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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140918Beach Task ForceTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: September 18, 2014 Members Present: Harvey Ferrelle, Amy Lanier, Cathy Lewis, Frank Wooldridge, Freda Rutherford, Helen Downing, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, John Wylly, Kate Burns, Michael Foran and Sam Adams Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Jason Buelterman, Paul Wolff, Bill Garbett, Monty Parks, Wanda Doyle, Diane Schleicher, Dan Parrott, Spencer Davis, and Burt Moore CALL TO ORDER: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 12:00PM. Mr. Ferrelle would like to send a Letters of Appreciation to Cecil DeLorme and Bill Sprague for all their years of service with the Beach Task Force. Freda Rutherford made a motion to approve the minutes of August 21, 2014 as amended. Amy Lanier seconded. Vote was unanimous. Patty Smith, representing Savannah Beach and Racquet Club, approached the Beach Task Force (BTF) to discuss erosion in the north beach area. She would request the north area and Savannah Beach and Racquet Club be included in the Federal Project for future re-nourishments. Ms. Smith gave a short presentation to include drawings and pictures (attached) to the BTF. She is open to any suggestions regarding including the Savannah Beach and Racquet Club in future re-nourishments. Mike Foran asked if all their measurements as shown on her presentation were taken at the high or low water mark. Ms. Smith stated that it is her understanding from reading the City of Tybee’s website that the next re-nourishment and funding will not be approached again for over ten years. It is their concern that due to the lack of sand in their area, water will soon be under their homes. There was a discussion regarding upcoming re-nourishments in their area. Ms. Doyle confirmed that the north area to include the Savannah Beach and Racquet Club area is not included in the current federal project. Ms. Rutherford gave a short history of past re-nourishments and dune building. She further explained that due to membership attrition there is no representation from her area on the BTF. Mr. Ferrelle then read an email from Mayor Buelterman regarding beach improvements using SPLOST funds to include bathrooms, derelict structures and future re-nourishments. Amy Lanier made a motion to recommend Patti Smith join the BTF as a stake holder. Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous. Ms. Rutherford asked Mr. Davis if it is feasible to move sand from Estill Point to the sand starved areas in the north beach area. Mr. Davis responded that the issue is critical habitats. Ms. Schleicher explained that it would be difficult to find a good time to do the north side as Tybee is an environmental steward and will not disturb the natural habitat. Mr. Davis and Mr. Moore gave an update on the upcoming re-nourishment. Mr. Davis explained that previously concerns were expressed that the pier may end up dry at anything but at high tide. Since then the design has been modified as depicted on the diagrams on the overhead. He explained that the berm width has been reduced at 15th, 16th and 17th Street and extended the berm width to the south federal groin. Which will result in a wider beach. There was a discussion regarding dune building and associated berms. Ms. Schleicher stated that she needs his assistance with language for a Coastal Engineer to do an analysis of where there are berms; no berms; and make a recommendation to include in an RFP for dune growth. Mr. Spencer stated there is valuable information in the Philadelphia District and he will forward information to her. Mr. Davis explained that Mr. Olsen’s overall concern is that the City is trying to grow dunes without having a berm to protect them as the berm protects the dunes and the dunes protect the Island. A question was asked as to when and who was awarded the contract for the upcoming re-nourishment. Mr. Davis stated that award is pending and no further information is available at this time. Ms. Rutherford discussed the design of the re-nourishment. Mr. Davis stated that the design currently includes at maximum of 40,000 cubic yards and the plan has been engineered to meet the requirements of the upcoming re-nourishment. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Davis if the contract was awarded within five days, what the timeline is. Mr. Davis responded that it is scheduled for November 1, 2014 as they are waiting for a turtle nest to clear and the duration would be 120 days. If they get clearance, the re-nourishment could happen earlier. Mr. Ferrelle thanked Mr. Davis and Mr. Moore for all their hard work. Ms. Schleicher stated that she is currently working on the RFP for sand dunes. She will be seeking assistance from Mr. Olsen and others to ensure the scope of work will be what is needed by the City. Mr. Moore suggested she get all pictures and information prior to the work as a before and after survey will be needed. Mr. Ferrelle thanked everyone that has been instrumental with completion of the Beach Management Plan. He would ask that further corrections be made from the 2014 version. In this way all suggested corrections will be on the same document. Mr. Ferrelle recommended that language be included regarding Pelican Island. Mr. Davis stated that a portion of the sandbar in front of Tybee Creek is within the Costal Barrier Resources System Zone and cannot be disturbed without special permission and sand cannot be taken from there. Ms. Schleicher asked Mr. Davis to provide her with pictures of the current sandbar so she can have before and after pictures. Ms. Lanier recommended that the letter from Mayor Buelterman declining materials from the Corps of Engineers for future reference. She would also recommend that correspondence from Mr. Olsen and the DNR regarding the advantages of a non-federal re-nourishment be included. She will forward to Mr. Parrott. Mr. Ferrelle directed everyone’s attentions to a portion of the Beach Management Plan regarding sand dunes. Mr. Parrott discussed the “how to move forward”. It was decided to move forward with the Plan and have a workshop for the stakeholders to hear their concerns/recommendations/changes. Ms. Doyle recommended that the BFT wait another month before sending to mayor and council for their approval as she has not had ample time to review the document in its entirety. Mr. Ferrelle confirmed and would like to plan a stakeholder meeting after the first of the year. Due to time constraints, meeting was adjourned at 2:00PM ________________ Jan LeViner