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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19610510CCMeetingSavannah Beach, Tybee Island, Geangia May 10, 1961. The regular meeting of Town Council was held today at 3 P.M. in the Council Room in the Town Hall and was attended by Mayor Brown, who presided, and Councilmen Hosti, Powers, Waters, Lovell, Meddin, Town Attorney Solms, Jr.,Superintendent Reed, Chief McCutchen, M. P. Houlihan, E. C. Bobo, Wm. F. Whelan and Matthew F. Doyle. Mr. Houlihan representing Dr. & Mrs. M. J. Egan requested that the street light witch was recently placed at the head of 7th Street'xear the strand be removed as it was causing them a great inconvenience. The Mayor informed Mr. Houlihan that a request had been made for lights along the Strand at the head of the various streets and the Town was trying to comply with these requests. Mr. Houlihan was excused. It was moved, seconded and passed that a shield be placed on the light so that the rays would not shineron the Egan cottage. Mr. Whalen informed Council that he had placed a fence across the area of the old C of G R/W and that someone had removed it. He stated that th's enclosure was made to fence in several ponies and horses which he had and. that when this portion of the barricade was taken down the horses got out. He stated that the Counthans had blocked off part of Bay Street and that the Schneiders cannot get to their property as a result of this and requested that he be permitted to replace the barricade. Chief McCutchen stated that he had looked at it and it was not a permanent fence just a barricade which could easily be moved. Mr. Whalen was excused and the matter referred to Councilman Hosti to handle. Mr. Bobo protested against being required to place his billboard signs 50 feet off the highway and also being permitted to only one year's use of the sign. He stated that being a property owner he should have the use of his property and it was nbt fair to him to require that the sign be placed 50 feet away from the highway. The Mayor in- formed him that Chatham County will not permit signs on it's highways at all and stated it would be well if council would refuse permission to install any new signs until after completion of the road. Mr. Bobo requested that the 50 foot requirement for his sign be retracted and also that the requirement of it to be allowed for year also be re- tracted. He also requested that the assessments on his property were too high and not comparable with others in the same line of business. The Mayor informed him that the Assessment Committee was fair in it's assessments and that Mr. Bobo did not pay what he should have paid when he was using the - Town's water. Superintendent Reed found that at the Waves Motel he bad Jumped the water meter. Councilman Meddin stated that Mr. Bobo had written him a letter regarding his assessment but wanted.a private hearing. Mr. Meddin did not think this was necessary. The Mayor asked if the assessment Committee of which Mr. Meddin was Chairman, would meet with Mr. Bobo and Councilman Meddin repeated that he did not think that it was necessary. The Mayor asked Mr. Bobo if he would be willing to accept professional appraisers values placed on his and other similar pro- perties, and Bobo stated that he would on some but would not on others. The Mayor asked what other buildings,Bobo said Neptunalia for one, his prime purpose is to get a fair reduction in his assessments. The Mayor suggested that three professional appraisers appraise the property in question and asked Council to go along with this suggestion. Mr. Solms suggested that the Assessment Committee reconsider the matter at Mr. Bobo's request. The Mayor stated that if the Assessment Committee wishes to reconsider the matter Mr. Bobo will be notified. Mr.•Bobo asked that he be notified of the Committee's decision within five days from this date, he would have qualified appraisers. The Mayor asked Mr. Neddin of the Assessment Committee if they will reconsider hearing him within five date from this date and Mr. Bobo was excused. Mr, Matthew Doyle stated that two months ago he was erecting a side porch on his pro- perty and the work was stopped by the Town. The summer season has started and he would like to finish this work if he is permitted to and asked what was wrong, if anything, Mr. Solms stated that it was his fault and that he will discuss the matter with Council, Mr. Doyle was excused. 60 Superintendent Reed informed Council that three buildings on.the route of the new highway will be moved and asked if sewerage and water fees be charged at the new.locationse The Mayor informed Council that the paving contractors stated that they could not finish the final paving of Sixth to Thirteenth. Street until.the weather get hot. He also asked if there was any tar on the beach last week. Super- intendent Reed stated that there was none that he knew of. The Mayor stated that a Mrs Lowry had filed a bill for $116.00 claiming that some of her clothing, etc.,was damaged by tar while on the beach. The Mayor informed Mr. Meddin that on checking on the sale of the ared to be used as a park, that he found that several lots had been sold out of the area and.that the Town should deduct $500.00 from the agreed sale price for these lots. The Mayor stated that he had also talked to Mrs. T. E. Fitzgibbons about purchasing several lots which she owns that abuts the proposed park, she seems to be agree- able to renting but does not want to sell. The Mayor asked what would be a fair pri+ae for this property, Mr. Solms stated that the record wo»ld have to be checked at the court house. Councilman Lovell suggested that in connection with the flooding of the ared from First Street to Tilton Street and from the Seawall back to Second Avenue, that a flood gate should be put in the seawall in this area - The Mayor suggested that the Town get urban renewal to correct this area. A petition dated April 27, 1961 was presented requesting that the flooding condi- tions prevailing in the general area of First Menne North of First Street be o dt.. This petition was presented by a group of property owners in this area. Councilman Lovell stated that if the groin which is to be replaced in this area was built now that it would'relieve a considerable portion of the conditions existing when high tides and northeasters wash over the seawall. The Mayor stated that Hotel Tybee people offered him some rip rap free except for the cost of hauling. The Mayor informed Council that a sign of