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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board  
Meeting minutes for September 9, 2003
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

I. CALL TO ORDER: 
Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:30PM, September 9, 2003

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

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
None.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2003:

Jay Crocker moved approval of the minutes and Charles DeZaruba seconded the motion. Dr. Fleuchaus requested a sentence from page, paragraph 3 be stricken. Greg France requested that additional be changed to over. Motion approved unanimously.

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

John Williams asked about the Board’s 03 / 04 budget recommendations.

Chairman Storch asked John Harper about this. John Harper explained that there are some things that carried over from the discussion of last year, such as ramp beautification and signage. Chairman Storch expressed his disappointment in not being able to have any input on this year’s budget. John Harper explained that time did not permit an opportunity to bring budget information to the Board this year. John will mail out a copy of the proposed budget to the Board for review. The Board will be invited to the Sept. 18th budget workshop. Chairman Storch asked the Board to direct comments back to staff. Chairman Storch asked that he receive information on the proposed budget and what the County Manager recommended. Kevin Sweat advised the Board of some changes that were made in his Budget proposal. John Harper advised that Leisure Services budget rolled over from last year.

Chairman Storch asked if he could be put on the County Council’s agenda to discuss or advise the Council on beach related issues. 

BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN: 

Wrap Up –
Chairman Storch advised that the Beach Management Plan needs to be drafted and a meeting is needed with Staff to discuss. John Harper advised that Staff will begin pulling out all the bullets/information from the previous minutes for presentation at the next meeting in October. Jay Crocker asked that the information be mailed out prior to the meeting. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Fireworks Ordinance Development –
Mayor Northrup provided the group with a copy of the State ordinance. Kevin Sweat advised that the DBS ordinance addresses the sale of fireworks. They used the State’s model to prepare their ordinance. Mayor Northrup asks that the County make it harder for the public to obtain fireworks. Countywide ordinance, not just beach related. Kevin will provide the DBS ordinance to the Legal Dept. to review and prepare a draft. Chairman Storch advised that the Board would like to consider banning fireworks on the beach and doesn’t believe that the Board should be involved in anything else. Jay Crocker asked why we couldn’t have an ordinance banning the fireworks from the beach. Kevin explained that possession only is hard to prosecute. Walter Welch suggested a law or license for the seller of the product, not the user. Kevin explained that DBS ordinance is geared toward that. Mayor Northrup advised the Board that the City would like to see the County take action on keeping the people from selling them and impose a reasonable fine for users. Mayor Northrup asked that the Board recommend to County Council to enact an ordinance to keep the sellers from setting up shop. Rich Lohmann asked what was enforceable. Mayor Northrup advised that everything is enforceable (selling, using, etc…) Ban on possession of fireworks on the Beach. Chairman Storch advised that signage would be helpful. Mayor Northrup asked that the Board recommend enforcement on possession, fine and ask the County to implement a County wide ordinance.

William Cook moved, ______________ seconded. Discussion was had. Walter Welch didn’t feel comfortable about addressing the County wide issue, just Beach related. Kevin will address the County wide ban. Listen to Tape for motion.

Chairman Storch asked to recommend this to the County Council. Listen to Tape. 

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS: 

Surf Zone Expansion –
Kevin expressed his concern for safety. Brevard County advised Kevin that they needed more surf zones to eliminate injuries. Kevin recommended that during the summer he would consider loosening the ordinance and allowing the surfers on the outside. *Next meeting – recommend adding zones or expanding the zones. Fishers are allowed to fish anywhere until a bather comes into their area. Surf zones were created by County administrators and made apart of the ________ any changes would need to taken to Council. Dr. Fleuchaus asked that the safe beach record be maintained. Kevin suggested that no drive zones be considered as locations for surf zone expansion.

Ramp Beautification –
John Harper advised that 2 things have slowed the process of moving forward on Dunlawton. County Council asked that new ordinance be looked at re: landscaping on the beach. Construction staging is occurring on the ramp. Chairman Storch asked what ramp would be next. John advised that NSB is not interested and OB is not interested. Reminded the Board of the Council’s caviat re: 50/50 match. Bill Cook advised that the County needs to go higher than Tom Horowski. John reminded the Board that the last year only one City appeared before the Board. Chairman Storch asked Bill Cook to approach the City of NSB. Chairman Storch wants to look at what ramp should be next. Perhaps going to County Council on the Cities not participating. 

DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: 

Rich Lohmann asked John Harper about the State’s plan for off beach parking at the North Peninsula State Park. Rich will provide John a copy of the State’s plan for off beach parking. Chairman Storch suggested that the County Council provide a resolution to the State.

Dr. Fleuchaus asked about signage. John Harper advised that they are in the warehouse and will be put up after hurricane season. John will bring a few to the next meeting for the Board to look at.

Dr. Fleuchaus moved that the Board suggest signage on the approaches. *Listen to tape.

Bill Cook pointed out that there is not really a budget for off beach parking. Charles suggested that it be part of the BMP to provide off beach parking. Bill Cook – property purchases should be considered now. Should start preparing for the possibility of taking driving off the beach. Harper advised that the County Council’s goals are to look at taking cars off the beach within 10 years. 

VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 

Next meeting will be Tuesday, October 14, 2003.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM

 

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Volusia County, Florida.