CITY COMMISSION MET 17 DECEMBER2024 December 17
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 5 pm at City Hall. The Commissioners in attendance were: Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nany Sera, and Commissioner Jeff Webb. Commissioner Jim Wortham attended by telephone. Commissioner Jolie Davis was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
HURRICANE DAMAGES
Resident Scot Dennison suggested that a workshop be presented focusing upon each city department’s damage and loss due to recent hurricanes.
Resident Scot Dennison suggested that a workshop be presented focusing upon each city department’s damage and loss due to recent hurricanes.
CLEAN WATERS
Cedar Key Aquaculture Association member Joey Cannon requested that the commission consider the organization’s input when making decisions about the waters about Cedar Key. Cannon was referring to a recent Cedar Ky Community Redevelopment Agency meeting in which local businesspersons suggested changes to the use of the Marina area and the waters surrounding it. Cannon remarked that any accident could cause damage to the industry.
Cedar Key Aquaculture Association member Joey Cannon requested that the commission consider the organization’s input when making decisions about the waters about Cedar Key. Cannon was referring to a recent Cedar Ky Community Redevelopment Agency meeting in which local businesspersons suggested changes to the use of the Marina area and the waters surrounding it. Cannon remarked that any accident could cause damage to the industry.
Commissioner Webb spoke stating the need for the commission to listen to all citizens, not one group alone. He repeated that declaration.
Cannon offered any help, that the CKAA could provide, at any time, be they records, data collections, or attestations.
Cannon offered any help, that the CKAA could provide, at any time, be they records, data collections, or attestations.
TREE CITY
Mary Prescott proudly announced the Arbor Day Foundation’s redesignation of Cedar Key as a Tree City, in recognition of its efforts to plant, replace, chronicle, and create ordinances to support the Cedar Key canopy.
Mary Prescott proudly announced the Arbor Day Foundation’s redesignation of Cedar Key as a Tree City, in recognition of its efforts to plant, replace, chronicle, and create ordinances to support the Cedar Key canopy.
WOMAN’S CLUB
The Cedar Key Woman’s Club’s Susan Rosenthal and Eileen Senecal presented gift baskets to the city’s Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department Public Works and to the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District.
The Cedar Key Woman’s Club’s Susan Rosenthal and Eileen Senecal presented gift baskets to the city’s Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department Public Works and to the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District.
CLERK’S OFFICE
IMPORTANT DATES
Important dates announced were:
City Hall Closed 12/24 until 12/25/24
City of Cedar Key Notice of Election:
Qualifying: 1/21/25 through 1/24/25 at noon
Election: April 01, 2024.
Important dates announced were:
City Hall Closed 12/24 until 12/25/24
City of Cedar Key Notice of Election:
Qualifying: 1/21/25 through 1/24/25 at noon
Election: April 01, 2024.
MINUTES APPROVED
Minutes from November 19, 2024, Commission Meeting were approved.
Minutes from November 19, 2024, Commission Meeting were approved.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OLD CITY HALL
At an earlier commission meeting, City Attorney Norm Fugate was directed to communicate with realtors regarding the sale of old City Hall on Second Street. Tonight, Fugate reported that he had spoken to three real estate brokers: Nikki Rucker, Vanessa Edmonds, and Caryn Stephenson. Why those three were selected was not proffered, except that they are brokers, not agents. Other brokers operating in Cedar Key were not considered nor mentioned.
At an earlier commission meeting, City Attorney Norm Fugate was directed to communicate with realtors regarding the sale of old City Hall on Second Street. Tonight, Fugate reported that he had spoken to three real estate brokers: Nikki Rucker, Vanessa Edmonds, and Caryn Stephenson. Why those three were selected was not proffered, except that they are brokers, not agents. Other brokers operating in Cedar Key were not considered nor mentioned.
After some lengthy conversation, including the facts that only Edmonds was in attendance, neither Rucker nor Stephenson attended the meeting, and those not selected might have hurt feelings. Commissioners settled upon requiring the three, if they chose to sell old City Hall, to submit a proposal detailing their experiences and their strategies about how to sell the property.
No discussion occurred regarding:
• the fact that the old City Hall is only part of one larger parcel that currently contains the Fire Station, Public Works areas, and a parking lot;
• how a price can be affixed to the property without stating size of the property involved;
• how a buyer could evaluate a building without being able to enter it. There are safety issues due to the damaged floor supports and other structural damage.
• the fact that the old City Hall is only part of one larger parcel that currently contains the Fire Station, Public Works areas, and a parking lot;
• how a price can be affixed to the property without stating size of the property involved;
• how a buyer could evaluate a building without being able to enter it. There are safety issues due to the damaged floor supports and other structural damage.
Proposals will be discussed at the January 14 commission meeting.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
MUTUAL AID
A memorandum of understanding and mutual aid agreements among Chiefland, Trenton, and Williston Police Departments were unanimously approved.
A memorandum of understanding and mutual aid agreements among Chiefland, Trenton, and Williston Police Departments were unanimously approved.
SURPLUS VEHICLES
The sale of surplus vehicles damaged from Hurricane Helene was unanimously approved.
The sale of surplus vehicles damaged from Hurricane Helene was unanimously approved.
INTERLOCAL ELECTION AGREEMENT
An interlocal agreement involving the City of Cedar Key, its Police Department, and the Levy County Supervisor of Elections, detailing the responsibilities of each regarding the upcoming election, was unanimously approved.
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
CKWSD General Manage John Rittenhouse announced the January commencement of the Lift Station Phase One effort and its smoke test to occur in January.
CKWSD General Manage John Rittenhouse announced the January commencement of the Lift Station Phase One effort and its smoke test to occur in January.
PUBLIC WORKS
OUTSIDE MARINA DOCK
Three bids were received for the repair of the outside Marina docks:
• Shore Builders, Inc. at $26,825;
• Jamie Griffin Construction at $27,299;
• and Insight at $31,979.
Three bids were received for the repair of the outside Marina docks:
• Shore Builders, Inc. at $26,825;
• Jamie Griffin Construction at $27,299;
• and Insight at $31,979.
Commissioners unanimously approved Insight with the understanding that work would commence immediately.
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INNER MARINA LEASE AGREEMENT
Mayor Colson consulted with leases of the outer Marina docks about moving temporarily to the inner Marina and the potential changes in the current lease agreement that might be altered to help with the process. Colson presented the revamped agreement which was approved in a unanimous vote.
Mayor Colson consulted with leases of the outer Marina docks about moving temporarily to the inner Marina and the potential changes in the current lease agreement that might be altered to help with the process. Colson presented the revamped agreement which was approved in a unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
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