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Village Weekly Update
December 15, 2025
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The Village Council met last Tuesday, December 9, at the Founders Park Community Center.
Pursuant to the Village Code, the Council selected Don Horton as Mayor and Sharon Mahoney as Vice-Mayor as the first order of business.
Other items on Tuesday’s meeting agenda included:
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1. Discussed a proposed Baseball License Agreement which is required by the Interlocal Agreement between Islamorada and the Monroe County School Board for renovation and use of the ball field at Founders Park. An updated Agreement will be presented to the Council for approval at the January 6th meeting.
2. Approved a new rate and capacity study for the Islamorada wastewater system.
3. Discussed the issuance of Request for Proposals for a paid parking system in Islamorada and for affordable workforce housing on the Machado property.
4. Discussed a TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) banking system.
5. Approved acceptance of an extension of the Freebee/DOT grant.
6. Approved revised park entry and pool fees for Founders Park.
7. Approved revised building department fees.
The meeting agenda and all documents are on the Village’s website at www.islamorada.fl.us
| | Public Notice: Beware of Fraudulent Emails | | |
The Islamorada Planning, Code, and Building Department will never send you an email requesting that you wire transfer money for permits, fees, inspections, or any other services.
If you receive an email asking you to wire funds or make unusual payments, do not respond, click links, or send money.
Please note that the Village only accepts payments for Planning, Code, and Building services:
· Online through the official CityView Portal, or
· In person at Village Hall, 3rd Floor Cashiering Window:
o Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
o Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Always verify the sender’s email address:
· Official Village emails will come from an address ending in @islamorada.fl.us
· CityView permit-related messages will come from cityview@islamorada.fl.us
If you are unsure whether an email is legitimate, please contact the Village directly using a trusted phone number or the official Village website, not the contact information provided in the suspicious email.
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Founders Park Pool Resurfacing &
Facility Improvement Project Closure
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Founders Park Pool will officially close on February 1, 2026, for resurfacing and major facility improvements.
This project will include new pool interior surfacing, tiling, deck repairs, railings, lighting, etc. as well as upgrades to the pool’s mechanical systems, scoreboard, sports lighting, improved access to the high-dive platform, and renovations to the locker rooms (floors, tile, fixtures, and more).
In addition, a new enclosed Lifeguard First Aid Office and Break Room will be added to enhance staff security and safeguard emergency equipment.
The project is estimated to take approximately four months to complete.
During this time, the public is encouraged to utilize the Jacob’s Aquatic Center Community Pool, located at 320 Laguna Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037.
Some of our Aquatics Programs may also transition to this facility during the closure. Stay tuned for additional announcements!
Membership Information:
- Existing annual memberships will be frozen and may resume once the pool reopens.
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A new monthly pool membership option will be available for purchase now to January 1st. Click here for Founders Park Admission Fees and Membership Rates.
- Beginning January 1, 2026, only 10-pack pool passes, or daily admission fees will be available for purchase.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve the Founders Park Pool Facility.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Park Office at (305) 853-1685 or ifp@islamorada.fl.us. Project updates will be available at www.islamorada.fl.us.
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Letters Mailed to Owners of Properties
on the Village’s Land Acquisition Priority List
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The Village maintains a list of private, vacant parcels that have been identified as a priority for
acquisition for conservation purposes.
The list is maintained by the Village staff in conjunction with the Village’s Land Acquisition Advisory Committee and is updated annually.
Parcels on the list contain valuable and sensitive native habitats. Currently, there are 68 individual parcels on this list.
Letters were mailed this week to the owners of the properties on this list, informing them that
their property featured environmental attributes meriting acquisition, and inquiring about their
interest in selling the property for conservation purposes.
In partnership with the Monroe County Land Authority, the Village land acquisition program’s purpose is to acquire environmentally sensitive land. Land acquisition in the Village protects native habitat, rare plants and animals and contributes to improved water quality.
For more information on the Village’s land acquisition program, please contact the Environmental Resources Manager, Peter Frezza, at peter.frezza@islamorada.fl.us or 305-664-6427.
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Would you like to become a Master Gardener Volunteer with IFAS Extension Monroe County?
The Master Gardener Program is seeking individuals who are interested in gardening and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others to enroll in the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Training.
Certified Master Gardener Volunteers provide research-based information about gardening to the public in various ways, including holding plant clinics, leading classes, and workshops, writing educational articles, evaluating Florida-Friendly yards, and more!
The training will begin in January and run through April of 2026.
If you are interested in enrolling, contact Liah Continentino at Continentino-liah@monroecounty-fl.gov or (305) 998- 9580.
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Donations are still being accepted to send to Jamaica as they continue to recover from CAT 5 Hurricane Melissa. Please see the list of items needed below.
