HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210527Minutes.docx
City Council Minutes, May 27, 2021
Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda
Mayor Sessions called the Consent Agenda to order at 6:30PM. Those present were Jay Burke, Monty Parks, Nancy DeVetter and Spec Hosti. Also attending were Dr. Shawn Gillen, City Manager;
Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Tracy O’Connell, Assistant City Attorney; George Shaw, Director, Community Development; and Janet LeViner, Clerk of Council. Barry Brown and John Branigin
were excused.
Mayor Sessions listed the following items on the consent agenda:
Minutes, May 13, 2021, City Council Meeting
Out-of-State Travel, Tybee Island Police Department
Lt. Randolph, Public Information Officer Training, Clearwater Beach, FL: August 28 - September 2, 2021
Major Fobes, PERF, Orlando, FL: July 31 - August 19, 2021 (previously approved but change of venue from Boston to Orlando)
Major Fobes, International Association of Chiefs of Police, New Orleans, LA: September 10 - 15, 2021.
Falcon Fireworks Contract. Discussion: Mr. Parks asked Dr. Gillen if the fireworks are to take place on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Dr. Gillen confirmed.
Marker for JC Park Softball Field
Four-way Permanent Stop Sign at 17th and Butler
Extend non-smoking ban from 14th - 16th Streets. Discussion: Dr. Gillen stated this would sunset Memorial Day 2022.
Traffic Controls in 14th Street Lot
Mayor Sessions called the regular meeting to order. All those present for the consent agenda were present.
Opening Ceremonies
Call to Order
Invocation: Jan LeViner, Clerk of Council
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognitions and Proclamations
Mayor Sessions asked members of the Tybee Sand Spurs to come forward as receive a Certificate of Accomplishment as they are Coastal Georgia 12U Undefeated Champions. Mayor Sessions
read the Certificate and congratulated all for a job well done. The team presented Mayor Sessions with an autographed soccer ball. Mayor Sessions thanked the coaches, Eric Thomas and
Anna Harrell for all their dedication and hard work.
Janice Elliott, President, American Legion Auxiliary, ALA, approached Mayor and Council to speak to National Poppy Day, May 28, 2021. Ms. Elliott invited everyone to the ceremony which
will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 at the Veteran’s Memorial, Memorial Park. Mayor Sessions read a Proclamation declaring Friday, May 28, 2021 at National Poppy Day.
Reports of Staff, Boards
Sarah Jones, Tybee Island Historical Society, approached Mayor and Council to give an update on the Tybee Island Historical Society. Ms. Jones reported in 2020 the Society focused on
the tower, the canopy, catwalk, stair anchors and interior masonry. Also, they restored the Historic Field Storage Building as well as painted the Headkeeper’s which was all done in
budget and on time the week before they closed for COVID. She continued, in 2020 the Historical Society lost $725,000 in revenue due to COVID. Several projects have been on hold and
it is hoped they can be completed within the year. Ms. Jones invited everyone to apply for a Tybee Island Lighthouse license tag which will be a state wide license tag. She also invited
residents to become volunteers at the Lighthouse. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Jones for all her dedication to the Lighthouse and the Historical Society.
Peter Gulbronson approached Mayor and Council to give a Departmental Report for Department of Public Works and Water/Sewer. Mr. Gulbronson gave a brief overview of Department of Public
Works (DPW) and divisions within DPW. He reported on all projects to include crossovers, paving, storm shutters and recycling and signage. Mr. Gulbronson then gave an overview of the
Water/Sewer Department. He included the goals for the upcoming year where they would like to develop a water conservation program, evaluate alternative water uses, and replace water
meters. Mr. Gulbronson stated the City has purchased twelve (12) new back-up generators which will be used at the lift stations. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Gulbronson for his presentation.
Pete Ryerson approached Mayor and Council to give the Departmental Report on the Parking Department. Mr. Ryerson reported Parking Decals sold, complimentary decals, and parking; revenue
to year-to-date is $2.1M. This does not include parking fines and those accounts in collection. Mr. Ryerson then gave an update on the proposed new offices which will be in the South
Annex (old Marine Science Center) and should move within three weeks. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Ryerson for all his does to include his staff.
Citizens to be Heard
Carolyn Williams approached Mayor and Council to speak in support of naming the Softball Field at Jaycee Park after Chris Wesseling. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Williams.
