The Community Affairs Committee met on July 28, 2021, at 8:30 am.

In attendance: Wayne Garrison, Dwight Potter, Pat McClellan, Connie Walker, Charles Krupnick, India Parson, Penny Esworthy, Kerry Pelletier, PKACC staff members Dana Pagador & Lori Raisch

• Penny and Wayne are in the process of revising the goals and activities of the Business and Community Advocacy.
• Shop Hop tasks and timelines were discussed. Securing a location for the finale is the most urgent need at this time. Flyers, sponsorship documents, and other marketing materials are in the process of being updated to reflect this year’s event dates. Dana will take the lead on finding a location for the finale.
• Dana shared information related to the Condo collapse in South Florida, there was discussion of changing the inspection intervals from the current 40 years, to 20.
• Dana also discussed the ongoing planning for a mini-golf tournament, more updates to come.
• The replacement of the directional signs that were damaged in Hurricane Sally was the next topic of discussion. The cost will be approximately $120k. The Chamber is requesting funds from the County and Visit Pensacola to help offset the purchase and installation costs.
• Pat McClellan spoke about the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Transportation Planning Office. No Perdido Key area citizens are on the CAC, there are representatives from communities on both sides of the Alabama/Florida line. The group discussed attending future Board of County Commissioners meetings as a group to provide input on matters affecting Perdido.
• A discussion of the traffic challenges facing the Key evolved to sharing information on the Perdido Key Chamber Breakfast Brief series, which will kick off on August 6th at Hub Stacey’s at the Point. The event will be held the first Friday of every month and will feature an area civic leader to discuss issues important to the Perdido area. The first speaker will be Christine Fanchi, Escambia County Transportation Engineer, to provide updates on current and future road projects on and near Perdido Key. Networking will begin at 7:30 am and the presentation will start at 8:00, the event is free to attend for Chamber Members, non-members will be asked to pay $5. Coffee and Tea and pastries will be provided to attendees (while supplies last).
• Litter, vandalism, sea turtle nest interference and other problems on our beaches is a major issue facing the area. Currently, there is not enough law enforcement presence to address these problems. The committee would like to see the County use some of the bed tax funds to create a Perdido Key specific beach patrol to maintain restroom facilities and curb the illegal and harmful activities that are becoming prevalent and affecting both residents and visitors to the area.
• Charles provided information on a clean-up event at the West Area of the State Park on September 18th from 8 am to noon. Volunteers are needed and sponsors are being recruited. Connie Walker volunteered to take the lead on requesting local businesses sponsor trash stations at the public beach access points. The desired outcome is for small handheld baskets, as are available in most retail establishments to be utilized by visitors to the beaches to gather trash. There was a suggestion that if a basket of trash is turned in at a sponsor location, a small gift or discount on an item would be given in appreciation.
• Dana shared updates on the progress of Preservation Park and the Multi-Use Path. The path is fully funded and will eventually connect to the Greenways Trail. The Chamber is partnering with the County in requesting funds to provide improved landscaping to Preservation Park, replacing non-native plantings with vegetation that is compatible with the Habitat Conservation Plan. The area will be used as demonstration gardens to promote similar plantings by area residents and businesses.

Next Meeting – August 25th, 8:30 am in the Chamber Conference Room