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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
Email:
  mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

MONDAY
May 2, 2005
12:00 NOON
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

Miami River Commission (MRC) Chairperson Irela Bagué convened the MRC meeting at noon , Monday, May 2, 2005 , in the Miami-Dade County Housing Agency’s Robert King High, New Board Room, 1401 NW 7^th ST Miami , Florida .

• Chairperson Irela Bagué, South Florida Water Management District

• Phil Everingham, President of the Marine Council, MRC Vice-Chairperson

• Honorable Bruno Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commissioner (arrived during Agenda Item 4)

• Roman Gastesi, designee for Mayor of Miami-Dade County

• Gary Winston, designee for Miami-Dade State Attorney 

• Ernie Martin, Neighborhood Representative, appointed by City Commission

• Jane Caporelli, designee for Neighborhood Rep. Appointed by Miami-Dade

• Dick Bunnell, designee for the Chair of the Miami River Marine Group

• Megan Kelly, designee for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

• Eddie Rodriguez, Appointed by Miami -Dade Commission, designee

• Manny Prieguez, Member-at-Large, appointed by City Commission     

MRC Staff: Brett Bibeau, Managing Director, Ashley Chase Assistant Managing Director

Others attending interested in the River:  

• Brian Williams, Office of the Governor

• Jim Murley, Florida Atlantic University

• Jose Fuentes, SFWMD

• Carlos Espinosa, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resource Management

• David Cole, Weston Solutions/Bean Environmental

• Jennifer Hudson, San Pedro Productions

• Kevin Brown, City of Miami

• Enrique Nuñez, City of Miami

• Rick Crooks, EAC Consulting/Florida Department of Transportation

• Adolfo Saenz, EAC Consulting/FDOT

• Catherine Owen, FDOT

• M. Aslam Khan, FDOT

• Rosalyn Contreras, Protocol

• Michelle D’Arbelles, Protocol

• Suzanne Salichs, Team Metro

• Jeffrey Hooper, AME SHIP

•  

I. MRC Chairperson Report:    

MRC Chairperson Irela Bagué asked to entertain a motion on the MRC’s April 4, 2005 meeting minutes.  Mr. Gary Winston moved to approve the MRC’s April 4, 2005 meeting minutes; the motion was seconded by MRC Vice Chairman Phil Everingham, and passed unanimously.

Chairperson Bagué reported that the Miami River Commission was planning to have a half-day retreat on Friday, October 14, 2005 and a full-day retreat on Friday, October 21, 2005 along the Fort Lauderdale Riverfront and the Miami River Greenway, respectively. The MRC retreat, noted Chairperson Bagué, is aimed at discussing the future maintenance, security and special events for the Miami River Greenway.

Chairperson Bagué provided an update regarding the “ Miami River …Works for Me!” public awareness campaign, launched by the SFWMD and the MRC during the Ninth Annual Miami River Day Festival on March 19, 2005 .  During Riverday, a variety of Miami River residents, business owners, and other festival attendees were taped saying the campaign slogan in various languages. Chairperson Bagué stated the SFWMD video-grapher will continue seeking additional footage which will be edited into a 30-second or 1-minute educational PSA (Public Service Announcement), highlighting all the different components of the Miami River: recreational, marine industrial, re-development, etc. Chairperson Bagué added that anyone is welcome to participate.

 II. Team Metro Melrose Award Presentation to MRC

Ms. Suzanne Salichs, Melrose Team Metro Executive Director, presented the Miami River Commission with an honorary plaque for its continued dedication to community service, and support of Neighborhood Pride Week, April 2-9, 2005 .  Chairperson Bagué and Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, accepted the award and thanked Ms. Salichs for her kind gesture.  Mr. Bibeau thanked Ms. Salichs for arranging Miami-Dade Solid Waste Department pick-ups of the debris collected in volunteer North River Drive clean ups in the Melrose area, coordinated by the MRC.

III. Presentation of Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards

Chairperson Bagué opened discussion on the item by asking Mr. Kevin Brown, City of Miami , to present an update of the draft “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards.” Mr. Brown noted that the remaining two advisory recommendations made by the MRC Greenways Subcommittee on March 21, 2005 , and presented before the Miami River Commission on April 4, 2005 , remain under consideration by the City of Miami Planning Department. The First MRC recommendation asked to replace “encouraging” public access along the Miami River Greenway with “requiring” public access along the Miami River Greenway. The second recommendation, made by the MRC Urban Infill Working Group and Greenways Subcommittee, asked that the current 50-foot building setback formula required for new developments along the Miami River to the east of the 5 ST Bridge, be extended throughout the Miami River, with the exemption of new low-density and marine industrial development, where the Greenway would proceed around the property as an “on-road” Greenway.  Mr. Bibeau noted the setback formula in place to the east of the NW 5 ST Bridge states if a property is less than 200 feet wide, the required setback becomes 25% of the property width, and allows for a waiver of the setback with City Commission approval.

