march 19, 2009 commission minutes_verbatim_minutes_(long)

8/22/2019 March 19, 2009 Commission Minutes_Verbatim_Minutes_(Long)

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

9:00 AM

Meeting Minutes

City of Miami

City Hall3500 Pan American Drive

Miami, FL 33133

www.miamigov.com

City Hall Commission Chambers

City Commission

Manuel A. Diaz, Mayor

Joe Sanchez, Chair

Michelle Spence-Jones, Vice-Chair

Angel Gonzlez, Commissioner District One

Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner District Two

Tomas Regalado, Commissioner District Four

Pedro G. Hernandez, City Manager

Julie O Bru, City Attorney

Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk

SPECIAL MEETING


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Meeting Minutes March 19, 2009City Commission

9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Present: Commissioner Gonzlez, Commissioner Sarnoff, Chair Sanchez, Commissioner

Regalado and Vice Chair Spence-Jones

On the 19th day of March 2009, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its

regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in specialsession. The meeting was called to order by Chair Sanchez at 9:47 a.m. and adjourned at 3:14

p.m.

ALSO PRESENT:

Julie O. Bru, City Attorney

Pedro G. Hernandez, City Manager

Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk

Pamela E. Burns, Assistant City Clerk

Chair Sanchez: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. The City of Miami special meeting

pertaining to the ballpark is being called to order. I want to take this opportunity to welcome all

of you. This meeting has been properly advertised for March 19, 209 [sic]. It's being held hereat City Hall in our historic chambers. The members of the City Commission are Michelle

Spence-Jones, the Vice Chair, Tomas Regalado, Angel Gonzlez, Marc David Sarnoff, and me,

Joe Sanchez, as your Chair. Also on the dais we have City Manager Pete Hernandez, the City

Attorney, Julie O. Bru, and our City Clerk, Priscilla A. Thompson. The meeting will be opened

by a prayer by our City Clerk, followed by the pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Gonzlez.

Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.

ORDER OF THE DAY

Chair Sanchez: We will now begin the special meeting. Madam City Attorney, read the

procedures to be followed into the records [sic], please.

Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission, Mr.

Manager, Madam City Clerk, and members of the public. This is a special meeting of the City

Commission. We're here to consider only items that are on the agenda, and the items include

agreements related to the stadium for the Marlins and an amendment to the interlocal agreement

with Miami-Dade County related to the amount of convention development tax funds the County

will pay to the City of Miami in connection with the development of the parking facilities on the

former Orange Bowl site. Any person who is a lobbyist must register with the City Clerk before

appearing before the City Commission today. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is

available in the City Clerk's office. The material for each item on this agenda is available

during business hours and at the City Clerk's office and online. Anyone wishing to appeal any

decision made by the City Commission for any matter considered at this meeting may need a

verbatim record of this meeting. No cell phones or other noise-making devices -- please silence

those now. Any person who -- with a disability who requires auxiliary aids and services for this

meeting, please notify the City Clerk. And the sergeant at arms has asked me to please remind

everyone to keep the aisles clear. It is a fire safety requirement.

Chair Sanchez: Once again, under our City Charter, the Mayor has the authority to call a

special meeting, which he has. It is a public advertised meeting. We had a meeting on February

13, 209 [sic] pertaining to the baseball. At that time, we had 44 speakers who spoke. The

meeting was opened and closed. At this time, we will open up to the public for additional

comments once again. We do ask that the 44 speakers who spoke at the last meeting, we will

incorporate those comments that were made on February 13 into the record today, Madam

Clerk. So at this time, there are three items that have been properly advertised. We have SP.1,

which is the executive stadium agreement; SP.2, which is the waiver of bidding Marlins

Page 2City of Miami Printed on 4/10/2009


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ballpark; and SP.3, which is the interlocal agreement, MSEA (Miami Sports & Exhibition

Authority). Those are the items that have been properly advertised.

09-00132SP.1 RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH

ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THEFOLLOWING STADIUM AGREEMENTS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE

ATTACHED FORMS HERETO, AS EXHIBITS "A" THROUGH "E",

RESPECTIVELY, RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION

AND OPERATION OF A NEW BASEBALL STADIUM FOR THE FLORIDA

MARLINS, AND RELATED PARKING FACILITIES, AS CONTEMPLATED IN

THE BASEBALL STADIUM AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 3, 2008,

APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO.

08-0089, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 21, 2008:

1.CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT AMONG

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY"); THE CITY OF MIAMI

("CITY") AND MARLINS STADIUM; DEVELOPER, LLC, ADELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

(EXHIBIT "A")

2.OPERATING AGREEMENT AMONG THE COUNTY, THE

CITY AND MARLINS STADIUM OPERATOR, LLC, A

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

(EXHIBIT "B");

3.CITY PARKING AGREEMENT AMONG THE CITY, THE

COUNTY AND MARLINS STADIUM OPERATOR, LLC, A

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

(EXHIBIT "C");

4.ASSURANCE AGREEMENT AMONG THE COUNTY, THE

CITY AND FLORIDA MARLINS, L.P., A DELAWARE LIMITED

PARTNERSHIP

(EXHIBIT "D"); AND

5.NON-RELOCATION AGREEMENT AMONG THE COUNTY,

THE CITY AND FLORIDA MARLINS, L.P., A DELAWARE

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(EXHIBIT "E");

FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND/OR THE CITYMANAGER'S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS, IN A

FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND TO TAKE SUCH

OTHER ACTIONS, AS MORE PARTICULARLY REQUIRED OR PERMITTED

IN THE STADIUM AGREEMENTS.

City Manager's

Office



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09-00132 Summary Form .pdf

09-00132 Legislation.pdf

09-00132 Exhibit 1.pdf





09-00132-Submittal-City Attorney (1).pdf



09-00132-Submittal-Commissioner Spence-Jones.pdf

09-00132-Submittal-Frank Del Vecchio.pdf

Motion by Chair Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Gonzlez, that this matter be

ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.

Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzlez, Sanchez and Spence-Jones

Noes: 2 - Commissioner Sarnoff and Regalado

R-09-0130

Note for the Record: The comments on item SP.1 of the Special Commission Meeting of

February 13, 2009 were incorporated into the discussion of item SP.1 of the Special Commission

Meeting of March 19, 2009.

Direction by Vice Chair Spence-Jones to the City Manager to work with all five Commissioners'

offices and the unions to establish a training or trades-based center in all five districts or target

three districts for a pilot program.

Direction by Vice Chair Spence-Jones to the City Manager to transmit a provision to the

contract to Miami-Dade County that would protect the City's assets in relation to the H2-B Visa

program issues.

Direction by Vice Chair Spence-Jones to the City Manager to ensure that there is an

independent agency or individual in place to monitor compliances with the established goals.

Direction by Vice Chair Spence-Jones to the City Manager to create a separate trust fund for the

City of Miami for small businesses and youth-based programs in the City of Miami.

Chair Sanchez: At this time, what I'd like to do is turn it over to the City Manager to get us

up-to-date as to what are the amendments that have been presented on this agreement. At this

time, Mr. City Manager, you're recognized for the record.

