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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board
Meeting minutes for June 10, 2003
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:30PM, June 10, 2003
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Glenn Storch
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger
Dr. Bud Fleuchaus
Charles DeZaruba
William Cook
James France
Walter Welch
Richard Lohmann
Jay CrockerBOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
None.
*New Board Member Jay Crocker introduced himself to the Board.
*Media present
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 13, 2003:
Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes and Mr. DeZaruba seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Boger asked that the Minutes reflect his discussion on the status of construction at Frank Rendon Park.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT PER SPEAKER)
John Williams spoke before the Board about his disappointment that a female was not appointed to the Board. Chairman Storch advised Mr. Williams that he should relay that concern to the County Council.
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Chairman Storch addressed the media and the audience about rumors circulating around about the Board voting on taking driving off the beach. Chairman Storch advised that discussions on beach driving are a part of the development of a new Beach Management Plan.
Beach Driving:
Kevin Sweat – Information on the maximum safe number of cars and/or people on the beach to maintain safety:
Kevin presented the Board a report showing accident statistics from January 1, 1998 to June 10, 2003.
Dr. Fleuchaus asked about any developing trends. Kevin reported that the number of accidents jumped rapidly from last year. Mr. DeZaruba asked Kevin if his staff has increased. Kevin reported that it would increase by 2 in the future budget. Kevin advised that there were no indicators as to why accidents have increased from last year. Kevin explained that Republic Parking tracks the amount of vehicles that enter the beach everyday. There are approximately 2 million a year, but some may be repeat visitors. Kevin reported that if the beach is full, you can double the amount of parking to 9000 cars by double parking. Kevin advised that if the beach is extremely congested the beach is actually safer because the cars cannot go over 10mph. Kevin stated that even though it can be done, he did not think it was safe to maximize the beach parking to 9000 cars. In the Habitat Conservation Plan, it states that cars can exit the beach but cannot enter the beach or cruise back and forth during high tide. Mr. DeZaruba asked Kevin if there would be a savings in the Beach Safety budget if driving was taken off the beach. Kevin explained that Beach Safety staff performs three job functions – law enforcement, EMT and ocean rescue. The safety aspect would still need to be maintained. Mr. DeZaruba suggested that with no traffic management the focus would be more on the lifesaving aspect. Kevin explained that driving on the beach does not present a distraction to the lifeguards and EMT’s, but it could possibly mean that they would be more focused. Dr. Fleuchaus asked if the traffic has increased on the beach. Kevin advised that the tolls were up last year. Kevin explained that based on the amount of visitors, he felt the number of accidents were low and that accident reporting could have increased with the recent changes with officer training, cross training and additional officers Dr. Fleuchaus asked if there was more personal injury or are they just fender benders. Kevin was not sure, but will look into and report back to the Board. Kevin will bring back more detailed information on why the increase. Mr. Boger felt it would be useful to determine if the accidents were spread over the full year or if they were associated with one event. Chairman Storch asked about the cars v. pedestrian numbers. Kevin advised that the most common accident is children running into the side of a moving car, second most common is back overs and, third most common is cars running into pedestrian.
Mr. France asked how the safe number of cars parked on the beach (4500) was obtained. Kevin explained that it was a mathematical calculation based on the number of driving miles. The Board suggested that a statistical comparison of accidents be done with other law enforcement in the area. Kevin explained that off beach parking areas would pick up some of the problems that beach driving brings; if the driving is removed from the beach it will filter into those areas.
Kevin explained that weekends are treated like large special events and Beach Safety is fully staffed during those times.
Chairman Storch asked if stopping cars from driving on the beach and just allowing them to park on the beach, would the beach be safer? Kevin’s assumption was yes. Kevin advised that forced parking is successful, but is not without problems.
Kevin advised that the access gates are always open except during high tide and people are never turned away. *John Harper mentioned that a physical count was done several years ago pursuant to the HCP and he will get the Board information. Mr. Lohmann asked Kevin if there were any vehicular accidents in the core area since it was closed. Kevin stated no. Mr. Welch asked if the off beach parking lots are full every week. Kevin stated yes. The crowds on the beach coincide with off-beach parking areas being full. Mr. Welch suggested adding signs ever so often stating "stop for pedestrians", etc…
Mr. Welch presented the board with a report on his findings on accidents on Volusia County beaches.
