back to county council home page

Water Policy Review Commission
MINUTES
Regular meeting
May 29, 2002
Library Operations Center
1290 Indian Lake Road
Daytona Beach

MEMBERS
Bill Scovell (present)
Fritz Behring (absent)
Randy Brewer (absent)
Richard Fernandez (absent)
Ken Hoblick (present)
Elizabeth Layton (present)
Beth McGee (present)
Tom McClelland (present)
Steven Provost (present)

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bill Scovell at 6:13 p.m. with the above attendance noted. Also in attendance were Cindy Finney, County Manager’s Office and Frank Gummey, Deputy County Attorney.

CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF FINAL REPORT/RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL
Bill Scovell, Chair, noted that the letter from Port Orange City Manager Ken Parker (attached) seemed to be positive for the creation of an entity as proposed by Jake Varn, consultant for the Volusian Water Alliance. The modifications proposed by Mr. Parker would not affect the outcome.

Mr. Scovell asked if the Commission should put the water conservation and landscaping regulation questions on the ballot instead of the citizens' survey to instruct the County Council to take action.

Mr. McClelland noted that these items would be at the end of a crowded ballot. He said he was concerned that putting too much on the ballot would dilute the effectiveness. He said he agreed with the suggestions made by Randy Brewer (attached). Steven Provost said he was concerned that people would not understand the stormwater issue. A discussion ensued. The group agreed to take "central" out of the stormwater question.

The Commission discussed which items should go on the ballot and agreed voters would need to be educated to understand the questions.

Mr. Gummey said the County Council has the discretion to remove advisory items from the ballot but not proposed charter amendments. Mr. McClelland said he didn't think the Commission could instruct the County Council and he did not think any of the items were charter amendments. Mr. Scovell disagreed.

Mr. Scovell said he thought question number 1, the creation of an entity, needed to be on the ballot and if the Water Alliance approves Mr. Varn's proposal which supports the creation of an entity, the County Council could take the ballot question off as it would be unnecessary. A discussion ensued.

Mr. McClelland said he thought the Commission in its final report should reference the report submitted by the Volusia Water Policy Advisory Board and note that the County Council has taken no action on the VWPA Board's recommendation.

The Commission continued discussion of the stormwater issue and whether a stormwater fee created by the county would be applicable countywide.

Mr. Scovell said it should be recommended to the County Council that an advisory item supporting the creation of an entity in accordance with Mr. Varn's recommendation should be placed on the ballot. Ms. McGee made a motion to that effect. Ms. Layton seconded the motion.

The Commission discussed the wording of the advisory item and whether future planning should be added to the question. Ms. McGee withdrew the motion.

Mr. McClelland made a motion that the wording be: "Do you support the creation of a centrally managed wholesale untreated water production and distribution organization for Volusia County for the better management of groundwater supplies?" Mr. Provost seconded the motion. Mr. McClelland then amended his motion to say: "Do you support the creation of an entity to manage wholesale water production and distribution for better management of ground water supplies?" After some discussion, Mr. McClelland withdrew his motion.

Mr. Gummey suggested the wording be: "Do you support the creation of an organization operating all water wells for human consumption in Volusia County for the better management of the groundwater resource?" The Commission discussed whether it was important to make a distinction between production and distribution.

Ms. Layton made a motion and Mr. McClelland seconded the motion that the wording be: "Do you support creating a centrally managed wholesale water production system for Volusia County to better manage groundwater resources?"

Mr. McClelland suggested that the stormwater, landscaping and water conservation issues be reworked in the final report to state that these items were addressed in the final report of the Water Policy Advisory Board and the County Council needs to take some action on them.

Mr. Hoblick made a motion to that effect and Ms. McGee seconded it. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission agreed Mr. Scovell and Staff Liaison Cindy Finney would revise the final report and send the draft to the Commission members for them to review.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 9, 2002 MEETING
Elizabeth Layton made a motion the minutes be approved. Tom McClelland seconded the motion. The motion to approve the minutes as written passed, 6-0.

ADJOURN/SET NEXT MEETING DATE
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The Commission will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 10 at a location to be announced.

back to county council home page

 

Comments or questions?
E-mail the

Copyright © 2002 Volusia County, Florida.