Key West City Manager Brian Barroso joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM on Wednesday to talk about what’s going on in the city.
New single family homes are coming to Emma Street.
Barroso said, “What an amazing opportunity. So yes, AH, continues to be a great partner with the city and our community. But as it pertains to this particular project, this was a groundbreaking project. Not that new homes in the community in and of itself is not significant, but this was a special meeting. So we were actually joined by Habitat for Humanity. We were joined by the Truman Foundation, BVRAC was also there, and the Key West Housing Authority. So we had a great collection of entities that are dedicated to this community. But in addition to that, we had five descendants from US presidents also participate in the groundbreaking. So they were families from Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, they stood alongside our community leaders to mark that moment. What an amazing opportunity, and the project reflects a true partnership. We’re all working hand in hand to expand affordable home ownership opportunities for local communities. So we truly believe that building homes, building opportunities, the city of Key West is investing in the people who make our island home. So we’re very excited about this opportunity. We want to thank all of those, including Habitat for Humanity. We understand how difficult this is, but it’s truly one of the city’s four strategic priorities over the next four years, but we continue to collaborate and find opportunities to give back to this community. So yes, very excited about the future.”
It takes four items to build housing.
Barroso said, “Three in particular, to build housing. It takes land. We need to have our ROGO units or our BPAS units, and it takes financial stability and then the desire to do that. So in this particular case, we all came together to identify the land, to identify and foster our ability to partner. We have the funding available from the city, and then just the partnerships with our units available our BPAS units. So very collaborative approach to identify locations in which we could continue to redevelop. So we’re very excited. We believe, candidly, that this is the first of many that we’re going to continue with this blueprint to rinse and repeat. So we need everybody you see, all those entities came together, but we really, truly need to continue to make, it’s not hyperbole, housing is truly a strategic priority for many, and we need to continue to show that through projects. We can’t just give it face time and radio tags. We need to put time, energy and effort behind it, and show projects that can truly be pointed to as progression to the strategic plan. So we’re very excited to be able to point to this one and then find how we could do this in other locations, and rinse and repeat.”
Fire Station Number Three also has been talked about for quite a while, as well, and it looks like the City Commission has recently approved the next major step in rebuilding that.
Barroso said, “This is our fire station on Kennedy drive. It is one that has been identified, much needed, and truly is owed to our great men and women that work in that particular location, this is it. The conditions in which they’ve been operating are just less than and we really, truly wanted to push this project forward. We have the backing of the community, because it was voted through referendum to fund it through bonds. So we’ve been through this. We’ve been bringing forward the mechanism in which to activate the bond to truly build this fire station. So that was passed. So now we’re very excited. Yes, there is an interim agreement right now with Fortress. They were identified as the company that we would partner in dealing in this. And then we have a local company, which is K2M that’s going to be helping us as well. But the true first domino. So you’re like, okay, well, when are we going to get started? When are we going to see it? So well, we first have to establish a temporary location for the great men and women to continue to keep our city safe and sound. So we actually have identified that location, and it’s on Flagler Avenue and Venetian Drive, and it’s with a great cooperation and collaboration with the Peace Covenant Church there. So we’re very excited about the partnership there. So we’ve identified that location. We’re actually working through the process to lease that location and then improve that location to the standards in which it could be turned into a temporary fire station. So that’s going to be the first indication of our project moving forward as we begin the design build for fire station three. But we are very, very happy and excited and eager to start. So from the community perspective, what you may start seeing is the relocation of some equipment and items that are at fire station three, as the first indication of this project starting.”
Fire station two on Simonton Street has seen some flooding.
Barroso said, “What a great indication of informed communities, access to government and just collaboration. What we identified was a particular project that we believe we would have brought forward, or could have brought forward, as it pertains to our other strategic plan, which is financial stability for the city, which is identifying revenue opportunities. So what we brought forward was a workshop in conjunction with a potential proposition to build a parking garage, or really return the parking garage that was actually located on Simonton Street next to the fire station. So in that process, what we received was, whoa, hold on, before you build a garage, can you help us with the flooding, and then also some identified locations where there could have been some traffic concerns. So we took that opportunity to pause and really say, okay, we hear you, community. Thank you for the opportunity to take a look at it. So our utilities department did look into the flooding that was occurring there, although our intent is and we really want to be clear, we can’t eliminate all the flooding, because that’s going to be a multi phase approach. But what we did do is identify that the drainage was clogged. So thank you for the opportunity in line of sight. So our team actually put a camera through, cleared the line. So great opportunity to identify or recognize our teammates for doing that. And then it did already improve the water flow in that area, but the identification of an actual pump station or lift station there, or ejection well, it really is going to be something that is dovetailed into the possible construction of the garage. So it’s a project. It is being stood up candidly in the future. But we want to make sure that if we do that project that significant, that it may have to be correlated or the nexus with the garage, or it could be a standalone project. But right now, we’re pausing on any opportunity to bring that forward. We believe that we’ve identified an opportunity to help there. And right now as well, I tell many people, there are a great number of projects in the city, so we’ve just refocused on a different project right now, but it was a great example of hearing our community members, having workshops that provide access for communication, and then showing that we do listen and we continue to understand the importance of transparency, accountability and collaboration. It was an opportunity to show that this is how this particular leadership and administration would like to move forward. We show that we want to bring projects forward, but it’s in collaboration, transparency, and we will continue to provide opportunity for community involvement and stakeholder ownership into these projects, because we would like a collaboration, that’s truly our approach. So thank you, and we encourage many that if you would like, please be informed and give us an opportunity to give you information on what we bring forward.”
