MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hosted a special workshop on Thursday to seek input from professionals and the public regarding certain provisions in the FEMA-required floodplain ordinance. The ordinance was adopted Nov. 15, 2022, and became effective on March 7, 2023, upon completing the state’s review process and following three community meetings and recommendations of approval from the Development Review Committee and the Monroe County Planning Commission. The FEMA-required floodplain ordinance is critical for Monroe County to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which insures more than 12,800 homeowners, and the Community Rating System (CRS), which discounts NFIP-backed flood insurance policies.
Meeting highlights include:
“This is a legacy requirement, and we have been behaving. More than half of the closings in the Florida Keys in municipalities are not required to go through this process; we would like to be on the same page as them. Based on how well we have done – we are even rated a 3 in the CRS – we should not be on FEMA’s naughty list anymore.” – Roman Gastesi, Monroe County Administrator In March, the BOCC approved a resolution limiting liability for home sellers and buyers through Sept. 1, 2023 that may be affected by the ordinance. The County will schedule meetings with FEMA as quickly as possible.
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BIG PINE KEY, FL - The Monroe County Public Library Big Pine Key branch will close temporarily starting Monday, April 10, for repairs and refurbishment, with plans to reopen tentatively the week of May 22. The 213 Key Deer Blvd. branch in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza will get new floors, paint, shelving, and furnishings. The work was scheduled between Easter and the start of summer break to have the least impact on the community.
“We regret that we have to close the branch temporarily; however, once completed, the community will have a beautiful and updated facility,” said Kimberly Matthews, Monroe County Public Library director. The Monroe County permitting office that was operating from the library branch will also close and will reopen next to the UPS Store and new senior center, with a tentative May timeframe. Until the new permitting office is open, offices are available in Marathon or Stock Island, or visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting for online permitting. All Monroe County Public Library patrons can use any branch, including those in Marathon and Key West, as well as the Lending Machine and pick-up locker at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. In addition, cardholders can get eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming films via the library website at any time. Materials checked out from the Big Pine branch will have the due dates moved to after the library reopens — and the Monroe County Public Library does not charge overdue fines. Book drops are open at other branches for those leaving for the season who want to return library materials. Patrons can also return materials at the Lending Machine at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. Books and DVDs from the Big Pine Key branch will not be available for request until the branch reopens. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to spruce up our library,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, whose district office is in the same complex as the Big Pine Key branch. “This will greatly benefit everyone who likes to come in there, whether it’s children and families or our seniors.” For more information on Monroe County Public Library services, visit www.keyslibraries.org or email [email protected]. For updates on the reopening, follow the Big Pine Key Public Library Branch on Facebook. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Administrative Director of Building and Permitting Ed Koconis provided an update on the all-online electronic permitting system implemented in October 2022 at Wednesday’s Board of County Commissioner’s meeting. Koconis says the system has dramatically increased review times, and the department is meeting target timelines 95 percent of the time. Today, the review process takes about five business days for smaller permits, like fencing, and about 12 business days for all other permit types, if changes are not needed, because departments can review plans simultaneously. Previously, the review time could take 40-plus business days with paper plans for the permits to go through each department’s process. The department has also received more than 900 public records requests, often requiring scanning permits and plans to meet the requests. With electronic permitting, the timeline to respond to public records requests is significantly shortened due to plans and permits after October 2022 already being in the system. “Of course, we have had some hiccups, but overall it continues to be a success,” said Koconis. “We have a hands-on working relationship with the program developers, which makes it quicker and easier to tailor the system to the public’s needs.” For additional information on the online permitting system, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting. ![]() March 24, 2023 - Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Truman Waterfront Park with a program combining live music, Keys history