CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
24 JANUARY 2021
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, January 19, 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, January 19, 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, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester. All commissioners but one wore masks and were physically distanced; no staff wore masks.
Among those in the audience were: Doug Lindhout, John Blouse, John Thalacker, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
CURRENT STATUS
Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson reported information from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Cases are increasing. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504
Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson reported information from the Levy County Emergency Management COVID-19 Dashboard. Cases are increasing. Click here for current content: https://levyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bf5387b84d89456e9904001d00899504
Robinson reported that the ongoing weekly University of Florida-based wastewater testing now shows signs of Covid-19, after many months of no such signs.
He reported City Hall staff’s intent to review the latest CDC guidelines with Vice-Mayor Colson and implement changes as needed.
“MOVING THE CITY FORWARD” INITIATIVE
Mayor Heath Davis remarked on the commission’s six-point “City of Cedar Key Moving Forward” notice from the December commission meeting.
Mayor Heath Davis remarked on the commission’s six-point “City of Cedar Key Moving Forward” notice from the December commission meeting.
• Davis directed Emergency Operations Director Robinson to regularly receive and scrutinize the weekly wastewater treatment results.
• Vice-Mayor Colson continues to work on maximizing access to Covid-19 vaccine with the Florida Department of Health and the University of Florida for residents and for workers in local business establishments.
• The commission continues to discourage rapid Covid-19 test and recommend the PCR test performed by the Florida Department of Health. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21462-covid-19-and-pcr-testing, “A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.” Additionally, says the website, “The nose swab PCR test for COVID-19 is the most accurate and reliable test for diagnosing COVID-19.”
MASKS
Mayor Davis further remarked on the masking issue and the question of leadership. He commented on Commissioner Nancy Sera’s December report that quoted seven business owners’ mask attitudes. He further articulated that “we owe it to our citizens to talk about this issue.” Clearly noting the city’s inability to enforce such a decision, he alluded that “maybe the conversation could end in a mandate that aimed at compliance instead of enforcement.”
Mayor Davis further remarked on the masking issue and the question of leadership. He commented on Commissioner Nancy Sera’s December report that quoted seven business owners’ mask attitudes. He further articulated that “we owe it to our citizens to talk about this issue.” Clearly noting the city’s inability to enforce such a decision, he alluded that “maybe the conversation could end in a mandate that aimed at compliance instead of enforcement.”
Davis noted that talking to residents was important. Judging from the size of the audience this evening, only three citizens and two press persons, he remarked poignantly that the commission may have missed that chance.
Davis urged the commissioners, “Help us out with this.”
The only commissioner who did respond, and most energetically so, was Susan Rosenthal. She reported that she speaks regularly to many citizens and knows of no one who does not wear a mask; all to whom she speaks favor a “mandate.” “We want it [Covid-19] under control,” she said. She added, people are “scared to death with what’s going on in this town.”
Vice-Mayor Colson reported more people entering the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center are wearing masks, asking which businesses require masks, and asking about places to eat that are outside.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
KUDOS TO CITY
Resident John Thalacker complimented the city on its holiday celebration at City Park in December, complete with its sheltered-from-Covid Santa and the Chamber’s enormous Christmas tree decorated by citizens. Among those distributing refreshments to the visitors that evening, he remembered Vice-Mayor Colson ever ready to serve chili, but having a hard time reaching the bottom of the cauldron with her too-short stirring ladle.
Resident John Thalacker complimented the city on its holiday celebration at City Park in December, complete with its sheltered-from-Covid Santa and the Chamber’s enormous Christmas tree decorated by citizens. Among those distributing refreshments to the visitors that evening, he remembered Vice-Mayor Colson ever ready to serve chili, but having a hard time reaching the bottom of the cauldron with her too-short stirring ladle.
Thalacker told Colson, “Keep stirring the pot,” while he left the site, fashioned a huge stick/ladle from wood in his shop, honed it, and returned to present Colson with a most effective stirrer. Colson, indeed, did “keep stirring the pot.”
