The City of Panama City Beach actively pursues grant funding. The City has successfully applied for, and received, grants for various projects. As part of the grant award, the City makes available resources for interested parties to submit a complaint on any project. Information on those grants, and how to file a complaint, is located below.

Any written public comments may be submitted to the City by way of Communications Director Debbie Ingram by email here. She can be reached at (850) 233-5100, Ext. 2261.

CRA Lighting Project

On or about December 29, 2022, the City of Panama City Beach will submit a request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for the release of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1941, as amended, to undertake a project known as Front Beach Road and South Thomas Drive Lighting Repair and Improvement Project for the purpose of repairing and improving streetlights in Panama City Beach, Florida, that were damaged during Hurricane Michael. The funding allocation from the United States (US) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administered by DEO is $1,442,752.96 and the funding from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is $125,640.00.

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Panama City Beach, 17007 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. The ERR can also be accessed online at https://www.pcbfl.gov/how-do-i/grants or can be requested by email at Kathy.Younce@pcbfl.gov

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Kathy Younce, Assistant Public Works Director, 17007 Panama City Beach Parkway, Kathy.Younce@pcbfl.gov. All comments received by December 29, 2022 will be considered by the City of Panama City Beach prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Panama City Beach certifies to DEO that Drew R. Whitman in his capacity as City Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. DEO’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Panama City Beach to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
DEO will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Panama City Beach’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Panama City Beach; (b) the City of Panama City Beach has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by DEO; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity at 107 E. Madison St. Tallahassee, FL, 32399. Potential objectors should contact DEO to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Drew R. Whitman, City Manager

Offshore Outfall Project

On Thursday, April 28, 2022, the PCB City Council passed Resolution 22-151 approving a grant agreement for the Offshore Outfall Project.

Background: City staff made application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for funding through the Community Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program. The City requested $21,330,720.33 for the Front Beach Road Stormwater Offshore Outfall Project that is planned to combine two continuous outfalls and replace the existing 60" diameter outfall pipe that currently discharges surface water runoff across the beach and into the Gulf of Mexico. The proposed offshore outfall will be constructed at the same location but will have water quality treatment boxes and double 84" diameter pipes that are ~15 feet below the Gulf floor. The pipes will then run approximately 1500 linear feet south where they will discharge 2' above the floor in ~35 feet deep water. The required City match for this grant is $1.2 million.

As part of the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, citizens have the right to submit a complaint or appeal regarding this project. A complaint can be sent to the agencies listed below; a copy of that complaint will forwarded to the City for investigation.

Applicants are allowed to appeal program decisions related to one of the following activities:
(a) Program eligibility determination,
(b) Program assistance award calculation, or
(c) Program decision concerning housing unit damage and the resulting program outcome.

Citizens may file a written complaint or appeal through the Office of Long-Term Resiliency email at CDBGDR@deo.myflorida.com or submit by postal mail to the following address:

Attention: Office of Long-Term Resiliency
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
107 East Madison Street
The Caldwell Building, MSC 160
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Subrecipient will handle citizen complaints by conducting:

(a) Investigations as necessary,
(b) Resolution, and
(c) Follow-up actions.

If the complainant is not satisfied by Subrecipient’s determination, then the complainant may file a written appeal by following the instructions issued in the letter of response. If, at the conclusion of the appeals process, the complainant has not been satisfied with the response, a formal complaint may then be addressed directly to the DEO at:

Department of Economic Opportunity
Caldwell Building, MSC-400
107 E Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

The Florida Office of Long-Term Resiliency operates in Accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law (The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988). Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against may file a complaint of housing discrimination: 1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free), 1-800-927-9275 (TTY) or www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

Here is a copy of the grant agreement.

Hurricane Sally CDBG Public Notice

Answers to Questions posed from Lullwater public meeting

CRA Lighting Project

On Tuesday, December 21, 2022, the PCB City Council passed Resolution 22-55 approving a grant agreement for the CRA Lighting Project.

Background: On April 7, 2021 and with Council approval, City staff made application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for funding through the Community Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program. The City requested $1,442,752.96 for the Front Beach Road Segment 1 and South Thomas Drive Roadway Lighting Repair and Improvement Project that will replace all lighting fixtures, arms, and wiring for the street lights on the two road segment. The City match for this grant is $125,640.

As part of the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, citizens have the right to submit a complaint or appeal regarding this project. A complaint can be sent to the agencies listed below; a copy of that complaint will forwarded to the City for investigation.

The goal of DEO is to provide an opportunity to resolve complaints in a timely manner, usually within15 business days of the receipt of the complaint as expected by HUD, if practicable, and to provide the right to participate in the process and appeal a decision when there is reason for an applicant to believe its application was not handled according to program policies. All applications, guidelines and websites will include details on the right to file a complaint or appeal and the process for filing a complaint or beginning an appeal.

Applicants are allowed to appeal program decisions related to one of the following activities:
(a) A program eligibility determination,
(b) A program assistance award calculation, or
(c) A program decision concerning housing unit damage and the resulting program outcome.

Citizens may file a written complaint or appeal through the Office of Long-Term Resiliency email at CDBGDR@deo,mrfiorjd;t.com or submit by postal mail to the following address:

Attention: Office of Long-Term Resiliency
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
107 East Madison Street
The Caldwell Building, MSC 160
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Subrecipient will handle citizen complaints by conducting:
(a) Investigations as necessary,
(b) Resolution, and
(c) Follow-up actions.

If the complainant is not satisfied by Subrecipient's determination, then the complainant may file a written appeal by following the instructions issued in the letter of response. If, at the conclusion of the appeals process, the complainant has not been satisfied with the response, a formal complaint may then be addressed directly to the DEO at:

Department of Economic Opportunity
Caldwell Building, MSC 400
107 E. Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

The Florida Office of Long-Term Resiliency operates in Accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law (The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988). Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against may file a complaint of housing discrimination: 1-800-669-9777, 1-800-927-9275 (TTY) or  www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

Here is a copy of the grant agreement.

Final Environmental Review Report Part-58 CEST