CRA ENABLES CITY HALL, LIBRARY UPGRADES TO PROCEED

Dale Register presided over the monthly meeting of city commissioners in their role as directors of Cedar Key`s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Tuesday evening, August 7, at City Hall.

The sole action item on this month`s CRA agenda was formalization of a practice whereby the CRA has advanced funds to the city of Cedar Key in order to cover completion of projects for which the city is awaiting grant monies - in this instance, energy grant funds needed to complete pending upgrades to City Hall and the Library.

Under the terms of the city`s energy grant, work on approved projects must be completed within an agreed-upon time period; however, last year`s change of administration in Tallahassee, coupled with the city`s decision to replace its original grants administrator, has delayed project-by-project release of grant funds to the city.

The good news, CRA Chair Register announced, is that the state`s energy program grants administrator has agreed to extend the pending project term to end September 30 rather than August 31. However, even with the extension, it`s not likely that Tallahassee will get project funds to the city before completion of the pending work on City Hall and the Library.

After discussion, Commissioner Scott Dennison`s motion to advance funds to a maximum amount of $55,000 was seconded and passed by a three-to-one vote. Commissioners Sue Colson and Dale Register joined Commissioner Dennison in voting for the motion. Commissioner Gene Hodges voted against the motion. Commissioner Dave Feigin was not present.