HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1978-04-07 MinutesC,
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•.. • OF MET AN HELD ON APR 7 1978
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OFFICTHE CITY CLERK
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PREPARED BY THE;TyHALL
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RALPH 6. ON6IE
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PRESENTATION BY DEPT, OF TOURISM PROMOTION - SUMMER
PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN.
PROGRESS REPORT ON AFRICAN SQUARE PARK,AUTH. CITY
MANAGER NEGOTIATE AGMT. WITH 62ND STREET COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT CORP., REQUEST TRArPIC SIGNAL,
PARKING STUDY FOR COCONUT GROVE, SEEK ALTERNATE
SOLUTION.
AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT CONSULTANT TO CONDUC
A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A MULTI -PURPOSE SPORTS ARENA
IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI.
5. SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT ON MIAMI'S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
6.
7.
ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK OF GARCIA ALLEN CONSTR. CO. INC
FOR MODEL CITIES COMMUNITY DEV. STREET IMPR. PHASE II
(BID A & B).
RESCINDING RES.NO. 40904 AND REORDERING POINT VIEW
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT H-4309.
8. ACCEPT TWO DEEDS OF DEDICATION FROM BAYSHORE PROP-
ERTIES DEV. CORP. FOR POINTVIEW HIGHWAY IMPR. H-4309.
9. PLAT ACCEPTANCE- NEW ROOSEVELT OFFICE FIRST ADDITION.
10. PLAT ACCEPTANCE- MAUTNER'S SUBDIVISION.
II. COMMEND NATIONAL AIRLINES FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS IN
PROMOTING TOURISM IN THE GREATER MIAMI AREA, ETC.
12. CLOSE FULLER STREET FOR SECOND ANNUAL BANYAN FESTIVAL
ON NOVEMBER 4 AND 5, 1978.
13. POLICY STATEMENT RELATING TO THE WAIVER OF USE OR
RENTAL FEES FOR CITY FACILITIES, ...ETC.
14. RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESSFUL "OPEN HOUSE 8" STREET
FAIR AND ENCOURAGING FUTURE EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMEN7�
15. DENY CERTAIN CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY AND DIRECT
CITY ATTORNEY TO DEFEND ANY SUITS.
16. i AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH
CARLENE JABS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL
SERVICES FOR REMOVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS FROM
TWO CITY POOLS.
17. j OLD FIRE STATION 115 - DEFER SALE UNTIL APPRAISAL IS
( RECEIVED FROM MAI.
18. ACCEPT $3,000 FROM DADE COUNTY FOR RELOCATION OF A
CHAIN LINK FENCE AND 22 AURELIA TREES.
19, 1 RATIFY .& APPROVE ACTION OF CITY MANAGER IN WAIVING
NORMAL BIDDING PROCEDURE AND AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY
PURCHASE OF BILINGUAL FACT SHEETS FOR THE SPECIAL_
ELECTION OF MARCH 7, 1978,
20,
BID ACCEPTANCE - TURF EQUIPMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF PAW,
.
Page
tru,NcE
str�urwrtCN o.
MOT. 78-226
RES. 78-227
MOT. 76-z: S
MOT. 78-229
RES. 78-230
DISCUSSION
RES. 78-231
RES. 78-232
RES. 78-233
RES. 78-234
RES. 78-235
RES. 78-236
RES. 78-237
RES. 78-238
RES. 78-239
RES. 78-240
RES. 78-241
MOT. 78.242
RES, 78-243
RES, 78-244
RES. 78-245
PAGE NO
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CITY�s��� �G�OF�iIAMI, FIURIM
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SOLUTION y. , PACE NO.
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BID ACCEPTANCE- THREE MODULAR RESCUE AMBULANCES WITt#
ACCESSORIES AND SPARES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OP PIRE,
BID ACCEPTANCE- WILLIAMS PAVING CO., FOR GRAND AVENUE
PARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ,... ETC. (2MD BIDDING)
BID ACCEPTANCE- UNIJAX INC. FOR LEASING CAMERA
PLATEMAKER.
BID ACCEPTANCE- PHILLIP GALL AND SON FOR THE SALE OF
$1,100 HAND GUNS CONFISCATED BY THE DEPT. OF POLICE.
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, PLAQUES, ETC.
WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES- GULFSTREAM ROOM, BAYFRONT PARK
AUDITORIUM FOR SEMINAR - SUNSHINE LAW BY JANET RENO,
STATE ATTORNEY.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF DUKE SCHULTZ OF I.H.R. -
GENERAL EMPLOYEES ELECTION, RECOGNITION OF MIAMI
GENERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOC. AFSCME LOCAL 1907.
AMEND APPROP. ORD. 8731, SECTIONS 1 & 5 BY DECREASING
GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR PLANNING DEPT., TRADES
& COMMERCE PROMOTION & GENERAL FUND REVENUE FOR
SIMPLIFICATION OF ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE NORTHEAST MIAMI
COMMUNITY ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF A STRINGENT
PROSTITUTION ORDINANCE.
ESTABLISH RATES AT CERTAIN ON -STREET PARKING METERS
& OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS; ESTABLISH BASIC HOURLY
RATES AT MUNICIPAL PARKING GARAGES 1,3 & 4.
APPOINT JUDITH FRANKEL TO THE MIAMI COMMISSION ON THE
STATUS OF WOMEN.
APPOINT EDWARD VINCENT NODARSE TO THE ECOLOGY AND
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
AMEND RULE XIX, SECT. 3 OF 6945, CIVIL SERVICE RULES
& REGULATIONS, ETC.,.. COMPENSATED FOR UNUSED SICK
LEAVE & CONVERT SICK LEAVE TO VACATION TIME WITH
PROVISIONS OF LABOR AGREEMENT.
AMEND SEC. 39-24 OF CODE - CHANGE FOR PARKING AT
ORANGE BOWL MEMORIAL STADIUM.
GRANT PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN ADMIN.
BUILDING AT APPROXIMATELY 201-251 N.W, 3RD AVENUE.
REZONE SITE OF NEW CITY ADMIN. BUILDING GU(GOVERNMEN7
USE) ,
AMEND ANNUAL APPROP, ORD, 8731,SEC, 1 BY INCREASING
GENERAI. FUND AFFROF, FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BY $2, 50(
AMEND APPROP, ORP, 8731,SEC, 1 BY INCREASING APPROP.
FOR GENERAL FUND, FLAN'NTNG 6 20N,APMIN, BPS, r$19, 200,
AMEND AFFROP,=ORD, 8731, SECS. 1 6 5 WY VFW.
$3,)00 REIUINT FROM METRO, PADB CO, TO MAKE
DEPT,
RES. 78-246
RES. 78- 7
RES. 78-248
RES. 78-249
* * *
MOT. 78-250
MOT. 78-251
ORD. 8782
DISCUSSION
1ST READ.ORD.
RES. 78-252
MOT. 78-253
ORD. 8783
ORD. 8784
RES, 78-254
ORD. 8785
ORD, 8786
1ST. REAP, ORD,
1ST Ri:AD,ORD,
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54-61
62-69
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Page 3 Of 3
INANtEp�
SOLIJTICkJ no.
PAGENO,
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SETTLEMENT .: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY, AUTHORIZE RES, 78-255
PAYMENT OF $1,807.
ALLOCATING $17,000 FROM CONTINGENT FUND FOR REPRINT- RES. 78-256
ING OF THE CHARTER AND CODE.
42. WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES - PARKING LOT AT MIAMI MARINE
STADIUM FOR CARNIVAL SPONSORED BY WEST KENDALL
JAYCEES & BOYSTOWN OF FLORIDA APRIL 7,8,& 9, 1978.
43.
44.
RES. 78-257
WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES - GUSMAN HALL, MIAMI BASEBALL RES. 78-258
STADIUM & SNOWMOBILE FOR THE FLORIDA POLITICAL
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
GARMENT DISTRICT STUDY, BRIEF DISCUSSION. ****
ADJOURNMENT *******
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MINU1tS OF REGULAR MELTING OF THE
CItY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
* * * * * * * *
On the 7th day of April, 1978, the City Commission of Miami, Florida,
met at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive,
Miami, Florida in regular session,
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 A.M., by Vice Mayor Reboso
with the following members of the Commission found to be present:
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr,
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso
ABSENT: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre (throughout whole meeting)
ALSO PRESENT WERE:
Joseph R. Grassie, City Manager
R. L. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manager
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Matty Hirai, Assistant City Clerk
ABSENT: Ralph G. Ongie
An invocation was delivered by Reverend Gibson who then led those
present in a pledge of allegience to the flag.
A motion to waive the reading of the minutes was introduced and
seconded and was passed unanimously.
1, PRESENTATION BY DEPT, CIF TOURISM PROMOTION - SUMMER PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN,
(COMMISSIONER ROSE GORDON ENTERS MEETING AT 9:03 A.M.)
Mr. Reboso: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Mayor Ferre is not going
to be with us today,here, he's out of the country. So, we are going to
proceed without him.... Item A, is a film presentation by the Department
of Tourism Promotion. Before we have the film, I would like to call Lew
Price. Is Lew here?
Mr. Price: Thank you, Commissioner, as we promised,we'll only take seven
minutes of your time. As you know, we have had an excellent winter tour
season, and in the winter, of course, most of our business comes from the
United States and Canada. In the summertime, the spring, and summer, and
fall, we turn our attention South to the Caribbean , to Central America,
and South America, and we know one of the big attractions for the visiting
Latin American tourist is a great deal of it is shopping. It has now been
proven in every travel survey. Some of the things we're doing down this
year are some of the ads and some of the posters, we're selling Miami as a
combination shopping, and vacation center, these are some of the ads we're
running in publications to the Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
The Caribbean ,as you know, we use to look upon them as our rival, but it's
also an asset to us, for instance, we checked just recently we found out one
of our chief rivals which has always been thought of as Nassau. Nassau, last
year, purchased $65,000,000 worth of consumer goods from Miami, So, the
islands are both an asset and a benefit to us through Miami, as well as,
a rival. These are some of the things that just briefly we are doing, we
don't have time to go into them all. Now,the film we're about to show you
was put together after a great deal of survey. We talked to people from
Argentina, from Venezuela, from Columbia, Central America, and asked them
what would be desirable in the film, and these, based on the surveys we
conducted with individuals this is what we have produced. Now, this film,
if you went outside and did it, it would cost about 15 or $20.000. We did
it in house' so to speak, our own department, so 1 would like you to look
at it now, and it's in Spanish, designed for distribution , all over
3.
Central and South America, for the sumter.
(AUDIO/VISUAL PRESENTATION MADE AT THIS POINT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TOURIST PROMOTION). SPANISH
Mr, Price. We think the photography is exceptionally sharp, but didn't
get the full benefit, because it's a light in here, but this is just one
of the things we're doing in the additional thrust this spring and summer
to increase some of the traffic we're losing to Disney World from the
American touristsin the Southern States,but we do have a program going on
in Central Florida that say$,'Now that you've seen the Magic Kingdom, Seethe
Magic City' and this is a program we'll do on the radio and distribution
of literature all through the Disney World areas to try to get the people
we've lost up there to come on down and spend a few days in the Greater
Miami area, This is in addition to our foreign program. Thank you and
I didn't want to take any more time ...
Mr. Reboso: Lew, let me ask you something. Have you talked lately with
Fabian Chaver , the U. S. Assistant Secretary for Tourism?
Mr. Price: Yes, we had, we attended his meeting, he had a two-day meeting
in Washington. We were up for that meeting, yes.
Mr. Reboso: Moneywise ,are we getting more help?
Mr. Price: No, no, we're not.
Mr. Reboso: Because I had a conversation with him in Washington in February,
and he promised me that Miami was going to be one of the top priorities this
year.
Mr. Price: It should be, they have a... the way he explained to me, they
have so many dollars they have not increased over the years. About a year
ago 40 cities were making grants for the US and we were among the 4G, and
we got our grant. This year there are 150 cities making application for the
same amount of money, so we're struggling, we've been cutting back slowly.
We used to get $25,000 from them and then they cut us to $15,000 and then
to $10,000 and each year his explanation is he has to rotate the money
among the other cities to be fair.
Mr. Reboso: I see.
Mr. Price: Of course, our motives are strictly selfish and we think
rightfully so. So, we're working with Congressman Fascell and Pepper to
try to do something to get them a little more money so we can share it.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Rev. Gibson: Lew, don't leave, I want to ask a question.
Mr. Price: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: I want to ask it to either you or the Manager, and I want
a forthright answer. You just said that the Caribbean, and the Bahamas
did $65,000,000 worth of business of the City of Miami and Dade County.
Mr. Price: That's just the Bahamas, yes.
Rev. Gibson: Right, the Bahamas, I've said this before and I`m going to
deal with it at Budget time, if I don't get some... if it isn't rectified
before then and I want something done about it right away. It seems to me
if you're getting $65,000,000 out of the Bahamas without anything, any effort,
you know, the message is loud and clear, ok?
Mr. Price: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: I don't... Mr. Manager, it galls me to know that this kind_
of a thing happens, you know, we don't do anything, anything. I spoke
about it before. I'm speaking about it now, and if you don't do something
between now and budget time, my Brother, I promise you and God above I'll
do mime with my vote.
2
Mr. Price: Well, to say we're not doing anything is not quiet correct,
Reverend, because we have a continuing program with the Islands in the
Bahamas, Jamaica, arinidad, Tobago, we're dealing with them on a constant
basis.
Rev. Gibson: My Brother,I'm of Bahamian extraction. Born and raised in
Miami, My father and mother from the Bahamas, ok? I go there often. I
got folk in the know, you know. Don't give me that. I'm not telling you
you're not telling the truth, but I'm telling you the proof of the pudding
is in the eating.
Mr, Price: Well, if you mean advertising you are quite right, we don't
have the...
Rev. Gibson: Ah, that's the point I'm making,you know that's where the„
money is, ok.
Mr. Price: ... right. I agree with you.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Manager, I hope I don't have to say anymore.
Mr. Plummer: What Father Gibson means is the proof of the pudding is in
the pigeon peas.
Mr. Price: Well, right, let me say this, we have, it's a part of our
budget, and I didn't mean to get into this morning, only $200,000 to
spread all over the entire world.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but, Father is trying to say to you in a nice way, if
you get $65,000,000 worth of commerce for really no effort
Rev. Gibson: Nothing!
Mr. Price: Right.
Mr. Plummer: ... imagine what you could get if you put an effort.
Rev. Gibson: And, not only that, let me say you ought to give those people
some of your money, since you, get all of that...
Mr. Price: I agree with you.
Rev. Gibson: ... let me tell you what happened here Mr. Manager, you were
here, the Goomy Festival was here , and you know, we had one hell of a
time to get the City to tango about some things. I must say that the Police
Department was nice, some one or two others. But you know we didn't go out
1;01-016 of the way to make none of that money.
Mr. Price: Well, Reverend,...
Mr. Grassie: I don't believe that's the impression of the people that put on
the festival have Commissioner. We really gave them quite a bit of help and
when it was all done, they expressed themselves as being very satisfied
with it.
Rev. Gibson: You remember I was here. Look man, you know, I have a doggone
good memory even tnougn my hair is short, ok? I hope when you come up
budget time I see more in that budget geared to the Caribbean and the
Bahamas than I see now. You don't have nothing geared there, and you got
$65,000,000 for nothing. Tell the truth.
Mr. Price: Reverend, let me say one thing,...
Rev. Gibson: .,. I'm going to say this again, I said this at
another meeting, and I was severely criticized and I don't mind that
criticism,to the victor goes to the spoils. Say that again,
Mr. Price: One thing I would like just to say in our defense. On the
Goombay Festival that was planned in Mr. Grassie's office with a group
well before it ever got started. We planned that upstairs with those
gentlemen a ndthese peop)e put it on, so I think they were happy with the
corporation they got,
Rev. Gibson: Lew, you got that for nothing.
3
APR 7 1978
Mr. Price: Absolutely, and that's the way I like things.
Mr. Plummer: Well, you're not going to get it this year for nothing.
Rev, Gibson: I'll see to that, 111 see to that. the Prime Minister
used to be my lawyer. I`11 see to that,
Mr, Reboso: Ok. Pnymore questions .,.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, I would like to say, simply that we do appreciate
the good things that are being done, but we do want, and would encourage
a greater participation into the Caribbean. I concur to that extent
that, you know, we just don't want to get what happens to fall in our
laps, but we want to solicit twice that much by an active campaign, and
I would therefore, feel in concurrence...
Mr. Price: I was really trying to indicate while they are our rivals
for tourists, they are not our rivals for commerce.
Rev. Gibson: You need to know that Canada is breathing all down their
backs...
Mr. Price: Absolutely.
Rev. Gibson: ... to get their business, You ought to tell the City
Fathers that...
Mr. Price: As a matter of fact, the Canadians...
Rev. Gibson: ... and Canada controls Grand Bahamas.
Mr. Price: All their banks are all through the Caribbean .
Rev. Gibson: You are darn right. So, you know, I know the story. The
Manager; -maybe you don't know that I know the story. I may not know
a lot about the story around here, but man, I know about the story over
there.
Mr. Plummer: Well, look, let's do it this way, so that this doesn't
happen again, or we don't have any problems in the future. Whether
you want it through the form of a motion, which, if Father doesn't want
to offer, I will, that the Administration be instructed...
Rev. Gibson: I'm all for that as a motion.
Mr. Plummer: ... to come forth at budget time with a separate line item
dedicated to the Bahamas...
Rev. Gibson:..and the Caribbean.
Mr. Plummer: ... for promotion.
Mrs. Gordon: ... and the Caribbean.
Mr. Price: ... and the Caribbean.
Mr. Plummer: Ok. Alright, fine, if you want...
Mrs. Gordon: ... Father, wants to offer that...
Mr.Plummer: ... however you want you do it is fine, but this way it's
not going to be forgotten at budget time.
Rev. Gibson: Darn right!
Mr, Plummer: ... we are instructing the Administration that you're to
come up,..
Mrs. Gordon; Second that motion.
Mr.Plummer: ,., with a line item for promotion in the Bahamas and the
Caribbean. You make the motion Father.,,
4
*APR 7 1979
Oak
Mrs. Gordoh: ,:-- ok, seconded.
Rev. Gibson: That's, the motion.
Mr. Reboso: Well, we have a motion and a second.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Gary, just fell out of his deskr but.,.,
Mr. Reboso: Call the question, please.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-226
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE A
SEPARATE LINE ITEM FOR PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING
FOR THE BAHAMAS AND THE CARIBBEAN AREA FOR INCLUSION
IN THE 78-79 BUDGET.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion waspassed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES; None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
Mr. Price: Thank you very much.
Mr. Plummer: Let me say this, for a gringo who didn't understand the
film, I think it was very well done. This is the kind of film Lew, that
I think will be very helpful when all of us travel in the Caribbean, you'll
recall two years ago, I took with a City Sister Group , a film about Miami
and it was all done in English. This one, being in Spanish, it shows
the commerce which the people are vitally interested in, and for those
people who don't travel as much as we do, we know that these people from
Latin and South America are coming up here with empty suitcases , the
clothes on their backs, and taking back full suitcases.,.
Rev. Gibson: Right.
Mr. Plummer: ... this is the kind of thing that we want to do. This
is the kind of thing that is keeping this City alive, and I think like
Father says about the Bahamas., and all of Latin and South America, these
are the things we've got to do to keep it going and to make it better.
Mr. Price: One additional thing, this is in Spanish, for Central and
South America. We do have a special film strictly for the Caribbean.
Mrs. Gordon: You do?
Mr. Price: I thought you'd all seen that. Yes, ma'am.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, how about bringing it back and let us see it again.
Rev. Gibson: Yes, bring it back...
Mrs. Gordon: We'd like to see it. We really like to see your films,
in fact, we like to see you, so come on down more often.
Mr. Price; Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you, Lew, and congratulations,
PROGRESS RE
Tr WITH
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CI'Y GER NEGOTIATE
3R, QUESt TRAPrIC SIGNAL
Mr. Reboso: Item i progress Report on African Square) Mr, Gras,s.i.e,
Mr, Grassie: This report, Mr. Vice Mayor, is responding to the request
of the City Commission, at your last meeting you asked that we keep you
up-to-date, Newall Daughtrey,
Mr, Daughtrey: Mr, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, the African Square Park
is substantially completed now. On next week we're going tb set final
inspection, the landscape architect, who we have hired as a consultant
will send his people down so we can do the final inspection, and then
we can accept the park. The park is presently being utilized. It is
our anticipation that as soon as the final inspection is over that we
can have the park manned properly staffed. At this time, I'll like to
turn the podium over to Mr. Ron Frazier, who is a representative of the
Consultant Firm.
Mr. Frazier: Commissioners, my name is Ron Frazier, and I'm associated
with M. Paul Friedberg Partners on this park as their local representative.
I apologize for not being at your last Commission Meeting. I had a prior
commitment, and I understand a lot of things you stated in relationship
with this park, As Mr. Daughtrey, , stated that the project is now
substantially complete. The landscaping, I would say is substantially
complete, except for the installation of about 34 trees which had to be
root pruned, and they should be installed next week. I would like to
clarify though, a lot of reports about this particular park, because I
think there are some inaccurate information being circulated, and what
have you. There's been a lot of questions on the landscaping as to
type of trees, shrubbery, and what you. Namely, the ficus trees, and
there was a big discussion about that at your last meeting. Those ficus
trees were selected by M. Paul Friedberg & Partners, As a part of
a list of alternatives. Those ficus trees were selected and approved by
that office, and we instructed the contractor to install them. After
that fact, the Parks Department did not approve the ficus trees. Ok, that
clarifies that instance, and that's been documented.
Mr. Plummer: Well, it clarifies as to whose responsibility it was for it
to be done, but it doesn't clear up the matter that was, I think, more
important, the point, and that was that everyone living in South Florida
knows what happens with fiscus trees, how come the architect didn't?
Mr. Frazier: The architect, which is myself, I'm not a landscape architect.
M. Paul Friedberg is the prime consultant for this project.
Mr. Plummer: Right.
Mr. Frazier: They make all the decisions regarding this project. That
is the bottomline on that issue. They are the decision makers. Let me
finish...
Rev. Gibson: Are you telling me then, well, maybe, I ought to interject
this question, Are you telling me then, I hope we heard that, that in
the future since he lives in New York and he doesn't know South Florida
that maybe we need to be aware, is that what you're saying?
Mr. Frazier: You can say that if you want to. All I'm pointing out is that
hr i•, the prime ,,oir.ultant. t'm a local representative. We have a certain
Ir',110ii iiN 10 do. My Jill` wiis tO do day-to-day inspections and to
report back to them any changes, modifications, all final decisions are
made out of that office. Now, there was a big helabaloo on the landscaping
in terms of what went before and what happened. Now, you must realize
that at the time of the landscaping for this project was programmed there
was no freeze in South Florida, A freeze came along and killed the
majority of the plants that were specified, Consequently, there has been
a lot of substitutions, alright, The certain members in the community
were not happy with certain trees and shrubs and what have you , which
they have a right to be,and some of that was modified, because the land.
scaping would either make this park or kill this park, in terms of a visual
APR 7 1978
entity. Representatives from the Parks Department by Mr. �...__.
Mark Morrison from M.Paul Friedberg's. office, Brenda Rivers from the
Planning Department, and also Bobbie Hernden,from the Planking Department,
all went to look at shrubbery for this park to make sure i.t was in agree,
ment with all of the agencies and entities who had buiit thi.s parks ok.
So the result in landscape which you see out there today in terms of shrubs
and trees and what have you has been commonly agreed upon by all the agencies.
and communities involved. The biggest problem involved out there now is
that the park is in use,thelandscaper can put down the ground cover today,
and the kids will run through it tomorrow. The park is in uses you know,
and somebody has to deal with that issue. The park is in use, you know,
and there's a lot of people to take the blame for that. The fence shouldn't
have come down,the whole bit... The point is the park is in use now, and
you're not going to get the neighborhood kids out of the park, because it's
there for them to play oh. They recognize it's being used and what have you
so you are sort of caught between the devil and deep blue sea with certain
types of ground covers. The trees and the shrubs can be put in, hut they're
small items, and it's not done out of malice on the part of the kids in he
neighborhood. They're playing. It's recreation, ok.
Mr. Plummer: No, it's not ok. I accept what you say, but you know, we sit
up here putting full faith that people that we select to design a park will
do such in accordance keeping those kind of problems in mind.
Mr. Frazier: Right.
Mr. Plummer: That, you know, kids are going to be kids wherever they are,
and you don't design a park in which you know from the incep`ion that
they're going to be tearing up the ground cover or something else if
you would go with some other alternative, rather than ground cover. What
you're saying, what I'm understanding you're saying, we're spending money
to put this in with the full intent and knowledge that it's not going to
hold up. Now, to me, that's wasting your money.
Mr. Frazier: It's not going to hold up if it's not allowed to take growth.
And, the only reason it's going to take growth is that you have to keep
people off of it.
Mrs. Gordon: How long does it take, Ron, to take growth?
Mr. Frazier: Oh, it's going to take two to three weeks for the plants to
actually catch hold. I'm talking about the ground cover. I'm not talking
about the shrubs and the trees. I'm talking about the small stuff, it's
there around the fringes for beauty...
Rev. Gibson: Ok, let me...
Mr. Frazier: ... but these are the things that I don't think you fully under-
stand, you know, when blame is being put out you have to look at the
whole parameters involved and the people who are part of that decision
making process. You know, I'm going to make a statement and I hope,.you
know, I won't be put on a list for making this statement. but ever since
I have been in Dade County and Miami, every Black project that I have
worked on has never had the commitment of the municipality sponsoring it.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, I don't know about that, Ron.
Mr. Frazier: ... and I think, no, I think you have to look at it very,
very carefully, just compare the attitude on the part of municipalities
when we talk about projects like the Government Center, Administration
Building, Convention Center, in comparison of a project like this, which
is needed for that area, attitude, commitment,makes a big difference on
how well everybody works together in a nice relationship.
Mrs. Gordon: Ron, I'm know what you're saying, and I understand your
intent of your remark, and I have to say there is some validity in what
the results seem to be, but where is the failure at? I don't believe it's
on this... at this Commission level. I never remember ever, ever, since
I've been a Commissioner that this Commission, at least, any part of it,
in particular, did not want this area to progress at the same rate of
speed that every other area, therefore, I think it behooves us to find
out from management why there seems to be a slow down, If there is an
7
explanation Mr. Grassier I think it ought to come from you and/or your
Department Head, whoever is in charge of whatever,it appears, you know,
the result seems to be yes, it's true. This particular area, other
particular areas do seem to hit a backlog, why, I don't know why?
Mr. Reboso. Rose, I would like to hear from Mrs. Range at this point.
Mrs. Gordon: Athalie , you want to reiterate anything on that?
... that's ok,
Mrs, Range: Thank you very much for allowing me to address you: I was.
really just listening and had hoped I would make my remarks afterward, but
I guess we may as well all jump into the fight, because this is really a
fight. It's been going on for a long time. As far as, to the park
being substantially completed. I have noted the park in the past two
weeks since we were at the last Commission Meeting and there has been
quite a bit of activity as far as planting is going on. Nevertheless,
the , when we speak of the park being used, yes, the park is being used.
It has been used since the 18th of December, in the same unfinished
circumstance that we find it today. Just a few days ago, I was out there
and saw the painters touching up places on it. The children are still
playing., I think the pump has been changed and water is running in and
out of that now. I understand from the landscapers that the sprinkler
system, up to two or three days ago had not been put in, and I think
we ought to hear sometime before this meeting is over this morning from
the Scope Construction Company, who I understand is having a real fight
with the people who are to put in the sprinkler systems. Now, we speak
of spending a lot of money, and it being wasted, and the final analysis,
here we have the landscapers planting all over the place and before they
could get one part of it watered down the other part has died because of
the lack of water. I think this is probably some of the things that
Ron Frazier is speaking about, about the conditions that exist in our
area. I understand now that the park, we cannot expect to have the park
in its completed form until the 1st of May. Gentlemen, it's going to be
very, very near a year behind schedule. This park was due to be finished
in October. We've been using it in it's unfinished state since the 18th
of December, and everyday, more and more problems are being created. I
might say for the yaungstersof that area, if they are tearing up the ground
cover, which I have not noticed to any great extent, and I'm sure Ron
would see more of that than I would, but if they are tearing up the
ground cover it certainly is not being done maliciously, it's just because
they're running over the park and playing as youngsters in any park would
do. And, if this park had been finished anywhere near the completion
date, say by the 18th of December, if the plants had been done, the trees
would have had time to root themselves., and this would not have happened.
Now, as far as our being pleased I don't know how much community input
was had with the actual selection of some of the ground cover. I've been
weeping real tears every since I saw what they're putting on the front,
on the Sixty -Second Street side, because it simply appears, and I don't
know the name of the plant, but it simply appears to me that this plant
dies as rapidly, it must be a plant that is very hearty,and I would stand
correction on this, but it's a little plant with the red leaf on one side
and a purple leaf on the other side, and it just does not give a thing of beauty
as you pass along, you would have to be up very close to it to see the
beauty of it. I've spoken of this when the Friedberg representatives were
in the City, and hopefully, they would have changed, but I see that they
were determined to put it in. So, it has been put in a thicker amount.
I don't know how it's going to turn out. My uneducated eyes say it
isn't going to turn out very well. The plants that are being put along
the back edge of the Amphitheater for the sake of shrubbery in order to
keep people from peering in or from coming in over there.are very slender
plants at this point. I realize that they will be growing up a little
later on, but you see we're already almost a year late and how much longer
is it going to take for these plants to grow substantially so that they
will do the job that they're put there to do? Now, these are plants that
hopefully will grow to some five or six feet in height, Right now, they
are probably 22 to 3 ft., those that I have seen and they are tender
saplings of plants, so consequently, consequently, ladies and gentlemen,
whenever there is a band or an affair going on in that Amphitheater, I
grant you that the youngsters are going to come through those little tender
plants,and that's all tog. And, we correct this, I really do not know.
Now, I would like,to since I am at the podium at this time, if we just might
8
unless we can have cross conversation there are at least two other
very important items that I'd like to bring to your attention. I can wait
if you wish me to or I can continue at this, point.
Mr. Plummer: Why don't you bring them out so he can possibly address, them?
