Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
Waste Management has been asked by the city to stop removing yard waste carts.
Henriquez said, “It was brought to our attention that Waste Management had been removing some of the 96 gallon waste bins used for yard waste across the island. So on November 13, the city held the solid waste public workshop to discuss the number of issues, including the bulk pickups and possible rate adjustments that may come in 2026, but when we were made aware of that, the City Commission had not approved any changes. So city officials have asked waste management not to remove any carts until further notice.”
A special meeting today will discuss the loss of City Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover.
Henriquez said, “It was a great loss, and I was very saddened hearing that news that morning. I did call a special meeting today to establish, by resolution, the procedures for accepting nominations and selecting an appointment to fill the vacancy for district five commission seat. As I have been here a year and a couple months, a lot has happened in that year and a couple months. So I did call for the special meeting. Per our city code and resolution 95-517, it says that within 15 days of the permanent vacancy that we the commission, shall appoint someone to serve until the end of the term, which is August of next year. It’s August 18, 2026 and that date to appoint someone is by December 4. So those 15 days would be December 4. We have a commission meeting on December 2. They must be a registered voter in the city of Key West. They must be a full time resident of the city of Key West for the past year, and they must reside in district five. I’m going to suggest that the city clerk open an application period for the eligible residents who are seeking the appointment for district five, and then they would have until November 28 at 5pm to turn in their application. So they’re going to have to fill out an application. Each member of the Commission are going to be encouraged to conduct their own interviews at their discretion prior to our December 2 commission meeting. I’m also going to suggest that each of the commissioners may nominate one or more eligible applicants for the consideration at our December 2 commission meeting, and that we nominate one who is not running as a declared candidate for district five, and that does not plan to run for office. So I would like to see somebody that’s neutral, that’s not running for office that we would appoint, so we’ll see what the will of the commission is, and that prior to accepting nominations, that I would ensure that all members of the public and the applicants will be provided three minutes to address the commission if they choose.”
What happens if no nominees come forward?
Henriquez said, “Then we would have to have a special Election within 120 days, and then that would cost the taxpayer dollars. So I would hope that we would be able to come up with a nomination to fulfill that position by August, for August of next year.”
The hearing today at 2 p.m. is open to the public.
Henriquez said, “Absolutely, it has been a published meeting, and so yes, it is open to the public at two o’clock. And remember, this is only for the procedures. This is not for any nominations. Nobody’s filled out any applications. This is only for the commission to come up with procedures. And then, once everybody agrees, then we’ll hopefully decide somebody on our December 2 commission meeting.”
Is there a precedent in the past for how this has been done?
Henriquez said, “We’re referring back to 95-517 which is 1995, so I’m not sure when the last time this happened, but we’ve had people where they’ve stepped down, but I’m not sure when the last time that somebody has passed away.”
A citizen review board meeting will happen today at 5 pm.
Henriquez said, “That’s why we did not have the meeting at 5pm today, because of the citizen review board and from my understanding, last month, they couldn’t meet because they didn’t have a quorum. So because of that, I did not want to interfere with their meeting at five. So that’s when we decided to have it at two. So yes, they have the citizen review board meeting today at five here at City Hall, and Tuesday, there’s a public meeting notice on a grant application for Martin Luther King that’s at two o’clock here at City Hall as well. Then Wednesday is the bight before Christmas lighting of the fishing buoy Christmas tree starting at 5pm with some holiday music, and that’s located at the historic seaport and marina. And then the lights will be turned on at 6pm and then also, starting at 6pm to eight is the bight before Christmas lighting of the lobster trap Christmas tree. So there’s a lot of lighting of trees going on Wednesday evening down at the bight. Thursday and Friday, City Hall will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day. And then Sunday is our annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and that’s starting at 6pm at Bayview Park, and Santa Claus is coming.”
The holiday parade will be on December 6.
Henriquez said, “We have 119 participants, so it’s more than we had last year. It’s just great and celebrating the holiday cheer, and then also this week, we are also preparing for our commission meeting next week, which is December 2, and that starts at 9am. So even though we only have three days of work, we have a lot that we’re doing within those three days. I’d just like to wish you and all of your listeners, a happy Thanksgiving and be safe and have a wonderful week out there.”