Administrator Weekly Update

The City of Mexico Beach’s weekly Administrator Update provides updates on city projects, events, answers residents’ questions, and also includes community announcements. The goal is to keep the Mexico Beach community informed and engaged with local government activities on a weekly basis.

Send your topic requests and questions to [email protected].

Week of 12/30: Sanitation Pickup, Office Closure for New Year’s Day, Kayak Launch, Beach Renourishment

City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st, in observance of the holiday. However, trash pickup will proceed as scheduled, with no changes to the regular pickup days.

In other news, the new ADA-accessible kayak launch on Canal is now open. To accommodate visitors with disabilities, a nearby parking space on Canal has been redesignated as a handicapped spot, supplementing the three new handicapped spots in the adjacent parking lot. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held after the holidays, and the date will be announced soon.

Beach renourishment is slated to begin next week.  All parking spots on South 37^th will be reserved for equipment staging and worker parking through the end of the project on or before 4/15/25.  In addition, the northeast corner of the overflow parking at the boat ramp will be closed to accommodate storage of oversize debris from the dredging operation. The sand being placed on the beach will be the same size and texture as the existing sand, however it may take several months for the sun to bleach it out to the color of the existing sand.

More information is available on the Public Notice as well as the CDC’s website.

Week of 12/23: Sanitation Pickup and Office Closures for Christmas, Mayor’s Christmas Letter

From Mexico Beach City Hall, warmest Christmas wishes to you. As Bill Murray so aptly put it, “It’s Christmas Eve! It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.”

A few important reminders:

• Sanitation pick-up will follow the regular schedule, with no changes.
• Office hours are affected by the holidays – City Hall will be closed on Christmas Eve (12/24), Christmas Day (12/25), and New Year’s Day (1/1), but will be open on New Year’s Eve (12/31).
• A special Christmas message from Mayor Wolff is available on the city’s Facebook page.

LDC Change Requests
You can access the draft version of the LDC changes, current as of 12/17/24, which incorporates prior submissions and feedback from the first workshop on 12/16/24. The next workshop is scheduled for 9am on 1/8/24. Following this, the City Council will decide on the next steps, either implementing select changes immediately or establishing a committee to oversee further updates.

Please keep in mind this is just a very rough draft of a running list of submissions – it is not a list of the changes to be made.  Feel free to submit your request regarding LDC updates to [email protected].

DRAFT LDC Changes Needed 2024-12-17

Week of 12/16: New Finance Director, Kayak Launch, LDC Updates

Introducing Our New Finance Director, Mike Snyder:
We are thrilled to announce and extend a warm welcome to our new Finance Director, Mike Snyder, who has joined the Mexico Beach team. In conjunction with the hiring of Mr. Snyder, we have established a dedicated department for all financial staff and performed some organizational restructuring. Previously, Mike was responsible for overseeing budgets totaling $15 million for various for-profit and non-profit organizations in South Carolina. In addition to his professional achievements, he is a seasoned softball official with over four decades of experience in slow and fast-pitch games. He also owns a small BBQ business.  Mike joins his wife and his family dog in Apalachicola while their daughter remains in South Carolina.

Kayak Launch
The highly anticipated ADA-compliant kayak launch is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of the week. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place later this month. The project takes advantage of the addition of three new handicapped parking spaces in a new lot on Canal, with an adjacent dedicated handicapped parking space nearby.

LDC Workshop Series Begins:
The first of two essential public workshops will be held this evening, with a follow-up session scheduled for January. The primary goal of these workshops is to gather insights and opinions from residents regarding potential revisions to the land development code. The City Council will review the collected feedback and decide the most appropriate course of action, either by implementing immediate changes or forming a dedicated committee to evaluate and develop a strategic plan to address the concerns raised during the workshops.

Week of 12/9:  Pickleball Screen, Kayak Launch

Pickleball:
We’ve hit a minor setback in the installation of our pickleball screen. Unfortunately, the supplier provided incorrect measurements and delivered slats too wide for our chain-link fence, causing incompatibility issues. Thankfully, we’re not backing down and are currently working closely with the supplier and manufacturer to obtain the correct size needed. As soon as we have the proper replacement parts in hand, our team will promptly install them.

Kayak Launch
On a more positive note, progress continues on the kayak launch dock. The main structure has been fully assembled and is now in the water. However, we’re still waiting for two piles to be installed before we can complete the final assembly. This additional installation step will allow us to securely fasten the dock in place.

Originally, we aimed to have everything completed by the end of this week. But, it now looks like we’re targeting a completion date at the end of next week instead. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these issues to ensure the highest quality product and experience for our residents and visitors!

