Shore Drive Community Coalition

What’s going on with the equipment and dredging by the Lesner Bridge?

From an email from a City staffer explaining it:

The work near the Lesner Bridge is indeed maintenance dredging of the Crab Creek channel that serves the Lynnhaven Inlet Boat Ramp and Beach Use Facility.

This channel system is subject to constant shoaling and requires dredging on an annual basis to maintain access to the boat ramp.  Dredging will be complete by February 28, site restoration and full demobilization of the equipment will be complete by mid-March. 

5 Pics from Friday the 13th 09 Nor’Easter

Note: This was not hi tide.

City Council unanimously approves new funds for new transfer station

City staff had originally recommended the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp, but nearby residents and boaters were opposed to that site because of concern over truck traffic.

...and concern over an incredible amount of safety conflicts including barge strike on the Lesner Bridge, enormous safety conflicts at the LBR&BF, in the water, etc.

Thank you City Council!

Read & comment at Pilotonline.com.

LBR&BF will not have dredge spoils transfer station

Official Page at VBGov.com:

...Based upon feedback received at the Public Meeting, alternate sites for a dredged material transfer station were evaluated.  The proposed transfer facility has been moved from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Facility to a site located near the crossing of Thalia Creek and Virginia Beach Blvd.

Thank you.

Crab Creek will be dredged early 2009

Thanks to Lee for the info!

Her email about the dredging needed to open Crab Creek channel:

Subj: Crab Creek Dredging

Dear Mr. Kay:

On behalf of the fishing and recreational boating communities, would you kindly give me a status report on having Crab Creek dredged this winter since October thru February is the time in which there are no restrictions on dredging for Crab Creek?  Information I would like to report back to the fishing and boating communities is as follows:

1.  Does the City have plans to have Crab Creek dredged between now and February, 2009?

2.  If not, then please explain why not, especially since Crab Creek is suppose to be 50 ft. wide and 5-6 feet at mean low water, and we know that it is less than 15 ft. wide and will continue to narrow if not dredged in a timely manner.  This can, of course, create a hazard to boating when an exiting boat and an entering boat into Crab Creek are forced to pass too closely or try to avoid hitting and end up beaching themselves along side of the Crab Creek Channel shoals.  I believe much of the depth of this channel at low tide is also under 3 feet.  If left undredge for another season, surely the opening of Crab Creek from the Lynnhaven Inlet will close, and an “exception” to the time of year restrictions will have to be applied for from VMRC.  Is it not better to plan ahead knowing the facts of the situation? 

3.  If Crab Creek will be dredged between now and February, 2009, what type of dredging will be performed, i.e., mechanical vs. hydraulic and please provide as much information as you can as to the bidding information, contractor, when will the dredging begin, and how long is the dredging anticipated to last and any other details in which boaters should be aware of when using Crab Creek during this period.

Thank you for your assistance to this matter.  I look forward to hearing from you so that I may continue to keep our boating community safe and informed on important issues, especially during striped bass season.


Master Captain Leona “Lee” M. Shuler
2008 At-Large City Council Candidate
2448 Rose Hall Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-481-5371
757-718-1457
Email:  CaptainShuler@aol.com
cc:  Mr. Justin Worrell, VMRC
Capt. Reese, WTAR Radio Fishing Talk Show Host
City Council
Lee Tolliver, Virginian Pilot

The response from Mr. Kay:

Subj: RE: Crab Creek Dredging

Ms. Shuler,

Yes 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 currently under review and a survey of the Crab Creek and Long Creek channels and the associated material placement areas is underway.  Upon completion of the survey the necessary calculations will be performed and incorporated into the specifications.  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.

Sincerely,

Michael F. Kay
Coastal Engineering Division
Public Works Engineering
City of Virginia Beach
ph. (757) 385-4511 fax. (757) 385-5783

Study on barge strike on Lesner Bridge, barge strike Accident Report from May 2008

Remember the crazy idea to have a permanent public & private dredge spoils transfer station at the LBR&BR?
The idea is not dead yet but we finally have more info we can share.

We finally received a summary of the report done by Clark-Nexsen studying what damage would be done if a loaded barge operating at the proposed transfer station would strike the Lesner.
Scope and Work Summary [4pg PDF].
This is the report that was requested back in April.

