CITY COMMISSION MET
19 April 2022
19 April 2022
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 5 pm, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Heath Davis, Sue Colson, Jim Wortham, Susan Rosenthal, and Nancy Sera.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 5 pm, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Heath Davis, Sue Colson, Jim Wortham, Susan Rosenthal, and Nancy Sera.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, Interim Police Chief Edwin Jenkins, Police Lieutenant Cody Wetherington, Interim City Clerk Brenda Ayres, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Norm Fugate Lee LeeAnne E. Rohrer.
Among those in the audience were: Doug and Sandy Lindhout, Kathy Lawrence, Jan Hendrix, Tabitha Lauer, Mendy Allen, Esta Johnson, Jeff and Jennifer Webb, Ken and Vanessa Edmonds, James McCain, Patty Jett, Kay Probst, Buddy Scruggs, Sean Brewer, Ann Morgan, Marissa DeHaven, Dottie Haldeman, Doc and Jean Gardner, Greg Martin, Steve and Diana Priessman, Stanley Bair, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
The meeting was Zoomed.
REORGANIZATION
MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR RESEATED
Commissioner Jim Wortham asked for a discussion regarding whether they wished to continue with the “strong mayor” structure or not, clearly stating he was not advocating for either. Ultimately, it was decided that the commissioners wanted a strong mayor/administrator so that day-to-day operations could be move more easily, instead of calling meetings whenever decisions had to be made. The exception made to the strong mayor/administrator concept is that the mayor will be able to suspend, but not be able to terminate, a department head without the input of the commissioners.
Commissioner Jim Wortham asked for a discussion regarding whether they wished to continue with the “strong mayor” structure or not, clearly stating he was not advocating for either. Ultimately, it was decided that the commissioners wanted a strong mayor/administrator so that day-to-day operations could be move more easily, instead of calling meetings whenever decisions had to be made. The exception made to the strong mayor/administrator concept is that the mayor will be able to suspend, but not be able to terminate, a department head without the input of the commissioners.
The commission voted Heath Davis in as mayor/administrator and Sue Colson as vice-mayor with one dissenting vote coming from Commissioner Rosenthal for both Davis as mayor and Colson as vice-mayor.
COMMISSIONERS RESEATED
As the 2022 Cedar Key commissioner election cycle has recently ended, the two commissioners winning the election were seated. Both Susan Rosenthal and Nancy Sera read the Oath of Office, swearing each in for another two-year term.
PUBLIC COMMENT
FFA DEMONSTRATION
Cedar Key School Future Farmers of America students Rebecca King and Alyssa McCain charmed the audience with an aquaponics demonstration. Complete with tank, “fish,” plants, and all the necessary other paraphernalia, the audience was instructed on the wisdom on growing healthy food in small spaces, recycling, and personal accomplishment. The audience remained rapt throughout and gave McCain and King a rousing applause.
Cedar Key School Future Farmers of America students Rebecca King and Alyssa McCain charmed the audience with an aquaponics demonstration. Complete with tank, “fish,” plants, and all the necessary other paraphernalia, the audience was instructed on the wisdom on growing healthy food in small spaces, recycling, and personal accomplishment. The audience remained rapt throughout and gave McCain and King a rousing applause.
CLERK’S OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION
CEDAR KEY SCHOOL
Cedar Key School Athletic Director Marissa DeHaven requested that the Community Cater rental fee be waived for the May 16 Athletic Awards Banquet. Commissioners unanimously granted the request.
Cedar Key School Athletic Director Marissa DeHaven requested that the Community Cater rental fee be waived for the May 16 Athletic Awards Banquet. Commissioners unanimously granted the request.
Commissioners also unanimously agreed to pay up to $200 a year to purchase a City of Cedar key Support Banner for the school. Dollars will come from the Gala account.
MINUTES APPROVED
Minutes from the March 15, 2022, Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
Minutes from the March 15, 2022, Commission Meeting were unanimously approved.
EMPLOYEE POLICY MANUAL
Currently, four sections of the employee manual, 202 Probationary Period, 302 Group Insurance, 303 Annual Leave, and 306 Pension Plans, need clarification as they conflict with one another. Interim Clerk Ayres suggestions to alter the language to be consistent; commissioners unanimously approved the alterations.
Currently, four sections of the employee manual, 202 Probationary Period, 302 Group Insurance, 303 Annual Leave, and 306 Pension Plans, need clarification as they conflict with one another. Interim Clerk Ayres suggestions to alter the language to be consistent; commissioners unanimously approved the alterations.
Compensatory time versus overtime, Section 604 of the manual, will be rewritten to allow compensatory time off in lieu of overtime and requiring that it be used within 90 days.
POLICE CHIEF APPLICANT REVIEW ASSISTANCE
Jean and LeGrande (Doc) Gardner are currently assisting the Personnel Committee in reviewing police chief applications. Both have years of experience in police work and have lived in Cedar Key since 2015. Cedar Key has received some thirty applications thus far.
Davis said he intends to consider these applicants in a workshop setting so that commissioners can interact. Audience member Greg Martin asked if a Cedar Key residency would be required; Davis responded that a ZIP Code of 32625 is the requirement.
Jean and LeGrande (Doc) Gardner are currently assisting the Personnel Committee in reviewing police chief applications. Both have years of experience in police work and have lived in Cedar Key since 2015. Cedar Key has received some thirty applications thus far.
Davis said he intends to consider these applicants in a workshop setting so that commissioners can interact. Audience member Greg Martin asked if a Cedar Key residency would be required; Davis responded that a ZIP Code of 32625 is the requirement.
SPECTRUM INTERNET SERVICE
Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported that Spectrum should have internet up and live by next month. The speed at startup will be about 200 mbs down and 10 mbs up. The cost should be comparable to other services and will come with TV and eventually phone service. When the customers are all up and running, the speeds should go up to 600 mbs.
Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported that Spectrum should have internet up and live by next month. The speed at startup will be about 200 mbs down and 10 mbs up. The cost should be comparable to other services and will come with TV and eventually phone service. When the customers are all up and running, the speeds should go up to 600 mbs.
BUILDING OFFICIAL UPDATE
To date, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester reported that the city has received five applicants for the open position. The current contract with the county expires on May 19, 2022, after 90 days of notification. No mention of interviews was heard.
To date, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester reported that the city has received five applicants for the open position. The current contract with the county expires on May 19, 2022, after 90 days of notification. No mention of interviews was heard.
RESOURCE PROTECTION AGENDA ITEM, WORTHAM
Having heard citizen complaints, having observed much of the resource destruction going on the island, and after studying the Laws of Cedar Key, Chapter Four Land Development Code and Article Five Resource Protection Standards, Commissioner Jim Wortham presented a brief PowerPoint presentation. Wortham prefaced the presentation with the observation that the code we have written is a “pretty good code”; it is “tight,” he remarked. The problem is that Cedar Key is not enforcing the code.
Wortham’s PowerPoint showed pictures of clear cut lots and hacking of vegetation all over the island. He offered solutions to the enforcement problem. Changing the language in the code to hold developers and property owners responsible for damage done defining other hazy language is one suggestion; providing new buyers and realtors informational checklists is another.
ATTORNEY ITEM
Regarding the house under construction at 6031 F Street, Attorney Norm Fugate affirmed that Mr. Darrell McCormick has withdrawn his request to proceed with a hearing on the exemption request. According to Jennifer Sylvester, the Building Clerk, the plans have been revised to bring the building into compliance with the City code.
PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY PROPERTY
With the completion of the C Street Bridge, parking spaces should increase by some fifty-six spaces.
Sturgis Circle has water run off issues. Jamie McCain was directed to gather three engineers’ information.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fire Chief Robert Robinson continues the paperwork-laden process to access a grant to fund a fire truck. Commissioners unanimously support his efforts.
COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS / INFORMATION
Commissioners’ responsibilities were altered. Some changes follow; an updated list should be available soon. IT moves from Sera to Ayres; tree care moves from Colson to McCain; Wortham gains airport liaison.
ADJOURNMENT
The commission meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
The commission meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
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