[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6175747,"mediaKeyId","5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102","parentId",5353071,"title","Advisory committee approves Museum of Arts and Sciences scope change for temporary dinosaur exhibit","audioSeconds",639,"startMs",2281000,"endMs",2920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102&start=2281&end=2920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102/thumbnail_2281000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175747/Volusia-County/Florida/Advisory-committee-approves-Museum-of-Arts-and-Sciences-scope-change-for-temporary-dinosaur-exhibit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175747-58598ef618fd5c32435498fcade6e256/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448553&Signature=nQLHaJiaik2eM9zaEjI4TZD-Z88LXBtqyB7nXov33Zlo~svAdptNaFpjkFrG6War7chWI6MjgAMQF2C~DGhM-tN0GiaSj-~YIeP3j4rcETt3gT~egfQP9PWIjVrkyHTqPC2VYAQzeXboJXuvlL2ev8pOXaz9u5-7sF2isqMpshycoHZ9AryFY4h16jC2heEnEpJO~oAU~oaJU0Lx~v4BzBUzVe0utO0~X9mVAA00VXGuDkFnrlO5K6~Tfsvu1y~prcbHqOLnSIBPIuIwvSGQLluc0ONTZKuJ2UPVRWEEGeL0q8lzHs1pjQhbZSs5iAFv1oSKkoZeJz3vsIyDxPYd3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Volusia County, FL","date","2025-07-10T16:59:18.523Z","article","The ECHO Advisory Committee approved a scope change request from the Museum of Arts and Sciences to host a temporary traveling dinosaur exhibit in its children's museum space.

Tabitha Schmidt, executive director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences, told the committee the exhibit is a rented, traveling show that will occupy the children's museum and portions of the Limerand Wing for about six months. Schmidt said the museum is funding the exhibit and no additional ECHO money is being requested: \"There is no additional funding being paid for ECHO for this scope change. MOAS is covering all the funding for this project.\"

Why it matters: The museum has received previous ECHO grants and is altering the intended use for an approved project area while it develops a master plan. The temporary exhibit is intended to maintain public access and programming while the museum prepares a longer-term renovation.

Details from the meeting

- Scope and duration: The exhibit will be in place for roughly six months and will be a traveling, rented show. It will occupy the children's museum area and portions of the gallery wing the committee previously funded under ECHO.

- Funding and stewardship: Schmidt said the museum has been \"a great steward of ECHO funds\" and that the museum will cover all costs for the temporary exhibit. She said the museum will produce an impact report after the exhibition showing attendance, membership changes and visitor feedback.

- Program continuity: Staff and the museum confirmed field trips and school programs will continue during the exhibit, with minor curriculum adjustments. Schmidt said the exhibit is expected to increase attendance and membership while staff manage operational and conservation requirements set by the exhibit provider.

Vote and next steps

- Motion and vote: A committee member moved to accept the scope change and another seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. Committee members expressed support and asked the museum to continue submitting impact reports and scope details as the master-plan process proceeds.

- Deliverables: The museum said it would prepare an impact report after the exhibit and include that information in future scope-change submissions related to its broader master plan work.

Context

Committee members asked whether any member of the committee had conflicts of interest involving the museum; no recusals were reported. The committee also discussed how the temporary show fits with long-term master-plan work and confirmed the museum's commitment to preserving the children's museum concept as part of the eventual renovation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECHO Advisory Committee Meeting - Thursday July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The ECHO advisory committee approved a scope change allowing the Museum of Arts and Sciences to host a six-month traveling dinosaur exhibit while planning long-term renovations. The museum says it will fund the exhibit without additional ECHO dollars and will issue impact reports after major shows.","taxTitle","Volusia County, Florida","taxId",2878,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175752,"Committee and public raise transparency concerns after motocross added to direct county expenditures",1186,902000,2088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102&start=902&end=2088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102/thumbnail_902000.jpg","/articles/6175752/Volusia-County/Florida/Committee-and-public-raise-transparency-concerns-after-motocross-added-to-direct-county-expenditures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175752-a0388a5b8e226bc966f6c85e5b2ba571/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448553&Signature=jhW3vWYnKOw-YLM~j4iISJ5~9WCKzPfYmLaE4bQ9B2oWiR7WEk67Ji4Sbl3BRczFr3Iwj09xLV6ftfTrxXmAxO-IrcRo5KVrn29QdjyBP3AGfKlCYeD6eAmD8lrw4ouDqql0hgzaL-Bv5chxeH235ZPL-sSYYyVC6wmr2Ae25H133uZOV7jEB-D91nz5SqYebCj4scIQCj8slJsFsu4HSuefqg1rY5gnyFV7g6rpjkibTDtyUrXTj0JR8EuakqGqVT2MZxgy4AaM1DAEImI~xndutjJGcJiqD6B66-~Is9NvN8m1jinab1-RAv1BSiP0iKmJ~jzMKrT9B5s47pHmjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters and several members of the ECHO Advisory Committee said they were not given opportunity to review a motocross project before county council added it to the Direct County Expenditure plan.