Remember the hit and run barge strike in May ‘08 that didn’t make the MSM?
Here’s the Accident Report [5pg PDF].

Thanks to Lee for both docs from her FOIA request.

VB looking at VB Blvd site for transfer station

The plan supplants one that would have used the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp, near the Lesner Bridge, to move sand and silt dredged from the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River from barges to dump trucks. That idea was tabled after it met with opposition.

Read & comment on article at Pilotonline.com.

Q&A posted at VBGov.com about permanent dredge spoils transfer station

In case you’ve missed it, the Contract Questions & Responses are posted at the VBGov.com page for the proposed Permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station located at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility[LBR&BF].

Here’s a few:

Will flaggers be subjected to background and drug tests?
Not as a requirement of the contract.
Would flaggers be allowed to direct trucks around parked boats
and vehicles awaiting entry to LBR?
No.
Would flaggers working at boat launch area halt boat traffic?
No.
How many truck trips from LBR will be allowed per day maximum?
No maximum will be specified in the contract.
How many truck trips per week will be allowed maximum per week?
No maximum will be specified in the contract.
What pollutants are in the spoils?
Without a definition for ‘pollutants’, we are unable to answer.
If there are odor complaints from nearby neighbors, is there a remediation plan available?
No.
Describe the exact truck route from Shore Drive to Independence Blvd.
On the advice of the Traffic Engineering office, the proposed route is west on Shore Drive directly to Independence Blvd.
Will trucks drive north on Great Neck Road and over the Lesner Bridge after unloading at Oceana?
No.
If a dump truck collides with a boat on trailer rupturing fuel tank, will dump trucks have additional fire suppression equipment?
Not as a condition of this contract.
Will drivers be trained to extinguish fires?
Not as a condition of this contract.
Is there a remediation plan available for parking lot fuel spills and accidents with large quantities of fuel known to be on boats?
No.
Will high wind discontinue barge operations?
The contractor will be responsible for determining if conditions
are safe for operations.
What is the speed of wind needed to discontinue barge operations?
No particular wind speed is anticipated to be specified in the contract.
Who determines if the hauling operations continue when high winds exist?
The contractor.

Seems the contractor is still responsible for all safety related issues including the Lesner Bridge.
Read all 44 pages of questions at answers at VBGov.com project page.
View BoatRampClosing.com.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday, July 28th 2008

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday July 28, 2008

SDCC General Meeting - Monday July 28, 2008, 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – No program planned for this month.  Time will be allotted to Old & New Business Sections.

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 – Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has asked for more time to review and answer the public’s concerns before going before the State Water Control Board (WCB).  The next WCB meeting is scheduled for September 30th.  The SDCC Pleasure House Point (PHP) committee has scheduled a meeting with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Lynnhaven River Now (LRN), Wetlands Watch and our legal representation to put together a plan for the WCB hearing. 

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – City Staff is still pursuing the purchase of land behind the AT&T-Battery Plus building on the Blvd. for the dredging of the Western Branch as a permanent dredge transfer station. This site would also provide kayak
& canoe access when not being used as a transfer station.  City Staff is looking at purchasing or condemnation of all the property in the area (excluding the vets office) to also allow a Fire Station.  Staff plans to present details to City Council on Aug 12 at a closed session.
[Correction 2:18pm Monday July 28th 2008.]

Proposed Rezoning of City Marina - Planning Commission review was deferred from the July 9th meeting to the August 13th meeting at noon in City Council Chambers.  SDCC has sent a letter to City Staff and Council opposing the rezoning from P-1 to B-2.  Reasons for opposition include the fact that a marina is considered a principal use in a P-1 zoning district so there is no need to rezone and the current arrangement is a money making venture for the City, about $50,000 per year.  Making it a private venture runs the risk of losing this income.

City Council Candidate Forum and Questionnaire – SDCC agreed to partner with OPCL and host a City Council Candidate Forum the week of September 22nd – 26th.  The locations suggested were the VB resort conference hotel, Baylake Pines church, Lynnhaven Congregational church and Westminster Canterbury.  It was recommended that Todd moderate and the format still needed to be decided.

