HomeMy Public PortalAbout19501019CCMeeting26
Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Ga.
October 19, 1950
The regular meeting of Town Council was held today at 4 P.M.
in the Council Room and was attended by Mayor Dutton, who presid-
ed, Councilmen Meddin, Smith, Lovell, Hosti and peters, Town
Attorney Solms, Superintendent Reed, Chief McCutehen, Samuel L.
Varnedoe, Joseph J. Hutton, Thomas E. Fitzgibbon and Henry N.
Chaffin. *
Mr. Varnedoe presented to Council an offer of sale of the
Tybee Water Works system on behalf of the Tybee Water Works. He
outlined the groan revenue, salaries, cost of operation, taxes,
depreciation and net profit as shown by the statements and tax
returns of the Tybee Water Works for the years 1946 through 1949.
He presented Council a letter from Varnedoe & Chisholm, Invest-
ment Brokers, outlining the procedure and his firm suggested the
method to be used by the Town in the purchase of said Water Works.
(See letter) Mr. Hutton, of Thomas & Hutton, Engineers, of Savan-
nah, explained that he had made a study of the Water Works system
to determine the present value, age of equipment, replacement cost,
as well as the necessary additions to the system for furnishing
fire protection which included looping of lines, installation of
additional fire plugs and also the cost to modernize the Water
Works by installation of electrical controls and valves which
would make the system fully automatic. A lengthy discussion with
Mr. Varnedoe and Mr. Hutton of all phases of the sale, cost of
operation, etc., was had.
Mr. Varnedoe asked that the Town reply to his letter not
later than Wednesday, October 25, 1950, because he had a contract
with the Water Works whereby he could promote the sale of same,
but he desired to give the Municipality the first right of pur-
chase. At the same time, he felt that there were a number of other
prospective purchasers throughout the country who would be interest-
ed in this type of investment.
A petition from Mr. Fitzgibbon to the Mayor and Councilmen
requesting the right to purchase from the Municipality a portion
of Meddin Drive adjacent to his Lots 24, 25 and 26, Block 27, Ft.
Screven, was read. A motion was made by Councilman Lovell and sec-
onded by Councilman Smith that the Municipality sell to Mr. Fitzgib-
bon the 15 foot strip adjacent to his lots at the price of $10.00
per strip per lot, providing all owners along this particular
strip of land also purchase the strips lying adjacent to their
property. This motion was adopted.
A discussion on the transfer of that portion of the Strand
in front of the Tybee Hotel in exchange for an equivalent piece
of land owned by the Tybee Hotel took place. Councilman Meddin
suggested that it appeared that it would be necessary to pave
15th Street to its full width of 6o feet in order to entertain
such a transfer. Mr. Reed suggested that the northern line of
TTinutes of the meeting of Seotember 14th were red end
ap ?- roved.
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15th Street was very near the southern line of the Hotel Cottages
located on that side of the Street and, as a matter of fact, one
or two of these cottages encroached slightly on the Street. No
definite action was taken on this subject.
A motion was made by Councilman Meddin and seconded by
Councilman Hosti that bills for the month of September amounting
to $3,514.94 be paid. This motion was adopted.
Councilman Meddin reported on the status of the finances
of the Town. A motion was made by Councilman Meddin and second-
ed by Councilman Hosti that electrical work in the auditorium
of the Town Hall be made as per estimate of $111 -.25 submitted
by J. W. Rentiers. The motion was adopted.
Chief McCutchen reported:
(1) 375 meters have been cleaned, repaired and
stored.
(2) The police Department is now using the new
Jail. He found it necessary to borrow beds from the Convict
Camp to be used in the new Jail. A discussion on the purchase
of sufficient beds for the Jail was had. No definite action
was taken.
(3) He reported that the chromium on the new
motorcycle was in bad shape. He requested permission to take
this up with Cleary Motorcycle Company. Permission granted. He
suggested that the motorcycle be kept on the Island and stored
so that it could be used during times when the police car was on
other duty.
