CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
2020 January 21
Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 6 pm, at Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Royce Nelson, Susan Rosenthal, and Jim Wortham.
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, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.
Among those in the audience were: “Coach” William James Rogers, Jr., Dennis Gill, Mary and Phil Prescott, Beth Mizell, George Oakley, Andrew Gude, Steve and Diana Priessman, Allison Nelson, Paul and Laurie Schaffer, Jon Davis, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
Mayor Heath Davis introduced the new Episcopal priest Jon Davis who read a selection.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CKS HOMECOMING
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson reminded all that Cedar Key School’s Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Thursday at 4 pm and invited everyone to be part of the affair. Line-up will start at the school at 4 pm.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Mayor Davis introduced the city’s new part-time Public Works Director Michelle Petersen. Petersen has a naval background and an Australian accent. Davis explained that currently the city does not need a full-time director, hence the part-time status.
VERIZON, UNITI
Talks and movement regarding better cell phone coverage and performance continue between Verizon and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District. Verizon plans a presentation at the City Commission’s next meeting. Uniti Broadband has begun a discussion about wi-fi only, not cell service.
M-CORES RESOLUTION
Commissioner Jim Wortham urged commissioners to support a resolution expressing formal opposition to the state-proposed toll road that may well be constructed in Levy County. Governor DeSantis has signed Senate Bill 7068 into law redirecting $100 million dollars a year from the General-Purpose Fund to create Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES). Wortham reported that Marion County has full-throatedly rejected the road, making Levy County a more likely destination.
In the press and media, much rhetoric is spent on this issue, which is now in the public input, information gathering stage. On the one side is the “promise” of a quicker, easier exit route from hurricanes and jobs, among other things. On the other side are arguments, such as those expressed this evening. Vice-Mayor Colson made the case placing a concrete barrier, a road, in environmentally sensitive land and disrupting the Levy/Big Bend / Suwannee River basin’s hydrology will eliminate the county’s aquaculture, agricultural, and ecotourism viability. Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Manager Andrew Gude remarked roads bringing more people to Levy will disrupt the current cultural values that are so cherished here. If Levy is not careful, it could easily turn into the Villages: a place with no local culture, no established historical towns, few open spaces, no jobs paying decent wages, and, instead, Jiffy-like stores and gas stations.
Most of the Commission agreed in opposing the toll road. It was questioned whether there was a need for it and if the road and the accompanied incentives would be detrimental to the area. Commissioner Royce Nelson asked Wortham, “What is your solution?”
Commissioners voted four to one to support the resolution; Nelson was the negative vote.
Discussion evoked the idea that other Levy municipalities and the county government might well support this resolution, thereby increasing its impact.
NEW BUSINESS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mayor Davis explained that he has invited the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce to attend commission meetings in hopes that Chamber input at the inception of issues might prove helpful to both the city and the Chamber. Dennis Gill, representing the Chamber, welcomed the invitation and stated his intention of having a Chamber member at each commission meeting.
Gill thanked the city for the City Park space used to install the Christmas tree this year. Audible murmurs attested to the audience’s appreciation of the tree. One audience member remarked that he knew of someone who came from Mt. Dora to see the remarkable tree.
If the reader missed the Christmas tree: click here.
Gill also announced the upcoming Workout on the Waterfront event to occur on March 14. The event will include a 5k race, a dog parade, a kayak challenge, and the Repurpose-It Regatta. More information will be forthcoming.
GARBAGE
At the beginning of the 2019 Fiscal Year, Levy County allocated the Solid Waste cost among all Residential Property within the County. The Cedar Key commissioners’ suggestion is to return the rate of assessments of $116 to each Waste Pro user in Cedar Key by crediting their quarterly trash bill.
The city continues to negotiate possible changes in the Waste Pro contract.
GRATES
Some of the riveted steel grates on the Marina docks have rusted and been eaten away by saltwater and need to be replaced. Commissioners unanimously agreed to purchase three replacement grates for a total of $3,901.23 from U.S. Foundry and Manufacturing Corporation from Medley, Florida.
BUCKET TRUCK
Newly appointed Public Works Director Michelle Petersen addressed the need for the city purchasing a bucket truck. In the past, city personnel have borrowed a bucket truck from a local businessman Bill Campbell; that process is unlikely to continue. Needs include: tree trimming, high level banner placement, holiday flag raising, Christmas decoration installation, etc. Dollars have been allocated for this purpose.
Petersen offered four bucket truck suggestions: an $11,900 Ford, a $14,900 Ford, a $33,900 GMC, and a $43,250 Terex. Commissioner Nelson suggested she shop further and offered her a specific sales location.
Commissioners approved Petersen, in concert with Fire Chief Robert Robinson, to visit Nelson’s suggested location and the $11,900 Ford truck located in Jacksonville. Should the two agree upon a bucket truck within the allocated funds, they are authorized to purchase it.
BOBCAT / TOOL CAT
Commissioners unanimously approved Robert and Nancy Kindel purchasing from the city its surplussed Bobcat for $250 and the broom attachment for $250.
INSURANCE
Changes in employee insurance require a fresh review and, perhaps, revision. Staff will return to commissioners with more information in the near future.
ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTIONS
Though the city complies with the law, a clearer fire inspection policy is in order. Davis remarked that he understands the difficulties businesses face regarding the issue of fire inspections, yet expectations should be clearer. Fire Chief Robinson suggested that commissioners read the attorney’s memorandum at the end of the Laws of Cedar Key for further knowledge.
RIGHT OF WAY WORK HOURS
Currently the Laws of Cedar Key dictate that work on the city’s right of way must occur between 7 am and 7 pm. Vice Mayor Sue Colson cited a recent incident when ATT subcontractors, digging in the swale laying fiberoptic cable, broke a water line, were working well pat 7 pm. Colson remarked that no digging should be happening after dark as those digging cannot see well, nor can city or water board staff sent to fix the damage.
Mayor Davis suggested that, because the Dock Street Bridge replacement is underway, Colson bring her request to limit ROW work to daylight hours until a later time. Colson agreed.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
COMMUNITY CENTER
Commissioners discussed the rental of the Community Center by non-profits. City staff reported: “Based on the amount of use we have; this is the amount of money we would lose if we let all the non-profits use the community center at no charge.”
· 2017-2018 $9,000.00
· 2018-2019 $6,400.00
· 2019-2020 $3,800.00 (so far)
Commissioners unanimously voted to charge rental to non-profits.
ORDINANCE 534
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 534 on its second reading.
The ordinance amends the text of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, "Conservation and Coastal Management Goals, Objectives, and Policies." It is designed to: promote and prioritize the implementation of living shorelines; incorporate by reference the "Cedar Key Living Shoreline Master Plan" as a guidance tool for property owners implementing living shorelines; use the "Cedar Key Living Shoreline Master Plan" as city's basis for seeking a regional permit from Florida DEP; work with stakeholders to identify funding for living shoreline implementation; provide for public education and outreach; and provide property owners who implement living shorelines the ability to petition the city to reduce coastal construction setback line.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
Staff’s quarterly reports included: Attorney Fugate’s Office of the City Attorney, Chief Sandlin’s Cedar Key Police Department, and Chief Robinson’s Cedar Key Fire and Rescue.
ATTORNEY REQUEST
In response to a lawsuit filed against the city by Cedar Key property owner Dozier, City Attorney Norm Fugate requested permission to hire a Gainesville attorney Scott Walker, at $185 per hour. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
MINUTES
Minutes from the December 4, 2019, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 8 pm.
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