All right. Good evening, everyone. I'm going to call this city council meeting to order. >> Oh, you can't get in either. All right. We're always having technical difficulties up here. Um, so up first I wanted to uh welcome everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight. Uh, with that we're going to get right into the
invocation and by our one and only Pastor Steve Ferris from the uh, First Baptist Church of Destin with the Upward shirt on. >> I Yeah, played and coached. Father, we thank you tonight for your goodness and grace. We just thank you,
Lord, for this great nation that you've given us and Lord, this city and those who work tirelessly, Lord. There's so much going on. And Lord, I just pray that you give them wisdom. Lord, we thank you for our school system that is rated high among the whole country,
Lord. And we just thank you for every employee and every councilman and everyone behind the scenes that make this city work. And Lord, we thank you for your goodness and grace. And Lord, we ask for wisdom tonight in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you for that. Councilwoman Abear with the pledge. >> Please join me with your hand over your
heart. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, with a little bit of crowd
today, I'm just going to do a friendly reminder for everyone to please just silence or turn off your cell phones during the meeting. Um, other than that, we will get into the agenda if we have any adjustments to the >> meeting. Mayor. >> Yes, sir.
>> I would like to make a request. >> Put the button. I think >> I'd like to make a request that under my uh council agenda name, I had put a discussion of FRS and I asked the city manager to invite someone from FRS to
come and give us some information so that we can make decisions based on all the facts and that we know all of them. So, if you would if you could move that up to an appropriate maybe uh >> after the consent agenda
>> after the consent agenda. >> All right. Yeah, we won't keep this uh representative here all night. >> I'm sure they appreciate that. So, I got a moving that up to let's call it 4 AAA. >> I'll second that. >> All right. From Councilman Dustin,
anything else we would like to push around? All right. Um All right, Councilman Dustin, anything else there? I'm just making sure with the >> All right. All right. With that, I got a motion in a second with the >> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Yep. >> We need to add this person to the list for the youth council. >> Okay. >> Adeline Merrill, we have her application here. Um and she is a destined resident. So, >> fantastic. >> When we get down to that, we need to remember to put her name on that list,
too. >> All right. So, we'll add her to the list under 4 I for youth council membership appointments. Thank you for that. Anything further? >> All right. Seeing none, I do have my motion and second. So, we'll call the
vote. It hadn't been here yet. There we go. >> Did I vote? All right. 60. So moved. Appreciate that. >> With that, we'll get into I see no proclamations, recognitions, nothing
there. All right. So, public comments. If anyone wishes to speak on anything not under public hearings A through C, this is your time to do so. I just need your name, address, and the floor is yours. >> How's it going, guys? I am not a distant resident though.
>> I am everywhere. >> All right. >> All right. I am a city of Destin employee. I am not a Destin resident. >> Give me your address anyways. >> 1320 Cypress Drive, Eggland Air Force Base, Florida. >> Close is yours. >> All right. Appreciate it. I just want to
talk about a couple things regarding the FRS and Social Security. Um there's been a lot of discussion about it regarding uh throughout the city with a lot of the employees. I gotten a lot of feedback from a lot of the employees and they would like to have a choice in terms of if they want to participate in the
thrift savings plan or would they like to actually go with FRS. Um the biggest thing is just social security. We're not being able to pay into social security at this time. The city's not putting up 6.2%. We're not putting up our 6.2% out of our pockets. And it's um it's it's
kind of just I just find it not alarming, but it's it doesn't make a lot sense to me that a lot of that a municipality could even I guess like opt out of being in social security. I called Crestu uh Niceville and Fort Wall Beach today and they all participate in
social security. So I would just if anything I would just like at least to see us in being being able to pay in social security. Um but F FRS would be a great um it'd be honestly a great thing for the city of Destin in terms of retention. Uh be an
attraction for employees to come here actually work here. um right now I think what is it 7.5% right now that the city contributes to the retirement plan and then a lot of employees are un uninformed and might not know that if they don't put in that
extra 5% they're not even getting what would be going into you know for social security at this time. So I think u there is an education point on that and I'm sure Mr. Donald has spoken regarding that before in numerous meetings with the city, but um I just don't see social
security going away anytime soon. So, I would like to see us, you know, starting actually being a pain into that and um and maybe even plus our retirement. That way we had two sources of retirement at this time um as an employee myself. And that's really all I want to say tonight. So, thank you guys. >> Thanks for being here. Thanks for your
due. All right. Yes, ma'am. Just hit that gray button. You don't have to hold it. There you go. >> Okay, perfect. Hi everyone. My name is Zoe Alen and I'm interested in the Destin Youth Council. So, I just want to thank everyone for
this opportunity. First of all, my address is 4571 Salemaker Lane. I live in Regata Bay. It's a just a little bit outside of the Destin parameters, but a little bit about myself is that I moved to Destin about three and a half years ago and I am a junior at Dest High
School and I absolutely love it here and I serve in many leadership roles at Dest High School. Some of them being a president of FBA, which is Future Business Leaders of America, captain of FCA, which is Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I'm the secretary of National
Honors Society and I've been secretary of my junior class for two years in a row. Not only do I value extracurriculars and academics, but also school sports. That being said, I partake in indoor and beach volleyball, too. Yes, sir. Um,
also is that since the very beginning, I've always like wanted to set myself in a professional way. I work at Brewers, the famous like ice cream shop in Dest, and then also dress up in Dest. I just received the news that I'm going
to be have being an intern for the mortgage company called HomeFi. Not sure if y'all heard of that, but I'm super excited. Um, but why I want to be a part of the Destiny Youth Council is because when I first stepped foot in the small beach
town is everyone was so welcoming and the Destin people made like my high school experience 10 times better. I've already started so many plans on the Destiny Youth Council which I'm really excited to share once I hopefully if I get in. That's about it.
>> Awesome. >> Zoe Alyn. Yes, sir. >> Yeah, she's on the list. All right. >> Oh, perfect. >> Thank you so much for being here. >> Yeah, of course. Do I have to again? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. >> All right. Anyone else? >> Oh, good. No, you don't get to speak
yet. >> Yeah. All right. Seeing no one else coming to the floor, I will close public comments at this time and we can move to the consent agenda. >> Do I hear a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve as is. >> And with a second. >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. Any further
discussions on the consent? >> Seeing none, we'll call the vote. Ray, do you have Tori in right now? Oh, I have to. Thank you. And then Andy, I All right. With there you go. Thank you, Ray. All right. I just have it so moved
6. We're through the consent and then we will go to Councilman Dest's topic. If you would like to anything you'd like to start with. >> Thank you, mayor. Um I noticed in my absence we had a meeting
and decided uh issues on FRS which I uh would have loved to participated in. I also would hope that we would make an informed decision and we would know all the facts and I had yet to hear um the
highlights of FR FRS and so I would uh welcome a representative here tonight to tell us exactly what FRS is and what it can do for the employees. >> All right, Mr. Jones, >> Miss Kathy Ghoul from FRS is here. She I
believe she has a short presentation and available for any questions you may have. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Just hit that gray button. Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Good evening. Thank you for having me. Um don't know if they'll put the presentation up or not. There it goes. All right. So, um Florida
Retirement System. Um we are a U qualified plan under Internal Revenue Code 401A. Um our plan documents are the entire chapter of 121 of Florida statutes. Um we administer the plan. Um the division of retirement I should say
administers the defined benefit plan. Um we also have a defined contribution plan that is administered by the state board of administration. Um the opportunity for the employees I feel is so great because they actually get a choice whether they want to participate in
defined benefit or defined contribution. Not many state plans offer that. Um that makes us very unique. Um, education is one of the best things you can offer your employees. So, educating them on what are their goals for retirement. Um,
that comment of with the gentleman talking about social security. Um, that I was at a NASRA conference and one of the things they talked about is there's no way they can just stop social security. Society is dependent on that benefit. Um, I think of retirement as a
three-legged stool. um your pension plan or defined contribution plan is one stool, you know, that's going to get you 40 to 50%. Social Security is going to make up that other portion and then you're going to have a third leg, whatever that retirement situation may
be. And it's very important to think of retirement that way so everyone is successful at it. Um why do I am I so passionate about the Florida retirement system? We're a well-administered plan. We're one of the lowest cost administered plans of all plans in our peer group in the United States and in
fact out of the United States except for one Dutch plan that is completely governmental. So we can't we can't help oursel on that one but um we pride oursel with doing more with little so that we can continue to offer great benefits to those participating in the
plan. Um we're 1.1 million active and retired members of the plan. a thousand participating employers ranging anywhere from school boards to local governments to the state uh universities, colleges.
Um the we're one of the five largest plans in the United States and that is made up of not only our funding which is over a 908 billion but that is also in membership count. Um we our retirey
count is over 462,000. So, we're a very mature plan. Um, we still have the drop program, 30,800 people in drop. Great program. They expanded it recently to eight years of participation. Um, and those who don't know what that is, it's
um members who effectively meet normal retirement, have the opportunity to retire and have their benefit calculated at that point in time and then still continue to work. And when they work, that uh monthly benefit goes into a drop
account earning interest and any eligible COLA. And then when they leave, they actually get that lump sum drop acral as well as start that monthly benefit for their lifetime. And then there are options if they choose a continuing benefit for a spouse, they
could continue to pay out longer. Um there are actually four options under the plan. the um lifetime option for single life, meaning it only is for the individual, is obviously their largest benefit. From there, there's a 10-year certain 10 years from retirement date.
If they deceased, it would pay out for 10 years from retirement, not from death. And then there's the joint annuitant continuing the same benefit to that individual. And then an option four, which is a reduction based on if they're
both living, but if either dies, there's a reduction and pays out from there. Um, but let's see what other fun stuff about it. Uh, school boards are our largest membership count. Everybody often wonders, who is your largest membership? Regular class employees and particularly
almost 50% of our population are school boards. Um, we pay out 13.7 billion dollars a year in retirement benefits. Um, we are bringing in over 6.5 billion in contributions. That number recently jumped up a lot to do with it's a
percent of payroll. And so, um, as people's salary increases, the amount of contribution increases. Um, we are 80.7% funded, which is a very strong funding status. Um, obviously myself being an
administrator of the plan and my actuary being the actuary, we'd love to say 100%. But you leave benefits that could be payable to members by getting to 100% because then there are certain benefits that you can't offer people because that
brings down your funding status oftentimes. Um, so 80% is a very good place to be. um we keep working higher and as under Gazby standards which is the accounting standards they actually have us up to over 83% funded status. So
um you know we we're very successful there as well. Um the investment return so we're a very conservative in how we look at our investments and how we pay down our retirement debt. Um we have a
6.7% assumed rate of return. Last year the SBA earned us 10.52% investment return. We don't have the numbers for cutoff as of June 30, 2025, but I did speak with the CIO and he said it will be over 10%. So another great
year. Um the uh amortization schedule um we have actually when I first started and I've been there 17 years so it was a while ago. It was at a 30-year amortization. If you've t spoken with an actuary, 30-year amortization is not even paying off any principle. We are
now down to a 20-year amortization. Um, we're at a very good spot with the amortization at 20-year and the assumed rate of return at 6.7. Um, we are we're progressing all in the right direction. So, very excited about everything they've been able to do. Um, we
have lots of information on our website. So, if you want to go out and see more about the Florida Retirement System, we have a member handbook on our website, frs uh.mmyf.com, uh we have a selfservice module for both
employers and members, um which is fs.fl.gov. And we have a question and answer page out there which helps people just want more information specifically about the plan. Um, we just put online applications out on the website for our
members. So whether you're applying for a service retirement, a drop retirement, wanting a refund of employee contributions, you can actually do it through the online services. Um we do still offer paper forms for those indiv those individuals but we are learning that the um technological generation is
taking over and they have been very excited about I got to answer a response one time that one gentleman had reached out and he said it's such a monumental moment it was too easy to have done it online because it it was just so convenient. So we really are trying to
serve our members um and offer them convenience as well. Um, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the Florida retirement system. Um, once again, um, it's a very stable plan. Um,
we do that. My motto for my agency is we serve those who serve Florida. So, we really want to do everything we can to assist the members, the public servants, and the members of the plan. So, any questions? >> Yep. Councilwoman Aver. Um, yeah, I have
a few questions because we did this came up and we got the presentation and unfortunately Mr. Destin was not in the area at the time and we voted against it and I I want to clarify the cost to the city. So, can you explain I mean the wonderful benefits for the employees and
I truly believe that that's awesome but it's extremely costly for a very small city like us. we're not like the big school system has a huge bucket of monies they can match that that employee. So I think that was one of the biggest reasons. So can you just expound
on that this the city side of it the cost out of pocket for the city how much we would have to give how many employees have to be a part of it. Um so speaking to the city side of it >> so there's not a limit on the number of employees that have to be a part. I have
some cities of five people that are in the FRS. Um but how it's funded is um contributions are paid as a percentage of payroll. So it's going to be based on if you have somebody making a certain salary contributions based on their
class of service is what would be paid. There are both employer and employee contributions. So an employee is going to pay 3% contributions right now. that that's what they pay in to help support the plan. Those contributions, if they terminate employment, are always theirs.
Um, if they're vested, we hope they leave it and wait and take a benefit at normal retirement. If they don't vest or if they pass away, a beneficiary could get those contributions. Um, so I think, um, I was doing some research. I think most of your employees are regular class
employees. Okay? So, you would pay contribution rates based on that. It's a blended rate. So when I say a blended rate, members have the choice of being in the pension plan or the investment plan. And of course, the pension plan is based on a formula. It's years of
service times the percentage value for the position, which regular class is 1.6%. It only goes up after you've met normal retirement. And then um by your average final compensation, new enrolles now are eight years. So the average of your highest eight years salary. Okay,
that's how their benefit is calculated. if they decide to participate in the investment plan, there's a dollar amount of contributions that are put into their investment plan account. Part of that is the 3% contribution. Part of that is in
the of the employer contribution. But when we do a blended rate, we're basically we don't want say an employer to steer members to the investment plan because maybe it doesn't cost as much in contributions. So whether your employee
participates in the pension plan or the investment plan, you're going to be say paying the same contribution rate, which I think right now for regular class employees, it may be a little over 14% of pay. So you would take the 14%, multiply that by the salary. That's how
much would go into contributions to the plan. >> So hypothetically, a $50,000 a year employee, what would that cost the city? Um, >> that's what I'm looking for because when you put it in dollars across the the employees that would join into that,
that's that goes very quickly into an amount that would be costly for the city, but also we don't really have we did get some feedback that there were several that did want to do it, but it wasn't like, oh yeah, we need it. we
didn't get like the whole employee status saying yes we all want this do it >> right um I actually calculated that and presented that at the two budget workshops the difference would be $261,000 a year
>> that would cost the city that $261,000 a year >> that's that's the difference between uh what we're putting into our retirement um to the thrift plan versus what we would be giving to FRS So, our thrift plan, we're that that's where they're in they're getting their money set aside
now for their retirement versus the Florida retirement system, which would cost us over 261,000 more if we shift the plan. >> But the uh Florida retirement system um would also allow uh city employees to
participate in social security, which that's not an option under the thrift plan. And that's where the the big expense comes in. But that's also where potential large bonuses, as she mentioned, her three-legged stool. That's one of the three legs of a stool that we don't have. We're on a two-legged stool.
>> But we constantly hear don't depend on Social Security. It's not going to be here in 10 years. So, I really don't have a lot of faith in Social Security. >> That was my Yeah, I have faith. >> That was my um biggest question was because we did when we did vote on this was one of the reasons was the cost in
the city itself. So, I mean, we we're not a very big city and we don't have a whole lot of extra income. So, >> and and it is mandatory. Social Security is mandatory. If you're going to participate in the Florida retirement system, we are it's not a choice. We you would be required to participate in
social security. Um, once again, I'm here about thinking about what is the big picture for the employees and making sure they have a successful retirement to rely on someday. So, >> that was all I had. Thank you. >> All right, Councilman Dustin. >> Thank you, Mayor Crystal. your 250,000
calculation. Is that based on every employee in the city >> participating? >> Yeah, that was the worst case scenario. Yes, sir. >> Okay. And we have no reason to believe that everyone will participate. So, we don't You're >> correct. >> Really know what that number could be.
That also applies perhaps to social security. I have one other question though that I was going to ask. I just as a former school board member, I'm a participant or I receive money from you folks every month. Um, I received a letter not long ago that made
me aware of a program that I wasn't aware of where retirees can get up to $225 paid toward medical insurance if they retire before they're I guess Medicare
eligible. >> Actually, even if they're Medicare eligible. So, it's called the health insurance subsidy. So when you retire from the Florida retirement system, it used to be $5 per year of service. Um 2023 legis said it was going to 750. >> It would that's what in 2023 legislation
they raised it to 750. And so for every year of service, you multiply your year of service and prorate for months times that $7.50 to come up with an additional dollar amount that is added to your benefit every single month. as long as you have proof that you have insurance.
Um, it doesn't have to be health insurance. It could be a dental insurance policy. Um, of course, the thing is we want to promote people to have health insurance. And you know, $225 is not going to pay for health insurance, but if you're Medicare eligible, it would take a big chunk of
that away. So, that's >> And that's a month, correct? >> It is a month. Yes, sir. >> Well, my calculation says that's close to $2,600 a year. >> Yes. That'll pay the grand part of insurance. And and the beauty of that is if you retire at 50, start at 20
with 30 years in, that would be an additional $2,500 a year retirement in addition to your retirement. >> That is correct. >> Which is a lot of money. >> Yes. >> And so that is an a benefit that is not offered under any other plan. And uh I
just want to make sure I understood that right. I've got to go apply for my money for my insurance. If you aren't getting it, you need to I'll take your name and send you um information on a form. >> Okay. >> Uh thanks, >> Councilman G. >> Hi. Thank you. And I apologize. I was a
little late today. Uh past decision came back bite me in the butt. But what I would like to ask, uh you keep saying that everybody has a choice to switch between the two. Do new employees also have the choice. New hires, do they also have a choice or are they stuck with one
plan? um new hires when you um join the Florida retirement system you do the um choice is either you choose to participate in the defined benefit plan or you choose to def participate in the FRS defined contribution plan. If they don't make a choice in the uh eight
months following the month of hire, then they will default to the investment plan. So you really want to make sure they're educated and make a choice. Um, I would always suggest if somebody is planning to stay eight years invest, they will not find an annuity to pay
what the formula under the Florida retirement system would pay them in a lifetime benefit. Um, you know, if they're not obviously the investment plan, they're vested after one year if they're in the defined contribution plan and could take any employer and employee contributions at that point. So,
education is so important. Um, but that being said, they also have the opportunity to switch plans. So if that individual decided to join the Florida retirement system defined benefit plan um 10 years in they decided you know what I really think I want to be a
participant of the investment plan we would do a calculation of the um it's a present value calculation opening account balance that would be transferred over to the investment plan basically taking what their normal retirement benefit at that moment in time would be if they reach normal
retirement applying a present value factor calculation provided from the actuary to get a dollar amount and then they could move there. Now if they defaulted or chose the investment plan eight years down the road decide figured out oh wait I am loving public service
I'm staying in public service I want to retire public service they cannot choose they get one chance to choose to go to the defined benefit plan but it could cost them because if the balance in their investment plan account doesn't the cover the cost for the actuarily
determined future benefit then they would have to pay out-ofpocket monies to support that transfer over. But if they did that, it would still be eligible. We have people go both ways all the time. >> Good. >> Yeah. All right. Uh, Councilman Braden, you off?
