I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Mr. Parks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the March meeting.  He stated that there was a quorum present and asked everyone for approval of the February minutes.  Jerry Fernandez made the motion to approve the February minutes.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Bob thanked Sandy O’Neil from Mayor Penelas’ Office and Jerry Fernandez from SFWMD for their work with the MRC.  This will be their last meeting.  Bob then welcomed Otto Boudet-Murias the new designee representing Mayor Diaz.  The legislative session opens tomorrow and the MRC is up for sunsetting.  The Governor and the legislature are trying to cut the budget and the MRC might be on that list.  The President of the Senate, Senator King, has written to Bob indicating his support for the repeal of the MRC sunset provision.  The MRC also has support from the House.  Everyone involved with the MRC is asked to lend his or her support in this matter.

II.        Miami River Security Presentation

            Fran Bohnsack updated the MRC about the status of security on the River.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Secretary Mr. Mineta issued another call for a round of grants to improve United States port security and $145 million was allocated for all U.S. ports.  The Miami River Marine Group (MRMG) was successful in obtaining funding during the first round of grants for the completion of the Port Risk Assessment.  That report identified many opportunities for improvement of security along the Miami River.  Some of the improvements are within the control of the marine industry while other problems addressed are in the control of various law enforcement agencies.  The MRMG submitted two grant requests for this round.  The first project was for twenty marine terminal sites operating along the River.  This requested funding would upgrade those sites with the specific recommendations included in the original Port Risk Assessment.  These recommendations include: closed circuit television, cameras, electronic gates, waterside lighting, a badge ID system and appropriate signage to let people know that these sites are being monitored for security reasons.  That request came to $2,118,800.  The second project was helping law enforcement agencies in their quest to have better monitoring of the Miami River.  The MRMG interviewed a number of security companies and they picked ATC International as a partner, which is also partnered with Cisco Systems.  Their goal was to provide digital colored cameras that have thermal imaging capabilities with wireless transmission that can go to several sites and it also provides a vessel recognition system.  This technology can ID both the vessel by the name and shape, but it can also identify crewmembers.  This technology is cutting edge and very successful.  These cameras will be mounted on all of the bridges and transit crossings (except 5^th Street Bridge).  The MRMG will not be monitoring the cameras, but all of the agencies monitoring the River will have access to this system under the lead agency, the Coast Guard.  That grant request came to $1,363,750. 

III.   Presentation of Study “Comparing Costs of Options for Reconstructing the 12^th and 27^th Avenue Bridges Over the Miami River”

            Bob introduced Professor Weisskoff and Dr. Gary Fauth and asked them to speak about their report.  Mr. Fauth reviewed the methodology and conclusions from the report, which compares the economic impacts of bridges verses tunnels at the 12^th  and 27^th Avenue river crossings.  The report states the initial cost of a bridge would be approximately $25 million and a tunnel would cost about $40 million.  The bridge cost was based on recent experience in Miami.  The tunnel cost was based on preliminary engineering estimates.  They also looked at the Kinney Tunnel in Ft. Lauderdale and some studies that were completed by Parsons Brinkerhoff for tunnels ultimately not built in Ft. Lauderdale.  Dr. Fauth explained life cycle costs look beyond the initial construction costs.  They looked at maintenance costs and the costs of traffic disruption and congestion.  The life cycle was 70 years.  They found an $11.5 million advantage in operation and a $20 million advantage in traffic disruption for a tunnel.  If you compare the initial costs and the advantages, Dr Fauth stated that there would be a slight advantage in building a tunnel.  The following points show the tunnel advantages:

The study found two conclusions.  The first one was that it is reasonable to look at both options when developing a rebuilding strategy.  The second conclusion was that a full evaluation would be required with more detail than this preliminary look at the issue.  Prior to forming a final decision, officials would need to do an engineering evaluation of construction and operating costs, obtain bids from potential contractors, and conduct a more detailed traffic analysis that looks at the entire network of traffic flows. 

