Mayor Gary Jarvis Delivers State of the City
On Tuesday, February 16th, Mayor Gary Jarvis delivered his 2021 State of the City speech and highlighted the City's accomplishments and strategic plan during the Destin City Council meeting. The public may view the State of the City speech at the following link: www.youtube.com/CityofDestin.
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2021 City of Destin Annual Passes
Full-time residents (within the incorporated city limits) are encouraged to submit their request for a 2021 Annual Pass via the city website at www.cityofdestin.com/annualpass. For those who do not have internet access beach parking passes are only available at City Hall. Henderson Beach State Park and Joes Bayou Boat Ramp passes are available at both City Hall and the Destin Community Center. For questions, please contact Destin City Hall, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail or call 850-837-4242.
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City Project Update:
Construction has started at Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park. Anticipated completion is expected sometime in the Fall of 2021. Stay tuned!
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Mattie Kelly Pier Update:
Repairs to Mattie Kelly Pier have been completed which were caused by Hurricane Sally and it is now open for the public to enjoy!
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Spring Craft Show
The City of Destin’s 15th Annual Spring Craft Show will be held at the Destin Community Center, located at 101 Stahlman Avenue, on Friday, February 26th from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, February 27th, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Connecting Our Community
Construction began mid-February on a network of added/enhanced sidewalks and safety improvements from the intersection of Zerbe Street and Sibert Avenue to Clement Taylor Park on Calhoun Avenue. These improvements will include 5-10 foot sidewalks, new signage and pavement markings and three pairs of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. These beacons will alert drivers that there are pedestrians who wish to cross the street. Crews will be working on this project for several weeks, so please slow down while driving in this area.
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City Launches New Interactive Website
The City of Destin is pleased to announce that it has launched its new website as of Tuesday, February 9th. The website, www.cityofdestin.com, just underwent a 6-month re-design process by CivicPlus, the leading government website provider. The website now has new features such as interactive buttons, a Council Corner, which will provide council updates and high-level projects, as well as a cleaner, easier layout to navigate.
Thanks to the hard work of Public Information Manager, Catherine Card, and Information Technology Manager, Matthew Pace, we successfully completed this project ahead of schedule. Overall, this new website will increase community engagement, improve customer service, and enhance the communication between us, our residents, and visitors,” stated Lance Johnson, Destin City Manager.
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City Honors Trey Wainwright
On Monday, February 1st, Mayor Gary Jarvis, Council and City staff, recognized Trey Wainwright, who was named 2020 Florida Mr. Football. Congratulations!
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City Staff Welcomes Nichole DeVito to Team Destin
Ms. DeVito has joined Team Destin as the new HR Manager. She has an MBA and MHRM from Keller University and her prior HR experience includes Big Kahuna’s and The Henderson. She also served in the armed forces as an Air Force C130 Loadmaster. Nichole is passionate about travel with 22 countries under her belt and she feels her greatest accomplishment is being a contestant on the Price is Right with Bob Barker.
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Destin Library Does Virtual Storytime
As we progress through the current pandemic, the Destin Library finds new ways to encourage our youngest patrons to love reading and books. Every week the Technology Specialist and the Children’s Librarian film and edit several virtual storytimes in the Library’s media lab. The media lab, which is also available for patron use, has lighting, backdrops, sound equipment, and editing software to create professional-looking videos. Storytimes are posted twice a week on the Library’s Facebook page and past storytime videos are available on the Library’s website at www.cityofdestin.com/639/Storytime.
Storytimes target specific age groups: Cuddlers and Toddlers is geared for our youngest patrons, babies to three years old. These stories include picture books with beautiful illustrations and simple stories that are short to allow for a younger child’s short attention span.
Page Pirates is planned for young elementary students ages four to seven. The stories are longer picture books that encourage imagination and critical thinking.
Chapter Reads for children ages six to ten features young juvenile fiction chapter books introducing genre types such as mystery and sci-fi. The book is read in 15-minute segments per storytime and takes about six weeks to complete the story.
New Cuddlers and Toddlers virtual storytimes are posted every Thursday and new Page Pirates and Chapter Reads posts alternately each week on Tuesdays.
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Interested in Playing Pickleball?
Play indoor Pickleball at Destin Community Center or at the outdoor Pickleball Courts at Buck Destin Park. Call 850-654-5184 for more information.
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Parks and Recreation
Youth Spring Soccer registration will close on March 6th for ages 3-15 (age as of September 1, 2020.
Starting March 3rd, 2021, the City of Destin will host Coed Recreation Softball Leagues on Wednesday nights.
Starting March 23rd, 2021, the City of Destin will host Men’s Recreation Softball Leagues on Tuesday nights.
For more information regarding the Parks and Recreation Department, please visit our website: www.cityofdestin.com/102/Parks-Recreation-Department, or call 850-654-5184.
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Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution!
Public information is an important part of the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) reporting requirements through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
What is stormwater pollution?
Stormwater is runoff generated during and after a rainstorm. The runoff washes pollutants into our local waterways. FACT! Stormwater is the leading cause of pollution to surface waters in the United States.
So it is that time of year again!! As we enter the spring season and we begin to spruce up our yards, it is important to apply fertilizers and herbicides sparingly, in dry conditions, and prior to a rain event. Be mindful of yard clippings, as this may clog storm drains and increase flooding.
