CITY COMMISSION MET
WORKSHOP FOLLOWED
19 JULY 2022
19 JULY 2022
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 5 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, July 19, 2022, at 5 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 Edwin Jenkins, Fire Chief/Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Building Inspector Jack Fahey, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, City Clerk Brenda Ayres, Administrative Assistant Telicia Winfield, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Norm Fugate Lee LeeAnne E. Rohrer.
Among those in the audience were: Tabitha Lauer, Melody Gray, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
The meeting was Zoomed.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES
Rodney Long, running for State Senate District 9, Brandon Peters, running for Florida House of Representatives District 22 which includes Levy County, and James Allen, running for Levy County Property Appraiser were in attendance. Each spoke briefly about his qualifications and platform.
PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES
Rodney Long, running for State Senate District 9, Brandon Peters, running for Florida House of Representatives District 22 which includes Levy County, and James Allen, running for Levy County Property Appraiser were in attendance. Each spoke briefly about his qualifications and platform.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson spoke to the five-week Summer Youth Program that this year served approximately sixty elementary school students daily from 8 am to 4 pm except on Fridays. Colson showed a ten-minute video and small “books” written by students after their archeology trip to Atsena Otie. She presented the “Buzz Lightyear Award” to the commissioner who impressed and entertained the students at their trip to the George T. Lewis Airport. Colson made the point that many of the activities and expert personnel with them were costless to the city.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson spoke to the five-week Summer Youth Program that this year served approximately sixty elementary school students daily from 8 am to 4 pm except on Fridays. Colson showed a ten-minute video and small “books” written by students after their archeology trip to Atsena Otie. She presented the “Buzz Lightyear Award” to the commissioner who impressed and entertained the students at their trip to the George T. Lewis Airport. Colson made the point that many of the activities and expert personnel with them were costless to the city.
CLERK’S OFFICE:
MINUTES APPROVED Minutes from the following meetings were approved: June 21,2022, July 5, 2022, and February 1, 2022.
MINUTES APPROVED Minutes from the following meetings were approved: June 21,2022, July 5, 2022, and February 1, 2022.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT:
CRS UPDATE
Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester reported having recently met with the FEMA Community Rating Service’s technical coordinator via Zoom and has planned another August Zoom meeting with the agent.
She reported that currently the City of Cedar Key’s rating is a nine, the lowest ranking possible, and a ranking that earns city residents a five percent lowering of their flood insurance costs. To heighten the ranking, and consequently further decrease insurance costs, she plans to complete the simpler actions enumerated by CRS, such as conducting public outreach activities and providing information to the library.
SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SOFTWARE
For the past several weeks, Building Inspector Jack Fahey investigated various systems integration software options. Most extant systems are designed for large municipalities. Fahey’s solution is to purchase parts of systems appropriate for smaller Cedar Key.
For the past several weeks, Building Inspector Jack Fahey investigated various systems integration software options. Most extant systems are designed for large municipalities. Fahey’s solution is to purchase parts of systems appropriate for smaller Cedar Key.
He hopes to establish and integrate system for: permitting and its submittals, tracking, and inspections; and code enforcement and its complaints, noticing, and tracking. No information regarding cost for the software is available at present.
CONTRACTOR INFORMATION SESSION
When the systems integration software is in place, Fahey plans to meet with contractors, subcontractors, and tradesmen in informational sessions to apprise them of the system’s accessibility and their responsibilities.
When the systems integration software is in place, Fahey plans to meet with contractors, subcontractors, and tradesmen in informational sessions to apprise them of the system’s accessibility and their responsibilities.
SYLVESTER’S FIVE-YEAR CERTIFFICATION PLAN
Currently Building Clerk Sylvester is in the process of obtaining a Certificate of Floodplain Management and a Building Official certificate. Overseen by the State of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, certification requires coursework, test taking, and time. Sylvester submitted her five-year plan for accomplishing these certifications.
Currently Building Clerk Sylvester is in the process of obtaining a Certificate of Floodplain Management and a Building Official certificate. Overseen by the State of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, certification requires coursework, test taking, and time. Sylvester submitted her five-year plan for accomplishing these certifications.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE:
DOZIER CASE REPRESENTATION
Prompted by the judge’s office overseeing the Dozier litigation, City Attorney Norm Fugate asked the commission to designate a representative to be available to represent the city at hearings. No commissioner responded. Mayor Davis suggested that Fugate call upon the commissioner available on the hearing date(s) yet to be announced.
DOZIER CASE REPRESENTATION
Prompted by the judge’s office overseeing the Dozier litigation, City Attorney Norm Fugate asked the commission to designate a representative to be available to represent the city at hearings. No commissioner responded. Mayor Davis suggested that Fugate call upon the commissioner available on the hearing date(s) yet to be announced.
RESOLUTION 458, BUILDING DEPARTMENT FEE CHANGES
Commissioners unanimously approved Attorney Fugate’s presentation of Resolution 458, which codifies into the Laws off Cedar Key, changes in the city’s Building Department fees. The specific changes were discussed in a previous meeting. More changes are expected.
