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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19921210CCMeeting1 1 1992- 12 -10. City Council Minutes, Dec. 92 The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, December 10, 1992 at Tybee City Hall. Mayor Walter W. Parker called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m. Members of the City Council present were: Ansley Williams, Burke Day, Jimmy Brown, Chris Solomon, Pat Locklear and Jack Youmans. Councilman Burke Day gave the Invocation, after which the Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved, after which Mayor Parker recognized the members of the Tybee island Planning commission who were completing two -year terms in December. They were: Jim Kluttz, Jiggs Watson, John Sugrue, Walter Seidel and rusty Fleetwood. Messrs. fleetwood and Seidel were absent, but the others personally accepted plaques commemorating their public service. Mayor Parker informed the audience that Mr. Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr. has resigned as City Attorney. He praised Mr. Mahoney's service to the city over more than 10 years, saying that he is considered one of the top city attorneys in the state. Mr. Jim Lynes spoke from the audience to suggest that the resignation not be accepted. Mr. Mahoney spoke a few words concerning his years as City Attorney, saying that he had served two Mayors and nineteen council members. A public hearing for a land and water grant application was held. An environmental policy for the island previously published in the Tybee News was read during the hearing. The audience had no comment. It was announced that the public hearing for the Eichholz petition has been postponed at the request of the petitioner, but Mayor Parker offered the opportunity for public input. There was none. A public hearing for a petition for an after - the -fact height variance was called to order. Mr. Dwight Feemster, attorney, represented Dr. Kent Brooks. He referenced two stop work orders and a previous setback variance denied by council, and gave certified proof of actual height and of ground level. He offered to install sprinklers of a type reasonable under the circumstances. Councilman Day remarked that he is of the opinion that Dr. Brooks created his own hardship. councilman Williams asked about differences between types of sprinkler systems and the relative costs involved. There was a long discussion among the entire City Council, mostly about the technical aspects of fire walls and sprinkler systems, after which public input was allowed. No one from the audience spoke in favor of the petition. Speaking against was Marion Dean of the Historic fort Screven Neighborhood Association. Mrs. Paul, Bucky Chapin, Grace Chapin and mr> Bernstein (all adjacent property owners) also spoke against. It 1 1 1 Page Two December 10, 1992 was announced that the Planning Commission had recommended denial. A public hearing for a minor R -1 subdivision on Bay Street, petitioner Rick Hogan, was next on the agenda. Planning commission member Rusty Fleetwood said his group recommended this project for approval provided a notation concerning drainage be appended to the plat. Mr. Mahoney said that a notation on the plat would be binding on the purchaser. Randy Warner spoke from the audience to ask if the 20' easement shown on the plat could be opened to take the burden off the eastern easement which is shared by himself and several other properties. he said he is concerned that, although it is on the plat, it may not be opened. There were no other comments. The meeting was opened for business legally presented. The Brooks height variance petition was first handled. councilman Youmans moved that the petition be granted provided a certified fire sprinkler system is installed on the highest level. councilman Brown seconded and the motion passed by a vote of 4 to 2 with councilmen Day and Locklear opposing and Councilmen Youmans, Brown, Williams and solomon favoring the motion. After some discussion, Councilman williams moved that the Hogan minor subdivision be granted and councilman Youmans seconded. Councilman solomon amended the motion to add "provided the western easement shown on the plat is opened and passable before lots are sold" and Councilmen Locklear seconded the amendment. The amendment, and therefore the motion, passed with a vote of 4 in favor (Solomon, Brown, Locklear, Day) and 1 against (Youmans), with Councilman Williams abstaining. Mr. Hogan told the Council that he believes an undue hardship has been imposed upon him. Minutes of the November meeting were tabled until January so that some corrections to the draft could be read by the council. Bills of the month of November were approved. A plan to refurbish a Mack pumper for the Volunteer Fire Department was discussed. The work would not begin until 1993 and it was unanimously agreed that this expense would be included in the 1993 budget. The motion was made by Councilman Solomon and seconded by councilman Youmans. Councilman Day moved approval of a $14,000+ expenditure from 1992 funds for the Water /Sewer Department for replacement of a pickup truck. Councilman Locklear seconded and the motion was adopted unanimously. Councilman Youmans made a motion to approve an expenditure of $36,000+ for three police patrol units to be delivered in 1993 and charged to the FY93 budget. Councilman Locklear seconded and the motion was carried by unanimous vote. - 2 1 Page Three December 10, 1992 Councilman Youmans moved that the Planning commission be reduced to seven members and Councilman Brown seconded. During discussion it was noted that the Planning commission has failed to have a quorum with nine members only once according to Rusty Fleetwood, who spoke from the audience. Councilman Youmans, upon hearing this, withdrew his motion. Mayor Parker nominated several citizens whose names had been presented to him for consideration for the planning commission appointments for 93/94. In addition Councilman Solomon nominated Billy Remeta. Votes were taken by secret ballot and the following people were approved for the Planning commission