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Visit the CPH City Hall Design Pages
KCB News in April
KCB news this month includes rain(!), music in the park, city hall updates and financing, pickleball shade, the golf course, more ordinances, more fines and penalties, a seawall update, and more.
Lock Down: the Question of the Year
People Are Asking, Does the city commission (still) have a siege mentality?
Hurricane Season
The 2026 hurricane season officially begins on June 1. Colorado State University researchers last week projected a "somewhat below-normal" Atlantic hurricane season. The forecasts 13 named storms of which six are hurricanes and two of those are major storms. That's one below average in each category. The primary driver of CSU's forecast is the high likelihood of a robust El Niņo. El Niņo typically dampens Atlantic Hurricane activity because it increases Caribbean and tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear.
Read more here: https://www.keysnews.com/flkeysfreepress/news/csu-forecasts-below-normal-storm-season/article_1760889f-1b60-4469-ba57-6a196421104a.html and remember, after a couple of "easy" years, it takes only one storm.
What did the KCB City Commission do at the special meeting on Monday, April 27?
The city commission held a special meeting to discuss a change order and a request to extend the time to finish city hall. Mayor Foster was absent and Commissioner Harding attended via Zoom.
The commission approved Change Order #12 for the pin piles and new slab in the administration area for $143,798.35.
Vice Mayor Colonell said, "The contractor is very far behind schedule, We are six months into the job and we've got 10% of the job done. We have not been able to get him to give us a critical path schedule or a recovery plan yet. He's claiming several areas of delays that ... the city is to blame... He's pushing this job into December... So, I would suggest we authorize the dollars and that we've done our part as far as we could. We can't agree to 58 days on the schedule. We just can't." it was noted that the change order is not binding just by approving the amount.
The commission authorized Vice Mayor Colonell to negotiate the time with the contractor.
The administration area concrete slab and pin piles installed just last year were defective and needed replacement. The floor slab has been removed and the pile caps were demolished. The pin piles were left in place. (King's Enterprises have notified their insurance carrier and they've been put on formal notice for failure to perform.)
What did the KCB City Commission do at the Fair Housing Workshop on Thursday, April 30?
The city commission held a special workshop to discuss federal and state fair housing laws and the seven protected classes, enforcement, common violations, plus fair housing in the KCB Municipal Code on Thursday, April 30.
Ovid Solutions consultant Kelly Gibson told the commission that "this is a brief, but very important component of the [community development block grant] application. Fair housing is an essential component for the application itself, but beyond the administrative requirements, it is about ensuring that every member of your community has equal access to housing."
The KCB Fair Housing Ordinance is found in Article 2, Chapter 13, sections 13-31 through 13-42 of the municipal code. A "Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" handout is also available from city hall.
What did the KCB City Commission do at the special public hearing on Thursday, April 30?
The city commission held a special meeting to pass a resolution to go forward with the community development block grant application on Thursday, April 30.
The commission passed a resolution to move forward with the CDBG application for a fully funded, $1.5 million, Florida Commerce grant to upgrade and make the wastewater facility more resilient.
To be eligible for funding, an activity must benefit to low-and moderate-income persons, eliminate slum and blight conditions or address an urgent need to alleviate a serious and immediate threat to those living in the area. The state has more information about the CDBG here:
https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/assistance-for-governments-and-organizations/florida-small-cities-community-development-block-grant-program
What did the KCB City Commission do at the special emergency meeting on Thursday, April 30?
The city commission held an emergency meeting on Thursday, April 30. The meeting was held in person but no agenda was published and there was no Zoom transmission.
The commission took up two items:
1. Moving the switchgear from the west side to the east side of the building.
Vice Mayor Colonell reported that "Initially we were not going to put the switchgear on the east side because the amount of money and the wire and the conduit that it was going to take to come in the building go up the wall across the ceiling and back down was very expensive and a lot of work and we opted to put it closer to the panel on the west side as the mayor explained." That put the electrical panels right in the front entrance. The codes won't allow "hiding it with plants.
"Now that the slab is been removed it is more convenient for us to scratch out a trench in that floor before we pour it back and hide the conduit in the ground straight run and located on the Sadowsky side where all the other guts in the building are. The generator's over there. The air conditioning units are over"
Mayor Foster moved to move the switch gear at a cost not to exceed $50,000. The commission unanimously approved the motion.
2. The ARB Air Reject valve had been damaged recently and needed a temporary repair. The commission approved replacing it for $36,216.27.
Read the partial transcript for this meeting here.
Hurricane Season
The 2026 hurricane season officially begins on June 1. Colorado State University researchers last week projected a "somewhat below-normal" Atlantic hurricane season. The forecasts 13 named storms of which six are hurricanes and two of those are major storms. That's one below average in each category. The primary driver of CSU's forecast is the high likelihood of a robust El Niņo. El Niņo typically dampens Atlantic Hurricane activity because it increases Caribbean and tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear.
Read more here: https://www.keysnews.com/flkeysfreepress/news/csu-forecasts-below-normal-storm-season/article_1760889f-1b60-4469-ba57-6a196421104a.html and remember, after a couple of "easy" years, it takes only one storm.
Passages
Chet Dunn, 89, passed away recently. He was a leader, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. "What a fun, honorable, respectful human," one long-time KCBer said. "He was a trooper to the end. I shall miss him."
