A last-minute addition to reconsider dissolution of a potentially “extinct” church ended up as the hottest topic of debate at the Marathon City Council’s April 11 meeting.
Originally raised for discussion a month ago, the council continues to ponder dissolution of the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church on 42nd Street. In August 2020, county judge Ruth Becker granted a motion to dismiss civil litigation filed by activist Diane Scott on behalf of “New Mt. Zion MB Church.” Among other items, the motion asserted that the church fits the definition of an extinct church as defined by Florida Statute 617.2005.
The church is a historic bone of contention between the city and Scott, and the issue has increased friction with neighborhood residents, several of whom attended the council meeting to support action to repurpose the church property or put the longstanding conflict to bed.
“We do have residents that came to me, although they’re not coming up here to speak. It’s really to the point where they’re just actually in agony because this has been an ongoing thing for so many years,” Marathon resident Diane Culver told the council and city staff. “When you’re talking about two people in a congregation … (There are) people that were in that community before (Scott) arrived that cannot peacefully live in their homes because of what’s happening next door.”
“We are a church, and we are in an association,” Scott told the council, arguing that she had paid wastewater charges to the city on behalf of the church and that a visiting pastor drives from the mainland to conduct services. “It’s not your business who goes to our church and what association we’re in. Those are haters.”
Pursuant to the statute outlining the dissolution process for extinct churches, the council directed City Attorney Steve Williams to begin reaching out to nearby churches of identical denominations and inquire if they have interest in assuming responsibility for the property.
New Ordinance Coming for E-Bikes and Scooters
At its first reading, the council unanimously voted to approve ordinance 2023-05 governing the use of electric bicycles and similar electric motorized vehicles. Among other items, the ordinance requires the vehicles to use bicycle or multi-use pathways when available, instead of sidewalks or roads; requires them to yield to pedestrians and manual bicycles while giving an audible signal before passing; limits speeds to 15 mph; and requires the use of front and rear lights from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. Initial penalties are set at $15.
Nonprofit Funding Gets Full Green Light
Made possible by a $145,000 check for surplus funds returned to the city by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office last month, the council unanimously voted to approve grant awards totaling $99,900 to 23 Marathon nonprofits. In resuming the city’s program, which was discontinued after Hurricane Irma, council members reviewed and individually scored applications totaling nearly $400,000 in requested funds. Averaged scores were used to decide divisions of the $100,000 target award amount. Major recipients include the Marathon Recreation Center ($10,000), the Hammock House ($8,800), Grace Jones Community Center ($8,400), Keys AHEC Health Centers ($6,300) and Kreative Kids Christian Academy ($6,900). Four organizations applied for funding but did not receive any: the Conch Republic Marine Army, Seacamp Association Inc., the History of Diving Museum and Marathon Community Theatre.
City Marina Rates to Increase
With roof and seawall repairs needed in the near future for the city’s Boot Key Harbor marina, and large portions of its revenue diverted to fund construction at the recently-purchased Seven Mile Marina, Ports Director Sean Cannon and councilman Jeff Smith held an extended discussion on balancing the marina’s need to amass reserve funding with its desire to avoid “payment shock” for Marathon’s live-aboard workforce as marina rental rates increase.
“Dock rates are still cheaper than most of our marinas, and we offer a lot more than those marinas,” Cannon said, noting that the city marina typically holds roughly 60 year-round resident vessels and that its rates have not increased since before Hurricane Irma. “We were not supposed to compete and take (other marinas’) business. … Over the years, we just didn’t raise our rates very much.”
The proposed rates would raise monthly dockage fees from $18.50 and $21.50 per foot for summer and in-season months, respectively, to $25 and $28 per foot. Monthly mooring fees would increase from $334 to $384.
“We have people that are part of our workforce that are living on the ball … that have made it a version of affordable housing in this town,” said Smith. “When we shock people with that degree of a rate increase, it concerns me.”
The council unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2023-31 with the suggested rate increases. In an additional provision, up to 30% of the city marina’s mooring field will be eligible to avoid the full increases by signing a 12-month agreement in exchange for only a 5% increase in their yearly rental rates.
In Other News:
- The council granted official approval for the Marathon 7 Mile Offshore Grand Prix, set to take place April 28-30. Due to the races, the 33rd Street boat ramp and Old Seven Mile Bridge parking area will be closed on April 29 and 30.
- While complimenting the informative presentations at the council’s recent second monthly meetings, Vice Mayor Robyn Still and Smith asked the council to return to a more interactive, discussion-based workshop format to address pressing community concerns in its upcoming second meetings. The council seeks public input to develop a schedule of topics to address in the coming months.
- Code Director Ted Lozier announced that the city has hired two additional code enforcement officers – one as an internal transfer, and the other as a new employee – to expand its coverage of night and weekend hours.
- Public Works Director Carlos Solis announced that equipment is installed and operational for non-resident use and parking charges at the city’s public boat ramps and Sombrero Beach. The council asked Solis to return with monthly reports on the use and revenue for each pay station to better inform the city’s revenue projections. Noting that the current fine of $200 may not be sufficient to compel boat ramp users to pay a $70 charge to launch, retrieve and park at a ramp, councilman Lynn Landry asked the council to increase and further clarify the penalties for failure to pay at its next meeting.
- With the adoption of Resolution 2023-42, Marathon residents who paid building permit fees between December 14, 2020 and March 14, 2023 are eligible for partial refunds from the city. More information and details on how to apply for the refunds will be released soon, and eligible residents must apply for the refunds by Sept. 30, 2023. As determined by the Florida Ethics Commission following a written inquiry, city council members are ineligible to receive these refunds.
