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Tybee Island, Georgia
September 10, 1980
A regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was held on
Wednesday, September 10, 1980 at 3:30 p.m. at the Tybee Island City Hall.
Mayor M.J. Counihan presided, and the following members of Council were
present: William C. Fleetwood, Jack Owen, Jim Fabrikant, Jerome Bettencourt,
and Nick C. Alexander. Councilwoman Julianne Meyers was unable to attend as
she was out of town on business. The City Attorney, W. Lance Smith, was
present.
Mayor Counihan invited the audience to speak before Council. The
first visitor to do so was Dr. Samuel Rosen. He questioned what results were
obtained by the request for emergency funds from the Corps of Engineers after
Hurricane David and was informed that the request was refused. He was further
informed that a lengthy report had been received from the Corps and is available
in the Clerk's office if he should wish to read it.
Mrs. George McDonald then approached Council to ask if they are aware
that someone has bulldozed a dune on the South end of the island near John Wylly's
house. No one present could offer al /concrete information; at Mayor Counihan's
request Mr. Fabrikant will personally investigate immediately after the meeting.
Minutes for the meeting of August 13, 1980 were approved as written.
Bills for the month of August were approved as follows: General Govern-
ment: $2,276.46, Parking Meters: $542.41, Police Department - $3,362.85,
Sanitation Department: $2,400.96, Public Works: $7,222.16, Fire Department -
$632.25, Ceramics - $441.21, Recreation - $793.57, Sewer Department - $8,676.26,
Water Department: $3,213.91. In addition other expenses in the amount of
$4,136.48, capital outlay of $2,408.47 and Revenue Sharing funds of $412.18
were approved.
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Mr. Bettencourt then asked the Mayor's permission to make a report on
library activities which stressed the fact that the library is continuing to
grow in circulation rapidly. The report was accepted as information.
Mayor Counihan then spoke to the Council concerning the intended purpose
of having committees within the Council. He urged the committee chairmen to
plan meetings with their committees, and to investigate the operations of their
departments with a view to laying off temporary help and cutting expenses in all
possible ways.
Under Communications the Clerk was requested to read a memorandum from
Mayor Counihan to all Council members which stessed the importance of regular
committee meetings.
Also under Communications the Clerk read a letter from State Representative
Bobby Phillips reporting his attempts on the City's behalf to secure funding for
repair of the water tank. Copies of letters from County Commission Chairman
Shelby Myrick, Jr. and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Joseph Tanner
to Representative Phillips on the subject of the water tank were also read. The
letters were accepted as information.
Councilman Alexander reported a contract for the water tank repair has
been executed with Utility Services, Inc., of Perry, Georgia, and that the price
totalled $45,000.00, of which the City is hopeful of receiving at least $25,000.00
in state funds. He further stated that if the water /sewer department continues
to show financial approvement, the fund will be able to withstand this expense.
Councilman Fleetwood explained that the contract was executed, as delay would have
further increased the cost. Council unanimously approved this decision.
Councilman Fleetwood then reported that a deferred compensation plan
(pension) which has been discussed by the Council on many previous occasions
is now ready for execution. Councilman Fleetwood moved its adoption; Councilman
Owen seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. This plan will begin as soon
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as computer adjustments are completed, and each employee will be interviewed
separately so that the plan can be explained. Inclusion in the plan will be
voluntary in nature. After completing this explanation, Councilman Fleetwood
moved the adoption of the plan; Councilman Owen seconded and the plan was adopted
unanimously.
Ordinance Number 4 -1980 was read and discussed by Council. This ordi-
nance is intended to add several categories to the business license fees schedule.
Recommendations were made to set fees for these new categories, fees were agreed
upon, and the ordinance was unanimously accepted on first reading. Second read-
ing will be scheduled for the next regular meeting.
Ordinance Number 5 -1980, 6 -1980, 7 -1980 were accepted on first reading
by unanimous vote. All of these ordinances concern changes in the present water/
sewer ordinances and are scheduled for second reading at the next regular meeting.
Ordinance Number 8 -1980 was read and discussed. This ordinance will
change the cost of sewer stubbing and will also relieve city crews of the actual
installation of lines. Councilman Alexander objected to the ordinance, feeling
that it imposes a hardship on the contractors, and also questioned the enforcement
of repair of streets torn up by sewer construction. Councilman Fleetwood stated
that most cities require contractors to provide a bond to cover unpaid inspection
fees, damage to property, etc. He requested the City Attorney to investigate the
possibility of incorporating such a bond provision in the ordinance, and the City
Attorney agreed to research this. A long discussion concluded with a motion by
Councilman Owen that the ordinance be accepted on first reading; Councilman
Fabrikant seconded and the vote was four in favor, with one (Councilman Alexander)
opposed. The second reading of this ordinance will be scheduled for the next
regular meeting.
Ordinances Number 9 -1980 through 12 -1980 were accepted unanimously on
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first reading. Second reading of these ordinances, which also concern water/
sewer ordinance changes, is scheduled for the next regular Council meeting.
Councilman Fleetwood then spoke concerning the state's factoring of the
county tax digest. He recommends that the city's millage rate remain the same
for the present time, which will mean that, after factoring, the tax receipts
should increase by approximately $35,000.00. He states that he hopes it will
become possible to lower the tax rate next year. He also recommends that the
council members study the recent surge in multi - family development with a view
to slowing down the growth rate. Mayor Counihan concurred, stating that it is
his hope that Council will watch the development of the island closely, with a
view to allowing decent residences and discouraging rapid speculation building.
City Attorney Smith recommended that a committee of Council members concern them-
selves with being sure that all building codes are strictly adhered to, especially
in cases of factory -built units. Mayor Counihan announced that no building per-
mits for multi - family housing can be granted without the signature of either him-
self or Mr. Fleetwood, Mayor - pro -tem, on the building permit application. He
assured the Council that he and Mr. Fleetwood will consult the full Council if
any large developments are requested in the future.
Councilman Alexander requested that the water /sewer committee meet after
the regular Council meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
CLERK OF CO N IL