differ with what people in the community seem to be in favor
of this year.
Mayor Ferre: Trwse are eammlittee recommendations? Or staff recommendations?
S2
EB0s1978
•
Ms. Spillman: What you have in front of you, I don't knw the page number. I'll
get the page number in a minute. There is a list of all the projects recommended
by the community and our comments and recommendations of those projects.So all
the projects that were recommended by the community are in there.
Mr, Fosmoen: It is beginning on page 32.
Ms. Spillman: On page 32 you have all the citizen -recommended projects and
city and county recommendations on those projects. I just want to take a few
minutes to go over the strategy that we propose for this year. As I mentioned
before, we are tr_;iro to impact CD dollars more than we have done in the past,
by narrowing the areas in which we arc spending our money. HUD is saying to us
now that we have to show that within a 3 to 5 year period, the money that we
are spending is going to revitalize the neighborhood. Our target areas are very
large. It is impossible to take a target area for example as large as Little
Havana and make any impact if we spread our money around. So we are trying to
put them together. In Edison -Little River we have designated a comprehensive
neighborhood revitalization area. We are going to rehabilitate houses, put in
new street improvements and beautify the area. The people in Edison -Little
River have no problems with this particular proposal. Model Cities, we are con-
centrating our money here in housing hchab and here in King Heights area for rehab
and redevelopment.
In Wy nuwooe, we are proposing a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization area
for housing rehab and another project which has been controversial in the neighbor-
hood is the expansion of the garment center. This purple area on the map is the
entire garment center as it exists. It includes the entire garment center. What
we are talking about is taking $250,000. and beginning to expand down from 22nd
Terrace to allow room for expansion of the garment center. The merchants in the
garment ceater are behind this project. Our proposal is to buy land, relocate the
people, pay them full relocation benefits and find them adequate housing. This
is required by law. I know a lot of people are concerned about that but we have
to provide them with assistance. W. propose to sell the land back to the owners.
We are not giv.ing, then the land. We propose to sell it back to these people, there-
fore, getting some of the money back in our budget. A lot of people in Wyndwood have
expressed a concern that they be given jobs as a result of this. I was at a meeting
in Wyndwood last week. That is the main thing I heard. They want jobs. We certainly
don't disagree with this. We are working with the ownersto try to develop a training
program for Wyndwood residents, so they can benefit from this proposed expansion.
In Culmer we are proposing a redevelopment and rehab area in the Dorsey -Wheatley
neighborhood. We have had a lot cf :i i.'en participation on this, and the community
is strongly in favor. We are proposing that our urban development action grant,
second mortgage housing be put in that neighborhood, should it get approved. Should
I say, when it gets approved. We are also proposing to start redevelopment activities
in the Overtown area. Again we have worked closely with the people in the neighborhood
and with new Washintgon Heights, and everyone seems to be in favor of this. As I
said before, Culmer is going to be receiving the major amount of money. In Allapattah
we are finishing up rojects that were started in previous years and we are proposing
another residential rehabilitation program in the neighborhood. A group of business-
men in Allapattah disagree with where we have chosen to put our improvements. They
feel we should spend more money in the 17th Avenue and 36th Street area on com-
mercial redevelopment. We have met with these people. We are certainly willing to
work with them, and we feel there are alternative sources of funding for that. It
is not that we don't want to deal with the area. We are going to deal with it. We
also feel that housing is more important at this time.
Mayor Ferre: Who are you talking about?
Ms. Spillman: Staff. Little Havana, we are proposing a new name for a neighborhood,
a neighborhood strategy area. This is another new HUD program. We will be submitting
a separate application tor funding. This is above and beyond the CD program, We
would like to designate this particular area as a neighborhood strategy area for
multi -family housing rehabilitation, We have met with several people in Little Havana
on this. The Latin builders are strongly in favor of it and we feel it is a good project,
We are also proposing the start of land acquisition for a Latin specialty center. I
think you have heard reports on that from WMRT, We feel we have strong support from
the business community on this. We feel it is certainly an important project to
start now.
In Coconut Grove we are continuing activities that we have been doing through NDP
83 FEB 91978
and other programs. We will be acquiring land in the Grand Avenue -Jefferson
Street area for new housing, and we will be doing a commercial graphics program
on Grand Avenue.
Does anybody have any questions about the project? I would like to point out
one area of concern.
Mayor Ferre: Dena, Father Gibson has to Leave in about 20 minutes. An awful
lot of people want to be heard.
Ms. Spillman: I think I've said everything I want to say.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much. At this tilwycKe will now go to all of the
chairpeople and take them one at a time. How,,time do you think you would need?
Each one? How much time? Can you do it in 5 minutes? I am talking about chair-
people now. I am not talking about people from the area. They will be heard next.
We arc talking about the chairpersons, so we can get Father Gibson on a plane. He
has to get to North Carolina tonight. He wants to go where it is cold. He doesn't
like this warm weather.
Let's begin. Put the clock on. The first speaker will be,-- Dr. Regalado.
Dr. Regaldo: I am an old man.
Mayor Ferre: How :r.uch time Dr. Regaldo are you going to speak?
Ur. Regaldo: Five minutes.
Mayor Ferre: Okay. Three minutes for Dr. Regaldo.
Dr. Regaldo: I don't speak English, but 1 have brought today an interpreter,
Mr. Rene Costa.
Interpreter: I have come here today to propose a day care center for the elderly
people. I know there is around 5.5 percent for the association for the elderly.
I know there is plenty of money and I have come here to ask for my proposal. We
are the first association for the elderly people and we have come here for the
second time to reiterate to members of the Commission that we are standing by
to get more funds for it. Why do members of the City of Miami, ---have denied
the for our new program? And we the elderly people, we have repre-
sentation. We have the votes and ' -r.^t to know why our rights are not considered
at this time. So please consider this. I want to know why my proposal was not a
subject and I want to know if my project has worth within the community. Last year
Mayor Maurice Ferre visited our day care center on Biscayne Boulevard, and since
that time on he has been asking questions regarding the project.
Mayor Ferre: I say this in all sincerity that Dr. Regaldo sometimes gets a
little excited about things and he is right. He is certainly one of the most
valiant, and persistent members of this community and he has our total respect.
I hope someday we will be able to do all the many things he wants to do. Certainly
they are worthy.
All right. Mr. Mendez.
Mr. Jose Mendez: My name is Jose Mendez and I am the chairperson for the
Wyndwood target area. I would like to bring to the commission's attention, in
their package, page 83 and also page 50. But first page 83 so you know the area
that I am referring to.
Honorable Mayor and Commissioners, my presence here this afternoon represents the
concerns of the Wyndwood community, in the so-called garment industry expansion.
Allow mo to quote words from the Secretary in regards to the citizens involvement,
in establishing a block grantfor allocating community development funds. That act
gave local commuities authority to set their own development priorities, in accord-
ance with locally perceived needs, to give them resources to apply to those needs.
And give them responsibility for carrying out programs and projects made possible
by those resources. But the act did more. It built in a requirement for citizen
involvement, To avail themselves of community development block grants, local
communities now must hold public hearings at which citizens can air their views
on development and housing needs, They must show that citizens have been given
adequate opportunity to be involved aeLively in development of the community
applications for funding. I can stand here before you this evening and quote
hundreds of reasons as to why citizen involvement organizations were created,
but such is not my task. We are here to demand frem you that in the event,you
roust, --and notice I say with capital letters, anc: in quotes "REMOVE THOSE
FAMILIES." That every opportunity be aff:'rded to them, such es relocation
assistance, the training of the untrained by those who will benefit from their
displacement. And if you don't understand what I mean by that I can later on
explain it to you. And finally a gti.rantee of employment of at least a minimum
of one-third of the residents of the Wyndwood area. Ladies and gentlemen, I ar
sure that what I am about to tell you, will take some of you by surprise. And I
hope it does, since I do not want to charge vou with any wrong doing in the past.
The reason why the equal rights amendment was created, it was not because black
and minorities were being treated equal, but because individuals like you were
very much concerned as to how they were being treated. Citizen organizations are
continuously on the rise, and are always on the vanguard to see that their rights
are protected. We in the Wyndwood community have overcome racial integration. We
in the Wyndwood community have overcome problems that other communities are beginning;
to deal with. Think very hard. Meditate, and if you may,pray to God, that your
final decision will be the right decision. Let me add to that, that there are
doing to be approximately 300 families displaced. I don't know whether the figures
are indicated in this package. But I must admit to you, that anytime you think
of rerrovine 300 families, and especially 300 black families, not only vou want to
hear from us, but Washington probably also wants to hear from us. Thank you.
Manor Ferre: Is anybody from central downtown?
Mr. Armando Gutierrez: Mr. Mavor I am Armando Gutierrez, I am president of,
Ms. Spillman: He is not an official representative of Allapattah.
Mayor Ferre: Are you the official representative of Allapattah?
Mr. Gutierrez: I think as president of the Allapattah Merchants Association
we should be heard.
Mayor Ferre: You will be heard. You have my word, but not now. We are only going
to hear now from the chairpersons, and then I will come back to you. I will recog-
nize you. The next one is Frederica Brown, from Coconut Grove. Is there any official
spokesman for the Coconut Grove area who wants to speak to the commission? The
next area is the Culmer Park area, 'Nl l am Hutchenson or Jackie Bell? Jackie,
you are the official spokesman?
Ms. Jackie Bell: Mr. Mayor and fellow commissioners, City of Miami Planning Depart-
ment, and Community Development and the Mananger, this afternoon, we would like to
say to you, we thank you for keeping your promise last year on making sure that
Culmer got the betterment this time. We thank Dena and all the others and we are
in agreement with what has been presented to you.
Mayor Ferre: That is the kind of stuff we like to hear around here. Edison Park,
Mr. Nimrod Harmon. Is Mr. Harmon here? You are not the official spokesman?
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask a question. Are you here representing the chairperson?
Manor Ferre: Your chairperson is,
Annette Eisenberg: Since when is Freddy Bowes spokesman for Little River?
Mayor Ferre: Wait a moment. Annette Eisenberg, please. Dena, I am not going to
get into the middle of this. You will have your opportunity at the right time.
You will be heard. The next spokesman is Armando La Casa, Mr, La Casa you are the
chairperson of the Little Havana,
Mr. Armando La Casa: I am chairperson of Little Havana, Mr. Mayor. I am Armando
La Casa, representing Little Havana. I am going to address two questions that
came to the attention of the Commission today. The first one was item 9 concerning
of the awarding of the bid on the Community Center. We thank the Commission for
having passed this 1,049,000 dollars, however we take exception to the slight
possibility,(I hope it is very slight), that the funds for Little Havana for the
5th year funding be affected, because certainly I don't think it is fair, that
1
FEB 91978
Little Havana will have to pay for the mi.stakeF made by the Public Works
Department of the City of „iami, when they made the evalutation of the
Community Center. I want to go on record on thst, and I am going to mention
this. We will wait until next year. But I want that on record for next year.
As far as the recommendations for community development funding from the City
of Miami, I have to come once more before this commission to tire you with the
same reasoning. Traditionally the City of Miami, since the time of Paul Andrews,
has been very reluctant to use community development funds to fund social programs.
We have gone through this many times. Unfortunately I have to mention this again.
