People Are Asking

The Latest News: April, 2025

The Importance of Dissent

The mayor made a big thing of knowing "who writes the Concerned news."

Back in 2018, the New York Times published an unusual and explosive anonymous op-ed from a senior Trump administration official. The question that arose then and now is whether anonymous commentary is legit. Words like "hero" on one side and "treason" on the other were bandied about.

Anonymous comments are crucial because they create a safe space for feedback with less fear of retribution. They promote open communication and highlight issues that may otherwise go unreported. In fact, anti-ratification writers, often using pseudonyms, challenged the popular view of the Constitution 250 years ago. They argued for state's rights and the protection of individual liberties. That ultimately led to the Bill of Rights.

Anonymous reports also mean the reader won't view them through the lens of personal bias for or against the source.

It doesn't matter if Concerned's writers are one or legion. What matters is that this space allows free exchange of news and opinions. What matters is that the facts are not quashed for fear of reprisal. What matters is that one or more KCBers think this news is important to share.

People Are Asking? Visit http://PeopleAreAsking.org/news/index.html to see more of what People Are Saying about issues that otherwise haven't seen the light of day.

What will the KCB City Commission do at the Special Meeting on April 1?

3-26-25 City Hall Concept

The City Commission has called a special meeting in Marble Hall and as a Zoom webinar this Tuesday, April 1, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please note the unusual day.

The agenda includes:
The agenda includes a presentation by architect Brandan DeCaro, discussion, and a decision to proceed to the "60% schematics." (the next phase of design).
Observations of the 3-26-25 city hall drawings

View the new plans here.

This plan is a significant advance over the original concept but People Are Asking several questions about this plan as well:

    Ground Floor
    3-26-25 City Hall first floor plan

  • There are no stairs or ramp shown to the entrance veranda. How are people supposed to climb up to the lobby, the 720 s.f., "fitness room," and the stairs leading to the second floor?
    • Why is there a 764 s.f. entrance lobby to serve only the police department and building department if the admin area has its own ground level (ADA) entrance?
  • A still-unanswered question: Why are the administrative offices are completely isolated from the public, reached only through a gatekeeper office with a closed door from the hallway and a second closed door into the office area?
  • A still-unanswered question: Why does administrative office access through the lobby still require climbing four or more steps to the lobby elevation and then going down four or more stairs to the admin floor.
  • The floor plan shows eight offices plus room for two or more cubicles plus a reception desk. How much staff is this administration planning to add?
  • A still-unanswered question: Why is there no locker or changing space in the non-ADA fitness room bathroom? And why not arrange the design so the gym shares bathrooms with Marble Hall and the administrative space?
  • A still-unanswered question: Why is the only ground floor records storage room below Base Flood Elevation?
  • Why does the new tower and addition (and the unshown ramp and stairs at the entry) usurp some of the crowded driveway?
  • FEMA explicitly allows floodproofing as one option to mitigate damage of commercial buildings in hazard zones.
  • Whether you call it a "tower" or not, there is still a real concern that changing the roofline that much is not harmonious in character and appearance with existing buildings in the neighborhood.

    • Second Floor
    3-26-25 City Hall second floor plan

  • Why does the second floor have an open balcony overlooking the lobby? The open atrium design is pretty but a tremendous waste of space (and construction cost).
  • A still-unanswered question: Why are there additional mechanical and electrical rooms on the second floor?
  • The second floor bathrooms have locker and changing space for four police officers. Why is there no space for showers?

    • Other Issues
    This is not a Tower

  • A still-unanswered question: Whether you call it a "tower" or an "architectural element or feature of the proposed expansion, [that] does not have any correlation with the finish floor elevation," there is still a real concern that changing the roofline that much is not harmonious in character and appearance with existing buildings in the neighborhood. People Are Asking why the city commission is ignoring that city ordinance?
  • A still-unanswered question: Why don't the "design schematics" include value engineering?
  • A still-unanswered question: With commercial construction costing some $500 per square foot in the Keys why are we planning to spend nearly a million dollars for lobbies, an "open atrium" and a gym?

"Schematic " drawings are still ideas to be discussed between KCBers, the commissioners, and the architect. There will be many more questions as we examine the plans more closely. Click or tap here to email the commissioners and city clerk to ask these and other questions about the plans.

We--KCBers and commissioners and architects together--need to think critically to make this project the best it can be.

Read the Key Colony Beach Special City Commission Meeting Agenda Packet here.
See the conceptual city hall floorplan here.

