HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110721Minutes.pdfDraftMinutes20110721
20110721 Beach Task Force Minutes
Those in attendance: Amy Lanier, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Freda Rutherford,
Harry Spirides, Harvey Ferrelle, Helen Downing, Jimmy
Burke, Joe Richardson, John Wylly, Mary McCracken, Paul
Wolff, Mayor Jason Buelterman
Amy Lanier called the meeting to order.
Harvey Ferrelle made a motion to accept the minutes. Freda Rutherford seconded.
Vote was unanimous.
Mayor’s Update.
Mayor Buelterman reported on his meeting with the Attorney General and requested by
the Beach Task Force Committee. Accompanying the Mayor was Amy Lanier and Bubba
Hughes, City Attorney. Mr. Hughes will be sending a follow-up letter to the Attorney
General to get them on board with the issues from the harbor deepening. Mayor
Buelterman also reported on his recent trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with all our
congressional representatives in gaining their support for our next beach re-
nourishment. He also met with a consulting firm that is made up of retirees from the
COE. They have agreed to meet with the BTF in August or September to give options
for our next re-nourishment. They feel there is a way to tie maintenance and re-
nourishment together and will communicate with him for final dates. He will then
coordinate with Amy to set a date.
Sub Committee Report
State Funding Committee. Berta Adams reported on her recent trip with Amy
Lanier to Atlanta where she met with Governor’s Deal policy advisor. There she
discussed ways to establish a long term funding mechanism from the state and
not depend on federal funding. She is hoping for one more federal re-
nourishment in 2015 which would include state and local funds. In the future
she would like a solution that would be independent not only of the federal
government but also of the COE. It was suggested that the BTF contact the
GaDNR to make them aware we will be asking for a state contribution as in the
past for future re-nourishments. Our local representatives suggested we contact
Jekyll and St. Simons Island in an effort to assist in our endeavors for state
funding. Ms. Lanier asked Ms. Adams to provide a copy of the correspondence
between the local representatives and GaDNR for the BTF files. She indicated
she would. Ms. Adams stated that if we were to go with state, local or private
DraftMinutes20110721
funding which would be supervised and/or controlled for re-nourishment we
would have a cost savings of 20% overhead.
County Funding Committee. Harvey Ferrell is still waiting for a time frame
for the next meeting. Mayor Buelterman stated that in 2007 when Tybee tried to
get state money, we worked with Armstrong Atlanta State University to have a
study done on the economic impact regarding re-nourished vs. non-re-nourished
beach. Mayor Buelterman is going to begin to work with them again to do
another study but adding a component about it benefits the county with the tax
revenue. This would help justify our request for state and local funding.
2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee. Lou Off not present,
therefore no report.
Channel Impact Study, Phase II Oversight Committee. On hold for the
present due to timing.
Fort Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee. Dr. Richardson reported that
the State had asked for pictures which have been sent. Mayor Buelterman also
stated that he wrote another letter to the COE in regards to the liability if
someone should get hurt with the derelict structures. Dr. Richardson stated that
the most dangerous area is that north of the rocks and the north jetty.
Public Relations Progress. Ms. Lanier will ask Diane Schleicher if there is anyone at
the City that could take on this responsibility. Mr. Ferrell asked if there was anyone
currently at the City that could take on this role such as a Public Information Officer.
Mayor Buelterman stated that was not. Mr. Ferrell suggested we speak with a
representative from SMN to see if they would be interested doing a monthly article. Ms.
Adams feels we might contact the managing editor at SMN to have a column set up for
the BTF to submit a monthly article, therefore anyone could submit an article for print.
New Business
Ms. Lanier asked the committee to forward questions to her for the upcoming
meeting. Mr. Spud Woodward, GaDNR, will be invited and will entertain
questions we might have.
Community Information
Shore Protection Committee Update. Lou Off is absent therefore no update.
Cockspur Lighthouse. Harvey Ferrell reported that September 15, 2011 there
will be a historic marker dedication at Ft Pulaski at 6:00PM.