November 3, 1997                                                               

                                                                     MINUTES

 

The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on November 3, 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, Marvin Strickland and Stevie Wall; City Manager, Dennis Baxter and City Attorney, Wiley Ellis.

 

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 Strickland, with no opposition.

 

Report from the Standing Committees:

 

FINANCE

Councilman Jeffcoat presented bills for payment, and after discussion, made a motion to approve these bills subject to funds.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Strickland and passed without opposition.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Councilman Strickland had no report at this time.

 

STREETS/SANITATION

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

 

WATER/SEWER

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

 

RECREATION

Councilman Seay reported that AHomecoming@ is on Thursday and the dance is on Friday; basketball sign-ups have begun; and the recent Ahaunted house@ at the upside down house was a success, with over 900 people attending.  He thanked Mr. Fred Williams and his staff for all their help.

 

BUILDING/ZONING

Councilman Wall had no report at this time.

 

Mayor Carter presented the Honorary Councilmember for November, Mr. Ron Roberts.

 

There was no OLD BUSINESS to discuss.

 

 

Under NEW BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Request for zoning map amendment of Godley Station

A public hearing was held prior wherein no opposition was presented.  Councilman Wall made a motion, based on Planning & Zoning=s recommendation,  to approve the preliminary PUD zoning of this 1750 acre tract, which establishes the total allowable net density, total residential units and total acreage allowances for all proposed land use zones such as residential, commercial and industrial.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

2.  Request for variance at 1239 Estates Way

A public hearing was held prior, wherein several residents expressed their concern over the condition of this property.  Mr. Michael Pope has requested a 29'6" side setback variance in order to allow him to place a privacy fence where an existing cyclone fence exists.  Councilman Strickland stated that this would cause a visibility problem if a 6' privacy fence was placed there.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to table this item to allow time to check on the safety.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

 

3.  Approve revised subdivision plat for Cross Creek Subdivision, Phase 1B

Councilman Wall presented this revised plat, and after discussion, made a motion to approve, based on Planning & Zoning=s recommendation.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Strickland and passed without opposition.

 

4.  Approval of site plan for Assisted Living Care

Councilman Wall presented the site plan for Assisted Living Care, stating that all requirements have been met.  After discussion, he made a motion to approve this site plan, based on Planning & Zoning=s recommendation.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Strickland and passed without opposition.

 

5.  Approve budget adjustment for water & sewer department

Councilman Jeffcoat presented a budget adjustment for the water  department decreasing account #7800 (water capital outlay) by $4000 and increasing account #7650 (repairs and maintenance) by $500 and account #7670 (materials and supplies) by $3500; a budget adjustment for the sewer department, decreasing account #8800 (sewer capital outlay) by $5000 and increasing account #8650 (repairs and maintenance) by $500, account #8670 (materials and supplies) by $2000 and account #8677 (grinder pump repairs) by $2500.  Councilman Jeffcoat then made a motion, seconded by Councilman Poteet,  to approve these budget adjustments.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

 

6.  Approve budget adjustment for recreation department

Councilman Jeffcoat presented a budget adjustment for the recreation department, decreasing account #4901 (administration contingency) by $5900 and increasing account #9701 (building overhead capital outlay) by $5900.  This adjustment will cover the balance due needed to complete the renovation of  the restrooms in the gym.  Councilman Jeffcoat made a motion, seconded by Councilman Strickland, to approve this budget adjustment.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

Councilman DeFilippis made a motion, seconded by Councilman Poteet, to add Item #7.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

7.  Mr. Ty Cobb, resident of 203 Durden Drive, regarding culvert in his driveway

Mr. Cobb addressed Council regarding the culvert pipe in his driveway being cracked.  He requested that the City repair the pipe and his driveway.  He stated that the area of his driveway affected is dirt, not concrete.  Councilman DeFilippis stated that contractors place these culverts in the driveways at the time when houses are built, therefore, the City does not accept responsibility for the repairs.  Mr. Baxter stated that the unstable soil in our area causes culverts to move and separate at times.  Mr. Cobb stated that he knew of other driveways that were repaired by the City when similar circumstances occurred.  Mr. Jeff Thornburg, Water & Sewer Superintendent, stated that his department repaired a driveway on Holly Avenue after it was damaged during a sewer line repair.  Mr. Cobb questioned if the sewer line has caused the damages to his culvert.  Mayor Carter instructed Mr. Baxter to research this matter.

 

Councilman Wall asked Mr. Ellis to update the Council on any information he had received about Collins Street.  Mr. Baxter stated that Mr. Charlie Strickland of the railroad would be getting in touch with him in the near future to set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of deeding the street to the City, in return for an opening at the end of Skinner Avenue.

 

Mr. John Powell, resident, addressed Council with his concern over the manner in which senior citizens file for homestead exemption.  He questioned why it has to be filed every year, and not just one time, as Chatham County does theirs.  Mayor Carter instructed Mr. Ellis to look into this matter.

 

Ms. Anne Smith addressed Council regarding the upcoming Acoffee break@ weekend to be held on Thanksgiving weekend.  She stated that they would be placing a 24' Christmas tree in Joe Baker Park and would need power to it.

 

Mr. Ron Roberts, President of the Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and Chief Chan presented the recently arrested AFlying Pig@.  Mr. Roberts asked that the APig@ be granted immunity for his charge of vagrancy, if he agreed to do community service by promoting the upcoming AFlying Pig Veteran=s Day Barbecue Festival@.  Mayor Carter granted the pig immunity.

 

Councilman DeFilippis made a motion to add Item #8 under New Business.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

8.  Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce request for additional funds for Festival

Mr. Ron Roberts presented Council with an itemized statement of additional funds needed to complete the tasks for the festival.  He stated that the amount requested is $10,000, which would allow the Chamber to put some of the money back into the community, which was their intention of the festival.  Councilman Wall stated that there were still some legal matters not yet resolved with the Chamber of Commerce of West Chatham County, Inc.   After much discussion, Councilman Poteet made a motion to approve an amendment to the Chamber=s contract, allocating additional funds not exceeding $10,000 through the rest of 1997, to go towards this festival.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:10 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Strickland and passed without opposition.

 

                                                              PUBLIC HEARING

 

Two (2) public hearings were held on Monday, November 3, 1997, prior to the regular City Council meeting.  Mayor Buddy Carter called the hearings to order at 5:45 p.m.  Present were Councilman Al DeFilippis, Bud Jeffcoat, Jim Poteet, Wayne Seay, Marvin Strickland and Stevie Wall; City Manager, Dennis Baxter and City Attorney, Wiley Ellis.

 

The purpose of these hearings were to discuss:

 

1) A requested zoning map amendment of the Godley Station - The Branigar Organization has requested preliminary rezoning of approximately 1750 acres to PUD (Planned Unit Development).  Mr. Chuck Mitchell was present to answer any questions.  Ms. Rebecca Benton, adjacent property owner, stated her support of this rezoning.  Mr. Wayne Johnson of the Savannah Airport Commission, addressed Council with the Commission=s concern about the zoning allowing two (2) residential units per acre in the flight path where noise and safety factors must be considered. 

 

 

2) A requested 29'6" side setback variance at 1239 Estates Way - Mr. Michael Pope has requested this variance to  allow him to replace an existing cyclone fence with a privacy fence.  Several residents were present and expressed their concern over the condition of the property.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 5:59 p.m.