Beach Expansion Continues at the Shore at Crystal Beach Park

A second building was demolished on Monday, May 3rd, at the Shore at Crystal Beach Park. Acquiring public beach is the Destin City Council’s top priority in the city’s 2020 strategic plan. For additional information on the public beach initiative for Crystal Beach please visit the following link: https://www.cityofdestin.com/626/Gateway-to-Crystal-Beach

Ribbon Cutting and Official Grand Opening of Captain Leonard Destin Park 

Destin’s Mayor, City Council, staff, and special guests hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening of Destin’s newest park, Captain Leonard Destin, on Thursday, May 13^th, 2021, at 10 a.m. Named after the original founder of the City of Destin who came from New London, Connecticut, in the mid-1800s to establish a fishing village along the Florida Gulf Coast, the park is located on the same plot of land as the original homestead of its namesake. “The allure of East Pass that brought Leonard Destin here almost 200 years ago still exists today, it’s why each of us have chosen Destin to be our home. Six generations after Leonard built his homestead here, I am beyond privileged to be a part of the City’s efforts to preserve a part of our shared heritage and identity in perpetuity,” stated former Councilman Parker Destin.

Photo credit: Nick Tomecek, Okaloosa County

National Public Works Week May 16 - 23 "Stronger Together" 

On May 17th, Mayor Gary Jarvis presented the following proclamation to the City of Destin Public Works staff:

WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of Destin; and,

WHEREAS, these infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, managers and employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens; and,

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children in Destin to gain knowledge of and to maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities; and,

WHEREAS, the year 2021 marks the 61^st annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association/Canadian Public Works Association be it now,
RESOLVED, I, Mayor Gary Jarvis, do hereby designate the week May 16 – 22, 2021 as National Public Works Week; I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association/Canadian Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and quality of life.

Pictured below is Public Works Deputy Director James Hart (left), Mayor Gary Jarvis and Public Works Director Michael Burgess. 

Department Spotlight

The Department of Public Works strives to efficiently, effectively and equitably provide a wide array of services to the Citizens of Destin. It is our charge to enhance the quality of life for our citizens, employees, businesses, and visitors in a safe and environmentally responsible manner through the execution of the following: Facilities and Fleet Maintenance, Stormwater and Pavement Management, Right-of-Way Maintenance & Beautification, Asset Management, Contract Administration and Emergency Management. Public Works’ fourteen employees consistently take pride in their community and demonstrate stewardship of our natural and cultural resources.
 
A sample of projects completed by the Department of Public Works in the last year include: Joes Bayou Boat Ramp (dock 3) reconstruction, installation of traffic improvement measures at several locations city-wide, sidewalk and pavement repairs, sign and pavement marking installation and replacement, storm sewer cleaning, and the rejuvenation of our Adopt-A-Street Program. Staff oversaw several projects this year to include: Beach House demolition in support of our Public Beach Initiative, cleaning of three stormwater treatment units that improve local water quality, installation of fire and security improvements to City facilities, installation of multi-modal pedestrian enhancements, road re-surfacing and re-striping.
 
After Hurricane Sally, the City’s Public Works staff worked 24-hours a day in an effort to prevent roads, homes, and other structures from flooding. Staff was instrumental in the recovery of the beach at our new Captain Leonard Destin Park by the replacement of almost 350 cubic yards of sand. In addition, staff replaced a small wooden seawall adjacent to the main seawall at Clement Taylor Park that was damaged by high water and waves.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff has responded to the needs of the organization to maintain continuity of operations and government throughout this 14-month ordeal. Staff ordered and distributed supplies, performed enhanced cleaning services, and made building modifications to provide for improved sanitation and the promotion of social distancing, all consistent with CDC guidance.
 
Lastly, our Department epitomizes, consistent with this year’s theme of “Stronger Together,” an unwavering sense of community and the synergism produced by teamwork, both internally with other City Departments, as well as with our external customers and brothers-in-arms. The Department of Public Works is proud to support our strategic partners like the Destin Fire Control District, Destin History & Fishing Museum, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Destin Water Users in the execution of their missions and our goal to build a better Destin today and tomorrow.

Pictured below is the Public Works Team.

Council Updates

• Crosstown Connector Workshop is scheduled for May 10th at 5:30 PM.
• CRA Board Meeting is scheduled for May 17th at 5:30 PM.
• The building that was located on the far eastern parcel in the Shores at Crystal Beach Park was demolished. The debris will be removed, and the work will be completed shortly.
• Lauren Witt, the City’s Principal Planner for 2½ years will be leaving the City shortly. She will be sorely missed.
• The City has recently hired a new planner and a building inspector.
• The Community Development Department is now open 5 days a week, from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Council Comments:

Councilmember Ramswell/Water Quality Study: Councilmember Ramswell noted a concern by many that water quality in many areas of the harbor is so horrible people do not want to swim in it. Different elements (mineral, metals) that are currently being tested are not the same as those that have been tested in the past. Past findings were so concerning there was actually a moratorium on building slips and any sorts of development along the harbor. Councilmember Ramswell asked staff to investigate the following:
• A comparison between what elements were tested back in 1999, what elements were tested in 2009, and what elements are being tested today. What is actually included in the water quality study being conducted periodically.
• What is the difference in terms of the elements? Why those elements tested in the past are no longer being tested?

Councilmember Destin: Time Saver Oil Change on Mountain Drive has closed. They were under contract with the City to take used oil from people who change oil on boats. He asked staff to come up with a course of action to provide a safe and environmentally safe and lawful place for people to dispose their used oil and advertise accordingly.

Councilmember Schmidt/Nomination of Mr. Alexander Santos to the Town Center CRA Advisory Committee: 6-0, motion to appoint Mr. Alexander Santos to the Town Center CRA Advisory Committee passed.

May 17th Council Meeting Recap

Proclamation - National Public Works Week - Mayor Gary Jarvis read the Proclamation designating the week of May 16 – 22, 2021 as National Public Works Week in the City of Destin, and then presented it to the City’s Public Works Director Michael Burgess.

City Manager Report:

Cross Town Connector ROW Scope and Fee Approval: 5-0, motion passed to approve the proposed right-of-way scope and fee addendum from Atkins of North America, Inc. and authorize the continuation of the re-design incorporating the multimodal element discussed at the May 10, 2021 Council workshop session; to include the direction to insert a multi-modal pathway into the right-of-way; for Atkins to look into the concept of trying to slow the speed down on Airport Road which is an integral part of the crosstown connector and other methods to slow the traffic down and make it more appropriate for the interior neighborhoods in Destin throughout the direction of the length of the crosstown connector.

Motion to designate the portion of the Old Destin Campground property that is not part of the right-of-way for the crosstown connector as green belt/park and Council will provide the details as money becomes available passed 5-0.

Approval of Resolution 21-05 setting the date and the qualification period for the City of
Destin Special Election: 5-0, motion passed to approve resolution. 

Approval of contract with Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections to conduct Special
Election for the City of Destin: 5-0, motion passed to authorize and direct the Mayor
to execute the Election Services Agreement by and between the City and Supervisor of Elections and elect the following Optional Services:
1. The Supervisor providing all legal advertisements required under the law for the Special Elections with the City paying actual costs for such advertising; and
2. The Supervisor handling all candidate qualification filings and managing all the campaign finance filings for the Special Election with the City paying $100 for each
qualified candidate or $500, whichever is greater.

Appointment of Interim City Council Member: 5-0, motion passed to appoint Chatham Morgan as Interim City Council Member.

Appointment of Council representative to local and regional committees

• Motion to appoint the following individuals as Council representatives to the Economic Development Council (EDC) Policy Board passed 5-0:
  Primary: Councilmember Ramswell
  Alternate: Councilmember Hebert
• Motion to appoint the following individuals as Council representatives to the Okaloosa-Walton TPO passed 4-0 (Councilmember Braden was absent during the voting)
  Primary: Councilmember Hebert / Councilmember Braden
  Alternate: Councilmember King.
• Motion to appoint the following individuals as Council representatives to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) passed 4-0 (Councilmember Braden was absent during the voting)
  Primary: Councilmember Hebert
  Alternate: Councilmember Destin
• Motion to appoint the following individuals as Council representatives to the Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) passed 4-0 (Councilmember Braden was absent during the voting)
  Primary: Councilmember Ramswell
  Alternate: Councilmember Hebert

• Okaloosa County League of Cities Dinner on Thursday, May 20th.
• May 31st - Annual Memorial Day service will be held in conjunction with the American Legion, at the old cemetery in Destin beginning at 11:00 am.
• The City is facing some challenges at the Capt. Royal Melvin Heritage Park, and staff is trying to work through them the best they can.