>> No. >> Okay. All right. Councilwoman Traml. >> Thank you. Um, I'm part of the system. I'm on retirement now, 22 years and counting. Um but when I was in the system working, one of the things that I
noticed and I was an educator, um educators were allowed to bring in years for retirement. Was that just through the school board or was that also through their FRS system? >> So there are um reasons there would be
purchasable service. Okay. Okay. Um, if somebody had worked for a public employer that was not a participant of the Florida Retirement System, um, but they were a public employer, we do have a cost calculation that they can
purchase service um, to add it to their service under the Florida Retirement System. Now, at the point of joining, there's also potential for past service, but that would depend on a lot of different factors. So that would probably be a better later deeper dive conversation
with the enrollment section because you would want to see if is it something where you would have to allow everyone or no one type of situation. So a lot's going to depend on your entire base versus um you know normal straight
benefits an agency joins without past service. So do we need to decide that if as an agency whether we >> desire to join without past service or allow past service? >> You would have that would be a decision you would make. It doesn't have to be
made now, but it would be made once you actually begin join the joining process. Um and once again, most people look at that based on what it would cost to allow Yes. >> members to bring, you know, have past service. >> Yes. So >> now, and it doesn't prevent maybe the
member from potentially purchasing. It would just be on them to purchase it versus you, the employer, paying for it. >> I think that's the way Okaloosa County Schools works. >> Uh they you can't So if if they're one or two years into the system we currently have, they could
>> as a Yes. >> buy in if they wanted to, >> right? And it would just be they would pay for it, >> right? Council G, I apologize. says, "I think you threw me a curveball and I'm a little dense." So, I want to make sure I ask this question properly. >> Okay. >> So, the the new are the existing
employees have the option between the city plan or the FS FRS plan. >> So, what I'm asking you the new hires, they also have that option between >> No, once you join all new hires, I think I meant I thought you were thinking the defined contribution under the Florida
retirement system. Once um the city joins the Florida retirement system, all new hires are compulsory Florida retirement system. >> So they do not have a choice. So the only choice you're talking about are existing employees. >> Correct. >> Okay. That Thank you very much for that clarification.
>> I'm sorry I uh asked for a second term. I just wanted to clarify. >> Council Schmidt. >> Thank you. Um can you please remind me who you're with? >> I'm with the Division of Retirement. We're under the department of management services and we administer the Florida
retirement system pension plan as well as other optional retirement programs. The state university system optional ret program um state college. Yeah. >> And you mentioned earlier you didn't know who Mr. Dustin was, but who who invited you to be here tonight? >> Mr. Jones.
>> Mr. Jones. Okay. And then there was some talk about the cost of this program. I I've heard a few times that it's nearly 700 something thousand to the city to move to the F FRS system. So, do you know where we're talking from 220 something to 700?
>> If you don't mind, um I I made all those calculations. The uh the difference uh between what we give to Benjamin Edwards versus what we would give to FRS is estimated at $261,000. And then um but adding all of our
full-time employees to social security, that's where uh the larger cost comes in. Uh that would be a difference of 448,000. So together that's 72. >> So that's where that 700 >> Yeah. >> to the cost of the city of >> destin. >> Correct. >> Okay.
Um one time this year and then one time next year and then >> No, no, no. That's um that's uh one year's worth of given the estimated wages that we'll be paying next year. Uh you know, social security is 6.2%. Right.
>> So, uh we'll be paying that 6.2% into social security for 89 more people than we currently do because right now we only pay it for part-time employees. >> Okay. >> We're not eligible to uh participate in retirement programs. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all I have right
now. >> Councilman Bagby. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, yeah, I mean, my wife's in FRS. She's in the investment plan. I wish if when we came here, we were only going to be here for two years for a joint assignment. So, we did the
investment plan. And 26 years later, we probably wish we had gone into the defined benefit plan, but we didn't, which is all my fault. But, uh, you know, and and the reason I mean, I think yours
your plan and social security probably better for the majority of our staff, but probably not all of them because I don't know everybody's status. But one of our prioritized strategic goals is to offer livable wages and benefits to attract and maintain a highc caliber
qualified staff. And I've talked to a lot of our staff and they want the option to pick. You know, I think probably the ones that have sought me out uh have said, you know, they want to switch. There's probably others that they don't know and there are probably
others that they don't want to switch. uh but I want to offer them the opportunity to switch uh if that's what's best for them >> and and so that that's why I'm I'm in
favor of the route that the staff recommended and that you know we voted a couple of times before to do the cost you know our wage increase this year uh is the same as the cost of switching to
the FRS plan about 200 $160,000. That's just our uh CPI increase or whatever. So, it's not like we're talking a couple mill, you know, we're not going to lose a ball field or something like that. Uh because
we gave the staff the option of going FRS and social security. I mean, we can we're all some of us think social security is going away. I know that there'll be 535 unemployed people in Washington DC the day after Social
Security goes away. So, I'm pretty sure it's not going to go away and that they have a lot of tools in their toolbox to uh raise the age or do some other stuff. So, I just uh but but the bottom line to
me is yeah, there's a cost. I don't think the cost is uh that great. I mean it's it's good sum of money but what what is the option to the staff and if none of them if it's not best for
them none of them will pick it and then we won't have to worry about this but I think probably they've done the ones that have done their research and have called or checked the you know nicevilles and crest views and Fort Walton beaches and everything probably
have determined that it is best for them or being in social security. So, I just want to thank you for coming and thank Mr. Destin for bringing this uh back before us. But yeah, the uh what what cost are we going to uh give our staff
what they've asked us for? And I I know there's a survey. There was kind of a sideways question. I don't know. I might let Jamie answer the survey question, but you know that kind of alluded to this but didn't actually address this that everybody's trying to pound that
little square peg into that round hole. But that I'll let Jamie describe what what the staff has shared with her. >> Would you like me just to say what the survey question was in the response? The survey question was instead of the city
participating in the thrift savings plan, would you prefer to participate in social security? 46.555% said yes. Uh 53.45 said no. I should provide a little bit of context to that question. That is representative of our
demographics. We have about 50% of our staff who would not make sense for them to start contributing to social security at this point because they have not contributed for their entire career here. Hey Jamie, can you read the question just prior to that question in the
results? >> Yes. Are you satisfied with the city's thrift savings plan? Uh, and 76 said yes. 23% said no. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> All right. With that, I just want to remind the council that this topic has
already been decided on. So, if we wanted to move forward, a motion to rescend or amend would have to be in place beforehand. Um, being that this was discussion, uh, let it sit there. Uh, if not, we can move forward. >> Well, my intention, mayor, was to have her make intention was to have her to
make the presentation, ask any questions, and then we would do it under my agenda item at the end rather than make this lady sit through the whole meeting. >> So, if if that's acceptable everybody, we can just get on with the rest of the business. All these people are sitting here to hear and and take this up under
my section of the council reports. All right, we can do that. That'll be a a Robert's rule of order new one for me. All right, thank you for being here. All right, so we got 5 AAA out of the way. We'll go back to four I'm sorry, 4 A. So
4 A. Uh, Mr. Jones the city manager's report. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. The first item is regarding the lease agreement with the Destin Little League and the Dalton Threadill Park. Uh we had this uh
discussion previously and it was uh by direction of council that we would go negotiate with the little league um the terms of of the lease which did occur. Um there was there's one provision in
the lease that in the agreement that's before you that is a little different than what you asked to move forward and that is in the uh section regarding the off season. Um council recommended that
we take to the little league the idea that during the off season u the little league would get priority u usage from the city. Their their response is they would like to have
control of that time with the priority the city given priority uh when the city would request the use of it. So it's uh what's before you is is their language is a little um
different than what you asked us to present to them. So that's kind of the only issue that's before that may be different than uh what was presented from council to take back to the little league. And I know
there's a member of the league here that's wishes to speak to it. Um, so that >> that's where we are. >> Awesome. Do you have anything you want to say first? >> Yeah, exactly. I don't remember. Yeah. >> All right. With that, do I have a
motion? >> Yeah. >> I uh I move to approve the lease with the Dustin Little League as presented. >> I'll second that. >> All right. I have a motion and a second and then any further discussions? >> Yeah. As presented mean what we ask for
or what change? >> If you say if you say as presented it would be the one in the agenda. So if you do not want the one in the agenda you would not vote yes. agenda is >> the one in the agenda provides that the
league it it is consistent with council's motion on all points except the first paragraph which provides that the league would have exclusive use of the park for the entire year not just
through July but through January I'm sorry December through from January through December. So, um, the city could use the premises if the parties agreed. Otherwise, the league would have the exclusive use, and that is different from what the council directed.
>> Okay. >> Yep. So, I got a motion and a second. Councilman Dest, would you like to discuss? >> Thank you, mayor. And and that's the only issue I have. the rest of it is fine, but we pretty much voted and gave direction that would not be and I'm I'm
kind of surprised it came back to us other than what we directed last time, but be that as it may, um I've got a problem with exclusive use outside of the window of the season. I do think the league should get priority,
but I can't see giving up the city control of that facility when the little league season is not on. And therefore, I will offer a substitute motion that's puts it back to the original writing which says that during the off season,
the city uh does not have to ask permission to use a city facility. Um I don't know if the language at the moment contains that the city will give priority to little league
needs, but if it doesn't, I would make that part of my motion. >> All right. I have to substitute motion on the floor. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second that. >> All right, I have a second. Councilwoman Abear. >> Um, mine was to the question,
why would it matter if we give them rights to this field for the year and then say the city needs it for like a special week tournament, we just reach out to them and say, hey, are you doing anything that it's more like a coordination? Am I correct on that's why we were letting them manage it and have
it for the year? We would certainly coordinate with little league as we have um whether it's the language that's presented or um the language suggested by Minister Destin. I believe we're going to work together to
accommodate the the league and and the city's needs as well. Uh one simply says they have a right to say we're using it and you don't get to. The other is the city can say we have the right to use it, but if there's um we're not using
it, we're certainly going to allow the living little league to use it. I think I explained that right. >> So, is there any real disagreement? I mean, can I can I ask the guy that came up before, can you
come up here and tell us why it would matter that you're in charge of it for the year and that we just reach out and say, "Hey, we may need it for a week and you okay with it?" >> Yeah. Can you come up here? I'm I'm confused as why it matters. >> Yeah. So, in the past, so as everybody
knows, could you state your name and address? >> Matt Dolman with Destin Little League. I'm the treasurer and board member of Destin Little League >> and address please. >> 325 Wimiko. Um, so the what the reason behind this is multiffold. As we discussed last meeting, we're getting
ready to partner with the city again and put substantial funds into the city park. And we think that we should have the ability then to have a little bit more say in when and not have to go every single time we want to do a fall
ball, do a clinic, do things to go to the city, tech, you know, call, email them, can we do it? Check the calendar. Can you not do it? Baseball has become year- round. There's a demand. Last year we had 210 kids do fall. We had almost
400 do uh do spring. We're getting calls every single day. Can we do football? Can we do fall? Can we do fall? Couple years ago, August 1st, locks were put on Dustin Little League. Locks. Okay. Locks were put on the batting
cages, locks put on the fields. I went to go with my son just to go throw the ball and hit and I couldn't. And that to me is closing the park to city residents irregardless of little league. Um, and so that was kind of why, you know, we want to keep this facility open to the
public, open to our kids and our community members that use it. And we want to be there so that we can see the issues. If we're not there from August 1st to January 1, all kinds of things come up, maintenance issues you see.
Just the other day, I was out there. The lights the that we're trying to get replaced are completely out on the left on the left field side. Completely out. if we were not there for five months, come January when we go to turn those lights on, we go, "Hey, we got a problem." Right? So, that was kind of
the main reason for us wanting to put that in. We are not saying we would not allow the city to do utilize it for any stretch. I would love to see the numbers if someone can point them out to me of when the city has used that field because I know I personally have rented
it from the city, but that's it. and a few times birthdays like the city doesn't use that field. So I don't see there being an issue. >> So what you're looking at is basically the lock system. Everything being locked up by the city. If you're not in charge of that field, you've still got to go to
the city to get locked unlocked to get access to go use it to practice or set up some fall ball. Correct. >> So why couldn't we have a happy medium? I mean Lisa, can you speak to that if that's an issue? Is is this more of a control thing? >> I believe no. I don't believe there were
I think he's talking about the lights on the the locks for the lights. >> No. >> Okay. >> The batting did not the fields. >> We locked up the lights to the batting
cage and to the fields because they were open and just anybody could turn on the lights. So, I thought that was that was okay. I would I would argue it in this in the winter at 4:00 when it's you know when I
went up there it's 4:30 got off work tried to take my son to go hit can't do it it's dark >> like you know this city park and the city park those batting cages that Dustin Little League also put in a substantial cost for so we just want to we have a great relationship we just
think that we can work it where you guys have a set of keys and you share with the city you're running it most of the They own it, but you have access to get in when you have your your practices and your kids and stuff. I mean, is there a way we could work that into this without it
being like you got to email, you got a phone call, you got to lock it in. I mean, is that hard? I mean, how does that manage? >> It it's just communication and we did open it up and you know there were there been a lot of different ways and it was
abused not by Little League but other people. We have to keep Yep. I mean, I have the stewardship to make sure those lights aren't on, you know, on my own. So, those were some of the things we've
did, but um we did open it up and um I don't think we ever didn't turn on the lights if anybody called. >> Well, and those lights are now on a 60-minute timer, so that's also been eliminated. So you can't someone would
have to stay up there all night hitting 60 minutes on >> and it was we've had we put them on the timer a couple years ago pretty much right after the batting cage was >> we just have a demand I mean I'm sure there's a lot of fuss on social media we've had 40 girls come out to do a
clinic softball has been dead in this town for ever okay to have 40 I mean literally in the last 10 years I've been on the board for 12 years it's been dwindling so to have 40 girls come out there as a Destin little league sponsored event, you know, we just want to be able to do those types of things
and offer those free programs without having to, you know, just do it, you know. >> So, you're not trying to stop the whole got to consistently send in requests weekly on things that you're trying to set up, things that you're trying to organize with it being like you're in
charge of the field. you can continuously every week have new things going on, new programs, new opportunities that you're trying to create and encourage without having to consistently email the city. Here's what we got going. Can we get permission? Here's what we got going. So, you're
trying to eliminate the government red tape. >> Correct. And I also think that partnering with the city and putting this turf in is going to create a demand for this ballpark because it will now be
nicer than anything we've got. And so we want to be able to make it happen and utilize it. >> I get where you're coming from and I I support what the initial motion is. So thank you. >> All right. Uh Councilman Bagby, you were
up before I got clear. >> I appreciate it. uh >> mine and I kind of agree with Teresa the uh but to me this is a uh insurance and a liability issue and so that's really
what we're deciding. I mean, if if there's some way, it's not that I, you know, if y'all want control, that's fine. But I want y'all to indignify us completely and say somebody breaks in there, that's not on the city because
the city has the deepest pockets and the city will be the first name on that lawsuit, not the Dustin Little League or not the group that rented it from y'all or the softball program or whatever. So it is, you know, we we have a a responsibility, a fiduciary duty to the
citizens of this city to protect them and their investment in that because they have also made significant investments in that field and in those lights and in the turf that we're going to put in and in the drainage we're going to fix and all this other stuff.
So it's it's not that y'all haven't done anything. This isn't to me an eitheror. It's a if it's if it's unlocked, who who's responsible? We're we're responsible. If the lights are bothering the neighbors in the neighborhood at
10:00 at night because somebody pressed the timer thing before they left or whatever, who are they going to complain to? They're not going to call, you know, you or somebody at the desk league. They're going to call the city. So to me, I I
default on property we own that we should have that control or at least that acknowledgement. So that yeah, you it is one more step. I'm going to grant you that. That's bureaucratic. You're going to have to say, hey, we've scheduled
girls softball for the month of September and or October and we need the keys or whatever. We need somebody to go down and do the field or whatever we need them to do. Miss Lisa. Yep. Now we
we know we're aware. We're responsible because one of those little girls breaks her ankle on that new turf or whatever, I guarantee you the first name on that lawsuit is going to say City of Destin. And so that's that's why I would support
the substitute amendment. Not I don't I think it's not this hard either way to be honest with you. But we we have a responsibility uh that I think supersedes the little league's responsibility in the operation
and maintenance of that park. >> Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um I agree with um Mr. Dustin and Mr. Bagby. Um I mean I'm I'm a sucker when it comes to the kids. I'm all about giving to the little league. I mean, I play T-ball
over there myself. Um, you know, when you come to to want money for lights, turf, whatever it is, I'm going to support it 100%. But when it comes down to, you know, I want I want to call all the shots. on to
say who's who's there, who's not, you know, um then my opinion is you need to go find your own property and build your own fields and then you got exclusive rights to it. It's yours. You call all the shots.
Um but I mean just one little step and it was said just a few minutes ago that the city never uses it or hardly ever uses it. So, I mean, if I was down there playing or running it, I wouldn't that'd be the last thing that I would would be worrying about as a city calling and saying, "Look, we're going to be taking
that field over for the next six months for whatever reason because we never use it." But like I say, I'm going to support the substitute motion um for those reasons. Thank you, Mayor >> C. McG. >> Thank you. I can see both sides of this
coin. I'm still going to stick with my motion, but I want to make sure I point out a couple things. Um, huge contribution that you guys are willing to make, but you're asking us to match it, right? So, it's not just a complete donation. Um, two, if with my original motion that I want to stick with, I want
you to be I want to be clear that I wouldn't think that we would the city would try to purchase that property behind Threadgill as additional parking. At that point, it wouldn't make sense for the city to purchase that that lot just to provide parking for a a facility
that you have complete control over. Right? It doesn't make sense to me at all. So, um I'm willing to stick with the original motion, but in conjunction, I will not agree to buy that or the city purchase that property behind Threadgill at that point.
Councilman Den, >> thank you. Thank you, mayor. And in no way do I want to stand in the way of the little league utilizing that facility offseason. And that's why I put in at least my motion that they should be
given priority. And I would direct the city manager to do what is ever is necessary to make sure that it's a seamless process, whether it's give them a key, just, you know, I leave that to you and the staff to work out. So, I want to make it clear that I'm not
trying to cause any problem with them using it for softball or whatever else they need. Um, but the bottom line is it's a city facility owned by the city. And, uh, I think if I understand what went on at the last meeting, we're going to put quite a bit of money into
renovations and upbeat that are mainly going to be matched by the little league. So, I want to support them as much as I can, but it is a city facility. Unless we sell it to them, we have to uh at least have the veneer of control. So, that's the only comment I
would have. >> Yep. All right. Councilman Schmidt. >> Thank you. I'm not sure if this will be a question for Larry or somebody else up here, but um if the league doesn't use it or ask to
use it for those months and nobody's using it besides the trash maybe being taken out by the city employee every day, what happens when the tenant comes back in January after it's been dormant for five months? If
there's problems, who who's going to be responsible? Would the city be responsible for that to fix anything that's happened for the five months when nobody was there? Do we have do you know how like how that would work? >> Or would it be more helpful to have
somebody there that's going to maintain the property like every other city leased property that has a fullear lease, food for thought, sheriff's department, museum, everybody else. So that way they're taking care of the property. I'm I'm just concerned that
something might happen if nobody's there. >> Certainly a concern. Um I know there's some of that is covered in the lease that there's certain things the city would do and certain things the league would do. But um it's like anything that
goes unused, you move out of a house for six months, you're going to come back and wish you hadn't moved out. >> Right. Okay. And and um Ray, I won't be voting uh in this. I'll be accusing myself for fear of impropriety, I believe is the word that we learned. A
couple >> appearance of impropriety, >> right, Councilwoman Traml. >> I I just I'm going to tell you a little story, and this is true. 50 years ago, I asked Dalton Threadgill to help me start a
girls softball league. He told me that if I went any further with this, he would have me fired from the school system. That there was no point in having girls softball down there in Little League. And I said, "Okay." But anyway, I just wanted y'all to know that
story. I'm glad girl softball's getting started. That's what I played my whole life, but there wasn't anything any such thing as Title Nine. So, you know, that's why we did it in Niceville. But um I'm going to support the substitute motion for the same reasons uh Mr.
Destin spoke of. I think the liability and it is city property and I think we should manage it. But I do think that between the city manager and Lisa, you can work out an agreement where you have more options. I guess my question too is
in the off season, why would you need to go down there to have batting practice when we have fields up here at Morgans that are already lit up at night? I I don't know. Can you answer that for me? >> Yeah. >> Do we have a batting cage at Morgan's or
are we still working on that yet? We have well we do have recently there's been nets brought from Threadgill to Morgans's I believe to make it a little better but >> it's not really available to go up here at Morgans's and do that
>> and there's no lights either unfortunately to answer >> well I was going to say we got plenty of lights there we're going to have a ton of lights pretty soon >> right they're not going to light up a field to then do that but >> so anyway okay thank you >> councilwoman a neighbor >> uh yes I reason why I wanted to speak
real quick is if if I support the the the first motion versus the substitute or rather the substitute motion, is there any way we can add in there that we can share a set of keys with him, Lisa, or is that not doable? >> Um, yes, council that we have a,
you know, we have communication, I mean, with the president all these years, however they want to work it. Now, little league at this time, the last two plus there was a couple other years prior to it, they did have fall little
league. No problem. We just work it together. I mean, there's never been a problem. >> Well, then I'll support the substitute motion based on that. There won't be any problem with you getting access immediately to that field when you set balls stuff up. And I would hopefully
suggest that, you know, if you know you've got the whole month of September, tell her now. I need the key every night. Just let me have it. Come on, send somebody over and unlock the fields and all. So, um, I just want this to be easy for you and for all the people you're trying to set this up because it's such a great thing for the kids that want to do this. I want this to not
be a government red tape kind of thing. That's why I'm anxious about everyone saying, "Well, the substitute motion is the right thing because we don't want to give up control because ultimately it's the city's responsibility if anyone gets hurt or gets broken into." So I feel that's responsible on that part, but I
also want it to be easy for you to help your, you know, many kids that want to play. So yeah, if you come back up. >> And I just want to say we are in no way trying to shut the city out of this. Okay. We don't really know what these
new upgrades are going to do. And when and our board is reelected. We were just reelected. So now our new board is going to go out and put together what they want to do for fall, right? And so a lot of times when the board changes, different timing changes. Why? Some years we've done fall ball, some days we've done clinics, some years we
haven't. Depends on the volunteers who's willing to put in the effort to go do it. And so our our concern was we put this new these new turfs on this field. The city looks at it and says, "Oh, we can book this thing from August 1 till
December 1." And then, you know, because it and it's wanted because it's now a great facility and we go to do fall and now all of a sudden we don't have a field to do fall because we've got tournaments every year, every month or
every week going on at Dustin Little League. And that's a I don't know if that's going to happen, but that's just we just wanted that's why we wanted to basically just reverse the ask, right, of of hey, come to us. Hey, UTI SA wants to do
three tournaments in October. Can we do it? And we can look at it and go, okay, yeah, that fits. We're going to do fall ball starting in September and be done. You know, that's that's what we're looking for. We don't want control. We do indemnify the city. We've got I mean, Little League International is a pretty
big organization. There's plenty of lawyers and as you all know and as every lawyer knows, it doesn't matter whose names on the top of that, everybody's getting named. It's just a matter of how it shakes out. So, I feel like that's kind of a not really an issue, but thank you. >> And I can assure council from staff,
we're going to work with the league. If they've got a plan for fall ball that uses it all fall, we're going to acquies and work with them to make it successful. >> And that's all I'm asking is I don't want >> have those conversations early and often as early as we need to to make sure that
uh we get the most utilization out of it. If it's little E, wonderful. If it's other aspects that the city may sponsor, we can go down that path as well, but it'll be in a coordinated effort. >> All right, with that, I'll call the vote for the substitute motion with city
control with LLD priority or that's DDL, DLL, dyslexic. >> Yeah, Dwey had the substitute motion. I believe you had the uh >> second. >> Oh, on here.
>> Ray is trying to do it. All right, there we go. All right, eyes have it. One, two, three, four, five, six. So moved, one abstension, one no. And with that, the >> So mayor, just to for a point of clarification, I just want the council
to know unless y'all direct me. Otherwise, this would not be coming back to you again >> because you've approved it. They already um came back and asked you to reconsider, you've approved it again. I don't see another reason to put it on the agenda. So you won't be seeing it again unless you tell me otherwise.
>> All right, sounds good. Mr. Jones. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 4B is a request for a lean reduction on a code violation. Uh this dates back to 2018 uh where a short-term rental property uh
failed to register. Uh they were notified and found a violation. Uh a $250 per day fine began acrewing on September 23rd of 2018. Uh that fine acrewed for 2,7 days for a total of 51
$1,750. Um this afternoon we did confirm that all of the um BTRs and the STRs has been were paid as of uh March of last year and at that
point the fines did stop acrewing. So, the number you see before you was between the uh September 23rd date and the March date of last year when those um all of those fees were paid. Uh the
children's are here and Mr. King is here, I think, going to speak on their behalf. >> I just like to say I love seeing Dalton Threadgill getting so much attention. What a what a treat that is, first of all. Um, well, good evening, mayor. What's that? >> Wish you were up there.
>> Oh, man. >> Yeah. >> Oh, shoot. Well, good evening, mayor, council. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Johnny King, and I had the honor of serving on this council from 2020 to 2024. Um, for
those I've served alongside, uh, it was one of the greatest privileges of my life to work with you for the city. uh come tonight not necessarily as a former council member uh but as a neighbor and a friend to share the story of Mr. Ken and Miss Beverly Childress.
Uh the Childresses have been tied to Destin since 1985. They've been coming here a long time. And this will tell you, we were talking the other day and they said, "Man, when we first started coming here, we used to go to that we used to go to that restaurant way out in the country. It was called uh Fud Puckers."
I thought that y'all thought y'all think that was funny. Budpuckers, for those of you who don't know, used to be way out in the country. It was out it was way out there. Uh yeah. Um so they they bought this town home in 2006. Uh in October 2018, they received a notice for
special magistrate meeting. The notice didn't mention anything about short-term rentals. Uh and they truly didn't understand what it was about. Uh at the same time, Mr. Childress was dealing with lung disease, heart disease, prostate cancer. I was later diagnosed, I believe, later diagnosed with uh
Parkinson's. The first time they heard about a lean was in 2022 when BA So, Bicasa took over as a rental management company. They were self-rrening. Vicassa took over. Um 2022 is the first they got notified of a
lean on their property. Uh Miss Beverly called the city directly and was told there was no lean. She called twice. was told by city staff that there was no lean on the property. Um I think they acted in good faith and relied on that
information. Bicasa Bicasa then rented the property without properly registering it. Meanwhile, the family faced profound hardship. In December 2022, their daughter Melissa uh suffered from cardiac arrest, was put on a ventilator
for a week. in October of 2023, her husband Randy, who was a very dear friend of mine and our family, uh, passed away. Um, to kind of tell you there a little bit of their involvement. So, Randy and Melissa moved down here by way of this town home. They were able to come down,
visit, fell in love with Dest. Uh, they bought their own condo at the at the Destin yach club. I went to Celebration of Life. There was a hundred locals there. They were involved in the community. They're here. um
in October. Well, Randy passed away uh in October of 2023. September >> September of 2023, forgive me. Um forcing her to sell the condo at the yach club and move back to Kentucky uh
so that the children say her parents could take be her primary caregiver. Um Mr. Childress, Marine Corps veteran. uh Purple Heart recipient has endured cancer, lung disease, Parkinson's, and a stroke. Miss Beverly, now 79, please
forgive me, is his prim and Melissa's primary caregiver. She worked full-time until she was 77 years old until Melissa came home and became their primary her primary care caregiver as well. Uh in October 2023, they moved management companies to Real Joy.
Um, and I believe Realjoy made they were they acted correctly and started to pay the short-term rental registration fees
and I believe in March 2024 the that was when everything came back. Like Mr. Jones said, uh, to be transparent, there my my understanding is there's still about $1,500 in back registration fees remain due. Is that
correct? >> And the children's is prepared prepared to pay them. Uh, the main thing main reason we're here, we got to get them out of a three-story town home and into a one-story unit that meets their needs. Um, that's really
what this request is about. uh allow allowing them to keep a home in Destin and I've been assured that Melissa will be back in Destin as a city of Destin resident who happens to be our number one priority as a city. Uh I know this council has the power to
completely overturn this lean. Uh that would be unreasonable and the Childresses are not asking for that. They're willing to accept a fair and just penalty. My experience, I've seen this council reduce leans by 84%, 98% and 90%. Three
different leans. That's an average of 91%. Our ask tonight would simply be that you reduce the lean to $40,000. It's a big ask, I know, but in light of the misinformation, the mismanagement, and the extraordinary hardships this family has endured, believe it is a fair
and compassionate path forward. I know each of you values fairness and community. I saw it firsthand during my time on the DAS. On behalf of the children's family, thank you for considering this request and for the way you continue to serve the people of Destin. At this point, I'd be glad to answer any questions and the
children's and Melissa would be happy to answer any questions as All right, Councilman Bagby. >> Mayor, I move to reduce the lean to $35,000. >> All right, I have a motion. >> I'll second. >> I have a second. Uh discussions.
Councilman Gile, >> I have a question. You said that they called in I apologize 2022 and was told there was no lean. >> Was that what you said? or what I said. >> Turn the mic on.
>> That's what I said. Mr. Gal, >> this isn't the first time you've been here. Turn >> channeling my inner Mr. Destin here. >> We just lost one. >> Well, I have a question for staff. Do we know what that balance was in 2022 during that time when we said that there
was no lean? >> You can calculate it. It's $250 a day from the day it started. So, what was the date? Do you do you know the date or just sometime in 2022? Did it say in there >> it started? >> October when it started started in September. >> October 178.
>> Oh, I know when it started. I'm asking when you got the information that there was no lean. That's the date you're asking about, right? September. >> Yeah. I'm asking about the date that we told them there was no lean. >> That's the date I'm asking about, right? >> I know when the lean started. I'm trying
to find out what that date was, what that lean amount was because in my mind, if we told you there was no lean, which this goes against everything that and it hurts deep in my core because I am so against short-term rentals, it hurts.
But if we told you that there was no lean at that date in my mind, anything acred after that shouldn't be nobody should be responsible for. But whatever that dollar amount was before we made that comment, there's they should still be liable. So that's what I would like
to understand is what that dollar amount was. >> Kim is calculating >> from October 17th until the lean >> until they were told from the when the >> the balance the date they told you there was no lean. Whatever that balance was from the time the lean started to the
date they told you no. >> I can get that for you. I have a I have some text message conversations uh between Miss Beverly and >> because anything after that to me is on
us as a city. >> Okay. >> No fault, no blame. Everybody makes mistakes, but anything prior to that was still in existence. >> Yeah. Just to put it in perspective, um,
$250 a day times 365 days in a year is 91,250 a year. So 2019, 2020, 21, 22, right? So four yearsish. >> No, that's not
>> plus or minus $90,000. >> Does that sound right? So $360,000 is what you're thinking. If it was exactly three years, it would be 274,000. She said four. >> I know. That's why I'm like, "All right,
>> 20 was a leap year. You guys are going." I mean, >> the bottom line is it's around 91,2. It's around 91,250 a year, right? So, whenever that day is, however many years that was, you would
just >> times, you know, times it by that amount. If it's one year, it's 91,000. And if it's two years, it's about 182. If it's three years, add another 90,000 to that. >> Mhm. >> I'm not a mathematician, but uh I was mistaken in saying 2022. It was
2023 of July of 2023 is what? Now, how permissible this is between them and Bicasa, I don't know. Um >> Okay. So, >> well then, why can't they sue Picasso
for lying? That's a long way. >> Yeah. >> Well, I mean, that's not our problem. >> Well, >> right. >> And that's not our taxpayers problem. >> That's right. >> So, help me understand. So, >> I'm Melissa Davis. I now reside in
Kentucky. Um 7167 Hillyard Circle. Um I'm I'm their their daughter. um Picassa um was a part of this, but my mom did call because she has the name of the person at the city that told her two
times that um there was no lean on the property, >> right? But I'm trying to find out what date that was that she called and was told that. >> And that was the 20 in 2023. >> Okay. 2023. And the lean started in 2019 though, >> correct? >> 2018.
>> 2018. Yeah. lean started on September 23rd of 2018. >> Okay. So almost four and a we'll say four and a half years >> to Mr. G. The first the first correspondence I have at all is
I believe July 2023 and I'm trying to confirm that with you right now. But that was when it got that was when it got brought to their attention. And so they immediately of course call they're not trying to dodge $250 a year. They immediately call
the city of Destin. So July 23rd of 2023 is what it looks like to me. Immediately call the city desk. They said we don't have any we don't have any knowledge of a lean against your property. So sorry, forgive me. Well, this I can tell you the second time they brought it
up was July 24th, 2023. And that's when the second that's when the second call was made. Is that correct? >> Okay. When was the first? Yeah, >> because what my substitute motion is going to be is whatever that dollar amount there was still responsible, but they should go after Picassa legally for
those funds at that point. And Picassa is the one that misled them because it's not a city issue at that point. But anything that the city presented and they were still acrewing, then that's a city issue and that's what we should take into account. Anything prior to that was their failure, not our failure.
Correct? Does that make sense what I'm saying? >> Yeah. So if you can find me the date from the first I would say from the day the lean started to the first time we made our mistake that's the balance they should pay and they should go after Vicassa
legally for that not our taxpayers. >> Okay. >> Did you say that you thought the date was July 23rd 2023? Um that was the second time. Okay. >> Uh June 1st 2023. Sorry, I was reading
the trying to read the date on the text messages, but I'm looking at the notes here. I'm going off of handwritten notes. >> So, that would be 1,712 days from when it went uh when it started, September 23rd of 2018. Uh that
comes to $428,000. >> So, my substitute motion would be reduction to $428,000. And if they feel that's they want to go after Picassa, that's on them. >> Is that a motion? substitute motion. It's a substitute motion. >> All right. Do I have a second for the
substitute motion? >> I'll just second it for discussion. >> Okay. All right. And you're up. >> My We've had situations before that we've had very poor communication between whether it's the city or the short-term
rental company. But um in my heart of hearts at this point I feel like we've gone with the 16% of what that amount would be and that calculation would be $80,000. And you know, I would like to, you know,
see if we could find out if we could just come to terms with a set amount and do what we've done in the past for very strange situations that have happened with people that, you know, have been in dire straits that had completely no idea. They had a lean, they had, you
know, bad information. And we did 16% of in for this case that 400 something thousand um calculates down to 80,000. So, I mean, I'm that's where I'm at right now. I know that we're on a second motion, you know, a substitute motion.
So, >> anybody else? >> Yep. Council BY. >> Thank you, mayor. And I understand uh Mr. G's point and I've probably supported that against the doctor who was selling his house for and making $5
million and he owed us $400,000 and I think we settled for a h 100,000 or whatever the heck we set. You know, this is kind of the theme for tonight for me is this is not a zero sum game.
Uh these are folks uh you know, good folks. I got my masters at Western. Go Hill Toppers. Okay. So, >> uh, but it's not, you know, it's kind of like the, uh, FRS and the Social Security thing. It's
not about the $271,000. And this to me, it's not about the 500 and whatever, thousands. It's about what's fair for everybody. And that was the question when I talked with you. What's fair? What's fair for the homeowners and what's fair for the city?
you've you've been up here. What's fair for the staff? What's fair for the citizens, you know, to pay? And I just think that I won't support the substitute motion because I don't think 420,000. Although I I understand exactly how you
got there because engineers, we tend to think exactly like that. I just don't think that's fair uh to these folks. And you know, I I knocked you agreed to 40,000. And I if you know, I would take
40,000. I'd even take 45, but I knocked it down a little bit because y'all actually probably traveled down here from Bowling Green and to show up in person and make your case and and you deserve some consideration for that. But
it we're we're up here to fairly represent the people that elected us here. And I think to fairly represent them tonight would be to show some compassion for these folks. Yeah, you you made a mistake and you should pay for that
mistake, but you shouldn't pay 500 or in my mind, my personal just my personal opinion, you shouldn't pay 500 or 400,000 for that mistake. >> Uh, Councilwoman Tramlin, >> my question is for Mr. Bagby. Um, if you
look at our little chart here and and it says on March 2024, they still had $1,500 in back STRs. Are you including that in the amount or in addition to the amount? Well, I I would say that would
be all-incclusive in my motion, but my information that I got and I had David verified, and it may be wrong, but he told me uh in my briefing this
afternoon that he they went back and verified that everything had been paid by Vicasa, the short-term rental fees and the BTR fees. And if I misunderstood what you told me, I made a mistake again, which happens regularly every
day. But >> the fact that the lean stopped acrewing means that all of those fees were paid and that it was in compliance or else the city would not have stopped the daily fine from acrewing when it did. So it is the city's belief based on their records that everything was paid.
>> So my that's my mistake on that chart if that's the case. So my belief is that 1,500 is been paid, but if it hasn't, I would include it in the amount that I have made in my original motion, which is not
being debated. >> Okay. Thank you. I can support that. >> All right, Councilman Dustin. >> Thank you, Mayor. The bottom line is the 1,500 that they didn't pay for their licenses is what they owe the city. After that, it's
what's called punitive. Punitive is for when you took an action you knew was wrong and you're punished for doing that. I don't think these people should be assessed because they were not trying to take an action that they knew was wrong. And
with all due respect to Mr. Cows, I'm I'm not sure how you rationally come to the conclusion that before you were told there is no lean, you owe the lean. if you're told there is no lean, how could you possibly owe the lean for that prior date? So, while I understand where he's
coming from, I I don't really get that that uh train of thought. And so, in my opinion, we're still giving them $4ome,000 worth of punitive. I don't think that's right, but it seems to me to be a fair compromise that takes
into account their situation and still gives the city the uh the hammer for later people to say it's not just that you're going to have to pay what you didn't pay in licenses. We can charge you more. And that's the object of what the leans are. It's to get attention of
the people so that they know they're not going to be able to ignore our rules with impunity. And so 45,000 is still a hell of a price for five, six years worth of licenses, but I'll go along with the uh the original motion.
>> All right, Councilman G. >> One last thing. Um, Council Dustin, I understand your point, but ignorance is not an excuse at any point of the law. So, it's your job to know what you're going to do whenever you put your your residents up for a business. And to me,
ignorance is it's no excuse for any other point of the law. Why would it be for this point of the law? Secondly, I would like to address something Councilman Bagby said. You said, "We're uh we're here to support the people that voted for us." Well, these people are from Bowling Green. They are not homesteaded. They did not vote for us.
They are not our residents. We are they are a business. That's all they are. They are second tier on our list. First tier that we said we would put priority are our residents. So I these people don't vote for us. They're they're not our resident and I I put our residents first.
>> All right. With that, the discussion board is off and we have a motion on the table for I believe 482,000. And that is our substitute motion at the moment. >> So we're voting on that substitute. >> All right. Councilman G stays to his
guns. a lot. >> All right. So, we're back to the original motion of of uh Council Member Jim and Abear for the 35K on the board. Um other substitute motions can be made at this moment. >> I'd like to make a substitute motion uh to come to a
like I said the 16% that we have charged for others that have had very severe situations come up. I feel like in this case, you know, we certainly don't want to charge them $400,000. That's just really it's mean whether they voted for us or not. It's just not right. Um I
would make a substitute motion. 16% of that uh of an 80,000 would be what I would suggest. I'd like to make a motion that they pay 80,000 flat and that covers any fees that are still outstanding whatever it is that flat 80,000.
>> All right. I have a substitute motion for 80,000. I'll second it just because it makes more sense to report it. >> All righty. So, I have a motion in a second. Any further discussion on the substitute motion? >> All right. Seeing none, we'll call the
vote. Oh boy. All right. Uh, still decline 34. No cigar. We're back to the original motion. I think at this point we're not I mean I guess I can I'd have to accept a substitute, but I'm just going to call the vote if I don't see anyone else on discussion board for the original motion of 35,000. Seeing none, I'll call the
vote. Some stressful motions here. Jesus. I couldn't imagine being on this side. I'm 35,000 original motion. Going once waiting for Ray to open the book.
>> Jeez. And while we're waiting, uh, past councilman, can I get your address for the record? >> Doing this completely backwards. >> Address, please. Oh. Uh, Johnny King, 846 North Lakeside Drive. >> Thank you, sir.
>> Guys, council, mayor, everyone involved. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. These are wonderful people. I've known these people my whole life. They are wonderful people. and and Melissa did vote for you guys. >> Um, >> and they're moving back >> and she's trying to get back here. >> I'm trying my best to get back. I have
responsibility. >> So, seriously, this has been a stressful few days for all of us and and we are water, please. >> Very grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you for being here. Appreciate you guys making the tripe down. Thank you for being here. >> Thank you for coming down. And hopefully
35 is at least, you know, stomachable. Okay. >> It's fair. >> All right. It is >> with that. >> No, Johnny. >> The next 4 C >> Mr. Jones. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The next item is
regarding the uh Cchase livery vessel agreement. Um, this was an agreement with between Miss Jerry Andrews and council that expired at the end of June and I believe she is here tonight to ask for your reconsideration
of that expiration or perhaps uh a renewal of that agreement um regarding some registrations for um vessels and um believe Miss Andrew here and she can explain.
