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Panama City commission starts virtual workshops, odd‑month town halls and tightens public‑comment rules
Summary
The commission voted to hold regular virtual workshops (first and third Mondays) and odd‑month Saturday town halls to solicit earlier public input, and approved a procedural change clarifying that public comment at commission meetings is at the mayor’s discretion and limited to three minutes if allowed.
The Panama City Commission voted June 10 to launch a new public‑engagement format that adds two regular virtual workshops and periodic Saturday town halls, and to revise meeting procedures to clarify time limits on public comment.
The commission approved a motion to hold virtual workshops on the first and third Mondays of each month at 4 p.m., beginning June 16, and to hold a Saturday morning town‑hall on the first Saturday of every odd month beginning in July. The motion passed on a 5–0 roll call.
Mayor Branch explained the intended purpose: “This is not a forum. We’re not going back with a Q and A. You can give your comments. We’re gonna listen to them and ingest them.” The mayor also set a strict three‑minute limit on audience comments at the commission meeting: “I’m cutting everyone off at 3 minutes and 1 second.”
The commission also approved a text change clarifying the relationship between mayoral discretion and the three‑minute limit: public comment will be “at the discretion of the mayor or the presiding officer,” and “if allowed, public comment will be limited to three minutes,” language the commission directed staff to incorporate into the rules of procedure. The motion to adopt the modification passed 5–0.
Why it matters: The change is designed to shift early, exploratory discussion into virtual workshops and town halls while keeping the formal commission meeting as a shorter, business‑focused session; staff said workshops will be recorded and minutes maintained to meet public‑records requirements. Commissioners and staff agreed that clearer, earlier engagement could surface public views before items reach the formal agenda.
Next steps: Staff will draft simple procedures for the virtual workshops and town halls, create a recording/minutes process, and schedule the first sessions. The commission asked the city clerk and communications staff to publish dates and guidelines so residents know how to participate and where to view recordings.
