I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Mr. Parks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the June 2003 meeting.  He stated that there was a quorum present and asked for approval of the May 2003 minutes.  Phil Everingham made the motion to approve the May minutes.  Gary Winston seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

Bob thanked everyone for their help in assisting with the legislative session.  The legislators passed the sunset repeal provision continuing the Commission, but unfortunately did not pass the funding appropriations bill.  Bob explained that we are now busy looking for other funding opportunities.  He reported that David and Brett have been very frugal with existing funds and the MRC has funding in place to continue operations at the same level of service for 10-11 months.  Bob feels that during that time frame we should be able to obtain other funding sources and Phil Everingham will provide a report on fundraising during this meeting. 

Bob stated that he has a request to have the Greenway Committee report as it concerns the River House Lofts project that was presented by Peter Swartz at the May MRC meeting.  Dr. Martin advised that the Greenway Committee met on May 5 and stated there was no opposition to the River House Loft proposed greenway development.  Dr. Martin stated that the Greenway Committee has the following recommendation for the MRC –The Greenway Committee unanimously recommends the MRC support the Phase One River House Loft development proposal, and further supports the developer’s request for the City of Miami to grant permission to build two fountains on North River Driver, and support the following Urban Infill Plan recommendations which are connected to the proposal:  two-waying Flagler Street; cleaning, painting and improving beneath the First Street and Flagler Bridges; under grounding Florida Power and Light utilities; and incorporating the City and Florida Department of Transportation owned rights-of-way as adjacent publicly accessible green spaces.  This recommendation is in accordance with the Greenways and Urban Infill Plan.  The above recommendation was moved as a motion by Gary Winston and seconded by Dick Bunnell.  Bob Parks asked Peter Swartz if he had any additional information and Peter stated that John Fullerton is the architect.  Discussion ensued.  Commissioner Barrerio asked about the waterfront access and Peter Swartz responded that the waterfront access was available to all from North River Drive to the River and also access is available from the waterside via the dock, both will be available 24 hours a day.  Peter explained that the building setback from the River was 11.5 feet and meets the setback ordinance.  A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  Bob thanked Mr. Swartz.

 

 

II         Miami River Fund, Inc. Fundraising Report

 

Bob asked Phil Everingham to give the report of the Miami River Fund, Inc. (MRFI) fundraising meeting.  Phil provided all members with the written summary of the May 29^th meeting and explained that the MRFI is a Florida Corporation which is a “not for profit” entity and has an IRS 501 c 3 designation, which allows donations to the MRFI to be nontaxable.  Phil explained that the MRFI is a separate entity from the Miami River Commission .  Phil advised the group that 3-4 months ago the Board of the MRFI put out a request for proposals to hire a fund raising and public affairs specialist.  The primary need was to raise unrestricted funds to pay our Tallahassee lobbyist.  The Board received four proposals and reviewed them at the May 22, 2003 MRFI Board meeting, but they were considered unsatisfactory for various reasons.  One of the companies that was sent an RFP letter, Leone and Associates, did not submit a proposal because they thought the project was more of a public relations project than fund raising.  The board decided to have Phil Everingham contact Mr. Leone to meet with the Board and possibly submit a proposal.  Mr. Leone met with the Board at a publicly advertised meeting on May 29.  Mr. Leone has impressive fundraising expertise and was known to both Phil Everingham and Sallye Jude.  Phil explained that Leone has worked in Miami for many years.  Other key points of the meeting included the need to expand the MRFI Board of Directors and to clearly separate the MRFI from the MRC.  MRC members will continue to have positions on the Board, but not as a majority of members.  The MRFI needs to develop a “case statement” which in essence defines the mission and goals of the corporation and identifies the plan for fund raising.  Leone is a licensed Management/Fundraising Consultant in the state of Florida , and cannot independently ask for funds, he can only solicit funds while in the company of MRFI Board members or staff.  The MRFI Board did pass a motion to hire Leone and Associates on a month-to-month basis to develop a multiyear fund raising campaign.  Leone provided staff with an outline for a case statement and they will work together informally this week and formally engage Leone latter this month.  The fundraising target is $100,000 per year.  Phil wanted to emphasize that the MRFI Board is the entity that will make fund raising decisions and it is not the purview of the MRC.  The MRC can have input but is not the decision body. 

Bob Parks stated that one of the most important issues is to expand the MRFI Board.  Bob asked the MRC members to make recommendations on who should be added to the Board and provide that to staff for discussion at the next MRFI Board meeting.  Discussion ensued.  Sallye Jude stated that she knows Hank Leone and his expertise is primarily to work with large donors from the philanthropic and business community.  The current MRFI Board members are Bob Parks, Phil Everingham, Dick Bunnell and Sallye Jude.

