HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1973-11-21 MinutesMIAMI
CITY
COMMISSION
MINUTES
NOV 2 1 1973
OF MEETING HELD ON
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CITY HALL
H. D. SOUTHERN
CITY CLERK
RALPH G. ONGIE
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
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2.
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4.
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8.
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11.
12 .
13.
14.
15 .
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
SUBJECT
PROCLAMATIONS, PLAQUES► CERTIFICATES
APPOINT SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE
City EmaIOyees Retirement System
APPEAL OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION
SWEAR IN CEREMONY- CITY ATTORNEY
FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF GARBAGE AND
TRASH COLLECTION SERVICE
CHANGE ZONING CLASSIFICATION-UGALDE & RUIZ
SUB -TENT PLAT 863 and
FALCON & RUIZ SUB TEN PLAT 861
CONDITIONAL USE - LOTS 26 AND 29
BLOCK 3 - TRAJUNE PARK 14-12
VARIANCE - LOT 11, BLOCK 14
FAIRLAWN - 6625 S. W. 4 STREET
APPOINTMENT OF DR. BEN SHEPPARD AS SOCIAL
SERVICE CONSULTANT
PARKING LOT LIGHTING DISCUSSION
VARIANCE- REPLATTING OF LOT 1
Silverstein Subdivision
VARIANCE - Lots 18, 19 and 20
BLOCK 12S - MIAMI B-41
REQUEST FOR CHANGE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
Lots 11 2, 3, BLOCK 42 NEW BISCAYNE AMD.
ELEEMOSYNARY USE- VILLAGE SOUTH INC.
LOTS 1 thru 81 BLOCK 17 DIXIE HIGHWAY TRACT
PERSONAL APPEARANCE - MAYOR JACK ORR
Presentation of Plans for establishment
of cultural center on Watson Island
(Authorize Manager to negotiate with
E. D. Stone & Associates & Metro on
continuation of Watson Island Study)
16. INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
17. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER 911
18. REVIEW OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
APPearence by Chief Bernard Garmire
ORDINANCE OR
RESOLUTION NO.
ORDINANCE
NO. 8207
ORDINANCE
NO. 8208 '
ORDINANCE
NO. 8209
DISCUSSION
an d
DEFERRAL
73-926
73-927
MOTION
DISCUSSION
73-928
73-929
DEFERRED
73-930
73-931
FIRST
READING
DISCUSSION
and
73-932
DISCUSSION
an d
EMER.ORD NO.
8210
73-933
73-934 and
Exhibits
PAGE NO.
1
2 { 4
4
5
5--9
9--12
12--14
14-15
15-16
16-33
34
35
36
37-52
52-60
61-62
62-68
69--130
Plus?
exhibit
•
Id1�X
MINUTES OF.REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
ITEM NO 1 SUBJECT
ORDINANCE OR
RESOLUTION NO,
PAGE NO,
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41,
42.
43.
APPOINTMENT .TO RETIREMENT BOARD
R. Belvin Cooaer
APPOINTMENT TO RETIREMENT BOARD
Garbriela Landau
APPOINTMENT TO URBAN DEV. REVIEW BOARD
Discussion ONLY
RENEW INSURANCE POLICIES
Primary on Police and Umbrella etc.
PROPOSED NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AGREEMENT
ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK -
MARINE STADIUM PARKING LOT LIGHTING
ACCEPT PLAT - FLAGLER MEMORIAL PARK
Resurrection II Sub
ACCEPT PLAT - FLAGLER MEMORIAL PARK
Meditation Section Sub
CLAIM SETTLEMENT Bill Garrett
CLAIM SETTLEMENT Sheldon Turetsky
CLAIM SETTLEMENT Ms. Anna Gerard
CLAIM SETTLEMENT Mrs. Waltretta Sallee
CLAIM SETTLEMENT Nazaro Mirabal
CLAIM SETTLEMENT - Gisela Terner
CLAIM SETTLEMENT - Pershing Auto Leasing
CLAIM SETTLEMENT - Emilio Rivas
ACCEPT HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY DEED
BID AWARD -DISCUSSION OF BASEBALL STADIUM
LIGHTING
BID AWARD- ADDITIONAL SANITATION AND PARKS
RECREATION EQUIPMENT
PROCLAMATION TO COL. MARINA
NATIONAL CIVIL AIR PATROL
EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN
APPOINTMENT OF VICE MAYOR
DISCUSSION OF MASONS RULES OF ORDER
TEMPORARY CONDITIONAL USE -LOTS 11,12.13
BLOCK 1, HARDING HEIGHTS
APPOINT CITY COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE-RET.SYSTEM AND PLAN
Comm.Rose Gordon and J. L. Plummer
73-935
73-936
DISCUSSION
only
73-937
73-938
73-939
73-940
73-941
73-942
73-943
73-944
73-945
73-946
73-947
73-948
73-949
73-950
DEFERRED
73-951
DEFERRED
73-952
73-953
MOTIONS
131
131
132
132-
133-134
134
135
135
136
136
137
137
138
138
139
139
140
140
140--142
142
142
142--143
143
143--144
145
REPORT BY CITY MANAGER ON UTILIZATION OF
ORANGE BOWL FOR NON ATHLETIC EVENTS
MOTION
145--150
41,
INDEX
MINUTES OF'REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
•
ITEM NO
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
SUBJECT
ORDINANCE OR
RESOLUTION NO. PAGE NO.
ALLOCATE *191,253.50 FOR ACQUISITION OF
Wainwright Park
STATUS OF UNDERWOOD MARINE CONDEMNATION
AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF PERMIT St.Michaels
Church for amusement rides
ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH PARAMOUNT
CONCESSIONS- Orange Bowl Parade etc.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN MIAMI
Resort by Citr Manager
PROCEDURES AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS
Proposals br Mayor Ferre
DECLARE MONDAY DECEMBER 24, 1973 as
holiday
SERVING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON DECEMBER 24
AND DECEMBER 31 - 2 hr extension
CHANGE DATE OF COMMISSION MEETING -
Second meeting of December, 1973
APPOINT COMMISSIONER R. GORDON AS CITY
REPRESENTATIVE - PLANNING AND ZONING
ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
ADJOURNED
8*50 P.M.
73-954
DISCUSSION
73-955
73-956
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
MOTION
MOTION
MOTION
MOTION
150
151
152
152
153
153--155
155
156
156
156
•
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
0n the list day of November, 1973, the City Commission od the
City o$ Miami, rtonida, met at .i.ts regular meeting ptaee in said
City in negutan session.
The meeting was eatted to ()Aden at 9:10 O'Ctoek A.M. by Mayor
Mauatee A. Fence with the dottowing member o f the City Com►s24 .Lon
'found to be present:
Mt. Ptummen
Mn. Reboso
MAs. Gordon
Revenend Gibson
Mayon Fen
An invocation was deUvened by Revekend Gibson who then led those
present in a pledge attegJance to the litag.
The following motion was introduced by Reverend Gibson who moved
its adoption:
A MOTION TO WAIVE READING OF
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso, Mrs.
Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
1, PROCLAMATIONS, PLAQUES, CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
(a) Mayon. Ferre recognized Fine Ch.ie6 L. L. Kenney and pnesented
him with a PROCLAMATION in necognJtLon of the conctus.ion olc
his term as President o6 the In.tenna.ti...onat Association of
Fite Chieb's.
Several members o l5 .the Miami. FL'xe Department appeared and
demonstrated new electronic equipment to ,the Commission
which .Included the taansmission o6 an eteettoeand.iognam to
Jackson Memo' at Hosp4tat on each City Commi44ionen.
(b) Mayon Fenne necogn.ized the presence od Dn. Manoto Reye4
and a PROCLAMATION was pnesented .in tecognition of
"Cuban -American Day"
(e) Sevenat CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION were pnesented to members
06 the Miami Board o6 Realtors by Mrs. Gordon and the members
of the City Commission ion the eddonts o6 the Board oIS Realtors
in &und raising ion the School o6 Business at Ftoti,da inten-
nat.Lonat Uni vensity
(d) Mayon Fenne requested the City Managers to schedule the 6am.ity
of Manuel Padnon and the Fine Ch.Led to be present at the
Comm.L444.on Meeting on VeeembeJ 13th SOA appnopai to eenemon.ies
honontng Ma. Padron.
(d) Mayon Fenne and the Commission necogn.Lzed Mn. Caesar LaMonaca
and pnesented a PROCLAMATION DECLARING Fkiday, Novembers 30th
as "Cauca LaMonaea Day .in the City o d Miami "
(e) A PROCLAMATION was ptesentted to Jeanne Ann Moorman and
Dn. Arthur Gosset n, co-cha.inpeopte and Sunday, Vecemben
1,1973 was deetaned as "Second Annual 3nd Century 84eentenn.Lat
Bicycle Vay" in the City o d Miami
1 NOV 211973
Mayon Fenhe neponted on the Panks Heating in the Attapattah alma
and that the 01 concenn o 6 teh citizens .in that alma wets Bicycle Paths
and ezpness ed the opinion that moot o 6 the peopte in the City 06 MIAMI,
dt4•ihe the con4tnuct.ion o 6 move, bieycte paths.
(6) Mayon Fenne heeognLzed the pnesenee 06 membeh4 o6 Bhown.ie
Thoop 0382 and Mn.s. Cahot Ptummeh
2, AFPOiNT SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Mr. Plummer inquired if item 07 was in order and in concurrence
with everyone and was told by the City Attorney it was in order.
An Ordinance entitled -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN SUBSECTIONS OF THE
MIAMI CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ORDINANCE
NO. 2230) DECEMBER 6, 1939 AS AMENDED) AND THE MIAMI
CITY GENERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN (ORDINANCE
NO. 5624, MAY 2, 1956, AS AMENDED), AS APPEARING IN
CODIFIED FORM AS A PART OF CHAPTER NO. 2 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, 1957, AS AMENDED,
MORE PARTICULARLY BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS 2-96 (3)
AND 2-111 (3) AND SUBSTITUTING THEREFOR NEW SUBSEC-
TIONS 2-95 (3) , (4) , (5) , (6) AND (7) , APPOINTING
A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE FOR THE CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT
SYSTEM TRUST, DESCRIBING THE TRUST PROPERTY, PRES-
CRIBING THE RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED, THE DUTIES,
RESPONSIBILITIES AND INVESTMENT AUTHORITY OF THE
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE SO APPOINTED, AND SUBSTITUTING
NEW SUBSECTIONS 2-111 (3) , (4) . (5) , (6) AND (7) ,
APPOINTING A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE FOR THE MIAMI CITY
GENERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN TRUST, DESCRIBING
THE TRUST'S PROPERTY, PRESCRIBING THE RECORDS TO BE
MAINTAINED, THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND
INVESTMENT AUTHORITY OF THE SUCCBSSOR TRUSTEE SO
APPOINTED, CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DISPEN-
SING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF READING THIS ORDINANCE
ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS BY A VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR
FIFTHS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION
passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of October 25,
1973, as amended, was taken up for its second and final reading by
title and adoption. On motion of Mr. Plummer, seconded by Mrs. Gordon,
the ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title
and passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8207.
In connection with adoption of the foregoing ordinance, the follow-
ing conversation occurred.
Mrs. Gordon: I would like a clarification of a question that I asked
the Attorney before we took this matter up and he assured me that this
does not prohibit any changes of personnel as their terms expire so
this was the only thing I wanted clarified and he did clarify that. Is
that right Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Rothstein?
Mr. Rothstein: Paragraph 2 of the ordinance provides that someone
can be on the Board of Trustees only while they are a member of the
Retirement Board. In other words, if they leave or retire from the
Board or their term comes up, they cannot remain as a trustee.
2
NOV 211973
• •
Mrs. Gordon: On the Retirement Board unless they are re -appointed.
Mr. Rothstein: Yes, if they are re -appointed, they can obviously
continue.
Mrs. Gordon: Just wanted that clarification.
Reverend Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I shall always remember when we re-
established this and worked it out, the people who made and I want all
my fellow Commissioners and the Manager to hear this because this has
been a concern of mine. All of the people who made a presentation here
said that we the Commission will have the privelege and the right to
name the broker in this business. I know what the Mayor and some of the
rest of you feel. I don't feel like you do. Now, if those people who
bid on this business, they bid on this business with their eyes wide
open, we paid an outfit about $20,000 or thereabouts to advise us and
to draw the contracts and in the bid document, it says, that the
brokerage, we can name. Now let me tell you the basis of my concern
and contention. I am a person who is unalterably opposed wherever
possible, to outsiders coming in here and picking off all of the business
and going and I am prepared to offer the resolution right now and
nominate two brokerage firms to handle this business. I think when they
made the bid, they knew what was in there and you remember Mr. Kruse
we paid to advise us and put up the bid document, he told us uniquiv-
ocably that it was within our province and it wouldn't harm the business
isn't that right? Didn't he tell us that?
Mayor Ferre: Wait a moment, the chair is going to get involved in
this now. Is this Item #8, is that correct? what item is this?
Reverend Gibson: This is #7, now remember, I may be wrong but Mr. Mayor
all I want them to do is to tell me when I am to do this and I am
prepared to do it. I am going to keep them honest in their bid.
Now, I am prepared and unless somebody tells me differently and I can't
get a vote, I am prepared to name the broker.
Mayor Ferre: Father Gibson, the chair will recognize you for that
purpose in the late morning session. In other words before we break.
Rev. Gibson: Beautiful.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, now if you plan on recognizing Commissioner
Gibson, I want you to know and Father Gibson to know that I strictly
will oppose this thing unless Mr. Kruse is here.
Rev. Gibson: Well lets get him here, I'll wait until he comes.
Mayor Perre: Call up Mr. Kruse Mr. Andrews and if he can be here today,
that's fine and if he can't, then we will see him on December 13th.
Rev. Gibson: Before we drop it because I am going to defer until
Mr. Kruse gets here. Mr. Kruse stood right up to that mike and I
asked him one question. Mr. Kruse said yes, you could do it.
Now one thing I believe. I don't have staff people telling me that
which is not right and true because I have no other or nothing else
to rely upon but what they tell me so go get Mr. Kruse.
Mr. Reboso: At this moment, I would like to invoke the 5-day rule
and place this item on the next agenda.
Mayor Ferre: That is your right to do that.
Rev. Gibson: Beautiful, let me add this now. We all knew this thing
was coming up but I will defer to my brother but that won't change
anything.
Mayor Perre: Well actually the 5 days defers it to December 13th
Rev. Gibson: I don't object to that.
Mayor Ferre: Would you schedule Mr. Kruse on that agenda then and
we will discuss this matter at that time.
Mr. Plummer: So we get the full scope of this because I was the one
that fought for Father's right to have to say this even though I am
going to oppose him on it. What I do think should be done Mr. Andrews
is that you should bring this matter as you have heard it this morning
before the Investment Committee for their discussion and their recomm-
emdation because this was a great topic all during the 51 hours that
was sat through to choose the one so Mr. Paulk is here and you Mr.
Andrews I hope you will bring this matter that Father Gibson is going
to bring up on the 13th so that you can have a recommendation and cut
it off there.
Rev. Gibson: Before you get your recommendations together Mr. City
Manager, let me make sure everybody understands.
When I asked the question, they said that it didn't hurt the business
or didn't do good nor bad. It didn't make any difference.
Now if they aren't going to tell me the truth, then the reason I want
to do it is because I expect everybody who comes and makes a presen-
tation to this Commission to be telling us the truth. Now they had a
hidden agenda. I want them to know, I didn't have any and to tell me
now that that will decrease the proficiency of performance, I hope you
know what I am going to say if they tell me that.
Lets move on to the 13th.
Mr. Paulk: I would like to address you briefly because my term is
expiring and prior to your next meeting, I will no longer be a part
of the Investment Committee nor the Retirement Board and I feel that
while I still am, I must at least give you my views insofar as the
deliberations that I was a part of in helping to draft the measures
that are before you.
Mayor Ferre: Bob, let me interrupt you because I have a feeling this
is going to take more than 5 minutes.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor and to Mr. Paulk. Mr. Paulk even though Sir
you are not a member at the 13th of December meeting, I would expect
you to be here to express your views as you saw them when this thing
was going on. I hope that you would be here and the City Manager
would make sure you are here on the 13th because if Father thinks one
way is important, I think just the other way is just as important and
I will fight in the same way.
Mr. Paulk: I will accept that invitation, thank you very much.
3, APPEAL OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION
An Ordinance entitled -
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE REQUIREMENT THAT IN
PROCESSING AN EMPLOYEES APPEAL OF A DISCIPLINARY
ACTION, IN THE EVENT THE CITY MANAGER SHALL NOT
HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO SUSTAIN, 'REVERSE OR MODIFY
THE ACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR NOT LATER
THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT BY THE CITY MANAGER
OF THE REPORT OF THE FINDINGS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
BOARD, THE CITY MANAGER WILL RENDER A WRITTEN REPORT
TO THE CITY COMMISSION SETTING FORTH THE REASONS FOR
THE DELAY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, SECTIONS OR
PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; INSOFAR AS THEY ARE IN
CONFLICT, CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION
passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of October
19, 1973, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and
adoption. On motion of Mr. Plummer, seconded by Reverend Gibson, the
ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title
and passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8208.
4
NOV 2 11973
AGENDA ITEM 9 (Garbage & Troth Collection) was deferred to s later time
in this meeting,
AGENDA ITEM 10 - Environmental Controls -
George Acton, Director of the Planning Department requested an
amendment to the Ordinance under "Waterfront Lands, under "A" and said
he would like to change the last sentence to read: "Site Plan Approval"
by the Planning Department".
Mayor Ferre: What does it read now?
Mr. Acton: It reads: Development of all waterfront properties require
site plan approval in accordance with the procedures set out in this
ordinance and there are no procedures at this time. I would just like to
change that to read: Site Plan Approval by the Planning Department.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I will defer it so it can be put in proper order
and be brought back on the 13th.
Mayor Ferre: ,The matter is deferred until the 13th.
4, SWEAR -IN CEREMONY FOR NEW CITY ATTORNEY - JOHN S. LLOYD
Mayor Ferre: I think at this time it would be appropriate for the
swearing in ceremony for our new City Attorney.
The Oath of Mice ab CITY ATTORNEY o6 the City (Ili Miami
wag theneupon adminL ten.ed to JOHN S. LLOYD by
Ralph G. Ong.ie, Asd.iatant City CL ft.
Mayor Ferre: Our deepest gratitude to Mr. Alan Rothstein who has served
this City for 6 years and Mr. Andrews if you would schedule an appropriate
ceremony so that we can present our retiring City Attorney with the proper
recognition on the 13th of December.
5, FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF GARBAGE AND TRASH COLLECTION SERVICE
Mr. Andrews, City Manager: The City engaged consulting engineers of
Greenleaf and Wegmani to conduct a study to modernize our garbage and
trash collection services.
They had many recommendations in their report which the Commission
adopted and one of those was to provide for curbside collection. The
Commission authorized the City Manager to proceed to have informational
meetings within the community and there were approximately 9 or 10 of
those meetings and at the conclusion of those meetings, the Commission
concluded that curbside collection should not be persued. The Commission
further authorized the Manager to proceed with the balance of the
recommendation.
What is to be presented to you this morning as an Ordinance adjustment
covers 2 additional areas to adjust the Garbage and Trash C011ection
services. (1) To increase the excess can fees from its present 35$ per
can to 70$ per can and (2) To phase out insofar as the City of Miami
services are concerned, the giving of daily collection service to 567
commercial establishments in the City of Miami. Mr. Jones is going to
present to you information as to how the system now operates and he will
make a very brief presentation.
Mr. Plummer: A point of clarification. I noted in the agenda pack as
well as the comments you just made. I don't ever recall this Commission
going on record of telling you to completely implement the remaining
portion of the task force study. As I recall it, the Mayor was the one
who led the fight to let the pickup remain at the backyard level. This
Commission at budget time, gave you the authority to proceed with
implementation of this downtown problem. At no time, nor am I aware
of the remaining portion of the task force study, did this Commission
go on record of telling you to implement the entire remaining portion.
Now if I stand corrected, fine. I would like to know what is the
remaining portion beside the 2 items that I think this Commission has
acted on.
NOV 2 11973
Mayor Ferre: I remember vividly because Mr. Reese caste up to me and
he said look, if you are going to kill the garbage front yard pickup,
for God sakes leave the rest of it alone because its good and there
is no controversy on it and I think its going to save the City a lot
of money.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think I have no objection sir but I think
I am entitled to know what the remaining portion is.
Mayor Ferre: This is what I wanted to say and in the resolution that
was drafted at that time, it was carefully worded at the insistence
of Mel Reese and specifically stated that it was only that item that
was being reversed and that the other items would continue or would
be implemented. I think you better get a copy of that.
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor, we supplied the Commission with the complete
recommendations of all the engineers and the City Manager supplied the
Commission with the task force recommendations for the other adjustments
and then the resolution the Commission adopted is in a memorandum that
was supplied to you but I will read it carefully because the words are
meaningful. A resolution directing the City Manager to continue the
present procedure of residential garbage collection and require the
City Manager to report to the City Commission concerning the feasability
of carrying out the remaining recommendations of the consulting firm
for solid waste disposal.
Now the only 2 areas of all of these recommendations that we are
bringing to you are matters that were discussed in the budget message
discussed at budget time and once again in the final go -around in the
budget looking for funds to balance out the budget and it had to do
with the commercial routes phasing those out.
Mr. Plummer: Paul, I have no objections but what else was contained in
those recommendations of the task force? I don't know.
You are talking about carrying out the remaining portion. What else is
involved besides the backyard pickup, this downtown commercial district.
What else do you plan on implementing?
Mr. Andrews: I don't plan to implement anything else before it is
brought to the City Commission but we can tell you what those matters
are.
Mr. Plummer: No, if you are going to bring them before the Commission
and we are going to vote on them at that time, fine but the way I read
this, this is giving the administration Carte Blanche.
Mr. Andrews: No.
Mr. Plummer: Well I am sorry, that's the way I read it.
Mr. Andrews:, In requiring the City Manager to report to the City
Commission concerning the feasability. Report to the Commission.
Mr. Plummer: In other words, we will know about each individual item
that we will vote on in this Commission?
Mr. Andrews: Yes. I will not implement anything in the garbage and
trash that is a change of any area of what we are now doing without
coming back to the Commission first.
Mr. Jones will you explain how we now operate and what is being
proposed.
Mr. Jones, Dir. Sanitation Dept: At the present time, the department
of Sanitation has 6 routes that make all the commercial garbage coll-
ections from 567 accounts in the City of Miami. 5 of these routes and
you will see on the map, *57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 make collections 5 days
a week and they will average about 90 accounts. Route #5S makes coll-
ections from the downtown business district and they collect 6 nights
a week. These routes pickup only about 201 of the total commercial
garbage generated in the City of Miami. The remaining 80% or so is
already picked up by private waste collectors. At the present time,
our regulations provide for 4 regulation containers to be collected
twice a week from commercial establishments. Any excess containers are
collected at a fee of 35$ per container per pickup.
We are proposing that section 20-8 of the City Code entitled
"Frequency and quantity of garbage collection service" provided by
the City of Miami, be amended so that these 5 and 6 collections per
week from commercial establishments be eliminated and that we provide
Only twice a week collections from commercial establishments.
Commercial establishments that need more service than this twice a week
must engage a private collector to make their garbage collections.
We further want to change the Code so that any excess containers
picked up on this twice a week basis, more than the 4 regulation con-
tainers of our regular service, would be charged a fee of 70$ per
container per pickup. This is an increase of 35$ over what we are
now charging but we feel this is necessary to actually cover the cost
of making these collections.
As Mr. Andrews, this was one of the recommendations from the
consultants that made the City of Miami Solid Waste study and it has
been supported by the sanitation task force.
Mr. Plummer: One of the things that bothers me very very much is when
I walk in town in the evening which I do almost everyday or every
evening is the fact that these merchants downtown for some reason see
fit and I am speaking in particularly to Monday and Friday evenings to
gut their garbage out at 5 or 5:30 for those who close and we have the
downtown area open, most of the stores until 8:30 in the evening.
In particular one franchised food chain east of 2nd Avenue if I can
pinpoint it for you without naming the individual have tremendous amounts
of garbage that all evening long, people have to walk over, walk around,
walk through and I am just wondering that if the City is still going to
continue to pickup down there. I understand that the commercial haulers
pick garbage up before 7 A.M. or 8 A.M.
Mr. Jones: There are a numer of them that do and they are also some
that pick up at night.
Mr. Plummer: I think it is ridiculous to have all of these bags out
on the street on Monday and Friday Night. We have tried to encourage
people to come to the downtown area and forcing them to walk around
these huge trash piles that are on the sidewalk. Nowwhat can we do to
eliminate that?
Mr. Jones: Well if this is turned over to the private haulers, they
can give more customized service than the City can.
Mr. Plummer: You are not proposing 100% to turn it over. You are still
going to retain twice a week so we will have it twice a week even though
you are going to charge double.
Mr. Andrews: May I answer that Mr. Jones. It's my plan and its something
I have been discussing with Mr. Jones and others that we would attempt
to regulate and have public hearings and first get with the industry
to change the procedure so that the collection's would be made in the
early morning hours in the hopes that we can eliminate this unsightly
condition which has existed for so long in downtown Miami. You can't
really make any kind of improvements that we need in downtown Miami if
we are going to clutter the sidewalks with all these containers, bags
and cardboard boxes. I am convinced that we will find a way to
operate so that we can make the collections in the morning also if we
have to give twice a week service to those commercial people in down-
town Miami who can live with a twice a week service and the balance of
those who still have to depend on daily service and the private haulers
are making the collection, we will find a way to regulate those so that
it is in the early morning hours and not in the evening.
Mr. Plummer: Let me give you an example and I am not criticizing you
Mr. Jones or the administration.
I was embarassed to tears one eveling down there. Here this City
Commission and everyone went to great extremes to get Gusman•Hall in
operation. I see people pulling up there in cadillacs with long gowns
and honest to God, I am telling you, they had to go over garbage bags
to get into the Gusman Hall.
I said to myself, something is just completely wrong here. This is the
point I am trying to drive home Sir. It was my hope that the City could
get out of the downtown area as far as the pickup is concerned. You and
the administration obviously feel that it is still necessary even though
7
NOV 211973
it is at a tremendous more cost, I think I can read between those
lines but I am just hoping that you take my comments and do something
about it because this idea of the garbage on the street and the people
we are trying to encourage, I think'its wrong and I will leave it at that.
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor, are there
because some of the private hauler
Commission may wish to ask, if you
any other questions of the Commission
representatives are here and the
choose.
Mayor Terre: We are already h hour late on the agenda and-
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think 2 things could be stipulated for the
record.
#1. There are no objectors here.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any objectors in the room?
All right, what else?
Mr. Plummer: I think also for the record that it should be Mr. Andrews
fully stated by you that this has been advertised in a method that was
adequate.
Mr. Andrews: Yes and Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I think
its important that you at least hear a one sentence expression from
some of the private haulers because we are shifting an area of respon-
sibility here for collection. We are going to stop collecting this and
the private haulers are going to, Mr. Goodman is here I know is one.
Mr. Goodman: I am Mr. Louis Goodman, United Sanitation Services of
2125 N. W. loth Court in Miami. Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I believe
that you are going to find, after you have implemented this ordinance
that some of the things that Commissioner Plummer mentioned this morning
will clear up. I think most of the private haulers work in the early
morning hours and you are going to find that the situation in a general
way will change downtown. I think you are going to also find that the
individual situations that still will occur that will create the
unsightliness can be tackled more readily by your sanitation department
because there will not be a general condition down there which there is
now. I think that you will find that these private haulers in Miami are
going to do a good job. I think that the commercial accounts in the
City will find themselves getting better service and probably at less
money under the changes being made here, especially with these new
rates that you are putting in.
Mr. Plummer: I hope I don't have to remind anybody.
Mr. Andrews: Well, It's not an easy problem to solve as you fully
recognize but we are going to have to take a step at a time and then
do one thing and then another until we get downtown Miami and other
areas of the City cleaned up.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I will move Item #9.
Rev. Gibson: Second:
An Ordinance entitled -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 20-8 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "FREQUENCY AND
AMOUNT" OF GARBAGE AND TRASH COLLECTION SERVICE
PROVIDED BY THE CITY" FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING
AND CLARIFYING SAME; PROVIDING A PENALTY; REPEAL-
ING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE SECTIONS OR PARTS THEREOF
IN CONFLICT, INSOFAR AS THEY ARE IN CONFLICT; CON-
TAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION
passed on its first reading at the meeting of October 19, 1973, was
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
motion of Mr. Plummer, seconded by Reverend Gibson, the ordinance was
thereupon given its second
NOV 211973
and final reading by title and passed and adopted by the following vote-
AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor
Ferre. NOES: None
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 8209.
Mr. Plummer: So we don't detain Mr. Jones, Mr. Mayor I don't know
about my fellow Commissioners. I can only speak for one. I have
spoken with Mr. Jones privately on this matter but I think Tor the
record, his department is experiencing some problems. I have got a
tremendous amount of complaints from basically the Coconut Grove area
about pickup. Mr. Jones, has to my satisfaction, explained the problems
that he is incurring but I think it might be wise for just one minute to
heart his problems so if you get the calls, we don't have to bug him too
much.
Mayor Ferre: Commissioner Plummer, if I could recommend, we are a half
hour late and I know this is an important matter but let me tell you what
I plan to do. As you know this afternoon, we will have the police chief
in our midst to discuss the department.
I think that it would be of great benefit to all of on the Commission
and to the community at large if once a month Mr. Paul Andrews would
schedule a department head and I certainly cannot think of, after the
police, it seems to me the second most important question that the citizens
seem to have, is trash and garbage pickup and I think it would be
appropriate for the December meeting for that to be on the agenda in the
afternoon for a full session similar to what we are going to have even
though I hope it doesn't get the publicity and the notariety that this
one this afternoon has got.
Mr. Plummer: I wholeheartedly concur Sir but this is a problem that
is pressing this department at the time and I think it's important
enough that Mr. Jones can take 2 minutes to explain the problem that
he is having so if you get calls like I have, you can explain them.
Mayor Ferre: Could you do this in a memorandum form Mr. Jones as easily
as making a presentation here? Would you do this then Sir and send
copies to all the members of the Commission.
Mr. Jones: All right.
5 MINUTE RECESS
6, CHANGE ZONING CLASSIFICATION- "UGALDE AND RUIZ SUB" TENT.PLAT #863 AMD
"FALCON AND RUIZ SUB", TENT, PLAT #861 - 4750 N. W. 7 STREET
Mr. David Mesnekoff, Attorney representing the applicant appeared.
Mr. Mesnekoff: I am David Mesnekoff, Attorney, Dade Federal Building,
representing the applicant.
Mr. Plummer: Sir, as I recall, you were not here at the last meeting
which is why this was deferred.
Mr. Mesnekoff: Sir, I did not have notification of the meeting.
Mr. Plummer: Is there a reason Mr. Simpson?
Mr. Simpson: The notice went out to the owner of the property. Did
you receive of the planning board meeting?
Mayor Ferre: Do you send notices out on registered mail.
Mr. Plummer: No, we couldn't afford that. We looked into it one time.
Sometimes Mr. Mayor, it could be $300 to sent it out by registered mail
and we heard that when Dr. Bartley was here to re -do the zoning.
Mr. Simpson: Much more than that.
Nov 211973
t think it costs S3$ per unit.
Mr. Plummer: I think Mr. Mayor, you do bring out a good point though.
I think MR. Simpson in the future, you might want to make sure that
the applicant himself is sent by certified mail.
Mr. Simpson: The applicant got notices.
Mr: Plummer: We have a discrepancy "here.
Mayor Ferre: It seems to me it could cost that much y to have the
applicant receive a certified copy, not everyone. and then there wouldn't
be any question.
Mr. Plummer: Do you need a motion to that affect?
Mr. Simpson: No.
I4r. Plummer: Just in the future, that all applicants receive by certified
Mail -return receipt requested.
Sir, this is no reflection on you. The reason I asked this now has
accomplished something., that in the future that all people will be
notified so that there cannot be the disruption that was caused by this
last time.
Mayor Ferre: Let's proceed.
Mr. Mesnekoff: The property we are dealing with is located on N. W. 7th
Street near 48th Avenue. It's presently zoned C-4 and we are requesting
a zoning change downgrading this to C-2. Basically this particular area
was the subject of 1972 7th Street Study by the Planning Department at
which time the recommendation was made for C-2 zoning however, that
recommendation was never passed in 1972 and we basically are requesting
the zoning change on the basis that the Planning Department originally
Stated in their study that the uses allowed under C-2, the down -graded
:coning, are more compatible with the uses in the area which are residential
type uses, apartment type uses and the logical zoning for that tract.
Mr. Plummer: Are you finished Sir?
Mr. Mesnekoff:
Mr. Plummer:
to C-2, I get
Mr. Mesnekoff:
allowed in the
Basically it's a downgrade type zoning.
It's dbwngrade except for the fact that when you go down
the immediate indication that you want to go with apartments.
Yes Sir, there would be, we have no. Apartments are
C-2 classification.
Mr. Plummer: But they are not in the C-4.
Mr. Mesnekoff: That is correct Sir.
Mr. Plummer: When you use the terminology "downgrade", you mean down
classification.
Now Mr. Simpson, I can see one area of C-2. What I am looking for to
the left, is there any C-2 to the left?
Where is the private club in there Dave? the Pan Air Club?
Where the mark of objection is, is that apartments presently?
Mr. Simpson: I can't answer that'. There are apartments being built
in this area.
Mr. Plummer: Does anywhere on the south side of 7th Street now
exist in a C-2 with the exception of the intersection where the filling
station is?
Mr. Simpson: No most of it was changed recently to R-C.
Mrs. Gordon: Could we hear from Mr. Acton while they are checking
the maps? Your opinion.
Mr. Acton: What the applicant stated is correct. The Department did
recommend C-2 zoning in this area when we performed our overall zoning
study.
1n
NOV 211973
The only reason we recommended
spot zoning in a C-4 area.
Mayor Perre: Well if its going
Words, you want C-2 in that are
Mr. Acton: That is correct.
Mayor Ferte: You want to go from C-4 to C-2.
Mr. Acton: Right, we have recommended C-2 all the way along the C-4
area.
denial was because this represented a
in the right direction. In other
a?
Mr. Plummer: Dave, isn't this right around the area that I recall
that the chinese club was?
Mr. Simpson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
right? I own
AT THIS POINT
THE MEETING.
That is correct.
Mr. Mayor, let me tell you something is, well -
Wait a moment, I can't vote on this. This is on 7th street,
property in that vicinity so Mr. Vice Mayor.
MAYOR FERRE STATED HE WOULD ABSTAIN ON THIS ITEM AND LEFT
THE CHAIR WAS TURNED OVER TO VICE MAYOR GIBSON.
Mr. Plummer: The reason I am bringing this up. This one little area
was the hottest controversy of the whole study. Now, before, Dave you
tell me that the Chinese Club has sold out?
Mr. Simpson: I have heard that but-
- Mr. Plummer: That appears on this chart.
Adjacent to that C-3 immediately is C-2.
Mrs. Gordon: May I comment please since both J. L. and I worked at
2 levels. J. L. We were on the Planning Board at the time weren't
you?
Mr. Plummer: When it came up the first time yes.
Mrs. Gordon: I can't help but believe that C-2 will upgrade the area
to be in conformity to the kind of development we are hoping to achieve,
a high class commercial and residential atmostphere. Mr. Acton, what
else beside the piece that the owner's application has is C-4?
To the east and to the west?
Has this chart been updated?
Mr. Acton: Right, as it indicated on the map. A gas station would be
allowed. C-4 is rather liberal by nature. It allows gas stations.
Mrs. Gordon: I know, you could have muffler shops and a lot of
obnoxious uses.
MR. Acton: Advertising signs. There could be a use put next to C-2
that would not be in the best interest of the C-2 development.
Mrs. Gordon: I think it would be in the best interest of the City if
we permitted this application to be upgraded and then proceeded to
perhaps call for some more public hearings on changing the rest of it
to C-2.
Mr. Plummer: Mrs. Gordon, there is just something that sticks in the
back of my mind. The reason that this little designated area was
such a hot issue and I think, I personally would like to defer this at
this time so that I can re -read the in-depth minutes as it pertained to
this because I will be glad to furnish all of you a memo of what I
find but there was something in the particular little area there Dave,
do you remember that?
Mr. Simpson: The main objection I think came from the Chinese-
Also-
11
NOV 211973
s •
the owner of the Shack Bar.
Mr. Plummer: No, let me tell you what else I remember. I remember
a man down about 4th or 5th street that got up and just raised all
kind of about putting more apartments in his area. You remember
that? And Mrs. Gordon, until I have had time to re -read those old
minutes, I just wouldn't want to vote on it, I will tell you truthfully.
Mrs. Gordon: If you want to move a deferment, that's all right.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask the applicant. How much would it hurt you?
Mr. Mesnekoff: To defer the matter?
Mr. Plummer: To the 13th.
Mr. Mesnekoff: Presently naturally since we have had an unforseen delay
prior to this, we of course, would like to dispose of this as soon as
possible but as I said, we do not have firm plans for construction or
anything on those premises. We would like to finalize the zoning
on this. We have been through Planning and the appropriate hearings.
I would like to finalize it as soon as possible.
Mr. Plummer: I will give you a definite answer on the 13th. There is
just something sticking in the back of my mind as to why we did that
and until I can get that out of my thinking, I am not prepared to vote.
Mr. Vice Mayor, at this time, I would like to move that this be deferred
to the meeting of the 13th at which time we will give these people a
final answer.
Mr. Reboso: Second that motion.
ON ROLL CALL, A UNANIMOUS VOTE WAS RECORDED TO DEFER THIS
MATTER UNTIL DECEMBER 13th. MAYOR FERRE ABSTAINING.
MAYOR FERRE RE-ENTERED THE MEETING.
7, CONDITIONAL USE - LOTS 26 AND 29, ILOCK 3 TRAJUNE PARK (14-12)
Mr. Blaty: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Anthony J. Blaty, an Attorney
and I represent Anthony R. Abraham, the applicant.
This property is contiguous to existing property that we received a
conditional use previously for employee parking.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any objectors on item 12?
(No objectors appeared)
Mr. Slaty: LeJeune Road is east on your picture.
Mayor Ferre: Dave, would you point out where Le
Mr. Simpson: The main Anthony Abraham agency is
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Blaty, this is to provide more
is that correct?
Mr. Blaty: Absolutely correct.
Jeune is on that?
on this corner.
off-street parking,
Mayor Ferre: Are there any objectors present?
Mr.Plummer: Wait a minute Mr. Mayor, please. I want the assurance of
Mr. Blaty and Mr. Abraham that these two off-street parking will be
done in as good a taste as the one on 7th Street and Le Jeune Road. I
want it for the record. I know Mr. Abraham and he does a good job but
I just want it on the record.
Mr. Abraham: The answer is absolutely Mr. Commissioner and I have
some photographs, of the manner in which these areas have been
landscaped and maintained and I would like to present them to the
Commission if I may.
12
NOV 211913
Rev. Gibson: How is it that you settled all of this with those neighbors
before you got here?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes I just want to observe that there isn't a neighbor
accross the street objecting, on the block.
Mr. Plummet: Well Mrs. Gordon, this is exactly what I was bringing out.
That lot on 7th Street and Le Jeune Road is a credit to that area and I
want to make sure these other 2 lots which are now being included are
done just as nicely.
Mr. Abraham: Reverend Gibson, I want you to know that we have satisfied
our neighbors in every way possible with the single exception of the
street parking that now exists. I paid dearly, very dearly for these
lots. I have not dedicated but we have given up a total of over 32,000
sq.ft. of street frontage in order to accomodate the City and in order
that the area is a credit to our community and so that it will satisfy
not only our neighbors but myself.
Mayor Ferre: Well Mr. Abraham, I might point out that I agree with
what Mr. Plummer just said. These pictures verify it and I know of
your thoroughness and you certainly are a dedicated citizen in this
community who has done many good things for many people and I know
that you are the kind of man who lives up to his word and I am very
happy to hear you just say what you said.
Is there any further discussion on this item?
Mr. Plummer: I'll move it.
Mr. Acton: There are certain items that should be brought up in
connection with this application.
There is illegal parking in the required landscaped area by the applicants
primary service area on 7th street, Thats #1. In other words, there is
a required 20' landscaped area that is being used for parking illegally.
Mayor Ferre: At the present tine?
Mr. Acton: At the present time.
#2, there was a failure on the part of the applicant to comply with.
Commission Resolution 172-856 which provides for the installation of a
raised curb behind the sidewalk on the south side of S. W. 7th Street
between Le Jeune Road and S. W. 40th Avenue. A resolution was passed
as a condition the last time that the one parking lot was installed.
This was never complied with. Is that correct?
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Acton: On
supposed to be
parking in the
George, what are you talking about, a raised curb?
the corner of Le Jeune Road and 7th Street, there was
a raised curb there placed there to stop cars from
landscaped area.
Mr. Blaty: It's already in Mr. Acton.
Mr. Acton: It was put in and it was landscaped?
Mr. Blaty: Yes.
Mr. Acton: The 3rd condition was contained in the Planning Board's
recommendation to the Commission, in other words, site -plan approval.
Mr. Plummer: I will move that the application -
Mayor Ferre: We have a question before you make your motion.
Rev. Gibson: I don't understand the objection and the man has already
done it, I don't understand it.
Mr. Plummer: Well they just obviously didn't pick it up, that's all.
It has been complied with, fine.
Mrs. Gordon: If you move it Mr. Plummer, I will second it.
NOV 21.1973
Mayor Ferre: Any further discussion on this matter? Ca11 the roll
please.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-926
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A "CONDITIONAL USE", AS PRO-
VIDED IN ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE V, SECTION 1
(6) (b), TO PERMIT OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS ON LOTS
26 AND 29, BLOCK 3, TRAJUNE PARK, (14-12), LOCATED
AT 4244 AND 4290 S. W. 7TH STREET, WALLS AND LAND-
SCAPING TO CONFORM WITH PARKING LOTS TO THE EAST,
WITH NO OPENING ON S. W. 7TH STREET, SUBJECT TO
SITE PLAN APPROVAL BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT;
SUBJECT. TO COMPLIANCE WITH LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
FOR PARKING LOTS AS SET OUT IN ORDINANCE NO. 8115
AS AMENDED; SITE ZONED R-1 (ONE -FAMILY) DISTRICT
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
Mrs. Gordon: I want to commend you for the way the area looks. It
does look beautiful.
Mr. Abraham: Thank you, and I want to assure the Commission that what-
ever wi1 compliment your judgment but will compliment the community as
a whole.
8, VARIANCE - LOT 11. BLOCK 14, FAIRLAWN- 6625 S. W. 4 STREET
Mr. Juan Morales appeared in behalf of his father (also present)
who did not speak english.
Mr. Morales: I just want to tell you that the present system I have
in the house is awful. The rain keeps coming through the front door.
We have had to replace the door twice.
Mr. Plummer: Whkt kind of an addition are you putting on?
Mr. Morales: An open porch.
Mr. Plummer: An open porch. That's not a self-created hardship.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any objectors present?
Let me understand, your basically saying is that you want to build a
front porch area and you want to go 25' instead of 21' so what you are
asking for is an additional 4'.
Mrs. Gordon: I'll move it.
Mr. Plummer: I'll second it.
Mayor Ferre: Is there any further discussion on this matter?
If not, call the roll.
14
NOV 211973
The following resolution was introduced by Mrs. Gordon who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-927
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE NO.
6871, ARTICLE XXVI, SECTION 2 (23) , TO PERMIT CON-
STRUCTION OF FRONT PORCH ON EXISTING RESIDENCE ON
LOT 11, BLOCK 14, FAIRLAWN (8-83), LOCATED AT 6625
S. W. 4TH STREET, BEING 21' PROM FRONT BASE BUILDING
LINE (25' REQUIRED BY SPECIAL YARD DISTRICT #23),SITE
ZONED R-1 (ONE -FAMILY) DISTRICT
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Plummer, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
MRSI GORDON: I noted that no one in the immediate neighborhood had
any objection to it. They are all in favor of it.
9. ,APPOINTMENT OF DR. BEN SHEPPARD AS A_SOCIAL SERVICE CONSULTANT
TO THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMIS>ION
Mr. Reboso: At this time, I would like to propose the appointment of
Dr. Ben Sheppard as a Social Service Consultant to the City of Miami
Commission, at a $1.00 a year salary.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Andrews:
are. He has
this means a
complicated.
Mayor Ferre:
do you think
Is he willing to accept it at that high r:te of pay?
I fully understand what Commissioner Reb so's intentions
expressed himself. Now, would you drop the $1.00 because
form of agreement and other things and it gets real
Ben, they don't even want to pay you a dollar, what
of that?
Mrs. Gordon: Dr. Sheppard, would you like to speak to it or somebody
enlighten me as to specifically what we are going to expect him to do
for nothing?
Dr. Sheppard: I came here on another matter but I was talking
originally about the revenue sharing and I made the comment that I
thought that it should have been more consultation as to who was getting
that money and that the Commission probably needed as they do on Mami
Beach, they have a Social Service Consultant and I told Commissioner
Reboso that I would be glad to be the consultant gratis or a dollar a
year, I den't know that the law requires. If any matters of social
service and related matters come up, I would be very happy to be the
consultant for Mr. Andrews.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, let me say to you and if I may, since you
were not here this year for the disbursing of the federal funds.
I couldn't agree with Dr. Sheppard more. I don't want to go into depth
on that, but let me say I feel with Dr. Sheppard charring a committee
such as this would be of valuable assistance.
Dr., I have already, and was most insistent this year that before the
first dime of federal revenue monies we:-t outside agencies, that they
have to be dovetailed and it would have to pass by this Commission
through the United Fund using them as a coordinator and monitor but
I would much prefer Dr. Ben Sheppard sitting on top of that committee.
NOV 211973
15
•
Mayor Ferre: Excuse me but you don't mean, we are not casting any
doubts on the United Fund doing a good job, we'are just saying that
there might be alternatives.
Mr. Plummer: No Sir, in no way, as a matter of fact much to the
contrary. I called on the United Fund to come forth and to sit on this
so that they could be some monitoring and even though I will be putting
Mr. Andrews on the spot. Mr. Andrews, I sent you a memo the day before
yesterday reminding you that before the first dime of that federal money
is to be allocated out of this City to private sources that every charter
provision has been complied with and that it has been dovetailed through
the United Fund and I am going to be most insistent on that so I just
want to get that on the record.
