Item R7
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: December 16. 2009
Division: County Attomev's Office
Bulk Item: Yes:XX No
Staff Contact Person: Bob Shillinger x3470
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of a Resolution in support of the Boy Scouts amended application to rename all of the
Spanish Harbor Keys. including West Swnmerland Key, to "Scout Key'.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Boy Scouts previously submitted an application to the U. S. Board of Geographic Names to
rename West Summerland Key to "'Scout Key", The Boy Scouts recently amended that application to
rename all of the Spanish Harbor Keys to Scout Key after the Board of Geographical Names determined
that West Summerland Key was the name associated with only part of the land mass known at Spanish
Harbor Keys. The Board of Geographical Names has requested the County's input on whether it
supports the amended application.
~ f
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
On June 17, 2009, the Board adopted Resolution. 178-2009 endorsing the application 10 change the
name of West Summerland Key to Scout Key.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval
TOTAL COST: None
INDIRECT COST: None BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No..1L AMOUNT PER MONTH
Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty l1: OMBlPurchasing _ Risk Management_
DOCUMENTATION:
Included XX
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM # R-7
* REVISED BACKUP *
Revised 2/05
RESOLUTION NO.
- 2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN
SUPPORT OF THE RENAMING OF SPANISH
HARBOR KEYS TO "SCOUT KEY".
Whereas, the County has previously adopted Resolution 178-2009 in support of the
application of the Boys Scouts of America to rename West Summerland Key to "Scout Key";
and
Whereas, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names recently reviewed that application but
deferred action because that Board determined that the name "West Summerland" is assigned to
only part ofthe land mass known as Spanish Harbor Keys; and
Whereas. the Boy Scouts have amended their application to rename all of Spanish
Harbor Keys, including West Summerland Key as Scout Key; ,and
Whereas, County maps. including those of the Monroe County Property Appraiser only
depict the land mass in question as West Summerland Key; and
Whereas, West Summerland Key is identified as Feature ID # 293123 by the U. S. Board
of Geographic Names; and
Whereas, the U. S. Board of Geographic Names require, as part of their review, input
from local government regarding the renaming of the island and the amended application; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County. Florida desire to
publicly recognize the benefits of scouting for the youth of this community and the impact
scouting has made in the history ofthis island in the Florida Keys;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, that:
1. The Board supports the renaming of Spanish Harbor Keys including that portion
officially designated as West Summerland Key to "Scout Key".
2. The Clerk is hereby directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the U. S.
Board of Geographic Names, U. S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive.
MS 523, Reston, V A 20192-0523; the Florida State Board on Geographic Names,
FREAC, UCC 2200, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2641; and the
South Florida Council. Boy Scouts of America, 15255 N. W. 82nd Avenue, Miami
Lakes, FL 33016.
Page 1 of2
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the 16th day of December, A.D., 2009.
Mayor Sylvia Murphy
Mayor Pro Tern Heather Carruthers
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro
Commissioner Kim Wigington
(SEAL)
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BY:
BY:
Deputy Clerk
,Mayor Sylvia Murphy
~RNEY
P ov ORM:
ROBERT B. SHILLINGER, JR.
D~~~F A'S~S~A!_T ~OUNTY ATTOR~E~
Page 2 of2
Hi Matt,
My apologies for an extremely belated response. Many tIUU1ks for following up. I saw your e~mail on the morning
of the 12th and was able to report the latest developments to the U. S. Board at its meeting that morning, so they are
aware of tile amendment. We have reworked the case brief to describe "Scout Key" (proposed) as the entire island
mass, not just what we currently label West Summerland Key. The next step is to ask Monroe County to revisit the
issue and provide a recommendation. Essentially, they will be asked to eliminate the name Spanish Harbor Keys in
favor of Scout Key, and to render the name West Summerland Kcy "historical" (since it doesn't cxist as a separatc
feature). Indeed, if approved, the name West Summerland Key will be recorded as a variant (former) name for
Spanish Harbor Keys, since it does seem to apply to the whole landmass.
Bob, is tills e-mail enough to get tile ball rolling at the county level, or would Mayor Murphy prefer a more "formal"
request for conunent from the U.S. Board? We'll also ask tile Florida State Names Authority to revisit the issue,
although in our experience that office always defers to local preference.
And Matt, if you want to continue to get the word out among your colleagues and neighbors, that would be helpful.
As you lmow, local support for any name change is critical, and receiving the e-mails of support we've gotten thus
far have been very helpful.
