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Beach Nourishment of Captain Leonard Destin Park Over the course of a few days, employees from Parks and Recreation and Public Works moved 240 cubic tons of sand (that is 16 dump trucks full) and repaired the beach erosion from Hurricane Sally at Captain Leonard Destin Park.
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Main Street Sidewalk RepairsThe Public Works team repaired the sidewalk on Main Street near Main Street Park and across from Coleman Lake.
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Okaloosa County Infrastructure Surtax Project UpdateCity Public Information Manager Catherine Card and April Sarver, Okaloosa County Public Information Officer, highlighted the Commons Drive Pathway Project in Destin. This is great news for our city to promote a more walkable community in the City of Destin. To view the project highlights please view the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCounty/videos/1358366784518858
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Park Update Progress continues at Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park. Anticipated completion expected sometime in the Fall of 2021. More updates to come!
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Pardon Our ProgressAll 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.
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City of Destin Embarks on Harbor Capacity Study
The Destin City Council has authorized that the City of Destin partner with the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a Destin Harbor Capacity Study. The City’s Comprehensive Plan envisions the Harbor area to be a "festive market place" environment, to include tourist commercial and mixed use development that shall be planned and designed to encourage public access to waterfront views, foster a free flowing pedestrian-oriented environment that does not wall off access to the shoreline, promote convenient public access to the planned Harbor boardwalk, and reinforce the identity of the Harbor as a world-class fishing village that is open to the public. The overall goal of the study is to endeavor to establish a delicate balance between ensuring the environmental health of the Harbor; ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all entities and parties that use and visit the Harbor; and promote the economic viability of the establishments and guests that do business on the Harbor. The Study is being undertaken under the guidance of the Harbor Capacity Study Steering Committee established by the City Council. All meetings of the Steering Committee are open to the public. For more information about the Study or opportunities to attend the Harbor Capacity Steering Committee meetings, please contact the Office of the Community Development Director at 850-654-1119 (Option 2) or our website at www.cityofdestin.com.
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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.
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Employee SpotlightInformation Technology Manager Matthew Pace is an asset to Team Destin! On a daily basis, Matthew demonstrates the city's core values of Teamwork, Integrity and Professionalism. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, overseeing a major project - COMPASS, and mitigating IT issues as they come up, Matthew and his team have made it seamless for us to do our jobs effectively and efficiently. Whether in the office or telecommuting, Matthew is always available to help. He works early (even on weekends), stays late and is always available to assist City Council and staff. If there is an issue, he tackles it and manages it utilizing the resources he has at his disposal. He is an innovator and we are proud to have him on our team! We would also like to congratulate Matthew for being inducted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon - the oldest international honor society for computer scientists. Congratulations!
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Customers Receive Training on City's New Self-Service Portal - COMPASS Information Technology Manager Matthew Pace, along with members of the Code Compliance staff, conducted training with some of our livery, short-term rental and beach vendor businesses on the new self-service portal - COMPASS (COMmunity Permitting And Support System). Very soon 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. It will allow customers to submit digital applications online for all application types, eliminating the need for customers to submit paper applications and plan sets.
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Beach Safety Information Code Compliance appreciates the support of all our short-term rentals sharing this information with their visitors!
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Livery Vessel Workshop
Members of local law enforcement to include the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fort Walton Beach Police Department and United States Coast Guard, as well as Destin Code Compliance, Destin Fire Rescue and livery vessel businesses in Destin and Fort Walton Beach met on Tuesday, March 16th, to discuss the upcoming season and proactive measures of education, advocacy and safety of all rental operators. Thank you to the Okaloosa County Watersport Operators Coalition for reaching out to the City of Destin and local law enforcement to have this workshop!
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Parking Lot Resurfacing Resurfacing of the Destin City Hall Annex parking lot was completed on Saturday, March 20th.
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Council UpdatesAll City Council meetings may be viewed at www.youtube.com/cityofdestin.
March 1st Council Meeting Recap
City Manager Report:FY 2020 Annual Audit and Financial Statements: 7-0, motion passed.
EFPR Group Engagement Letter for FY2021 Audit: 7-0, motion passed to engage EFPR Group, LLC to audit the City’s financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2021. Finance Director will make a small budget adjustment to encumber the funds under this year’s budget to cover fees for the audit.
Multi-Modal Transportation District (MMTD): 7-0, motion passed to replace transportation concurrency (MMTD) with a mobility fee-based plan.
Beach Cleaning - Status Update: Deputy City Manager will bring back information from Okaloosa County on their standard of service for beach cleaning in Destin for the 2021 season at the March 15th City Council meeting.Announcements:- 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.
Council Comments: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.
Council Comments:
Councilmember Braden asked staff to determine how the new floodplain maps will affect development in Destin and any changes that can be made to the City’s current flood ordinance that can help development in the Destin areas. Also, to invoke the pending ordinance doctrine while the ordinance is in process. Community Development Director will bring back proposed ordinance parameters. The Land Use Attorney will determine whether it is necessary to invoke the pending ordinance doctrine based on those parameters.
Provide training to members of committees on formulation of their annual work plans to provide them more tools and promote consistency throughout the committee system.
Motion that a preliminary report on Stahlman Intersection Improvements be presented at the next City Council meeting passed 7-0. Councilmember Destin requested that the crosstown connector redesign project be placed on the agenda for the first meeting in May to discuss timelines for completion and to entertain ideas about multi-modal paths from several members of the community that they may be able to work into the plan.
Motion to allow the Community Development Department to hire an employee to process permits and perform routine work for simple projects that can be expedited to further streamline the process passed 7-0.
Councilmember King asked staff to come up with proposed solutions to reported constant racing/speeding on Pine Street (between Sibert and Calhoun).
Appointment of Member to Local Planning Agency - Corey Ledbetter: 7-0, motion passed.
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