CEDAR KEY CITY COMMISSION
MET IN FEBRUARY
22 FEBRUARY 2023
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at
5:10 pm, immediately after the Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting adjourned, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Susan Rosenthal and Nancy Sera. Commissioner Jim Wortham attended by telephone.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Fugate, Police
Department Chief Edwin Jenkins, Fire Chief/Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, City Clerk Brenda Ayres, Administrative Assistant Telicia Winfield, Clerk Heather Lang, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Norm Fugate Lee LeeAnne E. Rohrer.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at
5:10 pm, immediately after the Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting adjourned, at the Cedar Key City Hall. Present were Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Commissioners Susan Rosenthal and Nancy Sera. Commissioner Jim Wortham attended by telephone.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Fugate, Police
Department Chief Edwin Jenkins, Fire Chief/Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, City Clerk Brenda Ayres, Administrative Assistant Telicia Winfield, Clerk Heather Lang, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, and Legal Assistant to Norm Fugate Lee LeeAnne E. Rohrer.
Among those in the audience were: Tabitha Lauer, Doug and Sandy Lindhout, Tom Fattori, Buddy Scruggs, Kathy Salkahn, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
The meeting was Zoomed.
The meeting was Zoomed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber of Commerce representative Doug Lindhout thanked commissioners for the opportunity to be part of the agenda and updated them. Among other information, he:
• announced new officers Steve Preissman President, Ben Iversen Vice President, and Dennis Gill Treasurer;
• noted that the Chamber serves approximately 12,000 visitors annually;
• averred that the Chamber is in “full support of the Dark Skies initiative”;
• and further noted that the Chamber is in “full support of City Resolution 468 regarding the water and sewer project.”
Chamber of Commerce representative Doug Lindhout thanked commissioners for the opportunity to be part of the agenda and updated them. Among other information, he:
• announced new officers Steve Preissman President, Ben Iversen Vice President, and Dennis Gill Treasurer;
• noted that the Chamber serves approximately 12,000 visitors annually;
• averred that the Chamber is in “full support of the Dark Skies initiative”;
• and further noted that the Chamber is in “full support of City Resolution 468 regarding the water and sewer project.”
CEDAR KEY AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
Cedar Key Aquaculture Association Advisor Tom Fattori also thanked commissioners for a regular agenda location.
Tonight, he spoke of the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program Automation, ELAP, Program. He explained that aquaculture is part of “agriculture” in the eyes of the federal government. As a result, aquaculture workers are eligible for rebates from last year’s business losses.
Cedar Key Aquaculture Association Advisor Tom Fattori also thanked commissioners for a regular agenda location.
Tonight, he spoke of the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program Automation, ELAP, Program. He explained that aquaculture is part of “agriculture” in the eyes of the federal government. As a result, aquaculture workers are eligible for rebates from last year’s business losses.
He further noted that Cedar Key aquaculture some watermen have attended an agriculture conference , attempting to make the agriculture world more aware of the aquaculture world.
NOT FOR PROFIT, FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy Treasurer Mandy Offerle invited all those interested in conserving the islands of the Cedar Keys, the area, and the Nature Coast to attend the FNCC Annual Meeting at the Island Hotel Patio on Saturday, March 4 from 4 until 6 pm.
Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy Treasurer Mandy Offerle invited all those interested in conserving the islands of the Cedar Keys, the area, and the Nature Coast to attend the FNCC Annual Meeting at the Island Hotel Patio on Saturday, March 4 from 4 until 6 pm.
CLERK’S OFFICE
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the January 17, 2023, City of Cedar Key Commission Meeting and the February 7, 2023, City of Cedar Key Workshop.
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the January 17, 2023, City of Cedar Key Commission Meeting and the February 7, 2023, City of Cedar Key Workshop.
FUND TRANSFER
Commissioners unanimously approved the fund transfer of $76,578 from the city to the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Commissioners unanimously approved the fund transfer of $76,578 from the city to the Community Redevelopment Agency.
