HomeMy Public PortalAbout19770615SCMeeting15
Savannah Beach, Georgia
June 15, 1977
A Special Meeting of the City Council of Savannah Beach,
Tybee Island, Georgia was held on June 15,1977 at 7:00 P.M. at the
City Hall. Mayor M.J. Counihan presided, and the following members
of Council were present: Jerome W. Bettencourt, Nick C. Alexander,
William C. Fleetwood, Karen Losey, and John J. Owen. The City
Attorney, W. Lance Smith III was also present. Councilman Edward
Jung was absent. Visitors present were Mr. Jim Aliffi of the City's
Recreation Department and Mr. Earl Anderson, Chairman of the Planning.
Commission.
Councilman Bettencourt, Recreation Chairman, introduced Mr.
Jim Aliffi, lifeguard, and asked that the Council listen to a report
from Mr. Aliffi concerning various conditions the lifeguards are
facing this summer, and suggestions for improving lifeguard services.
Mr. Aliffi's first concern is the large number of injuries that are
being sustained by bathers who come into contact with the old jetties
that are partially exposed. Mr. Aliffi suggested that the City in-
stall markers showing the locations of the jetties, with signs warn -
ing bathers away from these points. Mayor Counihan stated that since
the State claims the foreshore is their property, the State should
be responsible for the protection of bathers in the area. The City
Attorney stated that the legal problems concerning the legal owner -
ship of the foreshore have not been fully resolved and that the City's
legal responsibility for injuries in this area is not clear. Council-
man Fleetwood offered to personally finance the purchase of the markers
if the City Council did not do so. There was much discussion over
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the legality of such an action.
Mr. Aliffi next requested that the City provide two small
rescue boats for the use of lifeguards. The Council agreed to
purchase the boats or similar life- saving craft for the use of the
lifeguard service.
Mr. Aliffi then requested the use of the beach buggy in
patrolling the beach. The Council refused this request, their
majority opinion being that the use of the recently purchased
walkie- talkie equipment was sufficient for the purpose of quick
communication between lifeguards and various other units if needed.
Mr. Aliffi's next remarks concerned the problems caused by
large numbers of servicemen who refuse to obey the instructions of
the lifeguards. Councilman Fleetwood suggested that the City ask
that Military Police be provided, especially during the weekends.
Mr. Aliffi then stated that the lifeguards need an area to
use for first aid purposes, and asked permission to use the police
station at Sixteenth Street. The Mayor suggested that this matter
be taken up with the Police Commissioner, Councilman Alexander and
the Police Chief, since the police department is planning to use this
station during the summer months.
Mr. Earl Anderson, Chairman of the Planning Commission, came
before the Council to report on the recommendations of the Planning
Commission. He submitted a written report in letter form for the
Council's approval.
L E T T E R
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It was decided unanimously to present these recommendations
in a Public Hearing to be held in conjunction with the regular July
meeting of the City Council. The City Clerk was advised to follow
the legal procedures for Public Hearings, as outlined in the Code of
Ordinances, including advertising.
The Mayor then opened the meeting for the presentation of
business legally presented.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Clerk read certain correspondence which was accepted by
the Council as information.
L E T T E R S
The discussion of the. Personnel Ordinance was postponed
until a later date due to the absence of Councilman Jung, who was
scheduled to present this item to the Council.
The City Attorney requested that his report on the agreement
with the Department of Natural Resources be postponed until the
next regular meeting.
Councilman Alexander spoke on the proposed retirement pro-
gram for City employees. Councilman Fleetwood suggested that any
retirement program should be put before the voters in the next
election. Councilmen Alexander and Owen disagreed. Mayor Counihan
suggested that this matter be brought before the Council again at a
later date because a report from the auditors on the financial status
of the City would have a large bearing on the matter.
Councilman Fleetwood explained the problem of the Water /
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Sewer rates to the Council. The City Attorney and the Mayor both
supported the suggestion that the hiring of a private consultant be
considered. The Mayor asked that the matter be discussed by the
committee and a report be made at the next regular Council meeting.
