October 2023 Minutes
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PANAMA CITY DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD
Wednesday, October 4th @ 8:30 AM
Panama City Center for the Arts
19 East 4th Street
1. Call to order 8:35 AM. Present: Chairman Catherine Shores, Allan Branch, Catherine McCloy, Nate Taylor, Jennifer Burg. Absent: Kevin Mitchell, Elizabeth Moore
2. Chairman’s report – Welcome Catherine McCloy
3. Approval of minutes from September 6th, 2023, meeting – Jennifer Burg made motion Allan Branch second. All approved.
4. Public Participation – public invited to speak about anything not already on the agenda
Michelle Franklin, Minutes and Miles, shared that they are hoping to open in October.
Allan Branch said a meeting was had between the city and owners on Beach Dr. to discuss underground utilities on Park Ave. The cost is $250,000. Allan wondered if the DIB could borrow funds to help put utilities underground in the DIB area. Chairman Catherine Shores stated that she is open to paying her portion for her buildings and would hope other building owners would do the same. Gray Dodge, with CRA, would like to look for grant funding as it is not just about beautification but resiliency. Jenna Haligas shared that area ‘O’ near 4th and Grace has been designed but the area still has contamination that the city is trying to find funding to clean. Chairman Catherine Shores said that the DIB mission is parking.
Jennifer Vigil asked about paid parking downtown. Darren Whiteley, with the city, shared conduit has been in place for a couple years for parking kiosks. Maria shared that Josh Street at the Waterfront Partnership meeting that the city is going to slow roll it out on Beck in St. Andrews first. Gray Dodge said the city is still in negotiation with the parking vendor and working on identifying parking spots. Chairman Catherine Shores shared that DIB has asked for a seat at the table with the city but has never been included. Chairman Catherine Shores thinks the DIB should move forward with parking garage discussion before it is needed to minimize business suffering. Chairman Catherine Shores asked if funds received from parking fees would stay in the individual districts. Jenna Haligas said if the city owned the parking, they like to look at the city “as a whole.” Jenna also shared that 1st Baptist is happy to share their parking garage except Sunday mornings and Wed. evenings. Chairman Catherine Shores said the DIB had designed a parking garage in the past and given those designs to the city. Grey Dodge shared that garages are running about $30,000 per spot to build and are looking at 300 spots for the garage. The best scenario would be to use DIB, CRA and revenue from paid parking. Jenna Haligas recommends DIB take the lead on a Public, Private, Partnership.
Jennifer Vigil asked for DIB to get toppers for garbage cans on Harrison Ave. to be used during special events. Chairman Catherine Shores shared grease was left all over the new pavers from the Oktoberfest event. Jennifer Vigil said she would reach out to the two vendors that attended the event. She also shared that Downtown After Dark is scheduled for Nov. 2nd. Jingle Bell Express will be Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16. Dec. 9 will be the Christmas Boat Parade. She also spoke with the president of a Bocce Ball organization that is interested in helping to promote local tournaments if courts are built. Four courts would be needed. Allan Branch asked if there is a way to guarantee the courts would be used. Jennifer Vigil shared that she has a sports development team and can run numbers. She also said that Destination PC has more maps in if needed.
Beth Klein, with Panama Peddle Tours asked local merchants and the DIB for letter of support for their new business. Her Facebook page is Panama Peddle Tours. Allan made a motion to have Maria Williams write a letter of support from the DIB. Jennifer Burg second. All in favor. The Witch’s ride is scheduled for Oct. 28 and Chairman Catherine Shores would like to participate on the peddle bike and is looking for other witches and warlocks. The cost is $45 per person.
Lesli Todd, with Jute and Palm, asked the DIB for bags for downtown merchants to be used on Small Business Saturday. She would like 15 bags each for around 16 businesses. Allan Branch made a motion to give $300. Nate Taylor 2nd. All Approved. Jennifer Vigil will also check to see if she has bags available.
Lakiktha Thompson with Loyalty Credit Union wanted to introduce herself and let the DIB know they are interested in helping to sponsor events downtown.
Bill Neiland with the 850 Car Crew has an event scheduled for Feb. 24th. All profits go back to the community. Check-in will be at Destination PC. He will be back with a sponsorship request at the Nov. meeting. He was concerned about setting up on Harrison Ave. because of how narrow the streets are and getting the word out.
5. Financial Update – Bank account balances, current budget update
6. Arts Update- Chairman Catherine Shores shared we are in a new budget year and the DIB has allocated $25,000 for public art. Jayson Kretzer is hoping to do more sculpture art this year.
7. Old Business –
a. McKenzie Park maintenance – Estimates have been received to get McKenzie parks irrigation back up and running of between $1500-$3000 with about $200 monthly to maintain. Estimates have been received for chemicals and mowing/edging of about $15,000 to maintain for the year. CRA is willing to continue conversation for further improvements. Jenna Haligas shared the city has matching brick to repair where the fountain was removed. Chairman Catherine Shores would like to see the park improved in incremental steps. Jenna Haligas said the city is ready to move forward with laying brick in the next couple of weeks. The DIB is looking for interactive art to put in the park to help attract families. Allan Branch made a motion for $22,000 to be allocated for maintenance and irrigation repair in the park. Nate Taylor 2nd. All approved.
b. AT & T Parking Lot – No response has been received.
c. 4th & Grace Lot – Jennifer Vigil is going to follow up with the Bocce Ball organization. Nate Taylor recommended putting on pause and focus on McKenzie Park. Jennifer Burg agreed. She is worried the public would be unhappy if a lot of money was spent for a temporary lot. Allan Branch felt that no more than $15,000 would be appropriate for the lot.
d. Tree Lighting – Quotes have been received for wrapping lights around trees in the park. It is very expensive. Lauren Stiles with Late Bloomer has volunteered to create a photo spot in Gateway Park. Jennifer Burg recommended having a “Rockafeller Tree” to put up in the park and then it would not have to be stored. Nate Taylor has a contact that he will call that may have access to a large tree. Jennifer Burg asked Maria Williams to call some tree farms to get a quote.
8. New Business –
a. Event Sponsorship Documents (Application/Rubric/After-Action Report) – Nate Taylor made a motion to approve and implement the new event sponsorship package. Allan 2nd. All approved. Maria Williams will post to the website.
b. Carriage rides – Dates are available in December with Pensacola Carriages. We are still waiting on prices. Allan Branch made a motion to spend less than $6300 and to charge for the rides. Nate Taylor 2nd. All approved.
9. Administrative Update -
a. LOS for downtown merchants/Martin Theatre marquee – QOL will now allow non-profit sponsored events to appear on the Marquee.
b. Public Bathroom Project – should go out to bid soon.
c. Social District Ordinance – Chairman Catherine Shores is ready to move forward with the ordinance once the art is finalized. Jenna Haligas recommended having a workshop meeting with the commission to roll it out.
10. Reminders / Calls to Action
a. Next meeting will be Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 8:30 AM
b. Next Workshop meeting will be Wednesday, October 18, 2023, time TBD – Topic will be McKenzie Park
11. Adjournment 10:20 AM