The Key West City Commission’s Dec. 2 meeting covered some hefty topics that garnered much discussion from the dais including how the city should respond to community needs for food aid, and debates on the approval of an updated whistleblower protection ordinance.
But first, the big item at the morning session was the appointment of an Interim District V representative.
Gregory Veliz, former Key West city manager and current executive director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, was appointed by the City Commission on Tuesday morning to fill the District V commission seat left vacant by the November passing of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover.
Veliz secured the necessary four votes, gaining support from Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo, Donie Lee and Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez. Commissioner Monica Haskell voted for Harrison, while Commissioner Sam Kaufman supported Bethel.
Veliz will serve as interim District V commissioner until the 2026 election and said he will not run for the seat at that time.
The morning meeting opened with a debate over emergency assistance for food pantries, when Kaufman proposed allocating $40,000, then $20,000 from city reserves.
Both motions failed after commissioners questioned the funding source, urgency, and size of the request. Kaufman pushed for the higher amount, citing community needs and local food insecurity, while Castillo opposed the expenditure and Carey raised concerns over tapping reserve funds.
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