[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6220585,"mediaKeyId","3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee","parentId",3616795,"title","Residents urge fixes at downtown Beach Drive intersection after recent fatal crash; city staff vows to review signage and flashing options","audioSeconds",2181,"startMs",958000,"endMs",3139000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee&start=958&end=3139","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee/thumbnail_958000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220585/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Residents-urge-fixes-at-downtown-Beach-Drive-intersection-after-recent-fatal-crash-city-staff-vows-to-review-signage-and-flashing-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220585-8a284304f54f2ee2ee5f3e3178816783/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161646&Signature=KSP8SVUewcw5r9kOrJWdjZqJmPBefxzY2TV4J9TqPPIHd9sbVHZVU5fnBholxnt8~viasLd6flqYEf~WTsQntgsguu5kJQglA1hIYhO9f2HXFqZo9lKwssAApW~lT5JW32qdEGOjQx4z1gik-VUqwOC40fCjn8wNEGq5c4hplaq-XoUpF3he1gn7OQ0K4PFB-wyXRiNkmwA1l-mtB3zW0CqPfvbV6zdwHf8w-rEjbhcHOnX7k6dGi9M98BCfKX1Rp0zJfzGhRFpi79uuRKZfEoXXS4bzHzjObmxhnGA8M9Gsh2WOWp6FqtrxCtn7VXTQ2ZnaGQuNiQK7xexDXku99Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-05-30T17:03:39Z","article","Several residents on May 27 urged the Panama City Commission to take immediate action at a downtown Beach Drive intersection where a recent fatal crash exposed visibility problems with stop signage and heavy pedestrian use.

Darby Paley, service coordinator for St. Andrews Towers, brought photos to illustrate obstructed views of the stop signs where Beach Drive meets a cross street near the Federal Courthouse and Indigo Hotel. “You cannot see the stop sign at all, period,” Paley told the commission, saying palm trees and a light pole block sight lines and that children from a nearby elementary school walk through the intersection without traffic slowing.

Bill Kinsall, a resident on West Beach Drive, and Colin Hamilton of Landmark Condominium also told the commission cars continue to “fly” through that stretch to beat traffic, creating a safety concern for pedestrians and landscape workers.

City Manager Jonathan Hayes acknowledged the seriousness of the recent fatality and said staff — including the police department and public works — is evaluating options. “There is some empirical data that shows that 4 way stops are more safer than a signalized intersection,” Hayes said, and added the city will consider signage modifications including flashing stop signs to increase awareness. Hayes said the city has a yellow “stop sign ahead” caution sign currently posted and would investigate additional measures.

Chief Mark Smith (Panama City Police Department) and public works staff were referenced in discussion; Hayes said staff would work with police to identify signage locations and possible flashing devices already used elsewhere in the city. No formal ordinance or council motion was made; staff said they would pursue short‑term signage changes and evaluate longer‑term engineering solutions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Commission Meeting 05272025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents and a service coordinator for St. Andrews Towers highlighted poor visibility of stop signs near the Federal Courthouse and Indigo Hotel and urged the city to add flashing signage or other controls. City staff said police and public works will review signs and consider flashing stop signs or other modifications.","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},6220590,"Petronas Elementary students present Beach Toy Libraries after collecting more than 800 toys",93,456000,549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee&start=456&end=549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6220590/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Petronas-Elementary-students-present-Beach-Toy-Libraries-after-collecting-more-than-800-toys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220590-389425f085a52fce70fab8f718f7fe90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161646&Signature=hNXVyYFj8Kv-d991yBkPNGvxcOZFw4eLg27FrlA76xFUYaZN~5fiDcRZEBX-~qoWAHkcAEhNO7PFhIibW7EEeC8xSBTv0x9kKq6Nu00nYetZ1qR5YY9rnvZ~VwPn0aECoISj4706HcbzuidSkU2~M65MAAu7f8fvDLZkyxDvJMOggUBKkYzuau4B8ETwGKTwI1bDvRSKTbvNjjv0z0fg5nu6YdfJHzT2Fpc9vZyTynsOel1MIKxfmuiwwvlOVlReYsAfUsp29-8jsChRiWmPod0h2SavE5~9jMIoaCspDTpbxAjbhEkVrQSCD4Qe0iwKdfbzKig2cl3oQm1K5CqD4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students from Petronas Elementary presented a student‑led project to the City Commission on May 27 outlining a beach cleanup and beach toy library effort that the class said has collected more than 800 gently used toys.

A student representative described a partnership with Arnold High School’s construction academy: the high school students helped build the beach toy libraries during a field trip, giving elementary students hands‑on experience. The fifth‑grade classes split responsibilities: designing logos and poetry, creating posters and organizing a recycling challenge to gather toys.

The students told the commission the beach toy libraries are already placed at four locations: Carl Grama Park, Asbell Park, Rick Seltzer Park and MB Miller County Pier. One student summarized the project motto: “Take a toy, have some joy… after that, put it back.”

