April 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting (2025-04-21)

REGULAR MEETING DESTIN CITY COUNCIL APRIL 21, 2025 CITY HALL ANNEX COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 PM The Council of the City of Destin met in regular session with the following members and staff present: Destin City Council Mayor Bobby Wagner Councilmember Torey Geile Councilmember Teresa Hebert Councilmember Sandy Trammell Councilmember Kevin Schmidt Councilmember Dewey Destin Councilmember Jim Bagby Councilmember Rodney Braden Destin City Staff City Manager Larry Jones Dep Comm Dev Director Steve O'Connor Principal Planner Daniel Butler Finance Director Krystal Strickland Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Firth Projects/Grants/Contract Manager Jeffrey Cozadd City Attorney Kimberly Kopp City Clerk Rey Bailey Comm Dev Director David Prichard Public Works Director Michael Burgess IT Director Andy Peters Building Official Noell Bell Planner Jesse Harnandez Public Information Director Tamara Young CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bobby Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Paster 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 Agenda items 4A and 4C were moved to the top of the agenda. Motion by Councilmember Hebert, seconded by Councilmember Trammell to approve the agenda, as amended, passed 7-0. First item discussed was agenda item 4A 1. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS / SPECIAL / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. HarborWalk Village Phase II Compliance Review Q & A Attorney Dana Matthews, representing Legendary Inc. and Harborwalk, provided a historical overview of the Harborwalk Development Orders ( DOs), explaining their phased approval starting in 2003 with DO02-55,and subsequent amendments: DO02-55 (2003) approved 170 condominium units and 199,999 square feet of commercial space. DO04-13 (2004)added 122 residential units, including a second tower not to exceed 157 feet, and increased required parking to 1,587 spaces. DO10-02 (2009)established Phase 2, approving 90 multifamily units, 382,090 square feet of non-residential space, 251 motel units, and 25,000 square feet of retail. This phase was approved under the Tier 2 category and set a maximum height of 100 feet or nine stories. Attorney Matthews stressed that final architectural plans are conceptual and must meet staff -level review for height, density, intensity, traffic, and stormwater compliance. He also noted a new parking garage is part of Phase 2 and will provide approximately 500 additional public parking spaces, beyond what's required for the development. The City Attorney clarified the reason for the workshop: while the applicant believed construction permitting could begin, staff informed them that a development order amendment would be needed due to changes since the last DO approval. The workshop was scheduled as a preliminary Q&A session to inform the council, considering the significant community impact and the age of the original approvals. Councilmember Braden expressed skepticism and frustration regarding prior development order amendments. He questioned why Legendary was requesting council involvement now when historically, amendments were handled at staff level. He alleged that previous approvals lacked transparency, suggesting staff, including a former City Manager, Community Development Director, and City Attorney bypassed council authority. He contended that Amendment 3, which allowed additional floors, was pushed through under the pretense of minor changes and lacked proper council oversight. Attorney Matthews defended the process, stating Amendment 3 ( DO10-02)was approved by the city council after multiple technical review committee meetings, planning commission reviews, and public hearings. He acknowledged Councilmember Braden's concerns but emphasized that everything had followed due process, and previous amendments were documented and reviewed by city staff. He also reiterated that all updates were within the bounds of the approved development envelope and that no changes to density, intensity, or height would exceed what had already been vested. Attorney Matthews also mentioned that parking was reverified in 2015 through a joint effort between the City and Legendary. A follow-up verification occurred in 2018, supported by Page 2 of 13

