COUNTY TO MAKE REPAIRS AT LONG KEY TRANSFER STATION; TEMPORARY CLOSURE TO TAKE PLACE MAY 3-184/25/2025  LONG KEY, FL – Monroe County Solid Waste will temporarily close the Long Key Transfer Station tipping floor from May 3-18 for essential safety repairs due to a structural issue requiring immediate attention.
During this period, no garbage disposal activity will be allowed on the tipping floor. However, the Long Key Transfer Station will continue to accept vegetation and yard waste, which is handled at a separate on-site location that does not use the tipping floor. Signage has been posted at the Long Key Transfer Station, and local businesses who regularly utilize the site have been notified to use the Key Largo or Cudjoe Key transfer stations while the repairs are being made. “While this temporary disruption poses challenges, the safety of staff and those who use the facility remains the top priority,” said Director of Solid Waste Cheryl Sullivan.
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MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Planning & Environmental Resources Department needs your help to develop a Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP). You can find information on the BSIP, a short survey, and an interactive bus stop map at monroecountybsip.com.
The data collected will be used to determine the feasibility of adding, relocating, removing, or consolidating bus stops along US 1 in the areas mentioned in the Transportation Master Plan, and improving existing stops with amenities that will enhance the safety and experience for transit riders, such as shelters, seating, lighting, bike racks, and/or driver notification push buttons. The county is collecting data on the website through May 9.  Devin Tolpin MONROE COUNTY, FL – Following the promotion of Growth Management Director Emily Schemper, Devin Tolpin has been selected to serve as the next Senior Director of Planning and Environmental Resources. Tolpin will manage staff planners, biologists, marine resources, and geographic information systems. The position is critical in the county’s planning, environmental policy, and development review processes.
Tolpin has been with the department for eight years, most recently as the planning and development review manager, where she led the planning section, supervised staff, and ensured the consistent application of zoning and development regulations. Her career with the county also includes previous roles as principal planner, senior planner, and marine planner. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from Florida State University. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners and a Certified Floodplain Manager. “As a product of the Florida Keys, I have a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of the Florida Keys,” said Tolpin. “I am honored to have this opportunity to serve the community and the county in this new capacity.”  MONROE COUNTY, FL — Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month at Wednesday’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Cynthia Guerra accepted the proclamation. April is the 57th anniversary of the National Fair Housing Act under Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Law. Although Equal Housing Opportunity is a right guaranteed to all Americans, the struggle against discrimination in housing continues.
“Since fair housing is consistent with the principles of equality and justice for all—principles upon which our nation was founded—we all need to share in the fight to ensure fair housing is a reality for all residents,” said Scholl. The Monroe County Housing Authority provides fair housing education and outreach. More information can be found at www.kwha.org.  MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl and the Monroe County Commission have proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed nationally to promote education and raise awareness that sexual violence is widespread and affects individuals of every age, race, gender, and socioeconomic background.
The proclamation was accepted by members of the board for Christina’s Courage, law enforcement, and the health department. Christina’s Courage is the only rape crisis center in Monroe County, and it provides survivors with a safe and confidential environment for services including forensic examinations, victim advocacy, law enforcement interviews, and counseling. “Every member of our community plays a role in the prevention of sexual violence, which is only possible through community efforts that empower individuals to speak out against harmful behaviors and support survivors in their journey toward healing and justice,” said Scholl. Christina’s Courage offers a 24-hour confidential hotline for crisis intervention at 305-619-9155. Staff from Florida Commerce visited the demolished home properties and met with the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Cynthia Guerra at the April meeting. Hurricane Irma in 2017 badly damaged many properties throughout the Florida Keys. Through a State of Florida grant program, Monroe County Land Authority bought and demolished 21 eligible homes. MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Land Authority announced the pending closeout of a successful $15 million grant program to purchase 21 homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from income-qualified eligible applicants. The U.S. HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Florida Commerce administered the grant to the land authority.