Why is this important?
Nutrients from fertilizers, herbicides, and yard clippings can negatively impact our local waterways. Increased nutrients in our local waters can lead to reduced dissolved oxygen resulting in fish kills.
For more information regarding stormwater pollution and prevention, you may contact Traci Goodhart, Stormwater Specialist/Floodplain Manager for the City of Destin at tgoodhart@cityofdestin.com or (850) 654-1119. |
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New FEMA Flood Maps Effective March 9, 2021
Coastal Flood Maps, otherwise known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are used to determine the minimum elevation needed for construction within a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The revised FIRMs will become effective March 9, 2021.
More information regarding the changes and potential impacts to your property can be found at the Northwest Florida Water Management District Flood Information Portal.
You may contact Traci Goodhart, Stormwater Specialist/ Floodplain Manager at tgoodhart@cityofdestin.com or (850) 654-1119 with any questions related to the revised FIRMs.
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Code Officers Perform Training on New Online System - COMPASS
The EnerGov system, COMPASS (COMmunity Permitting And Support System) is on target to go live in early 2021 and will provide operational transparency to customers and the public. Customers will be able to access a self-service portal to submit applications online and view the status of applications as well as the results of building inspections.
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Council Updates
All City Council meetings may be viewed at www.youtube.com/CityofDestin.
February 1st Council Meeting Recap
City Manager Report:
Memorandum of Understanding for City Access to Driver and Vehicle Information Database System: 7-0, motion passed to direct the City Land Use Attorney to finalize the agreement with the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and direct the City Manager to enter into the proposed memorandum of agreement.
City Hall Annex Operating Hours: 7-0, motion passed to authorize the Community Development staff to maintain closure to the public on Fridays until the end of March 2021.
Cross Town Connector Redesign from Four-Lane to Two-lane Section – Adkins North America, Inc: 6-1, motion passed to approve the proposed right-of-way, intersection improvements, and right-of-way acquisitions.
Safety Improvement Options/Permanent Solution to Slowing Down Speed on Calhoun Avenue: 6-1, motion passed to direct the City Manager to direct City staff to design speed humps along Calhoun Avenue between Leonard Destin and Clement Taylor parks, and that the speed limit in the area of the two parks be reduced to 25 mph.
Announcements:
US Army Corps of Engineers has provided their portion of the funding ($250,000) for the Harbor Capacity Study. The study will begin in March 2021.
The Cross Street drainage and water quality improvement project is about 95% complete. The contractor will now be moving their operation to Calhoun Avenue near Dalton-Threadgill Little League Park location. They will close Calhoun Avenue for 2 or 3 days while they install some piping under the road. The contractor provided a detour plan. Announcement will be made to the public and pertinent organizations once the timeline for the project is finalized.
The City has applied for grant to add $25,000 worth of exercise equipment to the walking path of Morgan Sports Complex. They expect to get the result of the application within a month.
Council Comments:
LDC: 7-0, motion passed to allow the City Manager to utilize the City's continuing services contractor to assist in finalizing the Land Development Code revisions.
Harbor Parking Lot Study: 7-0, motion passed to authorize staff to use the City's continuing services contractor to assist in creating the baseline document for the harbor parking plan.
Destin Fishing Museum Request: 7-0, motion passed that the City cover the costs for asbestos testing at the Destin Fishing Museum facility.
Membership Nomination to Public Works/Safety Committee: 7-0, motion passed to appoint John Green to the Public Works/Safety Committee.
Community Development Specialized Positions: 7-0, motion passed to have the City Manager discuss with the Community Development Director the appropriate increases to the salary amounts being advertised for the specialized positions in his department in order to be more competitive, and then discuss the feasibility of the salary increases with the City's Finance Director.
February 16th Council Meeting Recap
City Manager Report:
Submerged Land Lease Application for Norriego Point: 6-0, motion passed to proceed with the submerged land lease application to only include the Norriego Point Park; and to authorize additional funding for another survey should it become necessary.
Speed Concerns Sibert Avenue & Forest Street Intersection: 6-0, motion passed for the city manager to bring back some cost estimates for Council consideration before implementing any of the proposed improvements.
Animal Control Services: 6-0, motion passed that staff provide a report to Council on the PAWS contract by May 2021.
Release of Code Compliance Lien: 6-0, motion passed partial release of lien.
Announcements:
The Destin Library is scheduled to return to normal operating hours beginning Monday, February 22nd.
Council Comments:
Waterway Rental Safety Committee: 6-0, motion passed to appoint Councilmember Hebert as primary council representative, and Councilmember Schmidt as alternate council representative, to the Okaloosa County Waterway Rental Safety Committee.
Harbor CRA Advisory Committee's recommendation to declare the City property between Calhoun and Zerbe a historical area: 6-0, motion passed to direct the City's Land Use Attorney and staff to develop a Zerbe-Calhoun Historical District overlay and bring it before the Local Planning Agency for their review and recommendation in March 2021.
Crab Island Committee Ordinance: 6-0, motion passed to have Mayor Jarvis send a letter to the Okaloosa County Commission reiterating the City's continuing support of the ordinance adopted by the Crab Island Committee last year and encouraging them to stay the course.
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