LOWER KEYS, FL – The Monroe County Engineering Department recently completed two projects in the Lower Keys. The first project was the completion of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Connection at Cudjoe Gardens, an asphalt shared-use path connecting Drost Drive to the U.S. 1 crosswalk of the trail. The project was funded by grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, TDC, and District 1 Transportation Impact Fees.
“The contracting team did an excellent job finishing early and within budget,” said Debra London, Monroe County Project Manager. “The project is a good example of government working with the community to improve neighborhoods.” Cudjoe Gardens resident the late David Img championed the connection of the trail. He requested pedestrian and bicycle access safety improvements, and Monroe County worked with the FDOT and others to move it to fruition. His wife attended the opening ceremony of the pathway in his honor. Commissioner Michelle Lincoln and Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay also attended. --- Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, whose district falls in the Lower Keys, also visited a project completed in late 2022 in the Koehn subdivision of Big Pine Key. The neighborhood had a roadway and drainage project done, and a nearby street, Loma Lane, was also resurfaced. “The Koehn project included drainage culverts and swales and rehabilitation of over 2.5 miles of neighborhood streets,” said Debra London, Monroe County project manager. The Koehn project was also completed on time and under budget and was partially funded with a FDOT Small County Outreach Program grant. “I am so happy because I can now take my granddaughter roller skating and bike riding on a great street, and the kids down the street put up a basketball hoop. These are all things we couldn’t have done before,” said Andrea Thrasher, who has lived in the neighborhood for the past 24 years.
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![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – A Monroe County Building Department Unlicensed Contractor Investigator cited an unlicensed asphalt paver who paved a business driveway without the owner’s permission and demanded payment from the company with a bogus contract. The County investigator cited the asphalt company with a $1,500 fine. “The public needs to know that there are people out there who will try and extort money out of unsuspecting customers,” said Monroe County Building Official Rick Griffin. Monroe County requires all property owners or licensed contractors to pull a permit for things like paving and asphalt. If you feel you are being targeted by an unlicensed contractor in unincorporated Monroe County, call 305-289-2516. COMMISSIONERS RECEIVE SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE, AND WATER QUALITY UPDATES UPCOMING THIS YEAR2/17/2023 MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag presented an update on this year’s resilience and water quality efforts, including canal restoration projects, breakwater repair and shoreline resilience projects, road adaptations, and municipal resilience partnerships at Wednesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Canals This year, the County is moving forward with $5.5 million in State-funded restoration efforts to restore 12 canals to improve water quality. The canals are the top-ranked on the County’s list of 96 canals that do not meet state water quality standards. The restoration methods include culverts, injection wells, organic removal, backfilling, and air curtains. Haag hosted community meetings with the homeowners in advance to inform them of the potential restoration, project benefits, and potential costs to the residents. Assessments are required to fund the long-term operations and maintenance of weed gates required in several projects. The County funds the construction costs of the projects through grants. “This is our biggest one-year restoration list ever, so we are very excited about moving forward,” said Haag. 1) Canal #105 backfill and culvert. Located in Tavernier / Key Largo. Restoration cost estimate $668,870. 2) #255 organic muck removal, backfilling, air curtain, and injection well. Located on Big Pine Key. Restoration cost estimate $300,000 3) #315 organic muck removal, backfilling, and air curtain. Located between on Big Pine Key. Design only. Restoration cost estimate $2,373,982. 4) #295 organic muck removal, backfilling, and air curtain. Located in the avenues on Big Pine Key. Restoration cost estimate $1,040,726.Design only 5) Canal #297 organic muck removal, backfilling, and air curtain. Located in the avenues on Big Pine Key. Total restoration cost estimate $1,352,390. 6) #290 backfilling and air curtain. Located in the avenues on Big Pine Key. Total restoration cost estimate $900,000 7) #287 organic muck removal, backfilling, and air curtain. Located on Big Pine Key. Total restoration cost estimate $2,942,881 8) #82 organic muck removal, backfilling, and air curtain. Located between in Key Largo. Total restoration cost estimate $2,547,229. 