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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
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  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The stormwater subcommittee discussed the draft “Action Plan item 2 a, Retrofit drainage in remaining areas of Miami River staring with Pinehurst neighborhoods.” Deborah Drum, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), reminded the Stormwater subcommittee that during the July 10, 2001 meeting the SFWMD stated in May 2001 their governing board approved a $450,000 allocation to partially fund the $1.5 million Pinehurst stormwater retrofit project.  During the July 10 meeting, the SFWMD requested the City of Miami submit a detailed scope of service for the Pinehurst Stormwater Retrofitting project.  The SFWMD stated that the available $450,000 might be in jeopardy of being reprogrammed if not used for the Pinehurst project.  On April 24, 2001 the SFWMD sent an agreement for the SFWMD available funds to John Jackson, City of Miami Public Works Director.  Although the agreement was to be signed by the City and returned to the SFWMD prior to May 8, 2001, the SFWMD stated it has not been submitted.  Ms. Drum asked the City of Miami Public Works Director, John Jackson, to contact her regarding the currently available $450,000 for the Pinehurst Stormwater Retrofit project.  Hector Badia, City of Miami, stated the City’s portion of the $1.5 million Pinehurst stormwater project would not be available until October 2002.  Shawn Sculley, SFWMD, stated it was important for them to know that the City’s portion of the project will not be available until 2002, so they may request that the SFWMD encumbered $450,000 roll forward into their next fiscal year, and not be reprogrammed into the general revenue fund.  Mr. Sculley stated he would make the request to roll the available funding into the next SFWMD fiscal year.  Brett Bibeau asked the SFWMD if it was a problem to roll the $450,000 forward into the 2002 fiscal year, and Mr. Sculley responded it was not a problem.  “Action Plan 2. a.” was revised to $1.5 million total cost, Funding Source $450,000 SFWMD and $1.05 million City of Miami Stormwater Utility Fund, all funding available in 2002, projected to be completed in 2003.  Bibeau asked if additional stormwater retrofit projects may be added to the plan, such as the necessary downtown Miami stormwater retrofit project.  Badia stated the stormwater utility funding has been reprogrammed to Flagami, and no additional Miami River stormwater retrofitting projects are planned nor funded.

The subcommittee discussed “Action plan 2 b Effectiveness monitoring plan for installation of a solid waste interceptor”.  Hector Badia, City of Miami, stated there are a couple solid waste interceptors in existence, such as Vortex and CVS, which are on the market.  Badia estimated installation of the devices for the Miami River outfalls at $30,000.  The subcommittee revised Action Plan item 2 b to $65,000 for the study, permitting and installation of solid waste interceptors in the Miami River’s Stormwater outfalls.  The funding source will be listed as the City of Miami Stormwater Utility Fund in 2003.

Action Plan item 2 c was revised to “in-kind”.  Brett Bibeau stated several grant opportunities for stormwater retrofitting projects require matching funds.  Bibeau therefore requested that all “in-kind” line items be estimated by the individual agencies.  Having an estimated dollar amount will be beneficial to demonstrate matching commitments in future grant applications. Hector Badia stated he would provide the amount of “in-kind” cost.

Bibeau sought to complete line item “3 a. Report on alternatives to find and eliminate leaking or improper laterals”, by determining the funding source and number of years for the Water and Sewer Department (item 3 a’s lead agency) to complete the action item.  Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) did not have a representative at the meeting.  In addition, Bibeau pointed out bullet points are needed to describe Action Plan items “3 c. Conduct dye flood study” and “3 d. Continue to improve transmission capacity in Miami River watershed”.  The lead agency for both items is WASD.  Dr. Markley, DERM, stated she would assist in drafting the bullet points and contact John Chorolog, WASD.

The lead agency for action plan item, “3 b Eliminate septic tanks with the highest potential risk” was amended to WASD lead, with support from FDEP and Department of Health.  DERM offered to provide further text for the corresponding report bullet point.

The lead agency for action plan item, “2 d Report of on-site stormwater treatment alternatives and BMP’s” was revised to be City of Miami.  Badia stated that as part of their NPDES permit process they report on stormwater pretreatment process.

Jody Haynes, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods addressed the subcommittee regarding action plan item, “4 f. Develop specific strategies for public education”.  Haynes noted there are several existing and previously funded environmental education providers, therefore he suggested to modify the item to focus on environmental education implementation.  The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program offered $10,000 of “in- kind” environmental education within the Miami River Corridor during 2002.  The SFWMD stated the $50,000 from the Biscayne Bay Partnership Initiative funding is available for environmental education.  Brett Bibeau stated the funding sources for line item 4 f will be revised to include the Miami River Commission’s awarded DERM Environmental Education CBO grant, and City of Miami contract with an environmental education component.  The subcommittee revised line item 4 f to focus on education implementation from all existing environmental education providers willing to provide services within the Miami River corridor.  A working group meeting will be scheduled between all environmental education agencies to further develop the text for item 4 f.

Bibeau stated he would prepare a bullet point to describe action plan item, “4 g Point Park”

Michael Self, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), stated FDEP will be the lead agency for the following items to be included under action plan item, “4 d. Enforce compliance with all permits that may affect water quality”:

• Hazardous Waste – Responsible agency - DEP lead, DERM support

• Underground Storage – Responsible agency – DEP lead, DERM support

• Sewage Overflows – DEP lead

• Solid Waste – DEP lead

• Industrial Waste – DEP lead

• Dumping and Littering – DEP and DERM

• NPDES Stormwater Permits - DEP (Tallahassee) lead, EPA support

           Mr. Self stated the additional items funding source is “in-kind” DEP, total cost $150,000, $30,000 per year.  Self stated that FDEP has assembled lists of all the permits, will send out inspectors on a quarterly basis for compliance enforcement inspections over the five year period.  FDEP will be submitting the inspection reports to the Miami River Commission.

            The funding source for action plan item, “4 d. Continue monthly monitoring for water quality of Wagner Creek, Miami River and adjoining Biscayne Bay” is the State of Florida.  The amount is revised to $36,000 per year, total cost $180,000.  In addition Mr. Nadia stated he would provide details about the City’s Flow Monitoring, source of funding, and an estimate.

            The funding source for action plan item, “5 c. Extend the stormwater bacterial survey farther upstream” is the City of Miami Stormwater Utility Fund during 2003.

            The lead agency for action plan item,  “5 d. Determine the source of e-coli bacteria in Wagner Creek” was revised to become SFWMD.  DERM stated they believe the source is human waste.

            FDEP was added as a support agency to action plan item, “5 f. Finalize water quality targets for key parameters”

            Brett Bibeau stated the funding sources for the Miami River Corridor Plan (action plan item 6 a.) are Department of Community Affairs $50,000, Miami-Dade County $50,000, Empowerment Trust $25,000, EPA $20,000, Miami River Commission $10,000.  The total $155,000 will be listed less than 2002.

            The stormwater subcommittee agreed to collect all final revisions for the draft report by Wednesday, September 12.  The revisions will be made to the report and e-mailed to the stormwater subcommittee for final review.  The draft report will then have one final review before approval at the next Stormwater Subcommittee meeting scheduled on October 3, 10 am, 172-A West Flagler. 

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