CONTACT US!
For more information, contact us via email at mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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

This site
prepared and designed by
Mark Sell Communications, Inc. Public Relations

Chairperson Irela Bagué, called the Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee to order on Thursday, July 21, 2005 , 8:00 a.m. , at the Green Streets Café, 3468 Main Highway , Coconut Grove , FL.  

I.  Set Agenda for MRC’s September 12, 2005 Meeting at Noon, Robert King High, 1401 NW 7^th Street

Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated three proposed developments along the Miami River Corridor are scheduled to be presented to the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group in August: 1) “Hidden Harbor,” 1951 NW South River Drive; 2) “Miami River Rapids,” a 2,000 residential-unit development located west of 27^th Avenue at 1850 Delaware Parkway; 3) a yet-to-be-named residential project located at the former York Shrine Temple site, 1690 NW North River Drive. 

Mr. Bibeau asked Chairperson Irela Bagué if the South Florida Water Management District could present its “Biscayne Bay Economic Study” before the MRC board during its next publicly noticed meeting on September 12, 2005 , and Chairperson Bagué stated she would check with district staff to ensure the study was ready for presentations.  Vice-Chairman Phil Everingham noted that Dr. Grace Johns, Hazen & Sawyer, had presented an “Executive Summary” of the “Biscayne Bay Economic Baseline and Trend Report-Task 3” before the City of Miami ’s Waterfront Advisory Board on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 , City Hall. Chairperson Bagué asked Mr. Bibeau to look into scheduling a presentation from Dr. Johns.

II. Discuss Proposed MRC Retreat – MRC staff distributed copies of the MRC retreat’s “scope of services” to the Executive Board. Mr. Bibeau stated the document, related to the publicly noticed October 14 and October 28 half and full-day MRC retreats, clearly outlines both Ms. Janice Fleischer’s and the Miami River Commission’s responsibilities. Mr. Bibeau noted there was sufficient funding to hire Ms. Fleischer for her services, currently priced at $4,200. Chairperson Bagué stated that $4,200 was a fair price, considering Ms. Fleischer’s vast experience in conflict resolution and coordinating goals and objectives. Mr. Gary Winston asked what the MRC retreat would discuss and accomplish, and Mr. Bibeau responded that maintenance, security and special event planning along the Miami River Greenway would be the initial focus of the retreat. Mr. Bibeau added that a variety of organization and governance models would also be examined in order to ensure the Greenway’s future success. Chairperson Bagué stated in addition the retreat would help define the MRC’s future role, discuss potential partnerships and serve as a brainstorming session for efficient planning. Vice-Chairman Everingham mentioned he could not attend the full-day October 14 MRC retreat due to a previously scheduled engagement, and Chairperson Bagué directed MRC staff to check the schedules of MRC board members to coordinate possible alternate dates for the retreat. In the meantime, Mr. Bibeau agreed to amend the “scope of services” to read: Date To Be Determined, and the Executive Committee unanimously approved the revised Scope of Services.

III.  Discuss $25,000 MRC Cost Share for “ Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study”- MRC staff distributed copies of the draft “scope of services” for the “Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study,” drafted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, (MPO). Mr. Bibeau asked the Executive Board to consider using $25,000 from a previously awarded Miami-Dade County grant to supplement the MPO’s $75,000 contribution to the study. Mr. Winston asked why the MRC is willing to contribute, in his opinion, a significant sum of money for the study, and Mr. Bibeau responded that, considering the large scope of the study, as well as the variety of modes of transportation needed to be examined, the quality and product of work would significantly improve with the additional MRC funding, as recommended by the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group. Chairperson Bagué asked if the MRC would participate in the study’s Advisory Committee, and Mr. Bibeau responded that due to the MRC’s generous $25,000 contribution (if approved by the Executive Board), the MRC would most likely have a seat, but would not be involved in the actual hiring process. Chairperson Bagué stated she believed the MRC should have a seat on the MPO’s Advisory Committee and asked Mr. Bibeau to place the item on the MRC’s September agenda for a vote. Vice-Chairman Everingham asked for a project time frame, and Mr. Bibeau responded the study would probably take nine months following the contractor’s note to proceed. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Everingham to place the item on the MRC’s September agenda, and was unanimously adopted.

