CONTACT US!
 For more information, contact us via email at mrc@rsmas.miami.edu
MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
 c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

 

This site
prepared and designed by
Mark Sell Communications, Inc. Public Relations

   MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION
   DREDGING COMMITTEE MINUTES:
  Minutes of meeting 		Dec. 10, 2003
10:00 AM
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)
The Miami River Commission ’s Dredging Working Group (DWG) December 10, 2003 meeting was called to order at 10 am in the Rosenstiel School, Auditorium, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL.   Mr. Dick Bunnell, chaired the meeting and self-introductions were made.  The attendance list is attached.

 

I. Status of Federal Navigable Channel Project

Mr. Roman Gastesi, Miami-Dade County , stated that the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) closed bids for the Miami River Dredging Project’s Request for Proposals.  Gastesi noted the ACOE is reviewing the bids and will award the contract by January 12, 2004 .  Mr. Dick Bunnel, stated the number of bidders will not be disclosed by the ACOE until the contractor is selected.   Mr. Al Josephson, Great Lakes Dredging and Doc k, stated five bids had been turned in and the bidders were: Cashman, Weeks, Great Lakes , URS, and Weston.  Mr. Bunnell was pleased with the number of submitted bidders.  

II. Status of Bank-to-Bank Project

Mr. Carlos Espinosa, Department of Environmental Protection (DERM) stated the bank-to-bank permit was complete.  A draft copy had been provided to the ACOE.  Dr. Susan Markley, DERM, noted the ACOE has three different groups evaluating the proposals: economic assessment, process, and experience and past performance.  Each group makes recommendations to the contract officer.    Gastesi stated that he had spoken with Dianne Johnson, City of Miami , and reported the City would execute the “ban-to-bank” cost sharing agreement in January 2004.  The City and County submitted two Miami River Dredging water bill legislative appropriation requests, including $2,000,000 to dredge inside the federal navigable channel, and $4,000,000 to dredge outside the federal navigable channel.    

III. Update River Utility Crossings

Gastesi reported a river utility crossing meeting was held in early December.  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) completed their utility relocation work. The Water and Sewer Department (WASD) and the gas company are continuing to work hard on utility relocation projects. Gastesi noted the ACOE is responding to a letter from Bell South about a crossing at 29th Ave.    Mr. Ed. Swakon stated Bell South wants to pull the wires and abandon the pipe instead of removing it.  Bibeau noted that FPL is awaiting a DERM permit prior to commencing a utility relocation project.             

IV.  New Business

Mr. Bibeau recommended the local project sponsor enter into an Escrow Account agreement with the ACOE.  Bibeau forwarded the County the ACOE’s standard Escrow Account Agreement.  Appropriated Miami River dredging funding would be deposited in the proposed   interest bearing account, which would therefore safeguard the funding from any potential reprogramming.  Dr. Markley noted that currently there is an escrow account in place that is funded on a fiscal year basis.  Espinosa and Gastesi stated the County would consider the issue.

The next Dredging subcommittee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2004 , which is after the ACOE announces their selection of the Miami River dredging project contractor.  The meeting will once again be held at 10 AM in the UM Rosenstiel School , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway.

 The meeting adjourned.

  HOME        CALENDARS       ABOUT THE RIVER          ABOUT THE COMMISSION         DREDGING      GREENWAYS   
URBAN INFILL PLANS           STORMWATER RETROFITTING            MINUTES OF MEETINGS      LINKS