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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1976-05-05 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI COMMIS SIQN MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON May 5, 1976 PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL - - -az^r r • jiIPJUTES or SPECIAL MEETING or THE CITY COMMISSION OF MtAM I FLORIDA ON THE 5TH DAY or MAY, 197b, THE CITY COMMISSION OR MIAMI, FLORIDA MET AT ITS,_REGULAR MEETIPLACE IN THE CITHALL, 3500 FAN MERICAN DRIVE, 'IIAMI) FLORIDA��IN SPECIAL SESSION. THE.MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:10 O'CLOCK P,1(I BY MAYOR i'MAURICE A, FERRE WITH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS or THE COMMISSION FOUND TO BE PRESENT: COMMISSIONER MANOLO REBOSO (ABSENT) -- COMMISSIONER J, L, F'LUMMER, RJR COMMISSIONE(REV) TTHEQODORE GIBSON VICE -MAYOR MAYOR MAURICESRDON A. GbERRE ALSO PRESEff: P. W, ANDREWS, CITY MANAGER A. P. CROUCH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER JOHN S. LLOYD, LITY ATTORNEY H. D. SOUTHERN, CITY CLERK (ABsENT)-RALPH G. ONG I E, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK AN INVOCATION WAS DELIVERED BY REVEREND GIBSON WHO THEN LED THOSE PRESENT IN A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, Mayor Ferre: We are gathered today to hear the recommendation of Mr. Andrews and his discussion with the gentlemen from Grand Rapids, Mr. Joe Grassie, who is our selection for City Manager. As you may recall this was left in Paul's hands to negotiate the contract and then come back to this Commission. I think because of some of the speculation that has been prevalent in the radio, television and press that it's important that we get these things behind us as quickly as possible. I'm glad that Mr. Grassie was available this week and that he's flown down. He's got a time problem, he's got to catch a plane , I think at 5:15, so Paul, without any further adduce why don't you tell us where we're at and what you recommend? Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission. I'd like to expend on that time frame a little bit. Mr. Grassie has to leave here promptly at 4:30 to make his plane connection and I know you want him here for a few minutes before he departs, so I'll cover these areas very quickly. What I consider the most significant areas and then after Mr. Grassie leaves if there are any other areas that you want additional information, I'll be glad to go into detail with each item. I want to indicate that we covered the following areas and Mr. Grassie is satisfied with these conditions. I am recommending them to the City Commission and it's up to the City Commission then to indicate whether they're also willing to accept these conditions on that basis.Mr. Grassie is available to begin his tenure with the city. Salary - it would be set at $47,000.00 initially. He would receive a person- al expense allowance as I do and the past managers have of $2,500.00. There would be an allowance for moving expenses depending on the actual cost of moving from Grand Rapids to Miami, I explained the Health Insurance Program to him, the use of the 24-hour car, vacation time, which this Commission has set previously as 30-working days, but Mr. Grassie chose to include within those 30-working days -seminars and training sessions that he will attend on his vacation time. I11 time is that which every employee receives of 12- days per year and it's accumulation, that formula will be followed, Personal day off and birthday off, This is an allowance that most employees of the City take advantage of, Your new City Manager will not do so recognizing the generosity of the vacation time he will not take advantage of that. I explain- ed to him the travel that is permissible, memberships as far as organizations are concerned, professional organization, I belong to;the former Managers of the City of Miami have belonged to, that - will be extended to him, There is one additional area that I would recommend if it's possible for someone to sponsor a membership and say the standard club in Downtown Miami, I would like to see that occur for the new Manager because of the benefits it can have to the City of Miami, It's a fine meeting place and it's a place where business of the city can be conducted over lunch. 1 Social Security was explained to him and the manner in which he would be employed between July 1st, his reporting time to the city and when I leave on July 30th and Mt. Lloyd will prepare a contract for that 30-day period of employment and he will be sworn in to office if the Commission accepts this recommendation on July 30th at 5:00 P.M. One additional matter I want to explain in a little more detail is pension, t explained to Mr, Grassie what I was going to recommend to the Commission, and I'tn sorry that in a way it required the interviewing of a new potential City Manager for the Cotmnission in these terms for the to bring this to you, but I think it's extremely import- ant that the Commission consider changing the pension ordinance for the City Manager only, to change the fifteen(15) years vesting right to a ten(10) year vesting right. Professional Managers throughout the country have good 10 years and 5 years - excellent 10 years, so if you have a professional Manager that will be with the City of Miami for 7 years, you will be slightly above the average nationally. In doing so the Manager who would leave here at the end of -say 7 years would leave now without any benefit coming from participating in the pension program, that portion that the City of Miami contributes. So I'm recommending and that doesn't have to be desided today. I want this merely on the record, so if you expect Mr. Grassie that he has an opportunity to dis- cuss this and exploit further. One additional element in this area and I'll end with that Mr. Mayor is that (and I want this for the record more than any- thing else) that after a Manager has been with the City for 5 years that a formula be devised that the moneys that flow from the City into the pension trust would then be flexible treated so that the City Commission could through a prior arrangement and an agreement arrangement transfer those trust funds to another trust such as the International City Manager's Association Pension Fund. The Manager would not have assess to the money. It would flow from one trust to another trust and at some point and time when that Manager was ready to re- tire because he had moved about in a professional way that would be available to him. I'll leave those details to be worked out at a later time, but that's a specific recommendation on my part.I have nothing to profit in making that recommendation to you. So I think it's appropriate that I do so. Now that's very stated these are the conditions. I would ask that you consider those. I'll be willing to answer any immediate questions or later detailed questions if you wish, but I think Mr. Mayor you should allow ten minutes or so in which Mr. Grassie can come down from my office - -- Mayor Ferre: Well, let's