HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110222CRCMinutes.pdf
Approved: April 18, 2011 Page 1 of 4
COMMUNITY RESOURCE COMMITTEE
Minutes: Tuesday, February 22, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Libby Bacon, Jim Burke, Lisa Callahan, Don Ernst, Rusty Fleetwood, Frank Kelly, Karen Kelly,
Shelly Krueger, Tommy Linstroth, Pat Locklear, Judy Miller, Mallory Pearce, Freda Rutherford,
Brad Sherman, Paul Wolff
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Sandy Major
CALL TO ORDER:
Rusty called the meeting to order at 4:27pm.
MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 18 MEETING:
Judy made the motion to approve the January 18 meeting minutes with a few recommended
wording changes. Freda seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Water Committee –
Water Fair Outcomes: Judy Miller
Judy said her computer has been down. Rusty confirmed the feedback he has heard is
that the Water Fair was an enjoyable event. They are looking to do it again next year
due to its educational need and success. Judy did an outstanding job.
Beach Showers: Don Ernst
The committee is going to regroup within the next 60 days. Ty wrote PSAs that are
running on WRHQ and Clear Channel. He set up a donation tiered sponsorship level
which will launch by summer. They will go back to the original plan to seek donations
for rainwater collection via rain barrels. Don confirmed that the Kelly’s have a 365
gallon tank to give. Tommy has a barrel if needed. The full scale botanical cell project
cannot be done without $70,000. He will continue to look for additional sources of
funding and foresees that SCAD will lose enthusiasm. Freda asked about available
grants and mentioned Tom Cannon. Don will call Tom. Paul suggested Groundwater
Guardians. Karen suggested the committee move forward. Don confirmed that the
committee will meet again in March to discuss Plan B. DNR did not accept the grant
because they considered it a construction grant. Paul confirmed a building permit is
necessary to hang gutters. Rusty requested Don have a co-chair because he will be in
and out of town with his job. Karen offered to help.
Rusty discussed the upcoming City budget includes Royal Restrooms for North Beach.
Freda encouraged others to attend the budget meetings.
The next Beach Shower Committee meeting will be March 16 at North Beach Grill at
noon.
Pat mentioned that RDC had money for restrooms at the beach at one time. He
suggested Don pursue that avenue. Paul confirmed it is now called the Coastal Regional
Commission. Chantel confirmed they do have a grant writer.
Approved: April 18, 2011 Page 2 of 4
Water Resource Task Force: Rusty Fleetwood
Rusty reported that Pat, Jim and he met a couple of weeks ago to discuss the agenda for
the force. They reviewed a list of objectives and the primary one is to ensure the
availability of potable drinking water for Tybee Island. He spoke with State Geologist,
Dr. Kennedy at the Water Fair. Dr. Kennedy had a perspective on the salt water intrusion
threat. He felt that salt water intrusion is the least threat to the City’s water supply
because salt water intrusion is going to take a long time to show up here barring any
geologic accident, earthquake and / or the like. The type of intrusion the island would
have would not be as sudden as what Hilton Head has experienced. It would be a
gradual combination of vertical migration pressure from the salt water pushing down
and the horizontal migration. It will likely take place in twenty years. Lisa confirmed
with Rusty that one person’s word is not the only source. Rusty confirmed there are two
more immediate threats to Tybee’s potable water, which are storm damage to the system
and limitations by DNR to Tybee’s pumping potable water. We are in the red zone, as
classified by DNR, and the City needs to adhere to certain standards with conservation
plans in order to receive the same limits as 2004. Paul confirmed the city permit has
been updated.
Lisa reported that Joe Wilson gave her a report that he is doing a ground water
monitoring with the Army Corps. She has a copy of the preliminary report. Paul
reported that the city just signed a contract with USGS. They are upgrading the four test
wells and we now have real time salinity data which will help with early warnings.
The committee suggested that the Water Task Force Committee delve further into these
threats to confirm them and develop plans accordingly. The committee also discussed
that it may be proper to have a Water Sewer Task Force similar to the Beach Task Force.