Professor Weisskoff presented pictures of the Kinney Tunnel in Ft. Lauderdale.  Dick Bunnell asked if the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) looks at building a tunnel as a normal option when replacing a bridge.  Professor Weisskoff stated that they do if there is a public demand, but they primarily look at the initial costs and not total life cycle economics.  Discussion ensued.  Ernie asked what the status is for a tunnel under the River at the downtown Brickell area.  David Miller stated that Commissioner Winton is a Co-Chair of the Downtown Transportation Master Plan (DTMP) and one of his desires was to have a tunnel under the River in the downtown area.  The DTMP has incorporated a tunnel under the River at the proposed baseball stadium site and it is in the 5-year plan.  Adam Lukin, Downtown Development Authority, stated that there is funding available for the tunnel.  Commissioner Barreiro stated that the entire funding for the tunnel has in fact not yet been adopted.  Megan Kelly stated that the Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee felt that the methodology was conservative and should be supported by the MRC.  Megan Kelly made the motion recommended by the Economic, Development and Commerce Committee, which stated that the MRC accept the report “Comparing Costs of Options for Reconstructing the 12^th and 27^th Avenue Bridges Over the Miami River” and forward it to the FDOT, City, County transportation and elected officials and other appropriate public and media officials.  Phil Everingham seconded the motion.  Jim Murley asked if the tunnels would have a toll.  Megan stated that it did not in the analysis.  Janet McAliley asked Commissioner Barreiro if it was realistic for two tunnels to be funded by the DOT.  Mr. Barreiro did not think that the money was there.  David commented that these two bridges were selected since Commissioner Winton was already looking at the downtown area and these two locations have heavier traffic than the other surrounding bridges.  By building tunnels, there would be a lot more land available.  A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  Bob asked David to prepare a letter to send to the aforementioned officials with the recommendation that the report be given very serious consideration and volunteering the assistance of the MRC to whatever extent possible. 

IV.   Wagner Creek Contamination Report        

            Carlos Espinosa, DERM, stated that they are working with the City of Miami on the dredging of Wagner Creek.  As part of the permitting process the City of Miami sampled for dioxin.  The results came back positive for the presence of dioxin.  Keith Carswell from the Department of Economic Development for the City of Miami introduced himself.  Mr. Carswell stated that the City would be holding a public meeting to discuss the Wagner Creek contamination on Saturday, March 15, 2003 from 10 am to noon at the Travelodge Hotel.  It is located at 1170 NW 1^st Street.  He then introduced Craig Clevenger from EE&G.  In April of 2002, EE&G was brought in by the City of Miami to complete a site assessment at a City owned property at 14^th Avenue and 17^th Street.  The soils have heavy metals and dioxins and they found debris at the site that is consistent with incineration debris.  They expanded their study to collect sediment samples from Wagner Creek in August and October and they found heavy metals and dioxins in the sediment of the Creek.  Incinerators cannot be overlooked because based on research; they are a primary source for dioxins.  They are however not the only source for dioxins.  Other sources include: manufacturing of pesticides and herbicides, smelting, burning of garbage, combustion of diesel and leaded gasoline and pulp and paper bleaching.  The upper Wagner Creek basin is a commercial industrial area that needs to be looked at closer.  This area drains directly into the Creek.  Craig stated that a task force should be created to look at this site.  He suggested that the MRC look into this.  In the history of Wagner Creek drainage basin, there was an incinerator, a golf course and a nursery and the middle Creek area and several hospitals in the lower Creek area.  Craig suggests that the hospital area must be looked at along with the stormwater drainage of the area.  The dioxin contamination has most likely come from a from non-point source.  Discussion ensued.  Wilbur Mayorga from DERM stated that they have a limited number of samples and they must get more detailed samples so they can make an accurate determination of the concentration of dioxins found in the Creek.  He then stated that they do have a specific clean up criteria in place when dioxins are found in the sediment on the land.  The concentration limit is 7 parts per trillion (ppt) for dioxins found in sediment located on land.  Mr. Mayorga stated that DERM must conduct a bioassay test to obtain further information.  Ernie Martin stated that the residents of Spring Garden are livid.  People do actually eat the fish that come from that water and this is unacceptable.  Ernie passed around a picture of children catching fish from Wagner Creek.  He stated that there is great economic potential for this area and the Creek is a nice physical amenity, provided it is dredged and cleaned up.  Wilbur explained that further sediment testing needs to be done before dredging to determine the proper disposal of the sediment, not to hinder the dredging process.  He reiterated that there are also chemicals besides dioxins in the Creek. 

