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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19871112CCMeeting1 Tybee Island, Georgia November 12, 1987 The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 12, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. at Tybee City Hall. Mayor Walter W. Parker presided and the following members of Council were present: Paul Jackson, Jean Davis, Phil O'Dell, Bill Walsh and Chris Solomon. Kilma McCutchen was absent due to illness in her family. A public hearing on the subdivision of 2.75 acres to be known as Marshwinds III, the final phase of an R -1 development near the ends of Solomon and Naylor Streets, was first on the agenda. Roy Rowell, the developer, spoke to say that the city engineer and the planning commission have reviewed the plans, and showed the audience an artist's rendering of Phases I and II. It was noted that the planning comm- ission voted unanimously to recommend the project. Fitz Simmons and John Jarvis both spoke in favor; no one spoke against the project. The public hearing was closed. Mayor Parker invited visitors to speak before Council, and Mr. Fitz Simmons rose to ask if the hotel /motel tax matter with Reno Associates has been resolved. He was informed that the city attorney had written to their attorney, and is awaiting a reply. Mr. Simmons then asked about the pier /pavilion project, saying that the paper says the city is considering revenue and general obligation bonds, or there may be a way to use sales tax monies. Mayor Parker answered that the city is obligated by state law to spend at leasthe hotel /motel tax on tourism, and that is why hotel /motel tax revenues are being considered. Mr. Simmons said that he believes the citizens will pay for it in the end. He then questioned why an unscheduled, unadvertised meeting was held to discuss the garbage contract. He also took exception to the kind and amount of informa- tion that he was able to get from City Hall in advance. It was noted that the special meeting for considering the contract for solid waste management was announced at the Council's regular meeting before a fairly large crowd of people, but only two came to the special meeting. Mayor Parker asked the DPW Chairman, Mr. Walsh, to provide Mr. Simmons with whatever additional data he needs. Mrs. R. Frankenhauser spoke to complain of the growing number of junk cars on Solomon Avenue. She said that there is no need to beautify Tybee if we don't enforce our abandoned vehicle law. Mayor Parker answered 1 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia November 12, 1987 Page Two that the cars had been inspected this morning and action will be taken. Burt Barrett, Jr. spoke about the drainage along Naylor Avenue saying that he understands the city is considering spending $14,000. to improve the storm drainage there. He said that a drainage ditch from the 1800s was covered by the Salt Pines Development and that he believes the city ought to enforce its building codes by putting the cost on the developer, not the tax payers. City Attorney Tom Mahoney answered that the city has written to the developers asking for one -half the cost, and that the city will proceed to litigation if necessary. Bob Thomson spoke to say the city engineer advised on the figure of halving the costs - it wasn't something just pulled out of the air. Mayor Parker spoke of the citizen effort on behalf of changing the dog ordinance and appointed Jim Bond and Charlie Moore to serve on a citi- zen committee to come up with a compromise, if possible, and make a recommendation to the city council. David Cornelius commented on the hotel /motel tax by saying that he has no personal knowledge of the number of people renting summer homes but that if the city is considering going after one individual for payment of these taxes, it may have to go after many more. His comments were accepted as information. The meeting was opened for business legally presented. The Marshwinds III subdivision was approved five - zero on motion by Councilmember Walsh, seconded by Councilmember Solomon. Minutes of the meetings of October 8th and 19th were approved as written. Bills for October, 1987 were approved as follows: Water /Sewer General Government Police /Parking Public Works /Sanitation Recreation & Parks Fire /First Responder $41,929.10 $31,244.15 $10,525.82 $ 7,710.50 $ 1,048.08 HELD FOR COUNCILMEMBER'S REVIEW Councilmember Solomon moved that the results of the recent Municipal Election be certified, and Councilmember O'Dell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor by a vote of 5 - 0. Mayor Parker announced that the city has written a letter to Colonel Genega of the Corps of Engineers recommending that beach renourishment Tybee Island, Georgia November 12, 1987 Page Three become a part of harbor maintenance, adding that this is only one of several avenues the city is investigating to keep the beach maintained. Bob Thomson spoke about the city's plan for Homestead Exemption saying that Senator Coleman is investigating a generic bill to enable any Georgia city to enact a local Homestead Exemption. Representative Kingston is also working on this; it is hoped that something will be done during the next General Assembly. Mr. Mahoney said that the local hotel /motel tax ordinance is somewhat in conflict with the state law and that he will bring an amended ordinance to council so as to conform with the state law, not trying to exempt, but attempting to include all that are obligated to pay under the state code. He repeated that he has written to the attorney for Reno Associates, requesting payment. Councilmember Solomon moved that the renting operation of the Oceanview property handled by Reno be stopped until it is licensed, saying that it is a flagrant zoning violation. Councilmember O'Dell seconded the motion. Councilmember Jackson said the motion is premature since the city attorney is currently dealing with an attorney for the property manager. It was decided that it would be agreeable to all to table the motion until the next meeting. It was noted that the Sandpiper lease is still pending. Councilmember O'Dell moved that an alcohol beverage license be granted to D. C. Falkner for the Salt Shaker Lounge, adding that this has been recommended after investigation by the TIPD. Councilmember Solomon seconded and the motion passed by a vote of five to zero. Councilmember O'Dell moved that the city match the Tree of Love Christmas decoration fund up to $2,000. Councilmember Solomon seconded. City Attorney Mahoney advised that, in order to avoid any possible conflict of church and state, the word "Christmas" be deleted from the motion, and the word "Holiday" substituted. This was accepted, and the vote was five to zero, in favor of the motion. It was stated, for the benefit of all present, that General Ridiesal, whose descendants now own a home in Oceanview, brought the first Christmas Tree to the United States in 1871. Dune building with leftover Christmas trees was also mentioned. It was a very successful project last year, and Doug Weathers of WTOC has offered his support for a similar campaign 1 Tybee Island, Georgia November 12, 1987 Page Four this year. Mrs. Betty McLendon said that the sand is holding beautifully that was trapped by last year's trees. There was a discussion of the possibility of allowing recrea- tional vehicles to use the south end parking lots in the winter. It was noted that this would apply to self - contained vehicles only, and would be an example of innovative thinking and alternative income in the off - season, also bringing some business of the south end during the slow part of the year. No decision was made; everyone was asked to think about it, and any possible problems that might arise from allowing this use. Mayor Parker announced that he has issued a Proclamation honoring Operation Room Nurses, and he invited the public to attend an Open House in their honor at St. Joseph's Hospital from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th. It was unanimously agreed that a professional license for advertising agent be added to the business license schedule under the miscellaneous category at a cost of $25.00. It was noted that such a license had been applied for by Ms. JoAnn Merrill at DeSoto Beach Motel. It was announced that the Tybee Dolphins have their last home game scheduled for Saturday and everyone was urged to come to Jaycee Park to support the home team. The meeting was adjourned. CLERK OF COUNCIL ELECTIONS BOARD CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA We, the undersigned Superintendent and his Assistants for the Tyt.ee Island, Georgia, General Election held on November 3, 1987, do certify that we have met and consolidated the returns of the election and it appears that FOR MAYOR: Walter W. Parker (Write In Candidate) Philip O'Dell FOR COUNCIL: Jack Boylston Jean C. Davis Paul Jackson Fat Lock.lear Y,ilma J. McCutchen John O'Neill John L. SaP15 Fitz Simmons Chris Solomon Bill Walsh Jack Youmans ATTEST: received received received received received received received received received received received received received 1/453-3 votes ID votes votes votes. 7 votes votes )- votes << / votes votes g2• votes '2/ votes 441- votes 0707 votes (il? 1524