All right. Good evening everyone. We're going to call this city council meeting to order. Up first is going to be our invocation by our one and only pastor Stephen Steve Ferris from First Baptist Church. Thank you sir for always being here. Well, Father, we want to start by
thanking you for 250 years as a nation and Lord of all those people that sacrificed to make that happen. And Lord, we want to thank you for our armed forces and our fleece and our firemen and all the ones here that Lord continue to watch over us and to guide us, Lord.
And it's not an easy time, Lord. The people are more and more just ignore traffic laws and everything else. And it's so many people here, Lord. It's a hard job for our local folks. So, I want to pray especially for them and guidance us. I want to thank you for our leaders here tonight that takes their time to to
give and to work. And Lord, I just uh just want to thank you for blessing us beyond any nation in the history of the world in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. Thank you, pastor. Uh Councilwoman Aber with the pledge, please. >> Thank you. Please join me with your hand over your heart. I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Thank you for that. And with that, we will get into the approval of
the agenda. So, if we have any >> Yes, sir. >> I'd like to add an item underneath my name. >> Okay. If I could please add consideration of untabling the resolution of the street name change. Okay. >> Add to my name, please.
>> All right. >> All right. Anyone else? >> Yeah, I'd like to add under my name discussion of uh traffic after the fireworks Saturday night. >> Okay. >> Traffic. All right. Anyone else? Yes, sir. >> Only comment I'd have mayor is untabling
has to be made by someone who was on the prevailing side. Miss Cop. >> No, it doesn't. >> Yeah, there have been some changes to Robert's rules, but if the council wants to continue down that path and keep the rule of as we have in the past, we certainly can at your discretion.
>> I would only observe that we have not adopted the recent changes. We adopted the original version 15 or 20 years ago, but we can certainly can certainly consider. But, you know, and as on the prevailing side, I may even accommodate my fellow councilman
and and help him out there cuz I think we're marching in the same direction. >> All right, good deal. [clears throat] Anything else? Changes, amendments. Seeing none, can I get a motion with those? >> I'll make a motion to make the approval with those changes. >> All right, I have a motion. Do I hear a second?
>> I'll second that. >> All right, got a second. >> And then with that, we're going to start a roll call vote for this. Uh, Councilman Schmidt, if you please start us off. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I'll vote. Yes. >> Yes.
>> All right. Thank you guys for that. With that, eyes have it so moved unanimously. And with that, we will get into the proclamations. The park and recck month proclamation. Thank you guys for being here. >> Awesome. Well, first and foremost, I want to introduce and welcome our parks and wreck committee. Thank you guys so
much. Um, all of our committees are very important, but I've always had a little bit of a bias for the parks and recck. So, I appreciate everything that you guys do personally for us uh as volunteers and as just locals in the community that love to give back. So, thank you all for being here and how you show up every day for the city. So, with
that, the city of Dustin proclamation parks and recreation month. Whereas parks and recreation programs are an integral part of the communities throughout this country, including the city of Dest. And whereas by elevating the quality of life, safeguarding public
health, fueling the local economy, and enriching the region we call home. And whereas active park building creates healthier residents, helping prevent chronic diseases, expanding therapeutic recreation for those with disabilities,
and lifting the mental and emotional well-being of all. And whereas park drive prosperity, rising property values, rising property values, rising property values, [laughter] broadening our tax base and drawing tourism and
business and helping reduce crime. And whereas our park and natural areas protect the environment, clean our air and water, guarding against floods and providing habitat for wildlife. And whereas the space preserves the natural
beauty of Destin and invites children and adults alike to step outside and reconnect with nature. And whereas the US House of Representatives had designated July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month. Now therefore, I be it proclaimed that I, Mayor Bobby Wagner,
on behalf of the set Destin City Council, do hereby designate July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in the city of Dest and call upon all who cherish our parks to celebrate the vital roles they play in our community. So
done. July 6, July 6th, day of jo July 2026. Jesus. All right. Thank you. [applause] Gotta love the old English. You want to say anything on behalf chair and anything? Okay. >> All right. Thank you guys so much for being here. [applause]
>> We going to discuss [cheering] street or just bring it over. >> I don't think I need a vote 20 table. >> All right. Thank you guys for that. And with that, we'll get into public comments. Everyone has three minutes at the mic. I just need your name and
address. I'll start with my right. Y'all left. Yes. Yes, ma'am. We'll start with >> Oh, I'm sorry. Up here at the mic, please. >> You come to the podium. I'm sorry about that. I just hit that gray. >> No worries. Just hit that gray button. It'll turn red. You don't have to hold
it. Uh the gray button on the bottom of the base. >> One on this speaker. >> Oh, thank you, Steve. >> Thank you. It's not green. >> Gray. >> Red. >> Thank you. Sorry. Go ahead. M >> Nancy, my name is Nancy Flanigan. I live at on Calhoun Avenue
the 407 Calhoun Avenue. Okay. Um I'm here tonight because on Memorial Day weekend, my little dog Rainey ran off. I know that some of y'all probably have been following
Rainey. Um, I found a lot of failures, a lot of things that make it hard to find your pet in Destin. And so I can't I can't list all those in three minutes. What I'm going to tell you is the ideas that I have that I
think would provide would be good for Destin and also good for our tourist. And that is I I believe that if we could set up a digital board where people could enter their lost pets,
get a QR code. I'm not even looking at my notes now. It would out could automatically go to um lost and found Okaloosa. Destined could have its own o um lost and found site and you could get a QR code so that people could put in
more information or talk to each other because when you're out trying to find your dog, you can't be putting up posters and you can't put them everywhere. And time is of the f essence. People have seen your dog by the time you're out chasing them
sometimes and they don't they don't let you know until 3 weeks down the road when you But I want to tell you that the citizens of Destin are the most wonderful people in the world. They have been praying. They have been out
looking. We go out at night and people stop and say, "Are you looking for Rainy? We're looking for Raininey, too." And um it's very touching. Also, we need to make sure that our citizens understand the law and that it is
illegal to keep an a pet that you found. You have to make due diligence. And most people don't know that. They feel sorry for the dog. They think you didn't care and so they let it go. And another thing is educating people about not chasing dogs. How how do you look for your dog?
You find them and then you got to catch them. And so, um, I'm going to stop with that, but I did want to say one more nonsensical statement just to demonstrate the irony of the value we put on things over our beloved pets by
resources made available to each. If your car is stolen, you make a report and all our wonderful police officers and deputies are out looking for your car. If your dog is lost or stolen, it's up to you. You're
on your own. Thank you. >> Thank you for being here. >> Yep. >> All right. You know the drill. It's already Oh, push it again. It was already on for you. >> Hit, >> Ricky. Hit it again. >> No, the red the red button. Yeah, it's
the gray button. Yeah, there you go. There you go. >> Ricky L Grant Jr. [clears throat] 175 Main Street, Dustin, Florida, 32541, USPS general delivery. Um, I guess I'm going to do my public
comment because I'm trying to get my civil rights back because I have a felony on my record. It's a process and uh there's like all this stuff with uh I guess trying to
control my firearm if I need one and my private property because I'm trying to open up three branch offices through my license. So, I'm trying to go to Orlando and talk to the Florida Real Estate Commission cuz I'm going to be a broker in June.
I'm going to take the test and just have three branch offices, work from home, and try to just work my land. That's what I want to do with the rest of my life. So, I'm trying to get control of these firearms and make sure that I'm having my civil
rights and I just have everything that an American citizen needs to have. So, I don't want a gun. I don't need a gun. My mom never told me to get a gun, but I think it's something that I should have responsibility for. So, I was talking to
Sheriff Larson about it. So, I'm going to try to clear up my felony record and get my civil rights back. On a lighter note, I was going to try to buy a NFL team because a lot of people keep telling me
to aim high and I know that life can change quickly. You know, I don't have healthcare. I want to have healthcare. I want to get surgery. Life is good for me. And uh but I just, you know, sky's the
limit. I could be a billionaire and maybe buy the Titans or the Cowboys, be like Jerry Jones. I do a lot of work with the NFL and ESPN, you know. So, I got some good ideas for uh my branch offices, like in the guest house and
whatever, butchering cows and, you know, eating good food. I wish I wish I had a good business partner. You know, I'd have a little family by now. You know, white picket fence, you know, American the American dream. You know, that's the reality of the situation. I could have a
wife. So, I'm looking for a wife. I'll just sit at home for the rest of my life. I ran away when I was 15. So, I live in the ocean, you know. That's why I'm trying to do some work with the uh oceanic and atmospheric. I wanted to stick to my notes, though.
I did my taxes, but everything's on hold until they let me into heaven. So, like hopefully let me into heaven and then life will take off. So, see you next time. Appreciate you, Ricky. >> All right. Anyone else in the middle?
>> Yes, sir. Y should do this now or >> uh >> it's addressing the RFP that's in the consent. Is it okay or >> thoughts? It's in the consent. >> What are your comments about? >> So the no the just comments on the RFP bid that >> are are you a bidder?
>> I am a bidder. >> No, it's fine. >> It's a good Okay, good deal. >> Are you trying to make a presentation though? >> No, no, no. No, just saying thank you. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. So, um, yeah. Good evening, Mayor Wagner, council members, Mr. City
Manager. Uh, last time I was here, we talked about the RFP and and I made a commitment to you all that whatever the outcome, uh, was is that I would be here to support you through the transition. And I just wanted to let you know that, um, that commitment still is intact.
Just some things I wanted to leave with you all tonight though uh as you review and make your decision. And for the record, I'm Mike Carowway with the Century Insurance. Century Insurance has been your broker for the last 20 years. I've had the pleasure of working through
the last five. And um you know over the course of that relationship in the city of Destin I feel like we've done we've accomplished a lot of positive things as it pertains to the employee benefits program saving significant dollars constantly reviewing the market.
Um you know Century Insurance founded our company here in the city of Dustin in 2010. This is our headquarters. 35 plus employees. we're here in the in in the community entrenched in it and um you know I just want to make sure that
we do everything that we can uh to make the transition as poss uh smooth as possible for you. We're going to be here. We're going to be in the neighborhood. We're going to be at the ball games and we want to have another opportunity if the vote goes the way the RFP. We want to have another opportunity to work with you in the future. So more
than anything, thank you. I appreciate this opportunity. have had a century appreciates the opportunity and we look forward to hopefully working with you in the future. Thank you. One thing I do want to leave you with, make sure whatever you do, just like the things that we talked about, make sure you
understand the stop-loss agreement. Make sure you're eligible for the claim surplus and make sure you're getting the RX rebates. Those are the three things I think are most important when you go besides good service and things of that nature. But just be comfortable with
that as you get move forward. Thank you so much. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. And with that, uh, uh, the city attorney was asking if any other biders would like to speak at this time just to keep it above board. All right.
Seeing none. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm just making sure. I got you. Come on. >> Sorry. >> One other. I was just making sure there wasn't any others in the room. I am a bidder. I'm also a USA fan. I'm
also a big fan of Destin. So, when I saw the RFP come out, I wanted to put my name in the hat. I work I My name is Brad Kbble. I live at Fort Pokei Lane, Dustin, Florida. I've lived here for 24 years. Mike Carow and I are best have been best friends for a long time. Used
to work together. Um I didn't know Mike was actually the agent on the account. Had someone else's name on there when I looked, but any right. I wanted to put our name in the hat because I wanted our name out there. The Liberty Insurance Brokers because we do not only health insurance, we also do property and casualty. Um, but what the most
important thing I wanted that I wanted to emphasize is to keep it local. Just like he emphasized, Century has started here. It's a great company. Um, Liberty hadn't didn't start here, but all the people that worked there have worked in in Destin for the last 20 years. And so, that's what I was hopeful for that we
would keep it local with a local agent. And that's what I was, you know, just wanted to throw my name in the hat. And um and what he said right there that that's something that Mike always sticks to is, you know, coming up to say regardless of the decision make that he'll walk you all the way through it.
That's r very rare in the broker business or the insurance business. Um thank you for the time today and go USA and go Destin. >> That's tonight, isn't it? >> Yes. >> All right. So we got to go quick. >> Make the meeting fast. Oh my. All right.
One one minute comment. One minute public comments from the state forward. [laughter] Just kidding. All right. Anyone else from the middle? >> Yes, sir. Just hit that middle gray button on the base. It'll turn the light red. Name and address. And the floor is yours. Well,
good evening uh mayor and council members and distinguished citizens of Destin. My name is Sabu Williams and I reside in Cresview, Florida. And this is Mr. Lewis Jennings who who resides in Fort Walton Beach, but neither of us are here today based on where we live, but and I'm here in my capacity as president of the NAACP, the Oklahoma County
branch, and Mr. Jennings is our vice first vice president. Uh we appreciate the opportunity to appear before you tonight. Mayor, I am here to formally invite the city of Destin to join the NAACP in posimously recognizing a man whose courage helped shape American
history and whose life and legacy are deeply rooted right here in this community. Mayor of that man is none other than civil rights attorney Charles Chuck Morgan Jr. Attorney Morgan is remembered across the nation for his extraordinary moral courage. On September the 16th, 1963, the day after
the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Attorney Morgan delivered one of the most con consequential speeches of the civil rights era. Standing before the white business leaders in Birmingham, he declared, "Every last one of us is condemned if we do not do something." At
that moment, a young southern attorney publicly challenging the silence that enabled racial violence became a turning point in the movement for justice and equality. Attorney Morgan went on to litigate landmark cases advancing voting rights, equal protection, and civil liberties across the United States. His
voice helped shape the conscious the conscience of a nation and is reflected in a book he entitled he wrote entitled a time to speak. But Charles Morgan Jr. was not only a national civil rights figure, he was a resident of Dest, Florida, where he lived until his passing in 2009.
His contributions to this city are woven into its identity. In 1979, Attorney Morgan's son, Charles Morgan III, founded Harbor Seafood Restaurant, a business that has become one of Destin's most beloved and enduring landmarks. And for more than 40 years, Harboroc has
served residents, welcomed visitors, supported local fishermen, and helped define the character of Destin's Harbor community. Today, HarborDocs under the ownership of Eddie Morgan continues the tradition of stewardship, hospitality, and community engagement that his father began. Indeed, Councilman Chad Chadam,
the grandson of Charles Morgan Jr., serves this city with a distinction. His presence on this council is a living reminder that the values of courage, service, and community leadership are a testament of his grandfather's legacy. This is a rare and meaningful civic
lineage. A national civil rights legacy carried forward into local government governance. In 2007, the Oakland County branch in WACP established the legacy walk of fame to honor local individuals whose courage, leadership, and sacrifice aided in sac in advancing civic and
civil rights either locally or globally. It is a recognition reserved for those whose actions help chart the course of history. Attorney Charles Chuck Morgan Jr. was unquestionably one of those individuals. It is not by great acts, but by small failures that freedom dies.
Justice and liberty die quietly because men first learn to ignore injustice and they'll no longer recognize it. That's a quote from Charles Morgan Jr. Tonight, I respectfully present the certificate of outstanding service to his grandson on Chuck's behalf. And I say thank you for allowing us to share just a small tidbit
of your grandfather's outstanding leadership. And I ask the city, the great city of Dest, Florida, to join the NAACP in uplifting a story that reflects the best of American courage and the best of Destin's community spirit. Surely such such recognition is the
least one can do to honor a man who stood for justice at a time when it was dangerous to do so. His induction into the legacy walk of fame is not only a tribute to his national impact. It is a celebration of destiny's own of destin's own history. Thank you for allowing this
to be our time to speak. >> Thank you guys so much for being here. [applause] Mayor, will you come too? >> Oh, okay. I don't want to steal his thunder. >> No, mayor, I want you down here, too. >> It makes me look good. >> Appreciate it. Do we have a photographer
here? I'd like to get a picture of that. >> Come on, Dr. T. >> Dr. Trying to give you Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you very much, Vice President. Thank you for being here. Absolutely. Thank you, guys.
