RESOLUTION NAMING THE AREA DESIGNATED AS THE

LANDING FOR THE BAMA BELLE RIVERBOAT

“MEDEIROS POINT”

(A06-0194)

(DRAFT 5-18-06)

WHEREAS, the City of Tuscaloosa desires to develop and enhance the property along the Black Warrior River to increase public participation by its use; and,

WHEREAS, the City Council of Tuscaloosa recognizes that many people have been leaders and pioneers in the development and many improvements associated with the development of the City’s Riverfront; and,

WHEREAS, the first attraction on the newly developing Riverwalk was the Bama Belle Paddlewheel Riverboat which was operated and owned by Nikki and Mike Medeiros; and,

WHEREAS, the Bama Belle has been in operation for more than four (4) years and has been received and enjoyed by the community; and,

WHEREAS, Mike Medeiros, affectionately known by the community as Captain Mike, always greeted his passengers with energy, optimism and a desire to make their experience a wonderful memory. Captain Mike would offer children a chance to tour the wheelhouse and to steer the Bama Belle. He would share his thoughts on life and offer his wisdom, morals, sense of respect for self and others, compassion, tolerance, and devotion to all; and,

WHEREAS, Michael Daniel Medeiros was a member of a very proud, supportive and loving family. Knowing his family was always in his heart gave him the strength and courage to spread his wings and live a life full of adventure. He was the son of Jean and Leo Medeiros, the brother of Phyllis Medeiros Cahoon, the uncle to Wendy and John Cahoon, the husband to Nikki Medeiros and the father to Jessica Medeiros Garrison and Michele Medeiros Sizemore; and,

WHEREAS, Mike Medeiros demonstrated the importance of pursuing dreams. His life journey included enlisting in the United States Army where he served one tour in Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant assigned to the 167^{th Signal Corps and another tour in Vietnam as a CH 47 Chinook and UH-1 Huey helicopter pilot in the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company. After attending the Signal Corps Career Course and Air Traffic Control School, Mike was assigned to the 14th Aviation Company in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. He concluded his military service as a recipient of the bronze star medal and achieving the rank of Major in the United States Army. Among many other experiences and accomplishments, Mike worked as a machinist for the Newport, RI Shipyard; assisted in launching the New England Life Flight program in Massachusetts where he transported critical patients to the University of Massachusetts hospital; managed the Katama Airfield (the largest remaining grass airfield in the United States) on Martha’s Vineyard; and received numerous military certifications, awards and medals, his Bachelor of Applied Science from Troy State University, his Airport Manager’s License, Coast Guard Captain’s License, Advance Storm Spotter Certificate, and Ham Radio License W1AXA; and,}

WHEREAS, Mike Medeiros was an entrepreneur. He owned and operated the Ozark Amphibian Center, MJ’s restaurant/lounge; Edgartown Air which later merged into Cape Air (now the largest independent regional airline in the United States), New Hope Equipment Company and Tuskaloosa Riverboat Company, Inc. d/b/a the Bama Belle; and,

WHEREAS in 2001, Mike Medeiros had a desire to be close to his daughters who live in Tuscaloosa and are active members of the City of Tuscaloosa Community. His daughters are Jessica Medeiros Garrison, a practicing attorney with Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, LLP and Michele Medeiros Sizemore a practicing certified registered nurse anesthetist at DCH Regional Medical Center. Shortly after arriving in Tuscaloosa, he became a very proud grandfather of Zachary James Sizemore; and,

WHEREAS, Mike Medeiros and his wife Nikki desired to help the Tuscaloosa community enhance its riverfront and became the proud owner of the Tuskaloosa Riverboat Company, Inc., operating the Bama Belle Riverboat a modern day replica of an early-1900s paddlewheel riverboat; and,

WHEREAS, on June 7, 2001, the City of Tuscaloosa entered into a lease with the Tuskaloosa Riverboat Company, Inc., allowing citizens to enjoy for the first time in decades riverboat excursions along the Black Warrior River, adding a festive and cultural atmosphere and promoting tourism in the City of Tuscaloosa; and,

WHEREAS, Mike enjoyed offering various opportunities for people to come and enjoy the Black Warrior River and the Tuscaloosa riverfront by offering cruises for, sight seeing, bird watching, locking through the Oliver Dam, special occasions and holidays. He visited and shared memories with many families, brides, associations, and groups on some of their most special occasions; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to Mike Medeiros’ contributions to the improvement of the City’s riverfront, Mike was a role model for civility. His love of life, optimism, energy, ambition, loyalty and humility were intangible gifts passed along to those he met which brought about a level of respect, admiration and love for Mike; and,

WHEREAS, on December 9, 2006, Mike Medeiros’ life began a new journey which leaves the City of Tuscaloosa and the citizens of West Alabama sharing with his family this personal loss. It is apparent to the City of Tuscaloosa that the character of Mike Medeiros will forever be irreplaceable; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Tuscaloosa desires to express to the family of Mike Medeiros its heartfelt appreciation for the leadership, morals, devotion, compassion, and love for the City that was demonstrated by him as the City’s first Riverboat Captain and owner of the City’s first riverfront attraction.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF TUSCALOOSA that the area designated as the landing for the Bama Belle Riverboat be, and the same is hereby designated as “MEDEIROS POINT” and that said landing be officially marked to indicate the same.