I. CHAIRS REPORT:

II.  NW 12^th Avenue Bridge Replacement Presentation.

Mr. Luis Costa, the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Engineering Consultant for the NW 12^th Avenue Bridge presented a brief overview of the project status.  Mr. Costa began by explaining the characteristics of the existing bridge.  He mentioned the bridge is deteriorating and structurally deficient partially due to the width of the sidewalk and the four lanes of traffic, which have no separation in the middle.  The project proposes to replace the existing bridge with a new bascule bridge.  Overviews of the project limits were presented to the MRC.  The limits would be from NW 7^th ST to NW 16^th ST .  The bulk of the project will be from N.W. 7^th ST to N.W. 11^th ST , where the bridge reconstruction will occur.  The proposed navigational clearance for the new bridge will be expanded to 150-feet horizontally from bulkhead to bulkhead, and 22 ½ feet vertically at the lowest elevation.  The bridge will be expanded to accommodate six-traffic lanes and will include a median separating opposite directions of traffic.  In addition, the bridge will have six-foot shoulders and 8-foot sidewalks. Costa stated the proposed bridge incorporates features from the adjacent community.  Stairs have been integrated into the design of the bridge, allowing access to the river.  Views of the Bridge from various angles were presented to the MRC.  The Miami River Greenway is designed to proceed behind the proposed Bridges piers.  The project is scheduled for design completion by December 2004, bidding is scheduled for May 2005, and construction in May 2006.

Mrs. Jude asked Mr. Costa to comment on the purpose of the six traffic lanes. Costa replied that the outside lanes of the bridge would increase capacity over the bridge and allow entrance into Interstate 836, which currently has a ramp.  Dr. Martin provided the comments of the Spring Garden Civic Association and Grove Park Neighborhood Association, including the recommendations to have the Miami River Greenway on the river’s shore, improve upon the poor designed access to the Travel Inn which would force vehicles into the Spring Garden neighborhood, and opposition to the taking of Longs Motorcycle business.  Mr. Costa explained to the MRC that keeping the walkway along the river would entail a 40-50 foot expansion of the bridge, which would increase the cost. 

Mr. Parks asked Mr. Costa to respond to the resident’s comments.  Costa stated the original design had the Greenway on the river’s shoreline, but the FDOT’s Tallahassee office found that there would be significant additional costs, so the Greenway was redesigned behind the piers. In regards to Long’s motorcycle shop, Mr. Javier Rodriguez contacted Mr. Long to schedule an individual meeting.  Mr. Costa stated he was not prepared to further discuss the issue.  Costa stated the presented design has 90% complete construction documents. Commissioner Barreiro stated he was disappointed that the project design was presented to the MRC at 90% complete and not at an earlier stage.  Mr. Barreiro recommended future FDOT projects on the river be presented to the MRC at 25% designed intervals.

Mr. Parks asked the MRC if there were more comments.   Mrs. McAliley asked if the 12^th Avenue Bridge would still be operational during replacement.  Costa stated there is a traffic control plan prepared to accommodate traffic on the existing bridge through construction. The majority of the lanes should remain open for the majority of the project.  Once the first half of the new bridge is completed, traffic will be moved from the existing bridge to the new section. Commissioner Barreiro expressed concern that the Greenway would not be along the water.  He had scheduled a meeting with Mr. Johnny Martinez, FDOT District Secretary, but Martinez cancelled the meeting.  Commissioner Barreiro stated he is trying to reschedule the meeting.  Ms. Megan Kelly commented the MRC’s Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Subcommittee unanimously recommended a tunnel to replace the existing bridge.  Mr. Parks agreed with the EDC’s recommendation, and stated that the MRC continues to favor tunnels.  Mr. Dick Bunnell stated that City Commissioner Johnny Winton recently expressed support for a tunnel at this location.  Mr. Bunnell asked Mr. Costa if any consideration was going to be given to building a tunnel.  Costa replied that the tunnel was eliminated due to social, physical and economic impacts.  Mr. Parks was disappointed that the MRC was not notified as to the specific reasons the tunnel was eliminated.  Commissioner Barreiro expressed support of the concept of a tunnel, instead of a bridge.  Adriana Manzanares, Project Manager for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), stated she had met with Greenway Chairman Dr. Ernie Martin, to inform him that the Greenway could not be located on the shoreline due to the cost.  Mr. Costa stated there was still a Greenway on the upland side of the pier, instead of on the waters edge.  Mr. Costa suggested meeting with Johnny Martinez.  Mr. Dick Bunnell stated that the 2^nd Avenue Bridge accommodates Greenways along the water and maintains the 150-foot horizontal clearance, therefore the same conditions should exist in building the new NW 12 Avenue Bridge.  Captain Smith, Bojeans Boatyard, expressed concern regarding not having a fender system.  Costa replied that the new bascule pier would be at the waters edge, behind a bulkhead that meets ship impact criteria.  Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Costa for his presentation.  Janet McAliley moved to have the MRC express their grave concern over FDOT’s shifting the Greenway path from the rivers edge to behind the bascule piers, recommending a tunnel be considered to replace the 12^th Avenue bascule bridge, opposition to the proposed taking of the Long Motorcycle business, and requesting FDOT to provide quarterly updates on all river related projects.  Commissioner Barreiro seconded the motion.  Captain Payne offered a friendly amendment to the motion, requesting FDOT to coordinate all river closures with the marine industry during replacement of the 12^th Avenue Bridge, as was the case with construction of the new 2^nd Avenue Bridge.  Janet McAliley accepted the friendly motion.  Mr. Parks recognized Mrs. Theo Long, owner of Long’s Motorcycle Shop, whom at the beginning of the meeting distributed a 2-page document on her drive to keep her business.  Mrs. Long stated that four years ago there was a NW 12^th Avenue replacement steering committee where Dr. Martin and other neighbors met, but once the plans were designed, FDOT never reconvened the committee. Mr. Parks asked if there were further comments on the resolution.  The MRC passed the resolution unanimously.

