Project Update – New Panama City Airport

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting

On the Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting contract, the construction team has completed 75% of the contract work and used only 51% of the contract time. The following milestones have been reached:

85% of the 15” concrete paving lanes have been placed on 8,400 linear feet of Runway 16-34.
Runway 16-34 Touch Down Zone and Centerline light cans are being set.
On Taxiway D and main terminal apron, all lime rock base and the first lift of asphalt paving is in place.

Production volumes in place are as follows:

62,354 tons of asphalt pavement in place (both airside and landside).
151,307 square yards of landside lime rock base and 130,885 square yards of flightline P-211 lime rock base have been installed in accordance with the project specifications.
47,000 cubic yards of the 67,200 cubic yards of 15” concrete runway pavement is in place.
98% of the original RCP storm sewer installations are complete (33,086 linear feet).
66,258 linear feet of perforated under-drain has been installed along the taxiways and runways (42% of total).Storm sewer installation within the General Aviation Area is 30% complete.
5.7 million cubic yards of earth has been moved (99% of total).
Mass grading within Pond C now 98% complete.
105 pieces of heavy equipment in operation at any one time with approximately 123 personnel on site.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings

On the Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings contract, the construction team has completed 14% of contract work and utilized 19% of the contract time. Specific work includes the following:

Terminal: Shoring for Level 2 areas B and C continues in the terminal building.
Terminal: Plumbing rough-in continues.
Air Traffic Control Tower: Excavation around auger cast piles is complete and ready for installation of pile cap.
Air Cargo Facility: Completed slab pour at truck well/forming retaining walls.
Public Safety Building: Rebar at perimeter footings nearly complete.

Contract 3: Utility Contract

On the Utility Contract, the construction team has completed 4% of contract work and utilized 6% of the contract time. On the Main Access Road:

12” water main: 38% complete
8” force main: 38% complete
3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank: 26% complete
Street light duct work: 36% complete

Source: newpcairport.com

Special Called TDC Meeting to Discuss 5th Cent Bed Tax Increase

Monday there is a special called TDC meeting that will precede the regularly scheduled County Commission meeting on Tuesday. Tuesday’s meeting will include the vote for the fifth tourist bed tax cent. On the agenda for Monday’s TDC meeting, there are a couple of other points to be discussed, but I reckon the main reason for the “special” annotation in the title is regarding the vote on the fifth cent on Tuesday.

The agenda item reads: “Discuss and Consider for Approval a Resolution to the Bay County Commission Regarding the Proposed 5th Cent. . .” I just received an email from a buddy asking me what I thought about the TDC changing the allocation of the fifth cent from sports and infrastructure improvements to all marketing. My computer crashed Wednesday and I’ve been waiting on my new computer since, and have been sort of in a forced vacation, so I’m not exactly sure what he is talking about yet, but stay tuned – I’ll let you know. I’m not sure I can get behind the TDC if they are wanting all of the increase to go towards marketing, but I’ll obstain further comment until I get the whole story.

The agenda can be downloaded here, or you can view it below:

AGENDA

Special Called Meeting

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Monday, February 16, 2009 3:00 p.m. Council Room, PCB City Hall

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A. Invocation
B. Pledge of Allegiance

III. REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A. Discuss and Consider for Approval Landscape Maintenance Contract, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
B. Discuss and Consider for Approval a Resolution to the Bay County Commission Regarding the Proposed 5th Cent of the Tourist Development Tax, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

V. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Bay County Commission Meeting – 5th Cent Bed Tax Increase

Tuesday February 17th, the Bay County Commission in Panama City Florida will meet to again discuss the bed tax increase. This is a regularly scheduled meeting with the bed tax discussion last on the agenda for discussion. The January meeting resulted in the bed tax collection being increased from 3 cents to 4 cents. The 5th cent was discussed, but it was decided to table that decision until this upcoming Tuesday.

If you remember the last meeting, I predicted that the fourth cent would pass but the fifth cent would not. Commissioners Mike Thomas, Bill Dozier, and Mike Nelson were all in support of the increase, while Commissioner Gainer was adamantly opposed. Commissioner and Chairman Jerry Girvin was considered the swing vote, and could go either way. In the beginning he voiced that he wasn’t sure which way he would ultimately go. In the end, he voted no to the fourth cent, but it still passed as all it needed was a majority.

The fifth cent requires a super-majority or 4 of the 5 commissioners.

