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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The Miami River Commission meeting was called to order by Phil Everingham, Marine Council, Vice Chairperson, at 12:00 noon on Monday, January 8, 2001, at the Downtown Development Authority, First Union National Bank Building, Suite 1818, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.

• Robert L. Parks, Chairperson, Member at Large, appointed by the Governor

• Phil Everingham, Vice Chairperson, Chair of the Marine Council

• Cleve Jones, III, Member at Large, Appointed by the City of Miami Commission

• Jim Murley, Governor of the State of Florida, Designee

• Sandy O’Neil, Mayor Miami-Dade County, Designee

• Ernie Martin, Neighborhood Rep., appointed by the City of Miami Commission

• Janet McAliley, Rep. of Civic or Environmental Org., appointed by the Governor

• Sallye Jude, Neighborhood Rep., appointed by the Miami-Dade Commission

• Jerry Fernandez, Chair of the Governing Board of SFWND, Designee

• Tom Parker, Member at Large, appointed by Miami-Dade Commission, Designee

• James McDonald, Chair of the GMCC, Designee

• Alonzo Menendez, Executive Director DDA, Designee
  Jay Rhodes, Mayor City of Miami, Designee

Ex Officio (non-voting) members: Cdr. Mike Miles, USCG, MSO Miami
Miami River Commission Staff:
          David Miller,  MRC,  Brett Bibeau, Assistant Managing Director

• Fran Bohnsack, MRMG

• Carlos Espinosa, Miami Dade DERM

• lnés Marrero, Attorney Akerman firm

• Victor Yue, Darsky Hudson & Partners

• Lavinia Freeman, TPL

• Jody Haynes, UF/Miami-Dade County Extension

• Dianne Johnson, City of Miami R.E.E.D.

• Jose Padilla, Greater Miami Chamber

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

II. DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Mr. Everingham introduced Mr. Jose Padilla with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC). Mr. Padilla stated that the River is a very important part of the downtown transportation issues. He discussed the Brickell Avenue Bridge and the history of River bridges. Some years ago a tunnel that was proposed, but unfortunately it was not chosen, because of the high cost. Jose’s Committee has engaged several groups and agencies to work towards a solution that will make driving easier in downtown. They reviewed the bridge openings and found that during the 12-2 pm period, 67% of the Brickell Bridge openings were for recreational vessels. They have approached the City, County and the State and are working toward a solution to improve the roadside issues, such as signage, traffic light improvements, and better police traffic enforcement. Mr. Padilla asked for the MRC’s support in moving forward with some of the solutions. The GMCC is a strong advocate of creating a transportation model for downtown Miami that would take into consideration not only vehicular movements, but also bridge openings and pedestrian movements. The Downtown Transportation Master Plan Task Force has a consultant on board and they are spending close to $700,000 to build this model, which will be a tool to help prioritize downtown transportation issues. Additionally, within the next 12 months a shuttle service will be provided in the Brickell area. The City of Miami Police Department has come up with suggestions, which have been presented and are being considered. Everyone is trying to work together to improve downtown vehicular transportation. Concerning the Brickell Avenue Bridge, Jose is seeking support to find a solution that will make it easier for traffic to move in and out of downtown. Discussion was held. Mr. Miller suggested better bridge management could occur that does not delay commercial traffic, but minimizes some of the bridge openings for the smaller recreational vessels. Mr. Parks suggested that the Marine Council and the Miami River Marine Group should be contacted. If the problem is recreational, they should contact the Marine Council. Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Padilla for his presentation.

III. CHAIRS REPORT

Mr. Parks stated that the MRC has been actively participating with reference to the stadium location on the River. Brett, David and Bob have attended several meetings of the Community Improvement Authority, the group created by the State of Florida Legislation to help keep professional baseball in South Florida. The MRC’s position is to support a riverfront location, if it is architecturally feasible. The MRC takes no position with reference to having a stadium or how it is going to be funded. If they are going to have a baseball stadium and everyone agrees as to how it should be paid for, then the MRC’s position is that the only logical site would be on the River. There is still opposition to that position, but there is also a growing awakening to the fact that it is not going in Bicentennial Park. The MRC has not taken any adversarial position with reference to any other site; we just advocate the River site.

Urban Infill - Jim Murley reported that they have been meeting with the City and the County and have received a $50,000 DCA grant for creating an urban infill plan for the Miami River Corridor. They have made headway on the Design Center with the assistance of Trust for Public Land and the Knight Foundation, which made $25,000 available for a Design Center Business Plan. Mr. Murley’s Center received a $10,000 grant for a very similar activity. They are going to put the funds together, hire a consultant who will have a two-day meeting with stakeholders. Then the consultants will create a business plan by the end of February. Discussion was held. Mr. Miller stated that $100,000 of County funds are available for the Design Center and hopefully the urban infill plan. The Executive Committee voted to put $10,000 of MRC funds into the plan, but Mr. Miller suggested a motion which adds on’ the words “if needed’ because at the time of the executive committee they were not aware of the availability of the County funds. Mr. Parks treated it as a motion and it was moved that Commission approve the MRC paying the sum of $10,000, if needed. Mr. Miller will structure the language. Sandy O’Neil seconded the motion. Further discussion was held. Mr. Parks asked for a formal resolution, so that the MRC can go on record as approving the funds. Motion passed unanimously.

