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CITY NEWS

 CEDAR KEY CITY 
COMMISSION MET
21 MARCH 2024
21 MARCH 2024
 
The Cedar Key City Commission met Thursday evening, March 21, 2024, at 5 pm at the new City Hall, now located in the renovated City Community Center at 609 Sixth Street. In attendance were current Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioner Jim Wortham.
 
This meeting was attended by some forty audience members. Among them were: Dave and Amy Martinez, John Rittenhouse, Patty Jett, Mike Borelli, Savanna Barry, Jolie Davis, Jeff and Jennifer Webb, Janice Fugate, Ron Smith, Cathy Salkaln, Eileen Senecal, Jeri Treat, Paul Florence, Esta Johnson, Susan Rosenthal, Ken Wood, and Mandy and Frank Offerle,
 
CONSENT AGENDA
City of Cedar Key Attorney Norm Fugate explained that a “consent agenda” is a time-saving mechanism used by many official boards designed to list and forward numerous items that have been thoroughly discussed in prior meetings, without having to pass each individually. The commission, board, “consents” to pass the items with one vote. An example of such an easily moved item on a consent agenda would be minutes from previous meetings.
 
MINUTES:
Minutes from the October 17, 2023, November 7, 2023, and February 20, 2024, Commission Meetings were unanimously approved in this consent agenda.
 
CEMETERY PLOT:
Cedar Key Cemetery Director Ron Smith requested approval to spend $400 to buy back a Cedar Key Cemetery plot. Commissioners unanimously approved this in the consent agenda.
 
COMMUNITY UPDATES
NATURE ACOAST BIOLOGICAL STATION UPDATE
Dr Savanna Barry, spoke for NCBS Director Dr. Mike Allen. Among the many recent NCBS efforts, are the following.
• Captain Kenny McCain will retire and, though irreplaceable, Adam Hursey will serve in his stead.
• Operation TRAP is doing its intended work of catching cigarette butts and candy wrappers before they enter our waters.
• six new interns will work with UF this summer.
• NCBS will host Minorities in Shark Science this summer on Seahorse Key.
• The Resilient Cedar Key revised, draft Vulnerability Assessment has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection.
• The Cedar Key SHOReS working group has issued a request for bids for stormwater engineering firms for work in the watershed. Deployment of water level monitoring equipment is beginning in several storm drains along G and First Street.
 
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT UPDATE
Mayor Colson thanked both CKWSD Board Chair Mike Borelli and General Manager John Rittenhouse for their attendance and the CKWSD report. Among the many items cited in Rittenhouse’s report were:
• meetings with FEMA to assess Idalia damage to wastewater facility;
• restoration of the board offices; and
• the acceptance of $2.5 million dollars from the state to raise additional lift stations.
 
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
KIOSK TRANSFER
Commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of the Tidewater Tours kiosk from Phil Collins to Paul and Holly Florence.
 
PUBLIC WORKS

INNER MARINA DREDGING
Four responses to the Request for Proposals were submitted:
• Gulf and Bay Dredging for $248,000;
• Bayside Dredging for $315,000;
• Civil Engineered Maintenance for $359,000; and
• Waterfront Property Services for $419,000.
Based on cited experience and the ability to complete the job in a month, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain requested approval of the second lowest bidder, Bayside. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
 
CEMETERY DIRECTOR POSITION
After citing the works of current Cemetery Director Ron Smith, Public Works Supervisor Jamie McCain requested that commissioners make the position of director a paid part-time position at $520 per month, to be funded from the cemetery Fund.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to the request.
Among Smith’s accomplishments thus far are: 3
• updated permit process;
• work progress guidelines for all work done in the cemetery;
• procedural understandings with funeral homes and monument producers;
• post-Idalia tree and stump removal; and
• identified veterans’ graves and placed flag holders on each site.
Ongoing projects, among others, include:
• regular clean up;
• mapping graves by sections;
• arranging for funerals with loved ones and funeral homes;
• replacing trees; and
• extending the watering system.
 
POLICE DEPARTMENT
TAKE-HOME CAR POLICY
Cedar Key Police Chief Edwin Jenkins presented his revamped policy, to be added to the Cedar Key Police Manual, relating to an officer taking a Cedar Key Police Department car home with him/her. Commissioners approved the policy which allows the car to be driven 60 miles from Cedar Key, unless otherwise approved by Chief Jenkins, and assures that adequate insurance protects the city.
 
COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
SEATING NEW COMMISSIONERS
After researching the issue at length, Commissioner Jim Wortham encountered conflicting legal information regarding the seating of the new commissioners. After a brief discussion, commissioners unanimously agreed to seat Jolie Davis and Jeff Webb at the April 2024 meeting.
 
CITY HALL
Two bids were submitted to the city responding to the Task Order for a site evaluation and assessment for two alternatives, repair or raise, the Old City Hall on Second Street. Mitauer Engineering submitted a bid for $8,000. CHW submitted a bid for $5,500. The bid paperwork for CHW was not included in the agenda packet for the meeting, Commissioners unanimously approved the CHW bid.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
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MAR 26 TREE CITY LOGOSTRIKE TEAM ASSESSES TREES
2024 Marh 16
 
 
Just a reminder that the Florida Forest Service Urban Strike Team will be in Cedar Key April 2-5, 2024. The team will be here to assess the damage to our Heritage trees, trees on City owned property and the right of ways. The team of four Forestry agents will be throughout the island, most likely in our City Gator Carts. Once their assessment is completed, the City will have the necessary information to develop a plan for maintaining the health of our beloved trees.
 
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SPRING YARD SALE
2024 March 21
 
When?
Saturday, April 20, 2024
 
Where?
316 NW Main Street,
Williston
 
DONATIONS?
Volunteers are now collecting items to sell.
In Cedar Key, call Donna Bushnell at 352 949 3720
 
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CK CITY DECALCOMMISSION MET IN WORKSHOP SESSION ON MARCH 5, FOCUSES UPON RESILIENCY
2024 Marh 15
The City of Cedar Key City omission met in a workshop setting on Marh 5, 2024, at 5 pm, at City Hall. In attendance were: Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioner Jim Wortham. Approximately fourty individual comprised the audience.RESILIENCY LOGO
Mot competently, almost magically, this workshop agenda capsulized the countless hourss of community input, data gathering, research, and presentations, regarding the Reliliency of Cedar Key into a fulsome, eminently cogent, comprehensible one-hour event, supported by clearly clearly drawn, demonstrable PowerPoint projections.

 
CITY OF CEDAR KEY COMMISSION
WILL MEET  MARCH  21
2024 Marh 19
 
 2023mar21ckcommpkt
 
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NEED HELP? ASK A LAWYER
2024 March 8
MAR 9 AS A LAWYER
 
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CK CITY DECALCITY OF CEDAR KEY NOTICE:
CITY HALL DAY LONG CLOSURE
2024 March 13
 
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, voting for the Presidential Primary letion will take place at the City of Cedar Key City Hall from 7 am until 7 pm..

Consequently, city services will be suspended for the entire day.
MAR 13CITY NOTICE ELECTIONS
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CEDAR KEY’S ARBOR DAY
100 Trees to Be Planted;
200 More Coming!
2024 March 2


In downtown’s City Park, the line was forming at 9 am, even though the weatherman predicted rain. Residents arrived to select a magnolia, a redbud, or a crepe myrtle tree to take home and plant on their properties, as part of the island’s celebration of Arbor Day.
 
20240302 100544So skillfully organized was the event, residents not only received a tree in a three-gallon bucket, but also the soil, the water-holding agent, and fertilizer with which to plant the new arrival. Easy-to-read directions came with each tree. Making everything simpler and more pleasant, Cedar Key School student Fisher Collins graciously toted all these trees and ingredients to residents’ cars or golf carts.
 
Upon arrival, residents registered with Tree City Coordinator Mary Prescott. Plotting each new tree’s placement on the individual properties on a Cedar Key map, Mary created a record which indicates areas housing new trees and areas still in need.

CK CITY DECAL
CITY OF CEDAR KEY PRESENTS
RESIDENTIAL MITIGATION WORKSHOP
2024 March 1
 
 
WHERE?  City Hall

WHEN?  Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 2 p.m

WHY?  to discuss the Hazard Mitigation Grants for residential units 
 
WORKSHOP 03 07 2024
 
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ARBOR DAY IMAGE LOGOdownloadARBOR DAY, CEDAR KEY STYLE 
2024 February 28
 
It’s here! The City of Cedar Key will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday March 2, 2024. The celebration will be held at the pavilion at Beach Front Park from 9 am to 12 noon. Cedar Key residents may come and get their tree in a 3-gallon container, fertilizer, and starter kit, all at no charge. At registration, the city will be requesting a location that the tree will be planted.
 
