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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19710714CCMeeting1 1 1 Savannah Beach, Georgia July 14, 1971 The regular meeting of Council was called to order at 3:00 P.M. today with Mayor -Pro Tem, Jack Daniels, presiding on account of Mayor M. J. Counihan being out of the City. The following visitors and petitioners were also present: Mr. William S. Lovell, Lucy Patterson, Arnie Seyden, Charles Davis, Earl Anderson and Richard DeBorde. Mr. Bill Lovell appeared before Council to see if something could be done about a drainage ditch that had been filled in by a resident close to his house. Mr. Lovell stated that this caused the water to, stand in his yardi.. Mr. Daniels told Mr. Lovell that he would get Mr. Tommy Reed and Mr. Kent, City Marshal, to look into this. Mrs. Lucy Patterson, Recreational Director, appeared before Council to let them know that Open House would be held in Memorial Park on Friday, August 13th, and said that she would like as many Councilmen as possible to attend. Councilman Jack Daniels, presiding in the place of Mayor Counihan, explained the mix -up in the time and dates of the regular council meeting. He said it was the plan of Mayor Counihan to make our regular agenda meeting, which is held on the second Wednesday of the month, a regular meeing; but it would be held at 7:00 O'Clock instead of 3:00 O'Clock. Councilman Daniels stated that we would, therefore, hold this meeting at 3:00 O'Clock, conduct some business and then call a recess until 7:00 P.M. at which time the regular meeting would be re- convened. Bills for the various departments were approved. for payment. Approving of the Minutes of the meeting of June 16th was delayed until Council was re- convened at 7:00 P.M. Councilman Schwarz stated that he had heard several complaints that the City was sending out delinquent notices without envelopes. He was assured by the Clerk that this was not so, and that all delinquent notices went out in envelopes sealed. City Attorney Bart Shea informed Council that the first reading of an Ordinance amending our Water Ordinance was held at the June Council Meeting in regard to permits for shallow or surface wells. A motion was made by Councilman Schwarz that the second reading of this ordinance be postponed to the regular Council Meeting in August. The motion was duly 8 seconded and carried by a vote of four to one, Councilmen Jung, Stettler, Towns and Schwarz voting for the motion and Council- man Cary voting against the motion. Councilman Stettler asked permission of Council to have the front end loader move the oyster shells from the boat ramp on the Inlet. Mr. Daniels suggested that Councilman Schwarz get together with Mr. Reed and see what could be worked out along this line. Councilman Cary requested that the Recreation Committee see about getting a new net for the tennis court and also move the posts so that the net can be properly installed. Councilman Stettler stated that he had been requested to install a drinking fountain on the side of the Community House for the benefit of those playing on the ball diamond in the park. Councilman Schwarz was requested to get together with Mr. Reed and see if this could be done. Councilman Stettler stated that he had been requested to see about the kitchen in the Community House which was promised to the Golden Age Club which was promised to them by Mayor Counihan. Councilman Daniels told Mr. Stettler that as soon as we could get a carpenter to work regular, the Mayor plans to have this work done. Councilman Stettler stated that he had been requested to ask Council to pay for the umpires who would handle the men's soft ball teams. He was asked by Councilman Daniels what was the total amount that would be needed to pay for the umpires for the whole season and was informed that it would take $200.00 to pay the umpires for the entire season. After a discussion with Mr. Arnie Seyden and Mr. Charlie Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Daniels recommended that Councilman Stettler get together with Mr. Golden and County Commissioner Eddie Dufour to see what could be worked out. Councilman Daniels announced that since there was no further business to come before the Council at this time, this meeting was recessed until 7:00 this evening The re- convened session of the July 14th Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. this evening with Mayor Michael J. Counihan presiding and the following Councilmen in attendance: Jack Daniels, Edward Jing, Robert F. Cary, Edward Towns, James Stettler, and George Schwarz. City Attorney Bart Shea was also present. 1 1 1 1 The following visitors and petitioners were present: Mr. B. H. Levy, Mr. Fred DeBorde, Mrs. Lucy Patterson, Charlie Davis„ Tony Simon, Fred Oliveros, Earl Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Doyle, Ted Erickson, Mrs. Julian Kelly, Dr. Mulherin, Dwight Davis and Mr. Earl Anderson. Mayor Counihan re- convened the meeting which was recessed from this afternoon. He recognized Mr. B. H. Levy who repre- sented a group of the protestors to the new sewer and water ordinances. Mr. Levy stated that he did not represent two groups, that he only represented the group of Savannah Beach Tax Payers who are not permanent residents and who do not have a right to vote. He stated that he did not represent the Savannah Beach Taxpayers Association. Mr. Levy stated that he and his group recognized the pollution problem that the Beach had and that he and his group would like to see it cleaned up just as much as any person present. He stated that his reasons for appearing before Council was ignorance. He said his group did not know how much money it takes, how much money the City expected to spend or how much money you expect to collect under the Ordinance which was adopted by Council. We understand, he