HomeMy Public PortalAbout20160810 Tybee CCS TAG Meeting Summary 081016.pdfPage 1 of 3
City of Tybee Carrying Capacity Study
Meeting #4
Meeting Summary
August 10, 2016
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Attendees:
Sign-In Sheet Attached
1. Update on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Update
EPG provided an update on the results of the GHG Inventory project, and it is summarized below:
GHG Emissions were broken down by Sector
Buildings and Facilities: Emissions from powering City Hall; the YMCA/gym; Fire Station, Guard
House, Department of Public Works (garage/office); and the Public Safety Building. Interior
lighting, operation of heating and cooling systems, misc. uses inside
Water Transport: Emissions from powering water delivery systems (drinking water well
pumps) and WWTP pumps/lift station. Did NOT include emissions from wastewater treatment
methods but likely minor for what goes on there currently.
Public Lighting: Emissions from powering street lights, park lighting, signage, traffic control
lighting, etc. Does not include GDOT owned street lighting or outdoor lighting that is not
metered.
Vehicle Fleet: Emissions from city-owned vehicles
Employee Commute: Emissions generated from fuel usage associated with employee
commute to and from work
Energy Usage and GHG Emissions for All Sectors
Overall, biggest electrical use/GHG emissions came from water transport (ie, operation of
WWTP, small extent water pumps for drinking water); followed by public lighting (mostly park
lighting).
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Equivalent
CO2 Percent Energy
(MMBtu) Percent
Buildings (Tybee YMCA gym
and Public Safety Bldg. 2
largest users-almost 75% of all
electricity used by buildings)
343.9918 9% 2,376.987 8%
Water Transport (water
delivery was small electrical
user-most of this [85%] due to
powering WWTP)
2031.85 54% 14,040.3 50%
Public Lighting (most power
went to park lighting-
street/traffic lighting very
small portion of this-2%)
749.3131 20% 51,77.805 18%
Fleet Vehicles (66% emissions
from vehicles, rest from other
equipment)
336.719 9% 3,123.8 11%
Employee Commute 273.45 7% 3,610.8 13%
Recommendations:
Continuation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory-we did the baseline year, could
continue if you wanted to track electrical use/GHG emissions over time if you implement any
recommendations.
Third Party Energy Audit of the City’s billing, meters, and rates.
Public Education and Incentive Programs
Upgrades to WWTP should include energy efficiency measures.
Consider a 4 day work week for various departments as appropriate.
Explore alternative energy sources for interior and outdoor public lighting (ie. Solar power) as
well as switching to more energy-efficient lighting (i.e., LED lights.)
Increase use of occupancy sensors and re-location and setting of programmable thermostats
in all City Hall buildings.
Increase recycling efforts and reduce the amount of government-disposed solid waste that is
sent to a landfill (this reduce fugitive greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills).
Explore alternative cost and benefits associated with alternative fuel sources for fleet
vehicles. For example, the City could explore the use of hybrid, electric, or bio-diesel as an
alternative to gasoline and diesel in fleet vehicles.
Identify opportunities and incentives available to encourage employees to utilize alternative
forms of transportation when commuting to work.
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2. Review Of Issues, Strategies & Considerations
EPG reviewed the list of issues, strategies and considerations that were generated after the last
Carrying Capacity Study meeting. The updates, based on this discussion are included in the attached
Work Plan document.
3. Development of Work Plan
Attendees discussed potential action items to address the identified issues. The results of this
discussion are also represented in the attached Work Plan document.
4. Next Steps
EPG will present the Carrying Capacity Study to the Planning Commission and City Council in
September. There will also be a lunch and learn for the Carrying Capacity Study at the Coastal
Resources Division in Brunswick, GA on September 15th.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 1 of 7
ISSUE STRATEGY CONSIDERATIONS ACTION ITEMS
Water Supply
Water Withdrawal
Permit Limitations
Peak Water Usage
associated with
Tourism
Installation of a
Cretaceous Well and
construction of a
Treatment Facility
Water conservation
education targeting
tourists and
development
community
Alternative water
sources including:
gray water usage,
rainwater capture,
shallow wells, and
reuse (after the
WWTP upgrade)
o Cost of capital
construction
o Increased costs
associated with
treatment
o Discharge of briny
wastewater
o Limited space
available for
construction of
treatment facility
o Tourists can be a
difficult audience to
reach.
o Current plumbing
code may not allow
for gray water usage.