Mr. Andrews: Would you explain a little more what you mean by dovetailed
through the United Fund?
Mr. Plummer: Yes Sir, during the discussion of the federal funds, any
monies that were not used for municipal services or municipal operations
was to be taken through the United Fund. It was passed by this
Commission that they were to sit as not only a monitor but a coordinator
to hopefully keep down any duplication of services of that nature and
I will be gladto pull the minutes for you Sir because there were three
representatives here from the United Fund.
Mayor Ferre: Is there any further discussion on this item?
Do we need a resolution on this'
Mr. Plummer: I think it would be appropriate.
Mayor Ferre: Any further discussion,call the roll.
BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE COMMISSION ON ROLL CALL,
DR. BEN SHEPPARD WAS APPOINTED AS SOCIAL SERVICE CONSULTANT
TO THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION
10, PARKING LOT LIGHTING DISCUSSION
Mr. Andrews: The City of Miami has an ordinance, an active ordinance
for the control of parking lot lighting.
Mr. Herbert Simon and other members of the Board of Realtors requested
that the Commission be taken on a bus ride so that we could view various
lots in the City of Miami that Mr. Simon a4 others had objected to the
manner in which the ordinance specified c;:'iteria for the placement of
lighting on these lots. That trip was m.de and conclusions were reached.
Some adjustments are necessary. I then selected 8 additional staff
members of the City of Miami and we went out and made an independent
ride on a large number of lots, some of which were lit to a very high
intensity, others we felt were adequate achieve the results that were
anticipated by the original ordinance and others• that we felt fell
below the standards that the Commission was looking to to achieve
adequate lighting. The process that we used was to set aside the
ordinance momentarily and go out and look at the lot to make a judgment
of 9 people making a judgment. Is this lot adequately lit?
After that judgment was made, we then took readings with a light meter
to determine the number of foot candles falling on the parking lot of
the lighting system that was installed, and we did this at many lots
throughout the City. We have come to a conculsion that there are areas
of the ordinance that do require adjustment. I want Mr. Clifford Hayes
to explain to you the areas that we recommend for adjustment in this
ordinance that will make it a very reasonable ordinance for the City
of Miami.
Mr. Clifton Hayes, Deputy City Manager: At the present time the ordinance
requires that all properties outside the C-3 zone, residential and
commercial and residential that have 4 or more units, must light their
parking lot to a minimum of 1=foot candle. This is supposed to be
maintained. In our analysis we suggest that this illumination be
average of 1-foot candle, it be the initial installation rather than
the maintained installation and that at no point on the lot should there
be less than h foot candle.
16 NOV 211973
•
We have also on the last line down here suggested that instead of it
being 4 or more units, it be 5 or more or any apartment house with
4 units or less would not be required to light their parking lot.
No. 2, inside the C-3 zone which is basically iowntown Miami, we would
make the same requirements but instead of 1-foot candle with a minimum,
make it 2-foot candles with a minimum of 1 foot candle.
As I said, right now its a maintained level which influences the
design of the parking lot lighting. To maintain the 1-foot candle, you
have to take and consider the fact that the lights lose their intensity
as they grow older. This way, its much easier to design an initial 1-foot
candle of lighting and then see that the lights are replaced on a frequent
interval or whenever they are required.
We are also suggesting that on commercial properties, that the
requirement for keeping the lighting burning all night and be automatic
controlled, that that restriction be removed. If you close your business
at 9P.M. and not open any after that, if you can secure your parking lot,
so that it cannot be used. A chain accross the entrance, that you
could turn off your parking lot lighting, that this would save both
energy and also be at less cost.
We are also suggesting that the existing ordinance, one section,
that some words be eliminated. The way it reads now, it has been
interpreted that benevolent organizations and non-profit organizations
located in residential zones are excluded from the ordinance. By
eliminating the words "Which are adjunct to a commercial use", we will
then be requiring the Elks Club or anything else like that to light
their parking lot and this would also apply to churches.
Mayor Ferre: In other words, they would have to light? I don't see any
reason why the churches or the Elks Clubs, I mean if a crime is going to
be perpretrated, it will happen as much in an Elks Club Parkin g lot as
anywhere else. It is included how?
Mr. Hays:. By including that change, .we will be able to require or at
least they will fall under the control of the ordinance.
There is also one other thing, that most people don't realize that
at the last time this came up, at the Board's recommendation, the Parking
Lot Review Board, the Commission did give the Board'a tremendous amount
of leeway in using their own judgment as to when a parking lot would
require lighting. We visited some apartment houses where the parking
area is right on the street, perpendicular, one stall deep. You have
spillover from the street lighting. With one little security light,
it would light up a dark corner, we felt this was sufficient lighting.
It did not measure up to the one or the one half foot candle but the
intent and purpose of the ordinance was kept by the location. The Board
already has authority that when somebody feels that they have certain
circumstances that should exempt them from this, the Board would consider
this and grant them a waiver. That's already been taken care of.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. City Manager, after the conclusion of this item
being brought up before, I asked for 2 parties to be present. I would
like to hear from them at this time.
Mr.Andrews: One of those was a representative of the Florida Power
and Light Company, would you like to hear from them?
Mayor Ferre: Is the representative from Florida Power & light here?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Cook, at the last meeting it was brought up as it
pertained to the energy crisis, that is presently existing, it was my
asking at that time that brings you here this morning, that in fact,
how does this lighting as proposed in the new recommendations of City
Manager Andrews pertain to the energy crisis?
Mr. Cook, Florida Power & Light Representative: Mr. Commissioner, as
Mr. Andrews has recommended, the actual additional lighting electrical
load would be relatively small. He is not, the fact that the lighting
levels have been reduced and the fact that many parking lots in the
City of Miami already have lighting, they may well meet this requirement.
The electric load seems to be relatively small.
Mr. Plummer: Could I have your assurance Mr. Cook that if this thing
were to be proposed and it does affect the energy crisis, that we
would have recommendations back from you to the City Manager telling
17 NOV 211973
• •
us that this thing has now become a problem. I am not saying that
it would but if it does, that we would be put on notice so that we
could take other preparations?
Mr. Cook: Absolutely.
Mr. Plummer: Fine.
Mayor Ferre: All right, who else do you want to hear from?
Mr. Plummer: I had asked Mr. Miyor that a representative of the Police
Department be here to give us an answer as it relates to the -
Mr. Mayor, let me go back to the initial conception. This Ordinance was
prompted by the amount of rapes in the downtown area. That is what
initially started this ordinance, so I had asked that a representative
of the Police Department be here with statistics showing us the amount
of rapes before theselights as opposed to after the lights and their
recommendations as to the effect the lights have on the deterrent of
crime in these areas and I asked that by memo.
Mayor Ferre: We'll be getting into that this afternoon.
Mr. Plummer: No Sir, as it relates here Sir.
Mr. Andrews: It is a separate matter and the statistics were developed
and I apologize for not transmitting them to you. I have them on my
desk and they do show the effect of the lighting and how it affects
usage by people of the area where the lighting has been converted.
I am sorry I don't have the information here for you but may I offer
this: That if you find, that these adjustments meet with the Commission's
approval, you will then be asking me to make the adjustments and we will
be following a Public Hearing procedure to have the ordinance amended.
Prior to that I will make sure'that you get this information and have -the pol
ice here so they can respond to your questions.
Mr. Plummer: Basically what I want to know Paul is, has this done any
good or hasn't it?
Mr. Andrews: Yes Sir, very much so.
Mayor Ferre: I'll tell you Mr. Plummer, having walked in Bayfront Park
in the evening, I can tell you that many of the people that I stopped
and questioned told me that they had not used the Park before and do
use it now because of the fact that it is so well let and they feel
relatively safe in there because of the lighting.
Mr. Andrews: May I take the Commission's time for one moment. When we
stopped at the C.T.A. Parking lot and we were gathering the instruments
out of the truck, 3 ladies, elderly ladies were walking in the parking
lot and you have to visualize that the C.T.A. parking lot is about h
block long from the building back to Brickell Avenue, They stopped and
they were curious as to what we were doing and we explained to them that
we were making some analysis of parking lots lighting in relation to
the ordinance and 'after we finished our explanation, I asked the ladies
that they appeared to be just strolling in the parking lot and she said
yes, now that we have the new lighting in the parking lot, there is a
walking club that has been formed and the ladies come out here in the
evening and just promenade through the entire parking lot back and forth
to get their evening exercise. The person who made up the newsletter
for the C.T.A. Towers and she was going to write up the information she
received in reference to the City's Parking Lot Lighting Ordinance.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask you this. Has any consideration been given
to only applying to new construction? Not being retroactive back on the
old structures.
Mr. Andrews: That consideration was given and that is something that
Mr. Simon's has been addressing to the Commission that is covered in
the South Florida Building Code as far as new construction but we
wanted to go beyond that and approach it from the standpoint that if
affects all the lots in the City of Miami.
18
NOV2119?3
• •
Mr. Plummer: Let me say this and we can keep it in mind for the
future. When we do such a thing and we put a date on it, we have
really put these people under the gun because these people who do
the installation know baby you got to get it done and you are going
to have to pay through the nose for it. I have known some cases where
this has happened. A man says well, I have no choice, if I want to
operate, I have got to pay it. ,Well this is wrong and I don't know what
we can do to alleviate it. I don't know what can be done but I know
its a problem, it does exist and I think we ought to keep this in
mind. You know, its one thing when you can go out and do it at your
leisure and get the prices you want them and things of that nature and
its another thing when you have 90 days to get it done.
I am hoping that this Review Board will keep this in mind.
Mr. Andrews: Yes, there is certainly going to be reasonableness in
working with the public in achieving this, I can assure you of that.
If there us unreasonableness, the public knows full well the number of
times this Commission has demonstrated in the past that the Commission
is available to them to listen to their complaint if we have mistreated
them.
Mayor Ferre: All right, any further discussion?
Mr. Plummer: I think we ought to hear from Mr. Simon, he has been the
most vocal.
Mr. Herbert Simon: May I first have some explanation on the inter -office
memorandum that I received from Mr. Andrews. To begin with, let me
commend the City Manager, Mr. Andrews and even if I lose today, I am
still going to commend him. He at least took the time and trouble to
have members of his staff in the Building Department go out into the
field to find out what is the practical application of this ordinance
and I think as you see, there have been some changes necessary and we
hope for some more but I think he did a very commendable job in doing
that. In the number one of the proposals by your office, Mr. Andrews,
would you explain why you put an average of 1 foot candle and at no
point less than h. In other words if h foot candle is sufficient, why
do you even need to put the average in there? Why just no less than h?
Mr. Andrews: The h foot really is not a level of lighting that is
desirable and the reason that we allowed the h foot in any one place,
we found as we went out to apartment buildings and looked at the
lighting that with 1 foot throughout the parking lot in the back of an
apartment building, it would require lighting to be installed on the
building with supplemental lighting at the back. That meant a lighting
pole with fixtures on it. We visualize underground conduit and running
up the pole and installation and averaging it this way with the one foot
would mean that adjacent to the building with lights attached only to
the building, you would get about a foot and h there and it would spill
to about 1 foot in the middle and h foot at the end of the lot and this
would be a far less expensive installation, yet achieve within a sense
of reasonableness that which we started out to achieve for the City.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Simon, If I may, the alternative to that is that we
have a 1 foot candle throughout the parking lot and of course that
would require additional lighting. I think that in effect, this is a
reasonable approach where you can have an average of one but nowhere
less than h. You could take two sides to this coin. You could say
if h is good enough, why don't we just leave it at h everywhere?
I can take the other side and say if one is the standard, lets make it
1 everywhere so I think this is a good middleground.
Mr. Simon: I am not going to argue. The only point was that there
would be conceivable to me that there would be a certain type of
decorative lighting that might not produce but h foot candle. It
might be scattered throughout some parking lot. Let us say an
apartment building parking lot and you wouldn't have an average of
one but you would have h or more throughout the entire lot. That is
the only reason I brought it up.
Mayor Ferre; Ok, is this satisfactory now?
Mr. Plummer: I want to ask one more question Mr. Andrews for the
record.
19 NOV 211973
•
What is, someone told me the other day, there is an alternative that
if they don't want to light up their parking lot, that they have an
alternative of fencing.
Mr. Andrews: It doesn't necessarily have to be fenced as long as they
can secure and control the entrances to their lot where the vehicles
Can't get through shrubbery or make it over a high barrier but control
the entrances, then they do not need to light.
Mr. Plummer: In other words, there is an alternative.
Mr. Andrews: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Then it is not mandatory that they must light. They can
either light or fence.
Mr. Andrews: And another alternative that is available to them where
they operate their parking lots through a portion of the night hours, 6 to
9 o'clock and the business closes at 9, and they have lights on in the
lot, they turn those lights off at the close of business if they secure
the entrance once again in order to save energy.
Mr. Plummer: So in other words, they don't have their backs against
the wall as much as I originally thought, they have an alternative.
Mr. Simons: On item 4, residential properties with 4 or less dwelling
units will be excluded from the parking lot lighting ordinance. We
feel, I know the intent there is to add some protective devices or less
expense to the small property owner. We feel that there should be 10
units or less and that it also should include commercial properties
of 10 parking spaces or less.
Mr. Andrews: I'll have Mr. Ferencik answer that question.
He has some additional information on compliance we received from a
large number of residential apartment units.
Mr. Ferencik, Dr.Bldg.Dpt: We presently have full compliance where this
was checked and a determination made with reference to compliance.
We have 173 new buildings that have been recently completed that have
complied with this ordinance fully.
Mrs. Gordon: New buildings, Mr. Ferencik?
Mr. Ferencik: New Buildings.
We have 180 buildings which have been finished, checked, there are a
lot more buildings that the permits have been taken, work has been done
but we haven't fully checked them out yet. There are 180 buildings in
the City at this time that we have fully checked and are in compliance
with the ordinance.
Mrs. Gordon: All of those are new construction.
Mr. Ferencik: No, these 180 are existing buildings that have added this
lighting to their facilities to comply with the ordinance and these are
the ones that have been checked, permits have been taken and we have
finished with them. Now in reference to the 10 or less parking spaces,
I think probably what Mr. Simon is trying to do is to relate this back
to the County Ordinance which from now on will require all business
properties of 10 or more parking spaces to comply with it no matter
what the City does or says. The South Florida Building Code has been
modified so that all the new construction if has businesses that have 10
or more parking spaces, must provide lighting more severe than the Ci:y
is requiring actually because they are asking for 1-foot candle maintained.
To get 1-foot candle maintained, you get into a technical description
which I won't bore you with but you have to have a lot more lighting
to begin with to meet this requirement. The elimination of the parking
requirement of 4 or placing the requirement on 4 or more units rather
than on the present 3 units, eliminates about 1000 properties from the
requirements of this ordinance and these would be small frequently
owned type pieces of property where the landlord lives on site and rents
an apartment or two out. I would not recommend raising this up to the
level of 10 parking spaces as the minimum. There are too many apartment
houses, hundreds of them that are being built in Miami with 6 units in
them.
NOV 1973
20
•
These units require 7 and 8 parking spaces and I think they should be lit.
I think the people who live in these places should have the security
where they have to park in the back of the buildings, sometimes in secluded
areas, they should have this security.
Mayor Ferre: Any further discussion?
Mr. Simon: I haven't finished.
Mrs. Gordon: Does Dade County, do the other municipalities have an
ordinance comparable with this?
Mr. Ferencik: Well all municipalities in Dade County by provision of the
Metropolitan Charter must enforce the South Florida Building Code.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm not talking about that.
Mr. Ferencik: To the best of my knowledge there :is no other community
in this area that has a mandatory Parking Lot Lighting Ordinance.
Mrs. Gordon: The basic difference between this and South Florida Building
Codeis the inclusion into existing structures, is that correct?
Mr. Ferencik: That is correct plus the fact that the South Florida
Building Code doesn't deal with parking lots in any event if they have
less than 10 parking spaces.
Mrs. Gordon: They do not?
Mr. Ferencik: No.
Mrs. Gordon: Well then Mr. Simon's recommendation was certainly in accord
with the South Florida Building Code.
Mr. Ferencik: It is.
Mr. Andrews: Excuse me Mr. Mayor, what Mr. Simon is recommending is
paralelling South Florida Building Code but we believe from our surveys
and our experiences that the South Florida Building Code and we are going
to recommend this that the standards should be increased so it provides
for more coverage to the point that anything larger than a 4-unit apartment
building should receive this lighting requirement.
Mr. Simons: On #6 of the Manager's recommendations, we suggest that
a period be after the word "Business Hours" and that the rest of it be
deleted.
Mayor Ferre: Let us read it specifically. Parking Lot Lighting for non-
residential properties may be turned off 30 minutes after the closing of
business hours and you want struck, "Provided satisfactory arrangements
are made to prevent an after hour parking use".
Mr. Simons: Yes Sir, in most cases, I know you discussed this previously
but in most cases, it would be inpractical to chain off or fence off a
parking lot after the business is closed.
Mayor Ferre: As I see it, the concern is that in the dark if someone
goes in if its open and available and they park their car there, then
you are subject to the same problem of crime. There is one of two things
that have to be done. Either you keep the parking lot lit or you make
sure that people can't go in there and park.
Mr. Simons: You are right mr. Mayor but no one has a right in there
after business hours any more than you would have a right to go in
somebody's back yard.
Mayor Ferre: That is plain theory. You know that in the practice of
it, somebody is going to drive in and park.
Mr. Simons: Just to continue , the two main thrusts of our argument
have continually been too much light and that the ordinance should not
apply to existing properties. Now I would agree that the question of
too much light has been taken care of in this proposal by the Manager.
We still do not feel that it is either fair or equitable and we also
21 NOV 211973
• •
think unconstitutional,
Mayor Perre: Which item is this?
Mr. Simons: I wasn't on a specific item. To have this applied to
existing properties is what I was referring to Mr. Mayor.
We have no quarrel with it applying to new construction. On new
construction, you can take it into consideration and it usually costs
less to install it in the first place while you are building and you can
take it into consideration in your rent structures. The tenants know
what they are getting into. We do not thi;k it should apply to
existing structures. We feel that it also sets a precedent for future
retroactive regulations. You could at any time say that, well the
building code now has changed and we require 2 X 8s in the roof instead
of 2 X 6s so ripoff your roof and put in 2 X 8s. Maybe that's ridiculous.
This does set up a retroactive law to my estimation. This has never been
done before.
If you insist on not repealing the ordinancw which is what we do request,
we think that at the very least, there should be a moratorium placed on
the ordinance until 2 things happen.
Until the new Lucalox lights are installed by the City and you
have somewhere around 3 million dollarsto install those and see
what effect this has because we feel this will eliminate a lot
of the so called problems relative to lighting.
We also feel that until the end of the energy crisis, should
also be tacked onto the moratorium. Last night, Iwas in the
Dadeland shopping center and they have big signs up there, they have
turned off their thermostat and turned off a numberof their lights
because of the energy crisis. There will be thousands of them and I don't
know if FP.L. has had any estimate of the numberof watts that will be
used by these lights if you go through with the ordinance, but are you
telling that if people who are now told to turn up their thermostats
on air conditioning and turn off their lights and a friend of mine who
lives near Mrs. Gordon on Bayshore Drive even turned off the pilot light
on her stove and almost blew herself up yesterday, but, are you telling
me now that we have no energy crisis here, that we can turn up our air
conditioners as much as we want and put on decorative lights and neon
signs? I mean there is something inconsistent with this.
Mr. Plummer: Let's get into that. You know Mr. Simons.
We can talk back and forth about an energy crisis and everything of this
nature but you know, I think it was ironic the way this thing came about
2 weeks ago. Mrs. Gordon brought up about a rape center at Jackson
Hospital and to urge that the city people use the Rape Center to the
extent that I am sure everybody understood what she meant but then 2
items later, we spoke about the lighting ordinance. I just don't see
how you can equate an energy crisis with safety in the streets and I am
going to be very frank with you, that is like saying okay, we have an
energy crisis or a fuel crisis, let's take the gasoline out of police cars.
I just don't see how you can say that the energy crisis is more important
than safety. We all admit there is an energy crisis but we also admit
that there is a crime crisis which we are trying to balance the 2, so
even if we infringe upon the area of putting Florida Power & Light to a
little bit more work, I think that it is well worth it and that is speaking
for one.
Mr. Andrews: I want to pointout Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission
that what Mr. Simon is addressing himself to is comfort and safety. If we
have a choice, I think we should consider the safety aspect and be a little
less comfortable.
Mayor Ferre: All right, is there any further discussion?
A11 right, Sir, go ahead, your name for the record..
Mr. Griffin: My name is J. Wyatt Griffin. I have an office at 144 N. E.
2nd Avenue in downtown Miami. I am the Legislative Chairman of the
Institute of Real Estate Management, South Florida Division.
I am here because we wrote a letter to you people prior to this hearing
and because my group asked me to appear.
Many of the objections in the letter have been answered by the the amend-
ment which we did not have in hand at that particular time.
Some of them are still unanswered and this is the reason I am up here
today.
22
NOV 2119?'
•
Mayor Ferre: Will you address yourself to those? With all due respect
to you and everyone on this important item. I would like to point out
tcryou that we are 45 minutes behind our schedule and there are a lot of
people waiting for other items.
Mr. Griffin: I appreciate that. I was going to play golf today and the
tee -off time was 11?30 and I am 15 minutes past my tee off time which
I had. I think its important enough Mr. Mayor to forget my golf game
even though I was dressed for it, and to come here.
The items that I am referring to now and we still object to the 1-foot
candle power minimum average in C-3 areas because our electrician, Mr.
Hart of Hart Electric tells me that you can read a newspaper on 1-candle
power and that you can see a rodent run accross the parking lot at h foot
candle power. If h foot candle power is good enough in one parking lot,
we would like to see the minimut stay. It would save a lot of money and
a lot of rat races in the cost of the lights being installed.
That's #1. We are security minded. We feel that we want to put enough
lights up, but not too many.
Another thing that we are against is under Item 6: It says that
lights will be burned for 30 minutes after closing. This makes you put
in timing devices because who is going to hang around for a little
store with delivery entrances at the back, to turn the lights off 30
minutes after he goes home. This still requires lights in the little
areas unpaved even in back of stores where delivery trucks come and
unload a TV set to repair it. This still requires the lights and those
things where there are 4 parking spaces in back of the store.
I would recommend if you are going to limit the number of parking
spaces on apartment houses, you ought to limit them on fringe commercial
areas too. This is not being fair to commercial properties.
We have to raise the rents on the commercial properties when we do these
things and the little man is getting hurt.
Mayor Ferre: I am talking specifically about the 30 minute timing.
Mr. Griffin: If they are not going to use the lot after that time and
they are going to lock it up, why burn the lights for 30 minutes?
Why not cut them off when you close? In this type of lots?
This needs straightening out and we figure we are professionals, we want
security. We don't want stuff we don't have to have and be forced to
charge tenants for the use of something they don't have to have.
That is my reason here today. I do think the Board has a lot when they
say certain things in existing properties because many of our buildings
were built with a different electrical code than what you have today.
We have to add things to the meter room. Special meters to run the
lights when the room is not in them to do it and certainly special
exemptions should be given to persons that find it real tough to try to
comply with this thing.
We don't think its gone far enough. It's gone a great deal in the right
direction. Enough study hasn't been given to it and I would like to see
a complete moratorium on it until a complete study could be given to the
little items and small things. I am not talking about the huge complexes
that can afford to put the lights in when they build them like high-rises.
I am talking about little strip stores that have a barbershop in it and
park their own car in back of the barbershop during the daytime and goes
home at night but has to light that little space now because I don't think
anybody is going to steal his garbage because its not a luctrative business
anymore. Another thing I am against. My office is in the downtown area.
We have sodium vapor lights and its too bad that the police department
and the fire department did not give the exact regulations this morning.
More buildings that I manage in the downtown area have been broken into
and vandalized since the lights went in. I had 4 last week with sodium
vapor lights blazing on the streets. Lights are not the complete answer.
Other security measures should be considered like sensors and other types
of things. Lights are not going to deter crime. Crime is committed in
the daylight time just as much as it is at night and I find some of the
buildings that I have and my electricians have told me, 5 parking spaces
behind a little building on N. E. 2nd Avenue, costs over $1,000.
I could have lit it up with two photo -floods which I have done in the past
and be satisfied with them if the department wants to do it.
One more point. You have given 'the Appeal Board certain power to
make waivers. Why not give the Enforcement Board the power not to cite
those to start off with so you don't have to go through this time in the
course of an appeal. This has not been considered in this ordinance.
23 14UV 211973
•
You have to give certain discretions to an enforcement agency.
I think it needs a lot more. I would like to see a moratorium so
it could be done right. Thank you.
Mr. Rosen: My name is Kenneth Rosen, immediate past president of the
Miami Board of Realtors. My address is 3746 West Flagler Street, Miami,
Florida.
This ordinance the way it is written now would require every
apartment building in the City of Miami with 4 units or more to keep
their lights on not until the close of business but all night long until
the sun comes up in the morning. You take 50,000 apartment buildings
leaving their lights on all night long. Our tenants, the tenants in the
City of Miami are not complaining about having night lighting but they
are complaining about having lights on all night long because of light
pollution.
Secondly, who is going to pay the cost of putting in the lights?
It's the poorer tenants and the middle class of this community that
are going to pay the increase cost of this lighting. Now my personal
opinion is that this ordinance is a ridiculous ordinance because it is
a retroactive ordinance. That philosophy is extremely disturbing to
me in a free enterprise system where you all of a sudden decide to pass
a retroactive ordinance that will mean 40 and 50 year old buildings
have to go out and comply with the ordinance. The tenants are going to
wind up paying for it. I am talking about the tenants that are in those
old buildings that cannot afford it because they are paying the highest
rents in the history of Mlami now. We have no objection to lighting.
Lighting is a motherhood issue. It's a beautiful issue but let's do
it on new construction where the builder and developer can figure the
cost ahead of time. I will tell you what this ordinance will do.
It will make millionaires out of electrical contractors because they will
be so busy in the next few months installing lights on existing buildings
that they will become very very wealthy . People will be under the gun
to comply with the ordinance.
Mr. Ferencik says that 180 buildings have complied with the
ordinance. I have complied with the ordinance in my own building on
Flagler Street because I consider it to my advantage to keep burglars
from breaking into the back of my office building but that is my right
as a private property owner. He cites 180. How many property owners
have not complied with it and do not intend to comply with it?
I would say that there are thousands and thousands. How many properties
are there in the City of Miami. There is a hell of a lot more than 180
properties. As far as the C.T.A., they don't worry about it because it
is a subsidized situation. The nice little ladies that are walking
around the C.T.A. parking lot do not have to worry about their rent
being increased because its a subsidy.
As far as the Review Board goes, you have to have the Review Board
set up from 8 o'clock in the morning to midnight because they will be
meeting 7 days a week. Everybody will want an exception because nobody
is complaining now. The problem is that the City of Miami should light
up the streets in the high crime areas first. On new construction, they
should comply with the South Florida Building Code but lets not enforce
an unconstitutional ordinance which is a prohibitive and an uneconomical
ordinance and a hardship on people and make it retroactive to 50 year
old buildings.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Rosen, before you leave. Let me just ask you and
please don't misunderstand the purpose of my question but since you have
spoken out, I think it is my obligation sitting here as the chairman to
ask you some questions.
Do you believe the police reports that increased lighting reduces
crime?
Mr. Rosen: I believe it reduces crime in the crime areas but I don't
think increased lighting in a non -crime area makes any sense.
Mayor Ferre: Unfortunately, and I have been reviewing some of these
statistics in the last few days pretty intensively. Unfortunately, I am
sorry to have to announce that there is no area in Miami that is crime
free. There have been rapes and muggings in every single section
including the 9 police sections. The City of Miami is divided into 9
police sections and every single police section within the last year,
there have been rapes, muggings and murders in every one of them so
the problem is that there are some that are more intense but my question
to you is:
24 NOV211973
Do you believe that lighting has reduced the crime tendency in some
cases?
Mr. Rosen: 'name cases, yes.
Mayor fierce: Let me ask you. You as a businessman and I as a business-
man, I read and I see litigation that goes on between one person against
a corporation for someone who has lost their life because of some
negligence with some property owner or corporation, and I see these
awards that are $800,000 and a million dollars, so everytime I read that,
I question. How much is a human life worth?
How much is it really worth? Can you really measure the value?
Now if one of my dear and loved family, one of my.children or someone
that I love very much were in anyway, they lost their lives, there isn't
enough money in the world that could compensate me for the loss of that
life due to someones negligence and the statement that I wanted to make
to you and this is just a matter of personal philosophy, I recognize
that retroactive laws infringe on the question of constitutional rights
of the individual even though I am not a lawyer.
However, we are reaching a period in the history of this country where
a lot of these concepts are being changed. Some to the better I might
say in my opinion. Some to the good. Now, if lighting, saves one life
in the City of Miami next year, then to me all the hassle we are going
through is worth it. This is my personal opinion.
We can discuss back and forth a candle or h a candle or whether
its 15 minutes after closing or if hour. I am willing to .discuss that
as long as you want but my opinion is, and I stand firm on this and that
is that if one life or one rape is avoided because of lighting, then
by God it's worth it.
Mr. Fitzgerald: I am Michael Fitzgerald . We are here representing the
Archdiocese of Miami. The archdiocese owns and operates many churches
and schools in the City of Miami. Last year when this ordinance first
came up, it'was brought to the attention of the Archdiocese. They did
a cost analysis and found it would cost many hundreds of thousands of
dollars to light all the parking lots in their institutions.
We thought it was unreasonable because the institutions aren't used at
night. If they are, its only very occasional like the midnight mass on
christmas eve.
Mayor Ferre: Then lock up the parking lots. You have a solution to it,
put a chain up.
Mr. Fitzgerald: That's all we are looking for if we can lock up the
lots.
Mayor Ferre: You put a chain accross the entrance and as far as I
understand, as long as you lock that parking lot, they can turn off the
lights.
Mr. Andrews: That is correct.
Mr. Fitzgerald: But we have to have them installed. This is the main
problem, the actual installation.
Mayor Ferre: Do they have to have them installed if they aren't going
use the parking lot at night?
As I understand it, as long as you put a fence or a chain or whatever it
is so that it is not used for parking, then you don't need the lights.
Mr. Andrews: If you use the parking lot at night, then you are going
to have to have the lights.
Mrs. Gordon: Where is that written into these recommended changes
Mr. Andrews?
Mr. Andrews: That would be number 6.
Mayor Ferre: Item #6.
Mrs. Gordon: Satisfactory is a broad term.
25 NOV 2 ].1973
•
Mr. Hays: Mrs. Gordon, that is already in the ordinance. It was
approved the last time this came up as item #7. The Board, with
other security measures such as fencing or securing the lot, so it
cannot be used after dark, need not provide the lighting at all but
if they use it during the evening hours after dark, they must provide
the lighting. Now we are going to allow them to turn off the lighting
and lock the parking lot after the close of business.
Apartments are used all night long by the residents.
Mr. Plotkin: Mr. Mayor, :my name is Leol.Plotkin. I am an attorney and
a property owner in the City of Miami.
I would like to make a few remarks. I particularly object to the
ordinance amendment #7 which is a straight out delegation of legislative
power to the administrative agencies. In that it says to take into
account the location of the parking area with respect to the property,
the use of the property and the existence of all other available lighting
and this creates standards and criteria which are so indefinite and so
vague that we as citizens and property owners would not know the status
of the law. Administrative Boards could vary interpretations day to day
from man to man from time to time until we would not know what this
ordinance meant. It is not permissable under system for a out
delegation of powers to any administrative agency and that is what this
constitutes.
The retroactive effect of this ordinance makes a legal act when
performed converted to an illegal act. When the buildings that were
constructed prior to this act were built, they were in conformance with
all existing codes and ordinances. Now by your action, you would convert
that legal action and make it illegal. I was taught in law school that
this was called expo -facto legislation because this is penal and you can
put people in jail by the terms of the ordinance for something that they
did legally.
I would suggest further Mr. Mayor, that the presumption that
making night into day by the use of artificial lighting, that this
presumption that there will be an elimination of crime may not be
altogether true and I want to state I do not object to lighting of
arterial streets throughout our City but with respect to private property,
and what I term as encroaching municipalism. We talk about encroaching
federalism but we must talk about the propery rights here of citizens
and how you will deprive them by making them close off their parking
areas if they do not install lighting or if they do install lighting,
letting them use that lighting for a 30 minute period after close.
I would suggest that we must be very very careful when we permit
greater authority over property rights in this City. Mr. Mayor, in the
Miami Herald yesterday and you will be taking this up later today,
there are doubtful statistics that the Crime rate in the lighted areas
of this City and I point out the significance to this Commission that
those bright sodium vapor lights in the central City and in Coconut
Grove concentrated in those areas, that the statistics indicates that
rapes have increased in the central city and that burglaries had
increased in Coconut Grove and we are her playing a statistical
game and we have not proved that more lights would be safer Mr. Mayor,
although again, I do not object to the lighting of the arterial streets.
Mr. Mayor, there are classifications of peoperty which are not covered
here and relate back to my discussion of this grant of legislative
power. There are warehousing developments, I own some of them. They
have multiple tenants and their operations cease at 5 o'Clock.
We would either have to light that area or close that area
although the operations may cease, the executives of those companies
come in at night and they do office work. I think that lighting can be
provided by citizens as Mr. Rosen referred to based upon their own good
sense of what is good for the safety of the community.
It is your job to protect us on our public streets and to give us
adequate and able police forces bu.to give us lighting without adequate
able police forces is not detering crime because if you belittle the
sophistication of the modern criminal, then he would not use the lights
to his own efficiency in perpetrating the crime, then you make a false
presumption.
Mrs. Gordon: What is your name Sir?
Mr. Plotkin: Leo Plotkin.
26
NOV 211973
•
Mayor Ferre:
presentation
statement.
Up until now
Mr. Plotkin, I will tell you that you made a beautiful
up to this point but right now, I disagree with that last
your presentation has been absolutely brilliant.
Mr. Plotkin: Mr. Mayor, I regret that we have come to the point of
slight disagreement. Perhaps if we had time to talk, we would not be
in disagreement, however, I am not definitely convinced that the lighting
in and of itself is any longer a psychological deterrent that we once
thought it was and so the basic presumption of the ordinance itself,
the presumption that was used by this Commission in evaluating the
reasons for voting into effect, may not be true. I do not say Mr. Mayor
they are not true. They may not be true and I hope that your session
this afternoon with the Chief will indicate some further statistics on
this.
Mayor Ferre: Let me ask. Can I interrupt you or would you rather -
Mr. Plotkin: I would like to conclude and I will conclude as rapidly
as possible.
Mayor Ferre: I want to bring this to ahead very quickly and I want to
ask Mr. Andrews a question and it might avoid your speaking any further
on this.
Mr. Andrews, is the administration convinced that lighting reduces
crime?
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Yes Sir and I can demonstrate that unquestionably.
You are convinced?
Yes.
I am going to tell you -
I want to qualify that. Reduces crime to persons.
Mayor Ferre: Of course. I want to tell you something that the only,
the only reason that I am for this ordinance is if it reduces crime.
If there is any hesitation or any question about it in your mind or
the police chief's mind of the administration, then everything that I
hold on this to be so, is questionable because if a reduction of crime
is not the case, then I think we are in very weak ground and the
synthesis of what I have got from your very brilliant presentation is
that it is not a reduction of crime and what you say is so if there is
any grade of truth in it, that what I think what you are talking about
not ad hoc but post facto application of the law, certainly comes into
play and the only thing that I would see overriding that is the question
of the safety of the individual and on the energy crisis, it seems to
me, that I am all for saving fuel to comply with the energy crisis but
certainly not at the expense of someone losing his life and that comes
as a #1 consideration so I want to emphasize strongly the premise that
I am basing my opinion on Mr. Andrews, and if you wish to continue,
you may go ahead.
Mr. Plotkin: I would like to take one more minute if I may Mr. Mayor.
The premise that the lighting of the streets in the areas where it is
now occurring reduces crime and that it is successful is something
that remains to be tested. If it were successful, then that premise
would only lead to the lighting of other streets which are not
presently in the program. The lighting of streets or property without
upgrading the quality and quantity of police enforcement reduces the
lighting of the streets to a psychological element only.
If you don't put the muscle in it, then you can light from now until
dooms day and that crime must and will not decrease.
I may say further that we will have to dissect the statistics and I
don't want to take the time now but you must be very careful in your
analysis of the statistics as to where the crime is occuring and whether
it occurs on arterial streets or whether it occurs on private property.
Whether the bodies are taken from arterial streets to private property.
there are many faces and aspects of the statistics.
I would like to close Mr. Mayor, if I may by saying that I hope
this Commission willpermit one thing from this day forward and that
is in any analysis or study for things that affect the rights of its
27 NOV 2 1 1973
citizens, that it will give input to its citizens in the policy formulation
stage and so called independent studies that Mr. Andrews referred to of
lighting on lots in the City of Miami.
i want to be there. I want to participate. I want to be able to give a
credibility to studies because they are made by the citizenry and by the
administration. Thank you.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Plotkin, do you live in the City of Miami Sir?
Mr. Plotkin: I do not live in the City of Miami but I own property.
Mr. Plummer: Do you live in South Florida sir?
Mr. Plotkin: Oh yes.
Mr. Plummer: All right Sir. Do you read the newspaper?
Mr. Plotkin: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: All right, now, Mr. Andrews you correct me if I am wrong
Sir. This Mr. Plotkin, is about the 6th meeting that we have had where
we asked for citizen input to this ordinance.
We went through this with the good Board of Realtors. We have hashed.
We have re -hashed. We had public hearings. We had more public hearings.
So Sir, please don't stand there and make a statement that this Commission
doesn't want the input of the people. We advertised. It was fully in
the newspapers. It was all in TV. We begged you sir, not you in
particular, but the public. Come forth and make your thoughts known.
Mr. Plotkin: Mr. Plummer, you are not indicating that my appearance
here today is inappropriate?
Mr. Plummer: No Sir. I am indicating your last statement that in the
future the people of the City of Miami be asked for input.
We have begged you people to come forth.
Mr. Plotkin: I want to explain that statement because I don't think you
understand it, in the sense that I am making it.
I am saying that Mr. Andrews referred to an independent study that he
made along with 9 other people. A total of 9 people went out and checked
lots in the City of Miami and got readings so that they could come up with
these various amendments.
Mr. Plummer: Sir, that was not to the original thing. This was an
amendment to reduce. This is an entirely different ball game.
Mr. Plotkin: I know that Sir, but what I am saying is that in the
future, is it possible or advisable that in the policy formulation
stage. In other words, in the recommendatory state, that there be some
citizen input so that we could work with the administration.
Mr. Plummer: By your being Sir is the indication that we welcome the
input from the people of the City of Miami.
Mrs. Gordon: Will you put your address into the record Mr. Plotkin?
You named your name but not your address.
Mr. Plotkin: My property address is at 6970 S. W. 4th Street in the
City of Miami. I maintain an office there and I own property along
with others at that location.
Mrs. Gordon: This is where you could be contacted. Is that right?
Mayor Ferre: How many more speakers do we have on this matter?
2-speakers. We have already been on this thing well over 45 minutes
going to an hour. I am going to limit you to just a few minutes and
lets unless you have something new to say.
Mr. Soloway: My name is Henry Soloway, I am a property owner in the
City of Miami.
I understand this is a safety measure required to reduce the crime with
lights. Now I hear that there is amendments coming up to fence off the
parking lot that is not being used after dark.
28 ' NOV 211973
Mayor Ferre: No no no, only if you don't want to light it.
Mr. Soloway: If you don't want to light it, put a chain accross there.
Don't forget to tell the City to put up a sign " No crimes permitted in
this area after dark because we don't have any lights on there".
That is what you are saying Mr.;Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: No, what we are sayingis that some of thesecrimes have
been committed when people go to their automobiles to getin them and
leave.
Mr. Soloway: Not necessarily.
Mayor Ferre: Not necessarily. Of course not necessarily but there have
been some that have been committed that way.
All we are saying is, you property owner, you have to either light your
lots or put up a chain so the parking lot will not be used after dark.
There is no guarantee obviously that a rape or a crime won't be
committed. There are no such guarantees in life. That is redundant.
Get to your point.
Mr. Soloway: Mr. Mayor, you can take a women off the sidewalk and drag
her into an unlighted parking lot that you are claiming has to be lit
up.
Mayor Ferre: Get to your point.
Mr. SOloway: The point is, you cannot say, this parking lot must be
lit and this one must not be lit. They should all be lit.
If a parking lot it is a parking lot, a vacant lot that you want lit
they all must be lit.
Mayor Ferre: You are saying they should all be lit?
Mr. Soloway: Yes Sir. If that is your law, we want them all lit.
Mayor Ferre: I understand. One more speakers, all right two more
speakers. I am not going to recognize anybody else unless you raise
your hands. We have 2 more speakers.
Mr. Mansfield: Mr. Mayor, my name is Joe Mansfield.101 N. E. 78th
Street. I own a couple of apartment houses out there and also am an
officer in the Greater Miami Apartment House Association.
I wasn't going to speak until Mr. Plummer mentioned the fact
that he wanted to hear from citizens. I am going to take my own case
and extend it to the thousands of apartment house owners in this City
that this would apply to.
I have 2, 4-unit buildings with a vacant lot in the middle.
It would require an installation of 2 lights out there at a cost of
$900.00 a piece or $1,800. The interest on the borrowed money would
be $180.00 per year and they will depreciate $90.00 a year and a
replacement of at least one bulb a year which cost $350.00 apiece.
•
Mr. Plummer: What kind of bulbs are you using Sir?
Mr. Mansfield: What the city requires.
Mr. Plummer: What kind of bulbs do we require?
Mr. Andrews : We don't have requirements on any bulbs.
Mr. Plummer: I replace bulbs all day long in the sodium vapor lights
on my property for $9.83. I am using a 500 watt mercury vapor.
Mr. Mansfield: All I can
Mr. Plummer: Well want a
know. Where is Mr. Cook?
that cost $359.00?
That's the fixture and everything.
do is take the electricians figure Commissioner.
minute. If you have a point there, I want to
Warren come here. Do you know of any bulbs
Mr. Mansfield: The fixture is the bulb, isn't it sir?
9
cz! 1973
• •
Mr. Cook: No Sir. You don't have to replace the fixture when you
replace the bulb.
Mr. Plummer: Your figures are way off sir.
Mt. Mansfield: Well let me go ahead.
Mr. Plummer: Well if your figures are correct, go ahead but if they are
as far off as that -
Mr. Mansfield: I am assuming they are and you are assuming they are
not.
Mr. Plummer: No Sir.
Mayor Ferre: There are a lot of other people waiting here so will you
come to your point.
Mr. Mansfield: Mr. Mayor, I was interrupted.
Mayor Ferre: Go ahead Sir.
Mr. Mansfield: I fugure the cost of this maintenance and of this install-
ation on these two will be $740.00 a year is going to cost each one of my
tenants $7.00 a month. I have $100.00 a month tenants.
I see no need for it and I can call your attention to the various energy
trouble. I personally would rather do without lights than to have my
apartment bound up for 2 or 3 hours 1 day a week. I don't discuss Florida
Power F Light figures and the other people on energy figures we can't
trust because they have been wrong.
I ask you either to repeal the ordinance or a moratorium until after this
energy crisis is over. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: One more speaker, yes sir.
Mr. Calay: My name is Calay. I did not come down here to address myself
to this matter but with your forebearance.
My first name is Joseph T. Calay, 2985 Aviation Avenue.
We have heard many comments today about lighting stopping crime and lighting
moving crimes from the area where they are, to where there are no lights.
If I am a criminal, I am going to make my living someplace.
If I have to do it in the daytime because the night is lit up, I will do
it. The important thing about crime #1 is the prevention of crime.
Once the crime has been committed, if the offender has not been apprehended
at the time of the crime, the next essential item in a court of law and I
went through it very recently myself is that the one that has been damaged
must be able to testify under oath that that person right there is the one
who did it. Specifically that individual and no one else on the face of
the earth. I must say that under oath and if lighting will give you the
opportunity to identify that person. I was held up on armed robbery on
Dixie Highway and 2nd Avenue. There was insufficient lighting for me to
identify that man. I could not accuse someone of armed robbery after he
shot at me twice later on, and that man after he had attempted his deadly
assault on me and on my body have someone I was not definigely sure of
was the man who did it and lighting will give the victim and the victim is
the most important one, the opportunity to, in his good conscience,
identify that person.
Mayor Ferre: Okay, thank you very much.
Dr.Sheppard, if you have to speak, that's fine but if you can restrain
yourself, I would rbe very very grateful because we are an hour and a half
behind schedule.
Dr. Ben Sheppard: One minute. First as Acting Medical Examiner in Dade
County, 53 to 56 in charge of the County Jail and I want to go on record
as favoring lighting of every possible area because during those 3 years,
while I was the medical examiner, I visited every capital crime in Dade
County and I know what I am talking about. Lighting is essential.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you Dr. Slieppard, that took less than a minute.
We owe you 45 seconds.
All right now, I think we have heard the same testimony on this and I
think we are ready to - Mr. Andrews did you want to say anything else?
30 NOV 211973
Mr. Andrews: The only thing I want to say Mr. Mayor and members of the
Commission. If you concur with generally what has been presented in
this memorandum, all you have to do is pass a motion at this stage and
then we will begin preparation for the public hearing.
Mayor Ferre: You want a motion that would then set the stage for a
public hearing? If I had known that, we could have cut this thing
off as hour ago. We are going to have a public hearing anyway.
Is there a motion for a public hearing.
Rev. Gibson: I move.
Mr. Reboso: Second.
Mayor Ferre: Call the roll please.
Mrs. Gordon: I have to ask a question.. Since we had deferred the
implementation until this day, don't we need to continue that until
the public hearing?
Mr. Andrews: Yes. The Commission has a choice. We can present this to
the Commission and we can adopt it at one meeting on an emergency basis
if you wish considering that this was a public hearing that we held
here.
Mrs. Gordon: I think some of the recommendations you have made are
a little vague. I think they need to be re -worked and modified and
maybe a citizens committee to work with you on it would be a good idea.
Mayor Ferre: I want to tell all of you ladies and gentlemen that have
been here to speak on this item so you won't get angry with me on that
occasion. At that public hearing, I am going to limit the speakers time.