Chet was a Charter Member and Past Commodore, of the Key Colony Beach Fishing & Boat Club. He was also KCB Citizen of the Year. Chet was a member of the Marathon Masonic Lodge No. 323 for over 35 years, and served as Worshipful Master in 2012. He also served as DDGM for 2019-2020 and was later certified by the Grand Lodge of Florida as a Past Master of Free and Accepted Masons. He was also a member of the Mahi Shriners in Florida, and Bektash Shriners in New Hampshire and a member of the Scottish Rite. In addition, Chet was a proud member of the Elks, the Moose, American Legion of Marathon and the Royal Order of the Partridge.
He will be laid to rest at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
KCB invites residents to share thoughts, condolences, fond memories, stories, and moments as we honor his life and legacy. Please reach out to Silvia to share your comments, and they will be forwarded to Chet's family. https://keycolonybeach.net/2026/04/30/remembering-a-beloved-member-of-key-colony-beach
Little Libraries
"Little Free Library: Take a Book. Share a Book." Anyone can use them. You do not need to leave a book to take one, although sharing is encouraged to keep the library stocked. The main goals are to increase access to books, promote literacy, and build community.
Little libraries have arrived in KCB sponsored by the Recreation and Beautification committees. There are little library "kiosks" at 1st Street park, 7th Street park and Sunset Park. Donations are welcome, especially children's books. Drop books off at any little library or in the post office.
Volunteers Needed
KCB is looking for community members who want to serve on the Utility Board. There are one full-time position and two alternate positions available. This board provides input on the wastewater treatment plant and stormwater improvement projects and more. These key initiatives impact all of KCB. Find out more here: https://keycolonybeach.net/2026/04/22/%f0%9f%8c%8a-volunteers-needed-utility-board-openings-%f0%9f%8c%8a/
KCB Elections
KCB elections are 7 months--216 days--from April 1 but the qualifying period is just 68 days away. Two commission seats (Freddie Foster and Kirk Diehl) will be on the ballot in November.
Candidates--even write-in candidates--must "qualify." The county will hold a candidate seminar on Saturday, April 18, at the Marathon Government Center. City clerk Silvia Roussin has prepared a 2026 Candidate Packet and F.A.Q. She will begin accepting qualifying paperwork on May 26. Here's the city FAQ for candidates.
New City Hall is Underway
Construction and renovations are underway and the project has reached the halfway point on the schedule. There is a new handicap ramp for the post office and Marble Hall. During this phase of the project, access to the post office, parking areas, and portions of the property will be affected. There will be signs, barriers, and fencing to guide us through the parking lots, to the post office, and to Marble Hall.
Beauty in KCB
Beauts and friends are looking for help on Wednesdays at 9 - 11 a.m. Bring gloves, hat, water, and sunscreen. Here's the work party schedule for upcoming weeks: https://keycolonybeach.net/2026/01/26/%f0%9f%8c%b4-2026-beautification-committee-work-party-schedule. Call Dave McKeehan (713.212.3854) with questions or to volunteer.
Book Club
The KCB Book Club will meet under the tiki hut next to the post office to discuss Swamp Story by Dave Barry, on May 14 at 3:30 p.m. (If the weather is yucky, they will be under the tiki hut). The novel is a comic thriller with the Melon Monster, a horde of TikTokers, and the Everglades.
Email or call Sandra Glassman (561.271.8194) for the book list and more details. Book club meets the second Thursday of the month. Don't forget to check the bookcase in the post office. It offers a great selection of books your neighbors have read and enjoyed.
Farmers Market
The KCB Farmers Market has closed for this season. It will resume in the fall.
Meetings
All Commission, Board, and Committee meetings have moved to the afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m. The KCB post office hours are not changed. The post office is open 24/7. Counter service is available at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
During the construction period, there may be noise, dust, and increased activity on the entire lot. There will be a "safe passage through the parking lot to Marble Hall and the post office."
100% City Hall Design Drawings
The city commission held a special meeting in August, 2025, for a presentation by CPH Architect Brandan DeCaro. The commission discussed the construction cost, rammed through the 100% design drawings, and approved the final bid package and contract.
Here is an abridged architectural plan showing the elevations and floor presented by CPH plus the elevation and 3D image from the citizen proposal to create a legal two story entry and to resolve the ADA access: http://peopleareasking.org/resources/100_submittal_set_floorplans-08-14-2025.pdf
KCBers are still very concerned that we're buying a five-six million dollar shopping center facade as the showpiece for the city despite the obvious violations of KCB ordinances, the probable violations of Florida Building Code and Florida statutes, the likelihood of an ADA lawsuit, and the concerns that there has been no citizen architectural review.
It is noteworthy that the simplest solution (first recommended at the beginning of this project) is to build the entrance lobby on ground level and floodproof it.
That simple solution eliminates ADA issues, eliminates parking lot issues, reduces the overall height of the building, and reduces costs.
The commission ignored that answer.
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Here is an abridged architectural plan showing the elevations and floor presented by CPH plus the elevation and 3D image from the citizen proposal to create a legal two story entry and to resolve the ADA access: http://peopleareasking.org/resources/100_submittal_set_floorplans-08-14-2025.pdf
All the official "City Hall Renovation" documents released so far can be found here: https://keycolonybeach.net/about-our-city-2/city-hall-renovations
Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk to ask these and other questions about the plans.
Download a `PDF of the City Hall comparison drawings
Click Here for the March, 2025, KCB News (or a look at how we got here)
Click Here for the April, 2025, KCB News
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Click Here for the November, 2025, KCB News
Click Here for the December, 2025, KCB News
Click Here for the January, 2026, KCB News
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