Samir El Mir with the Department of Health (DOH) stated that they received the test results last week and they have been working with DERM.  They have a limited amount of data currently.  Based on the information they have, they did a quick risk analysis in Tallahassee.  They took the worst-case scenario and they found that there is no increased risk of adverse health.  They need to look at the dioxin concentration in fish tissue.  This is not that easy because not that many laboratories are equipped to study this.  The next step will be to do a health risk assessment for eating contaminated fish.  Gary Winston asked if they were doing anything to warn people about the possibility of eating infected fish.  Samir stated that he does not believe that the health department will issue a warning until a study is completed that proves there is a risk.  Wilbur stated that 170 ppt was the highest concentration found in Wagner Creek and 7 ppt is the acceptable limit. 

David asked what is being done with the sediments that were dredged from the Creek during Phase I and II dredging that was conducted around 1993.  The area that was dredged in 1993 is now the area that shows the highest concentration of dioxins.  David stated that DERM should talk to Officer Clayton with the Allapatah Net office who was around during that dredging project.  Clayton told David that the dredge sediment was taken to a residential area near 19^th Terrace.  Susan Markley stated that DERM is not aware that any of the sediment was disposed of near a residential area.  She explained that the dioxins and other chemicals in Wagner Creek probably entered sometime in the past from the old incinerator or other sources.  She did not feel that this contamination event was recent.  Janet McAliley felt that it was an urgent matter to put up signs warning people of the possible risks.  DERM stated that it is the job of the DOH.  Samir stated that the DOH is not responsible for putting up signs because it is out of their jurisdiction.  Janet made a motion for the MRC’s Managing Director find the appropriate agency and request that signs be posted cautioning the public not to eat fish from the Creek until it has gotten a clean bill of health.  Sallye Jude seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  Ernie stated that we must find some resources to go after this problem in a high priority way.  Phil Everingham made a motion to have David Miller contact the States Attorney’s Office and/or the U.S. Attorney’s Office concerning the environmental and possible health problems found in Wagner Creek.  Jerry Fernandez seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  Bob said that the MRC appreciates the work being done. 

V.    Committee Reports

a.  Dredging Working Group

No report.

b.  Public Safety and Security

No report.

c.  Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan

Ernie Martin stated that the Urban Infill Working Group heard a presentation from the University of Miami concerning the development of a new Clinical Research Building at 1150 NW 14^th Street near Wagner Creek.  The group recommends approval of the project and Ernie made the following motion- That the MRC recommend the approval of the Major Use Special Permit for construction of the University of Miami’s New Clinical Research Building at 1150 NW 14^th Street near Wagner Creek.  Additionally, the MRC applauds the University of Miami  for replacing the current surface parking lot on the banks of Wagner Creek with open space that is landscaped to create a public gathering space along the Creek that includes – benches, tables, plantings, and approximately 500 feet of walkway.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

d.  Greenways Subcommittee

No report.

e.  Stormwater Subcommittee

No report.

f.  Economic Development & Commerce

No report.

VI.       New Business

            David stated that Senator Alex Villalobos is sponsoring Senate Bill 732 and Representative Juan-Carlos Planas is sponsoring House Bill 873.  These are the bills that repeal the sunset provision of the MRC.  David went on to inform the group that Brett Bibeau got married on Saturday, March 1, 2003.  As a reminder to everyone, April 5, 2003 is Riverday from 11 am to 5 pm at Jose Marti Park.  David concluded by informing the group about the 30-minute river documentary film being sponsored by the MRC and Trust for Public Land.  The documentary will be called Of Time and a River.