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GREENWAY SUBCOMMITTEE AND QUALITY OF LIFE JOINT MINUTES:
Minutes of meeting
2:00 PM
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)
Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land (TPL), stated she will be leaving TPL and will become a journalism teacher. Ms. Freeman thanked everyone for the hard work in support of the Miami River Greenway, and the Greenways subcommittee thanked Ms. Freeman for her years of excellent work as TPL's Miami River Greenway project Manager. The Greenways subcommittee noted Ms. Freeman and TPL's tremendous role in bringing the Miami River Greenway to fruition. Ms. Freeman stated she wasn't sure who from TPL would participate in the monthly MRC Greenways subcommittee meetings.
Mr. Bibeau provided the Greenways subcommittee with the revisions suggested by Robert Ruano, MRC designee for the Honorable City of Miami Mayor Diaz, to the Greenways subcommittee's May 9, 2007 meeting minutes. Dr. Martin stated although he recalled the Honorable Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones expressed support for the concept of the City of Miami applying for an MRC identified Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) grant to fund the creation of a riverwalk in Lummus Park to be stronger than to simply “explore the possibility”, he agreed to the requested amendment. Mr. Brown, Consultech, asked to amend page 4, first bullet by replacing “project will consist of 67 Washingtonian Palms” with “project will try to preserve the majority of the previously existing Washingtonian Palms”. MRC Greenways subcommittee chair, Dr. Martin, accepted the revised May 9, 2007 Greenways subcommittee minutes, with the revisions recommended by Mr. Brown and Mr. Ruano.
I. Discuss Future Miami River Greenway Governance – Dr. Martin reported Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, and he recently met with City Manager Pete Hernandez, Mary Conway, CFO, City of Miami Police Lieutenant Socorro, and Ed Blanco, City of Miami Parks Department, regarding several Greenway issues, including the need to identify means of providing the maintenance, security and special events along the Miami River Greenway. Dr. Martin stated the MRC binder of materials created for the Greenways Retreat, including outlines of the Business Improvement District, (BID), Trust, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District options was provided to the Manager for his consideration. Dr. Martin stated they further discussed the fact that the current draft Miami 21 Eastern Quadrant does not require a riverfront building setback and does not require publicly accessible riverwalks, nor incorporate the recently drafted and City funded “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards and Guidelines”. Dr. Martin reported Manager Hernandez agreed that the draft Miami 21 Eastern Quadrant should be amended prior to consideration by the City Commission at first reading, by inserting a publicly accessible riverwalk consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan. Dr. Martin noted the Miami River Greenway Action Plan , provides an exception for incompatible low density residential and marine industrial uses. 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, June 28, 2007 . Dr. Martin reported Manager Hernandez suggested the revised and final Miami River Greenway Design Guidelines and Standards should be considered for adoption as a self standing ordinance, after the Miami 21 – Eastern Quadrant is adopted. Dr. Martin added Mr. Nunez, City of Miami Planning Department, has agreed to provide him with the revised and final Miami River Greenway Design Guidelines and Standards. Dr. Martin noted during the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board hearing on the draft Miami 21 Eastern Quadrant, the consultants conceptually agreed to the MRC's recommendations:
1) Expanding the riverfront building setback (the draft's “rear setback”) to 50 feet, incorporating the City Charter formula which indicates that the setback for parcels less than 200-feet-wide would become 25% of the property width, and exempting marine industrial and low density residential properties;
2) Requiring a publicly accessible riverwalk consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan , featuring a minimum 20-foot-wide area consisting of an unobstructed 16-foot-wide pedestrian path with an additional 4-foot passive zone including decorative lighting, landscaping, etc.
Mr. Bibeau stated as discussed in the May Greenways subcommittee on May 21, 2007 a successful Miami River Greenway clean up event was held with 130 volunteer Ransom Everglades High School Seniors. Mr. Bibeau thanked the volunteer students whom removed litter and weeds, spread mulch, painted, 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 provided 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 reported as discussed during the Greenways subcommittee's May public meeting, he conducted a Greenways site visit with Lt. Edwards, Miami-Dade “Boot Camp”, on May 15, whom 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 provided copies of the letter LT. Edwards requested, outlining the following specific Greenway areas and maintenance needs:
• NW North River Drive and NW 3 ST to NW 6 Ave – Removing litter, pulling weeds and spreading mulch along the “on-road greenway”
• NW South River Drive from SW 2 ST to NW 1 ST - Removing litter, pulling weeds and spreading mulch along the “on-road greenway”
• NW 11 ST, just west of NW 12 Ave beneath I-836 – Removing litter along the north shore
• 2980 NW South River Drive to NW 27 Ave – Removing litter along the south shore
• Miami-Dade Housing Agency, 1401-1407 NW 7 ST – Removing litter along the south shore
Mr. Bibeau noted a June 7, 2007 Miami Today article entitled “Tax Cuts in Tallahassee could lead to business improvement districts”, which is one means to consider providing re-occurring funding for Greenway maintenance, security and special events.