Mrs, Range: Alright, well, this would be more to the Commission as far
as the addressing of it is concerned. Now in„. I go by the park every-
day. This week is the first week I believe, because of the public schools
being on the Spring break, I've noticed one thing that I hadn't noticed
before and I'm sure the Commission is going to need to address itself to it,
The park is a free access as you probably know. The youngsters the park
does not necessarily face Sixty -Second Street, the official$ or the actual
opening of the park is on Sixty -First Street, but a very great number of
the park participants will be coming from the Government Project on
Sixty -Second Street on the opposite side. This creates a very grievous
problem because of the fact their is a light at 15th Avenue and there i_
not another light until 12th Avenue. The park is between 14th and 15th
right on the corner of 14th beginning. As a result of this, youngsters
are running between cars getting to the park. These youngsters,who go
anywhere in ages from the toddler size on up to teenage. The Commission
will certainly need to address itself to some type of protection. I
thought first, of an overhead wall, but it's a very, very short distance,
and I can easily imagine that the peaking would be too great just to go
across one street of that width. Nevertheless, we're either going to
very shortly , perhaps before the opening of the park, we're going to need
some kind of protection there, a walklight, that we can begin training
our children to use for that purpose, or a uniformed person to see to
it. Just the other day, one of the gentlemen who was working out there
said he actually had to snatch a toddler back from running into the path
of a car because he was following the other children who had gone over to
the park and was on their way back home. So, I think this is one thing
that you really need to put down on your notebooks to do something about
immediately, because we're going to have some tragedy there if we aren't
careful. The other item, I need to talk about now, and I was most
disappointed when I called Mr.Daughtery, a few days ago, and found that
one of the items that I came down and spoke, I thought, rather emotionally
about, but I guess it wasn't quite emotional enough. And, this was ...okl
budget for the park. It is my understanding at this point, that this was.
not addressed in the Consortium Meeting and I left here with the under-
standing that there would be no problem of our having fundsfor the operation
of this park. Perhaps, at this point I am beginning to assume, and if my
assumptions are wrong, then I certainly want to apologize and get in line
with whatever the thinking is. But lady and gentlemen of this Commission
if it is the plan of staff that when this park opens to send some City
employees out there to staff that park, then you're defeating your purpose
before you begin. The park is a unique sort of thing. We have worked
diligently on programming and it's going to take somebody more than just a
park employee, pulled out from some other park to go out there and chase
the kids of the wall, and if a toddler falls into the little wading pool
to snatch him out, it's going to take more than that. And we want the
program that we want. We worked for this park for 10 long years. It has
the kind of program that's going to need special attention. We're willing
to give that special attention. We sat down went over a budget. We've
been here to you on several occasions. You have given us a budget of a
total of $112,000. I don't know where you plan to get the funds,...if the funds
are coming out of Title VI money then here again, a portion of our plan
would be defeated, because Title VI money is for those people who have been
out of work some 15 weeks or more and you don't find professionals out of
work for 15 weeks or more at a $10,000 salary. Our coordinator needs to
be a person who has the kind of know how either from past experience or
from dealing directing with the park, and I am very, very concerned. I am
very, very upset that this problem was not addressed in the last Consortium
Meeting because I was told that this is where the monies would be coming
from. We need to be training staff in our program right now.
Rev, Gibson: Let me ask a question, Mr.Daughtrey, you go to the Consortium?
Mr. paughtrey: Yes, sir,
Rev. Gibson: Were you charged with the responsibility of taking up this
problem for the City of Miami?
9
'APR 7 1978
Mr. baughtrey. ;
Rev. Gibson:
Yes, 5ir.
What happened?
Mr, Daughtery: At the Consortium M eeting t was informed that the matter
would not tome up.
Rev. Gibson: Why?
Mr, Daughtrey: Primarily because one of the voting members of the
Consortium was going to vote against it and in all probability that it
may not have passed and it was suggested to me that there was an alternative
method of funding the park on which I did act upon and we are prepared
and we hope to bring to you this afternoon a Resolution getting the
authorization from you to negotiate and enter into a contract with
Sixty -Second Development Corporation.
Mrs. Gordon: With who?
Mr. Daughtrey:• Sixty -Second Street Development Corporation.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, ok, yes, ok.
Mr. Daughtery: ... it is our hope and anticipation that on the loth of
April that we should be able to allow them to begin recruiting and bring
staff.
Mrs. Gordon: ... oh, Athalie, that takes care of it.
Mrs. Range: That sounds fine, but it sounded just as good last Tuesday.
Rose, or whenever we were here before, you know, let's not ...
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mrs. Range: ... hide any secrets, do you mind telling us where it's
coming from, what the resolution is going to say, who is going to give
us the money? This is what I'd like.
Mrs. Gordon: Where is the resolution, do you have it Daughtrey?
Mr. Grassie: While we're waiting for the resolution, I think that we
need to repeat so that both Mrs. Range and the City Commission understand
that the City cannot control the Consortium. We asked them to take up the
item, they decided not to, and they can do that. What I also told you
last time on the record was that we were going to have staff. Now, what
we are going to propose since the Consortium decided not to take up the
item is an alternative from our own resources, which is basically Title
II of city funds and that's what's coming to the City Commission this
afternoon.
Mr. Plummer: How much?
Mr. Grassie: A total of $85,000 when you consider staff, capital invest-
ment, supplies, professional services, and that is for a period of six
months, through the end of this fiscal year.
Rev. Gibson: Let me say something Mr. Daughtrey.
Mr. Daughtrey: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: Everybody swears I'm not in tune with what's happening now,
you know, are you on that board as a Consortium?
Mr. Daughtrey: No, sir.
Rev. Gibson: Who is that represents the City?
Mr. Daughtrey: Mr. Parkins is our representative.
Rev. Gibson: Where is Mr. Parkins? ,.. Mr. Manager?
Mr. Grassie: I presume he is in his office,
0
10
1``
Rev. Gibson: I'd like for you to call him. I want hi.m to hear this, so that
this, it won't b.e no mis.taken identity in what I'm going to say, and I'm
afraid that he wouldn't understand the intent..
Mr. Reboso: Father, why don't we call him this afternoon?
Rev. Gibson: No, no, no, no, these people aren't going to wait here all,.,
Mr.... where is his office? ... how far is his office from here?
Mr. Grassie: His office is in the Justice Building, the old Police
Justice Building.
Rev. Gibson: Well, the police will get him down here, they'll wait a
half an hour. Let me tell you something. Let me tell you something.
hope that this City of Miami would be as energetic in dealing with the
Consortium about this item as they are about other things. Let me say
what I mean Mr. Manager, you know,.there comes a time ....
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, we're being more energetic about this.
What we are saying is that we are going to take care of the problem
regardless...
Rev. Gibson: Alright...
Mr. Grassie: ... you know, that's the position that we've taken. We are
going to take care of the problem regardless, you know.
Rev. Gibson: I understand, but listen, Mr. Manager, Theodore Gibson, has
the greatest capacity to explain himself. I don't need nobody to explain
it to me. Listen, Daughtrey, Brother Daughtrey,, I want to tell you and
tell Mr. Parkins this, I want Mr. Parkins to come and here this. You know
when other people want things, we use the force and power and strength of
the City of Miami, isn't that right Mr, Vice Mayor?
Mr. Reboso: It's right, but that's exactly what the Manager is telling
you...
Rev. Gibson: ...no, you all don't get what I'm saying. You all don't
get what...
Mr. Reboso: We don't control the Consortium...
Mrs. Gordon: ... yes, but...
Mr. Reboso: ... we are one vote.
Rev. Gibson: ... ah, ah...
Mrs. Gordon: ... Father Gibson is saying that we need to be firm, and we
have to stand up for the City in a very positive manner at the Consortium
level, and this is what he's saying, and he wants the guy who sits there
representing us to speak up loud and clear as he's doing.right now.
Rev. Gibson: Right...
Mr. Grassie: The bottomline Commissioners is that regardless of what the
Consortium does, the City is going to take care of this problem, that's
the bottomline, ok.
Mrs. Gordon: uh, huh, I see.
Mr. Grassie: Now, if we can get the Consortium's help that's fine.
Mr. Reboso: Mrs. Range, are you satisfied with that resolution?
Mrs. Range: From what I am hearing now I understand that $85,000 is to
be utilized for the period from the IOth of April until the 30th of
September from City funds. Really, it doesn't really matter to me where
the funds come from we want sufficient funds, funds of $85,000 will satisfy
our needs from now until September, but this brings to mind another question
is my understanding that City Parks are placed in the budget as far as the
operation of parks are concerned, 1 want to know are we going to have the
11
it
tarie struggle each time it comes up for funding, what i.s going to happen
to us after September 30.th?
Mr, Reboso: Mr, Grassie?
Mr, Grassie: Well, as you know, the City has to conform with its budget
cycle so that we cannot make a contract going past the end of this budget
cycle, PteSumathle this agreement like all others will come up for
review and the only thing that i.s at issue isperformance under the
agreement, aside from that there should be no difficulty in extending it.
Mrs. Range: There is only one question in my mind...
Mr. Grassie: No, I don't want to give you a misimpression Mrs. Range...
Mrs. Range: Yes,
Mr. Grassie: ... that's not to say that we would
simply by doubling the amount of this agreement.
Mrs. Range: I understand that, because doubling
agreement would be more than a year...
Mr. Grassie: That is true.
extend it necessarily
the amount of this
Mrs. Range: ... So I understand that perfectly, but what I am concerned
about is -is African Square going to receive special treatment in that it
will not be included in the budget for the Parks Department of the City
of Miami like all other City of Miami Parks? I want to know, are we going
set aside to see if we can get some money from first one place and then
the other and then at the last minute, you know, if nobody Ickes us, the
Consortium doesn't see fit to consider us, so the Consortium doesn't like us,
and I want to know if in the event all of the other sources do not favor
us, then, are we going to have to be dependent upon the City of Miami to
come back to its general fund, that's all I'm asking.
Mr. Grassie: Well, if I understand your question, hsically, the City
considers the park a City park and has the obligation to make sure that
it operates. Now, I think that you know the kind of budgetary restraint
that we have been under, so that I don't know that the City can promise
ahead of time, that regardless of what kind of money problems we have that
you will have no problem, but I do not think that there would be any reason
that that park would have any greater problem than any other park in the
City.
to be
Mrs. Range: That's what I want to know, you see, the mere fact, the mere
fact, that African Square was not considered in the last budget year, when
our budget had been before you for sometime. It was simply not included in
the budget. The only thing I'm saying is, I want to make sure that we are
not left out, and if all parks are cut we certainly will accept our cut,
but if all other parks are funded, and then you say, oh,oh, there's little
African Square, let's see what we can do about it. That's what I don't
want.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but Mrs. Range, what I'm looking at...
Mr. Grassie: ... that's understood.
Mr. Plummer: ...and I hope I'm looking at is that this will not be under
the Parks Department budget.
Mr. Grassie: That is correct.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, this will come under that title of the budget of
special programs.
Mr. Grassie; But, I think that Mrs. Range's point is that she wants to
make sure that it is not relegated to a condition of questionable funding.
Mrs. Range: That's right.
Mr. Grassie: That they'll have to justify themselves each time, and what
12
APR 7 1979
A
I'm saying is that it would qualify as a city park operation which has to
be funded every year, although there is no guarantee that they're going
to be exempt from the budget practices.that apply to everybody else.
Rev. Gibson: I want to raise two questions, are you satisfied?
Mrs. Range: I, ah, yes, with this resolution?
Rev. Gibson: Yes,
Mrs. Range: Yes, I'm quite satisfied, and...
Rev. Gibson: Alright, ok...
Mrs, Range: .:: if they will simply tell me ..: Father, if they will
just tell me what time this evening they want to sit down with us to
talk about this or if we are going to sit down, I'd be more than pleases
to do then after you have spoken I have one more item.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute, is there any reason,Mr. Gras.sie,..
Mrs. Gordon: We could move it now.
Mr. Plummer: —.why Father can't move this motion at this, time and be over
with it?
Mr. Grassie: No, it's out of order , but if you wish to move, it now
that's fine, that would be fine.
Rev. Gibson: Alright, I will move this resolution.
Mrs. Gordon: Second
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who
moved its,adootion;
RESOLUTION NO. 78-227
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 62 ND
STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,
A NON-PROFIT FLORIDA CORPORATION, FOR THE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AFRICAN SQUARE
PARK, UTILIZING C.E.T.A. POSITIONS FOR
STAFF, FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 10, 1978, THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 30, 1978, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE
CITY MANAGER AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, RATIFIED BY
THE COMMISSION.
(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: Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre
Mr. Grassie: Now, to answer to Mrs. Range's question if we may, would
7:00 o'clock be a good time for you?
Mrs. Range: Sir?
Mr. Grassie: Would 7:00 o'clock be a good time for you?
Mrs, Range: Yes, yes, whatever time you elect I'd be pleased to be
wherever you say,
Mr. Grassie: Good.
Mrs, Range: Alright, will it be in these chambers or where?
13
Mr. Grassie: Well, why we don't :,. were you planning on Meeting with
Mr. Daughtrey, .:, where do you normally meet... in your offices br,.. ?
Mrs. Range: Ah, whatever you say, you know, if, it's in the sunshine,
my office has plenty of sunshine in it.
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we do it in your office?
Mrs, Range: Pine. 1'd be pleased to have you there,
Mr. Grassie: Very good, well Mr,Daughtrey will represent me on this,
Mrs. Range: Yes, perfectly alright. Now,if I may, just one more, and then
I will listen, As we all know, 62nd Street is under construction now to
eventually become the Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. The portion of
the park that faces on 62nd Street is the complete length of the park, I
don't know to whom we would go but we bring our problem to you and for
you to advise you as to what can be done there.
Mrs. Gordon: You mean for the children?
Mrs. Range: No, no, I spoke about the light, but the street finish, and
I'm sure Ron or Mr. Daughtrey can explain that they've been out a number
of times, there is a very, very bad situation, they have already laned
the pipes that are to be laid there. All the underground work, I under-
stand is done. We would want,if it is possible,the support of the City
in getting that block sidewalk or walkway completed in order that people
would have the access rather than climing over rocks and dipping down
into soft spaces, things of this nature. You know what I think would be
a wonderful thing ladies and gentleman, we'd be honored to have you do
this. If during your lunch period on one of your Commission meetings,
if not today, certainly the next, if you would just come in a group and
just have a tour of the park, it won't take 15 minutes. The park is
less than a block long, but it's a beautiful thing and I think you would
have a greater appreciation of our coming and rangling with you every
week. We have something there. that you won't see anywhere in the State
of Florida, really ladies and gentlemen, and I think if you were to come
and just walk from one end of that park to the other...
Mrs. Gordon: Athalie, how about if we bring box lunches...
Mrs. Range: ... I'll get you some corn beef, not only corn beef, I'll get
you some sandwiches and sodas...
Mrs. Gordon: That's ok.
Mrs. Range: Surely, if you would come, even today, and just walk from one
end of that park to the other, you could see really what we're talking
about, and we could show you everything in less than 15 or 20 minutes and
when you come back here you'd have a completely different concept of it.
Will you come? ...
Mr. Reboso: Mrs. Range, let me ask you...
Mrs. Range: ... will you call the roll?
Mr. Reboso: You mentioned the Scope Construction Company and the sprinkler
system.
Mrs. Range: Yes, sir.
Mr. Reboso: Is there anything you want to know about that today?
Mrs. Range: My concern here is that trees are being planted, ground
cover is being planted, and of course. the ground cover goes just in a
little, you know a little indenture in the earth, and the landscaper,
the people who are planting said that it is quite a problem to try to
keep the trees and the ground cover properly watered, but the system
has simply not been turned on. I was told that there is a problem
between Scope Construction Company and the people who are going to
connect that, I really think if this is fiction, rather than truth then
we should know it. We should know why the plants cannot be properly
watered, We still have some dead trees that has to come out,
Mr. Reboso: Can you answer that question?
14
APR
1979
Mr, Frazier: Yes, in terms of the sprinkler system, we have a letter
on file from the sprinkler company that was. written to Scope and in
turn written to Friedbergt The sprinkler company does not want to
put in the final heads on the park, because they fear that once they
put the heads in they will be vandalized and they'll be constantly
replacing them since there is no control at this point. The kid$ are
using it, everybody is using it, so they're afraid vandalism will take
the heads away and they'll be constantly replacing them: What they
wanted to do was once ta ark was finally inspected,then they'll install
the heads,so that everybody would know they were put in and then if they
disappeared after that, then everybody be aware of it.
(INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENT)
Mr. Frazier: The piping is in, the piping is in but the heads are not
installed.
Mr, Plummer: This pump is all in, the well is drilled, ...?
Mr. Frazier: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: ... everything except just merely placin the heads on .
Mr. Frazier: Well, it stubbed them up in several places. They have to
put the heads on and a couple of other attachments ,but Mr. Neil is here
from Scope and he can explain that part of it.
Mrs. Range: ...just before Mr. Neil comes for Scope, may I -peak to
vandalism, just a moment? I don't know whether the heads would be
vandalized, but if the heads are vandalized as far as the youngsters
taking them or something ,this would be almost the first of any sizable
vandalism we've had there. I told you last week and I'll tell you again
those lights have been on that park since the 18th of December, and I
speak for the little Black girls and boys who play in that park daily
and to stay out there until the lights are turned off at night. They
appreciate what they have their so much that not one has taken a rock
and broken those lamps, and I think that says something. I think that
says something. Now, I don't know whether the heads are so valuable that
some adult would come through with a knife and screw all the heads off,
I don't know that, but as far as vandalism is concerned that park has
gone almost totally unguarded, unmanned, ...
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask...
Mrs. Range: ... the youngsters who play there haven't done a thing about
tearing it up.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question, is the system in sections?
Mr. Frazier: Yes.
Rev. Gibson: The sprinkler system comes on in sections?
Mr. Frazier: Yes, there are two sections.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, Mr. Contractor, I have a sprinkler system, and I just
wanted to say this, you know, it would be a very easy thing to turn on
one, give them enough sprinkler heads to turn on one section and then
take those off and put on the other and have water continuously out there.
Now, don't tell me it can't be done, because put in one for me and
that's the way it's done, I mean, I know it's in a tions,ok or if you
have, now you said it was in sections, I didn't say that. Now, if it was
turn on one switch, and all of it came on that would be a different story,
but if it is in section, I want to tell this Commission from experience
you could turn all the heads on, one section, since you have to have water
and then run that section, take those off, put them on the other section,
turn that section on.
Mr. Frazier; Father Gibson, I think that next week that problem will be
resolved if the time schedule is .., is finished and all the
heads will be on, Before Mr, Neil' ;peaks;'i would want to clarify one
thing, when I started on this project with Friedberg, my role was defined
13
•
very clearly by the contractor relationship I had withthem, as well as
the Planning Department at that time when Mr. Acton was chairman of that
Planning Department, that I only had designed input. There were several tires
that I invoked some decision making processes, but I was reprimanded by
both the City and Mr. Friedberg for that, and since then my job has been
recommendation only. And, I think this is one of the main ingredients
why we've had a lot of delays is because the contractor comes to me for
a decision. I call New York or write New York for that decision. That
decision cannot be accepted in total verbally , because people have mit
understandin g5about verbal communication. That decision has to come
back to me in writing. I,ih turn,write Scope and say proceed in such
a manner, Now, a lot of things can happen in the mail, delays, in
that particular situation, but that decision making process has caused a
lot of problems. I'm caught in the middle between Mrs. Range asking me,
"Ron, what's going to happen next?"' can't tell you,Mrs. Range, because
I have to call New York. Scope, asking me. The Parks Department, asking
me, you know, I cannot give a final decision on anything that relates to
this park, unless it's verified in writing from them, because I am a
sub -contractor, But a lot of you forget that that process can take a
lot of time, if the decisions don't come very quickly.... so this is
something that you ...
Rev. Gibson: ... Mr. Architect we understand. I understand you fully. I
want to raise two questions Mr. Manager. Our personnel is going to be
here to hear what I'm going to say?
Mr. Grassie: We called Mr. Parkins's office. He is on vacation for this
week,Commissioner. He's not in the city.
Rev. Gibson: Have him at the next meeting, so I can tell him about the
Consortium, ok? Make that an item. Alright, the next time is, Mr.
Architect, I want to deal with you about the program, and I hope they'll
come back to hear what I'm going to say about that Consortium. because
I know a lot more than you all think I do, ok? I want to say this for
the benefit of the Commission, because I'm always, I'm usually misunder-
stood simply because nobody wants to to ngo with Gibson, you know, they
got their own thing, ok. To put ficus trees where those fiscus trees are
and I'm not a landscape architect, I'm not a gardener, I'm a gardener of
souls, ok, but I've lived in Miami all my life. I'm born and reared here,
ok. And, to put fiscus treesbeside a wall, such as they have done, I don't
care whose responsibility it is, that's a sign they don't know Dade County
and they don't know tropical environment. I want to make sure everybody
understands that. One of the best examples, to prove what I'm going to
say, and that's one of the advantages of having me here not saying anything
other than once in a while. If you go out in the Grove and look how they
built those containers for flowers, they put ... they placed in those
containers bottle brush, isn't that right Mr. Grimm? ... most of them, you
know, right out there, the Grove has one hell of a lot of flowers blooming
setting up the area, sweet smelling flowers. You know the Bible says
sweet fragrance, so I want you to know I know what I'm talking about,
fiscus will root up everything, your house included. Isn't that right
Mr. Grimm?
Mr. Plummer: Look at Coral Way ...
Rev. Gibson: And, all I want to say is I don't understand how the
City Administration, whoever is responsible,went that root.
Mr. Grimm: Father, I've kept still about this, but there is a misconcep-
tion about this fiscus trees can be planted in contained areas. One of
the features of a fiscus tree, at least the kind that we've specified is
that if the top is kept trimmed so will the roots. We have fiscus trees
in front of the Flagler Federal Bank on 1st Street and 1st Avenue for
12 years. You have fiscus trees that are used as exotic type trees as
architectural features in concrete pots. A fiscus tree is one of the
easiest trees to dwarf. Now, if you do not keep the top trimmed, what
you say is exactly true, the roots will take up everything, but they
can be grown and grown adequately in contained areas.
16
APR 7 1978
1
Rev. Gibson: Ok, I'm going tO say this, and then get off the subject.
You know, if you have 50 running on a line, I'm talking about the
City swears it doesn't have any money, doesn't have personnel, that
just doesn't make good business and good sense. I think everybody would
conceed that if that tree will do that kind of a thing and they're planted
about 10 feet apart at the most, isn't that right, thereabout? That let's
you know I've been there and looked at them and I said, God, you mean to
put fiscus trees on this back wall? I'm not going to say no more. I'll
wait for Mr, Parkins to come.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Anymore questions from members of the City Commission?
Mr, Frazier: I think Scope has something they would like to say since
they're ...
Mr. Plummer: Well, let me just make one comment. Mr, Grass.ie, I think
it would be well in order that at the next Commission meeting, which is
what, the 27th of April, that you schedule a bus for us to have the
opportunity to go up and take Mrs. Range up on her offer of conch fritte.'s
and what was the other?
Mrs. Range: Well, sounds like you might just want some pigeon peas and
rice. (laughter),..
Mr. Plummer: ... you know what Father, doesn't say, don't you? Father
doesn't say that he's a native born Miamian, which I am, and Father, will not
admit that my people were in the Bahamas before his people.
Rev. Gibson: I want to agree to that, and admit it early.
Mrs. Range: Thank you, we'd be pleased to have you for lunch.
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner...
Mrs. Gordon: Which day are we talking about?
Mrs. Range: The Commission meeting day of the 27th, is that correct?
Mr. Reboso: The 27th.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, fine.
Mr. Plummer: That a bus be made available to come up ....
Mrs. Range: Very fine..
Mrs. Gordon: Fine, and who prepares... supplies the buffe we do, don't
we?
Mr. Grassie: Just a minute, please. We may have a conflict, I understand
that we are scheduled for the Little Havana Community Center. Can we put
this off for one meeting?
Rev. Gibson: Sure, let's put it off one meeting, but we'll be sure to
go to the next... go at the next one,... even if I have to furnish lunch.
Mrs. Gordon: The first one in May?
Mrs. Range: This sounds, this sounds to me, that the park is not going
to be complete even then. We were hoping that you could see the park in
its present state, just before we are complete, would there we any possibility
of your getting in two cars and coming out today during your lunch hour?
Mr. Reboso: Today, I can't, I have a luncheon appointment today.
Mrs. Range; You have a luncheon,
Mrs, Gordon; You also won't have Maurice with us either.
Mrs, Range: Alright, very well, very well, May I ask just one more
17
question?
APR 7 1978
Mrs. Gordon: Is there any Chance of switching the schedule for the
next fleeting..,
Mr, Reboso: We can do it any day..,
Mrs, Gordon: ,, and then take one for the following one, let's go out
there on the 27th, go to the other one...
Mr. Grassie: Apparently, what we have, what isscheduled for your next
Commission meeting was a ground breaking ceremony at the Community
Center,..
Mrs, Gordon: It is?
Mr. Grassie: ... Little Havana Community Center.
Mrs. Gordon: A ground breaking?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, to start the project.
Mrs, Gordon: Well, how long will we beat the ground breaking?
(BACKGROUND COMMENTS MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mrs, Gordon: Wait a minute, it don't usually take too long, does it?
Mr. Plummer: The way this Commission operates at least two hours.
Mr. Fosmoen: But we schedule one hour sir.
Mr. Plummer: Well, that means two.
Mr. Reboso: We can go at 11:30 to Mrs. Range to the African Square Park.
Mrs. Range: Very good...
Mrs. Gordon: When?
Mrs. Range: ... it will certainly not take a long time unless you...
Mr. Reboso: And, spend there half and hour.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but we want to have lunch with her.
Mr. Reboso: Oh!
Mrs. Gordon: And, we want to bring the lunch.
Mrs. Range: I'll give you a bag lunch and you can get ...
Mrs. Gordon: We'll bring the lunch.
Rev. Gibson: When is that,today ?
Mrs. Gordon: No, not today, on the 27th.
Mrs. Range: On the 27th. Whatever you plan...
Mrs. Gordon: Can we schedule ourselves a little differently ? Let's take
a little longer in between periods. We have a long day that day anyway.
Mr. Grassie: Well, is there any particular problem in putting it off for
one meeting?
Mrs. Gordon: Well, Athalie, would prefer we see it.
Mr. Plummer: Well, there's no problem, except nrs. Range figures and
knows damn well that if this Commission goes up there on the 27th, that
park's going to be finished before we go up there.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, you're right,
Mr, Plummer; And, that's what she's tried to do is to force the issue,
i8
•ft.�=
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: It's called bribery by conch fritters:
Mrs. Gordon: 0h my God. (laughter).
Mr. Reboso: Let's do it the 26th, J. L., let's do it the 26th.
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we have a special luncheon of the City Commission
on the 26th?
Mrs. Range: Beautiful, We have no objections,.
Mrs. Gordon: What did you say, we have a special meeting?
Mr. Reboso: No, no, the 26th, without any special City Commission ...
just going there at lunch time.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, that might present a problem, somebody may be out-oi
town on the 26th or other. 0n a regular Commission meeting we know we're
going to be here.
Mr. Grassie: We're open to suggestions, you know, we end up with the
problem of having to try and keep you on schedule and make the things
that you want to get to .
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. I can't see why ground breaking is going to take two
hours, I just don't, so we go to the ground breaking , we break the ground
and then'we go on.
Mr. Fosmoen: The ground breaking is scheduled for 12:30 on the 27th.
Mr. Grassie: From 12:30 to 1:30.
Mr. Fosmoen: 12:30 to 1:30, the invitations are out, speakers have been
invited.
Mr. Plummer: But what I'm saying is, in other words, let's set up the
agenda that we break here at 11:00.
Mrs. Gordon: That's a fine idea, and then we'll go out there, we can
have lunch and we can be back at the ground breaking at 12:30.
Mrs. Range: We'd be pleased to have you. We'll set you up for say,
11:15 or 11:30, very good, on the 27th.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Mrs. Gordon: Is that okay with you?
Mr. Grassie: Fine.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay.
Mr. Reboso: It will be fine. Thank you very much.
Mrs. Gordon: Then, we'll do it that way.
Mrs. Range: Very fine. Thank you very much. I certainly do not want
to appear to be disinterested in what Scope has to say. I have gotten
a message that I must leave immediately, and I'm going to have to leave
now, but this is as much as I can say right now, and I just didn't want
the Scope representatives to feel that I'm walking out, Do you mind,sir?
Mr. Neil: No ma'am.
Mrs. Range: Thank you very much. You're kind of glad to have me go,
aren't you?
Mr. Neil, Yes,
Mrs. Gordon: What do we do about that light situation, Mr, Grassie,
because I know that's a Dade County responsibility to put up those kinds
19
of safety lights.
Mr. Grassie: Yes, you also, I think you know that Dade County is doing
all the street work and they are the ones who are responsible for that
work there.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but, shouldn't we take a position, advising them of
bur interest and request them to put in a safety light there?
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we take the initiative to ask the traffic
engineer to do an analysis of that intersectionand see whether we can get
a light put up?
Mrs. Gordon: Well, alright. I'll move it that we ask him to do that
analysis and ask him to put in a safety light, if possible, as quickly
as possible, because there are children whose lives are in danger with
the lack of it, ok? That's a motion.
Mrs. Range: thank you so much, and will you include in that, the side-
walks, I think the County?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, and the sidewalks.
Mrs. Range: Alright, thank you very much:
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Yes,sir.
Mr. Neil: My name is Frank Neil...
Mrs. Gordon: Wait, you didn't call the roll, Mr. Reboso, we had a motion
and a second.
Mr. Reboso: You have a motion and a second. Any further discussion, will
you please call the roll?
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-228
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO REQUEST
DADE COUNTY TO MAKE AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRAFFIC
SITUATION ON N.W. 62ND STREET AT AFRICAN SQUARE
PARK AND TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO FACILITATE
THE SAFE CROSSING OF THE STREET IN THAT AREA.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the motion was passed
and adoptea by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: No.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
Mr. Neil: My name is Frank Neil, Vice President of Scope Construction
Company. At the beginning, I would like to say, Mr. Henry Moon, and
Ron Frazier are two of the most efficient, competent people in their
field that I've ever known. Had Mr. Frazier been given authority at
the onset of this project it would have been finished three months ago,
at least. He was an architect without portfolio and no authority, a
very competent architect, and a nice man. He, I'm repeating what
Mr. Frazier said, delays in processing of shop drawings took months, they
had to be transmitted to Mr. Frazier, then to New York, back to Mr. Frazier,
and back to us. The logistics of this type of project was critical for
the scope of time the contract called for. We were promised materials,
critical materials, three to four months delivery by suppliers, these
materials were specified and furnished and the actual delivery was
December 9th, when the project was supposed to be finished,December 16th.
Landscaping decisions were not forthcoming. We pursued vigorously an
effort to get landscape decisions from New York as far back as August, 1977.
The final decision on plants were made February, either the 13th or 14th,
1978. 1 feel we're being penalized unjustly, because of logistics problems
and indecisions. There was no authority delegated where it should have
been and I'll close with saying this park needs to be staffed. It is in
use, and we are wide-open for lawsuit if a kid gets injured utilizing this
20
oPR 7 1978
I'll answer this Sprinkler question, until how, tdday,
it is zoned, I think it's in ahout five zones, I'm not Sure, But i.t is
roughed in, the pumps are installed, the wiring is in, It is, a natter of
installing the Sprinkler heads and throwing the switch. We can now turn
on certain zones of it. I agree with Mrs. Range, the kids will not
vandalize these sprinkler heads. These sprinkler heads are brass, but
they'll disappear over night, not the children. Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much. Any further questions/
3, PARKING STUDY POP COCONUT GROVEJ SEEK ALTERNATE SOLUTION.
Mr. Reboso: Let's take item C, please. Recommendation to seek consultants
for a parking study in Coconut Grove, Mr, Grassie?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice Mayor, I think that what we should do, whether or
not it has a bearing, I think the letter of Marshall Harris should be
put into the record, Mrs. Clerk, do you have a copy of this letter from
Marshall Harris, for the record? Basically, what it states, is that he
is in opposition to the hiring of a consultant. He feels that it would
be money not well spent because they would only identify the problem which
is known and there are only two sites for selection, and I guess, what
his, if I read between the lines, what he is saying is, that it would be
a waste of money to slow down,and going through the consultant route, but
I just want to make sure that a copy of this letter is atta,hed to the
record.