Otherwise we will be here for 2 hours and I am going to ask you. I have
the right to enforce it but I am not going to do that. I am going to
ask you to limit your talk mainly to things that are new that have not
been stated at this hearing today in the interest of moving this thing.
Unidentified Man: This thing was advertised as a public hearing today.
I don't understand the necessity for further public hearing.
Mr. Andrews: We can prepare the information then and have it ready at
the next Commission Meeting for a final vote on an emergency basis.
Mayor Ferre: That is why you got me confused because I thought this
was a public hearing.
Mr. Plummer: That is right.
Mr. Andrews: We wanted to give the public every
every bit of concern in expressing themselves in
ordinance. We thought it was that important and
publicity in reference to it.
Mayor Ferre: This was a public hearing?
Mr. Andrews: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: Then at this point what we need
this or not adopting it and then preparing it
i will, even though its not a public hearing,
gentlemen that want to speak on the matter at
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
December 13th.
That is for final adoption.
With whatever modifications.
benefit of doubt and
reference to this
there has been so much
is a motion either adopting
in final form at which time
recognize the ladies and
that time.
31
NOV !1 1973
Mayor Ferre: With the modifications that will be made and 1 say right
now that the chair will recognize speakers at that tine even though we
don't necessarily have to do it, but we will.
M. Gordon: May I ask you, Mr. Andrews, if you'll call upon some of the
citizens who have volunteered their time in the modifications that might
need to be made. If you'll call upon them, they stated their own names
and addresses in the records.
Mayor Ferre: I think that's a good suggestion.
Rev. Gibson: I move (inaudible)
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion made.
Rev. Gibson: I move it for another time.
Mayor Ferre: And there's a. second. Is there any further discussion on
this item? On first reading, go ahead.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Reboso -
Mr. Plummer: No, Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry. You can't do it. You cannot do it
we do not have the legal draft in our hands. You'll have to make it a matter
of policy and then this afternoon, after the Law Department gets on it -
Mayor Ferre: As a matter of policy, the motion is a matter of policy with a
second. This afternoon we'll vote on the draft, persay, on first hearing.
The new state law requires that you have to have it drafted legally, that's
a new state law.
Rev. Gibson: I move it as a matter of policy.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, is it your intention that this is first reading?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Okay.
Mr. Lloyd: I'm telling you - no, this was not - no, I apologize to the
Mayor and the Commission if that was the understanding.
Mayor Ferre: John, let's get to the point.
Mr. Lloyd: My understanding was that the motion was simply to instruct
the Manager and the City Attorney to get together and draw up an ordinance
to be presented to the Commission at the next meeting for emergency passage.
Mayor Ferre: I understand. So, instead of reading it once now, we're going
to read it twice on the 13th. All right. Everybody clear on the way we're
doing this? Now, you modify your motions accordingly.
Rev. Gibson: That's the sense of my motion.
Mayor Ferre: All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further
discussion - we all understand what we're voting on. Call the roll.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Reboso.
Mr. Reboso: Yes.
Mr, Ongie: Reverend Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: Yes.
32
NOV 211973
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordont
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs Ongie:
Mrs. Goon.
Yes.
Mr. Plummer.
Yes
Mayor Ferre.
Mayor Ferre: I vote yes. Now, with my apologies to those who have waited
so long, let's take up Item #15.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
meeting, exte
stands on the
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
please.
Mr. Ongie:
No, Mr. Mayor. You need a second motion, remember?
You're right. Go ahead, Mrs. Gordon.
Spending the time, repeating the motion we made at the last
nding it until today as far as policing this ordinance as it
books.
Through the 13th. of December?
Yes, through the 13th.
There's a motion. Is there a second?
I second.
There's a second. Any further discussion? Call the roll,
Reverend Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: Yes.
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Mayor Ferre.
I vote yes. Now, we're on the 11:00 items. Item #15.
Mrs. Gordon: I address myself to Mr. Plotkin. Would you be available to ou
Manager if he calls a meeting of interested citizens, would you let him know
NOV 211973
33
11, VARIANCE REPLATTING OF LOT 1 - THE SILVERSTEIN SUBDIVISION"
Mayor Ferre; All right. Item #15, yea sir, and we're an hour and a half
late so I would be very grateful if you would make your presentations as
quickly as you can. This matter was voted on 63, recommended variance with
one objector, the Planning Department recommended denial. Are there any
objectors present on Item #15? Before we continue, I would like to rec-
ognize the presence of Mr. Rudolph Ramirez who is a new member of the
governing board of Jackson Memorial Hospital Complex. All right. The Chair
recognizes you, sir.
Murray Silverstein: My name is Murray Silverstein. I reside at 1765 S. W.
24th. Avenue, Miami. I have two adjoining houses, joined by a utility room
10' long and 5' wide. I want to remove the utility room in order to effect
a complete separation of both houses, in order to sell off one of the houses.
In doing so, I find by variance regulations that we are short about 200 sq.
feet. These houses have existed for about 30 years and they are CBS homes,
equipped with its own sewers, electricity, meters, and requires no con-
struction of any kind - just destruction.
Mrs. Gordon: May I ask the department to speak to this, please.
Mr. George Acton, Director of the Planning Department: Our recommendation i=
based on the fact that we could find no hardships - a self-created hardship.
Division of property.
Mrs. Gordon: Will it affect the neighborhood adversely?
Mr. Acton: No.
Mr. Plummer: Are there any objectors?
Mayor Ferre: Any objectors present?
Mr. Plummer: You say it will not hurt the neighborhood? Fine. I'll move
it, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second.
Mrs. Gordon: Second.
Mayor Ferre: Any further discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who moved its
adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-928
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE
NO. 6871, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 11 (1), TO PERMIT
REPLATTING OF LOT 1, "THE SILVERSTEIN SUBDIVISION"
Tentative Plat #890, LOCATED AT 2390 S.W. 17th.
TERRACE, WITH LOT AREA OF 5,738 SQUARE FEET (6,000
SQUARE FEET REQUIRED), SITE ZONED R-1 (ONE FAMILY)
DISTRICT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the
City Clerk's Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was passed and adop
ted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboot), Mrs. Gordon,
Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None.
34
NOV 211
12. VARIANCE - LOTS 184 19 AND 20. BLOCKJ2S M1 ML B-41
Mayor Ferre: Take up Item #16; 501 S.W. lst. Street. Zoning Department 9-
0 recommended variance; Planning Department recommended denial. Set back
4'; 10' required subject to righta-of+-way dedication.
Mr. Frank Chopin: My name is Frank Chopin. I'm an attorney with the firm
of Chopin and Chopin. I represent the owner. The matter was brought up at
the Planning Board that this is not really a request for a variance on the
10' set -back but that under the definition that's in the code, there's a
5' set -back existing and what we're asking for is a variance of a 1' var-
iance to set back 4' instead of 5'. I think the Planning Board accepted
that in definition so clear, it was never questioned by any of the people
from the City of Miami. What we want to do here is build an addition ---
Mr. Plummer: Whoa - Mr. Simpson, will you address yourself to that, sir.
It makes a big difference from 4' to 1'.
Mr. David Simpson, Director of the Planning Board: Its interpretation of
what is the front of this odd parcel of land and the way the lot is platted -
we're talking about lot #19, a portion of lot #19 and lot #18. It was the
decision of the Zoning Division that they would have to consider the S.W
1st. Street as the front of the lot.
Mr. Plummer: Does that make it 1' or 4'?
Mr. Simpson: Four feet, as it's written.
Mr. Plummer: Is there a gray area as the man brings out?
Mr. Simpson: Possibly. In other words, your front set -back in commercial
zones is a 10' requirement. The side is 5'. We wrote it up as 10' so there
could be no question.
Mr. Plummer: I like those yes and no answers, Dave. Are there any object-
ions, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Ferre: Any objectors present, please?
Mr. Plummer: No objectors present, Mr. Mayor. I'll move for adoption.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion on #16. Is there a second? Is there a
second on Item #16? All right, there's a second. Commissioner Reboso.
Further discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who moved its
adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-929
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE
NO. 6871, ARTICLE XVI, SECTION 4(1) (b), TO PERMIT
CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITION TO EXISTING OFFICE BUILD-
ING ON LOTS 18, 19 and 20, BLOCK 12S, MIAMI (8-41),
LOCATED AT 501 S. W. 1ST, STREET, WITH FRONT SET-
BACK OF 4' (10' REQUIRED), SUBJECT TO THE NECESSARY
RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION ON LOTS 19 AND 20, SITE
ZONED C-4 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) DISTRICT AND C-1
(LOCAL COMMERCIAL) DISTRICT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the
City Clerk's Office)
35
NOV 21
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso, Mrs.
Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None.
13, REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF ZONING CLASSIFICATION - LOTS_1. 24 AND 3
LESS SW LY10' _ OF LOT 3. BLOCK 41.1JEW BISCAYNE AMENDED B-16
12145.21MLAILDEEERREILILDELEMBER 13._1973_
Mayor Ferre: This is appeal of the Planning Board decision on 2670 Tiger -
tail Avenue. It was voted 9-0, recommended denial for change of zoning
classification. Department recommended denial. This is a request to go
from R-4 which is medium density to R-C which is residential office.
Unidentified Man: Mr. Mayor, we are requesting a postponement. Our
attorney for the Condominium Association is in Washington.
Mayor Ferre: There's a request for a postponement.
Rev. Gibson: I move that -
Mr. Plummer: Whoa - wait a minute. How many people here have objections?
Mayor Ferre: How many objectors are here on Item #17?
Mr. Plummer: How much of a hardship will it be for you to come back on the
13th., sir? If we make it the first item? 9:00 A.M. on the 13th.
Mayor Ferre: Wait. Yes, 9:00. He's right.
Mr. Plummer: How much of a hardship, sir? I'll second Father Gibson's
motion to defer.
Mayor Ferre: Motion seconded to postpone till the 13th, at 9:00 A.M. Any
further discussion? Call the roll.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Reboso.
Mr. Reboso: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: Wait a moment - hold on. Stand up and speak into the micro-
phone so we can all hear you.
Mr. Plummer: A question before the roll call is issued on that. I assume
this is Mr. Sikolski. Mr. Sikolski's not present? It doesn't make any
difference. It wouldn't kill the item if he's not here, sir.
Unidentified Man: It was the mention of a Condominium Association? They
are the owners, I presume.
Mr. Plummer: It makes no difference. It was requested by them. Okay?
Mayor Ferre: All right. Call the roll.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE CITY COMMISSION, THE APPLICATION
WAS THEREUPON DEFERRED TO THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 1973
36
NOV 21'1973
14. ELEEMOSYNARY USE VILLAGE SOUTH INC.
LOTS 1 Neu a,. BLOCK 17. DIXIE HIGHWAY TRACT .(5-24) LOCATED AT
BLOCK BOUNDED BY L E. MIAMI PLACE, N. E. MIAMI COURL. N.E. 58
AND 59 STREETS ZONED R-2 AND R-3
Mayor Ferre: This is an appeal of the Planning Board's decision; block
bounded by N.E. Miami Place and N.E. Miami Court;. N.B. 58th. and 59th.
Street. Planning and Zoning Board - 7-2 - recommended denial for for
eleemosynary use. Fire Department recommended denial. Twenty percent
objectors. How many are here as objectors? Would you raise your hands,
please. There are so many objectors that we're not going to be able to
listen to all of the objectors. How many would like to speak? Four.
Are you sure? I will not recognize anybody else unless you raise your
hands, at this point. Six, as objectors. I will recognize you each for
a couple of minutes - or three minutes maximum. If you want to concede
your time to somebody else, that's all right but there's - how many did
we count now? Six. And three - that's 18. Let's say, 20 minutes of
objector's time. Okay? Now, go ahead.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think one other ground rule if we will so state
it - I read over the entire transcript of the Zoning Board meeting. Mr.
Spaet is an attorney, sir. I will ask you and ask the Mayor to call any-
one else out of order as it relates to the speaking of people here this
morning. This is before this Commission under one concept. That of Zoning.
And any other conversation not relating to zoning is out of order. Now,
with those ground rules, Mr. Mayor, I hope you will enforce them.
Mayor Ferre: All right. Your name and address for the record, sir.
Mr. Hal Spaet: My name is Hal Spaet. I'm a member of the law firm of
Pertnoy, Spaet and Greenberg, who are the attornies for Metropolitan Dade
County Comprehensive Drug Program. I'm here representing them and I'm also
representing the Village South, Incorporated. We're here as of an adverse
ruling by the Board, 7-2, as you heard. There are a lot of speakers this
morning, proponents and opponents.
Mayor Ferre: Wait a minute. I'm sorry. How many proponents are there her
today? Oh, my. Well, how many of you want to speak? How many of you wish
to be heard? If you don't raise your hands, I will not recognize you.
As it relates to zoning and that alone. Five speakers. That's pretty clos
to the other side so I will give you the same amount of time. Twenty min-
utes on each side. You want to speak then? You have 45 seconds coming fr
the other one, so we'll add that to your speaking time. So, each side will
have 20 minutes. Now, is that acceptable? I don't want anybody all upset
later on that they didn't have time to speak. Twenty minutes speaking time
on each side. Go ahead.
Mr. Spaet: Mr. Mayor, the only thing I would ask is that I'm going to tr
and preface the proponent's statement and I would like some time after they
finish, to conclude, if it's at all possible. Your Honor, in keeping with
Florida Statute 176.14, we are here, as you, sitting as a board of adjust-
ment and I specifically want to read #3 to you: to authorize upon appeal
in specific cases such a variance an ordinance as will not be con-
trary to the public interest; where only special conditions, a literal
enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary
hardship and so, as justice done. Your Honor, we approach you and the
Commission on two bases this morning. One, is that we are an eleemosynary
institution at the Village South and on that basis, we are not asking for
a variance; we are not king for a change of zoning. We're asking for
special exception as anieleemosynary institution. That's number one.
Number 2, as an extra basis for this special exception, we come here in a
hardship situation which I will be happy to explain to you all.
37 NOV211973
Basically, the situ ion is this. The Legislature, under the Baker Act,
The Myers Act, and several other state statutes, have mandated the impli-
mentation of community -based facilities. Rehabilitation facilities. Now,
federal funds have been invested in this area, close to $8,000,000, based
on a contingency of these implementations of community -based facilities.
What must be understood here is that what has happened is that the Planning
Board has said that since this is a residential drug treatment facility,
and that's a misnomer which I'm going to try and specify for you, that it
should be zoned under R-4 hospital classification. The implications of
this, Mr. Mayor and Members of the Commission, are very grave because the
same problem exists in other facilities in this community and what this
means is, if you feel, since it's your decision, that these residential
programs must be classified as hospitals or clinics, that means that the
money that we're talking about that was spent, was wasted. That's #1.
Number 2. I've heard a lot of talk about crime today and if we don't have
these rehabilitation - these residential rehabilitative facilities - we're
not going to try and get to the root of the problem of crime. You're going
to hear some objectors who are going to talk about Mr. Gibson's program,
excuse me, Village South, and are going to say that there are things that
they are doing wrong. As Commissioner Plummer said and I'm glad he said
it, the issue is not whether he's doing something wrong or right. The
issue is whether there is zoning for this type of facility and I suggest
to you, since you're the City Commission, there must be a new classificatioi
for this type of facility. There is no present classification. Your
Planning Board classification, under R-4 as a hospital, is incorrect. This
is not a treatment center; there are no drugs on the premises; this is only
a residential facility which, incidentally, fits in to R-2 and R-3 which is
what it is now and it's a residential facility that has about 31 people in
it who are on work furlough and school furlough and receive no treatment on
the premises. So, this is, in our opinion, improperly classified as a
hospital - number 1. So then my suggestion to you and what we're asking
you here for is to reverse the aecision of your board and to exclude
this type of program as an eleemosynary institution until such time as
you're able to draw up zoning guidelines that have requirements that each
of these programs fulfill so that you'll have a proper zoning classificatio
If you deny the request, that means we're going to have to go further and
that means that every program in this town is in jeopardy and, ladies and
gentlemen, it's not only this town. The United States is watching you on
this decision. It's a very important decision and for that reason, I ask
you to listen very carefully to both the proponents and the opponents of
this matter and I would like to come back at the end and conclude.
Mayor Ferre: All right. Here's what I'd like to do now. If the opponents
will stand over here and the proponents stand over here, I'm going to rec-
ognize one at a time, a proponent and an opponent until we get right down
to the end and then I'll recognize Mr. Spaet for the final statement.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, before you do, I have been following this for some
time and Mr. Mayor, I'd just like to ask a few questions to get them on the
record, if it meets with your approval. Mr. Spaet, do I understand, sir,
that you represent Mr. Matthew Gisson?
Mr. Spaet: No sir. I represent Mr. Gisson for the benefit of the com-
prehensive drug program. They're the ones whom I represent.
Mr. Plummer: All right, sir. Who is the owner of the property?
Mr. Spaet: Mr. Gisson. The corporation is - Village South, Inc.
Mr. Plummer: Is the owner of the property?
Mr. Spaet: Let Mr. Gisson explain, sir.
Mr. Gisson: The owner of the property is S.S.S. & T. Enterprises,
the leasee of the property is the Village South.
38
Inc.-
NOV211973
Mr. Plummer:
T Mr. Spaet, do you represent 6.5. , Inc.,
sir?
Mr. Spaet:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferrer
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
No, sir. I represent comprehensive drug and the Village
South, Inc. as leasee of these programa.
All right. Now, Mr. Gisson, you are a member of this cor-
poration, sir?
Yes. I am its president.
You're president of this corporation? Mr. Gilson, on
February 21, 1973, did you write a letter or in any way
communicate with the Building Department of the City of Miami
putting forth five locations that you would like to use this
concept in, sir?
Yes, I did, sir.
For the record, would you like to state or do you want me to -
what the answer was?
I received a few different answers if I-
I'm referring to the letter of February 23, 1973.
I'm trying to locate that particular letter. I think it's in
a different
Then let me put it on the record for you, sir. The answer
from the Zoning Division - they told you that in no way could
you use this property for the purposes for which you intended
that you would have to first get a zoning change, if this was
to be the use. Do you recall such a letter, sir?
I recall something to that effect but I recall a subsequent
letter in which the Zoning Department advised me that the R-2
zoning would be acceptable for use by 5 or less individuals
residing as a family, in the R-2 zoning. In the R-3 zoning,
that that also would have a use category which would be fine
and acceptable to us as a program.
Sir, on April 18, 1973, did you receive a notice of violatio
A notice of violation?
Correct, sir.
I don't recall if I received it or not. I did receive - a
suit was filed by the State Attorney's office - -
I am speaking, sir, of the Zoning Department of the City of
Miami - it served you with a notice of violation to stop you
operation.
No, they didn't. They - I don't recall. If you have it the
I'll certainly be glad to - - -
Sir, I'm only going on what I was furnished. Mr. Ferencik,
do you verify the fact that you gave us in a memo.
I'll tell you, I didn't know we had our own Perry Mason in
City.
Mr. Mayor, unfortunately, I've been following this for four
months.
Fortunately, I would say.
39
NOV 211973
Mr. Robert FerencikSirector of the Building lillartmentt We issued a notic
of violation to Mr. Gisson on April 18, 1973.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Ferencik, did you indicate to me, sir. that you had told
this man that in no way could he use this premises for the
operation intended?
Mr. 'erencik: He was advised that, in February.
Mr. Plummer: Now, what is the point that he's bringing up about the use
of R-2 and F-3?
Mr. Ferencik: They moved in to the premises without any approval or auth-
ority and there was a considerable ammount of problem and
conversation back and forth between the Department - this wa=
verbally - and this gentleman, between the zoning enforcement
officers.
Mr. Plummer: Did he ever get a
.111. OM ONO
Mr. Ferencik: He was advised, because I'm sure this is true, and he would
have been advised, that up to 5 unrelated people can legally
occupy a single-family residence. And, if he could contain
his operation within that limitation to 5 people within a
single family residence, that such an operation as this cowl-
be carried on, in a R-2 - - -
Mr. Plummer: What was the notice of violation for?
Mr. Ferencik: The investigation on the part of the field inspector indicat`.
that they were not operating within the limits of the ordi-
nance and they noticed them to terminate the operation.
Mr. Plummer: And what did they do, sir?
Mr.
Ferencik:
They did not terminate the operation and we filed an action
the Metro Court, in consort with some of the citizens in th
area and the State Attorney filed an action in the Metro
Court. The outcome of which is pending the outcome of this
hearing. They were then given an opportunity to exhaust th
administrative release and attempt to attain zoning clearan
for their operation and the action, as far as the courts ar
concerned, won't be continued until this hearing comes to a
definitive conclusion.
Mr. Plummer: In other words, Mr. Ferencik, what you're telling me is, wh
such a situation occurs, that is detrimental to a neighbor-
hood, that people can drag these things out unmercifully -
is really what you're telling me.
Mr. Ferencik: They can and do.
Mr. Plummer: We're going to put a stop to that if there's a way to it.
Mr. Spaet, the reason for my question, sir, you know, you
being a lawyer, know that you must come into court with cle
hands. I have mace it a point, sir, on at least a dozen or
more, conservatively speaking, occasions, to drive by thes
premises anywhere,from 7:00 in the evening till midnight.
Now, Mr. Spaet, I don't live in that neighborhood, but I h
to be very truthful with you, sir. I wouldn't want to. S
of the things that I have personally observed, I cannot sa
are of the true concept of what is a drug rehabilitation
center. For the record, let's make it very, very clear, a
Dr. Ben Shepard is here, who I fought very hard for, to ge
his program as well as every drug program into existence*
40 NOV 21
Mr. Spaet:
I the you should be well awarshat this Commission went on
record some two months ago with the very man who's going to
testify for you, that we asked him- was it Osmond House, as
I recall - to move this out of an R-2 area into an R-4 area
where it would be more conducive. And, I will tell you, for
one, sir, that I don't think any special type of classi-
fication is needed. This City abounds with R-4 cIassificatio
which Mr. Gilson could have just as easily found an area in
R-4 to conduct hisprogram as he did in this particular
neighborhood. For the benefit of the other Commissioners whc
have not been, this little area and when I say little area,
because it is isolated; it is isolated to the effect of the
streets that surround the area; there is an alley that runs
back by the swimming pool; there is complete exposure to the
street, and if the rest of this Commission has not afforded
itself the opportunity of going by and looking at this oper-
ation, I really don't feel that we can vote properly on it
today. I have seen it. I will tell you that if you find a
parcel of R-4 property, I'll fight to get you funds to get
that in existence. But, I will tell you likewise, Mr. Gissol
and Mr. Spaet, that I will fight you in the location in which
you exist today.
May I respond to your statement, sir? I can only refer you
to your earlier statement which was so true. This is a
zoning hearing. Whether Mr. Gisson operates this program
correctly or not, is something to be taken up before the
appropriate bodies, but the question here, sir, is not wheth
Mr. Gisson's program, as you've driven by there, is messy or
not - not whether things are done correctly or not - but
whether or not the program can exist in the type of zoning
you're talking about. We have looked. You talk about R-4.
I have a letter from your City Manager stating that they hav
looked in their city areas for this type of facility and the
can't find it. Mr. Gisson has told me he's looked everywher
and he can't. The problem is if every one of these groups
are good operating or poor operating, are required to be R-4,
zoning, we've got some serious problems. And, I'm telling
crime -wise, we've got serious problems.
Mr. Plummer: I don't disagree, sir, except to the point, I was speaking
to Zoning. This man came to our Building Department,asked •
one of five locations was agreeable - he was told no. Now,
that is a violation of the zoning ordinance, sir. He was
further served a notice of violation on the 18th. of April.
He didn't stop. That is a zoning violation. Furthermore,
a re -check on May 18th., he was served with another violati
notice. He didn't stop. That is a coning violation, Mr.
Spaet.
Mr. Spaet:
Yes, sir, but as you also know, the unclean hands doctrine
extends but as you also know, we are forced to exhaust our
administrative remedies and by State Statute, the case over
there is stayed until this matter is concluded.
Mx. Plummer: Mr. Spaet, we can argue sematics back and forth, but what I
saying is, he was told from the very beginning that he cou
not operate and he did. That's what I'm saying.
Mr. Gilson:
Sir, if I might respond. The letter of February 23, 1973,
last paragraph: Please contact Mr. David Simpson, should y
elect to petition for a zoning change. on the subject prop-
erty. Our very request, not for a zoning change but for a
special use, was upon the advice of your own City employee
They advised me not to ask for a zoning change, to ask for
41 NOV 211973
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gilson:
Unidentified
Person:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Gisson:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
(uncii►r) use, which I did. Lets go one step furthers if
I may, because we're reading some letters but we're not
reading all letters.
Mr. Gilson, t would like to take it a point at a time, sir.
You were instructed that you could not move this operation
into that premises. If you wished to elect to try to get a
zoning change, and comply, then you could. Not move in and
then try to get the zoning. That's what you did, sir.
In the interum, I was thrust upon some 40 youngsters without
a place to live.
Mr. Gilson, let me tell you- -
WM ale
Mr. Plummer, may I have the opportunity of completing a
sentence? Forty youngsters who had no place to live and wou1
have hit the streets and then Mr. Garmire would appear befor=
you this afternoon and tell you about some more crime. Be-
cause of that hardship, we moved in but we moved in under th
edicts of the March 20, 1973 letter from the Building Depart
ment in which I was advised that those properties could be
used for specific purposses which we did. We used it. We
used the R-2 for 5 unrelated adults, living together as a
family.
Out of order.
Now, wait a moment. The only one who can say that is the
Chairman and I haven't said it. He's got a right to talk.
You can respond later.
We moved in under an ( ? )
permission. They said you can use it for these purposes
which we did, but we come to you today on a bigger matter.
And the bigger matter is the whole issue of zoning of pro-
grams. That is before you today, not a specific one.
- a shadow of authority and
Mr. Gisson, we've already taken up 25 minutes of time. I
know it's a very important subject. I don't mean to cut yo
off.
Mr. Mayor, let's get one point very clear to Mr. Gisson.
And then we're going to let everybody speak.
And that, very simply, is this. Mr. Gisson, I have just
talked with Mr. Ferencik and unless you show me a letter to
the contrary, sir, he never told you that you could operate
your program. He quoted to you, sir, the regulations as th
pertain to the R-2 - that 5 people unrelated could live the
but no way did he indicate to you that you could run a pro-
gram.
Sir, I say that we are operating under those conditions.
Well, Mr. Gisson, you live there and I don't, but I want t
conclude, Mr. Mayor, by bringing one point very clear to
the forefront. You know, Mr. Gisson, in the same way that
you have a hardship, sir, there are neighbors there and th
have a hardship. These neighbors came to me some three
months ago, pleading relief, and I went to the Building De
partment and asked what could be done because this Commis -
ion has been very great in compromise. But, obviously,
nothing was done.
That's not true, sir. 4re been looking for an alternat
NOV 21197a
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Gisson:
Mr. Plummer:
facial, to move the program site that item came up. And.
number two, 1 have asked the City Manager if he know of any
City facilities that might be available. The answer was in
the negative.
This City does not provide programs on city -owned property.
That's not true either, if I might say, Commissioner. It
just isn't true. This City has gone on record of providing
facilities to non-profit organizations for the use by them
for a semi or quasi -public use. which we are. The County
has done likewise.
Mr. Gisson, all .[ say to you is, sir, and to Mr. Spaet, to
whom I originally started to speak to, I don't want anyone
to go away from here thinking that J.L. is anti -drug program.
That I am not. I fought, if you had been here at federal
funding time, very hard, sir, to get federal funds and if yot
come here next year and you show me that your program is a
good program, I'll fight for you. But all I'm saying is ---
that this, to me, is an undue hardship to the neighborhood.
Mayor Ferre: I think we've heard some statements here. Let's give every-
body a chance. I'm going to recognize you for two minutes.
Mr. Bill Sitowsky: If I may, Mr. Ferre, My name is Bill Sitowsky and I'm
representing several of the home owners in the area and
rather than speak in the beginning and at the end, I'd rathe
just reserve my comment for the end.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Sitowsky, I'll recognize you to close up your
side of it. Next speaker.
Annette Eisenberg: I'm Annette Eisenberg, NDP Chairman and also Co-Chairma
of the Parks for People Program in our area. I don't know
what all the discussion is because if Mr. Gisson had, before
he started the center, would have checked the master plan,
he would have known that it was an NDP renewal area plus the
fact that this land is being considered for a park. It was
approved by the committee. Now, Mr. Gisson has told us that
he will gladly sell us back the land for the park but he
wants us to let him stay there until such a time, that is u
to the Commission and the residents. But Mr. Gisson well
knew that it was going to be a park. He should have inves-
tigated before he invested $83,000 in the property - $11,00
of which came out of his pocket and First Federal Savings
holds the mortgage of $72,500. Now, on the zoning matter,
we have more drug rehabilitation area or centers in our are
than anybody else. Just a block down the street is Spectr
House. At 67th. Street and Miami Avenue is Spectrum House.
We have heard of approximately a half million dollars in la
being used for rehabilitation centers. Now, I hope that th
Commission considers this. If a park is scheduled for Park
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, Mrs. Eisenberg. Proponent?
Rev. Fred Harrison: My name is Reverend Fred Harrison, Executive Director
of Spectrum Programs. I'd like to speak to the issue of
zoning and remind this Commission of the history of zone
selection for theraputic communities which goes back to on
year and one month ago. Excuse me, four years and one mon
ago. Four years ago I went to the Zoning Department and s
I wanted to open a theraputic community. What's a therapu
community? I tried to describe it. It is true there is n
43 NOV 211973
clas ication for a theraputiclemmunity and it was agreed
that R-3 - R-3 0:: R-4 would be satisfactory. On the basis
of this guidance and recommendation from the Zoning Depart-
ment, Spectrum has bought its property in R-3 and has ad-
vised every program in the past 4 years that R-3 was alright,
based upon our experience with Zoning. Now, when you come
up with a new zoning of R-4, you are putting every program,
not only in the drug rehabilitation business in jeopardy;
in alcholism, the care of retarded children and everything
else in the Half -Way House because these are not hospital
facilities. So, you should keep in mind the history of 4
years ago, of the precedent that was established by zoning
of R-3 as a satisfactory zoning for this type of operation.
Mr. Plummer: I concur with you as long as it's an R-3 with a conditional
use. That means that some neighborhoods are conducive to it
and others are not. That's the difference. Let me tell you
what we're talking about. Some neighborhoods are vacant.
They're adjacent to parks - they're fully opened - they're
full of open space and others are so blasted crammed up that
they couldn't take another thing into it. So, if you're
talking about an R-3 or even an R-2, I would be agreeable
to with a conditional use that this Commission must approve
the locale - I'm all for it - but if you're talking about
general permitted use in R-3, no, sir. I'm against it.
Rev. Harrison: Let me make clear. I meant to make the history clear. It
was on the guidance of the Zoning Department that we have
purchased all property as R-3. Now, for conditional use in
all of these things, yes. There must come a time when we
must have some recommendations and some zoning regulations
of this type. But in the meantime, don't knock every pro-
gram out of the box - right across the board by a decision
today with the Village South.
Mr. Plummer: Father, what I'm saying is don't make me a zoning board -
make me a zoning board - don't make me a pardoning board.
Don't come here after you've been told not to do something
and ask me to approve it. That's what I'm saying.
Rev. Natni.son: Speaking to the Lassie oS zoning. That is ano.then. .issue.
Mr. Plummer: No, I disagree with you. I disagree. The violation is
there, Father.
Rev. Harrison: A zoning violation?
Mr. Plummer: No question. A zoning violation. This man was issued
two notices. Now, he was told he couldn't operate there. He did it.
Now he is asking us to approve it. THat is what in fact we are doing.
That is the zoning.
Rev. Harrison: I am trying also to correct your statement on the record
that R-4 is the zoning. I am saying that R-3is a satisfactory zoning.
Mr. Plummer: With a conditional use, I would be all in favor of it.
Mayor Ferre: All right, lets hear one of the opponents now.
Any opponent wants to be heard? Go ahead Sir. The chair recognizes
you for 2 minutes.
Mr. Baker: My name is Charles Baker, I live at 245 N.E. 59 St.
I am here to voice my objection to Village South Inc. by being perm-
anently located on their present campsite. I disagree with the attorney
and the owner in the definition of terms and they violated the rules
laid down by Commissioner Plummer - I believe it was, who was speaking
on the subject of crime and not zoning.
44
NOV 2119
•
One of the things I would like to say but I am going to abide by the
rules. I wish to say that I do not agree that what they propose to
do is a residential project. It's an institutional project in my
humble opinion and as far as the zoning is concerned, I don't know
too much about it but I do know that it is already a congested area
and the streets are hardly more than a cowpath. Two cars Gant pass
or meet safely on those streets, especially Miami Court and Miami Place.
We are breathing down each other's throats now and if they are permitted
to erect modern structures, it would create a greater congestion than
we have now. Thank you very mu:h.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you Sir. D7. Sheppard?
Dr. Sheppard: Ben Sheppard, 1265 W. Flagler, Catholic Service Bureau.
I think I go along with what Father Harrison says. I think it is to
the benefit and I think its beautiful that all the programs want to
locate in the City of Miami. It reflects the benevolence of the City
Commission and I think you ought to be congratulated but I do think
that we need some clarification. I had to move and buy a new house
for Osnam house, I had to buy one over on S. W. 6th Street and when
I say I, I am speaking about the Archdiocese. We had to move.
I think that personal exceptions can be made in view of circumstances
and I feel perhaps that the Commission would set down some guidelines
as to future therapeutic centers establishing within the area of the
City of Miami. I don't know how St. Lukes is zoned. I think it is
R-3 with special because its an entire city block.
I hope that I am within zoning rights or else I would have to burn the
building down.
I feel for the people in the place and we have to have some guidelines
and we have to have some consideration along those lines.
Mayor Ferre: All right Dr. Sheppard. An opponent -
Mr. Petee: My name is Ed. Petee, 5706 N. W. 2nd Avenue.
In Edison Park. I am a substantial property owner in Edison Park.
0f course, Edison Park, is well known as a high crime area which makes
my heart bleed when I hear the attorney tell me about all these kids
he is bringing into the area. I think this is awful poor exposure for
these poor kids. Of course, on the other hand, I think it rather
terrible exposure for these old time citizens that have been owning
their homes there for many many years to crowd in a group of 80, 90
or 100. Edison Park too, I don't feel needs a multiple drug rehab
center. I don't know why we should attract all these centers.
In my mind, this neighborhood of course, referring to this particular
plot is in no way adaptable to this use. I wonder if Dr. Sheppard has
looked at this property. I wonder if Father Harrison haslooked at this
property. Is it a proper place for a rehab center?
I think a little common sense is needed here and as Mr. Plummer has
very well brought out, this is certainly no place for a rehab center.
At the last meeting of this Commission, we reviewed the terrible
local conditions, garbage, noise, rowdyism, with no concern for others.
I say, let us go forward on this very very carefully. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you SIr. Yes Ma'am.
Ms. Sloat: My name is Linda Sloat, Regional Coordinator for the
State of Florida Drug Abuse Program of the Department of Health
and Rehabilitation. In this capacity, I am here today to speak in
behalf of the Village South Inc. and their request for approval of
their application for special use of the facility they occupy at
5825 N; E. Miami Place.
I would like to begin by reading into the record if I may, a letter
from the Tallahassee State Office of the Florida Drug Abuse Program
addressed to me from Charles L. Durbin Jr., Coordinator`of licensing
and violations in reference to Village SOuth at the same address.
"The above program is licensed according to Chapter 3 -97 and meets
all minimum standards as set forth in 1973 standards manual for date
centers", that is drug abuse treatment and education programs.
They hold license number 089 which was issued April 19, 1973.
To .the best of my knowledge, this program is beneficial to client
rehabilitation and additionally, they have eliminated any potential
or existing health or safety hazards at the facility. If any addit-
ional information is needed, please let me know".
45 NOV 211913
• i
The State of Florida licensed the Village to run a residential
therapeutic community in that facility on April 16 of this year.
Such licensing was based on full compliance with all rules and
regulations of the State Drug Abuse Program.
These regulations and the evaluation of the programs compliance
include both the physical facility and the clinical treatment of the
clients as well as the qualification of its administrative and clinical
staff. Dade County and the City of Miami are indeed fortunate to have
programs such as the Village and other residential treatment centers
for the care and rehabilitation of our citizens.
Programs such as the Village have brought much acclaim to the Miami area
and all efforts should be made to aid rather than to hinder their
assistance. In order for these centers to maintain a family style
atmosphere, and provide for their clients a realistic possibility for
re-entering the community, experience has shown they must and should
be located in a predominantly residential neighborhood as opposed to
isolated areas in the County as has been suggested by some people in
the past. The State has licensed 8 such residential centers in Dade
County and 3 additional licenses are presently pending. The existing
programs account for approximately 250 of all drug abuse clients in
residence and approximately 390 clients in the re-entry or graduate
stage of treatment. The State Drug Abuse Program realizes the
existence of such centers are or inconveniences to residents
of the neighborhood. We do however make every effort to acquaint the
community with not only the need for such centers but also their style
and format of operation. This is done through open houses, speeches to
the community organizations and the media and with hearings such as this
today. With this type of exposure, many of the unfounded fears of the
citizens near the facility can be alleviated.
It is my hope that continued community efforts such as these will bring
the City of Miami Residents and Drug Abuse treatment residents closer
together. If I can answer any questions that any of you have, I will
be happy to or provide information and I would request that you vote
in favor of the application for special use.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much. Any other opponents wish to be heard?
Olga I am here today ladies and gentlemen = I own a 8-unit
building. It is in front of the rehabilitation center. With the
children, I have 3 plus other children that :Ave there. That was a
favorite spot for them to play. They cannot play there anymore on
account of the wierdos and all the things you can see that exist around
there. Sometimes you come home from work tired and when you get to your
house, you cannot park. They take all the parking spots and you have to
walk 3 or 4 blocks, then come back 10 or 11 o'clock in the night to
try to see if there is a parking spot to go back. In the last meeting
they said they weren't drug addicts. I agree they are not drug addicts,
we are the working addicts . We got to put up with too many things.
All we are asking for is that favorite spot for the children to play
games, the bad language and everything is affecting our jobs andour
nerves. The kids used to play and ride the tricycle and when you come
home from a hard days work, you send the kids out to play but they
are scared to go. You are scared to go out. He said he thought there
were about 8 or 900 people living over there but Mr. Gibson said at
the last meeting that there was 35. If there is 35, they sure got a
lot of visitors. Around the pool where he says, we have a little
noise, he was going to soundproof the building. When he said it would
be a waste of federal money, the soundproofing of the building, I say
it is especially around the pool area. Sometimes around that pool
area, it looks like a tourist resort. Another time, all you see is
weirdos. We can't tell you what we got to put up with. The garbage
smells like dead animals. They eat good. They live good, why should
we, the working addicts have to go on a diet.
The other day my 11 year old said, hamburger again. My 16 year
old said, thats not hamburger, its chicken.
I cannot rent my apartments because when they come, and they just take
a glance over there, they don't want to see the place.
I tried to reduce the people's r.nt. They said, you don't have to
reduce the rent, we are leaving.
At the last meeting, Mr. Gibson said that there is more than 20%
against them. We are not against them. They are just at the wrong
place. We appeal to you. If he can get donations to soundproof that
place. He said he was using federal money, it was donations, if he
can get donations to fix, especially the pool area, and soundproof
46 NOV 21 1973
the house, he can find somewhere else and build somewhere.
I can't get no donations nowhere. If I go on a diet of meat and
potatoes, you are going to laugh at me. They don't give me donations.
They said I am strong and I can work so I got lots more to say but it
doesn't come right now so I will say thank you.
Ms. Segal: Marion Segal from Here's Help Inc.
lets very apparent today that while we are supposed to be discussing
zoning that there are a lot of emotions and emotional feelings involved.
I think sticking to the issue that in the ever changing times of today,
where issues come and go, it comes a time when a city has to look at
the needs of its community and its very apparent the therapeutic
community is here and in need for rehabilitation is here. These times
will not go away. As far as the zoning is concerned, whether it be
R-1 or 2 or 3. When we first opened, as far as getting the money and
people accepting the need, and that there is a problem, nobody knew
where these therapeutic communities belonged. There was no zoning and
by saying that it doesn't belong is R-2 or they don't belong in this
area, you are merely taking the whole problem and sweeping it under
the carpet and I would hope that you people as the leaders of the
community, since it is coming before you today, realize that there is
a need for rehabilitation in the therapeutic community, that it is
here today and deal with that issue and not say, it doesn't belong here,
but where it does belong, so we don't have to keep going and just do
our job.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much. I would like to before we come to
a conclusion on this, Mr. Andrews, this is a matter that has come
before us before and its going to come before us again and I am going
to state my opinion in a little while but I think it is really
essential that we have an indepth administrative study on this whole
matter and come back with some definitive solutions to it and then I
think we are going to hold a public hearing. I think what Ms. Segal
says speaks right to the heart of the matter. We may not be able to
solve it today but for all these rehab locations etc., lets get an
in depth study of this and see what the solution is.
I don't need a motion to that affect but lets put it on the agenda of
things to do.
Now we have an opponent. We have now been over a hour. Its 1:30
and I respectfully request both sides to try to wind it up quickly now.
Mr. Landren: My name is Albert L. Landren?, 5801 N. E. Miami Place.
I live directly accross the street. I feel sorry for these boys and
girls that are on this dope and I think they need a place to go but
we have 6 such places in my neighborhood. That's enough I think.
This one here, the discipline over there is very poor. They go and
come on the streets, day and night. They stay up all night. They are
supposed to get quiet at 11 o'clock under the ordinance but they stay
up all night long driving nails on the walls with hammers. What is
wrong with them, I don't know but they are just not the type to live
accross the street and keep us folks up all night long. The language
they use is something terrible. They say they don't have dope over
there but just before the last meeting we had here, I told you, one
women started screaming and cursing and using 4 letter words just as
fast as she could do it and in a few minutes time, there was 4 of
them at the same time, men and women. They made no attempt to get
them off the street for our women folks. You should hear the language
they use, its just terrible. We need relief.
Mayor Ferre: Now a proponent.
Mr. Lanken: My name is Charles Lanken, I am the project director
for Metropolitan Dade County comprehensive drug program.
I really do want to speak to the issue of zoning. I would like to also
speak to what the mayor has just spoken about of a comprehensive study
into what is necessary for zoning of a residential or rehabilitation
center. In San Antonio, Texas, just this past year, the same situation
occurred of zoning of rehabilitation facilities. What is really
necessary is for the members of the Commission to visit the Village
to see that a commode is a commode and that a residential dining room
is a dining room, there is nothing different in this facility than in
any other housing facility in the neighborhood. This is a human growth
and development facility. So is a family facility anywhere in Dade
County.
- 47
• •
I think that the zoning which is required needs to look at the use
of the facility. It should not look at the civil rights of an
individual to determine whether this person is or is not a human being.
They all are. Look at the facility, the use of the facility and not
involve yourselves in civil rights. We are not trying to determine
whether the Village South is a good program or a bad program. We need
to determine, what is a rehabilitation center, what are the requirements
of the City and the County to place on these facilities, and then
establish the zoning code for these facilities.
At this point, that is all I will say. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Wind this thing up. Its almost 1?30 and then Mr. Spaet
we will let you make the final statement. I hope we can wind this up
before 2 o'clock.
Mr. Sitowsky: My name is Bill Sitowsky, representing several of the
property owners neighboring and right accross the street from the
Village South Inc. If I may sugtest to the members of the Commission,
first of all the neighbors in my discussions with them, do not object
to drug rehabilitation centers.. That is not the problem. It is not a
principle of opposition. The limited question is whether or not this
particular drug rehabilitation center or any drug rehabilitation center
should be located in that parcel of property which is indicated up on
the wall there. I think the issue that the proponent is trying to
present is a false issue. It's a legislative issue. They are trying
to project this limited case in the context of, well we have to estab lish
the broad rule now. Well that is a legislative decision which I think
the Commission should consider and I think the recommendation of Mr. Ferre
is certainly in order and I would hope that whatever the results of any
study would be would probably, if the proper administrative procedures
were .set up, eliminate the kind of problem you are confronted with
right now because I suspect and this would have to wait final determination
by you, but I suspect that whatever standards you establish will probably
eliminate this kind of situation from ever existing. That is in a very
confined, tight knit neighborhood suddenly injecting a full city block
a drug rehabilitation center which amont other things is rather obviously,
poorly run and there is very little control over what is occuring in the
immediate neighborhood and the ramifications of the neighborhood and the
ramifications to the neighborhood are rather adverse. Now I think the
real problem we have here is that the owner, or Village South Inc or
whoever the owner operator is, made a rather grave error. That is he
started the operation, when he should have known better, when it was
contrary to existing regulations and now he is coming and pleading his
case having already put himself in the adverse condition in which he now
finds himself. It's his own fault and 90% of the presentation by the
proponents, no one can quarrel with. It's true. Everything they say
is true but they -are ignoring the issue which is whether or not in
this immediate locale, it is appropriate to have a drug rehabilitation
center. Now I think the records reflect there are a large number of
petitions which are a part of the record. I think there were in excess
of a hundred signatures of people residing in the immediate neighborhood
who opposed the location of this facility there.
Very briefly, prior to Village South being in the neighborhood, there
was a black white problem and its solved.
The people who live in this neighborhood and reside there have lived
there for a long long time. One woman who could not be here today but
was before the zoning board has lived there since the 1890s. They are
elderly people who live here. These are all factors which enter into
any judgment of the situation. Since the Village South has established
its facility on that property contrary to the existing regulations, the
it takes up the whole block. The noise quotient has increased signif-
icantly at all hours of day and night. The police are called. The
problem is shaped up until the police leave and then the noise or
whatever the problem is, repeats. There is a lot of unsanitary conditions
with dempsty dumpsters or whatever overflowing. Increased traffic is
not only a nuisance by way of noise but also in terms of just dangerous
to the immediate residents.
48 NOV 211973
•
In any event,
Mayor Ferre:
Before you do
we firmly hope that -
Mr. Spaet, a quick closing statement.
that, for the record, a Mrs. Mc Clean called up.
Mr. Spaet: You know we listened to a lot of testimony on this and
we get back to the same thing. Legally, here are your programs. Here
is your zoning. I tell you that none of these programs have conditional
uses. None of them. To require this program when you haven't required
these and to deny this application is to put in jeopardy every single
one of these programs because they are zoned the same exact way.
They don't have conditional uses. They haven't passed any conditions.
They are toned the same way and let me come back on one thing.
