COUNCIL ROUNDUP: City makes it easier for churches to move in and says goodbye to Mayor Barker

Churches seeking to move into Destin will have more location options, as the City Council approved motions that open up more of the city to religious organizations.

During Monday night’s council meeting, councilmen unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that will allow churches into zoning districts where churches were previously prohibited. The issue was first brought to the council when local Pastor William Colvin of Journey Fellowship Ministries found out that the building his congregation was gathering in on Gulf Starr Drive was in the general commercial zone, which doesn’t allow churches.

While the council supported the presence of churches in more zones around the city, councilmen were concerned that the presence of religious organizations would inhibit tourist-based businesses that sell alcohol. A city ordinance required a 1,000-foot separation between churches and establishments that dispense alcohol.

So the council tackled that problem as well on Monday, unanimously approving a motion that decreases the distance required between religious organizations and businesses selling alcohol from 1,000 feet to 500 feet.

“The 1,000-foot rule inhibited businesses and churches,” said Mayor-Elect Sam Seevers. “This is a happy medium.”

Reporter Tosha Sketo offered live updates from Monday night's meeting. Click here to find out what happened.

In other business, the council unanimously approved an additional $38,000 to be spent on sidewalks, swales and curbing on Scenic Highway 98 and an additional $13,850.20 for sidewalk repairs around the city.

Bruce Nunnally, a partner and CPA at Carr, Riggs and Ingram, LLC, also had financial news for the council.

Nunnally performed the city’s 2009 Comprehensive Financial Report, and he gave the city a “clean opinion” on its financial statements. He said he had to make virtually no adjustments, and the only negative aspect of the audit was the amount of long-term debt the city is carrying. But he noted that 10 percent of that debt had been paid down since the audit was completed.

“The records were in such shape that we didn’t need to fix anything,” Nunnally told the council. “That’s a good statement about your staff.”

Later in the meeting, councilmen approved the updated Pathways Master Plan, which corrected some inconsistencies in the previous plan and reprioritized certain projects, and voted to approve the construction of a public beach access point in Crystal Beach.

The beachfront property is scheduled to be developed into a six-story condominium called Caretta Dunes. Developer Dieter Blasbichler agreed to construct a 5-foot wide public beach access point/dune walkover along the west end of the property as part of the public benefit for the project. But since difficult economic times have halted the progress of the development for two years, the beach access point has yet to be built.

But City Manager Greg Kisela said the city has decided it would be in Destin’s best interest that the public beach access point be made available now, and he said Blasbichler has agreed to advance that construction. Kisela said the beach access point should be available for use to the public by June.

The cost to the developer will be $49,500. The city will not be responsible for any of the cost unless the development never goes up, in which case the city would have to pay for half of the cost at most. It may be another two years before Caretta Dunes is built.

Councilmen also approved a surprise motion raised by Councilman Sandy Trammell Monday night. She asked the council to approve a resolution supporting the construction of an air traffic control tower at the Destin Airport.
Okaloosa County Airports Director Greg Donovan announced at a recent Airport Master Plan meeting that the Destin airport has been accepted into the Federal Aviation Association’s contract tower program, and will compete with 14 other airports for priority.

“According to Greg Donovan, anything we do and send off to the FAA helps us move up the rungs of the ladder,” Trammell said.

Lastly, councilmen evaluated City Manager Greg Kisela. Mayor Craig Barker said Kisela has performed admirably and helped the city to meet its objectives. He went on to say that Kisela refused a pay raise due to the state of the economy, which was a good thing since the city couldn’t afford to raise his salary despite satisfaction with his work.

After the business of the night had been settled, Councilmen took the time to thank Barker and Councilman Kelly Windes for their service to the council. Both men attended their last meeting Monday night. Barker is moving on to run for State Representative and Windes is not running for another term on the council.

Barker said it’s been an honor to know Captain Windes for his entire adult life, and that it’s been “refreshing” serving with him on the council. Councilman Dewey Destin added that it’s been nice serving with someone who, like himself, “has spent more time on water than on dry land.”

Barker was honored with two gifts from the council before closing his final meeting. Kisela presented him with a tiny fishing reel that doubles as a lighter in a nod to his work designing fishing rods. He was also given a watch for his service.

“I think in five years from now, we’re going to miss you,” Seevers said through tears. “In ten years, we’re going to miss you. In 50 years, people will remember the legacy you left.”

Barker said his time serving the city has made him a “stronger, better person” than he was 14 years ago. He thanked the council, the citizens of Destin and his family for supporting him before carrying out his final act as mayor. He passed the gavel to Mayor-Elect Sam Seevers.

“Destin is in good hands,” he said.