We have met with Mr. Fosmoen and Ms. Spillman in an effort to secure funding for
three programs. One, Umbrella, the second one, the one that Dr. Regalado referred
to previously and the third one, a first aid station in Little Havana. Dr. Regalado
dealt with hi:, so I am going to use toy time, on Umbrella, and on the First Aid
Station. Umbrella is a program that has been working in Little Havana for a certain
number of months. The City of Miami staff has gone there. They have seen what they
ark., dying. There is a clientele using the services. The need is proved in excess,
and by the fact that the place is crowded. They have been using 37 volunteers and
this on your official report from the community development. Thirty-seven people
that have volunteered their services to serve these people, and they have been
doing se for a certain number of months without collecting a single penny in the
hope that eventually somebody will be sensitive enough to recognize both the need
and the ability, the proven ability of this program to carry this responsibility.
That is onc. Community Development turned it down with the chance that there are
no available funds. The second one, is the First Aid Station. Here, the reasoning
is,that this is a county responsibility, because it is a health delivery system.
Our problem is this. If the City of Miami had found that they can fund, as they
have done, the School Board of Dade County, with revenue sharing moneys. The
education problem is a responsiblity of Dade County. So, even if the health
delivery service is also a responsibility of Dade County, if the City of Miami
has been able to Lund, with our moneys, in the City of Miami, the School Board
might as well support a valid service which is the first -aid station for Little
Havana, because the proble we have. We don't have that kind of service there.
We have to go to the Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Mayor Ferret Armando, I think Commissioner Gordon is trying, for clarity purposes,
she didn't understand, ---and I really didn't understand either.
Mrs. Gordon: What does a first aid station mean to you?
Mr. La Casa: What we are trying to do is to have exactly that. A first -aid
station to help emergency cases.
Mr. Piununer: You want a clinic is what you wanL.
Ms. Spillman: It is a primary health care clinic.
Mayor Ferre: It is not a clinic. We are going to get confused here. By first -
aid, you mean,we have that. We already have first -aid. If you faint,we will have
somebody here in three minutes. That is first -aid. Now what you are talking about
is a place where if somebody gets sick they can go right away, before they go to
the hospital.
Mr. La Gasa: That is right.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you talking about something like Charlie Jackson has in
..:a-onut Grove?
Mr. Li Casa: Something of that sort. 1 am not familiar,
Mr:. Gordon; Who is familiar;
Mr. La Casa: It is sort of an out -patient facility. More or less like the
Grove.
Mayor Ferre: The reason the five minutes are up, without being rude to anybody,
is that we have been asking him questions. So I give you another two minutes to
finish,
Mr. La Casa: Okay. 1'l1 make my point. A proposal has been filed with CD. If
the Commission finds this acceptable, the need is there. The particulars and
86
and the technical aspects could bu lea t .:ith CD. What I :.e_id with the
Commission is that you ;Tease recommend CD to review thee three programs
and give- them zonsideration for the second reading. Thank you very much.
Mayor Ferre: Let's not get into vice and being rude to each other. That is not
going to solve anything. The next one.
NOTE: Reverend Gibson left the meeting at 5:30 o'clock P.M.
Mayor Ferre: the next speaker ir, George Hepburn.
Mr. George Hepburn: I am George hepburn, Model Cities, Chairperson with CD.
Basically the Model Cities Committee concur with the recommendation that we
made jointly with the staff. However there are three areas that we like to call
your attention to. If you look on page 33, the first project there, physical -
residential related project, which is located in Manor Park area. It was recom-
mended that it be funded in the 6th year. As you know, the plan that is being
submitted is a three year plan, however we feel that there are certain components
of this particular project can be implemented now, during the fourth and fifth year,
particularly those dealing with demolition of the deteriorated structures, home
improvement loans and that type of thing. We fully understand that the modified
street improvement cannot be done until they put in the sewer. On page 34, there
is another item, the 3rd item on page 34, the King Heights redevelopment. There's
no reed for asking for additional funds here however we feel that the moneys hive
been allocated, can be utilized by a local community_ based agency, and that is
the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association, in terms of the administration
of this particular project. We are asking that you direct your staff to work
with that agency in order to identify the $25,000. they are requesting from
the City of Miami to be utilized. The funds are already there.
On pag. 3r, is the on1. item where additional funds might be requested and they
would have to deg with economic development. As you know you have allocated the
use of bond money in development of Martin Luther King Boulevard. We fully realize
during the construction and redevelopment of that boulevard that many of the business
men on that street will be hardpressed for cash, hardpressed for credit, and this
type of thing. This particular project proposes to revitalize or help them in
redeveloping their resources in terms of capital, that they might be able to remain
in business. We would ask your consideration in directing your staff to continue
to work with us, that we might be able to work our phase particular problems and
concerns that we have.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much. Now, we have Mr. Richard Krasner who wants
to represent the garment center. Is that right? How come I have his name on here?
You are not a chairperson.
Unidentified: No,he is not.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any other chairpersons that want to speak? Now we will
go into the citizens who want to be heard. I am going to allow Eufala Frazier
to speak. I will allow her next.
Mr. Richard Krinsman: My name is Richard Krinsman, I am attorney and I repre-
sent the Miami Fashion District Association. It is a group of at least 30 manu-
facturers, wholesalers and retailers, in an area from N.W. 2nd Avenue to
N.W. 5th Ave. through N.W. 20th Street up to N.W. 29th Street, in what is known
as the Miami Fashion or Garment District. I am here today to lend our support
and to the 4th year funding, however we would like to state into the record what
we feel some of the priorities are in this section of town. Our primary concern
is bus service. We do not have adequate bus service in the area, either to carry
the tourist, the customers or the people who work in this area, to work. The bus
service skirts the entire area, but does not go through it. It goes down N.W. 2nd
Avenue and N.W. 7th Avenue on the other side of the expressway. I understand that
through the community development program that there will be bus service in this
area two or three years from now. But right now we have a major problem, especially
with the Latin tourist. trade coming to the area. They do not know where the area is,
they get off on N.W. 2nd Avenue, and they are lost.
Mrs. Gordon: Are they Dade County buses?
Mr. Krinsman: We have talked to Dade County also, but we understand the City of
Miami, through the Community Development Program, has been cooperating with Dade
S7 F E B 1978
County in getting this service .into the area, however the priority is way
dawn on this. You are talking about two or three years from now. We would
also like more visible and better police protection in the area. I don't
know if you aware of this, but just a couple of weekends ago, most of the
parking meters were removed from 5th Avenue, not by the City.
Mrs Gordon: Who did it? Vandals?
Mr, Krinsman: Yes. Also in the parking lots abutting the area.
Mrs. Gordon: It is incredible.
Mr. Krinsman: We would also like better lighting in the area. We think this
is one of the priorities of the Garment District, to have better lighting in the
area. We would also, like City cooperation and help in reopening the 1-95 exit
to the Fashion District. There was once an 7-95 ingress and egress to this area
which was closed off. We have been trying for 7 years to get this reopened. it
would certainly help traffic in and around the area.
Last but now least, we would like beautification of the area. Especially 5th
Avenue and the surrounding area. Make it a better place to shop and a better
place to do business. It is our feeling that if we don't get the relief that is
needed, the City of Miami is going to lose some tax revenue. You passed an inven-
tor: tax on wholesalers, the retailers and manufactureres. They are fleeing the
area to Hialeah. I think we should retain them in the area. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: The next speaker if Eufala Frazier.
Ms. Eufala Frazier: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I would like to say there was difference
made when you let the Doctor speak. And I wish Father Gibson would have been here,
since these peopI.e are in his area, and they are the overflow from Culmer, and they
did not know what was going on in the area until this morning. And to that concern,
they are here today, and they pooled cars to come down here. I am here representing
the people that are in the area southwest of Wyndwood and north of Culmer, which
neither one of them in the community development, have they been involved. They were
not involved in the process. For the first time this morning they knew about the
plans that were planned for that particular area, and there is a consent here, --
we are here today, and we are concerned because there is more than 350, maybe 4 or
500 families, that will have to be moved. We were in there this morning. We actually
looked at the impact of the people there. The Phase I of the plan that you have, is
going to move a whole lot of people.. In i971, we went to West Palm Beach and there
were 250 families was going to be removed for governmental purposes, and it was at
that time that the government placed a trailer on that site and stayed there until
every family found a place to live at a place they could afford. Now we know that
that area has got to be revised. But it is time we stop planning to move people
without preparation for them to have some place to go. We are here today saying
if you are going to start in that area, don't start Phase I now. Start Phase II,
because Phase I is nothing but a lots of people, and we don't know where they
are going. They are moving from the community. It is another technical, high
skilled system of removing black people from the inner city. And this is what we
are against. I don't care what you say. You can say you are going to give him
assistance, but what kind of assistance are you going to give them? Most of the
people in that area, you look at that employment and then you say maybe they don't
quality to get that dollars you are talking about out there? They don't
cualify to get the money for home -owner. They are going to have to move. They are
going to have to move in some type of public housing, or some type of subsidized
housing. But where are they We haven't seen them. I am here for the Tenant Education
Association of Miami and for the residents and for the neighbors of Wyndwood, who
are concernedi, are saying to the City of Miami, do not plan to move those people
before you have houses to place them in. Thank you,
Ms. Dena Spillman:Mr. Mayor can I respond to two points? I think there is some
confusion here and it might help if we got that.
Mayor Ferre; if it is of claritory nature yes, if it is debative in nature, no.
Ms, Dena Spillman: I don't know where the figure of 300 families,
Mayor Ferre; Eufala, where did you go?
Ps FEB 9197e
Ns. Frazier: What we did this morning•, we a.t;..:l1y wont into the area. We
actually counted the apartment buildiaca in there:, and the single family housing;
that was in there. Some of those building,, more than one famil'r lived in them.
what
Ms. Spillman: I don't know area you art referring to. We have not yet designated
the area ti..:t we ai-e going acquisition in. We have $250,000. which as I am sure
you know, will not buy more than one or two apartment buildings. Again, there
are not 300 families to be relocated. we will certainly let you know when we
decide where we want to start and we will t' the community and let them know.
The other point I want to mike is, that everyone who is displaced by Community
Development receives full relocation benefits and assistance in finding another
housing unit in the area where they want to live. This is federal law. We must
follows those procedures, and think these benefits are adequate, and explain to
the people, the.: will not have a problem.
Ms. Frazier: We have here on this map, where you have Phase 1, is to extend from
2nd Avenue, Coe N.W. to the expressway, from 22nd to 23, and there is nothing in
there but families.
Ms. Spillman: That is not correct.
Mayor Ferro: Listen to what she has to say, and then you can challenger her.
Snil.l.r.an: 1 don't have the map in front of me. I. am telling you we only
have 250,C00. We are only going to buy land where there is a need for it, and
before we do that we will go back to the community, and out-
line the area with you. It doesn't say Phase I. This thing on map includes the
entire: garment center. We are not talking about that.
Mayor Terre: Listen to what :.he is saying now.
M. Frazier: But what I am saying here, is that you are moving into that area.
in the first place, what has happened here, the residents of that area have not
been informed. They ha1'c not been involved. That is the first complaint. The
second comp1 int is, that the Wvndwood Community Development Task Force, have
been asked for $250,000. the first year, and $250,000. the second year, and
$250,000. the third year. Therefore, and it is to be spent in this particular
area.
Ms. Spillman: Eufala, again, even with 3 years worth of funding, that will not
displace 300 families. You know L1:- ..a,. You know that we can never do that.
Secondly I am telling you now that before we go out there, we will go back to
the community and let you know where we want to start, let you know how many
families are going to be displaced. We should take it from there. I think this
has been blown totally out of proportion.
Ms. Frazier: This is a very touchy situation.
Ms. Spillman: I understand your concern.
Ms. Frazier: You can understand why black folks didn't want rapid transit,
because they were removed, and didn't get any result at all. When something
eise comes through for the progress of this community, they are afraid to death.
Twenty years behind now. Right again they start the same thing again.
Spillman: We are very aware of your concerns, don't think that we aren't.