SDCC Oyster Roast – Mark your calendars for Saturday Nov 15th from noon until 4pm at the VB Resort Conference Hotel.  First committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 21st at 6:30pm at Charlie’s Restaurant.  Volunteers are needed, email Todd if you’re interested in helping.  Todd@sdcc.info

SDCC Officer Nomination Committee – The nominating committee is narrowing down the list of candidates and is still in need of a good candidate for Vice President or Secretary.  If you are interested in running or know of anyone that may be, please contact Dan Creedon at DanVaB@aol.com.  The committee will make their presentation of names at the October 27th general meeting.

New Business -

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – Should SDCC write a letter to City Staff and Council supporting the plan to purchase and/or condemn businesses behind PEP Boys for a transfer station?  Should SDCC partner with Saw Pen Point C.L. is support of this site?

Community Legislative Town Hall Meeting -The City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations will be co-hosting a town-hall style discussion to give citizens an opportunity to provide valuable input into the City’s 2008 Legislative Agenda – goals which the City will submit to members of the local General Assembly delegation later in the year.  Meeting will be Wednesday August 6th at 7:30pm in the VB Convention Center and is open to the public.
Indigo Dunes Project – With the possible Sandlers financial troubles reported by the Virginian-Pilot, does the SDCC think it’s a opportune time to sit down with City Staff and Council to discuss working up possible purchase scenarios (land swaps, tax reductions, etc.) and then have the City pursue these plans with the Sandlers?


Sincerely,

Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition - President

Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bayfront area.

More fun with barges at the Lesner Bridge

You probably saw the barge/crane gone since apparently the repair work is complete.

The company attempted to take their equipment Friday.

You might not know the ~82’ barge was grounded for at least 3 hours blocking the channel when it tried to leave yesterday.

Still no official word about the LBR&BF being taken off the list or moved to the bottom for the proposed Permanent Public & Private Dredge Spoils Transfer Station being located there.

Lesner Bridge barge strike on May 30th made Pilotonline.com today

...5 weeks after we broke the story.

Even 3 weeks after an update.

In the May 30 incident, Koetter said, “the bridge structure itself sustained no damage. The fender system ... protected the bridge pilings from collision.”

Technically, it was an allision, not a collision.

Read the article here.

You know you really want to comment about it taking 5 weeks for the media to cover this....
Go ahead… ‘DISCUSS’ below.

SDCC General Meeting Monday, June 30th 2008 Agenda

SDCC General Meeting - Monday June 30, 2008, 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – Mr. Lou Paulson, Posieden Court Condominiums, will be discussing viewpoint as to why it’s a bad idea for Cape Henry Beach landowners to sign over a public easement to the City for sand replenishment. The Sand Replenishment project is one that has been discussed for awhile and has a potential project date of late 2009/early 2010. If you are in favor or against, come on out and hear Mr. Paulson’s views.

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 – Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) held a Public Meeting on Monday June 9th, that was attended by over 130 residents in opposition to the project. DEQ’s report is in favor of the plan. The deadline for public comment was June 24th. SDCC has submitted a box of documents and opposition letters in hopes to persuade the Water Control Board (WCB) to vote against this project at their July 28th meeting. The WCB is scheduled to meet on July 28th in Richmond and vote on this project.

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – Many Ocean Park residents have been involved in identifying the problems with this project. Due to their diligence, it appears that the LBR has been moved down on the list of possible sites. Council is pursuing possible land purchases as an alternative. Also, as a testament to the opposition’s concerns, a barge recently ran into the Lesner Bridge justifying the community’s opinion that the project would create too large a risk.

Proposed Rezoning of City Marina - Planning Commission review is scheduled for July 9th at noon in City Council Chambers. SDCC plans to take a vote at our June 30th general meeting, so please come prepared to discuss and vote. Visit the website for latest proffers and restrictions. Remember, the current arrangement is a money making venture for the City, about $50,000 per year. Making it a private venture runs the risk of losing this income.

Phase IV Shore Drive Demonstration Project – A citizen information meeting was held on Thursday May 22nd regarding the planned improvements to Shore Drive between Marlin Bay and East Stratford Rd in the Ocean Park area. Several street closures and median cut fill-ins are planned for this area. Attendance was small to the public meeting, so Ocean Park may want to get information directly to its effected residents. SDCC has asked for electronic versions of the presentation and will forward as soon as they are received.