III        Committee Reports

Dredging Working Group

Dick Bunnell reported that David Miller had talked with the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and that the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was slightly amended by USACE Headquarters and was sent to Miami-Dade County for signature.  Once Miami-Dade signs the PCA, it will be sent to USACE Headquarters for final signature by the Assistant Secretary of the Army.  Once signed the project can be put out to bid.  The USACE Jacksonville Office has completed the bid proposal and states that two days after signature the bid will be advertised.  We expect this to occur in the month of June.  Dredging could then start by November 2003.  Dick advised that no additional appropriations were provided this year by the state of Florida ; however, the state has already appropriated almost $7 million.

Public Safety and Security

Dr. Fran Bohnsack reported that the Miami River Marine Group has applied for port security grants and she is waiting for the federal government to decide on the grants nationwide.  She expects to hear the grant decision sometime in the middle of June. 

Greenways Subcommittee

Ernie Martin reported that the MRC staff completed an application for the city of Miami for a $1 million grant from the FDOT Transportation Enhancement Program entitled “East Allapatah Greenway”.  This grant, if received, will be used to construct the Greenway on NW North River drive between NW 7^th and NW 14^th Avenues.

Stormwater Subcommittee

Sallye Jude reported the committee is still working to meet the requirements of the Water Quality Improvement Report and additional data is available concerning the Wagner Creek dioxin contamination.  The city is planning to hold another public meeting on June 21 at the Travelodge on NW North River Drive and 12^th Avenue .  David reported that the City Commission approved a $200,000 contract to have a cleanup vessel operate on the river and Biscayne Bay .  The MRC provided some matching funds to help make this contract occur.  We expect the vessel to start operating within the next couple weeks.  Bob wants to refocus the group to work hard to get the stormwater problems on the river improved, especially with the upcoming dredging project.  Bob requested that a more detailed report of stormwater issues be presented at the September meeting.

Economic Development & Commerce Committee

            David Miller reported that the last meeting was devoted to the development of a Marine Symposium to be scheduled in October/November 2003.  This symposium would be primarily to attract new marine industry to the river.  This would be a marketing project and we will work with the Beacon Council and Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce in this endeavor.  The timing should be perfect with the dredging project underway, bridge navigational improvements, reduced crime, and economic incentives in place such as the Enterprise Zone, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone, tax incentives, job incentives, etc.  David stated that marine industry has avoided the river due to sediment problems and high insurance rates caused by old antiquated bridges hazarding navigation on the river.  He believes that new marine companies will come to the river once these longstanding infrastructure problems are fixed. 

IV        New Business

            Phil Everingham advised the group that the Marine Council is holding a Marine Exposition and Flea Market in the Coconut Grove Exhibition Center on June 6 and 7^th..  This is the first marine flea market held in Dade County .  Broward County has several marine flea market type exhibitions that are extremely profitable and Phil hopes the Marine Council will have the same success.  He invited all to attend and even offered coupons for a reduced entrance fee!

            Sallye Jude advised the MRC that she would be building a restaurant named “Henry and Julias” which will be on the river in front of the Miami River Inn.  She will bring the project before the Urban Infill Committee at the next meeting and hopefully before the MRC at the July 2003 meeting.

            Commissioner Barreiro commented on the Earlington Heights Metrorail connection to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and stated he prefers the route that goes closest to the railway bridge.  He requested that the MRC examine this issue.  Fran Bohnsack stated that the marine industry worked with the Citizens Advisory Committee on this metrorail connection and the group recommended the 32 Avenue routing, which would minimally impact marine businesses.  She added that they would be meeting with the transportation consultant this week concerning the exact placement of pillars, in order to minimally impact the river businesses. 

            David mentioned that this weekend is also the Greater Miami Chamber Goals Conference and that the GMCC has been very supportive of river improvements including the dredging projects.

            David reported that the City Commission approved the Downtown Transportation Master Plan and the MPO is expected to approve the Plan in the very near future.  David said this plan proposes a tunnel under the river in downtown and recommends two-waying many downtown streets.  The current poor downtown street grid causes traffic flow to funnel onto the Brickell Avenue Bridge , which causes the severe traffic problems that everyone blames on Brickell Avenue Bridge openings.  The current street grid funnels 45,000 cars per day over the Brickell Bridge and only 7,000 cars per day over the Miami Avenue Bridge .  An improved street grid will significantly improve traffic flow and minimize the Brickell Avenue Bridge traffic problems.  David recommends the MRC review this plan and help drive the implementation of these improvements.