Regular April 7 Council Meeting:

• FKAA new pipeline for Channel 2 Crossing - when current pipeline project is complete on Plantation Key and a bit north - the next project will be to place the new pipeline underwater at Channel 2, MM72. The Village will apply for a grant for the funding. No Village cost.

• Boat ramp Update on the improvements to boat ramp and parking at Founders Park.

• Fire Watch - request to increase pay from $30 to $50/hr plus administrative cost of $7/hour.Fire/EMS personnel costs this year are $7,581,326. Fire Watch costs are paid by event, not the Village. How many hours of Fire Watch per year is typical? What events?

• 5 Quasi judicial hearings include map changes from Conservation to Mixed Use rejected by the state on first reading for the Horse stables on Upper Matecumbe; several Administration Relief hearings and appeal of a denial of a vacation rental license.  

• Status Report - included this month

Between 2017 and 2021, the Village spent approximately $5 million for major land purchases for potential affordable housing sites. Properties are still sitting vacant.

In addition to the possibility of affordable housing on Village owned properties, there are hundreds of workforce/affordable housing units in the pipeline in the Upper Keys.

Much has changed from 2017 - 2021 when these lands were acquired that may impact affordable housing:

• The Village citizen committee presented 10 significant recommendations that the Council directed staff to move forward last month.

• An all-new Comprehensive Plan is under review.

• Changes to the Village Charter are being considered.

• Ordinances impacting affordable housing opportunities are in the works  

Flawed Process?

The selection process itself may be critically flawed, with conflicts between the Village Purchasing Policy and Procedures Manual and the actual process in use.

Recommendation for Machado Property, MM88.5. A selection committee, made up of 5 members of staff, met last week to rank the proposals submitted by developers to do a deed restricted affordable project on the $1.8 million Machado property.

The Village plan according to the RPQ is to lease the property to the selected firm for 99 years: no rental income for the Village, for the $1.8 million property.

The proposals will become public on April 24 and more details will be available then.

We think any decision about affordable housing should be deferred until we have clear direction as to the real needs.

To date the most significant recommendations for charter changes:

• Changing the term for members of council from two-year terms to three-year terms, staggered, and a term limit of three terms.  Note: This will result in some elections during odd years, at Village expense. There is confusion as to how many years this results in for candidates who have already served either 2- or 4-year terms or whether this is 3 “additional” terms, if referendum passes.

• If any vacancy on council occurs with more than 50% of the term remaining, there shall be an election held within 6 months, with an interim appointment made by the council to serve until the election is held and the seat is filled.

• Increasing the monthly compensation for Council members from $1,000 to $1,500 with a cost-of-living increase based on the CPI.

In addition to the changes approved, the committee agreed to not recommend any change in the charter:

• to the 35’ height restriction

• to change the council elections to “at large” elections with the top vote getters winning instead of running for specific seats.  

Suggestions? If you have suggestions for the committee, attend the April 15 meeting or send your suggestions to the Village Clerk (Clerk@islamorada.fl.us) for distribution to the Charter Review Committee.

Once the committee finalizes the recommended changes, the changes must be approved by council and placed on the Nov 2026 ballot for voters to decide.  

Date:Friday, April 10. at Safe Harbor Angler House, Islamorada, MM80.5

Time: 6 PM – Meet & Greet; 6:30 PM - Presentation

Free & open to the public  - RSVP (appreciated): Email: info@floridabayforever.org; Text/Call: 561-818-5341; Cash bar; free hot dogs, popcorn, and light snacks