HomeMy Public PortalAbout19710714CCMeeting1
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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• 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.
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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
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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
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MAYOR
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