Destin City Council (Nov 3, 2025): Flood complaints, RISE short‑term rental revenue, CRS delay, Crosstown Connector bid, East Pass Bridge committee, FRS participation approved on first reading

(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)

The City of Destin participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. In CRS communities, flood insurance premiums are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community's efforts that address three goals of the program: the reduction and avoidance of damage to insurable properties, the strengthening and support of the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, and to foster comprehensive floodplain management. | attachments=2 | reports=1

Mr. David Kidd's existing contract with the City provides for livestreaming services/videography at $250 per meeting. Mr. Kidd has requested a slight increase in pricing consistent with the rates he charges locally in other cities, for meetings lasting over 3 hours. | attachments=1 | reports=1

Each year, the City of Destin procures its Microsoft Licensing through a broker named Liftoff , which aggregates government clients to achieve cost savings and streamline the purchasing process. The total cost for licensing exceeds the $35,000 purchasing threshold, necessitating Council approval for this expenditure. | attachments=1 | reports=1

On March 25, 1993, adjacent landowners Destin Fishing Fleet, Inc. [“FLEET”] of 210 Harbor Blvd. and Millard Royal Melvin [“MELVIN”] of 206 Harbor Blvd executed a 99-year LEASE AGREEMENT FOR RIPARIAN RIGHTS [“LEASE”] for mutual benefit which gave FLEET the use and control of MELVIN’s riparian rights on the Southern adjacent waterfront land among other things. On October 16, 2006, the Destin City Council approved the purchase of 206 Harbor Blvd through the TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND [“TRUST”] from Melvin subject to that 99-year LEASE. On November 2, 2006, MELVIN’s widow sold 206 Harbor Blvd to TRUST subject to that 99-year LEASE. On December 21, 2006, the TRUST sold 206 Harbor Blvd to THE CITY OF DESTIN [“CITY”] subject to that 99-year LEASE, plus TRUST stipulations for use of the land as a public park and other requirements. From May 5, 2010, through the date of this Amendment the Fleet has operated a full-service marina on the Fleet owned and leased property. On May 5, 2010, the CITY and the FLEET signed an AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR RIPARIAN RIGHTS [“FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT”] to adhere to the City’s requirements of its purchase from the TRUST. The FLEET sued the CITY, BI, Inc., 200 Harbor Blvd, LLC, and Dewey Destin’s Harborside, LLC, in Case No. 2019-CA-2599, Okaloosa County, Florida (the “Litigation”) on February 7, 2017, On December 23, 2024, the CITY, the FLEET, BI, Inc., 200 Harbor Blvd, LLC, and Dewey Destin’s Harborside, LLC signed a MEDIATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS [“SETTLEMENT”] settling the Litigation which, in part, grants the FLEET an additional 99 years on that LEASE and its FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT on the same terms conditions as the initial LEASE and its FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT at the end of its current 99-year term to the extent that Florida law permits such an extension. This SECOND AGREEMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR RIPARIAN RIGHTS [“SECOND AMENDMENT”] arises out of that SETTLEMENT and is part of the consideration of the SETTLEMENT. The LEASE, the FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT, and the SETTLEMENT all govern the riparian rights of the sovereign land south of the CITY and FLEET but are on separate documents, this SECOND AMENDMENT was drafted and executed to memorialize the intent of the SETTLEMENT extending the LEASE and AMENDMENT for an additional 99 years at the end of its original term to the extent permitted by Florida law. Pursuant to the SETTLEMENT, the CITY may charge a reasonable amount of rent once the initial 99-year riparian lease expires if the use of the property changes from the use of the property as of December 23, 2024. | attachments=4 | reports=1

RJ Gorman Marine Construction LLC, on behalf of Travis Rutland, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review for the proposed extension to an existing terminal platform, as well as the construction of two (2) finger piers, each measuring 15-feet by 2 feet. The proposed finger piers will be located at each side of the existing dock. The applicant seeks City Council approval for a Residential Marine Construction project proposing a new residential dock with: Total Square Feet: 100 SF Proposed (805 SF Total) Total Number of Piers or Docks: 1 Total Length: 5 0 LF Total Slip Density: 2 Located in the Destin Harbor : Yes | attachments=7 | reports=1