SDCC Oyster Roast – Mark your calendars for Saturday Nov 15th from noon until 4pm at the VB Resort Conference Hotel. Committee meetings will begin in July. Volunteers are needed, email Todd if you’re interested in helping. Todd@sdcc.info

SDCC Officer Nomination Committee – The nominating committee is getting an early start for the upcoming election of 2008/9 officers. If you are interested in running or know of anyone that may be, please contact Dan Creedon at DanVaB@aol.com. The committee will make their presentation of names at the October 27th general meeting.

New Business -

Action Plans for PHP – Discuss and vote on any actions or position statements. Email campaign, Should we send emails to the WCB before the July 28th meeting? Should we call them beforehand? Discuss how we want to best use our legal counsel for the Richmond meeting. Who needs to go to the Richmond meeting, should be rent a bus?

City Council Candidate Forum and Questionnaire – Where should a forum be held? When should it be held? Who should be the moderator? What type of format should it follow? Be prepared to discuss these questions and volunteer for the forum committee. Also be thinking of questions for a candidate questionnaire. 

More pics of barge strike on Lesner Bridge

Fortunately it was a small barge and it damaged only part of a fender.
Heard it’s about $200,000 damage & an editor from the Pilot has put the news room on it as of today.

When we have the Coast Guard report we’ll post it.

Have pics from a boat? Send em in!

Barge strikes Lesner Bridge

No kidding.

Apparently a barge moving into the inlet to do work at a private home hit a wooden fender of the Lesner Bridge.

Click below for a photo:
bargestrike-lesnerbridge-05-08.jpg
Obviously more photos and details to follow.

Pitching ectourism on the Eastern Shore

“It’s high-end, low-impact tourism,” said Donna Bozza, director of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission. “We don’t want the scale of Virginia Beach, especially given our fragile area here.”

A former journalist herself, Bozza added, “If we get paved over and look like everyone else, we’d lose what makes us special.”

Imagine eco-tourism being promoted in cooperation with the Eastern Shore as another reason to visit here and/or live here.
Imagine promoting using the LBR&BF to launch kayaks to tour our special places, as people in the know do today.
Imagine Pleasure House Point staying a special place, remaining open space.

Now imagine a Permanent Public/Private Dredge Spoils Transfer Station at the LBR&BF & PHP becoming 1/2 asphalt and a thousand housing units.

Read article at Pilotonline.com.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday May 19, 2008

SDCC General Meeting - Monday May 19, 2008, 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

There are no planned programs for this month.  This time will be deferred to the Old/New business due to the many
important issues and concerns that need to be addressed.

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 - Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a Preliminary Permit and will be
holding a public hearing at their office 5636 Southern Blvd on Monday June 9th.  The formal hearing starts at 7:30pm,
but the informal part starts at 6:30pm.  The informal part will include a presentation by me on the draft permit, a possible
presentation by the applicant (if they choose to do so), and Q&A. The comment period continues until June 24th and
written comments will be accepted until then.

Lynnhaven River Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – SDCC has sent a letter of opposition to the LBR site and a
letter requesting Council to make an official vote on any site that is picked No response has been received.  Only 3
sites are being considered, Saw Pen Point, Thalia Elementary and LBR.  City Staff plans to present City Council their
recommendation on Friday May 23rd , it’s unknown if this briefing is open to the public.  If the LBR site is chosen, the
VMRC plans to hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 22nd.  Residents will be asked to send emails and make phone
calls to Council members letting them know that LBR is the wrong site.

Cape Henry Beach Sand Replenishment – City Council and the City’s Attorney’s Office have issued letters to 6
groups stating their claim to public easement and plans to move ahead with paperwork to make Cape Henry Beach the
spoils site for the next dredge cycle in 2009/2010.

Proposed Rezoning of City Marina - Planning Commission review hearing was deferred.  A new review date has not
been set.  It was deferred to provide more detail on proffers/restrictions for the request to rezone the marina to B-1. 
SDCC will be taking an official position vote on this at our June 30th meeting.  SDCC reps need to discuss this with their
organizations before then.  Visit the website for latest proffers and restrictions.  Remember, the current arrangement is a
money making venture for the City, about $50,000 per year.  Making it a private venture runs the risk of losing this
income.

