I. Consideration of an Economic Analysis

Mr. Attendees discussed various aspects related to the concept of an Economic Analysis of the Miami River, including how large of a district, what types of uses, process of seeking economic data, etc. MRC Director Bibeau distributed a copy of the “An Economic Analysis of the Miami River Marine Industry, Prepared for the Miami River Commission, April 2008, Submitted by Florida Atlantic University.” ($15,000 reimbursable grant awarded to the MRC). The Economic Analysis, which focused only on the Miami River’s “Marine Industry” confirmed the economic strength and value of the job generating marine industrial businesses along the Port of Miami River, “The Industry generates $804 million in regional output and creates 6,741 jobs, with earnings of $406.4 million. The industry also contributes $43.9 million to the regional tax base.” In addition, the 2008 Economic Analysis provided three independent economist reviews of FAU’s “Miami River Economic Analysis of the Miami River Marine Industry” and they all concurred with the report’s findings and the only criticism from one of the three independent economists was that perhaps the study under estimated the even stronger actual economic benefits of the long standing Miami River’s Marine Industry.
Attendees recommended conducting an Economic Analysis for $10,000, starting with Phase I data collection not to exceed $2,500 including printing info on every riverfront (including tributaries) parcel from Miami-Dade County Tax Appraisers website which includes address, use, value, square footage, amount paid in taxes, etc. This data will then be used to make the “Miami River Property and Business Database” featuring spread sheets listing all riverfront properties, categorize uses, make lists of all riverfront boatyards, marinas, shipping terminals, commercial fishing, restaurants, parks, etc. Phase II would be more of a professional “Economic Analysis” focused on if President Obama’s trade laws and regulations amendments were to be adopted and implemented, how much additional economic impact would be provided to shallow draft international shipping terminals operating along the Port of Miami River and the local jobs which they create?

II) Presentation from Luis A. Perez-Codina, Manager International Logistics and Supply Chain

Mr. Luis A. Perez-Codina, Manager International Logistics and Supply Chain presented a 27 page Powerpoint. Mr Carlos Castro, FDOT Freight Coordinator, was unable to attend the meeting and will participate in the next EDC subcommittee meeting. After years of advocacy and studies by the Miami River Commission, the Port of Miami River is now included in FDOT’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) which makes it eligible for significant government funding for infrastructure which will improve international shipping along the Port of Miami River.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Discussion of Miami-Dade School Board Desire to Offer More Marine Industrial Vocational Classes
Mr. Bobby Gornto, Miami-Dade County Schools, stated School Board member Lubby Navarro’s item was unanimously adopted, therefore he and David Schleiden are meeting with marine industrial representatives to work together to create a Marine Industrial Vocational classes. The following 1st draft outline was formulated at their previous meeting with the Miami River Marine Group:

MARINE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY

A. Orientation

Marine Overview and History
Marine Vocabulary
Security-Coast Guard license-Homeland Security Regulations
Workplace Safety and Organization
Marine Tools and Equipment

Types of Boats
Wood
Fiberglass
Metal
Boat Maintenance
Mechanical
Vessel

B. Power Plants (Introduction to Basics)

Gasoline Engines
a. 2 cycle
b. 4 cycle
c. Inboards
d. Outboards

Cooling Systems
Fuel Systems
Exhaust Systems
Diesel Engines

C. Outdrives
Stern Drives
Lower Units

D. Electrical/Electronic Systems
Batteries
Ignition Systems
Charging Systems
Starting Systems
Alternating Current
Direct Current
Inverters
Generators
Air Conditioning Systems

E. Plumbing
Fresh Water
Drain Water

F. Trailers
Construction
Brakes
Ratings
Set-Up
Wheel Bearings
Wiring

G. Industry Certification
American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)”

MRC Director Bibeau distributed the following: Marine Industrial Jobs on Miami River

• Cargo Handlers
• Ship CaptainsCarpenters
• Electricians
• Marine Electricians
  
• Truck drivers
• Welders
• Commercial Fisherman
• Fiberglass Layer
• Painters
  
• Crane Operators
  
• Mechanics
  
• Tug Boat Operators
  
• Boat Distress Salvagers
  
• Marine Contractors
  
• Marine Permitter / Engineers
  
• Fork Lift Operators
  
• Boat Hull Bottom Scrappers
  
• Boat Cleaners
  
• Security
  

Mr. Gornto stated they have space at the Lindsey facility but they would prefer a waterfront site if possible. Mr. Gornto stated 8 years ago they offered a program focused on outboard motors, and they want more direction from the marine industry. Attendees agreed industry participation is critical for the program’s success. Mr. Gornto stated they will be purchasing some old marine engines for the students to work on. Mr. Gornto stated the core class will be 1 year, and they are working on creating the program now. Their 1st preliminary report is due back to the School Board soon. Mr. Gornto stated they will be applying for Federal Pell Grants, and the classes would be funded in FY ’16-’17, which will be approved in August 2016. MRC Chairman Aguirre stated he was supportive and appreciative of the Miami-Dade School Board’s efforts to make a successful and needed marine industrial job training program.

