HomeMy Public PortalAbout20040122CCMeeting1
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@ @ITEM 2004 -01 -22 City Council Minutes
Mayor Parker opened and called the January 22, 2004 City Council meeting to order at
7:00 PM. Those members present were Paul Wolff, Jack Youmans, Shirley Sessions,
Jason Buelterman, Eddie Crone and Mallory Pearce. In addition, City Manager Bob
Thomson and City Attorney Edward Hughes were also in attendance.
Rev. Hale Bishop of Trinity Chapel United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Steve Condrey had not yet arrived for his presentation.
Greg Fender dis not attend.
Chuck Eaton introduced himself to the Mayor and Council Members as the new Skipper
of the Marine Rescue Squadron. He announced that the annual bar -b -que would be held
during Memorial Weekend, with more details to follow.
Tom Borkowski, a resident of 101 Butler Avenue, addressed the Council regarding noise.
He asked if we had an ordinance against noise and if so, he wanted it enforced. He said
on the weekends and during the summer, the motorcycles ride by his house at all times
and do create a lot of noise. Mayor Parker said we do have an ordinance and he will pass
this information on to the Police and asked City Manager to follow up.
Richard Kautzman wanted to be sure his letter had been received by the Mayor and
Council. Parker said yes he had received it and had turned it over to the proper staff
members for investigation.
Sessions introduce Pat Monaghan, saying he was the County expert in planning the
convention center and very familiar with SPLOST funding. Monaghan said he was the
project manager for the trade center and he had worked with every sales tax. Sessions
asked him to explain what happens if we had designated the SPLOST money for 1 thing
and then spent it on another. Monaghan said the County has formal agreements with the
municipalities. He said the County has not audited anyone and depends on the city to
spend the money as designated. Sessions said that she has been told that the 98 SPLOST
had money allocated for the gym, but she has not found it. Sessions said that this is her
greatest issue with the gym project. Youmans said that he remembers we requested 3
items be designated on the agreement before we would sign and 1 of them was the gym.
Monaghan said drainage money must be spent on drainage. Youmans said that in the
contract, the last item was the gym. Monaghan said it should be put on other capital
outlay. Sessions asked Monaghan that in his experience with convention centers, is it
common to begin construction without a feasibility study, like the cost, who is going to
use it, etc. Moneghan said conventioneers are in different categories. The centers have
to have outside source of revenue because they are not self sustaining. Parker asked
Chriss Lightle, auditor, how much money was left in the 98 SPLOST. Lightle said that
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last year, 2003, has not yet been audited so he cannot speak for certain on that. Lightle
said after 2002, there was 1.8 million dollars of unspent SPLOST. He said he would
estimated that now there was $492,000 in unspent SPLOST and about $90,000 in interest.
Sessions asked if he could determine how much of that was earmarked for the different
funds. Lightle said yes, he could analize the numbers and give a breakdown.
Three firms gave presentations for planning, traffic control, landscaping and zoning. The
first of these was Ron Huffman, the Director of Planning, from HDR. Huffman said they
had offices in Atlanta, Charleston and Jacksonville, as well as other cities. He said they
were a full service planning group, consisting of architects, engineers and planners. He
gave a brief background on himself. Huffman said he specializes in revitalization of
downtown areas in small towns. He named a few, Destin, Fl., Panama City, Fl.,
Waycross, Ga., Albany, Ga. and Beaufort, SC. Huffman said they will work in phases.
Sessions asked if they had experience in traffic control and parking, and if they worked
within a Master Plan. Huffman said yes, very much so. Wolff asked if they had worked
with coastal towns. Huffman said yes, they have worked in Beaufort, S.C.. He said it
was not exactly the same but similar. He said historic preservation is very important
there and as he sees it, would be very important here.
Mr. Craig Lewis, from the Lawrence Group, was the second representative to make his
presentation. Mr. Lewis gave a brief slide presentation for the downtown master plan.
