Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout19880714CCMeeting1 Tybee Island, Georgia July 14, 1988 The Tybee Island City Council had its regular meeting at Tybee City Hall on Thursday, July 14, 1988, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Walter W. Parker presided and the following members of Council were present: Jean C. Davis, John O'Neill, Paul Jackson, Chris Solomon, Bill Walsh and Jack Youmans. The City Attorney, Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr., was also present. Mayor Parker welcomed a large audience, and introduced Mr. Samuel L. Varnedoe, author of the pamphlet, "Tybee Island Memoirs, 1909 - 1988 ". A Resolution honoring Mr. Varnedoe was read, and Mr. Varnedoe spoke briefly of his lifelong love of Tybee Island. The public was reminded that the bridge on U.S.80 (Islands Expressway) was named for Mr. Varnedoe, and that his con- tributions to the area have been many and varied. A Resolution concerning the public elementary school was read. and unanimously endorsed by the City Council. This Resolution will be circulated widely among school and elected officials in an attempt to stess the importance of Tybee Elementary School to the island. Following the reading of the Resolution, Gary Conleay, chairman of the Concerned Citizens for Tybee School gave a brief report of the committee's activities. Candidates for office in the upcoming primary spoke, as follows: Bill Cox, Candidate for District Attorney Ray Gaster, Republican Candidate for County Commission Chairman Al Henderson, Democratic Candidate for County Commission Chairman Judge Michael Karpf, Candidate for State Court Judge David Sims, Candidate for State Court Judge Marshall Wood, Candidate for Recorders' Court Judge George Spirides, represented by attorney Wick Searcy, appeared to ask Council about his proposed project, Ocean Plaza Inn, a planned convention hotel to be built in two phases. Mayor and Council concurred that the project is one the city would like to encourage, and that the preliminary plans and specifications reviewed by the planning commission showed no code problems. They indicated that the city is prepared for a building permit application to be submitted, and that it will be reviewed with the usual procedures followed. It was further noted that the tax incentive requested by Mr. Spirides is still being investigated and that the Council is not yet ready to act upon it. A public hearing for a setback variance for PIN # 4- 4 -19 -1, 303 Butler Avenue, was next heard. The petitioner was not present, but a written request Tybee Island, Georgia July 14, 1988 Page Two was read into the record. The planning commission vote on the subject was also read, recommending denial by a vote of four (4) to zero (0). .There being no further comment, the public hearing was closed. Bobby Cox of "Scarlet Threads" spoke to ask permission for his gospel group to do an informal concert on the beach from 7 to 9 pm any Saturday in August. He was referred to the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate this activity with theirs, since they have plans for one weekend in August. Mayor Parker and Councilman Solomon both spoke favorably of the group, and the concensus was that the Council supports the activity in general, but needs to be informed of the details when they are finalized. Fitz Simmons spoke of the uniform election law, asking that Council act to prevent Tybee from coming under its provisions. Mayor Parker said that this Council believes that to act now would remove the decision from the elected officials who will be impacted by the decision in four years, since that is the Council that will be directly affected. Mr. Simmons disagreed, saying this Council should, like one of the westside communities, act now. He called for a referendum on the subject. Jim Kluttz asked about the Tybee Elementary School property and was informed that the property is zoned for public uses only. He also inquired about the public hearing for changing the waiting period for zoning hearings from 12 to 6 months, and was informed that this has not yet been advertised. David deBorde questioned how many tickets have been made for littering the beach. Chief McCutchen responded at the Mayor's request, saying that an average of 57 cases of beach rules infractions had been made during May, June and July, but that not all of these are for litter - some are for drinking under age, and similar infractions. He said that the police department is handling an average of 1800 calls per month. Ray McMillion spoke to ask that glass bottles be targeted. He also suggested that the city get back to its slogan, "Leave Only Your Footprints ". There was discussion of citizens giving tickets, and the Chief said that the State of Georgia won't allow this. Jeanne Hutton suggested a citizens committee on litter be formed. 1 Tybee Island, Georgia July 14, 1988 Page Three She also said she had called TIPD three times this summer, and that the response was quick each time; she commended them for their good work. Dottie Kluttz suggested a "cooler charge) ", and that a date be set for a special meeting on litter control. Frances Clark spoke to say that the Tybee Island Chamber of Commerce is also very concerned and would like to help. Mayor Parker called a five - minute break, and asked that people who want to serve on the citizens committee for litter control sign up on a list at the back of the room during the break. Mayor Parker opened the meeting for business legitimately presented. He appointed Jimmy Brown and Jeanne Hutton to co -chair the litter committee, asking them to report back to City Council in August. Councilwoman Davis moved that the recommendation of the planning commission be followed, and the petition denied, in the setback variance for 303 Butler Avenue. Councilman Walsh seconded and the vote was 6 - 0. Minutes of the June 9th meeting were accepted as written. Bills for June, 1988 were accepted as follows: Police /Parking $19,261.37 General Govt. $ 6,747.22 Public Works /San. $31,420.72 Water /Sewer $20,422.12 Fire /lst Responder $ 1,882.93 Recreation /Parks $ 2,565.04 ($126.00 was not approved) Communications were entered