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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19750908CCMeetingSavannah Beach, Georgia September 8, 1975 The Regular Monthly Meeting of Savannah Beach City Council .was held this evening at 7:00 P.M. in the auditorium of City Hall with Mayor M. J. Counihan presiding and a quorum consisting of the following Councilmen was present: Joseph Agnew, James "'Bond, Robert Davenport, Richard DeLoach, and John Wylly. City Attorney Pinson was also present. Prior to the opening of the meeting, Mr. Anton B. Solms, „former City Attorney for Savannah Beach, introduced Mr. Jim Head, interim Judge of State Court of Chatham County, who spoke a few words on behalf of his candidacy for the unexpired term of former Judge Edward M. Hester, deceased. Under "Communications ", the Clerk read a letter from Mr. George Byrnes; also, one from the nuns at St. Michael's Convent both complaining about the water standing in the vicinity of their property following the completion of the sewer work in the area of Lovell and Eighth Street. Following the reading of these letters, the Mayor stated that he had written a letter to Mr. Warren Bell, Project Inspector, in regard to this situation instructing him to look into this particular problem and give him a report on it immediately. He stated further that the Inspector had a standard form of agreement to follow and up to now it had not been followed and if it was not followed in the future he would recommend to --Council that his services be terminated. Mr. Bert Barrett, Vice - Chairman appeared before Council to present to them what he termed "A Plan for a Progressive Future for Savannah Beach" which he stated had been prepared with the able assistance of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and in particular Mr. Milt Newton and Mr. Bob Brown. In presenting the Mayor and Councilmen with a bound copy of the report, he called their attention to a letter enclosed with the report which he read as follows: LETTER Following the reading of the letter attached to this report, Mr. Charles M. Peterson, Chairman of the Savannah Beach Planning Commission informed Council that he did not know that he would get back in town in time for this meeting but since he was here he stated that on behalf of the Planning Commission he wanted to join with Mr. Barrett in urging Savannah Beach to adopt this study as a guide for future progress of Savannah Beach. Mayor Counihan requested Council to reveiw this study and report back at the next regular meeting of City Council. 14 -2- Mr. Franklin Burnsed, Savannah Beach Building Inspector, reported on a problem the City was experiencing with a building permit which had been issued to Mr. James McKenna. He stated that this permit was originally issued to Mr. McKenna in April of 1974 following many discussions with the Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta due to the proposed site of the building being in the Sand Dune Area. Mr. Burnsed stated that all Savannah Beach building permits carry the notation to the affect that it becomes void if construction was not started within six months. Even so, he stated Mr. McKenna had been issued several extensions in an effort to help him and was now asking for another one and he did not know what to do about this request. City Attorney Pinson informed Council that in his opinion this permit has expired. Councilman Wylly then moved that Mr. McKenna be granted one more extension and if at the end of that time he had not begun construc- tion, then this permit would be considered to have expired. Mr. Wylly stated further that his reason for this action was that he felt that it would be of great benefit to have the additional home on Savannah Beach. This motion was seconded by Councilman DeLoach and unanimously carried. Attorney Pinson informed Council that they could amend the Building Ordinance to grant these extensions but they should also adopt some guide lines to use in granting them. Mr. George Byrnes who was in attendance at this meeting, informed Council that he was a plumber by trade and that the sewer work in the area of his home performed by the Contractor was the most disgraceful display of workmanship he had ever. seen. The Mayor thanked Mr. Byrnes for appearing and informed him that he hoped we had gotten a lot of things straightened out at the special meeting but he was going to be watching this very carefully in the future. V.' Councilman J. M. Agnew stated that the codification of the City's Ordinances had not been revised since April 22, 1970 and due to the many Ordinance amendments since that time had become almost obsolete, he would like to use some of the City's Revenue Sharing Funds to have a much needed revision made. He then read the following Resolution: RESOLUTION Following the reading of this Resolution, Councilman Agnew moved its adoption. This motion was seconded by Councilman Wylly and unanimously carried. Councilman Davenport informed Council, that on September 17,`° 1975 a referendum would be held to determine whether or not the bars would be allowed to remain open until 2 :55 A.M. Sunday morning and he was in favor of it and would like a favorable endorsement -3- on it from City Council. He stated that this would mean additional revenue for the City as well as help all the businesses in the City. He then moved that City Council of Savannah Beach publicly go on record as favoring the later closing hours for bars. His motion was seconded by Councilman Bond and carried by a vote of 4 to 1, Councilman Agnew voting against the motion. City Attorney Pinson informed Council that Lot 1, a sub of Beach