[{"_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",6119414,"mediaKeyId","2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a","parentId",2712206,"title","Votes at a glance: Panama City Commission actions, March 18, 2025","audioSeconds",10697,"startMs",366240,"endMs",11063840,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a&start=366&end=11063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a/thumbnail_366240.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119414/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Panama-City-Commission-actions-March-18-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119414-bdfcffdedc74bdb3e0b9a0491554ba87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445695&Signature=GvoTMfJURhi6n0uCcfaG5Cir1C3hyezilxhpfgcPf-O16R-rAWPPD04VAy~7hXhZRC57flJqJ35f7mDVd8N74NenE8JZJRwiIa1~WFFJ~7xubx8XIaa1UGM859YeXYoE57GGep9daF3HiM8OgUkSTv9JJC~fgGan65LlHCiBt3xRYn3rAbn3h~kBrPjD-hNtVf-xBoZWsalwemicSrh5mDxiAGXIe95AUXQyy8n3o80YtMdZToK74AV1hEB~65TXdlzhTTsTNNMxj0fZwNMEgA0sZ3ck4DNSiCTNAg8ZjjXWgMn1fx61baZ~iFcxoQv2zQUl4CQRkCEh-4NfRa2lFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-03-19T13:11:24Z","article","The Panama City Commission completed several formal actions on March 18, 2025. Below is a concise summary of each action, vote tally, and key details.

Votes at a glance

1) Approval — Minutes of Feb. 25, 2025
Motion: Approve minutes of the February 25 meeting.
Vote: 5–0 (Commissioner Street, Commissioner Halligas, Commissioner Lucas, Commissioner Granger, Mayor Rowan — all “Yes”).

2) Motion — Table agenda items 9g & 9h to April 8, 2025
Motion: Staff requested tabling of two HRP-related items to April 8; commissioners approved the request.
Vote: 4–0 with 1 abstention (Commissioner Street abstained; other commissioners voted yes). Outcome: passed (4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain).

3) Variance — 1212 Beck Avenue (PC item 6a)
Action: Approval of a variance from the finished-floor elevation requirement in section 9-84 of the City’s drainage and floodplain ordinance to allow finished floor 1 foot above BFE (one-foot variance) with hold harmless agreement and stormwater controls.
Motion: Approve variance.
Vote: 5–0 (Street, Halligas, Lucas, Granger, Mayor Rowan — all Yes). Outcome: approved.

4) Procedural — Move final reading of Transportation Impact Fees Ordinance
Action: Commission moved the second reading to April 24 and directed staff to present a timeline an update on April 8.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: second reading rescheduled.

5) MOU & Budget Amendment — MLK Recreation Center programming supplies (CRA funding)
Action: Approved MOU with the Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency to provide up to $325,000 (reimbursement basis) for programming supplies for the MLK Rec Center and approved budget amendment (Resolution 20250318.1).
Motion: Approve MOU and budget amendment.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved. Note: funds are reimbursement-based; operating costs to be addressed in FY 2026 budget.

6) Contract Award & Budget Amendment — Fire Station 1 water-intrusion repairs (PC25010)
Action: Award ITB PC25010 to Acro Construction LLC for the base bid $897,196; approve budget amendment (Resolution 20250318.2) to utilize up to $660,000 in insurance proceeds for shortfall and allowances (unit-price allowance for metal studs and installation). Staff described a funding plan to reimburse insurance proceeds with pending FEMA deployment reimbursements and property sale proceeds.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved. Staff noted plans to accelerate reimbursements where possible.

7) Budget transfer — Bay Memorial Park match (Resolution 20250318.3)
Action: Move $250,000 from general grants fund to capital improvements (PCR fund 370) to act as the city's matching contribution for the Bay Memorial walking trail project after the state grant was revoked.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved.

8) Resolution — FDOT utility work by highway contractor (Resolution 20250318.4)
Action: Authorized execution of a utility-work-by-highway-contractor agreement with FDOT for adjustments to city manholes and valves on the FDOT resurfacing and sidewalk project on 20th Street; city share $113,750.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved.

9) Easement sale — 3002 West 19th Street cell tower easement (TPA VI LLC)
Action: Adopted resolution authorizing execution of a perpetual easement and closing documents (sale/assignment to Tower Point Acquisitions / TPA VI LLC) for a cell tower site near Fire Station 2; purchase price recorded in prior agenda packet.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved.