Pedro G. Hernandez (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, good morning. As you

know, since February 13, when this item was previously before you, there was a lot of

participation by the public. There was a lot of discussion. The meeting was continued to

another date. It was changed a few times and is before you properly today. During the last five

weeks, this Administration has been working with the County and the Team; has been listening to

the public comment, has been listening to your specific concerns, and we're ready today to

propose modifications to the original agreements for baseball that were presented on February

13. I consider these initiatives that are the result of the work of the County, the City, and the

Team, but specifically, initiatives that are supported by the administration of the County and the

administration of the City. The modifications fall in four areas. I would say the number-one

area is probably the most significant and is the one that deals with jobs and jobs and the

creation of jobs, also the emphasis on providing opportunity to small businesses. The second

component deals with the parking agreement, the third one deals with community benefits, and

http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/49793.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/49792.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/49791.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/49790.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/49789.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48972.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48971.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48970.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48969.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48968.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48967.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/48666.pdf


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the last one deals with contributions by the Team. So I'm going to go by those components. And

you have before you the latest version of all the amendments. I'm not reading the whole

document but I'm going to highlight from the different areas the most significant elements. In the

construction administration agreement, the City will be allowed to participate as part of the

review committee in determining goals for the bid packages for the construction of the stadium

and also as it relates to the public infrastructure. The -- there is language where the parties

have agreed that the CSBEs, Community Small Business Enterprises and Small BusinessEnterprises, will be given equal opportunity to compete, and that there will be a community

outreach program to identify, recruit, educate, assist small local businesses on issues such as

project bonding and the most effective use of existing working capital and bonding assistance

program, which are components of the County ordinance for small, local businesses. There is

also language regarding prompt payment, where the subs have to be paid within five days. And

in the event that you're dealing with a CSBE or an SBE (Small Business Enterprise) firm, those

payments have to be made within 48 hours. There is also a community workforce goal of a -- of

10 percent. The CSBE goals will be set by the review committee as it pertains to each one of the

many bid packages that are anticipated in the construction of the stadium. The stadium

developer shall cause the construction manager to use diligent efforts to recruit workers from the

County's target areas and also from the City's neighborhood development zones to satisfy the

community workforce program. Under the construction agreement, there is also an aspirational

goal to have as many local workers and local firms, as reasonably practical, to have at least 50percent of the baseball stadium project workers be residents of Miami-Dade County and 20

percent of which would be Miami residents. So, in essence, the Miami participation component

will be based on 20 percent of whatever the County participation would be. But the aspiration is

to have, at minimum, 50 percent of the workers to be from Miami-Dade County and 20 percent

from the City of Miami. Also, there is an aspiration to have at least 35 percent of the firms hired

as subcontractors on the stadium project to be firms located within Miami-Dade County. There

is new language that I want to read into the record that also deals with the support of the small

businesses. The stadium developer shall adhere to an aggressive small business outreach

program, the construction outreach program. This program will be developed jointly by the

County, the City, and the stadium developer, and shall be designed to increase small business

participation during the construction of the baseball stadium with a view to supporting the

aspiration small business and local hiring goals described previously, subject to applicable law.

The County Manager and myself shall present the final terms of the construction outreachprogram for approval by the County and the City. There is also an addition of a penalty to the --

related to the compliance of the community small business enterprise goals. If the construction

manager is unable to make up the deficit on future phases of the construction of the baseball

stadium and the construction manager has failed to exercise reasonable good faith efforts to

achieve such goals, then the stadium developer agrees to make a contribution equal to 150

percent of the deficit percentage of the construction phase. So, since we're dealing with such a

large project that has so many bid packages, if there's a deficit in one package, it will move to

the next contract and it has to be make up on the next contract. If you get to the end of the

project and you still have a deficit, the developer, if he's done everything that he can to make

sure that there is that CSBE participation, then he would be -- if he has done all that he can and

there is still -- or if he hasn't and there's still a deficit, then he would be paying a monetary

penalty that is equivalent to 150 percent of the deficit. There is -- the termination for

convenience has been modified to be either July 1, '09 or whenever the County sells bonds. Thewording would be the County executes the final bond purchase agreement and/or completes a

competitive sale with respect to the County bonds secured by the convention development tax,

professional sports franchise facility tax, or tourist development tax. That, in essence, concludes

all the changes to the construction administration agreement. The next one that I'm going to go

into is the City parking agreement, and the changes to that are, I would say, very simple. The

City estimates the construction cost of the parking facilities at 94 million. The City

acknowledges that it will not use any ad valorem revenues to fund construction of the parking

facilities, and the parties further acknowledge that if the cost of construction, exclusive of soft

costs and tenant improvements, exceeds 94 million, the number of parking spaces will be



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reduced accordingly so the 94 million cap will not be exceeded at any time. The City parking

facilities project is totally controlled by the City. And when we do the RFP (Request for

Proposals) for that project, we'll establish the necessary goals for small businesses and local

workforce. Moving over to the operating agreement, there are two significant items. The Team

is agreeing to provide, through its foundation, Team foundation, an amount of $500,000 per

year that will be used for sports-related programs designed to support youth and

community-based programs within the respective jurisdictions. In the first seven years -- sevenand a half years, 125,000 of those $500,000 will be set aside; 100,000 going to the County's

Park Foundation and 25,000 to the City's Heart of Our Parks fund for related programs. Also,

as an additional community benefit, the Team shall build or improve a total of 39 baseball fields

in Miami-Dade County, with at least three in each Miami-Dade County Commission district, and

at least 10 that will be located within the City of Miami. Under the operational agreement, there

are also local business initiative, and its goals are as follows. It's 15 percent of small businesses

and 25 percent of baseball stadium workers from residents of the designated target areas,

including the City of Miami's neighborhood development zones. The operator will aspire to have

as many local workers as reasonably practical and aspire to have at least 50 percent of the

baseball stadium workers be residents of Miami-Dade County, 20 percent of which are City of

Miami residents. This is similar to the statement that I read before under construction. Moving

into the last component -- this is the one that deals with the special events and the -- what is

called the equity participation by the City or the anti-flip. As you can see on next to the lastpage, the percentages for the participation of City and County with respect to a sale of the Team

within the first ten years is listed on the table. It's important to note that year one that

percentage is 70 percent; year two is 60 percent; year three is 50 percent; year four is 30

percent. And previously, it was seven years, and now it has been extended to ten years. With

respect to stadium events, the -- which, in essence, it doesn't impact the City, but it 's mostly

County and Team -- basically, it's all County and Team. There are modifications that, in

essence, provide additional funds going towards the Cap X, which is the account that would

provide for necessary improvements to the stadium. In essence, that concludes all the proposed

amendments to the original agreements. And I want to, again, you know, state that these

recommendations are jointly made by this Administration and also the County Administration,

which will be submitting the same original agreement with amendments to their Commission next

Monday, the 23rd. I also want to note that today happens to be St. Joseph's, and the reason I

mention that is because he's the patron saint of the workers, and I see many of them here.

Applause.

Chair Sanchez: All right. Let's refrain from clapping, whistling, cheering, so we could get

through this meeting today, okay. Does that conclude your --

Mr. Hernandez: Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Chair Sanchez: -- comments -- or your presentation, Mr. City Manager? All right. At this --

Mr. Hernandez: Yes, it does.

Chair Sanchez: -- time, before we bring it on to the legislative body for discussion or debate onthe item, what we're going to do, as I stated, we're going to open up the public hearing, affording

you the opportunity, those that did not have an opportunity the last time, to address this

legislative body. The only thing that we ask is that you please register with the City Clerk before

you come up and speak. So, at this time, the Chair will afford two minutes to each speaker, as

long as you're registered, to come up and address this Commission. So, at this time, for the

record, the public hearing is open once again, and we'll take on those that want to address this

legislative body. So once again, please make sure that you are registered with the City Clerk.

All right, so speakers, please approach the --



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Jane Winston: Hi. My name is Jane Winston, a resident --

Chair Sanchez: Address, please. Name and address, please.

Ms. Winston: 1845 Southwest 18th Street, Miami, Florida; Mr. Regalado, my Commissioner.

I'm in support of the stadium. I'm a City of Miami resident and small business owner. A major

league city should have a major league team. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you so much. Sir, good morning.

