I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Mr. Robert Parks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the October 2003 meeting.  He stated that there was a quorum present and asked for approval of the September 2003 minutes.  Phil Everingham made the motion to approve the September 8, 2003 minutes.  Gary Winston seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

                Mr. Parks advised the MRC that the Search Committee has completed the search for a new Managing Director and Mr. Everingham was asked to provide a report.  Mr. Everingham advised the MRC that they were ready to repeat the process for a detailed search for a new Managing Director; however, David Miller provided a strong recommendation to hire the Assistant Director, Brett Bibeau .  The Search Committee met with the Executive Committee and after discussion they determined that Brett Bibeau was the appropriate person to hire as the new Managing Director and both the Executive and Search Committee recommends to the full MRC that Brett Bibeau be hired as the new Managing Director.  This was taken as a motion and seconded by Janet McAliley.  A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  The next item discussed was the compensation package for Mr. Bibeau.  Phil Everingham on behalf of the Search Committee recommended $50,000 compensation and up to $2,000 for health benefits, standard paid holidays and two weeks vacation.  A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  Brett was given a round of applause.

Bob Parks advised the MRC that there was a wonderful article about the River in the September 2003 issue of South Florida CEO entitled “River Renaissance” and the MRC was recognized very favorably as the catalyst for the rebirth of the river.

Mr. Parks expressed his personal remorse that David Miller was leaving the Miami River Commission as David has been with the MRC since its inception and has helped to make the MRC a special group that has made great progress on river improvements.  Bob Parks presented David with a Miami River plaque and all members applauded.

II.            Presentation of Proposed “ River Place ” Development at 615 SW 2^nd Avenue

Mr. Parks introduced the developer of “ River Place ”, Mr. Kevin Reilly and his Group.  Mr. Gil Pastoriza started the presentation and explained it is a mixed-use project that has received favorable recommendations from the MRC Working Groups.  He introduced the architect Mr. Bernardo Fort-Brescia of the firm Arquitectonica to provide the details of the project.  Mr. Fort-Brescia explained the project contains three buildings: one 42 story residential building on the river, one 22 story office building along 7^th Street and a third building which is a two story existing building that was the former site of the Brickell Shipyard office and also was the police station in the television series “Miami Vice”.  The unique rotunda entry of this two-story structure will be replicated and repositioned so that the main entrance is on the corner of 7^th Street and 2^nd Avenue .  Mr. Fort-Brescia stated that there would be a sight line and pedestrian gateway way from 7^th Street directly to the river.  The three buildings surround a courtyard, which will be open and also looks out to the river.  The 2^nd Avenue bridge retaining wall will be heavily landscaped and Mr. Fort-Brescia advised that the riverwalk proposed in the “ River Place ” development needs to be connected to the riverwalk under the 2^nd Avenue Bridge.  Currently the riverwalk under the bridge is abruptly terminated as it goes southeast to this proposed project.  Mr. Fort-Brescia also stated they are planning to fill in the existing marine railway slip almost to the river, but will leave an open triangular section of water on the property line with the proposed “Neo Vertika” development project to the east.  He recommends not filling the slip in totally, so that this area could be developed into a water taxi stop and it will also make an attractive break in the standard straight seawall and riverwalk.  The residential building will have a nautical flair, no visible parking area and retail on the lower floors adjacent to the river.  Mr. Parks applauded the replication of the shipyard office entrance and Mr. Fort-Brescia stated it would be used for retail, most probably a restaurant. 

Mr. Jim Murley provided the Urban Infill Working Group’s recommendation that the project was consistent with the requirements of the Urban Infill and Greenway Plans.  Mr. Ernie Martin made a motion to approve the “ River Place ” development plan as presented because it is consistent with the Urban Infill Plan and Greenway Plan and to provide for a historic marker on the riverwalk to recognize the prior uses of the property as an important World War II shipyard.  Sallye Jude seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Murley advised the MRC that directly across the river from this project is the large Florida Power and Light (FPL) facility.  This facility was initially in an area of industrial activity that is now converting to residential and he suggests the MRC work with the Downtown Development Authority and others, to help coordinate a plan to improve the aesthetics of the FPL facility.  Bob Parks concurred and directed Brett Bibeau to make arrangements for a meeting of the necessary officials.

III.          Discussion of Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s Draft
“First Annual Update” and “Five-Year Integrated Budget”

Mr. Jim Murley advised the MRC that they have been provided with two “draft” documents concerning the annual update of the Urban Infill Plan and a Five Year Integrated Budget.  Mr. Murley asked all members to read over the documents and provide comments before the November MRC meeting.  Mr. Murley advised that this process would include three public hearings or public workshops to receive the valued input of the public.  Mr. Parks urged all MRC members to make every effort to attend at least one of the public meetings.  Capt. Beau Payne felt that the marine businesses are being left behind and he was concerned that many properties are being converted from water dependent businesses to residential.  He suggested that some protection should be afforded to water dependent businesses.  Mr. Ernie Martin also expressed his concern about inappropriate development in some of the residential areas and felt that the city needed to accept the Urban Infill Plan rather than continuing the constant “spot” or individual property zoning changes we have seen for the last several years.  David Miller provide some statistics concerning the loss of water dependent business zoned properties on the river, specifically that over 6400 feet of riverfront property has been or is in the process of being rezoned from water dependent uses to residential or transportation uses in the last 15 months.  Also, most of the residential zoning changes have been changed to “high density” residential and many of these “high density” residential projects are in the neighborhood section of the middle river.  Commissioner Barreiro advised the MRC of the new alignment of the Earlington Heights Metrorail connection to the Miami Intermodal Center near the upper river.  Commissioner Barreiro also mentioned the subsidized housing project that is proposed west of the 27^th Avenue Bridge and that he is concerned this type of subsidized housing project is a problem for that area.  He urged the MRC to get involved very early in the process, specifically when the developers are seeking the housing subsidy.  Jim Murley stated that the county is looking to add a marine industrial overlay to their section of the upper river.

IV           Committee Reports

Economic Development and Commerce

                Ms. Megan Kelly advised that Mr. Barry Dragon from the U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Branch is present today to answer any questions the MRC members may have on the proposed new federal Miami River Bridge Operation Regulations.  Ms. Kelly stated that the Working Group recommends approval of the proposed regulations with the exception that the proposed noon time curfew be only applicable to the downtown bridges of Brickell Avenue and Miami Avenue and not all bascule bridges on the river.  Mr. Dragon advised that the new proposed rulemaking allows tugs and tugs with tows to transit the river at anytime, all other vessels will be subject to the morning (7:30 am to 9:00 am), noontime (12:01 pm to 12:59 pm) and evening (4:30 am to 6:00 pm) bridge opening curfews.  The regulation also puts a restriction of opening of the Brickell Avenue Bridge on the hour and half hour for all marine traffic, other than tugs and tugs with tows.  Ms. Kelly commended the Coast Guard for taking the initiative to help the city of Miami improve traffic.  Ms. Kelly made the motion to approve the proposed U.S. Coast Guard regulations with the exception that only the Brickell and Miami Avenue Bridges would be subject to the noontime curfew.  The motion was seconded by Captain Beau Payne and passed unanimously

Dredging Working Group

                Mr. Dick Bunnell advised that the MRC sponsored a marine contractors river tour as requested by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Over 100 contractors attended the tour and the subsequent two-hour meeting at the Hyatt Regency.  Mr. Dick Bunnell advised that because of the numerous contractor questions the U.S. Army Corps has decided to delay the bid close date in order to amend and clarify the contract in response to the issues raised by the contractors.  The contract bid close date is now expected to be in early November 2003.

Public Safety Group

David Miller advised the MRC that this Working Group has changed into two separate groups; one being the Miami River Security Group headed by Mr. Pinon, Director of Miami-Dade County Homeland Defense; and the second being the Miami River Waterway Safety Group chaired by Capt Watson of the U.S. Coast Guard.  Both groups have been very diligent and the new Miami River Security Plan is expected to be ready to go before the Miami-Dade Commission in November for approval and submittal to the U.S. Coast Guard by the December 31, 2003 deadline. 

Greenways Subcommittee

Mr. Ernie Martin reported that the Greenway meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, October 7, 2003 .  He also reported that Brett Bibeau had written a grant for the city of Miami to develop a section of the Greenway and that the city did receive the grant in September for $1,000,000.  Mr. Parks congratulated all involved.

Stormwater Subcommittee

Ms. Sallye Jude advised that the committee is implementing the water improvement plan.  Mr. David Miller advised that Mr. Arsenio Milan would be providing a stormwater briefing at the next MRC meeting.  Mr. Miller advised that the SFWMD would be providing a grant of $50,000 for water testing in the Wagner Creek area to determine the source of bacteria pollution and to implement corrective actions.

V.            New Business

                Mr. David Miller advised that a 24-minute Miami River documentary video entitled “Of Time and a River” is now completed.  This video is co-owned by the MRC and the Trust for Public Land (TPL).  It will be shown on public television and is the property of the MRC and TPL.  Mr. Tom Glennon is the producer and the movie presents a vivid picture of past problems along with the bright future of the river.  Mr. Parks asked that a copy be provided to each MRC member. 

Mr. Miller reported that the Miami River Fund, Inc., the funding arm of the Miami River Commission , has for the last 5 years held a temporary status as a non-profit corporation under the IRS regulations 501c(3).  The Corporation has completed and met all necessary requirements and is now a permanent non-profit 501c(3) corporation.

On a personal note, David Miller stated that is has been a true honor to work with all members of the Commission and the public to help improve the river.  He expressed how exciting the river revitalization of the last 5 years has been and he is most confident that the next five years will be every bit as exciting and rewarding for those involved with the Miami River Commission .  He thanked all for their assistance and friendship.