Wo know the sins of the past. We don't want to repeat them. I would like to make
one point that has not been clearly stated here. That housing is some of the worst
in the City of Miami. I think everybody knows that. If Dade County went in and
enforced the cedes tomorrow everybody would get kicked out of their houses and
would not get relocation benefits. We are trying to make a proposal here, where
everyone is going; to cone out, ---it will be beneficial to everyone involved, That
is the best way 1 can put it.
tls. Frazier: I agree with that. I am not saying that that area should not be
revised. I am saying that, No. 1 the citizens were not involved, No. 2 there
should not be any plans for removal of black people from that area until there
has been housing for them to be replaced,
Mayor Fevre: Dena, that's why 1 said, is your statement declaratory or debative
9 _FEB 9.1979
in nature. It started out being declaratory and ended up being debative.
Ms. Spillman: I won't say anything else.
Mayor Ferre: Wait a moment. Everybody has to leave. I have to leave too. I
have been sitting here since 6:30 in the morning, We will get the next speaker
in line.
Rev. Jonathan Rowe: I am Rev. Jonathan Rowe, I at president of Black Cross
Liberation Committee. I am very much concerned about the people in that particular
area. 7 realize the City of Miami has the authority do many things as far as
humanity is concerned. I heard they talked about placing a clinic or some kind
of health center in Coconut Grove because they said that was because of health
conditions. But it was just stated that the housing there is so bad that they
can destroy these houses because it is not upkept. But black people are living
in these houses. You are talking about taking black people out of their houses
and relocating them without giving them a plan of action.
Mayor Ferre: That is what Eufala Frazier just said.
Rowe:I am trying to find out what is the priority that the City of Miami
will do on this issue that is before the City of Miami.
Mayor Ferre: Where have you been?
Rev. Rowe: I have been traveling to the state of Alabama,
Mayor Ferre: Well, okay you have been traveling.
Rev. Rowe: But I am here now.
Mayor Ferre:This is not the place for you to seek information. This is a public
hearing for people who are informed to express opinions, and that's the purpose
of this forum. You want information, would you sit down?
Rev. Rowe: Okay. Thank you sir.
Mr. Armando Gutierrez: I am Armando Gutierrez, and I am president of the
Allapattah Merchants Association. I am vice president of Central Bank. We
come to you today here representing the Allapattah merchants because the fact
is there is so much Community Devel,pment money being spent in Allapattah
but all has been spent on 28th Street, 27th Street, and you are forgetting the
main street where Miami was founded, on 36th Street. I have here some slides of
a horror movie. It is ghost town. That is what 36th Street is coming to. I took
some of your own people down there the other day and they couldn't believe it,
and I think if you all would pay attention to me, you might learn something today.
You might be spending too much time in South America, too much time downtown, so
you had better start spending some time on 36th Street. Because it is really a
horror movie. The only major department store, Jackson Byron, just closed this
week. They got robbed three times in three days, consecutive. Everybody is closing
up business down there. You are losing a lot of taxes. Buildingsdown there were burned
out 10 years ago, they are still burned out. Cordis has two city blocks down there,
and they employ about 300 people, and they are thinking of moving. I don't know what
you are going to do. You might be building a big thing here on Watson Island
but what are you going to do on 36th Street? All vacant land? Mayor if you would
listen to me please, I would like to have some attention, I don't like to stand
here and have you look another way and talk to somebody else, I think it is about
time you people get involved in the community.
Mayor Ferre: You can do anything you want.
Mr, Gutierrez: Take a ride down 36th Street sometime and see what it feels like
to work down there.
Mayor Ferre:Ail right,
Ms, Pat Keller: Good afternoon Mayor Ferre and commissioners, I am Pat Keller,
chairperson of the Physical Task Force of A1lapattah, As you know the majority
of my task force disagrees with .the projects as submitted by City and County
Planners. Our dissatisfaction is a matter of public record and was so recorded
90
r ck iCITR
at public C.D. meetings. Letters were sent tc each of you expressing our
dissatisfaction. T would like to see geode Gordon. I can't see her. Maybe you
can get someone to take that down.
Allapattah Merchants Association has also ni:de it a matter of public record
that they were dissatisfied with the pr.,jcct as submitted.
You thin's that voting took place with those matters and has been completed
and we are much too late to submit our oroects. Yes, public voting was held on
November 14, and none of the projects that my committee submitted were considered
worthy tc be put to a public vote. Note the newspaper Allapattah Guardian, --I want
each one of you to take a look at this. It shows that there will be a public meeting
on Ntvetnber 14, but it does not say there will be voting held. There was advertisement
in three newspapers, two of which advertised the day before the public meeting. The
one I saw did not show that voting would be held. I don't dare take time out
here but I am going to show it after I finish my talk. I wart you also to note
the iiyer sent out by Dade County didn't state that voting would take place.
Would you bcid a voting; on the mayoral racy' and not show that voting was going
to take place it certainly seems like you wouldn't. Therefore because of the
information I have given you,(we are not late, we are right on time), ---in making
our decisions on projects, we listened to City and County planners, the Miami
Ccoprehensive Flan, moderate and low-income people, and we remind you that CD
primarily addresses itself to moderate and low-income people. You will have to
forgive me, but the projects put forth by the City of Miami as we saw it, did
not add: ss itscli to those people. As matters turned out, we got the impression
that we t iec_ted to merely rubber-stamp what the City and County Planners had
put before us. We could not in good conscience do that. At the onset of CD, Mr.
Dramof, i , as yeti know, who made up the Miami Comprehensive Plan,advised us to con-
centrate in one hi bly visible area. He further pointed out that we could not
attempt tc completely renovate a slum area. Therefore we made our decisions
based on good sound advice, and our good sound judgment, to concentrate our
efforts a blocks to the east and west of 17th Avenue, starting from the River
up to 39th Street. This would takeir.the 36Street area that Mr. Gutierrez was
sncakjng of. I also have a visual aid herd. I don't dare take time out. I will
snow it to you later, and I am groin;; to asr. you what you consider the heart of
Allapattah. We agree that 17th Avenue is the heart of the community. It was not
. slum and therefore a rebuildable area. It had high visibility. 0n it was located
they major institutions of the area. Tracts 24 and tract 1703 which City and County
planners are designating as impact areas do not need that criteria. Tract 1703 is
located near the airport and thus is not considered the core of Allapattah. Do
you consider the Jai -Alai area the core of Allapattah? Also it is in such terrible
shape, that it will take a major ocFart on Dade County's part to make it a viable
area. I am afraid our CI) :Honey will hardly do the job. Therefore, our statement
to Dade County is, they had better get on doing the job, in tract 1703, and we
understand there are fundings available to do it. We certainly support.
Immediately they are going in there and tending to that area. We understand
as a further background for our project, we notice a lack of open space.
Mayor Ferre: Well. What is sauce forthe goose, is sauce for the gander. You pro-
tested when the other one went over -time. Now when she goes over her time, that
is all right. I'll give you a couple of minutes.
Ms. Keller: I want to make this final point if I may. Thank you. You are correct sir.
As a turther background to our projects we noted the lack of open space in Allapattah.
1 am going to show you the map when my time is up. Open space has not been provided
in that. area and we are ashamed, V.. are ashamed to face these people, and not have
a little mini -park for these people. You people in Allapattah, I am afraid the lid
is about to come off there, if we do not have a mini -park in the HUD project there.
I have pictures to show yeti of that which I will pass out when my time is up. There-
fore you have the background for my project. You have my presentation there showing
the project. Then I will pass out guy visual aids to you. I want to thank you for
listening to me.
Mayor Ferre; The next speaker is Bella Smith and then you.
Ms. Bella Smith: I represent the Florida Opera Repertory. We have been actively
engaged in presenting; free performances of musical comedies and opera at the Little
Havana Community Center. Our initial introduction to the center was made through
Mr. Ortega and Ms. Calderin in 1976, A contract was submitted to us by Mr. Ortega
together with Mr, Knox, to present five musical events and to have use of several
rooms within the facility, Our most recent production at the Center included children
from the Miami. Shores Elementary, young
g men from the Miami Areospace Academy, and
541
an entire orchestra from North Miami Beach. The performances included members
of the Cuban,Black, Jewish and Italian communities, and myself a Eurasian: Our
audiences also reflected the same cross-cultural residents of the City of Miami
and elsewhere, It is my opinion that the emphasis of including participants from
the perimeters of the Little Havana Community Center, not only enriches the life
of that community by dissolving barriers of isolation caused by neighborhood ghettos
but mutual understanding can be created. The augmentation of these programs can
also be judged by the factors that local restaurants, businesses, derive extra
advantages through the influx of audiences from the aforementioned areas, including
the economy through purchases of all the materials necessary for performances. It
is our hope that our periodic requests to the Little Havana Community Center for
space and rehersal for productions be reconsidered. We were recently informed that
this was not possible since a new musical organization under the umbrella program
recently entered the area, and was utilizing the center every day in the week.
Based on our past achievements of Community Development, by Florida Opera Repertory
at the Little Havana Center, we are asking the Commission to examine this status
of our company at the Center.
Mrs, Gordon: Would you please explain what I just heard. I understand you, and
I understand what you said. What I don't understand is how that could come about
what you just told me. I want Mr. Grassie to tell how it comes about, that you would
be evicted and replaced when you are performing a community service, on a multi-
cultural basis. Is that what you said?
Ms. Smith: Yes.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay. Can you tell me Mr. Grassie how that could come about?
Mr. Grassie: No. The news reporter was talking to me Commissioner when most of
this was going on.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, you have your 5 minutes all over again. Mr. Grassie has to hear
you.
Ms. Smith: Well I will try to cut it short. We have been performing at Little
Havana since 1976. At first we started to charge but we invited all the seniors
from the Senior Centers free of charge, and the young people from the Dade County
Youth Rehabilative Centers, Bill Shipiro. And the performances were very well
enjoyed. I have a lot of correspondence here, signatures of the people who attended.,
We would just like to rehearse at the Center,and use the !area for productions.
Mr. Grassie: I am sorry. Who is 'We.'
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie, this lady has been speaking for 5 minutes, and this
is the third time she has repeated this. Can't we just simply, ----Dena, can't
that be solved very simply?
Ns. Spillman: I would have to ask the office of Citizens Services who run the,
Unidentified: Dena is not allocating space in the Little Havana Community Center.
Mayor Ferre: Who does that?
Unidentified: Luisa Calderin.
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor, we don't have the answer. The only intelligent thing
that we can do is find out what the problem is, and get somebody who has been
working on the answer, to give me some definitive word. I don't have the answer
right now.
Mayor Ferre: The problem is that this lady and her associaiton has been trying
to get an answer for how long?
Ms. Smith; Well, quite a while,
Mayor Ferre: With whom have you been dealing?
Ms. Smith; I have written to Ms. Calderin,
Mayor Ferre: Mr, Grassie still doesn't Know who
you represent,
FF B A 1978
1
Ms. Smth: Oh. Florida Opera Repertory. It is a community organization.
Mr. Grassier ;ut you have been dealing with Ms. Calder .in trying to get use
of the Little Havana Community Center. Apparently it is a question about
the fees.
Mrs, Gordon: She was using it, and was told she could no longer use because
somebody else was going to begin to use it, and therefore she would have to find
herself ancther place to operate. Now this is sotrething indredible to me, because
I think that any community facilities are exactly that. Open for the Community,
at large, without regard to race, colot, creed, national origin, sex or anything
else. So this is what she is saying. She is saying that she has been asked to
leave because of that kind of reason. Okay? I at asking you as the Manager, to
explain how that could possibly be an order from a subordinante of yours, of one
of your departments.
*r. Grassie: The basic thing we have to do is find out what the problem is,
then we will get an answer.
Ms. Annette Eisenberg: My name is Annette Eisenberg, and I will give you some
addressee,
't3vor I=e~rig:--•-lower you voice Annette, ----
Ms. Eisenberg: --that qualify me co speak here tonight. 1180 A.E. 86th Street,
6910 Biscayne Blvd., 6247 A.E. 2nd Avenue, all in the City of Miami.
:tr. P1.,,ter: What does the Boulevard address represent?
Me.Eisenbe e: We do a lot of things on the Boulevard.
Mr. Plummer: 1 am sure.
Ms. Eisenberg: Core on over and see. We have a whole new crop out there this
week. Come en out and see.
Mr. Plummer:You have a whole new crop of T.C. secs.
Ms. Eisenberg: In all seriousness I am here as a citizen. It is after
5 o'clock, so I can speak try piece. I am concerned as a citizen and taxpayer
in the City of Miami, that the Co.. .i-a.,nn does not make the same mistake that
they made with Revenue Sharing money. Stay the hell nut of the social service
business. You have failed drastically with the r,th,'r money. Please, use the
Community Development money for the physical improvements that we, the taxpayers
are entitled to. Let the entire City of Miami have the facilities of better streets
and better buildings, better sewers. You have asked us to vote for a 15 million
bond issue for sanitary sewers and I have never refused to work for you or to vote
for the various bond issues you have come forward with. But now I am going to ask
you, start using these federal dollars for which they were intended. They were in-
tended for all people. They were intended to reduce the tax base. Use them for
the physical improvements. Don't let a group of phantom constituents, I said that
to you once before, and you didn't believe me, --the group of phantom constituents
out there who threaten you, to serve their social service program, please,
I don't know, ----if you are going to speak, I think I will speak when you speak
ceo,----please, use the Communit; Development money for the physical improvements.
Than you.
Ms. Lorraine Gliston: My name. 1s Lorraine Gliston, I live at 130 N.E. 82nd Street.
1 have a business there, and I own approximately 40% of that block on both sides
of the street.
Mrs. Gordon: Can we put on the record that we wish you lots of good luck in your
recent marriage.
Ms. Gliston: Thank you. The thing that I am primarily interested 3n as a taxpayer,
is the proper financial management of our tax dollar. Working, as you all are aware,
with all for the past four years, in the public area, I have learned a great deal
that is good and I must compliment you on a great deal you have done. I have also
learned a great deal that is not good. And all of you are equally aware that I have
done a bit of agitating, investigating, exposing and etc, in the areas that were not
03
F E B 91978
good, and reminding you of this is my unsubtle way of saving, please, listen
to what Annette said just ahead of you, and let's use these dollars as the law
wrote and specified, and the guidelines specify to give us the facilities from
which the social services that the other people are clamoring for, can be con-
ducted. What good is a social service if the people, the clients at they are
called, have to stand in the hot sun and rain, in line with no building on the
street curb to try to get social services. Give them the facility where they
can get it as the law provides and the social services will follow from the
proper sources. Thank you.
Mr. Jose Molina: My name is Jose Molina, and I am an organizer with All Peoples
Neighborhood Organization in Wyndwood. And everybody is gone because people
were exhausted, and tired. What I am going to say is maybe a repetition. I would
like to repeat for the record. I want to say on behalf of our organization that
we endorse all the recommendations from Community Development staff, including
the 2nd phase of the garment district expansion. The only thing we do not endorse,
and we would like the Commissioners to consider that, to take a good look at the
problem, is the first phase. The first phase means the removal of 100 black people
living between 22nd Street and 23 Terrace, between 2nd Avenue and the Expressway
I-95. Since the beginning, people in Wyndwood have been objecting to this expansion,
because factories in Wyndwood don't benefit our people. The people working in the
garment district area factories are people from outside. Poor people from Wyndwood
have to go all the way to Miami Beach to work in the kitchens down there, in the
hotels. Our point is, unless we have something in writing from the business people
that assure that we will have jobs for our local people, we will be in agreement
with this expansion for the garment district. We agree that housing in that specific
area, 22nd to 23rd, 5th Avenue, to 2nd Avenue, is terrible. Horrible for human beings.
I personally was there canvassing that area, and that is a shame for our society.
We are not against the project itself, but we want these people to have a place
to move. We want them to be involved, because they were not involved. And I know
that because I was there this morning, and they did not know what was going to happen
to them. We are objecting to the expansion only because they don't open anything
for our local people. But now we are more against that because so many people are
going to be hurt.
Finally we are saying that, we don't want Community Development money,--Wyndwood
Community Development money, --to be used yet, maybe ,but not yet, for
blacks removal. That's all.
Mrs. Gordon: Not just for what?
Mr. Molina: For black removal. That is the only point I want to make.
Mr. Freddy Bowe: Mr. Mayor members of the Commission, as a representative
of the Florida Tenant Organization, ----
Ms. Spillman: Freddy would you state your name and address.
Mr. Bowe: My address is 10800 SW 221 Street. That's where I reside, Eight -five
percent of the time is spent in the City of Miami, and the record will reflect
that from way back. My point here is, as a representative of Florida Tenant Organi-
zation, I need not to emphasize what many of the other speakers have already said.
Mr. Ongie, City Clerk: Your name please.
Mr, Freddy Bowe: My name is Freddy Bowe.
Mr, Plummer: From North Key West.
Mt. Bowe: Right on. The thing I am very much concerned with, all that was said,
also, I am hearing, advice that was given to the commissioners, in terms of what
to be aware of, but 1 can remember in this very same room, standing and sitting
in this room and hearing the same echo. The same echo was saying to support. There-
fore I am saying, let us not forget, because you jump ship and get on another ship,
to say that is the safest ship, Let us remember that the same wind that blows on
the ship you are on, --if you don't utilize the mechanism to secure, --to make sure
that the ship you jump, that the passenger jumps on the other one that is secure,
---I like to talk these things in riddle like this simply because l am sure that
the people that are listening understand what I am really saying, that is
Freddy Bowe, If Freddy Bowe is saying today, this thing here is not
94_ FEB 91979
safe, and tomorrow he comes back because Freddy Bowe leaves here and goes over
there, he is saying that is safe, simply because Freddy Bowe is over there now,
7 am saying let us recognize that Community Development Funds are for improvement
of construction and all that kind of stuff. But let us remember, if the same people
who are promoting,happens to be the ones who are promoted over here, all you have
done, is you have changed hats, but you are still the same person. If you condone
a situation, that later on you back away from it and say everybDdy else is evil,
and I was the only good animal. that came out of it. I am sayinf; that for what it
is worth. I :teed not call names. I am not a namec_aller. But my name was mentioned
inside this room. I don't speak for the area that my name was called in reference to,
but I happen to he a member of the same group because of the way it started. There
are many of the staff people of the County and the City, arc scared of certain
people because they threaten them in terms of their job. That :should not have
to occur. I an sure you all wouldn't condone that, but that is the kind of sit-
utation that happens in Community Development, when it is revenue sharing anal
the staff people are fearful of certain people, because they believe, based on
prior history, people who challenge them or oppose them, either lose their job,
or get, ----these are things I am very much concerned with as an observer.
Mrs. Gordon: Freddy, what do you want us to do? I want to get to the root of
what you want done. I don't care where you come from. I know you have an interest.
What de you wane?
Mr. Bowe: My concern is that, in the involvement of the people that are going to
be moved,that is on.
Mrs. Gordon: You want them to relocated?
Mr. Lowe: Relocated, and that they are involved in process of the federal
guidelines. Ms. Frazier mentioned what happened in Palm Beach. Those things
are e reality. Even if they are planning, the people need to be aware of it,
so you don't be caught later on, in saving you have planned something for them
without being involved.
Mrs. Gordon: You are talking about that area near the garment center. You are
not talking about Edison -Little River then.
Mr. Bowe: I want to use Edison -Little River simply because my name was mentioned
in reference to Edison -Little River, ---
Mrs. Gordon: I just want clarification.
Mr. Bowe: --I said Edison -Little River simply because the same people that was
involved, would ever make an acquisition before you here today, of, --the same
people that are involved in another setting,and because they are involved in
another setting, they are trying to say the setting they are in,are pure, but
the setting they came out of are evil.
Mr. Plumper: If the boat goes too fast, it will sink.
Mrs. Gordon: What you are saying, you are not opposed to redevloping an area,
provided you give people a place to move into. Okay. That is logical.
Mr. 1'lumrner: What Freddy is saving is get a dinghy boat from Nassau, large
enough to take the people from the other house to the new house.
Dr. Sylvia Millares:(English translation) She is Dr. Sylvia Millares, she
represents the project under the name of Umbrella, which is a vocational school,
located in the Little Havana Area. The address Is 9th Avenue, between 1st and
2.ad Streets,
Mrs. Gordon: The building that is going to be torn down?
Ms. Seiliman: Just to clarify a point.
Dr. Millares: Excuse me. The office is at 9th Avenue, but the classroom, in the
Day Care, is in the same building of Little Havana Community Center,
Mr. Plummer: That is the best Spanish I have heard all day,
FEB 51978
Dr. Millares: I forgot. (Spanish) ----
Interpreter: She said that in the last two years, they have in the priority
when the neighborhood meets to define the ptiority target of the area, ---
No. 8, No, 5, No. 3, 7 years, and No. 1, in Community Development, Revenue Sharing,
in all the meetings they have forgot that. And they tapes on those meetings. Last
week, she was with Ms. Spillman and Mr. Fosmoen, and Mr. Parkins, they were recom-
mended to discuss the project with Mr. Parkins, and two or three days later,
she was not called in by Mr. Parkins, then she was given an appointment to
make a program evaluation, and she was with Mr. Comesanas, and George ?
and someone else. She replied to all the questions made to her. Her question
today, ----she said it is a fact, to call a meeting in the neighborhood
to make the priorities, and afterwards, the people involved will do whatever
they want to do, without regarding the priorities of the community.
She was told January 24, that health programs were going to be recommended in
order to get the S50,000. for the two programs, to the extreme that she has
resigned her fulltime work, a job she has held for the last 7 years, she has
a leave of absence without pay, after a year of that leave, she has to resign,
taken by employees of the City against herself and she is
thinking of calling her lawyer, in order to ask the question of the proper person
who abuse her. She thanks the commission and doesn't want to take more time.
Mr. Hilario Ormesto: My name is Hilario Ormesto. I am here representing
Latin Brotherhood Association of Dade County, a non-profit corporation.
Besides that, I am the vice-chairman of the Action Community Program, a
community agency for the Little Havana, and also the representative from
that Board to the big board of Community action agency of Dade County. I am
i;ere in order to explain all the questions you may have about the health clinics,
and the reason I am here using this mike right now is because Ms. Spillman and
myself, we have conversation and a meeting of the minds on how this program can
be put to work right away. I would like to ask her to take part of this right
now.
Ms. Spillman: The only thing Mr. Ormesto told me before, and please tell me
if I am wrong, that he doesn't want any money. Why don't you tell them?
Mr. Ormesto: Okay. What I told her because there is no money in CD at
this moment, this program could be very well taken care of, if my organization
is given the 'space and the CETA position for the technician who is going to work
on the health care center. The equi-mPn* and the professional help is being secured
from other sources. That is the reason that she said to me, don't go away, stay
over here to see if we can solve this this afternoon. All I want from the Com-
mission is that the commission provide us with the proper adequate space and the
CETA position for the technicians, and the Xray, and the people who are going to
work there, that are not professionals. The doctors will be in other categories.
