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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200109Minutes.docxCity Council Minutes, January 9, 2020 Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda Mayor Sessions called the Consent Agenda to order at 6:30PM. Those present were Jay Burke, Monty Parks, John Branigin, Barry Brown, Nancy DeVetter and Spec Hosti. Also attending were Dr. Shawn Gillen, City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Dana Braun, Assistant City Attorney; George Shaw, Director, Community Development; and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council. Mayor Sessions listed the following items on the consent agenda: Minutes, City Council Meeting, December 12, 2019 Minutes, Special City Council Meeting, December 26, 2019 Alcohol License Request-Special Event-Beer, Wine Tybee Festival Association/Mardi Gras Tybee-Tybrisa Turnabout February 22, 2020 RFP 2019-746 - Sludge Dewatering Press.  Approval to award contract to Pinco. Recommendation for award of new Software Contract – RFP 2019-744  to Caselle.  Line Item 100-1535-52-1310.  Budget amendment attached.   Guardian Dune Project Class and Comp Study with Evergreen Contract USACE Ship-Induced Wake Investigation Study - Line Item 340-6125-54-1403   Mayor Sessions called the regular meeting to order at 7:00PM. All those present for the consent agenda were present. Opening Ceremonies Call to Order In Memorial 2019 Invocation: Jan LeViner, City Clerk Pledge of Allegiance Major Joel Fobes, Tybee Island Police Department approached Mayor and Council to introduce the new and prospective members of the Tybee Island Police Department. Those recognized were: Officer Vega Officer Lackey Officer Woodworth Officer Netties Jailer Hefflefinger Mayor Sessions thanked Major Fobes. The new and prospective members received a standing ovation. Janice Elliott, HR Director approached Mayor and Council to present the Employee of the Quarter, Scott Meredith. Ms. Elliott stated Mr. Meredith is a behind the scenes type person and does not like to be in front of people. Mayor Sessions read from the nomination forms from his supervisors. Ms. Elliott added Mr. Meredith has been with the City for ten years. She stated she will present the Certificate and Gift Certificate next week. Mayor Sessions asked former Councilmember Julie Livingston to approach the podium to be recognized for her service not only to the City but as a former Councilmember. John Branigin presented a plaque, City watch, and thanked her for her service. Barry Brown presented Ms. Livingston with a Key to the City. Ms. Livingston thanked everyone for their support over her years while on the Planning Commission and as a City Councilmember. Mayor Sessions asked former Councilmember Wanda Doyle to approach the podium to be recognized for her service to the City as a former Councilmember. Monty Parks presented a plaque and City watch to Ms. Doyle. Barry Brown presented a Key to the City to Ms. Doyle. Ms. Doyle thanked everyone for their support over the years. John Branigin made a motion to nominate Barry Brown for Mayor pro tem. Spec Hosti seconded. Vote was unanimous, 5-0. Consideration of Boards, Commissions Planning Commission: Demery Bishop (incumbent) Ron Bossick (incumbent) Marianne Bramble (incumbent) Tina Gann (incumbent) Elaine McGruder Mary McLemore J. Whitley Reynolds Brian West Mayor Sessions stated Jan LeViner, Clerk, distributed ballots during the Consent Agenda for Council to vote on those individuals applying for the Planning Commission. She thanked everyone for submitting their names. Mayor Sessions asked Ms. LeViner to read to results. Ms. LeViner read the results (ballots attached): Demery Bishop 5 votes Ron Bossick 5 votes Tina Gann 3 votes Elaine McGruder 3 votes J. Whitley Reynolds 5 votes As there was a tie, Mayor Sessions voted and cast her vote for Elaine McGruder. Ms. LeViner stated the new Commissioners for the ensuing term: Demery Bishop Ron Bossick Elaine McGruder J. Whitley Reynolds Citizens to be Heard. Keith Nichols, Partnership Specialist for the 2020 Census. Mr. Nichols explained this is a very important year as there are elections and the Census. There is $675B of Federal money that will be distributed throughout this country and that money is distributed by population not by need. Mr. Nichols stated the kickoff date is in early March when you will get the first mailing to make you aware the Census will be coming. Census Day is April 1, 2020. You will be able to respond via telephone or computer. At this point, positions are available, approximately an additional 1,000 with a starting pay of $17.00 per hour. Recruiters will be on the Island during upcoming events to take your name and application are on-line. Mr. Nichols stressed the importance of doing the Census and asked if there were questions. He also confirmed the Census will be sent to not only the street addresses but to their post office boxes. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Nichols for speaking. Rachel Perkins approached Mayor and Council to speak on the upcoming 7th Annual MLK Parade. Ms. Perkins thanked everyone for the opportunity to speak. The parade will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 2:00PM at the south-end of the Island. She invited everyone to attend the Celebration of Human Rights, 3:00PM at the Old School Cafeteria. Ms. Pearce distributed tee-shirts to Mayor and Council and thanked them for the opportunity to speak. Trey Scott, Mauldin and Jenkins, approached Mayor and Council to give a report on the final audit. Mr. Scott reported Mauldin and Jenkins issued a Clean Opinion for the City’s financial statement which is the highest level of assurance that they can provide. There were also no audit findings or management points. Mr. Scott commended the City on having a nine month fund balance which is very healthy. Mayor Sessions asked Dr. Gillen if this would be on the website so residents can read. Dr. Gillen confirmed and will have it done as soon as possible. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Scott. Susan Kimbrell approached Mayor and Council to speak on Polk and Solomon. Ms. Kimbrell represents citizens concerned with the development at Polk and Solomon. She expressed her concerns with the development of the property and asked Mayor and Council to keep a watchful eye over the development of the property (attached). Their Mission Statement is to ensure the environmental, legal, and ethical concerns are addressed in the proposed development of the property located at the corner of Polk and Solomon. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Kimbrell for her concerns and comments. Carolyn Jurick, Governing Board, Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA), approached Mayor and Council to speak on TIMA to include the history of the school and the current Enrollment Process. Ms. Jurick introduced the Governing Board. She then invited everyone to attend an informational meeting for parents on January 14, 2020 at 6:30PM and Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 10:00AM. There will be a special question and answer period and a guided tour of the school. She then gave a short presentation (attached) regarding TIMA. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Jurick for her presentation. Mayor Sessions asked Dr. Gillen to have their presentation added to Channel 7. Dr. Gillen confirmed. Deb Baber approached Mayor and Council to speak on the agenda “Waiver of Fees for TIMA” (attached). Ms. Baber stated she is not opposed to education but is opposed to the waiving of the fees for the placement of new modular school rooms. She stated school taxes are paid which support TIMA and understand waiving the fees is not giving TIMA an additional $10,000. She continued to read from a prepared statement where she expressed her concerns with the fees. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Baber. Mallory Pearce approached Mayor and Council to speak on the development of Polk and Solomon. Mr. Pearce stated he would also like to speak regarding the development of the Island and how to best protect the concerns of the residents. He is requesting Mayor and Council enforce the ordinances regarding trees and other pertinent ordinances. Mr. Pearce recommended the City purchase the property and put it aside as green space which will save the property as there needs to be a balance. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Pearce for his past service to the City. Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Barry Brown seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0.