HomeMy Public PortalAbout19720621CCMeeting1
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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.
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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
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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
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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.