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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19870409CCMeetingTybee Island, Georgia April 9, 1987 The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 9, 1987 at Tybee City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Walter W. Parker. The following members of Council were present: Chris Solomon, Kilma McCutchen, Bill Walsh, Phil O'Dell, Jean Davis and Paul Jackson. Also present were the City Attorney Tom Mahoney and the City Administrator, Bob Thomson. The first person to speak was Sam Adams of 1904 Chatham Avenue. He spoke in favor of a proposal put forward by his neighborhood for a natural public landscaped walkway to the beach along the right of way of 19th Street; the plan allowed ten (10) parking spaces adjacent to Butler Avenue, and is designed to keep vehicular traffic away from the beach itself. He called himself a summer resident, saying that he spends half a year here, votes here, and urged the Council to`Gtilize the efforts of summer residents to help the city with its planned improve- ments, mentioning the pier /pavilion and the future use of the school property. He then introduced Steve Verner, landscape architect, who showed a drawing of the proposed 19th Street nature walk. John Jarvis, from the audience, asked if the project is public. Mayor Parker answered "yes ". Fitz Simmons was next to speak. He asked about a rumor that the north side of 18th Street was to become a parking lot. Mayor Parker answered that the owner had offered it to the city, showing its use for that purpose, but saying that the city had not decided to purchase the property, and that he believes Council's concensus at the time was that the owner expected too much money for the property, and that the city has no plans to buy it. Mr. Simmons stated that he is against limited parking for the benefit of summer citizens to the detriment of Tybee citizens. He asked also about the design of the pier /pavilion, saying that it is unwise in his opinion to spend taxpayers' money for designing a dream that he doesn't believe will ever be built. He asked about the blocking of storm drains at 17th & 18th Streets, saying the city was warned by the Corps that these drains should be redone. 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia April 9, 1987 Page Two His last comments had to do with building permits. He expressed the opinion that some people were allowed to get by without permits, and that he believes many people underestimate the cost of construction and thereby rob the city of needed income. He ended by reiterating that he doesn't like the idea of restricting the use of 19th Street. Mrs. Bart of #12 19th Street spoke, saying she is the mother of two little boys, aged three and five, and that she thinks the plan for 19th Street will be a safe, protected walk for people getting to the beach, especially people who care about the safety of children. She said that signs also need to be provided to warn of the danger of the rock groin; mentioning a recent accident in which a lady broke her hip in four places falling from the rocks. She added that a man certainly wouldn't have any trouble getting fishing gear to the beach, since she regularly handles two children, toys, chairs, and a cooler by herself. She also mentioned the danger of swimming from the area, saying that there was a drowning at that location last year. Mr. Jim Kluttz spoke in support of the 19th Street plan, saying that it's something that hasn't been tried before, a cooperative effort between the neighbors and the city, and if it doesn't work the city can always change it. Mrs. Dottie Kluttz spoke to remind people of the second in the series, "I Remember Tybee" which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 3rd. The speaker will be Arthur Gordon, well known writer and editor, who has loved Tybee all his life. She asked that people call the Visitors Center to reserve free tickets. She then mentioned that many Tybee people have been distressed by the recent destruction of a stand of live oaks on the beach side of Butler Avenue in the vicinity told the Council that she is very concerned that t Mrs. Teresa Baker, owner of "Pizza of 12th Street. She is not happen again. n Wheels" spoke, asking for a beer license. She said a plan for parking has been turned in to the city: 10 -14 parking spaces for a business of 900 square feet, with four tables. Mayor Parker answered that the license was turned down last month due to lack of information - a parking plan was asked for prior to that meeting, but was not forthcoming, and there was no one present 1 Tybee Island, Georgia April 9, 1987 Page Three to answer questions. Mayor Parker promised that the plan would be studied by the Police Committee and that a special meetingicould be called to give the •petitioner an answer. He asked Mr. Thomson to see that the Police Committee meets with the Chief of Police to consider the matter as soon as possible. Councilmember O'Dell brought to the attention of the Council that there is a 15' stretch of private property between his building, the Captain's Quarters, and the Tybrisa property. 'He said that the Tybrisa owners want to purchase this property from the present owners, not to close off access, but to establish a nature walk from 16th to Atlantic, similar to the passive parks often found in Florida beach towns. Mayor Parker asked about a fire hydrant on the property; Mr. O'Dell said that the hydrant is actually located on the Atlantic Avenue right -of -way and would not be obstructed. It was agreed that Council would look at a landscape plan if the Tybrisa owners want to present one. Mayor Parker asked Mr. O'Dell to invite the Tybrisa people to come with their plan to the next agenda preparation meeting on May 7th. Mayor Parker then opened the meeting for business legally presented. The first item was the 19th Street landscaped access plan. Councilmember McCutchen moved its acceptance, Councilmember Davis seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A letter in support of the plan, dated 4/3/87, written by Jean Hutton was read into the record. Minutes for the meeting of March 12th were approved as written. Bills for the month of March, 1987 were approved as follows: Water /Sewer $17,224.86 General Govt. $16,76).35 Police /Parking $ 7,32 .20 Public Wks /Sanit. $14,53 .96 Fire $ 94 .37 Recreation $ 67 .09 Mayor Parker welcomed Councilmember McCutchen back after her recent surgery. A letter from State Representative Jack Kingston to Governor Harris, supporting the city's request for funding fOr the Centennial was read. 1 Tybee Island, Georgia April 9, 1987 Page Four A letter from Bob Waters was read, Complimenting the police department on its excellent public program on drug ,abuse, held at City Hall on April 6th. A letter from the Garden Club was read. They asked for city ordinances to enhance the quality of life for all - visitors and residents, mentioning specifically things like priviacy fences separating businesses from residential areas, shielding from View trash cans, etc. Mayor Parker appointed Kilma McCutchen, Jean Davis and Bill Walsh as a committee to study the Garden Club's requests and report back to the Council at the next agenda meeting. The Police Manual was discussed briefly and Mayor Parker asked the Police Committee to finalize their recommendations in time for the next agenda meeting. Mayor Parker recommended Warren Bell, a long -time Tybee resident and retired engineer, for the vacant slot on the Planning Commission. The vote was five to zero in favor of the appointment. Councilmember O'Dell abstained, saying he does not know the nominee. There was a short discussion of the Police Department's request for a local ordinance keeping minors from bars. The ordinance was read, and then was recommended for further changes, and postponed until the next meeting. Bob Thomson reported that the city tentatively plans to budget some funds in the next fiscal year for helping the Tybee Museum to operate the lighthouse as an adjunct to the museum. He also stated that a small increase in the city's liability insurance for this project may be anticipated. Thomas & Hutton have proposed a fee for preparing the permit application for the pier /pavilion project. This wals postponed due to City Council's need to consider whether to fund this at the present time. It was announced that the Finance Chirman, Councilmember Davis, will be at City Hall all day Friday, April 10th, to work on the budget for FY 87/88. Councilmembers were asked to work with her in budget preparation. Tybee Island, Georgia April 9, 1987 Page Five Mayor Parker of local interest. There was no 1 3.�► CLERK OF COUNCIL announced several further business, upcoming meetings and events so the meeting was adjourned.