CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
20 OCTOBER 2020
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key Community Center. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Susan Rosenthal, Jim Wortham, and Nancy Sera.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key Community Center. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Susan Rosenthal, Jim Wortham, and Nancy Sera.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester. All commissioners wore masks and were physically distanced; no staff wore masks.
Among those in the audience were: Bridgebuilder Allan Dees, Patty Jett, Buddy Scruggs, Maureen Magee, Margo Ward, George Oakley, Doug Lindhout, Dan Smith, Eileen Senecal, Cedar Key Police Officer Roger Smith, Esta Johnson, Bob and Jeri Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle
.
At the mayor’s request, the commission meeting was administered by Vice-Mayor Sue Colson.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson reported content from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504
Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson reported content from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504
BRIDGEBUILDING ON WEEKEND REQUEST
Commissioners unanimously approved a “Request to Perform Pile Driving on Saturdays” from Steve Haney, Project Engineer for the C Street Bridge construction.
Commissioners unanimously approved a “Request to Perform Pile Driving on Saturdays” from Steve Haney, Project Engineer for the C Street Bridge construction.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NEW POLICE OFFICER INTRODUCED:
Police Chief Virgil Sandlin introduced new Cedar Key Policeman Roger Smith, previously of Citrus County.
NEW POLICE OFFICER INTRODUCED:
Police Chief Virgil Sandlin introduced new Cedar Key Policeman Roger Smith, previously of Citrus County.
EAGLES THANK CITY:
Eagle Margo Ward thanked the city for the wavier of the Community Center rental fee.
Eagle Margo Ward thanked the city for the wavier of the Community Center rental fee.
SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCE 536 AND ORDINANCE 539
ORDINANCE 536 CEMETERY BURIALS:
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 536 which specifies that each cemetery plot shall hold the remains of one casket, or one casket and one urn, or two urns.
ORDINANCE 536 CEMETERY BURIALS:
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 536 which specifies that each cemetery plot shall hold the remains of one casket, or one casket and one urn, or two urns.
ORDINANCE 539, COA DOORS:
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 539 which specifies the definition of a certificate of appropriateness as set forth in the Laws of Cedar Key, Chapter Four, Land Development Regulations, (Historical Preservation Components). The ordinance deals with fences, roofs, and windows, and now adds doors. Additional language includes: “Doors: New and replacement doors which maintain period appropriateness.”
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 539 which specifies the definition of a certificate of appropriateness as set forth in the Laws of Cedar Key, Chapter Four, Land Development Regulations, (Historical Preservation Components). The ordinance deals with fences, roofs, and windows, and now adds doors. Additional language includes: “Doors: New and replacement doors which maintain period appropriateness.”
DOZIER PROPERTY UPDATE
The legal dispute with the Dozier replat has resulted in a court ruling. Attorney Norm Fugate spoke to what the judge ruled but a copy of that ruling was not available to the Cedar Key News on the date of the meeting nor a week later. The News will continue to seek the ruling and will report the result.
The legal dispute with the Dozier replat has resulted in a court ruling. Attorney Norm Fugate spoke to what the judge ruled but a copy of that ruling was not available to the Cedar Key News on the date of the meeting nor a week later. The News will continue to seek the ruling and will report the result.
Fugate's reading from the report stated that the judge ruled in favor of Dozier’s petition and that the decision of the city commission, that denied the replat, should be quashed. The city will wait to hear from Dozier before proceeding.
According to Attorney Fugate, “the city can proceed to rehear the land use issue, accept additional evidence and either grant or deny the land use again albeit on a different ground. The city can also move it back in the process, restart the hearing, and accept new evidence and maybe accept more from city staff as far as the report that city staff gave. In other words, receive more evidence from city staff and more evidence form the applicant.”
Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester will review the original packet and depending on how Dozier intends to proceed the city may reschedule the hearings.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
Commissioners unanimously approved quarterly reports from the following department heads: Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, and Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
Commissioners unanimously approved quarterly reports from the following department heads: Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, and Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS / LEASE
Resident Doug Lindhout, who resides at 8060 A Street, the six-unit building directly across from City Park, requested permission to replace the parking pad in front of his unit and “extend the parking pad into the city right-of-way up to the edge of the A Street roadway pavement.”
Resident Doug Lindhout, who resides at 8060 A Street, the six-unit building directly across from City Park, requested permission to replace the parking pad in front of his unit and “extend the parking pad into the city right-of-way up to the edge of the A Street roadway pavement.”