Mr. Brown noted that 48 of the MRC’s 50 recommended revisions submitted and discussed during the March 21, 2005 MRC Greenways Subcommittee meeting have been reviewed by the City and incorporated into the draft “Miami River Greenways Regulatory Design Standards.”

Mr. Bibeau thanked the City of Miami for immediately agreeing with 48 of the MRC’s 50 submitted recommendations. The final two MRC Greenways and Urban Infill subcommittee recommendation’s which remain under consideration by the City of Miami are: replacing “encouraging” public access along the Miami River Greenway with “requiring” public access along the Miami River Greenway; and extending the current 50-foot building setback formula required for new developments along the Miami River to the east of the 5 ST Bridge throughout the Miami River, with the exemption of new low-density and marine industrial development, where the Greenway would proceed around the property as an “on-road” Greenway. 

Mr. Enrique Nuñez, City of Miami Planning Department, read a statement from Assistant Planning Director Lourdes Slazyk into the record in response to the MRC’s two remaining recommended revisions to the draft “Miami River Greenways Regulatory Design Standards.” Mr. Nunez stated, that though the City of Miami continues to support connectivity along the Miami River and encourages public access to the waterfront, it is awaiting the completion of its new zoning initiative, “ Miami 21,” which will not only re-evaluate the individual sections of the entire Miami River , but provide sound, policy decisions regarding future planning. The final revised “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards” will be heard by the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board , followed by two readings before the City Commission.

Dr. Martin moved to find the recommend approval of the draft “ Miami River Greenways Regulatory Design Standards” consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan in concept, subject to the 50 recommendations previously submitted by the MRC.

Mr. Gary Winston asked why the MRC subcommittees were recommending applying the 50-foot setback requirement riverwide. Mr. Bibeau explained that the City of Miami currently did not have a setback provision in place to the west of the Fifth Street Bride. Extending the setback formula to all new residential developments riverwide, expressed Bibeau, would provide future greenway and building consistency.  Mr. Winston asked what studies were considered in creating the subcommittees’ position to recommend extension of the 50 foot setback, and Bibeau replied the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, Miami River Greenway Action Plan, Miami River Master Plan and the Miami River Coordinating Committee’s A Call to Action.

Chairperson Bagué expressed that the MRC’s two recommendations were important enough to be included within the draft “Miami River Greenways Regulatory Design Standards.” Dr. Martin’s motion was seconded by Ms. Jane Caporelli, and passed unanimously.

Mr. Bibeau thanked Mr. Kevin Brown, Mr. Enrique Nuñez, the City of Miami , the Trust for Public Land and Florida Department of Transportation for their accomplishments in bringing the Miami River Greenway to fruition.

IV. Presentation and Discussion of Tamiami Canal Historic Swing Bridge Project Development and Environment Study

Ms. Jane Caporelli recused herself for the item.

Mr. Enrique ‘Rick’ Crooks, EAC Consulting, introduced Mr. Aslam Khan, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project manager, Adolfo Saenz, FDOT Assistant Project Manager, and Ms. Catherine Owens, FDOT, and presented the MRC with the “Tamiami Canal Historic Swing Bridge Project Development and Environment Study.” Mr. Crooks noted that the existing swing bridge was originally constructed as the Miami River ’s 27^th Ave. River crossing in 1921, and subsequently relocated to its current Tamiami Canal location in 1941.  Crooks stated the existing bridge is one of three bob-tailed swing spans in Florida , and is one of the oldest bridges on the Miami River . Mr. Crooks stated they are currently in Phase 2 of 5 of the Tamiami Swing Bridge “Project Development and Environment Study” (PD&E). The PD&E phase, noted Mr. Crooks, consists of two co-existent processes: environment and engineering aspects. During the PD&E phase, he added, FDOT compiles / analyzes all environmental and engineering data related to the Tamiami Swing Bridge , including documenting historic aspects, field review, corridor analysis, traffic analysis, roadway design alternatives, maintenance of traffic analysis, cost analysis, and comparative analysis of improvement alternatives (including no-build, rehabilitation or tunnel construction).

Mr. Crooks stated the existing bridge is being studied for possible replacement because it is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, and will not be able to accommodate future high traffic demands. Mr. Crooks stated that FDOT is currently compiling a report concerning the cultural and historic standpoint of the bridge and its surrounding area. Since the most feasible, cost-efficient bridge improvement alternative would be selected based on the results of FDOT’s historic evaluation and public consensus, Mr. Crooks urged the MRC to formalize an advisory recommendation regarding the future of the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge .

Mr. Gary Winston asked if there was enough money available to fund the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge study, and Mr. Crooks responded there was, thanks to a $1.5 million grant made available by the South Florida Water Management District. Chairperson Bagué asked Mr. Crooks about FDOT’s coordination with the SFWMD, and Mr. Crooks stated that things were going well. Mr. Crooks noted the FDOT continues to work closely with Mr. Jose Fuentes, SFWMD. As more information is acquired throughout the study, Mr. Crooks reassured that FDOT would continue meeting and following up with the SFWMD.

Mr. Manny Prieguez asked if bridge removal was an option being considered in FDOT’s study of the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge , and Mr. Crooks responded that removal was an alternative.  Mr. Prieguez asked if FDOT had conducted a traffic analysis of the bridge and its surrounding area, and Mr. Crooks stated that part of the study’s “Phase II” data collection process is a traffic analysis, outlining the existing and future traffic projections of the area, including the nearby Miami Intermodal Center currently under construction. Mr. Crooks agreed to share those projections once the information had been made available to him.

Mr. Jim Murley stated Mr. Crooks had presented the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge study to the MRC Urban Infill Working Group on April 15, 2005, who had unanimously recommended “Miami-Dade County to replace the 1941 swing bridge on the Delaware Parkway (South River Drive) over the Tamiami Canal” (as cited on page 90 of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan), and proffered several suggestions 1) if the bridge replacement alternative is selected, the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge shall be utilized as a pedestrian bridge in another location along the Miami River Corridor; 2) Since the Miami River Greenway Action Plan has an “on-road” Greenway section planned to proceed across the Tamiami Bridge, the UIWG recommends the potential Bridge replacement to include a wide, publicly accessible pedestrian sidewalk, which had been omitted from the current Bridge’s design; 3)  provide a sufficient vertical clearance to avoid frequent bridge openings due to marine traffic.

Chairperson Bagué thanked Mr. Murley for his presentation, and asked about the feasibility of using the bridge at another river corridor location if the bridge replacement alternative is selected. Mr. Crooks stated that, as part of the study’s historical requirements, FDOT is considering potential relocation sites along the Miami River Corridor, including the Seybold Canal (leading into Point Park), Miami River Rapids Park (over the rapid remains), crossing the Lawrence Canal into Sewell Park, or Wagner Creek, as previously recommended by the MRC Urban Infill Working Group during the April 15, 2005 meeting.  Commissioner Bruno Barreiro reassured that Miami-Dade County would consider any and all sites/options available along the Miami River Corridor. Though he considered it ideal to keep the bridge within the vicinity of the Miami River Corridor, Mr. Crooks admitted that several entities have already expressed an interest in the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge , including the Miami-Dade Parks Department, who is supporting the bridge’s relocation to Kendall . Mr. Khan stated that FDOT would host public hearings in the future to address and market possible bridge relocation alternative sites.    

Mr. Carlos Espinosa, MDC-DERM, noted the flooding which has occurred in the vicinity, partially due to the existing bridge being partially constructed within the canal, which blocks water flow, creating flooding conditions.  Therefore, reasoned Espinosa, any potential new Bridge should have a horizontal clearance wide enough to keep all structures out of the water body, and constructed entirely on land, in order to avoid limiting water conveyance capacity. Commissioner Barreiro also recommended looking at bridge models that open less frequently in order to balance the area’s current traffic situation and surge of future residential and commercial development.

Dr. Martin made a motion to adopt the recommendations of the MRC UIWG to replace the Tamiami Canal Swing Bridge, consider relocation options to utilize it as a pedestrian bridge within the Miami River Corridor, that the potential bridge replacement create an  “on-road” Greenway section to proceed across the Tamiami Bridge, have a sufficient vertical clearance to minimize openings for vessels, and a sufficient vertical clearance to cease restricting the water conveyance capacity.. The motion was seconded by Mr. Phil Everingham, and adopted unanimously.

V   Subcommittee Reports

a.        Dredging Subcommittee

Mr. David Cole, Miami River Maintenance Dredging project manager for Weston Solutions & Bean Environmental, presented the MRC with a status update regarding the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project. Mr. Cole stated the new sediment processing equipment had recently arrived in Miami from its last job in England . The equipment, noted Cole, is expected to be completely installed and operational on the Miami River ’s upland staging site by June 1, 2005 . The Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, added Cole, is slated for completion by May/June 2006 - if the overall project schedule is maintained and adequate funding is consistently provided. 

