​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Solid Waste will host its quarterly Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste collection on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10600 Aviation Blvd in Marathon. There is no cost for Monroe County residents to dispose of the materials at the event. Household hazardous waste are products often found in the garage, sheds, storage areas, or under the kitchen sink. They are corrosive, flammable, reactive, or toxic. E-waste can be items like televisions, computers and laptops, and old cell phones.
 
“These chemicals can contaminate Monroe County’s sensitive ecosystem,” said Monroe County Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “It is incredibly important to dispose of these chemicals appropriately.”
 
Household Hazardous & E-Waste 2025 Collection Dates: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marathon, 10600 Aviation Blvd.

• 1/11/25
• 4/12/25
• 7/12/25
• 10/4/25
• 1/10/26

 
Stock Island, Bernstein Park, 6751 5th Street

• 2/8/25
• 5/10/25
• 8/16/25
• 11/8/25
• 2/7/26

 
Hazardous waste examples include paints, stains, strippers, wood preservatives, roof tar and patching compounds, adhesives, putty and caulk, auto/marine maintenance/care products, fiberglass and epoxy resins, solvents, hydraulic fluids, anti-freeze, waste oil, corrosives (muriatic acid, lye, etc.), pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers/herbicides, drain cleaners, pool cleaning products, fluorescent/CFL light bulbs, and waste containing mercury, like light bulbs and thermometers.
 
In addition to the collections, HHW can be disposed of at Monroe County transfer stations:

• Cudjoe Key Transfer Station, MM21.5, Blimp Road: First and third Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Long Key Transfer Station, MM68: First and third Fridays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Key Largo, Corner of Atlantic Avenue and Homestead Avenue (Behind Walgreens), E-Waste and HHW: Second and fourth Wednesdays, monthly, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 
Additional information can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste.

KEY WEST, FL – In an abundance of caution, Monroe County closed the Gato Building on Simonton Street in Key West due to detecting a small amount of lead in dust from the spalling repairs on the historic building. Testing determined that the source was an old paint layer from the 1970s or earlier. Construction methods were used to minimize the chance of dust escaping from the work area, and current and ongoing testing in the building has confirmed the building is safe for occupancy. In addition, many employees voluntarily took free lead tests, and no issues were reported.
 
Spalling work on the first floor in the Monroe County Social Services area is still underway. Social Services is temporarily located at the Lester Building at Jackson Square in Key West until further notice. Other County offices located upstairs are also still temporarily relocated until construction is finished in an effort to complete the work as quickly as possible.
 
Monroe County and the Florida Dept. of Health in Key West (DOH-KW) have developed a plan to start reopening the Gato Building for limited services. Services are expected to begin:

• Tuesday, Jan. 21: DOH-Monroe Clinic operations will reopen at the Gato Building and will no longer be located at the Tuga Clinic on the College of the Florida Keys campus on Stock Island. The Tuga Clinic continues to be available for students and staff of CFK and Stock Island residents.
• Thursday, Jan. 23: DOH-Monroe Vital Statistics will reopen at the Gato Building and will no longer be at the Lester Building.
• Healthy Start and WIC services will remain at Bernstein Park on Stock Island until the construction work at the Gato Building is complete.

 
The reopening dates could be changed if unforeseen circumstances arise and will be announced if needed.

FLORIDA KEYS, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution at a special meeting on Thursday to request that the state legislature adopt amendments to increase the hurricane evacuation clearance time for permanent residents for the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern from 24 to up to 26 hours to allow a maximum of 3,550 new residential permit allocations countywide.
 
Of the additional new residential permit allocations within the unincorporated Monroe County, 1,350 would be reserved for issuance of only one allocation per vacant buildable parcel, regardless of maximum development potential. In addition, 70 percent of those 1,350 allocations will be designated as 99-year deed-restricted workforce market-rate housing where at least 70 percent of the occupant's income is derived from employment within the Florida Keys. Any allocations above the 1,350 that may be approved by the State (up to 26 hours) for unincorporated Monroe County could be used for affordable, workforce, or market-rate housing. The Monroe County allocations would be distributed evenly over a 40-year period, excluding workforce market rate and affordable housing allocations, which may be borrowed forward.
 
Monroe County's legislative delegation, which includes State Rep. Jim Mooney and Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, will utilize this input to form a bill they would be willing to support to be approved by the legislature for this to go into effect. The legislative session starts on March 4, 2025. 

KEY WEST, FL – Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley, Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl, and Monroe County Chief Resiliency Officer Rhonda Haag welcomed approximately 400 thinkers and leaders from business, government, higher education, and nonprofits to the 16th annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit in Key West. Monroe County and the five local municipalities, Key West, Layton, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, and Islamorada, are co-hosting this year’s event. The summit rotates annually among the four compact members, which also include Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
 
Topics of the “Keys to Resilience” event included panel discussions and innovation programming looking back at the 15 years of compact collaboration and progress and into the future of resiliency in southeast Florida.
 
“This year’s summit focuses on project implementation to help slow or avoid the effects of climate change and the specific resilience projects that are being implemented locally to manage the effects of the rising seas,” said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “This unique collaborative effort between the region’s four counties was the first of its kind and is now being duplicated in other areas due to its success and effectiveness in developing resilience solutions.”
 
The summit covers local resilience projects from each of the county’s chief resilience officers, perspectives from South Florida county administrators, an update from Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer Wes Brooks, a view on regional collaboration with the four county mayors moderated by Monroe County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein, the Deep Blue Infrastructure focusing on reef protection, policy analysis, and resilient water management with Monroe County Artificial Reefs Director Dr. Hanna Koch, and more. Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln and commissioners David Rice and Craig Cates were also in attendance.
 
The Compact was created in 2010 by Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties to coordinate and collaborate on climate change action across county lines and is internationally recognized as a leading example of regional-scale climate action. To learn more about the Compact, visit www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org.
 
The summit is a major annual event. Monroe County previously hosted the annual conference in 2011, 2015, and 2019, and will again in 2028.
 
Later this month, Monroe County Television (MCTV) will have the summit presentations available for the public to view at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/mctv under the ‘On Demand’ tab. 

BOCA CHICA, FL – An administrative law judge issued an order upholding Monroe County’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) amendment that paves the way for the long-awaited Boca Chica Harbor public mooring field, addressing decades of environmental, public safety, and navigational challenges caused by the area’s unregulated and unmanaged anchorage. It has been over 23 years since a public mooring field has been established in the Florida Keys.
 
The amendment change will allow the construction of shoreside facilities essential for permitting the mooring field, including restrooms, a dockmaster’s office, a sewage pump-out station, and recycling areas.
 
Monroe County has worked to create a managed mooring field in Boca Chica Harbor for almost two decades. The harbor has long served as an unmanaged anchorage, resulting in significant environmental damage to coral, seagrass, and water quality. It is also home to numerous derelict vessels and has been plagued by improper waste disposal.
 
“This project is a game-changer for the lower Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Commissioner Craig Cates, who has been championing the mooring field. “By managing this harbor, we’re taking a huge step forward in protecting our marine environment, improving public safety, and supporting our liveaboard community.”
 
The mooring field will implement environmentally friendly anchoring systems that prevent damage to the harbor’s seafloor, enabling seagrasses and other marine ecosystems to recover and thrive. Additionally, the shoreside facilities will provide regulated access for boaters, enhancing safety and cleanliness in the area.
 
For more information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/marineresources.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved the County’s state legislative priorities for the 2025 session at Wednesday’s regularly scheduled meeting. Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson presented and explained Monroe County’s priorities for the upcoming session that will take place from March 4 to May 2, 2025. Highlights of the agenda include:

• Future Development in the Florida Keys/ROGO: Monroe County is currently evaluating a request for additional permit allocations. The Board is anticipated to give direction at the Dec. 19 meeting, wherein that direction, if given, will be incorporated into the agenda.
• Secure Stewardship Act appropriation for water quality projects, and include it in the State’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Secure Stewardship Act land acquisition funding via Florida Forever set aside and extend authorization.
• Insurance affordability: pursue a 10 percent cap on annual increases, support cost savings, and pro-consumer efforts.
• Marine protections: secure appropriations for shoreside facility, pump-out program, and address migrant vessels.
• Workforce/affordable housing: seek exemption for purchasing construction performance bonds for Habitat for Humanity and pursue local authority to grant ad valorem tax reductions for renting affordably.
• Repeal the local occupancy licensing preemption and clarify Monroe County’s exemption language.
• Support robust funding for the State’s Resilient Florida Grant program, specifically funding for Monroe County’s road elevation projects from that grant program.

 
“Monroe County has been fortunate to see success in the past due to our state leadership’s commitment to protecting the unique and fragile ecosystem of the Florida Keys and those living and visiting here,” Tennyson said. “We are optimistic we will continue to see success in the 2025 session.”
 
More information about Monroe County’s legislative priorities can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/legislativeaffairs. 

MONROE COUNTY, FL –  The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners confirmed Monroe County Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Rene Luis “RL” Colina as Monroe County’s Acting Fire Chief. Colina leads the organization starting today. Retiring Chief James “Jim” Callahan will continue his service through a transition period until he retires in March 2025. 
 
“We are grateful for Chief Callahan’s hard work and dedication over the past two decades in Monroe County to improve fire services for all our citizens and look forward to Chief Colina’s tenure moving forward,” said Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley.
 
Colina started with Monroe County in February 2020 as a battalion chief and fire marshal and became deputy chief in August 2021. Before coming to Monroe County, he worked for the Apopka (Florida) Fire Department, starting in 1997. He has a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Medical Services from the University of Florida and numerous certifications from the Florida State Fire College and the National Fire Academy. 
 
“I am honored to take the helm of this dedicated organization and institute the values of respect, integrity, loyalty, and empathy into the day-to-day operations,” said Colina. “I look forward to building upon Chief Callahan’s legacy for the betterment of the future of fire rescue in the Florida Keys.”
 
Callahan has more than 50 years of experience in fire service throughout his career. Callahan made significant contributions to the Florida Keys community, including adding adequate fire hydrants and other water resources, increasing career service firefighters, advancing emergency communications, and upgrading equipment and fire apparatus. In reflection, he said his greatest accomplishment was working with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to bring the Trauma Star air ambulance to the Florida Keys, as it is known today.
 
“Chief Callahan’s knowledge and experience in fire department administration and operations have advanced Monroe County Fire Rescue into the professional fire service organization it is today,” said Hurley. “His institutional knowledge will help Chief Colina seamlessly transition to the lead position.”
 
Callahan coordinated with the County’s project management team to rebuild the fire stations in Conch Key, Stock Island, Big Pine Key, and Cudjoe Key and renovated Tavernier, Layton, and Sugarloaf. He created the “Hot Shots Program” and advocated for building the fire training facility on Grassy Key. His changes allowed the fire department to receive an improved ISO rating of 3/3X from a 5/9 rating, which helped lower county property insurance rates. Callahan also consolidated airport fire services, giving airport firefighters access to state-mandated training, and he established a Fire Prevention Division to handle building plan reviews, construction inspections, commercial fire inspections, and public education. 
 
Colina’s official pinning will take place on Feb. 19, 2025 at the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting in Key West. 

FLORIDA KEYS, FL – The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride takes place Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys. Residents and visitors are encouraged to cheer on and support the warriors while they cycle through the Florida Keys or join them for the guided community ride on Saturday in Key West.
 
“We are proud to celebrate the 20th year of the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride in the Florida Keys. This event empowers Veterans and brings us together to honor their strength and commitment,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane, who is also a coordinator of the event.  “Let’s support our heroes, recognize their sacrifices, and build awareness as they cycle through our community.”
 
Motorists should take extra time to get to their destination during the ride times. U.S. 1 will remain open for the Soldier Ride, but motorists should be patient, use caution, and note that there may be rolling lane shifts in traffic.
 
Friday, Jan. 10
Key Largo to Islamorada

• Start: 8:30 a.m. from VFW Post 10211
• Break: 9:30 a.m. Coral Shores High School
• End: 10:30 a.m. Post Card Inn

Marathon to Big Pine Key

• Start: 1:30 p.m. from Marathon Fire Station across the 7 Mile Bridge
• End: 2:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Beach

 
Saturday, Jan. 11
Key West and Boca Chica

• Start: 10:30 a.m. from Boca Chica Naval Base
• Welcome Ceremony: Noon at Bayview Park, Key West

City of Key West

• Guided Community Ride: 12:45 to 2 p.m. Start and end at Bayview Park

 MONROE COUNTY, FL – To support Veterans, Monroe County illuminated the Harvey Government Center in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green from Nov. 4 to 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military Veterans. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties, raises awareness about the unique challenges many Veterans face and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist Veterans and their families.
 
"Participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans shows our gratitude and support for those who have bravely served," said Cathy Crane, Director of Monroe County Veterans Affairs. "A green light signifies that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and that our community stands with them."
 
For more information on Operation Green Light, visit https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans. To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the services offered, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.