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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900711PHMeeting1 Tybee Island, Georgia July 11, 1990 A public hearing to receive input from citizens concerned about the pier /pavilion project was held at City Hall on Wednesday, July 11, 1990, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Hosti opened the meeting by saying that he promised a public hearing on this subject in January, but it took longer than expected to get to this point. He said the project has been ongoing since 1983 and that some 30 -40 thousand dollars has been spent on the project thus far. He said it now appears that the committee believes an additional $22,000 is necessary for planning studies and that he did not want to commit any more money to this project until the people were consulted. He recognized former Mayor Parker, and Commissioner Murray. Mayor Hosti introduced Councilman Paul Jackson, saying he had appointed Paul to chair a committee to study the pier /pavilion plans, and that they have worked very hard. Councilman Jackson, in turn, introduced Ansley Williams who will act as spokesman for the group. Ansley Williams gave the audience the committee's report, saying that after five months' study the committee is very favorable to the project. Although there are major problems to overcome, the outcome looks very good, and we should be able to move forward positively. He said he believes the pier /pavilion is necessary to the town's economy, for a number of reasons. Councilman Jackson said the committee has examined two proposals, and favors the one from the North Carolina group. He introduced Mr. Gardner Altman, representative of the group, and also recognized Mr. Vreeland George, of Thomas & Hutton, engineers for the preliminary plans and Mr. Jerry Lominack, architect responsible for the conceptual design. Mr. Jeff Walker, representative of Boston Security, spoke to say his group is interested in doing the financing, and saying that his conclusion is that the most feasible plan would be to build in phases, beginning with the pier itself, and with the pavilion funded separately as Phase Two. He suggested that visitors could pay for the facility by increasing parking fees by $2.00. Mayor Holsti! asked Mr. Walker if he has made a formal proposal to the city and the answer was negative. 1 Tybee Island, Georgia July 11, 1990 Page Two The meeting was opened then for public input. Mr. Robert Martin asked what the proposal from the North Carolina group is. Mr. Gardner Altman responded, saying this is his 4th visit to Tybee and that he doesn't yet have a full proposal yet. He said the study made several years ago isn't adequate to develop a full proposal, and that he believes the feasibility study needs to be updated. He said he believes this can be done, using federal & state sources of information, without spending the usual $40 -50 such a study might cost. Gloria Allen said she believes Tybee people have three concerns: 1) no tax burden - most believe taxes are already high enough, 2) a new Tybrisa should be historically accurate, and 3) the facility should enhance the island as a family, not a party and drinking, recreational island. Bob Dyer spoke of his concern about the cost, and the city's responsibilities. Others expressing similar concerns were: De „v-id deBorde, Bob Wheat, Jim Kluttz, Phil O'Dell, Louise Sasser, Fitz Siiiimons and Richard Vernon. Speaking favorably of the concept, and of the city's funding of the study, were: Tommy Sweat, Dick Smith, Burt Barret, Jr., Jim Monaghan, Steve McCusker, Herb Greenblum, Beth Dickey, Rick Corley, Mike Elliott, and Gordon Varnedoe. Former Mayor Walter Parker spoke in favor of the project and County Commissioner Frank Murray offered to try to help secure the funds for the study. State SEnator Tom Coleman endorsed the project, saying the idea is outstanding and that he is heartily in favor of this if it doesn't lead to a tax increase. State Representative Jack Kingston spoke in the same vein. Mayor Hosti said that he and the City Council will meet again with the pier committee in the near future, and will inform the public of the results of future meetings. There was a show of hands of those who were in favor of the city funding the $22,000 study, and the result was overwhelmingly in favor. Mayor Hosti acknowledged the public input, saying he had learned what he wanted to know. The meeting was adjourned.