The agenda includes a city hall update and change orders, the $7,500,000 Florida Keys Stewardship Act distribution agreement and a $250,000 FDEP grant request, the site plan amendment and the elevator boat lift from P&Z plus a permit extension request as well as ordinance amendments, Commissioners’ reports, a membrane replacement proposal and the 2026 Watershed Management Plan.
Committee and Department Reports:
Chief Rogers reported on several working fires (none in KCB) and eight EMS calls in KCB.
Chief Buxton reported on fraud, trespass, and Baker Act incidents. There were 41 calls for service and 7 medical/alarm calls.
City Administrator Bartus discussed several TDC capital project and other grants, managed bids, reaching the Interlocal Agreement for the Stewardship funds, and worked on floodplain ordinance changes.
Public Works Head Guarino's busy month included a major wind event, citywide herbicide, a purchasing Carolina Skiff for water work, a new osprey platform, preparing the shop for document scanning, and more.
City Clerk Roussin, in addition to the regular duties, prepared for the primary election and devoted time to grants; continued city hall grant management with the KCB grant manager and closed out the grant; attended several DEP grant meetings; continued electronic archiving of records. The "big-bucket records retention schedule" is in the packet.
The building department reports that 10 construction projects are active. Outreach to seawall owners continues. Performed annual inspections for 53 short term rentals; more than 700 short term rental properties require inspection.
Consent Items:
Items to be voted on one motion include the annual iguana control invoice for $15,600, a membrane replacement proposal for $383,220 as well as approving a warrant for $1,496,237 and the meeting minutes.
Action Items:
The commission will award a bid for storm drain cleaning services. The bid review committee met August 12.
The commission will discuss the 2026 Watershed Management Plan. Changes include an update on the city joining CRS, new drainage system data descriptions, LIDAR accuracy, project summary bullets, and more.
The commission will approve a 1-year permit extension request for 880 Shelter Bay Drive.
Sec. 6-7(d): "The monthly fee payable in advance for the extension shall be ten (10) per cent of the original building fees including impact fees and sewer connection fees for issuance of the permit" A 12-month extension thus brings in more revenue than the original permit.
People Are (still) Asking why the city continues to ignore the tolling requirements of the Florida statutes. Even without the hardships created by the city outflow pipe on the property and the detention of the shell contractor by ICE, this permit is automatically extended by statute.
States of emergency such as those declared for Hurricane Milton automatically extend building permits at no additional cost; the current declaration remains in effect through at least September 18. Permit holders may also claim two additional years to work under their building permits beyond that initial period, also at no additional cost. That two years would keep all current KCB building permits open until September 18, 2028, although the builders can close a permit whenever they finish the job.
The commission will approve the $7,500,000 Florida Keys Stewardship Act funding distribution agreement. The total will be divided into $1,500,000 annual distributions in FY26-27 through FY30-31. The amount of funding is dependent on the amount actually received from the state.
The commission will discuss a $250,000 Phase 1 Funding Request to the FDEP to reverse erosion on .9 miles of KCB's south shoreline. Phase 1 is to study wave attenuation as well as to design the project. The city will pursue additional funding for construction and monitoring in the future. The grant requires a 50% ($125,000) match of city funding.
The commission will approve a Sadowski Marina, Restaurant and Shopping Center site plan amendment to relocate a trash enclosure.
The commission will approve a 16,000-pound four-post elevator boat lift in a slip at 101 E. Ocean Drive.
The commission will approve a 12-month subscription to Komline's Operational Intelligence for $9,600 for the water treatment plant.
The commission will discuss Pedro Falcon's $218,773 in change orders: replace Marble Hall ductwork for $26,889, insulation for $28,119 and a 5 day contract time extension, Replace Existing AHU for $20,965 and add the "F&I" Pergola for $142,800.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
The commission will approve the final reading of an amendment for Certification and Recertification of Multi-Story Structures plus the first reading of an amendment of sewer monthly rates and charges.
The commission will also adopt the 2026 County Watershed Management Plan and may authorize the city to serve as the local sponsor for and apply for the DEP program grant and commit the required 50% local matching funds.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Harding will report on the July financial summary and give the final FY26/27 budget review.
Commissioners' Reports
Commissioner Harding will report on the wastewater report for August 17.
Commissioner Diel has another KCB Day update.
Vice-Mayor Colonell has the city hall update and a re-evaluation of the basketball location.
Mayor Foster will deliver the staff's grant report.
People are Asking exactly what each grant covers and the total cost to the city for expenses not covered by the grants, for example engineering not covered, grant administration (and procurement), and more? Is there a breakdown of staff time and public works time and legal time and grant writer time used to apply for and to implement each grant?
