CEDAR KEY
CITY COMMISSION MET
16 NOVEMBER 2021
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Jim Wortham, Susan Rosenthal, and Nancy Sera.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 6 pm, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Jim Wortham, Susan Rosenthal, and Nancy Sera.
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 Supervisor Jamie McCain, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Attorney Fugate’s colleague Lee Anne Rohrer. Additionally, the meeting was Zoomed.
Among those in the audience were: Jan Hendrix, Tabitha Lauer, Judy Duvall, Kathy Salkahn, Eileen Senecal, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
COVID19 UPDATE
Mayor Heath Davis announced that city staff has sanitized the meeting room, installed ultraviolet lights in the air-conditioning system and turned off the ceiling fans in the building as protective measures to help prevent the spread of the covid virus.
Mayor Heath Davis announced that city staff has sanitized the meeting room, installed ultraviolet lights in the air-conditioning system and turned off the ceiling fans in the building as protective measures to help prevent the spread of the covid virus.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CEDAR KEY WOMAN’S CLUB
Cedar Key Woman’s Club President Judy Duvall, well supported by CKWC members in the audience, presented Police Chief Virgil Sandlin and Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson with gift baskets to take back to their departments and enjoy. Duvall thanked the two and their fellow first responders for their commitment to the community and for their constant, reliable help and assistance.
Cedar Key Woman’s Club President Judy Duvall, well supported by CKWC members in the audience, presented Police Chief Virgil Sandlin and Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson with gift baskets to take back to their departments and enjoy. Duvall thanked the two and their fellow first responders for their commitment to the community and for their constant, reliable help and assistance.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Mayor Davis announced that the Human Resources Committee would meet on Thursday, November 18, to review, among other HR issues, the city clerk applications received thus far. Commissioner Nancy Sera will assist in the clerk applicant review.
Mayor Davis announced that the Human Resources Committee would meet on Thursday, November 18, to review, among other HR issues, the city clerk applications received thus far. Commissioner Nancy Sera will assist in the clerk applicant review.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
COMMUNITY RATING SERVICE UPDATE
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester reported that they continue to work through the process of amassing the points necessary to lower residents’ flood insurance rates. To that end, they have had some interest in City Hall’s back room where the FEMA information is housed. Further, they plan to:
• schedule tutorials to show residents how the Suwannee River Water Management District and FEMA affect their properties;
• and install a computer for the public to access interactive sea-level- planning tools.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester reported that they continue to work through the process of amassing the points necessary to lower residents’ flood insurance rates. To that end, they have had some interest in City Hall’s back room where the FEMA information is housed. Further, they plan to:
• schedule tutorials to show residents how the Suwannee River Water Management District and FEMA affect their properties;
• and install a computer for the public to access interactive sea-level- planning tools.
FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY PROPERTY ANNEXATION
As a land trust, the Cedar Key-based Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy’s mission and business is to own land in trust for preservation and conservation. As a good part of the City of Cedar Key’s purpose / mission is the safety and welfare of its residents, FNCC’s board of Directors perceives the two missions aligned.
As a land trust, the Cedar Key-based Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy’s mission and business is to own land in trust for preservation and conservation. As a good part of the City of Cedar Key’s purpose / mission is the safety and welfare of its residents, FNCC’s board of Directors perceives the two missions aligned.
FNCC already contributes many points to the city’s Community Rating Service with FEMA, the processing of which helps lower residents’ insurance costs. The Cull Preserve, a 2.68-acre property at the end of Airport Road, will further the CRS open space holdings.
Attorney Norm Fugate was directed to begin the process of legally annexing the property to the city’s rolls.
REDISTRICTING
Commissioner Jim Wortham and Vice Mayor Colson advised the Commission that the Levy County redistricting process is nearing finalization. Five maps are offered for public input: Options A, A1, B, C, and D. Option A and A1 leaves boundaries much as they currently are. Option D includes both Cedar Key and Yankeetown in the same district, bringing coastal interests together.