10) Contract award — SRF Area D-15 improvements (PC25030)
Action: Award contract for SRF Area D-15 (St. Andrews area) to Royal American Construction (lowest responsive bid) and authorize up to $4,313,000 including a 5% contingency.
Vote: 5–0. Outcome: approved.

Notes and next steps: For the items funded from insurance proceeds, staff indicated planned reimbursements from pending FEMA deployments and potential property dispositions; staff will provide details and a timeline for reimbursement and follow-up budget entries. Several items require contract execution and project coordination with vendors and FDOT.

Ending: Commissioners approved each of the formal items above by recorded roll call votes; staff will proceed with contract signings, budget entries and follow-up briefings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a set of items including a floodplain variance for a Beck Avenue project, a $325,000 CRA MOU for MLK Rec Center supplies, a Fire Station 1 water-intrusion repair contract, budget transfers for Bay Memorial Park, FDOT utility work authorization, an easement sale for a cell tower site, and an SRF area contract award.","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},6119419,"Venetian Villas residents press Panama City for fixes, ask for tax abatement as street-rebuild disrupts neighborhood",767,1640620,2408040,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a&start=1640&end=2408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a/thumbnail_1640620.jpg","/articles/6119419/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Venetian-Villas-residents-press-Panama-City-for-fixes-ask-for-tax-abatement-as-street-rebuild-disrupts-neighborhood","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119419-787f059ca0d390dd3d679f558fbe489d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445695&Signature=SNkuIh-WMuq2G0omZyGnJwYsxnhuIc7-07YJXb51TLffhKT1JmjlXqYHDDIhHLsSJzq0XIStKnou2NNqMVnJwE~ohJSOhwahPHQNZnKUkP0yD6x5LkN4nVF24pv1ovMX3xQ5k9aZ1bLrUxktTvCvkPJfFlYSblryseBI9l4QUHSA--MsAsN5uy-JS7GdmwrJl-9aGgZB9AHpdmMiGH9vS1~aIwPzNCQvQaA0EKflLdU2svapF3-dj0yLctjYWIUBSmM9ooUen1~5WLpVmGgXuD3w19XLflluU1af-n66dMRq5uv5kfkGOzU1wMELBiAGhItQwAccqWwrHvqHi3s0BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents from the Venetian Villas neighborhood told the City Commission on March 18 that months of construction-related disruptions have left many streets unpaved, with standing water, damaged private property and impeded access during heavy rain.

\"We have students getting off school bus, walking through the mud to get back home,\" resident Danny Bishop said during the meeting's audience participation period. Bishop and other speakers said some neighbors have reported vehicle damage, one homeowner reported more than $15,000 in damage to a boat dock, and multiple residents said storm drains were not functioning and that at times they were unable to leave their driveways because of standing water and deep mud.

Commissioners and staff explained the work is part of a larger SRF (state revolving fund) infrastructure project across project areas F1 and F2 that replaces water, sewer and storm lines and rebuilds curbs and roads. Assistant City Manager Jared Jones and other staff said the project contractor, Gulf Coast Utility Construction, is on site daily and that the city maintains construction engineering inspection staff on site. Jones said mobilization and sequencing required removal of pavement across several blocks rather than one street at a time. \"When you're redoing everything at once, it... is a huge challenge,\" he told the commission.

Actions and follow-up: Commissioners asked staff to arrange a one-on-one meeting between residents and project management (assistant city manager and contractor) and to explore immediate measures such as temporary pumps for standing water. Mayor and commissioners agreed staff should work with Gulf Coast Utility Construction to reduce the risk of residents being trapped in homes and to improve communication with affected households. Assistant city manager Jones said the city would set an additional meeting with the contractor and connect residents to project staff.

Resident requests: Bishop formally asked the commission to consider a 50% abatement of this year's property taxes for affected households while the streets remain unpaved. Commissioners acknowledged the hardship and said they would review options, but no fiscal action was taken at the meeting.

