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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
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.ed

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The Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Tuesday, November 23, 2005, 8:00 a.m., at the Green Streets Café, 3468 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL.

I.  Review MRC FY’06 Administration Budget

Chairperson Irela Bagué asked if there were any objections regarding the Miami River Commission proposed Fiscal Year 2006 operational budget, and Mr. Gary Winston stated he wished to voice his opinion on the matter.  Mr. Winston noted he was finding it rather difficult to endorse an 8 percent pay increase for both the Managing Director and Assistant Managing Director, and asked Chairperson Bagué for a detailed justification for the proposed pay raise. Chairperson Bagué expressed her support of MRC staff and noted them as invaluable assets to the Miami River Commission. Chairperson Bagué further added the pay raises would bring staff to an equitable pay level held by previous positions. Mr. Bud Morton concurred, noting that Mr. Bibeau’s current salary was the starting salary for the Managing Director position in 1998, which had not changed in the subsequent eight years, and noted that Mr. Bibeau’s starting salary as Managing Director was less than the starting salary for the same position in 1998.  Mr. Morton stated Mr. Bibeau has proved himself, and is a hard worker.  Ms. Bagué added that similar non-for-profit agencies generally have a larger annual salary and befit package for the Managing Director position than the proposed all inclusive $69,500 rate.  Mr. Phil Everingham asked if the MRC’s proposed FY’06 budget could withhold pay raises, and Mr. Bibeau noted that a $154,129 surplus of eligible grant funding existed to support the pay raise. Mr. Bibeau replied the following:

• This marks his sixth year working for the Miami River Commission, and third year as Managing Director
• His current all-inclusive annual $64,000 salary is the starting salary for the Managing Director position in 1998, 8 years ago to date
• The MRC does not provide any typical additional financial benefit packages, such as health care or 401 K plans, therefore the salary is considered “all inclusive”, as he pays for his own $2,200 health insurance per year from his annual salary
• His current salary is based on a 40-hour-a-week, yet for the past six years, he has averaged 60-hour work weeks
• With the approved raise to $69,500, his hourly pay would become $23
• There is a large surplus available, resulting form the audit, to financially support a raise
• The MRC has obtained numerous awards, including but not limited to, a 2004 award for “Best Non-Profit Organization,” a 2005 Community Steward “1000 Friends of Florida Award, etc.

Chairperson Bagué asked Mr. Winston if he would like the Executive Board to consider a MRC staff performance form to justify future pay raises, and Mr. Winston agreed.  Mr. Everingham stated he would expect the insurance line item to increase from last year, therefore asked the line item to be increased an additional $500, to $2,500. The Executive Board asked MRC staff to provide them with estimates for health insurance and a 401 K plan at the next Executive Board meeting.  Irela Bagué noted the MRC is operating on their original outdated computers, and recommended staff obtain estimates for two new laptop computers.

Phil Everingham made a motion to approve the proposed MRC Fiscal Year 2006 operational budget, with the conditions of increasing the insurance line item to $2,500 and that the Executive Board consider conducting MRC staff performance reviews prior to considering any future pay raises.  The motion was unanimously adopted.

MRC staff expressed their deepest gratitude.

II. Review MRC FY ’05 Audit – Ms. Gesana Hung, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, presented the Miami River Fund, Inc. FY ’05 audit. Mr. Winston noted that the first paragraph of page 6 of the document, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and other Information,” regarding the Miami River Fund, Inc. needed to be revised. The Executive Board unanimously concurred that the revised sentence should read: “The primary purpose of the Miami River Fund, Inc. is to serve as the financial subsidiary and funding entity of the Miami River Commission, the official clearinghouse for all public policy and projects related to the Miami River…”

Ms. Hung noted the MRC received a “Grade A” review, having experienced no disagreements with management, nor any documented difficulties or irregularities. As described in the audit-required “Letter of Communications,” Ms. Hung recommended that the organization consider “utilizing outside assistance to help them in the process once it is determined that the benefits of maintaining the organization’s records on an accrual basis outweigh the costs of using such assistance.”

Mr. Bibeau stated he was pleased to report that 95% of the MRC’s total functional expenses are dedicated towards community-based programs and only 5% is used for operational expenses.

Chairperson Bagué made a motion to accept the audit with the aforementioned revised sentence and under the condition that MRC staff explore the option of hiring outside assistance to transfer and maintain the organization’s accounting from cash to an accrual basis.  The motion was unanimously adopted.  The Executive Board asked staff to provide information regarding the accountant at the next Executive Board meeting.

III.  Set Agenda for MRC’s December 5, 2005 Meeting- Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC board was scheduled to consider the proposed Miami River Bridge Crossings for the MDX Interconnector & the MDT MIC-Earlington Heights Metrorail System.  Bibeau reported on November 14, 2005 the Economic Development & Commerce Subcommittee unanimously found the proposal to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, subject to the condition that the MDT and MDX public rights of way adjacent to and beneath the proposed 40 foot tall fixed bridges be made available for marine industrial purposes.

IV.  Discuss MRC Retreat- Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC Retreat has been rescheduled to Friday, January 13, 11:30-3:30 pm, on Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk, followed by a full-day retreat on Friday, January 20, at the Hyatt adjacent to the Miami River Greenway.

V.  New Business – As the next step in the “Miami River Works for Me” PR Campaign Mr. Bibeau presented the board with the requested estimate by multi-media videographers Broadcast Quality to produce a 30-second PSA for release to local television stations.  Mr. Bibeau stated the total cost to write, produce, shoot on location Miami River scenes, and edit the PSA would cost $3,550.  Mr. Bibeau added the PSA would be edited into an English and Spanish 30-second and 15-second versions - and filmed in a variety of Miami River locations - to give local stations flexibility in working the PSA into their programming schedules.

The meeting adjourned.

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