HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110418CRCMinutes.pdf
Prepared: May 9, 2011 Page 1 of 4
COMMUNITY RESOURCE COMMITTEE
Minutes: Monday, April 18, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Libby Bacon, Don Ernst, Rusty Fleetwood, Shelly Krueger, Tommy Linstroth, Sandy Major,
Judy Miller, Mallory Pearce, Freda Rutherford, Brad Sherman, Paul Wolff
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jim Burke, Lisa Callahan, Frank Kelly, Karen Kelly, Pat Locklear
CALL TO ORDER:
Rusty called the meeting to order at 4:38pm.
MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY & MARCH MEETINGS:
Freda made the motion to approve the February 22 meeting minutes. Don seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Rusty explained that the March presentation summary will be available within the next few
weeks.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Water Committee Synopsis from March Meeting: Rusty Fleetwood
Rusty explained that the March meeting was primarily with DNR. Dr. Kennedy with
DNR made a presentation about salt water intrusion. Committee members can obtain a
copy from the IT department. The second item from that meeting is that Tybee’s water
limits are not forecasted to change within the next couple of years.
Rusty also mentioned to the committee members that during their goal setting meeting
in November they discussed that the committee is about longevity. The Water Fair was a
big leap and was successful. The other items the committee is working on will take time
and patience to continue success of the committee.
Water Fair 2012: Judy Miller
Rusty announced that the Water Fair 2012 discussion will be postponed until the
next meeting.
Beach Showers: Don Ernst
Don reported that his committee met in March with Savannah Architect,
Michael Griffin and Gulfstream Sustainability expert, Roger Bowman. Ty is
now interning in Atlanta, but will help via internet. Karen will prepare the
donation package. Rusty spoke with Diane and two council members regarding a
\ line item for incoming funds and outgoing expenses for the committee. He
requested an amount from the committee in order to proceed. Don confirmed
donations can be accepted. Libby is going to follow up with Sandpiper
regarding the flush valve from their vendor. Frank agreed to follow the city
budget of $50,000 for Royal Restrooms. Don is preparing a budget for their
project. Committee members discussed recommendations for council. Don will
have a draft budget by Wednesday, May 4 for his committee members to review.
Don believes that they can lessen the cost by restoring the bathhouse; take it off
of potable water source and landscape with $10,000. They have one 400 gallon
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container currently. They have talked to the Historical Society about capturing
water from the top of the fort. In April they submitted for an Ocean Exchange
grant with assistance from SCAD students. Rusty reiterated that he needs to
know about grants in order to speak with Council. Don confirmed that there is
not a match with this grant. Don is planning to make a presentation to council at
one of their May budget workshops. He is also working with Michael Bodine in
order to reach out to the community via channel 7 to upgrade the North Beach
bathhouse. The committee will meet again after June.
Energy: Freda Rutherford
Freda reported that the committee did not meet in March and prior to this meeting. She
is waiting for the employee surveys. Tommy reported about the data consolidation. He
received the Island wide residential and commercial energy use from Georgia Power.
That will be the biggest contributing factor with the two to three years of data. He does
not have the waste of the city buildings. The city needs to be looking at kilowatt hours
to compare costs. Freda requested the committee meet after this meeting. She
commented that Diane is getting them information. Paul gave an update about the
Memorial Park energy plan. Part of the grant was to have interpretive signs. Freda
requested graphs showing the energy data. Paul will email the data to Freda. Rusty
asked Paul about the water audit. Paul reported that Bethany is willing and able to teach
others to do a water audit. The program does not take long and he will work with
someone from the water committee.
Green Space: Mallory Pearce
Mallory reported that his subcommittee is dealing with green space and has consulted
with Libby. He explained that green space is important for eco-tourism. A copy of a
color coated zoning map was presented. Following are the areas he reviewed with and
presented to the committee:
1) The Blue Heron Nature Park: The Park is the oldest established by City Council under
Mayor Pat Locklear. Trails, signs and a picnic table are at the park. There is a Loblolly
Pine Forest there and the Loblolly Pine is a common pine on Tybee. There is also a
marsh view.
2) Sally Pearce Nature Trail: The trail was established by City Council. The trail has
signage and this mixed maritime forest has marsh overviews.
2a) Unopened 3rd Street: There is a maritime forest with prime live oaks in this area. It
could be connected to the Sally Pearce Nature Trail by action of City Council.