into the record, as follows: - Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting of July 5, 1988 - Minutes of Recreation Board Meeting of June 15, 1988 - Poll of Council Taken 7/5/88 (Workman's Compensation) The motion to accept was made by Councilman Walsh, j with second by Councilwoman Davis. Vote was 6 - 0 in favor of the motion. Councilman Walsh reported that a committee to look into skateboard laws has been formed, but not yet met. He promised a report at the August meeting. Councilman Solomon said that the Recreation Board has recommended a director for teenage programs, but this money is not in the budget. He estimated this could be added if $2400.00 could b found for the purpose. Councilman Youmans said a director without funds o operate a program won't 1 Tybee Island, Georgia July 14, 1988 Page Four be able to get the job done. An ordinance regulating noise was read by the City Attorney. Councilman Jackson moved its adoption, Councilwoman Davis seconded and the vote was 5 - 1 with Councilman Solomon dissenting. The second reading will be held at the August meeting. Mr. Larry Haymans, petitioning for a business license for a business to be called "Beachside Promotions ", with a business location at the "Eatery" on 16th Street. The business would be a parasailing operation, and he indi- cated that he is currently negotiating for permits from the USCG, Corps, and DNR. A technical explanation of the expected operation of the business was also given. The City Attorney stated that the city would need some indication from all agencies regulating the operation that the permits would be forthcoming and would then have no problem issuing a business license. He further stated that the city would need something from these agencies because, insofar as the city is aware, there is no similar business now operating in the state. Councilman O'Neill remarked that it would be risky for the city to endorse the business before the permits are received from agencies mentioned by the petitioner. Mr. Mahoney explained that the city has received an ante litum notice concerning an automobile accident in which a city employee was involved, claiming damages in excess of $10,000.00 (Elizabeth Mundy, plaintiff). He recommended the claim be denied and sent to the insurance company for handling. The City Council concurred by a vote of 6 - 0. The City Attorney explained that a proposed revision of the city's flood ordinance has been prepared by a planning commission committee, and that he requests permission to forward it on to FEMA's Region IV office in Atlanta for evaluation. He gave a short history of the city's present flood ordinance which was tailored for a coastal barrier island at great effort and expense by a prior administration, saying that this proposal is an effort to keep the city's carefully prepared ordinance intact, rather than adopt a model ordinance not especially intended for barrier islands. The planning commission committee (John Hutton, Jimmy Brown, Tom Hollingsworth and James LaFavor) were commended for their excellent work on the ordinance and Council unanimously accepted the City Attorney's recommendation that the ordinance be forwarded to FEMA. Tybee Island, Georgia July 14, 1988 Page Five An ordinance on Disorderly Conduct (Code' Section 11 -1 -6) was read. Councilman Youmans moved its adoption, Councilman Walsh seconded and the vote was 5 - 1, with Councilman Solomon voting against. The second reading will be held at the regular meeting in August. The meeting was adjourned. 1 CLERK OF COUNCIL 1 i MA'OR R E S O L U T I 0 N WHEREAS, Samuel L. Varnedoe has gained the respect and admiration of the people of Tybee Island during his many years of active service in this community and county; and WHEREAS, he has earned the affection of Iis neighbors here because of his foresight and zeal for public service; and WHEREAS, he has recently recorded his fondness for Tybee Island in an interesting historical memoir entitled "Memoirs of Tybee Island, 1909 - 1988 ", which has created tremendous interest among the residents of this island, both year - rounders and summer people; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island do recognize, by this Resolution, the profound influence of Samuel L. Varnedoe upon this island community, and upon its continuing historical records; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, WHAT the Mayor and Council, in Open Meeting Assembled, do congratulate Sam Varnedoe for his many contributions to Tybee Island, and extend to him and his family their warmest regard and best wishes for a happy, prosperous future. ADOPTED THIS /4' bAY OF' ,1 , 1988. CLERIC OF COUN IL R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, for many years there has been located in the City of Tybee Island a public elementary school; and, WHEREAS, the City of Tybee Island, formerly known as the Town of Savannah Beach, has donated land to the Savannah - Chatham County Board of Public Education for school construction and use over the years; and, WHEREAS, the most recent public school at Tybee was built on land which this City donated to the Board of Education of Chatham County, Georgia for the building of a new school building site in 1946; and, WHEREAS, the Tybee Island Elementary School is situated and located on property which has been used for over 40 years as recreational and educational property; and, WHEREAS, thousands of Tybee children and others have played on land known as Memorial Park adjacent to the property of Tybee Elementary School; and, WHEREAS, school year -end picnics and field trips are regularly held in the property known as Memorial Park adjacent to the Tybee Elementary School by schools and their students from throughout the State of Georgia every year; and, WHEREAS, the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham has announced its plans to close the Tybee Island Elementary School and to not reopen the same for elementary school use beginning in September, 1988; and, WHEREAS, such closing of the public elementary school at Tybee will cause extreme hardship and unnecessary travel and expense for those students who are in attendance and for those who plan to attend said school; and, WHEREAS, the public elementary school at rybee is the only public school located in the City of Tybee Island, 1 Georgia, and the closing of the same removes all facilities of public education from this municipality: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, in open Meeting assembled, that said municipality officially request the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham to reconsider its decision and to reopen said Tybee Island Elementary School in time for the school year beginning in September, 1988. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham persists in the decision to keep the Tybee Elementary School closed, that the building, the land, and all easements for recreational purposes, be deeded to the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, to be used for public purposes for the citizens of Tybee Island, Chatham County, the State of Georgia, and all visiting members of the public. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, be directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each elected member of the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham, expressing the disappointment of the decision and the closing of the Tybee Island Elementary School and requesting said Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham to reconsider its decision and to reopen said school, or in the alternative, to deed the land and building back to the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, for public purpose`s. ADOPTED AND APPROVED, this )4 day of ` , 1988. MAYOR Atte t: Cle of Council /Lti-e Present: James LaFavor Mary McAfee John Hutton Jimmy Brown Tom Hollingsworth Tybee Island Planning Commission July 5, 1988 Absent: Warren Bell Loree Anderson Tommy Clark I. Minutes of 6/6/88 accepted. II. Stronjy Variance Request - Recommendation denied by vote of 4 - 0. PIN #4- 4 -19 -1 Motion by Mary McAfee, second by Jimmy Brown. III. Secretary asked to report on public notice procedure, especially signs on property where variance is requested. Report will be forthcoming on or before next meeting date. IV. Election: Handwritten ballots with high vote getter named Chairman, 2nd highest, Vice - chairman. John Hutton elected Chairman. Tommy Clark elected Vice- chairman. V. Update on subdivisions not available. Report expected on or before next meeting date. VI. Zoning (Mopper /Stapen Letter): Request for inclusion of Beds & Breakfasts in Zoning. Motion to form a committee to study - Mary McAfee, 2nd by Jimmy Brown. Vote 4 - 0 in favor. Will be an agenda item for next meeting. VII. FEMA. Chairman appointed a committee to study proposed changes to present ordinance: James LaFAvor, Tom Hollingsworth, Jimmy Brown. Committee to work independently, getting findings in to secretary by 7/7/88 so that it can be prepared for Council. VIII. REPORTS: a) Hours & Expenses. Not available. Will become a regular monthly report. b) Building Permit Application Packets: Study. Committee composed of Mary McAfee and Loree Anderson. Recommendations attached, accepted as information by Commission. c) Chairman asked that all reports be written ones for sake of efficiency. IX. Next Meeting date is Monday, August 1, 1988. R. New Business: Request by Council that Code Section 8 -4 -72 will become an agenda item for next meeting, & will be advertised as required. RI. Adjourn. To the Tybee Island Recreation Committee The Tybee Island Recreation Board met Wednesday, June 15, 1988 at 7 P.M. at the Town Hall. Two topics were discussed resulting in the following recommendations, which we offer for your con- sideration: Program Director for Tybee Island Youth Football Applications for this position were presented to the Board by the Recreation Dept. Our initial review resulted in the determination that only two canidates pocessed the acedemic qualifications and experience necessary to qualify for the position. These two canidates were Ricky Kinciad and Jack Boylston. After a lengthy discussion, during which many fine points of both applicants were brought out, our vote favored a recommendation to offer the position to Jack Boylston. We understand that some controversy centers on the choice of canidates.. We wish to emphasize that the responsibilty of a Program Director is an organizational task, not a coaching position. It is our sincere desire that all individuals who helped make this program such a great success last year will join together for the benefit of Tybee's youth. Program Director for Teen Activities We are concerned about the plight of teenagers on Tybee- specifically, not having much to do. There appears to be no lack of willingness on the part of parents to participate in teen related events. What we feel is needed is an organizational function to spread tasks out over many parent groups and provide a consistent series of teen events. Accordingly we recommend the creation of a new recreation position, a Program Director for Teen Activities. We make this recommendation with complete awareness of the current restriction of available funding; however, we are confident that funding can be arranged. We are afraid for our children, and it is our accessment that many Tybee parents share this concern. If the recommendation is accepted, this Board will then task itself to draw an appropriate position description outlining job respon- sibilities, assist in the screening of applicants, and do whatever is necessary to aid in the success of the program. . Sincerely, Mlle Clark Chairman, Tybee Island Recreation Board CC: Mayor and Council Members 1 POLL OF COUNCIL 7/5/88 Administrative Policy Change Regarding Workmen's Compensation Agreed that city will pay group insurance charges while employee is out on workmen's compensation so that coverage will remain in full effect. As set forth in Code Section 2- 4- 13(b)(2) no other compensation will be provided. Employee will not be required to "catch up" on his insurance upon return from leave for a workmen's compensation injury. Voting in Favor: Jean Davis Paul Jackson John O'Neill Bill Walsh .Jack Youmans Approved: Walter W. Parker, Mayor 1 Unavailable to Vote: Chris Solomon CLERK OF COUNCIL