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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

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The Miami River Commission’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Tuesday, October 17, 2006, noon at the Robert King High New Board Room.

I) Set Agenda for MRC’s October 2, 2006 Meeting Agenda
Mr. Brett Bibeau stated during the MRC’s Economic Development & Commerce Subcommittee’s September 18, 2006 meeting, Odebrecht, a multi-national construction company, and the Miami River Marine Group, presented a video with a virtual tour of potential opportunity areas west along the “Upper” Miami River for truck staging sites, cargo facilities, warehouses, and transportation linkages with Miami International Airport, the Miami Intermodal Center, CSX Rail Road, the Port of Miami River, etc.  Mr. Bibeau noted the study area extended from NW 36^th Street to the Miami River , and continued from Le Jeune Road to the entrance of MIA (creating a reverse J path). Mr. Bibeau added the EDC had found the video generally consistent with “ Upper River ” goals of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.

 Mr. Bibeau noted at the meeting, the EDC had discussed the creation of a marketable master plan for the area, addressing a variety of marine related opportunities/uses. Dr. Fran Bohnsack noted Odebrecht had created the video under the direction and guidance of the Miami River Marine Group, and requested the MRC’s support in moving forward.  Chair Bagué asked how the video and future creation of a master plan could be incorporated into the MPO’s Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study, and Dr. Bohnsack replied she would submit the video and text to the consultants for inclusion in the Study.  Dr. Bohnsack added she had touched base with Mr. Jose Abreu, Miami-Dade County Aviation Director, whom seemed enthusiastic about the video.  The Executive Subcommittee agreed to place the item on the October 2 MRC agenda, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.

III. Discussion of Revised Web Site Proposals - Per the request of the Executive Board at the August 22, 2006 meeting, Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, re-presented three proposals/estimates from local and national firms to refurbish the Miami River Commission website.  Ms. Chase noted per the request of the Executive Board she had contacted the Campeon Group in an effort to reduce their originally submitted proposal to $3,500. Unfortunately, due to the exorbitant amount of PDF file conversion required for website reconstruction, the Campeon Group could only reduce their estimate to $4,375 ($800 reduction).

Ms. Chase distributed printed pages from each of the firm’s current websites (Studio Lilley, Affinity and Campeon Group).  Ms. Chase noted the estimates include maintenance, web updates, meeting minute archives, domain names, web hosting, etc.  Vice-Chair Phil Everingham made a motion to hire Affinity.  The motion was seconded by Chair Bagué and failed by a tie vote of 2-2 (with one abstention).  The Executive Board agreed to maintain its current website, host, and maintenance service provider.

IV. Discussion of Potential Miami River PSA Change-Order - Ms. Chase distributed an email by PSA Director Diana Udel , VTA, noting that there would be no additional charge for another day of shooting the “Miami River Works for Me” PSA.  In addition, the previously approved proposal was distributed.  The e-mail noted the only additional fee for the extra day would be $450.00 for the sound-tech.  Chair Bagué noted the previously taken footage for the PSA was great, yet contained company logos, and could therefore not be used.  Dr. Bohnsack asked what the new shots would be of, and Chair Bagué replied the same general themes and shots, yet without the logos and using less known people, therefore making it more likely to be aired on television stations.  Vice-Chair Everingham made a motion approving the $450 change-order necessary to complete the PSA; the motion was seconded by Chair Bagué and was adopted 4-1.

V. Discussion of Assistant Managing Director Cell Phone - Ms. Chase noted the previously approved cell phone service under the T-Mobile Plan providing 1500 minutes for $39.99 a month was no longer available.  Ms. Chase therefore presented a new plan offered by T-Mobile, 1000 minutes for $49.99 per month. The Executive Board unanimously approved to pay for Ms. Chase’s monthly cell phone service.

VI. Consideration of “Corporate Resolution” to Authorize F.A.C.E. Grant Agreement - Ms. Chase provided the “Corporate Resolution” required by the City of Miami to authorize a City of Miami F.A.C.E grant agreement between the City and the MRC for the annual Riverday Festival.  Mr. Winston moved the FACE Corporate Resolution, which was seconded by Chair Bagué, and unanimously adopted by the Executive Committee. 

VII. Discussion of Updated “ Miami River Commission Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects”- Mr. Bibeau distributed an updated “Miami River Commission Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects”, which was originally adopted by the Executive Board in August 2006.  Mr. Bibeau noted the update includes 100 additional volunteers and two additional sites, bringing the grand total to 450 volunteers at 14 sites during 6 events.  Mr. Bibeau noted the creation of the MRC recommended riverfront pocket park owned by Bell South on S. River Drive and NW 2 ST, will now consist of two phases, since the site will be used during an upcoming utility relocation in preparation of the dredging project in the vicinity.  Therefore, the MRC’s total approved estimated cost incurred by November 4 is $8,529.35, leaving a $1,683.32 balance available for Phase II of creating the 2 ST pocket park.  The MRC’s Executive Committee unanimously accepted the update.

Mr. Gary Winston asked if MRC staff had coordinated these projects with the City of Miami , and Ms. Chase replied that coordination with the City remains on track.  The Executive Board’s newest member Mr. Richard Dubin (who has recently replaced Mr. Bud Morton as Chair of the Miami River Marine Group and therefore a MRC member) suggested MRC staff contact high school Key Club organizations to obtain additional volunteers for future events.

The Excutive Board noted although periodic volunteer events funded by the MRC are positive contributions towards providing maintenance along the Miami River Greenway, a more through and consistent plan, resources, and funding from the public sector are required to provide long-term Greenways maintenance.  Mr. Bibeau noted since the MRC’s Miami River Greenway Retreat, “Greenways Governance”, which includes maintenance, security and special events, remains a regular agenda item on the MRC’s monthly subcommittee meetings.  Mr. Bibeau added MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chair Dr. Martin and Mr. Nottingham, DDA, had publicly noticed a meeting with TPL and MRC staff on Friday, September 22, at 2 pm, DDA offices, to continue to address these concerns and discuss the Greenway sections within the DDA boundaries. 

VIII. New Business- The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Ms. Chase noted the Miami-Dade County Environmental Community Based Organization had awarded the MRC $22,644 in the 2006-2007 Fiscal Year to continue the Miami River Boat tour program.
• Mr. Bibeau announced the MRC’s Director’s and Officers Insurance has been renewed.
• Mr. Bibeau reported per the direction of the Executive Committee when approving health and dental insurance for MRC staff in August 2006, he contacted the MRC’s auditors for input on the payment process.  The auditors indicated the IRS considers cell phone and travel expenses as business needs, and are therefore not taxed. The auditor further explained since Health and Dental Insurance is considered a benefit compensation, taxes would need to be paid. Therefore, the MRC may make a one time payment of $2,649.95 (the approved medical $2,520 + $129.95 dental insurance for one year) to Mr. Bibeau and $2,929.95 (the approved $2,800 medical and $129.95 dental for one year) to Ms. Chase, minus social security, taxes and Medicaid.  The Executive Committee approved the auditor recommended payment process for the MRC staff medical and dental insurance.
• Mr. Winston suggested that Mr. Bibeau ask the MRC’s Tallahassee Intergovernmental Affairs consultant Doug Bruce about the possibility of advocating for a re-occurring MRC operational funding source in the 2007 Legislative session.  Chair Bagué stated the SFWMD is about to provide final approval of $250,000 for the MRC operational funding for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.  Chair Bagué noted her term with the SFWMD expires in March 2007.
• The Executive Board agreed to meet in the new second floor of Garcia’s Seafood Restaurant, which is scheduled for opening in three weeks, for their October meeting. Should the upstairs venue not be completed by then, the Executive Board agreed to meet in the Robert King High New Board Room.  Dr. Bohnsack and Sallye Jude offered to host future Executive meetings as well.

 The meeting adjourned.

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