HomeMy Public PortalAbout20060223_TybeeCouncilMinsCouncil Minutes
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Meeting of 2006-02-23 City Council Minutes
Mayor Jason Buelterman called the February 23, 2006 Regular Tybee Island City Council meeting to
order at 7:00 PM. Council members present were Sessions, Crone, Pearce, Williams, Doyle and Wolff.
Also in attendance were, Mr. Hughes, City Attorney and Mr. Anderson, Assistant City Manager. Mayor
Buelterman asked Rev. David Laughner to give the invocation. The Tybee Island Memorial Color Guard
posted the Colors and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Buelterman welcomed former Mayor Walter Parker to the meeting.
Bill Cannon said there would be an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on February 25th at 10:00 AM. It will be
one of four planned for this year.
Jaye Burke and Frank Hyre and committee presented Mayor and Council with hats and beads for the St.
Patrick’ s Day Parade. Former Councilman Walter Crawford presented council with a party invitation.
The committee thanked everyone on Tybee for their participation and asked for everyone to please
remember the code of conduct so that it will remain a family atmosphere. Mayor Buelterman thanked the
St. Patrick’ s Day Parade Committee for everything.
Linda Gladin, Chairman of the Audit Committee thanked Jan Fox, Chief Finance Officer for the City of
Tybee Island and Claire Price, Vivian Woods, Stephanie Hogan and Chae Clark, stating that the finance
department of the city has shown great strides under Jan’ s leadership and she anticipates that the 2005
audit will go smoothly. She submitted her resignation from the Audit Committee effective March 12,
2006. Ms. Gladin said the committee has been compiling a Comprehensive Ethics Ordinance. They have
produced a very large document that has been sent to Bubba for review. The next step will be editing the
draft under Bubba’ s guidance. She feels that this extra work will tax the audit committee so she is
recruiting people to set up an advisory board to do the editing. Mayor Buelterman thanked Linda for all
her hard work with the audit committee.
Chief Price gave his department report stating that the Tybee Marathon went well thanks to the effort put
forth by the Garney people that are doing the water line work on 80. It was the second year for the course
change and it has worked well. It was 861 cars less than last year. We will have Butler Ave. blocked off
for the St. Patrick’ s Day parade. We have two events that day but we anticipate things will go smoothly.
Ms. Sessions said thank you to the chief and all the officers that worked with the marathon.
Mark Williams, director of Water Sewer and Public Works presented his report saying that they had
finished reading meters for February billing. The revamp of the Water Sewer Lines is going well. Public
Works had worked 68 man hours picking up trash and cleaning the Beach. They are checking the trash
daily for pick up. They have installed snow fencing and are installing street markers and stop signs as
needed. They started and completed the Storm Drain Project. They have taken the Christmas hangers
down. Mr. Crone asked if the Wreath at the Community Center had been taken down. Mr. Williams said
we will take it down. Ms. Williams asked why the snow fence was being installed differently. Mr.
Williams said they were working with the DNR and the Turtle Project and adhering to the Turtle
Program. Ms. Sessions thanked Mark for the presentation that was given by Elizabeth Chaney at the water
quality meeting. Mark said he plans to bring Dr. Hartel from UGA to pinpoint the area of bacteria and
they will plan an open meeting at that time. Ms.Sessions said we are luckier than Jekyll and St. Simons
Islands because we have a much cleaner beach.
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Frankie Conaway of Parking Services said in January they mailed out 2,190 citations. and repaired 65
meters. They distributed 345 decals and issued 702 parking citations. with 1,077 tags being pursued. They
made $35,422 plus 25 bags of coins. Ms. Sessions thanked Frankie for the good job.
Jason Nobles head of the Recreation Dept. gave his report stating that they began selling concessions
during basketball games in January. They worked with the Tybee Marathon and conducted the Tree
Planting by the Gym. They also maintained facilities and restrooms. The crew is making improvements to
JC Park, repainting parking lines and benches. He is getting prices for resurfacing the tennis courts and
expects that to be completed before the summer season starts. They are processing a lot of Special Event
Applications. They open the Gym to the Public weekdays from 2 to 5 for the kids and Saturday and
Sundays from 12 to 5 and from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday and Wednesdays for adult basketball and on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for city employees. Mr. Crone thanked Jason for doing a
good job and Paul asked that Todd put the times on the cable channel and website. Ms. Doyle said a lot
of people ask about the Gym hours. Ms. Williams said the new trees do look great and she would like to
thank the Beautification Committee, Danny Carpenter, DPW and Deb Barreiro for their help.
