get this city council meeting to order. Up first, I have our pastor, David Butler from Faith Assembly Christian Church. Thanks for being here, sir. >> Would you bow your heads with me, please? Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight with gratitude for the
beauty of this coastal city that we call home. We thank you for the people of Destin, for families, visitors, workers, and all. We pray that your blessings upon the council members this evening and those who serve the city in every
capacity, our city staff, first responders, business leaders, and volunteers. protect them, strengthen them, and let their work bring peace, safety, and prosperity to this community. May this meeting be marked by
respect, unity, and purpose. Let every voice be heard with grace, and every decision reflect a desire for common good. May our week of blessings coming up be marked by unity among the churches, strength among our pastors,
renewed hope in every home. We speak blessings over every congregation, every ministry, all of our nonprofits, and every leader serving throughout the Destin area. May there be encouragement where there has been weariness,
provision where there has been need, and peace where there has been concern. Let faith arise, compassion grow, and love be demonstrated in tangible ways throughout this city. We pray that this week would not only be observed but
lived out through acts of kindness, service, and genuine care for one another. And may the favor of the Lord rest upon Destiny and upon its leaders, its people, and its future. And now, according to Numbers chapter 6, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May his
face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Abear, with the pledge, please. >> 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 righty. And we have a very special event going on beforehand. Thank you guys for being here. So with that I will say uh May the fourth be with you and we
will do the oath of office. Oh yeah. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay. Mr. Morgan, would you repeat after me? Okay. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I, Chadam Morgan,
>> that I, Chadam Morgan, >> will support, protect, and defend the Constitution >> will support, defend, and protect the Constitution >> and government of the United States >> and government of the United States >> and of the State of Florida >> and of the State of Florida.
>> That I am dy qualified to hold office >> that I am dy qualified to hold office >> under the Constitution of the State >> under the Constitution of the State. and that I will well and faithfully perform >> and that I will well and faithfully perform >> the duties of Destined City Council
member >> the duties of Destined City Council member >> on which I am now about to enter >> of which I am now about to enter. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Thank you sir. Welcome. >> Thank you. Perfection. >> Welcome, Council Member Morgan. Your
seat is right between Council Member Schmidt and the mayor. >> Thank you. Welcome back. >> Welcome back. All right. And with that, we'll get right into the agenda approval if anyone has any uh substitutions or changes or I'll take a motion.
>> Mayor, I have um one change we would like to just add under city manager reports uh two easements, one from Mr. Fitzpatrick and one from Mr. Boss dealing with the um the creek on the private property. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. And it's
Mayor. >> Yes. >> I need to add a name to the list of names for the BOA. >> BOA. Okay. >> Support. >> Stephanie Row. She has turned in her application. >> I thought you were guys were going to get a copy, but I guess they emailed it to you right before the meeting.
>> All right. >> Thank you. >> Oh, okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah, I got you. >> Yes. All right. Anything else? >> All right. All right. If I can get a motion with those amendments. >> I make a motion to approve with amendments noted.
>> All right. And a second. >> I'll second that. >> All right. Thank you. And with that, seeing no further discussion, we'll call the vote on the approval of the agenda with those three amendments. >> All right. I have it so moved. Up first, we have a library of proclamation. So,
we will get to it. Weren't you already up here like last week for for flood or something? >> All right. All right. The city of Dustin proclamation national public works week May 17th through the 23rd 2026. Rooted in service powered by community.
Sounds like an AI title. I'm I'm going to I'm going to check someone on that one. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of
life and well-being of the people of Dest, Florida. And whereas these infrastructures, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public work professionals who are engineers, managers and employees at all levels of government and the private sector who
are responsible for rebuilding, improving and imp and protecting our national transportation, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential to our citizens. And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and
children of Destin to gain knowledge of them and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. Whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual
National Public Works Week sponsored by American Public Works Association. Now therefore, I, Mayor Bobby Wagner, do hereby designate the week of May 17 through May 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week and urge all citizens
to join with representation of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in paying tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, employees, and I would say directors. We forgot directors. We forgot you on there. I'll
call you like upper manager managers and employees to recognize and substantially contribute that they make to protecting our national health, safety, and advancement and advancing quality of life for all. Thank you so much. Yeah, we'll just grab them all or we put that.
There we go. Do a photo then we'll let you talk on the mic. >> Actually, I actually prepared my comments for this evening. >> I know you did. No, normally I speak just off the cuff, but >> Hi everyone. >> See, I actually wrote it down tonight so
I wouldn't ramble on, but good evening everyone. On behalf of the city of Dest Public Works Department, I just want to say thank you to the mayor and council for recognizing National Public Works Week. Public works is often behind the scenes, but it touches every part of our daily life. From the roads we drive on
to protecting our natural environment to maintaining the facilities that our community depends on, our team is out there every day making sure Destin runs safely and smoothly. This year's theme rooted in service powered by community really really reflects what we do. We're
proud to serve this community and we couldn't do it without the support of our leadership and our residents. But most importantly, I want to recognize my staff. Uh those men and women who show up early, stay late, and take pride in their work. It keeps this city moving
this week. And actually, I did it actually two weeks early, but that's okay. But this week coming up in two weeks is really about them. And thank you again for the recognition, Mr. Mayor. And uh thank you to my team for everything they do. >> All right. Thank you guys.
All right. City of Justin proclamation number two. Drinking water week. Can never get enough of that. All right. Drinking water week May 3 through 9th, 2026. Whereas water is the most valuable natural resource. And whereas drinking water serves a vital role. Oh, there you
are. >> You know what? Water's and vital. We got to make sure it's up there. Right up there with public works. Whereas drinking water serves a vital role in daily life, serving an essential purpose to health, hydration, and hygiene needs
for the quality of life of our citizens to enjoy. And whereas tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support of our economy, and quality of life we enjoy. And whereas the hard work performed by the entire water sector, designing capital
projects, operators, ensuring the safety and quality of the drinking water of our members of a pipe, crew and infrastructure committees, communities rely on to transport high quality drinking water from its source to
consumers tap. And whereas for oh cr I was not afraid to say that word. I was like and okay whereas the corona virus pandemic was shown a light on the importance of drinking water for health hydration and hygiene needs. I was just making sure I
wasn't going to say corona virus on accident and whereas we are all stewards of water infrastructure upon which future generations depend. Whereas the citizens of our city are called upon to help protect our source water from
pollutions, practice water conservation and getting involved in their water by familiarizing themselves with it. And whereas Destin Water users is the water service provider for our area. Now therefore, I, Bobby Wagner, by virtue of
the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Dest, do hereby proclaim May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as drinking water week in Dest. Thank you so much. >> You guys want to say anything? >> No, that's not yours.
>> I'll just say thank you to the city council and mayor for doing this for us. It's recognized every year. for the first week of May is National Drinking Water Week and it's something we all depend on and can't live without. So >> awesome. Well, thank you for everything you do. Shout out to not only their employees, but their board as well is
also a uh volunteer board to make sure that everything's going above and above and beyond. So, just thank you guys for everything you do. We love the infrastructure for having a new source so we're not always depleting our aquifers here on the coast, but we're getting to uh borrow some others. So,
thank you guys for looking into the future. All right, final one. Last but not least, City of Destin Proclamation. Blessing of the Fleet family night. All right, come on. The Fleet Definitely. Last but not least,
>> why not? >> Yeah, why not? Let them let them see what a family is. >> Unified Church. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You guys came on out. You might as well. Family on family. >> All right. I don't see Allan. I'm just going to wish him a happy birthday. We
don't have to sing, but uh it was Allen's birthday this past week. So, thank I want to thank him for bringing this to my attention. I'm assuming it was a board decision. Uh but he was the one who reached out and thank you Dr. T for uh putting this all together for us. I thought this was a an amazing way to really round out the week and really do
something with this night. So, thank you guys. All right. All right. City of Destin proclamation blessing of the fleet fleet family night. Whereas the city council while Whereas the city council of the Destin of the city of Dest, Florida recognizes the importance of strong families as the foundation of
a healthy, vibrant and thriving community. And whereas spending quality time together strengthens family bonds, supports the wellbeing of both ch children and adults and promotes positive social values. And whereas modern schedules and daily demands often
limit opportunities for families to connect and engage with one another. And whereas establishing a designated family night encourages residents to set aside time to share meals, participate in activities, and foster meaningful relationships within their household.
And whereas promoting family engagement contributes to improved community cohesive enhancement, public safety, and other highly qual higher quality of life within the city of Dest. And whereas May 10th through the 15th, 2026 marks
Destin's 23rd annual week of blessing, a time of celebration, reflection for all residents. Now therefore, I, Bobby Wagner, mayor of Dest, on behalf of the Destin City Council, do hereby proclaim Sunday, May 10th, 2026 as Blessing of the Fleet
family night within the city of Destin, and encourage all residents to observe this day by spending time with their family, engaging in activities that strengthen family bonds, and minimizing distractions to focus on meaningful interactions. I further encourage
community organizations, businesses, and local institutions to support and promote family night through family-friendly programming and activities. So done this fourth day of May, 2026. Thank you guys so much.
>> I'll give it to you. >> Awesome. Oh, my phone. My phone. >> You just wanted a second. He just wanted a second blessing. >> We're highly blessed in this town. Yeah. Thank you guys so much. Does anyone want to say anything on that or
>> uh >> or just the week of blessing? >> Yes. So, um Week of Blessings coming up kicks off on May 10th and um we'll have all of our events blessing the community. We come to city hall. We go to the community center, um fire
station, sheriff's office, schools, um and then uh blessing of the marketplace on Wednesday where the business community comes and we um get to honor them and bless them and also provide lunch. And then Thursday will be the 69th annual blessing of the fleet where
um we'll have a fish fry and bless all the boats that make a living on the sea. So, we hope y'all will join us. Thanks so much. >> Absolutely. Thank you guys so much for being here. And my last shameless plug for that is you will not find a group of people who are more welcoming and inviting. So
believers, non-believers, other denominations, I can assure you uh while the city's in its 42nd year that they're almost at their centennial mark, this is about as uh local and is about as grassroots as it gets when it comes to our community. So we appreciate you guys
carrying on the tradition uh bringing this into now a week of blessings. and you guys are really one of the backbones of this community. So, thank you guys so much for all that you do every week and especially all the work that you do leading up to such a special week coming on up. So, thank you guys again for being here.
All right. Well, thank you everyone for um working with us on that. And now we'll get into the public comments. If anyone is here and wishes to speak, >> yes, wishing to speak on uh any city business or related, please come up and
do so. >> Oh, so sorry. >> I'm sorry. I have one more that's not a proclamation. Yeah, >> just >> All right. Yeah. You want to come up and then My bad. I was just reading off the proclamations. >> All right. So, you going to go? Should I
press it again? >> There you go. >> Okay, now it's on. All right. My name is Ricky Len Grant Jr. 175 Main Street in Destin, Florida, 32541 USPS general delivery. Uh I wanted to talk professionally
today, say something positive in loom of uh everything that's on out there. And I have a comprehensive uh coastal management plan that I was reading about in the book. So I just want to deal honestly and fairly. I'm trying to be aspiring real estate broker. So I'm going to deal honestly and fairly in
everything I do. I saw this thing on Bloomberg though, Bloomberg News, like Bloomberg Finance. I thought it was really nice to share uh economic security. That's pretty fancy defense. You I try to work with the military because they have the best tools out there. So, I'm trying to build the main office and two
other branch offices and I hope the military can help me, man. I don't care to go against the military or anything, but if you know if you win and they help you, that's a pretty nice brokerage office. You know that I remember those lock lockers in prison we had. It was a
steel locker. It was so like just like raw and real. So I like to work with the defense department if I can when I go to build my brokerage office so I can just, you know, be a soldier out there, you know, in the field. I live in the field.
I see people face to face, you know, I see people in the arena every day and you know, I I got your back 100% and uh I just deal honestly and fairly. I try my best just to live life and it is what it is. That's life sometimes. So, I just
try to be safe every day, have my have my broker's license. That's another thing. Do you have an active broker's license? You know, in the wild, wild west. So I have I have a broker's license so I can deal with the government and I tell them I got my license. I also do stuff with Pace Morio on A&E. But uh uh energy energy is a big
thing too that we we were talking about on Bloomberg Finance. Energy and uh uh the geothermal. I'm big into energy. So I I like the the salvation and everything. So maybe I can do some stuff with that. And then regional diplomacy. I'm not really a fan of I don't know
anything about local politics. I'm I live in the Milky Way galaxy, you know. I'm like a coyote. Like Ray, like Morgan Wallen said, I'm a coyote, you know, in a field of woes. So I could roam all the way to Tennessee if I wanted to and
nobody would know who I am. But um you know, I got to I got to appear in court on the 14th for looking at the ladies. For some reason, you can get in trouble for looking at the ladies. Then the lady wanted to take me to court. She want to take me to court because I was looking at her. So, I gotta go see the
judge and hopefully they don't arrest me. And uh hopefully nobody shoot me. You don't want to get shot out there. But, you know, I'm looking to win. I'm playing the game to win. And if I win, I'mma be at home. So, >> thank you, sir.
>> Absolutely. >> All right. Before I go back into public comments, it was my fault. We have one more under um special presentations and announcements for the park foundation. America 250 All right. Um, good evening, Mayor
Council. John Stevens. Uh, thanks for h having me tonight. Um, I'm here on behalf of the Destin Parks Foundation regarding the America 250 July 4th celebration effort. Um, as many know um, it's a unique opportunity to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary while celebrating or creating something
meaningful um, in Destin's community. Uh specifically, uh the city of Destin Parks and Recreation is working uh to raise up to $10,000 for July 4th. Uh the goal is an additional $5,000 for the red, white, and blue uh fireworks grand
finale and um another $5,000 for um a large 250 display lettering planned at Norle Point um as part of the celebration. Um, one of Destin Parks Foundation's uh stated purposes in our bylaws is to promote uh incorporation of
the parks into the fabric and culture of our community. And we feel this project fits u that purpose. Uh so the foundation we want to step forward and um offer another tool that could help the city raise uh up to $10,000$10,000 private private dollars for this effort
by utilizing the foundation's uh 501c3 nonprofit status. Uh to to be clear uh we would not um we would not be the found um the foundation or to be clear this would not be the foundation's direct funding in the project rather the foundation would be providing a
mechanism for the businesses and individuals to donate in a structured and transparent way. Uh the concept is pretty simple. Um so the D um Dustin Parks and Recreation staff uh would continue u reaching out and asking for donations while the foundation will
provide a dedicated uh u uh donation page uh QR code uh where the businesses and individuals can um contribute to this effort. Um funds would stay restricted for the project and be clearly tracked. Uh once fundraising closes uh materials have been purchased,
the foundation would reimburse the approved eligible city expenses upon um the amount that was raised uh under a reimbursement grant model. Um we believe this creates several benefits. Um, it keeps city financial controls intact,
gives donors confidence um their money goes directly into the intended purpose while potentially encouraging um more giving through possible uh tax deduction deduction donations. It creates transparency and accountability. It helps the parks and recreation maximize
the uh the private support. And if it's successful, it creates a mo model that we can use again in the future. Um we also look at this as a small first project to complete together and learn from. If it's manageable or it's manageable, it has real value and allows the foundation and city to work together
through procedures and coordination on a smaller scale because we do have some future bigger uh uh grant projects down the line. Uh we believe this is a practical win-win for both sides. So if council uh Mrs. supportive. We would appreciate the opportunity to continue working with staff on
finalizing anou as we're currently reviewing one right now. Uh thank you for your time and uh may the fourth be with you and I'm here for any questions too if anyone has any. >> All right. Does anyone have any questions? Do you need any? Okay. Council Schmidt,
>> is this an addition to the normal one? >> Correct. This is addition. >> I was going to actually ask um Crystal to provide a little more information to supplement what Mr. Stevens said, >> "So, yes." >> Yes. So, uh, this year we budgeted
nearly $40,000 for our Fourth of July fireworks from the general fund. So, that's been passed by council. Uh, there's been a request to add on an additional uh $10,000 of uh the red, white, and blue display and uh LED light
up of 250th birthday out on the point. So, that $10,000 item is not budgeted. Uh Lisa and I will be bringing forth, you know, Pyros won our continuing services contract. Uh we're in our second or third year of that contract.
We'll be bringing that to council at the next meeting because we need to get them uh conf the dates confirmed and the the down payment made. Uh and you will see that additional request for an additional $10,000 of services. Currently, we're going to do a an
internal transfer from parks and wreck from the general fund to cover that. If council wishes to do those additional services, if by chance we're able to work out a grant agreement with the parks foundation to help us cover that, then that would come back as a separate budget amendment increasing revenue and
expense and putting that general fund money back into the general fund for parks and recck for their supplies. So, will the parks foundation be offsetting any money that's not making it to $10,000 if we can if we sign a document that says we're going to pay $10,000?
>> No, it's what's whatever you guys raise. So, if you guys raise $5,000, then it's going to funnel through us and then we're just going to give you guys back that $5,000 and the donors get the tax deduction. That's your benefit. >> I'm saying if you don't raise the money. >> Oh, we're not raising. It's it's going to be Lisa and her crew that's going to be raising this money.
