Ms. Kelly thanked Ms. Sara Babun, Antillean Marine, for hosting the public meeting at her shipping terminal, and asked her to provide a brief history of her marine industrial business.  Ms. Babun stated Antillean Marine Shipping Terminal has been operating on the Miami River since 1963, and is a niche carrier to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and other Caribbean ports of call.  Antillean trades in containers and break bulk.  Antillean Marine has a “sister” trucking company with 70 trucks, and a container repair company, Florida Container.  Ms. Babun stated Antillean Marine is pleased that the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project has commenced.  Babun explained that when the dredging is completed, they will be able to fill cargo to full 2,400 ton capacity, rather than the 900-1,200 tons they have been loading vessels to, because the river’s designated 15 foot deep federal navigable channel has been swallowed with contaminated sediments.  Ms. Babun stated 80% of their cargo are material which are shipped out, and are shipped back as manufactured garments for major American retail companies including K-Mart, Target, Lee Jeans, etc.  Ms. Babun stated she is not opposed to redevelopment within the lower and parts of the middle river areas, yet supports the preservation of the marine industry in the upper river.  Ms. Babun noted the importance for the 50 shallow draft Caribbean ports to receive trade from the Miami River’s shallow draft vessels.

Ms. Kelly provided the EDC with the attached list of “Action Items” identified by attendees during the September 27, 2004 Miami River Marine Industries Symposium.  Ms. Kelly stated the EDC will be working on implementing the Action Items, which will most benefit the Miami River’s marine industry.  The EDC discussed the action items, and strategized their implementation.

Ms. Kelly stated the next EDC meeting, “Exploring the Working River - Part II” will focus on the Miami River’s recreational boat yard sector of the marine industry, and will be hosted by Merrill-Stevens.

The meeting adjourned.