CEDAR KEY CITY
COMMISSION MEETS
2020 FEBRUARY 18
Meeting Specifics: The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 6 pm, at Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Royce Nelson, Susan Rosenthal, and Jim Wortham.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Mr. Fugate Leslie Landress.
Among those in the audience were: Mike and Mendy Allen, Renee Schneck, Joan Selby, Amy Gernhardt, Savanna Barry, Maurice and Jan Hendrix, Nancy Sera, John McPherson, Steve and Diana Priessman, Allison Nelson, Janice Fugate, Nita Cox, Verizon’s Troy Dunning and three associates on teleconference call, David and Galina Binkley, Buddy Scruggs, Beth Mizell, “Jeri and Bob Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
In Pastor Billy Dalton’s stead, Mayor Heath Davis led the prayer and pledge.
PUBLIC COMMENT
WATER TOWER, VERIZON
Verizon’s Business Development Director Troy Dunning, assisted by three colleagues on a teleconference call, presented to the commission the proposal to deliver better 4G cell phone coverage to the island by installing antennae on the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s centrally located water tower. Dunning reported that his team began discussions with Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson and CKWSD General Manager John McPherson several months ago and centered on better cell coverage at the at Cedar Key School. Currently, emergency personnel are unable to make calls from within the school because of poor to nonexistent cell coverage.
Verizon’s Business Development Director Troy Dunning, assisted by three colleagues on a teleconference call, presented to the commission the proposal to deliver better 4G cell phone coverage to the island by installing antennae on the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s centrally located water tower. Dunning reported that his team began discussions with Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson and CKWSD General Manager John McPherson several months ago and centered on better cell coverage at the at Cedar Key School. Currently, emergency personnel are unable to make calls from within the school because of poor to nonexistent cell coverage.
Dunning presented a slide demonstrating the potential, and extremely poor, cell coverage if the 300-foot Levy County emergency communications tower, now in the planning stage, were to be built and Verizon’s antennae placed upon it. Another slide demonstrated the full cell coverage were Verizon to put its antennae on the centrally located water tower. Still other slides pictured the antenna upon the tower and the ground equipment. Dunning reported that the project could conceivably be completed within twelve months.
UNITI WIFIBER INTERNET SERVICE
John McPherson reported that WiFiber Corporation President Michael Johns has presented his concept to provide more reliable wireless broadband internet service to the island at the February 10, 2020, CKWSD Board meeting.
The Board asked that Johns return with a specific proposal. Upon receipt, McPherson will approach the city.
John McPherson reported that WiFiber Corporation President Michael Johns has presented his concept to provide more reliable wireless broadband internet service to the island at the February 10, 2020, CKWSD Board meeting.
The Board asked that Johns return with a specific proposal. Upon receipt, McPherson will approach the city.
CAMPTEL / SUNSET PARK RV RESORT
Sunset Park RV Resort has leased its property at 11850 State Road 24 to Mike Dixon, a businessman from Boise, Idaho. Dixon reported that his group, Summit Properties, intends to alter the business from a full recreational vehicle campground to house half RVs and half “tiny homes,” in effect, a “tiny home village.” The tiny homes will be classified as RVs. Rental rates are not yet established.
Sunset Park RV Resort has leased its property at 11850 State Road 24 to Mike Dixon, a businessman from Boise, Idaho. Dixon reported that his group, Summit Properties, intends to alter the business from a full recreational vehicle campground to house half RVs and half “tiny homes,” in effect, a “tiny home village.” The tiny homes will be classified as RVs. Rental rates are not yet established.
Questions came from the audience. Hearing that rumor has it that the sewage and water pipes on the property are old and not working properly, Dixon responded that he is adding no extra burden upon them. A comment was made that the mangroves along the west perimeter of the property have been cut (approximately 350 feet), Dixon responded that it was the people befor him and his group was not the perpetrator.
When asked how he intended to move the RVs and tiny homes off the island should a hurricane arrive, Dixon had more questions than answers. His affiliates have properties in the Florida Panhandle that could assist, he said. Admittedly not knowing about hurricanes, Dixon stated that they did not have an evacuation plan for the mini houses but concluded that an emergency plan for moving and storing vehicles was a good idea.
SHORELINE RESTORATION
UF Nature Coast Biological Station Regional Specialized Agent Coastal Ecosystems Dr. Savanna Barry formally requested temporary access to five or six Marina parking places needed for staging the deployment of reef balls. The balls will be loaded upon a barge and delivered to the Airport Road Living Shoreline site. Commissioners unaanimously approved her request.
UF Nature Coast Biological Station Regional Specialized Agent Coastal Ecosystems Dr. Savanna Barry formally requested temporary access to five or six Marina parking places needed for staging the deployment of reef balls. The balls will be loaded upon a barge and delivered to the Airport Road Living Shoreline site. Commissioners unaanimously approved her request.
EMPTY BOWLS THANKS
Vice-Mayor and Cedar Key Food Pantry Administrator Sue Colson thanked the many in the audience, and those who were not, who helped in myriad ways to move and reopen the Food Pantry so successfully in its new location on State Road 24. She described the effort was “historic.”
