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
Nov. 7, 2005
12:00 NOON
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

Miami River Commission (MRC) Chairperson Irela Bagué convened the MRC meeting at noon , Monday, November 7, 2005 , Robert King High, 1407 NW 7^th Street , New Board Room, Miami , Florida .

• Chairperson Irela Bagué, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

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

• Bruno Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commission (Arrived during UIWG Subcommittee Report)

• Megan Kelly, designee for Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

• Dana Nottingham, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority

• Sallye Jude, Neighborhood Representative, appointed by County Commission

• Charles Morton, Chair of the Miami River Marine Group

• Captain Beau Payne, designee for Miami River Marine Group

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

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

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

• Tony Garrastazu, designee for Governor Jeb Bush

• Captain James Maes, U.S Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Miami (ex-officio)

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

Others attending interested in the River:  

• Jim Murley, FAU

• Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, Executive Director

• Evan Skornick, South Florida Water Management District        

• Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land

• Hannah Kirsch, Edgecombe Group

• Alma Llinas, Keyes Realty

• Roman Gastesi

• Dick Bunnell

• Janice Fleisher, Flash Solutions

JOIN US!!
For more information, contact us via email at mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

I. MRC Chairperson Report: 

Chairperson Irela Bagué asked to entertain a motion on the MRC’s October 3, 2005 meeting minutes. Ms. Sallye Jude moved to approve the MRC’s October 3, 2005 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Phil Everingham and unanimously adopted.

On behalf of the MRC, Chairperson Bagué welcomed Governor Jeb Bush’s newly appointed designee Mr. Tony Garrastazu, whom is replacing Dr. Pam Dana. Chairperson Bagué thanked Dr. Dana for her years of volunteer service for the MRC. Chairperson

Bagué noted Dr. Dana was instrumental in the MRC recommended and State approved expansion of the Enterprise Zone economic incentives, as well as State appropriations for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project. Mr. Garrastazu thanked the MRC, stating he looked forward to working with the board.

Chairperson Bagué noted she would also extend her warmest welcome to Ms. Amy Gonzalez-Hernandez, Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s newly appointed MRC designee, upon her arrival to the MRC meeting. Chairperson Bagué stated Ms. Gonzalez-Hernandez would be replacing Mr. Roman Gastesi.   

Chairperson Bagué stated the MRC’s October/November Greenways Retreat was postponed due to Hurricane Wilma, and solicited the board to check their availability to reschedule the important event to Friday, January 13, 11:30-3:30 pm , on Fort Lauderdale ’s Riverwalk, followed by a full-day retreat on Friday, January 20, at the Hyatt adjacent to the Miami River Greenway.  The Retreat will focus on the means of providing the necessary maintenance, security and special events to ensure the long-term success of the Miami River Greenway.  Chairperson Bagué asked the board to reply their availability to MRC staff at their earliest convenience.

Chairperson Bagué stated the MRC’s series of public workshops to create the 3^rd Annual Update to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan would commence tomorrow evening, November 8, 2005, at Robert King High, 6-8 pm, followed by an “Upper River” workshop on November 16, 6-8 pm, Curtis park, 1901 NW 24 Avenue. Chairperson Bagué encouraged everyone to attend and participate. Due to Hurricane Wilma, Chairperson Bagué added the November 2 “ Lower River ” Workshop had been cancelled, but would be rescheduled in the near future.

Due to Hurricane Wilma, Chairperson Bagué noted Hands on Miami has rescheduled the volunteer Miami River beautification project, which is coordinated and funded by the MRC, to December 3, 9:30 am to noon , South River Drive , immediately west of the NW 27^th Avenue Bridge. The project consists of landscaping, painting a mural beneath the bridge and litter removal. Chairperson Bagué encouraged everyone’s participation. Ms. Jude asked if “Hurricanes Help the Hometown” had been rescheduled, and Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, replied it had not as of yet, but would contact MRC board members once a new date had been selected.

