City of Cedar Key
CITY COMMISSION
January 21, 2014 - 6:00 PM
HERITAGE TREES AND BOAT RAMP FINAL PAYMENTS
TOP COMMISSION AGENDA
Commissioners Sue Colson, Tina Ryan, and Mayor Gene Hodges were present at the January 21, 2014, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting which began at 6PM at City Hall; Commissioners Scott Dennison and Dale Register were absent because of health issues. The mayor adjourned the meeting at approximately 7PM.
HERITAGE TREES
Cedar Key Garden Club President Roger McDaniels presented the Cedar Key Heritage Tree Inventory, a six-year project born from the City’s aesthetic and economic appreciation of its fortunate legacy of rich, verdant canopy. McDaniels explained the logic of protecting these trees from random trimming, cutting, and destruction because of their aesthetic and economic worth to the City. Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to McDaniels’ request to protect the inventoried trees.
Heritage Tree Inventory Background:
In 2008, University of Florida scientists, City personnel, and many volunteers began to catalogue some of Cedar Key’s “heritage, landmark, and specimen” trees, starting in the downtown area and extending as far north as Gulf Boulevard and Shellcrest Street.
Data collected by these individuals involved 162 red cedar, live oak, and bay trees and their: photograph, species, location, height, percentage of canopy, drip line, etc. In 2013, the 162 trees were revisited; only one cedar in City Park died in the interim. The trees were photographed again in 2013 and compared with the 2008 photographs. Now in Cedar Key City Hall, visitors will find the study, maps, and photographs.
BOAT RAMP FINAL PAYMENTS
The Commission unanimously approved final payments to Cabot Construction and Mittauer Engineering for the construction of the new outside marina boat ramp that is unusable in extremely low winter tides. Discussion centered on the need for these final payments to be made in order for the City to be reimbursed by FWC, the ramp’s grantor, even though there are still construction items left to be completed and corrected. Concerns about the inability to use the ramp will be discussed in future meetings and may include pursuing legal action. Attorney Norman Fugate advised Police Chief and Interim Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin to secure completed as-built drawings, showing all “value engineering” changes, signed, sealed and dated.
RESTORE ACT PROPOSALS
There were three proposals submitted by engineering firms for the Restore Act Projects: Burrell Engineering, Inc.; Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc. (CHW); and DRMP, Inc. It was decided to wait until the next meeting, when all commissioners should be present, to discuss the submittals and make a selection.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident George Oakley voiced three concerns. He stated that the $23 increase in marina boat slip fee was exorbitant and offers no quality amenities such as electricity, fresh water, or bathrooms. He suggested that the water back-flow preventer that is located by the flag pole at the corner of the city park, now surrounded by four posts, have latticework added to it. He further suggested that the City construct a “sand fence” to diminish the amount of sand that blows from the beach during storms. Commissioner Sue Colson responded saying that she would research the costs of planting the area with native vegetation to contain the beach sand.
Cedar Key Water and Sewer Board attorney John McPherson reported that the replacement of fire hydrants has begun and will continue through the month of February.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Colson reminded the audience that on Thursday, January 23, 2014, Cedar Key School will present its Homecoming Parade and Bonfire. Parade participants will line up on G Street at 3:30PM and start parading at 4PM. All community members are invited to be part of the parade, on foot, in golf carts, in any fashion they choose. The public is also invited to the Bonfire event, a part of the school’s history, which will start at 6:30PM at the school; food will be sold.
The Homecoming game against the Branford Buccaneers will occur on Friday, January 24, 2014. Visit the school website for further details: cedarkey.levyschools.org.
February will be Cedar Key’s health month and will include blood pressure screenings and tetanus shots. More specific information will be forthcoming in the Cedar Key News and on posters around town.
The next meeting will be: Tuesday, February 4, 2014
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