>> Deserved. Thank you. [applause] [applause] All right, that's a hard one to follow, but whoever's next. Yes, you in the back. for the record, Alan Osborne. You know
those gentlemen that just came up here, all we have to do to fail as human beings is for good people to stand by and do nothing. It doesn't matter what the situation is, but somebody has to step up when there's
something going on and say, "I don't tolerate that." and and whether it's that I'm going to tell you a lot of people today whine about stuff that ain't going on but back then it was going on. Having lived in Europe I would not have want to been a
Jew in the 1930s and lived in Germany. Nor would I have wanted to be a black person living in the south in 1962. Things like that require people to stand up and it ain't easy. And so I can tell you in 30 years of eating at Harbor
Docks, Chadam's family has treated everybody I've ever seen working there based on the work ethic they have and not their background, education, their status in life. That is a rare thing. It should be cherished. Y'all probably
ought to put something about it here. Harborox is definitely part of this community. Even though I I voted on the opposite side of Charles my whole life, that has nothing to do with what it means to be in the community. Anyway, I didn't want to say that, but that that
just came to mind watching that. Uh this weekend, traffic was a nightmare. You could not have publicly got anybody out of here from Stallman all the way from the bridge. People parked in everywhere. City parking was overwhelmed. They were
parked in my shop. I couldn't even park at my own. paid for parking. Whoever said Gulf Jordan Drive was okay, it was not. We were having to keep people from parking in the sand on our property. It was a zoo. Anybody that had a heart attack had a good chance of
being dead. At some point, somebody has to say whatever impact somebody said it was ain't what it is. That's just how it is. But, uh, like I said, we're going to have to come to a point where we decide, is this a zoo or what? And so, I just
wanted to say it wasn't safe this weekend. Uh, I felt bad if a kid was going to drown. There was a lifelight today. Thankfully, traffic was okay today. And, uh, I'll say my I'll say my thing about what I said, good people stand by and do
nothing. I've been a victim just like I believe Prebble Ramsell was of people that had a little too much control over government and law without a sense of fairness. And so that's all I'll say about this right now. And the last thing I'm going to say that if if Cap if
Captain Harold is here, it's serious and y'all better listen to him because I can't see many more people in Destin I respect more than that man right here. So he's taking his time to be here. Please listen to him. >> All right. Thank you. All right, you up
next. >> Well, that introduction. >> Thank you. My name is Harold Staples. Uh, I live at 417 Stalman Avenue, right around the corner from the ballpark.
I came to Destin. I'm a Johnny come lately. My daddy and Dewy's daddy was in the Coast Guard together. And so in 1965 or ' 66 we came to visit Dwey
and uh that's how I come here in 1973 June 2nd 53 years ago and I represent now the Destin fisherman's cooperative. We sell diesel fuel. We've been in business for somewhere around 40 years
and uh now we're having a little bit of a outside problem with fuel trucks coming into the area and taking business from our local marinas. Harborwalk Marina, Steve Labette,
uh, Destin Marina, Chris White, Christopher White, and, um, Blue Water Bay all in in the Destin Fisherman's Cooperative all in agreement that the, uh, it would be good if the city council
could stop this influx, at least um, help us out some kind of way because they're hurting our businesses And I think y'all need a little joke to lighten up the spirits a little bit in
here. So Budro was going across the Chaffalia Basin Bridge on old Highway 90 and he's speeding. And at the foot of the bridge, the policeman was there with his radar gun and he pulls Bedro over and Budro ain't having nothing to do
with it. And the officer walks up beside the pickup truck. His wife Maria is looking out the window at the cypress trees and the birds and uh the officer says, "May I see your driver's license, please?" Woodro says, "What for?" He
ain't have nothing to do with. They argue back and forth. He said, "Cuz you were doing 80 miles an hour in a 60 mph zone." So, uh, after they argue back and forth, the officer says, "Marie, can you, uh, verify your husband was doing 80 miles
an hour in this 60-mi zone?" And Marie slowly turns and looks at the officer and says, "Officer, I learned a long, long, long time ago never to argue with Budro when he's been drinking." [bell]
Thank you, sir. >> Right. Anyone else? Middle. >> Yes, sir. >> Just hit that gray button on the base. There you go. >> Wesley Pool, 608 Mountain Drive. I left some handouts
which y'all haven't had a time to read, but I'll summarize. Matt Gates has been appointed to give away the BP money. I thought we had
finished finished the BP money off, but uh but you wonder what we going to do with it if we was to get, you know, to come out number one. Some people say we want a AI facility.
And some folks uh is wanting an opera house, concert hall. Well, don't everybody jump at the same time. Uh, but I would uh annie up an 18 rank
mechanical action pipe organ if we go with a opera house. Thank you. >> Thank you for that. All right. Anyone else? Yes. >> I'll hold you to it. [laughter]
>> Rob Bellatin. I live on Noriego Road. Um officer of the Holiday Island improvement association here tonight. More to listen anything about the uh update on the state acquired land. Been looking forward to seeing that so we can report back to our members. I also want to thank you for making it one of the top three agenda items so I can make it
back to see the US men's soccer team. Um and then I guess last really short term is I just want to thank you. Um, while it wasn't perfect, we did get a lot of positive feedback from members about the parking at the uh at Norgo at the city
park and along Gulf Shore Drive. The U-turn, the sign, all that. There was very positive feedback from many of the members. Again, to Allen's point, probably wasn't perfect, but it was well received and we appreciate the continued set. So, thank you. [laughter]
>> All right, anyone else in the middle? All right, seeing none going far wing. Yes, sir. >> Thought you might just be here for the fun of it. >> Hope he did his turn. >> Something different. Been a long time. Good evening, mayor,
council, city manager, and city attorney. My name is Steve Mansion, and as a former city council member, I want to start by telling you how en how envious I am of the council and the city staff. Simply put, you are all functioning like a welloiled machine. I
only wish during my tenure we could have had such a great staff to work with. I would be remiss if I didn't say we had many hardworking men and women on the city staff, but we were woefully lacking in many critical areas. Mr. Mayor, I have written out my presentation to
assist me due to time constraints. So, I'd appreciate if I run a few seconds over. I'm here tonight to shed some light and help you further connect the dots on item 4 D under the city manager report which I am confident you will be approving. As a retired federal agent investigator,
I have 38 years of experience with investigations and the events that I am going to describe should be of concern to everyone. I can't I can't recall any single topic or issue in years that has had the council and the citizen destined
more unified than the Oregon point $80 million plus conspiracy council. Each of you are doing exactly what you were elected to do and that is to represent the 14,000 people of Destin. Now for some history. Well before the council
started their current actions regarding the state purchase of the 4.4 4 acres of land. A series of events took place involving two individuals. Those two people were council member Dr. Prebble Ramsell and private citizen Mr. Gan Early. Dr. Ramwell and Mr. Gan Early
were bringing facts to the table, asking questions that had the potential interfering with the permitting and the development of the property. And based on that, they had to be silenced at any cost. I'm quickly going to break down some of the actions that were taken to
silence them both based on time constraints. I only hitting some high points. Most people have previously heard Dr. Ramwell being arrested, but very few have the following information. On October 8th, 2021, state attorney investigator William Wells penned a
sworn affidavit for an arrest warrant for Dr. Ramsell. The affidavit is seven pages and I certainly do not have the time to go line by line and actually the only portion that is relevant is located on five of of seven. In the affidavit, investigator Wells is referring to the
sworn testimony from Ray Bailey who at the time was the city clerk for the city of New City of Dest. A portion of that testimony and arguably the most damning states, quote, although Bailey did not forward these requests to city council or Prebble Ramsell, unquote. What that
quoted statement is referring to is the public records request that the city had received and some of the actions Bailey did and did not do. Now, once again, let me repeat that statement from Ray Bailey, quoted by investigator Wells in his sworn affidavit. quote, "Although
Bailey did not forward those requests to city council or Prebble Ramsell" unquote, based on that quote, the following questions need to be raised. First, how can Dr. Ramwell be responsible for a public records request response when the city clerk stated
under oath that he never sent it to her or the other city council members? Second, Bailey swore that he did not send the public rest request to other city council members. So why were they the other council members not investigated or arrested? The simple
answer is that the other council members were not making any waves. They were not targets that had to be silenced. To further illustrate the improper actions by the state investigator what ultimately transpired incidental to the execution of a search warrant of Dr.
Wells Dr. Ramwell's residence, Ramsell was arrested on Friday, October the 8th for alleged battery and obstruction. It is important to note that these charges were dropped by the state. Dr. Ramwell was then arrested again 3 days later on Monday, October the 11th, 2021 on the
original arrest warrant that the investigator had in his possession on October the 8th, 2021. By any law enforcement standard, the failure to arrest Dr. Ramsell on the original felony arrest warrant at the time of the search warrant and to wait 3 days to
affect an arrest is highly suspect and typically not normal enforcement procedures. These actions serve no legal purpose and begs the question, was it only done by the state investigator to further embarrass Dr. Ramsell? Next, now for the next situation that you may not
be privy to. On September 1421, investigator Wells conducted a tape interview with then city clerk Ray Bailey. It should be noted this interview is what Wells partially quoted in his arrest affidavit. At the onset of the tape, it identifies then city clerk
Ray Bailey and then city attorney Kyle Bowman as both being present during the interview. The then city attorney was present at the time that Ray Bailey made the statements about about not sending the public records request to Ramsell or any other city council members, but yet
apparently took no action to establish her innocence. The then city attorney knew or should have known about Florida statute 768135, which is the Florida Volunteer Act, which states in part, it protects unpaid volunteers from civil liability, and
federal statute 42 USC14501 print 1405, the volunteer pre federal volunteer protection act of 1997, which states a part a volunteer is generally immune from personal immunity. Having a knowledge of this information barely
provided to the state investigator, when requested for assistance by Dr. Ramsell, the then city attorney offered no representation and stated to Dr. Ramwell he could not help. Additionally, multiple requests by Dr. Ramwell to the city for assistance were denied. The
other obstacle that had to be silenced was Mr. Gene Early, a private citizen who was sued to keep him quiet. Since Mr. Early is not an issue to this council, I'll only briefly provide you with the following. What may come as a surprise to many is that Mr. Early's involvement with the city was actually
based on a request for the city staff to assist. In theory, based on that request from the city for his assistance, Mr. Early was a volunteer for the city and should have been entitled to the same volunteer protections as Dr. Ramsell. That aside, what is important to know is
that private citizen, Mr. Gan Early stood his ground and under Florida statute 768-295 filed a SLAP which is strategic lawsuit against public participation against Mr. Gedry and prevailed. Mr. Early is the
first and let me repeat the first person in the first judicial circuit of Florida to ever win a slap lawsuit. That's significant. Council, you have done exactly what is right for the 14,000 citizens of Destin. And by doing so, you
have shined a light very brightly on what I used to call when I was a council member, the sins of the past. Council, the information I have provided is germaine to the current situation the city is now dealing with in reference to all the various actions taken by some who are only following the actions of
their handlers. Council, it is extremely important to keep in mind what happened to Dr. Ramsell could happen to any one of you. So the only way to prevent that is to stay strong, keep doing the right thing, and with the fantastic team you are part of, I know the future of Destin
is bright. I want to thank you in in advance for approving item 4 in the city manage report. And finally, I want to say congratulations to whoever is going to be seated tonight to replace Mr. Bagby. And Chadam, it's great to have you back on the council. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you, sir. [clears throat] All right. >> [applause] >> All right. Anyone else? Yes, sir. >> Set that gray button. >> Yeah. Who are you? >> Gan Early. 908 Alumaf Fay Lane, Fort
Walton Beach. 908 Alum Fay Lane, Fort Walton Beach. Y'all were told at one time, "I'm not a resident." Y'all were told I don't own any property here. I've got no reason to even be involved in the city of Desmond.
I can't count the number of city council meetings. Y'all were told that standing in this room right here on the 5th of June, excuse me, the 7th of June in 2020, as Steve just told you, I was
asked to volunteer my time, my services, my research, and everything for the city of Dest. They called me over. I came from Fort Walton Beach over here, and I met with them three and a half hours in this room. I wasn't going to speak tonight until I heard a few things before I came
in about some people might not really understand what went on with Prebble and where Prebble was railroaded, but it's true. Okay, 28 years active duty, top secret clearance and access
levels that just will boggle your mind. All right, and a cop the entire time. And I stand before you today and tell you I have never lied under oath. I have never lied on an official record. I have never lied because it's not in me to do so. And I will stand my ground on these
issues. I have and I will and I'll continue to do it. When Dwey was on the school board, I worked with the school board on a bunch of different issues and spent a lot of time volunteering with them. Sheriff's office and other cities around the county. I have volunteered. I
will continue to volunteer because that's what we do. This is our home. This is our county. This is our city. This is our beach. I look around the room tonight and I don't see a single soul here that stood up in front of the BCC in 2009
and begged them, beseeched them, and told them they needed to give y'all Nora Point Park because y'all would do something with it. Y'all would take care of it. Y'all would actually do something. And then I watch the city council,
the city attorney, and other people hang one of y'all out completely. Completely. It's not right. Now, my name is clear. I won the lawsuit against me. I didn't lie on a single one
of those documents that they threw against me. But what I will tell y'all is something that y'all don't know. They use the lawsuit against me and it's in the official state attorney's records that they use that lawsuit against me to
generate records they couldn't get any other way against Prebble Ramsell and it was wrong and it's wrong then it was wrong now and what they said was not true and deposition after deposition they threw documents across a desk at me
and I looked at them I said that's a public record Prebble and I could discuss at adn nauseium and it would never be a violation of her oath, her position or anything else. Now, I've never met Prebble. I've talked to her on
the phone. I've talked to her in email and I've texted with her. But I'll tell you, that lady had a heart for this town. She had a heart for the people. She had a heart for the schools. She had a heart for everything that came through here. And she was hung out. She was
railroaded. Now, y'all may have been told y'all can't do things, but yes, you can because nobody ever brought up the fact that number one, the Federal Volunteer Act and the State Volunteer Act protected her and she was hung out. She
never violated the Florida law and she was hung out. And it's not right, y'all. This lady deserves the respect to be recognized for what she did for this city instead of just being hung out and said, "No,
she broke the law. She didn't break the law. The people who sat there and did this to her are the ones that broke the law." December 22nd, 2020, I received an email from the attorney for these same people that sued me. Do you know what that attorney said
in the email? said Prebble Ranswell needs to be sued. She keeps egging this on. What she was egging on was your city rights, the ability for y'all to decide what your your ordinances say, what your
land use say, and who it applies to. And that's the only thing she was egging on. And she was one of the few that would stand up and actually do it. She stood up. Good people stand up. good people come forward.
