CEDAR KEY CITY COMMISSION
MET IN DECEMBER
07 DECEMBER 2023
07 DECEMBER 2023
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 5 pm, at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station Third Floor Classroom on First Street, a temporary move, caused by City Hall’s hurricane damage and the Cedar Key Community Center’s reconstruction into office space. Present were Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioners Sue Colson, Jim Wortham, and Susan Rosenthal. Mayor Heath Davis was not in attendance. Vice-Mayor Sera conducted the meeting.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 5 pm, at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station Third Floor Classroom on First Street, a temporary move, caused by City Hall’s hurricane damage and the Cedar Key Community Center’s reconstruction into office space. Present were Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioners Sue Colson, Jim Wortham, and Susan Rosenthal. Mayor Heath Davis was not in attendance. Vice-Mayor Sera conducted the meeting.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Department Chief Edwin Jenkins, Interim City Clerk and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, Deputy City Clerk Telicia Winfield, Clerk Heather Lang, and Legal Assistant to Norm Fugate Lee LeeAnne E. Rohrer.
Among those in the audience were: Vanessa Edmonds, Darrell McCormick, Esta Johnson, Tabitha Lauer, Jeri Treat, Patty Jett, Eileen Senecal, Doug and Sandy Lindhout, Doris Hellerman, and Mandy and Frank Offerle.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Editor’s Note, December 10: The Small Business Administration’s expected December 14 meeting date noted below will not occur, reported the SBA Friday, December 8. Should another date be set, the public will be notified.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
A Small Business Administration spokesperson informed the audience that, though the November 30 deadline has passed, another opportunity for businesses to apply for loans will come available, probably on December 14. A firm date will soon be announced, she reported. For further information, the SBA office number is 1-800-659-2955.
A Small Business Administration spokesperson informed the audience that, though the November 30 deadline has passed, another opportunity for businesses to apply for loans will come available, probably on December 14. A firm date will soon be announced, she reported. For further information, the SBA office number is 1-800-659-2955.
WOMAN’S CLUB APPRECIATION
Cedar Key Woman’s Club spokesperson Eileen Senecal presented two large treat-filled baskets, also containing Visa credit cards, to both Cedar Key’s First Responders and Police Department.
Cedar Key Woman’s Club spokesperson Eileen Senecal presented two large treat-filled baskets, also containing Visa credit cards, to both Cedar Key’s First Responders and Police Department.
“We wish you courage when afraid, wisdom when you must make quick decisions, strength when weary, and compassion in all of your work,” were Senecal’s perfectly worded, consummately appropriate thoughts spoken to Police Chief Edwin Jenkins and Fire Chief Robert Robinson.
ACTION ITEMS
W3C BYLAWS
Neither the W3 bylaws, nor an appointment to the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative, was addressed.
Neither the W3 bylaws, nor an appointment to the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative, was addressed.
OLD CITY HALL BUILDING
Disposition of the Old City Hall Building has surfaced repeatedly at commission meetings with both demolition and rehabilitation being considered, as well as the sale of the property with/without the building upon it.
Disposition of the Old City Hall Building has surfaced repeatedly at commission meetings with both demolition and rehabilitation being considered, as well as the sale of the property with/without the building upon it.
Commissioner Wortham prefaced his City Hall discussion with his belief that most/all city services should be moved to higher ground, as is the new City Hall, now situated at the Community Center location. He furthered that the adjacent public housing properties might well be investigated to expand the land needed for potential full city services movement. He stated that, “City Hall is only a small part of a much larger equation.”
Commissioner Sera said that she had focused singularly on the Old City Hall and further said she would look into the costs for refurbishing it. That content would be proffered at a February 20 meeting.
Wortham further suggested that the city…
“Develop a plan toward a decision on the old City Hall building.
1: Raze the old City Hall as part of a long-term adaptation plan for City facilities. Explore possibilities and necessary sequence of events for consolidation of other city facilities near new City Hall and subsequent development of old City Hall site.
2: Rehabilitate old City Hall so that it can be used for some purpose in the near term.”
“Develop a plan toward a decision on the old City Hall building.
1: Raze the old City Hall as part of a long-term adaptation plan for City facilities. Explore possibilities and necessary sequence of events for consolidation of other city facilities near new City Hall and subsequent development of old City Hall site.
2: Rehabilitate old City Hall so that it can be used for some purpose in the near term.”
Commissioner Sue Colson attempted to refocus the conversation. Agreeing with Wortham that a long-range, ordered sequence of facility needs should be meshed with the larger resilience efforts ongoing on the island currently. On the larger scale, the movement of the wastewater plant off the island is paramount. The old City Hall is not urgent, nor is the possible movement of the Fire Station to the Sixth Street location. Those things are not causing problems now; wastewater is. The long-range, ordered sequence of needs, she noted, is now the focus of the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency. Commissioners agreed that the focus on the big picture is essential.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE
Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Doug Lindhout updated the community on the Chamber’s December events which are creating “excitement” about town: the Christmas Tree Lighting Event, the Golf Cart Parade, and the Christmas Decorating Contest.
Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Doug Lindhout updated the community on the Chamber’s December events which are creating “excitement” about town: the Christmas Tree Lighting Event, the Golf Cart Parade, and the Christmas Decorating Contest.
Lindhout noted how a fundraising effort will commence to replace or repair the aging Christmas Tree. As fireworks are most expensive, the New Year fireworks display will not occur this year.
