I.                   Discussion of Miami River Marine Industries Symposium Identified Action Items Regarding Recreational Boatyards – Ms. Kelly thanked Phil Everingham, Merrill-Stevens, for hosting the public meeting.  The EDC discussed the following Recreational Boatyard “Action Items”, which were identified during the MRC’s September 27, 2004 Miami River Marine Industries Symposium:

·                    Find a way to set aside land for recreational marine facilities

·                    Develop boat slip bank

·                    Private property rights-submerged lands

·                    Review Manatee Protection Plan

·                    Marine protective zoning

·                    Training programs for skills needed by industry

·                    Raise public attention to the value of the industry

·                    Additional incentives

·                    Compete and cooperate with other counties

·                    Participate in existing K-12 technical programs such as the Broward County South HS program

·                    Reconsider TIF/other sources to preserve lands

·                    City and County adopting Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan

·                    Expand new boat manufacturing

·                    Better marketing of Miami River

Phil Everingham framed three key issues currently effecting recreational businesses. Everingham explained that there seemed to be an ongoing loss of waterfront properties to developers, thereby leaving less opportunities for marine-related uses; a lack of available facilities/boat slips for recreational boating; and, in the last 20 years, it appeared to him that recreational/commercial industries had fallen off the economic radar screen. Everingham stated it was imperative to come up with ways to get recreational and commercial boatyards back in the public view.  Mr. Everingham explained that the river is experiencing an increase in the construction of large boats, but due to the apparent decrease in marine facilities throughout the area, there seemed to be no room to accommodate this growth. Everingham again noted that something had to be done to protect marine businesses.

As part of an initiative to maintain the working waterfront, Mr. Everingham noted that the Marine Council and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida are working together to pinpoint the number of marine facilities/sites left on the river. Everingham stated that both entities planned to create a “River Conservancy,” or organization raising private dollars to identify and acquire sites for public space or marine industrial uses.

 Mr. Bibeau noted MRC board member Dick Bunnell proposed an amendment featured in the draft “2^nd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. In the amendment, Bunnell recommended the preservation of all remaining marine industrial (SD-4) zoning and industrial land use within the Miami River Corridor. Bibeau stated the amendment would be considered at the next MRC meeting, February 7, noon , 3250 SW 3^rd Ave , Miami , FL.

Dr. Bohnsack then discussed issues related to boat slips. Dr. Bohsack noted that there seemed to be some inconsistencies between what Lee Hefty of DERM had remarked of boat slips during the January 4, 2005 “Lower River” Workshop at Lummus Park & her own personal research. According to Bohnsack, the Army Corps of Engineers does not recognize boat slips that have ceased to exist.

Mr. Bibeau stated Miami-Dade County was moving forward with their creation of a marine industrial zoning overlay along the unincorporated Miami-Dade County portion of the Miami River and Tamiami Canal , between NW 27^th Avenue and NW 36 Street. Bibeau noted the draft ordinance would be discussed in more detail during the January 12, 2005 Urban Infill Working Group meeting, 10 AM, 444 SW 2^nd Ave, 8^th Floor Conference Room.

Ms. Kelly then inquired about the status of the City of Miami ’s Miami River Economic Analysis and Market Study. Mr. Bibeau replied in December 2004 Ms. Linda Haskins, City of Miami Chief Financial Officer, mentioned she had been provided the draft Economic Analysis, but was unwilling to forward it to the MRC at this time.  Dr. Bohnsack stated the MRMG will file a public records request in order to obtain all drafts of the long awaited Miami River economic analysis.

Mr. Everingham mentioned consistent with the Action Item to train potential marine industrial employees, that Harry Horgan of Shake-a-Leg established an apprentice program at his facility in Coconut Grove.  Regarding the action item to “Raise Public Awareness of the Miami River ’s Marine Industry” the EDC recommended having ambassadors from the 100 Caribbean Ports of call serviced by the Miami River ’s shallow draft shipping vessels express to local elected officials and agencies the importance of the Miami River ’s port to their countries.  

The meeting adjourned.