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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board  
Meeting minutes for April 8, 2003
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

 

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Dr. Bud Fleuchaus called the meeting to order at 5:35PM, April 8, 2003
News Media Present

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Glenn Storch
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger
Dr. Bud Fleuchaus
Charles DeZaruba
Richard Lohmann
William Cook
James France
Walter Welch

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT

Patrick Fulton

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2003:

Charles DeZaruba moved approval of the minutes for March 11, 2003 and William Cook seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved.

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

Phillip Devorick, Daytona Beach Parasail. Advised the Board that he is not in favor of adding any new parasail concessionaires and further explained that 3 of the 4 parasail businesses are up for sale because business for parasailing is not consistent and is considered a fad. Mr. Devorick suggested that the current parasail operation (Daytona Beach Parasail) is adequate for the Daytona Beach area. Mr. Devorick expressed concern about too many parasail operations. Kevin Sweat advised that this issue would be brought up at a future meeting.

PRESENTATIONS:

Dr. Mark Soskin, UCF Professor – Beach Impact Survey Results:

Dr. Soskin reported on a study that he conducted several years ago on day-trippers. He first determined which beaches residents of local county’s were attended and what type of activities were conducted, etc… The results of the survey:

Most people in Central Florida visit NSB, Brevard, Flagler at least once a year. Only 42% chose Daytona Beach as their favorite beach.

Nearly twice as many people park off beach than on.

Income was not a factor.

Day-trippers predominate the beach visitor. Not a lot of money being spent by day-trippers.

Dr. Soskin has done a Special Events Study re: beach. Results are that outsiders spend 2.5 times more money during special events.

Putting the studies together – day-trippers use Beach more, but day-trippers are not putting any funds back into it. Suggested that residents get free parking and day-trippers pay more.

Final point: The beach becomes more and more of a marginal revenue source to Volusia County. If you don’t have off beach parking then you can’t pull cars off the beach. Private parking lots won’t be considered as long as there is beach driving. Chairman Storch suggested that property on the beach would increase in value and will be sold rather than used as off beach parking. Dr. Soskin advised that Volusia County is the poorest County in the State. Dr. Fleuchaus asked about paying for parking off beach. What would the economic impact be? Dr. Soskin advised that he advocates validation of spending in the area. Dr. Soskin advised that the economic theory is to have varying fees (i.e. no fees at certain times, etc…) All off beach parking should be paid for by the current user. Charles DeZaruba suggested raising tolls for on beach and keep the off beach parking fees lower. Chairman Storch asked Dr. Soskin about driving on the beach – negative impact indicated. Is there an advantage to showing that Volusia County has both. Dr. Soskin reported that the two should be mutually exclusive. Dr. Soskin stressed that it is important that all the different aspects of the beach (i.e. environmental, recreation, drive zones, no-drive zones, etc…) not impeded on one another. Rich Lohmann advised that the core area has spent a lot of money to attract visitors and he is concerned about the residents in the County not using the beach. Rich Lohmann suggested offering discounts to residents to park off beach. Dr. Soskin advised that the Ocean Center is much too small and is restricting the revenue to the area. Motel, hotel users are critical to the economy. Chairman Storch suggested that the day-trippers are costing Volusia County money. Policies need to be geared toward encouraging some things and discouraging others. Charles DeZaruba brought up the lack of marketing. He advised that the 100 year of racing event attracted a lot of visitors. Dr. Soskin advised that not all events are created equal. There are two types of events: Citizen’s, residents, quality of life events that have zero economic impact and then there are events that primarily draw people from outside the County. Chairman Storch advised Dr. Soskin that the Board is looking at charging for off beach parking and marketing issues. The Board encourages beautification and standardization of the beach concessionaires, beach ramps, etc… Dr. Fleuchaus wants to pursue the "free to County residents" idea.

