MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2007, MEETING OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF VOLUSIA AND FLAGLER COUNTIES

Board Members Present: Betty O’Laughlin, Robert Haviland, Don White, Alexa Ross, Brynn Newton

Group Representatives Present: David Hartgrove, (Halifax Audubon)

Approval of Minutes The minutes of the July 24, 2007, meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report
Don White relayed Pat Williams’ report that the current balance is $863.68. Don White plans to order carbon-backed checks when new checks are ordered. Betty O’Laughlin is finalizing the authorization of new signatories on the Council’s bank account. A motion made by Alexa Ross and seconded by David Hartgrove passed, to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Crossroads Florida
John baker gave an account of attending a conference featuring the "St. Pete Beach experience" and updates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He reported that former Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham does not support the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment campaign and suggested that supporters may want to have answers ready for opponents’ questions such as whether the amendment constitutes a "taking."

Map A/Conservation Corridor
Alexa Ross reported that the Environmental Action Committee is monitoring the Volusia Council of Governments. Robert Haviland stated that the proposed Map A includes no analysis of need or the ability to meet concurrency requirements, disregards consequences, and totally ignores the County’s own survey results which showed 90% believe that a cultural change is needed; 92% believe county-wide minimum standards should be adopted; and 98% believe protecting natural resources benefits quality of life. In effect, he said, the proposal results in no wildlife corridor.

Meeting location
Don White reported that the Volusia Teachers’ Organization has obtained a special exception from the County Council to begin construction of a new building on the same site, so finding a new meeting place may be necessary.

David Hartgrove reported on attending a bald eagle stakeholders conference presented by the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Association in Gainesville.