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HomeMy Public PortalAbout150_030_Beach Task Force January 16 Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: January 16, 2014 Members Present: Harvey Ferrell, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, Lisa Callahan, John Wylly, Freda Rutherford, Cecil DeLorme, Amy Lanier and Sam Adams Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Paul Wolff, Bill Garbett, Wanda Doyle, Monty Parks and Diane Schleicher CALL TO ORDER: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 12:00PM. Harvey Ferrelle introduced Sam Adams as a new member of the Beach Task Force. ONGOING BUSINESS Harvey Ferrelle brought to the attention of the Beach Task Force the recent article in the Savannah Morning News which he considered good press. Ms. Rutherford asked Mr. Ferrelle for clarification of the upcoming joint city council workshop which is tentatively scheduled for February 15, 2014. Ms. Doyle stated her concerns with the joint workshop as she would like to ensure there is adequate time to discuss issues concerning the beach and future re- nourishments. She would suggest there be a separate workshop dedicated just to the address the beach and re-nourishments. Mr. Wolff agreed as there will be a full agenda regarding setting goals of the council. Ms. Rutherford would like to ensure that the Strategic Plans for the Beach be included on the agenda for the joint workshop. Mr. Wolff agreed and stated that it is in his notes. He also confirmed that the recent Resolution that was approved by the Beach Task Force was included on the upcoming city council agenda for January 23, 2014. There was a short discussion regarding topics to be addressed at the workshop to include the members of the Beach Task Force that will be in attendance. Mr. Ferrelle reminded the Beach Task Force that the Olsen task orders that were approved at the December 19, 2013 meeting will be before mayor and council for a vote on January 23, 2014 and would ask they be approved. Mr. Ferrelle stated that there have been discussions regarding the increase in the hotel/motel tax. Mr. Garbett responded that he talked with Mr. Hughes, City Attorney, regarding the preparation of a resolution. Ms. Doyle stated that at a recent Tybee Island Tourism Council roundtable it was recommended that better lines of communication open between the Council and the City. She explained that these workshops will be quarterly and one of the agenda items will be the increase in the hotel/motel tax. The City would like to afford the Tourism Council an opportunity for input. Ms. Doyle feels this would bridge the gap and assist in moving forward in working together for the betterment of the City. Ms. Rutherford stated amendments to the hotel/motel tax in the GA Code allow funds to be used for recreation. Ms. Doyle stated it was her understand that the additional monies could be used for "recreational use". Mr. Garbett reiterated that recreation could be considered as beach re-nourishment. City Manager Report - None Mayor Buelterman Report Mr. Ferrelle stated that Mayor Buelterman had sent him an update from the Corps of Engineers (COE) regarding funding for the upcoming beach re-nourishment in 2015. Included in the update was information regarding the proposed increase in flood insurance rates. Mr. Wolff explained that if the beach and marsh was included in the City's conservation efforts/open space, additional points would be received from the Community Rating Service (CRS) which in turn reduce the flood insurance rates. Ms. Rutherford compared the Charleston, SC discount of 35% as compared to Tybee's which is 15%. She would recommend that Tybee benchmark Charleston's efforts to ensure the additional discount is received. Mr. Wolff responded that this is currently being done. Ms. Rutherford would like the dune fields included in the Strategic Plan as that could give Tybee additional points. Mr. Wolff explained the additional freeboard requirements and other items that are being looked at for additional points prior to the site visit on April 1, 2014. Ms. Rutherford expressed her concerns with the Shore Protection Ordinance that was rescinded by the City. Ms. Doyle corrected her by stating there is an ordinance that was adopted by the City and is currently in place. Mr. Wolff concurred. UPDATES/REPORTS • Funding Committee o Mr. Ferrelle asked for a new chair of the committee as Berta Adams, former chair, resigned her position. • Lisa Callahan, Chair, Dune Committee, reported she needs a map of the high tides line, projected storm surges as this would be a starting point moving forward. She explained that Mr. Parks has given her geological information and she would ask Mr. Wolff for a point of contact in Charleston so she can discuss how they approach dune modifications. Mr. Wolff responded that he has been working with the DNR in Brunswick to get a template in terms of the dynamic dune field migration and environmental impact to include protection of property. This would include the ideal height and width of dunes which would accommodate sea turtles. He has also had conversations with Mayor Buelterman regarding the New Jersey beaches and how they rebuilt after Sandy. Ms. Callahan suggested we contact Georgia Tech as a resource. Mr. Wolff recommended she contact DNR and Brad Gane, Deputy Director, DNR as they have a multitude of resources. Mr. Burke discussed the steps that New Jersey has taken with their dunes and crossovers since Sandy. He explained they use sand fencing placed at angles which has worked well for the beach. • Georgia Ports Authority Liaison. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Wylly if he and Mr. Foran would continue to serve on the committee. Mr. Wylly confirmed and will bring a timeline back to the Beach Task Force at a future meeting. Mr. Wolff suggested that we continue to have an open dialogue with GPA due to the upcoming channel deepening. • Beach Health. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Richardson to bring an update or a plan to the Beach Task Force in the future. Mr. Richardson confirmed. Mr. Ferrelle suggested that some sort of information be provided to the City outlining the goals of the Beach Task Force. Ms. Schleicher suggested doing a power point presentation which could be televised on Channel 7. Ms. Callahan discussed her concerns with funding for the upcoming re-nourishment as well as Biggert-Waters. She would recommend the Beach Task Force host an election forum where residents could ask questions of the candidates regarding beach communities and what they have planned to help Tybee Island. Mr. Ferrelle agreed as everyone needs to hear what our concerns are and how they can be resolved going forward. Mr. Ferrelle would like the Strategic Plan laid out so residents can better understand our goals. Everyone concurred. Ms. Rutherford expressed her concerns as people need to see it in writing and the Beach Task Force needs to get information out. Ms. Doyle stated that the City has excellent open lines of communication with the local delegation in Atlanta and they are working for the betterment of Tybee Island. New Business Mr. Ferrelle stated that he needs volunteers for the Nominating Committee. He then asked Ms. Callahan, Ms. Rutherford and Mr. Richardson to sit on the committee. Ms. Callahan declined as she will not be at the next meeting. Mr. Burke agreed to take her place. He agreed. Mr. Ferrelle asked Ms. Rutherford to continue to include information regarding the Beach Task Force in her daily emails. She agreed. Mr. Ferrelle discussed a membership drive to get not only new members but to have members renew their intent. Members will submit any applications to the Clerk so they can be included on an upcoming city council meeting. Mr. Wylly expressed his concerns with increased insurance rates regarding Biggert-Waters and how it will effect on Tybee residents. Ms. Rutherford made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous.