Key West is officially seeking proposals for a renewed Mallory Square.
City Manager Patti McLauchlin told the city commissioners and mayor on Dec. 7 that the Request for Proposals was to be released the next day.
The Duval Street RFP to improve Duval Street and consider a potential pedestrian-only option would soon follow the Mallory Square RFP, McLauchlin said.
Also at their meeting, Key West lawmakers honored City Attorney Shawn Smith for 15 years of service — and counting — with the city. Then they approved their evaluations of his performance and asked him to expedite the cruise ship ordinances being drafted.
“Shawn’s been getting a lot of criticism recently, and people need to know that Shawn does things quietly and thoroughly. And whether we agree or not, we need to look to Shawn for legal advice, and I’ve been very confident in that advice. Shawn has been the best city attorney that I’ve worked with in over 30 years with the city,” Commissioner Jimmy Weekley said.
Commissioner Billy Wardlow echoed Weekley’s sentiments, and added, “As you always tell us, Shawn, ‘You may not like the truth, but that’s what you’re going to get from me.’”
Smith’s combined total score on the commissioners’ and mayor’s performance evaluations was a 4.66 out of a possible 5. The six commissioners mainly ranked Smith as a 4 or 5 in each evaluation category, meaning he exceeds expectations or does an outstanding job.
Johnston’s evaluation was the most comprehensive. Johnston scored Smith with 3s, 4s and 5s. She wrote, “My concern continues to be that the information and advice coming from legal needs to be provided equitably to each commissioner and the mayor to include the city manager so that we are all working and making decisions with the same information.
“It has become increasingly important that legal provide every one of our board members with annual training on Sunshine issue, professionalism on the dais as members represent the city of Key West, parliamentary procedures and general rules of good conduct. We have had a number of issues this past year with board members making discriminatory comments, sexually biased comments and generally unprofessional conversation from the dais. We can do better.
“I have been disappointed with the legal advice that the commission has sought on the resolution of the Dinghy Beach/Beachside issue. This issue is of public concern and has dominated our email communications as well as required the owners of Beachside to publicly defend their position. I believe that it falls on the city’s legal department to determine ownership of Dinghy Beach with the commission taking appropriate action after that ownership determination is made.”
The Keys Weekly asked Johnston about the biased and discriminatory comments she referenced. She said those were handled on a case by case basis. They did not involve the city commission, but rather other appointed boards and committees.
“For example, in one case, an applicant seeking board approval was asked questions that would never have been asked of a man,” Johnston said.
Her evaluation of Smith was also complimentary in some areas, including Smith’s diligence in keeping the commission updated about ongoing state legislative issues and his thorough review of all city contracts.
Most of the six commissioners commended Smith’s honesty in telling them what they need to hear and expressed confidence in his legal advice and protection of the city.
During his commission report Tuesday evening, Smith reminded the commissioners and the public about the upcoming cruise ship workshop to be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 at City Hall.
He said the city’s outside legal counsel will be present; residents will have a chance to speak their minds and the commissioners can give their attorneys specific direction.
Smith said he has been meeting with representatives from SCS, Pier B and other stakeholders.
The Key West city commission will hold a cruise ship workshop at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13 at City Hall. City Attorney Shawn Smith said the meeting will give people a chance to speak their minds and will let the city commissioners give direction to legal counsel.