Drop off locations are in the Islamorada Administrative Center & Public Safety Headquarters and the Roth Building.
Contact Lt. Sprinkle-Bellile or Capt. Quintero for more information.
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Plantation Key Transmission Main Project
December Update & Holiday Work Schedule
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25,797 feet of new drinking water pipe is now in the ground in Plantation Key! The crew is still on track to complete installing all 34,000 feet of new pipe by March 2026.
For the holidays, work will pause on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and resume late Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Currently, the crew is working near the intersection of Bessie Road and US 1. During peak travel times, the traffic signals will be adjusted, and Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies will be on site as needed.
Bessie Drive and Plantation Avenue/Sunshine Boulevard intersections will be affected for five to seven days as follows:
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Bessie Drive (5-7 days)
• Yes: Right-hand turns onto Bessie Dr from US 1.
• Yes: Right-hand turns onto US 1 from Bessie Dr.
• No: Left-hand turns onto Bessie Dr from US 1.
• No: Left-hand turns onto US 1 from Bessie Dr.
• No: Crossover US 1 onto Plantation Ave from Bessie Dr.
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Plantation Ave/Sunshine Blvd (5-7 days)
• Yes: Right-hand turns onto Plantation Ave. and Sunshine Blvd. from US 1.
• Yes: Right-hand turns onto US 1 from Plantation Ave. and Sunshine Blvd.
• No: Left-hand turns onto Plantation Ave. and Sunshine Blvd. from US 1.
• No: Left-hand turns onto US 1 from Plantation Ave. and Sunshine Blvd.
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Traffic Control on US 1
A rolling work zone remains in place to keep crews and drivers safe:
· A 2,000-foot rolling lane closure is in effect 24/7.
· The speed limit is 35 MPH through the work zone.
· FDOT restrictions limit left-hand turns within the work area.
· The crew moves north in 1,000-foot increments as work progresses.
· Access to all businesses will be maintained, and businesses will be notified in advance of any work near their location.
· Work pauses for FDOT blackout dates, major holidays, special events, and inclement weather.
The traffic control plan has been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with input from Monroe County Public Schools and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
| | Vacation Rental License Renewal Period Open | | |
Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 30, Article VI, Division 6, all Vacation Rental Licenses shall be renewed annually.
The Village of Islamorada requires that all renewal requirements, including the annual Life Safety Inspection, be completed by December 31st.
All renewal forms must be submitted electronically through the CityView Portal https://cvportal.us/cityviewportal.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Anita Muxo, Planning & Zoning Technician at (305)664-6498 or via email at: anita.muxo@islamorada.fl.us
| | Holiday Light Recycling Program | | |
Home Depot is hosting a holiday light recycling collection bin from America Recycles Day on November 15 to January 15th.
Drop off your old holiday lights at the Marathon and Key West Home Depot locations.
| | CSHS Standout Layne Smith Will Continue Swim Career at the Savannah College of Art and Design | | | | |
Layne Smith, a four-time state swim qualifier and one of Coral Shores High School’s most accomplished champions, signed her National Letter of Intent last month to continue her swimming career at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Her athletic accomplishments and academic excellence defined a remarkable run characterized by consistency, an unequaled work ethic, and championship-level performances.
| | Layne Smith, pictured with her parents, Cale and Margie Smith, and coaches Jon Olsen and Kelly Owens, signs her letter of intent. | | Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alert Emails | | Happy Holidays from Who-Village! | | |
Village Staff created and walked with their Parade Float at the 21st Annual Holiday Fest presented by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce on Friday, December 5, 2025.
This year's overall parade theme was "Kindness for All, Creatures Big & Small.
Check out the "Who-Village" — From Ocean to Bay, Islamorada spreads Kindness Every day!
| | Monroe County Environmental Town Hall | | |
Florida Bay Forever, in partnership with I.CARE, Last Stand of the Florida Keys, the Lower Keys Guides Association and Florida Key Fishing Guides Association, are hosting an Environmental Town Hall:
🌊 Environmental Town Hall
🗓 Monday, December 15, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Safe Harbor Angler House – 80500 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
The purpose of this event is to bring together community members and Keys-based environmental organizations to discuss current and upcoming legislation that directly affects Florida Bay, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys.
| | Merry Divemas from the History of Diving Museum | | |
Enjoy a Merry Divemas celebration, followed by an Immerse Yourself presentation to learn more about Aquaculture in the Keys!
Join the History of Diving Museum on Wednesday, December 17 for Merry Divemas and the final Immerse Yourself presentation of the year.
