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Volusia
County Beach Policy Advisory Board
Meeting minutes for November 9,
2004
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Vice-Chairman Boger called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM, November 9, 2004.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger
Dr. Bud Fleuchaus
Charles DeZaruba
James France
Jay Crocker
Daniel Troian
Richard Lohmann
BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Chairman Glenn Storch
Walter Welch
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 12, 2004:
Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes of October 12, 2004. Charles DeZaruba seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT PER SPEAKER):
A.J. Devise – HAVOC, commented on the Beach Management Plan. Ms. Devise expressed her concerns about handicapped access to the beach. Charles DeZaruba advised that staff has addressed this issue and has met and/or exceeded the requirements. Ernest Boger reiterated that the Board is committed to this issue.
Bob Drollett – Sons-of-the-Beach, commented on the pending lawsuit brought by Shirley Reynolds. He advised that the take permit has taken 3 years and asked why and what are Volusia County officials doing? John Harper advised that the U.S. Government is to be questioned about why it is taking so long. He also expressed concern about putting sand, paid for by the taxpayers, in front of Shirley Reynold’s house.
Karen Ricks – Daytona Beach, expressed concern about the Ocean Dune approach being closed by a developer without the County’s knowledge. She commended Leisure Services for working to get it re-opened. She is concerned about approaches being closed and high-rise condo’s being developed along the beach. John Harper explained the County ordinance on approaches.
IV. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Update:
John Harper introduced Art Jiles, newly elected Council Member.
John Harper advised that Council approved the plan to be forwarded onto the cities.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
Gene Varano, FDEP, Field Engineer:
Mr. Varano introduced himself to the Board and explained that he covers Volusia through St. Lucie County and he controls the oceanfront construction. Mr. Varano has statute authority to write permits along the beach. A State of Emergency was declared after the last hurricane and explained the permitting process during a State of Emergency. Rich Lohmann asked about the natural re-building of the dunes. Charles DeZaruba asked if the State is permitting the sand berms. Gene Varano explained that the local Government is handling this and further explained that the County of Volusia has the ability to issue permits to individuals at this time. A meeting took place early with all the cites and the County to circumvent this damage, which was very helpful. Rich Lohmann expressed concern about construction affecting the dune system. Mr. Varano explained that seawall replacements are protected by State statute. The statute and county ordinance requires a dune system to be created in front of the new or replaced seawalls. Gene Varano advised that he would like to see the dune walkovers be replaced with a sand path. Dune walkovers introduce more construction material to the dune system.
VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:
Update on beach damage, access, repairs, etc… - John Harper:
John Harper provided an updated list of access points.
Mr. Harper advised that the FEMA sand renourishment contract is underway. John Harper will bring a list of these locations to the next meeting. Mr. Boger asked the Members to report at the next meeting about the progress in their assigned areas.
Mr. Harper advised that we are at the halfway point with repairs and reconstruction of the access points. He further explained that some have been assigned to contractors, some County staff will repair and the other 13 locations are not able to be assigned at this time. Charles DeZaruba asked about how many are handicapped. John Harper advised that if they were handicapped they will be replaced as handicapped. There are five new walkovers that are slated for construction.
Options to consider re: notification of unsafe conditions on the beach – Chief Deputy Futch and Kevin Sweat, Director:
Kevin Sweat explained what the current process entails. Kevin Sweat explained that Volusia County has the most rip currents in Florida. The hurricanes increased the intensity of the rip currents. He advised that the sand is coming back, but slowly. The winter storms will increase rip currents. Rich Lohmann asked about closing the beach because of high tides. Kevin Sweat explained that some days the tide does not permit driving at all. Kevin Sweat also explained that business will return to normal more quickly north of the inlet rather than south of the inlet.
VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Charles DeZaruba asked about the loss of turtle nests lost.
John Harper will try to bring in pictures of the beach damage for the Board to the next meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting will be Tuesday, December 14, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50pm
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Volusia County, Florida.