>> Hey Miss Anders. Yes. All right. All right, just name and address wherever you're at now. >> Sherry Andrews, 5 Calhoun Avenue. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Um, I think all I want to ask tonight is to extend my original agreement. I believe I'm the only one that ever even came to council to ask for an agreement
and we've kind of kicked this can down the road a bit and I put off coming because until the ordinance is finalized, there's I don't know what to ask for. you know, my business plan has changed, my business model has changed,
and we're not really doing, we are I guess they are considered livery. We're doing actually captain charters only. Um, I do have 10 medallions, and all I'm asking is to extend this until we get all the eyes dotted and te's crossed or
whatever, and then I probably will come before you again. >> All right, fair enough. We got the board lit up, Council Member Braden. Thank you, mayor. I don't think we can really extend something that's expired, can we? >> No, it wouldn't be an extension at this
point. It's over. So, now it would be a reinstatement. I think the extension term came because when Miss Andrews first came to the city, it was still in effect and the name just stuck. Um, but then she pushed it back a couple of times waiting on the ordinance. So, at this point, it would be a request to
reinstate it technically. >> All right. Uh, Councilwoman Abear. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, you've had these registrations for over two years and they're pretty much expired now, right? Of 10, you had seven.
>> I had 20, actually. >> Okay. And so, you still have two that are still >> We have two that are No, no, I have a management company that runs my vessels right now. Um, a couple of them here and then my my original are up in Niceville.
So the captain bearboat, they're actually they're the yacht boats. I have the exact same insurance as the yachts. We run true bearboat charters. We have bearboat charter agreements. We have named drivers. >> I'm just asking about how many you have
still registrations. Not your business. You have two registrations not assigned to a to a boat, right? >> Three. >> Three. Three registrations. They are not currently assigned to a boat because I have a management company running those boats. >> But you've had
>> if I quit those registrations, if I give them up >> or if I don't use them, I mean, if I if my agreement with the management company ends, then I'm I've got nothing. >> Russ is saying you've tried for two years.
>> I haven't tried. No. Okay. Okay, we like I said this this year my business model changed or a couple years ago my business model changed. We went to the captain charters and this has got kicked down the can because we were waiting on
the yachts. What was going to happen? Were they going to need livery licenses? We're going were they going to need some of the excess ones? So that took six months and then the ordinance. So I was waiting on that. So, the time just progressed and progressed and progressed because I didn't really know what to
request because there was no ordinance in place to give me some guidelines. >> Were you holding out for at the time a larger fee to resell your registrations to other boat owners? >> I didn't know what I was doing. I've been in the middle of moving and I I
really just they the agreement was there so I just kept them. I did I was one of the original that took the $100. Um, I think all of us, any person up here that's a business owner, you open a business to grow a business, to grow it,
to sell it. Mr. Destin, you know, I sat at Dewey Destin's the first week it was open in a little shack on the harbor and now he's got three or four restaurants, you know, uh, ice cream places. What if somebody had said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dustin, but you're only you we're only
going to allow so many seafood restaurants in this town." I think what we're talking about now is delivery vessels and that's strictly a completely different situation because we've put a moratorum in place. So we've had our limitations. I was just trying to get from you. Were you trying to try and
resell these when you weren't going to open up and continue on? >> I did resell eight of them. Okay. Yes. I don't really care about reselling them right now. >> Okay. Because your your time's up. You waited for two years. So they've basically expired. Correct. I did wait for two years because I was waiting on
all these ordinances between the yachts and the >> um you know we've been discussing this for a year at least and so it's there's no point me coming up and asking can we extend this can we extend this can we extend this when we thought this was
going to be resolved a year ago and then the yachts came up and we thought they were going to need these delivery license so yes because I was not allowed to grow my light my business. It's cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hundreds of thousands over the six or
seven years that I was still in business and there was a moratorum. You know, everybody wants to grow their business. So, if we make $20,000 off a medallion, the city cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue. So, I don't care
about selling them now. I need to keep three for myself. or when we're talking about these moratoriums, if y'all say, "Sorry, Sherry. Hit the road. We're not going to do it." There's nothing. That's why this whole moratorum and medallions, they make no sense
because I can turn around tomorrow, walk into city hall, I have the parking, I have the bathrooms, I have I can get a new BTR, and now I can put captains just as I am, but now I'm I can do six-packs with with nothing. So to me, a boat is a
boat is a boat. We keep saying, y'all say, "Well, we'd like to have zero boats from 490 to 200 to zero." You know, that's kind of an insult to us that have worked hard to to grow that harbor down there. If you want to put on if you Google what people want to do in Destin,
put it in chat GBT. Put it on uh or Google it. Number one is the beaches. Number two is Crab Island. So, I didn't mean to get off on rampage, but So, I'd like to just get this reinstated until
we have something that says you cannot transfer it. You have a year to transfer it. You know, I know of three people right now that are operating down there illegally and they would like to have a medallion. So, how do they get one? Why can I not make up a couple hundred?
>> We've never issued medallions at all. >> We've never issued medallions. We never sold medallions. >> Well, whatever the registration, it was tagged as medallions in 2017 or whatever. >> All right, with that, let's keep it rolling. Councilman Schmidt. Oh, no. Perfect timing.
>> Miss Sherry, I touched my heart because you remind me of my grandma that passed away a while ago. You stand up, right? You look so pretty and your hair and everything. So, a couple years ago, you came and asked for an extension on on something because
you said your landlord kicked you out, but maybe I shouldn't say those words, but >> No, I was retiring. >> You were but you lost the ability to use the docks where you were operating. I think you told us. >> So, you didn't have a place to operate in Destin at the time. So, you were
trying to sell and retire. So you wanted an extension and you were going to pursue people to buy your registrations I think over that time. So what what would have changed with the yachts
>> if something you you just said that we've been kicking the can for six months hasn't been a year. I know that with the yachts, but what would have changed with the yachts for you to come in six months ago and not ask for an extension?
>> Well, I was here. >> I I was at the meeting. >> What have we done or not done that? >> There wasn't a point that wasn't, you know, it wasn't resolved until like May and then this all came. >> Is it because you have sold them to a yacht? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> And now they don't have to have them. Is that what you're saying?
>> Right. And I don't need them all. I don't need all 10 of them, but I would like to keep three. >> What are the three that you want to do? >> They're they're in use now, but they're under a management company and they're medallions. >> So, if I sever ties with my with this
management company, I've got to have them. >> And you have three vessels >> operating on delivery vessels. Yes. >> Under a management company. >> Yes. And if you tie sever ties with that company, you your company can operate in
the city of Dest with those three vessels. You have >> Yes. >> Are you able to tell us where you're operating? >> No. Where they would be operating? >> Right. >> I don't I don't know. That's why right now they're under the management company. So as soon as I sever that tie,
if I have to sever that tie, I've got to go find dock space. >> Okay. So you don't have the doc space, right? No, I would like to continue that my agreement with my management company, but if something happens down the road next year, they go, "Oh, okay. We're done. We need these for our boats." >> Right.
>> Then, you know, I would like to have three in my pocket. >> Gotcha. >> Otherwise, the the like the whole medallion thing. Otherwise, I just walk in and now I'm operating I operated double-decker boats. They're unique boats. They have slide trampoline. >> And why don't you just come into city
hall tomorrow and get the new beach? like to get used 12 people. I operate as a bear boat >> and I make I put 12 people. We do, you know, bachelorette parties and every one of my boats is captain though. We're not putting >> we're we're >> Yeah,
>> we're doing it right. We're doing it. >> I know this process has been very tedious and long. >> It's been eight years or something. delivery vessels for a long time. But um I just I can't support doing much to extend it again for you just because me
personally and people I've you know spoken with as well. I mean I I wish you would have come up here six months ago and asked us for for an extension. You know it's kind of like after the fact here but the plan was you were going to go hit the streets and sell those things two years ago. That's what you told us.
And so I don't know what happened, but I just can't I don't want to reinstate it. >> I didn't want to I didn't want I don't care. I don't care about the seven medallions. I don't care about I don't I don't care about selling them. I don't I mean I would like to obviously because we got shorted a lot of money. I mean I
don't think some you'd like somebody come into your business and say, "Oh, you can only have five clients." >> So did you did you renew the three that you're using? >> They're renewed until I have all 10 of them are paid for until the end of 2025. I pay on them every year. Right. >> So, they're sitting there.
>> So, in theory, David, she just has registrations, but not really with registrations because they're not >> they're not assigned to a boat. >> So, you you have them on paper, but you've been >> right. That's what >> we didn't extend. We didn't extend it, right? So, >> yeah, David,
>> the tying them to the boat just came up. So, even if I had extended this agreement, it's still it's it's >> okay. until we know what the ordinance is going to actually say. >> Got it. >> It's difficult. But I don't I have no intention of using the 10 medallions. I
would like to keep two or three, you know, at least two, possibly three. And like I said, this whole moratorum and if it's to keep the amount of boats down, there's nothing to prevent me from coming in here tomorrow if y'all say no,
you can't have any. And then, yeah, I can't run 12 packs, but I can put I'll put all 10 I I can find dunk slips for 10 boats. So, this whole medallion thing and I don't think everybody really understands
it 100%. >> Because a boat is a boat is a boat. >> All right. >> So, whether I have six people on a boat or 10 people, if I have the available parking, >> what what is the difference? >> Do you have anything added? Yes. >> Just that my understanding was they were unassigned, right? And you had two year
they gave you two years to have unassigned permits, >> right? >> Okay. Okay. >> That answer your question? >> Yeah. All right. Customer Dustin. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, Miss Sherry, you've been caught in this or participating in this
or whatever you want to call what we've been have going on here for how many years with moratoriums and registrations and medallions that we don't have from the very beginning and some of the points she makes about how many restaurants we can have, how
many charter boats we can have, how many t-shirt shops we can have in Destin not really being something we should be setting. I couldn't agree more with um but since she has been involved with this and has been paying her license
fees, you know, if it's three licenses you're trying to go forward with. >> Yes, sir. >> I I don't see the fairness nor what we accomplished by telling her she cannot before we've even made the decisions on the rest of the me nuts and bolts of the lottery vessel, uh whatever changes
we're trying to make. So, I'll make a motion that she be allowed to renew her three licenses, whatever we want to call those things, and that she be in the pool for whatever decisions we make whenever we make those decisions. >> So, those would fall under unassigned
three unassigned licenses. Is that kind of a clarification you need if we're going to be moving forward soon? >> That's what I understood that you're you're going to allow her to have three permits with unassigned unassigned. >> All right. Is there a time limit or are you saying indefinitely? >> A time
>> a deadline. Is there a time limit? >> Oh, would a year be satisfactory? >> You know, >> right now the votes are, like I said, I have a management company running them. If I went to them and if I could find dock slip, doc space, which is
commercial slips and destin trying to find a unicorn and then so I I mean I I potentially I would have to shut down if I went out from under this management company. So, as long as they we have an
agreement in place and I'm operating under that under their agreement, it's hard for me. I would like to keep them unassigned or I have vessels I can assign them to. They're just not in the water. >> I don't know. >> It's kind of muddy. It's kind of that
kind of muddies it up a little bit. >> Would the year help you is what I'm asking. They've asked if there's a time >> that we want to set in. >> Yes. And if we can't resolve something by then, then we'll just like I said regarding >> we'll be back where we started. Yeah. So I'll put a one year in there if that
makes it more acceptable to my fellow council. >> All right. I got a motion on the floor. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. With that, >> any further discussion? Council Den. >> All right. Councilman Gu.
>> Hello, Miss Andrews. How are you? I got a question for you. You said you have a uh a management company that's running your other >> Mhm. >> permits. >> Mhm. >> Um you said you don't know where they're running those out of. >> Yeah, they run out of Marina Cafe. >> Out of Marina and Cafe. Okay. Um so at
Marina Cafe, they've already justified the parking. They've already justified everything else. Okay. So you have those through that management company. Something else you stated is that um >> Do you currently have a dock? >> Do I have a dock? Yes. Do you have a
dock? >> No. >> Because you're mentioning >> a management company that operates my boat. >> But you were mentioning you could turn them into uh u a chartered six-pack or something like that. So, how would you do that if you don't have a dock? >> Well, I know people that that I I I know
where the unicorn is. >> Okay. So, you're saying you could have access to a dock? >> Yes. >> Okay. If you have access to a dock, why don't you assign them to the boats that you're talking and put them at that dock? because then my management company wouldn't man I live in Panama City. I have my my main residence is here in
Dest. I live in my second home in Panama City Beach. So, it behooves me I'm trying to retire, but it behooves me to have a management company run the boats so I don't have to be here on a daily basis running the boats. >> Well, you could hire somebody to manage
the boats, but I'm just trying >> You could hire someone to manage the boats, >> right? You could have an employee rather than a management company. You say you have docks and the other claim you made is that we're costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. How are we costing? >> You're not now, Mr. Giles. When when this went into when the moratorum went
into effect, I went from I started my business in 2010 with one boat, two jet skis in March. In April, we had an oil spill. We persevered through it. The next year, I added on. I That's what businesses do. I added I went to four
boats. The next year or two years I went to eight. Then I went to 12. Then I went to 20. Sorry, I had the opportunity to add another six votes. I could not add another six votes because of the moratorum. If you add up that lost
income, we're talking it's about $2 million that I could have made in the last six years >> if there were no moratorium. >> If there were. >> But you understand the purpose of the mortorium was public safety. Correct. >> What's that? the the purpose of the moratorium is public safety. So you're
saying at the risk of livelihoods, other people's livelihoods, you could have made $2 million, right? I mean, we've done a harbor study that says we're over capacity. So you're saying we've cost you $2 million over so many years because we are trying to
protect the public. >> What's the difference? Let me ask you this. What's the difference in me running those boats as a livery or being I operate then with a captain? What's the difference if I come in tomorrow? >> Shall I explain that difference to you?
>> So a captain, do you think a captain can operate that boat more effectively and more efficiently than a tourist? >> Yes, that's why. >> Okay. Do you think they could Do you think they can manage that boat more safely? >> Yes, that's why. >> Do you think they know how to go ahead and anchor off on Crab Island properly? >> Yes, that's why. >> Would it prevent accidents, do you
think? Yes, that's >> well that's exactly why a captain boat >> doesn't require a moratorum >> that might do require my li my boats today do require livery you guys consider a bareboat charter
even though I have the yacht insurance you consider and I have all those none of my boats go out without a captain not one it's a named insurance I pay I went from 500 a year the medallions. I'm sorry.
>> Then you don't need the medallions. If everyone in your boats have a captain, you don't need >> the city considers them livery licenses, sir. The city considers them livery licenses. Even though I have captains, my boats do not go out without a
captain. But the US Coast Guard defines a bearboat charter differently than a six-pack charter. a bareboat charter under the US Coast Guard rules and this is I can carry >> we don't follow that same def definition
>> so it our definition for livery vessel used to require a US coast guard licensed captain to be exempt and then when what Miss Andrews is talking about is when we changed the definitions in the time frame where we were we where we
were discussing the yachts we said now it's all rented vessels including bear boats. Bearboats do have a captain, but the difference between a bearboat and other captained vessels is that for a bearboat, the owner of the vessel
relinquishes control completely to the tenant and the tenant chooses the captain usually from a list, but they can choose a captain. On the boats that are are still exempt from the livery definition, they have a captain at all times and the owner remains in control.
So, she's right that a bearboat with a captain is still a livery vessel. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. So, the only way I would support this is if she assigned those three medallions currently to a vessel um and it meet and it's compliant with the
current code. >> Councilman Bagby. >> Okay. I uh I'm halfway to where Mr. Destin is because I would support till the next season which is March 1st or whatever when we require the new medallion or God
I didn't want registrations. I swore I wouldn't use that word and I did uh >> because what I don't understand is the management company the the role because the registration goes with the boat not
with the management company. So you could pull all your boats under that management company and you say, you know, you could find other uh dockage >> possibly. >> Possibly. So the I don't understand the argument.
Well, the management company could cut me off next. Okay. Well, they just lost your boats. You know what? You still have the boats and you still have the registrations and the management company just lost an asset that I'm pretty sure is making them money or they wouldn't be managing them for you. So, I'm I'm
trying to understand what the concern is with the management company because you own the registrations and you own the boats, right? >> The registrations. I have all my boats,
not all of them, but 10 of my boats that were originally in Destin I was going to require. I re retire. >> Okay. >> And so, I shut down. Nobody kicked me out. I just to be clear, right? >> That I was going to retire, >> right?
>> It's hard work. I've done it since 2010. >> Yep. >> Made my money, ready to go home. >> Yep. >> So, um I gave up my location, 314 Harbor Boulevard, Keith Howard's property. >> Yeah. >> And I gave up after I gave up my
location, an old business partner of mine came and said, "Hey, I'll take the boats. I'll manage the boats for you. You don't have to do a thing. At the end of the season, we split the money. >> I mean, that's a pretty good deal. >> Yeah. But you still retain ownership of
the boats, right? >> So, yes. >> Okay. And the registrations are registered to those boats that you own. >> Yes. But they're they're they're >> I don't care who manages them. you >> the stickers are not they're not C
they're under the manage they're under a management companies >> who >> which I don't understand it was approved by the city many years ago >> okay that doesn't even make sense to me but none of this makes sense to me >> I know it's it's very convoluted
>> the thing I would say is um you know you had two years I I'll I'll grant you that and I'm willing to say you know till next March. Uh because by then if we don't have something figured out on
these livery vessels, then I say just let anybody do it because this is this is insane how long this has taken. >> Amen. >> You know, and and it's, you know, I know from your point of view and from John's point of view, it's worse than insane. >> It is. But, you know, so I'm I'm going
to make a substitute motion that we reintroduce or re do you till March 1st of next year. That gets you to where we have a solution and then you can make an educated decision that says, "Hey, I don't want anything
to do with these people anymore." Or, "Yeah, I'm going to do the other three." But you have the boats and you have the registrations and you own the boats. I'm not the management company thing. I still don't understand why you keep bringing that up because it's they're irrelevant in my mind legally.
>> Well, they they it's I'm using their medallions or stickers or registrations >> registrations. But >> so if I leave, if management companies break up, you you've been in this business a long time. >> You're not using their registrations because you're using your registrations that are with the boats that you own.
>> It's not their registrations. >> Yeah. Thank you. Okay. >> And in any event, I will change the date to March because I don't think you substitute substitute. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did you do a substitute? >> Press your button. >> I think while y'all are discussing >> Okay. So, I'm just going to make a
substitute motion because you had the original motion. >> Okay. >> Okay. You going to change it March 1st? >> I'm good. >> That's fine. I mean, we I mean, >> will you also make sure they're assigned to a boat and meet city ordinances as far as parking and >> they have to meet Absolutely. She has to meet city ordinances with or without
that being in the motion. >> Have to be assigned to a boat. >> No, the assignment to the boat can be part of the motion if if the motion maker wants it to be. >> Will you do that? That's the only way I'll support it is if it's >> No, it's not. You don't
>> No. The I think the original motion was for it to be unassigned for three vessels. So if you want to change that to have them assigned. I think Miss Andrew said she would agree with that also. >> I would need at least until the first of the season to get them assigned to
because they are not assigned to my vessels. >> Okay. >> Those three are not assigned. They're unassigned at this point, but I would need at least a year to either move them or figure sell them, figure something else out or like I said, this whole
livery and medallion as it comes up in this discussion. It's really a mute point, y'all, because like I said, it doesn't matter. You're you're talking about this safety out there. You know, I put captains on my boats. I I ran for 15 years 20 boats with 200 people there at
nine o'clock every morning that you know they were wild. I'm I'm not So I decided when I got out of the business to keep a couple boats. We went and bought some nice double-decker slide unique boats and decided to that we didn't want to do
the >> Yeah. All right. >> Yeah. Councelor Schmidt. So, it sounds to me like Miss Andrews has transferred her registrations to somebody else >> a several years ago >> because you just said that a management company's using your registrations on
>> They're not using They're using their registrations on my boats. >> You just said they're not your boats. >> They are my votes. >> It just came out of your mouth that they're not your boats. That That's not your boat.
