June 1, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda Packet

June 1, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting · 2026-06-01 · agenda_packet

[case ITEM # 2026-824] Destin City Council meeting on June 1, 2026, included approval of a 36-month lease for a Canon imagePROGRAF TZ-32000 MFP Z36 wide-format scanner/printer system from DEX Imaging for the Community Development and Engineering Departments. The lease cost is $470.37 per month, totaling $16,933.32 over 36 months, with an additional service contract at $240.91 per month. The purpose is to digitize paper records, including engineering drawings and plans, replacing obsolete equipment. The City Council also approved a budget amendment for FY 2026 to cover the lease initiation and initial payments. The meeting also addressed the 4th of July fireworks, including options for a drone show, and discussed various city reports and public comments. [case 2025-CA-0694] Destin City Council met on May 18, 2026, for an executive session regarding litigation. The council authorized a settlement offer of $17,500 in the case of Chandler, Lennox v. City of Destin, 2025-CA-0694. In a separate executive session, the council authorized a settlement offer up to $100,000 in the case of Centeno Daisy, v. Key Destin Owner LLC, McNeil Hotel Company LLC, and City of Destin, 2025-CA-0694. [624 Legion Ct. to 612 Legion Dr.; case Resolution 26-12, Ordinance 26-06-LC, Ordinances 26-16-LC, 26-17-CC, 26-18-PC, Ordinance 25-13-PC] Destin City Council meeting on May 18, 2026, included approval of the agenda, proclamations, public comments, consent agenda, city manager reports, and public hearings. Key decisions included approving the resurfacing and striping of 18 streets and directing staff to explore options for a sound barrier, guardrail, or concrete barrier along Crosstown Connector between 624 Legion Ct. to 612 Legion Dr. The council also approved Resolution 26-12 for Tow Truck Fees. Public comments included concerns about a new road construction impacting a resident's property, accountability in government, state-acquired land on Holiday Isle, drainage issues on Indian Trail, and proposed towing fee increases. The council approved the first reading of Ordinance 26-06-LC regarding resource conservation and sustainability, and the first reading of Ordinances 26-16-LC, 26-17-CC, and 26-18-PC amending the definition of 'beach'. The second reading of Ordinance 25-13-PC, making transportation-related amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, was also approved. [case ITEM # 2026-847, Resolution 26-08] Destin City Council meeting on June 1, 2026, discussed options for the 4th of July celebration. Option 1 involves a $50,000 drone show. Option 2 is a $39,000 fireworks display plus a $9,000 shorebird permit. Option 3 is a $10,000 drone show added to the fireworks. The FY 2026 budget included $40,000 for fireworks and $9,000 for the permit. The council was recommended to approve Option 1. The meeting also included a contract extension for Pyro Shows, Inc. for the July 4th, 2026 fireworks display at a total cost of $39,100. Cosmic Drone Light Shows, owned by Alex Ou, proposed a 200-drone light show for the City's July 4th "America 250" celebration. The show would be approximately 12 minutes long and feature patriotic animations. The company has FAA approval and plans to coordinate with Eglin Air Control. The typical market price for such a show is $60,000-$80,000, but Ou offered a special rate of $50,000 if it replaces fireworks, or $20,000 if presented with fireworks (with $10,000 sponsored). [Holiday Isle, adjacent to Norriego Point Park; case ITEM # 2026-848] The City of Destin is seeking to manage state-acquired land adjacent to Norriego Point Park. The 3.99-acre parcel is intended for conservation. The City Council passed Resolution 2026-05, committing up to $5 million for stewardship and improvements, and requested to be the lessee and managing entity. A county-wide survey indicated strong resident preference for natural or minimal amenities and opposition to commercial marina use. The current land use entitlements prohibit nonresidential uses, and the existing development order for docks prohibits nonresidential use. The City recommends a Conservation Future Land Use and Zoning designation, consistent with adjacent Norriego Point Park. There is an ongoing dispute between the City and County regarding management and regulatory authority, with the County seeking a legal opinion from the State Attorney General without City input, which the City opposes. Audubon Florida and FWC are involved in shorebird protection efforts on the site. [case ITEM # 2026-835] Accurate Drilling Systems (ADS) is requesting a 115-calendar-day extension for the Phase 1 Utility Underground Conversion Project, pushing the substantial completion date from May 18, 2026, to September 10, 2026. The delay is primarily due to impacts from FPL's Express Feeder expansion efforts and related betterment activities, which are outside ADS's control and have affected the sequencing of remaining feeder wire installation and switching activities. The contract has liquidated damages of $1,500 per day. The project is substantially complete except for feeder wire installation and switching. The extension will have no effect on the budget. Accurate Drilling Systems, Inc. (ADS) requested a 115-day contract time extension for the Phase 1 Utility Underground Conversion Project in Destin, Florida. The original contract duration was 560 days, with a substantial completion date of May 18, 2026. ADS requested the substantial completion date be extended to September 10, 2026. The extension is due to delays outside of ADS's control, specifically related to the FPL Express Feeder project, utility coordination, and utility-furnished materials, which have impacted the remaining feeder wire installation and switching activities. The project is substantially complete, with only feeder wire installation and switching remaining. Utility Consultants of Florida recommended approval of the extension. A contract change order was issued on May 19, 2026, reflecting a $0.00 net change in contract price and extending the completion date to September 10, 2026. The document also includes unrelated information regarding property tax reform updates and minutes from the Destin Harbor and Waterways Board meeting. [21 Pine Ridge Trace; case PZ 2026-57] The Board of Adjustment approved a variance request for 21 Pine Ridge Trace to reduce the required 20-foot front setback along Trail Court to 13 feet. The property is a 0.16-acre corner lot in the MDR-V zoning district. The applicant, Craig Shultz, sought the variance to allow for an addition to his home to accommodate his growing family. The subdivision was originally designed for townhomes with 5-foot setbacks. The city had vacated a 30-foot environmental preservation area west of the property and granted additional land to the applicant's lot via a vacation of right-of-way. Staff recommended denial, but the Board approved the variance 4-2. Board members Osborne and Haynes dissented, raising concerns about precedent and potential impacts on neighboring property values. [Gulf Shore Drive, Airport Road, Misty Way, North Lakeside Drive, Driftwood Lane, Driftwood Court, Park Court, Flamingo Drive, Spring Lake Drive, Elyse Lane, Kent Lane] The Public Works/Public Safety Committee recommended approval to engage continuing services contractors to resurface and stripe several roadways for the Fiscal Year 2026 paving program. Projects include Gulf Shore Drive (Sandpiper Cove to first cul-de-sac), Airport Road (eastern section from Airport Curve to US Highway 98), Misty Way, North Lakeside Drive, Driftwood Lane, Driftwood Court, Park Court, Flamingo Drive, Spring Lake Drive and associated cul-de-sacs, Elyse Lane, and Kent Lane. The total projected budget impact is approximately $3.1 million, with about $3.4 million remaining in the paving budget for FY 2026. Paving for Gulf Shore Drive and Airport Road is scheduled to begin after August or September due to seasonal traffic concerns. Full-depth roadway reclamation and repairs are not included in the resurfacing contract amount and will be funded by additional available funds. Public comment was received regarding drainage concerns along Indian Trail and questions about airport drainage plans, which were clarified as not typically coming before this committee. [case Ordinance 26-06-LC] The City Council is considering Ordinance 26-06-LC for second reading, which renumbers the existing Article 11 of the Land Development Code (LDC) to Article 7, renaming it 'Resource Conservation, Protection, Resiliency, and Sustainability'. This ordinance incorporates existing sections related to archeological and historic resources, marine turtle conservation zone outdoor lighting, and small-scale alternative energy generation into the new Article 7. The ordinance aims to protect Destin's environment and natural resources while balancing property rights, focusing on coastal protection, flood mitigation, wetland protection, and enhancing quality of life. A key change involves the Net Positive Environmental Benefit (NPEB) fee structure for marina slips, with proposals ranging from $50-$100 annually per slip for non-homesteaded residential and commercial slips, or $250 per year for commercial slips, or a sliding scale for commercial slips. The ordinance is set to become effective October 1, 2026, if adopted and signed by the Mayor before that date. [4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin, Florida 32541] This document outlines various regulations for resource conservation, protection, resiliency, and sustainability within the City of Destin, Florida. It details requirements for Bay Shoreline Protection Zones, Gulf Shoreline Protection Zones, White Sand Protection Zones, Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), Significant