Tim Arnold approached Mayor and Council to promote Beach Clean-up. He thanked Mayor and Council for supporting the Dog Parks, extending the non-smoking section on the beach, and reminding
everyone not to litter. Mr. Arnold reminded everyone how harmful litter can be to the marine life and birds. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Arnold.
Wally Hattrich approached Mayor and Council to speak in support of naming the softball field at Jaycee Park after Chris Wesseling. Mayor Sessions thanked SGT Hattrich.
Benny King approached Mayor and Council to speak in support of naming the softball field at Jaycee Park after Chris Wesseling. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. King.
Tony Vazquez approached Mayor and Council to speak to the increase of fees for Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVR’s). He would offer there be a roundtable to discuss impending increase
in fees. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Vazquez.
Keith Gay approached Mayor and Council to speak to the possible water/Sewer rate increase for STVR’s. He asked there be a meeting with City Staff and the management companies to discuss
this topic. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Gay.
Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda.Spec Hosti seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Ordinance Recommendations from Code Review Committee. Mr. Hughes stated these are on the agenda as part of the Code Review recommendations for discussion only. As the laws have changed
since the Committee addressed these comments, which is now the problem. He would ask these two items be removed and his office report back to Mayor and Council in the upcoming weeks.
Mayor Sessions confirmed the items are Licenses, Permits, Chapter 34, and Taxation, Chapter 58, as listed below. Mr. Hughes confirmed. Mr. Parks concurred as well. Ms. DeVetter asked
Mr. Hughes if his office would further review the proposed changes and bring back recommendations. Mr. Hughes responded in the affirmative.
Licenses, Permits, Chapter 34, Sec 34-1 through Sec 34-28. REMOVED FROM AGENDA
Taxation, Chapter 58. REMOVED FROM AGENDA
2021-20, Business Licensing and Revocations. Mr. Hughes stated this item is on the agenda for discussion only. He continued, there are provisions with regards to alcohol licenses that
are already included in the Code and there are gaps in other portions of permits that City gives in non-compliance with the permits. He wanted to make Mayor and Council aware this would
be coming before them in ordinance form of improving a procedural method for providing due process for those who received the permit but also in protecting the City. Mr. Hughes requested
no action be taken at this point as corrections/additions still need to be made. There was a brief discussion on how this might apply to STVR’s. Mr. Hughes stated this particular item
would not apply to STVR’s.
Consideration of Ordinances, Resolution
Confirmation, Ratification of Wording, 2021-05 Noise, Article 4, Chapter 24. Mr. Hughes stated Mayor and Council adopted an amendment to the Noise Ordinance to have application only
in residential areas where the standard of sound being plainly audible was implemented. This was implemented verbally and he has been made a part of the ordinance so it will be completely
enforceable. He continued, what was passed on second reading: any time, any day of the week, from 10:00PM to 7:00AM noise cannot go beyond the boundary line of the property which is
where the sound is originating. Mr. Parks thanked Mr. Hughes for his hard work regarding the amendment. No vote is needed.
Second Reading, 2021-16 Municipal Court, Sec 38. Monty Parks made a motion to approve. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Second Reading, 2021-19, Flood, Sec 8-060 - 8-230. Monty Parks made a motion to approve. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments
Jay Burke: STVR - ADA Access Requirement. WITHDRAWN
Nancy DeVetter stated this topic, Increase in STVR Application Fee, was put on the agenda after the recent budget discussion. There was a proposal from the Finance Department regarding
the approximate cost of STVR’s related expenditures. She would recommended waiting to hear from the STVR’s management companies regarding a possible proposal for fees and bring back
to Mayor and Council when there is a full council. She would also like to review the STVR’s Working Group recommendations. Dr. Gillen stated he has spoken to management companies and
everyone is in agreement for a round table discussion. Ms. DeVetter stated she is in favor of a tier and consideration of owner occupied properties. Dr. Gillen confirmed.
Monty Parks: Raising Alcohol License Renewal Fee. TO BE HEARD JUN 10, 2021
Spec Hosti made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Personnel, Real Estate and Litigation. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Spec Hosti made a motion to return to Regular Session. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Monty Parks made a motion to adjourn. Spec Hosti seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10PM.
______________________________
Janet R. LeViner, MMC
Clerk