Jim Wortham Chair, Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency
We are pleased to learn that the University of Florida - College of Design, Planning and Construction will be focusing on Cedar Key as their main focus for Spring Semester, 2025. Two student studios will be planned for these projects, one looking at development possibilities and alternatives for our current residential and municipal areas on higher elevations (areas between 3rd and 7th streets and D and G), and the other, focusing on lower elevations, primarily the downtown district. The College will be presenting at least two briefings to the CRA and possibly the LPA to help the City in our planning moving forward. Briefings will be open to the public and participation is encouraged!
CEDAR KEY WELL REPRESENTED AT LEGISLATIVE GATHERING IN BRONSON 2025 January 10
Nearly twenty Cedar Keyans took part in the Levy County Legislative Delegation meeting in Bronson on Tuesday, January 7, from 1 to 3 pm, at the Levy County Commission Auditorium, 310 School Street.
The legislators, Chad Johnson and Stan McClain, came to hear the needs and concerns of Levy County representatives of higher education, school board, elected officials, constitutional appointments, special districts, and citizens. Johnson, State Representative for Florida House District 22, and McClain, State Senator, representing Levy County.
Hear, they did. The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District and the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative representatives spoke to the need for regional efforts to provide potable water and proper disposal of wastewater in Levy County, focusing upon the W3C potential pipeline. They thanked the Suwannee River Water Management District and state and federal officials who have made the project viable. Representatives included: Joe Hand, Zim Padgett, Robert Partin, Johnathan Ferguson, Mike Borelli, John Rittenhouse, Sue Colson and Robert Beltran.
They listened further. City of Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colson spoke briefly about the island’s rent difficulties: Hurricane Idalia, Dock Street fire, Hurricane Milton, and Hurricane Helene. She thanked them for all the assistance after each event and intimated that she would see them again.
Cedar Key Aquaculture Association representative Joey Cannon requested that legislators do all they can to support the recently hard-hit aquaculture farming in Cedar Key. He also requested that they support the W3C pipeline as that project will help ensure the cleanliness of the waters upon which aquaculture depends.
In the audience, supporting water personnel and the City of Cedar Key were Rosie Cantwell, Joyce DeHaan, Nita Cox, Jeff Webb, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
When Judi Cain was notified last September that she won the 2025 Old Celebration of the Arts Design Contest she did not know how poignant that decision would be, and neither did the Cedar Key Arts Center Board who coordinates the event. Her acrylic painting was titled After the Storm.
The damage to Cedar Key caused by Hurricane Helene on September 26 was extensive. Popular shops and restaurants on Dock Street were severely damaged, businesses along historic second street were flooded, homes were lost, and hearts were broken. Judi Cain’s was one of those hearts. From her first visit to Cedar Key over 50 years ago through her time as an artist in the Cedar Keyhole Artist Co-op, Judi says “She always wanted to live there.” Coming in from Gainesville early to work or staying late to walk around the town she loved, she took pictures for future paintings. One of them, a black and white photo she took several years after the fire at Coconuts on Dock Street, inspired her winning artwork. Like others, Judi, who had recently moved to West Virginia to be near family, watched the news and cried.
When the Cedar Key Arts Center board met several weeks after the Hurricane, concerns were raised about whether Cedar Key would be able to host the annual spring arts festival - the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts - which celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2024. However, by the November board meeting the resilient island community was showing signs of coming back as a few shops and restaurants began to reopen, even as the clean-up continued. By December the path was clear. The community of Cedar Key needed to have the festival, but the board would need to reimagine the event in a way that would bring visitors to the town without overwhelming it as rebuilding continued.
The decision was made to modify the festival by hosting a one-day event with a smaller number of juried artists calling it the Cedar Key Fine Arts Show. The reputation of Cedar Key’s Old Florida Celebration of the Arts has grown since returning to a juried fine arts event in 2007, and its popularity with artists and art enthusiasts has been recognized nationally. It is that reputation that makes the 2025 event possible as a talented group of artists in multiple disciplines, who have come to love Cedar Key, have committed to being part of the show even though amenities will be limited and there will be no prize money. The hope is that others who also love Cedar Key and love art will join in supporting Cedar Key, April 5, 2025, as it works to come back “After the Storm.”
In addition, the Arts Center, whose mission is to nurture and encourage the arts, is coordinating several workshops or “Creative Connections” every other weekend beginning in January. These will include two Art in the Garden shows (February 1st and March 1st) featuring local artists impacted by the hurricane. You can find out more about these opportunities to visit Cedar Key on the Center’s website at www.CedarKeyArtsCenter.org
SUBJECT: LEVY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, BRONSON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7…BE THERE
The state-level Levy County Delegation will be in Bronson on Tuesday… this Tuesday… January 7.
This delegation is the group that will give input to the state congress about funding and all other concerns. They need to hear from you and me. You are politically, auditorily, summarily, and every other way, absent if you do not attend this meeting.
If you can speak at the meeting, great. If you cannot speak and can simply be there representing Cedar Key, you count. If you do neither, you injure Cedar Key.
Whether they legislate anything or not in Cedar Key’s favor, they will absolutely do nothing if Cedar Key representation is absent.
Legislators know who is there and who is not. They count bodies.
You can speak to the facts that: • Cedar Key thanks the delegation for all its help in the past several years: lift station funding support, hurricane assistance, etc. • Cedar key needs continued support of a water and wastewater pipeline.
Do read the article below previously published in the Levy County Citizen.
BRONSON - The Levy County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The meeting will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Levy County Commission Auditorium, 310 School St.
The delegation includes Chairman and Rep. Chad Johnson (R-Chiefland), along with Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala).
According to a press release from Johnson’s office, the hearing “is intended to afford local residents and officials an opportunity to request legislation or state funding, as well as to express opinions on any other matter of state concern, in advance of the 2025 Legislative Session, slated to begin in Tallahassee on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.”
Members of the public and government officials wishing to be placed on the printed agenda can do so by emailing their request, along with any backup information, to HD022@myflorida house.gov.
It is asked that requests be submitted no later than noon on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
For more information, contact the office of Johnson at 352-313-6542.
CEDAR KEY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MET DECEMBER 2024 December 17
The Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency met on Thursday, December 17, 2024, at 6:25 pm, after the adjournment of the regular commission meeting.
Commissioners in attendance were: Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioner Jeff Webb. Commissioner Jim Wortham attended by telephone. Commissioner Jolie Davis was not in attendance.
GOALS, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Commissioners considered the 2024-2025 Annual Goals and Performance Standards. The standards numbered seven: Administration Infrastructure Resiliency Projects Affordable Housing Commercial and Recreational Working Waterfront Activities Land Acquisition Public Meetings and Community Engagement Financial Transparency and Accountability.
SUMMARY CRA Chair Jim Wortham provided the following cogent summary of the agency’s efforts.
“New performance measures and standards reporting requirements were enacted during Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session, codified as Section 189.0694, Florida Statutes, effective July 1, 2024. The new statute requires special districts (including community redevelopment agencies) to establish goals and objectives for its programs and activities and performance measures, along with standards to determine if its goals and objectives have been achieved. The goals, objectives, performance measures, and standards must be established by October 1, 2024, or by the end of the first full fiscal year after a District’s creation, whichever is later.
The new statute also requires annual reporting each December 1 (beginning December 1, 2025) on whether the goals and objectives were achieved, which goals or objectives were not achieved, and what measures were used to make the determination. In response to Fla. Stat. 189.0694, and in alignment with the CKCRA’s existing activities, projects, and in light of the changed circumstances caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the CKCRA has developed goals, objectives, measurements and standards in the following categories:”
GOAL ONE, ADMINISTRATION ADDRESSED CRA members quickly reached consensus to retain Mr. Tom Ankerson to administer the program. Ankerson has been involved with the Cedar Key CRA since its inception.
GROUND EQUIPMENT APPROVED Members approved full funding, not to exceed $180,000, to repair and replace the City Park’s playground equipment damaged by the hurricanes.
UPCOMING CRA MEETINGS The upcoming CRA meetings are scheduled for January 21 and February 13, 2025.
