04-24-07 Item 51
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RESOLUTION NO.:
A RESOLUTION OF THE ]MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO
RESTORATION OF EX- FELONS' RIGHTS; SUPPORTING
GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST' S CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO
FACILITATE VOTING RIGHT RESTORATION WITHIN
STATE; AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE GOVERNOR, AS A
VOTING MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BOARD OF
EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY WHO VOTED ON A PLAN TO
ALLOW MOST FELONS TO AUTOMATICALLY RESTORE
THEIR VOTING RIGHTS UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR
SENTENCES, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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 therm 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 everstfiking.
1 NOW THEREFORE BE IT ]RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
2 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA;
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4 Section 1. The above whereas clauses are incorporated by reference.
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6 Section 2. Under the new Clemency Rules approved by Governor
7 Charlie Crist and the Florida. Clemency Board, felons are to be categorized in one
8 of three tiers, which will determine the process they must follow to obtain
9 restoration of their civil rights:
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11 Tier 1: The names of felons who have committed less severe crimes,
12 paid restitution, and have no pending charges will be compiled into a list and sent
13 to the Clemency Board, which will vote on restoring their civil rights;
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15 Tier 2: The state Parole Commission will review the cases of felons
16 who are repeat offenders or have committed violent offenses, but not murder,
17 terrorism or sex crimes. The information will go to the Clemency Board, which
18 will decide whether to expedite restoration of civil rights or demand a full
19 clemency hearing.
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21 Tier 3: The names of sex offenders, murderers and other violent
22 criminals who have paid restitution and have remained crime -free for 15 years will
23 be sent to the Clemency Board, which will have 30 days to decide whether to
24 require a full clemency hearing before restoring their civil rights.
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26 Section 3. The mayor and city commission support Governor Crist in his
27 efforts to restore ex- felon's civil rights, so that they may eventually vote, sit on
28 juries, and obtain employment.
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30 Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Luis R. Figueredo,
Nagin Gallop Figueredo, P.A.
Office of City Attorney
i
0
day of , 2007.
APPROVED:
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COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Feliu:
Vice Mayor Wiscombe:
Commissioner Birts:
Commissioner Palmer:
Commissioner Beckman: