HomeMy Public PortalAbout19861113CCMeeting1
Tybee Island, Georgia
November 13, 1986
The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting
on Thursday, November 13, 1986 at 7:30 p.m., with Mayor Walter W. Parker
presiding. Councilmembers present were: Chris P. Solomon, Kilma McCutchen,
Bill Walsh, Jean C. Davis, Phil O'Dell and Paul Jackson. City Attorney
Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr. was present, as was City Administrator Bob Thomson.
An unusually large audience was welbomed by Mayor Parker.
Elinor Minshew of Anderson & Karatassos made a presentation regarding the
198 Centennial, saying that it should be used as an occasion to revitalize
the city and its environs, suggesting that the first six months be used
as an opportunity to lead an internal revitalization, with the second six
months devoted to a publicity campaign to change the city's image. Mayor
Parker thanked her for her presentation.
Mayor Parker then read a Proclamation honoring Operating
Room Nurses and invited all present to an open house set for Saturday,
November 15th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Candler General Hospital.
Mayor Parker then opened the meeting for a public hearing
at the request of Councilmember Solomon, Recreation Chairman, who wishes
to apply for a Land & Water Grant. Councilmember Solomon then explained
an idea for a boardwalk between 14th and 18th Streets, with small palm shelters
here and there to shade people from the sun. Chris Simon, President of
the Tybee Island Chamber of Commerce spoke, saying the Chamber members endorse
the plan 100 %. Bob Thomson exlained the criteria for funding. Willie Mae
Steele commented briefly and favorably. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Solomon announced that the Lions Club will
hold a glaucoma screening on Tuesday, November 18th, and encouraged everyone
to participate.
Mayor Parker then invited Mrs. George McDonald and Mr. Carl
Thompson, retired teachers, to come forward. A proclamation was read honoring
the retired teachers in the community, following which Mrs. McDonald read
a list of teachers, most of whom were present for tle occasion. Their years
of service in education totaled more than 450 years. Mr. Thompson, President
of the local retired teachers' association, then read rules for school teachers
written in the 1800's (for ladies) and in 1915 (for male teachers). These
rules were found to be very amusing by today's standards and were greatly
enjoyed by all present.
Tybee Island, Georgia
November 13, 1986
Page Two
Mayor Parker then recognized members of the Tybee Beautification
Committee and members of the Tybee Island Chamber of Commerce who were on
hand for this meeting.
Mayor Parker introduced Ms. Irma Harlan, Director of the
CEL Regional Library. Ms. Harlan introduced Ken Spriggs of The Spriggs
Group, architect for the city's library facility. Mr. Spriggs showed the
final plans for the new library which will be located just south of City
Hall in Memorial Park. It was noted that the library will meet the 12'
base flood level required and will be accessible to handicapped. Ms. Harlan
invited the City Council to attend the library's 70th birthday celebration
at the Main Library on Bull Street on Tuesday, November 18th at 1 p.m.
Mayor Parker then presented a certificate of outstanding
citizenship to Mr. Fred Kuhlman who has been instrumental in bringing some
of the Beautification Committee's projects to fruition.
John O'Neill spoke to tell the City Council of an opportunity
to participate with Memorial Hospital in seeking a grant for an exercise
area, saying the cost to the community will be very small and that he has
a tentative agreement from his employer, Memorial Medical Center. He has
given Bob Thomson the information concerning the grant which would be a
part of a "National Fitness" campaign, and could be installed, probably
by members of a local civic club, in about 1$ days. Mayor Parker thanked
John for his interest and asked Bob Thomson and Councilmember Solomon to
work together on the project.
Mary McAfee spoke for the Tybee Island Garden Club, saying
the ladies are concerned about King's Refrigeration at Inlet Avenue, both
for aesthetic and safety reasons. Mayor Parker agreed that old refrigerators
can be dangerous to children, adding that Mr. King has always been a reasonable
person, and asked Bob Thomson to have the City Marshall request that the
area in front of his business be cleaned up. Mary McAfee suggested fencing
if he needs an area for old appliance storage.
Minutes for the October meeting were approved as written.
Bills for the month of October, 1986 were approved as follows:
Water /Sewer - $10,016.36; General Government - $2,006.77; Police - $12,996.69;
Public Works - $7,779.26; Fire - $2,433.38; Recreation - $980.67.