see if it works out that way. You did discuss this by phone with J.L. PLummer. Mr. Andrews: Yes I did. Mayor Ferre: Who is in Tallahassee on City business and apologize for not being here, but I told him -"well this really took precedence and that it was more important "but I told him that the Manager would discuss this fully with him by phone. I told him-- and I want to put it on the record that if it there is any doubt on his part. If he didn't concur or he he had any negative thoughts on it, that we would not vote upon it today and I've just got a message from Tallahassee. Package for New City Manager has been received by by him. He is in concurrence and has no objections and I just want to put that into the record so that it's clear. I do think Paul that it's important. Did you discuss this pension aspect with Plummer? Mr. Andrews: Yes. Mayor Ferre: All right. I think it's important that we get that one behind us too. Once this guy comes here I don't want to be in the initial stages discussing the pension and all that. The 10 year at this time is 15 years? Mr. Andrews: That's vested rights. See -not pension plan. Mayor Ferre: I think 10 years is plenty. Anybody whose going to last 10 years is plenty of time. And I also concur that after a man's been here for 5 years that he be allowed if he should leave for another job to take his pension rights with him to another pension fund. I think if he transferred whether it's to the International City Manager's Association or some other pension fund, that would be acceptable to me. Father Gibson: Mr, Mayor, if we want to deal with Mr. Grassie ---- I want to speak to that because I think there's something basic in this procedure. Mr, Andrews: Do you agree with it or disagree with it? Father Gibson; I agree with it. I wanted to explore another --- let me raise it anyway now( Tt would appear to me that if a man is a City Manager 2 l 17 and they have a pension system for City Manager. As long as we the City ate obligated to afford this man certain privileges and rights& We ought to have hitn a --part of that pension system. For instance& I'm an diocese, my dioceses does hot control the pension system, it is apart of it and I can go from one diocese to another and there's a continual flow and I suggest that rather than have him tied to this pension fund that we take care of the obligation it' the International and that will then -- you see do it that way? Mayor Ferre: Manolois that acceptable to you? Rose is that acceptable to you? Mrs. Gordon: As far as I know at this time. Do we have to go through the details at this time? Can't we just in principle go along with an ideal? Mayor Ferre: I think that's fine that we do it in principle, but what I don't want is to come back and have any kind of --- I think that we ought to have a nice honeymoon with our new City Manager the way administrators have- like the President has with his congress. I think we ought to let this Manager come in here with a big smile on his face for at least a couple of weeks or month or two before we start arguing with him, so I'd like to get that portion behind if it's agreeable in principle that either and I think - leave it up to him that we pay to the I.C.M.A., is that the name of it? Pension System an amount comparable to what he would get --- coming to Miami or if he wants to stay in the Miami one, that if he leaves after a 5 year period that he can take it with him. Mrs. Gordon: I'm curious about this factor - from Grand Rapids, is he able to benefit at all from the funds he has there. Mr. Andrews do you know? Mr. Andrews: Yes he is a member of the International City Manager's Pension Fund at the present time, so that's the other reason for my bringing it up. I want some flexibility -- Mrs. Gordon: Continuing it through that area that would give him more --- Mr. Andrews: Yes. That's right and that's why I will work with Mr. Lloyd and the pension and we'll try to submit a program to the Commission for consideration. Mayor Ferre: Again, we're just passing this in principle. Do you agree with it? Mrs. Gordon: Yea, I agree with it and I believe it needs to be worked out. Mayor Ferre: All right, is there a motion? Father Gibson moves. Commissioner Gibson seconds. Is there further discussion on the motion as outlined by Paul Andrews? Call the roll please. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 76-441 A MOTION OF INTENT TO MAKE PROVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR VESTED RIGHTS AT THE END OF A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE NEW CITY MANAGER, AND FOR TRANSFERRING WHATEVER EQUITY HE MAY HAVE ACCUMULATED IN THE CITY OF MIAMI PENSION SYSTEM TO ANY OTHER PENSION SYSTEM OF HIS CHOICE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD SHOULD HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI TERMINATE. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES; Mr, Reboso, Rev, Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mayor Ferre, NOES: None. ABSENT: Mr. Plummer 3 Mayor Ferret While City Manager select Grassie is coming down there ate a couple of things and Iran not going to get into '=-= these ate long discussion matters and I'tn not going to get into it, but I'd like to == so that the Manager will be conscience of some of these things. I'd like to bring out three or four various things. Maybe we can discuss them after Grassie leaves. One of them is a legal opinion that John Lloyd gave me With regards to the examination of the Civil Service. I noticed that Bob Paulk is here, Re=exam= ination and Ird like to maybe discuss that for a few minutes, if nothing else just for discussion purposes. I also would like to get Mr. Crumpton here Paul, so we can discuss the application of the City of Miami, maybe with Metro for the grant of the people mover. You know the federal government in April just last month came out- that in June 30th they will select three cities in which they will spend $150 million dollars in a grant for a People Mover and I think that to me is perhaps one of the most important things the City of Miami has before us and I'd like to talk a little bit about that before we break up today. Mr. Grassie welcome to City of Miami; The Commission has accepted the Manager's recommendation and we've gotten a unanimous vote. Mr. Plummer has been informed and he has accepted Paul Andrews recommendation so you I assume are ready to accept the position at this point. So the microphone is yours. Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor, I am prepared to accept the position and I'm delighted that your decision . It's been particular a gratifying experience for me to work with you and with your Manager in coming to these arrangements. I'm really very pleased, delighted. Mayor Ferre: Are there any questions that the Commission might want to ask the new City Manager, either in Spanish or in English? Mrs. Gordon: Wait a minute, now right away let's say that not all of us speak fluent Spanish Mr. Mayor, maybe a little bit but --- Mr. Grassie: I'll only say thank you in Spanish. Mrs. Gordon: Thank you Manager Grassie. We appreciate that until we learn more. Mayor Ferre: Perhaps you can tell us when you expect to be here on the job. Mr. Grassie: Yes Mr. Mayor. I have previously indicated to the Mayor in Grand Rapids that I would like to give that city 60 days notice if I were to make a change. I would expect that that would put me in Miami about the first of July. Mayor Ferre: All right. I think it's important that through the budget process expecially that you be -- and I'd like to recommend to the Commission and to Mr. Andrews to make the funds available so that Mr. Grassie can come down here and perhaps get a leave of a few days ever other week or whatever it may be at Grand Rapids. And I'll tell you why, I don't want you sitting over there a year from now and saying well you know that was Paul Andrews's budget I really had nothing to do with it. If I had known I wouldn't recommended differently. I know that we can't say that that it will be 100% your budget, but I want you to be well aware of the budget, because you will be here for the final vote. You will be the Manager when we vote on that budget. I think it's important that you be in on the process early and I don't want you to spare the phone if you have to. Mr. Andrews, I would hope that he would keep you fully informed on all the things that are going on in the budget process. Mr. Andrews: To assist the Commission in that area you'll recall that when I became City Manager the budget estimate had been submitted by the then City Manager and I of course, probably have been more acquainted than Mr. Grassie would be but I made changes in that budget prior to the Commission acting on it and Mr. Grassie will probably have that privilege also no matter what we form- ulate. Mayor Ferre; All right, there's one other thing before you leave Mr, Grassie and I know that the members of the press may want to interview you in a moment so we'll leave you some time for that. But - Paul, I think in the next month or so you ought to outline in a memorandum form I would imagine the 10 most important things. I'd like for you to do it this way. I'd like for you to put in descriptive form, maybe in a half page paragraph, the ten most important things that the City of Miami has before it as you see and then perhaps you might put behind that the second ten most important things because you may not be able to cover it or whatever number you think is appropriate and i think the Commission should have a copy of that document so that we're aware of how you are leaving and what you're leavings Perhaps, you might want to have some back up documents for Mr. Grassie in tote detail. I don't think we would need that necessarily, because we should be fairly well aware of all these things, But, you know, I'd like to know perhaps you might Want to state, for example where the master plan stands, where the downtown zoning stands, where the housing stands, -- Mr, Andrews: Convention Facility, Watson Island, Bicentennial Park, == Mayor Ferre: The Pension situation in the City of Miami, just in an outline, so that hers aware of where the pressure points and where the key --the lawsuit With Metropolitan Dade County. The important things that we have facing us. Mr. Andrews: I was planning as part of the budget process and I wanted the Commission to know that I'd hoped too and will plan to complete the budget in the sufficient time so that even if it's two days before my 10 years is completed I would ask you to call a special meeting in which I would explain budget so that we leave with that sense of continuity and it was at that time that I was going to give state of union; state of the City of Miami status so that you'd have an opportunity not only to have it in writing which I will have, but perhaps to raise a couple of questions for each of the more important items that the Commission feels are needed in the community. Mayor Ferre: I think you ought to set aside a couple of hours for that, because you know we don't do enough of that really in the City or do a little brain storming as to where we really are. Mr. Andrews: That's right. Mayor Ferre: All right, thank you very much Mr. Grassie and have a nice trip back ... Mr. Grassie: Thank you again Mr. Mayor. 2. PRESENTATION OF COMMENDATION TO MR. JACK OTERO It is my pleasure to welcome once again to the City of Miami our very good friend Mr. Jack Otero, who is the International Vice President to the brotherhood of Railroad, Airline Clerks and also happens to be the national chief for the Labor Council Latin American Advancement. A great friend of Miami, a great fender of the Labor Movement and I'm honored to say a personal friend of mine. And, I might say this is a great Cuban, a great Cuban -American and a great Latin and I'd like to 0. Blanco- and we'll all have our pictures taken. 3. WATSON ISLAND Mayor Ferre: There's a memorandum received here, the members of the Commission will have received from Alvah Chapman and Charles Cobb on Watson Island and what they're saying is the committee fully supports the City Administration and its recommendations to engage in a appropriate consulting firm to prepare market and economic feasibility action program to aid in the resoliciting private dev- elop for participations on the Watson Island Project. The committee further recommends that the Commission instruct the office of the City Manager to prepare a program in definition of amenities and incentive to be offered by the City as an inducement to the private developer. These inducements should include the City of Miami providing site improvements and so on. Now, obviously this is too big a subject to discuss now. Do you have this on the agenda for next week? Mr. Andrews: Not per se Mr. Mayor... Mayor Ferre: Paul, I tell you I think we have to really get on with the discussion of this and I would like for you on to put it on the agenda early enough so we can discuss where we are and where we're going. Mr, Andrews: Well, you know I sent the Commission a memorandum of explanation as to what we were doing and when we were going to receive these proposals. I in no way pre-empt the Commission's decision as to what should be accomplished with these proposals because certainly I have to get my directions from the Commission, but this absolutely is the next necessary step and we're working toward that and the only reason I would not have put it on is because we would not have received the proposals analyzed them and be prepared to make a recommend- ation to the Commission but we are moving ahead with that Mr, Mayor. Mayor Fette: All right, you see a year has gone by, really and I'm not blaming anybody, but I think , you're leaving now in a couple of months, were hitting the summer I think we ought to start talking about it and I'd like to in this next meeting put that on the agenda, ok? Mr. Andrews: All right. Ok. Sure will. 4. DOWNTOWN ZONING Mayot Ferret Now, there's also a letter here from Mr. David Blumberg, Chairman► of the Zoning Study Sub -Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. I don't