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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900809CCMeetingTybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 9, 1990 at Tybee City Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Charles J. Hosti presided, with the following members of the Council present: Paul Jackson, Jeff Dukes, Jimmy Brown, Bill Walsh and Pat Locklear. Jack Youmans was absent due to the illness of his mother in Columbia, South Carolina. The meeting was opened with an Invocation by Councilman Locklear, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Hosti. Mayor Hosti and the City Council honored two young people, as follows: 1) Gabriel B. Bell was presented a certificate and savings bond in recognition of his discovery and return of a double parking meter that had been vandalized and discarded. He found the meter while shrimping, and reported it to the TIPD. 2) Ms. Stephanie Gore of Savannah was given a Tybee tee -shirt and a certificate of appreciation. She is a blind person who wrote a poem entitled "Tybee Warms My Heart" which she recited for the audience. Jerry Stephens of I -95 asked permission to conduct beach parties for the remainder of the summer on the beach just south of Spanky's on Sundays through Labor Day, at 3 p.m. each Sunday. Jeff Woodruff of Heirborn Ministries asked permission to hold an outreach sponsored by 13 area Assembly of God churches, with participation from 50 or 60 young people. Councilman Brown asked if they'd be approaching people, or would wait for people to approach them. He was told that the group planned to use a flatbed truck and a portable PA system. There would be music and skits. Ted Solomon presented a new flag, one that has flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to the city. This was donated to the city by the local VFW Post. Burt Barrett, Jr: asked if the city has a plan for use of the 1% road tax funds. Mayor Hosti replied that no formal decision has been made, but that several streets are being considered, and we're 1 Tybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 Page Two waiting for a reply to questions we've asked of the County Engineering Department. THE MEETING WAS OPENED FOR BUSINESS LEGALLY PRESENTED. Minutes for meetings held July llth, 12th, and 26th and August 2nd were approved. Bills were approved as follows: General Government $ 4,986.44 Special Appropriations $16,278.35 Police $ 8,856.14 Fire $17,496.56 (Includes $14,926.21 Annual Payment /Fire Truck) First Response $ 1,411.22 DPW $11,053.71 Sanitation $17,854.48 Parking $ 2,105.25 Recreation $ 1,862.27 Lifeguards $ 600.92 Councilman Brown reported that TIPD had found no reason to deny an alcoholic license transfer for Fourth Quarter, applicant Jim Sheffield and moved to allow the transfer. Councilman Jackson seconded and the vote was unanimous in favor. He then gave a similar report on the Novelty Bar, applicants Jan Geiger and James Tatum, and moved its approval. Councilman Jackson seconded, and the vote was 4 - 1 with Councilman Locklear casting the dissenting vote. During discussion Councilman Brown said that he has had a long talk about this with the City Attorney regarding licensing of bars, and has searched the records in depth. There seems to be no legal basis for denial a license. Councilman Brown asked approval for an expenditure of $1,907.73, the low bid, for fire equipment. Approval was unanimous, on motion of Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Jackson. Councilman Dukes gave a report from the Schoolhouse Committee, saying that there has been no significant change in status. Councilman Brown asked that the recreation and police committees look into updating the beach rules, with public input. Mayor Hosti approved wholeheartedly. Councilman Dukes reported for the Finance Committee that there have been work sessions for looking over the auditor's manangement letter, and for studying finance reporting in general. He said a recurring 1 Tybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 Page Three theme has been the shortcomings of various software programs in data processing. With that in mind, an appointment has been set up with Professor Booton of Georgia Southern University, who is a consultant and will be giving the city a proposal for acting as our independent consultant for data processing. Councilman Dukes reported that the Tybee Island Marine Science Center now has a donated air conditioner for the aquarium room, donated roof repairs, and progress is being made in upgrading the "Sandcastle on the Strand ". One hundred twenty people attended a:Saturday night pre - sentation. Mayor Hosti complimented the volunteers for the good job they're doing. Councilman Dukes then moved that a requisition in the amount of $1,190.00, which is the low bid for two additional filing cabinets for the Clerk's and Administrator's use be approved; Councilman Jackson seconded and the vote was 4 - 1, with Councilman Locklear dissenting. Councilman Jackson reported that the Pier Committee has secured a grant of $4,000 from the Savannah Chamber of Commerce for the feasibility study, and from the Tybee Council for $5,000, and that Commissioner Frank Murray is working on the allocation of $5,000 from county hotel /motel tax funds. He moved that the city fund $5,000 for the study and Councilman Walsh seconded. Councilman Dukes said that the minutes will show that Council had questions prior to proceeding, (1) Who conducts the study? and (2) What questions would be posed that must be answered by the study? He proposed a meeting between the Finance Committee of the City Council and the Pier Committee to resolve these questions prior to funding the study. Councilman Brown asked if Councilman Jackson is pretty confident that the $5,000 is what he will actually need - that the additional funds not yet committed will be forthcoming from the county? Councilman Jackson summed up by saying that he has been charged by the Mayor with chairing a committee to see if the pier /pavilion project should be continued; the study is the next step, and one that Council, in its