He said the Lawrence Group was a town planning and architectural firm. He said they
work with an engineering firm, Kimley -Horn & Assoc. Lewis noted that this time of
year he doesn't see much of a problem, however, during the summer season, he said the
business area seems to be the biggest problem. The area around the pier, Strand and
Tybrisa seem to have the largest parking and traffic problems. Lewis said we also need
to look at the whole picture. Lewis said they set up on site and talk to as many people as
they can. He said they hold workshops and get as many involved in the planning as
possible. He said in talking to some of the staff, he agrees that a lot of the work should
be completed before the peak season. Lewis said they do their own PR work and
publicity. He named Mooresville, NC, Greenville, SC, Wake Forest, NC and West Palm
Beach, Fl as just a few of the cities he has worked in. He said they set design guidelines
so that everyone knows what the rules are, as to setbacks, greenspace, streetscapes and lot
standards. We identify who has what role in this process. Our goal is to minimize public
investment and maximize private investment. A lady in the audience said that Tybee was
"very special and we don't want to be another Hilton Head ". Mr. Lewis said every
community is special and we work to keep that quality.
Mr. David Gertson from W. K. Dickson Co. spoke to Council regarding his company.
He said they specialize in urban design. Gertson introduce Ms. Jamie Cochran who owns
her own company, J. Cockran & Co., and works very closely with him. She is currently
working in Hinesville, Ga. with the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center.
Gertson said they had experience in all aspects of planning and designing. He said they
like to begin each project with economics and end with implementation. Out of the last
32 projects, 28 of them were coastal communities, said Gertson. According to Gertson,
public involvement is very important to the success of this project. He said they had
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recognized 3 areas of Tybee, the North area of Ft. Screven, the South area and the
commercial area primarily along Butler Avenue and the gateway on and off the Island.
Buelterman asked all 3 presenters about the cost of their services. Gertson answered that
in order for him to give an accurate cost, he would need an accurate scope of what was to
be done. Mayor Parker said that the Council would meet with the City Manager and
develope the scope and get back with the companies for a bid.
Mayor Parker called on Dr. Steve Condrey for his report. Dr. Condrey gave Council a
handout which included 3 tables showing different pay options. He said Table B was the
most feasible in his opinion and the one he would recommend. This plan would be at a
cost of $173,000. He said the equity adjustment is a 1 time adjustment to move people in
their range and this 1 time cost is $154,000. The Police Department would be $27,832
and move them into the competive market. Thomson said there were many employees
below the average salary, especially in Public Works, Safety and seasonal. Session said
the current payroll was $2,278,432. Dr Condrey said he would come back and answer
any questions in more detail at a later date. Mayor Parker thanked him for coming
tonight.
Mayor Parker asked if Greg Fender had arrived and Thomson said no, that he had some
kind of emergency. Parker said that Fender was going to announce tjat Comcast had
bought US Cable. Sessions said that while we were on the subject of cable, she would
like to recognize Andy Young. She said he is kind enough to record the meetings and
take them to the cable office for them to air. Sessions said she hopes we are paying him.
Thomson said yes we are and it's in the budget.
Parker said there are 4 members of the Planning Commission whose terms have expired.
Those 4 are Dick Smith, Barry Brown, Sandy Chandler and Billy Remeta. Parker said
serving on the Planning Commission is not an easy job and we appreciate all of the time
and hard work these folks give. Parker gave each of these members a plaque of
appreciation. Sessions said she would just like to reiterate the importance of these people
who volunteer for all civic organizations. And, she said, as the Director of Volunteers
with the United Way, she knew what it would cost if we had to pay for these services, an
average of $16.54 per hour.
Former Mayor Pat Locklear told the Council that in 1993 a study was done and our
Master Plan was put together by Dr. George Cox with Georgia Southern University. It
was all done free because Dr. Cox had funding and he may have funding now. Locklear
advised talking with him before we go too far into planning. He has some good plans and
services free of charge. Sessions suggested Thomson could contact Dr. Cox.
