For more information, contact us via email at
miamiriver@bellsouth.net

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

This site
prepared and designed by
Mark Sell Communications, Inc. Public Relations

Ms Jane Caporelli called the publicly noticed Miami River Commission's (MRC) Executive Committee meeting to order on Monday, October 22, 2007, Noon, Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street, Miami, FL. Ms. Caporelli noted the Executive Committee didn't have quorum, therefore no formal votes would be taken.

Members attending were:
Members:  Richard Dubin, Jane Caporelli
MRC Staff: Brett Bibeau, Managing Director
Ashley Chase, Assistant Managing Director
Others Attending: Mark Sell, Wragg & Casas Public Relations, Inc.

I) Set Agenda for MRC's November 5, 2007 meeting

A. Presentation of DDA Downtown Miami Master Plan – Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, noted the MRC's Urban Infill Working Group had reviewed the plan at two previous meetings, and has recommended that the MRC find the “Downtown Miami Master Plan: Urban Design & Transportation” consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan subject to a few conditions, included in the October 10, 2007 UIWG meeting minutes. Therefore the item will be placed on the MRC's November 5 meeting agenda.

B. Presentation of Proposed East Coast Eateries- Mr. Bibeau noted Ms. Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, and project architect Omar Morales, Group, Inc., presented proposed plans for the historically designated East Coast Fisheries and adjacent waterfront properties located between the Flagler Bridge and the 1 st Street Bridge on SW North River Drive to the UIWG on October 10, 2007. Mr. Bibeau noted the proposed project will refurbish the East Coast Fisheries historic building and original sign and rename it “East Coast Eateries.” East Coast Eateries, added Mr. Bibeau, will function solely as a dining room. Mr. Richard Dubin asked if Mr. Peter Swartz still owned the subject property, and Mr. Bibeau replied that Mr. Swartz had sold it a California-based company. Mr. Bibeau explained the City Charter requires a 50-foot setback for new developments along the Miami River east of the 5 th Street Bridge, unless the parcel is less than 200-feet-wide. Since the proposed “East Coast Eateries” property is less than 200-feet-wide, the city requires a minimum setback equal to 25% of the property depth- which in this case equates to an estimated 12.5-foot required setback . Mr. Bibeau noted the developer intends to request a waiver to the charter setback requirement, as the current proposed setback is 0 feet from the riverwalk. Mr. Bibeau noted Ms. Garcia-Toledo Mr. Morales stated it may be possible to present a revised plan to the MRC, which does incorporate a publicly accessible riverwalk within the City Charter required riverfront building setback. In addition, unless an agreement is reached with the Miami Parking Authority to utilize parking spaces beneath adjacent to the upland site beneath I-95, the proposed restaurant site would require a special exemption of 250 required parking spaces. Mr. Bibeau noted the UIWG found the “East Coast Eateries” proposal to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan , subject to several conditions included in the October 10, 2007 UIWG meeting minutes.

C. Presentation of Alimar on the River- Mr. Bibeau noted Mr. Mario Hernandez had presented the proposed “Alimar on the River” at the MRC's Economic Development & Commerce Subcommittee meeting on October 15, 2007. Mr. Bibeau noted the proposed full service marina is located on the east side of the Seybold Canal , south of the Humpback Bridge . Ms. Jane Caporelli asked if the proposed project would require a presentation before the City of Miami Historic & Environmental Preservation (HEP) Board, and Mr. Bibeau replied that, to his knowledge, it would not require a presentation to the HEP, City or County Commissions . Therefore considering the MRC's lengthy agenda on November 5, 2007, the Executive Board members suggested MRC staff defer the presentation of the proposed “Alimar on the River” to the MRC's December 3, 2007 meeting.

II) Review and Discussion of MRC Financial Status - Mr. Bibeau distributed and reviewed the “Miami River Fund, Inc. (d.b.a. Miami River Commission) Accrued Balances as of 9/30/07”, and a Quickbooks Balance Sheet. Mr. Bibeau noted the 2007 MRC audit is currently being completed by Appelrouth and Farah, and will be presented to the Executive Board next month.

III) Launch of 12 th Annual Miami Riverday- Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, noted the 2008 Miami Riverday festival will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2008, from noon to 5 pm, at José Martí Park , between SW 4 th Avenue and SW 4 th Street . Ms. Chase distributed and reviewed the draft 2008 Co-Sponsorship Letter, a registration form for sponsors, food and art vendors, educational displays and marine exhibits, a 2008 Riverday sponsorship package, and the 2007 Miami Riverday budget. Ms. Chase noted the 2008 Riverday registration form features the following additions:

• Insertion of the clause, “Should your company decline or choose to cancel its booth reservations, it must notify Miami Riverday staff by April 5, 2008 to avoid loss of your fee or deposit.”
• Insertion of Food and Art Vendor required, non-refundable fee of $122; Ms Chase noted that last year, the City of Miami Parks Department had begin imposing a $60 fee for each artist and food vendor. Ms. Chase added that the MRC has always provided a free 10 x 10 tent, table and two chairs to each vendor (a total fee of $62), but considering the increased costs of each passing festival, MRC staff decided to request a $122 non-refundable fee-$60 would go to the City of Miami, and $62 would cover the costs of Glenn's Tables, Tents & Chairs.