Commissioner Colson reported that the Welcome Center continues to provide space for government and altruistic organizations to meet with needful residents in a quiet, private setting.
NATURE COAST BIOLOGICAL STATION UPDATE
Nature Coast Biological Station Director Mike Allen updated the commission on Dr. Savanna Barry’s and the Station’s recent efforts.
The following notes from Dr. Savanna Barry abbreviate the plethora of work done on the City’s behalf by both Barry and Allen, Dr. Mark Clark, and their fellows. One wonders what Cedar Key would be like without their attention to debris, storm drains, sea-level rise, open-space preservation, and more.
Nature Coast Biological Station Director Mike Allen updated the commission on Dr. Savanna Barry’s and the Station’s recent efforts.
The following notes from Dr. Savanna Barry abbreviate the plethora of work done on the City’s behalf by both Barry and Allen, Dr. Mark Clark, and their fellows. One wonders what Cedar Key would be like without their attention to debris, storm drains, sea-level rise, open-space preservation, and more.
“Cedar Key living shoreline projects are getting a lot of media attention for the wave attenuation measurements Mark Clark and Elix Hernandez have compiled. CK is again being seen as a leader and a model at the state and national level.”
The shoreline and stormwater design grant, Cedar Key Shores, is funded and will be issuing bids to hire consultants in January.
Regarding the Stan-Mayfield working waterfront preservation grant submitted last month, NCBS still waits a funding response. Working with City, FIBER partners, and Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy, another proposal to the Florida Communities Trust Open Space Preservation program will be submitted in January. These two grants would help acquire land for adaptation projects.
Operation TRAP will be retrofitting 10 storm drains in the city to trap trash. Devices should be installed in January. NCBS will work with CK Public Works to facilitate placement.
NCBS is working with the Fish and Wildlife Commission to investigate funding to hire locals (perhaps aquaculture industry) to remove post Hurricane Idalia larger debris (docks, etc.) with some emergency funds they have available that would start in February.
Resilient Cedar Key NCBS is working to develop the draft adaptation plan we presented in October to a full draft/final report in the spring.
Director Allen also reported that the NCBS aquarium, located on the ground floor, is being repaired. Levy County is helping fund the replacement of the aquarium’s attendant public displays. All the fish in the tank when Idalia hit survived and were returned to the Gulf waters from whence they came.
CLERK’S OFFICE
INTERLOCAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Commissioners unanimously approved the Interlocal Municipal Election Agreement with the Levy County Supervisor of Elections. The agreement articulates the city’s and the supervisor’s responsibilities for the election forthcoming on April 3, 2023.
Commissioners unanimously approved the Interlocal Municipal Election Agreement with the Levy County Supervisor of Elections. The agreement articulates the city’s and the supervisor’s responsibilities for the election forthcoming on April 3, 2023.
KIOSK LEASE FEES
The city estimates $30,000 to $40,000 to reconnect electricity to the five Marina outside docks. Currently the five dock leases are not charged for electricity; they are charged rent and for water use.
The city estimates $30,000 to $40,000 to reconnect electricity to the five Marina outside docks. Currently the five dock leases are not charged for electricity; they are charged rent and for water use.
MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the August 15, 2023, Commission Meeting .
Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the August 15, 2023, Commission Meeting .
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
THIRD STREET POSSIBLE PURCHASE
At the October 17, 2023, commission meeting, commissioners agreed to secure an appraisal for the Third Street vacant lots they wish to purchase. The owners’ asking price is $535,000, plus title insurance, doc stamps, and recording costs totaling another estimated $7,200; the owner is the Carmen Project.
At the October 17, 2023, commission meeting, commissioners agreed to secure an appraisal for the Third Street vacant lots they wish to purchase. The owners’ asking price is $535,000, plus title insurance, doc stamps, and recording costs totaling another estimated $7,200; the owner is the Carmen Project.
The appraisal included in the evening’s packet cited $415,000.
Attorney Norm Fugate said that this land item was not intended to be on the evening’s agenda; hence, it was not discussed.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
LIEUTENANT POSITION
Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins requested that commissioners reinstate the lieutenant position. A second in command must be in place for police chiefs to take vacations, etc. A $5,000 raise, from the officer level, and a take-home police car can be absorbed by the department. Commissioners approved the request and requested specific take-home car policies. Jenkins will respond by email.
Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins requested that commissioners reinstate the lieutenant position. A second in command must be in place for police chiefs to take vacations, etc. A $5,000 raise, from the officer level, and a take-home police car can be absorbed by the department. Commissioners approved the request and requested specific take-home car policies. Jenkins will respond by email.
COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
LEASH LAW CONSIDERED
Commissioner Susan Rosenthal averred the need for a Cedar Key leash law. Her dog, still thriving, was attacked by another not on a leash. She requested permission to work with Police Chief Jenkins and return to the commission with a proposal. The issue of enforcement may prove problematic, some commented.
DOCK STTREET STUDY
Commissioner Sue Colson updated commissioners and the audience of Levy County’s efforts to save the understructure of Dock Street by diminishing wave action. A second meeting will occur on December 12 at the NCBS Classroom.
Commissioner Sue Colson updated commissioners and the audience of Levy County’s efforts to save the understructure of Dock Street by diminishing wave action. A second meeting will occur on December 12 at the NCBS Classroom.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned after6:13 pm.
The meeting adjourned after6:13 pm.
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