One hundred trees are available and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The trees being distributed will be Red Buds, Crepe Myrtles, and Magnolias. Many thanks to Jim and Myra Fleming of Tropical Traditions and Barnhill’s of Chiefland for their assistance in acquiring the trees.CK CITY DECAL
 
This year, a second Arbor Day will be celebrated in March. The specific date has not been finalized. Students at Cedar Key School have been raising Cedar saplings for distribution. The seeds were harvested from a single Cedar on Second street here on the Island, so there is a lineage!
 
The City of Cedar Key is a designated “Tree City USA.” That designation is awarded by the National Arbor Day Foundation. For more information on that program, please visit Tree City USA at arborday.org.
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ARBOR DAY…
MAKE CEDAR KEY GREENER…
SATURDAY IN THE PARK
2024 February 28

 One Hundred Trees to Residents

FEB 28 AARBOR DAY Arbor Day 2024

 
After the Hurricane Idalia damage and the serious lessening of green about the island, Cedar Key’s Heritage Tree Program takes on added significance.
 
The City of Cedar Key hopes to add to the green, encourage appreciation of Cedar Key’s Heritage Trees, as well as add to resident participation in making the island more lush.
 
HOW?
As was done last year, the city, headed by Mayor Sue Colson, will give away 100 saplings on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in City Park.
 
WHAT?
100 trees in three gallon pots
Oak, Crepe Myrtle, Redbud and Magnolia.
Included with the tree are:fertilizer, Hydrosorb, and mulch
 
All you need do is:
Select a tree, take it home, talk ato it, dig a hole, put in the fertilizer already prepacked for you, fill in the hole with dirt already prepacked for you, water it regularly, and love your tree.
 
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CITY OF CEDAR KEY COMMISSION
WILL MEET IN WORKSHOP SESSION ON MARCH 5
2024 February 28 
 
 03 05 2024 Commission Mtg. Agenda
 
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 CITY COMMISSION MET
20 FEBRUARY 2024
20 FEBRUARY 2024
 
 
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday evening, February 20, 2024, at 5 pm at the new City Hall, now located in the renovated City Community Center at 609 Sixth Street. In attendance were current Mayor Sue Colson, Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera, and Commissioner Jim Wortham. This meeting was attended by some forty audience members.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber of Commerce President Doug Lindhout requested that the city intervene in the repair of the Dock Street Motel that, he noted, is currently dangerous to passersby. Mayor Colson said that the intervention has begun.
ORDINANCE 554, ANNEXATION
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 554, the annexation of the following property: Teetor Marguerite Pringle of 406 John Woods Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, owners of Piney Point Parcels 00437-003-00.
SEACOAST BANK ACCOUNTS
Attorney Norm Fugate suggested the reorganization of the city’s Seacoast Bank accounts to garner higher interest returns. Commissioners approved unanimously.

 
CITY OF CEDAR KEY COMMISSION
WILL MEET FEBRUARY 20
2024 February 19
 
 
2024feb20ckcityagendapkt
 
   
 
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CK CITY DECALCITY OF CEDAR KEY NOTICE: TAX APPRAISER IN CEDAR KEY FEBRUARY 13
2024 January 20

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
 
TO:  CEDAR KEY RESIDENTS
 
SUBJECT: NEW COMMISSIONER INFORMATION
 
The Cedar Key News is committed to an informed public. We, as staff, are certain that you expect such commitment. At no time is it more important for the public to be knowledgeable than when new, different individuals are put in place to represent this citizenry.
 
Unlike many municipal or water district commissioner transitions, three new commissioners are taking seats on the City of Cedar Key Commission and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board. The three are:
 
City of Cedar Key Commission: Jolie Davis and Jeff Webb
Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board: Johnathan Ferguson
 
Because these individuals have achieved the position without having vied with contenders and run a campaign, not all Cedar Keyans have had to opportunity to know these new representatives.
 
The Cedar Key News intends to help fill this knowledge gap by presenting the new commissioners a series of questions which the News will publish, subsequently providing the public with more information.
 
