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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said parties have hereunto set their hands
the day and year first above written.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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