“Even though the market’s come down, it’s still not affordable for a lot of the workforce.”

Kisela: Tier Three projects (the ones which generate the housing fee) have been approved, and they will pay in once construction starts. At that point the council will have to make decisions on how to manage and direct the funding.

Jim Link of the LPA: The city shouldn’t be involved in the rental business. “The city is not obligated to support this kind of effort from a monetary standpoint. My biggest worry was how to pay for it.” FWB is putting in nine affordable housing buildings, it’s not supported by the city. “My particular issue is, we should have approached the Chamber of Commerce … to finance and get these sort of buildings into Destin.”

A background note: The city’s original proposal was to charge developers a fee or an actual housing unit as part of the approval process. Developers countered by calling for changes in the city’s development rules.
Weidenhamer: “I think you basically know everything I’ve said over the past few years–the Community land Trust believes that a fee or land or a unit in lieu of a fee is the way to go.”
Why? Easier to keep track of whether developers follow through than w/loosening rules.
She adds that while builders have protested against adding a fee during a downturn, but she can’t see them being in favor of it once the economy starts to turn and they’re profitable.

Greg Kisela: This is a list of recommendations from the staff, the LPA, various stakeholder groups. The session will be freeform. “Clearly market conditions have changed as relates to a sense of urgency but it gives us an opportunity …if we change our code or tweak our code.”
That being said, changes could have an impact on Destin’s quality of life, so the effects should be considered carefully. “When the market returns in 3-5 years, we want some things in place that work.”

Skip Miller, builder.
Nancy Weidenhamer and Jerry Najarian of the Community Land Trust.
Shane Moody from the chamber of commerce.
Jim Link, John Medina and Jeanie Zepponi of the Local Planning Agency (though Medina is also on the trust board).
A few people whose affiliation I don’t know.

“It’s hunting season,” was one audience member’s explanation. “Everyone’s out in the woods.”

It’s the workshop on affordable housing. The council has a list of possible steps they could take on housing, now they’re going to discuss the alternatives. Could be a snap. Could take hours. I’m glad I don’t have money in which.

Affordable housing workshop next Monday.

City closed for Veteran’s Day Tuesday week.

The ribbon cutting for Airport Road is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Dec. 1, the groundbreaking for Commons extension.

And on that note, we adjourn! I still have to post some stuff, but wow! Early!

Kisela: Rather than going for a loan to buy the Destin Campground, dip into the “unappropriated fund” balance–which will still leave the city with $4 to $4.5 million for emergencies.

Trammell: Moves to approve: $1.3 million from past bonds, $3.6 million from the fund balance.

The fund balance consists of money that was budgeted for and not spent, such as projects that came in under budget. Just so you know.

Councilor Dewey Destin: “With the economy being what it is and the possibility of more hurricanes, I think this is incredibly reckless.” He won’t support it.

Kisela: I understand Dewey’s concerns, but $4 million is as much as we had when I arrived here. The city runs tight so the money keeps accumulating, and we do have the option to borrow if worst came to worst.

Dewey: “Mr. Kisela has more confidence than I have.” We have 300 to 400 homes in foreclosure, values are going down 15 to 20 percent–the city could have a nasty surprise for the next budget cycle. “I hope he’s right and I’m wrong.”

Kelly Windes: What’s the credit market like? Kisela: The markets have tightened up–”We’ve talked with banks, the money’s available, but we’d be paying probably in the 5.5 percent range.” (I’m not sure what it is regularly).

Windes: It’s a caluclated risk, but it’s worth taking with interest rates up.

The vote: 4-1, with Dewey voting no.

Kisela: By 2011, we should have TRIP grants coming in for the construction too.
Dewey: How much for construction?
Kisela: $2 to $3 million.
Dewey: “I have not seen any anticipation of intersection modifications we’re going to have to make where the road is going to go out at Whataburger on Stahlman, where our bypass is going to come out … It will be as bad or worse than Gulf Shore/98.”

Kisela: Jim Bagby, who is absent tonight, had some questions about the plans to study the “littoral drift” of sand from East Pass to the west [correction: Checking my notes, this plan is to find ways to armor the point against erosion, for example with a seawall]. But (Kisela says), Bagby is OK with the scope and with making the decision without his absence. And the project will include a big workshop with all relevant local “stakeholders” as to solutions, and working with the DEP to figure out exactly what can be permitted.

Kelly Windes moves to approve the $143,000 consultant’s contract.

The vote: Unanimous.

Jim Wood,in his council report says that the adopt-a-street segment he and his wife are working on—Main Street from 98 to Airport—has an overwhelming trash problem. “If you’re a business owner or a homeowner please go out” and clean up the trash on your property and your section of the right-of-way.

Kelly Windes: What’s the latest on beach restoration?

Kisela: The DEP is relooking at all the beaches to re-evaluate which ones are critically eroded.

Trammell: Mentioned that Thurs. Nov. 13, at 5:30, the Mountain Drive property owners will see the city’s plans for the redesign of Mountain Drive.Show up if you’re interested!