a new DO ( DO18-13).He added that while 34 motel units approved at the time had not yet been built, a permit had recently been pulled to construct 24-26 of them. Councilmember Geile raised concerns about Emerald Grande employees parking in public lots, noting that parking fee increases had triggered complaints. He questioned whether the new garage would accommodate all staff. Attorney Matthews said there would be parking spaces for employees but did not commit to specific numbers, stating details would be determined during final design. He agreed to follow up and provide more information. Councilmember Geile also asked for a detailed breakdown of parking allocations per kiosk and use, which Attorney Matthews directed him to in DO18-13,showing how each vendor, kiosk, and vessel type was assigned parking based on use. Councilmember Bagby emphasized that this meeting was merely an update, not an approval session. He reiterated that all development orders and amendments were lawfully approved by previous councils and that Attorney Matthews was providing historical context for newer members. Councilmember Bagby supported the turn lane installation as a high priority and referenced the city's plans to install a pedestrian tunnel under Highway 98, noting the importance of separating vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Councilmember Destin echoed the sentiment that the Harbor intersection is the worst in the city, caused in large part by the Harborwalk development. He noted pedestrians crossing from north -side parking lots to Harborwalk add to congestion and that these visitors are primarily Harborwalk's customers. He insisted on improvements, particularly emphasizing the necessity of the right -turn lane from the bridge onto the property. He supported a public -private partnership to implement traffic and pedestrian solutions like the underpass, encouraging Legendary to share in the responsibility and cost. Councilmember Schmidt questioned whether the 2015 parking verification still reflected reality and welcomed Attorney Matthews' offer to conduct an updated parking study. He also inquired about allowing Destin residents with decals to park for free in the future public garage as an added public benefit. Attorney Matthews acknowledged the suggestion and said he would take it back to the client team for consideration. The mayor emphasized the significant reduction in parking requirements due to shared parking and internal trip calculations in the 2009 DO. He pointed out that while the proposed 500 new public parking spaces were appreciated, they only partly offset the original parking waivers. He signaled that future cooperation — such as easements for the pedestrian underpass or overpass — would be expected as part of the public benefit owed in light of past waivers and the scale of development. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Page 3 of 13

3. CONSENT AGENDA A) Temporary Waiver of Parking Fees for Destin High School Senior Day — Marler Street Parking Lot B) Holiday Isle, Residential Section No. 7 Replat - Final Plat Approval SUB -001401-2024 C) Reimbursement to Mayor Bobby Wagner for expenses incurred while attending the Florida League of Mayors events and the Florida League of Cities 2025 Legislative Action Days, Held March 24-26,2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. D) Approval of minutes of March 17, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Motion by Councilmember Hebert, seconded by Councilmember Trammell, to approve Consent Agenda items 3A through 3D,as presented above, passed 7-0. 4. CITY MANAGER REPORTS A) Crosstown Connector EIR Acceptance and Project Update —AtkinsRealis The City Manager provided an update on the Crosstown Connector project, highlighting the recent completion of the Environmental Impact Reevaluation ( EIR) report by consulting engineers AtkinsRealis. He noted the Department of Transportation approved phasing the project, which allows for earlier procurement of the stormwater component. This step is critical to preserving a $ 2 million DOT grant and retaining accrued interest on invested loan proceeds, as required by IRS regulations. The city will soon be ready to advertise bid documents for the stormwater phase, potentially by the end of the week, and may seek council approval at the next meeting or proceed immediately to meet time -sensitive financial and construction cost considerations. A second request involves approval of a Request for Qualifications ( RFQ) for the Construction Inspection CI)portion due to the project's scale. Mr. Matt Taylor reviewed the EIR reevaluation, which was necessary due to design changes and regulatory updates since the original report. The final document concludes that there are no new significant environmental impacts, and the project remains compliant with environmental laws. It outlines commitments for pre -construction wildlife surveys and coordination with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service regarding several species. Mr. Taylor also detailed the proposed construction phasing: Phase 1: Construction of stormwater infrastructure ( underground chambers and inflow pipes), estimated to take 4-6 months. Phase 2: Remainder of the roadway project, expected to take 16-18 months. This approach allows the city to start using available funds now and avoid financial penalties while aligning with FDOT funding availability later in the year. Councilmember Trammell moved to approve the advertisement for the RFP for the Crosstown Connector Phase 1 Project, and the RFQ for the Construction Engineering and Page 4 of 13

