Panama City Beach OKs lifeguard ordinance

PANAMA CITY BEACH - The Panama City Beach City Council gave final approval to a lifeguard ordinance Thursday that defines the qualifications of open-water lifeguards and requires beach businesses to post explanations of the red-flag warning system and the danger of rip currents.

Mayor Gayle Oberst said she wants city code enforcement officials to "sweep" walkway areas of the beach to make sure the signage is being displayed. She said that during the recent gulf storms, she walked along the beach and noticed several areas where warning signs should be exhibited.

The ordinance assigns the aquatic center at Frank Brown Park to hold certification courses for training lifeguards in open-water rescue, but it does not require open-water lifeguards along any Bay County beaches.

The aquatic center courses would be similar to a program sanctioned by the United States Lifesaving Association, as opposed to pool- or bay-rescue certificates issued by the American Red Cross or the YMCA.

City and county officials began discussing the addition of lifeguards after the death of 10 people along Bay County beaches this year.

Council member Ken Nelson, who earlier had criticized the ordinance as "smoke and mirrors," said the council will hold a public workshop Oct. 9 for those interested in exploring an expanded system of publicly funded lifeguards.

"This item is not dead yet," he said.

Nelson has said in the past that Walton County has a lifeguard program along its beaches that is funded through bed-tax collections and employs 30 lifeguards, with eight manned stations and four roving patrols.

Also Thursday, the council updated its ordinance regulating signs used by sexually oriented or body-altering businesses.

Mel Leonard, director of planning and building for Panama City Beach, said some businesses had become too creative in their advertising and were using inappropriate neon signs set back inside the stores but could be seen through front windows.

City Attorney Doug Sale said the changes were technical in nature and would affect only a few businesses.