Per the suggestion of Ms. Caporelli, Ms. Chase agreed to further breakdown the costs included in the registration form, so that organizations whom already own a tent do not have to incur the additional $62 fee .

Ms. Chase explained consistent with previous years, a minimum $500 sponsorship level (currently not included in the 12 th Annual Miami Riverday sponsorship package) is the most is equipped with all the benefits of the $1,500 Lieutenant Sponsorship level.

Per the request of Mr. Bibeau, Ms. Chase agreed to include the Florida Department of Agriculture and Customer Services clause (featured in the 2008 Co-Sponsorship Letter) on the last page of the 2008 Miami Riverday Sponsorship Package.

The Executive Board members shared the following ideas for the 2008 Riverday festival:

• Partnership with Miami-Dade County 's Adopt-A-Tree program
• Partnership with Miami Running Club to host a children and or adult run
• Partnership with either the Dragon Boat race organizers or “Blazing Paddles” to host a kayak or canoe race along the Miami River
• Mr. Bibeau noted Ms. Sallye Jude and Ms. Patty Harris have expressed an interest in assisting with the organization of the 2008 festival. Mr. Bibeau added that Ms. Chase planned to meet with them soon.
• Ms. Caporelli suggested reaching out to local TV stations, such as Channel 4, to obtain corporate sponsorship of the 2008 Miami Riverday Festival.
• Mr. Sell suggested reaching out to Comcast or Community Service Departments of local stations to create a Miami Riverday PSA. Mr. Sell agreed to forward Ms. Chase the appropriate contact information

IV ) Launch of 5 th Annual Miami River Map & Guide- Ms. Chase distributed the 5 th Annual Miami River Map & Guide solicitation letter. Ms. Chase noted the deadline to renew or place a new ad is January 14, 2008. Mr. Bibeau noted the location of the Carnival Performing Arts Center would be included in the new map. Per the request of Ms. Caporelli, MRC staff agreed to include the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Flagler and SE 2 nd Avenue .

V) Renewal of the Contract to Create MRC Annual Report - Mr. Bibeau welcomed Mr. Mark Sell, Director of Client Services for Wragg & Casas Public Relations, Inc., and distributed his proposal for the creation of the Miami River Commission 2007 Report. Mr. Sell noted the $4,800 fee includes design and production fees of Ms. Toni Kirkland, graphic designer, yet printing costs are additional and are billed separately. Mr. Sell stated this year's fee will be made payable to Wragg & Casas. Mr. Sell added he expected to submit a draft report in December, and print 5,000 copies before the holidays. The Executive Board members stated they didn't feel it was necessary to bring the renewal of the contract to create the MRC Annual Report before the full MRC for approval (please note the MRC's adopted Fiscal Year 2008 budget includes $5,000 for the creation of the 2007 Report, and additional $3,000 for printing)

VI) Update of “The Miami River …Works for Me” PSA- Ms. Chase noted MRC staff has reached out to numerous local television stations to broadcast the PSA and increase support for the Miami River, and distributed a media update as of October 22, 2007. The PSA is currently airing on several stations and will be uploaded on the MRC's web site.

VII) Update of MRC Grant Opportunities/Applications - Ms. Chase distributed and reviewed the “Miami River Commission 2007 Grant Update,” featuring the name and status of all grants/ applications either awarded or applied for by MRC staff and pending notification.

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

• Mr. Bibeau noted MRC board member Ms. Megan Kelly, whom also serves on the Downtown Development Authority board, had informed him that the DDA performs monthly “walkabouts” or walking tours within the DDA boundary, and had suggested offering a Miami River boat tour for the DDA so that they could see first-hand the ongoing construction of mixed-use, mixed-income units and greenways along the Miami River. The Executive Board members noted they liked this idea, and suggested offering a walking tour of the district as well.
• Ms. Chase distributed a press release for the 3-minute documentary “Miami-Reflections of the Miami River ,” which was produced by WPBT, Channel 2 and aired on Thursday, October 18, 2007. Ms. Chase agreed to forward an on-air schedule of the documentary to MRC board members and designees as soon as it becomes available.
• Ms. Chase distributed an on-air schedule of the 6-part “Miami River Works for Me” half-hour episodes. Ms. Chase noted the following shows had already been filmed on September 14, 2007: The Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, The Miami River Commission, and the History of the Miami River . Ms. Chase noted the following three shows will be taped this Friday, October 26, 2007: The Miami River Marine Industries (hosted by Richard Dubin and featuring Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Captain Beau Payne, Mr. Mark Bailey and Dr. Munir Mourra), Miami River Development (hosted by Jim Murley and featuring City Commissioner Joe Sanchez , Mr. Robert Ruano, Mr. Dana Nottingham and Mr. Bernard Zyscovich), and The Miami River Greenway (hosted by Ashley Chase and featuring City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Ms. Amy Condon, Ms. Priscilla Morales and Mr. David Henderson).
• Ms. Jane Caporelli asked MRC staff to inquire regarding the status of the dilapidated FDOT stairs on the 1 st ST Bridge and the status of the marked project on South River Drive to the South of the 1 st ST Bridge

The meeting adjourned.

    HOME   |     CALENDARS    |   ABOUT THE RIVER      |    ABOUT THE COMMISSION     |    DREDGING   |   GREENWAYS     
URBAN INFILL PLANS      |     STORMWATER RETROFITTING     |       MINUTES OF MEETINGS   |    LINKS