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VOLUSIA
COUNTY BEACH ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting minutes for August 14, 2007
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting of August 14, 2007 was called to order by Chairman Lamotte at 5:30 pm.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Interim Chairman David Lamotte
Interim Vice-Chairman Glenn Storch
Dr. P.T. Bud Fleuchaus
Nick Conte
Jason McGuirk
Steven Strawn
Worley Pruett
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Wilma Allen
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 10, 2007:
Dr. Fleuchaus moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 2007 and Nick Conte seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT PER SPEAKER):
Beach concessionaire Rick Shiver spoke to the board regarding the Tsunami warning signs that are being put up near the beach by Emergency Management. He advised that the beach concessionaires have been reviewing tourist information and are reporting lower numbers this year and they feel that this will have a negative impact on tourism in Volusia County. They would like for the board to speak with the County Council about these signs and advise them that they do not need to frighten tourists. Dr. Fleuchaus questioned where these signs were being originated from and was advised by Rick Shiver that Emergency Management was putting them up. Chairman Lamotte wanted to know how many signs would be put up. John Harper advised that they have 50 small signs and 50 large signs. The small signs would be placed at the ramps and the larger signs will be on the hurricane evacuation routes. Volusia County is considered a Tsunami danger zone. The signs are paid for and the training has been completed. Further discussion ensued. The Board would like to speak with Council prior to these signs being put up. County Councilman Jack Hayman advised that he spoke with County Manager Jim Dinneen by phone and he advised the board that County Manager Dinneen told him that the signage is being held off indeterminately. At this point in time there will be no signs for Tsunamis. Councilman Hayman apologized for the misinformation getting out to the public. He then briefly discussed beach renourishment.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
Vice-Chairman Storch asked whether there were any new members. John Harper advised that there have been no applications from the west side of the County; if they know of anyone who may be interested please urge them to apply.
V. ONGOING BUSINESS:
A. Beach Management Plan – A copy was mailed to the members. Members were urged to review the plan and pick out some issues to discuss at the next meeting. Dr. Fleuchaus advised that he did not receive his copy; it will be re-mailed to him. The Board asked for a report from John Harper as to what has been adopted and what hasn’t. One of the major controversial issues is the tolls on the beach. The Board would like a list from John Harper of some of the areas that have not been adopted so that they can discuss those issues at the next meeting. Nick Conte questioned why there has been a delay with the implementation of the plan. John Harper advised that the majority has been implemented but the plan in totality was never adopted.
Beach Restoration Update – Joe Nolin, Port Authority, gave a brief history of the beach restoration efforts in Volusia County. He then discussed the new projects that they are working on. The Florida Inland Navigation District will be conducting a maintenance dredging of the Inter Coastal Waterway between New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet. He advised that the sand from the dredging will be placed on the South beaches. This project should be completed in December. Vice-Chairman Storch discussed the 2006 restoration and advised that it was a temporary fix for the major erosion issues during that time. Joe Nolin advised that they are working on moving forward with a larger project at this time. Vice- Chairman Storch wanted to know what the status was for the larger project. Joe Nolin advised that they are in the feasibility stage at this time. They have federal funding and initiatives to get started. They will then start the planning, engineering and design stage. Overall it is a 10 year project. Dr. Fleuchaus questioned what other agencies we are working with on these types of projects. Joe Nolin advised that they have been working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Beaches and Coastal Systems; they gave the County 7 million last year. The Port Authority spent 2.5 million and the Inland Navigation District spent 4.5 million. He discussed the new sand and that it has been checked prior to being added to our beaches to make sure that it is compatible to the sand on our beaches. The large restoration project is being funded mostly by the Inland Navigation District who will be paying 10 million with the federal agencies paying 2.5 million. This will be a one time project with no cost to the County. Further discussion ensued regarding upcoming projects. David Strawn questioned whether the Port Authority has been studying the problems and causes with the renourishments and what are the long term scenarios that are being looked at. The natural cycles may be poorly understood at this time. We didn’t have the problems that we are facing now in the last decade. Brief discussion on how events have caused the problems we are facing now and nothing like this in recent history. He feels that the restoration they are doing now is good for the short term but that we will need to look at long term solutions as well. Coraggio Maglio from the Surfrider Foundation, Inc. discussed some of the issues with erosion and restoration and the unique features of the Volusia County Coastline.
VI. DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Rockefeller Property Off beach parking in Ormond Beach – Visitors to the beach who choose to park in this lot have to cross a four lane road to get to the beach. They would like to get the FDOT to get a mast arm with a light to assist visitors in crossing to the beach. There is currently no light there now. County Councilman Art Giles advised that this had been discussed during the August 2nd Council meeting and that it is a high priority for Council to get crosswalks done for these parking areas that are on the west side of SR A1A. John Harper advised that he is in charge of the project for the Rockefeller property and they have additional meetings with Ormond Beach to discuss the crossing concerns. They have to deal with FDOT standards to get certain types of crossings on A1A. He advised that they have looked into drop off lanes on the east side of the road. Councilman Hayman feels that they need to look into traffic calming and control. Driver awareness is also a big issue with the crosswalks. The County is compelled to provide safe passage across the road and the County Council is committed to this. They will be working with Traffic Engineering to get their help and he would like the Beach Advisory Board involved as well. He feels that they need their input in the planning for these crosswalks. Chairman Lamotte asked if they can get someone from Traffic Engineering to come in and give the board an update on the project and give them some ideas of what they plan to do in that area. John Harper advised that they will bring it back to the board as they go through the process. Councilman Hayman advised that we need to ensure safe havens and have DOT involved in the process. Rick Shiver advised that parking on the beach is being overlooked. He advised that there are better ways to utilize beach parking. The Beach Concessionaire Association would like to be more involved in beach planning and solutions, he offered their help at any time. Chairman Lamotte advised that he would like for Rick Shiver to attend future meetings of the board and be the liaison for the concessionaires. Rick Shiver advised that he would be happy to attend the meetings and provide that assistance. Future meeting information will be sent to him. Chairman Lamotte mentioned the rare birds that are nesting on the beach at Sun Splash Park and advised that anyone who could make it over to see them before they left the area should make the effort.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm
The next meeting is set for September 11, 2007 at 5:30pm.
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