[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126361,"mediaKeyId","2669007-2ee38e6ea0dad62c6562f56f07099176","parentId",2669007,"title","Votes at a glance: Destin council confirms two hires, authorizes event parking and temporary construction signage, and backs legislative opposition","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",3215000,"endMs",3316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669007-2ee38e6ea0dad62c6562f56f07099176&start=3215&end=3316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669007-2ee38e6ea0dad62c6562f56f07099176/thumbnail_3215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126361/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Destin-council-confirms-two-hires-authorizes-event-parking-and-temporary-construction-signage-and-backs-legislative-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126361-c4bec7bfed3878084b5a3609536d7539/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654678&Signature=eTaYGwSJck-fHv9lB846CrrbKFMwRTW0aFjk8SqA~1zLp0CAGzXnKZ92X5~QSyDvNoLlqx~GKvbfeV6rDnkTBsfHG22bykPcczGouIQQPpUv3zGA9GwXuRhsNtqiOwP~Upkr8RiZtKsQ2L3AbMVJl97P8GK7wLsHC7ykRpDB~BstO4D7otWhPFMfp5fYOXZ10Qu~HIAPPSaXWKmZN8NXvL0KPXokH1n94Cr7X9ARDqdD3njeKE40kayu7NMxIM~YINC1khcGAuoSuIJOw-42SZaPpjVFF6V6a4p8j2cuUphUlNeCzyhNd12EkfAy3AWon3EC8xQWr30zGacYXujaFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Destin, FL","date","2025-03-17T22:48:40Z","article","The City of Destin City Council approved a series of appointments, operational authorizations and legislative direction during its meeting; all recorded roll-call items passed unanimously, 4-0.

The meeting included confirmations of two staff hires, authorization for public-parking arrangements for a community event, approval to install temporary construction signage at Noriega Point, direction to lobbyists to oppose state legislation named during the meeting, and other routine land-use and licensing votes. Several items had little debate and passed by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance

- Confirmation of David Pritchard as Community Development Director: Council voted to confirm the appointment (motion and second on the record; vote 4-0). Staff asked for confirmation after an interview process; Pritchard said he looked forward to starting work.

- Confirmation of Robert Tomczak as City Engineer: Council voted to confirm the appointment (motion and second; vote 4-0). Tomczak appeared online and council welcomed him.

- Public parking for the Blessing of the Fleet: Council approved staff's recommendation regarding public parking for the Blessing of the Fleet and use of the Borrower parking lot (motion carried 4-0).

- Authorization to post temporary construction signage at Noriega Point: Council authorized staff to erect temporary signs (staff described wording referring to state law and \"no trespassing during construction\" and said the signs are intended to protect contractor safety and give the sheriff ability to enforce; vote 4-0).

- Motion directing the city's lobbyists and delegations: Council directed the city manager and lobbyists to notify the legislative delegation of the council's opposition to House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242; the motion was amended to allow the mayor and city manager to raise the matter in Tallahassee as well (vote 4-0).

- TDC/TDD funding direction for pickleball courts: Council expressed the sense that staff should pursue the full $300,000 request for pickleball-court funding and directed staff to communicate that position to the Tourist Development Council/TDD (motion and second; vote 4-0).

- Ordinance direction on alcohol service near churches: Council directed staff to prepare a narrowly drawn exception related to serving alcohol within 500 feet of a church for qualifying military/civic organizations; the council voted to proceed (vote 4-0).

- Public hearing: Non-residential marine construction (127 Calhoun Avenue): Council approved an application to extend a finger pier and staging area for the Destin Fire Control District; staff said the extension totals 264 square feet and does not expand pier length or slip density. The Harbor and Waterways Board had recommended approval (vote 4-0).

- Motion directing the city manager to execute the beach-code enforcement plan and report back during spring break (see separate article): Motion passed 4-0; staff assigned to implement.

