HomeMy Public PortalAbout20170119 Minutes.docxTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: January 19, 2017
Members Present: Amy Lanier, Alan Robertson, Cathy Lewis, Cathy Sakas, Frank Wooldridge, Harvey Ferrell, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, Kate Burns, Mark Padgett, Mimi Pinner, Paul Wolff
and Sam Adams
Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Wanda Doyle; Monty Parks; and Diane Schleicher. Visitors: Moses Robinson and Charles Burrell
CALL TO ORDER: Cathy Sakas called the meeting to order at 12:05PM.
Sam Adams made a motion to approve the minutes from October 20, 2016. Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Kate Burns gave a short update on the Beach Litter Subcommittee.
On Site Visit with GDNR Karl Burgess and Mark Padgett
Mark Padgett gave an update on his recent meeting with GDNR regarding the dune restoration project:
Morning session:
Toured various areas of the beach to include 2nd Street, North Beach area, and 13th Street
Obtained data on a scientific level to be share with other beach communities
Go before Permitting Committee with GDNR on February 24, 2017 at which time they will present a briefing
Permitting application will be submitted in mid-March
April 11, 2017 is next Permitting Application Meeting
Permits could be issued on that day
Placement of dune structures will be above where turtles nest and plantings cannot be done until next season
Will need to get the media involvement
Afternoon session:
Discussed limiting vehicle access to the beach
Make access at Center Street for pedestrians only
Inlet Avenue will remain as beach access
Placement of sandbags in regards to storm surges/hurricanes – need more research on materials
Placed at critical access points on the beach
GDNR concerns with temporary sandbags becoming permanent
Vehicular access to the beach is biggest concern of GDNR
Research different types of temporary structures for storm surges/hurricanes
Only place temporary structures/sandbags for storm surges and hurricans, nothing permanent as recommended by GDNR
Frank Wooldridge Shoreline Protection Sub-committee. All information covered above.
Paul Wolff – Update on UGA Project. Mr. Wolff forwarded their projects to Cathy Sakas for distribution to the Beach Task Force. The team recommended three species of plantings to stabilize
the sand and dunes. They also recommended a vegetative buffer of Prickly Pears at 2nd Street and anywhere else on the Island where there is pedestrian traffic through the dunes. This
would be a deterrent for pedestrians. Mr. Wolff stated the Team did a Master Plan for rebuilding areas that would be impacted by a major storm which was very interesting.
Sam Adams - Dune Sub-committee Report
Mr. Adams explained GDNR was receptive at the above referenced meeting. The engineering firm, Terracon, volunteered to the placement of the diamond structures once approved by GDNR
and this will take place between April 11 and May 11, 2017. Even though this is turtle season, placement will not harm the nesting season. He explained the next actions are: (1)
get essentially the contents of the approved proposal from City Council put in a bullet point form that can be presented to GDNR and (2) make the presentation to GDNR. Ms. Sakas recommended
meeting with officials from Jekyll Island to discuss dune restoration. Ms. Schleicher recommended not doing an on-site meeting with Jekyll Island officials but rather invite them to
Tybee for a joint meeting. Mr. Adams stated that the Committee needs to expand communications with Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island so they might gain value from Tybee’s efforts
with dune restoration.
Frank Wooldridge, Chair, Shoreline Protection Sub-committee
Mr. Wooldridge gave a brief update on possible mechanism for the shoreline. Ms. Sakas recommended the Committee attend the upcoming East Beach visit. Mr. Wooldridge confirmed.
Joe Richardson – North-end Derelict Structure Committee
Dr. Richardson stated the derelict structures on the north-end are now exposed hazards and recommends they are tagged using GPS. Ms. Schleicher confirmed as they could be marked for
removal when funding is available. Dr. Richardson stated the structures are in line with the big sign that states “Keep of the Jetty” looking toward the second jetty. Ms. Sakas thanked
Dr. Richardson for staying on top of this issue as it is a public safety issue.
Sam Adams thanked the City for all their support with the recent GDNR meeting. Ms. Schleicher confirmed.
There was a brief discussion regarding the loss of sand on the beach due to Hurricane Matthew as Ms. Lanier asked for an update. Ms. Schleicher stated the dune system kept the water
out to avoid major flooding. She also explained that the COE does not feel there is sufficient sand loss to schedule a re-nourishment on the beach. There was concern with the sand
loss on the Savannah River side of the Island. Ms. Schleicher reminded everyone that area is not part of the original Project.
Being there was no further business; Ms. Sakas adjourned the meeting at 1:15PM.
__________________________
Janet LeViner, CMC
City Clerk