minutes, endorsed. He said another chairman is needed if the delay continues much longer. Mayor Hosti asked if the committee is sure that the $5,000 is all they need? The vote was taken with a result that the motion passed by a margin of 3 - 2, with Councilmen Dukes and Locklear casting the dissenting 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 Page Four votes. Mark Nathan, attorney for the Seidels, spoke next, asking the Council to sell ten feet (10') of Fifth Avenue (unopened) to his client, the adjacent property owner. Mr. Mahoney instructed the Council on the legalities of the issue, saying that the Council has the power to sell in this case. There was a discussion of possible price. Councilman Dukes said that he, and the other Councilmembers, have looked at the property, and that it is so marshy that it can never be made into a street. He said he had given thought to the matter, and sees nothing hidden to come back on the Council later; he suggested a selling price of $4,000. Councilman Jackson so moved. Councilman Dukes seconded. Councilman Walsh remarked that the only thing that might haunt the city later might be access to the creek, since the creek bed might change. He said Mr. Seidel has the use of the property now, and asked if this couldn't be enough. Mr. Mahoney explained that there is a legal point involved, that he has use but he has a clouded title. He said he believes the sale of 10' to be a reasonable proposition to straighten out a problem although he is against selling streets in principle. The motion passed by a 3 -2 margin, with Councilmen Walsh and Brown casting the dissenting votes. The request of I -95 Radio for a beach party each Sunday until Labor Day, with provisions as outlined by the petitioner in his written communication, passed, provided the petitioner provide lifeguards at his own expense. The vote was unanimous, on motion of Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Brown. The petition of the Heirborn for an outreach enter- tainment at the South End was next considered. Councilman Walsh moved that the permit be granted, provided the hours were modified to 7 - 10 p.m., rather than the 11 p.m. closing requested, citing that the 10 p.m. hour is mandated by the closing of the parking lot. Councilman Locklear seconded. Mr. Mahoney cautioned the petitioner not to allow his people to go out and interfere with anyone who isn't interested, but to allow people to come to them, remembering that all other groups have a right to use the public parking lots. The vote was unanimous in favor. Tybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 Page Five A letter from Christopher D. Chandler concerning his interest in buying city property adjacent to his home was read. This will be considered for the September agenda. Councilman Locklear said that parking decal sales have been much higher this year - at $18,842.00 - than ever before. He commended the department head, Mrs. Vivian Maxey, for the good job she and her group are doing. He also reported that the Summer in the Park program has finished, that participation was down due to increase in fee and division of age groups, but he is satisfied that the city wasn't funding a babysitting service this year. He said the smaller groups accomplished much more in crafts, and participated in many more educational projects and trips. He said he hopes to continue the program next year, with further improvements. The second reading of an ordinance on motorized watercraft was read. Councilman Jackson moved its adoption with a second from Councilman Locklear, who commented that he doesn't want this enforced like the dog ordinance (in his opinion, unenforced). There was a general discussion of enforcement after which the vote, which was unanimous, was taken. The first reading of an ordinance concerning delinquency of water /sewer bills followed. Councilman Jackson moved its adoption with a second by Councilman Walsh. The vote was unanimous in favor. It was announced that the Beautification Committee will participate in the Beach Sweep on September 28th (rain date: October 4th). They hope for participation from the National Guard for free trash pickup for residents. Councilman Locklear said the "full service kitchen" ordinance passed last month. What is being done? Mayor Hosti replied that all license holders have been notified of the ordinance. Councilman Locklear questioned whether the City Council has to approve transfers of licenses in cases where the business has been a problem. He said that we who live here have rights, too, just as business people do, saying that he's not against people making a legitimate living, but is concerned about the people of Tybee. Mayor Hosti answered that the City Council has recently adopted a procedure for looking at license 1 1 1 Tybee Island, Georgia August 9, 1990 Page Six holders now - a certain number of incidents will lead to a revocation hearing. He agreed that there are too many bars and that they're too close together. Councilman Brown also agreed, adding that it does cost money to defend the city in court, and that the city must have a legitimate reason to deny a license. It was announced that Councilman Youman's mother has had a heart attack, and that he missed tonight's meeting because he is with her in Columbia, South Carolina. The meeting was adjourned. 1 1 Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF`THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 7 -3 -7 ENTITLED Powered (Motorized) Watercraft BE IT ORDAINED, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Council in Open Meeting Assembled, that the Code of Ordinances of the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, be amended by the addition of Code Section 7 -3 -7 Powered (Motorized) Watercraft; Penalty, to read as follows: 7 -3 -7. Powered (Motorized) Watercraft; Penalty Any person violating any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction before the Recorder of the City, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300.00). First Reading: OK-- Second Reading: August 9, 1990 Enacted: August 9, 1990 THIS 9th DAY OF August , 1990.