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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19841101CCMeeting1 1 COO S6 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 The Tybee Island City Council met in regular meeting on Thursday, November 1st, 1984 at 7:30 at the City Hall. Mayor Charles J. Hosti presided, and the following members of Council were present: Paul Jackson, Jeanne Hutton, John Wylly, Chris Solomon and S. J. Orsini. The City Attorney, Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr., was also in attendance. The Mayor opened the meeting by welcoming the few visitors and stating that the first order of business was a public hearing on use of Revenue Sharing Funds for October 1, 1984 through September 30, 1985. He asked for comments from the audience as to their preferences for use of these funds, expected to total $46,553.00 for the year. No one in the audience wished to speak on the subject, so the Mayor closed the public hearing. He then asked if there were visitors who wished to speak on other subjects. The first speaker was an attorney, Mr. Malcolm McLean, who stated that the Savannah Bank is trustee for the estate of the late Frederick I. Scheer; that his widow is currently residing in a local nursing home; that funds are rapidly being depleted by the cost of her care; that the estate has an asset in their home and property on Tybee, but the deed is clouded by including a portion of former Central of Georgia railroad right of way. This portion of the property has been fenced and within the yard of the Scheer property for approximately thirty -five years. He stated his intention is to ask the City Council if they will issue a quit claim, for suitable reimbursement, so that the land can be sold and the proceeds used to maintain Mrs. Scheer in the nursing home. Mrs. Ross, of Savannah Bank, the account executive, also spoke, testifying to the need of funds in the trustee account if Mrs. Scheer is to be cared for as she presently is being cared for. Mr. McLean stated that the city's refusal would mean that the Scheer's home would have to be moved, and that a sale could then be made of the remaining portion of the property. He asked that the city not force this action, stating precedents from City of Savannah trolley line right of way cases. Mr. Mahoney noted that the city is bound by state law to a period of advertisement prior to selling the property. Councilperson Hutton 0®0--.7 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Two volunteered to serve on a committee to study this petition, stating that the first question that must be answered is the actual width of the former right of way adjacent to the Scheer property. She will be joined on . the committee by Councilpersons Wylly, Jackson and Solomon, and a report will be made at the next meeting, or before. Mayor Hosti called Mr. Henry Sullivan who had requested to come before the Council. He was not present. The next speaker was Fire Chief John Solomon who stated that he had meant to speak during the Revenue Sharing hearing, but let the oppor- tunity slip by. He requested leave to return to that subject, and the Mayor granted it. Mr. Solomon then stated that the fire equipment is aged and any monies available should be spent, at least in part, on the update of fire equipment. Councilperson Jackson questioned what is needed and what the cost would be. Chief Solomon answered by saying that the pumpers are seven, fourteen and twenty years old. He questioned whether anyone would drive a car for twenty years, and stated that this is emergency equipment that must be operational when needed. As an ex- ample of a smaller item that is currently needed, he mentioned breathing apparatus. The department currently needs nine sets at approximately $900.00 per set. Councilperson Hutton noted that the Fire Committee is meeting directly following this meeting; suggesting that this discussion be continued then, and asking Mr. Jackson to join the group. Minutes for the meetings of October 4th & 9th were approved as written. Bills for October, 1984 were approved as follows: Water /Sewer - $19,982.61; Public Works /Sanitation - $6,212.66; General Government - $5,283.30; Recreation - $3,036.56; Fire Department - $756.59; and Police Department — $8,941.95. It was noted that the roof on the new Recreation BuiTding is completed, and that no utility bills are included in the totals above due to the early meeting date. At the Mayor's request, the Clerk read a letter from Jewell & Ed Towns, dated October 12, 1984, and enclosing a $500.00 donation as a gesture of appreciation for the city's help in evacuating the nursing homes before Hurricane Diana. 1 1 1 MOSS Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Three Mayor Hosti stated that he has sent a thank -you letter on behalf Of the City and that he'd like to use the funds to complete a job begun by this administration two years ago - he'd like to have the floors of the City Hall auditorium refinished. Councilperson Orsini moved that the money be used for the purpose suggested by the Mayor, Councilperson Wylly seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. It was noted, also, that the handicapped ramp would be carpeted at the same time. A letter Was then read recognizing the city's donation of $150.00 to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Mayor Hosti commented that the city made this donation because we have received many services from the Institute, who offer training programs and computerized