Key West Mayor Denise “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 ciyt.
The city had a productive commission meeting last week and is preparing for the return of students to school Wednesday, while several community events and public meetings are scheduled throughout the week.
National Night Out brought together the Key West Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, first responders and emergency management personnel at Truman Waterfront Park.
Henriquez said the event continues to grow and provided an opportunity for residents to interact with law enforcement and other first responders.
“It was really great to have it at the Truman Waterfront Park,” Henriquez said. “It was just great to see everybody there.”
She also reviewed several items approved or discussed during last week’s Key West City Commission meeting.
Among them was a new policy governing the naming, renaming and co-naming of city-owned buildings, parks and other facilities. Henriquez said the policy establishes a transparent process for decisions involving city properties.
The commission also postponed a decision on the purchase and implementation of Workday, a software system that would carry a price tag of about $5 million.
Henriquez said she is familiar with Workday from her previous experience working in the clerk’s office and believes it is a strong system. However, she said commissioners wanted city staff to explore whether the purchase price could be negotiated and determine what additional applications or costs could be added to the initial $5 million price.
“We just wanted to make sure that we’re very cautious,” Henriquez said. “Make sure we could negotiate the price a little bit lower.”
The issue is expected to return to the commission in September.
Commissioners also approved eliminating the city’s Parks and Recreation Board and moving its meetings into a more informal format hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department. Henriquez said the change was approved on a 5-1 vote.
The commission also approved a 10-year lease with David Burnson for Shrimp Boat Sound, the former recording studio at the Historic Seaport.
Henriquez described the lease as a historic moment for the property and said she participated in a video Friday while signing the agreement.
Boat House Key West also received approval for a 10-year lease with two five-year renewal options after initially seeking a 15-year lease.
Henriquez said the commission was able to complete its agenda with substantial discussion despite having relatively few items scheduled.
The mayor also encouraged residents to attend her weekly “Meet the Mayor” session from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at City Hall. She said several residents raised code-enforcement concerns during last week’s session.
“It must have been code enforcement day,” Henriquez said, noting that several residents came in with questions about potential violations.
She said residents can bring questions, comments and concerns to the meeting and that city staff can assist with issues she cannot answer directly.
Other meetings scheduled Monday include the General Employees Retirement Pension Board meeting at 2 p.m. at Opal Key Resort & Marina and the Sustainability Advisory Board meeting at 2 p.m. in the City Commission chambers.
Wednesday marks the first day of school in Key West, and Henriquez urged drivers to use extra caution as students, parents, school buses and other vehicles return to the roads.
“I just want to wish everyone a great year and a safe year,” Henriquez said. “So be careful out there. Have caution when you’re driving.”
Traffic patterns will change significantly once school resumes after relatively light summer traffic.
The Key West Bight Board will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the City Commission chambers. A blood drive also is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday in the City of Key West parking lot.
Friday will bring an early bird cleanup hosted by Mount Sinai Medical Center at 3401 Northside Drive. The cleanup begins at 8 a.m.
Henriquez said 70 volunteers participated in the previous cleanup, helping remove debris around the Key West Junior Football League area despite the summer heat.
The mayor also encouraged residents to check the city’s website and calendar for additional meetings and events: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/