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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19980827CCMeeting1 1 Tybee Island City Council Minutes 1998 -08 -27 1998 -08-27 City Council Minutes Mayor Walter W. Parker called the August 27, 1998 Council meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The following members of Council were present: Ed Merves, Jack Youmans, Anne Monaghan, Donald E. Anderson, Jr., Michael A. Hosti, and Mallory Pearce. City Manager Bill Farmer and City Attorney Edward Hughes were present. Former Mayor Patrick Locklear gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Lon Dickerson, Director of the CEL Library, gave each councilmember a copy of the Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees earlier this year. Dickerson said that he understands that there have been complaints about the cut back in the hours of operation. Dickerson said that the Tybee Branch is in good shape, material wise, compared to the other libraries in the system. The Mall Branch will have to throw away about 75% of their books and materials. Dickerson asked Council to take a few minutes to review the Strategic plan and call him if anyone has any questions. Mayor Parker said that there is a Memo of Agreement with the Library that Council will on vote tonight. Dickerson said that it is about the landscaping and maintenance service. Farmer had told Dickerson that the City would be willing to provide this service for the library. Monaghan asked if the schedule for the library will be the same as the City Hall? Farmer answered yes. Pearce said that we should request that the Board of Supervisors increase the funding to the libraries. Mayor Parker opened the Public Hearing for the 1998 millage rate. Farmer explained the information hand out that the Council received stating that the rate will be set for the 98 year and that a variety of capital acquisitions are anticipated which will require an increase in City debt. Farmer said that the City has an agreement with the Tax Commissioner to bill and collect the yearly taxes for Tybee. Farmer explained that the City will be spending between $400,000 to $500,000 per year for the next five years for capital acquisitions as a normal process using current tax and fee schedules, but our plans indicate more will be needed. Merves asked what is the ballpark figure for the end of the year if we lower the millage rate. Farmer answered that we started the 1998 year with $195,000 in the contingency line item in the budget and that we are down to about $135,000 now. Merves asked if this meant that the City will have a $135,000 surplus at the end of 98? Farmer said that is part of the picture, but there is more to it. Merves asked if the 98 surplus will be added to the 97 surplus. Farmer said that the merit increases for the employees are in the 98 budget and that Council has not approved any until the evaluations are completed in November or December so this should save approximately $200,000 and that at the end of 98 there should be $300,000 added to the fund balance. Merves asked the amount of the fund balance at the end of 97. Farmer said about $1,300,000 at the end of 97. Pat Locklear asked if the City was going to have a deficit at the end of 98. Farmer said that the City would be about $300,000 to the good. Locklear asked about the infrastructure, the water tower, and the sewer plant upgrade. Farmer said that the sewer plant modifications are in the hands of the engineers. Locklear asked about the cost of the upgrade. Farmer answered about 2 million dollars. Locklear asked if this would be funded with revenue bonds? Farmer said a loan from GEFA. Locklear asked Council not to reduce the (1998 -08) 1 August 27, 1998 1 1998 -08 -27 Tybee Island City Council Minutes millage stating that City Council could save money by freezing employees pay, no COLA increase, reduction in work force, or privatized services. Locklear said that as a citizen and tax payer he would not object if the City had to spend 10 million dollars in order to get the water sewer system up to par. This could be funded with 20 year revenue bonds. Mayor Parker closed the public hearing. Mayor Parker opened the meeting for business legally presented to Council. Hosti moved to accept the August 13th minutes as written. Pearce seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous. Pearce moved to pay the July bills as presented. Monaghan seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous. Hosti moved to adopt the agreement with the CEL Library for the City to take over the landscaping and maintenance modifying the existing wording to indicate the landscape maintenance would be on as "as needed basis ". Pearce seconded. Youmans asked if anyone got laid off when the library hours were cut back. Dickerson said no, just moved somewhere else, but that the library is not filling any vacancies that occur because of retirement or people quitting. Youmans said that the school age children can not use the library because they get home so late from school. Anderson questioned about when the library hours will be expanded. Dickerson said that it is not in the 99 budget, everything is for Bull Street library. Parker asked if the hours of operation could be adjusted. Dickerson said yes, within the 30 hours. Vote on the motion was 4 in favor (Merves, Monaghan, Hosti, Pearce); 2 opposed (Youmans, Anderson). Pearce moved to adopt the 1998 Resolution for the milage rate at 6.5 mils. Hosti seconded. Merves said that he would support a reduction in millage to 6. mils, but could not support staying the same as 97. Merves said that we need to return some tax dollars to the citizens. Pearce said that the projected increase would amount to about $43,000. if we adopt 6.5 mils. Parker stated that we have the water tower to consider. Farmer said that there is about $300,000 left in the bond fund. Farmer said that the water storage tower will cost $479,000. Vote by Council was 4 in favor of 6.5 mils (Monaghan, Anderson, Hosti, Pearce); 2 opposed ( Merves, Youmans). Pearce moved to approve a beer and wine Alcohol Beverage License for Mr. Chandrakant Patel at 1315 Butler Avenue. Host seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous. City Manager Farmer explained the request for additional funds of approximately $5,000. in order to have more surveys completed for the Back River renourishment. This is necessary in order to acquire the easements from the property owners. Farmer said that the City has two options. We can wait until we get the information needed from the Corps of Engineers or we can authorize the additional $5,000 for the surveys. Parker asked if the City would be reimbursed for this expenditure from the Federal government. Farmer said that the entire project is $9,000,000. with the Federal government picking up about 60% and the State, County and City picking up the remaining 40 % . Farmer said that if the project dies then the City would have to eat the costs. Pearce moved to proceed with the additional surveys, for about $5,000. Monaghan seconded. Youmans said that this is the same thing the City did on the front beach, the City had to purchase or condemn the land. Youmans asked Hughes who will the beach belong to after the renourishment. Hughes August 27, 1998 (1998 -08) 2 1 1 Tybee Island City Council Minutes 1998 -08 -27 said that the Federal government can not spend money on private property, that the public will have rights to the beach. There was talk of the mean high water mark. Youmans said that on the survey it is stated that the mean high water mark is 12 feet, where will this put the easements. Farmer said about one half up the rock revertments. Pearce said that there is a Waiver of Rights to receive fair market value that each property owner will have to sign. Youmans said that is true, but what is wrong with 12 feet. Parker said that 6.8 feet is a more reasonable figure. Farmer said that the Corps might revise the figure or they might not. Vote by Council was 4 in favor (Merves, Monaghan, Hosti, Pearce); 2 opposed (Youmans, Anderson). Jackie Brown questioned if there has been any consideration about how the renourishment will effect Horsepen Creek. Brown said that the mouth of the creek at the Back River is closing up and is only a mud bank at low tide. Youmans stated that he tried to get the entire island surveyed for the renourishment. Brown said that she does not think that any of the land owners on Horsepen Creek would object to the Corps dredging the creek. Parker answered that he will ask Erik Olsen about Horsepen Creek. Farmer gave a brief outline on the hiring of a consultant to look into the computer system at City Hall in order to be in compliance with the year 2000. Patrick Chapman handed out information and told Council how he got started in the business. Also Chapman is a civil engineer. Chapman said that he does not sell hardware - just service - to help Vivian Maxey do her best on a system that is 7 years old. Chapman said that Maxey has done a great job patching and bandaiding the system, but that no major upgrades have been done. Chapman said that what has been done will be able to be used with the new system. There are three phases: 1. evaluation of existing system; 2. purchase of hardware, which is before you tonight; 3. making changes to the software that is up and running now so that it will be compatible with the year 2000. Chapman said that it will also standardize and legalize all the software programs. Both Raamy Brown, Cashier, and Angela Byers, Building permits and inspection, spoke to Council in favor of the upgrade. Byers said that after April of 99 that she will not be able to do any building permits because of the SBCCI software changes in the program. Parker said this just City Hall. Farmer said yes, this $28,000 is just City Hall, but that the Police Department will be doing the same thing and will come before Council for approval. Pearce asked where this will be funded from. Farmer said that there is about $10,000 in the 98 budget already and that the remaining funds could come out of the contingencies. Pearce moved to proceed with the upgrade of the computer system at City Hall with $18,000 coming from the contingencies. Monaghan seconded. Vote by Council was 5 in favor ( Merves, Monaghan, Anderson, Hosti, Pearce); 1 opposed (Youmans). Youmans moved to purchase a new recorder for the police station in the amount of $11,000. with the funds coming from the $7,800. grant and the remaining $3,200. from contingencies. Pearce seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous. Hughes explained that Council had approved in principal to the land swap between Paderwski and the City contingent upon the appraisals for a unopened portion of Maple Street for property on Campbell Avenue. Hughes said that the City has the appraisals and that now this needs to be advertised for 6 weeks before the closing. (1998 -08) 3 August 27, 1998 1 1998 -08 -27 Tybee Island City Council Minutes Hughes said that Tom Mahoney called and said that he did not have the information on the Bell South tower. This issue will be on the September 24th agenda. Pearce moved to adopt the resolution for the closing of a portion of Solomon Avenue on a temporary basis. Hosti seconded. Youmans said that he would vote in favor if no plans are in the wind to plant trees and bushes. Farmer said grass could be planted. Monaghan said she would like to see this happen. Parker said let's see how this works out first. Vote by Council was unanimous. Pearce moved to adopt Section 4 -2 -11 Fire Subscription on its second reading. Youmans seconded. Hughes said that he is having research done on this issue. Vote by Council was unanimous. Youmans moved to leave Section 2 -4 -13 (4) Sick Leave as is, leaving the word "may" instead of changing it to "shall". Pearce seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous. Monaghan said that reason for suggesting the change was because of the wellness aspect and that when the Healthquest came that only a small amount of employees signed up. As there was no further business to come before Council the meeting was adjourned at 8:54 P.M. August 27, 1998 (1998 -08) 4 Mayor Walter W. Parker 1 AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 15th day of September, 1998, by and between CHATHAM- EFFINGHAM- LIBERTY REGIONAL LIBRARY (CEL REGIONAL LIBRARY), and the City of TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA (TYBEE ISLAND) WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, CEL Regional Library and Tybee Island, have agreed that Tybee Island shall be responsible for all landscaping and grounds maintenance at the Tybee Island Branch Library. WHEREAS, CEL Regional Library and Tybee Island have agreed that Tybee Island will assist in the protection of the Tybee Island Branch Library in the event of a hurricane. WHEREAS, Tybee Island is to receive no payment for these services from CEL Regional Library or representation on the CEL Regional Library Board. NOW, THEREFORE, CEL Regional Library and Tybee Island agree as follows: I. TERM OF AGREEMENT The term of this agreement shall be from the date of execution of this agreement until either party requests termination. II. LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE CEL Regional Library gives Tybee Island authority to provide lawn and ground care services for the Tybee Island Branch Library as needed. III. TERMS OF HURRICANE PROTECTION CEL Regional Library gives Tybee Island authority to mount shutters on the Tybee Island Branch Library in advance of a hurricane at its discretion. IV. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT This agreement may be terminated by either party by providing sixty (60) days written notice to each party. V. MISCELLANEOUS This writing constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto. Any modification of this agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with Georgia law. 1 1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said parties have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written. 2 BY: CEL Regional Library Board Jack A. Kaster, Chair L Regional Library Board City of Tybee Georgia BY 4 / i__ //%i11 Walter mar er, Mayor 1 1 1 WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, R E S O L U T I O N the fiscal year of the City of Tybee Island begins on January 1 and ends on December 31; and Title 3 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, and specifically Section 3 -2 -11 provides in part that the millage rate for annual ad valorem tax upon all real and personal property within the City shall be established each year by Resolution of the Mayor and Council; and the Mayor and Council desire to set the millage rate for the year beginning January 1, 1998 and ending December 31, 1998 in compliance with the terms of the laws of Georgia and the Ordinances of this City; NCW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island, in open meeting assembled, that the millage rate of the fiscal year January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998 be set at o ooh- mils. AttesS • Clerk of oui1 ADOPTED this QV-A day of (Lubc.-b , 199S. Mayor Walter W. Parker 1 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Solomon Avenue is a part of the municipal street system owned by the City of Tybee Island and it is therefore public property and should retain a public use; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Tybee Island and its citizens and, more particularly, those residents living in the immediate area involved who are adversely affected by certain of the through traffic and the consequences thereof, that the portion of Solomon Avenue generally between Campbell Street and Moore Avenue be closed to through traffic, at least on a temporary basis, in order to evaluate the impact of such closure; and WHEREAS, a suitable alternative route for traffic already exists by virtue of Van Horne Street and it appears that there should be no adverse effect to the closure; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to retain its title in Solomon Avenue and, therefore, will not abandon its interest therein. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island duly assembled that for a period of 180 days from the effective date hereof and for such further periods as Council might approve within such period, Solomon Avenue shall be closed to through traffic from Moore Avenue to Campbell Street and appropriate temporary barricades shall be installed in order to implement and maintain the closure. Council at any time reserves the right to review this closure and to extend, reduce or eliminate its terms. ADOPTED this day of , 1998. WALTER W. PARKER, MAYOR ATTEST: JACQUELYN R. BROWN, CLERK 1 ORDINANCE # 1998 -18 It is hereby ordained by the governing authority of the City of Tybee Island, in open meeting assembled, that the Tybee Island Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Public Safety, Chapter 2 Fire Prevention, Section Fire Subscription Rates, be amended to read as follows: [Amending 4 -2 -11 Fire Subscription Rates (For Outside City Limits)] a.) Fee for Subscribers: $85.00 for Residential; $240.00 for Fort Pulaski; $140.00 for Savannah Bar Pilots; $240.00 for the United States Coast Guard. - portion-themee& portion- tares€ c.) Exemption from subscription fee: Active members of the Tybee Island Fire Department and retired members of the Tybee Island Fire Department or their widows. d.) The subscription rate shall be for the calendar year from January 1st to December 31st. This fee is non transferable and is not pro - ratable. (Ord. 1997 -114; 10/23/97)(1998 -18; 8/24/98) [-- ---End of Text ---- -] ADOPT THIS 24th ugust, 1998. yor Walter W. Parker 1st Reading: 8/13/98 2n4 �,,� -� ja719$