information to all cities in Georgia, and who work closely with the Georgia Municipal Association. A thank -you letter from Senator Hugh Gillis was read. Mayor Hosti explained that this was in response to the city's offering a meeting place for the Senator's committee on October 27th. On October 26th the city entertained the committee, eight senators and their wives, with a seafood supper. At the Saturday morning meeting a presentation re- garding erosion was given by Dr. Jim Henry; Mayor Hosti stated his belief that these Senators went away with a good feeling about Tybee and its people, as well as its place in the State's recreational system, and that he is very hopeful that erosion control measures will be funded this year. Councilperson Jackson, in his committee report, stated that the reorganization of the department has worked even better than anticipated, and he commended the employees for the improvements that are being made. He also said that the city is now billing apftoximately 90% of the water being pumped; this is excellent, since the government buildings and the church properties on the island are not metered. Councilperson Hutton stated that the Public Works Supervisor submits a monthly report but that it is so lengthy she cannot read it ini its entirety. She said that the department is well along in its winter schedule 1 00069 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Four of ditch cleaning and cutting rights -of -way. Also, work is commencing on seawall tieback repair. Councilperson Wylly noted that most citizens are familiar with the Corps' offer of $400,000.00 in emergency funds, which was withdrawn suddenly due to the accretion of sand at the south end. The sand was gone again, however, a few days later when the Senatorial committee met here; they were able to see the danger td the wall. He stated that our emergencies may come and go but that the problem is always with us, and will be until something is done to combat erosion. Councilperson Solomon gave a very complete summary of current Recreation Programs, including the following: Volleyball [6 co -ed teams, 50 -60 players]; Softball [4 co -ed teams, 55 players], an invitational tournament is being planned; one football team playing in a county league; karate classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays with 20 -25 participants who will take part in championship tournaments; ballet and jazz classes with 70 students, aged four to adult. He added that new programs being considered are jazzercise and crafts. He also has requests for a basketball program to begin on January 1st. He congratulated three local ballet 'students who have been chosen to appear in The Nutcracker" with the Savannah Ballet: Michaelle Carpenter, Cathy McNaughton and Honor Hutton. He also noted that the fishing pier committee is hard at work and that they have received support from the DNR people at Brunswick. He ended his report by commending the US Coast Guard for their second annual Halloween Party for kids of the island at the Lighthouse facility and asked that a letter of thanks from the city be sent to Chief Nations. Councilperson David McCutchen stated that everyday duties of educating, updating, and qualifying firefighters continues; there is a problem in that the First Responder training takes up a great deal of time; he is considering ways of overcoming the problem of not enough training time for both programs. Mayor Hosti added that, just this past week, a man's life was saved by prompt action on the part of the First Responder Unit. Everyone was reminded that the Fire Committee is meeting immediately after the Council Meeting. 1 00070 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Five Police Commissioner Orsini spoke next, stating that our Police Department has been honored by a group called FAN (Fight Against Narcotics). He read a letter commending the local police department for its excellent work against drugs and asked Chief Price to come forward. Mayor Hosti presented an award in the form of a placque from FAN to the Chief, thanking him and his department for their devotion. Chief Price responded, stating that he is accepting the award on behalf of the entire department, including the dispatchers and the secretarial staff. Mr. Orsini then stated that he has received a request for a transfer of an..alcoholic beverage license for several businesses. He stated that .the..licenses had formerly been held by the late T.S. Chu, who was an honored citizen of the city. The transfers are into the name of his daughter, Mrs. Mola Chu Jung. He moved that the requests be granted; Councilperson McCutchen seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. Mayor Hosti then brought the name of William Morrissey to the Council as a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Councilperson Solomon moved t� accept the Mayor's recommendation; Councilperson Hutton seconded and the motion � was unanimously in favor. Mr. Morrissey will (4. be asked to accept a a -year term, ending December 31,.7 : I (TV r An'ordinance changing the meeting date was read by the City Attorney. Mayor Hosti explained that the primary reason for the change is that the:utility bills often have not arrived by the first Thursday and that it is this Council's tradition to approve all bills in open meeting so the public can be kept informed of the town's expenses. Councilperson Solomon moved that the ordinance be accepted on. First Reading; Councilperson McCutchen seconded, noting that this