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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19740916CCMeeting1 1 1 Savannah Beach, Georgia September 16, 1974 The Regular monthly Council Meeting of the City of Savannah Beach was held this evening at 7:00 P.M. in the Councilroom at Savannah Beach City Hall with Mayor Michael. J. Counihan presiding, and a quorum consisting of the following councilmen present: Mr. Richard DeLoach, Mr. John Wylly, Mr. Ernesr Hosti, Mr.. Joseph Agnew, Mr. James Bond, and Mr. Edward J. Fahey. City Attorney Willian H. Pinson, Jr. was also present. Visitors and petitioners present at the meeting were: Mr. Al Williams, Jr., Mrs. Louise Shaw, Mr. Joe Julian Kelly, Mr. Dwight Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Leon Case and Mrs. John McAlpin. The minutes of the following meetings were approved as written. The Regular Council Meeting of August 21, 1974, Special Council Meeting of August 28, 1974, and a Special Council Meeting of August 31, 1974. Bills of the various departments for the month of August, 1974, were approved for payment. Mr. Al Williams, Jr. appeared before Council to request a street light to be placed in the vicinity of his home at the intersection of Miller Avenue and Second Street. Mrs. Louise Shaw appeared before Council again to ask questions and get some answers in regard to the financial condition of the City which she says she understood was not good. She stated that Mr. Agnew, Finance Chairman, had promised to get some ansewers for her by this meeting. Councilman Agnew stated that he had planned to hold some public meetings for all those who wish 'to come and ask questions in regard to the operation of the City, but due to the fact that he had not been able to get around to well due to a back problem he had not been able to do so as yet. Councilman Agnew stated further taht he would try to have this information ready by the next council meeting. Mrs. Julian'Kelly and Mr. Dwight Davis appeared before Council complaining about the speeders on Butler Avenue which were due to the high speed limits posted on!this street. Mr. Davis complained that the speed limits were set to high and that traffic should be restricted to a lower speed especially in the church and shcool zones. Mayor Counihan replied that these limits were set by the State Highway Department with the aid of radar and other mechanical devices and was entirely under control of the State and suggested that their petitions for a lower speed limit on Butler Avenue be directed to the State Highway Department. Mr. Davis also complained about a noisy 48 -2- manhole cover in the area of Tenth Street and Butler Avenue and Mr. Bond, Chairman of Water and Sewer Department, promised to correct this. Under reports of committees,Councilman Ernest Hosti, Chairman of D.P.W. and Sanitation, reported on the petition submitted by Mr. Richard Grosse at the last meeting of Council. Chairman Hosti reported that he had arranged a meeting with Mr. Grosse and his committee consisting of Mr. Joe Agnew, Mr. Richard DeLoach, and Tommy Reed, Superintendent of D.P.W. and the items on Mr. Grosse's petition were gone over one by one with the following results: the signs calling for no parking in that area were replaced, a sign citing the danger of swimming in that area was posted. Councilman Hosti stated further that eveyone seemed pleased with what was done. In regard to the paving of Hosti announced that due to the having in the past two or three been unable to get to this work had taken a turn for the better work will begin within the next Van Horn Street, Councilman inclement weather we have been weeks, the paving crews have . However, now that the weather , he has been informed that this week. To relieve the drainage problem of Mr. & Mrs. Leon Case, Councilman Hosti reported that they had come up with a plan that he felt would alleviate this condition and as soon as the land has a chance to dry out good, men would be put in there• :to accomplish this work. Mr. John Wylly, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, reported that in regard to the promise of Chatham County to provide us with two tennis courts and playground equipment in Jaycee Park the necessary leases covering this had been prepared and sent to the Recreation Department of Chatham County. He stated, however, that these expenditures here at the beach on . the part of Chatham County were not to be made until next year as they were being put in the 1975 budget which would not be approved until the latter part of this year. In regard to the complaints received recently by residents living neat our Memorial Park of noisy parties and gatherings using these facilities, Councilman Wylly stated that henceforth these people would be told that their parties must be terminated by twelve o'clock midnight. And also, that they would be required to come back the next morning and clean up their trasI_ Councilman Wylly then requested the Clerk to read a letter that he had received from Mrs. Beverly Hatch, Chairman Savannah Beach Library Board, in which she stated that the library at 1 1 1 1 1 4 :J -3- the present time receives One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) monthly from the City from which they pay the librarian One Hundred Twenty -five Dollars ($125.00), a bare minimum wage, leaving Twenty -five Dollars ($25.00) for books and supplies. He stated further that since the costs per book is approximately Nine Dollars ($9.00) they were able to buy only two to three books a month and with the book circulation averaging five hundred monthly, this was most inadequate. Mrs. Hatch stated further in her letter that upon examination of the auditors report it was found that the town last year spent over Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00) for recreation, museums and parks of which the library only received