>> But it says you're going to support it and promote it to raise money, too. Yes, we're going to support it by providing the the mechanism to where um donors can go to our site and purchase it. >> Gotcha. Okay. Well, I'll make the motion to accept the Destin Park Foundation support and direct the city manager, city attorney to take the additional
steps necessary to further this goal, including bringing back anou to the city council for consideration. >> Sorry, Jim. Beat you to it. All right. Uh Councilwoman Traml, uh would you be >> I'll second that. All right, with that, Councilwoman Abear, >> I was going to make the motion, so I'm
glad he did it. >> Councilman Dustin, >> just one comment. I think it's a lovely idea, but having dealt with the foundation while on the school board, there are some pretty strict guidelines about how funds cannot be intermingled, and I don't want them to put in jeopardy
their 501 status. So, make sure we follow all the rules. >> And with that, um, you know, I'm just going to throw this out there because I'm always throwing this out there. would another minute. How long is the fireworks show? Do we have a length for
$40,000? How long a fireworks show is? >> 10 minutes. >> I got 10 minutes. I'm seeing 22 minutes out there. >> And this would uh this would extend it out to 22 minutes >> on here. The proposal is one minute. Yeah, that's where I'm >> from. >> Okay. Um I mean, I'm just going to throw
this out there and see if you guys would just be willing to entertain a when it comes back. uh what it would look like to supplement in addition to all this a drone aspect versus more fireworks and a
250 on land. I think the drone could add supplemental fireworkesque special effects. And I'm assuming we could probably have the 250 in the air to be seen by more. >> That's out of my purview. >> I'm just throwing that out there. Just right now we're voting on a member of
understanding coming back to us. So before I waste my breath with staff this week, I would see if you if any of you would be against or for weighing out both options of what that would look like. Not against it, but I would assume last
time we did a drone show, there was many approvals that had to take place for FAA or all sorts of things, right? And it's May 4th. >> Yeah, it takes about two weeks. >> Oh, it does? Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. I mean, I'm not against it. I mean, $8,000 for one minute is crazy. A
lot of things can happen in one minute, you know, but $8,000 is a lot, >> but I'm I'm open for it. >> Yeah. No, and I don't want to side rail the the foundation and you guys are coming to us, so I'm not trying to hijack anyone, but I'm always going to be for drone shows over fireworks, um,
at least in a supplemental role. So, uh, Councilwoman Traml, >> I just wanted to say that I personally looked into that for the drones and, uh, it's about three times the price. So, at this particular point, we don't have the money to put into a drone show
this year, maybe in the future. We can start after this fourth and look to the future for that because it is quite expensive and right now we don't have the budget for it. >> About 30 minute show for the budget. What what is our threshold that before we have to go out to RFP?
>> I think it's 30 3500 35,000. >> All right. So, if I bring something back under 35,000. I know. And I'm going to just go with legal. I'm assuming I'm going to get way below that. But if I can bring back something close, would it be just an entertainment or am I wasting my breath? >> Well, my understanding is they've
already been ordered. They're in the process of ordering right now. So, I don't know how that's going. >> I mean, I got someone on the hook right now that I think could do it for almost 10. I don't think it's been ordered because we haven't signed any particular That's right. contract. >> Yeah. Yeah. They can't they're not going to move any monies around >> risk
>> and we're not going to have anything ordered until we come back with that signature. >> Yeah. >> Theou to come back for signature. Okay. Just want to throw that out there that I'll be working on that and not to side rail anyone, but just to give us a second option. And if it's too much or if it doesn't work out, this plan A
looks great, but I'll consider my drones plan B with hopefully a little extra sauce at the end. All right. All right. With that, I got my motion in second and I'll call the vote if no further discussions. >> All right. Eyes have it. So move 70. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right. With that, we'll go back to
public comments. Anyone else from the public wish to speak on any business of the city? >> Good evening. Good evening, mayor, council members. Uh Joe Fitzpatrick, 3879 Indian Trail uh here regarding the drainage issues on my prior soul. Uh no
handouts this evening for council. Uh except for the fact that earlier today, I did actually hand in uh two executed easements to Miss Cop uh for myself as well as the adjacent parcel owner. Um you know, staff now has the access and the permission needed to
continue on with the study. I appreciate that. Uh it's a good first step. I think it's important we also maintain momentum towards a timely resolution. Uh we are now about six months into the process. As I mentioned before, I've done extensive research. Uh and I believe the
information I compiled uh can provide meaningful value to the city as they embark on this study and assist in ensuring we're aligned on reasonable and acceptable stabilization solutions. Uh as we continue to look at this, I do have two small requests for council this
evening. Uh, first, I'm not sure if any thirdparty consultants are expected to be involved or will be asked to weigh in on the components of the study as I know a lot of activities, the storm water master plans and all the drainage, you know, there's lots of third parties that are engaged by the city. Uh, I would ask
that uh Dr. Jones and the staff uh have necessary authorization to proceed through all aspects of the study. Um I'm not sure if they have all the authorization they need already, but I'd hate to work in continuing too many two week increments uh for them to have to
come back to council. So uh I would that would definitely cause the waves and I would look for that if it's not already in existence. Secondly, in my experience in business over the last 30 years, uh having the right level involvement early on helps streamline both the understanding and
the decision making. Uh I think it would be extremely beneficial to have one or two uh council members engaged at some level throughout this period uh to stay a breast of the situation. That way when decisions come back and are asked of council, there's a clear understanding
of the situation, the scope and the path proposed forward. Several members appear to already have familiar familiarity with similar projects in this area. Mr. Destin, Miss Traml, Mr. Braden, Mr. Schmidt. uh as you look at drainage issues and how you uh have how the city
has addressed them in the past. So I think that's uh important insight. I believe an hour or two spent up front with the right individuals, proper checkpoints along the way would significantly improve the clarity, alignment, and the efficiency of reaching a successful outcome in a
timely manner. Uh working in twoe cycles uh doesn't benefit us all. So I just like to keep things moving along. So, in closing, I appreciate the efforts and I ask council to consider my request. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Thanks for being here. >> Yes, sir. For the record, Allan Osborne, G Short
Drive. Hey, uh, the first thing I want us to talk about is those drones that you just talked about. You know, I cannot believe that we couldn't maybe find maybe I know it's quick and I'm not trying to interfere with what Bobby's doing, but I cannot believe that we couldn't get a grant to
buy a bunch of drones and either have some Look, we got a bunch of nerdy kids around here would love to fly some government funded drones and that and some of these Girl Scout or Boy Scout troops might even earn a merit badge showing us what a show that they could
put on. So you could find a way to turn this partial fireworks show because the drones and stuff like that are the future. So not everybody's going to end up running a charter boat. So to give the kids something that they could do go
do and play with some equipment that maybe they couldn't afford. You might be shocked at what some of these kids could put on for you and you'd be showing the tourist what the kids of the city of Destin do. They'd run that show. you did give them somewhere to work and maybe
some group or a boy scout troop could go in there and supervise the maintenance and you could make something special out of that because it'd be the kids of Destin running it or the high school with Destin something there. Somebody could make something good out of that. So that's all I got to say about that
as Forest Gump said. So it's all got to say about that. But uh other thing is I hope you'll watch my show and get past the humor of it. But that's the only one thing that makes people watch it to the end. And I because because you guys are
volunteers, you do government for free. Uh y'all have other lives and stuff, but you do this because you care about it. If you care about the future of America, you've got to make sure that when we see something like this coming, as I told
somebody, go watch the Thailand video of the tsunami. And there's two types of people in the world. I saw what happened in Nora coming because I talked about it two years before it ever happened. So, these are the two types of people. Go watch the video. There's people who were
there who stood there with their families and their kids to their death believing that what they saw with their own eyes and ears was not a tidal wave coming to car kill them. But the people who recognized exactly what they saw right off the bat, they
left. They ran. So be careful what you try to tell yourself is not happening in government. Somebody told my stepdad one time that that Agent Orange in Laos that had in the camp, it wouldn't hurt them either. So when you see something like
this and you're in a position that you're in, please take some action and say something about it. If you see it, say something about it. Thank you very much. Talk to you later. >> All right. Anyone else? All right. Just need your name and
address. >> My name is Leanne and my address is 14 Rudy Trat. Um call um here today because in my neighborhood everyone got a a citation well a
um not a citation but a warning that everybody needed to move their cars off the streets. And unfortunately, this is a very complicated thing because now we have to park in our yards, which looks gross. And um unfortunately, the houses
only have one place to park. You don't we we don't have big driveways. We have one driveway. That's it. And those with multiple people who have multiple cars living in those houses, there's nowhere to park except in the yard. And so now
people will have to cut down trees to even get the car in their yard. and it's just nowhere to park and that just it so I'm asking today that we have that removed and that we I've lived there for six years, never had a problem. Truck the trash garbage trucks are able to get
down the road just fine with the people there parked on the streets. It's been very complicated trying to have all the cars. I mean, I have four cars at my house and only one place to park a car. So, it's no there's no room. So, we're
trying to put cars in my yard and it's awful. And then we work a lot, you know, we're trying to get our yards to look nice and we can't now. It's all going to be sand anyway. So, I'm asking, >> what was what was the street name or the community? >> Rudyat. >> Okay. Y All right. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. >> I'm off Aelia. >> Anyone else? >> I know exactly where you guys are at. All right. Anyone else? >> All right. Seeing none, we'll close
public comments and we'll get to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve >> in a second. >> I'll second that. >> Any discussions? Seeing none, we'll call the vote. >> All right. Eyes have it. 70. So moved. Dr. Jones is out. So he requested a
babysitter. So, this city attorney, Miss Cop, will take over for city manager's report. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, the first item is the comprehensive plan ear. Uh, every seven years, Florida statutes requires us to evaluate and amend our
comprehensive plan, make sure it's in compliance with state laws, and that it still reflects our vision for the city. uh community development staff is recommending that we hire a consultant, someone that we already have a continuing services contract with for
planning. So, I will turn it over to Miss Deer to give you those details. >> Uh thank you. As um our city attorney was saying, this is a requirement in Florida statutes that has to be done every seven years. Um we currently don't
have the staff capacity to do a um full and complete rewrite and the plan has not been had a full rewrite since around the 2005 time frame. There were earbased amendments that were done in 2019 and those were based around the uh limited to the coastal element. So we would like
to take this opportunity to do a complete rewrite. We are recommending um Inspire as our consultant. We already have a continuing services contract with them and they are available to answer any questions about the methodology and the requirements of the ear process.
>> All right. Thank you for that. With that, uh, Councilman Bagby. >> Yeah, Mayor. I, uh, I'll make an amended motion if are the inspired people on the audio video? >> Okay. Uh, I want I want a breakout of
the $211,000. All right. If you guys unmute, you should be on. >> Is that a motion? >> Well, I'm going to make a motion to approve depending on I and here's here's
the basis for my question. We've spent the last five years updating our comprehensive plan. So, we've already identified most of some I won't even say most some of the amendments that need to be made as part of this process for the comprehensive plan. We've already identified land development code changes
that we need to make and we're in the process uh as you will see later tonight. So what I don't want to pay is we already paid the consultant for five years to help guide us through the comprehensive plan land development code
integration slashupdate to pay y'all to do the work that we already paid somebody else to do. If that makes sense. >> You're muted. >> Somebody's got to come off mute. We're also working on our side.
>> Nothing yet. >> While he's working on that, uh, council member Bagby, did you see the breakdown in the agenda? You wanted additional >> I I see that, but a kickoff meeting in data collection. A, we've already collected some data. You know, I'm not even sure. I know. And I know there are
requirements for the ear process that you have to make through certain gates and stuff. The project brand and project website. Okay. You know, no offense. A lot of this is
I'm trying to be >> you can call it fluff >> Christian about this, but a lot of this is >> filler. >> Yeah. Filler. uh you know updates the goals, objectives and policies. Well, we just updated our strategic planning that
takes us for the next 15 20 years uh you know hearings and revisions. So, I'm just trying to figure out uh you know, and we've already made sure that our comprehensive plan is in align with the current maybe not this session
since they haven't finished having sessions this year, but with the previous year's sessions and statutes. So, we've we've been working on that for five years. I just I I don't have a I understand the ear process. not not the first time I've dealt with it, not only
in this jurisdiction, but other jurisdictions. I'm just binging at the $211,000. So, that that's what I want to answer on. >> All right. If you guys want to try >> and y'all y'all >> can you hear us now? >> Yes. >> And in your defense, you probably
haven't done any analysis to actually see what we've done since the last year. And this is what you would charge anybody who hasn't done anything that you're taking their uh process from zero. But we're not at zero. That's my point. All right. The floor is yours.
>> Hi Anders. >> Hi. Uh good evening. My name is Pat Tayi. I'm a principal with Inspire Placemaking Collective. And with me is uh Gabriella Castro. Um so typically when we come up with a fee, we we do it
for each community individually. we first list all the tasks in detail and then multiply that times the hours that we think each person is going to spend doing that. So when we I understand that you have some background already in place. Uh when we do the kickoff meeting
basically that's when we meet with city staff and all the uh different departments unloading all that information that you already prepared. Um and then we do the analysis of what is already there that we need and what's that we're missing. Just to give you an
example. So we're supposed to do population projections. Uh maybe the growth has not been there to completely you know update everything to a completely different number but we still have to write something for the state um to justify the projections that we're
going to be using. So all these new changes uh you mentioned that you're familiar with the the ear process in 2023 there were a lot of changes to the statutes and they became very uh particular on what has to be included in
the ear update this time around. So now they want us to address a 10-year and a 20-year period. So when we write all this data and compile everything that you have compiled for the strategic plan, we have to make sure we organize it that way and it's for all the
different elements that we have in place which in you know in your case we have um a total of 13 elements. So for each one of those we have to explain what's in place, explain what will be in the future based on that population
projection and then come up with the goals and policies to go with that. Uh the difference between a strategic plan and the comprehensive plan is that in the comprehensive plan we're focusing a lot on development. Uh when it comes to utilities we have to figure out water
supply plan. you know, do we have the the capacity for the projection that we are adopting? So, um, in terms of items like the project website, yes, that one is kind of optional. If we're going to have community input, some communities
are not as big in terms of community input. Other communities want 10 different workshops, right? Typically, we do three. And when we talk to the public, we talk about where are we now, that's workshop number one. Where we want to go, that's number two.
And how do we get there would be number three. We talked to your planning director and he said we want to condense all that into just one. We're just going to do one. But if we want to get the word out into the community, then that's when we do the branding. If you don't
want branding, we can skip it. We feel it's important, but it's not, you know, necessary or required by statutes or anything like that. So um you know we can look at the items individually and and see what can be taken out. Um if we
take out branding website uh marketing materials um that would be a savings of almost um $15,000. Um in that case we can rely on just the old-fashioned word of mouth um city uh
ads in the paper or having an article in the paper if we you know if the city contacts the newspaper it can be done without that the workshop I mentioned we you know reduce that to one we recommend having
at least one I think it's important to bring the community in and and have a conversation with them uh the matrix for the Florida statutes. Basically, what we do is we have a list of things that have changed in the statutes and we look at them one by one and check your goals,
subject objectives and policies to make sure if that you have addressed all of them all the way down to, you know, this past year. So, that's one that we don't see how we could, you know, reduce that uh data and analysis update. So we have like you
only got the the number the total number for task five right we have broken it down by future land use transportation housing public facility for each element we put hours so we could see you know how long it's going to take us to compile write it analyze it and then
come up with goals objectives and policies and then the um number seven is the approval process and basically what that is is just planning and zoning, one hearing and uh council, two hearings,
agency coordination, and that's that's pretty much it. And that one is, you know, $38,000 includes, you know, travel for meetings, attendance and meeting, prepare preparation for meetings, and addressing the agency comments that we may get.
>> So, I I appreciate your feedback. Uh, Tina, you know how many undeveloped parcels there are remaining in the city of Dest? >> Who was that for, >> Tina? >> Oh, >> unfortunately, I don't have that number. >> Okay. >> I say a dozen.
>> No, there there's more than that. There's a couple hundred, but the uh uh but my point being the city is mostly developed. So, it's not like, you know, we're somebody that you're going to come in and go, "Oh my god, you got 5,000
parcels. You know, we might need to put a road there, and we might need to put a water supply there, and we might need to do all this other stuff." We uh with the addition of the cross town connector, we're about where we're going
to be 30 years from now. We may redevelop some places and we may have bigger houses or smaller houses or whatever, you know. So, the the water supply. My my point being I I I want to do an ear. We need to do an ear. We need
to update it, but not at 211,000. So, I I'll make a motion move the city council uh direct staff to coordinate with Inspire. Before I finish this motion, I let me finish my thought because you
say, well, at the initial meeting, we get with staff, we figure where we are. So, if you haven't gotten with staff and the people in the initial meeting to figure where we are, how do you know what all needs to be be done? I would rather you get with staff, figure out
what needs to be done, and come back to us with a what I consider a more realistic number. Uh so I'm going to make a motion uh move that city council direct staff to get with Inspire uh and come with a little bit sharper pencil
plan uh back to the next meeting to with a revised amount for the contract knowing that we don't need some of these things. All right, I have that motion. >> I'll second it. >> The second. Uh anyone have any discussions?
