The Tybee Island City Council typically holds its meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at the public safety building, 78 Van Horne Avenue.

The agenda for the Sept. 10 meeting is now available to view. Regular meetings are streamed on the city’s video page and Facebook page.

TYBEE NEWS/BRIEFS

Tybee approves short-term rental overhaul

The Tybee Island City Council approved an overhaul to the city’s short-term rental regulations Aug. 27, adopting new sector-based caps, a waiting-list system and strengthened requirements for parking, occupancy, ownership transfers and enforcement. The amendment passed 3-2, with Councilmembers Nick Hale, Cam Jackson and Michael “Spec” Hosti in favor and Kathryn Williams and Nick Sears opposed; Tony Ploughe recused himself because he owns a short-term rental. Council also unanimously adopted a related civil-penalties ordinance establishing fines for STR violations. The new STR regulations are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, giving staff time to establish a new application and enforcement process.

Tybee delays vote on maritime academy plan for Memorial Park

The Tybee Island City Council postponed on Aug. 27 a vote on a resolution supporting a conceptual location for a new Tybee Island Maritime Academy facility in Memorial Park, opting instead for more public and council discussion before reconsidering the proposal Sept. 10. Councilmember Tony Ploughe’s motion, approved 5-1 with Michael “Spec” Hosti opposed, calls for another meeting of the Memorial Park advisory committee and a council workshop to discuss the proposed school location, the possible relocation of the Veterans Memorial and other concerns. The preliminary concept places the school in the southern portion of the park near the existing old school and YMCA and includes a new gym and potential shared community spaces, but consultants said parking, circulation and the final building footprint remain unresolved. Residents who spoke were divided, with opponents citing the loss of green space, traffic, parking and community access concerns, while supporters argued that keeping TIMA on Tybee is important to maintaining families and a multigenerational community.

Tybee approves year-long trial of drone first responder program

The Tybee Island City Council approved a drone as first responder agreement on Aug. 27 that will give the city a year-long free trial of a BRINC drone system integrated with its Motorola dispatch and radio network. The council approved the agreement with Kathryn Williams opposed after police officials said dispatchers could remotely launch the drone to emergency calls, while certified officers could take control for uses such as accident investigations, storm damage assessments and potentially dropping flotation devices. City Manager Bret Bell said the city would evaluate whether the drone becomes part of daily operations before asking council to fund it in the FY28 budget, while the city attorney said a contract addendum protects Tybee from being obligated for future years if council declines to continue the service. Williams questioned the cost, procurement process and whether the city should commit to one company as drone technology continues to evolve.

Tybee council advances short-term rental rewrite

The Tybee Island City Council voted 3-2 on Aug. 13 to give preliminary approval to a major rewrite of the city’s short-term rental ordinance that would allow more STRs in residential neighborhoods while imposing new geographic caps and tougher enforcement rules. Council members Michael “Spec” Hosti, Cam Jackson and Nick Hale voted in favor, while Kathryn Williams and Nick Sears opposed the measure; Tony Ploughe recused himself. The proposal sets new caps ranging from 175 to 250 units across four residential sectors, potentially allowing about 168 additional rentals in those districts compared with 2025 levels. It also creates an 18-month window allowing buyers of existing STR properties to seek a new certificate without being subject to the caps or waiting list, while adding new insurance, parking, occupancy and enforcement provisions. Public comment was sharply divided, with opponents questioning the need for more rentals and warning about impacts on residential neighborhoods, while supporters argued the changes would better protect property rights and help homeowners retain or sell properties that depend on STR income. Council also unanimously advanced a companion ordinance establishing increased fines for STR violations, including penalties as high as $1,000 for violations of habitability standards and a newly added $500 fine for providing false information to the city. The ordinances still require a second reading before final adoption.

Tybee postpones vote on drone program

Tybee Island officials postponed a vote Thursday on a proposed drone responder program after deciding they needed more time to review the contract with Motorola Solutions and BRINC. Mayor Brian West said the companies had presented the system during a council workshop the previous day, but the related agenda items would be brought back at a future meeting because “there’s more to go over in their contract.” The proposed program would station a BRINC drone in a rooftop docking unit at the South Annex near the pier, allowing dispatchers to remotely send it to emergency calls, stream live video, use two-way audio and potentially deliver lifesaving equipment such as flotation devices and medical supplies. The police department already operates one commercial drone for accident-scene documentation, storm-damage surveys, traffic monitoring, search and rescue and other city uses, but staff said the program is vulnerable to being sidelined if that single drone is damaged or has a technical problem. The first year of the BRINC program would be free and the city could cancel during that period at no cost; continuing with it would cost $539,990 over five years, or $107,998 annually, including training, support and repair or replacement coverage.

Tybee makes another bid for federal beach renourishment funds

Tybee Island Mayor Brian West urged federal officials during a beachfront press conference on July 22 to provide the $12 million federal share needed to keep the island’s $20 million beach renourishment project on schedule this winter. The appeal followed a June 22 letter West sent to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle supporting U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s request to redirect savings from lower-than-expected bids on New Jersey beach projects. West said the money must be allocated by the end of July to allow time for procurement and mobilization during Tybee’s December-to-April construction window, warning that a delay could leave the island exposed through two more hurricane seasons. Tybee has secured the remaining $8 million and has lost about two-thirds of its sand since its last renourishment in 2020.

Tybee approves AJ’s plan

Tybee Island City Council approved on June 11 the redevelopment of AJ’s Dockside restaurant after a lengthy public hearing that drew strong public support for the project. Residents praised the restaurant as a longtime Tybee institution and said planned improvements, including a covered walkway and accessibility enhancements, would benefit both visitors and residents. The application was approved on a 5-1 vote, with Councilmember Nick Sears opposed. Watch the meeting (Facebook)

Tybee Island proposing $37M budget, maintaining tax rate

The Tybee City Council held a public hearing and first reading of the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget at the May 28 meeting.  The roughly $37 million spending plan maintains the city’s property tax rate at 3.542 mills with no tax increase while funding investments in sewer, stormwater and road infrastructure, beach nourishment and dune restoration, a planned new fire station and expanded lifeguard operations.

LATEST POSTS

TRANSPARENCY SCORE

Agenda availability
Days ahead of meeting (1-5): 5
Posted online: (0-1): 1
Meeting packet (0-2): 2

Meeting accessibility
Video/audio (0-1): 1
Streamed online (0-1): 1

Minutes availability
Availability online (0-2): 2
Detail (0-2): 2

Responsiveness
Email inquiries (0-2): 2

Total: 816out of 16

Context: Tybee Island City Council meetings are very accessible, and the city has consistently been responsive to my inquiries and requests.

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