Regular City Council Meeting (2024-12-09)

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING of THE MARY ESTHER CITY COUNCIL December 9,2024-6:00 PM 195 Christobal Road - North, Mary Esther, FL 32569

CITY COUNCIL PRESENT

Chris Stein, Mayor Susan Coxwell, Councilmember Richard Lawson, Councilmember

April Sutton, Mayor Pro Tem Larry Carter, Councilmember Bernie Oder, Councilmember

CITY STAFF PRESENT

Jared Cobb, City Manager Jennifer Comella, City Attorney Tyler Reed, Community Development Director

Dillon Morris, City Clerk Shawn Lindsey, Public Works Director

OTHERS PRESENT

Rodney Owens, OSCO Officer

Jeff Wagner, OCWFD Chief

1. INVOCATION

Jeff Wagner, Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District, gave the invocation.

2. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Stein called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. ROLL CALL

The City Clerk called the roll as reflected above. Mayor Stein asked for a motion to allow Councilmember Carter to participate virtually. Councilmember Coxwell initiated the motion, which Mayor Pro Tem Sutton seconded. The motion passed 4-0.

| RESULT: | PASSED(4-0) | | --- | --- | | MOVER: | Councilmember Susan Coxwell | | SECOND: | Mayor Pro Tem April Sutton | | AYES: | Bernie Oder,April Sutton,Richard Lawson,Susan Coxwell | | NAYS: | None |

5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Stein asked if the council wished to make any changes to the agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Stein asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Sutton initiated the motion, seconded by Councilmember Lawson The motion passed 5-0.

* * *

None.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Stein asked if the council wished to make any changes to the consent agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Stein asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Sutton initiated the motion, seconded by Councilmember Coxwell. The motion passed 5-0.

| RESULT: | PASSED(5-0) | | --- | --- | | MOVER: | Mayor Pro Tem April Sutton | | SECOND: | Councilmember Susan Coxwell | | AYES: | Larry Carter,Bernie Oder,April Sutton,Richard Lawson,Susan Coxwell | | NAYS: | None |

7.1. Financial Report

7.2. Public Works Report

7.3. Library Report

7.4. Fire Department Report

7.5. Community Development Report

7.6. Jacobs Report

7.7. Law Enforcement Report

7.8. Minutes of the November 4th,2024 Regular Council Meeting

8. CITIZENS WHO HAVE REQUE None.

TED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA

9. PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)

Ian Blaze, 101 W Miracle Strip Pkwy, discussed that his rezoning application was held up as he did not have a sight plan but that the evening's LPA meeting passed when the representative did not have a sight plan. He questioned if the city had plans to patch the sewer line on his property since the city's second patch had failed. Mayor Stein stated that the question could have asked city staff for clarification and that public comment was more for expressing opinions.

10.1. First Reading, Ordinance 2024-01, Vacation Rentals

10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS hour response time with City Manager Cobb, stating that the latest draft changed to 24 hours. Councilmember Carter discussed that it should be a level playing field for everyone and that the city is responsible to business owners and citizens. Councilmember Oder expressed concern with bigger companies buying out major properties, the designated party being in other states, and the city losing control. He also questioned how the business tax receipt would help the city with short-term rentals. City Manager Cobb said it is a yearly requirement and would not impose many rules. He discussed that the business tax receipt would suffice if the city were to make an ordinance that does not limit a lot. Mayor Pro Tem Sutton discussed a stance of caution with requiring a headcount. City Manager Cobb stated there is not an occupancy requirement. Councilmember Oder discussed situations where the military would split costs with squads fitting 6-12 people in a room. He also discussed the possibility of human traffickers knowing of Air BnB and using them. Councilmember Carter discussed that an ordinance would not stop bad people nor encourage people to do things right. He supports an ordinance but believes the city should have a baseline and something in place.

Mayor Stein asked if anyone in the public would like to comment on the topic. Elaine Rogers, 351 Angela Lane, discussed being for the business tax receipt option. She said it would help people know how to register and pay their taxes. She mentioned in the ordinance that the occupancy must match what the city has on record. She said she would observe it but make an exception for small children. She supported the 24-hour notification. She expressed support for having a small contact sign on the front window of a house for emergency contact. She also questioned whether if you have a violation on record, you can not apply, and whether someone gets a violation for not being registered, they would be unable to register.