Key West Mayor Sam Kaufman joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
One of the city’s ongoing challenges is flooding associated with king tides, which have caused saltwater to inundate streets and affect residents throughout the Florida Keys.
Kaufman said the city is pursuing several flood mitigation projects, with four included on the agenda for the upcoming City Commission meeting.
“If you look just on this week’s city commission agenda, there are four projects on flood mitigation, including pump stations and so on,” Kaufman said.
The projects include improvements to the stormwater system at Patricia and Ashby streets, work on College Road and a project at Harris Avenue and 10th Street.
Kaufman said the Harris Avenue and 10th Street project represents a $6 million investment in an area that has experienced significant flooding.
“This is actually in District Four, a lot of it, and so that’s the hardest hit area, some of the hardest hit areas in the city,” he said.
While the city is moving forward with multiple projects, Kaufman acknowledged that flooding remains difficult to keep up with.
“The city is really doing a lot of different projects, but we just can’t keep up,” he said. “And this looks like it might be our new normal.”
Kaufman expects flooding to be the subject of another major workshop or community meeting following the election. He said the city needs to look beyond infrastructure improvements and also examine how it communicates with residents during flooding events.
“I think we can do better in terms of communication, in terms of road closures, garbage pickup delays, things like that,” he said.
Kaufman said improving communication and providing residents with better information during flooding will be important as the city continues working on mitigation efforts.
Affordable housing is another major issue receiving attention from city officials.
Kaufman recently hosted an affordable housing town hall that attracted a little more than 60 community members, including residents, housing advocates and community stakeholders.
The meeting featured a panel with Housing Authority Executive Director Randy Sterling, Scott Pridgen of Keys Health Florida and Housing, formerly known as AH of Monroe, Key West’s community development program manager Tina Burns, the city’s planning director and an assistant city manager.
Kaufman said the panel answered questions and provided information about housing projects and initiatives.
“It was very productive and important,” Kaufman said. “We had a little over 60 community members there.”
He described the town hall as a precursor to a larger workshop that will be convened by the entire City Commission to address the city’s strategic plan.
A significant part of that discussion will focus on housing, including projects currently underway and initiatives the city hopes to advance.
Kaufman said the upcoming workshop will also provide another opportunity for residents to offer input.
“To share what those projects are, the items that we’re moving forward on, and to solicit the input from the community,” he said. “We’ll have more opportunities for that, but it was a very good meeting, productive, and I was happy with it.”
The upcoming City Commission agenda on November 5 also includes discussion of water quality testing, an issue Kaufman said remains a priority.
“We’re going to be talking about water quality again and the status of where we’re doing with testing,” he said.
Kaufman acknowledged that he is frustrated with the pace of progress on the issue and wants to see more activity.
“I’m very anxious and a bit frustrated that we’re not doing more of that. But we’re pushing that,” he said.
He thanked Commissioner Mark Rossi for placing the topic on the agenda, adding that the two are largely aligned on the issue.
Another item scheduled for discussion involves independent building permit reviews.
Kaufman said the City Commission approved a method and funding for the reviews approximately a year ago following grand jury reports.
“As you probably recall from the grand jury reports, about a year ago, the city commission approved a method and funding for that,” Kaufman said. “So I’ve asked for an update from the city manager.”
Other agenda items include bicycle-related traffic stops, bicycle laws and educational materials.
The commission is also expected to vote on Kaufman’s proposal for an independent investigation concerning City Manager Brian Barroso.
Kaufman said he believes an independent review is important to provide the public and commissioners with accurate information rather than allowing speculation and rumors to continue.
“It’s very important for the public to have the information, for the City Commission to have the information with regard to the City Manager,” Kaufman said.
He said he would like the investigation conducted by someone who is not connected with the city or Monroe County.
“There’s a lot of guesses and rumors and so on, and so it’s important to have the facts,” he said.
Kaufman said the findings would allow the city to determine whether any issues need to be addressed or whether the matter can be put behind them.
“If there’s nothing, if there’s nothing there, then we move on. If there’s something that we need to address and improve, then we should do that,” he said.
Asked about his current working relationship with Barroso, Kaufman said they are working professionally but acknowledged that he would like to see city government make progress more quickly.
“I think we can make a lot of improvement in the city, and I’m a little bit frustrated that we’re not improving as quickly as I would have hoped after taking office,” Kaufman said.
He added that the city is moving forward incrementally and working to make improvements.
In addition to the city government’s ongoing work, Kaufman also highlighted the importance of community events and the role they play in supporting local businesses.
The National Powerboat Race Championships are bringing visitors to Key West following Fantasy Fest. Kaufman said the event provides an important economic boost for local businesses, including restaurants, bartenders and waitstaff.
“It’s a great boost to the economy,” he said. “A lot of our businesses and bartenders and waitstaff really need that boost in the arm.”
Although the city no longer holds the long-term lease over portions of the pier and outer mole area, Kaufman said it remains an important partner in the event.
Organizers use the grounds at Truman Waterfront Park, while city Public Works employees handle cleanup and other support services. Police and other law enforcement partners also help maintain safety during the event.
Kaufman praised city employees for their work during a particularly busy season that includes Fantasy Fest, Goombay, the powerboat races and upcoming holiday celebrations.
He also encouraged residents to remain involved in city government and contact his office with questions or concerns.
“Please reach out to me, call me, text me, give me an email. We can talk about any and all of the issues,” Kaufman said. “We’re very responsive in our office, in the mayor’s office, and love to talk to all the residents and business owners.”