Mr. Reed reported on the public Works Department. There
was discussion of authorization of the survey of Bay Ward made
by S. P. Kehoe, Jr.. Mr. Reed pointed out that Mr. Diamond claim-
ed that the Town had been taking sand from his property and that
he had had the survey made to determine where the Bay Street
lines were, as well as those lines owned by the Municipality in
the vicinity of the Diamond property. Town Attorney Solms report-
ed that Mr. Kehoe started that he had used several men for 4i days
in making this survey and that he felt that the charge of $75.00
was in order; and, further, that Mr. Kehoe stated definitely
that the sand was not removed from the Diamond property and that
Mr. Kehoe checked the lines on this street from the original mark-
ers of perey Sugden, C. E. and installed concrete markers as
shown on the survey plat.
A proposed offer of purchase of the Jail house from the
Ft. Screven Development Company on the terms of $8,000.00, paya-
ble at the rate of $2,000.00 per year, without interest, was re-
jected by the Ft. Screven Development Company. A counter offer
of sale was made by the Ft. Screven Development Company to the
Municipality on the basis of $8,000.00, payable $2,000.00 per
year at the rate of 5 % interest. This proposition was not ac-
cepted by council. It was suggested that a counter offer of pur-
chase be submitted to the Ft. Screven Development Company on the
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basis of $7,500.00 cash or $8,000.00 payable $2,000.00 per year
without interest.
Mayor Dutton requested an opinion from the Town Attor-
ney as to whether the Municipality could sell or transfer a por-
tion of the Strand in front of the Tybee Hotel without an elec-
tion for that purpose.
A discussion took place on the request of Henry N.
Chafin who requested that he be re- instated on the police De-
partment. This was rejected as there are no vacancies on the force.
Councilman Hosti stated that Mr. Reed reported that his Depart-
ment did not want him. Motion was made by Councilman Meddin and
seconded by Councilman peters that Councilman Hosti and Reed de-
cide whether they could use Mr. Chafin in the Sanitation Depart-
ment. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Reed reported that the area near 1st and Tilton
Streets needed drainage very badly and that, in order to put in
the proper drainage, some pipe would be necessary. He was direct-
ed to outline the cost of the required pipe. Mr. Reed, also, call-
ed attention to the road at Chimney Pot Creek. Mayor Dutton stat-
ed that he would get in touch with Mr. Bacon, of the State High-
way Department, regarding same. Town Attorney Solms stated that
the Riverside Lodge on Chatham Avenue was not zoned against rent-
ing boats thereon, Mr. peters moved that a license be issued to
Milton Levison for renting boats, Councilman Meddin seconded and
the motion pasaed.
A motion was made by Councilman peters that a transfer
of the license of Riverside Lodge issued to Gladys Johnson to
rent rooms, to Milton Levison be made, Councilman Meddin second-
ed and the motion passed.
There was a discussion on the conversion of the old
Jail so that it would house the Ambulance and all fire equipment.
Mr. Reed advised Council that he had found a considerable amount
of new fire hose on the floor in the fire house and had the hose
stacked and put away. Councilman Smith was requested to find out
who made this purchase without requisition. The Mayor asked Mr.
Reed whether the storm damage settlement had been completed. Mr.
Meddin reported that it had been.
The Mayor asked what had been done about the public
Dock. Mr. Reed reported that Mr. Varnedoe did not go into further
detail with him after leaving Council at the last meeting of same.
Mr. Reed reported that he only had three (3) convicts
and that they could now only do work of a public nature, such
as street work, work for charitable institutions, Churches, etc.
He stated that he had heard some rumors of criticism of the use
of convicts at the Tybee Bakery. This work at the Tybee Bakery
was on instructions from Judge E. W. Cubbedge of the County
Commissioners to clear up the unsanitary conditions existing
there after the fire.
