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I & II. Status of Miami River Federal Navigable Channel Maintenance Dredging Project & Funding and Status of “Bank to Bank” Maintenance Dredging Project & Funding – Mr. Jerry Scarborough, Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), stated that $3 million of the $27.8 million previously appropriated by Congress for the Miami River maintenance dredging project has been reprogrammed for acceptance section 3 of 15. Mr. Scarborough noted approximately $9.5 million in reprogramming is still needed to continue dredging through acceptance sections 4-6, before the September 30 end of Fiscal Year 2005, without a temporary demobilization.  Mr. Scarborough stated he would continue working with the ACOE’s South Atlantic Division and Headquarters to secure reprogramming of the federal cost share in order to avoid temporary demobilization of the project. Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, thanked the ACOE for their continued effort and support for the Miami River maintenance dredging project.

Mr. Jeff McWilliams, Bean Environmental, stated he expected the dredging of acceptance section 3 to be completed by July 25, 2005 .  Mr. McWilliams asked if funding necessary to award dredging within additional acceptance sections would become available before completion of acceptance section 3.  Mr. David Cole, Weston/Bean, stated the ACOE’s just in time funding impedes the dredgers and sediment processing plant from working efficiently and suggested the ACOE award multiple consecutive acceptance sections. Mr. Scarborough acknowledged Mr. Cole’s concerns.

Mr. Carlos Espinosa, Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM), suggested the ACOE send DERM letters requesting the local cost share for acceptance sections 4-6, in order to have the payment processed.  Mr. Scarborough replied the ACOE would send the County a request for the local cost share on acceptance sections 4-6.  Mr. Espinosa stated the ACOE provided the County with the requested paperwork required to establish an escrow account for the local cost share, and it was currently under review by the County Attorney ’s Office.   

Mr. Ancil Taylor, Bean Environmental, asked if the funding is not in place to award acceptance section 4 prior to the July 25 completion of acceptance section 3, would the project be forced into a temporary demobilization.  Mr. Scarborough noted the ACOE was trying to avoid a temporary demobilization, and noted any such temporary demobilization and remobilization would be added project costs for all cost shares.  Mr. Taylor and Mr. Scarborough discussed “dredging the tow”, and the approval of acceptance sections 1-3.  Mr. Cole noted the ACOE is yet to respond to a few formal requests for information from the contractors.  Mr. Scarborough stated Mr. Cole should expect to receive the ACOE’s response to the contractor’s request, regarding dredging near unconsolidated bulkheads, before the end of the day.

Mr. Espinosa indicated that all components of the local cost share are currently available through acceptance section 9, therefore only the federal cost share is necessary to continue dredging.  Mr. Evan Skornick, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), stated the District is working on the 2^nd round of grants from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), a $1.5 million cost share for acceptance sections 9-11.  This brings the approved and appropriated FIND cost share total up to $3.8 million of the pledged $6 million.  

III. Update River Utility Crossings –Mr. Bibeau stated it was his understanding that all future utility relocations seem to be on schedule for removal prior to the arrival of the dredger. As noted by Mr. Rene Perez, ACOE, during the June 15, 2005 Dredging Subcommittee meeting, a series of cables and utility lines at NW 22^nd Avenue , within AS 6, are expected to be replaced and relocated by August 5, 2005 .  Mr. Scarborough concurred, noting the ACOE does not foresee any problems with utility crossings at least through acceptance section 6.

IV. Status of Removal of NW 5^th Street Bridge Prior to Dredging within that Acceptable Section – Mr. Bibeau reported the NW 5^th ST Bridge had recently been struck by a vessel under tow, and will remain in the “locked up” position until the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) analyzes its options and determines a feasible solution. Mr. Bibeau stated the Army Corps of Engineers declared the NW 5 ST bridge as a hazard to navigation in 1929, due to several deficiencies which were constructed inconsistent with the permitted bridge design, and the bridge has been struck by vessels under tow approximately 13 times in the past decade.  In addition, every time the bridge is struck, the lengthy repairs are conducted with the bascule leafs in the open position, blocking vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  Mr. Bibeau stated the FDOT has completed the PD& E for the funded replacement of the NW 5 ST Bridge, and after obtaining 30% completion of construction documents, could technically issue an RFP to create a new bridge. Mr. Bibeau added FDOT is also considering repairing the bridge, if an expedited construction of a new bridge does not prove a viable option. Mr. Bibeau suggested that FDOT examine the possibility of replacing the NW 5 ST Bridge before commencing the planned replacement of the NW 12^th Ave. Bridge, which is not deemed a hazard to navigation.  The dredging subcommittee noted the currently broken NW 5 ST Bridge is constructed well into the federal navigable channel; therefore the dredgers would be forced to proceed around the structure, leaving significant quantities of sediments behind.  Mr. Scarborough stated the ACOE would contact the USCG about the issue.

V.  New Business -  The Dredging Subcommittee confirmed the next regularly scheduled third Wednesday of the month meeting for August 17, 2005, 10 am, Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 Street.

The meeting adjourned.

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