HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200409MinutesCity Council Minutes, April 9, 2020
Mayor Sessions called the City Council Meeting to order at 63:30PM. Those attending via telephonic conferencing 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; and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council.
Opening Ceremonies
Call to Order
Invocation – Jan LeViner
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Sessions stated Mayor and Council are listening to everyone and sincerely appreciate their support, encouragement and continuation of abiding by the restrictions that Mayor and
Council has put into place since March 20, 2020. They appreciate it greatly and we are going to continue to do everything that we can to keep Tybee safe and we all agree that this
will end and when it does we will celebrate as a City. We support our businesses and we will support each other and until then, we will continue to be a united front. Mayor Sessions
gave a synopsis of the newest State of Emergency as declared by Governor Kemp to include a shelter in place through May 13, 2020. He also issued the statement as our beach and other
Georgia beaches are now open. These beaches will be open to the public but for exercise only. All crossovers will remain closed to help facilitate the required 6 foot social distancing
and the beach can be accessed by five different access points. They are Polk Street, 3rd Street, 19th Street, Gullick and Inlet Avenue and all other parking lots will remain closed.
She continued, all business restrictions will be extended through April 30, 2020 which include take-out and delivery on all restaurants. Governor Kemp issued an Executive Order beginning
April 9, 2020, no further Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVR’s) are allowed state wide until April 30, 2020 and those with fully paid reservations may continue to rent through the end
of their reservation. Mayor Sessions stated the reservations may not be extended and the Order excludes hotels/motels and campgrounds. She would like to commend the STVR’s management
companies and individuals who have been true to Mayor and Councils restrictions that were set in place April 2, 2020.
Councilman Hosti asked Mayor Sessions to announce the efforts of United Way for donations to Tybee residents. Mayor Sessions stated Mayor and Council have partnered with the United
of Way of the Coastal Empire. They have created a page that is exclusive for donations to help Tybee’s workforce and residents with any type of shelter expenses specifically mortgage
or rental payments. She invited anyone that wishes to donate go to the City’s website for the link. Also, those in need can dial 211 which is the hotline to the United Way. Mayor
Sessions also made reference to the Rising TYde Food Pantry as residents that are in need of assistance must register prior to receiving food. The Tybee Island Fire Department will
also deliver food for those who need that service.
Dr. Gillen stated there is a Tybee Island Police Officer that tested positive for COVID-19 and two others are being tested. The Officer is doing better and did not have to be hospitalized.
There are a total of nine officers in quarantine. Also, there is a Department of Public Works (DPW) employee that has symptom’s and is being tested. Five DPW staff have been quarantined
along with three Water and Sewer (W/S) staff as they came in contact with the Staff member that has symptoms. DPW and W/S has been shut down and the buildings disinfected as a precaution
for Staff. Currently there are seventeen staff members in quarantined. Dr. Gillen stated currently measures are in place as staff need to wear masks and gloves when coming in with
other staff members. TIFD has set up a checkpoint for staff coming to work where temperatures are taken prior to reporting to work. This is following CDC guidelines. He continued,
the Governor did authorize the Georgia National Guard to assist the nursing and assisted living homes to clean and disinfect.
Mayor Sessions stated the Governor has appointed a point of contact for Tybee Island from his office. She indicated to the Governor’s office Tybee Island does not have staff to enforce
the social distancing as it relates to the beach. She was told that GaSP and DNR will monitor the beach and enforce any violations. Mayor Sessions explained the Governor stated if
this is not working, he would closed the beach.
Mayor Sessions listed the following items on the consent agenda:
Minutes, Special City Council Meeting, March 11, 2020
Minutes, City Council Meeting, March 12, 2020
Minutes, Emergency City Council Meeting, March 16, 2020
Minutes, City Council Workshop/Meeting, March 18, 2020
Minutes Emergency City Council Meeting, March 30, 2020
Special City Council Meeting, April 2, 2020
Budget Amendment request to transfer from Fund 540 to Fund 100 for Recycling and DPW Supplies and Materials
Request to approve contract for Earth Balance for Phase II of the Dune Vegetation project. Discussion: Dr. Gillen confirmed funding will come from the Grant already in place.
Agreement for Disaster Recovery and FEMA Public Assistance, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. Discussion: Mr. Hughes stated there are objections he has and would ask Mayor and Council
authorize, once objections are resolved, the Mayor to execute the final contact. Dr. Gillen stated cost of the contract is mostly or all reimbursable to the same program.
Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Spec Hosti seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0.
Consideration of Ordinances
Second Reading, 2020-03, Establish Civil Offenses. Mr. Parks asked Dr. Gillen if this is time sensitive. Mr. Hughes stated it is not under the circumstances and would be if not for
the Executive Orders and Emergency Declaration from the Governor’s Office. He explained all that is remaining is to establish the fines and how they are applicable to the offenses.
Mr. Hughes stated he feels it is beneficial to the City to delay until the social distancing issues and the efforts of the State with the regards to the beach before any fines are
agreed upon. Mr. Parks stated there may be public input and would recommend it be put on a future agenda. It was the consensus of Mayor and Council to defer to a regular meeting.
Ms. DeVetter asked Mr. Hughes when the fine amounts would be determined. Mr. Hughes responded that much will be learned from the current social distancing and would recommend deferring
as well. NO ACTION TAKEN. WILL BE HEARD ON MAY 14, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
CONSIDERATION OF BIDS, CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND EXPENDITURES
Host Compliance Services Agreement, Short Term Rental Compliance. NO ACTION TAKEN. DEFERRED TO NEXT FISCAL CYCLE.
Gary and Kathy Dennis, Memorandum of Understanding, Adoption of the Tybee Anchor, Hwy 0 and Butler Avenue. NO ACTION TAKEN, DEFERRED TO FUTURE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
COUNCIL, OFFICIALS AND CITY ATTORNEY CONSIDERATION AND COMMENTS
Mr. Hughes made reference to the Emergency Declaration and Executive Orders from the Governor’s Office. He stated he has nothing to add from the Mayor’s introductory remarks. Mayor
Sessions asked Mr. Hughes to explain the dates as set forth in the Emergency Declaration and Executive Orders. Mr. Hughes stated the Emergency Health Declaration the Governor