April 2023 Minutes
Minutes
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PANAMA CITY DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Panama City Center for the Arts
19 East 4th Street
1. Call to order at 8:30 AM. Present: Catherine Shores, Kevin Mitchel, Allan Branch, Jennifer Burg, Elizabeth Moore, Nate Taylor, Brent McLoud
2. Changes/Deletions to the Agenda – Workshop meeting date April 19. Topic will be Open Container District. Time/location TBD
3. Chairman’s report
4. Approval of minutes – March 1, 2023 meeting. Allan made motion to approve. Jennifer 2nd. All approved.
5. Public Participation – public invited to speak about anything not already on the agenda
6. Financial Update – Bank account balances, current budget update
7. Arts Update- Bay Arts requested $1000 in sponsorship for May 4th event. Allan made motion. Kevin 2nd. All approved. Bay Arts presented 4th crosswalk to be painted at 4th Ave. and Park Ave. Kevin Mitchel made suggestion of a “Sound of Art” theme in our parks similar to Macon, GA. Art Walk is back and will by May 11 from 4 – 8 PM.
8. Old Business –
a. Open Container District Update – Board asked to redo map and include up to 6th St and adjust time to 10AM – 10PM. Cole Davis will bring to N. Zimmerman with the city prior to workshop meeting.
b. Update on temporary skate spot on Magnolia Ave.- DIB current policy will not cover without significant updates. Will continue to look at other options.
9. New Business –
a. Board member attendance – with the level of activity increasing downtown, other business owners/operators have expressed interest in joining the board. Catherine shared that board positions are “guilt free” positions but if the position becomes taxing, the board is able to have others step in.
b. Downtown Ambassador position- board discussed having a handyman to help with small jobs in the DIB area. Catherine suggested reaching out to tenants in towers to organize a few helpers. Will continue conversation.
c. Fencing/painting in Beach Dr. parking lot – Allan made motion for $2000 to be used as needed to clean up Beach Dr. parking lot. Kevin 2nd. Motion passed. (Jennifer and Elizabeth not in attendance)
d. Gateway Park fountain redo – Allan made motion to approve $26,000 to refurbish fountain/lighting in Gateway Park. Nate 2nd. Motion passed (Jennifer and Elizabeth not in attendance) Jason Kretzer to investigate larger project in the future.
e. Sponsorship of Panama City Songwriters Festival – Event will take place Nov. 2-4th. Will Thompson made a request for $5-10,000 in sponsorship. Jennifer made motion to approve $10,000 to be spent at Songwriters Festival’s discretion. Brent 2nd. Motion passed. (Elizabeth absent)
f. Architect for bathroom design/ McKenzie Park/ Breezeway – Allan asked to put suggestion out on FB to get ideas.
g. Pier on the Marina – Not discussed.
h. Plants for Gateway Park and Breezeway – Allan made motion to approve $2700. After discussion, Allan retracted motion and made new motion to approve $600 for flowers. Nate 2nd. Motion passed (Jennifer and Elizabeth not in attendance)
i. Handrail next to C&G – Allan made motion to approve $1400 to be spent on metal cut outs for the handrail at C & G parking lot. Kevin 2nd. Motion passed (Jennifer and Elizabeth not in attendance.)
j. Lighting in Gateway Park – included with item d.
k. Multi-use path between St. Andrews and Historic Downtown PC – Jennifer made motion to write letter of support for Multi-use path. Kevin 2nd. Motion passed. (Elizabeth not in attendance).
l. Art in McKenzie Park – Jason Kretzer with Bay Arts working on ideas. Brent McCloud suggested crushed glass pavers to incorporate in design. Brent would put together sample to bring to future meeting.
10. Administrative Update
a. Cameras in Gateway Park - up and running. Able to view on EZview App
b. Martin Theatre parking lot turf grass and tree lighting update – not discussed.
11. Reminders / Calls to Action
a. Next meeting will be Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023
b. Next Workshop meeting will be Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 – Correction – April 19th – Time/Location TBD
12. Adjournment