HomeMy Public PortalAbout19790314CCMeetingI
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Tybee Island, Georgia
March 14, 1979
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tybee
Island was held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 1979, in the City Hall.
Mayor M. J. Counihan presided and the following members of Council were
present: Jack Owen, Edward Jung, Karen Losey, Jerome Bettencourt and Nick
Alexander. Councilman William Fleetwood was not in attendance. The City
Attorney was present, as was a visiting attorney, Mr. John Hendrix.
The first visitor to appear before Council was Mr. John
Skinner, who had a complaint about his water account. He stated that the
city had replaced his water meter with a new one, and since that time the
reading of the meter had been erratic. He requested an adjustment of his
water bill to reflect an average usage. Councilman Owen stated that he would
advise the water department to install a test meter to test the accuracy of
his meter, and that a decision would be made contingent on the outcome of the
test.
Mrs. Carolyn Bates appeared before Council to thank Mr. Jerome
Bettencourt for his efforts to provide an ambulance for the islanders and offered
her help and the help of the Opti -mrs. Club if financial aid is necessary to
equip the ambulance. Mayor Counihan expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Bates.
The meeting was then opened for business legally presented.
The minutes of the meeting of February 14, 1979 were approved as written.
Bills for the various departments were approved as follows:
Sewer Department - $4,624.13, Water Department - $3,627.13, Parking Meter
Department - $179.48, Police Department - $1,120.60, Fire Department - $490.56,
Recreation Department - $405.94, Ceramics Department - $278.02, Sanitation
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Department - $3,358.95, Public Works - $2,344.15, General Government - $2,768.67,
and Other Expenses totalling $2,560.36.
Mr. John Hendrix, attorney for Don C. Wahl, presented a petition
for a quit claim deed. Councilman Bettencourt vehemently objected to the grant-
ing of a quit claim deed to the property, as part of it was originally intended
to become a city street. There was a general discussion, after which the Mayor
and Council requested that the City Attorney meet with Mr. Hendrix to discuss
the petition in detail. Council requested that a title search be made if the
City Attorney feels that it is necessary, and the City Attorney invited Council-
man Bettencourt to attend any meeting with Mr. Wahl's attorneys.
Mr. Laurence Dunn appeared before Council with plans to sub-
divide land at the end of South Campbell Avenue into lots which would be offered
for sale. He requested that the city install a six -inch water main to the
property. Mayor Counihan referred this request to the Planning Commission.
Five ordinances were read which are intended to clarify the
wording and simplify the billing of water -sewer accounts. These ordinances
are numbered as follows: 2 -1979, 3 -1979, 4 -1979, 5 -1979 and 6 -1979. All were
unanimously passed on first reading.
An ordinance regulating the hours of operation for retail
businesses which sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises was
read and passed unanimously on first reading.
Mayor Counihan stated that a report on plans for Tybee Day
should be forthcoming at the next regular meeting.
Councilman Jung explained that the local police department
cooperates with the county police, especially during the seasonal influx of
tourists, and that the local department should be enlarged, also. He stated
that a representative from the State of Georgia will appear before Council
to speak on seasonal law enforcement next month.
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Councilman Alexander stated, and Councilman Jung, agreed, that
law enforcement, especially of traffic signs, should be a constant effort, and
that minor infractions should be ticketed during the off - season as well as
during the summer months.
Councilman Alexander stated that he feels an overhead one -way
sign is needed in front of the Post Office, and that the area should be im-
proved with planting, if possible.
Mayor Counihan proposed the following names for appointments
to the Planning Commission: Jim Lynes, Chris Simon and Joe Agnew. After
discussion the Council approved all three names for four year terms effective
immediately.
Mayor Counihan proposed the following names for appointments
to the Zoning Board of Appeals: Edmund Solomon, Anthony P. Simon and Chris
Simon. It was noted that the code states that the Planning Commission must be
represented on the Zoning Board of Appeals, and that this explains the dual
appointment of Chris Simon. Council approved all three nominees for four -year
terms, effective immediately.
The following resolution was read and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA
ARE INCREASINGLY INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOLUTION TO THE GROWING
ENERGY CRISIS; AND WHEREAS, THESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE LAUNCHED MANY PROGRAMS IN
RECENT YEARS WITH THE INTENTION OF ALERTING AND INFORMING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF
THE INCREASING PROBLEMS CAUSED BY NON- CONSERVATION OF ENERGY SOURCES; AND
WHEREAS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A SHORTAGE OF ENERGY MAY SERIOUSLY REFLECT
ON THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE; AND WHEREAS, THE MAYOR
AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, WISH TO STUDY THE ENERGY CRISIS
AND ITS POSSIBLE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL POPULACE AND ISLAND TOURISM; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, IN
COUNCIL ASSEMBLED, THAT A COMMITTEE OF LOCAL CITIZENS BE FORMED TO BE CALLED THE
TYBEE ISLAND COMMITTEE FOR ENERGY IMPACT STUDY, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND APPOINT NOT LESS THAN THREE NOR MORE THAN
SEVEN LOCAL CITIZENS TO SERVE UPON THIS COMMITTEE, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
THAT THE TYBEE ISLAND COMMITTEE FOR ENERGY IMPACT STUDY REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
After the reading of the above resolution, Councilman Owen moved
its adoption and Councilwoman Losey seconded. There was no dissenting vote.
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Mayor Counihan then presented the following names of citizens
to serve on the Tybee Island Energy Impact Study Committee: Anthony P. Simon,
George Spirides, Bob Davenport, Wilma McCusker, and Edward Jung. Councilman
Bettencourt moved that Council accept these names, Councilman Owen seconded,
and the motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council was adjourned until
the next regular or special called meeting.
CLERK OF CO NCI
MAYOR