The Ambassador Class 44 is wrapping up the 12 week journey with a round table discussion with the mayor and the commission next week and graduation will be April 1 at the City Commission meeting.
Barroso said, “Alyson Crean leads this particular program along with all the directors, because it gives them, some other the directors, an opportunity to answer and field questions and just give a good, honest, transparent approach of how the city government is being run. We truly believe that when you connect residents and government, it really translates into a more informed community, and they’re empowered. It’s empowering to a community. So we really, truly encourage this particular program, it is one of the ones that we point to to say, please come and give us an opportunity to give you the how is the sausage made at the city? What is really going on? So a great recognition to Alyson for leading it. Thank you to our team for providing access and candid conversations. I participated in several of them. I believe that this class was extremely active and engaged, so we’re very excited to recognize them at next week’s commission meeting as a graduation. And what we truly expect is that they go out and they are true ambassadors of the city. So when they hear what some would call noise or a narrative that may not track with their understanding, what we really believe them to be is have the information to say, well, I don’t know if you have all the accurate information. Or you may want to take this program coming up. Here is the process, and here’s what we believe we attained going through it. So a great opportunity to truly peel back the curtain and show how the city is run, identify that we are real people here. We’re out there. We live here. We are in the community. We’re real people. We have feelings. There’s not bots here conducting the business of the city. So before you pick up a rock, how about you pick up a hand and shake it and say, hey, can you help me understand why this? And we believe that that approach is an extremely healthy one, and you’ll find that the individuals here are just like you. They want better for the city. They truly do. We want to build a great community and continue to bring better forward. We may have different approaches, we may have different processes, but I believe the desire to build better for our community exists among all of us. So let’s just come together and we’ll find that there’s probably more that brings us together than pulls us apart.”
The men and women in the Key West Police Department and Key West Fire Department are truly amazing people.
Barroso said, “We can’t do this enough, as leaders, take a moment to recognize the great men and women that continue to perform out in a very difficult environment, truly perform outstanding work in the service of others. So yes, we continue to find avenues and pass forward for individuals here. So Tim Anson is our new fire marshal. We’re very excited you’ll hear in the future about what that transition has opened up. There’s been a few more promotions there. So we really feel excited about the movement and the opportunities that we are providing for our men and women at the fire station. Great recognition for the Key West bravest, the men and women in blue. When you get to a teammate that spent 20 or plus years with our city that is truly in the service of others. So Sergeant Nick, we could not recognize him enough. And then, obviously, we do this. We do employees of the quarter and employee of the year. And if you don’t know Walter around the city, you’re missing out, because Walter, he does everything here and does it, more importantly, with an attitude that is infectious. So a great opportunity to identify Walter. But what I would really encourage is the city has actually released its 2024 2025 annual report that it is available on our website. So it does provide a full look of accomplishments. It really outlines our financial stewardship, and then it points to some future priorities. So I encourage everyone to go out to our website, take a look at the annual report. It does spotlight our directors and our departments, and it gives us a great opportunity, again, to humanize the city. We’re not this conglomerate. Come find out and get to know your city. And we continue to provide avenues of access. So really encourage that, and we want to make sure that we have transparency there.”
Meet the Mayor and Coffee with the CM are two programs that really allow people to get to talk to city leaders.
Barroso said, “Long, long before it became popular, we provided both two touch points for access to leadership. So the mayor has had that candidly for a while. And then also, we have Coffee with the CM every other Tuesday that has access to the city manager. So we encourage both to be utilized. One of the biggest things that came out just from experience when we’re both new to leadership here, so we really gave it an opportunity to understand, okay, well, what can we be doing better? And one of the biggest aspects was just access to leadership, so individuals could come in and talk and express what they’re passionate about and what they would like our help with. Now, what I would preface, is you may not always hear what you would like to hear, but what we want to make sure you are feeling heard and recognized. There’s a lot of priorities, and we represent all. So when individuals come in and they’re centered on their particular item, which is extremely important, it’s measured through a lens and a mechanism of, okay, well, we still have a responsibility to all, and we also have to identify what we are able to deliver so you may not always hear what you like. You may not like what you hear, but what I would ensure is that you have access to be heard and understood.”
