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e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu
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DREDGING COMMITTEE MINUTES:
Minutes of meeting
10:00 AM
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)
David Miller opened the meeting and all attendees made self-introductions. Carlos Espinosa, DERM, stated that an additional mailing was sent out regarding the bank-to-bank option for the dredging project. Ed Swakon, EAS Engineering, informed the group that 65 letters were sent out with this past mailing and they have received 22 responses. This accounts for about 50% of the riparian property owners. Carlos stated that they now need to start focusing on assembling areas. They must look at the responses that they have received and try to put together continuous areas to dredge. If they find that they have a continuous area minus a few responses then they can focus all of their effort on trying to gain those consent forms first. Carlos mentioned that any future letters sent out would be certified. At some point they will have to stop trying to solicit responses and move on with what they do have. David stated that he and Dick Bunnell met with Roman Gastesi. The MRC has Case O’Bourke Engineering under contract to do some of the preliminary dredging work. The MRC would like to bring them onboard with the objective to get more signed consent forms. Right now it seems unusual that the County has received only 50% of the consent forms because that is not indicative of the property owners along the river.
Roman Gastesi, Miami-Dade County, stated that he had an 11:30 am meeting today to discuss the funding of the bank-to-bank project. He was going to meet with the new City officials to discuss the tax increment financing (TIF). Roman said he felt confident that the TIF would go through. The biggest dilemma, which does not concern the dredging project is where the footprint of the TIF will be. Roman stated that he would report back to the group at the next dredging working group meeting about his meeting.
David asked Roman to comment on the federal Navigation channel project status from the County’s point of view. Roman stated that the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the Dredged Materials Management Plan (DMMP) have gotten held up in Washington D.C. The County is pretty confident that it will finally go through, but they have not yet received the official word of approval. Roman informed the group that he received an email from Jerry Scarborough, USACE, about the River tour scheduled for next week and he stated that next week should be a very good week.
Roman was asked to comment on the River Utility Crossings. He stated that they had a meeting last week and there is a lot going on. There will be about $20 million in expenditures by the various entities (utility companies, the County, etc.). There have been some permitting problems, but Roman is confident that things will work out positively. He is also convinced that the utilities will be out of the way as the dredging project moves forward. David stated that at the utility meeting Pat Hanson, USACE, brought a flowchart/timeline showing how things are progressing. At this point, there are no expected delays from utility crossings based on the timeline that was presented. The Corps timeline is to put out the Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 1, 2003. There will be a 45-day review period, followed by a 60-day selection process. The timeline tentatively has the contract awarded in August with the notice to proceed being released on September 15, 2003. David wanted to commend the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on their great work in relocating their utilities. They have been the “ground-breakers” in getting permits and showing the rest of the utility companies how to successfully complete the process. Capt. John Smith asked if the City and County own some of the property being discussed for the bank-to-bank project, and if they do, will they give their consent to dredge. Roman stated that the County would consent to the dredging project. Ed Swakon stated that Dianne Johnson is taking care of the properties that are owned by the City.
David introduced Raul Pellegrino, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Mr. Pellegrino gave a presentation to the group regarding dredging the various canals and specifically the Tamiami Canal. He stated that the following projects had been completed already:
- S-25B Forward Pumping Station
- Sweetwater Berm
- Phase I
- Phase II
He then informed the group that the following projects are ongoing:
- S-26 Forward Pumping Station
- C-4 Emergency Detention Basing Phase I
- Earthwork
- Pump station G-420 and outlet structure G-421
Future projects that are being discussed include:
- Sweetwater Flood Protection Improvements Phases III and IV
- C-4 Dredging Phase III
- C-4 Dredging Phase IV
- Emergency Detention Basin Phase II
- Earthwork
- Inflow pump station and interbasin transfer structure
- S-26 Pump Station Automation
- S-27 Forward Pumping Station
- G-93 Automation on C-2 Canal
- C-4 Improvements Between C-6 and S-25B
Capt. John Smith asked Mr. Pellegrino about the details of the proposed dredging project in the C-4 (Taimiami) Canal by the swing bridge. Discussion ensued. Mr. Pellegrino informed Capt. Smith that the SFWMD is trying to find funding for that particular project from multiple sources and they are also looking at various other options that might alleviate the excess water in the C-4 Canal. David asked if the MRC could be of any help in moving the process along. Mr. Pellegrino did not know, although he stated that the MRC could try to talk with Frank Reddish of LMS Group about the proposed projects. He also stated that he would provide a hydraulic analysis of the Miami River that will soon be conducted by the SFWMD. David then asked if the SFWMD would study both the Tamiami Canal area and the Fifth Street Bridge area because these two locations are where the majority of the flow restrictions are for the Miami River. Mr. Pellegrino stated that he did not know whose jurisdiction the Fifth Street Bridge fell under, but that the MRC should find out and contact that entity with their concerns. The SFWMD is planning on collecting data on the Miami River during the wet season.
David informed the group that the Corps and the Florida Inland Navigation District would be conducting a waterways inspection of the Miami River on April 22 at 8:45 am from the Hyatt. The County and some MRC members will be attending. There is a potential that the Corps will do a press conference if the DMMP and the PCA are approved. Should this happen, David will try and contact everyone to let them know.
The next Dredging Working Group meeting was scheduled for Wednesday May 21, 2003 at 10 am. The meeting will take place at the Rosenstiel School Library Map Room.