HomeMy Public PortalAbout050_010_20180111Minutes.pdfCity Council Minutes January 11, 2018
Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda
Mayor Buelterman called the consent agenda to order at 6:30PM on January 11, 2018. Those
present were Monty Parks, John Branigin, Wanda Doyle, Barry Brown, and Jackson Butler. Also
attending were Dr. Shawn Gillen, City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; George Shaw,
Director, Community Development; and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council. Julie Livingston was
excused due to illness.
Mayor pro tem Brown listed the following items on the consent agenda:
City Council Minutes, December 14, 2017 as amended by the language: Mayor Buelterman
made reference to a resident that had not applied for their homestead but can prove they
are a full time resident, how would that be handled. Mr. Shaw stated if they can prove
they are a full time resident, they will be added back to the list.
Special City Council Minutes, December 20, 2017
Organizational Meeting, January 2, 2018
Alcohol License Request: Special Event – Beer and Wine – Turtle Trot, Walter Parker Pier
and Pavilion/1509 Strand, April 28, 2018
McColm Consulting, Ratification
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
In Memoriam – 2017
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognitions and Proclamations
Ava Thomas, President, Tybee Island Youth Council approached Mayor and Council to
present the Spotlight for Youth of the Month to Charlotte Boatwright.
Consideration of Boards, Commissions and Committee Appointments
Tybee Island Planning Commission
Demery Bishop (re-appointment)
Ron Bossick (re-appointment)
Marianne Bramble
Tina Gann (re-appointment)
John King (re-appointment)
Vote taken and Jan LeViner, Clerk read the results (attached). The following individuals were
appointed by the majority:
Demery Bishop – re-appointed
Ron Bossick – re-appointed
Tina Gann – re-appointed
Marianne Bramble - appointed
Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest. Limit reports
to 10 minutes.
Tabitha Hill approached Mayor and Council to present a check for $4,758.40 from the Volunteer
Fire Fighters Fundraiser. Ms. Hill thanked everyone who was involved in the fundraiser as well
as those who attended. Mayor Buelterman and Chief Fields thanked Ms. Hill and the community
for their support.
Cheryl Haven Branch, Executive Director, SAFE Shelter. Rescheduled to meeting in
February 2018
Andrew Dekle, Attorney, approached Mayor and Council to thank them for amending the
minutes from the previous City Council Meeting.
Kathryn Williams approached Mayor and Council to ask for additional information regarding
the Resolution for Special Events as listed on the agenda. Mr. Hughes responded, the Public
Safety Committee met and recommended he prepare a Resolution to address the outdoor
consumption of alcohol and use of amplified music during college spring break season. It is his
understanding the majority of George colleges and universities have spring break the week of
March 12 - 17, 2018 to include dates anticipated for the major event that is being commercially
promoted in April 2018, which has not been specifically set. The Resolution is to prohibit during
those periods of time the outdoor consumption from all public property in the City of alcoholic
beverages, in vehicles and amplified music. Mr. Hughes clarified this is for unpermitted special
events. Ms. Williams expressed her concerns that the Resolution has come up so quickly and
people have not had an opportunity to study or to have contact with Mayor and Council. She
requested this be postponed until further dialogue can take place.
Jenny Orr approached Mayor and Council to ask this Resolution be tabled as she does not see
it as being enforceable. The proposed Resolution will also affect their businesses during spring
break. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Orr for her input.
Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Barry Brown seconded. Vote
was unanimous, 5-0.
Public Hearings
Zoning Variance, 10 Robinson Avenue: Consideration of setback encroachments for
Single-family dwelling: Zone R-1, PIN 4-0002-08-005, Mack Kitchens. Mr. Shaw
approached Mayor and Council stating at 10 Robinson Avenue there is a very small lot,
approximately 3500 sq ft in the R-1 District, which Mr. Kitchens is asking approval so he can build
his future home. This variance request was before Mayor and Council three times in the past and
was approved each time. Mayor Buelterman asked for clarification of the setback. Mr. Shaw
explained to his satisfaction. Monty Parks made a motion to approve. Barry Brown seconded.
Vote was unanimous, 5-0.
Consideration of Bids, Contracts, Agreements and Expenditures
North Beach Grill, Repairs. To be heard at a future meeting
Passport Labs, Inc. To be heard at a future meeting
Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments
Jason Buelterman asked staff to look into the purchasing of sand and bags to stockpile for
residents for flooding and salt for road treatment for winter weather events. Dr. Gillen stated he
would look for a location on the Island for sand and have a few bags of deicer for the bridges.
Ms. Doyle recommended a volunteer group be organized as they could assist senior citizens in
loading sandbags if there is another hurricane. Dr. Gillen responded he will speak to Jimmy
Brown.
Bubba Hughes stated that before them is a Resolution regarding restrictions on special events
including dates, alcohol consumption, outdoor music and other restrictions. Ms. Doyle stated a
Resolution was done the previous year for amplified music and open containers on the beach to
include parking lots, public streets and all public property for two weekends. She stated people
seemed to follow the rules as outlined in the Resolution and the crowd was better controlled. Ms.