Bradley, the key man, had blown down. Councilman Hosti stated that it should be placed fifty feet from the highway on re- location. Councilman Lovell stated that it woulded like a long distance to make him put it. The_Mayor stated that he had informed Mr. Bradley that the sign would be relocatedr as where it was formerly was in the area that the State highway has acquired. He will write Mr. Bradley to hold off putting up the sign until after the highway is completed. Chief MoCmtchen informed Council that the Parking Meters are up and that all the meters on 16th Street were changed from one cent and five cent to five cent and twenty- five.cent. He also stated that they were working on getting bleachers for the soft bail park. Councilman Waters stated that he was handling with Buddy McCollum about getting some bleachers for the ball park. He also stated that pop corn licenses now. are $25.00 and that this is too high and should be reduced to $10.00 and he,made a motion that the license be reduced from $25.00 to $10.00 where it is handled in connection with other business and that the taxi cab license be reduced to $25.00 per cab and that no license be charged house movers at the present time. Councilman Hosti. stated that some of the house movers are bringing in sub contractors such as plumbing, etc, and should they be charged. The Mayor stated that he did not think that they fbtld be. Councilman Hosti stated that there were several real estate offices on the island and a new one was to be opened by Patterson & Peters and he stated that some thought should be given to licensing them. I' 1 1 61 Chief McCutchen called attention to the deputy sheriff bonds being expired. It was Moved, seconded and passed that they be renewed. Councilman Lovell stated that at the last meeting Town Council agreed to the area to be purchased to be used as a park in Fort Screven, which is now a portion of this property, is being excluded from the purchase as it has a garage on it and found to be privately owned. It was agreed that the garages and lots are not to be included in the purchase. The minutes of the meeting of April 19th were read and adopted. . Bills for general government amounting to $3529.58 and for the Water department amounting to $787.55 were on motion made, seconded and approved for payment. Councilman Meddin asked how, we could check on the (payments made for the beverage sales tax and the Mayor requested Mr. Solms to contact Mayor McLean and ask him how the City of Savannah handles this. The Mayor informed Council that in re- locating the water lines that the State Highway Department will reimburse us the cost. Mr. Solms informed Council that Mrs. C. E. Williams Jr. owed some back taxes and that to collect the taxes he suggested that the costsbe eliminated. It was decided to do this and collect the taxes only. Councilman Lovell asked what had been done about the water situati n of Mr. H. E. Brower. Councilman Hosti stated that he had not talked to Mr. Brewer as he had been 311. Mr. Lovell stated that he should be put on a meter for motels and other buildings and that if he and other water takers have not paid, up by July 1st that the water be discontinued. Councilman Lovell made a motion that the regular meeting of Council be held at 8 P.M. during the summer months which was seconded and passed. Councilman Powers reported that the Savannah Beach Volunteer Fire Department had reported 65- hours on duty and that 36 men are now on the roster, and also that they now have a tfilning program going on. Councilman Powers stated that he was informed that Billy Fields had been re- employed on the Police Department and asked if any complaints had been heard regarding him. Councilman Waters stated that he was employed for night work, Councilman Powers stated that he was against employing him. The Mayor stated that he had heard nothing against him when his name came up. Councilman Lovell suggested that it be left to the-discretion of Councilman Waters. Councilman Hosti stated that Superintendent Reed needs a new truck and that Chevrolet quoted a price of $1,365.00 with undercoating, J. C. Lewis quoted a price of $1,508.73 without uddercoating. It was moved, seconded and passed that the Chevrolet Pick-up be purchased. The Mayor stated that a new police car will not A�be purchased this year. Councilman Hosti regarding Bobo's sign on Firs4 text Jones Avenue, stated that he did not think it would be blocking First Avenue and recommended that he be permitted to erect it, the same as the other two signs. The Mayor stated that any sign moved shouild kg back 50 feet and that an Ordinance should be adopted now. He stated that he would go along to move the sign closer as recommended to Council. 62 Mr. Scams stated that he had a letter from the Planning Board that they charge for certain services rendered, he also stated that we need something better than ve have now. The Mayor stated that Mr. Solms should contact the planning board and in turn Thomas & Hutton regarding this. Town Attorney Solms informed Council that he could not see where Mr. Matthew Doyle was violating an Ordinance covering the work he is doing on his property. The question is, is it a screen porch or an enclosed porch and that Mr. Doyle should be permitted to put his screen up but not permitted to close up the porch except for the screen, or that he can use water proof p].+vood or similar fire- proof material. It was moved, seconded and passed that fireproof material, if used, would be all right. Regarding the street light on the Savannah Electric Company Solms would write to Mr. J.P. A petition was presented by a that a shover be installed on The matter was dirdcussed. 7th Street the Mayor stated that he world request to put up a shield towards the Egan house. Mr. Houlihan regarding this. number of residents and property owners requesting Second Street about 75 feet Eastward to the seawall. A petition was presented by several residents and property owners requesting that steps be placed at the seawall at the head of Center Street for the convenience of getting to and from the beach. A petition was presented from a group of property owners and residents opposing chairs in the auditorium fastened to the floor. Councilman Meddin moved that the improvements on Lot #40, Ward 5, the assessment be reducd3d by $1000.00. The motion was seconded and passed. Mr. Soles stated that an effort should be made to do away with all signs in the Town limits. It was moved, seconded and passed that the following ordinance be adopted.