City of Key Colony Beach Official City Website

 

MAYOR POSTING FOR OCTOBER 16, 2020

At Next Thursday’s Commission meeting, October 22nd, we will say thank you and goodbye to our City Attorney who has served us for over 31 years, Tom Wright.   His dedication to our City has been nothing but exemplary.

We will also be thanking Commissioner April Tracy as she retires from the Commission.   April stepped up to fill a vacant seat in February 2016.  Her current term is through November 2022.  April has been an exceptional Commissioner bringing her vast knowledge of local business to each issue.

If you are interested in filling April’s term, please call the City Clerk for information.   The Commission will vote to fill her seat at the November 12^th regular Commission meeting.

John

 

Mayor Posting – October 9, 2020

October 10^th is Sergei Proudnik Day in KCB.  We lost a great neighbor and American a year ago.  Please remember our good friend and former owner on the Key Colony Inn.  He and his family will always be our neighbors and in our thoughts and prayers.

The Commission and staff had a very productive meeting with our City Hall architect yesterday.  Each department made recommendations to maximize the efficiency of their offices while continuing to make cost saving decisions on size and function of each area.  The post office is now part of the new building, saving a lot of overhead costs of a separate building.  Our next and hopefully last meeting on a design will be November 5^th at 9:30am in Marble Hall.

With the departure of our City Administrator, the entire staff has stepped up to ensure we have not dropped the ball on any issue.  Vice Mayor Sutton and I have divided the larger issues between us and reported yesterday to the Commission on each.  We are researching the best way going forward on how to fill the Administrator position and will agenda a decision during  the December 10^th Commission meeting.

The Governor’s latest order 20-244 has launched Florida into phase three of our COVID 19 response.  Bars and Restaurants are open and there are no restrictions on group sizes.  Monroe County and KCB still require masks in businesses and government facilities.  The Commission voted to require each participant sign a COVID 19 waiver prior to entering Marble Hall for social functions.  The waiver format will be voted on next Thursday at a special meeting at 9:30am.

Many Vote by Mail ballots are out and early voting in Monroe County starts on Monday the 19^th and ends the 31^st.  Please vote!!!

 

Transportation Master Plan – 2nd Public Meeting – October 6, 2020

Monroe County would like to thank those who attended and provided valuable feedback at the first public meeting of the Transportation Master Plan on September 24, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. The Transportation Master Plan will provide future direction for US-1 within Monroe County. The primary objective of this study is to identify transportation needs, develop goals/objectives, and develop an action plan to meet those goals. The action plan will identify potential short-term solutions (1-5 years), mid-term (6-10 years) and long-term solutions (10-20 years). These solutions may include roadway, signal, and signage/marking improvements to address traffic issues and/or multi-modal solutions addressing the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, a recording can be viewed using the provided link below.  If you would like to provide feedback or more information on the Transportation Master Plan, please go to the project’s website us1masterplan.com. Here, you will find progress on each phase, a public survey, and an interactive map where you can pinpoint areas of concern. We encourage you to provide as much feedback on your idea of traffic issues (congestion, safety, signals, pedestrian, bicycle, etc.), where these issues are and possible solutions. If you provided feedback at the public meeting, please feel free to provide more.

Please share this information with friends and family, whether they are locals or tourists, as everyone’s experience on US1 is unique and valuable to developing a Transportation Master Plan that can make cruising through the Keys safe and enjoyable for all.

Please use the following information to join the public outreach meeting on November 12, 2020 at 5:00 P.M.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/91763418220

Or iPhone one-tap:

    US: +16465189805,,91763418220#  or +16699006833,,91763418220#

Or Telephone:

    Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        US: +1 646 518 9805  or +1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 917 6341 8220

International numbers available: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/u/aHjV9sKOX

Please use the following link to view a recording of the first Public Meeting: https://monroe-fl.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=ecd97d9e-2771-4b10-8fbc-20b42c600fa9

Please use the following link to access the Transportation Master Plan website: https://www.us1masterplan.com/

Please use the link below to access the Transportation Master

 

 

MAYOR POSTING SEPT 18, 2020

We just completed the second meeting in two weeks concerning our new City Hall preliminary design and were presented with the architect’s “worst case” cost estimates.   His estimates took into consideration all design alternatives recommended by the Commission, staff, and residents.  Following a lengthy discussion, the Commission asked our architect to:

1. Downsize the plans to include the post office as part of the main building, eliminating a separate building in Gazebo Park;
2. Consider a 10% reduction in office spaces;
3. Build a new “Marble Hall” to accommodate 200 people;
4. Keep the critical offices spaces (police, building and admin departments) elevated on stilts for safety and resiliency;
5. Use the most cost-effective building materials, interior products, and design;
6. Remove many good, but expensive design elements.

There are several opinions on the final cost of the building, but we will not know the market rate until we complete the design and bid the project.  Our Building Official is a very experienced  local General Contractor and is closely monitoring construction costs.

To reiterate the facts:

1. Most of the City Hall offices are condemned by 2 building officials and backed by engineers’ reports;
2. Rebuilding at the current elevation is not legal under the current Florida Building Code;
3. FEMA has recognized these facts and authorized a Specialized Project grant for about $3.2 to $3.5 million, based on the original square footage;
4. Additional funding is being sought, and the Commission is very conscious of the construction and financing costs;
5. The City has done much to save money since Irma where we ended in debt after cleanup, but now have over $2 million in reserves. We have always had the lowest or second lowest millage rate in Monroe County for as long as I can remember.  Even during this pandemic, we have voted to hold the line on our millage even though other revenues may be much reduced;
6. Recently we upgraded our sewer treatment plant with a $5 million addition and did not raise sewer rates.

This is by far the best Commission, staff and volunteers I have served with and they have been very good stewards of your money.   They speak their own minds, do their homework and are looking out for you, our neighbors.

As long as I am your Mayor or Commissioner, I will work hard to set the best course for KCB and will vote to build the best and most cost-effective City Hall to serve us for the next 50 plus years.

John

 

City Hall Design Updates – Town Hall  –  September 17 City Hall Recap

City Hall Design Updates – Post Office –  September 17 City Hall Recap

Audio Part 1    Audio Part 2

MAYOR POSTING SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

To our winter residents that are deciding whether to return for another great winter season, PLEASE DO SO AND FEEL SAFE.   The protective measures your Keys Leaders have enacted throughout this pandemic have been the best in the State and our public works staff has worked tirelessly cleaning.  Today, we only have one person hospitalized in the Keys.  Your Keys friends and neighbors are doing a great job wearing masks and social distancing.   When I get out of my car, put on my mask and head into a store, I see everyone doing the same.  If you are concerned about traveling, my experience is that hotels and restaurants are doing an excellent job keeping you safe.

So now, let us shift gears and talk about KCB.

Your Commission and staff, like you, have been working hard under less than ideal conditions and much personal stress.  Even under these conditions, the City is doing well and hosted many vacation renters this summer.

I want to recap where we are with City Hall and update you on our next steps.  Much of the building is uninhabitable, that is a fact.   Second, to rebuild it at its current elevation is not legal under Florida Building Code and not in the best interest of this city.  That is why FEMA has proposed a Specialized Project grant so we can build above the proposed new flood plain. 

The process with FEMA and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) is exacerbating and time consuming.   All Keys governments are expending many man-hours to recover cleanup funds from Irma.  Our staff must answer and re-answer countless questions for FDEM just get the second half of our Irma cleanup money.   We are now doing the same thing with FEMA for the grant that they are awarding KCB for City Hall.  For us, FEMA and FDEM, COVID-19 has made the process much more difficult.

It is looking like the total project with furnishings will be around $5.5 to $6 million.  Approximately $3.2 to $3.5 million will be FEMA and the State’s shares.  We are applying for other grants to help fund the project.   The best news is that the cost of money is the lowest in years at 2.25%.  Therefore, I do not see a hardship financing our share of the construction costs.  At 2.25% one million can be borrowed for only $50,000 per year.

Additionally, there is a proposed option for alternative financing from a KCB resident.  We have the time to consider his proposal while we work though FEMA and State grants.  He is a developer with much experience in financing projects like ours and may be able to help us with financing below 2.25%.   This would be in the form of a Public Private Partnership (P3).  P3s, are covered under Florida Law and help Florida municipal governments fund projects.

The Commission is considering giving him a month or two to do a feasibility study at his cost to see if he can help.   A P3 does not mean that the process is out of our hands.   We are progressing with design and financing of the project.  Our next workshop on the City Hall design will be September 10^th and available on ZOOM.   Please look for the e-mail blast from us and keep watching the city calendar for further meetings of interest.

John

 

 

 

---

⇒ City Directory

⇒ Code Enforcement, Permitting & Licensing

⇒ FIRM Preliminary Coastal Flood Maps Public Meetings

⇒ Official City Calendar

⇒ Community Calendar

⇒ Recreation & Parks

⇒ City Agendas & Minutes

⇒ Budget Summary

⇒ City Job Opportunities

⇒ IRMA’s History

⇒ Online Sunshine

⇒ Archived Town Hall Meetings

⇒ FEMA Public Assistance Program – #14051 Golf Course

⇒ FEMA Public Assistance Program – Parks Project #13838

⇒ FEMA Public Assistance Program – Wastewater Treatment Plan #13835

⇒ FEMA Public Assistance Program – #29593 Temporary Relocation of Essential Community Services

---

WELCOME

What is Key Colony Beach? If you are a full time resident, seasonal resident or visitor, you know what a special place this is. Not only are you enjoying a tropical paradise, you are among a great group of people that have kept this little island city the “Gem of the Florida Keys” for more than 60 years. We do ask that our residents and visitors protect our beautiful reef environment, the safety of each other and our friendly tropical lifestyle. Our famous sign, “Honestly now, what’s your hurry?” is not just a reminder that you are off the highway, it is an invitation to enjoy our city, by slowing down on land and in our canals; to “share the road” with our many pedestrians, canal boaters, paddlers, swimmers and manatees. Thank you! – Mayor John DeNeale

---

 

[/one_third]