Commissioners praised the students’ work and thanked them for the community service project. The commission had no formal action on the presentation; staff noted the project and thanked students for including the city parks in the initiative.","Fifth‑grade classes from Petronas Elementary described a student‑led beach cleanup and toy‑library initiative; the students collected more than 800 gently used beach toys and placed beach toy libraries at four locations around the city.",{"_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},6220595,"Commission accepts unsolicited $280,000 offer for city lot at 1309 Chestnut Avenue",210,6457000,6667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee&start=6457&end=6667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee/thumbnail_6457000.jpg","/articles/6220595/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Commission-accepts-unsolicited-280000-offer-for-city-lot-at-1309-Chestnut-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220595-9daff31c98c2e3b012f1f89cc4a406dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161646&Signature=VhALZaPHO~mefeuyRhFDYioLzqxXGZetv2~0yp7FKY~fpzxZvQ0Qim8zLKf3c01iyZPu1D7espovySBY800flYI0uwJFC0IFYzRSFA2hOJJbfn-XtJwWNjR9PwQT~vlfgdkajQlaevIa9ZzRPvXY44OUsPSjlTEdmxwNZEentFOv4eeDZQCrI4zek5T6z3AgU3Tvj5tEk4Tlrgk60DazqqvBezTUeraBCwRuZS2CDkpwW15ERe8oKvBAV5LLaJhkNWF03EiLTVZYGRv8VCOoaIE6WXOGuvJVMWvCRs4vVway~wko85yZygQ595yxC0rrViqITkYHUch5KmAbvG3DHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on May 27 approved an unsolicited offer from a private buyer to purchase the city‑owned parcel at 1309 Chestnut Avenue for $280,000, staff said. The vote was 5-0.

Assistant city staff told the commission the parcel (0.45 acres) is one of three adjacent lots the city had placed for open auction with a June 4 deadline; the auctioneer estimated the specific parcel’s value at approximately $250,000–$275,000. The buyer — listed in meeting materials as Taba Properties LLC — submitted an unsolicited offer that staff said exceeded the auctioneer’s estimate and proposed reducing the buyer’s premium from 10% to 7% if the commission accepted the direct sale.

Staff recommended the commission provide direction on whether to accept the unsolicited offer or proceed with the planned auction. Commissioners approved the direct sale at the meeting.

Staff noted the parcel is commonly used for additional parking by adjacent businesses; the approved sale allows the buyer to expand parking behind existing commercial operations rather than creating vehicle access on the Bank Avenue frontage. The auction of the three parcels will continue for the remaining lots through the published deadline where applicable.

Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the offer during the meeting.

The commission directed staff to complete the sale under the proposed terms and requested staff confirm any transactional details with the city’s contracted auctioneer and close according to municipal sale procedures.","The commission approved an unsolicited $280,000 purchase offer for a city‑owned parcel at 1309 Chestnut Avenue, a parcel the agenda showed is also part of an open auction; staff said the buyer offered to reduce the auctioneer’s buyer premium from 10% to 7%.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220601,"Commission tables $1.9 million ladder‑truck lease; chief warns current unit at end of service life",1470,4499000,5969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee&start=4499&end=5969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee/thumbnail_4499000.jpg","/articles/6220601/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Commission-tables-19-million-laddertruck-lease-chief-warns-current-unit-at-end-of-service-life","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220601-bc024a6064ba050bc69463dc1fac1515/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161646&Signature=kUAWwBRYJK1cHDdAXjTgwpMe574vR-hkI99Os3OkKOL5ueRF2MY95Rhy~OgYnPlN7VRREFZkOGuQHfnvGa0AmZZdiAJ2BBYocZ4-P9B8hDvnyzf6XWwTAfVNdDQJgkkGnJvNMTDK2QOIhrNUCgvWXfYCshqTn40yhSK14YGw8gjGGGKkegQLlFtJKeeXsHJWye7XlL-IZ86oOUWc52dTtwyFIRQOIFerYP7nFU32rkflUPOkpwfbgt2bYyuXKXLivwJ6dpuoeQ5Qzao9Z84DIeblH-fjY9hgoYUxOHjhJBlLiow8av4l5cNkhALOBbG3Nlzq54Fqgjd-Zj8sNWbejg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on May 27 voted to table a proposed 15‑year lease to acquire a 107‑foot Pierce aerial ladder truck after several commissioners raised concerns about the timing amid a tight budget season.

Fire Chief David Collier told the commission the department’s Ladder 2 entered service in 2012 and has reached the end of its recommended 15‑year service life. “It’s right at the end of its end of service life,” Collier said, adding the vehicle has become increasingly costly to maintain and that Station 2 covers a large response area including multi‑story residences and the port.

Staff presented terms for a $1,907,008 purchase under a 15‑year lease with annual payments of $179,322.39, with the first payment due Nov. 1, 2025. The package included a staff memo that summarized funding steps the fire department had taken to allocate funds and noted a net reduction in the department’s overall FY26 budget despite the new lease payment. The proposal cited NFPA 1911 guidance on apparatus service life and projected the truck wouldn’t be replaceable again for several years after this procurement.