Connie Colby, a resident who addressed the committee during public participation, said she was concerned about how county funds are spent: \"I would I'd like to think that the direct county expenditure fund is not being like, the cookie jar.\" She and others said projects that use county funds—particularly those connected to ECHO and Volusia Forever—should be subject to committee review before council action.

Staff clarified the process: Daniel, ECHO program staff, said county council approved $3,500,000 for the project into the ECHO capital improvement plan on June 4 and then the council added the project to the DCE plan. He told the committee the motocross effort was a split acquisition cost shared between Volusia Forever and another funding source and that the motocross design had not yet been funded: \"We don't have an update yet. It went to council for the land to be purchased... I believe it goes to council on July 22.\"

Why it matters: Committee members expected DCE items that use ECHO-related funds to be brought for review and recommendation. Committee members and the public said they were told this motocross project was presented to the committee for information only after council action. Several members said the presentation did not allow meaningful review or recommendation.

Key details

- Committee role: Staff and counsel repeatedly described the committee's review of DCE items as informational rather than a decision-making approval. As one staff member said, the review \"is, in fact, for information only.\" The committee may record a non-recommendation, but it does not have authority to approve or deny DCE projects funded by county council.

- Project status and funding: According to staff, the motocross project had been added to the county's capital improvement plan with $3.5 million committed by council. Design work had not been completed and a project site had not been finalized at the time of the committee meeting. Staff said the motocross \"has nothing to do with Volusia Forever\" in terms of design funding, though Volusia Forever was listed as a source of funds for the acquisition.

- Committee record: At the meeting the committee asked for its position to be placed on record that it did not recommend the project; committee member Pat Northey noted she had moved to put a non-recommendation on the record during the earlier presentation.

What was decided and what was not

- Decided: The committee placed a non-recommendation on the record and requested the full five-year plan and related documents so members can review them.

- Not decided: No approval or denial of the motocross project was made by the committee; county council retains decision authority for direct county expenditures.

Context and follow-up

Committee members said they will receive the full five-year plan and earlier meeting materials for review before council considers the purchase. Committee members asked staff to circulate documentation and design plans when available. Several committee members expressed support for acquiring additional public lands for recreation generally, but said they were concerned about the timing and transparency of this project's addition to the DCE plan.","Public commenters and advisory committee members said a motocross project was added to the county's direct county expenditure (DCE) plan without a formal review by the ECHO advisory committee or Volusia Forever; staff said the project was added by county council and is informational to the committee.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175756,"ECHO advisory committee fails to rescind move to 20‑year grant term; requests staff report",2862,1114000,3976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102&start=1114&end=3976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353071-c6751313569125d3a71376008a1be102/thumbnail_1114000.jpg","/articles/6175756/Volusia-County/Florida/ECHO-advisory-committee-fails-to-rescind-move-to-20year-grant-term-requests-staff-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175756-ae8dded9c39198fdfa407a981414d94b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448553&Signature=F35XqGyUOwI61nzV~bNKDqU3MvF~OQbfSssld7CiCiJmxnU6sXC9i7muFWVYVaSfyVCED2U-IuAjg4ylBNsOS2mlKxt8CUz7kDxNGo0niY2TariF2egTajubkfQPlXlemwHtLmi1u5CXaxsnW5wk7wQsShmOdTeXEtCst9b7a725rGlEtpjjogz7np9x42jeMc-yQQJX1krdI-fU81K0pnsfMsDmO2xlG-ecIQGYYh5ygJ-pcCZmtuK0XgkXTMYKJf~8Kli-GdTqZcXRH5NBY9vX0B71m-newrHE-pKDb8bh60WBk9ac9Dlbe~UBaUymwy1n6KlUA2g-nEmuP5hwYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The ECHO Advisory Committee of Volusia County voted 5-4 on a procedural motion and declined to rescind its recent recommendation that new ECHO grants run for 20 years instead of 40.

