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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19740328SCMeetingSavannah Beach, Ga. March 28, 1974 A special meeting of City Council was held this evening at 7:30 P.M. for the purpose of: 1 Hearing appeals from decisions of the Board of Registrars. 2 Answering the request of Mr. A. P. Simon for a meeting to investigate alleged unauthorized spending by the City. 3 Discussing the Annexation Referendum. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Pro -Tem Edward Jung in the absence of Mayor Hendrix and a quorum of the following Councilmen was present: Earl Anderson, Karen Losey and Walter Parker. Also present were City Attorney Lance Smith and Judge of the Chatham County Court of the Ordinary, Robert R. Cook. The Savannah Beach Board of Registrars consisting of Mr. James Fabrikant - Chief Registrar, Mrs. Loiuse Shaw - Registrar and Mrs. Evelyn Butler - Registrar, were also present for the hearing of the appeals. Mayor Pro -Tem Edward Jung called the meeting to order and went immediately into the business of hearing the appeals from the decisions of the Board of Registrars. He then called upon Mr. Jim Fabrikant - Chief Registrar, to outline the criteria used by the Board to determine the eligibility of the electors. Mr. Fahrikant went into detail in discussing the various evidence the Board looked for in order to determine whether or not the elector in question should remain on the voters list or be taken off. The first to be heard was Dr. Maurice Fields and Mrs. Fields. They stated the reasons for their claims to residency and Mr. Fabrikant outlined the Boards's position in denying their registration.. Council then voted by secret ballot. The vote was two against and one for - their names were, therefore not allowed to be placed on the voting list. The next appeal was from Mrs. Mary Sprague who stated that she owned three houses. One at the Beach, one in Savannah and one in South Carolina. She also stated that she felt her vote would mean more at the Beach. Mr. Fabrikant stated that Mrs. Sprague had her homestead exemption in Savannah, her car was registered from Savannah and they simply did not feel that her domicile was at Savannah Beach. A secret ballot'was taken by council and the appeal was denied by a vote of two to one. 1 70 2 Mrs. Mary F. Miller's appeal was heard next. Mr. Fabrikant stated that as of the present time, Mrs. Miller was a bona -fide domiciled resident. However, at the time they registered, in the opinion of the Board, they were not domiciled residents of the Beach. A secret vote was taken by council and the appeal was denied with two negative votes and one affirmative vote. This completed the hearings in the appeals. Lance Smith, City Attorney, informed City Council that if tho referendum for annexation is held on April lst, it would be ruled illegal on the constitutionality of the enabling legislation Ch.?. to there being no provision in the original bill for advertis rg the referendum in the newspaper. He, therefore, recommened tEEkt this referendum be postponed one month to May 1st, during which time we could resolve the defects. Councilman Earl Anderson made a mction to change the date to May 1st. It was seconded by Karen Losey and unanimously carried. Mr. Robert Falligant, Jr., attorney for Mr. A. P. Simon summarized the complaint of his client as outlined in Mr. Sirncn's letter of March 19, 1974 addressed to Mayor Wm. Allen Hendrix, which he read and requested that it be made a part of the records of this meeting. LETTER FROM MR. SIMON Mr. Falligant stated that the particular areas he and hir client were concerned about are as follows: Jaycees Park Concession Stand Tybrisia•Mall Project - (a check to Mr. Ed. Maddox for $634.00 fees for drawing Master Plan)° Mr. Simon stated that all he was asking for in his suit was that the tax monies . spent by Mayor Hendrix which were unauthorized, be returned by him to the City fund. It was the opinion of Council that Mr. Simon sould appear at a later council meeting in which the Mayor and all the councilmen were present. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL Mayor • 404 BUTLER AVL, LL Se 80 EAST • SAVANNAH BEACH, GEORGIA 31328 • PHONE 912-786-4535 March 19, 1974 Mr. Allen Hendrix, MAYOR City of Savannah Beach Savannah Beach, Georgia 31328 r:+ Dear Mayor Hendrix: The public records in the City Hall at Savannah Beach indicate that certain tax monies have been spent which were not authorized in the annual budget or approved by Council of the City of Savannah Beach. It is my intention to request that a Special Meeting be held whereas I can seek a satisfactory explanation of the expen- ditures which I refer to. If this is not acceptable, then may this letter serve as legal notice that I intend to file in the Superior Court of Chatham County a taxpayer's suit for recovery of any monies for the purpose of being repaid to the general fund. Please advise me as to whether r not a Special Meeting 'will be held for this purpose; for, if not, it is my intention to =file suit within ten (10) days after receipt of this correspondence by you. . With kindest regards, I am, Copies to: Mr. Edward Mr. Edward Mrs. Karen Sincerely, Anthony P. Simon Jung, Councilman Towns, Councilman Losey, Councilwoman. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. E. M. Patterson, City Welcome home. ` Ernest Hosti, Councilmc Walter Parker,Councilms Earl Anderson,Councilma Clerk Phone Your Nearest RAMADAINN for FREE—Confirmed — Nationwide RAMADAINN•STANT ®Reservations March 259 1974 Mr. E M Patterson - City Clerk Savannah Beach, GEORGIA WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU TO CALL A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING FOR THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 28, 1974 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANSWERING THE REQUEST OF MR, A. Po SIMON FOR SUCH A MEETI NG TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED UNAUTHORIZED SPENDING: TO HEAR ANY APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS: AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WE REQUEST THAT THIS MEETING BE HELD AT 7:30 pm.