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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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