Status of One Riverview Square.  Brett Bibeau reported that the City Commission denied One Riverview Square’s request for a waiver of the 50-foot setback and the architects have revised the plan, now with a 40-foot setback verses the original 20-foot setback and a clear path of 16 feet verses the original 8 feet. Mr. Parks stated that the executive committee - recommended as a matter of policy that the MRC make it very clear to all planning departments, developers, etc., that under no conditions would the MRC entertain any requests for reduction of the riverwalk area. Mr. Parks would like a motion to that matter to be presented to both the City and the County. Sallye Jude made a motion that  The MRC uphold the design standards of the Riverwalk including a minimum clear path width of 16 feet with a recommendation of 22 feet wide and that building construction interact and relate to a pedestrian friendly Riverfront, such as retail shops, cafes, restaurants, etc. Phil Everingham seconded the motion.
    Discussion ensued. Dianne Johnson stated that the City has a requirement for a 20- foot Riverwalk for all new construction on the River, from the Bay to the 5th Street Bridge. The City standard does not discuss clear path or building requirements. The motion passed unanimously. Bob Parks requested that a letter, signed by the Chair, be sent to the City and County reflecting the above motion. Jim McDonald made a motion that the riverwalk also have cleats and bulkheads constructed for boat moonng where possible, so that Riverwalk amenities can also be accessible by boat. The motion was seconded by Phil Everingham and passed unanimously.
     Bob Parks discussed an idea to have some form of a session or retreat, probably on a Saturday and take the necessary time with each of the working groups to go over - the Miami River Study Commission Report. Mr. Parks feels that the MRC should see if we are being consistent with what we told the Legislature we would do. Mr. Parks asked every working group Chair to take out the Study Commission Report, review your goals and at your next meeting get an idea of where you are on these tasks.

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Greenways - Ernie Martin stated that there is a new opportunity offered by the Knight Foundation. They have invited several organizations to submit proposals to them by February 1.  The Trust for Public Lands was invited to brief their Greenways Plan to the Trustees of the Knight Foundation. David Miller was also invited to join Brenda Marshall and they will make a presentation on the Miami River Greenway and the MRC’s partnership role in this endeavor. Jim Murley provided the following prepared motion: “The Miami River Commission agrees to continue in the partnership with The Trust for Public Land, and support the Trust for Public Land’s application to the Knight Foundation to further plan, construct and maintain a greenway adjacent to the Miami River Corridor. Grant funds shall be requested for greenway construction, continuing citizen outreach and participation to determine appropriate uses to be developed adjacent to the greenway and to determine the appropriate management structure for the long-term maintenance and management of a Miami River Greenway System. The Miami River Commission pledges to be the responsible public agency to determine what should be the governance system for the Miami River Greenway, in cooperation with the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and all interested parties. Mr. Parks stated that the above motion comes before the MRC with a unanimous recommendation of the executive committee. Sallye Jude seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
      Ernie Martin stated that the Greenway Plan is going through its final review and then it will be placed before the City and County Commission for the final adoption of the Greenway Master Plan. The plan must appear before Advisory Committees, before it goes before the City and County Commissions. Ernie hopes the plan will be finalized in the spring.
     Dr. Martin stated that there is a City of Miami Commission Item coming up January 11th in that they are planning to expand the Spring Garden Point Park and include the historic Seybold House. The City of Miami provided a grant and the management agreement needs to be modifying to incorporate this property so that the City can accept title to the property. Sallye Jude moved that the MRC support the change in the City management plan authorizing the City Manager’s Acceptance Committee to accept the property. The motion was seconded by Sandy O’Neil and passed unanimously. Mr. Parks asked Dr. Martin to draft the motion in a letter and send it to Mr. Parks, who will sign it and have it delivered to the City Commissioners.

Stormwater Subcommittee - Sallye Jude asked David Miller to give the report. The storm water report is being finalized concerning the Upper Wagner Creek Water Quality Improvement Plan. This report is hoped to be a major statement concerning storm water systems, with recommendations for the entire Miami River Basin. Mr. Parks stressed how important - this issue is. Mr. Miller stated that the recommendations in this report should be helpful in seeking funding from state and federal government agencies to improve the River's stormwater systems.

Dredging Working Group - Dick Bunnell could not attend, but Mr. Miller stated that a dredging meeting is scheduled for January l0th. Things are progressing very well. They are waiting for the Army Corps to report they have submitted the application for the Water Quality Certification (WQC) to the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Once the WQC is approved, the Corps can advertise the dredging project and seek a qualified contractor to dredge the River. Unfortunately, this WQC may take 6-7 months of FDEP review and necessary public notifications.

