I. Chair Report – Horacio Stuart Aguirre– The rotating powerpoint features pictures from the MRC funded and coordinated volunteer Miami River Greenway beautification event in December. The MRC thanks all the volunteers from Hands on Miami whom planted, harvested, and spread recycled mulch in the community vegetable and fruit garden and picked up litter along the public Miami River Greenway.
The MRC’s 2014 annual report has been distributed, and highlights the many accomplishments achieved by the MRC, working as a team, during an excellent 2014. I thank all of our teammates which brought these Miami River improvements to fruition, especially securing the funding for the fully permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project, continuing the public Miami River Greenway, ST funding for the MRC, and numerous mixed-use private sector investments from including new iconic riverfront marinas, restaurants, hotels, office, and residential developments. Vice Chairman Carmichael noted the MRC’s 2014 Annual Report has been positively received by the Office of Mayors Regalado and Gimenez.

The 19th Annual Miami Riverday will be held April 11. 2015, 1-6 PM, Lummus Park, 250 NW North River Drive, featuring free Miami River Boat Tours, live music, food, drinks, environmental education, historic re-enactors, children activities and much more. Please contact Director Bibeau ASAP to become a sponsor.

The 12th Annual Miami River Map and Guide will be released at Miami Riverday. Therefore please contact Director Bibeau ASAP to purchase your advertisement.

Vice-Chairman Jay Carmichael provided the following Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP): The following is a sample of some of the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) items addressed in November:

The 2 new small derelict vessels in Lummus Park which the MRC reported in November, plus a 3rd derelict vessel beneath the 27 Ave Bridge have all been removed.

I thank the City of Miami which has partnered with the MRC to remove massive invasive species and garbage along the Miami River’s South Fork Tributary in Fern Isle Park. I commend Director Bibeau for providing services in this area, where the MRC has not worked in over recent years.

II. Discuss Future Options for Vacant and Unimproved City Owned Riverfront 1 SW South River Drive

As requested by the MRC during their 12/1/14 public meeting, this item was placed on the MRC subcommittee’s 12/10/14 public meeting agenda, followed by the full MRC’s 1/5/15 public meeting, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST. MRC Director Bibeau distributed the following backup information:

• Miami-Dade County Office of the Property Appraiser Summary Report for folio # 01-0201-010-1075, 1 SW South River Drive, 4,500 square feet, land value $193,500 and exempt from paying taxes as it is owned by the City of Miami.
• Aerial picture of the riverfront block including subject site, which is located between the “Riverside Garden” public space created by the City of Miami under FDOT’s Flagler Bridge, featuring a Manatee mural painted by Xavier Cortada and volunteers, and a recently demolished vacant building to the south under new ownership planning a luxury hotel
• City of Miami’s draft “1/6/2010” “Miami Riverfront Request for Letters of Interest” (“RFLI”)” for this subject site. Director Bibeau stated the Director of the City of Miami’s Property and Asset Management Department has changed 4 times over the past couple years, and the City continues to not advertise their drafted RFLI for this site, which was drafted 5 years ago. The City was invited to the meeting.
• MRC Urban Infill and Greenways subcommittee’s 12/10/14 public meeting minutes stating in part, “MRC Greenways subcommittee Chairman Martin & Urban Infill subcommittee Chairman Murley suggested the MRC recommend the City of Miami make their vacant and unimproved riverfront 1 SW South River Drive into a public park / greenspace.”

Arturo Ortega, new owner of the adjacent 1 SW South River Drive, restated his following November 2014 email:

“I will go ahead and list a few ideas off the top of my head, both offers we can make and different things we can ask in return.
Offers:

1) Lease the property from the City and be responsible for maintenance.
2) Build a brand new fence on their property.
3) Build a brand new seawall on their property (which would serve the exclusive purpose of continuing the Miami Riverwalk.)
4) Build the Riverwalk on the City's property.
5) Clean debris on the property.
6) Be responsible for security on the property.
7) Build the connecting entryway for the Miami Riverwalk on the property.

What we would be interested in:
1) Long-term lease on the property.
2) Increase density on our current properties (number of units and FLR).

Like I said, we are at an ideal point to reach agreements with the City since we are contracting a lot of the work that will be done in the following months, including fences, seawall, docks, construction, etc.
We are committed to having a positive impact on South River Drive and will probably acquire more property on the same street, which in itself shows our commitment and our believe in the area.

Like I said before, I am open and willing to meet, discuss, and negotiate with the City different options that will, first and foremost, improve our neighborhood.”

Mr. Ortega stated in addition, his offers would stand in return for allowing a reduction in his side yard / view corridor on this side of his future 12-story development site, which would include a public connector pathway and public greenspace, because the City’s parcel which he would improve as a public park, and not develop on, would serve that purpose.

Considering the City of Miami drafted their RFLI 5 years ago but never advertised it, Manny Prieguez noted the City is apparently not interested in advertising their RFLI. Director Bibeau stated if needed the MRFI may consider providing a cost share and volunteers to assist in cleaning up the site if it will be become a publicly accessible park / greenspace.
Manny Prieguez stated although he does not have a “conflict of interest” he was going to leave before the vote because he owns land 2 parcels away from the subject property.
Sallye Jude made a motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Barreiro, with an accepted friendly amendment, for the MRC to recommend making the City owned 1 SW South River Drive into a public park on the long term, and allow the adjacent development site to count it as their side yard / view corridor setback in return for the private sector developer funding a new seawall, public riverwalk, public connector path from North River Drive’s sidewalk to the public park, etc. on this subject City owned parcel, and no other development on this City owned parcel. The MRC unanimously adopted the motion.

III. Miami River Commission Subcommittee Reports

A. Greenways Subcommittee - Chair Dr. Ernie Martin
The MRC’s Greenways and Urban Infill subcommittee’s December 10 public meeting minutes have been distributed.

The next 2 MRC coordinated and funded volunteer Miami River Greenway beautification events are scheduled January 19 and 24, with volunteers from the University of Miami and Hands on Miami.

MRC Director Bibeau scheduled a site visit with City of Miami CIP Director Spanioli and Deputy Director Rodriguez to review the remaining “punch list” of items which are needed to successfully complete the new on-road Miami River Greenway section along South River Drive from NW 1 ST to NW 5 ST Bridge, and along North River Drive in Spring Garden.

The next MRC Greenways subcommittee’s public meeting public meeting is a joint meeting with the MRC Urban Infill subcommittee on January 21, 2 PM, here, 1407 NW 7 ST, featuring the proposed revised plans for the Related Group’s “One Brickell”, located on the Miami River’s south shore just west of the Brickell Bridge at 444 Brickell Avenue.

B. Stormwater Subcommittee, Chair Sallye Jude
The Stormwater subcommittee conducted a public meeting on December 1, and the public meeting minutes will be distributed this month.

Pleased to report that included in the floating debris recently removed from the Miami River by the Scavenger Water Decontamination Vessel was a large & full gasoline tank.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report, Horacio Stuart Aguirre – The MRC unanimously adopted their previously distributed January 5, 2015 public meeting minutes.

The 19th Annual Miami Riverday will be held April 11. 2015, 1-6 PM, Lummus Park, 250 NW North River Drive, featuring free Miami River Boat Tours, live music, food, drinks, environmental education, historic re-enactors, children activities and much more. Please contact Director Bibeau ASAP to become a sponsor.

The 12th Annual Miami River Map and Guide will be released at Miami Riverday. Therefore please contact Director Bibeau ASAP to purchase your advertisement.

I thank 2 new MRC volunteer interns. Claudia Sebastiani is a riverfront resident studying sustainability at FIU. Brendon Cunningham recently moved to Miami after working for 9 years in the City of Key West Planning Department. Thank you both for your significant volunteer commitment to the MRC. We appreciate your assistance.

Chairman Aguirre added Director Bibeau and he recently had a positive meeting with Commissioner Sarnoff, whom is supportive of the MRC’s efforts, which the MRC appreciates.

Chairman Aguirre thanked the Spring Garden Civic Association (SGCA) for their public invitation to a lovely celebration of the upcoming commencement of the City of Miami’s Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project. Chairman Aguirre noted on behalf of the Spring Garden Civic Association (SGCA) , the well-attended celebration included Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Gort’s presenting the SGCA Certificates of Appreciation to Spring Garden Resident Charlie Hand, MRC Member Patty Harris and MRC Director Bibeau.

II. Review Proposed “One Brickell” Mixed-Use Development located at 444 Brickell
and 77 SE 5 ST, bordered by the Miami River on the north, Brickell Bridge on the east, SE 5 ST on the south and “Brickell on the River” development on the west

Ms. Iris Escarra and Carlos Lago, Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Rosso, Related Group, Mr Alfonso Jurado and Ms Princess Moquette, Arquitectonica, provided and presented the proposed 4th draft “One Brickell” (“Miami River Commission submittal set 2/2/15”) Mixed-Use development plans. The Transportation Analysis was provided as well. Ms Escarra thanked MRC Director Bibeau and the MRC subcommittees which considered this item during three monthly public subcommittee meetings (public meeting minutes provided)

The development team distributed and presented Plans for “One Brickell”, 444 Brickell Avenue & 77 SE 5 ST. The plans include the following three buildings developed in the following 2 construction Phases:

Phase I –

1. 75-story building parallel “Brickell on the River”, 480 “owned” residential units
2. 55-story building facing SE 5 ST, 500 “rental” residential units
Riverfront Restaurant (1 of 2)
Entire proposed public Riverwalk, connecting at grade to “Brickell on the River’s” existing public riverwalk on the west, and including beneath Brickell Bridge connecting at grade to existing public riverwalk at Miami Circle Park, plus 2 side yard connectors on the east and west and east, connecting the public riverwalk to the public sidewalk (Federal Grant funded planned on-road Miami River Greenway) on SE 5 ST

Phase II –

3. 80-story building facing Brickell Ave, 420 residential units plus 249 room Hotel
Riverfront Restaurant (1 of 2)
Total = 1,400 residential units, plus 249 hotel rooms

The development team stated the proposal seeks to purchase an additional 868,399 square feet of density above 48 stories and beyond the sites current high density zoning and were considering the following options to do so:

1) Pay the City of Miami $17.82 per square foot, which would equate to $15,474,870, into the“Public Benefits” Program, or construct Public Benefits valued at the same amount.
2) Provide Affordable Housing
3) Donate Park and Land or public improvements off site valued at the same amount
4) LEED Gold = 3%, Platinum = 12%
5) Purchase unused development rights on a historic site from private sector

MRC subcommittee Chair Martin noted a major consideration in the MRC’s advisory recommendation to support the recent “Miami River” SAP was the developer constructing $22 million of “Public Benefits” (including $5.2 million in transportation project line items), and noted the importance of using the first option, $15.4 million in public benefits expended in the impacted Miami River District, primarily on mobility and transportation projects, including extending the public Riverwalk off of the subject site. Attendees noted the project is adjacent to the Brickell Bridge, and the MRC has a list of unfunded transportation projects which would improve traffic during temporary regulated Bridge openings, including re-use of a recently removed vehicular travel lane on Brickell Bridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridge openings and providing alternate routes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Rail in order to access alternate routes, etc. Dr Martin stated creating $15.4 million of public benefits in the impacted area is a win-win for the impacted Miami River District, and marketability of the project, being able to note $15.4 million of area improvements will be constructed on needed mobility and transportation improvements in the impacted area, including but not limited to the public riverwalk. Mr Rosso, Related Group, and Ms Escarra stated they would partner with the MRC, City and County in a mutual effort to count the cost of transportation improvements, including but not limited to including re-use of a recently removed vehicular travel lane on Brickell Bridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridge openings and providing alternate routes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Rail in order to access alternate routes, etc., to be funded by the proposed “One Brickell” transportation impact fees and or Public Benefits program.

The structures are all “fully lined” with habitable spaces. Mr Rosso and Ms Dougherty stated the western parcel currently has an active Marine Operating Permit and State Submerged Land Lease for 6 vessels, which they will maintain, and seek a Marine Operating Permit and State Submerged Land Lease for the eastern parcel as well, including Waterborne Transportation / Water Taxi stop.

The development team stated the proposal features a 50-foot waterfront building setback and public riverwalk, consistent with the public riverwalk requirements contained in the City of Miami Zoning Code “3.11”, Appendix B and the City Charter section (mm) (ii) regarding the 50 foot waterfront building setback. In addition, the plans feature a proposed public riverwalk connection to be constructed by the developers beneath Brickell Bridge’s south shore, in order for the proposed “1 Brickell” public Riverwalk to continue east at grade and connect with the existing public riverwalk at the Miami Circle Park, as well as connect to the west at grade with existing public riverwalk at “Brickell on the River”. The development team offered to maintain the riverwalk beneath the beneath the Bickell Bridge, in addition to the adjacent and connecting public riverwalk they are proposing on their private property. Ms Escarra stated the development provides 26% open space where only 20% is required. Ms Escarra added the public art will be featured along the public riverwalk.

