Council approves Crosstown contracts, restricts beach vending, advances undergrounding and CRS initiatives

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(Note: Individual speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. At the discretion of the mayor, this 3 minute allowance may be adjusted depending on the level of business coming before the City Council)

What’s Up Docks LLC, on behalf of Stephen Abbott of Stephen Abbott Trust and Jonathan Taylor of Destin Harbor Place Condo Association, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review for the construction of a new shared seawall varying from zero feet (0’) to three feet (3’) waterward of the MHWL, measuring approximately 210 linear feet. The applicant seeks a recommendation of approval from the City Council for a Commercial Marine Construction project proposing a new seawall with: Total Square Feet: 840 (210 LF x 4’ cap) Total Number of Piers or Docks: N/A Total Length: 210 LF Total Slip Density: N/A Located in the Destin Harbor: Yes | attachments=8 | reports=1

What’s Up Docks LLC, on behalf of both Jennifer Aden and James Morris, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review for the construction of a new shared 15-foot by 4-foot access pier leading to a 30-foot by 3-foot T-access walk, two 30-foot by 2-foot finger piers, and two 30-foot by 13-foot covered boat slips with lifts under a 33-foot by 30-foot roof. The applicant is seeking approval from City Council for a Residential Marine Construction project proposing a new seawall with: Total Square Feet: 1,050 Total Number of Piers or Docks: 1 Total Length: 48 LF Total Slip Density: 2 (1 per property) Located in the Destin Harbor: Yes | attachments=8 | reports=1

Atkins is the design engineer for the Crosstown Connector Project. As the project moves closer to construction there may be services that are needed that are outside the scope of work from the original design contract and following amendments. | attachments=8 | reports=1

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The Roadrunners Club of America & it's members (The Northwest Florida Track Club, Inc.) is requesting use of City ROW for their annual 5k run/walk on October 5, 2025. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The Destin Fishing Museum Foundation, a.k.a. Destin History & Fishing Museum is requesting use of city streets to hold the Annual 5k Mullet Run/Walk on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa County EMS, and the Destin Fire Control District have all been notified and have pledged their support for this request. | attachments=1 | reports=1

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Announcements

On June 16, 2025 Council selected H&T Contractors for the RFB 25-07-CM Crosstown Connector Phase 1 Construction. Staff were instructed to negotiate a contract with H&T. | attachments=5 | reports=1

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program administered by FEMA under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It encourages and rewards community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. By participating in CRS ( Destin has participated in the CRS since 1994 and was first designated as a Class 6 in 2010 ), communities can improve public safety, reduce flood damage, and receive discounted flood insurance premiums for residents. Goals of the CRS The CRS aims to: Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP. Foster comprehensive floodplain management. How It Works Communities earn points for implementing a range of flood mitigation activities. Based on the total points earned, they are assigned a CRS class from 10 (lowest) to 1 (highest). Each class corresponds to a percentage discount on flood insurance premiums: Class 9 = 5% discount Class 8 = 10% discount Class 7 = 15% discount Class 6 = 20% discount (Destin's current designation) Class 5 = 25% discount ... Class 1 = 45% discount Types of CRS Activities CRS credits are grouped into four categories: Public Information (300 Series) – Outreach projects, flood map information, real estate disclosure. Mapping and Regulations (400 Series) – Higher regulatory standards, stormwater management. Flood Damage Reduction (500 Series) – Elevation projects, acquisition of flood-prone buildings. Warning and Response (600 Series) – Flood warning programs. CRS and Flood Insurance By improving a community’s CRS class, residents and businesses benefit through lower premiums on their flood insurance policies, which can be a strong incentive for local governments to invest in proactive floodplain management. NOTE: CRS discounts do not apply to policies on structures within the Coastal Barrier Resources Area. | attachments=4 | reports=1

At the June 16, 2025 council meeting Councilmember Bagby moved to invite Anchor CEI, Halff Associates, and Volkert to attend a council meeting and make presentations to the council as part of the RFQ 25-06-CD selection process. Councilmember Hebert provided a second to the motion, which passed 7-0. | attachments=7 | reports=1

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The Council requested the City Manager to direct staff to provide some public beach vending options that could be included in a Request for Proposal (RFP). | attachments=4 | reports=1

To ensure consistency for residents and tourists, staff is proposing the design and approval of signage for public/transient boat slip docking. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The City of Destin is represented on several local and regional committees by members of the city council. Following last year’s election, the newly seated council appointed representatives to serve on the following committees: Economic Development Council Policy Board Primary: Councilmember Schmidt Alternate: Councilmember Hebert Northwest Florida League of Cities (NWFLC) Primary: Councilmember Hebert Alternate: Councilmember Trammell Okaloosa-Walton TPO Primary: Mayor Wagner Alternate: Councilmember Hebert Okaloosa County League of Cities (OCLOC) Primary: Mayor Wagner Alternate: Councilmember Hebert Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative Primary: Councilmember Braden Alternate: Councilmember Trammell Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Primary: Councilmember Schmidt Alternate: Councilmember Hebert Okaloosa County Public Transit Cooperative Board Primary - Mayor Wagner Walton/Okaloosa/Santa Rosa Regional Utility Authority (RUA) Primary: Councilmember Destin Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) Primary: Councilmember Bagby | reports=1