Jason Nobles presented the special event application for the SCAD Sand Arts Festival for May 12,
2006. Ms. Williams asked about the requested parking of 600 passes. Jason said he talked with Frankie at
Parking Services and she allowed the same parking passes as last year, which is only for participants.
Ms. Brambell said she understood that the Memorial Park Grant is for $104,000. And the plans are for
recreation facilities but she believes a pool would pay for itself. We are already paying for lifeguards.
The employees at the gym could clean the pool during the day. The people of Tybee should decide what
to do with the grant money.
Ms. Shroder had concerns about the Dog Park being located on the main street. She said she believes
only 20% of the people of Tybee know what is going there. She asked the people of Tybee to e-mail the
Mayor and Council Members about the Dog Park. She loves Dogs but she is anti-poo Park in front of the
gym on Main Street. She believes there is a much better location for this park somewhere else on the
island. We could possibly locate an aquatic center there. Ms. Williams said there were many meetings last
year about this Dog Park and she feels like the concerns should have been voiced then and not after the
fact.
Mr. Don Morris proposed locating refreshment stands on the beach. He has noticed that we have loads
of tourist but no place to get a sandwich and something to drink except at Tybrisa Street around the Pier.
He would be willing to pay yearly rent and would pick up all the trash for ½ mile each way from the
stands. He would employ 2 Tybee people and the stands would be designed to fit in with the beach style.
They would be put in storage for the winter. He said there are no restaurants selling sandwiches that are
open year round. He checked with some food business owners that said a vendor on the beach would not
hurt their business. He would like for Council to grant him an exclusive vendor license. Chatham County
does that with the pier and all the rent goes to Chatham County. At present there is an ordinance against
vendors on the beach. Council can revise the ordinance with two readings. At present families have to
walk to get refreshments, I would provide them with refreshments. Ms. Sessions said if this Council
decided in favor of the stands we would want to put it out for bid.
Joel Lynn and Lynn Hamilton said the Beautification Committee wants to build trash containers for
JC and Memorial Park. They would be made out of wood. One side would open so it would not have
to be lifted by DPW workers. Ms. Hamilton said there are 18 containers in the park now. We want to
redistribute the wooden containers. Mr. Wolff thanked them for taking the initiative. Mark Williams said
that would be fine only they have the existing cans where the trash is. Mr. Wolff asked if there would be a
benefit to having double containers with one side for recycling. Mr. Williams said that would work well.
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Sam Adams from the Audit Committee said that the committee rules state that there must be no less
than 5 or more than 7 members. They are recommending appointing two new members, C. David
Birdwell for a 3-year term and James A. Anderson III for 3 years also. The Committee Recommends
appointing Freida Rutherford for another 2 years and Sue Off for another 2 years also. Mayor
Buelterman thanked everyone on the Audit Committee for their hard work.
Lou Off Chairman of the Beach Task Force said they are in the home stretch for the renourishnment. He
has taken three trips to Atlanta and one trip to Washington. Thanks to Jason and Paul we have seen many
Congressmen. Our first recommendation is for Walter Parker to be appointed to the Beach Task
Force. The Task force members unanimously approved him. Second recommendation is to try to get the
seawall and jetties out that are located from 2nd Street North. We would like for the city to make a
formal request to the Army Corps of Engineers for the file they have concerning the removal of the
jetties. We are concerned about someone getting hurt out there. Our third recommendation is to approve
the Beach Renourishment Plan. There is money for us to utilize for adopting this plan and if we don’ t
approve it we will lose it. Mr. Off said the removal of the seawall is on the list for the six million dollars
requested from the federal government. The Seawall has only been exposed for the last two years. We are
also requesting three million from the State. If we get the money this time it will be the first time out of
the last three times of trying. Ms. Williams said Thank you to the Beach Task Force members for all their
hard work over the years.
Dee Anderson said the Memorial Park Grant for $100,000 would require $180,000 of funds from us.