The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District met on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 5 pm, at the Cedar Key City Hall, due to Hurricane Helene’s damage to its office on Third Street.
LINE OF CREDIT CKWSD has entered into a bridge loan with Seacoast Bank for a $1.5 million line of credit at a fixed interest rate of 4.96% for 48 months. This line of credit will be activated if federal, state, grants or other funding recompense is not received before bills for projects are due. Seacoast Bank requires bond counsel. The firm, Nabors Giblin and Nickerson, a colleague of CKWSD General Counsel Evan Rosenthal’s firm, initially quoted a $20,000 price tag and reduced that figure to $18,000.
FLORIDA RECOVERY OBLIGATION CALCULATION General Manager Rittenhouse is working with the he Florida Department of Emergency Management’s FROC program, which is designed to “standardize, streamline, and simplify” the public assistance process for debris removal and emergency measures taken. Mr. Rittenhouse seeks to recover expenses incurred after Hurricane Helene for potable water, sewage facilities provided during recovery, and other expenses incurred.
LIFT STATION REHABILITATION PHASE ONE The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Lift Station Rehabilitation Phase One is experiencing supply chain issues due to Hurricane Milton and are running 45 days behind schedule. The start date is now January 15, and the end date is June 2024.
OFFICE AND WASTEWAATER PLANT RELOCATION General Manage Rittenhouse is currently investigating possible relocation funding and property opportunities to relocate offices, which include a laboratory, and wastewater plant so that they are not in the path of the next major storm.
NOTICE OF CKWSD ELECTION Mr. Rittenhouse announced the upcoming April 1 election of the CKWSD’s two open commissioner seats, currently occupied by Mr. Rosenthal and Mr. Ferguson. Qualifying is scheduled for January; the election is April 1.
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 5 pm at City Hall. The Commissioners in attendance were: Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nany Sera, and Commissioner Jeff Webb. Commissioner Jim Wortham attended by telephone. Commissioner Jolie Davis was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
HURRICANE DAMAGES Resident Scot Dennison suggested that a workshop be presented focusing upon each city department’s damage and loss due to recent hurricanes.
CLEAN WATERS Cedar Key Aquaculture Association member Joey Cannon requested that the commission consider the organization’s input when making decisions about the waters about Cedar Key. Cannon was referring to a recent Cedar Ky Community Redevelopment Agency meeting in which local businesspersons suggested changes to the use of the Marina area and the waters surrounding it. Cannon remarked that any accident could cause damage to the industry.
Commissioner Webb spoke stating the need for the commission to listen to all citizens, not one group alone. He repeated that declaration. Cannon offered any help, that the CKAA could provide, at any time, be they records, data collections, or attestations.
TREE CITY Mary Prescott proudly announced the Arbor Day Foundation’s redesignation of Cedar Key as a Tree City, in recognition of its efforts to plant, replace, chronicle, and create ordinances to support the Cedar Key canopy.
WOMAN’S CLUB The Cedar Key Woman’s Club’s Susan Rosenthal and Eileen Senecal presented gift baskets to the city’s Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department Public Works and to the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District.
CLERK’S OFFICE
IMPORTANT DATES Important dates announced were: City Hall Closed 12/24 until 12/25/24 City of Cedar Key Notice of Election: Qualifying: 1/21/25 through 1/24/25 at noon Election: April 01, 2024.
MINUTES APPROVED Minutes from November 19, 2024, Commission Meeting were approved.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OLD CITY HALL At an earlier commission meeting, City Attorney Norm Fugate was directed to communicate with realtors regarding the sale of old City Hall on Second Street. Tonight, Fugate reported that he had spoken to three real estate brokers: Nikki Rucker, Vanessa Edmonds, and Caryn Stephenson. Why those three were selected was not proffered, except that they are brokers, not agents. Other brokers operating in Cedar Key were not considered nor mentioned.
After some lengthy conversation, including the facts that only Edmonds was in attendance, neither Rucker nor Stephenson attended the meeting, and those not selected might have hurt feelings. Commissioners settled upon requiring the three, if they chose to sell old City Hall, to submit a proposal detailing their experiences and their strategies about how to sell the property.
