Doughnuts with Doughney

Flagler Beach Police Chief and 7-ELEVEN host “Doughnuts with Doughney”

The Flagler Beach Police Department and our local 7-ELEVEN store have partnered to host “Doughnuts with Doughney” on Friday, March 2nd, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Flagler Beach 7-ELEVEN convenience store is located at 408 South Oceanshore Boulevard.

“Doughnuts with Doughney” is similar to “Coffee with a Cop” in that it provides the public an opportunity to meet and speak openly with Chief Doughney about issues and/or concerns in Flagler Beach. The location of the meeting provides citizens easy access to both the 7-ELEVEN and Chief Doughney, in a relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere.

“We’ve got two (2) major events, Bike Week and Spring Break, that will occur during the same week in March and we’d like to hear about any concerns that our citizens may have in advance of these events.” Doughney said.

According to the Police Chief, the upcoming “Doughnut” event will coincide with the “First Friday” event in March and the times were changed (from morning to evening) to accommodate those that couldn’t make previous morning events”.

Doughney concluded by stating “Our local 7-11 owner, Mr. Eric Cooley, helped create the “Doughnut” event concept and working with him is a pleasure. The “Doughnut” events are free, fun and interactive for all and I continue to look forward to them each and every time”.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2024.

 

Open Beach Access Dune Crossovers

The following Beach Access Stairways /Dune Crossover locations are open for public usage:

North of SR100 South of SR100
North 23rd  Street South ADA Access
North 21st Street South 2nd Street
North 17th  Street South 3rd  Street
North 15th Street South 4th Street
North 12th  Street South 5th Street
North 11th  Street South 6th Street
North 10th Street South 11th Street
North 8th Street South 20th  Street
North 7th Street South 21st  Street
North 5th Street South 22nd  Street
North 4th Street South 23rd Street
North 3rd Street South 28th Street
North 2nd Street South City Limits/Volusia County

 

Please remember the following:

  • Please utilize the above Beach Access/Dune Crossovers onlyDo not walk on or across the Sea Dunes to prevent further erosion of the Dune system.  City Ordinance 6-9 prohibits the destruction, harm, molestation, cutting, harvesting, removal or eradication or cause of destruction of any plant life on the Dune areas within the City, east of Highway A1A.
  • Please do not attempt to utilize closed Beach Access/Dune Crossover locations.  Closed locations have clearly visible yellow Caution tape and wooden boards blocking access.  These locations have been deemed unstable and have hereby been closed for public safety.
  • Please utilize caution when accessing the Beach at the above locations, as there may be a varied distance between the last step of the Beach Access Points and the sand.

The City will be working to re-open as many Dunes Access Points, both North and South of SR100, before March 1, 2018.  Our City crews continue to make progress on repairs and the goal is to open as many Beach Access Points in preparation for this year’s upcoming “Beach Season”.

All repairs will be temporary and with future funds awarded from FEMA the replacement of new Beach Access Points damaged during Hurricanes Matthew & Irma will be built to meet new building codes.

As a City we’re committed to repairing and/or replacing all of the damaged Beach Access/Dune Crossovers and City Staff will continue to work diligently in order to get this task accomplished.  When additional Beach Access/Dune Crossovers are re-opened, a Public Service Announcement/Media Release will be issued.

Short Term Rental Legislation

To:  Fellow Flagler Beach Residents
From:  Jane Mealy, City Commission Chair
Subject:  Short Term Rental Legislation

Date:  February 6, 2018

The Florida State Legislature is currently in session and is continuing its attack on “Home Rule”, despite the fact that, in 1968, Florida voters amended the State Constitution to delegate Home Rule authority to municipalities and counties.  One issue the Legislature is attempting to preempt cities and counties from governing in a way the majority of resident’s desire is that of vacation, or short term, rentals.

In 2008, after a great deal of discussion and sometimes heated debate among residents and between residents and the City Commission, an ordinance was passed in our City regulating short term rentals in the manner that worked best for our City.  During the last few Legislative sessions, our State leaders have attempted to preempt such ordinances at the City and County level and create laws at the State level that would be one-size-fits-all rules throughout the State.  This year is no exception.

