I. CHAIRS REPORT:
     Mr. Parks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the December meeting.  He stated that there was a quorum present and asked for approval of the November minutes.  Sallye Jude made the motion to approve the November minutes.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Parks stated that Sallye Jude has arranged for a Ft. Lauderdale Riverwalk Tour for Monday, December 09, 2002 with renowned architect Edward Durrell Stone.  Sallye stated that the tour would include a boat tour of the River as well as a land tour and discussions.  She passed around a paper to sign up for the tour.  She needed to know how many people would be attending so that she could decide if a bus would be necessary or if everyone would just meet at the Miami River Inn and drive up together.  Bob expressed his gratitude to Jim Murley, Sarah Ingle and Helen Brown for all of the hard work they put in on the development of the Urban Infill Plan.  He stated that he had plaques and thank-you letters for the three of them.  He also thanked Fran Bohnsack for the historical guides she brought to the commission.  He also thanked everyone who participated in the City Commission meeting on November 19, 2002 regarding the horse stables in Sewell Park.  Mr. Parks stated that as of the present time, the building of the horse stables in Sewell Park is not going forward.  This issue is going before the City Commission on December 12, 2002 for its first reading.  The Commissioners have concerns about the history of the park, police protection in the entire park area, etc.

II.        Fund Raising Discussion

            Mr. Parks stated that the executive committee is very concerned about the large amount of money we owe to Doug Bruce, our lobbyist in Tallahassee since we can’t use the funds we have to pay him.  The other concern is that if the commission is not sunsetted, and goes forward with the work of the dredging project, greenway and Urban Infill Plan, the work and involvement of the commission is only going to grow in terms of what has to be done, and the staff can not take on any additional duties (i.e. fund raising).  Phil Everingham was asked to chair a fund raising committee.  The executive committee would like to reach out to solicit proposals from various companies to set up some kind of fund raising vehicle for the Miami River Commission.  The proposals could hopefully be presented at the January meeting.  Presently, there is no member on the commission that has the expertise to set up such a thing.  Bob asked Phil Everingham to discuss the possibilities.  Phil passed around a handout detailing reasons the commission needs to raise funds, and the steps that would need to be taken in order to do so.  Mr. Everingham stated that he is here today asking the commission for their approval of soliciting proposals and creating a fund raising arm for the commission.  He stated that based on his research, the fund raising organization needs to be a separate professional effort.  Phil advised the group that the MRC should develop a fund raising mission statement, make goals, develop a timetable and create an action plan to achieve our goals.  He would like to see the MRC start with a fund raising committee and end up with a non profit organization like Miami River Fund or what ever name we choose.  Mr. Parks opened the floor to discussion.  Dusty Melton stated that he is not sure if hiring an outside company should be the first step towards fund raising.  He recommended that the MRC contact other non-profit organizations to find out how they raise money. Mr. Melton stated that the MRC could hold an “annual dinner” to honor someone for their contributions to the River and use the dinner as a way to raise money.  He also suggested that the MRC try to tap into the discretionary funds of the City or County Commissioners to try and get even a little money.  Dusty also mentioned that the MRC might want to look into somehow getting the rights to sell engraved bricks on the riverwalk to raise money.  Sandy O’Neil suggested that the MRC contact businesses along the River that have benefited from the commission or will benefit in the future and ask them to contribute money so that we can start to pay off our debt with Doug Bruce.  She also stated that the MRC should not spend more than $7500 to hire a company to detail a list of all of the possibilities for fundraising that exist.  Discussion ensued.  Bob Parks stated that he would assist Phil Everingham in appointing a committee to develop specific recommendations to address the fund raising concern.  Jerry Fernandez stated that he thought the committee should develop a scope of work. 

III.       Fifth Street Bridge Design Recommendation Discussion

            Mr. Parks asked Brett Bibeau to comment on this issue.  At the October 7, 2002 meeting of the Miami River Commission, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made a presentation regarding the replacement of the 5^th Street Bridge.  To refresh the commission’s memory, Brett read the following from the October 7, 2002 minutes:

Sandy O’Neil made a motion for the MRC to develop a recommendation for this issue by the December meeting in order to help expedite the process.  Bruno Barriero seconded the motion.  Janet McAliley asked Sandy to add an amendment that the impact to the surrounding communities be taken into consideration, as well as capturing the character and ambiance of the community when designing the bridge in order to preserve those qualities.  The amendment was accepted.  Gerardo Fernandez asked that the motion be further amended to include examining the water conveyance issues and the additional dredging of the rock and spoil that impedes water flow.  Sandy accepted this as a friendly amendment…the motion passed unanimously.

