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20090509 City Council Minutes including Work Session Notes
Georgia Power Officials & Introduction of Franchise Agreement:
Mayor and City Council met with Julian Pafford and Truitt Evans of Georgia Power. Mr. Evans
said there is a three year trimming cycle and the setback is Fifteen feet. He said most foresters are
certified arborist and there is a forester assigned to the office to work with the crew. If a tree is
damaged beyond repair they will replace it if needed. Mr. Pafford asked that addresses be recorded for
all complaints received so that they can address specific cases.
Councilman Brewer said there is interest in having the Infrastructure Committee look into
funding mechanisms for converting overhead lines to underground. He proposed looking at a schedule
to include doing just a few blocks at the time. Mr. Evans said it can be done but it is very expensive for
property owners and for the power company.
Councilman Wolff asked for a progress report on having the light shields installed and
completed. Mr. Pafford said Lithia Brett is another Georgia Power representative for Tybee and she has
been handling the shields. He said he will follow up with her to get an update on the installation of light
shields.
Mayor Buelterman asked how Tybee could illuminate the crosswalks to improve visibility at
night. Mr. Evans said Ga. Power can look at the existing lights to determine if they can move them for
improved visibility for the crosswalks.
Mr. Hughes introduced a new franchise agreement to council. Mr. Pafford said based on the
new franchise agreement they believe Ga. Power can relocate at least ten utility poles at their own cost.
Mr. Pafford said they would ask their Engineers to look at exploring underground utility lines
Janice Elliott, Insurance Information:
Speakers to address council were Frank Hardeman and Hunt Singer. Mr. Hardeman said Blue
Cross and Blue Shield has agreed to keep rates level in order to keep Tybee's business.
Janice Elliott said Shenandoah is in receivership so she is recommending moving to Guardian for
Disability and Dental. She said they are offering the same benefits with no questions asked.
Janice Elliott said Prudential came in with the better rate for our Life Insurance. She announced
an employee benefits fair on May 12th at the Cafeteria.
Janice Elliott asked City Council to consider allowing a flex spending account for employees. She
said it would save the city money because the amount chosen by employees would be deducted from
their pay prior to FICA being paid or taken out. She said there is a $500 set up fee.
Confidentiality of Accounts Payable Information:
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Councilman Smith asked that information about checks be shared with City Council before being
brought up for discussion in open meetings.
Mayor Buelterman asked that concerns be talked over with the City Manager.
Rental Properties:
Councilman Brown asked if the city has a parking plan for short term rentals.
Councilman Brewer said the problem is with renegade visitors that bring ten cars in with no
decals. He suggested a secret shopper to contact short term rental managers and property owners in
order to determine, who is renting property without paying hotel /motel tax.
Mayor pro tem Doyle said we need to let the citizens know the Managers are doing what's
needed, to be good neighbors.
Ms. Schleicher asked if council would consider an ordinance change allowing property owners to
rent out parking spaces on private property from May 1st to September. Councilman Brown
recommended year round.
Stormwater Enterprise Fund:
Courtney Reich presented information on setting up a stormwater management program
through user fees. She said the average amount would be $3.75 to $6.00 monthly.
Councilman Brown said this is another form of taxation for stormwater just like recycling.
Councilman Brewer asked Ms. Schleicher to develop a year's worth of data to review in order to
determine how to educate the public.
Mayor Buelterman recommended a feasibility study.
Litter Control:
Mayor pro tem Doyle asked if we were writing tickets for litter on the beach. She said if we write
tickets for glass why not trash. She recommended ocean rescue personnel could radio beach patrol
officers if they see litter issues.
Mayor Buelterman recommended a citation be issued instead of a warning.
Mr. Hughes said there is no law stating you have to see the litter dropped in order to issue a
citation.
Councilman Wolff recommended a concrete dollar amount of $20 to $30 for violations.
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Ms. Schleicher said Beach Patrol primarily concentrates on looking for glass and underage
drinking and they are pretty good at knowing when a fight is going to erupt. She said they can assign a
person to specifically look for litter and issue citations.
Councilman Wolff recommended they proceed and assign a dollar amount to it.
Consideration for ken Chapman and Associates Leadership Code was taken off of the agenda due to
limited discussion time.
City Hall use as a facility:
Vivian Woods explained the difficulties faced by staff when City Hall is used as an event venue.
City Council agreed that City Hall should be removed from the facility list and recommended all
reservations for City Hall be handled through the Clerk. They requested that groups be encouraged to
use other venues with council making the final decision on any exceptions.
Parade Float:
After discussion concerning ownership and liability issues with the parade float, Mayor
Buelterman recommended we work out an agreement to store the float but make liability and
transportation (driver) the tourism council's responsibility.
Councilman Smith and Mayor pro tem Doyle will try to determine a date of purchase in order to
locate possible existing records in accounts payable.
Budget Discussions:
Mayor Buelterman said Ocean Rescue needs a $20,000 budget adjustment due to the 10%
budget reduction taken from their personnel line item.
City Council asked for the budget adjustment to be put on the agenda for May 14th.
Councilman Brewer asked for an appropriate funding level to address parking deck and toll road
study for long range planning.
Mayor Buelterman suggested using SPLOST money for Lifeguard station. Councilman Brewer
suggested that be rolled up and presented in with pier discussions.
Mayor Buelterman said the DOT will not negotiate on a crosswalk at McKenzie Street due to the
increased danger of pedestrians assuming safety and vehicle traffic not yielding thereby increasing the
risk to pedestrians.
Diane Schleicher asked Council to meet with Department Heads on May 12th and 13th from 4 to
6pm. She said they will present their budgets to council in an informal meeting with no decisions being
made. She said she would determine the best day for the formal hearing and let council know that date.
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CaII to Order:
Mayor Buelterman called the meeting to order at 11:55am on Saturday, May 9, 2009. Council
members present were Mayor pro tem Wanda Doyle, Barry Brown, Dick Smith and Paul Wolff.
Councilman Eddie Crone was absent due to illness. Also present were City Attorney Bubba Hughes and
City Manager Diane Schleicher.
City Manager Diane Schleicher proposed revenue neutral parking at her discretion.
Jay Self, Bass Hampton and Dara Winetraub addressed council regarding their application for a
beach permit and parking requirements for filming a movie in June.
Councilman Wolff asked if the Volleyball Tournament set with Bleachers had been approved by
the DNR. Mr. Self said they had walked through the area with DNR Representatives and received
tentative approval.
Councilman Brewer asked if the equipment would be set up in the early morning hours. Mr. Self
assured council that the filming company will do everything they can to minimize the disturbance for
residents and visitors. He said hopefully with communication everyone will know what to expect.
A MOTION by Councilman Brown to approve the application was seconded by Councilman Smith. The
vote was unanimous.
Mayor Buelterman adjourned the meeting.
Vivian O. Woods, Clerk of Council
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ayor Jason Buelterman
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