Thursday, February 19, 2009

Despite waning support from Florida Keys cities and agencies about joining forces on lobbying efforts, Monroe County is still pushing forward with a plan to share federal and state lobbyists.

The County Commission on Wednesday was scheduled to vote on a series of interlocal agreements with the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Key Largo Wastewater District and all three Keys cities: Marathon, Islamorada and Key Colony Beach. However, it postponed voting on the contracts and invited representatives from the wastewater agencies and cities to attend a special meeting in Marathon on Feb. 27.

County Administrator Roman Gastesi has proposed the county, the wastewater agencies and the cities create a "Dream Team" of lobbyists to fight for federal stimulus money, especially for much-needed wastewater projects, he said.

Several members of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Board attended the commission's meeting in Key Largo on Wednesday and raised concerns about lobbyists sending mixed messages to federal water-quality agencies, which would affect current federal funding for wastewater projects. Wastewater Board Chair Susan Hammaker said the district's current lobbyist has told her board the Keys are "already at the front of the line for future funding."

"Careful coordination of efforts is needed in order to ensure that the 'Dream Team's' efforts are aimed at new stimulus funding, as opposed to the current authorization," Hammaker said. "Otherwise, there is a serious risk that the resulting confusion will move us from the front of the line."

Better government

The County Commission without discussion approved a false claims ordinance, aimed at dissuading companies that contract with the county from filing false or inflated work orders or claims.

If a contractor charged 10 percent more than the final bid it submitted, for example, that could be considered a false claim. The contractor could face fines as a result.

The commission also agreed to move forward with two other proposals designed to protect employee whistle-blowers and stop last-minute items from being added to the agenda.

Under the first plan, the county would strengthen whistle-blower protection policies to ensure Monroe County employees "have no fear of reprisal when reporting unlawful activity to appropriate authorities for investigation or corrective action," according to documents posted with the agenda.

Under the second plan, neither the county administrator nor commissioners could add an ordinance or resolution to an agenda fewer than four working days before a meeting. The addition would be stopped if even one commissioner objected to it. Currently, it takes a four-fifths majority vote. The rule would not be applicable to emergency meetings.

The commission still needs to hold a public hearing before making the two proposals ordinances.

No Name sewers

The commission rescinded a land-development rule change regarding upgrading the sewer system on No Name Key and possibly bringing power to the barrier island.

Commercial power and other utilities are prohibited on No Name Key because the island is in a federally designated Coastal Barrier Resource area. The community runs on solar power, and residents collect water through cisterns. Most homeowners treat sewage through septic tanks and cesspits.

In December, the state Department of Community Affairs rejected a version of the proposed county amendment that would have allowed some centralized sewer service and commercial power to accommodate the sewer upgrade.

The commission voted 5-0 on Wednesday to not appeal the state's decision and the board rescinded the land-use development regulation proposal.

tohara@keysnews.com