The village of Islamorada’s Local Planning Agency reinitiated a focus on farmers markets, asking village staff for clarity on goods that may be sold, hours and days of operation, and
Leaders from Monroe County government, Keys municipalities, the school district, utilities and non-profit organizations communicated their legislative priorities for the year to State Rep. Jim Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez at a Jan. 6 online meeting.
Florida Keys priorities expressed to newly-elected state officials for the 2021 session included appropriations of $20 million for water quality, $5 million for land acquisition, $750,000 for the vessel pump-out program, and support for wind insurance rate protection, vacation rental carve-outs and affordable housing. The Board of County Commissioners, at its Jan. 20 meeting, will further discuss county priorities at the federal and state level, said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi.
The Islamorada Village Council postponed the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian bridge discussion due to the late hour of the 20th item on its Dec. 18 agenda. The item was rescheduled from 10:30 p.m. to Jan. 14 at the next council meeting.
An informational packet by Acting Village Manager Maria Bassett showed the bridge projectâs timeline and 17 articles in the Florida Keys Free Press showcasing the proposal beginning in January 2016. Some residents previously complained they were unaware of the projectâs details and there had not been sufficient public input. The packet also outlined its evolution from a temporary bridge, which was deemed unfeasible, to a fixed-span bridge which is scheduled for completion in early 2022 at a cost of $4.68 million.