All City Council meetings may be viewed at www.youtube.com/cityofdestin.
July 6th Council Meeting Recap
City Manager Report:
Approval of Contract with 3TP Ventures, Inc., for Mobility Plan, Including Fee Schedule and Scope of Work - 5-0, motion passed to approve proposed contract with 3TP Venture, Inc.
Approval of Resolution 21-07 - Determining the necessity to acquire certain property for public use - 5-0, motion passed to adopt Resolution 21-07.
Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) - 5-0, motion passed o pull item 4C from the agenda and continue it to the next City Council meeting.
Regulations relating to electric bicycles - 5-0 motion passed to pull item 4D from the agenda and continue it to the next City Council meeting.
Franchise and Undergrounding Agreements with Gulf Power - Special Counsel Schef Wright - 5-0, motion passed to enter into one undergrounding agreement (one phase) within the first 2 years following the franchise effective date, with the same one-year election period beginning at the end of the initial 2-year period.
Capt. Royal Melvin Heritage Park Change Order Approval - 5-0, motion passed to approve Change Order #8 and authorize the City Manager to execute the change order.
Implementation of Countywide Tourist Development Taxing District – Update from Legal Team - 5-0, motion passed to authorize the drafting of a resolution that will institute the commencement of the local government alternative dispute process under Chapter 164, Florida Statutes, due to a clear dispute between the City of Destin and Okaloosa County and to bring the proposed resolution back at the next City Council meeting for public comments, council discussion, deliberation and a possible vote. Councilmember Destin asked Special Counsel Jeffrey Burns to explore ways to slow down the county’s ordinance process related to the proposed taxing district expansion; as well as to look into the county’s ability to go forward with the ballot language with a resolution versus an ordinance. Councilmember Ramswell asked the City Attorney to investigate complaints from citizens that their receipts from certain businesses indicate “resort tax” payments; and the legality for certain local businesses to impose this tax.
Special Counsel Agreement – Attorney Jeffrey Burns - 5-0, motion passed to approve the Special Counsel Agreement.
Update: Tour Helicopters - Land Use Attorney Kimberly Kopp provided an update on the contract negotiations between Timberview Helicopters and Okaloosa County. Councilmember Schmidt requests the City Manager reach out to the owner of Timberview Helicopters and/or the county to come to a meeting and provide the Destin City Council a status update on the contract negotiations.
Longevity Award - 5-0, motion passed to direct staff to bring back additional details for a one-time longevity award program at the soonest possible council meeting. Councilmember Hebert recommends setting up an annual Christmas compensation funds for city staff as part of the annual budget. Councilmember Destin pointed out they will need a reoccurring fund source if they include this initiative as part of the annual budget. He recommends having the City Attorney investigates this matter from a legal perspective.
Announcements:
1. Budget Workshop #2 on July 12th at 5:30pm.
2. The Harbor Capacity Study will be getting underway this month.
3. Airport Road curve safety improvements update.
4. Community Center will be closed July 6,7 & 8 whiled the gym is being re-striped.
5. Reminder: July is National Parks & Rec. month, get out and enjoy your parks!
6. Code Compliance Update
7. Kris Mercurio – hired as Deputy Director of Code Compliance Director.
Council Comments:
Councilmember Ramswell - 5-0, motion passed to direct the City Manager to have staff come back at the next meeting with some recommendations on a process for follow up periodic inspections of properties following issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Councilmember Herbert - Public/Private cooperation to commission murals in areas around the city in need of revitalization.
Councilmember Schmidt - Recommends staff acknowledge and respond in some manner to every complaint they receive from citizens.
Mayor Gary Jarvis - The mayor provided an update on the result of the meeting he and Commissioner Mel Ponder had with the Eglin Commander related to the Eglin property. The mayor directed staff to review Florida Statutes to differentiate between livery vessels and charter vessels and report back to council. Councilmember Schmidt requests more explanation as to why a cease-and-desist order was issued for immediate shutdown of a business without proper warning. The Land Use Attorney will investigate and report back. Councilmember Destin offered the following advice:
• It is not proper for the council to interfere or interject themselves on code enforcement matters in public.
• The mayor’s direction to staff to investigate and differentiate between livery vessels and charter vessels is better directed to the Land Use Attorney for legal advice.