Mr. Gisson moved into this property and he did so as Commissioner
Plummer said against the, without the permission. of Mr. Ferencik or the
Planning Board, you know we talk legalistics. He had 40 people in his
program for drug addicts who were going on the street if he couldn't
move in there. Thats why he moved in there. Now I am sure Commissioner
Plummer does not mean to say to me or to all of us today that when one
does something like that and they are charged properly and the enforcement
authorities are proceeding against them properly, that they don't have
the right to review the decision because they violated the law that
they don't have the right to appeal. I know he is not saying that and
the point that I am making here is that there are implications in this
program. Don't consider whether its a good one or a bad one or whether
there is trash on the lawn or not, and the fact and what Mrs. Eisenberg
said, I concur with except for the fact that Mr. Gisson did know this
was going to be/a park when he moved in there. He did not know it.
He knows it now. We believe that there is going to be a park there.
Please give them a conditional use and allow them to continue until the
park goes when I have to move anyway. If you don't do that, they are
going to have to be out on the street.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, he is making something that he is supposing
that Mr. Plummer is saying. In no way did Mr. Plummer indicate anything
of what you said Mr. Spaet. What I said was and I think it is a matter
of record, he just didn't take these 40 people and move in.
He took the time to call and ask and was very explicitly told he could
not. okay?
Mr. Spaet: Let me just say one thing. The reason he took the time.
Do you know why he did?
Let me tell you how grave the situation was. I made arrangements to
move these people into a special facility. I made it personally and
temporarily until hefcould find a facility. This all happened I think
within a period of 2 weeks so that was the problem so please I am asking
you, do not penalize him as an appellate court would not penalize him
because he has committed a wrong. He is just exercising his right
to review.
Mr. Plummer: Okay, just as long as the record is straight.
Mr. Spaet: Thank you very much.
Mayor Ferre: All right now, with the permission of my fellow Commissioners
here, I am going to just make a brief statement and then if anybody else
wants to do that, that will be fine and then we can bring this to a vote.
Now, I address myself particularly to Ben SHeppard. Is Dr. Ben still here?
and Marion Segal. You don't. have to tell me about Marion Segal, I know
who Marion Segal is and Marion Segal knows who Maurice Ferre is and
Matt to you, all three of you in particular, Hal Spaet, you don't know
me that well but Marion knows who I am and you know who I am and Ben
Sheppard knows who I am and when I was needed for Here's Help, I was
there. Not once but many times and I will be there any time you need me.
Okay. Dr. Ben Sheppard has called me at least S0 times during the last
couple of years on different matters. I have gone to the extent of
volunteering personal property of my family to be used for drug rehab-
ilitation. I have bent over backwards on many occasions in giving
property to the church for this type of a thing. You know my position
with the United Fund. You know who the guy was that went down there
and fought when everybody at the United Fund was against drug rehabilitatio
I am not saying this for acoladefor Maurice Ferre, I am just for the
record clearing up what my performance and record in this community
is concerning drug rehabilitation.
L am not saying I am the best friend you have but I am saying that
49 NOV21197
I am the best friend you have but I am saying that everytime I have
been asked to stand up, I have been there and i have been effective
in the times I have been asked to help in the various rehabilitation
programs.
Let me tell you that in my opinion, there are always in all these
matters, two things that have to be weighed. One is the right of the
individual and the other is the right of society. Its that simple and
unfortunately sometimes we have to put these things on a scale and
weigh them. Now in my opinion when zoning regulations were started
years ago, there was no such thing as a drug problem, so therefore
our laws don't really take that into account which is what you were
trying to point out Hal. Now the situation is a reality. I think
Mr. Andrews that we in the city administration have been slow to react
to a situation which obviously exists. What should have been done or
what we ought to do now, is we ought to look at this problem, not
because its Spectrum House or Ben Sheppard or Entry or whatever it is
or because Father Harrison is involved or Dr. Sheppard. Personalities
apart, we have got a problem and a situation which didn't exist before,
we have to get into it and we have to have a complete study made.
The administration ought to come up with a recommendation for everyone
and then we ought to deliberate and set a policy on this Commission.
Okay, now I agree with that.
On the other side of the problem, we have a series'of citizens who
are concerned with the right that they have and they have in my opinion,
a constitutional right. We are now beginning to get into an era which
has a lot of difficulties ahead of us and that is the questioning of
the right of the individual to own private property.
Now in my opinion, this country has become what it has become in great
part because individuals have had a right to private property.
Now these people own homes. Many of them for many many years.
The question comes to me, that we have a problem of society and we have
also the rights of individuals. Now my opinion is that unless there
is no other alternative, or there is no other solution, or there is
no other way to solve that particular problem, the rights of the indiv-
iduals always are paramount unless the rights of those individuals
infringe on the rights of society as a whole and I cannot in all
conscience say that even though Matthew is going to be inconvenienced
in the wonderful work that he does, and I really want to say the great
fantastic dedication that Concept House and all of the other programs
and the Village has and the great job that you do, I cannot conclude
in my own mind that there are no other solutions and therefore in a
case like this that in my mind, the balance has to tip to the rights
of the individual who live in that neighborhood and who have the right -
who have the right to live as they want, in their neighborhood, without
the infringement of somebody coming into their neighborhood and violating
what in my opinion, is their rights. They have a right to live in peace.
Now let me tell you, this is a problem which this Commission, each one
of us has had come before, many many times. Let me give you an example.
It was very sad but we had to do it. We have schools for example that
are smack in the middle of residential neighborhoods. This has nothing
to do with drugs so we can get the emotional aspect out of it, okay.
These children for example in the case of one, get there at 7 o'clock
in the morning and they have a flag raising ceremony and its a military
school and they salute the flag and then when they break up all the kids
make all this noise. Here again, to those people who live in that
neighborhood have a right to be able to sleep if they want beyond 7 o'clock
in the morning and this is what we are always getting into is the right
of the individual to live in his home in peace and the rights of society
on something that is very much needed.
As I said, in my humble opinion, I think in this case since there are
alternatives, somewhere, somehow, I think the rights of the individuals
who live in the neighborhoods, a residential area, takes precedence and
that is my opinion.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor for the record. Mr. Spaet and Mr. Gisson,
in no way did you misconstrue any of my statements that your program is
bad. You didn't misconstrue anything of that, did you?
All right Sir, just for the record, I just wanted you to know and once
again, I will reiterate to you Sir, that you are welcome back here at
budget time. This year we saw fit to put some funds in drug programs
and your program is welcome to be here for some of our federal funds sir.
50
NOV 211973
Mayor Perre: We have a session in 15 minutes so
grateful if we could wind this up. Anybody else
statement on this?
If not, would somebody make a motion.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we uphold the Planning
Board and the Planning Staff.
Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to that motion?
Is there a second to the motion of upholding the Planning Staff?
Father Gibson seconds the motion. IS there any further discussion?
On this matter?
Would you read the roll please?
Mr. Ongie, Acting City Clerk: Reverend
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Yes.
Mrs. Gordon?
Yes.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Plummer?
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mr. Ongie: Mr. Reboso?
Mr. Reboso: Yes.
Mr. Ongie: Mayor Ferre?
Gibson?
I would be most
want to make a
Mayor Ferre: I vote yes.
Now Mr. Andrews, how long do you think -it will take you to come up
with an in-depth overview and recommendation on this problem?
Just take a potshot guess at the timing element involved.
Mr. Andrews: 60 days.
Mayor Ferre: 60 days and we will expect at that time, either the end
of January or the first of February for you to have this before the
Commission for its consideration, is that right?
Mr. Andrews: That's right. Understand Mr. Mayor and I am not offering
excuses or anything but this is really quite an undertaking to analyze
this -
Mayor Ferre: I recognize that. I am not pressing you. I just want
a time, that's all.
All right, any further discussion? Yes Ma'am.
Unidentified person: Mr. Mayor, I work with Switchboard of Miami and
I am starting a runaway house here and a comprehensive drug program and
I am hunting for a facility, so now, between now and the next 60 days,
what type of zoning do I look for?
Mayor Ferre: Just stay awan from R-1 and R-2 is I guess what we are
trying to tell you here and what you ought to look for is an R-4 area.
Is that right?
Mr. Plummer: I would say under these conditions to comply with the
law, you would look for R-4. If you can wait the 60 days, I think I
have made my thoughts known -that R-3 would be acceptable with a
conditional use which means that this Commission would reserve the
right in a particular locale to say yes or no.
Unidentified person: Okay, thank you.
Olga : We just want to know how long before they move, I mean
you cou._ gave them 60 days to go. We want them -
Mayer Ferre: Ma'am, you don't understand. Let me interrupt you.
They have been denied. Do you understand?
51 NOV 211973
•
We have upheld what has been said here before. You don't have anything
to worry about, okay?
Now what we are going to do, is we are going to study to see how we can
solve a solution for everybody in the City, okay?
Olga: Thank you Mr. Mayor.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-930
A RESOLUTION TO UPHOLD THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
PLANNING BOARD AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO DENY
APPLICATION FOR AN ELEEMOSYNARY USE AS PROVIDED IN
ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 36 TO PERMIT
THE VILLAGE SOUTH INC., A NON-PROFIT THERAPEUTIC
CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED ON LOTS 1 THRU 8, BLOCK 17
DIXIE HIGHWAY TRACT (5-24), LOCATED ON BLOCK BOUNDED
BY N. E. MIAMI PLACE, N. E. MIAMI COURT, N. E. 58 AND
59 STREETS; ZONED R-2 (Two -Family) AND R-3 (Low -
Density Multiple)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
LUNCH RECESS: The Commission was in recess from 1:45 P.M. to
2:15 P.M. for lunch.
The Commission reconvened at 2:44 P.M. with all
members Present.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE - MAYOR JACK ORR - PRESENTATION OF PLANS FOR
15 ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURAL CENTER ON WATSON ISLAND
Mayor Ferre: Because of the difficult schedule Mayor orr has, I would
with the permission of the Commission with your forebearance, we will
take up Item 20 before Item 19 so Mayor Orr.
Mayor Orr: Mr. Mayor,and members of the COmmission, if I may.
First I have a picture, a replica that hangs in my office to present
to you Mr. Mayor from Dade County, of F. D. Roosevelt.
Let me say that I am here to discuss with you a cooperative effort
to establish in this community, or to plan or look into the possibilities,
the establishment in this community of the finest cultural center in the
United States. Mayor Ferre, you and I have discussed these possibilities
and if I may, discuss the genesis of this idea and plan.
When I was running for office, I pledged that I would do whatever I could
to see to it that our Metropolitan government established for the first
time in this area, a metropolitan art museum. I have talked about that
informally since then with numbers of people who have been interested.
In this project, and among them were you Mr. Mayor. Sometime later.
We thought first of the possibility of locating this museum on the
grounds of Vizcaya. Sometime and at no cost to the taxpayers, there
was invited down here, a Mr. Phillip Johnson, surely the most talented
designer of museums in our country who surveyed, very briefly, the
possible locations and the needs of this community with respect to the
creation of a fine arts museum. He felt and stated very strongly to
us that to locate another function at Vizcaya would be a mistake.
That to do that, would be to destroy the natural beauty of that area
which all of us enjoy. Let me say that while it is not new to most
of you, I am here not simply as the Mayor of Metropolitan Dade County
but also as a native born resident of the City of Miami.
52
NOV 211973
and a current resident and taxpayer of the City of Miami. Let me
say that I come in the spirit of cooperation with this unit of
government and I come as a dedicated advocate of the 2-tier system
of local government for our area. The shame in my judgment is that
we don't have a 2-tier system throughout the County but I simply say
that by way of background to you.
At the suggestion of a citizen that I regard as a very forward looking
citizen of this County, your Mayor, Mr. Johnson was invited to view
the site at Watson Island and although he viewed several other
potential sites, I report to you that he was completely enchanted
with the possibility, of utilizingWatson Island for this project.
At that stage, we were simply talking about the location of a
Metropolitan Art Museum. Sometime a couple of weeks ago, as a
consequence of prodding others who were interested in this art
museum, I invited them to come to the office and discuss this and
I thought it appropriate that we also invite Mayor Ferre who
graciously came. We discussed while we were there in this informal
meeting, initially starting out as an art museum project, the
possibility of also seeking the cooperation of those in our
community who are interested in our museum of science and who
desparately need additional facilities and more room to serve the
public that they desire to serve and for whom they have been doing
a very fine job over the years. They need help also.
We also have in our Decade of Progress Bond Issue a substantial
amount of money for the location of a central library.
We were just sitting there in a really informal session, and
someone suggested that why wouldn't that also be a fine location
for the central library.
That seemed a novel kind of suggestion and we talked about that
informally. We discussed something that I think is of critical
importance and one of the reasons I am here today and not waiting
for weeks or to go through channels of writing letters and passing
resolutions. We have under contract now the company that is doing
the preliminary engineering for our rapid transit and while none of
the routes have been picked yet, everyone we have seen and every
study that has been made suggests that there will be a connection
to Miami Beach and that it is suggested that the connection will
probably be at the southerly end and will follow the route of the
MacArthur Causeway. We then, Mayor Ferre invited me and some
others to inspect the plan with Ed. D. Stone Jr. had done at your
direction for the development of Watson Island. I had the high
privelege of meeting with him and I knew by reputation as the very
finest landscape architect in the United States. We looked over the
plans that he had made and it seemed to us and while I don't presume
to speak for him, Mr. Stone reported to us that it seemed to him that
this idea for the development of a fine cultural complex for Dade
County within the City of Miami, was entirely compatible with the
plan that he had drawn. It would take some re -study and probably
some revision and one of the things I would like to encourage you
to do since he has already done the ground work here, would be to
reopen your contract with him. The County Manager has assured me
that we can then contract with you to take care of the financial
obligation that would be involved and ask Mr. Stone to study the
feasability of the creation of this cultural center. It seems to
me that with the City's cooperation withtthe contribution towards
the project of that fine piece of property, one of the most visible
sites in Miami, that this could be a demonstration to all of the
people of the area that these two governments can work harmoniously
together to serve all of the people of our area. In all fairness
some of the criticisms that have been made of Metropolitan Government
in that it has not paid enough attention, it has not expended enough
of its funds within the city limits of the City of Miami has been
justified. It seems to me that by this sort of project, we could
turn this around. We could demonstrate to the people that this
2-tier system is not only feasible but it is the most efficient kind
of government and they could see as a consequence of this fine
cultural center.
I don't represent to you that I come to you with the authority of
the government at this juncture. This is still in the very earliest
of planning stages and I don't seek from you to make any kind of
transfer. What I do earnestly seek of you today is to reopen your
contract with Mr. Stone and give us the privelege of making a
financial contribution toward that center, with the hope that he will
find it feasible, with the hope that thelpeople who are interested
53 NOV 211973
in the creation of an art museum, with the hope that the people who
are interested in the expansion of the Museum of Science, with the
hope that the people who are interested in a fine new central
library would all agree that this is a great site.
Now, I know and I trust that none of you will be disuaded by the
fact that editorially both newspapers have raised some questions
about this.
I would suggest to you that I doubt that the writers had all of the
information before those editorials were written and I would further
suggest to you that this is not totally unique. I would tell you
just by way of personal reference. My father in 1926 submitted the
Dodge Island Port Plan to the people of Miami. Pressed for the
remaining years of his life, which were limited then to only 6, for
the location of that port on Dodge Island. I am proud to tell you,
in those days it was known as the Orr Plan. In 1950 when your
predecessors finally thought it was the place to locate it, there
was an editorial that appeared in the morning newspaper the following
day, let's not be too percipitous so I hope that you will not be
dissuaded from persuing this plan , knowing you personally as I do,
I know that it will not be the case but I am prepared to answer
any questions and to represent to you that I am bringing this to you
right in the beginning before any plans of any nature have been
solidified. Thank you for the opportunity to appear.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much Mayor Orr for I think your very
clear presentation on the facts.
There was a book that was ,written, several years ago that has become
very popular throughout the years and the title is I.m Okay,You're Okay.
When I was listening to you saying that you live in the City of Miami,
I think I could say that for the first time in our history, you and
I as the two Mayor's can say, You are my Mayor, I am your Mayor.
This is the type of feeling that in my opinion has permeated everytime
that we have a discussion and I am very happy to say that I have
been very honored by your very open approach on things. I think
that you have expressed an opinion which I think is so essential
and was so lacking in this community for so very very long that you
do not necessarily have to be pro -metro and you don't have to be
necessarily anti -city to be pro -metro and you don't have to be in the
reverse anti -city to be pro -metro or anti -metro to be pro -city.
I hope that this is a message that we can repeat together often is
that we can in effect have in this community an effective 2-tier
form of government like Toronto has, , that it does work, that it
will work and that we really have to do is try to improve it rather
than to destroy either one of the elements of it.
I am very happy that with all your approaches to these problems,
you are taking that attitude and I think this community is very
fortunate indeed to have you as its Mayor.
Mayor Orr; If you will indulge me one further moment. I know you
have a terribly long agenda.
Some years ago, when I was a prosecutor, I studied very carefully
the Milton Eisenhower Commission report on the incidence of crime
in this country. Among the things that the Commission came out
with in their recommendations in terms of the most appropriate form
of local government, was a 2-tier system. They incidentally also
pointed out in there that the single most important cost of the
incidence of crime was poor housing and I would report to you that
on that problem, your Metro Commission is hard at work. We are
holding a symposium on the 14th of December at which we have
invited people but basically I am confident that these governments
can work in harmony to bring more efficient service to the people
for the tax dollars that they pay. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much Mayor Orr. At this time I would
like to call upon before the Commission gets into asking questions,
Mr. Edward Durrell Stone who I think is in the audience.
Would you address this Commission as to your opinion on this.
Mr. Stone: With pleasure Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. At the time
we prepared the Watson Island report, you all know we had no
knowledge or vision of a community cultural center. In my review
at the Mayor's request of the plan and the possibilities for including
such facilities as a museum, conceivably a theatre for the performing
arts,
54 NOV 211973
possibly a library, I really became very enthused with the idea
with a couple of reservations and I will share those with you.
I think it is an ideal location for a facility to serve all of
Dade County and Miami, Miami Beach and the municipalities most
adjacent to it, if in fact there is a Metro stop at Watson Island.
I think that would be the only way that I personally would strongly
recommend such a location, otherwise I don't think we could
accomodate the cars and we would be discriminating against a large
section of the population. That would be one strong recommendation
I would make.
The other recommendation would be that the north shore of the island
continue to be used for marine activities. I think this could be
easily accomodated.
In conclusion, I think that the fundamental spirit of Watson Island
wants to continue as a recreation area but I think the marriage
between recreation and the performing arts, a library, I think this
could be accomodated depending on the size obviously of these
functions and I believe we could have a very very successful cultural
center and park. I think it would be wrong to totally discontinue
the recreational spirit of the island but I think these can all be
accomodated. Any questions I might answer?
Mayor Ferre: Does the Commission want to ask any questions?
Mr. Plummer: I think the most obvious question Mr. Stone, if you
were to do a re -study or the possibility of this, the Mayor has
indicated they would contribute I think was the word, toward this.
Mayor Ferre: They have to pay for it.
Mr. Plummer: You're going to pay for it?
Oh all right, in other words, I misunderstood. You would pay as
Metropolitan Dade County for him to reevaluate.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any other questions?
Mrs. Gordon: I think Mr. Mayor that we need to direct our thinking
to Mr. Stone if in fact th:.s is reopened. I think that each of the
Commissioners having approved the recreational theme might be
interested in including cultural activities but might not be inter-
ested in the other items that have been mentioned and I think that
it would be fitting and proper that we not direct him to reopen the
study without at least letting him know how we feel individually
about these things.
Mayor Ferre: I would like to, before we get into the Commission
level of opinions, ask Mr. Andrews for his thoughts.
Mr. Andrews: No, I have nothing to add. I am awaiting the
Commission's findings and their policy in this matter and once
you have expressed that, if you should choose to become involved
in the processes that have been explained to you, I think it can
all go together and we could work out an agreement with Metropolitan
Dade County and we can reopen up the existing agreement we had with
Mr. Stone for the completion of the study and I will be prepared to
assist the Commission.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Plummer, before you make a statement, if you will
forgive the chair. I am going to give you the chair for a moment
Father Gibson and then I would ask for you to recognize me so I
could speak.
Rev. Gibson: Just remember I will invoke the same rules on you as
I do on the others, go ahead.
Mayor Ferre: I would just like to express this thought. It seems
that everyone has gotten overly concerned over the impact of what
Mayor Orr has proposed and I, with a great deal of enthusiasm
have seconded because all of the facts obviously are not in.
This is not something that we were going to do today. The important
thing as I see it is zthat there are 4 or 5 factors that have to be
considered. #1, that we on this Commission including myself,
55 NOV 211973
on many occasions have been critical of the fact that Metropolitan
Dade County in the past had a tendency to spend monies outside of
the City of Miami and that we don't get a proportionate share.
In other words, the same thing that Metro complains of lets say
with Tallahassee that we don't get enough road monies from Tallahassee
is what we have been complaining about Metro, that we don't get
our proportionate share of parks etc.
12, traditionally its been the City of Miami that has been turning
over or spending our funds or monies and they eventually end up in
Metro, starting with Jackson Memorial Hospital to the Seaport, the
Airport, the Libraries and the Water and ;fewer Department.
Now here is a case where Metropolitan Dade County is reversing that
and saying that we want to spend x-millions of dollars in the City
of Miami and in an important part of the City of Miami.
13, the 65 acres that now comprise Watson Island are really un-used.
I am not saying that Chalk Airlines or the Blimp are not important,
or that open space is not important because I am a firm believer in
open space but certainly the amount of open space that we are really
opening up with the new Bayfront Park seems to me that if we could
put Watson Island to a higher use, the community would be better
off. I think Mr. Edward Durrell Stone will recognize that when in
fact he did recommend a bridge, in other words he was trying to
create a people -human activity on Watson Island. There was a
recognition of that and he took one step in that direction but
not as bold a step as Mayor Orr is now proposing.
15, Watson Island is fairly accessible to the City of Miami including
downtown. Certainly Mr. Stone had the idea of having ferries or
boats going from Bayfront Park to Watson Island and back and forth
so its only accessible to a certain degree and with the highway
system that we now have in existence today, it is within, I would
calculate a 20 minute reach for about over a million people,
certainly within a 35 minute reach of the whole population of Dade
County.
#6, I would like to point out that if we are going to have rapid
transit, Miami Beach has to be served somehow and every single
proposal of rapid transit 4as forseen that the corridor would be
through Watson Island so certainly that would imply to me that it
would make it easy and comfortable for the vast majority of people
and lastly I would like to 'point out that those very capable people
who are the cultural leaders of the community amongst which are the
first, one of the first is Mrs. Clara Weintraub who is here today
and Mrs. Muir in the Library system. The other people in parks and
libraries and arts and museum of science, nothing definitive is
coming out of this at this point. It seems to me it might be difficult
to transfer at this date the Planatarium and all the other wonderful
facilities we have in Viscaya but it might be' a way for us to start
the transition wherein we would have within a 55 acre area, close
to downtown, accessible by rapid transit and a good highway system,
a recreational area could include multi faceted cultural outlets.
In the community of science, a museum, an art museum, a library and
meeting rooms so people would have a cultural movement so to speak.
I can think of Chicago and Soldiers Field. On either side of
Soldiers Field is the Museum of Fine Arts on one side and at the
other end, is the Field Museum Of Science and the water is right
in front. Its like we have here. These cultural facilities surround
the park. There was some criticism recently in one of the editorials
about the Library in New York but I would like to point out that yes
around Central Park, is the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of
Science at the other end of the park and that it lends itself for
people to use parks and I think this is a step in the right direction
where parks are for pigeons but they are also for people and that
we will use to the maximum benefit, those areas we have available
to us. The alternative is to not using Watson Island is either to.
keep on in a scattered form which is what we have been doing or to
go and find appropriate land as recommended in the downtown core
area, this blighted area. I submit to you that we have been trying
to do that for years and years. It hasn't happened in other areas.
We don't seem to have the money available. We don't have the land
available and as a consequence to this, what we do is we make more
plans and more studies and we don't get some of these things
implemented so I would recommend that here is a facility that is
under -used,
56 NOV 211973
•
and I think we ought to give it our full consideration and if
Metropolitan Dade County indeed wants to spend 10, 1S or as much
as 20 million dollars between the library, the rapid transit station
the museum, the science museum and other facilities plus don't forget
the private sector. If we can get these kinds of monies being
expended within the City of Miami, it seems to me that this
community would be well ahead.
Rev. Gibson: All right Sir. Now I will turn the chair back to
the Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: All right Mr. Reboso.
Mr. Reboso: I would like to ask the City Manager. If we go ahead
with this project with Metro, would we have to transfer the property
at Watson Island to Metro?
Mr. Andrews: No. I don't visualize that there would be a need to
transfer the property at all.
This would be a function, as I understand it, that Metropolitan Dade
County would be placing on Watson Island that would be metropolitan
in scope and would be utilizing Watson Island as the site of cultural
activities.
Mayor Ferre: Of course the effect would be one and the same,
wouldn't it?
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Mayor, do you agree with that?
Mayor Orr: Yes, the legal means of handling the title I don't think
would cause any sort of stumbling block. I don't know and I am not
prepared to •say, Mr. Lloyd can work with our Mr. Simon and tell you
that butt you don't have to look upon this as any kind of giveaway.
This is a get rather than give kind of proposal as I read it.
I'm not concerned with the legalities of title just so long as they
can accomodate the intention of this.
•
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Plummer -
Mr. Plummer: Mayor Orr, this Commission has always been one that
has listened to the general public. Surely such a thing as this
scope, we would want to hold public hearings on.
When do you think that you would be far enough down the road of
drawing the concept together, that this Commission should hold a
public hearing so that we would have something tangible in our
hands to show to the people and say now you can argue for or argue
against. Do you think that something would be forthcoming say, by
the middle of January or when?
Mayor Orr: Well let me say that I am basically speaking to you as
an individual today with an idea. I don't presume to speak for the
members of the Commission although I will report to you that at our
informal meeting on Monday, I presented this idea to them and I can
say to you that there was general approval without any of them
committing. It seems to me that the next appropriate step should
be taken would be to contact those that are identified as the
primary users of the proposed facilities.
I would propose that we call together a meeting of the people who
are heading up our Museum Of Science, our Library Board and those
who are interested in the proposed Art Museum.
I would respectfully suggest that at that meeting, this Commission
should be represented and the Metro Commission. I would think it
would be useful if Mr. Andrews would attend as well as Ray Goode and
we start working in terms of whether this would be compatible among
those groups, then I think concurrently, Mr. Stone could be working
upon the completion of his studies. I would not presume to know
how long that would take. It would seem to me that we ought to have
some general idea from these people and that we ought to have a
report from Mr. Stone and then I would like to suggest to you that
we hold a joint public hearing with the Metro Commission and you
participating inviting all of the people of the area to express
their views with respect to this.
57 NOV 211973
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask so that we can try to draw some conclusion
here today. As I understand it, you are asking us to open Mr. Stone's
contract again so that Metropolitan Dade COunty can engage him for'
the possibility and the feasability of this facility being located
after which time there would be full public hearings.
Mayor Ferre: We just happen to have a resolution written.
Mr. Plummer: Just happen to have one. Gee its only 14 pages long.
Mr. Orr, let me read this if I may.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, the resolution I have before me spells
Museum -Library.
Wouldn't it be better to the desire of this Commission whether
in fact we want a library there. I for one do not.
Mr.
Plummer:-- May I address myself to that?
Mayor Ferre: Commissioner Plummer, if I could, I don't want to cut
you off but I am going to because I am going to let Mayor Orr make
his statement and then I will recognize you.
Mayor Orr: Mrs. Gordon, let me say this to you. People who have
heard about the possibility of locating the central library at
that facility have assumed that there would be no other library
say within the City of Miami. If that doesn't follow, the capacity,
in the first place the Museum of Science or the Art Museum must have
a library available to them. The central library is conceived to be
fundamentally a research type facility, a facility that would carry
the kinds of books that aren't ordinarily carried in the typical
neighborhood reading library kind of place so that by this suggestion,
you are saying well this Library would be there but that doesn't
prevent the possibility of also locating a regional library in
the Downtown Government Center. People assume it has to be one way
or the other and that's just not the case.
Mrs. Gordon: I am not particularly addressing myself to a library
in the government center. I am particularly addressing myself to
not wanting a library on Watson Island nor do I want to see Watson
Island covered with buildings of any kind.
I wonder if I might ask Mrs. Clara Weintraub a question?
With regard to the relocation, eventual or in the near future -
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon, I will recognize you for that in a
moment. Mrs. Weintraub?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes she is here, may I ask you -
Mayor Ferre: Now, I would just like to point out at this point,
we are not deciding that we are going to pub a library on Watson
Island. All we are doing in effect and what this resolution says,
is #1 that the Clty Manager is authorized to negotiate an extension
of the contract, negotiate an extension of the Watson Island Dev-
elopment Study to include a Museum -Library for Watson Island
#2 That any formulation of this extension is going to be paid
by Metro. #3 That the Manager is authorized anddirected to
negotiate with Metro for the funding of an extension of the
agreement and the proposal for the development of Watson Island
and subsequent development of the Museum -Library should the result
of the study by advisable.
In other words its all going to come back to us anyway.
Mrs. Gordon: We are all going to be paying for it too.
Mayor Ferre: That is correct. It comesout of Metro which is a
part of the citizens of Miami.
Mrs. Gordon: Right, we are not spending somebody elses money, we
are spending our own in fact. ,
I just think we ought to do a little determining and I don't want this
misinterpreted that I am opposed to it because I am not. I am in favor
of a cultural center. I just want the facts straight and I think
before we start spending money, we ought to get the facts straight.
NOV 211973
. 58
'Mrs. Weintraub, may I ask you the question. the facility that you
are so wholeheartedly wrapped up in as its being discussed for some
future transfer. What are your feelings on this?
Mrs. Weintraub: I cannot answer you at this time because we have
not been officially approached in any way up to this time.
Mr. Orr did explain his side very well, the different steps to be
taken but the steps to contact the Museum of Science officially in
any way has not yet -been taken.
Mayor Ferre: Of course, we are all at a very very early stage on
this. That is why its premature to come to any conclusion.
I may be opposed to a library there, I don't know but Edward Durrell
Stone Jr., is a qualified planner to look into what it means.
What size buildings. How many parking spaces. I don't know, it its
a 30 or 40 story building, I am opposed to it.
Mrs. Weintraub: Before Mr. Stone is awarded this request, it occurs
to me that perhaps there should be a conference prior to that point
with all those people concerned. I think maybe it might avoid compl-
ication later if we could sit together prior and just talk it over
Jack, I mean in an informal sort of meeting of the minds way, so that
we would know in what direction we want to go.
Mayor Ferre: This only says negotiate. It doesn't say to finalize.
Mrs. Weintraub: No but it does say employ, does it not?
Mayor Ferre: Yes it does.
Mrs. Weintraub: And it does provide funds does it not?
Mayor Ferre: Not yet.
Mrs. Weintraub: This is what you are asking. I am just saying that
maybe, as I say, it might be very naive of me to suggest this but I
thought perhaps that sitting together prior -
Mayor Ferre: All we are trying to do is that we think its important
to get the ball moving and all this does, is it starts the ball rolling.
Now before and I am sure Edward Durrell Stone is a very responsible
man besides being very qualified and he is also a realist. He is not
going to take a first step without talking to the Museum of Science,
to the Library Board, to Metro, to the City of Miami, and everybody
that is involved. Let's get the ball rolling.
Mayor Orr: I haven't had an official meeting with anybody yet on
this. As a matter of fact one of the first persons I have talked
with in connection with the project was Mr. Sheeley, the new and very
talented director of the Museum of Science so there has been -
this is one of the true benefits of operating in the sunshine.
This is an initial stage of planning and we are letting it all hang
out in front of the people;before when projects of this nature were
planned, they were done in back rooms . Here we are telling you and
bringing to you, a process as they occur right from the beginning
and I am hopeful that we can continue that kind of approach not only
to this problem but for many others.
Mr. Andrews: I would point out also that the resolution that is
before you merely authorizes me to begin negotiations. I can't enter
into any agreement or take any action. This will be leg work between
Mr. Stone and myself and between the county manager and myself to
bring this to a point where we can bring it back to you and time will
have passed by then, meetings will have occured between the Library
Board and Museum people and the County to determine some of the
feasability of this and in the meantime we will have saved a great deal
of time in the event that you do want to move forward.
Mayor Ferre: In )the interest of time now because I think we are a
little bit behind now in schedule.
59 NOV 211973
•
Mrs. Weintraub: We are all deeply interested in what's good for
our community, you know that. It's just a matter of steps taken
toward reaching some of these and this is all that we are saying.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much Mrs. Weintraub.
Does anybody want to make this motion?
Mrs. Gordon: I would like it revised if you would.
Mayor Perre: There is a motion to revise.
Mrs. Gordon: Museum -Library. If you would put "cultural complex",
Mr. Plummer: Then I would have to ask this question. If you would
change the wording to "Cultural complex", could a library be
incorporated in it?
You don't like a library over there and maybe I don't but maybe the
people that we serve do and I think that we should have it all
encompassing.
Mayor Ferre: I ,for one would accept, a motion to modify this and
offer a resolution. Is there a second as modified?
Is there any further discussion on this matter?
Call the roll please.
The following resolution was introduced by Mrs. Gordon who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-931
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE WATSON ISLAND DEVELOPMENT
STUDY AGREEMENT TO INCLUDE AN EVALUATION OF THE
APPROPRIATENESS OF INCLUDING A CULTURAL CENTER ON
WATSON ISLAND; SAID EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT
TO FUNDING BY METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY; AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
WITH METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY FOR THE FUNDING OF THE
AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF WATSON ISLAND AND SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF WATSON
A CULTURAL CENTER SHOULD THE RESULT OF THE STUDY
ADVISABLE
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded byReverend Gibson, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
60 NOV 21 1973
16
INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT - DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Acton, --
Mr. Acton: The Planning Department did hold a public
meeting at the Tacolcy Center on November 15th, last Thursday.
At that meeting there was broad representation of the individuals
and property owners in the area of the Boulevard. Now in the
audience we do have the fendersons who, 1 beg your pardon.
Bernie is right, Mr. Dyer, who can present to the Commission
results of that meeting.
Mr. Bernard Dyer: What's happened is, in order to see
the development take place on N.W. 62nd Street, so as to
insure the opening of the Martin Luther King Blvd by 1976
it is necessary now to ask for a interim zoning plan to
be accepted for that area, and with me today are a number
of residents, friends, property owners, businessmen from
the 62nd street area, and I'll ask them to stand if they
would, who came down in support of the plan.
Mayor Ferre: Will you try to keep some order out there?
Mr. Dyer: Thank you so much for standing.. We appreciate
the favorable action on the part of the City, Commission so as
to give us this first step in the right direction. if there
are any questions, I'll try to answer them.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I approve the concept of the
Interim Zoning, and you aae speaking for it, and I would
like, unless there is more testimony to be heard, I'd
like to move that we approve it.
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion on the floor for approval,
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, the reason I asked this to be
deferred at the last meeting was, we had one or two objectors
who made mention of the fact that their neighbors did not
know abut it.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any objectors present at this
moment?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, let me ask a question. Mr.
Atkins, you were there for the hearing?
Mr. Acton: Yes, the Plannirg Dept. was there, we presented
all the information pertinent to the interim zoning district,
we presented the facts, Mrs. Range was also there, we turned
the meeting over to Mr. Dyer who carried on with the presentation
of what actual development would be along the Boulevard in the
future, so the property owners in the area became knowledgeable
both about the interim zoning district and the preliminary
design plans for the development of Martin Luther King Blvd.
There was absolutely no individuals in the audience who were
not knowledgeable of what we were planning to do in cooperation
with the Boulevard Development Corporation. We wanted to make
sure that all the property owners, and all individuals fully
understood the ramifications of the interim zoning district
and what it meant to them as individuals and property owners.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask two questions, all the people
were duly Notified, properly notified?
Mr. Acton: Yes, we ran adds in two local newspapers.
61
11/21/73
•
Mrs. Gordon: I dove approval.
Rev. Gibsont No, Rose, I alit not going for that. Z ass
going to ask my questions. Did the people come?
Mr. Acton: Yes, they did. There was a good showing.
ReV. GibsonsWere there any objectors there?
Mr. Acton: They were not objectors, but individuals
in the audience didn't really understand what the intuit of
the ordinance was. After we had the meeting, everybody that
was there, understood What the City was trying to do, and
what the Development Corp was trying to do.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask the question. Were there any
objectors? Whether you got it across to them or not, that is
your business, because you are telling us, that you represented
us there. Were there any objectors there?
Mr. Acton: There were objectors only in the sense they
didn't understand what it meant to them.
Rev. Gibson: Let me put it the other way. Having explained
to them, were there any objectors?
Mr. Acton: No.
Rev. Gibson: A11 right, I am realy to proceed.
Mrs. Gordon: Then I'll move because, this is the proper
approach to the re -development of the area.
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion, is there a second?
Mr. Plummer: Second it,
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor before we vote I want the record
to reflect that the questions I asked, so I know how my people
react, so that later on everybody would know that everybody
had ample time, and and opportunity to object, and to be heard,
and I don't want them coming down here crying later on and
expecting us to turn the world up -side -down. I am ready' to vote.
An ordinance entitled -
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT
TO BE DOWN AS "DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD
INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT" AS PER ORDINANCE NO. 6871,
ARTICLE IV, SECTION 39, AND APPLYING SAID REGULATIONS
TO THE AREA DEFINED ON THE MAP, ATTACHED NERETO AND
MADE A PART HEREOF; AND BY REPEALING ALL LAWS IN CON-
FLICT HEREWITH
was introduced by Mrs. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Plummer and passed
on its first reading by title by the following vote - AYES:
Rev. Gibson, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso and Mayor
Ferro. NOES: None.
Mayor Ferrer Tank you very much Mr. Dyer.
17. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NO. 911:
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission,
11/21/73
62
prior to beginning with Item 21, I with the Commission would
take under consideration the matter of the telephone emergency
answering to the number 911.
The City of Miami and the Dade County community have for
years grappled with the problem of communications between the
public and its public safety governmental facilities,police
fire, medical services. A variety ef''systems have been used,
most governmental agencies in Dade County have an independent
number that can be called, and over the years, a new concept
has been evolved which has been identified as 911. This is
a communication process in which the public can use their
telephone by dialing 911 to reach a facility that will provide
them with the_emergency service that are being requested.
The City of Miami, through its consultants, doing study
work on modernizing the police department, has evolved a
communication process for the City. This area is being refined,
as we launched into their study work, and began analyzing it,
and other governmental aganziea in Dade County, when this information
was made available to them directly or indirectly, began to realize
that the City was moving ahead rapidly, with modernizing its
communications between the public and the City of Miami, particularly
the police department, and then fire to follow. Since that initial
step, Metro Dade County, who has been involved in the study of
911 along with the City of Miami began to realize this was an
area they should take some action on, and proceeded to implement
911 on the sense that Metro Dade County would become the focal
point for the receiving of the calls from the public throughout
Dade County, a system as it now is set up, has some potential
difficulties with it, or the system that has been proposed has
potential difficulties and i would like to call on three of our
department directors who will explain to'the Commission their
views on 911 as it is now being conceived in Dade County.
I want to emphasize very strongly that T and these Dept.
directors are in complete accord with the concept of 911. It
is the manner of its implementation that concerns us, and we
want to present some facts to the Commission which hopefully will
air this matter publicly, will enlighten the Commission and then
the Commission will then be in a position to take a position on
the matter of 911 as it is presently being implemented. I would
like to call first on Chief Kenney and then Mr. Demby who is
our Dir. of Communication, and Chief Garmire to each give you
an over -view of 911 as it is now being conceived, how it would
affect their operations in the City of Miami.
Chief Kenney: Mr. Andrews, before I do that, you kno,
this morning we transmitted an electro-cardiogram on each
one of the Commissioners, and Dr. Nagle has been kind enough
to bring the print out of the electro-cardiogram here, and it
has been evaluated by Dr. Jim Hirshman, a Cardiologist. So
at this time I'd like to present these to you, if I may.
Rev. Gibson: I know some of these fellows don't want to
see that.
Mr. Plummer: Dr. Nagle, is it true, the Mayor doesn't
really have a heart?
Mayor Ferre: I want to tell you something, Plummer, the
only people that have normal heart patters here, were Father
Gibson, and myself. And that must mean something.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I have buried people with better
11/21/73
63
cardiograms than that.
Mrs. Gordon: Let the record reflect that mine was
perfect.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, go ahead.
Chief Kenney: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission,
I find myself in somewhat of awkward position this afternoon.
I have heard that. a 911 emergency reporting system is being
installed to cover the entire county that will directly affect
the emergency service that we provide the citizens of the City
of Miami. As of now, I have not been officially contacted, con-
sulted or advised by anyone from the County or thetelephone
company, as to haw this system will be implemented or how
it will operate. I personally find this difficult to understand.
When you consider that the system is intended to directly affect
the operation of the City of Miami. Fire Dept. 1 have recently
attended meetings with the Police and Fire Chief of the
largest cities in the County to discuss the system. We are
all concerned about the adverse effect it will have on our
operation. If what we have heard is correct, there will be
an automatic built in delay in reporting emergencies to
the agency that must respond to the emergency. In some
cases the information will have to be relayed which increases
the probability of error. In responding to a fire, quick re-
sponse is imperative to assure minimum of loss of life and
property. Seconds can mean the difference between a minor and
a major fire, and an automatic delay is not acceptable. In the
emergency medical rescue service that we provide, seconds can
mean the difference between life and death. Here again an
automatic delay is not acceptable.
In my work with the International Assoc. of Fire Chiefs,
I have been involved in the single emergency number concept
since it was first recommended in 1967 by the President's
Commission on Crime. I have attended many seminars and work
shops on this concept, and I have visited several cities where
the system has been installed. I have ta:Lked to fire chiefs
who are operating with the 911 system now, and I can tell you
that the present manner of implementation will work in some
areas and not work in others, depending on the conditions
and the problems of the particular area.
Fire Chiefs endorse the concept, and we will support
any system that will improve our service, but we must oppose
the system that will result in deterioration of the service.
One of the main points used in the support of one nation-wide
emergency number is that a person traveling who is not familiar
with the area can contact police, fire and ambulances by dialing
911. If that person is not familiar enough with the area to pro-
vide an address, the only system that will help him is one that
will automatically display the location of the telephone from
which the call is made. Such a system is not in the foreseeable
future. However, with computerization, and electronic switching,
a system can be installed to selectively route a call to the
agency having jurisdiction over the phone from which the call
originates. This type of system would definitely improve our
operation. Approximately one to two percent of the calls that
Dome in are from people who cannot give you an address, and the
system that is being installed would create an automatic delay
for 98% of the calls in order to provide one to two percent
of the calls with this system.
With your permission I would like to read portions of
two reports that I have received on 911, the portions I think
would be of interest to you. I t would take too long to read the
64
11/21/73
entire reports however I will make them available if you desire.
The first report is bulletin 73-1 that came from the office
of the President, the office of tele-communication- --
Mayor Ferre: Paul, hoar long are we going to take in
this so we can guage the time?
Mr. Andrews: I think that after Chief Kenney finishes.
five minutes by Mr. Demby and five minutes by the Chief will
finish it up.
Chief Kenney: In this bulletin from tele-communication
policy, they state the primary purpose of 911 should be to
enable citizens to obtain law enforcement, medical, fire
rescue and other emergency services as quickly and efficiently
as possible. The system that is being installed will give you
a delay rather than efficient contacting. It also states respon-
sibility for the establishment of 911 service should reside with
local government. Planning and implementation of 911 service
should proceed through the cooperative effort of all affected
local agencies and jurisdictions, and this has not been done.
The other report comes from the Federal Communications
Commission, and its a report of a conference that was held
June 5, 1972. There were several people that made presentations
at that conference, and I'll read juet a few items from this
report.
The principal speak er for A.T.& T. and the independent
telephone industry was Mr. John Sheppard. He said the most
critical element in the procedure for handling 911 calls, is
the procedure for handling 911 calls once received. That is
what we are concerned about here. How they are going to be
handled. Later in his remarks, he said A.T. & T. is developing
a techinque in Bell Labs to route a call selectively based on
its origination. Its prognosis looks good but,in any event
its operation status is still more than two years away. This
report is June 5, 1972, that is a year a half ago, so it should
be in the not too distant future, a system that would help us.
Inspector Stephen Walsh of the N.Y. City Police Dept.
commenting on their experience, in his report he said when
the new Police Communications opens on July 1, 1968, 911
was cut over at the same time, and the number of calls received
in the new center was 40,000 on the first day with an average
of 30,000 a day thereafter for about a week compared to 12,000
a day previously. Later on in his remarks, he said the Police
would find it helpful however to have an information display
of the location of the person calling 911. This would avoid
send assistance to the wrong location. He made several recom-
mendations, one of them was to plan to expand your work forces
to take care of the additional calls thatthe system will be
handling. Donald Bryan, Gen. Manager for the Intonational Assoc.
of Fire Chiefs, indicated that the main conceni of the Fire
Dept. is that the fire be reported to that agency without.
delay. In some instances he said there has been a delay of
many minutes of relaying a 911 call to the fire dept. Inspector
Richard Killey of the Metropolitan Police Dept of Washington D.C.
said that in D.C. with the exchange boundaries, coinciding with
the political boundaries, the problem of conversion to 911 was
relative simple, but in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, the
problems become complicated by the lack of coincidence of exchange
and political boundaries. When the 911 system went into effect
in Washington. there was a 93% increase of emergency calls with
a 20 to 25 percent increase in all types of calls. Sixty to sixty-
five percent of the calls to 911 are not of an emergency nature.
The next speaker at this conference was Mr. Alfred J. Mellow
65
11/21/73
of the international Municipal Signalman Assoc. and he reported
that their Board of Directors passed a resolution endorsing
the 911 concept and its use in those areas where technical
problems do not prevent its implementation or degrade its
service to the public. Later he reported that the principal
problem involved the lack of coincidence between the telephone
exchange boundaries and political boundaries. He used as an
example Providence R.I. that has 32 telephone exchanges. 15
of which cover the surrounding cities which have separate
governments with their own police and fire departments, and
there is a duplication of street names. I am sure you are
aware that we have the problem here of the lack of coincidence
of telephone exchange boundaries and political boundaries, also
in regards to duplication of street names, I don't have to tell
you about that. In Silver Bluff, we have a Washington and
Jefferson, in Coconut Grove a Washington and a Jefferson on
Miami Beach a Washington and Jefferson, we have a Palmetto
in Coconut Grove, a Palmetto in Miami Springs, a Hibiscus
in Coconut Grove and Hibiscus in Bay Heights, Hibiscus
in N.Miami, a tremendous duplication of Street names that
would present a problem. I do not feel that there has been
sufficient planning, information coordination or cooperation
to implement a 911 system in Dade County at the present time.