We need to determine whether or not to accept or deny this grant that has been awarded. The problem is if
they hold us to the 64% share. Jason Nobles said the DNR would hold us to 50% but if we showed a good
effort at trying to stay with the plan we should be okay. Mayor Buelterman asked if there were specifics
about what the money could be used for. Mr. Nobles said we might be able to add the Skate Park if the
playground equipment comes in under budget. Ms. Williams asked Mr. Nobles to clarify that there was
no swimming pool included in that grant only a spray pool. Ms. Doyle asked if Mr. Nobles had equipment
in mind. Mr. Nobles said the estimate for the grant was based on a lighthouse themed playground. Mr.
Wolff asked if we are committed to that exact plan. Mr. Nobles said we do not have to be exact. Mr.
Wolff asked about the time frame on this grant saying the DCA team will be able to give us input about
the park. Ms. Williams asked if this plan had come from Council before. Mr. Nobles said the City paid
Bron Cleveland to apply. Mr. Nobles said we just need to work out the details and find out when the
deadline is. Mr. Nobles said he would contact Bron Cleveland for the details and deadline on the
Grant. Mayor Buelterman asked what Jason’ s recommendation is concerning the Special Events
Committee. Jason said in his opinion we do not need a committee if staff is doing everything
correctly. Jason asked about adding fees for weddings on the beach and filming on the beach. He said it
takes a lot of staff time to process the applications for all of these events but there is no fee required They
had 89 beach wedding events in 2005 and 13 other events that were processed with no fees paid. Mr.
Wolff said wedding fees seem reasonable to break even on the staff time. Mr. Anderson said he had
spoken with Steven Palmer of Tybee Island Weddings and he said he would not mind paying a processing
fee. Mr. Nobles said it is the people from out of town that take up the most time because they need more
information. He said he easily takes thirty to forty five minutes on calls in reference to beach weddings.
Ms Sessions said Hilton Head puts the information on their website. Mr. Nobles said he had Todd pull
some outdated information off of our web site. Ms. Doyle said the beaches are public and people don’ t
always call Jason’ s office for information because they wouldn’ t know they had to. Mr. Nobles said
maybe his staff should not be processing wedding applications. Ms. Conaway from parking services said
there are probably five weddings for every one event on Tybee. Mr. Palmer said he would have no
problems with paying the fees because he would pass it on to his customers. He said the current
regulations are clear if you want to go out on the beach with a preacher and get married you just do it. If
you want to block off a portion of the beach you need to apply for an event. Maybe you could remove
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weddings from the dialogue and just make it beach events. Ms. Williams said in reference to filming
permits you have two primary users, one being commercial and the other is students. Normally students
will not have the money for fees and a commercial filmmaker would. Ms. Sessions said the county has
special rules for big events and asked if we rent out the parks. Mr. Nobles said yes we do. She asked
Jason to do a comparison with the Chatham County event prices and report to Council.
Mayor Bueltermann said the MRS came before us two or three months ago asking to erect a cyclone
fence down the middle of the property on old hwy 80. Mr. Hughes said the City has reached an
understanding with Mr. Scarborough and his Attorney but there has been some discussion about the
nature of the fence. Mr. Wolff suggested a privacy fence. Chuck Eaton with the MRS group said their
main concern is security. Ms. Williams asked how high they needed the fence to be. Chuck said eight feet
high. He said they would plant Jasmine along the fence. Mr. Crone said we should let them put a fence up
because every City Building has a cyclone fence just like the one they are requesting. Ms. Williams said
she was just curious about what kind of fence they wanted.
Mayor Buelterman opened the discussion concerning the Skate Park. He said the contractor that was
hired to do it first did not have adequate insurance. There has also been concern that the location off of
Fort Ave is not visible enough. He said there are some that feel that everything should be located in
Memorial Park. We have made rules concerning no more concrete in that park not to mention the
neighbors. They determined that the size should be a minimum of 7000 square feet but no final decision
on the site. Mr. Wolff said they can have the DCA look at it and see if Memorial would be suitable.
Mayor Buelterman said they had decided to put RFPs out for Concrete and Components.
Mayor Buelterman opened the meeting for business legally presented.
Ms. Williams motioned to approve the SCAD Sand Arts Festival on May 12th, Mr. Wolff seconded.
Mr. Pearce abstained and the remaining Council members voted unanimously.
