Resolution 073-2022 y
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MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION NO. 073 -2022
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THE REQUEST OF MONROE
COUNTY SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY FOR A VISUAL BARRIER AT
APPROXIMATELY MILE MARKER 109 ALONG THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) RIGHT-OF-WAY
OF U.S. 1 ADJACENT TO BARNES SOUND.
WHEREAS, in this February 7, 2022 letter to the Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners(BOCC)(attached hereto as Exhibit A),Monroe County Sheriff Rick.Ramsay requested
the Board's support to establish a visual barricade at approximately Mile Marker 109 along the Barnes
Sound side of U.S. 1; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Ramsay has indicated the purpose of preventing distracted driving in the
interest of traffic safety and reduction of congestion; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Ramsay stated"I ask for your support as a matter of public safety and traffic
congestion"; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys are dependent on a safe, attractive, resilient, sustainable, and
efficient access and travel along U.S. 1 throughout Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, coordinated and comprehensive solutions are necessary for the traffic flow,
congestion, safety and other transportation issues that affect the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, the FDOT is tasked with providing a safe statewide transportation system that
ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of
our environment and communities, and
WHEREAS,the partnership with FDOT is important to address and solve transportation issues
affecting the Florida Keys and recognizing the importance of and support for maintaining a safe,resilient
and efficient access and travel along U.S. 1;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Page 1 of 2
Section 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida hereby supports the
installation of a visual barrier along the Barnes Sound side of U.S. 1 at approximately
Mile Mark 109.
Section 2. The Clerk is hereby directed to provide a copy of this resolution to:
• Stacy Miller, Florida Department of Transportation District Six Secretary
• Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,Florida,
at a regular meeting held on the 16th day of February , 2022.
Mayor David Rice Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates Yes
Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Yes
Commissioner District Three VACANT
Commissioner Holly Raschein Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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' r ��` BY
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ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
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AS DEPUTY CLERK 1-_-:
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Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: .•7--1
; Digitally signed by Robert B.Shillinger r y
1' DN:cn=Robert B.Shillinger,o=Monroe County BOCC,
Robert B. S h i i l i n g e r\.oU=Monroe County Attorney,email=shillinger-
bob@monroecounty-fl.gov,c=US
J;r' Date:2022.02.1 B 13:16:34-05'00'
Robert B. Shillinger, Monroe County Attorney
Page 2 of 2
ck ? "' �`��- 1VMONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
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, }4, RICHARD A. RAMSAY, SHERIFF
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:.� February 07, 2022
Board of County Commissioners
Monroe County
Dear Commissioners,
As traffic problems remain one of the top concerns of our citizens it also remains one of the top
concerns for public safety.
Throughout the many years we have all heard about and probably witnessed the impact of what
has become known as"Bikini Beach"located ocean side at the io9 mile marker on U.S.i. This
area has a chain link fence between the water and land adjacent to the highway which causes a
lot of distracted driving on a daily basis. On top of that,it has become a hangout for boaters who
pull up to the fence line with its occupants then congregating. These occupants are generally in
swim attire,thus the name Bikini Beach.
The close proximity of motorists and swimmers has caused traffic to slow well below the posted
55 mph speed zone in order to look at the water,boats and swimmers. The constant slow speed
causes the normal flow of traffic to come to a stop with backups going miles in each
direction. The result of this major reduction of speed and distracted driving has caused a large
increase in rear-end collisions,which has made the backups that much worse. These crashes
then require police,fire and rescue assets to respond and deal with them.
Another undesirable consequence to the traffic congestion is that vehicles going south into Key
Largo,once passed the congested area of the io9 mile marker,are attempting to make up time
and more likely to drive in a dangerous manner as a result.
I have been asking FDOT for years to block the view of that area with saltwater-tolerant trees,
fencing or tennis court fencing's netting. FDOT has acknowledged the problem at that location,
but has been resistant to block the view as it is a scenic highway. I do understand the scenic
highway requisites however public safety and traffic flow has to take a priority.
The Upper Keys'residents have started a petition in support of blocking the view. FDOT has
advised me to obtain support from the County Commission in order for them to consider
blocking the view. I ask for your support as a matter of public safety and traffic congestion.
Sincerely,
Rick Ramsay
Sheriff of Monroe County
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5525 COLLEGE ROAD KEY WEST, FL 33040 (305)292-7001 WWW.KEYSSO.NET
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