The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Working Group convened its regularly scheduled second Tuesday of the month meeting on October 8, 2002, 3 pm, at the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Library Map Room.  Megan Kelly and Cleve Jones Jr. co-chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

The EDC discussed the recently implemented new draw bridge operational rules to accommodate the 2^nd Ave Bridge construction.  The United States Coast Guard (USCG) noticed mariners that the first 36-hour closure of the Miami River was from Thursday, October 3, 7 AM to Friday, October 4, 7 PM.  Andy DeSorbo, Gilbert Southern (2^nd Ave Bridge contractors), stated the bridge leaf closing the River was raised to only 38 degrees on Saturday, October 5, at 1 am.  The USCG contacted Gilbert Southern Saturday morning to open the bridge further, in order to re-open the river for navigation by tug and tows.  Sometime between noon and 1 PM on Saturday, October 5, the bridge leaf was opened to the full 56 degrees, re-opening the river to tug and tow navigation.  This was approximately 18 hours after the Coast Guard authorized closure ended.  DeSorbo explained that Gilbert Southern did not fully open the bridge leaf because they were concerned that the hydraulic hoses may be stretched and fail.  Gilbert Southern replaced the hoses on Monday, October 7, 2002.  Dr. Fran Bohnsack and David Miller stated several vessels under tow were delayed when the bridge was not reopened after the authorized 36 hour-closure.  Bob McMonagle stated that Captain Watson, USCG, met with Gilbert Southern on Monday, October 7, 2002, regarding the problems, which resulted in the extended closure of the Federal Navigable Channel and dangerous situations when vessels under tow were forced to dock at unsafe locations.  Gilbert Southern will contact the USCG and marine industry regarding all future closures and re-openings of the River, and the USCG will issue a Notice-to-Mariners.  In addition, Gilbert Southern will coordinate river closure schedules with the marine industry and confirm the noticed re-opening times two hours in advance.  Gilbert Southern is tentatively proposing 12-hour closures on October 18th, 21st and 25th and an additional 36 hour closure on a date to be determined.  Miller advised Gilbert Southern that only the USCG can close a Federal Navigable Channel and this is done by a broadcast Notice-to Mariners on radio channel 16.  Without this official USCG notice, mariners are free to transit the River, which unfortunately in this case placed several vessels in unsafe situations.  Brett Bibeau asked if the bridge design included colored lights, and bridge representatives stated they would check to see if they are included in the plans.

Bibeau stated the City and County Commissions passed items to expand the existing Enterprise Zone within the River Corridor, pursuant to State legislation passed last year.  The Governor’s Office of Tourism and Economic Development is reviewing the local application for the authorized expansion and will make a final determination by January 2003.  In November 2002 the City Commission will hear the 2^nd reading of an Ordinance to provide local Ad Valorem tax waivers to new and expanding businesses within the Enterprise Zone.

Dianne Johnson provided the EDC with the draft “Miami River Corridor Economic & Land Use Analysis, Preliminary Scope of Services”.  The EDC agreed to review the draft and provide comments at the next meeting.

Megan Kelly stated she requested the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce include a Florida Department of Transportation Miami River Tunnel study as a legislative item this session.

Cleve Jones, Jr. requested MRC staff to investigate the recent tree removals in Sewell Park, which is currently zoned “Conservation”.  Furthermore Jones recommended MRC staff send any necessary correspondence regarding their findings to the City of Miami Manager and Mayor.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the EDC was confirmed for the second Tuesday of the month, November 12, 2:30 PM, Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Dean’s Conference Room.

The meeting adjourned.