CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
23 APRIL 2021
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 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, April 20, 2021, 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, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Interim City Clerk Carol Walker, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
One commissioner wore a mask; another wore a mask before and after the meeting. All commissioners and staff were physically distanced. The newly hired City Clerk wore a mask; no other staff wore masks.
Among those in the audience were: Doug Lindhout, John Caddigan, Michael Bobbitt, Esta Johnson, Paula Harrington, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK:
The United States Coast Guard has designated May 22 through 28 National Safe Boating Week. Cedar Key resident and U.S. Coast Guard District 7 Division 15 Division Vice Commander John Caddigan spoke briefly about the week’s importance, citing the number of accidents and individuals injured and killed due to poor boating practices.
The United States Coast Guard has designated May 22 through 28 National Safe Boating Week. Cedar Key resident and U.S. Coast Guard District 7 Division 15 Division Vice Commander John Caddigan spoke briefly about the week’s importance, citing the number of accidents and individuals injured and killed due to poor boating practices.
Mayor Heath Davis read and signed the Safe Boating Week in Cedar Key proclamation.
Caddigan also announced the Wear Your Life Jacket to Workday effort, which will occur on Friday, May 21, 2021, and is intended to heighten jacket-wearing awareness to save lives.
MEMORIAL DAY PRESENTATION
Caddigan also announced the Memorial Day 2021 in Cedar Key event to occur at noon at Cemetery Point to celebrate veterans past and present. All are invited. Social distancing and masks are requested.
Caddigan also announced the Memorial Day 2021 in Cedar Key event to occur at noon at Cemetery Point to celebrate veterans past and present. All are invited. Social distancing and masks are requested.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved the March 16, 2021, Cedar Key Commission Meeting Minutes.
Commissioners unanimously approved the March 16, 2021, Cedar Key Commission Meeting Minutes.
REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNITY CENTER FEE WAIVER:
Commissioners unanimously approved waiving the fee for the Cedar Key School Athletic Banquet on May 13, 2021. The request was made by CKS Athletic Director Marissa DeHaven and CKS Principal Kathy Lawrence on April 6.
Commissioners unanimously approved waiving the fee for the Cedar Key School Athletic Banquet on May 13, 2021. The request was made by CKS Athletic Director Marissa DeHaven and CKS Principal Kathy Lawrence on April 6.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Cedar Key Emergency Operations Director and Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported from the Levy Disaster site at https://www.levydisaster.com/. He further reported that the last two weeks of wastewater testing, showed no COVID-19 presence. He announced that Levy Emergency Management would operate its Vaccine Mobile Van soon.
Cedar Key Emergency Operations Director and Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported from the Levy Disaster site at https://www.levydisaster.com/. He further reported that the last two weeks of wastewater testing, showed no COVID-19 presence. He announced that Levy Emergency Management would operate its Vaccine Mobile Van soon.
Vice-Mayor Colson added that she is forwarding much Chamber of Commerce data to Dr. Joseph Bisesi at UF for his wastewater research. These data include approximate umber of boat launches, hotel reservations, and more. How the data will be correlated, or if it can, will manifest itself later and will be shared with Cedar Keyans.
Colson further announced the arrival of the UF COVID Follow-Up Study team’s arrival in Cedar key on Thursday and the following Monday, April 22 and 26. Their purpose is to finger-prick those participants in the April 30 and May 1, 2020, initial COVID-19 testing ascertain if those persons have developed antibodies against COVID-19 through exposure to the virus or from being vaccinated.
HERITAGE TREE UPDATE
Vice-Mayor Colson requested approval to plant eight additional oaks and eight crepe myrtle trees. The six oaks and six myrtles will surround the intersection of Third and F Streets. The Morgan family will provide the water necessary. The two additional oaks will be planted in the Cemetery Point Park and the two crepe myrtles will be placed in front of the Cedar Key Historical Society and will be cared for by Director Anna Hodges.
Vice-Mayor Colson requested approval to plant eight additional oaks and eight crepe myrtle trees. The six oaks and six myrtles will surround the intersection of Third and F Streets. The Morgan family will provide the water necessary. The two additional oaks will be planted in the Cemetery Point Park and the two crepe myrtles will be placed in front of the Cedar Key Historical Society and will be cared for by Director Anna Hodges.
NEW DUMPSTER ON THIRD STREET
A dumpster will be placed in or near the city parking lot on Third and A Streets to capture marine debris and to be emptied once weekly. The Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, in consultation with the UF IFAS director, initiated the dumpster placement; the former will pay for its costs. Commissioners unanimously approved the placement.
A dumpster will be placed in or near the city parking lot on Third and A Streets to capture marine debris and to be emptied once weekly. The Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, in consultation with the UF IFAS director, initiated the dumpster placement; the former will pay for its costs. Commissioners unanimously approved the placement.
CRS PRESENTATION
Cedar Key Building Clerk Jenifer Sylvester updated commissioners on the Rating System, part of the National Flood Insurance Program. Annual certification requires documents be submitted by May 17. The Building Department is currently gathering those documents for recertification now.
Cedar Key Building Clerk Jenifer Sylvester updated commissioners on the Rating System, part of the National Flood Insurance Program. Annual certification requires documents be submitted by May 17. The Building Department is currently gathering those documents for recertification now.
Documents include CRS public education, establishment of an outreach committee, and proof of events advising residents about hurricanes and other such events.
Other organizations’ sponsorships have yet to be finalized and are being solidified this week. In the past, Sea Grant has supported Cedar Key’s CRS effort.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 541 PARKING
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 541 which amends the illegal parking laws in Cedar Key. The ordinance “allows a process to follow if fines not paid, county court action is taken,” noted Attorney Norm Fugate.
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 541 which amends the illegal parking laws in Cedar Key. The ordinance “allows a process to follow if fines not paid, county court action is taken,” noted Attorney Norm Fugate.
Generally, the ordinance declares some illegal parking a “nuisance or trespass.” Further: it addresses the length of time of the illegal parking and the appropriate noticing of the infraction and an affidavit of explanation; it sets a response time limit, states time limits and penalty charges for furthering the ticket to county court and / or a collection agency.
PARKING DISCUSSION
Commissioners spent nearly an hour, from 7 pm to 7:50 pm, exploring Cedar Key parking problems focusing on three different aspects: existing parking, Land Use Regulation designation for new and old properties, and Marina parking.
Commissioners spent nearly an hour, from 7 pm to 7:50 pm, exploring Cedar Key parking problems focusing on three different aspects: existing parking, Land Use Regulation designation for new and old properties, and Marina parking.
Mayor Davis gave a brief history of the difficulties, some of which include:
• churches and some businesses, condos, and rental units, have no designated parking spaces;
• commissioners have not enforced residents having to park on their own property instead of city property;
• commissioners have allowed variances to some new homes without the required parking spaces;
• Marina parking only for boats until 2 pm daily leaves spaces unused sometimes depending upon the tide and the demand;
• further complicating the issue is the fact that the five churches fall into one, two, or all three Land Use Regulation areas at one time: commercial, semi-private, and public.
• churches and some businesses, condos, and rental units, have no designated parking spaces;
• commissioners have not enforced residents having to park on their own property instead of city property;
• commissioners have allowed variances to some new homes without the required parking spaces;
• Marina parking only for boats until 2 pm daily leaves spaces unused sometimes depending upon the tide and the demand;
• further complicating the issue is the fact that the five churches fall into one, two, or all three Land Use Regulation areas at one time: commercial, semi-private, and public.
PARKING DECISIONS
Commissioners did unanimously vote to keep the existing parking laws in place.
Commissioners did unanimously vote to keep the existing parking laws in place.
Building Clerk Sylvester and Attorney Fugate were directed to review specific Land Use Regulations regarding new and old properties and clarify them for the commission at the next meeting.
Commissioner Jim Wortham proposed a Marina survey intended to gather data by asking several questions.
1. Are launchers residents of Cedar Key? Levy County?
2. If no, are they spending the night in Cedar Key? If so, with friends, nightly lodging, rental property?
3. Estimated expenditures while in Cedar Key?
1. Are launchers residents of Cedar Key? Levy County?
2. If no, are they spending the night in Cedar Key? If so, with friends, nightly lodging, rental property?
3. Estimated expenditures while in Cedar Key?
Who would distribute the survey or question launchers, etc., was not discussed other than comments made that Public Works and Cedar Key Police were already busy personnel. Wortham noted that over 7,800 launch passes were administered last calendar year in Cedar Key.
After some discussion, both pro and con, it was decided that Wortham will continue to work on the survey. Davis agreed that data are useful.
After some discussion, both pro and con, it was decided that Wortham will continue to work on the survey. Davis agreed that data are useful.
Mayor Davis closed this section of the agenda noting that the parking issue will recur at the next meeting.
MAYOR / COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING AT COMMUNITY CENTER:
After some discussion about the lack of readiness to stream the meetings, commissioners decided to orchestrate the next meeting at the Community Center. They expressed hope to have the streaming capacity in place and tested soon at which time they will reconsider holding the commission meeting at the city hall.
MAY MEETING SWEARING IN NEW COMMISSION
The May meeting will contain the swearing in of the three commissioners not opposed in this year’s election: they are Heath Davis, SE Colson, and Jim Wortham.
AQUA BLASTER UPDATE
Chief Robert Robinson updated commissioners on the Aqua Blaster status, noting that the Blaster, upon testing, works well. ‘it moves a lot of muck,” he reported. It was resolved that the company providing the Aqua Blaster will issue an invoice including hook up, electric, and other connection services; Robinson will then report to the commission.
Chief Robert Robinson updated commissioners on the Aqua Blaster status, noting that the Blaster, upon testing, works well. ‘it moves a lot of muck,” he reported. It was resolved that the company providing the Aqua Blaster will issue an invoice including hook up, electric, and other connection services; Robinson will then report to the commission.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
The Cedar Key Public Works Department recently produced two comprehensive, easy to internalize Standard Operating Procedure documents for the Marina and City Park. The documents’ intent is to assist Public Works staff manage their tasks safely, uniformly, efficiently, and effectively.
The Cedar Key Public Works Department recently produced two comprehensive, easy to internalize Standard Operating Procedure documents for the Marina and City Park. The documents’ intent is to assist Public Works staff manage their tasks safely, uniformly, efficiently, and effectively.
The SOPs are impressively thorough and user-friendly. They contain not only items to be completed and subsequently checked off, but also videos on safety, maps for clarity, and different processes for busy days versus slower days.
Additional Standard Operating Procedure documents will be written for special events and weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks.
Mayor Davis expressed his delight at the documents. “I’m so proud of it. It feels so good to get this done!” he remarked. Public Works certainly has “bragging rights.”
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
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