Environments and Wildlife Protection, and Natural Groundwater Aquifer protection. It also establishes regulations for Flood Plain Management, including permit requirements, site plan submissions, and construction standards. Specific sections address flood-resistant development, marina siting, archaeological and historical resource protection, illicit discharge detection and elimination, and alternative energy development. The document serves as a guide for development and construction within the city, emphasizing environmental protection and flood mitigation. This document is a section of the City of Destin, FL's Resource Conservation, Protection, Resiliency, and Sustainability regulations, specifically Article 7. It details requirements for floodplain development, including inspections, variances, appeals, violations, and flood-resistant development standards for subdivisions, site improvements, utilities, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, tanks, and other development. It also outlines regulations for marina siting and protection of archaeological and historical resources, as well as illicit discharge detection and elimination. The document specifies engineering analysis requirements, submission procedures to FEMA, and compliance with the Florida Building Code. It does not contain information on specific development projects, applicants, case numbers, or decisions. [case Ordinance 26-12-LC] Proposed Ordinance 26-12-LC aims to allow indoor recreation establishments as a permitted use in the Industrial Zoning District, establishing specific parking requirements. The proposal includes two parking spaces per batting cage and one parking space per 500 square feet of gross floor area not associated with batting cages. Concerns were raised about the broad NAICS code (713990) potentially encompassing inappropriate uses. The Local Planning Agency (LPA) recommended approval to the City Council with modifications: making the use a conditional use, creating a new line item for 'indoor sports establishments' with a specific definition, and clarifying that leisure activities do not include sports betting. The applicant, Brendan McMahon of 4522 Old Plantation Place, inquired about the impact of changing the use from permitted to conditional. The LPA ultimately recommended approval with modifications to create a separate line item, add a glossary definition, keep the use as permitted, and clarify that leisure activities do not include sports betting. [Destin Harbor (waterward of the mean high-water line); case Ordinance 25-24-LC / 26-06-LC] Proposed Ordinance 25-24-LC (later referred to as 26-06-LC) involves a rewrite of Article 7 of the Land Development Code, consolidating and restructuring existing environmental regulations. Key areas covered include shoreline protection zones, marine siting, archaeological/historical resource protection, illicit discharge monitoring, alternative energy development, and Net Positive Environmental Benefit (NPEB) fee provisions. A significant discussion point was the method for calculating the NPEB fee for marine construction in the harbor. The current 25% of construction cost model was deemed insufficient to cover harbor maintenance costs. The LPA recommended a revised fee structure: $50 per residential slip annually, $100 per non-residential/commercial slip annually, with a 100% homestead exemption and a prior-payment exemption schedule for those who recently paid NPEB fees. The revised language is to be brought back to the LPA for review before proceeding to City Council. The document also addresses floodplain management and the removal of beach box language. [case Ord. 26-06-LC] This document details discussions and recommendations regarding the Net Positive Environmental Benefit (NPEB) fee structure for dock and marina projects in the city's harbor. The primary focus is on shifting from a fee based on construction costs to a fee based on the number of slips. The Local Planning Agency (LPA) proposed an annual fee of $100 per non-residential slip and $50 per residential slip, with homesteaded slips exempt. This model is projected to generate more stable and predictable revenue compared to the current 25% fee on construction costs. Council members debated various aspects, including potential environmental incentives, fee variations for different vessel types, and the need for legal review. The document also touches upon the definition of 'beach' for regulatory purposes and the implementation of Comprehensive Plan Policy 6-1.11.3 concerning scenic views in waterfront development. The council requested a five-year financial analysis comparing revenue under both fee structures and further consideration of environmental impact factors. Marine contractors are noted as being impacted in a limited, positive capacity by the proposed changes to the NPEB fee collection methodology, as their costs would no longer directly affect the fee paid by property owners.