“The program's goals included acquiring properties in high flood-risk areas, helping relocate residents to areas of lower flood risk, and reducing the impact of future flood-related disasters,” said Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Cynthia Guerra. “Once purchased, the remaining structures were demolished, and the parcels were permanently deed-restricted for open space uses, stormwater improvements, or to restore and conserve the natural floodplain functions.” The acquisitions also provided for the resolution of pending permit applications and code enforcement cases on the properties.  MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners regularly scheduled meetings have been moved from 10 a.m. to the new start time of 9 a.m. The commissioners were testing a 10 a.m. start time but have decided it is best to start at 9 a.m. as they have done so in previous years.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 9 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center. 2025 BOCC Regular Meetings Starting at 9 a.m. April 16 at Marathon Government Center May 21 at Harvey Government Center in Key West June 18 at Nelson Government Center in Key Largo July 16 at Marathon Government Center Aug. 20 at Harvey Government Center in Key West Sept. 10 at Nelson Government Center in Key Largo Oct. 15 at Marathon Government Center Nov. 12 at Harvey Government Center in Key West Dec. 10 at Nelson Government Center in Key Largo Monroe County continues to offer meetings in a hybrid setting, in person and virtually. Agendas are posted one week before the scheduled meeting date. Meeting agendas and how to participate virtually can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings.  MONROE COUNTY, FL – REGISTER NOW: It’s time to start thinking about summer camps!
Monroe County Parks & Beaches Summer Camp program is for kids ages 6-12 and run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline: All campers must complete full registration 10 days prior to the camp date (no exceptions). Cost: $150 for the week, price includes field trips (1/2 off sibling discount) Big Pine Key Community Park: Week 1: June 2 - 6 Week 2: June 9 - 13 Week 3: June 16 – 20 Sugarloaf School: Week 4: June 23 - 27 (Volleyball) Week 5: July 14 – 18 Bernstein Park, Stock Island: Week 6: July 21 - 25 Week 7: July 28 - Aug. 1 Plantation Key Community Center, Tavernier: Week 8: July 28 – Aug. 1 Week 9: Aug. 4 - 8 SPECIALTY CAMP: Art-Crafts-Music Fun activities, field trips, interactive games, and MORE! Contact us for application requests and inquiries. LOWER KEYS: Mike Piekenbrock 305-394-1173 [email protected] UPPER KEYS: Naomi Pagidas 305-453-8726 [email protected]  MONROE COUNTY, FL – To enhance protections for nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, Monroe County has updated its lighting regulations to align with the State of Florida’s Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection (62B-55, F.A.C.). These changes reflect significant advancements in sea turtle research and lighting technology, ensuring that coastal lighting minimizes disorientation risks for hatchlings.
Sea turtle nesting season in the Florida Keys runs from April 15 through Oct. 31. During this critical time, bright, artificial lights can disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean. The updated guidelines emphasize three key principles to reduce this risk:
Additionally, temporary beach structures such as chairs, cabanas, and umbrellas must be removed nightly or placed in a way that does not obstruct nesting turtles or hatchlings. Residents and businesses can visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website for certified wildlife-friendly lighting options: https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/criteria/certified/. Off-list products may be used if they adhere to the sea turtle-friendly lighting principles. For more information on compliance and wildlife-friendly lighting, contact a Monroe County biologist at 305-289-2500. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Recently, a group of Monroe County and City of Key West staff, along with local Florida Keys environmental advocates, visited Reuter’s Recycling Facility on the mainland in Pembroke Pines. The tour provided valuable insights into the single-stream recycling process used for Monroe County’s recyclables.
The visit provided a deeper understanding of the county’s recycling system and the challenges involved in processing materials. Attendees were surprised by the complexity of the sorting and processing to prepare recyclable materials for the commodity market. The tour emphasized the importance of proper recycling practices and the detrimental impact of contamination on the system's efficiency. “I think there is still a large portion of the population that does not understand the process, specifically WHAT can be recycled,” said Kacey Hunt, executive assistant for Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “I left that experience wishing I could take everyone to Reuter’s because it is so eye-opening and informative.” DID YOU KNOW: Reuter’s is building a new recycling facility expected to open by 2026. The new facility will process materials more efficiently, doubling its capacity from 35 to 70 tons per hour. Additionally, research is underway to expand the types of plastics that can be accepted for processing. |
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