MINUTES
WORKSHOP
DESTIN CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 22, 2012
CITY HALL ANNEX
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5: 30 PM
The Council for the City of Destin met in special workshop with the following members
present:
Destin City Council
Mayor Sarah" Sam" Seevers
Councilmember Jim Wood
Councilmember
Councilmember Jim Foreman
Councilmember Jim
Councilmember Cyron Marler
Larry Williges
Bagby
Councilmember Sandy Trammell
Councilmember Tuffy Dixon
Destin City Staff
City Manager Maryann Ustick
Community Dev Director Ken Gallander
City Planner Hank Woollard
City Attorney Associate Ryan Garrity
City Clerk Rey Bailey
Planning Manager Ashley Grana
Land Use Attorney Scott Shirley
CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Seevers
called
the meeting to
order at
5: 30 PM.
Councilmember Marler delivered
the invocation; which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
WORKSHOP
Comprehensive Plan Amendments Based on the Evaluation and Appraisal
1.
Report( EAR):
A)
Chapter 5— Conservation
City Planner Hank Woollard provided the following Power Point presentation outlining the
major policy changes on Chapter 5.
EAR Recommendations
Policy 5- 1. 5. 9: Improve Water Quality within Destin Harbor( Old East Pass)
A
Item # 2
The City shall coordinate with FDEP and the Northwest
Florida Water Management District ( NWFWMD) regarding state programs and/ or
should
read, "
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grant funds that can be used to improve water circulation and to remove sediment
within Destin Harbor."
COMP PLAN: 2020- Policies
Policy 5- 1. 5. 9: Improve Water Quality within Destin Harbor( Old East Pass)
2.
The City shall coordinate with FDEP and NWFWMD regarding state programs and/ or
grant funds that can be used to improve water circulation and to remove sediment within
Destin Harbor.
EAR Recommendations
A (
No existing policy)
The City should add a policy that establishes a level of service
and/ or measurable goals for a City-wide street sweeping program.
COMP PLAN: 2020— Policies
Policy 5- 1. 5. 10:
Added)
Initiate
a
Comprehensive Street
that
make
water
bodies
Program.
Street
City. There is no
program in place to clean the streets of these pollutants before they overburden existing
filtration systems and enter the City' s water bodies. Prior to the next EAR, the City shall
evaluate the cost effectiveness of implementing a comprehensive street sweeping program.
contain pollutants
their way into the
Sweeping
around
the
This evaluation shall consider the cost differential with a comprehensive storm drain
cleaning program with and without a street sweeping program.
Next, the Community Development Director went through Chapter 5, page by page, noting
the changes that were incorporated in the document based on staffs one- on- one sessions with
members of the Council.
Referring to Policy 5- 1. 5. 10: Initiate a Comprehensive Street Sweeping Program; the
Community Development Director stated there was a comment to staff that this particular section
would be more appropriate in the Stormwater element and not in the Conservation element of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Bagby stated that the street sweeping policy is part of the comprehensive
stormwater program; and that it is a component of the stormwater plan to prevent the contaminated
soil
from going into the
comprehensive"
possibly
replace
it
stormwater
runoff
system.
He also suggests removing the word
from the Policy title as most streets in the City do not have to be swept; and to
with
the statement,"
Initiate a street sweeping program."
The City Manager believes this item is placed under the Conservation element because it is
more of a water quality issue. She stated the focus was to keep the pollutant out of the water.
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Councilmember Bagby maintains that the stormwater system is their way of keeping the
pollutants out of the water.
Councilmember
Williges
agrees
with
the
recommendation
to
remove
the
word
He commented that street sweeping is not just for storm
It also involves sanitation and appearance issues resulting from trash and cigarette butts
being thrown out from vehicles.
comprehensive"
from the
Policy
title.
water.
Councilmember Trammell suggests they initiate some kind of policy for landscapers
blowing substance into the stormwater systems; and possibly placing this policy under the
Stormwater element of the comprehensive plan.
Councilmember Wood
also agrees with
deleting
the
word " comprehensive."
He stated he
has no preference on whether they place street sweeping program under one main location or in
several places in the document that it affects; but, they need to avoid creating another 5- year
sidewalk plan where they argue every year what road to sweep.
The Mayor stated it does not seem as though the Council has really given staff a clear
direction on where to place the street sweeping program section.
