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VOLUSIA COUNTY BEACH ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting minutes for December 13, 2005
VOTRAN Meeting Rooms

 

I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Storch called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM, December 13, 2005.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Glenn Storch
Vice Chairman Jay Crocker
Daniel Troian
Dr. P.T. Bud Fleuchaus
Mike DelNinno
David Lamotte
Worley Pruett

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Walter Welch
Greg France

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 1, 2005:
Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes and David Lamotte seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT PER SPEAKER):
None.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:
Status of the dune line and beach re-nourishment project – Joe Nolin
Joe Nolin provided a report to the Board and the public. Dune restoration and beach erosion plans were discussed.
Mr. Nolin reported that there is an emergency dune restoration project for the South end of the beach (from the Inlet south to Turtle Mound).
Completion of the restoration project is estimated to be April 2006.
Long range plans including mining the seabed off the coast onto the shore.
A sand source investigation should be completed by spring 2006.
Chairman Storch recognized Councilman Jack Hayman, Art Giles as being present at the meeting.
Kelly Desoto – realtor from New Smyrna Beach addressed the Board. He advised that the re-nourishment project has been worked on for the past 7 years. He asked that the Board and County staff work more aggressively towards developing a funding source. Mr. Desoto provided a packet to the Board summarizing the impacts to the beach economy. He suggested that the Board and the public view the website – www.saveourbeach.info
Chairman Storch asked Mr. Desoto to look at the Beach Management Plan and provide any comments or suggestions.
Bill Roe, Ocean Properties, Daytona Beach addressed the Board and discussed he views about beach erosion and the cost to real estate and tourism. Mr. Roe expressed his frustration about the time it is taking to get things done.
A public participant asked what the mission of the Board is. Chairman Storch advised that the Board is a policy advisory board which brings recommendations to the County Council to consider.
Phil Flood, Florida Department of Environmental Protection provided a report and presentation to the Board re: beach erosion, beach restoration and the States efforts to give Volusia County money for beach re-nourishment projects over the past 10-15 years.
Councilman Jack Hayman addressed the Board and the public. Mr. Hayman advised that he would address the concerns and report back at the next meeting.
Mr. Hayman discussed such solutions or ideas as creating a task force or dedicating staff members to help deal with this problem. Dr. Fleuchaus feels that the Administration of Volusia County has not recognized the importance of the beach to Volusia County. Chairman Storch thanked Jack Hayman and the other officials in the audience that came to the meeting. Phil Flood offered to come back anytime to address any issues.
Chairman Storch asked staff to provide additional input on beach re-nourishment at the next meeting. The Board wants clarification on if the Board can address this issue. John Harper will ask the County Manager.

V. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Questions on Implementation Plan –
John Harper asked the Board to comment on a few questions that are pending.

1. Year round fee collection in the parks. Lighthouse Point and Smyrna Dunes collect all year, under the new plan would the beach front parks also collect all year?
   Entire year.
    
2. Should we raise the fees at the inlet parks to keep the daily per vehicle fee equal? Parks now charge $3.50.
   $5.00
    
3. The costs for implementing the off beach parking fees for only one year are very high. The suggestion is off beach parking be lumped in with the toll collection. The contract with Republic expires in 2006. The new RFP can incorporate both. By making it a 5 year contract the start up fees would be pro- rated over a longer period.
   Implement all at once- 5 year contract.
    
4. If Council is in a hurry to start collecting parking fees a pilot project would be a good first step to be charging for the 7 beach front parks only in 2006.
   Same as above.
    
5. It is practical to charge in leased lots (Grace Lutheran Church for example)?
   No.
    
6. Is it practical to charge at street ends where only 2 or 3 spaces exist?
   Not initially – address in the bid for 5 year contract.
    
7. The current vendor for toll collections has indicated that 14 additional staff members will be needed in order to have no affect on lines from the new two tiered fee structure. These positions plus vehicles, uniforms and radios are estimated to cost $1382/day or $400,000/year.
   Raise the daily pass to $10 and lower the resident annual pass to $10.
    
8. Should a study be done to determine what, if any, additional revenue will be generated?
   Yes – in house.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:
Bellagio ramp beautification standards –
John Harper provided the architect specifications to the Board to review.
Chairman Storch asked that this item be continued to the January agenda.
A.J. Devies made a comment about the Bellagio ramp specs. She advised that having no hand railing violates the ADA requirements. John Harper advised that this could be addressed.

VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Kevin Sweat reminded the Board about tomorrow night’s meeting at the City of Daytona Beach regarding the Beach Safety Headquarters.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 10, 2005.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm
 

 

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