THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF VOLUSIA AND FLAGLER COUNTIES

MINUTES OF JUNE 27, 2006, MEETING

Board Members Present: Betty O'Laughlin, John Baker, Robert Haviland, Pat Williams, Don White (Flagler Audubon), Brynn Newton
Group Representatives Present: Sharon Rich (Paw Paw Chapter,Native Plant Society), Sandy Walters (VCARG and VAMOOSE), Alexa Ross (Environmental Action Committee)
Members Present: Gordon Williamson, Natalie Williamson
Others Present: Aidan McGee

The minutes of the May 23, 2006, meeting were approved upon a motion made by John Baker and seconded by Alexa Ross.

Web site --Betty O'Laughlin reported that the beach presentation can be downloaded to disk for people to view.

Election of Officers --. A motion made by John Baker and seconded by Brynn Newton passed, to elect the following officers and board members for 2006-2007:
President, Betty O'Laughlin;
Vice-President, John Baker;
Treasurer, Pat Williams;
Secretary, Brynn Newton;
Directors-at-Large: Robert Haviland, Sharon Rich, Dottie Carlson, Alexa Ross, and Don White.

Presentation -- Aidan McGee, who has represented the Environmental Action Committee at Charter Review Commission meetings, addressed the Council on the "Smart Growth" scheme being touted by the development community and the Charter Review Commission.

He stated that environmentalists are naive compared to developers who are "fattening Volusia County for carving up for Christmas."

A motion was made by Robert Haviland and seconded by Pat Williams that the President address a letter to the Charter Review Commission, with a copy to the Volusia County Council, objecting to the proposed Charter amendment which would subject new annexations to County development standards for ten years and recommending that no such change be made to the Charter. An amendment to the motion offered by Don White and seconded by Robert Haviland passed, to also submit a revision of the letter to the newspaper as a guest editorial. (Editor's note: ammended guest editorial to “op-ed piece” at July 2006 Environmental Council meeting)

John Baker stated that Seminole County prevailed in the Fifth District Court of Appeal over Winter Springs under a similar provision.

A new motion made by John Baker and seconded by Brynn Newton passed, to seek a legal opinion from Dennis Bayer before sending a letter.

Ballot initiatives -- The Florida Supreme Court has approved the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment language for placement on the ballot.

Sandy Walters reported that VCARG is very short of funds and does not expect to collect the 16,000 signatures needed in order to place its Charter amendments on the 2006 ballot.

Toll Road -- A motion was made by Robert Haviland and seconded by Alexa Ross, to send a letter to Representative John Mica, stating (1) the problem that he asserts a toll road would solve exists due to previous lack of planning and foresight; (2) we should not look exclusively at known solutions; (3) future gas prices will limit a toll road's viability; (4) the true need is for low-energy transportation; (5) light rail could be built in the same time with less environmental impact and for less money for the commuter; (6) the environmental problems are real and must be taken into account; and (7) he should abandon his position on highway transportation.

An amendment to the motion offered by John Baker and seconded by Brynn Newton passed, to add that light rail would encourage infill development whereas motor vehicle highways encourage sprawl.

Plantation Oaks -- Don White reported that the developer of Plantation Oaks has not yet paid the $750,000 fee for his "take" permit to bury gopher tortoises.

John Baker stated that there is a law suit pending against a different incidental gopher tortoise take permit. A motion made by Robert Haviland and seconded by Sharon Rich passed, that Betty O'Laughlin gauge the Volusia County Council's sentiment regarding Plantation Oaks' proposal to smother 900 gopher tortoises and determine whether the County could become an ally.

Treasurer's Report -- Pat Williams reported a balance of $353.18 as of May 24th. Dues receipts and expenses yet to be paid (room rent and corporate filing fee) will bring the balance to $261.93.

The next meeting will be at 7 PM on August 22 at the Volusia Teachers Organization Building.