Ms Escarra stated the proposed mixed-use development will use its existing zoning and land use. Ms Escarra noted the project is seeking a reduction in the City Charter required view corridor (side-yards) from required 96’ (25% of waterfront’s 384.5 linear feet) to 73.2’ total, consisting of 30’ on the west and 43.2’ feet on the east (note states “22’-10” Proposed Max. Encroachment into view corridor”). Ms. Escarra noted the 22’-10’ encroachment into the side yard / view corridor setback applies to all floors above the 20’ tall ground level, where the full 96’ view corridor / side yard setback is provided. MRC Greenways Chairman Martin noted the importance of this requested waiver to the City Charter, approved at referendum, which protects the waterfront view corridors, because if approved it would allow the 80 story building to be 22 feet wider than allowed by law (above the 2nd story) and therefore add significant square footageand density to this extremely busy intersection at the foot of the Brickell Bridge in the heart of downtown Miami. MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chairman Martin stated capturing the projects impact fees and or creating $15.4 million of public benefits in the impacted area for needed transportation improvement projects in the impacted Miami River District, including but not limited to the public riverwalk extensions off-site (ie beneath Brickell bridge), including re-use of a recently removed vehicular travel lane on Brickell Bridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridge openings and providing alternate routes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Rail in order to access alternate routes, etc, would offset the requested waivers increase in square footage.

In addition, Ms. Escarra stated they will be seeking a waiver to reduce the required parking spaces by 30%, because the site is close to mass transit.

“One Brickell” previously provided their draft Working River Disclosure / Covenant required by the Comprehensive Plan PA-3.1.9, “Policy PA-3.1.9: The City shall require from new residential development and redevelopment located along the Miami River a recorded covenant acknowledging and accepting the presence of the existing Working Waterfront 24-hour operations as permitted.”

Attendees noted the City of Miami entered into a contract with FDOT when the City accepted an awarded $1,000,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant to construct the fully designed on-road Miami River Greenway (8 foot wide mesa beige sidewalk, landscaping, benches, way-finding signage, informational kiosk, street, stormwater drainage, decorative trans cans, decorative lights, etc., along SE 5 ST from the Miami Circle Park to South Miami Ave Bridge in a portion of the subject area, along SW 3 Ave from the Miami River to connect with an existing section of the on-road Miami River Greenway beneath the South Miami Ave Bridge. The Grant funding contract requires these improvements to be in place for 30 years. If a developer wants to remove the improvements, another option which may be considered consistent with the grant contract is for the developer to pay for an equal section of the on-road Miami River Greenway to be constructed at another needed location, which is yet to have secured funding. Mr Rosso and Ms Escarra indicated the Related Group would be willing to fund and construct of these previously completed City CIP construction engineering documents for the on-road Miami River Greenway along SE 5 ST, subject to modification if needed to relocate driveways from their current locations for the development, etc. Therefore this portion of the larger grant area may be saved and the grant contract maybe amended to use that awarded Greenway funding on a different section of unfunded and needed Miami River Greenway per the City and County’s adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan.

Javier Betancourt, DDA, stated he was concerned that the plans indicate 2 elevations within the City Charter required 50’ waterfront building setback. The public Riverwalk at grade, and the outdoor terrace elevated 11 feet above the riverwalk, featuring seating etc. for the 2 riverfront restaurants. The development team indicated the current 4th draft set of plans were revised in an effort to show the intended 27’ foot wide public riverwalk all at the same at grade elevation, and the remaining 23’ of the waterfront building setback area (total 50’ setback) for the elevated outdoor terrace featuring seating etc. for the 2 riverfront restaurants, which meets the requirements contained in Zoning Code Section 3.11 and Appendix B. The presenters stated the City’s required “Miami River Greenway Signage Design Standards and Guidelines” which indicate the public riverwalk, etc. are incorporated into the design. The presenters noted since their visits to MRC subcommittee, they have now included plant / landscape paintings to façade the 12’ elevation difference between the public riverwalk and the outdoor terrace to be made aesthetically pleasing. Dr Martin stated the proposed public riverwalk meets the minimum basic standards required by law. The Developer Team stated they would be willing to lower the elevation of the terrace to 9’ above the at grade public riverwalk. Commissioner Barreiro asked if the proposed new seawall will have cleats and allow recreational boat access. Ms Escarra replied the site currently has a Marine Operating Permit and a ST submerged land lease which allow 9 vessels which they intend in maintain.

County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and MRC Greenways Chairman Martin noted concern about deferring construction of half of the public Riverwalk, east side connecting with existing public riverwalk at Miami Circle Park, to Phase II, and suggested constructing all of the proposed Riverwalk within Phase I, which would be tied to issuance of the Temporary Certificate of Use and Occupancy. The Development team showed a picture of the existing 2-story parking garage, with no waterfront setback, on the footprint of Phase II, which would not make it possible to construct the Phase II riverwalk until Phase I is completed (estimated 2019), followed by the demolition of the existing building on Phase II footprint and construction of the proposed new 80-story tower with the public riverwalk as presented. Mr Rosso, Related Group, and Ms Escarra stated if the project is constructed in Phases they are willing to repair and restore the existing 5 foot wide cantilevered dock which could serve as a temporary public riverwalk until Phase II commences construction. This option for a temporary public riverwalk along the repaired dock at the phase II site would only be until Phase II’s construction starts, and construction of the Phase II site includes the permanent public riverwalk connecting from Phase I site to beneath the Brickell Bridge, in order to connect with the public Riverwalk at the Miami Circle site.

The MRC thanked the developer team for their presentation.

The Miami River Commission adopted a resolution fining “One Brickell” consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan and recommend approval if the following conditions are complied with:

1) “One Brickell’s” impact fees and or public benefits program funding be used toconstruct transportation improvements in the Miami River District including butnot limited to transportation projects which would improve traffic duringtemporary Fed. regulated bridge openings, including re-use of a recently removedvehicular travel lane on Brickell Bridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridgeopenings and providing alternate routes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Railin order to access alternate routes, etc.

2) If “One Brickell” is constructed in Phases they are willing to repair and restore theexisting 5 foot wide cantilevered dock which could serve as a temporary publicriverwalk until Phase II commences construction. This option for a temporarypublic riverwalk along the repaired dock at the phase II site would only be untilPhase II’s construction starts, and construction of the Phase II site includes thepermanent full public riverwalk connecting from Phase I site to beneath the BrickellBridge, in order to connect with the public Riverwalk at the Miami Circle site.

3) Explore leaving the entire 50-foot waterfront building setback area at the same atgrade elevation as the public-riverwalk, by removing the elevated terrace within theprovided 50-foot waterfront building setback

The Developer Team agreed to support implementation of the conditions.

Please see following Development Technical Review Form.

Miami River Commission’s Development Technical Review Report

Project Name: “One Brickell”
Project Address: 444 Brickell Ave and 77 SE 5 ST
Developer Name: Related Group
Contact Information: Iris Escarra, Greenberg Traurig , escarrai@gtlaw.com

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan? Yes, the proposed “One Brickell” development is compatible with this “Lower River” site subject to complying with the following condition:

1) “One Brickell’s” impact fees and or public benefits program funding be used to constructtransportation improvements in the Miami River District including but not limited totransportation projects which would improve traffic during temporary Fed. regulatedbridge openings, including re-use of a recently removed vehicular travel lane on BrickellBridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridge openings and providing alternateroutes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Rail in order to access alternate routes, etc.

The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, pg. 18 “Vision for the River” for this specific portion of the Miami River states in part, “the neighborhood’s commercially-zoned waterfront encourages the type of high-density mixed use development now making its mark on the area….encouraging their public use, for example commercial-residential developments incorporating water taxi stops…a continuous Riverwalk including active boat slips, high quality public amenities, retail, restaurants, rail and water taxi access” as proposed.

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?
Yes, subject to the following 2 conditions:

1) If “One Brickell” is constructed in Phases they are willing to repair and restore theexisting 5 foot wide cantilevered dock which could serve as a temporary public riverwalkuntil Phase II commences construction. This option for a temporary public riverwalkalong the repaired dock at the phase II site would only be until Phase II’s constructionstarts, and construction of the Phase II site includes the permanent full public riverwalkconnecting from Phase I site to beneath the Brickell Bridge, in order to connect with the public Riverwalk at the Miami Circle site.

2) Explore leaving the entire 50-foot waterfront building setback area at the same at gradeelevation as the public-riverwalk, by removing the elevated terrace within the provided50-foot waterfront building setback

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Special Area Plan? Yes, the proposed “One Brickell” development is seeking a reduction in the City Charter and Zoning Code’s required view corridor (side-yards) from required 96’ (25% of waterfront’s 384.5 linear feet) to 73.2’ total, consisting of 30’ on the west and 43.2’ feet on the east (note states “22’-10” Proposed Max. Encroachment into view corridor”). The 22’-10’ encroachment into the side yard / view corridor setback applies to all floors above the 20’ tall ground level, where the full 96’ view corridor / side yard setback is provided. In addition, the project is seeking a parking waiver to reduce the required parking spaces by 30%, because the site is close to mass transit.

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities. “One Brickell” transportation impact fees and or potential $15.4 million in the Public Benefits program (for Related Group to purchase additional density) should be expended in the impacted Miami River District, primarily on mobility and transportation projects, including extending the public Riverwalk off of the subject site, and the MRC’s list of unfunded transportation projects which would improve traffic during temporary regulated Bridge openings, including re-use of a recently removed vehicular travel lane on Brickell Bridge, smart signage warning motorists of bridge openings and providing alternate routes, SE 10 ST cut through beneath Metro-Rail in order to access alternate routes, etc. Mr Rosso, Related Group, and Ms Dougherty stated they would partner with the MRC, City and County in a mutual effort to comply with all the MRC’s conditions and recommendations.

II) Consideration of the Miami-Dade County “Economic Development Fund, Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program, River Landing Miami” Grant Application

River Landing’s pending “Economic Development Fund, Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program, River Landing Miami” grant application was distributed.

The Miami River Commission previously recommended approval of the proposed River Landing:

Location: 1500 NW North River Drive
Developer: River Landing Development LLC, Andrew Hellinger and Coralee Penabad, Hellinger and Co..
Description: Proposed mixed-use development, featuring 475,000 square feet of retail, 444 residential units, in 6-floors of retail, 12-floors of residential, above a 12-story parking garage (total 24 stories), height 250-310 feet, featuring a 50-foot wide publicly accessible riverwalk.
Units: 444 residential units
Status: City Commission Approved – Completed Demolition

Mr. Andrew Hellinger, River Landing LLC & Hellinger and Co., stated his pending application is for an existing Miami-Dade County grant program, which has already made numerous grant awards to several “game changer” / job generating private sector projects across Miami-Dade County. The pending application states River Landing will generate 980 new jobs, and seeks County grant funding to pay for public infrastructure line items in the included budget. Mr Hellinger noted if awarded estimated $12.5 million, the reimbursable County grant funding would be provided to River Landing after the 980 jobs have been filled for one year and to refund previously expended public infrastructure costs. Mr. Hellinger added if the available reimbursable County grant funding is not awarded to River Landing, it will be awarded to another pending application elsewhere in Miami-Dade County, and not on the Miami River. Mr. Hellinger distributed a grant application support letter from district City Commissioner Willy Gort, and stated the district’s County Commissioner, Bruno Barreiro, supports the pending grant application as well. Mr Hellinger stated he is seeking a letter of support from the Miami River Commission (MRC) for the pending grant application. Mr Hellinger stated the item is expected to be considered by the County subcommittee in February.

MRC Vice Chairman Jay Carmichael and Frank Balzebre stated they were inclined to support the status of this applicant to this available County reimbursable grant program, but without the MRC being specific as to the amount of funding that the potential reimbursable grant should be.
The Miami River Commission adopted a resolution supporting the status of the “River Landing” applicant (non-specific amount of grant funding) to Miami-Dade County’s available reimbursable “Economic Development Fund, Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program” grant program, and provide the requested support letter.

New Business – The Miami Marlins presented the Miami River Commission a $2,500 contribution and thanked MRC Director Bibeau for providing the plants, paint, tools, gloves, garbage bags, preparation etc for the Marlins Ayudan monthly volunteer projects along the Miami River. The Miami River Commission thanked the Miami Marlins.

The MRC meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre provided the following report:

The MRC unanimously adopted the MRC’s February 2 public meeting minutes, which were distributed a week prior to the meeting, and additional copies were distributed at the meeting.

MRC Chairman Aguirre provided the exciting front page Miami Herald Article, “On the Mend – Filled with toxic dioxins and fecal matter, Wagner Creek and the Seybold Canal cut through Miami’s Industrial and hospital district. After more than a decade, the waterway is now in line for a major scrubbing.”

Everyone is invited and your attendance is required at the 19th Annual Miami Riverday which will be held April 11, 1-6 PM, Lummus Park, 250 NW North River Drive, featuring free Miami River Boat Tours, live music, food, drinks, environmental education, historic re-enactors, children activities and much more.

The 12th Annual Miami River Map and Guide will be released at Miami Riverday. This serves as the last call for additional new advertisements, so if you are interested please contact Director Bibeau by the end of this week.

MRC Chairman Aguirre noted The MRC’s enabling legislation indicates the Chair of the Florida Legislature’s Dade Delegation is a member of the MRC, and that is now Senator Anitere Flores whom nominated State Rep. David Richardson, whom is a supporter of the Wagner Creek & Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project and the MRC, to serve as her designee.

MRC member Sara Babun emailed MRC Director Bibeau appointing Mark Bailey, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group, to serve as her MRC “designee”. On behalf of the MRC, Chairman Aguirre welcomed Ms Babun’s appointed MRC designee, Mr. Bailey.

Due to the timing of the Easter Weekend and Miami Riverday in April, the next full MRC board member will be held here on May 4 at noon.

Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) Update, Vice-Chairman Jay Carmichael

The following is a sample of some of the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) items addressed in January and February:

The MRC reported a leaking exposed pipe improperly hovering over the Miami River Rapids tributary.  I thank the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department for removing the pipe.

I thank “Hummingbird”, a Native American whom conducts a ceremony at the Miami Circle Park every Tuesday at 6 PM, for contacting the MRC to report that all lights in the Department of State owned and maintained Miami Circle Park, a designated National Historic Landmark, are not working. The MRC notified the Department of State, and is waiting to receive the requested estimate of when the lights will be repaired.

I thank a resident in Neo Lofts whom reported oil sheen in the Miami River to the MRC. The MRC immediately dispatched the Scavenger Water Decontamination Vessel which arrived at the scene within a couple hours and provided services under the MRC’s current contract using State funding.

In addition, the helpful Neo Lofts resident reported new graffiti on the 1 ST and Flagler ST Bridges, and in less than 24 hours MRC Director Bibeau and MRC volunteer intern Brendon Cunningham had painted over all the reported graffiti.

I thank Florida Fish and Wildlife, which addressed a derelict vessel reported by Director Bibeau that was illegally docked in the Seybold Canal with ropes tied up to trees in Point Park.

II. Consideration of the State of Florida’s “Enterprise Zone” Economic  Incentive Program Set to Expire Unless Extended by the Florida Legislature in the Upcoming 2015 Legislative Session

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee’s February 10, 2015 public meeting minutes were distributed, which state in part:

“Attendees discussed the State of Florida’s “Enterprise Zone” Economic Incentive Program set to expire unless extended by the Florida Legislature in the upcoming 2015 Legislative Session. MRC Director Bibeau distributed a report, “Improving the Value of Florida’s Enterprise Zone Program for Taxpayers, February 2015” by Florida Taxwatch which was favorable to the Enterprise Zone program. The Enterprise Zone provides sales tax and impact fee rebates and other incentives for new and expanding businesses within the designated Enterprise zone which produce jobs. MRC Director Bibeau noted when he started with the MRC in 2000, the Enterprise Zone was located sporadically along the Miami River. The MRC researched U.S. Census data for the remaining portions of the Miami River, and found they met the legal requirements to be designated an Enterprise Zone as well. When the MRC brought this to the attention of Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature, they expanded the designated Enterprise Zone (est. 2003) to include the entire Miami River.

Mark Bailey, Miami River Marine Group, stated he supported the extension of the Enterprise Zone, which includes eligibility for new and expanding marine industrial businesses generating jobs along the Port of Miami River.

Coralee Penabad, River Landing, stated their proposed major mixed-use project which includes a significant retail and residential mixed-use development featuring a public riverwalk and park, supports the extension of the Enterprise Zone which includes eligibility for their new retail businesses, which will generate 980 jobs.

MRC Greenways Chairman Martin noted his experience with the program when working as a Director of Community Development for Miami-Dade County, and stated his support for the extension.

The MRC EDC subcommittee suggested the full MRC recommend the FL Legislature extend and not sunset the existing Enterprise Zone economic incentive program along the Miami River.”

The referenced “Improving the Value of Florida’s Enterprise Zone Program for Taxpayers, February 2015” report by Florida Taxwatch was distributed a week prior to the public MRC meeting, and copies were made available at the meeting as well.

The MRC adopted a unanimous resolution recommending the FL Legislature extend and not sunset the existing Enterprise Zone economic incentive program along the Miami River.

III. Reaffirming the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County’s Idle No Wake Speed Zone on the Miami River within the City of Miami’s Code

MRC Chairman Aguirre stated the City Commission recently added an idle no wake speed zone in the Marine Stadium basin, and in doing so had discussed the Miami River’s idle no wake speed zone as currently established in State and County codes.  Chairman Aguirre suggested the City of Miami insert the Miami River’s idle no wake speed zone into City code, which may assist in its needed enforcement by City of Miami Police Department’s Marine Patrol. The MRC adopted a unanimous resolution recommending the City of Miami reaffirm the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County’s adopted Idle / No Wake Speed Zone along the Miami River within the City of Miami’s Code.

IV. Consideration of Waterborne Transportation along the Miami River The MRC Urban Infill and Greenways subcommittee’s February 11, 2015 public meeting minutes were distributed one week prior to the meeting, and additional copies were made available at the meeting, stating in part:

“MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley noted the recent Miami Today article, “City charts a waterways course to sink gridlock” which reported a recent City of Miami Commission resolution. Attendees noted the MRC has recommended waterborne transportation since adoption of the Miami River Greenway Action Plan (“Blueway”) in 2001, the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan in 2003, and the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan in 2007 (MPO and MRC). In addition, the concept was studied in the MPO’s previous plans, MPO’s Service Plan Development for Waterborne Transportation Service in Miami-Dade County and the MPO’s Utilization of Miami-Dade County Waterways for Urban Commuting Travel. The related excerpts of the aforementioned plans were distributed, in addition to, “Palm Beach County Water Taxi Docks, July 2012”. Furthermore the concept is supported in the Miami Downtown Transportation Master Plan, DDA Master Plan, and the City of Miami Comp Plan.

Per the request of MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley, Director Bibeau distributed copies of a map and the following corresponding list:
Miami Dade County Owned Public Riverwalk Sites Where Permission Should be Granted for Private Sector Waterborne Transportation Providers to Drop off and Pick-up Passengers

1. WASD Pump Station #1, between Lummus Park and 3 River Restaurants
2. Beneath 2 Ave Bridge North Shore
3. Beneath 2 Ave Bridge South Shore
4. Metro-Rail North Shore
5. Metro-Rail South Shore
6. “Riverwalk” Metro Mover Station
7. “5 ST” Metro Mover Station

MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley and MRC Greenways Chairman Martin suggested the full MRC formally recommend Miami-Dade County allow ADA accessible, USCG certified, insured, etc. private sector waterborne transportation businesses to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the County owned riverfront sites.”

The MRC adopted a unanimous resolution recommending Miami-Dade County allow ADA accessible, USCG certified, insured, etc. private sector waterborne transportation businesses to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the following County owned riverfront sites, all of which are located east of the NW 5 ST Bridge:

1. WASD Pump Station #1 (located between Lummus Park and 3 River Restaurants) 2. Beneath 2 Ave Bridge North Shore
3. Beneath 2 Ave Bridge South Shore
4. Metro-Rail North Shore
5. Metro-Rail South Shore
6. “Riverwalk” Metro Mover Station
7. “5 ST” Metro Mover Station

V. Consideration of Board of County Commissioner’s Economic Prosperity Committee’s 2/12/15 agenda item 2(B), “to prepare a finding of necessity study for Orange Sports Complex Community Redevelopment Area” which includes the Miami River’s south shore from Flagler Bridge to NW 22 Ave Bridge - The Board of County Commissioner’s Economic Prosperity Committee’s 2/12/15 agenda item 2(B), “to prepare a finding of necessity study for Orange Sports Complex Community Redevelopment Area” which includes the Miami River’s south shore from Flagler Bridge to NW 22 Ave Bridge, was distributed one week prior to the meeting, and additional copies were made available at the meeting, along with the MRC Urban Infill Subcommittee’s February 11, 2015 public meeting minutes which state in part:

“MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley and MRC Greenways Chairman Martin noted the MRC’s adopted strategic Plan, the award winning the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, was created specifically consistent with State Statute 163 so it may become a redevelopment plan required when creating a new CRA, which the plan recommends for the Miami River District. MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley and MRC Greenways Chairman Martin suggested the full MRC formally recommend Miami-Dade County adopt the subject item to prepare a finding of necessity study with one condition, allowing Miami River improvements, including but not limited to the public riverwalk, to be funded by the proposed new CRA which would include a substantial portion of the Miami River’s south shore.”

The MRC passed a unanimous resolution recommending Miami-Dade County adopt the subject County item to prepare a finding of necessity study for their proposed “Orange Sports Complex Community Redevelopment Area” with one condition, allowing Miami River improvements, including but not limited to the public riverwalk, to be funded by the proposed new CRA, which would include a substantial portion of the Miami River’s south shore.

VI. Consideration of “SeaVault”, 1583 NW 24 Avenue (MRC previously approved “Miami Mega-Yacht Club” Updated proposed plans, the MRC Urban Infill and Greenways February 11, 2015 public meeting minutes, and the MRC’s March 3 2014 public meeting minutes were distributed one week prior to the meeting, and additional copies were distributed at the meeting, stating in part:

“MRC Director Bibeau referenced an email he received from Scott Bakos, Bermello Ajamil & Partners representing Tony Rodriguez and Homero Meruelo on the SeaVault project located at 1583 NW 24th Avenue (formerly approved by the MRC on 3/3/14 as “Miami Mega Yacht Club”) stating in part, ‘making a presentation to you / the board to present the progress of this project. By separate email, I will send you the latest drawings and renderings.

Overall, the SeaVault project (programmatically and the overall site plan layout) is the same as you last saw. We have a total of (14) fourteen private covered slips that range in length from 150 feet to 230 feet long. Each private slip / berth has a “Captain and Crew Quarters” which is a (3) three level ancillary support building directly adjacent (at the end) of each berth / slip. The project still has a small cold storage building, club-house, pool and tennis court for the crew. All of this remains the same from what Tony presented to you previously. What has changed is the look; the Architecture is modern. The main building that houses the (14) fourteen slips is broken into (3) three parts or sections, each section has a sweeping curve roof that will be a combination of solid and Kalwall to allow natural light into all slips so that work on the vessels while berthed can be done without the need for artificial light, which also provides for a dramatic night-time appearance. The Captain and Crew Quarters step back at each level and inherently scaled down the  main  building  facing  15th   street.  This  stepping  provides  a  transition  and  favorable compatibility to the surrounding neighborhood.’

Director Bibeau added the applicant told him in consultation with the City of Miami there is a covenant / restriction that the referenced “Each private slip / berth has a “Captain and Crew Quarters” which is a (3) three level ancillary support building directly adjacent (at the end) of each berth / slip.” must be owned and occupied by the owners, and they will not be allowed to sell or rent the “Captain and Crew Quarters” to parties not directly connected to the respective mega yacht slip.

MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley and MRC Greenways Chairman Martin suggested the full MRC continue to support the MRC’s following 3/2/14 resolution, “The Miami River Commission unanimously found the “Miami Mega-Yacht Club” proposal consistent with the adopted Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and therefore support it receiving all needed permits and approvals as required by various codes in order to come to fruition.”

Scott Bakos, Bermello Ajamil & Partners and Mr. Tony Rodriguez presented the subject updated and distributed plans. The MRC adopted a unanimous reaffirming the MRC’s previously adopted March 2, 2014 resolution, “The Miami River Commission unanimously found the “Miami Mega-Yacht Club”, renamed “SeaVault” proposal consistent with the adopted Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and therefore support it receiving all needed permits and approvals as required by various codes in order to come to fruition.

VII. Greenways Subcommittee - The Annual FDOT Transportation Enhancement Program grant cycle provides Cities and Counties with $1 million federal grant awards to construct public Greenways, and has an open application cycle with applications due in April 2015. Every year the City of Miami submits average 6 applications to this program, and they have not submitted any Miami River Greenway applications for years. Therefore as stated in the MRC Greenways subcommittee’s previously distributed February 11 public meeting minutes, the MRC continues to recommend the City of Miami submit 2 grant applications to this $2 million federal greenway grant opportunity to fund on-road greenways along City owned north and south river drives from NW 17 Ave to NW 22 Ave, for example South River Drive in front of Sewell Park has no sidewalk at all.

MRC Director Bibeau thanked City of Miami which recently broke ground on another section of the on-road Miami River Greenway along North River Drive, from Seasalt and Pepper restaurant, renamed Seaspice, to the NW 5 ST Bridge.

