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

For more information, contact us via email at
miamiriver@bellsouth.net

MONDAY
July 10, 2006
12:00 NOON
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

Ms. Irela Bagué, Chair of the Miami River Commission (MRC), convened the MRC meeting at noon , Monday, July 10, 2006 , Robert King High, 1407 NW 7^th Street , New Board Room, Miami , Florida .

• Irela Bagué, Chair of the Miami River Commission

• Phil Everingham, Vice-Chair of the Miami River Commission

• Bruno Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commissioner (arrived during item 5C)  

• Amy Gonzalez-Hernandez, designee for Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez

• Tony Garrastazu, designee for Governor Jeb Bush

• Steve Wright, designee for City of Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez

• Jane Caporelli, designee for Sallye Jude            

• Gary Winston, designee for State Attorney Katherine Fernandez -Rundle

• Megan Kelly, designee for Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

• Eric Buermann, Member-at-Large, appointed by Office of the Governor

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

• Carmen Polanco, designee for Ms. Sara Babun

• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain James Maes (ex-officio member)

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

Others attending interested in the River:  

• Captain Karl Schultz, USCG

• Doraida Rodriguez , Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

• Travis Brilliant, Kiewit

• Hector Rodriguez, FDOT

• Tim McIntosh, Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM)

• Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group

• Robert Weinreb, City of Miami

• Kevin Brown, Consul Tech

• Lavinia Freeman, The Trust for Public Land

• Mario Faz, consultant

• Marcos Aleuran, Atlantic Coast Drilling

• Eric Kalis, Miami Today

• Jeffrey Hooper, AME Shipping

• Alma Llinas, Keyes Realty

• Carlos Saenz, Air Marine Terminal

• Orin T. Black, Marilyn Properties, Inc.

• Mario Garcia-Serra, Greenberg Traurig

• Evan Skornick, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

• Lucia Perez, SFWMD

• Mike Sileno , Hanover , Hardesty

I. MRC Chairperson Report: 

On behalf of the MRC, Chair Bagué presented a token of the MRC’s sincere appreciation for the tremendous services which United States Coast Guard Captain James Maes has provided along the Miami River .  Chair Bagué noted the previous Captain Watson was extremely supportive, and when Captain Maes took over, he exceeded everyone’s hopes for continued support of the River, the MRC and its various stakeholders.  Captain Maes thanked the MRC for the kind gesture.  In addition, Chair Bagué welcomed the new Port of Miami Captain Karl Schultz , whom will replace Capt. Maes’ vacated position as an ex-officio MRC board member.

Vice-Chair Phil Everingham presented a framed copy of the Miami Today’s “Best of Miami – Improving Quality of Life” award to Irela Bagué.  Chair Bagué thanked the MRC for their ongoing support.  Vice-Chair Everingham mentioned the MRC’s Managing Director, Brett Bibeau, was recently featured on the front page of Miami Today in the “Achiever” section, and congratulated him for his continued efforts.

Chair Bagué entertained a motion to approve the MRC’s June 5, 2006 meeting minutes. Vice-Chair Phil Everingham moved to approve the MRC’s June 5, 2006 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sallye Jude and unanimously adopted.

Chair Bagué noted she was pleased to announce her appointment of Mr. Robert Ruano, Mayor Diaz’ recently appointed MRC designee, to Co-Chair the MRC’s Miami River Safety Committee, along with its current Co-Chair Gary Winston .

Chair Bagué stated the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) asked Mr. Bibeau and herself to Co-Chair the GMCC’s “Miami River Task Force”, which will operate under their “New World Committee”.  Chair Bagué thanked the GMCC for the opportunity and its continued support for improving the Miami River . 

Chair Bagué reminded the board of the rescheduled upcoming MRC meetings.  She noted the MRC will not meet in August.  Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the MRC will meet on the second Monday in September, which is on September 11.  Chair Bagué stated the MRC will recommence its regular 1^st Monday of the Month noon meeting on October 2.

