MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St., Suite D
Miami, FL  33125 Phone 305 644 0544
Fax 305 642 1136
Email:
  mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

MONDAY
Jan. 9, 2006
12:00 NOON
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

Miami River Commission (MRC) Chairperson Irela Bagué convened the MRC meeting at
noon , Monday, January 9, 2006 , Robert King High, 1407 NW 7^th Street , New Board Room, Miami , Florida .

• Chairperson Irela Bagué, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

• Phil Everingham, President of the Marine Council, MRC Vice-Chair

• Bruno Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commission(arrived after subcommittee reports)

• Betty Gutierrez, designee for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro (arrived after subcommittee reports)

• Megan Kelly, designee for Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

• Sallye Jude, Neighborhood Representative, appointed by County Commission (arrived after agenda item II)

• Charles Morton, Chair of the Miami River Marine Group

• Captain Beau Payne, designee for Charles Morton (arrived after agenda item 1)

• Eric Buermann, Member-at-Large, appointed by Office of the Governor

• Eddie Rodriguez, Appointed by Miami -Dade Commission, designee

• Steve Wright, designee for City of Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez

• Tony Garrastazu, designee for Governor Jeb Bush

• Ernie Martin, Neighborhood Representative, appointed by City Commission

• Gary Winston, designee for Katherine Fernandez-Rundle         

• James Maes, Ex-Officio

MRC Staff: Brett Bibeau, Managing Director, Ashley Chase Assistant Managing Director

Others attending interested in the River:  

• Jim Murley, Florida Atlantic University

• Rodrigo Gonzalez, designee for Miami-Dade County Mayor Carols Alvarez

• Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, Executive Director

• Peter Bockweg, City of Miami

• Tim McIntosh, Miami-Dade DERM

• Evan Skornick, SFWMD

• Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land

• Kevin Doran, Two-Foot Tours

• Jeff Johnson, IMS Central

• Carmen Polanco, Antillean Marine

• Jeffrey Hooper, AME Shipping

• Rick Sorille, Nautica on the River

• Annie Gronewald, Excellent Real Estate

• Dan Ricker, Watchdog Report

• Anne Marie Farinas

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

I. MRC Chairperson Report: 

Chairperson Irela Bagué wished everyone a Happy New Year, and asked to entertain a motion on the MRC’s December 5, 2005 meeting minutes. Vice-Chair Phil Everingham moved to approve the MRC’s December 5, 2005 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Charles “Bud” Morton and unanimously adopted.

Chairperson Bagué noted the MRC’s 2005 Report has been provided.  Chairperson Bagué stated she was proud of the MRC’s 2005 accomplishments on working with the public and private sectors to successfully improve the Miami River Corridor last year, and anticipates further progress in 2006.

Chairperson Bagué reminded meeting attendees of the MRC’s Greenway’s Retreat, scheduled Friday, January 13, 2006 at Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk, from 11:30 – 3:30, and all day at the Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 ST on January 20.  Chairperson Bagué noted MRC staff distributed the Retreat agendas. Chairperson Bagué strongly encouraged everyone’s participation in this important MRC event, focused on the future maintenance, security and special events necessary to ensure the long-term success of the Miami River Greenway.

Chairperson Bagué stated in order to ensure ample opportunity for public input, the provided draft “3^rd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan would have one final public workshop on January 18, 1407 NW 7 ST, 6 PM, prior to being considered for adoption by the MRC on February 6.  Chairperson Bagué noted MRC staff distributed the agenda for this important public workshop, and encouraged everyone’s attendance.

II. Review Draft MRC “Request for Proposals” (RFP) for the Fabrication and Installation of Miami River Greenway Historical Markers Paid for Via a Villagers, Inc. $25,000 Grant - Dr. Ernie Martin, Chair of the Greenways Subcommittee, provided a brief background of the aforementioned project. Dr. Martin stated the Miami River Commission would issue and administer the standard RFP.  Fabrication and installation of historical signs, noted Dr. Martin, would be paid for by a $25,000 grant from the Villagers, Inc., one of the oldest preservation organizations in Miami-Dade County . Dr. Martin noted the historical markers to be fabricated and installed along the Miami River Greenway with the Villagers grant funding would serve as a prototype for additional historical markers in the future.  Dr. Martin stated the number of markers purchased with the $25,000 grant depends on the successful bid, yet 5-10 are anticipated.   Dr. Martin noted the Trust for Public Land hired a graphic design firm, Yazi Design, which created the specifications for the markers, which are attached to the draft RFP.

Dr. Martin noted some of the historical marker sites are on constructed greenways, therefore would be immediately installed, while other markers may require temporary storage until the greenway is completed, prior to installation.  Chairperson Bagué asked who would be responsible if any marker storage was required, and Dr. Martin replied the winning bidder of the RFP, would be responsible for sign storage, if immediate installation wasn’t feasible.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, stated she hoped some of the markers would recognize historical marine industrial sites along the Miami River Greenway.  Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, noted the developers of Latitude on the River had pledged to the MRC that they would install a historical marker on their publicly accessible riverwalk section, because their site was the location of Miami Shipyards, a marine industrial business which made President Kennedy’s World War II Patrol Boat. Chairperson Bagué recommended discussing sites for additional historical markers at the MRC January 20 Greenways Retreat.

Mr. Bibeau noted the RFP bid evaluation committee consisted of one member from the MRC, TPL and the City of Miami .  The evaluation committee would recommend a successful bidder to the MRC, whom would then consider their recommendation, and potentially contract with the successful contractor.

