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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7St. Suite D, Miami FL 33125
Phone: 305-664-0544
Fax: 305-642-1136

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The Miami River Commission's (MRC) Executive Committee was called to order by MRC Chair Eric Buermann , Friday, June 15, 2007, 8:30 am, Greenstreet Café, 3468 Miami Highway , Coconut Grove , FL.

Members attending were:
CHAIR: Eric Buermann
Members:  Phil Everingham , Vice-Chairman, Richard Dubin, Robert Villar
MRC Staff: Brett Bibeau, Managing Director
Others Attending: Jeffrey Hooper, AME Shipping, Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group

The Executive Committee unanimously adopted the May 15, 2007 minutes, incorporating two minor revisions on page 2 requested by Mr. Dubin.

I) Set Agenda for MRC's July 9, 2007 meeting

A. Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan –Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated on May 24, 2007, the final written set of requested revisions to the draft plan were provided to David Henderson, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Greg Kyle, Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA). Mr. Bibeau noted several of the revisions were previously requested either by MRC members, riverfront property owners, general public, and MRC staff, including but not limited to corrections of factual errors and deleting a recommendation to eminent domain portion of a private single family home in order to widen S. River Drive at the 17 Ave intersection. Mr. Bibeau reported Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group, and he are growing concerned because the MPO contracted consultants (with a $25,000 MRC cost-share), KHA, were yet to make the final requested revisions, and neither have returned recent voicemails and e-mails from Mr. Bibeau to discuss why this delay is occurring. Mr. Bibeau stated Mr. Murley suggested if the revisions are not made in the near future, MRC representatives should meet with senior MPO and KHA staff to work towards making the final requested revisions and finalizing the plan ASAP. The Executive Committee directed Mr. Bibeau to ask Mr. Murley to attend any potential meetings with senior MPO and KHA staff, if the final set of written revisions are not incorporated into the draft in the
near future. Mr. Bibeau noted if the final revisions are incorporated into the draft before the
MRC board member’s July mail-out, then the MRC would be ready to consider adopting the
revised draft Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan during their July 9, 2007 meeting at noon, Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. The Executive Committee concurred if the revised plan isn’t provided before the MRC’s July mail out, the plan’s adoption will be deferred to the MRC’s subsequent September 10, 2007 meeting. Mr. Bibeau reported the MRC is expecting to receive a $20,000 invoice from the MPO, leaving a $5,000 balance, which the MRC would hold payment of until the final requested revisions are incorporated into the Plan, and the MRC Executive Committee concurred with the proposed payment plan.

B. Discussion of Status of James L. Knight Center – Mr. Bibeau reported during the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group’s public meeting on June 12, 2007, representatives from the City of Miami stated they were moving forward with bringing a Request for Proposal (RFP) related to the upland City owned parcels, just east of metro-mover, yet had no immediate plans for the City owned riverfront parcels, which include the James L. Knight Convention Center. Since the City Administration reported the riverfront parcels are not being considered for RFP’s at this time, the MRC Working Group recommended the full MRC should not formulate an advisory recommendation on the upland parcels. The Executive Committee concurred and decided not to place the potential item on the MRC’s July 9, 2007 agenda.

II) Adoption of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008) Operational Budget –
Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the approved $183,365 FY ’07 operational budget and the
proposed $185,563 FY ’08 budget for the Miami River Fund Inc, which serves as the MRC’s
financial arm. Mr. Bibeau noted the proposed budget includes a potential increase for Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director’s, annual salary from $40,250 to $42,000. Mr. Bibeau stated the Executive board may consider approving the potential raise in December 2007, when Ms. Chase completes her third full year working for the MRC. Mr. Bibeau noted after completing his third full year working as the MRC’s Assistant Managing Director, his salary was increased to the same proposed $42,000 level. Vice Chair Everingham asked how many years had passed since Mr. Bibeau start making $42,000 when he was the MRC’s Assistant Managing Director, and Mr. Bibeau replied 4 years ago. Mr. Everingham asked the Executive Board if they should consider an additional raise, considering increased cost of living, etc. Mr. Bibeau noted for additional consideration that the MRC Managing Director’s $69,500 salary has essentially not increased since the MRC was established in 1998. The Executive Committee asked if their was sufficient available operational funds to support the proposed budget, considering the Honorable Governor Crist recently vetoed the Legislature’s $250,000 line item for the MRC. Mr. Buermann replied the Governor vetoed the line item because the only eligible
recipients for funding from the environmental related Trust Fund it was appropriated from are Counties, Municipalities and Water Management Districts. Mr. Buermann stated he expressed his strong support for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to renew their annual $250,000 appropriation for the MRC to Carol Wehle, SFWMD Executive Director, whom indicated the SFWMD’s FY ’08 budget, which commences October 1, 2007, will include $250,000 for the MRC. The Executive board agreed to consider MRC staff raises in December 2007. Mr. Bibeau noted as approved the previous year, the budget proposal includes a one time payment to MRC staff, minus appropriate taxes, etc., to pay for one year of their individual private health and dental insurance plans, since the group health and dental insurance rates were more expensive. Mr. Bibeau noted if approved in the proposed budget, similar to the previous year, the health and dental insurance payment would be made to MRC staff in August. The Executive Board unanimously adopted the proposed FY ’08 operational budget.

III) Review of Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 (July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007) Audit Bids – As requested during the MRC Executive Board’s May meeting, Mr. Bibeau provided copies of three bids to conduct the FY ’07 Audit for the Miami River Fund Inc, which serves as the MRC’s financial arm. Mr. Bibeau noted although all three companies were offered the opportunity to provide bids for both one and two years of audits, only Appelrouth, Farah and Co., P.A. elected to provide a bid for two consecutive years. The following is a summary of the presented bids:

• Appelrouth, Farah & Co. P.A. – 1 year $12,800 or 2 years $12,000 first year and $13,500 second year
• Morrison, Brown, Argiz, & Farra, LLP - $15,000
• Kaufman, Rossin & Co. P.A. - $16,500

Mr. Bibeau noted Appelrouth, Farah & Co. has provided our accounting services since 1998, and stated Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra has conducted the last four audits. The Executive Board discussed the concept of having the same firm conduct the audit and accounting. Mr. Bibeau explained he makes the entries into Quickbooks, and provides an electronic copy of the monthly reconciled books to the accountants, which review them and prepare quarterly and annual tax returns for $450 a quarter, which the Executive Committee noted is a good price. After discussion, the Executive Committee concurred there is no conflict between having the same firm conduct both the audit and accounting procedures. The MRC Executive Committee unanimously accepted Appelrouth, Farah & Co.’s two year bid ($12,000 for FY ’07 and $13,500 for FY ’08) and directed Mr. Bibeau to ask if Appelrouth, Farah and Co. is willing to include the currently provided accounting and tax returns in the price for the two years of audits, therefore removing the current $450 quarterly fee for the next two years. The Executive Committee agreed that if Appelrouth, Farah & Co. doesn’t agree, than they will accept their two year audit bid and continue to pay the additional $450 per quarter for accounting, quarterly and annual tax returns.

IV) Discussion of “Miami River Health Fair”- Mr. Bibeau reported Mr. Martinez, Terrazas River Park Village, invited MRC staff to a preliminary meeting regarding the potential for creating a new special event in riverfront Sewell Park, focused on marketing the proximity between the Miami River and adjacent “Health District” (Civic Center). Several of the events exhibits would he health related, and perhaps hosted by the numerous adjacent hospitals and UM Medical School. MRC staff then shared the concept with another adjacent development under construction, River Oaks Marina and Condominium, which expressed interest as well. Mr. Bibeau stated he wanted to inform the Executive Board of this new “Miami River Health Fair” concept, and suggest a minimal MRC staff “in-kind” contribution, and up to $500 to co-sponsor the event. The MRC Executive Board unanimously concurred and asked for updates.
In addition, Mr. Bibeau reported City of Miami Police Officer Servedra, a Neighborhood
Resource Officer of an area including riverfront Lummus Park, proposed at a recent “Friends of Lummus Park” meeting to host the 2nd Annual Lummus Park Catch and Release Fishing Tournament, focused on teaching fishing to underprivileged youth. The Executive Board unanimously approved a minimal MRC staff “in-kind” contribution, and up to $500 to cosponsor the 2nd Annual Lummus Park Catch and Release Fishing Tournament.