stated, correctly or incorrectly, that no survey was made by a professional, impartial group or concern as to what these figures would produce in a community of approximately 2,000 residents and 20,000 three or four months out of the year. Mr. Levy said that what his group would like to do is to ask Council to show them the courtesy of trying to work out jointly to the satisfaction of all concerned what it really takes to finance this pollution problem. He stated further that his group had some concrete suggestions to make. He said that he did not feel that any of his group objected to the flat $4.00 fee on water or the flat $3.00_fee on sewerage that would produce $84,000 per year. Mr. Levy said that he did not know what the businesses down here were being charged but it was his understanding that these rates applied only to residents. He said thatvhat his group felt was unfair was this business of allocating 5,000 gallons per month and then if you go over that in any one month, you are charged in addition to it. Mr. Levy stated that he recognized the right of the municipality and agreed that it was fair to put a readiness -to -serve charge on. He further stated that if he_wasn't down here for nine months and that water is available for nine months and I don't use it, there is no reason why I should not pay a fair and reasonable charge for having the water available to me and that his group had no argument with that. He said further that his group felt there were two possible ways of solving the problem. One, he said, would be to keep your fixed water charges just as they are but allow each one 120,000 gallon allowance and only begin to charge when the usage got beyond the 120,000 allowance, or such other figure as Council deemed proper and fair and only charge them beyond that point. 83 84 The other possibility, Mr. Levy said, that would be fair to part -time residents, but perhaps not as fair to the full- time residents would be to annualize the usage rather than to put it on a monthly basis. He said further that he could not see the fairness of paying more than the stand -by charge, which they are willing to pay, for nine months when they use no water or practically no water; and, then get soaked like mad for three months that they are down here. Mr. Levy said that he felt either of these solutions would be satisfactory to the part -time residents. He also said that he felt any and all money collected from these -water and sewer charges should be set aside and some sort of seperate accounting for the construction and servicing the pollution program, which is what you tell us these additional charges are for. Mr. Levy said again that he would like to meet with a small group of councilmen and a committee from his group to see if they can't work this thing out. Mr. Dwight Davis stated by using the flat rate of $84.00 per year for approximately 1200 water takers would bring in $175,000.00 per year. He said that this includes the business and residential users. He further stated that it was his understanding that the city could get a contribution from the State and whatever was gotten from the State would be matched by the Federal Government. He stated that it would take about two years to complete the pollution abatement program and in two wears the City would have about $350,000.00 and if you get $175,000.00 from the State you would be able to pay for it in two years. Mayor Counihan said that these figures were false. Mr. Davis said further that he understood that these funds were ready and sitting up in Atlanta. All you have to do is go get them; and then you could get the federal funds. Mr. Counihan stated that the City had made application for a loan in the amount of $250,000.00; whereas, the total amount needed to fund this program is approximately $700,000.00. Mr. Earl Anderson read a recent newspaper article wherein it was stated that Federal Water Quality Control stated that the present surcharge on sewer and water users would not be enough to complete the pollution program. Also, it was stated in the article that these figures were compiled in May, 1970, and did not reflect the sharp increases which are occurring on a continuing basis. Mr. Anderson stated further that he had a friend living in Windsor Forest who just called him and said that he paid $58.00 water and sewer bill for the two months just passed. 1 1 1 • Mr. Fred DeBorde stated that he felt you could not compare Savannah Beach with Savannah, Jesup or anyone. He also stated that the residents were being penalized because they use water twelve months out of the year. Mrs. Julian Kelly wanted to know who and by what authority and experience was this type of water bill put upon them. Mr. Counihan replied that the ordinances of many comparable municipalities were studied and these rates and charges were fixed at right about the middle or average, he stated that, for example, Saint Simons, a community most like us, had higher rates than we do and only allow 3,000 gallons per month for both part time and full time residents. Mrs. Kelly wanted to know how the mayor and council figured out their overall expenditures on the Island. Mayor Counihan replied that Mr. Joe Hutton, of Thomas & Hutton made a survey and that is how we know what our overall cost will be. The Mayor also stated that the sewer lines here had not been touched in the last 12 to 15 years by past administrations; whereas, this administration had already spent some seventy to eighty thousand dollars. He stated further that old concrete pipes were used and now they are all deteriorating. He said that the City was going to have to do something about the sewer situation one way or the other. Mr. DeBorde stated that the permanent residents were having to pay a penalty due to the fact that these charges were based on a population of 20,000 which we only have for three months and not on a population of from 1,500 to 2,000 which we have for about nine months. Mr. Earl Anderson stated that he felt all of the petitioners were missing the point entirely. He stated that we have a job to do. He said that we have been ordered by the State Water Quality Control to correct this pollution problem. He said this means all of the citizens - not just the Mayor and °Council. He stated further that all of the citizens were going to have to learn to live on less water. Mr. Levy stated that his group wants to work with the Mayor and Council in solving the problem. He stated further that he did not think the ordinances that were adopted are fair and equitable. He said further that they realize that the necessary money had to be raised and that his group wanted to be a help to the Mayor and Council. 