VCC Discusses Beach Issues, Allocation of CARES Funds

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DeLand, FL - Weekend incidents in Daytona Beach were a topic of discussion during Council member comments at today's (May 26) Volusia County Council meeting. Another topic involved allocating the $96 million in CARES funding from the federal government.

Councilperson Billie Wheeler started the beach discussion by taking full responsibility for comments made about this past weekend in Daytona Beach during a press conference on Sunday ((May 24) afternoon. "I didn't feel then, nor do I feel now that the incidents that happened over the weekend were a racial issue. My concern is 100 percent public safety for our community, our businesses, our visitors, and law enforcement." She also said that we must ensure that the laws and rules are followed, for the health, protection, and well-being of all concerned.

Councilperson Deb Denys posed the question, 'What if, during a state of emergency, access to the beaches was limited to Volusia County residents?' After much discussion on whether it could be done legally, Councilperson Ben Johnson made the point that the beaches are a reason for tourists to come to Volusia County. 

Councilperson Heather Post said that during the Stay-At-Home order, we didn't close the beaches to non-residents. She said the issues of the past week could happen even if the beaches were closed to non-residents. "We need to be figuring out a solution for not tolerating and not allowing people to come into our area and put others in danger. If it wasn't a good enough reason to close it for a pandemic, then I certainly don't think it's a reason to close it now."

Councilperson Barb Girtman agreed, saying that considering we invite people from around the world to enjoy our beaches to want to close them down now because of one incident. "It's public for a reason and public means everyone is welcome. Our management and control, from our Public Safety? Yeah, let's identify how to work with that better. Let's decide how we work better with the community"

After each person had their say, the discussion will remain just that. No move was made to put the issue on a future agenda.

Items that were on today's agenda are moving forward with the State of Local Emergency Related to Coronavirus Disease being extended for the eleventh time. A resolution to include non-profit businesses in the ReLaunch Volusia: Small Business Reopening Grant Program was approved with $2.5 million being set aside. A resolution to amend some wording to the ReLaunch Volusia: Individual Rent and Mortgage Grant Program was approved. 

An item that could see Volusia County allocating some of the $96 million in CARES funds from the federal government to the 16 cities in the county should be on a future agenda. Council members instructed County Manager George Recktenwald and staff to review the subject.

beaches, CARES funding, Relaunch Volusia