Siesta Key Association Board Meeting Minutes

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

CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM:

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

MINUTES – Joyce Kouba (Ann Kaplan): No quorum was present to accept the August minutes.

TREASURER'S REPORT – Bob Tripp: No quorum was present to accept the August report.

SHERIFF'S REPORT – Sgt. Scott Osborne – Chris McGregor: Labor Day weekend was quiet. Nothing to report.

PUBLIC/AUDIENCE COMMENT:

Citizens for Sensible Growth (CSG) representatives Kevin Connelly and Geraldine Swormstadt explained the November 6 ballot referendum for Super Majority and passed out their flyer.

GUEST SPEAKER:

John McCarthy (Mgr.) and Kristen Steffen of the County Parks Dept. talked about proposed countywide beach parking fees, proposed beer and wine sales at Siesta Key Crescent beach, future of Turtle Beach Camp Ground, and the recent County purchase of land near beach access #7.

Forest Johnson, Beach Ambassador at Crescent Beach, commented: maintain a family oriented beach, revenues generated at SK beach should be spent at that location, the pavilion and other structures are antiquated, the bathrooms are atrocious.

Ed Sherman, Turtle Beach area resident, commented: Concerned about three new concept plans for Turtle Beach Campground to be presented by Parks Dept. to BCC on Dec. 12 or in Jan, 2008. Will they require any zoning changes? John McCarthy said that per the BCC, one plan will include the campground and one plan will NOT include the campground Plans have not been drawn up yet. An open house for public input will be scheduled prior to BCC meeting.

Peggy Ann Strmel, Turtle Beach area resident, commented: concerned about law enforcement on beach per "definition of beach" being changed so sheriff's deputies can patrol and enforce laws on public beach; also requested concessions (food and supplies) at Turtle Beach.

Nancy Wilson, Midnight Pass Rd. resident, commented: As a nurse she is concerned about health issues with alcohol sales at public beaches. If the County sells alcohol, Nancy suggests public education on dangers, and volunteered her services for education.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Adopt-A-Road/South – Russ James: No report.

Midnight Pass – Bob Waechter: Bob hopes SKA will host another public information meeting in November on Midnight Pass opening. Last year's was a huge success with largest ever turnout. More details at next month's SKA meeting.

Turtle Beach – Ron Flynn: No report.

Inlet Management – Peter van Roekens: No report.

Code Enforcement – Gayle Wardner: John Lally, new SK Code Enforcement Officer, is doing an excellent job of proactively enforcing codes and is very cooperative. John will address SKA meeting in October to explain code loopholes and other code issues that need improvement.

Adopt-A-Road/Village – Mark Smith: No report.

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

Zoning– Lourdes Ramirez: Thanked Dan Mackin, Palm Island resident who hired land-use attorneys Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick for the BZA hearing regarding building on partial, non-conforming lots of record. The BZA upheld the County's ruling that partial lots are NOT buildable, which supports SKA's position. Upcoming zoning code changes that will be addressed by SKA: news racks, definition of partial lots, definition of impervious surface, definitions of guest houses, walls and fences, signage along waterfront, clarification of "letters of determination," housing types, setbacks for all non-conforming lots, etc.

Other open zoning issues: 1) SK Chapel changed renovation plans to satisfy neighbors, so objections have been dropped. 2) Beach Road property zoned for duplex is advertising a triplex. 3) On-going problems with new bar/restaurant, The Hub, require constant monitoring re parking requirements, roof overhang, etc. 4) Coastal Setback Ordinance still being developed. 5) Beach Road property in OPI zoning wants more density than allowed. 6) Yellow Variance request sign on Midnight Pass Rd. property south of Beach Rd.

Membership – Deet Jonker: No report.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS: None.

ADJOURN: President Ramirez adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Kouba
Secretary, Siesta Key Association

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Previous Board Minutes (August 2007)
Next Board Minutes (October 2007)

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