Most Recent Item City of Destin Spring 2016

Destin City Council
Mayor
Scott Fischer
Destin City Hall
4200 Indian Bayou Trail
Destin, FL 32541
Phone: (850) 837-4242
Fax: (850) 837-3267
www.cityofdestin.com
Councilmembers
Rodney Braden
Parker Destin
Tuffy Dixon
Jim Foreman
Cyron Marler
Chatham Morgan
Prebble Ramswell
Mayor
Scott Fischer
City Manager
Greg Kisela
Destin City Council Meetings are held the first and third Monday of every
month beginning at 6 p.m. at the City Hall Annex (4100 Indian Bayou Trail).
Agendas can be downloaded from the city’s website, www.cityofdestin.com.
Stay informed!
Visit www.cityofdestin.com
WATCH LIVE City Council Meetings
Councilmember
Parker Destin
The March 2016 municipal election gave the City of Destin a new
mayor and filled four open council seats. Scott Fischer was elected
mayor and will fulfill the last two years of Mayor Ponder’s vacated
seat. Councilman Tuffy Dixon and Councilman Cyron Marler won back
their seats on the council, giving them another four years in office.
And, two new faces were introduced as Parker Destin and Chatham
Morgan took the two council seats held by Councilwoman Sandy
Trammell and Councilman Jim Wood, each having termed out.
Annual Council Visioning
Session May 3 The Destin
City Council will hold its
annual visioning session
at the Destin Library on
Tuesday, May 3, from 8 a.m.
to approximately 5 p.m. The
public is welcome to attend
as the council sets goals and
The mayor and new councilmembers were sworn in at the March 21 priorities for the upcoming
city council meeting and Mayor Seevers was thanked for her interim years. The Destin Library is
service. Their biographies, photos, committee appointments and located at 150 Sibert Ave.
more will be available on the city’s website in the coming weeks.
Norriego
Point
The
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Florida Department of
Tuffy Dixon
Cyron Marler Chatham Morgan Environmental Protection
will
hold
a
public
involvement meeting in
the coming months to
receive input related to
the recreation amenities
proposed for the Norriego
Point Stabilization Project.
The city and FDEP will
announce the meeting
details once they are
confirmed.
It’s once again time for spring cleaning and the
City of Destin and Waste Management want
to remind residents of the free spring cleaning
services available. Just call Waste Management
to schedule a bulk pickup anytime, for FREE!
Also, be sure to catch Okaloosa Today on Cox 6 where Public Information
Manager Doug Rainer hosts guests to discuss important city issues,
events and programs that take place in Destin.
• Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Wednesday at 6 p.m.
• Thursday at 9 a.m.
• Friday at 6 p.m.
• Sunday at 8 p.m.
Community Development Updates
Building Division May is Building Safety Month!
All communities need building codes to protect their citizens from
disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Model
building codes are society’s best way of protecting homes, offices, schools,
manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues. Code officials
work day in and day out to keep the public safe. Building Safety Month is a
month-long celebration of all aspects of building safety that helps families,
employers and leaders understand and appreciate the best practices that
keep the places where we live, work and play, safe. The 2016 weekly themes
include:
May 2–8, 2016
Building Solutions for All Ages
May 9–15, 2016
The Science Behind the Codes
May 16–22, 2016
Learn from the Past, Build for Tomorrow
May 23–29, 2016
Building Codes: A Smart Investment
Code Enforcement Division Short Term Rental Reminder
It is renewal time. If you haven’t already done so, please register your short
term rentals with the city before April 30, 2016. Our registration processes and
requirements have changed since last year. Please check out our residential
rentals page on the City of Destin website under the Code Enforcement
section or feel free to give Code Enforcement a call at 337-3193 with any
questions.
Planning Division Public Transportation Enhancements
The City of Destin shows significant progress toward becoming a more
walkable and bikeable community, but public transportation continues
to lag behind in implementation of the goals and objectives of the city’s
Multimodal Transportation District. However, the picture may be improving
thanks to recent events and new initiatives.
The City of Destin encourages all residential customers to take advantage of this service
this spring and also throughout the year. The city’s free year round cleanup initiative
helps raise awareness of the city’s goal to provide a healthy and clean environment for
its residents, businesses and visitors.
Bulk items such as patio furniture, couches and barbecue grills (with the gas tank
removed) will be hauled away weekly with an easy call to Waste Management, 8627141. If you have any questions regarding the type of items you can place curbside,
contact Waste Management at 862-7141 or the city’s Public Services Department at
837-6869.
