CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
21 APRIL 2020
Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 6 pm, at Cedar Key Community Center. The meeting was moved to the larger, more open Community Center from City Hall to allow for social distancing dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Royce Nelson, Susan Rosenthal, and Jim Wortham.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
City Clerk Sharp streamed the meeting on Facebook while Chief Robinson monitored distant audience responses.
Among those in the audience were: Mike Allen, Nancy Sera, Janice Fugate, Buddy Scruggs, Jim Mason, Andrew Gude, Bev Ringenberg, Mike Pfaller, Esta Johnson, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Mayor Heath Davis reported that the city had received much more email about the COVID-19 issue than for any other issue. Both sides were represented on the reopening issue, for an against. He encouraged the audience to keep open minds, as open minds would facilitate the best thinking and problem solving.
Mayor Heath Davis reported that the city had received much more email about the COVID-19 issue than for any other issue. Both sides were represented on the reopening issue, for an against. He encouraged the audience to keep open minds, as open minds would facilitate the best thinking and problem solving.
Davis offered the historical perspective to this issue, recounting how five weeks ago, closure was put in place, and the following weeks necessitated tweaking that closure. All the while, the governor continues to make changes. Levy County Commissioners have adopted a tentative plan for eventual reopening. All is in flux.
Testing was discussed.
WASTEWATER TESTING
Wastewater testing will occur, with the help of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District. This testing checks sewage for the concentration of viral RNA in wastewater samples and can help track the path of the virus beyond Cedar Key. For further reading, click here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00973-x
Wastewater testing will occur, with the help of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District. This testing checks sewage for the concentration of viral RNA in wastewater samples and can help track the path of the virus beyond Cedar Key. For further reading, click here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00973-x
SEROLOGY AND NASAL SWAB
Vice Mayor Sue Colson spoke to the Department of Health about her concern that Cedar Key has no baseline data on COVID-19. The DOH could offer no testing help.
Vice Mayor Sue Colson spoke to the Department of Health about her concern that Cedar Key has no baseline data on COVID-19. The DOH could offer no testing help.
Colson then spoke to Dr. Mike Allen. Allen, working with University of Florida researchers have agreed to test two ways in Cedar Key: serology and nasal testing. The serology test looks for antibodies. The nasal swab checks for the disease, the COVID-19. Allen sees the use of testing in Cedar Key, a closed or semi-closed site, as a good opportunity to get baseline data. Currently the University of Florida has COVID-19 research projects providing the same tests in the Villages in Sumter County and P.K. Young School in Gainesville.
All information is patient protected by HIPAA, the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. No personal information at all is shared; it remains anonymous.
Mayor Davis’ commented: “Only Cedar Key could take this [COVID-19] and turn it into an opportunity. It’s because of its citizens.”
After the testing discussion, Mayor Davis directed commissioners to consult Attorney Norm Fugate with COVID-19 questions, instead of the city clerk, because of the legal complexities and county and state mandates of the issue.
Commissioner Royce Nelson reported spending time with Police Chief Virgil Sandlin at the Number Four Bridge. Commissioner Susan Rosenthal reported her suspicions that ‘the word is going out that Cedar Key is open.”
Nelson remarked that “only two or three businesses” have been affected. Chief Robinson asked for clarification of the comment as Facebook watchers were remarking on Nelson’s comment. Nelson immediately apologized and explained that he meant “two or three types of businesses” were affected.
NEW BUSINESS
BID REVIEWS:
CEMETERY POINT BOARDWALK BID
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to replace bottom rails on both sides off the Cemetery Point boardwalk in the amount of $8,000. Commissioners unanimously approved the bid.
CEMETERY POINT BOARDWALK BID
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to replace bottom rails on both sides off the Cemetery Point boardwalk in the amount of $8,000. Commissioners unanimously approved the bid.
MARINA BOARDWALK WITH KIOSK
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to demolish and dispose of the existing boardwalk, install nine replacement pilings, rebuild the boardwalk with composite decking, install new rope handrail, and remove or reinstall the pavilion (kiosk) in the amount of $41,680. Commissioners unanimously approved the bid.
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to demolish and dispose of the existing boardwalk, install nine replacement pilings, rebuild the boardwalk with composite decking, install new rope handrail, and remove or reinstall the pavilion (kiosk) in the amount of $41,680. Commissioners unanimously approved the bid.
MARINA FINGER DOCKS
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to complete and relocate the existing dock to the handicapped dock, scrape, clean, and replace needed boards and hardware in the amount of $3,900. Commissioners unanimously approved the commission.
Shore Builders, Inc. submitted the low bid to complete and relocate the existing dock to the handicapped dock, scrape, clean, and replace needed boards and hardware in the amount of $3,900. Commissioners unanimously approved the commission.
BUDGET AMENDMENT NECESSARY
The approval of the three above bids will require a budget amendment in the amount of $16,000 which will be forwarded to the commission.
FEE WAVIERS
The city has received waiver requests for some resident and non-resident launch passes, inside Marina boat slip rentals, and outside Marina docks. Commissioners approved waivers for slip rentals and the outside dock rentals excluding their garbage, gas, and electricity utilities. Commissioners did not approve waivers for residential and nonresidential launch fees.
The city has received waiver requests for some resident and non-resident launch passes, inside Marina boat slip rentals, and outside Marina docks. Commissioners approved waivers for slip rentals and the outside dock rentals excluding their garbage, gas, and electricity utilities. Commissioners did not approve waivers for residential and nonresidential launch fees.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
City of Cedar Key Staff Quarterly Reports were submitted by the City Attorney, Police Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Building and Planning, and Public Works.
City of Cedar Key Staff Quarterly Reports were submitted by the City Attorney, Police Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Building and Planning, and Public Works.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW QUARTERLY REPORTS
ATSENA OTIE SUPPORT LETTER
Commissioners unanimously approved correspondence from the city, under Mayor Davis’s signature, to the Division of Historical Programs Director Timothy Parsons in Tallahassee supporting UF Dr. Ken Sassaman archeological work on Atsena Otie.
Commissioners unanimously approved correspondence from the city, under Mayor Davis’s signature, to the Division of Historical Programs Director Timothy Parsons in Tallahassee supporting UF Dr. Ken Sassaman archeological work on Atsena Otie.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
AT&T ROAD REPAIR
On October 26, 2019, AT&T subcontractors, working well after dark at the intersection of Third and F Street intersection burying high-speed internet cable, broke an eight-inch water main. In early December 2019, AT&T undertook repair.
On October 26, 2019, AT&T subcontractors, working well after dark at the intersection of Third and F Street intersection burying high-speed internet cable, broke an eight-inch water main. In early December 2019, AT&T undertook repair.
Though AT&T and city correspondence occurs, and AT&T has fixed the intersection twice, the damage caused by the water main break extends past the intersection along Third Street to the Gulf past G Street. Some five permits for AT&T’s service will be put on hold until AT&T finalizes its repair.
MINUTES
Minutes from the March 17, 2020, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
Minutes from the March 17, 2020, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
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