HomeMy Public PortalAbout20000824CCMeeting1
1
@ @ITEM 2000 -08 -24 City Council Minutes
Mayor Water W. Parker called the Special Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with the
following members of Council present: Shirley Sessions, Anne Monaghan, Pamela
O'Brien. James G. Burke and Jack Youmans were late because of the Chamber event
held on the pier. City Attorney Edward Hughes and City Manager Tom Cannon were
present.
Mayor Parker said the purpose of this meeting is to get input form the City, the
Historical Society and the public on the Tybee Theater.
Hughes explained stating that the lease had been signed on August 15th with
option to purchase. This lease is a joint lease between the City of Tybee Island and the
Historical Society. The monthly rent is $2,200, split between the two for one year.
Anytime during the year the theater may be purchase for $275,000. The lease gives a
broad view of what we can do. Hughes said that he has no written information on the
structure or restoration. Need to see what it would take to restore and maybe hire
someone to begin the effort. O'Brien said that Mr. Rowan might have an engineer study.
Hughes said that the last owner Gerhart is an architect and that we can contact him.
Parker asked Hughes to contact Gerhart and Rowan if Council agrees.
Jim Kluttz introduced six members of the Historic Society. Kluttz restated the
details of the lease. Kluttz told a story about a small city in Georgia, which happens to be
the City of Tybee Island concerning the Coast Guard Station and the Lighthouse and how
it came to the City and then to the Tybee Island Museum, a forerunner to the Historical
Society. Kluttz said that the community has to want to see the theater restored. Kluttz
asked that Council consider appointing a separate committee made up of councilmembers
and Historical members. This committee would answer the question like parking,
structure and any other questions put to them. Parker asked if Kluttz if he was prepared
to name historic appointments. Parker said that the Council should be heavily involved,
so two members from Council and the City Manager is what he suggest. Parker
recommended Sessions and O'Brien. Pearce moved to appoint Sessions and O'Brien to
serve on the committee along with Tom Cannon. Monaghan seconded. The five
members of Council present voted in favor of the appointment.
Director of Building and Zoning Bargeron gave Council information that he has
heard in the building department. At one time people from Atlanta who owned the
theater were considering making it into 5 units. They also found ledgers in a safe listing
the movies that were shown and also they have the old projector. Bargeron said that the
existing walls would have to be reinforced with another wall to support the load.
Bargeron also said that in some places that the foundation is 5 feet thick.
Parker introduced Representative Burke Day and Berta Adams thanking them for
everything they do for Tybee.
Hughes said that if the memo looks O.K. he needs to record it after lease is
signed. Parker asked Kluttz about who they are naming to the committee. Kluttz said
that he would get the names in the first of the week. O'Brien asked Hughes if there was a
way to get out of the lease if we want to during the twelve -month period. Hughes
answered that it was difficult to negotiate terms because O'Dell knew exactly what was
1
1
1
going on. O'Brien questioned the confidentiality between Council and counsel. Hughes
answered that it is general gossip.
Pat Locklear questioned the property liability insurance. Hughes said that we will
not insure the building, just the land at no additional premium through GMA. Hughes
stated that he has a message in to GIRMA concerning the Historical Society but has no
head back from them. Kluttz said that he needs to know. Locklear said that the 93
SPLOST is all spent but that we might be able to get the 98 SPLOST that is in escrow to
purchase the theater outright.
Monaghan said this needs to be a grass root effort to bring the community
together. Somewhere the performing arts should gear into this project. Locklear said that
it is going to take at least $275,000 to fix it up.
Monaghan moved for closed session to discuss litigation against the City. Pearce
seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous.
Pearce moved to reconvene regular session. O'Brien seconded. Vote by Council
was unanimous. Mayor Parker adjourned the meeting, as there was no further business to
come before Council.
Clerk of Council
Mayor Walter W. Parker
1
1
1
"I do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of a
Planning Commission member for the City of Tybee Island and that I will support and
defend the Charter of said city, the Code of Ordinances, the by -laws created by the
Planning Commission, as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of
the United States of America."
Deborah Barreiro
This 12th day of September, 2000.
Mayor Walter W. Parker
ev1 Z