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Tybee Island, Georgia
September 12, 1979
A regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was held on
Wednesday, September 12, 1979 at 3:30 p.m. at the Tybee Island City Hall with
Mayor M. J. Counihan presiding. The following members of Council were present:
W. C. Fleetwood, John J. Owen, Edward Jung, Karen Losey, Jerome Bettencourt
and Nick C. Alexander.
Dr. S. F. Rosen was the first visitor to appear before Council. He
stated that he knows that the City is doing a very good job with available funds
but that he hopes drainage improvements for the south end of the island will be
considered a priority item. He stated that his home has been subjected to flooding
three times within the past six weeks and that he and other citizens in the area
will appreciate whatever the City can do to alleviate the situation.
Barbara Hayes of 46 Solomon Avenue then appeared to inform Council that
a drainage ditch adjacent to her property regularly overflows and floods her yard
and that the street itself is in such poor repair that people are driving into
her yard causing danger to her children and to vehicles parked on her property.
She asked that Council investigate this and either repair or close the street.
Mayor Counihan assured her that the matter will be taken care of.
Ralph Dillard of National Tank Company appeared before Council to
state that his company is still interested in a contract to repair the water tank.
He was informed that the city is not yet financially ready to contract for this
work, but he was invited to prepare an up -to -date written proposal if he so desires.
Burt Barrett, Jr. of the Tybee Island Jaycees appeared to inform the
Council that the Jaycees are sponsoring a sailboat regatta on September 22, 1979.
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He asked the City's cooperation in allowing a vehicle to move the boats into
position on the beach, and also to allow the Jaycees to operate a concessions
booth at the end of Center Street. In addition, he requested that extra trash
barrels be placed in the area to facilitate clean -up operations. He further
stated that all funds from this project will be used to promote youth recreation.
Council agreed to the plans presented for the Regatta.
Mayor Counihan recognized Mrs. Irene Williams in the audience and
informed her that the City is in contact with its engineer and hopes to soon have
a solution to her drainage problem.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written.
Paul Hansen, AIA, appeared before Council to discuss plans for lighting
the ballfield in Jaycee Park. Councilman Bettencourt stated that the football
field should be saved if possible, and Mayor and Council agreed with Mr. Hansen's
proposal to move the softball diamond so that the lighting will not interfere with
football. The Jaycees offered their full cooperation in moving the backstop, etc.
so that this can be accomplished.
A letter from Tilford E. Creel, Colonel, United States Corps of Eng-
ineers, was read. The letter asked that the City give a definite committment to
completing the drainage project at the south end of the island, and a definite time
schedule for implementing North End Parking. This letter will be answered as soon
as information is forthcoming from proposals presently being examined by the Council.
Bills for the month of August were approved as follows: for General
Government - $4,822.21, Sewer Department - $3,639.93, Water Department - $3,999.10,
Parking Meter Department - $356.98, Police Department - $3,813.24, Sanitation
Department - $1,680.74, Department of Public Works - $1,792.41, Recreation - $147.76,
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Ceramics - $127.25, Fire Department - $195.35, and other expenses in the amount of
$49.00. In addition capital outlay totalled $1,183.73 and $130.00 for a copi r
cabinet for the City Hall Offices was expended from Revenue Sharing funds. ,
Councilman Fleetwood introduced an ordinance amending the franchise
agreement with Savannah Electric and Power Company. He explained that the only
change is an increase in the percentage paid by the electric company to the City.
This change is from 3% to 4% which is the maximum franchise charge allowable under
the state law. He stated that he feels this increase is necessary due to the in-
creasing costs of electrical power used by the City. He also advocated various
methods of conserving electrical energy such as removing certain street lights.
After discussion Councilman Fleetwood moved that the ordinance be accepted on first
reading and the vote was unanimously in favor. Second reading is scheduled for the
next regular meeting.
The Clerk then read a Resolution advocating the adoption of a pension
plan for city employees. Some doubt was expressed as to whether the present financial
condition of the city will allow for such a plan and after discussion Councilman
Fleetwood suggested that a committee be formed to study this matter. Mayor Counihan
then appointed a committee as follows: W. C. Fleetwood, Edward Jung, Phyllis L.
Cary and Charles Bishop.
Councilman Fleetwood then proposed that the drainage project on the
south end begin at once. He stated that the City is obligated to correct this
problem prior to renourishment of the beach. Councilman Alexander stated that he
has scheduled a meeting to discuss the project with the city engineer and a con-
tractor and that he will keep the Council up o -date as information becomes. r1- aisle.
Councilman Fleetwood stated that $10, is budgeted in Revenue Sharing for this
project. These funds are immediately available for this purpose and he feels that
both this project and the proposed addition of North End parking spaces should begin
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as soon as possible. An additional $10,000.00 has been budgeted in the General
Fund budget for this fiscal year, and it is vital that the project be completed
prior to renourishment.
Mayor Counihan informed Council that he has had many requests from
citizens outside the city limits who would like the city to annex their area.
He stated that the city has in the past offered fire and emergency police pro-
tection to these areas but, due to rising costs, this will no longer be possible.
He stated that most cities charge a yearly fee to provide fire service outside
the city limits, and that this is being studied. He stated that a public hearing
will be announced at a later date for citizens to meet with the Council and dis-
cuss their feelings about annexation of all unincorporated portions of the island.
Their being no further business, the meeting was adjourned until the
next regular or special called meeting.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL