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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19730221CCMeeting1 1 1 Savannah Beach, Georgia February 21, 1973 The Regular Monthly Meeting of Savannah Beach City Council was held this afternoon at 3:00 P.M. with Mayor Allen Hendrix presiding and a quorum consisting of the following Councilmen present: Edward Towns, Perry Zittrauer, Jr., Ernest Hosti, Walter Parker, Earl Anderson and Edward Jung. City Atorney Bart Shea, Police Chief John Price and City Marshall L. E. Elliott were also present at the meeting. VISITORS AND PETITIONERS at the meeting were: Mr. Fred Hughes, Jr., Mrs. Evelyn Butler, Mr. Bill Vogel, Mrs. Ernest Hosti, Mrs. Perry A Zittrauer, Jr., Mr. Charlie Hill, Mr. Jim Aliffi, Mr. Jim Bullock, Johnny Hosti, Bucky Chafin, Mr. George Brown III of the MPC and Mr. Howard Greene of the Leary Construction Company and Mr. James Graves and Mr. Archie Davis, representatives of the C &S Bank. Mayor Hendrix opened the Meeting by offering the Invocation and then led the Council and visitors in the Pledge of allegiance to the Flag. The Minutes of the Meeting of January 17, 1973 were approved as written. The first visitor to be introduced and appear before Council was Mr. Geo. A. Brown III, Senior Planner of the Chatham County Metropolitan Planning Commission, who stated he was appearing before Council on behalf of the "Memorandum of Understanding" which document has been adopted by CUTS Policy Committee and the Technical Coordin- ating Committee. He explained the object of the document and then read the Resolution which they requested be adopted by Mayor and Council. Following the reading of the Resolution, Councilman Earl Anderson moved the adoption of the Resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilman Zittrauer and unanimously carried. RESOLUTION Mr. Jim Bullock, acting as spokesman for a group of Savannah Beach Jaycees present at the Meeting, outlined to the Mayor and Council a Community Involvement Project of the Jaycees, the purpose of which was to develop a nine -acre tract of undeveloped City property into a first -class recreation park in three phases, I, II and III, which will include two baseball diamonds, one football 38 field, playground equipment, picnic areas, and stocking the fish and duck canal. He stated further that the principal needs at the present time were: (1) Bathroom facilities at the Park (2) Financial assistance in the upkeep and maintenance of the Park (A concession stand would be adequate income to provide for this) (3) Storage place for athletic equipment. (4) A meeting place. Mr. Bullock then read a list of the active members of Savannah Beach Jaycees as follows: James Bullock, Michael Bart, Hank Buckley, Bucky Chafin, Mike Hogan, John Hosti, Leonard Guyer, Eddie Mahaney, Ross Thompson, Johnny Wilder, Johnny Solomon, Jim Stettler, Wayne Yeo, Arnie Seyden and Frank Kania. Mayor Hendrix complimented Mr. Bullock on his presentation and then asked the members of Council for their questions, if any, and for any other comments they would care to make. Following a lengthy discussion and questions, Mayor Hendrix suggested that Recre- ation Chairman Zittrauer and his committee get together with Mr. Bullock and a committee of Jaycees and see if they can reach some agreement on how best to accomplish this project. This was agreeable to Councilman Zittrauer and Mr. Bullock and his Jaycee group. Mr. Fred Hughes, Jr., President of H. & H. Distributing Company of Savannah, distributors of Budweiser beer, appeared before Council for the purpose of trying to persuade City Council to hold its present excise tax rate of 20Q per case. Mr. Howard Greene, representative of the Leary Construction Company, a water tank maintenance company, appeared before Council at the invitation of Councilman Anderson, to render a bid on painting and general maintenance of our water tank. Mr. Greene stated that he had made an inspection of the city water tank inside, outside and the catwalk, and wanted to submit a proposal to Council to clean, sand -blast and paint the tank inside and out. Mr. Greene then submitted a proposal, in writing, for this work, showing a proposed cost of $5,000.00. He also submitted a second proposal covering the installation of an OSHA approved ,Meyer Tulito Safety Climbing Device on the tank at a cost of 1,500.00. Follow- ing Mr. Greene's presentation, Mayor Hendrix referred the proposals 1 1 to the Sewer & Water Committee, consisting of Councilmen Anderson, HOsti and Towns; and, also requested that Finance Chairman Edward Jung and Mr. Tommy Reed be added. Mr. Bill Vogel, speaking on behalf of the Tybee Museum Committee, enumerated the several problems he said they had with the museum that needed attention such as moisture seeping through the roof and causing damage to the artifacts, and outside face - lifting, and painting and the shrubbery trimmed. Mr. Vogel stated further that they had found some neglect at the museum but mainly it was just a matter of the elements taking their toll. Mr, Vogel mentioned further the 70,000 visitors to Fort Pulaski last year alone and stated that the new Merchants Association was endeavoring to get a sign placed near the entrance to the Fort, advertising Savannah Beach as a year -round resort in an effort to entice some of these people to come on down and visit us at Savannah Beach. Police Chief John Price, reporting for the Police Department, stated that two new men had been hired since the last council meeting. One was Robert Orr from Wilmington Island and the other was Mr. Philip S. Church, an ex Military Police Officer. He stated that these two men began work last Wednesday. He stated further that both of these men had taken the required physical examination and the doctor had found Mr. Orr to be about 60 pounds overweight. He said Mr. Orr weighs 308 pounds. Mr. Orr's blood pressure, however, was normal, he stated. Chief Price reported further that an investigative check, as required by State Law, was run on these men and he found several minor traffic offenses against Mr. Orr and nothing on Mr. Church's record. Mr. Jim Fox, news and camera man for W.S.A.V. TV was introduced by Mayor Hendrix. Bills for the various departments were approved for payment. Earl Anderson, Commissioner of Water and Sewer, informed Council that in the past we have been billing our water and sewer charges on a double statement, one side for the current billing and the other side to be used as a delinquent notice, in the event the original billing is not paid in twenty day's time. He stated that this second notice was being discontinued in an effort to save money and because it was not serving its purpose. He said further that instead of discontinuing the service after the account is delinquent twenty days, he proposes to put this cut off on a monthly basis and 4.0 wait until the following billing to cut off delinquent accounts. He stated that the form of the bill is being revised to accommodate these changes. Councilman Anderson then moved the adoption of the amendmentb the Water Ordinance made necessary by these changes and asked that this amended ordinance be adopted on both first and second reading at this meeting by unanimous consent. The motion was seconded by Councilman Towns and unanimously carried. O R D I N A N C E Councilman Anderson then moved the adoption of the amendment to the Sewer Ordinance made necessary by these changes and asked for unanimous consent to adopt the amended ordinance on both first and second reading at this meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Towns and unanimously carried. O R D I N A N C E Police Commissioner Parker reported that we lost a police officer some time back, Officer Freeman who resigned and then a little later on, Dispatcher Hank Buckley was transferred to the Fire Department as a full time fireman, and so, he said, the approval of Council was requested to confirm the employment of Officers Orr and Church in our probationary training program; and, also to approve the hiring of Mrs. Pansie Buckley to replace her son as dispatcher. He stated that off -duty police officers were serving as jailer when one was needed. Commissioner Parker then moved for the confirmation of these employees who have been hired on a temporary basis, which motion was seconded by Councilman Hosti. At this point Councilman Towns questioned Officer Orr's driving record and stated that this should be taken into consideration. Commissioner Parker said that it had been taken into consideration but these small infractions were far outweighed by the man's experience and ability. Councilman Jung then asked Chief Price if he recommended these two men, stating that he had not seen their applications. Chief Price answered by stating that Officer Church, with his military and police background, had come to him very highly recommended. He stated further that he did not have anything against Officer Orr and that his only concern with Officer Orr was his weight factor. This problem could not be just pushed aside, he said. A police officer being overweight by as much as sixty pounds could find it II difficult to leave his car and give chase if that became necessary. Chief Price stated further that he had been informed by Dr. Brown 1 1 that Officer Orr was about sixty pounds overweight and had been told by him to lose weight and come back to see him in about thirty days. Chief Price continued stating that Officer Orr, at the present time, was living on Wilmington Island and had been told that, after a reasonable length of time, he must change is residence to the beach. Also, Officer Church, who at the present time resides in Savannah, had been instructed to move to the beach as early as practicable. Councilman Earl Anderson then offered an amendment to Councilman Parker's motion, making the hiring of all new employees probationery for a certain period of time. Mayor. Hendrix stated that he would prefer to just assume at the present time that we already had such a regulation and, in the case of these two men, we can have an understanding right now