>> That they're votes registration. So it's your votes, the three. Yes. >> And your registrations? >> Yes. And they manage them for me. And under their under their under this big umbrella, right? >> So they registration. >> They manage your votes >> under their registration
>> which have your registration numbers. >> See, we're changing registration to me is your FL numbers. >> No. Exactly. So >> you know, so it's very confusing. >> That's the confusion. I'll use your I'll use your language then. Is it your medallions? >> No, that's the point. But we we gave you two years with 10 medallions.
>> Yeah. >> So we're >> Why aren't they your medallions? So that's why I don't understand what we're saying. Nobody wants >> because we have people lining up at the door trying to do business the no offense. They want to come here and they want to do delivery vessels. They want to be doing business the right way with
the city and we're telling them no. >> But now this entire time you're not even using them. You're using some I'm I don't get what we're doing. So that's why they didn't want to give theirs up, Kevin. They didn't want to give theirs up either. They didn't want to give theirs up. >> But we have people that want to do this
remote there. >> And you're using somebody else. So what do we even What are we talking about then? >> I would like to move. Let's say I have to move my >> But you don't need them. You're not using them. >> That's what you just told us. >> I would like to make sure I would like until March to change them around.
>> I hear you, but I'm clear now. So, >> and I think y'all need to understand the whole livery and medallion. You're talking about the boats and the safety and the amount of boats out there and y'all are back here. >> Let me get Let me get Jim in here and we're going to call this >> one question. >> David,
>> who are the three medallions? Who owns those three registrations, stickers, or medallions? Who owns them? >> She does. >> You do. They're yours. Okay. They're not the management companies. They're not
Councilman Schmidz. They are yours. You own those three. And what we're explaining to you, and I applaud you, you're using captains and everything. Again, it's about being fair. You got till March 1st of next year if
this motion passes to use them or lose them. >> Perfect. >> Period. That's all I want. >> No more extensions. Councilman Braden. >> That's all I want. >> Councilman Braden. >> Thank you. Um, Jesus Christ.
>> Right. >> Years of this, Rodney. >> I I just don't get it. So, we're fixing to or the vote is, and if it passes, we're going to allow someone to have three registrations for boats that don't
exist with no parking, no bathrooms, nothing else, >> and give her another year >> and give her another >> six, eight months or whatever. >> The boats do exist. So it'll be two and a half years. >> I have 10. But >> we can't. So if we're going to if we're going to allow this, then we can we need
to allow every anybody that wants to come to the city and buy registrations and stuff and hang on to them with no bathrooms, no no parking, no nothing, knowing that they could overnight go get three boats, throw them in the water, and start working, start making money with them. Is that what we're fixing to
start doing, >> Kim? >> That's what that's what we're voting on tonight. partially until you got to the end and said they could start operating because they can't >> they can't start operating in the city until they meet the land development
code and the codes for bathrooms and parking. What it's what it's basically what the motion would do your the rest of what you said was right. The motion would allow Ms. Andrews to keep three unassigned registrations for six months
until March 1st. as I understand it, >> was no parking, no bathrooms, nothing else. >> She she could keep the registrations, but to use them, she would need the bathrooms and everything else because that's what the code requires. This is just basically letting her registrations
be in her court and usable if she meets the code. >> But the registration that little John has, he has right now, he has to have bathrooms, parking, everything the code says. And she won't have she won't have to abide by those rules. This is the council decision. You're
asking me what the motion is. The motion is to have them unassigned to vessels, but she can't use them. >> Then why is the city allowing that? >> Well, she's >> All right. Hold down with the sidebar. Hold down with the sidebar. >> All right.
>> Yeah. All right. Are you good, Councilman Braden? >> Yeah, I'm good. >> Okay. All right. With that, we'll call the vote. Everyone good on the motion? >> You understand? >> Oh, yeah. I guess understood. understand the motion. You're about to tell me if
you if you're good with it. >> All right, Ray, call the vote. >> All right, 34 pusher fails. >> Well, I guess I'll load them up with six-packs then. >> See you tomorrow. >> And while we're on the medallions, what is the difference while I'm here before so I can leave? What is there's no
difference if you a boat is a boat is a boat. >> Yeah. For the sake of we're going to be here till 11. I would request you ask ask staff tomorrow on that. >> Thank you, ma'am. All right, boss man Jones. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 4D is uh just for information. I was asked at the last
meeting to do some research into how CRAAS generate revenue outside of the normal adorum um incremental tax increases. So, my research didn't show a lot, but there are some ways that
districts have expanded their source of revenue. Um, number one, and the probably the most prevalent is to expand the district so that you capture more um um pavil.
Number two is to lint rent or lease uh properties that the district has acquired. Uh typically a blighted property that they will obtain through a purchase and make improvements to it and make it a rentable or leasable property
or resell it for a a value or parking revenue. Um, so as we looked at those, you know, whether the council has any appetite to expand the district, that would certainly be your call. Um, I don't think they the either of the CRA
districts has any assets that they could rent or lease. So parking uh comes back as probably the only mechanism that would be within your purview to allow the harbor to generate additional revenue. Um so to that we'll go to the
next agenda item which is 4E which is a discussion of the paid parking program. Now, while this program doesn't have any provision to assign any of that revenue to a CRA to the CRA district, that's certainly at counselor's purview. But,
um, as we address this item, uh, this is a a presentation by last parking and we have a couple of representatives from last, Mr. Chris Walsh and Lewis Midto here tonight that'll kind of go through
um their proposals. We've got a couple scenarios uh for your consideration. U scenario one is kind of a base model um which enhances our current efforts to capture revenue from our parking in both
the usage and in the citations. And scenario two is kind of an enhanced model which would add some more components to that. Uh both of the models uh would utilize a roving enforcement officer that would have a
license plate recognition device on that vehicle so that we could identify quickly and efficiently those uh vehicles that have paid to park and those that have not and initiate an enforcement action uh in the instances where they haven't. So Mr. Mayor, with
um your permission, I'll invite Chris and Lewis to the podium to y >> kind of offer their brief presentation to answer any questions you may have. And uh we're seeking direction tonight based on what you take away from this and give us direction to go back and
negotiate a firm contract. We'll bring back with pricing and details. >> Awesome. >> Thank you for uh allowing us to be here and we're looking forward to it. Uh Chris Walsh, 5805 Northwest 97 Parkland, Florida.
>> Lewis Medo, 2541 Northeast 135th North Miami, Florida. Thank you, Harris. >> Yep. So, what we can do is we'll walk through this and uh we obviously went through the the steps of submitting the proposal. I believe there's a competitive bid process through this. Then we came back and uh met with the
city representatives. We were asked to give different scenarios of taking your current paid parking program, the numbers that were provided to us to analyze and kind of project what we felt with our expertise, years of experience and different things that we do on kind
of a best say case scenario, midcase scenario and kind of go from there. Before we jump through this uh and to address some operational items, we really try to take the approach of not coming in and understanding that parking parking is a very touchy subject. We all know that. So, we really tried to take a
realistic approach and not come in and say, "We're going to we're going to write thousands of citations and your guys' phones are going to blow up and it's going to be a lot of problems." Understanding where your guys program today is to what we took it to or what
we projected was very conservative. Um, and we can go through the numbers if you just like to go to the first slide here. So, these were the numbers that were provided uh to us and these are kind of the global transactions. Now, out of the $932,000 of revenue, I think it was
approximately about $20,000 some dollars of citation revenue, which equates to about less than one citation being issued a day as how we broke it out on the $100 violation cost per the city. We do realize that there's certain cases
that somebody may get $50, somebody may get it waved or whatever it is, but just based on the facts and the numbers we we looked at. So, if you go to the next slide, please sir. So, what we did is on scenario one, um, it's kind of hard to see the board here, but what we did is we took what
you guys have done, and you can see here, we kind of just ran it out over from 22 to 25. All this is based on is two items. Number one, instead of writing one citation a day, it was nine. Those nine tickets are not nine a day, every single
day. It's going to be seasonal. We understand that. It's going to be based on a multitude of things, times, but we just said on an average, if we go from one to nine, here's what we can get to. The second factor we took into this, and again, the term can be a little tricky
sometimes when you talk about dynamic pricing. When we talk about dynamic pricing, we're not always talking about increasing. We're actually talking about going the other way. When we looked at your model, too, with the Marlor lot, you've got a sign that says $15 parking. offseason if you did five dollars maybe
you can generate 32 cars a day 22 cars a day. So it really was a holistic approach to this to not come in and say let's raise rates this is the easy thing to do let's go club everybody over the head and write a million citations. This was understanding being community
conscious. This was also understanding where the model is today not comparing it to other cities because we run a multitude of cities around the country. So we can give comparisons. We've done startups. We've done property or cities, excuse me, that haven't charged
instituted charging. So we can give a lot of different scenarios in that case. But understanding your community here and understanding what you deal with on a day-to-day basis is how we truly approached it. So this would be this scenario where again we talked about nine. The second one I believe we went
to 15. Yep. If you just go to the next one. Yeah. So we just went to in the harbor district it was adding up to the 15 different citations. Um as we work through the slides here what we did then is we also gave different approaches.
Right now it's all passport which is the company you utilize. It's an app that you'll pay then the citations are managed through that. Um through our conversations what we had also talked about was for the harbor district putting an LPR system. The beach properties and elsewhere are too spread
out. You're not going to make the investment and we wouldn't do it either. We would never make the recommendation to go cameras around and do the LPR, but at least in the harbor district, you could do the LPR systems. That is the license plate recognition for those who don't understand. And it's just tied
into that. It will take your plate. It'll understand whether you paid or not. You will either receive a citation or you won't if you paid in a timely manner. The next slide, please. So, here's how we looked at it here. So now we talk
about the pricing or we move on past the pricing. The next slide please. Lazo. So this is a uh system that we utilize and it's a QR code system scan. There's no app to download. It's very easy and I think at the end of the day what we're really talking about is is generating
the income the additional income for you guys from the tourists. This is not necessarily I mean it's a program that can be used by everybody but from our lens and how we look at this. This is to capture your seasonal groups and the tourists that come in here to make sure they're paying, make sure that they're doing it the right way, but conversely
making it very easy on them to do so, not having to download an app. It's going to be a scan to text. It's going to be uh a QR code on your phone. So, it's just a simple way to go through it. What you see here, um, very simple.
Again, we use this all over the country. Use it in municipalities. We use it in every private lots, different things to that effect. takes every type of payment you can think of. Apple, Google, I mean debit cards, everything. It is the type of system that we can utilize here. Um,
next slide, please. The additional programs here is we're also talking about reserving the pay the reserve parking. So, if there's a different event, we can look at it differently because when you talk about the community center, we understand there's going to be uh retail or folks that you don't necessarily want to park. We will
be able to validate those at a zero dollar and it's obviously going to be predicated by the city direction to us. This is a system that we can control on your behalf as the management company of going through these things. But again, we can reserve parking. So someone's coming
into town, you want to get a restaurant, you can do different things. And it can apply to everywhere that we're doing this, too. The beach, the harbor district, and so on. Just a quick little step. I mean, this is as easy as this. This is actually example. We run the city of Nashville.
So these are the steps that that literally you do. You scan it. It tells you, you press the button on your phone. So it's literally about a 8 to 10 sec 10 second, excuse me, transaction from start to finish. So, we're not asking people to stand in the middle of a dark street or do anything to put themselves.
It's pretty easy to do. You can sit from the comfort of your car to do this. Um, as mentioned earlier, the enforcement would be what we had put in our original proposal was to have a vehicle with a camera mounted on top. The camera then will obviously take the license plates, run it through the
system, tied into the payment system, we are going to understand whether people have actually paid or not. Then either a citation could be issued or obviously if they've paid it just moves on. The bonus of the system which you can see here is we've also got stealth alerts built into
it. So we can actually tie in with the police. So if it's a stolen vehicle, all the different things, silver alerts, all the different things that are registered to the license plate. Our system will be able also to uh work in conjunction with the police to give them notifications of what's happening. So aside, I mean it's just a little side fact. I know here
we're here to talk about parking, but just to understand that this system can be written, it can be coded differently to accommodate and give the city extra value above and beyond of what we're talking about. Next slide. So, this one kind of jumps
ahead a little bit. This is actually going into the license plate recognition for Marlor Zerb. Um, this is the community center, excuse me, as well. Um, so this is just the camera type system that as you come in, this is a separate company that we work with that
it's their cameras. They come in, they install it, but we manage it for them. Um, I want to say we're probably in the neighborhood of 3 to 500 locations with them around the United States currently. So, this is a a product that we are 100% behind. From your aspect of the city, you're only going to be dealing with
Laz. We're going to be the ones managing the program. We're going to be the point of contact. We're going to be able to answer any questions that may be from both residents, tourists, however it is, visitors, we're going to be able to handle those on your behalf. Um, I don't know if there's anything you wanted to add.
>> No, you know, this was going to be an add-on, right? Originally, in the original proposal, you know, we talked about just a vehicle going around and doing the enforcement. So, this was just something that we discussed in our meeting that it was just something that could be done if we wanted to go to some of the lots and just make it easy to
enforce and easy to manage. Now, I know that there was a list of questions with some of the answers that we had provided to each of you prior to um I know these things can get lengthy and we can kind of get long and go through those, but we're open to any questions. The other comment that I would make too is yes, we
have a price to to operate like most most folks out there. I think that one of the questions that was posed to us was what if you don't achieve the numbers that we're putting up here? What if you don't? I think as we go through this, we're going to look at it and on typical average when we've taken over
operations from municipality, excuse me, we've had anywhere from a 10 to 20% increase of the revenues. And I think part of it is is that this is our expertise. This is what we do for a living. We're out there. We put together the program that we felt most beneficial and cost effectiveness because when you
look at it, it really isn't I mean it is a lot of money, don't misunderstand me, to have someone out there. Um, but we really took that approach to not again have we we know we don't need somebody out there 38 hours a day or 40 hours or something to that effect. So we really tried to strategize this, look at this,
understand the seasonality. We're going to have highs and some days somebody may work 13 hours and then offseason it may be 5 hours. I understand there was also the question of different seasonality. We can work with you guys. We have business in town. We actually operate the uh parking for the Dustin Fort
Walton Beach Airport. So we are a local operation here. We do have a staff of anywhere from 20 to 25 to 35 people. Uh so again, we're here. We're we're getting into community. So anything that we can answer the questions unless there's anything else you have to ask. >> Oh, I think I think one of the questions
was, you know, how difficult it could be to staff. You know, we just really need one park enforcement. We do have a staff of 25. We know it can be difficult to to find the right person and keep them employed. But one of the things that we do is we do provide all kinds of benefits. We do 401k. We obviously do
health uh insurance. So we really go out of our way to make sure that we have the right person to be able to manage this for us. >> And to tie on to that um in our cost proposal, all that numbers are built into that model. So there's no additional cost to you unless the scope of service is changed. Above and beyond
that is something that I'd mentioned was or or me previously in a previous conversation was we incentivize our employees and it's not going to be passed back through you guys. This is part of our management fee. We're going to put together a list of key performance indicators and if they're all being the boxes are all being checked so to speak and it's everything
from customer satisfaction, city satisfaction, we're doing this, we're doing everything, we're going to take that out of our management fee to incentivize and pay our employees, which ties into the point Lewis brought is we've been able to have a high retention rate every city that we've been in
across the board. So, we really do try to give back to our employees. Um, and just for a little side note, I mean, we're upwards of we pay about 87% of our employees benefits. So, we are a familyfriendly company. Uh, you know, again, we it it's been around since the 80s for those who don't know. So, we're
here to answer any other questions you may have. So, just so I heard that last point correctly, uh the LPR, the cameras and the plates, that's not what we're just You guys were coming in here originally with a proposal of just the cameras on the car or we doing we're doing a
hybrid. >> Well, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No. So, yeah, the the original proposal, you know, alluded to if the city would be okay with to add LPR systems, but the original proposal was to have one vehicle with the LPR system and that would be roving through all the areas
including all the lot. Okay. So, the LPR plus the rove is how that operates. >> And and and just so we we can clarify the P if we do the lots, obviously, it's going to have less enforcement now. You don't need to have the the car roving there anymore. So, makes it a lot a lot easier to manage. And yes, there is a
cost to have that system in, but it's very accurate. It's, you know, it's really catching every single vehicle. Where if you're roving, there's could be a car that pulls in, pulls out, and never paid. So, this system catches every single vehicle. >> Correct. No, cuz when we were going out for proposal, I mean, that was that was the main ticket in my head was those
camera plates, eliminate, dare I call it, eliminate the the tedious jobs and allow the cameras to work. And that's why I was very excited. I know it's not in this proposal, but for Joe's Bay, which is our boat ramp. Um, I think that would allow a employee to go from being
the cash register employee to a deckhand serviceoriented side of things. So, that's really where I'm interested in all that. But with that, Councilman Schmidt. >> Yeah. Thank you. Just a couple of clarifications and then I'm going to make a motion. I I I read scenario one. I read scenario two. You talked about
original proposal and different things, but on the proposal pricing made simple page talks about five lanes, 15 cameras, terms, and all that. That's for a combination of a vehicle and 15 cameras at all these
lots, I'm assuming. Right. >> Well, that was that I'm sorry. That was for Yes. for the Marlor's Urban Community Center. Correct. That was not our original proposal. >> Sure. That's these numbers are based upon understanding that. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, um
and if we move forward with the contract, these fees, Crystal or Larry, would be uh they'd be able to be paid for with the parking fund. Would that be correct? >> Exactly. >> That's correct. both the revenues and any processing fees related to
collecting them go from the parking fund. >> Okay, great. Um I'm sure we could ask a hundred questions about technology stuff, but you know, some people might. That's fine. Um we've been some of us have been waiting for this for a long time. This is exciting. There's no
reason why we shouldn't be in the 21st century doing things like this. So, um, I'm going to make a motion to move the city council authorize city manager and staff to proceed with final
contract negotiations with LAZ parking consistent with I don't know how you want me to say this, but my wishes is are the vehicle and the LPR cameras in Marlor Zerby
Community Center, Joe's Bayou, Okay. >> Right. >> And an add-on of a validation kiosk inside the Destin Community Center. >> Nice. >> And authorize the allocation of capital
funds necessary for all the other stuff. >> I'll second that. >> All right. Uh, Councilman G up next. >> I have a couple questions for you. Good. >> Well, really only one for you. We have these uh little touring AI
things out there in the city already. Can you already utilize those in your system? Can you implement those? >> They're like >> the cameras at the harbor. >> The cameras at the harbor. >> We can integrate it with Yes, we can integrate. >> Turn that. >> Yeah. Come on. >> Sorry. Yes, we we can integrate with the
uh the system that we had recommended, the Lasgo system. We can write whatever programs as long as you guys give us access to obviously talk to it, we can do that. >> All right. Uh, now I have a couple questions for the staff. >> Uh, are well, first for you. You said we
only gave 15 tickets in the year 2022. >> No, >> 15 citations. >> No, I want to say it was like 264. >> Oh, okay. For some reason. >> Terrible. >> Yeah. On an average, you guys are averaging less than one ticket a day. I was >> Jesus Christ, guys. Pick it up.
>> No, but >> we just out this. Oh my god. >> Priority. >> No, but uh so I do have a question for staff though. Uh 2023, is that when we raised the prices from $5 to $15 on parking?
