September 15, 1997                                                           

 

                                                                     MINUTES

 

 

The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on September 15, 1997.  Mayor Buddy Carter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Present were Councilman Al DeFilippis, Bud Jeffcoat, Jim Poteet, Wayne Seay and Stevie Wall; City Manager, Dennis Baxter and City Attorney, Wiley Ellis.  Councilman Marvin Strickland was absent. 

 

The invocation was given by Mr. Baxter and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman DeFilippis.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion by Councilman Poteet and seconded by Councilman Wall, with no opposition.

 

 

Report from the Standing Committees:

 

FINANCE

Councilman Jeffcoat presented bills for payment, and after discussion, made a motion to pay these bills subject to funds.  Councilman DeFilippis seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Councilman Strickland was absent.

 

STREET/SANITATION

Councilman DeFilippis reported that the street and drainage department has performed routine maintenance.

 

WATER/SEWER

Councilman Poteet reported that the water and sewer department has performed routine maintenance.

 

RECREATION

Councilman Seay reported that there are 100 girls participating in cheerleading, 80 boys participating in football and 45 participants in dance.

 

BUILDING/ZONING

Councilman Wall had no report at this time.

 

 

Mayor Carter presented a certificate to the Honorary Councilmember for September, Sandy Roach, thanking her for her service this month.  Sandy thanked the Council, stating that she has enjoyed serving in this capacity.

 

 

Under OLD BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Second Reading on proposed ordinance regarding backflow prevention

Mr. Baxter stated that this ordinance was approved on First Reading at the last meeting.  Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilman Poteet, to approve this ordinance regarding backflow prevention on Second Reading.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

 

Under NEW BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Request for variance at 124 Pine Meadow Drive

A public hearing was held prior, wherein there was discussion over the change in ownership of the property as it pertains to the access.  Councilman Wall made a motion to table this item to allow the Council to further look this matter over.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

2.  Approval of lease for two (2) motorcycles for police department

Chief Chan presented this lease for two (2) new motorcycles for the police department, stating that the old lease has terminated.  After discussion, Councilman Jeffcoat made a motion, seconded by Councilman Wall, to approve this lease.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

3.  Approval of proposal from H.P. Davis Co., Inc. to clean Benton Canal                       

Mr. Baxter presented a proposal from H.P. Davis Co., Inc. to clean the Benton Canal.  He stated that  several canals were left out of the bid specs for the drainage improvement project to allow the City to determine which canals they could clean; Benton Canal being one that the contractor (HP. Davis) would need to do.  After discussion, Councilman Poteet made a motion to approve the contract with H.P. Davis Co., Inc.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

 

 

4.  Discussion concerning sidewalks

Mr. Baxter presented an estimate from Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung for sidewalks on S. Rogers Street from Hwy 80 to Quacco Road.  This estimate showed two (2) different types of sidewalks, one with a ditch and one with pipe.  He stated that the sidewalk on S. Rogers Street from Hwy 80 to the Recreation Park was to be completed within the contract the City has with Yates Paving & Grading, for an amount of $22,875.  He further stated that the sidewalk would not include the header curb that was taken out with the old sidewalk.  Councilman DeFilippis stated that this would cause a dangerous situation for the children.  Mr. Rick White, resident, questioned if the money out of the 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was voted on in June of this year was going to be used for the sidewalks.  He then stated that the City needed to consider adopting an ordinance that would require new subdivision developments to include sidewalks on a major frontage road such as Hwy 80 or Pine Barren Road.  After further discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to wait to replace the sidewalk to the Park until after the entire project can be bid out.

  

5.  Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Inc. request for allocation of hotel.motel

tax to fund advertising

Mr. Terry Tuten, Lead Negotiator for the finance Committee of the Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Inc., presented Council with the 1997 Guide to Savannah.  He stated that the Chamber is requesting to purchase a full page ad in this Guide, and, therefore is requesting funds that are set aside by the State for tourism.  The cost of the ad is $2595.00 and the cost for the proof is $100.00.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to approve the allocation of $2695.00 of hotel/motel tax funds to go to the Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Inc. to fund this advertising project.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.   Councilman Wall then stated that there is no current contract for the lights at I-95 and asked Mr. Tuten and the Chamber=s finance committee to attend a meeting to discuss this matter.    Mr. Tuten stated that this would be done.

 

Mr. Leo McDonald, resident, presented the Council with pictures of Collins Street, showing how Hwy 80 drains onto the street.  He then asked the Council to address this problem.  Mayor Carter stated that the Council is aware of this ongoing problem, adding that Collins Street is owned by the railroad.  He instructed Mr. Ellis to look into this matter.  Mr. Travis Barlow, resident, stated that it is time the City took measures to get the railroad out of owning streets in Pooler. 

 

Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at approximately 7:03 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

Mayor Carter called the meeting back to order at 7:40 p.m.  Councilman Poteet made a motion to approve the salary adjustments for City employees for 1997 and to add a maintenance person at the recreation department.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:42  p.m.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

                                                                Public Hearing

 

A public hearing was held on Monday, September 15, 1997, prior to the regular City Council Meeting.  Mayor Buddy Carter called the hearing to order at 5:45 p.m.  Present were Councilman Al DeFilippis, Bud Jeffcoat, Jim Poteet, Wayne Seay and Stevie Wall; City Manager, Dennis Baxter.

 

The purpose of this hearing was to discuss a requested 10' variance on the access easement at 124 Pine Meadow Drive.  This easement would extend from Pine Meadow Drive to the location.  Mr. Larry Lagasse of Palmer Wireless, addressed the Council, stating that his company has recently purchased this land and that the standard 25 foot easement would not be feasible due to the existing paved driveway, which is why the variance is being requested.  Councilman Wall questioned the fact that originally Palmer Wireless was leasing the land, not buying it.  He stated that granting this variance could cause problems if they ever sold the land.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 5:55 p.m.