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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