Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200213AmendedMinutes.docxCity Council Minutes, February 13, 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; 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, January 9, 2020 Appointment of Matt Harrell as Interim Fire Chief. Mayor Sessions congratulated Chief Harrell for his appointment. Historic Preservation Committee Fidelia Fowler Holly Grell-Lawe Bubba Hughes:  Ante Litem, Olivia Simons. Mr. Hughes recommended this item be included with it being denied. TO DENY Minutes, Planning Commission, January 13, 2020 Minutes, TIMSF Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes Minutes, Ethics Commission, March 11, 2019 and December 4, 2019 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 Invocation: Rev. Sue Jackson, Trinity Chapel United Methodist Church Pledge of Allegiance Recognitions Chief Robert Bryson approached Mayor and Council. Chief Bryson introduced Chief Bill Kirkendoff, Hinesville Police Department. Chief Kirkendoff explained the State’s Certification Program is a volunteer program with 129 Standards with ten addition, totaling 139. It takes a department and community to achieve this Certification. Chief Kirkendoff stated he made a recommendation to the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the recommendation was accepted to grant certification to the Tybee Island Police Department. Chief Kirkendoff then presentation the State Certification to Chief Bryson and the entire Tybee Island Police Department. Chief Bryson thanked everyone for their support to include Captain Tiffany Hayes for all her work with this Certification. Mayor Sessions stated Tybee Island is very proud of our officers and cannot thank them enough for their service. Mayor Sessions stated in the future the meetings will begin at 6:30PM and continue to have the Consent Agenda and move right into the regular meeting. An ordinance will be before Mayor and Council approving this change. Gerald Schantz, approached Mayor and Council. Mr. Schantz thanked Mayor, Council, and Staff for their cooperation with the remodeling of his restaurant. He also thanked Dr. Gillen for his Friday Morning Coffee Meetings as this provides the citizens an opportunity to discuss their concerns. Mr. Schantz invited everyone to the grand opening of his restaurant which will benefit the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, Friday, February 14, 2020 at 5:00PM, Gerald’s Pig and Shrimp. Mary McLemore, approached Mayor and Council to speak to the Marine Science Center lease. Ms. McLemore read from a prepared statement (attached) where she expressed her concerns regarding the proposed Marine Science Center Lease. She stated the Marine Science Center is a great asset to the Island and nothing she is saying should be taken to denigrate the Marine Science Center. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. McLemore for her comments and concerns and her statement will be included in the official record. Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Barry Brown seconded. Vote was unanimous, 6-0. Public Hearings Variance:  Encroach Rear Setback with Steps to Maximize Porch Area - 11 Bright Street - 40002 15006-Zone R-1-B.  Mike and Deb Goldberg. George Shaw approached Mayor and Council. Mr. Shaw stated the petitioner is building a container home on Bright Street and is requesting a variance for a setback for proposed steps. He further stated that variances are based on hardships. Planning Commission and Staff are recommending denial, unanimously. Mr. Parks asked Mr. Shaw if any conditions have changed since this was heard by the Planning Commission. Mr. Shaw responded, none that he is aware of. Mike Goldberg approached Mayor and Council to speak in favor of this variance request. He is asking to allow his stairs to be within the 10’ setback. Mr. Goldberg stated this is a grandfathered lot and he distributed documents (attached) containing drawings and affidavits stating they do not object to this request. He is not asking to build in that area only for a landing for the staircase. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Goldberg and made mention that in the packet as presented by Mr. Goldberg, there are two letters in favor of this variance request. Monty Parks made a motion to deny. John Branigin seconded. Vote was unanimous to deny, 6-0. Text Amendment: Definitions for Home Based Business. Jay Burke and Spec Hosti recused. Mr. Shaw approached Mayor and Council. He stated the previous council asked the Planning Commission to review Home Based Definitions and bring recommendations back to Mayor and Council. After recommendations from the Planning Commission it was brought before Mayor and Council for first reading. At that time, it was noted there was a conflict with the definition of Home Occupation. Ms. DeVetter asked for clarification of the procedure. She confirmed with Mr. Shaw, Mayor and Council are approving only the adding of one section to the definitions. Mr. Shaw confirmed. Monty Parks made a motion to approve first reading. John Branigin seconded. Voting to approve were Monty Parks, John Branigin and Nancy DeVetter. Voting against was Barry Brown. Vote to approve, 3-1. Jay Burke and Spec Hosti returned to their seats. Consideration of Bids, Contract, Agreements and Expenditures Atlantic Waste Contract. Dr. Gillen addressed Mayor and Council. Dr. Gillen stated he is trying to resolve four distinct issues: (1) Atlantic Waste charges the City one fee and that fee is not passed to the residents which creates a shortage in the Solid Waste Fund of about $150,000; (2) Curbside single stream recycling is not working as it is mostly going to the landfill; (3) how does the City address the increase in garbage if curbside recycling stops; and (4) issue of Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR’s) and the increase in garbage they bring. The contract is curbside or side door recycling of single stream and we have a recycling drop off center with several drop off units around the City to where residents/visitors can bring their recycling. Therefore, Atlantic Waste will no longer do recycling as the City will do it. This now creates twice a week garbage collection. There will no longer be Saturday collection for STVR’s but will be another day of the week. He feels this will take care of the problems with garbage sitting in the cans for days and days. The price to the City will remain the same as will the cost to the residents. Mayor Sessions stated, to make it simple, currently residents are getting side door recycling pick up, yard trash once a week and garbage. With the change, the City is eliminating recycling, adding twice a week garbage pickup (side door pickup) and still have once a week yard pickup. Ben Wall, Atlantic Waste, approached Mayor and Council. Mr. Wall stated the residents that have pickup on Monday will go to Monday/Thursday; residents on Tuesday, will go Tuesday/Friday; and the Wednesday residents will probably go to Tuesday/Friday pickup. Wednesday will now become yard waste pickup Island wide. Dr. Gillen is proposing a mailing to notify residents of the change in service as well as on Channel 7. In regards to yard waste, the old recycle cans can now be used for yard waste. Mayor Sessions stated there is no change in the cost of the new services. Mayor pro tem Brown asked if these changes are seasonal or year round. Dr. Gillen responded, year round. Ms. DeVetter asked why the City is not charging the residents what it costs the City. Dr. Gillen responded it is probably a reluctance to add an additional charge to the residents’ bill and has always been subsidized by the City. Ms. DeVetter asked is there is a solution. Mr. Branigin stated it is not applicable to the contract as how the City bills the residents it is a totally separate issue. Mr. Parks spoke to recycling as what the City is doing currently is a better answer than curbside recycling and a better system. He stated he will do everything he can to have additional drop-off centers available to residents. Mr. Parks asked everyone to go the Facebook, TybeeRecycles, look at the page and “like” for updates. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Parks for all he is doing to create a recycling program and to Mr. Wall for his hard work. Mr. Hughes asked Mr. Wall for an effective date of the contract. Mr. Wall responded April 1, 2020 which gives the City time to notify the residents. Atlantic Waste will be stenciling the recycling cans to include “yard waste” language. These receptacles will now be used for yard waste rather than recycling. Spec Hosti made a motion to approve. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Diesel Bypass Pumps RFP contract recommendations (Pumps and Installation).  The staff is recommending the Pumps be purchased from Goforth Williamson. They are recommending the contract for installation of pumps be awarded to Southern Civil. Mr. Hughes stated there are two contracts included within the agenda item: (1) concerns the purchase of bypass pumps for the lift stations necessary in the event power is lost and (2) for the installation of the pumps. There are no concerns regarding the award of the contract with regard to the installation of the pumps and he requests Mayor and Council move forward with the approval of the agreement with Southern Civil as recommended by Staff. Mr. Parks asked if it benefits the City to approve the contract for installation prior to approval of the purchase of the pumps. Mr. Hughes responded, this is time sensitive and he would like to have as much in place as possible. Mayor pro tem Brown stated the City is going to purchase the pumps to be installed in the lift stations for the possibility of a hurricane. Mr. Hughes responded in the affirmative. Mayor pro tem Brown asked why was the City not renting the pumps as in the past. Dr. Gillen stated the pumps are being purchased with a grant from FEMA. Mr. Hosti asked if the pumps would be used at any other time with the exception of a hurricane. Dr. Gillen responded, no, as they are installed permanently, above flood level. Ms. DeVetter asked the amount of the FEMA grant. Dr. Gillen responded the match is 85/15 and from the Water/Sewer Fund. The total grant is $583,014. A discussion ensued regarding the importance of purchasing the pumps as once a hurricane is approaching other municipalities rent and there is a possibility there are none available when we need them. Mayor pro tem Brown stated he is not in favor of this purchase as it is unknown if these pumps will withstand the harsh environment with the salt water environment. Mayor Sessions stated with speaking with the Water/Sewer Department, this purchase is of great importance. She asked Dr. Gillen to address. Dr. Gillen responded this is essential as residents may not come back on the Island until the water/sewer is properly