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Tybee Island, Georgia
January 10, 1985
A regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was
held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 1985. Mayor Charles J. Hosti
presided and the following members of Council were present: Paul Jackson,
Jeanne Hutton, John Wylly, Sebastian J. Orsini and Chris P. Solomon.
The City Attorney, Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr., was also present. Councilperson
David McCutchen was absent due to business committments.
The first visitor recognized was Mr. Paul Baxter, who
represented a group from the eastern islands who are attempting to incor-
porate into an independant municipality. He explained that many citizens
of that area of the county feel that they have no representation; many
actions have been taken that this group feels is against their best interests;
development has caused problems of traffic congestion, environmental damage
and these people thus wish to form a municipality where these problems can
be controlled at the local level. He then asked for the support of the Tybee
Island City Council, including their encouragement and advice as needed.
Mayor Hosti answered, stating that he and the Tybee Island City Council will
provide whatever support and /or advice they can, wishing the group success
in their project.
Mayor Hosti then announced a public hearing, held over from
the December meeting due to a fault in the legal advertisement of a rezoning
request. He briefed the audience on the procedures followed in a public
hearing, then recognized Mr. Steve McCusker, a local attorney representing
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January 10, 1985
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his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Jack McCusker. He said that Lot #9 is located between
the Oceanside Nursing Home & the ocean, and is a part of the subdivision named
Oceanview. He added that there are no restrictive covenants on the land, that
years ago, the prior use was as a golf course, with a clubhouse. He said that
there are two existing multi -unit buildings in the subdivision already out of
a total of ten lots. The majority of oceanfront property, he continued, is
citing
commercial or residential- tourist; the location of the surrounding properties,
with two nursing homes and with the majority of the surrounding property not
Residential -One. He noted that the property is not a part of the Historic
Fort Screven district and that his request is only a plea for reasonable use
since the present zoning is unnecessarily restrictive and not in character
with the majority of the surrounding properties.
Two letters were read into the record:
(1) From Mr. & Mrs. James Kluttz, dated 1/9/85.
(2) From Mr. John Tatum, dated 1/10/85.
Both letters objected to a zoning change, charging that such a change will
detract from the present value of their homes, or homes of a client in the
case of Mr. John Tatum, who represents the Rediesal family.
No one else in the audience wished to speak either for or
against. Mr. McCusker did speak briefly rebutting certain statements con-
tained in the letters, stating that the Rediesal property was more properly
rental than residential, and that he differs with both parties in their belief
that a re- zoning would not affect the saleability of the properties, now
vacant.
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January 10, 1985
Page Three
Mayor Hosti then closed the public hearing on the rezoning issue, stating
54a- 1— - 8(o rvlQ -r► a
that a vote of Council will be taken later in the meeting. 4.01. w��ec.'-i�
'Recto R q » sfie. •
The next visitor to appear was Mr. Tom Scholl of the Volunteer r'
Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He asked for support for the volunteers who
give so much time and effort to these local needs. He praised the Council
for the upgrading that has been accomplished, for the addition of the First
Responder that has already saved many lives. He then described two recent
accidents, either of which could have been fatal to a young man. He described
the feelings of rescue teams who are helpless at the scene waiting for a
"Jaws of Life" to come from Savannah, and added that there will be times when
there won't be one to send; if it is in use in Savannah, or even on stand -by
at a fire or other disaster, it cannot be sent. He asked the city to consider
° purchasing a "Jaws of Life" for Tybee, noting that it could be used on Highway
80 as well as inside our city limits. He told the Council that there is no
such piece of equipment on the east side - on the west both Garden City and
Pooler have the equipment and both often respond to help the county EMS on
I -95. He spoke movingly of the recent accident in which John Price, Jr., was
trapped for 35 minutes while waiting for the Jaws of Life. He stated that a
group of volunteers have begun a fund - raising drive to buy the equipment and
asked for the city's help. Mayor Hosti thanked the volunteers who appeared
to support this project and agreed that the equipment is needed on the east
side of the county, adding that the Council will support the volunteers.
The next visiting speaker was Bob Reemer who agreed that the
Jaws of Life is needed, saying that all fire departments should have one.
There were no other visitors, so the Mayor opened the
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January 10, 1985
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meeting for regular business, beginning with the minutes. It was moved by
Councilperson Orsini and seconded by Councilperson Wylly that the minutes
be approved as written. The motion carried unanimously.
The next item of business was bills for the month of December.
They were approved as follows: General Government - $5,360.07 (Councilperson
Wylly stated that this seems a large amount, but some of it was spent on
erosion projects that had been budgeted), and funded, at least in part, by
the state. Water /Sewer bills totalled $12,984.22; Public Works /Sani.tation -
$10,475.44; Recreation - $1,669.52 (there will, however, be an adjustment
on this total due to repair work which should be charged to Public Works).
Fire Department: Councilperson Orsini looked over these bills totaling
$6,011.42 and moved that they be accepted pending Fire Committee approval.
The vote was unanimously in favor. Councilperson Orsini then reported that
the Police Department spent $4,505.61 and these bills were approved upon
his recommendation.
Councilperson Jackson stated that his department is doing
a fine job, as usual, regretting the fact that he has not been able to spend
as much time with them recently. Mayor Hosti noted that Paul Jackson has
opened a restaurant, and the business is very busy.
Councilperson Hutton noted that lOts.of.._ asphalt patching
has been completed and that the winter schedule is 80% complete. Planning for
the tourist season is beginning now.
Councilperson Wylly said that he hopes to be ready soon with
budget amendments, and that it looks good for erosion funding this year.
Councilperson Solomon reported on a teen Christmas Dance spon-
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January 10, 1985
Page Five
sored by the Recreation Department, and that all December activities were
very successful.
(From Tybee Planning Commission)
Under Communications the Clerk read a letter of recommendation
of approval for a Planned Unit Development (owner, Mrs. Marion Dean & architect,
Mr. Nowell) to be located on property at the intersection of Pulaski & Taylor
Streets. Both Mr. Nowell and Mrs. Dean were present and it was stated that
the plans are ready to present for a building permit, needing only a review
by City Council which is required by ordinance. During discussion, Council -
person Hutton asked if there were any problems meeting FEMA regulations and
the architect answered that there were none. Mayor Hosti asked if the fire -
walls are freestanding; Mr. Nowell answered affirmatively, but added that the
walls are perpendicular to the beachfront. Mayor Hosti reiterated the fact
that the project must be satisfactory to FEMA and Mr. Nowell stated that he
understands that and is convinced the plans comply with the regulations.
Councilperson Orsini questioned the fact that washer & dryer connections show
on the lower floor. Mr. Nowell explained that these appliances are in the
rear section of garage area, and are elevated to the 14.2' elevation require-
ment. He added that soil borings had been made, lots of sand had been found,
and the foundations were planned after these facts were available. Council -
person Solomon moved acceptance of the final plan; Councilperson Orsini seconded
the motion and it carried unanimously.
Mayor Hosti then read the following appointments: Recreation
Board - Mallie Clark, Jr., Michael Fleetwood, Dorothy Hosti (all re- appointments)
and Mrs. Lynn Daniel, a new appointment, taking the place of Mr. Wayne Yeo who
has moved away. These appointments were all accepted unanimously by the City
Council. The terms begin immediately and will run for two years, or until
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January 10, 1985
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December 31, 1986. The motion to accept all appointments to the Recreation
Board was made by Councilperson Solomon, seconded by Councilperson Hutton
and unanimously passed.
Mayor Hosti then stated that he is recommending the following
people for four -year terms on the Board of Adjustments & Appeals, which hears
petitions concerning varying building, fire, electrical, plumbing or housing
code requirements. These terms will begin at once, and end on December 31,
1988. These are the people recommended to the Council by Mayor Hosti: Mr.
Ted Erickson, Mr. James C. Monaghan, and Mr. Alex Kaplan. Councilperson
Hutton moved to accept all three, Councilperson Orsini seconded and the vote
was unanimous.
Councilperson Orsini then stated that he has two applications
for alcoholic beverage licenses. He noted that both have been checked by our
Police Department and that both are transfers of existing licenses. In sep-
arate motions he moved approval of a license transfer for Christy's from
Masterpoulis to Stoupoulos, seconded by Councilperson Solomon; also he moved
approval of a transfer of Pier 15 (Capin Chris' Restaurant's lounge) into the
name of Scott, and this motion was seconded by Councilperson Jackson. Both
motions passed without dissenting vote.
A Resolution recommending a 1% sales tax, or other local tax
measure to fund the rights -of -way for CUTS projects involving four - laning was
read by the City Attorney. Mayor Hosti explained that he has attended these
CUTS meetings and that this is an effort to try to have funds on hand to pay
for rights of way when state and federal money is allocated for traffic im-
provements such as the four - laning of U.S. 80 now underway at Thunderbolt.
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January 10, 1985
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The Resolution did not pass as no member of Council was willing to move its
adoption.
The City Attorney read an ordinance, first explaining that
this ordinance is intended to exactly express Council's powers in regards to
licensing, particularly liquor licensing, and give the Council power to act
when a business becomes a nuisance to the community. The amendment, intended
to be inserted into the Code of Ordinances as Section 9 - 2 - 5 was accepted
on First Reading upon motion of Councilperson Orsini, seconded by Councilperson
Jackson. Councilperson Solomon had a number of questions, mostly concerning
distances from churches and schools. The City Attorney stated that he believes
these distances are mandated by the State Law, but this will be checked prior
to the Second Reading which was scheduled for the February meeting. The vote
on First Reading was four (4) in favor, one (1) against (Councilperson Solomon).
A contract for housing inspections by Chatham County Health
Department was read. It was noted that this is the same as the contracts of
past years. The total cost to the city will be $1,402.17. Councilperson
Wylly moved its adoption, Councilperson Hutton seconded and it passed unanimously.
Mayor Hosti then asked for a motion endorsing the fund - raising
campaign of the volunteer firemen & rescue workers who are trying to raise
money for a "Jaws of Life ". Councilperson moved to endorse, Councilperson
Wylly seconded and it passed unanimously. Mayor Hosti specifically endorsed
the campaign, stating that, if necessary, he will go to the County Commissioners
asking for help with funding, and will also see if some city funds can be
allocated. He praised the efforts of the volunteers, and asked for off - island
contributions, stating that this piece of equipment will almost certainly be
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January 10, 1985
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needed on the eastern portion of U.S. 80, within the county but outside the
city limits of Tybee. He personally pledged $100.00 to the fund.
The meeting then adjourned.