Council Meeting

City Council Minutes, October 26, 2023 Mayor Sessions called the meeting to order at 6:30PM, October 26, 2023. Those in attendance were, Monty Parks, Nancy DeVetter, Barry Brown, Jay Burke and Spec Hosti. Also attending were Michelle Owens, Interim City Manager; Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Tracy O’Connell, City Attorney, and Jan LeViner, Clerk of Council. Opening Ceremonies Call to Order Invocation: Jan LeViner, Clerk of Council Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Sessions asked Jaime Spears, HR Director, to come forward. Mayor Sessions congratulated Ms. Spears on completing the Human Resources Administration Certificate Program. Mayor Sessions asked Wendy England to come forward to be recognized. Ms. England will be leaving and moving back to Tennessee. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. England for all her hard work and then presented her with a Key to the City. Ms. England thanked everyone. Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda  Minutes: City Council Meeting, October 12, 2023  Out of State Travel: Barb Caramico, Campground Operations Supervisor, Nov 5 to Nov 10. Kansas City, MO. National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo.  Out of State Travel: Kimberly Fickes, Campground Office Supervisor and Jayme Koch Campground Clerk, Dec 3 to Dec 6. Myrtle Beach, SC. Grand Strand Gift Show.  Emergency Purchase of Fire Engine, $156,600. Funding for this apparatus is available within the fire department budget. Capital Budget Account 350-3510- 54-2500 Savings for Replacement of Engine 1 Year 1 of 3 $70,000.00. Capital Budget Account 350-3510- 54-2500 Lifeguard Station Tower $90,000.00  Resolution 11-2023: Certification of Voter List, Municipal Election 2023  Michelle Owens, appointment to Interim City Manager Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest Chief Kendrick approached Mayor and Council to give an update on the Tybee Island Fire Rescue. This update included EMS (Chatham County) response times, which is on an average of 13.9 minutes. Strategic talks with Chatham County and all municipal fire chiefs will take place after the New Year. Mayor Sessions thanked Chief Kendrick for his presentation and everything he does for the City. Citizens to be Heard: Nick Sears approached Mayor and Council to speak to the STR’s in the neighborhood districts - invalid permits and abandonment (Attached). Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Sears for his comments. She further stated she is happy to meet with him to discuss his concerns. Bill Garbett approached Mayor and Council to speak to STR’s invalid permits. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Garbett for his comments. Dave Roberts approached Mayor and Council to speak to STR’s invalid permits. Mr. Roberts also expressed his concerns with enforcement. Mayor Sessions thanked Mr. Roberts for his comments. Monty Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Nancy DeVetter seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Council, Officials and City Attorney Considerations and Comments Michelle Owens gave an update on Water/Sewer Projects. Ms. Owens stated there was a City Council Workshop on October 19th where Mayor and Council asked Staff to reach out to the Audit Firm for best practices regarding general fund reserves. Ms. Amerell has a meeting scheduled to discuss this on November 6, 2023. In addition, the City has missed the deadline to apply for a GEFA loan but can apply in March 2024. Ms. Amerell recommended the City move forward with a 7% increase in water/sewer rates and borrow $3M from Ameris to complete high priority repairs. Mayor Sessions expressed her concerns with funding the priority repairs such as the water tower. Mr. Parks stated he is in favor of the repairs and only has concerns as to funding. Mr. Hughes reminded Mayor and Council the general fund should not fund water/sewer as it is an Enterprise Fund. Mr. Hosti confirmed with Mr. Gulbronson, based on the CIP for the next two years, $7.8M will be needed for repairs and $2M per year for the next four years. Ms. Owens stated she will send a summary of the discussion to outline the plan moving forward. Mayor Sessions thanked Ms. Owens. Spec Hosti made a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss real estate, personnel and litigation. Monty Parks seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5- 0. Monty Parks made a motion to return to regular session. Spec Hosti seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve 5-0. Monty Parks made a motion to adjourn. Barry Brown seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:20PM _________________________ Janet LeViner, MMC Clerks of Council