3) Painted Bunting Reserve: The reserve was established by City Council to protect
nesting sites of Painted Buntings. There are mixed shrubs, wax myrtle, pines and dune
vegetation within the reserve.
4) Unopened Miller (between 7th & 8th): There is high marsh in this area and is subject to
tidal flooding. There are Red Cedars and pines are in the area, but there is not a trail.
5) The “Proper” property: In this area there is a mixed maritime forest. It was bought by
the city to settle a lawsuit and was established as a nature preserve by council action.
Gopher Tortoise has been observed in this area and there is not a trail.
6) Property title owned by the city. The conservation easement is held by the Tybee Island
Land Trust. There are no trails, but are allowed along with signage and a bench allowed
by the easement. The area is within high marsh with several Red Cedars.
7) Mallory Pearce’s property: This area is a mixed maritime forest with understory shrubs.
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The easement of this property is held by the Tybee Island Land Trust.
8) Area 8 (between Shirley & 9th Place) is in negotiation with the property owner and the
Land Trust. The Live Oak grove along the sidewalk on Butler and dunes will be placed
in an easement with the Tybee Island Land Trust.
9) Area 9 near Lighthouse Point is in negotiation with the City of Tybee Island, Captain’s
Row Homeowners and Lighthouse Point Condominiums. Tybee Island’s City Attorney
is involved. There are approximately twenty (20) acres of wax-myrtle shrubs, scattered
trees and dunes within this area. It is a nesting area for Painted Buntings and other
birds. A bobcat has been reported to be there.
10a) Unbuildable mixed wetlands with marsh: Scattered red cedars and wax-myrtle are
within this area. The railroad bed crosses through it which could be made a walking
trail. Property west of this area has a trail easement granted by the property owners to
the City of Tybee Island.
10b) Battery Halleck and about 200 acres of marsh: The area is owned by one property
owner. It is within County jurisdiction. The “Battery” is a narrow hammock with live
oaks, pines, American Holly, and understory shrubs. Three (3) pits are the locale of
Union army mortar sites during the bombardment of Ft. Pulaski. The National Park is
interested in this property.
11) Twenty (20) acres of maritime forest adjacent to a pond: Wood storks roost in this area
which is owned by the Dunns. The Land Trust has had some discussions with the
Dunns. The area is zoned as a conservation area.
12) Some dune areas and adjacent unopened city streets could be established as parks by
action of council.
13) City owned land adjacent to sewer plant (near the City’s campground): There is a trail
through this area that is available to beach goers. In this area there are mixed shrubs,
wax-myrtle, and a willow swamp which is invaded by Chinese tallow. A future
possibility is to maintain water level in the swamp with processed sewer water.
Buntings are also in the area. The adjacent beach is excellent for bird watching and shell
collecting.
14) Mixed maritime forest with some willow swamp: This is private property with
unopened forested city streets. In the past the Land Trust tried to negotiate with
developers to protect part of it. The area has gone into foreclosure before and the future
is uncertain.
Libby will be meeting with Jimmy Brown to review city documents and to log the
unopened roads on Tybee Island.
NEW BUSINESS:
Seafood Festival: Judy Miller
Judy announced that the Community Resource Committee is participating in the Seafood
Festival Saturday, May 7 from 11am until 7pm. Set up is Friday. She is planning to
have displays set up regarding oil being recycled with applications available, the water
fair and other information regarding the restrooms. There will also be a children’s game
with toilet lids. Judy passed around a signup sheet for committee members to help work.
She wants to sell the left over water filters during the event. Discussion ensued about
the vendor fee. Paul suggested Judy talks to Chantel and Diane. Rusty will talk with
Diane.
Discussion ensued regarding having a line item in the City budget. Rusty confirmed
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someone on the committee will need to track the budget. Don made a motion that the
there be a line item or a journal entry in the city budget as appropriate. Tommy
seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Rusty will convey this
information to Diane.
OLD BUSINESS:
Rusty recommended that committee members be present at various city committee meetings
such as parking, public safety and infrastructure. He will send out a schedule.
Libby gave an update about the recycled vegetable oil program. So far, Biofuel has sold the city
275 gallons and there are eight to nine restaurants participating. Others are being talked to for
participation.
ADJOURN:
Mallory made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:52pm. Judy seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.