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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900711SCMeeting1 1 July 11, 1990 Tybee Island, Ga. 31328 Mayor Charles J. Hosti called the Special Pier Pavilion meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Councilmembers present were: Pat Locklear, Jack Youmans, Bill Walsh, Jimmy Brown, Jeff Dukes and Paul Jackson. Councilman Jackson introduced his committee. Those serving are Bonnie Gaster, Frances Clark, Ansley Williams and Jim Kluttz. Mr. Williams stated that the committee is recommending a feasibility study to update the study from 1986. The cost of this study would be around $22,000.00. The committee is also recommending having the study done by the North Carolina group. Mr. Jeff Walker and the North Carolina man gave a report on the proposal for the pier Pavilion. The audience was then asked if they had any comments or questions to ask of either group. Attached is a list of questions and comments made by the citizens of Tybee Island. The council moved and voted unanimously to have an update of the study made. The question was is the money for this study budgeted. Councilman Youmans offered to make adjustments in the Fire Department budget so that the funds for the study could be found. 1 July 11, 1990 Pier/Pavillion Questions Robert Martin: What is the North Carolina proposal? Bob Dyer: 1.) If revenues do not cover entire annual cost, who will pay? 2.) If city walks away what happens to credit ratings? 3.) What advantage is a big increase in auto traffic to the average citizen? 4.) What benefits can we expect? David DeBorde: What is estimated cost of annual maintenance? Bob Wheat: Why don't we have a cost on the parking garage? Jules Holemens: 1.) If council approves study, what more will you need to know? 2.) Is study only going to show revenues and not cost & financing? John O'Neill: 1.) Is there a middle ground? 2.) Can both sides come together and give Tybee a economic shot in the arm? 3.) What are we going to do to protect tax payers from cost of infrastructure and other services? Katrinia Hughes: What is the pier going to bring to Tybee? Lindsay Brannen: Where is money coming from to update sewer system and other things, if we don't take advantage of this opportunity? Gary Conleay: Have we fully studies public funding? Dick Smith: 1.) Has committee investigated getting $22,500.00 from the county Hotel /Motel 1c aquarium tax money? 2.) How many jobs will this project generate? Jim Kluttz: Is there anyway of building pier /pavillion without Tybee guaranteeing money or funding? Louise Sasser: 1.) How long will study take? 2.) Would pier be counted as new construction by county tax assessors office? Beth Dickey: Do we have the money for the study? Referendum by the City? David DeBorde: How much money has already been spent by the city? Rick Corliss: 1.) What will happen to our taxes is we don't do this project ?] 2.) What will we pay in the future? Mike Elliott: Was it economically feasible to do this in 1986? Richard Vernon: 1.) How long will it take to build pier? 2.) Will residents have to pay to go on the pier? 3.) Who will pay the bills for the 2 years it takes to build the pier /Pavilion.? Susan Wilson: When will decision be made by council? 1 1 July 11, 1990 Pier /Pavilion Comments: Gloria Allen: 1.) Property owners not be burdened. 2.) Historically built. 3.) Enhance island, as a family island, safe for children, recreation. 4.) Quality life Phil Hunter: Do not piece meal project, we need something to be proud of. Environmental laws are getting stricter, time is running out. Lets ask John Rousakis for some money. David DeBorde: I am for a pier at each end of the island, if it does not take tax money, now or in the future. Bob Wheat: Disturbed by talk of multi level parking garage. Lot of pie in the sky comments. No hard numbers. Same things were said about Savannah Expo. John O'Neill: Put aside political allegiance and work together. Walter Brown: Getting calls from out of town. Pavilion and bathhouse would pay for itself. Katrinia Hughes: Tybee is my home and I want to be proud of it and think we need an updated study. Gary Conleay: Maybe we need parking garage instead of pier. Dick Smith: We have lost a school, see how many young folks might find jobs and if it will bring the school back. Mary McAfee: I have lived long enough to have experienced the pleasure of the pavilion and am all for the project. Phil O'Dell: Still feels we need answers. The Committee represents only Tybee. I think we need a Blue Ribbon committee made up of successful people from all over Chatham county to give us their opinion before we decide on future study. Steve McCusker: Reward - Risk, Tybee has had a lot of glory days and now everybody wants to stand still. I would like to see a show of hands for or against project. Herb Greenblum: 1.) Alot of fears have been expressed about cost. 2.) People need to consider if it is a grand success, which I think it will be. Walter Parker: 100's of thousands come to Tybee every year and will come anyway. I am in favor of pier /pavilion to enhance our community and help the 16th and 17th area - without something the business area will wither and die and then taxes will be totally on the tax payers. We don't need to expand but to enhance. If it works, the time may come when there are no property taxes. Louise Sasser: 1.) You only have 9 months left on permit. 2.) Tybee evaluations were raised 22.5% by county tax assessors last go around. Highest in Chatham County. David DeBorde: Looks like they ( Pier Committee) should have read some of this stuff before meeting, so that they could answer questions. Rick Corliss: Would like to see study done - no free lunch. In New Hampshire taxes are triple what they are here. Take decisive leadership and get the study done. Michael Jacobs: All for it - clean up 16th Street area. Not sure parking deck is way to go. 1 1 1 July 11, 1990 Page 2 Comments Fitz Simmons: It is suggested that most of the money should come from Parking fees. Today it goes in General Fund to operate the city, don't shoot yourself in the foot. Gordon Varnedoe: My family has had a summer home on Tybee since 1905. I remember as a kid the pavilion and would love to see it rebuilt. My father, Sam Varnedoe, sold the bonds that built the Town Hall, the seawall and the Islands Expressway. Many people said it could not be done. He had a positive mental attitude and the Expressway bond was paid off earlier than predicted.