Public Safety - Cdr. Miles stated that in their meeting of November 6th, Gary Winston made a motion to combine the Public Safety working group with the Miami River QAT. The vote was postponed because they could not address with any surety the position of the Miami River QAT regarding that change. Cdr. Miles reported that the Miami River QAT did meet on November 21st, and there was agreement within the QAT that the two groups be combined. Discussion was held. In essence, they are incorporating the functions of the Public Safety Working Group into the QAT. Mr. Parks stated that the QAT cannot take a position publicly or privately in which it represents that the MRC concurs without having the issue brought before the MRC and having it approved. Discussion ensued about the ability of the QAT to act independently as it has in the past. Cdr. Miles recommended that this matter be held in abeyance until Capt. Bowling and Mr. Winston can be in attendance. The Coast Guard shares the Miami River QAT and to be required to make reports to a non-Coast Guard entity might not be a good idea. Mr. Parks asked that Mr. Miller have this put on the agenda for the next Executive Committee meeting and have Mr. Winston attend.

Economic Development and Commerce - Jim McDonald stated that this subcommittee had nothing to report.

Miami River Economic Impact Study - Mr. Miller stated the report is almost complete.

Grant lnvestigation Review Committee - Dr. Martin stated that they did not meet this month. Discussion was held regarding grant approval. Bob Parks stated that any grant application should be approved by the MRC, provided there was sufficient time. If there is insufficient time for MRC approval, then it should be discussed with the executive committee members and this could be done by phone. Mr. Parks agreed that a standard resolution is necessary. Sandy O’Neil suggested that the County could possibly assist if they are aware of the grant applications. Brett stated that the MRC is applying for two grants for River Day with the County Department of Cultural Affairs. Also, a grant from the EPA for the Urban lnfill Plan was submitted The executive committee approved all these applications. Brett advised the MRC about a grant application called the Harvard Innovations in Government and it was suggested by FDEP officials that the MRC apply. Phil Everingham made a motion for the MRC to apply for all the above grants

III. NEW
BUSINESS

Mr. Parks wanted to make a comment that at the City Commission meeting, Lucia Dougherty made a statement to the effect that it was interesting why all these people were objecting now when all the groups had involved from the beginning. Lucia specifically mentioned the MRC. Mr. Parks wanted to make it very clear that the MRC has not been involved from the beginning. The first time Mr. Parks learned about the One Miami Development Project, as Chair of the MRC, was when he walked into the December 2000 MRC meeting. Mr. Parks firmly believes Lucia needs to clarify that point with the City Commissioners. Discussion was held. Mr. Parks advised both the One Miami Project and One Riverview Square representatives in attendance that there is a resolution that has been passed by the City of Miami Commission that says that anything to do with the River needs to come before the MRC for comment before it goes before the City Commission. Also, there is a similar resolution that has been passed by the County Commission.
        Ines Marrero, attorney for The One Riverview Square Project gave a brief presentation concerning their architectural changes. Specifically, they now have a 40- foot setback verses the denied 20-foot setback and their riverwalk now has a 16-foot wide unobstructed clear path. Jim McDonald asked if the riverwalk had cleats for boats to tie up to the riverwalk and the answer was no. The attorney advised the MRC that the cleats are a new issue and this was not mentioned at the last MRC meeting. Ernie Martin suggested a preamble that the MRC is not encouraging or condoning the notion of approving waiver requests. He does not want it to become standard practice along the River, but when the MRC is requested to act upon a waiver request that is going before the City Commission, then the MRC would apply the standard that they have adopted in the Greenway Plan. The One Riverview Square revised plan does meet the Greenway Plan standards. Also, the building itself is friendly to the clear path. Dr. Martin believes they have made some accommodations with access to the lobby, plazas and additional seating areas off the clear path, which makes the building friendly to the greenway. Dr. Martin moved that the MRC recommend approval to the City Commission with the inclusion of cleats for boat access. Sandy O’Neil seconded the motion. Discussion was held. The motion passed unanimously.
     Adrian Pardo with Greenberg Traurig, made a short presentation about the One Miami Project. They went before the City Commission on December 14th and they granted approval of this project. City Commissioners requested that the One Miami developers work with the adjacent property owners at the Intercontinental to improve access. The architect went over the changes. The lap pool was eliminated and the table and chair café area was enlarged. Discussion was held. Dr. Martin stated that this was a better plan that the one previously provided to the MRC and recommended a motion to approve the project with the new modifications. Jim Murley made an amendment that in the event the Dupont Plaza Hotel is redeveloped and a riverwalk included then the Dupont and One Miami riverwalks be linked together and made continuous in this area. Dr. Martin accepted the amendment. Mr. Parks asked for a vote and the motion with amendment passed by a majority vote, 10 to 1.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting adjourned at  2:00 p.m

_______________________________Recording Secretary

IV. Adjournment 

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