City Commission - Regular Meeting

and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Um, Pastor Keith Capey, would you mind doing the invocation? Let's pray. Father, we thank you. We come to you seeking your your grace, your mercy, and your wisdom to be poured out into this meeting. Lord, we pray for our commissioners that be uh yielded to one another to for the good of the community. Lord, we thank you for a great uh rocket launch. What a what a wonderful uh day it was. We thank you for that, Lord. Thank you for the way you move through our community and our our county, Lord. Father, I just thank you that we can come together and trust that you are going to lead and guide all who speak and let all things be done decently in order. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

All right, city clerk, roll call. Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Hutcherson here. Commissioner Tolty here. Vice Mayor Williams here. Mayor Kesy here. Um, anybody want to make a motion for the agenda? Move to approve the agenda as present. Second motion and a second. All in favor? I I motion passes. 50. Any public comments about items that are not on the agenda? All right. Moving. I have one. No. Your commission comment.

No. Carolyn almost single-handedly stopped that launch. She was she was trying to draw a text to herself. I had a caller on the phone, but she was on console, so she couldn't answer her phone. It was like T9 couple minutes and you were holding things up there, Caroline. Caroline, would you like to come up and make a public comment about that? Come tell us what went on during the crisis. I mean, he's got the story with FPS. I mean, there was an issue and it got fixed.

If you're going to talk, ma'am, you need to come up to the podium. Come on up there. Come on up there. I want to hear the story about that battery on the flight termination system. Apparently, it worked. Do you really want me to come up? Yeah. No. I I think I've been off three nails waiting for that. How about you talk to her afterwards? Okay. Okay. Thank you, Caroline. Um,

let's see where we Oh, staff reports. Good evening, Mayor Commission. Uh, a couple different things tonight on staff reports. First thing is due to, uh, surf conditions, we're going to have a red flag warning for the rest of the week. Air show is April 11th and 12th. That's coming up soon. And that's the first time the Blue Angels have ever flown at Cocoa Beach. Um, regarding Comar Code, Brad and Morgan have worked with engineers and they have developed a uh an awesome awesome plan to fix that area and they're working with the PA company and the general contractor and the engineers to put that in motion. Regarding Bsentennial Park, we're aware of some buoy concerns over there and St. John's has been working with us on that. Um we're going to try and see if we can fix that or if they needed to be taken out completely. Also a bsentennial the lift station startup occurred uh on April 1st and it is supposed to be completed by April 30th of this obviously of this month. The solid waste to RFP was advertised on March 29th and there's a mandatory pre-bid meeting uh for April 10th. the Ocean Beach Park. We are waiting on the draft deed which is anticipated to be to us by April in a few weeks. Uh 520 beautifification. We anticipate bringing a proposal to commission April 16th and staff met with uh FDOT about the grant and will submit an application for funds on that. Pavers have been ordered for North Bard Avenue. We have an Easter brunch Sunday on the 19th. Two seedings 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at the 19th hole with an Easter egg hunt at the sports complex at 9:00 a.m.

sharp. And rampro will be proceeding as planned. Work is continuing in the parking lot and FPL is installing shields around the new. So, that's the staff reports and I've got one more staff report as well. I wanted to show the community some of the damage that we talked about with the micro burst that we had last week. So, sometimes pictures are worth a lot more than us just kind of getting up here and talking about it. So, this was the roof of the chlorine chamber that we have out there at the water wreck facility. Obviously, it was ripped off due to the storm. And some of the estimates that we have to fix that right now are 28,684 and $22,275. Uh the chemical roof estimate, it was ripped off as well. $23,200 is the estimate for that. That's our tennis shed and fence, a tennis center. And this was all from about what 30 seconds 45 seconds worth of wind that happened. Um patio at the 19th hole. We're still awaiting an estimate on that. And uh Commissioner Tamulti is

there's no Is that the tree? Right. This is a this is a good thing. So that's your tree. This is this is the silver lining. Okay. So right

this is a tree that was the bane of your existence. Five on lakes. Okay. Yeah. So, that's gone now. And, uh, this was a door at our facility that was just ripped off. 10,000 uh kitty pool canopy 12,000 estimate for that. Large tennis shade purchased by the city in 2024 for 12,000 and a fence damage from the pool lines um as well. And that concludes the report that I have for you guys tonight. Thank you. Yes, Commissioner. So, you showed us all this and you said that gave us estimates.

