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1997- 12 -18. Budget Workshop & City Council Minutes
A budget workshop was held beginning at 6:30 pm on
Thursday, December 18, 1997, immediately prior to the City
Council meeting. Mayor Walter W. Parker presided and the
following members of Council were present: Ed Merves, Jack
Youmans, William Remeta, Michael "Spec" Hosti, Mallory Pearce and
John J. O'Neill, Jr. Edward Hughes and Ro Fripp were also
present.
At Mayor Parker's invitation, Linda Larsen spoke
briefly concerning flyers handed out earlier in the day at the
post office. Mayor Parker countered by pointing out the errors
contained in the flyer, explaining that the budget doesn't come
from the Mayor and Council, but from the City Manager.
Councilman Youmans said the Council approves or disapproves the
budget as presented by the Manager, but does not prepare it, and
Councilman John O'Neill asked for a copy of the handout, saying
he hadn't seen it.
Dick Grosse was the next speaker. He pointed out that
there are real estate projects coming on line that may increase
the tax digest so that income from that source may be higher than
expected. He cited several subdivision developments, and the
townhouse development at Savannah Beach & Racquet Club. Mayor
Parker said he does not believe these properties will be on the
digest until 1999, but there is no reason some projects can't be
delayed, rather than go with the increases in taxes and fees in
the proposed budget. He said he personally would rather wait
until the dollars are here, accumulating funds to pay for
projects.
Councilman Youmans said Tybee doesn't need $3 Million
for storm drainage, and that very little SPLOST funds will be
received in 1998. He indicated that we can wait a year rather
than forward funding which is borrowing money. He said he'd
rather we not have to pay interest. He said the only real
emergency is the water tank. He added that Council has asked for
things, you, me, all of us but there are few things we can't wait
for until we can afford them.
Councilman Pearce said he agreed in general, but that
he believes the wastewater treatment plant improvements need to
be started now.
Ro Fripp explained that there has been a little
preliminary information given the Council concerning the 40-
interest federal funds held by GEFA for wastewater improvements,
which are the lowest interest rates that can be found and
explaining that the city has a balance with GEFA now, and that
GEFA funds can be borrowed in increments - some for engineering
in 1998, and a larger amount in 1999 if construction begins then.
The city has done this before and is currently qualified to do
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SO.
Councilman Youmans said that this isn't something that
has to be decided today. Councilman Remeta said that EPD has
warned us to start planning this year (1998), but he's not going
to vote for this budget. He said he had been a part of lowering
the millage 35% over 4 years. He added that property tax
revenues are a little up over the same period, due to increases
in county evaluations.
Councilman O'Neill said we need to keep in mind that
lowering taxes only reinforces the fact that the wastewater
treatment plant has been ignored for 13 years.
Councilman Youmans said that the water /sewer budget was
$700,000 when he chaired the committee, and that it has gone up
every year. Lots of work has been done - new lines, new fire
hydrants, and sewer work - we have spent on infrastructure.
Councilman Hosti questioned the deficit built into the
water sewer fund for 1997, and Ro Fripp tried to explain the
separation of enterprise funds from the city's general fund.
Councilman Remeta remarked that "taxes are taxes ", agreeing with
Councilman Hosti.
Councilman O'Neill said if we borrow against SPLOST
it's real easy to look at the dollars in the bank and spend it.
Councilman Youmans agreed, saying that's what happened with the
water tank; engineers gave an estimate, we borrowed the money and
we spent it. He said this will happen with any dollars put into
our hands before we need it.
Councilman Merves said we do not need to keep borrowing
if we don't need it; we need to be frugal. He added that it
doesn't make sense to do this now when we won't need the money
for a year at least. He added that there will be a discussion of
the overtime /comptime and said we don't need to change the
ordinance so that we can pay for comptime in the future. He also
said he thought Council had agreed to keep to the cost of living
and that care needs to be taken not to go over that.
Councilman Youmans said that we ought not to pay for
engineering until we're ready to get the job done.
Pat Locklear spoke saying that John and Billy both have
good heads. He also said that there was selected neglect of
elected officials involved through the years. He said Bill did a
good budget and that's why he's for the manager form of
government. However, he said there's no way you can raise water
rates 35% at once. He suggested freezing salaries, freezing
hiring and buying out the higher paid employees with early
retirement offers. He also said the most recent ordinance on
compensatory & /or administrative time was unnecessary, reminding
Jimmy Brown of the time spent researching the subject when they
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were on City Council several years ago.