Commissioner Jim Wortham and Vice Mayor Colson advised the Commission that the Levy County redistricting process is nearing finalization. Five maps are offered for public input: Options A, A1, B, C, and D. Option A and A1 leaves boundaries much as they currently are. Option D includes both Cedar Key and Yankeetown in the same district, bringing coastal interests together.
Commissioners, in a 5-to-0 vote, selected Option D. Commissioner Wortham will contact the county commissioners of their selection.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Attempting to structure funding for the upcoming summer, Vice-Mayor Colson presented the 2021 Summer Youth Program funding report. Colson questioned the omission as to whether a 2022 city gala, which in the past has added $13,000 for the Summer Youth Program, would occur.
Attempting to structure funding for the upcoming summer, Vice-Mayor Colson presented the 2021 Summer Youth Program funding report. Colson questioned the omission as to whether a 2022 city gala, which in the past has added $13,000 for the Summer Youth Program, would occur.
Commissioners voted 5-to-0 to have the gala on February 19, 2022, and assigned Colson, Nancy Sera, and Susan Rosenthal to organize it.
ARBOR DAY
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented her Cedar Key 2022 Arbor Day plan. On January 22, the Arbor Day will honor both Dr. Earl Starnes and Bill Delaino, two, recently deceased, dedicated Cedar Key environmentalists.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson presented her Cedar Key 2022 Arbor Day plan. On January 22, the Arbor Day will honor both Dr. Earl Starnes and Bill Delaino, two, recently deceased, dedicated Cedar Key environmentalists.
Colson’s plan is to purchase 50 oaks and 50 cedar trees from the city’s tree fund that generates dollars from tree removal permitting. Purchasing those trees at cost, her plan is to give one tree to every Cedar Key resident, complete with instructions, a packet of fertilizer and another of mulch, all ready for planting on their properties. The aim is to increase Cedar Key’s diminishing canopy….an idea close to Starnes’ and Delano’s hearts. Commissioners approved the proposal 5-to-0.
Colson also requested that Attorney Fugate assist in properly placing the tree budget within the larger city budget.
ORDINANCE 545, ELECTION DATE CHANGE
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 545, which changes the city election date, and its event sequence, from May to the first Tuesday in April.
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 545, which changes the city election date, and its event sequence, from May to the first Tuesday in April.
ORDINANCE 546, WINEBRENNER ANNEXATION
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 545, which voluntarily annexes the Terry and Brenda Winebrenner property, Levy Parcel 00435-000-00, into the City of Cedar Key.
On its second reading, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 545, which voluntarily annexes the Terry and Brenda Winebrenner property, Levy Parcel 00435-000-00, into the City of Cedar Key.
MINUTES
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the April 19, 2021, Commission Meeting and the November 2, 2021, Commission Workshop.
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the April 19, 2021, Commission Meeting and the November 2, 2021, Commission Workshop.
COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS / INFORMATION
CKWSD PIPELINE
Mayor Davis queried Attorney Fugate for the most appropriate way to support the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s efforts to secure investigating, planning, and funding for a water pipeline from inland to Cedar Key. Fugate responded that no specific legal action need happen now. Ongoing discussions with other entities involved are appropriate.
Mayor Davis queried Attorney Fugate for the most appropriate way to support the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s efforts to secure investigating, planning, and funding for a water pipeline from inland to Cedar Key. Fugate responded that no specific legal action need happen now. Ongoing discussions with other entities involved are appropriate.
DECEMBER 7 WORKSHOP…MEET AT 5 PM - NOT 6 PM AS USUAL
Mayor Davis reminded commissioners that on December 7, a workshop will address the Rescue Plan Act dollars from the federal government for COVID relief and parking.
BROADBAND
Commissioner Wortham and Chief Robinson reported that the Central Florida Electric Cooperative and Spectrum are discussing better broadband services. Little information is currently available; Wortham and Robinson will continue to monitor the situation and report back to the commission.
Commissioner Wortham and Chief Robinson reported that the Central Florida Electric Cooperative and Spectrum are discussing better broadband services. Little information is currently available; Wortham and Robinson will continue to monitor the situation and report back to the commission.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:58 pm.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:58 pm.
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