I.  Presentation and Discussion of City of Miami “Parks Master Plan”- Ms. Larissa Brown, Goody Clancy, discussed the goals, objectives and purpose of the City of Miami “Parks and Recreation Master Plan” with EDC meeting attendees. Ms. Brown stated the City of Miami is in the process of developing a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to generate a citywide vision of Miami ’s 21st century parks and recreation system. According to Ms. Brown, the Parks Master Plan has been organized into a series of tasks that incorporate details of parks and recreation systems with the broader objectives identified in the “Miami 21” process. Ms. Brown added that Goody Clancy is the prime consultant, and working in collaboration with the City, will have the primary responsibility of project management and coordination, as well as organization of public workshops. 

Ms. Brown explained the public outreach for the Parks Master Plan, which began in August 2005, is currently being conducted in the same quadrant sequence as the “Miami 21” public outreach process, and the master plan will occur in conjunction with the “Miami 21” rezoning process. According to Ms. Brown, outreach efforts consist of two kinds of events in each NET district: 1) a two-and-a-half-hour workshop where the public will have the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions about the parks and public spaces in their neighborhoods; 2) an open house, which has a drop-in format for informal discussions in which people can come at any time to view and give feedback on the results of the workshops and proposals. 

Ms. Brown stated the Parks Master Plan would examine the following:

·        Neighborhood connectivity

·        Recreational opportunities for children and adults

·        Environmental Enhancement

·        Creation of Civic Spaces

·        National systems for managing parks and public spaces

·        Funding capabilities

·        Design Concepts

·        Acquisition of land

Ms. Brown noted a citywide forum is tentatively scheduled in August 2006 to address and discuss all issues/concerns collected at the Parks Master Plan series of public workshops and open houses. Ms. Brown added the City of Miami would invite national parks experts to the aforementioned forum to establish goals and priorities.

Ms. Brown stated Goody Clancy would also conduct citywide surveys to 1) examine the needs and uses of park systems; 2) obtain input from current park users regarding current programming. The information collected form the surveys would eventually serve as a “blueprint” for the City of Miami Department of Parks and Recreation, noted Ms. Brown.

Ms. Brown listed a variety of issues/concerns obtained during previously held public workshops and open houses for the City of Miami Parks Master Plan :

·        Lack of small neighborhood parks and green space

·        Underserved and underutilized parks

·        Achieving a balance between green, passive park space and recreational programs

·        Examining demands of development’s incoming residents

·        Blue ways and greenways connections

·        Security and safety

·        Maintenance

·        Park access/public accessibility (pros and cons of fencing off areas)

·        Waterfront access

Ms. Brown distributed and reviewed draft copies of the “Vision for Parks and Public Spaces” for Downtown, Overtown, Allapattah and Flagami. Ms. Brown stated the City of Miami remains committed to completing the Baywalk, as well as the Miami River Greenway. Dr. Ernie Martin, Chair of the MRC Greenways Subcommittee, asked if Goody Clancy would encourage the City to visualize the Baywalk and the Miami River Greenway as one, complete entity, and Ms. Brown replied that Dr. Martin’s suggestion would be examined. Ms. Brown added that Goody Clancy is currently making an effort to include the Greenway system as part of the Parks Master Plan, and is also looking into a plethora of alternatives to achieve riverfront connectivity. Ms. Brown stated Goody Clancy currently endorses the creation of a riverwide 50-foot setback, allowing for publicly accessible riverwalks, within future redevelopment sites. Dr. Martin suggested that Goody Clancy assist the City in addressing public access and enforcement mechanisms along the Miami River Greenway, an item of concern which would be addressed at the MRC’s January 20, 2006 Greenways Retreat. Ms. Brown noted Goody Clancy would examine national stewardship organizations and other park systems/models to help address the aforementioned concerns. Ms. Brown added Goody Clancy would also look into new mechanisms to fund and maintain the City’s parks.

Though supportive of recreational opportunities along the Miami River, Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, noted a potential liability existed for kayakers and boaters beyond the 22^nd Avenue Bridge. Considered the heart of the river’s marine industries, this portion of the federal navigable channel is significantly narrow and could prove hazardous to navigate for the inexperienced. Ms. Brown noted she would relay that information to Goody Clancy consultants.

Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group, asked MRC staff to obtain information regarding the funding mechanism used by Atlanta , Georgia to maintain its Rail-line Corridor before the scheduled MRC Greenways Retreat.