That is what I have spoken to Ms. Spillman, and we both decided to bring it to
the Commission.
Mrs. Gordon: Before when I spoke to you, I asked you if you have a written
proposal. You said you do.
Mr. Ormesto: It is a written proposal. It has been presented to the people
last year.
Mrs. Gordon: You are also acquainted with the health systems agency and the
work they do in this community.
Mr. Ormesto: Yes. I used to be, last year, a member of the health system agency
in the task force who took care of preventive medicine, primary care and
secondary care,
Mrs, Gordon; It would be my suggestion,(do whatever you want) that you submit the
proposal for review to the review committee of the health systems agency,
Mr, Ormesto; This is something different, Commissioner Gordon this is something
different, It is your privilege of having that opinion, This has nothing to do
96
FEB 91978
with the _BSA , since the HSA has no power to sa" what is good, right
or wrong. Since the HSA has nothing to do with the City of Miami, and
with the CETA position or the place we are looking for, and with due respect
to the HSA they are an agency that I don't think they speak in this case,
because we are not requesting anyting from there. We are requesting space and
the CETA position from the Community Development who are there. The space is
there and the CETA positions is there.
Mr. Plummer: I think what Mrs. Gordon is saving and I am drawing on My recollection,
before you open this up, aren't you going to have to go before the Health Council?
Mr. Ormesto: No, sir. There is no law that compels any organization, any clinic,
private or public to go before the HSA. That has been very clear. As a matter of
fact, for your information Commissioner Plummer, the insurance commission of the
state of Florida, years ago when HMO law was enacted, in 1971, to take effect
in 1972, in January, 1972, required all the applicants for HMO license to be
approved by the HSA. And two years ago, the insurance commissioner went away
with that, and said they don't need it. In order to get an HMO "license now,
you don't have to be approved or recommended by the HSA even to get the hospital
license anymore.
Mrs. Gordon: T`e difference is that, you or anyone can open anything you want
with your own money, but when you come for public money, then you are dealing
with a different entity, A different baligame. Where the City is concerned ,
very frankly, not to diminish your program, because I might think it is fantastic
after I read i.t. And the location may be absolutely necessary, for the service
of the community, but if you arc dealing in health care, then if this commission
had enough gumption to select a panel to examine cultural programs, certainly
this commission, I would expect this commission to rely upon the experts to advise
them with health programs.
Ormesto: 1 am an easy guy to get along with.
Mayor Ferre: I can attest to that.
Mr. Ormesto:She is the first lady of the commission, and we respect her. Subject
to the approval of the agency, let's go on on this. Subject to the approval of
agency, I want this evening to get a final answer, yes or no. I am a businessman.
I pay taxes to the City of Miami. I don't live off of this.
Mayor Ferre:I don't know about anybody else, but subject to an HSA approval, I
will be in favor of something like this.
Mr. Ormesto: You too, Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: No. I am going to tell you why. Let me tell you something. I am
here as a commissioner today. Not an HSA member. When I review your report,
and receive a recommendation from the review committee, I will have to vote
there as a different hat. But I would say to you, that if the recommendation is,
that the area requires the kind of health care delivery service that you have to
give, then why would I be opposed to it? I would certainly not be opposed to it.
Mr. Ormesto: I am asking you today. You said you are against that.Mayor Ferre
said that he will, subject to the approval of the HSA will vote yes. You said
you would vote no. Or I am mistaken.
Mayor Ferre; I didn't hear her say that.
Mrs. Gordon: I wouldn't commit myself tonight because I don't know where the
money will come from.
Mr. Ormesto: I am not asking for money. I am asking for the CETA position
and the space.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, with HSA's approval, I have no objection.
Mr. Ormesto: This evening you will vote for compromise on that?
Mrs. Cordon; I am not voting tonight.Are we voting tonight Mr. Mayor?
We are not voting tonight.
97
FEB$1978
Mayor Ferre: We are not voting on anything.
Mr. Ormesto: Dena, what is the next step?
Ms. Spillman: The Commission will give us their direction and at the next hearing
wi11 finalize all the items. You have made your point.
Mrs. Gordon: You made a good point.
Mayor Ferre: Next speaker.
Mr. Albo Lazaro: My name is Albo Lazaro. Mr, Mayor and City Commission, I think
this project of Mr. Ormesto is no good for Little Havana. I don't think it is good,
for Little Havana, 65 clinic,open 24 hours a day.
Mrs. Gordon: I am sorry, I didn't ------
Mayor Ferre: I understand. I think his English is improving a great deal. Your
English is improving a great deal.
Mr. Lazaro: I am against these projects.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay. But he has to go before a professional body.
Ms. Spillman: Lazaro is not asking for CD money either.
Mayor Ferre: He has a right to say something.
Mr. Lazaro: You have a project for ? The Little Havana got a
67 or 70 clinic open 24 hours a day. Suppose my wife got a pain. You I think
I need to call somebody to help put her in the car and take her to this clinic.
What good the rescue. The rescue is at my house in 3 minutes. The time I find
somebody, ---helping me, --take my wife to my car, ----dies. I think the rescue
for Little Havana is the first one, right? You got a Jackson Hospital, --I think
you have 5 or 6 hospitals here in this area. I think the community needs something
better than this. The old people, got Medicaid and Medicare, I think we
need some program better than this.
Mayor Ferre: He is going on record, that he is opposed to Mr. Ormesto's proposal.
Any other speakers at this time? Thank you very much for your patience and endura.
I think you all are fantastic.
31. PUBLIC HEARING: REPEAL ORD. 8645 AND PROVIDE NEW CHAPTER 66 OF THE
CODE FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION OF ADULT NOTION PICTURE THEATERS,
BOOK STORES AND ESCORT SERVICES.
Mr. Grassie: This is a public hearing, Item 22. Mr. Mayor you should ask if
anybody would like to speak.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. City Attorney, what does this ordinance do that the last one
we passed did not?
Mr. Knox, City Attorney: This ordinance NO. 1 clarified the definition of adult
hook stores, and motion pictures, No. 2 it provides that the convictions which
are basis for revocations or denials of license, took place within the last three
years, and NO. 3 it provides for a hearing before the City Commision in the event
there is a denial of a license,
Mr. Plummer:Do you recommend it Mr. City Attorney?
Mr, Knox; Yes.
Mr. Plununer: Based on the recommendation of the City Attorney and City Mananger,
that this is needed to comply will all statutes, rules and regulations, I move it,
Mayor Ferre; Mrs. Gordon seconds,
F E B 91978
•
Manor Ferre: Is there anybody here who wants to speak for or against this
ordinance. This is a public hearing. Hearing none, --read the ordinance Mr. Knox.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED;
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING IN ITS ENTIRETY ORDINANCE 8645
AND PROVIDING FOR A NEW CHAPTER 66 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, PROVIDING THE LICENSING ANI)
REGULATION OF ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATERS, ADULT BOOK
STORES AND ESCORT SERVICES, AMENDING LICENSE APPLICATION
PROCEDURES THEREUNDER; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE
SECTIONS OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT, INSOFAR AS THEY
ARE IN CONFLICT; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner Gordon and
passed on its first reading by title by the following vote-
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
32. ADDING AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TEANSr'ER Ft : , AMEN' SECTION 30-10
OF THE CODE.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 30-10 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MlAofI BY PROVIDING FOR A TRANSFER FEE OF $3.00
FOR THE TRANSFER OF ALL OCCUTPATIONAL LICENSES, SUBJECT
TO THE USUAL CONDITIONS FOR SUCH TRANSFER; CONTAINING
A REPEALER PROVISION AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
Was introduced by Commissioner Reboso and seconded by Commissioner Plummer and
passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into tree public record and
announced that copies were available to the Members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
33. AMEND SECTION 16-2, 16-3 OF TEE CODE ROTATIO OF CHECKING ACCOUNTS,
TINE DEPOSITS, ETC.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 16-2 AND 16-3 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, IN THEIR ENTIRETY
RELATING TO THE ROTATION OF CHECKING ACCOUNTS, THE
PRORATION OF TIME DEPOSITS AND KIND OF SECURITY BY
ESTABLISHING A COMPETITIVE BID BASIS FOR AWARD OF
THE CITY'S BANKING SERVICE NEEDS FOR A CONTRACTUAL
THREE-YEAR PERIOD, RESTRICTING INVESTMENTS TO BE PLACED
ON A COMPETITIVE BID BASIS, AND CONTAINING A REPEALER
CLAUSE AND .' SEVERABILITY PROVISION AND CONTAINING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
99
FEB to
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner
Reboso and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer and Mayor Ferree
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
AUTHORIZE ANTUNTO MOLINA TO ASSIGN LEASE AGREEMENT FOR CITY OF MIAMI
CCUNIRY CLUB FOOD CONCESSION.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-103
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ANTONIO MOLINA, PRESENTLY THE
OPERATOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COUNTRY CLUB FOOD CONCESSION
TO ASSIGN THE LEASE AGREEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER 28, 1977, OF
SAID CONCESSION TO THE FLORIDA CORPORATION ENTITLED "TONY
MOLINA, INC."
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote-
AYES:Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None.
35. AUTHORIZE DISPOSAL OF FIVE MOTOR VEHICLES AS DONATION TO THE
SISTER CITY OF CALI, COLOMBIA:
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-104
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN NO -LONGER
SERVICEABLE EQUIPMENT, TO WIT: 5 MOTOa VEHICLES, AND AUTHORIZING
THE DONATION OF THESE VEHICLES TO THE CITY OF CALI, COLOMBIA
THROUGH THE CITY OF MIAMI SISTER CITY PROGRAM, WITH THE UNDER-
STANDING THAT THE CITY OF CALI WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL
SHIPPING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr, Plummer, Mr. Reboso Mayor Ferre.
NOES; None.
ABSENT: Rev, Gibson
ABSTAINING: None,
100 FEB 9 1978
•
36. AMEND PRIOR RESOLUTION CONFIRMING DESIGNATION OF INDIVIDUALS BY
CERTIFIED BARGAINING NG REPRE5 TATIVE AND APPOmI 3 TO CITY AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION ADVISORY BOARD BY REPLACING ONE MEMBER.
''? e folic►tring, resolution f^as {ntroc uce0 1'y !'ot^:^iosior.rr Reboso �•*�+o
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-105
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A PRIOR RESOLUTION WHICH HAD CONFIRMED
THE DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS BY CERTIFIED BARGAINING
REPRESENTATIVES OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND WHICH HAD APPOINTED SAID
INDIVIDUALS TO THE CITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY BOARD BY
REPLACING ONE OF THE PRIOR DESIGNATED INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS WITH
ANOTHER DULY DESIGNATED INDIVIDUAL AND BY CORRECTING THE LENGTH
OF THE TERMS TO BE SERVED BY THE DESIGNATED MEMBERS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer Mayor Ferre.
NOES; None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None.
37. AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT NEWSPAYF:R TO PLACE ADVERTISEMENT
3T
FOR SALE OF DELINQUENT SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT LIENS.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon moves #t32. Reboso seconds it. City Mananger
recommends. Further discussion?
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute.
Mayor Ferre: It is authorizing the Mananger to instruct the proper officials
to select the newspaper. What's the difference. They are going to select, Diario
Las Americas, Miami Times,
Mr. Plummer: We have to select it. Not the Mananger.
Mayor Ferre: Then you select it.
Mr. Plummer: Same as last year.
Mrs. Gordon: Second.
What are you going to select?
