Sheri Bethea

The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items included the presentation of the 2025 Christmas Parade winners and the 41st annual Destin Christmas Parade awards sponsored by various local entities. The Destin City Youth Council presented their primary initiative for the term: the Youth Labor Rights Project, an educational initiative focused on job readiness, safe employer recognition, and clarifying child labor requirements. Council approved this work plan. During public comments, a resident raised concerns regarding ongoing flooding issues on Snapper Drive that have persisted for four years and requested funding allocation for repairs, noting that neighboring streets have received drainage improvements. Another resident discussed ongoing sidewalk and street damage in the Live Oak AT&T area, possibly due to utility work, and expressed concerns about new hotel construction near the bridge regarding height restrictions and parking capacity.

The meeting commenced with the conclusion of an executive session pertaining to litigation, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Agenda approval was unanimously passed. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to announcing the winners of the best holiday decorations contest for homes, organizations, and businesses, including a discussion with one recipient about her motivation for decorating year-round. The council then transitioned into a presentation on the Parks and Recreation System Master Plan, detailing findings from phases one and two (context analysis and needs/priorities assessment), which involved extensive public engagement. Key findings highlighted the need to modernize the system, integrate physical and programmatic elements, and optimize resource allocation, noting the city's growing seasonal population and predominantly adult demographic. Discussions covered priorities for capital improvements, maintenance of existing facilities (which scored poorly in condition assessments), and operational needs, including increasing maintenance staff. Specific high-priority facilities identified included beach access, natural areas, and paved multi-purpose trails.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and agenda approval. Public comments focused heavily on issues within the Holiday Isle area, including concerns over live-aboard vessels, wastewater disposal, a recently sunken vessel, a precarious vendor boat, unpermitted construction requiring more inspections, and approximately 20 non-registered short-term rentals not paying taxes. Residents also raised safety concerns regarding traffic congestion near Noriega Park blocking emergency vehicle access. The council approved the consent agenda. In financial matters, the council moved to set the tentative millage rate for FY2023 at 1.615 mills (12.22 percent higher than the rollback rate) and set two public hearing dates for budget adoption (September 8th and September 19th). Finally, the council approved directing staff to negotiate with Matrix Design Group for capital project management services.

The resolution discusses the approval of prepayment of principal and the execution by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Destin, Florida, of an amended Harbor Community Redevelopment Area Phase I Revenue Note, Series 2009. It includes authorizing the prepayment of a portion of the 2009 Note and the reamortization of the remaining amount, intended to accommodate the reduction in Increment Revenues due to devaluation of assessed property values. The resolution also covers the reissuance and exchange of the Amended 2009 Note for the 2009 Note and authorizes city officials to execute necessary documents.

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Destin issued an officers' certificate related to the execution and delivery of the Second Replacement Series 2009 Note. The certificate confirms the authorization and approval of the note, compliance with agreements, and the absence of breaches or defaults. It also addresses the collection and appropriation of pledged funds, the validity of the note, and the absence of pending litigation.