COMMISSIONERS MAKE DECISION ON
DOCK STREET BRIDGE
BACK TO PLAN ONE
February 20, 2015
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met at 6pm at City Hall on Tuesday,
February 17, 2015. Commissioners in attendance were: Mayor Dale Register,
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Tina Ryan, Royce Nelson and Nettie Hodges.
Staff in attendance included: City Attorney Norm Fugate,
Police Chief / Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin,
Fire Chief / Building Department Manager Robert Robinson,
City Clerk Teresa George, and Staffer Lisa Fine.
The audience consisted of some approximately forty-five individuals.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
COMMISSIONERS SELECT
DOCK STREET BRIDGE OPTION
After months of study and many appearances before the Cedar Key City Commission, presenting five alternative plans for replacing the Dock Street Bridge, the Florida Department of Transportation personnel and engineering consultants presented the City with two new alternatives on Tuesday evening.
Although the new Dock Street Bridge plans would be less disruption to the city and provide for continued traffic flow on Dock Street, the new plans would require the new bridge be built at the same height as the present bridge.
FDOT presented Alternatives Six and Seven, neither of which increased the height of the bridge. This provoked much discourse, generated much public comment, and finally were negated by commissioners.
Cedar Key City commissioners voted upon the first option, Alternative No.1, proffered by the state agency. This first option calls for: the Dock Street Bridge to be closed at each end with no temporary bridge; Dock Street will be closed to all traffic except golf carts.
This bridge selection is one of the least expensive, approximately $3,000,000, and most quickly completed options presented by FDOT over the past months. Considering the lower cost involved with this option, Commissioner Ryan requested that FDOT’s Nelson Bedenbaugh find some funds to assist city businesses manage the temporary limited access to Dock Street.
The motion was then made by Mayor Register and seconded by Ryan to approve alternative/option no.1 with the condition that $300,00 would be provided for transportation assistance to make up for the closing of Dock Street to traffic.
Bedenbaugh reminded the audience that the Levy County Commission recently approved postponing the bridge construction for a year with the understanding that the monies would still be available. Bedenbaugh explained that: monies cannot be rolled from one year to the next; no promise could be made regarding the dollars; each project had to compete for dollars at the appropriate time; this bridge project was no different and would have to compete for new dollars.
Bedenbaugh stated that the Levy County Commission would consider Cedar Key’s preferences. Register reinforced that by explaining that if Cedar Key did not make a choice, the Levy County Commission would do it for the city. Commissioner Royce Nelson was the only negative vote for selecting Alternative One.
ELECTIIONS ANNOUNCED
Mayor Register read the Notice of Election which announces:
three open Cedar Key City Commission seats, those of Hodges, Colson, and Ryan, each for two-year terms, and two open Cedar Key Water and Sewer District “groups,” each for two-year terms.
Elections will occur on May 5, 2015, with a May 26 run-off date if needed. He qualifying period is from Monday, March 16, 2015, until Friday, March 20, 2015.
AMERICAN TOWER’S JEFF PILGRIM
TO RETURN AT MARCH 3 COMMISSION MEETING
Mayor Register reported that he telephoned American Tower’s Jeff Pilgrim explained that he would be late on tonight’s agenda due to the probably extensive FDOT presentation. Pilgrim understood and will return at the March 3 meeting.
COMMISSIONERS TO
INTERVIEW ALL SIX APPLICANTS
At the suggestion of resident Jeri Treat, commissioners will contact and attempt to interview the three applicants for the Public Works Department Director and the three applicants for the Planning and Development Administrator. Mayor Register directed City Clerk Teresa George to contact the six individuals, confer with him regarding a date, and to publically notice the interviews.
CHANGED CEDAR KEY ELECTION PROCEDURE
SECOND READING
City Attorney Norm Fugate presented Ordinance 494’s second reading. The ordinance relates to election changes and, in part, eliminates parts contrary to Florida state law.
Fugate also presented Ordinance 493 for its first reading. The ordinance annexes property of Jack and Renee Payne of 121 Lane, Lot 9, Block H, Unit 1 in Cedar Key Shores.
LIBRARY ROOF AND SIDING
QUOTES STILL TO COME
Police Chief and Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin reported that he is awaiting one more quote and will present them all to the commission at its March 3 meeting.
PURCHASING POLICY TO BE
REORGANIZED BY ATTORNEY
After much discussion about the initially proposed 27-page purchasing policy by Commissioner Royce Nelson, City Attorney Norm Fugate will separate the Florida statutes from thee policy procedures, if effect making the document a brief three-pages or so with an extended addendum. Nelson reported that he had worked on it and reduced it to 21 pages.
TABLED ITEMS
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Identify and prioritize items for future budget hearings
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The status of Mittauer’s “as-built” plans for the new FWC-funded boat ramp
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Library roof and siding decision
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Cedar Key purchasing policy
Next City Commission meeting - 03 March 2015
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