Vice-Mayor and Cedar Key Food Pantry Administrator Sue Colson thanked the many in the audience, and those who were not, who helped in myriad ways to move and reopen the Food Pantry so successfully in its new location on State Road 24. She described the effort was “historic.”
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Representing the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, Mendy Allen reported that on Saturday, February 15, the Welcome Center greeted 153 visitors, a record high, she believes.
Representing the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, Mendy Allen reported that on Saturday, February 15, the Welcome Center greeted 153 visitors, a record high, she believes.
Allen also reported that this year’s March 14 Workout on the Waterfront event will include sunrise yoga at the City Park beach. Click here for the entire event calendar: https://cedarkeynews.com/index.php/conservation/5223-workout-on-the-waterfront-2020-reminder
Allen also requested that the city explore bike stand installation on Dock Street to alleviate people parking bikes on sidewalks. Mayor Davis directed Public Works Director Michelle Petersen to investigate bike rack availability and possible positioning.
MARCH 17 MEETING
Because of the March 17 Presidential Preference Primary election and Levy County Elections Supervisor using City Hall for voting, the March 17 City Commission Meeting location will be located in the upstairs Library Meeting Room.
Because of the March 17 Presidential Preference Primary election and Levy County Elections Supervisor using City Hall for voting, the March 17 City Commission Meeting location will be located in the upstairs Library Meeting Room.
UPCOMING CITY, CKWSD ELECTIONS
Mayor Davis read the notice from the City of Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District announcing the upcoming seats in the May 5, 2020, election. Open city seats include Royce Nelson’s Seat Two and Susan Rosenthal’s Seat Four. Open CKWSD seats include Dottie Haldeman’s Seat One, Leslie Sturmer’s Seat Three, and Joe Hand’s Seat Five.
Mayor Davis read the notice from the City of Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District announcing the upcoming seats in the May 5, 2020, election. Open city seats include Royce Nelson’s Seat Two and Susan Rosenthal’s Seat Four. Open CKWSD seats include Dottie Haldeman’s Seat One, Leslie Sturmer’s Seat Three, and Joe Hand’s Seat Five.
Click here for qualifying dates and more information: https://cedarkeynews.com/index.php/city-news/5353-city-of-ck-ckwsd-elections
NEW BUSINESS
CITY STAFF, NCBS
On March 27, City Hall will be closed from 10 am until 3 pm. City Hall and Nature Coast Biological Station staff will spend some hours and luncheon at Seahorse Key. No commissioners are invited. UF / IFAS wishes to acknowledge the helpful working relationship they enjoy with city staff.
LIBRARY GUTTERS
Ronnie Taylor of Taylor Construction and Development, Inc., proposed to the commission the replacement of gutters on the Library’s west, south, and north upper floor fascia at a cost of $4,414. Commissioners unanimously approved the proposal.
Ronnie Taylor of Taylor Construction and Development, Inc., proposed to the commission the replacement of gutters on the Library’s west, south, and north upper floor fascia at a cost of $4,414. Commissioners unanimously approved the proposal.
INSURANCE
Commissioners unanimously approved the change in Article 302 of the Cedar Key Employee Policy Manual to allow employees who have access to insurance coverage at a lesser cost may opt out of the city’s coverage and be reimbursed at the lower rate. The change is effective immediately.
Commissioners unanimously approved the change in Article 302 of the Cedar Key Employee Policy Manual to allow employees who have access to insurance coverage at a lesser cost may opt out of the city’s coverage and be reimbursed at the lower rate. The change is effective immediately.
SHORE BUILDERS
The bidding of three projects was discussed: Marina inside dock repair, Cemetery Point Boardwalk repair, and movement of the floating dock. Commissioners approved bidding the three projects out at the same time.
The bidding of three projects was discussed: Marina inside dock repair, Cemetery Point Boardwalk repair, and movement of the floating dock. Commissioners approved bidding the three projects out at the same time.
Currently on file are several proposals. On January 14, Shore Builders submitted and Inside Dock Rebuild contract for in the amount of $38,890. On July 25, 2019, Jamie Griffin Construction submitted a proposal for a Cemetery Point Boardwalk Rebuild for $ 34,523.97 to $ 37,523.97.
MINUTES
Minutes from the January 20, 2020, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
Minutes from the January 20, 2020, Cedar Key City Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.
CEDAR KEY DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW WORKSHOP
This workshop convened immediately after the February 18, 2020, Commission Meeting concluded. Present were: five commissioners, City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, and City Clerk Crystal Sharp.
Public Works Director Michelle Petersen and several residents remined in the audience.
Davis explained that the timing of this work performance review results from practices from the past. Annually, when a new commission is seated, the expectation has been that they rehire department heads at the same meeting. Occasionally, that expectation resulted in a department head, with no prior notification or formal performance review, might be fired. Notification of work performance or lack of performance, the commission has evolved in its thinking, would be better earlier, hence the resultant February performance appraisal reviews.
Each commissioner was tasked with writing a performance review for each department head before the workshop; at the evening’s end the document would become public record. Each commissioner, with several exceptions, delivered the content of his review to Sharp, Sandlin, and Robinson. Positive comments and constructive criticism were proffered.
Sharp, Sandlin, and Robinson received enough positive input from the five commissioners to understand that they might expect to be rehired.
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