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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. 69 1 1 1 1 1 Page 2 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. 1 1 Page 3 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. 1 1 1 Page 4 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