that if we find the men are not qualified after a period of time we can re- consider them at that time. He then put the question and it was unanimously carried. Commissioner Parker announced that the Police Committee, in an effort to up -date and improve the image of our Police Department, were in the process of purchasing all new police uniforms. He stated that the uniforms selected were some that the officers could . be proud of. Mayor Hendrix stated that the purchase of new uniforms for the Police Department would be eligible for Revenue Sharing Funds. Fire Commissioner Towns stated that he needed to do a little more groundwork in regard to a Fire Inspector before presenting it to Council. Mr. Towns also stated that the need for a full -time, paid fireman, who would be on the beach at all times, had become so great that they had seen fit to transfer Mr. Hank Buckley from his job as dispatcher to that of full -time fireman. Mayor Hendrix called upon Attorney Shea for the Second Reading of the Ordinance amending the Excise Tax Ordinance on malt beverages and spirituous liquors. Councilman Parker moved the adoption of this Ordinance. Mayor Hendrix then informed Council that in accordance with Georgia Law, Code of Municipal Corporations, it was improper and illegal for a member of City Council to vote upon any question coming before Council in which he was personally interested. He stated that he was, therefore, disqualifying Councilmen Pa -ker and Jung. City Attorney Bart Shea stated that he did not feel either one should be disqualified because the courts had held that "personally interested" meant financially interested. And financially interested means that the individual shares in the profits. Councilman Anderson stated that he felt that the decision to vote or not should rest with the individual involved. Councilman Parker then restated his motion. It was 42.. 1 seconded by Councilman Zittrauer who stated he was doing this in order that the question would be put on the floor. Under the discussion on this question, it was pointed out by Councilman Parker that a bill was pending in the Georgia General Assembly at the present time to do the very thing this proposed Ordinance would do - to increase the excise tax on a case of beer to $1.20. Councilman Hosti then requested the Clerk to read this proposed legislation known as House Bill 329. It was the feeling of Councilman Zittrauer that if it is felt that this bill would pass, then perhaps we should let the State increase this tax for us. Councilman Anderson felt that the absence from the City of Savannah of Hunter Field servicemen was the real reason for the decrease in beer sales in Savannah and not the increase in Savannah's beer tax, as was stated earlier in the meeting by Mr. Hughes, the Budweiser dealer. Councilman Anderson then moved that Mr. Parker's motion be amended to change the amount of tax on a case of beer from $1.20 per case to .70 per case. Councilman Towns felt that this compromize was good and seconded the motion. During the discussion that followed, another motion was made by Councilman Towns to postpone any action on the second reading of this Ordinance. Before any further action could be taken on the question, Mayor Hendrix called a short recess and turned the chair over to Mayor Pro -Tem Edward Jung due to the fact that he had a meeting with Engineer Paul Ramee concerning an emergency regarding the sea -wall, one section of which seemed ready to collapse. RECESS Mayor Pro -Tem Jung called the meeting back to order following the brief recess. Councilman Anderson then re- stated his motion which was to postpone consideration on the second reading of the Ordinance concerning malt beverages until a subsequent date. This motion was seconded by Councilman Towns and carried by a vote of 3 to 1, councilmen Towns, Anderson and Hosti voting for the motion and councilman Parker voting against the motion. Councilman HOsti stated that he had contacted Mr. Richard McNamara, Chatham County Inspector for Mobile Homes, to get the Ordinance the County recently adopted pertaining to abandoned motor vehicles. He stated that he would like the City to adopt a similar Ordinance so that we could get rid of some of the abandoned vehicles scattered around our City. City Attorney Shea suggested that first reading on the Ordinance be held today and before the next meeting we can check into this and make sure we get the ordinance that we•want. The Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1 1 1 4.3.. as adopted by Chatham County was then read by the Clerk. After the reading, a motion was made by Councilman Hosti that this same Ordinance, changed to fit Savannah Beach, be adopted on first reading. It was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried on first reading. Councilman Earl Anderson reported to. Council that he had been notified by the Chatham County Health Department that a Chlorinator must be installed at the Fourteenth Street well. He stated that bids had now been received for this equipment and it was going to