Eighteen Hundred Dollars ($1,800.00) She stated that of all the recreational facilities, the library is the only one used by all segments of the population of the Beach, residents and non - residents, adults, and children. Therefore, she stated, that the Library Board felt that Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) monthly was needed to continue to provide this very vital service to our community and requested favorable action on this by City Council. Councilman Wylly stated that since receipt of the letter from Mrs. Hatch, he had talked to her personally and asked her if she felt that the Library Board could get by on a One Hundred ($100.00) per month increase from the City, making a total of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) and Mrs. Hatch stated that she felt they could. Councilman Wylly then moved that the monthly allocation for our library be increased by One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to a total of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) per month. This motion was seconded by Councilman Fahey and unanimously carried. Councilman Wylly informed Council that, due to the small attendance of our museum during the winter months, that until May 1st, the museum be opened only on week -ends and on May 1st go back to the regular hours up through Labor Day. This motion was seconded by Councilman DeLoach. In the discussion on the motion it was brought out that the security of the valuable museum pieces would have to be looked into and there was suggested that the Police Department be instructed to exercise additional surveillance in this area. Following the discussion the motion was voted on and unanimously carried. Councilman Wylly then informed the Mayor and City Council that he felt it was an honor and privilege to sit on the Savannah Beach City Council and that he did not feel they should receive monetary compensation. He then moved that the salaries of the Mayor and Councilman be abolished immediately. This motion was 50 -4- seconded by Councilman Ernest Hosti. There then followed some discussion as to whether or not this action would require an amendment to the Charter. City Attorney Bill Pinson stated that he would look into this. The motion was then put to a vote and was unanimously carried. Councilman Richard DeLoach, Chairman of the Fire Department, reported on the new beeper system recently installed by Savannah Beach Volunteer Fire Department. He stated that the paging system was in operation and that it was working beautifully with the exception of two or three of the pages which seem to have slight malfunctions in them. He stated they were in the shop being repaired at this time and they they should be back in operation shortly. Councilman DeLoach further stated that the firemen were well pleased with this set -up due mainly to the fact that it eliminated the curiosity sight -seers from the fires because now most people don't even know when we are having a fire. Councilman DeLoach stated that a banquet was held last Saturday for our Little League Baseball Teams and appropriate awards passed out to the players and teams. He also presented to the Mayor and. Councilmen certificates of commendation which were presented to them at this affair. Mr. Ed Fahey, Chairman of the Police Committee, reported that there would, henceforth, be no more bicyles on Butler Avenue or from Butler Avenue to the Strand. He also said they would not be allowed on Jones Avenue. Mr. Fahey clarified this statement by stating that this did not refer to the con- ventional bicyle but to the bicyle peddle cars. He stated further that he had talked to the lady who rented these peddle cars and that she had assured him that if any of the people she rented the cars to were in violation of this order that she would take the cars back and refund their money. Mr. Fahey stated further that these orders have now been put out approxi- mately a month and that since that time he has not received any complaints. Chairman Fahey stated that he had also put out some new instructions with reference to dogs. He stated that the Dog Custodian had been eliminated from the payrolls and that he had issued orders to the Police Department that when they received a call with reference to stray dogs running loose, they would respond to that call immediately just like any other call. Councilman Fahey reported that he had received resignations from two police officers. He stated that the matter of replacing these officers was discussed with the whole Council and that it was decided that rather than replace both officers that only one 1 1 1 1 1 1 51 -5- would be replaced at this time. Mr. Fahey stated further that the name of the man chosen to fill this vacancy was Mr. Cassidy, formerly with the Georgia Game and Fish Commission. Chairman Fahey then closed his report to Council with words of praise for the Police Department and the manner in which they were performing their duties. Mayor Counihan then requested Mr. Agnew, Finance Chairman, for a report on the hiring of a new City Attorney and legal firm to represent the City of Savannah Beach and of the salary to be paid them, etc. Mr. Agnew reported that the firm of Miller, Beckman and Simpson had been retained as the City's represent- ative and they in turn had chosen Mr. William H. Pinson, Jr. as their representative to act as our City Attorney and Judge of Recorders Court. He stated further that an arrangement similar to what we have had with our other attorneys had been made with this firm, namely that they were to be paid a retainer of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per month with an hourly rate of Thirty -five Dollars ($35.00) an hour for work performed other that that included in the retainer. Councilman Agnew stated that the financial arrangements with the new attorneys were slightly different from that which we