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Introductions were made. Minutes from the December 8, 1999 joint meeting of the Quality of Life Working Group and Greenway Subcommittee were approved.

Chuck Flink updated the group on the status and progress of the Miami River Greenway Master Plan (GMP). He stated that a revised edition of the Inventory Report will be sent to the committee by February 15 for further review. The challenging part of the process is the development of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database for the river. Lavinia Battle outlined the request for shapefile information from DERM, per a memo from Sara Chambers of Greenways, Inc.

Chuck stated that along with the geographical database, the GMP will have a report that will influence the development of a greenway system. The two will work together to raise awareness and develop the plan. Data collection will continue throughout the course of the year-long planning process. Chuck stated that the working draft of the concept plan divides the river into 5 themes based on the field inventory conducted by his staff. The proposed themes are as follows:

• From the Bay to I-95: Downtown

• From I-95 to 7 Ave.: Commercial Fishing and Restaurants

• From 7 Ave. to 12 Ave.: Residential

• From 12 Ave. to 27 Ave.: Marine Industrial

• From 27 Ave. to Palmer Lake: Shipping Industrial

      The themes will be further defined with input from the committee through review of the initial draft of the Concept Plan. The first draft will be distributed in early March. Concept maps will be developed, reviewed and improved before presentation to the public. The first draft of the Concept Plan will be reworked by the committee as well as professional public agency staff March 8-9. The public meetings will give us an opportunity to provide the community with information about the GMP concept and will give the public the opportunity to give us input in the planning process.
      Brenda Marshall stated that the goal is to roll out the work plan at Miami River Day. There will be a booth at Lummus Park as well as Jose Marti Park at East Little Havana's Earth Day celebration.
     Regarding the 5 themes Chuck proposed, Theo Long suggested the residential theme boundaries be extended to NW 22 Avenue to more accurately reflect the residential neighborhoods along the river.
     Chuck indicated that a large map may be developed for the purposes of drawing boundaries for each theme. Jeff Cohen stated that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) previously ratified the North Dade Greenway Plan and the MPO is behind this effort.
     Lastly, Lavinia read the list of stakeholders meeting that were scheduled for Chuck from February 1-2.

An  application for a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) amendment has been advertised regarding property adjacent to Allied Marine. Jim Murley stated that a CDMP amendment is broad and appropriate for Miami River Commission review.
     Theo Long suggested that the group not make judgements about the proposed use of the property and recommended a site visit. She stated that she would not want to see the site go to industry. Sallye expressed a concern about the river being walled-off. Fran Bohnsack recommended that the group not assume that marine industrial means containers and trucks. She stated that the plans for the site are beautiful and not what would be typically thought of when the term marine industrial is used.
     Ernie Martin stated that discussions need to occur with the City of Miami to try to get a review process in place. He also asked about the review process for CDMP applications. Sara Ingle volunteered to help the committee understand what happened in this case.

Dave Miller gave an update, stating the Miami River Commission (MRC) wrote a letter recommending a joint planning group from the city and county to take advantage of HB17. He and Bob Parks met with Commissioner Arthur Teele regarding dredging and also mentioned this issue. Commissioner Teele is in support of a comprehensive plan for the river corridor.
     Sallye stated that John Brennan, Chair of the Waterfront Advisory Board offered a letter of support for this effort. Jim stated that he met with Lee Rawlison and he will contact the City about this initiative, but indicated a desire to see the MRC take the lead on this due to the Planning Department's limited staff resources.
     Sara Ingle stated that the City approved on first reading a resolution designating the entire city as an urban infill area. The resolution is now on its way to the state. A transmittal letter to the state will outline the city's intent. Ernie stated the MRC needs to be listed in the transmittal letter.
     Chuck stated that Portland, OR was successful with an overlay area that was established in the 1970s. It instilled a process for first line review for development on its river. The importance of the economic impact statement was discussed as an important element in this process.
     Doug Yoder stated that he would follow-up with the property appraiser's office regarding property information that would be available on the internet.

Urban Design Committee: Ben Starrett gave an update on the work of the Urban Design Committee (UDC). The team has met twice and each member happened to attend The Trust for Public Land's National Advisory Council Meeting in Chattanooga, TN where first-hand information about its center was obtained. Neal McAliley and Maricarmen Martinez have adopted the South Florida Design Center as their project for the Miami Fellows Initiative.
      Ben distributed a document developed by the team titled, "A Prospectus for a South Florida Design Center" which highlights various models across the country. Based on the research, the successful design centers have multiple funding sources, a perception of independence, a strong design component and promotes the philosophy of good growth. The team found Chattanooga's model to be inspiring because it incorporates these elements.
      The concept here is for the Miami River Greenway Master Plan process to act as a pilot center that would eventually be expanded to cover the South Florida region. Furthermore, the concept is for the design center to service the public and governing bodies and the private sector will then follow. Chattanooga should be the standard, where the public played a key role.
     It was suggested that the builders association be a part of the process.
     Maurice Ferre recommended calling the center an "Urban Design Center." He also suggested that the process be a top down and bottom up decision making process. He recommended more community involvement in the process and stated that education and strong public leadership is essential to getting the Hispanic community involved. He also recommended that a group of elected officials be taken to Chattanooga in order to get the concept of a local Urban Design Center on the radar screen.
     Jim suggested that the emphasis should be placed on the fact that it will be a public center to help the political leadership. In addition, the center should be considered a technology center that will benefit our education system.
     Ben asked for any input or comments be sent via email to bstarrett@collinscenter.org or call him or Karla Ebenbach at (305) 377-4484.

Announcements:    Jim mentioned the Miami River Improvement Bill that will be considered by the State Legislature. He also created a new ad hoc committee to study the economic impacts of the tunnel/bridge issue. He also informed the group that no action had been taken on the Gate House issue.
     Jim and Dave spoke about the Public Safety Committee working on an issue regarding police officers.  Dave mentioned the need for sponsors and volunteers for Miami River Day on April 1, 2000.

The meeting was adjourned.

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