9) #474 backfill and air curtain. Located on Geiger Key. Total restoration cost estimated $220,650. 10) #278 injection well. Located in the Eden Pines on Big Pine Key. Total restoration cost estimated $250,000 11) #58 injection well. Located in the Calusa Campground of Key Largo. Total restoration cost estimated $250,000 12) #293 organic muck removal, backfill, and air curtain. Located in the avenues on Big Pine Key. Total restoration cost $2,145,335. Design funded by DEP Ft. Myers. Breakwater Repair Projects Two breakwaters damaged during Hurricane Irma are being rebuilt to restore protection to homes from storm surges. The County received more than $3 million in federal grant funding for the breakwater repairs. One is located in Tavernier, and the other is in Rock Harbor. The restored breakwaters will provide much-needed resilience against storm surges and stop most floating sargassum seaweed from entering and clogging the canals behind the breakwaters. Resilience Planning The County is moving forward with several State-funded resilience planning projects, including a resilient design for Pigeon Key and Harry Harris Park. The County is also updating its Watershed Management Plan, which is required to maintain the County’s CRS rating of “3”. The lower the CRS score, the bigger the discount for home National Flood Insurance Policy discounts. Finally, the County is updating its Vulnerability Assessment and developing a natural resource habitat assessment. Municipal Resilience Projects The County is well underway with its efforts to provide all five municipalities with the mobile LiDAR survey data needed for street elevation planning. Plans are also moving forward to begin the next phase of street elevation planning for the municipalities, using the data collected during the mobile LiDAR stage. The municipalities are funding the work. The County is also leading an effort to conduct Watershed Management Plan updates for the municipalities to help them improve their Community Rating System (CRS) scores and update their Vulnerability Assessments. The State’s Resilient Florida grant program is funding the resilience planning work. Shoreline Resilience The County received two State grants for the creation of living shorelines to provide resilience and improved wetland habitats and will be moving forward soon:
Road Elevations and Stormwater A presentation at the meeting provided the legal and policy challenges the County faces regarding road adaptation projects. The Commissioners directed staff to begin the process of code and comprehensive plan changes needed to move forward. U.S. ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS UPDATE The Commissioners heard an update from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the $2.7 billion Florida Keys Coastal Storm Risk project, which includes options for dry floodproofing critical infrastructure, elevating 4,698 residential homes, and U.S. 1 shoreline stabilization. The plan addresses critical infrastructure, evacuation-route protection, and structural-damage reduction in response to coastal storm risks and effects and associated impacts such as sea-level rise, storm surge, and extreme wind and tidal effects. “The County received the fantastic news that not only was the project itself recently approved by Congress, but the first appropriation for design and engineering of the U.S. 1 revetments was authorized,” said Haag. The entire project will be in phases over several years. The first phase will be the stabilization of U.S. 1 in six areas. Design is anticipated to begin within the next year and includes revetments along U.S. 1 at mile markers 79.5, 70, 70.9, 67, 37, and 34.5. Construction will require separate future appropriations from Congress. For more information on the Army Corps of Engineers projects, visit https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/FloridaKeysCSRMFeasibilityStudy/. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner was recently elected Florida Emergency Preparedness Association president.
In this capacity, Weiner will lead concerns, support initiatives, facilitate communications, and share best practices throughout the emergency management community, helping professional emergency managers throughout the state protect the people of Florida. Weiner became a Certified Emergency Manager in 2005 and has been a Florida Emergency Preparedness Association member since 2003. The position is a one-year term. Weiner joined Monroe County Emergency Management in 2016. She fulfilled the role of Deputy Incident Commander during the County’s response to Hurricane Irma and became director two weeks before the County’s response to COVID-19 in 2020. She has 20 years of experience in public safety, with 16 years as a professional emergency manager. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Today, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized two Monroe County employees for their dedicated service to Monroe County.
