CEDAR KEY CITY COMMISSION
PUNCTUATED BY SOME CONFUSION
MET ON JUNE 18
18 JUNE 2024
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday evening at 5 pm in City Hall for what could have been an efficient one hour meeting. Instead, some thirty-eight additional minutes were swallowed up by what one commissioner, newly seated Jolie Davis, who described the situation as confusing, intimidating, and bullying. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.
The issue provoking the consternation was the wording for the first reading of Ordinance 556 which regulates recreational vehicles. Detail is provided below under Attorney’s office. By meeting’s end, a visibly irritated Davis, had repeatedly and exasperatedly complained about her confusion and not understanding the procedure. There were no complaints by any other commissioner of confusion, intimidation, or bullying.
PUBLIC COMMENT
SCHOOL TRAFFIC
Resident Peggy Wirth stated her concern about the stalled traffic along Whiddon when school closes daily.
Resident Peggy Wirth stated her concern about the stalled traffic along Whiddon when school closes daily.
Resident Mike Day furthered Ms. Wirth’s concern. He has spoken to the commission before about the issue. He spoke to Levy Public School Superintendent Chris Cowart about the issue recently; he mentioned no solutions were offered by Cowart. Day himself offered solutions: parents could park on the field in back of the school or park around H Street and await their children. He explained that this issue was “a burr under his saddle” and that he would not let it go unattended. We need an “alternative,” he averred.
Mayor Colson responded that, as this is a safety and traffic issue, she has referred the matter to Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins.
ELECTIONS
Levy County Commissioner, District 5 Williston, Candidate Johnny Heirs was in attendance and asked for the audience’s vote in the August primary election.
Levy County Commissioner, District 5 Williston, Candidate Johnny Heirs was in attendance and asked for the audience’s vote in the August primary election.
NATURE COAST BIOLOGICAL STATION
NCBS Director Dr Mike Allen reminded audience members that the next Open House at Seahorse Key is July 3.
NCBS Director Dr Mike Allen reminded audience members that the next Open House at Seahorse Key is July 3.
Allen also spoke of his recent program hosting some twelve high school students from all over the nation on Seahorse Key or several days. He also spoke of hosting 21 Cedar Key Summer Program students, aged seven through middle school. Six local fishermen and charter owners launched boasts and taught students how to fish. One youngster landed a 200 pound shark.
IMPORTANT DATES
• July 2, 2024, CHW workshop to hear the Evaluation Report of old City Hall on Second Street.
• June 25, 2024, Community Redevelopment Agency Workshop
• July 2, 2024, CHW workshop to hear the Evaluation Report of old City Hall on Second Street.
• June 25, 2024, Community Redevelopment Agency Workshop
CLERK’S OFFICE
KIOSK RENTAL
Commissioners unanimously approved Sean Campbell’s request to lease am outside marina kiosk. Campbell’s Charters, LLC will be based at the site previously occupied by the Robinsons.
KIOSK RENTAL
Commissioners unanimously approved Sean Campbell’s request to lease am outside marina kiosk. Campbell’s Charters, LLC will be based at the site previously occupied by the Robinsons.
Since the advent of Hurricane Idalia, the kiosk leases are rented on a monthly basis to ease payment difficulties resulting from the hurricane. Commissioners will lease Campbell’s lese for a year at the current rate of $265 plus water and electricity.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
ORDINANCE 555 (Second Reading)
Ordinance 555 allows Clay Sweger, of EDA Consultants, Inc., as agent for William Clayton Taylor and Marguerite Pringle Teetor, to amend the Future Land Use Plan Map of the Comprehensive Plan, by changing the land use classification from COUNTY URBAN LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (1 dwelling unit per acre) to CITY RESIDENTIAL (4.9 dwelling unit per acre) on the property described….” as the approximately two-acre Taylor / Teetor property.
