HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110421Minutes.pdf
Minutes April 21, 2011
Tybee Island Beach Task Force
Members Present: Amy Lanier, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Freda Rutherford, Harry Spirides,
Harvey Ferrell, John Wylly, Lou Off, Mary McCracken, William Sprague
Members Excused: Chuck Powell, Joe Richardson, Wick Searcy
Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Mayor Jason Buelterman, Council Members Paul Wolff and Bill Garbett
CALL TO ORDER (Agenda Item 1)
Amy Lanier called the meeting to order.
ATTENDANCE AND GUESTS (Agenda 2):
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Agenda Item 3):
Due to the committee not having time to review, minutes will be voted on at next meeting, May 19,
2011.
MAYOR’S UPDATE:
Mayor Buelterman gave a brief update on his discussions with GPA. He met with Curtis Foltz and
GPA will begin to send representatives to the BTF meetings in the future. He also met with Colonel
Hall, COE for a follow-up. He would like to assist us but his hands are tied. Mr. Off asked the Mayor
in their discussions did the topic of getting sand on Tybee’s near-shore. Mayor Buelterman feels
that the closer they put the sand to the beach the better for Tybee Island. He also feels that the
door is still open for the project.
MARLOWE & COMPANY LETTER: (Agenda Item 5)
Ms. Lanier stated that the project is coming to an end. They would like to lobby on our behalf as
well as other coastal communities. Cost of contract is $5,000 and she would rather put that money
toward 2015 beach re-nourishment. Mayor Buelterman feels we need to start looking for another
firm to lobby for us that knows the inner workings of the COE as well as the area.
MOTION:
Lou Off made a motion that we look into the possibility of finding somebody else to lobby for us
and put off doing an action other than that for the next six months.
Harvey Ferrelle seconded. Vote was unanimous.
DNR RESPONSE TO DUNE ALTERATION QUERY: (Agenda Item 6)
Ms. Lanier read her letter to Georgia DNR (attached). Brad Gane forwarded her concerns to Karl
Burgess and Ms. Lanier read his response as well (Attached). Harry Spirides commented that if the
City decides to apply for a permit to move sand from the sandbar with tractors in that way the sea
life would not be disturbed. Ms. Adams stated that 2nd Street has been on the table for years not
due to a lack of interest but for funding. Mr. Wolff believes we need an engineering template and
would like Eric Olsen to do an engineering plan to preclude erosion. Berta Adams that engineering is
tied to the City budget so we need to set a priority on which projects are the most important. Mr.
Spirides asked the City Manager if indeed there was no money for engineering. Ms. Schleicher
responded that currently we do not have a line item for engineering. This year engineering came
out of the Beach Re-nourishment set aside. Ms. Adams stated that we should not lump moving wet
sand and dry sand together. This needs to be separate. Mayor Buelterman asked Ms. Lanier if we
ever got an indication of how much it would cost to study if the pier is causing the sand to build at
that location. Mr. Olsen feels that the pier is not doing anything to stop the littoral process. Mr.
Spirides read his email to the Beach Task Force regarding the height of the sand dunes. Ms. Lanier
then read remarks from Chuck Powell who was not in attendance.
” There are many undisturbed Georgia barrier islands which have sand dunes that are
very large, for example, St Catharine's 50 foot high dunes. 2) Please do not take any
sand from Tybee's South end sand bar or the Back River. As I stated at our last meeting,
the last time the COE dredged the Back River, two of Little Tybee's northern most islands
(hammocks) totally disappeared and just south of Twin Palms, the ocean breached the
marsh/sand dune line into Little Tybee Slough “
Mary McCracken remembers when water came up to the boardwalk. She would like to know what the
impact is in regards to:
Lost revenue due to the height of the sand dunes
How many rooms does he have now without an ocean view
MOTION:
Harry Spirides made a motion that the City Council funds the portion of the RFP that speaks to the
dune template. Frieda Rutherford seconded. Those voting in favor of the motion were Frieda
Rutherford, Mary McCracken and Harry Spirides. Those against were Lou Off, Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie
Seyden, and Berta Adams. Motion failed.
Discussion:
Mr. Off feels this is a very clear issue between the DNR and property owner. There is no ideal size for a
dune. City doesn’t have the money to fund a study. Ms. Adams voted no as she also feels it is not a BTF
issue. Mayor Buelterman will assist Mr. Spirides to facilitate a meeting with the DNR.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (Agenda Item 7)
State Funding Committee – Ms. Adams will continues to touch base with the committee. She
will also contact the point person at the Governor’s office to find permanent funding solution
for Tybee re-nourishment.
County Funding - Mr. Ferrelle spoke with Pat Ferrell and he reported there was no money
available for re-nourishment. He will still try and help Tybee in their efforts.
2015 Re nourishment Oversight– Mr. Off reported that Alan Garrett was our project manager
and has moved to a new position. Sharon Haggart is our new project manager; she is not new to
the COE but new to Tybee. They will be looking for money from us for LLR which will start
October 2012. Money from LLR should be available in October 2013. City will need to put
$60,000 in their budget for 2012.
Channel Impact Study, Phase II Oversight Committee – Ms. Lanier asked Mayor Buelterman if
the City has formally asked the COE to do Phase II? Mayor Buelterman feels that we should still
try and get monies for the next beach re-nourishment and inform the state and county that
there might not be federal funds available and be prepared to assist. Long term we need to
decide if we want to initiate Phase II. The COE is waiting for Tybee to give them the “go ahead”.
Mr. Ferrell stated that even if we got someone to pay for the Phase II, it won’t come in time for
the 2015 re-nourishment and it may not come back like we would have it done and if it came
back the way we wanted it done we would have to lobby for the federal money. Mayor
Buelterman explained that the best scenario, it would come back from the COE stating that the
re-nourishment and maintenance would be tied together. That would make Tybee a higher
priority for the re-nourishment.