HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180419Minutes.docxTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: April 19, 2018
Members Present: Amy Lanier, Cathy Lewis, Cathy Sakas, Frank Wooldridge, Harvey Ferrell, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, Kate Burns, Mimi Pinner and Sam Adams
Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Wanda Doyle, Liaison, Monty Parks, Alice Keyes and Tim Arnold.
CALL TO ORDER: Cathy Sakas called the meeting to order at 12:05PM.
Cathy Lewis made a motion to approve the March 15, 2018 minutes. Sam Adams seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve.
Ms. Sakas announced the Landings would like to donate marsh wrack that has accumulated around decks of the residents. This will be discussed later in the meeting.
Dr. Gillen approached the Task Force to give an update on SPLOST funding. Dr. Gillen stated there is $10M in the Governor’s budget for a re-nourishment, which will be distributed through
DCA. He explained the 19th Street crossover will remain a vehicular crossover but will include a structured sand dune. Work will commence the following week and this is the only piece
of the dune project, which will be completed prior to turtle season. The next beach re-nourishment will be in the 2020 Federal Budget and the City will need to find matching funds.
Ms. Doyle stated there is $3.3M in SPLOST for beach related projects and the City is trying to get as much of those dollars as possible. Ms. Sakas recommended involving the media
with the 19th Street crossover, as it is positive news.
Frank Wooldridge gave a brief update on the Shoreline Protection. Mr. Wooldridge stated he has taken several photos while surveying the beach and passed them along to Sam Adams. Sam
Adams approached the Task Force to give an update on the Dune Stabilization/Building Sub-committee (attached). Highlights included proper channels for sub-committee work and presentation
of recommendations. Mr. Ferrell further reported signage is needed to keep the beach goers out of the dunes. In addition, it is recommended brochures distributed to rental agencies
to educate everyone on the importance of staying out of the dunes. Ms. Sakas thanked Mr. Adams for his report.
Alice Keyes, 100 Miles, approached the Task Force to give a presentation on the Coastal Georgia Landscape as it relates to the designation, Hemispheric Importance, as it relates to shorebirds.
This designation was given to the Georgia Barrier Islands in October 2017. Ms. Keyes discussed the importance of the Georgia Coast, as the landscape of the coast is a tapestry of important
habitat for the survival of shore birds.
Tim Keyes, GA DNR Wildlife Resource Division, approached the Task Force to give a presentation on the shore birds native to the marsh and coast. Mr. Keyes stated there is almost 80,000
acres of land that has been officially designated as landscape and was identified by site partners. Mr. Keyes asked the City of Tybee Island to become a site partner or a network partner
by sending a letter of support as well as a Resolution approved by Mayor and Council. He discussed different ways we can educate the public regarding conservation as well as the protection
of the shorebirds.
Amy Lanier made a motion to support becoming a site partner/network partner by contacting the city attorney to move forward with a Resolution for the designation and to accept signage
as presented by Alice Keys. The location will be determined later. Jimmy Burke seconded. The vote was unanimous to approve.
Kate Burns reported on the Beach Litter Subcommittee. Ms. Burns stated the Keep American Beautiful Grant has been awarded to Tybee. They will be working to get the cigarette butt containers
from Brunswick for distribution on the beach.
Wanda Doyle stated she spoke with Mayor Buelterman regarding the mobi-mats on the beach. Ms. Doyle stated that replacements of mobi-mat at 18th Street, Gullick Street and the entrance
at Van Horn are the first three areas where Mayor and Council are going to concentrate. There are other areas where they are needed but these mobi-mats are extremely expensive and
funding needs to be found. There was a brief discussion regarding vendors for the mobi-mats to include funding. Mr. Burke asked Dr. Gillen to address the storm drainage water as
the drains are open most of the time and when the tide comes in and residents have water in their yards. Dr. Gillen stated the City has purchased twelve tidal floodgates that will
be installed soon as DPW is working on dates.
Ms. Sakas asked if anyone had comments on Mr. Robertson document regarding Dune Crossover Recommendations. There was concerns with the removal of crossovers. Dr. Gillen explained due
to the dune growth, there might not be a landing for the crossover(s). Only if the circumstances arise, due to dune growth, the City may need to get rid of certain crossovers. Mr.
Burke confirmed. Mr. Burke asked Ms. Doyle how the crossovers would be funded. Ms. Doyle responded with SPLOT funds as well as State money. Ms. Burns made a motion the prioritized
matrix as presented by Mr. Robertson on the behalf of the Beach Task Force be submitted to the City Council for their acceptance. Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve.
Being there was no further business; Ms. Sakas adjourned the meeting at 1:00PM.
__________________________
Janet LeViner, CMC
City Clerk