Frank Nero: Yes. Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission. My name is Frank Nero. I'm

president of the Miami-Dade County Beacon Council. I'm here on behalf of our organization to

support the approval of the proposed financial package that will result in the construction of a

new baseball park at the former Orange Bowl site and the re-branding of the Florida Marlins to

the Miami Marlins. As an economic development professional and trained as an economist, we

view this as a corporate retention issue, an economic issue, and a quality of life issue for

Miami-Dade County. As a former public official and having negotiated on behalf of a

municipality, Jacksonville, where I served as deputy mayor, to obtain a professional sports

franchise that required the expenditure of public funds to build the stadium, I understand the

difficult public policy decisions you, as elected officials, are weighing in the best interest of yourconstituents. All of us are concerned about the outlay of public funds, and we are obviously

sensitive to trying to get a deal that meets the objectives of both parties. But clearly, the

restrictive covenant on the utilization of these funds are a factor that weigh heavily on -- in favor

of this proposal. These funds cannot be used to build schools, to build roads, or the myriad of

other worthwhile projects that many of us would like to perhaps see built. The Beacon Council

conducted the original economic impact analysis that was submitted to Major League Baseball

in 1991. That analysis concluded that based upon an average attendance of 25,000 fans per

game, in 1991 dollars, the combined direct and indirect impact was over $100 million. Now

there are many studies that have been written on impact of professional sports that have

generated disagreements, but there is no question that professional sport teams do greatly

impact in a positive way the quality of life in a community. One need only replay the Florida

Marlins '97 or 2003 World Series victories, the Miami Heat winning the NBA (National

Basketball Association) championship, or even the recent World Baseball Classic that we've allbeen a party to.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Frank, in conclusion.

Mr. Nero: Okay. In conclusion, let me just say this. Look, this ultimately is also about

economics and construction jobs. Seventeen-percent drop in construction jobs in this county.

We've seen thousands of people lose their jobs because -- in the construction industry. If nothing

else, just the construction jobs alone to get this economy moving warrant your serious

consideration of building this stadium now after 12 years of debate. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir.

Mr. Nero: Thank you very much.

Chair Sanchez: Next speaker.

Mariano Cruz: Yes. Mariano Cruz --

Chair Sanchez: Two minutes.

Mr. Cruz: -- 1227 Northwest 26 Street. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because I see everybody saying

that -- I am a member of -- first, I am a fee payer. I am not a City taxpayer because I got total



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exemption of taxes, okay; disabilities, homestead, the whole thing, okay. Now remember ABDA,

Allapattah Business Development Authority, Empowerment Zone, Civil Service Board, the Bond

Advisory Board, the group benefits for the museums too, all that. You know, that's good because

I get involved to make sure that my -- our money gets spent properly. I don't see it here spent

properly. I don't see any of those zillionaires baseball player making a fund to bring money.

You know how much (UNINTELLIGIBLE) made last year? Seventeen point five million dollar --

the baseball Commissioner, seventeen point -- that's obscene. He made more money thanAllapattah together, seventeen point five -- that's obscene. Talk about AIG (American

International Group); those are babies compared to these people, you know. And I know AIG

because I used to deliver their mail (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Also, about small business -- yeah, I

care about -- the City don't care about the small business. The City (UNINTELLIGIBLE) officer

to harass our people there. That's what they're doing. Declaration of Independence, no. Harass

our people and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) suspect. And you know what Larry Spring told me and

Diana Gomez? No, we need money. We're not getting tax money. We need money from the

inspection. They enforcing rules that they were in the books for years and years. Now they

enforcing them. They (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- to sell tire -- a used tire, you have to have a used

merchandise, like pawn shops, $305 more a year. That's obscene too. You helping a small

business? Oh, come on. Don't tell me. Another thing, you talking about --

Chair Sanchez: Mariano --

Mr. Cruz: -- employees -- okay.

Chair Sanchez: -- in conclusion.

Mr. Cruz: In conclusion. City employees (UNINTELLIGIBLE). When Johnny Winton was

there, he told me he went down to Brickell now seeing all those condominium. Eighty percent of

the workers were from out of town, a company brought people from out of town. They were

specialized workers. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) workers from out of town, all of them. Because the

companies, they don't know anybody here. They bring their people. They're not stupid, okay.

They have a bond performance. They want to do everything on time.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, Mariano.

Mr. Cruz: Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you.

Mr. Cruz: Bye.

Chair Sanchez: Next speaker. Thank you.

Miguel Fuentes: Good morning. Miguel Fuentes, 295 West 79th Place, Hialeah, Florida.

Obviously, some very exciting times here in the City of Miami, but good times also. There's

people on both sides of this issue, but I'll tell you where I stand and a lot of the folks that I work

with also. Different people with -- you got people from management, people from labor, publicofficials, community groups, small businesses and unions all coming together trying to address a

multitude of concerns to make this a good project. It's a community effort. Regardless of where

you are on this, at least our people are enthused about it. But let me say, we all came together,

we all talked about the issues, and I think, collectively, in the end, we've come up with a good

product. It includes checks and balances. It includes the genuine aspirations and efforts to hire

County residents, training opportunity for folks who are unemployed or underemployed or want

to get in with a trading component opportunity and a career path and some upward mobility.

And the type of employment that made the American Dream possible, a good middle-class,

well-paying job, and I think that's what we're all looking for here today in the end. I think



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everyone here would agree that a strong middle class and local people working on a project

makes for a healthy and vibrant economy. That has never been more clear than today. People

who know they have a job tomorrow, regardless of how much money they're making, hopefully,

as much as they can, know that they can spend a little extra, buy a little more, and stimulate that

economy 'cause they'll go out into the community and maybe go to the restaurant, buy a TV

(Television); hopefully, splurge a little bit and get their kids some sneakers that they've been

asking for, or other things that we all want. We all want to live a little better. I think thisproject, the stadium, can be an engine for that sort of economic growth in the community if

administered properly, if done right, and if there's inclusion of the community. I certainly want

to say that to demonstrate my commitment and the commitment of my organization, our members

--

Chair Sanchez: In closing.

Mr. Fuentes: -- in closing, we would love to do anything that we possibly can to put in the

community of needs of low-income areas some training opportunities for folks that we could

funnel through, get them into those programs, get them working, and let them be a part of this

community. So let me close by saying this. Guys, let's do it right. Let's do it now, and for God

sake, do it for us.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker.

Osvaldo Vento: Good morning, Mr. Chairman --

Chair Sanchez: Good morning.

Mr. Vento: -- members of the Commission. My name is Ovi Vento. I am the immediate past

president of the Latin Builders Association, president and owner of Everglades Lumber, a

business in the City of Miami; your district, Mr. Regalado, since 1941. As the immediate past

president of the Latin Builders Association, we have over 700 members that employ hundreds

and thousands of people directly related or indirectly related to the construction industry. We

need the stadium now and we need Miami to shine. As owner of Everglades Lumber, I have to

tell you that just over a year ago, we employed over 300 families. We're down to just a little lessthan a hundred families, families that need to get back to work, families that need our politicians

to help. I encourage you to vote in favor of the stadium. This is something that's going to

happen now, not a year from now or two years from now, and it is what we're looking for to

stimulate this economy. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning.

Fred Frost: Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is Fred Frost. I'm president of the South

Florida AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations),

representing 70,000 people in Miami-Dade County, 100,000 in South Florida. Today's a big

day. I heard the Administrator just talk about St. Joseph's is for the workers, and we're talking

about jobs. We're not just talking about jobs. We have to start thinking about sustainable jobs.

We -- everybody's got a job; most of them have two and three jobs in this town. Today is themost uncertain times we've ever felt, frightful times, but also pioneering times. It's how you act

today is going to elevate the City of Miami and the future of South Florida by creating

sustainable jobs. What the AFL-CIO has been trying to do for the existence, since 1955, we

brought you workers' comp. We brought you Social Security. We brought you overtime. We

brought you the 40-hour workweek. And what we're trying to do now is create an economy that

works for all, that uplifts the people, in particular, the most vulnerable in our community. Today

we have a chance to do that. I'm proud to come from Miami. We're going to set the tone in this

nation, right here today. We're the most multilingual, multiracial, multicultural. If we can do it

here, we can do it anywhere by creating a sustainable job. Now let me just tell you, from my



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viewpoint, this is not just about the Marlins Stadium, with all due respect to Mr. Loria and Mr.

Samson. This is about future projects, a cultural change. If we build all different public projects

with the same mind-set of creating sustainable jobs for our local people with quality job training.

