Board of Directors Meeting
Sept. 17, 2003, Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Directors/Alternates Present
T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs/Brickell 25
Berdie Archer, Gloria Konsler/One Tequesta Point
Linda Baker/Brickell Place, Phase I
Joseph Frisz/Brickell East
Salvador Ziegenhirt/25 Bay Tower
Jan Jones/The Palace
Al Maloof/The Mark on Brickell
Sheila Zemsky/Brickell Key I
Alvaro Sentisteven/Brickell Place II
Ralph & Roberta Slonim/Villa Regina
Anibal Lopez-Molne/Brickell Bay Club
Mac Seligman/Brickell Townhouse
Michael Harned/Santa Maria
Henry H. Taylor, Jr., Esq., General Counsel
Ronald K. Smith, Esq., Deputy General Counsel
Natalie Brown/ BHA Communications Director
Associate Members Present
Megan Kelly/Brickell Area Association
Rev. Joseph Combs/ Immanuel Lutheran Church
Danny Ponce/Brickell Key Master Association
Oliver Ruiz/Fortune International, The Jade Residences
City of Miami
Commissioner Johnny Winton
Frank Balzebre, Jason Walker/Commissioner Winton’s staff
Alicia Cuervo Schreiber/Chief Operating Officer
Clark Turner/Director, Transportation
Albert Dominguez/Director, Public Works
Officer Jeffrey Giordano, MPD
Eddie Padilla/Downtown NET
Kiana Thomas, Samaki Variety/Office of the Mayor
Miami-Dade County
Silvia Vago-Caviglia/Commissioner Morales’ Staff
Also Present
Joseph A. Bier/Brickell Place, Phase I
Marilyn Goldhaber/Brickell Townhouse
Christine Heller/Brickell Key I
Yvonne Hochheiser/25 Bay Tower
Miles Moss, Robert Wyman/Miles Moss & Assoc., Inc.
Ed McCormick/Brickell Shores
Sylvia McCormick/Point View Assoc.
Sean McCormick/Home Banc
Meeting called to order 6:17 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove.
It was moved and seconded that the reading of the May 2003 minutes be waived and the minutes be accepted as published. The motion passed unanimously.
President’s Report
Miami Children’s Museum – Visited and urged others to do so as it is a new community treasure.
The Work of the Organization/Government Advisory Committee – This committee will make recommendations to the board, liaison with city officials, lobby officials if needed. Please consider for further discussion next meeting and let President know if interested in serving.
Adopt a Waterway signage will not be added on Brickell.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Proposing a School/Day Care Center for up to 60 children. Concerns expressed by the South Miami Ave. Homeowners Assn. as well as by some Brickell residents. Pastor Combs said the church is trying to relate to the community in an appropriate way. “We’re here to serve the community. We’re not here to see the deterioration of Brickell Avenue or South Miami Avenue.” The church hopes that the school will serve those in the community of South Miami and Brickell Avenue so they don’t anticipate it bringing additional traffic into the neighborhood. Key points:
- There will be improvements in the facility with the new school - facility will be in the parish hall which will have to be upgraded
- Probably 40-50 children not 60, but not sure. 3, 4 and 5 year olds
- Hours of the school will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then child care following that.
- Montessory-based school.
Q. It’s a school, but will it set a precedent so that other forms of business and schools can be opened along Brickell?
A. Zoning should protect it from being a precedent. Churches are permitted to have schools. However, BHA has learned from the 1900 Brickell Avenue ongoing zoning battles that once a zoning variance is given, troubles remain with compliance and enforcement.
Further consideration is anticipated at the October Board Meeting.
Introductions & Farewells
Welcome to the City’s new Chief Operating Officer Alicia Cuervo Shrieber; to Eddie Padilla, new NET Administrator for Downtown; and to Sumaki Variety, Community Relations Director for Manny Diaz.
Farewell and thanks to Clark Turner, retiring from the City, to be replaced by Mary Conway
Officer Giordano – Miami City Police
Last month a registered sexual predator came to live on Brickell Avenue. Certain state guidelines say that they can’t live within a certain distance of a park but some judge waived the guidelines and the police had no choice but to allow him to be here. Police followed him to track him down and watch for parole violations; Brickell Post publicized. He’s now left Miami.
Sidewalk Safety for Non-Vehicular Traffic
In response to residents’ concerns, the BHA presented signage options for driveway exits along Brickell to remind drivers to watch for bikers, joggers, walkers, etc. approaching from both directions.
Miami River Bridge Openings
A new proposal will limit bridge openings to on the hour and on the half-hour. Also, a noon to 1:00 p.m. lock-down will be added to the current morning and afternoon rush-hour lock-downs. Tugs and ships under tow will be exempt from all restrictions. It was moved, seconded and unanimously agreed that a letter in support of the Coast Guard's initiatives be sent from BHA.
TRAFFIC on Brickell - Miles Moss & Associates Consulting Engineers
Bob Wyman and Miles Moss presented the proposed study (which is on BHA's web site). It will take a comprehensive look at the convenience, traffic management, signage and signalization elements that could make the Brickell Neighborhood better reflect is urban character, improving both safety and serviceability. The study results will provide documentation for the changes that are needed. Commissioner Winton expressed support and the need for all concerned to also advocate to the County Government as well as FDOT for the study to be undertaken.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 15, 2003, One Tequesta Point, 888 Brickell Key Drive
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
