All City Council meetings may be viewed at www.youtube.com/cityofdestin.
June 7th Council Meeting Recap
Reconfirm Appointment of Interim City Council Member for the City of Destin: 6-0, motion passed to reconfirm appointment of Chatham Morgan as Interim City Council member for the City of Destin.
Inauguration of Interim City Council Member for the City of Destin - Interim City Councilmember Chatham Morgan sworn in by City Attorney, Kyle Bauman.
Proclamation - Mayor Jarvis read the Proclamation declaring June 7th – 11th as Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week and then presented it to the Code Compliance Manager Joey Forgione.
Tourist Development Department Update by Jennifer Adams - Ms. Adams will provide quarterly reports to Council beginning July 2021.
City Manager Report:
Proposed City of Destin Planning Areas: 7-0, motion passed to approve the proposed planning areas and amend the City’s comprehensive plan accordingly.
Consultant Selection for Zerbe/Calhoun Pedestrian Improvements Phase II: 7-0, motion to approve Baskerville-Donovan for the Zerbe/Calhoun Pedestrian Improvements Phase II.
Cross Town Connector Multimodal Design: 7-0, motion to direct the City Manager to implement right-of-way option No. 2 and multimodal elements Option No. 2, 40’ right-of-way with median, into the project design.
Transfer of ERU Water and Sewer Credits to Destin High School, Inc.: 6-0, motion to authorize and direct the mayor to execute the agreement, as amended, transferring City of Destin Equivalent Residential Unit Credits to Destin High School, Inc. Councilmember Ramswell abstained from voting.
Council Comments:
Councilmember Braden/Livery Vessel Fees: Councilmember Braden noted a motion previously approved by Council to increase livery vessel fees, with proceeds to be used to hire either a Harbor Master or a Harbor Ranger that can issue citations, and whose main area of responsibility will be the North Harbor District. He recommends hiring a Harbor Master/Ranger within the next 90 days or reducing the livery vessel fees back to the amount prior to the increase.
Councilmember Destin wants to make sure funds have been segregated to be used for that specific purpose before taking any action.
City Attorney will coordinate matters with the Finance Director to make sure said funds are set aside, and that they are segregated by a specific resolution to be used as prescribed by Council.
Councilmember Braden requests this item be placed on the next agenda, and to include the findings as well as copy of the meeting minutes when this issue was discussed and acted upon by the Council in the agenda report.
Councilmember Braden/Eglin Air Force Base Property: Councilmember Braden asked staff to contact the Eglin Base Commander and inquire about their plans for the property located on the west end of the Destin Bridge.
It was the consensus of the Council to allow the mayor to reach out to Commissioner Mel Ponder, and together discuss this matter with the Eglin Base Commander. The mayor will report findings back to Council, and Commissioner Ponder to BOCC.
Councilmember Braden/Ordinance: Councilmember Braden recommends the City formulates an ordinance prohibiting electric bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. from operating on sidewalks.
It was the consensus of the Council to allow the City Attorney, Land Use Attorney and City staff to review State Statutes that specifically address motorized vehicles as described by Councilmember Braden and provide recommendations to Council.
Councilmember Braden/LSV's: Councilmember Braden would like to see Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) back on the table for discussion at some point as the Sheriff’s Office has expressed great concern about LSVs on Airport Road.
Councilmember Braden asked staff to determine the average income for Destin and Okaloosa County.
Councilmember Ramswell asked staff to find out who is responsible for maintaining the section of the road at Silver Shells.
Councilmember Ramswell/Maintenance of rights-of-way along Commons Drive Report: The Deputy City Manager will continue to monitor and provide updates on the County’s progress in maintaining the area rights-of-way.
Councilmember Ramswell expressed safety concerns over a white utility box located above ground at the southeast corner of Indian Bayou Trail and Country Club Drive intersection. There are exposed cables, electric wiring and associated devices. She asked staff to find out who is responsible for maintaining it.
Councilmember Destin noted that Gulf Power has returned the City’s proposed franchise and utility undergrounding agreements to the City’s special counsel Schef Wright. He will ask Mr. Wright to provide a report at the next Council meeting, if possible.
Councilmember Destin noted that the comments from the public portion of the agenda has been pretty chaotic tonight. He recommends better management of the situation at future meetings. He also recommends Council directions to be given only to City Manager, City Attorney or Land Use Attorney, and not directly to other City employees.
Councilmember Hebert/Master Gardener's Cooperative Project: It was the consensus of the Council to allow Ms. Janet Hayes, a master gardener, to assist the City with the beautification process at Buck Destin Park, and to work with people in charge with irrigation and pesticide application.
Councilmember King asked to place on the next council meeting agenda “Catch and Release Pond at Crosstown Connector.”
Councilmember Schmidt/Charter Review: 7-0, motion passed to direct the City Attorney to bring back recommendations for amending the City Charter with regards to appointment of Interim City Councilmember and conducting a special election to fill a vacated council position.
Councilmember Schmidt/Harborwalk Boardwalk Replacement: 7-0, motion passed to direct the City Manager to direct staff to begin the permitting and quotes processes for the boardwalk replacement at the Tailfins location, and to begin replacement immediately following the completion of the 3 currently permitted sections with available funds or for the next round of funding.
Councilmember Schmidt/Air Tour Operations - Resolution in Support of County's Efforts Related to Helicopter and Air Tour Flight Paths: 7-0, motion passed to adopt Resolution 21-06 and allow Councilmember Schmidt to work with the City and County government officials to continue finding a solution to helicopter issues in the community and on their beaches.
Mayor Gary Jarvis: 7-0, motion passed to direct the City Manager to instruct staff to gather necessary information for the Council to discuss and vote on the recommendation to place porta potties at certain locations along the boardwalk during busy holiday weekends such as during Labor Day and July 4th holidays.