Mr. Parks asked for approval of the November minutes.  Sallye Jude made the motion to approve the minutes.   Gary Winston seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  

Mr. Parks gave a very brief report on some of the things that have happened since the last meeting.  Mr. Parks stated that Brett and David have been doing a tremendous amount of things between meetings.  Mr. Parks said that the four million dollars in the federal budget was approved for Miami River dredging.  Mr. Parks advised that the state appropriated dredging funds from last year of $2.25 million was not cut during the two “Special Sessions” of the Florida Legislators.  Currently, the Miami River Commission is supporting Miami-Dade County’s river dredging appropriations request for $1.5 million for next year.  Mr. Parks stated that they are financially in a situation where the dredging is going to go forward. 

            Mr. Parks also stated that with reference to budget cuts; the $150,000 allocation from the Legislature for MRC administrative funding also was not cut during the two Special Sessions.  Mr. Parks said that they appreciate the Government’s support along with the Federal Delegation and everyone else concerned with that whole financial package.

            Mr. Parks welcomed Commander Nancy Goodridge representing the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

II.        Miami River Corridor Plan:  An Urban infill Planning Initiative - Progress Report

Mr. Parks introduced Steve Lefton with Kimley-Horn and Associates and explained that MRC members had requested a presentation to determine the status of the urban infill planning initiative.

            Mr. Lefton explained the planning process and then showed some slides.  He went through some of the documentation of the mapping of the river corridor and what the next step is in the development program.  They have put together a GIS mapping system that identifies key components that meet Section 163 of the state statute for an urban infill plan.  The actual planning component is where they are now.  The public and this committee will see the updated exhibits in January.  They have already completed three public workshops and will host six more.  They will be in lower, middle and upper River locations.  Mr. Lefton advised the group of the geographic boundaries of the plan.  Slides were shown and Mr. Lefton explained each one.  They have graphics that have been presented preliminarily to the working group.  They will be upgrading and presenting those graphics during the second round of public workshops.  Mr. Lefton advised that they have identified several areas of “opportunity” for development or improvement and he discussed these areas.  These opportunity areas resulted primarily from the public input.  He stressed the importance of utilizing designs and improvements that meet the criteria of  “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” (CPTED Principles).  Basically this is a proven concept that deters crime by the proper application of building design, lighting, open spaces, low bushes, etc.    

            Mr. Parks asked Mr. Lefton when would the MRC, the City Commission and the Miami-Dade Commission see this plan for approval.  Mr. Lefton said they are scheduled to finish in March 2002.  Mr. Lefton said their plan would include a summary of the dredging report, greenways plan and other reports.  They want this plan to build upon everything else that has been done.  Mr. Everingham asked about the two previous plans on the River and if they are in Mr. Lefton’s plan.  Mr. Lefton said they reviewed these plans and the information that remains pertinent will be part of this new plan.  Mr. Everingham asked what the stakeholders main concerns are for the River.  Mr. Lefton said there are some stakeholders that are at odds and will require a level of compromise.   In the Lower River Lefton is hearing that the public wants to capture some of the quality residential and mixed-use amenities of the area and there is strong support to ensure the completion of the Greenway/River walk.  Many riverfront properties are designated SD4 (industrial).  The marine industrial area will be one of the issues at odds in the Lower River. In the Middle River Lefton is hearing from the Spring Garden and East Little Havana areas on two similar issues.  Residents feel the character of the neighborhood is an issue.  Housing is also an issue here.  The community participants want to get zoning in place to secure their neighborhood’s future and keep the areas from the development of high-rise apartments.  The marine industry of the upper river has the same concerns as the neighborhoods.  They are concerned about securing their future by improved zoning to preserve the area for water dependent businesses.   Discussion continued.  Mr. Lefton explained that they put together a great visual that talks about the River that was presented to the working group.  Lefton is looking at the River as a multi-model transportation corridor.  Janet McAliley asked why there was not prominent mention of River environmental issues.  Steve responded that the environmentally related issues get picked up in several areas of the plan.  Discussion ensued and the end result was that the plan would directly and prominently discuss environmental improvements for the River.   Sallye Jude suggested that the unsavory businesses along the river be reviewed with an eye towards improvement or removal.  Mr. Lefton answered that the plan is in the formative stages and all issues are open for comments or suggestions.  Dr. Martin stated there is a new movement, energized by Mayor Diaz’s platform, to emphasize neighborhoods and preservation of neighborhoods.  Many neighborhoods have unique aspects, such as tree canopy, architecture, or other design items that are worth preserving.  Dr. Martin advised this is a national trend called conservation or preservation districts.  Dr. Martin would like to see the plan identify “conservation or preservation” districts.   Mr. Parks said in response to Dr. Martin’s question on “conservation or preservation districts” that everyone who is interested in specific issues to provide their information to Jim Murley’s urban infill working group.   Dr. Pam Dana stated her office oversees Enterprise Zone designations and offered to review the Miami River corridor to see if more area can be designated under the Enterprise Zone.  Mr. Parks thanked her for this initiative.   Jim Murley advised the MRC that the urban infill group would ensure the plan prominently addresses environmental issues and will create a matrix of action items similar to the Miami River Study Commission Report.  Additionally, Jim explained that the urban design center concept would be specifically included.  Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Lefton for his presentation. 

III.   Status of Dredging - “Bank to Bank”

            Mr. Parks asked Roman Gastesi and Carlos Espinosa to provide an update on the status of the “bank to bank” dredging option.   Carlos Espinosa stated that they have been working closely with the dredging sub-committee.  Carlos explained that the federal government is responsible for dredging the federal channel, but it does not mean dredging sediments from bank to bank or the tributaries to the River.  The area Carlos is looking to dredge is the area from the outside edge of the federal channel to the bank.  This will remove all the contaminated sediments, whereas the channel dredging will only remove sediments from the channel and those sediments that slough into the channel during dredging.  Importantly, the federal government is not involved in the funding of dredging outside the channel or any of the tributaries.  The County wants to be in a position to be able to execute those dredging options.  The County has hired an engineering firm to secure required permits.  If funding becomes available, then the bank to bank and tributary optional dredging could be executed.  They are working with the Corps to make sure that those options are being included within their contract.  The Corps has assured them that the bank to bank can be included as an option.   Mr. Parks stated that the MRC is working with the City and others on the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and, if approved, this could help provide funding for the optional dredging. The issue with the funding is that anything outside the federal channel is not going to be cost-shared by the federal government.  That becomes a local option, which would be the funding responsibility of the County, the State, the City and hopefully the Florida Inland Navigation District.  The Corps is completing detailed sediment surveys to determine the estimated cost of these optional dredging opportunities.  The critical part is the funding.   Discussion was held.  The tributaries are not considered a federal navigational channel and the Corps states it is not their jurisdiction.   Mr. Parks said that that MRC has a lobbyist in Washington and asked how the MRC could help in this initiative.  He also asked Ellen Roth, of Senator Graham’s office, what could be done in this matter.   Mr. Parks wants to make sure that all the options are open.  Carlos agrees with the MRC and will help anyway they can.  Mr. Parks thanked Carlos and Roman. 

IV.  Committee Reports

Dredging Working Group