I heard Commissioner Sarnoff, last time I was here, talk about what a job means, a sense of

purpose, a sense of dignity, a sense of well-being. It's also a sense of community, and I think we

all know that better than ever. Today is a big day. It's March 19. Let's set the tone for working

people in this community. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker.

Bill Diggs: Good morning. My name is Bill Diggs. I'm the president/CEO (Chief Executive

Officer) of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, to Commissioner -- Chairman Sanchez and

our good friend, Mayor Manny Diaz, and the other members of the City of Miami Commission.

Today is an important day, and today is a day that all of us have to ask ourselves what are we

willing to give up to make sure that this community can move forward. It's been tough because,

to be quite honest with you, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce stood with the NAACP

(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and we crafted what we thought

to be a great agreement, but we also made a very strong decision, and that decision was to not

stand in the way of progress. We understand that all of us in this community need to rise above

to make sure that one thing can happen, and that is that our community can go back to work.The port tunnel's in trouble. Museum Park is in trouble. The Miami Intermodal Center's in

trouble. The north Metrorail station is in trouble. We know that. We've talked to Congress;

we've talked to the people at the State level. But one thing we can do is we can make a difference

today to make sure that as all those projects are going to have to be vetted at different times, we

have an opportunity today to put Miami back to work. Many of the people that are sitting in this

room are part of unions. Many of the people that are sitting in this room are part of the public

workforce. Many of these people in this room are unemployed. Many of those people are our

members of our chamber. We feel it everyday. They're continuing to be reduced and be -- and

the ability to be able to take care of their families. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not about

anything other than making sure that we can put our community back to work. Are we using

public money? There's no question about it. Has that public money been put to good use to be

able to make sure that our community can go back to work? That is what you're here for. I ask

you today to do what's right for this community, to do what's right for the Chamber, to do what'sright for its citizens, to do what's right for the public people that are a part of this process to help

sure [sic] that Miami can rise above. We've created a partnership with the Latin Builders

Association. We were on Spanish radio with them yesterday talking about how we can build the

community together. This has not happened before in this community. Allow for this kind of

public communication to work between our organizations so that we can put our people back to

work.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir.

Mr. Diggs: Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning.

Jenifer Johnson: Good morning. Jenifer Johnson, 800 Douglas Entrance, in Miami. I'm here

actually this morning on behalf of the 40 people that work at Bliss & Nyitray, the structural

engineering firm that is currently on the design team for the Marlins. I was here for the eight

hours the last time we were in session, and I heard person after person stand up and say this is

going to be good for the economy, this is going to be great for the City of Miami. I want to tell

you right now we are a CBE firm. We need this job. We need to have a place for the people who

are currently working on this. This isn't about tomorrow. This is about today for us. So we're

here to say, with my face for those in my company, that we hope that you will vote for this

because we have been in Miami for over 55 years. We live here. Our children go to school here.



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This is important to Miami; it's important to our firm. It's important to everything that we stand

for as a community. So on behalf of us, we hope that you will keep us here in Miami.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you so much.

Ms. Johnson: Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Next speaker. Good morning.

Carlos Rodriguez: Morning. My name is Carlos Rodriguez, from Urban All Development

Group and Marlins View Holding. I'm a developer, very involved in the area of Little Havana

doing projects like this one, affordable housing there. This is in 12th Avenue and 2nd Street.

Also, working with the City in community programs to help small business like this program, the

faade program, working on this project called Intown Miami with the University -- FIU

(Florida International University) Architectural Department to enhance all the faades in 12th

Avenue from Flagler to the River, and also promoting the creation of this park district in the

area of Little Havana to bring to the area national interest for creating a sport destination. And

we really need the Marlins Stadium as an engine to call the attention of other investors to get

into the area and create jobs and development into the area. That area really needs increased

work, jobs, and quality of life. I have been in the area for more than four years, and it'stremendous the unemployment that this area's experiencing now because this area get most of

the construction workers that work in the City. So Marlins Stadium is a tremendous necessity for

our local economy, so I support the Marlins Stadium.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Morning.

Frank Bradley: Good morning, Chairman -- My name is Frank Bradley -- and Commissioners.

I live in 842 Northeast 121st, in Biscayne Park, and I'm a member of Local 1652 of the Laborers

International Union. I've been laid off for more than a year and four months, and a lot of my

fellow brothers and sisters in my local union have been laid off a lot longer than me. And I work

when I can, when I can find work, but it's a struggle for working-class people everywhere. And

Shakespeare said, The world is a comedy to those who feel, but a tragedy to those who think.

So I urge the Commissioners to vote yes on the Marlins Stadium and make Miami a comedy; feelfor Miami because I think that if you envision the Marlins wining the pennant again -- and I'm

sure they will -- are they going to be talking about New York City or are they going to be talking

about Miami? They're going to be talking about Coconut Grove, Biscayne Park, and Fort

Lauderdale. And they're going to talk about Florida, and this is what it's about. It's about

creating jobs for all kinds of people, not just union people, but all types of working class and

businesspeople, and it's something that I believe is a time in America that we need to be patriotic

and support whatever we can do to improve the economy. And certainly, this is an investment I

think is well worth it. So I urge the Commissioners to feel and make Miami a comedy. Thank

you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Good morning.

Barry Johnson: Thank you, and good morning, everyone. My name is Barry Johnson. I'mpresident and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, in

Miami, since 1907. Speaking today in favor of this project and the two-time World Champion

Florida -- soon-to-be Miami Marlins, this project is part of the global agreement, which our

chamber has supported in resolution in May of this year. It's -- it is a very integral part of the

future of what our community can be and should be. And I am not here to quote Shakespeare,

but this is a time when I think we do have to look at philosophers and others, and I bring to mind

that great philosopher Mick Jagger, who says, You can't always get what you want, but

sometimes if you try, you get what you need. And we need this stadium. We need the jobs. We

need baseball in Miami. Thank you very much.



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Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. All right, good morning, sir.

Robert Fournier: Good morning. My name --

Chair Sanchez: Name and address for the record.

Mr. Fournier: Robert Fournier, 2070 Northwest 13th Street. I'm going to do a little show and

tell, and that will explain how I feel about the Marlins. First (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ticket. There

it is. I saved it all these years. Now I -- that's the way I feel about the Marlins. I think we need

that stadium. I think we need it downtown, but I think we need it maybe in five years when the

recession is quieted. Okay. Now do you know how much young couples owe on their credit card

on the average? Between 7 and $8,000. It will take them 34 years to pay off their credit card if

they pay the minimum payment. Last year we had the bailout bill in -- from President -- the Bush

bailout bill. That added $2,400 on our debt, each and every one of us. Then we had the stimulus

bill; now we owe $4,800 on the national debt. The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Federal Reserve is

printing money now and then we'll each owe $8,000 on this debt. That's you and me, and our

children are going to school and the babies and yet-to-be born. When I see us saying build

today, build now for our immediate satisfaction and pleasure, I will label that as child abuse,

and I don't think any of us want to be called child abusers. That's why I'm saying save up thismoney from the tourist tax. In four or five years when we're in a better shape, let's pour the

cement then --


Mr. Fournier: -- not now.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Yes, sir. Good morning.

Richard Gomez: Good morning. My name's --

Chair Sanchez: State your name and address for the record.

Mr. Gomez: -- Richard Gomez, 10040 Southwest 33rd Street. I'm here representing the Builders

Association of South Florida, and I'm also vice president of TGSV (Tatum Gomez Smith Vitalle)

Enterprises, been locally owned since -- for the past 30 years. I'm here to express our support

for the stadium. As Mr. Vento so eloquently put, our industry and our community is suffering

right now. This project is shovel ready, and we need jobs now. The community program, the

small -- CSBEs and the SBEs, which is a program very near and dear to my heart and my

company's existence -- we do a lot of work at the Aviation Department -- could really benefit

from this. And I've done a little bit of research, and on the last two stadiums that Hunt

Construction Group has done, they've met or exceeded their goals for every community and

county program, and I think this city really needs this -- these jobs, this stadium, and we need to

move forward. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Good morning, sir.

Greg Mikenas: My name is Greg Mikenas. I'm from 4197 Kivey Drive, Lake Worth. I came

down here to speak on behalf of the carpenters. I'm unemployed at this time. I've been

unemployed for the last six months. I'm living off my credit cards. I'm not here to ask for a

bailout. I'm here to ask for a job. I like my field of expertise. Construction got hit really hard. I

like to do carpentry, and I just want to be able to earn money to support my family, no bailout.

I'm not looking for a bailout. The understanding that I have on this is it makes good business

sense for the City of Miami to invest in the Marlins Stadium. I've taken a real estate course, and

the objective on a real estate course is location, location, location. And right now, in this



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economic downturn, it's jobs, jobs, jobs. All around, it's a win-win situation for Miami and for

the workers of Miami. If this gentleman with the loud voice who first spoke concerning them

outsourcing the jobs comes to be true, then it's not a win-win situation for everybody. But if the

Administration sticks by their guns and provides the work for the local people, then, yes, it's a

no-lose situation for Miami. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Good morning. State --

Howard Kosowsky: Good morning.

Chair Sanchez: -- your name and address for the record.

Mr. Kosowsky: My name is Howard Kosowsky, 3832 Shipping Avenue, Miami, Florida. I spoke

last before the Commission in favor of the stadium, and I am still in favor of the stadium. And I'd

like to thank all of you who participated in negotiating between the City, the County, and the

Team that came up with these new terms and conditions, which help benefit all of us as citizens

of the County. I would like to add that in addition to asking and promoting local workers, that

you include the purchasing of the major components to be done by -- with local firms. When the

Performing Arts Center was built, this was not adhered to, and there were many, many problems

associated with firms from out of town who did not have an interest, a local interest in thestadium -- I mean -- excuse me, in the Performing Arts Center. Their interest was just their

pocketbook, only the profits they could make. So I just hope that Hunt and the others involved,

once contracts are let, that they're encouraged to purchase all the major components from local

suppliers. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker.

Lonnie Turner: Good morning, ladies and gents. My name is Lonnie Turner. I'm from

Northwest 16th Place, Sunrise, Florida. I'm an out-of-work carpenter, union carpenter, Local

Union 79. I'm here on a personal -- for a personal reason. I'm out of work. I've been out of

work for a year and a half, okay. I have a family, two sons, wife; one son in college, one son

want to go to college. I received a check from my brother day before yesterday. I called him up

to thank him. He said that's what family for. My son called me yesterday and said, Dad, I hada flat tire. I need to get it fixed. Okay, I'll find the money from somewhere. Get it fixed 'cause

he need to finish school. My youngest, he want to go. This is a lifeline for me and people like

me. So for anyone to object to this stadium, they should have a good reason. I can't see it

because it's going to put money back in the community, money that we need to get this economy

going again. I mean, I have never seen it this bad before, and I've been down here for about,

what, 35 years now, and it's bad. I mean, you all -- you have jobs. You get paychecks, and a lot

of things -- you don't see us out here. I understand that because when I was working, I didn't see

a lot of people out there either. But you need to understand the situation out here is serious. It

is serious. I have a mortgage. I have car payments. My family will not be homeless.

Chair Sanchez: In closing, sir. Thank you.

Mr. Turner: And I'll close with that. You need to get us back to work. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Good morning, sir. Name and address for the record.

Al Huston: Thank you. My name is Al Huston. I represent Local 1652 of laborers, construction

laborers. Our business is located at 799 Northwest 62nd Street. We have been vendors in this

city for 55 years, and we stand today, all those people that you see behind me in the orange

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) and the others, stand to -- in support of this stadium. We agree with both

our County and City Mayor that job opportunities should be first and foremost in this city right

now in order to get this economy moving. Our peoples come in in the morning looking for jobs.



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They have no idea where they're going to get them from. We need to provide some kind of hope

for them, and we feel very strongly that this stadium will do just that. Now, in closing, I would

just like to add that my concern is to make sure that those jobs that are provided are provided to

local communities. That's what I would like to see because if there is not some safeguard in

place to ensure that those jobs are provided to local people in local community, then they will

not -- that will not happen. I thank you very much for your time.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Sir, good morning.

Jorge Vazquez: Hi. Good morning. My name is Jorge Vazquez. My address is 1786 West 75

Street, Hialeah. And I'm right now unemployed, and I'm a political and intellectual activist, I

guess, is how you can -- I can represent myself. I've been hearing a lot of talk about economics,

and the problem here that I'm seeing is people are making the same mistakes most bad

economists make. They don't look at the unintended consequences of any action. For example,

if the government is going to spend half a billion dollars on building this stadium, public --

private companies, individuals are not going to have this half billion dollars to spend as they see

fit, whereas, individuals make rational decisions to make a profit with their money, to grow their

wealth so that they can suit their needs. Politicians use money in order to profit in their -- in the

way that they can profit, and that is through reelection. What I'm seeing more than anything else

is -- I've already voted against this stadium. Most of Miami has already voted against thisstadium, and I see nothing more than a political boondoggle to transfer wealth from people who

have already created it to a company that can't create it in this market. Let's be honest. This is

not a baseball town. We're too poor. If we really care about baseball, let's see that this is a

wealthier county. Let's reduce property taxes. Let's get our insurances in line. That's going to

attract more businesses, more jobs that will be creating a profit. If we lower taxes, we make it

less expensive for people to come in here and give us jobs, to actually provide these jobs.

They're going to be making a profit, and it's an investment that they're making in the long term.

This stadium, once it gets built, jobs are gone. You can say political or you can say retraining

and this and that for so many years, but as we've seen, government promises never come true

because the unintended consequences of taxes is you tax an activity, you're going to have less of

it. The revenues from the hotel taxes aren't going to materialize the way you guys think.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. In closing --

Mr. Vazquez: And that's it.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. All right, next speaker, please.

Sue Freedman: Good morning. My name is Sue Freedman, 133 Northwest 100th Avenue, and

I'm coming at it from a different angle. I'm a volunteer with the Florida Marlins Community

Foundation, and although we don't get a lot of publicity out there like the Dolphins, being on the

news giving out turkeys, we do the same thing. We've injected over $6 million back into the local

community over the past ten years, including the RBI programs, which is Reviving Baseball in

the Inner Cities, holding baseball clinics, donating to the Camillus House, Daily Food Bank, to

Make a Wish, by providing scholarships to students. There's over two hun -- I mean, numerous,

numerous charities. Also, just so people know, if we do get the stadium built, in 2014 we wouldhave the All-star game. And in 2008, $7 million was injected back to the local charities just last

year. I just -- you know, this is not an issue that we can revisit. We don't want to lose our Major

League Baseball franchise. The time is now to get it done, and I want to thank everybody for all

the time and effort they put into this. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning.

Brenda Riggins: Good morning. Brenda Riggins, 19504 Southwest 135 Court, here in Miami. I

come today as part of the construction management team of Hunt/Moss. I'm president of Mars



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Contractors, a community small business. We have been since 1992. Why are we still in the

program since 1992? 'Cause we have refused to be a part of any project that does not adhere to

the intent of the project. Let me say this, that our success over the past 16 years is because of

what Commissioners like you do in order to make sure -- you work hard to make sure that small

businesses have an opportunity. We're -- are at the table. Hunt and Moss are doing a great

thing to engage us. For the past several months, we have been part of the process, and we are

learning so much. That's the intent, not just of Hunt and Moss, but what the Marlins havemandated from the top down, and that's where you need to look, from the -- at the top. Marlins -

- the Marlins' intent is to make sure that not just the project is a success, but the community itself

is a success. I urge you all to vote yes. Michelle, to you, you know I work very hard not just in

the district where I live, but in your district. One of the things you said to the community was it's

time to wake up, time for change. Change is here. This has been two or three years you've been

talking about this. Change is here. Let's give the opportunity -- the community something to be

proud of. Hey, everybody -- and to the community, let's just go out and play some baseball.

Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am. All right, next speaker.

Bruce Freedman: Good morning. My name's Bruce Freedman; the address, 133 Northwest

100th Avenue, and obviously, I'm talking in support of the stadium. The issue here today isreally, do we want baseball here in South Florida? Do we want the opportunity to bring our

children and our family to see All-star games here, World Baseball Classics here, where the

finals are set to be here maybe in the next five year -- four years, where the whole world will be

watching this city? The simple fact of the matter is you have a deal. Nobody feels like --

everybody sometimes feels like they haven't received enough or they've given too much, and

when you feel that way, that's when a good deal is in the bank, and that's what we have here.

Everybody feels that way. Let's get the stadium built. Let's get this issue completed for once,

and let's put all these people who need jobs back to work in this community. Thank you.


Hashim Benford: Thank you. Good morning. My name is Hashim Benford. I'm an organizer

with the Miami Workers Center. I live at 2144 Southwest 11th Street. I work in the communityof Liberty City. I'm here to speak out against the Marlins Stadium, and I speak in solidarity with

the low-income and working-class people that we work with in Liberty City, Wynwood,

Allapattah in partnership with Power U in Overtown. And I'm here because we believe that this

stadium is a bad deal that doesn't serve the interest of working people. It's true that a lot of

people need jobs right now, and our concern is that once this stadium is built, those jobs will be

gone. We do need sustainable jobs and we need projects that facilitate smart development. The

reason we're in this situation now where so many people are out of work, the reason why we've

experienced this bust is because for so many years this country and Florida led the charge in

irresponsible development. There's this rhetoric going around that a job is a job is a job, that

building for building's sake is what we need, and that ideology is wrong. If we need to spend tax

-- tourist tax dollars, let's retrofit our hotels. Let's build up tourist infrastructure that's going to

create long-term jobs. Let's build up transportation that serves the tourist community as well as

the people that serve the tourist industry. Now is the time for smart development. Now is thetime for vision, and I'm looking at you specifically, Commissioner Spence-Jones, because you

know that your communities are the ones most impacted by this downturn. Now's the time to not

fall into the same trap of building for the sake of building. We need jobs that are going to be

here after the project is done. Thank you.


Michelle Garcia: Good morning. Michelle Garcia, 1251 Northeast 141st Street, in North

Miami. The -- we all can see that the country is in a severe economic downturn. We got in this



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downturn because of overspending and failure to control on what we spent. Common sense tells

you if you can't afford to build it, don't. And for many years, we built when we couldn't afford,

and now we're in a crisis. We're about to build a stadium, give away the key; we will not have

had access to any of the revenues from the naming rights -- that will go back to the Marlins

'cause they will own the stadium. There are people who walk home and they walk in their doors

every night and they hold their breath when they flip on the light switch because they can't afford

to pay their power bill, and they never know what day is going to be the day they get cut off. Ifthe City can afford to give the money to the Marlins, do what is needed for the people who

elected you and put the money in their pocket. Something extraordinary happened a few weeks

ago at the North Miami city council meeting. That council was able to give back to their people.

It was only $18.99 every three months, but they gave back to their people. You have the power

to do the same thing and take care of the people who put you in office. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am. Next speaker. Good morning.

Elsie Hamler: Good morning. My name is Elsie Hamler, and I am president of Contractors

Resource Center and a member of the board of Allied Minority Contractors Association. And I

stand before you as an advocate for small and minority businesses. I've heard some of the

specifications that were addressed this morning by the City Manager, and it's obvious that you're

trying to make some impact on what happens with the small business community, and weappreciate that. But it's important to understand that the money of this magnitude -- we do

construction, and we want to be a part of this construction effort, if it happens, and we want the

provisions that's going to allow us to be successful. We've put those provisions out there. I think

many of you may be aware of it, and we're depending on you, as stewards of our money, to try to

influence those issues that affect the small business community because after all, we are a great

part of the taxpayers in this community, and we need to sustain ourselves in these hard economic

times, just like anyone else. And I thank you for your time and your indulgence.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am. Next speaker. Good morning.

Cecilia Tavera Webman: Good morning. Cecilia Tavera Webman, 3091 Day Avenue, Coconut

Grove. Mr. Sarnoff is my representative, and I oppose the Marlins Stadium. Let the Marlins pay

for what they want to build. When I buy a house, I pay for it; the City doesn't. And by the way,I'm a realtor, and it's no longer only location, location, location. It's location and price. So

thank you.


Ms. Tavera Webman: And thank you, Mr. Sarnoff and Mr. Regalado.


Alan Rigerman: Alan Rigerman, 17910 Northwest 84th Avenue, unincorporated northwest

Dade, Palm Springs North. Hello, ladies and gentlemen. My interest in this issue began some

years ago when a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Florida trend alerted me to the difference in sports

economics, accounting, and that used in the real world. I spent some time in Judge Jeri BethCohen's courtroom listening to the testimony of the Marlins and the County's economic experts.

A letter to the editor in the Herald, New Study Shows Stadium Benefits, another expert. I'm so

sick and tired of experts. In 1983, the Bell Commission, a group of experts, told us -- published

A Nation at Risk, decrying our public schools, experts with an agenda that still the press don't

understand. Where did the Everglades pythons come from? The experts will tell you releases.

This nonexpert with more bona fide and creds than the experts will tell you Hurricane Andrew.

It demolished many breeders in the East Everglades. An adult tiger loosened in Loxahatchee; a

Florida Wildlife Commission officer shot the tiger, had no choice. The experts came out of the

closet decrying the shooting. Was I published? No, but I owned these same animals and I've



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worked with big cats since the '80s. Why am I here? Some years ago, after working with

wildlife, young people, Everglades, Big Cyprus -- and I still own these animals ad nauseam -- I

needed a hobby, something relaxing. I chose local government. This is my clipping, pro and

con. Who are my experts? My experts are Michael Lewis and Miami Today; the Miami Herald,

Michael Putney. Of course, I must be my own experts. Are these temporary or sustainable jobs?

No-bid contracts, shell companies; are they a licensed --?

Commissioner Sanchez: Sir, in closing, please.

Mr. Rigerman: What's -- are they a license to steal? Ladies and gentlemen, you obviously know

where I stand. I ask you to do what you will. Bye-bye.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. All right. Next speaker, please. Let's try to keep it down. We must

be respectful. All right.

Frank Amedia: Mr. Chairman, Frank Amedia, at 1237 North Venetia, in Miami. I want to, first

of all, thank this illustrious body, our City fathers, our mother, and those that are involved, as

our Mayor, for hard work. I've heard everybody come up and take one position or another, but

truly, there are many of us who appreciate the hard work each and every one of you have done,

and we know this is not an easy situation. Allow me to just say this about myself. I come to youwith a very peculiar blend. I'm a local businessman, a local developer, a builder. I own

property close to the stadium that we're trying to figure a solution for in your district, Honorable

Commissioner. I'm also a pastor. I've also been a baseball coach, and I'm pleased to tell you a

couple of the young men I've mentored are now in the Majors and a few are on their way, so I

have a deep passion for this. And I -- there's enough that's on each side of this that you don't

need to hear that from me. The only thing I would point to and ask you to look and consider very

deeply is what I understand is item two, which is a no-bid item. And as somebody who

understands how important it is for you to protect the public dollars, anything that just says

no-bid all of a sudden becomes under suspect. This morning as I was getting dressed to come

here and saying my prayers about how I could bless you and not be a problem to you, on the

news was, again, the CEO of AIG talking about how he was going to give back bonuses that

were given in a deal that was done under a stimulus package where some mistakes were made

that were not quite as prudent. I would ask you this, please consider the no-bid on that. Wehave a lot of good local firms given a chance to bid that can do as good a job as Hunt/Moss.

God bless you and thank you very much.