The comprehensive safety action plan was approved to reduce and ultimately eliminate roadway fatalities.
Barroso said, “We understand the importance of the Safety Action Plan and the significance of it. So just know that we’re really trying to show that we have some dedicated individuals here. We have strong leadership here, and Key West continues to deliver service with purpose. And the purpose behind this is that we do want to make our roads safe, especially in travel for all individuals, both local and tourists. So this was a much needed approval, and we’re very excited from the Commission that they backed this opportunity. And we want to again, say thank you to the University of Florida for partnering with us and the great teammates that put some time, energy and effort into bringing this forward. We’re very happy and excited to have this in place, and now the key with any plan is that it doesn’t just sit on the shelf, that we put that plan in and it is backed with purpose.”
The recent visit to Tallahassee yielded an amazing opportunity to advocate for funding.
Barroso said, “We’re eagerly anticipating that, but we applied for 5 million in storm water in particular, but not limited to, we identified a lift station that would service our main artery on Duval Street. So we’re really trying to take the desire of improving that location from a safety and soundness perspective, and put it into practice. So we did request 5 million for our lift station there that would start that project. We did have and identified a request for 3 million for the landfill, affectionately known as Mount Trashmore. We’re really trying to understand how to safely and soundly, as it aligns with our other strategic plan, which is environmental protection. We really want to understand, how can we remediate? Is there an avenue in which we can start to do something with that particular location and dovetail it into housing? That’s really, again, an identification of land that we would need. We did request 1,500,000 from the House and 500 from the Senate from separate projects that are dovetailed and identified into infrastructure, so aligning with our strategic priority. And then the remaining 2 million was for our Stewardship money, which is ongoing in Monroe County, entities applied for that. So a total of 11 million, again, the Stewardship is infrastructure and resiliency. So we left Tallahassee with 11 million, advocated for and applied for.”
City officials then went to Washington, DC, and met with federal officials.
Barroso said, “We asked for and advocated for requests of 3.8 million for our FDOT Jose Martin project that, from a community perspective, is going to be the next project that individuals see with their own eyes. So the total project a price tag is 8 million to the city, so we are asking for half of that, and again, we’ll find out whether we were able to get that. But that was requested and applied for, in addition to we met with the Department of Justice. So DOJ has two grant submittals from us, and they’re valued approximately around 375 that look and feel like they would go and identify with the great men and women at our police department. So from that particular visit to Washington, we have close to over 4 million, so we’re really excited about the advocacy. When there is a narrative out there, or there’s some noise out there, or just there’s information, source the source. We are not raising taxes. We are not okay, we are not raising taxes. So if you hear raising taxes, and then it’s filled any blank that looks and feels like the city manager or the team or the staff, we’re not raising taxes. What we are actively doing is trying to reduce taxes. And I would say a final message would be our plan is to bring back and propose to the Commission for approval, a rollback minus budget. If anyone out there hears raising taxes, I really want them to say, well, that’s not what I heard now. Let me source the source. Let me get more informed. Let me understand what that truly means. And then we could really get granular and unpack it as we go through our budget proctors. But that’s our plan. Our plan is to present a rollback minus budget. Our plan is to continue to advocate and apply for grant funding, both state and federal, to help reduce the obligation to our community. But we do have things that we need to do. So keep in mind, like this is paradise. It’s palm trees and pelicans, but it costs to get things done, and the longer we delay and we pause, and we don’t address infrastructure resiliency, environment, financial stability and housing, that price tag continues to increase. And keep in mind, it is an ever changing environment we do not know, legislative wise, what comes down to us to have to pivot and adjust to so just know that we’re on top of it. We’re being very transparent about the process. But right now, from affordable housing to emergency services to flood mitigation, community engagement, roadway safety, Key West, the city of Key West, continues moving forward with transparency, collaboration and a commitment to improving life for every resident. We believe this is your city. It’s your community. It’s like your Key West. So we’re working every day to protect what matters most. If there is something that is on someone’s mind, we encourage you to leverage the avenues that will provide you access and because we want you to be informed. So again, source the source, there’s a lot going on. It’s a political environment, so there’s going to be a great deal of information that is out there. What we want you to do is be informed, make informed decisions, but let’s do it with accurate information. So if you’re unsure, not sure, uninformed, misinformed, then provide the individuals the ability to give you source data, what we would believe is our message is backed by facts, truth and data. So let us give you that information, and then you can make and render your own decision.”