Council Meeting

City Council Minutes, June 22, 2023 Mayor Sessions called the meeting to order at 6:30PM, June 8, 2023. Those in attendance were Brian West, Monty Parks, Nancy DeVetter, Barry Brown, Jay Burke and Spec Hosti. Also attending were Michelle Owens, Acting City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Tracy O’Connell, City Attorney, and Jan LeViner, Clerk of Council. Dr. Gillen was excused. Opening Ceremonies Call to Order Invocation: Jan LeViner, Clerk Pledge of Allegiance Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda  Minutes, June 8, 2023  Attachments to Minutes, June 8, 2023  Approval of Change Order, AD Williams, for grading, graveling and paving of the DPW yard to include budget amendments  Contract Addendum: AWR Strategic Consulting, LLC  Budget amendment for costs associated with the preparation of June 30th weekend Recognitions and Proclamations Jaime Spear approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Spear asked Officer James Bishop, Tybee Island Police Department, to come forward. Officer Bishop was then recognized as Employee of the 1st Quarter 2023. Mayor Sessions thanked Officer Bishop for his hard work and dedication to the City. Mayor Sessions invited Eric Reisner, Master Chief, USCG, Tybee Island to the podium. Mayor Sessions presented Master Chief Reisner with a Certificate of Appreciation for everything Coast Guard Tybee does for the Island. Chief Reiser thanked Mayor and Council. Mayor Sessions invited Mike Hosti to the Diaz. She then read a Proclamation and presented Mr. Hosti with a Key to the City in appreciation for everything he has done for the community. Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest. Cassidi Kendrick approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Kendrick then introduced Holly Lawe, Chair, Historic Preservation Commission. Ms. Lawe gave a presentation to include updates from the Commission. Mayor Sessions thanked her for her dedication to the City. Chuck Bargeron approached Mayor and Council. He expressed his concerns with high traffic volumes on Lovell and 2nd Avenue. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Bargeron for his comments and concerns. Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Public Hearings Second Reading: FY2024 Budget. Nancy DeVetter made a motion to approve. Spec Hosti seconded. Discussion: Dr. West stated he had concerns regarding the proposed budget but they have been addressed by Staff and he is appreciative of Staff taking the time to address those concerns. One of those concerns was the inclusion of a performance review system for employees that gives weight on how well they perform, how long been with the organization, and things along those lines. It is his understanding that Staff has a plan to have evaluations on all employees by end of year. His other concern was the compensation study, as he does not feel it was representative of our area. After reviewing, all the categories were below the median for our City. He will now support the proposed budget as his concerns were successfully addressed. Voting in favor were Nancy DeVetter, Brian West, Spec Hosti and Monty Parks. Voting against were Barry Brown, and Jay Burke. Motion to approve, 4-2. Third Reading: Millage. Jen Amerell approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Amerell stated the City will generate $2.6M in tax revenue with the roll-back rate. If the City did not do the rollback, it would be $2.8, approximately $200,000 in savings. Monty Parks made a motion to rollback the millage rate to 3.542. Jay Burke seconded. Voting in favor were Monty Parks, Jay Burke, Brian West, Barry Brown and Spec Hosti. Voting against were Nancy DeVetter. Motion to approve, 5-1. Consideration of Ordinances, Resolutions Second Reading: 2023-15A: Ability to obtain an STR permit for applicants holding a building permit for new construction or extensive renovations at the time of adoption of the moratorium without public hearings. Jay Burke recused. Mr. Hughes stated there is actually two (2) versions of this ordinance. The one that was actually voted and approved on first reading is more similar to the revision in Sec 3 that City Staff through investigations determine the existence and nature of the permit is in compliance with the requirements of reports to Mayor and Council who make all the decisions. There was one change at first reading in regards to supposedly Staff making the determination that there would be an appeal to Mayor and Council. This is inconsistent with State Law and has been removed. Spec Hosti made a motion to approve. Brian West seconded. Voting in favor were Brian West, Spec Hosti, and Monty Parks. Voting against were Nancy DeVetter and Barry Brown. Motion to approve 3-2. Second Reading: 2023-18: Text Amendment: An amendment to the calamity clause of the STR Ordinance (2022-04) for time period and procedure. Dr. West stated he appreciates all the emails he has received regarding the protection of our neighborhoods and completely agree with protecting our neighborhoods and respecting our residents. He stated his neighborhood is very different as most of his neighbors are there most of the summer and leave in the summer and rent their house out during the summer months. During that time if there are issues they help the renters. Dr. West continued he wants to continue to help his neighbors and that is why he is voting in the affirmative. He thank Mayor Sessions for allowing him to make those comments. Spec Hosti made a motion to approve. Brian West seconded. Voting in favor were Brian West, Monty Parks, Barry Brown, and Spec Hosti. Voting against was Nancy DeVetter. Motion to approve 4-1. Jay Burke returned to the meeting. Second Reading: 2023-23: Historic Preservation Commission. Monty Parks made a motion to approve. Nancy DeVetter second. Vote was unanimous to approve. Spec Hosti made a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss real estate, personnel and litigation. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Spec Hosti made a motion to return to regular session. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve 6-0. Spec Hosti made a motion to adjourn. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:50PM _________________________ Janet LeViner, MMC Clerk of Council