Pooler

Pooler City Council met Monday night, October 2nd. Councilman Allen was absent due to his work schedule.

The meeting began with two Public Hearings, the first regarding the proposed millage rate increase and the second regarding a rezoning of 8.2 acres located 200’ west of Pooler Parkway and 1000’ east of Wildcat Dam Road from R-1A to R-4.

For the hearing on rezoning, Roger Allen spoke to Council on behalf of Ike LaRoche. Allen made three points to Council in lobbying to vote against the rezoning. First, he said the developers do not have environmental permits for the land approved yet. Second, he pointed out that Demas Road was supposed to be the entry road to the development, not a new road built over the old railroad bed. And third, he questioned the legal ownership of the property, saying that there was no sense in approving something when forthcoming legal action was going to prevent the developer from continuing the project.

Allen then went on to describe how the deeds the railroad obtained included clauses of reversion should the railroad abandon the land, with property rights reverting to the original owners or their assignees. He and Councilman Seay continued with a discussion of the area’s history and Allen finally declared that Mr. LaRoche would be filing suit the next day to contest the deed to the property.

Mr. Byck, attorney for the developer, told Council that they, and anyone else, were welcome to file legal action. He added that he’s seen the deed, and it does not contain the reversion clause that was commonly used in the early 1800’s.

City Attorney Steve Scheer made the point that Council was not in a position to make decisions regarding land ownership. They could only rule on zoning matters presented by the current owner of the land.

In the Finance Report, Council approved paying $212,035 in bills. Councilman Stanley then noted that Bill Lovett, the city’s engineer with Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, had filed for a refund on state sales tax paid by contractors for items that contractors had purchased in constructing the new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The refund has been received, in the amount of $238,234, which will go into the Water and Sewer Fund.

In the Public Safety Report, Pooler Police Chief Butch Chan said his department had handled 1266 calls since the last Council meeting. He added that they currently have one homicide under investigation, and also noted that a customer had apprehended a robber during a holdup at a local convenience store.

Fire Chief Jay Hillis said his department handled 127 calls during the month of September, bringing the year to date total to 1126. He noted that the coming week was Fire Prevention Week, with a campaign theme of “Watch What You Heat!” Hillis said they’ve had as many as 300 kids come through the station learning about fire safety. The department is having an Open House at Station 2 on October 14th.

In the Streets, Drainage, and Parks and Trees Report, Councilman Seay noted tha there had been a lot of routine maintenance done throughout the city, including a new coat of paint on the gazebo.

Councilman Wall noted routine maintenance by the Water and Sewer Department crews, and said the wastewater treatment plant was operating within parameters.

In the Recreation Report, Councilman Royal said the Homecoming Parade would be held Saturday, October 14th from 10am til noon. A Pep Rally would be held on Friday night, October 13th, and the Homecoming football games would be played on Thursday, October 19th.

In Building and Zoning, Councilwoman Benton said there had been 16 new single family permits issued, bringing the year to date total to 369.

Mayor Lamb and City Manager Dennis Baxter stepped to the front of the front of the room and presented a 20 Year Pin to Chief Chan. Mayor Lamb said Chan was “a fine leader of our Police Department. He, and our Police Department, is known far and wide as a good Police Department.”

Baxter also had good things to say, adding “Look at what he’s done, how the Department’s grown.” He went on to tell how Butch had taught him about the Literacy Program a long time ago, and how his volunteer work was something to be recognized. He also pointed out that Chief Chan “has earned his Bachelor of Science degree, his Master’s degree, and is just about to finish his Doctorate work!”

Chief Chan thanked City Council for the recognition, but turned it around by commending “good City Councils to work with, a good staff, and the good people of Pooler.”

Mayor Lamb then recognized the political candidates in the room, and asked if they wanted to step up and say something. Former Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams, a candidate for President of the Savannah Chatham County School Board, took advantage, saying “Never ask a politician if he wants to stand up and say something!” He pledged to do everything possible to raise the bar for education in Chatham County, “at every school.”

In New Business, Council unanimously approved the rezoning of the 8.2 acres that was discussed in the public hearing. Several made the point that Council does not decide land ownership issues.