Commission approves virtual workshops and periodic Saturday town-halls to surface ideas earlier

The Panama City Commission approved a new set of meeting formats on June 10 intended to expand early public engagement and allow the commission to vet ideas before agenda items reach a formal vote.

By unanimous vote, the commission approved parameters to hold regular virtual workshops and periodic Saturday town-hall sessions. Staff and commissioners described three meeting types: (1) short virtual workshops (a proposed cadence discussed as first/third Mondays at about 4 p.m., recorded and posted online); (2) early, informal 'virtual workshop' sessions that are intended to be non-binding, recorded for public viewing and accompanied by minimal minutes; and (3) a periodic in-person Saturday town-hall held in City Hall’s rotunda or Room 10 for direct public interaction, proposed on odd months beginning in July. The commission asked that meetings be publicly noticed, that a room be available for residents without a device, and that minutes or a short summary be produced.

City staff said the virtual workshop recordings would be kept and posted if the body wanted later viewing; the legal requirement remains minimal minutes if the meetings are official. City Clerk and city attorney staff advised that the workshops be governed by simple written procedures so the public can understand scope and limits. Commissioners discussed keeping the regular commission meeting as a business-only session, directing public comments on non-agenda matters toward the workshops and town halls and to email channels.

A motion establishing the parameters (dates and cadence to be coordinated with staff, recording and minimal minutes, and scheduling the first town-hall in July) passed 5-0. Staff will prepare procedures and schedule the first workshop and the odd‑month town-hall for follow-up.