Mrs. Hirai: We do not have it, but we'll make sure and get one.
Mr. Plummer: Well, you can get my mind and make a copy if you wish.
Mr. Reboso: They are making copies from mine.
Rev. Gibson: They made copies.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, just making it for the record.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, Mr. Fosmoen.
Mr. Fosmoen: Our position, of course, is slightly different than that.
We're not convinced that there are only two sites that are available in
Coconut Grove. We think that we need this kind of background information
and recommendation so that we can get to the point of seriously considering
a revenue bond issue in conjunction with the Off -Street Parking Authority
for a municipal facility in the Grove. We think we need to look at the
policies that the city does have on locations for off-street parking.
Currently, property owners can provide parking within 500 ft. of their
sight. They may be presenting a problem. The alternative would be to
make them provide parking on site , which in my opinion would not be
an appropriate alternative, then we would find the Grove checkerboarded
with parking lots, and what we're trying to create there is a good
pedestrian environment, not having pedestrians exposed to a whole series
of individual parking lots, so in conclusion our recommendation is that
we do go through this two step process.
Mrs. Gordon: Who would be doing it?
Mr. Fosmoen: We would seek consulting services.
Mrs. Gordon: 0h...
Mr. Fosmoen: We have not pre -selected, I would like to do it inhouse
Commissioner, but I simply do not have the staff, there are two many other
commitments that we have to do inhouse. I don't think that we're look-
ing at a long time frame or a lot of money, but 1 think if we're going to
address the problem of parking in the Grove we need to look at alternatives
we need to look at revenue bonding capability, we need to look at the
policies that the city has on parking, we need to find out whether or not
the parking that we have is adequate,
2
Mr. Plummer: Well, what are you talking about, not a whole lot of
money?
Mr. Fosmoen: Probably, fifteen thousands dollars, Commissioner.
Mr. Reboso: Between ten thousand and fifteen thousand.
(BACKGROUND COMMENTS..,.)
Mr. Grassie: If I may suggest to the City Commission..., Commissioners,
possibly, the single most important element of a question like this is,
that if you want to move the question of parking forward at all in the
Grove, we're going to build parking through using the Off -Street Parking
Authority. They are not going to do any kind of construction, unless
they have a feasibility study. They are not going to be able to get
any revenue bonds floated, unless they have a feasibility study, so
Mr. Harris opinion that he knows more than the consultants might, is
really irrevelant. The fact is, that we can't get the Off -Street Parking
Authority to move and we can't get the bond market to move unless we have
a feasibility study. Now, it's as simple as that. If we don't do this,
what we're saying is we're not going to do anything about parking in
Coconut Grove.
Mr. Reboso: Ken, do you want to comment?
Mr. Treister: Commissioners,and Mrs. Commissioner, I'm Ken Treister, and
I'm interested, obviously, in Coconut Grove, and I just want to touch base
on a few things. Number one, the problem of Coconut Grove parking is not
critical. It's not anymore long range planning concept. I was in the
Grove last weekend and it was chaos, literally chaos, people were parking
on people's lots. There was a downtown lawyer, very prominent lawyer,
standing on the street corner with his son in front of Kwik-Chek, I said,
what are you doing there? He said,"I'm crying',' I said, why? He says,"well
I parked in Kwik-Chek to go to the camera store, they towed my car away
and I'm waiting for a taxi to take me to get my car: A prominent Miami
attorney! The situation is chaos, I mean, people are literally just without
parking. Now, Marshall Harris got into this from a very fine community
point of view, and I think Father Gibson will appreciate this,ana 1 do,knowing
Marshall. His only interest --he has no interest in Coconut Grove...he is
interested in the fact that many people are parking and their suggestions
of parking lots in the residential sections of the Black community bordering
the Village Center, and he says that if we don't solve the parking problem
in the heart of Coconut Grove, there will be a tendency for ...asphalt
parking lots to start encroaching,on the residential parts of Coconut Grove,
the Black sections,which would be a pity if we had to solve that problem
in that way. The third thing, I know you all saw in the Miami Herald, the
headline, "Grove is a lot of fun if you can park your car". Another head-
line, "Two many cars, no place to park". I might also mention,historically,
the City of Miami had a two year study of Master Planning for Coconut Grove
that was passed with all the civic clubs, if you remember, over a period of
years, and in that planning study, the city recommended off-street parking,
Also,Dick Fosmoer is right, the concept of this planning was to have a
Village walking experience, and not a lot of little parking lots, and the
purpose of allowing people, and the Herald is wrong on this, the city
deliberately allowed people not to build without parking, and lease parking
a few blocks away to create this very pressure,according to Jack Luft,to get
some off-street parking. I mean it was really a device to do what's happen-
ing now, so we do need off-street parking. Now, the City of Coral Gables,has
off-street parking all over the place, Miracle Mile, and you know. South
Miami has it. Surfside has it. Miami has it. Hialeah has it. Not Miami,
Miami Beach, rather. Every city in this country,when they have a healthy
Village Shopping Area subsidizes off-street. parking, it's a city function, ana
hate to be critical, But I got a hunch that the City of Miami suffers from
the structure of having its.Municipal Parking Authority as an autonomous
body, not under the authority of the City Commission, because you gentlemen
and lady, are more responsive to human needs and they're interested only,
obviously, in parking, and maybe downtown parking, I hate to be that critical.
We've spoken to them over the years and they keep on saying, if someone will
donate the land, we'll build the structure, well,no one in Coconut Grove
is going to donate land. And, what Marshall is saying is that every minute
the cost of land in Coconut Grove is going up, and the reason is that it's
a very healthy community, It's the kind of community that the City Commission
should be proud of, because of instead of a slum where we're trying to pump
22
I I IIII! III III I11111111I I R11P I11III 1111
__,,immanisommeimilmiLim....41 rift I ICI7R
in money... without federal money, and without local money, Coconut
Grove is a very vibrant, viable place, and the City Commission should be
commended because you helped make it that way. And, now the sidewalk
improvement is going to be a plus, and you've done a lot of positive
things, the park improvements, etc, But ih doing all those improvements
we forgot two years ago, to take care of the automobiles and it's at a
crisis period, so 1 would agree with the City Manager, we must do it in
some orderly fashion. The only thing I would hope is that number one,
it isn't a out-of-town consultant that we have to educate, that it's
a local person, that it's done in short order, because I happen to agree
with Marshall, I know the Grove. There's probably two sites that I know
of. And, maybe there's three, but there's not more. So, it should take
four or five weeks, and it should be done to, not to determine if there's
a need. I think that's so obvious. I think it should be, locate the
sites, how much they cost, how many cars are needed, you know, what will
the revenue be,a very action oriented study,and not another study. Now,one
last point, which, and I'm not critical, because I'm here in the Grove
and I,know wh t'5 going on and I missed it. We have a Dinner Key Audito-
rium wnich is cbeing remodeled. We have 1,200 parking spaces. We are now
going to convert that to 800...
Mrs. Gordon: That's right.
Mr. Treister: ... at the same moment when we're desperately, desperately,
looking for parking. And, on one hand, and I'm not... you know, we all
just aren't so smart as to have foresight or hindsight, whatever, even
though it means stopping,in my opinion, I know it'll never be done, but
I would stop the conversion of 1,200 to 800, and maybe make the 1,200-
2,000 instead of cutting it back, because here's what we're doing. The
City is going to have a leased restaurant on Dinner Key. The City is
going to have a beautiful new auditorium here. The City is going to have
a new Marina facility. The City has encouraged tremendous development in
Coconut Grove, all needing automobiles. We're going to be the charming
focal point for recreation in the City of Miami, and here at the same
moment we're taking 1,200 spaces and reducing it to 800, only to come back
in a few months and have a recommendation to maybe, one of Marshall's
suggestions, by the way, is to double deck the Dinner Key Parking lot, so
instead of 1,200 we have 2,400, put a grass berm around it, so it is hidden
from the street and have a surrey that makes a charming, you know, surrey
like Lincoln Road 'ias, that people can then tour the Grove without having
cars, and in conjunction with that, the logical thing would be to four -
lane 27th Avenue from U.S.1 to Dinner Key, eliminate cross traffic through
Coconut Grove so it doesn't become what it is now, a highway, and encourage
people to go down U.S.1, 27th Avenue is only 4 or 5 blocks, park in Dinner
Key, it's free land, I mean it's not free, it's the city's land. It's
certainly available. We don't have to spend,you know, a lot of money, and
it's a really nice solution for people to drive and then walk or use a
tram through the Grove, and maybe it's infeasible and it might be too late
and...
Mrs. Gordon: It sounds good.
Mr. Treister: ... well.
Mrs. Gordon: You know, it also could serve as Kennedy Park, because
Kennedy Park has become one of the most important recreational areas, I
think, in the City of Miami. I have gone by there anytime in the morning,
afternoon, and evening and it's filled, always. The only complaint I had
was from one of the neighbors who said, he wished we'd put the lights out
at midnight, because at 2:00 a.m. the kids are still in there playing, so
I'm telling you that Howard, that if there's any way of you know, limiting
the hours, I know it's supposed to be at 10:00 shut off, but kids are in
there playing, and the people who live on Rockerman Road there are having
a problem, but nevertheless, the real point I'm trying to make is,there
is a shortage of parking in Kennedy Park.
Mr. Treister: Right,
Mrs, Gordon: There really isn't enough parking spaces for people who want to
enjoy that place.
Mr. Treister: That's right 100%,
23
Mr, keboso: What about the Middle point, the barracks? We are going to
. , .
Rev: Gibson: I didn't hear that.
Mr, Grassie: Commissioner, if...
Mr, keboso: ...where the Building Department is right now? We are
going to knock off those buildings as soon a5 the new governmental...
Mrs. Gordon: I think we got some kind of a deal going.on that.
Mr. Grassie: If you remember the plan that the city has entered into, the
scheme of the architects for the improvements of Dinner Key calls for our
ending up with the same number of parking spaces around that facility as
we now have, and that's in the neighborhood of 1,200. You also remember
that at the instigation of the City Commission we sought an alternative to
the barracks for city departments. We now have the city administration
building in process, we do intent to move those departments out of the
Dinner Key area as soon as that building is completed, so that it should
allow for the proper number of parking spaces. The suggestion that this
area be double decked is something that the city has not contemplated before.
Not to say that it should not be contemplated, but it has not been part of
your plans up to now. That could be considered, I assume. But, the basic
point is that we are going to end up when Dinner Key is done with the same
number of spaces that we have now, and we're not going to end up with fewer
parking spaces around Dinner Key.
Mr. Treister: I'm sorry, I got misinformation, I apologize. I'm very
happy about that. Thank you very much.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Vice Mayor, in the bottomline analysis is, the way
I understand it if the only way that Off -Street Parking Authority will
consider building what is needed is with this feasibility study, I say,
we have no alternative, and I'll make a motion that this be approved.
Mr. Reboso: You have a motion.
Mrs. Gordon: I have a question. I'm not going to second that motion,
unless I ask a question. Ok, with you J. L., hold your motion a minute?
Mr. Plummer: I withdraw the motion.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. The question is,we, there may be some persons owning
such available sites, who desire , perhaps constructing through private
enterprise, a parking facility is there, Mr. Fosmoen, is there anything
that would prohibit, within our zoning code that kind of an enterprise
taking place?
Mr. Grassie: On the contrary, we would encourage it and do everything we
could to help, you know, within the law, ...
Mrs. Gordon: Of course.
Mr. Grassie:... within what is provided in zoning.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, since I also know one or two of those available, very
small number of sites that could possibly be used I think before we spend
the $15,000, we ought to let. at least. the people who own those particular
sites know that their is an interest in a parking garage and see if there
is any.
Mr, Grassie: Commissioner...
Mrs. Gordon: I, personally, I don't like spending the $15,000 here and
$15,000 there, because we've been spending an awful lot of these $15,000
without too much concern on our part, and they're mounting up. There's
been a number of these small items, there's another one going to come up
today, another $15,000 item. Where would this $15,000 come from?
Mr. Fosmoen; Community Development.
24
Ann I 107A
Mr: Grassie: Community Development funds.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT)
Mrs. Gordon: Well.
Mr, Grassie: You know, we can keep putting this off as long as. you want
to keep putting it off. I think Mr. Treister's point basically was, that
the community should have done this several years ago and has, not, Nowt
if the private sector was able to build parking at a profit they would
have many years ago. If Mr. Treister, who is making a major investment
in the Grove could build a parking in conjunction with hi.s, shopping center,
he would. The simple fact of life is that it's. not economic for the
private sector to build the kind of parking structure on land that costs as
much as you know Coconut Grove land costs. Now, if it's going to get done,
either the government is going to do it or it's never going to get done,
And, you don't have to take my word for that, ask Mr. Treister, you know,
ask him whether he wants to replace one of his commercial structures for
the parking lot.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm talking about him, because I like what he's doing, but I
happen to know there are a couple of sites where there is a possibility
and an interest probably on the part of the property owner to go into a
private kind of development for parking.
Mr. Grassie: And, we hope they do i.t, and we're encouraging them.
Mrs. Gordon: Rut still, you know, why spend the money until ►ie do at
least that surface investigation?
Mr. Grassie: Well, Commissioner, you know, if you and the community want
to continue to wait for the private sector to do it, you know, we have
other things to do, that's fine.
Mr. Reboso: How long do you need for that, Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: I believe it could be determined very quickly, maybe before
today's meeting is over. There's only a limited number of sites, we all
know that. Marshall knows it, Ken knows it, I know it, and other people
know it, there is very few sites, and if you study them from today until
tomorrow you're not going to find anymore sites,.
Mr. Treister: Could I just make a comment? Number one, we're going to
be building a lot of shops and we have to have parking, so we're going to
be building some parking structures in conjunction with our shopping. We
have no choice, because if we didn't we wouldn't have any customers, so
we're going to be doing that. My point is that an addition to that.what
we're going to be doing,there's need for community parking for the little
shop owner that can't afford to do what we're doing. I agree with the
City Manager, though, maybe today would be a good day, Commissioner, if
you could find it out, but after today, maybe this should go ahead, the
study, because it'll be another month, another month, and then August comes,
and then next season comes, and I'll tell you, it's chaos down there now.
It's not getting any better, and I would hope that we don't delay it any
longer, ok?
Mr. Reboso: J. i.. ?
Mr. Plummer: I offer my motion.
Mr. Reboso; Rose, we have a motion on the floor.
Mrs. Gordon: Did you get a second?
Mr. Reboso: Not yet, we are waiting for you.
Mrs. Gordon: If you don't have a second, you don't have a motion.
Mr. Plumper: Huh?
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion.
Mr. Plummer: Very simply, to approve.
25
Mrs, Gordoh: 1 said, if you don't have a second, then you don't have a
motion.
Mr. Plummer: That's right.
Mr. Reboso: Well, according to the Manager, if we don't have the feasi-
bility report there's no way we tan build the parking facility and every-
body agrees that we need the parking facility in Coconut Grove, so, Father,
will you take the gavel?
Rev, Gibson: Alright.
Mr. Reboso: 1 second the motion.
Rev. Gibson: Moved and seconded. Under discussion.
Mr. Plummer: Well, just under discussion, Father, I want it understood
that my philosophy ever since I've been a member of this Commission, that
when private enterprise should not be in competition with the city, but I
guess,really, what I'm saying is, where have you been? The need of Coconut
Grove for parking has existed,not today, and not yesterday, but for years,
and private enterprise, which has had the opportunity to do such has not
done such. And, we just in my estimation, cannot sit back any longer and
wait and hope, because it hasn't been done, we've been waiting and we've
been hoping, and there's nothing at this time that would preclude them
still from coming in and putting in more parking, and maybe, if what I'm
saying is, that this motion today will prompt them to do something, the
bottomline is we want to see it done and get it accomplished...
Mrs. Gordon: Well...
Mr. Plummer: ... that's all I'm saying.
Mrs. Gordon: You know, I'm reading again, from the letter, and both of these
two gentlemen are my friends, and I respect both, Ken Treister and
Marshall Harris, and their opinions differ. I feel that Marshall says in
this letter that he has had the conversations with Richard La Baw, so forth
and so on, and his letter is very clear to me and I, you know, I'm just
opposed to spending any more money. If our Planning Department feels that
they're so overcommitted in projects that they can't do it. that's one thing.
But I don't know that this is such an extensive project that it would tie
up the department indefinitely.
Mr. Reboso: Can we do it without the study, Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: Without hiring a consultant, it can be done.
Mr. Reboso: The City Manager says,no.
Mr. Grassie: Well...
Mrs. Gordon: Well, call for the vote Mr. Vice Mayor, you have a motion on
the table.
Mr. Reboso: Yes, it was ...
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, with regard to the question of inhouse, we're
talking about a feasibility study which, if it's going to be of any use
has to be presented to the bond market to support a revenue bond to build
the facility. Now, you don't produce that kind of study inhouse and get
the credibility on the bond market if you're also the same official body
that's asking for the money, you know, you can't do the feasibility study
yourself and say, ok, based on my analysis, loan me the money. What we're
saying to you is that the people who loan the city the money, the city
through the parking authority,are going to ask the city for an independent
professional view of whether or not that facility is going to repay the
bonds, and what they're going to ask you for is exactly what we're proposing
now, the feasibility study done by somebody else.
Rev. Gibson: Alright, let me ask a question. Based on what you said
my friend, and he's my friend too, and I respect him, a great architect.
You said, there are only about two, three, places, you agree to that,
26
ADD '7 10714
Mrs Gordon; there's, only two,
Rev, Gibson; Ok, I'm going to agree. I like the Grove, I like what the
Grove does, It stakes all of us shape up or ship out, ok? I like that.
I would rather see the people in the Grove, knowing them as I do, come
together and say, ok, they've already said, that there are three places,
alright, at least, we don't have to pay the consultant to tell us they
are only three places.
Mr. Plummer: But, Father, excuse me, the point that I think is being
overlooked, that is not the main job.
Rev. Gibson; That's his job, listen, J.L. ... if we say there's three
places, you know, my business, you see, I don't have to stay in luxury in
running a business as you have, because there's no turning back when they
come to you.
Mr. Plummer; Yes, but you can create a desire in your business, I can't.
Rev. Gibson: I think if you have three places we can go to an outfit,
independent outfit , do what Mr. Grassie says, and we could save some
money, man, I get tired of having $25,000 go out today, $25,000 next week,
pretty much, you know, I'm nervous.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, look, let me withdraw my motion, and let me then
make a different motion. I will make a motion that this item be re-
scheduled for April 27th, that in the interim period the Administration
in some manner or form inform the people in the Grove of an ioterest for
private development of a parking structure, and in lieu of nothing coming
forth by the 27th, we will then reschedule this item and pass it at the
next Commission meeting.
Mrs. Gordon: Will you reschedule it?
Mr. Plummer: Well, ok, reschedule it, in other words, let's give private
development between now and the 27th, the opportunity to come forth and
say yes, we want to do it...
Mrs. Gordon: I think ;:hat would be, maybe
Mr. Plummer: ... if they don't come forth by the 27th, then we'll do
something else.
Mrs. Gordon: How are they going to know about it unless somebody
communicates
with them?
Mr. Plummer: Fine, let them go down and circulate...
Mr. Grassie: I understand the motion to be that since we know from
Mr. Harris' letter what the two or possibly three sites are...
Mrs. Gordon: Right,...
Mr. Grassie: ... what we will do is contact the private owners of that
property, ask them whether they are in condition or have any interest in
developing those sites, if the answer is no, then we will bring the item
back...
Mrs. Gordon: That would be appropriate.
Mr, Grassie: ... as Commissioner Plummer suggests.
Rev. Gibson: And, I would hope that,.. I think we're going to have to
do what you said, no question about it, I believe we are going to have
to do that, but I would hope that since we have the study, and the study
is indicated, you know, I would hope we don't have just another study.
Can't they go another route?
Mr. Treister:
Mr, Grassie:
Mr. Treister:
Can I suggest.,?
Commissioner..,
Excuse me, I'm sorry.
2
Mr, Grassie: Yes. Just one point. I want to clarify what Commissioner
Plummer was attempting to say a while ago. What the consultant does
basically is assure the private parties who are loaning the city five
million dollars, that the proposed structure has the capacity to repay
the five million dollars, that's what the consultant does. He is giving
a professional opinion with regard to whether or not the property to be
built is going to have the capacity to repay the money being loaned, you
know, and it has, the question of site selection is really not the
principal thing that you get out of the consulting study and that is
something that regardless to what the answers are if you're going to have
the structure ever built you're going to have to do that study, you're
going to have to do that.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Grassie, as a layman, I understand what you're saying,
and I'm trying to tell you as a layman, you could better sell me. In view
of the fact, that I know there are only three sites. You know, I could
go directly to the consultant. You see, we go through the same jazz in
the Episcopal Church looking for a Bishop... we spend all this time and
put him in a computer, ok, all to have to come back and push him out of
the computer. You could repeat that, you could put that in the record,
I understand. I know that's like, you know, cutting off your head, but
that's what happens, And, I'm saying, that, man, I think you ought to
be able to tell me that,knowingfor less money, knowing that he doesn't
have to you know, go around the Grove and find 15 sites and say these
are 15 sites. We've already found 15 sites, that's what I'm saying.
I think we are together, but I just don't want to go through that $15-
S25,000 jazz.
Mr. Treister: Can I just comment if I can, I want to agree with the
City Manager. There's two separate items here. One is identifying sites..
I think that can be done inhouse with the citizens of the Grove and with
the Administration. I think the feasibility study has to be done by a
professional and that has to be done for the bond market, And Commissioner
Plummer,I would suggest if we could maybe do two things simultaneously.
One, identify the sites inhouse with the Administration and some input
from the citizens of the Grove. We have a street committee that works
very actively representing all the civic groups and some of the downtown
interest, if that can be done before the next meeting with the City
Manager and his staff, but I think simultaneously we should start the ball
rolling on getting a consultant to do the feasibility study, which is the
technical thing that has to be done for the bond market.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you,Ken. We have a motion on the floor.
Mr. Plummer: You want a motion?
Rev. Gibson: You were making the motion.
Mr. Plummer: I made it. Very simply, the Administration made it known
to the people in Coconut Grove, and hopefully a private developer will
come forth, if not, then on the 27th this matter be rescheduled.
Rev. Gibson: You second it?
Mr. Reboso: I second the motion.
Rev. Gibson: Alright, under discussion. Any discussion? Call the roll
please.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-229
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONTACT
PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE THREE SITES IN THE COCONUT
GROVE AREA BEING CONSIDERED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
PARKING FACILITIES AS WELL AS DEVELOPERS TO SEE
WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOW AN INTEREST IN PRIVATELY
DEVELOPING SUCH SITES FOR PARKING, AND FURTHER
INSTRUCTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION BRING THIS MATTER
BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION AT THE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 1978,
28
ON 41014
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboot), the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote;
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reb.oso, Mrs. Gordon, and Rev. Gibson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT; Mayor Ferre.
4, AUTHORIZE CI:Y MANAGER TO ELECT ONSULTA I TO CONDUCT A FEASItILITY
STUDY POR A iULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS ARENA IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI
Mr, Reboso: Item 0, ecommendaton for the City of Miami to fund a
feasibility study for a Downtown Sports Arena.
Mr. Grassie: You know, Mr. Vice Mayor, and members of the City Commissi. 1,
that the city, through representation of two Commissioners, Commissioner
Gordon, and also Commissioner Plummer, in addition to the City Manager
are participating on a committee of nine persons called by Mayor Clark
to analyze sports facilities for this community. One of the charges of
that committee to the city has been that it provide,if we are willing to,
the background work on the possibility of establishing an Arena downtown.
We have done a number of reports on this, mostly verbal so far, to the
committee. We are now seeking the hard facts that we need to determine
whether this is a real possibility that can be included in the long-term
plans of that committee. We're hoping for a three party corporate effort
in this regard, the Downtown Development Authority, the County, and the
City joining together in sponsoring a feasibility study for this Downtown
Arena. It is a project that could be quite important for all three of
those units, so that we're asking authorization at this time for funding
from the City in the amount of $15,000. We're also going to the DDA,
the Downtown Development Authority for $10,000, and we are asking the
County, if they are able to work it in their budget for another $10,000.
Now, some of those other two sources of funding may be slow in coming, but
between them we want to put together a budget of at least $25,000 to get
this analysis done. The city's portion would come from C.D. funds which
are eligible to support this kind of analysis for Downtown Development.
Mrs. Gordon: I have a question since the meeting that was to be scheduled
this week was postponed and it's alright as far as postponing, but I was
told that it was postponed for a period of at least, and that was the way
it was put,four weeks and my concern is only that we had had a time element
involved, and perhaps you can answer the question why the committee is
going to take a long break of that kind, do you know?
Mr. Grassie: My only information comes from the chairman, Commissioner,
he called me, I presume about the same time he called you or afterwards
and asked whether I saw any particular difficulty or impediment in post-
poning the meeting of the 4th, and I said that I did not know of any
crucial thing that would be affected, and he said,"fine , that he was
going to call the rest of the members", so really that's the only thing
I know. He asked me whether I knew of any urgent reason why we absolutely
had to have a meeting and I said, no, and...
Mrs. Gordon: That didn't bother me postponing that meeting, but the comment
that I was told was that there would not be a new scheduled meeting for at
least a month, and was that because of this study that was going to be made
and ...?
Mr. Grassie: No, ma'am.
Mrs. Gordon: ... it would not have any...
Mr. Grassie: I don't believe that that's the reason, no.
Mrs. Gordon: ... I couldn't really figure out why we were stopping the
work of the committee, really, you know, temporarily at least, and if
you don't have the answer, i would like to know the answer.
Mr. Grassie: I do know that there are a number of things that are in
process. The one that I'm most acquainted with is the re-evaluation of
the two proposals and of course you are acquainted with it also, of the
possible improvements to the Orange Bowl, as against the construction of
a new stadium, the representatives of the Mc Nutley Firm were in Miami
two days ago, they spoke with Mr. Robbie, and they came to see me briefly,
spoke with people in the County, My impression is that they did not come
to any kind of conclusion with Kunde & Associates, ,., except that they
concluded that it would take them considerably longer than they had
anticipated to do that cross evaluation between the engineering firms,
you remember that was the charge?
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Grassie:
Oh, that's the reason for the four weeks delays?
Well, Rose.:.
Well, we're speculating now, but,yes.
Mr. Plummer: Also, I think one of the other things that they were awaiting
an answer on was the answer in relation to the F.C.C. property. As you
will recall, that the chairman had had discussion with F.E.C. about the
taking of that property. When it was expanded, the answer was, well, I'm
not sure that they would be so agreeable to some other situation, and he
was to go back to them and ask them whether or not if expanded, whether
or not it would still be available, so I assume that's also part of it.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, ok, I understand.
Mr. Plummer: I'm like you Rose, I'd like to see the committee brought to
a conclusion.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, because I think if we go into a four week delaying
period, a lot of the momentum that this committee has built up is going
to be lost, and even if there is side meetings that need to take place
between engineers and so forth, I still hope that the committee, and the
committee chairman will recognize the need for updating the committee at
a periodic period in between that long delay, otherwise, it's going to bad.
Mr. Grassie: Well, I agree, and maybe, as members we should communicate
that to them....
Mrs. Gordon: I think we should
Mr. Grassie: .... keep us informed.
Mrs. Gordon: Now, with regard to the feasibility study for the Downtown
Sports Arena, you know it's contrary to my statements on the parking
garage because in the Downtown area we don't know whether or not a Sports
Arena is or is not suitable, you know, we really don't know. We think it
is, but we really can't say that there's an absolute apparent -need it's
just as bright as that light, we don't know, but at any rate I would move
you that we do go along with item D, which is to bring about a report
which would then indicate a successful arena could be constructed on the
five acre site which was recommended for that use by the County Manager
at the meeting of the committee.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, with a maximum of $50,000?
Mrs. Gordon: No, I don't think it's anywhere near $50,000, what was it?
Mr. Grassie: No, we're talking about $25,000 as being the likely project
budget.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I don't think it needs $50,000...
Rev. Gibson: You mean for the entire budget.
Mr. Reboso: $15,000.
Mrs. Gordon: $15,000, yes, $15,000.
Mr. Grassie: Only S15,000 portion.
Rev. Gibson: Huh?
Mr. Plummer: Say, $15,000 is the maximum of the city's portion.
30
Rev. Gibson: What isthe total?
Mr. Plummer: $25,000 to $30,00.0.
Mrs. Gordon: What I don't understand, though,is why do we in the city,
always have to get the biggest piece of the cost factor, whatever factor,
it is, whenever it is, why isn't it equally divided between the three
entities? I know it's a small amount of difference in the allocation for
each one, but I do feel, I know people that will say it's in the city,
the city will have the geatest benefit, it's true, but you know, whatever
benefits the city has the rest of the community gets the same benefits
ultimately.
Mr. Plummer: Rose, let me answer that question very briefly.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: If we don't do it, it doesn't get done, and that's the
answer.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, we have a motion on the floor.
Mr. Plummer: Consultants don't live on promises, they live on dollars.
Mrs. Gordon: '.'es, but, you know, big counties get away and little cities
bear brunts and that's what happens all the time.
4:' Mr. Fosmoen: We do have some instances where the County, for example, has
put up a larger share, the examiners who are doing Jackson Memorial Hospital,
while we're the lead agencies, the County put up a major portion of that
project.
Rev. Gibson: But you know why that is.
Mr. Fosmoen: Well, they're interested in Jackson, as we're interested in
Downtown, sir.
Rev. Gibson: You know. so I could remind you that's because we once owned
Jackson and gave it to them, ok?... that's one of the dangers of having
old guys around.
Mrs. Gordon: We'll forgive the County this time, anyhow, ....
4110 Rev. Gibson: Right.
Mrs. Gordon: ... because let's say they got the five acres and that's
where we want to put sports arena, so...
Mr. Reboso: On item D, we have a motion and a second. Any further
discussion? Call the question, please.
Mrs. Hirai: Mr. Plummer, you did second?
Mr. Plummer: The seconder of the motion votes yes.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-230
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
SELECT A CONSULTANT AND NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT
TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A MULTI-
PURPOSE SPORTS ARENA IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and
on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded ay Cornmiss or.er Plummer, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, fir. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Vice Mayor Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT; mayor Ferre.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT ON MIAMI'S AFFIRMATIVE A tm i PLAN,
Mr. Reboso: Item E, Semi -Annual Report on Miami's Affirmative Action Plan,
Mr. Grassie.
Mr, Grassie: This is the first regular report on Affirmative Action Plan,
the reporting period Coincides with the provisions of the Affirmative Action
Plan as it has been adopted by the City Commmission and Mr. Robert Krause,
who is Director of Human Resources for the City is here to summari2e the
plan for you and to answer questions.
Mr, Reboso: Mr, Krause,
Mr. Krause: Mr, Vice Mayor, members of the City Commission, this report
is the result of a fairly lengthly process of re-examination of city
employment practices that was begun by the City Commission in fact several
years ago when the first charges were brought by the Justice Department in
the court case that became known as the United States of America versus
City of Miami. During that time period the City Commission expressed its
interest in affirmative action to meet the goals that were being proposed
by the Justice Department. The City Commission took certain specific
steps to assure that that would be done,among those steps were the adoption
of an affirmative action ordinance, and also, an enactment of an ordinance
creating the Department of Human Resources. That department became
operational in 1977 and under the direction of the City Manager, we attempted
to begin a policy of affirmative action. We prepared and submitted to
you during the course of the yearian affirmative action plan which has just
recently been printed. It was approved and adopted by the City Commission
on January llth of this year after review by the Commission and hearings
by the City's Affirmative Action Board, so during the course of the year
1977, there were specific efforts made to assure that we would be meeting
the objectives of the Commission in Affirmative Action , and the report
that is now before you today is the first report on those activities and it
is done consistent with Section 13 of the Affirmative Action Plan which
requires the semi-annual report to be submitted. Since this is our first
report we see that in some ways it may be too long, it may be too detailed,
hopefully by the time we prepare the second report we'll be able to make
it more concise and more easily readable. The memorandum that I used to
transmit the tables and details to the City Manager indicates that progress
has been made during the past year. There have been increases in the
percentage of Black employment, Latin employment, and Female employment,
during the year, in terms of jobs at the $20,000 level and above,their have
been increases in the percentage of Blacks, Latins, and Women, occupaying
those positions in the city workforce. We are by no means satisfied that
we have yet done everything that should be done. There are two things that
concern us, I guess, one is that the city made a commitment in the Consent
Decree that was signed and issued March 29, 1977, that it would attempt to
have its work force reflect the population of the City of Miami. We have
a long way to go to achieve that objective. The second problem that we
see is that most of the achievement we've had in affirmative action during
the past year has been through hiring and promotion under the C.E.T.A.
program. We have not had that much success under the Civil Service Program.
We are working with the Civil Service Board to help equalize the progress
that the City will make in both the classified and unclassified positions
of the city. I think basically that is a general summary of what the
report seems to indicate to me and if there are questions I'd be glad to
try to respond.
Mr. Grassie: Well, 1 think Bob, what I would like is that we be a little
more concrete for benefit of the City Commission, that at least on a couple
of points, and you know, let's take new hirees and promotions, for example,
and you know, state specifically what has happened. Your paragraph in
which you talk about attachment 4-D, I think makes that plain and we should
cover those things specifically.
Mr, Krause; Yes, we had a total of 465,000 new employees hired during the
last six months of 1977, taking them by group, 20% of the new hirees were
white or Anglo, 45% were Black, and 35% were Latin or Spanish speaking,
37% of the total were female.
32
• PR 7 197
Mr. Grassie: You know, I think we need to repeat that again. We're
talking about new hirees for the city. We had almost 5Q0 of those
hirees, 2Q of them are Anglo, 45% were Black, and 35: were Latin.
I think the figures with regard to promotions are equally interesting.
Mr. Krause: The promotions, attachment 8. of the report shows there
were 71 promotions during the last six months of 1977, 15% of those were
Anglo males, 25% were Black males, 23'ro were Latin males, and 37% were
female.
Mr, Grassie: Now, again, if you consider Blacks, Latins, and Females
as minor.ies, only i5` of all promotions went to Anglo males, 15% of
all promotions, so when we talk about the City's Affirmative Action Plan,
I think we need to get those sorts of things in perspective.
Rev. Gibson: Of course, Mr. Grassie, y7,, know, what you're saying just
doesn't ring no bell for me too much, ring a bell, but not too loud and
clear. See, : want to rake sure everybody understands, Theodore Gibson,
is no fool. I am not carried away with being thrown in that pot of
minority partc 7?ation. And, then you know when a percentage of got to
be women and then I get it, then, you know... I haven't had a chance, I
want to say triis for the record, I haven't had a chance to scrutinize this
report, but : :.ant to have it re -introduced at the next meeting, hopefully
by that : rk-2 "Ii have plenty of time to scrutinize it, you know, I want
to hear it noN, but I onuon't want to rest, because when you tell me, you
Know, 45., o biz.cks, I want to also decide what part of the totem pole
they a:-e, because I understand that game, and when you tell me, you know,
about minority-, affirmative action, minority participation, I want to
understand what you're taking about, you see, for me, this guy, I only
know these black faces, and I'm not going to get caught up in that
woman's jazz, because I went through that. You know, I wish the federal
government hadn't done that, but you know, I'm not the federal government
and if ' want their money,i got to tango with him. But I really, really
am not impressed when you're giving me that kind of stuff, ok? I want to
put that on thr 'ecord, and I would like to have it rescheduled by the
time I hope Gibson would have gone to school long enough to read it
through and come back here and respond and react.
Mr. Grassie: We'll be nappy to put it back. I'm assuming, can we have
the latitude c:ependiing on how your agenda looks? I'm assuming that you
do not need to have it back the next time. We'11 try and adjust it so
that you have it at a time when you can have adequate time to discuss it.
Rev. Gibson: '.es sir.
Mr. Reboso: Let me make a comment to Mr. Krause. What is worrying me
is about the policy making positionsin the City of Miami, people making
more than $30,000. We have in the City 77 people between $30,000 and
$55,000, of those 77, first we don't have a single woman. Second,we
have three Slack males, and four Latin males, and 70 Anglo males, even
though Lati.;s and Blacks are 76.2% of the population, according to your
report, LatTh is 64.8% and Blacks 21.4%, and we have only 7 out of 77,
and no women at all in policy making positions, about $30,000.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm going to say I truly haven't had time to study that
report, thoroughly, but I would like when we do bring it back that a
additional inforr.;ation , maybe it's in there, be given to us as to how
many of those statistical analysis that you just mentioned were hired
within the past two or three years, you know, there may be a factor to
be considered that you know for so many years these people have been on
board and they're adding to, but the fact is, that how many have been
there and how many have been added that enhance that, you know, imbalance,
I don't know.
Mr. Grassie; Yes, your point is eery well taken Commissioner, because as
Commissioner Reboso says, you may have 7 now, a year and a half ago you
had 0 and you know, that's the context within which we have to understand
the problem, so you're right.
Mrs. Gordon: Was that,what 1 said, is that I didn't study the reports
so don't 0-;ow.
Mr, Plummer: When this` thing comes, hack up, i.t i.s my hope and desire, not
that I agree or disagree, hut 1 think a question has been raised by the
Chairman of the Affirmative Action Board, that says that all Mr, Krause
has said here today is hogwash, and it would be my hope and desire that
the Chairman of the Affirmative Action Board, who wrote a very sti:nging,
bitter letter to Mr. Grassie, I believe, who it was addressed to, saying
that all you're doing is for naught, would be invited to come back here
and to give his input to this Commission. Because what I'm hearing from
Mr. Krause is very glowing reports about how good we've done i.n blowing
our own horn, but yet the Board which is to administer this, through its
Chairman, I assume, is saying it ain't necessarily so. So I will hope
that when this matter comes back, if it's the first meeting in May, that
the writer of that very, very, tainted letter will be invited to discuss
this before Commission, because you know, somebody got to be wrong, You're
saying we're doing great and he says we ain't doing so great. So, you
know, he deals with it, I'm assuming as Chairman for on a day to day basis
or a week to week basis or a monthly basis, and has more input than we the
Commission sitting here have as far as the actual activity. I would hope
that you would invite all the members of that Board to be present. But,
in particularly the writer of the letter.
Mr. Grassie: Two comments, Commissioner, one as you know, the Board does
not administer the Affirmative Action Plan. It is an Affirmative Advisory
Board.
Mr. Plummer: I understand that.
Mr. Grassie: The second point is that the Affirmative Action Plan went
through an extensive process of reviewwith that Board and was approved
by them before it was presented to you.
Mr. Plummer: I understand that,but you also will acknowledge that you
receive a very bitting letter from the Chairman, because we were all
copied in on it.
Mr. Krause: May I make one very brief comment Mr. Vice Mayor?
Mr. Reboso: Yes.
Mr. Krause: I'd like to respond to the comments that you made and that
Commissioner Plummer made, because I think the real issue is one of
prospective. If you look at how far the city still has to go. It is very
clear that the city has a long way to go to achieve true equal employment
opportunity of the city work force. If you look how far the city has
come. The city has been making steady, and fairly significant progress...
Mr. Plummer: As just by who?
Mr. Grassie: Well, ... Commissioner, seriously, it's judged by the fact,
that the average ten year city employees is about fifteen year, fifteen
years ago, the community had virtually no minorities, other than a Black
minority. Within that context you had a work force which was, and I'm
estimating now, at least, 80 to 85% Anglo. Now, from that point, we've
come to a population base which we use as our standard of over 50% Latin,
that means that you have employees who on the average have been with the
city, that means you don't have any chance to replace them, have been with
the city at least fifteen years. During this period of time your standard
of measurement has changed from 80% Anglo, which would be logical, because
that was the work force to 50% Latin, and you work force isn't changing...
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but Mr. Grassie, what you're overlooking...
Mr. Grassie: .,. in that context, sir, in that context, what we have done
if you look at page #2, of Mr. Krause's memorandum, now you look at page
#2, and you see what has happened to the city's work force starting from
nothing with Latins to where we are in that context the city has done pretty
well. Now, we're just barely holding our own with regard to the Black
population, you know, in some places they're little over represented and
some places they're under represented,,,.
Mr, Plummer: But you see,..
34
. rs F ry
Mr. Grassie: but in fairness, all I'm saying to the city is that no=
body is satisfied that we have achieved everything we want to ach.ieye,
and that's one of the things that Mr. Krause says. But I think that we
also have tO be fair with the community and with you who have been longer
than I have certainly. We have to be fair with the community in that we
have not been standing still, you know, things have been happening,
Rev. Gibson: Yes, but I think the crux of this whole matter will be if
we took a given period of time, the last five years, sir, you know, don't
have to worry bout what happened five years before, I'm talking about.
within the last five years, a few hired 500 people, you know, that tent
me whether or not the administration has been affirmatively responding
and carrying out, see what I'm talking about, and so, wait a minute, I'm
not going to judge you yet, I'm going to wait until I read the thing, but
when I come back, when we put this back on schedule, I want to know this,
within the last five years you've hired 50 people, what percentage of that
E0 are Latins, what percentage Black, what percentage white Anglo-Saxon,
you understand what I'm talking about?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, Commissioner, and I've given you those figures, and but
let me repeat teem again. In no category of the city's labor market do
Blacks represent more than 13.21. Let me say that again. In no category
of the cit_v's .abor market, the people that are available and ready to
work do E'ack`s represent more than 13.2% of the total. Now, what has the
city done in th:a, past six months? In the last six months the city has
hired =55 per.ons, of those, 45% were Black. 45% of 465 new hirees in the
last six months were Black. 13/0 of the labor force is Black...
(6ACKGROUNJ COMMENT)
Mr. Grassie: ... we're hiring Blacks at a 300% ratio to what they are
of the labor force.
Mr. Reboso: To me, the most important part of the policy making position...
Mrs. Gordon: Is the what?
Mr. Reboso: The policy making position.
Rev. Gibson: Right.
Mr. Grasse: Let's talk about the policy making positions, Commissioner.
What has happened and here we're talking about anybody that makes more
than $20,000, because you know...
Mrs. Gordon: What page are you on... ?
Mr. Reboso: Let's put for example, Joe... how it's possible that we
have 77 positions making more than $30,000 and we don't have a single
woman, a single woman,.that means the city can't find a qualified woman
everytime that a policy making position is offered? We have ...
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner...
Mrs. Gordon: No, I want to give you a bouquet of roses today, I think
you're really doing a good job in pointing out a deficiency that has existed
before 1960 ano going back into time.
Mr. Grassie: Really it exists in our society and all over the world as
a macr factor of concern with regard to employment, you know, this is not
peculiar to the City of Miami, but let's deal with some of the hard
numbers, rather than the speculation. Again, first page of that memorandum
that you have in front of you, what's happened to positions that pay more
then $20,000 in the city? Well, what's happened in the last six months
is that the number of Anglo's in those positions has declined, has gone
down by :.6%. The number of Blacks has gone up by a percentage point,
and the number of Latins has gone up by almost half a percentage point.
Mrs. Gordon: What would that be?
Mr. Reboso: Yes, .chat...
Mr, Grassie: .=s but that's half a percentage poi.nts,with,i.n regard yes,
but that's half a percentage point i.h regard to all of the efpl oylnent of
the city, you know, you have 45,E employees. You don't have many that
are in the administrative category, so you know, we have to get these
things in context. What we're saying Is that the number of Angles. are
going down, the number of minorities are going up ih all of these
categories, and we have to get that in prospective.
Mr. Krause: There's another way of looking at that same thing, I guess,
and that is the appointments or promotions, or the two combined that have
been made by the present City Manager in the past 18 months and we try to
keep this up-to-date on a current basis and as of today, beginning the
period August 1, 1976, 59% of the City Manager's appointees to the jobs
of Director, Assistant Director, and members of his own staff constitute
59% minorities and women. ,
Mr. Grassie: Now, you know, we don't like to have to repeat this sort
of thing, but the fact is that at the level where I can appoint people,
the consent decree says that we have an obligation to try and meet a 20%
minority employment, 20%. What I'm saying to you is that the record has
been that we have been operating at 6Q%, three times what the Justice
Department thought would be a reasonable goal for us. Now, you know,...
Rev. Gibson: I want to give you "A" for effort, until the next meeting
when I would have had an opportunity to read...
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I think ...
Rev. Gibson: ... we have a prayer in our liturgy which says, read, mark,
learn, and inwardly digest.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, anything else?
Mrs. Gordon: Not now, because I have to study this report, and I haven't.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
6. CEPT COMPLEI 'WORK OE GARCIA CONSTRUCTION CO, NC. FQB
BID ACE Igs L ITY DEVELOPMENT TREET IMPROVEMENTS E 11,
tor. Reboso: Let's go then into the formal City Commission meeting, item
#1, Resolution, accepting the completed work of Garcia Allen Construction
Company, Inc. for Model Cities Community Development Street Improvements
Phase II (Bid A & B - Highways and Drainage), between N.W. 58-59 Streets
between N.W. 12-17 Avenues, and authorizing a final payment of $54,076.87.
Mr. Plummer: Hearing no objections, I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second. Call the question:
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plumper, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-231
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE COMPLETED WORK PERFORMED BY
GARCIA ALLEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AT A TOTAL COST
OF $514,820.94 FOR THE MODEL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOP-
MENT STREET IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE II (BID A & 8- HIGHWAYS
DRAINAGE); AND AUTHORIZING A FINAL PAYMENT OF $54,076.87.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk),
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev,) Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES; Mr, Plumper, Mrs, Gordon, Rev, Gibson, and Vice Mayor Reboso,
NOES: None,
ABSENT; Mayor Ferre,
36
Ian
TVs
ItkimbiNG REs, No. 40904 AND REORDERING POINT VIEW HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
Mr. Reboso: Take up item No. 2.
Mr. Plummer: Hearing no objections, I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion, call the
question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
P.ESOLUTIC + eZO. 73-232
A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 40904 ORDERING POINT
VIES H :GH- AY IMPROVEMENT H-4309 (SECTION B) AND ORDERING
PO= VIEW HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT H-4309, AND DESIGNATING THE
PROPERTY F.GAINST WHICH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE MADE
A PORTION OF ZHE COST THEREOF AS POINT VIEW HIGHWAY
:,':.t•c.CVL".X..NT DISTRICT H-4309.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon berg seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson
passed and adopted. by the following vote:
AYES: Conzissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.; T. R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor i anoio Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
the resolution was
8, iCCEPT 3 Ei s OE LEDICAiION F2 BAYSHORE PROPERTIES DEV• CORP FOR
,
0I rry I . I GMAY IMPROVEMENT H-4
Mr. Reboso: Take up item No. 3.
Mr. Plummer: I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion on the question?,
call the question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its Ydoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-233
A RESOLUTION .ACCEPTING TWO DEEDS OF DEDICATION RESPECTIVELY
CONVEYING TO TH . CITY OF MIAMI A POKTION OF OUTLOT AND STRIP
OF RESERVED ZONED. RICHT OF WAY NECESSARY FOR THE POINTVIEW
HIGHWAY I R0VEMENT B-4309.
(Here rollows body o resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk) .
Upon being eecouded by CoAmissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was
passed aad adopted by tre following vote;
AYES; Coa sioner j. L. n
tt.1_IIIIer, Jr.
+ of 7,iss over (Rev.) T. ;2. GJ.bsori
commissioner «'Jose Gordon
V.'.ce 4ayor '.::to o Reboso
TOES; None.
JSI,NT: :".=ysr Maurice «. ;+erne
PLAT ACCEPTANCE - New ROOSVELT OrFICE FIRST ADDITION,
Mr, Reboso: Take up item No, 4,
Mr. Plummer: I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson; Second,
Mr, Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion, call the
question,
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-234
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED NEW ROOSEVELT OFFICE
FIRST ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND ACCEPTING
THE COVENANT TO RUN WITH THE LAND POSTPONING THE IMMEDIATE
CONSTRUCTION OF MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS UNTIL REQUIRED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT.
(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 J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) T. R. Gibson
Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
10, PLAT ACCEPTANCE - MAUTNER'S SUBDIVISION,
Mr. Reboso: Take up item No. 5.
Mr. Plummer: Hearing no objections, I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion, call the
question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-235
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED MAUTNER'S SUBDIVISION
A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND ACCEPTING THE
DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES; Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) T. R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor !Wolo Reboso
NOES; None.
ABSENT; Mayor Maurice A. Pierre
38
ND NAKNAL :=AIRLINES _FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS' , TOURISM IN
nE 1�REATER i.1IAMl AREA' REC( NIZE INAU URL�FLIGHT TO� ►S.T M AND
RANKFURt AND DESIGNATE THE +,'IAYOR AND LI`�YY :"TANAGER AS ITOW
E .EPRE8ENTATIVE8,
Mr. Reboso: Take up item No. 6.
Mt. Plummet: I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion, call the
question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-236
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE MIAMI CITY COMMtSSION'S DESIRE TO
GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO NATIONAL AIRLINES' INAUGURATION OF
NON-STOP FLIGHT SERVICE FROM MIAMI TO AMSTERDAM AND FRANKFURT
ON MAY 1, 1978, AND DESIGNATING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER
AS THE CITY'S REPRESENTATIVES ON THE INAUGURAL FLIGHT AS GUEST
OF NATIONAL AIRLINES, INC., ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner Rcse Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) T. R. Gibson
Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
12, CLOSE FULLER S T EET FOR SECOND ANNUAL BANYAN FESTIVAL ON NOVEMBER 4 AND
197
Mr. Reboso: Take up item No. 7.
Mr. Plummer: Move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, further discussion, call the
question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-237
A RESOLUTION CLOSING FULLER STREET, BETWEEN MAIN HIGHWAY AND
GRAND AVENUE, TO THROUGH TRAFFIC ON NOVEMBER 4 AND 5, 1978, BETWEEN
8:00 A.M. AND 3:00 P.M., IN CONNECTION WITH THE SECOND ANNUAL BANYAN
FESTIVAL, SPONSORED 3Y THE COCONUT GROVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SUB-
JECT TO ISSUANCE OF PERMITS BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk),
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev,)Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote;
AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr,
Commissioner (Rev,) T. R. Gibson
Commissioner hose Gordon
Vice Mayor Manolo tteboso
NOES: :ta;Ac
ASENT: Xajor Maurfee A. Ferre
13. eOLI CY STATEMENT RRL;AT I NG To mt WA I vE or Ust OR RE74tAL FEES RoR
CITY FACILITIES, REWIRING FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING BY THE USBRS4
Mr. Reboso: Item 8, Resolution, relating to the waiver of use or rental
fees by the City COTT isSibn for City facilities or properties requiring
a financial accounting by the user of said facilities where admission fees
are charged or where the facilities are used for fundraising purposes.
The City Manager recommends,
Mr. Plummer: A good idea, a very good idea, and I move it.
Mr. Reboso: Moved by Commissioner Plummer.
Rev. Gibson: Seconded.
Mr. Reboso: Seconded by Commissioner Gibson. Any further discussion?
Call the roll please.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-238
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE WAIVER OF USE OR
RENTAL FEES BY THE CITY COMMISSION FOR CITY
FACILITIES OR PROPERTIES, REQUIRING A FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING BY THE USER OF SAID FACILITIES WHERE
ADMISSION FEES ARE CHARGED OR WHERE THE FACILITIES
ARE USED FOR FUND-RAISING PURPOSES.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution
was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
14, RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESSFUL "OPEN HOUSE 8" STREET FAIR AND ENCOURAGING
FUTURE EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT,
•
Mr. Reboso: Item 9, Resolution recognizing the successful conclusion of
the "Open House 8" Street Fair as a positive and worthwhile community
event and commending the Little Havana Kiwanis Club, the Miami Herald and
other sponsoring organizations for their efforts in organizing and
promoting the Fair held March 12, 1978 on Calle Ocho - Eight Street....
Mr. Plummer: I move it.
Mr. Reboso: ... City Manager recommends. Is anybody here from the Little
Kiwanis...
Mr. Fosmoen: Yes.
Mrs. Hirai: Mr. Vice Mayor, Mrs. Gordon moved it,
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Congratulations,and would you please state your name and
address on the record?
Mr. Villa: My name is Jose Villa, I'm the President of the Kiwanis Club
of Little Havana, and I'd just like to thank the City today for all the
help they gave us doing this festival, and also inform you that this will
be an annual event from now on. Thank you.
Mr, Reboso: Thank you. We have a motion. Anybody seconds? A motion
and a second. Any further discussion?
40
n ft " 107R
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon;
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-239
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESSFUL "OPEN HOUSE 8"
STREET FAIR AS A POSITIVE AND WORTH..THILE COMMUNITY
EVENT THAT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS OF
ALL CULTURAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND TO ENJOY THE UNIQUE
CHARACTER OF LITTLE HAVANA AND TO APPRECIATE MANY FACETS
OF LATIN SOCIETY, AND FURTHER COMMENDING THE LITTLE
HAVANA KIWANIS CLUB, THE MIAMI HERALD, AND OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ORGANIZING AND
PROMOTING "OPEN HOUSE 8", HELD ON MARCH 12, 1978, ON
CALLE OCHO (EIGHT STREET); =URTHER ENCOURAGING SAID
ORGANIZATIONS AND SPONSORS TO EXPAND THIS EVENT AND
TO DEVELOP IT INTO AN ANNEAL AFFAIR SO THAT THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.
(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. Cordon, Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
15, DENY CERTAIN CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY AND DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY TO DEFEND
ANY SUITS.
Mr. Reboso: Item 10, Resolution, denying certain claims and directing the
City Attorney to defend any suit brought for the recovery of damages. City
Attorney recommends.
Mr. Plummer: Move it
Rev. Gibson: Second.
•
Mr. Reboso: Moved by Commissioner Plummer. Seconded by Commissioner
Gibson. Any further discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-240
A RESOLUTION DENYING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DEFEND ANY SUIT BROUGHT FOR
THE RECOVERY OF DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF SAID CLAIMS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution
was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre,
16. AUTHORIZE CITY 11&NAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH CARLENE .JABS TO PROVIDE
PROPESSIOtAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES POR REMOVAL OE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS
FROM TWO l.,I1AY rOOLS.
Mt. Reboso: Iteto 1l, Resolution, authorizing the City Manager to execute
the agreement with Carlene Jabs, to provide professional architectural
services for the removal of architectural barriers from two City pools,
Curtis Park Pool, 2300 North River Drive and Morningside Pool at 850 N.E.
55 Terrace, finds from the Third Year Community Development Block Grant
Funds. City Manager tecotmnends.
Mt. Plummer: Mr. Vice Mayor, I'm going to move this item, but I'm going
to tell you something, if one personas I did,reads this contract of what
you are subjecting this party to for a six thousand dollars fee, I'm going
to tell you it's damn near impossible, but obviously she's agreed to it and
in concurrence and I'll move it.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, we have a motion...
Mr. Plummer: More paper work on... $100,000.00 job.
Mr. Reboso: You have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Ca11 the question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO, 78-241
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT WITH CARLENE JABS, ARCHITECT,
TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR
THE REMOVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS FROM.2 CITY
POOLS - SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED,
TARGET AREA -WIDE REMOVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS,
SAID POOLS BEING CURTIS PARK SWIMMING POOL LOCATED
AT 2300 NORTH RIVER DRIVE AND MORNINGSIDE SWIMMING
POOL LOCATED AT 850 N.E. 55TH TERRACE; USING FUNDS
THEREFOR FROM 3RD YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution
was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
17. OLD FIRE STATION #5 - DEFER SALE UNTIL APPRAISAL IS RECEIVED FROM MI,
Mr. Reboso: Item 12,
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Manager, what, I didn't have the time to read, what is
the difference between what was proposed in our original agenda and the
addendum, is there a difference? There must be because we got an addendum
to the normal agenda, what was the difference?
Mr. Grassie: The only difference Commissioner, was that, ... the addendum
specified that the funds from the sale would go to, rather than going to
the general fund would go into the capital improvement fund to support the
expansion of the Fire Station.
Mr, Plummer: Is.n't that normally done in two resolutions, rather than one?
Mr. Grassie; Well, it's not normally done. Normally, any sale of property
by the city would automatically be absorbed by the general fund, but if you
remember when we discussed the bond program for the Fire Department about
eight months ago.,,
42
Mr: Plummer: Right.
Mr, Grassie: .... at that time we indicated to you that we would probably
need the proceeds of there sales and as a policy question you approved that.
Mr, Plummer: I'll move it.
Mrs. Gordon: Wait, before you do, if you would, let me ask a question
regarding, has there been an appraisal of that property made? Do we know
what its true value is?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, there was... I saw in here, wait a minute...
Mrs. Gordon: The appraisal?
Mr. Reboso: I saw in the paper ...
Mrs. Gordon: I read the back-up material that I had...
Mr. Grassie: Well, we sold it on bid...
Mrs. Gordon: ... yes, but we don't know what its value is.
Mr. Reboso: It's a 50 x 150 lot.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I know that, but I also know value of land and it appears to
me that we may not have received a bid equal to the value of the property.
Mr. Plummer: I'll tell you one thing, Rose...
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we ask the Acting Fire Chief to comment on that,
since he is much closer to the question'
Mr. Plummer: ...hell of a detriment if the termites ever unfold their
arms,the wall will fall.
Mrs. Gordon: No, well, we're not talking about the termites or the buildings,
particularly, but the land which is all that anybody would be buying it,
for I assume that the building 's condition is beyond repair from what I've
read, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the value
of the land and whether or not we even know what the value of the land is,
or are we letting it go just because we happen to have a bid to this amount.
It appears to me that if we want to sell property we ought to state by way
of an appraisal what the minimum acceptable amount would be, you know, and
that ought to be based on an accurate evaluation of the land.
Mr. Grassie: But, Commissioner, you know, particularly, with your back-
ground in real estate you know that if you want to sell a piece of property
and you put it on the market and if somebody, if the best offer you can get
is something less than what you think it's worth sometimes you have to
settle for that.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but when you're dealing in open market place you.deal
in a different manner than what we deal with when we do it for the city.
Mr. Reboso: Rose, excuse me, but here is a resolution.
Mrs. Gordon: That's a fact, absolutely.
Mr. Reboso: ..,here in the resolution in the whereas, the highest cash
bid submitted, so on...
Mrs, Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Reboso: ... they say, whereas, the offer meets favorably with the
estimated value of the land...
Mrs. Gordon: By whom?
Mr, Grassie: Let's let the Chief,..
Mr. Reboso: By the Clty probably.
Mrs, Gordon; By estimated by who? See this is what f'm saying to you,
you don't really know what the value is.
43
(BACKGROUND COMMENTS )
Mrs. Gordon: I believe the value is. quite a bit more than what is being
offered to you.
Rev. Gibson: Before the Chief speaks, let me make an observation. We were
dealing with a matter yesterday in HUD, that makes this very important.
About five contractors bidded a job and the lowest bidder was maybe, about
$100,000 off or maybe $50,000 some such, ok , one of the members of the
board who is _ Lance, said, "how do we know that there wasn't
collusion "? You know, this was an error so on and so on, ok. Listen to
this, when you read this information, all of the people who are involved
in this particular piece of land, either own the property or have a personal
interst and reason for only 3,4, or 5 people bidding, and either way one of
the persons would get the land in this instance. For instance, Florida
Glass leases from the adjacent property owner to the Fire Station. The
adjacent property owner was also a bidder for the piece of land. Now, if
I'm not right black and white don't lie, the people who wrote this infor-
mation wrote it. Now, what Rose, is saying and Mr. Manager, you ought to
be careful, you ought to be very, you know, I'm not saying you did it, but
you know, I want to allert you, what Rose is saying, that some independent
realtor or appraisal somebody should have said to the City this corner
piece of property, isn't it a corner?
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Rev. Gibson: You know I used to live out of there as a boy. This corner
piece of property adjacent to the Governmental Center and also adjacent
to Miami Jackson Hospital in the course of x-number of months or days may
be worth far more than you're getting. If they had said that to us we
would have been forewarned. What we really did and I could understand
Chief, because I do that for the church, because you know, it's to our
advantage to do it. I just dealt with the people who were directly involved.
That's the way I do at the church, so I get the best price, you know, now
remember, we pay no tax on that property. Ok, so we could afford mays a 60
more days, or six months, and may sure that those guys gave us a much better
price. I'm not saying that's where I am. But I was trying to explain
Rose's position.
Mrs. Gordon: I say that when we set ourselves up to sell we need to be as
least as diligent about it as private enterprise is and they know what the
value is before they accept an offer. They know at least what the appraisal
is, they know then at least if they're going to take less that are taking
less. You have a corner piece of property in a very strategic area close
to proximity,to the Civic Center,and for many reasons, many reasons, you can
even check your own records of what you're been paying for land ;what you've
been using to build housing, you've been paying a great deal more than
$18,000 for a 50 ft. piece of ground, I know you have? you've been paying
up to $35,000 for that kind of land, and you know, this happens to be zoned
commercial, which even gives it more value...
Rev. Gibson: And, the inference is...
Mrs. Gordon: I move you that we defer this item, not accept any bids
at this time.
Rev. Gibson: And, the inference is that the zoning on there may go to
to something even more expensive sooner or later.
Mr. Reboso: Well, it's a motion to defer..,
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, that no bids be accepted, that this ... we receive an
MAI appraisal on this property, and that we make the minimum bid not less
than that.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I withdraw my motion. My only question is do we have
to go to MAI and pay them a fee?
Mrs. Gordon: ... Do we?
Mr. Plummer: ,., can't we do that with inhouse?
44
Mts.. Gordon: No, you don't have an appraisal inhouse qualified, t believe
to do an appraisal of this. You've got, look, you can he the sate kind ,.4
penny wise and dollar foolish., you know,
Mr. Reboso: Ok. We have a motion to defer.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: A motion and a second. Any further discussion? Call the roll.
Mrs. Gordon: :art of that motion to defer was not to accept any of these
bids and to have an appraisal made of the property.
Mr. Reboso: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: The only reason for it.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who mov d
its adopL'.1on:
MOTION NO. 78-242
A MOTION DEFERRING THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF OLD
FIRE STATION ##5 AND STIPULATING THAT NO BIDS BE
ACCEPTED ON THIS MATTER UNTIL A.M.A.I. APPRAISAL
OF TrIS PROPERTY IS MADE.
Upon beins seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the ration was
passed and ad. ted by the following vote:
AYES: %re. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
,
rCry�r�_' $3.000 FROM LA E COUNTY FOR RELOCATION OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND
Ht ELIA YREES,
Mr. Reboso: Item 14.
Mr. Plummer: The question is, do that cover the expense?
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Parkes,s.'ill respond to that Commissioner.
Mr. Parkes: Yes, sir, that will cover the expense of recollecting the
fence and the shrubbery involved.
Mr. Plummer: Some of the prices I've been seeing coming across this desk
for fencing recently, I've question. Since you said it will,I'll move it.
Mr. Reboso: You have a motion.
Mr. Plummer: I move item 14.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: You have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Call
the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-243
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE SUM OF $3,000 FROM
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO BE USED BY THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT TO RELOCATE A CITY CHAIN LINK FENCE
AND 22 AURELIA TREES IN GRAND AVENUE PARK.
(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; Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs, Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
tJES Non .
SENT: Mayor Ferre.
RATIFY a APPROVE ACTION OP CITY MANAGER IN WAIVING NORMAL
gtbbtNG
� i ��OSE OPiLiNG1AL AOfi SHE
ETS
FCA THE FEAo�,
Mt. Reboso: Item 15.
Mr. Plutiher: Aftet the fact, I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
The folloving resolution was introduced by Cotnmissionet Flutter,
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-244
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
THE ACTION OF THE CITY MANAGER IN WAIVING THE NORMAL
BIDDING PROCEDURE AND AUTHORIZING THE EMERGENCY
PURCHASE FROM ACE -PARKER, INC. OF BILINGUAL FACT
SHEETS WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL REGISTERED
VOTERS PRIOR TO THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON
MARCH 7, 1978 IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,071.01 FROM FUNDS
PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED FROM THE CONTINGENT FUND.
(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: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
20, BID ACCEPTANCE - TURF EQUIPMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS.
Mr. Reboso: Item 16.
Mr. Plummer: I'll move it.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, moved by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Rev. Gibson.
Any further discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-245
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF DEBRA TURF AND
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY FOR FURNISHING ONE
TRUCKSTER WITH ACCESSORIES AND ONE AERIFIER AT A
COST OF $5,800.00; THE BID OF HECTOR TURF AND
GARDEN, INC. FOR ONE GOLF GREENSMOWER, A FIVE BLADE
MOWER AND A ROTARY MOWER AT A COST OF $9,610.00 FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, AT A TOTAL COST OF
$15,410.00, ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE 1977-1978
FISCAL YEAR BUDGET; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
AND THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE THE PURCHASE ORDERS
FOR THIS EQUIPMENT.
(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;
AXES; Mr. Plummer, Rev, Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso,
NOES; None.
ASSENT; Mayor Ferre.
46
21, BID ACCEPTANCE = TF# EE M DU RESCUE AMBULANCES WITH ACCESSORIES AND
SPARES FOR THE DEPARTMENT ObIRE,
Mr. Reboso: Item 18,
Mr. Plummer: I'll move that with pleasure.
Mrs. Gordon: Second.
Mlr. Reboso: Moved by Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner
Gordon...
Mr. Plummer: Let, for the record reveal that I have read the back-up
which was furnished to us, and I don't agree with the back-up and the
contentions of another company, and I think this is the best deal for t,
City as recommended by both the department and management, and that's
why I moved it.
Mr. Reboso: Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-246
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF CUSTOM AMBULANCE
OF FLORIDA FOR FURNISHING THREE MODULAR RESCUE
AN ULAvCES WITH ACCESSORIES AND SPARES FOR THE
DE?ARTMENT OF FIRE AT A TOTAL COST OF $93.206.00
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE FIRE FIGHTING, FIRE
PREVENTION AND RESCUE FACILITIES BOND PROGRAM;
AiTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE PURCHASING
AGENT TO ISSUE THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THIS EQUIPMENT.
(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, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
22, RID ACCEPTANCE,- WILLIAMS PAVING COMP4JY FOR GRANp AVENUE PARK COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT - COURTS AND PARKING LOT UND BIDDING).
Mr. Reboso: Item 19.
Mr. Plummer: Move it.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask some questions.
Mr. Reboso: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Fosmoen, is that who was involved in this, Mr. Manager?
Who is involved in this? I'm talking about Grand Avenue Park, you know,
we had a discussion about some developments down there, you know? I said,
we weren't going to spend but so much money until such time as we were
assured those people were relocated and would be relocated. I want that
assurance right now.
Mr. Fosmoen: Commissioner, our previous discussion involved, closing of
Jefferson Street and was related to the widening of Grand Avenue that's
projected to be done by the County. This improvement of the park does not
affect tha closing of Jefferson, however, one of the directions from this
Commission was that we look at ways of helping the people on the north side
of Washington, who would be, in effect, squeezed between Grand Avenue and
Washington. In the Community Development application which this Commission
approved about a month ago, there is a pro;ect to be funded this coaxing
47
July, which will ad.dteas the issue of those houses between Washington and
Jefferson, partial rehab, of aome of them, detolition with relocation of
some of the substandard units. $ut this item that's before you is for
improvement of the park, it does not affect the closing of Jefferson
Street But, to address your question specifically, and maybe I going
around the bush, your concetn was for the people oh the north side of
Washington, that cohceth,we believe,and we raised this issue with you,
is addressed in the Co mnunity Development application for Fourth year
CD funding.
Mr. Plummier: We1I, Father, are you satisfied?
Rev. Gibson: Let me... I don't want to stop the improvement on the park,
because we have to have it in win, lose, or draw, hut I happen to know.
that if you don't get this, you'd be much more readily, you know, you'll
get some other things done much quicker....
(BACKGROUND COMMENT)
Rev. Gibson: ... have you dealt with HUD about moving those people out
and all that business?
Mr. Fosmoen: The funding for solving the problems on the north side of
Washington is coming out of the Fourth Year Community Development. That
application will be approved in June. We have talked to HUD, we're in
concurrence with Dade County and with the Dade County Community Develop-
ment ...
Rev. Gibson: What about the people on the south side? bon't just deal
with Washington, let me go on Grand, what about those people on the south
side of Grand?
Mr. Fosmoen: There is a sliver of land left between Grand Avenue and
Washington excuse me, after that street is widen, there are narrow
lots, double frontage lots, they face on Washington, the rear end is on
Grand, those are the properties that we're concerned with, there is a
project in Fourth Year CD that addresses that area.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Rev. Gibson: Well, ... Mr. Manager, ...
Mr. Grassie: Sir?
Rev. Gibson: ... I want a commitment. I want a commitment. I don't know
how to get that, you could tell me, you, I don't want to violate the law.
I want a commitment, ... by those people on the south side of Grand Avenue.
Mr. Grassie: I believe we understand your concern Commissioner, and it has
been addressed in the CD plan. You and we can only do the best we can to
make sure that our intentions get carried out.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, let me ask, let me ask for the other thing. Have you
approached... do those people know what you are doing?
Mr. Fosmoen: Yes, sir, there have been meetings in that neighborhood.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, let me put it the other way, Mr. Manager, you know why a
lot of people despised government, because I don't think they understand
what we're doing. I want to know if this staff got out of those air condi-
tioned offices and gone to those people and talked with them.
Mr, Fosmoen: Sir, our staff is out in that neighborhood very frequently.
Mr. Grassie: The answer is yes.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, I'm going to vote for this, but I want to tell you this,
I will make it my business between now and the next meeting and find out,
because, you know, I have some real concerns, because it's also true that
when we talked i said that those people ought to be approached about the
possibility of taking over that sliver of land you talked about. Have you
talked with them?
46
Mr. FnHmnen: I have not personally talked with them, Coiinissionet we
brought this ifis.ue to you in the fourth Yer,r Community Development
application, and I thought we had concurrence at that time. You approved
that application two months, a month and a half ago.
Rev. Gibson: My trethren, we approved it with the understanding that
you were going and talk with those pe(Ipie and that you were going to
say to those people, there will be a pie of land, a small piece of land left
over, and we want you to have the opportunity to purchase it, to snake
sure that instead of having, I think those lots are about 75 ft., there.
about, if that much,...
Mr. Fosmoen: If that much.
Rev. Gibson: ... that you will get an additional 10 or 15 ft., you
remember that?
Mr. Fosmoen: Commissioner, we brought t., this body a plan for the nortu
side of Washington, between Washington and Grand Avenue, it includes
demolition of some of those structures which are substandarded, resale,
to property owners we intend to use our UDAG Funding to provide housing
in that neighborhood, if you want, I can bring back those plans to you,
show you what those recommendations are.
Mr. Grasse : But in any event, Commissioner, I think what you're
concerned about is, as I recall, there are about 12 households involved.
Rev. Gibson: Right!
Mr. Grassie: If your concern seems to be that we make another effect to
make sure that they are contacted individually, and advised that something
is happening and generally informed of the direction that the City is
going to try and resolve their problem, and we can do that even though it
has been done, we can, you know, not everybody gets the word of any type,
so we can try teat again.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Tanager, let me say what... you know, the only way you
and I tango is, I got to come and ask you to tango, ok. You understand,
ok?
Mr. Grassie: As long as I ask you.
Rev. Gibson: i'hc sad thing is, well, ok, you asked, ... I ask you, I said
then and I'm saying today again, I think that the staff,just good p.r. for
you should have gone and said to those people, now you know, I know some
of you don't want to do this, but I, when we, at the next meeting, I want
an affirmative commitment that the staff individually went to every house.
There are only twelve, man, how long it takes to go talk with twelve people?
And, tell those people what's happening. Too often people despise govern—
ment because, let sae use the professional term, you don't communicate. I
don't buy that. Communication is no more than talking with people. And, if
you have done all that work down there that I saw, you all had enough time
to talk with those people. And, I'm saying Mr. Manager, I want them to go
and tell those people, and say to the people, you are going to be given an
opportunity , there may be 10 ft. or 15 ft. left from these lots here, you
will be given an opportunity to buy them. You need to know that some of
those lots are only 25 ft. wide.
Mr. Grassie: Sure. Well, as I understand the staff report, they have
talked to the neighbors, but let us do it again, let us do it again in any
case.
Rev. Gibson: Alright.
Mr. Reboso: OK. Do you want to defer the item, Mr. Fosmoen?
Mr. Grassie: No, I think Father,is ready to move it.
Mr. Reboso: Yes, you want to move it?
49
APR 7 1978
Mt, Flutter: 'Wait a tainute, I got a question, It concerns me. In the
company that is being awarded the bid, "$" is that, no affidavit to
Capital and Surplus of Bonding Company has been furnished, has that
subsequently done?
Mr, Parkes: That is not required any longer. We should take that off
of here.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, What about "I" which is the, Contractor's certification
not filled out?
Mr. Parkes: That is something that he can fill out as
are being drawn together.
Mr. Plummer: His certification?
Mr, Parkes: Yes, sir.
contracts
Mr. Plummer: It would seem like his certification would be submitted with
his bid.
Mr. Parkes: Well, it wasn't completely filled out, it's a minor thing
that that we can take care of, it's a typographical type of thing.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, and "J" is a sub -contractor's, I can't read,
occupational license number's missing.
Mr. Parkes: That's another thing that he didn't put the number on, he
does have it, it will be put on.
Mr. Plummer: In other words, it has been cleared up prior to awarding
of this bid.
Mr. Parkes: Yes, sir. That is correct.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, Father, do you move it?
Mr. Plummer: I'll move it.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Rev. Gibson: I'm going to second this motion, with the full understanding
that if I don't get that commitment at the next meeting I'm going to bring
this back up and hope that the Commission...
Mr. Plummer: Well...
Mr. Grassie: Well, in terms of contacting the neighbors you have the
commitment now, Commissioner. We're going to do that now.
Mr. Plummer: Let's do it the other way. Let's make the motion, subject
to.
Rev. Gibson: Alright.
Mr. Plummer: That'll cover it.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Call the roll.
50
The following resolution was introduced b.y Commissioner Plummet)
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-247
A RESOLUTION ACCEPIE.7 THE BID OF WILLIAMS
PAVING CO., INC. IN THE PRUPOSED AMOUNT OF
$166,175.00 FOR THE GRAND AVENUE PARK COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT - COURTS AND PARKING LOT (2ND BIDDING);
ALLOCATING SAID AMOUNT FROM THE 3RD YEAR FEDERAL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND AND FROM
THE 3RD YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONTIN.--
GENCY FUND TO COVER THE CONTRACT COST; FURTHER
ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUNDS THE AMOUNT OF $18,279.00
TO COVER THE COST OF PROJECT EXPENSE; THE AMOUNT
OF $3,280.00 TO COVER THE COST OF SUCH ITEMS AS
ADVERTISING, TESTING LABORATORIES, AND POSTAGE; AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
WITH SAID FIRM.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
tile in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon bein;; seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was.
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
23, BID ACCEPTANCE - UNIJAX INC, FOR LEASING CAMERA PLATENIAKERS
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice Mayor, I'd like to backup to item 17, which I had
asked for deferral, they have now furnished me with the papers and I will
move for its approval.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, leasing one camera platemaker, moved by Commissioner Plummer.
Rev. Gibson: Seconded.
Mr. Reboso: Seconded by Commissioner Gibson. Any further discussion. Ca11
the roll please.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-248
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF UNIJAX DIVISION OF
UNIJAX INC. FOR LEASING ONE CAMERA PLATEMAKER ON A
THREE YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
BUILDING AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AT A TOTAL COST OF
$13,268.16; ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THE FIRST YEAR FROM
THE 1977-1978 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER AND THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE THE PURCHASE
ORDER FOR THIS EQUIPMENT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plumper, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
24 i fhb AkcEPTANCE = LLI F GAL4 AND SON FOR THE sAII OF )100 HAND GUNS
CONEBOATED SCA1`ED Dv THE Ertl OF F'OL I CE i
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Manager, let me ask about #20. Somebody wrote a letter,
did you all lead that letter about... ?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, Father.
Rev, Gibson: please, eicplain your position over against this nan's
position.
Mr. Plummer: Very simply, his bid was lower, $5,000 lower than the high
bid, and he feels that $5,000 compensation should be because he's local
he should have the option, you know, I'm all in favor of local people
first and farnost, but his bid was $5,000 low, and to me,...
Mrs. Gordon: Which one are you talking about J.L.? 11
Mr. Plummer: ... item 20, Rose. To me you go with the $5,000 more in
the carpenters. I'd like to do business always with local people, but
I can't deny five grands...
Rev. Gibson: I understand, I just wanted to make sure that I understood
what he was saying.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, that's what he was saying. I'll move item 20.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, we have a motion.
Rev. Gibson: Alright, I'll second.
Mr. Reboso: And, a second. Any further discussion? Call the question.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-249
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF PHILLIP GALL
AND SON, INC. FOR THE SALE OF 1,100 HAND GUNS
CONFISCATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AT A
TOTAL PRICE OF $45,769.50.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here
and on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution
was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Manager...
Rev. Gibson: If we could get... if we have a $45,769.50 confiscation
of hand guns, you know, man, we in trouble in this community....
Mrs. Gordon: Too many guns around.
Rev. Gibson: ... you mean to tell me that many guns are available in this
community that the Police Department take away?
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute, you're not telling all the story. The rest
of the story is there was a lot more guns that were the so-called Saturday
Night Special's that they got rid of, that they didn't put up for the sale.
Rev. Gibson: Right, man, they need to talk to stability.
Mrs, Gordon; ... how did they get rid of them, J.L,?
Rev. Gibson; We need to talk to this cou munity!
52
Mr. Plummer: I assume Rose, they did the normal ptocedute and that's
dump their in the ocean.
Mts. Gordon: Good, we should dump them all in the ocean.
Rev.Gibson: Good God, man!
Mt. Plummet: We got a lot of gangsters out with scuba gear...
Rev. Gibson: $45,000 worth of guns...
Mr. Reboso: There are a lot of divers.
Rev. Gibson: Jesus!
Mr. Reboso: Do you want to take a few items... ?
Mrs. Gordon: No, I don't, I got to go.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, let's adjourn until 2:00 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr. Plummer: I make a motion we approve luncheon.
(THE COMMISSION RECESSED FOR LUNCH AT 11:50 O'clock, and RECONVEINED AT
2:00 O'clock P.M.)
ti, PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, PLAQUES, ETC,
A. Presentation of a resolution conveying condolences to the family of
Frank Toback and expressing gratitude for all Frank Tohack has done
for the Miami community.
B. Presentation to Jerome Bain of the Miami Board of Realtors, a
proclamation declaring May 1st through the 7th as Respect for
Law Week.
C. Presentation of a Commendation to Gail Hillson in recognition of
her countless hours spent in community involvement.
D. Presentation of a proclamation declaring April 22nd through the
29th as National Secretaries Week. Ms. Adela Gonzalez and
Ms. Harriet Hagerich of the International Association are here to
accept the proclamation.
E. Presentation of a proclamation declaring April 8th through the 15th.
as Pan American Week. Mr. Euripides Riera, Ms. Claraluz de la Torre,
and Mr. Felipe Garcia all of the Pan American Chamber of Commerce are
here to accept the proclamation.
26, WAIVER OF RENTAL FE S - GU STREAM ROOM, BAYFRONT PARK AUDITORIUM FOR
SEMINAR - SUNSHINE LAW BY JANET RENO, STATE ATTORNEY.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice Mayor, before we go into the agenda, I'd like to bring
up one short thing, which Father, is aware of, last evening at the Dade League
of Cities meeting, Janet Reno appeared, and we are scheduling, I think it's on
May 4th, to have her in conjunction with the Dade League, put on a seminar in
reference to the Sunshine Law, she has put on one previous and was well accepted.
Most of the members will be in the Downtown area for a previous engagement and
they are looking for a facility. 1, at that meeting, volunteered, and hoped that
I will be ratified the use of the Gulfstream room of the Auditorium. Mr. Roman,
has checked, it is available and I would like to make a motion at this time, if
they can't avail themselves that the waiver, of course, be, of all rental fees
be waived and make it available to them for their use that evening, if it can
be arranged.
Mrs. Gordon; Who is renting it with, Janet? Who is,,.
Mr, Plummer; There will be a representative... Rose, this is not definite, but
53
Aro ri e11 Q
they're trying to get all this welled together,
Mrs, Gotdon: Uh, huh,
Mr, Plummer: There would be a representative from Shelvih's office, and
Mts. Gordon: Oh, I see, uh huh.
Mr. Plummet:... and matter of fact, I am supposed to be, Monday,asking
all of my commission, depattment heads, manager, and likes, if they would
want to attend, and they're trying to see whether or not this would be a
dinner and seminar or just a seminar, so ok?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, it's a good idea, J.L. I think it's a great idea, in
fact, I think it would be good perhaps to send the invitations to boards,
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mr. Reboso: Do you second the motion Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: Sure.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Call the roll, please.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-250
A MOTION WAIVING THE RENTAL FEES OF THE GULFSTREAM
ROOM, BAYFRONT PARK AUDITORIUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF
HOLDING A SEMINAR TO BE CONDUCTED BY STATE ATTORNEY
JANET RENO ON THE SUNSHINE LAW.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mrs. Gordon, Rev. Gibson, and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Ferre.
Mr. Plummer: They asked how many would be from Miami, and I told them
Joe Grassie, and 500 shields would be there... (laughter).
v. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF DUKE SpHULTZ OF kiiill..74Ep4._EMpEES ELECTION,
COGNITION OF IAMI GENERAL ttMMPPLOYEES SOC FLOCL
Mr. Reboso: Item 24, it's a personal appearance by Duke Schultz of I.H.R.,
is he here?
Mrs. Gordon: It's not quite 2:30, but that doesn't matter, as long it's the
2:30 agenda we're on wouldn't be anybody here...
Mr. Plummer: Duke, do you want to wait until 2:30?
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, this wouldn't bring anybody else to speak to it, anyway, would
it?
Mr. Plummer: I haven't gotten a copy of anything other than he's going to be
here,
Mr. Schultz; Vice Mayor Reboso, Commissioners, my purpose in corning here today
is to bring you up-to-date as to what has happened before the Public Employees
Relations Commission pursuant to your action that you took a week or so ago,
in getting the City Administration and myself involved in a conference call with
F,E,R,c,, that conference concluded with them denying our petition for affiliation,
However, we did work out an arrangement, that we sent another petition in for
a substitution of the Miami General. Employees Association, A,f',S.C,M,E= 1907,
to be substituted for the formal 654 and former Miami -Dade General Fpioyees
54
e .r .. ■r Mom!
Association, excuse me. This petition was reviewed by the Labor Relations
Department of the City and the Law Department, Mr. Hurtgen, and had no
objection to it, in fact, they did, in fact contact P.E.R.C., and I believe
they sent a telegram encouraging them to grant this. The order from
P.E.R.C. granting the substitution of the 1907 for the two prior existing
organizations is before you now, and it, the need of the order is in the
last paragraph, the paragraph on the second page. The Commission has con-
sidered the reasons for substitution set forth. We, at this time would
like to certainly thank the entire Commission for the efforts that they
took in our behalf of the Employees of the City of Miami , in order to get
this to come about. I'm very happy to report also that at this point part
of the agreement was that we would have to sign up additional authorization
cards under the new organization to show that the employees still wanted .
to be affiliated, even though the both organizations have voted and we came
up with as of last night in excess of 1,200 city employees that have signed
additional authorization cards.
Mrs. Gordon: How many did you need?
Mr, Schultz: Pardon me?
Mrs. Gordon: How much did he ask you to get?
Mr. Schultz: We only had to get 600 and some.
Mrs. Gordon: And, you got 1,200.
Mr. Schultz: We got 1,200.
Mrs. Gordon: Wow!
Mr. Schultz: In excess of 1,200. So we are very, very happy and certainly
I want to thank you for all your efforts. As part of the order, and we
assured P.E.R.C. that we were going to disband 654 and the Miami -Dade
General Employees Association will disband. The new organization 1907 will
take its place, however, there are two existing labor agreements that we
want to make sure that their is someone around to continue the observance
of those agreements. So, at this time, we would like to ask if the
Commission would instruct the Labor Relations Department to recognize 1907
as the successor of the two organizations pursuant to the P.E.R.C. order and
also recognize 1907 as the bargaining agent for the purpose of administering
those two contracts and any fact keep them in effect until a new contract
is consummated with the city following an election. We hope that, well, I'll
get into the election a little bit. I talked with P.E.R.C. and it's their
position that they will get all the necessary information, translate it
into Spanish and they will mail it to Miami, the City Administration has
assured myself and P.E.R.C. that their will be no problem in getting it
posted. We're looking at a posting date somewhere approximately the 14th
of April through the 28th of April, thereabout....
55
PEtC will be able to mail the ballots out to the employees on the 28th ot 29th
of April. The employees should receive them approximately the second or third
of May and there will probably be about a ten day turn around. So we're looking
for a possible election no later than the 2nd or 3rd of May and this is a little
bit beyond what the original RRRC order spelled out) it is a little bit beyond
What you the COtthissiOh has approved here some time ago but as 1 told you the
last tithe 1 appeared before you we will take all the blame for any delays and
none of this delay is the part of the City administration and/or the Labor Rela-
tiohs Department, it is entirely at out request and we are very happy to be able
to conclude this ih this fashion. The ballots will be required to be back in to
Tallahassee somewhere around the loth ot the 15th of May at which time we will
have observers in Tallahassee and we will count the ballots - PERC will count
them with us observing the count.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question. Mr. City Attorney, 1 want to ask this and
I'm not so sure, you know? Now the employees of the city have certain rights
that are theirs and by merging what happens to them? What t want to do is to
Make sure that the people of the City of Miami who work for the City of Miami at
no time will lose their rights. Do you understand what I'm talking about? Ok,
tell me as a Commissioner where we are and what.
Mr. Knox: As to, the rights of neither of the organizations that are merging
would be relinquished. What you've done is fuse, if you will, two separate organ-
izations into one and anybody who had rights in either of the organizations has
those rights merged into the new organization so there is no relinquishing of
any rights that the employees enjoy by virtue of being a member of the collective
bargaining unit.
Rev. Gibson: That answers what I think I wanted to know.
Mrs. Gordon: And what action would you be asking us, is there an action you're
asking of us now?
Mr. Schultz: All I'm asking you, I'm asking you to take a position on 1907 being
the successor and being able to administer the existing contracts and those to
remain in force until a new contract is actually negotiated and approved by this
Commission and the employees of the City of Miami.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. Do you have something to say, Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: Yes, Commissioner, I think it is more long term than the immediate
question that Mr. Schultz brings up. For several months now we have been drift-
ing into a position which every time the City turns around one of the bargaining
units is up in front of the City Commission asking you to take a position on some-
thing or approve a resolution which you have never seen before and which they're
putting in front of you, very often verbally as they are in this case. If we're
going to administer labor relations for you we really have to stop doing that.
What we're going to have to do is make sure that the negotiating process does
not take place in front of the City Commission or we're going to have to decide
that that's what you want, that it is going to take place in front of the City
Commission. But if we're going to.continue to administer the labor contracts as
I understand we're supposed to under the Chartez_ then this kind of request is
going to have to be sent back to the administration so that we can deal with it.
At this point even the legality of their request has not been investigated. They
don't have it on paper, they have not asked it of us before. Now when we do this
to the unions even half this, that is bring an item in front of you which they
have only seen for three days they put up a loud outcryjbut the reverse happens
almost everytime we have a City Commission Meeting where they have another idea
which they want the City Commission to adopt a position off the top of your head
without any background except their word. So the basic point more long term than
the specific question that is in front of yob is that if we're going to have
orderly labor relations in this City this kind of request has to be discouraged
off the floor in front of the City Commission and it has to be returned to the
administration consistently so that we can deal with it, At the point at which
you're not happy with the way we deal with these questions generally then we have
to find another way of doing labor relations. But I frankly don't think that
the City can be effective continuing this kind of practice. What I'm suggesting
to you is that the instruction to Mx. Schultz in this case and in future cases
be that when he has this kind of request that by Commission policy the organiza-
tion of the City that represents the City for labor relations purposes is the
Labor Relations Office, That is where he should be, And if we do that over a
period of time -and they will become used to this immediately, of course but
over a period of time l think that we will develop a working relationship which
both sides Can be happy with. So I would recommend to you that this request be
66
referred back to the Office of Labor Relations so that we can look at the legal-
ity, detertttine what it is, in fact, that they are asking and if necessary snake a
recommendation to you.
Mr. Schultz: I'd like to comment on that if I might. Everyone is aware of the
procedure that has taken place. Sometime last year you the Commission suggested
to the employee organizations of this City namely C54 and GEA to quit their
squabbling, settle their differences and conduct themselves as a legitimate labor
organization. Last November I came on the scene here, I met with the officers
of both organizations, I met with the executive boards and directors and members
of both organizations. We put together a package, we put together our ideas and
we put aside our differences. We formed an organization and we have for numerous
months been attempting to get that organization, one union for general employees
of the City of Miami, to the bargaining table to engage in the collective bargain-
ing process. When we submitted our request the Labor Relations Department indi-
cated as they said they would to you that they would have no objections whatso-
ever to this request. Now here we are in Z position of disbanding the two o tan-
izations and Commissioners, we need some protection for the employees of the city
of Miami. If we di;#lnnci these two organizations, who is going to take up the claim
of representation for these employees? Who is going to represent them? My posi-
tion is that this is part of the package of the order that you have before you
that we have agreed todisband these organizations. The City administration has
agreed that they had no objection to this, that they have no objections to 1907
being the successor. Now all I'm saying today is to thank you for your action
and your guidance and the direction upon which we are at this point. today. Now
we have to follow through on the plan to continue labor relations in this City
until a new contract is negotiated. These are two existing contracts, somebody
has to administer those. We view them as still being in effect. Last spring
before Judge Eaton your City Attorney, Mr. Knox, and Mr. Weinsoff appeared and
it was agreed upon that the contracts would remain in force and all we're asking
for is recognition of the enforcer of those contracts. The employees are dis-
banding two organizations, they now have one. We're not asking to sit down and
negotiate with 1907 at this point, we're asking to recognize 1907 as the successor
of the two organizations as outlined in the order from PERC. That's all.
Mr. Grassie: A short point, Commissioner, and I hope I didn't interrupt you.
Mr. Schultz who is sent down here as a professional organizer by TF::CME from
Clearwater or wherever he lives would have you believe that he is the only one
who has the interest of our employees at heart. The fact is that this City Com-
mission and this administration live in Miami and are continuing to have to live
with our employees. The thought that we would try in some two week interim per-
iod,to pull some dirty tricks on the employees to me is absurd but it is the
kind of mentality that they're trying to represent to you and I think that rally
we ought to be more concerned with the basic approach of the administration to
our employees than with suggestions that somehow we're going to try in sme leo-
tion period to do something terrible. I can understand this kind of reprc:sseeti-
tion being part of the game)but basically I think we have to have a little ~Th::,.o
basic faith in the structure of the city and you as people who would let tbi.
happen or not and as us as people who would want this sort of thing to happen..
I think we all understand that Mr. Schultz has a job to do. He's been sent down
basically to delay this election in my estimation, and I'm saying it here in
front of him, long enough so that his unit has some possibility of success in
the election and they have done that and we understand that that's his job but
to suggest that the city would do something illegal or underhanded or immoral in
some hiatus periodjl think is not fair and I think we need to get back to you know...
ing basic understanding of the City being the organization that lives with its
employees in the long run not people who are sent here from AFSCME and that those who
have thy• most concern about our employees is us. And if we start from that prem-
ise I think that we avoid many of the problems that are suggested, that are infer-
red but, in fact, have not ever occured.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question because I don't think the Commission under-
stood what I was driving at. Counsel, you know we pay pretty big money, man, to
get these decisions. I asked this question; The employees of the City have cer-
tain rights and I wanted those rights protected while you're going through the
election process. You said to me, and note I'm not a lawyer. You said that the
two organizations which have been merged are entitled automatically to the rights
vested in the two separate organizations, that one organizatic' then has that
right. isn't that what you said?
Mr, Knox; Yes, sir, but.,.
Rev. Gibson: All right, Go ahead. W ren't you saying something else?
An "vr
1
- I,
Mr. Molt: Ho, t was just going to say that the Manager has suggested, and we
all have recognized that there is or could be a period of time where if these
two organizations are disbanded there is an appearance of a lack of continuity,
A11 tight? That the unions seem to have some hesitation about and I think the
Manager has indicated that there is ho reason to have this kind of hesitation
during this period of transition.
Mr. Grassie: tet me point out another thing, Commissioner. It has been so long
that we've probably forgotten that the General Employees contract expired a long
time ago. How long has it been, almost a year? It has been almost a year and
a half that out employees have not had a contract with the City. Now have we
played any dirty tricks on them? Have we denied them their vacation which we
could do since they don't have a contract? Have we denied them any benefits?
Have we refused to recognize the grievance process? They don't have a contract
for this, they can't oblige us to do this. Have you heard of any case where we
have violated a provision of a contract which does not exist but which we act as
if it did exist? Now that's experience. You know that's fact. That's fact of
a year and a half. What Mr. Schultz is standing there telling you is that he
wants you to do something off the top of your head to protect him for the next
two weeks. We've been living with our employees for a year and a half without a
contract and we live up to our obligations.
