I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Ms. Janet McAliley made a motion to approve the MRC’s January 7, 2004 minutes.  Ms. Irela Bagué seconded the motion.  The minutes were unanimously approved. Mr. Robert Parks informed the Miami River Commission (MRC) of the Executive Board’s unanimous recommendation to reduce the Executive Board quorum requirement from 5 to 4 members, which is half of the 8-member Executive Board.  Mr. Parks noted that the Executive Board consists of half of the 18-member MRC, and it has been difficult to find meeting dates, which fit enough of the member’s schedules to obtain quorum.  Mr. Phil Everingham moved to reduce the Miami River Commission ’s Executive Board’s quorum from 5 to 4 members.  Mrs. Sallye Jude seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.   Ms. Janet McAliley asked if the Executive Board made financial decisions, and Parks replied that all financial decisions are vetted through the full MRC.

Parks reported that for the last two to three months the MRC extended an invitation to Joe Arriola, City Manager, to address the MRC on how best to continue working in partnership with the City of Miami on improving the Miami River , but due to scheduling difficulties Mr. Arriola had been unable to attend.  On January 30, 2004, Mr. Parks and Mr. Bibeau, MRC Managing Director met with City Manager Arriola and his new Chief of Staff, David Rosemund at City Hall.  Mr. Parks stated he explained that in complying with a City Commission resolution, the MRC provided strictly advisory recommendations to the City Commission on their agenda items pertaining to the Miami River .  Parks states that Mr. Arriola was satisfied with the Miami River Commission ’s work.  Mr. Everingham asked if the Economic Study of the River or if the status of the adoption of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan had been addressed during the meeting.  Mr. Parks responded the purpose of the meeting was to address issues between the City and the MRC.  Mr. Parks stated Mr. Arriola commended the work and representation of Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director.

Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Tony Garrastazu for attending the MRC meeting for Dr. Pamela Dana, designee for Governor Bush.

II. Presentation from Isilio Arriaga, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

Mr. Isilio Arriaga was unable to attend the MRC meeting due to a last second scheduling conflict, and will be re-scheduled to address a future MRC meeting.

III. Dupont Plaza Presentation

Ms. Irela Bagué disclosed that the developer of Dupont Plaza is a client of her employer, Gordon Reyes, Co. and noted that she preferred to leave the conference room for their presentation.  Adrienne Pardo, Greenberg Trauig, presented the Dupont Plaza Design.  The site is located near the mouth of the Miami River on the north shore.  Pardo stated that the owner of the property is EP Property Holdings, a joint venture between the CMC Group and the Lionstone Group.

Luis O. Revuelta, Revuelta Vega Leon Architects, architect for the proposed project stated that the existing Dupont building will be demolished and replaced with two towers, consisting of Phase I and II.  Phase I will consist of a hotel and condominiums, with two indoor / outdoor restaurants on the ground floor, a bar and a spa.  Phase II will consist of condominiums.  The publicly accessible 22-foot wide riverwalk would consist of a 16-foot wide unobstructed pedestrian path and 6 feet of landscaping, lighting, etc. The riverwalk will connect beneath the Brickell Bridge to the existing riverwalk at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  The City has requested that the potential developers meet with the “One Miami” development, which has broken ground immediately east of the Dupont site, to ensure cohesiveness in the riverwalk’s materials and design.  The parking structure that will face the river will be facaded with residential loft units.  The City Charter requires a 50-foot setback for new developments along the Miami River to the east of the Fifth Street Bridge , unless the parcel is less than 200 feet wide, as is the presented development site.  Therefore, the City Charter requires a minimum setback equal to 25% of the property depth, which in this case equates to a 41-foot required setback.  Mr. Revuelta stated although the project’s average setback was 41-feet, the project will require a waiver to the charter setback requirement, because sections of the building have a setback less than 41-feet.  Steve Lefton, Kimley-Horn and Associates, presented the landscape design of the project, including planters along the riverwalk and waterfall fountains.  Mr. Lefton stated the project will provide the minimum clear unobstructed riverwalk pedestrian path width of 16-feet, in some areas it will be wider, with planters along the outside of the pedestrian walkway, and in some areas a sheer water wall.  