85 86 Mayor Counihan then excused the petitioners and proceeded with the regular business of the meeting. A letter from Cresthill Baptist Church was read by the Clerk, in which they requested permission to have a group of about 30 persons to sing religious folk music at the Beach. This request was received as information. A letter was read from Senator Gambrell in which he states that our Erosion Control Bill had passed the Senate, Appropriations Committee, the Secretary of the Army and now had been approved by the Committee on Public Works. A letter was read from Congressman Ray Roberts, expressing his regrets at being unable to visit us over the July Fourth Weekend. This was received as information. The Clerk read a petition signed by Mrs. Willaunell Williams, Henry Chafin, Charles H. Davis, Perry A. Zittrauer,Jr. and George A. Boyd, Jr. in which was requested the forming of a Recreation Commission for Savannah Beach. Mayor Counihan stated this would be taken under advisement. A letter was read from Mrs. Evelyn C. Carter in which she requested the City to sell her a piece of land 80 x 135 feet which property adjoins the Missroon property which is now owned by her. Mayor Counihan stated this would be looked into. Mayor Counihan stated that on July 21st a regular meeting of Council would be held for the sole purpose of opening up bids to purchase Alley No. 1 and also the property known as Gentle Haven. He also announced that the low bidder would be named at that time. The minutes of the Meeting of June 16th were approved as corrected. Councilman Towns stated that the postponing of the second reading on the amending ordinance regarding shallow wells created a problem at the Ramada Inn. He said that he felt like we should discuss this matter now and not wait until next month; and if there are any extenuating circumstances, let's find them. .Mayor Counihan reminded Councilman Towns that in the matter of giving permission to Mr. Simons, the entire Council was polled and this was done prior to the second reading of the ordinance; and, therefore, not affected by it. City Attorney Shea agreed with Mayor Counihan and stated that the ordinance would not take affect until it was passed. Also, since he felt] there was some confusion about this problem he said he would bring Council up to date on just what has happened. lfr. Shea stated that a first reading of the ordinance was held at the last meeting. It was brought out that we should have the second reading for adoption at this meeting. He further stated that he read it, and there was a discussion as to 1 1 1 whether or not we wanted that type of ordinance. Then Councilman Schwarz made a motion that it be postponed to the August Council Meeting for passing on the ordinance. It was approved by a vote of 4 to 1. Now Councilman Towns was making a motion that it be re- considered, he being one of the councilmen who voted with the prevailing side. Councilman Daniels agreed that all of the councilmen were polled and the Ramada Inn situation was discussed but, he stated, he had a discussion with Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Miller and they have need for a shallow well. He said that they, too, should have some consideration. Councilman Stettler said that he felt it might be better to leave the ordinance as it is because it left the granting or refusing of the permit for these wells up to the discretion of the Council. Councilman Daniels reminded Council that shallow wells are drilled for one purpose and that is to dodge the water bill. Councilman Cary said that if it was legal he would like to remove the first reading and forget about it. Councilman Daniels, in a point of order, stated the Council- man Cary cannot remove something that has already been acted upon by Council. He stated further that one who voted with the prevailing side should make a motion to reconsider the action taken last month, which was the first reading of this ordinance. Councilman Towns, being one who voted with the prevailing side, moved the reconsideration of the question. It was seconded by Councilman Daniels and unanimously carried. Councilman Daniels moved that the amendment to the water ordinance be adopted on second reading. There was no second to the motion and Mayor Counihan declared the motion lost for lack of a second. Councilman Daniels moved that Mrs. Miller be granted a permit for a shallow well. Councilman Schwarz said he would second the motion if Council would investigate the feasibility of it and also the necessity of it. The motion was carried with Councilman Schwarz abstaining from voting. Councilman Daniels moved that the Ram Ada Inn be allowed to sink a shallow well. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. Councilman Daniels asked that the Clerk be instructed to write a letter to Mr. Kaminsky, giving him fifteen days to clean up his lot and if not done by that time, the City will have it done and bill him for it. There were no objections and the Mayor ordered this done. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL / MAYOR 1