The Land Use Attorney recommends putting at least a parenthetical reference to this policy
in the stormwater provisions of the comprehensive plan so that there is cross-referencing in the
comprehensive plan.
Next, the Community Development Director stated that another recommendation was to
reference appropriate water utilities in the chapter; such as the Destin Water Users, the regional
utilities, South Walton utilities, and others.
Referring
to
page
5- 2,
Policy
5- 1. 1. 4:
Reduce Vehicle Emissions Through Transportation
and Land Use Planning; the Community Development Director spoke of a suggestion to include a
policy language related to compressed natural gas vehicles.
Councilmember Bagby noted that this issue has been discussed before, and that the City
nearly
purchased several compress natural gas vehicles.
He stated that not purchasing the vehicles
was possibly the least fiscally responsible move the Council had made in a while. He further stated
the only way
they
could
be energy independent is
with natural gas and natural gas vehicles.
He
added that if they want Destin to remain on the cutting edge, they should include bringing in
compress natural gas vehicles for municipal use a part of their comprehensive policy.
Councilmember Williges stated that he is not against purchasing compress natural gas
vehicles; he just does not believe it is practical to do so until there are natural gas stations available
in the
area.
He also stated it would not be very cost effective to have to travel as far away as
Pensacola for refill.
Councilmember Dixon states that he is not a proponent of compress natural gas vehicles.
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Councilmember Wood noted that the first part of their strategic visioning plan booklet
included
a
list
of
64
numbered action
items for 2012.
He stated that even though he was not sure
where the compressed gas vehicle item falls on that list, it was not a top priority and he would not
want it to become one all of a sudden.
Councilmember
Evaluation, Plan"
came
Bagby
in
that " Alternative
Fuel Vehicles ( City
and Community):
out of the top 64 items; and ahead of such things as Tier 3
noted
25th
development projects and traffic management plan. He also stated they may not be able to get to all
64 items but they
should at
least
address
them in the
comprehensive plan.
He suggests putting a
statement in the document that they would work with Okaloosa Gas to look at establishing a
distribution center point within the City of Destin.
The Community Development Director states that with a language more in line with
investigating the feasibility of compress natural gas vehicles by working with Okaloosa Gas and
other appropriate agencies gives staff the guidance to continually evaluate this option.
Councilmember Williges suggests they engage in discussion with Okaloosa Gas; but, not
make any firm commitment about providing some funding to build the stations.
The Community Development Director mentioned that Okaloosa Gas was interested in
partnering with the City awhile back; and that if they saw a commitment on the part of the City to
obtain the vehicles they were willing to put in the majority of the stations.
The City Manager stated that when Council discussed the issue of natural gas vehicles, part
of staffs recommendation was to work with Okaloosa Gas to determine the feasibility of creating
center.
She suggests incorporating that same language into this document since
they previously received this direction from Council.
the distribution
Councilmember Trammell agrees with the City Manager's recommendation.
Moving on to another topic, Councilmember Trammell asked what it would take to establish
an air quality station in the City.
The City Manager stated that based on her previous discussion with the Health Department
Director relating to this issue, the City has to have a documented problem with air quality to be able
to establish an air quality station.
The Community Development Director mentioned that when an air quality test was done for
the Destin Airport, air quality stations were distributed throughout the City to serve as reference
points for the study.
Next, the Community Development Director stated that another recommendation given to
staff was
to
make sure
they
reference all water
bodies— the bayous
and all
the lakes— in the chapter.
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Referring to page 5- 7, Policy 5- 1. 5. 3: Reduce the Number of Septic Tanks; Councilmember
Trammell stated that the City, not DWU has the ability to enforce this issue. She suggests adding a
separate policy pertaining to enforcement.
The Land Use Attorney suggests adding a provision that states the City will investigate
options for requiring connection of existing septic tank users to central sewer systems.
According to Councilmember Foreman, this issue has been discussed at the Destin Water
meetings; and that the Board totally agrees that eliminating septic tanks are in
Users Board
everyone' s best interest, and it is to their advantage to offer incentives to get rid of the septic tanks.
He also pointed out this is not a brand new problem as this particular policy has been in existence
for years; adding that rewriting the policy will not make things any better today than it was 5 years
ago.
He suggests coordinating all these issues with the Destin Water Users, determining all the
circumstances, and whether or not Destin Water Users are willing to offer some incentives to
eliminate the septic tanks. He also asked if there was a list showing all septic tank locations.
The Community Development Director stated that they have reached out to the Health
Department and Destin Water Users for the updated list of septic tank locations; and though they
have yet to obtain the list, they would keep trying as they go forward with this update. He then
suggests incorporating the language to this section as proposed by the Land Use Attorney.
According to Councilmember Dixon, establishing a mandate for people to connect to the
sewer line regardless of whether they have a septic tank system failure, which the Land Use
Attorney seemed to suggest, could have some legal ramifications.
The Land Use Attorney clarified that his suggestion was to look for options for requiring
connection of existing septic users to central sewer systems; either through State Statutes requiring
mandatory connection, working with the Destin Water Users on an incentive program, or any
number of other alternatives.
the
Councilmember Wood noted that similar to a City Charter, the City's Comprehensive Plan is
He suggests keeping the information very generic, and putting the details in
general guidance.
their
City
ordinances
as
they
are
easier
to
change.
He continued that the general guidance is
provided to staff, which would then put the specifics on how to accomplish those things into
He suggests saving some of the detailed information for the appropriate time
so they could complete the review of this document by the set deadline.
different
ordinances.
Referring
Limited Use
of
to
page
5- 7,
Policy 5- 1. 5. 2: Enforce Connection to Central Sewer Systems and
development permits shall be issuedfor any properties proposed
Septic Tanks, " No
to be served by septic tanks or package plants if central sewer system lines are located adjacent to
the property... ";
Councilmember Bagby asked if this particular provision would include such things
as trailers; to which staff replied affirmatively.
At this point the Mayor asked if everyone agrees with including the verbiage to this section
as suggested by the Land Use Attorney. There was no objection from the Council.
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Next, Community Development Director reported receiving inputs related to page 5- 17,
Policy 5- 1. 13. 5: Promote Energy Conservation in Building and Construction. He stated the
recommendation was to make a reference in this section to such things as Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design ( LEED) and note that the State of Florida has been looking at green building
standards.
He also stated that the City's building official has been looking at green building
standard; and that staff could bring in some language that would help them focus on some specific
State level green building energy efficient standards.
Councilmember Bagby suggests they adopt the benchmarks for energy conservation for
building and construction either at the national or State level.
Councilmember Trammell
suggests
they include
a
statement
such
as
to " investigate
adoption ofstandards regarding energy conservation in building and construction. "
to
Referring
page
5- 6,
Policy
5- 1. 4. 13:
Protect Natural Resources, "
For property located on
the north shore of Destin Harbor south ofHarbor Boulevard, there shall be no setback or buffer
from the MHWL"; Councilmember Bagby stated that he was under the impression they have
included a setback to allow construction of the boardwalk.
According to the Community Development Director, the language in the code specifies that
there is no waterfront setback; and that if they are required to have the boardwalk, an easement must
be provided.
Councilmember Bagby suggests they delete the aforementioned statement as it is very
misleading
with
respect
to
what
is currently in
effect
down
at
the harbor.
He also noted the
preceding sentence which states that " All waterfront lots shall be required to maintain either a
setback
or
a
buffer from the MHWL for
principal
structures"
should
suffice.
There was no
objection to this recommendation.
B)
Chapter 6— Coastal Management
City Planner Hank Woollard provided the following Power Point presentation outlining the
major policy changes on Chapter 6.
EAR Recommendations
Policy
6- 1. 2. 3:
Water
Quality
within
Destin
Harbor.
Where
located
on
uplands,
development impacting coastal resources and water quality within Destin Harbor shall be
required to provide stormwater improvements and site design that ensures post-development
runoff volume and water quality of receiving waters entering Destin Harbor meets or
exceeds minimum standards established by FDEP and the NWFWMD.
Comp Plan: 2020— Policies
Policy 6- 1. 2. 3: Water Quality within Destin Harbor
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A This policy has been revised to also refer to the NWFWMD.
EAR Recommendations
Policy
6- 1. 3. 9:
Sand Deposit at Norriego Point. The City shall continue to coordinate with
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding depositing sands dredged from East Pas onto
Norriego Point.
A The City should amend this Policy to include beach renourishment and stabilization
along its entire boundary with the Gulf of Mexico.
Comp
Policy
Plan: 2020— Policies
Coordinate Sand Deposits
6- 1. 3. 9:
at
Norriego Point.