II) Consideration of an Economic Analysis

MRC Director Bibeau distributed the following summary:
Phase I – “Miami River Property & Business Database”

• Print every riverfront (including tributaries) parcel from Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser website at www.miamidade.gov (includes square footage, market assessed value, etc.). Provide all printouts geographically (east to west) and insert data into an excel spreadsheet.
• Categorize all parcels based on use and listed geographically from east to west, i.e. residential, parks, restaurants, hotels, marinas, boatyards, shipping terminals, commercial fishing, etc.
• For each use, add total assessed taxes in most recent year.
• For all parcels provide total assessed taxes in most recent year.
• Contact all marinas to determine:
  a. How many total boat slips per Marina?
  b. How many currently available boat slips per Marina?
  c. How many total boat slips?
  d. How many currently available slips?

Director Bibeau noted for each address that has a high-rise development, each unit within the development has its own folio, tax assessed value, market assessed value, etc. MRC Chairman Aguirre and MRC Director Bibeau stated they would call County Tax Appraiser Pedro Garcia to see if his department may assist with this effort to gather information from the County Tax Appraiser’s website.

MRC Director Bibeau distributed the following additional documents:

1. Draft list of all 25 Miami River District boatyards and marinas, (15 of 25 business sites provided # of employees thus far, and the employees subtotal = 531 marine industrial jobs. MRC Chairman Aguirre stated the City of Miami Mayor Regalado and City Commissioner Gort had recently requested this data for use in a positive press conference for the marine industry, and they were pleased an impressed that with only 15 of 25 listed businesses providing their respective number of jobs, the incomplete subtotal is already 531 good paying jobs generated by the Miami River District’s boatyards and marinas only (excludes additional marine industrial jobs on the Miami River’s numerous shipping terminals, commercial fishing, shoreline contractors, etc.).
2. List of recently completed and planned residential / mixed use developments on the Miami River (2000-2015)
3. List of Miami River District Restaurants (operating, under construction and planned)
   

EDC Chairman Everingham asked if the Miami River Marine Group (MRMG) had further considered the potential of being retained for no more than $2,000 to assist in the efforts to create the “Miami River Property & Business Database” and MRMG President Brown and Executive Director Bailey stated they would place the item on the MRMG’s next meeting agenda for consideration.
Phase II of this effort would be hiring an economist to analyze what the economic impact on the Port of Miami River would be if President Obama’s proposed changes allowing free trade with Cuba are implemented.

EDC Chairman Everingham stated the Miami River Fund Inc. recently amended its current FY 15’-’16 budget to include $10,000 for these efforts, per the following estimates:

• “Miami River Property & Business Database” = $2,500
• Miami River Marine Group Assistance = $2,000
• Economist’s Analysis of what the economic impact on the Port of Miami River would be if President Obama’s proposed changes allowing free trade with Cuba are implemented = $6,500
• Total = $10,000

III. Presentation by Carlos Castro, FDOT Freight Logistics Coordinator
FDOT called Mr. Castro away to a conference; therefore the item was deferred to the EDC’s October public meeting.

IV) Discussion of a New Palm Oil / Shipping Terminal in the Upper River
Mr. Stanley Rigaud, Beacon Council, stated the Beacon Council has been assisting this potential new business. The County Commission adopted a Tax Rebate for the proposed new business. For example on March 3, 2015 the County Commission adopted a $90,000 sales tax rebate for the proposed new business.

MRC Director Bibeau stated the out of town business owner, Eugene Talford, stated he would be in Miami in October, and willing to present to the EDC at that time.

V) Discussion of new Recreational Boatyard, Apex Marine, in the Middle River
MRC Director Bibeau stated Issy Perera, Owner of Apex Boatyard, was unavailable to present today. EDC Chairman Everingham asked MRC Director Bibeau to invite Mr. Perera to the EDC’s October public meeting.

VI) New Business
Mr. Lazaro Alonso stated he was working towards a project in the Miami River District, therefore has been attending some of the public MRC meetings and events. Chairman Everingham thanked Mr. Alonso for his participation.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Presentation by Carlos Castro, FDOT Freight Logistics Coordinator
Mr. Carlos Castro, FDOT Freight Logistics Coordinator, presented a Powerpoint presentation. Consistent with MRC advocacy and the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, the Miami River is now in FDOT’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) plan. Therefore the area is now eligible for SIS funding, starting with $300,000 to create the “Miami River Freight Improvement Plan”, which will make a business case to get further SIS funding to implement the plan of improvements to the Port of Miami River. The plan will “Develop and implement strategies to improve freight mobility and viable options to improve intermodal freight movement and potential of Short Sea Shipping along the Port of Miami River. FDOT will advertise for bids in March 2016, contract the awarded bidder in September 2016, and invited the MRC to serve on the selection committee. The Plan is estimated to be completed in June 2017. Mr. Castro stated since 2011 FDOT spent $850 million on Sea Ports in Florida.

