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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board  
Meeting minutes for August 10, 2004
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

 

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM, August 10, 2004.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Glenn Storch
Dr. Bud Fleuchaus
Charles DeZaruba
Walter Welch
Richard Lohmann
James France
Jay Crocker
Daniel Troian

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger

Introduction of new advisory board member –
Daniel Troian introduced himself to the Board. Councilman Jack Hayman commended the Board for what they do for the County. Councilman Hayman advised the Board that Bill Cook resigned from Board because of other commitments and praised his efforts over the past years as a Board Member.
Councilman Hayman updated the Board on the re-nourishment and jetty restoration efforts.
Chairman Storch advised Mr. Hayman that the Board appreciated the County Council’s support of the Board’s decisions and ideas.
Chairman Storch thanked Councilman Hayman for his appearance at tonight’s meeting.

Update on Surf Zones at Tom Renick Park and Fireworks Ordinance – Kevin Sweat –
County Council decided to allow surfing in front of Tom Renick Park.
County Council approved the fireworks ordinance (ban of possession of fireworks on the beach).
Charles DeZaruba commended Kevin Sweat on how well the Beach Safety Staff handled the July 4th fireworks this year.
Kevin Sweat reported that the National Lifeguard championship was held last week in Daytona Beach. Mr. Lohmann and Mr. Storch attended the banquet. Everything went well and the economy profited from this event.
Kevin Sweat also reported that the lifeguard headquarters design contract was recently approved by the County Council.
Richard Lohmann commended Kevin Sweat and the Beach Safety Staff on the Junior Lifeguard program.
Kevin Sweat reminded the Board of the upcoming Lifeguard Banquet at the Hilton in Daytona Beach Shores.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 13, 2004:

Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes of July 13, 2004. Walter Welch seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

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

None.

Chairman Storch advised Councilman Hayman that the Board is willing to review options for funding off beach parking in beachside parks.
Terri Campbell, Sons of the Beach, is concerned that the closure of the beach access walkover at Sunsplash Park would eliminate a vital beach access point.
Rich Lohmann commended the project but is concerned about constructing something on the beach that does not have public restrooms, etc…

BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Beach Management Plan Final Draft –
John Harper advised that the Beach Side Cities (Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach) need to review the plan and asked how the Board wanted to accomplish this.
The Board reviewed the plan and provided input regarding changes, deletions and additions.
Daniel Troian felt that the Cities need time to review the plan before taking it to Council for approval.
John Harper suggested sending a copy of the BMP to the beachside cities and request to attend a City Council Meeting for a presentation.
Glenn Storch suggested sending a copy of the BMP to all Volusia County cities, but only make presentations to the beachside city councils.
Notify the Board Members of the dates for the presentations and allow the Board Members to choose which meetings they can attend.
The cities must return comments within 60 days.

V. NEW BUSINESS:

Dr. Fleuchaus advised that there are numerous areas along A1A past the Happy Whale in Ormond-by-the-Sea that looked like they could be improved and used for parking. John Harper advised that the State is not willing to give up the habitat to park cars. And further advised that the Florida Department of Transportation is not a big fan of allowing parking along the highway. Glenn Storch suggested that County Council pass a resolution supporting the development of parking spaces in the North Peninsula State Park area. Rich Lohmann will bring a copy of the State survey of this area to the next meeting.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:

Zip Code Survey Results – third week –
John Harper presented a report that shows the outcome of the three week survey.
The report shows that 55-60% of the visitors to the beach are Volusia County residents.
Chairman Storch advised that the Council had asked how raising the fees would impact the revenues. This report shows evidence that revenue would be increased.
Chairman Storch would consider a gradual increase rather than a large increase if necesssary.
Irene Moses advised that Ocean City New Jersey beaches charge $4 just to walk onto the beach. Volusia County beaches are a bargain. Irene expressed approval of a gradual increase.
Terri Campbell, Sons of the Beaches, suggested that the revenues generated be included in the bond issue and use the revenues to pay back the bond. John Harper advised that beach fees could not be bondable because the Feds could take away driving on the beach at anytime.
The Board was reminded about the information the Board was provided in the Central Parking presentation several months ago.

VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

Glenn Storch asked Staff to invite Joe Nolin to the next meeting to discuss the Port Authority’s plans for the inlet, etc… The Board would also like to discuss the need for cooperation between the two Boards (Port Authority Board and the Beach Policy Advisory Board) for issues that both boards share an interested in.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Next meeting will be Tuesday, September 14, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm

 

 

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