HomeMy Public PortalAbout160_030_20130919BeachTaskForceMinutes Tybee Island Beach Task Force
Minutes, September 19, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Freda
Rutherford, Michael Foran, Amy Lanier, Jimmy Burke,
John Wylly and Lisa Callahan
VISITORS/EX-OFFICIOS PRESENT: Mayor Jason Buelterman via telephonic
conference, Paul Wolff, Wanda Doyle, Tom Groover
and Diane Schleicher. Visitor: Monty Parks
Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 12:00pm.
Ms. Adams stated she had older documents at her home that might be useful to the
Beach Task Force. One of those documents was the Strategic Plan for beach re-
nourishment. Ms. Rutherford went on to ask the question if the City is renewing the 50
Year Plan and in order to make that decision we need to determine what it would cost
for Tybee Island to do the re-nourishment on our own. This would include cost savings
and working with Hilton Head on mobilization, etc. She also indicated that mayor and
council need to make a decision on the path the City needs to move forward. Ms.
Adams confirmed and would recommend independent funding for re-nourishment
versus depending on the federal government. Ms. Lanier stated she has a letter from
the DNR listing the advantages of doing an independent re-nourishment. Ms. Adams
discussed the advantages and disadvantages of doing an independent re-nourishment
and if the City moves forward alone, we can decide the project path. She would also
recommend partnering with Hilton Head as it would be cost effective. Ms. Rutherford
then suggested there be a joint meeting with the new council in January. Mr. Ferrelle
agreed. Mr. Groover then asked if the City eliminates the Corp of Engineers (COE) from
the re-nourishment, would that eliminate the federal funding that we anticipate
receiving. Ms. Rutherford responded that would end the federal contract as it would
not be renewed. Ms. Lanier reminded the body that the City would be eligible for FEMA
assistance immediately. Mr. Wolff stated that if the City were to fund a study on the
mitigation regarding the harbor, it would probably show that the best mitigation plan is
exactly what Tybee is doing which is regular re-nourishment on a seven year cycle. He
would recommend the Beach Task Force to review the Strategic Plan and prioritize what
is relevant and update what needs to be added based on current situation with the
federal government and state. This would need to include to pros and cons so it would
quantify the advantages and disadvantages and bring to mayor and council. Ms. Adams
would suggest an ad-hoc committee be organized which would include council
members. Mr. Wolff and Ms. Doyle both volunteered to serve on this committee. Ms.
Rutherford stated this will enable mayor and council to realize how complex funding for
the re-nourishment is. Mr. Ferrelle recommended that mayor and council be provided a
copy of the old Strategic Plan for their review. In this way they would be more familiar
with the issues. Ms. Adams responded that she had a copy of will be happy to forward.
City Manager Report:
Ms. Schleicher gave a report on the crossover schedule.
Ms. Doyle reported that Mayor Buelterman is going to add a report from his recent trip
to New Jersey regarding crossovers and dunes to the upcoming city county workshop
on October 17, 2013.
Mayor Buelterman joined the meeting via telephonic conference. He reported on their
recent meeting with Governor Deal on September 11, 2013. He explained that our local
representatives were also in attendance and they were receptive to Tybee's concerns
regarding the shipping channel as well as the upcoming beach re-nourishment. Ms.
Adams added that the meeting went well. Mayor Buelterman then went on to report on
his recent meeting with Colonel Tichner, Savannah District, COE. He was given a tour
of the beach along with having a discussion regarding the upcoming beach re-
nourishment. Mayor Buelterman then reported on his trip to New Jersey to visit the
shoreline affected by Hurricane Sandy. He had supplied pictures to the Beach Task
Force pointing out how their dunes were built as well as the access to the beach area
as they do not have crossovers as Tybee does. Mr. Ferrelle confirmed with the Mayor
that the $6M of SPLOST money from Chatham County be appropriated for beach
improvements such as bathrooms and future re-nourishments.
Ms. Rutherford asked Mayor Buelterman his understanding of a dune template for
Tybee Island which would determine the optimum size for the City's dunes. She added
that this was not outlined in the Beach Management Plan and should be explored with
the future re-nourishment. Mayor Buelterman explained the dune system in New
Jersey which affords them lower insurance rates. He would recommend that the "gaps"
in the dune system needs to be re-evaluated. Mrs. Rutherford asked Mayor Buelterman
what their templates for re-nourishment look like and do they include the dune fields.
Mayor Buelterman stated their dune template includes both the dune components and
then they plant on top of the dune to include the berms. Their plan was also done in
2002-2003 and Tybee's was done in 1970 and their way of doing the dunes is not
something that was done in the 1970's. This is done now as they have found the
positive effect it has on the flooding and storm surge. He would recommend the City
take a hard look on how we are managing the dune system. The Beach Task Force
agreed.
Ms. Schleicher discussed Eric Olsen's contract. She would like him to delineate his tasks
in working with the Beach Task Force. Ms. Schleicher stated that Mr. Olsen has not
been very involved due to budget constraints. Ms. Rutherford discussed the task orders
before the Beach Task Force. The first one, as the COE develops the re-nourishment
template, we are asking Mr. Olsen to review the documents. Ms. Schleicher confirmed.
Ms. Rutherford stated she was confused with Task II. Ms. Schleicher responded that
the Beach Task Force asked her to get a cost estimate for adding the north beach area
to the re-nourishment plan.
Mr. Ferrelle asked Ms. Schleicher what would be her recommendation regarding the
Task Orders that are before the Beach Task Force. She responded that she would like
a motion for Task Order A.
Ms. Lanier made a motion that the Beach Task Force recommend that mayor and
council approve Task Order A. Ms. Rutherford seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Ms. Lanier would like to know if the Campbell Units were used back in 1998. She then
discussed the 2nd Street hot spot and would like to know why the units were not put in
place previously. Ms. Adams responded that is due to the quality of the sand as it was
not beach quality sand. She would recommend that the unit but placed at 1st Street
rather than 2nd Street as the sand would accrete and it will slow the current down. Mr.
Burke concurred.
Ms. Lanier made a motion to have the city manager contact Mr. Olsen to get a quote
for putting in a breakwater at 1st Street or 2nd Street using a Campbell Unit. Ms.
Adams seconded. Vote was unanimous.
A discussion ensured regarding the derelict structures and the removal of same. Ms.
Schleicher stated that it would be included in the next budget cycle of the Seabee's.
Ms. Adams requested that the members of the Beach Task Force and their friends
contact Ben Watson, Buddy Carter and Ron Stevens and encourage them to put as
much pressure as they can on the Governor to ensure funds are put in the budget for
Tybee Island's upcoming re-nourishment.
Mr. Ferrelle would like to form a Dune Committee. Lisa Callahan and Jimmy Burke
volunteered to serve on the committee. Wanda Doyle and Paul Wolff also volunteered.
Mr. Wylly reported on fund raising for Cockspur Lighthouse. He is working on Phase II
which would bring more rocks in for placement around the lighthouse.
There were no committee reports.
Being there was no further business; Amy Lanier made a motion to adjourn. Michael
Foran seconded. Meeting adjourned at 1:30PM.