Another Busy News Week:

Here’s what we’re covering:

• May Calendar

• Construction in the Village

• Sea Oats Beach

• Suggestion Box

• May 4 Council meeting summary

• Turtle Nesting

• Village Committees - join

• Fills Workshop

• Missing Status Reports

• Papa Joe’s

Involve the public:

It builds trust and support for decisions.

Busy Village Schedule this Month

(Meetings and workshops may change: Click here to see most recent Village calendar and agendas when available)

Note - three meetings canceled since last week

May 4, 3 pm: Public Planning Code Workshop

May 4, 5:30 pm: Regular Village Council Meeting

May 8, 5:30 pm: LPA meeting - canceled

May 15, 5:00 pm: Achievable Housing Committee

May 16, 6 pm: Public Workshop on Fills

May 17, 1 pm: Solid Waste RFP Evaluation Committee - canceled

May 18, 5:30 pm: Special Call Council Land Use Meeting

May 25, 3 pm: Public Strategic Planning Workshop - canceled

May 25, 5:30 pm: Regular Village Council Meeting                  

Just a Suggestion

In the past, there was a Village document, “ACTIONS AND POLICIES STATUS REPORT.” It was a “to do list” of the tasks the staff was working on, as directed by Council.  This report is no longer in use.  We think it is important and should be brought back.

Click here to see several examples.

Previous Suggestion

No action

From May 1 newsletter: Allow public comment during Council, Manager and Attorney Communications at the beginning of Council meetings. The May 4th Council meeting and workshop illustrated the issue. There was over 2 hours of important discussions that occurred with no opportunity for public comment.  Concern over current limitations for public engagement: a priority.

May 4 Public Workshop and Council Meeting.

3 pm Workshop: A small group of residents showed up expecting to be able to comment on proposed changes to our land development regulations. With no agenda provided, Councilman Gregg and Manager Yates dominated a 2-hour chat.

Primary discussion: the Village is planning a “re-write” of our Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations. It’s really important! Keep informed.

A significant workshop discussion was about the importance of encouraging public engagement by Planning Director, Jennifer DeBoisbriand.  Thank you, Jennifer, for conveying the importance of citizens’ role in community planning efforts.

5:30 pm Council meeting: Presentations by the Parks and Rec committee and Islamorada Social took 30 minutes. Then 5 minutes for general public comment - just two speakers.

Council, Manager, Attorney Communications lasted 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Perhaps this discussion should have taken place at the 3 pm workshop, with a published agenda!  And public involvement.

Every item was critical to the community. But public comment was not allowed.

• Possibility of hiring FKAA to replace Village staff to provide wastewater services

• Why we paid one contractor almost $4 million for wastewater services that were not competitively bid and a majority were approved after the fact.

• Discussion about the manager’s overdue evaluation

• Council orientation training six months into the term of office

• Possible purchase of a government property for affordable housing

• Life and safety concerns about right of way parking at the Palms of Islamorada condo and similar problems elsewhere in the Village

• Establishing and clarifying the new citizen committee process

• Selection committee for garbage hauling contract

• The Fills - survey results, Fills workshop 6 pm May 16.

• Other community surveys coming, this week expect next survey

Village Committees: The Village could use your help!

There are eight citizen committees appointed by the Council. Each resident who volunteers brings diverse skills and talents, new perspectives.   

The council recently voted to change the way committee members are selected. Whether you are currently serving or would like to - everyone must complete an application.  Click here to learn more and to apply. (Then click “Committee Application” at the top left and select a committee to join)

The Fills Workshop:  Mark your calendar

About 1200 votes have been counted.  It is important   to attend the workshop on May 16, at 6 pm, to help determine the next step: implementation.

Time for a trip down memory lane?  Take a few minutes to watch (and listen) to a short video of the old Papa Joe’s! Sparrow, a former “Barn Dog” at Bud ’n Mary’s, wrote and sang the song “Goodbye my Old Friends” in the soundtrack for the video. He is also the guy walking outside in the video. Sparrow recently passed away. Thank you Brian King, from Sun King Studio! Click here for video. (There are ads - you can skip them)

We all have distinctive ideas, knowledge, and a unique perspective. While a single voice may be overlooked, many voices will have an impact.

One more voice could make the difference!

Make it yours.

Share our newsletters with your friends. Let’s explore ideas that will make our community better.

We’d love to add you to our distribution list. Send us an email at ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com

Let us know how you feel about the things that impact our lives.  We’d love to hear your ideas.

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com

Your financial support of the Islamorada Community Alliances efforts is greatly appreciated!  As a 501c3, your donation is tax deductible.

Go to Islamorada.org/donate

or send a check:

Islamorada Community Alliance

P. O. Box 1507

Tavernier, FL 33070