The Savannah City Council tackled a number of issues March 12, from show cause hearings to development projects.

Aldermen were obviously weary and frustrated by the length of the marathon meeting, but they shouldn’t have been surprised. At the council’s Feb. 26 meeting, which was remarkably brief, Mayor Otis Johnson warned them that they would be facing a lengthy agenda. "We can just suck it up and do what needs to be done on March 12," he said.

But guess who wasn’t at the meeting to share the pain? Yes, the mayor, who was in Atlanta to meet with Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The council dealt harshly with Wild Wing Cafe, whose owners and management had been called before the council for a show cause hearing. When establishments that sell alcohol are repeatedly cited for liquor code violations, the liquor license holder often is called before the council for a show cause hearing.

The license holder must demonstrate to the council what steps have been taken to address those violations or face fines or even loss of the license. Run something like a trial, show cause hearings can be lengthy, and the council conducted two of them at the meeting.

Wild Wing has been cited for serving underage patrons, overcrowding and problems with trash disposal. The city first cited Wild Wings in October 2007 for serving minors.

The state then cited Wild Wings for the same offense, fined the establishment and put it under 12 months probation. But Wild Wings was again cited by the city for a second time for serving minors after the state hearing.

Under questioning by City Attorney James Blackburn, owner Cecil Crowley said he regretted the infractions and said he is doing everything he can to make sure they don’t happen again. Employees involved in the infractions were immediately terminated, a security plan has been put into place and employees have undergone rigorous training, he said.

Crowley told the council he was embarrassed by and sorry for the infractions. "I’m a 57-year-old granddad of three," he said. "We found an interesting building that was in a state of disrepair and created a restaurant. I’m extremely sorry. This is horrible."

In all, Crowley owns 12 Wild Wing cafes, including the one in Savannah. "We employ 150 people there," he said. "Every time something like this happens, it puts everyone’s job in jeopardy."

But council members weren’t impressed. Alderman Van Johnson noted that Crowley had already ordered food and drink for St. Patrick’s Day, even as he faced a hearing.

"You knew you faced revocation," Johnson said. "Did you make these preparations because you were so sure (the hearing would go your way)?"

Alderman Tony Thomas said he frequently goes to Wild Wing, and said he was surprised to learn that the infractions happened on the lower floor. "I’ve often wondered what would happen if you had an incident upstairs because it’s been so crowded you couldn’t move," he said.

The council issued a 10-day suspension on Wild Wing, but agreed delay it until after St. Patrick’s Day so employees could earn the extra tips and wages they will get. Crowley estimated closing Wild Wing on St. Patrick’s Day would mean a lot of about $300,000, while the closing in April will mean a loss of about $100,000.

However, the council was divided, voting 4-3, because some aldermen wanted the suspension to begin immediately.

In the second show cause hearing, the council found no reason to act against The Tiger’s Den, a Skidaway Road establishment. Both city officials and city police had recommended action because of drug sales made inside and outside the club.

However, the council refused to act, saying owner Susan D. Lingenfelser and her employees didn’t know about the drug sales. However, Lingenfelser is still required to bring an operating plan to the council within the next two weeks to show how she plans to beef up security in the club. She was also told to provide employee training and investigate use of off-duty officers in her establishment.

The council approved a liquor, beer and wine package liquor license for Rosalind S. Brown, who plans to open a package liquor store at 1825 Montgomery St. Even though Brown had met all requirements to obtain the license, a beauty shop operator who works in the area asked the council to deny the license, saying that a package store would be a detriment to the neighborhood.

Brown told the council the shop will be operated as a family business. She said she will be using off-duty Chatham County sheriff’s deputies to provide security at the store.

City Manager Michael Brown said at this point, there is no reason to deny Brown the license. The council approved the request, with only Alderwoman Mary Ellen Sprague voting against it.

The approval of a $1 million bid from BRW Construction for curbs, gutters, sidewalks and water distribution in the Edgemere/Sackville area led to a discussion of problems residents of the area are experiencing.

