I.  Status of Working Waterfront Legislation -

Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the 2005 “Working Waterfront Legislation”, House Bill 955, which provides the opportunity to local municipalities and County’s to adopt ordinances to provide economic incentives for existing marine industrial businesses.  Mr. Bibeau stated HB 683 was recently adopted by the FL Legislature, which included minor revisions to last year’s “Working Waterfronts Legislation”.  Mr. Bibeau distributed a November 2005 memorandum authored by County Manager George Burgess to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Chairman Joe Martinez and all members of the Board of County Commissioners, highlighting the tax relief & economic incentives which the “Working Waterfronts Legislation” enabled the County (and City) to provide by ordinance, and “directed the Tax Collector’s Office and Property Appraiser Department to further evaluate the specifics of the this bill after which time, I expect to advance a recommendation for your consideration.”  Mr. Winston recommended the MRC contact the County Manager to ask for an update on the Department’s response to the Manager’s directive related to the Working Waterfronts Legislation.

II.  Review of Existing Economic Incentives – Mr. Bibeau provided EDC attendees with a brief overview and copies of the application forms for the following existing economic incentive programs:

·        “Enterprise Zone Program – Miami-Dade County and State of Florida Incentives”

·        “IRS Publication 954 - Tax Incentives for Empowerment Zones and Other Distressed Communities”

·        “Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust Application”

·        “Community Renewal Tax Relief Incentives”

·        “A Guide to Industrial Development Revenue Bond Financing in Dade County ”

III.   Status of the Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay Ordinance – The EDC attendees discussed the well attended May 10, 2006 public informational meeting hosted by the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department, regarding their drafted Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance, which is proposed for riverfront properties in unincorporated Miami-Dade County , to the west of NW 27 Ave.  The County direct mailed every property owner within ½ mile of the “Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay” area, in addition to several other means of publicly noticing the meeting.

Mr. Reinaldo Valdes, American Caribbean Terminal, stated an Affidavit was submitted, indicating 81% of the property owners in the proposed area are in opposition to the current draft of the Marine Industrial Zoning ordinance, and were unaware of the proposed legislation.  Mr. Jeffrey Hooper, AME Shipping, disagreed, stating although his father generally supports the draft Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance, his name mistakenly appears on the affidavit in opposition.  Mr. Hooper noted large property owners in the area were not notified of the circulated affidavit, that the property owners had been notified of numerous public meetings which have been held over the past four years regarding the proposed ordinance, and that misinformation had been spread about the impacts of the proposed draft ordinance.  Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group (MRMG) stated Mr. Valdes had received six MRMG meeting agendas, which included the draft ordinance as an agenda item.  Mr. Bibeau stated the MRC recommended the draft Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance, which was drafted by the County’s Planning and Zoning Department, in part because it was recommended by several business and property owners in the area during the 2 year, 42 public hearing planning process (2000-2002) to create the award winning Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and numerous subsequent public meetings, such as the September 2004 Miami River Marine Industries Symposium.  Mr. John Burke, American Caribbean Terminal, asked how Commissioner Barreiro had decided to proceed regarding the draft ordinance, and Mr. Bibeau stated he received an e-mail from the Commissioner’s designee, Betty Gutierrez , stating the Commissioner requested the County’s INLUC subcommittee table the item.  Mr. Bibeau read a portion of the aforementioned affidavit, “Furthermore I/We, individually and jointly, agree to wait for the Re-Write of Miami-Dade County Zoning Code, so that the future of our properties  within the above mentioned boundary is and will continue to be part of the economical future development of the whole County.”  Mr. Bibeau stated he understood this to mean that the individuals whom signed the affidavit “agree to wait for the re-write of the zoning code”, when this issue maybe revisited.  Mr. Valdes and Mr. Burke clarified they would remain in opposition of the current draft ordinance’s text if inserted into the Zoning Code rewrite.  Mr. Bibeau referenced the EDC’s April minutes, which includes discussion regarding several potential revisions to the draft ordinance.  Mr. Morton stated there remains conflicting opinions regarding whether once the first phase of potentially creates the new Marine Industrial Zoning category, would individual property owners have the right to “opt-out” of the second phase of the designation, when the Planning and Zoning Director applies for the new zoning category to be applied to specific parcels.  Mr. Morton recommended the Zoning Director’s application provide the opportunity for individual property owners to opt out, and remain with their existing zoning.  

The next regularly scheduled second Monday of the Month, 3 PM , EDC meeting was confirmed for June 12, 2006 , 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.

The meeting adjourned.