On Tuesday, February 16, at 6PM, the Cedar Key Commission met at the Community Center. All commissioners were present. The meeting ended at approximately 7:20PM. One agenda item involving sign ordinance changes was tabled.
COASTAL COMMUNITIES GATHERING Commissioner Heath Davis volunteered to gather more specific information regarding a February 6, 2013, letter sent to Mayor Hodges from City of Saint Marks, Florida, Attorney Ronald Mowrey requesting attendance at an unspecified future meeting focusing upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency`s (FEMA) "changing elevation heights, reclassifying flood zones and increasing rates dramatically." FLOOD ORDINANCE UPDATE Attorney Norm Fugate explained the paperwork his office had placed in the commissioners` notebooks: Community Responsibilities for National Flood Insurance Program (FNIP) Participation; FNIP Suspension; the old Cedar Key Flood Hazard Prevention "ordinance" located in the Laws of Cedar Key, 6.07.00; the Florida Ordinance Review Checklist; and the new Cedar Key Flood Hazard Ordinance Number 485 which, in effect, is the state-provided template, model, which is not yet Cedar Key specific. Additionally, Fugate provided a 19-page comparison of the old and the new ordinances. With its new ordinance, the city is in compliance with FEMA requirements and these requirements are what previously-terminated and recently-rehired Temporary Building Official Walt Brown is now charged with enforcing. At Commissioner Scott Dennison`s request, Fugate will forward his list of the ordinance`s most significant points to all commissioners. Unavailable were the maps that accompany the ordinance; Fugate responded that these maps were available online. Commissioner Sue Colson suggested a public workshop to fully understand the 19-page document`s contents and to modify the ordinance to make it Cedar Key specific. THOMAS GUESTHOUSE Fugate reported that his investigation into the dilapidated Thomas Guesthouse revealed that the state is "aware" of its deteriorating condition, has a priority list of such concerns, and puts the guesthouse not high on that list. Fugate added that the city has no liability because the structure sits in navigable waters; further, the city has no jurisdiction over the area. BEVEREGE VARIANCE Much discussion centered upon the new Fishbonz property owner`s request for a variance so that he may serve alcohol while his property is located within questionable distance from a church. Review and clarification of city code: should be tabled until after this variance is granted suggested Davis; should be placed on upcoming agenda and discussed because variances involving churches and schools are a community concern suggested Dennison; was tabled by Hodges. Regarding Dennison`s suggestion that it become an agenda item, Commissioner Dale Register stated that he was "not in the mood for a two-hour discussion on this issue." STATE ROAD 24 PEDESTRIAN WAY BUDGET Police Chief Interim Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin reported having contacted CHW Project Manager Monique Heathcock regarding the discrepancy between the reported allocated funds of $275,000 versus the February 6, 2013, printout reflecting a total budget of $711,492 extending the project to 2016. Sandlin reported Heathcock`s response that the FDOT website had not been updated. At the March 5, 2013, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, CHW is scheduled to present its 30 percent plan. Dennison directed Sandlin to request that CHW have this plan at City Hall the Thursday before the CRA meeting, on February 28, 2013, for commissioner and public viewing. CEMETARY POINT PARK LANSDCAPING Cedar Key Public Works personnel, Garden Club President Roger McDaniels, University of Florida students, and Colson have studied Cemetery Point Park for future landscaping. The group divided and prioritized the park into five manageable sections, as the whole park is too large, and consequently too labor intensive, to landscape at one time. The group has identified the first section to be landscaped; the Garden Club will donate the native plants; the Nature Conservancy will donate a shade tree for this area; Public Works and volunteers will provide the labor; Colson will continue to work on the initial water needs to establish the plants. Long-term watering will not be needed as the vegetation will be entirely native and eventually able to sustain itself. Colson`s goal is to landscape the first section within a year. FIREWORKS FOR THE FORTH Fire Chief Interim Building Department Manager Robert Robinson reported that no funds are in place yet for the possible July 4, 2013, Cedar Key fireworks celebration. In the past, some $10,000 to $12,500 has been spent. Incremental reports regarding funds being collected will be made. Should an inadequate amount be raised, monies will either be returned or saved for future celebrations. Chamber of Commerce involvement was encouraged; Robinson said he would follow up immediately. ELECTION PROCLAMATION Commissioner Heath Davis, speaking for Mayor Gene Hodges, read the specifics of the upcoming Cedar Key City Commission and Water and Sewer District elections. The proclamation contents will appear on the Cedar Key News website very soon. | 