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During the regular City Council meeting held on May 5, 2025, Councilmember Schmidt made the following motion regarding beach bonfires, which was approved by the Council: In addition to the passed motion above, Councilmember Bagby requested the following: As directed by Council on May 5, 2025, the City Manager and staff researched Walton County’s regulations for permitting beach bonfires. The information below was gathered from Walton County, which was presented during the June 2nd Regular City Council meeting: 1. There is a permitting process for having a bonfire on the beach and all permit requests are processed through South Walton Fire District (SWFD), which includes public and private property. 2. Permits are $105.00 ($50.00 to SWFD, $50.00 to Walton County, $5.00 processing fee) Total revenue in Walton County for beach bonfires in FY2024 was approximately $936,300. 50/50 split between South Walton Fire District and Walton County SWFD revenue $468,150 Walton County revenue $468,150 In addition to the City Manager contacting Walton County, Larry and staff met with the Destin Fire District, who have expressed their willingness to assist with the permitting process if the Council decides to allow beach bonfires. The following documents are attached to this item, which were also attached to the June 2, 2025, agenda packet: Walton County Rules for having a bonfire on the beach Walton County permit request Beachfront Property Totals in Linear Feet On June 2nd, following a discussion regarding the above information, the following motion was passed: | attachments=4 | reports=1

McNeil Carroll Engineering, on behalf of Alvin’s Stores, Inc., is requesting approval for a Major Development Order for the construction of a 12,600-square-foot retail space. The proposed project is located at 1073 Highway 98 East (Parcel ID: 00-2S-22-0000-0024-0020) and encompasses approximately 1.21 acres. | attachments=24 | reports=1

At the March 1, 2021, City Council meeting, Council passed a motion to replace transportation concurrency (MMTD) with a Mobility Fee-Based Plan. Staff worked with 3TP Ventures to create the Mobility Plan, which the Council adopted on September 16, 2024. The Mobility Plan is a comprehensive blueprint for addressing the City's current and future transportation needs. Mobility fees are a crucial tool for cities like Destin to fund transportation projects that address the impacts of future growth, while also addressing service gaps such as multimodal infrastructure and traffic congestion. As the Mobility Plan is a fee-based plan, the Mobility Fee was also developed and approved on May 19, 2025, and will replace the Transportation Impact Fee. Approval of the Mobility Plan and Fee also negated the transportation concurrency requirements of the Comprehensive Plan and LDC. However, the City will continue to track the transportation level of service (LOS) to ensure the system is operating as needed. | attachments=2 | reports=1

Section 162.22, Florida Statutes, entitled “Designation of enforcement methods and penalties for violation of municipal ordinances ” provides that: [t]he governing body of a municipality may designate the enforcement methods and penalties to be imposed for the violation of ordinances adopted by the municipality. These enforcement methods may include, but are not limited to, the issuance of a citation, a summons, or a notice to appear in county court or arrest for violation of municipal ordinances as provided for in chapter 901. Unless otherwise specifically authorized and provided for by law, a person convicted of violating a municipal ordinance may be sentenced to pay a fine, not to exceed $500, and may be sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment, not to exceed 60 days…. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The subject property consists of three (3) lots, totaling approximately 8.53 acres. The lots currently have a FLUM designation of Medium Density Residential – Village (MDR-V). The property owner (the City) is proposing to construct a vehicular roadway on the property, which has already been approved by City Council, with the associated plat recorded. This roadway will serve as the final segment of the Destin Crosstown Connector, an east-west corridor. Therefore, the City is proposing to revise the FLUM designation from MDR-V to Recreation (REC). | attachments=22 | reports=1

The subject property consists of three (3) lots, totaling approximately 8.53 acres. The lots currently have a zoning designation of Medium Density Residential – Village (MDR-V). The property owner (the City) is proposing to construct a vehicular roadway on the property, which has already been approved by City Council, with the associated plat recorded. This roadway will serve as the final segment of the Destin Crosstown Connector, an east-west corridor. Therefore, the City is proposing to rezone the subject properties from MDR-V to Recreation (REC). | attachments=22 | reports=1

Currently, per the City’s Land Development Code (LDC) Section 7.12.08 , Table 7-3: Schedule of Dimensional Requirements in Zoning Districts, townhomes (multi-family development) are required to provide a rear setback of 10’ for any portion of a building having a height of 35 feet or less if the property does not front the harbor, bay, or gulf. The language reads as follows – For lots fronting the harbor: Zero feet. For lots fronting the Choctawhatchee Bay: rear setback must meet the requirements set forth in section 11.01.10 Bay shoreline protection zone. For lots fronting the gulf the rear setback will be established by DEP. For all lots that do not front the harbor, bay or the gulf, but instead have a rear property line, ten feet for any portion of a building having a height of 35 feet or less. Fifteen feet for any portion of a building having a height above 35 feet but below 50 feet. For each ten feet or fraction thereof exceeding 50 feet in height, the rear setback shall be increased by two feet on each side. | attachments=2 | reports=1

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