Panama City to consider process to hire next city manager

PANAMA CITY – Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the process to select their next city manager at its meeting Tuesday.

“We don’t need to make a decision Tuesday, but we think it needs to be brought up,” Mayor Greg Brudnicki said.

Jeff Brown has been the acting city manager for three months while Ken Hammons was undergoing medical treatment. Hammons died this month.

The commission also will consider several ordinances, including final readings of laws allowing bars to be within 500 feet of schools and churches in the St. Andrews entertainment district and allowing golf carts in an area south of 11th Street, east of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, west of East Avenue and north of U.S. Business 98.

The commission also will consider recent changes to Panama City’s comprehensive plan aimed to eliminate incentives for low-income housing development. Most were simple language changes, such as changing from “shall” to “may,” which give city officials the ability to grant density bonuses and impact fee relief. The commission also will consider a moratorium on any development orders that are not consistent with the changes to the plan.

The city Planning Board has approved both the new plan and moratorium ordinance.

There also is an ordinance changing the rules for delinquent business licenses, which are due Oct. 1. If the cost of the license is not paid on time, owners are subject to a penalty of 10 percent for the month of October and 5 percent for each subsequent month. If the license still is delinquent after 90 days, the license can be revoked.

Licenses cost between $50 and $200.

Other items from the Planning Board include land use and zoning changes for a proposed affordable housing development at 1615 Florida Ave. The Planning Board voted against the changes.

Commissioners also are scheduled to consider a request from the Panama City Music Association for a waiver of rental fees for the Civic Center worth $3,300. Their shows in 2014-15 will include an opera ballet, Sinatra centennial show and an all-female Irish dance show.

Commissioners meet at 8 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall at 9 Harrison Ave.