CEDAR KEY
COMMISSION MEETS
January 16, 2018
Meeting Specifics:
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 6:25 pm, immediately after the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency adjourned, at the newly repaired Cedar Key City Hall. Present were: Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson and Commissioners Royce Nelson, Dale Register, and Nickie Rucker.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor James Custer, City Clerk Nicole Gill, Assistant City Clerk Crystal Sharp, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.
Among those in the audience were: Caryn and Shawn Stephenson, Allison Nelson, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
THANKS TO CHIEF ROBINSON:
Resident George Oakley lauded Fire Chief Robert Robinson for his singular Christmas lighting of City Park.
MANGROVES:
George Oakley expressed his concerns about mangroves. He said, “they are all over the place” destroying views. “Someone needs to take a stand,” he encouraged the commissioners; “they’re taking over.” Mayor Heath Davis reminded Oakley that Cedar Key is an island and mangroves protect islands.
Davis referred Oakley to Vice-Mayor Sue Colson who has worked diligently with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to design a plan to care for mangroves on city properties. Colson explained that the FDEP would be in Cedar Key presenting a program, including mangroves, at the Nature Coast Biological Station February 22 at 10 am. She suggested that Oakley present his concerns directly to the FDEP staff there and then.
WHITMAN POINT REQUEST:
Whitman Point Townhouses resident Blair Baylor requested that the city allow an arborist to trim the mangroves at in the pocket park at the end of Sixth Street; Whitman Point Townhouses would absorb the price for the trimming. Mayor Davis explained that the city’s agreement with the FDEP excludes its pocket parks, thus the commission is unable to grant the request. Davis said he would look into the information that had been submitted, get some answers and have it put on the agenda.
STEPHENSON REQUEST:
Resident Caryn Stephenson requested whatever permitting would be necessary, perhaps a “nonconforming use” variance, for a building located at State Road 24 and Second Street. The building is now used commercially but is in an area designated as residential. City Attorney Fugate responded that the building is currently allowed as a non-conforming use and he sees no reason why it can’t continue to be allowed to operate as such, with no paperwork, permitting or variances needing to be issued.
WASTE PRO UPDATE
Commissioner Dale Register reported no progress on the Waste Pro negotiations. He and the company’s management will continue to work together. Register will report at progress at the next commission meeting.
QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING
Formal Quasi-Judicial Hearing 2018-01 requested a minor replat of 258 Third Street in Cedar Key. Property owners Shawn and Caryn Stephenson requested altering three small lots into two larger lots. No residents dissented with the request. The request was granted in a three to two vote; Mayor Davis and Commissioner Royce Nelson voted no, citing parking issues.
LEVY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEMORANDUM
Commissioners unanimously approved the Levy County Emergency Management Memorandum of Understanding which allows Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson to use the Everbridge Emergency Notification System for emergency notifications as the city sees fit.
DEPARTMENT HEAD QUARTERLY REPORTS
Commissioners unanimously approved the quarterly reports submitted by department heads Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Supervisor James Custer, and City Clerk Nicole Gill. No quarterly report was submitted by City Attorney Norm Fugate.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the January 2, 2018, City Commission meeting.
CITY HALL COMMISSION DESK
Mayor Davis apologized to the audience that a discussion about furniture was on the agenda. Commissioners agreed that the new desk ought remain at the present height of approximately 40 inches and the seating side should be curved. They would like it to be designed so that there were no legs or supports restricting the seating on the back side. The desk is being designed to be fourteen feet long and four feet wide at the center.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.
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