II. Presentation of NW 5th Street Bridge Replacement - Mr. Jose Barrera , Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), provided a brief presentation regarding the proposed design and construction components of the new NW 5 ST Bridge.  Mr. Barrera noted the horizontal clearance will expand from the current bridge’s 75 feet to 150 feet, with 110 feet between the fenders, a 12 foot vertical clearance, and move the “truss profile” Bridge’s control tower from the SW to the NE.  Mr. Barrera provided the following estimated “accelerated” timeline for the project:

• Demolition of existing bridge – Bid in July 2006, commences September 30, 2006 , completion February - March 2007 (may require minor closures to marine traffic)
• Procurement of Bridge Construction - March 2007 - March 2008
• Construction of new NW 5 ST Bridge commences - May 23, 2008
• Completion of new NW 5 ST Bridge - July 31, 2010

Mr. Barrera noted creating a publicly accessible riverwalk area with decorative lighting is a component of the NW 5 ST Bridge replacement, utilizing the recent $2.6 million congressional line item for that purpose.  Mr. Barrera stated the bridge structure includes 8 foot-wide unobstructed sidewalks in both directions.  Mr. Sileno, Hanover &Hardesty, described the north east shore’s publicly accessibly riverwalk would proceed as an on-road greenway heading south along NW 7 Ave from the Seybold Canal Bridge, turn south east beneath the new NW 5 ST Bridge behind the bascule structures and proceed east along the river’s north shore, reconnecting with the new on-road greenway along North River Drive.  Mr. Sileno explained the south-west shore’s publicly accessible greenway will proceed north-west as an on-road greenway along South River Drive, turn north-east parallel to the south east side of the new NW 5 ST Bridge, proceed north beneath the bridge behind the bascule spans and then dead end into the Clear Channel property with several billboards.  Chair Bagué inquired instead of dead-ending, could the Greenway continue parallel with the bridge’s north-west side in order to re-connect with the on-road Greenway proceeding west along North River Drive .  Mr. Barrera stated the FDOT would look into the possibility and any potential impacts to the right of way.  Mr. Bibeau noted Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG), recommended when the item was presented to the subcommittee, that the MRC, in partnership with FDOT, TPL and the City of Miami, write Clear Channel a letter regarding beautifying their riverfront site and allowing the publicly accessible Greenway to proceed through the site, located on the north west side of the NW 5 ST Bridge, in order to provide connectivity for the section planned to be constructed by FDOT with the NW 5 ST Bridge replacement.

Mr. Sileno stated since when traveling north-west on N. River Drive it will remain impossible to take a left directly onto the NW 5 ST Bridge, the FDOT will provide signage directing traffic to access the Bridge via turning right on NW 6 Ave, left on NW 6 ST, left on NW 7 Ave, then right onto the new NW 5 ST Bridge.

Mr. Orin Black, Marilyn Properties, and owner of the properties on South River Drive immediately north and south of the NW 5 ST Bridge, stated he applied for a permit to renovate and shift his bulk line adjacent to the Bridge, so that nothing is in the federal navigable channel and determined the City of Miami owns a sliver of land in front of his portion of the site.  Therefore the FDOT and he need to coordinate with the City of Miami in order to repair and restore the seawall in that vicinity prior to the arrival of the dredgers in that area.

Mr. Barrera noted a sufficient budget to complete the project, including $40.9 million to construct the new bridge and $2.5 million for demolition of the existing bridge has been appropriated and is currently available for the project.  Mr. Barrera noted the bridge replacement would create temporary closures of

the federal navigable channel to marine traffic, yet less than occurred during the 2002 replacement of the NW 2^nd Ave Bridge.  Mr. Barrera noted FDOT would continue to communicate information regarding necessary temporary closures to the USCG and marine traffic during the NW 5 ST and NW 12 Ave Bridge replacement projects.  

Mr. Bibeau noted the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan page 63 states, “It is recommended that the NW 5 ST Bridge owner, FDOT, take prompt and effective action to immediately replace this unsafe bridge before additional collisions occur”. Chair Bagué made a motion finding the replacement of the NW 5^th  Street Bridge consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, subject to the City of Miami and FDOT agreeing to continue coordinating the creation of construction documents in order to connect the on-road greenway sections with the adjacent NW 5 ST Bridge greenway portions; working with Clear Channel to beautify its riverfront site and allowing the publicly accessible Greenway to proceed through the site located on the north-west side of the NW 5 ST Bridge; FDOT remove the existing Bridge and land in the federal navigable channel prior to the dredging contractor’s arrival; and providing detour signage on North River Drive.  The MRC unanimously passed the motion.  Mr. Manny Prieguez stated he would contact Mr. Jeff Andres, Clear Channel Senior Vice President for Real Estate, regarding the MRC’s recommendation for the Greenway to proceed through their riverfront site.  Mr. Rocky Lorenzo offered to contact a Clear Channel representative he knew about the MRC’s recommendation as well.

