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Tybee Island, Georgia
December 13, 1978
A regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council met at
City Hall on December 13, 1978 at 3:00 p.m. Mayor M.J. Counihan presided
and the following members of Council were present: Nick Alexander, Karen
Losey, Edward Jung, Jack Owen and William C. Fleetwood. Councilman Jerome
Bettencourt was absent. The City Attorney, W. Lance Smith, III was present.
The meeting began with a Public Hearing to discuss a request
from Henry Buckley, Jr. for a Zoning Map Amendment. Mr. Buckley requested
that Lot #14, Ward #4, Tybee Island, be re -zoned from R -2 -B to C -1. Many
residents were in attendance to express their interest in Mr. Buckley's
petition. The first to speak was Mrs. Ernestine Cole who expressed several
reasons why she felt the request should be denied. The next to speak was
John Sparkman, who is a resident of the area in question, and who represented
approximately 75 people who had signed a petition which he presented to the
Council. Mrs. Mary Price and Mr. John Andre then spoke, asking Council to
deny Mr. Buckley's petition. Mr. Buckley presented written endorsements from
Mr. Ted Voight and Mr. Chris Simon, who both operate businesses near the area
in question. Mr. James Brown spoke favorably of Mr. Buckley's request, stating
that a business of the type proposed by Mr. Buckley is needed. Mr. Don Howard,
operator of /the Chevron Station immediately adjacent to the lot in question, also
spoke favorably of the re- zoning petition, as did Mr. Buckley himself. Mr. Darvin
Dunn and Mr.' Sparkman then summarized their position against the petition.
After discussion by the Council, and consultation with the
City Attorney, it was decided that since the Planning Commission had not yet
considered this request, any decision be postponed until after the Planning
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Commission makes a recommendation to the Council. It was noted that the Planning
Commission be requested to consider Mr. Buckley's petition at the earliest possible
date, and inform the Council in writing of their recommendation. The final
decision would then be made by the Council.
The public hearing was adjourned, and the Mayor asked any
visitors who wished to speak on other matters to come forward.
The first visitor was Ms. Pat Marvin of the Opti -mrs. Club, who
submitted a written report of repairs that the club feels need to be made at the
Community House. The Mayor accepted her report, and promised to study it, and
accomplish as many of the repairs as possible.
Mr. Anthony Simon then congratulated the Mayor and Council on
their sound fiscal policy, and expressed his appreciation of their efforts in
behalf of the citizens.
Mr. Lee Berry spoke to protest the elimination of the commercial
and residential differential in the water rates. Mayor Counihan called on
Councilman Fleetwood who explained the regulations of the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, who approved the present rate structure. Mr. Anthony Simon
stated that, while motels do not pay a higher rate per 1,000 gallons for water,
they do pay a tax to the City for each room rented, which he felt entitles the
commercial user to enjoy the same rate as the residential user. Councilwoman
Losey explained to Mr. Berry and the audience how the motel tax is computed and
collected.
Mrs. Sara Young then asked Council why she had been unable to
obtain a building permit for her lot on Lovell Avenue. Mayor Counihan suggested
that she discuss the problem with the Zoning Administrator, Earl Anderson, and
the Building Inspector, Edmund Solomon. He stated that, if she still had a com-
plaint after talking with them, the Council would investigate the problem.
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as written.
The minutes for the meeting of November 8, 1978 were approved
The bills for the month of November were presented as follows:
Water Department
Sewer Department
Public Works Department
Sanitation Department
General Government
Parking Meter Department
Police Department
Fire Department
Recreation Department
$1,110.95
3,959.77
2,255.57
494.80
1,820.66
207.46
2,536.44
171.96
257.37
In addition to the above bills, the following were also
approved for payment:
Capital Outlay Expense $1,275.90
Other Expenses 3,064.00
Councilman Fleetwood moved that the Revenue Sharing budget
for the period from October 1, 1977 through September 30, 1978 be amended to
use all remaining funds to reduce the financed balance on the fire engine.
After discussion, all members of Council agreed providing their departments
would be considered for their share of the Revenue Sharing budget for the new
period beginning October 1, 1978 and ending September 30, 1979. The motion was
passed unanimously and the unexpended balance of Revenue Sharing funds will be
applied as directed.
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Colonel Harris of the United States Corps of Engineers stated
that the Corps is presently conducting studies in hopes of finding the best
possible solution to the problem of erosion on the South End of the island.
He stated that the Corps is presently asking for volunteers to help conduct
these studies. Councilman Fleetwood stated that his wife and other ladies of
the Tybee Women's Club would probably be willing to serve as volunteers.
Colonel Harris also stated that the condition of the sea wall
at the South End is not at present considered to merit emergency measures on
the part of the Corps. He stated that the wall is stressed, but that the pre-
cautionary measures taken by the City should relieve any present danger of a
breach in the sea wall.
Mr. William M. Thompson of SCA Services presented a tentative
proposal for sanitation services. He offered to meet with the committee for
public works and sanitation, and any City employees of that department to
study the proposal more extensively and make any changes that might be necessary.
Mayor Counihan requested that the Council be prepared to pre-
sent a proposed Revenue Sharing budget at the January meeting.
The Police Commissioner, Councilman Edward Jung, stated that
bar owners would be informed by him of the operating hours for New Year's Eve.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned until
the next regular or special called meeting.
/21).A-e/itAi 6e.
CLERK OF C UNCIL