03-22-2012 WorkshopThe * City Commission
ura Workshop Meeting
Aieiiif
rN
u4y
March 22, 2012
1 "0 = 9:00 A.M.
Executive Conference Room
19200 Weat Cnuntry Chih Drive Aventura. R.
5
AGENDA
1. Police Information System Upgrades Report (City Manager)
Future Action Required: Ordinance to Amend Budget
2. ACES Playground Equipment Replacement (City Manager)
Future Action Required: Ordinance to Amend Budget
3. Adjournment
* Back -up Information Exists
This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are
disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the Office
of the City Clerk, 305 -466 -8901, not later than two days prior to such proceeding.
I
A564500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 340, Miami, FL 33137 -3227
[8[* (305) 751-SAVE (7283) I Fax: (800) 396 -8709 I www.savedade.org
7 March 2012
Mayor Susan Gottlieb
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
Mayor Gottlieb,
We are at a pivotal point in history when Americans are rallying together behind
the common value of equality for everyone. The majority of Americans support the right
of gay and lesbian people in loving and committed relationships to join together in
marriage. I ask today that you join other mayors across the country in affirming that
marriage discrimination should be ended once and for all, at all levels of government.
As Mayor, you hear the local needs of those you represent and often engage in
making the decisions that affect people most. You play a critical role in society in
protecting and advancing the civil rights and equal treatment of America's citizens. The
Founding Fathers of our country had a dream of a place where equality and liberty rang
from coast to coast, and we rely on people like yourself to secure and uphold the values
they set forth. We need you now to secure and uphold one more: the dream of a place
where all have the right to love one another and enter into committed, life -long
relationships, regardless of a person's real or perceived sexual orientation.
Since its inception, America has been a melting pot of the different peoples,
cultures, and regions of our nation. But our differences have not been our weakness or
our downfall. Rather, we celebrate them and they have been what make this country
flourish. So despite the differences of their cities — culturally, racially, & geographically —
over 120 mayors from New York to LA, from Kansas City to Houston, have all signed a
pledge of support for the equality, fairness, and dignity of all.
Today I ask that you join Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera -Bower and your
other fellow mayors in becoming a Mayor for the Freedom to Marry. We need your
support now more than ever in defending America's values of non - discrimination and the
equal rights of all.
Executive Director, SAVE Dade
Promote, protect fir defend equality
- MAYORS FOR THE
FREEDOM
TO MARRY
As a mayor of a great American city, I, Mayor of
proudly stand in support of the freedom of same -sex couples to marry. I personally know many gay and
lesbian people living in our city who are in committed, long -term relationships, who are active participants
in the civic life of our community, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share
their life.
I am proud that at its 2009 annual meeting, the US Conference of Mayors unanimously approved a
resolution stating that: "The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same -sex couples,
and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave,
tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the
federal or state constitutions."
Our city derives great strength from its diversity, and gay and lesbian families are a crucial part. Studies
have shown what I know through our hands -on experience —that cities that celebrate and cultivate
diversity are the places where creativity and ideas thrive. They are the places where today's
entrepreneurs are most likely to choose to build the businesses of tomorrow. Allowing same -sex couples
the right to marry enhances our ability to build this kind of environment, which is good for all of us.
I stand for the freedom to marry because it enhances the economic competitiveness of our community,
improves the lives of families that call our city home, and is simply the right thing to do. I look forward to
working to build an America where all people can share in the love and commitment of marriage with the
person with whom they share their life.
SIGNATURE:
PRINT:
CONTACT STAFF:
STAFF INFORMATION
PHONE:
EMAIL:
PERSON SUBMITTING THIS FORM:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Please fax a signed pledge to 202 - 223 -0082 or mail the signed pledge to:
Jo Deutsch, Federal Director
Freedom to Marry
2120 L St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Or for further information, please contact Freedom to Marry at:
(202) 223 -8223
jo @freedomtomarry.org