The City of Key West wants to remind residents of the best way to dispose of your Christmas tree. Please do not put real trees in plastic trash bags. Instead, put them out beside you trash bin on collection day. Please don’t throw them in the right-of-way.
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In addition, please be sure to remove all decorations and tinsel. This way, Waste Management can process the trees like yard waste and send them to a mulch and compost center.

As a result of constant striving to make city streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, The City of Key West has reached an important milestone.

The League of American Bicyclists has awarded the City the Bronze status as a Bicycle Friendly Community.
The League scores a community based upon what they call the 5Es: engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation and planning, and equity and accessibility.
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You can read the entire assessment on the City’s website: https://cityofkeywest-fl.gov/804/Car-Free-Key-West

The contractor plans to start the milling & paving operation on Bertha Tuesday 1/3/23. They will start on Bertha Street at South Roosevelt and work their way toward Flagler. From South Roosevelt to Atlantic Ave, Bertha will only have one way traffic southbound between 7 AM to 6 PM from Jan 3 to Jan 9. There will not be any Northbound traffic on Bertha from South Roosevelt to Atlantic Ave between 7 AM to 6 PM Jan 3 through 9.

On Bertha from Atlantic Ave to Flagler there will be a flagging operation alternating one lane traffic thought the work zone in both directions starting Jan 3 to Jan 9 from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Flager Ave from George Street to Second Street will be closed to all traffic from Jan 9 at 8 PM to 6 AM Tuesday 1/10. Detours will be set up, see the attached Flagler Full Closure Map for details.
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The milling & resurfacing on First Street from Flagler Ave to South Roosevelt begins Jan 12 to Feb 10. There will be a flagging operation alternating one lane traffic thought the work zone in both directions 

​The Second Survey in the Mallory Square Visioning Process is live. This is a NEW survey to gather feedback about concepts for the future of the square. If you took the first survey back in September of this year, we hope you will take this one as well and make your voice heard once again!
Go to: Mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com to take the survey
Please share the survey with your friends, co-workers, and family so everyone has an opportunity to provide input. The Survey will close on January 2 at midnight.
 

​Keeping with tradition, the City of Key West offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Friday December 23rd  and Monday December 25th as well as Monday, January 2nd.
There will be no bus service on Christmas Day or on New Year’s Day to allow our drivers to be home with their families.
There will be no change in the scheduled pickup of trash and recycling.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission proclaimed Dec. 21st National Homeless Persons Memorial Day during the December City Commission meeting.

For the past 24 years, the community has gathered to remember those men, women and children who have died homeless in Monroe County with this proclamation, joining the nation in setting aside the longest night of the year to memorialize those people who have died homeless.

On Friday, December 16th  at 3 p.m., the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition will coordinate a ceremony in honor of those who have died in Monroe County. The ceremony will be held at the Key West Cemetery. According to FKOC Executive Director Jeanette McLernon, the remains of those who died homeless this past year will be interred in the FKOC vault in the cemetery.
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“The spirit of the holiday season of goodwill toward all provides an opportunity for the affirmation and renewal regarding our commitment to end homelessness,” reads the proclamation.

​The community is invited to Bayview Park on Thursday, December 18th at 5 p.m. for the lighting of the menorah.
Rabbi Shimon Dudai from Congregation B’Nai Zion and Rabbi Jacob Zucker from Chabad of the Florida Keys will say the blessings.

This weekend Mayor Teri Johnston and an amazing group of volunteers joined the American Red Cross to help install smoke alarms.
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“Thank you so much for joining us on Saturday morning to help make neighborhood homes and families safer,” Red Cross Executive Director Debbie Koch wrote in an email to the mayor. “Thanks to you and our fellow volunteers, we installed 98 smoke alarms in 68 homes.”

The City of Key West is grateful to the Key West Chamber of Commerce for the extraordinary opportunity to recognize City employees for their dedication. During the Chamber’s luncheon on December 14th, four people were recognized for their service to the community.
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Public Works Foreman Oscar Ladino was named City Employee of the Year, an award sponsored by the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. City Manager Patti McLauchlin introduced the award, pointing out that Ladino is largely responsible for all of Duval Street and just about every event that happens in the city,
“In a year where we were short-staffed and asking everyone to do more with less, Oscar has risen to the challenge,” said McLauchlin. “With more and bigger events being thrown at him he has managed to make the process seamless to organizers and City staff alike. Oscar is an incredible asset to the Community Services Department and the City of Key West. His value as an employee cannot be overstated. We are extremely lucky to have had Oscar here for over 20 years.”

Capt. David Zarate was named Firefighter of the Year, an award sponsored by Keys Federal Credit Union. Capt. Zarate has been with the Key West Fire Department since 2003, and Emergency Manager Capt. Gregory Barroso noted that he has a passion for training his fellow firefighters and passing on the knowledge he’s gained.

“David has stepped up at every opportunity to act capably above his class as ommander in the absence of his supervisor,” said Capt. Barroso. “Most recently, during Hurricane Ian, David displayed extraordinary initiative while actively responding to the fire at 3201 Flagler Ave. That night, during intense weather conditions from the storm, acting-Commander David responded and directed over 25 men and women to control the fire. David’s leadership and effective response saved lives and other structures in the surrounding area.”

Key West Police Officer Andrea Bernatova was named Police Officer of the Year, an honor sponsored by Opal Key Resort and Marina. Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg noted in his introduction, that she speaks three languages, holds a Master’s Degree in economics, and sponsored her own attendance to the police academy. Many new officers garner sponsorship from local law enforcement, who pay a salary and for tuition. Officer Bernatova was determined. She is, he said, the kind of officer who he hopes to see in future leadership roles in the department.
“On her very first call,” said Chief Brandenburg, “she responded to a local hotel for a man having a medical emergency. She saved that man’s life, earning the Key West Police Department Life Saving Award. She is a well-rounded officer who frequently receives letters of recognition from the community for her compassion during calls to service. We are very lucky to have her on our team.”

The Chamber also recognized City Manager Executive Assistant Dorian Patton with their Key West Star Award for his selfless volunteer service to the community and local businesses.

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed December 11th as Bicycle Action Committee Day in honor of the efforts of that organization.

According to the 2020 census, over 14 percent of the commuters who live in Key West travel to work by bike. That’s 24 times the national average.

However, statistics show that cyclists are disproportionally affected by roadway collisions.

Richard A Cahlin, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Bicycle Action Committee “have shown significant leadership across the State of Florida advocating for bicycle safety, and the Bicycle Action Committee has provided generous support in the funding, design, and production of jerseys to improve awareness and safety of bicyclists in Key West,” reads the proclamation.

Cahlin and the City’s Multimodal Transportation Coordinator Ryan Stachurski accepted the proclamation.

The committee, said Cahlin, works with participating cities, raising funds from the private sector to create the high visibility jerseys.
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“We want them to slow down, yield, and create a safe space for cyclists,” he said, noting that proceeds from the jerseys goes right back into the community to fund its bike initiatives.