Beach Task Force - ZOOM

Cathy Lewis called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:00PM, February 18, 2021. Ms. Lewis welcomed visitors to the meeting. Those in attendance were: Harvey Ferrelle, Joe Richardson, Kate Burns, Helen Downing, Sam Adams, Mike Foran, Mark Padgett and Frank Woolridge. Frank Woolridge made a motion to approve the January 21, 2021 minutes. Kate Burns seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous to approve. Alan Robertson gave a brief update on the beach. Mr. Robertson stated the City continues to repair and replace the crossovers: 15th Street, 8th Street, East Gate and others. He continued, Mayor and Council are expected to approve the Resolution to accept the FEMA Grant for the Storm Water Management Plan which will be launched the first week of March 2021. Mr. Robertson stated he is also working with Dr. Alexander to develop a proposal for a Sea Grant to update the City’s Sea Level Adaptation Study. Ms. Lewis made reference to the dune planting project and Frank Woolridge and Joe Richardson volunteered to take pictures of the area. She asked Mr. Robertson to put them in contract with the group that is asking for the volunteers. He confirmed. Mr. Woolridge described the foot paths that beach goers have made through the dunes and asked Mr. Robertson to reach out to DNR regarding the blocking of these footpaths. Mr. Robertson then stated there is a launch meeting soon with the COE regarding the Ship Wake Study. This will be a four (4) week study. He will bring information back to the Beach Task Force. Ms. Lewis then introduced Dr. Clark Alexander, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and professor at UGA. Dr. Alexander gave an update on the Sea Dune Monitoring Project and presented a power point presentation to include an update on the natural and manmade dunes which outlined why they are using aerial monitoring methods. These methods provide the following:  Rapid technique to mobilize and deploy cameras  Highly accurate  Provides temporal visual records of environments  Photogrammetry software enables 3D map production  Enables calculation of changes in elevations and volumes Dr. Alexander also discussed different profiles of the beach to illustrate information they are receiving from their monitoring. This included the movement of sand and erosion of the beach. Ms. Lewis thanked Dr. Alexander for his presentation. Ms. Lewis then introduced Luke Roberson, Adopt a Wetland Coordinator, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, UGA. He will speak to the Beach Task Force regarding the National Sea Grant Marine Debris Program and the grant his is applying for in coordination with the City. He explained the award range is $10k – 50k and has an indirect cost of 35% with a duration of 1 – 2 years. Proposal details include:  This grant leads national efforts to research, prevent, and remove marine debris from our coasts  The proposal would remove and prevent debris through cleanups, education and collaborations with local businesses Mr. Roberson then outlined the plan overview:  Educational opportunities through TIMA, Burton 4-H Center  ArtCycling  Promotion of public events and volunteer efforts  Integration of business community   7 cleanup events to be planned from March – September  Document work to build blueprint for similar coastal communities Ms. Lewis asked Mr. Roberson to work with the Fresh Air Home on Tybee as this would be considered community involvement. Mr. Roberson confirmed. Ms. Lewis thanked Mr. Roberson for his presentation. Mr. Woolridge made reference to the Beach Management Plan and would like to move forward with updating the document. Dr. Gillen gave a brief update on the beach. He stated crossover work continues and the old Marine Science Center is now vacant and being refurbished. The building will now house Code Enforcement Officers, Life Guards, and Parking Department. Phase II will include the replacement of the façade and roof which will hopefully begin in October 2021. Nancy DeVetter asked Ms. Lewis if the meetings need to be held quarterly rather than monthly. Ms. Lewis will reach out to the Beach Task Force for a census as to future meetings. Ms. Lewis stated the next meeting will be March 18, 2021 at noon. This meeting will be conducted via zoom. As there was no further business, Ms. Lewis adjourned the meeting. ________________ Jan LeViner, MMC City Clerk