HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180621Minutes.docxTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes: June 21, 2018
Members Present: Alan Robertson, Cathy Lewis, Cathy Sakas, Frank Wooldridge, Harvey Ferrell, Helen Downing, Joe Richardson, Kate Burns, Mark Padgett and Moses Robbins.
Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Wanda Doyle, Liaison, and Mayor Buelterman
CALL TO ORDER: Cathy Sakas called the meeting to order at 12:05PM.
Mark Padgett made a motion to approve the minutes from April 19, 2018. Harvey Ferrell seconded. Motion was unanimous to approve.
Frank Wooldridge made a motion to approve the minutes from May 17, 2018 as amended. Harvey Ferrell seconded. Motion was unanimous to approve.
Alan Robertson gave an update on the application made to DCA. He explained the State Legislature passed $10M in funding to be appropriated to coastal communities for sand, broadly defined.
Mr. Robertson stated the DCA is anxious to award monies to coastal communities. He outlined the application (attached) and locations of needed sand for dunes to include stabilization
of existing dunes and extending existing crossovers. Ms. Sakas thanked Mr. Robertson for his hard work with the submission of the application. Dr. Gillen added the plantings for 19th
Street dune would happen in the fall and hopes the volunteers that worked on the sand fencing would be available to assist with the plantings. This would help reduce the cost of the
project. It was projected the plantings would take place in mid to late October. Ms. Sakas recommended October 20, 2018 for everyone to meet for 19th Street planting. Alan Robertson
made a motion the Beach Task Force formally endorse the DCA proposal as presented today. Mark Padgett seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve.
Dr. Gillen gave a brief update on the parking app. It is being pushed out to Google Play and app stores where it can be downloaded to mobile devices. On June 29, 2018, there will be
a media event to rollout the app. He continued the signage is completed and additional signage will be added at Polk Street and Byers. Dr. Gillen stated he is currently working on
encouraging golf cart users and bicyclists to use the Bike Path, 2nd Street, and not use Jones due to public safety issues. He gave an update on the Beach Ambassador Program as it
is progressing in a positive manner. Dr. Gillen also spoke to the Beach Patrol and how they will assist with beach safety. He also outlined his future trip to Washington, DC with
Mayor Buelterman. They are meet with our local delegation as well as with the Corps of Engineers to speak on funding for future beach re-nourishments.
Kate Burns gave an update on Beach Litter Subcommittee as it relates to cigarette butts. She stated she is distributed receptacles for cigarette butts to local businesses on Tybrisa
as well as the Tybee Island Lighthouse. Ms. Burns stated Mr. Bodine would be adding video clips to Channel 7 to show the hazards of cigarette butts left on the beach.
Cathy Lewis gave an update on turtle nesting. She stated currently 11 nests have been located and the street light shields that are missing on the Strand are currently being painted
and should be installed soon. Ms. Lewis also reminded everyone to turn off their outside lights; remove beach tents from the beach prior to leaving; fill in any holes in the sand;
and if you see a turtle coming in from the water, please leave them alone. Frank Wooldridge expressed his concerns with the rental properties not adhering to the lighting ordinance.
Mark Padgett reminded everyone that this could be a city issue with complying with beach light ordinance. Ms. Doyle responded she would meet with the City Manager to possibly do a
letter to all the short-term rental managers reminding them of the lighting ordinance.
Mark Padgett stated that in regards to the Dune Subcommittee, the dunes are stable and holding. The nourishment on the north-end near Gullick is helping. Monitoring will continue during
the fall and then the first yearly report will follow.
Wanda Doyle stated the City of Tybee Island is now part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. She thank the Beach Task Force for bringing this opportunity to the City.
Mark Padgett reminded the Task Force of the upcoming 2019 – 2020 cycle for the Coast Incentive Grant Program for potential funding of projects. The pre-application review process and
it is competitive. These are due in December and in January, the Grant Coordinator will present those applications that were accepted to actually apply. The approval process would
not be completed until June or July in 2019. The projects that could be considered would be monitoring of the dunes for example. Mr. Padgett will do more research as to definite dates
and monies that would be available.
Mayor Buelterman gave a brief update on his communications with DNR regarding the moving of sand in case of emergency.
Being there was no further business; Ms. Sakas adjourned the meeting at 1:00PM.
__________________________
Janet LeViner, CMC
City Clerk