Rev. Gibson: Look, I want to get in the midst of the union's trouble but you
know what? Mr. Grassie, let me follow your line of reasoning. You said that my
actions speak so loud you can't hear what I say, that's what you're saying. Ok.
What's wrong if this man is asking that we in a formal way say that these rights
accrue, as the lawyer said ought to be, and if we're going to act in good faith
and we're going to say to the employees, "Now look, we've been good employers►
we're just going to go ahead and we'll let you have this, this is understood."
Now I have no desire, I don't know this gentleman but I'm facing what I hear,
what I feel. Ok? And what disturbs me is if they have these rights, and I trust
as long as I'm on this CommissioneI have no desire to do anybody iniknowingly.
I may do them in,but it won't be because I know it. I am prepared as Theodore
Gibson right now having heard what the lawyer said I'm prepared to let this man
leave here, I regret, sir, one mistake you have made,you didn't bring those local
employees here... Oh you represent, fine. Ok, you don't object. Fine. I'm
prepared right now to save Theodore Gibson's time so I could go run the church,
you know get out early and vote to repose in these people that confidence and
action that ought to be had. Now you know if I'm acting in good faith and they're
acting in good faithaI'm prepared to show my good faith.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask one question. George, you've seen the order from PERC,
does Labor Relations have an alternative?
Mrs. Gordon: No.
Mr. Grassie: Holding the election?
Mr. Plummer: No, as to this organization being recognized as one.
Mrs. Gordon: No.
Mr. Grassie: Well, we have no alternative about putting the one organization on
the ballot as one, PERC will do that, the City will not do it. It is not a ques-
tion of recognizing them, they are not recognized until you go through the whole
process.
Mr. Plummer: I appreciate you trying to be the City Attorney but your name is
not George, I'll go back. Mr. City Attorney, PERC has issued an order. That
order merges the two organizations. Does Labor Relations of the City of Miami
have any choice other than to recognize this order of PERC?
Mr. Knox: As my "assistant" has indicated....
Mr. Plummer: Hoy, that's going to have ramifications.
Mr. Knox: We still have an election scheduled and the point is this organization
will the the only organization that is placed on the ballot.
Mr, Plummer: Mr. City Attorney, since obviously I have a communications problem
I will repeat the question. PHRC has issued an order,
Mr, Knox; Yes,
Mr. Plummer: Does Labor Relations Office have any choice other than to honor the
order of PERC?
Mr, Knox: No, there is no choice other than to honor the order from PERC.
Mr. Plummer: I say to you, sir, that what you're asking is not necessary: Ok?
Labor Relations has to accept this order which is doing what you say.
Rev. Gibson: J. L., I'm sorry.
Mr. Plummer: Father, let me get back to a basic premise, and please I don't
want to agree with all of the comments, some of them very personal that Mr.
Grassie made. He's entitled to his opinion.I'm entitled to mine and in this
particular case)we agree 10% and we disagree 90%. Father, the point that I
agree with Mr. Grassie is we're paying in excess of $100,000 a year, way in ,x-
cess and I don't know I'm saying that to he conservative, for Labor Relations.
Now this Commission has either got to stand up and take a position that that
office is going to do their job which their job in my estimation #1 is to negot-
iate these items but more importantly to keep this Commission's time from being
taken up where it possibly, possibly could be settled on the other level and use
this Commission which is always open as an appeal. Other than that let's don't
spend all of this $100,000 plus for labor negotiations. I think it is only fair
that if Mr. Schultz, Don Teams, Don March, Peter, have an item relating to labor
negotiations that they should go to that department, submit to that department
in writing their request, if it comes back in a negative fashion then they have
the right of appeal to this commission. But Mr. Schultz, this Commission has a
policy that anything that is to be acted upon is to be in our hangs five days
prior to this meeting unless in the wisdom of this Commission we feel that it
is a matter of life and death or an emergency situation. I feel that Mr. Grassie
has made a fair request that you submit your request in writing and let them be
involved with the legality or their problems. I don't for one minute sit here
and believe based upon history of the last year as it relates to this situation)
that the administration would be dumb enough to pull a fool stunt to throw this
thing into jeopardy. I cannot believe that. They might want to do it, and I'm
not inferring, they might want to do it but let me tell you something. This
/N Commission has been very loud and clear to the administration - Get on with the
job, get it done, let's stop having all of this conversation around City Hall
that the Commission is dragging their behind when it is not true; that the Com-
mission isn't doing what they're supposed to be doing which is not true; let's
do the things that are doable and get on with it. And I will tell you for one
which my vote today is worth 25% with 01' Go -Go gone instead of 20%, that I don't
for one minute think that this administration would be foolish enough to jeopard-
ize their credibility with us and injecting any kind of other than straight for-
ward honesty. Because you know why? You're going to be here damned quick and
tell us if they do. So I'm not concerned.
Rev. Gibson: J. L., I want to respond. You know, "Be ware of the Athenians
bearing wreaths. I have no light to guide my future but the light of the past."
All of you remember, don't tell me about that $100,000 setup, agency you just
talked about. This Commission some months ago voted unanimously and directed
that department what to do. Do you remember?
Mr. Plummer: Very well I remember.
Rev. Gibson: And doggone it they didn't do it. They substituted their judge-
ment for your's.
Mr. Plummer: That's right.
Rev. Gibson: And you know I'm a living testimony and I don't blame these peo-
ple. I move, I move ..,.
Mx. Plummer: Before you make a motion, Father, I want rebuttal.
Rev, Gibson: Well look, I could make a motion and under discussion you could
rebut all you want. Look, if what we're saying is what we mean and if we want
to be truthful and honest and right we could afford to do what he says and we
wouldn't have hurt anybody because that's what we were going to do anyhow and
they'll go out of here with peace and quiet. Now look, all of you know what I
told you and you know the only reason you got that conference called was because
in the motion I made I said that both - you know Plummer, you aren't bald but
I'd be doggone if your memory isn't as short as my hair! Now I know what you're
saying but I just feel, gay brother, that if you really want to do what you say
you're going to do and if your intent is what you say it is vote it. I trove
that we comply.
Mr. Plummer: We comply with the PERC Order?
Rev. Gibson: No, and that we let this man leave here with the full understand-
ing, and it is an order to the department that the merged organization accrue
any and all benefits of the two merged organizations. That's my motion.
Mts. Gordon: Okay, I'll second that motion and ask Mr. Knox to speak just to
one point. Are we legally empowered to do this? Can we do it legally?11
—
Mr. Knox: Well, again, if you express it you're passing a motion which inform-
ally expresses your intention or your will or opinion. You have the power to
do that and that is subject to the legality of carrying out the will that you
expressed.
Mrs. Gordon: I didn't hear the last thing you said. What did you say?
Mr. Knox: I said that would, of course, be subject to the lawfulness of the
will that you expect to be carried out.
Mrs. Gordon: The motion that was made and the motion that I'm seconding is a
legal matter before this Commission that we can vote on, is that correct?
Mr. Knox: You can express your will or opinion.
Mrs. Gordon: That's all I want.
Mr. Plummer: I think we need to hire a translator for the Legal Department.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion and a second, any further discussion?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, sir. So that Father, what was that terminology you used?
My memory is as short as your what, Father? Short as your beard? Father, let
me tell you something. My memory is not short even though I'm not as I was
previously the size of an elephant. My memory is still pretty good. Let me
tell you what my memory tells me and should tell you. This Commission's involve-
ment in history as you refer to it, and I'm speaking now to the AFSCME and Gen-
eral Employees not Sanitation but in my estimation the administration did wrong
and I will find them as I have in the past at fault of not carrying out the pol-
icy of this Commission but as in relation to this merger of GEA and the AFSCME
situation. I feel that this Commission justifiably got involved because of a
third party, namely PERC who was sitting on their duff doing nothing and this
Commission went on record of complaining bitterly, even sent people to Tallahas-
see because we were taking the heat when we should not be doing such. So I just
want to remind Father that I remember very well what I did and why I did it.
Now, speaking to the motion, if I understand, Father, your motion correctly (1)
you are stating that we accept the order of PERC. As the City attorney has said
we have no choice. (2) If you accept that order as the City attorney has said
that any accrued rights of individual organizations becoming one carries over
to the organization, that is your motion, I want to tell you - be more than hap-
py to vote affirmatively.
Rev. Gibson: That's all I'm asking.
Mr. Plummer: We have no choice in the matter. You don't need a motion is what
I'm trying to tell you.
Rev. Gibson: J. L., I like it better if a motion is passed. Look, I'd be able
to sleep happier tonight. I'll be at ease and be at peace with Gibson and his
God.
Mr. Plummer: Well Father, Ok, all I'm going to say is it's a motion that really
is not needed but as fax as I'm concerned if it is not a motion or not either
way PERC is the one that will hold the administration in contempt not us. We
just..,.
Mr. Grassier First, part of the point that I tried to make earlier was that
we're talking assuring contractual rights which don't exist because there isn't
a contract in force. Now the second point, the second point and the More import-
ant point that I was trying to make to you is that we cannot effectively conduct
labor relations this way. What you're doing is making it impossible for us to
60
f
conduct labor relations effectively for the City. Tie alternative is that all of
these questions are going to come to the City Commission. Now that doesn't seem
like a very intelligent alternative to me but I feel that I have to put that on
the record for you.
Rev. Gibson: And I'm glad to say that even if I'm ign(,tant in making this motion
time will prove my intelligence. I,therefore, call :_' the question.
Mr. Plummer: Well further on discussion, Mr. Grassie, en: I have to disagree
with you, if you read this order of PERC this order is not directed to the admin-
istration, it is not directed to Labor Relations;it is directed to who I think
the City of Miami or their representatives, this elected Commission. What
we are doing by this motion is no more than acceptinq tilis order which I am told
'-rave no right to refuse.
Mr, Grassie: Commissioner, if that is what you are doing I endorse your action
lC:: �%;. If that is all you're doing I endorse it completely.
Mx. Plummer: Are we doing anything else? I don't know o anything else we're
doinc. If I'm wrong, to the maker of the motion, Father, :: I'm wrong please
tell me.
Rev. Gibson: P' jxrarper, I made the motion with the full knowledge and understand-
inc that I knew what I was doing, that I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt
I'm right. I want all of you to remember Theodore Gibson went to law school
for one day. I've told you that before and I don't think I'm no fool.
Mr. Plummer: Ok.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gibs.on whe moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 7b-251.
A MOTION DIR ECT1N- THE ADMINISTRATIGN TO CoMrLY WITH A P.I:. R. C.
ORDER IN RECOGNIZING THE MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES ASsirc:ATION
A.F.S.C.M.E. LOCAL 1907 AS THE SUCCESSOR Cal' Pe.4 `'.C'.?>.i . 654
AND THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION ANL: ALS:D ie,%cOGNIZ1N .
AS THE SOLE BARGAINING AGENT AND ANY A:v=, A,L ACv RUED RIGHTS
THAI'FEVICUSL`.' ACCeUED TO THE TWO MERGED ORGANIZATIONS CARRY
OVER TO ,'',:E NEWLY RECOGNIZED 1907.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, 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
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
Mr. Schultz: Thank you, Commissioners.
%EERAL.
281 AMEND AF�tO� I A�` I ON � 8 �., SEC I oNS 1 5 I3Y EAS t NG GENFUND � R .
tATIONs POR TANNING Ennt ) �E & 4ERCE Ra�TION & bENERAL
tPROUND ttEVFNUE FOR SIMPLIFICATION OF COUNTING lROCEDURFS.
the City Attorney read the proposed ordinance into the public record.
Mt, Plummer: I'll move it before, I'll mr.ve it again.
Rev, Gibson: I'm going to second it and I want to speak to it. Mr. Manager,
Mr. Crompton, come up here please, sir. Some months ago, I don't know the in-
tricacies of this and that's why I want to really be enlightened and educated.
Some months ago we were trying to deal with Trade and Commerce. Do you remember
that?
Mr. Crumpton: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: Do you remember you came and talked with me about you were trying
to sell me on a way to go in handling Trade and Commerce.
Mr. Crumpton: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: Ok. At that time we were going to set up a department. Isn't
that right?
Mr. Crumpton: That was the process at that time that we were speaking of, yes,
sir.
Rev. Gibson: Ok. I have some real concerns because the philosophy at that
time, Mx. Grassie, and I think what we didn't do directly we did indirectly
and just before this vote is cast I hope that the members of the Commission,
I'm sorry that the Mayor isn't here, would understand my great concern. In
order to get my vote I made sure and stipulated that if you were setting up
a new arrangement that I wanted a white, a black and a Latin to head that out-
fit, the people who were making decisions. Very conveniently that item was
withdrawn at an opportune time and so we took care of it another way. Isn't
that right?
Mr. Grassie: That is right, Commissioner.
Rev. Gibson: The issue was never forthrightly dealt with.
Mr. Grassie: I think I can respond better than Mr. Crumpton can because I have
some personal knowledge of that, Commissioner. My personal knowledge comes
from my having come to your office before we did anything about that, sat down
with you and personally told you that rather than bring up the departmental
question again what I intended to do was to create a division within CD where
the money was coming from and to hire the people there. And I told you that
before we did it.
Rev. Gibson: Did you hire the people based on what I said?
Mr. Grassie: The reason, sir, that we could not tell you ahead of time what
the racial composition of that department was going to be was that obviously
you have to have the money before you can hire the people and you can't guaran-
tee how that result is going to come out.
Rev. Gibson: Yes, but Olat you knew, that I wasn't going to vote for the
department and so what you all didn't want to do was openly discuss it and I
think this Commission... You see, Mr. Grassie, ....
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we finish the discussion, Commissioner, why don't we
finish the statement? I told you that ahead of time. We did it because what
I told you was then let's try it and let's see what the results are. Now we've
tried it, we have hired that staff. I think you've seen them, I don't know
what their racial composition is...
Rev. Gibson: What is it?
Mr. Grassie: I know that the head of the department, it's a division now, is
a Latin. His principle assistant is black and I think the second assistant is
Latin also, I'm not sure. Is that correct? ,And I think that there a.re four
people in the department and the secretary is Latin. So We're a hundred per-
cent, Commissioner.
62
i
Mrs. Gordon: How many women did you say, Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: One,
Mrs. Gordon: What is her position?
Mr. Grassie: She's secretarial.
Mrs. Gordon: That's what I thought.
Mr. Grassie: That happens.
Mrs. Gordon: A:.ways.
Rev. Gibson: Well, you see... I'rr, sorry, go ahead.
Nor. Grassie: Commissioner again I told vc,_. .. grad f time what we intended t
do so that there would be no surpises. We have d of ;t. Now if you had asked
me you would know what the result was. The result has bet more than you could
have expected I:ormally. You know what can we do? What can we do to get the
discussion on a more civilized basis?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Grassie, you know you think I'm a so and so foil but. I want
to tell all of you I'm not. Ok?
Mr. Grassie: If I thought that, sir, I wouldn't have consulred you ahead
time. You know?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Grassie, you're not dealing with no fool I',:4:. know the
game.
M:r. Plummer: Let me understand. Aren't we really, in fat, talking about two
different issues here? As I understand....
r. Grassie: What we're talking about has nothing to do with till._
Rev. Gibson: I know.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, but the point I'm trying to make is if Father has a concern
about another department then let's address that concern as a separate item
and not confuse with Item 25. As I understand Item 25 this is a commitment,
actually a ratificatioin of the World Trade Fair.
Mr. Grassie: No, this is simply an accounting change, it's a second reading
of an ordinance that simply modifies the accounting, the fund structure account-
ing of the City to make it simpler for the federal government to audit federal
funds, to get them into one fund where they can come in and the only thing
they're looking is federal money. That's all that's happening.
Mr. Plummer: Then I'm confused.
Rev. Gibson: Well, let me say... Ok. ...
M. Plummer: Father, listen, as far as I'm concerned let's air the matter of
your concern but let's do it where we're not mixing.
Rev. Gibson: J. L., let me tell you this. I'm not mixing. If we put all this
business out on the table - now let me tell you if you have to move the money
one of the things will happen is we will know.
Mr. Plummer: Is this money as addressed in this ordinance directly to what
Father is speaking about?
Rev. Gibson: You're dealing with methodology here.
Mr. Plummer: Directly or indirectly?
Rev. Gibson: Indirectly.
Mr. Grassie: Well, in the sense that $200,000 from Community Development are
devoted to support the Office of Trade and Commerce Promatio:1, in that sense
we're taking about the same thing but we're not talking about anything that
Will affect the money here. All we're talking about, how you're going to
account for it, how you're going to keep track of it.
Mt. Pluiftset: No, that isn't the way I read it.
Kiev. Gibson: All right, I want to surprise you. I want to offer the motion
and then I waist to do the other thing. 1 want to raise before this Commission
an audit you just got that 1 hope just as you're going to deal with this you
Will deal with that audit that you just got. Do you remember that audit?
All tight, let's pass this, you've answered a question that I never knew before.
Mr. Plummer: No, 1 don't want to without further discussion 1 don't want to
pass this. Charlie, is this Trade and Commerce Promotion 225, is this subse-
quent to the Economic Development that you and I have had a lot of discussion
about?
Mr. Crumpton: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Then Father's concern is about the division of Trade and Commerce
formerly known or proposed as Economic Development.
Mr. Crumpton: Formerly proposed as a department, a Department of Trade and
Commerce Promotion which is economic development as a subject.
Mrs. Gordon: ... no longer to be a department?
Mr. Crumpton: It is not now a department it is a division of CD within the
Planning Department.
Mrs. Gordon: But I don't understand why it has to be in that department, why
not in the Department of Publicity and Tourism where it should be a department
because it relates to everything else they're doing.
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, the reason that it is in that department is because
that is where the money is. The CD money is in that department and that's the
reason....
Mrs. Gordon: The money could be transferred because we transfer money from
CD to other departments and other uses.
Mr. Grassie: Of course it could but we got into a completely extraneous dis-
cussion which had nothing to do with Community Development or with Economic
Development when we brought up this department. Now at that point we decided
that since the discussion had nothing to do with the merits of the department
itself,that we would not simply not pursue that and it is created where the
money is. That is the only rational for its being there. Now if organiza-
tional questions would get simple logical attention we'd bring them to you as
organizational questions but you know we've had difficulty in that regard and
that's why it is where it is.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Grassie, I'm not changing my position from what it was origin-
ally. If you recall I was always in favor and still am in favor of the reten-
tion of Trade and Commerce Promotion in the Department of Publicity and Tourism
where we are set up and geared with other personnel that could be supported
for this effort. Now you're taking and setting a division within a Department
of Planning which hasn't any direct relationship to this Trade and Commerce
other than that the funds are being dispersed from that department and I don't
see any real reason why that has to be done that way, not at all.
Mr. Grassie: Well Commissioner, that's your judgement with regard to organiza-
tion.
Mrs. Gordon: Well I know that's the way it has been and I haven't changed.
Mr. Grassie: You know it simply is not the case that this Community Develop-
ment effort has anything to do with Publicity and Tourism as a major activity.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, well where it is misleading, Joe, is the fact that you've
got the word promotion. Ok? That's where it's misleading. It's not promotion
in the direct sense as I understood my comment with Mr. Crompton. What they
are doing with this department is seeing the availability of an Economic Devel-
opment situation for this city. When you put the word promotion there it auto-
matically triggers my mind as it has Rose's that it is advertising, in Latin
America they have a better word because it directly addresses - propaganda is
the word in Spanish, as I understand it, for advertiSi.ng - and 1 think
s'
64
w ink A rt JO,
that's where this thing is misleading. Now, this is not addressing
what Father's concern is, but Rose, you know, we have within the... in the Publicity
Department we increased our promotions tremendously this year from a Committee which
I sat on. This to the is... you should drop the word promotion and just make it
trade and commerce.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let's make a distinction.
Mr. Grassie: We have Tourist Promotions which is what Lew Price does, this activity
has to do with the promotion of trade and commerce. Now, the promotion of trade
and commerce has nothing to do with advertising or it has... you know, that's 3%
of what they do. Nust of it has to du with working with businesses, mostly businesses
:;ere in this community. Now, that's what the promotion of trade and commerce is
and it's not an advertising effort similar to what Lew Price does, so that tic
word promotion has to be understood within the context of ghat it is you are
promoting. It would not logically fall winin Lew Price's operation.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Grassie, you know, we find ourselves eo damn hung sometimes in
this Commission with semantics that like I said for Mr. :no::, we should get a
transistor - maybe we should get a translator from the Commissioner to the administrator.
My suggestion; if ycu would change this from what you presently have it to the
wording of Trade and Commerce f}evelopment, I think we the Commission would understand
it better, but .iher: you put that word promotion,I thought the samething as Rose
thought, that than is advertising, this is like Lew Price does tourist development.
It's not and I understand that, you know my only critic;sm to you Charlie was that
you were going into it on too small of a basis you coulda'i. accomplish. My understanding
from you on the record was that this was nothing more than. to get your feet or. the
ground to see if it could be a viable situation and then next year you could come back
and justify yes, we want to continue and expand or no, it's not worth a damn and
we get rid of it. Ok and that's the way I understood it. And I still say to you
that we are hung up on semantics, that if you change this to "ride and Commerce
i.evelop;ient it is something that we the Commission could understand and hopefully
tne public, ok,and that's my suggestion to you. Now, I think we ought to get back
to the meat of the motion and that is for auditing procedures at L still as before
move the adoption of item 25.
Sr. Reboso: We have a motion without a second.
(BACKcRCUNTJ COKgENT OFT THL PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Plummer: ... as it relates to auditing procedures, Father.
Rev. Gibson: The attached ordinance as amended by the Commission on July 14, 1977,
would create a new department to be known as the department of Trade and Commerce
Promotion with the charge of increasing the City's...
Mr. Plummer: ',That are you reading from Father?
Rev. Gibson: ... tax base, improving employment opportunities, diversifying the
economy, assisting private investment and capitalizing from the City's comparative
advantage. That's what... Charlie Crumpton, said this July 21, 1977 and...
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Rev. Gibson: ... is that what this should do?
4r. Grassie,: No, sir, this is... what you are reading I presume is from the middle
of lest year which had to do with the initial discussion of the department, this
has nothing to do with that. It's an accounting process to try and setup the city's
books in such a way that the Federal Government can audit it's monies more easily
and that is all.
2�1x. P1uner: Father, the key to this particular ordinance is the wording which
states; for the purposes of simplifying the account procedures, thereby making such
procedures more efficient repealer of blah, blah, blah.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, that'u true that that's what this is supposed to clarify, but
,i.,., it's bringing up other matters which are matters we feel of concern.
Mr. Plummer: I agree.
Mrs, Gordon: It': just unfortunate that 4t's coining up through this vehicle
65
mersuire-
that is before us.
Mr. FluMMert I agree.
Mts. Gordon: FirstsI have another question because if it's CD Funds, do CD Funds
go into the General Funds Revenue, Mr. Grassie? IS that the place where it piles?
because it says here as I'm reading from, the ordinance; decreasing the General
Fund Appropriation and decreasing by 225 and decreasing General Funds Revenue by..,
well, in other words it keeps referring to General Funds. Are CD Funds kept in
General Funds?
Mr. Grassier What we did in this year's budget was to try and get a lot of activities
that had not previously been budgeted to be included in the budget. It that process
we put a number of these projects, a number of these activities that were going to
be funded out of CD in the General Fund Budget. The assumption was that you would
take the motley from CD put them into the General Fund, thereby their becoming a
revenue of the General Fund and then you would expend out of that General Fund,
Mrs. Gordon: When you do that do you have a segregated...
Mr. Grassie: Do you understand that we are not doing that? Now, what we are saying
is because of the ease of the Federal Audit process, to ease that process we are
setting them up separately as separate funds.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but the balance of the CD money, is it still in the General
Fund?
Mr. Grassie: No.
Mrs. Gordon: Is there still CD money... is this the last of the CD money?
Mr. Grassie: No, no. The majority of the CD money is not in the General Fund.
The only thing that we have budgeted in the General Fund was these special projects,
like the money for example; to create a new department.
Mrs. Gordon:
Yes, I understand that.
Mr. Grassie: Which is a very small part of the CD money. Most
are already setup as separate easy to audit kinds of funds.
of the CD monies
Mrs. Gordon: Well, alright,'_the bther $512,000 which is also a transfer, is that
CD money also?
Mr. Fosmoen: A portion of it is and a portion of it is Transit Funding from the
contract that we have with Dade County to do station area planning for the Rapid
Transit System.
Mr. Grassie: Again, not city money directly, but grant money- federal money through
the county.
Mrs. Gordon: And a portion of it was CD money?
Mr. Fosmoen: No, a portion... there is CD money that supports some of the activities
of the Planning Department..For instance, there are planning staff members that work
in each of the target areas working with the neighborhood, defining their needs
for community development in preparation for the application. Those activities are
paid for by Community Development since there is a... (END OF STATEMENT INAUDIBLE)
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, and the monies put in the General Fund and then taken out to
pay them?
Mr. Fosmoen: Yes, but what we are... that's the way that the budget was built,
Commissioner, Now, we are pulling that money out, setting it up as a separate
account so that it is easier to audit.
Mr. Grassie: It simply makes it...
Mr. Fosmoen: ... so that we don't co -mingle the funds, We are setting it
up as a separate account so that it can be audited, there will only be essentially
five activities,.,
Mrs. Gordon: Is this the balance of amounts of money that was budgeted in the
66
original—. , . when the budget was adopted, is this the balance amount that we ttze, ,
Mr. Fosmoen: No, this is the appropriation amount.
Mrs, Grirdorit The orginal amotint and then the deductions would have to,,, that
have been spent today would be deducted from it?
Mr. Fosmoen: Yes, there ate essentially five activities occurring. in the Planning
Depal:tment, There's the regular Planning activities, there's four, there's the
Cotnrunity Development Planning activities, there's the hat>id Trans t. Planning
iJetivities and the Economic Development or Trade and Commerce Development activities.
Whr.'_ we are doing is taking three of those and setting them up as separate accounts
so :hat we can audit them. When the original budget was built it was all one lump
sun and we are setting it up as separate accounts.
nr. rummer: That's all part of that magical machine we heard about at the 'ast
Cortmi ssion Meeting.
`.rs. Gordon: Well, I can't hold you for trying to keep tack of :here the money is
because I can tell you that one thing the way it's been it's nearly impossible to
trace which is which and what's what, So you are going to have separate individual
accounts so you will know exactly what's coming out of each onc, but we don't have
a choice at this point in time of transferring it to, for instance, to they Publicit•
and Tourism even if we wanted to it's not before us.
Mr. Formoen: Commissioner?
Mrs. Gordon: ... but the point is that you are already doing all of this and you
'i just want the money where you can put your hands on it quicker.
Mr. Fosmoen: I have to remind you that when we first discussed the Economic Develop...
Mrs. Gordon: Don't... let me say something because both You and Mr. Grassie, you
seem to get slightly on edge when we ask questions relating to these things and
there really should be no need for you to feel uncomfortable anfi you give me a
sense of your feeling very uncomfortable by being questioned and i hor)t you are not.
Mr. Fosmoen: I'm not uncomfortable by being questioned, I simply wanted to remind
you that when we first talke.; about an Economic Development Authority you asked the
question;°why not put it in the Planning Department?'
Mrs. Gordon: Well, I...
Mr. Fosmoen: ... and that's where we are headed.
Mrs. Gordon: ... Economic Development is not what's before us, before us is a matter
which is termed entirely different and it's termed as J. L., was trying to say before
Trade and Commerce Promotion which appears to be more of an advertising and promotion
program which apparently it is not. Ok, come on let's move along.
Mr. Reboso: Ok, call the roll please.
67
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 1 AND 5 OF ORDINANCE
No. 8731, ADOPTED DECEMBER 16, 1977, THE ANNUAL
APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 1978, AS AMENDED, BY DECREASING THE
GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE PLANNING DEPART-
MENT BY $512,551, DECREASING THE GENERAL FUND APPRO-
PRIATION FOR THE OFFICE OF TRADE AND COMMERCE PROMOTION
BY $225,00, AND DECREASING GENERAL FUND REVENUE BY
$737,551; FOR THE PURPOSE OF SIMPLIFYING THE ACCOUNTING
PROCEDURES, THEREBY MAKING SUCH PROCEDURES MORE
EFFICIENT; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERA-
BILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of March 23, 1978,
was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
motion of Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Rcv. Gibson, the Ordinance was
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon and Vice -Mayor Reboso
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8782
The City Attorney read the Ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and to the
public.
Rev. Gibson: Let me mention a matter that had no relevance to this. I would hope
that this City Commission would take seriously what Mr... what's your man's name,
the budget man.
Mr. Grassie: Howard Gary.
Rev. Gibson: ... what Mr. Gary says. You know, it's a disgrace that we had one
big investigation here and it turned out that the real problem was lack of control
of spending the money. In other words accountability, auditing and so on and I
don't think the average teacher who is responsible for a headstart program should
be an accountant, at least you don't hire the teacher that way and the crux of all
that went on here was how do you account for that money and so on. I would hope
that having heard what the expert, the staff people said that headstart money would
not go the way it has been going, but that headstart money would start right off
so that what caused all of this commotion would be stopped. How did we get it done,
Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: Well, I think that the program that Mr. Gary and Mr. Gunderson, outlined
for you which started about nine months ago; and the first phase of which was just
accomplished about five days ago, having to do with the accounting system, is well
planned and they have done a lot of work on it. We simply have to give them an
opportunity to change a very complex system which probably will take them- although
they are more optimistic than I am about it- a full year further to get accomplished
in all of its phases, but they have done a lot of work and I think that they have
it planned adequately. So, it's simply a question of giving them an opportunity
to change a system which in some respects has not been changed this radically in
50 years.
Rev, Gibson; Are we to assume....
Mr. Plummer: I wish to hake,,.
Rev, Gibson; Say what?
68
PR 7 #P
Mr, Fhitter. I was just going to take a comment, Father, because I disagree with you.
You trade a statement about ail audit which showed certain things and using Mr, Gaty's
report, Father, 1 don't think that whatever machinery that they are going to put
into this department, howevet, Magical it might be will in anyway stop the falsification
of records which was brought out it Mr. Gary's report. So, I don't say that this
was all credited just to the itttproper bookkeeping cr auditing. I would say to
you that there are other problems and I tell you truthfully that I am looking to
the administration to correct those problems as they exist, because as far as I'm
concerned that situation is far from over.
PERSONAL f.PP RANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE NORTHEAST MIAMI 1...0+`'g-.:.NIT:'
ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF A STRINGENT PROSTITUTION ORDINANCE
Mr. Reboso: Ok, Father? Item 34, has been withdrawn.
Mr. Plummer: stern what?
Mr. Rebosc: ,.. 34, by a request of the City Attorney, but Mrs, :,rre Rockafellar
is here and she .rants to say something. •So,..
Mr. Plummer: pine doesn't say anything about it,
(INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS)
Mr. Reboso: 1 have received a note right now from Mr, KneN, shying that the item
has been...
Mr, Plummer: It's not on my agenda.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Not on the ones that were mailed out either, it was not withdrawn.
Mr. Reboso: Joe, I received a note from, George.
Mr. Grassie: Yes.