Mr. Locklear went on to explain that, though they did a
good job on handling employees' time, they didn't bite the bullet
on the water /sewer fees. He said that the base rate is there to
support and improve the infrastructure of the system. Then there
are user fees for the water actually used. He also mentioned
that in 1995 there was an effort made to consolidate the
recreation department with the county's, and this could lead to
an enterprise fund for maintaining the beach which could account
for 1.5 mils.
Councilman Pearce said none of us is inclined to raise
water sewer rates 35% but questioned whether Mr. Locklear's
statement implied that perhaps a smaller increase would be
acceptable. Mr. Locklear said that an annual increase was
supposed to be implemented according to the 1994 bond issue.
Alice Martin questioned the amount shown in the budget
for recreational salaries, saying she knew the city hired a new
Recreation Director, and did this account for the large increase?
She also said you can't get anything from the county for the
beach unless you ask, and she doesn't think we've been asking.
Councilman Youmans said at one time we did get $14,000
for lifeguards.
Councilman Hosti explained that his remark at last
week's meeting concerning an increase of $150,000 for salaries
was not meant to apply to 1997, but to a full year at the new
rates.
The budget hearing was adjourned, and after a short
break, the regular meeting was called to order by the Mayor with
the entire Council, Mr. Hughes and Mrs. Fripp still present.
Councilman Ed Merves gave the Invocation, followed by
the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Mary Ingalls introduced Dr. Afifi of the Savannah
College of Arts & Design, saying he is Chairman of the School of
Architecture. Dr. Afifi spoke concerning a class assignment - a
study of Tybrisa Street - done by his students in the fall
quarter, samples of which have been on display at City Hall for
two days. He gave a brief background of the work done by the
class and a group of citizens with the goal of improving -
perhaps by limiting? - parking and traffic flow on the south end
of Butler Avenue near Arby's with a view of making the area more
attractive and more friendly to pedestrian traffic. He called
attention to the second article concerning the project which was
a front page headline of the Savannah Morning News today. He
said he'd like to see a coalition of chamber of commerce members,
city officials and business people take the matter in hand and go
forward.
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Mayor Parker commended Dr. Afifi and his students and
the college leadership for their interest in Tybee's future,
saying that there is a group of local people calling themselves
"Tune Up Tybee" that is currently working toward doing some of
these things.
Councilman Pearce invited Dr. Afifi to come again after
the first of the year and make a presentation to the new council.
Mayor Parker, pointing out Anne Monaghan and Dee Anderson in the
audience, remarked that the new members of council are here.
Mayor Parker and Chief Price presented a commendation
to Corporal Jonathan Hagan for his excellent work in negotiating
with and eventually disarming a potential suicide. Councilman
Youmans said a raise would probably be more appreciated than a
letter.
Mayor Parker gave out plaques to the City Council,
marking the end of this two -year administration and was presented
one in turn by Mayor - pro -tem Hosti. Councilman Youmans said the
pretty words would have been more meaningful if some members of
Council had been left out.
The meeting was opened for business legally presented.
Councilman Youmans moved that no forward funding be
done except in absolute emergency, and that there be no raises in
mils, water rates or sanitation fees. Councilman Remeta
seconded. Councilman Merves said he agreed in concept with Jack
and that we will not forward fund unless the next Council votes
to do so. Councilman O'Neill said that it is an excellent
motion, sending a message to the incoming City Council to do
something. Councilman Youmans said he intended the motion to
send the message to re -do the budget using his criteria as
guidelines. The vote was 5 in favor, with Councilman Pearce
casting the one dissenting vote. Councilman Youmans then
suggested that the city continue with the same (1997) budget
until such time as a Budget Resolution for 1998 is approved.
Councilman Remeta asked that the minutes reflect the
fact that the City Manager is not here. Councilman Pearce
objected, saying that information is automatically a part of the
beginning of each set of minutes.
The Olsen contract proposal for coastal engineering was
next considered. Councilman Youmans said that the Beach Task
Force is making all the decisions, and that they aren't keeping
minutes, and that they aren't being officially appointed.
Councilman Merves said that he has attended several meetings, and
saw the group as an information - gathering body. Councilman
Pearce said that he knows that the present Chairman, Dr. Chris
Schuberth, was appointed by Council and that he has appeared
before Council, not at every meeting, but often to bring reports
of the Beach Task Force, occasionally with recommendations for
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Council actions. Pearce moved to accept the contract with Merves
seconding. The vote was 3 to 3, with Councilmen O'Neill, Hosti
and Remeta against. Mayor Parker joined Councilmen Merves,
Pearce and Youmans in an affirmative vote, and the motion to
accept the Olsen contract passed by a margin of 4 - 3.