The installation of the system necessitates a tremendous expendi-
ture of taxpayers money. It is my recommendation that the City
of Miami strongly oppose the installation and implementation of
the system that is now being installed, and request that a com-
prehensive study be made and plans developed for a system that
will improve emergency service, rather than degrade it, and
that all agencies affected participate in the planning. I am
not opposed to the concept but I am opposed to what is being
done at the present time.
Rev. Gibson: We are supposed to save time. I am sure
that the other men will be saying the same thing, and it seems
to me that it is crystal clear. I can't conceive that in a
Metropolitan area like this, with 27 governments, that we would
have the unmitigated gall to plan a system like this without
conferring with all parties involved, and I think in the interest
of time, knowing what is before us, that we may remind this matter
to those responsible to the company or companies, who ever that is
and save us some time. Because, Chief, I heard you loud and clear,
and know what he said this morning, and what has happened to us
in the past, the efficient system that you have, I would be a fool
to vote for anything that would delay the immediacy of that system
to me.
Mayor Ferre: Father, in the interest of time, I passed
a memo I wrote to Paul Andrews this morning, and I would, if
I may, very briefly put it on the record, and it says
'After discussing this matter with Southern Bell
and various officials of the City of Miami and Metro
it is my opinion that we should cooperate in seeing
911 become a reality. I think it is a good idea to
centralize all emergency phone calls in one number.
For the City of Miami it must be pointed out that
911 can operate as a receiving and relay point, That is
the City of Miami must maintain the ability to dispatch
all emergency units within the jurisdiction both police
and fire. Second, that we would have clear records as to
when and what was received, and the time it took to employ
the unit, a tape recording of all calls with time and content
11/21/73
66
for identification purposes, roust be kept for a period
of six months long enough to safeguard the fasts
for the City of Miami. Southern Bell must combitt itself
to an automatic system, at lease within the City of Miami,
similar to the automatic system that I understand is presently
used in New York City, wherein if a call with a City of Miami
first two digits comes into the automatic board, it would
go directly to City of Miami Police or Fire Dept. I realize
this is expensive, and it might take a long time to implement
and although I would not want Southern Bella binding commitment
I would want a sure answer by then that they would work in
this direction. I think that pretty well para-phrases without
having heard your commits previously of what you have been
saying. In other words,'we are for the idea, we just don't
like the way the direction is taking.
Chief KenneY: Why should we accept the system at
the present time that has a built in delay in getting the
information to us when we can wait a short period of time
and something that will improve our operation. That is the
reason I say we should take a stand now opposing what is
being done at the present time.
Mayor Ferre: Let me ask Mr. Andrews something. It is
my understanding that Hialeah and thy? City of Miami Beach
have both now opposed to it?
Mr. Andrews: It is my understanding. I don't have
factually for the Commission, the Commission's actions
of those two cities. I can't speak authoritatively, my
information is second hand. Maybe someone else has
positive information.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I can give you the information
as I have it. You are correct, the four municipalities that
directly involved because they are handling their own com-
munications, are the City of Miami, Coral Gabies, Hialeah
and Miami Beach. With the exception of an undetermined
position by Miami, Coral Gabies has approved 911, the
City of Hialeah and Miami Beach have opposed it in its
concept. The position is being waited for determination
today of the City of Miami. The reason the rest of the
municipalities have no opposition to 911, that as it
stands today, the Dade County Sheriff's Dept in fact does
their dispatching, so that is why they would have no
opposition as it affects them neither way.
Rev. Gibson: What do you want us to do?
Mr. Plummer: It behooves this Commission today to
give a policy statement, either you are in favor of the
concept as presented or you in opposition as presented
but in favor of the computerized concept, and from what
I have heard here today,the Commission would go on record
that it is in favor of the concept of 911 but not as it is
proposed today, but by the computerized concept which is
Shortly to be in the future.
Mayor Ferre: I want to emphasize today because I
can just see this being turned around, and misunderstood,
construed only half way, without pointing it out say, you
see, the City of Miami is anti -Metro opposed to Metro,
etc. etc. etc.. I want to emphasize strongly, my personal
11/21/73
67
opinion, and I think from what 2've heard, everyone seems to
.tpress the saute opinion, the City of Miami is not, is not,
opposed to 911, and the idea of 911. The only thing that
we are opposed to is the improper implementation of 911.
We want it done, we think it is a great idea, and want
to back it, but it has to be done right. If that is the
case, I think we are open to a motion.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor I move that we go along with
the concept. I hope everybody understands what I am saying.
the philosophy of a 911, but not with the present implementation.
That means that they would get all the people invr+lved,----
and work it out so we have no delay, and no foul-up, that
is my motion,
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion on the floor, is there
a second? The motion is, we are in favor of 911 which is
the central phone number to call for emergencies but we are
not in agreement with the way it is being implemented, and we
would want further study, and improvements with the concurrence
of our own departments to make it function.
The following resolution was introduced by Rev. Gibson,
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-932
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CONCEPT OF THE
"911" EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER SYSTEM BUT
GOING ON RECORD AS BEING IN DISFAVOR OF THE
PRESENT METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION; FURTHER RE-
QUESTING THE MATTER BE FURTHER STUDIED WITH
THE CONCURRENCE OF ALL CONCERNED DEPARTMENT
HEADS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and
on file in the City Clerk's office.)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Mrs. Gordon,
Mr. Plummer, Mr. Reboso, Rev. Gibson, Mayor Ferre: Noes;
None.
11/21/73
68
tLIl im nraimis
1
IEW OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF CHIEF OF POLICE. BERNARD GARMIRE
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Mayor, Members of the City Commission, at the last
Commission meeting you requested that I have Chief Garmire
here at the Commission meeting to discuss the Police
Operations. Chief Garmire is prepared to give you some
basic information on the operations of the department
and then is in a position to respond to your questions.
A11 right, Chief, before you begin, before we start,
I believe we need to clear the air because there are some
serious suggestions that have been made by some editorial
writers in this community and I want to be very clear and
specific and I do not mean reporters; I mean editorial
writers who have suggested that for some devious reason,
I'm out to get Chief Garmire. I would like to ask Chief
Garmire if he knows of any motive on my part or if he has
any information directly or indirectly that my intentions
are other than to curb the crimes of violence in this
community. I want to ask the Chief directly whether he
believes that I'm creating a situation to have him fired.
I want to know from Chief Garmire if my motives are other
than what I have repeatedly and consistently stated. I
want to know from the Chief if he knows from anyone in
the department that might be spreading such a story. I
ask these questions publicly because these editors should
know directly from Chief Garmire what he has to say on
this subject, so the air can be cleared. If we cannot
have the air cleared on this point, the motives for this
meeting are going to be continualy suspected, and as I
stated in the past and I want to reiterate again, the
only reason I am interested in pursuing this matter is
throughout my campaign for Mayor, it became obvious to
me that the number one problem and the number one concern
to each and every citizen that I talked to in the City of
Miami almost without exception was safety in their homes,
in their neighborhoods and in their parks. So, Chief,
I'd like to ask those questions publicly and for the
record.
You ask a number of questions, Mr. Mayor.
We'll take one at a time. Do you believe that my motives
are other than what I've repeated consistently? I want
to ask you whether you believe that I'm creating a
situation to have you fired.
Chief Garmire: I certainly have no knowledge to that effect, sir. I
consider you to be an honorable man and I consider your
motives to be honorable.
Mayor
Chief
Mayor
Ferre: All right. Do you know of anyone in the Police Department
who has been spreading such a theory?
Garmire: I haven't heard of anyone.
Ferre: All mght. I just wanted to get these cleared because I
think that we have to clear the air so that we can proceed
in this whole natter without any cloud of suspicion as to
anybody's intentions in this and I want to repeat to you,
Chief, that my' only intention in this - my only intention,
69
NOV 211973
is to review facts and matters so that we can get some
information so that the community is properly informed
and I want to repeat that I've got the utmost and com-
plete confidence in Paul Andrews and in the administration
which, of course, includes the Police Department. And
that I have no personal knowledge of anything specific
in which I, in any way, am trying to do this for any -
personal reason. This is a matter that is strictly
within the purview of the Mayor's Office and the
Commission's responsibility and that is the sole and
only intention of this gathering here today. All right,
Chief, excuse me.
Chief Garmire: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Commssion, Mr. Andrews, ladies
and gentlemen. I have a few words I would like to present
to you to establish a predicate to the discussion I'm sure
will follow. I might say, at the outset, that contrary
to what it might seem I have not been in contact with
Mayor Orr. As I get into my remarks, it may seem that
way in light of this presentation here today. But I
would say to you today that nearly two generations ago
at virtually a•time when every man and woman in the street
was beset by anxiety and fear that we were reminded that
the greatest thing we had to fear was fear itself. Crime
in the streets or more accurately, fear of crime in the
streets is the issue before us today. My purpose in being
here today is to discuss with you openly and frankly, the
problem of crime in the City of Miami. Further, I am to
lay before you a plan to combat that problem and to identify
those needs which must be addressed in the process. To
this agenda I would add only one subject which I will
address at the conclusion - policies. What policies are to
guide the Police Department in its effort to combat crime.
The goals of which men and women of the Miami Police De-
partment have always been committed that has been succintly
reaffirmed in these last several days to see that the parks,
and the streets, and the neighborhoods bf Miami are safe
for the citizens of Miami to walk in again. That goal is
both physical and psychological in that we must equally
contend with crime and the fear of crime itself. It'll
do us little good to substantially reduce the physical
incidents of crime if the psychological fear of crime is
not likewise reduced. It should be noted that we are not
speaking of, I'm sure, of the absolute elimination of
crime for that is a task impossible to achieve in an im-
perfect world. Rather, we are talking about reducing both
crime and the fear of crime to some level that meets the
community's perception of that which is indurable and not
necessarily desirable. A community's perception of the
fact of crime and the fear it produces is powerful - it's
a powerful driving force to which we, in government, must
respond. We must first respond with programs to reduce
the fact of the high incidence of crime. Then we must
respond with facts about the actual incidents of crime
to reduce the fear of crime. To the person who has just
been the victim of a crime, reactions of fear and outrage
are natural and justified. To some extent it is also
natural for unaffected members of the community to vicar-
iously experience a sense of fear and outrage when they
learn of the crime. Too often we tend to critize the
news media for intensifying those vicarious feelings
70
NOV 211973
•
through reporting techniques. But such criticism in the
main, is unfair. Editors must publish that which is news-
worthy and only they, through their experience and pro-
fessionalism are competent to judge what is and what is
not newsworthy. despite our occasional Monday morning
editorships. The editors know that the reporting of a
crime, even when it isn't worthy of headlines, does not
make of that crime a crime -wave nor do they intend that
such be the interpretation. Newspapers do report in
headlines that a girl has been brutally beaten but they
also report as in November 19, 1973, the Miami Herald,
that quiet, serenity, bring them to Bayfront. In short,
the news media report crime and the fear of crime and
they report the improvement in the facts of crime and
the lowering of the fear of crime. Without indulging
in statistics, may I point out that fact that crime in
Miami has been sharply increasing over the years. In
1970 the Greater Miami area had the highest crime rate
of the nation, but this was not the first time. Some
little -remembered facts are these: in 1959 the Greater
Miami area had the highest crime rate in the country.
During the years from 1959 through 1971, the Miami area
had never been less than fifth in the nation. A ranking
of sixth was achieved in the past fourteen years only
once - that was last year, 1972. Miami's crime exper-
ience has parallelled that of the country at large.
Sharply increasing rates of crime and then peaking out.
Miami too has peaked out. The crime in 1972 was lower
and in 1973 will be lower than the 1971 level. In plain
and simple language, Miami is reducing its rate of crime.
The men and women of the Police Department to the extent
that the police can affect the crime rate are to be
commended for what they have accomplished. This is not
to say that crime could not and should not continue to
be reduced but it is to say, loudly and clearly, that
your Police Officers have attained a significant measure
of success. Crime both in Miami and in the nation in-
creased over a long span of years to unprecedented levels.
Unfortunately it will take a number of years to reduce
crime to a level that is at least endurable to community
perception. It cannot be done overnight because of
several salient factors. First, the Police are but one
component of the total criminal justice system and what
the courts and corrections do or fail to do vitally
affects the police in their attempt to control crime.
Substantives and procedural criminal law have been dra-
matically changed over the past fifteen years. In blunt
yet descriptive terms, the police can no longer function
as society's vacumn cleaner, sweeping up and away from
sight, those who'are undesirable or dangerous or both.
Even the least or the worst among us must be treated with
the strictest regard for his constitutional rights. Any-
thing less will result in the case being thrown out of
court or the Police Officer being sued or both. The
adult criminal who has been arrested, convicted, sentenced
and subsequently rehabilitated or deterred from future
criminal activities is literally the exception rather than
the rule. Recidivis or repeaters among juvenile offenders
are, if anything, more of a problem. Few of us realize,
really, how demoralizing it is to a Police Officer, to
arrest the same offender over and over again. It has too
often happened that the same offender has been arrested
71 NOV 21197
•
f
two or three times on felony charges in one week. Secondly,
Miami experiences, along with other core cities of large
metropolitan areas, a number of severe socioeconomic
problems. The effect these problems have on the origin
and level of crime has been amply documented and certainly
doesn't need repeating here today. Thirdly, the Miami
Police Department, like any other organization, is staffed
by men and women, most of whom are Polite Officers. My
point, I think, is an obvious one. The largest and most
important resource of the department is people, and this
resource, like any other, must be carefully husbanded.
A crash crime -fighting program is possible but after the
organization has burnt itself out in two, four or six
months, what then? For this reason, it is imperative
that a police organization with this large human resource
pace itself for the long -run effort, not the short -run
burst. Only with continuous replenishment of the human
resource by the addition of new members, the renewal of
the energy, the morals, skills and leadership of the
current members, can depletion of this human resource be
avoided. Most of the human resources can be assigned to
the line, and in the case of the police, this means the
street. But some must be concerned with direct support,
with training and professional development and with
leadership. And even those who are on the line must be
returned to the classroom at the professional seminar
if they are to be refreshed both in terms of skill and
energy. Only in this way can an organization meet its
primary goal in the short-term and at the same time,
sustain itself the long-term effort. It is with these
salient factors in mind the inter -dependency of the
criminal justice system, the socio-economic problems
and the long-term effectiveness of the Police Department
set against the community's perception of crime and the
fear of crime that the department has considered its
needs and plans. At this moment, the long-range plans
of the department are not the issue. They have been well
publicized and are proceeding. In fact, architectural
design is underway for the new police building to be
located in the downtown area of Miami. What is at issue
are immediate and intermediate needs and plans. There-
fore, I will lay out those needs and plans before you and
the public in a straightforward language. One, the Police
Department needs immediate implementation of the Public
Service Aide program . This is the employment of young;
para-professionals funded through the Law Enforcement
Assistance Administration and the revenue -sharing plan
money. This would accomplish our plan to relieve regular
Police Officers of non -criminal duties, thus releasing
the officers for 9,000 additional man-hours of crime
fighting annually. In those business and residential
areas where the need is the greatest. If the Public
Service Aide program is implemented now, within fifteen
weeks it should have much impact. Number two, the Police
Department needs to implement immediately a man -power
release program :5y hiring civilians to release at least
twenty-eight Police Officers. This would accomplish our
plan to assign those officers to the high -crime areas.
We estimate the additional funds needed in this program
would be approximately $300,000. If the man -power release
program is initiated now, twenty-eight Police Officers can
be released for street duty within sixteen weeks. Number
three, the Police Department needs to immediately expand
72
NOV 211973
the three -wheeled motorcycle prografn which, in our
opinion, is an excellent combination of mobility, the
mobility of a vehicle and the personal contact of the
beat officer. And this would accomplish, in our plan,
to increase these three -wheeled motorcycles, we would
have then from twenty-nine to thirty-nine additional
people. and they would cover twenty-two instead of
thirteen beats, in key business, residential and park
areas.
Mayor Ferret Would you repeat that figure again, Chief. I didn't get
that. Twenty-nine to thirty-nine?
Chief Garmire: We would increase our motorcycle officer assignment from
twenty-nine to thirty-nine and we would be able to cover
twen:.y-two instead of thirteen beats, in key business,
residential and park areas. The additional funds in this
one would run, I think, a nominal figure of about $20,000
to $25,000. If the three -wheeled motorcycle program
expansion could be initiated now, the expansion could be
completed within twenty-four weeks. Number four, the
Police Department needs to begin hiring immediately
thirty-four Police Officers to fill our vacancies in the
sworn officer's positions and it needs to hire 7.4 officers
each month of the year to meet our employment turnover rate;L
to accomplish our plan of getting completely up to author-
ized strength and staying there. Additional funds in this
area would be approximately $360,000. The initiation of
this process now would provide thirty-four additional
officers for street duty in high -crime areas within
twelve months. It takes about three months to recruit,
screen and hire a Police Officer, six months to train him
in the classroom and three more months of field training
under the Field Instructor Training Program before the
recruit is even minimally qualified to function as a
Police Officer. Number five, the Police Department will
implement - this will be done. Two Robbery and Burglary
Grants which are funded by $120,000 from the Law Enforce-
ment Assistance Administration monies - now these are
specifically aimed at identifying and aprehending the
most active burglars and robbers in Miami. To accomplish
our plan, we will commit. thirty-nine Police Officers, eight
Sergeants, one Lieutenant and one Captain to a very speci-
lized hard-core crime fighting program. Full operation is
expected early in January, 1974. We are awaiting funding
from the Federal Government. We are assured it will come
forward by approximately that time. In summary, in
fifteen weeks we can put 9,000 more manhours for street
crime fighting duty per year. In sixteen weeks twenty-
eight Police Officers could be released through the man-
power release program suggestion for crime fighting. In
twenty-four weeks, ten additional three -wheeled motorcycle
officers could be assigned to nine more beats. In twelve
months, thirty-four additional Police Officers would be
hired, trained and sworn and our authorized strength would
be attained and maintained. In a nutshell, those are the
immediate and intermediate needs and plans of the Miami
Police Department, in straight language. The ultimate
purpose in stating these immediate and intermediate needs
and plans is twofold. First, to bring before you for
discussion what it is the Miami Police Department can do
to reduce the actual incidence of crime. I welcome today's
opportunity and will welcome such opportunities in the
73
NOV 211973
• i
e0i1111ruu.1rrir■irl
i
future to engage in a meaningful dialogue where the
problems, the issues and the concepts can be aired and
discussed with reason and sensitivity. Second, to lay
before the public through reason discourse, not only
what the Miami Police Department proposes to do but also
what it has done so that the community perception of crime
can be based upon facts. When that perception is grounded
in fact, the credibility of the Police will be enhanced.
But, more important, the psychological fear of crime ,
which is so destructive to the quality of life in our
community, will more closely match the physical reality
of crime. And finally, I would like to touch upon that
which I illuded to previously - policies. Policy, of
course, is the provence of the City Commission and there-
fore, I believe, it is appropriate to state here and now
those policies which the Police Department has followed
in the past and which have been stated before a previous
City Commission so that you may approve, modify or dis-
approve. Whether or not the Police Department's plan
fails or succeeds, whether or not crime or fear of crime
decreases, and unless I am directed to the contrary, I
shall insist upon compliance with these policies in the
conduct of police operations. Number one, Police man-
power shall be equitably distributed throughout the
community on a basis of proportional allocation of
available man -power according to needs as reflected
by crime statistics, and citizen's calls for service.
Parenthetically, I should mention here and it should be
noted that 80% of the calls coming to the Police Depart-
ment are of a non -criminal nature. Some type of a social
service is requested or required. Number'two, the Police
shall proceed within the limits of the law which they're
empowered to enforce and within the limits of their
authority as it relates to the constitutional rights of
persons. Three, the Police shall proceed not through
the intentional use of force but through the intentional
use of lawful authority to perform their lawful mission.
When force or violence must be employed, it shall be
employed but only as a last resort and only to the minimu
extent necessary. And fourth, the Police shall proceed,
not against whites or blacks or Latins but against person
who have violated the law. What matters is not their
color - only their conduct. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, I have a series of questions that I have written
down and I would like to ask you these questions. I woul
imagine that there are other questions that will be forth
coming from other members of this Commission. and I don't
know whether time is going toallow - this is not a publi
hearing as such, so I don't think that we're going to get
into and I certainly, as Chairman of this meeting, am not
going to permit a questioning of you personally by any
of the citizens here. I don't think that's the purpose
of this gathering. However, if there are people who want
to make brief statements, we would consider that. Now,
how many people here would like to make a statement, as
such? One, two, three, four, five, six. All right,
seven, eight. All right, if you will give your names to
the clerk here, after we have finished, if we have the
time, then we will recognize you for a brief statement
that the Chief can note but I am not going to put him
74
NOV 211973
411) 40
through the procedure of an inquisition at this point
other than those questions that are forthcoming from
the Commission itself. All right, now, most of these
questions 1 think are rather simple a.- they're really
more for information even though some of these simple
questions tend to be very complicated in the end. How
many people do we actually have working in the Police
Department?
Chief Garmire: Exactly, sir? I have that number -
Mayor Ferre: Well, within a few with reasonable accuracy. How many
people do we have working in the Police Department?
That includes everyone, Chief, civilians, secretaries,
Chief Garmire: Our budget is 1,002.
Mayor Ferre: That's what I was going to get to. The budget is 1002
but how many do you actually have? In fact. You know,
give or tape five or six or ten - roughly.
Chief Garmire: Our present population is approximately 940.
Mayor Ferre: 940?
Chief Garmire: Yes, sir. That's the gross.
Mayor Ferre: 940. All right. Now, what percentage of these are
sworn officers?
Chief Garmire: In round figures, sir, we are entitled to, under our
authorization, 798 Police Officers and the balance of
those would be civilian positions.
Mayor Ferre: Is that what the budget authorizes? But how many do
we actually have?
Chief Garmire:We'll find out in just a moment, sir.
i
i
the sworn officers, what percentage are on active duty
other than desk or non -people contact jobs? I don't
mean that a man on the desk isn't on active duty but
I mean - I don't know how to express it in proper
technical language but in other words, how many man of
the total are really doing police work in the field
rather than at a desk? And, I don't mean to imply in
any way or diminish the importance of the desk job.
Chief Garmire: It's a question of my finding the information. I have
specific information here today, sir, and I will take
one second here to look at....May I answer you question
in this way? On any given day available - now I'm
talking about Police Officer - on any given day I have
available to me, for all purposes within the department,
435 Police Officers.
Mayor Ferre: I'll tell you where I'm going, Chief, so you can be
thinking about it as you look into those figures. Of
Mayor Ferre: Sworn officers?
Chief Garmire; That's correct. Yes, sir.
NOV 211973.
iiIIU!9rt Ih"
Mayor
Chief
Mayor
Chief
Mayor
Chief
Mayor
Chief
Ferre: Does that include the Captains, the Majors and the
Garmire: This is total sworn man power.
Ferre:
Garmire:
Ferre:
Garmire:
Ferre:
435?
Yes, sir.
All right. Now we're budgeted for 798, you say?:
Yes, sir.
But we have 435. All right. Now, does that mean, as
I read it, that we have a deficiency of 263 men?
Garmire: No, sir. I would qualify what I just.said by pointing
out to you, taking from the gross number available to
us by budgeted funds and actual strength that there are
many deduct:ions that one must consider. For example,
earned time or days off. Any one time there are two
hundred and seventy-four people off duty.
Mayor Ferre: I see. Do you have the specific figure as to how many
sworn officers are on the payroll of the City of Miami
as of today?
Chief Garmire: 752.
Mayor Ferre: 752 sworn officers that the City of Miami has today?
Chief Garmire: That's correct.
Mayor Ferre: Okay. Now, in other words, from the budget figure,
let me see if I'm interpreting this right, stop me if
I'm wrong - I don't want to be wrong. That means that
we're short 46 officers.
Chief Garmire: That's approximately correct, sir. However, it can be
qualified again, and I don't mean to try to involve you
with a complicated answer. We have certain positions
that are filled through the E.E.A. Program. These pro-
grams -
Mayor
Chief
Mayor
Chief
Ferre: Explain what E.E.A. is.
Garmire: This is the Emergency Employment Act.
Ferre: Oh. I see. Right.
Garmire: These are funds that provide for the employment of
people from certain areas. Now, we have - the difference
is made up between the 752 that I told you and the actual
number that we're budgeted, within, as I pointed out
before, thirty-four positions. We do not carry those
as actual budgeted positions because they're being funded
out of federal funds. However, we are required to absorb
those people at a certain point in time. Right now we're
scheduled to absorbe all of those by the first of July
of next year. Consequently, there will always be a
difference between that number which we show on the
City payroll and the total number available to us.
76 NOV 21.1973
11
I nMrriuii 111111.11111011111141
II Il111•liIlP UIil0 ini1l 111111iIlI11M PiI
Mayor Ferre: What I'm leading to and this is the thrust of my
question - of the sworn officers, what percentage are
on active duty and by that I mean other than desk or
non -people contact jobs? Or what percentage - in
other words - of the total sworn officers, hoomany of
of them are at desk jobs and how many are out on the
street in police work out in the community? Here's
what I'm getting at, Chief. How many sworn police
officers. do we have in non -field work type of activities?
Percentage -wise or actual number count? And I'm not
trying to pin you down -
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
I know -
I'm not going to say, Hey, you made a mistake and you're
wrong by eight people. You know, that's not the point
of all of this. I just want to get in my mind the
percentages are.
Chief Garmire: Between 20 and 25 percent of the people are required
for administrative duties and support duties of a Police
Officer in the field.
Mayor Ferre: 25% sworn officers that are doing so-called desk jobs.
Chief Garmire: That's correct.
Mayor Ferre: Now, what percentage of the total hours spent by the
people that are out in the field - of their total hours
worked during the week - what percentage is paper work
or administrative work, if you will.
Chief Garmire: The average man in the street is required to spend at
least 10% of his time in complying with the required
necessary reports.
Mayor Ferre: 10% of his time.
Chief Garmire: At least that. Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: So in other words, of the total officers available twenty
five percent are involved in administrative -type jobs and.
of the ones that are in the field, ten percent of their
time is spent in administrative -type of work.
Chief Garmire: That's correct. Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
How many vacancies do we currently have in the City
Police Department? That have not been filled under the
budget?
Currently, as of last evening, thirty-four positions.
Thirty-four? Now, before we
798 from 752 but the E.E.A.s
Okay. So the answer to that
Yes, sir.
have 46. In other words,
are what make the difference
is 34.
Now, how are these being filled and when? Somebody told
me that we were now getting five cadets per month, into
the academy. Is that accurate or is that just somebody's
77 Ilpy 211973
Chief Garmire: Very recently we were authorized to put 7 per month
into the academy and as of last evening, through an
arrangement with the City Manager, Mr. Andrews, we
have asked for a total of twenty-eight in the next
class which will start the seventh of January.
Mayor Ferret Here's the point that I'm leading to in this one so
that we can get this one straight. If we have vacancies
of 34 and we have a budget for that much in the budget,
then why don't we make a special attempt to get more
than 7 a month into the academy so that we can fill
those vacancies alot quicker? Yes, please interrupt
me. This is not a one-man operation here or a one-
woman operation.
Mr. Plummer: I'll take your word for it. Mr. Mayor, at this point,
I would like to ask of the City Manager and of the
Chief, if he knows. One of the problems that I under-
stand that has been.incurred, not by them, nor by us,
is the problem of the recent law suit which was put
against the City and I don't mean to speak either way
for or against the law suit as it pertains to quotients
of people and how they should be hired. Now, 1 have to
ask this question right off the bat. On the mandate of
that law suit, we must have X number of blacks, we must
have X number of Latins, we must have X number of what-
ever it must be. How does this affect - are we under
that guideline at this time? And, if so, what do we
do about it? You know, I can remember back where we
had drives to hire Latins, we have had drives to hire
blacks, and it has been a
very simply is this: does
to hiring new cadets, new
atand?
problem. Now, my question
the law suit affect us as
policemen - where do we
Mr. Andrews: The law suit does affect us in our manner of hiring
and recruitment but we have to weigh that carefully
in that the law is tolerant to the extent that the
City - and don't quote me on this exact month. I
thinx it's twelve months or eighteen months - that we
must have hired a consulting firm to assist us in re-
cruitment in these ethnic areas. The law allows
additional time to begin gaining proportion of ethnic
representation so there's some time allowance. There
was a hesitancy to launch into an extended drive for
recruitment in order to keep pace with the vacancy in
a department because it was a feeling that as soon as
we could get the consultant, and incidentally, we will
have proposals from ten or twelve different consultants
by the 30th of this month. There was a fear there that
there will be a misunderstanding if we begin deviating
from the guidelines that have been set down by the
Commission's Resolution and by the law suit and the
findings of the Court. Within the last several days,
I told Chief Gemini that we had to make a weighty
decision in which (1) we were trying to do that which
was right, and also, carrying the responsibility of
making this community safe. I told Chief Garmire
and Mr. Paulk of Public Service, to deplete the exist-
ing register of applicants which number some 17 and
we're hopeful that we can employ ten out of those 17
78 Nov 211973
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Perre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Perre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
to become policemen and the Chief presented lire with
the plan, just last night, for the employment of
28 additional vacancies that he has.
Wonderful.
However, there is a problem here which the Commission
must give me some broad latitude in making -
Well, you've always had that from this Commission.
Well, it's more serious than that, Mr. Mayor, and I
have to go back to the time when we adopted the budget
and you have
All right. We're going to get into that in a moment
because I'm all in favor of doing whatever has to be
done to hire - you need 28 other people and you need
some broad latitudes, we're going to discuss that as
soon as we get to all the questions -
Okay. Let's get an answer to my question. Now - are
you telling me yes or no.
I'm telling you yes - that I consider the importance
of policing the City of Miami, reducing crime, is far
more serious than hiring people in the ratio of ethnic
origin. We're going to proceed on both basis as ex-
peditiously as we can but one is more important than
the other at this moment in time.
All right. Now, how many cadets do we actually have,
Chief, that are now in training?
Chief Garmire: In the current class?
Mayor Ferre:
Yes, in the current class.
Chief Garmire: I believe it's a total of eleven.
Mayor Ferre:
A total of eleven?
Chief Garmire: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: Now, isn't there seven a month and you said it was
six months?
Chief Garmire: Yes, sir, but we just started this. We just got
authorization to do this about a month ago.
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre:
About a month ago? We have eleven in the classes now,
you see.
So that means to fill thirty-four vacancies, we really
have to start n3oving - to put an awful lot of pressure
and attention. Now, let me ask you a question which I
really don't understand. I was very sincere when I
took this information out. There was an article - I
think it was in the Miami News - where I read it - on
November 13 and it had some statements like, for ex-
ample; in New York City they're overwhelmed with appli-
cations and that they have 65,000 applicants in New
York and in Kansas, and in Michigan and they quoted
79 NOV2197
• •
Chief
Mayor
Chief
Garmire:
Ferret
Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
different police departments where there were so many
applicants. Now, are wt: the exception to that rule
in the United States?
I don't believe we are, sir.
In other words, we do have a lot of applicants.
We have a lot of applicants, but, I would remind you
that for every, maybe, fifteen that apply, there are
a very limited number, maybe two, three or four that
would qualify out of that. We could say that we have
a tremendous number of applicants but the acceptable
applicants is a different situation and I wouldn't
doubt that they have 65,000 letters of inquiry on
file in some places.
Did you see the article I was talking about?
No, sir. I did not see it.
Well, what I'm looking for - and I'll tell you - let
me express - before I ask the next question - an
an attitude or approach to police problems being a
non -expert - I know nothing about police work. This
is something that I keep getting all the time, over
and over again from people that I talk to'and who
seem to be so concerned in this community. And, I'll
tell rou where I really noticed it was walking through
the park the other day, in the evening and in the day,
and I was asking people about how they reacted to the
Police. And you know, they expressed themselves about
the Police as though they were talking about a "thing".
You know - a machine. It wasn't a human being. They
weren't talking about men or women. They weren't
talking about people - they were talking about the
patrol car or - you know - and this theme kept re-
peating itself and I've noticed, in talking to a lot
of different people that, it seems to me that what
we really have to do is to humanize the Policeman
and that's both ways. In other words, for the Police-
man to consider himself a human being dealing with
human beings and for the public to consider that these
are people that are rendering a service to people -
to the public - and I think - I'm not against - I'm
not saying and please don't misunderstand that I'm
in any way against electronic improvements or computers
or machines or the perfection. Listen, I'm a business
man and I'm in the middle - for example - our cement
mill here, I want the most modern equipment, I want
electronic computers, I want automatic testers, I
want automatic speedometers - I'm all for that. But,
I think that we have a tendency in the modern world -
and that's not just you - all of us - to try to be too
scientific and to try to be too modern. And sometimes,
without meaning to do so, at the expense of the human
relationship between peoples. Now, I've noticed that
there was an article - I didn't notice it in the big
daily, but there was an article in a Miami Beach news-
paper where it had a picture just walking the beat and
it had the picture - let's see if I have a date on this
thing - well, anyway, it's the Miami Beach Times and
it's been within the last week and it's a picture of a
Policeman talking to a young lady and the story relates
r"
•
80 NOV 211973
01111111111111111111 1' II
to the fact that Chief Polnerance is now going back
or re-emphasizing the "Walking Policeman". Now, t
received also in the mail, an article from New Jersey
where Governor Cahill, back in January, after a long
and complicated and arduous study, on what was wrong
with the police problems in crime and so forth, in
New Jersey. He came to the very simple conclusion.
He said "we've got to get the men back on their feet;
we've got to get the man back on the beat." Oh, here
it is: "Put Police on foot" taunts Cahill message.
Now my point now, I don't think he was successful,
was he, in his re-election attempts, but I hope this
had nothing to do with it. But, "Cop on beat urged
by Governor". This is Atlantic City on January 9th
of this year. And, the emphasis seems to be in New
Jersey that the same thing as in Miami Beach; some-
how we had to get back to the Policeman walking and -
let me tell you what - now, that's my question. Let
me tell you what one person told me which made an
awful lot of sense to me. He say, you know, we don't
know a lot of the Officers, that come around here by
their names. If we only knew some of these guys by
the name of Bill or John and we could relate to them,
you know, we'd say,"Hey John, you know that drunk
that you caught two weeks ago. He's back drunk again
in the other apartment and I think he's gonna beat
his old lady•up, you know, and you'd better go over
and take a look and see if you can calm him down".
So, the point that I'm trying to make is that some-
how, if we had people -contact and if we could - and
and you can't do that in an automobile and you can't
do it with machines - it's got to be with people.
So - and here's my question. What can we do speci-
fically and without having to wait for twelve months?
To humanize this whole situation where, between the
Police Department and the people, in the Police De-
partment and Vhe people, in public. In other words,
specifically, can we establish walking tours or beats
in high congestion or high crime areas? Can we
emphasize that for a while to see what kind of effect
it has in Allapattah, or Little River, or Coconut
Grove or the downtown area or those areas that are
so-called high crime areas?
Chief Garmire: Mx. Mayor, may I say at the outset, before I get into
a specific answer to your question - just a statement
of philosophy in policing that I have. I think we
need a more personal touch in policing - more rapore
with the average person who lives next door - our
neighbors. But we've been victimized by the advance
of technology and we are putting police officers now
in a steel cocoon and sending them forth. They don't
have contact with people. This is brought about by
a tremendous press of calls. We are continually
stacking calls for service somewhere, sometime in
the City. We recognize that in those areas very
limited numbers of areas in this community where we
do have the walking beats that these men have a
better rapore with people, whether they be passers-by
merchants, neighbors, whatever the case may be. Some
where between the steel cocoon which we call an auto-
mobile and the walking beat must be a happy medium.
We started some time ago, nearly a year ago, with the
implementation of the three wheeled motorcycle.
81 NOV 211973
•
•
h,�iMi iwn,.�%W �gi,Edl. !LU !llJ2L'!U!
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferrel
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
We believe this
Let me ask you at
a statefient but 1
those tricycles -
this point, because you gave us
forgot the number how many of
do we have 36, was it you said?
Well, the beats, sir, the number of beats that
covering.
How many actual tricycles do we have?
We have 16.
Sixteen?
we're
Sixteen and we are suggesting the addition of ten
more.
Ten more.
Yes, sir. In those areas where we do have them and
in the downtown area, for example, what we call the
downtown area, during the average day, from about
1:00 - 12:00 noon through 6:00 - 7:00 in the evening,
we have at least a dozen men walking in those areas.
They do have good rapore and we do believe that they
are accomplishing a great deal.
They do ltave what, Chief? I didn't hear that.
Good rapore.
Good rapore?
Good rapore. In those areas where we've applied the
three -wheeled motorcycles, Coconut Grove, Allapattah,
Edison Center and others, they have been very well
received. Now, they don't use these three -wheeled
motorcycles strictly for patrol activity. We are
encouraging our men to ride them to a certain key
spot in the area, get off, walk and talk with people
but have this vehicle available to them in the event
a call necessitates them moving from their immediate
area to another area as rapidly as possible. We
believe this is a happy medium and it's been well -
received in all the areas where we've tried it.
We want to expand upon it. Park patrols - it's
ideally suited for park patrols, and isolated res-
idental districts and other areas where the incidence
of crime is always certainly potential.
Chief, let me ask - let me come right to the point
specifically and ask you because I see that in the
paper here there was an article saying Miami crime
rate rises and so on, and it goes by sector 20 and
10, 30, 40, 50 and 60 and it specifically says where
burglaries - so on and so forth. While we're having
this increase which I want to repeat - I'm in no way
blaming the Police Department or Chief Garmire or the
administration for the rise in crime. I don't think
you've got anything to do with it directly, except,
82 NOV 211973
•
1
1
i
Chief
of course, the responsibility you have in curtailing
it you kAow - one way or the other. Now, if it's
rising and what we're doing doesn't seem to be
effectively stopping it, or at least the rate of it,
is there any way in which we can turn this around
and get more people out on the beat and I don't mean
to belittle the twenty-five percent that are the sworn
people that are out on desks or the ten percent
administrative time that the Policeman spends - the
field Policeman .. in administration. But is there
any way that we can get that 10% down to S% instead
of having 25 - just during, let's say, a six-month
period until you can get these 38 men you're talking
about and the extra 10 tricycles and the twelve
months until we train all these other people. Is
there any way that we can de-emphasize the admin-
istrative end of things for a while and see if we
can put more men out on an emergency basis if you
want to call it that.
Garmire: Let me qualify this administrative assignment, Mr.
Mayor. We're talking about, for example, the school
resource officer program. Now, we consider those
administrative in that they are not directly assigned
to a crime fighting or service officer posture. We
believe that, of course, all those intangible, we
believe that they are having a tremendous effect on
the prevention of delinquincy in crime.
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Now, who are these?
The school resource officers.
School resource. Oh, yes.
Now, we have a total of 16 people assigned to that
job, and they're in nine of the junior high schools
and in one or two of the senior high schools. We
believe they're doing a tremendous job. We really
don't know to whom the greatest credit accrues or
benefit - whether it be the school system or not.
It's conceivable that these school systems think
enough of this program to maintain it through a
financial subsidy. If they were to do that, it
might provide funds for us to have additional people.
Put that down, Paul. We ought to go see them.
I've already got it down.
Let's go to see those people.
It's only a suggestion. My point is simply this -
that although we call some of these assignments
administrative, they are contributing a great deal
to intangible aspects of crime control. No one can
measure the effectiveness but we know it's good.
See, the problem is - I see it again as a non -expert
from the outside looking at the effects of it - I
hear it from people. For example, we have something
called the Community Relations Group, right?
That's what I'm talking about.
83
NOV211973
Mayor Ferret
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Reboso:
Community Relations? Now, how many men are in-
volved in Community Relations?
In the total, there's approximately 25 people in
it.
All right. Now, I have heard from a lot of different
people in the community that they do a tremendous
job .. that the effect that these Policemen have on
the people is tremendous. But then, the next day
a Policeman who's not part of' the Community Relations
operation comes by and he's doing his job, you know,
and he's a little bit rude or a little bit rough
or a little bit something or other and all of a
sudden, all the good that's been done -people forget
that right away and they say - look at this situation
that's going on here, you see, and the point that I'm
trying to make in all of this is this is fine and
I'm not in any way de-emphasizing the importance or
the impact of those 25 men but, by God, when we're
having a 20-30% increase in rapes or muggings or
murders in certain parts of the town, shouldn't we
really try to say now, how can we pull some of these
men away from the desks and reduce a little bit some
of the administrative paper work. On an emergency
basis, we recognize - it's a question of priorities,
you see. I think that's the way to put it. That's
what I'm trying to say. Isn't the priority, if we're
having this increase in criminology or crime or what-
ever it is, in some of these sectors, shouldn't the
emphasis really be in getting people out there rather
than in continuing programs, as meritorious as they
maybe, that tend to take people away from that direc=
police contact? Let me put it another way and this
is a question. Couldn't we, during this period,hire
20 civilians which we don't have to spend six months
training that are responsible people. I'm sure, Paul
that we could get tham from within the City itself,
from within the administration. Couldn't we hire
20 people and in two or three weeks have them doing
paper'and administrative work and relieve some of
these trained Police Officers to go out into the
field?
Mr. Mayor, I recommend it, in my address, that we hir
28 civilians immediately and that -
Wonderful.
---and that we immediately release 28 Police Officer
for street duty. Now, I qualify that by saying that
it would be about 6 weeks because it would probably
take up to 6 weeks to process and give them limited
training' necessary.
Chief, Commissioner Reboso has a question.
Chief, can you tell me in the Miami Police Department
how many people do we have in the Identification Uni
Chief Garmire: In the Identification Unit?
84
NOV 211973
Mr. Reboot)*
Chief
i
Yee.
Garmire: I believe I can give that .. Chief Fox is here - he
might be able to give that off the top - the tip
of his tongue.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief ^ % °^1i re :
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Chief, while you're looking that up, I would just,
for curiousity sake, like to know how many people
that are here in the audience are with the Police
Department. Would you raise your hands, please.
(Counts - one, two, three,etc.) We've got about
20 Police Officers here, for this hearing. Now,
is that completely necessary to have 20 men here?
Mr. Mayor, I think that you'll find that most of
these Officers or I suspect that they're off duty
and they're here because they want to be here and
are curiods to know what's being said about their
department.
How many of thQ Officers that are here are off duty
right now? How many are on duty?
Andrews was right again.
Chief, do you have those figures? Are they more
than 30, by any chance?
Are they what, sir?
These Technicians, how many are they? Are they
more than 30?
There are 30 civilian Technicians.
Okay. Can you tell me what is the reason they are
not allowed to carry a weapon? Right now?
They are not Police Officers, sir. They're not
sworn Police Officers .
Because as far as I know here, they say they are now
receiving some protection by the uniform Police
Officers.
Yes, sir.
And if they get the permission - the permission is
granted to carry a weapon, it would help to relieve
the uniform officers of this protection in certain
areas and give them more time in their regular patro
duty. Do you think that it's possible - that they
attend the Police Academy or something like that?
This has been a subject that has been discussed and
pretty well resolved prior to my coming here. It
is inadvisable to arm these people in our opinion.
They are not Police Officers and even though they
contend that they might be able to protect them-
selves, it's questionable. Furthermore, they are
to assist the Police Officer at the scene of a crim
To collect the necessary evidence, that may be there
and under the direction of a Police Officer.
85 .NOV 2 11973
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Reboso:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief, what happens when they arrive to the crime
scene before the Police Officer?
I would question that they would do that. Very often.
Is there any danger without a weapon themselves?
Not necessarily. No more than the average citizen
would be in danger, sir.
But the point that I'm trying to make - the Mayor
is trying to find 20 more people - I think if we
can give them marked Police Units - 4 or 5 marked
Police Units, they can relieve the Officers -
Well, I don't think it would be quite that simple.
Mr. Reboso. I think that we would have some real
conflicts with the Police Standards Board or the
State' of Florida and I believe that we would be
asking for a considerable amount of trouble and
ultirately we would have a contention on our hands
so far as retirement benefits and various other
aspects. It was pretty thoroughly examined just
prior to my coming here and the ruling at that time
was defin.tely that these people, being civilians,
technicians, are in the supportive role to the Police_
And assis.: the Police. The Police Officer is supposeL
to take charge of the crime scene and supervise the
collection of the necessary evidence.
I see. You don't agree that they should go to the
Police Academy for 9 weeks and be ready to carry a
weapon and assist the Police Officers?
Not at this time. I would be glad to reconsider it
and look it over again but right now I'm not in-
clined to agree with that.
Chief, I want to get back to the 28 men - civilians
at the moment,'but lets - Mr. Plummer has a question.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I hope I can be brief. Chief,
I didn't have a calculator as you spoke. You out-
lined the approximate cost, detailing those things
that you thought that could be done to help the
problem. I now ask you, since I read with great
surprise in the newspaper that the City of Miami was
in great financial problems, what is the total cost
as of the plan that you have put forth today?
This would the number of men that we were talking
about.
Chief, I want a total figure of everything that you
asked for today.
Twenty-eight Police - I mean men to relieve - that
was $300,000.
Mr. Mayor, if you please. I asked the Chief a very
simple question. He put forth certain proposals tha
he feels is needed to alleviate the problem. I now
ask for a total cost figure.
Chief Garmire: Of City funds needed?
86 NOV 211973
I
!'
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Perre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Of City funds. Yes, sir. What you will be asking
this Commission to provide you with.
$290,000 for 28 civilians to release 28 Police
Officers. Between $20,000 and $25,000 which would
purchase the necessary equipment tr) provide the
additional 3-wheeled Police Officers. The hiring -
the filling of our compliment of authorized strength
which calls for approximately, according to our
figures, about $360,000. Those are the monies that
I would be requesting -
Now, wait a moment
Mr. Mayor, please, may I
IMO OM eh.
It's very important because part of the vacancies
that he's talking about are already authorized in
the budget.
No, they're not. Not that many.
Mr. Mayor, may I finish with my question? I waited
till you were finished, sir. Now, Chief, is there
anything else?
If I had these things, sir, I think we could make an
appreciable improvement.
