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HomeMy Public PortalAbout150_020_20130516BeachTaskForceMinutes Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes, May 16, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Harvey Ferrelle, Berta Adams, Freda Rutherford, Michael Foran, Amy Lanier, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, John Wylly, Wick Searcy, Arnie Seyden VISITORS/EX-OFFICIOS PRESENT: Bill Garbett, Paul Wolff Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 12:15PM. Wick Searcy made a motion to approve the January 17, February 21, and March 21, 2013 minutes. Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous. Mr. Ferrelle recommended moving the meeting date to Wednesday so the COE could attend. Ms. Rutherford recommended moving the time of the meeting. After a short discussion Jimmy Burke made a motion to change the time of the meetings to 12:00PM — 1:30PM. Amy Lanier seconded. Vote was unanimous. City Manager's Report Ms. Schleicher reported that Mr. Wilson, DPW, assessed the beach after the recent storm and received an emergency letter of authorization from DNR to allow vehicles on the beach for the purpose of clean-up. She also reported that she has been in contact with the COE but they have not responded to if there will be any mitigation due to the damages on the beach. Mr. Ferrelle stated he didn't see much rack with this storm. Ms. Schleicher responded there was some rack and with the LOP that is in place, the City was able to remove and/or relocate. Ms. Schleicher then addressed the 2015 schedule for re-nourishment stating the COE would like approximately $200,000 for the LLR. In addition, city council will be putting $150,000 in general funds for future beach re-nourishment. Mr. Ferrelle discussed the schedule from the COE and asked if there were any questions. Being none, Mr. Ferrelle asked Ms. Schleicher is she had been in contact with the SEABEES for the removal of the derelict structures. She replied that she received a contact from Representative Kingston's office and made contact with them. They expressed an interest and needed a report and pictures from the City. Ms. Schleicher shared with the Beach Task Force members her draft letter to the SEABEES. The members agreed with the draft and recommended she send it forward. Mr. Richardson stated he had some additional photographs that she might want to included. Ms. Schleicher confirmed. Ms. Lanier asked Ms. Schleicher is the City would be responsible for hauling the materials to the landfill as well as the permitting. Ms. Schleicher confirmed. She also reported that she requested the demolition be done during the off-season as the turtle nesting will be done. Mr. Wylly had a short discussion regarding the placement of sand and putting a jetty on north beach. In this way, sand would fill in and would help solve the erosion problem in that area. Ms. Rutherford stated she had read the LLR and saw no specifics regarding the over filling of the hot spots for the last two re-nourishments. She then stated that the BTF has repeatedly asked for that information from Mr. Olsen and to date the information has not been provided. She would suggest the BTF contact the consultant that visited a previous BTF meeting. Mr. Wolff agreed as the BTF need specifics. Mr. Burke concurred. In addition, due to the last storm, the erosion in that area of the beach was great and if Tybee were to have another storm as strong, he is afraid the seawall will be exposed. Ms. Adams stated that Tybee is at the end of their project life and that is the reason behind the mindset that we do not want to go beyond the seven years for beach re-nourishment. Historically, that the end of the ten year mark, erosion accelerates and there is additional loss of beach. She then had a discussion regarding DNR's resistance to putting hardware on the beach such as a t- groin which included the LLR and an evaluation thereof. Mr. Wolff recommended someone contact the COE and have the contour of the hot spots included in the LLR. Ms. Schleicher stated that during her recent meeting with the COE, she had made that request and the COE is working on that. Mr. Seyden suggested that Tybee reconsider accepting the sand from the harbor deepening. Ms. Schleicher responded that Col. Hall will not revisit the topic. Ms. Adams remarked that the intent of the BTF is to have a tool to assist Tybee Island with the future re-nourishments. The City does not have it in advance to the LLR as it would have to be a separate study which would have cost the City money. She would like to request the COE provide the effectiveness of the over fill on 2nd Street so that if the City were to make changes to the profile it can be done early in the process. Mr. Ferrelle reminded the BTF that Col. Hall is being transferred and it might be a possibility to speak with the new commander when he takes command. Mr. Burke suggested contact the contractor selected by the COE and offer them a spot to put the spoilage, i.e., sand. This might save the contractor money as they wouldn't have to take the sand out to sea. Ms. Adams offered her concerns regarding the spoilage as it might not be beach quality sand. Mr. Garbett agreed as the spoilage previously was mud and not suitable for beach sand. Mr. Ferrelle then addressed the task orders that were before the BTF. Ms. Schleicher stated that she had contacted Mr. Off, past chair of the BTF, and his thoughts are that Mr. Olsen is over charging the City. Ms. Rutherford agreed as she feels Mr. Olsen is bias and the BTF needs to renegotiate the contract. Ms. Schleicher agreed. A discussion ensued regarding the contract with Mr. Olsen as the consultant for the beach and his contract proposal. Mr. Foran asked for clarification of the task order pertaining to the north beach sand placement project. Mr. Ferrelle clarified stating that this is a City project and not federal. Mr. Foran made a motion the BTF give the city manager the option to negotiate the contract and securing the best pricing available. Ms. Adams seconded. Vote was unanimous. Ms. Schleicher clarified she will work on the LLR portion of the contract only. The body agreed. Mr. Ferrelle stated he will contact the consultant who visited the Beach Task Force previously to check her availability to speak again. Ms. Schleicher asked if she might be able to send pictures as well. Mr. Wolff gave a brief status of the increase regarding the hotel/motel tax. He stated that the legislature authorized that local governments can approved up to a .02 cent increase in their hotel/motel tax after a public referendum. The City has not received clarification from our local legislators that the City could dedicate all of what we have to beach re-nourishment or to beach related activities. Ms. Adams will contact Ron Stevens for status. Mr. Garbett stated that due to time constraints, the City will have to wait till next year and mayor and council will have to be 100% in favor of the increase. Mr. Ferrelle clarified the $300,000 in the president's budget for the federal cost share for preparation of plans and specs and pre-solicitation work but is funded by construction funds as it is an ongoing project. The City would still have to match the funding. Mr. Foran asked Mr. Ferrelle what would happen if the City does not receive the $300,000 from the federal government for beach re-nourishment. He stated that the City would have to look for other fund sources. Mr. Wolff stated this would support the City's request to increase the hotel-motel tax with the tourism council. Ms. Adams made a motion to have Harvey Ferrelle and Michael Foran attend the next city council meeting to speak on behalf of the BTF regarding the hotel/motel tax increase and the entire .02 cent increase to beach related activities (beach re-nourishment) and ask for the support of Mayor Buelterman. Ms. Rutherford seconded. Vote was unanimous. Updates/New Business/Old Business: • Funding: State, County, and Federal. No update • GPA: No update • Beach Health: Mr. Richardson is open for ideas. He has made contact with Savannah State for ideas. • Nominating Committee: Ms. Downing has no report • Membership: Membership at 13 active members. Mr. Ferrelle stated we need to increase the membership. He also suggested it be put on the website and have the mayor announce at the next city council meeting. • CRC: Ms. Rutherford stated there are upcoming sea level rise workshops. No further business, meeting adjourned at 1:30PM.