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Village Weekly Update
June 8, 2026
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The Village Council will meet twice this week on Tuesday, June 9th and Thursday, June 11th.
Tomorrow’s meeting is the monthly regular meeting beginning at 5:30pm at the Founders Park Community Center. The Village’s federal lobbyist, Jim Davenport, will give an update on what is happening in Washington D.C.
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There will be a discussion about an ongoing roads elevation study and adaptation plan as well as the proposed calendar for the preparation and consideration of the Village’s budget for the next fiscal year that starts on October 1st. I will also request input on Village-owned properties.
The Council will again consider proposals from 2 ride share companies which responded to a Request for Proposals, Beefree LLC, d/b/a Freebee, and Circuit Transit, Inc. The Village held a public workshop on May 28th where both companies made presentation to the public and four of the Council members who attended the workshop.
The Council will consider proposals from grant writing consultants which were submitted in response to a Request for Proposals and will review a preliminary rate resolution for a new solid waste assessment. The Council will also consider a proposed consulting agreement with Early Alert Inc. to review the Village’s fire rescue and emergency management operations.
Several proposed ordinances will be considered, including restricting activities in public and private marinas and increasing the purchasing authority of the Village Manager.
Four proposals approved by the Charter Review Committee regarding changes in the terms and salaries of Village Council members, the method of filling Council vacancies, and requirements for supermajority votes, will be considered by the Council. If approved, the Charter amendment recommendations will be placed on the November 3rd general election ballot for approval by Islamorada voters.
Thursday’s Village Council Land Use meeting will also begin at 5:30pm at the Founders Park Community Center. There are requests for administrative relief for properties at 183 E. Ridge Road and 207 Pearl Avenue, and for map amendments for 80839 Old Hwy.
Agendas and files, and options for viewing the meetings can be found the in the Agendas & Meetings Portal.
| | Request for Proposals Issued for
Lower Matecumbe Key Canal Restoration Project | | |
Last week, Village staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking contractor bids for a canal restoration project on Lower Matecumbe Key. Canal #145, located between Columbus Drive and Cortez Drive, is currently ranked fourth on the Village’s updated Canal Water Quality Improvement Project Priority List.
This project represents another step in Islamorada’s ongoing efforts to improve water quality within residential canals and adjacent nearshore waters. The restoration work will involve the removal of accumulated organic sediments and backfilling portions of the canal to an approximate depth of six feet. Reducing excessive canal depth helps eliminate anoxic (low-oxygen) zones, improving water circulation and oxygen levels while enhancing habitat conditions for fish, wildlife, and aquatic vegetation.
The canal already benefits from an air curtain installed at its entrance, which helps reduce the amount of sargassum and other marine debris entering the canal. Combined with the proposed backfilling efforts, these improvements are expected to significantly enhance overall canal health and improve environmental conditions for nearby residents.
The project is being fully funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Keys Stewardship Act Program. The deadline for bid submissions is July 7.
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Hurricane Season Is Here!
Are You Hurricane Savvy?
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Did you take Islamorada's May Hurricane Quiz? Here's a quick review of what we covered. Be sure to check out the new quiz link below for Islamorada's June Hurricane Quiz!
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. While storms can develop at any point during the season, September is historically the busiest month for tropical activity and hurricane landfalls. During this time, it is important to stay informed and monitor tropical systems as they develop. Use trusted sources such as NOAA for forecasts and sign up for Alert!Monroe to receive local emergency notifications, evacuation notices, and storm updates.
Understanding the fundamentals of hurricane hazards can help you make informed decisions before and during a storm.
Not all tropical systems are the same. A tropical storm produces strong winds and heavy rain, while a hurricane has stronger sustained winds and the potential for more significant impacts. Hurricane categories are based solely on sustained wind speed, NOT rainfall, storm size, or storm surge. A hurricane is considered "major" when it reaches Category 3 or higher. However, even lower category storms can produce dangerous conditions depending on local impacts.
Storm surge is one of the greatest threats to life and property during a hurricane, especially in coastal communities. Storm surge is a rise in sea level caused by a storm's winds pushing water toward the shore, which can result in significant coastal flooding. Other hurricane hazards include heavy rainfall, flooding, tornadoes, strong winds, and flying debris.
Test Your Hurricane Knowledge
Take June's Hurricane Preparedness Quiz and see how well you weather hurricane season: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TWRYVCM
We'll review June’s quiz answers in next month's newsletter!
| | Keys Weekly's Islamorada 2026 Hurricane Guide | | Council Candidate Orientation - Saturday, June 27 | | |
Are you considering a run for Village Council this year? The Village Clerk is holding a Candidate Orientation Session on Saturday, June 27 from 10 am - noon at the Founders Park Community Center.
Topics covered include:
- Getting started
- Statutory deadlines
- Options for Qualifying
- Petition requirements
- Campaign finance reporting
- Political signage
- Resources
All are welcome to attend, whether you've already filed to run, are thinking about it, or just curious about the process.