The City shall continue to
coordinate with the USACE regarding depositing sands dredged from East Pass onto Norriego Point
and shall continue to pursue beach renourishment and stabilization along its entire boundary with
the Gulf of Mexico.
Following the presentation, the Community Development Director went through Chapter 6,
page by page, noting the changes that were incorporated based on the one-on-one briefing with
members of the Council.
Referring
to
page
6- 6,
Coordinate Sand Deposits
entire
boundary.
She
at
Policy
6- 1. 3. 9:
Councilmember Trammell noted that the title was
Norriego Point"; however, the rest of the paragraph expanded it to the
suggests
changing the
Policy
title to, "
Coordinate Sand Deposits" since it is
no longer limited to Norriego Point.
Mr. Woollard explained it might negatively affect their effort to obtain sand for Norriego
Point if they remove " Norriego Point" from the Policy title
Councilmember Trammell suggests creating two separate policies; one specific to Norriego
Point, and the other covering the entire boundary.
Councilmember Wood asked if the current Inlet Management Plan and the proposed new
Plan still states that part of the sand from the East Pass has to go through the western side of the
Pass. He stated he did not want to be placed in a situation where one document says one thing and
the other document says another.
According to Mr. Woollard, he was not aware of any change, adding that the wording
recognizes the possibility that there may be some more work to be done in the Inlet Management
Plan in terms of the authorization to use the sand.
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The City Manager opined that the language in the document is general enough that it should
the language in the
not conflict with
proposed revised
Inlet Management Plan.
She also concurs
with the idea of creating two separate policies.
Referring to page 6- 4 and 6- 5, Policy 6- 1. 2. 3: Protect Water Quality Within Destin Harbor;
the Mayor commented that they should consider including a policy that addresses the water activity
in the harbor as it relates to water quality. She continued that they should have preventative
measures in place to make sure there are proper pump out stations for the boats; adding there are no
pump
in the harbor for the
out stations
charter
boats.
She also stated that staff agreed to write a
whole new policy and bring it back if there were no objections from Council.
There were no objections from the Council.
According to Councilmember Marler, there is one pump out station for boats at the Harbor
had been completely redone and currently operational.
antiquated system and so there is no guarantee it would not break down again.
Walk Village,
which
Referring
to
page
6- 5 ,
Policy
6- 1. 3. 2:
Control Boat
Launching
He added it is an
Locations, "
The City shall
prohibit boat launching from various rights- of-way that are not designated as public boat ramps
and restrict
the creation of random
water
access points";
Councilmember Wood asked if this
section is saying they are not going to do the water taxis or some other water movements in these
areas.
The Land Use Attorney clarifies that this particular section only covers boat launching.
Referring to page 6- 6, Policy 6- 1. 3. 5: Support Beach Re- nourishment Programs; the
Community Development Director stated this particular section addresses numerous coordination at
State level; and that there was a suggestion to add language that helps them coordinate or reach out
at the federal level as well.
Councilmember Bagby stated that they do not have a federal program, and it ought to be
their
objective
to
have
a
federally
re- nourished
beach.
He then
explained that federal
re-nourishment is a partnership between the City and the federal government and it is good for 50
years; adding that the City goes on the schedule and the beach gets re-nourished about every 10
years.
According to Councilmember Williges, there are usually conditions attached with federal
funding; adding that federal funds for housing for instance carries with it many requirements they
funding. He suggests studying the materials that describes the
federal program before they endorse this proposal.
have to
accept
in
order
to
receive
The Mayor mentioned the one cent sales tax that was dedicated solely for beach restoration
accrued over $ 8 million this year.
She stated that the County just recently changed the
that had
verbiage so that the money could be spent on other things to include beach restoration.
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Next, the Mayor noted that the underlined language on page 6- 6, Policy 6- 1. 3. 5 is the exact
language on page 6- 8, Policy 6- 1. 4. 5.
The Community Development Director stated that Policy 6- 1. 4.5 might have to be stricken.
Referring
to
Inventory, and Analysis, paragraph
Based on the Northwest Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study, the only
page
E — Evacuation Routes, "
6- 27,
Chapter
6 —
Data,
road within Destin that has a potential for flooding during a hurricane event is Airport Road";
Councilmember Foreman asked if this statement is still valid.
The Community Development Director will delete the statement from the document.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7: 05 PM.
ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF DECEMBER 2012
By:
Sam'
givers, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rey : . iley, City Clerk
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