Mayor Parker said now we were going to talk about the gym, which is probably the
reason most of the audience is here. He asked the Council if they wanted to hear from
the citizens first or the contractors, architects and engineers. Sessions said maybe we
ought to hear as to what we have first. Bill Lovett, the engineer on the project,
introduced Frank Pennington, the architect, and Frank Collins, the contractor. Frank
Pennington gave a brief summary of where we are. He said the foundations are in, the
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concrete piers are going in and the structural steel for the floors is due to arrive this week.
We are about 80% through with shop drawings reviews. Sessions said she had asked
them to bring design drawings of inside. While these drawings were being set up, she
asked about the cost of HVAC and Lovett answered that $2,000 per month would be the
average. Pennington said there was 10,517 square feet of space, lobby, male and female
locker rooms, 2 showers for each, male and female, 40 lockers for each, rubber floor ,
folding bleachers on 1 side and concession stand. There is 110 stage, most facilities use a
portable stage and about 140 square feet. Sessions said some Council members were
interested in maybe converting the gym into a conference center and asked if an
approximate cost could be given. Pennington said the use of the facility would dictate the
cost. He said life safety codes would come into play, such as sprinkler system, which
would be a major impact on the cost, and the cost of additional engineering studies to see
if the structural elements would withstand the additional load and you would need more
parking. Parker asked for comments from the audience. Pat Locklear spoke in favor of
completing the gym. He said Youmans was correct, the gym complex was in the '98
SPLOST, as was the Museum and the Lighthouse. Locklear said the gym is for all of us
not just the children. He said it could be used for basketball, volleyball, skating, dances
and many other events. Locklear said we have the people on the Island with the
capabilities to help us operate and maintain this facility. A gentleman from the audience
asked if work had been halted, and Parker answered no. Another gentleman spoke in
favor of continuing the construction as planned and, if changes were wanted, add them
later. Jim Klutz asked the Council if SPLOST funds could be spent on the gym. Parker
answered there is money in the SPLOST for the gym but he did not know the amount.
Klutz said that it seems to him that this may turn into a legal issue with the County.
Hughes said he was not at the negotiations, but it does appear to be some disagreement
with County. Klutz then asked if a decision had to be made tonight. Buelterman said
that the Council had been led to believe that the money received from the antenna space
rental on the water tower and the SPLOST money would be just about enough to cover
the cost of the gym. Buelterman said that in the best case scenario, we can use all of the
SPLOST money, $492,000 and the rental money from the water tower, $760,000, that
still leaves us short. Klutz asked if we knew what the cost would be if we stopped
construction right now. Lovett and Pennington said no because of sub - contractors and
their expenses. Klutz told Council that no matter what they do they will be critizized so
get the best information you can.
Pam O'Brien was next to speak and read a letter she had written to Council. She was
opposed to the project. Jeannie Hutton also spoke against the project. Mayor Parker said
that he wanted to make one thing clear. He said he had never said this before but he had
not been in favor of the gym. He said he had done everything in his power to stop it and
he felt it was not a good project. He said it is true that we voted on a referendum for a
gym and pool. That was voted down because we would have had to sign general
obligation bonds and our taxes would have gone up 1.5 mils. Parker said he could blame
anyone for not voting for that. He said that is not the case now. Sessions asked where is
the money coming from. Youmans said that we have had money coming for the gym but
did not have money coming in for a pool. Thomson said we have $750,000 to $800,000
in the gym fund. The money for drainage has been spent and we have about $500,000
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left for other capital. Thomson said he feels there is a difference of opinion on what that
money can be spent on.
Mary ann Bramble said she felt is was ludicrous to stop a project that was already started.
She said if we are gone to change it, she thinks we should change it to a pool. Parker said
that we are not talking about a pool but the gym. Dave Postle said he and his wife moved
to Tybee 14 months ago from Springfield, Ill. He said that town, in order to revitalize the
downtown, had built a conference center. Postle said in 15 years, that conference center
had never had a year in the black. Then, they built a $30 million hotel which was
supposed to take care of what the conference center didn't, and that hotel has been in
receivership for 10 years. Postle said he agreed with O'Brien. Dottie Klutz spoke against
the project also. She said you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and this was the
biggest hog she had ever seen. Freda Rutherford said that in 2001, $255,000 was marked
for beach access at North Beach. She said that was never implemented, and she urged
Council to keep in mind what was voted on. Jerry Dulohery said he agreed with Parker.
