COMMISSION MEETS
19 March 2019
Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at 6 pm, at Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Royce Nelson, Nickie Rucker, and Susan Rosenthal.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, City Clerk Nicole Gill, Public Works Director James Custer, Assistant City Clerk Crystal Sharp, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.
Among those in the audience were: Joe Hand, John McPherson, Beth Mizell, Phil and Mary Prescott, Mark Clark, Reene and Dennis Schneck, Jim Wortham, David Boeff, Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENTJohn McPherson and Gainesville’s NexTower Chief Executive Officer David Boeff addressed the commission regarding a proposal that had not yet arrived, electronically or in hard copy, in City Hall. NexTower plans to build three communications towers in Levy County, one just off this island, on which Levy County will rent space to house its emergency communication systems.
The missing proposal invites the City of Cedar Key to utilize space on the tower. As Boeff will speak at thee Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Special Meeting on Monday, March 25, and given the absence of the proposal, Mayor Davis thanked Boeff, affirmed his attendance at the CKWSD meeting, and will schedule Boeff to return to the commission once the information is internalized.
MULTI-PURPOSE COURT RIBBON CUTTING
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson invited all to attend the Cedar Key School multi-purpose court ribbon-cutting event scheduled for Monday, March 22, from 2 until 2:30 pm.
SUNTRUST BANK RETURNS TO ORIGINAL INTEREST RATE ON CRA LOAN
Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency Chair Royce Nelson advised the commission and the public that, after years of attempting to renegotiate the initial CRA note and resultantly increase the interest rates the bank would receive and meeting stalwart refusal by commissioners Heath Davis and Sue Colson, “the SunTrust Bank has decided to return the Interest Rate on the Note…back to the documented rate of 3.95% per annum from the previous interest rate of 4.80%....”
NEW BUSINESSCedar Key City Attorney Norm Fugate delivered the second reading Ordinance 532 that eliminates the Local Planning Agency and places in its stead the Cedar Key Commission. The LPA has been formed and held in abeyance intermittently in years past as the need arises.
Vice-Mayor Colson asked how uncomplicated it would be to resurrect the LPA when it would be needed again; Mayor Davis assured her it would be a matter of eliminating the “strike-outs” presented in the ordinance before her. Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance.
LEASHES AND DOGS DISCUSSED
Commissioner Susan Rosenthal reported that she has been getting calls regarding unleashed dogs. She said, “We need to talk about it.” She suggested that Attorney Fugate investigate actions other cities have taken regarding the subject. In agreement, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin cited four incidents when unleashed dogs have caused problems.
Resident Jeri Treat asked the protocol for unleashed, unmuzzled dogs entering, sometimes threateningly, one’s property; resident Phil Prescott cited multiple incidents of a vicious dog; others spoke of cats being killed by dogs, unleased dogs being run over by golf carts, viscous dogs catapulting from moving automobiles in search of prey, and threatening dogs causing people to injure themselves. More experiences were shared.
Commissioner Royce Nelson suggested that the city register each dog, his vaccinations, their due dates, and monitor them.
Police Chief Sandlin was directed to assertively apply the law. Attorney Fugate was directed to further strengthen the language in the “Animal Control” section of the Laws of Cedar Key.
ELECTION NOTICE AND CANVASSING BOARD APPROVED
The Cedar Key City and the Water Sewer Board election notice was read. Qualifying results are available by clicking here: https://www.cedarkeynews.com/index.php/city-news/4600-cedar-key-elections-2019-results
The Canvassing Board members and meeting dates were unanimously approved. Canvassers are Levy County Judge James T. Browning, Levy County Commissioner John Meeks, and Levy County School Board Member Chris Cowart.
POLICE OFFICER REVIEW
The scheduled 90-day review of full-time Cedar Key Policeman Lucas was extended.
MINUTES PASSED
Minutes from the February 19, 2019, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
In response to the commission’s’ request, Fugate produced a preliminary list of fourteen streets/roads of which the city has questionable ownership and maintenance responsibilities. He asked commissioners for additional road he may not have listed.
COMMERCIAL TRASH SECURITY DEPOSITS
The unpaid commercial security deposits now number only one business. Assistant City Clerk Sharp, citing the name of the business, expressed confidence that payment would be coming soon.
JAMES CUSTER, PUBLIC WORKS:Public Works Director James Custer reviewed the actions taken in the past year regarding dredging beginning with the initial samples taken to the latest Department of Environmental Protection decision that spoils could be placed in Cemetery Point Park safely. Now the dredging plan must be approved by the Army Corps of Engineers.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
