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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St.,  Suite D
Miami , FL 33125

  Phone 305-644-0544
Fax 305-642-1136

 

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The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Greenways Subcommittee (GSC) met as regularly scheduled on the second Wednesday of the month, May 9, 2007, 2:00 PM, 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.  Dr. Ernie Martin chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. Discussion of Greenway Connectors Needed on County-Owned Property on North Shore Beneath the South Miami Avenue Bridge & Metro-Rail, South Shore Beneath the Metro-Rail & Metro-Mover – Dr. Martin directed Brett Bibeau, Managing Director of the Miami River Commission (MRC) to prepare a brief written summary with pictures of the aforementioned areas to present during the meeting, which will be publicly noticed with Board of County Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro and his MRC designee Lubby Navarro.  The meeting has been scheduled to discuss the importance of constructing greenway sections on County owned riverfront parcels to connect existing riverwalk sections in order to provide a continuous Greenway system from east to west, and the $7.5 million Miami River Greenway line item in the County’s approved general obligation bond.  Dr. Martin added City Manager Pete Hernandez had to re-schedule his May 17 meeting with MRC staff and himself, regarding future maintenance, security, and special events along the Miami River Greenway, and directed MRC staff to prepare informational packages for that meeting as well.

Mr. Bibeau noted he had spoken to Mr. Steve Gelb, developer / owner of Latitude on the River, regarding the possibility of connecting the Latitude riverwalk, which is nearing completion, with the existing riverwalk section immediately east beneath the NW 2 Ave Bridge and connecting with the planned and funded on-road greenway at NW 6 ST and the approved Reflections on the River riverwalk sections, in an effort to create a continuous pedestrian path.  According to Mr. Bibeau, Mr. Gelb indicated the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) would not issue a permit to connect the two parcels, since the property beneath the bridge is owned by Miami-Dade County .  Instead, noted Mr. Bibeau, Mr. Gelb offered to provide a construction easement in Latitude’s condo documents, allowing the county to create a connection from their NW 2 Ave bridge parcel to the Latitude riverwalk.  Mr. Bibeau added that the submerged land bordering the development is owned by Latitude on the River.

Mr. Bibeau stated Neo Vertika and Miami-Dade Transit representatives have scheduled a meeting on May 17, 11 am , to survey the M-Path fence, located adjacent to Neo Vertika, which the Neo Vertika condo association has offered to remove, and install a bench and trash receptacle and new sod on the riverfront portion of the M-Path.  Mr. Bibeau explained the fence is currently blocking greenway connectivity between Neo Vertika and the Metro Rail path.

II. Discuss Future Miami River Greenway Governance – Dr. Martin noted no reference to the “Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards” has been made thus far in Miami 21.  Dr. Martin added he planned to address this topic with Mr. Pete Hernandez.  Mr. Kevin Brown, Consul Tech, noted Mr. Enrique Nuñez had indicated that the city would try to incorporate the “Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards” into the final draft Miami 21 “Eastern Quadrant.”  Mr. Bibeau noted the final draft Miami 21 “Eastern Quadrant” is scheduled to be presented to the Miami City Commission for adoption at First Reading on Thursday, May 24, 2007 .  Mr. Bibeau stated the MRC continues to recommend the draft be revised to require publicly accessible riverwalks and include the City Charter riverfront building setback formula apply riverwide, and noted several of the Transect Zones in the current draft allow no riverfront setbacks, which would eliminate the potential for riverwalks.  Ms. Lavinia Freeman, The Trust for Public Land , agreed to support the MRC’s Miami 21  recommendations.

Mr. Bibeau provided the following information regarding upcoming MRC-coordinated volunteer clean-ups of the Miami River Greenway:

• Monday, May 21, 2007 : 130 Ransom Everglades seniors will remove litter and weeds, spread mulch, paint, etc. along the South River Drive on-road greenway, from José Martí Park to NW 2^nd Street , as well as along the north shore on-road greenway, from NW 3^rd Street to NW 6^th Avenue .  In addition the volunteers will provide litter removal along South River Drive from NW 27 Ave to NW 20 ST, south shoreline at 1401-1407 NW 7 ST, and the north shoreline beneath I-836

• Mr. Bibeau noted he had spoken to Lt. Edwards, whom had agreed to provide free labor/prison inmates to remove litter, weeds, and spread mulch along sections of the Miami River on a monthly basis.  Mr. Bibeau noted the work would be conducted in the morning, before adjacent restaurants open for business.  Mr. Bibeau noted he had scheduled a site visit with Lt. Edwards on Tuesday, May 15, 11 am beneath the NW 27^th Avenue Bridge, on South River Drive .