The committee's decision followed extended public comment and in-meeting debate about whether the county should restore a 40-year obligation period for ECHO grant recipients. Public commenter Keith Chester urged the committee to return to 40 years, calling 20 years \"not legacy, folks\" and citing prior instances where the county had clawed back funds from grant recipients that failed to meet obligations.

The vote came after legal and procedural guidance from Sabrina Slack, assistant county attorney, who explained limits on retroactively changing contract terms. Slack said adding years to an existing 20-year restrictive covenant would require agreement by the grantee: \"Adding a term to a contract would require an amendment or a modification.\" She also warned that the committee's earlier action recommending 20 years had already been forwarded to county council: \"You have already directed us to do that. So that train's left the station.\"

Why it matters: The ECHO program uses dedicated local funding for land conservation, parks and cultural projects. The length of a grant obligation determines how long recipients must keep a funded public benefit in place. Citizens and committee members said changing the obligation period affects taxpayer protections, the meaning of \"legacy\" projects and the county's ability to recover funds if a grantee fails to deliver.

Key facts and debate

- Public comment: Connie Colby and Keith Chester raised concerns about transparency and whether committee review occurred before some projects were added to county plans. Chester cited the Dutton House, saying the county had reclaimed about $230,000 after the project failed to open.

- Contract timing and obligations: Committee members asked whether the obligation period begins when a grant is awarded or when a project is complete. Staff responded the clock starts when the county council awards the grant; standard grants have two years for completion and exceptional grants have three.

- Procedural limits: Slack told the committee it can waive a condition in a contract (reducing a 40-year obligation to 20 years if it is the county's contractual term) but cannot unilaterally add years to a grantee's already-signed restrictive covenant. \"The 20-year contract, there is no ability for me to add 20 years unless there's a modification or amendment between the parties,\" she said.

- The vote and next steps: A motion to rescind the committee's earlier action to recommend 20 years was put to a roll-call vote and failed. Committee members recorded votes during the roll call (as recorded in the meeting): Reggie Santilli (no); Pat Drago (no); Gerald Feazer (yes); Thomas Lupuca (yes); John Macaluso (no); Pat Northey (no); Jay Pendergast (no); Doug Pettit (yes); Leo Washington (yes). After the vote failed, the committee asked staff to prepare a report on the impacts of changing the term and to present that information at the next advisory committee meeting.

What was decided and what was not

- Decided: The committee did not rescind its earlier recommendation for 20-year obligations; the rescind motion failed by recorded vote.

- Not decided: The committee did not change the county's ECHO policy or retroactively alter existing contracts. Staff was directed to return with information so the committee can better understand the legal and fiscal impacts.

Context

The committee and members referenced the 2020 reauthorization of the ECHO program. Staff pointed to Resolution 2020-79 (the 2020 reauthorization) and said that, since 2020, new grants have moved to 20-year obligations. Committee members who supported reconsideration said they wanted more information on the number and status of pre-2020 grants that still operate under 30- or 40-year covenants.

The committee said it will hear a staff presentation at its next meeting that will describe which grants are under which covenants, the practical effect of switching policy for future grants, and the legal barriers to changing already-signed restrictive covenants.","Volusia County's ECHO advisory committee voted down a motion to return grant obligations to 40 years, after hours of public comment and committee discussion. The committee asked staff to provide a report on the impacts at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advisory committee approves Museum of Arts and Sciences scope change for temporary dinosaur exhibit

Committee and public raise transparency concerns after motocross added to direct county expenditures

ECHO advisory committee fails to rescind move to 20‑year grant term; requests staff report