Mr. Castro noted the MPO recently appropriated $100,000 to study replacing the Brickell Bridge with a downtown Miami River tunnel.

II) Discussion of a New Palm Oil / Shipping Terminal in the Upper River
On March 3, 2015 the County Commission adopted a $90,000 sales tax rebate for this proposed new business. MRC Director Bibeau stated the out of town business owner, Eugene Talford, stated due to the Hurricane in his hometown in South Carolina, he was unable to attend and asked for the item to be deferred until the subcommittee’s December public meeting.

III) Status of Creating the “Miami River Property & Business Database”
MRC Director Bibeau distributed the following summary:
Phase I – “Miami River Property & Business Database”

• Print every riverfront (including tributaries) parcel from Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser website at www.miamidade.gov (includes square footage, market assessed value, etc.). Provide all printouts geographically (east to west) and insert data into an excel spreadsheet.
• Categorize all parcels based on use and listed geographically from east to west, i.e. residential, parks, restaurants, hotels, marinas, boatyards, shipping terminals, commercial fishing, etc.
• For each use, add total assessed taxes in most recent year.
• For all parcels provide total assessed taxes in most recent year.
•Contact all marinas to determine:
a. How many total boat slips per Marina?
b. How many currently available boat slips per Marina?
c. How many total boat slips?
d. How many currently available slips?

Director Bibeau noted for each address that has a high-rise development, each unit within the development has its own folio, tax assessed value, market assessed value, etc. MRC Director Bibeau thanked Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser Pedro Garcia and his Department for their willingness to assist in gathering and providing their available public information from the County Tax Appraiser’s website.

EDC Chairman Everingham asked if the Miami River Marine Group (MRMG) had further considered the potential of being retained for no more than $2,000 to assist in the efforts to create the “Miami River Property & Business Database” and MRMG President Brown and Executive Director Bailey stated they would place the item on the MRMG’s next meeting agenda for consideration.
Phase II of this effort would be hiring an economist to analyze what the economic impact on the Port of Miami River would be if President Obama’s proposed changes allowing free trade with Cuba are implemented.

EDC Chairman Everingham stated the Miami River Fund Inc. recently amended its current FY 15’-’16 budget to include $10,000 for these efforts, per the following estimates:
• “Miami River Property & Business Database” = $2,500
• Miami River Marine Group Assistance = $2,000
• Economist’s Analysis of what the economic impact on the Port of Miami River would be if President Obama’s proposed changes allowing free trade with Cuba are implemented = $6,500
• Total = $10,000

IV) New Business
The meeting adjourned.

I) Status of Marine Vocational School
Miami-Dade County School Board member Lubby Navarro’s item was unanimously adopted, therefore they are working to create Marine Industrial Vocational classes. Nathan Kurland, Chair of the Miami Bayside Foundation stated they have been working closely with the School Board in support of this item, whom has funded 2 instructors, and provided a space at Lindey Hopkins School. Mr. Kurland distributed a line item budget titled, “Marine Service Technology Equipment List” of items needed to commence the classes, i.e. Diesel Engine, Inboard Engine, propellers, diagnostic equipment, etc.) totaling $335,905. Mr. Kurland stated the Bayside Foundation is donating $100,000 towards this list, and working with City of Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo to raise the funding balance to purchase the items, and or secure donations of the listed items. Mr. Kurland stated they are also seeking a waterfront location to conduct some of the classes. Mr. Kurland stated they are communicating with 4 boatyards and Shake a Leg, and there is a big meeting with the School Board on November 20. Mr. Kurland stated the 1st 20 students in the program will be funded by Federal Pell Grants. The cost per student for the 18 month program is $5,700. Chairman Everingham suggested the classes include cargo, safety, and customer service. Attendees discussed potentially presenting this item during the full MRC’s Feb. 1, 2016 public meeting agenda.

II) Status of Creating the “Miami River Property & Business Database”
MRC Director Bibeau thanked Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser Pedro Garcia for providing a CD with the nearly 7,000 folios on the Miami River. Now the folios need to be:

• Categorized based on use, i.e. residential, parks, restaurants, hotels, marinas, boatyards, shipping terminals, commercial fishing, etc.
• For all parcels provide total assessed taxes in most recent year.
• Contact all marinas to determine:
a. How many total boat slips per Marina?
b. How many currently available boat slips per Marina?
c. How many total boat slips?
d. How many currently available slips?
EDC Chairman Everingham asked if the Miami River Marine Group (MRMG) had further considered the potential of being retained for no more than $2,000 to assist in the efforts to create the “Miami River Property & Business Database” and MRMG Executive Director Bailey stated they are receptive to the concept.

Phase II of this effort would be hiring an economist to analyze what the economic impact on the Port of Miami River would be if President Obama’s proposed changes allowing free trade with Cuba are implemented.

IV) New Business
The meeting adjourned.