Chip Schelbe and Laura Kramer, Volusia County Health Department – Discussion on beach water sampling:

Laura Kramer advised that the Health Dept. has been sampling monthly since Nov. 1996. When Healthy Beaches was enacted they started sampling every 2 weeks. In 2000 they sampled every week. The Health Dept. tests for several types of bacteria. Advisory’ s will be posted if two testing based on either a one time hit or an average of several tests results show increased levels. Fecal contamination is the main culprit. Increased level of birds on the beach is the majority of the problem. Bather contact is the main concern. Rich Lohmann commended the Health Dept. for testing the beach. Dr. Fleuchaus asked what the trend is. Ms. Kramer advised that spikes in the levels are reported during the summer months and the reports remain similar every year. The new criteria cause longer periods of advisories. Guidelines are set by the EPA. Chairman Storch asked how the Beach Advisory Board could help alleviate the pollution problems. Charles DeZaruba asked who’s testing for other contaminants. Chip advised that he couldn’t think of any chemical problems that could be an issue. Chip advised that prohibiting people from feeding the birds on the beach would be a solution. Ernest Boger asked about the fecal contamination problem at Ponce Inlet. Ms. Kramer advised that no problems were noted. What is the opinion on creating an area for pet owners. The Health Dept. advised that they would not recommend it.

Owen Lovejoy – Attended at the request of Shirley Reynolds and Robert Godwin. Mr. Godwin has a ban beach-driving lawsuit pending. Mr. Lovejoy advised that all parking and driving areas on the beaches are owned by personal residents. He encourages the Board to consider Dr. Soskin’s suggestions to ban beach driving. Mr. Lovejoy also mentioned that he was asked by two County Council members to come and present his information to the Board. Chairman Storch advised Mr. Lovejoy that the advisory board is a policy advisory board. Mr. Lovejoy advised that soil samples of the beach have shown microscopic pollution and further advised that beach driving has wiped the food chain out along the beaches. Chairman Storch advised Mr. Lovejoy that future Board meetings would address beach pollution and asked that he provide the Board with documentation or information relating to the pollution problems.

Larry Williams, Kayak Concessionaire applicant – Kevin Sweat reported on safety test:

Kevin advised the Board that tests show that the Kayak’s are much safer than first thought. Test proved that the kayak is safe. Staff recommends that the Board approve the applicant in the surf areas only. The two locations would be determined before the County Council hearing on the matter. Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval. Ernest Boger seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Hippo slide report – Kevin reported that the slide can’t be broken down daily. The Plaza has apparently indicated that they would like the slide to be there. Staff recommends denial as a permanent concessionaire, but would consider it for special events only. Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of Staff’s recommendation. Ernest Boger seconded the motion. James France asked to be brought up to speed on the subject. Kevin obliged. Motion carried unanimously.

BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Beach Driving Topics –

Map showing habitat conservation zones, no-drive zones and drive zones on the beach.

Chairman Storch advised that the next meeting will focus on beachfront parking – access points currently used can be looked at and considered for changing.

List of off beach parking sites also provided.

Chairman Storch advised the Board that areas declared as non-driving zones cannot be reverted back to drive zones.

John Harper advised that Steve Kinter and folks would be at the next meeting and could answer some of those questions. Any changes to the drive and no-drive zones would require modification to the Habitat Conservation Plan.

Charles DeZaruba asked about the Federal Beach Driving Permit. John advised that it should be done by the end of the year.

Chairman Storch inquired about evidence of pollution on the beach and advised that if there is some evidence, the Board would like to know and would like it presented at a future meeting.

ONGOING BUSINESS:

Ernest Boger asked about Frank Rendon Park. John advised that the park is under construction. Ernest Boger asked if it was possible to not have construction begin if the funds are not available to begin for future projects. John advised that the contractor backed out, permit problems held up the project, etc…

DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

Bill Cook reported on the erosion meeting that he attended recently. Bill Cook suggested that this group be invited to a meeting to discuss the problems and solutions for erosion on the beaches.

Chairman Storch asked the new members James France and Walter Welch to tell the Board about themselves.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 13, 2003.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

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