No discussion occurred regarding: • the fact that the old City Hall is only part of one larger parcel that currently contains the Fire Station, Public Works areas, and a parking lot; • how a price can be affixed to the property without stating size of the property involved; • how a buyer could evaluate a building without being able to enter it. There are safety issues due to the damaged floor supports and other structural damage.
Proposals will be discussed at the January 14 commission meeting.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
MUTUAL AID A memorandum of understanding and mutual aid agreements among Chiefland, Trenton, and Williston Police Departments were unanimously approved.
SURPLUS VEHICLES The sale of surplus vehicles damaged from Hurricane Helene was unanimously approved.
INTERLOCAL ELECTION AGREEMENT
An interlocal agreement involving the City of Cedar Key, its Police Department, and the Levy County Supervisor of Elections, detailing the responsibilities of each regarding the upcoming election, was unanimously approved.
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT CKWSD General Manage John Rittenhouse announced the January commencement of the Lift Station Phase One effort and its smoke test to occur in January.
PUBLIC WORKS
OUTSIDE MARINA DOCK Three bids were received for the repair of the outside Marina docks: • Shore Builders, Inc. at $26,825; • Jamie Griffin Construction at $27,299; • and Insight at $31,979.
Commissioners unanimously approved Insight with the understanding that work would commence immediately.
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INNER MARINA LEASE AGREEMENT Mayor Colson consulted with leases of the outer Marina docks about moving temporarily to the inner Marina and the potential changes in the current lease agreement that might be altered to help with the process. Colson presented the revamped agreement which was approved in a unanimous vote.
CKWSD CELEBRATES MCCAIN’S 46 YEARS WITH THE DISTRICT 2 December 2024
The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District board commissioners and the public celebrated James McCain’s nearly half century of service to the district’s customers Monday evening, December 2, 2024.
Though technically retired some months ago, McCain has worked continuously since then as a district consultant and always there when needed. …which means most of the time. Through Hurricanes Debby, Milton, and Helene, James McCain was on board with all his professional expertise, connections, and energy.
The CKWSD commissioners used this evening’s meeting to present a plaque of appreciation for Mr. McCain’s service. Modest to the extreme, McCain declined any other formal celebration of his 46 years.
When prompted, several times, to speak, McCain said he came to Cedar Key as a young man and knew then that here is where he wanted to stay. He did precisely that, much to Cedar Key’s good fortune.
Audience members could not say enough about McCain. Comments included: “If you want something done right, ask a McCain.” “He was always there for me, any time I needed help, he was there.” “This man embodies Cedar Key at its best: constant, expert, kind.” “He means the world to this community: Volunteer Fire Rescue…Water Board…he could not be more valuable.”
Levy County has notified us that they plan to commence work on Dock Street on either December 10th or 11th. This project is anticipated to take approximately two weeks to complete. During this time, Dock Street at the intersection of 1st and C will be closed. This information is subject to change.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as this necessary work is carried out.
Please contact Levy County Parks & Recreation with any questions at 352-486-5127.
Brian Moore was driving across the Number 3 Bridge when something in the water caught his eye. He noticed that a group of White Pelicans was paddling away from the pilings; but one pelican was struggling to keep up and was left behind.
On a closer look Brian realized that the pelican had line wrapped around his leg and his wings, and was snagged on the piling.
Brian’s quick call to W.R.E.N. put the Bird Rescue Team into action! Both Doug Maple and Amy Horn quickly made it to the bridge to access the situation. They realized that the huge White Pelican could not be reached by a rescuer wading into the water. A boat or kayak was needed.
Enter our seasoned and daring rescuer, Dawn Alexander!
With wire cutters in her pocket, she eased her kayak into the water near the Number 3 Bridge.
Realizing she would need both hands to try to untangle this huge pelican, and she could therefore not paddle the kayak at the same time, she aimed her kayak up current so that she could drift toward the bird without paddling.
Upon reaching the pelican, Dawn cut the line and unwrapped his wings, checking for damage.
The Pelican was able to stretch and flap his wings but was still attached to the piling by line around his leg.
