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VOLUSIA COUNTY BEACH POLICY ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting minutes for January 8, 2008
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of January 8, 2008 was called to order by Chairman Lamotte at 5:38 p.m. 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman David Lamotte
Vice-Chairman Glenn Storch
Nick Conte
Steven Strawn
Worley Pruitt
Dr. P.T. Bud Fleuchaus
David Rigsby

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Jason McGuirk
Wilma Allen  

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2007
Dr. Fleuchaus moved to approve the minutes of November 13, 2007 and Nick Conte seconded the motion.  Motion approved unanimously.

II A. BEACH CONCESSIONAIRE AGREEMENT – Dennis McGee
Dennis McGee advised that the County Manager had asked him if he would take over the handling of the Beach Concessionaires agreement. He advised that at this point they have spoken of the possibility of bringing in a 3^rd party consultant that will work with the concessionaires. If a consultant is brought in the agreement will still go before the Beach Advisory Board and the Beach Concessionaires prior to going to Council for approval. Dr. Fleuchaus asked what the approach will be for working with the concessionaires. Dennis McGee advised that it will depend on whether they bring a consultant on. Vice Chairman Storch asked what the time line will be for finalizing the agreement. Dennis McGee advised that the County Manager would like to get this done as soon as possible. The length of time will depend on what avenue is taken and if they get a consultant on board. At this point it has taken 10 years to get to where they are now.   Vice Chairman Storch discussed some of the previous issues with the concessionaire agreement and that they have looked at the vehicles and services provided. Chairman Lamotte asked about reductions in fees. Dennis McGee advised that would be something that would be brought up before Council.

Chairman Lamotte introduced new board member Dave Rigsby to the members of the board. 

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

IV.  NEW BUSINESS
Vice Chairman asked about board member Wilma Allen. Christine French advised that she will not be returning to the board.

Nick Conte asked about beach tolls and what impact there would be if the County did not collect tolls. John Harper advised that we used to collect about 3 million a year and then pay republic parking 20%. The new agreement with Republic Parking has been changed to 25%. He advised that the toll collection has dropped in the past years. Dr. Fleuchaus asked about taking the beach toll issue before council and discussing it with them. John Harper advised that they discussed it at their goal setting session and determined not to take action at this time. Further discussion ensued. John Harper advised that they could make suggestions in the Beach Management Plan. Vice Chairman Storch said that now would be a good time to review this issue, since it is going back to Council. Chairman Lamotte asked if they would like to add this to the next meeting agenda. John Harper asked if they would like to get someone from Revenue to come in and discuss the issue with the board. Chairman Lamotte advised that they would like to look at the tolls collected from 02/04 to current and what the differences are and see why these amounts have gone down.  

Dave Rigsby asked if there is direction from Council as to what they would like to see reviewed by the Board. Chairman Lamotte advised that much has changed since the original Management Plan was introduced. Vice Chairman Storch explained what the role of the board is and that they are to look into what Council directs them to look into and make recommendations on those issues. Further discussion ensued.

John Harper will work on getting the requested information and add it to the next agenda as requested.

Worley Pruitt brought up the Port Authority Board and advised that it has been taken over by the County Manager and disbanded. He advised that the Beach Advisory Board used to work with them prior to them being dissolved. He would like to send a letter to the County Manager regarding re-nourishment and other issues they handled and ask him to keep the board advised of what they are planning with the beach. Further discussion ensued. Chairman Lamotte made a motion that they write a letter to the County Manager to keep the board advised when they are planning to spend money on issues pertaining to the beach. Vice Chairman Storch seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. John Harper asked members to send some bullet points to him that they would like to see included in the letter and he will put it together for the next meeting. 

V. ONGOING BUSINESS 

A.         Revised Beach Management Plan – John Harper advised that they have the first draft in their meeting packets. He briefly discussed how the first draft is set up with the stricken areas and other additions. He briefly discussed what areas have been removed. He would like the board to take this draft home and go through the changes and make recommendations of things they would like to see added or removed.  

B.         Board Attendance Policy – Chairman Lamotte advised that there was a basic question and answer sheet regarding attendance to the boards, and a meeting schedule in their meeting packets. Nick Conte would like to know what meetings were canceled last year. Christine French advised that she would get the information to him. Steve Strawn asked about the question and answer sheet, specifically about the removal of a board member from the board at any time. He was advised that he serves at the pleasure of the Council member who elected him.  

C.         Ormond by the Sea Beachfront Park Development – John Harper advised that this is the old Happy Whale site and the place across the street was a convenience store. Worley Pruitt asked if the County would have to deal with decontamination of the convenience store. John Harper advised that they did not have to do this since it was done prior to the County buying the property. He advised that there are 80 parking spots at this site. People who went to public meetings advised that parking was more important than play areas. Vice Chairman Storch asked about the crosswalks. John Harper advised what was working with other crosswalks at parks in the County. Vice Chairman Storch asked what the timeline is for this project. John Harper advised all local permits have been obtained and they are now waiting on final DEP approval.  Dave Rigsby asked about landscaping and what plants would be used and if this plan includes it. John Harper advised that he did not have the current landscaping plan with him. Vice Chairman Storch advised that he would like to see the plan with the landscaping included. He advised that Brevard County uses landscaping in their beach front parking lots. He will bring pictures back at the next meeting to show what they have done in their areas. Further discussion ensued.  John Harper advised that he will bring in the plans with the landscaping. Worley Pruitt advised that he would like to see a drop off area included in the plan. Vice Chairman Storch suggested a 15 min. parking spot for unloading. John Harper advised there had been one but it had been removed. Chairman Lamotte suggested they make it a 5 min. parking spot. Further discussion ensued on different markers used on the map and what they represent. Dr. Fleuchaus asked what is holding the project up; John Harper advised that it is DEP permits that are holding it up at this time.

VI. DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Tony Sopotnick discussed the re-nourishment project in New Smyrna Beach. He advised that they are talking about doing it in early March. This project is being handled by the Inland Navigation District and the Army Core of Engineers. This is not a County project or a Port Authority project. Dr. Fleuchaus asked if it was the same project as they did last year. Tony Sopotnick advised that it is 150 feet as opposed to 75 feet like last years project. He advised that this may be a problem for the concessionaires and they will work with them on this. He advised that the pipes will be buried at the bottom of the Beach Ramps which may cause problems later on. Tony Sopotnick advised the board that the new Beach Headquarters will be done soon. He invited the board members to come to the grand opening during the summer. He further discussed some of the changes that have been made to the new Beach Headquarters.

John Harper briefly discussed the new control pump at Sun Splash Park.           

Vice Chairman Storch advised that he would like to see what projects have been completed pertaining to the beaches which have improved the beach since the board was created. Further discussion ensued.  

Dr. Fleuchaus asked about beach approaches and if they will still planning on beautification. John Harper advised that they are still planning on doing beautification at the approaches. He advised that the County Council would be discussing budget rollovers at the next Council meeting on Thurs. Further discussion ensued on the current beachfront parking projects and beautification projects.           

Vice Chairman Storch advised that if there is anything that the board can do to promote beach and leisure projects he would like Tony Sopotnick and John Harper to let them know. 

Dave Rigsby advised that the Volusia channel would be a good place to advertise information about Volusia County and the beaches. Further discussion ensued about ways to advertise the beaches in Volusia County. Nick Conte asked if he can get someone from the Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring over the new commercial they are airing. He will set it up for the next meeting.  

Nick Conte asked about Roger Kropff Park next to the Bahama House. John Harper advised that it is Daytona Beach Shores’ park. Vice Chairman Storch advised that it is something to look into because they created a CRA for this park. Further discussion ensued.            

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The next meeting is set for March 11, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

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