I.  Chair’s Report
Mr. Parks asked for approval of the July minutes.  Sandy O’Neil made the motion to approve the minutes.   Phil Everingham seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  

II.  Managing Director’s Report
David Miller reported that the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) development is starting.  They are purchasing property and will soon be developing new transportation routes to the property.  They are hoping to have a tri-rail, roadways, metrorail and people mover connection to the MIC.  They are looking at property west of the railroad bridge to place new low-height, fixed bridges that would cross the river for metrorail, roadways, tri-rail, Amtrak, etc.   Mr. Miller has been invited to attend planning meetings to discuss these river crossings.  They would have to be low-height fixed bridges.  They cannot build a fixed bridge with the required 75-foot clearance for the navigable portion of the river, because it would interfere with the required landing slope for the airport.  In this area the required airport height restriction is approximately 40-50 feet.  This is a critical issue; because fixed bridges placed over the river in this location will essentially prohibit shipping and permanently remove this section of the river from the federal navigation channel.  The MRC has been asked to attend and Co-Chair the Citizens Advisory Committee for the development of the Metro rail connection.  David reported that some of these plans have been presented to the Economic Development Group.  More will be heard during the upcoming year, as this is the early stage of the planning process.  In summary, the proposal is to shut this end of the River down to navigation and build fixed bridges in the area.  Sandy O’Neil suggested that David should introduce himself at the meeting and give the background of the MRC to Kouroche Mohandes.  Sandy stated that he and his boss, Mr. Abreu, are the ones that will be making all the decisions.  The MRC has also been asked to be a part of the Technical Advisory Committee.  Brett added that tomorrow’s meeting agenda is a Technical Advisory Committee meeting.  There is also a meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Wednesday, September 12^th at 7:30 p.m. and the MRC has been asked to co-chair this meeting.  

David reported that Dr. Pamella Dana will be the new Designee for the Governor and Mr. Jim Murley will no longer be the Governor’s Designee.  Jim noted that he has not received any official letter, nor has David.  Mr. Murley will continue to help the MRC, specifically with the Urban Infill Plan for the Miami River Corridor.

Furthermore, David reported that Cleve Jones has a new designee, Captain Beau Payne, who replaced Mr. William Parkes.  Captain Payne is the owner of P&L Towing, one of the primary towing companies on the river.

Mr. Miller wanted to advise the MRC about the status of 5^th Street Bridge and issues he is working on with the Coast Guard.  He talked with the Coast Guard Seventh District Bridge Branch, and they stated the bridge is now operating (the bridge has been out of service since February 2001, approximately 8 months as a result of being struck by a ship).  They have completed temporary repairs to the bridge.  Mr. Miller stated that the bridge has been a problem for many years and is basically an obstruction to navigation.  The Army Corps of Engineers labeled the bridge an “illegal “ bridge when constructed in the 1920’s because the bridge was not built in accordance with the approved plans.  Specifically the bridge has only a 74 foot opening and it was suppose to be 85 feet, no spill way was provided as required by the plans, the bridge is skewed to the navigable channel, the fender system does not protect the bridge, the leaves do not open fully and the bridge has been struck by vessels causing considerable damage 12 times in the last ten years.  The bridge has been out of service almost 40% of the time, thereby degrading the local vehicular transportation system.  The temporary repairs allow the bridge leaves to be opened to almost 74 feet.  The Coast Guard and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are also doing a study on the bridge to see if it can be replaced or removed. 

Mr. Miller mentioned that on Friday, September 14, 2001 he would be a panelist on a commercial real estate expo, which is entitled “What’s Ahead for Miami Urban Core?”  He will talk about the developments on the River and what the MRC is doing.