Councilman Dustin. Yeah, I will be supporting the motion. It always makes me very nervous when we award contracts in excess of $200,000 without going to bid. I know they're continuing contract and they've done stuff before, but you know, I I don't know how long it
takes us to go through the bid process to see if that is truly a appropriate price, but I know that the report has been uh due now for quite a long time. And uh at this point, I wouldn't recommend putting it out to bid, but I do want to see them get that pencil a
little sharper and come back and talk to us because I would not vote for this at this time. >> All right. Any other discussions? >> Okay. Nope. All right. I got my motion in second and we will call the vote. All right. Eyes have it 70. So moved.
Any further discussion on that? Uh, Miss Cop, anything? >> We will bring that back to you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. >> Um, thank you, mayor. The next item is the tow truck fees discussion. So, as you know, at the April 20th meeting, you all asked staff to bring back um a
discussion as far as our current tow truck fees and neighboring communities. So, the city manager's office did contact neighboring jurisdictions. We've got a chart in the agenda item that explains the difference between our current fees, what the county charges,
and what was proposed. Uh, so it's up to council on what direction you want to go in. I think a good recommendation might be to come into consistency with the county, but uh, it's in your discretion. >> All right, Councilwoman Traml, and then
I have Rand U Councilman Braden for discussion. I was I was going to make the recommended motion that she just said of adopting the county's um numbers. >> All right. And I got Councilwoman Abear with the second. Uh Councilman Braden.
>> Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to um share with everyone um the rest of the story. Um last meeting we had this gentleman sitting over here come up to the podium and gave us
a piece of a story. Um, most of it was true. Um, but the rest of the story is or the story that I was told here was, you know, you can buy $140,000 tow truck.
I mean, you probably buy a $300,000 tow tow truck if you want, but um, and insurance and all these fees that came come up and all we're getting is $200 a tow or something, whatever the price was. Well, I got towed not long ago from a
wreck. I got towed probably Bay Area to Main Street and then from Main Street to my shop down behind the Shoreline Church. My bill was over $2,500.
After the wreck, I went down to get my truck. Gentleman told me I wouldn't do that. I'd leave it here. your insurance company won't pay you, reimburse you or repay him or whoever or pay me if I take it. Now, I didn't know that. I'm leave it
here. So, about a week later, I left. I went on a vacation with my family. Came back. Long story short, I finally got a hold of an attorney. She told me, "Go get your truck. If they want to look at it, then come to your shop and look at it." So, I went back down there 21 days
later. I went back down there. I need to get my truck. You need to leave it here. You need to leave it here. Well, I guess so. At $75 a day. I said, well, my attorney told me to. I need to get my truck. Still try to convince me to leave my truck there.
So, long story short, I paid it was u $1,500 something dollars for storage fee for 21 days. And then the tow was with all the other fees was $900 something dollars. I don't I don't I wish I had the invoice
there. I think I only think it just says other fees, but tow fees and other fees, $900 something dollars. So, the story that we were told that it cost 200 bucks to go tow you and they got to pay their work truck and they got to pay their insurance and they got to pay that's a lie.
I got towed twice to to the wreck to the shop there. Truck sat there for 21 days. My f my bill was over $2,500. I I just don't want somebody else to get towed and go get their vehic try to get their vehicle out of the yard, whoever they're with, and that individual tells
them, you know, you need to leave it here because the insurance company won't reimburse you or I forget exactly what he said, but that was along the lines. Um, so I left it there, taking his word for it. So I don't want you to think that, you know, this $200 or $300 is all
I got to work with. I got $140,000 tow truck. I got a shop. I got this. I got that. I got the insurance. It's all got to come out just $200, $300. That ain't true. So, take it as you will. Um, I would not
be supporting this tonight because of my experience with it. Um, so just want to let y'all know the other side of the story, the rest of the story. >> All right. Appreciate that. Anyone else? >> Can I ask a question, >> please? Councilman Bagby. So,
from what I just heard, uh, the issue was probably not with the tow fees that they want to make. It was with the storage fees. So, it do you have an issue? I assume you do or you wouldn't
be against the the motion with changing the storage fees or or doing something like that. >> Well, the tow fee was over $900 for two toes. It towed from the wreck to to his shop and then from his shop to my shop. That's two toes was over $900.
>> Okay. >> So, you tell me where if it's 300 bucks, that's $600. Where the other $300 something dollars went? It's probably probably fuel, the insurance, all this other stuff. >> Yeah. >> That we were not >> Yeah. >> that we were not told at last meeting.
>> And I get the storage fees. I mean, they charge and charge whatever they want for storage fees. And I've been told through the sheriff's department or somebody else that they they charge what they want to charge. And you have no resource whatsoever. You either pay it or you don't get your truck.
All >> right. C Dustin. >> C. For the record, I've looked through a number of these documents. So, we're going to if we go with the county fee, we're raising the basic tow fee by $50. >> Depending on what recorder class, class
A, you'd be raising it by 25, class B by 50, and class C by $100. >> Okay. And the storage we're raising by >> we're not raising that. >> Okay. This So, this is just a towing fees, >> correct? >> And the last time we set these fees was
when? 2022. >> 2022. >> Yes. >> Three years ago, did we we upped them, I take it, or we just left them the same? >> We up we increased them in 2022?
>> Okay. All right. Councilwoman Abear. So the initial amount they wanted for us in Destin because we're more expensive. What was the amount that remind me for the record for public knowledge? What
was the amount that was going to be and now we're going with 2550 and 100? >> Okay. Our current rate for class A is 175. The counties is 200 and what was proposed at the last meeting and requested was 230. So, if we went with
the county's rate, that would be $30 less than what's requested. Class B, we charge $ 250. Not we, they charge $ 250 here. That's the cap. The county's capped at 300 and the proposed is to cap it at 350. So, we'd be $50 under that.
And for class C, we have a max at 350. The county is at 450 and the proposed was 500. So, we would be $50 under that. >> Okay. So, we're basically when we match the county, we're giving them an increase for Destin, but we're not giving them what they proposed for.
>> Correct. It's it's a middle ground. >> Okay. I I agree with that. >> All right. Any other discussions? All right. Seeing none, the for the motion to All right. Well, you guys got it. >> We're going to match the count. Okay.
All right. I was just trying to keep up. All right. So, the So, if you go that route, we will prepare a resolution increasing those fees and bring it to the next meeting. >> All right. Thank you. The motion passes 61. All right. Moving right along, Miss Cop.
>> Thank you, mayor. The next item is our update on the state acquired lands adjacent to the city's Norgo Point Park. Um, as you all know, we all attended or many of us attended the BCC meeting on April 21st. We requested support of the
city's resolution 202605 to lease and manage the park. Two commissioners spoke strongly in favor of supporting the city. That was Commissioner Sher Cox and Commissioner Carolyn Ketchell. Uh the other three commissioners um on the motion of Commissioner Mixon um decided
to send Commissioner Palmer to the state to speak with state representatives first. Um Council Member Destin was going to attend with Commissioner Palmer. That meeting was scheduled for April 30th and has been rescheduled. I think they're looking at either May 12th
or 15th. And I'll let Council Member Destin um speak to that. I also however wanted to inform you about an email that we got today from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Um they've determined that this site is
very important for nesting shorebirds. The Audabon, Florida staff plans to come out and survey the area tomorrow and for several upcoming mornings and post the site with signage to protect the nesting of the shorebirds. So, another reason
that the council's position to keep the property as close to conservation in nature as possible um has been a wise one. So, just for that update. >> Thank you. >> All right. Who contacted them? Be honest. >> All they have to do is watch all the
information on Facebook. >> Here, I'll give a brief report on our meeting that didn't take place. >> Yeah. How was that? >> Um Senator Gates had set it up. Um, Senator Trumbull, Secretary of the D,
Commissioner Palmer, and myself were supposed to attend. It was going to be held during the special session where they were arguing over the redistricting. Uh, it was supposed to be happening Thursday morning, I believe. Uh, Wednesday, the session ended at 12 and
some of the participants went home and didn't wouldn't couldn't go to the meeting on Thursday morning. So, it's uh it's supposed to be rescheduled for the next special meeting, special session, which will be May the 12th through the 15th possible. And so, we are looking
forward to have that meeting one more time. And hopefully we will. And uh hopefully everyone will come up with a plan that addresses our needs and the county's needs and the state's needs and and the shorebirds, which I was very
proud to see FWC send us that email. And I would I would note that FWC is a constitutionally separate entity. They are not governed by the governor or the legislature. So
hopefully we will get a nice um >> they they will give us an opinion that's not tainted by politics as much. Now the governor appoints them. legislature sets their budget, but but they're independent except for those two points. So, they know the birds have been out
there for the last hundred years, >> and hopefully when it all settles down and and doesn't have a condo or a commercial activity on it, the birds will be back out there nesting. >> Thank you for that update, Councilman Schmidt. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, I was not able to
attend that commissioner's meeting or the last council meeting due to work. Unfortunately, I was out of town. I just wanted to highlight a couple of things if I could just for the record. Um, we have a few community members who have
uh done a lot of very good work in seeking out public records requests which uh I believe are documents from commissioners and staff members in the county and the state and so forth. And uh through that um I I saw there was
comments from Commissioner Palmer that were made about the city keeps changing things and doing things and redoing things and the resolution. And um you know we we had a proposal and then we changed it really quickly. And
uh I I just wanted to mention that I I believe part of the reason that we continue to do that for for me in my opinion is that uh because we continue to see the doings that are happening and that have been happening
by commissioners or staff members, we are having to react to make I what I believe is the best approach for the city of Desty. Um and so another comment that was made
um was that um they have done nothing. They've taken no action. He confirmed with the city attorney that they've done nothing um to to do anything at this park. But I don't necessarily think that that's uh the
best phrase u because the emails and the communications that I've seen from commissioners and city and staff members prove otherwise with the with the language that they have been saying specifically about trying to change um a
a lease agreement that was redlined by the by a staff member in the county that specifically said they wanted to not follow the city's ordinances. is. So for Mr. Commissioner Palmer to say that they have not done anything, I don't necessarily feel that's the best choice
of words. And if he means that the commission has not, I would urge him and other commissioners to to have a stance to speak towards what their staff members have done either behind closed doors or without their approval. if he
would like to do that, I would feel better to agree that they haven't done anything. Um, and so I think our city has taken a stance and I just wanted to make sure that I had a chance to mention some of those things. So, thank you. >> Thank you for that, Councilwoman Traml.
>> Well, mine has to do with the turns. If you were out there for the dedication of Noriega Point, you saw them. You saw the nests and it's a beautiful thing because they haven't always been out there. So, I I don't know who who requested the
evaluation or the audit of those, but um they're there for everybody to see. So, I think it's a great idea. >> And with that, I just wanted to thank Commissioner Shared Cox and Commissioner uh Ketchel for standing up for home rule
and local land development code. And we just appreciate you guys uh standing up for those that you guys represent. You guys are not in our district, but we are in your county. So, I just want to take a moment to say thank you for those who are listening and for the three that
seem to be on someone else's payroll. I hope you'd please listen sooner than later. And with that, anything else? All right, we'll move right along. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, the next item is your board and committee appointments. And some of you have appointments to
make, not all of you. Um for the first board we'll talk about is the board of adjustment. Uh council members Traml Braden Schmidt and Abear each have an appointment to make. The next board will be the harbor and waterways board which uh council member Bagby will make an appointment. And then also the town
center CRA council member Schmidt will make an appointment. Um we do have a couple of resumeumés in the packet I'm sure you've seen. So you are welcome to appoint those individuals or other individuals. All right, Councilwoman Traml.
>> Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to appoint Miss Stephanie Row to the board of adjustments. Uh, she is a current property appraiser, uh, real estate appraiser, residential appraiser in this town. >> Second. >> Right. I have a motion, a second. Seeing no further discussions, we will call the
vote on Stephanie Row. >> All right. Eyes have it. So moved. 70. Go back. Close. Thank you. >> And I'm sorry that cleared the uh the speaking request. Who was up next or who would like to Yeah. Council. >> Yeah. For the BOA, I'd like to uh
nominate make a motion to nominate Mr. Alan Osborne. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> All right. Seeing no further discussions, we'll call the vote. Uh Mr. Osborne for the BOA. >> Uh sir.
>> Yes. Uh Alan as one is for public um harbor and waterways. >> I that's my nomination. >> I I understand that but I'm nominating him for the BOA and I've spoken with him and he's he's been he's willing to do that.
>> So um individuals are allowed to serve on up to two boards. So that would be fine if council member Bagby still wants to appoint Mr. Osborne to the Harbor Waterways Board. >> No, >> I think it's just a matter of an application process for that particular board. Gotcha.
>> Cool. All right. With that, seeing no further discussions, we'll call the vote. >> All right. Ice have it 70. So moved for Mr. Alan Osbor on the BOA for clarification. And who is up next? >> All right, >> Mr. Oh, BOA.
>> Yep. Whoever. Yeah, I kept clearing it every time we vote. So, uh, >> we still have, uh, Mr. Ross Haynes, who is asking to be appointed to the BOA if >> I'll make that nomination to put Mr. Ross Haynes, uh, as my nominee for the BOA. >> Okay. With a second.
>> Second. >> All right. Any discussions? Seeing none, we'll call the vote for Mr. Haynes for BOA. All right. Eyes have it 70. So moved. And then uh Councilman Bagby, >> I'll nominate Alan Osborne to be on the
Harbor Waterways Board. >> I'll second that. >> All right. I got a motion and second for Mr. Osborne on waterways. Seeing no further discussion, we'll call the vote. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's going to be serving on
All right. Six. No. >> Clerk of course, please let uh the record show that Rodney Brighten voted no on that. >> He gets his own show. >> All right. Any further nominees? >> Okay. Just want to make sure I'm cracking a joke. I don't want to miss
anything. All right. Miss Cop, >> thank you. Um, Miss Tamara, do you have any announcements? Oh. Uh, Miss Cup, the two easements. Where would you like to put those? >> I'll do that after. >> Okay. You're going to switch roles? Yep. >> Okay. Good evening. Thank you. I only have one announcement tonight. During
our city council meeting on April 7th, council approved a survey and geotechnical soils investigation work as part of the four-prong flood resilience project. Field staff will collect data including soil borings at the edge of the lake, on the land, and within the
lake. Soon field crews will have safety vest and a copy of the city verification on them at all times. The data collection crews anticipate two to three weeks will be needed for this and we're going to begin May 8th on that to collect the data. >> Good news.
>> All right. Thank you for that. >> All right. Public hearings. >> Okay. Uh and I will >> Oh, yes. You're also Yes. City manager announcements. >> Yes. Sorry. Thanks for letting me be the acting city manager for a couple weeks. But um we have two temporary easement
agreements as Mr. Fitzpatrick mentioned at the beginning of the meeting and these are for 3879 Indian Trail as well as 4471 um I'm sorry that's wrong. Um as well as the adjacent property owned by Mr. Boss.
So Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. boss are giving us easements to allow the city employees or contractors to go on the site and conduct inspections, surveying, soil testing, and drainage analysis um to analyze that um creek that we've
talked about a few times up here. So, these are temporary. They'll last about 60 days from May 4th to July 4th. And before we record them, we wanted just to get city council's approval to accept the easements. >> I'll make a motion to accept those easements. >> I'll second that.
>> All right. I have a motion and second. Any discussions? >> Real quick, >> please. Councilman Dest, >> the other issue that we that he discussed and we listened to was the city manager's ability to go forward with said studies. I think his what is his cap now that he
can spend 25 >> 35 >> 35,000. >> Yes. But I think our plan is to have staff internally conduct studies. So he wouldn't be spending anything upfront. um if staff determines additional studies are required or that they would make sense, we would come back to
council if needed for approval of additional funding. But um city engineer, do you have anything to add on that or is that correct? >> I was just making the point that he has authority to do quite a bit if he needs to. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. And not not to throw two
motions into one, but just to honor his request, there was an ask for a liaison. So after this motion, if anyone wants to step up to the plate um within your So with that, we'll call the vote on the motion for the easement as acceptance of the easement. All
right, eyes have it so moved. And if anyone wants to leazison with that project, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time at the council comments at the end. All right. Anything further announcements? No, sir. >> All right. You got to switch switch
chairs. >> Okay. Uh back to city attorney. We will read uh the public hearing ordinances. The first ordinance is 2606LC, an ordinance of the city of Dustin, Florida, renumbering the existing article 11 of the land development code
as article 7. Changing the name of existing article 11 coastal management and conservation to article 7 resource conservation, protection, resiliency, and sustainability. adding the following existing sections of the land development code to article 7 resource
conservation, protection, resiliency, and sustainability. Section 7050, protection and preservation of archaeological and historic resources. Section 7704 outdoor lighting standards for the marine turtle conservation zone and
section 720 smallcale alternative energy generation regulations providing for authority providing for findings of fact providing for incorporation into the land development code providing for conflicting provisions providing for severability and providing for an effective date. This is first reading of
the ordinance. This is a part of the ongoing LDC rewrite and I will turn it over to Miss Deer. I'll be I'll be taking over the ordinance for Tina. >> Miss Steer, you have a great voice. >> And Miss Steer will turn it over to Mr. Butler.
>> All right. So, as as Kim was stating, a lot of the current land development code, article 11, will be found in the draft article 7, which is our resource conservation article. Um within that you will find basseline protection, gulfine protection, environmental sensitive areas, um wetland protection zones. And
so the changes that have occurred between the current land development code and the proposed draft is um there's two sections within the wetland protection zone um or the environmentally sensitive areas section that require per the comprehensive plan
currently beach and dune restoration plan if there's going to be any development within the Gulf shoreline protection zone that's in policy 6-1.5.4. So staff has included that as an ordinance within the land development code um to require that document per the comprehensive plan. Additionally, we've
added a timeline um for any kind of staining materials to be removed from a white sand zone. Currently, it just says they have to be immediately immediately removed. We're proposing within 5 days. Um again, within environmentally sensitive areas, if they're to be altered per the comprehensive plan, a wetland report shall be provided and
council must approve this um only after all other environmental permits are issued. the code is currently silent on that. So, we implemented that policy into the land development code. Um, same with a habitat management plan that is required per the comprehensive plan, but the land development code is
currently silent on that. So, a lot of this rewrite is just trying to implement the policies that we currently have within the comp plan into our land development code. Um, the flood plane management section is located within this draft article 7. Again, that's the existing flood uh flood plane management
section that was just adopted in 24. Michael Burgess can speak to that if there's any questions. And then last but not least, the main part of or the the part that most everybody's interested in for article 7 is the marina sighting. Um so within marina sighting, we've taken out the behavior such as dump, no
dumping fish carcasses, carcasses, etc. Um those types of things belong more so in the code of ordinances. Um so that will be taken out in the future or placed in the code of ordinances in the future. It's already taken out in the draft. Um, we have created a table to illustrate the allowable dock lengths
based on where you're located, where your property is located within the city. So, it should be a lot easier for people, whether they be contractors or staff or anybody in between to locate and find these dock allowances. And then, of course, is the uh NPEB fee,
which stands for net positive environmental benefit. Um, so currently in today's in today's land development code, it's 25% of the cost of construction for any project that's located within the harbor. They have to pay this fee before the building permit
is issued. Um, so we do run into issues with people trying to make repairs to their docks that are assessed this fee. Um, that's that's given staff some issues and some citizens some heartburn. Um and so through all of our workshops
with council, Harbor Waterways Board, LPA, um the recommendation from the local planning agency within this article is that the new NPEB fee structure be adopted. And this new fee structure would be $100. It' be a flat
rate per year per slip. $100 a year per slip for non-residential, $50 per year for any kind of residential slip. And these currently as it's written, it's staying for projects within the harbor. People docks within Joe's Bayou, Marlor Bayou would not be
assessed the NPEB fee as it's drafted today. And that is consistent with how it's adopted today. Um, however, with that flat rate fee structure, there would be homestead exemption. So, if you have a homesteaded property, you would be 100% exempt from this NPEB fee. Uh,
and then there's as well also there is a recent payment exemption. For example, if you if you paid a um if you paid into the NPEB fee within the last 10 years, you would be exempt from that fee on a pr-rated basis. So, for example, if you paid into it 5 years ago, you would be
exempt from this yearly fee for 5 years um until that 10 years is up and then you would be assessed on a yearly basis. So, as it's proposed to be as it's proposed, this fee would be assessed on October 1 and due January 1. Um, and then we also have the finance director,
Miss Crystal Strickland, here to touch on the implications for this NPEB fee. >> All right, Miss Strickland. >> Okay, so uh we're trying to uh accomplish two things with this. One is uh we feel that if we lowered this 25%
of construction can be a pretty steep one-time cost. So, if you're doing $20,000 of work on your on your dock, your slip, uh you'd pay the city $5,000. Um but if you go to this other uh fee method, it would be $50 per year. So,
that would take a hundred years to to um get to that same level for that one homeowner. Um but what we're proposing would also make the the revenue income more predictable. uh we're trying to cover the cost of the for example the
utilities just for the harbor pump alone are are over $30,000 a year. Historically under this 25% of construction basis uh we've been averaging about $25,000 a year which is not covering our our current um electric
bill on the harbor pump. Uh there are some other water quality related costs that we're trying to cover in the harbor which would include the water analysis uh cleaning the storm water outfalls that fall into the harbor. Um potentially
dredging the harbor on a periodic basis or at least you know supporting uh the city's portion as we we tend to get grants for that. Uh and also the renewal and replacement of the harbor pump. So um we have Todd Burr here this evening. He's representing the LPA and he has
walked this proposal of the change of fee base around to the different committees and I think he speaks very well to it. >> Thanks Crystal. Thanks mayor and councel. So >> what's that? >> So I'm a quasi staff tonight. Uh as a as
a vice chair of the LPA and the nominated liaison to help talk this through. Uh, I'm here to assist Crystal, Daniel, um, who have done a phenomenal job on this and and really the heavy lifted as we've done the entire LDC rewrite. Uh, you know, we're about twothirds of the way through, not as fast as any of us had hoped it would
have been when we embarked on it, but uh, we're two and our way through and and making some good progress. I believe in your packet, you should have the uh, summary analysis slide uh, that was brought up and and maybe he could bring that up on on the screen perhaps. Uh >> what do you need?
>> I'm not. >> It's fine. As long as the council has it, that's uh we'll we'll go ahead and proceed. Uh so I'm just going to walk you through this and some of the points of where we've been. And as I stop in the upper leftand corner uh before I even get onto the slide. This really
started back in March of 2024. So over two years ago with a citizen coming to the LPA as this was working its through. And this is how long we've been working on this saying, "Hey, we think there's a better way. I think there's a better way to do this. This particular citizen was going to pay and did pay the largest NPB
fee on record uh over the past since 1986 that this has been in in uh on the books. Uh and even he said even after I pay this I'll still pay the smaller fee. This is there's a better way to do this. So taking that um taking the feedback
from the last city council workshop which was November of 2024. We have long times ago that we've worked on this. We've incorporated the feedback. One of the asks from that workshop was to come back with a summary analysis. This is the summary analysis to help facilitate the discussion. So, starting on the
background, it's been mentioned that this is in the comprehensive plan, but I think it's always uh good to go back to the grounding documents, especially as we're building the LDC to know that the NPB is called out for in the comprehensive plan uh for improvements that benefit or enhance qual quality
water in the Dustin Harbor. That's the point of the NPEB fee. As Crystal mentioned, annual operating costs are 50,000, an average of $50,000 a year in the harbor. Renewal and replacement costs, things break, things are going to have to be renewed. That's generally
$50,000 a year. That's a million dollar annualized over 20 years. The great thing about this problem after um citizen came up and we take a look at it, we have a lot of data. We have 20 years plus worth of data to say, what is our problem set? As we took a look at it, what do we have to fund? And when
you get down to the bottom, it's up to the city council to determine what are the things that are funded by the NPEB. The comprehensive plan is going to be very broad and not be in the specific. Dredging could be uh something that improves water quality. Yes, it includes navigability and everything
else, but this is one of those things that could be funded by this be should the council choose to take that direction and Crystal has great u accounting for how to do that. So, as we took this problem and deconstructed it, I'm a big fan of the keep it simple principle. KISS is important. How can we
solve this problem? And it's almost two years ago, no one had talked about property taxes that might be being adjusted by the state of Florida, other budget pressures that might be coming to cities around the state. It's almost like it was forecasted. How can different things pay for themselves and pay on their own? Harbor water quality
is important. How can things be done in a way? And where are we at today? So, if you look down in the bottom lefthand corner, our current average, even with the large one, is $36,000 a year. It doesn't take much to to figure that if our costs are a minimum of 50,000 and our capital improvement or another
50,000, $36,000 isn't going to get it done and we're going to be in the hole pretty quick. Back to the general fund and the general fund and regular taxpayers having to support it. So, that came into how do we come up with a better way to look at it? And that's the proposal on the right hand side. The LP
the LP LPA proposal while it is not perfect and it took us over two years. So I'll acknowledge if there's a perfect solution out there we would have found it. We would have solved it in 5 minutes and we would have moved on. It wouldn't have taken that long. If there were a perfect one with no downsides, we would have found it and we it was not there
that we found. But the proposal we have number one fully fully funds harbor operating costs on a yearly basis. Done. It partially funds the renewal and replacement. This is a starting point. Uh our envisioning was to not have necessarily excess in points, but the
council can take the framework and say 50 or 100, we'll go 75 and 125 or anything else, but it gives a framework that partially funds renewal placement. It's a small yearly fee, but the point is destined residents come first. Homesteaded residents are fully exempt.
This is not uh being would be paid for by residential uh harbor docks. As Crystal mentioned, predictable funding that improves the budgeting process, ease of administration, reduces staff burden. Should in the future uh staff reductions have to occur versus other
things, we don't want overly burdensome processes that uh take a lot of extra manpower that we may not have. Uh sub bullet, it has been heard on the DIS multiple times. The uh attempt to remove integrity checks from this, this does
that. This is a flat fee. Simple. Um, one other thing and we've heard from discussions, this could encourage renovation of existing docks. Currently, there there could be a uh a hurdle to overcome. Somebody might want to do some renovations but not want
to have to write a a cut a check to the city uh of 25% to be able to do that renovation. If you look down at the lower left-hand corner, if you took the current approach and said, "Let's just use the current approach and have that close, you'd probably have to almost double the fee to go from 36 to over 50
to be able to cover that." So, you'd be talking about a 40 or 50% fee if you took the current approach and tried to close the budget using that. It'd be a 40% of construction or 50% of construction. And to us, that seemed untenable. We all we at the LPA also heard the
comments from the last workshop about hey how do we adjust for size? Maybe it's not uh fair because there's differentiz docks. Um that also greatly uh departs from the KISS principle. It becomes harder to administrator and harder to do. Um we did look there is a
Florida submerged land lease. It's paid every year that has a square footage and a size allowance to it. Much the way we don't want to have staff do our own calculations for property square footage. We used the uh Okaloosa County property appraiser. Um there were a lot of uh
issues with trying to use that submerged land lease and it just didn't seem to work. There's always fruit that you could do on that, but that is uh such a large amount to to what we're coming in here. It didn't seem to fit. So the point is we come down, you can look at the two on the the two parts if you want to include dredging uh is on the right
hand side. if you if council would choose not to have dreading part of what would be by the NPB fee how that would work on a one five and 10year basis um and how that would come out. One question, if you'd looked into the numbers, which I asked Crystal early on, hey, we've got a couple hundred thousand
in the NPB account. How is it if we run all these deficits that we have all this money, but yet it shows we're going to run out in three years? And I'm not trying to put words in Crystal's math, but when I ask that question, hey, we've collected this for since 1986 and for 20 years of data, but prior to Crystal,
that money went into account and just sat there and was never touched. The entire harbor was paid out of the general fund for years and years and years. Through direction from council and Crystal's dedication, we're now working on the pay as you go. And you can look at her numbers on the next
page. Within three years, by 2029, the fund will be under the current model, the fund will be in a def deficit and it'll be out of money and now we'll be in deficit spending general fund all the way along. So, as I just about get done and I'm just
about off the table. Nobody likes fees here. Um, I especially don't. I own a condo in Crystal Beach. I live in Crystal Beach. Um, I now have to pay a $500 fee, which we can argue over whether I think $500 is the right amount. But I also understand there are shared services in Destin. And while
everybody might benefit from tourism, the condo should pay their way and should contribute that. I think that makes perfect sense. I think a lot of the same thing applies in the harbor. While all the citizens get plenty of benefit from the harbor, I live in Crystal Beach and it seems like when I go down to enjoy the harbor, if I bring my folks in from out of town and they're
going to go ride the Sea Blaster, I'm happy to pay an extra 50 cents or a dollar a ticket on the Sea Blaster because they have to pay a $100 slip fee to the city. Just like when I go out on fishing charters, if my charter goes up by a dollar or five bucks because their slip fee uh they have to pay, I'm more than willing to do that and I get
benefit out of that. It it seems like every place should have to pay as it go. We've already done that. This seems like a very fair, reasonable, and comparable approach to do that. So bottom line, after looking at this for over two years, I haven't found a solution that doesn't have any negatives and has only
positives. But I am convinced this is the solution that can solve the problem right now. It's the least disruption. It's the easiest for the staff to administer and it can be successful on day one. So I hope that helps. I'd happy to take any more questions, but uh
that's what I got. Todd, I was a big uh chopping block of the committees, but if we guy we have guys like you on the committees, I owe Councilwoman Traml an apology because thank you for all the work. That was amazing. All right. And with that, Councilwoman Traml, >> you're speaking. I
>> I'll wait until after the audience speaks. This is >> Oh, yeah. Oh, thank you. I It was so Well, I was thought we were just going right along. All right. Seeing that this is a public hearing, if anyone from the audience wishes to speak, this is your time to do so on this specific topic.
For the record, Alan Osborne, I need some clarification on something. So, this this fees on somebody's dock, right? Okay. Okay. Well, if that docks in Holiday Aisle, is that the harbor? >> It is. >> The fingers. The fingers. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I I'm totally against this. This is a bunch of crap. I own a I own a lot over there. Now, I already pay $10,000 a year in property tax for a boat slip. Okay. I spent $200,000 installing my
slip. You charge us $500 if it's a a rental area out there. Now I pay now I got to pay the Holiday Association who's supposed to maintain the canal and now you want to cut too. And and I'm going to tell you the owners
of the property on the harbor who like are residents and don't have a business. That's that's just another Democrat tax. That's all that is. That's not conservative at all. Now wait, now I'm not done because I'm gonna tell you when I ride through
that harbor, I know a lot of people that own property and that ain't who I see riding through there. It's a 100 people on the Sea Blaster and and the Grace and the tour. So they can pay, but y'all never come up in that. I have never seen
this city up in the canal fixing our problems in Holiday Aisle. But now you want to tax me for it. I'm already paying tax. I pay more tax on a boat slip than some people here pay. And when this law passed, they'll pay no tax.
Now, I I don't see that this is just a tax that you're passing on to people who are not the majority users. Anybody that says that the general fund shouldn't pay that, then all the people in Destin don't go use the harbor. Don't
go use the beach. I mean, you you're using the you're using the rules one way. That is the value of destiny, isn't it? The water in the beaches. And we all use it. We all go out to eat. I mean, besides Dewey eating at Dwy's, the rest
of us go out and eat at Dwies. We're just like everybody else. So, if I go eat dinner at Dewies or Chadams, then I'll pay like a tourist. This is a tax on my boat slip because the harbor's having problems and a p on
private land. I I just don't see that. I mean, why own a boat? I mean, a boat's going a boat's going to cost more to have a slip than it costs to live in an average house in America just by tax. When I when I first started going out
there, the tax for our lot was like two grand for a boat slip. You know, it it's gone up 500%. and I can't homestead a boat slip. I mean, you you really think about that. Are you giving the fees to the people who are really causing it? Because like
somebody just said, if they need to charge on the Amazing Grace charter boat or whatever, uh the dolphin boats and all that, then then add that to the tourists. But they're the ones polluting the harbor, not me. I promise you, I'm careful about what I do in that harbor.
But I just see this as attacks on the people of Destin because it ain't going to be somebody else using. It's going to be me. Anyone else? >> All right, seeing none, I'll close the public comments and I'll start with
Councilwoman Sandy Traml. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, my understanding is that homesteaded properties do not pay. Correct. >> Okay. So those who live on the harbor and have a boat are not going to be paying for this. So >> it's a homestead.
>> If it's homestead on holiday ale too. >> On holiday ale if it's home. >> So private fees. >> Come on Alan. Come on ma'am. >> Okay. >> I know you had your three minutes. We got a procedure here.
>> Um I I had something else regard not regarding this particular issue but regarding this ordinance. Do you want me to wait until after we finish this issue to bring that up? >> Yeah, you got a lot of a lot of people on the on the button. So, I would say for the sake of >> All right. Uh, Councilman Braden.
>> Thank you, Mayor. My uh one of my daughters did a um science fair project in high school one year. Um probably 10 years ago. Yeah. At the most. Um, and it she she did it on the effects of exhaust fuel
fumes and uh gas in the harbor and and putting plants and stuff in it to see how it would grow or affect it. And it was it was pretty impressive on how bad it did the the grasses or whatever she put in the the little samples of it was
different amounts of fuel and whatnot in each sample as it got, you know, more and more. Um, so yeah, that's the problem. The problem I have was is yeah, you had we had a one individual that paid $24,000, redid his dock, board for
board, paid $24,000 for this impact fee or whatever it's called. So if that was two years ago, we're going to give him eight years. He don't have to pay the $50. So we're basically giving him a $400 credit out of 24,000.
And then after that, after the eight years is up or whatever, then he's he's back on the hook. We're going to suck him dry till as long as that dock is there 100 years from now for another $50 a month. And is is that is that what I'm >> $50 a year? Yeah. $50 a year. Um for
that for the life of that dock. So if it's there 100 years, he's paying and whoever owns it. So is that is it if somebody at every dock in the harbor? Is that what it says? And every dock in the if you got a dock, you going to pay the fee >> per slip. >> Per slip.
So they probably got 10 slips just one dock. So now we're fixing to milk him again for you know another 500 bucks a year. Um and he's already paid his fee. What we asking now we're going to make him pay some more. And it what I don't get
is like you know we just passed what John presented to us. these oysters that's going to filter the water and clean the harbor. Everybody's excited about that. Well, when you put a pile in water down there, what's growing on it? Oysters. Every one of them got oysters growing on it. Unless they put that black sleeve on
it where it can't. So, >> there. So, so what they're doing is a benefit to the harbor by putting pilings in my opinion. Um, but we're still going to tax them. Um, we need the money for the harbor pump and the dredging and you know all
the expenses, but I just wish there was another another way of going going about it because it just I don't know. Now we're going to all of a sudden just start milking these people that's paid these big fees and now we're fix slapping them faces say guess what appreciate the 24 grand
but here's another bill for 500 a year as long as you own that dock. Um, so I don't know. I'm just and and if they put a boat lift in that's on existing pilings it's been
there for 10 years or 20 years they had to pay the 25% fee for the boat lift $14,000 boat lift pay the fees on it is just attached to the same pylons it's growing the oysters is filtering the water helping the harbor so I mean you
got all the boats that you know we've already done my daughter's already done a science fair project that that proved that you know the oil and the water. And I mean, we got boats that are sunk in the harbor did have that sit there for years leaking oil and gas and god knows who who knows what. Nobody cared, man. Go put a light on it. Go put a buoy on
it and let it go. I don't know. I mean, it just just doesn't make any sense to me that like Allan said, it's just I know we got to pay for it. We got to pay for all this stuff. We're paying what was it, Crystal? $31,000 a year for electricity just to run the pump. pump
water in. I mean, we got to come out that money somewhere, but in my opinion, it's not the guys that are putting the the pylons in the water. It's all the boats and the oils being pumped out with builds pumps and the slicks you see out there. I mean, go
swimming in that harbor. >> I dove in it, I don't know, three or four years ago to get a guy's pair of sunglasses out. Took a dive tank, went in there, man. And it tasted like fuel, oil, just like it did when I was a kid swimming in it.
>> So, >> yeah. So, I don't know what I don't know what the answer is. I know the staff's done a lot of work and like you said, you know, if there was a simple solution, they'd have found it in two minutes, >> you know, been done with it, but they they how many hours they put in it. So,
I don't know. It's just hard to hard to support it with with knowing that, you know. So, I don't know. I'll listen to everybody else. Thanks, Mayor. >> All right. Uh, Council Member Morgan. >> Uh, thank you. Um, >> sounds pretty cool.
>> Yeah, it's it's it's been a while. Thank you. >> Um, is clicking in. >> It is. Uh, yeah, I'll get to that in a bit. But for for this particular issue, the crux of this ordinance appears to be the marina
sighting fees. But there are five other sections of this ordinance. Are we talking about a lot of other changes to these sections as well that we're missing? >> No, sir. They're they're really not that major changes to those other five sections. A lot of that's already
existing in article 11. >> Are there minor changes to >> Yes. Yeah. Like like I was saying in the introduction, we did add some >> some requirements of some restoration plans or things like that, wetland reports, things that are already called out and required per our comp plan that
just never made out made it to the land development code. So staff did what we did when we did this exercise. We went through our comp plan and made sure that we were covering all the policies in our land development code. So we we feel confident that we've addressed all that. Um but those would be the minor changes. This is the most significant for sure.
>> Yeah. So, I I'm sympathetic to the the people doing new marine construction, whether it's on Holiday Isle, which it applies to them currently. If you were to currently build a dock on Holiday, you're subject to the 25% fee. And that what they've paid into it already within
the past 10 years is prrated for 10 years. >> Yeah. If if if you paid into it last year, you would be exempt for nine years. Yeah. >> Okay. And if you have more than one slip at your dock that's homesteaded, it's all exempted. >> Yeah. If you have a homesteaded property, the entire property is exempt
from this fee. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I think it's a double-edged if you're building a new dock, which building anything now is very expensive. That 25% fee is uh aggressive and and would be something I
would want to change. Anyways, um I'm sympathetic to Holiday Out. I don't think the harbor pump uh benefits the Holiday Isle canals as much because it certainly doesn't flow fresh water through them. Uh however, the one other
question I would have would be on the transient slips for commercial marinas or non-residential marinas. Um I see they're exempted. It would be on page 34 under transient slips. It looks like
transient slips won't be charged that fee. >> What I think you're Are you reading E1A? >> Yes. >> So there's there's no fee for to rent that slip. That's what that's saying. >> Got it. But so we would so we wouldn't
be charged the $100 fees. No, they they would be charged the NPEB fee. They would just not be charging a rental. That company, whoever business A is that owns that dock, if they have these non-renal transient slips, if that's how they're identified, >> then that business owner would not
charge a fee for that boat to pull up and more at that slip, that business would still pay into the NPEB fee because that business I'm is not homesteaded, right? Because it's a commercial property for this example. >> Um, they would be subject to that NPEB fee. they would just not be paying this
transient slip rental fee. I hope that makes sense. >> Yeah. Um I'm not sure how I feel about charging the fee for a transient slip. Um on the other hand with enforcing whether or not the property owner is
actually using the slip as a transient slip or not is difficult to enforce. So I don't know. I'd like to hear what the rest of the council has to say. Can I can speak to that just um Yeah, please Daniel. >> So staff that's not a new change. If the council wishes to remove that, do
whatever you want with it. Staff's okay with that. That was that is a requirement that's currently in our definition of transient slip. So we actually regulate by definition, which is also a bad idea in the current land development code. So staff did just move that from the glossery, if you will, to
this section. So we didn't make that up. That's a existing regulation. Take that with do what you will. >> Got it. Thank you. All right, Council Me. Yes, sir. Thank you. A few questions. We already have a fee 25% on new construction and
>> replacement. Yeah. Right. >> There's already >> it's in already in place. We haven't been charging people for potentially administration reasons because we've been oversight in the past. >> Things have slipped through. Is that correct, staff?
>> No, Councilman Sh. That's not true. So, we got >> I want to ask the staff first. >> Oh, I'm sorry. five years ago, six years ago, we weren't charging them, right? Because it kind of slipped through the cracks. >> I would say charging incorrectly would be the more applicable term. Yeah. And five five years and six years is
probably accurate, not within the past couple. >> Right. Okay. >> But I definitely say uh I have the data going back to 2006 and uh there have been small fees collected every year. It's just they've ranged from a thousand bucks up. Um they tended to be around um
yeah between a thousand to 5,000 a year. Every now and then we'd have a special year. >> And then the slip types that are on our package of 1,476. Is that is that an accurate count by somebody? Yeah, that was Steve Okconor uh went and he walked Well, first he uh
he mapped it from a desk and then he walked every um every area that he possibly could uh to put his eyes on each of the slips. >> So then you're you're estimating um $8,000 in exemptions with the $50
proposed. I know this is not and what I'm looking at proposed. So how many homestead properties is that of the 5 it >> 30? >> The last review we did on the harbor there was appro uh less than 10% of the
properties touching the harbor were homesteaded. >> Okay. And Mr. Mayor the harbor we're not able to make a lot of changes right now because it's like not our harbor like with in regards to >> Oh yeah. No, cuz I'm I'm totally with uh
Councilman Braden on the derlegate derlegate vessels or almost, but yes, until we designate the harbor either a port or a mooring harbor, we have very small authority over that. >> Whoever said it's the city's responsibility to keep the harbor clean.
I'm just curious where that comes from. >> Don't look at me. >> Yeah. >> What's that? It was the state of Florida who said they would, excuse me, it was the state of Florida who said they would stop all construction of all slips in the harbor unless we got a handle on the
pollution. This was 20 years ago, maybe more. >> Okay. And that's where the net impositive net net positive environmental benefit came from and we we put it on construction and >> uh at the moment that was a thing to do
and >> I'll wait to express my opinion on that. >> That's fine. No, I appreciate the history. That's that's good to know. Um yeah, I I I don't see the I don't see the the way of charging every single person. uh especially I don't see the
the the way of charging a spe one fee for every single person. I think Mr. Stevens sent us some documents and data and it's been talked about in the Harbor Waterways Board about you know the usage at these slips if you're going to charge slip fees that that needs to
be considered um if you're you know if you're going to charge everybody across the board. So, um, and if I'm looking at it correctly, we're estimating the operating charge, the renewal and replacement that we put in every year. And then the dredging, uh, you know, me personally,
renewal and replacement, we can we can we can budget that. We don't have to charge anybody any fees and we just budget renewal replacement of the harbor pump dredging. we go for grants again and we find ways to do it, but I'd rather not charge a fee at all to anybody and just
budget it appropriately every 10 to 20 years it costs to to replace it. So that's my thought. >> All right, Councilwoman Abear. >> Thank you, Mayor. Kind of in the same line as Mr. Smith said, I wanted to know how many homestead were affected and
Crystal answered that question. The other question that I had is like you said the amount of business that draws in the pollution. It's not the homeowners, it's the businesses like the Sea Blaster and and the other 50
passenger boats that are out of the harbor on three, four times a day, especially in the summer. That's a lot. And they go all the way up into the harbor and bring their tourists all the way back out and go back around. So, I'm not for taxing everybody. I'm I think it
needs to be if we have to do it, we need to tax those that are truly contributing to the the pollution in the harbor that we're working hard with our pump to keep clean. Um so I appreciate all the work you guys have put into it, Todd. I know it's been a lot and I know that there's
a lot of ways to to bring the monies in, but I would be more inclined to budget accordingly for the pump and then go after grants for the dredging. We got very lucky with that. So, I mean, as of right now, I'm I don't think we need to
tax our residents any more than we've already taxed them. I mean, it's it's getting to be almost ridiculous and unfair. >> Council Bagby. >> Yeah. I I guess I'm the be the odd person out here. U because when I look
at this issue, I I you know, what are the principles we're trying to invoke in this this issue? Uh and the principles I'm trying to evoke is keep it simple. So I don't like the let's go out and measure the land lease, you know,
submerged land leases. Uh let's let's keep it revenue neutral as much as possible. I don't want, you know, I thought uh I was okay with charging the condo owners some money. I thought 500
was just exorbitant. you know, 300. The the actual cost those condos put on this city is nowhere close to $500 per year, but you know that pass and that's what we accepted. Uh it ought to
be fair. And if you got a boat down in the harbor, no offense, you're creating some pollution. you may not be creating as much pollution as Luther's pontoons running in and out there, you know, 10 boats or 20 boats or 80 boats, how many
ever you're up to, you know, every day or twice a day or whatever. But you you're causing you're contributing to some of the pollution in that harbor. Uh, one of the things is that I've harped on
is the no integrity checks. Look guys, Crystal, in the last three years, how much or the last running three years have we collected in uh in NPEB? It's about $35,000 each year or something. >> Yeah. 2024 was the anomaly year where we
had that one record breaking payment of $90,000. >> Okay. So, if everybody is honest up here, and I think we are all honest, our costs anytime we bring in a project have doubled,
almost doubled in the last three years. But yet, our NPEB just kind of keeps sailing along at the same level. And that's what I mean by an integrity check. When I when you go to a contractor and you say you got to pay 25% upfront
as your NPEB fee, how much is it how much are you building that dot for? Oh, >> a dollar. >> Uh $20,000. And that was probably true 10 years ago. Depending on the size Yeah, I know. Depending on the size of the dock and
the number of slips and everything, that's not even close anymore. And yet we just kind of keep skirting along here getting our $35,000. And I'm not saying anybody's being dishonest, ripping us off, whatever. But we don't have the staff to
go down and go through and go, "Okay, give me all your bill of ladings. All right, let me see your your you know employee uh you know, pink your payment slips or whatever. Oh geez, that's about a $80,000 dock. Where's Where's the
other 15,000 that you owe us? >> Uh, which they should owe us by the cur. So, we got a rule. We got a law ordinance. It's uninforceable and we don't enforce it because we can enforce it. So, this is real simple. You
I mean, we can and I'm I'm kind of with Todd on this. You know, we've spent two over two years on this. It's been through the LPA several times. It's been through the harbor folks several times. You know, the harbor passed it I think
four to one or what they had one decision LPA unanimously. It it's time to do something. I don't even care what what we do almost at this point, but it's time we got some fair process in place
to address this issue because we we can't and I and Crystal and I will discuss the budget when it's comes my turn later tonight, but it's flat, guys. You're going to find out it's flat and just
like we we said six months ago or whatever. And that's before any homestead tax exemption increases that the legislature might do. So this whole I don't think well heck I don't think the condo should have to pay I don't
think you know let's just take our advorum tax and let's just run the city what we but the problem is is we can't we we have to clean that harbor up. We have to provide for police and lifeguards and all these other things and we got to figure out a way to pay
for it. The and you know the the guy that spent the $24,000 is his dock going to his slips going to last a hundred years. >> I don't think so. You know how long? Think about this now. And he was
probably honest, you know, or his contractor was more maybe not. probably costs more than 24,000 or more than a h 100,000. But think about this. $50 if he has 10 slips, right? $50 a year.
$500 a year, he's paying over a hundred years, he would pay $50,000. over a hundred years. He will replace those docks at least twice, probably four times,
depending on how many storms we get and all this other stuff. >> So, that's not what we're we're we're thinking. I I just think it is time to do something and and put this to bed. Yep. >> Just solve the problem. Yeah. Am I happy
with the I'm happy that we exempt the homesteaded properties? I'm happy that, you know, it is a manageable fee. If you got 10 slips and you can't afford $500 a year, you know, I think uh somebody else said
this on the condos, time for you to sell, you know, when we were talking about the the condos, but I I don't want to punish anybody, but we got to pay for the work we're doing down there, and I don't want
to have to go hire three more staff members to go down and measure stuff and account stuff and look at, you know, supervised contractors or subcontractors building docks. So, I'm I'm going to go ahead and make the motion. Uh, and we'll
see if we get a second if I can get it pulled up. But I There we go. >> I move that the city Oh, you want to make one change to the the >> Yeah. Something else. Yeah. Okay. Go ahead. Yeah. No, go ahead. I'm sorry. >> Uh, is there anybody else requested to
speak? I don't know. Well, go ahead and speak and then I'll then I'll do that. Okay. >> Okay. Uh, unfortunately my computer is saying >> Yeah. Unfortunately, my computer is saying something isn't right. I don't know if they're referring to the computer or me, but it be that as it may, >> you slide this way and I'll I'll work
with you. >> The uh I appreciate the long and anguished attempts to try to come up with our solution to this problem. Unfortunately,
we are looking at it not in a completely honest way. We have looked at what the lowest possible fees will be for the guy that perhaps can homestead, not pay anything or the guy who's only paying 50. But, you know, we need to look at it the
way it's going to affect the people that are making a living and doing business down there. My good friends at the fishing fleet next door, they have 51 slips. they will be paying the hundred rather than the 50. That's $5,100 a year.
>> Um, they are already paying I don't know for sure what their submerged land lease is, but I know they're from $5,000 to 50,000 depending on how big your marina is in the harbor. Um, they're also paying a secondary
fee to the state of Florida that usually runs by the slip because they count slips. We get a second bill for our submerged land lease that we have to declare how many slips we have and what money we've made on them and they charge us a percentage of that.
The point I'm getting to is we're already paying the state of Florida, all of us are, some tremendous amounts of money on something that we don't own. And that's one thing that's unique about this solution. I I've never seen a
property tax on leaseold property before, which basically is what this is. Um, we should probably go back to the drawing board. I'm I can't tell all the folks who own what is it a thousand
slips, whatever the number was they came up with. Very few exemptions. Go charge them a yearly fee. And then there's one other big glaring problem with this. The Destin City Charter says special taxing districts shall not be implemented
without the vote of the property owners within the district. Since this only applies in the harbor, I don't it's clearly a special taxing district. The money is only to use to be in the harbor. So, I think it's pretty clear
without a vote of the property owners around the harbor in support of this, it would violate our charter to put it in place. I'm sure that's a question that'll be answered if it comes to it. Um, so you know, we need to come up with a solution other than charging a per
slip per year fee tax, whatever we want to call it on the folks that are in the harbor, whether they be living there or trying to make a living. You know, we we have a tendency here to like every fee and tax. we come up with our new
mobility fee which adds to two or $300,000 to opening a business in Destin now is already one that I don't think people understand they're going to have to pay. This is one more. At what point do we say we need to stop charging
people to live and work in Destin and cut back or come up with a different more equitable solution. So, you know, I would not be able to support this, not in its present form. >> All right. And
>> just to be clear, this ordinance was put into place in 1987. Um that this or this NPEB ordinance was put into place in 1987 and the city's been following it since then. So, we've just been we're just proposing to tweak and change the fee
basis to make it less uh to make it uh more attainable to people. >> Is it a policy decision or financial? >> No, this 1987 that's long before we were here. This is in the ordinance and it's also in the comprehensive plan. Yeah.
>> Right. >> I was here when it happened. Is is that a comment towards >> and and we did it because the new construction was what was going to have and what was having the effect on the waller quality in the harbor not the existing vessels and boats that were
operating and that's where that concept came from and I don't think that concept has changed since then. I mean, I love the concept of, well, if I got a dock, let's just charge the next person coming in, but now the the harbor's full per uh part 107 study, and I agree, you know,
the fees might be higher than they need to be, but it's just kind of like the potholes, you know, how long can we kick a can down the road before uh someone else has to pay for it. I mean, I I agree, you know, I can I'll be a Johnny King. I can see both sides on this one.
