KEY WEST, Fla. — Commissioners expect an update Oct. 1 on City Manager Brian Barroso’s fate, but the Key West City Commission agenda has no separate item for that report. Plenty of other substantive business is scheduled: a proposal to demolish the historic Diesel Plant in Bahama Village, competing plans to search for an in-house city attorney, a first step toward addressing sargassum at Smathers Beach and a presentation on the replacement of Fire Station 3.
Demolish the Diesel Plant — Then What?
A resolution sponsored by Barroso would authorize him to proceed with demolition of the former Diesel Plant, subject to applicable city procedures and approval by the Historic Architectural Review Commission if required. It does not say what would replace the building.
The cost of rehabilitating the historic structure — which had interest from developers as a retail or food and beverage space, is estimated to cost around $10 million. Like everything else in the historic district, it is cheaper to bulldoze it, with the cost, equipment and disposal estimated to be around $1.5 million.
A parking lot has been raised in past discussions, but commissioners could also consider affordable housing or another use that serves the public. The city previously sought proposals to preserve and redevelop the Bahama Village property for commercial and community uses. The demolition proposal would move forward without settling the property’s future — or all of the work that has gone into attempting to rehabilitate the historic structure.
Like Bill Heslop said, “You can’t stop progress.”
Competing Attorney Search Plans
Mayor Sam Kaufman wants an immediate, intensive search for a city attorney. His proposal calls for aggressive advertising, review of applications as they arrive and an expedited timetable. Commissioners would review and interview candidates directly, without an advisory screening committee.
BACKGROUND
City Attorney Throws Himself at Mercy of Commissioners
Disgraced City Attorney Ron Ramsingh addressed commissioners late this afternoon with a hand-written letter on lined notebook paper in blue ink.
Commissioner Mark Rossi has proposed a search with an advisory screening committee. Both measures would establish a process for filling a position now held by part-time contract City Attorney Mayanne Downs.
BACKGROUND
Key West commission to vote on hiring Orlando attorney as interim legal counsel
The Key West City Commission is expected to decide next Thursday, Oct. 9, whether to bring in prominent Orlando attorney Mayanne Downs to serve as city attorney on a month-to-month basis wh…
The problem is, the commission has been saddled with Downs because of the ineffectiveness of two previous search committees following the indictment of former City Attorney Ron Ramsingh.
Sargassum and Fire Station 3
Kaufman also wants staff to begin exploring ways to manage sargassum at Smathers Beach. His resolution would seek scientific, environmental and technical help to assess a possible removal and management pilot project. It names marine scientist Brian Lapointe as lead scientist, calls for outreach to the College of the Florida Keys and directs staff to seek funding and coordinate with state and federal agencies. Any construction or installation would require a separate commission vote.
Commissioners are scheduled to see a presentation on the replacement of Fire Station 3, which the city estimates at approximately $28 million. They also will consider extending an interim predevelopment agreement with Fortress Secured LLC through Nov. 30 and authorizing up to $1 million for predevelopment work performed under that agreement.
Privacy and the City Charter
Commissioner Monica Haskell has requested a discussion of police use of automatic license plate readers, focusing on residents’ privacy and limits on data sharing. Newly elected Commissioner Chris Massicotte has placed the mayor’s term and Key West’s form of government on the agenda, potentially opening a broader conversation about a charter review. His item is scheduled for discussion, with no charter change proposed for a vote.
BACKGROUND
Flock Builds a Network. Florida and the Keys Cut the Connection.
MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to ban automated license plate readers from state rights of way could have an outsized effect in Monroe County, where U.S…
The commission also is scheduled to consider issuing up to $15.5 million in general obligation bonds for transportation and roadway projects and adopting a five-year strategic plan.
Barroso Report Expected
Commissioners voted 4-3 on Sept. 22 to direct Downs to negotiate a possible amicable separation with Barroso and report on the talks at the Oct. 1 meeting. The published Oct. 1 agenda contains no designated item for that update, leaving when and how it will be presented unclear. The earlier vote did not remove Barroso or approve departure terms.
A separate proposal for an outside investigation involving Barroso appears on the agenda, but its sponsor has proposed postponing it to Nov. 5.
The morning commission session begins at 9 a.m.,Oct. 1 at City Hall, 1300 White Street. The afternoon session begins at 5 p.m. The proceedings will be streamed live on the city’s website.