As it happens, one of the U. S. Board members was in the Keys the week before our meeting and brought back
photos confirming 1) that the three keys are now one, and 2) that there are road signs at both ends of the island
saying "West Summerland Key". And with Google Street View we can get a pretty good view of the area. NOAA
and the Fish & Wildlife Service have also both confIrmed the landmass is one.
Thanks again, and we look forward to bringing this case to conclusion. Depending on the county's schedule, I
expect the U.S. Board should be able to vote early in the new year (we meet monthly).
Regards,
Jenny
.~*~.*~~~~~~~~~*~~.9.~~~..*~*~~~~~~*..*~*
Jennifer Runyon, research staff
U.S. Board on Geographic Names
U.S. Geological SUlVey, Geographic Name. Office
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr, MS 523
Reston, V A 20192.0523
Phone/fax: (703) 648-4550/ (703) 648-4549
jrunyon@usgs.gov
http;ffQconamcs.usgs.Qov(GNIS)
From:
To;
Cc:
Date;
Su bjcCl:
Matthew Vercher <vercher169@yahoo.com>
Jennifer E Runyon 'Sirunyon@usgs.gov>
Allen Pinkley <allenpinkley@bellsouth.net>,Bob Shillinger <shillingerb@beUsouth.net>
11/111200905:41 PM
Re: Scout Key / West Summerland Key / Spanish Harbor Keys
Jennifer,
I would like to amend my proposal to rename the entire mass from West Surnmerland Key to
Scout Key. I am confused in that DOT has a sign at both ends that says West Summerland and
as far as the locals memory that I have interviewed there has never been a sign that identified
the land as Spanish Harbor.
I appreciate your assistance in this and we are looking forward to a successful end to the effort.
I can forward a video as we drive the island if that would be helpfuL.
In Scouting
Matthew S. Vercher
District Director
Buccaneer District, SFC
Vercher 169@yahoo.com
(305) 360-1532 work
RESOLUTION NO. 178 - 2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN
SUPPORT OF THE RENAMING OF WEST
SUMMERLAND KEY TO "SCOUT KEY".
Whereas. West Summerland Key is an island in the lower Florida Keys located between
mile markers 34 and 35. and
Whereas, originally there were three (3) keys at this location, known. collectively as
Spanish Harbor Keys, which were connected by fill at the time the Overseas Railroad was built,
of which the westernmost island was named West Summerland Key; and
Whereas. there is no known connection between the naming of Summer1and Key and
West Summerland Key. which, ironically. is located about ten (10) miles east of Summerland
Key; and
Whereas, the location of West Summerland Key to the east of Summer land Key is often
a source of confusion for visitors and residents of the County; and
Whereas, the Boy Scouts have submitted an application to the U. S. Board of
Geographic Names to rename West Summerland Key to "Scout Key"; and
Whereas. West Summerland Key is the site of two (2) adjoining Scout camps. including
Boy Scout "Camp Sawyer' and Girl Scout "Camp Wesumkee"; and
Whereas, both scout camps are used by local youth, scout and non-scout, and by
residents and visitors to the Florida Keys to enjoy outdoor activities such as camping. snorkeling.
kayaking. and canoeing; and
Whereas, West Summerland Key is identified as Feature ID # 293123 by the U. S. Board
of Geographic Names; and
Whereas, the u. S. Board of Geographic Names ~ as part of their review. input
from local government regarding the renaming of the island; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County. Florida desire to
publicly recognize the benefits of scouting for the youth of this community and the impact
scouting has made in the history of this island in the Florida Keys;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, that:
1. The Board supports the rermming of West Summerland Key to "Scout Key".
Page 1 of2
2. The Clerk is hereby directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the u. S.
Board of Geographic Names, U. S. Geological Survey. 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive.
MS 523, Resto~ VA 2019280523; the Florida State Board on Geographic Names.
FREAC, Dec 2200. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2641; and the
South Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America, 15255 N. W. 8200 Avenue. Miami
Lakes, FL 33016.
PASSED AND ADOPTED~ by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County.
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the 17th day of June. AD., 2009.
Mayor George Neugent
Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner Heather Carruthers
Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro
Commissioner Kim Wigington
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
(SEAL) .1 \
i\T~ST:DANNY L. KOLHAGE~ CLERK
BY:'.>~~C. L~
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: j;.,,~L. KJ~,~
Mayor George Neugent
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CHIEF AS~S3.NT gpUNTY ATTORNEY
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