Res. No. 068-07-12453RESOLUTIONNO.:! 68-07-12453
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WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami
urges the Governor of the State of Florida, Charlie Crist to move forward with his
ex-felon voting rights initiative; and,
WHEREAS, Florida, until Governor Charlie Crist's, actions, was one of
only three states in the nation still enforcing the Jim Crow-era law that required
felons to go through a lengthy and cumbersome process, including a review before
the state's clemency board, to have their rights restored; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Crist, and members of the State Cabinet sit as the
Florida Board of Executive Clemency, which rules upon convicted felons'
requests to have their civil rights restored; and,
WHEREAS, recently, local newspapers have reported that Governor Crist
has the votes necessary to make the change to the state's clemency rules to allow
most felons an automatic restoration of their voting rights upon completion of their
sentences; and,
WHEREAS, on Friday, April 6, 2006, the Miami Herald reported that
Governor Crist pass a compromise plan that will enable many ex-convicts to
regain rights more quickly, allow them to serve on juries and get jobs; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission desire to express their
support of Governor Crist in his efforts to restore ex-felons' voting rights.
Additions shown by underlining and deletions shown by ever-stfiking.
Res. No. 68-07-12453
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA;
Section 1. The above whereas clauses are incorporated by reference.
Section 2. Under the new Clemency Rules approved by Governor
Charlie Crist and the Florida Clemency Board, felons are to be categorized in one
of three tiers, which will determine the process they must follow to obtain
restoration of their civil rights:
Tier 1: The names of felons who have committed less severe crimes,
paid restitution, and have no pending charges will be compiled into a list and sent
to the Clemency Board, which will vote on restoring their civil rights;
Tier 2: The state Parole Commission will review the cases of felons
who are repeat offenders or have committed violent offenses, but not murder,
terrorism or sex crimes. The information will go to the Clemency Board, which
will decide whether to expedite restoration of civil rights or demand a fall
clemency hearing.
Tier 3: The names of sex offenders, murderers and other violent
criminals who have paid restitution and have remained crime-free for 15 years will
be sent to the Clemency Board, which will have 30 days to decide whether to
require a full clemency hearing before restoring their civil rights.
Section 3. The mayor and city commission support Governor Crist in his
efforts to restore ex-felon's civil rights, so that they may eventually vote, sit on
juries, and obtain employment.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval.
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Res. No. 68-07-12453
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4L'day of 2007.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ VED AS TO ORM:
LuisA--F'iRueredo,
Nagin Gallop Figueredo, P.A.
Office of City Attorney
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Mayor Feliu:
Yea
Vice Mayor Wiscombe:
Yea
Commissioner Birts:
Yea
Commissioner Palmer:
Yea
Commissioner Beckman:
Nay