Doyle stated with her observation the banning of amplified music was very effective. She is not
in agreement with the additional spring break dates. Mr. Parks stated he is proud with the
marketing of Tybee Island. He commented, he is in favor of a 25 fluid ounce cup for people to
use but is against the mass consumption during spring break. Mr. Parks feels the City needs to
provide a safe environment for the kids who participate in spring break and is favor of the
proposed Resolution. John Branigin stated there is room in the ordinance to better define what
an open container may be. He does not feel having a half-gallon plastic container should be legal
and the City could take strides in prohibiting mechanical devices which encourage large
consumption of alcohol. Mr. Branigin outlined his issues with the Resolution which includes: (1)
structural issues; (2) spring breakers; and (3) two separate events as outlined in the Resolution.
He maintains there are two events outlined in the Resolution which is structurally wrong: spring
break and Orange Crush as they need to be addressed separately. Mr. Butler made reference to
the breakdown of incidents for the year and asked if there are more incidents in July why are
certain months being targeted. Mayor Buelterman again stated the City needs to do something.
By adding spring break there is not a perception the City is targeting any particular group or race.
Mayor pro tem Brown stated there are more problems with amplified music and is agreeable to a
Resolution stating no amplified music on the beach. Ms. Doyle expressed her concerns with the
restrictions of amplified music and public consumption on the business owners. Mr. Branigin
stated he strongly supports restrictions, which gives the City better control over the mayhem that
is experienced during Orange Crush as this is an issue related to behavior. Mr. Butler expressed
his concerns with stipulating dates of the restrictions as things could change. Mayor Buelterman
stated he did research and spring break for the Georgia colleges is confirmed for the week of
March 11, 2018. He is asking council approve the Resolution, which includes six and half days.
Jenny Orr approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Orr expressed her concerns with the loss of
business during Orange Crush and asked the week in March not be included in the Resolution.
Mayor pro tem Brown expressed his concerns with enforcement. Ms. Doyle commended Chief
Bryson for enforcement of the traffic flow on Butler and Tybrisa, which kept traffic moving and
stopped loitering. Ms. Doyle stated she is not in favor of the Resolution as presented. Barry
Brown made a motion to deny as written and only include the prohibition of amplified music.
John Branigin seconded. Mayor Buelterman clarified the motion. This would be the restriction
of amplified music for March 12 – 16, 2018 and the two weekends in April. Those voting in favor
of the motion to deny were John Branigin, Barry Brown and Jackson Butler. Those against motion
to deny were Wanda Doyle and Monty Parks. Motion to deny passed 3-2.
Wanda Doyle gave a brief update on the Marine Science Center. Ms. Doyle stated Ms. Procopio
asked to present their Business Plan at the upcoming City Council Workshop. This will be in draft
form and serve as an outline going forward. Mayor Buelterman would like recommendations from
staff for an alternate staging area for debris. Dr. Gillen stated he reached out to Chatham County
for recommendations. Ms. Procopio is working on construction drawings and the anticipated
completion time is mid-April. She asked staff consider using a Construction Manager at Risk
option for the construction of the Marine Science Center. She asked Dr. Gillen to reach out to
the architect and make them aware staff would like to use the Construction Manager at Risk for
the project. Mayor Buelterman asked a representative from Thomas & Hutton attend a future
council meeting to discuss parking for the Marine Science Center. Dr. Gillen stated he would add
to the next Infrastructure Committee Meeting.
Wanda Doyle asked for an Update on Island wide drainage. She specifically asked for corrective
actions off North Campbell near Bright Street. Mayor pro tem Brown stated the Infrastructure
Committee met and has recommendations to present to Mayor and Council. Ms. Doyle asked Dr.
Gillen to bring a budget amendment to the meeting in February for the back-flow preventers to
include a map showing where they will be located.
Wanda Doyle stated Ryan Thompson, Thomas and Hutton, met with Dr. Gillen and herself and
will have a conceptual drawing to include an estimate for the Highway 80 median. There was a
brief discussion regarding the types of trees that would be planted in that area.
Monty Parks expressed his concerns regarding the Dog Park. Mr. Parks asked volunteers to
come forward for design ideas to include in the budget cycle.
Dr. Gillen approached Mayor and Council to give an update on the Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program. He stated Mr. McColm gave a presentation not only to Mayor and Council but also at a
public meeting to explain the grant program. Dr. Gillen stated according to GEMA the City needs
to include the substantially damaged homes, which makes the grant competitive. He stated the
City would be asking for an extension of the Grant to allow more homes added to the list. The
goal of Mayor and Council is to have all 138 homes elevated but finding the funds is the issue.
February 1, 2018 the pre-application will be submitted and there is a year from that date before
approval is granted. Mayor pro tem Brown asked for a definition of substantial damage. Dr.
Gillen responded substantial damage is the cost to repair is more than 50% of the value of the
structure, not the land value but the structure. This amount is taken from the Tax Digest and
welcome independent appraisals. Dr. Gillen stated further discussions are to be held at the
upcoming City Council Workshop on January 25, 2018.
Jackson Butler made a motion to adjourn. John Branigin seconded. Vote was unanimous,
5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM.