Residents press Panama City commissioners on West Beach Drive path, pump bids and public-records fees

Residents pressed the Panama City Commission on Dec. 30 for clarity about the West Beach Drive path project, the status of a DOT road transfer, permitting and plan reviews, and for explanations of procurement and public-records costs.

“Why was there not a meeting at the 90% completion level of the plans?” asked Hank Pickin, a Panama City resident, referring to public review of the West Beach Drive project. He added that an opinion letter on title is ambiguous about transfer and ownership and said citizens should have a dedicated, substantive meeting about the project.

Jennifer Bennett, who identified herself from West Beach Drive, told commissioners she was surprised by the special meeting and said she did not see an emergency. She pressed staff for a “yes or no” status update on the FDOT road-transfer, DEP and Army Corps permits, and asked how much money has been spent to date on the project. She also reiterated opposition to construction on the south side of Beach Drive.

Derek Thomas, a Panama City resident, questioned why the city was proceeding with a single remaining pump bid for about $1.6 million after another bidder withdrew. “So the, that one was rejected. So you're basically doing this with just one bid for $1,600,000,” Thomas said during public comment.

Steven Kichler, representing Hydro Service, responded that the bids were not equivalent. “One of the biggest differences, there is a ... warranty bond that was required in the bid, of 10% which the other perspective did not offer, and it was required. That's one of the biggest difference which is a $153,000,” Kichler said, explaining why prices differed.

City staff, speaking through Jonathan Hayes, said the city’s lead engineers and the utilities engineer had determined the pump offerings were not equal and confirmed the city accepted a formal request from bidder AAG to withdraw its bid.

On the West Beach Drive path and road transfer, Hayes said the DOT transfer and the construction project are related but can be processed separately. He told commissioners that if FDOT does not transfer the road the department can still issue a right-of-way permit and review and approve plans. Hayes also said the 90% plans had been displayed in the rotunda with an opportunity for public feedback and that final (100%) plans were submitted to FDOT in mid-October.

Hayes outlined the permitting sequence: the DOT transfer was pending, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permit was pending, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit was expected after the DEP sign-off. On stormwater work along Beach Drive, Hayes said the project will replace pipes and install an inlet-and-filtration system (the Barracuda system) so sediment is captured rather than washed into the bay.

Brenda Lewis Williams, another resident, raised a public-records dispute after receiving an invoice for $450 for a request for 10 years of CRA contracts. City staff said the invoice reflected staff labor to locate and assemble a decade of contracts; staff later described the request as requiring 24 labor hours billed at $20 per hour. Staff said they would provide a breakdown and follow up with Williams on the precise time and cost accounting.

Bernie Thompson criticized the city's fiscal decisions and cited the city’s $150 million loan taken in 2023. A city staff member identified in the record as Jan explained the loan: the city borrowed $150 million from Truist Bank to cover grant projects and invested much of the funds in a secure portfolio; according to that explanation the portfolio was earning about 5–5.5% and the city’s net annual interest cost was lower than headline figures circulated by critics.

Several residents asked for further records and a standalone meeting on the West Beach Drive project; staff said they would provide dates for when 90% plans were in the rotunda and follow up on title-search questions and permit statuses. No formal commission action to alter the path project or to rescind previously approved items occurred at the Dec. 30 meeting.