1. Perform a rate study to ensure that current and future
water rate structure will generate the revenue necessary
to construct and operate the cretaceous well. Rate study
should also consider "peak usage rates" to encourage
water use reduction during peak season.
2. Determine how much treatment capacity the R/O Plant
should be designed to provide. 1.0 MGD is the maximum.
3. Develop a conceptual design and financial plan for the
treatment plant. This should include land acquisition (if
necessary) proposed construction and operational costs,
proposed revenue sources, proposed discharge method,
and evaluation of any regulatory permitting requirements.
4. Work with the Real Estate/Rental companies to create
water conservation education campaign for tourists.
5. Provide better information to water customers regarding
the volume of water they use.
6. Evaluate current code and adopt/amend local ordinances
as necessary to allow for gray water use, rainwater
harvesting, and reuse.
7. Encourage the use of alternative water sources for
irrigation and outdoor showers.
Wastewater Treatment
Peak wastewater
discharge issues
associated with
tourist season.
The compounding
effects of Inflow
and Infiltration.
Capacity of WWTP
infrastructure to
Upgrade WWTP to
accommodate
more flow and to
treat to a higher
standard.
o Lack of space for
WWTP expansion
o Potential combined
discharge from
Cretaceous well
treatment plant
increases the need for
capacity in discharge
pipes.
8. Perform a rate study to determine if current rates are
appropriate and adequate to support future capital
construction needs. This should be conducted in
conjunction with the water use rate study.
9. Submit a Waste Load Allocation to the Georgia EPD for
additional flow.
10. Develop a conceptual design for upgrades to the
WWTP. This design should include land acquisition (if
necessary) proposed construction and operational costs,
proposed discharge method and evaluation of any
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 2 of 7
ISSUE STRATEGY CONSIDERATIONS ACTION ITEMS
accommodate
more flow
Potential water
quality issues from
discharge.
Future permitted
discharge
standards may be
higher.
o Permitting and
environmental
impacts of upgrading
discharge pipe
o Costs associated with
infrastructure
improvements
regulatory permitting requirements. Design considerations
for the discharge pipe should be made in conjunction with
the plans for the Cretaceous Well Treatment Plan
discharge.
11. Develop a plan for Reuse water use, including the
ballfields.
Stormwater and Flooding
Nuisance flooding
associated with
king high tide and
rain events.
Sea level rise is
exacerbating
flooding
Water quality
issues that result
from flooding
Implement priority
recommended
improvements
from the Sea Level
Rise Study.
Advocate for
elevation of
Highway 80.
Limit new
impervious
surfaces.
Limit new
construction in
areas subject to
flooding.
o Cost of infrastructure
upgrades
o Lack of control over
Hwy 80 project.
o Current status of Hwy
80 project has limited
elevation of the road
bed due to settlement
concerns.
o There are
development rights
associated with
property that is
already subject to King
Tide flooding.
12. Elevate the Butler Ave and 14th Street Pump Houses.
13. Install backflow preventers on stormwater outfalls as
recommended in Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan.
14. Continue to work with ACOE on Beach Re-
Nourishment Program
15. Consider program to augment the dune system.
16. Work directly with DOT and lobby for additional elevation
of Hwy 80 to high sea level rise scenario elevations, i.e.
31” or more.
17. Consider an ordinance to limit the amount of impervious
surface in new or re-development.
18. Revise the City code to allow for and incentivize rainwater
harvesting.
19. Investigate the potential to receive FEMA funding to
purchase repetitive flood loss properties.
20. Develop a program to encourage and incentivize green
infrastructure for single family home development.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 3 of 7
Solid Waste/Litter
Litter on beach
Municipal solid
waste (MSW)
disposal trends are
still increasing
despite the
availability of
recycling.
Recycling
receptacles are
often contaminated
by MSW.
