CITY MEETING “IF IT’S NOT IN THE BUDGET, IT’S NOT IN THE BUDGET”

The City Commission convened its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, November 15, at City Hall. Mayor Heath Davis presided; three other commissioners were present, Sue Colson, Scott Dennison, and Dale Register. Commissioner/Vice Mayor Gene Hodges was absent.

Frank Pattillo, a citizen member of the Form-Based Code committee established by the commission to review existing city planning practices, appeared before the commission to request guidance on the committee`s next steps.

Although the diverse downtown portion of the city is of most importance, thus far the committee is closer to completing its evaluation of the more homogenous Gulf Boulevard neighborhood, from Hawthorne Street to the cemetery. The commission agreed that the committee`s first report should be on the Gulf Boulevard neighborhood, which initial report will provide the commissioners and the public a first opportunity to evaluate the potential usefulness of a Form-Based Code.

Commissioner Dennison stated that it had been his understanding that the purpose of a Form-Based Code process is to describe existing neighborhoods, not to recommend new city planning objectives. Mr. Pattillo agreed that the committee would be careful to identify any recommendations as such. He went on to reassure the commission and the public that it`s not the intention of anyone on the committee to make Cedar Key look like Disneyworld, Hilton Head, or Celebration, FL.

Carl Robinson appeared before the commission with a proposal to rent what would be a new dock space for a planned charter service. The site, at the southernmost end of marina area, would be available after the present city dock is replaced. Mr. Robinson would be responsible for obtaining the permits necessary to construct a new dock, a process that could take as long as a year; meanwhile, he is on the waiting list to lease an existing dock space if one becomes available.

Commissioner Colson pointed out that the city has no immediate plans for the proposed site and would benefit from the work that Mr. Robinson proposes to undertake to develop the new dock site. The commissioners agreed to the new lease.

Of financial import, the commission agreed to waive its permit fees ($125 per event) for several holiday-related activities and to allocate $200 from the city`s Marina Fund for simple holiday lights at the marina area and minor refurbishing of existing wreath decorations.

Reporting on city decorations, Commissioner Colson noted that the city can borrow the Fire Department`s bunting for holidays such as Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Veteran`s Day. Her request for city funds for the annual luncheon for city staff and volunteers was rejected, following Mayor Davis`s comment, "If it`s not in the budget, it`s not in the budget."

On the advice of City Attorney Norm Fugate, in lieu of monthly billings not required under the city`s marina leases, the commissioners agreed to begin a new practice of sending out past-due notices when a marina lessee falls behind the payment schedule agreed to in a marina lease.

Mr. Fugate reported to the commissioners on the result of his research into the proposed donation to the city of adjacent parcels of land bordering a city-owned parcel off State Road 24. The parcels have been offered by Monroe Gaultney. Mr. Fugate reported there is a potential $3,000 tax liability on one parcel. Two other parcels have minor deed irregularities that would require correction if the city needed free and clear title to the property. Finally, the commissioners noted that a single parcel adjacent to the city-owned parcel and originally in the proposed gift has been withdrawn from Mr. Gaultney`s offer.

The commission agreed that the city could not accept the proposed gift unless the donation includes all parcels understood to comprise the original offer and the donor assumes responsibility for taxes due and for potential legal expenses necessary to clear title.

Fire Chief Robert Robinson`s report included a request for funds to repair the fire station`s apron - specifically, to remove concrete in order to determine why the apron has cracked and to replace the concrete. Chief Robinson`s estimate of $2,000 would not include repairing any problems the excavation might reveal. Mayor Davis suggested that the fire station concrete work be undertaken as part of the city`s on-going, already budgeted sidewalk construction project.

Police Chief Virgil Sandlin`s report included a status report on unpaid marina launch fees (now up to date) and a request that the city ordinance be amended to extend the Police Department`s right to "boot" vehicles to include marina scofflaws as well as street parking violators. Chief Sandlin reported also on Cedar Key`s interlocal agreement with police departments of the neighboring cities of Chiefland, Inglis, and Williston under which any of the participating cities can "borrow" a police officer (e.g., during Cedar Key`s seafood or art festival weekend, a police officer from another town might supplement Cedar Key`s force).

Finally, Public Works director Josh Wilson reported on improvements being made to the community center, the expense of which should be recouped by rental fees for the use of the building. Much of the improvement on the center`s kitchen facility has been completed; final decisions regarding new furniture and exterior lighting are pending. Commissioner Dale Register was assigned to work with Mr. Wilson to see if any of the projected expenses can be reduced.

Absent Commissioner Gene Hodges was proposed to fill two requests for a commission representative - one, an appointment to the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council; the other for a commissioner to accompany Chief Robinson to quarterly county administrative/budget meetings of county fire chiefs. In the end, the Regional Planning Council position was left undecided and, at Mayor Heath`s suggestion, commissioners will rotate attendance with Chief Robinson at the quarterly county meetings.