HomeMy Public PortalAbout19770126SCMeeting1
Savannah Beach, Georgia
January 26, 1977
A Special Meeting of the City Council of Savannah Beach
was held this evening at 7:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. A discussion of the increase needed in the
water and sewer rate structure
2. The procedures followed in the issuing of
building permits
The meeting was presided over by the Mayor, Michael J.
Counihan, and a quorum consisting of the following councilmen
was present: Edward Fahey, Karen Losey, Jerome Bettencourt,
Fred deBorde, and Nick Alexander. City Attorney Lance Smith
was also present.
It was decided by Council that the matter of the building
permits required additional study and would therefore be post-
poned to a later meeting.
Concerning the Water /Sewer Ordinance, Councilman Alexander
stated that the City is presently pumping around 23 million
gallons of water a month that is not being charged for. He
explained that this is water being used by churches, schools
and government buildings. He continued by saying that if the
City went by the study presented by Thomas & Hutton Engineering
Company, the rate for 7,000 gallons would be approximately
$17.50 per month. He stated that he felt an increase of $1.00
across the board would be sufficient as this would bring in an
additional $168,000.00 revenue.
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Councilman deBorde stated the City should meter each
building, including duplexes, government buildings, churches
and schools. This would enable the City to keep track of all
water used. He added that the minimum gallons used should be
lowered to 5,000 gallons and the rate increased $2.00 per
month.
Following a long discussion, Councilman Bettencourt moved
that the Water /Sewer rates be increased $1.50 per month with a
7,000 gallon minimum. In addition the general government would
be required to pay a flat rate of $500.00 per month for water
used by government buildings. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Fahey and carried on a vote of four (4) to one (1)
with Councilman deBorde opposing.
Councilman deBorde moved that all buildings be required
to install a meter. Mayor Counihan stated that he felt a motion
was not necessary if the Council instructed the Water /Sewer
Department to do so. City Attorney Smith explained that it
would be in the best interest of Council to first of all warn
the schools and churches that unless their usage was decreased
they would have to be metered.
The Clerk was instructed to inform all residents of the
increase upon approval from the State. She was also to include
a section on the conservation of water.
At this time Council discussed the possible appointment
of Mr. Ed Fahey as City Administrator with a salary of $275.00
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a week plus transportation. It was decided to discuss this
further at a later meeting.
Councilman Alexander requested Council's approval for
the purchase of an additional 125 parking meters. Councilman
deBorde made a motion for approval of Councilman Alexander's
request, and added that the $5000.00 down payment was to be
taken from Revenue Sharing Funds. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Fahey and unanimously carried.
A maintenance agreement between Mr. Carl Hendrix of the
Savannah Fire Department and the City of Savannah Beach was
read by Councilwoman Losey. Under the agreement, Mr. Hendrix
would make two inspections per year of the equipment at the
Fire Department at a cost of #35.00 per visit.
City Attorney Smith informed Council that he had recently
met with Mr. J. T. McCusker, the proposed purchaser of the
Tybrisa Property. Mr. McCusker had requested an extension on
the closing date to February 15th due to an extensive amount
of paperwork. The Mayor and Council approved the extension and
instructed the City Attorney to inform Mr. McCusker in writing.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
until the next regular or special called meeting.
Clerk of Council
Mayor
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