Council Meeting

MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER ASST CITY MANAGER Brian West Bill Garbett Bret Bell Michelle Owens Spec Hosti MAYOR PRO TEM Tony Ploughe CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEYS Monty Parks Nick Sears Fabian Mann Edward M. Hughes Kathryn Williams Tracy O’Connell CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND City Council Regular Meeting January 09, 2025 — 6:30 PM Minutes of Meeting Call to Order — The City of Tybee Island City Council held a regular city council meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 78 Van Horne Avenue, Tybee Island, GA 31328. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian West at approximately 6:30 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Monty Parks, Councilmember Bill Garbett, Councilmember Michael “Spec” Hosti, Councilmember Tony Ploughe, Councilmember Nick Sears, and Councilmember Kathryn Williams were also present at this meeting. Administrative Staff Present — City Manager Brett Bell, Assistant City Manager Michelle Owens, City Clerk Fabian Mann, City Attorney Edward Hughes, and City Attorney Tracy O’Connell were present. Invocation — The invocation was led by Mac McLain. Pledge of Allegiance — The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor West. Announcements  Recognition of late President Jimmy Carter’s legacy  Tybee City Hall closed on January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day  Short-term rental update (occupational tax certificate exemption) Recognitions  Retirement of Pete Ryerson, Parking Services Department, after 22 years of service  Appointment of Justin McMillian as Tybee Island Fire Chief  Appointment of Fabian Mann as Tybee Island City Clerk Consideration of Items for Consent Agenda  Resolution 2024 Support for Legislation on MOST  Resolution 2024 Support for Legislation on Authority  December 12, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes with Corrections 403 Butler Avenue (866) 786-4573 tel P.O. Box 2749 (866) 786-5737 fax Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749 www.cityoftybee.org  2 Consideration of Boards, Commissions, and Committee Appointments Planning Commission Vacancies (2)  Jeffery Burton o Councilmembers Ploughe, Sears, and Hosti voted in favor.  Robert Matkowski o Councilmembers Sears, Ploughe, Parks, Garbett, and Williams voted in favor.  Ron Rimawi o Councilmembers Parks, Garbett, Hosti, and Williams voted in favor. Robert Matkowski and Ron Rimawi received the most votes respectively and were appointed to the Planning Commission. Citizens to be Heard  Pat Leiby extended an invitation to city staff and residents to attend a showing of King in the Wilderness at the Tybee Post Theater in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Jan Will voiced concerns regarding Tybee City Hall’s historic character following its recent renovation.  Julie Wade and Kate Templeton provided awareness of human trafficking locally and nationwide.  Sandy Everest recited a self-written poem describing the beauty and charm of Tybee Island. Consideration of Approval of Consent Agenda Councilmember Parks made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the necessary corrections to the December 12, 2024, city council meeting minutes. Councilmember Hosti seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Public Hearings SITE PLAN APPROVAL: proposed placement of utility cabinet and related equipment-78 Van Horn Avenue – 40021 05002 – Zone R-1/NEP -Go-Broadband on behalf of Live Oak Fiber, LLC. — Community Development Director Patricia Sinel approached the Mayor and Council. Per the site plan, the utility enclosure is located behind the city’s generator enclosure on city property at 78 Van Horne Avenue, Tybee Island, GA 31328. The area is zoned R-1 and falls within the North End Parks and Public overlay. Director Sinel clarified that the approval of this site plan would solely provide a hub location for the Live Oak Fiber Network for Tybee Island. Furthermore, Director Sinel recommended the addition of landscape screening as a condition for approval. Councilmember Ploughe requested the installation of safety bollards to protect the utility cabinet further. Councilmember Sears made a motion to approve the site plan with staff recommendation and the required installation of safety bollards. Councilmember Hosti seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. P.O. Box 2749 – 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749 (866) 786-4573 – FAX (866) 786-5737 www.cityoftybee.org  3 SITE PLAN APPROVAL WITH VARIANCE: addition of driveway -104 17th Street -40008 18001 - Zone C-1- Southern Belle, LLC (Walter Freeman). Community Development Director Patricia Sinel addressed the Mayor and Council. Director Sinel recommended approval of the site plan with variance due to its unique nature. Councilmember Williams expressed her opposition of the variance, citing the petitioner’s overdevelopment of the property. Councilmember Parks made a motion to approve the site plan with variance with staff recommendation. Councilmember Hosti seconded the motion. Councilmembers Parks, Hosti, Garbett, Ploughe, and Sears voted aye. Councilmember Williams voted nay. Motion passed 5-1. Executive Session Councilmember Parks made a motion to move from the regular meeting into an executive session referencing litigation, personnel, and real estate. Councilmember Williams seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Parks made a motion to return to the regular meeting from an executive session. Councilmember Williams seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Consideration to take any action needed arising from executive session. – No action taken. Adjournment Councilmember Parks made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Hosti seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. P.O. Box 2749 – 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749 (866) 786-4573 – FAX (866) 786-5737 www.cityoftybee.org