Mr. Parks provided an opportunity for members of the public to address the MRC on the project.  Mr. Alberto La Madrid , owner of Miami Yacht, 2100 North River Drive , spoke in favor of the project, stating that the proposed Dupont Plaza development will enhance the mouth of the Miami River .

Mr. Jim Murley, chair of the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG), reported that on November 18, 2003 , the project was presented to the UIWG.  The minutes of that meeting were mailed to board members one week prior to the meeting.  At the time of their presentation the proposed project was not compatible with the Miami River Greenways Action Plan because the proposed unobstructed pedestrian path was less than 16-feet wide, yet this has been modified to provide the recommended width.  The UIWG noted the charter setback waiver request, and the fact that the property owner did not own a narrow parcel of riverfront between the Dupont and neighboring One Miami development.  Mr. Murley inquired about the impacts the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) adjacent Brickell Bridge had on the proposed design.  Mr. Revuelta noted that the right of way issues have been addressed with FDOT, and the existing stairwells on the NW corner were removed from the project design for FDOT to use as needed.  With the current proposed Dupont plaza design, Brickell Bridge would have three northbound lanes adjacent to the site.  Murley stated the UIWG found the overall proposed project to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. 

Dr. Ernie Martin noted that with the exception of the narrow “claughton tract” parcel existing between the Dupont Plaza and One Miami, the project was now consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.  Ms. Pardo stated that the proposed developer has a 50-year lease on the “claughton tract” and they will be responsible for building the riverwalk on that property to directly connect with the adjacent “One Miami” riverwalk section.  Mr. Bunnell asked if the “claughton tract” was depicted in the renderings presented to the MRC, and Pardo replied that the parcel in question is depicted on the renderings with the proposed riverwalk.  Dr. Martin moved to have the riverwalk design, including the “Claughton Tract”, recommended for approval.  Ms. McAliley seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.

Mr. Eddie Rodriguez asked if the project would include the rebuilding of the existing dock space along the seawall.  Revuelta responded that they will replace the existing dockage to the same existing 5-foot dimensions.

Dr. Martin stated the reasoning for the waiver to the City Charter building setback requirement should be compelling, because setbacks are invaluable due to large downtown developments including One Miami and the Metropolitan, directly adjacent to the Dupont site.  Mr. Ruevelta responded that providing a 50-foot setback would make the project not developable.  Dr. Martin stated the City Charter required setback on this narrow parcel is only 41-feet, and Revuelta responded that the proposed developments average setback is 41-feet.    

Commissioner Bruno Barreiro moved to recommend approval of the proposed project.  Mr. Henri Sorí seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.

Revuelta noted that 800-feet of linear dock space will be accessible to both the general public and the property owners.  The project is scheduled to break ground in 14 months.

IV. Committee Reports

a.                   Dredging Working Group - Mr. Bunnell stated that the Army Corps of Engineers extended their review of submitted bids for the Miami River Dredging Project Request for Proposals, from January 12 to February 12, 2004 , and may be extended an additional 30 days to March 12.  Ellen Roth, Honorable U.S. Senator Bob Graham’s Office, requested to be informed of dredging developments.  Bunnell noted that the next scheduled Dredging Subcommittee meeting is February 17, 2004 at 10:00 AM in the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL.  Mr. Bunnell asked Roman Gastesi, Miami-Dade County Water Resource Manager, to provide a status report on the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and County to fund the Miami River dredging project outside of the designated federal navigable channel.  Gastesi replied that the City and County administrations came to terms on the agreement, which was pending final approval and execution in the near future.

b.                  Public Safety and Security – Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group’s Executive Director, stated there will be a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Harbor Safety Committee Meeting on February 3, 2004 at 10:00 am in the USCG Station, and a Miami River Facility Committee Meeting on February 6, 2004 at 10:00 am in the USCG Station.  In addition, there will be a National Harbor Safety Conference from February 22-24 in Ft. Lauderdale and a Security Conference at the end of February in the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Dr. Bohnsack stated the Miami River Shipping terminals Homeland Security grant funded facility improvements, including installing video cameras, fencing and lighting, have been required to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.  Dr. Bohnsack noted the average NEPA process takes longer than the 5 months available prior to the Maritime Security Act deadline to provide the additional security measures. Mr. Murley suggested perhaps an environmental assessment, instead of a full NEPA Review, would meet the requirements.  In addition, Dr. Bohnsack stated the payment process and timelines for the awarded grants will create difficulty in making the required improvements prior to the July 1, 2004 federally mandated deadline.  Mr. Parks suggested that Ms. Ellen Roth and Ms. Debra Zimmerman, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Office, be contacted to assist on this issue and requested that the MRC be kept informed of its progress.

c.             Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan - Mr. Murley stated Mr. Parks, Mr. Bibeau, and he would be meeting with FDOT officials on February 5, 2004 to address transportation issues along the Miami River corridor.