Resident Teresa Vicelli told the council she called police to report that an officer was being attacked. "I went to my father’s house to call," Vicelli said. "The next day, there was a bullet hole in his plate-glass window."

Vicelli has been conducting a letter-writing campaign to seek help for her neighborhood, but said she has seen no results. Crime and blight are major problems in Edgemere/Sackville, she said.

Vicelli said she does "drive-throughs" in the area to take down addresses of offenders. "Most are repeat offenders," she said.

One of Vicelli’s neighbors also lodged complaints. "How many people have bullet holes in their houses?" Gerald Cyr asked angrily, saying he has one, while Vicelli said she had two.

Cyr recommended that instead of spending money on infrastructure, the council install lighting and security cameras. "We’ve got 15-20 people living in one house," he said. "There aren’t enough people at the police department (to handle the situation)."

The area in question includes 52nd, 53rd, 54th and 55th between Waters and Ash streets. Residents park several cars in their front yards, Vicelli said.

She said she has found drug paraphernalia lying on the streets, "I don’t see these problems in Ardsley Park, which is a few blocks from my home," she said.

Mayor Pro Tem Edna Jackson told Vicelli she knew what she was going through. "I’m right around the corner," she said. "There have been questions raised over the years."

But the only thing on the agenda was the bid approval, not a discussion of the area’s other problems. Jackson said residents should arrange a meeting with council members.

Some council members expressed outrage that Edgemere/Sackville’s problems haven’t been addressed. "I don’t believe you have to have a meeting to get police protection," Alderman Jeff Felser said.

Thomas said that much of the problem is that many residents in the area are renters who have landlords who live elsewhere. "They’re not living around this stuff, but they’re getting a check every month," he said. "People living on Wilmington Island who are doing this should be held accountable."

Brown said the landlords aren’t doing what they should, and he intends to meet with them personally. The city now has a derelict rental ordinance that can be used to enforce city’s ordinances, he said.

Brown was directed to investigate the matter further and report back to the council within 30 days. Vicelli was asked to speak with residents and set up a meeting.Savannah Gardens Development

The transition of Strathmore Estates into Savannah Gardens took a step towards reality at the meeting. The council unanimously approved the project’s master plan and rezoned the site as a Planned Unit Development.

Assistant City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney said the plan calls for 580 housing units, including 390 multi-family units, 130 single units and 60 units designed for elderly residents. The project will be built in three phases, with the first beginning in July and ending in December, 2010.

The development is being built by CHSA Development, Inc. and will be developed by Mercy Housing Southeast, using low-income tax credits. Total cost of the project is estimated at $86,940,000, with the city agreeing to provide $8.4 million for infrastructure.

Alderwoman Mary Osborne praised the project’s creative design, saying the final development will be "fabulous."

A request from Bishop Theodore Jackson of the Victory Drive Deliverance Temple, Inc. for an amendment that would allow the church to operate an electronic scrolling sign was denied – again. Jackson has appeared before the council in the past, trying to find a way to have the sign approved, although it violates city ordinances.

Attorney Travis Windsor, who represents the church, said the sign wouldn’t be illegal if it wasn’t electronic and that church members didn’t intend to use the sign 24 hours a day. He asked the council to delay its decision to give him time to seek a compromise.

"The good bishop seems intent on having an electronic sign," Osborne replied. "It’s not allowed. I’m not in favor of delaying this any longer."

Thomas pointed out that no one from the church obtained a permit for the sign, even though one was required. The council followed the recommendation of the Metropolitan Planning Commission in denying the request one more time, although members said they’re sure Jackson will be back.Ellis Square Development

The low bid of $2,303,000 from Dabbs-Williams for construction of a hospitality center, restrooms, walls, walks and curbs at Ellis Square was accepted. Brown said a sidewalk has already been constructed around the perimeter of the square, and planting of live oak trees will begin soon.

"I think this is going to be one of the most exciting additions to Savannah ever," Brown said. "It’s going to be a model of urban park conversions for the whole country."