After thirty minutes of discussion about current storm water drainage concerns and the issue of giving rights to public property to individuals, the mayor suggested that “we should let him do it.” Explaining that “nobody else is going to use that property, we are not going to block him off and concrete is better than asphalt.” Commissioner Colson said that she agreed with the mayor in theory, but the problem is “we have “x” amount of fences" amount of things that we have done just in this year for right-of-ways. So, this just adds to more people wanting stuff done for their right-of-ways.”
Attorney Fugate said the city could grant a license agreement to use the 120 square feet of public Right-of-Way. The city can revoke the agreement at any time. Lindhout will need to apply for building permit and follow up by obtaining a License agreement that would be approved at a later date. Commissioners unanimously approved Lindhout’s request for the use of city property.
HALLOWEEN SECOND STREET
The issue of Halloween was put on the agenda by Commissioner Jim Wortham who wanted to discuss guidance for the city staff if someone were to apply for a permit to close Second Street. He recommended to not close Second Street for Halloween trick and treats and to advertise that fact in newspapers and postings.
The issue of Halloween was put on the agenda by Commissioner Jim Wortham who wanted to discuss guidance for the city staff if someone were to apply for a permit to close Second Street. He recommended to not close Second Street for Halloween trick and treats and to advertise that fact in newspapers and postings.
They also heard from those, City Clerk Crystal Sharp and Public Works Director Petersen, who saw no problem with trick-or-treaters gathering on Second Street. Further, they heard from Fire Chief Robert Robinson, saying he intended to hand at the Fire Station because it will result in a quicker response time. Sharp floated the idea that those merchants and residents wishing to give candy leave their lights on and those who wish not to be involved shut their lights off for the evening.
The conversation rambled around the issue of city staff handing out candy, hence the city endorsing the crowding during the worst days of the pandemic. Mayor Davis ended the discussion saying city staff could do anything they wanted, anywhere they wanted, as long as kids were safe.
Police Chief Virgil Sandlin stated that he would be prepared to place barricades on Second Street when he deemed it necessary for children’s safety.
MARINA AQUA BLASTER
Public Works Director Michelle Peterson requested, and commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of an instrument to clean out the Marina culvert.
Public Works Director Michelle Peterson requested, and commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of an instrument to clean out the Marina culvert.
MARINA SIGNAGE
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson announced her plan to diminish the 53 signs in the Marina area and reduce it by 41%, thereby minimizing conflict and maximizing message clarity. Commissioners suggested that she present her plan at the next meeting.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson announced her plan to diminish the 53 signs in the Marina area and reduce it by 41%, thereby minimizing conflict and maximizing message clarity. Commissioners suggested that she present her plan at the next meeting.
STORMWATER DISCUSSION
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson and commissioners delayed the stormwater discussion until the next meeting.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson and commissioners delayed the stormwater discussion until the next meeting.
STATE ROAD 24 RESOLUTION 444
With the elimination of the fourth “Whereas” clause, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 444, which states that SR 24 is a critical emergency exit route from Cedar Key and encouraging the Florida Department of Transportation to keep it open.
With the elimination of the fourth “Whereas” clause, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 444, which states that SR 24 is a critical emergency exit route from Cedar Key and encouraging the Florida Department of Transportation to keep it open.
COMMISSIONERS CONCERNS / UPDATES
WORTHAM, FISHING PIER:
Commissioner Jim Wortham reported that the county has responded to each request made by the Cedar Key Commission and that the county thinks that the City of Cedar Key is taking possession of the pier. He further reported that the quick turnover time mentioned at the past several city commission meetings will not occur; the process will take more time.
WORTHAM, FISHING PIER:
Commissioner Jim Wortham reported that the county has responded to each request made by the Cedar Key Commission and that the county thinks that the City of Cedar Key is taking possession of the pier. He further reported that the quick turnover time mentioned at the past several city commission meetings will not occur; the process will take more time.
There was some discussion regarding the facilities provided on the pier but no details of the present conditions, repairs or required maintenance were discussed.
SERA, WASTEPRO:
Commissioner Nancy Sera reported that she was working with WastePro’s Dana Miller and with the same prices as last year. Sera further reported working with “Nathan” on the city’s website.
Commissioner Nancy Sera reported that she was working with WastePro’s Dana Miller and with the same prices as last year. Sera further reported working with “Nathan” on the city’s website.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the July 7, 2020, Emergency Commission Meeting and the September 15, 2020, Commission meeting.
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the July 7, 2020, Emergency Commission Meeting and the September 15, 2020, Commission meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.
LPA MEETING POSTPONED
The LPA meeting scheduled for commencement after the Commission meeting adjournment was postponed to a later date.
The LPA meeting scheduled for commencement after the Commission meeting adjournment was postponed to a later date.
*******
