One notable topics was the discussion surrounding the replacement of the city’s streetlight poles as part of the undergrounding project. The council was presented with two options: grey concrete poles with a black mast at a cost of $4,700 each, and black poles with a top-mounted black mast at a cost of $6,000 each. The debate centered on the poles’ appearance, material, and cost, as well as the potential for holiday banners on the new poles. Additionally, council members considered whether to install city-owned poles or continue leasing from Florida Power & Light (FPL). Questions were also raised about lease terms, ownership, and possible reimbursement from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for managing their lighting system.

Another issue was the development of pickleball courts and the proposal to move forward with plans for four courts and bathrooms, with an emphasis on urgency. The council debated the necessity of building new bathrooms and discussed funding options and timelines. There was also consideration of a citywide survey before proceeding, but staff recommended moving forward due to the projected timeline for the study’s completion.

Dredging updates also featured prominently, with varying cost estimates ranging from $500,000 to $1.3 million. The council discussed options for funding harbor maintenance, including a volunteer payment system or a possible city assessment. A motion was made to bring options to the March 4th agenda for review and to send these to the harbor waterways board.

The council also tackled the negotiation for the purchase of a parcel on Crystal Beach, with a letter of intent proposing a purchase price of $6.79 million. There was debate on whether to continue negotiations, contingent upon Okaloosa County’s participation. Concerns were voiced about the county’s plans for its parcels and the potential impact on traffic.

In addition to these issues, the council discussed the renovation of Catilla Park and the decision to retain a 50-year-old Pavilion and walkway, which spurred debate over the potential impact on grant funding and public perception. The liquidated damages clause in the contract for the project was another point of discussion, with suggestions to potentially increase it from $250 to $500 per day after substantial completion.

The council addressed the potential upgrade of parking lots and the process for obtaining replacement parking pass stickers. An upcoming workshop was announced to review food truck regulations and update the food truck map. Furthermore, the council considered the quarterly investment report and the formation of a Parks Foundation.

Community input was also a part of the meeting. Remarks included expressions of gratitude for the appointment of a new council member and support for the replacement of the Pavilion at Clement Taylor Park. A member of the public voiced frustration over a newly installed stop sign on U Spring Lake Road, calling it an “outright nuisance” and questioning the decision-making process behind its installation.

The meeting concluded with discussions about updating the council’s voting system to a cloud-based model, the use of laptops by council members, and the significant cost reduction of 50% due to a vendor incentive for replacing the open meeting system.