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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

I. Status of the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Dredging Permits and Corrective Action Plan - Mr. Jose Lago, City of Miami Department of Capital Improvements, stated three firms formally replied to the City of Miami ’s advertised Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) for Wagner Creek Dredging Phases III - V and Seybold Canal . Mr. Lago noted on September 26, 2006 the City of Miami issued an RFI (Request for Information), requesting that the three firms provide information on their proposed dredging methodologies.  Mr. Lago explained replies are due by October 25, 2006 and then the City of Miami will solicit proposed prices.  Mr. Lago stated the next steps are the City of Miami recommending a firm and negotiating a contract, which is estimated to be considered by the City Commission in February, 2007.  The SSC thanked Mr. Lago for the progress report. 

II.  Update on the Development of TMDL’s for Wagner Creek – The SSC noted the Final Wagner Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report is posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) website.  Mr. Mike Gambino stated the City and County will move forward with creating a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) to identify means of obtaining the new water quality standards set in the TMDL.  Mr. Gambino noted he has concerns with how the FDEP TMDL does not differentiate Human based e-coli, and stated the FDEP may revise their TMDL.  Mr. Rod Lovette, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) stated 98% of samples taken identify non-human e-coli sources.  Mr. Gambino added the BMAP should be consistent with and address the final TMDL.

III. Status of WASD Smoke Testing of the Wagner Creek Western Sub Basin – Mr. Lovette noted the WASD had provided the funding to complete storm water smoke testing in Wagner Creek sub-basin 50.  Mr. Lovette explained in order for the WASD to continue conducting effective smoke testing in additional Wagner Creek storm water sub-basins, they will need funding and authorization since they are not responsible to test and maintain the storm water system.  Mr. Lovette estimated additional storm water smoke testing would cost $4,000 - $5,000 per sub-basin, and there are approximately 5 sub-basins remaining.  Mr. Evan Skornick (SFWMD) noted State SWIM funding is available in the Sustainability and Protection Trust Fund as a re-occurring funding source which goes to the SFWMD.  Mr. Skornick stated the SFWMD found an available $15,409 appropriation made in 1997 for Wagner Creek initiatives, and stated the SFWMD will use it for smoke testing in Wagner Creek.  Mr. Skornick added in December 2006 the SFWMD will add $15,409 to the MRC’s contract, in order to smoke test in additional Wagner Creek storm water sub-basins.  Mr. Sknornick stated the funding needs to be encumbered by February 28, 2007 , via the MRC invoicing the SFWMD for the testing.        

The SSC thanked the SFWMD and Mr. Skornick for their continued support.  The SSC discussed potentially continuing with the three Wagner Creek Storm Water Basins adjacent to basin 50, which was the last one tested by the WASD.  Mr. Lovette stated he would further discuss the appropriate next sub-basins to test with Mr. Steve Blair, DERM.  Mr. Lovette noted once the next sub-basins are selected, in order to provide effective testing they must be cleaned by the City of Miami ’s vacuum trucks.  Ms. Dianne Waters, City of Miami Public Works , asked Mr. Lovette to provide her with the sub-basin boundaries when they are selected.

V. New Business - Mr. Rod Lovette stated the WASD has agreed / implemented the following MRC recommendations:

• The WASD agreed to remove the fence on their riverfront easement located on NW South River Dr. & NW 2 ST in October, in order for the MRC and Hands on Miami volunteers to create a pocket park on November 6, 2006.  Mr. Lovette added they would currently maintain their ownership and maintenance crew every other week, yet would consider options to transfer maintenance to another entity.  

·        WASD implemented the MRC’s recommendation to plant a flowering hedge to facade their facility along NW 5 ST and NW 7 Ave (across the street from the recently opened Tuscan Place affordable housing development).

·        WASD will create concept drawings to façade Pump Station #1 in a similar architectural fashion as the adjacent historic Scottish Rite Temple, located on the Miami River ’s South Shore at NW North River Drive and NW 3 ST.

The SSC thanked the WASD and Mr. Lovette for their continued support.

Mr. Lovette stated the WASD is placing a new water main on SW 2 ST which will take 4-8 weeks and require making a small pit and hole with a directional drill.  At the request of the Army Corp’s of Engineer’s the new water main will be relocated to the required depth beneath the Miami River ’s Federal Navigable Channel, in order to prepare for the arrival of the Miami River maintenance dredging project. 

The next regularly scheduled SSC meeting was confirmed for the first Wednesday of the month, November 1, 2006 , 10 am , Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive .

The meeting adjourned.

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