Panama City: City of Panama City Commission Meeting 01272026
Summary. The Panama City Commission held a regular meeting on January 27, 2026, with Mayor Branch, Commissioner Lucas, and Commissioner Hughes present. Commissioner Granger arrived late, and Commissioner Street was absent due to city business. The meeting included significant community input on the MLK Recreation Center fee structure, with multiple speakers requesting the item be tabled for further review of community proposals. The commission ultimately voted to table the MLK fee item until the next meeting to allow staff time to review community recommendations. The commission approved several routine items including meeting minutes, consent agenda items, board appointments, and various resolutions. Notable actions included appointing Dr. John Haley to replace Tim Fontaine on the Infrastructure Citizens Committee, approving amendments to transportation and grant agreements, and supporting pedestrian safety improvements near Bay High School. The meeting concluded early after addressing all agenda items efficiently.
Agenda Items
1. Meeting Minutes Approval
Approval of January 13, 2026 meeting minutes
- Motion to accept meeting minutes from January 13
2. Agenda Modifications
Request to move MLK rec fees item to earlier position on agenda
- Move item 9 to position 6
- Motion approved for agenda modification
3. Audience Participation
Public comments on various agenda items
- Street naming issue on Discovery Loop resolved
- Boat launch improvements and signage needs
- Change order concerns about frivolous spending
- Multiple speakers on MLK Center fee structure requesting sliding scale
6/9E. MLK Recreation Center Fees (Tabled)
Fee structure for MLK Recreation Center membership and rentals
- Community provided three alternative fee proposals
- Request to table item for full commission review
- Motion to table approved unanimously
7. Consent Agenda
Routine items approved as a group
- Motion to approve consent agenda items
8A. Retirement Board Appointment
Reappointment to Board of Trustees for retirement plan
- Reappoint Priscilla Hagler for two-year term
8B. Infrastructure Citizens Committee Appointment
Appointment to Infrastructure Citizens Committee
- Replace Tim Fontaine with Dr. John Haley
- Address Ward representation imbalance
8C. Triumph Gulf Coast Grant Amendment
Third amendment to $20 million grant agreement
- Extend completion date to August 1, 2028
- Add disbursement and audit requirements
9A. FDOT Joint Participation Agreement Amendment
Second amendment for State Road 30 landscaping project
- Additional $50,000 in grant funding
- Landscape material upgrades
9B. FDEP Grant Application Support
Resolution supporting boat ramp improvement grant application
- $1.8-2 million project estimated cost
- Shovel-ready plans increase success
9C. Harrison Avenue Pedestrian Safety
Support for FDOT pedestrian improvements near Bay High School
- Safety improvements between 12th and 13th Streets
- No cost to city
9D. Police Vehicle Leases
Five-year leases for four new police vehicles
- Funded by body camera program surplus
- Replace aging fleet vehicles
9F. Cross Connection Control Report
Update on backflow preventer compliance program
- Met consent order requirements by December 31, 2025
- Water meter connection issues in new subdivisions
- Fee structure alternatives to water shutoffs
Motions & Votes
Motion to accept meeting minutes from January 13, 2026
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 3-0
Motion to accept agenda modifications
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Mayor Branch
Passed 3-0
Motion to table MLK rec fees
Moved by Commissioner Lucas, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 3-0
Motion to accept consent agenda
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 3-0
Motion to reappoint Priscilla Hagler to retirement board
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 3-0
Motion to appoint Dr. John Haley to Infrastructure Citizens Committee
Moved by Commissioner Lucas, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 3-0
Motion to approve Triumph Gulf Coast grant amendment
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 4-0
Motion to approve FDOT JPA amendment
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 4-0
Motion to approve FDEP grant application resolution
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Commissioner Lucas
Passed 4-0
Motion to approve Harrison Avenue pedestrian safety resolution
Moved by Commissioner Hughes, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 4-0
Motion to approve police vehicle leases
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 4-0
Motion to adjourn
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed 4-0
Action Items
Review community proposals for MLK Recreation Center fee structure
Assigned to City staff · Due Next meeting
Research water meter checkbox system for new construction
Assigned to City Manager and staff · Due Early next week
Provide additional memo on water connection billing issues
Assigned to City staff · Due Tomorrow
Vet fee structure alternatives with DEP for legal compliance
Assigned to City staff
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Panama City Commission held a regular meeting on January 27, 2026, with Mayor Branch, Commissioner Lucas, and Commissioner Hughes present. Commissioner Granger arrived late, and Commissioner Street was absent due to city business. The meeting included significant community input on the MLK Recreation Center fee structure, with multiple speakers requesting the item be tabled for further review of community proposals. The commission ultimately voted to table the MLK fee item until the next meeting to allow staff time to review community recommendations. The commission approved several routine items including meeting minutes, consent agenda items, board appointments, and various resolutions. Notable actions included appointing Dr. John Haley to replace Tim Fontaine on the Infrastructure Citizens Committee, approving amendments to transportation and grant agreements, and supporting pedestrian safety improvements near Bay High School. The meeting concluded early after addressing all agenda items efficiently.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 13 agenda items: Meeting Minutes Approval; Agenda Modifications; Audience Participation; MLK Recreation Center Fees (Tabled); Consent Agenda; Retirement Board Appointment; Infrastructure Citizens Committee Appointment; Triumph Gulf Coast Grant Amendment; FDOT Joint Participation Agreement Amendment; FDEP Grant Application Support; Harrison Avenue Pedestrian Safety; Police Vehicle Leases; Cross Connection Control Report.
How many motions were voted on?
12 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
4 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
4 members were recorded as present: Mayor Branch, Commissioner Lucas, Commissioner Hughes, Commissioner Granger (arrived late).
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Panama City in?
Panama City is located in Bay County, Florida. Browse other Bay County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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