April 2024 Minutes
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PANAMA CITY DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 @ 8:30 AM
Panama City Center for the Arts
19 East 4th Street
1. Call to Order at 8:34 AM. Present: Chairman Catherine Shores, Jake Sostheim, Allan Branch, and Nate Taylor. Absent: Catherine McCloy, Kevin Mitchell, and Jennifer Burg.
2. Additions or Deletions – 10. c – Parking lot lighting
3. Chairman’s Report – Catherine addressed that the DIB has 4 board positions coming up this fall – Catherine Shores, Catherine McCloy, Allan Branch, and Jennifer Burg. Catherine McCloy has expressed an interest in staying on the board for another term. Allan Branch will be coming off the board. Catherine Shores would like to step down as Board Chair but continue on the board.
4. Approval of Minutes – March 6th, 2024. Nate made a motion to accept, Jake 2nd. All approved.
5. Public Participation – Suzanne Mandel with the city gave an update on the phase 2 streetscapes project.
6. Financial Update
7. Administrative Update
a. D & O Insurance went into effect March 26, 2024
b. EV Charging Stations – One bid was received. The contract is being finalized.
c. Historic Walking Trail – Maria is working with Destination Panama City to coordinate.
d. McKenzie Park – The MOU with the city has been completed to maintain the park. The bid opening for the public restrooms will be April 10 at 3:30 PM.
8. Arts Update – Jayson requested $1000 for May the 4th event (Star Wars Days). Nate made a motion. Jake 2nd. All approved. Jayson gave an update that he is working on a mural project in the alley between Luverne and Harrison. He would like to have it completed before streetscapes start. He is also working on photo spot opportunities behind the buildings between Harrison and Grace. Red Fish will have their posters displayed in the main gallery in April. The largest art competition of the year will be in the main gallery at the beginning of May.
9. Old Business
a. Will Thompson with Songwriters Fest – Will requested support from the DIB to cover half of the cost of hotel rooms for artists. Allan made a motion for $6000. Jake 2nd. All approved. Will also shared that he is still working on a Discover Downtown music project and is coordinating with Jayson Kretzer.
10. New Business
a. Funds for dumpster enclosures behind Martin Theatre – Nate made a motion for $5000 to cover the cost. Jake 2nd. All approved.
b. McKenzie House – Catherine wanted to look at the idea of using the McKenzie House as a DIB office/office space and having it open to the public. Jenna Haligas says there are still some things that need to be completed and Jayson Kretzer, with Bay Arts Alliance will be managing the property. Allan made a motion for $2000 to be used for a landscape architect to create a design. There was no second.
c. Parking Lot lighting – Catherine shared that there may be an opportunity to upgrade lighting in the Grace/4th parking lot. May have an ask in the future. Catherine also took the temperature of the board on thoughts of outdoor carpet used in the beds around lot. No preference was given.
11. Reminders/Calls to action
a. Next meeting will be Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
b. Next Workshop meeting will be April 17th with time to be determined. The topic will be FY 25 budget.
12. Adjournment at 9:35 AM.