We have insurance. Does any of our insurance cover any of that? Short answer to that question is yes. The longer answer to that would be our rates would increase more over time that would be worth than it would be worth us making the claim. So in other words, I think the number might be we could save five grandish plus or minus on the claims, but we would have more than that and increases over time based on making those claims. That's from our HR department who's It looks to me like you have over about $100,000 rough of claims. I

I think if you got a public adjuster, you'd probably have a lot more than that in claims. Well, our uh our department is working with our insurance companies now. But that's kind of where we're at preliminarily. I understand and everybody in this room understands that claim free gives you cheaper insurance. Sure. But there's times when you got to actually use your insurance. Sure. And I would suggest definitely getting with a public adjuster because the insurance will never do you justice. I've dealt with that a couple times now and I I wish

we'll take a look at it for sure. I wish I would in the beginning. And uh just real quick, for example, and I uh they my insurance tried to tried to give me nothing for my for the tornado damage when the tornado went over my house and uh they said I had $8,000 and my was 8,500. Uh the insurance adjuster got me 70. So Okay. All right. Um city attorney. Um nothing tonight. Thank you. Okay. Uh, any commission comment?

Yeah, I'll just say obviously everybody probably saw the Artemis launch. So, kudos to Commissioner Williams being involved in that. It's it's so exciting to see the area. It's like a resurgence of the 60s with space launch. So, it's anybody that's involved, kudos to you guys. And I think it really is the dawn of a new agency or a news age, I should say. So, whoever didn't get a 2 sticker earlier, I've got some extras here after the meeting. and uh put on the golfart Artemis and I I know all those astronauts personally and uh I just praise the Lord that they're all safe and I ask you all to uh have a blessed Easter.

You want to say anything? Yeah, same thing. You know, I was a little concerned at uh couple hours before the launch that we weren't going to be able to see it cuz it was really overcast here in uh actually out there by the by the high school and then all of a sudden those clouds kind of dissipated and it was there and so we got to we're very fortunate um you know living here in in Bvard County in Bard County but Cocoa Beach for sure we're blessed um you know to be able to see these launches uh on a regular basis but a man launch is uh is a different thing. It kind of, you know, woman too man and human. Okay. I didn't realize you're so politically correct.

Yeah, it means the same thing. It's not politically correct. Anyway, anyhow, um thank you, Skip, for you know, messing that up. Anyhow, um it was it was awesome. It was awesome to hear everyone screaming and clapping. In my backyard on the golf course, there were people out on the golf course just stopped and were watching and just clapping out there. I'm sure it was the same on the on the beach. I've seen videos, you know, everybody just screaming and uh it was uh it was a great experience and um and you know, we're going to have certainly have more of those going forward. So, thanks. That's all I got.

Thank you. Um, I really don't got much to say, but uh, it is nice to see some of our candidates out here. Um, you know, it's I think it's important for the candidates to come and basically know what's going on for at least the first 6 months before before an election. So, um, thank you. Thank you for doing your due diligence and coming here as well. And, uh, let's see. All right. We will end the commission or take a recess and start our CRA meeting. Okay. Item one, request to accept community redevelopment agency CRA annual comprehensive financial report ACFR for fiscal year 2025. Staff representative um Hannah Juman, Finance Director Devin Thally, Deputy Finance Director CRA. Move to accept the the report and have it read line by line all 500 pages.

Second to read it. Okay. None. Second. It is seconded. I to not read it. Just No, just teasing. You're being sarcastic. Okay. All right. Any any comment on that? All right. All in favor? I motion passes 4. Uh oh, back. We're back. Back to the commission meeting. Magic. It is magic. It's magic. Um city attorney cuz

Okay, this this is the consent agenda. Item one, request to accept the community redevelopment agency RA annual comprehensive financial report ACFR for fiscal year 2025. that was previously approved by at the CRA meeting on 4226. Staff representative Anna Juman, finance director Devin Tally, deputy finance director, CRA. Move to approve. Actually, this is the consent agenda. So item two, move to approve the consent agenda of including the next item.

