HomeMy Public PortalAbout050_010_20170209Minutes.pdfSpecial City Council Minutes February 13, 2017
Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda
Mayor Buelterman called the consent agenda to order at 6:30PM on February 9, 2017. Those
present were Julie Livingston, Monty Parks, John Major, Wanda Doyle, Barry Brown and Bill Garbett. Also attending were Diane Schleicher, City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney;
and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council.
Mayor Buelterman listed the following items on the consent agenda:
• City Council Minutes, January 12, 2017 with attachments
• Master Plan Implementation Committee
o Sue Bentley
o Alan Robertson
o Amy Gaster
o Dottie Kluttz
o Keith Gay
o Charlene Grissom
• Tybee Time Inc., dba Tybee Time Bar, Alcohol License Request: Sunday Sales.
Discussion: Approval contingent upon staff is satisfied to the kitchen compliance
issues, i.e., menus, personnel requirements and meal preparations to satisfy Tybee
Island’s ordinance with regard to food preparation and service.
• Request approval of the First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with GEFA regarding the city’s cost for the Test of Deep Aquifer Production for Abatement of
Saltwater Intrusion. Increase of $115,100. Budget line Item: TBD – Sewer Department
Reimbursement
• 2017 Memorandum of Agreement: Tybee Island Information (Info) Hut Partnership
• Request City Council’s approval to apply for grant proceeds from the Georgia Emergency
Management Agency under their 404 and 406 Hazard Mitigation Program.
• Marsh Hen Trail: Consider revising the scope of the project to eliminate the costly bridge
element from Hwy 80 to the Marsh Hen Trail Railroad Bed and approach the trail
through the existing GDOT ROW and City ROW for connectivity. Engineering cost
estimates from Thomas & Hutton to re-design, apply for GDOT encroachment permits
and bid out is $18,500.
• Resolution to Approve the Application for a GDNR Coastal Incentive Grant for the second
phase of the Carrying Capacity Study
Julie Livingston made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real
estate and litigation. Wanda Doyle seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0.
Mayor Buelterman called the regular meeting to order at 7:00PM. All those present for the
consent agenda were present.
Opening Ceremonies
• Call to Order
• Invocation: Ken Douberly, St. Michael’s
• Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Buelterman read the Proclamations for Rising TYde Food Pantry and Arbor Day
2017.
Mayor Buelterman asked Don Hamilton and David Clark, Tybee Island Post Office to
come forward and be recognized for their outstanding service to the community as a result of
Hurricane Matthew. Mayor Buelterman read a Proclamation and the audience gave them a
standing ovation.
Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest. Duane McClain, Morehouse, Promotional Specialist, approached Mayor and Council. Mr.
McClain stated he has communicated with the residents on the Island to get their thoughts on
Orange Crush. He presented a Comprehensive Plan which would rebrand the event to Spring
Crush. His Plan would center around public safety and take back the narrative for the annual
beach event. Mr. McClain stated one of the major issues with the annual event is litter and it is
his goal is to stop litter as visitors should be responsible for their actions. His Mission is “to
execute a beach festival that offers cultural enriching activities that brings awareness to
diversity, equality and unity”. In this way, there will be one voice, one event and an annual
date for Spring Crush. Ms. Doyle thanked Mr. McClain and asked if he is familiar with the City’s
Special Event Application process. He confirmed and is working toward 2018, not 2017, and would like to start conversations moving forward. Ms. Doyle asked if Spring Crush would be in
April or another month. Mr. McClain responded he would like to keep the April date but is open
to other dates in the off season to balance what happens in the season. Mr. Major also thanked Mr. McClain for his concept and asked if he has hosted other such events. Mr. McClain
responded no that Tybee would be setting the precedence. Mayor pro tem Brown stated it is
not the college students that demonstrates bad behavior but 25-30 year olds that follow spring
breakers. Mr. McClain stated activities will be geared toward college students and not the older generation. Mr. Garbett thanked Mr. McClain for his efforts as well.
Julia Pearce approached Mayor and Council to speak on Donations for our Sister City,
Owerri, Nigeria, Africa. Ms. Pearce asked residents to bring their unwanted eye glasses to
City Hall so she in turn can give to the medical staff that will be traveling to Owerri, Nigeria.
She thanked everyone for their assistance in this project. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms.
Pearce for her efforts to assist our sister city. Jack Boylston approached Mayor and Council to ask the date for Beach Bum Parade, May 19,
2017, not be changed as their special events application has been submitted and approved.
Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Boylston for his comments.
John Branigin approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed ordinance, 2017-
3C, Alcohol Consumption. Mr. Branigin stated he was disappointed with the lack of resident participation during the first reading of the proposed ordinance. He then read from a prepared
statement, attached, where he expressed his concerns with the proposed alcohol ban. He
asked that Mayor and Council do not approve the proposed ordinance pertaining to the alcohol
ban. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Branigin for his comments. Dotty Kluttz approached Mayor and Council to present her recommendations for Orange
Crush and the proposed alcohol ban. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Kluttz. Tony Vazquez, Chair, Tybee Tourism Council, approached Mayor and Council and asked
they vote to deny the proposed ordinance regarding the banning of alcohol on the beach. Mr.