COMPASS Marine Group LLC, on behalf of Mark Pak, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review for the proposed construction of a new roof structure, measuring 47-feet by 36-feet over an existing upland-cut slip, with minor overhang (approximately 24 inches) beyond the platted property line and into the canal. The applicant seeks City Council approval for a Residential Marine Construction project proposing a new residential dock with: Total Square Feet: 72 SF* *This SF only represents the area of roof which overhangs into the canal. This is the scope of work that is being reviewed by the HWB and City Council. Total Number of Piers or Docks: 0 (Existing marginal dock and finger pier) Total Length: 2 LF beyond the platted property line Total Slip Density: 2 (Existing slips) Located in the Destin Harbor : Yes | attachments=10 | reports=1

Jospeh Wiley with Gulf Coast Civil Services LLC, on behalf of Andrew Vallianatos, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board and City Council review for the proposed construction of a new marginal dock measuring 227-feet long by 5-feet wide along the existing seawall. The applicant seeks City Council approval for a Residential Marine Construction project proposing a new residential marginal dock with: Total Square Feet: 1,135 SF Total Number of Piers or Docks: 1 Total Length: 227 LF Total Slip Density: 1 (Upland) Located in the Destin Harbor: Yes | attachments=10 | reports=1

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Announcements

The City received from the Florida Department of Transportation the Notice to Proceed for advertising Phase 2 of the Crosstown Connector Construction on October 28, 2025. | attachments=3 | reports=1

On April 5, 2021, City Council approved the scope of work and budget to completely rewrite the land development code (LDC). The draft LDC has received internal and public review since early 2023. Workshops with city council members were conducted from June 29th to December 3rd of 2024. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The City of Destin participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary component of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CRS encourages communities to implement floodplain management practices that exceed minimum NFIP standards in exchange for discounted flood insurance premiums for residents. The City currently maintains a Class 6 CRS classification, providing meaningful savings to property owners across Destin. City staff continue to coordinate floodplain management, public information, and planning initiatives to preserve and improve this classification. Staff was charged with providing means to acquire additional CRS credits in the event that points were "lost" due to an Ordinance revision. To that end, staff scheduled a Community Assistance Visit (CAV) with our CRS Specialist (Verisk) to review the City’s floodplain management activities and ensure continued compliance on October 22, 2025. However, the meeting was postponed due to the federal government shutdown, which resulted in the cancellation of the planned virtual session. Staff will reschedule this visit as soon as FEMA operations resume. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The State of Florida has approved buying land in Destin which will prevent a high-density condo project and instead create a new State Park with a 53-slip marina next to Norriego Point Park. Okaloosa County will develop and manage the new park, though the sale has not closed, and there is no management agreement in place yet. Both the City and County have concerns about how the park will be developed and used. To help with communication and avoid conflicts, the County is proposing a New State Park Working Group to meet informally as needed. It will include one elected official and one senior staff member from each local government, with other staff involved as necessary. See attached memo provided by the County. Please note that the City Attorney has reached out to the County Attorney regarding Sunshine Law applicability for this Committee. | attachments=1 | reports=1

