[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6323985,"mediaKeyId","2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36","parentId",2340128,"title","Commission votes to put Beach Drive pedestrian and stormwater question on April ballot after heated debate","audioSeconds",1980,"startMs",11482000,"endMs",13462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36&start=11482&end=13462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36/thumbnail_11482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6323985/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Commission-votes-to-put-Beach-Drive-pedestrian-and-stormwater-question-on-April-ballot-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323985-3081d8c9ee9a8ab77e0bbbda03de7ff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118023&Signature=kmkMCrBR195tvDh2J4AUdsX0nMOs29f7mA77dVyeaQAOWcqx-MpGvyWJ7crfkROZMGtGeNvhw4ute9tkPdXEubQXzDGU9wdcLQTJ4y0eUEAH0KHEpY2JzHRBCR5fIqDOXm5mkwUfecrrK1N9xO7Ymt11eIjsSQ-3a8gsHpqwRuQFYURgZ9LSWSzqlXXLjJSoBtv6bXkD-jOgwP8tfAOMRdVWj3qofJPVz0y6x2AnXEKivtvQE7m1lYv13b-oA9MWrYs88Vlbt~Du0TuWvcIyK4wxDZZm~Smiv8c3EpiGT54wMcl40oKFp5lcBJoRbHZfN8MYwc83tN4zt-s3zJT1wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-02-17T23:09:26Z","article","After extended public comment and more than an hour of debate, the Panama City Commission voted to place a single, nonbinding referendum on the April 22 municipal ballot asking whether the city should use a specified state grant for pedestrian improvements and stormwater/environmental work on Beach Drive.

The final ballot language approved by the commission reads, in substance: \"Should the City of Panama City use state funding (grant number 450940-1) to make pedestrian improvements on Beach Drive and make stormwater and environmental improvements within the publicly owned right of way, with the understanding these funds are restricted and cannot be used for any other purpose or location in the city?\" The measure will appear as a yes/no question on the April municipal ballot.

Commission debate was sharply divided. Supporters said a ballot question would let living, registered Panama City voters directly voice whether the grant-funded work should proceed. Commissioner Street and others argued the referendum would cut through contested social-media polls and provide a decisive public record of local voters' views. Opponents called the draft question biased and incomplete, saying it framed the work positively while omitting the chief concerns raised by opponents\u0000\u0000(e.g., potential narrowing of the roadway, aesthetic changes, tree removal, and maintenance responsibility). Commissioner Halligas and Mayor Rowan said the wording in the draft favored a \"yes\" response and did not present the counterarguments fairly.

After discussion, the commission also voted 5-0 to abandon six additional referendum questions that had been drafted but not finalized (these covered a variety of funding and Civic Center questions). The commission directed staff and the city attorney to finalize the single ballot question and to file the text with the supervisor of elections in time for the municipal election calendar.

Public comment before the vote was strongly contested. Several neighborhood residents opposed the Beach Drive project and asked the commission not to move ahead; multiple speakers cited tree removal, ownership of land south of the road, uncertainty about whether the city controls riparian parcels, and doubts about long-term maintenance costs. Others from downtown and tourism sectors supported improvements they said would improve pedestrian safety and support access to waterfront businesses.

The city attorney and staff said the question would be placed on the April 22 municipal ballot provided the final language is submitted to the supervisor of elections by the statutory deadline. The commission did not authorize any construction or expenditure at this meeting; the vote authorized the ballot question only.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Commission Meeting 02112025","oneSentenceSummary","The Panama City Commission voted 3-2 on Feb. 11 to put a single, nonbinding yes/no question on the April municipal ballot asking whether a specified state grant should be used for pedestrian and stormwater improvements on Beach Drive within the city's public right of way.","taxTitle","Panama City, Bay County, Florida","taxId",4834,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6323991,"Mayor Rowan apologizes after NAACP letter, community presses for written response",2497,32000,2529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36&start=32&end=2529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36/thumbnail_32000.jpg","/articles/6323991/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Mayor-Rowan-apologizes-after-NAACP-letter-community-presses-for-written-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323991-37f6821585c89795ef1d604ac4b1e12d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118023&Signature=jQJfs5T27fS8E0TIIpHQtwP4Z~SEb8W5FTgEsks8vKxFFJHMxBZ-~u1sig6XwtcAKpJWPCkwkBo5~L2pmlRU3etqWbRgdXOajhIi0-1YnXqd-3xfbB~LGDmLy2GL~kiqK9-w-1qiSTLFwU3VnaFhyEsyXrn~spxD8KsSWCokaDqiCNGZkJxwnGVzv-n77rPG~5aoQzu40AeyWXqF4ORod1I4w8pasv1us~UUTTL~ZnjAF1t44WOl3t-74t1gC9HFvQfZlo0yb2wr3-5LtTJzQEfEWN~M0TEHXqvBwyAcro0AklihKyPUJp99kgMob~9qM0Lgqj1UzeNRB4urvTnJGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Michael Rowan began the Panama City Commission meeting by addressing criticism of remarks he made while recognized at the Bay County NAACP Black History Month proclamation. \"If you are one of those who felt offended or embarrassed by my remarks, I publicly apologize to you,\" Rowan said at the meeting, adding, \"Let me be clear I am not a racist.\"

The Bay County NAACP sent a formal letter to the commission and the mayor after the Feb. 3 event, saying Rowan had characterized Black History Month as \"to remember slavery\" and had used phrases the branch deemed offensive. Matthew Schack, first vice president of the Bay County NAACP, read the letter during audience participation and asked for a public apology and a written response. The letter also requested the mayor avoid the contested language in the future and provide a written response to the branch's concerns.

Several residents used the meeting's audience participation period to weigh in. Rufus (Rufus) Wood, who identified himself as NAACP branch president earlier in the meeting packet materials, and other speakers described the remarks as hurtful and asked the commission to hold the mayor accountable. Some speakers urged the commission to focus on actions to address long-standing disparities and to ensure minority residents' concerns receive continuing attention.

Commissioners responded in different ways. Commissioner Lucas, who noted historical barriers to political representation for Black residents in Panama City, framed the episode in historical context and urged listening and learning. Commissioner Halligas said she appreciated the mayor's public apology but emphasized the need for education and for elected officials to explain themselves when words cause pain. Other commissioners and members of the public defended the mayor or urged calmer dialogue rather than instant political retaliation.

The commission did not take any formal disciplinary action. Several commissioners and the city manager said staff would work with the mayor and NAACP representatives on follow-up; members of the public requested a written response from the mayor as the NAACP had asked. The NAACP letter remains part of the record; the branch requested a written reply and said it would not be satisfied with silence.

The exchange dominated public comment for much of the morning and prompted calls from multiple residents for improved communication and more civic education, particularly around how public officials should discuss race and history in ceremonial settings. The commission scheduled no specific vote or formal inquiry on the topic at the meeting.","Mayor Michael Rowan opened the Feb. 11 Panama City Commission meeting with a public apology after the Bay County NAACP sent a letter saying his remarks at the branch\u0000Black History Month proclamation were \"incorrect and inappropriate.\" The NAACP requested a written response; commissioners and speakers pressed for further community dialogue.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6323981,"Commission authorizes purchase of small parcel for Lift Station 16 relocation; neighbors ask for more outreach",14292,2850000,17142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36&start=2850&end=17142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2340128-878d4d0eb0342640224a0860088aee36/thumbnail_2850000.jpg","/articles/6323981/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Commission-authorizes-purchase-of-small-parcel-for-Lift-Station-16-relocation-neighbors-ask-for-more-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323981-32e289b0914c10f037a48d9e98a9f937/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118023&Signature=BEFdIc1AjkvauNN~YR1-ZmQQPrZxpDZ3Z4yJSA0DFtVufmTEJY4kn9QDSVcftfkvCuHStIAw4k6X94Q5Wi-bVxxFUHgFDkWjt5QtUpa598RWNO8dfcaxJ3BSEjH~eFE3bWtVHPHi1qxUOey-viX7ATjvmuEdJX0uoGJEu2BnggResWSCjL2vSHgt-NzZh~7oSspkDmAzdDlnI403q~oFqifSjOvZh2-o8KlocZRcajdSuh1Wm-PRU6Y1mLaQBz5-5EmQjcO0KU5HrmGvTx0lbaTue9-oVBNWyIL9mkVhdbWLuk7u~1HxABqwhEai1HAxoCQkyXB7EOFYCUXObIgoNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission authorized the city manager to purchase a 20-by-95-foot portion of the property at 3900 West Sixteenth Street for $125,000 to allow relocation of Pump (Lift) Station 16, a move staff and the project's design engineer recommend to remove failing sewer infrastructure from the shoreline and reduce chronic overflows into Saint Andrews Bay. The vote was 4-1.

City staff and the project's engineer said they reviewed multiple candidate sites and concluded this parcel best meets topography, gravity main routing and long-term reliability requirements. The relocation is part of a larger package of work that staff said is funded partly by a $3,250,000 FDEP grant (LPA-0204) that includes land acquisition and construction; FEMA HMGP funding paid earlier engineering costs and will support construction.

Multiple neighbors asked the commission to delay approval and hold broader neighborhood meetings. Owner and resident Mary Bonham, who lives at 3900 W. 16th St., told the commission she and her neighbors do not want the lift station on their property but said they generally want the lift station removed from the bay and would consider selling a portion of their land if necessary. Bonham said the property \"is not for sale\" but said she and her family would sell a limited strip if relocation on that lot proves necessary; she asked for additional outreach and consideration of other sites.

Commissioners stressed there would be additional public outreach and at least one more formal step before construction. Staff said the design will be completed before a construction contract is awarded and that the neighborhood would be briefed again before work begins; the commission also asked staff to present alternatives and cost/maintenance tradeoffs when possible. The commission approved the purchase authorization and gave the city manager authority to complete closing under the standard real-estate contract terms discussed at the meeting.","The commission approved (4-1) the city's purchase of a 20-by-95-foot portion of 3900 W. 16th St. for $125,000 to relocate Lift Station (Pump Station) 16 as part of a grant-funded project to remove failing infrastructure from the bay. Neighbors urged more meetings and asked staff to continue exploring alternatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission votes to put Beach Drive pedestrian and stormwater question on April ballot after heated debate

Mayor Rowan apologizes after NAACP letter, community presses for written response

Commission authorizes purchase of small parcel for Lift Station 16 relocation; neighbors ask for more outreach