COMMISSION MEETS
November 1, 2016
Meeting Specifics
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at 6:00 pm at the Cedar Key Community Center, not City Hall, because of Hurricane Hermine damage. Present were: Vice-Mayor Dale Register, and Commissioners Sue Colson and Diana Topping. Mayor Heath Davis and Commissioner Royce Nelson were absent.
Staff in attendance included: City Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, City Clerk Office staff Crystal Sharp and Donna Risker. City Clerk Nicole Gill was not in attendance.
Among those in the audience were: Sue Wooley, Doug Maple, Chris Topping, Michael Hancock, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NONPROFITS CONCERN ABOUT SPACE:
Commissioner Sue Colson reported that many non-profits representatives have come to her expressing concern that they have no place to meet since the Cedar Key Library, (the library building is city owned), is not open. As these groups have been using the Library facility for many years and so many have voiced concern, Colson requested that the item be placed on the next City Commission agenda.
FEMA MEETS REGARDING CITY HALL
FEMA met with city staff Tuesday, November 1, 2016, Commissioner Sue Colson reported. She further reported that the meeting was “a wonderful performance of department heads, including Bill Crandley.” Much of information that FEMA will eventually require was completed ahead of time by staff. FEMA was surprised and pleased, said Colson.
Colson added that “it may be that the city will be fully reimbursed” for the damage to City Hall. The repairs will not be quick, said Colson; rebuilding efforts may take up to a year.
CITY STAFF PLACEMENT DURING CITY HALL REPAIR
As City Hall will not be repaired for some time, Commissioner Colson requested a discussion of an interim location for staff be placed on the next agenda. Colson reported, after speaking with staff, that currently: the Chamber Offices are too small for persons, filing cabinets, and other necessities; privacy, in person or on the telephone, are difficult.
Colson suggested that staff consider their options and return to the next meeting with some alternatives. She mentioned that FEMA provided a town nearby a double-wide trailer from which to work while its city hall was repaired. The commission “needs plans to look at and choose from,” she concluded.
The next step in the repair process, Colson added, is that the city hire an engineer to work with FEMA to produce a scope of work. The selection of an engineer, Colson suggested, should be on the next meeting’s agenda.
Commissioner Diana Topping reported that she had spoken to Levy County Coordinator Moody.
LIONS CLUB FORMAL DONATION TO THE LIBBRARY TUESDAY
The Cedar Key Lions Club will formally announce its $10,000 donation to upgrade and renew the children’s section of the Cedar Key Library on Tuesday, November 8th, at 4pm, in front of the Library.
WORK ON LIBRARY TO BEGIN
Assistant City Clerk Crystal Sharp reported that work should begin on the Library on Monday, November 7.
THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS
Commissioner Colson reported that the city has not yet thanked the over 400 volunteers who helped the City of Cedar Key and its residents after Hurricane Hermine. She urged that the thank-you notes happen soon as it has been two months since the storm.
RESOLUTION 392
Commissioners unanimously approved, 3 to 0, Resolution 392, which adopts the final levying of ad valorem taxes for 2016-2017. This resolution corrects an earlier resolution. The Fiscal Year 2016-2017 operating millage is 5.3410, which is 2.43% more than the roll-back rate of 5.2141 mills.
The resolution reflects the increase in taxes instead of the roll-back rate. The increase was decided upon two weeks before Hurricane Hermine came ashore in Cedar Key. Vice-Mayor Dale Register believes that the “slight increase turned out to be a good idea.”
RESOLUTION 393
Commissioners unanimously approved, 3 to 0, Resolution 393, which adopts the final 2016-2017 budget.
MINUTES APPROVED
Minutes from the October 4, 2016, City Commission meeting were unanimously approved.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:25 pm.
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