Contact the Village Clerk for more information.
| | | Political Signage Updates | | |
Political signage applications have gone paperless - candidates now apply in CityView. Check out our political signage permitting page for step-by-step instructions.
In other political signage news, we've received clarification that political signs may be erected no earlier than 30 days before the start of early voting. Early voting for the August 18 Primary Election begins August 3, therefore permitted political signs can be displayed starting July 3.
As a reminder, signs must comply with Code and FDOT's regulations. Signs not in compliance with Village Code will be removed and may be picked up near the staircase at the rear of Village Hall.
Election sign ordinance:
- All election signs shall be erected no earlier than 30 days prior to an election and shall be removed within seven days following the election to which the sign pertains. Note: We've received clarification that political signs may be erected no earlier than 30 days before the start of early voting, rather than election day.
- Election signs shall not exceed six square feet per face and four feet in height and are limited to one sign per candidate or issue, per each road frontage of the individual property.
- Election signs shall not be located within five feet of any side property yard.
- The candidate or campaign shall receive approval of the property owner prior to erecting any sign on private property.
| | Introducing the Easy Campaign Finance portal | | |
Check out our new Campaign Finance Reporting portal.
We have implemented Easy Campaign Finance software to make it easier for candidates to file their campaign reports and easier for the public to access them.
With the reporting wizard candidates fill out their reports directly in the software. Once submitted, a filing goes to the Clerk's Office for review and approval. Filings should be visible in the portal by that day's close of business. Past filings have been uploaded and are already available in the software.
Just click on the arrow next to a candidate's name to expand their filings and view their campaign finance reports.
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ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Sunday, June 7, through Saturday, June 13, 2026
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State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway from MM 108.426 to MM 112.593 Landscaping
Contractor to continue roadside work.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway from MM 75.02 to MM 81.44 Landscaping
Contractor to continue roadside work.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Channel 5 Bridge (near MM 71)
Work continues under the Channel 5 Bridge. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled.
Lane Closure/Detours:
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Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Sunday, June 7 , through Thursday, June 11, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
- Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.
- Please follow all posted signs and instructions from on-site personnel.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Long Key Bridge (near MM 64)
Work continues under the Long Key Bridge. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled.
Lane Closure/Detours:
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Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Sunday, June 7 , through Thursday, June 11, from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
- Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.
- Please follow all posted signs and instructions from on-site personnel.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge over Moser Channel Rehabilitation (MM 40 - MM 47)
Installation of pavement markings continues. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled.
Lane Closure/Detours:
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Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, June 8 , through Thursday, June 11, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway on Bahia Honda Bridge (near MM 36)
Work continues under the Bahia Honda Bridge.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
View the project webpage here
| | | 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 | | |
Welcome Back!
We are pleased to announce that the Pool Resurfacing and Facility Improvement Project has officially been completed. The pool reopened on Sunday, June 7.
Pool & Park Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to seeing you at the pool soon! We’re also planning a Grand Reopening Celebration in the coming weeks. Details will be announced soon.
For information on memberships, passes, aquatic programs, and camps, please visit our new Islamorada RecTrac website.
Important: If you chose to freeze your membership during construction, please stop by the Park Office to have your membership reactivated.
Thank you for your patience and support throughout the improvement project. We can't wait to see you back at the pool!
| | It's Not too Late to Register for 2026 Summer Camps! | | We still have openings for our summer camps! Scan the QR code below to register. C'mon down and join the fun! | | Founders Playground Project Update | | The Playground Project is progressing well, and we anticipate opening it soon. Stay tuned for details on our Grand Reopening Celebrations for both the pool and playground. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to enjoy these exciting community amenities! | | |
Regular Village Council Meeting
June 9 | 5:30 p.m.
Land Use Village Council Meeting
June 11 | 5:30 p.m.
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting RFP 26-07 Council Chamber Audio/Visual Hardware Refresh
June 12 | 1:00 p.m.
Code Compliance Hearing
June 16 | 10:00 a.m.
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
June 17 | 10:00 a.m.
Village Offices Closed-Juneteenth
June 19 | Normal Business resumes Monday June 22
| | Submit Your Local Nature Photos for
Islamorada’s Environmental Resource Center | | |
The Village of Islamorada is looking for digital images of our natural environment to feature in the new Islamorada Environmental Resource Center.
We are looking for photographs taken in Islamorada of our local flora, fauna, and landscapes. If you would like to have your work featured, send up to three high resolution photos to us through this form.
Make sure to include a short description, such as where the photo was taken.
If selected for use, images may be used by the Village in print or digital format and may be cropped to fit displays. The artist’s name will be attributed to the image.
| | 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
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Please let us know your feedback on the newsletter. Ideas for new features will be discussed and may be incorporated into future editions.
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