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

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Vice-Chairman Boger called the meeting to order at 5:30PM, December 9, 2003

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

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT
Chairman Glenn Storch

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 11, 2003:

Dr. Fleuchaus moved approval of the minutes. William Cook asked to clarify a statement made by Glenn Storch – Changed to: “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”. Charles DeZaruba seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

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

John Williams asked that Public Participation be moved to the end of the agenda rather than the beginning of the agenda. Mr. Boger explained that the Board found that it was better to have it placed earlier in the agenda. Mr. Boger advised Mr. Williams that public participants could ask to speak at anytime during the meeting.

IV. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Update before County Council - Jan. 22, 2004 at 2:00pm –
John Harper advised that in a recent meeting with Glenn Storch, Montye Beamer, Bill Apgar and himself it was decided that the Board’s recommendations will be presented to the Council on the above date and time for their review prior to moving forward with drafting the Management Plan.

ontroversial issues to consider: Removing cars from the beach, toll increases and charging for off beach parking. John Harper advised that increasing the fees for non-residents would create a two-tier system and therefore the toll takers would have to check identification of every visitor and this could be a problem. Mr. Boger recommended that the Board review the document over the next month and prepare to discuss any changes at the next meeting in January. Discussion was had on increasing the daily pass for both residents and non-residents. Dr. Fleuchaus is not in favor of increasing the fees for the residents and asked that the Board consider a different alternative. Dr. Fleuchaus suggested having two-toll takers work during the first couple busy days of the season. Mr. Boger asked John to bring back some more alternatives to the next meeting. Jay Crocker advised that expansion of the surf zones was not included in the report. Mr. Cook asked John when the 25-year HCP is due for renewal. John will look into it and report back at the next meeting. Dr. Fleuchaus asked John to include something about the County and City working together toward improving all of the ramps. Mr. Boger asked that signage recommendations be included in the report. Dr. Fleuchaus asked that the report be included in next months mail out.

V. NEW BUSINESS:

Off Beach Parking - Ormond Beach Area – John Harper advised that the County is continuing to look for property in this area. A lease with Grace Lutheran Church at Neptune is in the works for use of their parking lot. This will increase off beach parking by 120 spaces. The goal is to have it in place by March 2004.

Goals for 2003/2004 – John Harper advised that the County Council require an annual report from all the Advisory Boards. John Harper introduced the proposed goals and asked the Board to present anything further. Mr. Boger suggested working on pushing for implementation of the Management Plan. The Board wanted to include their 2003 accomplishments, such as expansion of the surf zone and creation of a new fireworks ordinance. Rich Lohmann asked where the money would come from to pay the Church. John Harper advised that it would cost around $20,000 a year and would come from the Beach Capital Fund. Rich Lohmann suggested putting emphasis on increasing funding for off beach parking. Toll increases and off beach parking fees could create several million dollars toward the off beach parking efforts. Dr. Fleuchaus asked about what the budget is being used for (ramp improvements, bathroom improvements, etc…). Dr. Fleuchaus asked if Beach projects would qualify for ECHO funding. John Harper advised that Frank Rendon was partially funded by the ECHO grant. The Board suggested the following goal: Recommend/emphasis necessity for funding for off beach parking acquisition and development. The Board asked if the County is moving forward with purchasing property on the beach. John Harper suggested that the Land Acquisition Management group come to the February meeting to discuss this further. Dr. Fleuchaus suggested the following language for the goal “the Board will continue to strive for increasing the need for off beach parking and find funding for beach capital improvements.” Jay Crocker suggested “continue to emphasize the necessity of ensuring beach access to County residents and identify revenue sources adequate for acquisition of land and expansion of off-beach parking”. John Harper advised that Glenn Storch will present the Board’s Beach Management Plan recommendations and ask for Council’s direction. Greg France suggested a Beach Impact Fee or surcharge be considered to produce more funds for off beach parking. More funding sources should be looked into. The Board asked about MPO and DOT’s involvement in the road and sidewalk aspect of the beach. Dr. Fleuchaus suggested the following goal “make every effort to maintain and improve ramp beautification, etc… John Harper advised that that is already part of the Board’s mission statement.

Election of Officers – Dr. Fleuchaus moved to keep the same officers as last year. Charles DeZaruba seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS:

Mr. Boger advised that the grand opening of Frank Rendon Park will be Dec. 13 at 10:00am. Mr. Boger asked that a picture be taken by the County photographer from the top of the Hilton and bring it back to the next meeting for absent board members to see how nice the park looks.

The Board adopted the 2004-meeting schedule.

VII. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

Dr. Fleuchaus suggested that Bill Cook’s Adopt-A-Beach article be sent to the County Council Members. Bill Cook will send them all a copy. Charles DeZaruba asked if Leisure Services is doing anything to recognize the Adopt-A-Beach participants. Lisa Clark from Leisure Services will be directed to contact Mr. DeZaruba to discuss this further.
John Harper advised the Board that the Seabird Rehab ground breaking took place last month. Mr. Boger advised the Board that Board Members: Crocker, Dr. Fleuchaus, Storch, Lohmann and Crocker were in attendance at the State of the County address last week.

Public Participation – Terry Campbell asked if the Board had an update on the HCP renewal. Report will be given at the next meeting.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 13, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.

 

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Volusia County, Florida.