Chair Bagué thanked FDOT for its continued pro-active relationship with the MRC, as well as the river’s neighborhoods and marine industries.

III. Presentation of NW 12^th Avenue Bridge Replacement- Mr. Travis Brilliant , Kiewit, introduced Mr. Art Perez, BA Construction Services, and Mr. Hector Rodriguez , FDOT, and provided a brief presentation regarding the proposed replacement of the NW 12^th Avenue Bridge. Mr. Brilliant provided a power point presentation simulating the construction process and disclosed the following information:

• $63 million appropriated by State to replace the NW 12 Ave Bridge
• Estimated commencement: August 28, 2006
• Estimated demolishion of existing NW 12 Ave Bridge is December 12, 2007 - April 15, 2008
• Estimated completion, March 2009
• 8-phase project along NW 12 Ave from NW 7^th Street to NW 16^th Street
• Widening Bridge from four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to six lanes (three lanes in each direction)
• Two bascule span bridge
• Includes 6 foot unobstructed sidewalks with ADA ramps
• 150 foot horizontal clearance
• 35 foot vertical clearance
• Decorative Lighting
• Two control towers (one on north and one on south side) reminiscent of the adjacent Spring Garden Neighborhood’s Hindu Temple , on the Seybold Canal
• Maximizing construction from land versus water
• Pile driving during day only
• Maintaining reduced number of lanes on NW 12 Ave throughout entire project
• FDOT requesting United States Coast Guard authorize two sets of three day closures to marine traffic on the Miami River’s Federal navigable channel in the 12 Ave Bridge area (July 30, 2007 – August 1, 2007 and December 16, 2008 – December 18, 2008)
• Includes a publicly accessible Greenway on both shores, with a 20 foot max. – 8 foot min. foot wide unobstructed pedestrian path, proceeding behind the bascule piers beneath the NW 12 Ave Bridge, and connecting with on-road Greenways along South River Drive and NW 11 ST
• Phases 1-4: will keep traffic on existing bridge as the first half of the bridge is simultaneously constructed
• Phase 3: April 2007-August 2007-will elevate bridge to 10 feet to accommodate 11^th Street traffic
• In order to rebuild NW 11^th Street grades and minimize impact, will need to close NW 11 ST twice during the project
• Phase 5: will close down west side of NW 11^th Street
• Phase 6: will demolish existing bridge on December 17, 2007 - April 15, 2008
• Phases 7-8: construction-concrete pilings to be brought in by barges; plan to perform as much work as possible on land, so as to minimize traffic impact
• Will coordinate with NW 5 ST Bridge replacement

Mr. Brilliant noted he had met with members of the Miami River Marine Group, including Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Captain Beau Payne and Eddie Rodriguez , P & L Towing, to discuss the project’s potential impact upon the river’s 24/7 shipping industry.  Mr. Brilliant stated he would continue to coordinate this mutual effort with the Miami River Marine Group and the marine industrial business community.  Mr. Bibeau noted the NW 12 Ave Bridge and NW 5 ST Bridge Replacement projects estimated timelines overlap between August 2006 and March 2009.  Chair Bagué asked if FDOT had communicated the project’s potential impact to the river’s adjacent neighborhoods including Spring Garden and Grove Park , and Ms. Tish Burgher, FDOT, replied they had and will continue to reach out to river’s civic associations.

Ms. Bagué stated she believes the NW 12 Ave Bridge project is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Vice-Chair Everingham made a motion that the MRC finds the replacement of the NW 12 Ave Bridge to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Mr. Prieguez seconded the motion, which the MRC unanimously adopted.

Mr. Bibeau noted the NW 5 ST & NW 12 Ave Bridge replacement projects represent over $100 million in new transportation infrastructure, and thanked the State of Florida and FDOT.

IV. Review Draft “Working River” Provision for Condominium Documents of Recently Approved Miami River Projects - On behalf of Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Mario Garcia -Serra presented the draft “Working River” Provision for condominium documents of recently approved projects, such as Royal Atlantic, Coastal on the River, Hurricane Cove, Miami River Rapids and Miami River Place, submitted by their legal representation, Greenberg Traurig.  The draft language alerts unit buyers that their building “is located on a working river and, that by signing below, it is acknowledged that from time to time loud noises, fumes, or other potentially disruptive activity may be associated with the marine industry located on the Miami River.”  MRC staff distributed copies of the aforementioned document, as well as a list of additional river developments (Rio Miami, Rio Lofts, Brisas del Rio , York Shrine, and River Run South) which the MRC previously recommended incorporate similar language in their respective condo documents.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, asked if the condo documents including the “working river” provision would still apply even if the property is “flipped,” and Mr. Serra replied most likely yes, if the provision is incorporated into the condo documents, it would be a part of the documents for every purchaser during every purchase.  Chair Bagué thanked Mr. Serra for his presentation.

Vice-Chair Everingham moved for the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group and Executive Committee to further review the proposed draft language at its next meeting, and once additional input has been received, the draft provision would be re-presented at the MRC’s Monday, September 11 meeting.  Mr. Prieguez seconded the motion, which the MRC unanimously adopted.

V. MRC Subcommittee Reports

a. Dredging Subcommittee - Mr. Eric Buermann , Co-Chair of the MRC’s Dredging subcommittee, stated the Senate’s Energy and Water Committee released a record high $7 million “mark up” for the Miami River maintenance dredging project, securing the President’s FY ’07 $3.5 million request, plus an additional $3.5 million “congressional ad”.  MRC staff distributed the Committee Bill, which includes positive Report Language stating, “This project will provide the first maintenance dredging of the Miami River since its original authorization in 1930.  The Corps of engineers is currently studying the economic benefits of the dredging project.  In so doing the (Army Corps) Secretary should take into consideration the broad economic benefits of the project, including the increase in maritime cargo, the increased maritime business activity on the Miami River that will result from the project, such as mega-yacht servicing, and other economic and environmental benefits related to the revitalization of the area bordering the Miami River.”  On behalf of the MRC, Mr. Buermann thanked Chair Bagué whom wrote Senators Nelson and Martinez thanking them for their continued strong and productive support of the project.  In addition, Mr. Buermann acknowledged Governor Bush’s continued support for the project.  Mr. Buermann thanked the numerous local elected officials, marine industrial businesses, Miami River Marine Group, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Marine Council, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Water Management District and several Miami River developers, whom wrote the Senate Energy and Water Committee Chair Domenici, Ranking Member Reid, and the FL Senators, in support of the County’s FY ’07 appropriation request.

Mr. Buermann noted that in May, the House of Representative’s Energy and Water Committee released their preliminary FY ’07 budget proposal, including $4.1 million for the project.  Therefore the Senate and House Energy and Water Committee Bills will proceed to conference, where the final Federal appropriation, between $4.1 and $7 million, will be made for FY ‘07, which commences on October 1, 2006 .

As discussed in previous meetings, Mr. Buermann stated the Army Corps of Engineers “Operations and Maintenance” significant expenditures and ongoing costs created by Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Rita and Ophelia and the war continue to impact the ability to secure the federal cost share balance due to complete the project in a timely fashion.  Therefore the local project sponsors continue to consider executing the “Memorandum of Agreement Between Miami -Dade County and the Department of the Army For Acceptance and Return of Advanced Funds for the Maintenance of the Miami River , FL Project”, which the Army Corps has provided the County.  Executing the provided agreement would allow the local cost share partners to advance the remaining funding necessary to complete the project within 9 months, and prior to the 5 year contract’s expiration.  Similar “Local Advanced Funding” was recently utilized in the Everglades restoration and FL Intracoastal projects.  The local project sponsors, MRC, and Dade Delegation would continue seeking the federal cost share balance due to be appropriated in future fiscal years, in order to repay the advanced funding provided by the locals in order to complete the long awaited and widely supported project.  Mr. Buermann reported the ACOE is planning to award the project’s acceptance section 7 of 15 on September 30, 2006 , remobilize the contractors through November 30, and recommence dredging on December 1, 2006 , after the hurricane season is completed.