Um, but with that, Councilwoman Traml, >> I'd just like to make a comment. This this particular model that we're being presented tonight was brought to us by a harbor resident who owns many slips in the dock and proposed this as being more
fair than what is currently being being done. End of sentence. uh this is a this is a true experience of the citizens coming to us asking for relief and now we're arguing. So argue
all you want but my second point is um about the wetlands. I have uh something I want to add to the wetlands. Uh but I don't I see names on here so I don't know. >> Yeah, it sounds like we're just gonna run Robin. So let's let's land this plane. in in in this whole ordinance uh
they do talk about wetlands and I think some of the things that have come up lately um that we have been doing as our understanding have not been written clearly enough in in this ordinance and I would like them to come back with
something discussing the fact that if it's currently labeled a wetlands and and it moves or it it dries up or something else the city's not really responsible for that um that's a naturally occurring thing because we've
had a lot of wetlands in Destin that were wet that are no longer wet. Um but it's not clear in here as to what the city's responsibility is for those and and I'd like to have something to address those that clearing, you know,
and make it more clear. Am I making any sense? >> Yeah. to respond to that. I would just say um the liability doesn't exist and the city's not currently responsible for that. But if council would like to clarify that in the code to um put into writing what already exists, we would be
happy to do that. >> Well, I would ask that we do that, but I guess do I need to make a motion for that? >> I'll make a motion a motion. Okay. I saw you, >> but I only think he made a motion then we wanted to go.
>> Yeah. >> Uh I move that city council approve proposed ordinance 26-06-LC on first reading with the proposed change that uh Councilwoman Traml uh would like to include. And I do have one
cut. No, I'll make it off. >> All right. So, I have a motion on the floor. Do I have a second? I'll second that. >> All right. Uh, Councilman Baga, anything further? >> Evidently not. >> Uh, Councilman Braden, you had it up. Do you want to go?
>> Um, in the the expenses, the biggest expense we pay in the harbor is dredging and the harbor pump. >> What? I'm sorry. >> I was just asking staff if that's where >> uh th those are. Yes, those are by far the largest expense, but we would just like to cover our annual operating
expenses evenly. I'd like to pay that electric bill year-over-year. >> Have we ever tried to get a grant to replace that pump or fix it or anything? >> Uh to the pump, I cannot speak on the past of the pump. Uh we have been successful every 3 to six years in
achieving grants to help us cover dredging and uh the grtors have tended to cost about 50% of the dredging. >> Michael on the pump. >> Yeah. To my knowledge, since it was its initial construction, I don't think
we've uh added any grant money to the uh RNR for the pump. We had it basically refurbished about 3 years ago and I believe that was about $160,000 and then of course this year we had a
expense of about 50,000 which is two years worth of income under Crystal's existing model. >> Right. Did I miss something? We can't get grants for that or I thought Crystal said we we do get some grants but we can't get it on the pump even though it's for water quality and
>> we've replaced it three times since I've been up here. >> Yeah. They repaired it many times. >> Oh, I um I know that I should know why >> application >> why we couldn't get grants. I mean we pay a guy over $100,000 a grant writer and we can't it's just not qu doesn't
qualify for grants or >> I mean I don't know. Unfortunately, we don't our our uh our grant specialist isn't here this evening, but uh operating grants are very rare and grants for something like a harbor pump, I mean, that's a very special uh type of
an item. Um so, I' I'd defer to our grant specialist and and his research before responding to that. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Schmidt. >> Yeah, I'm going to make a substitute motion, but two questions. One, professional services. Is that the budgeted item to fix?
the pump every year. >> Professional services. >> No, the professional services is the uh the water analysis from Chakahachi basin analysis and water analytics. Those are two different professional services. >> The $15,000 a year to have the CBA do
water analysis. >> Um and water analytics. We have several different entities. >> And then the $30,000 approximately is the utilities that you're referring to. That's correct. Operational fees. Gotcha. Okay. Well, I'm going to make a substitute motion to move that city
council approve the proposed ordinance 266LC on first reading with the following modification to include Councilwoman Traml's items. Uh but to make no change to the NPEB fee
at this time. >> All right. I have a second by Councilman Dest. Uh further discussion. Councilman Morgan. Yeah, I think um you know one one way for destined residents not to levy another tax on them. A lot of people in Holiday Isle
have lots just for their boats even though they're destined residents and their property might not be homesteaded. So I I would like to see property owners on the harbor that are Destin residents exempted as well.
As of right now, the motion wouldn't >> incorporate that at all. Would just keep the current 25%. >> All right. Um, no further discussions. I mean, we'll we'll see how it goes. I think no plan right now. The 25%'s not a plan. So, if
we're not going to do this, um, it seems like Todd and the crew's done everything they can. So, I I look forward to your guys's alternative options cuz the 25% is absolutely ridiculous of attacks and it's discouraging the improvements of
Destin. It's not carrying the weight of carrying our cost for the the power bill, let alone um and there there's got to be something. No one likes doing the hard thing, but there's got to be something that needs to come up here that makes sense that's going to make
make this all work for our harbor. So that's the one thing I got to say. Councilman >> Dustin mayor and perhaps the maker of the motion will agree to include verbiage that we refer the question of N EPB
to uh for further further consideration to see if we can come up with something that is not going to be taxing by the slip. >> Yeah, absolutely. That's fine. And that'll be >> what what does that say? I'm sorry. I
don't even understand >> that. That sends it back to staff, LPA, whoever's looking at it. >> We can look into the uh grants question for one thing if you'd like when with our grants person that's not here tonight
>> for the harbor pump. I I guess well I don't understand what we're trying to achieve with the modification. I understand his motion. >> Okay. My modification is that this while I would not agree to going forward with taxing by the slip,
>> I may well be open to other discussions on how we can raise some more money. That would be in my opinion more equitable and not put the burden on the folks who are trying to make a living in that harbor. >> Okay. >> All right. A
sorry, I'm sorry. Did >> you I didn't want to interrupt you. Do you have anything else? >> No. I think we've made that modification. While we're not going to change the any PB, we are going to look at the issue
further, which is all this modification says. >> Yeah. >> Councilwoman Neighbor. >> Thanks, Mayor. My question was to clarify with Councilwoman Treml. You said that this was what the residents came forward. >> Yes. >> And this is what they are suggesting for
us to do. So if anything, we need to vote for this because those that it's affecting are the ones that are saying this is what they want. Correct. >> One resident. >> Can you clarify who that you were speaking of? >> Ask Mr. Burr. >> I don't know. You said
>> no. Todd. >> Yeah, I'm happy to. >> Do you have the names? >> Yeah, I do. Uh, it was March I'll get the exact date. March 14th, 2024 at the LPA meeting, Mr. Mike Abbotti who was about to make the
largest NPB fee in the history of Destin over $90,000 which he did made and he he said at that meeting I'm about to make this and I know that it won't matter for the 90,000 I'm about to do and this is still the better way to do it. His actual verbiage was to charge everybody
$1,000 initially and then something like $100 a slip. We went away from the thousand initially and and when we did the math, put our pencil to paper uh through the all of the analysis, it came out to 50 and 100. And by the way, we put this as a framework. If if this is a
starting point if council wants to go 25 and and 150 or wants to even it out, it's still a framework. Uh but it was Mike Abbott who came in and those are in the minutes from that March 14th, 2024 meeting >> and and it went through two committees
and they finally voted on it. So Todd, while while you got the mic, um, if there was not to speak out of term for you representing the committee here in your facility, what was plan B if this if there was another option you guys had? I mean, if
we're going to kick this back to you, you're here. Let's just get it over with. >> No, and I and I appreciate where they're coming from and I'd love a a council leazison if there's other ways to do money that we haven't thought of. I'm always open to new things. Um, everything got a lot more complex. Um, I gave a couple because math is math. We
could go up to 40 or 45% uh with the construction cost and that would probably c cover the cost. Um, there are other ways of doing percentages off the submerge land lease because one of the comments from the workshop was size, a big boat versus a small boat and and
other things like that that had a lot of complexities which weren't all that alternative as a plan B, but those were the couple that we looked at, but they had significant drawbacks uh more so than the one that that we presented. >> Right. Thank you for that
>> follow-up question then, Todd. So, now that we know that we probably haven't been charging enough for those folks building a new dock, >> do we have a pl a plan in place that somebody will physically go out and look at the dock plans and see are they okay?
Is it really a $20,000 or is it a $100,000 >> for the integrity check? I'll defer to Tina and the planning department on how they plan to uh tackle that. Uh Noel Bell, the building official, did present at a previous council meeting the um a
framework for verifying construction costs for different types of construction. And when someone submits a permit that has a cost associated with it that doesn't fit into the industry standard framework that she presented, then um she is asking for additional
information as part of the permitting process. So, is there like an inspector that goes out and eyeballs that project? >> And every uh building permit project an inspector goes out and looks at >> and that's before they're finished paying fees, right?
>> They pay their building permitting fees upfront. Um, so the inspection is generally not done until the end of that process, but they are checking when it's submitted to make sure that the cost that is given when
they submit falls within an industry standard framework for the type of construction. >> All right, Councilman Bagby. >> Yeah. And I I appreciate and I appreciate your
recommendation that we only charge commercial fee or your suggestion we only charge commercial fees and stuff. I I can't support this. I can't support a system that requires on either us hiring
additional staff to go out and calculate and I understand what you just told us. Oh, well they they go out there and they try to make sure that it's falls within a framework of existing
building construction which goes up it seems like over the last year has gone up five six% every dad gum month. So I'm not sure what rubric y'all are working off of but I I question that. But if it requires us to hire more staff or us to
do more staff work, you know, I just want a simple process. The slip was a simple process where you just say it's you know the reason I say I I won't think uh at least right now on the just
charging commercial docks because if you have a residential dock but you have four slips there's nothing to keep you from having you know some kind of arrangement where two of those slips
pay your NPEB fund. I I just I just think we we have over uh thought this and I would just ask that but we'll go back because you know the last two and a half years not enough thoughts been put into this but I I
think there has been enough thought and this is not a perfect solution. Thank you for doing your time. Thanks to the Harbor Waterways folks and the LP other LPA folks, but I just I can't do this this time. >> Yeah. >> Just my last comment. We can vote. I 200
years is I don't disagree, but doesn't mean they've been talking about this every meeting for two years. I mean, we have a we have a we have a member of a Harbor Waterways board that sent us stuff that we all value his opinion very highly that specifically said he was told the other day during the harbor meeting don't we're not bringing up
anything else anymore. It's going to the council. Let's move on. So, I don't know who told him that, but there's this isn't a perfect scenario. Let's let's stop beating around the bush. The commercial vessels are the biggest
issue or the cause of problems in the harbor. So, no offense, but let's go back to the drawing board, figure out how to charge the people that are causing the biggest issues. We're not going to tax the residents, the people that own houses and docks just because we they should not get the equal amount
compared to the pontoon, the dolphin boat. It's it's just the truth. the charter fishing boats, all of them, they put more into that harbor than the others. So, I appreciate the past two years, but it still sounds like there's disagreement even in those committees.
So, that's why I'd like to call this substitute to vote, please. >> If I might, >> I'd like to call it to vote if we could. Uh Kevin, you you what you just mentioned was the option number three proposed by the LPA, which was for the commercial slips to pay $250 a year and
to bring the residential slips down to zero and that would cover the um the operations. >> I just like to go ahead and keep the same motion at time, please. >> So, now that you're hurried, I'm just going to take a breath real quick. No,
we're calling to the vote, right? Substitute motion. >> All right, we'll call the vote. All right, substitute fails 52. We're back to the original motion. Does anyone know what the original motion was? It was the staff. >> Oh, you're Yeah. The recommended staff
motion >> plus plus councilwoman Traml's >> plus I'm sorry. Yes. >> Oh my gosh. All right. Are we all speaking again or >> No. >> Okay. I was just make I was like y'all have too many opinions tonight. >> Oh no.
>> All right. No. Everyone good? All right. I think that might have just been a >> clear that >> going back to when the motion got cleared. All right. So we're clearing all that. U the motion seconded by Councilwoman Traml. We'll call that vote. >> All right. 43.
>> All right. Who said who said what? Who said yes? No. No. Yes. >> All right. Uh, without any further, there is alternate motions. So, I'll just give a second if there's anyone who wants to give an alternative motion. If not, >> I'll move a table for the next meeting.
>> Thank you, sir. All right. Call a vote. I need a motion. A second. >> I'll do a substitute motion. >> Unless I don't have a second yet. >> Second table. >> All right. So, I have a motion and a second to table. So, we're going to a
vote. I'm going to change that in Bobby's rules of order. >> Yeah. Robert's dead. >> Robert's my dad. Kevin vote. >> All right. 52. We're going to table it to the next meeting. Y'all didn't get
enough of it. All right. B. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> This is ordinance 2524 LC. An ordinance of the city of Dustin, Florida, deleting article 2, administration of the land development code to remove and replace the existing
article 2 in its entirety. Deleting Article 4, public participation of the land development code to remove and replace article 4 in its entirety. Providing for regulations relating to general administration development orders, guarantees, shies, and future improvement payments. Providing for
review processes for planning applications and general review, land division, land division applications, miscellaneous planning applications, planned unit developments, marine construction applications, conditional uses, certificates of appropriateness, change of uses, appeals, special
exceptions, variances, providing for regulations relating to telecommunications and wireless facilities. Providing for site development and building permit review. Providing for public procedures and meetings. Establishing city boards and committees. Providing for procedures for addressing and providing for development
fees. Providing for authority. Providing for findings of fact. Providing for incorporation into the land development code. Providing for conflicting provisions severability and providing for an effective date. This is second reading of this ordinance. And again, this is part of the ongoing LDC rewrite.
>> All right. >> Mr. Butler. Yes. So, this is the second reading of article 2. The first reading was on March 2nd, 2026, and we haven't brought it back because there was an ordinance that was directed from city council to staff um that affected the process for
marine construction for single family dwellings. Um so, the tra the change, if y'all may recall, is the ordinance that was approved previously, is now removing the requirement for single family doc construction to go before the Harbor and Waterways Board and come before city council consent agenda. rather docks for
single family dwellings will go for building permitting only and staff will do the same the review based on the marina sighting section that we just discussed. Um so that's the only change in article 2 since we've read this from the first reading as well as staff's clarified um in the article 2 that a
primary structure must be required for an accessory structure to be built such as a dock. Um and that's so that we don't run into a previous situation that we had with some commercial docks and staff's here to answer any questions. >> All right. Thank you, Daniel. With this being a public hearing, if anyone wishes to speak on this public topic alone,
this is your time to do so. >> No, no. >> I don't know where that came from. >> All right. Uh, seeing no public comments, I will close the public portion and Councilman Bagley. >> Mayor, I move that the city council approve ordinance 25-24-LC
on second reading. >> All right. I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second by Councilman Braden. Any discussions? Councilman Dest. >> I believe if I read this correctly, this and and our staff member just reiterated
that we are saying here that if you cannot build a dock unless you have a primary structure >> and I that's correct and I understand that ran we ran a foul of that with our present situation in the harbor.
However, however, it uh it troubles me that if if I were an owner of a waterfront property that I didn't live on at the moment that I couldn't build a residential dock. >> I didn't understand that what you just
said. >> Yeah. >> Would y'all like to would you like me to read the existing language that we have? >> Please give a suggestion to change it so I'd vote for it. I would like I would like to read you the language in the in the the land development code so you can see where staff's issues are. >> This is uh for conservation of
established neighborhoods 9.0601. There shall be a permitted principal development on the parcel located in full compliance with all standards and requirements of this code except that boat docks may be permitted prior to construction of the principal structure when submitted as part of a master plan
which shows the location of the principal structure. Period. We if if that's not the desire of council, what we have drafted, we will need direction as to what this means because yes, it reads that there's a permitted principal development on the parcel, but
that does not mean that it's completed. So, somebody could pull a a single family dwelling permit today um and then build the dock and then not even go through with the single family dwelling permit and then they could just rent that slip out to commercial businesses or anybody else that wants to drive onto
that property and use the dock. So there's the code language that exists today is not clear. So what staff was trying to do was trying to read the intent of council based on those docs and as what is written today. Um but if if we misjudge that whatever >> it comes.
>> Okay, here's my here's my problem and a s in a suggested solution. Residential docks single family or what we used to call single family. We have had a number of instances where people have been allowed to build their docks in the past
when it was a residential use in a residential area and it appears that this would prohibit that unless we exempt residential docks in residential areas. We can write that in as an exemption, could we not? >> You could and you would want to let us
know if you mean just single family residential as opposed to condo or >> multi to condo commercial slash. Yes. And I would request and I will make a motion or to amend this ordinance to include that exemption.
So that'll be a a motion to amend. >> Okay. >> I I'm going to do exactly what you asked for last meeting with before we vote. I'm going to let the public open up again. >> Very good. >> Okay. I got a amended motion in a second.
And yeah, discussion. >> Okay. Uh any further discussions? All right. Seeing none, before I call the vote, I will do the courtesy of opening up the public comments for clarification on the subject. For the record, Alan Osborne. Now, I own
a piece of property like this, and I've owned it a long time. Now, my covenants and restrictions in Holiday Isle, my lot's in compliance because we've built a seaw wall and we've maintained it and fixed it after every storm. There's still lots that don't have seaw walls.
