SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday November 24, 2008

SDCC General Meeting – Monday November 24th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation –

1.    Oyster Restoration Project – Native or Non-native, which is best?  Mrs. Laurie Sorabella, Assistant Director and Marine Scientist for Lynnhaven River NOW, will discuss the current Army Corp study and explain why LRN, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Oyster Reef Keepers of Virginia, and all of the nearby Mid-Atlantic states are saying “no” to introducing Crassostrea ariakensis (Asian oyster) to the Cheapeake Bay.

2.  Pound pole fishing nets – Should more nets be allowed off the shores of Cape Henry Beaches?  Mr. Mark Swingle, Virginia Aquarium Director of Research and Conservation, will discuss pounds nets, their impact and the recent request to build 4 new nets off Cape Henry..

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Tim
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President & President – Daphne & Todd

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – There will be no State Water Control Board hearing in December.  A new hearing date has not been set, but the WCB has told us that a 30 day notice has to be given prior to any hearing.  So the next notification by the applicant would have to be no later than Dec. 6th for a Jan hearing.  SDCC is working with our attorney, Richard Whittemore and some college law students on position statements and possible appeal processes.

City Marina Rezoning – In accordance with the SDCC’s Sept motion, a letter was sent on Oct 27th to Barry Frankenfield requesting that the City withdraw the request for rezoning of the City Marina property.  The SDCC received an email in return stating the request had been withdrawn.  The SDCC has subsequently requested the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) to take the lead on any future plans regarding this property and to ensure that all applicable parties are represented from the start of discussions.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – Figg, the new bridge design consultant, has made a presentation to the BAC at their September meeting.  No contact has been made with the SDCC to go over updates or alignment plans.  Do we want a speaker to come to our January meeting?  Also, what is the groups opinion on the bridge width and possible alignment?

New Business –

Oyster Restoration Project – Should SDCC take a position on this subject?  If so, should we send a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers in support of LRN’s and CBF’s position or a letter supporting the introduction of non-native oysters?

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – Should SDCC take a position on this subject?  If so, should we send a letter to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) in opposition to these 4 specific permits or something broader that asks them to prohibit any new nets off the shores of Cape Henry & Chicks Beaches?  Also, what role should the BAC and the City play in this topic?

Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – In an effort to get the BAC more involved in the community’s issues, the SDCC has been identifying concerns and asking the BAC for action.  To date, these are the issues that have been identified to BAC (City Marina Future, Pound Pole Net Licenses, Native vs. Non-native Oyster Restoration Project).  This is just a small number of our issues, the SDCC officers would like to have the group identify all of the additional issues so we can send them to the BAC for similar action.  Some suggestions are Create a future Lynnhaven River dredging plan that eliminates the boat ramp as a transfer site, Create a plan for the purchase or land swap deal to acquire Pleasure House Point (Indigo Dunes) from the Sandlers, Re-evaluate the currently funded 2 phases of the Shore Drive Improvements to reduce costs, Take a position on Sand Replenishment for Cape Henry Beach.

Crab Creek and Long Creek Dredging – According to Mr. Michael Kay, City Public Works, the City is planning to have Crab Creek dredged as well as providing some maintenance dredging to Long Creek in the coming months.  The specifications are under review and a survey of the Crab Creek and Long Creek channels and the associated material placement areas is underway.  It is anticipated that the project will be advertised for bid in late November to early December with award and Notice to Proceed in January.  The project will be packaged to allow either mechanical or hydraulic dredging; the contractors bidding the project will decide how they want to bid the project.  Historically mechanical means has been the preferred method by contractors.  In past contracts signs and notices were posted at the boat ramp as well as notification to the Coast Guard for issuance of a Notice to Mariners when the project is to begin and during construction, these procedures will be used again for this contract.

2009 SDCC Officer Election –  The following people will be running for 2009 SDCC Office.  They are currently unopposed; however, the SDCC by-laws allow nominations to be made from the floor with the nominees consent.  All members are eligible to vote. President – Grace Moran; Vice President – Steve Kohler; Treasurer – Leslie Cornwell; Secretary – Todd Solomon; Information Officer – Tim Solanic (Honorary Officer)

Printable Agenda [PDF file]