July 17, 2024 Town Center CRA Advisory Committee Meeting (2024-07-17)

MINUTES TOWN CENTER COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 17, 2024 - 5: 30 PM DESTIN CITY HALL BOARDROOM 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Wernet called the meeting to order at 5: 30 PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Destin City Hall Annex Council Chambers with the Pledge of Allegiance immediately following. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Lockwood Wernet Delores Morrell Kim Montgomery Deputy Clerk Michele Sandstead Dorothy Robinson Steve O' Connor Principal Planner Nikki Johnson Marlaine Scanlan Tina Deater, Planner Joshua Cowsert 3. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL: March 20, 2023 Motion to approve the March 20, 2023, minutes as written was made by Committee member Sandstead with Committee member Cowsert providing the second. The motion passed with a 4- 0 vote. 4. NEW BUSINESS: A) Linear Trail Project Update — Mr. O' Connor informed the members that the 60% plans are provided, the easements are still in process ofbeing obtained, the Mayor and the Engineer for the project have been knocking on doors to speak with the homeowners in an attempt to obtain those still needed. Committee member Cowsert expressed his concern for the lack of time the city has for the grant and asked if there are still any issues they need to be worried about. According to Mr. O' Connor, the grant was actually for the design phase only, which was met. Committee member Johnson recommended the members to closely review the plans regarding the stormwater and the large number of trees that are to be removed in the Jewel Melvin Park, which is the only portion of the trail where people can actually stop, rest and enjoy the scenery, because it is a public park, noting that a lot of what it is today will soon be destroyed. She additionally spoke of her motion for the Parks& Recreation Committee' s recommendation to Council, and her reasoning to include a tree study to be performed so that the trees that are to be removed are replanted in the city and especially in this park, and not young trees to take the place of adult trees that take 30 years to reach maturity. She added that being a Tree City USA city, this 2

is very discouraging news to see that the only way to build this trail is to cut trees down in the park. She also has hopes that somehow the stormwater retention can still be tied in with the pond so that no trees will have to be sacrificed. Mr. O' Connor assured the members that a tree study has already been performed and will be a part of the Development Order. B) Draft Article 4 Discussion According to Mr. O' Connor, this Article has been provided to them in a link as well as being on the website to review and make any comments, and it will be going to City Council for discussion on July 29, 2024, in a workshop session. Chairman Wernet suggested for the members to pay attention to 4.01 and 4.02 regarding General Regulations, to review and provide any comments. Mr. O' Connor briefed the members on the changes that are being made to this Article and pointed out that there are no changes being made regarding the Town Center District, and the biggest difference is the reorganization of the sections, so that each zoning district has its own section, which will help people who are trying to comprehend it, with its clear and easy to understand language. He also explained how a lot of the language regarding regulations was moved into the Code of Ordinance, where they should have been. Chairman Wernet encouraged the members to participate as a citizen at the upcoming workshop, just be sure to acknowledge that they are not representing the committee, as a whole, if they do, and are present for themselves. C) Committee Work Plans Committee member Johnson mentioned she is unsure of what it is they are working on, or any work plans they should be working towards accomplishing since the ones that they have recently closed, like the Christmas lights, they were able to finalize, and the end goal for the Linear Park. Chairman Wernet explained how most of their work plans are outdated and the main one that they have, that they have been working successfully towards, is the Linear Park and the Master Plan. Additionally, obtaining a quorum to meet has been challenging. Mr. O'Connor reminded the member that any work plan items that need funding has to be listed in their Master Plan in order to be able to work towards them. There was a brief discussion how majority of the funds coming in have already allocated, however there may be some still available before the Town Center CRA sunsets in the future. 2

5. ADJOURNMENT: Having no further discussion , he mee ' ,was adjourned at 6: 15 PM. Adopted and approved ti tiz g y of VAI 2025 46141/61)."-`` Ailii. w414 i ° A,4111.'/ L/ Lockwoornet Chairman i .` ry'sntgomery . uty City- rk 2