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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120920BeachTaskMinutesTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes, September 20, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie Seyden, Cecil DeLorme, Amy Lanier, William Sprague and Mary McCracken VISITIORS/EX-OFFICIOS PRESENT: Dan Parrott, Diane Schleicher, Paul Wolff, Wanda Doyle and Bill Garbett Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 11:30AM. A quorum was not present. Mr. Ferrelle asked for a moment of silence in honor of Frank Schuman, Sr. Mr. Ferrelle read a letter from Alan Garrett regarding the LLR for the upcoming beach re-nourishment project in FY 2015. Diane Schleicher stated that the required funding will come from the line item for beach re-nourishment and is on the upcoming agenda for city council. Mr. Wolff stated that the City’s cost sharing be continue upon the Corps of Engineers (COE) following the management policy. He then asked Ms. Schleicher what the balance would be in the beach re-nourishment fund after they do the cost share associated with the LLR. Ms. Schleicher stated that $150,000 was put in the line item from the general fund and there is $300,000 from SPLOST and it will reduce the line item by $91,000. She also discussed that when there are funds available at the end of the budget cycle they will be moved to the beach re-nourishment line item not to exceed $150,000. Mr. Sprague would like to know what the cost share for the re-nourishment is 60-40 and why can’t it be 80-20 or something more reasonable? Mr. Parrott stated that you would need to have approval from Congress for a change which would entail a great deal of work. He then led a discussion that the COE has agreed there is an impact on Tybee with the channel which is monumental. Ms. Schleicher then suggested that if the Beach Task Force would like Mr. Sirard to attend future meetings, that a formal invitation be forwarded to the COE. It was discussed that the COE would charge the BTF for this and it might be not a wise decision at this point since Mr. Parrott now attends our meetings. Ms. Schleicher stated she had a meeting with Col. Hall where a discussion on Phase II Study took place. The perspective of the COE is that the Study became more involved as the City required more items addressed. Ms. Schleicher stated that was not the case. Ms. Lanier asked Mr. Parrott his opinion on Phase II Study as it increases the cost sharing, it also puts the City at a greater disadvantage that if funding is cut from the federal budget. Mr. Parrott stated that it is based on shore protection and recreation as opposed to mitigation for the second largest container port on the east coast. She would suggest that the BFT move forward with the mitigation study. Mr. Wolff then asked Mr. Parrott, since the contract with the CEO goes through 2024, why is the last re-nourishment in 2015? Mr. Parrott replied that the 2015 re-nourishment states that you may not do a re-nourishment on the day of the 2024 authorization and further explained that the re-nourishment in 2015 will have an increase in scope so that it will last nine years rather than seven years which will be 28.6%. Ms. Lanier feels the City is doing everything they can by proposing an increase in hotel/motel tax. Mr. Parrott then discussed that all new projects have a cost share of 50/50. He also stated that you need to separate the LLR as it is for existing projects from the channel impact study and new projects which is a different cost share rate. He also reminded everyone that Congress sets the rules for cost sharing. A discussion ensued regarding studies and nothing seems to change. Mr. Parrott stated that due to Katrina, things have changed in as much as there are new requirements that were not in place ten years ago. Mr. Ferrelle asked Mr. Parrott if there is a way the City could go back and negotiate to get a better rate on the Study. Mr. Parrott stated yes but there could be risks. He would suggest that the BTF list what changes they would like to make to include an explanation. He reminded the BTF that the LLR is only for the existing project, beach re-nourishment, and nothing to do with channel impacts and mitigation. Mr. Sprague would like to know if the COE is causing the problem with the dredging, and the City being the innocent bystander, why shouldn’t the COE figure a way to get the sand back to the beach. Mr. Parrott replied that as stated by Congress, the City is responsible for cost sharing. Ms. Lanier asked Mr. Parrott, if the City receives a Mitigation Study and authorization for a new project starting in year 1-50, what happens to the 2024 Shore Protection Project. Does it need to be de-authorized? He stated it just expires. Mr. Ferrelle thanked Mr. Parrott for his input and would hope he will attend the next BTF meeting to continue this discussion. Mr. Seyden then thanked the City for meeting with the COE in their efforts for funding with the next re-nourishment. Mayors Update Mr. Ferrell read an update from Mayor Buelterman which outlined meeting with different state and local individuals in an effort for funding for future beach re-nourishments. Sub-committee Reports State Funding No report County Funding Nothing new 2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee Mr. Seyden stated that the report from Ms. Schleicher on her meeting with the COE is his report. Fort Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee No report Beach Management Plan Committee Hope everyone is reviewing so they can send their suggestions to Jan to compile. Jan is to send the Beach Management Plan to Mr. Parrott. Ms. Doyle stated that she would like to add to an upcoming city council meeting. Old Business Hotel/Motel Tax Allocation. Mr. Wolff stated that the based on the tourism council’s reaction, Mayor Buelterman feels the City should ask for 2 cents and we accept 1 cent as a compromise. Mr. Wolff disagrees with this and feels we should ask for the 2 cents. Ms. Doyle stated that she spoke with the business owners affected individually and they feel the City needs to find the money somewhere else and not place the burden on visitors to the Island. On a side note, Mr. Ferrell asked that the BTF roster be updated. Jan will update and send out. He also expressed concerns with the attendance and suggested the BTF only meet every other month as a thought provoking idea. Mr. Wolff suggested Jan contact members that have not been in attendance for some time to see if they still have a desire to serve on the Committee. Bill Sprague made a motion to adjourn. Amy Lanier seconded. Meeting adjourned at 12:30PM.