III. Status of Miami River Greenway Historic Markers – Ms. Chase noted she, Mr. Bibeau and Mr. Chris Rogers, Yazi Design, had conducted a site visit on Tuesday, April 17, 9 am, to inspect each marker and Mr. Rogers found a problem with “spot welding” on some of the poles attached to the signage.  Ms. Chase noted Mr. Rogers had contacted Mr. Bryan Vasser, Baron Signs Manufacturing, to request that a representative perform the needed improvements.  Ms. Chase noted she and Mr. Bibeau performed an additional site survey, and confirmed that the “spot welding” corrections had been made on April 28, as promised by Mr. Vasser.  Ms. Chase added she had forwarded the final Baron Signs Manufacturing invoice to the Villagers, Inc., whom submitted the fifth and final payment. Baron Signs Manufacturing confirmed receipt of the final payment several days ago, closing out their MRC contract.  Ms. Chase stated she and Villagers board member Jane Noppenberg are currently planning an unveiling ceremony at Lummus Park , in which Commissioner Spence-Jones, representatives of the city, the Dade Heritage Trust, TPL, local historians, etc. will be invited to celebrate the installation of the 6 historic markers.

Ms. Chase and Mr. Bibeau thanked the Kona Kai Art Gallery for donating $1,650 of proceeds from their recent Miami River Art Show at Neo Vertika.  Mr. Bibeau noted the Kona Kai owners specified the donation is to be used towards additional historic markers along the Greenway.  Ms. Chase noted each marker, under the Baron Sign Manufacturing contract, cost $4,266 and Mr. Bibeau stated Mr. Vasser, Baron Signs agreed to a contract extension honoring this original price if additional markers are ordered before the end of 2007.

Ms. Chase noted the developer of Latitude on the River had pledged to install a historic marker at the development site to commemorate the former location of Brickell Shipyard and Miami Ship Services.  Ms. Chase noted MRC staff, with the help of Mr. Jim Broton , would draft the Latitude historic marker and present it to the GSC next month.  Ms. Chase also noted she would provide the developer the marker specifications.

MRC staff distributed their revised draft “East Coast Fisheries” and “ John Seybold Estate & Spring Garden ” historic markers. The GSC agreed to review the drafts and provide additional comments prior to next month’s GSC meeting.  Ms. Chase agreed to email Mr. Brown the “ John Seybold Estate & Spring Garden ” historic marker text no later than Wednesday, May 16, 2007 , so that he may present the draft at the next HEPB meeting.  These next two historic markers along the Greenway will  be manufactured and installed by the City of Miami in the development of sections “B & C” and “ North Spring Garden ”.

IV.  Discuss Status of Miami River Greenway Development – Mr. Kevin Brown, Consul-Tech / City of Miami Capital Improvement, presented the revised final plans for the on-road greenway in Spring Garden along NW North River Drive from the west side of the Humpback Bridge on NW 7^th Street Road (east end) to NW 11^th Place (west end).  Dr. Martin welcomed Spring Garden residents to the GSC meeting.  Mr. Brown noted he had received input from the Spring Garden Civic Association prior to today’s meeting, and their suggestions/comments have been incorporated in the current revised final plans. The project plans consist of:

• Reconstruction of North River Drive while maintaining two lanes of traffic at all times
• A 15-foot publicly accessible on-road greenway on the river’s (south west) side of NW North River Drive, consisting of 2 unobstructed 5-foot wide sidewalks separated by a 5 foot wide landscaped median with decorative lighting, signage, benches, etc.
• City of Miami will conduct improvements until the on-road greenway reaches the Greenway section under construction by FDOT with the 12 Ave Bridge replacement.
• Mr. Brown explained the planned Spring Garden on-road greenway would directly connect to the east with the Humpback Bridge , and to the west with the Greenway under construction by FDOT in the NW 12 Ave Bridge replacement project.  Mr. Brown added the City is coordinating with Post Buckley, whom is designing the adjacent Greenway for FDOT.
• On south side of North River Drive, will preserve existing trees in front of the Bermuda House, therefore there is no on-street parking from 11 PL to 11 Ave; project will consist of 67 Washingtonian Palms
• Contractors are responsible for landscaping maintenance for the first year; following one year, the city will continue to address identifying a method to provide long-term maintenance
• No on-street parking from NW 11^th Avenue to NW 10^th Court
• On-street parking will be provided from NW 10^th Avenue to NW 9^th Court , on the upland (north east) side
• Heading east to NW 7^th Street Road: will maintain parking on north side
• Pavement will be resurfaced along NW 7^th Street Road; landscaping and decorative lighting upgrades; raise elevation of roadway
• Way-finding signage, informational kiosks, pedestrian ramps, crosswalk treatments, benches, trash receptacles, historic markers, and mile markers, consistent with the sections A-G will be included
• 1 kiosk to be located west of Point Park , 1 kiosk to be located in front of Greenfield Garden
• Pedestrian signage will be located at: NW 11^th Place, NW 9^th Court, NW corner of 7^th Street Road and 7^th Street , etc.

