HomeMy Public PortalAbout02222022Minutes.pdfCity Council Minutes February 22, 2018
Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda
Mayor Buelterman called the consent agenda to order at 6:30PM on February 22, 2018. Those
present were Julie Livingston, 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; Angela Hudson, Finance Director;
and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council.
Mayor pro tem Brown listed the following items on the consent agenda:
Arbor Day, February 25, 2018
City Council Meeting, February 8, 2018
Gemini Man (Gemini Pictures, LLC): activity requested will take place during 3 days at
proposed locations. Discussion: Sarah Alread approached Mayor and Council. Ms.
Alread stated prepping of the beach would take place on Saturday, March 24, 2018 with
filming on Monday, March 26, 2018 on the south-end of the beach and Tuesday, March
27, 2018, all equipment will be removed from the beach. Ms. Doyle confirmed the area
at Chatham Avenue access point and the 19th Street access point for equipment. Ms.
Alread confirmed. Mayor pro tem Brown asked if notification was sent to residents and
businesses regarding noise. Ms. Alread confirmed.
Passport, Mobile Parking Payment System. Budget Line Item: See budget adjustments
as listed on the Agenda Request Form.
Memorandum of Understanding and Intergovernmental Agreement, Installation of two
surveillance cameras on the Walker Parker Pier.
Out of State travel for City Manager: ASPBA’s National Coastal Summit, “Working
Together: Science and Policy for Resilient Coasts, Washington, DC, and March 20 – 22,
2018. Budget line item: 100-1320-52-3500
Acceptance of Easement Grant from Tony Petrea and Dale Brown for access to beach on
Pulaski
Establish a committee, listed as an Ad HOC Committee to work on the Marine Science
Center. Discussion: Dr. Gillen stated this Committee will look at the proposals for
Construction Manager at Risk and provide Mayor and Council with recommendations. The
Ad Hoc Committee will continue to work with the Construction Manager throughout
construction.
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
Posting of the Colors: American Legion Post 154
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation: Dr. Shawn Gillen
Recognitions and Proclamations
City of Tybee Island Staff
i. Years of Service
1. Cody Adams 5 years DPW
2. Heather Brown 5 years Campground
3. Angela Hudson 5 years Finance
4. Brent Levy 5 years DPW
5. Michael McCarthy 5 years Police
6. Robbie Pierce 5 years DPW
7. Joe Rogers 5 years Campground
8. Tom Smith 5 years Water Sewer
9. Bertram Whitley 5 years Police
10. Michael Bodine 10 years IT
11. Phyllis George 10 years Police
12. Chantel Morton 10 years Community and Development
13. Daniel Imler 15 years DPW
14. Joel Fobes 20 years Police
15. Tiffany Hayes 20 years Police
16. William Moseley 25 years Police
ii. Employee of the Quarter
1. Lisa Schaaf Community and Development
iii. Employee of the Year
1. Phyllis George Police
iv. GMC/FOA 2018 Presidential Award (Georgia Municipal Clerks and
Finance Officers Association). This award goes to those who have a
high level of professionalism, dedication and commitment to community
service
1. Jan LeViner Clerk of Council
v. MLK Committee
1. Angela Hudson, Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Citizens
of Tybee Island
vi. Ava Thomas, Tybee Island Youth Council, Youth of the Month, Trey
Travaille
Consideration of Boards, Commissions and Committee Appointments
Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest. Limit reports
to 10 minutes.
Cheryl Branch, Executive Director, SAFE Shelter, approached Mayor and Council to give a
presentation regarding the work of the SAFE Shelter. Mayor Buelterman thanked Ms. Branch for
everything her organization does for the community.
Scarlett Gillen, Liaison, Mayor and Council, gave a brief update regarding the activities of
the Tybee Island Youth Council.
Bob Hunter approached Mayor and Council to speak on the proposed Bicycle and Parking
Study. He asked the criteria of the Study be available to him prior to moving forward.
Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Monty Parks seconded. Vote
was unanimous, 6-0.
Consideration of Bids, Contracts, Agreements and Expenditures
FY 2017-2018 General Fund Budget Amendment. Request the City Council approval
a fiscal year budget amendment for $1,416,834 for the General Fund. Ms. Doyle
expressed her concerns with the amount of the budget amendment as presented. She
understands Mayor and Council had approved items previously but was surprised with the amount
of money that was used for personnel in Human Resources and Planning and Zoning for the
transition made. She stated she did not realize the impact on the budget when approved. Ms.
Doyle asked, in the future, all budget amendments are done in a timely manner so Mayor and
Council are cognizant of the budget impacts. She commended Ms. Hudson for her presentation
in the packet before them. Mr. Branigin also expressed his concerns with the organizational
changes. Dr. Gillen stated there five major things changed in the budget: (1) Marine Science
Center - $300,000; (2) $360,000 – YMCA Gym roof; (3) $454,255 – potential outcome of contract
for the Flood Mitigation Grant; (4) $138,000 – beach re-nourishment to the Corps of Engineers;
and (5) $40,000 for back flow preventers. Mayor pro tem Brown stated he would prefer to know
the cost of projects/contracts prior to getting into the same situation as before Mayor and Council
tonight. He questioned the increase for HR and IT. Mayor pro tem Brown expressed he concerns
with taking the $1,416,834 from the fund balance. Ms. Doyle confirmed monies for the items on
the agenda tonight are included in the budget adjustment as presented. Ms. Hudson confirmed.
Ms. Doyle again requested budget amendments be presented to Mayor and Council in a timely
manner. Dr. Gillen confirmed. Mayor Buelterman asked for clarification of the expenses for the
repair of the roof at the YMCA. Ms. Hudson gave a report on the current financial status of the
City. She stated revenues are down but does not feel there will be issues. Wanda Doyle made
a motion to approve as presented. Monty Parks seconded. Voting in favor were Julie Livingston,
Monty Parks, John Branigin, Wanda Doyle and Jackson Butler. Voting against was Barry Brown.
Vote was 5-1 to approve.
Budget Authorization: $40,000 for back flow preventers. Budget line item: 100-
4252-54-2102. Barry Brown made a motion to approve. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was
unanimous, 6-0 to approve.
Authorization to spend $25,000 for North End Bicycle and Parking Study. Budget line
item: 100-1320-52-1300. Wanda Doyle made a motion to approve and incorporate in to
the Ad Hoc Committee for the Marine Science Center. Julie Livingston seconded. Vote was
unanimous, 6-0 to approve.
Ecological Planning Group Contract, $25,000, Implementation of the CIG Grant:
Tybee Island Carrying Capacity Study Implementation. Budget line item: 100-7220-
52-1100. Dr. Gillen stated this is continuing the work of the Carrying Capacity Study as it relates
to the rate study for water/sewer and infrastructure needs. Wanda Doyle made a motion to
approve. John Branigin seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0 to approve.
Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments
Jason Buelterman stated he would like to revisit a dedicated parking space for the North
Beach Grill, as it was never resolved. He stated other businesses on the Island have dedicated
parking but it is for loading and unloading, not personal use. Ms. Doyle stated discussions were
held during negotiations of the leasing agreement and she does not feel dedicated private parking
spaces be provided, as all businesses would then have the same option. Major Buelterman named
the businesses that currently have loading/unloading spaces. He would like to support the North
Beach Grill with their request. Ms. Livingston suggested a specified loading/unloading parking
space allotted to North Beach Grill. Mayor Buelterman requested Dr. Gillen speak with Ms.
Williams, North Beach Grill, for a mutual recommendation. Dr. Gillen to bring recommendations
to a council meeting as the season is very near.
Jason Buelterman referred to Beach re-nourishment/dune-building, stating this was on
the agenda for information only. Dr. Gillen stated he attended a meeting that morning to discuss
the logistics of the re-nourishment. The project is to take approximately three weeks and the
majority of 250,000 cubic yards of sand is to be placed on the north-end of the beach. Mayor
Buelterman stated the sand pumping will start of March 25, 2018 and will be for only eight days.
Wanda Doyle stated the Beach Task Force recommended a mobi-mat at 8th Street. Mayor
Buelterman clarified he asked the Beach Task Force to address two issues: (1) the area by the
anchor, which has a lot of foot traffic and the dunes need to be closed up and (2) to look at other
crossover areas using 8th Street as an example. He stated that when the crossovers were built
they cut into the dunes and then sand grows over the ends of the crossovers, which causes staff
to dig out the sand. This then creates an alleyway for high water to come through if there is a
hurricane. He would like to have a short crossover built for foot traffic so beachgoers will stay
out of the dunes. Ms. Doyle explained in the past a different type of mobi-mat was put at 7th
Street, which was less expensive and lasted as long as the expensive ones. Ms. Doyle to take
back to the Beach Task Force. Mr. Parks recommended the sand fencing that is currently in place
be extended to help with eliminating the foot traffic.
Wanda Doyle stated Rivers End Campground and RV Park was recognized with two
National Awards. She commended the work of the staff and feels Mayor and Council
need to continue to make progress regarding the campground.
