Every year, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office gives money back to the City of Marathon. It’s unspent money on the city’s contract with the sheriff for law enforcement in Marathon. It’s a common practice — the sheriff’s office polices all the municipalities in the Keys with a similar agreement except for Key West and Key Colony Beach which have their own departments.
Typically, there is an annual presentation where the sheriff presents the Marathon City Council with a check for anywhere between $80,000 and $150,000. This year, with the Marathon Council’s blessing, the funds will go toward the purchase of a new sheriff’s office boat for law enforcement patrol.
“The current boat is 17 years old and reached its life expectancy,” said Capt. Don Hiller of the Marathon substation. Hiller said the sheriff’s office is looking at purchasing a 26-foot center console Yellowfin with twin engines. It will cost about $135,000, depending on how it’s equipped.
“The manufacturer is a supporter of law enforcement and gave us a great deal on the boat,” said Hiller.
The council voted in support, citing enhanced public safety for the community, as well as furthering the efforts of Deputy Willie Guerrera, who regularly partners with his waterside colleagues in the Coast Guard and FWC to enforce marine law.
In other news:
- Councilman John Bartus informed the rest of the council about his work on the lobster mini-season task force. Bartus said a wide variety of professionals — commercial fishermen, FWC, state Department of Transportation, municipalities and Monroe County — are working on ways to make mini-season more palatable to locals. Among the measures being considered are unifying the rules through the county, rather than the patchwork that exists now. Apparently, many law enforcement officers volunteer in the Keys that weekend without a clear understanding of the geography and rules. The Keys also want to work with transportation officials to help manage the activities and number of visitors who pull off on the side of Overseas Highway or crowd boat ramps. Finally, they are considering a system of tags to counteract “double dipping” — the practice of bringing the whole lobster to shore, wringing the tails and sticking them in the fridge and going back for more lobster, above and beyond the 6 per person per day. The tags would need to be affixed to the lobster as they are being transported from place to place. Any lobster without a tag could earn its owner a citation or even jail time.
- The city approved a contract for $266,000 to repair the docks at Oceanfront Park at City Hall and build a new kayak dock at Sunset Park on Grassy Key. In addition, the city has been promised partial funding of $75,000 for a bathroom at the Quay property from the Tourist Development Council.
- The city sold a parcel of conservation property to Drew Caterson and Cora Baggs on Grassy Key. Previously, the couple sought to lease the land adjacent to their home and fence it off. The purchase price was $15,000. The buyers must put a conservation easement on the property and clear it of exotic vegetation. If the property is sold, the city has the right of first refusal or will be paid a proportionate share of $10,000 for each year remaining of the 10 years after the sales transaction.
- The city pulled the second reading of a watering ordinance that would have required property owners to water only on certain days of the week during certain hours. City staff said they would bring it back at a later date.
- The city approved re-platting of two properties. The first is located near 50th Street on the waterside lot of Crystal Cove affordable apartments. Initially the developers wanted to develop about two dozen RV resort spots, then about the same number of hotel units. Now, the property is to be divided into seven lots. The city also approved the replatting of the seven lots on 11th Street near Lazy Days restaurant.
- The council voted to pay Deanna Lloyd $81,000 a year for a grants management contract.
- The Gonzalez Brothers Landscaping contract with the city was extended for three more years. Mayor Luis Gonzalez, also a principal in the company, recused himself from the vote.