Carefully cutting and unwrapping the line around his leg, and checking for any lesions caused by the line, Dawn decided he was safe to release.
After a few test wing flaps, the released pelican paddled quickly then soared toward his buddies, no doubt giving them a word or two about leaving him behind!
White pelicans are huge, so how Dawn did this rescue on her own while sitting in a kayak is mind-boggling to other rescuers!
Please support W.R.E.N., the Cedar Key Bird Rescue Team:
1 - Email us to get information of ways you might help: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (subject line W.R.E.N) 2 - Stop by Seacoast Bank to make a deposit to the W.R.E.N. account. 3 – Mail us at Cedar Key P.O. Box #321, C.K. 32625
PUBLIC COMMENT LIBRARY Friends of the Cedar Key Library chair Joyce DeHaan asked when the Library would become available for public use. Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson responded that the insurance company has settled, and a contractor has been hired to complete the restoration work necessary to reopen. The contractor can present no completion schedule as yet.
After thanking the commissioners for an effective, efficient hurricane recovery, Scott Denison warned that soon commissioners will experience a drop in property values and, resultantly, less revenue coming to the city and planning for that is important.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Cedar Key Chamber of commerce President Doug Lindhout urged the easing of building and permitting regulations, as this would be helpful to the business community.
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT The CKWSD requested permission to temporarily occupy space in the parking lot across from the Market to stage equipment used to refurbish the first set of lift stations. They will use as little space as possible. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
General Manager John Rittenhouse announced an informational public meeting on December 2 when he and the refurbishing contractor will explain where and when city traffic might be interrupted and how it will be managed.
CLAM CELEBRATION University of Florida Extension Agent Leslie Sturmer invited all to the November 30 Clam Celebration which will unveil four fie-foot clam shells decorated by local artists and to be placed about town.
CEDAR KEY ARTS CENTER Mary Prescott announced that the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts Festival will happen but in an altered state. The board is reworking the size, the requirements associated by a juried show, and the number and availability of needed volunteers. More information will be forthcoming.
EXQUISITE YOGA PLATFORM GRACES CEMETERY POINT PARK 2024 November 22
On Friday, November 22, 2024, seventeen graduating University of Florida architecture seniors celebrated the culmination of three months’ work: the designing and building of a yoga platform.
Built entirely of cedar, the 20 by 16 foot platform sports an instructor’s upper platform, a large practice space, a bench, stairs upon which to climb or be seated and a graceful white and blue canopy that eases the sun’s rays. The structure is elegant, graceful, and consummately useful.
When asked what the intention of the piece was, students echoed Cedar Key. “We wanted it to reflect a combination of water, boats, waves, peace, and what is essentially Cedar Key,” one student remarked. The entire structure is made of warm cedar wood; the canopy reflects the blue and white of the sky and the clouds while it shades; and the base of the structure resembles the hull of a strong vessel. Indeed, the students achieved what they intended…quite magnificently.
In August, students began their semester-length Design/ Build architecture course with Professor Charlie Hailey, architect, writer, and School of Architecture, University of Florida, professor, Hailey received a Guggenheim Fellowship, two Fulbright Scholarships, and has authored six books focusing upon multidisciplinary approaches to the built environment.
Hailey’s Design/Build course is designed to have students interact with a community, explore a need/project, design that project, and build it from the ground up, working with the community throughout the process. Students met the community representatives in August, initially returned every two weeks to further design and building concepts, and finally returned weekly to finalize the construction project.
Professor Charlie Hailey expressed pleasure and delight with his students and their product. “This was an amazing group of students; they are uniquely academic, creative, as well as practical, all very necessary qualities for successful architecture. We also really appreciate the chance to work with the Cedar Key community again. Additionally, this group was a complete pleasure with whom to work.”
CEDAR KEY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECIDES UPON PARKING, BUDGET 2024 November 21
The Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency met in a workshop first and then a meeting, two separate proceedings, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 5 pm in City Hall. This article recounts the meeting’s content.
Commissioners in attendance included: Chair Jim Wortham, Vice-Chair Sue Colson, Nancy Sera, Jeff Webb, and Jolie Davis. CRA member John Meeks was not in attendance.
