September 3, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting (2025-09-03)

REGULAR MEETING DESTIN CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3,2025 ANNEX COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The Council of the City of Destin met in regular session with the following members and staff present:

Destin City Council

Mayor Bobby Wagner

| Mayor Bobby Wagner | Councilmember Torey Geile | | --- | --- | | Councilmember Kevin Schmidt | Councilmember Dewey Destin | | Councilmember Teresa Hebert | Councilmember Jim Bagby | | Councilmember Sandy Trammell | Councilmember Rodney Braden |

Councilmember Torey Geile

Councilmember Kevin Schmidt

Councilmember Dewey Destin

Councilmember Jim Bagby

Councilmember Rodney Braden

Destin City Staff

| City Manager Larry Jones | City Clerk Rey Bailey | | --- | --- | | IT Director Andy Peters | Public Works Director Michael Burgess | | HR Director Jaime Haynes | Public Information Director Tamara Young | | Finance Director Krystal Strickland | City Engineer Robert Tomasek | | Projects/Grants/Contract Manager Jeffrey Cozadd | Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Firth | | Community Development Director David Prichard | City Attorney Kimberly Kopp |

CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Bobby Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Pastor Steve Farris of the First Baptist Church of Destin gave the invocation, which was then followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA APPROVAL

2. PUBLIC COMMENTS

3. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS / SPECIAL / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Moved agenda item 6C(1)-FRS Discussion up following approval of the Consent Agenda.

- Added Adelyn Merrell, a resident applicant for the Destin Youth Council, to the list of current applicants to be considered for appointment by the city council.

Eli Burroughs, a City of Destin employee, spoke regarding retirement and Social Security participation. He expressed concern that the City of Destin does not currently participate in Social Security, meaning that neither the city nor its employees contribute the standard 6.2% payroll tax.

* * *

He stated that many employees would prefer the option of participating either in the Thrift Savings Plan or in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), and noted that nearby municipalities such as Crestview, Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach all participate in Social Security. He emphasized that adding Social Security, in addition to retirement contributions, would provide greater security improve employee retention, and help attract new staff. He also highlighted that some employees may not be aware that if they do not contribute an additional 5% to the retirement plan, they are not receiving benefits comparable to Social Security contributions. He concluded by recommending that the city consider participation in both Social Security and FRS to provide stronger retirement options for employees.

Zoe Aslin, a junior at Destin High School, addressed the council regarding her interest in serving on the Destin Youth Council. She shared that she has lived in Destin for three and a half years and resides in Regatta Bay. She described her extensive involvement in leadership roles at school, including serving as President of Future Business Leaders of America, Captain of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Secretary of the National Honor Society, and Secretary of her junior class for two years. She also participates in school sports, playing both indoor and beach volleyball. In addition to her academics and extracurriculars, she works at Bruster's Ice Cream and Dress Up in Destin, and has recently secured an internship with HomeFi Mortgage Company. She explained that she wants to join the Youth Council to give back to the Destin community, which she described as welcoming and supportive, and she expressed excitement about the ideas and plans she hopes to bring forward if selected.

3. CONSENT AGENDA

A. RFB 25-04-REC, Batting Cage at MSC

B. Grant Agreement DEP L0182 - Destin Mattie Kelly Outfall Project

C. Property Insurance Renewals

D. Reimbursement to Mayor Wagner for expenses associated with attending the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, held August 13-17,2025

E. Reimbursement to Councilmember Trammell for expenses associated with attending the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, held August 13-16,2025

F. Approval of minutes of August 4,2025, Regular City Council Meeting

The discussion began with the City Manager explaining that council had previously directed staff to negotiate lease terms with the Destin Little League regarding Dalton Threadgill Park. The negotiations were successful, but one provision came back different from council's direction: during the off-season, the league wanted exclusive use with the city having only priority access upon request, rather than the city retaining control and granting the league priority. The City Attorney clarified that the version in the agenda reflected the league's language, which differed from council's earlier motion.

Motion by Councilmember Hebert, seconded by Councilmember Bagby, to approve the Consent Agenda as printed above passed 7-0.

4. CITY MANAGER REPORTS

Next item discussed was agenda item 6C(1) - FRS Discussion

* * *

Councilmember Geile moved to approve the lease with the Destin Little League as presented in the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Trammell.

Councilmember Destin expressed concern, stating he did not support giving up city control of the facility outside the playing season, and offered a substitute motion restoring the original council language - city retains control, but the league has priority use in the off-season. Councilmember Hebert questioned why it mattered, suggesting the arrangement would just require coordination. The City Manager explained that in practice, cooperation would continue, but the key difference was legal control - whether the city had to request use or not.

Councilmember Destin offered a substitute motion to return to the original intent, under which the city would maintain control of the facility during the off-season, and would not have to seek permission to use its own facility while still giving the Little League priority use when needed. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Trammell.

Mr. Matthew Dalmon, treasurer of the Destin Little League Board, spoke in support of the league's position. He emphasized that baseball has become year-round, with heavy demand for clinics and fall programs, and argued the league should not have to request permission for every activity. He referenced past issues with locked facilities and stressed the league's investment and presence at the park, noting this ensured better oversight and maintenance. He reiterated the league was not trying to exclude the city but wanted to avoid delays and red tape.

Councilmember Bagby focused on liability, stating that as the property owner the city would always be the first named in lawsuits. He favored retaining city control to protect taxpayers and ensure responsibility.