You can download the agenda here.

Here are some related articles:

Bring on the Hike

Bed Tax – 4th cent passed, 5th cent tabled

More Sidewalks on South Thomas Drive

Well, the County is doing it again – using your tax dollars for improvement. Good for you Bay County. The project started back in June and paved sidewalks from the intersection of Joan Avenue to Ocean Street. Now the project continues from Ocean street down to Venus Street.

This phase in the construction includes the installation of a stormwater system consiting of three 18 inch diameter cross drain pipes under Thomas Drive bewtween Choctaw and Walnut Streets. Over the last 10 days sections of Thomas Drive have been closed on one side to accomodate the construction.

Bonfires on Panama City Beach Friday Night

In celebration of the Valentines holiday, the City of Panama City Beach has allowed special permits to be pulled for property and resort owners to build a bonfire on their little stretch of beach.

The bonfires will be Friday evening and will set the mood for a romantic experience with your friends and loved ones.

7 properties have pulled the permits so far, including Beach Towers Resort, Shores of Panama, Sugar Sands, Grand Panama, Tidewater, Sterling Breeze, and the Chateau motel.

Here are some tips if you are a property that is wanting to host a bonfire:

A permit is required, you must get this through the City of Panama City Beach.
Make sure that the weather is right for a fire. Even if the area is not particularly dry, high winds may drive the fire out of your control
Bring necessary supplies and equipment for the fire. (Starter logs, NO LIGHTER FLUID, ample fire wood, pokers, lighter / matches, emergency supplies, fire extinguisher etc.)
Make sure that you have a suitable fire pit created.
Bring a bucket to put out fire. Fire should be completely extinguished with water. Do NOT bury hot coals; buried coals are a safety hazard.
Fire shall be attended at all times by a responsible adult staff member
Clean Up the area entirely upon completion and be sure to extinguish completely all flames, coals and debris with water.

Bed Tax Collector's Office to Get 2 More Full-Timers

Today’s TDC meeting resulted in the Bay County Clerk receiving approval for increased funding to pay for 2 additional full time staff to help in the collection efforts of the Bed Tax. Currently there is one full time person dedicated to this effort. Recently there has been much debate on whether to increase the bed tax from 4 to 5 cents with the increase from 3 to 4 cents being passed just four weeks ago.

One of the huge debates was based on the current collection methods of the bed tax and how revenues could be substantially increased if collection methods were made more efficient and work was done to see who wasn’t paying. Bill Kinsaul, Clerk of the Courts, this morning stated that this effort was just too large for one person, but with the addition of two others full time that they could dedicate man-power to spend time “in the field” doing audits and investigating those not paying.

Also, with the increased funding they will make software improvements that will allow them better reporting, analytics and overall data streamlining. The current funding was 2% of the 3 cents levied and it was increased to 3% or the 4 cents levied.

Emerald Coast Cruizin reported on the success of their event noting that 3,009 vehicles registered for the show this year. This number is 748 more than last year (2007) or an astounding 33% increase. In 2005, when this event first started, 535 cars registered indicating a tremendous growth and popularity. This is a family-friendly event that brings people from all over the place and provides a clean environment to bring the kids, be outside and have a great time. I brought my boys this past year and they loved walking arond and looking at all the cars.

Dually impressive was the show tickets bought; 6,742 tickets were sold. When combining the number of attendees through ticket sales and attendance by registrants (averaging 2 per car) the total event attendance rang in at 12,760 people over the whole week.

Alabama was the largest feeder state at 581 registrants with Louisiana, then Georgia and Mississippi coming in next at 542, 391, 371, respectively.

Now, if I can say something, coming from Jason and not Panama City Beach, PCBDaily, or whatever other hat I may wear: We need to support this event. Whether it be through giving them more money from the CVB, local businesses buying ads and contributing sponsorship dollars or what, we have to come together as a community on this. This is one of the only family events that you can bring the kids, have some festival food and walk around in the beautiful November weather Panama City Beach is so well known for. Plus, it is cheap. I had the unique opportunity to play a small role in this event this past year and witnessed local businesses shying away from any type of monetary support stating that they would see the business from this event anyway, why should they pay for an ad or sponsorship at some nominal level. That’s just ridiculous. Why wouldn’t you support something like this if you are given the chance. You wouldn’t work for free, would you? Well, that’s what the Parishes have been doing. In fact, it cost them money to put on the event – out of their own pocket! Next year, do the right thing and support this event. I’ll get off my soapbox now.

