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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19720621CCMeeting1 1 1 Savannah Beach, Georgia June 21, 1972 The Regular Monthly Meeting of City Council was held at 3 :00 P.M. this afternoon with Mayor M. J. Counihan presiding and the following Councilmen present: Edward Jung, James Stettler, Robert F. Cary, and George Schwarz. Councilmen Ed. Towns had an excused absence and was not present. City Attorney Bart Shea was also present at the Meeting. Visitors and petitioners at the Meeting were Mr. Robert Cook, attorney representing Mr. and Mrs. Calvert Strickland, Mr. Alien Hendrix, Mr. Walter Parker, Mr. Earl Anderson, Mr. Atkinson, Mrs, Evelyn Butler and Mr. Rusty Fleetwood. Mr. Robert Cook, appearing before Council on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Strickland, sought to have Council rearrange the parking meters . recently installed in front of the store operated by Mr. and Mrs. Strickland. Mr. Cook stated that he knew that Council had the authority to place parking meters in front of all businesses; but that Council reconsider the arrangement of the meters and change the parking from the present parallel parking to perpendicular parking as it was up until recently changed. He presented Council with a petition of 330 plus signatures requesting this change. Mayor Counihan then informed Mr. Cook that this situation had been investigated and that the City would change back to the perpendicular parking. Mr. Randy Fleetwood appeared before Council to request that the surfing area be extended to Eighth Street. Mayor Counihan stated that he would ask Council to check into the feasibility of extending this area and he would inform Mr. Fleetwood of their findings. Bills for the various departments were approved for payment. Councilman Jung reported that the parking meters in the parking area running from 14th to 15th Streets along the Strand were very old and becoming obsolete. He stated further that these meters were giving trouble and were in constant need of repair; also, that these old meters had to be wound manually; as opposed to the trouble -free automatic Duncan meters in the Sixteenth Street Lot. He said that the areas needing new meters are as follows: 1. In the area 68 doubles - 2. Back Island 37 spaces. 3. Recommended running along the boardwalk - 1st Island - 3 singles - total 137 spaces. (rear of parking lot) 18 doubles - 1 single dead end streets (replacements) 163 spaces. 67 68 All meters to be set 25¢ per two hours, or two quarters - four hours. Total cost of all of above meters $9,121.00 Councilman Jung stated that he did not feel we should purchase all of these meters now; but, to buy them in the order of most needed when we have the funds to do so. He stated further that he wanted the permission of Council to buy these as we need them. Councilman Jung then moved that we purchase these meters when needed and when in funds. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cary and unanimously approved. Councilman Jung announced to Council that we have now received another inquiry from what appears to be a sound investment group with regard to the purchase of the Tybrisa property. Mr. Jung further stated that this group was going to have some plans drawn to present along with their proposal. City Council gave Councilman Jung unanimous consent to continue his negotiations with this group. Councilman Jung advised Council of the need for an additional pakker in order to service our municipality properly. He said that he had looked into this matter and that he now had specifica- tions from a reliable company that would fit our needs. He stated that this Pakker could be purchased for $11,700.00. Councilman Jung stated further that this particular piece of equipment had been approved by Mr. Tommie Reed, Superintendent of Sanitation, He then moved that this equipment be purchased. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cary and carried. Councilman Schwarz ab- stained from voting. Councilman Jung informed Council that his committee had received a request for a business license from Miss Darcia Anderson to sell soft drinks and sandwiches on the beach. He said the location of the business, according to the application, was between 7th and 14th Streets on the beach. Mayor Counihan stated that, in view of our efforts to keep the beach clean, he felt we should reject this application. Councilman Cary moved that the license not be granted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schwarz and unanimously carried. Councilman Cary stated that he had received several complaints regarding mini bikes on the streets. City Attorney Bart Shea stated that they should be treated as a motor vehicle. The operators of these vehicles must be 16 years of age at least and must have a driver's license and inspection sticker. He said the State requires this and we should also require this. Council was in unanimous agreement. Police Commissioner Bob Cary announced to Council that he was now ready to give a full report on the two policemen who were dismissed two months ago. He said he would read the report from a prepared 1 1 1 statement so that he would not be misquoted. Councilman Cary's report, in full, has been made a part of these minutes. At the conclusion of his report, Councilman Cary moved that Officers Palmer and Helverson be officially dismissed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jung. Under discussion, Councilman Schwarz, as a point of order, stated that he felt that the Police Committee handled Police Department matters and that he did not feel that Council should act on the matter. This point was clarified by Attorney Shea who stated that police officers served at the discre- tion of Council and could be fired by Council with or without reason. Mayor Counihan then put the question and it was carried, Councilman Schwarz abstaining. REPORT FROM POLICE COMMISSIONER Mayor Counihan announced that clearing the site for the new treat- ment plant had now been started and work on the project would begin immediately. City Attorney Shea stated that everything seemed to be in order for the issuance of the Bonds. He stated that there had been a slight delay due to the illness of the Bond Attorney, Mr. Ed. Maner but everything seemed to be okay now. Councilman Cary moved that Mayor Counihan be authorized to sign the contract and agreements with the Eastern Construction Company, contractor, and any other papers in connection with the Pollution Abatement Program. This motion was seconded by Councilman Stettler and unanimously carried. Councilman Cary informed Council that the new Uniform Citation tickets were now in use by the Police Department and that all of the officers had been properly instructed in their use. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL YOR 70 1 1 June 21, 1972 Mayor Counihan and Fellow Councilman: I would like to present the following information in regard to recent moves in the Police Dept. When a man is hired on the Savannah Beach Police force, he is automatically on probation for at least six months. In this length of time, we, the Police Committee, can tell if this man will make a good police officer and be a credit to the City. Officers Ard, Palmer and Helverson were under various probationary periods. I submit the following reasons for dismissal or suspen- sion in each individual cases Officer Ard -Fired April 26, 1972 Misuse of the Police Equipment Conduct unbecoming a Police Officer Brutality to prisoners Failure to follow orders from the Chief of Police Officer Helverson Suspended Failure to follow orders of Chief of Police Misuse of Police Equipment Discourteous to the public in his capacity as an arresting Officer While on probation period, his background on previous jobs listed on application were checked out, due to the findings in regard to dismissal on a previous job, we cannot keep him as a law enforcement officer. Officer Palmer Suspended Failure to follow orders from the Chief of Police No respect to superior officers Palmer was under suspension in regard to the shooting incident in Thunderbolt, when a neighbor pleaded on his behalf, to put him back to work to feed his children. Palmer was placed back to work on the force with a loss of rank and three months probation. After much thought in regard to his use of Police weapon, I felt it would be better to suspend him indefinitely because he does not know when and where to use his police weapon.