Dulohery said if the referendum had been just for the gym with no tax increase, he would
have voted for it. But, he voted against the pool and the tax increase. Kathryn Williams
said one of the planning firms' representatives tonight said that they would bring people
in first to make feasibility and marketing studies. She asked if we could add to our
Charter, and make it required that feasibilty and marketing studies are done before
Council can approve a project of this magnature. Also, she said have public hearings and
meetings so that the citizens have a chance to voice their opinions. Parker said that was
an excellent idea and he would ask our City Attorney to review. Williams added that
maybe we could put a dollar amount on it as to when this would be in effect. Susan
Keleher said she was not in favor of any of this. She asked if there was any way we
donate the materials that we don't need to St. Michaels or the Y or anywhere, and retrofit
this site to house City Hall and Police Department all in one. We could then take the land
where the Police Dept. is now, and turn it into parking for North Beach which we
desperately need. Parker said that was a good idea, but we would have to have the
engineers to look at it and see if it would work. J.R. Roseberry asked Thomson what the
revenue was from the antenna leases. Thomson said around $125,000 to $130,000 per
year. Roseberry said that should pay for the upkeep of the gym, at least it would pay for
the air conditioning. He said we have been talking about this as long as he could
remember and have been through 3 city managers. He said he had surveyed the Island
some years ago and found that 75% were in favor of a gym, 60% were in favor of a pool
and close to 100% of business owners were in favor of a multi- purpose facility. One
other gentleman spoke out against the gym.
Sessions asked Thomson if we have anything in writing from the companies that rent
space on the water tower. Thomson said we have no guarantee that it would last any
longer than they would want it to. Spec Hosti spoke out in favor of the gym. He said our
kids need a place to have their functions even if we do have to go up on taxes. Pearce
said if he were on Council when this was voted for, he would have voted against it. He
said he would like more information on the funds, some alternative plans and their cost,
some projection on potential income from the facility and we should bring in some
independent engineers and architects to review the plans. He said that he is not prepared
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to vote on this tonight, and he would like a lot more information. Pearce added that we
should have another meeting as soon as we can.
Mayor Parker opened the meeting for business legally presented.
Sessions motioned to stop work on the gym and realize that the money we spent thus far
would come from the rental of the cell tower and if there is money left over from
SPLOST, use it to benefit the Island in other ways, such as parking, community center
and other non - profit entities. Parker asked what her main motion was. Sessions said to
stop work on the gym - to chuck the project now. As there was no second, the motion
failed. Buelterman said that he had voted against the gym before and felt he was in an
uncomfortable position. He said he was led to believe that there would be enough money
with the old SPLOST and the revenue from the cell towers. he said he was not
comfortable in this figure of $492,000, and added that he had seen so many different
figures. Buelterman said he was not comfortable in making a decision based on the
information that he had now. Wolff said that we were elected to represent the majority of
the people. He said regardless of the wording, the citizens did vote down the gym. At
the last meeting, Wolff said, the Council approved a survey. He said he would like to get
them out to registered voters as soon as posible to see what the majority thought. Mayor
Parker asked Mr. Hughes to comment. Hughes said that he understood what Wolff was
trying to do, but you can't take straw polls to make decisions that you were elected to do.
He said referendums are a different matter. Hughes said that Wolff commented to make
this survey madatory and that is a little more than you are able to do. Parker said that was
what this meeting was about, to get input from everyone. Pearce asked Hughes if they
could ask for opinions and Hughes said yes, as long as you want to, but you can't have an
unadvertised election. Youmans said he wanted the replies to be notorized. Youmans
said in the past people had turned in more than one survey and results were not accurate.