The Visual Arts Center will be hosting an exhibit titled Norman Rockwell’s America this summer from 6/12/09 to 8/9/09 (8 weeks). Norman Rockwell’s art was often critisized in its time for portraying an America that was in essence a fairy tale, in that the scenes that he painted were not realistic or could not really be found in America. Well, artist (please forgive me, I didn’t get his name!) noticed in many of his photographs that he was indeed capturing America as Norman Rockwell saw it. The exhibit this summer will feature his work, which are modern day interpretations of popular peices from Norman Rockwell. And, the real treat is that they will be right next to the original Rockwell peices that they are interpretted from. Many of these peices have never been on loan out from their owners for public viewing. I personally think this is a huge addition to what our summer visitors can do while they are here, and I was a little dissappointed in the level of support that the TDC showed.

Susan Estler and Dan Rowe underscored their emphasis on family spring break in the spring break marketing efforts and made mention of a few national media plugs discussing this point, including an AP article written and an upcoming interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. I’m very interested to see the outcome as we are just weeks away before the spring break gates flood open.

Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday in Pier Park

This Saturday, February 14th, be sure to come out to Pier Park for the Mardi Gras Parade put on by the Krewe of Dominique Youx. With around 50 floats expected and thousands of people to be there, it is sure to be a total blast. The Parade starts at 3 pm at the intersection of Hills and Front Beach Road and will travel west-bound on Front Beach Road, enter into Pier Park and end at the end of the Boardwalk area at the round-a-bout.

The Krewe of Dominique Youx is Bay County’s original organization of over 185 members who have celebrated the festive Mardi Gras season here in Bay County for over 22 years. Dominique Youx is the nickname used by the eldest member of the famous Lafitte family of buccaneers who sailed the southern seas in the early 1800’s plundering vessels of those deemed to be their enemies. Dominique Youx was actually Fredric Alexander Lafitte, brother of Jean and Pierre Lafitte. He was the first of the Brothers to become a buccaneer. He was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte as a privateer and served for France during the war with Spain. When the Lafitte’s moved to New Orleans, the charismatic Jean Lafitte organized hundreds of rogues into a band of pirates who became the scourge of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Local rumor has it that some of their loot is still hidden in the estuary of St.Andrew Bay.

After the parade, be sure to join Bootleg Barbeque’s 1st Annual Mardi Gras Party and Crawfish Boil to benefit the Anchorage Children’s Home. Bootleg will be serving up true Louisiana-style crawfish boiled to the tune of live zydeco music performed by Heat & the Zydeco Gents at 4 pm with festivities expected to roll through 8 pm.

Bootleg Barbeque, a locally owned and operated business, appreciates the community support it has received in its first year and is sponsoring this event as a small way to give back to the community through this truly worthy cause.

Anchorage Children’s Home is a private, non-profit, Christian organization serving, protecting and strengthening children, families and community. Anchorage offers emergency shelter for children and youth who have been abused, abandoned and neglected. Anchorage also offers services to homeless youth through transitional living, street outreach and maternity home programs. Anchorage Children’s Home’s mission is to be an Anchor for today’s children…strengthening tomorrow’s families.

For more information on Anchorage Children’s Home visit their web site at anchoragechildrenshome.org.
Event information can be found at Bootleg Barbeque’s web site rockabillybarbeque.com

TDC Meeting Agenda – Discuss Bed Tax Collections, Sports Marketing

Tuesday’s combined Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council/Convention and Visitors Bureau (TDC/CVB) should be a good one. With presentations from Ellen Killough of the Visual Arts Center and Emerald Coast Cruizin, we should have a better idea of how some events went last year and what we are to expect this year.

The four board action items include consideration for approval the financial statements, Coastal Planning and Engineering Invoices, funding for the Northwest Florida Fly-in Visitor Survey, and enhancements to the Clerk of the Court’s Tourist Development Tax.

We’ll also see an update on Sports Marketing Activities and regular marketing activities, along with an update on the new web site.

You can download the agenda here, or view it below.

