Kaufman Requests Special Meeting
The commissioner hopes to convene the CIty Commission before the Sep. 3 FDOT deadline to remove the Pride crosswalks on Duval Street.
Key West District 2 City Commissioner Sam Kaufman hopes to convene a special meeting of the body prior to the FDOT’s imposed deadline to remove the Pride crosswalks located at the intersection of Duval and Petronia streets.
In an email to City Clerk, Kaufman said that he hoped to be able to convene a meeting so that the city can consider its legal options in preserving the sidewalks.
As of Monday evening, however, Kaufman has yet to find a co-sponsor.
The FDOT deadline is the same day as the next regular commission meeting, but Kaufman said he believed by the time that meeting is held, it will be too late.
From Kaufman:
From: Samuel Kaufman <skaufman@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Date: Sun, Aug 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Request for Special City Commission Meeting
To: Keri O'Brien <kobrien@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Cc: Kendal Harden <kendal.harden@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Dear Ms. O’Brien,
I am writing to formally confirm my request for a Special Meeting of the Key West City Commission at the soonest availability of the members. The purpose of this meeting is to address the authorization needed for the City’s Legal Department to pursue legal remedies in response to the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) stated actions regarding the removal of the rainbow crosswalks in Key West on September 3, 2025.
This request is based on the time-sensitive nature of the matter. FDOT has scheduled an administrative hearing for September 3, 2025, in Orlando, and has also indicated its intent to remove the crosswalks on that same date. The next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting also falls on September 3, 2025, which does not allow sufficient time for the City’s legal counsel to prepare and pursue potential legal action—particularly if a decision in favor of removal is made that day.
In order to protect the City’s interests, the Commission may need to authorize legal counsel to file for an injunction or other remedies to prevent the immediate removal of the crosswalks, thereby allowing the courts to make an appropriate legal determination. Without a special meeting, our legal staff will not have the explicit authority required to act in time.
In addition to the procedural urgency, there are several legal and constitutional arguments at stake:
· Freedom of Expression: The rainbow crosswalks are a form of symbolic expression reflecting the City’s values of inclusion and diversity. Their removal by the State would violate rights protected under both the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution.
· Home Rule Authority: Under Florida’s Constitution, municipalities retain the right to self-govern in local matters. FDOT’s directive intrudes upon the City’s authority to manage its own streets and undermines this fundamental principle of home rule.
· Public Interest & Cultural Significance: The Duval and Petronia intersection is one of the most visited and photographed sites in our city, frequented daily by both residents and tourists. The rainbow crosswalks have stood for more than a decade without any public safety incidents and have become an iconic symbol of Key West’s “One Human Family” philosophy. Their forced removal by the State would not only disregard local self-determination but also cause irreparable harm to the cultural and economic interests of our community.
For context:
· Other cities, including Delray Beach, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, are also considering legal actions related to this issue.
· There is no evidence that the rainbow crosswalks pose safety concerns, and there is evidence supporting their compliance with the FDOT Design Manual and related standards.
Given these facts, I respectfully request that a Special Meeting be scheduled at the earliest possible time prior to September 3, 2025.
Thank you for your attention and assistance.
Sincerely,
Sam Kaufman
City Commissioner
City of Key West
O’Brien responded, copying staff and the rest of the commission:
From: Keri O'Brien <kobrien@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 5:14:45 PM
To: Commissioners <Commissioners@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Cc: Kendal Harden <kendal.harden@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>; Brian L. Barroso <brian.barroso@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>; City Clerk <cityclerk@cityofkeywest-fl.gov>
Subject: Co-sponsorship of Special Meeting
Good afternoon Mayor and Commissioners -
Commissioner Kaufman would like to sponsor a special meeting to take place as soon as possible and prior to our September 3rd meeting in order to pursue legal options for the recent FDOT correspondence regarding removal of Key West's rainbow crosswalk.
In order to convene a special meeting (Charter 3.07), he would need a co-sponsor. Please let me know if you would like to be a co-sponsor to this meeting and please also let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Regards,
Keri O’Brien, MMC
City Clerk
City of Key West
But thus far, not another single other member of the dais has responded to make co-sponsor and make the meeting a reality.
Want to let them know what you think? Click here. You can also contact Mayor Danise Henriquez and City Manager Brian Barroso.
I’m wondering if there’s more than one way to “skin this cat.” We could pain the sidewalks rather than the crosswalks …. Maybe from sea to sea? We could put banners above the streets, like the entrance to Bahama Village?