CITY COMMISSION MET 16 OCTOBER
The Cedar Key City Commssion met Tuesday,
The Cedar Key City Commssion met Tuesday,
October 15, 2024 at 5 pm at City Hall
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TEMPORARY POLICE CHIEF
Police chief Mike Wilson is temporarily in place for Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins, who is on medical leave.
Police chief Mike Wilson is temporarily in place for Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins, who is on medical leave.
MARINA USE
Use of the Marina is available to commercial entities only.
Use of the Marina is available to commercial entities only.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Should a resident have hazardous waste to dispose of, call City Hall for pick up.
Should a resident have hazardous waste to dispose of, call City Hall for pick up.
HALLOWEEN
Halloween is being planned on Second Street. No further details were offered.
Halloween is being planned on Second Street. No further details were offered.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CKS DECA PRESENTATION:
Cedar Key School’s Diversified Education Clubs of America sponsor, instructor Nicole Gill, accompanied by two students, presented their mission of bolstering their community. This month, the group is operating a canned food drive to assist the area. The threesome garnered applause from the audience.
GUDE, TREAT, THANK CITY, CKWSD
Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Manager Andrew Gude expressed his gratitude to city and water board staff for the excellent planning and performance before and after the storm.
Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Manager Andrew Gude expressed his gratitude to city and water board staff for the excellent planning and performance before and after the storm.
Resident Jeri Treat echoed Gude’s remarks and added, “I’m so glad you gave these employees the raise.”
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber President Doug Lindhout noted that the Chamber’s Christmas tree will be placed in City Park sometime soon, and he will be calling for volunteers to help restore the currently damaged boughs and erect the tree.
Chamber President Doug Lindhout noted that the Chamber’s Christmas tree will be placed in City Park sometime soon, and he will be calling for volunteers to help restore the currently damaged boughs and erect the tree.
He further noted that the Chamber staff is operating out of a trailer currently placed alongside the Welcome Center because of hurricane damage.
Lindhout hopes to somehow message to the public a “What’s newly opened this week?” notice weekly. The Island Hotel is this week’s subject; it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, five days a week.
CEDAR KEY AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
CKAA President Rosie Cantwell reported that the aquaculture industry, nearly statewide, ha severely suffered from the effects of the hurricanes. Her group has lobbied US House Speaker Mike Johnson and others to raise awareness of its plight.
CKAA President Rosie Cantwell reported that the aquaculture industry, nearly statewide, ha severely suffered from the effects of the hurricanes. Her group has lobbied US House Speaker Mike Johnson and others to raise awareness of its plight.
NATURE COAST BIOLOGICAL STATION
NCBS Director Mike Allen reported that, though the breakaway bottom floor of the station did as it was intended, enough damage to the electrical and plumbing was done by the hurricane for him to close and have staff work remotely until the building and its services are repaired. He hopes to be open in January.
NCBS Director Mike Allen reported that, though the breakaway bottom floor of the station did as it was intended, enough damage to the electrical and plumbing was done by the hurricane for him to close and have staff work remotely until the building and its services are repaired. He hopes to be open in January.
Allen added that Seahorse Key has been badly eroded, putting the Lighthouse in a precarious position.
CEDAR KEY WATER & SEWER DISTRICT
Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager John Rittenhouse
Updated the group with the following news.
• Two of the most important, helpful elements of resuming water and sewer systems operative were Orange County, out of Santa Rosa, Utilities who, in response to a pre—organized mutual aid agreement, returned to working order the island’s seventeen lift stations. The second factor allowing the restoration of water in Cedar Key was retired General Manager and Superintendent of the CKWSD James McCain.
• Both the water and the wastewater systems are operative. A boil water notice is in effect until testing shows salinity levels decreased, and water normalized. Homes in which plumbing and or electrical lines have been damaged are still without sewer or power services.
• And much, much more.
Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager John Rittenhouse
Updated the group with the following news.
• Two of the most important, helpful elements of resuming water and sewer systems operative were Orange County, out of Santa Rosa, Utilities who, in response to a pre—organized mutual aid agreement, returned to working order the island’s seventeen lift stations. The second factor allowing the restoration of water in Cedar Key was retired General Manager and Superintendent of the CKWSD James McCain.
• Both the water and the wastewater systems are operative. A boil water notice is in effect until testing shows salinity levels decreased, and water normalized. Homes in which plumbing and or electrical lines have been damaged are still without sewer or power services.
• And much, much more.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
ORDINANCE NO. 557, SECOND READING
This ordinance amends the future land use plan map series in the Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance.
This ordinance amends the future land use plan map series in the Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance.
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
JAMES MORE HIRED
Commissioners unanimously agreed to hire James Moore, Certified Public Accountants, at a cost of $40,300 to assist the city clerk in the production of books to precede the city’s and the Community Redevelopment Agency’s annual audits.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to hire James Moore, Certified Public Accountants, at a cost of $40,300 to assist the city clerk in the production of books to precede the city’s and the Community Redevelopment Agency’s annual audits.
PURVIS GRAY TO BE HIRED
Commissioners unanimously agreed to hire Purvis Gray, Certified Public Accountants,, at a cist if $4, 970, to perform the city’s and the Community Redevelop net Agency’s annual audits.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to hire Purvis Gray, Certified Public Accountants,, at a cist if $4, 970, to perform the city’s and the Community Redevelop net Agency’s annual audits.
PERMIT FEES
The discussion of lowering permit fees ensued. Immediately resolved was that a fee would not be required for demolition of buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The discussion of lowering permit fees ensued. Immediately resolved was that a fee would not be required for demolition of buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Commissioners heard speakers expressing understanding why permits must require a fee. They heard another who believed that, as other counties in Florida, most larger and wealthier than Levy County do: they should eliminate the fees. And take the loss in revenue.
Commissioners declined to lower the fees as the city’s building department is not a profit making entity. The department charges only what it costs to cover administrative costs. Should they charge less for permits, the administrative costs would necessarily, and inappropriately, be paid by those residents not needing the services.
POST HURRICANE, FIRE PERMITTING PROCESS, TRAILERS
Commissioners reported that JPI, the city’s Building Department officers, have determined that, after events such as a hurricane or fire, residents and businesses may have a trailer on their property for up to 36 months.
Commissioners reported that JPI, the city’s Building Department officers, have determined that, after events such as a hurricane or fire, residents and businesses may have a trailer on their property for up to 36 months.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain reported his hurricane damaged or lost equipment. Commissioners unanimously approved him, working within his budget, to replace those items.
Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain reported his hurricane damaged or lost equipment. Commissioners unanimously approved him, working within his budget, to replace those items.
CONSULTANT HIRE
At the suggestion by audience member Bill Clark, Consultant Harry Henderson of Virginia was hired at $1,000 per month. No other consultants were discussed or considered. His task was unclear, it was either: to help plan the future of Cedar Key or to access the possible federal monies coming in disaster relief.
At the suggestion by audience member Bill Clark, Consultant Harry Henderson of Virginia was hired at $1,000 per month. No other consultants were discussed or considered. His task was unclear, it was either: to help plan the future of Cedar Key or to access the possible federal monies coming in disaster relief.
HURRICANE UPDATE
Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson updated commissioners.
• Old City Hall has shifted on its foundation.
• The insurance company insuring the library and the Welcome Center has begun clean up and repair operations.
• Old City Hall has shifted on its foundation.
• The insurance company insuring the library and the Welcome Center has begun clean up and repair operations.
The meeting adjourned at 5:42 pm..
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