IV.  Discuss Proffered Covenant of Proposed Project, 1622-1630 NW 22^nd Ave. & 2210 NW North River Drive from Duplex Residential (R-2) to High Density Residential (R-4)- Mr. Bibeau stated that Miami City Commissioners had approved the proposed project at first reading on Thursday, June 23, 2005 partially due to a proffered covenant submitted to the City of Miami Planning Department, limiting the height of development on the property to a maximum of 120 feet. Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the covenant, which did not mention the creation of a publicly accessible riverwalk.  Bibeau noted MRC staff is currently planning on forwarding the MRC’s original unanimous recommendation for denial of the project at second reading on Thursday, July 28, 2005 . The Executive Committee concurred that although a covenant had been proffered, no significant changes to the original project plans had been made to warrant a second review before the MRC board.

V.  Discussion of County-Owned CAA Property on North River Drive- Mr. Bibeau reported Miami-Dade County was moving towards surplusing the CAA site on the North side of North River Drive , near East Coast Fisheries. Mr. Bibeau asked for the Executive Committee’s direction on whether or not MRC staff should investigate any feasibility for a potential partnership between the Miami River Fund Inc., a 501(c)(3), and a private developer in possibly utilizing/developing the site. Chairperson Bagué stated the site was a prime location on the Miami River and should be further explored. Mr. Richard Bunnell asked about the site’s potential plans, and Mr. Bibeau stated the site was heading towards an affordable housing use, which would not allow market-rate development. Chairperson Bagué asked Mr. Bibeau to explore different opportunities/timeframe for the site through examining past partnership models. Mr. Bibeau agreed to report his findings at the next Executive Subcommittee meeting.

VI.  Consideration of MRC Audit Accounting Firm Renewal- Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP audit proposal.  Bibeau noted the firm conducted the last two audits, and has raised its proposed annual audit fee from $10,500 to $11,000.  Chairperson Bagué made a motion to approve the renewal of Morrison Brown Argiz to conduct the annual audit, and the motion was unanimously adopted.

VII.  Discussion of Re-applying for DERM CBO Funding for Miami River Educational Boat Tours - Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, asked the Executive Committee to authorize MRC staff to submit the annual Miami-Dade County Environmental Enhancement and Education Community Based Organization Grants Program application for funding to continue providing Miami River environmental education boat tours, coordinate volunteer clean-ups and Adopt-A-Tree events, and distribute and promote the MRC’s “Energy Efficiency & Water Conservation Report” within the Miami River Corridor. Vice-Chairman Everingham moved to approve re-applying for DERM CBO funding, the motion was seconded by Mr. Bunnell and unanimously adopted.

VIII.  Hands on Miami - Mr. Bibeau stated due to an MRC application, Hands on Miami had pledged 200 volunteers to participate in a Miami River beautification project adjacent to and beneath the NW 27 Ave Bridge, along the River’s south shoreline, during the annual “Hands on Miami Day”, to be held on November 5, 2005.  The proposed Miami River project consists of:

Ø      South River Drive : landscaping and litter removal along NW 27^th Avenue to NW 20^th Street

Ø      Creation of a mural and/or basketball hoop beneath the NW 27^th Avenue Bridge

Bibeau noted over the past several years the MRC and Hands on Miami volunteers have partnered on previous Miami River improvement projects, including the creation of several waterfront pocket parks, murals, litter clean ups, etc. The Executive Committee suggested the MRC seek sponsorships for the material costs associated with the project to be constructed with volunteer labor.  Chairperson Bagué noted that “Hands on Miami Day” was a great opportunity, and asked Mr. Bibeau to provide a summary of costs for the event, so that she may present it to companies for potential sponsorships.  The MRC Executive Committee unanimously approved up to $7,000 of available MRC funding may be used for the “Hands on Miami Day” river project.

IX.   New Business-Chairperson Bagué noted the MRC plans to host a Development Summit in order to distribute the MRC’s “Energy Efficiency & Water Conservation Report,” and discuss pertinent Miami River topics of concern such as the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study. Chairperson Bagué made a motion authorizing the MRC to apply for South Florida Water Management District’s “SIP” grants as a future funding opportunity, and the motion was unanimously adopted. 

Chairperson Bagué stated she would like to have MRC staff participate in the City of Miami ’s August 14 “Guayabera Festival” at Jose Marti Park . Ms. Chase noted she had spoken to Ms. Claudia Miro, SFWMD, about sharing a booth and possibly contributing a $500 sponsorship fee.

The meeting adjourned.

    HOME   |     CALENDARS    |   ABOUT THE RIVER      |    ABOUT THE COMMISSION     |    DREDGING   |   GREENWAYS     
URBAN INFILL PLANS      |     STORMWATER RETROFITTING     |       MINUTES OF MEETINGS   |    LINKS