Yard waste is being
left on the
road/curb and not
being picked up
Reduction of waste
generation on
island
Alternatives for
solid waste disposal
in landfills off island
Waste reduction
education & litter
education for
tourists
Enforcement of
litter ordinance
o Tourists are a hard
audience to reach
o Enforcement of litter
ordinance is difficult
and requires staff
o The recycling market is
volatile and affects the
ability to
o Contamination of
recycling affects its
marketability.
o There is more MSW
than available
receptacles for short
term rentals or for the
beach causing
contamination of
recycling.
21. Perform a solid waste study to further evaluate the
issues identified here and identify additional feasible
solutions.
22. Consider requiring Short Term Rentals to have summer
schedule (i.e. twice per week) for solid waste and
recycling pickup.
23. Work with tourism board and solid waste contractor to
develop an education program targeted at tourists to
discourage littering, increase participation in recycling,
and decrease recycling contamination.
24. Implement program for increased beach litter patrols.
25. Review MSW disposal and recycling program on beach
to determine if more receptacles or a different format
would work better.
26. Work with local businesses to identify and encourage
alternatives to single use items.
27. Study potential for glass crusher, and City-sponsored
glass recycling program.
28. Consider requirements for condominiums to have
dumpsters as opposed to individual trash cans.
29. Work with solid waste contractor to identify and address
obstacles to yard waste pickup.
30. Work with solid waste contractor to study the
cost/benefits of segregated recycling.
31. Research and identify potential purchase and operation
of beach cleaning equipment, i.e. sifters.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 4 of 7
Energy Consumption
City operations
result in energy
use, which
contributes to
greenhouse gas
emissions.
The billing system
of Georgia Power
makes tracking and
analyzing energy
usage difficult.
Reduce energy
usage within City
facilities.
Promote energy
efficiency through
education and
incentives.
o The City has already
made great strides in
alternative energy
usage through solar
power and through
energy efficiency
audits.
32. Have a third party perform and energy audit that
includes an assessment of the City’s electrical meters
and Georgia Power billing system.
33. Promote energy conservation to city employees and
tenants of city building space. Incentive programs could
be set up to encourage employees to reduce energy
consumption.
34. Explore the potential cost savings associated with a 4-
day work week to reduce electricity usage at public
facilities as well as commuting time for employees.
35. Explore alternative energy sources for interior and
outdoor public lighting (i.e. solar power) as well as
switching to more energy-efficient lighting (i.e., LED
lights).
36. Increase use of occupancy sensors and re-location and
setting of programmable thermostats in all City
buildings.
37. The City of Tybee should ensure that all City Hall
renovations plan for and incorporate the energy
efficiency recommendations
38. Explore alternative cost and benefits associated with
alternative fuel sources for fleet vehicles. For example,
the City could explore the use of bio-diesel as an
alternative to gasoline and diesel in fleet vehicles or the
purchase of hybrid vehicles.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 5 of 7
Traffic and Parking
Peak traffic flow
issues related to
day-trippers and
events creates
congestion and
makes accessing or
traveling around the
island difficult.
Traffic resulting
from accidents and
flooding on Hwy 80
cuts off access to
the island resulting
in economic losses
and emergency
situations.
Lack of parking
creates congestion
and illegal parking
problems during
peak tourism season
Improve Hwy 80 to
provide passable
shoulders and an
elevated road bead.
Provide additional
parking
opportunities
Provide multi-modal
opportunities for
transportation to
and within Tybee
Island
Notify people about
traffic congestion
and parking issues
before they get on-
island.
o There are no transit
opportunities to Tybee
Island.
o There is currently no
public harbor to allow
for ferry service to
Savannah.
o The City does not
control Hwy 80
Improvements.
o There is limited land to
accommodate additional
parking.
o More parking could
encourage additional
visitors resulting in more
impact.
o Legal ROW parking is not
known and/or clearly
marked.
o Historic attempts at
remote parking have not
been well utilized
because people want to
park near the beach
when they have a lot of
beach gear.
o Potential to eliminate
parking in C2 could
reduce future available
parking opportunities.
39. Advocate with GDOT to elevate the road surface and
create passable and bikeable shoulders as part of the
bridge and road improvements on Hwy 80.
40. Work with the NPS, Fort Pulaski and the County to
extend the McQueen’s trail to the Lazaretto Creek
Bridge. Continue work to connect the Marsh Hen
Trail to the Lazaretto Creek Bridget.
