January 2023 Minutes
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PANAMA CITY DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 @ 8:30 AM
Panama City Center for the Arts
19 East 4th Street
1. Call to order at 8:31 AM. In attendance: Brent McLoud, Nate Taylor, Allan Branch, Jennifer Burg, Catherine Shores, Elizabeth Moore Absent: Kevin Mitchel
2. Chairman’s report – New board member, Nate Taylor
3. Approval of minutes – November 2, 2022 meeting (no meeting in December 2022) Jennifer made a motion to approve the minutes. Seconded by Elizabeth. All in favor.
4. Public Participation – public invited to speak about anything not already on the agenda
Jayson Kretzer with PC Center for the Arts presented first crosswalk art to be partially funded by DIB funds. The crosswalk will be on Laverne, north of 4th St. Plan is to complete 10 crosswalks this year. Allan made a motion to approve the design. Seconded by Jennifer. All in favor.
Jayson Kretzer made an additional presentation. He is working on building an immersive art company.
Scott Burcham – Account Executive for WECP and WJHG. Made presentation on how downtown businesses can have a broader reach. Would like to work more with downtown businesses.
5. Financial Update (as of 12/21/22) – Savings: $378,700 Checking: $4738
6. Old Business –
a. Downtown Security – Not in pursuit of currently. The board intends to manage parking the same as the city manages their parking.
7. New Business –
a. DIB projects for the 2023 year – where to put resources? Sean DePalma with Qualify of Life at Panama City has approached the board about building public bathrooms. Other ideas brought forward by the board: redoing McKenzie park, Wayfaring signage, Parking garage, downtown ambassador program, Franci with an Eye.
b. Private parking – included in discussion under 7 (a)
c. Parking garage discussion – included in discussion under 7 (a)
d. Parking lot maintenance – not discussed
e. Downtown Design Guidelines – draft review. Grey Dodge with the city’s Business Services, Economic Development and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) presented. The city has 6 million in grants to distribute to downtown businesses on Harrison Ave. to update their facades. The city has put together proposed guidelines. A Design Review Board is being stood up of volunteers that are local architects to provide suggestions when business plans are presented. The guidelines are not mandatory.
f. Sidewalk Dining Guidelines - draft review. Grey Dodge presented. City is revising ordinance because of new 15-foot sidewalks being installed on Harrison Ave. Revises how to implement outdoor seating on Harrison Ave. Revises how to implement outdoor seating on side streets off Harrison Ave. These guidelines still need to go to Planning Board and the City Commission.
g. Needing additional board member as signor on accounts – Pam Armstrong is no longer on the DIB and will need to be removed from the DIB banking accounts. Nate Taylor volunteered to be a new signor on the accounts. Allan made a motion for Nate Taylor to be the new signer and to remove Pam Armstrong from the DIB account, seconded by Elizabeth. All in favor.
8. Administrative Update
a. Horse/Carriage after action
b. Merchant holiday recap – not discussed
c. Parking signs purchased/installed – No overnight parking signs were purchased and installed in the DIB parking lot at Park Ave. and Beach Dr.
d. Storage unit – The Connex storage box was emptied of DIB items. A storage unit was rented from Richardson’s to store remaining items. The Connex box will be sold.
e. Budget update
10. Reminders / Calls to Action
a. Next Board meeting will be Wednesday, February 1, 2023 @ 8:30 AM
b. Next Workshop meeting January 18, 2023. Location TBD – Information will be posted on FB Collaboration page when determined.
c. City Parking pre-bid meeting at City Hall January 6, 2023 @ 2 PM
11. Adjournment at 10:18 AM