Please, look for the new commissioners’ responses in the Cedar Key News on the following dates:
• February 19
• March 4
• March 18
 
Cedar Key News staff hopes these responses will help citizens know these new actors better.
 
Should you have any questions you wish to ask the three, forward them to the Cedar Key News at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will do our best to include them.
Frank and Mandy Offerle, Editors
Cedar Key News
352.543.6170
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BakeSale Frreworks xe
 
 
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CITY OF CEDAR KEY:
ELECTION RESULTS
2024 January 26
 
Seat One, which was Heath Davis’ seat,
will be occupied by Jolie Davis, for a one-year term.
 
Seat Two, which was Nancy Sera’s seat,
will be occupied by Nancy Sera, again, for a two-year term.
 
Seat Four, which was Susan Rosenthal’s seat,
will be occupied by Jeff Webb, for a two-year term.
 
No other applicants contended for seats.
No election will occur.
New commissioners will be seated after April 2, 2024.
 
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT:
ELECTION RESULTS
 
Seat One, which was Dottie Haldeman’s seat,
will be occupied by Johnathan Furgeson, for a one-year term.
 
Seat Three, which was Leslie Sturmer’s seat,
will be occupied by Leslie Sturme, again, for a two-year trm.
 
Seat Five, which was Joe Hand’s seat,
will be occupied by Joe Hand, again, for a two-year term.
 
No applicants contended for seats.
No election will occur.
New commissioners will be seated after April 2, 2024.
 

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CKWSD FAUCET
 
 
CKWSD SETS GENERAL MANAGER
CANDIDATE NTERVIEWS
2024 January 22
 

In one of its shortest meetings, the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District commissioners met briefly at 5 pm at the district offices on Third Street on January 22, 2024, to discuss general manager applicants. The meeting adjourned at 5:27 pm.
 
The commissioners agreed to:
• Interview one candidate, who had previously met with Superintendent and current General Manager James McCain, on January 29 at 4 pm;
• Interview a second candidate to meet with McCain and tour the facilities at 2 pm and interview with the commissioners at 3:15 p.m. on January 29;
• Complete reference gathering before these interviews take place.
 
IN ATTENDANCE
In attendance were commissioners Joe Hand, Mike Borelli, Jonathan Ferguson, and Stephen Rosenthal.
Leslie Sturmer was not in attendance. 
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 CITY COMMISSION MET,
ELECTS NEW MAYOR
16 JANUARY 2024
 
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday evening, January 16, 2024, at 5 pm at the new City Hall, now located in the renovated City Community Center at 609 Sixth Street. In attendance were current Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera and Commissioners Sue Colson and Jim Wortham. The remaining two open seats were vacated by former Mayor Heath Davis and former Commissioner Susan Rosenthal in December 2023. This meeting was attended by some forty audience members.
 
COMMISSION REORGANIZATION
Commissioners Nancy Sera, Sue Colson, and Jim Wortham elected Sue Colson as Mayor and retained Nancy Sera as Vice-Mayor. Click here for more information https://cedarkeynews.com/index.php/city-news/8243-commission-resets-itself
 
BUDGET MINUTES APPROVAL
Commissioners unanimously approved the December 5, 2023, Budget Meeting Minutes.
  
QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING: WEBB, WHIDDON
A formal quasi-judicial hearing was held in response for a Conditional Use Request presented by resident Jeff Webb to establish coffee roasting business and rental residential property in a residential land use designated area. According to a filed affidavit, the property is currently owned by an “Alex Sanchez” The parcel, Parcel #0888100000, 1173 Whiddon, is located on the northeast corner of the Gulf Boulevard and Whiddon Avenue intersection and has functioned as a duplex.

Several residents spoke to the conditional use issue. Sherry Sicking spoke to the unpleasant smell of coffee roasting simulating a fire, which makes er uncomfortable. Resident Margy VanLandingham spoke several thoughts: an already busy intersection will worsen by added commercial traffic; in years past, commercial was meant to include aquaculture, not businesses necessitating additional traffic; and commercial enterprises infiltrating residential neighborhoods is to be guarded against.
After considering the plans for and the effects of parking, noise, lighting, signage, and provisions and location of utilities, including garbage dumpsters, commissioners unanimously approved the Webb’s Conditional Use Request.
  