Dr. Fleuchaus suggested adding "Pedestrian’s have the right of way" on the 10-mph signs.
Chairman Storch wants the beach to be as safe as it can be, and advised that any suggestions to make it better would be appreciated.
Kevin will break down the accidents by month and analyze the information further for the next meeting.
Mr. France asked Kevin if any of the accidents were alcohol related. Kevin will look at the reports closer and provide that information.
Chairman Storch asked for public participation questions -
Glenda Diodene addressed the Board and told the Board that she thinks forced parking is a ludicrous idea. She thinks driving on the beach is special and is what makes our beach the "worlds most famous beach". She also reported that speeding is a problem. Mr. DeZaruba asked Ms. Diodene if forced parking would be okay during special events and she stated yes.
Constance Hunter would like cars off the beach. He also would like to see the Daytona Beach area cleaned up. Chairman Storch asked if she had been to any of the beachfront parks. Ms. Hunter told the Board that the County does not own any of the beach, that the property owners do and therefore the Referendum is invalid. Ms. Hunter referenced a letter sent by Shirley Reynolds to the County Manager and the County Council Members.
Shawn Geopfert – former Republic Parking Manager prepared a report for the Board, but did not bring copies. Bobbie Bryant will get a copy of the report and give the Board copies at the next meeting. Mr. Geopfert advised that he loves driving on the beach. Mr. Geopfert advised that he would love to sit on the Board. He explained that the Beach is not Disney World and that forced parking would not work on the beach because people come and go on the beach, they don’t park and stay all day.
Big John – represents the people who don’t live on the beach. Big suggested that one way driving or a mandatory parking area would be fine. However, access to the beach is a must and the County must be able to provide off beach parking within the next 4 or 5 years.
Chairman Storch agreed that there must be access to the beach and driving cannot eliminated unless access is obtained.
Steve Lloyd – Concessionaire feels that there is a force to get the public off the beach. His interest is to maintain driving on the beach and doesn’t see a problem with safety. The comparison of the number of people that recreate on the beach v. the number of safety concerns is not an issue.
John Williams asked Kevin who gives the order to park on the East Side of the driving lane, Kevin stated that he does.
Ray Arseneaux addressed the Board and stated that one-way beach traffic will not work. Mr. Arseneaux does not want to see beach driving taken away, and stated that it would affect 90% of the public. Mr. Arseneaux feels that closing the beach in the core area of Daytona Beach caused more accidents. Chairman Storch asked Kevin to look into his claim.
Chairman Storch suggested that the Board come back to the next meeting with comments and/or a consensus of what to do.
Chairman Storch asked that "Surfing zones expansion" be placed on the next agenda.
Chairman Storch asked for information on where people would go and/or how access to the beach would be provided to the public if beach driving were banned.
VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:
Mr. Cook – Erosion Meeting minutes provided to the Board to review.
Kevin Sweat will provide the Board with information on the panhandle re-nourishment project at the next meeting.
Richard Lohmann advised that private property owners are causing beach front erosion problems.
Dr. Fleuchaus inquired about the beautification of the Dunlawton beach approach. John Harper advised that a landscape architect is on board for Dunlawton. Mr. Harper further advised that there has been some work done at Granada. Mr. Harper advised that the County Council mandated that the City provide 50% towards the beach approach beautification projects and Daytona Beach Shores is having problems coming up with their share.
Mr. DeZaruba referenced that environmental problems on the beach approaches, such as run off problems on the beach. Mr. DeZaruba asked if there was a possibility of forcing the run-off to the sides. John advised that rubber from the tires attributed to the majority of the pollution.
John Harper will provide an update on the ramp beautification projects and pictures of the Granada work at the next meeting.
DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Mr. France mentioned that if cars were removed from the beach there would be no shelter for people during lightning storms.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting will be Tuesday, July 8, 2003.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.
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Volusia County, Florida.