know whether the rest of the Commission received a copy of this, if not, Frank would you make copies available? I'd like to ask to now, what is the next step, be- cause I think we really got to face this issue and get on with it? Mr. Andrews: What is this Mr. Mayor? Mayor Ferre: Downtown Zoning, the Wallace McHarg Report. I mean, we've gone through everything now. We've had committee meetings, sub -committee meetings, hearings, public hearings, the whole gambit and I think we've got to get on with this thing because it's going to be just as difficult as that thing with that Doctor Bartley and you remember that one. We struggled with that thing for meeting after meeting... we're going to have to do the same thing with this one. We better get on with it. Mr. Andrews: All right. Mr. Mayor, may I suggest that at this next Commission Meeting that we be prepared to tell you the exact status of it and what we for - see the next steps and that the Commission can act on that or accelerate it if they wish and we can then put it in a real positive track. Mayor Ferre: Well, I feel that we ought to face the issues sometime before the end of the summer. I think we ought to before we go on vacation. I would hope that we could hammer this one through some kind of a conclusion one way or the other. Mrs. Gordon: Yea, another question of unfinished business is the water taxi service, when is that coming up for discussion? Mr. Andrews: Well, I had hoped by this Commission but certainly by the next one that we would be prepared to indicate to you what we are actuall.y going to receive as proposals. We're working with the Downtown Chamber, with the Marine Council and there's some real progress now being made. Mrs. Gordon: Good, all right, fine. 5. HOTEL FIRE VIOLATIONS Mayor Ferre: All right, now Paul, this is something that is both personal and City-wide. I have here a notification of violation of the City Code of Miami in the Hotel Clarisse, which is a hotel owned by Miami Clarisse, a company that I'm involved in and the notice was sent January 23rd, it was mailed to the leasee-Mr. Antonio Badez at his address. There was no copy to the owner, Miami Clarisse. Now it's been embarassing to me and the other day a member, for ex- ample and this was on a strictly social matter. A member of your staff - Mr. Lloyd came to me and said you know and I didn't resent it in any way it was said in good faith. That person said to me "you know you're putting the City and yourself in an embarassing position by not complying with the City Code in one of your properties", this person said this to me as a personal friendly continent and I accepted it that way. Now, the point that I want to make and that I made at that time to that person was that this notice was sent on Jan- uary 23rd and you will see the stamp on it received by the Real Estate Depart- ment of the Corporation- The Corporation on April 26th. Now, obviously what happened was that the person who received this nothing about it and did not inform us. Now, if we are held responsible and liable then I think that I would like to--- I don't know whether you need a resolution or whether you can do this administratively but I think it is obsured to hold any corporat- ion owner responsible when you did not notify that corporation. Mr. Andrews; You have to serve notice on the appropriate party. Mayor Ferre; What I'm saying is that we took the blame for something that we should not be taking the blame for and I'm telling you on the record today that I think it is wtong, I don't want to create any problems for Don Hickman, God knows that I don't want to cteate a problem fot him But you know I want to put this on the tecotd because--= Mr, Andrews: Can I have a copy of those papers Mr, Mayor? MayorFerret I don't want to pick any more bones with the Miami Herald about it but it is not a citation. 6, CIVIL SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS Mayor Terre: Mr, Lloyd says- and I'll read the last paragraph -even even after the Cohen decision, the Chatter of the City of Miami and the Civil Service Rules clearly provides that the conduct of Civil Service Examinations shall be by those authorized to do so free from interference, participation, re -influence. The University of Chicago as the designated independent agency must remain free from interference or participation or influence by the Municipal Legislative Body. Well, I understand the legal posture in that. I think that not with- standing your legal opinion there's a certain disagreement on my part. This is a very important crux. These tests are new grounds. We've never been in these deep waters. Psychological testing and all this other stuff that comes with it. We all voted for it. We set a policy. Now, I don't think anybody on this Commission really believes that 80% of these kids were going to be knocked out in this---- what is this thing called again-- I always forget it? Validity screening -you know-- and these are kids that took these exams, They passed the economic; if they had taken that test a year ago they would have probably passed the economic and they would have been on their way to the academy. They passed the psychological and then they get knocked out on this thing - the validity test, which Mr. Saunders, himself standing in that micro- phone after half an hour and I admit that I was badgering him a little bit, but he came up and he said in his own words, he said, "look if those kids were to take those exams over again probably most of them would pass the validity sect- ion". Now that's wrong. That's just- something that when the guy who makes an admission like that and then he comes back and he refuses to admit it after he's said it on the record here, that just - it bothers me. There is just something that is -- it's not right. There's an element of justice that's missing in that. And, I think this is a matter Mr. Andrews and Lloyd of policy of the City of Miami Commission. We've never gone through this process before. We're not trying to interfer with the process. It hasn't been set yet. We're treading new grounds and we stumbled. Saunders stumbled. The University of Chicago stumbled, they admitted their mistake. Now, why should these kids, Black and White and Latins and Anglo's be penalized because Saunders stumbled, now if they fell down because they stumbled let them pay the consequences, but because the University of Chicago makes a mistake you're going to penalize all these kids? Now I now that 106 of them made it I don't want to interfer with that, that's done and established. I do feel personally a moral obligation that these kids all be given another opportunity because if the exam was wrong and there was something wrong with it then I think-- let me tell you what happens other- wise, those kids are average kids. Out there in the ghetto whether it be the Cuban ghetto or the Black ghetto, they're up there talking and right now they're bad mouthing the City of Miami and that we don't need. And, it's my opinion it that it's only fair that these kids have an opportunity