Okay, very good. Okay. And item two is approve the dispatch interlocal agreement with BVAR County Sheriff's Office added 4126 staff representative Chris Cune police chief Justin Grimes fire chief recommendation approve. Uh so we had a motion and we he had a second. Um any public comment on consent? No. Oh yeah. Duh. Uh okay. All in favor? I I motion passes 4 Z. Um new business.

Okay, this is um item one on new business. Request to accept the annual audit and annual comprehensive financial report ACFR for fiscal year 2025. Staff representative Hannah Juman, finance director Devin Tally, deputy finance director, CRA. Recommend approve. Approve. J1 is second. Motion in a second. Any public comment? I'd like to amend it. We'll read all 500 p. No. Kind of missing Janice right now. Probably had something to say here. Um, yeah. Go ahead.

Um, can you elaborate? I don't know. City manager Hannah elaborate on deficiency funding of the accounts payable. I guess it was there was one finding I guess it should be called a material weakness for 300k.

Yes. So, we did have one finding this this whole year. It's related to a year-end process in place that's um through acruals. How that works is for any invoices that have a service period that's within the previous fiscal year, it has to be booked with a expense of that previous fiscal year. We have one invoice where it was booked to our current fiscal year 26, but the corrections been made with this finding to move it back over to 25 where it should have been paid out. It was because of the timing of which the invoice came into finance. So this next year going forward, we're just going to extend that period of time and uh we have some other items in place just to increase efficiency and be able to look at that a little bit closer.

Okay, cool. Thank you. Sure. In the spirit of Easter, we forgive all. Amazing. Skip's on a roll tonight. You're going to be here all week, Skip. Okay, here you go. Uh, all in favor? I. Motion passes. 4 Z. It's a good milestone, man. Um,

okay. Item two, approve engineers recommendation of award for bid number CB26-00002 Banana River Boulevard in Atlantic Avenue sewer pipe replacement project to All State Civil Construction, Inc. in the amount of 935,7712. Five bids were received and the selected bidder has demonstrated adequate qualification to perform the project. Allow staff to enter into contract with all civil construction. This is a budgeted item. Staff representative Brad Kzo, water reclamation director. Recommendation approved. Moved to approve. J2 is read. Second motion in a second. Any public comment? Commission comment.

Good question. Have we used these guys before? You guys okay with that? All right. All in favor? I. Motion passes 40. Okay. Now we've got new business item three. Discuss potential updates and enhancements to the golf course driving range. Staff will present potential improvement options aimed at modernizing the range and supporting ongoing operations at the golf course. Staff representative Andy Cigara, leisure services director. Recommendation provide direction.

Move to discuss K1. I'm sorry, J3. Move to discuss J3. Second. Good evening, mayor, commissioners. Um, we're excited to share these new ideas that would help enhance and modernize our current driving range. Uh, this overall concept was presented at the leisure services board in the fall of 2025. The board does believe it will become an engaging, fun environment for visitors, residents, and just the community as a whole. Um, I'm going to let my team take it over from here and explain the overall vision. For those that don't know, this is Ed Finger, Cocoa Beach Country Club general manager, and Brent Naylor, our pro shop manager. Andy, Andy, real quick, what was the vote on the leisure service?

It was a 3 0. Okay. We only had three members present at that time.

Good evening, mayor, commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. I'm here to present a vision for the future of Koka Beach Country Club, specifically the opportunity to transform our existing driving range into a modern golf entertainment facility that drives revenue, tourism, and long-term sustainability for our community. Golf is ever evolving and so are the expectations of today's customers. Driving ranges are no longer just practice facilities. They've become entertainment destinations. In fact, golf, entertainment, and driving range facilities saw revenue growth of over 12% in 2025. This creates a real opportunity for Co Beach to take an underutilized asset and turn it into a vibrant revenue generating hub that serves both residents and visitors. Together, these revenue streams, excuse me, this concept goes far between traditional golfers. It broadens community engagement and significantly increases overall participation for the entire country club. Together, these revenue streams create a well-rounded business model that go far beyond traditional range income. By combining play, food and beverage, events, instruction, and sponsorship opportunities, this facility has a potential to generate consistent year-round revenue while appealing to a much broader audience. at Doug Shrud Golf Course, which is a city of Orlando owned facility. The addition of new bays and teaching center increased revenue from approximately $74,000 over a three period to nearly $300,000 during the same time frame in its first three months of operation. There are significant gains and clearly demonstrates what possible what's possible with the right approach.