Inspection Services for the Crosstown Connector Project subject to review and approval by the City Manager and the city's legal counsel. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Hebert and passed 7-0. Motion by Councilmember Hebert, seconded by Councilmember Trammell, to accept the updated Environmental Impact Report for the Crosstown Connector Project passed 7-0. Next item discussed was agenda item 4C B) Morgan Sports Center — A Minor Deviation to a Major Development Order ( DEV- 001549-2025) The City Manager presented the item requesting approval for a minor deviation to a major development order related to the Morgan Sports Center. This request encompasses improvements including the batting cage, restrooms, and maintenance facility. Approval of this item would enable immediate procurement actions for the batting cages. Councilmember Schmidt inquired about the timeline following approval. The City Manager responded that the bidding process for the batting cages had already been approved, and the bid solicitation would be released in two days. Additionally, the project will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Committee the following evening for informational purposes. The City Manager also noted that they are exploring in-house construction options to potentially save time and money. The bidding process is expected to remain open for approximately 30 days. Councilmember Hebert moved for the approval of Morgan Sports Center Upgrades, a Minor Deviation to a Major Development Order; seconded by Councilmember Trammell. Motion passed 7-0. C) Shores at Crystal Beach Park: Concept Review The City Manager presented updates on the Shores at Crystal Beach project, noting collaboration with the county and the need for a minor variance. The requested variance involves reducing a 10 -foot setback to 6 feet in the northwest corner of the western component to meet the required 20 -foot fire code width for emergency vehicle access. Additionally, the eastern parking lot was designed specifically for low -speed vehicles ( LSVs), but since the city's code does not currently address LSV parking, staff would need to draft new language to include it.The county confirmed that traditional vehicle parking could be used instead if preferred. Sidewalk alignment adjustments were also proposed to bring the walkways closer to the parking areas and away from the highway for improved safety. Councilmember Schmidt proposed making the western parking lot a one-way entrance to improve traffic flow, allowing vehicles to loop through and exit on the other end, thereby directing overflow traffic to other beach access points. Councilmember Bagby disagreed with changing the flow to avoid eliminating the " infinity loop" design, which allows continuous circulation within the parking lot until space opens up. Staff clarified that modifying the entrance and exit points would prevent looping by forcing vehicles to exit after one pass, which could reduce traffic congestion but limit access flexibility. Councilmembers debated the potential Page 5 of 13

traffic implications and agreed that keeping the current layout while enforcing a one-way traffic pattern might be more beneficial. Councilmember Schmidt moved to direct the county staff to revise the Shores at Crystal Beach plans to include: Proceed with a variance request submittal for the accessway setback Accept the throat distance as designed Align/reconstruct sidewalks as required by the code Adopt a standard for LSV parking spaces in a city -owned public parking lot, and Adjust traffic flow by establishing a one-way entry at the eastern entrance and exit at the western side of the western parking lot. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Hebert and passed 7-0. Next item discussed was agenda item 1: Harborwalk Village Phase II Compliance Review Q & A. D) Destin Fire District - Beach Safety Contract 2025 The City Manager explained that this item pertains to the 2025 contract with the Destin Fire District for beach safety services. He noted that the associated amount of $282,175 had already been anticipated and approved during the budget process. This agenda item simply formalizes prior approval by entering into a formal contract with the Fire District. Councilmember Hebert moved to authorize the mayor to execute the Interlocal Agreement between the Destin Fire Control District and the City of Destin to provide Beach Safety and Lifeguard Services on the City of Destin beaches for FY2025. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Schmidt and passed 7-0. E) Beach Patrol Plan Post Spring Break Update The City Manager provided an update outlining enforcement activity related to spring break, particularly focused on beach code enforcement. He noted the appointment of a dedicated beach code officer who has been highly active and professional despite facing verbal abuse. Since implementation, enforcement efforts included one warning for a commercial beach event a wedding),six warnings for soliciting or vending (mostly ice cream vendors), and two citations for vending. Several other complaints were investigated but could not be cited due to lack of direct observation. Additional warnings were issued for improper use of beach chairs, animals on the beach, and general beach behavior. One boat operator was cited for misusing transit slips for commercial purposes, and one ice cream vendor was trespassed from June White Decker Park. Councilmember Bagby requested a separate report detailing parking violations during spring break. It was reported that from January 1st to the meeting date, there were 142 citations and 202 warnings for parking violations issued via the Passport system. Page 6 of 13

