COMMISSION MEETS
September 6, 2016
Meeting Specifics
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at 6:05 pm at the Cedar Key Community Center, not City Hall, because of Hurricane Hermine. The meeting convened immediately after the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency adjourned. Present were: Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Dale Register, and Commissioners Sue Colson, Royce Nelson and Diana Topping.
Staff in attendance included: City Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson, City Clerk Nicole Gill, Crystal Sharp, and Donna Risker. City Public Works Director Bill Crandley was not in attendance.
Among those in the audience were: Pat Bonish, MoFun’s Frank Wellington and Maureen Dragonetti, Ann O’Steen, Doris Hellerman, Nicki Rucker, Andy Bair, Chris Topping, Mac and Nita Cox, John McPherson, Maurice Hendrix, Allison Nelson, Michael Hancock, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PALMETTO DRIVE CONCERN
Resident Russell Lowell’s public comment regarding Palmetto Drive was postponed at Lowell’s request.
COLSON WORKS TOWARD IMAGING CEDAR KEY
Commissioner Sue Colson reminded the commission that she continues to work with the Suwannee River Water Management District on the three-dimensional imaging of parts of Cedar Key for later historical reference and rebuilding efforts in the event of storm surges, hurricanes, and sea-level rise. Commissioners agreed that Colson should continue her efforts with the SRWMD, particularly after the Hermine episode.
COLSON SEEKS GRANT
Commissioner Sue Colson, with the assistance of City Clerk Nicole Gill, requested approval from the commission to investigate the city’s eligibility to apply for a federal grant to provide Americans with Disabilities accessibility. Commissioners approved unanimously.
HURRICANE HERMINE
- The public commented upon how responsive the city and its workers were in preparation for and managing the aftermath of Hurricane Hermine.
- Resident Mandy Offerle remarked about the consummately professional actions of Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Emergency Operations Manager and Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Bill Crandley, and the City Clerk’s office headed by Nicole Gill.
- Commissioner Royce Nelson criticized the reentry procedures at the Number Four Bridge and reported having seen “pilfering.”
- Mayor Heath Davis reported that he made some administrative changes in personnel which might be revisited at a later date if commissioners reintroduce the issue.
- Vice-Mayor Dale Register reported that the Lions Club was receiving calls about whether the Seafood Festival would occur and that the commission ought to be working on this proactively. Commissioners, voiced by Davis, responded that the city would be ready.
- Island Hotel owner Andy Bair asked how many rooms would be available for the festival now that the storm has passed; no commissioner was able to give an answer. Apparently, in normal times in Cedar Key, approximately 300 rooms are available, possibly housing three persons each, totaling a 3,000 person capacity.
- Resident Nicki Rucker remarked that many Pirates who came with skill and equipment this past weekend will return on the weekend of September 10 and 11 to do the same.
- Resident Maurice Hendrix asked if the city had any jurisdiction regarding how home owners tie down their gas tanks.
- Low Key Hide Away Motel representative Frank Wellington invited all to come to the reopening of the Tiki Bar on the property Wednesday evening when the first drink would be paid for the property owner.
- Colson reported approximately 150 volunteers on both Sunday and Monday registering at the fire house. She commented upon their coming with equipment and skill. “They came from across the bridge to help us; they came from many different places,” Colson said.
- Colson reported that Cedar Key Library Manager Molly Jubitz will set up computers and help those who need assistance asking for any kind of help.
- Resident Jeri Treat commented about the many supplies and amounts of food donated and delivered to the fire station.
- Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson reminded all that a thorough debriefing will occur soon. He encouraged all with a concern to put it in an e mail or in writing somehow and deliver it to city staff. Each concern will be considered and addressed.
MOFUN APPROVED
At the July 19, 2016, commission meeting, Maureen Dragonetti, the new owner of the Low-Key Hideaway Motel, requested permission from the city to add seven additional recreational vehicle parking places, with water, sewer, and electricity, on the property adjoining the motel. At that time, Mayor Davis requested that MoFun’s representative Frank Wellington bring back to the commission a completed, thorough survey with all the requested information on it.
City staff recommended and commissioners approved the Petition for Development 2016-09, with ten conditions including: increase in the width of the access road from eight to ten feet; that the two properties, parcels 0039600100 and 0039500000, become combined on the property rolls.
ORDINANCE 505 HAS SECOND READING
Commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of Ordinance 505 which synchronizes the content between the Chapter Three, the Comprehensive Plan, with Chapter Four, the Land Development Regulations, in the Laws of Cedar Key, regarding the management of the Marina, mangroves, and trees.
ORDINANCE 509 HAS SECOND READING
Commissioners approved the second reading of Ordinance 509 which synchronizes the content between the Chapter Three, the Comprehensive Plan, with Chapter Four, the Land Development Regulations, in the Laws of Cedar Key, regarding impervious surfaces ratios for redevelopment purposes. The ordinance will, in effect, eliminate compliance with impervious surface ratios unless the work is new development or exceeds 50% of the assessed value of the existing structure.
Commissioner Sue Colson, in an earlier meeting, expressed her concern about the potential for runoff into the Gulf and neighboring properties and the city’s responsibilities for maintaining clean water for the aquaculture industry. Resultantly, the vote to approve was 4 to 1; Colson voted nay.
ORDINANCE 510 HAS SECOND READING
Commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of Ordinance 510 which synchronizes the content between the Chapter Three, the Comprehensive Plan, with Chapter Four, the Land Development Regulations, in the Laws of Cedar Key, regarding the correction of paragraph designation from a “J” to a “G.” No substance was altered, merely a grammatical inconsistency.
ORDINANCE 511 HAS SECOND READING
Commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of Ordinance 511 which synchronizes the content between the Chapter Three, the Comprehensive Plan, with Chapter Four, the Land Development Regulations, in the Laws of Cedar Key, regarding Standards Manuals and Measuring Devices; the section relating to Electromagnetic Interference was deleted.
RESOLUTION 385 BUDGET AMENDMENT
Resolution 385 amends the budget to move dollars from the Marina account to a personnel account.
LPA AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD VACANCIES
Mayor Heath Davis reported that four vacancies are available on city boards. On the Historic Preservation Board, Ann Morgan’s and Earl Starnes’ seats will open. On the Land Planning Agency, Ron Taylor’s and Dennis Gill’s seats will open.
Davis encouraged those interested in the positions to complete an application with the city. Applications will be accepted until September 27, 2016, at noon.
MARINA BID RESELTS POSTPONED
The Marina bids for dredging and replacing floating docks were postponed.
RESOLUTION 386
Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 386 which amends he defined contribution retirement plan for the fire chief from 10% to 15% non-elective contribution.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:10 pm.
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