|
Village Weekly Update
April 13, 2026
| | |
| |
The Village Council held its monthly regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7th, at the Founders Park Community Center.
A video of the meeting can be found by going to the Village’s website at www.islamorada.fl.us and clicking on the Agendas and Meetings tab.
| | |
The Islamorada Charter Review Committee will meet again on Wednesday, April 15. The meeting will start at 5:30 and is open to the public.
A copy of the meeting agenda as well as video recordings of past committee meetings can be found on the Village’s website by going to www.islamorada.fl.us, and clicking on the Agendas and Meetings tab.
| | On January 26th, the Village issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ 26-01) seeking proposals from qualified and experienced developers of affordable/workforce housing to construct and operate an affordable housing development with units for rent on the land owned by the Village known as the Machado property. The proposed project site includes 4 vacant lots of approximately 2.42 acres combined at 88500 Overseas Highway. The units would be deed-restricted in perpetuity for affordable housing. Two proposals were submitted, which were evaluated by a staff committee. The Village Council will consider the proposals at the May 12th regular meeting. | | Village Committee Application Period Now Open | | |
The application period for Islamorada’s Village Committees is now open.
In accordance with Chapter 2, Administration, Article 2-V (Village Boards, Committees, and Commissions), the Village Council will make committee appointments at its May 12 Council Meeting.
Following the implementation of staggered two-year terms last year, 24 committee seats are set to expire. Applications are now being accepted for all committees.
Serving on a committee is a great way to get involved and contribute to our community.
Visit the Boards & Committees page to learn more and apply.
Application deadline: May 1.
| | Village Officially Establishes a Slow Speed Zone through the Wheel Ditch on Lower Matecumbe | | |
| |
After years of discussion, planning, and regulatory review, the Village has officially marked the Starcks Wheel Ditch on Lower Matecumbe as a Slow Speed/Minimum Wake Zone.
The buoys marking the new zone were installed last week by the Village’s marine services contractor Tow Boat US Islamorada / Poseidon Marine Towing and Salvage.
| | |
The Monroe County Sheriff’s office and FWC assisted with the installation by making sure vessels remained at slow speeds while the work was underway in the narrow channel.
The buoys marking the new zone were installed last week by the Village’s marine services contractor Tow Boat US Islamorada / Poseidon Marine Towing and Salvage.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s office and FWC assisted with the installation by making sure vessels remained at slow speeds while the work was underway in the narrow channel.
| |
| |
Officer Nelson Sanchez stayed busy with outreach efforts while boaters passed by during the installation.
Due to safety concerns, the Village Council decided to move forward to establish the new zone last year. The decision has been met with overwhelming support.
The “wheel ditch” has long been used as a shortcut to avoid a longer run around the “Swash” area off the Lower Matecumbe bayside. However, due to increasing traffic, boat size and poor visibility through the channel, the new regulatory zone has been established to address these concerns. There have been numerous accidents in this narrow channel over the years.
| | |
The concept of a new slow speed zone through the wheel ditch had been vetted for years through the Village’s Nearshore Water Regulations Citizens Advisory Committee. In early 2025, the Committee ultimately made a recommendation to the Village Council to establish the new zone. After discussions at numerous Village Council meetings, the Council adopted an Ordinance establishing the new zone on October 7, 2025. Following that, Village staff completed the required regulatory permitting enabling the Village to install buoys and enforce the new zone.
Pictured are Monroe County Sheriff’s Officers Mario Benedetti and Nelson Sanchez and Poseidon Marine Towing’s Carlos Galindo and Ilene Perez.
| | Congressman Gimenez Makes a Visit to Islamorada | | |
Our US Congressman Carlos Gimenez paid a visit to Islamorada last week to meet with the mayor and manager and to view projects that he has been successful at assisting securing funding for in Islamorada.
One of the stops was at the Lower Matecumbe Canals Culvert Restoration project where he is pictured below with Mayor Don Horton and Village Manager Ron Saunders.
Congressman Gimenez and staff have been instrumental in securing annual funding from the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program, a federal program that assists in funding water quality improvement projects in the Keys.
While on Lower Matecumbe, the Congressman also made a stop at Fire Station 19. A 25-year veteran of fire department service himself, Congressman Gimenez enjoyed a tour of the station and a visit with the on-duty fire rescue team.
Pictured with the Congressman are Steve Pollock, Michael Mayes, Tom Booth and Jeremy Kimes.
| | The Everglades Foundation Hosts
Roundtable Discussion in Islamorada | | |
On April 8, the Miami-based Everglades Foundation utilized Islamorada to host their Monroe County Regional Economic Roundtable event. The purpose was to bring together community leaders and interested stakeholders to discuss the impacts of our environment to the economy and its connections to Florida's coastal communities.
This year, the Everglades Foundation initiated a first-of-its-kind economic study revealing that America's Everglades is conservatively valued at an astonishing $1 trillion - a vital asset powering three of Florida's key industries: real estate, tourism, and outdoor recreation. These industries and the livelihoods of all who reside along Florida's coast depend on a restored Everglades. 25% of all economic activity in the 16-county Everglades watershed depends on clean freshwater.
Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg kicked off the discussion by reminding folks that the vision for Everglades Restoration started in Islamorada. Let us not forget that. Chief Science Officer Dr. Steve Davis followed by showing compelling data revealing how Everglades Restoration efforts are now positively leading to increased water flows to the southern estuaries, including Florida Bay. Dr. Paul Hindsley, Chief Economist with the Foundation concluded with the results of the recently published economic study. A link to study is provided here. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/itsworthit
| | |
The construction schedule may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
For more information on District Six FDOT projects, please visit our website:
SouthFLRoads.com
You may also contact Community Outreach Specialist, Julie Brown,
at 305-927-1479 or Julie.Brown@dot.state.fl.us
| | For real-time traffic and lane closure information, drivers are encouraged to log onto www.FL511.com, or download the FL511 app. |
| Plantation Key Transmission Main Replacement Project Traffic and Access Update | | Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alert Emails | | Thanks to All Who Attended Spring Fest | | |
The annual event took place last Saturday, April 4, from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and saw our biggest turnout yet!
The event featured photos with the bunny, food trucks, face painting, crafts, pet adoptions, carnival activities, a floral bouquet bar, and a giant inflatable slide.
It concluded with an exciting mad dash for eggs on the lawn—truly an egg-cellent finish!
| | |
Plates & Plans
April 15 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
Village Charter Review Committee
April 15 | 5:30 p.m.
Near Shore Water Regulation Citizens Committee Meeting
April 21 | 5:15 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Update Public Workshop
April 29 | 5:30 p.m.
Workforce / Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee
May 4 | 5:00 p.m.
Land Acquisition Citizens Advisory Committee
May 6 | 9:30 a.m.
Regular Land Use Village Council Meeting
May 12 | 5:30 p.m.
| | Visit the Islamorada Cultural Arts Calendar | | |
Looking for something to do? Check out the Village’s new Arts and Culture Calendar to find out about all of the concerts, theater, art exhibitions, classes, and lectures in Islamorada!
Events are subject to change; always confirm with the event location or host. Want to see your event on the Cultural Arts Calendar? Complete this form
| | |
Please let us know your feedback on the newsletter. Ideas for new features will be discussed and may be incorporated into future editions.
To ensure it doesn't get missed, be sure to title your email - Newsletter Feedback
| | | | |
