16 April 2019

Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, April 16, 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, Public Works Director James Custer, Assistant City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Staffer Telicia Winfield, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.  Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson and City Clerk Nicole Gill were not in attendance.

Among those in the audience were: Becky LaFountain, Renee Schneck, Allison Nelson, Joan Selby, Esta Johnson, Sheryl Belcher, Julie Gore, John Caddigan, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

United Stats Coast Guard Auxiliaryman John Caddigan, Division 15 Vice-Commander, announced National Safe Boating Week for My 18 through 24. “The National Safe Boating Week is observed to bring attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boaters so that they can have a safer, more fun experience out on the water throughout the year,” says the proclamation.

NEW BUSINESS 

GARBAGE TIPPPING FEE

On April 9, 2019, Attorney Fugate wrote correspondence to Waste Pro Division Manager Trip Lancaster informing him of solid waste collection issues.

The city and Waste Pro are negotiating a financial return to Cedar Key customers as it relates to recent changes in tipping fees.

PURVIS GRAY AUDIT

Cedar Key City auditors, Purvis Gray and Company, completed the city’s “Audit for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2018.” In its April 8 draft “Communication with Those Charged with Governance,” Purvis Gray cites its recurring issue, that of the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency’s long-term debt on its SunTrust Bank note. The CRA continues to pay off the debt as per its contract with SunTrust Bank and plans to continue to pay the debt with Tax Incremental Funding dollars until the debt is paid.

RESOLUTION 425

Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 425 which amended the budget to include Hurricane Irma and Hermine receipts. Dollars, $44,912.95 and $21,405.13 respectively, were moved to Streets Right of Way Maintenance,

City Hall Self Insurance Fund, Marina Capital Fixed Dock, and Marina Equipment Repair funds.

RESOLUTION 426

Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 426 which amends the Cedar Key Employee Handbook by adding an “on Call” section requiring employees to follow a rotation-based schedule and designating the pay if called and not called.

ANTI-DRUG SEMINARS

Supporting Mayor Heath Davis’ March anti-drug proclamation, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson announced an Anti-Drug Information Seminar Series to begin May 23, 2019, at the Cedar Key Library’s upstairs meeting room. More information will be forthcoming. Each seminar will be brief, presented by an expert, allow time for interaction, and invite opportunities to voice concerns.

NOTICE OF ELECTION, SAMPLE BALLOT, CANVASSING BOARD SCHEDULE

Cedar Key’s Notice of Election, Sample Ballot, and Canvassing Board Schedule were shared with the public and approved by commissioners. Click here for each: https://www.cedarkeynews.com/index.php/city-news/15-announcements/4527-city-and-ckwsd-notice-of-election-2019 and

https://www.cedarkeynews.com/index.php/city-news/15-announcements/4644-city

CANDIDATE FORUM ANNOUNCED

A Cedar Key News representative in the audience announced and invited all to the Tuesday, April 30 Candidate Forum to occur at 5 pm until 6:15 pm in the Cedar Key Library Upstairs Meeting Room.

DEPARTMENT HEADS’ QUARTERLY REPORTS

Commissioners accepted Department Heads’ Quarterly Reports from Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director James Custer, and City Clerk Nicole Gill. For illuminating, meaningful reading, click here and scroll to page 20: Click here to read entire meeting packet.

MINUTES APPROVED

Minutes from the March 19, 2019, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.

CITY COMMISSION MEETING TEMPORARILY ADJOURNED

AND CEDAR KEY LAND PLANNING AGENCY CONVENED

At 6 pm, Mayor Heath Davis reminded the audience that the business of the Cedar Key Land Planning Agency, now suspended, will be handled by the Cedar Key Commission acting as the Land Planning Agency.

At approximately 6:20 pm, the Cedar Key City Commission temporarily adjourned its meeting and convened the Land Planning Agency meeting.

CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

Commissioners unanimously approved Mayor Heath Davis’ suggestion that the chair and vie-chair of the LPA ought be the mayor and vice-mayor respectively.

FEATHER FLAG DISCUSSION

Discussion centered on the use of feather flags which is currently addressed in the city’s sign ordinance. The discussion included the visual clutter on Dock Street, the possible interference with foot and vehicular traffic, and more.

Commissioners approved the resulting language: one feather flag, to be placed “out of the way,” will be allowed per business in two of the city’s zones and excluding the historic district. The zones included are Dock Street and State Road 24.

CITY COMMISSION METING RECONVENED

AT APPROXIMATELY 6:45 PM

 LPA RESOLUTION 19-01 MORPHED INTO ORDINANCE 533

Commissioners, in a four-to-one vote, approved on the First Reading LPA Resolution 19-10, Ordinance 533, allowing one feather flag per business, to be placed “out of the way,” on Dock Street and State Road 24.

ONGOING BUSINESS 

CITY CLERK, NICOLE GILL

PLLANNING / BUILDING DEPARTMENT:

In its April 5, 2019, correspondence, the Cedar Key Building Department’s SAFEbuilt, its building department officer, has elected to terminate its contract with the city in 60 days, effective July 1, 2019. Mayor Davis remarked that SAFEbuilt has cancelled contracts with numerous other cities in Levy County. The situation is serious, expressed Davis.   No resolution is in sight yet.

CITY ATTORNEY, NORM FUGATE

DEEDED STREETS:

At the March Commission Meeting and in response to the commission’s’ request, Fugate produced a preliminary list of fourteen streets/roads of which the city has questionable ownership and maintenance responsibilities. He asked commissioners to cite additional roads he may not have listed.   This evening, he reported having received no responses. Again, Fugate said he would bring back to the commissioners a list of the roads in question.

Among the reasons that the road “ownership” is in question is that private contractors, such as WastePro, are not allowed by law to go on to privately owned streets.

LAWS OF CEDAR KEY:

The 2019 Laws of Cedar Key have not been updated since it was expected in January 2019 due to computer files complications, reported Attorney Fugate. The problem is not solved; the Laws document is yet not updated.

LEASH LAW OPTIONS:

As was done last month, Fugate offered leash law material from Williston, Inglis, and Chiefland to the commission. Commissioners made no changes to the current Laws of Cedar Key, Chapter Two, Article Two, Health, Safety, and Welfare, Section 207, Animal Control.  Commissioners stressed the necessity of documenting incidents with problem animals. 

PUBLIC WORKS, JAMES CUSTER

DREDGGING:

Dredging in the Marina has been officially permitted and now awaits a response from the Army Corps of Engineers, reported Director Custer.

RESTORE ACT UPDATE:

Custer reported that the Restore Act administrator Tricia Whitehurst is working to close out the smaller RESTORE projects before her office will get to Cedar Key’s request for funds. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT, VIRGIL SANDLIN

STORAGE SHEDS:

Chief Sandlin reported that code violations have been issue and more will come. The sheds being cited are those built within the flood plain, against FEMA regulations.

MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.