one more time. And, therefore, unless Mr. Lloyd - you overrule me in the approach of this time. Mr. Lloyd: I can't overrule you. Mayor Ferre: Well, unless you tell me that there's just no legal way that we can do this I would like to make a motion on a matter of principle and I'm not telling them how to give the exam. You know Mr. Saunders, when I challenged that came back and said there's no way to give one exam without the---- well I'm not --- listen that's not my job --- he's the guy we've paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to design the test. I'm not going to say what side they should have and what side they shouldn't. I'm just saying they ought to have an opportunity over again. I think that's just a matter of principle. Bob do you have any objections to that? And, I recognize that it's going to be a secondary type of a register. Mr. Paulk: Yes, Mr. Mayor in response to your question I do have some opposition to that. There are 106 people who did take an examination and they did register their responses in the way that they should have. Those 106 on the register --- they're in title to consideration for employment, I realize that's not what you're saying, You're not saying that they're denied that. But Mr, Mayor, we don't have the vacancies and we will not have the vacancies within the balance of this fiscal year or even this calendar year to place all of those 106 people, 7 7 1 undetstand that: That's not your point. Mayor Ferre I'm talking about justice. Mt. Faulk: Letts talk about justice then Mr. Mayor. Speaking of the University of Chicago we in no way attempted to influence the design of that examination, That's a product of their own. The way that they proceeded to go about studying the job of a police officer and what sort of situations police officers are frequently encountering and the temperament, characteristics of people that are at least they feel are desired. They've attempted to put together an ek= amination to bring forth the people that they can endorse with confidence. I am not saying they're right. I'm not saying they're wrong, but it's their product, Now, in the screening of that examination there's a certain academic portion of that examination which many of the people 75% of them failed. . Mayor Ferre: No, passed. Mr. Faulk: Excuse me, passed. Conceivably that screen may be too low, con- ceivably. As is pointed here by some people from the Tri-Cultural grant it worked with some of the people. They gave some dynastic tests and they found that some of the people that are on this register they felt that they didn't have sufficient academic level and dynastic skills identifiable that they should there but that's neither here nor there, The psychological screen is the one or the validity screen is the one which screen far more people and the reason for that was because the people were confused perhaps in what truly was trying to be found out about them and perhaps they really weren't willing to give that information honestly. And, I'm not saying they're dishonest. They misunderstand and they didn't understand the point, but there are 106 people who didn't answer in the fashion. Mayor Ferre: Well good for them and I'm not against examinations be set up as a register and they get first crack. Bobby, all I'm saying is this we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to get minorities to come in. We went to the Tri-Cultural Program. We got a lot of these kids into this Police Academy where their cadets were these young police assistants and what -have -you. What are they called- PSA's and all of those kids failed. Mr. Paulk: I do and I understand that. Mayor Ferre: And I tell you --I just feel bad because it just doesn't seem right when Saunders in his own words stated right where you're standing that he admitted that this first time around there might have been some mistakes made by the University of Chicago that could have been confusing and that these kids -- that's what really got me when he said if they took the exam over again they'd probably pass it. Mr. Faulk: That's not true just for this examination, that's true for a lot of examinations. Mayor Ferre: I'm not talking about taking the same identical examination over again. I'm just saying that these kids ought to be given an opportunity to take a new exam. Mr. Paulk: Well, then you're suggesting a different examination for the group of people who failed. Mayor Ferre: It would have to be a re -structured examination they can't take the same thing over again. I'm not recommending that. Mr. Faulk: Well then you're not measuring the same group of people against the same group they competed with Mr. Mayor. Mayor Ferre: Well, that may be and that may be something that we'll have to pay for, I know it's nobody's fault and I'm not putting an accusing finger on anybody, but we keep stumbling time and time again, For some unknown reason we always end up with the same problem. My Cod it's like the proverbial of rich man through the eye of a needle in the Bible just to get any of these things.... I'm sorry I just don't,., I feel bad about it. I've got no answers to grind. I don't even know anybody in that program who failed. I haven't talked to any of them. They've all written me letters, but I haven't talked to a one of them on purpose, I don't want to be influenced by somebody upset or crying or given me a long sad story about how much they sacrificed and how much they wanted this and how long they waited for it. Some of these public service aids and some of these kids in the Tri-Cultural Program. I think that I feel myself morally bound personally to try to do something about it and that's my decision but of course, it's the will of the majority of this Commission, Let's see what every body is going to do, Mr. Paulk: I appreciate your concern Mr, Mayor and I frankly feel sad for people who did not pass the test, There are always going to be some people who will not pass the test and it's sad regardless of whether they fail the validity screen or a psychological test. It makes no difference. It's always sad when one fails. Father Gibson: Isn't it true that in this day and time you and I have a respon- sibility to become imaginative and creative. Mr. Paulk: That's exactly what the University of Chicago does to relations that are typical to this ... Father Gibson: Well, what the Mayor is saying that they left that part of the element out. Mr. Paulk: I don't think so. Father Gibson: They went through the same old crap that they always go through, that's what we're saying. Mr. Paulk: I understand what you're saying. Father Gibson: And I think -- I think that if this City is going to get off dead center and stop having the same excuse that we always get that this City had start better start becoming imagitive and creative, that's what the Mayor is saying and I think it's high time tomorrow is too late and unless.... Do youknow what disturbs me we have not sent the word down. The word hasn't gone down that we want to change our way of living, that's what the Mayor is saying and that's