[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6183882,"mediaKeyId","5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8","parentId",5093556,"title","Panama City public‑comment rules prompt heated public and commissioner debate; commission agrees to reopen comments and study changes","audioSeconds",1535,"startMs",501000,"endMs",2036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8&start=501&end=2036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8/thumbnail_501000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183882/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-publiccomment-rules-prompt-heated-public-and-commissioner-debate-commission-agrees-to-reopen-comments-and-study-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183882-688ac9e37e43818e2e7e9a9b17100f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626222&Signature=PfEV8bpa~Bsk~48QTfcGxABk0FW5rtGvYOZhSdjgtWxhMp0M-CqM9SW5j~ITPcllmxIlR-2yZs8IvKeggJ2E1xa~QQddXqRVlaXcJRPlVdbmCHct81LqkHyD5OwtoGiZkoBqjgOxZH6mHhHoBSzusLPpVjJsVlMoQftfve7YP0J1CLZc2xM-5709XAmfiprKQQ5DwqGaXHJftL9pKyzWezmvkaI3lHMRucyb08nhUwBtSPb2jJ8-rGjEIpuJecAhEsZdjLdCJ9JzzKo5rYSgKigKWghbVlqNcofosrPqlMHUJabSThsz7LfqoFwRy41H-d6c5BFjP0F0qpvWWh4CeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-06-27T21:24:09Z","article","A contentious discussion over public‑comment rules dominated a portion of the Panama City Commission meeting on June 24 as residents and commissioners disagreed over limits on non‑agenda remarks and how the rules were adopted.

Several members of the public said recent changes effectively restricted citizens from speaking about matters not on the meeting agenda. Jerry Parker of the Beacon of Bay County said the change “is stifling the citizen from being able to come up here and voice their opinion on anything that involves the city,” and called the approach “not citizen focused.” Jody Moore urged the commission to remain open to in‑person remarks: “You should always be open as public servants to allowing people to come up here and address you.”

Commissioners and the city attorney confirmed the current rules require public participation prior to votes on agenda items and that the commission may set rules for orderly meetings. Commissioner Lucas said it was appropriate to allow citizens to speak during the meeting and suggested returning to clearer, more specific motions in the future. City Attorney/Clerk (staff) explained the rules circulated were loosely based on Lynn Haven's charter review procedures and that the commission may amend its rules; she said the board may adopt more restrictive procedures if the commission votes to do so.

After public comment, the commission agreed by consensus to allow open public comments on agenda and non‑agenda items at the current meeting and to workshop changes to the rules at a later meeting. Staff advised the commission that public participation is required for items on which the commission plans to vote; commissioners asked staff to bring back clarified rules and potential amendments for formal action at a future meeting.

Speakers who criticized the change included local residents and community activists; commissioners emphasized a need to balance orderly meetings and broad public access and directed staff to return options and clarifications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Commission Meeting 06242025","oneSentenceSummary","Public speakers and commissioners clashed over recent changes to citizen comment procedures; after multiple residents urged restoring broader in‑meeting public comments, the commission agreed to allow open public comments for agenda and non‑agenda items and to workshop the rules at a future meeting.","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},6183888,"Commission rezones 1,200‑acre Panama City parcel to planned unit development; developer to submit phased plans",212,719000,931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8&start=719&end=931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8/thumbnail_719000.jpg","/articles/6183888/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Commission-rezones-1200acre-Panama-City-parcel-to-planned-unit-development-developer-to-submit-phased-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183888-688756fb798ad3de01e4c050ac538efc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626222&Signature=HdXVkCa2uhsae0SHog-1pPzfMG3jFu9ZYnuoneE5AsutBgXs8VnB4jUgz0wWJLvViZovVfO5pVO3fSo1NxSKi2Fca5yeNMdavLPiIxnhcyz51irZZXWPKXv5il5YYz9SvTISckyyIdda3UWQEcG1xfFW7HvPnLyOwqpsPZjOz8~xMPvM5Ai-vW4B-hx-3P79x3FNvkYfAI0J9O66TTCG7IwUaL89ZOYHnlDzjRMPHDxZIy6UdL0eYPpmPdcx9vtU-0wlw4oS97H3TVJ3E32mjP5qPgoXb-V2arEw52MWe9SJ7AgGxqy3Niui2rn0rsyp7ZFAygVjw2wRGJKs7gx2bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on June 24 adopted Ordinance 32-67, rezoning a roughly 1,200‑acre property (Parcel ID 03875‑000‑000) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The applicant, Ray Greer, represented the applicant and said the rezoning establishes a zoning category for a property annexed into the city in 1998 with a future land‑use designation of urban community.

