Bug Board may get second chance to stay on Stock Island

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

A divided and frustrated Key West City Commission narrowly approved reopening negotiations with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District to allow it to remain in its current location in a city-owned building on Stock Island.

The Bug Board, as it is affectionately known, has leased the building on College Road from the city for the past several years. But the city informed board members last year that it would not renew the $1 a year lease, wanting to reclaim the building and use it as a possible location for affordable housing. As a result, Mosquito Control Board members purchased land on Big Coppitt Key and intended to build a new operations facility on the site. But a recent estimate for the new building was double expectations, $4 million versus $2 million, leaving the Bug Board scrambling for options.

That created an opening for Key West City Commissioner Margaret Romero to propose a resolution at the Nov. 17 commission meeting to open discussions with Mosquito Control that would allow it to remain in the Stock Island building. That clearly frustrated Key West Mayor Craig Cates, who has started to work with city planners on zoning regulation changes that would be necessary to build housing on the site. He pointed out that the commission voted unanimously last Spring to explore putting 40-50 units of new affordable housing on the College Road property.

“This is a project that can be done and can be started as soon as [Mosquito Control] move in to their new facility,” Cates said. “For us not to do affordable housing that is such a priority here in Key West so Mosquito Control don’t have to move, I just can’t even, don’t understand that.”

But Romero countered that it would benefit local taxpayers to have the mosquito-fighting chemicals and equipment on Stock Island. Forcing employees to drive up to Big Coppitt and then back to Key West makes no sense, she said.

“I think that’s stupid,” Romero said about the commute, adding, “Keep them close to where they are providing the service.”

Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve Romero’s resolution to reopen negotiations with Mosquito Control. The $1 a year contract would be replaced with a market rate lease, providing money to build affordable housing, possibly in that same area since the next-door animal shelter is moving to another location, said Commissioner Sam Kaufman.

“[Mosquito Control] needs a permanent home. It may save them a lot of money [to remain on Stock Island]. If would save us as taxpayers if they don’t have to move. Seems like a win-win. It’s worth talking about and exploring,” Kaufman said.

Commissioner Billy Wardlow said he wants affordable housing to be a priority on the site but that there may be room for that plus the Mosquito Control offices. And Commissioner Clayton Lopez said that “poor planning” on the part of the Mosquito Control Board as to the costs of constructing a new building did not require Key West has to rescue them. However, he voted to support the resolution directing city staff to explore all options for the property.

Commissioner Richard Payne, however, disagreed, saying Mosquito Control is already planning on moving.

“It’s basically a settled issue. We have things to do for our people. We just need to go our separate ways,” he said.

But Romero was able to convince three of her colleagues to support her resolution and she was at City Hall the next day working with staff to explore the option. Even if the ultimate result is that Mosquito Control does move, it is still worth looking at, she said.

“I want both sides to work together for the benefit of the taxpayers,” she said.

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