Yard waste is picked up every Wednesday or Friday. Yard waste must be canned, bagged
and/or bundled and shall not weigh in excess of 50 lbs. per container or bundle, and
shall not be in excess of 4 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter. Total volume per each
yard waste service day shall not exceed 2 cubic yards (approximately the amount that
can be placed in the bed of a standard pickup truck).
See the pickup schedule map at www.cityofdestin.com for details. Additional fees can
apply if size and volume exceeds the above specifications. All yard waste removed by a
contractor should be taken directly to the landfill.
Looking to get rid of white goods? These items (washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc.) can
now be dropped off at your convenience at the city’s public services maintenance yard
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon for FREE. Note: Freon must be removed
from refrigerators and freezers before dropping them off. Please call the Public Services
Department at 837-6869 ahead of time to schedule an appointment so that staff can be
ready to help. A curbside pickup can also be scheduled through Waste Management by
calling 862-7141. Fees may apply for white goods picked up curbside.
Proof of physical residency in Destin (utility bill, driver’s license, etc.) must be provided
prior to unloading the items at the city’s public services maintenance yard. A P.O. Box
will not be considered proof of residency. City employees will be available to assist in
unloading the items.
Bulk cleanup services and white goods drop-offs are not available to commercial
customers.
PLEASE NOTE: Hazardous waste disposal such as tires, paint, oil, paint thinners and
batteries must be coordinated with Okaloosa County. Please call 651-7395 to schedule
an appointment to drop off hazardous items with the county.
Visit www.cityofdestin.com and look under City Services to find out more about the
City of Destin’s solid waste services.
Destin Public Services Maintenance Yard: 3949 Commons Dr., Destin, FL 32541.
There is now a Public Transportation Cooperative (co-op), formed in 2015,
that includes representatives of Okaloosa County and several participating
municipalities, including Destin. The formation of the co-op gives Destin
a seat at the decision-making table as area leaders tackle the challenge of
making the local transit system more functional, more user friendly, and
more cost effective. Destin City Councilman Jim Foreman is the Destin
representative on the co-op.
Destin City Manager
Retiring
City Manager
Greg
Kisela
announced his
retirement on
April 14. His
last day will be
June 16.
Kisela began his service
to the city in 2004 as city
manager and left in 2011.
He returned to the city in the
fall of 2014.
“I appreciate the opportunity
of having served the citizens
and community of Destin,”
said Kisela. “The city has a
tremendously talented staff
working tirelessly to make
Destin a better place to live,
work and play.
The city will work with the
Florida City and County
Management Association to
find an interim city manager.
City Surplus Auction!
The city will hold an online public auction May 1-21 for
surplus items (vehicles, electronics, hardware, furniture,
etc.). The auction will be conducted by a third party. Links
and details will be posted on the city’s website.
www.cityofdestin.com
Hwy. 98 Pedestrian Crossings: The city
is working with FDOT to install five fully
signalized pedestrian mid-block crossings
on Hwy. 98 at the following locations: Chickfil-A, Big Kahunas, just west of Melvin Street,
just west of Marler Street and AJ’s. The city
advanced $750,000 to FDOT to expedite the
project and will be reimbursed over the next
three years. The pedestrian crossings will be
complete by June 2016
Road Resurfacing: The city’s annual
road resurfacing, along with the
reconstruction of Regions Way, has
begun. Roadways on the list include
Regions Way, Indian Trail, Monique
Court and Kel Wen Circle. Progress
is contingent upon available funds.
Each spring, the city resurfaces and repairs its most damaged
roads in order to provide safe travel for motorists. Regions Way
was recently acquired by the city. This once private street had
deteriorated to a point that it was no longer safe. Property owners
along Regions Way are paying for the project through a special
assessment.
Heritage Run Pump
Replacement: Thanks
to a $500,000 state grant
(Sen. Don Gaetz and
Rep. Matt Gaetz), the
city is moving forward
with the replacement
of the Heritage Run
Pump. This upgrade
will significantly reduce
common flooding in the Heritage Run Subdivision and other
nearby areas. Construction is expected to begin in late May and
should last about 90 days. The city will contribute an additional
$500,000 to complete the project.
Stormwater Upgrades: Six areas of the city are going to benefit
from the $3.6 million NFWF grant the city received to improve
water quality and quantity issues directly related to stormwater
runoff. The city’s contractor, Preble-Rish, is finalizing the design of
projects in the following areas: Indian Bayou, Sandalwood Drive,
Spring Street and Whippoorwill Avenue, Juanita Avenue and
Snapper Drive, Maltezos Street, and Calhoun Avenue.