Councilman Youmans moved to hold off on the water /sewer
engineering until we are sure the money is available, Councilman
Hosti seconded, and the vote was unanimous in favor of the
motion.
Councilman Youmans noted that no vote is needed on Code Sections
6 -3 -1 and 5 -2 -23 since the budget has been sent back to be
redone, but moved that both be rejected anyway. The motion was
seconded by Councilman O'Neill and the vote was 6 - 0.
The Budget Resolution, it was noted, has already been denied, so
no additional vote was taken.
Councilman Hosti moved that the 2.5% cost of living
increase be delayed for six months and Councilman Remeta
seconded, remarking that some of the raises were very high, and
he voted against them. He said he wanted the bottom one /third to
get good raises, but the City Manager got $500 a month, while
some people got less than a dollar an hour. Mayor Parker said
the city should be able to keep up with the cost of living.
Councilman Youmans said that the raises got carried away with the
study accepted by Council in April setting the pay rate schedule.
It was supposed to bring our people in line with what other
similar jobs were paying across the state. Councilman Hosti said
the City Manager pulled one over on us, and the result was
$150,000 increase in salaries for 1998 - if we then add $45,000
in COLA, that's $195,000 increase in salaries in 1998. He said
he voted against the higher raises. Councilman Merves said the
higher a person is paid, the higher the increase if percentages
are used. The consensus was that the question of raises is a
part of the total budget issue, and the vote was called. The
vote to delay raises for six months failed by a vote of 2
(Councilmen Hosti & Remeta) to 4 (Councilmen Merves, Youmans,
Pearce and O'Neill).
The street paving priority list was discussed briefly, and Mayor
Parker suggested that everyone consider it and then talk with him
or Bill. Councilman Remeta questioned whether the streets were
prioritized, one high, one medium and the rest low due to
funding. The answer was affirmative, and Councilman Youmans
moved that we shouldn't use more than we have on hand until the
new SPLOST comes in. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Hosti, and the vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
It was noted that the departmental statistics were available for
review at last week's meeting.
The Marine Science Center agreement will be held pending
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additional information from Mr. Hughes.
The issue of compensatory /administrative hours was reviewed again
by.the City Attorney who stated that salaried employees' absences
are counted by days, not hours. He said there is a risk of a
flawed test of immunity from the Wage & Hour laws of the Fair
Labor Standards Act if absences calculated in hours are deducted.
The consensus seemed to be that this issue won't be settled until
further research and study is done.
The meeting was adjourned.
Assistant City Manager Rowena Fripp
ayor Walter W. Parker
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OLSEN ASSOCIATES, INC.
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF LIMITED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Client: City of Tybee Island ' Date: December 10, 1997
P.O. Box 2749 Project No.:
Tybee Island, GA 31328
ProjectName /Location: Shore Protection /Beach Disposal Project At Tybee Island, GA
Scope /Intent and Extent of Services: Olsen Associates, Inc. (OA) shall provide coastal
engineering support services to the City Council and Staff pertaining
to issues regarding shore protection, project funding, Inlet Management,
Back River and other related matters. Upon authorization from the City,
OA shall assist or attend meetings with the Beach Task Force, or elected
representatives. OA shall address the 2nd St. stabilization by providing
liaison and design guidance to the Savannah Dist., COE on an as- needed basis.
FeeArrangement Time and Materials at prevailing rates and terms.
Retainer Amount: N/A
SpecialConditions: This Agreement may be extended with the consent of both parties
to address additional'Task Orders requested by the Client.
Prepared by:
E.J. Olsen, P.E.
December 10, 1997
(Date)
Olsen Associates, Inc.
(Firm)
The terms and conditions and the initials required
on the reverse of this form are a part of this Agreement.
Accepteddy:
/-V/ Y9 7
Signature) (Date)
at*er VC-Parker er f lAyor
(Name /Title)
rut
0
(Client)
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The Firm shall perform the services outlined in this Agreement for the stated fee arrangement.
Access To Site:
Unless otherwise stated, the Firm will have access to the site for activities necessary for the performance of the services.
Fee:
The total fee, if stated, shall be understood to be an estimate, and 'shall not be exceeded by more than ten percent without
written approval of the Client. Where the fee arranged is to be on an hourly basis, the rates shall be those that prevail at
the time services are rendered. 1997 rates are as follows:
•Principal: $135/Hr. Draftsperson: $51/Hr.
