I.  Presentation and Discussion of Working Waterfront Legislation Pending Before the Florida Legislature - Mr. Jim Murley, Florida Atlantic University , reviewed and discussed the Florida Senate Bill 1316 relating to waterfront property with the Miami River Commission ’s Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee.

S1316 “requires future land use plan element of local comprehensive plan for coastal county to include criteria to encourage preservation of recreational and commercial working waterfronts; provides requirements for shoreline use component of coastal management element of recreational and commercial working waterfronts; requires DEP and appropriate water management districts to expedite permitting of certain marine projects. 

The EDC agreed to track the progression of Bill 1316.

II. Status of the Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay District Pending Before the Board of County Commissioners- Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated the draft ordinance had been discussed at the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group meeting on Friday, April 15, 2005 , 10 am , City of Miami Riverside Center. Mr. Bibeau stated that the MRC had unanimously approved Captain James Maes’ recommendation to eliminate Sections 33-278.8 and 33-278.9 (related to walls, open space and greenbelts) from the draft ordinance. The UIWG has agreed to include Mr. Jeffrey Hooper’s “Emergency Clause” provision, related to shipping businesses along the Miami River .  Ms. Helen Brown, Miami-Dade County , noted that once she received a copy of the draft with its reflected changes, she would forward it to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro. Commissioner Barreiro would then forward the draft to the County Attorney , who would then pass it along to the Board of County Commissioners.

III. Status of the “Boat Slip Bank” Resolution Pending before the Board of County Commissioners - Mr. Bibeau stated that the Miami-Dade County Infrastructure and Land Use Committee had passed the “Boat Slip Bank” resolution on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 . The resolution is expected to go before the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 .

Discussion ensued regarding permit fees and boat slips…

IV. New Business - Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group, stated she would be participating in the May 11-12, 2005 Sea Cargo of the Americas Conference. Dr. Bohnsack mentioned her recent meeting with the General Counsel of St. Lucia to discuss the Miami River .

Dr. Bohnsack noted that Caribbean ambassadors were expected to arrive in Miami in June for an event/conference.

Mr. Murley suggested marketing the Miami River Greenway and its future Developments more efficiently. Signage along the Miami River would be a start, noted Mr. Murley.

Ms. Kelly asked for an update regarding “The Miami River …Works for Me” public awareness campaign. Mr. Bibeau stated that Phase I of the marketing campaign had been completed, which included the distribution of press releases, buttons and the filming of Miami River stakeholders repeating the catch phrase in a variety of languages during the Ninth Annual Miami Riverday Festival.

Mr. Bibeau noted that MRC staff and the South Florida Water Management District had collected over 1,000 signatures of local residents and business owners wishing to lend their efforts to the campaign. Mr. Bibeau added that their contact information had already been included in the MRC’s database.

Mr. Bibeau stated he was currently waiting to receive and preview a copy of the tape from the South Florida Water Management District, which would then become a PSA/TV commercial.

The EDC agreed to address the remaining “Action Items” identified during the MRC’s September 27, 2004 Miami River Marine Industries Symposium at the next publicly noticed EDC meeting.

The meeting adjourned.