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Tybee Island, Georgia
July 9, 1987
The regular monthly meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was
called to order by Mayor Walter W. Parker at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, July
9, 1987. The following members of City Council were present: Chris Solomon,
Kilma McCutchen, Bill Walsh, Phil O'Dell, Jean Davis and Paul Jackson.
John Cullen acted in place of City Attorney Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr. Bob
Thomson, City and Zoning Administrator, was present.
Charles Leonard was greeted by Mayor Parker after a general welcome
to the audience. Mr. Leonard is an artist who has just released a print
of Tybee Light. He presented Mayor Parker, the Attorney, the Administrator,
and the members of City Council with signed copies. The first print off
the press was presented, already framed, to Mayor Parker. Mr. Leonard
spoke of his great love for Tybee Island, and his hopes that the pier
and pavilion will soon be a reality.
Mayor Parker announced that no public hearings will be held this
month, saying that several zoning matters are presently being considered
by the Planning Commission, but no recommendations from them were forthcoming
this month.
Mary McAfee spoke for the Planning Commission, saying that they
did recommend that they hold a special meeting later this month to consider
a question raised about re- considering a zoning request within six months
of its original hearing. John Cullen read an opinion written by City
Attorney Mahoney relating to the Code Section 8- 4- 71•(Public Hearings).
Roy Rowell, a local developer, asked permission to speak concerning
this code section. He brought a copy of a file giving the history of
his re- zoning petition of January, 1987. The file contained documentation
of evidence, not all of which was available to the City Council when they
voted on his petition six months earlier. He was supported by Randy Warner,
who stated that, having heard Mr. Rowell's presentation to the Planning
Commission, he believed there was merit in his case. Michael Graham,
an attorney, spoke for Mr. Rowell, saying that a very expensive injustice
had been done his client and citing a recent Supreme Court decision that
landowners must be compensated when any government, even temporarily,
bars them from reasonable use of their property.
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Tybee Island, Georgia
July 9, 1987
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There was a very long discussion. Councilmember Jackson questioned
whether there is not already a suit pending in Superior Court filed by
Mr. Rowell against the city. The answer was affirmative; Mr. Graham said
that it was filed solely to meet the time requirements of state law and
there is no plan to continue it if an agreement can be reached. Mr. Jackson
firmly supported single - family development for the island, Council as a whole
agreed that the city cannot properly act at this meeting. The Council
concurred in asking the Mayor to request that the Planning Commission
hold a special meeting to decide whether to recommend a change from 12
months to 6 months in Code Section 8 -4 -71, so as to allow Mr. Rowell to
bring his petition to Council again at its next regular meeting.
Anita Merritt Ivey also spoke, saying that she would have built
the triplex she wanted on this land, if zoning could have been changed
last year.
Terrence Myers spoke for his jet ski rental business, asking about
the area in which his license would allow rentals. Chief McCutchen spoke
to clarify what the DNR will allow; it was decided to allow rentals on
the south end of the island on a trial basis.
Pat Locklear spoke of a problem jet skis have caused fishermen
recently; he acknowledged that the jet skis were not rentals from Mr.
Myers' business.
Mayor Parker opened the meeting for business legally presented.
Minutes of the June llth meeting were approved as written.
Bills for June, 1987 were approved as follows:
Water /Sewer $19,357.62
General Govt. 12,469.30
Police /Parking 17,197.05
DPW /Sanitation 28,629.33
Fire /lst Responder 2,652.63
Recreation /Parks 2,884.09
Councilmember Solomon explained that the recreational expenses
reflect some improvements to the lighthouse property, which he thinks
is a worthwhile expense, and an improvement for the community. Bob Thomson
explained that he has developed a new formula for allocating percentages
of gasoline expenditures; one that he thinks will be fairer to the Recreation
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Tybee Island, Georgia
July 9, 1987
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Department.
A communication from a tourist paying a parking ticket of $6.00
and complimenting the island was read, for its novelty.
Councilmember Walsh moved that the Housing Code be updated to the
1985 edition and Councilmember Davis seconded. The vote was unanimously
in favor, but the Second Reading will be held later so that the Council
can be sure of the provisions of the Housing Code that will change. The
update was requested by the County, with whom the city has a contract
for these inspections.
The attorney read the contract provisions for the JMERS of GMA
pension fund and Councilmember Davis moved its adoption. Councilmember
Jackson seconded. The vote was five to zero, with Councilmember O'Dell
abstaining. The second reading will be held at the next regular meeting.
It was announced that July 12th through 18th the National Academy
of Georgia Chiefs will meet in Savannah, and that there will be regular
shuttle bus service to Tybee for them. Everyone was encouraged to give
them a special welcome.
Mary McAfee asked about change for parking meters; it was discussed
with the general consensus that it is good for businesses to have people
coming in for change, and that it is not that much of a hardship for people
to keep extra quarters for this purpose.
Mayor Parker read a letter from ex -Mayor Hosti who couldn't be
here tonight, but who wanted to voice a concern about Code Section 9 -2 -9,
having to do with consumption of alcoholic beverages on the public beaches,
etc. Mayor Parker then stated that he has conferred with the police and
with the Council and that no problem with the present conditions is apparent.
He expressed the opinion that this summer has been among the best ever
for orderliness of the crowds.
The meeting was adjourned.
CLERK OF COUNCIL