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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19810114CCMeeting1 1 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia January 14, 1981 The regular monthly meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 1981 at the City Hall. Mayor Michael J. Counihan presided and the following members of Council were present: William C. Fleetwood, John J. Owen, Jim Fabrikant, Jr., Julianne J. Meyers, Jerome W. Bettencourt and Nick C. Alexander. City Attorney James E. McAleer was also present. The public was welcomed to the meeting by the Mayor. He then requested that anyone who wished to speak to Council please come forward. The first visitor to do so was Mrs. Carolyn Golden. She explained to the Council that a group of ladies are interested in establishing a thrift store, accepting donations and items for sale on consignment, in the old parish building of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She questioned whether, since income is to be donated to the church, a business license or permit is needed. Mayor Counihan stated that churches are normally exempt from all forms of taxation, including business licenses. It was suggested by Councilman Owen that items for sale could be tagged using the word "donation" rather than "price ". The next visitor to speak was Ms. Lynn Daniels who requested permission to hold classes in aerobic darting at the Community House. Mayor Counihan replied that the community house has always been available for the use of local clubs and organi- zations and that the policy has always been not to allow any form of commercial acti- vity. A public hearing of a petition ( #1 -1981) of Resort Investments Corporation for re- zoning lots 6 through 11, Ward 1, also known as PIN #4 -04 -08 -004, and located at 209 through 215 Butler Avenue. The petitioner was represented by Mr. Anthony R. Taylor who presented each member of Council with a package explaining the proposed redevelopment of the Desoto Beach Motel into condominium units. The re- zoning petition 1 1 1 2 is for property immediately across from the proposed development which the group seeks permission to use as a parking lot for the condominium units. The area is presently zoned R -2 -B, which has no provision for parking lots. Mr. Earl Anderson, Zoning Administrator, then explained to the Council that no provision for parking lots is contained in any zoning classification, but adequate parking for condominium units is required by the ordinance. Councilman Bettencourt spoke, referring t9,the pictures of former mayors displayed in the auditorium, stating that learned men wrote the ordinances in the past, and that he feels all changes are suggested for reasons of personal gain. Mrs. Nita Brown of the audience spoke, saying that she lives in the neighbor- hood and asked if, at a later date, the group could build a high rise building instead of the proposed parking lot. Mr. Anderson replied that if the area is zoned for Planned Unit Development, nothing other than the plans approved by the Planning Commission could be built without a new re- zoning petition. Mrs. Meyers remarked that the Planning Commission, of which she is a member, has suggested a Planned Unit Develop- ment for the site in question. Councilman Fleetwood stated that he believed that First Street and Butler Avenue should be commercial. He then moved to re -zone the area in question to commercial, and to allow the construction of a parking lot for the private use of the condominium project. Councilman Owen seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. The meeting was then opened for business legally presented and the minutes of the meetings of December 10, 1980 and December 24, 1980 were approved as written. Councilman Bettencourt, reporting for the Recreation Committee, stated that the basketball program will be more costly this year due to the request by the St. Michaels Church Council that an off -duty policeman be on duty to . keep order, and to a rental fee for the gymnasium of $750.00. He asked Council's opinion as to whether the program should be implemented. Councilman Fleetwood commented that the money to 3 finance the program can be provided. Councilman Bettencourt then moved that the program be continued, Councilman Fabrikant seconded and the motion was unanimously carried. Councilman Bettencourt then asked that Council re- consider qualifying fees for candidates running for municipal office. He believes this income could offset the costs of elections, and that the city is growing enough to warrant it. Mayor Counihan referred this matter to the Finance Committee for their study. Councilman Fleetwood remarked that fees for hearings such as the one just finished can be ad- justed to more accurately reflect their cost. Police Commissioner Owen then read a letter commending Chief Price. Councilman Fleetwood moved that the letter become a part of the minutes; with no objection this was ordered by the Mayor. A copy of the letter is attached to, and becomes a part of, these minutes. Mrs. George McDonald, chairman of the Planning Commission, was then asked by Mayor Counihan to read a letter she had received from Mr. Bill Fishback. The letter referred to the names chosen for certain condominium projects and recommended that the name "Tybee Island" be given preference over "Savannah" or "Savannah Beach ". Mayor Counihan expressed agreement with Mr. Fishback's opinions, and the letter was accepted as information. Councilman Fleetwood referred the Council's attention to an editorial in the Savannah Morning News of January 14th. This editorial was read, and Councilman Fleetwood moved that it become a part of the minutes of this meeting, and that the article be sent to members of the legislature. There being no objection, this action was ordered by Mayor Counihan. A copy of the editorial is attached to, and becomes a part of, these minutes. Ordinance #13 -1980 was heard on Second Reading. This ordinance requires a bond be posted by licensed contractors and is intended to discourage illegal activities and cheating of the public by contractors. Councilman Fleetwood moved its adoption; 4 Councilman Owen seconded; the ordinance was adopted by a vote of four to two, with Councilmen Fabrikant and Alexander casting negative votes. A Resolution supporting the local option sales and use tax was read. Councilman Fleetwood moved its adoption, Councilman Owen seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. A copy of this Resolution is attached to, and becomes a part of, these minutes. Councilman Alexander, chairman of the Water /Sewer Committee, reported that the committee has approved a special agreement with Savannah Beach and Racquet Club for water /sewer service. This will allow the use of master meters which will simplify the accounting and billing procedure and benefit the city. After the explanation of the agreement, Councilman Alexander moved that it be accepted and Councilman Owen seconded. The motion was unanimously carried. Councilman Fleetwood then explained that Coastal