had with our former attorneys in that the Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) retainer would actually be based on a hourly rate of Thirty -five Dollars ($35.00) an hour. In other words, he stated, . that there would be a settlement every three months. Some months, he stated, we might not run Five Hundred Dollars and in other months we might go over Five Hundred Dollars. Mr. Agnew stated that there would be an accounting every three months and a. bill rendered by the attorneys on that basis. With reference to the signing of checks which Mr. Agnew stated he had been requested to look into and come up with some recommendations. He stated that it was his thoughts and the feeling of his committee that the authority to sign checks should be limited to the following: 1) Budgeted Items 2) Payroll 3) Items Approved by Council Councilman Agnew then stated that he would like to put that in the form of a motion. This motion was seconded by Councilman Jim Bond and unanimously carried. Councilman Jim Bond, Chairman of the Beach Erosion Control Project, reported that he has now been informed by the United States Corps of Engineers that a contract has now been awarded for the 52 -6- construction of the long terminal goin in conjunction with our Beach Erosion Project to Misiner Marine Inc., a contractor out of St. Petersburg, Florida. Councilman John Wylly stated that in connection with future collections of the parking meters he would like to move that the monies in the parking meters be collected by the City Marshall and one policeman and then taken in a locked container to the bank to be counted and the bank in turn to give us a receipt for that amount. He stated that the money was not to be counted in City Hall. The motion was seconded by Councilman. Bond and unaimously carried. Prior to the close of the meeting, Mr. Earl Anderson, Zoning Administrator, stated that he would like to make a report on the latest development in regard to the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance which were being made by the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Mr. Anderson stated that as Zoning Administrator he was working very closely with Mr. William Saxman of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and that he was hoping to be able to have them ready for the next Council Meeting. Mayor Counihan requested Mr. Anderson to have these proposed amend- ments in writing and a copy ready for each member of Council in order that they may study these proposals prior to acting on them. Mr. Anderson also reported on the progress of our negotia- tions with the Chatham County Health Department to provide us with an inspector who will make calls on owners of buildings thought to be unfit for human habitation with the view of con- demnation. He stated further that this work at Savannah Beach would be under the direct supervision of Mr. Shuble Boling of the Chatham County Health Department who had appointed Mr. Bass to handle the inspection work down here. Mr. Anderson stated that the nice part of this work was that the Health Department would now make the determination as to wheteher or not a struc- ture was deemed to be a health hazard and whether or not a building was unfit for human habitation. He stated that this would make a condemnation much easier in the event it became necessary to go that far. 1 Before closing the meeting, Mayor Counihan asked the new attorney, Mr. Bill Pinson, if he would like to say a few words. City Attorney Pinson stated that he and the law firm he represented,.' Miller, Beckman and Simpson, were deeply grateful of the opportunity afforded them to serve as our City Attorneys and legal firm and that they were all looking forward to working with the present Mayor and Council 1 1 1 53 -7- City Attorney Pinson also stated that in accordance with provisions of Secion 44 of the Georgia Laws, 1970, page 2080, et seq., he had written a letter to the City Clerk to be signed by the Mayor, conferring upon the members of Council all the powers and privileges of the elected Recorder of the Recorders Court of the City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, each of whom shall have full power and authority to serve in the absence or disqualification of the elected Recorder, to issue criminal warrants, hold preliminary hearings and trials, affix bonds, commit such offenders to jail, prescribe acceptable cash bonds, and to do and perform any other act necessary to assure the continuing operation of the Recorder's Court in the absence or disqualification of the elected Recorder. As stated, such letter to be signed by M. J. Counihan, Mayor. LETTER There being no further business the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL 54 1 1 1 September 16, 1974 Mr. E. M. Patterson Clerk of Council City Hall Savannah Beach, Georgia 31328 Dear Sir: In accordance with the provisions of Section 44 of the Georgia Laws, 1970, Page 2080, et seq. as supplemented by an Or.dinan.ce enacted by the Council of the Municipality on April 22, 1970, in the absence or disqualification of William H. Pinson, Jr., elected Recorder of the Recorder's Court of the City of Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, in addition to the undersigned, as Mayor, I hereby appoint the following members of Council as Judge of such Recorder's Court of the Municipality: Joseph M. Agnew James S. Bond, III Richard T. DeLoach Edward J. Fahey Ernest C. Hosti John C. Wylly, Jr. Each of whom shall have full power and authority to serve in the absence or disqualification of the elected Recorder, to issue criminal warrants, hold preliminary hearings, and trials, affix bonds, commit such offenders to jail, prescribe acceptable cash bonds, and to do and perform any other act necessary to assure the continuing operation of the Recorder's Court in the absence or disqualification of the elected Recorder.