Councilmember Schmidt questioned the rationale behind prioritizing enforcement against beach vendors, particularly ice cream sellers. Staff clarified that council direction and litigation threats prompted the effort. Councilmember Schmidt probed whether allowing regulated beach vending might reduce enforcement burdens and suggested that current efforts might be excessive given limited staffing. Councilmember Geile inquired extensively about the manpower within the Code Compliance department. The Deputy Director of Community Development responded that the department currently has five code officers ( soon to drop to four),down from eight the previous year. One officer is dedicated to short-term rental registrations and does not patrol. The city has reorganized the department by creating new supervisory roles and restructuring leadership. While several applications had been received, hiring was ongoing. When asked about the most time-consuming tasks, staff indicated that beach enforcement currently occupies the most hours due to dedicated staffing. Councilmember Geile asked if allowing beach vending might reduce the burden and explored the feasibility of redistributing budgeted funds to improve pay, but staff noted broader evaluation would be needed to adjust compensation equitably. Councilmember Trammell echoed concerns about staffing challenges, emphasizing that Destin's Code Compliance officers are paid significantly less than those in other Okaloosa County municipalities, despite handling a higher volume of issues. She advocated for a serious review of salaries, citing the professionalism and commitment of officers who currently earn near -minimum wages. The meeting closed with additional supportive comments from Councilmember Bagby, who suggested reviewing recent statutory changes related to trash enforcement, particularly those affecting timing of trash container placement. He also praised the efforts of the Code Compliance team and the Sheriffs Office during spring break, noting improved conditions in his neighborhood and fewer issues compared to previous years. F) Henderson Beach State Park - Findings Regarding Dogs on the Beach The City Manager updated the council on outreach to Henderson Beach State Park regarding the possibility of allowing dogs on the beach. The park management firmly stated that only service animals are permitted, with no exceptions for campers or local residents. They also emphasized that there is no agency -level interest in providing local privileges, as state park beaches prohibit dogs universally. Councilmember Hebert brought up a previously discussed idea: allowing dogs on the beach for just two early morning hours, from 6:00 to 8:00 AM daily, specifically for Okaloosa County residents. She suggested this limited window might accommodate responsible dog owners without significantly impacting beach operations. Councilmember Geile responded by expressing opposition to the idea. He cited concerns about the additional burden on code enforcement, who would now have to monitor those specific hours. He also noted personal discomfort with the idea of dogs on the beach due to the risk of uncollected pet waste, and the potential negative impact on public use. Page7of 13

G) Kimley-Horn Proposal - SS4A Grant Opportunity - Pedestrian Underpass near Stahlman Intersection The City Manager discussed a proposal from Kimley-Horn to pursue funding for a pedestrian underpass at the Stahlman intersection, leveraging both federal and local resources. A recent meeting with the Interim Public Works Director for the county revealed that $ 3 million ( or more) in surtax dollars are potentially available to support this project. Kimley-Horn,already an approved continuing service provider for the city, indicated that the project would be a strong candidate for the federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A)grant. He added that the city's lobbyist has a proven track record of securing over $30 million in similar funding in the past year. To proceed, Kimley-Horn submitted a $ 38,000 proposal to develop and submit the SS4A grant application. Given the June 26 deadline and the need for coordination with the county, the City Manager urged swift council approval to engage Kimley-Horn and keep the project on track. Councihnember Destin moved for approval of the proposal from Kimley-Horn to prepare and submit an SS4A application for the pedestrian underpass near Stahlman intersection; seconded by Councihnember Trammell. Motion passed 7-0. H) SRS Master Plan Workshop - Potential Dates It was the consensus of the council to schedule the SRS Master Plan Workshop on Monday, June 9,2025, at 5:30 PM. I) Purchasing Resolution 22-10 Update The City Manager reported that following the council's previous approval of an amendment to Purchasing Resolution 22-10,two required contingencies were addressed: language was added clarifying the appeal process for suspensions or revocations of vending rights, and a typographical correction was made to adjust a monetary threshold from $ 5 to $ 5,000. These corrected amendments have been provided to the council for review. J) Update regarding Westbound Right -Turn Lane from Highway 98 to Airport Road — Lane Delineator Installation Status The City Manager reported that following a request to contact FDOT regarding lane delineators at the intersection of Airport Road and Highway 98, FDOT confirmed they would visit on May 8th. During their visit,FDOT will discuss the city's preferences and assess possible options for improving the intersection. Additionally, FDOT indicated they would also evaluate the intersection near Lowe's and Whole Foods during the same visit and subsequently provide a report to the city. K) Draft Minutes of Standing Committees and Boards - Informational Only L) Announcements: 1. Boat Slip Cameras at Captain Royal Melon Park. Plans to install security cameras at boat slips are progressing. Necessary hardware, electrical needs, and internet setup have been identified. The estimated total cost is under Page 8 of 13