I appreciate y'all. And on other issues, I'm still working for y'all. And y'all know I am. I'm not a flash in the pan. This is my county. This is my home. This is where my kids are. This is where my grandkids are. I love y'all. I
appreciate y'all. But I am beseeching y'all. Do the right thing. >> Stand up for what's right. >> Right. Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. >> Mayor, council members, greatly appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for speaking tonight because you and Steve both cleared up for me
what I did not know. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Yep. Captain, >> you were logged in last so share the same seat. >> Yeah. [laughter] Captain Jim Green, 824 North Lakeside. Uh, I'm here as president of the charter
boat association tonight and I'm echoing uh what Captain Harold Staples came up here and said I was actually on my couch enjoying an afternoon off and he asked me to come here. So, Captain Harold asked you do it. Uh, we have been having an issue with these fuel trucks. You
know, there's there's a couple reasons. Um, one is liability. Orange Beach has already banned them. From what I understand, Gulf Breeze is or has. And uh you know when you have 2 in of 300t of 2 in hose, you got about 50 gallons
of diesel fuel stretched out. And these trucks that show up and fuel up these boats are stretching. That's about where it starts. It's about 250 300t of hose stretched across the dock. So as chairman of the harbor and waterways board, if we can work with you any way, we want to discuss it because that's a
big problem. You know, another problem is that we have uh Captain Herald and the coalition of businesses that he that he uh told y'all about. Uh those are local businesses that employ local people and it provides local amenities for us and visitors alike. The charter
the the the fisherman's co-op doesn't just provide that for us members, it provides it for the open for the public, too. and the fisherman's co-op supports roughly 83 boats in this town as members. So, you know, there's a there's
a lot to it. There's a there's a lot to be concerned about the undercutting of these businesses. It takes a tremendous amount of money to own or lease waterfront property, to invest in that infrastructure, to ensure that, to install it, to maintain it, to be
permitted for it. Uh these businesses deserve to be protected from somebody that's coming in from out of town, stretching a hose across a dock, and then collecting a check and hauling butt. And uh we would just like it that if if you could direct staff at the bare minimum to look into what what the city
what actions the city council can take on this and protect these small businesses and local businesses that employ people instead of a guy coming in town and getting a check and leaving and not being a part of this community. >> Thank you. you had something. >> I realize this is not really a time for
this, but can I be the sponsor for some legislation that we put on the docket that I didn't even know this was happening. I Sandy and I was like, what is he talking about? How are they coming into town? >> I didn't know if it was a boat or a clear truck. It's a truck. It's a tanker truck. >> Well, we need to stop that. I don't
think any of us up here realize that that's happening. So, whatever we need to do, >> and I know that y'all weren't really This is kind of blindsiding. You said, >> "Put it on under my name and I'll bring it up at that time." You can you can be the legislative sponsor and when the ordinance comes there will be two public hearings and council will vote on whether to approve it or not
>> and and really it's getting the ball rolling getting staff to look into that and see what it is and as and as chairman of the water harbor and waterways if you need our input we'll be happy to participate in that also >> perfect >> thank you for bringing that up to us >> Jim have you brought it up to the harbor and waterways board
>> I have not uh it it I knew that this truck that this company was coming into town but in the last month or so It's actually uh he's he's here more and more and more >> and that's when people started noticing it. >> Uh I'm not sure exactly what exasperates
that other than the under undercutting the high fuel prices that we're experiencing right now compared to to uh previous years, but I know that I I used to see them like once a month at a couple docks and now I'm seeing them like at multiple docks every week. And
that that's you know when when you only have 100 days to make you know over 50% of your of your income for the year it really hits you home. >> Okay Jim how is he soliciting this? I don't understand. >> So let's let's cut it right there as public comments. We got it on the dis.
>> Mr. Mayor I was there two question there'll be two hearings. So I think it's been duly noted and there'll be plenty of time at the end of this meeting and several meetings to come. >> I mean you didn't cut that guy off. >> I know. I know. But you you didn't have a prepared speech. All right. Oh, is that all? I just need some paper.
>> I like I like a little bit of, >> you know, Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> I was here on the couch at 5 typically. Uh >> I appreciate it. Thank you so very much. >> All right. Anyone else? >> You gota >> All right. Seeing none, we'll close the public comments and we'll go into consent agenda.
>> All right. Do I have a motion for the consent agenda? >> Approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> With a motion, a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, we'll call the vote. We had 50 minutes of public comments. [laughter] >> All right, I just have it so moved. 6.
Uh, getting into the city manager report. Boss man, Dr. Jones. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council, item 4A is regarding the appointment of the interim city council member to fill the seat vacated by Mr. Bagby. Uh we had uh you gave us direction at a previous
meeting to contact those that had previously submitted an application for consideration. City clerk did that and you have before you tonight eight names that wish to be continued consideration. They are Eric Cabrera, Ross Haynes,
Jonathan Ryan Holloway, Matthew Pace, Jay Perut, Jessica Ram, Vincent Roy, and John Stevens. So there's those are the names before you for consideration to fill this vacant seat on an interim basis. >> All right. Thank you, sir. And with
that, uh, Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, mayor. I move to appoint John Stevens to the seat. >> I'll second that. >> All right. I have a motion and a second for the appointment of John Stevens. Any discussions? >> Yes, sir. >> Um, as John Stevens is a tenant of mine,
>> yeah, I'm going to abstain from voting, but he's a good guy. [laughter] >> Say anything, do we? >> All right. Any other discussions? Seeing none, we'll call the vote. >> Yes.
All >> [laughter] >> right, with one abstension fives. [applause] >> All right, eyes have it. So move. >> All right. And with that, uh, just for preceded, would you like to go up and >> we'll swear him in now. >> Perfect.
>> Am I holding the book? Mr. Stevens, repeat after me. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution >> that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution >> and government of the United States >> and government of the United States
>> and of the State of Florida >> and the State of Florida >> that I am duly qualified to hold office >> that I'm duly qualified to hold office >> under the Constitution of the United States >> under the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of Florida >> and the State of Florida. and that I will well and faithfully perform
>> and I will well and faithfully perform >> the duties of Destin City Council member >> the duties of Destin City Council member >> on which I am now about to enter >> in which I'm now about to enter. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. [applause]
>> Thank you. Welcome back [cheering] in the middle. >> Yeah, probably a better idea. like to say anything? >> No. >> All right, >> I'm good. >> Perfect. You're hired. [laughter] All right.
Signed over. All right. Good deal. All right. With that, Dr. Jones. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and congratulations, Councilman Stibus. Welcome back. Um, item 4B is regarding an appointment to the for a voting
delegate to the Florida League of Cities annual business meeting. I think your agenda packet may have read the National League of Cities, but this is the Florida League of Cities uh, attending will be Mayor Wagner, Mayor Pro Tim Abear, and Miss Sandy Traml, Councilman
Tramble. So, any one of those three can be the voting member. So, we would entertain a motion or mayor entertain a motion to adopt one of those. >> Yep. If anyone wants to take a motion, this is pretty procedural at heart. >> Yeah, if if Miss Councilwoman Abear
wants to do it or whoever, no matter to make the motion. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. Go ahead. I [laughter] was looking at you to >> You did that to me last meeting. >> I'm sorry. >> Go right ahead. >> I'll nominate uh Miss Aer to be our voting representative.
>> Second. >> All right. With a motion and a second. Oh, that's funny. John, your interim council member name. Uh, with that motion is second. I see no further discussions. We'll call the vote. >> Do I vote yes or abain?
>> Uh, you can vote on yourself. Yeah. >> Look at that. All right. Eyes have it. So moved. He's got a new bagby me. [laughter] >> All right, Dr. Jones, you're >> up. >> Yep. >> Next item is on the state acquired land
on holiday. M. >> Thanks, Dr. Jones. Um, council, this item originally was going to include a resolution on home rule, but it got a bit lengthy, so we have moved the resolution to the next meeting. We'll still discuss it at that time. Um, for
tonight, uh, Dr. Jones and I both have a couple of items relating to the state park and updates um as we've had several meetings. But the first thing that I wanted to bring up uh was that at the most recent BCC meeting um Commissioner Palmer at the end of the meeting once
again after public input did um mention that the county had committed to managing the state park on August 19th, 2025. So, I've gone ahead and put that August 19th, 2025 letter into your agenda packet so you can see what it
said. And there's a couple of concerns with the statement that that a commitment was made by the county. And I just, you know, um contrary to comments from certain individuals, uh this is not to stir up an issue, but it's to inform
my client of what's happening, as is my job. So on August 19th, 2025, at the end of the meeting, it was a non-aggended item and it was again after all opportunities for public input. Um, Commissioner Palmer did ask the BCC if
they were generally interested in going down the path of managing the park. Um, in my opinion, it was kind of a vague statement or question and there was not a vote. Um, and we've heard from a couple of the commissioners at public
meetings that they didn't feel they understood what was actually being decided at that time. Um, when you look at the August 19th letter in the agenda, there's a $5 million county commitment. There is language
specifically that says the county will agree to assume full responsibility for the dayto-day management, maintenance, and operation of the park and marina as well as any adjacent stateowned lands.
It goes on with additional details. I don't I did not hear that presented to the BCC. So, I would suggest that we get a little clarification perhaps from the county as to whether they believe a commitment was made on the 19th or not. If it if it was, I would be concerned
about chapter 286 and the failure to have public participation or notice because it did happen after the notice uh after the public participation period. Also, there wasn't a vote and and I think it's relevant because and I won't make a determination as to whether
anyone on the BCC has a conflict because they they're capable of making that on their own. But if you don't have a vote, you can't no one will will announce if they have a conflict or not. And when there's five,
if one person decides that they have a conflict, that leaves a potential for a tie vote with the other four, which is a no. So, until they vote and each person determines if they have a conflict or not, uh I'm not sure that a formal
commitment was made. So, that's just for you all to be aware of again and to make whatever decisions you want. We can um approach the county or the state about it or not. Um, and then going on to just a second issue, you did direct uh Dr. Jones and I
to meet with D at your last council meeting. Um, we did meet with D. My impression is that DP is not requiring us to do anything specific with the property. Uh, they would like us to come
to an agreement with the county if possible and continue those conversations if possible. Um, but they did not uh ask for any specific development on the property at all. >> Would you agree with that?
>> Absolutely. [laughter] >> Anything to add to that? >> M little words. >> All right. >> All right. With that, Councilman Braden, >> thank you. Um, city attorney, would it not be appropriate to start some type of
investigation into the B to that to the BCC or andor Drew Palmer >> at this time? >> You mean like do you mean an ethics investigation? That is within your purview. >> I'd like to make a motion to that.
>> Right. Right. I have a motion on the table. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right. With that, uh, Councilwoman Traml, is that on this or >> Well, I was Yes and no. I was talking about the email letter that Dr. Jones
summarized of their meeting with M. Mr. Palmer. Is that appropriate for now or wait till after? >> That was going to be the third item. Yeah. And Dr. Jones was going to approach that with you next. >> Okay. Then I'll wait. >> We'll keep it on the motion on the floor. Um, all right. With that, can we confirm
uh Council Member Dest? Yeah, Councilman Dustin. Yep. >> Yeah. And and I would say the appropriate of discussing the agreements that we came to with uh Commissioner Palmer are gerine to this issue.
If you have read the synopsis that that uh city manager Jones pinned out and that we all both meeting both members me and Mr. Palmer agreed that that's the conclusions we came to. You will see that Mr. Palmer has
committed to taking this issue to the count to the commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting and and has asked that we consider allowing county residents to park in the city's parking facilities in exchange
for the county supporting our management of the park. um to to initiate an ethics investigation into him at this time would I think be uh poorly timed and would be uh counterproductive to what
we're trying to do if we can get the county to support us in our attempt to manage it. That's where we're trying to go and to uh kick sand in their face while we are trying to negotiate with them is not a good idea idea in my opinion. So, I would uh urge the council
not to go forward with an investigation at this point because after all, if we are able to work with the county and manage the facility, then the other questions go away at least to a large percentage at least to the issue of
whether or not we can control the park within our own boundaries and do the kind of conservation things, not the strict commercial things that uh they were trending toward. So, I'd urge the council not to support this motion and
instead and I will make the motion after we make the presentation on whether we need to go together with the county to support the city's ability to manage the area in conjunction with our 14 point some acres. Makes kind of pretty good
logical sense, >> right? Thank you, sir. >> Mr. May if I may just add uh subsequent to our meeting the language that's in the memo says that if he will take it to his board if we agree to it that the only way they would
receive free parking is if we ultimately end up with the management lease or the management. So just point of clarity on that >> and I I understood that in other words we don't get control and management of the park then the free parking does not go forward. Well, the agenda item was
just put together chronologically in order of the things that happened in meetings, but if you all want to address the county's or the commissioner Palmer's request about the parking first and then decide, you know, based on how that goes, if you have anything else to decide, you could certainly do it that
way. >> Okay. Uh, Council Member Morgan. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, yeah. You know, I've never been the biggest fan of paid parking in the first place, but the um purchasing the extra parking for the
little league certainly helped with with my opinion on it. However, I I do think if the end goal for the city is to obtain control of that park and not the county, which I think is the best in the best interest
of Destin and its residents. Um, I I am inclined to agree with Mr. Dustin that it's perhaps bad timing if we do in fact have an agreement in front of us for um for us to wave parking fees for county
residents that that would, you know, give us control of that park. I would be inclined to support that, but I would like to have a discussion on the uh countywide free parking in exchange for us to have control over the park prior
to this discussion. I think >> uh Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, Mayor. I personally, I'm not worried about kicking sand on somebody that has lied and to the 14,000 people of this
community and has kicked dirt and rocks on us, lied to us repeatedly. For every step forward we take with the county, we we take two steps back. I mean, how long is how long have y'all been trying to negotiate with these
people and and gotten nowhere? Nothing. And we all we got is lied to and now we want to negotiate free parking for the county that has nothing to do with that parcel out there. Nothing. So why why we want to give something up? Let's stick with the the issue at hand.
Let's stick with that parcel out there. Not let's not let's just spread all over the city and just come up with something else. We can't get what we they want out there. So let's let's just go out through the city and see what else we can get. I mean, come on. If if it's right, it's right. If it's
wrong, it's wrong. We've gotten nowhere. How long we've been dealing with this? Months and we've gotten nowhere. He promised one thing. Oh yeah, we're making progress. Let's let's work together. And then two days later, you know, he's throwing dirt on us with a
shovel. And you don't want to talk about kicking throwing sand on somebody. This is the wrong time. I mean, the the right time was three months ago in my opinion. I mean, that's I'm just one I'm just one vote. That's just my opinion. You know,
I I know the council does what they want to do or, you know, everybody's got their own opinion and feelings, whatever, but I don't get it. How How long do you go with just getting lied to and getting crapped on by this man? I I mean, I
I don't know. That's all I got, Mayor. >> Thank you, Council Schmidt. >> Thank you, sir. Um, just for clarification, are are you only doing an ethics investigation or are we going to the state to also show the evidence that the board of county commissions never
even approved to do this? >> I think we ought to do it all. >> Do both. Are you >> I think it's all way overdue to do it all. >> Right. So, is that >> I mean, I've talked to the attorney about it and said, "Yeah, it's we we got plenty to go forward. We don't have to wait for nothing." >> So, we're have to wait for the agreement for whoever has control of that property
out or nothing. We've got plenty to go on. >> So that as well. >> Yes. To answer your question, I I believe we should. Yes. >> Gotcha. >> And just to keep everything clean, if that's an amendment to your motion, uh is the second agree with it? >> I do.
>> Okay. >> So, yeah, I'm I'm definitely fine with all that. Um I'm not fine with negotiating. I'm not fine with them having parking anyways, but I'm definitely not fine with negotiating.
with the county over a parcel that they don't have control over nor do they own. So I think it's premature for any type of negotiations to be happening at all with them. Uh
unless that kind of just proves that it's already theirs, but it's not. So, um, yeah, but no, my opinion, we won't I I would not be supporting any type of uh deal to do parking, >> right?
>> Let the state tell us that, >> right, Council Council Dustin? >> Yeah, I would just point out that in order to violate ethics or these other laws, you have to take an action. And in fact, we just heard the city attorney argue that they haven't taken an action
yet. It's going to look a little circular. You haven't taken an action, but we're going to sue you for taking an action. It's illconceived to go forward. We have all the time in the world to file these charges. The uh the county
does not have a lease. The state has not given them a lease. They have not made any attempt to try to develop it to violate our land development codes yet. Those are all triggers that should trigger a lawsuit. I I do have to point out one thing on that because when we
met with D, they said they did give a draft of the lease to the county. However, I think you all know about that because that goes back to the lease where the county redlinined it and took out that they were going to follow our land use permitting basically and then
the state put it back in and sent them the lease again. So, this was several months ago. To my knowledge, they haven't received an updated lease, but per our most recent talk with D. The lease was with the county >> not signed. >> I believe with all due respect, the
lease said that they had to follow our rules and regulations, did it not? The updated one, >> right? That's what I said. >> Yes. >> The county redlined it and the state rejected their red line. So, so we're back where it looks like they're bound by our rules and regulations. And until
they violate those and I mean that's the point we start lawsuits. I get >> this is uh this is premature in my opinion. Not that I don't support using every legal tool that we have. Another
option, and I don't I don't think anybody made a motion for a lawsuit yet, but another option you could do is y'all could consider that we go to the county and say, "We would like you to vote. We would like to know if you had a
commitment on August 19th or not." Because my opinion is that they don't. But Commissioner Palmer just said at their most recent BCC meeting that they did and their letter that the commissioners didn't have on the dis when they had this consensus nonvote says they committed. And so that's why
it's gray and that's why we're struggling to understand if there was a commitment or a final action or not. If you read the letter, there's a final action, but if you look at the process to get to the letter, there wasn't in my opinion. >> And I would tend to agree. >> I agree with that. The uh the point I'm
trying to make is that if we've got a commit from commitment from Mr. Palmer, which it appears we do, to take this forward to the commission at the next meeting, if we say contingent upon you doing this, then we will allow county
residents to park like city residents, then that is one step forward. If they don't or if he doesn't take it forward like he promises and they don't agree to work with us on trying to let us manage, then there's no
free parking being given to anybody. And you know, I think we'd be better served at this point to move forward and try to resolve the issue without extensive litigation, which is going to take years and a lot a lot of money.
