SDCC General Meeting – Monday January 26th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Mini Town Hall Meeting with Vice Mayor Louis Jones and Councilman Jim Wood – Come hear what they have to say about the Federal Economic Stimulus Package and what it means to Virginia Beach.  Ask them about the Lesner Bridge Replacement, Pleasure House Point and NoIndigoDunes, Beach sand replenishment, Dredge Transfer Station or Whatever is on your mind.

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Todd
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President -Steve
President –  Grace

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is reviewing the application for the Joint Permit Application #2 (JPA).  The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) submitted an opposition report and asked for a public hearing and all information on the project via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.  The USACE denied the SDCC FOIA request and has stated that a public hearing is not required.  The SDCC obviously disagrees with this and has appealed.  Also, there has been no date set for the State Water Control Board hearing on JPA #2 or the circuit court appeal of JPA #1 by the City of Virginia Beach.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – A Community Information Meeting (CIM) was held on Feb 11th at Cox High School and attended by about 50 residents.  The main focus of this meeting was to present the 30% design drawings and to have the residents comment on the north or south alignment proposals. The northern alignment is estimated to cost $67 million with a requirement to purchase some of the old Duck-In property, creates a jog on the western side and relocates the emergency driveway of 3556 by the Bay.  The southern alignment is estimated to cost $69 million + $5 to $11 million to relocate the high tension power lines.  This alignment has no property impacts and a smoother route.  City Council needs your input to make the final decision.

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) denied the first two applications at their Nov. meeting.  The 3rd application has been withdrawn, but the 4th application has mysterioiusly disappeared from the VMRC website.  If the remaining application is publically posted, the public will have 30 days to comment and then attend a VMRC hearing.  VMRC denied the previous applications by a vote of 9-0 based mainly on the documented deaths of about 4 dolphins per year from these types of nets.

Oyster Restoration Project – The USACE is reviewing a plan on whether or not to allow the introduction of sterile Asian oysters into the Chesapeake Bay.  The SDCC sent a letter to the USACE supporting the Lynnhaven River NOW (LRNOW) and Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) position of native oysters only. The full Senate rejected SJ 411 –  Oysters; sterile non-native; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support responsible cultivation by a vote of ejected by (16-Y 22-N).  Thanks to all that took the time to contact our Senators about this important issue.  Senator Stolle voted against the resolution and Senator Wagner voted for it.

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – Clay Bernick noted that the Shore Drive improvement projects could not be included the City’s bid for state or Federal monies, as both VDOT and the Feds have as a qualifier that the improvement increase capacity, which these projects do not.  He further stated that since the City’s budget shortfall is so great, it would be more productive to focus on smaller projects that have long been promised, but never fully executed.  An example might be the median near the intersection of Shady Oaks and Shore Drive which is being used illegally as a crossover.  He encourages members of BAC and SDCC to supply him with a list of similar examples.  BAC will also be looking at a Mission Statement for the newly formed Beach Access Subcommittee.  There will be further deliberation on the language recommended for the Open Space portion of the update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Lesner Bridge Alignment Vote – All member groups are asked to be prepared to vote on their organizations position on the preferred alignment of the new Lesner Bridge.  Northern, Southern or Something Different.  The SDCC will issue a letter of recommendation to City Council and BAC based on this vote. 

Upcoming Meetings of Interest –
Lynnahven River NOW Public Meeting – Thursday March 5, 2009 at 7:00pm at Cape Henry Collegiate School.  http://www.lrnow.org for more information
2009 Civic Engagement Summit – Saturday April 4, 2009 at 8:30am at the Simulation Center in Suffolk.  Sponsored by Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement.  Free and open to public.  http://www.hrcce.org to register.