III.       NW 5^th Street Bridge Replacement Presentation

            Ms. Monica Diez, FDOT NW 5^th ST Bridge Replacement Project Manager, stated the FDOT was nearly complete with the Project Development and Environmental Study (PDE) phase.  Diez explained this phase preceeds the final design. The FDOT had previously reported to the MRC when they began their PDE study.  Diez stated it has been difficult to reach consensus on the height and width of the proposed new bridge.  An attempt has been made to balance navigation, environmental impacts, and rights of way.  Diez stated meetings have been held with various stakeholders such as, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE), municipalities, homeowner associations, and business owners.  The FDOT has met with the U.S. Coast Guard to discuss alternative bridge designs.  Diez stated a bridge that is 150-feet from pier to pier would cause tremendous right-of-way impacts.  Ms. Monica Diez then introduced Carlos Cejas, Gannett Fleming.

Cejas presented the preferred alternatives that will be presented at an FDOT public hearing on December 17^th.  Cejas stated various alternatives had been considered, including a tunnel at the NW 5^th ST Bridge location. Cejas explained the construction of a tunnel at this location was found inappropriate because it is a residential community.    Relative to the channel, the new bridge will be realigned, and rotated 12 degrees from the current angle. The five traffic lanes will be made wider and will include a traffic separator as in the 2^nd Avenue Bridge.   One side of the proposed bridge would include a 10-foot sidewalk to accommodate the Miami River Green Greenway, and the other side of the bridge would have a standard 6-foot sidewalk.  The proposed bridge would have a 125-foot clearance from pier to pier, and when the bridge opens there would be a 75-foot vertical clearance.  Cejas explained that increasing the height of the bridge would cause impacts to the landside areas on both sides of the bridge.  To minimize impacts, a 16-foot horizontal clearance at the center has been proposed.  Mr. Parks asked if there were comments.  Greg Shapley, USCG Chief of the 7^th District Bridge Branch stated they regulate bridges over the Miami River , and want no part of the bridge built in the 150-foot wide Federal Navigable Channel, similar to the new 2^nd Ave Bridge.  Mr. Shapley therefore recommended that the FDOT should not continue in designing the proposed bridge, which plans for piers to be built in the Federal Navigable Channel.  Shapley noted to date the FDOT has not submitted an application to the USCG.  Furthermore, Shapley stated the USCG’s position on this proposal has been consistent for the last 32 months, and noted the existing 5^th ST Bridge is the most dangerous obstruction to navigation along the entire Miami River , and has been struck by vessels 10 times over the past ten years.  Mr. Parks offered the MRC’s intergovernmental coordination assistance in bringing the USCG and FDOT together to resolve this issue.  Ms. Diez stated that providing the 150-foot vertical clearance would result in an estimated additional $8 million in right-of-way acquisition costs.  Mr. Bunnell, Chairman of the MRC’s Dredging subcommittee, stated that the designated Federal Navigable Channel is 150-feet wide at this location.  The USACE recently sent 6 letters to property owners along the river requesting the immediate removal of pilings and buildings built into the channel.  Ms. Diaz responded to Mr. Bunnell that they received a letter from the USACE, and the FDOT replied requesting relief from the 150-foot federal navigable channel for the new 5^th ST Bridge.  The USACE has agreed with the requested waiver to 125-foot from pier to pier.  Mr. Parks thanked Ms. Diez and Mr. Cejas for their presentation.