As we look at how to bring a project like this to life, there are multiple paths the city can consider. While a city-f funed option does require a higher upfront investment, it offer it also offers the greatest long-term financial return. In contrast, a revenue share partnership reduces the city's upfront financial risk and brings in private capital and expertise to support development while allowing the city to retain the day-to-day operations and control. The trade-off is obviously that the city would share a portion of that revenue and must ensure a well ststructured agreement to protect its long-term financial interest. Ultimately, this project is about more than just a driving range. It's about creating substantial financial engine for Cocoa Beach Country Club. The additional revenue could support course improvements, fund infrastructure upgrades, reduce reliance on city funds, and create a reinvestment cycle that strengthens our facility and community over time. In closing, we are not asking for a final decision. We are asking for your support to further explore this opportunity, including both a city-f funded model and a potential partnership so we can identify the best path forward for the city. Thank you very much for your time this evening.

Thank you. Um, thanks.

I'm good with further exploring the option. I'll I'll say uh I mean when I first came in this was one of the first things that I suggested that we we we look at uh but I was thinking about uh Top Golf but it's basically the same the same thing I believe. So uh I think it's a great idea definitely to explore my I I have some concerns with nobody knows what cover the tease is. So, I think if you if it was Top Golf, then it's easy to it's easy to advertise Top Golf. Everybody searches for Top Golf. Uh I I didn't do a quick search, but if somebody wouldn't mind doing a search for Top uh Top Golf and see if cover Yeah. see if cover the tease comes up because uh when I searched driving range u names

can I just address cover to the tease would just be a company that would build that that that uh structure but but cover the it's 100% the same concept right we could brand it whatever we branded Cocoa Beach country clubs driving but what what allows you to use cover the te's if I may if I may that's just one company of several that we're going to uh explore. Okay. So, Cover the Tease is not the only option out there, which is why we need the RFQ to go out and just look for those options.

So, again, Cover the Tease is just one of the, as they said, one of the companies that would um help facilitate the building of this. Um it is not what we call it. It's still Cocoa Beach Country Club. And we have, you know, a a virtual um addition to our to our driving range, which is, you know, similar to Top Golf, but it's not Top Golf. Top Golf is not necessarily the

We already have competition. Duran has put in 10 covered bays. They have the technology. Their base more not golf entertainment, more instruction on that side of things. So, you're already starting to see facilities, golf facilities pop up with this idea. And believe it or not, Top Golf is way down. I know they're coming in to Bvard and I know they're coming in at a bigger footprint. Bankrupt, but bankrupt. Well, not really bankruptcy. They're Callaway. Callaway kind of kind of got is trying to get away from them a little bit more. But, you know, that their their whole thing is they want people to come 1.2 times a year. Yeah.

That's not what we're after. We're after a community engagement that, you know, allows people to come on a a regular basis for a much much cheaper. You know, I guess what I'm getting is um cover the I mean Top Golf kind of the the name kind of sells itself because everybody knows what it is. Uh so I'm just my only really concern is that we need to if we're going to build it, we need to market it. Uh so we need to market it, right? And my concern would be, you know, I know that Topgolf is a well-known, that's what people search, they search Topgolf. So, uh, I have that concern. Another idea, the thought of, okay, do we have them build it and then we split the profits and, you know, just get a a small share of it or however it works. I think we're 10% or something. I forgot exactly what it was.

We still have to explore those options.

That's a concern. I mean, I I don't mind spending money to make money for me. I don't mind I and everybody out there knows I I hate taking loans and I don't like I don't buy anything unless I can buy it cash. But when it comes to an investment, uh that is an investment loan that makes money. So, I don't mind that as much. Uh but I I also kind of think that with it as we're progressing with it getting closer um we have a new commission that will coming in with a couple new uh members. I think when we do make a final decision in my opinion we should allow the the commission that's going to be here longer to to uh do that uh vote as well.