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion and second. Call the roll. The Liberty News is
not going to be happy. Lots of luck.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-106
A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING NEWSPAPERS IN WHICH THE NOTICE OF SALE
OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR DELINQUENT SPECIAL
IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT LIENS SHALL BE PUBLISHED
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None,
ABSENT; Rev, Gibson
ABSTAINING: None,
101
FEB S1978
38. BID ACCETTANCE - 100' ARTICULATING BOOM FIRE APPARATUS AND TRUCK.
Mayor Ferre: One -hundred foot articulating boom fire apparatus. I think
I have heard this one before. The Mananger tecommends, the Young Fite Equipment
Corporation. Yoe have been a patient man. teat >'!is of oisdom ate ?tou going to
give us today?
Mr. Bob Getty: My name is Bob Getty. I am general manager of Biscayne Fire
Equipment and I am representing Biscayne Fire Equipment as a taxpayer and
a vendor.
Mr. Plummer: Let me get my head straight. Do you also represent that Mr. Kranz
who was here before?
Mr. Gerry: 1 am employed by Mr. Kranz.
Mr. Plummer: Okay. In other words you are speaking for him?
Mr. Gerry: Mr. Plummer in the last meeting, stated that any bidder not meeting
specifications should be thrown out. I believe that is part of the record, and
not be considered. The truck you are proposing to accept does not meet all speci-
fications, 2 points. As far as we know, the certified check does not amount to
5 of the total bid. His bid was only for 30 days. Do you have written extension,
of that time? The bid called for 90 days. They were in some sort of labor problem i
and he wasn't sure that he could get a performance bond at that time, and that
was so stated in the letter dated December 16. Young Truck and Equipment are
assemblers only. They only make one part of the truck you are proposing to
accept. They build the body only. You are buying a foreign made product. Your
specifications state that they must have replacement parts and maintenance
within a reasonable distance. To onr knowledge only one of these trucks have
been built. It was bought by Earlton Volunteer Fire Department, Cherry Hill, N.J.
It is verging on an experimental truck. We respectfully request that the bids
be thrown out, and specifications rewritten and, that is about it.
Mr. Plummer: I think the man has asked a reasonable question. No. 1, did they
extend beyond 30 days?
Chief Brice : Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Do you have it in writing?
Chief Brice : Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Did they meet specifications?
chief Brice : Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Did their check amount to 5%.
Chief Brice : Base, price, yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Is that what the spec's called for?
Chief Brice : Called for thirteen thousand,
Mr. Plummer: To me a very important point he raised, and I think it is something
that has to be kept in mind, is the availability of replacement part. Have you
taken that into consideration? Do you feel confortable with that?
Chief Brice . Yes, sir.
Mr, Plummer: Does that answer all of your questions?
Mr. Gerre: The bid bond they put up, did that cover also the price of performance
bond they couldn't get at that time?
Chief brace ; The performance bond has not been posted, as part of the agreement.
We would have to have that prior to issuing the purchase order, We have not received
that at this point, but we are waiting for the commission to award the bid, At that
point, we will not issue the purchase order until such time as that performance bond
is posted,
12 FEB 91978
Mt. Gerry: But that price for the performance bond was not included in the
bid. Is that correct.
Chief Brice No, sir, it was not in the original. It has been by letter confirmed
that he will post that before delivery.
Mr. Gerry: Did the 5% bid bond included that extra cost?
Chief Brice!: I anti not sure I understand.
Mr. Gerry: The 5Z bid bond that was presented with the bid, did it include the
performance bond?
Chief Brice: The 5% in terms of our spec's, is based upon the base price of the
truck $270,000. It does not include the bid bond.
Mr. Grassie: For that bidder or any other bidder.
Chief Brice: This was the only one that posted anything in terms of a certified
check.
Mr. Gerry: He doesn't meet specifications. Right?
Chief Brice: What do you mean by that.
Mr. Gerry: His 5% bid bond did not meet the requirements of your specifications.
Chief Brice: My understanding was that 5% of the base price, it does. Yes, sir.
Mr. Gerry: But your specifications say he must have a performance bond.
Chief Brice: And we will not issue a purchase order until that performance
bond is placed.
Mr. Plummer: Chief, let's lay it on the line. You and your committee have
gone through this piece of equipment. I read your memorandum very carefully.
I just want for the record, NO. 1, you feel there is a need for this piece of
equipment?
Chief Brice: Yes, we spent a great deal of time on this and we feel this is
what we need at this point.
Mr. Plummer: And for the record, I want it to reflect my original objection
to buying such a piece of equipment. I wanted a 150 ft. and I was convinced by
the memo that this is a better piece of equipment for the need. I can't say
anything else except one thing. I move item 33.
Before my vote, let me make sure of one thing. Was this gentleman or his
company given a copy of the memorandum.
Mr. Gerry: Yes, I have a copy.
Mr, Plummer: You got a copy of it. The questions that were asked by Mr. Kranz
were answered. That is the important point I am trying to make.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer who
moved its adoption:
1.03 F E B 91978
RESOLUTION NO. 78-107
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF YOUNG FIRE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
FOR FURNISHING ONE 100 FOOT ARTICULATING BOOM FIRE APPARATUS AND
TRUCK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AT A TOTAL COST OF $2781232,91;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM FIRE FIGHTING, FIRE PREVENTION AND RESCUE
FACILITIES BOND PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANANGER TO INSTRUCT
THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THIS EQUIPMENT,
CONTINGENT UPON THE VENDOR'S FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE SPECIAL CON-
DITIONS INCLUDED IN THE INVITATION TO BID
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote-
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None.
39. BID ACCEPTANCE - INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TRADE FAIR OF THE AMERICAS.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-108
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID FROM ST. PAUL FIRE & MARINE
INSURANCE CO. AND LLOYDS OF LONDON THROUGH ITS LOCAL AGENT,
FRED S. JAMES & CO. OF FLORIDA AND PANTIN INSURANCE CO.
FOR FURNISHING PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE, FIRE & E.C.
INSURANCE, AND USE & OCCUPANCY INSURANCE, COVERING THE
PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE TRADE FAIR OF THE AMERICAS
COMMENCING MARCH 8, 1978 REQUIRES OCCUPANCY OF THE
MERCHANDISE MART AT NET TOTAL COST OF $32,250.00 PAY-
ABLE IN ADVANCE
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer , the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None.
40. CONDITIONAL WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES FOR USE OF GUSMAN HALL BY THE
FLORIDA PHILHARMONIC.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-109
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A CONDITIONAL WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES FOR
THE USE OF MIAMI GUSMAN CULTURAL CENTER BY THE FLORIDA PHILHARMONIC
INC. ON THE FOLLOWING FIVE CONCERT DATES: FEBRUARY 11, 1978;
FEBRI'ARY 17, 1978; MARCH 18, 1978; APRIL 1, 1978; AND MAY 6, 1978
SUBJECT TO THE FLORIDA PHILHARMONIC INC. PAYING FOR EVEN PERSONNEL
INSURANCE AND ALL OTHER DIRECT COSTS BORNE BY THE CITY; AND
ALLOCATING $3,250. FROM THE SPECIAL QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAM
GUSMAN HALL CONCERTS , TO COVER THE COST OF SAID WAIVER.
I NI
FEB 91978
•
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, , the resolution
passed and adopted by the following vote-
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None.
41. PROCEDURE FOR BAC,KCROUN'D INVESTIGATION OF FUTURE CANDIDATES FOR
DEPAMENT HEADS AND ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT HEADS - CONFIRMING
RESOWTIc .
Manor Ferre: Vovec? 1'v P.eti`osc, seconded by P1uri er.
was
Mrs. Gordon: Was this the way it was this morning? Just director? Not assistant
director?
Mr. Grassie: That was for discussion this morning.It was not discussed this
morning to go pass department head.
Mrs. Gordon: I missed part of the conversation this morning because I was out
of the room for a few minutes.
Mayor Ferre: There was a policy statement which we adopted but then Father Gibson
wanted to make sure there was no people hired who had aliases.
Mr. Grassie: That is correct. If you read
sentence before last, that sentence which
an alias and whose true identity and work
for the position of department director',
that last paragraph, Mr. Mayor the
says 'further that nobody who has
history cannot be disclosed be hired
that's the change you made.
Mrs. Gordon: Why don't we include assistant directors too, because it is just
important.
Mayor Ferre: I agree. Include director and assistant director.
Mr. Grassie: We do have a little bit of a problem. A lot of assistant directors
end up being promotional.
Mr. Plummer; That means they can be dirty guys, but when they get to the other
point they have to back off.
Mr. Grassie; It means they can work for the City for 15 years, and then when you
make them an assistant director,-- it ends up being kind of meaningless.
Mrs. Gordon: Still, no problem.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Reboso who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-110
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE POLICY OF THE CITY COMMISSION THAT NO
PERSON BE EMPLOYED AS THE DIRECTOR OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF A CITY
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT UNLESS AND UNTIL A COMPLETE BACKGROUD IN-
VESTIGATION OF SUCH PERSON HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE CITY MANAGER;
FURTHER APPROVING THE ATTACHED PLAN IMPLEMENTING THE ABOVE POLICY
1
105 FEB 9 1978
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the
office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
Absent: Rev. Gibson.
42. EXPRESSING CONCER OVER UNSANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE MIAMI RIVER
AND APPO]NI'IiVG A CO t4ITTEE .
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Reboso who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-111
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF THE CITY COMMISSION ,
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, REGARDING THE UN-
SANITARY CONDITION THAT EXISTS IN THE MIAMI RIVER AND THE UN-
SIGNTL1NLSS OF THE RIVER BANKS, AND RECOMMENDING THE FORMATION
OF A COMMITTEE HEADED BY SENATOR RICHARD STONE, AS CHAIRMAN,
AND CONSISTING OF MAYOR STEVE CLARK, MAYOR MAURICE FERRE, AND
OTHER SUCH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, AS THEY MAY
DESIGNATE, IN ORDER THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS, AS A COMMITTEE, MAY
MAKE LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF
GOVERNMENT TO HELP SOLVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE AFORESAID CONDITIONS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mr. Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
ABSTAINING: None.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Clerk would you please send a copy of this to Senator Stone's
office, Linda Brickman, and also to Miami River Intra-City Board.
43. APPOINTING JESUS ANGULIJ TO THE STORM SEWER BOND ELECTION cammilmh.
Mayor Ferre: I would like to appoint Mr. Jesus Angulo to the Storm and Sewer
bond election. He is with the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Are there any other
appointments or volunteers? I don't think we need a motion on that. Who is
the Chairman again?
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Rolle.
44. INSTRUCT CITY MANAGER TO INVESTIGATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NICKY
CRUZ OUTREACH PROGRAM.
Mayor Ferre: 1s there anything else to come before this Commission?
Mr. Armando : Yes, sir. My name is Armando ? for Nicky Cruz Outreach.
.. .... . ....... .
I would like to request the Commission, - our request, proposed by Mr. Plummer,
in the last meeting, that our program would be funded with amount of $40,000. which
is the amount we need to continue with our program in the Little Havana Community
Center.
Mrs. Gordon; Which program are you talking about?
Mr. Armando ? Nicky Cruz Outreach, We got approved the same fund that we have
Iasi year, which was $13,750. which makes impossible to continue the present operation.
So 1 would like the Commission to approve the addition of funding that We need for
Mayor Ferre: The additional funding is how much??
Mr. Armando ?You mean before?? It was S1.3,750.
Mayor Ferre: What is the additionalfunding you need?
Mr. Armando ? We requested in the beginning of July S83,000.
Mayor Ferre: Realistically.
Mr. Armando Realistically it was $40,000.
Mrs. Gordon: Donnie Horne said this morning that we are going to have recommendations
at the next meeting. I am assuming you will be included in those recommendations,
Mr. Armando ?hut it was for the amount it was,
Mrs, Gordon: No, an amended figure, as I understood it. See he is shaking his
head over there. They are going to have amended figures at the next meeting.