Mayor Parker announced that a public hearing on a Public
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Tybee Island, Georgia
November 13, 1986
Page Three
Parks /Conservation Zoning District had been scheduled but would be postponed
due to waiting for an appropriate map to be put on display in Tybee City
Hall. He invited anyone present who had come to speak concerning this adver-
tised zoning change to do so, but no one came forwrd.
Bob Thomson gave a Planning /Development report, saying that
building permits totaling $951,000. had been issued this year, representing
six (6) single - family units and twelve (12) townhouse units.
A letter from Senator Coleman to Commissioner Ledbetter
dated October 23rd was read, in which renourishment was the subject.
A letter from Postmaster Dubberly of Savannah to Mayor Parker,
dated October 29th, was read, stating that the postal service now offered
to Tybee is the same as any new service in any other city, regardless of
population. Door to door delivery is evidently not an option under new
service.
Mayor Parker announced that he has issued two proclamations
that he'd like to mention - one for Constitutional Amendment #1, which was
endorsed by Governor Harris and which did pass in the recent election. The
other was for L.I.F.E., Inc., and for this project, encouraging independence
for the handicapped, he spent the day in a wheelchair. He informed everyone
that it was a very hard thing to do, and that he wholeheartedly supports
all we can do to make the lives of the handicapped less restricted.
A resolution supporting the concerted effort of the fire
department and the city to lower the city's ISO rating to a Class Four was
read by Mr. Mahoney. Councilmember McCutchen moved that the resolution
be adopted, Councilmember Davis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The Resolution is attached to, and becomes a part of, these minutes.
Councilmember Davis spoke of the need to refurbish the audi-
torium. Mayor Parker announced that pictures of all former mayors still
living will be hung in the Auditorium at the December meeting and he en-
dorsed Councilmember Davis' remarks about sprucing up the auditorium before
the event.
A discussion of the proposal by Anderson & Karatassos followed.
The consensus seemed to be that the proposal needed further study; Council-
member O'Dell said that we do have excellent volunteers, but that it will
be difficult to do a first class job without professional help - he further
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Tybee Island, Georgia
November 13, 1986
Page Four
stated that he believes a good publicity campaign for the Centennial can
benefit Tybee more than the pier as far as statewide recognition is concerned
and is an opportunity to improve the image of our beach.
Mayor Parker said that he knows the Chamber of Commerce
is very much behind the idea of using professionals to change our image;
he suggested that Councilmembers make themselves available to the citizens
to hear what they have to say, and asked the Clerk and the Finance Committee
to study the matter carefully before making a recommendation. After a dis-
cussion it was decided that the matter shouldn't wait until the next regular
meeting, and a special meeting was set for Tuesday,, November 25th at the
normal time of 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Parker recognized Mrs. Martha Walsh, Tybee's Branch
Librarian, and thanked her for being present to accompany Ms. Harlan and
others from the CEL Regional Library.
Mayor Parker announced that the Tree of Love, the Christmas
tree lighting ceremony, would be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December
6th.
Councilmember Solomon remarked that the Resolution passed
earlier in the meeting would result in combined savings to taxpayers of
at least $90,000. if the city is able to lower the fire rate. According
to Fire Chief Johnny Solomon, this should be possible within an eighteen
month period.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
CLERK OF COUNC L
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R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The City of Tybee Island is exceedingly proud of its local volunteer
Fire Department, and of that Department's.recjord of service to this
community; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department works tirelessly to better the community through
constant, continuing training and improvements, both in personnel and
in equipment; and
WHEREAS, These efforts were rewarded in June, 1983 by 'a reduction of ISO Fire
Rating Classification from an "8" to a "6 ", and a corresponding
savings of thousands of dollars in fire insurance premiums for the
entire property - owning citizenry of the community; and
WHEREAS, The Fire Department, and in particular its leadership, under the
guidance of Fire Commissioner Kilma McCutchen and Fire Chief Johnny
Solomon, has indicated its willingness, and its eagerness to work
harder than ever so as to achieve an even better ISO Rating - a.Class
Four (4) Rating, which would result in ever larger savings on fire
insurance premiums for the city, the business, community and the home-
owners;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND
COUNCIL IN OPEN MEETING ASSEMBLED that the City does hareby endorse the
Fire Departments recommendation that a Classification Four rating be
sought, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE CITY FATHERS ARE UNITED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN THIS ENDEAVOR, LENDING SUPPORT TO WHATEVER MEASURESIARE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE
THIS ECONOMIC AND LIFE - SAVING IMPROVEMENT.
THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1986.
CLERK OF COUNCIL
MAYOR