HomeMy Public PortalAbout19610913CCMeetingSavannah Beach, Tybee Island, Ga.
September 13, 1961.
The regular meeting of Town Council was held today at 4 P.M. in the Council
Room in the Town Hall and was attended by'Mayor Brown, who presided and Connell-
men Peters, Meddin, Hosti, Waters, Lovell, Town Attorney Solms, Jr.,Supt, Reed,
Chief McCutchen, Mr. James H. Dendy, Messrs. B. H. Levy, Robert Demere, R. B.
Young, D. J. Sheehan, Jessie Fulenwider, Mrs. R. B. Young, Mrs. Jessie Fulenwider
and Mrs. Robert Demere.
Nr. Dendy stated regarding the work on the new golf course at Fort Screven that he
was confused as to the property line extending along Gulick Street towards the
beach, that the Town property cuts ataan angle and he finds that he needs more
footage of Town property of about 100 feet which he would like to lease from the
Town for the life of the golf course. Mr. Dendy was excused.
Mr. Levy speaking for his group stated that they had hoped that as regards the
Eighth Street paving that the matter had been straightened out until recently
when he received a notice from the Mayor informing them-that work was expected to
start shortly on paving Eighth Street. They wanted to protect their property
during the early summer and did not know how the streets would look after paving
but now they can see it and they hoped that the matter could be settled on a fair
basis as they do not want to take any court action. Mr. Levy stated that pro-
perty values will be decreased, that recent spring tides had come over the wall
at Tenth Street and presented pictures showing this. He also quoted from a letter
from Thomas & Hutton as follows: "Beach front sand dunes are a protection against
high tides." He stated that the sand dunes should not be opened to paved -. streets
and asked that the street not be paved. He stated that the Mayor and Councilmen
have a right to cut or open any street they wanted to and stated there is no
justification for paving Eighth Street and that the property owners have a right
to keep a natural barrier of the sand dunes for the protection of their„pron rty,
and that they would have a qualified engineer to appear before council to verify
the facts. They are not making any threats but feel necessary to takd action to
protect the*selves. The Mayor asked Mr. Levy if property values had= depreciated
on some of the other streets Which were paved and Mr. Levy said definitely yes.
Mr. Demere stated that property owners had talked with him and are opposed to
paving the streets and he wished that they had not been paved. The Mayor asked
him if the property values had depreciated and he said yea as paving of the streets
had become to a great degree a nuisance to property owners. Mr. Levy asked the
Mayor if it was the purpose of the Town to provide more parking spaces and the
Mayor stated that it was not. Mr. Levy stated that a great many of the cars
parked on the streets were mostly transients who bring their lunch, beer, etc.,
and throw all the trash on the streets and he hoped that the Town was not trying
to destroy residential areas and it was needless to waste the taxpeyer's money to
try and force on them something they did not want. The Mayor stated that the.
people feel that they are deprived of streets leading to the ocean and wanted them
paved. Mr. Young stated that Eighth Street is a residential area and that the
property owners should be protected. Mrs. Demere stated that any number of
property owners West of Butler will testify against the paving of Eighth Street.
Mr, Sheehan stated that one of the older property owners on the island that he
has a just claim against the paving of Eighth Street. He stated that the Mayor
and Councilmen represent the people of Savannah Beach. The Mayor informed him
that money had been provided for the paving of Eighth Street in the 1961 budget
and Mr. Sheehan stated that the Town had established a street line on Eighth
Street in 1932 which had been used by the residdnts and suggested that the Town
sell 15 feet on each side of Eighth Street, The Mayor advised him that the Town
cannot sell property. Ntr. Sheehan stated that Mr. Hosti had some property over
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on Eleventh Street that was part of the street and Mr. Hosti stated that it was pur-
chased from the Purdy Estate and Mr. Sheehan asked him if he had a clear title to it.
He also asked if the Nancy Hanks sight seeing train pays a license to use the streets.
Chief MoCutchen informed him that the State Patrol requires them to pt =a.a trailer tag
on it.. The Mayor informed them that the Town had agreed to defer action until Sep-
tember 1961. Mr. Demere requested the Mayor to read the names of property owners
agreeable to paving Eighth Street. The Mayor stated that he did not have letters from
property owners except from the directors of the Savannah Beach, Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Levy stated that it would be unfair to hear one side and not the other. Mr. Demere
stated that he was a member of the Savannah Beach Ch. of Comm.,and he was not invited
to a meeting of the chamber to discuss things relating to the paving of Eighth Street.
Mr. Young asked the date of the letter from the Savannah Beach, Ch.of Comm.,and the
Mayor stated that it was September 11, 1961. Mr. Levy thanked Council for hearing
them and the Mayor informed them that he would let them know what action was taken.
They were excused.
Supt. Reed informed council that the First Street groin was finished. Councilman
Lovell informed them that nothing had been placed in front of the Stewart Cottage
for protection. The Mayor stated that rip rap was available to put in along the
sea wall. Mr. Reed stated that delinquent water bills amounting to approximately
$3000.00 are past due and he was furnished a list of the delinquent water takers.
Mr. Reed reported that all of the streets have been paved. Councilman_ Lovell
stated that the level of the ditch on First Avenue is a poor job that it should drain
to the south instead of to the north as it does now. The Mayor informed Council that
work has started on Butler Avenue running laterals and. studs to the mains, work now
is at Butler Avenue and Second Street and that the State Highway Department will start
with the curb and gutters not less than 90 days. Mr. Reed asked what about the old
mains down Butler Avenue and the Mayor stated that he should get together with the
engineers .and put. a manhole around each main instead of relocating it and that some of
the taps should be run out now as the mains are under the pavement which would avoid
tearing up the ,pavement later on. The Mayor instructed Superintendent Reed to order
the material and get the work started. Supt.Reed called attention to Council that
some pf `the mains ate about fifty years old and should be replaced. Supt. Reed asked
what was to'be done about running water mains under the road in the Estill Station
area andasked if the State Highway Department had been contacted.
Chief MoCutchen reported that the parking meters .would be down by October 1st and
that the police women would be relieved by September 15th, that the personnel had
started vacations, that he was sending out about 200 subpoenas to parking violators
who had not paid, that the extra policemen would be relieved September 15th. He
needs eighty -six (86) stop signs and the Mayor stated that he will get the signs up.
Mr. Solms stated in reference to Eighth Street that if any of the sand dunes were
removed that the Town might be liable and that the work should be delayed until the
matter can be worked out, also that it would not be necessary to pave it all the way
to the sea wall and also they have a point for not wanting Eighth Street paved.
Councilman Peters mentioned that they claim that no street was specified in the bond
issue. Council Meddin asked if we would lose face in delaying it. Mayor Brown
requested that it be tabled until the next meeting and requested Council to vote as
to whether Council wanted to have the work started now or wait until a later date.
It was moved, andosoednded that the paving of Eighth Street be delayed until a later
date, Councilmen Waters voted N0, Councilmen Peters, Hosti, Meddin voted YES, Council-
man Lovell abstained from voting, the motion was passed.
Councilman Lovell moved that the Town employ Dan Sewell and Associates to survey
Eihth Street to ascertain what effect the sand dunes have on this area. Motion was
seconded bind Councilmen Peters, Hosti, Lovell Meddin voted YES, Councilman Waters, N0.
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Bills for the month of August for General Government amounting to $5,643.76 and
bills for the Water Department amounting to $1,017.66 were, on motion made and
seconded, passed for payment.
The Mayor informed Council that he had cut down of the activities at the Tybee
Museum and that Mr. Snell discontinued his services on August 30th, that Mrs.
Snell will continue on at a salary of $100.00 per month and will operate the
museum daily from 1 to 6 P.M. except that it will be closed on Tuesday of each
week and Mrs. Dorothy Small, the janitress, to remain on at $50.00 per month.
A report of the Savannah Beach Volunteer Fire Department for the period of
August 9th through September 13th was read.
Councilman Waters reported that Savannah Beach Post #154, Charles A. Dowell,
Commander, requested a beer license effective September 1, 1961.- Deferred to
the October meeting.
Councilman Hosti asked about the eighty-six (86) stop signs for the Police Depart-
ment and the Mayor stated that Mr. Anderson offered the signs.
The Mayor read a letter from the Savannah Chamber of Commerce dated August llth
requesting an appropriation from the Town in the campaign to bring tourists to
this vicinity. The Savannah Beach Ch. of edam. did not have funds available and
he asked Council's opinion as to what should be done about it. It was decided to
hold the matter in abeyance. •
Councilman Hosti reported that the two bills of Edmund Solomon for Fifty Dollars
each covering work he claimed he had done, were adjusted and he agreed to accept
Sixty Dollars, which amount has been paid to him.
Residents in the vicinity of Sixteenth Street and .Fourth Avenue, and also on
Seventeenth Terrace and Butler Avenue requested street lights. It was moved,
seconded and passed that the petitions be granted.
A claim was filed by Mr. Joe Hawkins for damages to his automobile when he hit a
hole in the street at Jones Avenue and Twelfth Street. The matter was referred
to the Tutan Construction Company.
Referring to Mr. Dendy's request for a small area of the Town's property adjacent
to the -golf course, which he is constructing at Fort Sereven, it was decided to
lease to him the area requested for One Dollar per year for the duration of the
golf course and that the Town Attorney draw up the necessary papers.
Mrs. Katie D. Thomson submitted a bill for $3.50 which she paid to the Thomas Plg.
Company for cleaning out her sewer line. It was ascertained that the portion of
the'line which was plugged up was out in the street. It was moved, seconded and
passed that the bill be paid.
The reading of the minutes of the meeting of August 9th were passed to the next
meeting.
There being no further business Council adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor.
Cler of Council
Mayor
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