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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7St. Suite D, Miami FL 33125
Phone: 305-664-0544
Fax: 305-642-1136
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.ed

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The Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Monday, April 10, 2006, noon, at the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive , Miami , FL.  

I. Set Agenda for MRC’s May 1, 2006 Meeting - Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated per the City of Miami’s suggestion, Greenberg Traurig scheduled a presentation of “Miami River Place”, a proposed development at 710-720 NW North River Drive, to the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) on Wednesday, April 12, 2 pm, 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.   The proposed development, noted Mr. Bibeau, would require a Class II Special Permit and a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, because it is located within the river’s historically designated Spring Garden neighborhood.  The Executive Board unanimously agreed to have the UIWG hear the proposed development on April 12, and that the MRC board not hear the item until it has been presented to the Spring Garden Neighborhood Civic Association. 

Mr. Bibeau reported the City of Miami mailed MRC staff an invitation to attend a Large Scale Development Committee hearing, along with the proposed plans, for a development along the River’s South Fork, located at 1975-2051 NW 11 Street.  The proposed project, noted Mr. Bibeau, is requesting a land use and zoning amendment from Marine-Industrial to Commercial for a 1,048 residential-unit development.  The property, added Mr. Bibeau, is the former location of the “Consolidated Boatyard”.  The Executive Board noted the City Resolution requests the MRC’s advisory recommendation on agenda items which “impact the Miami River”, and deemed the proposed 1,048 residential unit development does “impact the Miami River ”.  In addition, the Executive Board noted the MRC has heard presentations on proposed developments on tributaries adjacent to the Miami River , such as “River Oaks” and “Havana River Lofts”.  Therefore, the Executive Board directed staff to schedule the proposed development to be presented to the UIWG and MRC.  

Mr. Bibeau distributed invitations to the Miami River Multi-Modal Transportation Study’s “Brainstorming Session,” to be held on Wednesday, April 26, 9-11 am, 1407 NW 7 ST. Chairperson Irela Bagué asked Ms Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, to forward her a copy of the MRC and Kimley-Horn’s e-mail database and extend an invitation to Javier Rodriguez, FDOT, as well as Federal, State and local elected officials.  Mr. Bibeau provided a memo to the Executive Board, listing the previous studies and plans the UIWG will provide Kimley-Horn and Associates and the MPO during their April 12, 2006 meeting.    

II. Miami River Maintenance Dredging Discussion - Chairperson Bagué stated she had met with Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess, regarding the possibility of advancing local funding for the Miami River Maintenance Dredging project, and alternate payment solutions to complete the project.

Mr. Bibeau distributed the recently adopted House and Senate General Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007.  The Senate Bill (SB 2700) contains $4 million for the project, while the House Bill (HB 5001) includes $1.3 million, and will proceed to conference.  Mr. Bibeau noted the project was in a similar situation in FY ‘06, when the House had approved $3 million and the Senate hadn’t included any funding in their budget version.  Mr. Bibeau provided the Executive Board with copies of the MRC’s dredging support letters sent to the legislators as they entered conference last year.  Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC provided their letter last year to additional stakeholders, asking them to send similar letters, and provided copies of those additional letters sent to several legislators from representatives of Congress, City, County, etc.  Mr. Bibeau noted this approach proved successful last year, since in conference the State agreed to appropriate the House’s $3 million for the project.  Therefore, Mr. Bibeau suggested a similar approach this year, and Chair Bagué signed copies of MRC letters to several legislators, which will again be provided to additional stakeholders as well.  The Executive Board directed Mr. Bibeau to contact Miami Herald Editor Kathleen Krog, to suggest an article and or editorial about the current status of the Miami River maintenance dredging project.

III. Tenth Annual Riverday Re-cap – Since this item was requested by Phil Everingham, whom was unable to attend the meeting due to a business trip, the Executive Board deferred the item to a future meeting when he is available to participate.

IV. Discussion Regarding Planning Greenways Retreat II - The Executive Board agreed the MRC would not schedule a Greenways Retreat II until they had received a response to the Chair’s letters to the City of Miami , regarding the riverwalk’s public accessibility covenants / easements and the planned riverwalk cross sections.

V.  Discussion of MRC Website - Chair Bagué stated the MRC’s website needs a facelift, and asked Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, to continue reaching out for bids from local graphic designers.  The Executive Board agreed the MRC’s website should become more interactive, include a discussion forum, children activities page, community calendar, and visit counter.  The Executive Board noted Mr. Everingham had expressed an interest in this item as well, and looked forward to receiving his additional input at a future meeting. 

 VI. Discussion of MRC Subcommittee/ Working Group Structure - Since this item was requested by Phil Everingham, whom was unable to attend the meeting due to a business trip, the Executive Board deferred the item to a future meeting when he is available to participate.

 VII. New Business – The Executive Board encouraged MRC staff’s participation at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Goals Conference, May 19-21.

The meeting adjourned.

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