what I'm saying. I don't know what he's saying ... I speak for me. I want to see us start changing, you know, so everybody can understand. I become angry as hell when people tell me what I can't do. I like for people to start telling me what I can do, that's positive. The negative -I don't want to accentuate the negative. I want to accentuate the positive. Mayor Ferre: Well, how do you feel about it, Rose and Manolo? Mrs. Gordon: One real concern Maurice and that would be if in fact we did this and if in fact we did bring about some more that passed. Would there be a possibility that they would be employed? I wouldn't want to build up false hopes and perhaps make someone go through a second examination if there was no chance of them being hired. Father Gibson: But, Rose there's 106 that you have aren't going to be hired, all Mr. Mayor is saying is if 50 more pass you're have 106 plus 50. Mrs. Gordon: That's right. I know. That's what I'm saying... Father Gibson: That's what he's saying and that's what ought to happen. Mayor Ferre: Well, I think she's a valid question, hut the point is this you know that out of the 106 - 3 of them are going to get sick, 4 of them are going to leave for another part of the country, 10 are them aren't going to pass the physical, 3 of them aren't pass this, 5 of them aren't .... Mr. Paulk: What you're saying Mr. Mayor is going to short-term the register if it should occur and it's going to bring forth the new examination to be administered at that time and it's that much sooner that these people can take the examination again, that's all I'm saying and I think that's the time for the re -test to occur. Mayor Ferre; Bob, it's just a matter of philosophy. I think we've got to address it now and not do it that way because it's just a matter of principle to me. Now, I'm not insisting. I mean that's my opinion maybe the rest of the Commission disagrees with me, Mr. Reboso; Mr. Mayor, can we until next week that J.L. is here with us ? Mayor Ferre: All right, Would you put that on the agenda, then, 9 eik Mts. Gordon: What did you say Manolo, 1 didn't hear you? Mr, Reboso: I would like J,L, to be here, Mrs, Gordon: All right, let's do that then at a regular meeting. 7. BICENTENNIAL PARK Mayor Ferre: At this time I would like to recognize Mr. David Armbruster is here from Edward Durrell Stone and I asked--- I've gotten an awful lot of negative things in the last week or two about Bicentennial Park not being ready on time and people calling me about different things about Bayfront Park and what are we doing there and with all due respects to Cliff Hayes, 1 don't see him here I want you to hear this because I going to say that Cliff Hayes is sitting on (and I'm sorry he's not here to defend himself about this) but I hear that he's been sitting pushing that permit up in Tallahassee to fill that little piece there that needs to be filled. Well, ok and I thought and I talked to David Armbruster yesterday and he was on his way to catch a plane to New York and I said well I'm going to bring this up tomorrow anyway, why don't you have one of your associates? He called me about an hour later and he said, "look this is such an important thing and I think the timing of it is very essential that I'm going to cancel my trip to New York and I'll be down there tomorrow at 4:30". So I appreciate your doing what you done. Perhaps you can bring us up to date as to where we are and what needs to be done to get this thing moving a little bit quicker. Dave, before you start I saw Rod _ Overhall from M.R.Harrison, you know, after all the hassle we went through, the landscape guy, the fellow who sold the trees in the bushes and all that went bankrupt, Pestonit -- now Harrison has to do all the work himself and he says ---- when I said, you gotta finish by the 4th, you know he went like this (expression)--- but I'm very concerned about this problem. We got C.B.S. committed or is it N.B.S.- C.B.S. and we're not going to get the City of Miami embarassed by something like this. I mean, if we're going to cancel this I want to cancel it now or in the next week or two so that we all know where we stand. Mr. David Armbruster: Ok,well we've had meetings all day with M.R. Harrison and we're urging you not to cancel anything. We do recognize the problem that Harrison is going through. First of all, he is concerned that he's going to meet the deadline because of the problem of a defunct contractor that he has to work with. However, we have worked out a situation where we can provide a ded- ication. We will make the park available for dedication. Chances are that if went into the park -- there would be things that wouldn't be complete, but we are going to miniminize those as much as possible. We're going to make it look like a finish product and we are going to have a place. We have designated that we are going to work extra hard on so that it will be 100% very shortly and we're willing to work with the city to begin the program - the events that they want to have in the park and make sure that these are available. Mayor Ferre: Have you got a map of it or is that a photograph? Mr. Armbruster: No, I have a map here that I could show you. Mayor Ferre: Well, what's that over there? Mr. Armbruster: I don't know. I didn't bring this. Mr. Andrews: That doesn't have anything to do that. Mayor Ferre: Oh, oh. Would you tell us where you expect for us to have our 4th of July celebration? Where's N.B.C. going to film? Mr. Armbruster: The area right here, It includes the outdoor restaurant, it includes the picnic area which is oval platform where the surrounding berm for spectators, the fishing lagoon, it will include the sculpter fountain in top line and we're proposing that we go ahead and sod this entire area. The balance of the park will still continue and we're still hoping that we can make the completion date. Harrison is going to try every way possible. However, this is the area that we would propose to concentrate in so that we know that this will be 100%. Mayor Ferre: Let me ask you this---- are there any other questions on Bicent- ennial Park? Paul, where do we stand on the concessionaire, will Restaurant Associates take that on? e Mt, Andrews: They are going to tepott to me very shortly, I explained to them what we want to try to accomplish, They're in the process of evaluating that and I should know very shortly now within the next two weeks, Mayor Ferre: Well, I'll tell you even if for the first month or month We =_ subsidize that thing. I'd like to ,,. When that park opens, you know because otherwise we get off on the wtong way. I think it's important to get that, Mt, Andrews: I have included in this Mr. Mayor, the existing Bayfront Park Auditorium Concession as well, so here they have an opportunity to provide the services in that entire area, Mayor Ferre: Ok, the next subject on that one is a memorandum from you to the Commission about the proposed berthing area of ships that would cost $125,000.00. Now, I know that's a lot of money, but you know, let me tell you Miami, the serf