OUTSTANDING GARBAGE BILLS
Commissioners unanimously approved placing liens on a list of eleven unpaid garbage bills totaling $3,670.83.
Commissioners unanimously approved placing liens on a list of eleven unpaid garbage bills totaling $3,670.83.
INTERLOCAL AGREEMINT WITH DIXIE COUNTY
Commissioners unanimously approved the City of Cedar Key contracting with Dixie County in an interlocal agreement.
Commissioners unanimously approved the City of Cedar Key contracting with Dixie County in an interlocal agreement.
The agreement provides services to Cedar Key. Dixie will:
• review of all required building plans submitted to determine compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and other applicable life safety codes;
• and perform all required Fire and Life Safety inspections for any/all building permits issued as they relate to commercial new construction, remodels, and renovations.
The agreement contains liability and compensation language.
• review of all required building plans submitted to determine compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and other applicable life safety codes;
• and perform all required Fire and Life Safety inspections for any/all building permits issued as they relate to commercial new construction, remodels, and renovations.
The agreement contains liability and compensation language.
LAND DEVELOPMENT FLIER
Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester and Clerk Heather have created a trifold land development informational brochure addressing regulations and facts that newcomers and realtors ought to know if they buy or operate in Cedar Key. Commissioners unanimously approved completing the document and having it printed for quick dissemination.
Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester and Clerk Heather have created a trifold land development informational brochure addressing regulations and facts that newcomers and realtors ought to know if they buy or operate in Cedar Key. Commissioners unanimously approved completing the document and having it printed for quick dissemination.
PUBLIC WORKS
HERITAGE TREES, ARBORIST
Gainesville-based Advanced Tree Service Vice President Danny Lippi will function as Cedar Key’s arborist when needed. Further, he has visited approximately half of the heritage trees on public property to date, assessed their health, made suggestions for necessary cuts for healthy upkeep, and has digitized that information and pictures of each. The invoice amounted to $1,500. Commissioners unanimously approved his completion of the project.
Gainesville-based Advanced Tree Service Vice President Danny Lippi will function as Cedar Key’s arborist when needed. Further, he has visited approximately half of the heritage trees on public property to date, assessed their health, made suggestions for necessary cuts for healthy upkeep, and has digitized that information and pictures of each. The invoice amounted to $1,500. Commissioners unanimously approved his completion of the project.
PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE DEPARTMENT
NEW FIRE FIGHTER POSITION
Fire Chief Robert Robinson received commissioner approval to establish the new fire-fighter position with Florida Retirement System for retirement benefits, as special risk class.
Fire Chief Robert Robinson received commissioner approval to establish the new fire-fighter position with Florida Retirement System for retirement benefits, as special risk class.
COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
COMMISSIONER JIM WORTHAM LEWIS AIRPORT
Having met repeatedly with Levy County personnel about the Lewis Airport on Cedar Key, Commissioner Wortham presented a graphic of the planning group’s wishes. The suggested airport improvements include: a relocated helipad, a welcome center, parking spaces, and other inclusions not identified on the graphic presented.
Having met repeatedly with Levy County personnel about the Lewis Airport on Cedar Key, Commissioner Wortham presented a graphic of the planning group’s wishes. The suggested airport improvements include: a relocated helipad, a welcome center, parking spaces, and other inclusions not identified on the graphic presented.
Wortham noted that these Improvements: will not happen soon; that these improvements are the maximum probable; no plans are in place to replace the runway.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Wortham reported Having attended am affordable housing meeting in Levy County. Wortham invited the committee to come to Cedar Key to meet to see firsthand the difficulties here.
Wortham reported Having attended am affordable housing meeting in Levy County. Wortham invited the committee to come to Cedar Key to meet to see firsthand the difficulties here.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7 pm.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7 pm.
*******
