Active Audience at City Commission

Standing, (l. to r.) Commissioner-elect Gene Hodges, Mayor Paul Oliver, Incubent Sue Colson and Incumbent Pat O`Neal during swearing-in of the three newly elected Commissioners.

Commissioner-elect Gene Hodges, and reelected incumbents Commissioners Sue Colson and Pat O'Neal were sworn in May 15 during the first meeting of the new term of office. Not only was Commissioner Hodges a new face on the Commission, but citizen participation in the meeting was greater than has been seen in recent years. Lucille Andrews, Ada Lang, Nancy Taylor, Bob Treat, Brian Hussan and Ken McCain all contributed to the discussion of intent and enforcement of ordinances presented for a vote.

A revision of Cedar Key's noise ordinance was modified on its second reading at the request of Commissioner Vanessa Edmunds. She pointed out that the new version was less restrictive than before relative to timing of repeated violations. The old wording was retained, and the ordinance passed unanimously. Commissioner O'Neal, responding to a question from Brian Hussan, said that the police will not become noise police, but that the police will cite violators. Commissioner Hodges noted that there have been decibel limits for years and that has not changed.

An ordinance that removes classification of lots less than 2500 square feet as substandard requiring a variance for development passed with Commissioner O'Neal the lone dissenter. Only two lots appear to be the beneficiaries of the ordinance.

An ordinance that allows residential lot owners to build a dock and boathouse drew criticism. Ada Lang spoke in support of the ordinance, saying that lot owners pay taxes but may not be able to afford building a house, yet would like to use a dock for recreation. Commissioner Colson pointed out State restrictions on size and dock design. Nancy Taylor objected to recreational boathouses as hurricane hazards.

In other business, Marina landscaping, lighting and irrigation plans were approved, at a cost of $35,000. Furthermore, after removing plans to sell "air space" along Second Street at the request of Commissioner Hodges, the Cedar Key Redevelopment Plan passed unanimously.