Comments/Question:

• Mr. Brown agreed to provide Mr. Bibeau with the “North Spring Garden Way-Finding Specs”
• Mr. Bibeau asked if they had considered utilizing the recently created FPL cost-share for under grounding utilities, and Mr. Brown replied the City had decided not to underground utilities
• Mr. Bibeau asked how much funding is available for construction documents and construction, and inquired about the city’s funding sources, and Mr. Brown agreed to forward that information.  Mr. Brown noted the funding includes the FDOT awarded $1 million grant, entitled “East Allapattah Greenway”.  Mr. Bibeau added he authored that FDOT grant application on behalf of the City of Miami , and commended the City for bringing the awarded grant project to fruition.
• The GSC asked for a project timeline, and Mr. Brown replied construction will be completed within 10 months
• The planned Greenway stops short of the existing Point Park entrance, because the potential Point Park Phase II would include a reconstructed entrance which would connect with the Spring Garden greenway

Mr. Brown stated the North Spring Garden Greenway project will be presented before the City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board in June. Mr. Brown noted Ms. Kathleen Kaufman, City of Miami Director of Historic Preservation, had requested that he obtain endorsement letters prior to the HEPB meeting, and the GSC agreed to provide a letter, on behalf of the MRC, supporting the project.  Mr. Brown added the City would like to host another meeting with Spring Garden residents prior to the project breaking ground.

  Mr. Bibeau asked if the City had made any progress with FP & L regarding activating light poles located adjacent to recently constructed sections of “on-road” Greenway, and Mr. Brown replied the city was expecting FP & L to complete this necessary work soon.

Mr. Bibeau asked for an update regarding the following on-road greenway issues:

• Historic marker knocked down in car accident and removed, adjacent to the Scottish Rite Temple. Mr. Brown noted the City’s contractor of that on-road greenway section has the marker in his possession, and plans to reinstall it in the near future
• Greenway informational sign in front of Garcia’s Seafood was bent in a car accident, and the owners of Garcia’s tried to repair the pole to the best of their ability.  Mr. Bibeau asked if the City could inspect the sign, and Mr. Brown suggested contacting 3-1-1 .   
• A tree located in a Greenway island across from Garcia’s Seafood was knocked down in a car accident.  Mr. Brown suggested contacting 3-1-1 to report the issue.

Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, distributed the “Miami River Greenway Sections B, C and G Previously Discussed Design Opportunities & Concerns Submitted by Dr. Ernie Martin April 23, 2007 .” The GSC agreed to review the document prior to next month’s GSC meeting.

V. Discussion of FDEP Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Opportunity & Creation of Riverwalk & Fisherman’s Wharf in Lummus Park - Dr. Martin noted he and MRC staff had met with City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, Mary Conway (CIP), Laura Billberry (Public Facilities), representatives from the Grants Department and Garcia’s Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday to discuss the status of the riverfront portion of Lummus Park, a.k.a. “Lummus Landing.” Dr. Martin noted that though city representatives did not offer a commitment to connect the proposed Lummus Landing riverwalk with Greenway Segment B, Commissioner Spence-Jones supports the implementation of the Miami River Greenway in her district, and directed city staff to look into funding the project, which would include the creation of a publicly accessible riverwalk, and eventually a Fisherman’s Wharf.  During the meeting Mr. Bibeau suggested that the city apply to FDEP’s Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant. The deadline for the grant is June 1, 2007 . The $200,000 grant award, noted Mr. Bibeau, could be used to construct a publicly accessible greenway along Lummus Landing.  Commissioner Spence Jones directed the City grants representatives to apply for the grant in order to secure additional funding towards creating the riverwalk in Lummus Park .

Mr. Bibeau noted the owners of Garcia’s Seafood were also present at the meeting to discuss their current month-to-month “License Agreement” with the City of Miami .  Mr. Bibeau stated the owners of Garcia’s, who have operated along the river for over 30 years, are willing to relocate their seafood business, located adjacent to the City of Miami Administration building, to Lummus Landing and help create a “Fisherman’s Wharf.” Mr. Bibeau added Commissioner Spence-Jones had directed him to work with city staff to potentially bring this idea to fruition, and directed City staff to provide answers to outstanding questions, including any remaining funding for the project, by June 1.

VI. Review of Miami River Greenway Riverwalk Cross Section – Per the request of Dr. Martin, Ms. Chase presented a document highlighting greenway inconsistencies between the obtained cross sections from the City of Miami Planning and Building Department, vs. what was presented to the MRC and approved by the City Commission.  Ms. Chase agreed to streamline the report prior to the MRC’s meeting with City Manager Pete Hernandez.

VII. New Business – Mr. Bibeau stated a few months ago the Greenways subcommittee discussed the unsightly process for utility companies to mark their underground locations, which has lead to significant spray painting on new Greenway sections.  Mr. Bibeau commended Mayor Manny Diaz for sponsoring a resolution, unanimously adopted by the City Commission on April 26, 2007 , urging all county and municipal mayors of the State of Florida to support amending the existing Florida Statute, by requiring the utility companies to remove their respective underground utility markings from the rights-of-way, upon completion of the associated project.

The GSC confirmed their next regularly scheduled second Wednesday of the month meeting on June 13, 2007 , 2 PM , 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.

The meeting adjourned.

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