This group would work to protect the city’s water supply and sewer system and do long
range planning for water / sewer situations. The Infrastructure Committee is comprised
of council members, staff and engineers and it may be proper to have this committee
separate for continuity. Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons. The CRC
would work with the Water Sewer Task Force in conservation. Freda mentioned that
Tybee is committee driven and people are spread thin. She recommended a compromise
could be that a liaison from CRC serves on the Infrastructure Committee. Paul
welcomed one or two CRC members to serve as ex-officios on the Infrastructure
Committee. Jim suggested that the committee have more experts involved to provide
opinions and information. Discussion ensued about appointing others in an advisory
role. Rusty made a motion that the committee request Council appoint members of the
Water Task Force to serve as ex-officio members on the Infrastructure Committee
effective immediately. Judy seconded and all were in favor.
Energy: Freda Rutherford
Freda reported that the Energy Committee met before this meeting. They created the
following goal statement: To create a baseline greenhouse gas audit with the intent of
reducing greenhouse emissions on Tybee. The first steps are to work on the actual data
collection, based on 2008 to 2010, of municipal use for electricity and propane, traffic
and street lights, solid waste facilities, waste water facilities, water delivery facilities,
vehicle fleet fuel consumed in gallons, and an estimate of employee commutes. The
collection of electricity usage for municipal government and data collection for the
community as a whole is the second part. Waste by total tonnage to the landfill with
recycling tonnage separated is a component. The estimation of fuel consumption will
Approved: April 18, 2011 Page 3 of 4
require a separate meeting. They developed a to-do list and by March they plan to have
the data collected. Tommy is consolidating g the data and Paul is collecting the meter
information.
Transportation: Frank Kelly, Libby Bacon
Libby reported that city is successfully implementing a biodiesel partnership with SES
Biofuel. She discussed a way to quantify the carbon emissions savings and they will
work with the energy committee. The program consists of biodiesel being produced
from restaurant’s vegetable oil. SES Biofuel does not know if the participating
restaurants will be enough, but they do have the capacity to currently supply Tybee with
300 gallons per month. Tybee is converting their off road vehicles to biodiesel. If all
goes well, they will look at converting all of their diesel vehicles. In one year, the goal
of reaching 20% emissions reduction can be evaluated. As this point, Tybee’s need is
unknown. Joe and Ed were meeting again to determine the need. As SES grows, then
hopefully the capacity will be met. The program is being promoted on channel 7 for
more to participate. Ed Hoffman is responsible for contacting the restaurants. Visuals
are encouraged. Chantel suggested the restaurants put something on their menus.
Frank has been working on green fleet policies from other cities. Frank reported that he
wants to set up a meeting. He spoke with Dale Williams about his bicycle exchange
program on the Island, but Dale was not able to attend this meeting. Frank hopes the
energy information is available for the meeting in two weeks. Libby suggested the
meeting take place the same day as the water committee meeting.
Solid Waste: Karen Kelly
Karen reported that she has not received the report about the solid waste that leaves the
island. Waste Pro has offered Tybee an option to recycle more and charge less.
Commercial recycling is a plus. Containers have been put out at the end of crossovers.
She went to the city to have them consider making those containers a different color.
She wants others to join her to help get businesses specifically in the Southend to recycle
in case Waste Pro does not supply a means to recycle. Karen stressed that a bottle
crusher is needed. Freda recommended attending the budget meetings and advocating
for such. Rusty asked Karen to set a meeting for recycling. She will email him a
suggested date and time.
Green Space: Mallory Pearce
Mallory will write out a report and submit to the committee. He discussed various
nature reserves and parks that currently exist. Conservation easements are another
option. Easements do not necessarily allow for public access, but are protected. There
are 20 acres by Lighthouse Point and he is the spokesperson for this property.
Rusty asked if anyone has an inventory of vacant land / open areas on Tybee. Freda
confirmed Jimmy Brown did an inventory approximately seven years ago. Mallory
confirmed he has information in his head and will review with Jimmy Brown. He will
write the reports with a map designating private and public areas. Libby commented
that she has asked the city for this list and was told it did not exist. Libby confirmed she
will assist Mallory and that there may be grant opportunities for unopened roads.
Approved: April 18, 2011 Page 4 of 4
NEW BUSINESS:
GHG Baseline Audit: Tommy Linstroth
(Tommy left for another meeting prior to this agenda item.)
OLD BUSINESS:
N/A
ADJOURN:
Freda made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:58pm. Frank seconded the motion. The
motion was unanimous.