Minutes of the BHA Board of Directors Meeting
February 17, 1999, Capriccio Restaurant, 1221 Brickell Ave.

The meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m.

President's Report

Stallone Estate:
The Orient Express has withdrawn its bid for the estate citing too much opposition from the neighbors.

Miami Circle:
The idea of exchanging the site of the archaeological finding with Brickell Park was explored by the task force. The Brickell family said no to the idea. The developer's plan is for rental apartments to be later converted to condo.

BHA 10th Anniversary:
BHA Vice President Veena Panjabi has agreed to chair an anniversary party committee for the decade milestone, officially May 2000, thus BHA is about to start its 10th year.

Supplemental Waste Fee:
The City Commission approved, on the first reading Feb. 9th, refunds to the condo associations who paid this fee which was later rescinded. The second reading is scheduled for the March 9th City Commission meeting. Refunds should go out 30 days later.

Aircraft Noise Abatement:
The City is getting involved in pushing for action. The pilot program underway involves airplanes making adjustments in their departures and landings (climb profiles, following expressway paths, flight track management, etc.) for a six-month test. The City wants to see the new guidelines followed 24 hours a day rather than just at night which is the airport management's current plan. BHA is working with the County to support the City's airport noise abatement position.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jimmy Morales' Office Report by Alex Diaz
All are invited to Commissioner Morales' next Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 25th at the Miami City Hall.

Miami City Commissioner JL Plummer's Report

Fire Rescue Fee:
There are 17 new fire rescue trucks and pieces of equipment as a result of funds generated by the Fire Rescue Fee passed last year by the Commission. The City is continuing to evaluate purchase of a special fire-fighting piece of equipment that can reach heights of 170 feet, maneuver into alcoves and has a ladder which can evacuate people. Only one operates in the U.S. today, in Texas, with reportedly great results.

Other City News

Median Contract:
The contract to maintain the Brickell Avenue median was recently awarded to Florida Lawn Service for $71,395 annually ($22,395 for renovation and $49,000 for maintenance). Assistant City Manager Dena Bianchino to look into questions about the former contractor's responsbility to replace trees that died within 30 days of planting and to fix pourous pipe irrigation system where not working.
Trash Containers: New containers that are sizeable, cannot be knocked over or stolen and are easy to empty are being disbursed throughout the city.

Police Report - Jeff Giordano
Bicyclist fatality: The accident on Brickell that resulted in the death of a bicyclist is still under investigation. To date, no charges have been filed.

Publix attack.
The victim that was mugged outside of Publix was going to look at mug shots; no suspects have been apprehended.

Speeding on Brickell:
Many BHA representatives spoke out about the continuing problem of speeding on Brickell at 6:30 a.m., during departure rush hour and from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Crashes in the middle of the night, drivers missing the dogleg turn at 15th Road, lack of speed limit signs and lack of patrols and ticketing were all cited by residents as big concerns.

A.J. Johnson, Miami Police Chief O'Brien's assistant, said he will look into the speeding problems right away, along with concerns about the Brickell Key Bridge, the only bridge the City owns, which doesn't get enforcement efforts.

Terremark Presentation by Ed Jacobsen
Mr. Jacobsen presented Terremark's plan to build an entertainment complex on South Miami Avenue around 7th and 8th Streets where they have assembled 10.2 acres for development. This retail entertainment complex, he said, will address the needs of the built up office and residential neighborhood. It will likely be mixed use (entertainment, restaurants, hotel, retail, office, residential) as the zoning is liberal in the area. Terremark wants to hear what residents want in the complex and pledges to try to create a plan that meets those needs. A singular specific desire was expressed by BHA representatives in that they want to see a development that serves the needs of the neighborhood community rather than something that acts as a magnet to attract people (congestion and trouble) from all over.

Nominating Committee
Chair Bruce Cotten reported that the committee found that all the current officers should be continued. Ralph Slonim moved and Susan King seconded the motion that all current BHA officers be reelected. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

The next meeting is at the Fortune House, 185 SE 14 Terrace, March 17, 1999.