Per the MRC’s unanimous direction during the October 3, 2005 meeting, Chairperson

Bagué stated she would like to present a gift as a token of the MRC’s appreciation to

former volunteer board members Dick Bunnell and Roman Gastesi. Chairperson Bagué

stated Mr. Bunnell had served on the MRC since its creation in 1998, and participated in over 200 meetings. His Co-chairing of the MRC’s Dredging Subcommittee was an integral component of commencing the long awaited Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, which was planned for over 30 years. Chairperson Bagué noted Mr. Gastesi served as the designee to former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penellas and current Mayor Carlos Alvarez, until his recent departure form the public sector. In his capacity as the County’s “Water Czar,” he was also instrumental in the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project.

Chairperson Bagué invited Mr. Bunnell and Mr. Gastesi to accept their gifts, thanking them once again for their timeless efforts to improve the Miami River . Mr. Bunnell and Mr. Gastesi graciously thanked the Miami River Commission for the honor and extended their continued support to the successful completion of the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project.

II.  Discussion of How Maintenance, Security, Special Events & Marketing will be Provided along the Miami River Greenway - Chairperson Bagué stressed the importance of having the MRC board members’ attend and participate in the January Greenways Retreat, in order to address these important issues. Chairperson Bagué asked Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land , if she planned to attend, and Ms. Freeman stated she would. 

III.    Committee Reports

      a. Dredging Working Group – Mr. Eric Buermann, MRC Dredging Subcommittee Chair, stated that dredging within the awarded Acceptance Sections 1-6 of 15 has been substantially completed, which represents completion of 40% of the project.

Mr. Buermann noted the Miami River maintenance dredging project’s 31% local cost share has been secured, therefore the Dredging subcommittee is working on obtaining the federal cost share balance due.  Mr. Buermann thanked Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Colleen Castille, State Legislators, and City and County elected officials for writing and/or meeting with the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request the $26.7 million federal cost share balance needed to complete the project be included in the President’s Fiscal Year 2007 Budget, which will be released in January or February 2006, and ideally adopted by Congress before the September 30, 2005 end of Fiscal Year 2006.

Mr. Buermann stated the MRC Dredging Subcommittee acknowledges the difficulty in securing the approximate $26.7 million federal balance due in FY ’06 in order to avoid a temporary stand-by or demobilization of the project, and thanked Mr. Bibeau for working tirelessly to pursue alternative avenues in order to avoid this impending threat.

Mr. Bibeau thanked Mr. Buermann, and on behalf of the MRC Dredging Subcommittee, expressed his gratitude to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Dade Delegation, Governor Bush, Miami-Dade County , the City of Miami and the South Florida Water Management District for doing everything in their power to obtain the maximum appropriation feasible for the project in FY ’06.

Mr. Bud Morton, MRC, asked County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro if it would be possible to advance the local funding cost-share in order to avoid a temporary stand-by or demobilization, and Commissioner Barreiro replied that it would be rather difficult to advance local funding, but with the right push and support, he believes the federal cost share will be made available no later than FY ‘07.

Mr. Morton asked what other venues were currently being explored to avoid a temporary stand by or demobilization, and Mr. Buermann replied that though there was significant competition from other drastically affected areas, the Miami River could potentially receive funding from the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma supplemental budget, as a result of the river’s overflowed banks, debris causing hazards to navigation, shoaling and sedimentation caused by the storms.  Commissioner Barreiro concurred that the Miami River was clearly impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, therefore is eligible for the funding from the potential federal supplemental budget bills.  Mr. Bibeau added the MRC Dredging Subcommittee was exploring the possibility of flood mitigation funding from FEMA as well.

Mr. Bunnell asked if the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) would accept the local cost-share’s advance funding in order to avoid a temporary stand by or demobilization, and Mr. Bibeau explained that the possibility would require an amendment to the dredging inter-local and execution of a local advanced funding agreement. Mr. Bibeau stated the process was quite lengthy, taking anywhere from two weeks to six months. Mr. Bibeau added ACOE’s South Atlantic Division has only $25 million available this year for operation and maintenance dredging within their entire Division, while the Miami River Maintenance dredging project alone has a federal cost share balance of  $26.7 million.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack asked if the contractors are contractually obligated to complete the project once the federal cost share has been appropriated, and Mr. Bibeau replied under the terms of the contract, the dredgers are obligated to return within 60 days of the Corps awarding the next acceptance section.  In addition Bibeau noted the original 5-year dredging contract anticipated the potential for this scenario, therefore has a line item to exercise for up to 6 temporary stand-by or demobilization periods.

In the meantime, Chairperson Bagué recommended that MRC staff work in unison with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s staff to draft a series of talking points for MRC board members to utilize during any potential media inquiries related to the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project. Chairperson Bagué noted the talking points would allow MRC board members to coordinate their message in a concise, positive manner.

Mr. Dana Nottingham, Downtown Development Authority, suggested that the MRC draft and distribute a press release to local media, acknowledging the project’s temporary “stand-by”, until the federal cost share balance due becomes available, and highlighting the continued support of Miami River stakeholders. Chairperson Bagué thanked Mr. Nottingham for the suggestion, and noted a press release may be submitted in the future as part of the MRC’s strategy to unite its stakeholders under one voice.

On behalf of Miami-Dade County , Commissioner Barreiro expressed his continued support of the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, and at the request of Chairperson Bagué, agreed to speak to County Manager George Burgess and work with their lobbyists in DC towards Congress appropriating the remaining portion of the pledged federal cost share

Chairperson Bagué reported Colleen Castille, Director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), had a positive meeting with David Anderson, OMB, regarding the President including the federal cost share balance due for the project in the FY ’07 budget request.  Mr. Buermann thanked Governor Bush for arraigning the high level meeting.

The Dredging Subcommittee’s regularly scheduled publicly noticed meetings continue to be held at Robert King High on the third Wednesday of every month at 10 am . Mr. Buermann noted the next meeting would be held on November 16.

b. Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan- Mr. Bibeau stated the drafted Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance, recommended by the MRC, is going through final revisions before being presented to the Board of County Commissioners in December 2005.

Mr. Bibeau noted the Scope of Services for the MRC recommended Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study is scheduled to be considered by the MPO on November 17, 2005 .

Mr. Jim Murley, MRC Urban Infill Working Group Chair, stated the UIWG is scheduling a Miami 21 presentation, which would be followed by a presentation at the MRC’s subsequent meeting.

c. Greenways subcommittee –Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land and MRC Greenways Co-Chair, stated Miami River Greenway sections remain under construction. Ms. Freeman stated the south portion of the Miami River , from the Miami River Inn to Neo Lofts, is almost complete, while the North segment of the river, adjacent to Joe’s & Garcia’s restaurants, is well underway.  Ms. Freeman added the City of Miami had allocated funding in its budget to fabricate and install three historical markers along Miami River Greenway segments underway. The $25,000 Villagers grant awarded to the MRC for the installation and fabrication of additional historical markers along the Miami River Greenway would also be utilized, added Ms. Freeman.  Mr. Bibeau stated he remains in contact with the Villagers, Inc attorney regarding the approval and signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the MRC and the Villagers. Mr. Bibeau added the MRC had previously authorized staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the fabrication and installation of the long-awaited historical markers, once the MOU has been signed and a contract has been executed.

Ms. Freeman added the Greenways Subcommittee continues to meet with representatives from he City, County and TPL, regarding regular maintenance, security and special events for the Miami River Greenway. Ms. Freeman added the January MRC Retreat is aimed at discussing these issues and possibly utilizing an existing entity or creating an entirely new one to manage Greenway efforts.

Ms. Freeman stated according to Mr. Kevin Brown, City of Miami, the City of Miami’s Planning Department is still reviewing the “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards,” which are 90% complete, before its consideration by the Planning Advisory Board.

Ms. Jude expressed concern over the future durability of materials being used for the Miami River Greenway historical markers, and suggested incorporating materials utilized in the creation of Portland , Oregon ’s interactive signage. Ms. Freeman assured that the Greenway’s ceramic signs are quite durable and will not fade or deteriorate given weather conditions. Ms. Freeman offered to forward the signage designs to Ms. Jude.

Mr. Bibeau thanked Ms. Freeman and TPL for their continued leadership of the Miami River Greenway. Mr. Bibeau stated the next publicly noticed Greenways Subcommittee meeting is scheduled at Robert King High on November 9, at 10 am .

d.   Stormwater Subcommittee –Ms. Sallye Jude, Co-Chair of the MRC’s Stormwater Subcommittee, stated the City of Miami has installed over 100 MRC recommended solid waste interceptors on the storm water system.

Ms. Jude noted the City of Miami Capital Improvement Project Department has agreed to include dredging within the Seybold Canal , along with their plans for Wagner Creek Dredging Phases IV and V.

Ms. Jude noted the Stormwater Subcommittee continues to provide intergovernmental coordination for the agencies involved in setting new water quality parameters, known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for Wagner Creek, followed by the Miami River .  The creation of TMDL’s also requires the creation of master plans outlining the planned projects designed to achieve the new water quality parameters.

The next Stormwater Subcommittee’s regularly scheduled first Wednesday of the month publicly noticed meeting is scheduled for December 7, 10 am , at the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive .

e.   Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Subcommittee – Ms. Megan Kelly, Chair of the EDC Subcommittee, welcomed County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro as the EDC’s new co-chair, and thanked him for his instrumental support of the Miami River ’s “Working Waterfront” legislation.   Ms. Kelly stated that Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess recently distributed a memo to the Board of County Commissioners about his office analyzing the “Working Waterfront” legislation recently adopted by the Florida Legislature. Ms. Kelly added the County Manager ’s office is looking into the opportunity to draft ordinances to provide new economic incentives for Marine Industrial businesses.

Ms. Kelly stated the EDC is scheduled to hear a presentation regarding the Earlington Heights Metro-Rail connection to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which includes a proposed fixed bridge in the Upper River area with a forty-foot vertical clearance. Ms. Kelly noted the proposed fixed bridge effectively includes a shortening of the Miami River ’s Federal Navigable Channel because fixed bridge’s are required to have a minimum 75-foot vertical clearance to allow passage of vessels.  The item will be presented to the MRC on December 5, 2005 .

Ms. Kelly noted that in October, the EDC is scheduled to hear a presentation regarding the new Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and its impacts on the Miami River ’s 24 certified international shipping terminals.

Mr. Bud Morton asked for an update of the “boat slip bank resolution,” and Mr. Bibeau replied that the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners had adopted the resolution in May 2005, and was currently formulating its policy.  Mr. Bibeau added Mr. Lee Hefty, DERM, would attend the EDC’s November 14 meeting to update the subcommittee on their progress in formulating the policy as requested in the adopted “boat slip bank” resolution.

Ms. Kelly stated the next regularly scheduled second Monday of the month publicly noticed EDC meeting is scheduled at Robert King High on November 14, 3 PM .  Ms. Kelly mentioned the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce “The Miami River ’s Revival ” breakfast / panel discussion had been postponed due to Hurricane Wilma to a date yet to-be determined.

f.  Miami River Safety Committee – Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, introduced Captain James Maes, U. S. Coast Guard, and asked him to provide an update concerning Miami River safety. Captain Maes stated that due to Hurricane Wilma, the Coast Guard had faced drawbridge complications, which were quickly resolved via a newly installed internal communications system.  Ms. Sallye Jude asked Captain Maes about the Miami River providing safe harbor for boats during Hurricane events, and Capt. Maes replied that the reduction in marine industrial properties is reducing the available real estate to provide the necessary safe harbor areas.

Dr. Bohnsack stated the Miami River Security Committee would meet on November 8, 2 pm , Gator Den, U.S. Coast Guard Station. Dr. Bohnsack noted that “Port Step” would be addressed at the meeting, a security initiative funded by the Federal Transportation Security Administration. 

VI.  New Business –Chairperson Bagué provided MRC board members with Miami River Commission guayaberas as a token of appreciation for their continued effort and support. 

The meeting adjourned.

IV. Adjournment 

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

_____________________________Recording Secretary

     HOME      CALENDAR       ABOUT THE RIVER         ABOUT THE COMMISSION       DREDGING      GREENWAYS    URBAN INFILL PLAN  
     STORMWATER RETROFITTING   MINUTES OF MEETINGS      LINKS