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The Mayor read letters from (1), A. A. Thomas, Chairman
of the Fire Committee of Savannah, who stated that he appreciat-
ed very much receiving the Resolution passed by Council and the
letter to him inclosing same and furthermore that Savannah would
always be ready and willing to assist the Town in every way poss-
ible.'(2) Lee MoClurkin, president, Savannah Electric Company,
acknowledging receipt of a letter from Mayor Dutton on the fine
work of Lawrence Smith and other employees during the storm and
fire. Mayor Dutton stated that he had sent Earle Cooke a tele-
gram of congratulations on becoming Supreme Commander of the
American Legion.
The Mayor called to the attention of Council that, the
Georgia Municipal Association would hold its annu .l meeting in
Augusta, Georgia, on December 7th & 9th, 1950, and that he would
attend. Mayor Dutton requested as m: -.ny members of Council as
would attend this most important Municipal conference, the ex-
penses to be paid by the Town.
The Mayor stated that he would adjourn the meeting until
October 26, 1950 at 4 o'clock, at which time he requested all
members to be present in order to discuss and pass on some very
important matters.
There being no further business at this time the meeting
was adjourned until October 26th, 1950.
This meeting continued from October 19th, 1950.
Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Ga.
October 26, 1950
The adjourned meeting of the. Mayor and Councilmen of the
Town of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, was held at the Town Hall
on October 26, 1950, at 4 P. M. and was attended by Mayor Dutton,
who presided, Councilmen Meddin, Smith, Lovell, Hosti, peters
and Brown, Supt. Reed, Chief McCutchen and Town Attorney Solms.
Appearing before Council: Samuel L. Varnedoe, of Varnedoe
and Chisholm, Inc., Joseph J. Hutton of Thomas & Hutton, Engineers.
Mayor Dutton stated that the regular meeting of Council
was adjourned until this day and time for the purpose of giving
all members of Council an opportunity to investigate and ascer-
tain further facts about the Tybee Water Works; also, for the
purpose of having all members of Council present to pass on
whether or not the Municipality desired to purchase the Water
Works for the acid Town.
Mr. Varnedoe presented
surrounding the circumstances
of the Tybee Water Works. Mr.
given the right by the owners
to Council detailed information
of the proposed sale by the owners
Varnedoe stated that he had been
of the Tybee Water Works to sell
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the same and to give the Town of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island,
the first opportunity to purchase.
Mr. Varnedoe further stated that he had written a letter
to Mayor Dutton under date of October 19, 1950, setting out in
detail his suggestions and recommendations in the premises. He
requested that this letter be read, which was done.(See letter.)
Mr. Hutton further explained to Council the results of a
survey and study made by his company of the entire Water Works
System and he stated the replacements costs, present value and
method of ascertaining the same.
After considerable discussion by members of Council with
Messrs. Varnedoe and Hutton, they were excused.
After further discussion on the pros and cons of this
matter, a motitIntiaa made-,b ' Councilman Peters, seconded by Council-
man Meddin, that the Town of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, pur*
chase the Tybee hater Works at a sum not to exceed $105,000.00
and, upon the condition that Water Revenue>.Certificates be issued
at a rate of interest not to exceed three (3 %) per cent; and, fur -
ther, that any further details necessary to complete this purchase
be worked out in a subsequent . -special meeting -to be called for
such purpose. This motion was unanimously passed.
A motion was made by Councilman peters and seconded by
Councilman Hosti that the old Guard House, now biting used as a
Jail, which is located on Van Horne Street in Fort Screven, now
owned by the Fort Screven Development Company, be purchased for
the sum of $7,500.00 cash. This motion was unanimously adopted.
Sup. Reed stated that Mr. Solomon had taken excellent
care of the equipment of the Water Works System, consisting of
pumps, motors, pipes, etc., and that they were in the best poss-
ible condition.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned
subject to the call of the Mayor.
C rk of ouncil
Mayor
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