So, what you're asking at this time is
is that correct?
Yes, sir.
$675,000,
All right,, sir. Now, my next question is Mr.
Andrew's. Sir, do we have the money or don't we?
We do not, at this moment.
All right. Where are you going to find it?
Well, that's what I wanted to get to and if the
Commission is prepared to discuss it, I'll be glad
to -
All right, I'll hold up and renig until that time.
I have some other points, Mr. Mayor. Chief, if I
may, you know, one of the points that you brought
out and I don't think you were inferring by any
means that the situation is not bad. I didn't read
that but I think if I read correctly you feel that
it is being overplayed in the press. Did I read
that correct? Or am I near correct?
I think there's an inference from the average reade
that, in many instances, the situation is worse tha
it really is.
Okay. I think we're along the same lines. Now, yo
talk about short-range proposals. We're basically
talking about the downtown area, and the immediate
need - right now. Now, you know, all of the people
have read in the paper, for the last seven days,
;r 87 NOV 21 i97
•
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
about the problem downtown. and t see in this
audience a great representative of the downtown
people who wait all year long for the Christmas
Season. A great number of these people make or
break their year based on the Christmas Season.
And now you have made a proposal that I think
the shortest thing you have proposed is twelve
weeks, which, without any calculation, carries
us beyond the Christmas Season. Now, my question
to you is this - that is not what I consider short-
range. I am asking you, Chief, based on whatever
possible, what can we implement to change the con-
cept or picture in the downtown area by the first
of December? Now, what I guess I'm saying to you
in so many words is - do you have or can you find
adequate personnel within your station that is not
now on the streets to put them on the streets of
downtown Miami so that the people can go downtown
without fear during the Christmas holidays?
The answer to your question, frankly, is no. I can
not ever guarantee a person that he would be abso-
lutely safe anywhere in the community. Now, I would
like to bring the downtown areas in perspectives so
far as the assignment of personnel is concerned, on
a Tuesday or a Friday, which are representative days
of assignment. We have, on a Friday, for example,
during most of the day, in excess of twenty units
assigned in the downtown area, giving direct service..
It peaks out with 21 on Tuesdays, for example. I use'
Tuesdays and Fridays as a representative example.
Of 21 Police Units in the immediate downtown area,
we have almost a saturation of patrol down there,
far in excess higher than any other area in the City.
Are these in automobile patrols or are these people
walking?
They are foot patrols, three -wheeled men and in
automobills. We have everything - all forms of
patrol. :low, it is conceivable that we could put
some additional people down there. We could change
our method of deployment and we can bring in our
canine units and patrol some of the more sensitive
areas down there. We intend to do this. And, as a
matter of fact, we intend to do it very shortly, so
that the Christmas Season or the Christmas shopping
season can get a more protective atmosphere so far
as the Police are concerned. I think we can be some
what effective in this way. But, to take people out
of the station, as it were, will greatly reduce the
effectiveness of the Police. We must have the
support. This is, I think, an overlooked factor
of the Police service, that we've got to have the
station support in order to keep those things which
are necessary to run, in station so that the men in
the field get the adequate support that is necessary
Chief, I don't want to get into a situation where I
am in any way antagonistic or shrill or that I sound
like - you know - but I don't believe that you meant
to say, I hope you didn't mean to say, when you
answered Plummer's question, that you think that the
NOV 211913
Z.
88
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Plummer:
situation is exaggerated or is not as bad as is
in people's minds. Mcw, I'm reading from yesterday's
newspaper and it says here that through August, in
the City of Miami, official figures are: Murder ins
creased 13.7%; rape, 16.9% assults, 12%; burglaries,
16.2%. You know, my God, here we are, and as you
say, Miami has one of the worst criminal records
historys in the Nation and I'm not .. Los Angeles,
Las Vegas, Miami, whatever it is that these metro-
politan areas that have these high crime statistics,
but when we find out that through so far this year,
through August, we've had 16.9% increase in rape,
and 13% increase in murders, my God, certainly we
have to say this has got to be a high point in our
very bad historical criminal history. Have we ever
been worse than what we've been this year?
Yes, we were worse.
What percentage -wise in rapes and murders -
In 1970, we were, yes. Let me say something here.
We have a bad situation in the City of Miami and I
don't mean to imply that it isn't bad. And I de-
plore it and certainly want to do everything I can
professionally or humanly to do - to help reduce
this rate. I will and have, I believe, addressed
the subject to the best of our abilities, in de-
ploying people where the need is the greatest. And,
we are making adjustments. As a matter of fact, we
made adjustments as late as two weeks ago, to try
to get more emphasis in those areas where we believe
it was needed. And, we will continue to do this.
Chief, have you made a statement recently that the
number one problem in crime in the City of Miami
was prostitution?
No, sir. I didn't make that statement. It is a
problem of considerable magnitude.
You have not made a statement that the number one
problem in crime in the City of Miami is prostitution
You have not made that statement?
No, sir.
Mr. Mayor, let me ask a question. Oh, I'm sorry.
Go ahead.
Let's get,back to my thought, if I may, Chief. And
everybody's hitting all around it but I'd like to
come rights down to a question if I may. Chief, one
thing that I can't put any blame on anyone for and
I think it's something we're overlooking tremendousl
One of the things, and I think you touched on - the
terminology - undesirable element - and it does
exist in the downtown area and let's not discount it
I'm speaking about those unfortunates that are alco-
holics, I'm talking about those people who are the
panhandlers, those people who are the prostitus,
and people you wish to group them all as undes Table
elements. Now, I know for a fact that your men
clean the streets on more than one occasion and
NOV 211973
89
•
1
1
sometimes I don't think that it's not cleaned well
enough. But the point that I'm making is this:
the one repeated thing that a Policeman tells me
is true that he puts them in jail tonight and he's
back out on the streets tomorrow. Now, 1 don't know
that there is an answer to that. But, you know,
Chief, a drunk doesn't have to walk down the streets
and knock you in the head to make people want to
stay away from that element. People don't have to
come up and have somebody stick their hand in their
pocket panhandling as an undesirable element. So
really, my question to you is and I'm assuming that
your answer is the same - what can we, as the
Commission do, to clean up this undesirable element
that does exist? Is theyn anything that we can do;
is there anything that you can do to clean up this
element?
Chief Garmire: Commissioner, what you said is so true, and I'd like,
if I might, just state a couple of statistics. To
give you an idea that we are cognizant of the pro-
blem you're talking about - the undesirable - if you
want to call it that element -
Mr. Plummer: I used your terminology, Chief.
Chief Garmire: Well, I would reiterate, undesirable element. I
referred to that in my opening remarks as the vacuum
cleaner approach. which, Gt one time, the Police uset_
in rather copious amounts, throughout the United
States of America. But then came the Supreme Court
rulings - the elimination of a n►unber of laws. For
example - vagrancy and loitering 'aws were virtually
eliminated from the books. We're n?t�ecessarily
being critical of that. It was, at that time, a
vacuum cleaner approach. But, in the last year, we
have arrested 384 for the crime of prcstitution.
The average fine was $24.84, and the :average time
spent in jail was six hours. In addition to that,
in related areas, there were 101 people arrested.
Exclusive of public intoxication, and vagrancy -type
of crime such as panhandling. We do sweep the area
contrary to our better judgment. We do it, however,
because we are trying to keep the area reasonably
clean. We sweep the area as of this time. If we
were to sweep the area as of 5:11 this afternoon,
tomorrow we could sweep the area and sweep the same
people back up. It is true it's a revolving door
process and we don't seem to be able tc accomplish
very; much. What can be done so far as the community
it' concerned? There is a new act which we're trying
to cooperate with the implementation of - the Myers
Act, which indicates that a person under the in-
fluence of liquor is not necessarily drunk. He is
ill. We're taking them to specially selected and
designed places of detoxification. Hopefully, this
will detoxify them to the extent that they can get
some meaningful employment and support themselves
and get off the streets and become a useful member
of society. But so long as the Police, which is
the inceptive stage of the criminal justice system,
is not supported any more than it has been in the
recent pant, our work is not going to be very
effective.
Mayor yerre: Supported by whom? You mean, by the Courts?
90
NOV 211973
•
Chief Garmire: By the rest of the criminal juatire system.
Mr. Plummer: well, Chief, as 1 understand it and you correct
me if I'm wrong - 1 understand that the Myers Act •-
that they took over the Live Oaks Convalescent Home.
is that correct?
Chief Garmire: That's correct. Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: I understand that before they even opened the doors,
the place was filled.
Chief Garmire: That's right. It has not been very successful, so
far.
Mr. Plummer: Do you have any proposals to make to this Commission
which we can do to alleviate the situation?
Chief Garmire: I don't that this Commission - I think it transcends
the ability of the Commission. In spite of some
criticism to the contrary, these are socio-economic
problems that have to be addressed by maybe the
Commission. I'm not sure. But - the Police cannot
do it when they are circumscribed by legal pro-
cedures and certainly we would have it no different.
But these are elements of society that must be
reckoned with. How they can be effectively re-
moved from the streets as it were, I really don't
know the answer to, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you. The last thing that I would like to
comment on, Chief, I think the dialogue here today
is a start. I think it needs to be. Mr. Mayor,
I hope, with your concurrence and that of my
fellow Commissioners, that the Chief, until the
time has passed of crisis and the implementation
of these things that you have asked for and I will
be ready not to leave here today until we find the
means to provide . I hope I make that very clear,
to you, that the last meeting of every month that
the Chief come forth to us and give us a status
report of where we stand until this crisis, if you
can call it such, has passed. I think it's some-
thing that needs to be done, that we, as Commis-
soners can be informed and as well as the general
public can be informed, to know that we're not
sitting by idly doing nothing; that we are, in
fact, trying to correct the situation as it exists.
I would suggest that.
Mayor Ferre: We'll get to some resolutions, hopefully, or imple-
mentation of policies later on. We want to hear
from Mr. Andrews but I think, Father Gibson, do you
want to ask some questions and then Mrs. Gordon?
Rev. Gibson:
Well, maybe I want to ask a question and also make
a statement. Having read all of the questions of
the Chief and the report of the Chief, you know,
I'm reminded of an expression we use in religion -
"Revive thy Church, Oh Lord, beginning with me".
J,L., don't you leave now. I want you because
you're the last man to take care of us. "Revive
thy Church, Oh Lord, beginning with me". You know,
91
NOv 2 / 1973
one ths:ng I noticed here and another thing I
picked up on the campaign -trail is this. Maybe
we who sit up here, talking about we must start
first, maybe we need to start saying to all the
people in this building, and when we coo to your
office and when we see those Policemen in the
cars, maybe we need to say "Good Morning; Good
Afternoon; Good Evening". I'm not so sure you
don't have to have no money to do that. I wonder
about inter -relationship with us and you and you
and those men. I went to a radio - television
station about three weeks ago and I was amazed
I was aghast everybody who walked into that
television station that worked for the television
etation and I'm not going to say which one, lest
you think that this is a commercial, everybody
would say Good -Morning, how are you. I came out
feeling that I had been in one of the most friendly
atmospheres in the world. I venture to say and
I'm not a betting man, a dollar to a donut, the
Mayor doesn't know - I venture to say - nor any
of us. I've been on the Commission about April,
May, June, July, August - see, I'm a slow learner,
September, October, November, I've been on the
Commission 18 months and I'm sure I couldn't tell
five - six of your leading men. I couldn't tell
you. What I'm saying is maybe, if we vibit our-
selves and those men knew we were looking over
their shoulders, we can't run that Police Depart-
ment for you. We don't propose to do it. But
if they knew that we were that interested, some
of those men would either shape up or ship out.
Some of the things I've seen in the paper about
them don't please me at all. See, you can't do
it alone. I wonder and I'm going right on. I'm
going to preach this sermon right now. I'm
wondering whether or not Mr. Andrews, since he's
the leading administrative man here, if he speaks
to the people on his staff when he comes here in
the morning or in the afternoon. Or during the
day. I'm not asking that question. I'm just
raising the thought that if you don't do it, you'll
start in the morning. And I hope that when we
come down here for a meeting, I'll tell you this,
when I came here, 18 months ago, I didn't find
anybody in here speaking to anybody. I was even
afraid to speak to people. That's right - and
I'm a black, you know, so I'd be the first to
speak to white folks. And you know, I want to tell
you something, I'm a little comfortable around here
now because I started speaking to everybody. I
shake hands. What I'm trying to say is we, from
up here, could set the tones and start the ball
rolling. I'm not going to put it all on you, man,
no, no, no. I hope this is a warning to the five
of us who sit up here. Maybe we need to pay you
a visit once a month or every so often so you could
know that we haven't forgotten you, man, and if yo
know we were coming around, some of those doggone
Policemen who cuss and kick people around or some
of us, the Commissioners, who cuss and kick the
Policemen around, will not do it for fear they
don't know when we're going to show up. That's
all I'm saying. Now, we don't need no money to do
92
NOV z1 973
that. We already paid and that can be done for
free. 1 challenge this Commission, Mr. Mayor,
I challenge you -- when you come down here to-
morrow morning or any other morning, that you
start saying to all those folk up there, all
these folk around here, Hey, Good Morning. I'm
going to shake hands with them. You'll change
the tone and tenure of this building. People
come in here and 1 know they feel awfully bad -
they feel isolated - they feel like they've been
thrown, into the refrigerator. Now, the people
like them may not know what I'm talking about
but we know what we're talking about. And this
is a foul comment. To show it has some bearing,
I try to get here before the time to say the
prayers - I'm not always here before that time.
One morning, I was late. Just barely made it
here. And about mid -morning - about 10:00 -
10:30, we took a break. I spoke to the men over
here - the men over there and around 10:00 -
10:30, I said How are you today? They said,
we're alright - we missed our Good Mornings.
That told me something. I decided I wasn't going
to come down here late any more. That I was going
to make it my business to get here on time. You
see, I heard us talking about the hardwares - the
mechanics - the mechanical device - the computor -
I had to learn because I thought that whatever
comes out is right. But I found out that the
computor only brings out what you put in. If you
put nothing in it, you get nothing out of it.
And it might well be that we need to stop placing
all of our hopes on hardware - on - what did you
use - you used another term - not hardware - was
it technology - meaning, you know, instruments.
'Maybe we need to, in addition to using instruments,
put some humans in it. We'll start right from
here and if we start from here, the conclusion is,
Mr. Mayor, maybe the Policeman will start on the
beat, speaking to the people on the beat. And
maybe he'll find a friend on the beat. And maybe
when he's trying to solve some difficult problems,
the fellows would know him by name or they'll have
a little trust in him because they are just trying
to warm up to the man - but they'll be ready - they
would have already warmed up to him and maybe
they'll help to give him some leads.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, just so that we all have an idea, I gave
Paul Andrews a copy of some of these questions.
Let me, so that we can see how long we're going
to be here, rattle off the rest of my questions
and then we'll come back and take them one at a
time, or if somebody else wants to ask some.
In recreational areas - I'm just going to rattle
them off and then we'll come back to them. Okay?
In recreational areas such as Bayfront Park, on
evenings, week -ends or late afternoons, can we have
a man walking in Bayfront Park? In Bayfront Park,
can more telephones be installed in strategic
locations with direct emergency lines to the Police
Department? Can we install a cadet or a rookie
93
Nov 211913
system where we can have non -armed officers
available for some police tasks. In other words,
is there a way in which we can get a different
category of Policemen that would do some Police
functions but not all? How can we get sword
Police Officers to be more on the job outside of
the Police Department - that is, spending less
time on administrative paper work? Well, we've
already touched on that a little bit. What legis-
lative action can the City of Miami Commission take
to improve the procedure of time taken by the
Courts of our Police personnel and sworn officers?
How many Majors and Captains do we presently have?
What's their pay scale? Are their jobs commensurate'
with their pay or with their pay scale? Or does
Civil Service protect them from being fired and
because of their qualifications or lack of quali-
fications, in the opinion of the Police Chief,
are not being used in respective ranks - I'm talking
now specifically of Captains and Majors - 18 - and
I'll tell you, someone wrote me a letter here and
it specifically mentions some names. Why three
veteran Policemen Captains with over 80 years
experience, making approximately $25,000 a year
each are being used as record clerks, general
information officers or being used to inventory
furniture in the Police Station: Captains Esser,
Elmore'and Mallack. I don't know any one of these
men. Eighteen. In the past month, have there
been other cases of rape by Police Officers that
have not been reported? That's a simple one to
answer, I would imagine. Would you answer that
now.
Chief Garmire: The last one - have there been other cases
Mayor Ferre: Have there been other cases of reported rapes
by Police Officers in the Police Department that
have not been reported to the public? Or have not
been reported for any reason. You know, there
might be some very good reasons for that.
Chief Garmire: There was an allegation here about a month ago
which was thoroughly investigated and totally
unsubstantiated.
Mayor Ferre: There are no other cases, other than that one?
Chief Garmire: None that I know of.
Mayor Ferre: In the last 30 days?
Chief Garmire: No, sir, other than the ones that are currently
being considered.
Mayor Ferre: All right. According to newspaper stories, in
the majority of Miami, certain types of violent
crimes have increased. Yet supposedly, high
intensity lighting is supposed to reduce crime.
Does the increase of violent crime, in high
intensity area, mean that lighting does not re-
duce crime or does it mean that we would have had
94
40
i
i
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
a much higher crime rate if we had not had the
high intensity lights? In the areas where these
crimes increased? What morale problems exist in
the Police Department that can be remedied? Is
it the policy of the Police Chief to answer all
calls, all requests, and meet with citizens .. any
citizens - when requested - either he or one of
the Majors of the Police Department? Is there a
reporting system to the City Manager and to the
Commission on violent crimes? For example, in
the Army they use SIR as a serious, incident
report. This is to include the people involved,
the day, the time, the place or any information
that would be considered relevent. This is only
for capital crimes -murders, rapes, felonies.
And I'm talking about the filing of them within
a twenty-four hour period so that say, I think
it's important. Here's what I'm trying to point
out in this question. I'm not trying in any way
to belittle the impact of your job or the import-
ance of it. But doggone it, if someone gets
raped in this town or someone gets murdered in this
town, I think that's an important enough thing for
Mr. Andrews to know about it every 24 hours. If
we had 2 murders yesterday, I think Mr. Andrews
should have a specific SIR report on his desk the
next day, by noon. Or if perhaps we might want
to include, as Plummer said, at certain inter-
vals, even the Commission. I think that we ought
to tell the people of Miami that as long as we're
having these high rates of crime, that it goes
even to the Commission level - that we're being
informed every day who got murdered yesterday and
why and how it happened and what's being done
about it. I mean, so that - obviously we're not
going to solve the crimes but I think the impact
of it is to show that we have the concern of
wanting to follow it on a close basis. Or perhaps
it would be limited to just the Manager. What is
the Police Chief notified about? What is immed-
iately brought to his attention? In other words,
when there is a rape, is this brought immediately
to your attention? Or - does this go to a Major
and a week later, you hear about it? In a written
report. I'd like to know that. Are you in every
day - personally - and these matters should also
be brought, I think - stated, to Paul Andrews
level. Now, I want to ask you and this is another
one of these questions I hope you can answer very
quickly. Chief, to your knowledge, has anyone in
the Police Department ever been involved in illegal
wire -tapping in the last 60 days?
Absolutely not.
Okay. I've got two other questions that were
written in to me. I think you mentioned about the
canine forces. Why can't several members of the
canine corps in downtown Miami and on Biscayne
Boulevard up to 12th Street on foot patrol? This
has been successfully used in Pittsburgh and in
Boston. The merchants would be more at ease and
4o would the citizens, seeing officers with their
canine partners on foot patrol. That's the
question. 'Now there's another one here which, I
95
Nov 2 i 1973
• •
i
1
1
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon;
guess, speaks the policy. You were talking about
policy and upholding the law or not apprehending
criminals by breaking the law and t think that's
the attitude we ought to take. But for example
here, here's a specific question that someone
wrote me. There was a memorandum issued about
breaking and entering in progress. If the Police
Officer answers the call but by obeying every
traffic signal en route to the scene y Is that so?
When there's a B & L report, is there - does the
Police Officer have to stop at every signal light?
No. That's eroneous.
Okay.
We can answer that by saying we have restrictions
on the driving. And we hope that they would obey
them. Some of our collision rates indicate that
they may not be, however.
Those are the main questions that I have written
out here so that you know what I'm going to be
asking about in the next half hour or whatever
time it takes.
May I just get one thing clarified?
May I ask a couple of questions?
May I just get one thing clarified? Mr. Mayor,
you made a statement that I wish you'd clarify,
so there isn't a misunderstanding, on the press,
which would devaluate this process. Would you
announce when you gave me the questions that
you
41•0 Mir
Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I talked to Paul Andrews
yesterday and told him that I would give them to
him this morning, which I did not. I just gave
them tb him very recently. And I want to make
very clear that I don't expect for these questions
they're all new and I understand that, Paul. I
didn't mean to imply that either you or Chief
Garmire had these questions prior to this ---
That's what I wanted to clarify. To make sure that
this wasn't something - that you had given us the
questions in advance because I purposely didn't
even look at the questions. They're here in my
folder.
Okay. Well, in other words, this is not one of
these deals where you and I got together and made
up all they questions or that you - and the answers
or anything. Okay. I'm glad you asked that
question.
I'd like to ask a couple of questions. I've been
pretty quiet about this whole thing. And, I've
been listening and absorbing your information and
I want to ask you if you can tell me - this 16.9%
increase in rapes which I heard the statistic
mentioned before. Is that for the year 1973 and
are these all cases that were founded or did they
include unfounded cases?
96
NOV211973
:
1
i
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
This report that is reported in the newspaper
includes unfounded cases also.
The 16.9% includes unfounded cases.
This is reported. The investigation of these
cases, I can't give you the exact number of
founded cases so what they are reporting in this
article, I think it indicates it in the article,
that these are reported offenses which have not
yet been investigated and verified as actual.
So, they include unfounded then statistics that
are not: verified.
It could be, yes.
Haw about in 1972? Was there less than that?
Yes, ma'am.There were less.
Can you say how many unfounded rape cases there
might have been in 1972?
I don't have that information available to me at
the moment. No, ma'am. I can get it for you,if
you request. I will see that this is given to you.
All right. I'm going to ask a few more questions
and that's just to clear the air. I wanted to ask
you if there's been any recognition of Lt. Stark's
professional manner in handling the case that has
been publicized. He should be, as I understand it,
commended.
Lt. Stark has been personally commended. He has
not yet received ea commendation in writing. It is
our procedure and policy that whenever a man does
an outstanding piece of work, that he is commended
by a written commendation.
You answered Mayor Ferre's question that he asked
you which I would have asked you. Have there been
any other complaints against any other Police
Officers with regard to rape? And you answered
there was one that was unfounded.
That's right.
And that was the only one?
That's right.
Over what period of time?
Within the last month or six weeks or well, I don't
recall any in the immediate past.
Ever?
No, ma'am. These cases which have been investigate1
and are being investigated are the first to come to
my attention in the last 60 days, or any period of
time prior to that.
97
NUV 2 & .t1
Mrs. Cordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Mrs. Gordon:
Chief Garmire:
Well, you're asking me about 60 days and I'm
asking you to answer me on a longer period of
time.
I'm saying prior to these most recent cases, there
have been none reported to me.
At all?
No, ma'am.
To the Department
To the Department and to me. These, naturally,
are very, very serious allegations, and they are
reported to me just as soon as they are received.,
And there have been none, I would assume.
That's right.
The one that was an unfounded - did it involve
any of the persons involved in this allegation?
No, ma'am.
•
May I ask you a simple question? About the in-
dividual - the girl who was involved? She was
brought in about 4:00 in the morning. When was
she taken for examination?
I can't answer the question. I was not here at
the time. I don't know when she was taken.
Presumably -it's certainly to the advantage of
everyone concerned to get them examined as soon
as possible, medically.
Well, it may or may not be fact but I have been
advised and it may not be authentic information,
but she was kept from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Police
Station before she was taken for examination. And
if you recall, like all Commissioners do, at our
last meeting, we did pass a resolution directing
that rape victims be taken for examination before
interrogation. I don't recall whether one was
before the other -, whether the resolution preceded
the incident or the incident preceded the reso-
lution.
I don't know either. I believe, however, that the
resolution said the victim or the alleged victim
is to be taken to the rape center or for exam-
ination before ---
Yes, of course, when it is completed ---
It has not been established yet. Now that, of
course, does not mean that we should not be taking
them immediately. I can tell you as a rule -of -
the -thumb and certainly the policy of the Depart-
ment to get the individual examined at the earlies
possible time. Now, it has been the procedure to
talk with them for at least a short time before
they are taken over/ while arrangements are
98
NOV 211973
•
1
i
1
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre;
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
being made for the ekamination. Certainly there
is no reason for it taking 4 hours.
Chief, it is my understanding that these five men
that have been accused and I'm not in any way
implying rightly so or otherwise - I understand
that they've been relieved of duty but with pay.
Yes, sir.
I also understand that they've refused to take a
lie -detector teat or to permit the State Attorney
to interrogate them. Is that correct?
Chief Garmire: They refused to waive immunity, as I understand it,
at the State Attorney's Office.
And:they also refused to take a lie -detector test.
I would have to double check on that.
As I understand it, that was the reason this was
taken to the Grand Jury - which I think it was
was it this morning or yesterday?
Next Tuesday. I believe it's next week, sir.
Well, if an indictment were to come from the Grand
Jury, what would be the policy then of the Police
Department?
Mr. Mayor, I think we're on very thin ice. We're
making some statements here that I don't think
should be made. You know, the one thing that I'm
very careful of - the man is innocent until proven
guilty and I think that unless you have a specific
point tD bring out, I think we're dwelling on very
thin ic, in publicizing this matter.
I'm just asking that what is the policy of the
Department in that case. I'm not saying that that
going to be the case.
Mr. Mayor, the stand on your question and make it
more general and say that any case that goes to th
Grand Jury for - - -
I stand corrected. in a case where the man goes
to the Grand Jury and there is an indictment, then
what is the procedure with regards to those men?
Disciplinary action is taken, most generally. The
individual is given the opportunity to resign from
the Department. If he does not resign, then we
usually take dismissal action. This is subject to
appeal by the Civil Service Board.
All right. Can we get to
MP OPP
Let me ask two short questions, if I may. Chief,
in what you refer to as Point Control, how many
men do you have in the 30 and 40 Sector or Point
Controls only in 40 Sector? On Saturdays.
NOV 21191
99
Mayor Ferret wait, just for clarification the 40 Sector ,i is
that -
Mr, Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
That's the downtown - the hard-core area. Maybe
1 shouldn't have said hardi►core .i the downtown
area. My terminology is bad.
I can give you the deployment on Tuesday and Fri-
day and this would be representative of Saturday
assignment also.
Thesecond question was going to be Sunday also.
Sunday it drops off appreciably. There is con-
siderably less coverage there because there is
considerably less traffic there with pedestrians,
automotive - other types of traffic.
How many beat men do you have downtown? Let me
be more specific, on a Sunday.
On Sunday deployment downtown, -
Chief, the reason I'm asking the question and
maybe I'm being selfish but let's put it right on
the line - you know, when I say this question,
I'm saying it not only for J. L. but I think other
people also. I was baptized and confirmed and
everything in Gesu and I still attend Gesu Church.
Now. I can tell you that my Church as well as the
other churches, which I have heard light complaints
about, that in fact, we have no men around our
Church on Sunday. Now, I use, for the example,
and I don't mean to be dwelling on the undesirables,
but Sunday past, I was at church for approximately
two and one-half hours and during that period of
time, the ushers ran off undesirables of at least
a dozen. Now, I'm speaking to alcoholics, pan-
handlers, and things of this nature. It has been
called to my attention that every evening, at Gesu
as well as at White Temple and Central Baptist,
of all of the great amount of litter that is left
by these undesirable people. You know, the Gesu
Church downtown and I'm sure it goes to the other
churches, draw from Al over the City of Miami.
What, specifically, can be done to clean this
matter up there, if anything?
As far as the Police are concerned, is the re-
peated arrest and taking into custody of these
people. This is about the extent of what the
Police can do. The vacuum cleaner tactic.
Well, Chief, don't you think that we maybe would
want to give more consideration to buying a few
more vacuum cleaners?
We just happen to have a restriction which is known
as constitutional rights.
I understand that and I understand that people -
it's a determinant factor on the street -
That's right.
NOV 211913
100
a
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
�► --that the Policeman - but there's my point
that the Priest at Gesu tell me that they don't
see that much of the Policeman - that if the
Policeman► was there, in fact, that he could make
the determination if a man is over the line as
far as an alcoholic. It doesn't take a determ-
inal factor as to whether a man is panhandling.
That's something he either does or he doesn't.
This undesirable element - whatever it be - is
keeping people from the churches in the downtown
area and I think we must address ourselves to this
problem because it is a real problem.
Mr. Plummer, we are arresting more and more of
these people. Now there may be areas and I know
Gesu Church has been the scene of a number of
unfortunate incidents and the immediate area there
is, I know, from time to time, permiated with so-
called undesirables. We are making more and more
effort to try to keep the area clean. This means
that we arrest them - we take them into custody -
we put them in jail. Again, we'll go back there,
the next day, the same time and pick up the same
group, take them to jail and this will be a con-
tinual revolving -door process. I don't know what
the answer is. I know that the Police are handi-
capped to a certain extent by the so-called
constitutional rights of these people. This is
not to deter us from repeatedly taking them into
custody, and I can assure you that Gesu Church
area is getting more attention today than it has
in the past and we intend to give it more attention
Fine. Thank you. All right. If the Mayor is -
let me - let's go along unless anyone else has
questions. Let's get back down now to the nitty-
gritty. The nitty-gritty as I see it is $675,000.
It's about $800,000.
Your mathematics are bad but mine aren't.
They're not bad but we don't have everything added
in here. You can't add principally $650,000 in
people and $25,000 in equipment and not adding all
the other overhead costs involved with people. So
you're going to have to add about $200,000 or so
to that $150,000 so we're talking closer to
$850,000.
Okay. Fine. Now, Mr. Andrews, we don't want to
play with figures so let's get down as I said
before, to the nitty-gritty. You're not going to
take and put in tomorrow all of the vehicles.
You're not going to put in tomorrow, all of the
people. What do we have to furnish to the Chief
right now, before we leave here this evening, to
dig down and shake out the coffers and find out
where we're going to get this money?
Well, there are four possible sources.
Let's hear them.
NOV 211973
101
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
The first is within the budget itself which 3
don't hold any hopes for whatsoever. That is,
looking to the budget itself in the hopes that
there would be monies somewhere within the total
City operation. because of the way the budget
is funded, we have actually a $75,000,000 budget
funded with $73,000,000. We took about $2,000,000
in vacancies d. terms of vacancies that would occur
all year long and used that money back in the bud-
get so on a day-to-day basis, we're anticipating
that there would be about 225 vacancies in the
City every single day and the accumulation of
these funds are reprogramed into the budget. So
when we start filling the Police vacancies, we
compound this problem, but that's beside the
point for a moment.
Let's talk positively. Let's don't talk negat-
ively. Let's talk positively. Where's the money
coming from?
All right. The next area that we can look to is
that by the 20th of December, we have been told
that we should hear from the Federal Government
as to the $10,000,000 in applications that we made
for sanitary sewer grant funds. These are sewers
that have already been constructed. The Federal
Government, through HUD, has viewed that we are
eligible for this. We went through a crash pro-
gram that I described to the Commission in the
application, even sending a person with the appli-
cation - - -
When are we going to know, Paul?
By December 20th.
But how much?
It may be a million dollars - it may be three
million dollars - it might be five million dollars
So this is one area I feel reasonably confident
that we can look to. The second is that on Jan-
uary 1st, 1974, we will receive an additional
allocation of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds of
$1, 900,000. This is a quarterly allotment.
How much of that is unallocated?
Well, you have passed a resolution devoting most
of these monies to the purchase of future equip-
ment for the City based on presentation that I
made to you and as a planned use. It's not
committed. It's simply a planned use. You can
change that plan any way you want to.
Mr. Andrews, let me just tell you as one voice on
this Commission, I am for equipment and I am for
all these things but the number one problem in thi
community is crime. And as far as I'm concerned,
you find the $675,000.
It's gone up, Mr. Mayor. It's now $850,000.
NOV 21973
102
•
Mayor Ferret $800,000 - whatever it is .• and you tell us when
it will be available and how you're going to get
it and Chief, I would like for you to come back
to this Commission on the December 13th meeting
and tell us - and tell us how you plan to cut
all these twelve months and twenty-four week
programs and have, hopefully, better - you know
don't tell us why you can't do it but tell us how
you're going to do it.
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor, let me finish one more area because
this is an area that I, as your City Manager, need
your assistance and this is in the entire Commis-
sion and the cooperation of the Commission. I kee:
bringing this up and it's a very important area
and that's State Revenue Sharing Funds. This year
the City of Miami received $2, 350,000 less than
we should have anticipated because of the State
Revenue Sharing Fund.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Andrews, let's get on the next airplane on
Tuesday to Tallahassee and request an emergency
hearing with the Cabinet and let's ask the Govern-
or to put us on the agenda so that we could be
heard. Would you do that?
Mr. Andrews: Sure.
Mayor Ferre: And I'll be available anytime to go up there with
you and lay this right on the line and just show
these people what's happening and haw badly we
need this money. Because we need the money right
now for this very, very serious problem. I think
we've got to find it everywhere and anywhere we
can. Now, Chief, I don't mean to be facetious
about telling you - you know - about why you can't
do it - tell me when and how you're going to do it
Let me tell you that many times and I don't mean
be sly or pretentious in any way, but I've got to
sign - thank God a machine does it - payrolls rig
here in Miami for close to 3,000 people. And I'm
involved with people and resources in my own
private life and there have been many, many times
that I've gone to a division of our corporation
and I say "You guys didn't do this, you didn't
make any money and I want you to reduce - I want
you to save 10% next month". "Oh, we can't do
that." "Well, why not?" "How many employees do
you have?" We have 350 employees. Fine - fire
35 tomorrow. Oh we can't do that. Why can't you
We can't operate. I'll tell you what - you get
rid of them and then we'll talk about it later on
By God, it always happens that after it's all don
and over with, they find out that some way - some
how - how they can survive and how the thing can
operate and how, in the long run, it's all going
to work out any way. And then they figure out -
you know, one time I did that and you know what
the result of it was? It happened to be a very
proud Cuban Division Manager and he got so upset
with me, he was going to quit. And you know what.
he did instead? He came back in a week and said,
"Look - you told me to get rid of 15 people. I
got rid of 30, because you got me so angry that I
103
NOV 211973
proved to you that I could do a better job than
you think can be done here". So 1 said "Why didn't
you do that in the beginning?" Well - you know ..
he didn't realize it. Look, the only point I'm
trying to make is that we sotnetitnes have stumbling
blocks as to how we cannot do things or why we
cannot do things, and I think that with 16% in-
creatie in rapes, and 13% in murders or whatever it
is, that we have just got to close the books on
the standard operating procedure ways of doing
this and somehow try to figure out simple common
sense approaches of how we can get 3 men from this
department and 15 men from this department and how
we can maybe borrow from Hollywood a couple of
tricycles, or maybe we can get some second-hand
tricycles or - I don't know what the solution to
this is but by God, let's find the money if we
have to go to Tallahassee or whatever we have to
do or put off some capital equipment purchases.
Let's - instead of having 7 men in the Academy -
let's up that to 15 men for a while. Can we do
that? And see if we can get this whole thing
moving in a way - let's get those foot patrol men
with some canine dogs out before the Christmas time
so there's a sense of security in the downtown area
Let's publicize the positive things that we're
doing. Let's get the ball rolling. Let's get
going on some of these things. I'm not - again I
don't want to imply that I don't think you've been
doing your job. I don't want to imply that. Or
that Mr. Andrews and his administration - I'm a
firm believer in the City of Miami and in the
integrity of the City of Miami, including your awn.
Okay. I'll repeat that over, and over, and over
again until I see otherwise. Now, all I'm doing
is - I'm pleading with you, as the Mayor of this
town. I'm just pleading with you to find ways
that we can properly cut corners, make shortcuts,
tighten up the belt, get some people out of the
desks, leave the personalities out of this thing
and get people working as a unity - as a team -
out in the field work where I think we need it
and the hour's late - it's getting close to 6:00.
I've got a whole series of questions and so does
Plummer and maybe we can get this thing going
and perhaps you might be able to come back on
December 13th. and rather than take up with all
this, Paul's got a copy of these questions.
Maybe we can formulate them and you can answer
them at more leisure at some other time, with
some basic facts.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, may I please plead with you and the
rest of the Commission? I said something before
and I mean it. Let's don't go home until we get
the man the money. Now, I think we can do it.
You can stall and you can put off and you can do
this and you can do that but there's nothing like
action. That's what we're asking him to do. Let'
show him that we're willing to do the same. As
far as I'm concerned, Mr. Mayor, I think the firs
place we've got to start and we've got to start
now, to find this money is in the Federal Revenue
104
NOV 211973
•
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor.Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Sharing, I know we went through this and we
hashed it and rehashed it, but Paul, let me ask
you right off the bat, has number 10 and 11 now
been implemented? That is the Building Code
Enforcement Central Records System; number 11
the preparation of comprehensive master plan.
No.
All right, sir. Now, right there, Mr. Mayor,
you know, if we're going to equate the serious-
ness of the number one problem, I realize that
budget time, as well as every member of this
Commission, that these were important items.
But I have sat here today and I have heard and
it is true - the number one problem we must
address ourselves to. Mr. Andrews, what I'm
asking you in so many words is these two items
which come to a total of $741,000 - can they be
delayed one year so that we can implement this
now?
Excuse me, J.L. It doesn't have to be one year.
If he gets this money in December or if we get
money before that, then he can implement it again,
you see.
What I'm saying is that we need to act now.
I'm with you
OM OWN 'WM. NEP
All right and I think that what we need to do
in this action of the Commission today is to
provide the action that we're asking of the Chief.
He has set forth his plan - his plan takes money
and this Commission has either got to put up the
money or shut up. And that's just the way I feel
about it. If we can get the monies later on to
implement these two programs, well and good. But
first and foremost, we need to act now.
J. L., I think we
Just a minute, Rose. I'll recognize you in a
moment. Mr. Andrews and Members of the Commis-
sion, I'd like to announce that I called Congress-
man Claude Pepper because of the seriousness of
this matter and he has told me that he will be
here, being the dedicated public servant that
Claude Pepper is, and especially since he was
past Chairman of the Sub -Committee on Crime in
the House of Representatives, Claude Pepper told
me he'd be here in late afternoon or early evening
which is what we're approaching now and I certain
want to hear from Claude Pepper. We've got to
figure every which way to get the funds, whether
they be from Federal Revenue and I want Paul,
when Claude Pepper comes in here, in just a littl
while, I would like for you, immediately, so we
won't waste his time, to get right to this Revenu
Sharing problem that we have to see if he, throug
his good offices in Washington can expedite this
matter so that we have an early resolution of it
so that if we are going to get money, we'll have
it available as quickly as possible.
105
NOV 211973
•
40
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
I just want to make that point in case he walks
in in a moment.
Want to cotMend you on that. That's a good
approach and I think we ought to defer any
further discussion of the funding until he does
arrive. Now we can, each of us, examine what -
or Mr. Andrews can examine further his immediate
resources.
You say he's going to arrive this evening?
I just talked to Marie about ten minutes ago and
he said he's on his way down here and about buying
dinner tonight.
Well, we'll all pitch in.
Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry - - - Mr. Mayor, let me tell
you how I feel about it. You know, we can ask
Congressman Pepper to act and I'm sure he will
but, Mr. Mayor, federal bureaucracy doesn't grind
quickly. That's one thing they've never been
accused of. Mr. Mayor, I believe that we have to
go now.
I completely agree.
Okay. Now, Mr. Andrews, correct me - were you
right or were you wrong.
I'm getting it right now but I'm almost positive
that it was $125,000 that that program was re-
duced from when we re -juggled the funding so we
could come up with the day care centers.
Okay. Paul, we're talking about $391,000 and
$125,000. That gives us $516,000. Well, Paul,
we're just going to have to address ourselves to
priorities. Look over my shoulder. You're more
than welcome to. Let's go to page 1. No - let's
don't. That's day care centers. Let's get out
of there. I don't want to go back to that again.
Park benches - we can add 40,000. That brings us
to $556,000.
J.L., while you're looking that up, let's take a
five-minute break. Some of us need to
Okay - fine.
Okay - let's get going again. It's 6:15. Ever -
body take their seats. Let's get going.
Mr. Mayor, I have the City Manager who, in turn,
has the City Attorney cranking out - we have found
the money - we're ready to proceed.
I will recognize Mr. Paul Andrews.
Well, I have it together here, Mr. Mayor. I pro-
pose to you, in the form of a motion, the following
That we redivert our Federal Revenue Sharing to
NOV 2i.i lii
106
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
combat the number one problem in this town and 1
1 propoae it thusly. That we postpone the pre-
parat:.on of the comprehensive master plan for
$391,000; that we postpone the central records
system of the building enforcement of $125,000;
that we reduce the budgetary and financial pro-
cedures from $300,000 to $200,000, creating a
surplus of $100,000; that we do not expand the
school resource officer's program, creating
$100,000 and, might I note that hopefully, the
School Board will pick up the school officer
resource program as it exists today. Continuing,
that the park bench program be eliminated, cre-
ating a surplus of $40,000. I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor.
I should not have used the word "eliminate" but
the implementation be postponed until other monies
become available.
That's the main point I want to be sure you get
in your resolution. That if we have available
for us, in December, Mr. Andrews, or in January,
whichever the case may be, monies that come either
from Tallahassee or through Congressman Pepper's
efforts from the federal sources instead of
waiting to the e,nd of December, if we happen to
get them in a week or two which I hope we're going
to be able to hear from Claude Pepper tonight,
that if these monies become available, that these
programs immediately are reimplemented again be-
cause I'll tell you - I just hate like the dickens
to put off some of these very, very essential
programs that we in this community need. I fully
recognize that it is a question of priorities.
And, to me, there's nothing that has more of a
priority than this. If we can, by doing these
things, save one life in the next 60 days, then
it's well worth doing. And I certainly hope that
Chief, you will do everything within your power.
We cannot sit around and wait for something to
happen in 12 months or 30 months and I have some
other questions that I want to ask you specificall
Leq me conclude, Mr. Mayor, by saying that this
shows that this shows us $756,000 to implement the
programs outlined by the Chief. I offer that in
the form of a motion which will be forthcoming
from the Law Department that this be done immed-
iately. Let me just go on and
11116
IMP
Let's see if we get a second.
I second the motion.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Reboso.
On the record, I want to reiterate what I just
said. I have no intentions of seeing the planning
money that we have for the comprehensive plan re-
duced or cut out or eliminated forever. All, I
think, in effect we're doing from a practical
point of view and I want to go on record stating
that, is all we are doing is, we was postponing
for a month or for 60 days, at the most, the
implementation of these much needed things. I
107
NOV 21 973
•
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Lloyd:
Mr. Plummer:
' Mr. Lloyd:
Mr. P lummaer :
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
know what we need - we very desperately need
the master plans and we need to review our bud-
get structure. We're not doing it the right way.
1 know we have to improve our budget. Put, by
God, if we can save one life in the next 60 days,
by doing what we're doing today, I think it's
well worth it and I certainly am not going to
sleep well tonight thinking that we haven't done
the maximum that this Commission can do. I want
to say to you, Chief, that, giving you the money
which is what we're going to do, is not the whole
and total picture. We want to talk about other
things too. I think you've to to tighten up the
belt; I think you've got to squeeze every way you
can; I think you're going to have to - if we're
going to put off the master plan for the City of
Miami, for 60 days, you're going to have to put
off spine of your nice ideas which you have. for
60 days or 90 days or 100 days until we find the
money to do all these things because, to me,
this situation needs these types of measures
right now. No - I'm not going to listen to any-
body from the public right now. You'll have your
opportunity in a little while. I'm sure there
are a lot of worthwhile statements to be made
here. I will recognize the public in a little
while. Right now this is a matter for the
Commission. Which represents the public, I might
add. That's what we're elected to do. And I've
heard so many things about this.
Mr. Mayor, let me make one correction to that.
I'll concur with Mrs. Gordon's thinking, that
we take out of the comprehensive master plan
$291,000 and then we take $100,000 from the
renovation of parks. The administration tells me
that they have approximately $40,000 underway
and that will leave them a buffer of $20,000 so
let's take out $100,000 out of that. Mr. Lloyd,
did you pick that up? For the resolution?
Take $291,000 from the comprehensive master plan
and what was the next one?
We'll then reduce the renovation of parks to
$60,000 and take away the surplus of $100,000.
What one was that - the $125,000 or the $100,000?
The one - no, sir. That wasn't either one. Look
over here and you'll see what I mean. We hadn't
touched this before. We take away $100,000 from
this, leaving $60,000.
Chief, you came here and expected to get blaster
and walk away with $860,000.
Mr. Mayor, let me, so there will be no misunder-
standing, and Chief, I want to say this just as
plain and as clear as I can. You know, the Mayo
tried to interject into my thinking. Okay? I
wouldn't stand still for it and let me tell you
NOV 21i971
108
the reason why. Because now I'm coming to it.
And that is this. You have come to this Commis-
sion and asked this Commission all we are em-
powered to do and that is to provide the funds
needed for you to give you the monies and the
tools to work with to do the job. I hope that
in 6 months or in 12 months from now, unless we
have had a radical change of some situations
as unforseen that we don't know about, I don't
think that anyone can come back here and place
the finger at this Commission. The finger will
have to be placed solely on the Police Chief that
the problem is bad and we have done our duty.
Now, I don't read it any other way, Chief. That's
how I read it. I was very clear when I asked you,
Chief, what do you need that was within the power
of this, Commission to give you. And I asked you
for the total and you gave it to me. I am well
aware that money alone does not clear up a prob-
lem. I was just hoping that we're making our
point clear or at least, I'm making my point
clear. We're doing everything that we can.
Mrs. Gordon: J.L.,'would you include in your resolution the
first priority to be returned to budgeting is
the $291,000, for planning.
Mr. Plummer: No, ma'am. I will make in my motion or a
separate motion that any monies forthcoming that
are created and can be declared a surplus be re -
diverted by this Commission on a priority basis.
If, at that time, the planning and the zoning
is the most important priority, that's where it
will go.
Mayor Ferre: What that means, Rose, and I'm not - Let me say
something now. I agree with your statement but
with the way Plummer put it, that's not bad and
I'll tell you why. That means that then it comes
to us for a decision and Rose, we'll have to -
you know - we'll be on the record. Now, I for
one would like to state that I am for any monies
that come back. First thing we've got to put
the money into is the planning operation. If we
want to go on record on that right now, it's
perfectly all right with me.
Mrs. Gordon: I would like to move that after we take action on
the other item because the people have spoken and
by mandate, we changed the Charter. By a 2-1.vot
the people spoke. They wanted a comprehensive
plan. And now, if we don't set this back as a
priority item, we are ignoring the wishes of the
people. We have divided our boards; we have pro-
vided ourselves with the kind of personnel we
will be providing this coming month. We will be
doing everything except providing the money to do
it with. The $100,000 will get the ball rolling
but it won't keep it rolling very long.
Mayor Ferre; Do you agree with that? All right. There's thre
of us that agree with it. Let's not even bring i
to a vote. Let's get this thing rolling. Is the
motion clear?
NOV 21 1S13
103
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think we have to wait for it to be
drafted in legal form.
Mayor Ferre: In the meantime, let's get back to questions.
All right?
Mr. Plummer: Pine with me, sir. I thought everybody had
pretty well expended their questions.
Mayor Ferre: I've got a couple of little basic questions that
I still want to ask the Chief.
Mr. Plummer: I hope, Mr. Mayor, that in no way does this pre-
clude today, that when the Chief returns on the
27th of December, that we can't ask questions ---
Mayor Ferre: The 13th of December. I'm going to be
Mr. Plummer: All right - at his next appearance before this
Commission that we are not precluded from asking
additional questions.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, I would like, with Mr. Andrews' permission,
to have - I'm going to submit all these questions
and I would ask all the rest of my fellow Commis-
sioners here to submit whatever questions they
have and then I would like for the Chief to re-
turn here on the 13th of December and we'll just
set one hour - let's just limit it to one hour
so that we don't go off on a 5-hour chase on
something and just get some basic answers. If
you want to answer some of these in writing and
expedite matters that way, that's even better.
Congressman Pepper, we've been waiting for you.
We are indeed honored to have you here, sir.
No, no. We want you to stand right over there.
Let's see. Why don't you stand next to Chief
Garmire then so - would you stand over there,
Congressman? We're always honored with your
presence. Congressman Pepper, I'd like to say
that this is what you really call government in
action. We got hold of you - I understand you
heard it on the radio and you said that you
wanted to be part of something like - that you
thought that this was important and it is and
we're very honored that you've taken the interest
to come here and participate. We're going to tel
you in a moment - I'm going to ask Paul Andrews
to explain specifically what the problem is that
the Federal Government can perhaps help us with
and perhaps you might shed some light on it.
Congressman In the first place, Mayor,if you'll allow me, I
Pepper: want to commend you on the determined stand that
you and your associates.on the council are taking
to try to do something effective about the crime
problem in the City of Miami. I just came, a
little while ago, from a meeting of senior citizei
a room full of them, up at the Claude Pepper
Towers at 750 N.W. 18th Terrace, and I was there
to hear the complaints and the problems of those
people and one of the things they attempted to im.
press upon me was how can we be protected when we
go out of this building to keep from being mugged
NOV 21 t4I)
110
•
and robbed as borne of them have already been.
So the people are very much concerned and all
of us together want to do something ., every
thing we can to do something effective about
the problem, 1 want to commend you and the
council for the effort that you're making.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, Senator. We're always honored to have
have you with us and yod are indeed a real friend
of the people of Miami. Would you explain, Paul?
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor and Members of the Commission, and
Senator Pepper, the Environmental Protection
Agency, and particularly the office in Atlanta,
for our region, is administering Public Law 92500.
Nov, that law has to deal with the installation
of sanitary sewers in all the communities in the
South. The Federal Government has recently re-
viewed the law and they made a determination that
cities who did not receive grants from, going
back to the year 1956, could, make application to
the Federal Government on an individual district
basis or a project basis and receive consider-
ation for the return of those monies that were
spent in the community. We documented 75 such
grants, submitted them to the Atlanta office;
had one of our people fly them up there so they'd'
be there on time and spent a great deal of energy
with them and we've made application for $10,000,
000 and we're in the hopes that we can ge all
and if not all, then some of those funds returned
to the City of Miami. The City Commission has
been deliberating for several hours now, trying
to find monies to help them with this policing
problem. And, if we can get these monies back,
it's going to seriously affect the City of Miami.
And we want you to know that.
Congressman I'm afraid they won't be open tomorrow or possibl
Pepper: even Friday but I'll be here Monday and I'm going
up to Washington Monday evening. If you'll let
me either come by your office or send it over to
my congressional office, I'll get on the phone
with the people in Washington and in Atlanta and
do what I can to help and when I get back to
Washington, in my office Tuesday morning, I'll
follow it up from there in every way I can. If
you'll give me the details of what you set up.
Mr. Andrews: Yes, sir. And Senator, I'll make sure we supply
you with the kind of information that will make
it very easy and convenient for you to follow
this through and trace it down for us.
Congressman Thank you. Are there any other now, about the
Pepper: Federal aid that we can give you? Chief, how
much are you getting? Have you any more suggest-
ions about LEAA assistance that we can get than
you are receiving now?
Chief Garmire: Senator, we are getting our fair portion out of
the state block grant funds, I would have to say
that. We will receive, during the current year,
approximately $800;000 in federal granting. We
have no complaints about this. We would like to
have more consideration through the discressionar
NOV 211973
Congressman
Pepper:
Mayor Ferre:
Congressman
Pepper:
Mayor Ferre:
Congressman
Pepper:
fund area and the National tnatitute for Criminal
Justice which is an arm of the law enforcement
systems adminisration. We currently have a
grant - a reque t there - of what we call a
target oriented strategies program, and this is
a very sophisticated - what we think - a very
meaningful, viable program which will allow us
to identify the offenders and be able to zero
in on them, calling them the targets as well as
the place they intend to victimize, one way or
another. We might require your assistance in
getting that - - -
I will appreciate it if you will give me a copy
of that application, Chief, and I'll take it up
immediately with those people in Washington.
Chief, will you send my office a copy of the
letter? Mr. Andrews, can we get a copy of that
so we can have that in hand?
Any other suggestions that the Chief might have
or you, Mr. Mayor, or the council to get any
additional funds. It may be, that if we can
impress upon them, the determined effort that
the City is making in this matter, that we can
perhaps get some increased assistance.
Congressman, I want to - for your edification
and knowledge, as to how we're approaching this,
this Commission is obviously now going on record
as stating that the number one problem in the
City of Miami is crime, and that even though
we're very reluctant to put aside these committ-
ments we have on planning and other important
expenditures, that we are nevertheless willing
to do that at some risk of hurting important
programs to a certain degree because we recog-
nize the priority of this important item. The
Chief, on the other hand, has recognized here
over a three hour review session, that things
are not all well in the crime problem of Miami.
It's not anybody's particular fault. It's all
of our faults, starting with society as a whole,
the court system and so on. But it's a problem
that seems to be increasing in its pace and
that we've really got to take the gloves off and
meet it head on and also, I think, the consensus
has come out of this is that we're going to try
to do it on a people -to -people type of thing
rather than - not that we're against computers
or mechanization but I think we have to get back
to the personal police approach.
Mr. Mayor, we all know that the Chief has done a
fine job and made a very conscientious effort.
Nobody wants to do a better job of curbing crime
in the community than he does and we do have
problems and may I just suggest that there are
three areas that are overall in character that
we might give some consideration to and this
arrives from my four years as Chairman of the
Crime Committee of the House of Representatives
112
NOV 211973!
• •
during which we have hearings all around, all
over the country, including two hearings held
here in the City of Miami. There are two areas
and the Chief can correct me if I'tn in error,
the two areas from which people come primarily
into the criminal population. I mean amongst
those who are the perpetrators of crime. One
is the youth group. About 50% of the people
who commit the serious crime of this country
are 18 years of age. And about 60% are under
28 years of age. And most of the young people
that come into the crime -committing segment of
our people are school drop -outs who have come
up into the juvenile courts. Once they're
school drop -outs, they're candidates for the
juvenile courts and they tell me about 50%
of those who get into serious involvement in
the juvenile courts later wind up in the penal
institutions of this country. So, everything
that we can do to curb drug abuse in the
schools and to stop school drop -outs, and to
give more attention to jobs and recreational
opportunities for these young people, to a
large degree, will reduce the number of people
coming in to the group which perpetrates crime.
The next area is the group that comes out of
the penal institutions of the country - what we
call recidivism. The repeaters. And the former:
Governor of New Jersey testified before our
Committee a little while ago that if we could
successfully improve the correctional insti-
tutions of this country, we could reduce crime
by 50%. And one of the things we're trying to
do now is to get the Federal Government to put
up half of the cosh of building modern penal
institutions - I mean correctional institutions.
Instead of places like Raiford in Florida'or
Attica in New York, which as the President said
one time, are colleges for crime rather than
correctional institutions. Now, if we could
get, instead of those big, old institutions,
facilities in the citys where the people live,
they would be accessable to their families,
where there would be room for 3 or 4 hundred
inmates, not all of which are maximum security
people. And, there'd be opportunities for those
who qualify, to go out and get jobs and get out
into half -way houses and that sort of thing.
If we could encourage the state and the Federal
Government to help us build that kind of a rec-
reational - correctional facility, you would
diminish the number of people coming into 1She
crime population. And the third thing, if we
could get the courts to be more exacting in
respect to those whom they grant bail, because
I know the Chief and his men, and other law
enforcement officers often said that the crim-
inal meets them on the street by the time they
get the papers all made out nearly, because
they've been granted bail. I heard today, or
yesterday, of a fellow who had been arrested
15 times for very serious crimes and finally he
was let out by some court on bond of $7,000 but
he'd already skipped bond of $40,000 in Atlanta
and they found out of at least 15 different
serious crimes that that man had committed.
113 NOV 21 t /
• •
Mayor Ferret
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Reboso:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
So, if we could get all these groups to join
you and the council, Mayor, and the Chief,
it would help you, wouldn't it, Mayor and Mr.
Chief?
Congressman, the reason why that man had to
pay that high a bond and get out was because he
had to go out to steal the money to pay the bond.
Thank you very much, Senator.
Mr. Mayor, I have the ordinance ready now and
I'll be glad to offer - I understand we have to
read it by title.
No, read the whole thing. This is too impor-
tant.
Well, I have to read the titles. Ralph, you've
got, I understand, a copy of it. An ordinance
amending making appropriations of Federal
Revenue Sharing Funds received in the amount of
$7,966,000 for the fiscal year ending Septem-
ber 30, 1974, providing that if any section,
clause or sub -section shall be declared uncon-
stitutional shall not affect the remaining
provisions, repealin4 all ordinances or parts
of ordinances in conflict herewith, declaring
this ordinance to be an emergency measure, by
four -fifth votes by the Members of this City
Commission, dispensing with the requirement of
the reading of this ordinance on two separate
days, and the requirements of the State Statutes
outlining the changes: #1 will be the renov-
ation of the park structures reduced from
$160,000 to $60,000; #2 postponing the imple-
mentation of the park bench program, $40,000;
#3 postponing of the school resource officer
expansion program $100,000; reducing of the
modernization of budgetary and financial pro-
cedures to $200,000, creating $100,000 surplus;
postponing the building code enforcement central
records system, $125,000; comprehension of yie
master plan, reducing it from $391,000 to
$100,000, creating a surplus of $291,000; adding
to a new item, #20, the term "Police Expansion
Program", $756,000 and concluding the ordinance
by reading into the requirements of the appli-
cable State Statute and also dispense with the
or also dispense with. Mr. Mayor, I offer that
to you at this time.
Second the motion.
There's a motion to second now and I don't see
where this motion clarifies the point. I don't
see that this clarifies the point that when we
receive federal funds - - -
Mr. Mayor, that has to be in a separate ordin-
ance according - - -
I understand. Now, before- there's a motion
114
NOV 211973
•
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
Mr. Plummer:
Chief Garmire:
and there's a Second by Reboao. Nc w, before
now we're open for discussion, I want to ask
Paul Andrews and I want to Make sure that he
is in concurrence with what we're doing- even
though I want to know Whether you're in con.,
currence with what we're doing from the admin-
istration's point of view. I also Want you on
the record telling me whether you think or not
the priorities are the things that we're cutting
out of this is in concurrence with your thinking
Or is there something that you would rather
alter rather than this.
No, I participated with Commissioner Plummer
in`advising him what my judgment was as to the
areas- - -
I know that but I just want you on the record
saying that you approve this.
I approve it.
You approve it. Okay.
Mr. Andrews, when are you expecting the next
allocation of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds?
The next allocation of Revenue Sharing Funds
should be available July, pardon me, January
lst., 1974.
And of those funds - will we be able to replace
the $291,000 that we are removing from the
budget now at that time? Can we do that, at
that time, with the funds you receive?
Yes.
You can?
Yes.
All right. Then I'll be in favor of the motion.
Okay. We have a motion and a second. Is there
any further discussion on this motion?
Let me get the zinger in there, I guess. Chief,
I ask you once again. Is there anything that
hasn't been included?
Commissioner Plummer, we came here with what we
considered to be a minimum. We thought it was
reasonable. We believe it will assist us in ou
mission, but when you ask me a question such as
you've just posed, the answer has to be "no".
Okay - I'm open to suggestions. What else do
you need?
I would prefer to come back at a future session
of this Commission with a better organized plan
which would, in fact, antiwar what we consider
to be all of our needs. It will be compre-
hensive list, I can assure you.
115
NOV 21197
•
This action that you are about to take here
will assist us greatly. No question But if
1 am going to be held responsible, as is im-
plied here today, for the reduction of crime,
solely at the effort of the Police Department,
then I'm going to have to have a considerably
larger program than is being profounded here
at this time.
Mr. Plummer: All right. Then you want the opportunity to
come back at a later time.
Mayor Perre: No, specifically, J.L. We have it on the 13th
of December .
Mr. Plummer: Now, wait a minute. Don't put the man under
the gun. Can you have it ready by the 13th.?
Chief Garmire: Yes, sir. I can have it ready by the 13th.
Mr. Plummer: He put himself under the gun.
Chief Garmire: Na, I have not, sir. I don't propose to get
into an argument. I'm simply saying that it
is grossly unfair to hold the Police fully
responsible for the crime situation.
Mr. Plummer: Chief, I didn't say that. I hope I didn't.
Chief Garmire: I infer from what has been said here that I'm
going to be held responsible, solely respon-
sible, for the reduction of crime in the City
of Miami. I submit to you - - -
Mr. Plummer: You can't do it- -
Chief Garmire: - - -that the Police are powerless to do that
persay.
Mr. Plummer: I understand that. I am saying, and maybe you
misunderstood me, so let me say it again. I
am saying that from the standpoint of what this
Commission can do, you know, we could maybe do
a lot of things. You could do a lot of things.
But, delegated by Charter, the authority vested
in this Commission, is there anything else that
this Commission can do? That's all I'm asking.
Chief Garmire: Between now and the 13th of December,I will
compile a program, an extensive program, of
what we need to get the job done within the
limitations that are implicit in the Police
service.
Mr. Plummer: No questions. I can't ask any more.
Mayor Ferre: Chief, I, lest somebody misunderstand, I want
to make sure - nobody is going to blame you
individually or the Police Department partic-
ularly, if there is an increase or there's not
a reduction of crime in the City of Miami.
However, it is your charge and that of the
Police, to protect and safeguard the citizenry
and certainly, I'm not going to look to Chief
Kenney or to Paul Andrews or to John Lloyd
116
NOV lily
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferret
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Andrews:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
or to anybody else for answers on this thing
because this is your particular charge. And,
as Paul Andrews told me the other day, he said,
look, Chief Garmire'a a big boy; he's got to
stand up, and I like that kind of an attitude
and I think you're that kind of a Man.
I'm standing up here and I intend to continue to
stand up.
I just want to get that clarified so that some-
body who would misunderstand say, you know,
that the Chief of Police stated that he's not
responsible for the crime situation in the City
of Miami - that that might be misinterpreted.
Do you follow? We may be playing games in
semantics here.
Don't play semantics because he retorted to a
question or something that I put forth. I'm
saying, Chief, that this City Commission has
certain delegated authority, through its
Charter, and is there anything else at this
time that you are asking of us?
Mr. Mayor and Members of the Commission, there
is something else that I will ask - that the
Chief is not in a position to ask because of
his position and his responsibility to the
Police Department. But, as the Chief has pointe.
out, there are other elements that make up this
total picture of crime in the City of Miami.
One of them is street lighting. You're address--
itig yourself to that.
We already have.
You provided the Chief with some additional
monies so that men and equipment could be added
to the Police Department to do a proper policing
job or as close to proper as possible at this
time. But, the thing that is not really being
fully discussed here is what do we do when the
Police Department apprehends these people and
so many of them are repeaters and back out on
the street 24 hours after they've been appre-
hended? Now, how are you, as the Commission,
going to address yourself to that particular
problem which I, personally as an individual,
consider far more serious than the problems that
the Policeman has on the street apprehending
people?
I think the Chief made that very clear, Paul.
That there's nothing he can do about it under
existing conditions today. There's nothing that
we as the Commission can do about it. But,
Congressman Papper can. He can surely start and
instigate programs from that level to where the
man can't be back on the street in 24 hours.
Ail right, gentlemen. I'm passing to you here a
resolution - - -
117
NOV z 1 1973
•
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferree
Mr. Lloyds
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ongies
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Ongie:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Ongie:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferret
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Mayor, I think we should have a vote on
this.
I'm sorry.
This ordinance has to be passed twice as an
emergency measure.
Let's get back to the reality of the situation.
Is there any further discussion on this item?
We're going to recognize you for another mo-
tion.
All right.
Call the roll.
First roll call, Mr. Plummer.
Yes.
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Reverend Gibson.
Yes.
Mrs. Gordon.
I vote yes.
Mayor Ferre.
I vote Yes. Now Mrs. Gordon -
reading - go ahead.
On recond reading, Mr. Plummer.
Yes.
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Reverend Gibson.
Yes.
Mrs. Gordon.
I vote yes.
Mayor Ferre.
I vote yes. Now, Mrs. Gordon.
On second
The motion is that as soon as funds are re-
ceived from the next allocation of revenue
sharing, that the $291,000 tkansferred shall
be reallocated immediately to the comprehensive
planning fund and the appropriate amendment
118
NOV 2I1973
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Reboso:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayer Ferre:
to the budget ordinance be presented for thin
purpose.
There's a motion. is there a second on that?
Anybody want to second that?
Second.
There's a second.
Let me ask a question. Why don't we put all
the money back?
It's a question of priorities, Father. Which
one do you want first? Suppose we only get
$300,000 first.
Father, may I explain to you why I'm making
this back as a priority? The causes of crime
are not always on the surface. They're below
the: surface and part of the fight of crime is
in the fact that we are lacking a comprehensive
plan. We have not had one. We have to fight
it at that level too and this is part of the
fight against crime. It's to better the con-
ditions of living for people and the first
step forward in that direction is to prepare
a comprehensive plan. And, the people did
mandate this in the Charter change that was
made last year. This is not a frivolous action.
This is one that is absolutely necessary and
must be taken. The reason for accepting the
delay of the $291,000 is because the imple-
mentation of the Planning Board will take place
in January and the $100,000 will be sufficient
to last and begin to start that ball rolling.
All right. We have a motion and a second. Is
there any further discussion on this item? If
not, call the roll.
Mr. Mayor, I'm going to vote for that motion
but I'm dissai:isfied.
All right. Go ahead. I'll recognize you if
you want to speak on it.
I just feel that you passed the budget - you
found it necessary to go into that budget and
use certain funds that we already allocated.
Okay. You told us and Mr. Andrews told us that
we are about to receive a million plus dollars
which would be ample to replace all of the
monies that you've taken out of the budget. I
see nothing wrong with passing a resolution
saying that as soon as those funds are in our
possession, we reappropriate or put back that
money. I think that's simple. What we're
really doing is, we're going to put this one
back and then we'll come back and say, well,
maybe we'll put the other one back.
Ng. We're going to put them all back.
119
NOV '41 ill
_ZS
Rev. Gibson:
Mrs. Gordon:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Well, then let's pass the reaoluti+ n that way.
Pace the motion that way.
Father, ttoVe the resolution the way I moved it
and it has been seconded.
I''m going to move another one.
Wait a minute. Father, if you have ten chil-
dren and one of them is away from home, and
hasn't had anything to eat in a week and they
all come to the dinner table, you're going to
feed the one that hasn't eaten, the one that
needs it the most, first. I would and I'm
sure we all would - -
That's what my resolution is all about. But,
what I'm hearing is not the way it is.
No, no. What Rose Gordon is saying is, that
as we get the money back, the $291,000 for
the planning section of it, be returned first.
Then I'll vote for the motion, then I'm going
to offer one for myself.
Now, from a practical point of view, we're
going to get $291,000 back. We're going to
a million or we're going to get two million
we're going to get three million - we're not
going to get $291,000.
not
get
or
Mr: Mayor and Members of the Commission. I
didn't want to complicate this with procedural
aspects of how the federal money comes to us
and how we program and spend it but you've
gotten so detailed in this and you've said so
much about it. Now, I don't want you to leave
here with the misunderstanding. The one milli
and nine hundred thousand dollars that we will
receive in January and three months later,
another million and nine hundred thousand
dollars, all accumulates until next October
when you will have approximately $7,000,000,
as you did in this budget year to reprogram fo
services next year. We're going to spend that
money once. If we spend it in January, it mea
that we have seven hundred and some thousand
dollars less to spend in October. So, I want
you to be aware of that.
We understand your point.
I'm ready. to vote because I'm going to offer m
own motion.
Once again I just will reiterate. I don't kn
how anyone can sit here and envision what this
city is going to be doing in January. That's
why I said that I felt that it was best that
we re-evaluate when new monies come in.
J.L., we can always do that. This is just a
matter of philosophy where this Commission '.set
down a sense of priority. I'm completely in
agreement. I'm sorry to have to disagree with
120 NOV 2119Th
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
'Mr. Ongie:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lloyd:
Mayor Ferre:
you. I agree with Rose Gordon on this matter.
Let's put it to the vote new, Right tidW, that
is our consensus. In January we might change
our mina again. aitay. Call the roll.
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Reverend Gibson.
Yes.
Mrs. Gordon.
Yes.
Mr. Plummer.
I'm going to vote yes but I'll remember Jan-
uary.
Remember January and I will too. I vote yes.
And, Mayor Ferre.
All right. Now, anybody else? I have - we
were talking about what we can do to strengthen
things. Yesterday, I read an article, I guess
it was in the Miami Herald, and Harvey Ruvin
beat me to the punch because I had exactly that
in mind, and I want to commend him now, since
he's the one who came out with it and I have
here a resolution prepared by Mr. John Lloyd.
It is entitled "A Resolution Urging the Legis-
lature of the State of Florida to Enact a Bill
Designated as House Bill 115 and Senate Bill
82" co -sponsored, by State Senator George
Firestone and State Representative Barry Kutun
and authorizing and directing the Clerk of the
City of Miami to transmit a certified copy of
this resolution - have you got copies of that,
John?
Yeti, sir. I'm passing them out.
I just happen to have it. To the co-sponsors
of the aforesaid bill from the Florida Legis-
lature and the appropriate legislative comm-
ittees. Now, let me tell you what that bill
does, in effect. It says that any felon
possessing a firearm or a weapon, unlawful,
section penalty, and if he's caught committing
a crime, with such a weapon, he will have a
minimum sentence of five years. This is with-
out any mitigating circumstances because what
happens is, that the criminal goes to the court
and the judge begins to get all the pressures
of people calling or testifying that he's
really not a bad guy and if we really let him
go, he's going to be a good boy and the next
thing you know is, you let the guy go and in
two months, he's back again committing the sam
crime over agaix}. And, all this says and this
NOV 21197;
12,E
Congressman
Pepper:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ongie:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
410
is, to me, the type of gun control which 1
think is very effective and that is, if a man
is caught perpetrating a crime with a gun in
his hand or in his possession, he knows that
there's no way in God's world where he's
getting out of jail in 5 years and he'd better
think about carrying a gun before he goes there
and gets involved in a crime. So, what we'll
have is crimes being made with other lethal
instruments other than guns. But - the fact
is that at least, we're going to tackle this
one. That's all this bill - this resolution
does. We all understand that we've got no
power. The County Commission has no power to
do anything about this. All this does is say
that this City of Miami Commission, in effect,
urges the Florida Senate and House to pass this
type of tough legislation. Sir, I'd like your
opinion on this.
I think it's a good idea. We have a federal
legislation - a federal law that if crimes
are committed on federal property, in cases
of crime with a gun, (inaudible remark) I
think it's a good idea.
All right, Senator. Thank you. Father, I
think I'll just pass you this gavel and I'll
make the motion. The motion's made. I read
it.
Second.
Any discussion? Call the roll.
Mrs. Gordon.
Yes.
Mr. Plummer.
Yes.
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Mayor Ferre.
I vote yes.
Vice -Mayor Gibson.
Yes.
There's a companion bill to this which is being
offered by the same people and this resolution
reads as follows: A Resolution of the City
Commission urging the Legislature of the State
of Florida to adopt a bill relating to criminal
penalties for displaying - using, threatening
or attempting to use a weapon or firearm or
carrying a weapon or firearm or from committing
a battery, resulting in bodily harm during the
NOV 21I li
122
•
Mr. Lloyd:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lloyd:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lloyd:
Mayor Ferre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Ongie:
Mr. Reboso:
Mr. Ongie:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ongie:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Ongie:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferree
commission of a felony. Thia one Says
John, why don't you explain this. These things
get all complicated in My mind, especially at
7:00. after a long day.
Mr. Mayor. Honorable Members of the Commission,
this actually says that, under certain circum-,
stances, when there's a violent crime committed
with a gun, there can be a penalty of up to
15 years, under different circumstances than
the other one. This is a different statute
and a different resolution, urging passage of
the different statute by this body.
In other words, this does not say there's a
minimum but it says that it will permit a
judge to sentence up to 15 years.
Yes, sir.
Doesn't say that he has to. It just says that
it permits him to do so.
It says that when the court finds that during
the commission of such a felony, the defendant
committed a battery resulting in bodily harm,
the court may extend the sentence by an add-
itional term of 15 years in one area and the
same thing where there's another occurance, it
may - an additional term not exceeding 30 years. -
All right. That's - so I offer this motion .
Again, this is a recommendation to the Legis-
lature.
I'll second.
All right. Any discussion? Call the roll.
Mr. Plummer.
Yes.
Mr. Reboso.
Yes.
Mayor Ferre.
I vote yes.
Mrs. Gordon.
Yes.
Reverend Gibson.
Yes.
Now, Chief, on these questions. It's late.
We've been at it for 3 hours. I'm going to
send these to you in writing but I do want you
to answer one question or two questions before
we break. Is there any way we can borrow
Policemen or sworn police Officers on an off-
time basis from other municipalities? Includ-
NOV 2119/3
• 411
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Rev. Gibson:
ing Broward County, Hollywood people that
have gone through the academy or there are
people that we could perhaps - we might use
them for one day. They want to work part
time?
I think it's possible, yes, sir. 1 would have
to check.
Would you investigate that and when you come
back on the 13th, see if you can come up with
any recommendation on that? Well, for example,
the City of Hialeah might have Policemen that
they might not be deploying all the time or
that may -
How about our insurance?
That's something that the Chief is going to
have to answer.
Right. Our insurance - that might affect the
insurance -
I'm not recommending it. I'm asking the
question and I want the Chief to recommend it
or say he can't do it.
Good enough.
The other question that I have and I think
this is the last one, Chief. Got an awful
lot of people, and by the way, I want to tell
you that these are all letters from citizens
and that we have received, in my office, since
we started this whole question last week, I
would say there's been from 300 to 400 phone
calla that have been recorded from people on
this matter. I have a list here on merchants
alone on Flagler Street. This is the list and
I'm going to send you copies of all these.
This is the list of all the merchants on Flag-
ler Street that have taken a position on this
so, I'll send you copies of all this and I'll
send them to Mr. Andrews and he'll send them
on to you. But, one of the questions that I
keep getting all the time is, we know that the
enforcement of traffic laws is very important
and we don't want in any way degrade the im-
portance of traffic enforcement but With this
crime rate increasing, is there any way in
which, on minor traffic violations, that we de-
emphasize that a little bit while we're going
through this difficult period.
Mayor Ferre, if I had my way, about it, Police
Officers and Police Departments would not be
assuming the responsibility for traffic law
enforcement. The whole situation involving
traffic violations should be handled admin-
istratively and not criminally. It is not a
crime to violate a traffic regulation; however,
it is treated criminally in our system.
Can we change that?
124
NOV 21 I /J
•
Chief Garmire: Well, it would take a lot of legislation.
Mayor Ferret
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Can't we legislate? For example, is there
any reason why we couldn't get a special type
of traffic officer that would not perhaps
carry a gun and whose sole purpose would be
enforcement of traffic?
The last legislature provided for this type of
thing. There is one community in this state
that I know of that is experimenting in this
area. I believe it's Fort Lauderdale.
How's that working out?
I can't tell you. It's in its very
almost embryonic stage.
Would you call the Chief up there and
on the 13th, you might touch on that.
early,
perhaps
I know Chief Callahan. I'd be glad to discuss
it with him. But, to answer your question, we,
in - historically - at least in the last 41
years, have not placed a great deal of emphasis
on traffic law enforcement. We have been
criticized from varous sources for not putting
as much emphasis on traffic law enforcement as
they think we should. I've contended all
along that crime is the number one priority so
far as our attention is concerned and it will
continue to be that. But, at the same time,
I would point out bo you that in spite of a
horrendous crime picture, traffic exacts a
greater toll of life, limb, injury and prop-
erty damage than all crime combined. So some-
one has to assume a moral obligation and re-
sponsibility in this area. To answer your
questions, we will de-emphasize the so-called
minor violations.
Chief, heart disease also claims more victims
than anything else and because we fight or we
try to find solutions to heart diseases, it
does not mean that we're stopping our fight
against polio, for example, or against cancer.
Correct. Right.
The point I'm trying to make is I don't want
to say that the City of Miami is no longer
going to be involved in traffic violations
enforcementa but I do mean to say that if we
can - it's all a question of priorities - and
emphasis - and all I'm asking you to look into
and report to us on December 13th is what ways
can we figure out to perhaps have another type
of Police Officer who does not go through all
of the rigorous training at the academy that
will not carry a firearm and will be involved
in nothing else other than traffic enforcement?
And the radio, obviously. If somebody comes
up and the man is drunk and he wants to get
violent or something, he gets on that radio
and I know that the City of Miami has a kind
of Police Force that reacts like that.
125 Nov 211973
• •
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
So we can have a Police Officer within three
minutes there to:assiet,
Just a minute there, Your Honor. I would have
to take exception to that three minutes, We
would try. If it's a true emergency, we can
respond
Now, Chief. Wait a moment. You're going to
get me in trouble because I campaigned all
over this town saying that we answered our
calls within 3-5 minutes and I hope you're
not going to make me out to be a liar.
No, sir. I've no intention -
I got that information from someone in the
City.
I've no intention of making you a liar. In a
true emergency situation, we are geared to
respond at the earliest possible moment and
usually that's 3-5 minutes. But, one of the
problems we have is responding to the routine
calls in the time which is acceptable to peo-
ple. Response time is a vital issue so far
as Police are concerned, here in the community.
To answer your question, if it's true emerg-
ency, we try to be there within 5 minutes.
All right. Are there any further questions
of Chief Garmire at this meeting? If not,
Chief, I want to thank you for your patience.
I hope that we've cleared the air. I was -
I hope you understand that I had to ask you at
the beginning of this hearing what I did be-
cause of the vicious, in my opinion, sour
grapes attempt of an editorial writer, from
one of our newspapers here, in trying to im-
ply something which was just totally unfounded
and untrue and I wanted for you to go on public
record saying that you did not see this as a
personal attack on you because it's certainly
not the intention on my part and I wanted to
clarify this and I hope that the matter - that
headline editorial which was so untrue and so
unfair, "Ferre versus Garmire" is not Ferre
vs. Garmire, nor is it Garmire vs. Ferre.
It's the City of Miami vs. Crime and I wish
these editorial writers would lock themselves
up in dark rooms and want to talk about Govern-
ment in the Sunshine would stop fighting
shadows and start fighting crime along with the
rest of us. Thank you very much, Chief.
Mr. Mayor, I appreciate very much the oppor-
tunity of being here today. It's been re-
vealing to me. I appreciate the response the
Commission has had and the concern for adequate
police service today, as expressed here today.
I would be remiss if I didn't take some ex-
ception to what has been implied here and I
would reiterate that we, in the Police Depart-
ment, will do everything we possibly can. We
126
NOV 211973
Mayor Ferre:
Chief Garmire:
Mayor Ferre:
will re -gear. We will shift. We will try to
emphasize in those areas, particularly in those
districts of our community where crime seems to
be the most rampant. We will do everything
Within our power. But I know, as I stand here
before you now, that action today taken against
an individual will only result in action
against that same individual tomorrow or with-
in a week or ten days. Ile know that. We can
prove it. It isn't unusual, as I pointed out
to you before, to arrest the same individual
for three felonies within a period of one week.
We will keep arresting them. We will be the
vacuum cleaner, even though it's against the
ethics in reality, to do this, but we will
continue to do this. We cannot be held re-
sponsible for the reduction of crime in this
community until we get better cooperation,
better understanding and a viable program by
the other facets of the criminal justice
system. But to that end, I assure you, we
will do everything within our power to be
effective, as effective as possible, in the
police realm.
Chief, we sit on this board here - on this
Commission - as a legislative body. Now, you
are part of the administration. It's your
responsibility and that of Mr. Andrews, as
chief administrator of the City, to recommend
to the legislative body, what areas he thinks
that we can either legislate in or that we can
assist other bodies to legislate in, that will
cure some of these oversights and problems
and inbalances, and I welcome your and Mr. Paul
Andrews specific recommendations as to what
areas you think we should delve ourselves into
to correct these matters. And, I hope, that if
not by December 13th, because that's not too
much time, but in the coming months, that as
you have these ideas and these proposals, that
you share them with us so that we from the
legislative branch of government can then act.
Very good. I will.
All right, Chief. Thank you very much, Sir.
Now, the hour is late and I don't think we're
going to get into - I said this was not a
public hearing - is there anyone here who has
an absolutely - absolute necessity of speaking
on this? I think all the matters have been
aired pretty well and unless there's someone
who cannot refrain, we have - how many people
want to speak now? Four. We're going to have
to schedule you then for December 13th. Well,
all right. You'd better catch the Chief then.
I think we've been through it so far. I hate
to do it to all the Commissioners. Can any of
you come back December 13th? Listen, we've
been here now, in this Commission meeting 10
hours - 10 hours - and we got a long way to go
yet. We're not finished tonight. Now, unless
you've got something that cannot wait until
the 13th. and it's something that's of utmost
importance and impact to this, you have to tai
127 NOV 2i.t 7;
Mayor Ferret The thing is, that look, everybody's very
tired. It's been a long day -
Mr. Williamat
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Williams:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Williams:
Mayor Ferre:
Unidentified
Person:
Mayor Ferre:
Ed Pettee:
Mayor Ferre:
Arthur
Ettinger:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Ettinger:
1'11 pass it about.
Let me see what you've got.
This is the copy of Mr. Garmire's presen-
tation.
Where's the presentation you made? Let me
study it and you and I talk, and it Mr.
Andrews -
Mr. Ferre, the proposals that was written at
that time, I may not have a copy of it. If
it was read, it's probably in the record of
that particular session. I'm going to pass
this by and I will be available one year
hence, with a recommendation to this Commis-
sion. I live (uninteligible) six people have
died - have lost their lives, in 19•months in
my area. Six people. The last within the
last 6 months. I will be back one year hence.
A11 right, anybody else who has to speak to-
night?
- - - - because you all are exhausted and I
might remind you that I've been sitting here
all day too, waiting for an opportunity - -
Sir, your name for the record.
My name is Ed Pettee. I'm a businessman in
in the Edison Park area. I think we, as you
well know, we're in a high violent crime area.
I'm very much concerned with police activity
and I had prepared statements that I expected
to read to this Commission and to the Chief
but I feel that it would be a waste of time
at this particular evening. So, I will yield
to your request that I postpone it but I hope
you will put me on your December 13th. meet-
ing. I hope that I do not have to sit here
all day. I too am not on the City payroll,
unfortunately.
There are a lot of people here who are con-
cerned citizens just like you - we're going
to - we're trying to do the beat job we can.
And, Mr. Andrews, if you would take Mr.
Pettee's name and on that hour that we alloc-
ate to this matter of Police Chief Garmire,
we'll listen to him. All right. Your name
for the record, and then we'll allocate some
time for you on December 13th too.
My name is Arthur Ettinger, Captain, U.S. Army
Retired.
I know Mr. Ettinger.
You know me.
128
N O V 211973
•
Mr. Peter
Williams:
All right. You get up and talk. I'll
recognize you. But I'll tell you if some. -
body gets up here and talks and doesn't say
something that cannot wait until the 13th.
and is not of major impact, I'm going to
remember. for the future.
For the record, my name is Peter Williams
and I'm a tax payer in the City of Miami and
I' fin also the Chairman of Operation of (title
of organization inaudible). I just want to
briefly say this: in terms of crime in this
community, I don't know if you gentlemen were
sitting on the Commission at the time when
Nathaniel Dean's mother was killed in this
community. But I live in the Edison -Little
River area and have worked very hard in this
community in trying to get someone to listen
to some proposals that have been coming to
this Commission and have gone to Chief Gar -
mire as answers to deterents and prevention
. of crime in this community. I'm going to make
one last effort at this point and point out to
this Commission one of the areas of the areas
most acutely neglected in this discussion.
At one end of the spectrum you permitted him
to have the $850,000 to increase his Police
Aorce. At the other end of the spectrum,
absolutely nothing was done to answer people -
involvement and deterents of crime which is
the one area that is most acutely affected
in this community in getting something done.
In 1965, when a report came out that Miami was
number one, the answer then was more police -
more guns. Just before the long, hot summer
in '68, the answer was more police - more guns.
In 1970, the answer was more police - more
guns. 1973 - it's more policemen - more guns.
At no point have we talked about a compre-
hensive community developed answer that in-
cludes a legislative body, the public sector,
the Police Department, police consultants,
socio-economic manpower consultants, sitting
together and constructing a comprehensive
answer to the problems of crime. When Mrs.
Dean was killed, this Commission received a
report, signed by 75 Model City businessmen
that I drafted and took the time to have
Patrick Graves present to this Commission.
Several of those answers, several of those
conditions that existed still exist today.
Nothing has been said about it. I presented
that same proposal that came to this Commis-
sion on that date to the County Commission.
You passed it about. The County Commission
passed it about. Here we are again.
Mayor Ferre: I don't know what you're talking about.
Mr. Williams: You were not on the Commission at that time,
Mr. Ferre.
NOV 211973
129
• •
Mayor Ferre: 'You will have some time on December 13th.
Mr. Andrews - Ma'am, I'm sorry, but we have
to continue this Commission meeting.
Unidentified (Remarks inaudible)
Person:
Mayor Ferre: Well, that may be but you're going to have
to talk to him some other time because Mr.
Andrews right now has got to pay attention
to this Commission meeting. Please. Now,
Mr. - Captain Ettinger wants to be put on the
agenda when the Police Chief - so, he's
another one. All right?
Mr. Ettinger: Will that be held earlier in time than it is
now so I won't have to wait?
Mayor Ferre: I doubt it. It'll be in the afternoon, Mr.
Ettinger. Okay. Let's move on to the next
item. Take up Item #22. Thank you, Senator,
for being with us. Resolution appointing
someone to -
NOTE: The Commission passed Ordinance No. 8210 and
Resolution No. 73-933
and 73-934 in
connection with the preceding matter. They
are shown as Exhibits "A", "B" and '"C"
following this final page of discussion.
130
NOV 211913
•
9 PPOI NTMENT TO RETIREMENT BOARD . R. EELV IN .COOPER
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-935
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING R. BELVIN COOPER TO THE RETIREMENT
BOARD OF THE MIAMI CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND
APPOINTING THE SAME MEMBER TO THE RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE
MIAMI CITY GENERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN FOR THE TERM
COMMENCING DECEMBER 14, 1973 AND ENDING DECEMBER 13, 1975
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs.. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
20 APPOINTMENT TO RETIREMENT BOARD - GABRIELLA LANDAU
The following resolution was introduced by Mrs. Gordon who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-936
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GABRIELLA LANDAU TO THE
RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE MIAMI CITY EMPLOYEES
RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND APPOINTING THE SAME MEMBBR
TO THE RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE MIAMI CITY GENERAL
EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN FOR THE TERM COMMENCING
DECEMBER 1, 1973 AND ENDING DECEMBER 1, 1975
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, ibboso
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
131 NOV 21 1973
EU
APPOINTMENT TO URBAN DEVELOPINENI .REV .EIL BOAR DISCUSSION
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor on item 23, I will move the name of
Mr. Thurston Hatcher.
Mr. Reboso: Thurston Hatcher says he does not want to serve.
Mr. Plummer: He does not want to serve?
Mr. Reboso: That is what Mr. Acton told me.
Mr. Acton: I recommend you send it back.
By resolution there has to be 3 nominations.
Mr. Plummer: All right Sir, do you have another name?
Mr. Reboso: I would like tosend back the name of Wilfredo Boratto.
Mayor Ferre: Let me ask a question. Willie Borotto is serving on
a Metro Board of some kind - the zoning board?
Mr. Reboso: He is the architect in charge of Interama.
MAyor Ferre: I know who he is. He is a very well known and capable
architect I think.
I think the point being here is since we do have latins as a minority
in this community that we ought to really strive to get on all these
boards, blacks, latins, women as much as possible.
If there are capable minority people, they will at least have some
representation.
Now that particular board does not have one latin or one black or
one woman on it.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, let's send it back
to the AIA and let's defer it at this time.
Mayor Ferre: If we defer, I think it would
the AIA know that we do want representation
minorities.
to incorporate that
I will move to defer.
be appropriate to let
on this Board of some
Mr. Reboso: I will second the motion to defer.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MATTER
WAS DEFERRED
22 RENEW INSURANCE POLICIES - PRIMARY ON POLICE AND UMBRELLA ETC.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-937
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE PROPER
OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI•TO PAY TO THE SECOND
YEAR'S PREMIUMS, WHEN DUE, TO THE APPALACHIAN
INSURANCE COMPANYAND MIDLAND INSURANCE COMPANY FOR
POLICIES OF INSURANCE PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED BY THE
CITY OF MIAMI
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
132 NOV211973
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso, Plummer,
Mrs, Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Perre. NOES: None
23 PROPOSED JIATIONALFOOTBALL LEAGUE.. AGREEMENT
Mr. Andrews: This is for a 5 year period now which permits the
Manager to provide for any one of 4 types of games. Super Bowl games,
AFC pro bowl, AFC championship and playoffs such as the dolphins are
in right now.
Mr. Plummer: This just gives you the authorization. This doesn't
finalize it.
Mr. Andrews: Itt sure would.
Mr. Plummer: Whoa, back up.
Mayor Ferre: I just want to ask this simple question. I just want
to make sure Paul that this in no way and I want you to hear this
because you are interested. in this. That in no way is this going to
set a pattern for our negotiations with the Dolphins whenever they
come up. I don't want Mr. Paul saying wait a moment, you gave all
these other guys such and such and that means you have to give us
the same deal.
Rev. Gibson: I want to make sure you understand that.
Mr. Andrews: Yes Sir, I understand it and I recognize this as
something highly specialized. It's a 1-game event per year that
might be held in the Orange Bowi with national attention and its
not like seasonal types of activity like the Dolphins or the
University are involved in.
Mr. Plummer: I don't like the wording of this Paul.
I don't like the idea. You know this Commission went on record
when we went out to Phoenix for example and this Commission set
forth the stipulations of what we could do, the latitute we could
offer to encourage the Super Bowi to come here and when you are
locking me in for 5 year period on this here, I think too many
things can change over a 5-year period.
If you want it for 1974 - fine but you know, who knows what is
going to happen. Look what has happened to the economy in the past
3 days.
Mr. Andrews: What you have to weigh is the value of having an
agreement of this type in relation to those events that you might
attract here.
Mr. Plummer: Are they pushing for it Paul?
Mr. Andrews: Yes. They are asking us to consider it so they won't
have to sit down and negotiate everytime they want to use the Orange
Bowl.
Mr. Plummer: In other words, what they are trying
in for a given set fee for a 5-year period.
Mayor Ferre: J. L., let me tell you something. I
Manager in this circumstance because I have to say
The figure is $35,000 and I am going to tell you.
the Super Bowl here for $35,000, man, I am all for
Mr. Plummer: That is
I wentout to Phoenix.
the additional funds,
to do is tie us
am all for the
something.
If we can get
it.
well and good but $35,000 didn't do it when
If it hadn't been for the TDA coming up with
we would have been -
Mayor Ferre: At that point, we have to
Mr. Andrews: They say they are willing
Super Bowi game, $30,000 for a Pro -Bowl
cross that bridge then.
to pay us $35,000 for a
game, $25,000 each for the
133
NOV 211973
Championship or Divisional Playoffs game when it is held in the
Orange Bowl.
Mayor Ferre: I am all for it. I just want to make sure that
it does not in any way set the stage for any negotiations that we
may have on our own.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Andrews, I will go ahead and move for approval
of this assuming that you will keep this Commission informed at
all times because tomorrow $35,000 might be double what could be
afforded so it works both ways. I'll move it Mr. Mayor.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION N0. 73-938
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ESTABLISHING THE FEES AND CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF
THE MIAMI ORANGE BOWL STADIUM FOR SUPER BOWL, AFC-
NFC PRO BOWL, AND AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
24 ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK - MARINE STADIUM PARKING LOT LIGHTING
The following resolution was introduced by Reverend Gibson
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-939
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE COMPLETED WORK OF BRANAM
ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR THE MARINE STADIUM PARKING LOT
LIGHTING - 1973 AT A TOTAL COST OF $60,733.28; AUTH-
ORIZING THE INCREASE OF $441.28 IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT;
AND AUTHORIZING A FINAL PAYMENT OF $8,802.38 TO BRANAM
ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR MARINE STADIUM PARKING LOT LIGHTING
1973
(Here follows body of resolution, omittedr•here and on
file in the City Clerk's Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
134
•
25
ACCEPT. PLAL-y.Y. LAGL M .I R AL .PARK. _ Of RESURRECTION SUE
The following resolution was introduced by Reverend Gibson
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-940
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED FLAGLER
MEMORIAL PARK GARDEN OF RESURRECTION II, A SUB-
DIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND ACC-
EPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Plummer, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: NOne
MR. PLUMMER: SHOULD I ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THIS ITEM?
MR. LLOYD, CITY ATTORNEY: Do YOU HAVE ANY DIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST
IN THE CEMETARYY
MR. PLUMMER: No SIR.
26 ACCEPT PLAT - FLAGLER MEMORIAL PARK- MEDITATION SECTION SUB
The following resolution was introduced by Reverend Gibson
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-941
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED FLAGLER
MEMORIAL PARK -MEDITATION SECTION, A SUBDIVISION
IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND ACCEPTING THE
DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO
EXECUTE THE PLAT
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was.: passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
133
NOV 211973
•
2ILAIN SETTLEMENT -.$tL. GARRETT
The following resolution was introduced by Reverend Gibson
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-942
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO PAY TO BILL GARRETT WITHOUT THE ADMISSION OF
LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $64.48 IN PULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE
CITY OF MIAMI, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A RELEASE
RELEASING THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
28 CLAIM SETTLEMENT - SHELDON TURETSKY
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-943
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO PAY TO SHELDON TURETSKY WITHOUT THE ADMISSION
OF LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $26.00 IN FULL AND COM-
PLETE SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST
THE CITY OF MIAMI, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A RELEASE
RELEASING THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
136
•
29 CLAIM SETTLEMENT MS, ANNA.GERARD
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
1
RESOLUTION NO. 73-944
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OP FINANCE
TO PAY TO MS. ANNA GERARD WITHOUT THE ADMISSION
OF LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $35.00 IN PULL AND COM-
PLETE SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST
THE CITY OF MIAMI, UPON 'EHE EXECUTION OF A RELEASE
RELEASING THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gitson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso,
Plummer, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
30 CLAIM SETTLEMENT - MRS. WALTRETTA SALLEE
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-945
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO
PAY TO MRS. WALTRETTA SALLEE WITHOUT THE ADMISSION
OF LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $150.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY
OF MIAMI, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A RELEASE RELEASING
THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
137
NOV 211973
•
CLAIM SETTLEMENT NA AR° MI AL,
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-946
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO PAY TO NAZARO MIRABAL, WITHOUT THE ADMISSION
OF LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $95.68 IN FULL AND COM-
PLETE SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST
THE CITY OF MIAMI, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A RELEASE
RELEASING THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS
(Here follows body of resolution- omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferte. NOES: None
32 CLAIM SETTLEMENT - GISELA TERNER
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-947
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO ACCEPT THE SUM OF $202.40 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT IN THE CLAIM OF THE CITY OF MIAMI VERSUS
GISELA TERNER: and AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER "
AND THE CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF MIAMI TO EXECUTE
A RELEASE RELEASING THE GISELA TERNER FROM ANY AND
ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS ARISING OUT OF THE ACCIDENT
INVOLVED IN THE ABOVE CLAIM
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferro. NOES: None
138
NOV 211973
33
CLAIM_ SETS PERSHING AUTO ,LEASING INCORPORATED
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-948
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO ACCEPT THE SUM OF $200.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT IN THE CLAIM OP THE CITY OP MIAMI VERSUS
PERSHING AUTO LEASING, INCORPORATED; AND AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI TO EXECUTE A RELEASE RELEASING PERSHING AUTO
LEASING, INCORPORATED, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF THE
ACCIDENT INVOLVED IN THE ABOVE CLAIM
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
4 CLAIM SETTLEMENT - EMILIO RIVAS
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-949
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TO ACCEPT THE SUM OF $94.56 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT IN THE CLAIM OF THE CITY OF MIAMI VERSUS
EMILIO RIVAS; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND
THE CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF MIAMI TO EXECUTE A
RELEASE RELEASING EMILIO RIVAS FROM ANY AND ALL
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING OUT
OF THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED IN THE ABOVE CLAIM
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
139 NOV 211973
35 ACCEPT HIGHWAY Blfili? (WAY DEED - Mares CLUB OF roconur_cROvE
The following resolution was introduced by Reverend Gibson
who moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-950
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY
DEED EXECUTED BV WOMAN'S CLUB OP COCONUT GROVE,
FLORIDA, CONVEYING APPROXIMATELY 156.25 SQUARB
FEET FROM THE SOUTHERNMOST EXTREMITY OF LOT 6,
BLOCK 1, OF THE PLAT ENTITLED "SUBDIVISION OF
LOT 4, MUNROE'S PLAT", AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK
A AT PAGE 51, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
36 BID AWARD DISCUSSION OF BASEBALL STADIUM LIGHJING
Mr. Plummer: Let's put this on the record Mr. Mayor. This in
particular company is the•company who is the subject of a litigation
of a lawsuit with myself at the present time.
If you asked me if I thought they were qualified, I would have to
resoundly tell you what I think. What is the answer?
Mr. Llloyd, City Attorney: The answer is to whether or not this
bidder is an acceptable bidder.
I think we can just reject al] bids and -
Mr. Plummer: I don't want to put the administration in that position.
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, will you defer
this item f39 so I can look into it personally.
UPON UNANIMOUS DECISION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MATTER
WAS INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
37 AWARD BID - ADDITIONAL SANITATION AND PARKS & RECREATION EQUIPIENT
In connection with the award of this bid, the following
conversation took place:
Mayor Ferre: Who is the low bidder?
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Crouch, will you assist me by announcing the names
of the names of the low bidders?
Before he announces the low bidders, let me tell you one problem that
we had that I want to make sure is publically in the record.
When we drew the specifications, we asked for a performance bond.
By performance bond, this meant that the equipment was deliverable
within a certain number of days. If it was not deliverable in that
time, the bidder would have to suffer the penalty of the performance
bond.
In an administrative matter, Mr. Lloyd informs me, I have the
prerogative of setting that action aside if all the bidders supplied
bids and they ignored the performance bond. These bidders on heavy
equipment do not like to be pinned dawn 'as to time because of the
problem they have in getting deliveries from factories.
NOV 1973
140
•
The City received bids without the benefit of a performance bond
as to time of delivery. In other words, we are somewhat at the
mercy of the vendor in supplying the equipment to us.
Mr. Plummer: Well isn't this the one that the Mayor told you to
give us the names of the companies and he would push on them.
Mr. Andrews: No, we are talking in general terms. We have this
problem no matter what equipment it is and I guess almost everybody
is experiencing this and the Mayor was explaining to me which I
will indicate publically that the only tray to really get results in
this is to assign a person to this activity and have him almost
bird-dog this, a full 8 hours of each day, in order to expedite
the purchase of equipment.
We are going to have to do something similar in order to achieve -
Mr. Plummer: Is this the award of $191,000?
Mr. Andrewv: Yes it is.
Mr. Plummer: I'll move 40. Its a number of bidders that appears
in this Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Crouch: There were 11 bidders. 9 are being awarded and only 3
are being affected by this performance guarantee. The rest of them
didn't come up with it.
Mr. Plummer: Is anywhere in there, tree removal piece of equipment?
Mr. Crouch: No Sir, it is not.
Mr. Andrews: We have a separate report coming to the Commission
on this. We have investigated this thoroughly. We are willing
to go back and do it once again. Our initial investigation goes
back as far as 1964 and exactly the same piece of equipment proved
to us that it was not usable here. We are willing to have the
person come back from Fort Lauderdale and re -demonstrate the piece
of equipment to us but our findings so far -
Mr. Plummer: In other words, you haven't seen the demonstration
of the piece of equipment that they now have.
Mr. Andrews: Yes I have. 1964, this is the exact piece.. of
equipment, there is no changes in it.
That's what we are trying to tell you.
Mr. Plummer: So you are going to have them come down and see if it
will work.
Mr. Andrews: Again. once again.
Mr. Plummer: I move Item 40 Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Reboso: Second:
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-951
A RESOLUTION AWARDING CERTAIN BIDS RECEIVED NOVEMBER
12, 1973 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $191,437.05 FOR THE
PURCHASE OF NEW AND ADDITIONAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT PHASE
I FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTIES CITY GARAGE
DIVISION FROM REVENUE SHARING FUNDS PROVIDED IN THE
1973-74 BUDGETS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION; AND AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INSTRUCT THE PURCH-
ASING AGENT OF THE CITY OF MIAMI TO ISSUE PURCHASE
ORDERS THEREFOR
141
NOV 21' 73
(Here toitows body of resolution, Dotted here and
on file in City Clerks Office)
•
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso, Plummer,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
3/3 PROCLAMATION TO COL. MARINA y NATIONAL CIVIL AIR PATROL
The following proclamation was read by Mayor Ferre-
WHEREAS the members of the Civil Air Patrol set an inspiration
and example for all of through their volunteer service in helping
others - those lost, those injured, those victims of air and sea
accidents and in general those in our community in distress, and
WHEREAS these individuals through collective efforts are
totally unselfish in nature, derived from an inner necessity to
fulfill life by administering the requirements of an emergency are
to help better the lives of their brothers and neighbors and their
fellow human beings, and
WHEREAS THE National Civil Air Patrol goes beyond the humanitarian
aspect in the furthering and bettering of aviation in this nation and
in the education of aero-space science, and
WHEREAS THE BOYS AND girls and men and women of this organization
be recognized for their deeds and accomplishments and that this
recognition be given on the 32nd anniversary of the Civil Air
Patrol on December 1, 1973, now therefore, I
MAURICE FERRE, Mayor of the City of Miami, do hereby proclaim
this week beginning Sunday November 25, 1973 as
CIVIL AIR PATROL WEEK.
Mayor Ferre then presented the proclamation to Colonel Marina
who appeared and thanked the Commission for the presentation.
39 EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN
Discussion of the Executive Pay Plan was deferred by the
Commission to the meeting of December 13th.
40 APPOINTMENT OF VICE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, at this time it is most appropriate as
called for in the charter that we appoint one of our own as
Vicp-Mayor.
Father Ctbson has served very fine in that position and I
think this (iommission owes him a debt of gratitude for helping out
and serving in the term of Vice -Mayor.
It is that time when we shall select another one of our own to
serve as Vice -Mayor and I at this time would like to submit the name
of Commissioner Manolo Reboso to serve in the capacity as specified
in the Charter for a period of one year starting today. I offer that
in the form of a motion.
Mayor Ferre: I just want to ask a question. Father Gibson started
in April and he hasn't served a full year. I don't know how this is
usually -
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, about 2 years ago, somehow or another by
Reverend Graham going over t o Metropolitan Dade County, then Mrs.
Gordon became Vice -Mayor and she asked so that she could serve near
a term of a year that it be extended but it does not and I spoke to
Father before hand or just now that the charter does provide that it
shall be on the first meeting in November. That is the normal
situation. I checked with Father first that we revert back to the
charter and get it in concurrence with the charter as it is provided.
Mayor Ferre: I just wanted to make sure everything is understood.
The fot kwing resolution was introduced by Mt. plummet who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-952
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND ELECTING MANOLO REROSO
CITY COMMISSIONER AS VICE -MAYOR OP THE CITY OP
MIAMI, FLORIDA
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Rlummer,
9ordon, Gibson and Mayor Ferre; NOES: None
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF (MASONS RULES OF ORDER}
Mrs. Gordon: May I say at this moment Mr. Mayor, if we could
order some Masons Rules of Order for each of the Commissioners,
it would be a great help. I have been informed they are available
and can be obtained by writing away for them.
Mayor Ferre: The problem with that is we may be changing to
Roberts Rules of Order.
Mrs. Gordon: Well governments generally operate under Masons.
I am not setting rules. I am just asking if we can have copies
of what we are presently working under.
Mayor Ferre: The charter does not say what rules we have to go
by. We can adopt our own and any rule of order that we want.
Mrs. Gordon: I was informed that in 1960, we adopted Mason's.
Mayor Ferre: What I am saying is that it is not a charter matter.
Mrs. Gordon: If you don't want to get them, its okay with me.
The Library has a copy and anyone wanting it can get it there.
42 TEMPORARY CONDITIONAL USE - LOTS 11, 12 AND N. S' OF LOT 13
BLOCK 1, HARDING HEIGHTS (6-138)
Mr. Andrews: This is a special matter that was heard by the Planning
Board yesterday or day before.
Mr. Mc Donald: My name is Kirk Mc Donald, law offices at 2740 Ponce
De Leon, Coral Gables representing University Federal Savings and
Loan Association.
We are here asking for a conditional use of property located at
S. W. 6th Street and S. W. 27th Avenue.
Mayor Ferre: Let me cut through quickly. Were there any opponents
at the zoning hearing?
There were none.
Mr. Lleyd, why did this matter have to be heard today?
Mr. Plummer: That wasn't my question. Sir, I have no objections
but this is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt us. Why did
you do it without a normal public hearing?
I am all in favor of it but-
143 NOV 211973
Mayor Ferre: I asked Mr. Andrews
why this could not be put on the
have a certain emergency which I
that you have to have this heard
December.
last night if there was any reason
agenda tonight because these people
want them to explain and why is it
tonight rather than on the 13th of
Mr. McDonald: We have appr&al from the Federal Home Bank Board with
the proviso that we commenceoperations as soon as practically possible.
The policy has been to try to get the branches open as soon as possible
and particularly this christmas season that we are coupling together
our savings drive located at S. W. 12th Avenue and S. W. 1st Street
simultaneously with this branch.
If we have to wait for the December 3rd Commission, and then go about
the necessary preparations, unfortunately we would not be open until
after the first of the year.
We ask this Commission to give us consideration so that we can get
this branch open prior to the first week in December so that we can
be in a position to offer the gift program for the savers in that
community and perhaps they can use them for some of their own christmas
gifts and we are trying to couple this together with our other advertised
programs both at our home office as well as our branch in the City of
Miami.
As you probably all know, we were fortunate in acquiring the 3 Toby
cafeteria sites -
Mr. Plummer: Let me see if I can, because I have to live with my
conscience afterwards. Mr. Lloyd, is this possible that we can
approve this subject to a public hearing at the next meeting?
Can we do that sir, and then I can live with my conscience. I am
all in favor and have no objections. It's just that when you do this,
you set a precedent?
Mr. McDonald: It was my understanding there was no necessity for
a public hearing on this.
Mr. Plummer: Sir, anytime you don't have a public hearing, you lay
yourself wide open for criticism.
Mr. Lloyd: Since this is a conditional use, you could approve it
for a week or so.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I move to approve this item until the 13th
of December at which time we will re -hear it again as a regular
advertised item.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-953
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A "CONDITIONAL USE" AS PRO-
VIDED IN ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE IV, SECTION
8 (5), TO PERMIT TEMPORARY USE OF A MOBILE HOME
TRAILER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF
NEW UNIVERSITY FEDERAL SAVINGS BUILDING ON LOTS
11, 12, AND N 5" OF LOT 13, BLOCK 1, HARDING
HEIGHTS (6-138), LOCATED AT S. W. CORNER OF S. W.
27TH AVENUE AND S. W. 6TH STREET, ZONED C-2
(COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL), DISTRICT, FOR A PERIOD
TO DECEMBER 13, 1973
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the res 3ution
was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
144 NOV 211973
•
APPOINTMENT OF CITY, COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE ON THE
INVESTMENT COMMITTSE OP THE CITY OP MIAMI EMPLOYEES, RETIREMENT_
SYSTEM AND PLAN
The following motion was introduced by Mayor Ferre who
moved its adoption:
A MOTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONER ROSE GORDON AS
CITY COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE ON THE INVESTMENT
COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT
SYSTEM AND PLAN
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the motion was
adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer
Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre.
ABSTAINING:
passed and
Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon
The following motion was introduced by Mayor Ferre who
moved its adoption:
A MOTION REAPPOINTING COMMISSIONER J. L. PLUMMER
AS CITY COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE ON THE INVESTMENT
COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT
SYSTEM AND PLAN
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Reverend
Gibson, Mr. Reboso and Mayor Ferre. ABSTAINING? Mr. Plummer
c4 REPORT BY CITY MANAGER ON UTILIZATION OF THE ORANGE BOWL
STADIUM FOR EVENTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL
Mr. Andrews: That report has been sent to you. I was not planning
to discuss this at length with the City Commission, in that we would
put this on the agenda on the 13th with appropriate resolution.
Mr. Plummer: You know Paul, we have to be fair. We told this man
he would get an answer today.
Mr. Andrews: I have an answer ready. I am sorry I don't have the
report to give you. It was sent to you rather than distributing
it at the Commission. It sets up all the controls, I think, that
will allow me to make judgments at the time that people come in and
want to use the Orange Bowl.
Mr. Plummer: I want it in front of me Paul. I want to read it.
I want to know what it says.
Mr. Andrews: As I stated, I was going to distribute this to the
Commission and I did distribute it so that you would have time to
read it. I wanted to merely report that we had completed our
review and I wanted to place this on the December 13th Commission
Meeting for an appropriate resolution to be adopted, at least
that is the process I have set up.
I am prepared to discuss it right now if you choose to discuss it.
145
•
Mr. Plummer: Paragraph #2, oh I see, other than -
Mr. Andrews: In ►case we get into adjustments etc. On the $10,000
performance bond. The bond can be purchased it doesn't have to be
cash. Only reserved seats be sold so we can control the public and
the orange bowl because there will be many events in which you will
not be able to fill the Orange Bowl but if the audience or the
population is such that it can be accomodated at the Baseball Stadium
or the Marine Stadium, it would not permit the use of the Orange
Bowl but shifted to one or the other facilities.
I am suggesting that to you as a policy that I would follow that
when the population of the Orange Bowi gets down to 4 or 5,000 people,
I don't think its right to use the Orange Bowl for that kind of event/
Rev. Gibson: But this man wants the use of the Orange Bowi.
Mr. Andrews: What I am saying to you and this is a judgment that
you will have to make .
When the population for these events is less and some other facility
will work, like the Baseball stadium or the Marine Stadium which
has seating capacity for 7600 or so.
Unidentified Man: I would dare say that if that were to be injected
on here that the City would lose revenue.
If you are charging something like $25,000 or 15% whichever is
greater, it would be very difficult to charge $25,000 to use the
Miami Marine Stadium so therefore I think that would be to the city's
disadvantage.
Mr. Andrews: This doesn't apply to the Marine Stadium. This only
applies to the Orange Bowl.
Rev. Gibson: I don't think we ought to tell a man- if a man comes
to us for the Orange Bowl, either he could use it or he can't use
it. I don't think you ought to have the right to shift from the
Orange Bowi to the Marine Stadium. If I were contracting with you
I am going to contract with you to go to a certain place.
Mr. Andrews: Well Commissioner Plummer can tell you the problems
that the City has and he can verify it. With small groups of
people in a great big stadium, the difficulty you have in policing
that facility, you have to assign almost as many policemen as you
do when you have 30,000 people in order to properly police it.
Mr. Plummer: Paul, that is well and good and Father, there is no
question but let me tell you when you have 3,000 over there, they
tear that stadium just unbelievable.
Paul let me tell you where we fall out here but maybe disagree.
You are talking about here that the minimum event revenue would be
$25,000 or 15% whichever is greater.
I am wholeheartedly in concurrence . Paul I want a guarantee.
I don't want $10,000 guarantee. I want $25,000 guarantee.
Mr. Andrews: It is. The performance bond is in addition to that.
Mr. Plummer" The performance bond is $10,000. Now wait a minute,
I don't want a guarantee in writing. I want it guaranteed in
escrow.
Mr. Andrews: Yes Sir.
Mr. Plummer: Well where does it say that?
Mr. Andrews: It is established at a minimum guarantee in an
amount sufficient to warrant the use of the Orange Bowi Stadium.
Mr. Plummer: Paul please, I can guarantee it. It don't mean I got
the money. We saw a recent event here at the baseball stadium
where the man guaranteed there would be 80,000 people and 1500 showed
up and he went broke.
Mr. Andrews: I would anticipate he would make advance payment.
146
Mr. Plummer: Hey, I don't want to anticipate. I want it in writing.
I want cold cash in hand. Notr, that's definite. No ifs, ands and buts
there: We are talking about u minimum of $10,000, I'll go along in a
performance bond but I want $25,000 placed in deposit with the City
of Miami before you ever execute a contract.
Mr. Andrews: Yes sir.
Mr. Plummer: I am talking about cold cash.
Mr. Andrews: That's what I am talking about.
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you what we are doing. Now this man will
stop and think a second time before he signs a contract and he puts
up $25 big ones and this is going to discourage the use of the Orange
Bowl for possible smaller events and they are going to use cheaper
rental which is like $350.00 over at the Marine Stadium.
Rev. Gibson: But you see, we are doing indirectly what we don't want
to do directly.
If you say to this man, you put up money and this is what you have
got to do, it shouldn't be your doggone business to transfer him to
another place.
All you have got to do is get your money. That's all I am saying and
what Mr. Andrews is saying is not
This man is saying, I want ostensibly, ••the Orange Bowl.
Mr. Plummer: Father, as long as he meets this criteria set forth
here and I am sure Mr. Andrews will fully protect the City, that you
won't get on the playing field and you won't put any of the bands on
the playing field. I don't think its Mr. Andrews prerogative to say
use some other stadium. We are not in disagreement.
Rev. Gibson: J. L., you and I are together but Mr. Andrews, you
and I are not together.
Mr. Andrews: Well I think we are.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Andrews, explain to me, I don't understand legal terms.
If I wanted to use the Orange Bowl and I came to you and I said, I want
to use the Orange Bowl all things being equal, what do you want me to
do?
Mr. Andrews: Well, if I sat down with you and you came to me and you
said you wanted to use the Orange Bowl, I would explain the conditions
to you and the $25,000 minimum guarantee requirement and you would say,
I am only expecting 3 or 4,000 people, I would say to you, you better
stop and think what you are doing. You are going to put up $25,000
and that means an awful price to charge for some event , wouldn't it
be better for you to use the Marine Stadium? Or one of the other
facilities?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Andrews, what you are missing is, I don't think
that is your business.
Mr. Andrews: Okay.
Rev. Gibson: If this man agrees to meet your stipulations by way of
money, that atn't none of your so and so business. You ought to go
on and let him have it.
J. L., if he is going to put up the money man and he wants to take
the loss, let him take it. That's his business.
Mr. Plummer: The thing you are not figuring in Father is right now
the School Board is using it for highschool football teams. We have
less police problems with 15,000 in those stands than we do with 3,000
so he is making a point. I understand the point.
Rev. Gibson: I understand, but all I am saying Mr. Andrews is if a
man says okay, I am not going to have 15,000 I am going to have 5,000
but I am going to pay your money. What are you going to tell him?
147 NOV 211973
•
Mr. Andrews:
Rev. Gibson:
going to set
Mr. Andrews:
I am probably going to let him use the facility.
I don't want to hear no probably because if we are
the policy.
If you set the policy, I will have to.
Rev. Gibson: If the man has e:omplied with your requirements,
I want to be relatively sure he puts up that money, the cash and
the bond that-
Mr. Andrews: I couldn't do that if I wanted to because there is no
criteria in the memorandum I sent you on minimum use in terms of
population in the Orange Bowl.
Mr. Plummer: You are talking about minimum dollars.
Mr. Andrews: Minimum dollars controlls it, not people.
Mr. Plummer: That talks real loud, now let me go into one other
point. Are you satisifed on that point?
Rev. Gibson: I just wanted to make sure I,knew what I was talking
about. What I heard isn't what you just said.
Mr. Andrews: I will say it again so there won't be any misunder-
standing.
If this. gentleman comes to me and wants to use the Orange Bowl under
these conditions and put up $25,000 and I say, well what size crowd
are you anticipating putting in the Orange Bowl and he says, about
3500 people, I'll have to advise him, I think it's only wise, to avoid
a problem that he has got an unusual set of circumstances here that
he is putting 3500 people in the Orange Bowl when there are other
public facilities that we have that can better accomodate him.
Rev. Gibson: Let me make sure, I will go further.
If he has the $25,000 and the performance bond for the Orange Bowl,
what are you going to do then?
Mr. Andrews: Accept it -
Rev. Gibson" That's all I want to hear.
Mr. Plummer: I think #4 is really a little bit unreal.
You know Paul, I have been to concerts where people just really don't
stay in their seats. They get the feeling of the music.
I think Paul you know, when a man rents a facility, we don't tell
people when they rent Bayfront Park Auditorium or some other
auditorium. They rent a facility, they rent it.
Now, I can understand from the standpoint, if you want to close off
the upper deck, that's understandable. I can understand that but if
you want to take and make it mandatory they have to go into a seating
program, this, - Robbie just went into a computer type of ticketing
that must have cost a fortune. Now they can sell a ticket with a
number on it rather than a seat number. I think maybe you are
talking about 10 or 15 thousand dollars difference.
Mr. Andrews: No, the Coconut Grove Theatre sells tickets to all their
events and I don't think they are computerized.
Mr. Plummer: How many seats does the Coconut Grove theatre have?
Mr. Andrews: This is a one time event and I can live with the
policies that the Commission sets but I just want to caution you
that an event like they are planning, say 30,000 people in the
Orange Bowl and you don't have some control over where they sit
and they can move around in the Stadium all over, we are buying
problems.
148 fy0V 211973
Mr. Plummer: Paul if you sell them a reserved seat, are you going
to get somebody to put glue on their behind?
Mr. Andrews: No but if you run into a problem person and you want
to put them in a seat, you can ask him for a ticket and see that he
gets in a seat and if he doesn't obey, then you can force him to
leave the stadium.
Mr. Plummer: Well let us say that if that creates a problemp, we
will look at it at a different time.
I just think that when you start printing 80,000 with a reserved
seat number on them, I think you are asking for more than you can
bite off.
Let me get into another important point. This might touch on you
and we are living in a different set of morals today than when I
grew up. You got a little zi`iger in there. It says here that a
very broad scattergun, that s':attergun says, only allow entertainment
that can be viewed by the ent:.re family and maybe if I tell you that
I saw in the paper the day before yesterday that in Germany, on TV
they showed Deep Throat. Now that could have been viewed by the
whole family. You understand what I am saying?
I don't want to be placed into a position where they bring a
burlesk or a strip tease here and then I am told later, well the
whole family viewed it. What I am saying is I guess maybe prompted
'by Tempest Storm in Tallahassee. Now, I don't mind looking at
Tempest Storm but, you know I think you are going to have to be a
little bit more definitive here Paul as to what can be viewed by
the entire family.
Mr. Andrews: This is to reinforce and without bringing in the
entire ordinance, that is unavailable to u:. now for policing the
people who put on a show and the promoters and so forth, this was
to reinforce that area and we are using that as criteria anyway.
Mr. Plummer: I think that what might be good here and applicable
is the same criteria as set forth for the use of the Dinner Key
Auditorium. God forbid we should ever get back into a Jim Morrison
type of thing that could happen. Now Please, I am not speaking to
you sir.
Unidentified Man: I understand.
Mr. Plummer: I was there that night and I well remember it and
let me tell you something. I think that Mr. Andrews that any of
these that are questionable, I think you should bring before this
Commission and let us go on record of either agreeing or disagreeing
to it. I don't know what kind of show you are contemplating.
Unidentified man: We are talking about a musical festival.
Mr. Plummer: Fine but what I am saying is I think this is an area
that we could get ourselves in trouble on so I make that for the
record and leave those areas to Paul that were questionable and I
would expect you to bluing it before this Commission.
Mr. Andrews: With those understandings, then I will prepare a
resolution that will be the Commission's policy embracing these
areas and place it on the agenda for the 13th and we will adopt
it and then we can move forward from that time on.
Unidentified Man: Is it possible that we can get a confirmation
of the idea that the Commission will rent the Orange Bowl for a
non -sporting event?
Mr. Plummer: You are going to find out right now.
Mr. Mayor, if you are so agreeable with the stipulations and
corrections noted by the members of this Commission, I will move
that we accept the recommendations of the City Manager in his
report dated November 21, 1973 as it pertains to the Orange Bowl
and non -athletic events.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
149 NOV211973
•
A MOTION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OP THE CITY
MANAGER IN HIS REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 21, 1973 AS IT
PERTAINS TO ORANGE BOWL NON -ATHLETIC EVENTS
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibsonand Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
45 ALLOCATE S1911253.50 FOR ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY -WAINWRIGHT PARK
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-954
A RESOLUTION ALLOCATING $191,253.50 FROM THE PARK
AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BOND FUNDS TO PROVIDE
FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LOTS 92 4 93 IN BLOCK B,
FLABLER ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN
PLAT•BOOK 5 AT PAGE 44 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA PURSUANT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT
JUDGMENT DATED OCTOBER 31, 1973 AND INCIDENTAL COSTS
OF WAINWRIGHT PARK; FURTHER PROVIDING THAT SAID FUNDS
BE RETURNED TO THE PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
BOND FUNDS UPON THE RECEIPT OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE
FUNDS FROM GRANTS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask you this Paul, $650,000 of this was dele-
gated from the Parks Bonds program. Where do we stand in the
validation of those bonds?
Mr. Andrews: They have been validated.
Mr. Plummer:
back all the
Mr. Andrews:
They have been all validated. Okay, have we paid
funds that we have borrowed?
To my knowledge, yes we have.
•
150 N0V211973
•
46 STATUS... OF UNDERWOOD WMARINE CONDEMNATION
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask you Paul, where do we stand? I remember the
attorney for Underwood Marine screaming at us and legitimately so
either take me or buy me. Where do we stand on that?
We were only money apart as I remember
Mr. Harris Turner, Asst.City Atty: Yes, we filed suit against
Underwood Marine and we are in the process now. We are in constant
contact with the Attorney and we are proceeding as rapidly as possible
on both sides.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute now. You know this is one of those areas
Mr. Mayor if you will hear me out.
How much difference were you? See this is a fact that was never
brought before this Commission and this is something I say is wrong
and we saw this in what was termed the uranium field down here where
something jumped from $190,000 up to h million in 2 years and
Mr. Andrews and Mr. Lloyd, both of you, in the future before you file
any of these condemnation suits, I think this Commission should be
aware of what the difference is between what we have offered and
what they have accepted because sometimes I think that this Commission
in its wisdom might want to say, go ahead and pay the difference.
Mr. Mayor, are you aware of what I am saying? Father Gibson?
I want to know what was the difference between the two because the
last figure I saw, we were only about 40 or 50 thousand dollars apart.
Well what is considerably more?
Unintelligible response from unknown person followed.
Mr. Plummer: Well they have gone up in their asking then.
I'll tell you what you do. Mr. Andrews, well now wait a minute.
Do I put you in the jackpot if I ask Mr. Watson to come down here
and see if we can't compromise this thing out?
I am asking Mr. Lloyd because they are the ones that filed the
lawsuit.
Mr. Lloyd: There is nothing wrong with that.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I would like to see those people come
down here at the next meeting and let's see if we can't browbeat them
a little bit and now that is assuming they want to come.
If they want to come down here, I want to listen. Let us hope that
we can meet on middleground here. Litigation isn't cheap.
Mr. Lloyd: We might be able to save some money on attorneys fees.
Mr. Plummer: I don't ever want to be accused that we didn't try
and in the future, I personally, and I think every member of this
Commission should know where we stand before these lawsuits are
filed.
Now do you need a motion to that effect? So that in the future,
we .will always. be notified?
Mr. Lloyd: Its not necessary.
Mr. Turner: Commissioner Plummer, if I may clarify it. Before we
file suit, we always have a resolution authorizing filing of the
suit and we will make this now part of the information , the last
offer and the last bid by the City and it will be part of our
resolution.
151
40 AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE . Cr_ PERMIT _ST_. MICHAELS_ CHURCH _ AMUSEMENT_ .RIDES
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-955
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OP A PERMIT TO
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH FOR AMUSEMENT RIDES
ON THE PARISH GROUNDS LOCATED AT 2987 WEST FLAGLER
STREET IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR ANNUAL FESTIVAL ON
NOVEMBER 22ND THROUGH 25TH, 1973, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and
on file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
48 ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH PARAMOUND CONCESSION FOR FOOD, BEVERAGE
AND NOVELTY CONCESSION AT THE 1974 ORANGE BOWL PARADE
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-956
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH PARAMOUNT
CONCESSION INC., FOR THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND
NOVELTY CONCESSION IT THE 1974 ORANGE BOWL PARADE
TO BE HELD IN MIAMI; FLORIDA ON DECEMBER 31, 1973
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the City Clerks Office)
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer,
Reboso, Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
152
A brief discussion concerning applications for the restructured
Planning Board and Zoning Board took place and the Commission decided
to place the ads again in local papers including community papers in
effort to get citizen attention and participation and the City Manager
,suggested preparation of a press release in the hope the newspapers
would'aiso print a story concerning the matter.
49 TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN MIAMI-REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
Mr. Andrews: The Secretary of Transportation, Walter R. Revell,
will be in Miami especially to present to the City Commission,
the transportation plan for downtown Miami. It will take place on
December 7 between 11 A.M. and 12:15 noon.
Mayor Ferre: Would you ask him if he could make it a little earlier
betwwen 9 or 10, and then I can catch an afternoon flight to Puerto
Rico. Ask Mr. Revell to get here a little earlier.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you sending us a memo on this?
Mr. Andrews: Yes, as soon as we find the new time, we will prepare
a memo.
Mrs. Gordon: I won't be hereon the 7th. I will be in Tallahassee.
Mayor Ferre: Ask him then to do it some other day and if its got
to be on the 7th, tell him to make it as early as possible so as
many of us can be here.
Try to postpone it.
Mr. Andrews: Commissioner Plummer is asking to see if it can be done
on the llth. We'll try that also. 2 days before the meeting.
50 PROCEDURES AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS - PROPOSALS BY MAYOR FERRE
The following procedures were read into the record by
Mayor Ferre:
The following are procedures that I recommend the City of Miami
adopt. Some of these changes I can do under my prerogative as
Mayor of the City and therefore Chairman of the Committee. Others
require the concurrence of the majority of the Commission and yet
others are ordinances. Rather than get into the legality of each,
I am going to outline the changes 1 would, like to implement and
ask for your concurrence so that at the afternoon session we can
come to an agreement, and so that Mr. John Lloyd, the City Attorney,
can by then have them in legal form. Rather than act unilaterally,
which under the charter I can, I want to do this in unison with you
because we have difficult times ahead and I certainly want us to
act and feel like a team in the best sense of the word.
1. Set the regular meeting hour at 8:30 a.m. punctually. However,
if we have a short agenda it will be the prerogative of the City
Manager or the Mayor to set it at 9 a.m. This would permit us
to start meetings earlier and therefore end the sometime long
meetings in the afternoon.
2. No new items will be brought up that are not on the agenda, in
other words, the five-day rule will be invoked. I see no reason
why new matters cannot be announced and full disclosure and
specific information provided five days before the Commission
Meetings, thus giving each member time to study the proposals.
Naturally, an exception would be made for emergency matters.
3. During the morning and afternoon regular sessions, no matters
will be taken out of the regular order; again, unless it is an
emergency, or the appearance of someone from another governmental
body or member of any government.
NOV 211973
153
•
1
4. There will be a time limitation on all presentations: On general
matters - 1 nutes; on zoning presentons 15 minutes. Al..
though the c.ter specifically states at on toning procedures
only new matters are to be brought up, rather than a rehashing of
what was stated before the zoning board, I feel that it is imprac-
tical to tell people who want zoning variances that they can not
restate their main argument. As an alternative to the procedure
set by the charter, a time limitation on zoning procedures is a
far more acceptable solution. Naturally, if the occasion warrants
more time an extension will be given. But if everyone starts with
the knowledge they only have 15 minutes I feel they will expedite
their presentation.
5. The Commission Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the regular
agenda. Special items and presentations will be made from
11:00 o'clock on. Depending on the agenda, the Manager will
decide whether the special presentations begin at 11:00 or
11:30 a.m.
6. Depending at what time the Manager has scheduled the special
items and presentations, one half hour before, the chair will
announce that on the half hour sharp, the regular sessions will
end, thus giving the speakers on any item a half hour. If any
items remain on the morning agenda, when the half hour cutoff
point begins, it will be carried over to the afternoon session.
It will be up to the Manager, therefore, to schedule the more
important or more controversial matters first and those of less
impact, and perhaps with less citizens appearing on them, last.
7. The afternoon session will begin at 2:00 o'clock sharp, or at
2:30 p.m., depending at what time the morning agenda breaks
and will run as a general session between 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. to
4:00 or 4:30 p.m At 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. personal appearances
will again be heard. With this system personal appearances
will only be heard at the ttnd of the morning and at the end of
the afternoon sessions, so that we will not have, as in the past,
the continuous parade of interruptions for special individuals.
Naturally, an emergency, or the appearance of an important gov-
ernment•official, would require a deviation from this procedure.
8. Once a month, during the afternoon hearing, I have requested the
Manager to bring before the Commission a Department Head to go
over general or specific matters affecting the City of Miami as
a form of information to the Commission, public exposure to the
general citizenry of Miami and lastly, a prelude so we are better
prepared for budget hearings. It is my hope that budget hearings
will begin earlier in the year so that we can have a proposed
budget by the August vacation time, therefore, having much more
public participation and discussions of our budget before final
approval in September.
9. At the discretion of the Manager, but hopefully, once a month,
rather than an afternoon session, the Commission will meet in
the evenings, thus permitting more public participation. It is
my hope that items that are of neighborhood impact and interest
will be placed on these occasional evening meetings.
10. Once a month, either in the afternoon session, or in the morn-
ing session, the City Commission will meet at various neighbor-
hood locations so that in effect it will be a combination City
Commission -Town Hall meeting so that when we finish with the
items on the agenda we can proceed to listen to complaints and
concerns of the general citizenry at a neighborhood level. This
would require an ordinance change.
154 NOV 211973
•
Mayor Terre emphasized the need for community meetings and
suggested such meetings would gain support from the grass roots
citizens and encourage citizen participation in local government,
that the City is alive and on the move.
Mrs. Gordon suggested the use of an already existing mobile
unit "City Hall" concept in an effort to reach into neighborhoods
on a weekly basis.
The City Attorney announced the preceding rules of procedure
had been presented to the Commission by the Mayor and that if he
so desired, the City Attorney could be instructed to prepare any
necessary amendments to the Ordinances to implement and present
them at the next meeting.
Mr. Andrews suggested the memorandum submitted by the Mayor
could be used as a guide and this could be implemented and have
a few meetings and use this as the basis for having a few meetings
and if later adjustments are required - they can be made, for
later adoption in ordinance form.
The Mayor requested the concept of the Mobile City Hall be
also included.
51. DECLARE MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1973 AS OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAY
The following motion was introduced by Mr. Plummer who
moved its adoption:
A MOTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION DECLARING MONDAY
DECEMBER 24, 1973 AS A HOLIDAY FOR ALL CITY
EMPLOYEES
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso, Plummer,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
52 SERVING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON DECEMBER 24 AND DECEMBER 31
Mr. Plummer: In the same vidn Mr. Mayor, Paul, so we don't get
in this last minute bit and that's all I am trying to avoid.
Puul we always come up with this last minute bit about serving
alcoholic beverages on, we always give them what is it, a 2 hour
extension?
Mr. Andrews: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: How does that affect Monday? We were into a problem
last year because of a Sunday.
Mr. Andrews: I don't know to what extent that affects us or what -
Mr. Plummer: Well but still we are operating on the 1 o"clock
on the old, right?
Mr. Mayor, if its in accordance with you, it has always been
done in the past, that we now set the policy of this Commission
for a 2 hour extension on December 24th and on December 31st being
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, that we give a 2-hour extension
on the liquor hours.
Mr. Reboso: I second that motion.
Mr. Plummer: Not the nightclubs now - from the 1 o"clock to the
3'oclock - Everybody. Carte Blanche.
155 NOV 211973
The following motion was introduced by Mr. Plummer who moved
its adoption:
A MOTION GRANTING A 2-HOUR EXTENSION FOR THE SALE
OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BEYOND THE USUAL CLOSING
TIME ON THE DATES OF DECEMBER 24TH AND DECEMBER 31,
1973
Upon being seconded by Mr. Reboso, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso, Plummer,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
53
CHANGE DATE OF COMMISSION MEETING - SECOND MEETING OF DEC. 1973
The following motion was introduced by Mr. Reboso who
moved its adoption:
A MOTION CHANGING THE l.)ATE OF THE SECOND REGULAR
CITY COM MISSION IN THC: MONTH OF DECEMBER 1973
FROM DECEMBER 27TH TO DECEMBER 20, 1973
Upon being seconded by Mrs. Gordon, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Plummer, Reboso,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and Mayor Ferre. NOES: None
54 APPOINT COMMISSIONER GORDON- CITY REP. FLA. PLANNING & ZONING
ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
The following motion was introduced by Mr. Reboso who moved
its adoption:
A MOTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONER ROSE GORDON AS THE
CITY OF MIAMI REPRESENTATIVE AT THE FLORIDA PLANN-
ING AND ZONING ASSOCIATION CONVENTION TO BE HELD
DECEMBER 5 THRU DECEMBER 8. 1973
Upon being seconded by Reverend Gibson, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Reboso, Plummer,
Mrs. Gordon, Reverend Gibson and mayor Ferre. NOES: None
ADJOURNMENT: Thom being no £u4the4 bu4.Lne44 to come be{o4e the
City Commi44ion, the meeting wab adjourned at:
s:so O'Ceoch P.M.
MAURICE A. FERRE
At#ast: Fume
R LPH G. ONGIE
Acting City Ma
156
NOV 211973
•
CITY OF MIAMI
DOCUMENT
� j ORATEG i�INDE
►„Ft04—
MEETING DATE:
NOVEMBER 21, 1973
ITEM N0 DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
13
14
15
16
17
COMISSION AGENDA & CITY CLERK REPORT (13 pages)
CONDITIONAL USE- OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS 26
& 29, BLK. 3 - 4244
VARIANCE -CONSTRUCTION
BLK. 14 - 6625 S.W.
AND 4290 S.W. 7th ST.
OF FRONT PORCH -LOT 11
4TH ST.
VARIANCE -PERMIT REPLATTING OF LOT 1, "THE
SUBDIVISION" - 2390 S.W. 17TH TERRACE
VARIANCE - ADDITION TO OFFICE BLDG.LOTS 19,
18 AND 20 BLK. 12S - 501 S.W. 1st ST
A NON-PROFIT THERAPEUTIC CENTER TO BE
ESTABLISHED ON LOTS 1 THRU 8 BLOCK 17,
DIXIE HIGHWAY TRACT
EXTENSION OF THE WATSON ISLAND DEVELOPMENT
STUDY AGREEMENT
NOTICE PUBLIC MEETING -DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
BOULEVARD INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT
"911" EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER SYSTEM...
METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION
URGING LEGISLATURE OF FLORIDA STATE ENACT
BILL DESIGNATED AS HOUSE BILL 115 AND
SENATE BILL 82
URGING LEGISLATURE FLORIDA STATE TO ADOPT BILL
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES
APPOINTING R. BELVIN COOPER TO THE RETIREMENT
BOARD-MIAMI CITY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT
SYSTEM
APPOINTING GABRIELA LANDAU TO THE RETIREMENT
BOARD-MIAMI CITY EMPLOYEE'S RETIREMENT
SYSTEM
FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION
ARCHITECT LESTER PANCOAST
PAYMENT SECOND YEAR'S PREMIUMS TO APPALACHIAN
INSURANCE COMPANY AND MIDLAND INSURANCE CO.
AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FEES USE MIAMI ORANGE BOWL STADIUM
ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK-BRANAM ELECTRIC COMPANY -
MARINE STADIUM PARKING LOT LIGHTING
COMMISSION 1 RETRIEVAL
ACTION ICODE NO.
0055
73-926
73-927
73-928
73-929
0056
73-931
0057
73-932
73-933
73-934
73-935
73-936
0058
73-937
73-938
73-939
•
c
CUN. N1J t4 DEX
ONTINUEDPACe.=
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
18 1ACCEPT PLAT ENTITLED FLAGLER MEMORIAL PARK
GARDEN OF RESURRECTION II
19 1 ACCEPT PLAT ENTITLED FLAGLER MEMORIAL PARK
MEDITATION SECTION
20 CLAIM SETTLEMENT -BILL GARRETT
21 CLAIM SETTLEMENT-SHELDON TURETSKY
22 CLAIM SETTLEMENT-ANNA GERARD
23 CLAIM SETTLEMENT-WALTERETTA SALLEE
24 CLAIM SETTLEMENT-NAZARO MIRABAL
25 I CLAIM SETTLEMENT -CITY OF MIAMI VERSUS
GISELA TERNER
26 I CLAIM SETTLEMENT -CITY OF MIAMI VERSUS
PERSHING AUTO LEASING INCORPORATED
•
27 1 CLAIM SETTLEMENT -CITY OF MIAMI VERSUS
EMILIO RIVAS
28 1 ACCEPT HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY DEED EXECUTED BY
WOMAN'S CLUB OF COCONUT GROVE
29 1 ACCEPT BID -PURCHASE OF NEW AND ADDITIONAL
HEAVY EQUIPMENT PHASE I -DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC PROPERTIES
• 30 i ELECTING MANOLO REBOSO CITY COMMISSIONER
AS VICE -MAYOR CITY OF MIAMI
31 , CONDITIONAL USE -ORDINANCE NO. 6871-
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW UNIVERSITY FEDERAL
SAVINGS BUILDING
• 32 PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES %OND FUNDS-
" ACQUISITION LOTS 92 & 93 IN BLOCK B,
FLAGLER
33 PERMIT ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH
AMUSEMENT RIDES-2987 WEST FLAGLER STREET
t 34 CONTRACT WITH PARAMOUNT CONCESSION INC.-
FOOT CONCESSION-1974 ORANGE BOWL PARADE
• 35 1 NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT -NOTICE OF PROPOSED
ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES -October 23-1973
1 CODE H0.
R-73-940 73-940
R-73-941 73-941
R-73-942 73-942
R-73-943 73-943
R-73-944 73-944
R-73-945 73-945
R-73-946 73-946
R-73-947 73-947
R-73-948 73-948
R-73-949 73-949
R-73-950 73-950
73-951
73-952
R-73-951
R-73-952
R-73-953
R-73-954
R-73-955
R-73-955
73-953
73-954
73-955
73-955
0059
•