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.