Pam Pumar, Retirement Pam Pumar, Human Resources Senior Administrator, was recognized for more than 28 years of service before her retirement later this month. Pumar started as a staff assistant in the Employee Services department and worked her way to the senior administrator over the years. She said the highlights of her career include moving the office from the Monroe General Hospital building on Stock Island to the Gato building, where Employee Services is located now. She also founded the County’s Relay for the Life team, which she participated in every year until COVID stopped the event in 2020. “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to work for Monroe County all these years,” she said. Breanne Erickson, 10 Years of Service Breanne Erickson, project management, was presented with her 10 years of service pin for her dedication to Monroe County. She is the budget and contract administrator for project management. She was responsible for Hurricane Irma project and grant details, Plantation Key Courthouse project, among others. “She has a keen eye for paying attention to the details,” said Project Management Director Cary Knight. Last week, Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, County Attorney Bob Shillinger, Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson, and Planning and Environmental Services Director Emily Schemper, traveled to Tallahassee to speak to the Florida Keys delegation, as well as other State officials to discuss the Florida Keys Critical Area of State Concern and other important Florida Keys issues at the State level. A brief recap is below:
Monroe County Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein attended the Florida Keys Council of the Arts annual meeting held Thursday on Pigeon Key. Merrill Raschein is the Board of County Commissioners liaison for the council. The membership meeting included unveiling “Culture,” an annual magazine placed in the hotel rooms and other locations for visitors to learn about cultural events and activities throughout the Florida Keys. Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates does the welcome message in the magazine.
In addition to the magazine’s calendar of cultural events, two local writers have featured stories. Jill Zima Borski chronicles “200 Years of the Florida Keys” in her piece, and historian Brad Bertelli exposes “The Florida Keys: Historic Lighthouses, Island Wonders, and Natural Beauty.” Each spoke at the membership meeting. The county is celebrating the 200-year anniversary of Monroe County this year, and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts is helping celebrate by including bicentennial themes in its annual events. The 2023 “Connections Project” is also celebrating 200 Years of the Florida Keys. The project will include 300 unique art pieces on 6x8 canvases that will travel from Key Largo to Key West from Feb. 7 to April 20. Receptions will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the following locations and are open to the public:
To view the “Culture” magazine, visit https://fla-keys.com/pdf/culture/CultureMag2023.pdf. To learn more about the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, visit keysarts.com. On Thursday, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, whose district includes the Florida Keys, hosted a press conference regarding the growing illegal immigration and border security crises impacting communities in South Florida. Before the press conference, Senator Scott received a briefing from U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, and Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations on the local response to the migrant crisis in the Florida Keys. Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein and Director of Emergency Management Shannon Weiner also attended.
Senator Scott’s office says he will continue to meet with local, state, and federal leaders to find real solutions to securing the border and end this crisis impacting Floridians. Ilze Aguila, Planning Commission Supervisor, Named Monroe County's Employee of the 4th Quarter 20221/19/2023 Ilze Aguila, Planning Commission Supervisor, is named Monroe County’s Employee of the Fourth Quarter for 2022 for exceeding job expectations, noteworthy performance, and her positive impact on her co-workers and community. She started with the County in 2016.
Aguila was recognized for learning GIS software to create the maps required for public notice, staff reports, and individual requests. “This skill acquisition exceeds expectations and is an immeasurable asset to the department,” said Cheryl Cioffari, Assistant Director of Planning, who nominated her. “More impressive, Ilze developed this expertise on her own initiative, in addition to her demanding workload.” Going above and beyond in several instances, she also volunteered to learn the process of completing ROGO letters when the department needed assistance. “She shows the ability to be flexible and responsive to changing deadlines, priorities, and individual needs,” said Emily Schemper, director of the department. “For example, a customer requested placement on the agenda for an upcoming meeting after our internal deadlines passed. Ilze revised the public notice, obtained approval from relevant parties, procured the required publication, and updated all related documents. This commitment results in a positive experience for the public.” Solar Co-op Launches for Florida Keys Residents, Highlighting a Resilient, Sustainable Community1/19/2023 ![]() Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the Florida Keys 2023 Solar Co-op launch to help Monroe County residents go solar. The co-op will enable Monroe County homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power. The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Monroe County. Co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality with group discounts. After a vendor-neutral competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate. “This is all about a renewable energy source. We are the sunshine state after all,” said Rhonda Haag, Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer. “Solar is one way that consumers can build more resilient communities.” The nonprofit hosted 77 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015 and one in the Florida Keys in 2020. According to the group’s estimates, the 2,341 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent more than 698.7 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets. Many Florida Keys residents participated in 2020, including Key West residents Roger and Cindy McVeigh, who now have a system that supports 65 percent of their electricity usage. “Whether you want to learn or pursue a solar investment, this process exceeded all our expectations. We were up and running in just seven months,” they said. SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the co-op web page at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Keys. Information meetings:
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