“My name is Ray Greer... and I am the applicant's representative. And as we discussed a couple weeks ago in the commission meeting when this item came up for their first reading, this we're here to rezone this property to PUD,” Greer said during the public hearing.

Greer told commissioners the comprehensive‑plan‑level assumptions used for traffic analysis were a maximum of 1,800 dwelling units and 450,000 square feet of commercial and that an overall traffic analysis was run for the full development. “So we ran an overall traffic analysis for like a large scale land use amendment and we took into consideration the improvements that are growing in at Star Avenue and at 231 And John Pitts,” he said, and added that phase‑level traffic studies will be required as development proceeds.

Staff noted the planning board had previously reviewed the item and recommended approval unanimously; staff recommended that the commission conduct the second and final hearing and approve the ordinance.

Commissioner Street asked about the timing of traffic analyses; Greer said the PUD requires traffic analysis for the entire development and that additional traffic studies will be submitted with each development phase. Both the city and county, and FDOT where applicable, will be involved in driveway connections and traffic impact review, Greer said.

The commission voted 5‑0 to adopt Ordinance 32-67. The ordinance rezones the parcel at 63 South 12 West 1 to PUD and provides standard severability and effective‑date language. Staff told the commission future development plans, development orders, and phased implementation will return for separate review under the PUD zoning.","The commission adopted Ordinance 32-67 to rezone roughly 1,200 acres (parcel ID 03875-000-000) to Planned Unit Development after a second and final public hearing; applicant Ray Greer said future traffic and development plans will be reviewed during later phase applications.",{"_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},6183893,"Panama City approves $4.56 million generator, $212,000 odor unit for Millville wastewater plant; relocation study remains under way",2560,2519000,5079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8&start=2519&end=5079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8/thumbnail_2519000.jpg","/articles/6183893/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-approves-456-million-generator-212000-odor-unit-for-Millville-wastewater-plant-relocation-study-remains-under-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183893-0d2b4727e87bc4028d6a445ed82320b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626222&Signature=R1kNleRKw5HZjkHfOBnwsuapPHeM2ellr-Rb7KZmsB5m52Yn3~GzxRFY0Vy97pGpce4w3I0dChV1V-zV7zS72ENrU7B8F7OQFboB6jDN1cTmMxSwYAbWiiBb7zv8JNMkiCmpZhIJIrPyVmHbRCXqYyxMBMZ0EDBcVX3JFmK9CjG506mBp0GNaToZIzjYcZ6Q3rP7vrwisPpbyRjM0tGq76iiLXJ5DdA0xgGkGCqlwhyiwcpaU7MHc0FFEb6WHmQ4H4-Wd34q~~O-wvAFK2jMKZrlrL97FTrho~hI~77zhCQ-OAabAfG3OAdgjxMqNPVcbYQ0Em6euEVjBaiZlqIy4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on June 24 approved two contracts to improve reliability and reduce odors at the Millville Wastewater Treatment Plant and heard updates on a separate feasibility study about the plant's long‑term future.

Staff recommended and the commission approved the low responsive bid from Marshall Brothers of $4,564,600 to replace the plant's standby generator. “The lowest responsive bid was from Marshall Brothers in the amount of $4,564,600.00,” staff said in the agenda presentation. Staff said the project is intended to replace the existing generator so the plant can remain fully operational during commercial power loss.

City staff told commissioners the project was advertised October 30, 2024; four proposals were opened March 19, 2025; and the Florida Division of Emergency Management is drafting an amendment to the city's HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) agreement to provide additional grant funding. Staff said a budget amendment will be presented later to accept the increased grant funds.

Separately the commission approved awarding bid PC25-025 for a 500 cubic foot‑per‑minute biological odor control unit and backup carbon filter for the Millville facility, also to Marshall Brothers, at $212,000. Staff said the unit will be installed in the footprint of the original odor control system and “will reduce corrosive gases and control odors to the surrounding area.”