BUDGET FINAL BUDGET HEARING 2025 Commissioners unanimously approved the CRA 2025 budget. $634,325 carries over to the upcoming year’s budget.
RESOLUTION 2024-2 Commissioners unanimously approved the CRA budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.
THIRD STREET PROPERTY Commissioners voted three to two, to not approve the purchase of property on the south side of Third Street from the Carmen Project.
No backup paperwork was provided for this item in the agenda packet.
For the past year, the CRA and the Carmen Project have been in negotiations about this property. It contains six lots on the south side of 3rd Street, behind the Island Hotel. The asking price was initially $525,000. The property was later appraised at $415,000. Tonight’s’ price, after Attorney Fugate and the Carmen Project representative met, was $415,000.
Mayor Sue Colson again articulated the community’s need for the property, citing hopes to raise a sinking Third Street,, its current value as parking, and the need for the city to own property for later catastrophes, public works staging, and other yet unknown complexities.
Commissioners Jim Wortham, Jeff Webb, and Jolie Davis voted not to purchase the property while Sue Colson and Nancy Sera voted to purchase it.
Wortham, Webb, and Davis said that they might purchase the land later if and when they were more certain of funding. Caryn Stephenson, Carmen Project co-owner, responded that, though she believed the land should be in the city’s hands, her project would move forward, and it may not be available to them in the future.
SECOND AND A-STREET PARKING For the second time, the issue of possible parking spaces and retaining wall on the northwest corner of the Second Street and A-Streets intersection surfaced. Currently, the narrow road, A-Street, has no authorized parking, nor has it a pedestrian path/sidewalk.
Tonight, commissioners voted to provide a retaining wall and four parking spaces on A-Street at the intersection of Second and A-Street, site of the Sellars Bakery property, at a cost of $41,000. The vote was 5-0.
No informational backup paperwork was provided for this item in the agenda packet. The site plan showing the proposed parking and retaining wall was not available prior to the meeting to allow for public comment.
The Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency met in a workshop first and then a meeting, two separate proceedings, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 5 pm in City Hall. This article reflects the workshop contents.
All commissioners were in attendance: Chair Jim Wortham, Vice-Chair Sue Colson, Nancy Sera, Jeff Webb, and Jolie Davis. CRA Member John Meeks was not in attendance.
WORKSHOP PREFACE Chair Wortham announced the workshop’s intention: to hear from business owners how, after Hurricane Helene, the Community Redevelopment Agency, could help them. He expressed his concern that should businesses not succeed, Cedar Key may go the way of Suwannee or Yankeetown.
INVITED PANEL Specifically invited to this “panel” were business individuals, for whom ten seats were reserved immediately before the commission dais. Of the city business community, five Cedar Key businesses representatives, Ronnie Taylor, Dell Weible, Denis Gull, Pat Bonish, and Caryn Stephenson, attended.
Wortham abbreviated the CRA’s history, some of its accomplishments, budgeting logic , some specifics it could legally and not legally do, and tax increment funding expectations to come.
RESPONSES Responses from the invited panel were varied and often contradictory. To cite a few: easing land code regulations regarding building height as well as building on ground level, fully dredging the marina as well as filling in part of the marina to make a parking lot, installing moorings in the channel for large boats, placing marine gas facilities dockside or have a gas truck available to supply gas to boat people touring the coast, and gas available at the airport, adding more parking, adding more floating docks and, returning the post office truck to its previously rented property, businesses in residential areas, replaing some of the County housing with city buildings and businesses, fixing the pier, paying businesses’ permitting fees, and more.
Many of the ideas had been discussed at previous city workshops and shown to be unworkable and environmentally unsafe.
Many comments were regarding parking. Some saw it as a problem of people having to walk two or more blocks to a particular business.
Repeatedly, Wortham, Webb, and Davis implied that Community Redevelopment Agency dollars, for the businesses, were there for the asking, should the asking be within the legal limits of the agency. You need to “guide us, not vice versa,” articulated Wortham. Webb suggested the CRA give matching grants, not to be repaid, to help businesses rebuild.
CKWSD MET IN DECEMBER
NOTICE:
