MINUTES OF THE |
SPECIAL MEETING: |
VOLUSIA COUNTY COUNCIL, |
TOWN OF PONCE INLET AND DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE |
August 21, 2008, 6:00 P.M. |
Ponce Inlet Town Council Chambers |
4300 South Atlantic Avenue, Ponce Inlet, FL |
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Item 1S |
Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the development of marine science and environmental learning education and research facilities in the Town of Ponce Inlet |
Staff Contact: James T. Dinneen, 386-736-5920, ext. 2187 VC-1218055380513 |
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1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE |
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Ponce Inlet Mayor Nancy Epps called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. |
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2. INTRODUCTIONS OF MEMBERS BY CHAIR OF EACH BOARD |
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Mayor Epps introduced the members of the Ponce Inlet Town Council and Town Manager Kassandra Blissett, all of whom were present. |
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Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno then introduced himself and County Manager Jim Dinneen, and explained the circumstances which had prevented the attendance of other County Council Members. A number of County staff members also were present. Chair Bruno stated there was a great deal of support on the County Council for the MOU. If action was taken that evening, the MOU project would be presented to the County Council for adoption on September 4th.
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Joseph Petrock, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Daytona State College (DSC), introduced the Board Members, all of whom were present except one. |
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3. OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, Lighthouse Point Marine Laboratory |
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Dr. Kent Sharples, President and CEO of DSC, made opening remarks and called on Mr. Dinneen, who said the proposed project fell within the County’s mission of environmental protection and could make better use of the resources at the Marine Science Center. Dr. Sharples added that DSC was in the process of trying to bring a heightened level of environmental education to the area. The purpose of the meeting was to look for a joint resolution among the DSC, the County and Ponce Inlet to continue to study the concept of the proposed project; there would be no other commitments that night. |
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Dr. Susan Pate, Chair of DSC’s Physical, Biological, Marine and Environmental Sciences Department, introduced Dr. Debra Woodall, Associate Professor of Oceanography and Geology at DSC. Dr. Woodall gave a PowerPoint slide presentation on the proposed Center for Marine and Environmental Science. The proposed project would hinge on a partnership comprised of the State of Florida, Volusia County, Daytona State College, Batelle Institute and the Town of Ponce Inlet. Dr. Woodall showed a video of a field trip she and some of her students had taken through the Indian River Lagoon. Volusia County Coastal Programs Director Joe Nolin also displayed aerial photographs and an architect’s rendering of the preliminary site plan of the project, while Dr. Sharples and Mr. Dinneen spoke about the possible layout of the building, classroom and community space availability and access to navigable river and ocean waterways. |
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Remarks from the various partners followed. DSC Board Chair Petrock felt the project was visionary and would help sustain the environment for future generations. He applauded the concept of a partnership and was enthusiastic about DSC being able to offer more baccalaureate degrees. Mayor Epps felt there was no better way to spend money than on education, and in this case, environmental education. She wanted further discussion of the matter. Ms. Blissett said she was very happy that all parties in the joint project were together at the first meeting. Henry Pate, Batelle Institute, explained what his firm did and how it would fit into the proposed partnership. |
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4. TOUR |
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Mayor Epps announced the tour of the Marine Science Center and the Batelle facility had been cancelled due to the weather. |
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5. JOINT DISCUSSION OF BOARDS ON PROPOSED PROJECT |
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Jim McCormick, Vice Mayor of Ponce Inlet, felt the project was an outstanding opportunity for all parties. Ponce Inlet Council Member Tony Goudie gave his background in the Manatee Protection Plan. He said he was very much in favor of the environmental plan under discussion and was looking forward to further discussions on the matter. Mayor Epps read out selected sections from the proposed MOU for audience members who had not seen it. The material she read emphasized the parties would agree to explore the development of the marine science and environmental studies education and research facilities, not commit to their development. Also, participation in the
project could be terminated without penalty or liability to any other party. |
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6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION |
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Mary Lou Fillingame said she was concerned with the size of the proposed facility and opposed it. Gary Comfort felt the idea was an interesting one, but any action taken on it that evening would be premature. Gary Swanhart, Margaret Ann McCormick, Randy Richenberg, Victor McClelland and Tami Lewis all spoke in favor of the project. Constance Hunter said she was concerned about the loss of privacy and duplication of efforts resulting in a property tax increase. Barbara Davis said she also was concerned about duplicating efforts, adequate parking and river access. Jo Ellen Basile felt the concept was an excellent one, but the
location was not right for a variety of reasons and she was opposed to the project. |
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Dr. Sharples and Mr. Dinneen spoke about the funding issues of the project, the participation of the Batelle Institute, building on State property, the possibility of program interaction and interrelationships with a similar site in New Smyrna Beach. Mr. Dinneen added the entities were not selling a project, but were seeking people to look at an idea that had been broached. If the citizens did not want to proceed with the venture, it could be abandoned. In response to a question by Mayor Epps, Dr. Sharples stated for the record as a state institution on state property, there were no impact or other fees associated with building a facility owned and operated by a state college. |
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7. CONSIDERATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING |
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After some other discussion, Mayor Epps stated it was time for each of the Boards to consider the MOU. |
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Dr. Mary Bennett, DSC Board of Trustees Vice Chair, moved to SUPPORT the MOU. The motion was seconded by Board Member Forough Hosseini. In discussion on the motion, Dr. Bennett said she wanted more discussion on the concept. County Chair Bruno noted the County Council would be seeing the presentation at its September 4th meeting and would vote on it then. The motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. |
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Jim McCormick, Ponce Inlet Town Council Vice Chair, moved to SUPPORT the MOU. Town Council Member Jack Sturno seconded the motion. In discussion on the motion, Council Members Tony Goudie and Jim Hinson said they also felt more discussions would be needed. The motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. |
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APPROVED |
COUNTY COUNCIL |
VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA |
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BY______________________________________ |
Frank T. Bruno, Jr., County Chair |
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ATTEST__________________________________ |
James T. Dinneen, County Manager |