presentations and drone “fireworks.” Gates open at 5 p.m. and admission is free. Popular local musician Nick Norman will open the celebration. At 7:15 p.m., regional trop-rock all-star Howard Livingston takes the stage to perform his signature Keys-inspired tunes. Livingston’s sets are to alternate with segments of South Florida PBS’ documentary, “The Florida Keys: 200 Years of Paradise,” and additional photos and video that chronicle the dramatic history of our island chain. The video will be interlaced with commentary by each Monroe County Commissioner detailing the unique history of their district. A drone “fireworks” display will cap the evening as 250 drones illuminate the sky over Truman Waterfront Park with imagery highlighting the entire Keys and celebrating our bicentennial. Parking is free but limited at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Additional City Parking lots are located nearby at the Truman Waterfront and can be found online at www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. Enjoy beverages from multiple bars throughout the venue! The following food trucks and vendors will be on-site: Dirty South Dishes Endless Summer Grill Mike’s Pretzels & Tacos Joeys Mini Donuts *Credit cards are accepted and there are ATMs onsite. Additional information about the venue is available on their website. https://www.thekeywestamp.com For additional questions contact Kimberly Matthews at [email protected] or 305.587.3683 ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a workshop on Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center to reexamine certain provisions in the FEMA-required floodplain ordinance. The ordinance was adopted in November 2022 and became effective on March 7, 2023. The public, including construction and real estate industry members, are invited to provide input on potential changes to the ordinance, including updates to the regulation of downstairs enclosures below base flood elevation, and continuation of the requirement that enclosures are inspected when there is a transfer of ownership. The BOCC also approved a resolution limiting liability for home sellers and buyers through September 1, 2023 that may be affected by the ordinance. The Building Department is updating procedures for the required inspections of downstairs enclosures to integrate with the County’s new online permitting system. Background The FEMA-required floodplain ordinance allows Monroe County to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS), which discounts NFIP-backed flood insurance policies. The ordinance took effect on March 7, 2023, upon completing the state’s review process for certain ordinances governing areas of critical state concern, such as Monroe County. The BOCC adopted the updated ordinance on November 15, 2022 following three Community Meetings and recommendations of approval from the Development Review Committee and the Monroe County Planning Commission. The ordinance is critical for the Florida Division of Emergency Management to deem the County’s Floodplain Management Ordinance compliant with NFIP requirements and for the County’s next CRS verification in 2023. The updated ordinance includes non-conversion agreements and inspections for any structure (including underneath the house or accessory structures) below base flood elevation for new builds or houses built after June 15, 1973. While the downstairs enclosure inspection form is listed on the County’s building website, the building department has not had the capacity to complete inspections in recent years, but the inspections are and have been required in the County’s remedial plan with FEMA since 2012. The updated ordinance prohibits the use of breakaway walls in VE flood zones but allows coverings made out of lattice or screen enclosures. The updated ordinance continues to limit the size of downstair enclosures to up to 299 square feet. The County Commission supported staff looking into changing the local code to allow opaque breakaway walls for downstairs enclosures. Senior Administrator of the Monroe County Floodplain Program Karl Bursa said no changes were made to requiring inspections of enclosed areas below elevated residential structures that have been in effect in Monroe County since 2012. He said the owner would not be cited by code compliance or be required to remove the enclosure when selling a house (unless a life-safety issue is involved). The inspection requirement is in place for the buyer’s benefit, so they are made aware of whether the downstairs enclosure was permitted and whether it complies with current regulations. Regardless of the inspections, legally permitted enclosures must be brought into compliance with the current code if substantial improvements to the entire home are made or if certain improvements to the enclosure itself are made for those built before 2004. Downstairs enclosures that were never legally permitted must be brought into compliance at the time of any permit application on the house. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met Wednesday in Key Largo for its regularly scheduled meeting. Some approvals at the meeting include: Three New Trauma Star Helicopters Approved The Trauma Star air ambulance program is a partnership between the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Trauma Star provides flights to mainland hospitals for critical patients in need of specialized care. The program continues to provide no balance billing for Monroe County residents needing the service. On average, Trauma Star provides almost 1,400 flights annually, with 3-4 flights a day on three helicopters in the fleet. According to Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Trauma Star is one of the top five busiest air ambulance programs in the United States. However, the current helicopters in the fleet are more than 20 years old and are no longer in production, making it difficult to find parts when needed. On Wednesday, the BOCC agreed to acquire three new helicopters. Ramsay said the replacements would meet the specific mission profile to protect resident and visitor lives. The helicopter’s range also allows for emergency rescues in Dry Tortugas with flights to Miami critical care centers without stopping to fuel. In addition, the capacity allows two adult patients to be flown in one helicopter at a time, which cannot be done with the current aircraft. The funding will come from the infrastructure penny sales tax. Voters extended the sales tax in November on a ballot referendum. Monroe County residents and visitors pay the infrastructure sales tax when buying items, not through property taxes. During COVID-19, when the County was closed to visitors, the infrastructure sales tax collected was down 67 percent, showing that visitors help significantly with the funding. Ramsay said the new helicopters will take about two years to build, outfit, and train pilots. Big Pine Key Senior Center Approval The BOCC approved a 5-year lease for a 2,422-square-foot space at the Big Pine Key Shopping Center, next to the UPS Store in the Winn-Dixie plaza, for a senior community center and meal site. The space is expected to open in June 2023. The previous senior center on Key Deer Boulevard was severely damaged during Hurricane Irma and sustained spalling and other issues that made the space unsafe. KEY WEST, FL – Carlos Delgado and his wife Diana from Dega Art Surfaces, the original artists of the African Cemetery Memorial at Higgs Beach in Key West, are doing touch-up painting work of the ground mural this and next week. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1860, three illegal slave ships were intercepted by the U.S. Navy and diverted to Key West. The Key West community was so appalled at the treatment of the human cargo that they worked collectively to provide food and shelter for the almost 1,500 Africans who would have been sold into slavery. Despite the efforts, hundreds died and were buried at Higgs Beach. In the summer of 2002, archaeologists and volunteers conducted a ground-penetrating radar survey around Higgs Beach, finding shallow graves near the sidewalk. During additional surveys in 2010, at least 100 more graves were located. The historical and archaeological details from the interception can be found on exhibit at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum at 200 Greene Street in Key West. Additional information on the burial site can be found at www.africanburialgroundathiggsbeach.org/. To take a 3-D tour of the site, visit https://youtu.be/gjomFl_rCAQ. New Litter Collection System on Trial At Boca Chica Beach; May Be Seen at Other County Parks Soon3/17/2023 BOCA CHICA, FL – “To help keep this park clean and dapper, grab a bucket and a nabber. So everyone can join the fun, please return it when you’re done.”
A new system to help with litter accumulating from things that wash ashore is on trial at Boca Chica Beach. It is possible that the system, which can be easily duplicated, will be coming to other Monroe County parks and beaches soon. “This beach bucket system has been pretty successful in other South Florida beach counties, so we figured we would try it,” said Monroe County Parks and Beaches Director John Allen. “The kids had a great time today using it and exploring the beach while helping out, and we have so many eco-minded people in our community we think this will be a big hit.” MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Employee Services Safety Office hosted an Aerial Device (Bucket Truck) Operator Safety training on Wednesday in Marathon. This training is the first step toward becoming a field operator of the device. The training consisted of classroom and practical field instruction with experienced operators.
Forty-seven staff members from Monroe County’s Roads and Bridges, Corrections Facilities, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet, and Parks and Beaches departments completed the training. In addition, six staff members were instructors during the practical exercises. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Contractors Examining Board meeting will be open for public input Tuesday, March 14, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners chambers at the Monroe County Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon. The commissioners and staff have received phone calls regarding the all-online permitting system, which went live in October 2022. Mayor Craig Cates will be present at this meeting to hear further input from contractors and the public. Other commissioners may also attend. The commissioners, the Contractors Examining Board, and County staff are interested in receiving feedback from anyone using the system. |
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