Mayor Counihan announced that Mr. Ralph Kelly of Civil
Defense has requested a Town Meeting to be held to discuss the
emergency procedures set up by Civil Defense for Tybee Island. It
was decided that this meeting would be scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
following the regular council meeting in July, 1977.
Councilman Alexander moved that three men be authorized
to work overtime on weekends to collect garbage from those businesses
who need weekend garbage collection. Councilman Owen seconded the
motion; it was unanimously carried.
Mayor Counihan reported to Council that he had authorized
the removal of lighting in the pavillion in Memorial Park because of
faulty wiring due to vandalism. He has also authorized that the
Park bathrooms be locked at night and no lighting provided due to
the same problem.
Councilman Bettencourt spoke of vandalism sustained by the
Recreation Department and there was a discussion over ways to eliminate
the problem.
Mayor Counihan reported to the Council that no extra summer
employees were being hired due to the fact that the SPEDY program has
authorized part -time student employees to be assigned to the City of
Savannah Beach for the summer.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
to the next regular or special meeting.
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CLERK 0 OUN f
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SAVANNAH BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION
June 13, 1977
Mayor and Council
City of Savannah Beach
Savannah Beach, Georgia
31328
RE: R -1 -B Zone
Gentlemen:
Your Planning Commission met at its regular meeting of
June 6, 1977 and a quorum of members were present. A.
motion was made and approved that a new R -1 zone having
the same uses as the existing R -1 zone but with a size
of 6600, square feet was approved.
This letter is a recommendation superseding the Planning
Commission's previous recommendation on the creation of
a new R -T zone in the area between Railroad Avenue and
the existing C -2 -A zone and replacing that recommendation
with a motion that the area be zoned R -1 -B because of the .
large number of existing lots in that area having this
size. The recommendation would not apply to the existing
R -T zone already in existence.
Sincere
Earl Anderson
Chairman
JOE D. TANNER
Commissioner
J. LEONARD LEDBETTER
Division Director
pFrarinteitt atwraI mums
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
270 WASHINGTON STREET, S.W.
ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30334
The Honorable Michael J. Counihan
Mayor of the City of Savannah Beach
City Hall
Savannah Beach, Georgia 31328
Dear Mayor Counihan:
The Envirnnntal Protection Division awarded a grant o
$250,000.00 to the City of Savannah Beach on May 2, 1974 to
assist in the construction of water pollution control facilities.
A payment of $125, 000.00 was made to the City on October 30, 1975
after completion of 50 per cent of the project, and final payment
of $ 125, 000.00 was made to the City on October 12, 1976 after full
completion of the project.
The information listed in your letter of June 7, 1977, is
correct.
June 10, 1977
JCM: rb
Sincerely yours,
J. C. Mbredith, P.E.
Program Manager
State Water Grants Program
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION /EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
JOE D. TANNER
Commissioner
J. LEONARD LEDBETTER
Division Director
Honorable M. J. Counihan
Mayor, City of Savannah Beach
Post Office Box 128
Savannah Beach, Georgia 31328
peptiment of aturat Ilesourres
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
270 WASHINGTON STREET. S.W.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334
RE: Notice of Violation
NPDES Permit No. CA0020061
Dear Mayor Counihan:
You are hereby advised that the City is in violation of the referenced
permit for failure to report the raw sewage spill which occurred during
May 27, 1977 thru June 3, 1977. The permit requires that any known permit
violation be reported to this office within five (5) days of occurrence..
Acts of this nature are a serious matter and are subject to a ten
thousand dollar ($10,000) per day fine.
We request that a report of the said violation be filed with this
office immediately.
In the future, we remind you that it would be in, the best interest of
the City if such occurrences are reported promptly.
Sincerely,
Age.667A-
Gene Slaton
Environmental Specialist
Compliance Unit
Municipal Wastewater Program
GS /aaa
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION /EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER