Key West public meetings in 2024
18 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Code Enforcement Hearing
The Key West Code Compliance Hearing on December 19, 2024, addressed 11 cases. The Special Magistrate granted continuances for several cases, approved settlement agreements for two respondents, dismissed cases that came into compliance, and imposed administrative costs for violations. No major policy decisions were made; the hearing focused on individual code enforcement actions.
- Granted continuance for Case #24-1192 (Key Westie LLC) to 23 Jan 2025
- Executed settlement agreement for Case #24-1196 (Alarcon Yeison) with $2,614.70 due and $5,000 suspended fine
- Granted continuance for Case #24-665 (Corporation Service Company) to 23 Jan 2025
- Vacated finding and order for Case #24-963 (4911 Carter LLC)
- Imposed $250 administrative cost for Case #24-1279 (Play Time Apparel Inc.)
- Dismissed Case #24-1138 (Ronald E Saunders) for compliance
- Granted continuance for Case #24-733 (Orioles Nest Key West Inc.) to 23 Jan 2025
- Dismissed Case #24-1060 (Southernmost Contracting LLC) for compliance
Development Review Committee
The Development Review Committee met and approved the agenda and the November 21, 2024 minutes. The only substantive item was a discussion of a major development plan for a 2 1/2-story mixed-use building at 1321-1325 Simonton Street and 625 South Street, which would include a 59-room hotel, bar/liquor store, and restaurant. No vote was taken on the plan; it was only discussed.
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved November 21, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Discussed major development plan for 1321-1325 Simonton Street and 625 South Street (no vote)
Art in Public Places Advisory Board
The Art in Public Places Advisory Board unanimously approved its 2025 meeting schedule and elected new officers. Ms. Holtkamp was appointed Chair and Ms. Burgohy was appointed Vice-Chair. The board also acknowledged the service of outgoing Chair Marianne van den Broek and Board Member Erin Stover, and discussed the city art inventory and final recommendations for the Frederick Douglass Community Center artists.
- Approved 2025 Art in Public Places meeting schedule (unanimous)
- Appointed Ms. Holtkamp as Chair (unanimous)
- Appointed Ms. Burgohy as Vice-Chair (unanimous)
- Approved October 16, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Received and filed acknowledgment of service for Chair van den Broek and Board Member Stover
Historic Architectural Review Commission
The Historic Architectural Review Commission approved all items on the agenda, including the addition of six residential apartment units to the rear of 619-621 Duval Street and the partial demolition of the rear roof as part of that Major Development Plan. Also approved were demolitions and renovations at 1315 Newton Street, 1208 Virginia Street, and 308 Catherine Street, along with text amendments to the Foundations and Lattice Infill Guidelines. All votes were unanimous among present members, with recusals noted for Chairman Burkee and Commissioner Perez on specific items.
- Approved demolition of rear portion of house at 1315 Newton Street (6-0)
- Approved addition of two dormers to roofline at 1208 Virginia Street (5-0, Burkee recused)
- Approved partial demolition of roof for dormers at 1208 Virginia Street (5-0, Burkee recused)
- Approved addition of six residential apartment units at 619-621 Duval Street (5-0, Perez recused)
- Approved partial demolition of rear roof at 619-621 Duval Street (5-0, Perez recused)
- Approved renovations including elevation and new porch at 308 Catherine Street (6-0)
- Approved demolition of decks and porches at 308 Catherine Street (6-0)
- Approved text amendments to Foundations and Lattice Infill Guidelines (6-0)
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously elected Ms. Nulisch as Chair and re-appointed Mr. Russell as Vice-Chair. The board postponed a proposal to change its regular meeting time to 1pm and a discussion on goals and objectives to the January 23, 2025 meeting. An item to amend an interlocal agreement with Monroe County for a revised bike path was postponed indefinitely upon agenda approval.
- Elected Ms. Nulisch as Chair (unanimous)
- Re-appointed Mr. Russell as Vice-Chair (unanimous)
- Postponed meeting time change to 1pm to January 23, 2025 (unanimous)
- Postponed goals and objectives discussion to January 23, 2025 (unanimous)
- Postponed bike path ILA amendment indefinitely (unanimous)
Board of Adjustment
The Key West Board of Adjustment met on December 12, 2024, and unanimously approved the agenda as amended and the minutes from March 14, 2024. The only resolution on the agenda, an appeal of the City Planning Director's denial of a subdivision determination for 1905 Staples Ave., was withdrawn by the applicant. The meeting adjourned at 5:39 P.M.
- Approved agenda as amended (unanimous)
- Approved March 14, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Withdrawn: appeal of subdivision determination denial for 1905 Staples Ave.
Caroline Street Corridor and Bahama Village Community Redevelopment Agency
The Caroline Street Corridor and Bahama Village Community Redevelopment Agency approved a consent agenda containing three lease-related resolutions. These included a lease with Lost Reef Adventures, Inc. for 261 Margaret Street, a lease with Moro Management, Inc. (Half Shell Raw Bar), and an assignment of lease for Fisherman's Cafe, Inc. to Diane and Jorge Del Angel. All items passed unanimously.
- Approved lease agreement with Lost Reef Adventures, Inc. for 261 Margaret Street (Res 24-329)
- Approved lease agreement with Moro Management, Inc. D/B/A Half Shell Raw Bar (Res 24-330)
- Approved assignment of lease for Fisherman's Cafe, Inc. to Diane and Jorge Del Angel (Res 24-331)
- Approved consent agenda unanimously
City Commission
The City Commission unanimously selected Brian Barroso for the position of City Manager and directed staff to negotiate a contract. The commission also approved a consent agenda covering routine items, passed several resolutions including a state lobbying contract and an interlocal road resurfacing agreement, and adopted three ordinances. A water quality partnership agreement with the College of the Florida Keys was postponed to January 7, 2025.
- Selected Brian Barroso as City Manager (7-0)
- Approved consent agenda with 20 items (unanimous)
- Awarded state lobbying contract to GrayRobinson, PA (7-0)
- Approved interlocal agreement for White Street resurfacing (7-0)
- Adopted ordinance prohibiting commissioners from serving on advisory boards (6-1)
- Adopted ordinance allowing non-CDL luxury vans for limousines (7-0)
- Adopted ordinance revising Homebuyers Assistance Program (7-0)
- Postponed water quality partnership with College of Florida Keys to Jan 7 (6-1)
Key West Bight Management District Board
The Key West Bight Management District Board approved a motion recommending Community Redevelopment Agency approval of the lease assignment from Paradise Enterprises, LLC D/B/A Paradise Porters to Zak Adam Curran for the property at 100 Grinnell Street, Suite 213. The board also approved the 2025 proposed meeting dates and received reports from the Key West Bight Preservation Association, Adept's marketing, and the Director. The meeting was called to order at 4:02 PM and adjourned at 4:42 PM.
- Approved 2025 proposed meeting dates (4-0)
- Passed recommendation for CRA approval of lease assignment to Zak Adam Curran for 100 Grinnell St, Suite 213 (4-0, Enactment No. KWBB 24-28)
- Received and filed Key West Bight Preservation Association presentation
- Received and filed Adept's Marketing Report
- Received and filed Director's Report
General Employees Pension Board
The General Employees Pension Board approved an ordinance amending Chapter 46, Section 107 to provide a 2% annual cost of living adjustment, with a unanimous vote. The board also approved several routine items including expense reports, a DROP entry, and non-active employee and disbursement reports. Ben Gibson was re-appointed to the board, and members were approved to attend upcoming training conferences. All votes were unanimous except for the NCEPERS conference approval, which passed 4-1.
- Approved ordinance amending Chapter 46, Section 107 for 2% annual COLA (5-0)
- Approved expense report for FY 24-25 (unanimous)
- Approved DROP entry for Linda Mack effective 02/01/2025 (unanimous)
- Approved Non-Active Employees Report FY 23-24 and Disbursement Report Sep-Nov 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved Disbursements Report (unanimous)
- Re-appointed Ben Gibson to the board (unanimous)
- Approved attendance at FPPTA Trustee School January 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved attendance at NCEPERS Conference May 2025 (4-1)
Art in Public Places Advisory Board
The Art in Public Places Advisory Board unanimously approved the Selection Ranking Committee's recommendation and ranking of bids for RFP #24-015, selecting three artists for three targeted spaces at the new Frederick Douglass Community Center. The board also approved the agenda and the September 18, 2024 minutes. Discussion items included updates on Seaport artwork, the city art inventory by district, and 2025 projects, but no other decisions were made.
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved September 18, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Approved Selection Ranking Committee's recommendation for RFP #24-015 artist rankings (6-0)
Art in Public Places Advisory Board
The Art in Public Places Advisory Board approved adjusted plans for the Royal-William Street Housing Compound project, accepting that the builder met the 1% art requirement and allowing installation to begin. The board also approved $5,000 for the artistic naming of the Mary Canalejo Police Headquarters. A new retail building project on Caroline Street was discussed but no action was taken.