Roce Simpson: Good morning, Commissioners. My name's Roce Simpson. I'm a representative

for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 349, and also here speaking on

behalf of Bill Reilly, the president of the Miami Building and Construction Trades. We want to

go on record that we're in full support of the Marlin [sic] group and the building of the stadium.

In addition to that, everybody that spoke before will tell you, these are sustainable jobs. Another

thing to consider is that most of the groups that will perform work on this particular project have

training programs, are comprised of bilinguals, all -- everyone with a cultural makeup of this

community is encompassed in the training programs, young people who will eventually bejourneymen in each of their skilled trades and will live here, be here, and continue to perform

work through this community. I also -- I was born and raised in the City of Miami. I've been

here 66 years. I think I've seen good and bad change all through that period of time, so I think I

can sit back and look at it with open eyes and say I think this project will be good for a

world-class city, and that's what we are, with world-class leadership. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Good morning. Nombre, direccin.

Wilfredo Mendoza (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Ren Ramos): Good morning.



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My name is Wilfredo Mendoza, and my address is Northwest -- 3335 Northwest 3rd Avenue.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. There has been a lot of talk right here about this stadium

bringing a lot of jobs. I have no doubt. I don't doubt that there's going to be jobs. Real bad

idea is for how long it's going to provide jobs for the residents of this county. The construction

jobs are going to last barely two years, maybe three years. And we're going to use more than

$500 million to give me a job -- temporary job, and then send me back to the unemployment line

again? This is a good compare [sic] with a building -- a worker that works in a five-star hotel.After the luxury hotel has been built, he won't have any cash left to spend not even one night at

that luxury hotel that him [sic], with his own hands, built. There's been talk about the Dolphins

losing the stadium -- the Dolphins have a stadium right now. What's really bad is that it's going

to be used more than $500 million and the people in the City of Miami are without jobs. How

are we going to go to a game, baseball game without a job? We don't have any money. That's

it.

Chair Sanchez: Gracias. Thank you. Thank you so much. Next speaker. Good morning.

Marleine Bastien: Good morning. My name is Marleine Bastien, director of FANM (Fanm

Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc.), and I'm here on behalf of all our clients who could not be here this

morning. Some of them are in hiding, some of them are out there looking for work, some of them

are in the fields working, you know, back breaking -- doing back-breaking work to put the breadon their table. And then they heard about the stadium and then they've asked questions. Why is

it that we taxpayers always have to bail out big businesses, big corporations when they want to

do something? Why do we have to put our money to bail them out? Why are we talking about

bailing out companies, big companies right now at a time of crisis for our communities? I mean,

we're talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of people who can -- who are losing

their homes and are unable to eat. Why are we talking about bailing out anybody right now?

Why are we rushing into making a decision at this time? It seems to me we are rushing into it.

There hasn't been enough information. There hasn't been enough community participation. It is

their money. That's their tax dollars. We're not talking about these bigwigs' money. We're

talking about their money. How come that they have not been contributed, they have not been

partaking in the decision-making processes? And the question -- the other questions that they've

asked, we know there have been a lot of promises made. For example, that dollars will be

invested in communities, but who's going to be -- make sure that these promises are kept? Wehave a bad experience -- experiences in the past where promises are made to our underserved

community and they are not kept. Who's going to be sure -- who's going to hold these people's

feet in [sic] the fire to make sure that the promises that are being made to you, who are making

decisions on our behalf, will be kept? Lastly, the jobs that are promised -- and I've heard many

intervened about these jobs. Who's going to guarantee these jobs? Who's going to guarantee

that the workers who are going to be employed, that their rights are respected? Who's going to

guarantee that they will have these jobs that are promised in the first place? There are so many

questions today right now, and it seems to me that we are rushing into discussions. If my clients

-- if our community is asking so many questions -- and I think we are rushing today into making

such an important decision that will have a life-long impact on them. And I will finish to say,

remember --

Chair Sanchez: In closing.

Ms. Bastien: -- I will finish, Mr. Chair, to say that we are in debt. We are in debt, so you are in

debt, and you're going to get into more debt to bail out bigwigs who could afford to build their

stadium in the first place? That doesn't make any sense to me. So these are the questions that

I'm posing to you, sir, madam -- and she's not here. I'm sure she's watching. Maybe we need to

postpone this -- table this until we're sure that we're going to really be good steward of our

people's money because --




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Ms. Bastien: -- frankly, Mr. Chair, we do not have a good precedence in that arena. Thank you.

Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker, please.

Gertrude Clyde: Good morning. My name is Gertrude Clyde. I live at 1990 Northwest 4th

Court, Unit 4, Miami, Florida 33136. I'm here in reference to the situation about the arena.And my point -- I agree with a lot of the other residents in reference to what they're saying about

this stadium. Now, is this going to be the same promise that was promised to us about the

arena? It was going to create jobs. It was going to be there for years, this, that, and the other.

Now the Miami Arena isn't there. So is this same promise that was given for the Arena is going

to be the same promise for the Miami -- Marlins Stadium? If so, I don't think it's fair. But if it's

in good hands, and if it's for good reasons that's going to give a lot of people jobs, steady jobs

before, during and after, in a way, I'm kind of for it. But if it's not going to be a place where

people can be guaranteed a job after it's built, then I'm not for it. One thing I also would like to

say, I commend my Commissioner, Spence-Jones, for taking the time and looking at all these

areas. She's the only Commissioner that I can remember and can recall that actually stood up

and standing up for trying to do what's right for her district. And I'm sorry she's not here for me

to say this to her face, but I do commend her because all the other Commissioners never stood

up and fought for anything in District 5, and I commend her dearly. And I hope that she canstand tall and can get this done and do it in a fair way. That's my comment in reference to the

Marlin [sic].

Commissioner Sarnoff: What was your name, ma'am? Excuse me. What was your name?

Ms. Clyde: Gertrude Clyde, C-L-Y-D-E.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Thank you.

Ms. Clyde: Bonnie, she left me. I don't know where she went.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Next.

Melissa Sturgis: Yeah. My name is Melissa Sturgis, 5300 Northwest 26th Avenue, Apartment

28, in Miami, Florida. I'm here on behalf of myself and my two teens, and people from

Overtown. This Marlins Stadium will not help Overtown because there -- these jobs is not going

to last long, and I am out of work, been out of work for two years. I've had three separate jobs in

Overtown ranging between 2003 and 2007. It don't make no sense for us to have this stadium.

Where are the people Overtown going to get money to go to a game? None of us will be able to

afford this. And where does Michelle Spence-Jones get off wanting to vote for this Marlins

Stadium and want it -- the only way she'll vote for it is to get jobs for Overtown residents? It's

not promised for anybody 'cause I'm out of work. I need a job, and so is my teenage daughter

who is coming out of school this June. She need a job also. I'm in debt. I need help, and so is

the people Overtown. There are children -- and I heard someone say earlier this money need not

to be used to build schools and parks. That is a lie. We need education for our black children,

brown skin children, and light skin children in Overtown. If they don't go to school, they will beout committing crimes, and we don't need that anymore. We need this to stop. Don't vote for

this 'cause it's hard enough for people to live -- What about the small mom-and-pop businesses

Overtown? We need more businesses -- big businesses, like a Wal-Mart, fast-food restaurants,

education for our children, a college. And we need to put our hotels back here in Overtown, just

like there is on South Beach, Miami Beach and everywhere else. Don't build this Marlins

Stadium 'cause it's not going to help me nor my kids 'cause none of us is going to afford to go to

a game. We all need help. Job -- permanent jobs. These -- this stadium will not bring

permanent jobs for nobody in Overtown, and I'm speaking of everybody Overtown.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Melissa, what was your last name?



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Ms. Sturgis: My name is Melissa Sturgis.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Sturgis. Thank you.

Teresa Cruz (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Ren Ramos): Teresa Cruz, 3301

Northwest 3rd Avenue, in Wynwood. I live in poor community. The way I come here because Idon't want to Florida Marlins because we have a lot of projects need priority. The stadium, we

will have to pay taxes. We can pay taxes. Everybody (UNINTELLIGIBLE), more taxes. I retire.

