Commission approves consent items including $4.6M SRF water-main contract, Glen Cove CDBG award and several local agreements

The Panama City Commission approved a package of consent items at its April 24 meeting, voting on multiple contracts, grant acceptances and local agreements that city staff said are necessary for utilities, redevelopment and operations.

Key approvals included:

- A construction contract for PC25033SRF Area D14 mainline improvements to Mainline Construction in the amount of $4,607,573.44, with an additive alternate and up to a 5% contingency (total authorized up to $4,837,952.11). Staff explained the state’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) will provide advance payments for approved pay applications, and loan repayment to the state is not expected until at least May 2026; interest is 0% and the loan includes partial forgiveness.

- Award of a CDBG-DR project (PC25028) for the Hometown Revitalization Glen Cove project to RCL Emerald Coast LLC for $2,716,208.00; the vote for that item passed 3–1 with the mayor recorded as voting no. The project will be funded partly by a $2.3 million CDBG-DR grant and partly by a business-owner contribution to be accepted by future budget amendment.

- Approval to rename northern portions of Airport Road/Drive to extend Discovery Loop and Veranda Avenue names to align with Sweetbay development, approved 4–0.

- A right-of-way use agreement permitting the existing fence and a portion of a storage shed to remain in the Cedar Avenue right of way at 840 Kirkland Avenue; the 20-year agreement requires the owner to maintain the improvements and indemnify the city and was approved 4–0. City staff and the city attorney explained the agreement does not require the residential property owner to carry liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured.

- Acceptance of a state FDOT grant of up to $400,000 for Tarpon Dock Bridge refurbishment and approval of the related budget amendment, both approved 4–0.

- Approval to enter a 72-month lease with Bancorp Municipal for two fire-department pickup trucks totaling $140,955, with annual payments drawn from fire protection service revenues, approved 4–0.

- Approval of a task order from Panhandle Engineering to provide pro bono professional engineering services for the Chapman Park improvements (estimated engineering value cited at about $201,000) as private donors fund construction (estimated $2,000,000). The task order was approved 4–0.

Why it matters: The SRF contract funds urgent water-main repairs in a Saint Andrews neighborhood and will be reimbursed through state loan mechanisms; the Glen Cove award supports downtown revitalization under CDBG-DR. The ROW and naming approvals resolve localized property and addressing issues.

Ending: Most consent items passed unanimously; the Glen Cove construction award passed 3–1. Staff noted follow-up actions: budget amendments where required, title and mapping updates, and continued coordination with state agencies on grant reimbursements and SRF pay-app procedures.