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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board  
Meeting minutes for April 13, 2004
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:30PM, April 13, 2004.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Glenn Storch
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger
Dr. Bud Fleuchaus
Charles DeZaruba
Walter Welch
William Cook
Jay Crocker

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Richard Lohmann
James France

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2004:

Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes. Walter Welch seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT PER SPEAKER)

Walter Hayes, Director of Communications, Sons of the Beach. Reported to the Board that he walked and petitioned the beachgoers this past weekend and only found two people that were opposed to driving on the beach.
Jeannie Deason, NSB, associated with Keep Driving on the Beach group. Reported that she also walked the beach, petitioned the beachgoers and handed out information this past weekend. She read excerpts from a letter that Dr. Soskin wrote to U.S. Fish & Wildlife regarding low property values along the beach in Daytona Beach. She wanted to point out that this is not the case in New Smyrna Beach. She asked the Board to keep in mind when preparing the Beach Management Plan that New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach are not the same.
Glenn Storch advised Ms. Deason that the Board is recommending that driving remain on the beach. Glenn Stroch acknowledged that there are distinct differences in the communities that border the beach and assured her that they would consider that when developing the Beach Management Plan.
The “Keep Driving on the Beach” group proposed suggestions for the Beach Management Plan. Some of the suggestions included: 1. Implement a permit process for driving on the beach and consider raising the fines for violations on the beach, up to pulling your permit after 3 violations. (Jay Crocker and Charles DeZaruba wanted to know how much revenue’s generated by Volusia County for fines). 2. Place a beach ranger at the ramps at the end of the day, or use unmarked cars to ticket the drivers that spin out at the ramps. 3. Give information to the student body governments re: driving on the beach. 4. Form a Sheriff’s Citizen’s Beach Patrol. 5. Better monitor multiple use of daily beach passes. KeepSmyrnaBeachDriving.org
Chairman Storch thanked Ms. Deason.
Dr. Fleuchaus suggested a sign saying “Pedestrians Have The Right of Way”.

IV. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Review first draft:
John Harper introduced Susanne Wilde, Planner with Leisure Services. Susanne explained that this will be an update on the previous Beach Management Plan. Susanne advised that drafts of sections 1 thru 3 are complete and asked the Board to review those chapters and make suggestions. Staff will provide the Board with a copy of the old Beach Management Plan to compare. Several more sections will be provided at the next meeting.
Chairman Storch suggested going through the sections and review the highlights.
The Board made suggestions and revisions to the three sections.
William Cook asked John Harper to look into designating the beach as a park. Glenn Storch asked that this suggestion be incorporated into the Beach Management Plan.
Public participants asked that the Beach Management Plan be made available to the public on the website and have the ability to make suggestions for changes, additions and deletions. Susanne Wilde will post the Beach Management Plan on the website for everyone to review.

V. NEW BUSINESS

Beachfront Parks – Terri Campbell, Sons of the Beach Organization. She advised that the beachfront parks are being used by the hotel guests more than the public. She suggested requiring a permit or pass for use. Overnight parking is not permitted in the beachfront parks and is enforceable. Chief Deputy Futch suggested adding gates and closing them at night.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:

Update on Ormond Beach Area Off Beach Parking Leases
John Harper advised that at the April 1 County Council meeting both leases were approved.
John Harper advised that he is negotiating with a realtor for Jordan’s Furniture for some parking spots at that site.

VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

Update of the Land Acquisition Management Report.

Ernest Boger pointed out that the guidelines for advisory boards regulate that boards meet no more than 6 times a year. The Beach Policy Advisory Board chooses to meet every month. Ernest Boger applauded the Boards work and enthusiasm.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 11, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.

 

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Volusia County, Florida.