I have 76 years. I get only $600, my pension. I don't -- and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people, no job,

lost the job, you know. We can't support no more taxes. We don't have -- that's why. We have a

lot of program needs priority in Miami. We need security. We need housing for poor people.

We need a lot of things. The Marlins want the stadium, we can't pay. They have

(UNINTELLIGIBLE). The owner of the Marlins put some money. We can't put no more money.

We don't want to pay no more taxes. I'm so sorry. Thank you very much.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Thank you. Next.

Ann Meng: Ann Meng, 7441 Wayne Avenue, in Miami Beach. And I am both for and against the

stadium in the sense that --

Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry, Chair. I apologize. I didn't hear her name.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Ann Banks [sic].

Ms. Meng: Ann Meng.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Oh, Ann Meng.

Ms. Meng: M-E-N-G.

Ms. Thompson: Thank you.

Ms. Meng: The project, as it stands, may create some jobs. And in construction, a two-year job

is a good job. The -- what I don't see is any guarantee that the people here will be the ones

employed. If you look at a lot of other projects going on in the City right now, the people that

are working there are not from here. And also, I think that if the City and the County want to do

this project, they need to do a better job of horse trading. Lend them the money, but get

something back for our tax dollars.


Erika Brigham: Erika Brigham, 735 2nd Street, Miami Beach. I think this is a very, very bad

deal for the City and the County, a wonderful deal for the Marlins. There's a much better deal to

be had, a much better location to be had, and that is the former arena site in downtown Miami.

And as you can see from this Miami-Dade Transit map, it is surrounded by public transit. Oneof the lines is the Metro line which goes up and connects with the Tri-rail, which means that

people from Broward and Palm Beach County can get on the Tri-rail, hop on it, get down to the

transfer station, jump right off and be at the Marlins Stadium. Almost every single transit line in

the City goes within three blocks of the Marlins Stadium. There is one line on Northeast 7th

Avenue, one bus line. As far as the site of the Orange Bowl is concerned, that could be a

wonderful place for community soccer fields that would bring great life to the community. There

could be parkland there. It would be very, very, very much appreciated by the residents,

whereas the downtown site would generate an enormous amount of extra TIF (Tax Increment

Fund) funds because it is in the heart of the Overtown/Park West community development CRA



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(Community Redevelopment Agency) area right here and keeping the money there. Private

developer Glenn Straub is very happy to deal with the Marlins. He would make a much better

deal for the -- the City and the County may not have to put any funds in it. It would stay in

private hands and be leased to the Marlins, and there would be an enormous amount of money

generated in the CRA that would stay in the CRA that would jumpstart all kinds of projects down

there and create lots and lots and lots of businesses surrounding it. It's for the local people who

are talking about the jobs that they so desperately need. The hotel tax is the generator of themoney that is being -- is said to be used for the Marlins Stadium --

Commissioner Sarnoff: And in conclusion. In conclusion.

Ms. Brigham: Pardon?

Commissioner Sarnoff: In conclusion.

Ms. Brigham: Oh, yes -- which could amount to $1.8 billion, and there would be no money left

for anything else like re-nourishing the beaches, upgrading the convention center, which is the

economic engine of the hotel tax and the County.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Thank you.

Clotilde Luce: Yes. Good morning. Clotilde Luce, 301 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. I think you

have heard a lot of very moving testimony this morning. We've heard a lot of people expressing

a lot of distress. The gentleman who couldn't get his son's flat tire fixed. There's a lot of distress

and fear and anguish in this community, and that's what you've been listening to this morning.

There's also a lot of hope from these people. They actually -- I'm sorry to say, I'm afraid they're

a little bit deluded that they're going to get a job out of this this morning. Some of the people

who've come before you, individually, I am afraid will not get a job out of this thing. I was

talking to a city planner at Government Center and he told me off the record the only people who

are going to get a really long-term job from this Marlins Stadium are going to be, you know, a

guy with a dog, the guard guarding the parking lot when it's not in use. That's -- those are the

long-term jobs you're going to get out of this, I'm sorry to say. I think -- I know you've made

some amendments. It is still very easy to wiggle. There is too much wiggle room. These peoplefrom the unions today, I'm afraid you're being used for political reasons. You may not get those

jobs. I don't think the language is any way specific enough. And that leads me to my third point

that I think is very unfortunate for our city, which is the image that sometimes Miami, shall we

say -- you know, there's a little murkiness in the way the deals are arrived at. Since I've lived

here, I've been through the port deal, the airports, things like that. I think this deal was not

carried out with enough transparency. The no-bid aspect of it is very worrying, so there are

many good reasons to reject this deal, this particular deal, and I'm afraid a lot of the people

hoping to get jobs here today will be disappointed.


Jim Anderson: Good morning. My name is Jim Anderson. I'm a 35-year taxpayer of the City of

Miami and an entrepreneur. I was the one actually that told Joe Robbie to build the stadiumwhere he built it. He was negotiating at 36th Street. Then I drew him a diagram. I showed him

how he could adapt the football stadium to the baseball stadium, which he also did. I haven't

researched lately, but I know at the time there was two brothers that owned all that property up

there, and they made him a hell of a deal on that property because they wanted to make the rest

of the property more valuable. I would imagine that property is still available. And in other

cities in the country, they have a football and a baseball stadium together, and that's where it

should be, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Where it is, it's a lousy location. Also, the deal

that you have made is very bad for the taxpayers, very good for Mr. Loria, who obviously hasn't

got any money, and you fellows haven't even demanded to see his financial statement. Mr.



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Braman, who they begged for money from him a couple years ago, asked to see the financial

statement; he wouldn't give it to them. Obviously, he doesn't have much money. You have a $35

million loan to Loria. I don't understand that a bit. There's about 80 baseball dates. So there's

over 200 open dates for this new stadium you're going to give Loria, the Marlins. He has the

right for all that revenue. To me, that's insane. He can sell it to rock groups, car dealers,

whatever he wants, 200-something dates. Why don't we have that revenue? Why are we giving

that to Loria, who, obviously, hasn't got any money?

Commissioner Sarnoff: Mr. Anderson, in conclusion.

Mr. Anderson: Pardon?

Commissioner Sarnoff: In conclusion.

Mr. Anderson: Vote against it.

Commissioner Sarnoff: Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.

Samuel Gilmore: My name is Sam Gilmore. I live at 3171 Northwest 57th Street, Miami,

Florida 33142. Thank you for the clock. I've had an opportunity for my company to be on boththe Performing Arts Center and the American Airlines Arena. We were on both jobs, so we

understand how fast-tracked design-build projects are done. We sat down with the president,

Samson, and also the counsel, Mr. Derrick Jackson, and we had a very frank and honest

discussion on the conditions there are for small contractors, and we're very happy to say that

everything I heard from both of those gentlemen was honest, and that was very refreshing. At no

time did either one of the individuals or the project manager, which was -- is presently here right

now -- at no time did they put conditions forward that were not something they could or could

not do out of 20-something plus items. I am here, as Ms. Elsie Hamler is here, for those

conditions for small contractors. Many times small contractors don't know what they're getting

into. Because they don't know what they're getting into, they end up with conditions they're not

familiar with and they end up having a very -- a big problem on it. As we understand, all the

conditions that the Marlins could adopt, they have adopted already. There are other conditions

that they County Manager -- and we presented them to the Board of County Commissioners --can help us with. We gave them to Commissioner Rolle yesterday. The rest of the Commission

should have them, and we're asking for these conditions to be adopted on this project. In

conclusion, the only thing that really worries me is this economy. We have three federal reserve

chairmens [sic], Volcker, we have Bernanke, Greenspan, all say we have no idea where this

economy is going. We have no idea. We have a real estate crisis, financial crisis, and a

manufacturing crisis all at one time. Please -- and I voice my opinion t

march 19, 2009 commission minutes_verbatim_minutes_(long)

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