Public information meetings for homeowners, as well as direct
mail letters and door hangers will be used to keep the affected
homeowners informed. Work in these areas will be staggered
beginning this summer and will include installation of swales
in the rights-of-way, some underground retention and limited
replacement of old stormwater piping.
There is also a new company operating the public transportation system,
Maruti. Maruti, a company well known for its successes operating transit
systems in Jacksonville and Orlando’s Disney World, won a bid to take over
the Okaloosa County transit system. It brings with it the talent, expertise
and experience needed to make the system shine.
The changes include a new name and a new logo. Okaloosa Transit will
now be known as Emerald Coast Rider or EC Rider and the busses will be
decorated with a new logo developed in conjunction with the Okaloosa
County Tourism Development Department. Maruti is already tweaking the
routes and hours of operation to better meet the needs of the riders, but
the best results will come when Destin residents, businesses and visitors
communicate their needs directly. It is possible to do that by completing
an online survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/
ECRiderPublicTransitSurvey
City Updates
Destin Welcomes New Mayor and Councilmembers
The City of Destin will hold its Annual Arbor
Day event at Main Street Park located at
605 Main St. on Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m.
The event will feature a guest speaker
and a tree planting ceremony by the
city’s Environmental, Parks & Recreation
Committee/Tree Board.
Destin celebrated Earth Day
2016 by cleaning up Norriego
Point on Friday, April 22. The
cleanup was made possible by
the city’s partnership with the
Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance.
The ribbon was cut on the Hutchinson Street
Improvement Project on March 9. City council,
staff, committee members and the Destin
Chamber were on hand to celebrate the project
that brought road resurfacing and striping, wide
sidewalks, bike paths and enhanced landscaping.
The ceremonial tree (Live Oak) this year has been donated
by Brightview Landscaping. Mayor Scott Fischer will host the
ceremony. The featured guest speaker will be Aubrey Santucci.
This year the City of Destin was named a Tree City USA community
by The National Arbor Day Foundation for the 14th year in a row!
City Happenings!
COMMUNITY CENTER
SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS
PARKS & RECREATION
SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
FOUNDERS’ DAY: The 19th Annual Founders’ Day
Celebration will be held Sat., May 7, 2016, from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be an old-fashioned fish fry
with all the trimmings. Founders’ meals and drinks are
complimentary. Visitors and guests will be asked for a
$5 donation.
Adult Coed Kickball League Coed Kickball
will have a mandatory team captains’ meeting at 6:00
p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Morgan Sports Center
office. Individual fees are $20 for residents and $40
for non-residents and must be paid before a player is
eligible to play. All players must be at least seventeen
to participate.
COMMUNITY YARD SALE will be held May 14 from 8
a.m.-noon at Buck Destin Park (724 legion Dr.). Cost is
$20 for nonresidents and $15 for residents to set up a
booth.
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION will be held May 30 at
the Destin Cemetery at 11 a.m. For more information
contact the Destin Community Center (850)654-5184
BIG TRUCK DAY will be held August 5 from 9-11 a.m.
Bring the kids out and join the fun! FREE.
COMMUNITY CENTER
SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMS
TABLE TENNIS Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m. Paddles and balls are provided. Cost: $3 for
nonresidents; $2 for Destin residents.
DODGEBALL Tuesday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (ages
13-16); 7:30-9 p.m. (ages 17+); and Thursday nights
from 6-8 p.m. (ages 8-12). Cost is $3 for nonresidents
and $2.00 for Destin residents.
GAME ROOM/ OPEN GYM The game room and
gymnasium at the Destin Community Center are
open to children under 10 and older Monday through
Friday. Children under 10yrs old must be accompanied
by an adult. Games include a ping-pong table, a pool
table, a foosball table, and air hockey table, and a
basketball and volleyball court. Call for Open Gym
hours (850)6545184.
COMMUNITY CENTER
SPRING/SUMMER CAMPS
BABYSITTING SAFETY COURSE for ages 11-15 from 9
a.m.-noon on June 7, June 21 and July 12. Cost for each
class is $30 for residents and $45 for nonresidents.
Students will be certified in CPR and First Aid by the
American Heart Association.
BASIC TUMBLING CAMP for ages 5-12. June 20-22
from 1- 3 p.m. Cost is $30 for residents and $35 for
nonresidents.
BASKETBALL CAMP for ages 3-6. Date June 29-July1.