MRC Director Bibeau stated the MRC coordinated and funded 2 volunteer Miami River Greenway Beautification events In February 2015. The MRC thanks all the great volunteers from Hands on Miami whom on Valentine’s Day, February 14, removed litter along the unimproved shoreline here at the County’s public Riverwalk in Robert King High, and worked in the community vegetable and fruit garden, and the incredible volunteers from Marlins Ayudan, Ritz Carlton and the Marriott, whom on February 20 restored 2 riverfront pocket parks where NW 1 ST and NW 2 ST’s dead end into South River Drive, planted 115 plants, spread 3 pallets of sod, 200 bags of recycled mulch and painted additional murals beneath the Flagler and 1 ST Bridges along a 4-block stretch of the public on-road Miami River Greenway in Little Havana. The next MRC coordinated and funded volunteer Miami River Greenway beautification events is FPL volunteer’s this Saturday, March 7, at the public riverwalk behind FPL’s station on the River’s north shore from 2 Ave Bridge to the Metro-Rail Bridge, and additional work along the public riverwalk all the way to the NW 1 St Bridge, including painting beneath the 2 Ave and 1 ST Bridges, picking up litter, spreading recycled mulch, etc.

VIII – Stormwater Subcommittee - MRC Stormwater Subcommittee Chair Sallye Jude reported that after several months of encouragement from the MRC, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Miami agreed to create a Miami River Walk the WBID plan, to seek and eliminate sources of contamination, similar to the completed Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Walk the WBID. The planning process will start during the Stormwater subcommittee’s March 4 public meeting, and remain on all future agendas as a reoccurring item through the creation of this plan, and its subsequent implementation.

IX – Economic Development and Commerce - The MRC Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) subcommittee’s February 10 public meeting minutes were distributed.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre provided the following report:

The MRC amended and then adopted the draft March 2 public meeting minutes.

I would like to thank all of the sponsors and attendees of the free 19th Annual Miami Riverday which was successfully held April 11, 1-6 PM, Lummus Park, 250 NW North River Drive, featuring free Miami River Boat Tours, live music, food, drinks, environmental education, historic re-enactors, children activities and much more. Honorable Mayor Regalado, Commissioners Gort and Hardemon presented sponsors with plaques of appreciation on stage at Riverday, and we would like to present an additional sponsor, the Miami Marlins, with their plaque of appreciation now because they had had a home game on Riverday therefore unable to accept their plaque during the festival.

The 12th Annual Miami River Map and Guide was released at Miami Riverday, and copies are available for you to distribute throughout the community. On behalf of the Miami River Commission we thank all of our advertisers for their continued support which allows the MRC to continue its mission improving the incredible Miami River District.

Director Bibeau and I participated in a very interesting City Commission meeting in April. While approving the “One Brickell” development on the Miami River’s south shore just west of the Brickell Bridge, Commissioner Suarez and the City Commission suggested replacing the Brickell Bridge with a tunnel. A tunnel is the only option which allows continuous flow of both cars which no longer would have to wait for the bridge to go down, and vessels would no longer have to wait for the bridge to go up as scheduled in Federal Law. Therefore both the landside vehicles, marine industry, and recreational boaters will all strongly support this desperately needed solution, instead of continuing to fight against each other to try and reach a balance, which is probably impossible to reach, depending on which side you ask. The MRC hired a consultant which prepared this independent Miami River Tunnel study in 2003, and the study concluded when you consider the cost of both construction, and life-time maintenance, the tunnel option is actually less expensive than the Bridge option, which is much more expensive to maintain. Bringing a tunnel to fruition would probably take over a decade, and we are not getting any younger, so fellow MRC members I believe its tunnel time. The MRC will start communicating with our partners at the Federal, State, FIND, County, City in support of the City of Miami’s suggestion to replace the Brickell Bridge with the Brickell Tunnel. MRC member Sandy O-Neil stated when she previously served as former Miami-Dade County Mayor Pinellas designee on the MRC when the MRC started their support for the concept of a tunnel on the Miami River, their probably wasn’t the density and critical mass of residents as exists today, with even more residential units to come.

Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) Update, Vice-Chairman Jay Carmichael:
The following is a sample of some of the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) items addressed in March and April:

The MRC paid Miami River cleanup crew emailed MRC Director Bibeau a picture of a derelict vessel tied to a tree along the public riverwalk in Curtis Park. Brett forwarded the picture to DERM and City Marine Patrol, and the vessel has been removed.

I thank “Hummingbird”, a Native American whom conducts a ceremony at the Miami Circle Park every Tuesday at 6 PM, for contacting the MRC to report that all lights in the Department of State owned and maintained Miami Circle Park, a designated National Historic Landmark, were not working. The MRC notified the Department of State whom thankfully has completed the repairs to their lights which are working again at Miami Circle Park.

I thank the manager of Miami Park Hotel and resident from Spring Garden which called the MRC to report graffiti on their sections of the public Miami River Greenway. The MRC’s cleanup crew was dispatched and painted over the graffiti.

I thank FPL which has made some progress replacing broken street lights along the on-road Miami River Greenway along North River Drive from I-95 to NW 7 Ave. Today MRC Director Bibeau emailed Miami-Dade County to confirm the repairs of the iconic colored lights on the Metro-Rail Bridge have commenced, consistent with the County’s most recent estimate.

II. Consideration of Proposed Development on the Miami River’s North Shore, West of Miami Ave Bridge, 24 SW 4 ST –Ms. Iris Escarra, Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Tsunehsia Tsuda, Rafael Vinoly Architects, Gerald Marston, Curtis and Rodgers and Sheheb Karmely, Kar Properties, presented the proposed “Miami River” development, featuring 2 – 60 story residential buildings, including 402 residential units (where over 500 units were previously approved under formerly planned “Cima” Major Use Special Permit) and 20 hotel rooms, 2,100 square feet of commercial / retail on the 1st floor and 30,000 square feet of commercial / retail space on the top 3 levels. The proposed development is seeking a Warrant to amend the sites previously approved Major Use Special Permit (MUSP), a warrant to maintain the previously approved MUSP’s reduction of the City Charter and Zoning Code required “view corridor” or side-yard setbacks, a waiver to reduce the parking requirements by 30% because the site is close to mass transit, a waiver to allow parking on the 2nd level, and a waiver in order to allow vehicular drop off in the frontage. Ms. Escarra provided the City of Miami’s Urban Design Review Board (UDRB) April 15 advisory recommendation to approve the development with one condition to “Create better activation along public space fronting the river.” Ms. Escarra stated the waivers and warrants are all administrative, and will occur after the MRC formulates its advisory recommendation.

Ms. Escarra stated the proposal will purchase an additional 480,000 on the top 24 stories of the 2 buildings at $13 per square feet is $6,240,000, and still considering purchasing these from a historically designated site instead of paying the City or actually constructing public improvements. Ernie Martin stated it would be helpful to all reviewers, especially the City of Miami, if the decision of how to secure the additional floors, square footage and significant additional density is determined before the developments are considered, because a development which invests millions of dollars in “public benefits” in the impacted subject area where the development is located is different than if the same proposal instead purchases the additional density from a private sector historic land owner, therefore no public benefit funding is provided in the subject impacted area to offset the increase in density. Mr Martin stated the decision of how the “public benefits” will be acquired and provided should be decided first, and no longer make those critical determinations as the last step of the process after the project is approved. In addition all forms of transportation and mobility should be an allowable “public benefit”, vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, water taxi, etc. Ms. Escarra stated “infrastructure” is currently amongst the allowable public benefits.

Ms. Escarra stated the proposal includes a public riverwalk (for example pages Z203-Z206 and Z301), connecting at grade elevations with existing public riverwalk to the east beneath the S. Miami Ave Bridge where the temporary construction fences will be removed upon completion of the Miami Ave bridge repairs and construction of the proposed development and they are meeting with Alina Hudak, Miami-Dade County, to propose additional public benefits and improved connections to the existing public riverwalk beneath the Miami Ave bridge, and to thewest with the existing public riverwalk at Ivy and Mint. The proposed waterfront building setback and public riverwalk are 65-78 feet wide, exceeding the 50’ minimum required by code, and features an 80 foot tall water-wall with the bottom 3-story, 30-feet a free falling waterfall which cycles the water. Ms. Escarra stated they will comply with the City’s adopted Miami River Greenway Signage Design Standards and Guidelines (as required by code). Ms. Escarra stated the 2-towers are separated by 60’-64’ and they are counting the middle “Water Ave” between Ivy / Mint and Wind, as the proposed view corridor. Ms. Escarra stated the current guard gates will continue operating the way they do now (which is the same as the Brickell Key guard gate) in terms of accessing the public riverwalk. The guard stops the car, the driver indicates they are visiting the public riverwalk, the guard writes down the driver’s license and license plate numbers, and allows the driver to enter. Gerald Marston stated there is a sign in front of the existing guard gate which notes “Public Access”. In addition, there are businesses inside the area, which also have visitors. Ms. Escarra stated they will be meeting with the Homeowners association regarding the proposed improvements to the water feature and access to the public riverwalk where the common area and publicly accessible “Water Ave” dead ends in to the public Riverwalk area.

Ms. Escarra provided the executed “working river covenant” required by the City’s adopted comprehensive plan, which still needs to be recorded. Mr. Tsuda stated the development will be Silver LEED certified. The development team stated the development will include construction of a new seawall and the consultant is working on including boat slips in the permit application for the new seawall. The parking is 100% robotic. The adjacent “Ivy”, “Mint” and “Wind” are currently 99% occupied.

River Commission Greenways subcommittee Chairman Martin thanked the development team for exceeding the required minimum public riverwalk dimensions, and celebrating the Miami River. Chairman Martin stated the proposed section of public riverwalk is amongst the best to date. Mr. Karmely stated the public riverwalk will be maintained by the Condominium Association.

Ms. Escarra stated if the presented plans are amended in the future, they will bring the revised plans back to the MRC subcommittee and full MRC for consideration.

Ms Sandy O-Neil made a motion, seconded by Frank Balzebre, for the MRC to accept MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley’s suggestion to find the proposal consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, subject to the following conditions:

1) Capture and use the developments impact fees and potential $6,240,000 in “Public Benefits” within the impacted Miami River District, including but not limited to mobility improvements such as further offsite expansions of the public riverwalk
2) Make improvements to “Water Ave”, including improvements for public access to the connecting public riverwalk
The MRC unanimously adopted the motion.

III. New Business:
MRC Greenways subcommittee Chair Martin stated Miami-Dade County recently closed the small riverfront Art Greenfield Park. County Commissioner Barreiro stated he work on getting County owned riverfront Art Greenfield Park reopened.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre provided the following report:

This is a publicly noticed meeting, conducted under the rule of the Florida Government in the Sunshine statute and regulations.

There is the expectation that all comments by presents or speakers will be truthful and complete so as to be truthful.

All speakers on an item, other than members of the Miami River Commission shall please state their name and business affiliation.

All members of the commission who may have a conflict of interest with respect to any item being discussed shall disclose the conflict as soon as the item is introduced for discussion.

The MRC unanimously revised and adopted the MRC’s May 4, 2015 public meeting minutes.

As you recall, the Miami River Commission’s adopted 2001 Miami River Greenway Action Plan, the 2002 Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and the 2007 Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan all recommend waterborne transportation. In other words, taxi cabs or bus service on the river.

As the Miami River District’s population, density, and attractions continue to grow, the need for waterborne transportation is greater than ever. We have agreed that waterborne transportation reduces vehicular congestion on the streets, gasoline consumption, and carbon emissions, therefore improving traffic and air quality.

Therefore I’m pleased to report that last Thursday the City Commission adopted a resolution supporting Waterborne Transportation (distributed item before you) which will thankfully bring yet another Miami River Commission long standing recommendation to fruition, and in doing so generate new jobs while significantly improving the Miami River District.

Please note this proposal remains consistent with the current strong Manatee Protection Plan. All vessels on the Miami River must abide by the idle no wake speed zone. At present, all the proposed public waterborne transportation locations to temporarily drop off and pick up passengers are located east of the NW 5 ST Bridge.

As you may recall, the MRC previously formally endorsed Nina Torres’ Annual Miami River Art Fair, held Art Basel Week. I thank City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon for sponsoring the distributed City of Miami Resolution which is scheduled to be on the City Commission’s June 25 public meeting. The City Resolution accepts MS Torres long standing offer to donate “monumental sculptures” with installation to be located along City of Miami owned sections of the public Riverwalk. If approved, the MRC would continue coordinating further details with MS Torres and the City of Miami, such as the precise locations, selecting which available sculptures, etc.