slots: Venetia Butler, John Sugrue, Jiggs Watson, Ray O'Neill and Billy Remeta. The Land & Water grant application to erect coastal science exhibits at points adjacent to the beach crossovers for the purpose of public education and tourism enhancement was discussed. Three documents were read: one, an intention to match funds and to hire a qualified consultant to implement the project if the grant is received; two, a Resolution adopted the environmental ethics policy: and three, the policy itself. Councilman Williams moved that the grant application resolution be approved, including approval of the environmental ethics policy. councilman Day seconded and the motion carried by a vote of 4 -3. In favor were Councilman Day, Williams and Locklear; opposed were Councilmen Brown, Solomon and Youmans. Mayor Parker broke the tie with an affirmative vote. Councilman Locklear moved that the City retain Mr. Mahoney's law firm by appointing his son, Thomas J. Mahoney, III, as the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Councilman Youmans and the Vote was unanimous in favor. Councilman Day moved for an executive session to discuss a matter involving potential litigation. It was the consensus of city Council during the executive session that the City Attorney prepare a letter to the two condominium associations, Lighthouse Point and Savannah Beach and Racquet Club, offering an opportunity to negotiate. This would take the form of a 30 -day notice, after which time a lawsuit would be filed to recover the water /sewer base charges in question. The meeting was adjourned. 3- attachments: Located in hard copy file. 1- Environmental Ethics Policy 2- Resolution 3- Awarded Grants by DNR Mayor Walter W. Parker 3 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS POLICY THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS OF THE GEORGIA COASTAL REGION - OCEAN AND ESTUARINE WATERS, SALT MARSHES, FRESHWATER RIVERS AND ISLAND ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS - ARE PRECIOUS RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF THE ENTIRE STATE. THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE AND BEAUTY OF THESE SYSTEMS. SURROUNDED BY SUCH ENVIRONMENTS, THE ISLAND RESIDENTS DEPEND UPON THEIR CONTINUED HEALTH. IN LARGE PART, REVENUE FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY IS DERIVED FROM THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES - ESPECIALLY THE BEACHES AND NEARSHORE WATERS. THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND DEEMS THAT ITS ACTIONS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO AVOID DELETERIOUS EFFECTS, AND THE APPEARANCE OF SUCH, UPON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA. THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES UNDER WHICH THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND WILL ACT AS STEWARD OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. 1) The City government will adhere strictly to all existing local, state and federal legislation and regulations pertaining to the protection of the environment and to resource use and development. 2) The City government will insure that the local land use plan is designed to include protection of natural resources as a guiding principle in the development and implementation of other facets of the Island's Master Plan. 3) The City government will access and regularly update each facet of the Master Plan in an effort to incorporate the most current research and methods of management of natural resources. 4) The City government will strive to identify and protect natural areas of critical concern and will consider and encourage methods by which residents and businesses may interact appropriately with the island environment. 5) The City Council will inaugurate a policy of public education concerning the value of natural environments by: A. Adopting a Resolution regarding natural resources, B. Encouraging an annual public celebration in conjunction with Earth Day activities on the island, and C. Encouraging the local public library to highlight the natural environment of the locality in displays and through procurement of appropriate titles for the collection. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, The City of Tybee Island, being the northernmost barrier island on the coast of Georgia, recognizes the value of the myriad natural resources of the coastal region; and WHEREAS, The City of Tybee Island proclaims that the local economy depends upon the continued health of its natural systems, including beaches, ocean and estuarine waters, salt marshes, freshwater sources and island flora and fauna; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, IN OPEN MEETING ASSEMBLED, to manage the natural environments on the island with the utmost care and respect for the integrity of the systems and their components; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the importance of natural resource management is an integral part of island management and, in so doing, the city's policy of environmental ethics must be applied towards creating and maintaining healthy natural environments on Tybee. AND IT IS ALSO RESOLVED that the city shall actively encourage its residents and businesses to develop personal codes of environmental ethics in the use and treatment of our mutual resources. THIS 10TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1992. 1 1 STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF CHATHAM WHEREAS, at the regular meeting of the Tybee Island City Council held on December 10, 1992, a motion was made and duly seconded that the City of Tybee Island agrees that in the event a grant is awarded by the Department of Natural Resources, the city certifies and assures that it has the ability and intention to finance their fifty percent (50 %) of the total project cost and that the city will employ a qualified consultant to plan for and design those recreation facilities identified in their application request. THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA WALTER W. PARKER, MAYOR T/ MY A D. FOSS TT PSC',d: v ., ?nrity, Ga. My C6f4 mis Uiic1 Expires Jan, v, 1:.,°;95