Commissioners and staff discussed the tension between investing in the existing Millville plant and relocating it. Staff said the city is under a consent order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requiring specific upgrades and noted that “if right now today, you all said go build a new wastewater treatment plant in Panama City North, that's a 7 to 10 year project.” A feasibility study by Mott MacDonald, funded by a DEP grant to evaluate six or seven options — including relocation, hardening, and partial consolidation with other plants — is expected back this fall, staff said.

Commissioner Street and others noted the city has invested nearly $10 million in Millville improvements over recent years and that continued investment could complicate relocation plans. Staff said much of the generator and odor control work is grant‑funded and necessary to meet regulatory obligations while longer‑term options are evaluated.

The motion to award the generator contract and the motion to award the odor‑control contract each passed on roll‑call votes of 5‑0. Staff also described concurrent neighborhood infrastructure work for North Millville (the Glenwood/Project Area X CDBG‑DR project, roughly $6–7 million) and said the city will convene public meetings with residents and the contractor before construction begins.","The commission awarded a $4,564,600 contract to Marshall Brothers to replace the Millville Wastewater Treatment Plant generator and approved a separate $212,000 contract for an odor control unit; staff said the work responds to a DEP consent order and FEMA HMGP funding while a feasibility study on relocation and other options continues.",{"_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},6183897,"Panama City commission adopts ordinance easing development‑order requirements for small projects",296,394000,690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8&start=394&end=690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093556-ddf4e8aada97cac622649a13bcf14cc8/thumbnail_394000.jpg","/articles/6183897/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-commission-adopts-ordinance-easing-developmentorder-requirements-for-small-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183897-69f7708b620af735f3967de95de1ae24/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626222&Signature=CMKr~jkieDaZafZfEOnEWK2-FQoQmR~wB1r21jOr3SKTw1QhmNgirNtGqX74AoRM5hZKLwetA60VchAzB37wInvCyE-5X87d5lt-1oJajlv39zW4EAotoAcFUTP7ajgEBJ8Vy4cKrSBL5k4LwFahvMOQBnVNklCCttWb3GV3YXUYPIjZkP~d415ue1RyNXhUZ-lxC0pN1aRuG3zipmpuMz9jtd74VH0ZxIKo8sF0M7~fSCfwSXD1aN1g~~ne2vdj5r2WDqfENFioN7tbOpcD7ARpKye-oDPYEuf6GOfqzzm5Cr7pWI2Bq~xsWrAw4-pyrXm8IzPGiD6FpXAMf6ibxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Commission on June 24 unanimously adopted Ordinance 32-66, amending sections 102-2 and 102-36 of the city's Unified Land Development Code to provide additional exceptions to the requirement for development‑order review and approval.

City staff told the commission the change would exempt small developments from the development‑order process. “Staff recommend recommends that the city commission approve the request,” a staff presentation said during the second and final public hearing.

The planning board reviewed the item on May 12 and recommended approval unanimously, staff said. Commissioner Hughes asked for one non‑substantive edit to simplify a size description on page two; staff said the revision narrowed the text to any improvement under 100 square feet would not require review and did not change the substance of the ordinance.

After a brief public hearing with no speakers addressing the ordinance, Commissioner Granger moved to approve, Robin Hamill seconded, and the roll call vote was 5‑0 in favor. The clerk read the ordinance title into the record after passage.

The ordinance text included standard provisions for severability and codification and set an effective date. Staff told the commission the packet contained findings and background materials for the record.

The change applies to local permitting processes and is intended to reduce administrative review for small‑scale improvements; staff indicated the existing packet materials provide further context and the planning board's recommendation is on file.

Looking ahead, implementation will rely on Development Services staff to apply the new exceptions in permit reviews and checklists. The commission did not amend the ordinance further after the single requested edit and took no additional direction to staff.","The Panama City Commission unanimously approved Ordinance 32-66 on June 24, 2025, amending two sections of the Unified Land Development Code to add exceptions to the requirement for development‑order review and approval; staff and the planning board recommended approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panama City public‑comment rules prompt heated public and commissioner debate; commission agrees to reopen comments and study changes

Commission rezones 1,200‑acre Panama City parcel to planned unit development; developer to submit phased plans

Panama City approves $4.56 million generator, $212,000 odor unit for Millville wastewater plant; relocation study remains under way

Panama City commission adopts ordinance easing development‑order requirements for small projects