Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 6 pm, at Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Royce Nelson, Nickie Rucker, and Susan Rosenthal.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, City Clerk Nicole Gill, Public Works Supervisor James Custer, Assistant City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Staffer Telicia Winfield, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.
Among those in the audience were: Jim Wortham, Andrew Gude, Beth Dieveney, Mike and Mendy Allen, Beth Mizell, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CEDAR KEY SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson reminded the audience that the Cedar Key School’s Homecoming Parade will occur on Thursday, January17, at 4:40 and start at G Street. All are invited to join the parade in, or on, whatever mode of transportation they wish.
TREE ORDINANCE REVISITED
Vice-Mayor Colson reminded commissioners and the audience about the recent transaction with a Cedar Key property owner Rod H. Hasteroa based in Atlanta, Georgia, who came to town and cleared his lot of trees and, further, cleared trees from the adjacent lot, not his without informing the owner. Even after owning property and paying taxes in Cedar Key and Levy County for decades, the owner pleaded ignorance of the rules and requested the commission to half the money he owed the city in fines. To date he has not paid the bill.
Colson suggested the commissioners rethink their decision to half the bill in the future. Not only does such a decision set a bad precedent to alter previously well thought out policy, it diminishes the few dollars the city has collected to restore its diminishing canopy.
NEW BUSINESS
COMMERCIAL TRASH SECURITY DEPOSITS
Commercial businesses in Cedar Key are required to submit security deposits for their solid waste accounts: a one-month security deposit, equal to a month’s charge, is required for businesses that have been established for five years or more; two months security deposit is required for newer businesses. Cedar Key has approximately 100 business accounts. Twenty-four are currently not paid.
At the last commission meeting, commissioners directed staff to investigate the then 234 accounts and work with Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate to construct a letter to them. Fugate presented the letter which states the rationale for the charge and requests that they pay promptly.
LPA STATUS AND SUSPENSION
The Cedar Key Land Planning Agency has come into being and been suspended at different times through the history of Cedar Key. Recently, LPA member Doug Maple
Has verbalized his wish to resign. No issues are outstanding on the LPA’s agenda presently.
Mayor Davis explained that should the LPA be suspended, when issues do arise and LPA action is needed, the commission would convene as the LPA. Commissioners voted unanimously to suspend the LPA. Vice-Mayor Colson suggested that thank-you notes be written to all LPA members and recent applicants.
CITY CALENDAR
The 2018-2019 Cedar Key City Calendar was modified, updated, presented, and approved.
LIBRARY SIDING RFP ANNOUNCEMENT
As of now, only one side of the Library has had the siding replaced due to budget constraints; commissioners have budgeted one side per year in their capital outlay plan. Commissioners voted unanimously to advertise a request for proposals to have the second side completed.
ORDINANCES 527 THROUGH 531 ANNEXATIONS APPROVED
Attorney Fugate presented Ordinances 527 through 531 and their attendant “Notice of Intent to Adopt Annexation” documents. Commissioners unanimously approved the following annexations.
- 16731 SW 133 Street, Sisters of Cedar Key Vacation Rentals, LLC
- 16731 SW 133 Street, William R. and Teresa D. Bixenman
- 11590 SW 154 Street, Steven and Diana Priessman
- 16650 SW 120 Place, John Eaton and Diane Konzon
- 16571 SW 120 Place, John Eaton and Diane Konzon
MAYOR BUSINESS MEETING REVIEW
On December 19, 2018, Mayor Davis met at City Hall with some forty Cedar Key business owners. Concerns were heard; compliments were proffered; notes were taken that attempted to capture the hour-and-a-half meeting’s content. Davis presented the notes and reported that he would provide follow-up soon.
DEPARTMENT HEADS QUARTERLY REPORTS
Department Heads Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor, and City Clerk Nicole Gill presented their quarterly reports in writing. Commissioners approved them unanimously.
MINUTES APPROVED
Minutes from the December 18, 2018, commission meeting were approved.
ONGOING BUSINESS
POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF VIRGIL SANDLIN
POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL REVIEW
Police Chief Sandlin and Commissioner Sue Rosenthal reported that the policy manual is complete.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, ATTORNEY NORM FUGATE
LAWS OF CEDAR KEY
The updated document, Laws of Cedar Key 2019,will be ready very soon; final pagination and formatting issues are being completed.
DONATION OF WATERFRONT PARCELS
David Etherington’s two property parcels, under commission consideration at last month’s meeting, have been donated to Hospice.
FLOODPLAIN MAP
Attorney Fugate presented his response to FEMA’s Floodplain Management Division which requested comments/input from the city on its draft “Proposed Floodplain Management Requirements for Agricultural Structures and Accessory Structures.” Fugate cited as concerns: “… the impact of the policy on local ordinance procedures”; the need for time to reengage the University of Florida College of Law’s Conservation Clinic and review the impact on local ordinance procedures; and the policy’s lack of recognition of the Functionally Dependent Use of aquaculture operations.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SUPERVISOR JAMES CUSTER
DREDGING UPDATE
Custer reported that he is still working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
DOWNTOWN PARKING PLAN UPDATE
Custer reported that the Levy Department of Transportation will mark the crosswalks at Second Street and State Road 24. The areas to mark fire hydrants will be painted yellow and their extension into the driving lanes will be minimized. The Third Street parking lot across from the Market is being cleaned up, graded, and gravel will be added to create a pervious surface so that it will drain properly. Signs will be added along Second Street that include words to the effect, “passenger vehicles only,” thereby eliminating trailer parking there.
DOCK STREET STOP SIGN
The striping and lettering at the east end of Dock Street will be blackened-out and the traffic will not be required to stop before entering the marina parking area.
WHIDDON AND GULF INTERSECTION
Discussion centered on whether the intersection at Whiddon and Gulf should be a four-way stop or remain as is. After minimal discussion, commissioners voted to leave the signs as they are, a two-way stop: leaving Gulf a through street and Whiddon a stop street.
FIRE CHIEF, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR ROBERT ROBINSON
LIBRARY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
Robinson reported that the interlocal agreement with the county regarding the second story of the Schlemmer House/Library has been signed.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