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with a celebration that includes photos and meet-and-greets with Scuba Santa, cookie decorating, ornament-making, and a holiday-themed scavenger hunt through the exhibits, which will have extended hours for the event.
Merry Divemas is a free community event and does not require a reservation, but donations are appreciated. The event ends at 6:45, followed by Immerse Yourself at 7 p.m.
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As Merry Divemas comes to an end, the History of Diving Museum will host Ken Nedimyer for a presentation on Aquaculture in the Keys. Ken Nedimyer is the founder of Reef Renewal International and the Technical Director for Reef Renewal USA, a Florida Keys based company focused on restoring coral reefs.
He also helps manage the Reef Renewal Foundation International, which focuses on developing coral nurseries and replanting programs in the Caribbean.
Ken has established coral nurseries and reef restoration programs in 15 countries worldwide and is actively developing new techniques for growing, propagating, and replanting corals throughout the Caribbean.
In this presentation, Ken will discuss the events that led to the development of the Florida Live Rock Aquaculture program, and go into the process of developing a live rock aquaculture farm in the Florida Keys. He will also discuss how an exemption in the live rock aquaculture program opened the way for the development of Florida’s first offshore coral nursery in 2002.
If you are interested in attending the Immerse Yourself lecture either in-person or online via Zoom, visit divingmuseum.org to register. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The Museum would like to thank this month's sponsors: Bob Murray and Barbara Overton, and the Newton Family.
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 5,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.”
The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual, limited-time Featured Exhibits, as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.
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Join us Friday, December 19 for Beats on the Bay. The Bruce Tribute will be rocking the park like the Boss himself.
Bring your own seating, grab a bite at a food truck, and settle back for an evening of music in beautiful Founders Park.
Admission is free - $10 for parking
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Save the Date - January 18
"Mangrove" Mike Forster Memorial Dog Park Dedication
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Workforce/Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting
December 15 | 5:00 pm
| | 2026 Florida Legislative Session Important Dates | | Understanding the State Legislative Process | | |
The Florida Legislature meets every year for a 60-day regular session.
In odd-numbered years, the legislative session begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.
In even-numbered years, the legislative session begins on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January.
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Interim Committee Weeks:
Week of November 3
Week of November 17
Week of December 1
Week of December 8
◆ November 21
House final deadline to file Appropriation Project Request Forms
◆ November 21
Member Bill Submission Deadline
◆ January 7
Member Bill Final Draft Deadline
◆ January 13
Day 1 ~ First Day of the 2026 Regular Session
◆ January 16
House Attestation Forms Due for Appropriations Projects
◆ March 13
Day 60 ~ Last Day of the 2026 Regular Session
| | You're Invited!
Art Exhibition Reception Friday Dec. 19, 5-6pm | | |
The Village of Islamorada invites you to join us for a celebration of our first-ever Art in Public Buildings exhibition on December 19, 2025 from 5:00-6:00pm.
Toast the 14 Islamorada artists whose works are on display in the Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the Community Room, and Village Hall!
Cultural Arts Coordinator Emily Rother will give remarks at 5:15pm in the Community Room.
Location: 87000 and 86800 Overseas Hwy
Featured Artists:
Araña Glass
Beth Kaminstein
Bev Blitzer
Chadley Mominee
Cindy Mominee
EmmaNorthMich
Jill Zima Borski
Kelly Walkotten
Lisa Lee
Monica Bankowski
Pasta Pantaleo
Paula Friedman
Ramon Luis Núñez
Tim Borski
Thank you, Islamorada Community Entertainment and Village staff, for your support.
| | Events Happening Around Town December 15 - 21 | | Contact the facilities and events for more information. | | Derek Howe
Dockmaster Plantation Yacht Harbor | | | | |
Derek began his career in 2013 as a part-time Dockmaster Assistant.
Just five months later, his strong work ethic and dedication earned him a full-time position under the leadership of Lisa Watts.
In 2025, after years of commitment and steady growth, Derek was promoted to Dockmaster.
Before joining the marina, Derek served as the Director of Customer Service at American Liberty Financial in Palm Beach County.
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He moved to the Florida Keys in January 2010 to care for his mother, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. With a baby on the way at the time, Derek and his fiancée made the decision after his mother’s passing to raise all three of their boys in the Keys—giving them the same island lifestyle he cherished growing up, along with the safety and sense of community that comes with small-town living.
As Dockmaster, Derek is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the marina. He organizes and assigns responsibilities to ensure every aspect runs efficiently, and he helps oversee and coordinate major marina projects with contractors.
One of his greatest joys in the role is building long-term relationships with annual residents and creating new connections with transient boaters who return year after year.
Derek’s dedication and passion for the marina community continue to make a lasting impact on everyone who visits.
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