Mr. Buermann added the GMCC voted to include completing the Miami River maintenance dredging as a “Priority” goal in their recent Goals Conference.

Mr. Buermann noted the Dredging Subcommittee’s regularly scheduled publicly noticed meetings continue to be held on the third Wednesday of every month, 1407 NW 7 ST, 10 AM; therefore the next meeting is on July 19. 

b. Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG)- On behalf of Mr. Jim Murley , Chair of the UIWG, Mr. Bibeau noted the next regularly scheduled second Tuesday of the month - 10 AM UIWG meeting is scheduled at 1407 NW 7 ST on July 13.

Mr. Bibeau noted the main UIWG agenda item will include lengthy discussion and review regarding the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan with representatives from transportation agencies including FDOT, MDX, MDT, MPO and the City of Miami .

Mr. Bibeau added the UIWG will meet on August 8, 1407 NW 7 ST, 10 am .  The agenda includes a review and discussion regarding the draft “Eastern Quadrant” of Miami 21, which includes zoning amendments for every parcel along the River’s north shore from Biscayne Bay to I-836, and south shore from the Bay to I-95.  The UIWG’s June 13 minutes feature the UIWG’s initial recommendations, including creating a riverfront district with different requirements than landlocked parcels, such as larger riverfont setbacks, requiring publicly accessible riverwalks, and amending the proposed zoning in the “ Miami Circle ” & Lummus Park sites to the Parks and Recreation “CS” category.  Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC is tentatively scheduled to formulate their advisory recommendation on the draft Miami 21 “Eastern Quadrant” during the MRC’s September 11 meeting, 1407 NW 7 ST, noon.

Mr. Bibeau stated the UIWG commends the City of Miami for working towards implementation the following Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s parks related recommendations:

• issuing a work order for a consultant to design a canoe / kayak launch in the historic boat slip located in E.G. Sewell Park .  Canoes & kayaks will have direct access to the adjacent Lawrence Canal and the entire Miami River water basin, creating a “blue-way”.
• Fern Isle Park is being cleaned and the contamination is being remediated by placing two feet of clean dirt throughout the entire park; two new baseball diamonds (previously had one), basketball court, playground, parking lot, drainage system, concession stand and restroom facility will be constructed; The City of Miami is open to the additional recommendation to construct a Greenway in Fern Isle Park along the south fork’s south shore, which may include a pedestrian bridge (potentially the current Tamiami Swing Bridge) to connect into the potential park expansion area on the north side of the south fork

c. Greenways Subcommittee (GSC) – Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land , noted Greenway sections remain under construction.  Ms. Freeman reported TPL, the City of Miami and MRC representatives are scheduled to meet on Thursday July 13, to discuss the County’s $7.5 million line item for the Miami River Greenway.

Ms. Freeman stated on November 9, the MRC and TPL will serve on a Miami River Panel discussion for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) 2006 Urban Forum, in the Hyatt Regency, which will be followed by a River boat tour on the 10^th.

Vice-Chair Everingham asked for an update regarding greenway governance, and Mr. Bibeau stated the Greenways subcommittee continues to work in partnership with the City of Miami , TPL, Miami-Dade County , and the private sector to address the ongoing issue of greenway maintenance.  Mr. Robert Weinreb , City of Miami , stated he had met with City Manager Joe Arriola regarding governance of both the Miami River Greenway and Baywalk, and met with Mr. Ernest Burkeen, Director of the City of Miami Parks Department, regarding the concept of considering the Riverwalk and Baywalk as linear parks.  Mr. Weinrib added he met with representatives from the City of Miami ’s Police Department regarding their plans to provide security along the Riverwalk and Baywalk areas.  Mr. Weinrib offered to keep the MRC informed about the City’s progress in determining the governance necessary for the Miami River Greenway system.    

