HomeMy Public PortalAbout19861125SCMeetingTybee Island, Georgia
November '25, 1986
A special- called Council meeting was held on Tuesday, November
25, 1986 at 7:30 P.M. at Tybee City Hall. Mayor Walter W. Parker
presided and the following members of Council were present: Chris
Solomon, Kilma McCutchen, Bill Walsh, Phil O'Dell, Jean Davis and Paul
Jackson.
Mayor Parker opened the meeting by saying that he'd like to
stop a rumor that is circulating about funding for the city's cultural
activities, such as the Tybee Museum and Tybeel News. He explained
that we have learned that direct funding for p'ivate corporations is
not possible under Georgia law, but that the city can still accomplish
the same purpose by approving specific expenditures or reimbursing
the groups for specific line items. He noted that a number of Chamber
of Commerce members were present, and said that this would also apply
to their organization, giving as an example the purchase of brochures
or similar items. He pledged that the city's normal, cultural groups
would not be hurt by this discovery about the state law, but that the
city would obey the law, and yet continue to pirovide help to worthwhile
community programs.
He then spoke of his feeling for the Centennial, saying that it
is something special in the history of the town; saying also that he
thinks the staff with volunteers from the community can stage a small
cultural event in celebration, but that he personally wanted more for
Tybee's hundredth birthday. He spoke of using the event to attract
the right kind of people to Tybee - family groups, people who will spend
money on the island. He said that the business community provides 70%
of the city's revenue, and that the proposal before Council is one that
the business people support, further saying that he felt professionals
were needed to help get the business area impromedilartd spruced up. He
said that the expenditure is approximately $20,000. over a period of
almost a year, and that he thinks the money will come back to the city
in increased business.
Councilmember O'Dell moved to accept the revised proposal by
Anderson & Karatassos. Councilmember Jackson seconded.
Mrs. Marjorie Harris spoke, saying she does not agree to spending
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Tybee Island, Georgia
November 25, 1986
Page Two
money to paint and curtain city hall, adding that our visitors don't come
into the auditorium. She said she felt there were plenty of people on
the island who will volunteer to help put on the Centennial. She added
that the money would be better spent on hiringsomeone to inspect the
motels regularly for cleanliness. She closed by saying that she is
against spending money for something that Tybeo can do for itself.
Councilmember Solomon questioned the Mayor's crediting 70% of
the city's income to business, saying that the businesses' income comes
mostly out of the pockets of residents. He also wanted to know why the
Centennial committee met at all if they weren't to be allowed some imput
into the plans. He said he'd like to see the same amount of money spent
on immediate Beautification of the island.
Councilmember O'Dell said that an-opportunity like this won't come
again for us; and that we are not speaking of a Centennial in some small
country town, but the centennial of one of the top two recreational re-
sources in the state.
Councilmember Davis stated that she was disappointed that the
Finance Committee wasn't given a copy of the contract to study, adding
that we all want families who will spend money on the island to come,
but feels that we aren't ready for them. She suggested the money be
given to the Iteautification Committee.
Mr. George Spirides asked permission to speak. He said that it
seems everyone is knocking the hotels but that he believes they are on a
par with the city. He believes that 3% complaints is what his motel
averages, meaning that 97% of his customers are satisfied. He talked
of his plans to add another motel on U.S. 80, in response to questions
from the counci'lntembers, but said that Tybee will not have first class
facilities until the attitude of the community toward its businesses
improves.
The vote was called for and the motion to accept the revised
proposal by Anderson & Karatassos passed by a vote of four (O'Dell,
Jackson, Walsh & McCutchen) to two (Davis & Solomon).
The application for a business license fbr food, and alcoholic
beverages for the bar & restaurant to be known as "Salt Shaker Grill"
was next discussed. Councilman O'Dell suggested that since the
license combines food & beverages, that the health permit be asked
for, and the matter acted on at the next meeting. He indicated that
the police check had been completed and that there seemed no reason
to deny. Mayor Parker asked the police committee to take care of
this request, bringing a recommendation to the next meeting.
A letter from City Attorney Tom Mahoney dated November 17th
and requesting that council act on a petition for a damage settlement
in the amount of $85,000.00 brought by an attorney representing the
family of Terry Ruth, deceased, who drowned in the ocean at 14th Street
in May, 1986. Councilmember O'Dell moved to deny the request, turning
over the case to the liability insurance carrier, and Councilmember
Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously in favor.
The meeting was adjourned.
MAYOR