Mr. Crone motioned to approve a one-day Alcohol License for the St. Michaels Men’ s Club for
March 11, 2006, Mr. Wolff seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Williams motioned to approve the St. Patrick’ s Day Parade on March 11, 2006, Ms. Sessions
seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the Council Minutes from February 9, 2006, Mr. Pearce seconded.
The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the Consent Agenda which included the, Marlowe Contract,
Indigent Defense Contract and the Ocean Inlet Water Sewer Agreement, Mr. Crone seconded. The
vote was unanimous.
Mr. Crone motioned to approve the MRS Cyclone 8 ft. fence contingent on Mr. Hughes completing
the paper work, Mr. Wolff seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Pearce motioned to accept the Task Force recommendation for Walter Parker to be a member,
Ms. Sessions seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the Beach Management Plan, Ms. Williams seconded. The vote was
unanimous.
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Mr. Wolff motioned to go to the Corps and ask them for the file stating that option would be the
easiest and cheapest, Mr. Crone seconded. Mayor Buelterman said the goal is to get them out before the
beach renourishment so he asked for obtaining a cost estimate for removal to be a part of the motion.
Mr. Wolff agreed and the vote was unanimous. Council asked Dee to get the prices for removal and
add this to the action items list.
Mr. Wolff said in regards to the refreshment stands he would like to see them. He asked Mr. Hughes
about an annual lease. Mr. Hughes said it would take awhile to go through the DNR to get permission to
locate stands on the beach. Ms. Sessions said she has issues with beach litter and she knows of a lot of
businesses that sell sandwiches. Mayor Buelterman said they would have to change the ordinance. Ms.
Williams asked if we don’ t already have rental vendors on the beach. Mr. Hughes said that is beach
equipment not food. Ms. Williams asked if those are put out for bid. Mr. Hughes said no they are allowed
to do that on an annual basis. Mr. Anderson said they are not bid out; the vendors simply come in and get
their business licenses. Ms. Sessions said this is a way to generate revenue to be put into beach
renourishment and make them a part of the Beach Business district. Mayor Buelterman said they would
discuss it at the March 23rd Meeting.
Mr. Crone motioned to approve the Beautification Committee building wooden trash cans for J C
Park, Mr. Wolff seconded, adding to include recycling containers to the motion. The vote was
unanimous.
Mr. Crone motioned to accept the Audit Committee Recommendations, Mr. Pearce seconded. The
vote was unanimous.
Mr. Crone motioned to approve Eliminating the Special Events Committee, Ms. Sessions seconded
adding that we always are open to citizens concerns but we want to allow the employees to do their job.
The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Williams said we should write a letter to this committee expressing our appreciation for their
participation and advising them of Council’ s Decision.
Mr. Wolff motioned to approve sending out bids on both kinds of skate parks and changing the
square footage to 7,000 square feet, Mr. Crone seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Williams said we will look at the location later.
Mr. Crone asked that the CUTS appointment be taken off of the agenda.
Mr. Pearce asked for approval to go to Washington DC on March the 11th through the 15th for the
National League of Cities. He is an active member of the Environmental Conservation Committee. He
said he hopes to drum up support for the beach renourishment. Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the trip
if the Finance Director says yes, Mr. Crone seconded the motion asking that Mr. Pearce please report on
what he did while there. The vote was unanimous.
Ms.Williams said she would like to thank Ms. Sessions and Ms. Doyle and Staff members for the turn out
at the Beach Business Committee meeting. It lasted 90 minutes and had many Business owners present.
We will have another meeting on March 23rd at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Our goal is to make
recommendations to Council to promote island wide businesses.
Ms. Williams motioned to approve creating an Ethics Advisory Board for the City, Mr. Pearce
seconded, Ms. Doyle asked about Guide lines to follow. Mr. Wolff said they need to take Mr. Hughes
direction. Ms. Sessions asked for any names of appointees. Ms. Williams said they could discuss
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names at the second meeting in March. Mr. Crone said all of this should be contingent on approval of
the By-Laws. All agreed and the vote was unanimous.
Beach Business Meeting Minutes were not submitted.