10,000,manageable within the city manager's authority. Funding anticipated from the code budget, and council involvement only if budget adjustments are required. 2. Live Oak Fiber Permit Revocation. Due to significant issues, including a severe incident causing over 24 -hour closure of eastbound Airport Road, all Live Oak Fiber permits have been revoked. Permits remain suspended until damages and associated costs to Destin Water Users and the city are compensated. Future permits will be issued individually, restricting work until each permit is satisfactorily completed. Councilmember Destin emphasized the city's Rights -of -Way Protection Act allows requiring performance bonds from companies working within city rights -of -way. Recommended enforcing the bond requirement, particularly in relation to Live Oak Fiber, ensuring financial protection against similar incidents. Councilmember Trammell suggested prohibiting boring and similar underground work on Fridays, aligning with other municipalities. This policy aims to prevent weekend disruptions and reduce overtime costs for repair crews if incidents occur late in the week. 3. Arbor Day Ceremony is scheduled on Friday, April 25th, at 10:00 a.m. at Kell -Aire Nature Walk with a tree planting event. 4. Founders Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at the Community Center. 5. Memorial Day Ceremony organized by the American Legion, is set for Monday, May 26th, at 11:00 a.m.at Destin Memorial Cemetery. 6. City offices is closed in observance of Memorial Day. 7. E -bike Safety Campaign: Developed informational flyers and infographics addressing e -bike safety in English and Spanish ( Portuguese version forthcoming). Distribution planned through the city website and directly to the 15 largest employers in Destin ( e.g.,Walmart, Big Kahunas, Target, Home Depot) for dissemination among employees. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A) Second Reading Ordinance 25 -01 - LC- Amending Article 20 " Building Regulations" of the Land Development Code relating to contractor insurance and contractor revocations. Removing Section 20.08.00 "Contractors" from the Land Development Code. The City Attorney read Ordinance 25 -01 - LC by title and then presented it to the council on second reading. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESTIN, FLORIDA; AMENDING ARTICLE 20 BUILDING REGULATIONS" OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE RELATING TO CONTRACTOR INSURANCE AND CONTRACTOR REVOCATIONS; REMOVING SECTION 20.08.00 "CONTRACTORS" FROM THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR A BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW; Page 9 of 13

PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE CITY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The mayor opened a public hearing to receive comments for or against the proposed ordinance. Having none, the mayor closed the public hearing and turned the matter over to the council for discussion and consideration. Motion by Councilmember Trammell, seconded by Councilmember Braden, to adopt Ordinance 25 -01 -LC, passed 7-0. B) Second Reading Ordinance 25 -02 -CC — Amending Chapter 13 of the Code of Ordinances License, Permits, and Miscellaneous" to address contractor insurance and contractor revocations. The City Attorney read Ordinance 25 - 02 -CC by title and then presented it to the council on second reading. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESTIN, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER 13 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES " LICENSES, PERMITS AND MISCELLANEOUS" TO ADDRESS CONTRACTOR INSURANCE AND CONTRACTOR REVOCATIONS; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR A BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The mayor opened a public hearing to receive comments for or against the proposed ordinance. Having none, the mayor closed the public hearing and turned the matter over to the council for discussion and consideration. Motion by Councilmember Trammell, seconded by Councilmember Braden, to adopt Ordinance 25 -02 -CC,passed 7-0. C) Second reading of Ordinance 25 -09 -LC - Amending Section 7.16.00 Alcoholic Beverage Dispensing of the Land Development Code; Creating an exception to the separation Requirement from churches for certain tax-exempt organizations that specifically benefit veterans of the U.S.Armed Forces. The City Attorney read Ordinance 25 -09 -LC by title and then presented it to the council on second reading. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESTIN, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 7.16.00 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE DISPENSING", OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; CREATING AN EXCEPTION TO THE SEPARATION REQUIREMENT FROM CHURCHES FOR CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SPECIFICALLY BENEFIT VETERANS OF THE U.S.ARMED FORCES; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Page 10 of 13