FDOT is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study to analyze the existing characteristics, evaluate the community needs and impacts, and develop proposed conceptual improvements for 5.1 miles of US 98 from the east end of the Brooks Bridge (Pier Road) to the east end of the East Pass Bridge (Stahlman Avenue). The intent of the project is to study and evaluate the feasibility of reconstructing US 98 from a four-lane roadway to a six-lane roadway and replacing the existing East Pass Bridges. Per FDOT, t his project will also address existing safety issues along the corridor. The City endeavors to: (1) identify aesthetic and safety aspects of the bridge design for formal request to FDOT prior to March 1, 2025 (2) identify funding sources that may be applicable to pay for any aesthetic/safety aspects for the bridge; (3) establish a bridge clearance height request for barbes, ships and boats seeking to travel beneath the bridge; and (4) obtain support from residents and various sources around the bay including boat clubs, yacht clubs, and other local governments. The City Council assigned discussions of the future aesthetic and safety design of the East Pass Bridge replacement to the City’s Harbor and Waterways Board, the Public Works and Public Safety Committee, and the Harbor CRA Advisory Committee. These 3 advisory committees jointly met at a public meeting held on October 23, 2025, which meeting was also attended by the Mr. Bradley Touchstone (bridge design architect who provided certain expertise as a volunteer, at no charge to the City), as well as the City Manager, the City Attorney and multiple City Staff. The committee members in attendance reached consensus that each of the three City advisory committees (the Harbor and Waterways Board, Harbor CRA Advisory Committee, and Public Works/Public Safety Committee) would select two members to represent them on a future convened “bridge committee”. It is further recommended that Mr. Bradley Touchstone would also participate as a non-member advisor to the committee, to provide expertise on bridge design. Proposed Resolution 25-23 would formally establish such East Pass Bridge Committee to exist as an ad hoc Sunshine Law committee between November 4, 2025 and February 28, 2026 (unless extended by Council). | attachments=1 | reports=1

During the Regular City Council meeting held on October 20, 2025: Councilmember Schmidt inquired about the Lee property on Indian Trail, where it was clarified that the Parks Foundation could not secure the property as a donation and that the owner’s asking price was approximately $345,000. It was also noted that portions of the property are unbuildable due to existing easements and stormwater drainage designations. The City Manager was asked to reach out to the property owner. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The City Council holds a visioning session annually to set their priorities. | reports=1

On March 7, 2022, the City adopted a new Investment Policy under Resolution 22-05. Attached for your review is the current quarterly investment report as per Resolution 22-05. Raymond James has also provided their quarterly investment report as an attachment. | attachments=2 | reports=1

The Public Works/Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Attached are the draft minutes of that meeting. | attachments=1 | reports=1

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7/21/2025 : Councilmember Bagby moved to allow city employees the option to transition from the current thrift savings plan into the Florida Retirement System (FRS) beginning FY26, starting October 1, 2025; seconded by Councilmember Trammell. Motion passed 6-0 (Clouncilmember Schmidt was absent from the meeting). 8/18/2025 : In order to proceed with allowing City Employees the option to join Social Security and FRS, staff initiated the FRS join process which requires implementation via ordinance. Staff presented first reading of proposed Ordinance 25-19-CC - Amending Chapter 2 - Administration of the Code of Ordinances relating to city membership in the Florida Retirement System (FRS); providing for membership in FRS for the benefit of City of Destin employees. Councilmember Bagby moved to approve Ordinance 25-19-CC on first reading, seconded by Councilmember Trammell. The motion failed 2-3 (Council members Bagby and Trammell voted “yes”; Council members Schmidt, Hebert, and Geile voted “no”; Council members Braden and Destin were absent). 9/4/2025 : Councilmember Destin made a motion that employees be given authority to vote on whether they would like the Florida Retirement System (FRS) to be offered as an option for their retirement, thus allowing staff to make an informed choice rather than speculating about their preferences. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Trammell and passed 4-3 (Council members Destin, Bagby, Braden, and Trammell voted “yes”; Council member Geile, Hebert, and Schmidt voted “no”). 10/6/2025: Staff presented survey results to Council. Motion by Councilmember Braden, seconded by Councilmember Destin, to place on the next city council meeting agenda a “Motion to Rescind” the council’s previous action regarding Ordinance 25-19-CC, which authorizes the city to join the Florida Retirement System (FRS). The motion passed 6–1, with Councilmember Schmidt dissenting. 10/20/2025: Motion by Councilmember Braden, seconded by Councilmember Trammell, to rescind the council’s previous action regarding Ordinance 25-19-CC – Amending Chapter 2: Administration, of the Code of Ordinances relating to city membership in the Florida Retirement System, providing for membership in the Florida Retirement System for the benefit of city employees – passed 4-1, with Councilmember Schmidt dissenting. | attachments=1 | reports=1