CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
17 NOVEMBER 2020
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key Community Center. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Susan Rosenthal, Jim Wortham, and Nancy Sera.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key Community Center. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Susan Rosenthal, Jim Wortham, and Nancy Sera.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester. All commissioners but one wore masks and were physically distanced; no staff wore masks.
Among those in the audience were: Esta Johnson, Becky LaFountain, Eileen Senecal, Greg and Nancy Martin, Karen Bruskin, Lois Benninghoff, Michael Bobbitt, Ann Morgan, Bob and Jeri Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Mayor Heath Davis reported data from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504 Recent wastewater testing resulted in negative readings.
Mayor Heath Davis reported data from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504 Recent wastewater testing resulted in negative readings.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson reported receiving a call from the Levy County School Board offices concerned about quarantined students about in Cedar Key neighborhoods and not quarantine themselves as directed. Read the LCSB notice by clicking here: https://cedarkeynews.com/index.php/community/6047-quarantined-students
PUBLIC COMMENT
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY STORAGE SHED:
Speaking for the Friends of the Cedar Key Library, resident Karen Bruskin reported that she had been recently notified by city personnel telling her that the shed, where books are stored for the FOL Annual Book Sale for the past 18 years, would have to be moved because it did not belong to the city and could not be insured. Bruskin asked, if the shed were made compliant with FEMA standards, thus insurable, might the FOL leave the shed in place.
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY STORAGE SHED:
Speaking for the Friends of the Cedar Key Library, resident Karen Bruskin reported that she had been recently notified by city personnel telling her that the shed, where books are stored for the FOL Annual Book Sale for the past 18 years, would have to be moved because it did not belong to the city and could not be insured. Bruskin asked, if the shed were made compliant with FEMA standards, thus insurable, might the FOL leave the shed in place.
Bruskin reminded the city that the city owns the Library building. Public Works Director Michelle Petersen said that her department is in need of more space and would be able to use the area provided by the removal of the shed. Mayor Davis asked Bruskin to take some photographs of the shed, its contents, and the city would look for ways to help.
CKWC THANKS:Speaking for the Cedar Key Woman’s Club, Resident Eileen Senecal expressed the club members’ thanks and appreciation of the city’s first responders, the Cedar Key Police Department and Fire Rescue. She presented both departments with a 2021 Cedar Key Woman’s Club Calendar.
CEDAR KEY HISTORICAL PRESEERVATION BOARD VACANCY:
Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester announced a vacancy on the Cedar Key Historic Preservation Board. Interested persons may apply to the city.
Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester announced a vacancy on the Cedar Key Historic Preservation Board. Interested persons may apply to the city.
CITY STAFF LAUDED:
Commissioner Jim Wortham applauded city staff, and particularly Public Works, for the speedy and efficient management of hurricane operations. His comments were supported with applause from the audience.
Commissioner Jim Wortham applauded city staff, and particularly Public Works, for the speedy and efficient management of hurricane operations. His comments were supported with applause from the audience.
SURPLUS ITEMS
City Clerk Crystal Sharp requested that the city surplus and sell miscellaneous office furniture, two police cars, and a pick-up truck. At a date yet to be set, the city will receive sealed bids and award the items to the highest bidder. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
City Clerk Crystal Sharp requested that the city surplus and sell miscellaneous office furniture, two police cars, and a pick-up truck. At a date yet to be set, the city will receive sealed bids and award the items to the highest bidder. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
TIDEWATER TOURS
Tidewater Tours, which occupies an outer kiosk at the Marina, has city accounts that are and have been in arrears. Commissioners unanimously voted to immediately terminate Tidewater’s use of the four rental slips and to terminate the kiosk lease in fifteen days.
Tidewater Tours, which occupies an outer kiosk at the Marina, has city accounts that are and have been in arrears. Commissioners unanimously voted to immediately terminate Tidewater’s use of the four rental slips and to terminate the kiosk lease in fifteen days.
CEMETERY CLEAN-UP DAY
Police Chief Virgil Sandlin announced Cedar Key’s Annual Cemetery Clean-Up Day on December 12, 2020. He urged all to bring clippers, lawn equipment, and energy to the event and honor those buried there.
Police Chief Virgil Sandlin announced Cedar Key’s Annual Cemetery Clean-Up Day on December 12, 2020. He urged all to bring clippers, lawn equipment, and energy to the event and honor those buried there.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
City employees presented to commissioners a plan to continue the Children’s Christmas Program. The program will move to City Park and include COVID-19 accommodations. Details will be forthcoming.
City employees presented to commissioners a plan to continue the Children’s Christmas Program. The program will move to City Park and include COVID-19 accommodations. Details will be forthcoming.
CEDAR KEY FISHING PIER
Commissioner Wortham updated the commission on the status with the county’s desire to give the Cedar Key Fishing Pier to the city. He reported that the city had received the documents he and asked for and had thanked the county. He repeated his perception that the county believes that the city intends to accept the pier. He has been in search of a 2013 engineering report of the pier that he has heard about. Both Davis and Colson could remember no such engineering report and suggested that the commission make its decisions without it. Wortham provided background, a summary, and possible pros and cons for discussion.
Commissioner Wortham updated the commission on the status with the county’s desire to give the Cedar Key Fishing Pier to the city. He reported that the city had received the documents he and asked for and had thanked the county. He repeated his perception that the county believes that the city intends to accept the pier. He has been in search of a 2013 engineering report of the pier that he has heard about. Both Davis and Colson could remember no such engineering report and suggested that the commission make its decisions without it. Wortham provided background, a summary, and possible pros and cons for discussion.
Commissioner Susan Rosenthal spoke against acquiring the pier because of the poor condition the bathroom structure and plumbing. Commissioner Nancy Sera said she needed to hear “more voices” before she could vote in favor of acquiring the pier. Wortham mentioned hearing that the rebar used in the pier construction was not up to par.
Mayor Davis remarked, regarding the Interlocal Agreement, saying that the agreement does not require the city to take over the pier.
Davis suggested that Wortham compose a letter declining the acceptance of the pier for now but stating the city’s wish to work with the county in managing it. Commissioners unanimously approved.
STRATEGIC TRAINING
Commissioner Wortham presented three options for strategic training that may help commissioners and staff in being as effective and efficient as possible. After consulting with the Florida League of Cities, he offered three options. One entails a virtual two to three-hour training session for commissioners and staff at minimal cost. Another entails a half to three quarter day retreat for commissioners and department heads. Another involves a consultant.
Commissioner Wortham presented three options for strategic training that may help commissioners and staff in being as effective and efficient as possible. After consulting with the Florida League of Cities, he offered three options. One entails a virtual two to three-hour training session for commissioners and staff at minimal cost. Another entails a half to three quarter day retreat for commissioners and department heads. Another involves a consultant.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to start with the first option.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the October 20, 2020, Commission meeting.
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the October 20, 2020, Commission meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.
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