- Approved adjusted plans for Royal-William Street Housing Compound project, accepting 1% art requirement met and installation may begin (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 for artistic naming of Mary Canalejo Police Headquarters (unanimous)
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of August 28, 2024 (unanimous)
City Commission
The City Commission adopted the final FY 2024-2025 budget of $262,523,168 and set the ad valorem tax millage rate at 2.0134 mills, both by a 4-2 vote with one absence. The commission also approved an interlocal agreement with Monroe County for upland support of the Man of War Harbor Mooring Field, passing unanimously 6-0. Commissioner Haskell was absent.
- Adopted FY 2024-2025 millage rate of 2.0134 mills (Ord 24-25, 4-2)
- Adopted $262,523,168 final FY 2024-2025 budget (Res 24-232, 4-2)
- Approved interlocal agreement with Monroe County for Man of War Harbor Mooring Field upland support (Res 24-233, 6-0)
City Commission
The Key West City Commission approved a three-year use agreement with American Cruise Lines for the Mallory T-Pier, with amendments requiring the agreement to be renewed by resolution and directing staff to remove fencing during Sunset Celebration for artists. The commission also approved a $3.45 million property and casualty insurance program, rejected all bids for the hockey rink roof reconstruction, and passed several ordinances on first reading, including one to require a supermajority vote for bond fund expenditures.
- Approved American Cruise Lines use agreement for Mallory T-Pier (4-3)
- Approved $3.45M property and casualty insurance program (unanimous)
- Rejected all bids for hockey rink roof reconstruction (unanimous)
- Approved $505,400 for wellhead rehabilitation at Heyman facility (unanimous)
- Passed ordinance requiring supermajority for bond fund expenditures (first reading)
- Adopted sewer rate amendment (unanimous)
- Postponed three land development text amendments to October 10
- Approved $170,826.30 for ADA sidewalk improvements (consent agenda)
Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee
The Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee met with four members present and three absent. The agenda and the August 5, 2024 minutes were unanimously approved. The committee received and filed the CRA Manager's Report, which covered updates on the Frederick Douglass Community Center, the Olivia Street Drainage Project, Loft's Homeownership, and Monroe County home elevation grants. No substantive decisions were made beyond the approvals.
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved August 5, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Received and filed CRA Manager's Report
General Employees Pension Board
The General Employees Pension Board unanimously approved the 2025 meeting schedule, a Teamsters union letter regarding an actuarial study for a multiplier increase, the FYE 09/30/2023 actuarial valuation report, and the disbursement report. The board also approved updated DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) forms and documents. Quarterly investment reports from Mariner and Highland Capital were received and filed, and the DROP extension participant update was received and filed.
- Approved 2025 General Pension meeting schedule (unanimous)
- Approved Teamsters Local Union 769 letter for actuarial study on multiplier increase (unanimous)
- Approved Actuarial Valuation Report FYE 09/30/2023 (unanimous)
- Approved Disbursement Report (unanimous)
- Approved DROP Extension Form, Application Package, FAQ, and Summary Plan (unanimous)
- Received and filed Mariner Quarterly Investment Report
- Received and filed Highland Capital Quarterly Investment Review
- Received and filed DROP Extension Participants Update
Contractors Examining Board
The board approved the agenda, June 5 minutes, and proposed FY2025 meeting dates unanimously. The only action item, a building ordinance violation case at 518 Margaret St., was postponed to the December 4, 2024 meeting because a member recused and a quorum was lacking. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved June 5, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
- Approved FY2025 meeting dates (unanimous)
- Postponed Case #24-1060 (518 Margaret St.) to Dec. 4, 2024 due to lack of quorum
Code Enforcement Hearing
The Special Magistrate dismissed one case, vacated a prior order, and continued two cases. Fines were imposed on B.O's Fish Wagon Inc. ($250), Circle K #9004 ($250 plus daily penalties), and Southernmost Contracting LLC ($250 plus daily penalties) for various code violations. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Dismissed case 24-779 (Brian Keane) for business tax receipt violation (in compliance)
- Vacated prior finding and order in case 24-524 (Virginia and Packer Holdings LLC)
- Continued case 22-328 (712 Eaton St Land Trust) to 26 September 2024
- Continued case 23-401 (901 Fleming Street LLC) to 31 October 2024
- Imposed $250 administrative cost on B.O's Fish Wagon Inc. for trash account violation
- Imposed $250 administrative cost and $250/day per two counts on Circle K #9004 if not compliant by 6 Sept 2024
- Imposed $250 administrative cost and $250/day per count on Southernmost Contracting LLC if not compliant by 23 Sept 2024