COMMISSION MEETS: PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY, HISTORIC DISTRICT DISCUSSED

by CKN Staff Reporter

The Cedar Key City Commission met at 6PM on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with all commissioners present except Mayor Gene Hodges.

HODGES UPDATE

Vice-Mayor Dale Register reported that Mayor Gene Hodges returned home Monday evening recovering from his heart surgery in Gainesville. Register reported Hodges` thanks and gratitude to all expressing concern.

HISTORIC DISTRICT

Because his request to have the matter placed on the evening`s agenda being denied, Commissioner Scott Dennison stood behind the public podium to address his fellow commissioners regarding the issue of the Cedar Key historic district, specifically the block across the street from City Hall. He said that: prior owners, the Nortons, were bankrupt; the new investors` representative Tim Rizer was in Cedar Key this week; Rizer had contacted the commissioners regarding what they deem economically feasible on that block; Rizer wanted input from the public as to what they wish to see on the block.

Commissioner Sue Colson reminded those present that the Cedar Key Historical Review Board has a say in the matter, that they need to meet as they have not met lately, and that they must be trained in the Sunshine Law and other appropriate matters as two new members are in place. Attorney Norm Fugate expressed his readiness to train the Historical Review Board. Dennison asked: what can be done to aid investors in restoration; what do present ordinances say; what does the land development plan say regarding these matters.

The historic district issue will be placed on the next city meeting agenda.

PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY

Police Chief Interim Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin reported that the Florida Department of Transportation`s Jordon Green has sent word that no money is available to purchase right-of-way along State Road 24. Area residents in the audience suggested that landowners with property fronting SR24 and who would benefit from the sidewalk, already reported to be in favor of the sidewalk, cede their property to FDOT. Others suggested that if the FDOT can not legally accept such a "gift," that the property owners cede the right of way to the City of Cedar Key who might then work in tandem with or, as a municipal entity, cede it to the FDOT.

Sandlin introduced the engineering firm CHW`s Project Manager Monique Heathcock. Heathcock presented four options for going forward with the sidewalk project:

- do nothing, if effect, cancel the project;
- build only on the west side of State Road 24;
- build on the east and the west side of SR24 as far as the money allows;
- build on the east and the west side of SR24 for the entire length requesting additional funds if needed.

Commissioners voted unanimously to reactive the second option, to build on the west side of SR24 as far as the money allowed.

As this meeting`s decision was the same as it was a month ago, CHW was directed to complete the necessary surveys and return to the next meeting with its 60% plan that should have been presented at this meeting.

COMMISSIONERS` CONCERNS

The J.Q. Hodges Scholarship, honoring Hodges for some 37 years of service to the commission, has been left unfunded for the past several years due to budget cuts. Commissioner Colson requested donations to the scholarship fund from the commissioners and residents alike.

Dennison requested direction from the commission regarding the Marina dredging project. Dennison resolved to continue to work with the University of Florida environmental law students regarding the placement of the spoils.

Commissioner Colson reminded all the commissioners and audience to purchase and or plant a tree for upcoming Arbor Day celebration. She also reported that eleven trees have been planted in the Cemetery Point Park.

CLERK`S OFFICE BUSINESS

Deputy City Clerk Teresa George reported having 90% of the work completed to computerize the payroll system with a hopeful completion date of June and understanding a deadline date at the end of the fiscal year.