Reports of interest (no public comment):

• FKAA Water pipeline status update - current project - all pipeline now in the ground. Next connecting the new pipe to the existing pipe at 6 distribution points from Snake Creek to the north end of project in Tavernier.   And paving U.S. One and damaged portions of Old Highway.

• Plates and Plans update: 15 -20 participants discussing ideas, asking questions a success.  Next similar workshop/open house expected the end of June

Citizen Advisory Committee Appointments: Those appointed should be added to the Village website soon. Congratulations. An opening remains for Parks and Rec.

Village Charter Review Committee recommendations: Ordinances required for Council Approval will be in June (1st reading) and July (2nd reading) agendas.

Mayor and Council Discussion(no public comment expected):

• Tom Brzezinski, Wade Trim, Village contract engineer, provided an in depth  wastewater report regarding fix for ongoing sewerage leaks at MM92, cost - $7.5 million, up from the $4.1 previously estimated.

• Anglers Reef Right of Way Parking discussion - Village Manager signed a License and Use agreement between Village and Anglers Reef to allow the property owners association to obtain a permit to create public, non-exclusive parking on Village owned Right of Way adjoining their property on Windley Key, at homeowners’ expense, with their cost limited to $25,000.  The Council has confirmed the village will not contribute to the cost.

General Public Comment - heard at 8 PM, 2 hours and 30 minutes into the 5:30 meeting. This is the time for the public to discuss items not on the agenda.  And guess what?  It was baseball at Founders Park that was not on the agenda but on the minds of the public. More details below

Consent Agenda, 8 items to approved without Council discussion, including a contract with FDOT for Village to mow, pick up litter and trim trees monthly on both sides of U.S. One Right of Way for a total cost of $75,644 or $6,304/month for 18 miles of right of way.  Sounds like a great deal - for FDOT, not Islamorada.

Resolutions:

Expanded and improved Boat Ramp and marina parking at Founders Park: First step - Council approved a conceptual design agreement - $53.7K. Vice Mayor Mahoney has worked with TDC on a $750,000 grant to fund the marina improvements.

“Machado Property” consideration of 99-year ground lease for developer to provide multi-family rental units - both proposals received were rejected by Council in a 4-1 vote. Read more below.

Public Hearings:

Purchasing Ordinance passed on 1st reading increases the manager’s right to approve purchases without council approval from $25,000 to $50,000. Also changes the purchase ordinance to increase threshold for requiring competitive bidding from $25,000 to $50,000.

TDR banking ordinance - deferred

Administrative Relief for 125 Mockingbird Road - approved 5-0

Administrative Relief for 113 Venetian Way - approved 5-0

Administrative Relief for 148 Tequesta Street - approved 5-0

Major Conditional Use - Transfer Station/Recycling Center - 86550

Overseas Highway; will resolve a major code violation as part of agreement - approved 5-0

ACTIONS AND POLICIES STATUS REPORT - OPEN ITEMS

Vice Mayor requested the format from prior status reports be restored to improve content and format.

The Village purchased the “Machado Property” at about MM88.6 bayside in 2021 and it has been sitting vacant ever since.  In January the Village advertised for proposals to find a developer to enter a 99-year lease with the Village and build and manager 16 affordable housing units at the site.  

And then May 12 the Council rejected both proposals received with a vote of 4-1, Council member Deb Gillis dissenting.

Was the Council concerned about compatibility with the neighboring community? Protection of the tropical hardwood hammock on the property?

The Council comments and the comments from the public demonstrated there are more questions than answers regarding workforce housing and exactly what is needed in Islamorada.  

Buses run continually throughout the day transporting the workforce to and from the mainland.  Given the opportunity, would those workers move to Islamorada?

With the high cost of land and construction, what options are available?  The Machado  property cost the Village $1.8 million. The recommendation from staff last Tuesday was to give a huge for profit corporation the land with a 99-year ground lease for 16 units of affordable housing - free of charge, a $112,500/unit gift.

Is there a better way to subsidize affordable housing?  We have a first-time homeowner program that provides buyers with a $10,000 down payment subsidy - significantly less than the $112,500/unit we were geared up to provide an out of town for profit corporation.

Since incorporation 25 years ago, the Village has approved approximately 140 deed restricted affordable homes - some rentals, some home ownership.  Others are in the works - all rentals, mostly 1 bedroom rentals.

The Council decided to put on the brakes and figure out how Islamorada can best address workforce housing.  Another study coming up.

The Village delayed the rideshare decision until their June meeting.

There will be a great variety of camps at Founders Park available to the younger children in the Village, including summer recreation camp, tennis, synchronized swimming, swim and dive combo.  

Many of the older students will be helping as junior counselors.

With Summer Camp starting June 1, fingers are crossed that all facilities will be available for the opening of camp.

Reports of interest (no public comment required):

• FKAA Water pipeline status update;

• Plates and Plans update

Citizen Advisory Committee Appointments: 24 openings, 18 existing committee members have applied to continue serving, 10 new applicants for various committees  

Village Charter Review Committee recommendations: Need direction from council regarding the recommendations so two public hearings can be scheduled before the July 24 deadline for submission to the Supervisor of elections.

Citizen Advisory Committee updates(no public comment expected):

• Parks & Recreation

• Land Acquisition

• Near Shore Water  

Mayor and Council Discussion(no public comment expected):

• Wade Trim wastewater engineer’s report;

• Anglers Reef Right of Way Parking discussion

Consent Agenda, 8 items to approve without Council discussion, one chance for public to comment on any of the items.

An interesting item on the consent agenda is US One Right of Way Maintenance: Village agreement to have village continue to provide monthly litter removal, mowing and tree trimming on FDOT US One Right of Way for $75,644/year. See details later in this newsletter.

Resolutions:

Expanded and improved Boat Ramp at Founders Park: First step - a conceptual design approval - $30K. Note that many boats and trailers use the parking area - no current income for this storage indicated in the Marina budget. New revenue potential?

“Machado Property” Recommendation: Consideration of 99-year ground lease for developer to provide multi-family rental units, majority being 1 bedroom apartments.  (See more details later in this newsletter.)

Rideshare recommendation: Council scheduled to select rideshare provider based on two proposals responding to the Village request for proposals. (See more details later in this newsletter.)

Wastewater Parts Purchases

Fireboat grant approval

BPAS allocations - we think there are 39 market rate applicants still waiting.  Data in  tabs for market rate and nonresidential allocation awards is not understandable.

Public Hearings:

Purchasing Ordinance: increases the manager’s right to approve purchases without council approval from $25,000 to $50,000.

No swim zone within marina waters

TDR banking ordinance - 1st readings Comp Plan and LDRs - Approved by LPA.

Administrative Relief for 125 Mockingbird Road

Administrative Relief for 113 Venetian Way

Administrative Relief for 148 Tequesta Street

Major Conditional Use - Transfer Station/Recycling Center - 86550

Overseas Highway; Will a major code violation be addressed before the major conditional use is finalized?

ACTIONS AND POLICIES STATUS REPORT - OPEN ITEMS

Council members and public continue to question this report - formatm acuracy and completeness. Example - Baseball agreement entry: Discussions with School Board are ongoing..