HomeMy Public PortalAbout19850808CCMeeting1
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Tybee Island, Georgia
August 8, 1985
The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting on
Thursday, August 8, 1985 at 7 :30 p.m. at Tybee City Hall. Mayor Charles J.
Hosti presided. The following Councilmembers were present: Paul Jackson,
Jeanne Hutton, John Wylly, Earl Marlin and Chris Solomon; also present was
Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr., the City Attorney.
Mayor Hosti welcomed a large crowd and introduced a public hearing
on the area annexed in 1983, saying that the public hearing is for the people
to express their comments and questions. The first speaker was Johnny Solomon
who asked if the plans drawn for the water system are still the intended plan
since a recent newspaper article seemed to cast doubt on this. Mayor Hosti
assured Mr. Solomon that the city does plan to add fire plugs and increase
water pressure and said that much of the work can be done with city forces.
He mentioned briefly that the city may accept a combination loan /grant for
water improvements but only if the financial strain on the city is not con-
sidered too great. Many improvements can be made without grant /loan monies,
and these will proceed regardless of the decision made on major outlays. He
reiterated that it was the plan to provide better fire service for the area
and that this will be done. Mr. Solomon also said that, personally, he'd
like to see the frontage along highway 80 zoned commercial. Councilperson
Hutton asked what his feelings about mobile homes are, referring to a recom-
mendation by the Master Plan that mobile homes on single lots (not within
parks, that is) be phased out.
The next speaker was Patricia Whitney. She agreed that Highway 80
should be commercial, not necessarily used commercially, but zoned for that
use. She 'asked if sewer is available along Highway 80 adjacent to her home
on Cason Drive. The Mayor answered that it is not, although it is available
on the northern side of the road.
There were no others who wished to speak concerning the annexed
area., Mayor Hosti announced that the two speakers heard had spoken favorably
of commercial 'highway zoning, but that he had received two calls earlier in
the day speaking against this. Councilmember Hutton expressed concern that
enlarging the business district will discourage the rehabilitation of many
vacant or delapidated buildings already in existance.
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August 8, 1985
Page Two
Dr. Fred Kessler spoke next asking about rumours that the old Shea
property will become a restaurant. He said that he is worried about having
a lounge and heavy traffic across the street from his home. Mayor Hosti said
that no requests have been made, but that he, too, has heard the same rumours.
Mr. Jody &dowski, co -owner of the Breakfast Club, spoke to explain that his
corporation is planning a restaurant and that no application has yet been
made, but they have in mind a restaurant that will seat 65 -100 people with
a lounge capacity of perhaps one /third that amount. He described the average
menu price as $12.95, and said that there will be a dress code. He questioned
whether the area of Highway 80 is under county jurisdiction, and Mayor Hosti
answered that it is within the city limits. Dr. Kessler questioned whether
there is enough land to provide adequate parking without invading marshlands
and Mr. Sadowski noted that the property is presently zoned Business - Tourist.
The next speaker was Mr. Fred Mackey who said that he is present to
answer any questions the city may have concerning his petition for a flood
damage control ordinance variance for property known as 401 First Street.
Mayor Hosti explained the property's situation as he understood it, and Mr.
Mackey said that, when the property was purchased, it already included two
apartments downstairs with tenants in them - one an efficiency and the other
a one - bedroom apartment. There are three apartments upstairs, but the three
won't carry the mortgage. He said that he wouldn't have bought it if he had
believed that the two downstairs apartments weren't habitable, adding that the
hardship is financial and that the bank will get the property back if the two
apartments aren't allowed to continue. He also offered the information that
he applied for a permit to paint and repair these apartments after he purchased
the property, and the permit was granted. He said that he'd never have spent
approximately $3,000.00 if he had been told the apartments couldn't be rented.
Dick Grosse, from the audience, offered the information that the Davies, who
owned the property prior to Mr. Mackey, had rented to Coast Guard personnel
and others. Councilmember Solomon said that the building was built when the
city was under the impression that commercial properties could occupy the
ground floor and that the original construction was allowed by the city. He
said that he lives in a neighborhood where there are many apartments downstairs,
and that justice should be done.
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August 8, 1985
Page Three
Councilmember Hutton questioned whether Mr. Davies was not given
notice not to build on the ground floor. The Zoning Administrator, Earl
Anderson, explained that the original plans showed an office downstairs.
