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Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board  
Meeting minutes for November 11, 2003
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM, November 11, 2003

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

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Vice-Chairman Ernest Boger

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 2003:

Jay Crocker moved approval of the minutes and Richard Lohmann seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

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

None.

IV. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Wrap Up
Beach Management Plan Issues report provided by John Harper.

Rich Lohmann asked John Harper about pool discharge not being regulated. John clarified that the Health Department does regulate this, but has a hard time enforcing it. The Board suggested adding enforcement for pool run off to the Beach Management Plan. Greg France advised that pursuant to the land development code, adjacent property owner must not be detrimented by pool run off.

Glenn Storch inquired about what form the Beach Management Plan would take. John Harper advised that a plan would be developed and brought before County Council to approve and implement. Rich Lohmann asked why the Beach Patrol headquarters couldn’t be included in the development of the Ocean Center expansion. Glenn Storch asked where the Board wanted to head with the information provided. John Harper advised that the “issues list” would be summarized and drafted.
Chairman Storch asked for a draft of the actual plan for the next meeting. Jay Crocker suggested breaking it up into pieces over a longer period of time. Glenn Storch advised that he wanted to get the Plan done before the end of the year.

John Harper asked the Board if they wanted to suggest raising the tolls. John Harper advised that $2 mil in tolls is collected each year and it costs $7 mil to maintain the beach each year.
Kevin Sweat advised that the County will implement a new plan for high tide, because of recent developments with driving in the Habitat Conservation zone in New Smyrna Beach. Two hours before high tide Beach Services will remove all the cars from the beach. Violations of this sort could hurt the 25-year Habitat Conservation Plan renewal and every effort will be made to combat violations.

Glenn Storch would like the County to prepare for the possible, eventual removal of driving on the beach by developing funds for off beach parking. The fifth dollar has provided funds for the current beachfront parking. Any increase to the tolls would increase the current fifth dollar.

Leisure Services 5 year Capital Improvement Plan provides for projects that are funded by the fifth dollar. Rich Lohmann is in favor of parking fees and increasing tolls. Charles DeZaruba advised that long term funding is needed for the future. Jay Crocker asked if out of County day-trippers could be charged a higher toll. Glenn Storch suggested – $4 resident, $8 non-residents. Charles DeZaruba suggested a bed tax. William Cook – Council needs to allocate the funds for the future of the beach, such as off beach parking. Boards recommendation – increased tolls is to only go for off beach parking and beachfront parks and suggested that a specific fund be developed for land acquisition and construction for off beach parking. Goal – develop one off beach parking site a year. Dr. Fleuchaus advised that the Port Authority is a funding source of great proportion. John Harper advised that the Port Authority provided $1 mil to re-build dune walkovers last year. Walter Welch expressed his concern about raising the fees and implementing off beach parking fees. Greg France asked if all the expenses of the beach were suppose to be funded by fees collected. John Harper advised that it is funded at about a 1 to 5 ratio (for every dollar brought in 5 are spent). Contract services on the beach are big expenses. Glenn Storch asked why Volusia Forever wasn’t acquiring land on the Beach. Glenn Storch asked the Board if they wanted to increase the tolls by $1 and have it go toward land acquisition. Jay Crocker moved to leave residents at $5, increase non-residents to $8, with the $3 going toward a land acquisition fund dedicated to off beach parking property. Discussion was had and the Board decided to increase the non-resident fee to $10. Dr. Fleuchaus modified the motion, adding, resident pass - $20, non-resident pass - $50, and implement parking fees at off beach parking sites. Seconded by Jay Crocker. Motion passed unanimously.

V. NEW BUSINESS;

Five year Capital Improvement Plan for the Beach – John Harper and Kevin Sweat

The Board suggested that any funds beyond what goes to debt service be used to re-do a bathroom each year.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:

Toll increases/adjustments – discussed above

Adopt-a-Ramp Discussion – John Harper advised that Matt Greeson provided the Board a memo/e-mail about the Coke contract. Mr. Cook asked if the Board wanted to suggest to County Council that the Adopt-a-Ramp program be implemented. Mr. Cook moved to create an Adopt-a-Ramp program, including a budget item, complete description, the County’s role and include the Cities in this program with regards to ramp beautification and maintenance, requiring a 50/50 match from the Cities, organizations, private individuals, etc… and the motion was seconded by Dr. Fleuchaus. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Storch asked Staff to prepare a letter to the County Council asking them to consider the above motion.

Glenn asked Kevin to report at the next meeting about any further violations to the Habitat Conservation zone.

Glenn asked if he could get a report from Staff on the progress in Ormond Beach area for a new park.

Greg France suggested asking County Council to dedicate some of the Volusia Forever funds toward land acquisition on the beach.

VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Next meeting will be Tuesday, December 9, 2003.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.

 

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