Beach Nourishment of Captain Leonard Destin Park

Main Street Sidewalk Repairs

The Public Works team repaired the sidewalk on Main Street near Main Street Park and across from Coleman Lake. 

Pardon Our Progress

All ramps are open and all docks are currently open with the exception of one which is currently under repair due to Hurricane Sally. The city worked with FEMA and we followed all our internal processes to seek bids for repair. The bids were extremely high and staff made the decision to have the repair work completed internally by our Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff. Due to weather and material shortage (staff is having to get materials outside the county), staff will complete the project within the next two weeks. This project is a top priority and Joe’s Bayou will be open for the season with adjustments to ensure our staff can continue to complete the work safely while allowing the public use of the facility.

Save the Date

The City of Destin will hold its Annual Arbor Day event at the Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park, located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail, on Friday, April 23rd at 11 a.m.

Beach Safety Information 

Code Compliance appreciates the support of all our short-term rentals sharing this information with their visitors! 

Council Updates

• The Harbor Capacity Study is currently underway. The Harbor Capacity Study Steering Committee held their initial meeting on February 24th.
• The Governor’s Executive Order broadened the list of people eligible for the first phase of vaccine administration. Any person, 16 years and older, who is deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by their physician may receive the vaccine.

Passport Contract Amendment: 7-0, motion passed. Councilmember Destin requests a breakdown of net revenues being generated from each parking lot be provided to Council.

Direct staff to amend the code to allow additional time for ATVs to drive on the beach for
trash removal: 7-0, motion passed to utilize the pending ordinance doctrine during the process of amending the ordinance to allow for looser restrictions after 2 PM which permits vendors to traverse their own property for the purpose of trash collection and addressing maintenance issues.

Councilmember Destin asked the City Manager to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and request they monitor the intersection of Main Street and Kelly Street as closely as they did when they first put up the 3-way stop signs at that intersection. There have been reports of motorists not slowing down and running the 3-way stop signs.

Main Street Bamboo Growth: Councilmember Hebert requests for an aggressive treatment for the removal of the bamboo trees on Main Street pier. Staff will work with Sheila Dunning, IFAS representative from University of West Florida, to establish what chemical they could safely use next to the water and come up with the plan to mitigate this issue and report back to Council.

March 15th Council Meeting Recap

City Manager Report:

Debt Financing - Bank RFP: 7-0, motion passed to authorize and direct the City Manager to issue the Request for Proposal.

Inventory of City-Wide Rights-of-Ways (ROW), Properties, and Easements with Waterfront Access: It was the consensus of the Council to allow staff to conduct an analysis to determine which rights-of-way, properties and easements are best suited for public/private use, including the cost for cleaning them up to make them accessible to the public, and bring back some suggestions/options by May 2021.

Paid Parking Update: 7-0, motion passed to direct staff to bring forth a resolution creating a Parking Fee Special Revenue Fund with an effective date of October 1, 2021.

City of Destin Utility Undergrounding Project Management Agreement: 7-0, motion passed to authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement for Destin Utility Undergrounding Project Management with Utility Consultant of Florida.

Options and Estimates to Address Speed Concerns at Sibert Avenue and Forest Street Intersection: 7-0, motion passed to direct the City Manager to install an all way stop signs at the Sibert Avenue and Forrest Street intersection and to make any required budget amendments. The Finance Director will meet with Public Works and Engineering groups to try to come up with the actual amount for all way stop signs and determine whether an internal budget transfer or other sources of funding, such as Council Contingency Fund, is more appropriate, and bring back recommendations to the City Council at the next Council meeting.

Announcements:

• City Hall Annex Parking lot is tentatively scheduled for resurfacing March 20th & 21st. Staff will put up signage to redirect patrons of the Destin Dog Park to use the City Hall parking lot.
• Destin Little League opening day is Saturday, March 20th. There will be a parade from the Destin Elementary School to Dalton Threadgill Park beginning at 9:00 AM.
• The President signed the American Rescue Plan. Preliminary numbers show that Destin will receive approximately $5.9 million.