Mr. Cole commented that the new processing equipment, operated by Boskalis Dohlman NA, is more robust in size and design than the former equipment and has a target production rate of 1,700 cubic yards per day. According to Cole, the former sediment processing equipment needed to be replaced because it was unable to keep up with the target dredging production rate. Mr. Cole illustrated the project’s total funding breakdown: $55.7 million from the federal side, $25.5 million non-federal. Mr. Cole noted the importance of the State, City and County working together to ensure that there is enough funding available to continue and ultimately complete the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project.

Mr. Bibeau stated he had recently traveled to the State Capitol in support of Miami-Dade County ’s $3 million request ($1 million inside the Federal Navigable Channel and $2 million “bank-to-bank”) for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project. Mr. Bibeau thanked Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Miami-Dade County Mayor Alvarez, City Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and MRC Chairperson Irela Bagué for mailing Miami River Maintenance Dredging support letters to several State legislators. Mr. Bibeau stated earlier in the 2005 legislative session the $3 million request for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project was approved in the House Budget version, yet omitted in the Senate’s budget.  In Conference, the Senate agreed with the House’s $3 million in appropriations for the project in the Fiscal Year 2006 budget. Bibeau stated he expected the final FY’06 State budget to be adopted in early May 2005, with the $3 million for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, and thanked the Florida Legislature for their continued support of this long-awaited project.

Mr. Roman Gastesi pledged Miami-Dade County ’s ongoing support and commitment to the Miami River Maintenance Dredging Project, and reassured that there would not be any problems with funding. Mr. Phil Everingham thanked Mr. Cole for his presentation.

c.  Greenways Subcommittee 

Dr. Ernie Martin stated the MRC Greenways Subcommittee has begun researching different greenway governance structures/models, including the establishment of Business Improvement Districts. Topics of interest and concern relating to greenways also include: security, funding, future maintenance, outreach, marketing, volunteer coordination and special events. The October 2005 MRC retreat, hoped Dr. Martin, will help put goals into perspective and determine the most feasible model for future Greenway governance.

Dr. Martin stated in April 2005 the City Commission allocated $300,000 from the Historical Preservation line item in the Homeland Defense and Neighborhood Improvement Bond Issue to restore the historic Seybold Home on Wagner Creek in Spring Garden, adjacent to Point Park, as an environmental educational center, as previously endorsed by the MRC.  Dr. Martin confirmed that the permits for the project are currently in place.

Mr. Brett Bibeau reported that the Congressional House of Representatives had approved a $2 million line item for the Miami River Greenway in its approved Transportation (TEA-LU) bill, which will now be considered by the US Senate, and commended the Trust for Public Land (TPL) for their excellent work on the pending appropriation.  Bibeau stated per TPL’s recommendation, the MRC had sent support letters for the potential Greenway funding to Senator’s Nelson and Martinez .

VI.       New Business

Mr. Bibeau invited the MRC members and interested parties to join volunteer Seniors from Ransom Everglades Upper School and MRC staff to clean up the following areas:

• Monday May 16, 9 - 12:30 - North River Drive Clean Up - Meeting place is CBI, 3033 NW North River Drive .  Volunteer labor includes picking up litter along the public right of way adjacent to the CSX Rail line and North River Drive .

• Tuesday, May 17, 9 - 12:30 - Clean Up and Garden in "East Little Havana Riverside Garden", located beneath the Flagler Bridge on the South/West shore of the Miami River at 10 SW South River Drive.  The volunteer labor will include picking up litter and spreading mulch around the area. 

•    Wednesday, May 18, 9 - 12:30 - South River Drive Clean Up - Meeting Place is the Miami River Rapids Park / Miami Bridge (Children Housing Facility).  Volunteer work includes picking up litter in public right of way between River's South Shore and South River Drive .

Mr. Bibeau thanked Commissioner Barreiro for sponsoring an approved resolution at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for MPO staff to prepare a scope of services and estimates for the MRC recommended “Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study”, for consideration by the MPO. Mr. Bibeau noted that MRC staff and Mr. Jim Murley had met with Mr. David Henderson, MPO, to start working on drafting the requested study’s scope of services. Mr. Bibeau stated that MRC staff would continue seeking the participation and potential funding for the MRC recommended Multi-Modal Transportation Study from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Miami-Dade County , City of Miami and Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.

Mr. Bibeau noted that the “Working Waterfront” Bills, which the MRC’s Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee had been tracking, continued to make progress through the legislative process, and may be adopted before the May 6, 2005 end of the legislative session.

IV. Adjournment 

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting adjourned.

_____________________________Recording Secretary

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