Linda Chaney Visits Kenneth City Town Council

Florida State Representative Provided Updates from Last Session and Challenges for Current 2023 Session
Town of Kenneth City

State Representative Linda Chaney attended the regular meeting of the Town of Kenneth City Town Council Meeting last night. Representative Chaney represents District 69 which includes the Town of Kenneth City.

“This is my first visit to a Council meeting, but I’ve walked through your town many times” said Representative Chaney in her introductory remarks, referring to the knocking on neighborhood doors she has done in an effort to stay in touch with the voters.

The Representative went on to provide a thorough update on the state of affairs and updated the Council and members of the public on last sessions’ outcomes, as well as the anticipated issues for the current 2023 session.

Mayor Robert Howell inquired to Representative Chaney, “How can we help you and how can you help us?” The Representative responded that she is interested in what the residents are saying. “A dialogue. As you gather information from maybe your HOAs and your community groups, and if there are needs or problems, whether it’s legislatively or whether it’s funding, just stay in touch with me and let me know that. There’s over 170,000 voters in my district so you’re my ears and my eyes.”

Representative Chaney encouraged the Town Council to continue its efforts to mitigate climate change issues, specifically flooding. The Town Council will continue to work with Representative Chaney, by her invitation, to pursue grant funding to mitigate the Town’s environmental issues. The Town Council thanked Representative Chaney for her presentation and invited her back when the Tallahassee 2023 session is completed. The Legislative session ends this year on May 5, 2023.

In other Town Council action Wednesday:

Council approves rankings/negotiation of contracts for Continuing Professional Engineering Services

Staff presented results of the selection team for RFQ #2022-05 Continuing Professional Engineering Services for the Town of Kenneth City. Staff recommended engagement with multiple firms, including current and longstanding provider Advanced Engineering and Design, Inc. which was top ranked by the selection committee to provide continuing professional engineering services to the Town. Four firms submitted responses with Civilsurv ranking second and George F. Young third as scored by the selection committee.

Town Council agreed with staff and Councilmember Megan Zemaitis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bonnie Noble to “enter into contact negotiations with Advanced Engineering and Design, Inc., and Civilsurv to provide continuing professional engineering services and, further, to authorize the Town Manager to conduct the negotiations on the town’s behalf. Should a satisfactory agreement not be reached with either of the previous two parties, authorize the Town Manager to enter into negotiations with George F. Young”

Strategic Planning in Kenneth City

Councilmembers discussed the need for Strategic Planning to help set the forward direction for Kenneth City. There was agreement for public input and participation in the process. After discussion and inputs from Town Attorney Sarah Johnson and Interim Town Manager Rob Duncan, The Town Council gave direction to the Town Manager to solicit various options for the Town Council to consider.

About Town of Kenneth City

The Town of Kenneth City is “A Safe, Friendly Small Town” that has long been committed to controlling its own destiny as a distinct, sustainable, and sovereign municipality. Kenneth City was founded in 1957 as a municipality in Pinellas County, Florida. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 5,047.

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6000 54th Avenue North, Kenneth City, FL 33709 

(727) 498-8948 - www.kennethcityfl.org