Well, as far as as far as that goes, I disagree with that waiting for another commission. That's just kicking the can down the road. Um, we we need to make a decision on, you know, in my opinion, we're not going to make a decision on, hey, we're going to do this, but we we need to explore. That's agree that, right? But, um, okay. So, but I'm for exploring it for sure and and I'm for making money. I just I is is on board with what's going on. If if that's if it takes six months, I mean, we got the next election's right around the corner, so it's it it will probably be that way anyways. I'm just Yeah, I have a couple for Brent. So, how many like comparative size wise, how many baits did that we talked about? There's 20ish down there. 25 or so.

And then how does that compare to the three case studies that were showcased here? Is that smaller? About the same size? It's it's about the same size. Uh the one at um Dubs Dread is probably 40 something bays. Okay. Um Claremont National is 32, I believe. And then I just visited Sailfish Sands which is down in Stewart which is a county run uh course and they have 10 on top 10 on bottom. Got it. Are we doing two two layers you think? That's not what we we would prefer. Okay. Because there's a lot lot of additional cost if we do build it uh and it's covered. You're going to have it be covered I imagine. Right. Correct.

We should make that infrastructure where you could build a second story on top of it in the future if we need to expand. We could explore that option. I I just know that the the cost is going to be significantly more, but in the long run, if you have to one down to build it to one, it's going to be cheaper to to do it that way. So, just just thinking ahead, try to get maybe if you're doing quotes for stuff, I would do a quote for seeing what just build the one story, but but having the poles that are big enough to support two stories if possible in the future. And the idea is that we would virgin the 19th hole for food and beverage. Correct. To go out there at first, probably. Yeah, I like the idea. I mean,

I'm, you know, I'm a fiscal hawk, so I'm I'm along with the mayor. I think basically the revenue model effectively finances it for us, right? I revenue share model. I don't I don't like revenue share because I want I want all that money. No, I I got it. The downside of that is the investable whatever it's going to cost. You know, you got to think of the the loan amount. What is the loan amount going to be per month compared to what they're going to be sharing per month? And I'm pretty good with numbers. Yeah, I know you are. So, currently to me, I think there's like a dozen 14 places people can use the driving range. Emberbard. Yeah. No, no, no. Oh, spots. Spots.

I think we're like 20 grass. Yeah. Yeah. It depends if you're on the grass or the mats. We're on the grass. week probably get about 25 in to 30. So in your envisionment for this, how many would there be? 25 bays. 25 bays. But now you're talking probably four people in each bay cuz it's more of an entertainment style. So it would have chairs and like Top Golf, very similar. Okay. We could still use it not so playing the game though, right? Yeah. the morning time when when golfs are normally coming in, we envision probably them coming just to hit balls and not really worrying about theology.

I would just when you're doing your exploration, you know, I see pictures of, you know, food and beverage there. You got to stock it. You got to protect it. You got to stab it.

You got to set hours of operation. uh you know that's that's a big deal in in my book that might eat up all your revenues trying to keep that staffed and and working. Um the other thing is um when you're doing your exploration, consider apples and oranges. If you got a place in in a a climate that's not as hot and muggy as Cocoa Beach and you're saying, "Hey, look at how great they're doing." Yeah.

Well, we got three months out of the year where even if it is entertainment style, if you got these bays and the wind's blowing and they're facing west and the wind's blowing from the east as it prevails, then those people are going to be pretty hot and muggy. Yeah, there'll be fans in there obviously, but it'll be an open concept to where that wind would actually move through. Well, there's there extra.

We're going to make a lot of money off of food and drinks out there. And if it's not accessible, you're you're not making the money. You need a you need a a tiki a tiki hut, like a Dirty Birds tiki hut out there selling drinks and food. Uh they're not going to walk inside at, you know, half a block inside to go to go buy some wings or whatever. Well, I mean, if you're doing something as simple as like the the the people that do the the the golf cart drink business, you know, something as simple as that where you It's not going to work. It's not that's not the that's not the the model. There's inexpensive options out there with food uh like uh containers. Dirty Birds has a container over there, like a food kitchen container where you can.