Join the 4/1/25 meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84474591121?pwd=SA0LBSEm2Z1GdCZxXjBBlbPvW2REtG.1
Passcode: 806792

Good News from the Special Meeting on April 1

The commission met April 1 to approve the"30%" city hall schematic drawings. View the plans here.

People had asked about the need for stairs and a ramp to the entrance veranda, the isolation of the administrative staff and offices, the lack of locker or changing space in the non-ADA fitness room bathroom, driveway crowding, the circular staircase and lobby layout, floodproofing the existing building, the multiple "reception" areas that restricted access to staff, showers for the police officers and EOC, and more. Kudos to the commission and the architects who addressed many of those questions and have made great progress.

In brief, the commission unanimously approved "what we have in front of us and let Brandan [architect Brandan DeCaro] use his design expertise to take us to the next step."

The commission discussed hardening and floodproofing the existing building. Architect Brandan DeCaro said they would fill the CMUs (the concrete blocks of the city hall side walls) with concrete up to a height above the base flood elevation, add flood panels, and fill the CMUs around windows to provide anchors for hurricane windows.

"If we get approval today, we're two weeks ahead of schedule," DeCaro said.

Commissioner Harding discussed the unfriendliness of the admin area entrance. Senior people, he said, should be accessible to folks at the reception window. He wants to add a kitchenette counter to the second floor for the PD and EOC. He suggested eliminating the north door of the post office for flood protection. He also suggested silicone coating around the perimeter of the building for floodproofing. He suggested entering the second floor secure storage area through the sergeant's office with a "door that doesn't take as much space."

Vice Mayor Raspe discussed getting a tractor trailer through the parking lot, something the post office does every day. He agreed with Commissioner Harding they should make administration area patio big enough for entire staff. And he suggested adding showers to the second floor bathrooms for PD and EOC

Commissioner Difransico suggested men's and women's showers and changing room in the gym. He also asked about the tower.

The "third floor" is for architectural interest and just a floor of a building there for nothing more than architectural interest, DeCaro said.

"Do you have a rough guess of how much more that tower would cost?" Commissioner Difransico asked.

"It adds a lot of interest and a lot of light to the entrance hall," DeCaro said. They "raised the lobby area. It is three stories. The slope of the new roofs is the same as the existing." He pointed out that the "widow's walk"/tower/feature are "common [architectural] vocabulary in KCB and in the Keys." The heightened portion will be visible from the causeway, he said, and makes it very obvious where you enter the building. They also "chose to put glass in the exercise room to make that first floor to make it 'disappear' under the elevated second floor." (Everyone using the equipment will be visible from West Ocean Drive and from the parking lot.)

Commissioner Colonell asked when the 60% design will be done.

"We'll beat 4/27." DeCaro said. He'll come back before that with a proposal for interior and exterior materials.

There was a general discussion of raising the parking lot so there aren't as many stairs up to the new lobby. That will take some careful layout because they need to control the slope coming into the lot and the slope back down to get to the ground floor "ADA" entrance.

There was a general discussion of increasing the size of the addition to return some space to the police officers' work stations.

Mayor Foster thinks that, from a security perspective, "we don't want residents to be able to walk in on the office." He got a head nod for leaving the staff space as it is designed.
He summed up the meeting:
  • Increase sergeant's office at DeCaro's discretion.
  • Don't optimize chief's space.
  • Leave the second floor showers at DeCaro's discretion.
  • "The look you have is fine." Leave the elevation and its tower as designed.
  • Add a small kitchen area upstairs if possible otherwise a table in conference room
  • The entrance radius for an 18-wheeler is 55'. Make sure we have that.
  • The city will address closing off the PO door. Leave it like it is.
  • Windows at the fitness center are OK.
  • No change to restroom/changing/shower in fitness room.
  • Make the administration area patio bigger.
  • Approve what we have in front of us and let Brandan use his design expertise to take us to the next step.

    • The unanswered questions we hope will be addressed in the "60% schematics" include:

  • The first floor office floor plan shows space for ten employees plus a reception area. How much staff does KCB plan to add?
  • Why does the commission want to buy, equip, and maintain a separate gym? Why aren't we just continuing to us Marble Hall for exercise?
  • Why is the ground floor records storage room below Base Flood Elevation? (Public records must be maintained and preserved, kept in the buildings where they are ordinarily used, and stored in fireproof and waterproof safes or rooms, easily accessible for use, according to Florida Statute 119.021.)
  • Why does the second floor have an open balcony overlooking the lobby? The open atrium design is pretty but a tremendous waste of space (and construction cost).
  • Why was "flooring in" that open space not considered? That would free up plenty of room for the police officers' work stations, additional showers, and more.
  • Why are there additional mechanical and electrical rooms on the second floor?
  • Where is the elevator mechanical room?
  • Why don't the "design schematics" include value engineering?

