An agreement between Levy County and the City of Cedar Key on ownership and maintenance of many Cedar Key streets moved forward when the City Commission approved the deal November 14. The six item agreement was drafted by Levy County Commissioner Lily Rooks and City Commissioner Vanessa Edmunds. Most of the document is very specific regarding transfer of approximately 2.5 miles of streets from the County to the City. Responsibility for bridges and airport problems remain with the County. However, the agreement indicates City interest in becoming owners of the airport and Dock Street once bridge reconstruction is completed. Furthermore, the City will take the fishing pier on Dock Street after rebuilding is completed. (That may be done years after the pier closure in 2004.) Also, the City will administer development review and building permitting responsibility for all unincorporated areas seaward of the Number 4 Bridge. That provision is intended to bring uniformity to development on the island. Finally, Levy County will support the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency bond validation. That will clear the way for issuance of $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 in bonds recommended by City Attorney David Coffey. The bonds will be paid off using CRA funds returned to the CRA from Levy County. Other agenda items included final approval of an elaborate ordinance that provides tax relief to three categories of historic properties and first reading of five relatively simple ordinances dealing with demolition, location, relocation, scale and elevation of structures within the Historic District. The five ordinances result from disarticulation of a single complex ordinance at the request of on member of the Commission. |