Lot 66, a piece of property owned by Jane G. Murphy, was sold for taxes on August 4, 1970 and now all of these back taxes; together with all penalties, interest and other legal charges had been paid to the City, he recommended that City Council Quit Claim this property back to Jane G. Murphy. He then read the following Resolution: RESOLUTION Following the reading of this motion, Councilman Bond moved its adoption. It was seconded by Councilman DeLoach and unanimously carried. The minutes of the meetings of August 11, 1975 and August 27, 1975 were approved as written. Bills of the various departments for the month of August were approved by Council, copies of these bills, as approved, are attached to and form a part of these minutes. BILLS OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS FOR AUGUST Councilman Bob Davenport told Council that following an appearance by Mr. John Kraft at the last Council Meeting at which time he requested that the Surfing Ordinance be amended so as to lengthen the limits of the area on the beach in which surfing could be done, a committee was appointed by the Mayor consisting of himself, and Councilmen Fahey and DeLoach to look into this matter and report back to Council. He stated further that it was the feeling of his committee that due to the fact that there were so many more swimmers than surfers his committee felt that the Ordinance as it presently stands was liberal enough . and should not be changed except to re- define the limits in view of the fact that the groins that had been used as the boundaries had been removed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Agnew and unanimously carried. Following the vote on this motion, Mr. John Kraft informed Council that what he asked for was not a change in the law - but equal protection under the law. In other words, he stated, surfers would like the swimmers restricted in the surfing area. 16 Mr. Ray Zouchs asked for time to express his views on surfing. He stated that he felt the swimmers were being imposed on by the surfers. Councilman Davenport stated that Mr. Olive Powell, who lives on Van Horn, came by to see him a few days ago about the fill for the duck pond being placed at Jaycee Park. He said that he was informed by Mr. Powell that this pond should not be filled as it was put there as a drainage for the parade grounds. Mr. Davenport stated that he had also contacted Mosquito Control and they concurred that this pond did serve a useful purpose. Mr. Agnew stated it was their intention to fill only a small tributary to the pond that was a hazard to the children playing in the area. Councilman Wylly called Council's attention to the copy of a report submitted by the Directors of the Tybee Museum Association covering the period from the beginning of their operation thru August 31, 1975. Mr. Wylly stated further that he felt the Directors of the Museum deserved the commendation of City Council for the good job they have done with the Museum. Councilman Davenport brought Council up to date on efforts to get the boat ramp in better shape. He stated also that he was informed that hosing it down might help. Councilman Bond stated that he had looked into this and he did not feel that this was the answer. He stated that we need to find some solution to preventing the build up of sand on the ramp. The Mayor turned this over to Councilman DeLoach, Chairman of the Fire Department, and asked that he report back to Council. Mayor Counihan reported that he had received confirmation from Chatham. County that the paving of Fourteenth Street, from Butler Avenue to the Strand had been approved. He also spoke of the bad condition of Campbell Avenue. The correction of this was explained by Councilman Bond. Mrs. Lillian Berry of Chatham Avenue and Venetian Drive re- quested "No Parking" signs be placed in the area of her home. She stated that the problem was the result of the customers of the fishing camp parking their cars and boat trailers on both sides of the street in this area. Mayor Counihan said this would be turned over to Councilman Fahey, Chairman of the Police Committee.. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to the next regular or special called meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL MAYOR Mayor and Councilmen City of Savannah Beach Town Hall Savannah Beach GA 31328 September 8, 1975 The Savannah Beach Planning Commission is pleased to submit for your review a comprehensive plan for the City of Savannah Beach. The plan has been prepared with careful consideration of the needs and goals of the citi- zens of our community. Included are recommendations for achieving a good balance among residential, resort and commercial developments. We recommend your review and adoption of this plan as a guide for future growth of the City of Savannah Beach. Such plans have met success in com- munities where, like Helen, Georgia, citizens, business and local government have cooperated in a joint effort to improve and revitalize commercial and resort facilities. The Commission feels that the benefits of the plan would include not only a proposal for dealing constructively with problems of future growth at Savannah Beach, but also would encourage involvement and participation by citizens in the resolution of such problems. In this way we can act more effectively as a city to create an environment of a resort and residential community. The plan is not set in concrete, it is rather a starting point for continued improvement at Savannah Beach. We urge its adoption at your earliest convenience. Respectfully submitted, Charles M. Peterson, Chairman Savannah Beach Planning Commission