They're required to have them. You're going to pass an ordinance that goes against the recorded documents of a neighborhood that's been there 50 years. So, it says I can have a dock. I got a dock without a house. So, you going to tell the guy next to me he can't build one
and that he may build one down the road? Y'all haven't thought this through. And what ought to be glaring glaring to you people up here as a board is this. Nobody out here from all these lots over
there that pay a million dollar or more in tax. I don't even know. It's like $10,000 a year on my boat lot. So now if you got your boat covered at your house and the hurricane blows it off because I got a covered boat slip. Do you have to
pay 25% more for your roof because it's over your boat? That's crazy. Think about it. I couldn't even maintain my slip would be illegal to what if you're going to pass this. And what about the people paying
1012,000 a year on an empty lot now? They can't even have a boat. and something like my lot when we dug our slips. Now the setbacks won't work. So I might have to rip my lot out now to comply with something new because it was built in 1986.
So I've decided just to leave it and I homestead across the street and follow the rules. Now I'm going to get penalized. It ought to be glaring to you because they say the Holiday Improvement Association. I hope you're listening because I never got a single thing and I
I'm pretty in tune to what's going on in politics. I had no idea this was going on. And I'll bet you most property owners in Holly don't know that they're getting a new tax if they live in the canals because the city's never fixed anything. And I want you, you know what? Who needs
to fix the pump and stuff? Drew Palmer. He needs a talking point for this city water pollution. Well, at least Luther and the Tikis pay you tax. What about all the pontoons that drive down my canal that are from Fort Walton? What about the jet skis? What about the
people in boats that throw their beer cans in my canal? He ain't going to charge them any tax. You tell me that the county doesn't have any priority to keep the Destin Harbor the center of their tax and and Drew wants free parking. He wants to free use the city.
He wants to destroy my neighborhood. tend to fix a pump with county money because they got it from us. Okay, there's other solutions out here to who owes this. But I don't want to pay and I don't want my property
restricted so some googans can turn into the harbor that ain't from Destin and don't have to pay a thing to cruise down through my property that's private. So, there's other options here. And and like I said, the elephant in the room is
the lack of anybody here that knows. And I blame the Holiday Aisle Association because my understanding is the council gives them the information, but that didn't mean I got it, but I promise you I paid my tax bill. Thank you all. >> All right.
>> Just for clarity on that, you all exempted single family. >> Yeah, >> the motion would have exempted single family. >> I don't have a home. I can't build it because that >> zoning single family zoning >> whether you have a home or not. >> Whether you have a home or not, you'd be
exempt if your zoning is >> sing that the amendment would allow you to have a dock whether you had a house there or not. Alan, >> thank you. >> Yeah, >> for a res. >> All right. I have a the amended motion and we have our second. So I will call
the vote. >> Mayor, I think we vote on the amendment first and then it becomes part of the motion. His way his folks work. >> That's what I said. Yeah, we've got the amended motion. >> You're good. >> Can we read the amended motion, please? >> The amended motion is Councilman Dustin.
Is that yours or is this >> Yes. >> So we are voting on the amendment to the motion. >> Yeah. Yeah. He was just asking for it. And I guess I don't want to put words in your mouth. >> It was to >> button. >> It was to exempt uh residential
properties from the prohibition on having a dock without a permitted use upland. So residential properties are going to be exempt from that requirement. >> All right.
>> And Tim, if you want to state it a little more clearly, I have no objection to that. It means if you h want to have a dock on a residential property without a principal structure, that's okay. >> Got it. Okay. >> Is not a condo a residential property? >> Well, what we were talking about was single family.
>> You didn't say that. That's >> he did >> earlier. >> He did. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Single family. >> All right. So, we'll vote on the amendment to >> the public reading. Second reading. >> All right. Eyes have it. So moved. The
amendment is on and added >> and we'll vote on the original or with the amendment. >> Right. >> So, we'll call the vote on now second reading with the amendment. >> I'm just I'm following his lead on this one. I thought we normally we normally
>> we don't need to go back. >> Yeah. For ordinance amendment >> on an ordinance. We got a >> Yeah, we got a one and two it for an ordinance. All right. Typically, we approve an ordinance with a modification and if it
requires it to go back to reading, then we bring it back. We don't do amendments and then I I I don't recall us doing that. I'm not sure. There might be some confusion here. >> Kim, >> do you do you all want to approve the ordinance with the amendment? Is that
the goal? >> My my question to you is, does this need to go back for second reading now that we've added language to it? >> No. Okay. So now >> the title is all-encompassing. This is the LDC rewrite. So we are revising that entire article. >> All right. So I think that because I was a little confused as well. I think that
clears that up. All right. So we will vote now on the ordinance 2524 with the amended motion. >> I'm getting there. >> Lisa is keeping up. >> Yeah, I know. >> The second reading.
Who's the original motion and second for >> I think it was me. >> And Councilman Dustin, are you the second on this? >> I think Councilwoman Traml >> Sandy was a second on the original. >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> All right. I have it so moved. Ordinance 2524 LC passes with the amended motion for no principal upland structure on residentially zoned properties. Right.
>> Councilman Braden. >> Um, why did code compliance go down Rudy or whatever that street name is and put warnings on all the vehicles? >> The cars >> prompted that. >> Where was that? Council member Braden.
Do you know um Tina, >> can you repeat the questions? I can't hear. >> We had a lady we had a lady here tonight that came in was talking about the parking on the street and that all the vehicles got a warning on Rudy etch or something. I just wonder why code compliance went through there and put
warnings on all the cars. >> Yes, we can find out um the details from code compliance. I can talk to um the manager tomorrow. >> Okay. I just did somebody complain about it or did somebody >> from staff or something >> part of our three priorities to be
proactive as a council. >> Yes, >> parking was a part of it, but we can find out from staff whether it was proactive or complaint based. We'll let you know. >> That's awesome. Thanks. Um and um with the presentation we got earlier, I noticed that it was charging $19,000 for
a community workshop. Um so wonder if we could charge that. I'd be getting a workshop three or four a month. I I I got a uh fireside chat workshop this Wednesday if anyone wants to go. My GoFundMe will be uh on the comments of the the YouTube channel after this.
>> Charge 19 grand for that. Um and again the um if if you want to go swimming in the harbor, it it does taste like fuel order and rotten fish. Um not cris or treated pollen. So just
wonder that. That's all I have. Mayor, thanks. I will vouch on the water taste. We've dove it many times. All right. Go. >> We We did have an email uh sent to us about the uh cleaning fish and throwing everything in in the water. Um I think
we need to look at that down there, too. >> Um I know it's been illegal for a long time, but anyway, if it's happening, it's happening. Um I had one thing I needed to bring up tonight. uh regarding uh it it started
with the uh issue of the record services, but we have several places in town that are um keeping cars that need to be repaired longer than 30 days. And we don't have a clear definition of
what is an appropriate time for car repair versus what now becomes car storage. So, I'm asking for consensus up here to have staff uh look into that and come back with some definitions for us. Um
because some of these lots that have numerous cars on them, some of those cars have been there longer than a year, >> don't even have a tag. >> Um and they don't have tags. They don't run. They don't meet any of the other criteria that we have. So, I'm trying to
figure out when is when is repair versus when is storage and then what is the storage for the purpose of just to get the $75 a day that insurance will pay eventually. In some cases, these cars
have been abandoned and even the person that's has the car on their lot has no ability to do anything. So, we need to we need to look at that particular situation as well. Um, and the other thing is, uh, I will step up and be a
liaison from the, uh, council in Mr. Fitzpatrick's issues. >> All right. Thank you for that. >> On your first item, are you asking to be the legislative sponsor for us to draft an ordinance >> on the I will be glad to do that if if
the council if we have some consensus that we need to even look at it. If it doesn't bother you, then it's only bothering me. It's up to you guys. Do we want to just make that in a motion and that way you get your your verbal? >> I'll make that motion to have staff look into that. >> Okay. >> Second.
>> I have a second. All right. Any further discussions or direction? >> Yeah. There the one the property I was referring to earlier was um it's on Mountain Drive toward the west end. >> It's it's a >> it's it's a street. Is that the one you're talking about? >> It's on Mountain Drive, but it's um I
know what you're talking about, but it's at a a complex business complex. a slam full of vehicles and some of them have no tags and they've been sitting there forever. What I mean, what happened to that overnight? That complex just all of a sudden filled up with vehicles. I don't even know where those vehicles came from, who's who owns them or what,
but that'd be another one. >> That's the same thing. >> The gentleman that owns the auto repair shop owns that property as well. Yes. >> So, is that a um a change of use that he
needed to do on that property? Because >> that's what council member Traml wants us to distinguish between the uses and put a limitation on the amount of time time that a repair shop can hold cars in storage without continuing repairs. So, we will if you all vote to proceed with
this, we will bring you back a proposed ordinance with Council Member Tramble as the legislative sponsor. Councilman Dustin >> just point out to staff that we had some screening requirements for car storage that appeared to not be in place anymore
even though the ordinances are still in the code. So we might want to look at those first to see what it is that we have on the books that we're not enforcing at the moment. >> All right. What are we going to do without that knowledge and wisdom? Decades of
All right. Calling the vote. All right, eyes have it 70. So moved. Anything up? All right, Councilman Dustin. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll just give a little further report on my consultation with various board members on the Nora point. I I just want to point out that
I've spoken to each and every one of them who say they are not in favor of uh trying to cause Destin not to enforce its comp plan or or land development code irregardless of what the staff may or may not have written. So I don't want
to paint them as exactly as evildoers. We will see whether that moniker is correct when we get to the end of the solution, but I've not been able to find one yet that said that we're in favor of not not adhering to
Dustin's rules. We'll see. >> Cby, >> congratulations to the Army lacrosse team seated number nine playing this weekend in the NCAA tournament. Uh actually both men and women's team made
it. Uh, I want to thank FDOT for closing the crossing by Rooms to Grow and putting the uh, barrels there and digging that up. And then I just like Miss Crystal, I think you told me in my pre-brief today, I'm not sure you shared
with everybody, the very preliminary numbers that came in for the property uh, valuation increase. Drum roll, please. 1.1%. >> So that's flat. That's pretty much the
definition of flat. >> So when we come back with the oh, we want to do well, we don't want to do. We have a policy that says we'll do 2 point whatever or 3 point whatever cola and then we want to do again. I'll recommend
that we do uh not merit raises but merit stipens. Uh but we may go through another process of Mr. Dustin's okay show us where you can cut 2% or 3% from
from the operation operations budget because it it will be a very tough year this year. Thank you. All right, Councilwoman Trbear. >> Thanks, Mayor. Um, my question is for we
had some stickers that were made and I want to I think it was code was issuing them like onto the trash cans. I think there were hundreds of those made and for a while there they were putting them on the trash cans like on Wednesday saying, "Hey, trash is picked up on
Tuesday. Please, you know, bring it back to your property Tuesday evening." Um, and also the yellow trash cans that this is only picked up on Tuesday. Don't put on the street on Friday because it's not going to get picked up till the following Tuesday. And we just, you know, kind of have it in, I think, in an
ordinance that the trash cans need to be back at the property, you know, within 24 hours of the pickup. Am I incorrect in that? >> We only have that for short-term rentals. So, that does keep happening as an issue. So, a question for council is,
do we want to expand that ordinance to residential property or not? >> I don't think it's the residential property as much as it's the renters of >> We do have it for renters for short-term rentals. >> Well, the renters that are renting in
like off of Kelly and Cyber like Hidden Dunes, that little complex there, their 20 trash cans are out there and then on Wednesday, 10 of them are still out there. And then Wednesday evening, five of them are still out there and then I just stop my car and move them back behind the sidewalk. So I was hoping we
had some of those stickers left that maybe if they've transferred some of these people, they've transferred out and there's different renters that on Wednesdays midday drive around and if there's a green trash or a yellow trash can, put the stickers on there saying these are picked up Tuesdays, these are
picked up Tuesdays and Fridays just to remind the homeowner. You know, >> I'm happy to work with Tina and Chris. Um, public information had produced those stickers to see if they would like to have more made. >> That's great. Appreciate it. >> All right, Captain Morgan.
>> Thank you. Um, Councilwoman Abear, the stickers work. Um, it worked for me. Uh, it felt it felt a little p it felt a little passive aggressive, but it I >> it was >> I mean it it worked. and get my trash
cans in. Um, I want to thank the council support uh for putting me up here. Um, must mean I had done something right when I was up here in the past. Uh, it means a lot to me. I was told by Miss Cop that our
meetings were shorter and that kind of enticed me to do it. But as we're rounding up at 9:00 p.m. But when I >> when I first got on council, I was 28 years old and we had sort of overturned the order. Rodney was up here with me
and and uh Parker Dustin and our meetings would regularly last till midnight. Um >> yeah. No. Yeah. actually during some of the pontoon stuff. Um, so I know some of them aren't happy to have me back, but I've matured a lot in the past 10 years.
Um, and you know, I recognize that I was appointed and not elected. Um, I'm not coming in with any sort of an agenda. Uh, the fight with Okaloosa County over Norie Point really interested interested me. I've always been good um at fighting
with Okaloosa County. Um and and but people would ask me at the local market during lunch how the council felt about Noriega Point and I didn't even have to talk to any of you about it to know that y'all were pretty lockep against what
was going on. Um so I just want to reiterate my support uh with all of you. I'm proud of how y'all fought it so far in that. Um, I don't uh veer from from y'all's position you've taken on it. Uh,
I will say the one of the reasons I decided to do this was after I had seen the email from uh Craig Coffee about how trying to circumvent our zoning laws in a population of 14,000 people. I found
it offensive as a resident um and I would like to do something about it as a representative. Um, at that same token, uh, be a good partner and and try to work through our problems. And I appreciate what Mr. Denon has done. Um,
one last thing, um, I think, uh, the mayor, you know, y'all may have made a mistake because I think I probably would have voted for John to be sitting up here, too. Um, my wife certainly would have. Uh, but but I am happy to be here. Thank you.
>> All right. Birthday boy Councilman Schmidt. >> Oh, thank you. But I appreciate it. >> Uh just one item. Um >> there uh we have a city lot over Terracotta area. There's about 10 or 12 uh spaces over there and I was visiting
a while ago. I was also talking with the business. I was talking with visitors and different people and understanding um how that lot works. And I started looking and I started walking as well and it's about a half a mile from the
beach, the public beach. So I started thinking, started looking at some options. Um hearing some people that don't even pay because they're not there long, some people that are not happy if they get a ticket because they were only there for a short time as well. Uh and
also talking to staff about the history. I asked Larry to put together some information and there's a very good detailed um item in my agenda briefing section if not sure if you had a chance to see it but um I think Michael was maybe the one that wrote it or some
staff members and I appreciate that and um ultimately I feel like what Michael is mentioning here about it just doesn't meet the same standards of what our normal pricing structure is and I think there's some basis to that argument. Um,
and because we have the new LAZ model and we have the flexibility uh with the technology. Uh, I think since it's May right now, it'd be interesting to see if we make the tweak with the technology to do a shortterm fee structure um that was
recommended. Uh I believe that it would be interesting to see what the data shows if we possibly can collect the same or more amount of money because people will be more enticed to pay the $5 for the 30 minute approach or the
hour approach. Um, and so I'd like to make a motion to have a fee structure be brought back to us based upon the recommendation, which is to uh do a $5 hourly rate, which would still compute
to $20 for four hours, which is in theory what it is right now, but it would give the option for $5, hopefully enticing more people to pay it um while they're there temporarily. >> I'll second that. >> All right. Any discussions?
>> Is this >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Traml then Bagby. >> Um I don't have any objection to what you're saying. I just think it might be easier for the city and the staff and in light of what Mr. Bagby was saying
earlier. Let's not add one more thing for them to do. Even the Laz people. Um, would it not be easier if we just lease that little parking lot to them and they pay once a year for the lease or however long, you know, once a month or I don't
care what that that payment plan is, but then anybody could park there for nothing. >> You're asking me? >> Yeah. >> Um, >> I'm just asking you to consider that as an option. I don't I don't know. >> Easier. I don't know. know I mean I I've gotten involved in a lease recently on
my own and leases don't seem to be very easy. You have lawyers, good ones, um and staff members involved in that versus LAZ, which I believe is just a tweak to the to the app and then it just
maybe a sign has to be replaced possibly, but I don't know. >> I thought I disagree with you, but I just don't know if it is easier. Well, I was ex it was explained to me that they were not present at that parking lot you're talking about. That's laz our our parking people.
>> No, they're there and and they have to go, you know, beyond the reach of where they currently go just because of those spots. But they they they do show up there. Yeah. >> Michael jump in. Michael, >> what's the question? I'm having I think we're having trouble hearing you all
this evening, >> but uh we do not have cameras there, >> but L Laz does patrol that area and the rate is $20 for four hours just like the rest of our beach parking district. >> Did that answer the question?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yes, it did. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. >> Okay. Uh Council Bagby, >> so are we going $5 per hour everywhere or just >> just that lot? >> Just this lot. Okay. Okay. How about the
lodge by Dolphin Point, >> which is not close to the beach either. >> I'm not I'm familiar with it, but I was focusing on this. If you're asking me, my opinion, I mean, I'd rather wait to take a bite out of that one after we can analyze it more. But I believe that's
near the harbor. It's near no >> near prop Dolphin Point. >> No, >> no, it's on holiday. Oh yeah, >> near near the harbor >> on the harbor. But >> I personally would rather like take a take a second approach separate approach.
