Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been going on in the city.
Last week the city spent a lot of time preparing for Hurricane Helene.
Henriquez said, “We were very, very lucky that it did not come our way. The city of Key West had minor damage, a lot of sand and water and seaweed and on the south side of the island with some flooding, but for the most part, we were very, very fortunate. Someone had asked me if this was my first hurricane preparation, and I told them my first hurricane that I prepared for in the county was in 1998 during Hurricane Georges. So I had done this quite a few times. As my previous role as tax collector, I did have seven offices up and down the Keys. So we always had preparation on pre hurricane, during the hurricane and post hurricane. So a lot of that knowledge that I had, I was able to, not that I incorporated anything because I will tell you, it was very encouraging and reassuring to see the city of Key West work side by side with the emergency management operation. The interim city manager, director, staff showed their commitment and dedication to the city. So I was there really observing and watching how wonderful they are, and they were ready to go, ready to hit the ground running.”
Key West is still seeking a city manager.
Henriquez said, “I received an update yesterday, and the city of Key West has received 15 complete applicants for the city manager. There’s two applicants that are still pending, signatures, job description that still needs to be complete. Today is the close of business for anybody or any applicants can turn anything in which would be today, I believe, at five o’clock, or to submit any missing items that they may have. So today, at five, that’s it. But as of right now, we have 15 complete applicants.”
A few applicants are from the area.
Henriquez said, “There are a few, I would say, probably three, maybe four, that are local here in the city of Key West. The selection committee meets again October 7, and I believe on October 16. So they are working very hard, and I’m sure they’ll get to work in reference to all the applicants on their next meeting.”
The next Key West city commission meeting is on October 10.
Henriquez said, “Also there is a public workshop for the 715 Seminole Avenue, which is the Casa Marina area, which has been a little bit controversial, that’s on Wednesday at 5:30 here at City Hall.”
Will the city commission meeting still be two times a day?
Henriquez said, “As of right now, I believe that’s still going to remain the same, but I know campaigning out there the community would love to see it go back to twice a month and starting at five o’clock, and then that way would give people opportunity who work during the day to be able to participate in those meetings at five and feel like they have a voice. So as of right now, I don’t know if there’ll be anything on the agenda in October, but I know there has been some discussion. Having it twice a month. It’s been like that for years and years, so that’s something that they’re accustomed to. So if something doesn’t get passed or they need to bring more information, they can always bring it back at the next meeting, instead of having to wait a whole other month.”
Where do we stand on the bond issue?
Henriquez said, “Everything’s still the same. It will be on the ballot, and it’ll be up to the voters. It’ll be in four different sections, so it’ll be up to the voters to vote whether they want the bond or not, and or maybe one of them and not the rest of them. So it’ll be up to the voters.”