Gulf Trail Sunk

The planned bike and hiking trail from the Number Four Bridge to Dock Street, with branches to the airport and the State Museum, was abandoned by the Cedar Key Commission Tuesday evening. The trail, designed by architecture students and to be paid for with Florida Department of Transportation funds, foundered on the objections of many homeowners who did not want the trail on the right-of-way in front of their homes. An engineering proposal to use thirteen or more feet of the right-of-way and a compromise using only ten feet met strong resistance. The objections were compounded by poor notification of the details of the proposed trail.

Although there was a legal basis for the project, political reality doomed the trail. In response to widespread and growing opposition to the project, Commissioner Heath Davis made a motion to withdraw the Commission`s support of the entire trail. The Gulf Trail Advisory Committee, charged with recommending a design of the trail, met over the past two and one half years. Numerous technical problems emerged, including routing of the trail past the Cedar Key School. However the greatest obstacle appears to be that the trail passed though residential neighborhoods, and in some cases very near the doorsteps of existing homes.

Two members of the advisory committee spoke in favor of abandoning the project. Applause followed their statements and the Commission voted unanimously to withdraw its support of the trail project..

In other business, the Commission considered bids on concrete work on a block of Second Street, authorized purchase of a new Nativity Scene, permission to rebuild two docks, and two Cedar Key Library matters. A request to replat a single lot was tabled for two week so that the City Attorney can research the effect of approving the replat on the enforceability of Cedar Key property owners` protective covenants. Mr. Randy Green, who was requesting the replat, said that he was unaware of the covenant and that he was merely trying to arrange for his sister to build a house.

Building Department official Mickey Wieland presented two vastly different and incomplete bids for concrete construction of a sidewalk on Second Street. The Commission directed him to get more bids. He also asked for direction regarding policies for use of the public meeting space on the second floor of the Cedar Key Library. Commissioner Heath Davis asked that the City take a position relative to a legal dispute between the at-large member of the Levy County Library Advisory Board and two library employees. He cited the need for good relations between the City and the County and that the City should show support for the employees. Janice Coupe, a member of the audience, objected, saying that this was strictly library business. Mayor/Commissioner suggested that Commissioner Davis draft a letter commending the employees for their good work. The Commission approved purchase of a new Nativity Scene. Finally, at Commissioner Davis` request, the Commission voted to give $500 Christmas bonuses to all full time employees and $250 to part time employees, effective July 1.