The committee discussed the VBA program in detail, envisioning volunteers patrolling the beaches to ensure compliance with local regulations. Prospective ambassadors would operate on weekends and holidays, a schedule designed to coincide with peak beachgoing times. The program drew inspiration from existing conservation efforts, such as sea turtle tracking, and proposed the use of modern communication platforms like signup.com and Slack to facilitate coordination among volunteers. A key aspect of the program would be mandatory training for volunteers to manage interactions with the public effectively and to maintain a detailed log of activities. The program is intended to be cost-effective, minimizing the financial impact on the city.

One of the main challenges discussed was the establishment of clear guidelines for volunteers to prevent potential confrontations with beachgoers. The committee debated the use of QR codes for easy public access to beach rules and emphasized the importance of collaboration between various conservation initiatives. There was also a call for the integration of the VBA program with existing volunteer organizations, such as the Dun Savers initiative. The Dun Savers presentation earlier in the meeting highlighted the importance of native vegetation for dune stabilization and the removal of invasive plant species.

In addition to the VBA program, the meeting touched on the customary use of the beach and the need to ensure transparency in how the city interprets access rights. The committee considered hiring a company to gather historical deeds related to beach access but opted to first review available information from Pinellas County resources. This topic extended into a broader discussion on beach-related processes, including the need for standards in conditional use permits and Dune restoration, and the importance of keeping the beach manager informed about all developments.

Commercial activity on the beach was another focal point, with the committee expressing concerns over unpermitted events. There was mention of alcohol consumption on the beach being addressed by the sheriff’s department. The committee debated the need for clarity on permits required for various activities, including the installation of amenities such as ziplines. Concerns were also voiced regarding crowding on the beach due to unregulated construction, prompting a discussion on establishing fees to fund beach preservation.

The committee’s deliberations on beach maintenance included the placement of cabanas by hotels and the impact of beach re-nourishment on accessibility. There was a consensus on the need for a comprehensive campaign to educate the public about beach regulations, particularly the prohibition of dogs on the beach. The committee highlighted the challenges of enforcing regulations related to service animals and suggested a joint campaign modeled after successful initiatives in other resort towns. Additionally, there were updates on beach re-nourishment and discussions about its potential consequences on beach accessibility.

Finally, the meeting acknowledged the threat of climate change, with mentions of sea level rise and terrain modification. The committee referenced discussions in Treasure Island about incorporating fill to elevate infrastructure as a protective measure. The suggestion to hire a full-time resiliency coordinator was also brought up, along with the distribution of native plant material for dune conservation and the regulation of land-based shark fishing activities.