City of Miami Homeless Coordinator Officer Bernat provided the MRC an update on the City of Miami’s Homeless Shelter Program. Officer Bernat stated since the Pottinger Settlement Agreement was amended, the Police are still not making arrests of homeless; rather want to continue offering them shelter. For example a recent visit to the pubic riverwalk beneath the State of Florida’s 12 Ave Bridge found 5 homeless people camping beneath the ST owned bridge, which is in violation of a ST Law prohibiting camping beneath ST owned bridges. Although it was an arrestable offense, the officers did not make any arrests, rather offered all entrance into the Miami Shelter Program, 2 accepted shelter and 3 refused the offer and left the area. Without the Miami Shelter program, the officers would not have had an option to offer shelter. Officer Bernat stated there is a 200 person wait list for homeless beds. Therefore it is a 30-60 day wait for homeless person to be provided a “bed”. The entire County brings homeless individuals to the Civic Center area for release from various jails throughout Miami-Dade County. The City of Miami Shelter Program will expire soon if Miami-Dade County does not provide funding to continue the successful Miami Shelter Program. Dr Ernie Martin, Chair of the MRC’s Greenways subcommittee, stated homelessness is negatively impacting the public Riverwalk. Officer Bernat compliment MRC Director Bibeau’s efforts to clean the public riverwalk. The Board of County Commissioners June 2, 2015 agenda item 11A2 was distributed, “to require the County Mayor to consult with the City of Miami and the Miami Downtown Development Authority (in addition to the Homeless Trust Board) to identify additional placement opportunities for individuals transitioning out of homelessness”. Sandy O’Neil moved a resolution in support of this distributed County agenda item, the resolution was seconded by Javier Betancourt and unanimously adopted by the Miami River Commission.

I) Update and Consideration of Plans to Replace the verwalk be widened in order to become consistent with the City codes required Miami River Greenway Design Standards and Guidelines. Dr Martin suggested perhaps the public riverwalk could be made wider in part by adding on a foot wide cantile1 ST Bridge
Michael Sileno, Hardesty Hanover, presented a 38 page PowerPoint, “SW 1 ST Bridge Replacement”. Mr. Sileno stated construction is estimated to be commenced starting in 2018 through 2021. Mr. Sileno highlighted the following improvements since the last presentation to the full MRC:

• Current 1 ST Bridge built in 1929
• PDE completed 2013
• $5 million was added to the project to include a 10-13 foot wide unobstructed public riverwalk (City code requires minimum 25-foot wide public riverwalk featuring a minimum 15-foot wide unobstructed pathway) on both sides of the bridge beneath the 1 ST Bridge, behind the structure and directly along both shorelines
  
• Structures and fenders removed from the waterway to provide maximum navigational width, and a 150-foot wide water channel
  
• Increasing Vertical clearance from 12’ to 16.6’
  
• Large art murals – Mark Bailey suggested the image reflect the “Working River” i.e. a vessels
  
• Reconstructs existing catwalks connecting to Historic Miami River Hotel
  
• Inserting Bike Lane
  
• Removing 1 vehicular lane (4 lanes becomes 3 lanes on this one-way street)

Ms Sandy O’Neil stated it’s important for this section of the public riverwalk to include the Miami River Greenway signage as required by City Code.

Dr Martin stated the proposed public riverwalk is to narrow and therefore inconsistent with Miami River Greenway standards required in the City Code. Dr. Martin recommended the proposed river over the water. Mr. Sileno stated he would ask the Army Corps of Engineers and FDOT.

Javier Betancourt stated the materials used for the proposed artwork should include porcelain enamel which is easier to maintain and remove graffiti without damaging the artwork.

The MRC passed a resolution (12-1) recommending the proposed public riverwalk at the 30% planed new 1 ST Bridge become consistent with the City Code (Miami 21 Section 3.11, Appendix B, the Miami River Greenway Design Standards and Guidelines and the City Charter) by widening the public riverwalk, adding the required Miami River Greenway signage, and use porcelain enamel and other materials on its artwork to assist with future maintenance.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre

This is a publicly noticed meeting, conducted under the rule of the Florida Government in the Sunshine statute and regulations.

There is the expectation that all comments by presents or speakers will be truthful and complete so as to be truthful.

All speakers on an item, other than members of the Miami River Commission shall please state their name and business affiliation.

All members of the commission who may have a conflict of interest with respect to any item being discussed shall disclose the conflict as soon as the item is introduced for discussion.

The MRC unanimously revised and adopted the MRC’s June 1, 2015 public meeting minutes.

I’m pleased to report that last Thursday, after 17 years of MRC advocacy, public meetings, funding plans, grant writing and more, the City Commission accepted a 0% State loan for the remaining funding for the now fully funded and permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project. As you are aware the project will remove dioxin and deepen the most polluted waterway in the State of Florida, which will significantly improve the environment and save several job generating boatyards and commercial fishing businesses. No longer will the children of Overtown fishing in Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal catching and eating fish which are potentially contaminated and hazardous to their health. We thank the three cost share partners, City of Miami, Florida Inland Navigation District and the State of Florida. The City will advertise a Request for Proposals this month, review bids, award the contract, issue a notice to proceed, their contractor mobilizes equipment and the estimate for the big first scoop ceremony is April of 2016.

The Miami River District and the Miami River Commission has had some well-deserved very positive large articles in the National press recently including the Wall Street Journal, Miami Herald, Miami Today, and more. The MRC thanks the press for help spreading the good news of what the Herald reporter titled a “Renaissance”, which is clearly shaping up along the beautiful mixed-use and multi-cultural Miami River District.

The Miami River Commission sincerely thanks our incredible friends in the Florida Legislature for renewing the $150,000 for the MRC in the current fiscal year for the MRC’s continued programs which have clearly proven to improve the mixed-use Miami River District, and generate tangible successful results, which have significantly improved the environment and economy since the legislature created the MRC in 1998. The MRC, presents the following plaques of appreciation:

• Representative Jose Felix Diaz – Representative Diaz has been a long term supporter of the MRC. Before being elected, as a part of the excellent “Leadership Miami” program, Representative Diaz brought his entire class on an educational Miami River Boat Tour narrated by MRC Director Bibeau. Ever since then Representative Diaz has had a deep understanding of the Miami River District, and has been a true champion for the MRC’s efforts to secure State funding the last 2 years. Thank you Representative Diaz.
  
• Senator Gwen Margolis – Another long term supporter of the Miami River is Senator Margolis. Senator Margolis was instrumental to secure funding for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project from 2004-2008, and MRC funding the last 2 years. Thank you Senator Margolis.
  
• Senator Oscar Braynon – Was successful in having this appropriation approved by the Legislature three years ago, when it was vetoed by Governor Scott, and successful again the last 2 years in the Legislature when it was not vetoed.
• Representative David Richardson, represented today by Virginia Morgan, is a volunteer member on the Miami River Commission, and was very supportive of the MRC’s request again this year. Virginia please extend our thanks to Representative Richardson.
• In addition, the Miami River Commission thanks Representative Ben Albritton and Senator Joe Negron, whom were unable to attend today, so Representative Diaz kindly offered to accept on their behalf and personally deliver them.

Again, thank you all, the MRC’s continued successful programs and operations are made possible thanks to your assistance and strong support.

Friendly reminder like other boards the MRC will not meet in August, and our next meeting will be either Wednesday September 16 or Tuesday September 15, depending on meeting room availability.

Vice-Chairman Jay Carmichael, Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) Update
The following is a sample of some of the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) items addressed in May and June:

The MRC was contacted again about a growing homeless camp beneath and adjacent to the 12 Ave Bridge. I thank the City of Miami’s Homeless Coordinator for offering everyone beds and assistance, of which 2 accepted. The City of Miami executed an agreement with FDOT which made the City responsible to maintain this subject area, therefore we respectfully recommend the City place this area on a regular schedule for landscaping and garbage removal, which in recent months the MRC has paid a professional cleanup crew to do consistent with the MRC’s ST funding contract.

The MRC continues to be contacted by residents from neo Lofts reporting crimes along South River Drive including but not limited to beneath 1 ST and Flagler Bridges. Per the request of City of Miami Homeless Coordinator Officer Bernat, MRC Director Bibeau is coordinating a big meeting with the areas residents, stakeholders, business owners, Police, FDOT, NET, Homeless Assistance Department, etc.
The MRC found and reported a derelict vessel which was removed from Fern Isle Park, on the south shore of the South Fork Tributary.

The City of Miami Police Department contacted the MRC for assistance in determining who is the owner legally responsible to remove a major amount of illegal dumping from the North Fork Tributary. As the City, County, South Florida Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection traded emails, documents and calls for over a month and are still trying to reach consensus on the answer, the MRC paid our pro cleanup company, which after 6 shifts have removed an unbelievable amount of garbage from the North Fork Tributary, which was the Miami River’s original natural headwaters which were known as the Miami River Rapids.

The MRC has identified a ST grant which the City and County are eligible to apply for funding to remove invasive species along waterways and MRC Director Bibeau offered the City and County assistance in writing the grant applications.

II) Consideration of Miami River SAP’s Plans to Improve Jose Marti Park
Ms. Melissa Tapanes, Carli Koshal, Berkow Radell Fernandez, Raymond Jungles, Diana Duran, Kobi Karp Architects, Kim Misek, Kimley Horn and Associates, and Ari Pearl, CG Miami River LLC, distributed and presented a revised and improved 3rd draft 34 page set of plans to improve Jose Marti Park, to be funded by the Chetrit Groups “Miami Riverwalk” Special Area Plan (SAP) mixed-use development (original plans presented to MRC Urban Infill and Greenways subcommittee on May 18, 2015 and 2nd draft on June 23, 2015). The MRC’s distributed Urban Infill and Greenways Subcommittee’s distributed June 23, 2015 public meeting minutes state in part:

“The MRC previously recommended approval with conditions for the development on private property featuring a public riverwalk (October 6, 2014), and the MRC is now considering the plans for the Jose Marti Park Improvements which will be constructed, funded, and maintained by the Chetrit Group as part of their $21 million investment in the Miami River District in order to receive additional height and density under the “Public Benefits” program. Improvements to Jose Marti Park include:

• Constructing new riverwalk
• Seawall repairs including widening the narrower corner of the riverwalk next to pool
• Renovating pool building, locker rooms, & pool deck
  
• Removing the closed kiosk
• Relocating trees to make an open lawn (Bibeau recommended keeping palms on upland edge of new riverwalk)
• Removal of all fencing around park (i.e. Kennedy park) and providing 24/7 security in the Park
• New small restroom building (Bibeau questioned new bathrooms located feet from existing bathrooms in community center and attendees wondered about operating hours)
• New Playground
• New sculpture climbing
• New Splash fountain
• New outdoor exercise equipment
  
• New art installation (to be reviewed by Miami-Dade County’s Arts Council)
  

The developer team noted the updated plans to improve Jose Marti Park were led by the co-applicant which is the City of Miami, and now the plans to improve the public riverwalk in Jose Marti Park is wider than before and exceeds the minimum unobstructed riverwalk width (15’ circulation zone) required in the City Code. The developer team stated they will submit updated plans which further reduces the width of the landscaping directly on the River’s shoreline, consistent with City Park’s Director Kirwin’s request.

The development team clarified SW 3 Ave along the Federal funded on-road Miami River Greenway from SW 6 ST to the Miami River will have a sharrow, not a “bike lane”, in order to maintain the wide sidewalks, landscaping, benches, trash cans, signage, etc.

Director Bibeau noted no improvements are planned for the SW corner of the park beneath I-95 which is currently an unsightly dump, and recommended inserting tennis courts and or racquetball courts in this shaded area. In a recent meeting, City of Miami Parks Director Kevin Kirwin agreed to make needed improvements to this unimproved SW corner of Jose Marti Park using impact fees generated from the proposed development. In addition, Director Bibeau stated Jose Marti Park’s public pool used to have 2 popular diving boards, one “low” and one “high” dive. Director Bibeau stated he recently visited a public pool in a park in Key Largo, and their diving boards (“low” and “high”) were very popular, well used and enjoyed by all the pool users. Therefore Director Bibeau recommended using the subject developments public benefit funding and or impact fees to return the low and high diving boards into the Jose Marti Park pool.

The “Miami Riverwalk” Special Area Plan will be considered at public meetings by the City Commission at 2 readings, on July 23 and in September, and MRC Chairman Aguirre will place this item on the full MRC’s July 13 public meeting agenda, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST.

Jim Murley recommended the full MRC find the proposed improvements to Jose Marti Park to be consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan and the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan subject to improving identification of the public riverwalk’s intended route and its connection to the on-road Greenway at the NW end of the Park, onto SW 4 Ave and SW 2 ST.”

Ms Brenda Betancourt asked the public meeting process. Ms Tapanes replied the developer team has presented their plans for Jose Marti Park improvements which were developed under the leadership of their co-applicant City of Miami, to MRC subcommittee in 2 public meetings, in addition to public meetings with the “Little Havana Property Owners Association”, “Little Havana Merchants Alliance”, and the “Friends of Little Havana”. Ms Tapanes offered to meet with Ms Betancourt as well.

The Miami River Commission recommended approval of the presented plans to improve Jose Marti Park, (10-1).

