Item M6 M6
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
November 19, 2024
Agenda Item Number: M6
2023-3229
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: District 4
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Tamara Lamarche 305-289-6000
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: COMMISSIONER RICE: Appointment of Matt Sexton to the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board to represent District 4.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Marjorie Tower-Smith is retiring from the board at the end of her term January 2025 after serving
several terms representing District 4. Matt Sexton is a business owner, with a young family residing on
Grassy Key. He has been on the board for Crane Point Hammock several years, and is a former member
of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a City of Marathon Planning
Commissioner.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Bio Matt Sexton Parks & Rec Adv Board.pdf
Sexton Matt-Parks &Rec Adv Board 2024.pdf
Margaret Tower-Smith re-appt letter 01.20.2021.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
4066
Bio Matt Sexton
Appointment to Monroe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
October 15, 2024
I have been a resident of Grassy Key full time since 2011 and enjoyed a few years bouncing
between Key West and Islamorada prior while travelling the world as a Professional Kitesurfer
and action sports athlete. In March 2012 I opened the doors to Keys Cable Park the first licensed
and insured amusement park in The Florida Keys. Each year we taught thousands of locals and
visitors to wakeboard, waterski, and kiteboard. Since 2012 Keys Cable Park has transformed
into The Lagoon on Grassy Key featuring multiple attractions, an art community, and a thriving
restaurant and retail operation.
After hurricane Irma in 2017 I founded The Florida Keys Community Center a 501(c)3 that
helped clean up Grassy Key in Marathon and provided work to displaced locals from the tourism
and hospitality industries. The Florida Keys Community Center continues to this day as a major
contributor to art in public spaces throughout the Florida Keys as well as taking lead in designing
and rebuilding the Marathon Community Wheel Park for children and families both local and
visiting.
In 2018 I took over three small hotels and rebuilt Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club into a 38
unit Hotel with a world class Kiteboarding, sailing, and paddle school. The Rhum House
Restaurant at Grassy Flats features sustainably farmed meats and produce and locally sourced
seafood, supporting our local fishery and commercial fishing industry.
In 2020 I welcomed my first son, Augie into the world and my second, Palmer in 2022. As a
new father my dedication to making The Florida Keys a destination for families to both visit and
thrive locally has only grown. My oldest son is a student at Treasure Village Montessori School
in Islamorada and my younger son Palmer enjoys his days learning the ways of life as a 2 year
old Keys kid on Grassy Key!
I have been a longstanding board member for Crain Point, a former board member of the
Marathon Chamber of Commerce, and a City of Marathon Planning Commissioner.
Thank you for your consideration I would be pleased to serve on the Monroe County Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board.
Matthew Sexton
(305) 570-9289
www,Qrassy lat:s.coni
................................................
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58279 Crain Street
Grassy Key, FL 33050
4067
Monroe County Boards and Committees
Appointment Information
Board or Committee:
Commissioner Appointing Member:
Name of Member:
Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Email:
Date of Appointment:
Reappointment:
Date Term Expires:
Name of Person Replaced:
Fulfilling Term of:
Please list all current employers,business entities with which you have an ownership interest, and non-profit
entities which you are a member:
State ethics laws regarding conflicts of interest prohibit a person from serving on an advisory board if the board member or the board
member's relative is an officer, director, or employee of an entity that submits an application for funding that the advisory board will
consider. Please call the County Attorney at 305.292.3470 if you think that you and/or a family member might have a conflict of
interest before completing this application. 4068
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe Mayor Michelle Coldiron,Iistrict 2
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern David Rice,District 4 Craig Cates,District 1
Eddie Martinez,District 3
Mike Forster,District 5
Office of the County Administrator
The Historic Gato Cigar Factory
1100 Simonton Street, Suite 205
Key West,FL 33040
(305)292-4441—Phone
(305)292-4544-Fax
January 22,2021
Margaret Tower-Smith
209 Palm Avenue
Islamorada, FL 33036
mar ieg inkeysL&gmail.com
Dear Ms. Tower-Smith,
On behalf of this office and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners,please allow me to congratulate
you on your reappointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,which occurred at the January 20,2021
Commission meeting. Your appointed term of office will expire January 20, 2025.
Thank you for your interest in our community and congratulations once again.
Very truly yours,
Roman Gastesi
County Administrator
RG/edy
cc: Mayor Pro Tent David Rice
Tamara Lamarche
Deb Martinez
4069