01:29:10The selection of Ron Saunders as village manager was a primary focus of the meeting. The council engaged in a discussion about the selection process, with one member emphasizing the importance of unity in the decision. The member suggested a formal voting process where votes were recorded on paper, allowing council members to express their preferences without the pressure of an immediate verbal commitment. This method was intended to foster open dialogue and ensure a fair selection process.

01:50:44The council proceeded with a voting round, which revealed three votes for Ron Saunders and two votes for Jennifer Deborrian. A motion was promptly made and seconded to offer the position to Saunders, leading to further deliberations and the opportunity for public comment. Van Hayden, one of the public speakers, emphasized the need for stability and experience in the new manager role, urging the council to consider a candidate who could provide long-term leadership.

Dr. Harold Dalton, another speaker, argued against the necessity of a unanimous decision. He highlighted Saunders’ extensive public service experience and deep understanding of local issues as key attributes for the manager position, urging the council to support him. The council’s unanimous vote to appoint Saunders underscored a collective agreement on his suitability for the role.

01:51:18Following the appointment, discussions turned to the terms of Saunders’ contract. There was a consensus to use the previous manager’s contract as a template, maintaining the salary within the budgeted amount. This decision was aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and avoiding amendments to the budget. The council agreed to authorize the mayor to sign the new agreement with Saunders, with all members expressing their support.

23:14Another topic at the meeting was an administrative appeal regarding a denied vacation rental license for a property at 81641 Old Highway. The appeal was filed by Barton W. Smith, representing 81641 Islamorada LLC, against the planning director’s decision to deny the license due to the property’s zoning classification. The director explained that the property, located in a mixed-use district, did not meet the criteria for a vacation rental license, which is typically granted to single-family or multifamily dwelling units.

27:19The appellant argued that the residential space above the commercial area qualified as a single-family dwelling unit and should be eligible for a vacation rental license. He contended that the definitions used in the denial were not disclosed before the meeting, causing confusion. The council discussed the application, noting that the appeal focused on whether the property could qualify for a vacation rental license despite its mixed-use classification.

44:22Public comments on the issue highlighted concerns about workforce housing in the village. Community members argued that denying the vacation rental license would not ensure long-term residential use and could limit housing availability for locals. The council ultimately decided to uphold the denial, maintaining the current restrictions on the property’s use.

59:23The meeting also addressed the allocation of non-residential building permits, with the council reviewing an application from Castaways of Florida LLC. The application requested an allocation of 1,478 square feet for a building permit in the non-residential B pass category. The council voted to approve the request, with the Vice Mayor abstaining, resulting in a 4-0 motion passing.

01:17:03Additionally, the council considered quasi-judicial items related to land use and zoning map amendments for a property on Windley Key. These amendments aimed to transition the property from residential medium to mixed-use zoning, allowing for vacation rentals. Public comments expressed concerns about the implications of these changes, particularly regarding the impact on property values and housing availability. Despite opposition, the council approved the amendments.