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VOLUSIA COUNTY BEACH POLICY ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting minutes for March 11, 2008
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

I.   CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of March 11, 2008 was called to order by Chairman Lamotte at 5:30 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
Jason McGuirk
District 1 - Vacant

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2007: 
Vice-Chairman Storch moved to approve the minutes of November 13, 2007 and Dr. Fleuchaus seconded the motion.  Motion approved unanimously.

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

IV.  NEW BUSINESS:

A.   Possible Changes in Board Staff Support – John Harper

John Harper briefly discussed some of the re-organization changes that were occurring within the County and why staff support will be changing. He advised that the Board will be moved under the Coastal Division and Joe Nolin would be the new liaison or someone from his division. He briefly discussed some of the contents of the County Council agenda item that discussed the re-organization and the upcoming changes. John explained that concessionaires will be handled by the Coastal Division but that the beach maintenance will still be handled by the Parks Division. Dr. Fleuchaus asked about the beach ramp beautification. John Harper advised that they will be using funding from the Port Authority for some of these projects and that the Coastal Division will be funded by the Port Authority.

Further discussion ensued regarding what the Beach Policy Advisory Board would still be responsible for advising on.

Vice Chairman Storch made a motion to thank John Harper for all of his support through his years, and would like to send a letter to County Council from the Board to that effect. Dr. Fleuchaus seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Board members discussed sending language in for a letter to be drafted to be given to Council.

V. ONGOING BUSINESS:

A.  Revised Beach Management Plan

John Harper advised that the County Council adopted the plan as it was originally, but they only implemented part of it. He advised that whatever they brought before them would be an amendment to the first plan. Dr. Fleuchaus asked about the first page and why things were scratched out and paragraphs were combined. John Harper advised that the language may have been repetitious and that is why they were removed.  John Harper advised that the language concerning the beach concessionaires was left out because it was revised separately. Chairman Lamotte asked about the census on page 7 and how many visitors were returning visitors or first time visitors. John Harper advised that he wasn’t aware of any studies the County has done to find out that information but the Hotel Motel Association might have studies. Further discussion ensued. Nick Conte will see if there is anything relating to that at the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. Steve Strawn had a question about the adoption of the plan previous to the changes that are being discussed at this time. Vice Chairman Storch advised that many things have changed since then with the beach concessionaires and the hurricanes. Further discussion ensued about how often reviews should be done. John Harper advised that reviews are done on a 2 or 5 year plan. Nick Conte would like to add a review time into the plan. Vice Chairman Storch advised that he would like to see a time added as well. Dr. Fleuchaus questioned the conclusions and that the fees were marked out. He wanted to know if there was a mention of tolls and the financial aspects. John Harper advised that he believes there will be changes later on with the new developments in the County. He advised that it may be something they will add in during this review. John Harper will put tolls and fees on the agenda for the next meeting. Vice Chairman Storch suggested that they should make a list of priorities and present it to Joe Nolin prior to the next meeting. Chairman Lamotte will get with Joe Nolin and John Harper to discuss the upcoming changes. Dr. Fleuchaus would like to add “How to implement beach management plan” and “Financial Issues” to list of things to ask Joe Nolin. Worley Pruitt mentioned the new beach arches; he thought that they looked nice. Further discussion ensued. Jason McGuirk asked about the Board’s position on tolls. Vice Chairman Storch advised that the original recommendation was that tolls be increased but it was not passed by County Council. The Board has looked into taking the tolls completely off of the beach in the future. Further discussion ensued on the benefits and detriments of beach tolls. John Harper advised that the tolls only cover about 25% of the actual costs of maintaining the beach. The financial issues that the County is facing as well as the entire country are affecting the beach already. Vice Chairman Storch would like to add to the plan what the reaction of the Board would be to the upcoming economic downturn. Nick Conte mentioned that Lorie Campbell Brown would like to come to a meeting and show them the advertising that the Convention and Visitors Bureau are doing. He will try and get her to come to the next meeting. The liaison will check with Nancy on DVD capability.

VI. DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Tony Sopotnick advised that the tollbooth has been removed from the Granada approach to the Rockefeller approach. He advised that the red sand has moved down as far as the Rockefeller approach. Beach Services are hoping that they will have enough hard sand for people to be able to drive on the beach in Ormond. According to the Toll Supervisor’s report the toll revenues are higher. He advised that the crowds are really good in New Smyrna Beach and are not high in Daytona Beach. He said he’ll recheck the numbers and report back to the board. The City of Daytona Beach has opened their beachfront park and he advised that the park is really nice. The Beach headquarters are close to having the roof on. They are hoping for July 6^th opening date but it will probably be closer to the beginning of August. He advised that he is hoping that Board will be meeting there once it is completed. He advised that they are working to get the permits to get the lifeguard tower in Ponce Inlet and would like to get the poles in the ground before turtle season begins in May. The New Smyrna Beach Re-nourishment project will begin in April, the total time should be 90 days. Jason McGuirk asked about parking in New Smyrna. Tony Sopotnick advised that at this time they are not sure. Worley Pruitt asked if they could do temporary parking at Rockefeller until it was completed. Tony Sopotnick advised that he thought they were currently in design. John Harper advised that they are waiting to take it to the City, but it should be under construction soon. Further discussion on Beach Services and where it was in the re-organization ensued.    

VII. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

The next meeting is set for May 13, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

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