TDC pulls Flagler Beach boardwalk grant; moves potential funding to Palm Coast lights project
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Flagler County Tourist Development Council voted to pull a previously awarded boardwalk grant to Flagler Beach after permitting delays and agreed to consider, at its April meeting, redirecting the funds toward $650,000 in field lighting at the Indian Trails Sports Complex in Palm Coast (TDC share roughly $325,000).
The Flagler County Tourist Development Council on Feb. 20 pulled a previously awarded boardwalk grant to Flagler Beach after new permitting information showed dune work would delay construction and require a year of settling that would preclude large events.
Councilmember Teresa Pontieri proposed redirecting the funding to lighting for fields 6–10 at the Indian Trails Sports Complex in Palm Coast, saying the project "would open us up for more tournaments, more play for locals" and that it is "about a $650,000 endeavor" with matching funds available from impact fees. Pontieri moved to place the matter on the board's April agenda for formal consideration; the motion passed unanimously.
Board members discussed process and transparency. Commissioner Eric Cooley said it would be appropriate to post the item on an upcoming agenda so the public can review details and document changes before a vote. Staff noted the prior Flagler Beach award was $745,372 and that if that allocation is returned there would still be a balance to consider for other projects.
The board did not approve spending at the Feb. 20 meeting; it approved only the procedural step of placing Palm Coast's lights project on the April agenda after staff confirms scopes and any changes. The TDC staff said the county would bring full documentation in April if the project scope is unchanged; if it has changed, the process may have to restart.
Next steps: staff will work with city personnel to confirm the exact scope and cost, prepare backup documentation for an April agenda item and present a formal funding recommendation for a vote.
Votes and motions recorded
- Motion to pull Item D1 (Flagler Beach boardwalk grant): moved by Commissioner Eric Cooley; seconded by Councilmember Teresa Pontieri; outcome: carried unanimously (ayes recorded). - Motion to place consideration of use of Fund 11/09 for lights at Indian Trails Sports Complex on the April agenda: moved by Councilmember Teresa Pontieri; seconded; outcome: carried unanimously.
The board resumed other consent items after the votes and approved the consent agenda unanimously.