Commissioners unanimously approved Attorney Fugate’s presentation of Resolution 458, which codifies into the Laws off Cedar Key, changes in the city’s Building Department fees. The specific changes were discussed in a previous meeting. More changes are expected.
WASTE ASSESSMENT REPORT
Attorney Fugate presented a report outlining the basis and method of calculating the annual ad valorem tax assessment for property owners for the collection of solid waste, yard trash, and bulk items pick up from October 2022 until 2023. Commissioners unanimously approved the report.
Attorney Fugate presented a report outlining the basis and method of calculating the annual ad valorem tax assessment for property owners for the collection of solid waste, yard trash, and bulk items pick up from October 2022 until 2023. Commissioners unanimously approved the report.
R.O.W. LICENSE AGREEMENT - MARGERY STREET
In receipt of correspondence from Gainesville Attorney Stephanie Emrick stating that her clients, Denise and registered land surveyor Steven McMillen, did not know that their newly completed dock illegally enchroached on the public right of way, Attorney Fugate suggested approval of the request to grant the license aggrement.
In receipt of correspondence from Gainesville Attorney Stephanie Emrick stating that her clients, Denise and registered land surveyor Steven McMillen, did not know that their newly completed dock illegally enchroached on the public right of way, Attorney Fugate suggested approval of the request to grant the license aggrement.
Commissioners unanimously denied the license request, noting that the city had informed both the owner and the contractor in a timely fashion that the construction was in violation and could not be legally completed. Commissioners suggested that the owner further his actions with his contractor.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:
STURGIS CIRCLE DRAINAGE
Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain presented Jones Edwards’, an engineering firm, scope of work for establishing a drainage system on Sturgis Circle priced at approximately $63,000. Mayor Davis instructed McCain to discuss a pipe solution with local contractor Ron Taylor.
STURGIS CIRCLE DRAINAGE
Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain presented Jones Edwards’, an engineering firm, scope of work for establishing a drainage system on Sturgis Circle priced at approximately $63,000. Mayor Davis instructed McCain to discuss a pipe solution with local contractor Ron Taylor.
SOFTWARE PURCHASE
McCain reported continuing to investigate software systems to make his department increasingly efficient.
McCain reported continuing to investigate software systems to make his department increasingly efficient.
LIBRARY ROOF
McCain also reported that the library roof is in serious disrepair, leaking in some places. He will return to the commission with suggested actions.
McCain also reported that the library roof is in serious disrepair, leaking in some places. He will return to the commission with suggested actions.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
After a brief history of American flag displays on the island and the difficulty putting them up and taking them down, Fire Chief Robert Robinson requested approval to investigate the purchase of a used or surplused bucket truck. Robinson sees many other uses for such a truck: holiday lights management, tree cutting, etc. He will begin with contacting Central Florida Electrical Cooperative.
After a brief history of American flag displays on the island and the difficulty putting them up and taking them down, Fire Chief Robert Robinson requested approval to investigate the purchase of a used or surplused bucket truck. Robinson sees many other uses for such a truck: holiday lights management, tree cutting, etc. He will begin with contacting Central Florida Electrical Cooperative.
The flag display has annually occurred since 2011 when the late Don Joyce initiated the project. Robinson has performed the labor since. Costs associated with the display have entirely funded by donations; no cost has come to the city.
COMMISSIONER CONCERNS:
CRA MEETING
Commissioners will schedule a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting to: elect new chairpersons; finalize and establish last and next years’ budgets; consider a new CRA. Commissioners were reminded to invite a Levy County Commissioner.
CRA MEETING
Commissioners will schedule a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting to: elect new chairpersons; finalize and establish last and next years’ budgets; consider a new CRA. Commissioners were reminded to invite a Levy County Commissioner.
DARK SKIES INITIATIVE
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson initiated discussion about Cedar Key and the larger national Dark Sky initiative.
Vice-Mayor Sue Colson initiated discussion about Cedar Key and the larger national Dark Sky initiative.
Light pollution, globally, is a problem. The following quote from the International Dark Sky Association says it all…
“ Less than 100 years ago, everyone could look up and see a spectacular starry night sky. Now, millions of children across the globe will never experience the Milky Way where they live. The increased and widespread use of artificial light at night is not only impairing our view of the universe, it is adversely affecting our environment, our safety, our energy consumption and our health.” https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/
Questions provoked by Colson included: how the city can help in this endeavor; is there a state or national Dark Skies legal designation. Currently the Laws of Cedar Key addresses commercial lighting, not residential.
COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNMENT
The commission adjourned after 7 pm.
The commission adjourned after 7 pm.
BUDGET WORKSHOP CONVENED
After a Brief recess, a budget workshop was convened. A millage rate of 4.744, the same as last year, was set.
After a Brief recess, a budget workshop was convened. A millage rate of 4.744, the same as last year, was set.
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