41. Continue to operate parking application for smart
phones to notify people of available parking. Work
with Tybee Tourism Council to promote this
application. Record data from application to track
trends in parking usage.
42. Work with the County to operate electronic signage
at Johnny Mercer Blvd. and Hwy 80 to notify visitors
of traffic conditions.
43. Perform a study to identify all of the ROW that are
owned by the City, and develop a parking plan for
these ROW that includes a clear delineation of ROWs
where parking is allowed and where it is prohibited,
i.e. yellow curb.
44. Consider on-island electronic signage to notify
visitors of available parking.
45. Work with churches and school to provide additional
parking on peak days, if they so choose.
46. Consider the construction of a parking garage in the
C1 area, potentially through a public private
partnership. Consider duel uses such as downstairs
commercial or rooftop mini-golf to make it more cost
effective.
47. Review parking rates and determine if demand-based
rates could help address peak traffic and parking
issues.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 6 of 7
Short Term Rentals
Peak water &
wastewater usage on
the island is driven
largely by short term
rentals
Regulate the short
term rental industry.
Short-term rentals are a
component of all above
elements, but are also
important to the economy
of the island
48. Review the data gathered through the current Short
Term Rental Ordinance, and reevaluate the need for
additional regulation.
49. Consider a limit on Short Term Rental Occupational
Tax Certificates. This could be by total number or a
percentage of housing units on the island.
Zoning
The R-2 Zoning
District has a lot of
room for additional
development
through subdivision
and redevelopment
of existing lots.
The area subject to
flooding during
King tides and rain
events, is in the R-2
District.
Restrict future and
re-development in
the R-2 District,
especially areas
that are subject to
flooding.
o Building is already
restricted on Tybee
Island through height
restrictions and lots
sizes.
o Private property rights
o More impervious
surface from
additional
development in the R-
2 district will make
flooding issues worse.
o The additional
population that would
result from a full
buildout will have a
serious effect on the
Island’s resources,
services, and facilities.
50. Consider amending the R-2 district to
a. Increase the minimum lot size for duplexes.
b. Increase the minimum lot size necessary for
subdivisions
51. Consider rezoning areas subject to flooding to R-1 or
a more restrictive zoning district.
52. Consider a transfer of development rights program
that will direct development away from lots subject
to flooding and towards other areas that have the
ability to accommodate more dense development.
53. Provide a tax incentive for R2 property owners to
under-develop their lots.
54. Purchase and permanently protect undeveloped
property in the R-2 district. Prioritize purchase of
repetitive loss housing.
55. Restrict new impervious surface in the R-2 district.
56. Require infiltration of the water quality volume (1.2”
of stormwater) for all new development and
redevelopment.
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study
Work Plan – August 11, 2016
Page 7 of 7
City Funding and Resources
The City does not
currently have the
funding necessary
to implement
needed capital
improvements.
The city needs staff
resources to focus
on issues identified
in this plan.
City needs reserves
for disaster
preparedness and
infrastructure
improvements.
Adjust utility rate
structure to ensure
that the city can
fund future capital
improvements and
operations.
Identify other
funding sources for
improvements
Identify or hire staff
to focus on
Carrying Capacity
Issues
o The resident
population may be
burdened by the cost
to support the tourist
population.
o A large proportion of
the City’s budget is for
services and
infrastructure that
services the tourism
industry.
o The tourism industry
drives the economy on
Tybee Island.
57. Perform a comprehensive water and sanitary sewer
rate study to:
c. Provide adequate funding for future improvements
and operations
d. Incentivize water conservation.
e. Consider peaking factors and/or seasonal rates to
reduce peak usage and to shift the cost burden off
of the residential population
58. Perform a stormwater utility feasibility study to
determine if a stormwater fee would be a potential
funding source for stormwater improvements
59. Investigate GEFA loan and principal forgiveness
program as a potential funding source for water,
sewer, and stormwater improvements.
60. Look for regional partners who also benefit from the
tourism industry to assist with the cost of
improvements to address impact of tourists on island
resources.
61. Work with Chatham County on future SPLOST
referendum to identify opportunities for additional
funding.
62. Perform a Reserve Fund Study to determine the
amount of reserve funds needed for disaster
preparedness and response.
63. Consider adding staff to focus on implementation of
this work plan.