The council is now considering postponing the impact fee votes until after a workshop (Feb. 28). Councilor Larry Williges has pointed out he made exactly the same suggestion last time and got voted down.

The last two posts said more or less the same thing, due to a screwup in the system that didn’t show me the first post was up. Rather than delete it, I’ll let it stand as a monument to the goofiness of liveblogging … which was further reinforced by Firefox crashing on me a second ago (but at least it restores all my settings when I boot it up again).

We’re still debating the first fee. And it’s only parks. Transportation is going to take a lot longer.

But then, when you’re asking people to pay the city money, it’s understandable it’s controversial.

We’re still debating the first fee—and ‘parks’ isn’t that controversial. Transportation will be much worse.

But it’s better to have discussions cover all the bases than rush over everything to pass things at high speed.

And I’m on the clock, so it’s not like I’m sacrificing.

Going back to the old fee schedule is not an option, City Manager Greg Kisela says: Some of the fees in the new schedule the council is debating would be lower, so any higher fees under the old study can’t be justified any more.

“Destin had an open view of its crystal waters and white sand. Now it’s restricted by that Berlin Wall.”—Destin resident Anastas Pazevic on waterfront construction

When I type, people turn around to look. No surprise, I’m very fast and it probably sounds a little startling in the middle of a meeting.

Speakers (BIA, one builder so far) are getting up to speak against the impact fees. Debate is on!
Maybe it’s a good thing I plugged my computer instead of relying on my battery, which only has three hours left.

No decisions made, just an update on the case.

Tonight’s turnout has a lot of nonregulars here. I’m guessing it’s either for impact fees or Pointe One. We’ll find out (if nothing else, whichever item they all leave after will tell the tale).

Councilor Larry Williges said he expected a short executive session.

If it runs more than another five minutes, the council meeting will start late (though admittedly, 30 minutes would be shorter than many executive sessions I’ve waited outside).

Wait, City Clerk Rey Bailey has gone inside, looks like it might be over after all.