Mr. Wolff reminded everyone about the DCA group that will be here on March 6th at 7:00 PM. They
will have ten to twelve tables set up and the first 100 people will get to sit at computers and vote on the
key issues being discussed. Mr. Wolff said thank you to all the Meals and Homes that have been donated
for this group. Mr. Anderson said the DCA workshop information will be on the website. Ms. Doyle
asked about seating limits for the public and she is concerned with this being targeted at a certain group of
people. Mr. Wolff said everyone is invited to come but only the first 100 will have the voting devices.
We want to make sure everyone is invited Island wide. Ms. Sessions said channel 7 is recording it and
asked Mr. Anderson if he would put out flyers. Mr. Wolff said they have approved ten issues to focus on
but everyone can add their issues. We want to come up with a long term plan. We are bringing in 57
objective professional people to help us plan our future.
Mayor Buelterman shared his monthly report saying he had attended meetings in Washington DC and
Atlanta and at the Ga. Ports Authority concerning Beach Renourishment. We need 2.9 million dollars
from the state and 6.3 from the Federal Government we will know about the state in March and the
federal in October. In regards to CUTS we have to determine how to relate it to Tybee. There is an
$80,000 Grant from the Dept. of Transportation but we have to decide what we want for Highway
80. Mr. Wolff said this is a good time for input and we can send a letter to CUTS through the DOT but it
may be better just to send it straight to DOT and send a copy to CUTS. Mr. Wolff asked Mr. Anderson
to send a letter asking them to consider alternatives to what’ s on the books, which are four lanes with 20
ft shoulders and a median. Mr. Crone asked who is going to decide what to put in the letter. Mr. Wolff
said he could just go ahead and ask for alternatives to what’ s on the books. Ms. Sessions said this is
supposed to be on our action items list. She asked that Council Members e-mail Dee their ideas so that
he can draft a letter. Mayor Buelterman said they had appointed a Hurricane Committee to re
evaluate the Hurricane Plan. They will meet on Monday the 27th at 3:00 PM at the TEMA room.
Mayor Buelterman said that he asked Savannah Electric about back-up Generators at the Nursing Home
on Tybee following the power outage last month. He found that the Nursing Home does not have back up
generators and they aren’ t required to. He asked if the City could force them to obtain back up
generators. Ms. Williams said they should draft an ordinance to include assisted living. Mr. Crone said he
was amazed that there was no back up when there are helpless people involved. Buelterman said they
were not specific but they could have just a battery pack for emergencies. Ms. Sessions said the non-profit
groups responded and went to the Nursing Home that night to give out blankets and food. She asked if
they had an approved Disaster Evacuation Plan. She said, if not the City should demand such a plan. Mr.
Hughes said there are heavy government regulations concerning Nursing Homes but he will check into
whether or not the council can add to them. Ms. Williams asked Mr. Hughes to draft an ordinance
about back up generator requirements and include assisted living quarters as well. Chuck Eaton said
that Chatham Emergency Management is addressing this issue and recommended that they contact them.
Mr. Hughes said concerning the Bank Merchants agreement, requiring that a clause be put in. Mr.
Hughes said he would add the clause.
Mr. Hughes said he had worked on the Agreement for Maritime Construction and sent it in an e-mail
to Dee but had not had a chance to copy everyone on it. Council asked for it to be put on the March
Agenda.
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Mr. Wolff said concerning the New City Logo, he was talking to Todd during the break and found out
that if Council wanted any changes that Todd would have to bid it out again. Ms. Williams motioned to
approve to adopt the new Tybee Logo, Ms. Doyle seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the second reading of the Text Amendment to Section 10-1-4 to
reduce the speed limit on Venetian Avenue to 20 MPH, Mr. Pearce seconded .the vote was
unanimous.
Mayor Buelterman read the announcements.
Ms. Williams made the motion that Council go into executive session to discuss personnel and
litigation, Mr. Pearce seconded. The vote was unanimous.
After discussion of litigation & personnel matters, Mr. Wolff moved to go into open session. Ms.
Williams seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Doyle feels she should have abstained from the Heritage Parade since she is on the committee,
however Hughes said it was not a legal conflict and Ms. Williams said it would not have affected the vote
anyway. Ms. Doyle said it should still have been her preference to abstain.
Mr. Crone motioned to adjourn, Wolff seconded. The vote was unanimous.
____________________________________
Mayor Jason Buelterman
______________________________
Attested by
Respectfully submitted by Vivian Woods