BEFORE YOU DIG

Grayton has lots of underground utilities including TV/internet cables, gas lines, phone lines, and electrical lines. Before you DIG please call 811 annd the companies will come out and mark where the lines are. There is no cost for this service.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

March 1st Proposed 5 More Commercial Lots for Grayton

On March 1st, a Final public hearing will be held at 5PM at the Walton County Courthouse in Defuniak Springs. This meeting will be the final hearing on the Proposed Future Use Map Amendement that will change four properties on Defuniak street, and also a property that backs up  the Grayton Trail properties from Neighborhood residential Preservation to Neighborhood Commercial. Only those within 300 feet were notified by the county. The properties in question are three lots belonging to Richard Veldman at the corner of Pine and Defuniak and a lot across from them next to Kitty Taylor's real estate office and the fifth property is the Rocky Hard property on 30 A that backs up to Grayton Trails.

If you wish to read about what the changes will mean...read this link.

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3187

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Clerk of Courts Says Her Office Will Take On Beach Permits

At the County Commissioner's Meeting this morning, Martha Engle, Clerk of Courts for Walton County said that her office would be willing to sell the Driving on the Beach Permits. The Commissioners still have to vote on this, but at this time that seems to be the solution for the Commissioners. As of today, the registered voters ONLY * will still have the ability to apply and win one of the 150 lottery spots. As soon as more information is firmed up as to where to download applications and what is needed to apply I will let you know. So keep checking back for any updates.

*only need a voter registration card, do not need to own property in Walton County

Just for your information there are 37,421 registered voters in Walton County. Many of them own property but there is a rather large group that rent or live with their parents. It will be interesting to see how many "non property owners" who own 4 wheel vehicles will apply and actually are awarded a permit from the 150 lottery pool .

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tax Collector Relinquishes Beach Permits Duties Because of New Ordinance

TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE TO RELINQUISH ISSUANCE AUTHORITY OF BEACH DRIVING, BEACH VESSEL LAUNCH, CHARTER AND DOG ON THE BEACH PERMITS BACK TO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY TO DETERMINE NEXT ISSUING AUTHORITY

DeFuniak Springs, FL (February 14, 2011) – Walton County Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper will soon return issuance authority for Beach Driving, Vessel Launch, Charter and Dog on the Beach Permits back to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Skipper notified Commissioners last week of the decision citing the operational expenses involved with issuing the permits.

The Walton County Tax Collector’s Office is currently the sole issuing authority on behalf of the BCC for the Beach Driving, Beach Vessel Launch, Charter and Dog on the Beach permits. Recent changes to the Beach Permitting Ordinance and the operational costs involved with issuing requirements played a role in Skipper’s decision to no longer serve as the issuance authority.

A primary reason for this business decision was the provision allowing all registered voters in Walton County to apply for a lottery of 150 permits. This provision creates the potential for thousands of applications to be accepted, and each one must be processed, verified, and archived for public records. The staff time required to comply with the ordinance is not fiscally sound for the $1,500 annual revenue generated for the Tax Collector’s Office which was already processing beach permits at a fiscal deficit. Transition of the services to a new issuing authority will occur before the renewal period for Beach Driving, Vessel Launch, and Charter permits opens in April.

“Recent ordinance changes caused concern about the operational expenses involved with issuing permits in accordance to the new requirements. As my office gears up to begin offering DriversLicense services early next year, it seemed now would be an appropriate time to discontinue serving as the issuing authority for beach permits,” said Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper. Skipper expressed to Commissioners that she and her staff would work closely with the County to ensure a smooth transition to the succeeding issuing authority.

January 25th GBNA Board Minutes

The Meeting was called to order by Grant Blackwell, President, at the Grayton Coast Properties Conference Room at 2:00 PM, January 25, 2011. Board attendees in addition to Grant were Mike Valentine, Ann Morrell, Larry Jackson, and Kitty Taylor, host. Billy Buzzett and Scott Provow were absent


Minutes: October 5th minutes were approved by board member E-mails and posted to GBNA Blog.

Financial Report: Ann Morrell presented an update of our GBNA Finances as of January 25, 2011.

May 5, 2010 Balances: Checking Account: $3,467.24 Savings Account: $10,614.99

Checks written:

#1291 Grant Blackwell .$59.90
#1292 Blue Mountain Lawn $45.00
#1293 Blue Mountain Lawn $45.00
#1294 Blue Mountain Lawn $177.50
#1295 Taking Care of Business $70.00
#1296 Blue Mountain Lawn $45.00
# 1297 Larry Jackson $97.27
Total Expenses: $539.67

Deposits $ 25.00 (dues for 2010)

$ 34.29 (Savings Interest)

January 25, 2011 Balances: Checking: $2,957.57 Savings: $10,649.28

Member Directory: The board discussed developing an updated membership directory. Information about the directory will be included in the annual membership packet to be mailed in February. Members will be able to elect what information they would like to have included in their individual listings.

By-Laws Amendment: The board agreed to a membership vote to an amendment to the by-laws. The amendment allows the board to speak on membership’s behalf to the governmental organizations under certain conditions (see enclosure). The formal vote documents a simple majority of Association votes following the show of hands approval at last year’s annual meeting.

President’s Communications: The board addressed and approved a January 30, 2011 Association Letter to the membership. Letter will provide update on this year’s activities and events. Topics included will be the Oil Spill, economic recovery, beach permits and parking ordinances.

2011-2012 Board Candidates: The board reviewed need to identify candidates for next year’s board in order to include the ballot in the annual membership mailing. The January letter will invite members to become candidates for the 2011-2012 Board.

Sign Ordinance: The topic of signage in the village was covered. Over the last year, Gulf Trace established an uniform signage requirement for all homes in their area. The board agreed to solicit member comments to establishing a voluntary effort on signage in the village.

Annual Membership Mailing: The timing and content of the mailings was discussed to include dues request, membership information, Annual Meeting, 2011-2012 Board Ballot and member comments. February was the expected date of mailing. The GBNA Annual Membership Meeting and BBQ will be Saturday, April 23, 2011 over the Easter weekend.

Parking and Beach Permit Ordinances: The County is working to develop a Grayton Beach parking ordinance and continues to work the Beach Permit Ordinance. Both ordinances will be reviewed at the February 8 Commissioners Meeting. Ann Morrell continues to maintain the status on the Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association BLOG at http://graytonbeachflorida.blogspot.com/ . The site has had more than 21,000 hits as members have followed the Association’s work to get the ordinances to fit our needs.

Welcome Triangle Lighting: Larry Jackson discussed need to identify alternatives to current lighting of the Welcome to Grayton sign. He will look for solar power options to reduce need for extended buried power lines, permits, and meters.

Grayton Beach State Park: It was suggested that the Association as a good neighbor to the State Park routinely contribute to the Friends of Grayton Beach State Park. The Friends of Grayton Beach State Park provide funds and labor to improve the Park’s facilities. The State Park’s maintenance of the Pine Street beach access has been superb. The board approved a donation of $100.

Old Business: The board agreed to table Logo, Lake Accesses, Kayak Rack, Membership Meeting Planning, Grayton-Titled Areas, and Historic Grayton Beach and other topics to the February Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 PM.

Submitted by Larry Jackson, Secretary Upon approval, these minutes are posted on Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association BLOG at http://graytonbeachflorida.blogspot.com/ , The Minutes are cataloged at http://minutesonly.blogspot.com/

Enclosure - By-laws Amendment
Association By-laws Amendment

Following attending members’ acclamation approval at the April 3, 2010 General Membership Meeting, this ballot item documents the simple majority of all Association votes to By-laws Amendment below.

Reference: GBNA By-Laws, http://graytonbylaws.blogspot.com/

Article IV - Association Meetings

4. Quorum: The presence at the meeting, in person or by numbered, written proxy of members entitled to cast 50% of the votes shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of normal business. For all other matters such as any action or position before a governmental body on behalf of the Association there will be required a simple majority of all Association votes.

Article V - Directors and Officers

Original: 5. The Board shall have the general power to act for the association in the conduct of normal business. The Board may not take a position representing the association before any governmental body without a vote of the Association under section IV.4. above.

Proposed Change: 5.

The Board shall have the general power to act for the Association in the conduct of normal business. The Board may take a position representing the Association before any governmental body without a vote of the Association if by unanimous board member vote, the board deems that immediate action is needed and in the best interest of the Association as an exception to section IV.4 above.

Yes for change as stated No to proposed change

Travel Yahoo names Santa Rosa Beaches in their Top Ten

Santa Rosa Beach named one of the top ten beaches by Travel Yahoo. (Something most of us in Grayton have always known! )

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-37895743

Saturday, February 12, 2011

HAZ_MAT Collection Day March 5th

HAZ-MAT COLLECTION DAY
Saturday, March 5th

The Walton Board of County Commissioners is sponsoring a project to collect, recycle, treat, and properly dispose of these household hazardous wastes.

LINK FOR INFO:  http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2911

Thursday, February 10, 2011

To win a Beach Permit..you are going to Need Luck!

"Registered Voters Only" rank a little higher than Walton County Property Owners with the Board of Commissioners.

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/beach-6261-drive-santa.html

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

County Commissioner's Meeeting Feb 8th

It was a very interesting meeting and it was a long one. There were many folks who came to speak at the public hearing.

RESULTS:
The Parking Ordinance was Passed with only a few changes that had to do with disability terminolgy.

The Driving on the Beach Ordinance was passed with some changes:

*  Registered Voter was added back in to the Ordinance.
*  Charter Boat Captains that have different sizes of boat trailers will now be able to get a trailer permit for each of their boats instead of being limited to 1.
*  Terminolgy change with the wording dealing with Lottery, instead of Lottery Winners,  the term will be Selected Lottery participants.

I have asked for a final  official copy of the Beach Permit Ordinance with all changes so I can post the Official Document on the blog.

I suggest tht if you were not grand fathered in, you need to take careful note of the dates that you need to watch so that you can get in on the annual lottery. As soon as the new application is updated I will post the link so that you can download the form.

For those of you who are grand fathered in, you also need to take note of the dates and deadlines for applying for a new application. Because if you don't meet the deadlines you will lose your grand father status.

Again, I will post the updated ordinance as soon as it is made available fo me.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Parking Ordinance Up for Review Feb 8th

If you own property in Grayton and have experienced others parking on your property or blocking your driveway while visiting our local businesses you might want to take a look at the New Parking Ordinance that is being looked at for the first time at the County Commissioner's Feb 8th Meeting. Here is a link:
http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3128

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Sand Update

News article about the sand in Northwest Florida.
http://www.waltonsun.com/news/beach-6249-plans-biggest.html

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Driving on the Beach Proposed 2011 Ordinance

For those interested in the new driving on the Beach Ordinance that will be addressed and likely voted on this coming Tuesday at the County Commissioner's Meeting, here is a link to the new draft.

http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3130
 The "registered Voter only" is now removed from the draft. The dates for the lottery of the 150 new permits has been changed and updated also, So for those Grayton folks who missed out for one reason or another on getting a permit ....this lottery is your chance to apply and get a permit that is good for one year only. Those of you who have an annual "grand fathered type permit" need to renew your application starting May 1st

I suggest that you read the whole ordinance that can be found at the following link.....

http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3130
 There are new deadline dates for applications both for new permits and "grandfathered" permits.

I will be posting the results of the Feb. 8th County Commissioner's Meeting that evening on the blog. So if you are following this you can check the blog that evening to find out the outcome.

PLEASE NOTE that the lottery applications need to be submitted between April 1st and May 10th as the lottery selection will be conducted by the Tax Collector Office on May 15th and if you are one of the 150 lucky individuals, the Tax Office will notify you and then you can purchase a one year permit on June 1st.
For those out of town you can download a Driving on the beach permit at:
http://www.waltontaxcollector.com/files/Beach%20%20Vessel%20Launch%20Permit%20BCC%202010%20(2)(1).pdf
(I don't think I would do anything with the application until after the results of the Feb 8th meeting as I am sure that it will be updated.)