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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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The Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Tuesday, August 22, 2006, noon at the River Oyster Bar, 650 S. Miami Ave.

I) Set Agenda for MRC’s September 11, 2006 Meeting Agenda - Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, reported during the Urban Infill Working Group’s (UIWG) August 8, meeting the Related Group presented a major redevelopment project located adjacent to the proposed $55 million Merrill-Stevens Boatyard expansion, including several parcels of County-owned surface parking lots immediately west of 836, and the potential closure of NW 11^th Street. Mr. Bibeau stated a Miami-Dade County subcommittee recently recommended approval of this potential future use of the County owned parcel, which would be considered by the full Board of County Commissioners in October.  Mr. Bibeau added that the UIWG found the proposed public private partnership to create a mixed-use and mixed-income project is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  The Executive Board noted since the MRC previously found the adjacent Merrill-Stevens expansion to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, they should invite Merrill-Stevens to participate in the September 11 MRC meeting, only for informational purposes related to how the two adjacent proposed project’s may co-exist.

MRC staff distributed a copy of the proposed building plans for a 157 residential unit project located on the south shore of the Miami River’s North Fork, at 2601 and 2621 NW 16 ST Road, west of NW 22 Ave.  Mr. Bibeau noted although the site features an operating recreational boatyard, it is not zoned Marine Industrial (SD-4), rather commercial (C1), and therefore the project would not require a land-use and zoning amendment or Major Use Special Permit.  Mr. Bibeau further noted the item would only be heard by the City Commission if the original administrative decision is appealed.  Mr. Bibeau noted per the Executive Committee’s July directive, the proposed project was presented before the UIWG on August 8, and UIWG Chair Murley recommended the MRC find the project to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  The Executive Board directed MRC staff to invite the proposed developer to make a presentation at the MRC’s September 11 meeting.

MRC staff distributed the Draft “Working River” Notice for Condo Documents, featuring original language created by Greenberg Traurig on June 20, 2006, and the UIWG suggested revised version.  Mr. Winston stated he didn’t think the MRC should form a position regarding the draft “ Working River ” Notice.  The Executive Board noted the MRC recommended language of this nature when reviewing previous projects, and directed staff to place the item on the MRC’s September 11, 2006 agenda.

II. Presentation of MRC Web Site Update Proposals - Per the request of the Executive Board, Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, presented three proposals/estimates from local and national firms to refurbish the MRC website.  Ms. Chase noted that estimates include costs for maintenance, web updates, meeting minute archives, domain names, web hosting, etc. The Executive Board reviewed the three proposals submitted by Studio Lilley ($1,470), Affinity ($3,200), and Campeon Group ($4,850). Ms. Chase noted Ms. Jane Caporelli had suggested contacting Studio Lilley at the previous Executive meeting to obtain a quote for website redesign. Ms. Chase added that Studio Lilley had designed the Miami River Inn’s website. Mr. Phil Everingham asked Ms. Chase which company she preferred, to which Ms. Chase replied that she had a good meeting with the Campeon Group, and shared the same basic principles of website reconstruction.  Mr. Winston stated he supports the lowest priced proposal, Studio Lilly.  Mr. Phil Everingham made a motion directing Ms. Chase to contact the Campeon Group in an effort to reduce their total website reconstruction proposal to $3,500; if the Campeon Group is unwilling to reduce their proposed cost to $3,500, the Executive Board directed Ms. Chase to contract with Studio Lilley.  The motion was seconded by Robert Ruano, and passed 3-1.  Ms. Jude, owner of the Miami River Inn, abstained from voting due to a potential conflict of interest.

III. Review of MRC Audit Proposals – Per the Executive Committee’s July 18, 2006 directive, Mr. Bibeau presented a “Summary of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Audit Proposal Costs” and the actual provided quotes from three companies:  Morrison Brown Argiz & Farrah LLP=$12,000 (conducted Miami River Fund, Inc. in FY ‘05, ‘04 and ‘03); Kaufman & Rossin=$14,000 (conducted audit in FY ’02 and ’01); Berkowitz, Dick, Pollack & Brant=$16,000.  Ms. Jude made a motion to renew the audit services of Morrison Brown Argiz & Farrah LLP.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Everingham, and unanimously adopted.

IV. Review of Draft “Miami River Commission Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects” - Mr. Bibeau distributed a draft “Miami River Commission Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects” document to the Executive Board, highlighting five different volunteer clean-up/tree planting events along the Miami River and their potential budgets.  Mr. Bibeau noted that the proposed grand total budget for the volunteer events, consisting of 12 locations and 350 volunteers, would cost the MRC $10,212.67.  Mr. Robert Ruano asked if Mr. Bibeau had discussed these clean-ups with City of Miami representatives, such as NET Administrators and Mr. Bibeau replied he had reached out to several City representatives, including Mr. Pablo Canton, East Little Havana NET Administrator.  Mr. Bibeau explained that the majority of the events consisted of tree planting and litter removal, and would bear no cost or added future maintenance requirements for the City of Miami .  Chair Bagué noted the MRC had coordinated and funded dozens of volunteer clean-ups over the past several years, in which the City had always assisted and appreciated the volunteer efforts, and the MRC would reconsider the proposed future volunteer events if the City expresses any objections.  Mr. Bibeau noted he was reaching out to Home Depot and Costco for potential supplies/materials donations, which may decrease the $10,212.67 “worst case” scenario MRC appropriation for the projects.  Mr. Bibeau added two MRC recommended riverfront pocket parks would be created by the volunteers, and the necessary funding is a component of the proposed budget.  Ms. Jude moved to approve the draft “ Miami River Commission Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects”, and the Executive Committee unanimously adopted the motion.

V. Discuss Process for Future Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan Updates - Mr. Bibeau noted that Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group, had suggested conducting the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan update process bi-annually, versus annually.  The Executive Board concurred with Mr. Murley’s recommendation, therefore the “Fourth Update” to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan will be considered by the MRC in December 2007.

VI. Discussion of Potentially Requesting a Miami River “Idea Raiser”- Mr. Bibeau stated three future Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives launched a process to create “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future,” an effort to seek public input to create a written list of 100 ideas, which the legislature would in part work on implementing during upcoming sessions.  Mr. Bibeau noted as part of the process, local organizations may request focus groups known as “Idea Raisers” to discuss potential ideas to be included in the book.  Mr. Winston and Chair Bagué noted that an “Idea Raiser” would not be necessary, yet encouraged Mr. Bibeau to submit the MRC’s priority recommendations of completing the Miami River maintenance dredging and Miami River Greenway projects to the 100 Ideas website.

VII. Discussion of Revised Draft MRC Staff Benefit Package – As previously directed by the Executive Board, and consistent with the MRC’s recently adopted “Employee Policies and Guidelines”, Ms. Chase presented a revised draft MRC Staff Benefit Package.  In addition, per the Executive Board’s July directive, Ms. Chase distributed copies of the South Florida Water Management District’s employee benefit package.  The Executive Board, by a vote of 4-1 agreed to have the MRC pay for Mr. Bibeau’s ($2,520 per year) and Ms. Chase’s ($2,800 per year) health insurance bills, and provide MRC staff with the “Dental Benefit Package” of their choice from the three presented options ($119.95 - $129.95 per year).  The Executive Committee asked for the MRC’s Executive Committee to consider staff benefit packages annually, and confirm with the MRC Auditors that there isn’t an issue with the MRC making payments on the health insurance invoices, considering they will be addressed to Mr. Bibeau and Ms. Chase rather than the MRC.  MRC staff thanked the Executive Board for approving a benefit package.

VIII. New Business- The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Mr. Bibeau noted MRC board member Mr. Bud Morton , Chair of the Miami River Marine Group, is resigning from the MRMG, and therefore the MRC as well.  Mr. Bibeau added that the Miami River Marine Group will elect their new President in September, who in turn would replace Mr. Morton on the MRC.  Mr. Bibeau thanked Mr. Morton for his years of volunteer service.
• Mr. Bibeau distributed an informational packet regarding the SR 968/West Flagler Street/ SW 1^st Street PD & E 27^th Avenue to 2^nd Avenue study and project objectives.  Mr. Bibeau explained he had recently attended a meeting on the aforementioned topic where three different design options for the project were presented: 1 of the 3 included a designated bike lane.  Mr. Bibeau asked if the Executive Board would like the UIWG to hear this item and render a recommendation, and the Executive Board directed the UIWG to consider the item in September 2006 and determine if it should be presented during the MRC’s October 2006 meeting.
• Per the Executive Committee’s July request, Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the City’s “Certificate of Use” issued for the MRC offices located at 1407 NW 7 ST.

The meeting adjourned.

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