Residents spoke out about the Key Colony Beach Meetings in December:
December 18, 2025Ground Breaking
The commission broke ground for the new city hall project on Friday morning. Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, Marathon Mayor Lynn Del Gaizo, and representatives from Pedro Falcon Construction and CPH Architects joined the commissioners, city staff, and KCBers for the ceremony.
What did the City Commission do at their meetings on December 18?
Organizational Meeting
The commission reelected Freddie Foster as mayor, Doug Colonell as vice-mayor, and Tom Harding as secretary-treasurer. They reappointed Kris DiGiovanni as Chief of Police, Vernis & Bowling as city attorney, John Bartus as city administrator, Tony Loreno as building official, and Silvia Roussin as city clerk. Martha Dreyer will continue as code enforcement officer.
The commission reappointed the incumbents of the volunteer committees and boards: Beautification, Planning & Zoning, Recreation, and the Utility Board. They designated signers for the bank accounts and the safety deposit box. They made no appointments for the Disaster Preparedness Committee or the CRS Resident.
Public Hearing
The commission approved the 40,000-pound boat lift on 12th Street, the request for unity of title on 7th street, and the amendments to the comprehensive plan. Mayor Foster thanked City of Marathon planning director Brian Shea who "helped me out incredibly on" the comprehensive plan update.Regular Meeting
Havana Jacks will have music until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve
City administrator John Bartus created a video of city accomplishments available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/O24i8wDKasM. There was no mention of the legal meeting held by the mayor, city administrator, and city clerk.
The commission discussed a three-sided pickleball restroom as an addition to the Public Works building in addition to the bocce court and the golf building.The new public restrooms are ADA compliant but are not constructed above base flood elevation.In answer to Commissioner DiFrancisco's question, "How much longer do we have on V&B's contracts before we have to re-bid it?" Attorney Jimmie Hicks replied that "legal services are always at the option and serve at the pleasure of the board, so that's why it's not bid." Commissioner Harding reported that legal costs for October were higher than the budget estimate by about $9,000. The commission approved the Vernis & Bowling contract.
Commissioner DiFrancisco asked when the Causeway restaurant and rebuilding the Key Colony Inn would be done. The answer is "around 60 to 90 days, because we've got a crew in there right now that we got everything kind of squared away" and he's waiting for a couple inspections on the Inn. Mayor Foster reminded him "You're already in your one-year extension on your 18-month. Once that's expired, it's a whole new ballgame. So, your clock is really against you right now, because you've got till May."A Florida state of emergency declaration tolls (extends) the expiration of building permits for the duration of the emergency plus an additional 24 months. All permits in Monroe County including those in Key Colony Beach were tolled by emergency declarations for Hurricanes Helene, Ian, and Milton but Mayor Foster previously cited a city "protocol" to ignore the state law. The city has charged more than $250,000 in permit fees for four residential properties here. City officials required those owners to apply for extensions instead of tolling (extending) those permits as is required by state law."The monthly fee payable in advance for the extension shall be ten (10) percent of the original building fees."Commissioner DiFrancisco also asked about the seven meter bridge. Mayor Foster reported on a teleconference with the director of all bridges in Monroe. "I can promise you that none of us are going to be here by the time that we have to replace that bridge."
With the Recreation Committee's approval of the location, Mayor Foster is "really, really having a hard time with losing more green space... I just don't know that that was the right location… Now that we've put those fountains in and beautified that pond, it's physically apparent that now we're going to block it with a basketball court." The commission decided on "a pervious green half court with the only thing that sticks up above the ground being your hoop."
There is still construction debris and garbage and weeds around the "wet reention plants." Vice mayor Colonell was "very displeased with the workmanship" and doesn't think it's the utility department's job to do their work. Mayor Foster will meet with the company on Tuesday.
The commission reviewed the comprehensive agreement for the management of the golf course at length. Mayor Foster stated, "I have read this document, and I can tell you that flat out, I will never approve it... I'm tired of just getting their nose thumbed up at me just for what we've requested as some simple things for him to comply with..." After discussion, they tabled the contract and will hold a workshop and special meeting for the commission only "in the next couple of weeks."
They approved an additional contract with Brightview for $34,998 for landscape services plus a contract for $22,940 for restroom maintenance services.
The commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend the setbacks for pools within the R-2B zoning district and passed the resolution opposing new offshore oil and gas leasing.
Commissioner Tom Harding did some calculations for a $3 million, 15-year loan at an assumed 5% interest rate for the city hall project. He discussed the non-ad valorem income. We could use the boat trailer parking fees and "other revenue streams."
He also noted a little bit of COVID went through the city. COVID's low, but it's still there. We're in the flu. and RSV season. The flu virus went through the city and RSV. Flu is active in the state of Florida.
Commissioner Kirk Diehl noted that an email was sent out to all KCB homeowners on December 11 to inform us that "code enforcement, Tony, myself, and another person that's very experienced in marine engineering" will perform sea wall inspections in January.
Special Meeting
The special meeting considered several items to move the city hall project forward.
January meetings in Marble Hall will be held as scheduled. Beginning in February, all Commission, Board, and Committee meetings will be moved to the afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m. Community events will continue but organizers are encouraged to find other venues temporarily. KCB Day will be held in the city hall park as planned. Once Marble Hall is determined to be unsafe, committee meetings will move to Zoom.
Commissioners discussed the change order process in detail. The Vice Mayor will approve no cost change orders. Orders with cost changes up to $15,000 will be sent to the city clerk who will send each out to all commissioners. Commissioners have 24 hours to inform the clerk if opposed; she will then call an emergency meeting for discussion and approval. (No response indicates approval of the proposed change.) Major changes, meaning cost changes over $15,000 must go before the commission in a public hearing.
Several engineers and contractors have warned that change orders drive cost overruns on government buildings. "So be careful the contractor makes his money on change orders. [The commission doesn't] know what they are in for."Commissioners approved the 96 hour generator option for $105,000.
The commission determined that the city is required to carry builders risk insurance. They chose option 2, a $10,000 deductible policy with a $31,073 premium.