ORDINANCE 554: ANNEXATION
Marguerite Pringle Teetor of 406 John Woods Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, owners of Piney Point Parcels 00437-003-00, requested annexation into the City of Cedar Key. Commissioners unanimously approved the request and directed Attorney Norm Fugate to continue the process of annexation.
 
FIRE DEPARTMENT
City of Cedar Key Fire Chief Robert Robinson requested commissioners approve the State of Florida Department of Emergency Services “Mutual Aid Agreement” form. The agreement which details general requirements, parties’ responsibilities, rendering assistance, and reimbursement parameters. Commissioners approved signing the form.
 
COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
Mayor Sue Colson lauded the city staff on the reconstruction of the Community Center into the new City Hall. She announced plans for a February 22 Open House, when residents might tour the offices from 2 until 4 pm.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.
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 CEDAR KEY
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MET ON 16 JANUARY 2024
 
16 JANUARY 2024
 
MEETING SPECIFICS
The Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency met on Tuesday evening, January 16, 2024, at approximately 6:15 pm, immediately after the City Commission Meeting, at the new City Hall, now located in the renovated City Community Center at 609 Sixth Street.
In attendance were CRA agency members Sue Colson, Nancy Sera, and Jim Wortham. Member John Meeks was not in attendance. The two open seats were vacated by heath Davis and Susan Rosenthal in December 2023. This meeting was attended by some seven audience members.
 
REORGANIZATION
Agency members elected Jim Wortham as Chair and Sue Colson as Vice-Chair.
 
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Three current and / or former University of Florida professors entered into an agreement with the City of Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency in November 2023, entitled “Resilience And Adaptation Planning through Community Redevelopment.”
The Project Team consists of:
• University of Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER), which includes Jeff Carney,
• University of Florida Levin College of Law Environmental and Community, Development Clinic Director Thomas Hawkins,
• and University of Florida Professor Emeritus Thomas T. Ankersen.

CK CITY DECALCEDAR KEY CITY COMMISSION
RESETS ITSELF
2024 January 16
 
 
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday evening, January 16, 2024, at 5 pm at the new City Hall, now located in the renovated City Community Center at 609 Sixth Street. In attendance were current Vice-Mayor Nancy Sera and Commissioners Sue Colson and Jim Wortham. The remaining two open seats were vacated by former Mayor Heath Davis and former Commissioner Susan Rosenthal in December 2023. This meeting was attended by some forty audience members.
 
The first order of business was the “Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Mayor Vacancy,” noted the agenda. Vice-Mayor Sera welcomed all and transferred the matter at hand to Attorney Norm Fugate. Fugate overviewed the city charter requirements, including the requirement that the city must, statutorily, have a mayor.
 
After some minutes of discussion, the three commissioners, Sera, Colson, and Wortham, elected Sue Colson as Mayor and Nancy Sera remained as Vice-Mayor. The three agreed to work together in strong pursuit of accomplishing the myriad weighty concerns on the commission’s agenda: the many resiliency work efforts currently underway, movement of the wastewater plant off the island, establishment of the water and wastewater pipeline, completion of plans to secure Dock Street’s understructure, and much, much more.
 
To the delight of the audience and thanks to Emergency Operations Manager / Fire Chief Robert Robinson’s design and oversight, the microphones placed immediately in front of each commissioner and Attorney Fugate worked well, amplifying the voices into the long seating area.
 
Further detail of the meeting will be published soon in the Cedar Key News.
 
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 CK CITY DECAL
 
ELECTION NOTICE: 
CITY OF CEDAR KEY
QUALIFYING & FORM 6
2024 January 16
 
 
2024jan162024 lectionQualifingNotice 
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CITY OF CEDAR KEY COMMISSION WILL MEET JANUARY 16 
2024 January 14 
 
 COMMISSION WILL MEET AT THE NEW CITY HALL, 609 SIXTH STREET.
   2023JAN16CKCOMMAGENDAPACKET
 
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CITY OF CEDAR KEY
ELECTION NOTICE
2024 January 11
JAN 11 ELECTION NOTICE DATES
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 CEDAR KEY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
WILL MEET JANUARY 16
2024 January 12  
 
2024JAN16CRAAGENDAPKT
 
 
 
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