Week of 12/2: LDC Updates, Kayak Launch, I’m All Ears

Mexico Beach Land Development Code Updates:
We have initiated an essential undertaking to revise and refine the codes and rules governing property development in Mexico Beach. This task involves multiple departments such as City Council, Building Department, Code Enforcement, and Planning and Zoning. Our primary objective is to address and resolve any ambiguity or discrepancies in the current requirements.

The process and timeline have been discussed and approved during the latest City Council meeting. In the upcoming week, we will be collaborating with the Planning and Zoning department. Following this, we plan to hold a few community workshops to gather feedback and insights from local residents and stakeholders. Moving forward, the City Council will assess the suggestions and determine the best course of action, which may include creating a dedicated committee or implementing specific changes.

Kayak Launch Update:
Thrilling news to announce – the components for the new ADA compliant kayak launch have finally arrived! The assembly and installation process is scheduled to commence immediately and conclude within the next two weeks. Please stay tuned for a formal announcement upon its completion and readiness for public use.

City Administrator – Your Local Government Liaison:
As the new City Administrator, it is my duty and pleasure to ensure that Mexico Beach continues to thrive and operate smoothly.

Please don’t hesitate to voice your opinions, inquiries, creative thoughts, or constructive criticism. You can reach me by phone at 850-648-5700 ext. 3 or email at [email protected]. While I might not be able to address every concern or execute every idea, I genuinely appreciate and value your feedback. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with me!

Week of 11/25/24: Cul-de-Sac, Sewer Main Break, Holiday Info

Cul-de-Sac:
We’re testing a cul-de-sac at the end of Canal.  The idea is to provide a drop-off and pick-up location; cars can then park in the new lot that was just constructed.  The handicap spot was moved just a couple of feet closer to the ramp.  Feel free to send me your thoughts on this – [email protected].

Sewer Main:
On Sunday in the early morning hours, the main sewer line running to Tyndall sprung a leak.  Crews from our Utilities Department along with staff from the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office spent the day on the side of 98 getting the situation resolved.  You don’t realize how much work it is to fix a leak until you see the sheer volume of dirt that needs to be moved just to access the leak and then see the size of the actual pipe.  It was impressive!  Crews were able to place a sleeve around the pipe to seal the leak and then fill the hole back in.

Holiday Info:
All offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.  There will, however, be regular trash pickup on Friday and crews will run Thursday’s route a day earlier on Wednesday:

Monday – Regular Route
Tuesday – Regular Route
Wednesday – Thursday Route
Thursday – Closed
Friday – Friday Route

Saturday is going to be a huge day!  The golf cart parade kicks off at Under the Palms Park at 5:30 and winds its way to Parker Park for the 6:00 tree lighting ceremony.  Rumor has it that Santa will even make an appearance.  More info on the parade as well as the waiver form to join it is available on their Facebook page.

Week of 11/18/24: Hwy 98 Resurfacing, Christmas Decorations, and FEMA Projects

We’re closer to beginning the resurfacing project on 98!  What’s holding us up currently is moving the water and sewer lines on the north side between 14^th and 16^th to accommodate the turn lane.  We originally thought we’d do it ourselves but we’ve since learned that it’s unfortunately beyond our capabilities.  We met with the overall project’s contractor and FDOT on Monday and they will be giving us an estimate for the work.  That expenditure will need to be approved by the Council.

We’re also closer to the tree lighting and golf cart parade!  The decorations have gone up on the light poles as well as at Sunset Park and Parker Park.  You’ll have to wait until 12/1 to see them lit up, however.  Hope to see you at the parade and tree lighting!

In addition, we’re making quick progress in the process of updating the Land Development Code and/or Comprehensive Plan.  We’ll be seeking input from all of you, so stay tuned for those opportunities.

Where we’re not making quick progress is the pier and fire/police station projects.  Because these are funded by FEMA, we’re at their mercy.  FEMA denied most of the funding we requested for the fire/police station.  We’re filing an appeal but that could push the project back as much as a year.  As for the pier, we’re waiting for several federal agencies to provide their approval.  In the meantime, we received permission to put the project out for bid.  FEMA doesn’t have an accurate or current pricing model for a project such as this; they’ll be relying on the bids to help narrow down the scope and cost.  We’re hoping to speed things up a little bit by taking care of these two items at the same time.

Week of 11/11/24: Communication, Canal Cleaning & Code Enforcement

Staying Informed—Your Way!

I want to make communication as personalized as possible because everyone has different preferences for staying informed. With that in mind, we’ve added three new features to our city website.

1. Projects Page: Located in the top menu on the far right, this page offers updates on the various projects we’re managing throughout the city. It’s updated every two weeks to keep you informed on our progress.
2. Mexico Beach Monthly Newsletter: Available both online and with your water bill, this newsletter provides the latest news on key city initiatives and upcoming events in Mexico Beach.
3. Administrator Updates: In this new section, I’ll be sharing a weekly snapshot of what we’re working on across city departments.

And, of course, I’m always available to meet (appointments can be scheduled online), take your call, or respond to your emails if you’d like to discuss anything further.

Keeping Our City’s Canals Clear and Ready for Heavy Rains
Last week, our city maintenance crews began the essential work of clearing and maintaining our canals to improve stormwater management during significant rain events. The primary goal is to cut back overgrown vegetation along all canal banks, bringing them to a manageable state that we can then regularly maintain.

In addition to clearing, crews are also dredging the canals to remove built-up dirt and sediment. This process is crucial for ensuring that pipes connecting the canals remain unobstructed and that the canals themselves have the capacity to handle large amounts of water. By increasing this capacity, we’re able to reduce the risk of water backing up onto roads and into residential yards during heavy rains.

Enhancing Code Enforcement for a Cleaner Community

Code Enforcement has been working diligently to implement a new system for handling code violations, corrections, and abatements. Here’s how it works: when a property is in violation of city codes, the property owner is notified either in person or by mail. They then have 10 days to address and correct the issue. If the issue remains unresolved after that period, fines will begin accumulating on the 11th day.

If a certified notice is returned as undeliverable, we’ll post the violation notice on the property itself, as well as at City Hall and online, to meet all notification requirements.

Property owners also have the right to request a hearing within 20 days of receiving a violation notice. If no hearing is requested and the violation is not addressed, the Special Master may authorize us to begin abatement. This means city staff will correct the issue, and the property owner will be billed for the work. If this bill goes unpaid, a lien will be placed on the property.

Week of 11/4/24: Addressing Stormwater Management in Mexico Beach: Steps for Progress

This week, we’re focusing on stormwater management in Mexico Beach. We’ve identified eight areas in the city that are most prone to flooding and drainage issues, and on Tuesday, we met with AVCON, our stormwater engineering partner, to review the top two priority areas. Fixing drainage city-wide will be a large undertaking, but we’re committed to making immediate and long-term improvements. Tackling this challenge step-by-step, we aim to make meaningful progress over time.

The full list of locations includes:

• 4th St. from Hwy 98 to Florida Ave.
• Area of 417 Colorado Ave.
• Former Angeline Estates
• 5th and Cathey Ln. to Ditch
• 1st St.
• Pine and Magnolia Aves. to Hwy. 98
• Ends of 39th and 40th

Our Approach: A Three-Tiered Strategy

1. Quick Fixes: Actions we can take now to improve stormwater flow immediately.
2. Moderate-Sized Projects: Projects requiring more detailed engineering, design, and contractor involvement. These will provide insights as we work toward a broader solution.
3. Future Development Standards: Adjustments to our Land Development Code to ensure new construction supports, rather than hinders, proper drainage.

Quick Fixes for Immediate Improvement

• Storm Drain Maintenance: Crews are sweeping the city to clear debris from all storm drain grates, ensuring they’re free from plants and buildup. This will improve water flow during heavy rains, particularly important as wet weather is anticipated soon. If you notice a drain that needs attention, please reach out to let us know!
• Canal Maintenance: We’re starting brush-clearing efforts on the man-made canal along 7th St., cutting back plants on the banks to better understand the canal’s structure and flow. With visibility improved, we can plan any necessary adjustments to increase the canal’s capacity and overall efficiency.

Moderate-Sized Projects: Testing Solutions and Building Expertise

• 4th St. Project: We’ve identified the area from 98th to Florida Ave as a major drainage issue. This project will serve as a test case, giving us valuable insight into the cost and process for moderate-sized drainage improvements. With several similar projects needed, completing this will help us prepare for others.  Much needs to be done prior to any work including engineering and design.
• Drain Pipe Solutions: When canals are at capacity, they can back up into connected storm drains and pipes. AVCON is exploring engineering solutions to address this issue, aiming to implement measures that could be applied at multiple locations across the city.

Future Development Standards for Sustainable Stormwater Management

• Culvert & Swale Requirements: Over time, construction has resulted in a mix of adequate, inadequate, or even nonexistent drainage solutions in some areas. Ensuring new projects address stormwater flow from the outset is essential, so we’re reviewing our code to make sure future work meets our standards.
• Permitting & Inspections: To enforce these standards, we may adjust our permitting and inspection processes, making sure all requirements are met to maintain stormwater flow city-wide.
• Long-Term Planning and Funding: Over the long term, we’ll continue to evaluate projects that address underlying issues, looking into both the scope of work required and potential funding sources.

By taking these steps, we’re committed to improving drainage across Mexico Beach. This three-phase approach will enable us to make immediate improvements, implement sustainable solutions, and set standards for future development that protect our community from stormwater challenges.