Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120719Tybee Island Beach Task Force MinutesTybee Island Beach Task Force Amended Minutes July 19, 2012 Members Present: Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Cecil DeLorme, Amy Lanier, Jimmy Burke, John Wylly, William Sprague and Mary McCracken Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Michael Foran, Dan Parrot, Diane Schleicher and Jason Buelterman Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 11:30AM. He then introduced Dan Parrot to the committee and welcomed him. Approval of Minutes: Jimmy Burke made a motion to approve the minutes from June 28, 2012. Arnie Seyden seconded. Vote was unanimous. New Business Diane Schleicher reported she gave Mr. Ferrelle a memorandum from Eric Olsen on the performance of the beach to date. She also stated that according to reports, there has been the highest record of turtle nesting’s in comparison to past seasons. DPW has also relocated the wrack from the beach. Mr. Ferrelle asked Ms. Schleicher what the BTF needs to do to bring the Beach Management Plan up to date. She stated that mayor and council would like the BTF to coordinate with the DNR and ask for clarification of what the City can do and not do without request a permit. Ms. Lanier asked Ms. Schleicher if that language needed to be included in the Beach Management Plan. Ms. Schleicher concurred. Mr. Burke stated that he feels the "use of equipment on the beach" needs to be included as well. Ms. Schleicher further asked the members to write their comments in the margin of their copy of the Beach Management Plan and forward to her for consolidation. Ms. Adams asked if Ms. Schleicher will ask permission for vehicular access on the beach. She stated that she will be and for clarification as there is only three access points to the beach currently. Ms. Lanier asked Ms. Schleicher what is the duration of permits for the beach. Ms. Schleicher stated they are yearly and went on to further explain the process. Mayor Buelterman confirmed he would like all comments sent to Jan LeViner by the October meeting. Mayor Buelterman reminded the BTF of the reception the Tybee Island Tourism Council is sponsoring for awareness for funding and support for the future re-nourishment. We are asking 3.5M from the state and hope to get that in the budget for next year. He also stated that he will be meeting with Colonel Hall, USCOE, on August 13, 2012. Paul Wolff, Tom Groover and Diane Schleicher will also be attending the meeting. Mayor Buelterman also outlined future meetings with local officials as well as Governor Deal's office and gave an update on the LOST negotiations. Sub Committee Reports State Funding - Ms. Adams gave a synopsis of her recent meeting with Ron Stephens, Buddy Carter and Ben Watson to discuss funding for the future beach re-nourishment as well as future re-nourishments. They recommended the City might raise the hotel/motel tax for additional funding. This would be a "good faith" measure. Ms. Adams reported on the recent meeting sponsored by Leadership Savannah where Georgia Ports Authority gave a presentation on the Port as Savannah is the 4th largest port on the east coast. She feels it is best to go directly to the State for funding as GPA does not feel a burden of debt to Tybee Island. Mayor Buelterman reported that with the current hotel/motel tax, $150,000 has been dedicated for beach re-nourishment and it has increased due to the increased tourism on Tybee Island. Ms. Lanier made a motion as follows: Whereas the main attraction of Tybee Island is the beach, the mainstay of the Island's tourism-based economy which attracts both daily visitors and visitors lodging on short-term accommodations; Whereas, daily visitors pay a parking fee, part of which funds a restricted account for beach re-nourishment; Whereas, federal funding covers 60% of the cost of Tybee's beach re-nourishment under the Short Protection Act, as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA); Whereas, future federal funding is highly likely to be cut or disappear altogether as WRDA will be passed again this year, and Tybee has experienced federal budget cuts for beach re-nourishment in years past; Whereas, the State of Georgia has stepped in to help fund beach re-nourishment in the past, and state officials have intimated that the state government will be more likely to do so again if the City sets aside more money for beach re-nourishment; Now therefore, the City Council ask the State of Georgia for authorization to collect 2 cents on each short-term accommodations dollar spent on the Island to be set aside in the same restricted account for beach re-nourishment. Discussion: Mr. Burke asked Mayor Buelterman if there was a limited that for the hotel/motel tax. Mayor Buelterman replied that the limit is 8% and Tybee does 6%. He further explained that there needs to be special legislation to allow the City to use the entire amount for a special project. He feels we would have the support of the local legislators if this were done. Ms. Adams asked Mayor Buelterman if mayor and council were to write a resolution that advocates this and restricts the additional pennies for beach re-nourishment then the state can approve with restrictions and locks it for beach re-nourishment. Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous. Ms. Lanier led a discussion on funding for future re-nourishment. Mary McCracken asked Mayor Buelterman if this motion is presented to city council, is there some way some portion of this money can be earmarked to ensure that the northwest beach is included in the re-nourishment. Mayor Buelterman feels it would be inclusive as it stands. Mr. Burke suggested that verbiage should be included in the Beach Management Plan. Mr. Sprague and Ms. Adams led a discussion on possible future litigation. Mayor Buelterman stated that the City Attorney, Bubba Hughes, and he did research on other beach municipalities that have brought suit and found that they might have won but have had issues with receiving funds as prescribed by the decision of the court. Mayor Buelterman asked that a delegation meet with the Tybee Tourism Council prior to the motion being presented to mayor and council. Ms. Adams and Mr. Burke volunteered. County Funding – Nothing new 2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee - Arnie Seyden presented a report on a recent conversation with Robert Sirard and Alan Garrett pertaining to 2015 re-nourishment. Fort Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee - Dr. Richardson was excused from the meeting. No report. BTF membership. Mr. Ferrelle asked that all members encourage everyone to attend the meetings. He also introduced Michael Foran as he would like to be appointed to the BTF. Jan LeViner will put it on the next city council meeting. Mary McCracken made a motion to recommend Mr. Foran for membership. Amy Lanier seconded. Vote was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 1:00PM.