The mayor opened a public hearing to receive comments for or against the proposed ordinance. Having none, the mayor closed the public hearing and turned the matter over to the council for discussion and consideration. Motion by Councilmember Braden, seconded by Councilmember Hebert, to adopt Ordinance 25 -09 -LC,passed 7-0. 6. COMMENTS / PRESENTATIONS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND CITY ATTORNEY A. Councilmember Braden Councilmember Braden raised concerns about the $ 217,000 collected from livery vessel permits over the past five years. He questioned how the funds were used, noting that some believed the money was intended to support hiring a code enforcement officer to regulate illegal operators. In response, the Finance Director clarified that 10%of the funds are allocated to the city's technology fund to assist with permit processing, while the remaining amount is deposited into the general fund to offset the cost of the city's code department. Councilmember Braden expressed ongoing frustration with the city's handling of rogue operators who use public ramps and parks without authorization. He recounted a personal experience at Joe's Bayou Boat Ramp where; despite receiving a call about an illegal operation, he found no code enforcement presence on site. He criticized the perceived inaction and emphasized that violations are often easy to verify. He referenced a previous incident involving Emerald Grande where swift action was taken, and contrasted that with the slow and uncertain response to boat ramp violations. He emphasized that residents had been promised better enforcement when the livery permit fees were increased and called for immediate solutions like installing cameras at key locations. Both Councilmember Braden and Councilmember Schmidt discussed the long-standing need for a dedicated harbor code officer. Councilmember Schmidt proposed that the city consider offering an enhanced salary to attract someone willing to work the harbor year-round. Councilmember Braden recalled that the council had unanimously voted to assign a code officer to the harbor boardwalk, but that initiative was never implemented. He pointed to instances where code violations observed during site visits were ignored in official reports, expressing skepticism about the integrity of current enforcement practices. In response, the Deputy Community Development Director shared updates on recent organizational changes. He explained that the city had introduced " special duty"assignments for code officers covering areas such as the beach, harbor, and field training. These assignments come with a pay bump, but only for the hours spent performing the specific duties. He noted that only seasoned officers are eligible and emphasized that while the system is ready, the department is currently constrained by a lack of staff. Page 11 of 13

B. Councilmember Trammell Councilmember Trammell highlighted the success of the Pooch Palooza event, reporting that the committee raised over $ 1,000 in its first effort. She confirmed that the proceeds were deposited into the Parks Foundation and that the group is already planning for future events. C. Councilmember Destin D. Councilmember Bagby 1) STR Registration Update Councilmember Bagby provided a detailed report on efforts to improve enforcement and compliance around short-term rentals and Tourist Development Tax ( TDT) collection. He recently met with the Okaloosa County Clerk's Office, which monitors approximately 1,200 single-family homes and 4,800 condos in Destin being used as short-term rentals. He discussed several questions raised by the clerk's team, including whether the city charges credit card processing fees ( it does, as standard practice),whether a flat fee could be considered ( he advised against it),and whether the city would handle enforcement ( yes, via its special magistrate). The County Clerk's Office agreed to provide quarterly updates and maps to help the city identify unregistered rentals. Councilmember Bagby also discussed a proposed statement of work outlining that the County Clerk's Office would send invoices, collect fees, alert the city of delinquencies, and continuously update the rental property list. E. Councilmember Hebert Councilmember Hebert commended the Recreation Department and its director for their role in making the Morgan Sports Field accessible to Destin High School's baseball team. The director elaborated that the project was a collaborative effort involving contractors and developers who donated materials and labor. The field was enhanced to meet high school standards, including new safety netting and a grass infield. The city's parks staff now maintains the field. Councilmember Hebert also praised the team for their success organizing the Easter Egg Hunt, noting positive feedback from many residents. F. Councilmember Geile 1) Projects Status/Updates G. Councilmember Schmidt Councilmember Schmidt shared that a property owner with an empty parcel on the south side of Indian Trail—specifically a long, narrow strip potentially connecting to the bayou —is interested in selling the land, possibly for use as a future park or for access. Schmidt proposed tasking staff with contacting the property owner to discuss the opportunity further and to report back with findings or recommendations. There was consensus from other council members that it was acceptable to proceed without a formal motion. Page 12 of 13

H. Mayor Wagner I. City Attorney The City Attorney provided an update on the foreclosure action regarding the property at 222 Sibert Avenue. She noted that the case was ready to move toward a foreclosure sale and stated that she would proceed unless any council member objected. With no objections raised, she confirmed she would move forward with the necessary filings. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Having no further business at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. Bobby Wagner, Mayor ailey, City Clerk Page 13 of 13