HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900913SCMeeting1
Tybee Island, Georgia
September 13, 1990
The City of Tybee Island City Council held a Special Called
Meeting to discuss the Pier /Pavilon with the committee. Mayor Charles
J, Hosti called the meeting to order at 5 P.M. Councilmembers present
were James P. Locklear, Jack Youmans, Bill Walsh, Jimmy Brown and Jeff
Dukes. Councilman Paul Jackson was absent because of illness in his family.
Members of the committee present were Bonnie Gaster and Ansley Williams.
Mayor Hosti welcomed all and then explained that this meeting
is to answer some of the questions raised since the July llth meeting.
Mr. Williams said he was not sure what this meeting was going to accomplish
but would answer any question asked of him. Mayor Hosti noted that the
council had appropriated $5,000.00 towards the study and has since talked
with Paul Jackson, has received many phone calls from people who are
against the pier /pavilon and have gone over the 1986 feasibility study.
Councilman Dukes expressed gratitude for the work the voluteers
have done on this project but he has some hard ball question he would like
answers for. 1. Why has the city not acted for or against this project
since 1986? Councilman Youmans said the city has been approached, dealt with,
talked with numerous financial backers and the North Carolina gLoup had been
lined up to handle the project. Councilman Locklear asked what bas been
done with this study? Former Mayor Walter Parker said that several Public
Hearing were held, other priorities at that time and did not want to rush
into anything. In the last year and a half of my administration we were
trying to find financing for the project, we decided to put the project on
the back burner until after the election. Jeff Dukes question # 2. What is
new now that wasn't attracted then? Walter Parker said some one to back the
project. Ansely Williams said we have more businesses and people are
realizing the potential of businesses on the island. Councilman Locklear
stated that he feels we have more day trippers than permanent people coming
to the island. Walter Parker said we realized the study had to be updated and
the council committed to the study at the July llth meeting.
Mayor Hosti stated that questions need to be answered before we
spend any more money. Councilman Dukes asked if this was a bad thing that
was dumped on this administration - $22,500.00 needed for study - $5,000.00
from city. Where is other money coming from? Ansley Williams answered that
$9,000.00 from Greater Savannah Chamber and Tybee Coucnil Chamber and the
balance will be paid by the city. Dukes Question # 3. Parking deck? Ansley
Williams stated that this would be addressed by Gardner Altman in the new
study.
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September 13, 1990
Council /Pier
Councilman Dukes questioned why committee not happy with the
1986 study? Walter Parker answered that before any bonding a company wants
a feasibility study.
Mayor Hosti stated that there is no difference in the engineering
and he is strictly opposed to the North Carolina group doing this study. Ansley
Williams stated that Associated Legal Consultant and another company would
conduct the study. Mayor Hosti then questioned the Liability Insurance. Mr.
Williams said that Representative Jack Kingston was checking with the State
of Georgia concerning the insurance. Louise Sasser said that if the state
accesses then we could not charge to go on the pier and feels no way the
taxpayers should pay for the pier.
Councilman Dukes said that the 1986 study was a sales pitch. You
should listen and not pay for a sales pitch. The city just today has had
a professor from Georgia Southern on the data processing system and it only
cost the city $2,000.00. Mr. Williams said he doesn't see how we can get a
good solid study done for $2,000.00. Councilman Dukes said maybe not but he
can not in clear conscience agree or accept $22,500.00 study. There are
three kinds of people 1. those who want the pier no matter what the cost
2. those who don't want the extra activities 3. those who say it is probably
a good thing if done with private money. Some people are labeling me as against
the pier. I am not against the pier project but I don't want to see the
retired people and widows pay for it with there taxes. Who is going to
insure the pier? Walter Parker stated that here is a letter in the file folders
from a company out of Brunswick that will insure the pier. Councilman Dukes
then read part of the study concerning the financing and that no one would
finance the project. Ansley Williams asked Mr. Dukes to read the entire
paragraph because he feels Mr. Dukes in not fully understanding the entire
statement. Councilman Locklear said we need a new study and that the 1986
study should have been thrown out the door. Councilman Brown was asked about
his father's involvement in the pier. He stated that his father did not writhe
pavilion but did give information concerning the owners of the pier. Council-
man Dukes said that the Railroad and that it all went hand in hand. He asked
if $1,500,000 gross for a restaurant a year was reasonable. Mr. Williams
answered that that amount was not unreasonable, he also suggested that there
be two restaurant instead of the one the study calls for in the plans.
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September 13, 1990
Council /Pier
Mr. David DeBorde said that at the July 11th meeting that the Pier
Committee was not organized, could not answer any questions and spoke in
generality. The committee needs a business attitude. The population should
approve or disapprove of the pier. Mr. Williams asked him if he was opposed
to the pier. Mr. DeBorde answered no he was not opposed to the pier if the
project is done correctly. He feels this meeting is a second wash out and
a waste of our time. He then asked what will be the yearly maintenance on
the pier /pavilion? Bonnie Gaster said she could not answer with a money
amount but in general she would try. She stated that there are business
people on the committee with some very good and wonderful ideas, but we
need the study to back up the ideas. Mayor Hosti said the money amount on
the maintenance question is very hard to answer.
Councilman Youmans said that the committee came in July and asked
for the money to have the study done. The City Council approved the expenditure
for the study to be completed so that we would have the answers Lo these
questions being asked by council and the public.
Mr. Walt Siedel said he agrees with Mr. Dukes about having the study
done by university personnel - we might have to pay for room and food for
these students. He feels we do need a study. Mr. Dick Vernon alwo feels we
need a study and think the university is the way to go.
Bonnie Gaster stated that we, the city, would be reimbursed for the
study when the project is started. Mrs. G. O'Conner asked if we pay for the
study and it shows the pier /pavilon is not feasible what then? The city would
lose that money paid out for the study.
Mr. Gene Glisson says he get the feeling that Mr. Dukes doesn't care
one way or the other about the pier. He requested that the council please
help the committee find the money for the study.
Mayor Hosti stated that he is all for the pier and the idea of this
meeting was to get answers. Councilman Dukes said at the July meeting it
was said that if we get the pier we could do away with property taxes. He gave
some figures and said we have 1937 tax payers on file.
Mr. John Jarvis said the pier won't pay for itself and to let the
fisherman go to the Back River to fish.
Councilman Youmans said that he was under the impression that this
meeting was between the council and the Pier Committee, not a Public Hearing.
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September 14, 1990
Council /Pier
Mayor Hosti said that he is suppose to attend all meetings
concerning the city. He recommends that the committee and a couple of
councilmembers get together and talk and try to get some answers.
Councilman Locklear asked why the city was involved and why didn't
Mr. Williams build the pier privately? Mrs Fripp said that there was a
letter from Mr. Lonice Barrett concerning this question about private
enterprises building the pier. A copy will be given to each council member.
Mr. Bob Dyer asked if the council could not set down some
requirements on the committee so that at the next meeting we can have some
answers.
Bonnie Gaster said the study makes you legal when you go after
financing for the project.
Councilman Brown said that Gordon Varnedoe called to apologize
for not being at this meeting.
Mayor Hosti closed the meeting as there was no further business.
Mayor Cha4fes J. Hosti