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Tybee Island, Georgia
November 11, 1981
The annual Youth Council, sponsored by the Tybee Island Optimist Club,
was held immediately prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting
on Wednesday, November 11, 1981.
Mayor Paul Jackson of St. Michael's School presided and the following
elected youth officials were present: Bobby Davis of Tybee (Police Chief),
City Clerk Ann Carpenter of Tybee Elementary, and City Attorney Barney Cannady
of St. Michaels. City Council members from St. Michaels were: Amber Jenkins,
Johnny Barry and Isabel Kowalewski; those from Tybee Elementary were: Rachel
Davies, Lee Harrell and Lisa Coughlin.
Among the special guests were parents, teachers, students and members of
the Tybee Island Optimists.
The Youth Council debated the issue: "What can we do to help keep oLr
beaches cleaner ?" The young officials discussed this subject very thoroughly;
excellent ideas and opinions were expressed.
Mayor Michael J. Counihan then signed a Proclamation declaring the week
of November 8th through 16th Youth Week in Tybee Island, Georgia, and presented
this proclamation to Mr. Orville Rosen, President of the Tybee Island Optimists.
A short recess was declared prior to opening the regular Council meeting.
A regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was held at 3:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, November 11, 1981 at the Tybee Island City Hall. Mayor Michael J.
Counihan presided and the following members of Council were present: Nick C.
Alexander, Jerome W. Bettencourt, Julianne J. Meyers, Jim Fabrikant, Jack Owen
and William C. Fleetwood.
Mayor Counihan opened the meeting by commenting favorably on this year's
Youth Council and thanking the Optimists for their continued support of youth
activities.
He then spoke of the day's significance and urged that the people continue
to honor our country's veterans. He asked that a poem be read in honor of the
American veterans, living and dead.
There were no visitors who wished to speak before Council.
Minutes of the meeting of October 14, 1981 were approved as written.
Bills were approved as follows: Water Department - $2,084.16, Sewer
Department - $12,331.56, Ceramics - $229.93, Recreation - $500.07, Fire
Department - $2,075.86, Public Works - $4073.87, Sanitation - $3,798.41,
Parking Meter Department - $328.56, Police Department - $3,325.97, General
Government - $2,992.41, Capital Outlay - $4,388.00 and Other Expenses totalling
$808.25.
Mayor Counihan then announced that he has reluctantly accepted Mrs. George
McDonald's resignation as chairman of the Tybee Island Planning Commission. He
then recommended to the Council that Mr. Arnold Seyden be appointed to complete
Mrs. McDonald's term as chairman; that term runs until March 1982 and her term
on the commission runs until June, 1982. Councilman Bettencourt moved acceptance
of the Mayor's recommendation; Councilman Fleetwood seconded and the motion
carried unanimously. Mr. Seyden will serve as chairman of the Tybee Island Plan-
ning Commission until the election time set by their by -laws, which is the March
meeting.
Mayor Counihan then recommended to the Council that Mr. Sebastian Orsini
be appointed to serve as Zoning Administrator, and that this appointment be
immediate. Councilman Bettencourt moved that the Mayor's recommendation be accept-
ed, Councilman Owen seconded and the motion passed without dissenting vote. Mr.
Orsini was present and spoke of his willingness to serve the city in this capacity.
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It was further understood that the position is considered a voluntary one;
reimbursement will be set by the Mayor to cover Mr. Orsini's expenses, such as
the use of his personal car to make on site inspections.
A letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency dated October 29,
1981 was read for information. It acknowledged receipt of the certifications
of first floor elevations of structures built since November, 1977. A future
meeting with FEMA representatives will be scheduled to review these certifications.
Councilman Fleetwood stated that he believes the flood insurance rates may rise
sharply; he also thinks that required elevations may increase.
Fire Commissioner Meyers reported that $1,751.12 has just been spent on
a report from the Fire Suppression Management, Inc. She stated that this is a
large expenditure intended to help Tybee Island lower its fire rating. The con-
sultant believes we may qualify for a "7" immediately, and possibly a "5" in two
years' time if the recommendations are followed. She urged the members of Council
to read the report, and hopes to arrange a meeting with Mayar-,-Council,.consult-
ants, etc. in the near future. She further stated that with the help of the
Mayor and Council it may be possible to offer fire protection to islanders who
live outside the city limits.
Mrs. Meyers then reported that the used pumper purchased from City of
Savannah recently will be delivered next week and that the Fire Department is
happy to release the older pumper ( #3) to the Department of Public Works to be
used in flushing sewers and drains.
Councilman Fleetwood gave a financial report on the condition of the general
funds six months into the fiscal year. He stated that the recent reassessment by
the county may lead to larger numbers of delinquent taxes due tb the higher tax
bills. He further stated that the city has, in view of these huge increases in
evaluations, greatly increased assets in city property. He recommended that fu-
ture investigation of the possibility of relocating certain city facilities such
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as the city shop, jail and ceramics be considered. He believes that such sites
could be sold or leased for additional public income.
Mayor Counihan then noted that the county assessors had valued Tybee land
higher than any other in the county; he expressed the opinion that city assess-
ments may be necessary in future. He further reminded the audience that there
is an upcoming election and that the city has been in financial difficulty in
the past. He reminded the voters present that the present administration has
brought the city's finances out of the red, and that very careful management is
necessary - this requires careful voters.
Councilman Fleetwood added that the city has a large number of retired
people living on fixed incomes; he does not wish to see these people forced to
sell because they cannot afford to pay the taxes on their property. He blamed
the county for assessing Tybee as if it were Hilton Head.
Councilman Owen stated that he believes the average city resident gets
very little for his county taxes which are much higher than the city taxes. He
explained to the public that the city pays $18.00 per day for every prisoner
housed in the county jail, a facility supported by its citizens tax dollars.
Councilman Alexander read a letter from Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company
dated November 4, 19.81 and recommending that the city award a contract for the
grit separator replacement and by -pass system for the Tybee Island Wastewater
Plant. The Collins Plumbing and Construction Company, with a bid of $19,976.00
was low bidder and it is recommended that the bid be awarded to this firm.
Councilman Alexander then recommended that this bid be awarded; Councilman Owen
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned until the next
regular or special called meeting.
P R O C L A N A T I O N
TO ALL CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA:
KNOW YE:
THAT THE TYBEE ISLAND OPTIMIST CLUB, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS NATIONAL
ORGANIZATION EACH YEAR SPONSORS AND ENDORSES YOUTH WEEK WHICH IS
CELEBRATED IN THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND BY THE ELECTION OF A YOUTH
COUNCIL AND VARIOUS OTHER YOUTH ORIENTED ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE
DESIGNED TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN THE YOUTH OF OUR CITY.
THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA DO
HEREBY ENDORSE AND AFFIRM THESE ACTIONS OF THE TYBEE ISLAND OPTIMIST
CLUB AND DO INVITE THE YOUTH COUNCIL TO PARTICIPATE IN A REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING ON THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 11, 1981.
THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL DO HEARTILY APPROVE OF THE CELEBRATION OF YOUTH
WEEK AS PROMOTED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE TYBEE ISLAND OPTIMIST CLUB.
THEREFORE, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, DO
HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8 THROUGH NOVEMBER 16 BE DEVOTED
TO THE YOUTH OF TYBEE ISLAND AND DO HEREBY INVITE ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE OF
TYBEE ISLAND TO JOIN WITH THE OPTIMIST CLUB IN CELEBRATING YOUTH WEEK IN
HONOR OF OUR YOUTH..
MAYOR