Siesta Key Association Board Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2007
St. Boniface Meeting Room “F”

CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM:

President Ramirez called the meeting to order. Present: Ron Flynn, Deet Jonker, Lourdes Ramirez, Peter van Roekens, Gayle Wardner. Excused: Matthew Burnett, Paul van Deventer, Ann Kaplan, Joyce Kouba, Robert Schennum, Mark Smith, Bob Tripp, Bob Waechter, Russ James. Absent: Daniel Bechtold.

MINUTES - Joyce Kouba (Lourdes Ramirez): The November minutes were not approved due to lack of a quorum.

TREASURER'S REPORT – Bob Tripp: The November financial reports were not approved due to lack of a quorum.

SHERIFF'S REPORT – Sgt. Scott Osborne (Chad McDonald): There have been a few burglaries. The Sheriff's department has worked on Chapter 90 of the County ordinances to clarify the definition of "beach" and to address dog and other law enforcement problems. The Board of County Commissioners will review the revision on December 11th.

PUBLIC/AUDIENCE COMMENT (6 Guests):

There are concerns from a Siesta Isle resident about the painting on the roads and utility markers on Beach Road. Sarasota County is marking the roads for use in a survey to determine how to redirect the overflow of the retention pond on Siesta Key Public Beach to the Canals. Commissioner Patterson commented that the County is only doing a survey right now and no changes are planned yet. One proposal is to put in a storm water vault underneath the tennis courts.

Susan Abbott was concerned about the red algae accumulating on the Beach. According to Commissioner Patterson, Mote Marine has declared that the algae are not harmful.

Nancy Wilson asked about the status of Stickney Point traffic. No updates yet from the County.

There was also a discussion on beer and wine sales on the beach. Paid Parking on Siesta Beach was also discussed.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Turtle Beach - Ron Flynn: Ron reported on the Nov. 13 Parks and Recreation meeting on Turtle Beach, that he attended on the Board's behalf. Ron thought a majority of those present represented the RV industry. County officials reported that the campground, purchased for $6.2 million in 2006, brought in about $500,000 to $600,000 in gross revenue, with about $200,000 of that net revenue. Continuation as an RV park does not appear to be a good investment. Ed Sherman is concerned that the design team is not taking covenants and zoning regulations into consideration in its work on the three proposals and that the Commissioners might not be aware of the zoning laws on this issue. Ed stated that Article 5 from the appendix of the zoning ordinance precluded continued use as a campground. John McCarthy is expected to make a presentation of the Turtle Beach renovations at the January SKA meeting.

Inlet Management – Peter van Roekens: Big Pass looks really good. All of the new markers are identified and the old poles for #3 and #5 have been removed so no one will be tempted to go into the area. Thanks go to Mike Solum for keeping things shipshape in the Pass – this is very much appreciated. Sarasota Yacht Club received a Boat US Safety Grant based on the work that Dave Munro and Peter have done in charting Big Pass – there are over 1.5 million soundings. A check of Jewfish Key revealed that although it has shoaled in somewhat since its dredging, there is 6' plus throughout the mid channel.

Code Enforcement - Gayle Wardner: No report.

Adopt-A-Road/Village – Mark Smith (Lourdes Ramirez): The next trash pickup will be December 15. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Village Café. Free breakfast is available for the participants at 8am.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Nominating/Board Development - Paul van Deventer: No report.

Zoning - Lourdes Ramirez: The County received a favorable ruling on a recent duplex lawsuit by a developer. The ruling gives credence to SKA's position on the duplex issue. The judge ruled that the County has to abide by its zoning code. Circuit Judge Bob McDonald warned, "This court cannot permit the county to repeatedly make mistakes in interpreting and/or applying the zoning ordinance." The ruling is being appealed.

Membership – Deet Jonker: Deet is working on the membership package due out end of month.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

Glebe Park grand opening is January 14. The reception with breakfast starts at 10 am. All Directors are invited to attend.

ADJOURN: President Ramirez adjourned the meeting at 6 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Kouba
Secretary, Siesta Key Association

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Previous Board Minutes (November 2007)
Next Board Minutes (January 2008)

For more information, please contact us
phone 941/364-4880
email info@siestakeyassociation.com