An update regarding the pedestrian bridge project at Founders Park and discussion related to the Fills are among the topics set for Islamorada Village Council’s meeting on Thursday, Feb. 4.
On Jan. 14, council members were unanimous in a decision to authorize Mayor Buddy Pinder to write to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation officials urging a halt to the $4.68-million pedestrian bridge project. The letter sent late last month yielded a conversation between Pinder and FDOT District 6 Secretary James Wolfe. Pinder says he’ll provide an update regarding that meeting.
The letter says that FDOT’s stated objective for the pedestrian bridge is to improve safety by providing a pedestrian connection over U.S. 1. But the letter also refers to a 2016 feasibility study FDOT conducted that determined the bridge, then estimated to cost $1.2 million, was unwarranted. The project proceeded, however, when FDOT correspondence to the village recommended a pedestrian bridge with elevators.
A push to stop bridge construction, which FDOT officials said is slated to begin in the next few weeks, started after the seating of five new council members in late November 2020. Utilities were recently moved to make way for the steel truss bridge with stairs and elevators. So far, FDOT says it has spent $1.1 million on the project.
In other matters, council members will receive an update on the Fills, which awaits a qualified consultant to develop a management/master plan. Last year, the village entered into a 5-year sublease with Florida Department of Environmental Protection to manage property on the Fills. A 5-year lease was also signed between the village and FDOT to manage use of property at the Fills, which spans from MM 77.6 to MM 79.6.
Discussions ensued through the months over possible improvements to the Fills, from barriers and paid parking to a permanent boat ramp and pedestrian underpasses, with the plan to submit a master plan to FDOT. Last August, Public Works Director A.J. Engelmeyer presented three fencing options – cable, timber with rope, and guardrail – along the three islands for council to discuss. The cable option was the least expensive at an estimated cost of $322,000.
A 2020-21 adopted budget shows $49,100 in personnel costs at the Fills and $159,000 between rentals, leases and operating supplies. A Fills master plan engineering and construction project for $350,000 is among the items listed in the capital projects fund.
Discussion will be heard over Freebee ridesharing services in the village with a presentation by Jason Spiegel, managing partner. The free electric vehicle ridesharing service began operation in November 2018. Service was limited to Upper Matecumbe Key until last year, when more vans provided transportation to riders from Plantation Key to Lower Matecumbe Key. The fiscal year 2020-21 budget shows $300,000 in village spending for professional services with Freebee.
As for resolutions, the dais will consider approval of an executive search firm to conduct the process to fill the vacant village manager position. Last August, council accepted the resignation of Seth Lawless due to health reasons. Since then, Finance Director Maria Bassett has served as acting village manager.
A request for proposals for qualified firms started late December. Nine responses came back, with Colin Baenziger & Associates, out of Daytona Beach, ranked the highest at a cost of $26,500. Council chambers are limited to council members and essential staff members due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The public is welcome to attend the meeting by watching on Comcast channel 77, online via Zoom or the village website. If assistance is needed, please contact the village clerk’s office at 305-664-6413 no later than the day before the meeting.
