HomeMy Public PortalAbout20080320BTFMinsApproved.pdfTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: March 20, 2008
Approved: 4/17/08 Page 1 of 3
Members Present: Jimmy Burke, Harvey Ferrelle, Henry Levy, Mary McCracken, Lou Off, Walter
Parker, Freda Rutherford, Wick Searcy, Harry Spirides, Bill Sprague, John
Wylly
Ex Officos Present: Jason Buelterman – City Mayor, Sonny Emmert – DNR, Diane Schleicher –
City Manager, Hampton Spradley – COE, Paul Wolff – Councilperson
Members Absent: Bert Adams (E), Cecil DeLorme, Helen Downing, Amy Lanier (E), Mark Smith,
Greg Stoeffler
CALL TO ORDER (Agenda Item 1):
Lou called the meeting to order at 11:30am.
ATTENDANCE AND GUESTS (Agenda Item 2):
See above.
MISC.:
Lou summarized an editorial written by Col. Kertis in the Savannah Morning News this
morning. The editorial said harbor deepening will not impact the aquifer. The depth will not worsen
the impact to Tybee. There is already an 80% loss of sand and digging the channel will not make it
worse.
The Atlanta division commander, General Schroedel, Col. Kertis and COE civilians came to
visit Ft. Pulaski & Tybee yesterday. Jason gave a report about this meeting. They discussed a number
of things. One was about extending the fifty year Shore Protection Program which now expires in
2023. They were favorable of this. They also discussed using Tybee as a pilot program for sand
management as a way to protect the investment through innovative actions. The General stated we
should be studying sediment (versus water) as is being done in the Netherlands. They also discussed
how we have a baseline for renourishments which discourages building sand dunes. They committed to
study a baseline more reflective of the present configuration of the island. The General agreed it
should not be a problem to put more sand on the beach (w/in the template) while equipment is out
there if we have extra money from the state.
Bill suggested that a letter be sent to the General from the Mayor to reiterate what they
discussed and thank him for his time.
Lou and Mary discussed long-term ideas how phase 2 of the Channel Impact Study may benefit
the north end.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Agenda Item 3):
All approved the February minutes. Henry noted that he should be marked excused since he
had notified us he would be out of town prior to the meeting. Lou confirmed anyone is excused if they
let us know they will not be there prior to the meeting. All approved.
Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: March 20, 2008
Approved: 4/17/08 Page 2 of 3
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REPORT (Agenda Item 4):
Diane and the Mayor let everyone know that at the meeting yesterday Lou complemented all of
Hamp’s hard work.
(COE Actions & Status sheet provided separately)
1) Tybee Coastal Zone Management Implementation:
a. CZM compliance issue should be in process again soon. The General did not know
about this but would look into it.
2) Channel Impact Feasibility Study:
a. Publication of the Final Channel Impact Report is being processed. Hamp will bring us
copies around May.
• Renourishment Update...
i. Design is moving forward and is expected to be final in early April. It will go
out for one final review. Bid requests should go out mid / late July
1. Lou discussed a bid that is opening at Fernandina Beach next week.
Olsen and Associates is in charge of this opening.
ii. There is still concern regarding the rising fuel costs. There was discussion about
getting oil from a “local” distributor as a subcontractor. However, it may
complicate the bid process. We will continue to monitor.
iii. Cost share is 60.1% federal & 39.9% non federal now. The cost share balance to
close out old accounts is $42,603.44. The city needs to pay the COE before this
project can start. Lou reviewed what he believes to be how this cost accrued
over time. Lou recommended a motion go to the city council for the city to pay
the Corp $42,603.44. Walter moved and Harvey seconded, all approved except
for Henry. Diane will take to Council for final approval at the 3/27 meeting.
iv. We have approval for State money. The state will sell the bond in April. Sonny
needs a letter saying the money must be available by 5/15.
v. Diane wants to bring an agenda to council re: BTF recommending doing the
local share & have it formalized at a council meeting for backup as to why we
sent $4.2 to COE.
vi. The (Mineral Rights Permit) borrow site request has been sent to DNR. We
should be able to use this site for future borrow sites also
vii. The Environmental (draft) assessment which was provided by Olsen and put
together by the COE is out for its 30 day review. This assessment includes
cultural affairs, borrow area debris, etc.
viii. COE needs money in May because they need it in hand before they bid the
project.
1. Hamp will find out if interest can be drawn on the $4.2 million we pay
them between May and the time the project actually starts.
• Per the Mayor’s request, Hamp will see if Carol Abercombie can come to the next meeting to
explain the design of the new beach templates.
• Jasper County Terminal Development
b. No changes
3) Brunswick Harbor Deepening
a. Contract was awarded for East River Turning Basin Mitigation work. A notice to
proceed has been issued. There has not been a contract awarded yet for the Andrew
Island Dyke Raising.
Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: March 20, 2008
Approved: 4/17/08 Page 3 of 3
4) Savannah Channel Maintenance
a. Savannah Bar Channel (& in Brunswick) was completed as of 3/10.
5) Sav’h Harbor Expansion
a. Still looking for Record of Decision by 7/09.
• Per Harry’s request, Hamp drew a diagram to show the difference between the Authorized
(Shore Protection) project template and the Design project template. Harry wants to know
what we can do to maintain what we have with the storm fence. He suggested we go out
further with the storm fences in the hot spots where there is no beach at high tide. He said
snow fences have been very effective in accreting sand in areas such as the 14th Street beach
area. He would not be in favor of adding more snow fences in areas where there is already too
much sand, such as the 14th street beach area. Lou feels that the baseline should be the toe of
the dune instead of the seawall.
• The renourishments are helping per Mary. In 1985 there was water coming in where the
seawall is at the parking lot at Fannies. The build up of sand has helped.
TYBEE RE-NOURISHMENT PROJECT – UPDATE (Agenda Item 5):
See COE Report above (Agenda Item 4)
TYBEE FUNDING FOR BEACH MAINTENANCE, COUNTY / TYBEE FUNDS 2008
(Agenda Item #6):
(Discussed above)
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN (Agenda Item #7):
To be discussed in future meeting.
OLD BUSINESS – SEA WALL, LNG, HILTON HEAD (Agenda Item #8):
- Lou announced he and the Mayor are going to Hilton Head in April. Invitation is open to
anyone that wants to go.
- Tourism input for renourishment – Harry & Diane discussed what the Tourism Council
could do…such as a promotional piece to let tourist know what is happening; the City will
make sure the public knows what is happening during the renourishment similar to what we
did with Tybrisa/Strand Project updates.
NEW BUSINESS (Agenda Item #9):
Mary and Chantel updated the legislative directory. A copy was passed out to those in
attendance. Chantel will email to all members.
MEETING ADJOURNED (Agenda Item 10):
1:07pm