SDCC Oyster Roast – Mark your calendars for Saturday Nov 15th from noon until 4pm at the VB Resort Conference
Hotel.  Committee meeting will begin in June/July.  Email Todd if you’re interested in helping.  Todd@sdcc.info

SDCC Officer Nomination Committee – The nominating committee is getting an early start for the upcoming election
of 2008/9 officers.  If you are interested in running or know of anyone that may be, please contact Dan Creedon at
DanVaB@aol.com.  The committee will make their presentation of names at the October 27th general meeting.
Shore Drive Clean Up – Clean up held on May 10th was a success.  Thanks to those dozen volunteers who came out. 
Periodic clean ups have resulted in less trash being found each time.  Keep up the good work.  More volunteers are
always welcome. 


New Business -
Action Plans for LBR – Discuss and vote on any actions or position statements.  Since validation has been received
showing that the State did pay for a portion of the ramp, Joe Bouchard has been asked to weigh in on the LBR site, but
no response has been received to date.

Action Plans for PHP – Discuss and vote on any actions or position statements.  Email campaign, call list to get people
to the public hearing, etc.  Make sure your groups are filling in the call list blanks for those willing to attend meeting in a
show of support. 

Phase IV Shore Drive Demonstration Project – A citizen information meeting will be held on Thursday May 22nd from
5 to 7pm at Hermitage Elementary School regarding the planned improvements to Shore Drive between Marlin Bay and
East Stratford Rd in the Ocean Park area.

Clean the Bay Day – Clean the Bay day is June 7th.  Mark your calendars.

Print this and bring it to the meeting:
SDCCGenMtgAgendaMay19-08.pdf [1pg]

Rumors about Permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station we’re trying to confirm

There are a number of rumors and unanswered questions flying around about the Permanent Public/Private Dredge Spoils Transfer Station being located at our beloved LBR&BF.

Previously we reported the results of our FOIA requests.

Some reports are not yet posted on the Official Project Page. Some analytical reports were just started & some completed only recently even though it was recommended back in 2006 the LBR&BF was the top choice for being available, for free, to handle all the dredge spoils from public and private dredging operations in the entire Lynnhaven Watershed. Note: The transfer station will be a permanent facility that can be used for the municipal project along the Western Branch, as well as along Crab Creek, the Eastern branch, and for various private dredging projects. [Quote from Official Project Page.]

Some of the rumors we believe need to be substantiated one way or the other, and also should be clarified publicly:

the winning bidder - the dredge company, will be responsible for
all safety related issues including operations at the LBR&BF & the
barges running near the Lesner Bridge, and for contacting the
appropriate emergency responders in the event of any type of
accidents.
[Currently there are no minimum requirements we know of.]

there will not be any contractual requirements specifically
placed on the operations of the barges such as no weather
restrictions, no restrictions on the number of tenders pushing/pulling
the barges, age of the tenders, number of personnel required to be on
the tenders, etc.
[Again, no contractual requirements.]

drug testing will not be required for any employees or
sub-contractors of companies operating at the facility.
[Remember...heavy equipment will be in use nearby families with children.]

background checks will not be required for any employees or
sub-contractors operating at the facility.
[Again, no requirements made public about sharing this recreational
facility.]

there will be no limit placed in the contract on the number of dump
trucks used per day, and therefore no limit placed on the number of
barges used per day.
[Unlimited dump trucks & barges is current plan.]

One rough draft slide from a presentation being put together addressing real & serious safety concerns re: barge strike on the Lesner Bridge if appropriate safety measures are not contractually required of dredging companies.

We’ve been assured that we will receive the data Clark-Nexsen is working from on their risk assessment. We’ve also been in contact with various agencies including the US Coast Guard, Homeland Security & others who are charged with protecting federal/state/local infrastructure from catastrophic failures.

Note: This risk assessment was only started in April 2008. Safety measures contractually required from assessment that would obviously also add to the cost of the operation are not part of any economic estimates for the use of the transfer station at the LBR&BF including estimates made at various meetings including March 19th 2008, nor are they included at the Official Project Page yet.