and the sun is not enough anymore. We've got to do things in this community that attracts people to that park, or we're going to end up with another park for pigeons. Now, I know $125,000.00 is a hell of a lot of money, but if we had a facility available you would get the eagle down here, you would get Canadian destroyers and friggets, you would get the spanish , you would get the Norwegian and Swedish sailing boats. If we had a special place, you know, that would become a tourist attraction. Mr. Andrews: I hate to say this but we were working against a budgeted amount of monies for the development of the park and the remaining funds then would be available to be utilized for acquisition and development of the balance of the property. Mayor Ferre: Well, I know we keeping chipping away at it and you say there's no other way then--- no other sources? Mr. Andrews: You'd have to give me a little time if the Commission was really interested in going ahead at this to try to explore other ways of trying to accomplish this. Mayor Ferre: I would like to express opinion. This is just my personal opinion that it's worth accomplishing if possible. Mr. Andrews: And, Mr. Mayor, maybe ---- Mrs. Gordon: Exactly, it's a fantastic idea. Mr. Andrews: Maybe what needs to be accomplished and I'd have to look at this if this is the desire of the Commission is to do this in the essential stages. For instance, a sewer line laid across there might be lace or it won't interfer with the park. If it needs a pump station built, that could be done at another stage, but certainly give some of the elements in place to begin with. Mayor Ferre: You're not going to have one of those ships pull up and not have a place to pump sewer - water or whatever it is that they need to tie up... Mrs. Gordon: How long would they be tied up there Maurice? Mayor Ferre: You know how these-- these are training ships Rose and they sail around the world. There must be twenty of them, the Polish Government has one, The Norwegian, the Swedes, the Dames have one, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, the United States has the U.S. Eagle... Mrs. Gordon: Would that area be used for taxi or water taxi, could that be incorporated together? Mr. Armbruster; Sure, as well as the restaurant area. There's two areas in the park that could accommodate that. Mayor Ferre: See, this would be something that would an attraction. Mrs. Gordon: So, why don't we make a motion in principle to proceed and then Mr. Andrews can come back and tell us where we're going to get the money? Mayor Ferre: All right, Do you so move it. Mrs, Gordon: I'll move it if you wish? 11 Mayor Ferre: All tight, Is there a second? Seconded by Fathet Gibson, Futhtet discussion, Call the roll. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who Moved its adoption: MOTION NO► 76-442 A MOTION APPROVING THE. CONCEPT OF A WATER TAXI SERVICE AND THE CONCEPT OF PROVIDING DOCKING FACILITIES FOR TRAINING SHIPS OF ALL COUNTRIES AND OTHER VESSELS VISITING THE CITY, SAID SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO BE LOCATED IN THE NEW BICENT- ENNIAL PARK. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Reboso, Rev. Gibson, Mrs, Gordon, and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None, ABSENT: Mr. Plummer. Mayor Ferre: We have Mr. Lincoln Rodon. If you would step forward Mr. Rodon to this microphone. Mrs. Gordon: Are you through with Mr. Armbruster? Mayor Ferre: No, this is dealing with him. Mr. Rodon, is a distinguish gentleman, Cuban -American in our community, who has on his own talked to the President of the Dominician Rebpublic. Because one of the great hero's of America besides Maracay, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, and George Washington, we have a statute of Christopher Columbus -- Duarte of the Dominican Republic who was a great patroit of that country and one of the Fathers of the Americas. The president,when Mr. Rodon went to visit with him he was going to get all the money in the Cuban Community and the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Miami to donate a statute of Duarte. The President was so happy when he heard he had five statutes made. He's only got one left and it presently is at the Presidential Palace of the Dominican Republic and he donated that statute to us. Now, they're willing to do all of the work and they're going to get the bronze plat which we will tell them what we want inscribed on it Mr. Andrews. All we've got to do is provide a location for it and a pedestal and I think in the interest in Hemispheric Solidarity and the fact that the Dominicans are great friends of ours, that they come here as tourists all the time, that since the Dominican is the Sister City to Dade County that we have our statutes of other American Heroes in Bayfront Park and Mr. Rodon and I looked over my window and Bolivia is right next to the library, then Maracay is the next one and there's a space right before you get to the Freedom Tower there's a little alley and right in back of that I think would be a perfect place to put Duarte and I would like to recommend that Mr. Armbruster come back study the location and recommend to us and that we do this post haste. Now, Duarte's Day is July 16th. The President himself, or the Vice President of the Dominican Republic and the Mayor of Santo Dominican will come in an official delegation to dedicate this impressive momument. Now, we have a problem, the three of us is going to be up in a place called New York City doing something which may be superfluous and that is selecting a candidate to lead the Democratic ticket, and we won't be here for the 16th, but nevertheless perhaps we might do it some other time. But I think time is in the essence. May I leave Mr. Rodon's name with you, would you have Mr. Paredes or somebody who's Spanish Speaking do this? Mr. Lincoln Rodon: Thank you very much and Commissioner. I - very glad to present to you . Santo Dominican is very glad --- Juan Pablo "Duarte" in Miami. Thank you very much. Mrs. Gordon: Maurice, we have another problem with regard to Bicentennial and we ought to discuss this while we're altogether right now and that's parking. They are working on the under the expressway area there, I saw that this morning they seem to be pushing the dirt around getting it ready for some parking, I • assume and i just wondered if it's.going to be ready by the July 4th date and if it is not Mr. Andrews that we try to make some kind of an arrangement for parking over at the Bayfront Auditorium and have some kind of shuttle for that day because otherwise we're going to really have a problem. That 4th of July will be an ■ Iti 4 impossible situation. Mayor Ferret Do you know what She's saying Paul? I've seen it happen tight here at Kennedy Patk. Do you know what happens, you know; people do things; theytll go right into the patk and park into the patk and your beautiful park is going to be full of automobiles, itts going to happen, because it's happen ing over here. Because nature i:'npores a vacuum and whenever you don't provide