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MIAMI (CBS4) ― A home for the Florida Marlins passed what appears to be the last two hurdles needed for the Florida Marlins to get the funding for their new stadium, after both the Miami Commission and Miami-Dade County Commission approved it Thursday.

The vote from the Miami Commission came after a meeting which stretched from lunchtime, through dinner, and into the night, as commissioners argued and tempers flared about the plan to build a stadium on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished Orange Bowl.

Commissioner Javier Souto as so angry over the push to approve a stadium plan Thursday that he took the plan in hand and ripped it in half.

"This is a disgrace to the democratic process, what we're doing here today," South said. "We're not consulting with the people."

Souto joined other commissioners who believe taxpayers should have been given the chance to vote on the plan which will be mostly funded with tourist-tax dollars.

While previous plans for a Marlins stadium were derailed over squabbles over location and funding, the latest plan was almost halted over a new issue: who would provide police, fire, and paramedic services to the facility. The debate was so contentious, it almost proved to be a deal-breaker.

The proposed site is in the City of Miami, but the current Orange Bowl stadium that is there is owned by the county. Both governmental bodies believe their public safety personnel should be responsible for the stadium, and appeared unwilling to compromise.

"I want to vote for this, but I can't," said commissioner Carlos Gimenez. "I've seen this before." Giminez ended up voting against the stadium plan, but he was in the minority

Just when it looked like there would be no deal, commissioners agreed to separate the stadium vote from the issue of who would police the building. Commissioners decided to reconvene and decide on the issue in 30 days. The vote then passed, 9-3. Commissioner Katy Sorenson did not attend the meeting due to medical reasons.

The Marlins were thrilled by the vote.

"I think one of the longest running hopes for a baseball stadium in the history of the came has finally ended, successfully," said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

"The way I see it, we're not building a stadium for the Marlins," county Mayor Carlos Alvarez said before the city vote. "We are building a stadium for Miami-Dade County residents. We are going to own that stadium."

The city will direct $13 million toward the ballpark and transfer the land for the new stadium to the county. The city will also build a $94 million parking garage and spend another $10 million to demolish the Orange Bowl stadium in the city's Little Havana neighborhood.

On the eve of the vote, Business leader and community activist Norman Braman ratcheted up his legal challenge to the Mega-Plan in general, and the new stadium in particular. He has challenged the diversion of community re-development money to finance the project; money typically reserved for helping poor neighborhoods.

Braman has also challenged the lack of public hearings during the development of the Mega-Plan.

"This is another example of the type of contempt that our public officials have for the citizens who live here," said Braman.

In response, the mayor said Braman was well within his rights to sue.

"Mr. Braman has every right to file a lawsuit," said Alvarez. "That's his prerogative. In talking to our attorneys, they're very confident we're on solid ground."

Miami City Commissioner Tomas Regalado voted against the Mega-Plan; not because he opposes a new stadium, but because he opposes the way the Mega-Plan came together.

"We got the plan hours before the vote," said Regalado. "It was rushed through the Miami City Commission and on to the County Commission. Three billion dollars in projects, and the people didn't even have a chance to speak on it."

The lack of public notice is a key point in Braman's legal challenge to the Mega-Plan and the baseball stadium.

In addition to the new stadium, the Mega-Plan calls for a tunnel for the Port of Miami and a $200 million street car system.

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