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Mary Esther council approves three ordinances, agrees to grant application and multiple contracts
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Mary Esther City Council approved second readings of three ordinances (lot split, prohibition of public camping, photo speed enforcement), adopted fee and personnel actions, approved an FDOT grant application and several procurement items including a pavement preservation contract and audit renewal.
The Mary Esther City Council on April 7 approved multiple ordinances and contracts and authorized staff to pursue an FDOT grant for median landscaping on Mariester Boulevard.
The council adopted the second reading of ordinance 2025-01, which creates a simplified lot-split procedure allowing homeowners to divide a parcel into two lots without full subdivision review; Community Development Director Tyler Reid said the change aligns the city with common municipal practice. The council also adopted ordinance 2025-02, updating city code to prohibit public camping or sleeping on city-owned buildings, grounds, rights-of-way and sidewalks to conform with state law (chapter 2024-11), and ordinance 2025-03 to permit photo speed enforcement in school zones; staff said DOT requires an adopted ordinance before it will issue a permit.
Council unanimously approved a resolution (Resolution 25-04) establishing a $350 lot-split application and review fee. Finance director Heather Day recommended renewal of the city’s financial audit engagement with Warren Averett for another three years; she told the council the proposed base price rose from about $37,585 to roughly $42,050 to reflect increased audit complexity. Council approved the engagement.
In procurement and project actions, the council authorized a purchase order not to exceed $50,000 to Seal Master for cold-applied pavement preservation (RFB 2025-01), approved a $30,049 purchase order for rubber and binder materials for Azalea Park trail improvements, and approved a task order to Kimley Horn to prepare concept plans (see separate story on landscaping). Council also approved a six-month-aligned, renewed operations, maintenance and management contract with Jacobs that includes a transition plan and certification requirements for key staff.
The council handled routine items including awarding a Yard of the Month, approving a conditional use permit for a privacy fence at 161 W. Miracle Strip Parkway, and approving the one-year performance review for City Clerk Dylan Morris, which moves the clerk one step on the pay schedule. Meetings closed after committee reports and several public comments on setbacks and stormwater issues.
Next steps: staff will submit the FDOT grant application for median landscaping, send the photo-enforcement ordinance to DOT for permit review, and proceed with vendor onboarding and project scheduling for approved contracts.