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:00 a.m. Council Room, PCB City Hall

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A.    Invocation
B.    Pledge of Allegiance
C.    Approve Minutes From the December 17, 2008, and January 12, 2009 Meetings

III. REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV. UPDATE ON BED TAX COLLECTIONS, Ms. Charlene Honnen, Tourist Development Tax Specialist

V. PRESENTATIONS

A. Visual Arts Center, Ms. Ellen Killough, Executive Director
B. Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Event, Mr. Robert Parrish

VI. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A.    Discuss and Consider for Approval CVB/TDC Financial Statements Dated November 30, 2008, and December 31, 2008, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
B.    Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #90118, Invoice #90119, and Invoice #90143, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
C.    Discuss and Consider for Approval Funding the Northwest Florida Fly-In Visitor Survey, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
D.    Discuss and Consider for Approval Enhancements to the Clerk of the Court’s Tourist Development Tax Collection Efforts, Mr. Bill Kinsaul, Clerk of the Court

VII. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Update on Sports Marketing Activities, Mr. Richard Sanders, VP of Sports Marketing
B. Update on Marketing Activities, Ms. Susan Estler, VP of Marketing

VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

IX. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Adjustable Rate Mortgages Are Our Friends

Yes, I know what you’re probably saying already. Where has this guy been? Living under a rock somewhere? Hasn’t he heard the nightmare stories about sub-prime mortgages, option ARMS and “liar loans” and how all of these ultra-risky vehicles got us into the mess we’re in right now? Indeed, the media has placed much of the blame for the collapse of home prices and the ongoing foreclosure crisis on the loose credit and lax credit standards for the proliferation of these exotic mortgage products that now make up much of the toxic debt on banks’ balance sheets. Yet, somehow, the plain old adjustable rate mortgage that has been around for decades has been painted with the same brush as the other mortgage products and unfairly so. Let me explain why ARMs are still around, always will be around, and why they may be the best friends we have right now.

The complete evaporation of a secondary mortgage market for condominiums and their twin the condo-tels, has forced banks to develop new vehicles for financing these properties. This is where the in-house loans, or portfolio loans as we call them, come in to play. These loans accept the risk associated with condos as collateral in a market that has seen condo prices plunge in recent years and ignore other factors that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with all the mortgage insurance companies, deem derogatory. But banks can’t loan money on these properties forever when they have no market to sell the loans. Eventually, they would have no money left to lend and would simply have a fat portfolio of nothing but condo loans and no capital. Corus Bank, the owner of Laketowne Wharf, is a great example of this scenario. That is why banks, like the bank I work for, turn to ARMs – they provide interest rate protection to the bank while offering the consumer a quantifiable risk scenario where they can weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision.

I have been a little perplexed lately when potential borrowers call to inquire about financing for a fantastic deal they are getting on a condo. When I explain I have two options, a 3/1 ARM at 6.00% or a 5/1 ARM at 6.75% there is often an immediate rejection of anything that isn’t a fixed rate and an inferred suspicion that I am some sort of snake oil salesman. Never mind there are no other options out there. What about the fact these ARMs have initial fixed periods at very attractive rates? What about the fact that there are no pre-payment penalties, (we want them to pay it off) very low fees, and annual and lifetime rate caps of 2% and 6% respectively? Do they even give me the opportunity to explain that the ARMs are tied to the 1 year Treasury yield which is one of the most stable indexes to be found having averaged 4.38% over the past twenty years? Do I have a glimmer of hope that they will listen to me explain how ARMs work and that if these ARMs were to adjust today they would actually go down? Nope. If it’s an ARM it’s snake oil and will lead them to financial ruin. Yet for those who don’t associate every ARM loan with housing horror stories and who weigh the pros and cons are using my ARM loans to scoop us fabulous deals on beachfront condominiums and stand to make substantial returns on their measured risk proposition. Did I say risk? Of course there is risk with an ARM. Rates could sky rocket in a worst-case scenario but given that the U.S. will probably keep short-term rates low for a very long time, the risk is acceptable.

No one wants you to take an ARM more than the bank someone once told me. Over the years I have found this to be more or less true from a banker’s perspective. So why have I, personally, taken out several ARM loans over the years? It is because that while an ARM provides some safety for the banks, it also provides opportunities to borrowers. Lower rates equate to qualifying for more loan. If I anticipate a rise in property values or an increase in my income, why not look at an ARM? But most significantly, when it is the only mortgage option available and there perhaps once in a lifetime opportunities on beach-front real estate, do ARMs not beg some consideration? ARMs are like bridges, they get us over an obstacle though we may not know what we’ll find on the other side. One borrower said to me recently when we were discussing the end of that bridge on a 5/1 ARM he was applying for, he poignantly stated, “If things aren’t better than this in five years then God help us all.” This lead me to reflect that the bank portfolio ARMs may not be a panacea but they do offer buyers, Realtors and bankers alike, a bridge to better times ahead.