Thalacker acknowledged that though the country is presently in a tumultuous state, the city continues to earn the goodwill of the public. Businesses and governments cannot succeed without that goodwill. So, Thalacker said, “Keep on stirring he pot” and leading “not from the back but from the front.”
COMMISSIONER TRAINING
The organizer of the upcoming city staff and commissioner training, Commissioner Jim Wortham offered potential dates for all to calendar. The two-to-three-hour webinar will be scheduled for February 2, 9, 16, or perhaps March. Wortham and the city clerk will finalize the date.
The organizer of the upcoming city staff and commissioner training, Commissioner Jim Wortham offered potential dates for all to calendar. The two-to-three-hour webinar will be scheduled for February 2, 9, 16, or perhaps March. Wortham and the city clerk will finalize the date.
LEVY COUNTY
Charged with organizing a joint meeting between the Levy Board of County Commissioners and City of Cedar Key Commissioners, Commissioner Jim Wortham offered dates for an afternoon workshop in Bronson. Commissioners committed to the April 6, 2021, date.
Charged with organizing a joint meeting between the Levy Board of County Commissioners and City of Cedar Key Commissioners, Commissioner Jim Wortham offered dates for an afternoon workshop in Bronson. Commissioners committed to the April 6, 2021, date.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
UNPAID CITATIONS
At the December commission meeting, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented an abbreviated history of Cedar Key’s unpaid parking violations and suggestions for recouping some of the over $20,000 losses. Commissioners unanimously approved hiring a collection agency, Kinum, Inc. 2133 Upton Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kinum takes 40% of all collections.
At the December commission meeting, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented an abbreviated history of Cedar Key’s unpaid parking violations and suggestions for recouping some of the over $20,000 losses. Commissioners unanimously approved hiring a collection agency, Kinum, Inc. 2133 Upton Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kinum takes 40% of all collections.
ORDINANCE 540
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 540, which amends Chapter Four, Laws of Cedar Key, 6.01.01 regarding minimum lot size.
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 540, which amends Chapter Four, Laws of Cedar Key, 6.01.01 regarding minimum lot size.
TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented her Tree Planting Program emanating from planning with Mr. Joe Hand, president of the Cedar Key Garden Club, Mr. Frank Offerle, a member of the group who provided the Cedar Key Heritage Tree Inventory in 2008, 2013, and 2018, and Mr. Jim Fleming, a Cedar Key resident and owner of Tropical Traditions Wholesale Nursery.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented her Tree Planting Program emanating from planning with Mr. Joe Hand, president of the Cedar Key Garden Club, Mr. Frank Offerle, a member of the group who provided the Cedar Key Heritage Tree Inventory in 2008, 2013, and 2018, and Mr. Jim Fleming, a Cedar Key resident and owner of Tropical Traditions Wholesale Nursery.
The program will provide a more organized and aggressive tree planting system that will include native cedars and oaks. The digging of the holes for the trees will be provided by the city, but the project will be relying on volunteers for the planting of the individual trees. Commissioners unanimously approved Colson’s submission.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
The most recent Historic Preservation Board seats were filled by Bill Heckler, Ann Morgan, George Oakley, George Sresovitch, and Vanessa Edmonds. Recently Heckler and Morgan have resigned. Recent applicants include Scott Sykes, Bill Rucker, and Doug Lindhout.
The most recent Historic Preservation Board seats were filled by Bill Heckler, Ann Morgan, George Oakley, George Sresovitch, and Vanessa Edmonds. Recently Heckler and Morgan have resigned. Recent applicants include Scott Sykes, Bill Rucker, and Doug Lindhout.
The appointment was again postponed, as it was in December 2020, to the next meeting when the board, the clerk’s office, or the attorney’s office can present a complete list of Historic Board seats, occupants, and tenure within them.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
Commissioners unanimously approved quarterly reports from the following department heads: City Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, and Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
Commissioners unanimously approved quarterly reports from the following department heads: City Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, and Building Department Clerk Jennifer Sylvester.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the December 15, 2020, Commission Meeting.
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the December 15, 2020, Commission Meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
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