1C-Resolution: Restrictions on unpermitted use of live or recorded musical
entertainment and the consumption or possession of open containers of alcoholic
beverages. Monty Parks stated he was fortunate to attend the Savannah Economic Outlook
recently as well as the Tybee Tourism Profile Market Survey. Both groups stressed the tourist
they are trying to attract are families, families with children, families that are seeking relaxation
and a quiet environment, seeking to commune with nature and looking for safety with their
children. He would like to reaffirm his priority is to provide a safe environment for not only for
tourist but for residents as well. His main concerns are the residents near the Chatham Avenue
area, as they witness the excessive drinking and bad behaviors from non-family events. He would
like to make a motion to approve the 1C-Resolution as it stands. Mayor Buelterman clarified there
would be no consumption of alcohol in public spaces from March 12 – 16, 2018 and the two
weekends in April 2018: April 13 – 15 and April 20 – 22, 2018. Monty Parks made a motion to
approve as written. Motion failed for lack of second. John Branigin made a motion to
approve as amended specifically to make this Resolution pertain to the April 2018 weekends only
as stated above, striking paragraphs 5, 6, 7 and 9 and redacting the reference to March 12 – 16,
2018 at the beginning of paragraph 15. Julie Livingston seconded. Discussion: Mr. Parks
stated he feels Mayor and Council are setting the bar too high and not supplying the tourist with
what they need for the families that live in the community. Ms. Doyle asked if this includes
amplified music. Mayor Buelterman confirmed. Voting in favor were Julie Livingston, Monty
Parks, John Branigin, Wanda Doyle and Jackson Butler. Voting against was Barry Brown. Motion
to approve as amended, 5-1.
Extension of permit application time for rebuilding a non-conforming structure after
a natural disaster – Patel’s billboard. George Shaw approached Mayor and Council. Mr.
Shaw stated in October 2017, Mayor and Council approved the extension for the parcel of land
to the west. What is before Mayor and Council is the parcel of land to the east, next to Waves.
There were two billboards and they were destroyed during the hurricanes. Meredith Allen
approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Allen stated she is representing Mr. Patel in this issue. She
stated there is a parcel of land adjacent to the Surf Shop where there is an existing non-
conforming billboard. During hurricane Matthew the billboard blew off the poles and the State
determined the owners needed to get a Coastal Marsh Protection Act Permit. The State also
asked if the owners could move the sign to the upland area of the parcel. Ms. Allen stated the
owner is asking for two things: (1) put the billboard back and (2) at the request of DNR to move
the billboard out of the marsh, four feet upland. Mr. Hughes stated the owner did not apply for
a permit within six months of the destruction and could have put the back without anyone’s
permission. Mr. Hughes explained by Mayor and Council approving what is before them, the
billboard could be rebuilt in the same location. Ms. Allen stated the petitioner could not rebuild
within the six-month requirement as DNR had a moratorium on this type of project. Mr. Parks
would like the billboard put back but not in the marsh. Ms. Allen stated her client is willing to
move the billboard out of the marsh. Barry Brown made a motion to approve to include moving
the billboard out of the marsh. Wanda Doyle seconded. Discussion: Mayor pro tem Brown
asked Ms. Allen how long it take the petitioner to move the billboard. Ms. Allen responded three
months. Mayor pro tem Brown added a three-month stipulation for completion. Ms. Doyle agreed
to the three-month stipulation. Vote was unanimous, 6-0 to approve.
Jackson Butler addressed the elected official’s access to City health care plans (as
discussed in the Goal Setting Workshop). After a brief discussion, Mr. Parks stated he would
like an insurance presentation, as it would pertain to Mayor, Council, and their spouses. Dr
Gillen to bring information to Mayor and Council at next meeting.
Mr. Shaw gave a brief updated on the Hazard Mitigation Grant. He stated all applications
were sent to the State and a cursory review was done. They were impressed with the detail of
the package. As only one other municipality has submitted applications, he feels monies may
be available for all sixty homes that completed the applications. The contribution for the
homeowners will be between $13,000 and $33,000 as the Federal Government’s contribution is
75% of the cost; the State’s 10% of the cost; and the homeowners the remaining. Mr. Shaw
explained he received a form that the homeowners need to complete acknowledging they
understand their cost. Dr. Gillen commended Mr. Shaw and Ms. Hudson for their hard work as
related to FEMA and hurricanes Matthew and Irma.
Julie Livingston made a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel. Wanda
Doyle seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0.
Julie Livingston made a motion to return to regular session. Wanda Doyle seconded. Vote
was unanimous, 6-0.
Monty Parks made a motion to adjourn. John Branigin seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-
0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20PM.
______________________________
Janet R. LeViner, CMC
Clerk