The next regularly scheduled second Wednesday of the month Greenways subcommittee’s publicly noticed meeting will take place this Wednesday, July 12, 1407 NW 7 ST.

d. Stormwater Subcommittee (SSC) - On behalf of Ms. Sallye Jude , Chair of the SSC, Mr. Bibeau stated the Stormwater Subcommittee’s regularly scheduled first Wednesday of the month publicly noticed meeting was already held this month on July 5, and similar to the MRC, the SSC will not be meeting in August, therefore the next meeting is scheduled for September 6, 10 AM, in the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive.

Mr. Bibeau stated the City of Miami Capital Improvements Department, nationally advertised a Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) for dredging in Wagner Creek (Phases III–V) and Seybold Canal .

Mr. Bibeau added the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and FDEP are hosting a public meeting on July 12, 10 AM, in Lummus Park, 404 NW 3 ST, regarding the creation of water quality standards, known as TMDL’s, for Wagner Creek.  The MRC’s Wagner Creek Isolation Survey Report was provided per the request of the City and County’s consultants, whom found it helpful in the planning process to create the draft TMDL’s.

Mr. Bibeau noted the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) agreed to bear the cost of completing the MRC recommended smoke-testing program in the Wagner Creek western sub-basin.  The recent additional smoke testing found four additional positive tests indicating minor leaks from the sanitary sewer system into the stormwater system, which flows into the Creek.  Upon verification of the test results, the WASD will issue a work order to repair the detected minor leaks.  Mr. Bibeau thanked the WASD.

Mr. Bibeau stated the Scavenger 2000 de-pollution vessel services, which the MRC unanimously found to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s recommendation for a clean-up vessel, is moving towards contract renewal with the City

in July.  The County provided a Memorandum of Understanding to the City of Miami for execution, which is required for the County to make there FY ’06 $100,000 available to remove surface debris from the Miami River, which would supplement the City’s $200,000 for Scavenger services City-wide, including 5 hours per week on the Miami River.  Mr. Bibeau thanked the City of Miami .

e. Economic Development & Commerce (EDC) – Ms. Megan Kelly , Co-Chair of the EDC, stated three independent private investors recently approached the MRC staff and Chair, regarding there interest in opening new dry stack vessel storage facilities on the Miami River. Therefore the EDC placed a general discussion of the topic on the publicly noticed June agenda.  The EDC noted although the Manatee Protection Plan has the same restrictions for dry stack and water slips, dry stack facilities have less impact than marinas because they control & limit access, and capture cleaning products used to wash off boats in a water reclamation system, before the products enter the River.  Commissioner Barreiro stated when the State formally removes the Manatee from the endangered list; he would sponsor a resolution directing the commencement of the process to provide a review and potential update of the Miami-Dade County Manatee Protection Plan, which has been in effect for over a decade.  Ms. Kelly suggested the MRC, with the help of EDC Co-chair and County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro , support the potential for creating different restrictions and standards in the Plan between dry stack storage facilities and wet slip marinas on the Miami River .

The EDC’s next meeting will be held September 18, at 1407 NW 7 ST.

f.  Miami River Public Safety Committee – Mr. Winston, Chair of the MRC’s Miami River Public Safety Committee, stated he was pleased Mr. Ruano would serve as co-chair.  Mr. Winston stated the increase in residents within the Miami River corridor justifies increased police presence.  Mr. Winston asked Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, for an update.  Dr. Bohnsack reported the next United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) regularly scheduled 2^nd Tuesday of the month Port of Miami River Homeland Security meeting will be held on July 11, 2 pm, in the USCG facility located at 100 McArthur Causeway. In addition, Dr. Bohnsack noted the USCG convened the season’s first Hurricane drill, and is scheduling the next terrorism drill.  Dr. Bohnsack stated the Port of Miami , Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach , and Port of Miami River were jointly applying for a Federal Homeland Security Round 6 grant.  USCG Captain Maes stated he had appointed Dr. Bohnsack to serve on the Area Maritime Security Committee 

VI. New Business-The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Mr. Scott Mitchell, Co-Chair of the MRC’s Dredging Subcommittee, stated he was moving to Washington DC and therefore will be submitting a resignation letter.  On behalf of the MRC, Chair Bagué, thanked Mr. Mitchell for his years of effective volunteer service.

IV. Adjournment 

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

_____________________________Recording Secretary

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