New info posted at the Official Page entitled “Contractor’s Responses to Citizen’s Concerns for Lesner Bridge Impacts”.
Risk assessment & safety plans not posted yet.

SDCC Opposition to Proposed Permanent Dredge Material Transfer Station at Crab Creek (CIP 08-005)

Dear Madam Mayor and City Council Members,

The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) is adamantly opposed to a dredge material transfer station being placed at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Crab Creek site.  At our April 28th general meeting, SDCC member organizations voted unanimously to oppose a transfer station based on many reasons, some of which are listed below.

· Safety Concerns – Council’s effort to make Shore Drive safer have been paying off.  It has been 2 years since the creation of the Shore Drive Safety Task Force and the last fatality on Shore Drive.  The approval of the proposed project takes a giant step backwards.  The addition of even one truck onto Shore Drive will pose a safety threat no matter how well the impact is mitigated.  Boater safety is also a concern from the 50+ barge trips per day planned.  Pedestrian safety at the LBR will be an issue with the 140 truck trips a day planned.  All aspects of this project will have adverse impacts on the safety of the Shore Drive area.

· Lack of Vision – Council has spent almost 10 years and ½ million dollars creating a vision for the Shore Drive Corridor.  A dredge material transfer station was never part of this vision.  Public works has never participated in the planning of this vision and should not be the group making this vision destroying decision.  Long term goals for the Shore Drive Corridor need to be taken into account and weighed heavily for all projects and plans in the Shore Drive area.

· Risk outweighs Reward – Barges crashing into the Lesner Bridge, barges crashing into other boats, pedestrian and vehicular accidents on Shore Drive, accidents in a heavily used boat ramp facility, and the increased degradation of the structural integrity of the Lesner Bridge from 140 truck trips per day.  These risks far outweigh any reward this site may hold over others along the Lynnhaven River.

Unfortunately, the SDCC doesn’t have the answer to the Lynnhaven dredging dilemma, but we do know the solution is not at the proposed LBR site.  SDCC members have expressed an interest in helping Public Works and Coastal engineers locate alternate temporary transfer sites that have less risk and safety concerns.  The SDCC also suggests creating a Lynnhaven River Dredging Task Force to help study the issues and identify sites acceptable to all communities.  It appears a new decision making process should be implemented since the 2 sites that have been identified over the past 2 years have both been opposed by the local residents.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at 869-5447Cell or 688-8365Work or todd@sdcc.info

Sincerely,

Todd R. Solomon

Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President

Distribution:

Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Dan Adams
Vice Mayor Jones
Mr. Justin Worrell, VMRC
City Council Members
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
Mr. Jim Spore
Ms. Deirdre Fernandes, Virginian-Pilot
Mr. Dave Hansen
Ms. Irene Bowers, Virginian-Pilot Beacon

TranStaOpLtrCouncil.pdf [1pg PDF]

Council’s decision to vote on any transfer site prior to implementation (CIP 08-005)

Dear Madam Mayor and City Council Members,

The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) overwhelmingly supports City Council’s decision to officially vote on any dredge material transfer site prior to its implementation.

At the March 19th public hearing, Mr. Hansen stated that no final sites would be chosen without being approved by a City Council vote.  Since the hearing, this initiative has also been verified by a few Council members during general discussions with SDCC members.

The location of a temporary or permanent transfer stations is a highly charged and controversial topic.  City Council’s plan to endorse all sites by vote after receiving adequate technical justification and listening to public comment is the correct decision.  We agree as you do, that decisions on this matter are too important to be made by City staff alone.

Thank you for giving the residents a voice in any final decision that is made.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at 869-5447Cell or 688-8365Work or todd@sdcc.info

Sincerely,

Todd R. Solomon

Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President

Distribution:

Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Dave Hansen
Vice Mayor Jones
Mr. Dan Adams
City Council Members
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
Mr. Jim Spore

Councildecisionvotetransfersite.pdf [1pg PDF of Letter]

Proposed boat tax appears to be dead, again

I think there’s another way,” Councilman Louis Jones said.

Council members Tuesday heard from about a dozen boat owners and Virginia Beach’s Commissioner of Revenue Phil Kellam. All blasted the boat tax increase.

Read & comment at Pilotonline.com.