Ending: Staff committed to follow up with residents, to meet on site with the contractor, and to investigate temporary drainage remedies; commissioners emphasized that the project aims to replace decades-old buried utilities but acknowledged the current disruption and asked staff to prioritize residents' access and communications.","Multiple residents from Venetian Villas urged the commission to respond to months of dust, standing water, damaged docks and limited access after city-contracted infrastructure work removed pavement across several streets. Residents asked the commission to consider a 50% property-tax abatement for affected homes while work continues.",{"_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},6119423,"Panama City delays second reading of transportation impact fee ordinance after extensive stakeholder pushback",2741,6963240,9704720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a&start=6963&end=9704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712206-4d6f5e6e6ab847ae2bf7b8baf6ba240a/thumbnail_6963240.jpg","/articles/6119423/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-delays-second-reading-of-transportation-impact-fee-ordinance-after-extensive-stakeholder-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119423-1ce964d9f8a0ecf8c0f9a4858585a777/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445695&Signature=RslS0UUYIQNYpkkiWbFCaT7PBkz0UsPySNA-angI6iUl~Y1JNLmAHkZfkzCRTWa9hXx109kKIux8OnE~woamq1dD9WHle71lemZYDq4Lzyc9a5Yun5-YouzAPk96G57O5FMkLo6964VUxPffABQW78XjlQraJQ5CCjQIRGMxXYg~6qdl4Bbn8UHg-tlwj9rxN4mrwWnZCBCXND3peL06d0ZIjnbGPGnaSLc5ys4XpE3fUtajAEvkkft7djzxHcFQo~8IyjhRI0adSxeaP56xZVthgzMn66aV03NfY9ZIKtFJXflTcJ73ZUAUzdZ2k5PMuQ51VP3NpmICoSC07l0GAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Jonathan Moore reported to the City Commission on March 18 that staff had revised a proposed transportation impact fee ordinance after a series of workshops and roundtables with builders, the chamber and community groups, then recommended more time before a final vote. \"Staff has no issues, you know, if the commission decides tonight to further table it,\" Moore said, urging the commission to allow more opportunity for discussion.

The commission agreed. Commissioners voted unanimously to move the ordinance's second reading to the commission meeting on April 24 and directed staff to provide a timeline and a draft work program at the April 8 meeting. Moore said staff would try to identify corridors and projects inside Panama City (roughly Business 98 to State Road 390) that would be likely candidates for fee-funded improvements so developers and residents could see how collected fees might be used.

Why it matters: The ordinance would create a developer-paid revenue stream for street, sidewalk and other transportation work to address growth and congestion across two distinct planning areas: Panama City proper (infill needs such as sidewalks and safety) and Panama City North (anticipated arterial expansion around Star Avenue and other regional connectors). Builders and business groups, including Kurt Hartog of the Bay Building Industries Association, urged a delay so they could gather state-level information and return with questions. \"We're here today ... to ask if we could have the ordinance tabled at least into April so we have more time to discuss this,\" Hartog told commissioners.

Key debate points: Commissioners and stakeholders focused on three intertwined questions: (1) how to protect and encourage infill and smaller “attainable” houses in Panama City proper so fees do not block small-scale development; (2) how to tie fees to a transparent, defensible work program showing where collected funds would be spent; and (3) whether to phase in the fee collection (some commissioners suggested initial lower percentages such as 25% or other staged approaches). Staff noted the fee study reflects current construction costs and that fees elsewhere may appear lower because they were set years ago.

Staff commitments and next steps: Staff will convene another stakeholder roundtable after builders attend legislative meetings in Tallahassee, draft an aspirational list of potential projects (for example, sidewalks and intersection capacity in the downtown corridor) and deliver an update to the commission on April 8. The commission may convert the April 24 meeting into a workshop if more discussion is needed before a final vote.

Quotes: \"We can take what Commissioner Street has requested, kind of an aspirational document... and highlight some areas that are not going to be part of a major infrastructure project,\" Moore said. Kurt Hartog of the BBIA asked for the extra time: \"We would like to continue to have some dialogue... so we have more time to discuss this with the commission.\" Commissioner discussion repeatedly returned to the need for a work program that builders and residents could review.

Ending: The commission's direction gives staff roughly three weeks to assemble project examples and a timeline. Commissioners said they expect another opportunity to review a revised ordinance and supporting materials before any final adoption vote.","City commissioners agreed to move the second reading of a proposed transportation impact fees ordinance to April 24 and asked staff to return with a timeline and an aspirational work program after additional stakeholder meetings and a planned staff update on April 8.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Panama City Commission actions, March 18, 2025

Venetian Villas residents press Panama City for fixes, ask for tax abatement as street-rebuild disrupts neighborhood

Panama City delays second reading of transportation impact fee ordinance after extensive stakeholder pushback