will bring about an improvement in his own personal schedule. The vote was - unanimously in favor. Mayor Hosti then said that, since the vote was unanimous, the Second Reading could be held if the group wished. Councilperson Hutton moved that the Second Reading be delayed until December so as to be sure the citizens have a chance to express an opinion if they desire to do so. Councilperson Solomon seconded the motion and it passed without dissent. The Second Reading will therefore be held on December 6th. 00071 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Six Councilperson Wylly then brought up the Revenue Sharing Funds Budget, stating that, personally, he'd like to see $10,000.00 set aside for the Fire Department and the remainder alloted to Water /Sewer Fund. Mayor Hosti reminded the group that this money is not on hand; that it comes in quarterly installments and that the last installment will probably not be received until late in 1985. He added that the water tank needs painting; that this will probably cost nearly $30,000.00 and that no funds are presently budgeted for this. Chief Solomon spoke, reminding the group that the Fire Department must have funds to update its equipment. Councilperson Solomon agreed, moving that the funds from Revenue Sharing be divided equally between the two departments; and Councilperson McCutchen seconded. Councilperson Orsini asked if this will delay the Fire Station building. Mayor Hosti stated that we must not delay the water tank job and reminded the group of the Wrightsville Beach water tank which collapsed this year due to hurricane winds. Councilperson Hutton offered an amendment to the motion to the effect that the remainder of the funds, after payment for re- painting of the water tank, be allocated to the Fire Department for equipment update. Councilperson Solomon seconded the amendment and it passed unanimously. The motion, as amended, therefore, also passed, and the Revenue Sharing Budget for 1984/85 will be allocated to the Water /Sewer Department for Water Tank Refurbishing, with the remainder to be allocated to the Fire Department for equipment - the total allocation is $46,553.00. Councilperson Wylly then asked about a building permit for a cer- tain citizen who had been trying to obtain one for a month, asking speci- fically if there is anything the City Council can do to expedite it. Mayor Hosti explained that so many problems had been found in the recent buildings and that there are so many factors to be considered before granting a permit that he has initiated a new system: the building permits are now signed, not just by the Zoning Administrator and the Building Inspector, but also by the Fire Inspector and the Water /Sewer Superintendent, and himself. The delay in the permit to which Councilperson Wylly is referring is caused by a conflict with existing fire codes - a meeting 00072 Tybee Island, Georgia November 1, 1984 Page Seven was held earlier, just before the Council meeting, with various inspectors, and the plans are not acceptable as presented. It was suggested that several methods of overcoming the problem are possible; the Mayor suggested a setback of the second floor to meet the fire code requirements. Mr. Bradley, from the audience, stated that the building would not be struct- urally sound if that is done. Councilperson Wylly stated that he could not understand the problem since it is a renovation -type project and the present building is in compliance with its NM Zoning. Mayor Hosti answered that it is true he can build at the present distance from the line, but only if that side of the building is a solid fire wall without windows or doors. Councilperson Wylly then asked why it has taken a month for action to be taken, and the Mayor answered, explaining the new system requiring a number of signatures, and the problems with FEMA that led to it, adding that he believes the responsibility for signing a building permit is too great for one person to assume. He added that he is aware that some hardship may be endured by a few people as the new system is being implemented, but everyone will eventually be better off if we follow our laws exactly. • The meeting was then adjourned. CLERK OF COUNCI 1 1 00073 Ordinance # /924 - 4 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 8 -4 -72, PARAGRAPH "F ", SUBPARAGRAPH (1), ENTITLED ERECTION OF SIGN. BE IT ORDAINED, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED, THAT THE ABOVE NAMED SECTION BE DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THAT THE SECTION FOLLOWING BE INSERTED IN ITS STEAD: 8 =4 -72 (f) (1) Erection of Sign. Within three (3) days after acceptance for filing of an application for a map amendment or variance the applicant shall erect a sign to be furnished by the Zoning Administrator, on the land proposed for reclassification and/ or variance from the zoning law. This sign shall be erected by the appli- cant within approximately ten (10) feet whatever - boundary line abuts the most traveled road; if no public road abuts thereon then the sign(s) shall be placed to face in such a manner as to be most easily read by the public. The sign(s) shall be of uniform and adequate size (not smaller than 22" x 40 ") and shall show the property identification number and the street address, the present and proposed zoning classication and /or variance . requested, the scheduled date, time and place of the public hearing and a telephone number to call for additional information. kti k. CLERK OF COUNCIL 3(32M- MAYO