From WZEP AM 1460
Commissioners considered the cover letter for the Storm Reduction Project, that is the beach nourishment project. Mr. Hildreth made a recommendation the cover letter add the cost of the project for Walton. He said he thinks it is appropriate to include the cost of the sand. An attorney for beachfront landowners followed up on suggestions he had. One was to add a paragraph to clearly allow the property owner to say they do not wish to participate instead of just sending the letter back if they are going to participate. There will be one mailout of the easement document to the beachfront property owners. This will include the owners association of condos. Other speakers also said they want better clarity in the letter, including costs and ownership of the project. Matt Gaetz also noted the federal and state governments have not budgeted for the project. Commissioners said there would come a time when they will have to vote to move forward or not. The letter will provide for a six month response. The decision to send the letter with corrections passed. Commissioner Cecilia Jones was the only nay vote. She said the county does not have the money, is concerned with the sand quality and says she can’t support more money.
Dr. Leatherman, also known as Doctor Beach, talked about what people want in a beach. He said fine white sand is one of them and the Florida has the longest stretch of this unique sand. He said the sand is one reason we have the emerald water. Leatherman said he is concerned with the quality of the sand. He told the commissioners they need to get their facts straight. He said he would like to see the sand from the borrow pit. Commissioner Bill Imfeld said he has already directed staff to obtain a sample and send to Doctor Beach.
TDC Director Jim Bagby asked to sign a contract with Trip Advisor. Trip Advisor has been used by other destinations and they sometimes rank high when Walton does not due to not having an account. He said the county is up in bed tax and they expect more strong reporting months. He said spring break was down.
The TDC’s Code Enforcement Officers will be able to write parking tickets. Bagby explained this will not be their first or even secondary job, rather just like any other citation and then only after other options are looked at. Most responses will be complaint driven. Cindy Meadows asked for specifics where she says there are gray areas in some parking violations. Bagby said he will work with the Sheriff. Meadows said there is a lot of parking in the right-of-way, some allowed, some not and some in a gray area. She asked to specifically know when a ticket can be written. Bill Chapman asked the TDC and the Sheriff’s Office to work together and resolve the parking issues.
The new rules for beach vendors will begin the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. This will have the beach vendors having to meet certain requirements such as where they can vend and having to have permission from upland property owners where there is a question of who owns the beach.