cost us approximately $932.00 to complete this job. He also reported to Council that we had a caved -in sewer line on Estill Ave. now running into the old wet well. We will change this with our forces and re -route this line to run into the new wet well. He invited all the Councilmen to come down and see how our forces handle this job. Walter Brown came into the council room while the meeting was in progress and was allowed to appear before council. He stated that he wanted to get the full information on these truck decals. He said he wanted to know who was supposed to buy a decal and who was not supposed to buy a decal. He stated that, to his own knowledge, there were several people down here working out of their trucks and driving their trucks and not buying a decal. He stated that the truck in question was his cement mixer which he only used as a service to the beach and to service those people who needed a yard or so of concrete and could not get it delivered from Savannah. Walter Brown was advised that if he was going to keep this truck and use it, it would be necessary for him to pur- chase a decal for it. He was also told that if he knew of anyone who was liable for a truck decal and was not made to purchase one, if he was to report this to any member of Council, Mr. Elliott would be instructed to require these people to purchase a decal. Councilman Hosti, D.P.W. Chairman, said that is was his under- standing that we were in agreement that we would buy gasoline in bulk and furnish it to all of our vehicles, do our own mechanical repair work through Mr. Williams, or as much as possible. However, he stated, it was not being done that way. He cited one instance where some member of the Fire Department had Al Williams check the gas in the tank of the new fire truck, claiming it had water in it. Councilman Hosti said he was present when Mr. Williams checked the tank and there was not a drop of water in it. Neverless, these people took the engine to the city dump and emptied thirty gallons of gasoline on the ground. He wondered who gave them the authority to mess with engine and then waste thirty gallons of gas. It was agreed that a uniform method of handling these things was needed. Councilman Anderson suggested, and Council agreed, that before any department seeks outside services on any vehicle, Al Williams must approve sending the vehicle for such service or repairs. Councilman Hosti said if anyone encounters problems on this, to call him. Councilman Jung called attention to the new financial state- ment and called particular attention to the Balance Sheet under Accounts Receivable, three items were being continually brought forward and since there was hardly any chance that we would ever collect them, he asked the premission of Council to adjust off these three items which were: Sewer lines laid at 10th Street $365.00 3 parties supposed to share cost - no one paid and refused to pay Civil Defense Radio Reimbursment $300.00 This we understand was not submitted on proper form and never re- imbursed until too late Damage to Awning - Violator responsible This paid by City but police department failed to collect from violator. Councilman Towns moved that the three items in our records under Accounts Receivable be adjusted off and deleted. Councilman Parker seconded the motion and it was unanimously carried. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or Special Called Meeting. CITY CLERK 1 1 1 1 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the Chatham Urban Transportation Study Policy Committee adopted a new Memorandum of Understanding at its January 31, 1973 meeting; and WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration has requested that a view Memorandum of Understanding be executed between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the participating entities of Chatham County; and WHEREAS, such document must be executed by the chief elected official of each participating government; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Alderman of the City of Savannah Beach, in Council Assembled, do hereby authorize the Mayor to execute the Chatham Urban Transportation Study Memorandum of Understanding. CLERK OF COUNCIL MAYOR 1 1 1 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE II, SEC. 20 -26 (a) and (b) "WATER" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF SAVANNAH BEACH, TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING WATER BILLS TO CONSUMERS, AND TO SET FORTH THE PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH WATER BILLS ARE NOT PAID BY CONSUMERS; TO REPEAL ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia, in Council duly assembled, and it is hereby ordained by the authority thereof as follows: SEC. I. By striking Sec. 20 -26. Delinquency; cut off and cut -in fees. Subsecs. (a) and (b) in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "Sec. 20 -26. Delinquency; cut off and cut -in fees. (a) Bills for water service shall be rendered monthly, and shall be due and payable