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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.