He said permission was never given for apartments downstairs, but he was
allowed the false plywood front when the office was later disallowed, for
the purpose of appearances. Councilmember Hutton questioned whether the
same person who had stopped Davies' construction allowed the later permit
to remodel the downstairs. Mayor Hosti said he did remember that Davies
had said that the front was enclosed only for looks.
Mr. Mackey reminded the Council of his financial investment and
the hardship refusal will bring, including loss of the property to the bank.
Councilmember Hutton asked if Mrs. Sanders also viewed the property prior
to the purchase. Mr. Mackey said that Mrs. Sanders would have appeared
before Council personally but for the death of her mother yesterday.
Mayor Hosti thanked Mr. Mackey for appearing, and promised to bring up the
petition under Regular Business.
Earl Anderson next spoke as President of the Chamber of Commerce,
saying that boat races are tentative, but the date has been moved to the
15th of September. Nine events are planned, with a total purse of $4500.00.
Licensed businesses will be able to sell by paying a fee of $25.00 each.
The location is on Bay Street, near the city complex, on private property.
Permission for the events has been gained both from the state and from the
private owners whose property will be used. The events, if held, will be
sanctioned by the National Outboard Association and their regulations will
be used.
The Mayor then asked for public imput on the sanitation policy
proposal. First the policy was explained by Councilmember Hutton and it
was especially noted that the rules and information will be printed into
a pamphlet which will be mailed to every water customer, in hopes that those
apartment owners will place a copy in each rental unit. The policy would
go into effect fifteen (15) days after the mailout.
Dick Grosse spoke for the Sugar Shack Restaurant, saying that he
is opposed to the outlawing of leaflet handouts because he believes it is
the best advertisement that people have if their businesses are not directly
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August 8, 1985
Page Four
on the beach front. Mayor Hosti explained that the ordinance would not pro-
hibit handing the leaflets to people, only the placing of leaflets on cars.
Mary Grosse said that the ideal solution would be a booth at entrance to the
island where people could get change for meters and be handed everyone's
literature at once. Mayor Hosti said that he considers this a good idea
and it will be given consideration. Earl Anderson spoke for the Chamber
saying that they have the literature and the Welcome Center, but need volun-
teers to work.
The meeting was opened for business legally presented. The first
item of business was approval of the minutes of July 11, 1985. Councilmember
Hutton moved to approve, Councilmember Wylly seconded and the motion passed
without dissent.
Bills for the month of July were approved as follows: Water /Sewer -
$16,740..17; Public Works - $9,807.95 and Sanitation - $2,962.99 (Councilmember
Hutton asked tentative approval of these since one invoice is missing and will
have to be checked later); Police /Parking - $7,332.79 (Approved tentatively,
pending signature of the Police Commissioner who was absent); Fire - $1,021.65;
and Recreation - $2,025.08.
Under Communications, the recommendations of the Planning Commission
were read. The first recommendation was that an extension of lots for Eagles'
Nest Subdivision be granted. Councilmember Wylly moved approval, Councilmember
Hutton seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. The second recommenda-
tion concerned the application by Ken Bridgwell for a subdivision of the
Bishop property and asked that the City Council postpone action on the sub-
division until after acting on the portion of the Master Plan that affects
the land in question. Mayor Hosti informed everyone that the public hearing
for the Bishop subdivision is set for September 12th but that a decision does
not have to be made by Council at that meeting. He then asked Council to agree
on a date for a hearing on the Master Plan. The date of September 23rd was
approved for the purpose of discussing the Master Plan and the Fort Screven
re- zoning in particular. The City Attorney warned that, if action is intended,
a public notice must be issued and must be specific as to what issues will
be voted on. Councilmember Solomon expressed his opinion that a vote should
not be taken hurriedly and it was agreed that the public hearing will be held
on September 23rd and the vote taken at the next regular meeting, October 10.
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August 8, 1985
Page Five
Councilmember Marlin said that this will give the City Council more opportunity
to assimilate opinions expressed by the public, and to look into any questions
raised.
A communication from Mrs. Mary Grosse was read. The letter reported
a problem at Jaycee Park and involved the children's playground and a complaint
that playing horseshoes too close to the area could cause an accident to a
child. Mayor Hosti asked Councilmember Solomon, Chairman of the Recreation
Committee, to check on the situation and be sure that the children's safety
is given priority. Councilmember Solomon said that he is familiar with the
problem already, and would like to have a sign posted which will read "Child -
ren's Playground ".
The flood control variance for San -key, Inc. was brought to the
floor. Councilmember Jackson moved that it be approved and Councilmember
Solomon seconded, saying the city allowed the original ground -floor violation
due to misinterpretation of the ordinance. He stated that, even though the
interpretation may have been wrong, and the city needs to get tough, it must
deal with a problem justly. Coundilmember Hutton mentioned "blind justice"
saying that Mr. Davies was told he couldn't put apartments downstairs and if
he did it anyway the city isn't responsible. She mentioned again, though, the
building permit granted Mr. Mackey allowing a $3,000.00 expenditure on an
illegal apartment. Mayor Hosti said that the situation is unfortunate but
he doesn't believe the variance would help because FEMA's guidelines are
strict, and insurance would probably be refused. Councilmember Wylly asked
that the City Council consider this carefully because the city has been on
probation with.FEMA for a long time and has worked hard toward having that
probation lifted, hopefully by the end of 1985. The vote was two in favor
(Solomon and Jackson) and three against ( Wylly, Marlin and Hutton) and the
motion to approve the petition was defeated.
Mayor Hosti then introduced his own request for a flood variance
for the city's firehouse. Fire Commissioner Earl Marlin explained that the
new building is essentially a garage, used for parking fire engines and other
emergency vehicles; he moved the variance be granted. Councilmember Solomon
seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.
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August 8, 1985
Page Six
The proposed sanitation policy came up for discussion next.
Councilmember Solomon stated that it bothers him that the city is telling
people exactly what and how to do things and he is opposed because the
present system has worked for years. Councilmember Hutton moved that the
policy be adopted. The motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Hosti
spoke in favor of the policy, saying that it could be the best thing for
the island and that he hates to see the many abuses continue. He said
that he doesn't think the policy asks too much of the people, only asks
them to accept a little more responsibility for the island's appearance.
Councilmember Solomon said that he has no objection to bagging leaves.
Councilmember Hutton said that each member of Council had been given a
copy of the proposed policy that included a checklist for comments, and
that no one had returned any comments, although she had asked that every-
one do so. Councilmember Solomon said that the city needs to spend the
money to send mattresses, etc. to town to be disposed of. After some more
discussion Mayor Hosti asked that everyone go over the policy again and
study it further, returning the comments to him personally. He will then
modify the policy if necessary and bring it up again.
Councilmember Wylly moved that capital outlay expense for General
Government in the amount of $3,752.50 be approved, explaining that these
items were budgeted and are two NCR machines to update those in the office -
a new register for the cashier and an additional CRT for the Information
& Building Clerk's office.' Councilmember Marlin seconded the motion and it
passed without dissenting vote.
Councilmember Hutton explained that bids have been received for a
tractor /loader /backhoe with a ditchcleaning attachment. For a cost totaling
$27,560.00 the DPW Committee, following the recommendation of the department
supervision who actually inspected the various machines, recommends that the
Ford tractor /backhoe be purchased. This was carefully explained - this is
not the lowest bid, but is the median bid, and is the machine preferred by
those who witnessed the demonstrations. She then moved the bid be accepted,
Councilmember Jackson seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.
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Page Seven
Councilmember Jackson reported that the Water /Sewer Department
will be purchasing a Mighty Mo (a machine used to tunnel underneath streets
so that pavement won't have to be broken up) and an S10 pickup truck. Both
items are budgeted and Mayor Hosti remarked that they will be ordered after
a final consultation with the department head.
The Inspections Department Report was made by Earl Anderson, Zoning
Administrator, and a written report from the Building Inspector, Edmund Solomon,
was read by the clerk. It was noted that 3 footing violations on the July
report had been corrected and the buildings are nearly complete now. It was
also noted that stop orders had been issued as follows:
1) 706 Second Avenue - work stopped 7/11/85, violation (flood ord.)
removed by 7/18/85.
2) Lovell at 16th Street - complaint that pool was being built too
close to electric line - measured by SEPCO and no violation found.
3).. 1305 Second Avenue - 8/7/85 stop order placed; corrective action
begun on 8/8/85.
4) Stop order still in place at #5 Eagles Nest.
Councilmember Marlin reported that 6 bids are out for the firehouse
project and that 2 more are expected to bid. The bids will be opened on August
19th.
Councilmember Solomon said that the committee is awaiting cost
analyses on the fishing pier so as to be prepared for a possible November
referendum. He showed the latest design drawings of the project. Mayor
Hosti said that proper public relations work can make the pier a paying
proposition.
Councilmember Wylly announced that there is now a total of 2.69 million
dollars in state and federal funds allocated for erosion - the south groin will
be built, the north groin raised and a small amount of renourishment done.
The meeting was adjourned.