>> Do you remember, Kim? Wasn't that it? >> It was uh May 19th of 2023. >> Look at that. >> What time of day? >> And we increased >> uh that would be 1201, sir. >> 121. >> Slight breeze out of the west. Yeah. But so we had an 87% increase in revenue
with 38% reduction in wear and tear on vehicles compared to 2022. And if you compare 2024 to 2022, we had 104% increase in revenue with a 68% reduction in wear and tear from the vehicles. So I think this council made a very good
decision. I think you guys did a great job on that one, but that's all I got. >> All right, Councilman Bagby, >> make it. So I I am uh thanks for answering my questions earlier. The uh I have one more question. We have eight
I don't know probably 3,000 uh registered stickers who are residents in the city of Dest. And I would assume that they are in a database probably an Excel spreadsheet that you could load up into your because
those people don't get tickets. I just want to make sure that you >> that we process. >> Yeah. That they And unfortunately, they don't put the stickers on their license plate, which is what you're reading. They put it on their They're supposed to put it on the lower left side of their back glass. They put it on the lower
right. They put it on the upper right. They put it on the front. So, >> absolutely. And I think that's I didn't mean to interrupt you. I apologize. I think that's part of where having the attendant with the vehicle making the rounds so the camera can pull it up. He's then gonna have to the the the uh intendant or ambassador will get out of
the vehicle and check the vehicle for the stickers to make sure that those are not issued. >> Well, those stickers are tied to uh those stickers are tied to a license plate number. So, when it reads what I want is when it reads the license plate, >> it goes we get
>> nope, they're not in your thing, but they are in their database. >> Yeah. We get a text and says, "Thanks for being a local of Destin." >> Absolutely. We can we can we can customize whatever you like. I mean honestly we we do all the the handhelds. I mean the the automatic replies to whatever you guys like to do. We can customize this. I mean obviously day one
because it's going to be a learning curve for us as well. But over time we can customize this to make it as customer friendly, user friendly and you know make it a PR positive instead of necessarily parking always being the negative. >> Yeah. Cuz I think on that point I think some of the things that we miss in our
parking data is we only show how many vehicles paid if they're if they're a resident. >> Correct. that's oblivious in our data, which is fine, but we we don't see the full usage of that. Councilman Dest, >> thank you, Mayor. Um, I take it for
granted since you're talking about being able to adjust, I suppose, parking fees seasonally, that you could do that anytime the council tries to get the parking lots to be used. As it stands right now, they're empty except for during holidays and special events.
While revenue is nice, the object of the parking lots are there for people to use them >> and that's where we need to go. And you know, I'm sure there's some there can be some hybrid prices that we can get more encourage
people to use the parking lots because empty parking lots don't serve any of us. >> Yeah. And that's why I mentioned the word dynamic pricing because sometimes, you know, the first the gut reaction is dynamic means we're going to increase it >> the use >> and that Yes. And that's not it. We're not No, no, I'm sorry. the price, >> right? >> We're not The dynamic for us is is what
I mentioned previously was if it's $15 sitting there now and the lot is empty, >> make it $2, make it $1, make it something if you're going to go spend $20 at a shop, it's free. We can customize and come up with plans and present it to you and and the city
itself on how to maximize the revenue while using the lot instead of it just sitting empty. >> Exactly. And that's that's the point I would like to see us go in. Thanks. >> Absolutely. >> Mr. Mayor, if I could add something. Uh, our city policy, we've allowed uh vehicles to park for free if they have a
disabled um license plate or a disabled veterans license plate or a placard. Now, the hang tag placard might be problematic, but the other two should be fine. Um, that would probably just be able to come up on appeal. They could
just appeal that. >> Appreciate that, Councilwoman Aver. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, well, I appreciate you guys coming in and it was funny because when you said, you know, we have this up in Nashville, I was like, I've parked in your lots in Nashville and it is an extremely quick. It didn't even take six seconds, you know. So, you're
right. It's a quick and easy access to a QR code. And I think it's going to be an obvious it's something we definitely need, especially when I'm coming back into town and passing by all those lots. I'm like, Larry, have you got code out? There's like 15 cars sitting there behind me at 8:00 on Sunday night. So,
It's nice. >> I look forward to that day. >> He always looks like they're Louisiana Texas tags. They don't live here. So, so it's going to be nice to have your, you know, action on helping us continue the revenue that those lots really can make and we just don't have the resources to
do that. So, I'm thrilled that you guys are going to help us take over and and make that a profitable option. So, thank you for being here. >> Thank you. Absolutely. Of course. >> All right. With that, I got a cleared board. I got a motion on the table. Any other discussions? All right, seeing none. Ray, if you can open it up.
>> Ready. >> Nice. >> There's just no visual up on there. >> All right, eyes have it 70. I am so pumped. This is like three years in the making. >> All right, good stuff. >> All right, we Thank you very much. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> 4F. It's that time of year that we u prepare a list of uh appropriation requests. Uh at the last meeting, we provided you a a list of ideas. Uh that
was certainly not meant to be exhaustive or exclusive by any means, uh but just a starting point. So, tonight we would ask for some um guidance as to um the direction you'd like us to go with these
appropriation requests. Uh we have been in contact with Repy's office already and he's they've already put us on notice that it's time to get these things moving. Uh we've had conversation with a lobbyist and she's certainly ready to start lobbying on our behalf
for those uh projects we'd like to ask funding for. Um the couple of things uh the couple of them that we made requests for last year that were not uh awarded. Uh it certainly never hurts to go back and ask
again. sometimes when they hear it more than once, there's a greater appetite to move it through the process. Um, and uh probably would be wise and advisable to look at some different silos of money,
perhaps one or two infrastructure projects, a recreation project, a resiliency project, and maybe a storm water project. uh and hopefully we can land um in some of those trough uh tr tonses of money and pull some out of it.
So uh we look forward to your direction as we move forward in this process. >> All right, Councilman Bagby. >> Yeah. So having done this a few times, the uh the first thing we need to do is figure out what our priority is because I think
we've had this discussion with this council last year and the year before. If you ask for everything, you get nothing. If you ask for three or four, >> you get >> you get two or three sometimes like we did last year. And so I don't know how
we want to determine our priorities. I mean, I I did my parties and I'm happy to share >> uh Stalman, fourprong, cross town, and undergrounding a because we have the money for all those that we
can because what this is going to be is a match when we go to to as the mayor goes to Tallahassee with all the homeowners from Destiny or wherever. If you have money, you get money. If you just go up with your hand open, you get
nothing. >> So, it's it's not a hard process. Uh, and we have money for our own money that we're bringing to the table, not just the counties or not just um Triumph Gulf Coast or anybody else, but
our own money we're bringing for Stallman. So, I'll make a motion that we prioritize uh Stallman fourprong, cross town, and undergrounding. >> I'll second that. >> Stallman, cross town. What? What?
>> Stallman fourprongong. >> Fourprong and >> cross town and undergrounding >> because we have >> because we have money for all four of them. >> All fourprongong I know has 1.6 plus. All right. And I got the second. All right. Awesome. All right. Uh anything further? Nope. All right. Councilwoman
Traml, >> um I asked today about the um Stalman Avenue. It doesn't include the intersection there at the end of Aelia and it doesn't include the smart signals on 98. It's just the little piece between those two. And I'm going, why
are we getting just a little piece between those two? Have we already allocated funding for the end of Aelia and for the smart signaling on 98? >> Yeah, that's a great question. >> I thought it was for the tunnel. >> Nope. >> Nope, it's not. That's what That's why I
was That's why I was saying I I for that big. Yeah, >> if if we want to talk about a tunnel, that's great. I I'll do that instead of Stallman. I actually had them look at it and it's just the little piece between the intersection and and the stoplight. It's not
>> Yeah. >> Councilman Dustin, do you have anything? I know you're kind of working that with >> Yeah. And and the city manager can can back up as our discussions with Basherville. It covers the entire intersection and solutions to all the problems including the tunnel including >> u AI
>> the possible roundabout >> the lights round. I mean we the whole thing >> that's all been our discussion >> from the very beginning. >> The one that was identified in the U mobility plan was exactly as Miss Traml mentioned. However, we would expect that
we would expand this to include all of those components to determine you know where the um big biggest chance of us getting some of the revenues would be. So we would certainly look at the intersections, the
tunnels, the signal signalization of the intersection as well. >> Yeah. >> And that's I take it for granted as part of this motion to have the entire thing >> the entire thing. >> The entire thing. >> This is the mobility plan. This is what we discussed. >> Well, that's what he said CC-2 was. And
I said that's not what we discussed. And that's why I didn't want him just putting that piece in. I wanted to put the discussion. >> Yeah. The road does nothing without everything else. Yeah. >> All right. Good point. Anything else, >> Councilwoman Traml? >> No, thank you. I'm sorry. >> Yep. No, you're good.
>> Council Dest, >> I was going to suggest that we approve the projects Mr. Bag made his motion on, so >> I don't need to say anything else. >> Awesome. >> All right, Council Schmidt, >> can you remind me of the ones that we mentioned? >> Stallman Cross Town four-prong
Underground. Do we have any money that we're putting forwards towards Joe's Bayou yet? >> Or do we not have money there? >> I think that's just the BP money. >> Yeah, I I don't think we have any funds
appropriated for that yet. >> Okay, >> but we do for fourprongong >> obviously >> 1.6. >> Yes, sir. >> The city >> million from the state, 600,000 from the city. >> Okay. And the county has said that they will
>> and so just I know we are all on the same page about Stallman but >> right >> just to be clear we're not taking a broad look at Stallman I think we're taking the specific intersection
study underground tunnel area >> nothing to do with the mobility plan installment item >> right Right. >> Does that make sense? >> Okay. I know. I just want to make sure.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Uh, Councilwoman Traml, anything else? >> Yes. I did have a question. Um, what are we putting into fourprong? >> 600,000. >> And we need more. >> I thought the state was
>> paying for a million. Well, the button >> three years ago or four years ago when this started and it actually started a long time ago before that it was a $2 million project. Now it's probably a $4 million project >> just like everything else in this state.
Uh so we're going to ask for more. That's why we've also gone to the county and asked the homeowners have already put up 500,000 >> and done the plans for uh and they've got the permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. So, we're just go to the
state and say the city's in for six. Hopefully, the county's in for six, state's already put in. And we asked for a resiliency project of 2 million. Yeah. Two million uh that we filed just uh last week or a couple weeks ago that
>> Okay. So, we're actually asking for $2 million. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Just >> Yeah. All right. I think we got some good clarification. I think everyone's in agreeance at this point. I got nothing else on the board. So, Ray, if you can open up the vote. All right. Eyes have it 70. So moved.
>> Let's go. >> Great. >> Thank you. The next item is uh 4G regarding the voting safety zones particularly in Joe's bio. Uh we were asked a couple of meetings ago to bring back um kind of a flowchart um that kind
of lays out a process that would identify the our ability to um create uh slow speed zones, minimum wake zones or a numerical speed limit. And that's before you in the chart
that's in your packet. uh specifically uh Florida statute 327 uh.46 PN 1C uh which says municipalities and counties have the authority to establish by ordinance the following uh other
boating restricted areas and it includes slow speed, minimum wake and numerical speed limit. uh based on certain criteria which are laid out there below. A couple of those being subject to unsafe levels of vessel traffic
congestion, hazardous water levels occurrence. Um an area that accident reports uniform boating citations, vessel studies, other uh creditable uh data demonstrate a present uh significant risk of collision
or significant threat of boating safety. So there are some criteria that we need to meet uh in order to establish such an ordinance. Um if that's your um direction to move this process along with such an ordinance, we'd like to
have some greater conversation with uh Mike Norberg from the county as to exactly what that look like. There is a a draft ordinance in your packet that kind of lays some of it out, but we'd certainly want legal counsel to work
with us to make sure we're getting the uh right documentation. We work with sheriff's office, FWC to see what they have in their database that may apply to some of these areas. Um, so that's where we stand with it. So based on your direction, we'll move
forward. >> All right. with that. Yep. You >> I'll make the motion that you move forward to uh bring something back to us. Um I don't have the exact verbiage written up, but move forward. >> Uh I know that there are a lot of folks in the city. Well, I make that motion. Anybody want to say?
>> Yep. >> Okay. I got a second by Councilman Dest. >> And then I wanted to say something real quick. >> Yep. Keep going. Um, I do want to address there was a several people that brought up um a problem that happened last week when there was a a resident that lives in Joe's Bayou that was
exceedingly fast throughout the um area back into one of the fingers to where they live and had disregard for the residents that have property there washing up their property. And um I did reach out to Larry who reached out to
our sheriff and um I think you said FWC couldn't do anything unless they visually saw this individual who was exceeding the speed and probably not in his right mind. Originally FWC said that they were going to issue a citation
based off the video and but then they came back and concluded what I had said originally is that we can't issue citations based off of video. Uh so that's that's where they've landed on it now that there's no way they can can
issue the citation. >> Well, I just wanted it to be on the public record because there was so many people that I'm sure I wasn't the only one that got the videos. It was on Facebook. I got phone calls, you know, can we do something about this? I mean, this guy lives here. He also knows how
much we want the wake zone to be put to a minimum. So, I think moving forward and getting an ordinance and putting it in place so that we can um help those that have property there in Joe's Bayou and the families that have kids that are out there swimming just to make it a
safer area. So that's what I wanted to make sure was on the record that we were trying but we couldn't do anything because they weren't physically there to visually see this individual. >> Council Schmidt. >> So Mr. Abear, just to clarify, you're wanting staff to bring back an ordinance
that allows us to put a slow wake zone or something up there. >> Yes, sir. >> Gotcha. And we'll be able to do that like before the end of the year. So it's before next spring, you think? >> I would like to know that. Um we could probably bring this back. is do we need to put a time on it for them to do this ordinance? Uh maybe have it back to us
by like the first meeting in October. >> We can certainly draft an ordinance and have it back. The I think the um important part is going to be the justification based on those criteria that's laid out in statute. So, we're going to have to do a little research to
see what's available, what data we have, uh to what extent we need to capture data. So, but we'll bring you something back 1 of October at the latest with a report. It'll be either a form of an ordinance or what we need to do to get to an ordinance. >> Okay. I think you have to vote on it. I
mean, I know I made a motion it was seconded. >> So, I read through the attachments that y'all provided us in our agenda. Um, and it seems like there's things that it does require. Um, but I've yet to find
where it specifically says data about actual police reports and things like that because as we know we can't get a police report because we can't enforce things and and so forth. So my request would be to I mean I think we can go forward pretty it's pretty basic it
seems like according to the statute and this is the attorney. I get it. But um hopefully y'all can prove to us that we >> give it >> can't do it or let's bring it back like Teresa said. So that'd be great.
>> Councilman Bagby. >> Yeah. Question for the sheriff's office. Uh 327.46 parin one parin C2 par sub paragraph two there. uh because this is the criteria I think that
Councilman Schmidt's referring to. And when I asked the attorney today, what was the definition of unsafe levels of vessel traffic congestion? She said that would be a good question to ask the sheriff. So, in y'all's >> not exactly what I said. uh Larry was
sitting right beside me in this. >> What what I said was I talked about the data that we needed to justify it and that the sheriff's office might have information about the number of complaints or issues that were out there and that he should ask you that question. >> So, >> right,
>> that is determined by state safe boating and waterways. Most of the criteria that they use for that is boating crash reports uh which FWC works the vessel crashes in the area and those that data is readily available.
>> Okay. To your knowledge is FWC in paragraph D sub paragraph D an area that accident reports uniform boating citations vessel traffic studies. Okay. Do they have like a little motion camera
that could do a vessel traffic study other than sitting somebody out there kind of like y'all do or we do speed studies on roads? Do you have some mechanism or do you know if they have some mechanism to do a vessel? It's done
by safe boating and waterways. I'm making an assumption when I say this. I believe they do it by having someone out there do an account just like what the um uh >> harbor >> they did in the harbor. Yeah. With the
um engineers, >> the Army Corps of Engineers did in the harbor where they had somebody sit down there and count vessels. >> I believe I believe that's the way safe boating and waterways does that, but I'm not positive. >> Okay. for that.
>> So, I think the staff understands what what what I was asking for, what what the motion asked for, but when we were talking today, somewhere we've got to pull one of these little strings, and it's got to be the magic string. And I need y'all to tell us which one is
which. I think it's D. It's either B or D, I believe. Not G. >> No, there is no G. Nice try, though. Thanks. Thanks, Councilman G. >> I've got a question to expand on uh
Councilman Abear's question earlier. So, you're stating that video violations are not enforceable. Is there a limit in which they are? I mean, if we see somebody out there snorting, blow, and shooting dolphins and we catch it on video, can we enforce that or is
somebody just saying, "I don't want to enforce it because I'm too damn lazy to enforce it." >> You're talking about the difference between a crime and an infraction. >> So, you won't enforce infractions, but you will enforce crimes. >> It won't that I It's not that I won't
enforce infractions. It's that I do not have the authority to enforce infractions based off of video. >> Okay. Thank you. All right, with that, the board's closed and I'll call the the vote.
>> All right, eyes have it. 61. >> We're not >> All right, let's keep this rolling. All right, item 4H. If you recall that our last meeting, we had a gentleman, Mr. Daniel Danforth, offer us a million dollars. Well, there was a little more
to it than just writing us a million dollar check, of course. So, we had some meetings with Mr. Danforth and productive meetings. So uh what we have uh moved forward is a grant request application for the FD
uh which the grant uh deadline was Monday. So we made sure we uh got the application completed and got it turned in uh timely. So it is there. Uh so what this grant does is to funds a pilot
program which would be for Twin Lake and Coleman Lake if we're awarded the grant to deploy a mechanism that Mr. Danforth uh represents either through some ownership or
agreement to represent that product that he has some working relationship with D. So there's funds available through this uh grant program. There's no match and it funds this program for a year. Uh and at the end of the year that mechanism
has to be removed and they will make some uh assessment of whether it's effective at controlling algae bloom or not. Um so being a one-year program, the funding does expire after one year. And
so that these two lakes uh while they're verified on the state's imperiled waters list, they are governed by private HOAs, HOAs. So in the event this is a success and they wish to continue those uh we would
suggest it would be at um the cost of continuing would be borne by those HOAs. Uh so uh really unless you would rather us um um pull that application back, we're moving forward with the application. Uh
and we'll let you know if we're awarded and we'll move forward accordingly. But there's there's no expense u to the to the city uh either now or in the future. >> Thank you for hustling and getting that through. >> Mayor, just make it official.
>> Please I make a motion that we direct the staff to go forward with the grant application. >> I'll second that >> motion. Second. Any discussion? Seeing none. Ray, if you can open the vote. >> Yeah, he's ready. >> All right. There we go. 70. So moved.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Next item is item 4 I which is the Destin Youth Council. Um, at the last meeting, uh, you appointed five resident members to the Destiny Youth Council and one non-resident member. Uh, asked that we,
uh, try to get additional applicants, which we have a list before you. Uh, that includes the list in your package has two additional uh, destined residents and five non-residents. Uh, since this, there's been one additional
applicant. um that for which is a distant resident. So your action tonight night could be to appoint those three additional city applicants which would put that total to eight resident applicants and you can have by the
bylaws up to five non-resident applicants which you appointed one at the last meeting. So, of the five that's applied, four, you could appoint u to the youth youth committee, youth council as non-residents.
All right. With that, uh, Councilwoman Traml, I'm >> sorry. I was going to make the motion and split it up that we, uh, move that all the current the three current destined residents be appointed to this committee and then we can work on which
one of the four out of five on another motion. >> Second. >> Yep. Okay, you got your second. Any discussion on the three current resident applications? >> Seeing none, >> just one. Yep. Please. >> The young lady who came and took the
time to make the presentation. Is she on that list? >> She's a non-resident. >> Non-resident. >> So, she'll be next. Maybe she'll be next. >> So, yeah. We got to get the next >> All right. We have to get these three so we can appoint those. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Eyes have it. So moved. 70 for the three residents. Okay. Now, um, >> this is Sophia and All right. Can we Is she >> Is Sophia on here? >> We still have a microphone down there.
>> Zoe's here. >> Zoe's here. Okay. >> Can I make a motion? >> He's a res. >> I was going to say you were done last week, right? I mean, last meeting, correct? Yeah, that's what I thought. >> Youth council to learn. Yeah.
>> Does anybody Does anybody have any recommendations? >> Yeah. >> All right. Go ahead, Mr. Schmidt. I'll let you make the motion. >> Fantastic. I move that we update the bylaws to allow uh five and we allow all those five to be on there. >> I'll second that. >> All right. I have a motion and a second.
Um the only thing I'd throw in there as a discussion is uh >> that gives us eight >> I hate to say they might be our secret weapon annexation, but uh it sounds like a lot of them live inside outside the city limits. So that gives us eight city of Dest residents and potentially six.
>> Yeah. So you you wouldn't be changing. Perfect. >> And you >> Sorry. So if you had six residents and six non-residents show up, they couldn't do anything. >> You wouldn't have a quorum because we're not changing that part of the bylaw. >> Correct. >> Yeah. You see what I'm saying? So that's why I was not >> right >> recommending the change.
>> Very possible. Half the time maybe they're not even meeting anyways. So I just don't want to penalize one of these kids who >> I don't either. That's That's why I was hoping somebody knew a bunch of them. I don't know. >> I just think it's absurd. One kid. >> So, unless there's a reason why having
six non-residents and eight residents is a problem. I just >> Were any of these kids added since the last meeting? >> Non-resident. No. >> Okay. >> Same. Five. >> You take a vote. >> All right. I got a motion and a second to update the bylaws to five
non-residents. I'll call the motion. >> Any question? Just to clarify, it's six. >> Six. Sorry. >> Allows these five. >> Okay. Thank you. Allows these five in. >> Yeah. Total. >> Thank you for that. >> Perfect. All right. No one said no to the
children. The young adults. My bad. My bad. All right, with that, do I have a motion to accept all five non-residents? >> I make a motion to accept all five non-residents. >> That was just the bylaws. One I can only >> vote two things at a time. >> I think you did.
>> Yeah. To change the bylaws. >> The motion was to change the bylaws and have all five of these, but whatever you need to do. >> That was one motion right there. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Next one is all five. So, I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Somebody do.
>> We're good. >> We're good. >> All right. If we're good on the same motion. >> All right. Okay. I thought you were saying no, we need you. That was only one. All right. My bad. >> All right. Cool. So, we're moving along. >> Item 4J is resolution 2518 to update the
employee manual. Um, primarily it's the make sure the language in our employee manual reflects our drug-free workforce policy. Uh there's there were some changes there that needed to be made somewhat subtle
um to codify the shift differential that the council approved several meetings ago. And the probably the the greatest impact would be the language that we discussed at last meeting that requires reimbursement for training expenses uh
for uh employee training. uh we kind of as opposed to having a one-year payback, we kind of put it in three tiers that for each $2,500 up to $7,500, we would require a three a one-year commitment.
So $2,500 would be a one-year commitment, $5,000 would be a two-year commitment and 7500 would be a three-year commitment. So those are the primary changes to the policy. All right, with that, Councilman Bag with a motion.
>> I move to res. >> Yeah, I move to approve resolution 25-8 updating the employee manual as presented and effective immediately. >> Second. >> I got a motion. I have my second. Any further discussions? Seeing none, we'll call the vote on the policy.
>> All right, I have it. So moved 70. So item 4K are just the minutes from the standing boards and committees. And from announcements, the only announcement I have is just to remind you that on October the 30th, we will be hosting a
legislative delegation meeting here uh at 5:30. Uh so you're all invited and we look forward to having a good delegation meeting. Dr. T, >> thank you. And just adding to that, that will be livereamed as well. So David
Kidd will be here to live stream that. We do have a lot of projects going on right now, but just one to mention Clement E. Taylor Park. We have the fencing up now street side since we the renovations are going to be coming up soon. And so the park is now temporarily
closed. And next week, Parks and Recre is going to make sure that the fencing gets up on the water side as well for that. And then just for those people that like to plan ahead, we'll have our city open house on Wednesday, October 22nd from 11:30 to 1:00 at the community
center and everybody's invited to that. >> Thanks. >> Do we know the Destin parade yet? >> Do we know what >> the Christmas parade yet? >> And the dinner same day. >> Yeah. Yes, that is correct. In December. Yes. >> Do we do Do we have the date?
>> Yeah, it's like the 13th. December Saturday, December 13th. prayed in the morning and then correct dinner that evening. >> Yes. >> Awesome. Thank you guys so much and I appreciate uh Larry and the team for uh hosting the delegation meeting.
Hopefully that goes away a little ways with the Goodwill award when we go up there and ask for money. All right, with that um Ray, you good? Rain needs four minutes or I can't see his thumb with the five minutes. All right, so I'm going to take a fivem
minute break. public hearings now or >> All right, we good back there. >> Ready, boss? Good. >> All right, I'm getting the thumbs up. We're going to call this meeting back to order. All right, up next, we are getting into
public hearings. Miss Cop. Oh, there you are. I was like, oh, no, she's not even in the room. >> Thank you, mayor. It's ordinance 2520 CN, an ordinance of the city of Dustin of Okaloosa County, Florida, adopting the final levying of adorum taxes for
the city of Dustin for fiscal year 2026 and providing for an effective date. The FY fiscal year 2026 operating millage rate for the city of Dustin is 1.6150 mills, which is more than the rolled back rate of 1.5463
mills by 4.44%. This is first reading. >> Thank you. And with that, if anyone from the public is here to talk on this specific item, this is your time to do so. Everyone loves that we kept it the same. Yes, property went up, but we kept it the same. Seeing none, I'm going to
close close public comments at this time and entertain a motion. Councilman Bagby. May I move the council adopt ordinance 25-20- CN on first reading adopting a proposed fiscal year 2026 mill rate of 1.6150 6150 mills which is more than the
roll back rate of 1.5463 by 4.44%. The second reading will take place at public hearing number two on September 15th, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the city hall annex. >> Second. >> Thank you, sir. I got motion and I got a
second. Any discussions on 2520 CN? Seeing none, we will call the vote. All right, eyes have it so moved. 61. All right, Miss Cop. >> Thank you, mayor. This is ordinance 2521 CNN, an ordinance of the city of Dustin
making appropriations for certain expenditures, expenses, capital improvements, and certain indebtedness of the city of Dustin, Florida for the fiscal year beginning October 1st, 2025, and ending September 30th, 2026, and providing for an effective date. This is first reading.
>> Seeing that this is a public hearing at this time, if anyone from the public wishes to speak on 2521 CN, this is your time to do so. Getting some nos in the audience, we'll close the public comments and I'll entertain a motion at this time.
>> Mayor, I will Oops. Move this council adopt ordinance 25-21- CN on first reading to provide for a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026. The second reading will take place at public hearing number two on September 15th, 2025 at 6 p.m. at
city hall annex. >> Second. >> I have a motion and I have a second. Do I hear any discussions? Seeing none, open the vote. >> All right, eyes have it 70. So moved. All right, Miss Cop. >> Thank you, mayor. This is ordinance
255ccc, an ordinance of the city of Dustin, Florida, relating to livery vessels, amending chapter 13, article 8, registration of livery vessels of the city code of ordinances, amending provisions related to transferability of permits, providing for additional required training and safety measures,
providing for findings of fact, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. This is first reading >> and at this time I'll open the open the floor for public hearing for the public comments at this time. Seeing none, we'll close the public comments and I'll
entertain a motion. >> Mayor, I'll move to approve ordinance 25-05-C on first reading. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Second. >> Got a second. Any discussions? Seeing none, open the vote. All you guys needed was a little
bathroom break and now we're jamming out. All right, 70. >> All right, Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I got one item under my name tonight and I had a couple other things um that I wanted to bring up and talk about, but um after tonight
and I guess yet again, it's happened a few times. um after we spend the council's time and the more importantly the city's time um
drawing these things up and like I say again all it takes is someone to come to that podium and serve up a buffet of and lies and all they got to get is four council
members to eat enough of it it just undo everything that we've worked hard to put in place and agreed on and more importantly again the staff all the work they've done. Um so
I'm not going to waste my time and I'm not going to waste the staff's time knowing that. And it's it's happened it happened a couple times tonight and it's happened in the past. So um I'm good mayor. I'm just ready to get out of here.
>> I hear you. Council woman Traml. >> I'm going to pick up where Rodney said, uh, establishing a code of of ethics for the elected officials. And um to start with, I'd like to look at uh I'd like the city manager to uh call the city
manager in uh Jacksonville Beach because they already have one that they do every year. They review it every year and I thought maybe that would be a good place to start. So, um that was one thing. Second thing I have is um I guess this
is for Lisa. Lisa, your uh parks and recck committee wanted to do a uh float for the parade, but there was no motion in those minutes. Please tell them they have to make a motion that we can approve or disapprove or they have to
put it in their plan or something. >> Yes. >> U just pass that on if you would please. >> I will do that. Um, and for those of you that may have read it, um, the public works and safety h has recommended um to our staff that they put two speed
tables in in Destin. And so I I know we've given them money, but they're the only committee that can tell staff what to do, and I don't know if we want to continue with that. So I'm just opening that up as food for thought. I
>> Yeah, Councilman Dustin, >> I'm not understanding how any committee that advises the council can tell the staff what to do. So, explain that to me, Sandy. How How can they do that? >> Well, when you what? Oh. Oh, it is on. Okay. I was
going to say you confused me. Okay. We gave them uh not not you and me, but previous councils gave them $100,000 to work with in their committee. And whenever they decide that they need to spend that $100,000 up to $100,000, they
just make a motion to spend that. It doesn't come before council before it goes to staff like every other motion that every other committee makes. So, I just didn't know if we wanted to restructure that a little bit or if we wanted to leave it alone.
>> U by giving the 100,000, it was my understanding that it was not for them to go and initiate projects without council approval. If that's been going on, that's contrary to the way it's supposed to function. U it was just to to allow them to do research in my
opinion, at least when I voted or if I voted to do research and to do other things that were associated with uh making their recommendations is how's it been operating? >> Mr. Burgess is the liaison for that committee.
Michael. >> Yeah, actually Joe Bod's the liaison for that committee, but I will follow up with him tomorrow about that u speed table, speed hump issue. Um that is completely well in my opinion
inappropriate for the uh committee to direct staff to do anything. They make recommendations that we bring forward to the council. >> Exactly. And as long as it comes to the council, I don't have a bit of problem. >> And they just have that bucket of money kind of >> Yeah. knowing that it's there for what they bring to us, then we approve.
>> And it could be as long as it comes to the council. I would remind you that's exceeds the city manager authority spend money. So, >> we can't hardly have that. >> Yeah. I think the only topic to that would be I'd be interested in whether we give the majority of committees or even
the parks like I I think it would um bolster everyone's enthusiasm and attendance if everyone had a a known pot of money that if approved they at least knew they had some influence in the government that they're trying to volunteer in. So, I don't know if all of
them need it, but I think it'd be up to us to figure out, all right, what I don't know if we give all of them 50k, but what does that look like? Because I think that's one of the reasons that committee seems to be very active is they know every year that plan that they come up with has at least a little bit
of chance of getting something done versus like you were talking about coming here with nothing in their in their bucket and asking for a project. They at least know there's a little bit there that they can work with us on. Well, and I think they all understand that when they come with a project, it has to fit within the council's budget,
>> for sure. >> But if you allocate a certain amount for their budget, then you're giving them permission to spend that money is what you're giving them. And and whether or not it's what we would recommend or not is beside the point. M >> it just and the training I tell them
bring your projects forth let council decide whether they're good projects or not because sometimes we get a different picture than what they would get of course. >> Anyway, so that was just a question that I had to ask. Do we need a consensus on that or do what do we need to do?
>> Just one other comment. I was um just pulled the minutes up and it just said that the um committee member and I won't call any names um and it was seconded to support the installation of three raised crosswalks. So didn't necessarily direct
staff but we'll we will have that clarification. Uh we have a public works and public safety meeting next Tuesday >> and with that >> that's all I have. >> Okay. Gotcha. All right. Well, just one other comment please. Um I'm not sure
how we got into the business of allocating money to a committee but how many committees do we have? >> That's what I said huge huge asterisk on not all of them but those that we wanted to we feel that they have some active participation and value in I think it's
easy to bring a project here and go oh there's no money let's start at the visioning session in February and you know if you hold on for a whole year we might allocate money next year for you guys to start the project. So just the idea of trying to bolster what we've determined as we want committees. This
this council to my knowledge said yes we're going to empower committees we're going to want the committee. So that was just a suggestion that when she was asking for some >> and I would also appine that if we and probably we giving it to the public works was a mistake
that looks an awful lot like an an unlawful delegation of legislative authority. I if I might um I'll just remind the council of the a little bit of the history of this. U back in 2019 when Okaloosa County passed their Okaloosa half penny infrastructure sir
tax tax tax uh our council came together and they decided to commit a certain percentage which came out to $100,000 a year to our public works and safety committee restricted to pedestrian and traffic safety purposes only. and
>> they are following all of our procurement rules and then we refreshed that commitment of Okaloosa half penny money at that same $100,000 rate. uh we refreshed that again. I think it was in 2020 uh 2023. >> Okay. >> And I would
>> so we can revisit that. And I would also say that Okloo County does not have the authority to direct us to take an action which is most likely an unlawful delegation of legis council made the motion. >> I understand that and I'm saying we
ought not to >> our city council should not give >> our city a motion to um commit or restrict a funding source. I'm sorry I didn't understand. I'm I'm simply saying we ought not to delegate or allocate to
committees certain amounts of money to spend. >> I think we were required to buy this by the statute or the ordinance when that came out for that sir tax and then we were required to give it to a committee. >> We were we were required required to
spend it on public works. >> We cannot give away our legislative authority to another body to make decisions on spending. That's why we do a budget every year. >> I hear you. I think Kyle back when he was the attorney here, it was like a it was a law that we were required to give
it to a a committee within our city that's not the council, but I could be wrong. >> Councelor Dustin, no, I'm sorry. As I recall, the uh certax required a certax advisory committee >> be identified and at that time the
public works public safety committee was >> and that is an advisory committee not a committee that has the final authority to spend and that is my point. >> Okay. >> All right. Point taken. >> Good point. >> All right. Councilman Bagby or do you have anything personally >> for for your
>> Yes. Yes. Yep. >> Now that we've had a >> Now that we've had our presentation on what FRS does and the employees have the ability to make a uh rational decision on whether or not they want to
participate, I would suggest that u and I'll make a motion to the fact that we allow them or we direct the city manager to allow them to vote whether or not they want to make it optional, not that they want to make it requirement. or that they want to make it something
that they must do. And the wording should be do do you support allowing FRS to be an option for your retirement? That simple. And so I'll make a motion that we give them the authority or give them the ability to vote on that issue
so we will know what they think rather than speculating. And uh you know we've given big lip service to how important it is for us to pay our employees and retain our employees and attract new employees. There's nothing we can do
that's going to go more toward that goal than allow them to make a choice. Uh you know a number of us up here have participated in the FRS. Um, and I'm going to tell you there is no other there is no other uh
system that works as well as that. For the first eight years, you have the option of just taking your lump sum, which is essentially what we do now. After that, you say, I want the the retirement monthly or not. and uh retire
the monthly siphon when you figure in the uh the health insurance money you can get far exceeds any uh amount that I've seen come out to our employees as they walk away from this job and they put it into the bank at a
percentage rate that's available now much less zero to 1% that's been available for the last 10 years uh the money you get every month far exceeds that ability. So, and and of course the elephant in the room is that system is black backed by the state of Florida.
What we have now is not. Uh I've seen numerous big corporations around the country, Delta. I can go give you long list where those folks just declared bankruptcy and that retirement went out the window. That doesn't happen and can't happen with the Florida retirement system. So, I'd like to give the
employees the opportunity to tell us what they think. The cost, while the maximum might be the 250 or whatever it is, most likely will be half or less than that because most of our employees are already uh committed to the other
system. So, I, you know, I'm interested in hearing what they say and I'll make a motion that we allow them to vote on whether to make it an option or not. >> I'll second. And with that, I want to get out here as soon as possible, but for the effort of learning and continuing with Robert's rules, I need a
motion to uh rescend or amend the motion since we had a ruling on this at the previous council meeting. >> No, you don't. My motion is to take a vote not to anything else. >> Get the vote and see what they say. At that time, >> we can make that decision.
>> Perfect. Even easier. All right. So, I got a motion, a second. Councilman Bagby. Yeah, I was going I was going to second the motion the uh but I just want to make sure I understand it. Basically, we're going to do a staff survey, right?
>> Survey monkey anonymous, >> right, >> by the HR director that says, do you want the option of doing FRS/social security or
not? Are we saying do you want to do F FRS social security or do you want to is it an eitheror or is it an option question? I guess that's my question. >> I think by getting the option to enter into it is in fact an eitheror >> and that's what the question should be.
Do you want it as an option? >> Okay. >> Council, >> huh? >> Final council has a final authority. >> No, I I got that. I just I I just want to make sure we're at because you know half of in
half of any survey is what's the question you ask because I can always tell you what the answer is going to be based on the well usually I can uh what the answer's going to be based on the question you ask. So if you ask you know do you like ice cream everybody's going to say yes. Well do you like you know
ice cream made out of ground up rubber tires? the answer would be no. So, I'm just I just want to know what the question is. And Jamie and and Larry, do y'all know what the question is we're going to ask? I just want to make sure we're clear or Mr. Destin's clear.
>> And of course, that is the key to it. And that's why I'm trying to keep it simple. >> Okay. >> Would you like FRS as a option? And if you all can come with a clearer question that you think was going to go more to the point, then I'm open to hearing the verbiage. I just want to know what their
opinion is now that they understand and have had a presentation on FRS. >> I don't know. Every city employee watched our council meetings. >> Well, they I say that jokingly to to ask the next question. Is there going to be supplemental documentation of like I
mean to to us wanting a matrix? >> Young, I'm 31. All right. If I pick this plan in 30 years, if I stayed with the city, there's X amount in the can. like is is there some attachments >> and there and there can be the uh I hope
that any of them would take the option to look at it what was presented tonight but the F FRS lady also said she was available to ask any questions that anybody wants to put forth to her. >> Okay, >> there you go. >> All right, Councilman Schmidt. Yeah, I I can't support this request and
I really feel like we're skirting on the edge of doing things a little bit incorrect here. Um, while you're not making a motion to resend something or you didn't put a resend motion on the agenda, I feel like we're basically breaking the
legislative process here where the people voted us to represent them. We had an ordinance be presented to us to move into a new system and I think three or four people voted
against it up here. A survey has been done with with the employees. Did it say the three letters FRS? No. Um, so we voted no on something, but now we're
going to go to the employees and say, "Hey, can you take this survey again and tell the council if you really want it? Who who who's going to take another survey? Who's going to be trying to sway a survey a certain direction now? It it
just doesn't seem right to me." Um, you know, I I get you you weren't here. I get that. Um, but I still believe that the council made a decision to not proceed with the FRS. Staff had ample
opportunities leading up to that meeting to provide an FRS presentation, to provide a non-FRS presentation, ample times, ample opportunities. So, I I'm sorry that that wasn't
presented to us beforehand appropriately in my opinion, but we we had what we had. So, I can't support it. Um, and I think we're kind of skirting in a gray area here of going around what the council has already voted.
>> Councilwoman Abear, thank you, Mayor. Um, I too can't support this. I mean, I realize you were not here, Mr. Destin, when we got the first um ordinance came through with the um recommendations and we voted it based on what we heard in the surveys
that it was not really clear to the to us that it was Yeah, we want the FRS. So, I won't be able to support this either. >> All right. And that's all I got on the board. Councilman Destin, >> just one other comment. >> Yep. >> And and I understand what you all are
saying. If you do not think it's proper to ask your employees what they think because we hadn't asked them what they thought prior to this, then you certainly know how to vote. But when you make a decision that was made not on the entire facts
and and make a decision, which in my opinion was probably not correct, then to to not want to go back and make it possible for the employees to make an informed decision. That's uh that's going in the wrong direction in my opinion.
>> Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um city manager, was was it the staff? Did they know what they were survey they were doing? They do you feel like they understood? >> I would certainly not speculate that
they did not know what they were doing when they took the survey back earlier. Um but the it was a very generic survey of and FRS was not an option on the table. Whether the dynamics are
different now um I couldn't tell you but um you know >> if FRS was not on the table what was on the table >> it was simply a question of I think there was two questions one would you like to participate in social security and then are you satisfied with the uh
either the thrift plan or retirement plan um and I think as mentioned earlier a a a large percentage did not say they were dissatisfied with the plan and I think about a just a little below 50%
said they would like to participate in social security. Um there was nothing extrapolated from that other than that was the raw data that came in from that survey. >> I believe it was 70 76% said they were happy with what they have.
Council >> Bagby. >> Yeah. Uh I I think now that it's an eitheror, I think you'll get a clearer picture one way or the other. I don't know which way
it'll go. Doesn't really matter. Whatever they want to do. I think we're going to lose some quality staff if we don't give them that option. But that's, you know, we have to make that decision. We talk about the legislative process. I I would remind everyone we voted six to
nothing to bring this to an ordinance to bring that ordinance back before and we supported I can't remember who wasn't here but somebody wasn't here and we voted six to nothing to go for or direct staff to bring that ordinance back to us
and go forward. So I, you know, I I think we owe it to the staff because I think this is probably the largest biggest retention decision we're going to make in the next two years.
And whatever it is, we've got to show them that we tr now that we have it an eitheror. We're not talking about some generic pie in the sky. Are you happy? I'm happy with my retirements, you know, all of them. But if I somebody said I can get you a better deal, I I might
change. In fact, I talked to an investment advisor a week and a half ago to do that. So, you know, that's something we all have to continually evaluate and I say we I'm hap I'm fine. Let let the staff decide. you know,
>> Councilwoman Traml, >> um I met with 40 of them last week and the discussion was do you want the choice? And to me it was a consensus
that they wanted the choice and I think those that were in the room with me that are staff sitting over there also heard that we want the choice. The other thing that that um I guess I question a little bit is this is one of
the things that staff has come to us and ask for and we're telling them no. And constantly we're saying staff bring up stuff. Staff bring up stuff. Staff bring it to us. Staff talk about this. Staff and they did. And and we're just I
guess slapping them in the face and saying no. That's why I supported the motion of asking the question. I would like to see a second question added to that survey because this is what we're really asking. Would you, you know, first of all, do
you want the choice? Secondly, do you want FRS? Because that's what we need to know is how much money needs to be budgeted to do this. And just by asking the question doesn't necessarily tell us how much money. You know, we've had so many numbers thrown
out. if they all go, if they, you know, half of them go, if none of them go, personally, I don't know what the value is as far as looking at a budget. So, that's where I stand. And and I did hear
it from the majority of 40 people. >> Yeah. No, great point. >> So, your motion make it two questions. Um we could probably if that if that is something the council wants to know it would give us a better budget
number but as it is now we have been calculating the budget in the worst case scenario that's if everybody does it >> and so you know if everybody did do it and they all wanted to do it then I'd say we should put it in place for them because you're talking about you know
their their careers and their next 20 30 years of working the young ones And uh this as I said is the most most uh significant step we can take towards the retention and recruitment of employees.
>> Councilman Schmid. >> Yeah. Just just a few follow-ups. I don't like it when things are stated broadly about what we are doing up here. First of all, if there was this much questions about these plans, a survey would have been done before properly if
we were that really concerned. Um, you keep saying that we voted six to zero to do this, and I think I read these amends before, but I'll remind you again that Councilman Bagby move to direct staff to develop and present an
option for transitioning city employees to Social Security and the FRS system to be considered as part of the budget planning process. Nowhere does it say right there to me that we
said go do it. Sign us up. It's not what it tells me. And again, staff didn't do their job in my opinion and presented us an option unfortunately. So
again, and Miss Traml staff didn't bring anything to us. Mr. Bagby did. If Mr. Bagby is going and having meetings as one of the seven council members with staff, I >> I mean, that's his prerogative.
>> It's part of the >> But Mr. I'm I'm sorry. What? >> It's part of the learning academy we signed up for way back in May >> that each council member every month would go talk to 20 or 40 people. >> Gotcha. I apologize. I must have forgotten that one.
>> I remember. >> Well, good. I'm I'm glad to hear that. And and I wish I had time to go do that as well. Unfortunately, I don't. But all I'm saying is is staff can present us lots of things. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they do. But to me, from day one, Mr. Bagby, you've been leading this
charge, which is fine. Legislative sponsor. Sure. But we got to where we're at by unfortunately poor poor part poor participation, planning, and execution. And when it was finally brought to the table, we voted against it.
All right. With that, um, clearly not going to get a vote, but I I would say when in doubt, we're all limited to terms and ideally if we do our jobs right, people don't leave their job, they leave leadership. So, I I think it's always best to uh ask questions.
So, I will throw that out there for me not getting a participation vote this time. All right, with that, I'll call the vote. All right, eyes have it for three. So, may I just ask for clarity? We're going to ask two questions.
>> Question one is, do you support having the option of moving to social security and Florida retirement system? And question two, given if that is an option, would you opt to move to Florida Retirement System?
>> That'll give us more data if that's what >> that'll give us more data to to plan if that's what the council wants. And I don't have a problem with that. >> Okay. I would ask if there's supplemental information and contacts being provided that we also give the opportunity for the firm that's been
representing us for nearly 30 years to be able to provide supplemental information and contacts as well. >> I'm just saying if we're going to provide an FRS contact, we should also provide another contact as well. >> Don't have a problem.
>> Yeah, don't have a problem with that. >> I don't have Yeah, they already have that information from what they told me. I don't know. Okay, cool. All right, we're all nodding our heads. Yes, we are. Councilman Bagby, >> nothing. Mayor, >> Councilwoman Abear,
>> nothing. Mayor, >> Councilman Gile, >> something mayor. >> Oh, goody. One, uh, I'm going to cover three real quick. Uh, the harbor safety delivery. Um, so when this was brought to my attention, uh, some of the public brought this to my attention. I didn't
have a whole lot of time to research before I could get on the agenda. I did learn that in 2022 a Senate bill 606 kind of restricts what the intention of this was. So, I'm going to pull that one off for now. I'd like to add it on to the next council so that I have more
time to research Senate Bill 606 and other options. >> This is from 22. >> From 2022. Correct, sir. Now, if I can fall back to number two, raising the speed limit on airport road.
This has been a little path for quite a while, but in ethics, the definition of util utilitarian principle states the most moral action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number. Right? The greatest
number of our residents drive a vehicle down Airport Road. They don't drive golf carts. I drive up and down Airport Road consistently every day as my office is on Airport Road. I rarely see a golf cart on Airport
Road. I don't know why we're punishing the majority of our citizens for driving 30 miles an hour on Airport Road just so that we can put a few golf carts on Airport Road. So, I would like to make the motion to raise the speed limit on
Airport Road back to 45 miles an hour. >> 45. >> All right. 45 or 35? >> It was 35. >> 95. >> Okay. >> No. >> If we're going to do If we're going to do a cross town connector, let's turn it into an autobond. Why are we wasting our
time here with No. Was it 35? >> It was 35. Yeah, we dropped it f five. >> God dang it. Okay. But if you make it 31, >> I'll settle for 35. That's a compromise for the people on this council. >> I'll second for discussion. >> I'd support 40.
>> Oh, >> Zippy loves that curve. >> All right. So, I got a motion and a second for 35 discussion. Councilman Dest. Educate us on the history. >> The history is or what happens is people
habitually drive 10 over the speed limit. when it was 35, they drove 45. If it's 45, they're going to be at 55. We haven't had a number of fatalities on that road, people walking or bicycles. Um, and I can guarantee nobody's doing
30 on that road now cuz I drive up and down there between 35 and 40. To raise a speed limit is dangerous and just not a good thing to do. I know that some people are inconvenienced by not being able to speed up and down that
road. As a silly youth, I used to drive 70 on that road. It was It was the wrong thing to do then. It's the wrong thing to do now. >> Congressman Schmidt. >> Yeah, I think we lowered it for safety reasons because one of the biggest
things a lot of us talk about is safety. I don't think we lowered it for any particular reason about LSVs. So, if if the goal is to get rid of LSVs, you need to go to 36 or higher because even at 35, LSVs will still be able to drive on that
road, which I know you you'll increase it to 50, but I'm just saying, you know, it's not going to get rid of LSVs, but the goal is safety and speeding has been an issue there. And we wanted to be able to have sheriff's office to be able to pull people over more often. So, I think we lowered.
>> Captain, can you confirm? Originally, I wanted 45, but I compromised with council for 35 because 5 miles is just a little bit better. >> That's fine. I'm just saying it's your goal of getting rid of LSVs. >> My goal is not to get rid of LSVs. It was to bring it to 45 miles an hour.
>> So, and now that that special paving that we paid what, $100,000 for is on that corner, I don't think safety is the the critical issue anymore. Do you have it off the top of your head? Just for the sake of not that we're throwing out discussions here,
>> I'm not sure what question you're asking me. >> Uh, is there a speed limit that then creates a limitation for LSVs? >> Yes. 30 m hour. If it's over 30 m hour, a an LSV can't be operated there. >> There you go. >> There you go. >> Not a good idea.
>> Yeah. I would say the other side of this discussion would be it would everything else in the city Dustin is 30 or lower on our residential roads I believe. But all right Councilman Bagby >> Michael when we added the you know we
added the special coating or whatever on the curve there because the wall fence got knocked out at the airport like three times in a year and a half. Have we had anybody run through that curve since the special coating
was added? >> I think maybe once or twice, >> but you know the you know in in >> I haven't noticed any damage to the wall. I'm just trying >> It's all damaged. >> Well, okay. any more damage, I guess, cuz my I'm just trying to Is it the
coding or is it the speed limit that stopped people from, you know, damaging, you know, driving into that wall there? >> I would say it's probably a combination of both. Um, we do have a cautionary 25 mph speed limit going around the curve.
When the high friction surface treatment was put down, there was also additional signage uh installed along with that as well as a speed detecting sign uh there along both stretches and the approaches. Um we do have we have had a couple of
the chevrons knocked down the chevron signs knocked down in the median. That would be people just kind of driving through it, not sliding off of it. So it oh it has definitely improved situation there. >> That might be drunks. I mean that's
that's not speeding. That's you know driving through the median. Okay. I'm fine with either. Uh if we want LSVs there then I guess we keep it at 30. If we don't want it because that's the only difference because people aren't going
to drive 30 or 35. They're going to drive 40 miles an hour down that road. So, you know, if we want LSVs on it, keep it at 30. If we don't, put it at 35. >> As I recall, Mr. Bagby, we had three streets at that time that had 35 mph
speed limits. It was Airport Road, 98 Palms, and I think Aelia. And the motion that was passed, and again, I may be misremembering this, but it made the maximum speed limit of any road in Destin 30 mph. So, we had to
order new signs and swap them all out. >> All right. Councilman, Councilman Braden, >> thank you. Yeah, that's I remember that being the case when I was on council and I think it was cost us 30,000 to put that high friction service down and it
had a life I think span of two years, maybe three at the most. Um, but it it seems to be held up great and and done its job. Um, but my uh the solution for Councilman GS is get you a electric
bicycle and you can do 45 on the sidewalk. >> You you can do 45 on the sidewalk. You can do it in the grass, the road, anywhere you want to. >> Nothing. >> You can do it in a pink shirt, right? >> Yeah, you do it. There is no speed limit
for electric bicycle, I guess, cuz they do it. I get passed when they're on the sidewalk. >> Jason's about to lose it. There is a speed limit. >> You got Councilman G. >> All right.
So, I think we we got some misinformation, but I think we need to check it. According to the Florida Highway Safety Motorhcleic.gov, an LSV can go 35. A golf cart can only go 30 or less. So, we need clarification on that
because right here it says LSVs may operate only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less and must be equipped with public safety equipment, headlamps, >> etc., etc. >> So, LSVS can do 35. It doesn't pull an LSV off there, but it gives us an
additional 5 miles an hour. >> So, you're looking for a sub for 36. >> I want >> Councilman Dest. I'm just All right, let's We'll wrap it up. All right. The only question you're answering is do we make it safer on the interior streets of
Destin by raising the speed limit. I don't think anybody can make that argument. All right, I got nothing on the board. We will call the vote for 35 on airport. It was a fun thought experiment,
but the nos have it by one. Who went? Yes. Go. All right. All right. Cool. >> Protecting the turf. >> All right. Anything else? Council Gile. >> No, I'm about done with this. >> All right. It was a good thought experiment. Councilman Schmidt, I got
nothing. Miss Cop, >> uh, just one thing. I wanted to give you all an update on um the litigation. We joined uh state statewide through the firm in South Florida for uh opposing Senate Bill 180. So the law firm has
obtained um the number of defendants they needed. They're still getting additional I'm sorry, the number of plaintiffs they needed other cities and counties um and they're still acquiring additional plaintiffs they expect to file the lawsuit by the end of this month somewhere between mid to late September. So if you have any questions,
let me know. But that's just a status update. Mayor. >> Yes. >> I'd like to ask the city attorney if we're still having if you need to announce next uh meetings um on the 15th executive session. >> Thank you for the reminder, Ray. Do you
have it the case information or do you need me to read it off the old agenda? >> I have the language. >> Yeah. Can you can you um >> you get a free trip to the treasure box, Ray? Honestly, we could have we could have called it anyway on the on the city's website.
>> Ray has been working all day and he is still bright. >> Thank you, Ray. >> Yeah. Okay. So, due to the cancellation of the executive session we were going to have today, we are going to call a new executive session um a rescheduled
executive session. So, pursuant to section 286118 Florida statutes, I desire the advice of the Destin City Council in the case of City of Destin versus Kyle M. Coleman doing business as Kyle Coleman Ice Cream aka Gulfream Ice Cream Ohana Gelato LLC
and Wounded Water Wounded Warrior Commissary LLC. Case number 2025 CA2412A. Got it. 001F in the circuit court of Okaloosa County, Florida. And as such, I'm calling for an executive session to be held in the city
council chambers at the Destin City Hall NX4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Dustin, Florida 32541 on September 15th at 5:30 p.m. Central or as soon thereafter as may be heard. Present at the executive
session will be a court reporter, all members of the city council and the mayor, myself, the city manager, and our litigation council, Mr. William Warner. Are you all good with 5:30 on the 15th? >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right.
>> And no questions on the Senate Bill 180. >> I have We have Senate Bill 180, which is um the one that says we've got several of them that we've been looking at. Explain to me again if you would. Senate Bill 180 is the one
that said after and before storms, our ability to um regulate land use is severely restricted. In fact, we cannot make land use development regulations more quote restrictive or burdensome
than before for the time period in the statute which is from 2024 through 2027. >> Okay. And then there's another one that has rolled down the road that it further restricts our ability that we don't need to talk about tonight because it's late enough. But eventually that's going to come to us to decide whether we're going
to roll over or continue to think we're in charge of testing. >> Live local actu. >> Oh, okay. The live local act is um another abrogation of home rule. Yes, that that one is um
>> that one is if you are in a commercial, industrial or mixeduse zoning district you and you um agree to require 40% of your residential units to be what's defined as affordable in the statute. Um
the city staff will be required to approve the development without any review by the city council. Um and we will be preempted as far as our height and density um and F regulations. We
would be required to give them higher FAR density and height um under that statute. And then actually just this past July, there was an amendment that said we also cannot require our non-residential component in some of our
mixeduse districts. >> Do we have one on that that's being done here in our city? uh one of those type of construction? >> Not at this time, but we've we've we've definitely had um interest expressed in pre-applications. We don't have any
formal applications, and if we did, it would not be coming to you. Staff would be approving it under the law. >> And that may we may well be a hill we have to make a stand on. Otherwise, it makes home rule mean nothing at all. >> Yeah. Let's just fold up and be one big state.
>> Yeah. So if if the city council is um going to ask us to stand up to the live local act in general then we would need a motion and a vote otherwise we will be because that would you know result in
potential litigation to the city. So, should can I make a motion that we at least pursue some way of finding out why we as a city can't take care of our own decisions on what we will or won't allow. I mean, how do I make a motion so
that you can pursue what we could do with this? I >> think it depends what you want me to do. you to look at our options and study the law and see what those options may be
because after all most laws do not have a a part where they go back and wipe out ordinances that were passed previously. The rules that they are attempting to get rid of now are rules that were put in place several if not more than that years ago. Uh it seems to me that by the
very nature of that they can say you can at this point forward but to to go back that's pretty uh contrary to usually the rule of law. >> To to me it it the information I would need from the council is if the council
is willing to um if if you are interested in quote unquote standing up to that law and litigate over it if that comes down or if staff is to comply with that law. >> We would like to know what our options are
>> and you mean record from you. >> Okay. The options are we comply with the law, >> right? >> I mean, I'm not trying to be difficult, but I don't think we have options other than comply with the law or choose to litigate either in a proactive or defensive manner. >> Yeah.
>> Can you find Can you find out if there's any other cities that are looking into this and maybe have a >> there are joining of all the cities? >> They're not doing that. Um there is no joining of the cities like the class action that it's not a class action like
the joint litigation that we're involved in but there are local governments litigating over the issue in the state usually in a defensive manner um when they are sued for um you know the developer alleging they're not complying
with this law or there is um I believe it's I believe it's Pasco County that's kind of taking a proactive approach saying we are not going to um I'll have to research Pasco a little more, but I believe theirs is a little bit more proactive. >> Yeah. I mean, especially since we have a
height restriction that the voters have passed. >> Yeah. So, the law would say the height for the zoning district, if it's commercial, industrial, or mixed use, would not be the height if it was if the live local act was applicable. Instead,
it would be whatever the highest height is within a mile from the development >> or three stories, whichever is higher. So, for the city, it would still be six tops. Um, but obviously, a lot of our zoning districts are lower than that. >> Okay.
So, the motion that we've made is to >> No, >> it depends on what you what you want us to do because at some point someday we may get applications and I need to be able to tell staff these are not going to council and you need to approve them
under the law or uh council wants to take a different approach. So if you want to if you want to take no action that's fine but if you do want to take action we would need some kind of a decision.
>> Basically I I do not believe that uh we as a group approve of applications being approved without our review. That's that's pretty much been where we have been for a number of years. >> Okay. Is that a motion or just a
comment? Do you want to make a motion, Dewey, that we get to approve these? >> I'll second it. >> I'll make a motion that they shall come to us for approval. And if someone choose to chooses to sue us over that, then >> at that point, we make a decision.
>> I'll second it. >> Right. I got a motion and a second. I would assume that's kind of under a defensive position. Um, all right. Any discussion? Councilman Bagby, >> ju just make sure I understand, we're directing staff not to approve any applications
under the Live Local Act, but instead bring those to us. That's exactly what >> that that sounds what the motion is. And that would >> I just want to make sure that we're all clear on that because I don't want somebody in >> and I have to make I have to advise council that would be violating the law,
right? And subjecting the city. >> My rear end. Let's go. >> Yeah. But Let's go. Understand the legal arguments and the abrogation of the home rule is a problem for many local governments and it certainly is taking away the city. It
certainly is preempting the city from things we have been doing in the past. Yeah. >> And enforcing our own codes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And my point would be when a judge tells me I shall do that, I shall do that. A >> and and I use the word review instead of
the word approval. >> Yes. specifically for our because I think if we dig into it then we'll determine at that time is this hill worth fighting on and dying on or not. So I >> I just want to make sure we're very
clear on >> the wording that I thought I heard Mr. Don sayure >> that you did hear that word. >> Yes. All right. >> All right. I see no further discussion. All right. We're going to battle in defensive battle.
Dig the moat. I'll call the vote. >> All right. At least >> thinking about >> what what's the quote? We're either going to we're going to hang together or >> dial separately or hang together. >> Yeah. Going revolutionary war. All right. All right. With that, uh public comments.
>> Yes, sir. You're here to attend. You get all three minutes. I just want to say I support going to the staff with a survey. I do not support going to the staff with a vague survey. I think we need to go to the
staff with ample time for both sides if she I don't know where she's from. if she would like to come present and present the survey to present what they're offering and then let us who's had this business for 35 years and done I think a pretty good job present the
facts to them as well because I think some of these questions on these surveys like you mentioned Mr. Baby you can frame them however you want the 6.2% that the city has to put up the employees need to know they also would now have to come up with 6.2% 2% out of their pocket to participate in FRS, more
than they're contributing right now, which is zero. They also have to put in three. So, there's some employees that may not be contributing. So, now their paycheck is going to go down by 9.2%. So, they need to know those facts going in before they make a decision of whether to say, "Yeah, I think FRS is
better or what we've got is better." So, I just think that you guys should consider your survey a little bit, put a little bit more time in it, think the survey is great. support giving this making letting the staff make that decision, but maybe we can do it in a really cons
concise manner where everybody has I think the way that you've kind of muted out here is just going to be another vague result because you saw the last survey results were vague. You're going to create just more vague survey results. And the other thing that I think Hatman brought up tonight, the 200,000 keeps being brought up, that's
just the match portion difference. The social security portion is 6.2%. 2%. So, if the council at some point approves this, they're approving a 9.2% addition jump to where they are. But, uh, thank you guys for two meetings of four hours in a row. It's been fun.
>> There you go. Appreciate it. You are welcome, sir. With that 4hour mark, I will call this adjourned.