for solutions people provide for solutions on their own. I don't know how weere going to solve that problem, but we have to address and I don't know somebody recommended it maybe on --- I hate to see that property we just got from the F.E.C. dedicated to parking. I think that would just destroy the whole thing, Mrs, Gordon: We're not really recommending that. We're talking about a day when we expect to have a great number of people visiting the park and we better be prepared for the cars on the 4th of July Mr. Andrews. Mr. Andrews: We will try to work out a parking plan. Mrs. Gordon: Fine and if necessary and we can't expect the under expressway property to be completed that you try to arrange for some shuttle buses to work that day and we can then advertise for the public that they can get transport- ation from the other parking location, ok? Mayor Ferre: Ok. One last thing if we move over to Bayfront Park - where do we stand on Bayfront Park, it's been a year now? Mr. Andrews: We are going ahead with the one million dollar contract of work that extends from approximately the center of the park along the Boulevard to the northern edge of the park including revamping the causeway drive and re- landscaping that. The Stone Firm also had a plan for the rejuvenation of the parking area and the landscaping surrounding the building, but because there maybe an opportunity now and I talked to Dr. Stokes and they're very interested in getting the school system involved in a process in which they would bear the expenses of refurbishing. Mayor Ferre: They've got the drawings? Mr. Andrews: They have the drawings ---- Mayor Ferre: Ralph Wolfson, Mitchell Wolfson sent them on to Dr. Mic--- who sent them to Dr. Stokes. Mr. Andrews: Correct. And I've had several conversations with Dr. Stokes and since he returned the drawings to us but a report is being prepared. He at least is reasonably optimistic that they will be able to obtain funding through the state for this particular project. Well, he couldn't specify precisely when but he's going to try to get an answer as to when funds would become avail- able. As a result of that we have withheld the precise landscaping immediately around the building so that that will not be achieved pending this decision because Mr. Stone and Mr. Armbruster have informed us that should the City move ahead with that, that whole landscaping plan would be changed as a result of the modernization. Mayor Ferre: Would you schedule that for the JunelOth Commission Meeting, so that we don't have to discuss anymore today, but I think you ought to bring us completely up to day as to when we're going to have that new auditorium? Mr. Andrews: You mean as far as the Convention --- Mayor Ferre: No sir. The Amphitheater out there near the water. Mr. Andrews: Well, the target date for that hasn't been established because of two things. One we're finally getting down to a point where there is understand- ing and compromise on the part of Restaurant Associates and Off -Street Parking so that now we have what we believe is acceptable parking plan and operation of the restaurant, This plus the permit which we've been in contact with the administrative offices of Tallahassee in an effort to get an administrative review rather than a public hearing on re -issuing the permit for the fill. Mayor Ferre: Would you personally get into that and push that a little bit,Paul? Mr, Andrews; Yes I certainly will, Mayor Ferre: That's kind of holding back a little, 13 13 Mr. Andrews: Yes sir. Mr. Mayor, I want you to know that I told you that I had a pocket of twenty-eight items, so that's one of the items. I shifted many of my formal responsibilities to the staff and these are areas that I'm trying to stay in so that I recognize they won't be accomplished before I leave but what I'm hoping is that definite firm schedules can be established and we can get some answers on many of these things. Mayor Ferre: One last thing. I have a letter here from Alvah Chapman prodding ine and Alvah is a great guy to get people moving on things about an awful lot of talk about the People Mover and little action. I've been talking to Dr. John Dyer and I would like for the City of Miami to pass a resolution today formally applying for one of the fifty million dollar grants. Moved by Rose Gordon, seconded by Father Gibson. And, I just think that I can't emphasis enough you have to understand it this way, the People Mover is like an elevator if you can think of the way buildings function where if you have a hundred story building it's really easier and Ben Novak of the Fontainbleau Hotel once told me something I'll never forget. He said, all the hotels in the future have got to be vertical because it's easier to move services and people in an elevator than to have them walking long corridors, it's better, it's cheaper, it's more efficient, it's more functional. Now all a People Mover really is, is an elevator but instead of moving this way it moves this way. Now, do you know the electifying effect it would have on property values and I'm taking about construction in the future. If you could get on a property anywhere within the core area and be within ten minutes maximum, riding and walking of any other property in Miami. That means --- that would tie twenty -thousand parking places together. You could park at one place and work at another. You could shop. You could go for lunch one place , you could go to the park, it would completely resciutionize Downtown Miami. Mrs. Gordon: What chance do we have? Mayor Ferre: According to Dr. Dyer, if we go at it earlier enough. Most of work's been done by Kiser Engineers, but I would like the city to be the main sponsor of this. Let the County do it in similar relationship as to how we work the bond issue for housing. It may be 100% funding or it might be 80-20 funding. Now, as you recall the estimate for a complete 20 mile loop around the City of Miami was less than a hundred million dollars and we could certainly get the main portion of the bill if we were to be fortunate enough to get the grant. I just couldn't emphasize enough importance. Mr. Andrews: This matter is on the agenda and you'll be the seeing the item when it's delivered to you this Friday or Saturday before you move to adopt the resolution just exactly the area you're talking about. Mayor Ferre: You apologize to Mr. Crumpton that I beat him to the punch. I really wanted to get this thing going. So, moved by Rose Gordon, seconded by Theodore Gibson. Further discussion. Call the roll. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 76- 443 A MOTION OF INTENT TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR ONE YEAR OF THE THREE FEDERAL GRANTS SOON TO BE AWARDED FOR A PEOPLE MOVER SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF MIAMI. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Reboso, Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Plummer ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at: 5;20 O'Clock P. M. MAURICE A. FERRE Mayor ATTEST: H. D. SOUTHERN City Clerk 14 Jy