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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

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

The Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Monday, December 18, 2006 , noon , Finnegan’s River, 401 SW 3^rd Avenue

I) Set Agenda for MRC’s January 8, 2007 Meeting - Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Managing Director, noted she had attended a Miami 21 workshop hosted by the City of Miami ’s Planning Advisory Board on November 30 at City Hall, and noted the City planned to conduct two more publicly noticed workshops in January 2007.  Ms. Chase added she would invite the City of Miami Planning Department to present the draft Miami 21 East Quadrant to the February MRC meeting, so that the board may formulate its advisory recommendation.  The Executive Board encouraged MRC staff to continue monitoring the public process.

II)  Launch of 11^th Annual Miami Riverday and 4^th Annual Miami River Map & Guide - Ms. Chase noted MRC staff has begun the planning process for the 11^th Annual Miami Riverday festival, as well as the 4^th Annual Miami River Map & Guide (12,000 copies).  Ms. Chase distributed the 11^th Annual Miami Riverday sponsorship packages, press releases and invitation, as well as a Miami River Map & Guide solicitation letter.  Ms. Chase explained the minimum $500 sponsorship level (currently not included in the sponsorship package) is the most affordable option, and is equipped with all the benefits of the $1,500 Lieutenant Sponsorship level.  Ms. Chase noted she recommended the Riverday budget include re-contracted Public Relations specialist Ms. Eloise Rodriguez to assist with marketing the festival and obtaining additional sponsors.  Ms. Chase noted she planned to meet with Ms. Rodriguez in early January 2007.  Chair Bagué suggested launching the previously discussed Miami Riverday PSA, and Ms. Chase noted she would contact Ms. Diana Udel , VTA.

Ms. Chase noted the City of Miami F.A.C.E had awarded grants to fund cultural festivals, including but not limited to Miami Riverday, yet since that department is being restructured, Ms. Chase noted that such grant opportunities are currently unavailable.  Ms. Chase stated she had met with City Commissioner Joe Sanchez that morning regarding the renewal of the City of Miami ’s sponsorship of Miami Riverday.  Ms. Chase noted Commissioner Sanchez was amenable to the idea, but would receive word regarding available funding in mid-January.

III) Review of Draft MRC 2006 Report – The Executive Committee welcomed Mr. Mark Sell, Mark Sell Communications, Inc., who presented the draft text for the MRC Annual Report. Mr. Sell noted the annual report will focus on three key issues:

1. Promote the river as a destination landscape; attraction; Finnegan’s River is currently featured on the cover to achieve this goal
2. Dredging (status of the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, Merrill-Stevens expansion project, etc.)
3. Development of the Miami River Greenway

Mr. Sell noted Ms. Toni Kirkland is currently working on the design/format of the report, and suggested that the Executive Board contact him to provide additional information, suggestions or revisions. Mr. Sell noted the report is 6 pages and will feature a map of the entire river, divided into three different-colored sections (illustrating the lower, middle and upper river).

The following comments/suggestions were made:

• Chair Bagué asked Mr. Sell to include information on the Miami River Greenway Historical Markers. Mr. Sell noted they would be mentioned in the report’s Greenways section
• Ms. Sallye Jude requested that the report include a map indicating dredged vs. un-dredged river sections; Mr. Sell agreed to look into that suggestion
• Mr. Gary Winston asked which entities would receive the annual report, and Mr. Bibeau replied the Legislature, City of Miami , Miami-Dade County , Riverday attendees. Mr. Bibeau added the report is also distributed at every public meeting/venue MRC staff attends.

Mr. Robert Ruano stated the City of Miami has offered to print 5,000 full-color copies of the annual report in exchange for use of the back page, which would highlight that the City was sponsoring the printing (possibly though the creation of an ad which would promote the river as a place to “live, work and play”) and include a City seal at the bottom of said page, as well as a list of the City Commissioners and Mayor.  Chair Bagué explained the annual report’s back page has always been used to list the MRC board members and provided MRC contact information. She added that the MRC’s Annual Report is required by State law; therefore the annual report shouldn’t seem commercial.  Instead, Chair Bagué offered the City an “in-kind” trade of an extra large advertisement in the Miami River Map and Guide in exchange for the City of Miami printing the MRC annual reports.  The Executive Board thanked Mr. Ruano for the City’s offer to provide “in-kind” printing of the MRC’s annual report, and asked if rather than a full page of the report in return, would the City consider their seal with a small caption reading “Printing provided courtesy of the City of Miami”, or an extra large ad on the back page of the 4^th Annual Miami River Map & Guide.  Mr. Ruano agreed to relay the offer, and advise MRC staff if they will provide the in-kind printing of the MRC’s annual report by the end of the year.  Chair Bague thanked Mr. Ruano.

IV) Consideration of Assistant Managing Director’s Budgeted Raise- Ms. Chase noted she was completing her second year as the MRC’s Assistant Managing Director and respectfully requested a raise from her current $38,500 annual salary to $40,250, which was budgeted for in the MRC’s fiscal year 2006-2007 operational budget unanimously adopted by the Executive Committee on July 18, 2006 .  The proposed raise would become effective on January 1, 2007 .  Vice-Chair Phil Everingham asked if there was sufficient available funding to support the raise, and Mr. Bibeau replied yes.  Vice-Chair Everingham made a motion to approve the aforementioned raise.  The motion was seconded by Chair Bagué and passed unanimously.  Chair Bagué acknowledged Ms. Chase for her continued positive role on behalf of the MRC.

V) Renewal of Patton Boggs and Doug Bruce & Associates Services – The MRC’s executive board recommended the Miami River Fund Inc. convene a meeting in the near future to consider renewing their service agreements with Patton Boggs and Doug Bruce and Associates.

VI) Update of Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan - Mr. Bibeau noted an update of the plan had been provided and reviewed at the December 15, 2006 Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) meeting. Mr. Bibeau noted the Plan’s Study Advisory Committee continues to seek input, a complete first draft is expected in mid-January, and the final plan is anticipated for April 2007.  Ms. Chase added the draft Plan is a standing agenda item for the UIWG’s regularly scheduled publicly noticed meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of every month, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.

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

Mr. Ruano asked about the intent of the Executive board’s November 2006 approval of the scope of services for the “Miami River Marine Economic Analysis”.  Mr. Bibeau explained the MRC’s Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) co-chairs Megan Kelly and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro had submitted letters to the Executive Board regarding their desire to approve a draft scope of services from two Florida Atlantic University Professors and economists to prepare a detailed, current analysis of the economic outputs and potential of the marine industries on the Miami River.  Mr. Bibeau noted the Executive draft scope’s proposed $22,170 cost includes an initial analysis/research performed by FAU Professors of nine previously created river studies, and a peer/economists review of their report findings.  Mr. Bibeau noted the Executive Committee unanimously authorized the EDC and MRC staff to seek funding sources for the approved scope’s $22,170 cost.  Mr. Ruano stated that he really didn’t see the purpose behind doing another economic impact of the Marine Industry on the river, especially for the fact that no new data would be collected, only a review of the studies that were already done and an interpretation of such.  Mr. Ruano stated he would like the study to differentiate between the economic impacts in the City of Miami and those in unincorporated Miami-Dade County .  Mr. Everingham stated the benefits are more regional in nature, for example a City of Miami homeowner working in a marine industrial business located in the unincorporated upper river area creates economic benefit in both the City and County.  Mr. Ruano disagreed and stated that a study could definitely show the difference between a direct or indirect benefit to a municipality. For example, the property tax revenue coming to the City as a result of a business located within City limits and jobs within the City.  Chair Bagué suggested that Mr. Ruano provide input for the study to the EDC co-chairs and FAU professors.  Mr. Ruano made a motion to put the Miami River Marine Economic Analysis on hold.  Mr. Winston seconded the motion. The motion failed 4-2.

Mr. Bibeau provided WASD concept drawings to façade Pump Station #1 in a similar architectural fashion as the adjacent historic Scottish Rite Temple , located on the Miami River ’s South Shore at NW North River Drive and NW 3 ST.  Mr. Bibeau noted the WASD has $100,000 available for the façade treatment, and the WASD is seeking a formal written approval of the façade renditions from the MRC.  Mr. Bibeau noted the Chairs of the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group and Greenways Subcommittee had recommended approval of the proposed renditions. The Executive Board directed staff to place the item on the January 8, 2007 MRC agenda as a self-standing item.

The meeting adjourned.

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