You will be amoung those.
Mr. Armando ? The $40,000?
Mrs. Gordon: I don't know. He is the boss over there.
?:r. Armando ? Under present conditions, with the funding that we have
in the last meeting, it is impossible for us to continue.
Mrs. Gordon: Next meeting is going to come back.
Mayor Ferre: We took up a matter on Coconut Grove Clinic and we made a motion
on that didn't we? We made a motion, I voted for it.
Mr. Reboso: How much more money do you need?
Mr. Armando ? The bottom line, will be $30,000. No lower than that.
Mr. Reboso: That is including the 13?
Mr. Armando: No, including the 13.
Mr. Reboso: You need $17,000. more? I move that the Mannager look into the
possibility of possible funding exactly like c:' did with Coconut Grove.
Mayor Ferre: The same way we did with Coconut Grove Clinic.
Mrs. Gordon: How much?
Mayor Ferre: $17,000.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Reboso, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-112
A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO INVESTIGATE FUNDING SOURCES TO FUND NICK CRUZ
OUTREACH IN THE ADDITIONAL MOUNT OF $17,000. FROM
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS, SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote;
AYES; Mr. Reboso, Mrs, Gordon,Mr, Plummer, Mayor Ferre.
NOES; None,
ABSENT: Rev, Gibson,
ABSTAINING; NOhe,
107 F E B 1978
45. fl SI 1UC l CITY L;_ 72ti'1L: INTENT t..J_ is CITY COMN1SSICN
REGARDING COST a:.LIVING At;..+i; -,. N i': 1'OR RETIRED E" I i F'_S ,
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. M:'vor vcu forgot :'ur retirees.
Mayor Ferre: I havF•n't for;:otten they.,. 1 have noticed them all afternoon.
Mr. Mananger you; were r,ir,t, upstairs to het the memorandum off your desk.
+,
Mr. Grassie: ire` I 1+%aStl �, k;�" _i17; to ;'o iiE):;l:iil.i-: CO get the I'ilC'mOrant3um off my
desk.
Manor Ferre: 1 v,JG_ being facetious. I know y: 1, had to get it from Mr. Fosmoen,----
or
Mr. Grassie: No. Mr. Gunderson.
Mrs. Gorden: 1 thiIii. it is importaIit thst 4.e reiterate our personal policy
and I would so move you that ve instruct the Mananger to implement the two Year
old resolution o: tr.e cost of living, '-; for retirees. I so move. That is based
on the same premise the other two things preceded it.
Mr. Grassie: You mean this is an expression of intention that we can find the
money?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes. t,:u h„,ve to take that step first. If we don't tell you that
you don't have to i,.i:irl±-: bout it anymore.
Mr. Grassie: : thou.,ht th,it. we lead an agreement that this question was not
oi; this age:ndh, an.: would '.'•t- o your neat a4;enda.
Mrs. Gordon: Noboru: called any rules.
Mr. Reboso: Rose whJt is the motion.
Mrs. Gordon: It taa: the impier:vntation of the resolution we passed two years
ago which was a cost-c,f-1iviiit'., 'yi' for retirees based upon longevity, ----years
of retirement. It means that those who receive the least amount of retirement
will get a little stipend more. The whole thing is a stipend.
Mr. Plummer: Let nu tell you w!iat it says moreso. Charity starts at home.
Mrs. Gordon: Right.
Mr. Plummer: 1 second the motion.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-113
A MOTION D1RECTINt THE CITY MANANGER TO IMPLEMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 8463, PASSED AND ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25,
1975, WHICH ORDINANCE INCREASES PENSION BENEFITS FOR
CITY EMPLOYEES BY THREE QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT (3/4 of 1%)
OF THEIR RESPFICTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR EACH YEAR
SINCE DATE OF RETIREMENT
Upon beiut, sec:ondeei by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed
ana adopted by the fo11owir4, vote:
AYES: Mrs. ( iuon, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Rebaso, Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None• .
ABSENT: Rev. Gibson
ABSTAINING: None
Mayor Ferre: I vote yes because I think I am going to save you a lot of time
Mr, Grassie. Now you don't have to put it on the agenda next time,
Mr. Grassie: We do understand Mr. Mayor, we are talking about a statement of
Intent, which has not been funded at this Point.
FEB 9197B
Mrs. Gordon: We will help him find it.
46. WAIVE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
Mrs. Gordon: I so move the Minutes, in its abbreviated form.
''`r. Reboso: 1 thtlught we 'were going to read rl:em.
Mrs. Gordon: It is abbreviated today. We can't do anything other than that.
Mayor Ferre: Rose Gordon read the minutes. I know she did.
Mrs. Gordon: i cid not, because theywerrr't ;'rinted. But I read the summary,
I can't disput anything I saw on the summary.
Mayor Ferre: The correction has been made.
Mr. Plummer: I'll dispute it. Did you see my copy? It says Commissioner Plummer.
Mayor Ferre: That is the first time I have ever called you the right name.
Rose Gordon moves, Plummer seconds. Call tht. roll.
A motion to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer,
Mr. Reboso, Mayor Ferre. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rev. Gibson.
47. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF OCiAVIO BI ANCO , ACTION COMMUNITY CE N i Z
REGARDING CETA POSITIONS AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
Mr. Octavio Blanco: I was going to ask a question of you people today because
on the last meeting of Federal Revenue Sharing, we were awarded 3 CETA positions
so we can work out from the Federal Revenue Sharing, the operation of the programs.
Today is the loth of February, and we haven't had any answer. The last time, two
weeks ago, we prepared an appointment with Mr. Parkins. He is too hard to see.
Yesterday, we were there a half an hour and he said he can't see us. We don't
want to see anybody else. We have to see Mr. Parkins. Every week, they pass by
without those position:., --the Federal Revenue Sharing fund, that is the only thing
that we got to run our program, losing $504.24.
Mrs. Gordon; Which program.
Mr. Blanco: Action Community Center- Transportation. You people are aware, 3
CETA positions, --we haven't got it yet, and every week we are losing $500.00,---
Mrs. Gordon: You mean the CETA positions you haven't got yet.
Mr. Blanco: We haven't got it, --we haven't been able to see Mr. Parkinson that
matter.
Mrs. Gordon: There is his assistant, Mr. Oziak, right over there. Go see him. He
can do it.
Mr. Blanco: I can see him every day. I want you people to do something.
Mrs. Gordon: He is going to do something for you. Okay.
Mr. Plummer: You had better find out what he is going to do for you.
Mrs. Gordon: There's plenty CETA positions around.
Mr. Blanco: Rose let me eaplaint to you, You remember that we have to ask
the City Mananger for emergency funds. We got the emergency fund. We pay until
December, because the money we have in Revenue Sharing is only money we have
to pay the City employees. We haven't been able to pay a penny for gasoline or
repairs.
Mrs, Gordon; We appreciate the work you are doing, because your program is
very important, It serves a need in this community. Joe Oziak is here, He hears
what we are saying and we are asking him to take care of you pronto, Pronto could
be tomorrow,
109 FEB 91978
Mr. Plummer: Keep quiet. i'il m,:e a motion. The feeling of this Commission
is that we are highly ,that they have not responded to the policy
of this commission, and if they do not respond by the 23rd of February, this
commission is going to take drastic action.
Mrs. Gordon: Right. 'i secout: that motion.
Mr. Grassie: That is a lot of fun, but let':, be serious. You ought to know what
the story is. I don't know what the staff position is.
Mr. Plummer: If what the man is telling me is correct, ---
Mr. !;rassie: 4:hv don't vnu find out if he is correct.
Mr. P1us:mor:--it has been over 30 days ago, —
Mr. Grassie: you ask him.
Mr. Blanco: Mr. Mayor I have been informed, that whatever was agreed down
here this date can he accomplished. You can't take people from Federal Revenue
Sharing to the CETA program. So I think if you remember Mr. Plummer, those positions
were given to us, so we can run the program. If we can get the positions, because
illegal, they, we need the money. We have only have $26,000. so we are short $30,000'
in cash.
Mr. Plummer: Are you telling me now, you have just been informed that it is illegal
ghat the Commission passed?
Mr.Blanco , yes, sir.
Mr.C.; <ak: The situation is, this gentleman just explained to me, he wants to
take present staff that last year were funded with Federal Revenue Sharing, and
place then on the CETA payroll. That is illegal. We can give him two new staff
positions, and he can hire two people but he cannot take people that he already
had onboard and place them on the CETA payroll.
Mr. Blanco: If we can hire the same people like he say, we don't have a director
of the program. This is what I need today, and he just repeat to me the same thing.
The same person can't be there again.
Mayor Ferre: Plummer moves, and RL1 so seconds that it is the intent of this
commission to increase this program like we did with Nicky Cruz and like we did
with Coconut, $30,000. unless you solve the pro'o_en; with CETA positions, which
is what we said we would do before.
Mr. Grassie: For clarification Mr. Mayor, I am assuming that that intent is
based on having some source of money for it.
Mayor Ferre: 0f course. The same thing we did with Coconut Grove.
Mr. Grassie:They need to not walk out that door thinking they have your promise
they are going to get the money.
Movor Jerre: They know that.
hr. Grassie: They had better understand it.
Mr. Reboso: That money was already committed.
Mr. Blanco: I would like to clarify to the City Manager that the City Commission
said it can be done either way. We were promised that money, and we say we don't
care if it is money, or position. On that day, the $30,000, was allowed for the
positions, if we can't get thos positions, I believe we have a right to have
the $30,000. cash.
Mr. Reboso: Do we have the positions available?
Mr, Owsiak: We can give them 3 CETA positions, however, he cannot take employees
that are presently working and place them under the CETA program. They will have
to be laid off, and be out of work for a period of time, then rehired under the
FEB 1978
•
CETA program in order to be eligible. Or he can hire 3 new people.
Mr. Blanco: Let me tell you, if we are going to talking a point, ---illegal,
because you have to send those positions to the unemployment and they have to
refer those people to you. You can't create a position down here with the name
already on it.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Grassie do you remember, do we have any copy of what we voted for
of the Federal Revenue Sharing meeting.
Mr. Grassier You mean when you considered the Federal Revenue Sharing funding
for social service agencies about a month ago? Yes. There's an exact record
of what it is that you voted on.
Mr. Reboso: Did we vote for 3 CETA positions for that program.
Mr. Grassie: I can't tell you from memory.
Mr. Reboso: I would like to see a copy of the minutes we approved.
Mayor Ferre: We approved that with those words.
Mr. Plummer: There is no question that it is legal for them and we did in fact
provide 3. That is not what I am hearing from over there. What I am hearing is,
they are saying, yes, go out and you can hire 3 people, but what they are saying
is no, you can't use present people unless they are unemployed for x number of days.
That's where we are in a bind. Let me ask this question. Is it possible that these
three people in question could be transferred over and paid from another source and
the three CETA positions be used for someone else. Is that possible?
Mr.
Blanco:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Blanco:
program. We
Mr. Plummer:
We don't have any other source of funding.
So it is not possible.
Don't forget that one of these positions is the director of the
can hire somebody down there .
Mr. Mayor I will recall to your memory which I remember.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie there seems to be a recurring theme in this Commission
about the expression of will in setting policy which isn't followed by the Adminis-
tration.
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor so long as the City Commission continues to express policies
or wills which it doesn't fund, it is going to be inevitable that that is going to
happen. You have done that three times today. You have expressed your will, and
provided no way to carry it out.
