I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Ms. Janet McAliley made a motion to approve the MRC’s December 1, 2003 minutes.  Mrs. Sallye Jude seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved.  Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Jesse Manzano-Plaza, Office of Governor Bush, for attending the meeting.  Parks informed the MRC that he had met with the newest MRC member, Mr. Isilio Arriaga, the new Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce President.  Parks noted Mr. Arriaga was supportive of the Miami River Commission , and was offered the opportunity to attend and address the MRC during the February 2, 2004 meeting.

II.  Presentation from City Manager Joe Arriola

Mr. Parks noted that Mr. Joe Arriola, City Manager, would be unable to attend due to an emergency meeting with a City Commissioner.  The Manager’s invitation to address the MRC will remain open for the February 2, 2004 meeting.

        III. Presentation on the “Clean Marinas and Boaters” Program

Mr. Jan R. Delaney, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), gave a presentation on the “Clean Marina, Boatyard, and Boater Programs”.  Mr. Delaney gave a brief overview of the program’s benefits, components, partnerships, resources, and the internationally designated “Clean Marinas”.  Delaney noted the mission of the program is to have a clean boating environment that has more protection and less process.  Delaney stated that the program is designed to increase compliance through improved understanding. Facilities that meet all requirements of the Clean Marina or Boatyard Program are awarded a flag and allowed to use the “Clean Marina, Boatyard” logo on letterhead, marketing materials, etc.  Delaney provided a folder with additional information on the Clean Marina, Boatyard and Boater” Programs for the MRC’s consideration.

Mr. Delaney introduced Steven Bogner, City of Miami Marina Manager and member of the Clean Boating Partnership.   Mr. Bogner informed the MRC of his positive experiences with the Clean Marina Program.  Bogner noted that the program provides a network and opportunities to speak with other professionals throughout the state that can assist in improving the City’s facilities.  Bogner stated that two of the City of Miami ’s marinas, Dinner Key and Miami Marina, have met the program’s criteria and have been recommended for the “Clean Marina” designation.  Mr. Paul Thompson, FDEP “Clean Marina” District Coordinator, expressed that there are few designated “Clean Marinas” in Miami-Dade, therefore they were encouraging facilities throughout the Miami River , which may eventually be a driving force in convincing additional facilities to join.  Mrs. Jude referred to the Economic Development and Commerce Working Group Meeting (EDC) minutes of December 9, 2003 , and agreed with an attendee’s recommendation that marinas should be designated as “Green” Marinas” instead of “Clean Marinas”.   Mr. Delaney stated that after lengthy research and discussion when the program was created several years ago, the decision was made to name it “Clean Marinas” because it would clearly explain the message.  Ms. Irela Bagué, Designee for the SFWMD Chair, asked about the program’s financial burden on business owners.  Thompson replied that sometimes there is no financial investment for a facility to meet the program’s criteria, and there are two grant programs available to assist businesses, which may require a financial commitment in meeting the program’s criteria.  Mr. Phil Everingham made a motion for the MRC to endorse the Clean Marina, Boatyard and Boater programs.  The motion was seconded by Dick Bunnell and approved unanimously.  Everingham reported that the EDC recommended the consideration of creating a “Clean Shipping Terminal” program to compliment the existing “Clean Marina, Boatyard and Boater” programs.  Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group Executive Director, inquired what the criteria of a “Clean Shipping Terminal” would entail.  Mr. Parks recommended the EDC to research which criteria may be considered in a “Shipping Terminal Program”, and report back to the MRC for further consideration. 

V.  12^th Avenue Bridge Replacement over the Miami River

The MRC discussed the response letter from John Martinez, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Secretary, pertaining to the MRC’s 12^th Avenue Bridge recommendations.  The letter was included in the MRC mail-out, and stated that the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) study found the recommended tunnel was too costly, and the riverwalk would not be provided along the riverfront, rather behind the planned bridge’s bascule piers.  Barreiro stated he had discussed the issues with Mr. Martinez , and although the tunnel was not financially feasible, the riverwalk and community related issues should be revisited and replanned.  Irela Bagué requested the bridge plans be forwarded to the SFWMD to analyze stormwater retention alternatives, which would avoid the planned taking of businesses.

VI.  Committee Reports

a.      Dredging Working Group - Mr. Bunnell stated a contractor indicated during the Dredging subcommittee’s December meeting that the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) received five bids on the Miami River Dredging Request for Proposals.  The ACOE is scheduled to announce the selected bidder on January 12, 2004 .  The tentative date to begin dredging is early summer 2004. 

b.      Public Safety & Security - Captain Jim Watson, United States Coast Guard (USCG), reported that the Miami River Port Security Plan was submitted to the USCG prior to the December 31, 2003 deadline mandated in the Maritime Transportation and Security Act.  Watson stated the plans enforcement is required by July 1, 2004 .  Captain Watson requested the maritime community along the river to reach out to the Caribbean ports it serves, and encourage them to meet the security requirements prior to July 1, 2004, because vessels will not be allowed to transit into the U.S. from an un-secure port.  Captain Watson stated that the Miami River Safety Committee reached consensus to cancel the existing regulated navigation area that allows mooring of vessels on either side of the river.  Dr. Bohnsack, noted that the Miami River Marine Group was awarded a $1 million homeland security grant to assist private terminals in meeting the new security criteria, including cameras, lighting and fencing.

c.       Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan - Mr. Jim Murley, Florida Atlantic, Cantenese Center, noted that the Urban Infill Working Group had a preliminary meeting with a potential applicant of a Major Use Special Permit for the “Florida Yacht Basin” site.  The proposal includes a zoning and land use change in the upper river from Marine Industrial to residential.  The developer agreed to explore possibilities of having residential uses on the upland area of the 10-acre site, while maintaining a water dependent marine use along the riverfront

d.      Greenways Subcommittee - no report was provided.

e.      Stormwater Subcommittee – Mrs. Jude noted that quarterly Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan progress reports continue to be provided by the environmental agencies.  The subcommittee is continuing to work on the “Wagner Creek Pollution Source Identification and Abatement Project.”  Ms. Liz Abbott, SFWMD, stated the current focus has been to identify the source of pollution in Wagner Creek.  In mid-December 2003 a portion of the Wagner Creek isolation survey was conducted along NW 20^th ST from Wagner Creek proceeding west to NW 22^nd Avenue .  The subcommittee regularly discusses the status of the Wagner Creek Corrective Action Plan, and is facilitating the permitting of the Creek’s planned dredging.   Parks asked if the MRC should be requesting funding at the state and federal level for stormwater retrofitting projects.  Dianne Johnson, City of Miami , replied that the City provided the Stormwater subcommittee with copies of their State legislative stormwater funding requests, and the SSC is supporting the requests in Tallahassee .  Bague noted the SFWMD will assist in this regard as well.

f.        Economic Development and Commerce – Mr. Bibeau stated that the subcommittee continues to work on organizing the Marine Industrial Business Summit.  Parks noted The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce offered assistance in seeking co-sponsors.

VII.           New Business

Mr. Bibeau stated the Eighth Annual Miami Riverday will be Saturday, April 10, 2004 , in José Martí Park , SW 4 ST and SW 4 Ave, 11 AM – 5 PM .  All sponsor logos need to be e-mailed to MRC staff by February 13, 2004 , to be included in all marketing materials.  Bibeau noted that the MRC Annual Report is completed, and provided copies of the final proof.  Parks noted the report needs to be distributed to all local commissioners, as well as the Dade Legislative Delegation, Speaker of the House and Senate, and Governor Bush.