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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
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The Miami River Commission ’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Thursday, April 21, 2005 , 8:00 a.m. , at the Green Streets Café, 3468 Main Highway , Coconut Grove , FL.  

I.  Set Agenda for MRC’s May 2, 2005 Meeting at Noon, Robert King High, 1401 NW 7^th Street

MRC staff distributed copies of the April 15, 2005 Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) meeting minutes to the MRC Executive Board. Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, noted the UIWG minutes reflect Mr. Ben Fernandez, Berkow Radell, had presented two modified “Brisas del Rio” (1583 NW 24 Ave., former Florida Yacht Basin) development proposals and the EF Builders land use and zoning amendment proposals (1622 - 1630 NW 22 Ave & 2210 NW North River Drive).  Bibeau noted the April 15, 2005 UIWG minutes further reflect although the “Brisas del Rio” development modification to plan a half-acre of publicly accessible green space would enhance the overall greenway effort, the UIWG decided to maintain its original September 21, 2004 recommendation / position, that the presented “Brisas del Rio” 698 residential unit development, which requires the filling of boat slips in the Marine Industrial zoned section of the “Upper River” (to the West of the NW 22 Ave Bridge) is inconsistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Mr. Bibeau stated Mr. Murley asked for the April UIWG minutes to reflect the presented modification to the proposal, since it had previously been voted on by the MRC on November 1, 2004, and directed MRC staff to provide the UIWG minutes to the MRC Executive Committee to consider if the modification is substantial enough to warrant a second MRC hearing.  Chairperson Bagué, Vice-Chair Everingham and Mr. Bunnell concurred that the minor modification made to the “Brisas del Rio ” development proposal is insufficient to warrant a second MRC hearing.

Bibeau stated the April 15, 2005 UIWG minutes reflect although the modification to the EF Builders application to amend the land use and zoning at 1622 - 1630 NW 22 Ave & 2210 NW North River Drive from Duplex Residential (R-2) to High Density Residential (R-4) improves access to the site, the UIWG decided to maintain its original April 16, 2004 UIWG recommendation / position, that the proposed amendment to High-Density Residential in this low density / duplex (2 stories) “upper river” (to the west of 22^nd Ave) residential neighborhood remains inconsistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. Mr. Bibeau stated that Mr. Murley asked for the April 15, 2005 UIWG minutes to reflect the presented modification to the proposal, since it had previously been voted on by the MRC on May 3, 2004, and directed MRC staff to provide the UIWG minutes to the MRC Executive Committee to consider if the modification is substantial enough to warrant a second MRC hearing.  Chairperson Bagué, Vice-Chair Everingham and Mr. Bunnell concurred that the minor modification made to the EF Builders application to amend the land use and zoning at 1622 - 1630 NW 22 Ave & 2210 NW North River Drive from R-2 to R-4 is insufficient to warrant a second MRC hearing.

Mr. Bibeau stated other potential presentations for the MRC’s May 2, 2005 meeting include:

• Recognition / Award presented from the Miami-Dade County Team Metro Melrose Executive Director Suzanne Salichs, for the MRC’s coordination of a couple volunteer clean up’s along S. River Drive in Melrose , and providing a Miami River Boat Tour for “Community Pride Week” participants
• Draft “Miami River Greenways Regulatory Standards and Guidelines” presentation (deferred from MRC April 7, 2005 )
• David Cole, Miami River Maintenance Dredging Project Manager, to report the new sediment processing equipment will be in full operation between May 15 and June 1, 2005
• Tamiami Swing Bridge PD&E Study Presentation

All of the items were accepted to be on the MRC’s May 2, 2005 agenda.

Mr. Everingham stated the MRC recently unanimously adopted the “Second Annual Update” to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, which contained an amendment to, “Recommend preservation of all remaining marine industrial (SD-4) zoning and industrial land use within the Miami River Corridor”.  Chairperson Bagué replied like any Plan, the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan is a blueprint based on fact, study, and public input, and the MRC democratically votes on whether any proposal is either consistent or inconsistent with the adopted strategic Plan.

The Miami River Commission ’s (MRC) Executive Committee discussed the recent recommendation from the Miami River Marine Group and Neighborhoods United that the City of Miami enact a moratorium on removing existing marine industrial zoning along the Miami River until the City Commission adopts a plan for the Miami River . Chairperson Bague, Vice Chair Everingham and Managing Director Bibeau concurred the MRC has not recommended any moratoriums on the Miami River .  Vice Chair Everingham recalled a moratorium was briefly discussed once, during a MRC meeting last year, and the MRC quickly dismissed the concept.  

II. Discuss Proposed MRC Retreat - Chairperson Bagué noted she had met with Ms. Janice Fleischer, Flash Productions, regarding the framework and goals for the proposed MRC retreat. Chairperson Bagué had explained to Ms. Fleischer that the MRC is interested in conducting a publicly noticed retreat to discuss and explore the MRC’s vision and objectives for the future.

Chairperson Bagué stated she would like to explore the potential of the MRC coordinating Miami River Greenway maintenance, regular special events, etc., to eventually emulate the boards/non-profit organizations that assist in managing rivers across the country, such as in Fort Lauderdale , San Antonio , Chicago , Chattanooga , etc.  Ms. Bagué stated the retreat should consist of one half-day session on the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk with the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Trust and Mayor Naugle, and one full day on the Miami River Greenway (both weekdays), including a two hour Miami River Boat Tour.  Mr. Everingham and MRC staff agreed. 

Chairperson Bagué stated she, Ms. Fleischman, Mr. Bibeau have a conference call scheduled for April 22, 2005, to answer any questions Ms. Fleischer may have before submitting a written proposal for the MRC’s consideration.

III. New Business - Chairperson Bagué stated she viewed the videotape of various individuals saying the Miami River Public Awareness Campaign slogan, “The Miami River …it works for me” in various languages at Miami Riverday.  Bagué asked MRC staff to generate a list of additional people to film saying the slogan.  Bagué stated she would ask the SFWMD videographer to attend the MRC’s May 2, 2005 meeting at 1401 NW 7 ST, and the MRC may be taped saying the slogan outside along the River’s shoreline.

The meeting adjourned.

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