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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

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Status of FIND application:   Dianne Johnson from the City of Miami reported that city and county staff made a presentation at the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Commissioner meeting on August 19, 2000.  The FIND Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the county in which FIND would provide a 50% match for funds expended by both the city and county for the dredging project, excluding land costs.  This will be a single agreement between FIND and the county.  FIND staff recommended the single agreement vice having an agreement with both the city and the county.  FIND is aware that this project is a multi-year project.  The FIND Commissioners are all very supportive of the project and providing FIND matching funds for dredging commercial waterways of Florida is their number one priority.  The FIND funding process does require an update each year of the funding requirements for the Miami River dredging project.  Basically, this year FIND will provide matching funding of approximately $600,000 for the project.

Land Acquisition:   Roger Hernstadt provided an update of the status of the county’s progress on acquiring a 10-acre parcel for the temporary drying site and the riverside berthing site for the barges and sediment transfer to the drying site.  Roger stated that the county is progressing with the acquisition and will provide a presentation to the Community Council this evening concerning the 10-acre drying site.  This 10-acre site is east of Miami Jai-Alai and is currently and unused parking lot.  With reference to the riverside berthing site, the county is in discussions with two property owners and Roger is very optimistic that an agreement will be reach soon.  He further advised the group that when the Board of County Commissioners hears the resolution on the 10-acre parcel for use as a temporary sediment drying site that they will also be informed of the determination on the berthing site.  The Board will hear these issues on October 3, 2000.  Discussion ensued.   Fran Bohnsack asked Roger if Commissioner Morales would be attending this Community Council meeting because the Commissioner wanted to ensure this issue was brought before the public before it went to the Board of County Commissioners.  Roger explained that this was not a public hearing as discussed by Commissioner Morales.  Roger is working with the Commissioner’s staff to schedule a public hearing concerning the 10-acre site.  Roger believes this public hearing will be scheduled in the near future.  Scott Mitchell advised the group that it is the MRC’s position that we want to be a good neighbor and work closely with the local community and utilize best management practices to minimize any disruption to the community.  The Corps representatives agreed with this approach.  Jerry Scarborough asked Roger if the county was also going to provide the area that currently houses a taxi repair facility.  Roger said the county would look into acquiring that property also.

Status of Corps Surveys:   Jerry Scarborough advised the group that the surveys are completed; however, the written report is not finalized.  Jerry advised the group that the preliminary results show 468,000 cubic yards within the boundaries of the federal navigation channel.  This is somewhat lower than the last survey in 1991/1992, which showed 513,000 cubic yards.  Discussion ensued.  The group questioned Jerry about dredging outside the boundaries of the channel, such as Wagner Creek area.  Jerry said that any dredging outside the navigational channel could be made part of this project as an option, but dredging outside of the channel would have to be paid in full by the entity that requested the dredging.  David Miller advised the group that the City of Miami through their Public Works Department has already dredged some areas of Wagner Creek.  In their Capital Improvements Projects they have an item to dredge the remaining sections of Wagner Creek.  Dianne Johnson will discuss this with the City Public Works Department in the hopes of adding this area of Wagner Creek dredging to the Miami River dredging project as the costs would be greatly reduced. 
       Jerry stated that when the survey report is completed it would show sediment quantities bank to bank.  He does not have any preliminary sediment quantities for bank to bank.  Discussion ensued about various options that would be available for additional dredging opportunities.

 New Business: There being no new business, the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday October 11, 2000 at 10 AM at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 100 McArthur Blvd., Administration Bldg., 2^nd floor, and the meeting was adjourned.

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