HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120719BeachTaskForceAmendedMinutes.pdfTybee Island Beach Task Force
Minutes July 19, 2012
Members Present: Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Cecil DeLorme, Amy Lanier,
Jimmy Burke, John Wylly, William Sprague and Mary McCracken
Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Michael Foran, Dan Parrot, Diane Schleicher and Jason
Buelterman
Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 11:30AM. He then introduced
Dan Parrot to the committee and welcomed him.
Approval of Minutes:
Jimmy Burke made a motion to approve the minutes from June 28, 2012. Arnie Seyden
seconded. Vote was unanimous.
New Business
Diane Schleicher reported she gave Mr. Ferrelle a memorandum from Eric Olsen on the
performance of the beach to date. She also stated that according to reports, there has
been the highest record of turtle nesting’s in comparison to past seasons. DPW has also
relocated the wrack from the beach. Mr. Ferrelle asked Ms. Schleicher what the BTF
needs to do to bring the Beach Management Plan up to date. She stated that mayor
and council would like the BTF to coordinate with the DNR and ask for clarification of
what the City can do and not do without request a permit. Ms. Lanier asked Ms.
Schleicher if that language needed to be included in the Beach Management Plan. Ms.
Schleicher concurred. Mr. Burke stated that he feels the "use of equipment on the
beach" needs to be included as well. Ms. Schleicher further asked the members to write
their comments in the margin of their copy of the Beach Management Plan and forward
to her for consolidation. Ms. Adams asked if Ms. Schleicher will ask permission for
vehicular access on the beach. She stated that she will be and for clarification as there
is only three access points to the beach currently. Ms. Lanier asked Ms. Schleicher what
is the duration of permits for the beach. Ms. Schleicher stated they are yearly and went
on to further explain the process. Mayor Buelterman confirmed he would like all
comments sent to Jan LeViner by the October meeting.
Mayor Buelterman reminded the BTF of the reception the Tybee Island Tourism Council
is sponsoring for awareness for funding and support for the future re-nourishment. We
are asking 3.5M from the state and hope to get that in the budget for next year. He
also stated that he will be meeting with Colonel Hall, USCOE, on August 13, 2012. Paul
Wolff, Tom Groover and Diane Schleicher will also be attending the meeting. Mayor
Buelterman also outlined future meetings with local officials as well as Governor Deal's
office and gave an update on the LOST negotiations.
Sub Committee Reports
State Funding - Ms. Adams gave a synopsis of her recent meeting with Ron Stephens,
Buddy Carter and Ben Watson to discuss funding for the future beach re-nourishment as
well as future re-nourishments. They recommended the City might raise the hotel/motel
tax for additional funding. This would be a "good faith" measure. Ms. Adams reported
on the recent meeting sponsored by Leadership Savannah where Georgia Ports
Authority gave a presentation on the Port as Savannah is the 4th largest port on the
east coast. She feels it is best to go directly to the State for funding as GPA does not
feel a burden of debt to Tybee Island. Mayor Buelterman reported that with the current
hotel/motel tax, $150,000 has been dedicated for beach re-nourishment and it has
increased due to the increased tourism on Tybee Island. Ms. Lanier made a motion as
follows:
Whereas the main attraction of Tybee Island is the beach, the mainstay of the
Island's tourism-based economy which attracts both daily visitors and visitors
lodging on short-term accommodations;
Whereas, daily visitors pay a parking fee, part of which funds a restricted
account for beach re-nourishment;
Whereas, federal funding covers 60% of the cost of Tybee's beach re-
nourishment under the Short Protection Act, as part of the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA);
Whereas, future federal funding is highly likely to be cut or disappear altogether
as WRDA will be passed again this year, and Tybee has experienced federal
budget cuts for beach re-nourishment in years past;
Whereas, the State of Georgia has stepped in to help fund beach re-
nourishment in the past, and state officials have intimated that the state
government will be more likely to do so again if the City sets aside more money
for beach re-nourishment;
Now therefore, the City Council ask the State of Georgia for authorization to
collect 2 cents on each short-term accommodations dollar spent on the Island to
be set aside in the same restricted account for beach re-nourishment.
Discussion: Mr. Burke asked Mayor Buelterman if there was a limited that for
the hotel/motel tax. Mayor Buelterman replied that the limit is 8% and Tybee
does 6%. He further explained that there needs to be special legislation to allow
the City to use the entire amount for a special project. He feels we would have
the support of the local legislators if this were done. Ms. Adams asked Mayor
Buelterman if mayor and council were to write a resolution that advocates this
and restricts the additional pennies for beach re-nourishment then the state can
approve with restrictions and locks it for beach re-nourishment. Jimmy Burke
seconded. Vote was unanimous. Ms. Lanier led a discussion on funding for
future re-nourishment.
Mary McCracken asked Mayor Buelterman if this motion is presented to city
council, is there some way some portion of this money can be earmarked to
ensure that the northwest beach is included in the re-nourishment. Mayor
Buelterman feels it would be inclusive as it stands. Mr. Burke suggested that
verbiage should be included in the Beach Management Plan. Mr. Sprague and
Ms. Adams led a discussion on possible future litigation. Mayor Buelterman
stated that the City Attorney, Bubba Hughes, and he did research on other beach
municipalities that have brought suit and found that they might have won but
have had issues with receiving funds as prescribed by the decision of the court.
Mayor Buelterman asked that a delegation meet with the Tybee Tourism Council
prior to the motion being presented to mayor and council. Ms. Adams and Mr.
Burke volunteered.
County Funding – Nothing new
2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee - Arnie Seyden presented a report on a
recent conversation with Robert Sirard and Alan Garrett pertaining to 2015 re-
nourishment.
Fort Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee - Dr. Richardson was excused from the
meeting. No report.
BTF membership. Mr. Ferrelle asked that all members encourage everyone to attend the
meetings. He also introduced Michael Foran as he would like to be appointed to the BTF. Jan
LeViner will put it on the next city council meeting. Mary McCracken made a motion to
recommend Mr. Foran for membership. Amy Lanier seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00PM.