Mr. Reboso: Go ahead, Grace.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Mr. Vice -Mayor and Members of this Commission, I'm Grace Rockafellar,
I'm President of the Northeast Miami Improvement Association and I'm President of
the Northeast Taxpayers Association. I'm appearing before you today as a very very
concerned citizen. Now, the people in the Northeast have the highest regard for
this City Commission and our City Manager and our Police Department. You have
worked with us, you have cooperated with us, you understand our problem and you have
done everything within power to help us, and we want you to know that we appreciate
that. I'm sure you all are aware of the fact that in the month of March, before
Easter a public defender took a case of a prostitute that had been arrest numerous
times on the Boulevard, that when the Police Department took this to court the
judge ir. Dade County upheld the Police Department. It was appealed to the First
District Court of appeals, it was upheld there. The public defender ;it. Burman,
took it all the way to the State Supreme Court and in their wisdom- and I use that
word very lightly- stated that it was unconstitutional, the Loitering Act was
unconstitutional where pretaining to prostitutes and the reason was that those girls
might be soliciting for seals- now, if you can swallow that one, that's a big one
to swallow. Well, anyway since that time the crime rate has gone up. If any of you
went on the boulevard from 10 o'clock at night until 5 o'clock in the morning you
would find a snake pit. Motel owners have been broken into and have been beaten
up. Pimps and the prostitutes come in there slugging them, they call the police
constantly. One hotel which was Andy's that we closed down through the State
Division of Hotels and Motels, Was taken over by a couple by the name of Dial. They
have been harassed completely, she was kidnapped once. The prostitutes and the
pimps are taking over our territories. The pimps come in there in their Cadillacs,
their Lincoln Continentals and drop the girls off by the dozens and they get in the
middle of the street -there are people here today that will testify to that- and have
a regular snake pit stopping all of the cars, I have been called and called and
called, the merchants are blaming you our elected officials and I tell them that
the blame is not with you, that you are doing everything you can, you have not
turned us down on one request. So, since that law was outlawed Major Gunn came up
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with a Dallas Ordinance. Now, the Dallas Ordinance took the place of the Loitering
Act, Lt. Fleming took this over to Mr. Knox, and first of all I had talked to
Mr, Plummer about this and he said if it was alright with Mr. Knox, it was
alright with this Commission, Mr. Knox... now, wait a Minute, what did you say
Mr, Flurmner: No, no, oh, I'll never give Mr. Knox that much latitude, no Ma'am.
What t told you was- so that the record is clear- that this was a legal process
and would have to be given consideration by Mr. Knox's department before this
Commission could act on the thing.
Mrs, Rockafellar: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: ... and so that you wouldn't be delayed, that I suggested you take
it to Mr. Knox early so that he has a chance to go over it and he could recommend
to this Commission one way or the other.
Mrs. Rockafellar: I stand corrected and I'n glad you brought that up, J. L.
Nevertheless, Lt. Flemming, did take it over to Mr. Knox. Mr. Knox, turned it over
to Mr. Klostner. Now, I talk to Mr. Klostner and he said that he talked to
Dallas and the only problem they had had with it was the few references to the
Loitering Act. So, he was rewriting the ordinance and he would have it ready
Monday morning for Mr. Knox's signature. Based on that fact I call Mr. Fosmoen,
I explained this to him and asked to get it on the agenda for today as an emergency
ordinance, because what has happened, the police have been handcuffed, the prostitutes
thumb their nose at the police, the police cannot touch them and Mr. Fosmoen, went
through the trouble of getting a hold of Mr. Homan, the agenda had already been
made up. He got a hold of him, they rewrote the agenda and got it on the agenda
for today. I thought everything was fine and called Mr. Klostner on a Monday
and he said Mr. Knox refused to sign it stating it might be declared unconstitutional.
Well, I think as city officials that you know that there isn't a law on the books
that might not be declared unconstitutional, given the right circumstances and the
right judge. In the meantime, the thing was withdrawn without us being notified
about it or anything else, but there was nothing done in the City Attorney's
Office to replace it. Now, in most cities when a law is declared unconstitutional
and that's having a drastic affect on the community and I want to remind you of
this, we are not only interested in our community, we are interested in our city
because I attented some of the budget hearings and I... we know and you know, that
you have reached your limit as far as millage, mandated by the State of Florida
as you reach your ten mill cap. The only way that this city is going to remain
a viable city, if it should get the income up through the economy, you cannot do
that with businesses closing down. Mrs. Dial, closed her place down last night
-a nervous wreck and went to the hospital, that's one more place off the tax roll.
Now, we feel this way, if we have a City Attorney's Office -and I understand there
is twelve or fourteen attorneys over there -if they cannot come up with an ordinance
that can replace this ordinance, one that they don't worry about whether will be
ruled unconstitutional- so if it is, it still takes the handcuffs off
the police and lets them work, go to work to correct this situation, but if you
cannot get it out of there then we recommend that you do what you did in the situation
for the condemation suit; hire an attorney that is qualified, that versed in
this sort of thing that will get an ordinance out here that this City Commission
can pass and take 'he handcuffs off our Police Department. Now, we have a number...
we have two police officers here today that will tell you what the boulevard is
like, what it has become like at the snake pit since this law was outlawed and
there is no recourse, there is nothing we can do. The police officers stand there
idly, they can't touch them there are not allowed to or the city would be sued.
Now, we feel that an ordinance might be declared unconstitutional is no reason for
not passing an ordinanc, every city passes ordinances somewhere along the line,
some of them might be declared unconstitutional and some of them might not, but
that's no reason not to get an ordinance on the books to let these police officers
do their job. And we know this Commission will do that for us, we know that you
have done it, we know that you are interested in our community because it's part
of this city and if this city goes down into a complete slum area- the property
values have gone down, the crime rate has gone up, all you have to do is look at
the tax roll to see the hundreds or thousands of dollars you are losing. My own
home was assessed- Rose, knows this- for about $70,000, it's now assessed for
$30,000 because you cannot sell your property out there, people will not move in
because of the condition and we are fed up with it. We are here appealing to you
as our elected officials to see to it. If you can't get it through the attorneys
you have get an attorney who will do it and we have nothing against Mr. Knox, only
the fact that he says it might be ruled unconstitutional, you haven't got a law
On the books that could not be ruled unconstitutional. Now, we have two police
officers here today that work the boulevard, we have Sgt. John Hatton,
0
we have Sgt. Robert Dyer, two of the most outstanding police officers on the
force, they have put in dvertime at their own expense. They are so dedicated
to their job and I would like to have them tell you the condition now on Biscayne
Boulevard, and then we have three different motel owners here that have suffered
through this. We would like to have them tell you how their night man have been
beaten, how they are going to have to install teller windows that you put in a
bank to keep these people out, keep the pimps and the prostitutes from taking over
their business, throwing there legitimate people out and just taking the boulevard
down. Now, while they were arresting these people under the Loitering Act, about
90i' of the arrest were made. You could drive the boulevard from 87th Street to
Tlagier Street and you might see one or two, now you go out there and it's a snake
pit and we are relying on you our elected officials. Now, I would like at this
ime to call on Sgt. John Hatton and Sgt. Dyer, to tell You what this boulevard is
like and then i would like to have you hear from three of the business people there
that have suffered from and let you know, so Sgt. Hatton, would you come
to the podium, please and I thank you, very much.
Sgt. Hatton: Mr. Grassie, Mr. Vice -Mayor and Members of this Cc -mission, I don't
believe it's necessary for me to really explain the traditions on Biscayne Boulevard.
I believe everybody is aware of the problem that we have out therti. rind what's been
going on, but I can speak from a policeman's corner...
Mr. Reboso: Can we have your name and address for the record, pic.ace'
Sgt. Hatton: Sgt. John Hatton, City of Miami, Police Department. in Narcotics and
Vice. AS I was saying,I don't really feel like it's necessary fur me to go through
the conditions on Biscayne Boulevard, I think everybody here is ; :are of the
conditions that exist up there, but I can speak for the police o;: icers that works
up there and some of the problems that we are having. What Grace is saying,is
totally correct, but the fact that our Loitering and Prowling Ordinance has been
thrown out,as far as,prostitutes are concerned it's still a valid ordinance.
I'm under the impression under certain cases.and the reason it was thrown out
is I believe the court ruled that a prostitute did not create any immediate danger
or warn any type of alarm in the process of conducting her business affair. The
Dallas Ordinance has a specific article set aside for prostitutes, in fact it's
very clear. In their ordinance it states, strictly relating to prostitutes; that
a person commits an offense if he loiters in a public place in a uner and under
circumstances for the purpose of inducing, enticing, soliciting or procuring another
to commit an act of prostitution. In order for this to be valid it must be shown
that a person is a knownprostitute repeatedly beckons, stops or attempts to stop
or engages passersby in conversation. Repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor
operators by hailing, waving arms,or any other bodily gesture. No other arrest
should be made for a violation on this unless the arresting officer first
affords the person the opportunity to explain such conduct. Now, working narcotics
and vice which is a supported unit of patrols, we are a specialized unit, therefore
we do not have the manpower or the budget or whatever you want to call it to go up
there in force and actually take care of this. Also, plain clothed policemen
do not arrest for loitering and prowling it would be a waste of time for me to
go up there in a rental vehicle and civilian clothes and blow my cover more or less,
in arrest for loitering and prowling. So, we have always counted on patrol as a
back up unit. Now, we can make the direct prostitution arrest which is our purpose
and this is what we prefer, but then again,we run into a problem when I make a
prostitution arrest on a female up on the boulevard, then my chances of arresting
this female again is just about null and void because I become known to this person
and naturally this person is not going jump back in my car two days later and make
another offer for prostitution. Therefore, we are continually changing personnel
to be effective. Now, where a patrol really comes into the picture is a uniform
man riding in the area as a backup to us at this time. If a woman has been convicted
by our unit for prostitution and has a record reflecting that she has been convicted
in court for prostitution, then under the ordinance we were operating under he
could give her the opportunity to leave the area,by seeing her on the corner waving
Ozer arms, stopping cars and actually engaging in what he considers to be offering to
commit prostitution. Without this ordinance,then this leaves the backbone of our
department patrol and the largest members up there unable to operate or assist us
in any way,whatsoever,when it comes to prostitution. So, the only thing that I
can say is,backing up Grace kockafeilar,is the fact that we do need an ordinance
of some sort, that the patrol can actually assist us and I believe with a combination
of patrol and a combination of vice, we were doing a pretty good job up there and
we were slowing it down. I don't think we have ever really won the battle, but I
feel like we have actually slowed it down considerably and I feel like with a new
ordinance we will probably be able to get back in and do what we need to do.
71
Mrs. Gordon: I want to say...ask you to speA to the property value portion of
what Grace was discussing, that truthfully it's costing the city taxpayers an
enormous amount of money in lost revenues because you cannot sell the property
in that area and I'm not just talking about the homes that are in between the
boulevard and the bay, but particularly you couldn't sell a business property on
Biscayne Boulevard north of Baypoint because nobody will have it and those properties
for the most part could bring a lot of tr% dollars to the city. t think that we
really and truly have to find a vehicle, a wa=, of converting that Boulevard into a
useful, viable business area, not the kind of area it has diminished into being.
I want to ask Mr. Knox...Mr. Knox, since you feel that you cannot or have been
able to find the proper ordinance or vehicle that could assist in the clean up of the
vices that are present on the boulevard which are deteriorating property value
so drastical.ly,..we wouldn't hurt your feelings any if we got someone else, would
we?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORP)
Mrs. Gordon: ... we would hurt your feeling ?.. We would... Well, you think then,
if you could find us a vehicle that we could utilize that would... you know, we
know it's going to take a court test, everything is going to take a court test,
but for a while at least there will be an opportunity, there will be something that
we can aide- as you just heard the officers say- them in the endeavor they are
trying to do which is to clean it up.
Mr. Knox: Well, without...
Mrs. Gordon: I can also tell you another thing, my office is 29 and Biscayne and
there is a spill over- I mean, if I have to be in my office and it's getting pass
you know, dinner hour or for any reason at all, the parade starts, I see it, it's
out there. It's even further south than that, so you know, it has an overall bad
affect.
Mr. Knox: Without elaborating,I did speak to Mrs. Rockafellar earlier this week,
and I indicated to her that I would look for a mechanism, whereby, the problem that
she talked about may be relieved. I also, indicated to her that it was not my
belief that this process could be accomplished in three days. Now, as she indicated
last Thursday,Lt. Flemming,did come with an copy of an ordinance which had been
adopted in Dallas, Texas and an assistant of mine did make representation for her,
that he thought,that a suitable ordinance could he graphed and presented to you
by today, but it involves a great deal more work and research than three days. I
also, told Mrs. Rockafell.ar,that it was likely that we could have an ordinance
which we could represent to be a lawful ordinance by the meeting of the 27th. Now,
the whole question of regulating this activity is being assigned to the city when,
in fact all of the arrests that have been made, have been arrests made pursuant
to a state statute, the effort perhaps,should be to the state legislature and the
arrests that are in question were determined it had been unlawful by the Supreme
Court of the State,and again,we are being assigned responsibility for doing something
which would not be declared to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Now, what
we can do is to make predictions about the constitutionality or the lawfulness or
whatever we do by virtue of what has happened before, and as, the Sergeant has indicated
the State Statute was not declared unconstitutional. The Supreme Court said, that
in order to make an arrest for loitering under the statute you must show that the
person who has been arrested, somehow threatens public safety or a breech of the
peace. Now,... and so the law is still good. There are state laws relating to
prostitution, there are state laws relating to pandering and solicitation. There
is a question about whether municipality even has the power to regulate prostitution
because the area has bee. preempted by a State Law. There are general laws adopted
by the State of Florida which regulates prostitution, pandering and loitering and
so forth.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, who is supposed to enforce those State Laws?
Mr. Knox: We are.
•
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, fine there is another area we ought to explore, why don't they
supply us with some of the dollars that we would need to enforce State Laws?
l mean, you know, there is another example of a state passing laws and not funding them.
Mrs, Rockafellar: I would like to add what Mr. Knox, really told me, he said,"we
have a state law that controls prostitution, but you have to prove prostitution,"
and I said,are you telling me Mr. Knox, that a officer sees a girl flag a car down
72
AOQ h $a p•
and gets in that cat, the police officet has to follow them wherever they go,
witness the act and then attest then for prostitution?'tHe said; well they have to
prove prostitution," Now, as fat as,proving that this does not hattn the public
of the people is a fallacy because we have some people here today that is going
to tell you what it has done to them. Now, our association out there has not
only worked to clean up what is there, we have brought people in, we have been
instrumental in selling a lot of these places and one,I just told you that we were
instrumental in selling had to close down last night,because of the prostitutes
and the pimps are taking over, she became_a nervous wreck. She is in the hospital
her place of business is closed down. Now, this is just absolutely ridiculous,
and I just wish this Commission would go out there from 10 o'clock at night until
`i in the morning and watch the snake pit on Biscayne Boulevard, it's absolutely
ridiculous,and I don't recall,Mr. Knox telling me,that they would have something
ready by the 27th. He just told me,that this law- that"the ordinance that we were
asking to be adopted today might be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court,"
and my arguement was that every law that we have on the books might be. Anr' 'that's
no reason for this city not to pass an ordinance to take the handcuffs off cr..
police and let them get some sanity in that community and this is what we are asking.
We see nothing wrong with this ordinance- so it is tested by the Supreme Court, it
may be ruled unconstitutional or it may not be, but in the meantime, the police
officers can do their job,instead of standing there like a bunch of dummies and
having these prostitutions thumb their nose at them, the pimps unloading them from
their Cadillacs or Lincoln Continentals and there is nothing we can do about it,
this is what we are asking.
Mr. Plummer: You know, Grace, let me tell you something and I'm not going to
_ what I just said to someone else. You know, there is only one way to
eliminate this problem, you can make ordinances, you can take them to court, but
you know, there is a basic premise. You are not going to eliminate the problem
until you take the profit out of it.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Well, this...
''r. Plummer: ... and in my estimation in this city we have proven other places a
very good way of removing profit. It has been done before.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Publishing the names in the Johns?
Mr. Plummer: No, I didn't say that, I'm not inferring, as a matter of fact that's
not the case, but the Police Department has had a problem relating similar to
this before. It took them seven days to eradicate the problem because they removed
the profit from it.
Mrs. Rockafellar: How do you go about it on this?
Mr. Plummer: I'll let the department answer that.
Mrs. Rockafellar: We would like to know, we would like to know any way we can do
it. We are open to suggestions, that's what we are here for. What department?
Mr. Plummer: The Police Department. They are the ones who has got to enforce it.
Mrs. Rockafellar: The Police Department has got their hands tied. If they arrest
them under this law since the Supreme Court says that it does not apply to prostitution
and they can get the city sued for so much money...
(BACKGROUNG COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC)
Mrs. Rockafellar: I'm not either.
Sgt. Dwyer: I would like to say one thing, when you talk about removing the profit,
I don't really know what you are thinking ofiend what terms and what line you are
along, I have a basic idea, but I'm uncertain, But, I do know one thing every
girl up there on that boulevard has been arrested at least two, three, four or five
times and I feel like we do have ordinances on misdemeanor as third time offenders,
but they can serve above the sixty days that normally comes with it, you can put
them away as far as a year or fine them a lot higher, Now, what we are running
into is also, if you really want to with the judges, when a girl goes
to court and she is found guilty and she serves the five days that she was in jail
waiting to come to court and then goes right back out on the street, that's not
a deterrent to her at all and anyone that belay the time is not deterrent to a
prostitute, it's a very good deterrent especially to her pimp. That relieves the
73
profit 100% when his girl is not ahlr_ to work and she is serving sixty days and
when she is brought back and that time in increased, if it shows that she hasn't
learned a lesson froth her first stint in jail End she is brought back to court
and she is put back in rather than turned loose; that would alleviate it also,
but we are not getting that support from the courts either.
Mrs. Rockefeller: And this is one reason that our area.,and we ate getting a lot
of support from around the county -and we aIe working on our State Legislators
nowt because the Attorney General told me that we are one of five states that
do not have the right of recall of judges.
(BACKGROUND COMMENTS OFF THE PUJBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Reboso: Grace, I am sorry, but we have: another item before this one
and George says that he is going to have the ordinance ready tor the 27th. So,
why don't we wait until the 27 th i
Mrs. Rockafellar: Alright, would ..:terested in hearing from the business
people that have suffered through this?
Mr. Reboso: Can we wait until the 27th to see if we can have the ordinance ready
for that day and that satisfy everybodvT
Mrs. Rockafellar: Well, the Police Department is going to... I don't know it just
keeps going down.
Mr. Plummer: Grace, to answer yo.,.ir cie:Aion they were up there last night arresting
prostitutes, ok.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Plummer: Well, I'm not talking abo_;t Vic+, ok. The Police Department was up
there last night arresting prostitutes, Now, whether or not what they are arresting
them for,is constitutional and that w ii1 remain to be seen, but they are in fact -
and they are not standing up there as you s:n.' like a bunch of dumniesThey are arresting
them. They were last... excuse me, not last night, night before last, ok. I know
that for a fact, I watched two of then being place in the paddy wagon.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Well, you know, I got a call at 12:30 last Saturday night from
Connie Dinkier. Her two grandsons came in and the came down the Boulevard and
they were stopped from both sides of the boulevard, they couldn't get their car
going, very far with stop light, in between stop lights when the traffic was
slowed- they were pouring on both sides of the car. She called me at 12:30 and
wanted to know what we could do. 1 said we have an ordinance coming up that's
going to cake care of that. Well, we are going to leave it in your hands and we
hope that this City Commission dons as I say, if you can't get it out of the City
Attorney's Office,get an attorney that will do it and we would appreciate that.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you, ver much, Grace.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Mr. Mannus, just wants to say a couple of words...
Mr. Reboso: Ok, please...
Mr. Mannus: Members of the Commission, my name is Simon Mannus, 1 am the owner -
manager of the Gold Dust Motel, since 1964. What more I can tell you is not
I don't deserve any thanks for that. I lived right on the premises for 14 years,
right in. the Gold Dust above the office which is eight feet from the side-
walk and I lived there 14 years and I can tell you all the information just like
you would hear from the horse's mouth. In the last three years a very dark cloud
has hung over Biscayne Boulevard and especially over our business which is motel
business. As you .now motel business primarily as far as I am concerned are supposed
to be design for catering to commercial traveling men and families. We have done
since 1964 until 74 fairly good business able to exist and maintain improve
our property and be fairly happy and contented. The best three years... not only
we lost. our business, but we are gambling with our life 24 hours a day. We are not
sure if we walk ovt from the office or from the apartment or on the parking lot
that we will be able to come back or walk back. We lost 90 or 95% of our
traveling span business, that was our main business because we had a lot of business
from the travel-ing man. Every few weeks a different group is coming. Now, they
have been harassed so much by the prostitutes that most of them have decided
not to come in this area. They stay by the airport which is evidently quieter and
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APR 7 1
the others said to us; well, still cote here since I have known you so long,
you have been nice to us. Their fah lies told them., they catt,e back and told us
that they liked us, but they couldn't stay here because their wife, or mother
and their father object to staying here because they have heard of what's going ot on
Biscayne Boulevard. We also, have had people from Chicago, from New York and from
California come and tell us how Biscayne Boulevard is, before they even take the room,
I don't know who spreads it so far.I don't know, but they tell the that and that's
why our families people,,. through all that....we lost our commercial
business which was the backbone of our business because asfar as stories, we didn't
have much of a chance because we didn't have an ocean, we didn't have much attraction
for our family tourist. We only get them when there is an overflow and they couldn't
get in anywhere else. So, we were depending on the traveling then and we were
happy with them, they were a reliable bunch of people and we lost them like I
told you just now and I don't want to repeat it again. Some had been harassed so
bad and robbed until they were afraid and the others their families tell them not
to stay here because they dirt want them to sty here, they are afraid to •et
involved with them. The families come in and ask us, how is the area here, we
heard it was not safe? We tell them it is,and they take the room and then they
go out on the street and they said, how come you told me this? what is there to
do here, stay in the room? I can't go out on th" street, I want my money back.
Well, we tried to talk them out of it and some me we are successful and sometimes
we are not, but the next morning they get up a go. That's how business goes.
As for ourselves we have murders, robberies, and killings because when prostitutes
and pimps are on the street we are afraid to go,Sput and when we go out what can
we do, call the police? Police says, well, what is it? I said prostitution. Well,
then tell me did you hear the Supreme Court ruling? I said no, what is it? He
says we can't do anything about it. That's the answer that we get and when we
hear that we get so frighten and we get so down that we don't no whether to dig
a hole and hide ourselves or.. my first idea would be to sell the place and get
out of it, because I can't stay in it, I mean, how long can you live in fear and
without business, without income , our taxes, our insurance, our help being that
they work for us,want more money, because it's just like taking their life in
their hands. I have bullet proof glass in the office, I carry a weapon, all this
don't help any because you cannot go around 24 hours a day and be alert. During
the war you didn't do that and we need... once the police can help us- I myself
am definitely helpless. My -wife or my children, who else? I mean, I live with
my wife and children and I have lived there 14 years and it is not a matter only
for business, but for personal safety. We are talking here about property value
and loss of taxes, that's very important, but personal safety and personal well-
being that 's more important. If you are not safe with your life, what good is
the taxes, what good is everything and how can you do anything about it? I believe
a Commission like this...
Mrs. Gordon: Which place do you have, sir?
Mr. Mannus: 7700 Biscayne Boulevard, Gold Dust Motel and I have been there 14
years.
Mrs. Gordon: What's the name of the motel?
Mr. Mannus: Gold Dust.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, yes.
Mr. Mannus: I have lived right on the premises, Commissioner, for 14 years in the
same place and I see what's going on. They come in Cadillacs, Mercedes Lincolns
and Rolls Royces, but not only that customized things, you know, 18, 20,000,..
they pick them up and drop them off.
.3
_ it 7
t4a have one w..ndow c.:11. on 7th &rou:;.i the corner. We see them drop
them off and ,dick t eia u_; and then someeimes when they pick them tit naturally
it slows up f.or. e while. Thu cars drivina in pick up some new pick ups. They
see nobody there, tie;- make a U-turn, they come right back and it's all night
like this.
Mr. Reboso: We understand the problem, 1 , and we will try to have the ordin-
ance ready for the 27th.
Mr. H}nnan. canes: Please, this is a vr>ry serious problem. You see they're try-
ing to buiid Highways, mass transit, here we take the nicest street - in 1964 I
decided to live t.he.e because Z liked this street, I liked the area, it looked
nice. L:, face, .: could have bought a motel on the beach at that time but I
liked it he betai;L because it was a very nice street and I've lived there ever
since. Now I cen'. get out, I can't go anywhere, I can't get any money back, I
can't do anytb.ir.g. We're trying to build highways and mass transit and Ileac
we're taking the main thoroughfare and destroying it and making a dump, a read
end. I don't know, what is this? Impossi.ble! Nobody knows better than 7, "ve
lived :,4 years ri;ilt on the street, six feet from the street and I see everything.
I can tell you what's going on, it's impossible. You knot in some backward
countries- I hear things happen but here, a city like this should allow this is
Lmpossible. We the taxpayers, the honest people who work hard and try to keep
everything with law and order and pay bills and pay taxes and here they take
over - they have the rights, we don't or they have more rights than we do be-
cause what they do is illegal for us to not let them do what they're doing.
It is very serious, Commissioners, Mr. Vice -Mayor. I'm not much of a talker
but how long can you sit and be quiet? It is a matter of either say or run.
Things are very bad and terrible. I didn't explain 1% what's t"sere but like I
said I'm not much of a speaker and it's impossible, that's all there is to it.
The police tong, and arrest two or three and 100 of them are dropped off in an
hour maybe not that night because they're busy somewhere else. They just move
them around.
Mr,. Reboso: CA, well ':.'ea:.r; yo:: very much and we are sure that for the 27th we
will have the ordinance we hope.
Mr. Manes: I hope so.
Mr. Reboso: Do yea want to say something?
4.r. Aaron 'canes: my name is Aaron Manes and I own and manage the Vagabond
Motel et 7201 Biscayne Boulevard. The situation has been bad on Biscayne Boule-
vard for a long time and we've been optimistic, we've come before you many times
before, we've alwys gotten your complete cooperation but our problem has always
been and it started originally when the prostitutes began to frequent the boule-
vard and stop traffic. As many ordinances as we've come up with we've been very
successful with she adult entertainment centers, movie theaters, massage parlors.
?"hen we came before you a little over a year ago we got an emergency ordinance
and as a result three-quarters or over 30 of these adult entertainment centers
nave been closed down. Now time and time again we've come before you with this
same problem which is the girls on the street. We feel that the City should
either decide that they want to have girls on the street, on Biscayne Boulevard,
or they don't and if they don't want to have girls on the street then something
definitive should be done and a continuous effort should be made. I don't feel
that wa as c.tizens should pay the City Commission, the City Manager's Office,
the City 7tttor.ney'b Office to make up ordinances that the City Attorney's Office
as soon as word is out that a valuable and important piece of law, a statute,
has been thrown out that the City of Miami Police are almost solely reliant on i
feel tna: the City Attorney's office should immediately put his entire attention
and focus upon c(xe.ing up with a replacement ordinance, if it requires two or
three ordinances or if it requires that an ordinance be proven maybe six months
from now maybe a year from now it will be unconstitutional well then possibly
it could :,e taken to a further court and its constitutionality could be upheld.
isr:': a matter where yes, we're going to work on this today and six months
from now we need co work on this again. This is an extremely important part
of Miami's economy and it makes it very very hard for all of us on the boulevard
to compere and especially the ones of us that try to operate our business on a
4 hour basis. It isn't just the motels or the drugstores, there are restau-
rants, there are supply stands, convience food stores, many businesses that not
only arc trying to exist and operate but they are here to serve the citizens
of Miami and 1 don't t.link there are too many of the people here in the room
tonight that would want to do what 1 did last night which was go into the Inter-
national :souse of Pancakes on 81st and Biscayne and have to elbow my way through
76 APR 71978
pimps and prostitutes and just actually wonder if I was going to be able to walk
out of the restaurant the same way I walked in there. It is an extremely danger-
o1s situation and I don't see why we have to come here and almost beg I'm hot
saying it's the COMMission, I'm hot saying it is any one particular office, but
a directive should be issued that a continuous effort will be made to do some-
thing not just when the northeast Miami Improvement Association cotes and asks
for something or three weeks from now. You know you're saying that this ordin-
ance will be on the agenda for the meeting three weeks from now which is fine
but that is 21 sleepless nights that we're going to have on the boulevard not
just my family or just myself but this is going to be everybody that works in
the area, everybody that liVes in the area and everybody that has to use that
area either for transportation or for their livelihood. What we would like to
see is an actual directive made to either the City Manager or the City Attorney
to have something done on a continual basis not just a one time basis or a one-
shot deal. Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much. Dick?
Mr. Richard Rosichan: My name is Richard Rosichan. I live at 141 N.E. 45
Street. I wasn't here for the first part of this item so I may be reiterating
something that was already said and I haven't seen the proposed ordinance but
as far as the question of its being unconstitutional is concerned it is a fact
that in virtually every state and every major city in America there are ordin-
ances that are similar to this and that even in areas such as Nevada and certain
countries in western Europe where prostitution is legal and is confined to a
certain part of the city there are still ordinances prohibiting inducement,
solicitation and procuring so I find it very difficult to accept the rational
that this kind of an ordinance is unconstitutional. I think that if previous
case law were properly studied that it would be very easy to draw up an ordin-
ance of this nature that would pass on appeal. I'm not going to reiterate the
seriousness of the problem on the boulevard, I'm very concerned about it both
as a citizen and personally. I have three children that go to school one block
from the New Yorker Motel about which not much more need be said. And anybody
that wants to drive up and down the boulevard during the season any night after
10 P.M. can see this for themselves. But I do hope that the Commission will
proceed with the enactment of an appropriate ordinance of this type. Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much. Grace, then we will see you the 22nd I hope.
... We sure will. Thank you.
30, ESTABLISH RATES AT CERTAIN ON -STREET P KING MET S & OFF-STREET PAQKIN
LOTS; ESTABLISH BASIC HOURLY KATES AT "JNICIPAL !'ARKING GARAGES 1, 5 & 4,
The City Attorney read the proposed ordinance into the public record.
Mx. Plummer: Ok, is he here speaking for, against or speaking?
Mrs. Gordon: We're doing 28 now, are you on 28? ... Ok.
Mr. Plummer: No, sir, we want to hear from you. What do you have to say?
Mr. George Schulte: Fine. George Schulte speaking as a resident that will be
impacted by your action one way or the other on this ordinance.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Schulte, the rules here normally are you also give your mail-
ing address.
Mr. Schulte: Yes, 1235 Coral Way. Spring time, the legislature is in session,
the kids are down to Fort Lauderdale, tax assessment roll is just about finished
ready for a computer print out, the sap is rising in the trees and the blood
pressure is rising in the citizens and taxpayers - ready for the annual sand-
bagging. I really want to try to be accepted in a friendly fashion here today
and I don't opinionate, I try to stick to facts. I notice, I just came down
here to see the copy of the agenda, I notice that the rush is on. This has
become traditionally a no -no, this emergency ordinance first and second read-
ing on something that really maybe is not an emergency. And anyhow it is a
significant item. As you know, if you've done your homework, it is a 1.9 million
dollar item and somebody is putting the hassle or the hussle on you but then it
is going to impinge on me and my fellow men here in this county. So why the
hussle? Now pardon me if a citizen will ask some questions that maybe properly
should have been asked by your department heads, by your budget manager, by the
City Manager and presented to you in the light of what I'm going to say.
(1) Budget hearing time is traditionally September and October. I've gone back
through two ordinances now, your appropriations ordinance for this Off -Street
Parking Authority and I'm finding them in March, approximately five months before
budget tithe: Why? I don't know why but there is probably an answer and my pub -
lit officials should be just as curious about that as I arn. Now, we're looking
at what t call unconscionable applications for rate increases by the Off -Street
Parkin Authority. Maybe they should have it and probably they may be due a
fait increase. lowsomever, let's look at the record. 12:01 A,M. on March 1,
1977 you perMitted and enacted an ordinance that allowed a 17% rate increase on
Garages 1, 3 and 4, you allowed a 13% increase on 2, you allowed a 50% increase
Oh seven lots and you allowed a 33% increase on five lots. Hopefully maybe they
were Wishing you'd forget about that well, t didn't forget about it. What are
they asking for today? `Today they Want a 50% increase, they want a 33% increase
and they want a 20% increase. Now this is compounded don't forget, compounded
on the last one, So something precipitiously Must be really creating an emer-
gency, Revenues must be off. People aren't using the parking garages, right?
Wrong! Your low factor is sky high► you can't even get a spot in the garages
anymore, ditto for the lots. And they just got remember the tate increases I
gave you for 13 months ago under Ordinance No. 8611. Expenses must be down,
the bonds have taken care of everything, they're self liquidating, these revenue
bonds, nothing to worry about there. The actuaries and underwriters told you
at the time everything is fine based on those parking rates which you had in
force so what has happened? Well, my goodness, I look in here and I see there
is a disappearance of $120,000 I believe it is. Yes, $120,000 dropped out of
one particular segment. Now I don't know what it is but I'm sure you must know.
It is a big ticket item in their budget anyhow. $120,000 has disappeared at
Federated Properties. Now I don't know what Federated Properties are, what are
they? I'm sure you can answer that. It's gone, it's no longer a source of
revenue and I still don't know what it is but it has disappeared. And I'm also
looking back through the budget and I find out now, my goodness, a 1.9 million
budget the payroll is now $680,000 and that does not include some very curious
items that is always a problem subject for inquiry, management fees, consultant
fees and special services. There is one in there for $65,000, there's one in
there for $35,000 and a few more that I didn't even bother to tuck away upstairs
in the grey matter here. So I don't know for sure but I think to try to put
things in perspective this always has been a very fine family who helped get
this Off -Street Parking Authority on the road, the Wolfson family. Can you
imagine if Canada Dry or Coca Cola came to the Wolfson family, Wometco Vending
Divsion and said, "Hey man, no debate on it we're going to increase your whole-
sale price 50% tomorrow, take it or leave it", what do you think the Wolfsons
would say to that?
Mr. Plummer: Let me just interrupt you, all right?
Mr. Schulte: Sure.
Mr. Plummer: And I would fight for your right to come here, sir, and speak
your piece but I think, sir, you're completely out of order when you personal-
ize this because of Mr. Wolfson's dedication to this city that you pick on him
as a personal individual and his private enterprise. I would hope you would
keep your remarks...
Mr. Schulte: That's a public enterprise.
Mr. Plummer: ...to the authority, sir. Well, I think though that you're person-
alizing the issue.
Mr, Schulte: Just bringing it home, that's all.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I would find objectionable the manner in which you're doing
it, sir. If you wish to criticize the authority you have full right to do that
but I would hate to think you'd do it on a personal basis.
Mr. Schulte: I accept that. And also I would also like to tell you that I
tried to save myself a few minutes time by making a discrete phone call in a
very friendly fashion to find out what the payroll was at the Off -Street Parking
Authority. Now I assure you that administrative officials in the private sector,
who might still be public corporations, they know their payroll cost- by the
the minute they know their payroll cost. I happened to ask one of your directors
what the payroll cost Was by the year - be didn't know it for this year. How
about last year? He didn't know last year either, So 1 said, Is it around
this figure? Well I don't know, I couldn't even guess. Now you come on now..,
Ok, l raised the question the revenue must be down, well the revenue is not
down. The revenue, as a patter of fact, is up about $80,000. Over the past
12 months it has been rising at the Fate of about l think $11,000 a month, some-
thing like that, So the bonds are being taken care of, why these double digit
78
APR 7 1978
rate increases, triple digit tate increases? Now I find out that the public
use of the facilities Which I can more or less tag by looking at the statement,
those revenues are up but there is another one in there called the six-month
decal that I have found out that's the one that's used by the government employ-
ees and what's happened? Boom, down they've gone. Now either the rates went
down on the six-month decal which I cannot tell or else there are more decals
being used or free space being given. Something is happening. The public has
a very difficult time finding a parking place in the busy normal hours in any
of these facilities. So, there must be another good reason for the rate in-
crease. Well, the job situation has improved in Miami, a lot more people work-
ing today, right? Negatory good buddy, 8.6% unemployment rate in Dade County,
20% higher than the rest of the nation but there are more people working today
than ever before in Dade County, more jobs, right? Wrong. There are 23,000
fewer people working in Dade County today than there were 47 months ago. Well,
we have more population in Dade County than we had in 73 and 74, got to be --
wrong. Forty-two thousand workers have disappeared from the civilian labor
force. Evidence, a drop in the enrollment in both the public schools of 10, 00
probably 20,000 by next September's official count and 9,000 out of the private
schools. The kids followed mummy and daddy out of Dade County and maybe out of
the state. So that can't be'too good a reason then for increasing the rates
triple digits. So this is a small ticket item and normally I'm not impressed
with anything in the order of $2,000,000 but then you wonder where your credibil-
ity has evaporated to when you come to the big ticket items and you want to go
to the polls for a 1% sales tax in Metro or you want to go for an increase in
your franchise fees. And what did the old voters say to you then? Listen, if
you can't be credible and knowledgeable on the little items where the public is
going to find out they got slick tricked they're going to slick trick you on
the big ones.
1
Mr. Plummer: Sir, may I comment?
Mr. Schulte: Sure.
Mr. Plummer: I understand your concerns. I have some other concerns about
this situation, one paramount is that no one is here representing the Off -Street
Parking Authority. If they feel the need for this to be on an emergency basis
it means that they are greatly concerned and Mr. La Baw or no one representing
the Off -Street Parking Authority to my knowledge is present. That's my number
one concern. But in all of your comments, sir, you did not address their justi-
fication for an increase. I feel that if what you're trying to say is you don't
feel that the increase is in order I think then what you must do is discredit
a so-called report submitted on May 8, 1978 that says this is being done to
"in order to meet debt service requirements".
Mr. Schulte: Which has to be 150% of revenue and...
Mr. Plummer: Well, but I have not heard you address that problem. You've ad-
dressed the problem of salaries, of hidden as you say agendas and all of that.
Mr. Schulte: All right, let me get to some of these things. The bond under-
writers do require that you have a certain amount of cash flow.
Mr. Plummer: That's correct, sir.
Mr. Schulte: Ok, that's at the issuance of bonds but we've always had it except,
and with higher and higher low factors, higher efficiency use of the space,
higher and higher revenues and there's always been more than enough there to
pay off the bonds but look what's happening in the payroll department, and that's
all we have to look at. The maintenance on those things are really, I've looked
at the items, they're quite small. There are not any big tag items in there.
If you're really concerned you'll find that out to be what I say is true. How-
somever, I cannot find out the head count, how many employees are down there to-
day, how many were there 48 months ago. See? I do know this, today in Dade
County we have 92,000 government employees. It is up 20% at the rate of 1% a
month for the past 38 months and now the ratio of government employees in Dade
County is 1 government employee for every 5 in the private sector. And where
does it stop? And this may not be one of the ones that have contributed to this
abnormal ratio of government employees to private employees in Dade County,
Maybe he has cut back the head count there but I cannot tell and you cannot tell
either. It isn't even in your budget book, As I told you,'it only can be found
if you go through - spend a few minutes - you're going to have to look up the
ordinance itself and still in there there is no head count, there's no enumer-
ation of positions or job slots or the number of people in same, So unless you
go a little deeper into it than l did you're not going to be able to really
fairly pass it as an emergency ordinance today, Citizens are quite fair, I have
heifer seen citizens that I didn't feel were fait in their pleadings. Sometimes
Maybe it isn't fait in the light of all the other citizens but I'm not down here
talking against all the other citizens. I'm down here talking about ilnperical
definition of fairness, is triple digit increases in rate, is that basically
fair? if so then you're working on a different set of values than I ain. And
again it is picky picky stuff but if you can't manage the little ones how are
YOU going to Manage the big ones? That's all I'Mn saying.
Mt. teboso: Mr. Grassie, what is the reason that we are having this on first
and second reading today?
Mr. Grassier The only reason, Commissioner, is that the Parking Authority would
like to get the ordinance into effect as quickly as possible while still allow-
ing for the 30 days that it takes to publish the ordinance. So it is their
desire really that it take effect sooner which causes it to be presented in this
way.
Mr. Reboso: What's your opinion, do you think it is really an emergency?
Mr. Grassie: Well, it is not presented as an emergency ordinance, the thing
that gives it necessity for this special consideration is simply their request.
I don't have any way of judging that their financial circumstance would merit
this. What would happen is if we don't do this basically it would slow up the
process of implementing the ordinance by about three weeks.
Mr. Plummer: Well, what are you recommending?
Mr. Grassie: Normally I would rely on the judgement of the Parking Autnority
to make a good recommendation to you.
Mr. Reboso: But they are not here.
Mr. Grassie: If these questions that are being asked raise questions in your
mind which you feel ought to be answered then I would suggest that you adopt
this on first reading and that we ask the Parking Authority to respond to some
of the questions of necessity for this kind of increase before you have a sec-
ond reading on the 27th of this month.
Mr. Plummer: I'll so move it. Before you read the ordinance, George, under
discussion, one of the problems that I have, an area of concern that I have
that I want a justification for at the next meeting since this is going to be
heard on two different readings, to me a parking structure is based on so much
per parking space and I find it hard to equate how you can charge 10t an hour
or 15t an hour in one area and justify 40t an hour in another area. Now I don't
understand that. To me it would seem like that they would have a uniform across
the board hourly rate since their cost is determined upon a figure of how much
it is per stall. So I would like an answer when they come back at the next
meeting.
Mr. Schulte: Can I tell you while I'm here since I did dig up the facts that
the revenue, don't forget the revenue is up $100,000 - their figures not mine -
that the parking revenue from the public per the meters is up by itself $80,000
but the inquiry that I feel where the direction should be headed is how many
government employees are bringing down or endangering the bonds. You know there
are going to be a lot of different approaches. I just want to see open facts
that's all. Why can't they jive it in at the October first budget? Why can't
you have one little page in your own master budget book for this?
Mr. Plummer: I would assume, to answer your question, sir, that this report
was forthcoming only to them on May 8, 1979 which must have raised flags of
caution and because of that recommendation by the parking consultant they feel
that immediate action was needed on this. I would assume that be the case but
here again they're not here to justify it now. My other recommendation since
you feel that this involves you as an individual, if you were smart, write a
letter immediately to the Off -Street Parking Authority asking to appear at their
next meeting which I'm sure would be prior to our next meeting to appear and
ask them to justify this increase to you and to answer the questions that you
have raised..,.
Mr. Schulte: Can you tell me or have the City Manager tell vie now what date
their open public hearings are? They surely must have a public hearing if
they're setting a budget,
SO
APR 7 1978
111
Mr. Pluit►Mer: I'M sure they have monthly meetings, sir, that you can call Mr.
La Haw and he can tell yott when the next meeting is.
Mt, Knok: Would you please just line out the reference to dispensing with the
second reading? Ok.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING RATES AT CERTAIN ON -STREET
PARKING METERS AND CERTAIN OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS;
ESTABLISHING THE BASIC HOURLY RATES AT MUNICIPAL PARK-
ING GARAGE NOS. 1, 3 AND 4, PROVIDING FOR THE EFFEC-
TIVE BATE OF MAY 8, 1978 FOR SAID RATES; RATIFYING
AND CONFIRMING ALL ACTS OF THE OFF-STREET PARKING BOARD
AND ITS DIRECTOR AS TO RATES HERETOFOR CHARGED; REPEAL-
ING ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;
PROVIDING THAT THE DIRECTOR SHALL CAUSE CERTIFIED COPIES
TO BE FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 503 OF THE TRUST INDENTURE;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner Gibson
and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mr. Plummer and Mayor Ferre.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the record and stated that copies
had been furnished to the commissioners and that copies were available to the
public.
31, APPOINT JUDITH FRANKEL TO THE MIAMI COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN,
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-252
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JUDITH A. FRANKEL TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.
(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: Mrs. Gordon, Rev. Gibson and Mr. Reboso.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mr. Plummer and Mayor Ferre.
Mrs. Gordon: Welcome aboard to the Status of Women Commission and we hope you
enjoy the duties that you'll have working with that group, Judith, lots of luck.
81
32, APPOINT EDWARD VINCENT NODARSE TO THE ECOLOGY AND BEAMIFICAS'IoN
COIF,
The following Motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who Moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 78-253
A MOTION APPOINTING EDWARD VINCENT NODARSE TO THE ECOLOGY
AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following Vote-
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor :4'anolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner
J. L. Plummer and Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
33, AMEND RULE XIX, SECT, 3 OF 6�45/ CIVIL SERVICE RUS & REGULATIONS,
PROVIDING THAT EMPLOYEES IN ANITATION PLOYEES ASSOC, NC, WILL
ACCRUE/ BE COMPENSATED FOR UNUSED SICK LEAVE & CONVERT SICK LEAVE TO
VACATION TIME WITH PROVISIONS OF LABOR AGREEMENT,
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING RULE XIX, SECTION 3, OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 15, 1961, AS AMENDED, AS CONTAINED IN
ORDINANCE NO. 6945, AS AMENDED, BY PROVIDING THAT, WITH
REGARD TO THE SAID RULES, EMPLOYEES IN THE SANITATION EM-
PLOYEES ASSOCIATION, INC. BARGAINING UNIT WILL ACCRUE SICK
LEAVE, BE COMPENSATED FOR UNUSED SICK LEAVE, AND CONVERT
SICK LEAVE TO VACATION TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVI-
SIONS OF THE CURRENT LABOR AGREEMENT; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of March 23
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
Commissioner Gibson, seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the Ordinance
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso *
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO.
The City Attorney read the ordinance
that copies were available to the members
public.
*ON ROLL CALL:
8783..
into the public record and
of the City Commission and
, 1978, was
motion of
was
adopted
announced
to the
Mr. Plummer: Show Reboso voting yes.(Reboso absent on roll call)
S2
APR 7 1978
4
4► AMEND ScE► 39-24 OP CODE - CHARGES tOR PARKING AT ORANGE BOWL MINIORIAL
STADIUM*
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 39-24 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CHARGE FOR
PARKING OF VEHICLES AT CITY -OWNED PARKING LOTS IN THE AREA
OF THE MIAMI ORANGE BOWL MEMORIAL STADIUM BY PROVIDING FOR
SPECIFIED FEES AT CERTAIN EVENTS AND FOR GRADUATED FEES AT
OTHER EVENTS DEPENDING UPON THE COST OF ADMISSION AND BY
PROVIDING FOR A MINIMUM GUARANTEED AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO THE
CITY WHERE NO ADMISSION CHARGE IS REQUIRED TO BE PAID FOR
ENTRY INTO THE STADIUM; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of March 23, 1978, w
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On motion of
Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the Ordinance was
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso and Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
NOES: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8784..
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and to the
public.
35, GRANT PERMISSION TQ, O(jSTRUcT AND OPERATE AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT
APPROXIMATELY LOI.-L5i lY . W , .SRD AVENUE
Mr. Plummer: Do you have discussion on Item 29?
Mr. Jerry Jones: Yes, sir. My name is Jerry Jones. I am a general employee
representative of the Miami General Employees' AFSCME Local 1907. I'd like to
ask if adequate parking has been or could be considered for employees of the
City of Miami that will be working in the new Administration Building.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Grassie, can you answer that, sir?
Mr. Grassie: The project does not include parking on the site. The parking is
already available under the expressway.
Mr. Plummer: So there is adequate parking.
Mr. Jones: Sir, this is metered parking under I-95?
Mr. Grassie: That is correct.
Mr. Jones: In the light of the police station being one block away and the
employees are allowed free parking in there, could any consideration be given to
parking for the future employees that will be moving down there?
Mr. Grassie: It is always possible if you bring it up in a normal fashion which
is not to bring it up here.
Mr. Jones: And what would be your suggestion, sir, as a proper way?
Mr. Grassie: Why don't you try starting with Mr, Mielke's Office.
Mr. Jones; All right.
Mr. Plummer; What he's saying is is that this resolution directing itself is
merely for the purpose to construct and operate, Pk? Now if you have a problem
in the area which you expressed then I think that would be a separate item. If
you want to handle it as he has suggested fine.
83
APR 7 197
Mt, Jones: Fine. 1 may have been misled, I had been led to believe that park;
ing would have to be discussed and included during the rezoning and that's why
I took the opportunity to bring it up at this time.
Mr. P1u mer: Not under GU.
Mr. .tones: A1. right, thank you.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-254
A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AS PER CITY OF MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE 6871, ARTICLE XXI-2, GU, GOVERNMENTAL USE
DISTRICT, SECTION 3(1-2) ON W. 40.4' OF LOT 5 AND ALL OF LOTS
6-15, BLOCK 95N, MIAMI (8-41), BEING APPROXIMATELY 201i251
N.W. 3RD AVENUE, ZONED R-4, PROPOSED TO BE REZONED GU.
(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: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
36. REZONE SITE OF NEW CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING GU (GOVERNMENTAL USE).
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING ORD. 6871, THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF W. 40.4' OF LOT 5 AND ALL OF LOTS 6-15,
BLOCK 95N MIAMI (B-41), BEING APPROXIMATELY 201-251 N.W. 3RD
AVENUE, FROM R-4 (MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIPLE) TO GU (GOVERNMENTAL
USE); AND BY MAKING THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THE ZONING DIST-
RICT MAP MADE A PART OF SAID ORDINANCE NO. 6871 BY REFERENCE
AND DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE III, SECTION 2 THEREOF; BY REPEAL-
ING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE SECTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT;
AND CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gibson and seconded by Commissioner Gordon, for
adoption as an emergency measure and dispensing with the requirement of
reading same on two separate days, which was agreed to by the following
vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
Whereupon the Commission on motion of Commissioner Gibson and seconded by
Commissioner Gordon, adopted said ordinance by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT; Mayor Maurice A. Fevre.
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8785
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commis-
sion and to the puial.c.
84
APR 7 1978
•
. Amato ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
APPROPRIATION FOR THE MAYOR'
AN oRDINANCE ENTITLED-
1°I
1
8751, St
rItt $Y,
Y INCREASING GENERAL FUND
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NO.
8731, ADOPTED DECEMBER 16, 1977, THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
ORDINANCE POR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1978, AS
AMENDED, BY INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE GENERAL
FUND, MAYOR'S OFFICE IN AN AMOUNT OF $2,500; DECREASING
THE GENERAL FUND SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS, CONTINGENT
FUND BY THE SAME AMOUNT: FOR THE PURPOSE OP INCLUDING A
LINE -ITEM EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 4(h)
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI CHARTER: CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVI-
SION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gibson and seconded by Commissioner Gordoi,, for
adoption as an emergency measure and dispensing with the requirement of
reading same on two separate days, which was agreed to by the following
Vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
Whereupon the Commission on motion of Commissioner Gibson and seconded by
Commissioner Gordon, adopted said ordinance by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre.
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8786
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commis-
sion and to the public.
38. AMEND APPROPRIATIONS ORD 2731, Sc.c1 BY INCREASING APPROPR ATAQNS FOR
GENERAL ruND, CANNING $ ONING ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS FOR $i9, ,
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NO. 8731 ADOPTED
DECEMBER 16, 1977, THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1978 AS AMENDED, BY INCREAS-
ING THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE GENERAL FUND, PLANNING AND ZON-
ING ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS IN AN AMOUNT OF $19,200 AND DECREAS-
ING THE GENERAL FUND SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS, CONTINGENT
FUND IN THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SALARY
INCREASES; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gibson and seconded by Commissioner Gordon
and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote-
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mr. Reboso and Mayor Ferre,
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
85
APR 7 197$
31 AMEND APPROPRIATIONAAD# 8731) ctiJ t 5 fY OPPRO
REMURSEMENT FROM METROPOLITAN ADE UOUNTY TO ARKS
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED.-.
IATI N $3,000
PAiNt+
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 AND 5 OF ORDINANCE 8731,
ADOPTED DECEMRER 16, 1977, THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORbIN-.
ANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1978, AS AMENDED,
BY APPROPRIATING A $3,000 REIMBURSEMENT FROM METROPOLITAN
DADE COUNTY INCREASING THE GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION OF
THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IN THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FUNDING THE RELOCATION OF A FENCE AND TREES IN GRAND AVENUE
PARX; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERAfILITY
CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gibson and seconded by Commissioner Gordon
and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
L, SETTLEMENT - PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY, IJTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $1,807
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plumper, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-255
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF $1,807 FROM THE
GENERAL FUND, SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS, CONTINGENT
FUND TO PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY IN SETTLEMENT OF A
DISPUTED CLAIM FOR PROPERTY TAXES.
(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 -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
86 APR 7 1978
41, ALL
AND
TING 11,000 PROM CONTINGENT FUND FOR REPRINTING OF THE CHARTER
E.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner PlUmMer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-256
A RESOLUTION ALLOCATING THE SUM OF $17,000 FROM THE CONTINGENT
FUND FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE REPRINTING OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
CHARTER AND CODE; THIS SUM TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE EXISTING
ACCOUNT ENTITt,ED "RECODIFICATION AND SUPPLEMENT TO CITY CODE"
IN THE GENERAL FUND, SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS.
(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 -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
42, WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES - PARKING LOT T MIAMI MARINE STADIUM FOR cARNAVA
SPONSORED BY WEST ALL JAYCEES & bOYSTOWN OF LORIDA APRIL 66 & y, 19/8.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved•
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 78-257
A RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY GRANTING A WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES
FOR THE USE OF THE PARKING LOT AT MIAMI MARINE STADIUM ON
APRIL 7, 8, AND 9, 1978, FOR PRESENTATION OF A CARNIVAL SPON-
SORED BY THE WEST KENDALL JAYCEES AND BOYSTOWN OF FLORIDA;
FURTHER ALLOCATING THE SUM OF $300 AS PAYMENT FOR THE COST
OF SAID WAIVER FROM SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS -SPECIAL
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAM, FEE WAIVER
ACCOUNT.
(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 -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
87
45, WA1v R OE NTA .FEES - Gu HAU, MIAMI BASEBALL STADIUM & SH04VMOBILt
FOR THE fLORtDA POLITICAL DUCATION ASSOCIATION
The following] resolution was introduced by Commissioner Piummer, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO, 78-258
A RESOLUTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE CIVIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
SERIES CONDUCTED BY THE FLORIDA POLITICAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
CONDITIONALLY RATIFYING THE RENTAL FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF
MAURICE GUSMAN CULTURAL CENTER BY SAID ASSOCIATION ON APRIL 4,
1978 AND ALLOCATING THE SUM OF $500 FOR THE COST OP SAID WAIVER
FROM SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS -SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS,
AUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAM, GUSMAN HALL CONCERTS; FURTHER CONDI-
TIONALLY GRANTING RENTAL FEE WAIVERS TO SAID ASSOCIATION AT
CERTAIN CITY FACILITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES AND ALLOCATING MONIES
FOR SAID WAIVERS FROM THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS-
SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, QUALITY OF LIFE, FEE WAIVER ACCOUNT.
(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 -Mayor Manolo Reboso
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
441, GARMENT DISTRICT STUDY, BRIEF DISCUSSION,
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Grassie, something that I have discussed before this Commis-
sion before, and that is in relation, I don't remember which of the daily news-
papers I have seen a great deal of attention.d.rawn to the problems in the Gar-
ment District which I asked almost six months ago that this administration ad-
dress itself to. Obviously as I was they were unaware that there is a study
which I find on my desk today relating to that situation and I would ask that
you make copies of that report to the press, available to them and let them
know that, in fact, this study has been going on and that the City has been
addressing this problem and don't make us look in the paper like we're not doing
anything because we've been addressing the problem.
Mr. Fosmoen: Commissioner, I can't be responsible for what the paper prints.
I can tell you that they knew about the study.
Mr. Plummer: You can be held responsible if the press has no way of knowing
what is going on.
Mr. Fosmoen: They did know about it, Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I didn't and I was the one that brought it up six months
ago. I didn't know a study was being done. I'm sorry.
Mr. Fosmoen: It was included in the CD application..,.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I was not aware of it, sir. Ok? I'm just saying get them
copies, let them know we're doing something.
Mr. Posmoen;
Mr. Plummer;
good shape,
Mr. Rose already has a copy in his hot little hands.
All right, fine, I haven't seen today's paper. My mullet are in
88
APR 7 1918
There being fit5 further business to come before the City
Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 O'Clock P.M.
ATTEST:
Ralph G. Ongie
City Clerk
Matty Hirai
Assistant City Clerk
Maurice A. Verte
Mayor
89 APR 7 1978
ITEM NO.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
14
15
If:
ent
IT�Y �F MPAMI
DOCUMENT
INDE
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
COMMISSION AGENDA AND CITY CLERK REPORT
AMENDING SECTION 39-24 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
AMENDING SECTION 39-9 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
AMENDING SECTION 1 AND 5 OF ORDINANCE NO. 8731
AMENDING RULE XIX, SECTION 3, OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE 62ND STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT A CONSULTANT
AND NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY
STUDY FOR A MULTI -PURPOSE SPORTS ARENA IN DOMIC
MIAMI
ACCb.'1ING THE COMPLETED WORK PERFORMED BY GARCIA ALLEN
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF
$514,820.94
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 40904
ACCEPTING TWO DEED OF DEDICATION RESPECTIVELY CONVEY-
ING TO THE CITY OF MIAMI A PORTION OF OUrLOT AND STRIP
OF RESERVED ZONED RIGHT OF WAY NECESSARY FOR THE
POINTVIEW HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT B-4309
ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED NEW ROOSEVELT OFFICE FIRST
ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED MAUTNER'S SUBDIVISION,
A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
EXPRESSING THE MIANI CITY COMMISSION'S DESIRE TO GIVE
SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO NATIONAL AIRLINES' INAUGRATION
OF NONSTOP FLIGHT SERVICE FROM MIAMI TO AMSTERDAM AND
FRANKFURT ON MAY 1, 1978
CLOSING FULLER STREET, BETWEEN MAIN HIGHWAY AND
GRAND AVENUE TO THROUGH TRAFFIC ON NOVEMBER 4, AND
5, 1978
RELATING TO THE WAIVER OF USE OR RENTAL FEES BY THE
CITY COMMISSION FOR CITY FACILITIES OR PROPERTIES, RE-
QUIRING A FINANCIAL, ACCOUNTING BY THE USER OF SAID
FACILITIES WHERE ADMISSION F1Q S ARE CHARGED.
RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESSFUL"OPEN HOUSE 8" STREET FAIR
AS A POSITIVE AND WORTHWHILE COMMUNITY EVENT THAT
PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITIZEN OF ALL CUL-
TURAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND To ENJOY THE UNIQUE
CHARA' i R OF LITTLE HAVANA
MEETING DATE:
April 7, 1978
COMMISSION
ACTION
R-78-227
R-78-230
R-78-231
R--78-232
R-78-233
R-78-234
R-78-235
R-78-236
R-78-237
R-78-238
R-78-239
RETRIEVAL
_CODE_.NO.
0045
0046
0047
0048
0049
78-227
78-230
78-231
78-232
78-233
78-234
78-235
78-236
78-237
78-238
78-239
DOCUMENT'IN DEX
CONTINUED
_ '1TM NO.
simmosimis
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
CO" .N
cOtt NO
DENYING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO DF.FFITD ANY SUIT BROUGHT FORME RECOVERY OF DAMAGES
ARISING OUT OF SAID CLAIMS
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED
AGREEMENT WITH CARLENE JABS, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE REMOVAL OF ARCHITECUTU-
RAL BARRIERS FROM 2 CITY POOLS
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SFIS. OLD FIRE STATION
NO. 5, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS LOT ONE OF BLOCK ONE,
HIGHLAND PARK SUBDIVISION.
ACCEPTING THE SUM OF $3,000 FROM DADE COUNTY, TO BE
USED BY THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO RELOCATE A CITY CHAIN
LINK FENCE.
RATIFYING, APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE ACriON OF THE
CITY MANAGER IN WAIVING THE NORMAL BIDDING PROCEDURE
ACCEPTING THE BID OF DEBRA TURF AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIP-
MENT COMPANY FOR FURNISHING ONE TRUCKSTER WITH ACCES-
SORIES AND ONE AERIFIER AT A COST OF $5,800.00
ACCEPTING THE BID OF CUSTOM AMBULANCE OF FLORIDA FOR
FURNISHING THREE MODULAR RESCUE AMBULANCE WITH ACCES-
SORIES AND SPARES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AT A TOTAL
COST OF $93,206.00
ACCEPTING THE BID OF WILLIAMS PAVING CO. INC.
ACCEPTING THE BID OF UNIJAX DIVISION OF UNIJAX INC.
FOR LEASING ONE CAMERA PLATEMAKER ON THREE YEAR LEASE
AGREEMENT FOR THE DEPARIME TT OF BUILDING AND VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE.
ACCEPTING THE BID OF PHILLIP CALL AND SON, INC. FOR
THE SALE OF 1,100 HAND GUNDS CONFISCNrED BY THE DE-
PARTMENT OF POLICIE AT A TOTAL PRICE OF $45,769.50
APPOINTING JUDITH A FRANKEL TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
GRANTING PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN AII'IINI
STRATION BUILDING AS PER CITY OF MIAMI COMPREHENSIBE
ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE XXI-2
AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF $1,807 FROM THE GENERAL
FUND, SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOUNTS, CONTINGENT FUND
TO PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY IN SETTLEMENT OF A DIS-
PUTED CLAIM FOR PROPERTY TAXES.
ALLOCATING THE SUM OF $17,000 FROM THE CONTINGENT
FUND FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE REPRINTING OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI CHART AND CODE.
CONDITIONALLY GRANTING A WAIVER OF RUITAL FEES FOR
THE USE OF THE PARKING LOT AT MIAMI MARINE STADIUM
ON APRIL 7,8, AND 9, 1978
R-78-240 78-240
R-78-241 78-241
R-78-242 78-242
R-78-243 78-243
R-78-244 78-244
R-78-245 78-245
R-78-246 78-246
R-78-247 78-247
R-78-248 78-248
R-78-249 78-249
R-78-252 78-252
R-78-254 78-254
R-78-255 78-255
R-78-256 78-256
R-78-257 78=257
—eimmommor
IN NO, DOCUMENT 1DENT1rXCATXON
CUMENTI NDEX
CONTINUED
esik tb
--- 1eE.xo...
32
CONDITIONALLY RATIF?ING ME RENTAL 1,ELL WAIVER FOR THE
USE OF MAURICE GUSMAN CULTURAL CENTER BY SAID ASSOCIA-
TION ON APRIL 4, 1978
R-78-258
78=258