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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140123citycouncilminutesCity Council Minutes 20140123 Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda Mayor Buelterman called the consent agenda to order at 6:30PM on January 23, 2014. Those present were Mayor pro tem Wanda Doyle, Paul Wolff, Monty Parks, Rob Callahan, Barry Brown and Bill Garbett. Also attending were Diane Schleicher, City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Dianne Otto, Manager, Planning and Zoning Department; and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council. Mayor Buelterman listed the following items on the consent agenda: Beach Task Force Sam Adams Kathy Sakas Bicycle/Pedest rian Membership Sunni Brown – chair Bill Garbett – council member Paul Wolff – council member Sharon Shaver Joe Wilson – DPW Bruce Saunders – Tybee Island Police Department Michael Bodine – IT Chantel Morton – Tybee Main Street Gina Casagrande – YMCA Diane Schleicher – city manager Tim O’Neil – Tim’s Bicycle and Beach Gear Vicki Worden – resident John R. Bennett – Savannah Bicycle Campaign Tybee Island Main Street Board, Vicky Smith Hammons City Council Minutes, January 9, 2014 Alcohol License Request – Special Event-Beer Wine; Tybee SEABAR Inc., Tybee Island Mardi Gras: March 1, 2014 Special Event Consideration. Trybee Island Sprint Triathlon (June 8, 2014 @ 7AM): North Strand parking lot, beach area, bike route. Coast Endurance LLC. DISCUSSION: Crisp McDonald approached mayor and council to clarify the bicycle portion of this event as Mr. Parks expressed concerns regarding Lazaretto Bridge. He explained that officers with be stationed at each end of the bridge to preclude any problems. Mr. McDonald stated the bridge will have a “soft” closing for approximately 60 minutes. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. McDonald for all his efforts associated with this event. 2014 Georgia Main Street Program: Memorandum of Understanding. Georgia Power Agreement: This will add a LED security light near the intersection of 4th and Lovell Avenue (near the tennis courts). Payment for this additional light can be handled with an upfront payment of $448 and low monthly costs $21.11 or pay a higher monthly cost of $27.00 without the upfront payment. Both proposals are attached. Budget Line Item: 100-6210-53-1230. Discussion: Ms. Schleicher stated that it is her preference to pay monthly as there is a maintenance agreement attached to the lease. Mayor Buelterman recommended that this be approved on consent contingent on staff’s recommendation. Transfer $75,000 in Capital Line Item 505-4310-54-1402 Capital Buildings to Capital Line Item 505-4310-54-2100, Machinery & Equipment. Out of state Travel for Chris Shook to attend the 2014 ARVC “Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo” in Wheeling, WV, February 18 – 22, 2014. Line Item Number: 555-6180-52-3500 (budgeted with FY operation dept. budget) Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Increase Based on the CPI – U of 1.5%. Proposed Garbage and Recycling Rate Increase Based on the CPI – U of 1.5% Bicycle Friendly Committee Request: Renaming committee and expanding committee goals to include pedestrian safety recommendation: “Bicycle/ Pedestrian Friendly Committee” Mayor Buelterman called the regular meeting to order at 7:00PM. All those present for the consent agenda were present. Opening Ceremonies Call to Order Invocation: Sister Barbara Shimkus, St Michael’s Pledge of Allegiance Recognitions and Proclamations Memorial for 2013 Evelyn Stevens Stan Hedgecorth Mamie Lou Bazemore Smith Terrance Clayton Moncayo Barham Diane Sikes Thomas Carson Latzak Ann B. Knipe Mary Catherine McCarthy Robert Shroyer Bruce Allen Katen Benjamin Riley Ernest C. Hosti James H. Cartee, Jr. Helen Lorraine Breazel Sarah Eloise Nesbitt William Daniel Turner Melenses Ann Platke Rawsthorne Travis Wilburn Brackeen Lillian Healey Rudon Betty Baber Corinne Brady Owen Michael Sullivan Jean Ann Heffernan Margaret Jones Palmer Jeanne Marie Love Rodney Lowery Georgia Chafin Griesbach Charles Danny Cason Terese Ann Erdelen Judge John Andre, Jr. Helen Murphy Balcom Richard Lathrop Vickie Lang Michael James Sedgwick Mayor Buelterman asked Berta Adams, Beach Task Force, to come forward to be recognized as she is retiring from the Task Force. He explained that she has not only served in a leadership capacity for twenty –nine years but also to lobby the State for funding for beach re-nourishments. Former Mayor Walter Parker approached the podium as well to express his gratitude for all her efforts during his tenure as mayor. Mayor Buelterman presented Ms. Adams with a Certificate of Appreciation as well as the Key to the City. Ms. Adams thanked Mayors Buelterman and Parker for their kind words. Mayor Buelterman asked Jan Fox to come forward to be recognized as the outgoing council member, 2012 - 2013. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Fox for serving as a council member and for all her work with the proposed Tybee Island Public Safety Building. He also expressed his gratitude with working with the budget cycle for the City. He then presented Ms. Fox with a plaque and a City watch. Ms. Fox thanked mayor and council for the recognition. Ms. Doyle thanked Ms. Fox participation in working with the Public Safety Committee on the proposed Tybee Island Public Safety Building. Arbor Day Proclamation. Barry Brown made a motion to approve. Paul Wolff seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0. Report of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guests Janice Elliott approached mayor and council to report on the recent Employee Appreciation Dinner that was held on January 11, 2014. She publically thanked the Sons of the American Legion, Post 154, for all their assistance in cooking and serving the meal as well as Mike Hosti, Tybee Market, for his help. Ms. Elliott also thanked the businesses on the Island for their donations with door prizes. She then read the employees that were recognized at the dinner for their years of service to the City and announced the Employee of the Year, Rosie Ferris, River’s End Campground. Ms. Elliott also thanked all the employees of the City for their hard work. Mayor and council thanked Ms. Elliott for all her hard work associated with this event. Mayor Buelterman stated that the Quarterly Reports for the following departments are included in the packet before mayor and council this evening: Tybee Island Fire Department, Ocean Rescue and TEMA Tybee Island Police Department Water & Sewer Department River’s End Campground Frank Kelly approached mayor and council to speak on the items on the agenda regarding parking. He is in favor of the new equipment and would ask mayor and council to look at long term alternatives as parking rates could be reduced during “off-times”. This would include variable rates to include public transportation from mid Island to the south-end near the pier. Mr. Kelly then discussed the Income by Month, Pay Display spreadsheet (attached). He would also recommend that a pay and display be moved to Jaycee Park rather than installing an honor box. This money would be earmarked to purchase better equipment which will give more flexibility to the parking situation on the Island. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Kelly for his recommendations regarding parking on the Island. Consideration Local Requests and Applications – Funding, Special Events, Alcohol License Tybee Island Irish Heritage Celebration Parade (March 15, 2014): 3:00PM; Memorial Park – Butler – Tybrisa – Strand. Tybee Irish Heritage Committee. Ms. Doyle asked Ms. Schleicher for clarification regarding the port-o-potties on the south-end. Ms. Schleicher responded that a name of a company has been provided to the committee so they can coordinate the facilities. Paul Wolff made a motion to approve. Barry Brown seconded. Vote was unanimous 5-0. Wanda Doyle recused. Consideration of Bids, Contracts, Agreements and Expenditures Proposal from Olsen and Associates to provide technical assistance for permitting the removal of the derelict structures. Time and material billing is not to exceed $10,000. The Beach Task Force Committee recommended this. Budget Line Item: 6125-53-1235 (Beach Operations and Maintenance). Discussion: Mayor Buelterman stated that this item is being deferred at this time until the Beach Task Force can meet with Mr. Olsen to come up with an alternative plan. Ms. Schleicher confirmed as the RFP came in with high costs for the removal of these derelict structures. Mayor and council confirmed. No action taken. Change rate for all parking meters from 14th Street South from $1.50/hour to $2.00/hour. The meters in the 14th Street and 16th Street parking lots are already set at $2.00/hour. This is a recommendation by the parking committee to encourage parking in the center of the Island which would be still set at $1.50/hour. Cost for reprogramming the meters to $2.00/hour is $1,300. Budget Line Item: 100-7564-52-2200. Mr. Garbett explained that the proposal as it stands would be to raise the rates on the south-end as this area has the highest demand for parking. This increase would encourage beach goers to find parking in mid Island rather than beach front where there is a lessor demand. He further stated that all revenues would be used to improve equipment as well as benefit the City. Ms. Doyle stated she disagrees with Mr. Kelly regarding changing the parking rates. She stated that with the success of the Parking Department, parking is now consistent on the Island and beach goers know what to expect regarding parking. Ms. Doyle further suggested that the existing shuttle companies on the Island could transport beach goers from outlying areas to the beach. She would encourage the shuttle businesses to work with the Parking Committee in this manner. Mayor Buelterman stated his concerns with beach goers parking in the residential areas as opposed to the business district due to the increase in parking fees if they continue to increase. The small increase attached to this agenda item he feels will not cause an issue but if fees continue to increase there will be issues. Mayor Buelterman asked Ms. Schleicher if the business district is aware of the increase. Ms. Schleicher stated no. Denise Dubuque, Parking Services, approached mayor and council to answer any questions. Ms. Dubuque stated this increase would have generated approximately $35,000 just for the month of July 2013. Mr. Brown would recommend that all meters east of Butler Avenue be raised to $2.00 per hour as these are prime parking locations. Mayor Buelterman recommended that Ms. Dubuque give the information presented to Ms. Schleicher and in turn she will send to mayor and council via email. Paul Wolff made a motion to approve. Barry Brown seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Install 30-space “Honor Box” at Jaycee parking lot. Revenue line item would be created to subsidize site improvement expenses at the Guard House and park (line item 100-4210-52-2201). Signage would identify the parking rate of $1.50/hour, 8AM-8PM, 7 days/week based on an honor system. Revenue projected at approximately $2,000 annually. Mr. Garbett stated that this is the honor box that was located at the courthouse and used for court sessions. The committee has expressed concerns that there are organized team events at the Guard House and park locations and this would suggest the teams pay for parking. He reminded mayor and council that this is an honor box and might generate a small amount of revenue. Mayor Buelterman expressed his views on the parking meters at Memorial Park as participants are expected to pay for parking. This would also include family reunions that are utilizing the pavilion. He would rather have the honor box than the pay to park at any of the City’s parks. Ms. Doyle would agree as the parks are “playing parks” and would support this agenda items only if pertains to honor boxes as opposed to meters for the parks. Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve. Paul Wolff seconded. Discussion: Ms. Schleicher stated that the revenue from the honor box would be used for the Jaycee Park and if this system works it could be implemented in Memorial Park. Ms. Doyle recommended that a sign be attached to the honor box to indicate that funds would go to the improvement of the park. Ms. Schleicher confirmed. Mr. Parks expressed his concerns regarding the improvement of the playground and would ask that repairs not be delayed until funds are accumulated but rather move forward and use monies from the general fund. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Raise the Annual Fire Protection Subscription in unincorporated Tybee Island from $100 to $101.50/year to reflect to 1.5% CPI-U index per Code Section 26-41(a). Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve. Paul Wolff seconded. Vote was unanimous 5-0. Barry Brown recused. Paul Wolff made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Wanda Doyle seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions Second Reading, 02-2014, Sec 9-050, Technical Codes. Mr. Brown asked Mr. Hughes for clarification. Mr. Hughes stated that this agenda item is to include the Georgia Amendment from the Department of Community Affairs to all the Standard Codes which are incorporated in the Code for Tybee Island by reference. Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve. Rob Callahan seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments Mayor Buelterman recommended that the Tybee Island Police Department and YMCA conduct a workshop on child safety. This is due to parents on the Island expressing concerns as there are individuals that visit the Island that may not have good intentions and children need to be educated so they can be aware of potential dangerous individuals. Ms. Schleicher stated that the Tybee Island Police Department and YMCA are currently undertaking this endeavor and are open to any and all recommendations from mayor and council. Mr. Garbett asked if this could be combined with the Neighborhood Watch Meeting. Mayor Buelterman confirmed and would suggest the meeting be on the south end of the Island. Mayor Buelterman expressed his concerns regarding summer staffing levels for Tybee Island Police Department. He stated that it is his understanding that there is a recommendation to hire two full time beach patrol officers for the upcoming season. Ms. Doyle stated that Ms. Hudson, Finance Director, will look at staffing as the police department does have funds that could be used for these full time officers. She explained that if the City is to move forward with the Tybee Island Police State Certification we cannot have part-time officers as they are a liability due to training and standards. Ms. Schleicher explained that Chief Bryson is of the opinion that if the City were to hire two full time beach patrol officers there would be no need for them to have a police car as they would have a beach mule to patrol. The Public Safety Committee would recommend reviewing the actual costs to add the two full time officers and then proceed to looking at state certification. Mr. Wolff asked Ms. Doyle if these two officers would be full time seasonal employees. Ms. Doyle stated these officers would be full time officers year round. Ms. Schleicher confirmed as they could also be used a bicycle patrol officers. There was a short discussion regarding part time officers from other municipalities or jurisdictions and their pitfalls as they do not always report to work. Mayor Buelterman asked Ms. Schleicher is there is a financial impact to the City for using officers from other municipalities or jurisdictions. Ms. Schleicher confirmed as GIRMA rates have increased. She further explained that with State Certification there is a standard and in using outside officers it is harder to apply a higher set of standards than what they might adhere to. This would include testing and training that the City of Tybee Island requires. Ms. Schleicher stated that the reason Tybee Island Police Department has not been able to become certified is the change in the part time requirement and the 911 system. The latter will be addressed with the new Public Safety Building. Ms. Doyle assured that the Public Safety Committee will bring back a recommendation to mayor and council which would best fit the City. Mr. Wolff agreed with Ms. Doyle’s recommendation. Wanda Doyle gave a presentation on an Update on Tybee Island Public Safety Building. During the presentation she outlined meetings with Greenline Architecture and Elkins Construction, the Construction Manager at Risk and the budget (attached). Ms. Doyle explained the increase in the budget is due to such items as improvement of the property prior to construction, testing and cabling. These extra items are outlined in the documents attached. The Guaranteed Maximum Price of $3,081,247 was approved by mayor and council on December 19, 2013. The Public Safety Committee is moving forward as the first permit was pulled on December 18, 2013 for site work and the construction manager is working with Joe Wilson, DPW, to have the silt fencing installed on site. The plans have been redrawn and are currently at Chatham County for review and approval. Ms. Doyle would ask that mayor and council and the Public Safety Committee work as a team to produce a building that our community, the City of Tybee Island, will be proud of. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Doyle for her presentation and would encourage the community to attend the Public Safety Committee meetings which are held the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:00PM. Monty Parks stated that he has three projects that he is undertaking due to comments while working with the citizens during the campaigning period: Volunteer Recognition Signs vs. art for business Beach funding Mr. Parks explained that he would like to work with the staff and community to develop the first steps of a program for Tybee Island volunteer recognition. This would include an inventory of how many volunteers are involved with the City and solicit feedback from the committee members and report back to mayor and council which will be a beginning toward a volunteer recognition program. He then touched on his next project, signs vs. art business, as he would like to work with the city attorney and staff on Sec 6-080 (E), Wall Signs. This would loosen the restrictions on businesses and still enhance the Island’s appearance. The final topic, beach funding, would be to document existing sources, percentage of funding from each source and finally the expenses associated with beach re-nourishment. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Parks for his projects. Paul Wolff, Beach Task Force Resolution, explained that the Tybee Island Beach Task Force is recommending that mayor and council develop a Long Range Beach Management Strategy. Mr. Wolff has invited the Task Force to attend the upcoming workshop and would recommend a combined workshop between mayor and council and the Tybee Island Beach Task Force. He then read the Resolution which is a part of the packet before mayor and council. Ms. Doyle stated she attended the recent Beach Task Force and would commend Mr. Ferrelle for his efforts regarding this Resolution and goals for the future. Mayor Buelterman stated that Governor Deal did not include the half of funds in his budget the City had requested as this an item that is typically left for the legislative branch to add. He further stated that the City has the support of our entire delegation to get this added to the budget. Mayor Buelterman agreed to have the Beach Task Force attend the upcoming city council workshop on February 15, 2014 and to also schedule a combined workshop to discuss the Long Range Beach Management Strategy document. Bill Garbett gave a report on his recent conference in Hilton Head regarding South Island Public Service District’s Cretaceous Aquifer Well and Desalinations Plant. He outlined Hilton Head’s progress with desalination and does not feel it is a good fit for Tybee Island at this point and good to know the process. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Garbett and Mr. Wolff for their participation. City Managers Report Action Item List Short Term Work Program Wanda Doyle made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss litigation and personnel. Paul Wolff seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Paul Wolff made a motion to return to regular session. Rob Callahan seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Paul Wolff made a motion to adjourn. Rob Callahan seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:00PM