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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