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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1972-04-07 MinutesCITY OF SPECIM- COMMSSIOI' MINUTES OF MEETING HEW ON APRIL 7, 1972 ED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK PREPAR CITY HALL a MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING CITY OUMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 7th day of April, 1972, the City Commission of Miami, Florida met at its regular meeting place at City Hall in said City in special session pursuant to Resolution No. 43373 of the City Commission, adopted March 16, 1972. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 o'clock A.M. by Vice -Mayor Edward T. Graham with the following members of the Commission present: Messrs. Christie, Plummer, Mrs. Gordon and Reverend Graham. Absent: Mayor Kennedy. An invocation was delivered by Reverend Graham, and Mr. Plummer led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. Vice -Mayor Graham stated that the Commission was ready to proceed with an advertised public hearing called pursuant to Resolution No. 43373, adopted by the City Commission on March 16, 1972 on a preliminary schedule of revised rates, fees and other charges for use of and for the services and facilities furnished, or to be furnished by, the sewage disposal system of the City of Miami, the revenues of which system are to be pledged to the payment of sewer revenue bonds to be issued under the provisions of an ordinance which had been introduced and was now pending before the City Commission for adoption on its second and final reading. NOTE: The Mayor entered the meeting at 9:33 A.M. Mr. Garrett Sloan, Director of the Department of Water & Sewers of the City of Miami, appeared and outlined in con- siderable detail the history of the City's sewage disposal sys- tem and the need for the expanded facilities, using charts and maps to illustrate his explanations, and explaining various statistical data and financial matters associated therewith. Considerable general discussion occurred, and the follow- ing persons appeared and spoke on the matter: Mr. James Redford, representing the State Pollution Control Board Mr. Ross McCluny, representing the Tropical Audubon Society Mr. Henry Green, representing a special committee of the Miami -Dade Chamber of Commerce Mr. Robert Welcher, City Attorney, City of Miami Springs, Florida Mr. Harold Cobb, Professional Engineer, representing the City of Miami Springs. Mr. Lou Layton, private citizen of the City of Coral Gables Mr. Jasper Andre, representing the Grapeland Heights Civic Association Mrs. Isabel D. Davis, representing the Grapeland Heights area of the City of Miami Mr. Antone Danatole, private citizen -1- APR. 7, 1972 SP There being no further persons desiring to be heard on the matter, the following resolution was introdu c ed by Mrs. Gordon, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 72.72 A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING AND ADOPTING THE REVISED SCHEDULE OF RATES, FEES AND OTHER CHARGES FOR THE USE OF, AND FOR THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES FURNISHED OR TO BE FURNISHED BY, THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, THE REVENUES OF WHICH SYSTEM ARE TO BE PLEDGED TO THE PAYMENT OF SEWER REVE- NUE BONDS TO BE ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF AN ORDINANCE WHICH HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AND IS NOW PENDING BEFORE THE CITY COMMIS- SION (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the City Clerk's office) Upon being seconded by Reverend Graham the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Christie, Graham, Plummer, Mrs. Gordon and Mayor Kennedy. NOES: None. An ordinance entitled - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE MIAMI SANITARY SEWER FINANCING ACT, OF NOT EXCEEDING $16,500,000 SEWER REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, PAYABLE SOLELY FROM REVENUES OF THE SEWER SYSTEM, TO PROVIDE FUNDS, TOGETHER WITH ANY OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS, FOR REFUNDING ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING SEWER REVENUE BONDS (SERIES 1953) AND FOR PAYING A PART OF THE COST OF EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL SEWER REVENUE BONDS FOR PAYING THE COST OF ADDITIONAL EX- TENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND THE COST OF SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND, IF THEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW, OTHER SEWER PROJECTS; PROVIDING THAT SUCH SEWER REVENUE BONDS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A DEBT OF THE CITY OR A PLEDGE OF ITS FAITH AND CREDIT; REQUIRING CONNECTIONS WITH SANITARY SEWERS; PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION OF RATES, FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES OF SUCH SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND ANY SUCH SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER SEWER PROJECTS , AND FOR THE CREATION OF CERTAIN SPECIAL FUNDS; PLEDGING TO THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF AND THE INTEREST ON SUCH SEWER REVENUE BONDS THE NET REVENUES OF SUCH SYSTEM AND ANY SUCH SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND SEWER PROJECTS; APPOINTING THE TRUSTEE AND PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; SETTING FORTH THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE HOLDERS OF SUCH BONDS Apr 7, 1972 SP passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of March 16, 1972, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On motion of Mrs. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Christie, the ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and adopted on its second and final reading by the following vote - AYES: Messrs. Christie, Graham, Plummer, Mrs. Gordon and Mayor Kennedy. NOES: None. Said ordinance was designated Ordinance No. 8050. In seconding the motion Mr. Christie made the following statement: Let me say that the last time, I think it was about three or four years ago Mr. Sloan came for an increase in water rates, the situation was completely different in my opionion. At that time, I was the lone dissenting vote against an increase for a different reason thatn exists today. We are and rightly so, being forced into an extension of a project by new federal regulations which I am 100% in accord with, the action of the Water Department is mandatory as well as necessary. I don't think, once the people understand, that in the entire cost - of this project is 2 1/2¢ a day for the finest water in all of florida and the preservation of our water and our very exist- ence is at stake here that this pittance amount will be greatly accepted and I second the motion. Reverend Graham stated that that the purpose he hoped he served on the Commission was of course with an eye towards the concern of the economics of less fortunate individuals. I have listened very carefully to what the young man had to say who spoke here but My heart actually bled when Mrs. Davis made her statement. All of that to the contrary notwithstanding, I think that this Commission has to take a stand in a reality situation. We have very little choice. I heard the State man say that we are up against a deadline. The ecologists are telling us that unless we do something, it wouldn't matter anyhow. So let us do the best thing possible in order that all of us can survive and I don't have the kind of mathematical kind of mind as my colleague Mr. Christie, but what he says is true and he has given it to us in a bare minimum and I would like to cut out whatever I may have to, my three cigars a day that I smoke so our community can go on and live in the manner which is prescribed for human beings to live in and I vote yes. Mayor Kennedy made closing remarks: (1) Myself and members of this Commission for years have been fighting for this unified system which we need very badly and I am hoping that you Mr. Green and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce will make this your first and most important project. (2) We are proud that this district which is run by the Miami Water and Sewer Department is rated the best in the State for giving the best water service and the best type of water of anywhere in the State of Florida and perhaps in the southeastern United States. We are proud of that and we must keep that in mind, that we must meet and keep improving our system. (3) We know that the State requirements are going to be imposed on us by January 1973, the Federal require- ments by January 1974. I am very proud that Jim Redford of Coconut Grove is serving with such distinction as the South Florida member on the State Pollution Control Board and he is doing a great job and has been a great benefit to this Commission and to our Water and Sewer Board. I want to personally thank him for all of his efforts. This rate increase is a must if we are to be responsive to our duties as officials of the City of Miami.. We must protect the health and welfare of our citizens today and of our future citizens and thats why we must go for this and I hope that the citizens of Miami understand it and this is something that has to be done. We have no alternative. -3- APR 7, 1972 Mrs. Gordon stated she wished to comment on on e approach that was made before by Vice -Mayor Graham and that was in adver- tising it to the people, I would like to see that chart which showed the comparison of charges to the municipalities be made available to the public because I think this in itself will help explain this and they are not paying an undue share of the other peoples cost but it would help to demonstrate it and second thing I would like to throw out a thought and I don't know if it could be done or not but such as the kind of relief that is given to a taxpayer in the form of a homestead exemption, I would like to know if it is possible and if an investigation could be made along these lines of giving some kind of credit to the senior citizens and disadvantaged and people of that category who might find this 2* a day a little more burden than they can bear. If this is possible, I ask you to let us know. Mr. Plummer stated he wished to thank Mr. Sloan for the fine presentation made today. I was given the assurances I had asked for and I would like to thank everyone for being here today. I think its very indicative that everyone is interested and concern- ed as we are. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P.M. H. D. SOUTHERN CITY CLERK -4- DAVID T. KENNEDY MAYOR APR 7,1972 SP. CITY OF MIAMI DOCUMENT MEETING DATE: INDEX APRIL 7, 1972 ITEM NO. DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION COMMISSION 1 RETRIEVAL 1 ACTION CODE NO. 1. 2. COMISSION AGENDA & CITY CLERK REPORT (1 pg.) RATES, FEES - SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM R-72-72 0001 72-72