Um, anyone else? >> Yep. Please. >> Since we're bringing up the whole park, sorry. Since we're bringing It's all coming in. >> I thought we were going to wait on it. >> Yeah. >> But >> right now, I mean, I was at the original meeting, the BCC meeting when Mr. Palmer
uh did state that he wanted um free parking in the parks for all of Okaloosa County. I didn't have any heartburn over that. I do have heartburn when it starts including our city parking
places on along 98 down in the harbor because that is revenue that we need to start building up [clears throat] and to stifle that revenue. I don't think it's fair either that the only
people that'll be charged are the tourists who bring in the business in this town. for people who don't necessarily bring in the business in this town. A lot of our county people that come and enjoy our beaches, I think that's great,
>> but how do you manage the upkeep when you don't have any way of doing it? So, I had a little heartburn over the change into all the parking. So, do I >> um and and that's that's my issue. I I didn't have heartburn over the park
parking. I didn't have any heartburn over that. But when you're talking about our city garages or soon to be garages someday will be garages. Um I don't think the county has it should have any control over that. That's my comment.
>> Right. Thank you. Uh Council Member Morgan. >> So if this motion passes, what what's the process? Are we sending a letter to the state attorney requesting an investigation? >> Well, that's up to you. But the way I understand it, and y'all can correct me if I'm wrong, because it's your motion, is that you want an ethics complaint
filed against a commissioner due to the August 19th um issue that we discussed and and the letter versus the discussion at the meeting. And you also want us to notify the state of our opinion that there is a
lack of commitment on the county's part notwithstanding the letter. And if I have misstated anything, just correct me. All right, Councilwoman Abear. >> Thanks, Mayor. Um, Miss Traml pretty much spoke exactly what I was thinking is we can't afford to give up free
parking for every park for residents because as you can see, when we have these parking, we're able to buy land to help like our little league and like to build our garages if we're going to ever get one to go up with. So I'm in
agreement with Miss Traml that [clears throat] I thought we agreed that we were going to do the parks like Noriega would be free parking for all Okaloosa since that would be what we would manage our 14 and therefore and then Calhoun where we have the other
parks make those free. So just want to make sure it's on the record. I didn't agree to everything. >> Okay, >> mayor if I may ask one question. The city manager and I looked at the revenue stream that might be affected before we had these meetings. City manager, can
you enlighten us on >> from from the Nora Point or the Holiday Road and the parking in that area. Um a total of 14% is county residents. Of that 7% is the
city of Dest. We ran that for I think it was a year. uh we we have a program that we can identify who is who is there and that's the usage of it about 86% is non non-county or city residents and
about the remaining is split between city and county residents oh most of it anyway >> yeah at this point our negotiations to try to cooperate with the county will be over with and we're going straight to
litigation. I just hope everybody understands that. And the the real question is they feel like they made a commitment which we question to uh manage and get the
revenue from the from the four acres and they will are willing to at least Commissioner Palmer is willing to turn that over to us in exchange for free parking for county residents. There will be some revenue. You know, we've
kicked around ideas about having day parking in the marina itself where you pay $10. So, there will be some revenue to replace it. But, you know, um you guys, you're ready to go litigate. I guess you're going to vote that way.
>> Councilwoman Tramlitigate. >> I don't know that it's ready. I'm ready to litigate. What I would like to see happen is if this presented with the caveat that the city council is okay with the um for lack of a better term
Gulf area parks because the countyy's helping us on a couple of them and and Nora Points the third one. Those are the three that I'm looking at. Um, it I don't have any problem I don't have any problem with that. But I think when it comes to our city parking facilities
that are not parks, we want that line carved out. And why can't you present that when you present this to the BCC? >> That's that's what I'm asking. We'll we'll be glad to present whatever option
council wishes to or not. We're we're good either. But certainly we can pres provide that for their consideration if that's council's wishes. >> Yeah. And I'd like to make a substitute motion so that we can move in that direction. And our motion would be that
we don't initiate u ethics violations or other lawsuits until such time as the negotiations with the county do not come to fruition and that our offer is for free parking in the Gulf frontont parks.
>> Yeah, that's fine with me. I'll second that. >> Okay. And then I have Councilman Schmidt. >> Is is Nor is that Norgo? Is that gulf frontont? >> Well, >> per their application it is. [laughter] >> No, it is not golf.
>> So, I mean, I think it is. >> Yeah. According to the county commission, it is. But anyway, [laughter] >> we're talking about the parking thing. We're talking about negotiating. We're talking about ethics and and doing things. Um, it's a lot.
I've uh I've never met Mr. Early either. I've thank you for everything that you do. Um I've read all of his emails over the past handful of months. I'm not sure if everybody has. >> Um and I I think to myself,
why isn't anybody doing anything? And I I I've asked that question. Why is like he I mean he lays it out. Why isn't anyone doing anything?
It's like just sickening to read the facts that he provides [snorts] over this entire thing. >> Amen. >> I I'm just like and then for six months we've been talking about doing
something. We've been talking about it and and talking about it and now we're we're talking about negotiating about a damn parking lot to allow us to manage a park that they don't even own that they
probably illegally got the state. I can't support the substitute. I I I I'm we're not I'm not gonna I hope we don't want to talk about negotiating about a parking lot. Mr. Palmer has had
ample opportunities to go to his board. He's had ample opportunities to negotiate with y'all and we're negotiating about the parking. That's what we're negotiating about. How about negotiating about not doing
anything to it? You know, it's just I don't even think he can negotiate that. They don't own it. He's negotiating for something that he doesn't even own. That That's just asinine to me.
>> The August 25th letter was written by a county commissioner or the the the chairman that said, "This board is in support of going after this property." That was a lie. That never took place.
So, if you don't want to file an ethics violation on Mr. Palmer, okay. But I will say that we should go to the state and to the county at the same time and tell them that this is uh uh this is incorrect procedural. this entire
situation is is based upon on on uh I don't know I don't want to say lies but pos possible fabricated false procedural basis and this should we shouldn't even be here right now today. Um, and so I think we're missing the
point here. And I I I just it's it's it's it's concerning that we have to do something. And I think we've made multiple motions over the past six months to do something, but here we are still not doing a dagum thing. So I hope we can I hope we can
get there. I hope. >> Councilman Braden, >> that's what I'm trying to do is do something now because once it's done, it's done. Just like to sell that property out there. is done. It's going to take an act of Congress in my opinion, you know, to reverse that. So,
we want to sit here and do nothing and because afraid we're going to upset somebody that's not even really not negotiating in good faith and wait till it's done and then try to do something which is when it's done, it's done. It's too late. It's going to
be it's going to be twice as hard, twice as much money in attorney fees to try to go back and redo it. No, I'm not supporting the substitute motion either. >> All right. And we got a clear slate. So, we will call the motion on Councilman Dustin's substitute motion. Everyone know what we're voting on?
>> All right. >> M Lisa, put going to put you on the spot if that's okay with you. [laughter] The way I have it written is a substitute motion to take no action until such time the negotiations have come to fruition
>> and >> and to verif and to clarify that the parking is Gfront Parks only >> that we're that we're offering. >> Yeah. All right. >> Well, they're helping us do all those parks. >> That's right. >> All right. I have a motion on the table.
And with that, we'll call the vote. Currently, the TDC dollars that we're using for those parks will be already one, two, three. One, two, three. Wait, what? Oh, 43. Okay. 43. Yes, I have it.
So, moved. Public math. All right. And then with that, is there any other uh considerations you guys need from this item? Just to be clear, we're going to go present to Commissioner Palmer a counter proposal that says parking would
be only in the what we're considering the Gulfront, which would be Norgo Point and the other beach parking areas as as opposed to >> Yeah. And if he rejects it then, >> Mr. Mayor, I got a point of order clarification here. We just voted on
something that's very misconstrued and kind of tied together with an ethics violation. Now we're talking about go we just approved to go negotiate to go negotiate a parking lot while we're also talking about not going after ethics violation. This is >> actually I appreciate that because I
think Councilman Dustin has in the past corrected me of we need one motion, one object, one thing. >> So how would we like to pull those apart? revote >> because we have two items in that vote. Is that correct? >> Unless you can help me out here.
>> I think we did not vote on >> it's all the same subject. If we did not vote on the parking, then the negotiations would not go forward at all. While it it is it is one subject,
okay, >> but it it addresses the parking that we had committed to vote on and whether or not we would initiate litig litigation. In my opinion, it's one one subject. >> Counciloman, >> then I misunderstood what we were voting that we were going to go back to Drew
and tell him we're not offering you all of our parks and if we get any push back, we carry on with our ethics violation. So that's what we were voting >> and it is it it says until negotiations terminated. If if they don't accept the parking then negotiations have
terminated. >> Mr. Mayor, we're also voting on things that aren't even on the agenda. >> They they said that it would be put on commissioner said it would be put on at the next commission meeting which is >> actually the 14th not the 7th. >> July 14th.
>> The 14th. Next week next Tuesday. >> Yep. We have a meeting >> when when is our next meeting in July? >> 20th. >> The 20th. >> The 20th. >> So it is after their meeting and we'll have an answer. >> So how long are we going to continue
these negotiations? I >> think to the >> that's what the that's what that motion just passed was. We're going to continue the negotiations. My understanding was he was going to bring the parking for the water the gulfront or waterfront park option and
if they decline it then we bring this back up at our next meeting >> we go further >> which I'm happy to consider. >> Yep. And then before we get into the staff's next uh item on this, if we want to bring something to the state, I think the most apparent thing that doesn't
interfere with the county's negotiations is the appraisals. And to to Councilman Schmidt's point of what what we've been doing, uh, one of the things I've done is really gone through line by line and really understand what's going on and
how we got to this point. regardless if or how or even maybe the county has a right to it. Um, some of the blatant things I've never been an investigator, so thank you both for your guys's background in time. Uh, but one thing that was apparent to me that was, you
know, didn't take an eighth grade education to see is there's a rightaway. There's a DO from the city of Destaway to the city. And then in these appraisals, I see a $2.6 million
uh road and I see a $ 1.5 million power that's in our rightway. So off the bat, there's 4.1 in taxpayer funds buying something the city of Dest owns. Not to mention the slips and all the things
that go into a deep dive. those aside, which I think are still very probable cause, that was just very apparent. So, I don't know if there's anything there that we should be really skeptical about and if we're, you know, jonesing for an
investigation or jonesing for to ask the state to do anything. I think it's to re-evaluate what is and isn't true in uh the appraisals of the seller and owner. There's a lot of conflict of interest. There's a lot of inflated numbers. There's a lot of things that were
inflated because the development order was never recognized yet development order somewhat in the uh b the the governor's cabinet meeting uh but doesn't really point to the things that would contradict a lot of these numbers.
So, if there's anything we, you know, we're chomping at, I think it's the appraisal itself and the dollar amount and what everyone I've ever met, whether it's Milton or Panama City, laughs at, which is $83 million. That's over 20 million an acre that could have gone
quite frankly to a lot of different things. If we get this land and we can readjust that money, um, I think it's worth it. But, you know, if we're interested in going after anything, I think it's the dollar amount and how the state got to this uh dollar amount. And
I don't think it's any elected officials fault, but perhaps um the people trying to profit from it. >> That's all true, mayor, but we really don't want to upset nobody. [laughter] >> I appreciate that. So, so with that, I just wanted to throw
that on the record. And if we really want to get after, you know, regardless the owning of the land, the numbers speak for themselves, it's completely I mean, I I didn't even finish college and I was going for music education and I figured very simple math problems out
that just don't make sense. So, I don't know if we have the appetite now to tell the state that perhaps they got lied to to. Um, that would be interesting. But if not, I just wanted to put that on the record of, you know, it comes down to one, two, three, four, five numbers where two of them are incorrect and the
other two that are correct um aren't independent appraisals or justifiable or independent of one another, which is the state law when it comes to uh buying land with taxpayer money. So, I just wanted to get that on the record and if there's any motion for this, great. If
not, I got what I needed out of my chest. So with that, anyone want to go after talk to the state about this or do we want to go to the staff's recommendations of what else we need to talk about on this item? All right.
>> I'd love to make one, but nobody wants to upset Drew Palmer. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Okay. Can you clear >> Can you clear that for us? >> Oh, thank you. [laughter] >> You're pushing the button. >> I We're not voting on anything right now. I just brought up some topics and seeing if they want to uh
>> anything. Yep. So, Councilwoman Camel, >> the the way the way I look at this is I would like to see it presented with our parking option. If it's not taken, full guns everywhere. >> Okay. I will >> that's what I'm for. You >> just to just I have one other question
and maybe I don't know if you need another motion or if you all understood this, but your your motion said you were going to continue to negotiate with the parking at least as far as trying to limit it to city gulfront parks. And I can't call Noriega. >> Well, I can't >> Girlfriend Park, but that will be
included. Um, so what does the city get? >> What's the city half? Is is it the city's getting the full management and day-to-day operation of the park? >> Correct. >> Is that the ask? I just wanted to make sure you all were on the same page because it wasn't stated in the motion just so that when Dr. Jones does
continue his talks, he knows what the city's ask is as well. Well, I made it clear to Commissioner Palmer that absent a park that we manage or lease, whatever that appropriate mechanism is,
there is no free parking. So, um, we can go ask and we can hold hands and play nice or whatever, but at the end of the day, if the city's not managing and controlling that facility, then there is no free parking for the
county residents. and he was clear that that was the understanding. >> Yeah. >> Just wanted that on the record. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Anything else further on this item? >> Not for me. >> All right. >> So, ju once again for clarity, we're
going to take back to present to Mr. Commissioner Palmer that action of the council was to provide u in the event we end up managing leasing the property uh free parking at what we're calling the
beachfront lots not the interior um 98 lots. Is that clear? Okay, we'll convey that and we'll let you know in short order how it responds to it. >> All right, Dr. Jones, back to number D or letter D. Okay. So, letter D is uh an item that we
had public input uh on earlier. This is the request of Dr. Ramwell, a former city council member, [clears throat] for reimbursement of her legal expenses in the amount of $12,750. Uh and also a request for um symbolic
reinstatement via a resolution to the governor asking him to reconsider the removal of Dr. Ramell. on on the resolution. I will say um I need to just tweak one of the whereas clauses to add some additional information that Dr.
Ramwell gave me. She did plead no contest to the public records violations um with adjudication. So I would just add that because right now it just talks about uh the resolution of one of the other charges. Um but with that uh those are the two issues. I think we've talked
about it at length and if you have questions happy to answer them. >> Right. Council Schmidt. So, are we able to make one motion for both items in this particular or do I need to do two separate motions? >> Two, please. >> Oh, okay. So, as the legislative
sponsor, I'd be happy to make a motion to move to approve Dr. Ramswell's request for her reimbursement of legal expenses in the amount of $12,750. >> I'll second. >> All right. With a motion and a second, we will call the vote. If seeing no further discussion, all right, seeing
none, we'll call the vote. No, >> working on it. >> And then uh again uh I would move to approve the resolution number 2026-18 with the recommended changes from the city attorney requesting the governor
reinstate Dr. Ramsell's second city council member term through November 20 of 2022 and direct the city clerk to transmit the resolution to the governor. >> All right. >> Second. >> Have a motion and second. Seeing no further discussions,
we'll call the vote. [clears throat] >> I clicked on the Sorry, Lisa, I messed you up. >> All right, eyes have it so moved. >> Dr. Ramwell, if you're watching, you got two unanimous votes on your reinstatement and your reimbursement.