On November 8, 2002, the MRC held a tri-committee meeting consisting of the Greenways, Urban Infill and Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittees.  The subcommittees unanimously passed the following five recommendations: 1) Vertical clearance would be 19’ at “low steel” which equates to 25’ at the center of the bridge, which would allow tugboats to pass underneath the bridge.  This is lower than required by the U.S. Coast Guard policy, however, the Coast Guard representative at the meeting stated this height would be acceptable.  2) Horizontal clearance should concur with the U.S. Army Corps requirement of 150’.  The subcommittees further recommended that the FDOT consider mitigating landside impacts.  3) The subcommittees recommended that FDOT should utilize their “Community Impact Assessment” process and work with the City, County, MRC and property owners to further plan the greenway route and community impacts of the new bridge.  This outreach planning process is to remain adherent to existing funding cycles.  4) Re-routing North River Drive between NW 6^th and NW 7^th Avenue, and two-waying NW 5^th Street, pursuant to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan Recommendations.  5) Expediting the replacement project for the 5^th Street Bridge, including the removal of the old bridge before the dredging project reaches the bridge.  This would lower the cost of bridge construction, as FDOT would have to do dredge the channel after they build the new bridge.  Additionally, the Coast Guard considers the existing bridge an “obstruction to navigation” and removal of the bridge this procedure provide a more expedited removal of the obstruction.  Bob Parks asked if there was a motion to approve the recommendations from the tri-committee meeting.  Janet McAliley made a motion to accept the five recommendations from the 5^th Street Bridge Tri-Committee meeting.  Sandy O’Neil seconded the motion Sallye Jude asked that an amendment be added to include a design competition for the new bridge.  Gerardo Fernandez seconded the motion to amend.  The motion to amend was passed unanimously.  Discussion ensued.  The motion passed unanimously.

IV.       One Miami Riverwalk Update

            Brett stated that there was not a representative present from the One Miami Project due to the late request of the MRC and it being the holiday season.  On October 29, 2002, One Miami made a presentation to the City Commission requesting $4.7 million for the cost of the proposed greenway.  They suggested that the money be allocated from the greenway and gateway line items of the approved Homeland Defense and Neighborhood Improvement Bond Issue.  At that meeting, the Commissioners requested the manager put together a list of all available city funding sources.  The City Commission seemed to be very supportive of the proposed project at that meeting.  This item is on the draft agenda for December 12, 2002 City Commission meeting and the MRC is required to provide a recommendation on river related items.  The floor was opened up for discussion.  Sallye Jude stated that she did not feel that it was right for all of the riverwalk money to come from the public.  Dusty Melton agreed with Sallye.  Janet McAliley stated that One Miami has already received a variance and they should not also take the bond money.  She stated that they are a private developer, who is going to profit from this riverwalk, so why should they also spend public funds.  Ernie Martin stated that it would set a dangerous precedent for the Commission to give a private company all of the money they are asking for.  Ernie made a motion that the MRC approves the One Miami Riverwalk Project, but encourages the City Commission seek alternative funding sources, so that the bond money can be better utilized to leverage grant funding, which is the policy of the MRC.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

V.    Committee Reports

a. Dredging Working Group

Dick Bunnell stated that the last dredging meeting took place on November 20, 2002.  He advised the group that the dredging timeline stands as follows: the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) would be released on the Corps website next week, the final RFP will be released at the end of January, the bids will be reviewed between March 15, 2003 and April 16, 2003, the contract will be awarded in April, and dredging will commence in either June or July.  Three months were designated between the contract award and commencement to allow for permitting.  The utility relocation process is progressing on schedule and should not hinder the start of dredging.  The County bank-to-bank letter will be mailed out by mid-December.  Mr. Parks thanked everyone involved in the Dredging Working Group for all of their hard work and dedication, especially Susan Markley and Roman Gastesi.

b. Public Safety and Security

Capt. Watson stated that after the Trident Port Security Assessment report at the November 4, 2002 MRC meeting there was an informal meeting.  It was decided at that meeting that the Miami River needs a senior Miami-Dade police officer to be in charge and coordinate security for the River.  This senior member of the Miami-Dade Police Department would also be the proper officer to coordinate with federal agencies.  Capt. Watson stated that the Miami-Dade Police Department could apply for federal port security grant money.

c.  Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan

Brett stated that the plan would be going before the City Commission on December 12, 2002.  He was trying to get a time certain for it and let everyone know so that they could go and show their support.  Commissioner Winton requested that the MRC draft resolutions for the meeting.  These resolutions were worded based on the adopted FEC Plan resolutions relying on the principle that if the wording was proper for the FEC Plan, then it should be acceptable for the Miami River Urban Infill Plan.

d. Greenways Subcommittee

In November, the City Commission awarded the MRC a $25,000 match for our awarded $100,000 grant from Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the construction of the greenway at the Miami Circle.  We have entered into construction documents with the Trust for Public Land consultants.  They will be bringing those construction documents to the MRC and to the Circle Planning Group under the Florida Department of State, which the MRC has a seat on.  Hopefully they will be approved and we will get the public access to the circle.

e.  Stormwater Subcommittee

No Report

f. Economic Development & Commerce

Megan Kelly asked Cleve Jones to report on the 5^th Street Bridge.  Cleve stated that the bridge is a major blockage to flood conveyance capacity and that we might be able to use FEMA funding to remove it.  If it is not removed, it will be a major hindrance during the dredging process.  Bob Parks asked Cleve to meet with David and Brett to develop a letter that could be sent to Governor Bush regarding expediting the removal of the 5^th Street Bridge.  Mr. Parks also asked that David and Brett meet with Pam Dana, the Governor’s designee and discuss this issue with her.

VI.       New Business

            Brett stated that the Sewell Park agenda item on December 12, 2002 has a time certain set for 6 p.m.  This meeting will take place at the Miami Arena. 

The state passed a law expanding the enterprise zone within the Miami River Urban Infill Corridor. The first reading of the City ordinances expanding the enterprise zone passed in November, the second reading is scheduled for December 12, 2002. 

Phil Everingham invited everyone on the commission to the Marine Council Holiday Party, from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2002 at Cooley’s Yacht Club.  Bob Parks wished everyone a happy holiday season.