III                Lummus Landing Presentation

Dianne Johnson, City of Miami, reported that the Lummus Landing project is the area right across the street from Lummus Park, with prime river frontage.  Ms. Johnson stated the Lummus Landing is in the Riverside District area, which is an area that forms a triangle bounded by I-95, Fifth Street and the River.  It is an area that the City has been interested in developing for a number of years.  The planning department has completed studies and sees this neighborhood as very important to the community.  They believe this is an excellent area for growth and can support some retail, primarily because of its proximity to downtown and Government Center.  It should be the next area to undergo major growth.  The City identified a few years back that this particular parcel on the River across from Lummus Park might a good place to create a project that would bring energy to the area and would link some of the other commercial activities in this area.  It was thought that the City could create an activity center with low-density commercial activity of approximately 17,000 square feet.  The city hired a consultant to assist with the planning and design.  Ms. Johnson introduced Enrique Nunez, a city landscape architect, who provided the details of the project.   Ms. Johnson stated that, in essence, this is the City of Miami project with funding from the State.  The city is creating the infrastructure for a potential future commercial development.  They will be developing a Riverwalk and some boat slips.  There will be in water improvements where boats are docked.  They are doing landscape improvements, drainage, and site improvements, creating some public plazas, gathering spaces at the street end and improving all of the street connections.  One possibility they are reviewing is the creation of a fish market in connection with one of the parcels.  Once the City has completed the infrastructure improvements, they would then determine if it would be appropriate for commercial development under the Unified Development project process.   At the present, what they hope to accomplish is certainly to improve the site and to provide a gathering place for the community to come to the water’s edge.                  Ms. Johnson stated that the project as initially proposed has been in the Greenways plan since its inception.  They are trying to make both the commercial development and the public riverwalk areas work together.  Ms. Johnson noted that the property is very narrow, so the City of Miami and its Waterfront Charter address the required width of the riverwalk and setback requirements.  Discussion took place regarding this.  The sidewalk width along the roadway is determined by the public right of way designation.

Mr. Parks asked Lavinia Freeman with Trust for Public Land (TPL) to comment.  She stated that they have been familiar with the city plans since the beginning of TPL’s Greenway planning process.  The property is very narrow.  Ms. Freeman prefers to see the property developed as an extension of Lummus Park and not try to squeeze in some form of retail activity on this very narrow property. That would be the preference of TPL.  The city has increased the width of the riverwalk from the original design.  Discussion was held.  Mr. Parks asked what they would like the MRC to do, if anything.  Ms. Johnson stated that the city needs to complete their in-house assessment with their consultants.  There is no City Commission approval required until such time as they go out for bid and the bids are back in and they want the Commission to award a contract for the construction of those improvements.  It may be the end of the year or beginning of January before they reach that point.  

Janet McAliley asked if the Greenway standards have been adopted by the City Commissioners.  Ms. Johnson stated they had in principle.  Mrs. McAliley was concerned about the width of the walkway and that the City should not attempt to reduce those standards.  She would like to see the City in its planning of waterfront areas lead the way to the higher standards and not push for waivers or reduction of the standards.  Ms. Johnson stated that she was only giving information at this point and that no action was required at this time.  Ms. Johnson supports the recommendations of the Greenways Plan for the maximum standards, but she believes not all riverfront properties are the same and a cookie cutter approach cannot be utilized in all cases. 

Discussion ensued about the proposal to have an 8-foot wide riverwalk structure over the water.

 Ms. Jude did not feel that this neighborhood should have the name of Riverside, when Riverside historically is the neighborhood of the East Little Havana.  

                Mr. Parks thanked them for bringing this information before the MRC.

IV           Miami Marlins Riverside Baseball Ballpark

Javier Carbonell (City of Miami), George Burgess (Miami-Dade County) and Lucinda Treat (Marlins) were present to give an update.   The proposed new baseball stadium site is south of the site initially selected by the City Commissioners on March 15, 2001.  The new site is on the south side of the river between Second Avenue, Eighth Street, I-95 and the River.  This site requires minor infrastructure changes.   Ms. Jude stated that there will be historic properties (homes) that will be destroyed in this project and that the real impact of being part of downtown is lost.  Discussion took place.  Mr. Parks asked where they are in regard to changing from River site no. 1 to River site no. 2 or to some other site.  The presenters explained that there are serious issues with relocating utilities on the original site.  Everyone likes the idea of being on the River and felt this site was a good alternative.  At this time, the City Commission has put a deadline on a memorandum of understanding; however, Mayor Penelas has asked for a 60-day extension.  They are working toward an extension at this point. 

                 Mr. Burgess stated that there is more to be done from the County’s point of view and they do believe that it would be wise for everyone to have more time to work on these new details.  Specifically, as it relates to use of re-development district funds, Tax Increment Financing, they see that as a tool not for just a baseball stadium, but a tool that might have great value to economic development along the entire River.  The County has been thinking this way for some time.  In putting together the financing on the stadium project, there are still more negotiations that have to occur.  Mr. Burgess is not suggesting that any of the specifics on any of the numbers are resolved.  They may be close on many areas, but they still have more to talk about.  The idea of using a portion of a re-development district to help fund a baseball project, they believe is a good alternative, provided only a portion of the funds are used for the stadium.  The county staff has looked in a very conservative manner at what kind of revenues might be generated by a re-development district along the River.  They felt this could help with the Greenways, dredging project, and other infrastructure projects that might be helpful in getting private sector dollars into the River.  For the baseball project, they were assuming a very small percentage of the revenue would come from the district.  Mr. Burgess stated that he had very rough numbers.  The present value of the revenues that would come off of a re-development district over 30 years (money coming from only the City’s incremental tax revenue and the County not the School Board) at 95% has a present value of about $220 million.  This utilizes a conservative assumption on growth and a relatively small district that is only 660 feet on each side of the river. 