Ordinance 555 allows Clay Sweger, of EDA Consultants, Inc., as agent for William Clayton Taylor and Marguerite Pringle Teetor, to amend the Future Land Use Plan Map of the Comprehensive Plan, by changing the land use classification from COUNTY URBAN LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (1 dwelling unit per acre) to CITY RESIDENTIAL (4.9 dwelling unit per acre) on the property described….” as the approximately two-acre Taylor / Teetor property.
Commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, ORDINANCE 556
This is the first reading of the issue discussed at the May 21 commission meeting. At that time, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester suggested changes in the current ordinance. That May discussion was wide-ranging and not decisive. It was left to Attorney Fugate to manage the wording.
This is the first reading of the issue discussed at the May 21 commission meeting. At that time, Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester suggested changes in the current ordinance. That May discussion was wide-ranging and not decisive. It was left to Attorney Fugate to manage the wording.
This evening, Attorney Norm Fugate presented draft Ordinance 556. Discussion initially centered upon the length of time and where an RV might park.
Davis asked what she should tell those who ask why the Nature Coast Biological Station can have an RV on its property and Cedar Key property owners may not. The mayor stated that the NCBS is a mobile lab used to process samples; it contains no beds; no one stays in it overnight. That is what to tell them.
Davis responded that the NCBS lab and an RV were the same thing. This is just semantics and “in reality they are the same thing,” allowing no differentiation. She announced that she “was speaking for all citizens.”
After some back and forth, Mayor Colson suggested that Davis, either with Attorney Fugate or not, write something to her liking and bring it back to the commission.
Davis said she was confused and didn’t understand and ask if that was the way she should bring things to the commission, to write things up and bring them to the commission? Mayor Colson responded that could work.
Four of the five commissioners seemed to agree that they did not want the island to become populated with RV’s and they did not want people sleeping in them overnight.
As the issue was approaching thirty minutes, Mayor Colson repeatedly explained that discussion ought to stop, and the issue was not ready to be an agenda item and needs be brought up at a workshop. Commissioners and agenda items should be ready for action when meetings are called. Other commissioners agreed.
Four of the five commissioners signaled readiness to move the agenda forward.
PUBLIC WORKS
EV CHARGE STATION
Public Works Director Jamie McCain brought to the commissioners and $18,000 estimate, for purchase only, of an electrical vehicle charging station for the island. Installation of the unit would be an additional cost. Davis reported that she has been speaking with someone about a charging station with an informational kiosk attached to it. The kiosk could be populated with visitor information drivers could watch while they charge or could be used to display advertisements to generate additional revenue. Commissioners voted four-to-one to move forward on the estimate they had before them; Davis voted no.
Public Works Director Jamie McCain brought to the commissioners and $18,000 estimate, for purchase only, of an electrical vehicle charging station for the island. Installation of the unit would be an additional cost. Davis reported that she has been speaking with someone about a charging station with an informational kiosk attached to it. The kiosk could be populated with visitor information drivers could watch while they charge or could be used to display advertisements to generate additional revenue. Commissioners voted four-to-one to move forward on the estimate they had before them; Davis voted no.
ADA PARKING SPACES
Mayor Colson announced that four new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant parking spaces have almost been completely constructed. Two are located behind City Hall and two are located across the street from the Market on State Road 24 and Third Street.
Mayor Colson announced that four new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant parking spaces have almost been completely constructed. Two are located behind City Hall and two are located across the street from the Market on State Road 24 and Third Street.
TREES
Mayor Colson also reported that four new oak trees are planted to replace the three sycamores in City Park and one in the Cemetery,
Mayor Colson also reported that four new oak trees are planted to replace the three sycamores in City Park and one in the Cemetery,
POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAILER
Police Chief Edwin Jenkins requested approval to accept a used trailer from the Williston Police Department to be used for parts to repair Cedar Key Police Department’s speed trailer. Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
Police Chief Edwin Jenkins requested approval to accept a used trailer from the Williston Police Department to be used for parts to repair Cedar Key Police Department’s speed trailer. Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
ATV
Commissioners unanimously voted to not allow all-terrain vehicles on the streets of Cedar Key.
Commissioners unanimously voted to not allow all-terrain vehicles on the streets of Cedar Key.
SCHOOL STUDENT PICK-UP CONGESTION
Chief Jenkins remarked that the current pick-up situation at the school is working as it is and he will not change it or re-rout it. Commissioner Webb remarked that he, as dean at the school, knew the situation well, and agrees with Jenkins. The maximum amount of time for the traffic to be stalled is five to seven minutes.
Chief Jenkins remarked that the current pick-up situation at the school is working as it is and he will not change it or re-rout it. Commissioner Webb remarked that he, as dean at the school, knew the situation well, and agrees with Jenkins. The maximum amount of time for the traffic to be stalled is five to seven minutes.
COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
Davis again brought up the question, “Shall I draft an agenda item?” “I’m confused,” she said.
Colson repeated, “ If discussion goes on for twenty minutes, a workshop may be called.”
Davis responded, “I was told that this was the place [for discussion].” Tones became increasingly short, and Davis became increasingly argumentative. Davis accused Mayor Colson of bulling and intimidating her.
Davis repeated, I was told that…; I just want to do it right.”
Davis again remarked that she was confused, felt she was not allowed to ask questions, and felt that Colson was trying to “quiet” her.
Mayor Colson again replied that too much time has already been spent on this discussion.
STATE ROAD 24 AND SECOND STREET
After a short conversation, commissioners unanimously voted to remove the curbing recently place on Second Street at the SR24 intersection.
After a short conversation, commissioners unanimously voted to remove the curbing recently place on Second Street at the SR24 intersection.
For the benefit of the new commissioners and others who had not attended previous meetings regarding the four-way-stop, Mayor Colson took several minutes to explain the history of decision making about that intersection.
THIRD STREET LOTS
Mayor Colson asked Attorney Fugate to contact the realtors selling the lots on the south side of Third Street, previously appraised for the city to inquire if they were still interested in selling.
Mayor Colson asked Attorney Fugate to contact the realtors selling the lots on the south side of Third Street, previously appraised for the city to inquire if they were still interested in selling.
Resident and prior commissioner Susan Rosenthal advised the commissioners not to purchase the lots saying that they would cost approximately $69,000 per lot.
IN ATTENDANCE
In attendance were Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioners Jim Wortham, Jolie Davis and Jeff Webb.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Department Chief Edwin Jenkins, Fire Chief/Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, Interim City Clerk/Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, Deputy City Clerk Telicia Winfield, and Clerk Heather Lang.
This meeting was attended by some twenty-five audience members. Among them were:
Esta Johnston, Sheryl Belcher, Mike Allen, Mike Borelli, Jeri Treat, Mike Day, Peggy Wirth,
Jennifer Webb, Susan Rosenthal, John Rittenhouse, Buddy Scruggs, Claudia Nelson, Ron Smith, Johnny Hiers, Sean Campbell, Janice Fugate, and the Cedar Key News’ Mandy and Frank Offerle.
IN ATTENDANCE
In attendance were Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioners Jim Wortham, Jolie Davis and Jeff Webb.
Staff in attendance included: City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate, Police Department Chief Edwin Jenkins, Fire Chief/Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain, Interim City Clerk/Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester, Deputy City Clerk Telicia Winfield, and Clerk Heather Lang.
This meeting was attended by some twenty-five audience members. Among them were:
Esta Johnston, Sheryl Belcher, Mike Allen, Mike Borelli, Jeri Treat, Mike Day, Peggy Wirth,
Jennifer Webb, Susan Rosenthal, John Rittenhouse, Buddy Scruggs, Claudia Nelson, Ron Smith, Johnny Hiers, Sean Campbell, Janice Fugate, and the Cedar Key News’ Mandy and Frank Offerle.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 pm
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