Key West City Commission Meeting Agenda Overview for Feb 11, 2026
- Staff Writer
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Key West City Commission Meeting Agenda Overview for Feb 11, 2026
By: Staff Writer
February 6, 2026
Meeting Overview
The Key West City Commission meets Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at City Hall, 1300 White Street. The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. and reconvenes at 5:00 p.m. It is a busy agenda with many votes. Items include city events, budget decisions, ordinance changes, and policy updates.
Consent Agenda and Minutes
Commissioners will vote on a consent agenda of routine items unless something is pulled for discussion. This includes approval of the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Most consent items are passed in a single vote.
Click the image below to download the meeting agenda.
City Events and Activities
The agenda includes multiple resolutions approving special events across the city. These cover street closures, alcohol sales, and noise ordinance exemptions. Events include a kickball tournament, Moose March, Finnegan’s Wake Wake, the Florida Keys Latin Festival, a Waterfront Playhouse fundraiser, Taste of Key West, the Sport Fishing Championship, Run for Rhonda, Salute to Service 5K, and the Pride Street Fair and Pride Parade. These items are classified as city activities and generally have minimal budget impact.
Employment, Contracts, and Administration
Commissioners will consider amendments to City Manager Brian Barroso’s employment agreement. They will also vote on renewing general engineering services contracts with seven firms and architectural services contracts with six firms. These items require commission approval and involve administrative and budget oversight.
Brian L. Barroso took over as Key West’s city manager on January 8, 2025, following the City Commission’s unanimous approval of his contract the day before. A Key West native with a background in banking and finance in North Carolina, Barroso returned home after years of service on local boards, including the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and the Rotary Club of Key West. His selection was a move to bring both hometown insight and financial expertise to City Hall. His hiring came after a turbulent period that included the June 2024 termination of former manager Al Childress in a 4–3 vote. Interim manager Todd Stoughton oversaw operations during the transition but did not pursue the permanent role.
Click the image below to read the proposed contract amendments.
Budget and Financial Actions
Several votes directly affect the city budget. The commission will consider a $50,000 increase to an inspection services contract. Members will vote on legal and workers’ compensation settlements totaling $95,000, $80,000, and $490,000. The agenda also includes a $3,000 donation to the Monroe County School District Pre-K program, purchase of a 2026 Ford F-150 for up to $70,000, and acceptance of up to $800,000 in FDOT grant funding for the Park and Ride Garage.
Property, Easements, and Infrastructure
The commission will vote on extending a dock use agreement with American Cruise Lines. An easement at 1341 Tropical Street is also on the agenda. Commissioners will review and approve the final design for the Welcome and Thank You for Visiting Key West signs at the city’s main entrance.
Proposed designs for entry and exit signs for the Key West entrance known as "The Triangle":
Proclamations
Two ceremonial proclamations are scheduled. These recognize Cooking With Love Month and City of Key West Mentoring Month. These items do not involve budget votes.
Presentations and Recognition
The meeting includes employee recognition presentations. These include Employee Service Awards and Employee of the Quarter. These items are informational and do not require a vote.
Rules, Procedures, and Governance
Commissioners will consider changes to City Commission meeting rules. This includes amendments to meeting times and dates. These changes require a formal vote and fall under rule review.
Ordinances – First Reading
Several ordinances are scheduled for first reading. One major ordinance updates purchasing and budget authority. It raises spending thresholds for the City Manager and Finance Director, redefines small purchases, and adds quarterly reporting requirements. Other first-reading ordinances address solid waste, dumping, tire, and recycling fees, as well as amendments to the Comprehensive Plan adding a zoning subcategory in historic public and semi-public areas.
Ordinances – Second Reading
The agenda includes a final adoption vote on the Conch Tour Train franchise. This ordinance grants a city-wide sightseeing and shuttle franchise. It sets fees, routes, inspection requirements, and enforcement terms. Final approval is scheduled for this meeting.
Discussion Items
Commissioners will hear an update on the HARC review process. The discussion also covers code enforcement in the historic district. No vote is scheduled for this item.
HARC oversees exterior changes in the historic district and requires Certificates of Appropriateness, but recent debates over “rainbow picket fences” have highlighted concerns about inconsistent enforcement of rules, and the balance between preservation and community expression. Some residents warn that loosening standards could threaten long‑standing protections such as National Register status, while others argue the guidelines need to be changed. City staff has advised against changing the rules to accommodate one group, noting that other groups will also seek to paint fences with their own messaging. The February 11 agenda item updates commissioners and the public on the status of those efforts ahead of possible future policy changes.
Meeting Overview
The February 11 meeting includes numerous budget-related votes, approval of more than a dozen city events, several administrative resolutions, and multiple ordinance changes. Rule reviews and purchasing authority updates are a major focus. The most significant policy vote is the Conch Tour Train franchise approval. The most controversial item is most likely the city manager contract amendments.
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