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   MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE MINUTES:
  Minutes of meeting 		DEC. 11, 2001
3:00 PM
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

The Miami River Commission’s Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Working Group met at 3:00 PM, Tuesday, December 11, 2001, at the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway.  Megan Kelly chaired the meeting.  Cleve Jones Jr., Jones Boatyard, Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, Steve Carter, Miami River corridor resident David Miller and Brett Bibeau, Miami River Commission, attended the meeting.

 
Megan Kelly reminded the EDC that the Miami River Commission (MRC) would determine their official position regarding the proposed Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and all proposed river crossings to it.  Kelly referenced a front page article in the December 11, Daily Business Review stating the MIC project has paused because they are still in need of funding for the light rail connector between the MIC and Miami International Airport terminal.  The EDC discussed their position regarding the entire MIC project and additional options for its river crossings.  Dr. Bohnsack stated she spoke with City Commissioner and Metropolitan Planning Organization Board member Arthur Teele, who feels the security of the MIC concept with transferring luggage between the MIC and Terminals should be re-examined.  Bibeau stated on November 28, 2001 he attended an Earlington Heights Metro-Rail Connector Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting.  Bibeau reminded the EDC that on November 15, 2001, Larry Foutz told the MRC that a tunnel beneath the Miami River was a feasible alternative for linking the MIC with Metro-Rail, during the Nov. 28 CAC meeting Foutz stated the tunnel was not feasible.  Foutz explained to the CAC that at a Earlington Heights Metro-rail Connector Technical Advisory Committee a Miami-Dade Transit Authority staffer stated the necessary 1% grade waiver may be denied.  Dr. Bohnsack stated if any agency attempts to shorten the Federal Navigable Channel, she would advise the shipping industry to retain an attorney to defend maintaining the current length of the Channel.  Dr. Bohnsack stated the historic Miami River Rapids area would be impacted by the Earlington-Heights Metro-Rail connector 27th Ave route option.  Bibeau stated the City Commission designated Miami River Rapids Park a Historic site in 1990.  The EDC agreed that if the Federal Navigable Channel is shortened, the Marine industry should be mitigated for their loss.  An example of mitigation is increased Marine Industrial Zoning.     Jones stated there are several existing buildings near the airport, such as the Embassy Suites, which are taller that the 45 foot MDX bridge, and questions if the glide path requires the bridge to be less than 75 feet, shortening of the Federal Navigable Channel.  Bibeau stated the MRC requested the rules and regulations regarding setbacks from the proposed Metro-Rail extension, and use of the Right of Way beneath the line, over a month ago, and still have not received the information.  Jones stated Bibeau made a good point, because those rules and regulations are a critical component of this issue. Bibeau read the EDC’s two existing resolutions regarding this issue into the record, “The EDC unanimously recommended achieving MIC access without adversely effecting the “working river” and “Since a tunnel is the only river-crossing alternative providing continuous flow of both marine and vehicular traffic, the EDC unanimously recommends the proposed tunnel provide MIC access for all transit connectors crossing the Miami River.”

The EDC unanimously passed the following new motions:

  • The EDC recommended new river crossing options be examined, which do not adversely affect the “working river”, such as crossings west of the Federal Navigable Channel, to the West of the Salinity Dam.
  • The EDC unanimously supports the Tunnel, with all adjacent property remaining Marine Industrial.
  • The EDC unanimously opposed any shortening of the Federal Navigable Channel

Megan Kelly directed MRC staff to review all Environmental Impact Statements related to the MIC and its numerous River crossings.

Jones asked about the status of obtaining a Miami River Clean-up vessel.  Bibeau stated the MRC has authorized him to submit a Florida Inland Navigational District grant application, which is due in April 2002, to fund the Clean-up vessel.  Jones stated he was glad to hear that because every time the salinity dam is opened it looks like a “styrofoam parade”.

Bibeau provided the EDC with bullet points regarding the MRC’s evidence that the entire Miami River corridor is eligible for the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone.  The MRC will be working towards getting the entire Miami River corridor properly designated as a HUB zone.

At the request of the EDC, Bibeau stated he attended a meeting of the Miami-Dade County Boat docking and Boat Storage Facilities Advisory Committee.  The Committee Chair, Spencer Meredith, stated the advisory committee would be reviewing the 22 conditions within the Marine Operator Permit.  Bibeau stated he would continue to monitor the advisory committees work, and report back to the EDC.

The next EDC meeting was scheduled, as usual for the second Tuesday of the month, January 8, 2002, 3 pm, Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway.  The meeting was adjourned.

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