Several routine informational recognitions and non-action items were also on the agenda, including recertification under the community rating system and a National Weather Service \"StormReady\" recognition (no council action required).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 17, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Destin City Council approved two department appointments, authorized public-parking arrangements for an upcoming event, passed a temporary-signage authorization for Noriega Point construction, voted to direct lobbyists to oppose two state bills, and approved several land and licensing items in 4-0 votes.","taxTitle","City of Destin, Okaloosa County, Florida","taxId",71331,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126367,"Destin council directs city manager to implement beach-code enforcement plan, asks for sheriff coordination",1230,1026000,2256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669007-2ee38e6ea0dad62c6562f56f07099176&start=1026&end=2256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669007-2ee38e6ea0dad62c6562f56f07099176/thumbnail_1026000.jpg","/articles/6126367/Florida/Destin-council-directs-city-manager-to-implement-beach-code-enforcement-plan-asks-for-sheriff-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126367-6940811243d5568ad1629c71beb6e791/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654678&Signature=G5PWkl8Lj6L6Xjik33AuZnrscm4LIE1xJDhYcxK-RgEro0l0LgwJlbRs9rtUobh15r5iupF~Hy1v1D0RQj9GUEzsL4aDMSi2AWz-yUb8m6VbLpPx9zHyUIb02tcf~YdKf7MPLGlC3~1hE-pPEgC9AH8RSSZAvvzGQITL7oFomWzAsteODc1o~~uPYCP4TXwI53P4LB3vYKN00HfPNPSoizn3DHAZbhOPHq8P0d9DO2NTugu0wZ617u73fq29yTwPPdREkq0j3FRtZz3qSKAo41e36w34FqqrqOFLFJ-7q7QTmIABZ9T2jQ5j3GZZUNG1FqjBfdmDRv-jVx1Yt8aXjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Destin City Council on a 4-0 vote directed the city manager to execute a beach-code enforcement plan and report back during spring break.

Council members said the goal is clearer, faster beach enforcement this season through a dedicated daily beach officer, a secondary relief officer, better coordination with the sheriff's office and improved situational awareness of code officers' locations.

City Manager Larry Jones presented the staff plan, saying the daily assignment would include one primary beach officer and a secondary beach officer to provide relief so officers do not remain in the sun longer than is safe. Jones said the primary officer will focus on beach duties and coordinate with the sheriff's office \"so that we're not in the same area,\" while the secondary officer will be available to ride or walk as needed. The plan is adaptive: staff will vary patrols by day, weather and crowding and adjust when rain or low attendance reduce demand.

Steve (code enforcement staff) described operational details: shifts centered on busier afternoon hours, a side-by-side vehicle for patrol, and an intent to start citations where prior warnings exist. Jones and staff said the department is short staffed but has multiple qualified applicants and will begin interviews.

Council members pressed staff for faster response times and better communications. Councilman Bagby told staff the city should aim for near-immediate responses to beach complaints and called for improved \"situational awareness, communication, coordination\" among city staff and the sheriff's office. Bagby said police and code officers should be able to identify and respond to a complaint within minutes during peak periods.

Council and staff also discussed real-time location tracking. Staff said vehicle GPS is available to public works but not yet accessible to code enforcement; the city manager said he could add additional authorized users if council wished. Staff told council that their current permitting/tracking software cannot always pin locations on sand, but a new system coming online should let officers drop a pinpoint for citations on the beach.

After discussion, Councilman Bagby made the motion directing the city manager to implement the plan and report back; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The council's direction includes: daily primary and secondary beach officer assignments, a plan to coordinate coverage with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office (including use of the sheriff's beach deputies as backup), adjustments to shifts to concentrate officers during the 10 a.m.'5 p.m. peak period, and a requirement that staff return with operational details and a spring-break status report.

Council members emphasized enforcement priorities: food vendors and safety issues such as unfilled holes left on the beach, and they asked staff to prioritize notices and citations where warnings have already been issued.

The council vote made the plan official and gave staff direction to move forward immediately.

The council also instructed staff to improve interagency communications with the sheriff's office so beach-code responses can be synchronized and resourced quickly during peak summer activity.","The City of Destin directed the city manager to implement a coordinated beach-code enforcement plan, including daily beach patrol coverage, closer coordination with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and a spring-break status report to council. The motion passed 4-0.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Destin council confirms two hires, authorizes event parking and temporary construction signage, and backs legislative opposition

Destin council directs city manager to implement beach-code enforcement plan, asks for sheriff coordination