Cost is $30 for residents and $45 for nonresidents.
BATON CAMP for ages 5-16 on June 6-10 from 9 a.m.noon, hosted by the All-Star Twirlers. Cost is $50 for
residents and $65 for nonresidents.
Challenger BRITISH Soccer Camp will be held
June 6-10 at the Morgan Sports Center for ages 3-14.
For more information or to register online, visit www.
challengersports.com.
CHEERLEADING CAMP for ages 5-12 on July 5-6
from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $35 for residents and $40 for
nonresidents.
COOKING AND SERVING CLASS for ages 8-15 years
held June 14-16 and July 12-16 from noon-3 p.m. Cost
per class is $50 for residents and $60 for nonresidents.
DANCE CAMP for ages 6-11 and 12+. July 11-13. Cost
is $30 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.
DODGE BALL CAMP for ages 9-14 years held June 1416 and July 26-28 from 1-2:30 p.m. p.m. Cost is $20 for
residents and $30 for nonresidents.
Gardening Camp for ages 5-12 held June 6-8 from
12:30-2 p.m. Cost is $20 for residents and $30 for
nonresidents.
GOLF CAMP for ages 7-15. July 18-19 at the Golf
Garden. Cost is $40 for residents and $50 for
nonresidents.
KIDS’ CAMP for ages 5-12 beginning June 13 from
9 a.m.-noon. Weekly cost is $50 for residents and
$65 for non-residents. The camp lunch supervision
program is from noon-1 p.m. Must bring lunch. Weekly
lunch supervision cost is $5 for residents and $10 for
nonresidents.
Youth FALL Soccer Registration is May 1 to
Aug. 12, 2016 for ages 3-15 (age as of August 1, 2016).
The fee is $45 for residents and $65 for non-residents. All
games are held on Friday nights at the Morgan Sports
Center. Registration can be completed online at www.
cityofdestin.com or in person at the Destin Community
Center Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Space is
limited. Early registration is recommended. Coaches
and team sponsors are needed.
VOLLEYBALL CAMP for ages 9-14 held June 20-22
from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $25 for residents and $35 for
nonresidents.
For more information or to register for any of these
camps, please call the Community Center at 6545184 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com.
Monday, June 6: 3:00 p.m. Summer Reading KickOff: On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!
Wednesday, June 8:
10:00 a.m. Seniors of Destin Book Club
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, June 9:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Story time
3:30 p.m. The Page Turners Book Club
Monday, June 16: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
6-12: Healthy Living
Saturday June 18: 10:30 a.m.-Noon: Writers in
Sandals
The Bike Parade will kick off the celebration at 6:30 p.m.
Children 14 and under are asked to decorate their bike,
scooter or wagon with patriotic decorations. Awards
will be given for different categories and ages. Parade
check-in is at 5:45 p.m. next to the information tent.
Following the parade will be live music by local artist
Chuck Lawson, Bocce Ball Tournament, moonwalks,
face painting and more. Bring your chair, blanket and
snacks. Sorry, no pets allowed.
Tuesday, June 21: 5:30 p.m. FamilySearch.org
Genealogy Workshop
For more information about these programs and
events, please call 650-1241 or email recreation@
cityofdestin.com.
Persons with disabilities who require assistance
to participate in these programs or events are
requested to notify the Parks and Recreation
Director at 650-1241 at least 48 hours in advance.
Seniors of destin
SPRING/SUMMER activities
We have a lot of activities each month for Destin’s active
seniors. Please call Senior Coordinator Pat Markey
at 685-5310 for more information. List of fall/winter
activities:
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Art Lessons Thursdays.
Biloxi day trips.
BINGO
Cruises
Drop in Center at Buck Destin Senior Center.
Golf outings to local courses.
Golf lessons with Pat.
Pickleball lessons with Pat and local A players at
the Destin Community Center.
Monthly pot luck birthday party
Monthly lunch bunch trips to local restaurants.
Monthly Senior Movie Day
Senior Book Club at the Destin Library.
Step Up walking program on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Free pedometer
Tennis Doubles Drop-in
DESTIN LIBRARY
SPRING/SUMMER CALENDAR
May
Wednesday, May 4: 1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief
Counseling
Thursday, May 5:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime
10:00 a.m. Adult Coloring Book Club
Wednesday, May 11:
10:00 a.m. Seniors of Destin Book Club
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
TENNIS CAMP at Buck Destin Park for ages 5-9 on
June 20 and 22 from 1-3 p.m. Camp for ages 10-15 is
June 21 and 23 from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $20 for residents
and $25 for nonresidents.
Friday, June 3: 9:30 a.m. Expanding Horizons Book
Club
Family Independence Day Celebration & Bike
Parade on Fri., July 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the
Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. The event welcomes
the entire family with fun activities for children of all
ages.
Little Feet Soccer (Preschool) Camp for ages
3-4 and 5-6 held July 5-8. Cost is $10 for residents and
$15 for nonresidents.
SAND ART Camp for ages 5-12 held June 24 from
1-2:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for residents and $30 for
nonresidents.
Thursday, June 2:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Story time
10:00 a.m. Adult Coloring Club
Tuesday, June 14: 3:00 p.m. Children’s Concert:
Anna Moo
Friday, May 6: 9:30 a.m. Expanding Horizons Book
Club
Ping pong Camp for ages 10-15 on June 29-30
from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $15 for residents and $20 for
nonresidents.
Wednesday, June 1: 1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief
Counseling
Youth Tackle Football Registration is May 1
to July 31, 2016 for ages 5-12 (age as of Aug. 1, 2016). A
birth certificate is required with registration. The fee is
$65 for residents and $95 for non-residents. Registration
can be completed online at www.cityofdestin.com or
in person at the Destin Community Center MondayFriday. Space is limited. If interested in coaching, please
call (850) 650-1241 or email recreation@cityofdestin.
com.
KIDS’ NIGHT OUT for ages 5-12 this summer from
6-9:30 p.m. on Fridays - June 3, July 15 and Aug. 12.
There will be pizza and contests throughout the
evening with prizes for everyone! Cost is $20 for
residents and $30 for nonresidents.
Pickleball Camp for ages 10-15 on June 27-28
from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $15 for residents and $20 for
nonresidents.
June
Saturday, May 7: 9:00 a.m. Destin Garden Club Plant
Sale
Thursday, May 12:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime
3:30 p.m. Page Turners Book Club
Tuesday, May 17:
3:00 p.m. Independent Film Series
5:00 p.m. FamilySearch.org Genealogy Workshop
Wednesday, May 18: 1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief
Counseling
Thursday, May 19: 9:30 a.m. Cuddlers and Toddlers
Storytime
Saturday, May 21: 10:30 a.m. Writers in Sandals
Wednesday, May 25: 1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief
Counseling
Thursday, May 26:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime
3:00 p.m. Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, June 15:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, June 16: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
0-5: Healthy Living
Monday June 20: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
6-12: Saving Our Community and Planet
Wednesday, June 22:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, March 24:
9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages 0-5: Saving Our
Community and Planet
3:00 p.m. Non-Fiction Book Club
Friday, June 24: 3:00 p.m. Animal Tales Children’s
Program
Monday, June 27: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
6-12: Celebrating our Community and Country
Tuesday, June 28: 3:30 p.m. Captain Pickle Reads!
Wednesday, June 29:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, June 30: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
0-5: Celebrating our Community and Country
July
Friday, July 1: 9:30 a.m. Expanding Horizons Book
Club
Monday, July 4: Closed for Independence Day
Wednesday, July 6:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, July 7:
9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages 0-5: Protecting our
Community – Fire District
10:00 a.m. Adult Coloring Club
Monday, July 11: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
6-12 Protecting our Community – Fire District
Tuesday, July 12: 3:30 p.m. Captain Pickle Reads!
Wednesday, July 13:
10:00 a.m. Seniors of Destin Book Club
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, July 14:
9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages 0-5 Protecting our
Community: Sheriff Department
3:30 p.m. The Page Turners Book Club
Saturday, July 16: 10:30 a.m. Writers in Sandals
Monday, July 18: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading
Ages 6-12: Protecting our Community – Sheriff
Department
Tuesday, July 19: 3:00 p.m. Children’s Concert: Mr.
Mac Says!
Wednesday, July 20:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, July 21: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
0-5: Community Leaders
Monday, July 25: 9:30 a.m. Summer Reading Ages
6-12: Community Leaders
Tuesday, July 26: 3:30 p.m. Captain Pickle Reads!
Wednesday, July 27:
1:00 p.m. Young Adult Summer Internship
1:30 p.m. Hospice Grief Counseling
Thursday, July 28:
9:30 a.m. Cuddlers & Toddlers Story time
3:00 p.m. Non-Fiction Book Club
3:00 p.m. Summer Reading Final Blast-Off Party
DESTIN
focus
Spring 2016