Should the bills up for debate in the Legislature this year pass, Flagler Beach would no longer be able to regulate commercial activity in residential areas.  Legislators claim that vacation rentals are residential in nature and, thus, belong in residential neighborhoods.  The house next to you, possibly owned by an out-of-state investor, could be turned into a “hotel”, causing you to have new neighbors every few days, putting a strain on residential infrastructure, causing parking and possible noise-level issues, putting a strain on first responders and sanitation workers.  All short term rental licenses would be issued by the State, fire and building code inspections would be performed by the State (every two years, with only 1% of all short term rentals being inspected each year statewide), yet it would be up to local Law Enforcement to make sure that the laws are upheld.  (License fees would be collected by the State, but the increased costs to the City would no longer be funded by the license fees).  Single family residential homes would be allowed to rent to up to six people per bedroom (a home with three bedrooms = 18 people).  A local government could only regulate vacation rental properties in the same manner as they regulate all residential properties.  The City Commission would no longer be able to determine short term renters’ length of stay nor the frequency of short term rentals at any property.

The Flagler Beach Commission and City Manager have been actively working to prevent such legislation from being enacted.  However, as Legislative committees continue to meet, it appears as though this preemption will occur.

We are now asking for you, as a resident of our great City and a voter who elects our State level Representatives, to become more actively involved by contacting our legislators and sharing your thoughts with them regarding this issue. The bills you should discuss are:

  • SB 1400 (submitted by Senator Steube)
  • SB 1640 (submitted by Senator Simmons) – The Florida Vacation Rental Act, which will allow local agencies to follow zoning rules.

 

Contact:

Senator Travis Hutson
314 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5007
Hutson.Travis@flsenate.gov

 

Representative Paul Renner
1101 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
(850) 717-5024
Paul.Renner@myfloridahouse.gov

 

Let’s all work to preserve the unique character of our City, to preserve the Commission’s ability to govern as is best for our City, and to preserve our residential neighborhoods.

Polar Plunge

4th Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

 

On Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. the 4th Annual Polar Plunge will take place in Flagler Beach.  Registration starts in Veterans Park at 9:00 a.m. and the actual “Plunge” into the Atlantic Ocean is set for 10:15 a.m. The purpose of the Polar Plunge is to bring together and unite community members toward the common goals of having fun while raising money for our local Special Olympics athletes.

 

“Special Olympics is near and dear to our hearts here at the Flagler Beach Police Department, as a member of our family is a Special Olympics athlete” said Flager Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney.  Doughney continued by saying “My Administrative Assistant Dee’s son Joe is 14 years old and he competes in swimming, bowling and track events. Joe is absolutely incredible! When you first meet Joe he’s an instant friend and helping Joe and other local athletes enjoy the spirit and competition of the Special Olympic is something we’re committed to here at the Police Department”.

 

The Polar Plunge has developed into a friendly team competition between participants over the past three (3) years. Teams dress in innovative, funny and sometimes outlandish costumes and prior to the actual plunge, teams compete for the “Best Dressed Team Costume” trophy.  Last year the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office took home the hardware dressed as “The Smurfs” and they beat the two (2) time defending champion Flagler Beach Fire Department.  Chief Doughney concluded by saying “the Team costume competition is a blast and carries with it bragging rights for the entire year. We look forward to competing this year and want to proudly display that trophy in the front lobby of the Police Department for 2018. We’re asking people to get involved in this year’s event and support a fantastic cause”.

 

Here’s how you can get involved and show your support:

  1. Grab some friends, family members or co-workers together and form your own team or just be a team of one (1) for the “plunge”. To register in advance please call Kim or Kerri at (386) 586-2655. Here’s a link for more information: www.flaglersheriffspal.org
  2. Come out to Veteran’s Park on February 3rd and cheer on Joe and the ‘Plungers” as they brave the cold water of the Atlantic Ocean!
  3. Activities in Veterans Park will also include a hot chocolate bar, music by D.J. Vern, face painting and more!
  4. For more information about Florida’s Special Olympics please go to: www.specialolympicsflorida.org

We hope to fill Veterans Park this year with “Plungers” and spectators alike and the goal is to help athletes like Joe fulfill their dreams.  If you have any questions regarding this year’s Polar Plunge, please feel free to contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2024

Our #1 Athlete Joe!

 

 

 

 

Joe participating in track

 

Joe proudly displays his Gold Medal in 2016