Multiple commissioners expressed support for replacing the apparatus on public‑safety grounds but said they were not comfortable committing to a long‑term financing decision before the upcoming budget season. Commissioner Granger moved to table the item to the next commission meeting and asked staff to return on June 10 with options that would avoid relying on the fire assessment as collateral, including identifying city properties that could be sold to cover the cost.

Chief Collier said the city’s reserve fleet provides a pumper as a temporary replacement when the ladder is out of service but does not include an aerial reserve. He told commissioners mutual‑aid agreements with Bay County and Panama City Beach exist, but that third‑party aerial units may take 15–20 minutes to arrive on large incidents. Staff said the quoted apparatus lead time is currently two to four years.

The motion to table passed 5-0. Staff was directed to return June 10 with a list of parcel sale candidates and any alternate financing strategies; commissioners noted the 60‑day quote window and asked staff to determine whether vendors will extend pricing if the commission needs more time to decide.","After public and commissioner questioning about financing and timing, the commission voted 5-0 to table a proposed 15‑year, $1,907,008 lease for a 107‑foot aerial ladder truck and asked staff to return on June 10 with alternative funding options, including property sales and non‑fire‑assessment sources.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":104,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220606,"Panama City approves semi‑permanent closure of West Beach Drive at Frankfurt Avenue to curb cut‑through traffic",460,6429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee&start=5969&end=6429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616795-e0318497e86d077cf86d7626ef8085ee/thumbnail_5969000.jpg","/articles/6220606/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-approves-semipermanent-closure-of-West-Beach-Drive-at-Frankfurt-Avenue-to-curb-cutthrough-traffic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220606-68fedb4c97eb8bfde36dc268162abcfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161646&Signature=kCK~LVgABYgtW4AoyF4dZapG8YzdrgLBH-jmMicoPl6xdwoRdVTE5-U7XVsFJeGfq61bjEnWNL6tMwibx0OQV6KTARRHwmetNSZeTmn8CI1fpWQasSr2Mvnbqn5ipcNFKt2bxKHGN2aWucIUi~tO9BvPw7T7YVJoZm3z~r2huj5mFBPTN7jYRnXyRiIrk6TxsTYh35pb95HYeue6IIq7jMf7CPaXGcI00u5MiiM91pUitayjp9mWN2nALI2PLGEA7RvXuGXc3CkgHBzp9HaaE7Hb2P048LyNjXWeXayK3XR9Umvmgybp3tW5ss2OlCPkRHJXrJ7ZXF5xTbRCAxGMzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on May 27 voted 5-0 to approve a semi‑permanent closure of the city portion of West Beach Drive at Frankfurt Avenue’s west side, a move city staff said is intended to reduce dangerous cut‑through traffic and vehicle speeds.

City Manager Jonathan Hayes told commissioners the change would be limited to signage and traffic delineators rather than new curbs or removed pavement, and that any permanent modification would require coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation and a later commission vote. Hayes recommended the closure remain in place for a minimum of one year for evaluation.

The closure drew support from Landmark Condominium residents and nearby homeowners. Colin Hamilton, Landmark Condominium’s community association manager, told the commission the push to close the roadway dates back to 2017 and grew from repeated crashes and near‑misses. “Drivers still cut through that intersection,” Hamilton said, “going eastbound to try to beat the traffic around that intersection of Ninth Street and Frankfurt.”

Hamilton and other speakers said the condominium association canvassed the 10 single‑family homes immediately west of the property; staff told the commission those residents also indicated support. The plan keeps walking access open while preventing east‑west vehicle through traffic at the marked point. Chief David Collier of the Panama City Fire Department confirmed emergency apparatus can access residences from alternate approaches along Frankfurt Avenue if needed.

Commissioners approved the measure without amendment. Staff said the city would deploy clear signage, reflectors and lane delineators at the closure and place advance “dead end/no through traffic” notice signs on Arthur, Calhoun and Foster avenues. Staff also suggested variable message boards and public outreach during the early weeks of implementation to reduce confusion and allow drivers time to adjust.

The city characterized the action as a pilot: permanent changes to the street would require FDOT coordination and a separate commission decision. Mayor Rowan and all commissioners voted yes on the motion.

The semi‑permanent closure will remain in place at least through June 1, 2026, while staff collects data and solicits feedback from nearby residents, emergency services and Landmark Condominium management.","The Panama City Commission voted 5-0 to approve a semi‑permanent vehicle closure of West Beach Drive at Frankfurt Avenue on the west side of the intersection, keeping pedestrian access open and asking staff to monitor the change for at least one year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge fixes at downtown Beach Drive intersection after recent fatal crash; city staff vows to review signage and flashing options

Petronas Elementary students present Beach Toy Libraries after collecting more than 800 toys

Commission accepts unsolicited $280,000 offer for city lot at 1309 Chestnut Avenue

Commission tables $1.9 million ladder‑truck lease; chief warns current unit at end of service life

Panama City approves semi‑permanent closure of West Beach Drive at Frankfurt Avenue to curb cut‑through traffic