But the ambiance, the tiki bar, people hanging out there watching other people hit mulligans and whatever, you know, like worm balls, like laughing like that's they're going to be sitting at that bar watching and it's going to be then hopefully hang out and then and that's actually going to be money. Bars make money, money, money. So So alcohol sales. Another thing, well there's alcohol sales. There's also food sales that that we're missing. So, by having a grill out there actually in the on air, you're Yeah. So, you know, some people stop, hey, they'll run in and get hot. Well, it'll all be right there.

You know, that's And we've got three nine-hole courses. So, you constantly have people turning in and going out. So, it's um I think it's a great I don't want to spend money, but if we're going to do it, we got to do it right. All right. I'd also like to point out that you also have parties that would be out there. You have events. I mean, we've been to places they have DJs where it's dancing. They have line dancing. This can really grow to more than just a driving range. There's a lot of stuff. Claremont National just put in a little mini putt putt right next to it. Down the road as we make more money and we can reinvest into it. These are things we could potentially bring someday. And assuming this had lights to expand the usable hours. Yeah. We'd be open till 10 or 11 at night with this concept.

Yeah. And it's it's ground lighting, so it's not really affecting the neighborhood or anything. Light enough that you can still be open past sunset in December. Okay. I like it. Then my my final concern is should we get through the expiration phase and we're making a decision on implementation. Uh would we already have a a contractor chosen or would that be followon? depends on which company we would go with and which option we choose

because if there was an RFQ or RF RFP, I would want to know how long the current driving range is going to be shut down while they do this construction because I'm I'm seeing a minimum of 6 months. Well, we we actually anticipate the driving range still being open while they're doing the construction because we'll have space in front that we can actually make people come around and they'll be able to hit out front during part of the construction. There might be a week or two that we would, but we'd still have an area for golfers to still hit as a construction and as a backup. The driving range itself is from from back to front is some 20 to 30 yards for the T box.

T- box. So, we build the the Yeah, we build we build those bays in the back and they can hit off the grass. Well, again, that's part of the the what you work with the contractor in the upfront RFP days that says you've got this territory to work with. You can't do a lay down on the west side of that where we're trying to keep people, you know. So, that's just something to think about in the future. Okay. I mean, this company advertises pre-engineered installs quickly, so I'm assuming it's prefab stuff. It's launch rockets quickly, too. Maybe maybe for NASA doesn't skip piece of mind. SpaceX does. NASA does. This is SpaceX.

Worst comes to worse. Uh, a 3 to six month uh what we may to six months in in the course and what time of year would be less impactful I think would be a good thing to think about as well. So, yes. Okay, I'm done. Did we vote on this? Man, did you did you did you have something to say? I just want to say that I did uh Hannah and I had some of the numbers just some borrowing rates. If we did a 10-year right now, somewhere between 2.7 and 3.6% is on a 10-year right now for us. Is that state revolving funds?

Those are only water projects. Yeah. Is that because it's a a um an act brain fart uh like an amenity or like a like like a a recreation type like fund or something? Why do we get such a low rate is what he's trying to ask free credit

for government bonds usually the way that they perceive lending to us they are at different rates. we would not be able to do a SRF loan because those or are specifically for environmental water projects. Um it would probably be a mooney bond or something of that sort. Um when we look to see the average rates are right now, just as Wes said, it's a 10-year, which would probably be the amorization for this type of project, it would be up to about three 3.6%. And then so currently we're paying what about four and a half% on city hall? um I believe around that range. Are we able to bring that rate down with a different type of of loan or or

No, not at this time. Is that because it's a different type of loan than Okay, that's that's kind of what I Okay, thank you. Thanks. Right. That's what I was thinking. Okay. Well, um yeah, I'm interested in in hearing more about it. I mean, at this point, obviously, I would not vote for it because I don't have enough information, but very interested to hear uh what you guys come up with for it. So, exploring, what what do we mean by exploring? Let them keep doing keep doing their thing. I don't we don't want them to waste their time if we're not interested. So, they're not spending any money besides staff time. Correct.

Okay. Um move to approve. Move. Move to approve explore more. So uh see a second and any other public comment commission comment. All right. Uh all in favor I I all all four of us agree. We are adjourned.