Panama City commission approves array of permits, contracts and grant application; boat ramp grant vote splits 3-1

Panama City commissioners voted on several administrative and capital items during their March meeting, approving temporary traffic controls for Cherry Street Elementary, a construction-inspection task order for stormwater/SRF work, a utility easement at the MLK Recreation Center, a special-event food-truck schedule at the St. Andrews Marina and authorization to seek state grant funding for a downtown boat-ramp improvement project. The commission approved most items unanimously; the resolution supporting the Florida Boating Improvement Grant drew a 3-1 vote.

The commission approved a temporary closure that will let Cherry Street Elementary deploy temporary traffic-control devices for drop-off and pickup during school hours through May 30, 2025. City staff said the devices will be brought out each morning and removed after dismissal; Cherry Street principal Carrie Weatherly told commissioners the change improved safety and traffic flow since construction on the streetscape began and asked the commission to continue the arrangement through the end of the school year. The motion passed 4-0.

Commissioners also approved a task order with Barge Design Solutions for construction engineering and inspection services on SRF Area D-14 and D-15 work, estimated at up to $387,280 and using hourly rates in the task order. Staff said Barge provided the design and will perform the on-site inspection, coordination and recordkeeping. The motion passed 4-0.

The commission granted Florida Power & Light Co. a nonexclusive easement at the MLK Recreation Center to install and maintain a transformer. Staff said the agreement is necessary to place the equipment in the designated area and allow FPL ongoing access for maintenance; the motion passed 4-0.

On a special-event item, commissioners approved a city-run food-truck program at the St. Andrews Marina Fridays through Sundays from May 23 through Aug. 17, 2025, operating 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Staff said only one truck would be permitted on-site at a time, arranged by the city, and that food-truck operators will use the marina as a temporary business location for permitting and submit required health permits. The commission directed staff to require participating trucks to collect the city's 1% merchant fee and pay a $50 event fee; the motion passed 4-0.

On the downtown boat-ramp project the commission approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for a Florida Boating Improvement Grant to support design and construction of an expanded and reorganized ramp and related trailer parking. The city manager and staff presented conceptual plans showing expanded launch capacity and additional trailer parking; Commissioner Allen cast the sole no vote, saying he wanted additional coordination with other consultants. The resolution passed 3-1.

Other procedural items adopted without controversy included approval of the consent agenda and scheduling adjustments requested by staff, both by 4-0 votes. The commission also voted to postpone the transportation-impact-fee second reading scheduling and set the item to be considered at the April 24 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda modification (add item to change April 8 meeting time): motion passed 4-0. - Approve consent agenda: motion passed 4-0. - Approve temporary daily closure of Cherry Street/North Harris Avenue for school hours (through May 30, 2025): motion passed 4-0. Motion text: "approve the temporary daily closure ..."; mover/second recorded on the roll; outcome: approved. - Adopt resolution supporting application to FDEP Florida Boating Improvement Program (downtown boat ramp): outcome approved 3-1; Mayor voted no (see roll call); resolution number shown as 20250325.1 in staff packet. - Approve task order to Barge Design Solutions for Area D-14/D-15 CEI services (up to $387,280): vote 4-0; staff recommendation: approve. - Approve special-event application for rotating food truck at St. Andrews Marina (May 23'Aug. 17, 2025; 6 a.m.'7 p.m.): vote 4-0; direction to collect merchant 1% and a $50 event fee from operators. - Approve easement to FPL for transformer at MLK Rec Center: vote 4-0. - Move consideration of transportation-impact-fee scheduling to April 24 (to set second-reading timing): vote 4-0.

What the votes mean

Actions approved at this meeting authorize staff to proceed with permits, negotiations and detailed design required to pursue construction or pilot activity. The grant resolution allows staff to submit an application to FDEP; it does not commit construction funds until and unless a grant is awarded and the commission later approves construction contracts.

Methodology and sourcing

This summary draws on staff presentations and on recorded roll-call votes captured in the March Panama City Commission meeting transcript. Direct quotations and attributions in this summary are taken from meeting remarks by Carrie Weatherly (principal, Cherry Street Elementary) and city staff during the public presentations.