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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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The Miami River Commission Executive Committee was called to order at 8:00 AM at Greenstreets Café located at 3468 Main Highway, Coconut Grove.

       The first item was a discussion of the Scope of Services for the “Comparative Economic Analysis and Market Study of the Marine Industry in the Miami River Corridor” and discussion of priorities for MRC Strategic Plan.  Discussion ensued with the Executive Committee requesting the initial draft of the Strategic Plan priorities from the Urban Infill Committee.  Javier Fernandez provided an overview of the timeline for presentation of the Plan before the City Commission.   Bob Parks suggested that the MRC should set up meetings to brief City Commissioners.  

The Committee discussed the MRC State legislative agenda and set the following priority items:

1. Delete the “sunset” provision from the MRC enabling legislation, which currently sunsets the MRC in July 2003.
2. Seek MRC operational funding of $200,000, which is the same as last year.
3. Support Miami-Dade County request for $1.5 million of state appropriations for Miami River dredging project.

Bob Parks asked David to send letters to the city, county, and GMCC requesting their support for the above legislative items.  Dusty Melton recommended that the MRC immediately contact Rep. Gus Barreiro or some other state legislator to sponsor our legislative items.  Bob Parks suggested that MRC members send letters to legislators that they may know requesting their support of the above items.  Dusty Melton reminded all that after the November elections the MRC should send a letter congratulating elected officials and advising them of our legislative concerns.

Bob asked about the status the MRC’s request to the GMCC to present the Urban Infill Plan before Bill Cullom and hopefully the Board of Directors.  David reported that the GMCC staff is working on scheduling this for a breakfast or luncheon meeting.  Gerry advised the committee that on October 2, 2002 the SFWMD would be holding a 3-day conference with senior Corps and SFWMD personnel in attendance and the GMCC is sponsoring a luncheon.  He suggests that the MRC attend and participate in this conference.  David will get this information to all MRC members.

                The next item was to set the agenda for the October 7, 2002 MRC meeting.  It was decided that presentations from the TPL hired consultants completing the engineering design of the greenway would provide an update of progress and the Florida Department of Transportation would present the information on the Fifth Street Bridge replacement.  Discussion ensued about a presentation by the city staff on Sewell Park zoning and land use change.  Javier Fernandez stated he would check into the issue and see if there is a new plan or new information.  Sallye Jude made a motion to oppose the land use and zoning change in Sewell Park.  It was seconded by Phil Everingham and passed unanimously.   Bob Parks wants a letter from the MRC presented before the Planning Advisory Board at their meeting on September 25, 2002 stating the MRC’s opposition.

                David discussed the proposal for a Miami River Documentary film by Tom Glennon.  David and Ernie Martin met with Tom earlier this week and reported that Glennon has obtained approximately $35,000 of services from the Miami-Dade County to utilize their studio and editing facility.  TPL will seek a grant from MDC Cultural Affairs Department and David advised the committee that Brett had reviewed the grants available from the state and the MRC could apply for a state grant to help fund the film.  The committee unanimously approved a motion to apply for the MRC to apply for the state grant.  Discussion ensued about the film content and who would be the spoke persons.  Gary Winston suggested the MRC let Glennon (the film expert) do his job and the MRC should not try to overly manage this project.    

                Under new business Javier Fernandez was concerned with the tone of the MRC’s letter to the U.S. Coast Guard concerning the Second Avenue Bridge construction and the proposed closures of the River to navigation for prolonged periods to facilitate bridge construction.  Discussion ensued.  Bob Parks wants to make sure that future Coast Guard or federal issues such as this are forwarded to Senator Graham and Nelson and our Representatives for their input.  David advised that he obtained all comment letters submitted to the Coast Guard and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen did provided written comments.   Separate from the above, David also advised that the Coast Guard would be closing the River for a 36-hour period to facilitate a heavy lift of a major component of the Second Avenue Bridge.  Bob Parks suggested that a letter be sent to FDOT in Tallahassee expressing concern with the lack of consideration given by FDOT to local businesses.     

                The “One Riverview Square” issue concerning the lack of proper setback from the River as required by the City Commission was discussed and it was decided to send a letter to all City Commissioners, City Manager, and the City Attorney advising them of the problems and the MRC resolution passed at the September 9, 2002 meeting. 

                 Discussion ensued concerning the Port Security Assessment of the Miami River.  The report is completed and Bob stated we should have this report presented to the MRC as soon as possible.  This is an important issue and the sooner we can hear the report the better.  Bob would like to have this presentation at the October 7, 2002 MRC meeting.

                David explained that the County Commission would be voting on the expansion of the “Enterprise Zone” and had requested a letter of support from the MRC.  The Urban Infill Plan recommends expansion of the Enterprise Zone and the executive committee authorized a letter of support be sent to the County Commissioners.

The Executive Committee meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

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