at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia, no later than ten (10) days from the date of billing. Such bills shall set forth thereon the separate charge for water service, the separate charge for sewer service, and the total thereof. The total thereof representing charges for water and sewer services must be paid at the same time. No discounts for prompt payment will be allowed. Bills shall be declared delinquent if not paid by the tenth (10th) day after the billing date. (b) If any bill for water and sewer services has not been fully paid by the time of the next subsequent billing date, then service to the delinquent customer shall be subject to discontinuance. When such service is discontinued, it will not be restored to the delinquent customer until the delinquent bill for water and sewer services have been paid in full, together with a service charge in the amount of five dollars ($5.00)." SEC. II. That after amendment, Sec. 20 -26 shall read as follows: "Sec. 20 -26. Delinquency; cut off and cut -in fees. (a) Bills for water service shall be rendered monthly, and shall be due and payable at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia, no later than ten (10) days from the date of billing. Such bills shall set forth thereon the separate charge for water service, the separate charge for sewer service, and the total thereof. The total thereof representing charges for water and sewer services must be paid at the same time. No discounts for prompt payment will be allowed. Bills shall be declared delinquent if not paid by the tenth (10th) day after the billing date. (b) If any bill for w°ater-and'sewer services has not been fully paid by the time of the next subsequent billing date, then service to the delinquent customer shall be subject to discontinuance. When such service is discontinued, it will not be restored to the delinquent customer until the delinquent bill for water and sewer services have been paid in full, together with a service charge in the amount of five dollars ($5.00). (c) Upon discontinuance of service, the City shall cause to be placed on the water box of said consumer, seal, tag or notification. Said seal, tag or notification shall be removed upon full payment of bill. Any consumer whose seal, tag or notification has been unlawfully removed, or whose water supply has been illegally turned on, after same has been discontinued for nonpayment of service hereinabove provided, shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 1 -8 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia." SEC. III. All ordinances and ar p is of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. �0 TED in open Council meeting this , day of / /.5.46 e d , 1973. (SEAL) 1 1 CITY OF SAVANNAH BEACH, TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA a n n,, P BY Q�it1,. . , D : wa M��aR.v ATTEST: First reading: February 21, 1973 Second reading: c: t;ea ey,?/, 1973 Enacted: City Clerk 1 1 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE II, SEC. 20 -47 "SEWERS" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF SAVANNAH BEACH, TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PROCE- DURE FOR SUBMITTING SEWER BILLS TO CONSUMERS, AND TO SET FORTH THE PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH SEWER BILLS ARE NOT PAID BY CONSUMERS; TO REPEAL ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND E O4 f OTHER. Pw.OSES . BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia, in Council duly assembled, and it is hereby ordained by the authority thereof as follows: SEC. I. By striking Sec. 20 -47. Sewerage Service Billing, Collection and Penalties, in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "Sec. 20 -47. Sewerage Service Billing, Collection and Penalties. (a) Bills for sewer service shall be rendered monthly, and shall be due and payable at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia, no later than ten (10) days from the date of billing. Such bills shall set forth thereon the separate charge for sewer service, the separate charge for water service, and the total thereof. The total thereof representing charges for sewer and water services must be paid at the same time. No discounts for prompt payment will be allowed. Bills shall be declared delinquent if not paid by the tenth (10th) day after the billing date. (b) If any bill for sewer and water services has not been fully paid by the time of the next subsequent billing date, then service to the delinquent customer shall be subject to discontinuance. When such service is discontinued, it will not be restored to the delinquent customer until the delinquent bill for sewer and water services have been paid in full, together with a service charge in the amount of five dollars ($5.00)." SEC. II. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. ADO TED in open Council meeting this , 1973. (SEAL) v7 day of 1 CITY OF SAVANNAH BEACH, TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA By: "D"""\ Ttr a'Y4 ATTEST: City Clerk First reading: February 21, 1973 Second reading: , 4x, , 1973 Enacted: 1