Mr. Bibeau provided a picture of the City's recently developed section of on-road Greenway in front of Garcia's and Casablanca's Seafood Restaurant (398 North River Drive), where he had previously reported a car accident resulted in the removal of a tree and all landscaping in one area. Dr. Martin noted another tree on the City owned on-road Greenway across the street from Neo Lofts, on S. River Drive between Flagler and 1 st ST , is down as well, and asked if the City was planning on replacing the trees on the City owned sections of on-road Miami River Greenway. Mr. Kevin Brown, Consul-Tech / City of Miami Capital Improvement , offered to inquire with the appropriate City staff and report back at the July Greenways. Mr. Brown added the contractor's one year of maintenance included in their original contract for these sections has expired. Mr. Brown noted the same contractor is currently constructing on-road Miami River Greenway sections “B & C”, and will replace the broken and incorrect signage in previous sections as they work on the current sections.
II. Status of Miami River Greenway Historic Markers – Mr. Bibeau thanked Ms. Freeman and historians Dr. Paul George and Jim Broton for submitting written recommended revisions to the draft “East Coast Fisheries” and “John Seybold Estate & Spring Garden” historic markers. Mr. Bibeau distributed the revised drafts, which were approved by the Greenways subcommittee.
Mr. Bibeau reported as directed by the Greenways subcommittee during the May 2007 meeting, MRC staff had mailed the developer of “Latitude on the River” the Greenways historic markers specifications and guidelines, in order for them to fabricate and install their pledged historic marker at the development site to commemorate the former location of Brickell Shipyard and Miami Ship Services. The developer has agreed to honor their commitment, and asked the MRC to provide the marker's draft text and images as well. Therefore, Mr. Bibeau distributed the draft marker and the Greenways subcommittee agreed to provide any recommendations before the July meeting in order to provide the final text to the developer ASAP.
III.Discuss Status of Miami River Greenway Development – Mr. Kevin Brown, Consul-Tech / City of Miami Capital Improvement, provided an update regarding 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). Mr. Brown stated the City of Miami 's Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEPB) deferred consideration of the project's “Certificate of Appropriateness” to their July 3, 2007 meeting. Mr. Brown stated another meeting is being scheduled with the City of Miami and the Spring Garden residents, to review the revised plans again, prior to the July 3 HEPB meeting. Mr. Brown stated the City of Miami has mailed all property owners within the area a permission form for their execution, which would allow the City's contractors to enter their property in order to level the elevations where they connect with the new street / on-road Greenway. Mr. Brown reported the current estimated timeline is for the construction bid to be accepted in
November 2007, followed by contracting and Notice to Proceed construction in early 2008. The Greenways subcommittee enquired about the total project cost and funding sources, which Mr. Brown offered to provide during the next Greenways meeting. Mr. Brown stated the City of Miami will submit a request to extend the timeline for the FDOT $1 million grant award towards this section of the on-road greenway, because the project will not be completed by the current September 30, 2007 deadline.
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. Brown stated on-road Miami River Greenway sections “B & C” are currently under construction along N. River Drive from I-95 to Lummus Park . Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, re-distributed the “Miami River Greenway Sections B, C and G Previously Discussed Design Opportunities & Concerns Submitted by Dr. Ernie Martin April 23, 2007 .” Dr. Martin stated he didn't have an opportunity to discuss the document with TPL yet, whom would need to ask their consultant to revise the completed engineering documents, which are currently being constructed to address the identified issues outlined in the document. Mr. Brown provided the Greenways Subcommittee with a printed copy of the signage specs and locations within the current sections of Miami River Greenway construction. The Greenways subcommittee suggested a site visit to review the locations, signage text, etc.
The Greenways subcommittee noted when the recent section of on-road greenway adjacent to Garcia's and Casablanca restaurants was constructed, the subcommittee recommended installation of the new parking pay boxes rather than meters, which obstruct the sidewalk. Meters were then installed on the new on-road Greenway, which were recently removed and replaced with the previously recommended pay boxes. Therefore, the Greenways subcommittee recommended pay boxes be installed in on-road greenway sections “B, C & G”, rather than parking meters. Mr. Brown directed the Greenways subcommittee to advise the Miami Parking Authority of this recommendation.