Mayor Ferre:Mr. Grassie I would like to remind you that when we voted on this,
before, when this matter came before this commission, we had this very same
conversation. And it was the will of this Commission, that you find the 3 CETA
positions or $30,000.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Mayor they can have the 3 CETA positions.
Mr. Grassie: The point is they don't want the 3 CETA positions because they want
to select who is going to occupy those 3 CETA positions.
_ Mr. Plummer: What we are saying is, here's cake, and they are saying no, I
don't want vanilla, 1 want chocolate.
Mayor Ferre: It is much worse than that, The problem is, here's the cake but
you have to swim across the moat filled with crocodiles before you get to it,
You have to lay off all these people for 30 days?
Mr. Blanco: Mr, Mayor legally, if you layoff a person for 30 days, then you bring
them into a CETA position, it is illegal too. Those people have to go through
the Florida Unemployment, to the Manpower program, You have to interview the
people and pick out the best.
�11 FEB 91976
Mr. Reboso: It is more realistic to get the 3 CETA positions for 3 new people
than to get $30,000. You know that.
Mr. Blanco: I agree, do the same for the Nicky Cruz and the Coconut Grove.
Mayor Ferre: But there's no money there.
Mr. Plummer: You have a dry well. Let me make the record clear. I am not in
accord, and I want everybody to understand this, so the next meeting when I start
screaming, I am not necessarily in accord because we now have $175,000. from the
School Board, that I am going to vote exactly as recommended. I want that under-
stood.
Mr. Grassie: You have already taken that position,'Commssioner.
Mr. Plummer: No, sir. That is money they have paid us for the School resource
officer program.
Mr. Grassie: You can certainly reconsider, but you have taken that position
once. The City Commission has taken the position that we would get $175,000.
from the School Board, and we would use that money to fund the secondary list
with all the discussion you had. The secondary list funding as I recall comes
to $186,000.
Mayor Ferre: It was expanded. We added $5,000. for the blind people.
Mr. Grassie: With all the discussion, that included another $5,000. for the
blind.
Mr. Plummer: I have serious problems with the After -School Care. That is 50
something thousand dollars?
Mr. Grassie: That's my recollection.
Mr. Plummer: I have problems with that.
Mr. Grassie: There is nothing to say you cannot reconsider. What we
to you is, that the first determination that you have already taken
money would be spent for that list you worked over. If you want to
on the agenda, tell us and we will bring it back on the agenda.
Mr. Blanco: Rose can you tell us w 't we are going to do?
are indicating
is, that that
bring it back
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Commissioner, without information, it is not very likely
we can give you any kind of decent answers for you to make an intelligent
Mr. Plummer: Are you telling me that you feel that by the next commission
we can have available information, answering these questions?
that
decision.
meeting
Mr. Grassie: I think we can have information on what the problem has been by
Monday morning.
Mayor Ferre: No, that is not what Plummer said.
Mr. Grassie: Well it is what 1 thought he asked me.
Mayor Ferre: Plummer, he is going to be here at the next commission meeting
and say here's what the problem is. And you are going to say what is the solution.
Then he is going to say we have to study that, We have to think about that.
Mr. Grassie: I can speak for myself,
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you the way I feel. I am only speaking for one commissioner.
Plummer has his priorities. At the verge of pure chaos, I a made on the public record
a commitment to these people and this commission did. As far as I am concerned
if we cannot do it the way they are speaking about, we are out of order. Then I
think we have to reopen this thing up. This Cot¢t►issiQP made a commitment and we
have to reallocate funds, I don't know any other way to do it.
Mr, Grassie; If it turns out the problem is, that the solution you offered, is
available and has been available and can be made to work, the problem i.s, the people
112
FEB 81878
who are in the program, would have to be laid off for 30 days► If that is the
problem, then what?
Mr. Plummer; We go back and reallocate the secondary funding.
Mr. Grassie:Which Means you are going to have to take it from somebody else.
Mr. Plummer: We made a commitment, Joe.
Mrs, Gordon: You don't have to take it from anybody else. You have it already
there. You have it in the bag.
Mayor Ferre: Don't start this Mike Calhoun stuff.
Mr. Blanco: This is getting so complicated. You can bring tomorrow, any day down
here, to Mr. Parkins or Donnie Horne, ---Mr. Mayor will you pleae, this is important,=-�
I am going to tell you now, what was denied today was promised to us not by you
people only.Mr. Parkins called Mr. Horne, in front of me, and asked that same
question. On February 1st you will have it. It was not only you people who said
to us we were going to get it. I would like you to ask that question in front of
me, to Mr. Parkins, and Mr. Horne. They told us it can be done.
Mr. Plummer: What are you proving by standing people up here and having a
verbal war. The bottom line is getting you the dollars. Let's don't worry
a damn bit about what was said except that this Commission made a commitment.
Don't worry about who said what, except one thing. This commission made a
commitment. This commission has either got to do one, --live up to that commitment,
two, backtrack and say we are sorry, we were damn fools for doing it, or three,
find an alternate solution. Let's don't go finding fault, but whose fault. Let's
find the dollars.
Mrs. Gordon: Again I say, there are dollars, and they are not hidden dollars.
They are dollars that are available. They have to be tallied up. There's money
from the Dallar Park. There's money from the School Board. There's money from
the auction. There's contingency funds in the CD money. Another $250,000. There's
money there.
Mr. Grassie: Dont' mislead people like that. You can't say there is money in CD
as if that were money you can spend for anything.
Mrs. Gordon: It is there. If you have to use that money for something else so
you got the money to use for this, you just balance the budget.
Mr.Plummer: I appoint Rose as a committee of one to find the $30,000.
Mayor Ferre: Let's solve this problem. We will have to reopen this thing again.
But we can't do it now. The thing that bothers me, that Parkins should be making
statements to Blanco that on February 1 it is going to be solved. It is not going
to be solved February 1. Why is he telling him it is going to be solved February 1
for?
NOTE: There being no further business to come before the Commission at this
time, the meeting was adjouned at 7:30 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST: RALPH G. ONGIE
CITY CLERK
MATTY HIRAI
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
MAURICE A FERRE
MAYOR
113
FEB 91978
CITY OF MIAMi
DOCUMENT
MEETING DATE
INDEXFebruary 197e-
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
COMMISSION AGENDA AND CITY CLERK REPORT
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND AN AGREEMENT' WITH
FRANK J. COBO, FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AS ADNiINI
STRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR.
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NR2. RICK SISSER, AS LEGISLATIVE
LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE, TO REPRESENT THE CITY BEFORE
ALL FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
ACCEPTING THE COMPLETED WORK PERFORMED BY MARKS
BROTHERS COMPANY AT A TOTAL COST OF $111,720.50 FOR
THE HAMMOCK STORM SEWER PROJECT.
ACCEPTING SEVEN DEEDS OF DEDICATION CONVEYING 5-FOOT
STRIPS OF RESERVED ZONED WIDTH RIGHT -OF WAY ABUTTING
N.E. 64TH STREET, BETWEEN BISCAYNE BOULEVARD TO N.E.
4TH AVENUE.
ACCEPTING TWO DEEDS RELEASED ALL RIGHT, TITLED AND
REVERSIONARY INTERESTS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OF
N.W. 13TH STREET FOR THE CLOSURE OF SAME IN CONJUNC-
TION WITH THE REPLOTTING OF DIXIE PARK.
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE IN LIEU OF
CONDI) ,TION. A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND THREE
(3) LOTS, SAID IT'S BEING COMPRISED OF TWELVE THOUSAND
(12,000) SQ. FT..
ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED MAXThINO SUBDIVISION, A
SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI.
ACCEPTING THE BID OF BEC CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION IN
THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $984,204 FOR THE LITTLE HAVANA
COMMUNITY CENTER.
ACCEPTING THE BID OF LACOBELLI CONTRACTING, INC. IN
THE AMOUNT OF $1,999,591.60 FOR BID "A" (SANITARY
SEWERS) OF PROPOSAL FOR THE CRESIWOOD SANITARY SEWER
IMPROVEMENT SR- 5432 -C
ACCE:FrLNG THE BID OF INTERCOUNTY CONSTRUCTION CORPORA-
TION IN THE AMOUNT OF $203,500.00 FOR BID "B" (PUMP
STATION) OF PROPOSAL FOR THE CRESTWOOD SANITARY SEWER
IMPROVEMENT SR-5432-C
CERTIFYING THE PENDING LIEN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
OMNI HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT H-4384 IN OINI HIGHWAY IM-
PROVEMENT DISTRICT H-4384, AGAINST TRACT "A" OF OMNI
INTERNATIONAL SUBDIVISION PLAT BOOK 102 PAGE 3.
COMMISSION
ACTION_.
R-78-87
R-78-88
R-78-89
R-78-90
R-78-91
R-78-92
R-78-93
R-78-94
R-78-95
R-78-96
R-78-97
RETRIEVAL
CODE NO.__
78-87
78-88
78-89
78-90
78-91
78-92
78-93
78-94
78-95
78-96
78-97
I NVi
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
bOCLIMLNT t 1ENTWICATION
ENTINDEX
CONTINUED
RVAINAC
CO E .NO _.
AUI1LOLtIZING ANI'ONIO MOLINA , PRESENTLY THE OPERATOR OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI COUNTRY CLUB FOOD CONCESSION TO
ASSIGN THE LEASE AGREEMENT, DATED SEPTEiCER 28, 1977,
O1' SAID CONCESSION TO THE FLORIDA CORPORATION ENTITLED
"TONY MOLINA, INC".
AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN NO -LONGER SERVICA-
BLF EQUIPMENT, TO WIT: 5 MOTOR VEHICLES,
AMENDING A PRIOR RESOLUTION WHICH HAD CONFIRMED THE
DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS BY CERTIFIED BAR-
GAINING REPRESENTATIVES OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND WHICH
HAD APPOINTED SAID INDIVIDUAL TO THE CITY AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION ADVISORY BOARD.
DESIGNATING NEWSPAPERS IN WHICH THE NOTICE OF SALE OF
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR DELIN-
QUENT SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT LIENS SHALL BE
PUBLISHED
ACCEPTING THE BID OF YOUNG FIRE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
FOR FURNISHING ONE 100 FOOT ARTICULATING BOOM FIRE
APPARATUS AND TRUCK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AT A
TDTAL COST OF $278,232.91
ACCEPTING THE BID FROM ST. PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSUR-
ANCE CO. AND LLOYDS OF LONDON THROUGH ITS LOCAL
AGENT, FRED S. JAMES & COMPANY OF FLORIDA AND PANTIN
INSURANCE CO.
GRANTING A CONDITIONAL WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES FOR THE
USE OF MIAMI GUSMAN CULTURAL CENTER BY THE FLORIDA
PHILHARMONIC, INC.
DECLARING THE POLICY OF THE CITY COMMISSION THAT NO
PERSON BE EMPLOYED AS THE DIRECTOR OR ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR OF A CITY ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT UNLESS
A COMPLETE BACKGROUND INCESTIGATION HAS BEEN CON-
DUCTED BY THE CITY MANAGER.
DECLARING THE POLICY OF THE CITY COMMISSION THAT NO
PERSON BE EMPLOYED AS THE DIRECTOR OF A CITY At tNI
STRATIVE DEPARTMENT UNLESS AND UNTIL A COMPLETE
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED
EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF THE CITY COMMISSION, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, REGARDING THE UNSANITARY
CONDITION THAT EXISTS IN THE MIAMI RIVER.
R-78-103
R-78-104
R-78-105
R-78-106
R-78-107
R-78-108
R-78-109
R-78-110
R-78-110
R78-111
78-103
78-104
78-105
78-106
78-107
78-108
78-109
78-110
78-110
78-111