The Village began an electric vehicle ridesharing services pilot program in “Downtown Islamorada” in 2018. The Village has expanded it several times to provide the better services through the entire Village and to Tavernier Towne and the Tavernier medical services. Cost annually is now $553,400 with an FDOT grant covering 50%.

Freebee has provided the service since 2018 but has never been selected via a competitive bid process as required by state and federal grants and by Village code. Recently FDOT questioned the Village as to the procurement process and competitive bidding during a compliance review.   The Village Manager received an email recommendation from the Village lobbyist providing reasons why the Village should extend the contract with Freebee another year without competitive bidding.  Why is the lobbyist involved? The Village did not follow the suggestion and on March 12 issued an RFP, “Request for Proposal.”  A selection committee appointed by the Village Manager will rank the proposals received and recommend to council a rideshare company for the next year. Will the staff selection committee and council be influenced by the lengthy list of reasons the lobbyist provided encouraging the Village to continue with Freebee?  Click here for email from the lobbyist. We think required competitive bidding is overdue - by about 8 years!What’s the controversy?

For as long as we can remember, the Village Mission statement has adorned the wall of the community center, often quoted during council meetings. We hope it will be returned.

Also missing: Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech print from Rockwell’s iconic Four Freedoms series, illustrating the democratic right to voice one’s opinion without fear.

March 21st at Founders Park Beach! Come enjoy FREE BBQ Pork, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw.  11AM–3PM (or till it's gone!  Founders Park Beach; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM FREE for Islamorada Residents | $15 for non-residents

At the Council meeting on March 12, Planning Director, Jennifer DeBoisbriand, provided an update regarding the Village Comp Plan review project.

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here.

DeBoisbriand indicated a public workshop has been tentatively scheduled for Wed Apr 29. Members of council and the public can submit comments and suggestions regarding the comp plan draft to the planning staff prior to the workshop or at the workshop.

At last month’s Council meeting, DeBoisbriand suggested there would be just one public workshop. Once any changes to the draft are incorporated as a result of the workshop, an updated version of the draft will go before the LPA for their review and approval.  The Council will then hold two public hearings to approve the amendments.  

Able City East, as part of their $112,000 contract with the Village agreed to provide recommendations for amendments to existing land development regulations and other planning-related documents that support the Comprehensive Plan.

On the March 10 agenda for discussion is the recommendation from the Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee as to a “Plan for the Allocation of Early Evacuation Workforce Housing."

The Council directed the planning staff to move forward with work on the changes to regulations recommended: Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee’s report.

member Natalie Goodwin, a Coral Shores student, made a presentation to the Council Tuesday describing the efforts of the committee this year.  Included was a request to allow free entry to Founders Park for all county students with a student ID. At the Thursday council meeting, the council passed a motion to approve that recommendation.

Each month Aaron Cutler, construction manager, updates the council and the public regarding the status of the pipeline replacement project.  As the current project work moved from Plantation Key across the Tavernier bridge the traffic back-ups got significantly worse northbound approaching Tavernier Towne and Mariners Hospital.  Cutler indicated this phase of the work will take about 6 more weeks.  “Thanks for your patience.”

Once the work there is completed near the end of April, the FKAA will go back to trench in 4 or 5 areas of the new pipeline to connect to the old pipe.

NEXT UP - Fills and Lower Mat: The next segment to be undertaken according to Cutler will be from Indian Key Fill down to MM72: the Fills and Lower Matecumbe.

addition to the March 12 agenda by Sharon Mahoney with explanation and sketch by back country guide, Richard Black. The plan would improve the deteriorated condition of the existing ramp, double the width to allow for a two-boat wide ramp with t-dock - to benefit residents, visitors and guides.

A cost analysis will be presented at the April council meeting with possible grant sources.

Asta Kraskouskas Mary Bonde Gloria Avner

Visit the amazing art exhibits. Thank you Emily Rother, Village Cultural Arts Coordinator

Vice Mayor Mahoney has located places in Homestead where some of the chickens can reside happily forever after!

Anyone have a chicken coop that wants a couple extra hens? Send Sharon an email at sharellen@netzero.net.

Remember - do not feed wild chickens.  It is against the law!