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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140320Beach Task ForceTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: March 20, 2014 Members Present: Harvey Ferrell, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, John Wylly, Michael Foran, Cathy Sakas, Cathy Lewis, Wick Searcy and Sam Adams Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Jason Buelterman, Paul Wolff, Bill Garbett, Wanda Doyle, Monty Parks, Dan Parrott, Spencer Davis, Bert Moore, and Diane Schleicher CALL TO ORDER: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 12:00PM. Michael Foran made a motion to approve the minutes as amended from February 20, 2014. Amy Lanier seconded. Vote was unanimous. Mayor Buelterman joined the meeting via telephonic conference. Spencer Davis, COE, gave an update on the upcoming beach re-nourishment. He stated that at the meeting last month he reported that they were awaiting a decision regarding the re-nourishment being accelerated to 2014 associated with funding. The 2014 Work Plan has since been released and funding for Tybee did not change. Federal funding has not been included as well, not in 2015 budget. Mr. Davis explained that the COE will continue to work with Tybee regarding the study for the groins and seawall. He discussed moving forward with a feasibility study regarding the impact of turtle nesting. He explained that the Savannah District’s position to complete the plans and specs and all the pre-award work for construction but unfortunately as there was no funding included so there can be no further work this year. He assured the Beach Task Force that he will continue to do what he can to have Tybee prepared if funding should become available. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Davis going forward what he thinks it will mean regarding the timeframe. Mr. Davis responded that the next thing they are working with positioning is preparing the FY16 budget packet where they will be asking for funding for Tybee. If the COE continues to work on a continuing resolution in October, another work plan will be released. He is uncertain if Tybee will be included and will result in the re-nourishment being a year late. There was a brief discussion regarding the amount of sand needed to fill the template if the re-nourishment is done a year early as opposed to a year later. Mr. Davis explained that staff “shot” the beach from the north federal groin, around the south tip and Back River. Mr. Adams asked Mr. Davis how much is a year’s worth of sand in regards to re-nourishment. Mr. Davis responded it is based historical average erosion rates for Tybee and that information is gathered from surveys done every year. These surveys are done by Tybee. Mr. Davis reminded the Task Force that the COE cannot start a contract process until monies are available and the process is a four month process. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Davis if a partial re-nourishment could be done if federal funding is not available. Mr. Davis responded that Tybee would have to go through the permitting process as Tybee would be doing our own re-nourishment. Mr. Davis stated that he will continue to look at the removal of the groins and seawalls as funding is not readily available for the re-nourishment. He explained that the seawall is impeding turtle nesting and they are trying to establish the habitat for the turtles by removing the seawalls. They are asking permission to do a feasibility study regarding the impact of removing the groins. He stated he has submitted the request and awaiting a response. Mr. Foran asked Mr. Davis what is the plan if federal funding is not available in 2016 for re-nourishment. Mr. Davis responded that if in a year the City is looking for federal funding of February or March 2015 at which time a determination will need to be made regarding the COE or Tybee doing the re-nourishment. Ms. Doyle commented that the City needs to wait until they receive notification regarding future federal funding for re-nourishment. She also feels there are other funding options and the city attorney is looking into this. Mr. Burke agreed and feels the City cannot wait until 2016 for a re-nourishment. Mr. Ferrelle suggested that Tybee should move forward with the permitting process. Mr. Davis responded he would research and let the Task Force know. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Davis to give some history as there are new members on the Task Force. Mr. Davis stated that Phase 1 was a preliminary study on the impacts of the federal navigation project on the Tybee shelf and shoreline. He explained the effect the channel has on Tybee. Phase II, the detailed study on the true impacts of the channel on the beach did not go forward as the City did not have the funding to pursue the study. A discussion ensued regarding placement of the dredge materials to refresh everyone memory. Mr. Ferrelle moved to the dune item on the agenda. Mr. Davis stated that he will bring an expert on dune building to a future Task Force meeting to answer questions on dune construction. The discussion turned to sand fencing. Ms. Schleicher stated that you need to be careful when erecting sand fencing as if the area does not naturally accrete, the dunes will not grow. Mr. Adams feels that flora has a better effect on building dunes than sand fencing. Mr. Davis stated he will let the Task Force know when his guest will be able to attend the meeting. Mr. Ferrelle gave an update on the recent work shop with city council. Mayor and council asked the Task Force to come up with a dune field plan. He thanked mayor and council for meeting with them as he felt it was a good workshop. Mr. Ferrelle showed slides of wave dissipation devices and beach prisms. Being there was no more business Mike Foran made a motion to adjourn. Jimmy Burke seconded. Meeting adjourned.