IV.       Marine Industries Association of South Florida Presentation

            Mr. Parks recognized Ms. Martha Lord, Marine Industries Association of South Florida  (MIASF), who spoke on behalf of their Executive Director, Mr. Frank Herhold, who was unable to attend due to illness. Ms. Lord presented the organizations “Future Waterways Campaign”.  Lord noted the MIASF is an 800-member marine trade association that represents the recreational boating industry.  The Association has been very active as environmental stewards of the waterways, and has a vested interest to preserve waterway access for recreational boaters and the marine industry.   Ms. Lord feels there are threats to boaters and to the industry of Florida , and asked the MRC to work with their association in preserving South Florida ’s marine industry.  Ms. Lord introduced Mr. Murphy, MIASF public relations consultant.

            Mr. Murphy thanked the MRC for allowing MIASF to be on the agenda.  Mr. Murphy stated that MIASF takes tours twice a year to demonstrate interested parties what is occurring on the Miami River . Murphy recommended the MRC work with the MIASF on regional planning through a subcommittee.  Mr. Parks thanked Ms. Lord and Mr. Murphy, and asked if there were any questions.  Ms. Irela Bague, SFWMD & MRC board member, asked if MIASF outreach included schools.  Ms. Lord responded that MIASF does conduct outreach, including distributing manatee key chains in schools.  Mr. Parks suggested that the MIASF work with the MRC’s Economic Development and Commerce Working Group towards implementing mutually agreeable goals.            

V.        MRC Stormwater Subcommittee Presentation

Mr. Arsenio Milian addressed the MRC on the progress made by the Stormwater Subcommittee (SSC).  Milian stated the SSC was created by the Miami River Coordinating Committee. Under the MRC, the SSC has representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resource Management and Water and Sewer Department and the City of Miami .  The SSC created the “Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Report”.  Currently the SSC is implementing the Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Report”.  The SSC environmental agencies provide quarterly progress reports on their action items, which are posted on the internet at www.miamirivercommission.org. Mr. Parks commented that when the commission was formed there already was a great subcommittee in place with people like Ms. Sallye.  A decision was made that another subcommittee would not be created and adopted the existing one.  The MRC said this is a high priority especially since progress has been made towards  dredging the Miami River .   On behalf of the MRC Mr. Parks informed Mr. Arsenio and the people who have done all the work that the MRC is ready to assist the subcommittee in any way possible.   

IV           Committee Reports

a.  Dredging Working Grou p

            Mr. Bibeau stated the USACE posted an amendment to the Request for Proposals (RFP), and will close the bids on Nov. 18^th.  According to the USACE’s estimated schedule, dredging the Miami River will commence between March and July 2004.

b.  Public Safety and Security

No report.

c.  Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan

Mr. Murley stated the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) hosted three public hearings in October 2003 to review the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s draft “1^st Annual Report”, to solicit additional public input.  The UIWG will present the revised draft “1^st Annual Update” and the draft “5-Year Integrated Budget” at the MRC’s December 1, 2003 meeting.

d.  Greenway Subcommittee

Dr. Martin stated sections of the Miami River Greenway are under construction.  In November 2003 the Greenway Subcommittee will review the 30% complete construction documents for the next phase of Greenway development.  Per the direction of the Greenways subcommittee, Dr. Martin made a motion to have the MRC officially recommend for Miami-Dade County to include Miami River Greenway funding in the proposed bond issue.  The motion was seconded by Phil Everingham and unanimously adopted.  Commissioner Barreiro offered to arrange a meeting between the MRC and the appropriate Miami-Dade County officials regarding this recommendation.    Dr. Martin stated the MRC coordinated the creation of a new riverfront pocket park on November 1, 2003 , located on NW 16^th Ave. and NW South River Drive .  Mr. Parks thanked Dr. Martin for his work.

e. Stormwater Subcommittee

            No report.

f.     Economic Development & Commerce

            Ms. Megan Kelly stated the MRC’s Economic Development and Commerce subcommittee had reviewed the proposed City of Miami Noise Ordinance and concurred with the Miami River Marine Groups suggestion to recommend an exemption to marine industrial businesses, since the “working river” requires 24 hour shipping operations.  Mr. Parks treated the EDC recommendation as a motion.  Mr. Parks explained that when the Noise Ordinance was released it was read by members of the MRC whom recommended an additional exemption for dredging the Miami River, as restricting the dredging operation to daytime, and requiring daily demobilization of equipment, would make the dredging cost unfeasible. Janet McAliley stated a local resident had faxed her after midnight in support of the noise ordinance. The motion was unanimously adopted.

V.    New Business

                No new business