HomeMy Public PortalAbout19790711CCMeeting1
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Tybee Island, Georgia
July 11, 1979
The regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was held
at City Hall at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 1979, with Mayor M. J. Counihan
presiding. The following members of Council were present: W. C. Fleetwood,
Nick C. Alexander, Jack Owen, Jerome W. Bettencourt, and Edward Jung. Karen
Losey was absent due to illness. The Assistant City Attorney, Andrew Estes, was
present, as were representatives of Coastal Area Planning & Development Commission.
Mr. Roy Bysinger, of CAPDC, was the first visitor recognized by Mayor
Counihan. He discussed the personnel study being undertaken by his group, and
explained what they hope to accomplish by updating the city's personnel policy.
He stated that the first phase of the study has already begun and will include
job descriptions for all city employment. Ms. Woodie Woodward, also of CAPDC,
then talked of the proposed revitalization project, and offered to work closely
with whatever group Council wishes to begin planning a downtown revitalization
program for the City of Tybee Island.
Leo Beckman, an attorney, appeared before Council in behalf of his client,
Mrs. Irene Williams, who has a long- standing drainage problem. Mr. Beckman asked
the city to take measures to correct the problem, and Mayor Counihan advised him
that the city will repair the present drainage system, but cannot reroute the pipes
at the present time.
Mr. Ron Reed appeared before Council to ask why he could not be licensed
to operate a pushcart to sell hot dogs. He was told that the city does not li-
cense any business which is not located in a permanent building, and was told to
find a location for his business and then apply for a license.
Mr. Ali spoke against imposing a curfew on the beach. He was told
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that the ordinance regarding beach rules and regulations is scheduled for second
reading at this meeting and that the curfew is not in effect, and that portion
of the ordinance has been suggested for amendment.
Councilman Bettencourt asked permission to speak regarding a newspaper
story that had recently appeared. He stated that the article about the Tybee
Museum did not make clear that the Museum is subsidized by the city, and that
he feels it should be made known that the city does contribute to the support of
the local museum.
There being no other visitors who wished to speak, Mayor Counihan opened
the meeting for business legally presented.
The minutes of the meeting of June 13, 1979 were approved as written.
Bills for the month of June, 1979 were approved as follows: Capital
Outlay - $10.05, General Government - $1,317.93, Parking Meter Department - $353.27,
Police Department - $4,277.20, Sanitation Department - $691.04, Department of
Public Works - $4,044.36, Ceramics Department - $415.56, Recreation Department -
$625.31, Fire Department - $180.58, Sewer Department - $3,175.72, and Water
Department - $3,067.23. Other expenses in the amount of $49.00 were also approved.
Councilman Alexander explained that bids have been received for several
phases of the proposed additional parking on the North End of the island. These
bids include enlarging the parking lot, paving and providing parking spaces along
Gulick Street at the entrance to the North Beach parking lot, and widening, paving
and providing parking along Second Avenue from First Street to the gates at the
old entrance to Fort Screven. After discussion, Councilman Alexander moved that
this work begin as soon as possible, especially the Second Avenue paving, and the
motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Counihan announced that the re- zoning of the old theatre property
in Fort Screven from Residential - One to Residential - Tourist, which Council
had taken under consideration at the Public Hearing last month has been approved.
The second reading of the ordinance for beach rules and regulations
(Ordinance # 79 -9) was read by the assistant City Attorney, Mr. Andrew Estes.
He stated that since the first reading, various councilmembers had suggested cer-
tain amendments to be incorporated into the ordinance. While the amendments were
being discussed, Councilman Alexander objected that glass bottles were not out-
lawed completely, and not just prohibited on the beaches and public right -of -ways.
After a short discussion, the Mayor stopped debate on the issue and stated that
the ordinance would be read again at a special meeting called for that purpose,
as evidently Council needed further time to consider the amendments.
Councilman Alexander then showed the Council and the public some drawings
of the proposed renovation of the Ramada Inn. The proposed renovation will in-
corporate convention facilities and add to the city's tax digest. Mayor and
Council endorsed the planned renovations, but stated that no actual blueprints
are available at the present time. The Planning Commission will see these blue-
prints and plans as they are completed, and the public will be informed of the
progress of these plans.
Councilman Bettencourt read the following Resolution accepting a grant
for state aid for lifeguard protection for the beach:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT
FROM THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY FUND FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. WHEREAS, THE CITY
OF TYBEE ISLAND HAS MADE APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA FOR A GRANT TO
ASSIST IN THE EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE OF LIFEGUARD FACILITIES; AND WHEREAS, THE
GOVERNOR HAS RESPONDED TO THIS REQUEST BY AN ALLOCATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES OF $12,000.00 FROM THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY FUND FOR THE PURPOSE
OF PROVIDING A FINANCIAL GRANT -IN -AID: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS
HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND: 1. HEREBY APPROVES THE CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, STATE OF GEORGIA, AND THE CITY OF TYBEE
ISLAND, AND 2. UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF SAID CONTRACT; AND 3. ACCEPTS WITH GRATITUDE THE GENEROUS GRANT BY GOVERNOR
GEORGE BUSBEE; AND 4. HEREBY AUTHORIZES AND DIRECTS THE MAYOR TO SIGN DOCUMENTS
AND TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND.
After the reading of the resolution, Councilman Bettencourt moved that it
be adopted and Councilman Owen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Councilman Fleetwood reported that he has checked on the possible
pollution of the acquifer by the landfill, and that there is no pollution insofar
as anyone can tell without extensive testings. He feels that this testing
should be done by the Environmental Protection Division prior to closing of the
landfill. No decision was made as Council is still awaiting a reply from the
Environmental Protection Division regarding an extension of time requested by the
city.
A correction to the minutes of April 4, 1979 was accepted by Council.
This correction clarified the motion made by Mr. Fleetwood in which he stated that
Mr. Laurence Dunn would be reimbursed by the city from fees due in water taps, etc.
This should be clarified so that reimbursement may include indebtedness to the
General Fund as well as to the Water /Sewer Fund.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Mayor
Counihan until the next regular or special called meeting.
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CLERK OF COUNCI