III. MRC Subcommittee Reports
Greenways subcommittee, Chairman Dr. Ernie Martin:
I thank the City of Miami which recently substantially completed another section of the Miami River Greenway along North River Drive, from Seasalt and Pepper, renamed Seaspice, to the NW 5 ST Bridge. In addition I thank the City of Miami for starting constructed on a section of the public Miami River Greenway’s south shore along SE 5 ST, which connects the existing Miami Circle Park’s Riverwalk section to existing on-road Miami River Greenway which starts at Miami Ave Bridge. This section of the public Miami River Greenway is being co-funded by the last of several federal grants previously awarded to the City of Miami, which the MRC assisted the City in authoring and securing. Dr Martin stated the MRC is requesting the City and County to submit Miami River Greenway grant applications in these upcoming available cycles.

I thank Miami-Dade County which is currently constructing the public riverwalk beneath Metro-Rail on both the North and South shores, which on both shores will connect with previously constructed sections of the public riverwalk.

The MRC coordinated and funded 2 volunteer Miami River Greenway Beautification events last Saturday. The MRC thanks the 25 dozen volunteers from HNTB whom planted 164 plants, spread 160 bags of recycled mulch, painted, and removed litter along the Miami River Greenway’s North shore from Lummus Park to 5 ST Bridge. In addition a dozen volunteers from Hands on Miami picked up garbage caught along the unimproved shoreline here at the County’s public Riverwalk in Robert King High, and worked in the community vegetable and fruit garden.

Stormwater Subcommittee, Chair Sallye Jude
The Stormwater subcommittee’s June 3 public meeting minutes have been distributed. I thank the agencies for taking the 1st step to create a “Walk the WBID” plan to search for sources of contamination along the Miami River, and then make an action plan to eliminate any identified contamination sources. As you may recall, this is the same process used for the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Walk the WBID

Economic Development and Commerce, Chair Phil Everingham
The EDC’s next public meeting minute is July 22, 11 AM, here.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre

The following was distributed:
“Memorandum
To: Miami River Commission, October 5 Meeting Attendees
From: Horacio Stuart Aguirre, Chairman, Miami River Commission
Date: October 5, 2015
Re: Miami River Commission’s October 5 Public Meeting
Per the request of the City of Miami, I am currently participating in a conference regarding the oversight of municipal police departments and unable to attend today’s meeting. I’m grateful to the Miami River Commission Vice Chairman Jay Carmichael for sitting as Chairman at today’s meeting.

Please note that based on the previously distributed MRC subcommittee public meeting minutes, regarding the items on today’s MRC agenda, I am in agreement with the noted recommendations of the MRC’s respective subcommittee Chairs.

I’m looking forward to joining you again at the MRC’s November 2 public meeting. Until then, your participation today and support for the Miami River District is sincerely appreciated.”

Vice Chairman Carmichael noted reported John Charles Robbins attendance, and thanked the Miami Today for the frequent coverage of the Miami River District. Please note the distributed Miami Herald recent incredible article and editorial, regarding the increasingly popular mixed-use Miami River District. The press acknowledged the Miami River Commission’s accomplishments, and on behalf of the MRC I want to thank all of our wonderful volunteer board members and partners in the public and private sectors, which worked together as a team since 1998 to bring these significant improvements to the natural environment and economy to fruition.

The following is a sample of some of the items recently addressed in the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP):

The MRC forwarded resident emails to City of Miami Homeless Assistance Director Torres about homeless camps beneath and adjacent to the Flagler Bridge on South River Drive, 2 Ave Bridge south shore, and Brickell Bridge south shore. There should now be available homeless beds to offer under the recently enacted new agreements executed between the City, County, Homeless Trust, Camillus House, DDA, etc.

The MRC reported Miami Parking Authority’s public paid parking lot on the Miami River near Garcia’s, Casablanca and Seaspice needs the storm drains cleared with a vacuum truck because they are not draining and the lot floods in rain.

Per one of the remaining Wagner Creek & Seybold Canal Walk the WBID recommended Action Items, the MRC found and scheduled the City of Miami’s Chicken Catchers Team to remove free roaming Chickens which produce feces, a source of contamination in the water quality.

MRC conducted a site visit with FDOT and is following up on following needed items:

1) Repairing broken Lights on Flagler Bridge
2) Repairing broken Lights on 1 ST Bridge
3) Repairing broken lights on the Tequesta statute on the Brickell Bridge
3) Needed increase in removing re-occurring feces and garbage beneath FDOT Bridges
4) Removing broken fence at 1 St Bridge
5) Repairing fence at Flagler Bridge
6) etc

MRC continues to encourage City of Miami to provide needed landscaping and garbage removal services on following areas which the City is responsible for:

• South shore from 27 Ave to NW 20 ST
• 12 Ave Bridge
• 5 ST Bridge
  

MRC is willing and able to continue providing some maintenance service in these areas to assist the City towards providing a reasonable level of service, but the MRC crew has been the only maintenance of these areas the last few times service was provided, and we need the City to continue doing their part as well.
The Riverfront Condominium Master Association and MRC continues to communicate with the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs regarding the planned repairs of the iconic multi-colored lights over the Miami River on the Metro-Rail Bridge, known as the “Miami Line”. The County emailed the project which used to have 2 Phases, is now broken into three geographic phases, and Phase 1 is now estimated to commence repairs in the middle of October. Mr. Carmichael stated this item will remain on the monthly Miami River VIP reports made during the monthly public MRC meetings until complete.

The MRC reported a dangerous pot-hole in the Jose Marti Park children basketball court, and thanks City Parks Director Kevin Kirwin for quickly having it repaired.

Hummingbird has conducted a Native American ceremony at the ancient Miami Circle every Tuesday at 6 PM since it was discovered in 1998. Hummingbird called MRC Director Bibeau and asked for a site visit so she could show a list of recommended and needed improvements to the site. The MRC continues to work with the site’s owner which is the State of Florida, and supportive local stakeholders including Rep Jose Felix Diaz, Spencer Crowley, FIND, District City Commissioner Sarnoff, District County Commissioner Barreiro, DDA, MPA, City Homeless Assistance Department, etc. to make the Miami Circle Park, a designated National Historic Landmark, the best it can possibly be. For example, the MRC’s paid cleanup crew picks up the sites garbage every Thursday and pressure washes the Riverwalk annually. Mr. Carmichael stated this item will remain on the monthly Miami River VIP reports made during the monthly public MRC meetings until complete.

II. Consideration of City of Miami’s Plans to Sell Riverfront 444 SW 2 Ave (City Office Building) and Adjacent Riverfront 460 SW 2 Ave (Public Park with Riverwalk and 3 Boat Slips) – Robert Weinreb, Office of the City Manager, presented the item on behalf of the City of Miami. Mr. Weinreb stated land along the Miami River has become very valuable, and “the building is too small for a growing city and we do need more space”. Therefore the City of Miami is working on a Request for Proposals (RFP) to “swap” their existing office building for a new custom building designed and constructed to meet the needs of the City of Miami administration and its various visitors. Mr. Weinreb stated if there is a difference in value after the building swap, the difference would be paid to the City of Miami, and the deal would have to be approved at referendum by the voters of the City of Miami.

Print outs from the Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser Website were distributed for the following 2 subject City owned parcels.

444 SW 2 Ave - Currently the City of Miami’s 10-story office building features ample parking in the site’s 4-story parking garage (and adjacent public parking lots beneath I-95).
460 SW 2 Ave is a publicly accessible 1.3 acre riverfront public open green park space, featuring the public Riverwalk and 3 boat slips.
The following documents were distributed:

• The City of Miami’s adopted “Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan” (Comp. Plan) states, “Policy CI-1.2.3:Acceptable Level of Service Standards for public facilities in the City of Miami are: a) Recreation and Open Space – 1.3 acres of public park space per 1,000 residents (see parks, Recreation and Open Space Policy PR-1.1.4.).” There are thousands of additional residents which will live in new residential units planned in this “Lower” section of the Miami River.
• The City of Miami’s adopted Parks Master Plan states, “Goal: Enhance and ensure Public access to water”
• The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan page 90 states, “Provide additional Greenspace where feasible within the Urban Infill Boundary.”
• The MRC Urban Infill Subcommittee’s September 23, 2015 public meeting minutes, “MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley suggested the Miami River Commission recommend the City of Miami maintain ownership of 460 SW 2 Ave, or provide covenants and guarantees that any future owner will maintain its current use which serves as an undeveloped public park with a public Riverwalk and three valuable waterfront slips which could generate re-occurring revenue source to fund maintenance of the public park and public Riverwalk. Chairman Murley suggested the MRC further recommend the City of Miami increase its riverfront public park space, do not lose riverfront public greenspace, and host a public planning process of how the reserved park space might be better integrated into the public Miami River Greenway.”

Sandy Batchelor stated she supported MRC Urban Infill Chairman Jim Murley’s recommendation as stated in the minutes because “It’s in the best interest of the public”.

Sallye Jude stated the City of Miami has amongst the least park space of any large City in the Country, therefore needs more park space, not less.

Commissioner Barreiro stated if the City sold both parcels, the MRC could recommend an equal amount of public open riverfront greenspace be retained within any development, but allow the flexibility of shifting that space if needed within the larger of foot print of the 2 combined parcels.

Manny Prieguez stated it was too early too early to vote on the matter and recommended the MRC defer the item, “I urge a wait and see attitude.”

Sallye Jude made a motion for the MRC to recommend the City of Miami retain ownership of 460 SW 2 Ave, and maintain its use as a public park featuring the public Riverwalk and 3 boat slips. The MRC adopted the motion 8-2.

III) Consideration of City of Miami Planning Department Zoning Amendment for Riverfront 109 SW South River Drive and the Miami River Inn (part of a larger City of Miami Zoning amendment application for certain properties in Little Havana)
Manny Prieguez stated he owns 109 SW South River Drive, therefore recused himself from participating in this item. MRC meeting quorum is 10 members, and with Mr. Prieguez recusing himself for this item, there became only 9 MRC members participating, which is 1 less than quorum. Therefore this item will be placed on the MRC’s November 2, 2015 public meeting agenda for consideration.

IV) Consideration of City of Miami’s Transportation Trust Fund
MRC Managing Director Bibeau distributed copies of the City of Miami’s Transportation Trust Fund which was approved at 1st reading, which dedicates funding for transportation improvements. Director Bibeau noted one improvement to the item is being recommended by MRC Board Member and City Commissioner Frank Carollo to create a new Transportation Impact Fee to be assessed on new developments, of which funding would be placed into the Transportation Trust.

Sandy O’Neil made a motion for the full MRC to endorse MRC Urban Infill Chairman Jim Murley’s suggestion for the MRC recommend approval of the concept of a Transportation Trust, which maybe improved before 2nd reading, which would include a new Transportation Impact Fee, and recommends the Trust only fund new capital Transportation expenses including but not limited to the public Riverwalk, Miami River Bridge improvements like smart signage etc., and Waterborne Transportation, as potential eligible transportation related capital expenses. The MRC unanimously adopted the resolution.

III. MRC Subcommittee Reports
Greenways subcommittee, Chairman Dr. Ernie Martin:
Dr Martin recommended the City of Miami apply for 2 available Federal $1 million grants for the public Miami River Greenway on both shores, proceeding west from 17 Ave.

Dr Martin recommended Miami-Dade County utilize the remaining funding in their “Miami River Greenway” line item within the 2003 GOB Bond Issue to improve the public Riverwalk at County owned Robert King High, including a new needed seawall, decorative lights, landscaping, etc. Commissioner Barreiro stated under a contract with Miami-Dade County Related Urban will be constructing new affordable housing on the County owned riverfront housing site in estimated 6 months, so the City Code will require a new public Riverwalk be constructed at that site as part of that development. Therefore Commissioner Barreiro stated he prefers using the County’s remaining Miami River Greenway line item funding for a different section of the public Riverwalk, which does not have any other potential funding sources.

Dr. Martin referred to the MRC Urban Infill and Greenways subcommittee’s September 23, 2015 distributed public meeting minutes agenda item, “Consideration of Submitted Bid to City of Miami Request for Proposals (RFP) to Lease City Owned 236-298 NW North River Drive”. Dr Martin stated the submitted Bid is consistent with the long desired “Fisherman’s Wharf” for this portion of the Miami River, as required in the City of Miami’s adopted Comp. Plan and recommended in the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. Therefore Dr Martin stated he didn’t want to see this item delayed.

The MRC coordinated and funded 2 major volunteer Miami River Greenway Beautification events the last 2 Saturdays. The MRC thanks the 50 volunteers from FIU whom planted 120 plants, spread 300 bags of recycled mulch, painted, and removed litter along the Miami River Greenway’s south shore from Jose Marti Park to NW 1 ST. In addition the MRC thanks the 50 volunteers from UM whom last Saturday planted 300 plants, spread 300 bags of recycled mulch, painted, and removed litter along the Miami River Greenway’s north shore from I-95 to NW 5 ST Bridge. The next MRC funded Miami River Greenway volunteer event is Saturday, October 17, 9-11 AM, Hands on Miami volunteers will be here working in the community vegetable and fruit garden and removing garbage along the public riverwalk’s shoreline here at 1407 NW 7 ST.

The next Greenways and Urban Infill Subcommittee public meeting is October 21, here, at 3 PM.

Stormwater Subcommittee, Chair Sallye Jude
The Stormwater subcommittee’s September public meeting minutes have been distributed. I thank the agencies for scheduling the “Walk the WBID” to search for sources of contamination along the Miami River, and then make an action plan to eliminate any identified contamination sources. As you may recall, this is the same process used for the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Walk the WBID.

Economic Development and Commerce, Chair Phil Everingham
The MRC Economic Development and Commerce subcommittee’s September public meeting minutes have been distributed. As noted in the minutes, the MRC has begun working towards creating a Miami River Property and Business Database, and the subcommittee is working with the Bayside Foundation, Miami River Marine Group and the Miami-Dade School Board on creating a new marine industrial vocational curriculum.

The EDC’s next public meeting minute is tomorrow, October 6, here at 2 PM.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre

The MRC’s distributed draft October public meeting minutes were adopted.
MRC Chairman Aguirre stated sponsorships are now available for the 20th annual free Miami Riverday to be held April 2, 2016, and the 13th Annual Miami River Map and Guide. In addition, the 5th Annual Miami River Calendar will be distributed in December.
MRC Vice Chairman Jay Carmichael stated the following is a sample of some of the items recently addressed in the Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP):
MRC continued to following up with FDOT on following needed items:
1) Repairing broken Lights on Flagler Bridge
2) Repairing broken Lights on 1 ST Bridge
3) Repairing broken lights on the Tequesta statute on the Brickell Bridge
3) Needed increase in removing re-occurring feces and garbage beneath FDOT Bridges
4) Removing broken fence at 1 St Bridge
5) Repairing fence at Flagler Bridge

MRC thanks the City of Miami for providing some needed landscaping and garbage removal services on following areas which the City is responsible for:
• South shore from 27 Ave to NW 20 ST
• 12 Ave Bridge
• 5 ST Bridge
MRC was happy to help in this regard and appreciates partnering with the City of Miami whom assisted in completing this round of maintenance. Hopefully in the future the City will notify the MRC of a regular maintenance schedule for these areas, and then the MRC will supplement that set scheduled day with additional service days to provide a reasonable level of service.

The MRC & Riverfront Condominium Master Association continues to communicate with the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs regarding their planned repairs of the iconic multi-colored lights over the Miami River on the Metro-Rail Bridge, known as the “Miami Line”. Director Bibeau spoke with the Michael Spring, Director of the County’s Cultural Affairs Department. The County emailed the project which used to have 2 Phases, is now broken into three geographic phases, and Phase 1 was estimated to commence repairs in the middle of October, and MRC Director Bibeau emailed the County on 10 /28 to confirm that occurred as previously indicated.

Hummingbird has conducted a Native American ceremony at the ancient Miami Circle every Tuesday at 6 PM since it was discovered in 1998. Hummingbird called MRC Director Bibeau and asked for a site visit so she could show a list of recommended and needed improvements to the site. The site visit was conducted September 28, 2015, and the following is a list of Hummingbird’s recommendations in no particular order:

1) Enforce posted “no parking”, and construct the fully funded and planned public Riverwalk connector and needed public paid parking beneath the Brickell Bridge
2) Remove homeless camps featuring tents, stealing power from Miami Circle outlets, cooking with microwaves beneath Brickell Bridge, drinking alcohol, etc.
3) Increase garbage and feces removal. Install more garbage cans, especially at the entrance.
4) Replace “No Dogs” signage and remove leaking dog water fountain
5) Site appears to be sinking, evidenced by depressions where there were once small hills, sidewalks were once level with ground are now elevated above the ground, once underground pipes are now exposed and above ground
6) Place glass cover over Miami Circle for viewing. If impossible to do so without deterioration, print a life size picture / replica and lay it directly over the covered real Miami Circle

On October 28 MRC Director Bibeau had an over 1 hour conference call with the FL Department of State’s Historic Preservation Officer, whom was supportive of these recommendations.

II. Consideration of 1175 South River Drive
The following documents were distributed prior to the meeting, presented and reviewed during the public meeting, regarding 1175 NW South River Drive:

• Board of County Commissioner’s Economic Prosperity Committee’s Agenda Item 2(B), a $1.5 million “Economic Development Fund” grant to fund a public Riverwalk and new seawall at the “Naeem Khan Project”.
• City of Miami’s adopted zoning code section 3.11 and Appendix B
• City of Miami’s adopted zoning code, “Article 4, Table 3, Building Function: Uses”
• Miami River Commission’s Greenways subcommittee’s 10/21/15 public meeting minutes
• 1st Draft Plans for Naeem Khan’s Proposed Development

Director Bibeau stated the distributed County Agenda item was approved at County subcommittee and will be considered by the full Board of County Commissioners on 11/3/15.

Mr Naheem Khan, Ms Rosario Kennedy and Mr Alfonso Jurardo, Architectonica, distributed and presented the 2nd draft plans and narrative. The 2nd draft plans now feature a vessel along the river, and the public Riverwalk connects to the west with the existing public Riverwalk beneath and adjacent to 12 Ave Bridge, and to the east along the sideyard connecting with the existing on road Miami River Greenway on North River Drive at the south east corner of the site.

Mark Bailey, Miami River Marine Group, noted 1175 NW South River Drive, leased by the Board of County Commissioners to Naheem Kahn for his proposed project, is zoned the most restrictive “D3” and the currently designated Land Use is “Port of Miami River”. Therefore, Mr. Bailey questioned if the proposed project is consistent with the vacant site’s existing land use and zoning, or would it require a land use & zoning amendment, “warrant” or “exception”? Mr Kahn and Ms Kennedy stated the project will use a vessel to import and export containers carrying fabric, beads, etc, in addition to recreational yacht access, therefore is consistent with the existing land use and zoning. Manny Prieguez noted he has shipped containers of seafood from his Miami River Lobster and Stone Crab site on the Miami River. Bruno Barreiro noted this County owned site has been vacant for years, and was previously a County Carpentry shop. The MRC unanimously recommended the Board of County Commissioners approve the grant for the site’s public Riverwalk and new needed seawall, and asked for the specifics of the development proposal to be considered by the MRC’s Urban Infill and Greenways subcommittees in November, followed by the full MRC on December 7.

III. Consideration of City of Miami Planning Department Zoning Amendment for Riverfront 109 SW South River Drive and the Miami River Inn (part of a larger City of Miami Zoning amendment application for certain properties in Little Havana)

Manny Prieguez stated he owned 109 SW South River Drive and will therefore recuse himself from the vote. This item was on the MRC’s October agenda but could not be considered because when Mr Prieguez recused himself the MRC lost quorum.

The ordinance adopted by City Commission at 1st reading several months ago was distributed prior to and during the meeting. In addition, the MRC’s Urban Infill Subcommittee’s September 23, 2015 public meeting minutes were distributed. The City of Miami Planning Amendment application is from T4 to T5 for numerous properties in Little Havana, including riverfront 109 SW South River Drive and the Miami River Inn.

Attendees noted Mr. Prieguez owns three riverfront parcels, two of which are currently zoned T-6, where the City Zoning Code requires the public Riverwalk in new developments. The subject riverfront parcel is zoned T4, in which the City Zoning Code does not require a public Riverwalk, but if the parcel is rezoned to T5, the code would require the public Riverwalk.

Avra Jain, new owner of the historic Miami River Inn, stated in addition she supports the item for her property, because when the City switched from Zoning Code 11000 to the current Miami 21 zoning code, the assigned T4 zoning made the operational Miami River Inn a non-confirming use where lodging is not allowed, therefore it is becoming difficult to obtain renovation permits. The Miami River Inn would again become a legal and confirming use, if the proposed zoning amendment to T5 is approved. Ms Jain added City Planning Director Garcia informed her the City Commission will consider this item at 2nd reading soon.

The MRC passed a resolution (9-1) opining only on the Riverfront parcel and the Miami River Inn within this much larger rezoning item, and recommended approval for those 2 parcels rezoning to T5, finding it consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.

III. MRC Subcommittee Reports
Greenways subcommittee, Chairman Dr. Ernie Martin:
I thank the City of Miami which recently substantially completed another section of the Miami River Greenway along North River Drive, from Seasalt and Pepper, renamed Seaspice, to the NW 5 ST Bridge. In addition I thank the City of Miami for starting constructed on a section of the public Miami River Greenway’s south shore along SE 5 ST, which connects the existing Miami Circle Park’s Riverwalk section to existing on-road Miami River Greenway which starts at Miami Ave Bridge. This section of the public Miami River Greenway is being co-funded by the last of several federal grants previously awarded to the City of Miami, which the MRC assisted the City in authoring and securing.

I thank the City of Miami, Commissioner Gort and CITP Director Rodriguez for agreeing to submit at least 1, and maybe 2 federal TEP $1,000,000 grant applications, matched by the City with $250,000 per application, to continue the Miami River Greenway from I-836 and proceeding west.
I thank Miami-Dade County, which is currently finishing construction of the public riverwalk beneath Metro-Rail on both the North and South shores, which on both shores will connect with previously constructed sections of the public riverwalk.

The MRC coordinated and funded 3 major volunteer Miami River Greenway Beautification events in October. The MRC thanks the volunteers from University of Miami whom on Saturday, October 3, planted 300 plants, picked up litter and spread recycled mulch along the Miami River Greenway’s north shore from I-95 to NW 7 Ave. In addition, the MRC thanks the volunteers from Hands on Miami and ST Thomas Law School, whom on Saturday, October 17 and Saturday October 24 pulled weeds and re-planted the community vegetable and fruit garden for the upcoming season, and removed litter along the public Riverwalk’s south shore here at Robert King High. The MRC’s next 2 coordinated and funded volunteer Miami River Greenway beautification events are November 10 with volunteers from the Miami Marlins Ayudan, and November 21 with volunteers from Hands on Miami.

The next Greenways and Urban Infill Subcommittee public meeting is November 18, here, at 3 PM.

Stormwater Subcommittee, Chair Sallye Jude
The Stormwater subcommittee’s September public meeting minutes have been distributed. I thank the agencies for scheduling the “Walk the WBID” to search for sources of contamination along the Miami River, and then make an action plan to eliminate any identified contamination sources. As you may recall, this is the same process used for the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Walk the WBID. The environmental agencies will all be touring the Miami River via land and water searching for sources of contamination on November 3, 4 & 5.

Economic Development and Commerce, Chair Phil Everingham
The MRC Economic Development and Commerce subcommittee’s October public meeting minutes have been distributed.

Miami River Property and Business Database is under way. I thank Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser Pedro Garcia and his wonderful department for recently providing a CD of public data on the riverfront parcels.
FDOT reported they have appropriated $300,000 for a Port of Miami River Freight study, for which State SIS funding may become available to implement the Plan’s recommendations designed to improve freight transportation along the Port of Miami River, which is now officially a SIS facility eligible for SIS funding as long recommended by the MRC.

The EDC’s next public meeting minute is November 17, 10 AM, at the United Way, 3250 SW 3 Ave.

The meeting adjourned.

I. Chair Report – MRC Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre

The Miami River District is hot, and as an original volunteer member of the Miami River Commission since it was established 17 years ago, Katherine Fernandez Rundle helped spark this fire which is significantly improving the natural environment and economy. Katherine Fernandez Rundle has always strongly supported the Miami River District and was instrumental in bringing the Miami River’s renaissance to fruition. Therefore on behalf of the Miami River Commission and all whom live work and play in the Miami River District, we cordially present Katherine Fernandez Rundle with this small token of our deep appreciation and gratitude.

Gary Winston made a motion to accept the previously distributed MRC November 2 draft public meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Sandy O-Neil and unanimously adopted by the MRC.

The MRC thanks the City of Miami for advertising the RFP to conduct the fully funded and permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Improvement Project. Mr. Robert Weinreb, City of Miami, stated they will add a change order to include the additional hump of sediment in the Miami River at the confluence of the Seybold Canal.

The 5th Annual Miami River Calendars have been distributed, and we thank all the advertisers for their support. The MRC thanked Pietro Taballione, Disc-Hover, whom 10 years ago was a MRC volunteer intern, for providing the cover picture which he took with a drone. Mr. Taballione thanked the MRC for the successful efforts to improve the Miami River District for the community.

Sponsorships are now available for the 20th annual free Miami Riverday to be held April 2, 2016, and the 13th Annual Miami River Map and Guide.

MRC Vice-Chairman Jay Carmichael provided the following Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP) update. The following are a sample of some of the items recently addressed in the MRC’s Miami River Voluntary Improvement Plan (VIP): MRC thanks Bob Murray at the James L Knight Center, and City Parks Director Kirwin, for providing garbage removal from FT Dallas Park along with the MRC, now once per week each, for an increased total of 3 times per week.

MRC thanks the City of Miami for pledging an increase in maintenance of the City owned sections of the public Miami River Greenway to once every 2-3 weeks, supplemented by the maintenance provided by the MRC.

MRC thanks FPL for recently promising new needed lights will be installed along their section of the public Riverwalk within 2 weeks, and FPL is now providing maintenance 1 time per week.
A resident reported the new Riverwalk lights beneath Metro-Rail’s north shore were not working, the MRC forwarded to the report to the correct people in Miami-Dade County, whom we thank for repairing the problem within 48 hours.

The MRC reported broken street lights along the on-road Miami River Greenway to FPL for repairs.
MRC thanks DERM, which has agreed to provide results of water quality test violations much faster so they can be inspected to try and find the contamination source.

MRC continued to following up with FDOT on following needed items:
1) Adding more Lights on Flagler Bridge
2) Repairing broken Lights on 1 ST Bridge
4) Removing broken fence at 1 St Bridge
5) Repairing fence at Flagler Bridge
6) etc

II) Consideration of Submitted Bids to City of Miami Request for Proposals (RFP) to Lease City Owned 236-298 NW North River Drive
The City of Miami advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease City owned 236-298 NW North River Drive. The RFP requires proposals to be consistent with the existing Marine Industrial D3 zoning and Port of Miami River Land Use. The City site has been leased under a monthly “license agreement” to Garcia’s commercial fishing for the past 45 years. The City’s deadline to submit bids has passed and the City received the following 1 proposal / bid.

Mr. Alex Mantecon distributed and presented the submitted proposal / bid for the “Riverside Wharf”. On the presented plans, “Site 2” are the parcels owned by the City of Miami, and the adjacent riverfront “Site 1” to the North West is owned by Mr. Mantecon. “Site 2” consists of 2, 3-story buildings featuring a fish market, commercial fishing vessel dockage, and 2 restaurants, all featuring a publicly accessible Riverwalk. Mr. Mantecon stated Willy Bermello’s design creates a juxta position of maritime industrial vocabulary to recall the area’s past, within a modern framework of sculptural steel, sheet metal, concrete and glass. The adjacent site to the south east of the City parcels was rented by Mr. Mantecon from Mr. Manny Prieguez, in order to connect the public Riverwalk to the east with the existing public Riverwalk which proceeds east beneath I-95, past the City Administration Building, etc. Mr. Prieguez confirmed this statement of fact, and recused himself from the item. Luis Garcia stated his family has rented the City owned property and generated commercial fishing jobs for the past 45 years on a month to month basis, which therefore gave him no opportunity to improve the City parcels as desired. Therefore, Mr. Garcia stated he is glad his commercial fishing business is part of the only submitted bid for the City’s advertised long term lease, which will now allow the City’s parcels to be substantially improved. Mr. Garcia stated he has visited successful Fisherman Wharf’s in other waterfront cities, and hopes to make one on the Miami River. The City site has a current Marine Operating Permit for 18 boat slips, which will be maintained with 2 of the slips allocated for commercial fishermen to load and unload their fresh seafood catches. Mr. Mantecon stated the seafood traps will be kept at Garcia’s private owned parcel on the Seybold Canal. Mr. Mantecon stated the area’s planned Fisherman’s Wharf is becoming a reality, for example the subject development is adjacent to the Sushi Samba self-standing restaurant recently commenced construction on North River Drive between the 1 ST and Flagler Bridges, and will also feature a connecting section of the public Riverwalk. Mr. Mantecon noted the City’s parcels would be very difficult to develop on their own without his adjacent private property, because the City parcels have an odd shape, 5 sides, adjacent to I-95, restricted uses by the current Port of Miami River Land Use and D3 Marine Industrial zoning, difficult vehicular access, and the $195,500 per year minimum rent plus 3-5% increases per year plus a percentage of revenue, for a total minimum guaranteed rent in excess of $22 million over the life of the lease. Mr. Mantecon stated the proposal requires no amendments to the land use and zoning, and the public Riverwalk is 15-feet wide and is consistent with Zoning Code Section 3.11 and the City Charter. Mr. Mantecon stated he is in negotiations with the Miami Parking Authority whom controls numerous large public paid parking lost beneath adjacent I-95 which empty after 5 PM when the restaurants would start getting busier. Mr. Mantecon stated the RFP schedule has the submitted bid being considered by the City Commission on December 10, followed by a vote by the entire public at referendum in March 2016.
Mr. Mantecon proceeded to present the plans for his adjacent owned land shown on the plans as “Site 1” (114 SW North River Drive and 300 SW 2 ST). The plans consist of 2 more riverfront 3 story restaurants, again featuring the minimum 15-foot wide public Riverwalk connecting to the east with the public Riverwalk at “Site 1” and connecting to the west with the public Riverwalk proposed at the planned 1 ST Bridge replacement. “Site 1” and “Site 2” together have 60% useable open space available to the public, a continuous needed 15-foot wide section of the public Riverwalk along 599 linear feet of the Miami River, connecting with public Riverwalks to the east at I-95 and to the west at 1 ST Bridge, which will feature a new needed seawall and maintain dockage for 18 vessels, consistent with the sites current Marine Operating Permits and submerged land leases which will be maintained, 3 plaza and breezeways entries providing view corridors to pedestrians and motorists along North River Drive, 4 restaurants, a fish market, combined air conditioned space of 33,073 square feet, seating capacity of 1,200 seats, projected to generate 300 permanent jobs, saves the site’s current 30 commercial fishing jobs, and a public kayak and paddleboard launch. Mr. Mantecon stated both sites, all 4 presented restaurants, and the public Riverwalk, will be constructed in 1 phase.

MRC Urban Infill Subcommittee Chairman Murley noted their distributed September 23 public meeting minutes which state in part, “The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan states the following about this specific subject area on page 22, ‘Consideration should be given to relaxing roadside setbacks, and /or parking requirements for all of these waterfront sites in exchange for development that embraces the water’s edge as a public amenity, provides active pedestrian oriented uses along North River Drive, and respects the scale and character of the historic Lummus Park neighborhood.” The City of Miami’s Comprehensive Plan specifically calls for a “Fisherman’s Wharf” in this part of the Miami River. MRC Urban Infill Subcommittee Chairman Murley recommended the full MRC find the presented proposed development of both “Site 1” and the City owned “Site 2” plans to be consistent with the adopted Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenways Action Plan, therefore recommending approval.

MS Sandy O’Neil made a motion supporting MRC Subcommittee Chairman Murley’s recommendation that the proposed “Fisherman’s Wharf” is a great attraction and is consistent with the adopted Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, the Miami River Greenways Action Plan, and the Comprehensive Plan, therefore recommended approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barreiro & unanimously adopted by the MRC.

III) Consideration of Development Proposal for 1170-1180 NW 11 ST and 1080 NW 11 CT, Approved by Historic and Environmental Preservation Board with Conditions
MRC Director Bibeau stated on November 2 the full MRC adopted a unanimous resolution asking for this item to be presented to the MRC subcommittee in November , followed by the full MRC on December 7, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST. MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley stated many years ago the MRC had previously considered a different development, “River Garden” which was being proposed at that time for this same site.

Ethan Wasserman and Ryan Bailine, Greenberg Traurig, and Albert Cordoves, Architect, presented and distributed plans for “Modera River House”, proposed by “Mill Creek Residential Trust”. The proposed development consists of:
•1170 NW 11 ST – 233 residential rental units, 8 stories, 383 parking spaces. Currently zoned T6-8.
•1080 NW 11 CT – 30 residential rental units, 5 stories, 45 parking spaces and restoring existing home to be used as a library and the Spring Garden Civic Association may use it for meetings monthly, max 12 times per year, 4 hours each with 15 days notice. Currently zoned T5.
•1180 NW 11 ST – 29 residential rental units, 5 stories, 44 parking spaces. Currently zoned T5.
The development team proposes to improve and maintain the public pedestrian and bicycle pathway in between the 12 Ave Bridge and the proposed 8-story building.

Kathi Gibson and Gioia DeCarlo, Spring Garden residents, stated their main desire is for the largest parking garage entrance and exit be moved off of North River Drive where traffic would cross the on-road Miami River Greenway and proceed through the historically designated Spring Garden neighborhood as presented. Instead they recommended the parking entrance and exit be located on NW 11 ST and or NW 11 CT with means to channel the traffic towards NW 11 ST and away from North River Drive, the Miami River Greenway and the historic Spring Garden neighborhood. The presented plans remove an existing vehicular traffic land on NW 11 ST, and the residents recommend keeping this existing vehicular traffic lane on NW 11 ST. Attendees discussed the west elevation’s 4 story parking garage façade “Metal Grille Detail” pictured in the plans on page A-4.00.

MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley referenced the distributed November public MRC subcommittee meeting minutes on this item, where he recommended approval of the proposed development, and finding it consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan subject to the following conditions:

1) Minimize vehicular entrance and exit to parking structure from North River Drive and relocate them to NW 11 ST and 11 CT channeling the cars towards NW 11 ST as much as possible, without blocking NW 11 CT, in order for the cars to avoid the Miami River Greenway and historic Spring Garden Neighborhood
2) Leave all existing vehicular lanes operational on NW 11 ST (do not remove an existing vehicular lane as depicted) and create/ implement a coordinated transportation plan for the area
3) Improve the parking garage façade
4) More intensive planning, improvements and maintenance of the existing public pathway along the NE side of the NW 12 Ave Bridge, which connects pedestrians and bicycles from NW 11 ST to North River Drive and the Miami River Greenway

Ms. Sandy O’Neil made a motion for the MRC to adopt MRC Urban Infill Chairman Murley’s recommended advisory recommendation of approval of the proposed development, and finding it consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan subject to the following conditions:

1) Minimize vehicular entrance and exit to parking structure from North River Drive and relocate them to NW 11 ST and 11 CT channeling the cars towards NW 11 ST as much as possible, without blocking NW 11 CT, in order for the cars to avoid the Miami River Greenway and historic Spring Garden Neighborhood
2) Leave all existing vehicular lanes operational on NW 11 ST (do not remove an existing vehicular lane as depicted) and create/implement a coordinated transportation plan for the area
3) Improve the parking garage façade
4) More intensive planning, improvements and maintenance of the existing public pathway along the NE side of the NW 12 Ave Bridge, which connects pedestrians and bicycles from NW 11 ST to North River Drive and the Miami River Greenway
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barreiro and unanimously adopted by the MRC.

IV. MRC Subcommittee Reports
Greenways subcommittee, Chairman Dr. Ernie Martin:
I thank the City of Miami, Commissioner Gort and CITP Director Rodriguez for agreeing to submit at least 1, and maybe 2 federal TEP $1,000,000 grant applications, matched by the City with $250,000 per application, to continue the Miami River Greenway from I-836 proceeding west. In November MRC Director Bibeau conducted a site visit with the City staff authoring their grant application.

I thank Miami-Dade County which finished construction of the public riverwalk beneath Metro-Rail on both the North and South shores, which on both shores now connect with previously constructed sections of the public riverwalk. I thank Commissioner Barreiro for meeting with Director Bibeau regarding spending the remaining balance of the County’s “Miami River Greenway” line item in the GOB Bond Issue, and having the County apply for more matching FIND and TAP grants.

The MRC coordinated and funded 2 volunteer Miami River Greenway Beautification events in November. The MRC thanks the volunteers from Hands on Miami and Marlins Ayudan, whom on November 10, and Saturday, November 21, pulled weeds and re-planted the community vegetable and fruit garden for the upcoming season, and removed litter along the public Riverwalk’s south shore here at Robert King High. The MRC’s next coordinated and funded volunteer Miami River Greenway beautification event is December 10, with a new group of Volunteers from Touch Miami with Love.

The next Greenways and Urban Infill Subcommittee public meeting is December 17, here, at 3 PM.

Stormwater Subcommittee, Chair Sallye Jude
The Stormwater subcommittee met last Wednesday. I thank the agencies for conducting the “Walk the WBID” searched all; day on November 3, 4 and 5, via land and water, and found many sources of contamination along the Miami River. The items are being formulated into an action item list designed to eliminate these multiple identified contamination sources. As you may recall, this is the same process used for the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Walk the WBID.

Economic Development and Commerce, Chair Phil Everingham
The MRC Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) subcommittee’s November public meeting minutes have been distributed.

MRC EDC working with the School Board, Bayside Foundation and the Miami River Marine Group to support the School Board’s adopted resolution to create a marine industrial vocational program.

Miami River Property and Business Database is under way. I thank Miami-Dade County Tax Appraiser Pedro Garcia and his wonderful department for recently providing a CD of public data on the riverfront parcels.
FDOT reported they have appropriated $300,000 for a Port of Miami River Freight study, for which State SIS funding may become available to implement the Plan’s recommendations designed to improve freight transportation along the Port of Miami River, which is now officially a SIS facility eligible for SIS funding as long recommended by the MRC.

The meeting adjourned.