October 2023 Special Meeting Minutes

Minutes

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

PANAMA CITY DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13th @ 12:00 PM

Destination Panama City

101 W Beach Dr.

1.    Call to order at 12:07 PM In attendance was Chairman Catherine Shores, Allan Branch, Jennifer Burg, and Nate Taylor.  On Zoom was Catherine McCloy.  Absent was Elizabeth Moore and Kevin Mitchell

2.   Public Participation –

3.   New Business –

      a.  Social District Ordinance – Chairman Catherine Shores shared that the idea for the Social District was brought by the downtown businesses and merchants.  DIB took the lead.  Chairman Catherine Shores clarified that the DIB was still tweaking the ordinance when it was asked to be brought to the Commission meeting.  Different versions of the ordinance have existed.  One with 10 AM – 10 PM and another with 10 AM – 12 AM.  The newest version takes the date and time off the required sticker.  The name of the district has also changed from Bayfront Downtown Specialty Center to Downtown Panama City Social District.  Attorney Cole Davis feels the tweaks are minor and will work with the city attorney to explain the reasoning for the changes.  He reminded the board that the city is the final decision maker.  All agreed that removing the date and time stamp was a good decision.  Allan Branch suggested the timeline should be 24/7 and allowing PD to determine.  Cole suggested to the board to make it as turnkey as possible if they wanted to keep the current proposed timeline.  Jennifer Burg made a motion to change the time on Sat. to 9 AM – 12 AM to include brunch.  All other days would remain 10 AM – 12 AM.  Jennifer Vigil suggested 9 AM – 12 AM for all days would be better for simplicity and it would not affect the other days much because very few places that sell alcohol are open before 11 AM except on Saturday.  It would protect current and future brick and mortar businesses.  Jennifer Burg amended the motion to 9 AM – 12 AM, 7 days a week. She also added to the motion to make a small change to the map to include the Sapp House.  Allan Branch 2nd.   All in favor.

      4.  Reminders/Calls to Action

                  a.  Next regular meeting will be Wednesday, November 1st, 2023.

                  b.  Next Workshop meeting will be Friday, October 20th at 11 AM at the McKenzie House

5.  Adjournment – 12:36 PM