    • To Tower or Not to Tower, That Is the Question

    KCB is not Marathon.

    KCB is not Key West.

    KCB is not Chicago.

    KCB is not a shopping mall.

    KCB is a very small town of about 753 citizens.

    At the April 1 special commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously "approved what we have in front of us and let Brandan use his design expertise to take us to the next step."

    "We've raised the lobby area. It is three stories," architect Brandan DeCaro told the commission. He said the "widow's walk" or "tower" is "common [architectural] vocabulary in KCB and in the Keys... The heightened portion is visible from the causeway and makes it very obvious where you enter the building."

    A three story structure in the public buildings and grounds district is a two-fold problem. View a comparison of the buildings here.

    From the KCB Code of Ordinances
    Land Development Regulations:

    Sec. 101-18. - PB Public buildings and grounds districts.
    (1) Intent. This district is intended to accommodate city administrative or maintenance buildings, city wastewater treatment plant and other governmental uses. It conforms with the Public category of the comprehensive plan.
    (2) Permitted uses.
    Governmental administrative offices, including police station...
    (3) Site design standards.
    Height maximum of 2 stories but in no case more than 48 feet in height as mandated by Florida Building Code. No mechanical equipment shall be allowed on roof."

    Sec. 101-28. - Architecture.
    All buildings, additions and alterations hereinafter constructed shall be of an architectural style and of building materials that are harmonious in character and appearance with existing buildings in the neighborhood and shall be appropriate to their surroundings.

    People Are Asking...

  • Whether you call it a "tower" or a heightened entry, the three story structure appears to violate KCB's two-story maximum. How did it get approved?
  • Whether you call it a "tower" or not, changing the roofline that much is not harmonious in character and appearance with existing buildings in the neighborhood. How did it get approved?
  • Why do we need an elevated, three story entry building?
    • It showcases the entry to city hall.
    Whether they enter from the parking lot or the administrative offices, staff as well as guests visiting the second floor will have to climb four or more steps to the lobby just to use the elevator.
    FEMA requires that we elevate.
    That's not exactly accurate. FEMA explicitly allows dry floodproofing as one option to mitigate damage of commercial buildings in hazard zones. The city already plans to floodproof and harden the entire existing building.
    Florida Building Code requires that we elevate.
    That's not exactly accurate. Nonresidential buildings in the Coastal A Zone must be designed to Zone V requirements unless they have dry floodproofing.
  • With commercial construction costing some $500 per square foot in the Keys why are we planning to spend nearly a million dollars for lobbies, an "open atrium" and a gym?

    • Bridge Run is Saturday, April 5

    The 44th Annual Seven Mile Bridge run takes place this Saturday morning. The bridge will be closed in both directions at around 6 a.m. The event will snarl US-1 traffic for several hours Saturday morning. Traffic lanes will reopen at round 9 a.m. but it usually takes an hour or more for traffic to return to normal. Visit https://7mbrun.com for more information.

    DEP Awarded $1M to KCB

    The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded an additional $1 million to Key Colony Beach through the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern Grant Program. The grant is for disinfection system improvements to the city's water reclamation facility. Visit https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/state-action/grants-submissions for more information about the program.

    Special Meeting on Monday, April 14

    The City Commission has called a special meeting in Marble Hall and on Zoom this Monday, April 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

    The agenda includes: approving a resolution to continue in the Middle Keys Health Care Municipal Service Taxing Unit but only if the tax rate is lowered to so they don't collect more than the commitment to the hospital.

    Note that the restriction on public commentary continues; "Members of the Public may speak for three minutes and may only speak once unless waived by a majority vote of the commission."

    Read the Key Colony Beach Special City Commission Special Meeting Agenda here.

    Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk .

    Join the 4/14/25 special meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89175134594?pwd=f6HQP6BonWUNPSLLZbtOJjpvYnbexv.1
    Passcode: 463263

    Townhall Meeting on Monday, April 14

    The City Commission will host its monthly "Townhall Meeting" in Marble Hall and on Zoom on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. This Townhall will include the golf course, city gardens, public WiFi, fundraising pavers, and more.

    Townhall Meetings are planned for the Monday before each monthly city commission meeting "in season." There was no Town Hall in March. This is the final Townhall scheduled for this Spring.