For this and more, visit my blog at www.activerain.com/blogs/hpalmer

With over fifteen years of mortgage and real estate experience, Hunter Palmer has the knowledge and expertise to help home buyers and Realtors navigate the ever changing real estate finance landscape.

Doggie Doo on the Beach at Pier Park – Move the Doggie Beach

As a resident of Panama City beach living directly across the street from the “doggie beach” I have seen numerous infractions of the boundaries, clean up, and leash rules. The aptly nicknamed “tootsie roll beach” has been true to its name and I and my children have happened upon several “accidents” outside the designated “doggie beach” boundary. When the dog beach was approved in October 2007 several of my friends and neighbors asked the question “Why this beach?” We are not opposed to a dog beach per say, we are more concerned as to why the city would tarnish the beach directly in front of our newest and nicest tourist attraction.

Take the Poll

In the larger of the sidebars on the right, directly below the Featured Video a poll has been created.

The question: Do you think the dog beach should be moved from the City Pier at Pier Park to another location?

The city told me they designated the Pier Park beach as the dog beach because it is a “dog friendly” area due to the allowance of dogs in Aaron Bessant Park and along the sidewalk areas of Pier Park. I believe that dogs in these areas are great. The City should acknowledge though that Pier Park has its own security guards to enforce proper leashing and clean up compliance. In Aaron Bessant Park there is a great deal of rule breaking and accidents left behind but my children are not sitting in minimal clothing and digging where the dogs are playing. On the beach my children are in fact sitting in minimal clothing and digging. Last fall break I had family visiting and we had to scoop up three accidents 200 yards west of the dog beach boundary before allowing my children to play. In this same area a man took his dog out into the water right next to where my children were wading. Dogs are known shark attractants and when I politely asked him to move back down to the dog beach he ignored me.

After complaining to the city about the dog beach infractions I was directed to Stephani Somerset the executive director of Bay Families with Dogs. She told me to let the perpetrators know of the dog beach boundary as some of them may be unaware. I wanted her to be right but after approaching two more people about the fact they had their unleashed dogs outside the dog boundary they’re response was, “yes we know where the boundary is”, and proceeded to remain in their seats. I go to the beach to relax not play police.

In an article in the News Herald on 2/4/09 it was said that “98 percent of dog owners who use the beach pick up after their dogs…” I would like to say in my experience of being outside of the boundaries of the dog beach the statistic is more like 50 percent. If dog owners were cleaning up after themselves 98 percent of the time why would the dog beach have to hire a beach butler, which it has since done. The ironic part is that the beach butler only cleans up after the 400 feet of designated dog beach. This leaves the accidents outside the dog beach for us to clean up.

I would like to state for the record, growing up I owned a dog who I loved dearly and I have many friends with dogs which they adore. I recognize the importance of raising a happy dog with a life full of exercise and variety but choosing the beach directly in front of our newest and nicest addition to Panama City Beach to provide that “exercise and variety” is not the decision the majority of residents would have agreed to. As I speak to friends and neighbors, including dog owners, we all feel this was the wrong beach to use as a test site for an unregulated city ordinance.

During a time when we are competing with other panhandle beaches for much needed tourism dollars my question to the city is, “What was the motivation in turning the city’s potentially most active beach into a dog beach?” . I don’t see how a dog beach could bring in increased revenue for the improvement of our city. There are no “Dog” retail shops in Pier Park. My point is that making THIS beach a dog beach only downgrades the beach without bringing any additional revenue to the area for things such as sidewalks and community upgrades.

Millions of dollars have been used to put retail on the beach to create an atmosphere in which tourists can have beach, dining, and shopping in one trip. The majority of tourists don’t bring their animals with them. The idea of lying on the sand that is possibly tainted with the morning’s dog activities is not exactly appealing. I understand it is a “nice” thing to have for “some” of the residents but my friends with dogs have admitted they would not take their children to the dog beach for fear of what they might dig up.

My request is that the city moves the dog beach away from the Pier Park beach. Again I am not trying to eliminate the idea of a dog beach. I am not trying to be unsympathetic or unfair to the dog owners who have respected the dog beach boundaries. I am trying to say the Pier Park dog beach experiment needs to end. The majority of dog owners of Panama City Beach have not shown they can govern themselves in this privilege.