 

d.               Greenways Subcommittee - Dr. Martin stated that the Trust for Public Land’s engineers continue to work toward 90% complete construction documents for the next phase of Miami River Greenway development. The Greenways subcommittee reviewed and approved the Greenway historical marker design.  A $25,000 grant from the Villager’s was awarded to complete the first phase of the historical marker manufacturing and installation.  Permitting will commence as soon as the Villager’s approve the designs. The signage will be both in English and Spanish to accommodate the Spanish speaking community.  Dr. Bohnsack suggested for the maritime heritage to be incorporated into the historical markers.  Mrs. Jude noted the importance of under grounding utility poles in constructing the Greenway, as recommended in the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. Commissioner Barreiro stated he is putting together a working group to address this issue in the inner cities.  Mr. Parks requested that the Greenways subcommittee chair, Dr. Martin, provide a letter on the issue for Commissioner Barreiro.   

e.                  Stormwater Subcommittee - Liz Abbott, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), reported that the Stormwater Subcommittee is preparing to conduct the first phase of the Pollution Source Identification efforts in the upper Wagner Creek area.  Ms. Abbott prepared a Statement of Work (SOW), which was reviewed by the subcommittee members. The SOW will be provided to the MRC.  Bibeau noted the SFWMD awarded the MRC a $100,000 grant, of which,  $50,000 is available for the Wagner Creek Pollution Source Identification and Remediation project.  Bibeau stated the Stormwater subcommittee would like the MRC to advertise the Wagner Creek Isolation Survey Request for Proposals (RFP) in February 2004.   Mr. Everingham moved to authorize the Stormwater Subcommittee to advertise the referenced RFP.  Mrs. Jude seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.

f.                    Economic Development & Commerce- Ms. Megan Kelly reported that the subcommittee continues to work on the Marine Industrial Business Symposium.  Dr. Pamela Dana indicated strong interest in the part of the State, and noted that Governor Bush may attend.  Ms. Kelly and Mr. Bibeau have met with the Beacon Council, who will co-sponsor the event.

VI.       New Busines s

Mr. Dick Bunnell stated that a letter was provided to MRC members, regarding Mr. Lamadrid’s, Miami Yacht and Engine Works, project.  Bunnell expressed concern that the City of Miami public works department is mistaken in requiring an advisory opinion form the MRC on an administrative Call II Special Permit application, which does not require City Commission review. Mr. Parks recommended for Bibeau to contact the City, and if necessary the issue would be discussed at the next MRC Executive Committee meeting.

Mr. Everingham stated that a revised Miami River Fund, Inc Campaign for the Miami River, case statement was provided to the MRC Members.  Mr. Everingham noted the revisions further clarify that the incorporated MRFI is a separate board from the MRC.

Esther de Verona, Spring Garden Civic Association, resident at 1028 NW North River Drive , expressed concerned with the height and density of the proposed “Royal Atlantic” Development, and requested that a past statement from the MRC on the project be clarified.  Mr. Parks noted that the MRC unanimously found the proposed project to be consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan and the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Mr. Parks asked Ms. De Verona to address her concerns at the upcoming MRC Urban Infill Working Group meeting, and if the subcommittee found the need for a revision, the MRC would reconsider the project at their next meeting.  

Bibeau reminded MRC Members that Miami Riverday is Saturday, April 10^th from 11-5pm , at José Martí Park and requested for all co-sponsors to e-mail their logos.  Mr. Parks extended an invitation to the Governor and Mayor of the City of Miami to attend Miami Riverday.

Bibeau provided copies of the FDOT’s public notice of a public hearing on Thursday, February 12, 2004 , at 6:00 p.m. at the Lummus Park Facility located at 404 NW 3^rd Street to discuss the completed NW 5^th Street Bridge Project Development and Environment (P&E) Study.