>> So this is like a pilot we're doing. >> This is just for the terracotta parking lot specifically. We'll >> see if it works. >> Okay. I mean >> for the month of May. Oh, okay. I'll do it for the month of May. But I I just >> No, just for a little concerned about >> Not just for the month of May. >> You said May.
>> No, no, no. I said it's May right now. It would be interesting to start this fee structure to get the data over the summer. So then we >> lot in May for the whole summer >> just to change the fee until we change it back or don't change it maybe. I don't know.
>> I just want to clarify. I didn't want you. >> Yeah. No, I'm just trying to because to I mean without relitigating the whole terracotta and having them all come here again. uh subsidizing that business is is kind of
like subsidizing the businesses down on the harbor if we were to change uh our parking structure, fee structure down for those parking lots in those areas. So, I'm just I'm I'm I'm very careful. I
don't want to I think I understood your your presentation or the staff's presentation under your name, but I I and I'll support it just for a couple of months, but after a while, you know, then you're just I agree with whoever
said Sandy, if if he wants to use that for his business, he needs to lease it. It doesn't need to be us sub underwriting his his cost type thing. Councilman Dustin.
>> And that's what I was trying to qualify. I I believe this is where we allowed someone to open a business with no parking at all. >> Exactly. >> And >> And they told us they didn't need it. >> Yeah. They told us they didn't need it. And I think this parking lot is being used almost exclusively by their customers. >> Yeah.
>> Um I like the arguments about the $5 and the and the fact that we may get more money that way than 20, but that's citywide. Um, and as far as leasing a city parking lot to a private enterprise, I don't
think we do that, do we? >> Or do it for fair market value. >> I'm sorry. >> If it's fair market value, we can do it. >> Well, I'm sorry. >> Because we won't be using >> I'd like to re I'd like to lease the parking lot across from the fishing fleet. It's more fair market value. >> That's what I'm
>> You know, that's that's the point I'm getting at is how do we decide which business can lease which parking lot? issue over here. In talking with staff, it's it's almost like a surplus property really because there's no beach access there and nobody is using it for a
public purpose that we're aware of. We So, council member Schmidt asked what can we do fairly and not subsidize this private property owner with tax dollars. So things we came up with, we're leasing the property to him so he pays fair
market value or you know you all are considering different pay by the hour fee structures. >> With all due respect, I've heard from a whole lot of people that are living around it and they would disagree with those uh assumptions. So, we're being asked to lower the rate.
If we want to do it on temporary so that we can see what kind of money it raises so that we can apply that concept to the rest of the parking lots we have, you know, I could probably do that. But as far as leasing it or selling it or making it permanent, you know, we in my
opinion got big problems with our parking rates all over town at 20 bucks. Whether it's five minutes or five hours, that makes no sense. and no one's using our parking lots because of that. And that may well hold true for this little parking lot, too. It's not being used as
much as it could be. If you want to do a little pilot to see what the difference is, I don't have a terrible problem with that. But I would not be in favor of leasing a parking lot or making this permanent. I would be interested to see what the revenue differences are,
though. So, we may be able to apply that model in other parts of the town. >> All right. So, this motion is to do it through the summer. >> This motion currently is to change it to $5 >> per hour. >> Yeah.
>> To lower it to an hourly rate rather than four for $20. So, in theory, >> it's roughly the same if you're staying there for four. It is the same if you stay for four hours. That's the current motion just for the Terracotta parking lot. >> $5 for a minimum of an hour
>> time period. Currently, there is not a time period restriction on the motion. >> No, no, no. I'm talking about how long are we going to do this till we analyze the data? >> Well, in an open discussion, the data would probably not be very uh reliable. I don't believe this particular business
was open last summer. So, to be fair, I don't think the data would be very valid to compare. Um, so I mean, I don't have That's the answer. I guess >> it well that the motion is for the
summer or forever. >> Well, the motion was to bring back an updated fee schedule for $5 for for one hour for this particular law. >> So there so there is no time frame that it's just going to be changed. >> All September Labor Day.
>> Yeah, I think it'd be fine to push it through Labor Day, the summer period >> if that's to go through Labor Day and then look at the >> revisit it. Sure. >> I'm I'm good with the same. >> You okay with that? >> Sure. >> All right. >> Yeah. And I just want to let be
transparent. I mean, there's subsidizing the business. Personally, I I've been by that business and they're not struggling for parking. Um there's a line all the way to the jogging path for a long time.
Uh and those people are not driving and parking in the grass or illegally parking in people's front yards like some of our residents do. So, like I don't think we're subsidizing anything. I think it was a a multiple approach about potentially creating a better uh a
better visit for the visitors to not get a ticket while they were getting coffee. That's their loss. They got the ticket, right? But I don't think it's subsidizing the business in my opinion because I think he's doing just fine, I would believe, >> with with with the walk up traffic. But
>> dude, Labor Day is fine. Great. That that's fine. And she's okay with that, too. >> Labor Day. Otherwise, if if we're not subsidizing or helping and making it better, then we don't need to change anything at all. >> It's our parking lot. >> You tell us what you want. >> All right. We're calling the vote.
>> We're calling the vote. >> Just push my button. >> Let's end this vid this meeting. >> All right. I just have it so moved. >> Anything else, >> Kevin? I just always appreciate approaches where where we do things up here to
potentially make things possibly better, right? >> Yeah. >> A lot of times we sit on things for 20 plus years or 1986, right? >> Or 1989 or whatever it was. So 1987. So, you know, it I appreciate when there's
people, community members, business members, whatever you want to say, not just this particular option, but it's it's rewarding when people try to come bring new ideas to possibly make things better. So, whatever that means for anybody, I I think it's great whenever opportunities
arise. So, that's all I have, but thank you, sir. >> And it's it's a good idea. I I guess we'll have to take the fines the the the citation fines out of the uh money we get for the parking to see what the real thing is because we're not going to be right to analyze the data. We'll send it
off and pay $100,000 data fee for somebody to analyze it. >> Oh, all right. You guys are going to laugh. We don't have to take it up tonight because mine was a similar subject, different place. And I'll just throw it out there. I'll just ask Ray to
put it under my name uh for next and that would be I've had a lot of people with the the places that we pay for parking that close at sunset that they want to go see sunset and I would say Noro Point as an example. I know it's hot topic right now
so I won't get too into it but the idea of hey we just wanted to go for 45 minutes to see sunset but currently the model is the four hours for that. So, I think it's nothing I'm going to ask you guys tonight, but just wanted to say that as you guys alluded to, the fee structures could use a lot more
humanization and a little bit less rigidness, especially now that we have a potential good technology. We'll see after the year how flexible they really are. But I have confidence in them that we can make this a little bit more flexible, a little bit more >> next time. my my if you could put under
my name for next time. Let's call it like sunset parking fee hours or something. >> Okay, this is good. >> Well, listen. >> I love it. >> No, listen. If there's an issue, there's an issue. I'm not going to ask for any of you to deliberate on this. I was going to and then we had that that great
suggestion. So, I'm going to just throw it and I'm going to throw it to next meeting. I'm going to table it myself. And that is what I and that's what I got to say about it. Is that what it is? >> All right, Kim.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, sorry y'all. I gotta read two statutoily required things here for executive sessions. Um, so forgive me for the verbosity, but uh, pursuant to section 2860118 Florida statutes, I desire the advice of
the city council in the case of Chandler Lennox versus City of Dest. It's case number 2025CA0694 in the circuit court of Okaloosa County. As such, I'm calling for an executive session to be held in the city council chambers at the Dustin City Hall annex 4100 Indian Bayou Trial, Dustin,
Florida, 32541 on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Central or as soon thereafter as the issue may be heard. Additionally, I would like to call for a second executive session on the same day pursuant to section 2860118
Florida statutes. I desire the advice of the city council in the case of Centenno Daisy versus Key Destin Owner LLC, McNeel Hotel Company LLC and the city of Destin, case number 2025 CA0694 in the circuit court of Okaloosa County. As such, I'm calling for an executive
session to be held in the city council chambers at the Dustin City Hall, annex 4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Dustin, Florida 32541 on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 5:45 p.m. Central or as soon thereafter as the issue may be heard. At both of these executive sessions, there will be a
court reporter present, Mayor Bobby Wagner, city council members Kevin Schmidt, Chadam Morgan, Teresa Abear, Jim Bagby, Dewey Destin, Sandy Traml, and Rodney Braden, city manager Larry Jones, and our litigation council William Warner, and Justina Turner, as
well as myself, city attorney Kimberly Romano Cop. So, if you're all okay with that, it would be 5:30 and 5:45 next meeting. >> All right. >> I take a motion. Yeah. I was going to ask, do you need a motion for that? >> I don't. As long as y'all are knowing and available that day.
>> As long as we have a a quorum. >> Yep. >> Yeah. All right. >> Okay. >> All right. Public comments. >> Oh, come on, Alan. >> I know y'all didn't stay for the health of it. >> Somebody give us compliments.
>> For the record, Alan Osborne, most things I covered. I want to thank you for my appointments on the board tonight. I give a damn. That's what you'll get out of me. Uh, I I will but I will bring solutions. I couldn't stand that in the military when somebody complained, but they had no
idea how to fix it. They just had to complain. And based on that, I suggest that y'all take never sell government surplus property because your grandchildren will need it for something. Secondly, if you've got an empty parking lot,
fence it. Make the tow truck companies pull it there, boot them, and we'll make a fortune. We'll pay for that thing. So, if you're making $2,500 every 20 days or le let's think outside the box. Accident happened in Destin, vehicle stays in Destin till the insurance company comes
get it. I mean, you're in control of that. So, if you want to make some money, let's make some money. Uh, I believe what I said. Uh, I would like to thank uh uh Miss Cox and Miss Ketchel for personally defending us and telling
us and telling me personally to my face at a meeting, especially Miss Cox, that she didn't support any of that garbage that was going on. So, we have some people that see the truth and see the title wave of what came and I'd like to
thank them. Secondly, Drew Palmer, you need to be standing where I am asking the council how you can help the city as our representative fix our problems. Like I said, Luther and the and and the guys doing tikis, they come down behind
my house. They're paying city tax. It is foolish to let the county sit there and collect what are I don't know what our taxable rate is within the city. We got a billion and a half dollars. They owe us. If they're worried about
tourists coming here and keeping their tax base, then they better worry about this water because all those jet skis and all those boats and all those pontoons from Fort Walton are coming through the harbor not paying what he has to pay or the other people. So, so
look outside the box of who's causing this. I don't mind paying my tax. Uh, I can't rent out four slips because I signed covenants or restrictions that I could only rent one and I can't rent it to commercial. So, I those aren't answers for me because I already signed
other people work that lets me do that. Liability insurance on the empty lot over in Holiday Aisle. It's about $6,000 a year. So, these are not small fees that we pay we pay to be here. So, thank you for thank you uh for believing in me
and let's think outside the box and the county needs to start worrying about the jewel of the county. This is the cash cow and they can't just take from us and tell the citizens that we pay for everything. They take a big chunk of our money and it's time for us to give
something back and be worried about the qu water water quality in their county and destinies in their county. Thank you. John Stevens, 4025 Indian Trail. Chadam, glad you're back. Um, so I heard Luther three times today. Last time I heard it that many times was when Chadam was here
and we were here till midnight. So hopefully we'll never do that again. But on another note, um, so I I do water sampling once a month with the Chakachi Basin Alliance. Um last week uh we did a water sampling and we actually had Sea Coast High School on board with us and they had their underwater drones with
with them which was really cool. We did some uh filming at the bridge. Um but then we we started doing our water sampling in harbor and when we dropped our sucky disc to see like water quality to see if we can see the bottom, we couldn't and that was probably the first time in a while we haven't been able to see the bottom of the water. And I'm not
sure if it has to do with our uh our pump being broken for a little while, but um I was really bummed because we were looking forward to using those drones in the harbor to kind of see how it worked, but the drones could not even see very far in front of us. So, I'm hoping we get that pump fixed. So, that's all I got. Appreciate.
>> All right. >> My name is Josh. uh 221 Main Street, Dest. I uh had a whole thing written out, but somebody brought something up about the um the car storage and over so many days I immediately knew where they were talking about. But um Florida gives
us as auto shops a a way to obtain those cars and get rid of them. So, anybody that's holding on to them is really eating up real estate that is costing them revenue. And um so there are there are some there
are some ways to go about that. Uh I'm mainly here for about towing though. I don't know that we got the full gist of what we need as towing providers which is seriously essential part of public safety here. Um for those of us that are on the rotation with the sheriff's
office. Mr. Braden had a bad experience. I can almost tell you where that was at. Um but I can also guarantee you that somebody immediately started looking in that to that. And we've had meetings with the sheriff's office. We've had meetings with the county to enforce these rules that not only the state of Florida puts in, but that the state of
Florida allows you guys to compensate with as well. Um, so before that really goes, I'm wondering if we can revisit that, maybe get some questions answered and go into more detail about what fees need to be raised. The way I understand it, you
were talking about the TOI and there's several other fees on there that we need to discuss that you guys can make a better educated decision on as far as moving forward with that to help us all to the city of Destin, the the providers, etc. So, this
is my first time. >> You're doing great >> this year in front of council meetings and county commissioners and so forth. So bear with me, but I do think we need to revisit that and maybe give you guys an opportunity to come up with some questions to say, "Hey, what is this or or or what is that?" And cuz there there
are some strict rule. I mean, some of some of the charges can be felony brought against the the business for doing things like he he brought up and we've spoken with the sheriff's office, the captains, and the people that are in charge of that that can enforce that. So that's all I got. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Can I ask him a question? >> Yes, >> please. Can I ask you a question? One of the um I was looking at the invoice and one that I got part of the invoice was $250 part of that $2,500 and something
dollars. $250 of release of leans. I never signed anything to release any type of leans or anything. Do you >> you know what that is? >> There is a lot of discussion on that. This the the state of Florida has determined that the lean is when I get possession of your vehicle. Um, so when
it's on the truck, the county has determined part of that is a county lean fee that if it goes through the county process and the state process of us getting a a certificate of destruction or certificate of title, um, that part of that money goes to the fee or goes to
the county and then the other part of that is all of our administrative and paperwork fees. For a short time, vaguely the law said you can't charge more than $250. Unfortunately, the state the state of Florida is very vague in the towing laws. So, some of us went to Tallahassee
and said, "Hey, we we don't understand this." Uh, and then they they they broke that down. So, there is Yes, they can't charge you more than $250 ethically. Should they be charging you $250? That's a that's I I can't decide for
other businesses. I separate those fees. Um, and sometimes I don't charge them at all. Um, >> got a $80 for admin fees. Um, and then $250 for lean release fee. You're saying that $250 would some of that would go to the
>> You can't you can't be charged more than $250 combined with those two fees. >> Okay. Well, I was charged admin fee 80 bucks. $250 fee. Um, so where does that where would that 250 go? Would that go to the city or the county or
>> I I can't speak for other businesses, but but there's >> Where's it supposed to go? >> Well, the lean the the the fees go to the business and then if depending on what happens with that vehicle is is if the county gets
a fee or not. So, it depends on how they process it. I can't I can't speak for other business. >> Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Yes, sir. Good evening, Stan. Nicolola for Den Beach Circle. Uh, I could answer your question uh outside of my time. Would
you like me to do that or to do it later? >> Would you mind if you guys talk after? >> Okay. To get this much record. >> Sure. Okay. Um, anyway, I'm going to start with u what you mentioned at the beginning. U Conil U. Braden um you
started your statement earlier that some of the things I said were correct but you mentioned there was some lies also said if we can address that one as well after my um statement here. Um one of the thing that I would like to say it's um um I've heard some of you
discussing uh that um you're eventually thinking to match the rates of Okaloosa County. Again, we didn't come to ask for that. Um, as one of the gentlemen over there mentioned earlier, Fort Walton are coming um the boats are coming from for
Walton into Destin because obviously it's cheaper. Uh, same thing applies for us. Um, I already said last time what is the difference to operate the towing business and insurance, excuse me, in Cresville and what is to be in Destin. It's something that it just doesn't add
up. We didn't come here to ask for you guys to match Okaloosa. we came and we um asked for you guys to actually to give us the opportunity to charge higher just because we're in our businesses from Destin uh consum um
sorry Begby uh earlier you mentioned three years ago fees were completely different um this ordinance was last changed four years ago. So you mentioned how many um times prices have changed in three years then we can imagine what
have changed in four years. Um another thing I would like to address um conser last time we appreciate what you said that you appreciate that there is a in town towing businesses and we really appreciate your support. Uh the reason why we are asking for that is for this
thing to continue. I don't think that anybody wants here to wait for a toll service to come from for Walton or Nisville when an accident happens. But with a decision to match the county, basically you're giving us a signal that this is where we should go. Why we
should be operating business in Destin when we can get the same money if we're operating business in Foraton or Nville where I can get a property at fraction of the cost that I'm paying currently. Uh as you know the city of Destin is very limited with industrial zone or
heavy commercial zone and this is the only zone that uh uh allows of towing business. That's what I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. Anyone else? All right. >> I just want to make sure everyone knows Kim's birthday was yesterday. So our
city attorney Happy birthday yesterday. >> Thank you. >> I had that in my notes too. Shoot. >> Kevin and I share a birthday week. All right, seeing no further personal announcement, I'll call this meeting a adjourned.