Dr. Martin made a motion to authorize MRC staff to advertise the “Request for Proposals” for the fabrication and installation of Miami River Greenway historical markers. The item was moved by Dr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Sallye Jude, and unanimously adopted.

III. Subcommittee Reports

a. Dredging
Mr. Eric Buermann, Chair of the MRC Dredging Subcommittee, stated the Dredging subcommittee continues to advocate for the project’s $24.2 million federal cost share balance due, to be included in the President’s FY ’07 budget submission.  The President’s FY ’07 budget will be released on February 6, 2006 .  On behalf of the MRC, Mr. Buermann thanked the following elected officials, businesses and agencies, whom have written Josh Bolten, Director of OMB, recommending the President include the federal cost share balance due in his FY ’07 budget submission:

• Senator Nelson
• Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen
• Governor Bush
• ST. Rep. Barreiro
• Miami-Dade Mayor Alvarez
• 12  Miami-Dade County Commissioners
• City of Miami Mayor Diaz
• 3 City Commissioners
• South Florida Water Management District
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
• 10 International Shipping Terminals
• Mega Yacht Boatyard
• Miami River Marine Group
• 5 River Developments
• Miami River Commission

Mr. Buermann stated the MRC and staff has done everything possible to pursue the federal cost share balance due to complete the project.  Mr. Buermann announced the Dredging subcommittee’s regularly scheduled publicly noticed meetings continue to be held on the third Wednesday of every month, 10 AM, at 1407 NW 7 ST, therefore the next meeting is on January 18.

b. Urban Infill Working Group
Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG), noted the UIWG had not heard any proposed development presentations in the last couple of months. Mr. Murley stated the fully funded scope of services for the MRC recommended Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study is scheduled to be considered by the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Transportation Planning Council (TPC) subcommittee on January 9, followed by the MPO on January 26.

Mr. Murley noted the UIWG is preparing two new exhibits, one focused on new Miami River park opportunity sites, and the second is focused on catalytic opportunities for the preservation & improvement of the River’s marine industry.

Chairperson Bagué recommended that the MRC host a “Development Summit” in the near future to discuss the maintenance and security along the Miami River Greenway, present the MRC’s recently adopted “Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Report”, and recommend incorporation of water related / water dependent components in mixed-use projects.

Ms. Jude recommended that MRC staff work in conjunction with the Trust for Public Land to identify future park sites along the Miami River Corridor.  Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land , noted she would be happy to provide continued input.

Mr. Murley suggested that MRC staff continue to participate in the Miami 21 public hearings, and continue efforts to schedule a presentation before the MRC.

Mr. Murley announced the next regular publicly noticed monthly meeting will be held  on January 18 at 4 PM , immediately followed by the Infill Plan Update Workshop at 6 PM .

c. Greenways subcommittee
Dr. Ernie Martin, Chair of the MRC Greenways Subcommittee, stated sections of the Greenway remain under construction.  Dr. Martin announced the next publicly noticed Greenways Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for January 11, 10 am , 1407 NW 7 ST.

d. Stormwater subcommittee
Ms. Jude deferred discussion to Mr. Bibeau, who commended the City of Miami for appropriating additional funding for the installation of more MRC recommended solid waste interceptors on the storm water system in the Allapattah and Overtown areas.

The next Stormwater Subcommittee’s regularly scheduled first Wednesday of the month publicly noticed meeting is scheduled for February 1, 10 AM , in the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive .

e. Economic Development & Commerce
Ms. Megan Kelly, Co-Chair of the EDC Subcommittee, noted Commissioner Barreiro is sponsoring the MRC recommended new Miami Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance, which was drafted by the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department.  The Board of County Commissioners will consider adopting the draft ordinance over the next few months. Ms. Kelly added the EDC Subcommittee had heard a presentation last month on the Dominican Republic & Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), which will benefit the Miami River ’s international shipping terminals, which trade with the Dominican Republic and several Central American countries.

F.  Miami River Safety / Security
Mr. Gary Winston, MRC, stated the River’s derelict vessel issues, which created waterborne safety risks, have been resolved as the derelict vessels have been removed.  Mr. Winston stated crime along the Miami River has greatly diminished.  Mr. Winston recommended due to the planned increase in population within the Miami River corridor with several new residential developments, the MRC should consider advocating for the creation of a Police substation in the river corridor.  Captain Beau Payne noted there once had been a Miami-Dade County marine patrol station on County property located on the south shore, immediately east of the NW 12 Ave Bridge.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain James Maes, stated the Port of Miami River will be conducting a Security Training Exercise Program, known as Port STEP, in February. Captain Maes added the U.S. Coast Guard is working in unison with the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

Dr. Bohnsack stated the next regularly scheduled second Tuesday of the month Miami River Security meeting is January 10, 2 pm , at the U.S. Coast Guard station. Dr. Bohnsack invited the MRC to participate in the Multi-Agency Team Building Enhancement System Training (MATES) three-day workshop in February.  Details will soon follow.

IV.  New Business – Chairperson Bagué stated the Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Commission for Women have been planning for the creation of a Julia Tuttle commemorative statue.  Chairperson Bagué noted the Related Group has expressed the potential for placing the statute on the Riverwalk in front of One Miami, which is at the confluence of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay .

IV. Adjournment 

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting adjourned.

_____________________________Recording Secretary

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