HomeMy Public PortalAbout20080717BeachTaskForceMinutes.pdfTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: July 17, 2008
Prepared: 08/01/08 Page 1 of 3
Members Present: Berta Adams, Jimmy Burke, Helen Downing, Amy Lanier,
Henry Levy, Mary McCracken, Lou Off, Walter Parker, Freda Rutherford,
Wick Searcy, Bill Sprague, Harry Spirides, and Greg Stoeffler
Members Absent: Cecil DeLorme, Harvey Ferrelle, Mark Smith, and John Wylly
Visitors / Ex-Officios Present: Hampton Spradley – COE, Paul Wolff – Council Member, and
Diane Schleicher, City Manager
CALL TO ORDER (Agenda Item 1):
Lou called the meeting to order at 11:40am.
ATTENDANCE AND GUESTS (Agenda Item 2):
See above.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Agenda Item 3):
Berta motioned to approve the minutes from June. Wick seconded. All approved.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REPORT (Agenda Item 4):
(COE Actions & Status sheet provided separately)
1) Tybee Coastal Zone Management Implementation:
a. No letter has been sent as of yet, but the COE has a consolidated opinion on the position
they will take to comply with the CZM.
2) Channel Impact Feasibility Study:
a. Last month the published final report from ERDC was given to the BTF. The feasibility
phase will start in Oct to mitigate the impact of the channel to Tybee.
3) Tybee Island Shore Protection: Renourishment Update...
a. Hamp provided the teleconference hot topics agenda as a handout.
i. 07/18: Pre-construction meeting held at the old school
1. 3 dredging companies attended – all are very interested in the job
ii. 08/07: Bid opening date
iii. Early September: Contract to be awarded.
iv. October: Sand should be placed on the beach.
v. Fish and Wild Life concerns have been met and they are issuing a final
biological opinion which will have all the requirements to allow re-nourishment
on the beach.
1. COE has agreed to monitor pre and post-construction the piping plover
to see how endangered species are affected. This will cost approx.
$25,000 that will be taken out of the project cost.
vi. National Fisheries have given their clearance.
1. SC DNR will monitor beach animals thru Fish and Wildlife – est.
$120,000.
vii. GA DNR has given the official consistency letter for testing and tilling
requirements.
viii. MOU is being reviewed for the 100% Non-Federally Funded Project concurrent
with the Cost Shared Project by the city attorney.
1. Everything will be included for 08/07 bidding.
Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: July 17, 2008
Prepared: 08/01/08 Page 2 of 3
2. By the next meeting, a bid price will be established and Tybee will know
all information so that the total project can be completed.
(Est. 700-900 thousand cubic yards of sand) $2 million short of getting
the project completed.
2. Jasper County Terminal Development
a. The Land transfer is taking place very shortly.
b. The development of the Jasper County Terminal could affect the
Savannah River deepening.
c. This has been a topic of discussion in the SEG meetings that Lou and
Freda attend. The COE is looking at it long term. The 48 ft
deepening is still planned up to the terminal at this point. Within the
next year everything will go to Washington to EPA, fisheries etc. for
approvals.
3. Brunswick Harbor Deepening
a. All is done. Trying to finish up mitigation work. .
4. Savannah Channel Maintenance
a. Dredging is ongoing.
5. Sav’h Harbor Expansion
a. Deepening project is scheduled for July 2009. The public comment
period will be in October 2008. Only thing that directly affects
Tybee is how much material will be placed in the near shore area.
b. Freda questioned the impact of the Savannah River Nuclear Project
to the Harbor Expansion. No one has discussed that issue.
TYBEE RE-NOURISHMENT PROJECT: UPDATE (Agenda Item 5):
Public Relations for the Tybee Beach Re-nourishment
1) Harry will remind the Tourism Council that the Beach Task Force asked for them to help on
this.
2) City Manager suggested – Channel 7 and Website. The Better Hometown Coordinator can
talk with the businesses concerning the impact.
3) Brochure was discussed.
4) Weekly meetings
a. Suggested that there be 1 spokesperson throughout the project
i. The face and voice of the Tybee Re-nourishment
5) Paul to brief Council at the August 14th meeting.
a. Paul to ask Burt Moore to help with this.
6) Harry and Greg to talk with Alice Mulle, Tybee Chamber involved.
a. Tybee will give her the technical information concerning the re-nourishments.
i. Helping the visitors, short term rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels etc.
7) City responsible for the citizens. Mayor to handle the media.
8) Meeting established to talk about PR – Lou, Diane, Michael Bodine, Alice Mulle, Greg,
Burt Moore, Paul, Berta, Mayor
9) Automated phone message for citizens to call and get answers.
TYBEE FUNDING FOR BEACH NOURISHMENT, COUNTY / TYBEE FUNDS 2008
(Agenda Item 6):
Tybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: July 17, 2008
Prepared: 08/01/08 Page 3 of 3
OLD BUSINESS – SEA WALL, LNG, HILTON HEAD (Agenda Item 7):
Other Beach communities were discussed.
1) Fernandina Beach project sheet was passed around for review. A schedule is provided on their
website with updates as the project progress.
2) Myrtle Beach – discussion on whether or not re-nourishment project was postponed until
winter months.
3) Vero Beach – discussion on the sand tubes used and the outcome.
4) Hilton Head report given.
a. Public Relations – A Hilton Head News sheet was passed around that their city
government puts out. Good Public Relations instrument.
b. Emergency Service Road – do not have, go around areas cannot move within.
c. Marsh grass debris – Hilton Head has a costal biologist on staff. Trash and debris is
removed from the marsh grass, but the grass remains. It ecologically benefits the beach
– catches sand such as the vegetation on the dunes. People learn that this is part of
nature and it’s the natural way.
d. Concessions and Lifeguards – contracted out. Sells the franchise to a person who
purchases that right from the city. They then handle the concessions and provide the
lifeguards.
e. Dunes – during the discussion it was found that possibly the Pier and Pavilion provided
a wind block which may have diminished the dunes on the north side. The City needs
to talk with Erik or DNR for a resolution to this.
f. Mobi-mats – same problems as Tybee; however they seem to operate their beaches as
an ecological friendly business rather than a government.
g. Operations – more ecological friendly business than a government. Tybee should visit
neighboring beaches to exchange and gather information on issues – “do not re-create
the wheel.”
Fernandina Beach Trip planned for mid-August – Walter, Freda, Harry, Jimmy, Paul, Berta,
Diane and Mary interested in going. They will meet with Erik and representatives from the
beach nourishment contractor and Fernandina.
NEW BUSINESS (Agenda Item 8): none
MEETING ADJOURNED (Agenda Item 9):
1:05 pm