    Come in person! Attend on Zoom!
    Have your questions and comments ready!
    The city commission really wants to hear from all KCBers!

    Be persuasive. Be focused. Be present.

    Please attend the meeting to hear the news and to tell your story or make your requests. The commission invites all KCBers to air their interests and concerns on these topics. Really. They do want to hear from you. Town hall meetings educate the commissioners who have pledged to include your issues at the commission meetings.

    From the Agenda:

    Mayor Foster will discuss whether to privatize the golf course.

    Vice-Mayor Raspe will cover upgrading and maintaining city gardens.

    Commissioner Harding will ask KCBers about providing Wi-Fi Internet at city parks.

    Commissioner Colonell will introduce the question of personalized pavers on the walkways around KCB.
    Engraved bricks and pavers are often seen in fundraising campaigns and memorials.

    The floor is open for questions and comments on any other city business as well. Bring your compliments about the pickleball courts, your concerns about the legality of the three story tower, or anything else the commission needs to know.

    KCB is our little city. Be there. Be ready. Be focused. Be persuasive. And please volunteer to help our gem.

    Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk .

    Download the 1-13-25 Townhall Meeting Agenda

    Join the 4/14/25 meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
    Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85171333004?pwd=H4Kjh9oaUmjaY131rIJbHsT2t1i04w.1
    Passcode: 806459
    Note that this is not the same log in as the earlier special meeting.

    Tolling: IRS Announces Tax Relief

    The Internal Revenue Service announced that federal tax deadlines have been tolled (extended) for individuals and businesses in all parts of Florida. Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Hurricane Milton, combined with tax relief provided for taxpayers in counties affected by prior hurricanes, affected taxpayers in all of Florida now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, including 2024 individual and business returns normally due during March and April 2025 and 2023 individual and corporate returns with valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments.

    Read the entire IRS announcement here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-tax-relief-for-victims-of-milton-various-deadlines-postponed-to-may-1-2025-in-all-of-florida

    In Florida, the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency doesn't change the tax deadlines but does toll (extend) 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 are currently tolled by emergency declarations for Hurricanes Helene, Ian, and Milton.

    Read the Florida Statutes, Section 252.363, Tolling and extension of permits and other authorizations, here: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0200-0299/0252/Sections/0252.363.html
    Find the Governor's Executive Orders declaring and extending states of emergency here: https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/executive-orders.

    Golf Course Question is Very Controversial

    Mayor Foster discussed "privatizing" the city golf course at the Town Hall on Monday. The commission will consider the question of privatizing it at the commission meeting on Thursday. Many KCBers have noted that "Municipal golf courses don't make money after paying employees. [They] want to see Mayor Foster's numbers."

    Here are two letters making the rounds in KCB:

    Cynthia Catto wrote:

    Dear Lady golfers,

    The end of the winter/spring season at KCB is coming to a close.

    On Monday, April 14th at 9:30 AM is the final town hall meeting.

    At this meeting is a discussion item
    Mayor Foster
    Topic: Golf Course - Privatize vs. City Operated

    I am not against having this discussion. But what alarms me is that this question is on the agenda of the City council meeting on April 17th for approval.

    Three days from a suggestion to approval! What is wrong with this picture???

    Just a little info on how the course is currently run.
    Daryl leases the course for $40,000 a year.
    He is responsible for all the course maintenance.
    He hires his own employees
    The course is open about 10 hours a day with an employee present
    The course must be open 360+ days a year.

    Just a few questions, I have
    What will it cost to have city employees cover that time frame?
    What will it cost for golf course maintenance?
    Where will the city find a person(s) with golf course knowledge?

    Please attend or zoom into this meeting. The future of KCB golf depends on citizen involvement.

    You do not need to be a KCB resident to speak on this issue.

    Cindy

    --------

    Another KCBer emailed a call for action with a request for anonymity:

    After receiving over 25 emails since last night from KCB residents and golfers in support of the current lessee of the golf course, the Mayor quickly backed off his original agenda item today at the town hall meeting and approached the topic from a legal standpoint that the golf course contract has expired… (2 years ago) and needs to be either re-bid or renewed! But after listening to Commissioner Colonell rave about the beautiful municipal run golf courses on the Eastern shore, this is far from over.

    It's imperative that we speak up prior to Thursday's meeting where this item is up for vote. You can copy and paste the following sentence into an email to: cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net

    I SUPPORT RENEWING THE LEASE OF THE KCB GOLF COURSE WITH THE CURRENT LESSEE.