Mr. Bibeau asked Ms. Brown if Goody Clancy would consider the Miami River Greenway a “linear park,” and Ms. Brown replied that could prove to be a possibility. If the Greenway were to be classified as a linear park, noted Mr. Bibeau, the City would ultimately bear the responsibility to budget for its maintenance, security and special events/marketing, as it does for other City Parks. 

Mr. Bibeau provided Ms. Brown with the “2nd Annual Update” to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, which outlines the progress made on the Plan’s Park related recommendations. Mr. Bibeau asked Ms. Brown if the Parks Master Plan is addressing the following Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan recommendations:

·        A riverfront Fisherman’s Wharf area in Lummus Landing, a concept featured and adopted in the City of Miami ’s Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan

·        Water Taxis / Water Bus stops at all riverfront parks

·        Public access to the Miccosukee limestone caves, located across form Sewell Park

·        Expansion and connection to Fern Isle Park

·        Creating pocket parks beneath bridges and at public utility sites

The EDC discussed the presented draft plan to purchase the Police Benevolent Association site across the South Fork from Fern Isle Park , and connect the two park areas with a pedestrian bridge.  Bibeau noted the proposal is consistent with the MRC recommendation to create new park space within the Miami River Corridor.  In addition the EDC briefly discussed the presented plans for redesigning the riverfront portion of Curtis Park, including relocation of a portion of the parking area.  Bibeau noted this area has the River’s only publicly accessible boat ramp area, which requires sufficient parking areas for boat trailers and vehicles.

Ms. Ashley Chase, Assistant Managing Director, asked if plans for the Miami Circle would be featured in the Parks Master Plan, and Ms. Brown replied that Goody Clancy was currently looking into opportunities for the Miami Circle . Ms. Brown noted that all ideas and concerns expressed during the Parks Master Plan public workshops and open houses, as well as neighborhood photos and land-use maps, would be posted on the City of Miami website. The EDC Subcommittee thanked Ms. Brown for her presentation.

Mr. Murley suggested that MRC staff update the map of the Miami River Greenway Action Plan in an effort to identify potential parks and open spaces for neighborhoods to enjoy.

II. Discussion of CAFTA , Central American Free Trade Agreement - Mr. Brian Williams, Governor Jeb Bush’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, made presentation regarding the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) and distributed articles/materials related to the item.  According to Mr. Williams, DR-CAFTA, which was passed by Congress in August 2004, is composed of countries such as the Dominican Republic , Ecuador , El Salvador , Honduras and Nicaragua .  Mr. Williams provided meeting attendees with the following facts:

·        The United States is the largest exporter to CAFTA countries

·        Trade between the United States and Central America is a two-way trading venture, exceeding $16 million in goods and providing over 60,000 direct jobs

·        CAFTA is estimated to generate an additional 36,000 jobs

·        5 of the 6 CAFTA countries are among Florida ’s top trading partners

·        CAFTA eliminates former larger tariffs on US exports to CAFTA countries, while allowing increased volume of imports from CAFTA countries

·        The passing of CAFTA was exceedingly difficult, with Governor Jeb Bush working hard on the front lines to ensure its adoption.

·        In January 2006, monthly conferences will be conducted to implement CAFTA; immigration will also be discussed

·        January 1, 2006 is the CAFTA implementation deadline, which may be extended because El Salvador is currently the only country prepared for implementation

·        Considering its niche market and classification as a shallow draft port catering to Caribbean nations, CAFTA is expected to have a positive effect on the Miami River

Dr. Bohnsack stated she believed CAFTA would have an incredibly profitable impact on the Miami River .  Dr. Bohnsack noted the Miami River shipping terminals already have a business relationship with garment manufacturers operating factories in CAFTA countries, and CAFTA will result in more two way trade, when previously their were more exports than imports. With the passing of CAFTA, the relationship between the river’s marine industries and its Central American neighbors are sure to be reinforced and strengthened, noted Dr. Bohnsack.

The EDC Subcommittee thanked Mr. Williams for his CAFTA presentation.

III. Discussion of Future Plans of Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Company - Mr. Ron Baker, Merrill-Stevens, presented EDC meeting attendees with preliminary designs of Merrill-Stevens’ proposed expansion. Merrill-Stevens is the oldest corporation in the State of Florida (incorporated in 1885) operating on the Miami River since 1923.  Mr. Baker stated the boatyards new owner, Mr. Hugh Westbrook, is planning a $40 million expansion of the business in order to be able to have the additional capacity to service larger mega-yachts, which are being purchased by several of their long-term clients, such as Mr. Forbes.  Mr. Baker noted Mr. Westbrook had been a Merrill-Stevens client for 20 years, and enjoys the Miami River ’s yachting industry.  Mr. Baker stated Mr. Westbrook has visited major recreational boatyards around the world in researching the proposed Merrill-Stevens expansion plans.  Mr. Baker stated the expansion would require the business to quadruple their full time employees.  Baker stated they have already purchased the former Bimini boatyard, adjacent to their south shore site, in addition to two homes in Spring Garden , which will be used for crew housing.  The proposal includes the demolishion of the facilities existing sheds, which were constructed in 1923.

The proposed project features:

·        Installation of a 2,500 ton ship lift system, which has the capacity of lifting mega-yachts up to 250 feet in length, in a new 120 foot tall structure

·        Looped transfer system undercover

·        Modern state-of-the-art paint facility

·        Full refit and repair services

·        A glass entrance over the NW 12^th Avenue Bridge, leading to Merrill-Stevens

·        Solar panel roof

To accomplish its mega-yacht related goals, Mr. Baker noted Merrill-Stevens requires the closure of the NW 13 Ave dead-end, to expand the boatyard area to the west, and extension of docking only to the west along County owned property at Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 ST. 

Mr. Baker stated a publicly accessible riverwalk may be provided while allowing for the additional dockage along the County owned property.  In addition, Baker stated Merrill Stevens will be approaching Miami-Dade County about expanding the boatyard facility to the east into the GSA property, 1175 NW South River Drive , immediately east of the NW 12 Ave. Bridge.  Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC had previously endorsed the “Miami River Urban Design Center Feasibility Study” submitted to the County, which suggested the County owned 1175 NW South River Drive site for the proposed Urban Design Center .

Dr. Bohnsack asked if Merrill-Stevens would consider developing a marine training and education facility to assist in increasing their workforce, and Mr. Baker replied he would look into that suggestion. Mr. Baker noted Merrill-Stevens is supportive of creating a Riverwalk on the south shore of the river, directly across from the current Merrill-Stevens site. Mr. Bibeau noted the Robert King High Greenway is currently a Miami-Dade County bond line item, and plans for its creation remain consistent with the MRC’s greenways vision. Mr. Bibeau stated Merrill Stevens is located within the designated Enterprise Zone, therefore the expansion plans make it possible for them to receive incentives including ad-valorem tax waivers, waiver of sales tax for building equipment and supplies, impact fee reimbursements, and additional tax breaks based on the number of hired local employees.  Mr. Bibeau stated he would provide Mr. Baker with a detailed package of information regarding these available incentives, and Mr. Baker thanked Mr. Bibeau.

Dr. Martin recommended that MRC staff feature the future preliminary plans for the expansion of Merrill-Stevens as part of Chairperson Irela Bagué’s monthly MRC Chair Report, yet not vote to create an official recommendation on the proposed expansion until the plans are further developed after discussions with Miami-Dade County , etc.  The EDC thanked Mr. Baker for the presentation.

IV. Status of Working Waterfront Legislation- Mr. Bibeau stated Miami-Dade County is continuing its analysis of creating an ordinance providing tax relief measures and incentives to marine industrial businesses, in correlation with the State’s recently adopted working waterfront legislation. Mr. Bibeau noted a formal policy of this legislation would be brought before the Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioners for consideration in the future.

V. Status of the Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay Ordinance- Following the November 14 EDC publicly noticed meeting, Mr. Bibeau stated he had written several e-mails and left numerous voicemail messages for the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department, regarding obtaining a revised draft of the ordinance, but had yet to receive a response. Mr. Bibeau noted that since last month’s EDC meeting, the four outstanding recommendations had been reduced to three. Mr. Bibeau added he hoped to receive a copy of the revised ordinance featuring the MRC’s suggested recommendations before the next regularly scheduled EDC meeting, and hopes the Board of County Commissioners would consider the ordinance in early 2006. 

V. Status of the “Boat Slip Bank” Resolution- Mr. Bibeau stated he had not received any updates concerning the “boat slip bank” resolution from the Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resource Management. At the November EDC meeting, Mr. Lee hefty, MD-DERM, had informed meeting attendees that Miami-Dade County had requested DERM to develop a policy for a “boat slip bank,” as recommended by the MRC. Mr. Hefty noted DERM was working on the language for a restrictive covenant that would run in perpetuity with the land, determining the number of allowable boat slips on one parcel, and transferring those slips to a new property, based on make a determination in the number of allowable boat slips based on historical aerials and other historical documentation.  At the November EDC meeting, Mr. Hefty had noted that the policy language for boat slip banks would be presented to the DERM Director at the end of November. 

The meeting adjourned.