Mayor Parker said we were elected and were supposed to make the dicisions right here.
Sessions said that we have the time to gather the information needed to make a decision.
She said it was clear that this was voted down, it was clear that we don't have a feasibility
study, it was clear we don't have the money, and it was clear we don't know how much
this is going to cost, and that is why she made the motion she did. Crone said we are
losing money every day, and motioned that we continue with the gym with the plans as
they have been presented, Youmans seconded. Buelterman said he still had concerns
about how we were going to pay for the gym. Parker asked Thomson if he would explain
the finances. Thomson said that because of his not being an accountant or a CPA, he
didn't think he could explain to everyone's satisfaction. Thomson said that the figures
that Chriss Lightle gave earlier were correct. The balance on that old SPLOST is correct
at somewhere around $500,000 in the non - drainage amount. Thomson said that he would
have to get some legal opinion as to whether the non - drainage funds could be spent on
the gym. Youmans said there was no dollar amount put on any one item. Sessions said
$3,000,000 was put on drainage and the gym was added at the bottam because Tybee
refused to sign. Youmans said that was right. Buelterman said he thought we were going
to here from an expert regarding changing to a small conference center and what we
could expect from that. Thomson said that Mr. Tony Shoppe from the Trade Center was
unable to be here tonight, but said he could meet next week. Thomson said that the
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architects and engineers could get the information in a couple of weeks as to cost of
adding break -out rooms and other things needed for a small convention center. Parker
said that was not part of the motion. Parker had the Clerk to read the motion, "To
continue with the gym as proposed ". Vote was 2, Youmans and Crone, for approval, and
4, Pearce, Buelterman, Wolff and Sessions, opposed. Buelterman asked the engineers if
they could tell him at what point could they no longer make changes to the interior of the
building, such a stage, break out rooms, and any other additions. Frank Pennington
answered that the time is very close. Penington said the structural steel is on the way and
should be here any day. He said once that is laid down, there can be no major changes.
Buelterman then asked what the cost to Tybee would be if the construction was halted for
30 to 60 days. Pennington answered $25,000 to $50,000. There was more discussion as
to cost, options, and more information needed. Buelterman motioned to have a meeting
next week and have Council meet with the contractor 1 hour before the meeting to get
information needed to make an informed decision. Buelterman continued by saying to
have meeting on Thursday, January 29,2004, Pearce seconded. Youmans said some of
the members will be in Atlanta for most of the week, so how are we going to get
information. Parker said not everyone will be gone, our engineers, Thomson and some of
the Council will be in town. Sessions asked if the public could come. Parker said it
would be an open meeting and anyone could come. Buelterman asked that the auditor be
here so that he could answer questions. Crone told Buelterman that the auditor had given
them a paper with the figures on it. Buelterman said I have one paper dated 1- 22 -04, at
5 PM that says we have $944,000 in that account; and, I have another one at 514 PM on
the same day that says we have $492,000. Buelterman said he would like to know what
happened in that 14 minutes that we lost $500,000. Parker called for a vote to have a
Special Council Meeting next Thursday at 7 PM. The vote was 4, Wolff, Sessions,
Buelterman and Pearce, in favor and 2, Youmans and Crone, opposed.
Parker said we need to appoint 4 people to replace our 4 outgoing Planning Commission
members, Dick Smith, Barry Brown, Sandy Chandler and Billy Remeta. The nominees
were Dick Smith, Barry Brown, Sandy Chandler, Linda Gladin, Donihue Waters, Susan
Hill and Brian Renner. Barry Brown, Sandy Chandler and Brian Renner were appointed
on the first ballot. There was a tie between Dick Smith and Susan Hll. On second ballot,
there was also a tie, and Mayor broke the tie by voting for Smith.
Mayor Parker called for a 5 minute break.
Mayor Parker reconvened the meeting.