    The clerk will simply inform the commissioners that she has received (x number) of emails in support of the golf course continuing to be managed by Daryl Rice. The number of emails matters!

    Name Withheld by Request

    What will the KCB City Commission do at the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting on Thursday?

    Public Hearing

    The City Commission will host a public hearing and regular monthly meeting in Marble Hall and on Zoom on Thursday, April 17, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The public hearing will consider variance requests for a concrete retaining wall as well as the construction of two T-shaped docks, all on 15th Circle.

    Read the Key Colony Beach Public Hearing Agenda here.

    Regular Commission Meeting

    The City Commission will host a regular monthly meeting in Marble Hall and on Zoom on Thursday, April 17, beginning at 9:35 a.m. The commission will handle several high profile items in this meeting including privatizing the golf course, several permit extensions, Rec Committee recommendations, and contract approvals.

    KCBers may want to ask our commissioners about these items in particular:
    • People Are Asking why the commission can't renew the golf course contract--with annual renewal options--with the current manager just as they are doing with other contracts in this agenda.
    • The city has already charged more than $200,000 in permit fees for three properties. People Are Asking why city officials required the owners to apply for extensions instead of tolling (extending) those permits as is required by state law.
    • People Are Asking if the commission will approve the three-story city hall tower that appears to violate KCB's two-story maximum?
      • Sec. 101-18. - PB Public buildings and grounds districts.
      (3) Site design standards.
      Height maximum of 2 stories but in no case more than 48 feet in height as mandated by Florida Building Code. No mechanical equipment shall be allowed on roof.
    • People Are Asking why, in this day of sunshine and perfect transparency, city "insiders" had electronic copies of the 171 page meeting packet last week but the public had to wait until Tuesday or later to see it?
    The agenda includes:

    There were no special requests listed on the agenda.

    Consent Action Items include several recent meeting minutes, approval of a warrant for $719,442.69, and changing the date of the June commission meeting.

    The commission will discuss permit extensions for properties on 15th Circle and 14th Street.
    "The monthly fee payable in advance for the extension shall be ten (10) percent of the original building fees." All building permits in KCB are currently tolled (extended) by emergency declarations for Hurricanes Helene, Ian, and Milton. All three properties under consideration are automatically tolled by statute and can claim additional mandatory extensions.

    The commission will discuss Recreation Committee recommendations for a basketball court location and for 1st Street park improvements.

    Commissioner Harding will introduce a grant opportunity for an ADA Study and a "Minor Master Plan" of the city's parks.

    The commission will discuss utility board recommendations to change the G-Tech contract and do Sanitary Grout Repairs.

    The commission will discuss buying and installing sail shades at Sunset Park.

    The commission will discuss privatizing the city golf course.

    KCB residents and golfers strongly supported the current lessee of the golf course.

    The commission will discuss pre-ordering a new police department pickup truck.

    The commission will adopt a resolution to designate public works employees as first responders.

    Commissioner Tom Harding will give the March Financial Summary, a wastewater sampling report, and FDOT work requests.

    Mayor Freddie Foster will discuss the city administrator evaluation.

    Read the Key Colony Beach Regular City Commission Meeting Agenda here.
    Read the Key Colony Beach Regular City Commission Meeting Commissioners' Packet here. (The commissioners' packet was not available on the city website at the time of this mailing.)

    Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk .

    Join the 4/17/25 meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
    Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82821489941?pwd=hwbmOUV0z3UYjaDAMVcnb2U0IhO2HK.1
    Passcode: 819418

    Save a Turtle and Inch Beach Join Flippers
    to Protect Turtle Nests on the Beach

    Turtle nesting season officially started April 15. The KCB "Save A Turtle" walkers have started walking the beaches looking for evidence of sea turtles nesting.

    KCB passed new turtle ordinances last year to regulate how we rake the beach and the kinds of light allowed to be visible from the beach. "Sea turtles are less sensitive to light at the longer wavelength end of the spectrum, meaning lights that appear amber or red are less likely to be seen or disorient them." In addition to using appropriate light colors, it's also important to shield the light source from direct view from the beach and use low-intensity lighting, further reducing the impact on turtles.

    A nest of baby turtles headed toward West Ocean Drive instead of the Atlantic Ocean because the lights fooled them.

    Inch Beach Member Kim Plascjak is our turtle liaison. Please call Kim (301.310.1081) with any questions that you may have. If you are at the beach when the turtle walkers are there, please make them feel welcome.

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