V) Status of Available MRC Board Member Positions – To follow up on the MRC’s discussion under new business during the May 7, 2007 meeting, MRC staff provided a summary of the 8 individuals whom have expressed interest in serving as volunteers on the MRC’s three vacant board seats, which include the Honorable Governor Crist’s Member at Large, Environmental or Civic organization appointments, and his designee. The summary indicated four of the eight individuals have submitted the Governor’s required “Questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments”, of which Mr. Bibeau had a copy available for review upon request. The Executive Board unanimously agreed that Chair Buermann should respectfully suggest the Honorable Governor fill the three vacant MRC seats he controls.
VI) New Business- The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Mr. Buermann stated the MRC should consider hosting a Miami River Boat Tour for the SFWMD and elected officials, similar to the MRC hosted River Tour he understands took place approximately three years ago. The Executive Board agreed. Mr. Buermann stated the date will be provided ASAP, and perhaps the next SFWMD Governing Board meeting in Miami, August 7, will be an opportunity.
• Mr. Bibeau reported progress is being made towards bringing the Executive Board’s previously approved creation of a Miami River Marine Industrial Economic Analysis to fruition. The contract to receive a $17,800 grant from the Empowerment Trust was executed, which will serve as a significant cost share for the grand total $22,170 analysis and pier review.
• Mr. Bibeau thanked the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation for their recent $10,000 grant award
• Mr. Bibeau reported on Monday, May 21, 2007, 130 Ransom Everglades seniors coordinated by MRC staff, removed litter and weeds, spread mulch, paint etc. along the South River Drive on-road greenway, from José Martí Park to NW 2nd Street, as well as along the north shore on-road greenway, from NW3rd Street to NW 6th Avenue.
• Mr. Bibeau informed the Executive Committee and Mr. Villar, designee for the Honorable Mayor Alvarez, that the Honorable Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Bruno Barreiro and Dr. Ernie Martin, Chair of the MRC’s Greenways subcommittee, held a publicly noticed meeting to discuss creating riverwalk sections on riverfront County owned properties. Chair Barreiro supported the concept of expediting the County’s approved $7.5 million Miami River Greenway bond line item, by allowing the County’s Public Works Department to oversee the creation of engineering documents and construction of riverwalks on the identified County owned parcels. Mr. Villar stated he appreciated the update, and agrees with the suggested approach to constructing a publicly accessible riverwalk on the County owned riverfront parcels. Mr. Bibeau reported on June 13, 2007, the MRC’s Greenways subcommittee reviewed the City Commission approved Major Use Special Permit for the “Latitude on the River” development, which has almost completed constructed, and depicts a publicly accessible riverwalk connecting to the riverwalk section beneath the Miami-Dade County owned 2nd Ave Bridge, although the City of Miami’s issued building permit for the project depicts the riverwalk as built, which doesn’t connect to the 2nd Ave riverwalk, rather dead ends into the side of the 2nd Ave Bridge retaining wall. The MRC Executive Committee directed staff to advocate for the City to ask the Latitude on the River developer to honor the approved MUSP rendering, by funding and constructing the connector to the Riverwalk beneath the 2nd Ave Bridge.
• Mr. Bibeau thanked the City of Miami for renewing their Scavenger water de-pollutionvessel services contract citywide, including some time on the Miami River, and Miami-Dade County for providing an additional $100,000 for the vessel’s services only on the Miami River. The MRC and SFWMD provided the original $100,000 for the water decontamination vessel’s pilot project on the Miami River.
• The MRC Executive Committee directed staff and the Greenways subcommittee to advocate strongly for the immediate replacement of the collapsed sea-wall at the Miami Circle, and accepting the Related Group’s offer to fund and develop a riverwalk at the site.

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