KEY WEST OFFICIALS TO HEAR NOISE COMPLAINTS

City Plans 3 Meetings About Sound Control Laws

guardrails on a process that’s already occurring in Florida. His proposal was met with opposition by House Democrats claiming the bill was a “junk fee” and a tax on the poor renter, as Jacksonville-based state Rep. Angela Nixon stated.

Some 16 amendments were filed by Democrats to expand the bill and add what some Republican bill supporters referred to as rent control language. Mooney passionately responded to those remarks in his closing.

“There’s nothing in perpetuity here. When you sign a lease, it is clearly stated that you may opt out of that fee at any given time,” he said. “If you get a bonus three days after you sign and you want to give the landlord $2,000, $1,000 or whatever the amount is, give it to them and opt out of the fee.”

“I think it’s wrong for your constituents to not have the opportunity to make the decisions themselves,” he continued. “This gets you and your family where you need to be at that moment.”

Per the bill, landlords who offer the monthly fee in lieu of security deposit arrangement must provide the option to all tenants renting dwelling units on the premises.

The House passed Mooney’s bill via an 89-22 vote. Similar legislation, Senate Bill 494, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, is moving through several committees following favorable rulings.

The Key West’s city manager’s office and Code Compliance department are convening three community meetings to consider changes to the city’s sound control ordinance.

The meetings will be in the commission chambers at Key West City Hall, 1300 White St. Dates and times are as follows:

- Wednesday, May 3, 2 p.m.

- Monday, May 15, 10 a.m.

- Wednesday, May 24, 5 p.m.

The May 3 meeting will be focused on residents’ concerns and discussions. The May 15 meeting will focus on businesses’ concerns and discussions. The May 24 meeting will be focused on both residents’ and businesses’ concerns and discussions.

Members of the Key West City Commission and other board members may be in attendance at these community meetings.