Mr. Parks stated that whether the stadium gets built or not, the Tax Increment Financing is still going to be a very viable way to do River re-development. 

Commissioner Barreiro felt the citizens of the City of Miami are in favor of a stadium.  He felt signatures should be collected from the public, so that it can be placed on the ballot.  A finance package should be put together and then put it out to the public.  He feels the longer it is delayed, the greater chance the tourist development tax dollars will be up lost for the stadium.  The Marlins have to put themselves in a position, so the issue can be put forward on a voter referendum.

After discussion, Mr. Parks stated that the MRC has not taken a position as to whether there should be a new stadium and who pays for it.  The MRC supports a River location for the stadium and that is the only position it has taken.  The MRC advocated the position that was approved by the City Commission originally and until such time as a new vote is taken, that is the MRC’s official position.

V.     COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dredging  Working Group

Mr. Bunnell stated that the Corps of Engineers is working to secure the Water Quality Certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).  The Corps has responded to FDEP’s initial letter requesting additional information.  Those answers are being review by FDEP.  The Group has a meeting set for September 20, 2001.   An FDEP representative will be attending the meeting and will have a river tour.  They are inviting Fish and Wildlife Service representatives.  The Corps is experiencing a delay with the Fish and Wildlife Service’s response to their draft environmental impact statement. 

The MRC has been asked by the County to help resolve the problem of dredging within 25 feet of manmade structures.  The MRC is reviewing qualifications of three engineering consultants and hope to hire a consultant to assist the County in this endeavor.  The County asked the MRC to use some of the funds that they have for that purpose to speed up the process.  Mr. Miller stated that they have an FDEP dredging grant in the amount of $300,000.  David has requested an amendment to that grant to handle this 25-foot set back issue with the Corps and hire an engineering consultant.  He is awaiting final approval from FDEP.

 Mr. Parks explained that because of the timing of this business with the consultant and the 25-foot set back problem, it was taken up at the Executive Committee Meeting.  This was money appropriated for the MRC to do work on the dredging.  This is clearly within the purview of the appropriation.  After discussion, Jim Murley made the motion to allow the Executive Committee to approve a contract with the Engineering consultant for the dredging project.  Phil Everingham seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Urban Infill

Jim Murley brought the MRC up to date.  There is to be a “brainstorming” meeting on September 12^th.  It is not an official stakeholder meeting.  They are trying to get their material organized to present it to the public.  Mr. Murley said that Brett has done a great job on this committee.

Greenways

Dr. Martin reported that there would be a public hearing for the $250,000 grant for the historic preservation for the “Point Park”.  If they receive these funds, they will have raised about $1.3 million so far. 

                Mr. Parks stated that he, Lavinia, David, and Brett had a meeting with Commissioner Teele concerning the Greenways Project and with Dick Judy who is Teele’s consultant for developing a Community Development Corporation that may include areas of the river.  Mr. Parks feels that they were all encouraged by the fact that the whole concept of the Tax Increment Financing District and the Greenways and the support they are going to get for it, is very strong.  There were two very positive meetings and they were able to provide Commissioner Teele and his consultants with a lot of information concerning the work that the Greenways Committee, TPL and the Urban Infill group had done.  Mr. Parks explained that it was very important that the MRC be included in anything that went on with reference to setting up a River Community Development Corporation, because it must be done in connection with the MRC.

 Economic Development and Commerce

Megan Kelly reported that they had two meetings.  They did adopt a goals program, which would be primarily working with the Urban Infill group to make sure that the “Working River” concept gets ample expression in the Urban Infill plan. 

 Grant Investigation

Dr. Martin reported that Brett completed a request for a grant for the Point Park from the National Fish and Wildlife Service to provide habitat and native plant species for the park.  Brett said it was a grant for $25,000. 

Brett asked the MRC to support and application to Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) for a river clean up boat.  Brett provided additional information about the FIND grant.   Phil Everingham made the motion to apply for the FIND grant.  The motion was seconded by Sandy O’Neil and passed unanimously.  The boat is actually a private entity that provides this cleanup service.  It is envisioned that the boat would be hired on a periodic basis, such as two days per week.  The boat that is under review is a state of the art piece of equipment that picks up trash, oils, and bacteria but also puts oxygen in the water.  Brett said it is in a very preliminary stage at this time.

 Public Safety

Capt. Watson reported that they did hold a meeting with the Miami River QAT.  They discussed how they could have better attendance at the meetings and have a better more productive agenda. 

VI.  New Business