November 17, 1997                                     

                                                                     MINUTES

 

The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on November 17, 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 pay these bills subject to funds.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

Councilman Jeffcoat presented a budget adjustment for the recreation department, decreasing account #9902 (capital outlay park lights) by $2500; account #9701 (capital outlay gym) by $1700; and increasing account #9660 (building repairs)  by $4200.  This adjustment is to cover the cost of redoing the gym floor.  Councilman Jeffcoat made a motion to approve this budget adjustment.  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.

 

RECREATION

Councilman Seay reported that the regular football season is over; the Rebel Bowl is underway this week; basketball signups are going on; and the restrooms in the gym are being redone.

 

 

BUILDING/ZONING

Councilman Wall reported that Planning & Zoning is looking into redoing the subdivision ordinance.

 

 Mayor Carter presented a certificate to the Honorary Councilmember for November, Ron Roberts, thanking him for his service this month.

 

Mayor Carter welcomed Councilmen-elect Jack Brewton, Robert Bryan and Sonny DeFilippis to the meeting.

 

Under OLD BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Approve variance at 1239 Estates Way

Mr. Michael Pope presented his request, which was tabled from the last meeting, wherein a public hearing was held.  Mr. Pope stated that the Council was concerned about visibility if the privacy fence was placed where the existing chain link fence is.  He showed a video of a mock fence he constructed.  After discussion, Councilman Poteet made a motion to approve this variance.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed with Councilman Wall opposing.

 

Under NEW BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Approval of sketch plan of proposed subdivision at northeast corner of S. Rogers

Street & Pine Barren Road

Mr. Terry Coleman, EMC Engineering, was present for the owner, J. Michael Jones.  Mr. Jones has submitted a sketch plan for this  proposed 99 lot subdivision.  Mr. Coleman stated that Planning & Zoning had concerns regarding the drainage, the 25' buffer and Aopen space@ not being shown on the plan.  He presented a revised sketch plan which provided for retention areas.  Mrs. Pete Clifton addressed Council with her and her husband=s concern over the drainage, including any excessive run-off that might end up on their property, the size of the lots being too small and the 25' buffer that is shown on the plan.  Mr. Coleman stated that the buffer would be given to the neighborhood association and it would be their responsibility to make sure it was not removed.  Councilman Wall stated that a drainage plan would have to be submitted at a later date for approval, as well as final approval of the subdivision plans.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to approve this sketch plan, contingent upon the 25' buffer being given to the neighborhood association.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.  Mr. Larry McKendree, resident, requested that the Council make sure that the Cliftons are in approval before approving any final plans.

 

 

2.  Award bid for fences at lift stations

Mr. Baxter presented bids for the construction of privacy fences at the Brighton Woods and Joel Street lift stations.    After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilman Poteet, to award the bid to Howard App Home Improvement, in the amount of $6250.00.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

3.  Approve alcoholic beverage license for Walter D. Hrab

Mr. Baxter presented this request for a transfer of the alcoholic beverage license at the Savannah Airport Inn (formerly the Ramada Inn).  He stated that Chief Chan has approved the application.  After discussion, Councilman Jeffcoat made a motion to approve this license.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

 

4.  First Reading on zoning text amendment

A public hearing was held prior.  Mr. Baxter presented this zoning text amendment which would allow for funeral homes to be listed under Aconditional uses@ in light commercial zoning.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to approve this zoning text amendment on First and Second Reading.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition (pursuant to Section 2.24 (b) of the Charter of the City of Pooler).

 

Mr. John Powell, resident, expressed his appreciation to the City for handling a problem he experienced with the water at his house recently.

 

Ms. Anne Smith invited everyone to the Christmas tree lighting to be held on November 29^th and the upcoming Acoffee break@ weekend.

 

Mrs. Kelly Praino of the Pooler Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Inc. addressed the Council with regards to the food/toy drive being held.

 

Mr. Baxter updated the Council on a meeting he had with Mr. Strickland of the railroad regarding Collins Street.  He stated that further negotiations would be ongoing.

 

Mr. Ron Roberts of the Chamber thanked the Council for all their help with the festival.

 

 

There being no further business to discuss, Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:00 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Councilman DeFilippis and passed without opposition.

 

                                                              PUBLIC HEARING

 

A public hearing was held prior to the regular City Council meeting on Monday, November 17, 1997.  Mayor Carter called the hearing 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.

 

The purpose of this hearing was to discuss a proposed zoning text amendment to add funeral homes under conditional uses in light commercial zoning.

 

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