- April 23, 2024
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Anyone looking for a county official only had to go to church on Tuesday night. Not for services, though one parishioner did comment on how it would be nice to see the Riverview United Methodist parking lot as full on Sundays, but for a community meeting to answer North Peninsula beachside residents’ questions.
The idea of a community outreach meeting was something District 4 Councilwoman Heather Post wanted to implement when she won her seat on the Volusia County Council. Post was pleased as she watched at least 200 residents streamed into the church meeting room.
Local government departments set up information booths,with managers and staff ready to answer any questions residents might have. Departments included: Volusia County Emergency Management services, mosquito control, parks and recreation, beach safety, Florida Department of Transportation, and environmental and water.
While resources were readily available, the question on nearly everyone’s mind concerned the dunes, and more specifically when they would be restored and walkovers replaced.
The process of going through the state and federal requirements was explained step by step, and at times the officials’ frustration with the slowness of the process and paperwork was evident.
Coastal Division Director Jessica Winterwerp said only 18 of the 68 dune walkovers survived Hurricane Matthew. None of the ADA compliant walkovers survived. Six walkovers still need to be replaced in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
The coastal walkover cost is just under $2 million. If FEMA approves the application they could pay up to 75%, or $1.5 million, leaving 12.5% to be paid by the state emergency fund, and the remaining 12.5% by the Volusia County general fund.
“We want them to give us 100% the green light before moving one grain of sand,” Winterwerp said.
George Reckenwald, assistant county manager, agreed, saying if work began before FEMA approval, the county could become ineligible for funds.
“We want to be good stewards of your money,” Reckenwald said, and added that the county had recently received some funds from the 2004 hurricane season.
John Hatfield from the Florida Department of Transportation said State Road A1A is monitored on a regular basis looking for issues and the opportunity for a washout.
“Our primary mission is to keep the road open,” Hatfield said. “Dune restoration is not typically a transportation type program, but we will work with the county and Councilwoman Post.”
As she left the meeting, resident Janice Cortez said her questions about turtle season were answered and had some of her concerns about the walkovers put into perspective.
“It seems like they are all aware and paying attention to some of the things that are concerning us,” she said.
Rick Cortez said the speaker who impressed him the most was Jessica Winterwerp, the coastal engineer, saying “She definitely knows her stuff.”
“We had a good discussion and opened lines of communication,” Post said.