Senior Engineer: $105 /Hr. Administrative: $41 /Hr.
Engineer /Sr.Designer: 575 / Hr. CADD: $61/Hr.
Expert Witness:
All hourly rates associated with Administrative Hearings, expert witness testimony, depositions, etc. shall be burdened
by a factor of 1.5.
Direct Expenses:
All direct project expenses associated with travel, per diem, reproduction, etc. shall be invoiced at cost.pl+at453
Billings/Payments: .
Invoices for the Firm's services shall be submitted, at the Firm's option, either upon completion of such services or on a
monthly basis. Invoices shall be payable within 30 days after the invoice date. If the invoice is not paid within 30 days,
the Firm may, without waiving any claim or right against the Client, and without liability whatsoever to the Client,
terminate the performance of the service. Retainers, if applicable, shall be credited on the final invoice.
Late Payments:
Accounts unpaid 60 days after the igy.oice date may be subject to a monthly charge of 1.5% on the then unpaid balance
(18.0% true annual rate), at the sole eleZtion of the Firm. In the event any portion or all of an account remains unpaid 90
days after billing, the Client shall pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees and /or costs of liens.
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Indemnification:
The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless the Firm and all of its personnel from and against any and all claims,
damages, losses and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or resulting from the performance of
the services, provided that:any such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in whole or in part by the negligent act,
omission, and /or strict liability of the Client, anyone directly or indirectly employed by the Client (except the Firm), or
anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable.
Risk Allocation:
In recognition of the relative risks, rewards and benefits of the project to both the Client and the Firm, the risks have been
allocated such that the Client agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Firm's total liability to the Client for
any and all injuries, claims, losses, expenses, damages or claim expenses arising out of this Agreement from any cause
or causes, shall not exceed our fee or $50,000, whichever is less. Such causes include, but are not limited to, the Firm's
negligence, errors, omissions, strict liability, breach of contract or . each of warranty.
Initial here: (Firm) //% (Client)
Termination of Services:
This Agreement may be terminated by the Client or the Firm should the other fail to perform its obligations hereunder.
In the event of termination, the Client shall pay the Firm for all services rendered to the date of termination, all
reimbursable expenses, and reimbursable termination expenses.
Ownership of Documents:
All documents produced by the Firm under this Agreement shall remain the property of the Firm and may not be used
by the Client for any other endeavor without the written consent of the Firm.
Applicable Laws: Unless otherwise specified, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida
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PAVING PRIORITY LIST
OPEN & UNPAVED PUBLIC STREETS
December 11, 1997
Symbols: H = High Priority
M = Medium Priority
L = Low Priority
VL= Very Low Priority
MAP
PAGE STREET NAME
(DRAFT)
STREET LOCATION LENGTH PRIORITY
001 Pulaski - Pearlwood
001 Pulaski- Taylor
002 Solomon- Naylor
002 Naylor
002 Solomon- Naylor
002 Rosewood -Alger
002 Railwood- Palmwood
002 Solomon - Thrushwood
003 Campbell -H.Pen Crk.
003 Rt. 80 to End
003 Campbell - H.Pen Crk.
003 Van Horn - Solomon
003 Van Horn & Nurse..
003 Rosewood -2 nd Ave.
003 Rt. 80- Solomon Ave.
004 Jones - Miller
009 19th St.- Butler
009 18 th St -17 th St.
010 Chatham -Back River
010 Chatham -Back River
012 4th Ave
015 A W. End 8th & Part 5
020 Alger - Chimney Creek
021 Fort - Pulaski
026 'Byers St -Chim. Crk.
026 . Polk St- unop.Storer
026 Rt. 80 -south
Dogwood Ave
Pearwood St.
Moore Ave. 15'
Wilson Ave.15'
Hosti St.
Solomon Ave.
Meddin Ln. 20'
Alger Ave.
Kingry St..
Lovell Ave.
Linton St.
Rosewood Ave.
Oceanview Ct.
Solomon Ave.
Jones Ave.
Center St.
Chatham Ave.
Lovell Ave.
Alley No. 2
Inlet Ave.
10 th St.
8th St & 5th
Solomon Ave.
Pearlwood
Solomon Ave.
Live Oak Ave
Polk St.
450' VL
500' VL
400' VL
225' VL
400' VL
2100' L
350' VL
300' L
600' L
450' VL
650' L
350' VL
200' M 2
900' L
450' H 1
225' L
300' VL
500' VL
300' VL
500' VL
275' L
400' VL
750' L
600' VL
2500' VL
500' VL
500' VL