Vazquez feels if the ordinance passes this would harm the businesses on the Island in various
ways. He recommended the City instruct visiting police officers that will be assisting Tybee
Island Police Department during Orange Crust to enforce current ordinances. Mr. Vazquez
asked Mayor and Council to deny the second reading of the proposed ordinance. Mayor
Buelterman thanked Mr. Vazquez.
Ron Gossett approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed ban on alcohol as
every business on the Island will be affected financially. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Gossett for his comments.
Josie Studder approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed alcohol ban.
Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Studder for her comments.
Jenny Roundtree approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed alcohol ban
as it would affect her financially. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Roundtree. Curtis Schumm approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed alcohol ban.
He recommended the local businesses have an action plan for such events that might harm
their revenue. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Schumm for his recommendations. Lisa Lepofsky approached Mayor and Council asking they review the problems of Orange
Crush and have solutions. Ms. Lepofsky also asked Mayor and Council to deny the proposed alcohol ban. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Lepofsky.
Denise Wynn approached Mayor and Council asking they do not approve the proposed
ordinance on the ban of alcohol as there will be enforcement issues. Ms. Wynn also
recommended the possibility of shutting down access to the Island once at capacity for parking.
Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Wynn.
Matt Garb, Original Bar, Savannah, approached Mayor and Council. He stated the
economic impact of the proposed ban is greater than expected and would recommend voting
against. Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Garb for his comments.
Jay Hellstrom approached Mayor and Council to speak against the proposed ban on alcohol.
Mayor Buelterman thanked Mr. Hellstrom.
Jan Lemayer approached Mayor and Council to recommend the City embrace and control
Orange Crush – have a party with a purpose. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Lemayer for her
comments.
Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve the consent agenda. John Major seconded. Vote
was unanimous, 6-0.
Consideration of Ordinances, Resolutions Second Reading, 2017-3C, Alcohol Consumption. Mayor Buelterman stated at the last
council meeting, Mayor and Council approved at first reading of ordinance 2017-3B, Alcohol Ban
from March through the first Saturday in May 2017. He then commended the Tybee Island
Police Department for the stellar job they do during Orange Crust as well as through-out the
year. It is extremely difficult to manage the situation with officers that are brought in as they
are not under the supervision of Chief Bryson. Mayor Buelterman commented on different
recommendations brought before Mayor and Council earlier in the meeting. He thanked Mr.
McClain for his efforts. Mr. Parks stated when he votes tonight, it is hard for him to vote
against all the recommendations from Public Safety Officers and hard to turn his back on those
who wear blue. He does not want them to feel he has ignored their input when he votes. Mr.
Major stated he spoke to an official from Gulf Shores recently and two years ago Panama Beach
was considering banning alcohol during Spring Break. At the time that moved forward with
ordinances banning alcohol on Gulf Shores. Due to a horrific incident on their beach, Council
called an emergency city council meeting and unanimously voted for a ban on alcohol which would start immediately and run through April 17th. The Tourism Council of Gulf Shores assisted
the City in notifying visitors of the ban and in November voted unanimously to ban alcohol on
any beach, anywhere in Gulf Shores from March 1st through April 17th. Mr. Major said he will
not turn his back on the men in blue. Ms. Livingston thanked the residents and visitors who
attended the meeting giving their feedback and recommendations. Ms. Doyle stated she does
not like Tybee Island being compared to other communities as Tybee Island is quirky and
residents love their community. She stated she loves and respects Tybee Island Police
Department and has confidence that they will protect our community to the best of their ability
and does not support the proposed ordinance. She believes in the residents, in the community,
businesses and all the citizens on Tybee. Wanda Doyle made a motion to deny Ordinance
2017-3A, Alcohol Consumption on the second reading. Barry Brown seconded. Discussion: Mayor Buelterman asked there be a budget amendment on the next agenda for the
upcoming event in April. It is his desire that this event does not happen at Tybee Island. Ms.
Livingston agrees and added businesses on the Island are struggling as a result of Hurricane Matthew and it is not in their best interest to ban alcohol. Those voting in favor of motion to
deny were Julie Livingston, Monty Parks, Wanda Doyle and Barry Brown. Those voting against
the motion to deny were John Major and Bill Garbett. Motion to deny passed 4-2.
Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments Bubba Hughes gave an update on North Beach Grill Lease and Updates. No Action.
Continuing Negotiations.
Barry Brown expressed concerns regarding the placement of hand dryers in Memorial Park
Bathrooms and FEMA restrictions. Ms. Schleicher stated it is her desire not to violate an ADA
regulation with the placement of hand dryers. She also does not want to jeopardize the Community Rating. Discussion only. No action.
Barry Brown thanked Ms. Schleicher for her work with Marsh Hen Trail. Discussion only.
No Action. Wanda Doyle stated it was her desire to extend complimentary parking after 5:00PM
through the month of February but has found out Parking Services has already reset the
parking meters. She will bring back for discussion at a later date. No Action. To be discussed in 2018.
Julie Livingston made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss litigation, real estate and personnel. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0.
Julie Livingston made a motion to return to regular session. Wanda Doyle seconded. Vote
was unanimous, 6-0.
Julie Livingston made a motion to adjourn. Wanda Doyle seconded. Vote was unanimous,
6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45PM