And thank you all who spoken on this issue tonight. Thanks, Stephen, Earl. Appreciate you clarifying all that for us. >> All right, moving right along. >> Next item 4E is regarding our um insurance agent and broker of record. If
you recall at the last meeting, we you approved for us going out for an RFP. Uh we did that. Uh we had four proposers. uh Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, First Line Employee Benefits, Brown and
Brown and Asentria. Um after review and um moving through our bid committee process, firstline employee benefits was the highest ranked U proposer. uh they were deemed responsive and responsible
and therefore it is staff's recommendation that we um uh move to award a contract with them as our um broker of record for the coming year. >> With that I uh Councilman Braden. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh move to award the
bid for RFP26-04-HR to the first line employee benefits and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. >> Second. >> All right. With a motion and a second. Any further discussions? Councilman Dustin.
>> Well, we [clears throat] have been using Earth Entry now for quite a few years. They are a local firm. I believe the the firm that was suggested by the RFP is based in Tallahassee. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir.
>> I I don't know how they came to that conclusion, but I would support having the local firm with the local people unless they are doing a bad job, and in my opinion, they are not. So, I won't be able to support that motion. >> All right. Appreciate that. Anyone else?
All right. Seeing Oh, counselor Schmidt. Yeah. Um, I guess can we just put on record please what the biggest pushes to leave a Centria and to go to a company like First Line Employee Benefits. probably more than to leave the century
is to look at options that have probably not been presented to us uh to provide a more sustainable um mechanism for providing benefits to our employees. Uh we've talked about a a um
self-insured plan. Apparently the city has for a number of years and we and we've not gotten there. Uh we think there's opportunities through this um the um the firm that we're recommending. >> What is that going to do for the city though? Is it going to lower the cost tremendously on our benefits? Is it
going to give the employees a better package? What's what what is it truly going to do? What's the true >> Ideally both? >> Yeah. >> And and of course, you know, there's this thing's sometimes a moving target and you hope you land in the right
place. Uh but we're certainly looking at alternatives that will provide savings to the city uh without penalizing our staff. It may look a little different, but in in the fully funded option, as Mr. Dustin mentioned some time back the
looking at the um uh clinic plan that the school board uses. We had a lot of conversation with those folks who directed us through the uh uh tax collector's office who was associated with this firm and has come highly
recommended that has saved them money and provided a a quality benefit package for their employees. Um they certainly these folks can continue with our current plans and give us the opportunity to look at what other
options may be available. Uh this >> but we won't know the true ramifications until after we hire them and then after they go out to get >> That's correct. One thing it does give us some um exposure or allowance to be exposed into a greater um consortium of
much larger risk pool and to spread that risk out. Uh we are we're a small organization and when we're um we are contained in ourself as the pool um you know high um cost care can drive
us um through the roof on on premiums. The ability to spread that out is certainly something we're looking at >> and we have lowered the cost of our policy over the last couple years. Each year it's gone down. Is that correct? >> Uh I'm not atast previous year. This
year the it was flat. I'm sorry I had it on start with this year the we stayed flat but we had to get creative with the b with the savings card I believe it's called to do something a little different. We had to change carriers went from Florida blue to United Health.
Um so yeah but we were able to keep it flat this year. >> I appreciate the conversation. um I as well won't be able to support going to this particular company and taking it out of the town. But thank you, >> Councilman Braden. >> Thank you. Um that's why we we do what
we do to try to spend the taxpayers money in a in a right way. Kind of like the um I mean I know it's you know a good company been a long time yada yada yada. That's kind of the good old boy system.
This is kind of like the Pine Street deal, you know, we put it out for RFP. They followed all the process, procedures, everything else and this company come out on top. So, I mean, I don't I don't understand where you're coming from. When you're
upset about the Pine Street deal, the man followed all the process and then we denied him. So, now we're doing the same thing. They they followed the whole process and now >> Sure. >> We want to deny them because they come out on top. We put it out made everybody sharpen their pencil just like we did
waste management and waste management good company they sharpen their pencil and they they came back cheaper. >> Yeah, it's a good good question. Can I answer it? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> So, usually like with waste management and companies like that when we do an RFP, they'll all those companies are
providing the full cost of services to what it's going to cost the city, right? So to that's not to me that's not a good comparison to hear because we don't know what the policies will cost under this new company when they go and and try to get it. We're we're assuming it's going
to be cheaper and better, but we don't know that. They're just our agent of record. They're just our broker to go find the policy for us. [snorts] Hopefully it'll be better. So that that's that's one difference. Um, but two, I personally don't love the bid
process that we do at the city. Um, I didn't follow up on it a couple years ago when I asked for some changes to be proposed. Um, no, um, no shame to any people that are on that committee, but I think we need to overlook the entire
process to have industry experts and different people looking at things to give better scores. like we're going off of the scores that were provided. They they voted based upon Jamie giving her opinion as the HR director. Uh you
know, so I still don't feel that our bid process is truly where it should be to say that that's should still be the the winner. Um they did follow the process, but that's kind of, you know, just my I guess answer for what it's worth. But I
agree with you that >> like for construction bidding and any of it, right? It's the same people. So like the whole process should be looked at in my opinion. >> Yeah. And I agree. I don't I don't like the fact that we want to hire an insurance agent or insurance company not
knowing exactly what we're getting at the end. I just base my decision off, I guess, on what the staff has done their research and trying to save save the city, I guess, some money and and have good
insurance. So, >> I agree what you're saying. It's, you know, if you don't know what you know what you're getting, [clears throat] could be could be worse. And if it is, what do you do then? You know, it's wind up costing us to cost us
a whole lot more. money for insurance. >> All right, Councilwoman Avery. >> Thank you, Mayor. I kind of agree with Kevin, but I also see where Rodney's coming from, especially when it comes to this because we don't have a cost factor. Like, when we do these other bids, we have they're going to cost this
much and this is what's going to cost. We're trying to take care of our staff. We're trying to make sure that they get good health insurance, but we want to go with somebody that has at least done what we've asked them to do to come back to us. And if we find that they didn't do it, then realistically the best we
can do is hope that we have the plan in place, the people that are checking. And for now, we have to hope that our staff is helping us go for the right rung of business. And in this case, we don't have a cost at the end on either
of the bids. We just have to go with the current grading system. So, I know it doesn't feel like it's the right thing. I understand where you're coming from, Kevin, but it it is the system we have in place for the purposes. Now, >> Councilman Stevens,
>> thank you. Um, so what happens if we vote no? Because I remember last time at the last meeting, I remember there was a a time crunch where we had to you had to make a determination by a certain point. Yeah, we would like to go away tonight
with a broker record, be it the one we recommend or um you know when council would prefer. >> Councilman Dustin, >> I would just point out that our increase this year was zero. It's flat.
That's pretty unusual in the insurance environment. Matter of fact, you don't hardly ever see that. So, I'd be careful about what I did. >> All right, with that, we'll call the vote. >> All right, eyes have it for three. So,
moved. >> Thank you. Uh, item 4F is regarding our citywide stormwater GIS mapping mapping mapping project. Get that out. Um, this is coming from our public works department. Um, we're recommending
creating a single centralized GIS uh, database that will serve as a living updatable inventory of all existing storm water infrastructure. What we have now is a number of layers in our GIS system uh, that showed different things.
So in order to find where an inlet is, where an inlet may be, uh the size of it, the pipe size, the discharge, you may have to go to four or five different layers of the map. It it's very inefficient. Uh it causes us some issues
with regulatory compliance. Um this move would allow us to support our long-term asset management. um certainly helpful with our maintenance and understanding exactly what's where in our storm water uh infrastructure. This is a uh $49,850
um task order for Donovan Hill, which was formerly Baskerville Donovan, one of our continuing service agreement uh engineering contractors. And this these funds are in the budget. So we would recommend we your approval and move forward.
And with that, I apologize for not asking at the briefing, which is would have been a more appropriate time. The goal is getting these maps on the same sheet of music. >> That's correct. >> We have all the data, >> all the data on one layer. So, as opposed to going to a different, you
know, number of different layers on in the GIS mapping that you can go to one and find it all. Is that am I saying that right, Michael? >> Okay. The the best way I could describe it is we have information in CAD >> and information in GIS. Well, you can
try to convert CAD into GIS. It doesn't do it nicely. It does it kicking and screaming. Um, a lot of the information that the city manager referred to, the inlets are not connected to the pipes. Even though they physically are, in GIS, they're not. So, as far as our
regulatory compliance reporting to FD and for the CRS program and for capital improvements and operational improvements, it's critical and I've been wanting to do this for a very long time is to get what you said everything
in one place and it's all connected. There are thousands of data points out there and we just do not have the resources in house nor the time to uh do it. Uh >> yeah. So a lot of manual data point connecting dots. Gotcha. >> Oh yes.
>> Okay. Yeah. Awesome. And then would this help us get to a higher level for the insurance? >> This is just some ground data. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. With that I have a motion and a second. Councilwoman uh Traml with a motion. Counciloman Neighbor with a second. Is that correct?
>> Yeah. You want me to read it? >> Yeah, if you'd like to. [laughter] I move that the city manager be authorized to execute the task order for the citywide storm water infrastructure GIS mapping project with Donovan Hill Group. >> All right. And Councilwoman Aver with the second. >> Second.
>> Thank you. All right. Seeing no further discussions, we'll call the vote. >> All right. I have so moved 70. Item 4G is regarding just announcing that at your next meeting at 5:30 we will have a CRA uh board meeting here.
Um so that's on the July the 20th for H uh is draft minutes from the standing boards and committees for information for I uh announcements. Um we're pleased to say that the governor signed a budget that had three million dollar
appropriations for the city. One for um Stallman intersection improvements, one for four-prong lake, and one for cross town connector. Um um so appreciate our lobbying staff and those
that worked hard on our behalf in Tallahassee. And to that end, uh, Miss Horton, our lobbyist, and her partner, Rich Hefty will be at our next meeting to give us a roll up of what's gone on this year legislatively, what we're looking forward to next year, and those
things that may happen in the interim. So, we're pleased with that. >> Amazing. We do have a question. >> Um, I just wanted to, um, again commend the fact that we as a team up here realize having a lobbyist would help us. And this just goes to prove
that having Kelly there in Tallahassee took care of a lot of things that we wouldn't have known and kept us appraised of things that were going on and we were able to make visits and physically get in and see who's who and help ourselves and our projects get approved. So kudos to Kelly for helping
us out. Look forward to seeing her at the next meeting. And kind of on that, if I if I may, um especially with the appropriations getting passed being the vote from our House of Representatives, um to tie that all together, um if we may for the
resolution next week or next council meeting, I don't know if it'd be appropriate to invite uh Pat, Representative Manny over. He's a champion of home rule. Uh, and if the resolution does get passed and signed, I'd love to, you know, almost honor him with it if anything. We support it, but
to have someone going to bat for us at Tallahassee, I think is um very honorable. >> All right. >> Go ahead. >> Next Monday, the 13th, we will have our second budget workshop. We'll be focusing on capital projects. um know
that time is tight between now and then, but if you want to sit down um it'll probably be Wednesday before um and Crystal will correct me if I'm wrong, but probably Wednesday before we get ready to publish. So, we'll work out a time we can sit down between now and
then to go over if you'd like. Just let us know. Um and just a couple of comments about this past weekend. Was it perfect by any means? No. But, uh, your staff, a lot of them worked very hard over the weekend
from code enforcement to public works and our engineering. Um, uh, uh, parks and wreck especially. I mean, they were out there, uh, long hours. It was hot. So, kudos to them for the hard work we put in. Absolutely. It was not perfect.
Uh, but we think it could have been a lot worse. And we want to thank the sheriff's office for um, participating and being a part of what we got done. But uh uh so thank you. Just want to recognize those folks that worked hard over the weekend. >> Dr. T.
>> Good evening. Pickle ball courts are open at 4,000 Indian Bayou Trail from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. First come, first served. The city council is considering an ordinance of annexation of certain uninccorporated properties located in Okaloosa County. Property owners and
occupants within the proposed areas have been notified. There will be two public hearings coming up to consider the proposed annexation ordinance and the public is of course invited to those. Those dates are July 20th and August 3rd. Both public hearings will be held
here at city hall annex beginning at 6:00 p.m. We do have our annual big truck day on July 31st at the community center parking lot. It'll be held from 9 to 11:00 a.m. and it's free to all ages. And my last one is that an ERRA workshop
with our comprehensive plan will be August 10th here at the annex. That meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. This is the plan that deals with land use, coastal management, transportation, housing, infrastructure, conservation, and more. And a survey for the public is
available um currently on our homepage on our website for individuals to take. Thank you. >> Right. Thank you, Miss Cop, with the public hearings. >> Thank you, mayor. This is ordinance number 2607LC, an ordinance of the city of Dest,
Florida, renumbering and renaming article 16 signs of the land development code to a new article 8 sign regulations. Modifying, amending, and updating city sign regulations as provided herein. 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 and council. There are some very significant changes to the sign code and so uh staff is going to walk you through
them and that's Mr. Butler. >> Good evening, council and mayor. Um so, as Kim stated, article 8 of the draft land development code is sign regulations. Uh, of course, this is the purpose of this article is to improve traffic and pedestrian safety, uh, prevent visual clutter throughout the
city, preserve property values, promote orderly development, and maintain the attractive community appearance. Um, we did this by establishing standards for permanent and temporary signs, um, while protecting free speech. So, as as outlined in your staff report, one of the guiding um documents for staff
drafting this article 8 is the Reed versus Town of Gilbert, which was a Supreme Court case in 2015, which uh essentially changed the way municipalities regulate signage. Essentially, what that boils down to is cities need to focus on type of message,
not content. Um so, for example, we can regulate permanent or temporary types of signs. So that would be the placement um of the signs and how long and as well as the manner in which they're placed. So is it attached to the building or detached via ground sign. Um so that's
one of the ways that we organized this draft article 8. Um also within article 8 we've broken it down into commercial and non-commercial speech. Um again which is focusing on the message and not the um the type. Um so permanent and
temporary signs and commercial and non-commercial speech are the four identifiers if you will in the table of article 8. Um so we have classified these signs but within a chart. Um it reads a little easier than today's land development code if you were to go to article 16 today. Um we did early on in
the rewrite process we did send this to some of the local sign companies and got some some some positive feedback about the readability of the signs. Um, so now in Article 8, you go for a one-stop shop for the chart. You can see the allowable square footage of each sign, the total
number of signs allowed based on your frontage, um, as well as the other, um, where they can be located based on the zoning district. U,, one of the other differences between the draft article 8 and article 16 is currently in our land
development code, um, it's it's pretty silent on permanent commercial signage and residential zones. However, throughout our workshops that we had with you all and LPA, it was um discussed and ultimately agreed upon between you all
that y'all did not want per permanent commercial signage and residential zones. So, that is another difference that staff has highlighted in this staff report. We followed through with that request. Um the last two changes are probably the most significant. Um, so sign height currently in the city, the
maximum sign height for all ground signs is 26 feet from average grade to the top of the sign. Um, so that's what you'll see if you drive throughout the city, it could be anywhere from 0 to 26 ft. Um however through our discussions with the local planning agency, the LPA did
recommend in May on May 21st of this year um to for they they requested for staff to bring forth a presentation which highlighted staff or sign heights throughout various municipalities in the state. Um so that presentation is in your packet. It just highlights various
like I said cities, municipalities and counties within the within the state that have differing sign heights. Um, so that's kind of the presentation that guided that discussion with the LPA. And so during that meeting, um, the LPA made a recommendation to the city council,
um, that the recommended sign height that they would like to see in the draft rewrite is maximum height would be 12 ft from grade to the top of the sign with no sign permitted to protrude above the roof line or the cornice line of the building, whichever is lower.
And I can explain that more if that doesn't make sense. Um and then lastly, digital signs. Um so this was discussed in our workshop with you all probably a year and a half ago at this point. Um it was brought up or proposed that digital signs be prohibited in the city. Today
they are permittable. Again, I want to reiterate that digital signs are permittable in the city today, but based on the LPA's recommendation, they are recommending that all digital signs be prohibited throughout the city with the exception of institutional uses within
the institutional zoning district. Um, so what that's kind of gearing towards is allowing schools and churches to have or keep their digital signs. Other businesses that do not fall into that exemption criteria would be required to remove any kind of non-conforming sign
which would include digital signs as it's written today um within 10 years or when a property changes ownership whichever occurs first. Um that that change of ownership ordinance that was um pulled from Panama City. They have that ordinance currently in their land
development code. Um, so that was an ordinance that the LPA found useful and has recommended the city council to adopt in our new sign regulations ordinance. Um, with that being said though, aside from
outright prohibiting digital signs because as we know um, some businesses do utilize or depend on these digital signs, if you will, to maybe display gas prices or things like that. So prohibiting these signs could place an
additional operating operating burden on these gas stations. For example, they may have to go back to the analog manual signs. Um, so if the city council does not want to prohibit these digital signs outright, of course, there are other um
ways you could regulate digital signage such as implementing stricter regulations for digital signs, such as less square footage, u stricter timing allowances, prohibiting message transition types such as blinking and flashing. Um, and then of course there
are you could regulate them differently based on how you define a digital sign. For example, there are other municipalities that define signs such as an electronic changeable copy sign. Um, and this is there is an example provided
in your packet as well. This compared to a digital sign, a a changeable copy sign, electronic changeable copy sign is something that you may find at a church or a school that literally just says the temperature or the time or the date.
It's not flashing animations. It's not showing um products and services. It's it's simply forformational purposes. So that is what an electronic changeable copy sign could be. Again, in our land development code, we in the city of
Destin, it's just digital period currently. Um so that's what LPA has recommended. Again, we do have a non-conforming section, article 3, which has already been approved by council. um that is where the off off- premises
signs. That's where those non-conforming um allowances or disallowances are located. Um so I just want to point that out that this would be in addition to the off- premises signs. Of course, the digital signs is what I'm speaking of.
Um so with that being said, staff is here to discuss and answer any questions that y'all may have regarding draft article 8. >> All right. The more you talk, the more people had questions. [laughter] All right. Uh, Council Member Morgan. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, so just so I've
got it clear, the digital signs in 10 years from the date this passes will be required to come down. >> If that's how it's approved, yes, sir, that's how it's written. >> It's legal. There's no issues with that legally requiring requiring that the companies with digital signs take them
down in 10 years. >> So, we can just force them to take them down. >> Hey, over 10 years. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And then, yeah, with the gas station, I that's the only kind of digital sign I could see. I I don't mind the placards or whatever they put in there. Um, I'm
okay with the heights. The one issue I do have is with the transfer of property. Um, if there's a deed transfer, if there's not necessarily a property sale, I don't think that should be included. If you're just changing the
organization that holds the property, um I don't think they should be required to change your sign. If a business sales for sales, for example, Sexton sold two years ago, I don't think that the business sale property transaction
should include require the business to change their sign if they're keeping it the same business. if there's a change of use for the building that they purchased. Yeah, I think I don't think you should be able to repurpose a non-conforming sign for a new business,
if that makes sense. Um, so those are the changes I would like to see. I don't know if I need to put that in the motion, >> Kim. >> I would say yes. >> Okay. and and staff did contemplate that gas station where we hit a snag and where we're still we still need to think
about is since we can't regulate based on use, >> we'll have to figure out how we can carve out the gas stations, >> you know. Yeah, that that's interesting. I'd be fine as is. I mean, I don't think we're going to have to deal with it for 10 years anyways. Uh because I don't think we're
getting any new gas stations. I hope not. Um, so I'll put a motion on the floor that I move. Well, we've got Sorry. Can I put a motion or do we have one without reading them? >> We We had one coming.
>> Yeah, that was my fault. I should have uh gone to them first. >> A public hearing. >> Yeah, I got to uh >> Yeah. All right. So, with that, um, yes, that was my fault. All right. If anyone here wishes to speak on 26-07
LC on first reading, this is your time to do so. All right, seeing none, we'll close the public comments and we'll continue. >> Okay. Are we going to get away from making motions on the computer or are we did we
>> I normally go with them? I I apologize. I >> Sorry. I did I I understand what the motion is, but I don't think the public does when we don't read the motion out loud. to your point, even if I see it here, I'm going to call on them to then state the motion. >> Got it. >> So, they're kind of waving that they're
ready for the motion. So, Councilwoman Traml, if you'd like to make a motion, please. >> Well, I was just going to make the recommended motion that we approve the proposed ordinance 26-07-LC on first reading and make the accommodations and bring
them back for second reading that we've mentioned. >> Right. Okay. accommodations being Councilman Morgan's right. >> Yes. I also had a question. So, you can come back to me later if you want to. >> And then I'll second that we do that and have our changes made to bring it back
on second reading. Is that agreeable, Mr. Morgan? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And I'll go back to Councilwoman Traml if you have your question. >> I Yes, I do have a question. Uh, do y'all remember Lamar signs? Yeah. >> Do you remember that coming up? >> Yes.
>> And now we're limiting that to 12 feet. Is that is that what I understand here? I I'm this a question. Are we limiting them to 12 ft? >> Who is them? >> Lamar. They're talking about billboards. Billboards. >> Billboards. Billboards. It's not just Lamar. >> It's all of them. >> It's all billboards.
>> All the Lamars. >> We call those We call those off premises. >> I just remember that, you know, we had a big discussion about because >> Lamar signs came up and did that. So >> So big. >> So off premises signs are still prohibited in the city. So there can be
no new billboards constructed. So to answer your question, we're not really limiting anybody to 12 square feet, but they can't build anymore. >> Okay. And and I'm Oh, go ahead. I'm with uh Councilman Morgan over here. That um >> going back to the old gas station signs
where you hung [laughter] the the numbers up to me is going backwards, not forwards. Um, and I personally I don't mind them being the digital sign.
Uh, the other thing I would request is that um the and I don't know how you do this. the lumens of the white signs that they have for I'm just using Walmart as an example because they have one that pops
up that is really bright white and if you're driving at night it's almost blinding >> and so that is controlled by the the lumens or the brightness or whatever of the sign. So I would like that to be considered on white.
Most other colors it's not a problem. whites and yellows are are the problems. Um along with the no flashing thing that was all I had. Thank you. >> All right. Um [laughter] it's got Councilman Bagby on here.
Councilman Stevens, [laughter] >> thank you. Um so I didn't get >> ghost lives on. >> So I didn't get a briefing so I don't know a lot of these questions. Um are wind feathers or flags are those considered signs? >> Yes. and they're already not not
permitted in the city. >> But remind him there's a lot of county property mixed in. So we don't regulate that like Fuders and some of those places that are on county property that have those feathers. We can't limit them. >> That that's another reason for annexation. >> Thanks.
>> Quit selling it for me. >> Councilman Dustin. >> Okay. Mayor. Um, this is a dramatic change to our sign ordinance. The heights outlawing digital as best I can read what grandfathers
means. Um, the cost to the local businesses is going to be in the millions. Um, our statement on financial impact is is is meaningless when you read through it. I
can give you an example. Those digital signs that I think we did an informal survey, they there are 50 to 70 of them on the corridor. Those things cost between 20,000 is the cheapest up to in excess of h 100,000. So if you use
a good, you know, a price of 30,000, that's close to $2 million. Um, changing the heights, while I understand they are offensive to some people, is going to be quite
expensive. And and I noticed Mr. Morgan mentioned the uh that it wasn't appropriate to change the sign if the business sold. I agree with that. >> But the implications of this sign changing ordinance are just truly dramatic. And I will point out there's
not a single member of the public here because the folks most um affected by this don't know anything about it and and that's that's unfortunate. You know,
we just have so many things here that are questionable. The whole thing makes me think that we need to uh draw back and let the people who actually buy these signs have some kind of input into
it. And so, you know, I would suggest that and I'll make a substitute motion that we move this agenda item to the first meeting in August and that we send out notices, written notices to all the
uh holders of business licenses and destined so they understand what's coming down the pike. Otherwise, this is going to be like the the mobility fees we just put in that I know you all have heard about as I have heard about that have added up to a
couple hundred,000 to building a building to starting a business building building in Destin and up to maybe 20,000 for a home in Destin. While we talk about affordability and how we want affordable housing and and uh people to
be able to live and work in Destin, we continually appear to to make it more expensive. And when you look at the uh financial statement, it uh it is totally inadequate. You don't look at what the impact of the
businesses are for advertising. You know, we've had three or four of the digital signs both in uh other cities and in Destin. The moment I turned that digital sign up, our gross revenues went up 20 to 23%. If you look at it from that point of
view, these these regulations have a tremendous impact on the businesses. So, I think if we're going to make these kind of dramatic changes in the sign ordinance that we at least need to let the folks most affected by it come and tell us what they think. So, uh, as I
say, I'll make a substitute motion to move this to our August, our first August meeting and to notify business owners about the changes that are coming down the pike. >> Right. That's a substitute motion. >> I hear a second tunnel. I got
>> Oh, Councilman Schmidt to push. Okay. [laughter] All right. With that, uh, any further discussion on the substitute motion? Yeah. Question >> and it's related to either one of the motions. If if it comes back with the
accommodations that we're making, does it come back as as um first reading again? >> Yes. >> So, if it comes back at first reading again, is I I don't mind the notifying, but if it's coming back at first reading
again, um I think that meets that need. if we notify them between now and August, whatever the date was you said. Um, and it comes back for first reading again. >> Well, I think that's essentially what the motion is doing. >> Okay. I just want to make sure because that's not what I was reading.
>> Oh, that's that's the intent of the motion. >> Okay. >> That we put it on the first August meeting and that we notify business owners that it will be on that meeting and and that we will take their input. >> Right. Council Schmidt.
Daniel, can you um I was a little confused in what it's currently written, what LPA was kind of wanting to do versus now what Mr. Morgan is wanting to do. >> What what's different way it's written versus what he >> does that make sense?
>> Yeah, I understand. >> Clarify a little bit. >> I understand the question. Um so currently it's drafted whereas if there's any change of ownership of the property, the non-conforming sign has to be removed. >> Right. So I got that one. His his proposed change would be accept the
title. His his his request was perhaps if they have to go through a change of use, >> right, >> then the non-conforming sign has to be removed, not just a change of ownership. >> Got it. >> Um and then the other one was he stated he would be okay with the the gas gas
station prices being digital. And then I just pointed out that we staff took that into account before even bringing this. >> So is that a change then versus what it's currently written? Well, the way it's currently written in the draft, >> yeah, the one that's that we're potentially voting on,
>> staff did not single out the gas station uses in the draft because we cannot regulate by use specifically. We can regulate by zoning district and then the the type of message whether it's permanent, temporary, and then the way it's assembled, if you will. Um, so that is again like I pointed out to Mr.
Morgan after he stated that that's something that staff's going to have to figure out is how do we even with the city attorney how do we >> right >> work with these uses that bank on or utilize these digital numbers or signs to
>> to convey their messaging >> and then what's the height currently what's it currently written at >> uh 12 1/2 would be the max height as proposed 12 1/2 and it cannot be taller than the building >> right >> so if you have a one-story building that's in the corner line >> so the LPA A recommendation is what's
currently written. >> Oh, yeah. Of course. >> Okay. I was just double checking. >> 26 at the moment. >> Yeah. 26 at the moment. >> Yeah. Couple and a half. Right. >> All right. It has to change in 10 years, too. >> Or just the digital stuff? >> Yes. So, any if this ordinance was
passed, any sign that does not conform to this ordinance would be a non-conforming sign and would have to be removed in 10 years. And they cited with that sign height they cited visual clutter which is what he stated. >> Gotcha. Yeah. So drastic changes potentially >> of course.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Cool. Nothing but Councilman Stevens first. >> Thank you. So um with the current motion um [laughter] >> so with the current motion where we have to send notices are those going to be
like letters or are we able to send out emails to all the BTR holders? I mean, I I would prefer emails, but >> we can send both. The email doesn't cost anything. >> That's my logic. >> Yes, sir. Uh, Council Member Morgan.
>> Yeah. So, I could just, and I guess this might be heading to August after the notification, but I could support digital signage going to 10 years and forcing them to change. I don't think I could support every sign in Destin.
You know, you see CRAAS in Fort Walton have incentivized businesses to make patio improvement, signage improvements, whatever. I could see the harbor CRA if we have the money to um give grants to businesses to come into compliance. Um I
think that's what CRAAS are for. I think it would be a benefit to the CRA. I think it would raise all the property values because I do agree if you look at the photos in our packet of desk and signs versus other communities that have streamlined sign ordinance, ours do look
really bad. And I don't disagree that something needs to be done about it, but I just I can't imagine going up to some business owners that have been operating for 50 years in Destin and 10 years and saying you have to change your sign now. I don't think that'll go over well. I
don't like digital signs. I I just don't like them and I don't mind keeping it for that. Um, so I guess that's something we're going to have to hash out, but I I would support the 10-year term on digital signs, not the others,
and then maybe incentivize the other businesses with CRA grants, those that are in CRAAS to come into compliance. Council Dustin, >> I would just point out if you read through the arguments of high signs versus low signs, uh, I think the
argument was that higher signs were more appropriate in high-speed quarters. If you lower them down, which we intend to do, you go from from vertical clutter to horizontal clutter.
on Highway 98, you wouldn't find a more classical example of a high-speed quarter. And so, we need to think about what we're doing. I don't have a problem with lowering this sign some, but if we lower them to half and then instead we spread them out,
then then as you pull out of the parking lot, you're not going to be able to see. So, this needs to have some wellthoughtout contemplation, which is the object of my substitute motion. >> All right. Any further discussions?
Anything else you'd like to see? Um I guess the the changed will will any of this as we discussed. Do we want I think maybe to what council woman Traml was saying, do we want to go towards some of these things that we were talking about
for the first ordinance if we go to August or do we just want to start where we started here in August and then start making substitutes? >> Suggestions. I agree with all. >> Okay. >> Okay. So everyone's okay with that? I don't know. Do we need to amend the motion for that because it is a public
hearing uh to push but also >> we could amend the motion to incorporate the changes suggested by >> put on your mic and say that again. >> Yeah, we'll we'll amend the substitute to incorporate the suggestions Mr. Morgan came up with.
>> Y >> Okay. All right. Thank you. [laughter] >> I thought I thought they were in agreement. >> Yeah, we'll do it in agreement. All right. And seeing no further discussions on the sign ordinance, we will call a vote on the substitute
motion. >> All right. Eyes have it. 61. So moved. [laughter] >> Hey, some things never change. >> Let's make it on the record. You sit in my bag. >> All right, second hearing. >> Sorry about that. I saw thought the
backside was be all right with that. Councilman Braden. >> Yes, sir. >> Anything tonight? Comments, concerns, suggestions? >> I'm golden. Thank you. >> All right, Councilman Stevens. Uh thank
you for uh council uh for believing in me and I'm hoping uh that I'm going to do my job up here. So appreciate you guys. >> Thank you sir. Council Dustin. >> Thank you mayor. I have a question related to the Pine Street issue. Is Pine is the is the Pine Street
in the is it slated in our in our mobility fee plan to be to be paved and opened? I [clears throat] think he came in ranked third and as we're looking forward >> and therein lies the problem I think
that Mr. >> Kevin and I both agree on and so I would ask that we put on the next agenda meeting the removal of Pine Street from that mobility list
>> because I think it's inappropriate to to pave it. It goes into a residential neighborhood and then out through the Stallman intersection, which is the worst failing intersection in the city. I can't see what it would accomplish. And the folks that I've talked to over in that neighborhood, their real issue
was not naming it. Their issue was that it was going to be paved through and direct all that traffic through that neighborhood where we've already put in four speed bumps 20 years ago to keep people from going through it. It makes no sense in my opinion. >> I'll second.
>> All right. I have a motion by Councilman Dest, second by Council Member Morgan. Um I I agree 100%. Uh talking to them, I haven't gotten that out of their mouth specifically, so I don't want to put anything in there, but the idea I think what I concluded was the the name was a
way for them to defend themselves against a that's why they wanted the circle. Again, my assumptions, not what I've heard, but at the same time, I have heard some of the residents say that whole neighborhood where the speed bumps are, all the kids go to that culde-sac to play because why wouldn't you go to
the dead end corner for the kids to be safe? >> Um, and I won't muddy this motion up. Um, but I think we should um seriously look at what our the consultants prioritize and what our
staff prioritize and add a council layer of what we would prioritize. Um, I know one of our issues is there's not too much mobility fee money in there. And my plea to you all who are a voting member would be let's let's finish all the sidewalks before we build a new road. >> Perfect.
>> And and so with that, um, I will move on. Councilman Chad Morgan for the second. Yep. I got you up here. Uh, Councilwoman Traml >> with discussion. >> Yeah. >> Wait a minute. I had one other quick. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Yeah.
>> I thought our fireworks on our drones looked quite nice and I want to congratulate the staff and the mayor. I've seen two or three drone shows. While that was not the best, it was not bad at all. So, for them for the effort of whoever it is that put it on, I wanted to thank them.
Yeah, we're about Yep. So, going back to Councilman Dustin's motion here, um we'll call the vote on polling Pine Street from the mobility fee study map. >> Yeah.
>> Chart. All right. Eyes have it. 61. So moved. Um anything else, Councilman Dustin? >> Good to go. Okay. Councilwoman Traml. >> Yeah. I just I know I don't have to explain my no, but I wanted to speak to I did talk to Crystal and you know we
got a million dollars for um the cross town connector and as soon as we get that check we'll have money in the mobility fees. I just wanted people to know that uh to be able to do this without having to
make too many tweaks. I'll put it that way. Um, the other thing I had tonight was, um, thanks for the fireworks. Um, I really appreciated them. I was on the north side of Crab Island on my pontoon boat and my only comment or criticism
was that they all faced uh, Harborwalk Village [laughter] and those of us that were sitting on the north side of the bridge didn't get to see a full view of them. So, if they could just twist them so that everybody could see a full view, that's fine.
[snorts] Um, but that was all. I I thoroughly enjoyed them and I enjoyed the fireworks. So, thank you staff for getting that done. I appreciate that. >> Councilwoman Neighbor. >> Thanks, Mayor. Couple things, but I do want to let people that are worried about the game be worried. Belgium is
beating us two to one and it's six minutes. Oh, you got a new score. >> Three to one. Ah, not wanting to hear that. Anyway, >> shut up, Alan. Um, okay. So, I wanted to thank Parks and Recreation on multiple
levels. The drone show, the fireworks. I heard from so many people how pleased they were and your team, your group, your organizing of all of it. I know it was a ton of work. So, kudos, Lisa, to you and your staff that handled that. Secondly, I want to thank your staff
that dealt with Joe's Bayou. That's all I'm going to say. They are in. They are amazing. They are so patient when they really are trying. So, I'm I'm very happy that you've got such a great group of people. Um, and then the planning
department, you know, I didn't know what I needed to know until Tina and her team helped me with a permitting and Sue went above and beyond. And I know that, you know, they they tried to help me understand how to get in the computer system. But anyway, I wanted to thank
them for their help because a lot of times, you know, people just complain. You never hear the positives. So, thank you, Tina, to you and your Tam team in the planning department. Um, and then I wanted to just mention that the traffic,
I'm not really sure how it was everywhere else, but I know that I couldn't get an ambulance into the harbor at 10:50 Saturday night when my sister-in-law fell into the harbor, hitting her chest on some part of the
pier. She cracked five ribs. She fractured her pelvis. She has 11 stitches. They couldn't get an ambulance to us. They asked me, "Where's your car parked?" I said, "Behind me's in the parking lot. We have go get it." So, I went and got my car, ran to my car,
drove it against traffic because there was no traffic coming into Cybert and went into Magguiire's parking lot and across to the gas station where they had brought her across in a golf cart all banded up and then I took her to the ER. It took almost 40 minutes on the back
roads from 11:00 at night till almost midnight to get her to the ER, the Destin ER. So, I'm not I'm not sure how we manage traffic. I just know that it was very scary that it was so hard to
move after the fireworks. So, I don't know if we could afford to put any more businesses or buildings or apartments. and driving down Cybert that big plant area that's now being cleared out for 50s something town homes that we've already approved I just we do not have
the capacity for any more traffic to be part of Destin to get out and get home so I don't know how we can manage it but somehow someway for the Fourth of July fireworks we've got to figure out a way to have a clearing lane of some sort for
emergencies because it was it was scary I Mr. Osborne even said if anybody had had a heart attack over on Nora Point, they probably wouldn't have gotten help. So, I don't know how it was over there. I wasn't there. But I do know that from the harbor to pass the Commons, it was
back to back back roads as well as on 98 um Emerald Coast Parkway, Harbor Boulevard. So, just wanted that out there um that we got a lot of people here. There's not enough room on any of our roads for it. So, thank you.
>> Right, >> Council Member Chad. >> I didn't have to talk about pickle ball because Miss Tamara, Dr. T, gave us the good news. It's all open. Thank you, ma'am. >> Council member Chadam Morgan. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I was supposed to get agenda for this meeting, but it's
not. And so for the next meeting, if we can have an agenda item on that foot of freeboard um for the FEMA regulations and I would like to know exactly if we remove that foot of freeboard that will
uh take us out of our current rating and I would like to know every um opportunity we have to get us back to that rating, every tool in our toolbox to get us back there if we remove that extra foot that's required. ired. Um,
and secondly, uh, are we good on that? >> Yes, sir. >> We're good. Great. And then secondly, um, regarding the county stuff, I I know there's several [snorts] people up here and in the audience that aren't happy with the decision. I would just say
that, you know, it's my goal on this council for the city to get control of this park over Okaloosa County, which I think would be very bad for the city. I think we have an option in front of us that we're going to be presenting to the county commission at their next meeting
and I would like an answer from them on if that's amenable or not. And if it's not, I think in two weeks from now I'll be having a very different discussion with y'all. Thanks. >> All right. And if I can jump on his flood rating, if that's okay. Um, also
again, pie in the sky, the county is beating us on our flood rating. They're at a five. We're at a six. So perhaps even No, >> I don't >> we have more flood zone than the county. >> I I know I agree. I agree. So I didn't know if it was even again this could be
just a private conversation, but I was also just curious. Yes, change, but also what what would it take to get us to a five if that's even feasible. Um so just something we can talk. It doesn't have to be a council discussion, but I was just kind of curious. >> Sure. I I mean I think whatever options we have to increase our rating that
aren't infringing on >> Yeah. property right property rights I think and I think it's available to us because if we remove that extra foot it barely bumps us out of our current rating and so I don't think it'll be as difficult as some may make it seem to put us back in the exact same rating by
restoring that foot back to property owners and putting us in line with the state of Florida's recommendations instead of being more ownorous than the state and the federal government. >> I agree. Yeah, there's a Chinese menu out there. All right, Councilman Schmidt. >> Good. Oh,
>> uh, first item on my agenda that was added, I would like to make a motion to, uh, remove the renaming of the street public hearing off of the table. >> Is that the motion? Make a motion to remove
>> that off put put it back on the table. >> All right, >> I'll second that motion. All right. I have a motion in a second. We consider can continue. I'm sorry. >> Yes. I would like to do that. Uh that's a pass first, right? >> Yes, we have passed first, but I didn't
know if you wanted to finish any kind of reasoning or >> I appreciate the earlier discussion on the mobility plan. Um I still think there's two different subjects here that I think we would like to I'd like to revisit. >> Okay. All right. I have a motion and a second. Uh any further discussion? The motion is to
>> take unt. >> So with that, we'll call the vote. >> All right. Eyes have it unanimously. >> So I'd like to now make a motion to um advertise the public hearing um again for that item at the uh August
17th meeting. Okay, I have a motion. >> Second, >> Miss Cop, >> just to check with staff, is August 17th I know we have a very very long agenda at one of the upcoming meetings and I just want to make sure. Was it August 17th that had all those items?
>> I mean, we have a month and a half, >> four public hearings already scheduled for that agenda for land development code. >> Do you want to have a fifth public hearing or push it to September >> and the quasi judicial development? >> No, it's fine. Right. I didn't know y'all would have all that already known. So, kudos to you. Is there a meeting on
August the 31st or is it September 7th? >> September 7th. >> So, I'd like to make the motion to advertise it for September 7th, please. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussions? >> Not sure about what it is.
Oh >> um we're gonna we're gonna >> we're going to revertise the public hearing [cough] resolution ordinance whatever it was at that last meeting that we tabled >> change the name to change >> yes >> they had some name they wanted to make it
>> the name of the >> name so I mean I think you're partially I think you are correct about they were concerned about that add-on street That's >> I believe there's also still some concern about the original gentleman
with the GPS's going to his street using additional traffic. Um the folks on Marlor are still very in support of renaming that portion to Marlor. So I I I just want to give it the other opportunity to have the entire neighborhood come and potentially
share with us what they think about it. because they're going to be asking to change the name I suppose which is what the original was. >> Yeah, I can I can I can read you the name of the resolution from last time just for the record so the public knows what we're talking about. Okay, you want me to >> please? It's uh it's resolution of the
city council of the city of Dest, Florida, changing the name of a portion of Pine Street to Blue Marlin Court for the southerntherly portion of Pine Street located between the existing Blue Marlin Court and Stallman Avenue and consisting of approximately 300 feet in
the city of Dest. >> Okay. Okay. And this if this prevails and we may have to go back and clarify what we're taking out of the mobility plan. >> They both take >> I mean we're going back to the question they had. >> The mobility fee would take multiple public hearings anyway. So I guess if
this passes >> which would be my yeah my point that we're going to have public hearings already. >> All right. Point taken. With that we'll call the vote. All right. Eyes have it. So moved. >> All right. Councelor Finn, anything else?
>> Oh, absolutely. Um, >> we moved to September, right? >> Yeah, September 7th. I know it's pretty interesting date, but I I will be traveling here shortly. So, for all you that will miss me, thank you. Um, I will miss all of you all.
>> Um, yes. Again, I would like to first thank every city employee, obviously Parks and Wreck and whoever else assisted you guys throughout this entire weekend. Uh, what what the city does all summer is is
unbelievable. to be able to maintain um our facilities with the hundreds of thousands of people that are here with this with what we have. I mean, it's always just amazing. But over that weekend, the small changes that were
done, you know, it's so it's it's just uh it's fun and interesting. You're never going to make everybody happy. Uh, and I think you've said it before many times up here. You're going to piss off 50% of the people that are in every vote. So, um,
changes were made on Gulf Shore Drive this year. We added cones, we added signs. I don't think we've done that before. So, cool. If it didn't work out great the perfect way, we'll probably find a way to do it better next year. Um, Joe's Bayou is always tough. It's always tough. And if anybody has any
recommendations for even how to do that better, go for it. But it's tough. So, but thank you to anybody that was parks and public works and I know everybody goes out there and does that. So, um I do appreciate you all. Um it was a beautiful fireworks display. I did stay
up this time to watch it this year. [laughter] Um the drone show, I saw it from the backside kind of caddy corner. I mean, golly, who who did not micromanage a drone show? Did we not put that in the
contract? I mean, >> it's probably my fault, but uh maybe next year we can spin it. If you're if anybody's willing to do a drone show again next year, I would love to figure out how to add that into the budget. Still do it. >> Put it on Egglund's property would be
cool. There's so many ways I think we can continue to build on the drone show and I hope we do. I really hope we do. I know we got it at a discount which was very nice but >> it would still be nice to get it you know whoever gave it to us for a discount. I forget the gentleman's name but >> Alex.
>> Alex. Uh it was amazing. The entire thing was it it was it was interesting leading up to this July 4th over the past six weeks. But at the end of the day uh I saw lots of people enjoying everything that was going on out there.
So, um, to everybody and thanks to the Emerald Grand for like playing music in their speakers. Did they end up doing that >> loudly? >> Yes, they did. >> I mean, that's that was, you know, and Emerald Grand didn't pay anything, I don't think, to the city for the drone show, right? >> No, >> the city paid for it, right? >> The city paid.
>> Okay. We did. >> Z96 did it. It was just, you know, it's a community effort. Like somebody said earlier, they love the city. Uh, whoever was saying that. I mean, there's just so much truth to that. Mhm. >> We we we pick our battles sometimes with Emerald Grand or whoever else, but they
they come and do things like that. It was so so nice of them. So, I appreciate it. Uh that's it, Mr. Mayor. All right, Councilwoman Traml. >> I just wanted to make a correction. September the 7th is Labor Day, so our meeting will be on the 8th. So, y'all know. Okay.
>> Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, [clears throat] with Joe's Bayou, do we know when 90%'s coming to us for um the next project for them to get improved?
>> Very shortly. Um maybe uh what are we in July? Hopefully in August. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. and and to uh the Stallman intersection and the safety concerns and all that. Again, you know, it it's just
kind of always a easy out, but one thing we could go after um is the safe streets for all grant. It's a federal grant. Uh they've already put out Oh, I lost my traits, but I think it was well over $3 billion. Um and it doesn't have to be AI. Uh, it can actually lit leg
legitimately be a human for those special events that can look over two or three intersections and just basically what a cop could do on the ground with one, have some situational awareness and really allow, oh, it's 20 minutes after
the fireworks. Let's just greenlight it and let them flood out and vice versa on the way in. So, you know, I don't think there's ever going to be a silver bullet to fix things. um we've done well with our grants at the state level and I think going after some of these it closed in May so that means we have the
nine months 10 months now to go after that. So things like that I think are you know it's always kind of high in the sky and it's never an immediate answer that no one's going to appreciate but you know going off of what we're always good at which is trying to find other people's money. Um that would be a solid
SS4A safe streets for all grant for that. Uh, Councilwoman Traml, >> he's Oh, yeah. I got you. >> I was just gonna say I spoke to someone today, a private private citizen from the city of Dest is working on uh
getting some funding for Joe's Bayou. Where are we with our funding? That was my question. >> Oh, >> they asked me how much we had and how much we need. And I'm going, I don't know the answer to that. So >> um right now it's all D but they don't
have the cost and of course it's more than what they had put aside how many years ago. So we we don't know at this time >> I don't know >> we don't have a ballpark. >> All right and Jeff please.
>> We do have a SS4A grant in. We we submitted this past >> awesome >> cycle. >> All right, good deal. Thank you. >> All right, that's all I had. It was just some comments from everyone else. Other than that, uh, Miss Cop, city, >> I just have one uh item and it is an
update on the 222 cyber code compliance lean foreclosure, city of Destin versus Gregory Marlor. We have the final judgment of foreclosure signed by the judge and the sale date is going to be October 27th. Save any act action from you all to change it.
>> Right. Oh yeah. Counciloman Abear. >> I was asked by a citizen that I realized we're in this with this guy, but his front easement, which is really city easement because he put the fence up and now the this side [clears throat] of the fence is full. Do we not have
authorization in some form or way to have like one of the crane trucks just come and take the stuff away? >> We do. Actually, when you all amended the land development code to include the property maintenance code, um when Noel came and discussed that with you all, you did um provide for abatement
procedures. The reason why we haven't done that is because logistically we were thinking if we do it once, it's going to reappear because it's being used as storage and we're going to be spinning our wheels. Um, so but if if council wants us to try that and see if we can get it clean once and he'll stick
with it, we'd be happy to. >> I would like to make a motion to try it once and see if we can't because he keeps putting signs out there. This is not a dumping station. Stop leaving your stuff. So, I think it's kind of gotten out of control. >> Okay, we can do that. And just to let you know, it won't be overnight because we have a process that we have to go
through with the magistrate. But we will go ahead and get that started. >> All right. Thank you. >> Well, with a motion. Do I hear a second? All right. Any discussions on this motion on the table? >> Yes. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Well, we're still proceeding with the
October date >> of property, right? >> Yes. >> No change. >> So, I just wanted you to make sure I just want to make sure that you're we're all clear that even if it even if it gets cleaned up, it's still going to be sold in October. >> Well, the back lot cuz the front is
home. I get it. >> Yeah. >> The crap in the front not going away. >> It does. Okay. So, the city manager wants me to make sure you all understand this. I think you do. I know you do. But we are foreclosing the vacant back lot because it is non-h homestead and his homestead lot, which is the one with the
junk, is protected under state law from foreclosure. I know you all know that, but now Larry can sleep at night. >> Is there the easements? >> Is there any ingress or egress to that back lot? >> There's going to be an issue where we will have to get access. Legally, we're entitled to access if we if we own it.
>> So, we would have to take that step. access. >> Yes, we would need access. >> We're going to make it a pocket park. [laughter] >> All right. Any other discussions on this topic? Yes, ma'am. >> I would just I have I have a question for um repeat of the motion. >> I understand the motion. I know what
we're doing. I'm trying to figure out since my husband was a Marlor and I'm part of the family if I have to abstain. >> Do you have any financial interest? >> No. >> Then you're okay. Unless you feel like you can't make an unbiased decision. Can you make an unbiased decision on it? Yes.
>> Okay, then you're okay. >> Good job. >> All right. Any other discussions on the table? >> All right. And uh Councilwoman Abear, if you can help our clerk with the motion one more time, please >> have a waste management crane truck come
and remove everything in front of the fence that belongs to the city that easement >> via abatement. >> Via abatement. >> Anything else, K? >> Well, that's very specific. Can we just say abatement and let the city figure out >> abatement? Thank you. [laughter]
>> We'll clean it. Just do that. Thank you, ma'am. >> Leave the WM out. >> Leave the WM out. We'll just do whatever. >> I want them to bring the wrong truck and violate. >> I know. Be like, "Oh, can't do it." Okay. >> All right. >> Please, city manager, help me with that. Thank you, sir. We are calling the vote
on the abatement. All right. Eyes have it 70. And then with that I had uh council member Chadam Morgan. Do you have anything comment concerns? Anyone else? I I saw a second light. All right. Seeing none. All right. Anything else? Seeing none up
here. We'll go to public comments. >> Yes, sir. >> Hurry up. We want our soccer game. >> No, it's over. >> It's over. >> It It's basically over >> if it's still 31. >> Yeah, it's over. Yeah. >> It saying we're done. >> I It's not over.
>> I spent a lot of my time talking about Chadam's thing because I didn't know it was coming up. But I'm going to tell you something. You got a problem. Y'all don't want to talk about it. Okay? We got a problem in the panhandle and it has to do with law enforcement because politically they don't prosecute things.
They don't investigate the things. I'm gonna tell you why. The same people that did this to Prebble was Graham Fountain in my opinion. And Graham, if you don't like it, you sue me. Because I've got the emails where I went to Graham as a cop and said, "This developer is doing
the wrong thing." And then I had the emails where he went to the attorney of the developer for advice whether he could sue me or charge me crimly. That's garbage. And it goes on in the panhandle and y'all just voted to pay somebody back who was the victim of it
and you did the right thing. It's BS. You ain't moved an inch since a year ago when Drew Palmer started telling y'all not to talk about things because it would kill the deal. And what you've done is you've enabled political
That's what it is. because this issue was our issue in December and we've punted and punted for politicians so they wouldn't have to deal with it in election season. Now all we have to do is have good men stand by and do nothing. That includes
you women too. But but I'm sorry Drew has dodged this, pulled it off the agenda. And then I'm sorry, Dewey, you're conflicted in my opinion. You're completely conflicted when Dewey Dewey you are those are your guys at your
political support at your son's political support and after you're our representative when I see Jimmy Greasy Patronis pop up in your restaurant and every single person who's involved in this money is standing in your restaurant I think you're conflicted now
whether you are or not in your own mind and mine you are because you just said that sign could affect your business 23% well that affects my neighborhood 50% in my opinion. We don't need no parking. The appearance of a conflict is a
conflict no matter if they think it is or not. And the fact that Drew Palmer showed up in with our our congressman is a sign of I'm protected in my opinion. That's what that is. So, we're going to
continue to suffer this kind of garbage as long as we don't have people who can stand up. Drew's a worm. He never came here. He never adjusted anything. He told y'all what he was doing. He took it off the agenda. He spit in our face. And
and and the motion, Dewey, wasn't to sue. It was investigations are free. We as taxpayers already pay the cops for that. Stop hijacking the motion. That wasn't what he said. I mean, investigations are free. Do you
think $84 million ain't worth investigating? But some of the crap we do here now, you watch it. You watch politics destroy some woman for no good reason and make her move. By God, I
won't move. And watch the signs I put up. Watch me protect my free speech. But I don't feel Dwey represents me whatsoever in this in negotiating with Drew because we ain't moved one inch from where we were in December. Not on
paper. Why would we give up our parking to Niceville anywhere else? Crest View or they giving us anything for free. You ain't You ain't got enough parking. Why are we being strong armed by a political turd? Why?
By God, y'all stand up for me or I'll run and I'll stand up for somebody. But if y'all going to do something and sit here and be a politician, then go be some You should have had to serve the Constitution in the military to put up with that garbage. I'm tired of this.
Stop bending over for Drew. Y'all grow a pair. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> I would like to respond to that. >> Go ahead, Dewey. >> Go ahead. >> Helen, you're entitled to your opinion. Well, >> everybody has one. I don't resent that fact,
>> but I think that you are incorrect on >> on what? >> On just about everything you said. >> Really? >> I'm not going to get into >> No, tell me. Don't tell me I'm incorrect and you can't tell me, do we? Did they show up at your restaurant? >> Allan. Allan, I'm going to let them respond.
>> Let me respond, too. >> I I want the response. >> I want it. I dare you to I'm I'm going to be happy to talk to you face to face. I'm here to talk in public. That's what we asked for. And y'all decided that y'all wanted to go talk in private. And
that's not what we wanted at the county meeting. That was y'all's decision. We don't need to talk about this in private. We need to talk about this in public. >> This is public business. >> Let him respond and then we'll move on. >> Anything else? >> I have no response to that.
>> All right. Thank you, sir. Exactly. Thank you, sir. All right. Anything else? You've never been the victim. That's why >> never been what? >> The victim of political corruption. >> The hell you're you don't >> I damn sure do.
>> You just voted for it. You voted to pay back. >> Do I need to get it again? >> See you later. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, thank you.
a very heartfelt thank you. It's a year-long process. Okay. When the article popped up in the MCOME [snorts] Enterprise Journal, that was the first I knew some of this information because my attorney has not allowed me to talk to Prebble since all
of this started and I still haven't. Thank you. I'd like for y'all to think about one thing, though. Y'all lost somebody here just a few weeks ago and I didn't have a chance to thank him. All of what we happened or
what happened tonight with Prebble was because of Ray Bailey. Ray Bailey had the integrity to stand up and tell the truth. Ray Bailey had the integrity to sit there and provide the public records request I asked for when Ray could have
said, "Jean, no." Because the state attorney had destroyed them six and eight years early. They destroyed all these records. Okay. Ray Bailey stood up. There's another member who's here tonight, your attorney, Miss Ken Cop. She could have
shut me down a dozen times. She could have told me no a dozen times. She could have told me to go pound sand and she has in the past. Okay. Thank you. But y'all owe a debt of gratitude for your employees. Y'all got some phenomenal
ones. Ray Bailey was the example of what the city of Destin has stood for for so long. Integrity, taking care of your citizens, doing the right thing for the right reason. Okay,
I'm done with my thank yous. >> Matt, Dewey, can I speak to you directly in these meetings? Some you can't. >> As long as you're directing the council, >> sir, you're a statesman. I've dealt with you in many boards and many actions and everything, but I will remind you of
Asop's fable. Okay? When the steak bit the farmer and the stake said it, "You knew my nature when you picked me up. You're going to get bit." And the reason why I'm saying that right now is three members, okay, of the county told
me point blank, and I'll tell you the names, Paul Mixon, Craig Coffee, and Drew Palmer. They all asked me what my endg game was with this. And I said, to see this turned over to the city of Destin, the way it should be, they told me each one, the city will
never get 50 Gulf Shore Drive. You're being played, you're being gaslighted, and they're stalling you. Okay, that's just what it is. Okay, that's that's the bottom line. Um, did have
every one of y'all read the um Florida Forever program application. They put in >> every word. >> I will tell you point blank, that's what they're doing. I was told and I will tell you, okay, Paul Mixon picked the phone up and called me and he told me
the the state would fulfill that. Okay, Paul at the time didn't tell me he was the one that sent those letters and even though Coffey's names on one of them, Paul Mixon sent that letter. He drafted it. He sent it in. He had Coffee put some information on it and I've got
the records and I've sent them to you. All right, y'all being gaslighted. Y'all being stalled. And what just happened with Drew Palmer should tell you something. Y'all were supposedly in a meeting with this guy, supposedly in negotiation with him, and he goes to the
attorney general with a request. And I don't know if y'all know what that attorney general request does or not, but that state attorney general for uh attorney general opinion will subvert home rule. It will subvert the Florida Department of Administrative hearings on
this issue. If y'all gets that far, it will also subvert our civil courts if the attorney general says what Palmer asked him to say. Y'all got to be careful with this stuff.
These people are not your friends. I don't care if he's elected from here. I don't care if it's a county member. I don't care who they are. When they want to sit there and subvert home rule, they're not your friends. when they want to tell Holiday
Association we're not playing by your rules either. They're not your friends. Okay, >> final thoughts. >> And one more thing I want to tell you. Okay, y'all just mentioned it with the fireworks show, the East Pass, the property on the other side, the
government property. They tried to take that with Okaloosa County Park number 45 six years ago and we shut them down. I don't know if y'all know it or not, but now that was 90 acres they tried to take and claim it as there. Right this
minute, they're trying to take the parking lot over there and call that Okaloosa County Park again. They want to make the parking lot into 150 parking slots to have that side turn into a park again. So where y'all said put it on
government property over there and let the No, they want that to be county park. My personal opinion is all the way across this island y'all to annex it. >> Y'all really should because if y'all >> my first government dream >> because if y'all don't annex it,
[laughter] they but they are not your friend. As in Dewey, I respect you. We have been on both sides of things. But I've always tried to be straight up with you. In this case here, three of them told me to my face, you will never get
this and they will implement that. um the information that's in the Florida Forever program, that ain't a good thing for us. It's not a good thing for y'all. And it sure isn't a good thing for the county and the residents. Again, thank
y'all. I appreciate y'all so much. >> Thank you, >> Mayor. Just just one comment. And Jean, >> I believe what you were saying is 100% right. What I also believe is in the years that I've done this, I've always tra tried to take the high road and these negotiations and we can't come to any
conclusion with the county, I want it to be because they have acted unreasonable and that we have not. And so if there's any chance at all that we can prevail on the state level, I want it to be because we were doing the right thing. Yes, sir. >> And they were doing the wrong thing. >> Like I said, sir, you've always been a
statesman. >> And that's exactly the motivations. I didn't volunteer to be the the person to negotiate with these guys. I think the chance that they're going to work with us at all on the county level is slim to none, but I will make the attempt to try to make it happen. >> Sometimes you need a pit bull, though,
and I hope I'm fighting hard enough for you. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> I wasn't going to speak, but I want to tell you guys a story. On August the 27th, I went to the board
of county commissioners administrative office and I met with Craig Coffee. I wasn't there to talk to him about that park because of what happened to Prebble Ramell and Gene Early. I stayed away from that information. There were people who wanted to talk to me about it and I
didn't know anything. Something I stayed away from because I didn't want what happened to them to happen to me because I speak out. But I went to that meeting to talk to him about public access on Holiday Isle as a citizen
and I spoke to him about parcel B. In my opinion, parcel B is owned by the state of Florida. Spent 10 years studying that. I don't know why it's not come up, but that's a great place for public access.
In that meeting, at the end of the meeting, he said to me, "So, what do you think about that park down there?" Because it had just been announced that the state was looking to purchase it. And my answer to him was, "I really don't know anything about it." And his
response to me was, "We don't know anything about it either, but I've seen the drawings." Okay. and they're beautiful. And if I had one thing that I would want to have out there, it would be a fishing
pier out over that concrete wall into the east pass. My mind immediately went to the turtles that are always out there. But outside of that, that's what he said. And I walked away from that conversation.
That was August the 27th. I was not paying attention to board of county commissioner meetings and I was having a conversation with someone uh the first week of October and I was telling them this story and this was their response.
Are you kidding me? Are you effing kidding me? Did you see the August 19th meeting at Border County Commissioners? I said, "I haven't been watching. Go watch. Go watch and see what Drew Palmer asked for." And there was a letter written. So, I made a request for that
letter. I wasn't getting it from the county. So, I made a request to this city thinking possibly I would get it from the clerk's office. I received it. I received it from the city of Dustin before [bell] I received it from the county.
And on that letter, there it was the same letter y'all have discussed today. But then I remembered the man had told me he had seen drawings of that park and they were beautiful. So then I said, "Let me make a public records request
for those drawings." Well, that was quite the fiasco. And I have those emails to prove it. To the point where I ended up with the Florida Forever packet application dated in
March of 2025. And who signed that? Joe Winkler. There were drawings in it. all the drawings we've all seen. But the most damning part of that packet at that moment in time was the letter dated
January 15th, signed by Craig Coffee, the very man who stood in front of me face to face and told me that county knew nothing about it and I absolutely 100% believed him. So I call him up. He
wants to play phone tag. You're not answering your phone. I can't get the phone to answer. Well, that's interesting because I'm calling you from that phone and that phone is in my hand. I have those emails. When I finally get him on the phone, this was his response.
I know I signed that letter. I wasn't the one that was supposed to sign it. Two other people were supposed to sign it that day and I wasn't in I was the only one in the office to sign it. That man also came into this off this room with me and I looked at him and I
said,"I will be exposing your letter." From that point on, I have been fully engaged. Mr. Early's information has absolutely been fed to me and I will continue to fight that county on the they're pulling in on the city
of Destin. And don't you think I'm going anywhere. >> Thank you. >> All right. the perspectives tonight. The the personalities are whiplashing >> early. I really love your cander. >> Last [laughter] last man standing. Right
>> there you go. >> Um what personality are you going to give me? >> I um I started my conversation earlier by saying I was envious of each of you and I still am. Um I want you all understand, you know, sometimes you're too close to a situation. You all really
have it going on in a positive way. Okay. the council, your lawyer, your city manager. Believe me, what happened with Prebble or anybody else could happen to y'all. And the way you take care of that is to stick together. Okay? And you all are doing that. It's it's
normal to disagree with somebody. I don't agree with my wife all the time. Okay? I'm sure the same happens with you, but when it's all when the tire meets the road, you all are sticking together and getting the job done. Okay? Okay. And I just want you to understand that sometimes you're there and you just
can't appreciate it. You know, you're working through things. Yeah, it's a long meeting. Yeah, public comments were 50 minutes. Okay, but again, you'd rather have that than have nothing. Okay, so I just wanted to tell you all that, you know, keep up the good work. Each and every one of you all are doing
a fantastic job. A couple of other quick points. First of all, not that he's a congratulation to the captain because he's going to be a major soon. Okay. So that that that's [applause] that's good news. The only bad news you're going to lose him from here.
Okay. But okay, he'll remember. The other thing I want to tell you, and obviously nobody put me up to this. I I will tell you my conversation earlier, Mr. Early and Dr. Rams. Well, neither one of them called me and said do that. That was me doing that. But I want to speak for just a second for Gan Early
when you talked about looking at or reading Jean's emails. I don't know if you saw the smile on my face, okay? Cuz a lot of people dismiss it, say he's full of bull or something like that. As a law enforcement officer, myself and
Mr. Early, okay, we're used to providing the facts. One big thing that's happened throughout time is frequently we provide something and the thing you have to understand, it's not our documents, it's somebody else's. if Gan does a public
records or if I do a public records and we provide those things. It's not us saying that. Unfortunately, what we've found is some people get mad because you present that information. Okay? But again, I'm not going to take any more time. I just want to say job well done.
You all are a great team and I I want to keep stressing that because you need to take care of each other. You all are fighting big fights. Obviously, the stuff with the county is going to continue going, but keep on doing what you're doing. You're doing a great job and thank you so much. Thank you, sir.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? All right.