MRC staff distributed copies of e-mails and reports recently provided by the City of Miami , regarding creating a publicly accessible riverwalk in Lummus Park . Dr. Martin noted in a recent meeting the City of Miami District Commissioner, the Honorable Michele Spence Jones, asked Mr. Bibeau and the Greenways Subcommittee to provide her with updates regarding creating a publicly accessible riverwalk and considering a “Fisherman's Wharf” area within the riverfront portion of Lummus Park, featuring areas for commercial fishing dockage, operations and markets. Dr. Martin noted the site was designed by the City to have a maximum of three out parcels, and noted Garcia's Seafood Commercial fishing location has been with a month to month license agreement on a City owned riverfront parcel for over 30 years.
Mr. Bibeau reported a significant portion of the sea-wall at the State of FL owned, and Department of State administered Miami Circle site, along with a section of the upland, recently collapsed into the Miami River . Mr. Bibeau provided a picture of the collapsed seawall, and distributed copies of the following correspondence:
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July 26, 2002 letter from Department of State stating, “The Division of Historical Resources is committing a portion of CARL management funds…for seawall stabilization at the Miami Circle…estimated to cost between $82,800 and $95,220” (the aforementioned shoreline stabilization never occurred)
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September 21, 2005 letter and site plan from the Related Group to Ryan Wheeler, DOS, stating, “The design and development of the Miami River Greenway trail through the 2.2 acre Miami Circle property is also reflected in the Design Concept prepared by the Related Group of Florida and is consistent with the planned baywalk improvements within the Icon Brickell project and the adjacent Brickell Park permanent improvement plan. To date, the related group of Florida has funded the cost of this initial Design Concept and is committed to a continued financial support to implement the desired concept plan.”
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May 12, 2006 letter from Brett Bibeau, MRC to Ryan Wheeler, DOS
Mr. Bibeau reported a June 14, 2007 Miami Today article was entitled “Museum (Historical Museum of South Florida) to manage Circle site”. Mr. Bibeau stated Mr. McCannon, Director of the Historical Museum of South Florida, invited him to a meeting at the museum with the Miami Circle stakeholders at noon on June 28, 2007 . Mr. McCannon informed Mr. Bibeau that the DOS has indicated their plan is to provide temporary repair measures to stabilize the sites collapsed seawall, while the DOS submits a $2.5 million legislative budget request, which will be considered in May 2008, to potentially fund the final and long planned permanent repair of the Miami Circle seawall.
The Greenways subcommittee noted the site has remained unimproved and unavailable to the public since the taxpayers purchased the site in 1999 for over $24 million. The Greenways subcommittee directed MRC staff to strongly advocate for the immediate execution of the long standing plans to permanently repair the Miami Circle sea-wall, followed by the State's acceptance of the Related Group's generous written commitment to fund and construct the riverwalk to finally provide public access to the Miami Circle site.
IV. Review of Miami River Greenway Riverwalk Cross Section – Per the request of Dr. Martin and the Greenways subcommittee, MRC staff will present two reviews of approved Miami River Greenway cross sections during each Greenways subcommittee meeting. Dr. Martin noted the City of Miami has requested modifications of the majority of the private sector constructed riverwalk sections, because they were not consistent with the dimensions approved by the City Commission. MRC staff distributed a review of the Latitude on the River and adjacent Neo Vertika riverwalk's City Commission approvals vs. as-built dimensions, supplemented with the approved renditions and recent photographs of the subject as-built riverwalk sections. The Greenways subcommittee noted the City Commission approved riverwalk renditions for the aforementioned riverfront developments are wider than the as-built riverwalks, and the approved plans provide connectivity to adjacent riverwalk sections, while the as-built sections fail to connect. Therefore, the Greenways subcommittee Chair Dr. Martin directed MRC staff to advocate for the City to require the developers to make the necessary corrections to their riverwalks, in order to make them consistent with the Riverwalk dimensions unanimously approved by the City Commission. Mr. Dick Bunnell, Bunnell Foundation (experienced shoreline contractor) stated it was possible to construct connectors for both riverwalk sections, and stated Neo Vertika is considering undertaking a shoreline repair, which may incorporate some solutions to provide improved riverwalk connectivity with adjacent parcels.
V. 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, and NW 2 Ave Bridge – Dr. Martin reported he participated in a publicly noticed meeting with Board of County Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro, his MRC designee Lubby Navarro, and Brett Bibeau, Managing Director of the Miami River Commission (MRC). The meeting was held 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. Mr. Bibeau distributed copies of the document used during the meeting, identifying the locations with pictures of the County owned riverfront sites which require riverwalk connector sections to be constructed. Dr. Martin reported Chairman Barreiro offered to support the concept of expediting the use of the County Bond 's $7.5 million Miami River Greenway line item, to construct the riverwalk on the identified County owned parcels requiring riverwalks.
VI. New Business – The GSC confirmed their next regularly scheduled second Wednesday of the month meeting on July 11, 2007 , 2 PM .
The meeting adjourned.
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