Wolff explained his proposed plan for changing the terms for Mayor and Council to 4
year staggered terms. He said he would like to get this approved so that a referendum
could be placed on the ballor this year. He said that in the 2005 General Election,
whoever the 3 candidates that receive the most votes would serve 4 year terms, and
whoever received the next 3 most votes would serve a 2 year term. Thereafter, there will
be an election every 2 years for Mayor and 3 Council Members. Wolff said he would
ammend his original proposal by saying that the Mayor would not have to win by a
majority. Youmans said that to those people, that didn't like the last Council, voted them
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out. Youmans said if we had 4 year terms, they still wuld be in office. Wolff said the
reason he would like to see this changed is so hat every 2 years we don't have the entire
Council running for office. In this way maybe we could get some continuity. Jim Klutz
spoke and said he was against the proposal. He said if we get more public input for this
and it is determined that people want this, then put it on the ballot. Klutz said he had
never heard any public outcry for this. Dottie Klutz said that she agreed with Youmans
on this so everyone bett stand back. She said 2 years is plenty of time and if you like
them, relect them for another 2 years. Pat Locklear said in December of 1989, we had to
make a choice and chose to stay at 2 year terms. He said we saw that Tybee was
changing and it still is, and he thought we should stay at 2 years. Buelterman asked if
this was one of the questions on the proposed survey. Wolff said no. Buelterman said
there is a cost involed to have this placed on the ballot. He said he agreed with Klutz,
that there hasn't been a big public outcry for this. Buelterman said he doesn't have a
problem with putting this question on the survey, but he said he didn't see any hurry. The
City Manager and the staff supply the contintuity. Youmans said that in the last 2
elections, at least 2 of the candidates return to office. Pearce said we would still have
elections every 2 years. Buelterman said there is as extra cost involved. We will have
public input at the first meeting in February.
Sessions asked about the letter from Richard Kautzman. Thomson said letter was given
to Zoning & Inspection Department. Sessions said we should get back to Mr. Kautzman
in 2 weeks. She suggested that the City Manager and City Attorney see that this is taken
care of.
Pearce motioned to approve the minutes for the January 16, 2004 meeting, Crone
seconded. Sessions said she had some corrections, which were accepted. Vote for
approval with corrections was unanimous.
Mayor Parker said that Tybee Times was approved for alcohol beverage sales at the
previous meeting without Sunday sales. He said they had now complied with the kitchen
requirements for Sunday sales and wanted approval. Sessions motioned for approval,
Pearce seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Crone motioned for approval of alcohol beverage license for HuckaPoos with the
condition that they adhere to the noise ordinance, Pearce seconded. Vote was unanimous.
The following alcohol beverage licenses were voted on for approval:
JayDeep - Pearce motioned approval, Crone seconded - Unanimous
Chu's Conv. - Pearce motioned approval, Youmans seconded - Unanimous with 1,
Crone abstaining
Chu's Conv. - Pearce motioned approval, Youmans seconded - Unanimous
Loggerhead's - Pearce motioned approval, Sessions seconded - Unanimous
North Beach Grill - Pearce motioned approval, Wolff seconded - Unanimous
George's - Pearce motioned approval, Wolff seconded - Unanimous
Hunter House - Pearce motioned approval, Sessions seconded - Unanimous
Tybee Market - Pearce motioned approval, Sessions seconded - Unanimous
Grill Beachside - Pearce motioned approval, Sessions seconded - Unanimous
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Ocean Plaza - Pearce motioned approval, Sessions seconded. Question asked if
this was for inside or outside bar. This is for both. Hughes said that the State requires a
license for each but Tybee does not. Sessions said she thought we should change ours.
Parker said he thought that was a good idea and asked Hughes to review. Vote for
approvall on Ocean Plaze was unanimous. Sessions said she would like the record to
reflect that these applications were approved by the Police Department.
Sessions asked what the is the status of the Growth Control Ordinance. Hughes said he
was working on that. He said the previous ordinance had a expiration date. He also said
there were some areas of change he would like to address.
Council discussed the requests from citizens not coming before them when having been
denied by the Planning Commission. Youmans said everyone had the right to come
before Council and the Planning Commission had no authority to deny anbody anything.
Sessions said she thought the intent was to save time by not allowing frivolous requests
to automatically come to Council, unless the applicant wrote a letter requesting to so.
Pearce said he thought also that some of the requests were incomplete and that this was to
give them time to complete their applications. Parker said we would discuss this at a
later time as this item was not on the agenda.
Sessions then asked about the ordinance for the parking lot use which was requested by
the Chief of Police. Hughes to have at next meeting.
Hughes said he is working on the ordinance that refers to after the fact variances. Wolff
said he would like to include the unapproved work is to be corrected within 30 days or a
fine would be paid. Hughes said we will probably have to have some leeway for honest
mistakes.
Sessions asked if we abided by the contract with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce.
Parker said of course we do. Sessions then asked where data is that is required by the
contract. Thomson asked what data and Sessions said budget, audited financial
statements and the work programs. Thomson said he didn't know, and Youmans said he
had seen them but didn't keep them. Sessions asked Thomson if he would get them.
Hughes said there was a Memorandum of Understanding after that contract was signed
but was not sure if it pertained to these particular items.
Pearce said he had some names to submit for the newly formed Audi Committee. Those
names were Kathryn Williams, Jim Klutz, Sam Adams, Fredea Rutherford and Jennie
Orr. Parker said we would not vote tonight. City Clerk said she had one other name, Jan
Fox. who had written a letter. Youmans said we need some people on the committee
with financial experience. Parker said we would vote at a later time.
Pearce said he had a letter for Lou Off, Chairman of the Beach Task Force, asking
Council to reinstate Freda Rutherford to the committee. Pearce so moved, Wolff
seconded. Youmans said Rutherford had been removed by a previous Council. Vote was
4, Pearce, Wolf, Sessions and Buelterman, for approval, and 2, Youmans and Crone,
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opposed. Youmans said he would like for all of the members of all of the committees,
not just the Beach Task Force, to defer from putting the City's business in the news
papers. Parker said that was an excellent idea.
Buelterman asked about bids to refurbish the public restrooms and said how could we
move forward to get this done before the season starts. Thomson asked what was the
scope of the refurbishing. Buelterman said he thought the interior, toilets, fixtures,
lavatories and floors, plus the maintenance on the facilities. Youmans said there were 2
part-time employees in the building maintenancee department which made 4 emplyees in
that department and he thought they should be able to take of this. Thomson said he
would get some prices on fixtures and flooring for next Council meeting.
Buelterman said he had a recommendation from the Parking Service Director, Frankie
Conaway. Buelterman said that parking revenues was down 33% from this same time
last year. Youmans said he said when they installed those parking arms that the revenue
would go down. Buelterman motioned to increase fee for parking lots to $3.00 from
$1.00 during the period from March through October, and leave as is from November
through February. Sessions seconded and vote was unanimous.
Thomson said the City participates in a retirement plan for the City Manager which goes
into effect after 10 years. He said most city managers don't stay in one city that long. He
said there is another plan that transfers with the city manager if he moves and there is no
additional cost to the City. Buelterman motioned for approval, Pearce seconded. Vote
was unanimous.
Thomson said he had 1 bid for the upgrading the electric service at City Hall. He said he
would like to get some more bids and possibly a lower one. He had only received one
bid for $7400. Thomson said he was asking Council for the authority to get bids, not to
exceed $7,000, and approve the work. Pearce motioned for approval, Wolff seconded.
Vote was uanimous.
Hughes said the Council allowed he and Thomson to negotiate with Robbie Groover for a
land swap on 5t Avenue South of 2nd Street. Hughes said he needed a survey of all the
land so there would be no question. Hughes said he would ask Whitley Reynolds to
include the nature trail on the survey as well as the location of the proposed structures.
Hughes asked Council if the Audit Committee was to be a formal committee. Parker said
he thought it should be a formal committee like the Beach Task Force. Hughes said he
thought that he needed to write an ordinance for this committee. Crone said he would
like something in the ordinance that the people on the committee could not impact the
staff at City Hall. Thomson agreed and said the role of this committee is like a check and
balance between elected officials and City Hall. Crone agreed and said he would still like
something in writing so that the committee members would not be into the City's
business and prevent staff from doing their jobs. Parker agreed.
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Mayor Parker told Council he was giving a proclamation to the Speaker of the House,
Terry Coleman, to show our appreciation for all he has done for Tybee. He got us a fire
truck and had it approved to use $25,000 for playfround equipment that had been
earmarked for tourism research. Parker said he needed a motion of approval for this
proclamation. Pearce so moved, Sessions seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Sessions asked about a certificate for April Moore. Thomson said we would have it by
the next meeting.
Sessions asked about making the crossovers handicapped accessible. Thomson said the
8th Street and 11th Street crossovers were completed, and there would be 1 or 2 at North
Beach. Thomson also said the beach sign at 17th Street had been lowered and asked Ms.
Sessions to look at it to see if it was she wanted. He said the warning signs at North
Beach were up.
Youmans motioned to go into executive session to discuss litigation, Buelterman
seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Pearce motioned to reconvene to regular session, seconded by Buelterman. Vote was
unanimous.
Mayor Parker called order and said he had something to say. Parker said one of the
things that came out of our retreat was the need for communication. He said if anyone
wanted information and needed some research done, to do so through the City Manager
instead of going willy -nilly on their own. Parker said to remember to go through the City
Manager.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Clerk of Council
ayor Walter W. Parker
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STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF CHATHAM )
AFFIDAVIT
PERSONALLY appeared before the undersigned attesting officer, duly authorized to
administer oaths,
states the following:
(1) I was the presiding officer of a meeting of the Tybee Island City Council held on the
day of (+�.�ctt,t.� 02 -�
(2) That it is my understanding that O.C.G.A. ' 50- 14 -4(b) provides as follows:
When any meeting of an agency is closed to the public pursuant to subsection (a)
of this Code section, the chairperson or other person presiding over such meeting
shall execute and file with the official minutes of the meeting a notarized affidavit
stating under oath that the subject matter of the meeting or the closed portion
thereof was devoted to matters within the exceptions provided by law and
identifying the specific relevant exception.
(3) The subject matter of the closed meeting or closed portion of the meeting held on the
of ? , which was closed for the purpose(s) of
11,-/L.,:ges allowed by O.C.G.A., Title 50, Chapter 14, was devoted to
matters within those exceptions and as provided by law.
(4) Any unrelated matters which were mentioned or attempted to be offered for discussion
during the closed portion of the meeting were ruled out of order and not discussed.
(5) This affidavit is being executed for the purpose of complying with the mandate of
who after being duly sworn, deposes and on oath
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O.C.G.A. ' 50- 14 -4(b) that such an affidavit be executed.
Thisv day o , - 4040?
Sworn to and subscribed
bef. ; me this c c, day
'L oki
Notary Public
g:\common\emh\ 14536\a$iday.02
Mayor/Presiding 1 fficer
1
Resolution
Whereas the City of Tybee Island is desirous of additional park lands;
Whereas the property of interest is a former landfill along the north side of Hwy. 80 and
the city has been advised that it is not suitable for construction;
Whereas the property in question is in the approximate location of the former Union
Batteries that fired on Ft. Pulaski;
Whereas the Superintendent of Ft. Pulaski would like to see a park in this location to
complete the story of the siege of Ft. Pulaski;
Whereas land development pressures are quickly taking away the remaining open space
on the Island;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island
in open meeting duly assembled that the city hereby expresses its desire to acquire the
property in question with the goal of developing an historical park resource and to
preserve the natural green space in the area and be it further resolved that agents of the
city pursue all appropriate means to accomplish the goal including the pursuit of any
available grants or other sources of funds.
1 Adopted this v r2AIP day of
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Diane J. Sikes
Clerk of Council
alter W. Parker, Mayor