Area Planning & Development has done a study and recommended a merit pay plan. He further stated that there are four months to go on the present budget and that he expects a short fall of approxi- mately $80,000. He stated that this is not intended to be a criticism of any member of Council, but that he believes that the city has too many employees and that infla- tion makes it imperative to cut personnel costs. He believes that a blanket raise (or cost -of- living increase) is not the answer as the study made by CAPDC reveals some discrepancies in employees' salaries which he believes should be rectified. He further stated that a merit plan encourages quality rather than quantity in employees and that he favors the adoption of some such plan. After discussion Mayor Counihan requested that the Finance Committee meet and make a recommendation to the Council. Councilman Alexander proposed that Council consider annexation of the unin- corporated portions of Tybee Island and also Little Tybee Island (Petit Chou). He called on the City Attorney to explain the procedure for annexation. There was some discussion after which Councilman Alexander moved to begin procedures to annex all of Tybee Island east of Lazaretto Creek and also Little Tybee Island. Councilman 1 1 1 Fleetwood seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Counihan then instructed the City Attorney to begin the legal advertisement, and to contact our local representative, Bobby Phillips, asking him to sponsor this annexation in the legislature. Bills for the month of December, 1980 were approved as follows: General Government - Parking Meters Police Sanitation Public Works Fire Sewer Water Recreation Ceramics Other Expenses $1,853.57 211.63 4,325.65 1,008.39 3,290.64 854.06 2,886.51 1,794.68 352.46 503.13 2,371.65 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned until the next regular or special called meeting. /7(&44L,AAaa,, CLERK OF COUNCIL 44-ef 5 1 1 Ordinance Number 13 -1980 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, BE AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION (C) TO TITLE 8, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 3 PROVIDING FOR A BOND REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSED CON- TRACTORS FOR HIRE. BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, that: The Code of Ordinances of the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, be amended by adding a subsection (c) to Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 3, to read as follows: (c) It shall be further required that bond in the amount of two thousand dollars be posted with the Clerk of Council before a permit can be issued by the Inspections Department. The requirement applies only to licensed contractors for hire. ATTEST: BY: CLERK OF COUNCIL First Reading: December 10, 1980 Second Reading: January 14, 1981 Enacted: January 14, 1981 1 1 1 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the City of Tybee Island, Chatham County, Georgia desires to continue the collection of a city- county combination local sales and use tax within the special district whose boundaries are caterminous with the boundaries of Chatham County; and WHEREAS, Pursuant to Ga. Laws 1979, p.446, which was signed into law on April 1, 1979, the governing authority for Chatham County and each of the qualifying municipalities located within the special district requires each qualifying city to pass a Resolution authorizing that the proceeds of the joint county - municipal sales and use tax generated in the district will be distributed according to a joint certification of distribution; and WHEREAS, this certificate of distribution is based on population figures of each of the participants in the special district; and WHEREAS, on the thirtieth day of December, 1980, the certificate of distribution attached hereto was signed by the Mayor of the City of Tybee Island, with the full approval of the governing authority of the City of Tybee Island; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the combination city- county local sales and use tax is hereby levied by the governing authority of the City of Tybee Island; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the effective date of this certification of distribution shall be January 1, 1981. ADOPTED THIS FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, 1981. CLERK OF COUNCIL 1 1 STATE OF GEORGIA ) ODINFY OF CHATHAM ) 5-C-1 CERTIFICATE OF DISTRIBUTION Pursuant to Ga. Laws 1979, p. 446, which was signed into law on April 1, 1979, the governing authority for Chatham County and each of the qualifying municipalities located within the special district as provided for in said Act coterminous with the boundaries of Chatham County hereby certify that the proceeds of the joint county - municipal sales and use tax generated in such district shall be distributed by the State Revenue Commissioner as follows: City of Bloomingdale shall receive 89% City of Garden City'shall receive 4.02% • Town of Pooler shall receive 1.25% City of Port Wentworth shall receive 2.08% City of Savannah shall receive 73.48% Town of Thunderbolt shall receive 1.37% City of Tybee Island shall receive 1.17% County of Chatham shall receive 15.741 TOTAL 100.00% The effective date of this certificate is January 1, 1981. Executed by the undersigned on behalf of the governing authorities of all qualifying municipalities located within the special district and by the 'Chairman of the governing authority of Chatham County. This 30 day of December, 1980. Mayo90 the City of ort Wentworth • e Town o erbolt yor o the it A714 ee Island Chairman Commis sG` ners County 1 gcabannab glinting #.' Established 1250 DONALD E. HARWOOD General managor WALLACE M. DAVIS JR. sagew v. Editor THOMAS F. COFFEY JR. and LARRY POWELL Asseeloa Editors 6A Wednesday, January 14,1981 j Tybee's -Sands Let's wish state Rep. Bobby Phillips and his Tybee Island con- stituents success in their push for making Tybee's second beach ren- ourishment program a success. The first renourishment pro- gram was a success only partly. The thousands of tons of sand de- posited on the beach stayed in place on a long stretch of the is- land's oceanfront, but the work on the south end could not withstand the elements, and the sand washed away. Now, the plan is to build a jetty at the south end and refill that portion of the beach with pumped -up sand. The cost is esti- 1 mated at $3.9 million, requiring approximately $1.8 million in state and local funds. That's what Mr. Phillips is trying to get, a li- on's share of that $1.8 million to go . with federal money 'that's available. The rest of the local leg- islative delegation should support him in his quest. As Mr. Phillips puts it, it is a critical plan. Indeed it is critical _ critical to whether Tybee's south end is saved or whether more of it wash- es into the Atlantic Ocean. The day will come if something isn't done that the whole south end will disappear with the ebbing tides. The state has an obligation to try and prevent that from happening. 1 1 4‘.€4-1 ea= *TcaltLec