City Council - Regular Meeting

25. Like to call this meeting to order, please ma'am. Please, sir. We will have invocation by um Councilman Hearn. Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilman Colonel Smith. Come to the podium, sir. Yes. So, all the way from Melbourne would secure your phones including me. I think I got mine off. Let me make sure I have my phone up cuz I don't want to pay that $150. Good evening, mayor. Good evening, council. Good evening, everyone. Staff. Uh, and what am I doing, mayor?

Okay. All right. I just want to make sure I simple instructions. All right. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag to the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. Remain standing for invocation. If everyone will please join me in a quick prayer. Dear heavenly father, I'd like to give thanks for allowing us all to arrive here in beautiful downtown Coco this evening safe. I ask that you continue to watch over our city, our county, our neighbors outside. Give us a sound mind that we only make the best decisions here tonight on behalf of the citizens of Coco. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Sir Morty B.

All right. Hey, how's it going? Are you talking about this on your schedule? Okay.

Yeah, you tried to slide one in. Madam clerk, may we do roll call, please? mail. Yes, sir. Uh, Mayor Blake present. Mail. Deputy Mayor Weekes here. Council member Goins here. Council member Hearn here. Council member CS here. City Attorney Gargani here. And city manager Whitten here. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. Thank you very much, Madame Clerk. Appreciate you very much. Want to thank everyone for attending. You're like the old mailman. Come rain sle snow, you will deliver the mail.

All righty. -2-1 agenda regular meeting of September the 23rd 2025. I would like to make a motion to approve the agenda with an amendment to remove item number 3-1 under awards and presentation. Also, we have a handout that I would like to add to council business 7-4. And I'm asking the council to approve the National Railroad Partnership Program Grant to fund the construction of Brightland. And chair would like to make a motion. I'm looking for a second. Second. Chair like made a motion. I'm looking for a second.

Second. Okay. Second by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Chair's going to call a question. All in favor saying I. I. I. Any nays? Eyes have it. unanimously

sir. Yes sir.

Okay. Thank you sir. Proceeding on the item number 2-2 minutes regular meeting of August the 12th 2020 25. What are the wishes of council? Motion to approve with one amendment. Okay, let me hear your motion and your amendment ma'am.

The amendment is on page 15. It's at the end. It starts additionally council member costs shared and I would like it to read several examples of inexpensive and creative enhancements to a bike parkway that she observed during a recent trip. um the way it currently and I don't expect the city clerk certainly to understand the context or the texture of all our conversations but in this case it sounds like I was sharing my family photos versus uh examples that I brought back that I would like to see us uh consider one day. So that is my motion to change it. Second motion on the

floor by councilwoman and a second by deputy mayor Weeks. Just going to call a question. All in favor saying I. I. Any nays? I have it unanimously. Proceeding on to item number four of the delegations. Okay. Um this is how we're going to do this. We have a handout to um Mr. George Frasier. What? Give me a second. Hold tight. Please, sir. I'mma proceed in this order. Please, sir. Um, and let me know if it's correct. Yes, sir.

Before I get to you three, I'm trying to do the last three. You all will be the last three. I have Mr. um, William Kyle, sir, come to the podium. You have three minutes to elaborate on your particular item. State your name for us, please. Sir,

my name is William Kyle. Um my concern is about u traffic on factory street. Uh it seems that uh traffic has gotten a little too fast and uh requesting to have some speed tables added to the streets to uh prevent any kind of u mishap with young and old alike on factory street. That's my petition.

Thank Thank you very much, Mr. K. I know for a fact sir when sometimes when 520 northbound lane gets backed up people will spill off on factory which is what else? Lemon lime orange. Yes sir. And you're right. Um that that charming young man with a haircut like mine to your immediate left. There's a process and I'm just letting you know he would do his Yes, sir. He would do his requires petition. He would do his Yes. He would do his due diligence. I'm trying to keep a straight face. It's not you, sir. It's me cuz it's Abby.

Yes, sir. Okay. And Abby to as well. Thank you very much, Mr. City Manager. They're going to do their due diligence and then there's a paper process that we must follow to as well. But um let your heart rest assured we have uh taken all this under consideration and we will make the necessary adjustments sir to address your concerns. Thank you. Thank you very much and I thank you for having the courage to come forward. I have my councilman here to my immediate uh left your right councilman G from Rockidge and he's old rock hard. Councilman Gins sir.

Yes sir. um one of his neighbors, Miss Ethel Smith, also called this week um about the same um thing. And so um and then before her, Miss Sims as well. Uh and so I think it it is a issue with being again a cut through street trying to get to 520. So and that that's all I had just to add to that.

Okay sir. Thank you very much. Now we will proceed in this order. Uh because this is the way the cards were handed to me. Uh Dr. Frasier, it will be you Dr. Frasier. Then it will be Anthony Hatcher. Is that the bishop? Yes sir. Yeah. The bishop. Put them on here on the bishop. Now you're an authentic OG original bishop. We got some other jokers try to come up here and imposter, but I'mma leave that alone. Sir Frasier. Okay, Mrs. Frasier. Savvola. Yes, sir. She's on the way, so it may be Clinton.

Okay. No harm, no foul. Okay, sir. Um, the floor is yours, sir. Would everyone direct your attentions to Prosperity and Wealth Summit? Uh, Dr. Frasier. Sir, good evening, Mayor Blake.

Good evening, sir. Council members and staff, I'm George Fraser. I'm the program director for the success center. And we appreciate you allowing us to come in tonight to share with you our vision for prosperity in Bvard County, specifically in Cocoa and Rock. The Prosperity and Wealth Summit is a national 15 city initiative with one mission and that's to make sure that prosperity and wealth is in every neighborhood, every zip code in our country. The reality here in Coco is that we have families here that are working hard. They're busting their behinds, but they're still falling behind. They're still not able to all afford being in the city that they love to be in. And so what we have found is that the dream isn't enough. We found that the average family in Coco makes about 53 $56,000 a year. But in order to buy a house, it costs between 260 and $300,000. And you know, and I know that most people can't fi buy a house with $56,000 a month. So, it's not just and it's not just affecting families. This is affecting small businesses at the success center. And we we're we're over in Rock Ledge just on the other side of of Main Street. We have an incubate incubator and a um and and we also do training. And what we have found is that our small businesses don't have the capital that they need. So, we're looking at we're looking at small businesses. We're looking at our first responders. We're looking at families, young adults, and they don't they don't have what they need. So, we found that the dream is not happening. And why? Because after

decades of financial literacy training is not enough. People are needing to have real tools. They need to have real access and they have they need to have real action. And that's what the prosperity and wealth summit is all about. It's about lowering those barriers, helping our citizens, our community, helping those first responders, the pillars to be able to afford to live and experience the dream. And so, I appreciate you allowing us to come up here. And I know my three my three minutes are nearly done. And so, with that, I'll I'll close and I'll say at the flock, we always say it's better when you do it together. But tonight, I'm going to say we can't do it without you. And so we appreciate you giving us this opportunity to share this with you. Are there any questions?

Do we have any questions? Uh Dr. Frasier, can you um give me some more direction and reference of how long this prosperity and wealth summit for the kids have been in existence and what exactly does it so the entail? Yes sir. the Prosperity and Wealth Summit. It's a uh like I said, it's a national um initiative that started up in Alabama and for the last 18 months they've been working with families and small businesses to lower those barriers that you see there. Now, are you working with other municipalities too as well?

Yes, sir. We're working with Rock Ledge. We're working with Melbourne. We've got uh Councilman Smith back here. Uh and even though it's happening in Coco Rocklage, this is impacting Bvard County, Central Florida. And our desire is that we we compass the whole state. Not this year. Not this year, but but in years to come. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Okay. Any questions for Dr. Frasier? Yes, sir. C. Uh good evening. So, uh, good evening, sir. I read through this package and, uh, got a lot of information on here and I I I know what the initiative is. Yes, sir.

Um, as far as as far as the city of Coco, is there, um, any goals in mind that, you know, as far as what you're looking for from the city of Coco, how we can support this initiative?

Thank you, sir. So, what we need from the city of Coco is we need support in finding sponsors. If you have funds, we would love to to get some funds to to make this happen because the summit itself is is one day. It's one event that kicks off a whole year. And in order for us to make this happen, we are looking for funds. But we're also looking for your partnership. We're looking for your voice. We're looking for you all to share with your constituents what we're trying to do collectively. Not three organizations that have collaborated, but the cities of Rock Ledge and Coco uh trying to affect change in Bvard County.

Thank you, Councilwoman Calls. Yeah, I was going to ask um so this is a CEO, right? I mean, it's not a it's a nonprofit. Yes, ma'am. It's a it's a nonprofit. Um so, do we still have funds left? in our program where we donate monies to nonprofits. Yeah. Well, this this event actually happens after the beginning of the fiscal year. So, you you have the reset. What is that? The $5,000 that's set aside.

I thought it was Well, yeah. $5,000. $1,000 piece. $1,000 for each. So, yeah. So, I mean that'll that'll be there the start of the fiscal year and then there's an application process to go through as well. So, could we make sure they get an application so we could entertain that at their next council meeting? Yes, the city clerk will take care of that. Okay, great. Thank you, ma'am. Yes, we'll look forward to seeing that. Yes, ma'am. Deputy Mayor Weeks. Well, I was going to ask when is it? I just found it. It's Sunday, October the 19th. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. And it says location 15 cities nationwide. Yes.

Is it virtual? It's simal cast. Yes, ma'am. It is It is virtual. However, Rock Ledge and Coco are are hosting the We're the main site and then everything else is being spread out from us. And the goal is for us to have 500 participants uh come to the flock at 217 Dixie Lane and receive this information. I see. Because I don't see I didn't see an address in here as to where it's located where where that might be helpful. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Councilman Har.

Yes. Um so, as I stated, it sounds like a great initiative. I'm excited and you know I want to attend this uh you know this summit. Um so u I just wanted to add I don't know if you had already done so but I would ask that you reach out to Miss Singer um and maybe you know we can get this information pushed out to the community and uh touch as many people as possible. Yes sir. And we definitely will. Uh I got her card just this afternoon or yeah just this afternoon and uh I'll be reaching out tomorrow morning. Perfect. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Sir, you may have a seat, sir. Thank you, sir. So, yes, sir. The honorable Bishop Hatrick. Sir.

Good afternoon, mayor, deputy mayor, city manager, councilman. Oh, good evening. Police chief, fire chief, all the distinguished people, protocol to whom I don't know to call.

I just want to honor all of you here for giving us this privilege. You know, I've been in this county now as a pastor for over 29 years. uh next year will be 30 years and I participated in all different types of events throughout this county. Uh you know during COVID our church was one of the shelters that fed numerous families during uh COVID. I mean we would have cars stacked up maybe 700 cars stacked up a day. And so we've always been in this position where we wanted to answer uh the social ills of our society. And uh you've heard earlier about our our project that we are trying to uh put into play. One of the things I want to say is um this uh project is for people who want to have a second chance, who want to live a life better, and uh we want to give them that hands up. Now, yes, it's going to be semiash, but there are going to be also some other residential experts there. Uh for instance, if someone want to know about a will, they want to know about finances, they want to know about insurance, uh all these particular experts will be there on the ground to help them, empower them to see a better future, you know. Uh so I I I wanted to first of all thank you all for giving us this privilege because uh we want to uh not just give them a fish, we're going to teach them how to fish.

Amen.

And uh so this health fair um it's going to be a lot of families. And the reason why we are asking for sponsorships and for financial assistance is because the people that we are catering to, we don't expect for them to pay for it and they can't pay for it. So we want to make it free for them and uh you know give them an opportunity where when they leave there they'll say man you know I do have a better outlook on life. I believe I can achieve something. And I I can talk to the police chief and know that when you got a good economy and you got people strong and they got money in their pocket, the crime goes down low.

Correct, sir. And so, thank you for giving me this privilege. You have any questions, I would ask them right now. Council Gins.

Um, yeah. I had the pleasure to u meet with um Bishop Hatcher um his twin Clinton Hatcher I don't know which one is the dad or the son you know um and Mr. Frraasier and and so based on the conversation that we had um just to kind of you know be be transparent um my family's business is failing based on not having a succession plan to move forward. um after sometimes um after individuals pass away, there's usually not much conversation that needs to be had prior to in some families and especially marginalized communities. And so based on the conversation that we had that cuz I'm I'm if you know me, I'm I'm a very open book and sometime I wear a heart on my sleeve and sometime that's a fault that I have as well. Um but based on our conversation um I immediately went home and had that conversation with my father. Very uncomfortable conversation but but a but a necessary conversation. So uh this summit is just in in my opinion um going to be a beneficial for the community um but but selfishly beneficial for me uh and my family. And so it was very uh personal uh to me to have that conversation with you guys. Um, so the support that we can we can do, we do whatever we can with our in our means. Um, but definitely getting the word out for sure. That's one of the biggest things. Um, and show our support um for for the initiative. Um, but but but again, I'd like to thank all three of you. Um, you know, it was just supposed to be just a conversation uh between um me and Mr. Frasier and then all of a sudden it became a sermon. Um and and and but but I wanted to tell you while you was here that I I really

appreciate you um for the word that you gave me um because again it helped um probably generations that you and me may not ever see based on a 5 minute 10-minute conversation. And so I'd like to thank you for for pouring into me. If I can give you a transparent moment if you give me permission to give you a 30 minute 30 second transparent moment. Go ahead, sir.

I going to give you three points now, but I will uh say, you know, I as I uh gave uh councilman uh my conversation, I'll tell I told him about my situation in my family and how my children said, "Dad, we're going to have a meeting." I said, "What this meeting is about?" They said, "Dad, we want to know what you have as far as your succession plan."

Caught me off guard. I didn't know what this meal was about. I thought we was going to, you know, eat some fried chicken and some barbecue ri. But I began to lay out everything to them and show them reason why I wanted them to have a career, why I wanted them to own their homes. All my kids own their homes. All my kids have college degrees. And then I share with them, well, listen, what me and your mom have is going to be passed on to our grandkids and our children's children. So we have a successful plan in place and the thing is how many of us are taught how to pass that baton on to the next generation. Yeah. Yeah man. For sure. But I appreciate you for sure.

That's very powerful. Very powerful. Okay. Next um well thank you Bishop Hatcher. Next will be Junior Clinton, the twin Clinton.

Well, tonight uh thank you all for for your time. Um so I think they've said it all. Um I I don't think I really need to say anything in regarding, you know, what we are looking to do, the who, what, why, and how we're looking to do. I think we've answered those questions, but I will piggyback on on the story that my father was sharing and and yeah, and we did uh kind of bamboozle him and put him in a corner and say to him and my mom, well, what do you all have planned? because, you know, I have attended a couple different um sessions with attorneys talking about trust and legacy planning and talking with different CPAs and different things of that sort because um our family legacy is very important

and if we are not taking a proactive approach towards it then it's going to be left in the wind. You know Dr. Frasier always shares this story about, you know, there are two families. You got the Vanderbilts and you have what's the other family? You have the Vanderbilts and what's Oh, okay. He forgot too. I remember the Rockefellers. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, we got you have the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. And the difference is is that the Rockefellers still have their wealth today. That's right. And the Vanderbilts don't. Yeah.

And so that is the biggest reason why we are we put this summit together is we want to be able to answer those questions and provide the resources necessary for families across um Boulevard County to be able to have these resources to put things in place that they need to have. And so, uh, I thank you all for the opportunity. And ju just a closing statement. Um, at the end of the day, what good what's good for family is good for neighborhoods. And what's good for neighborhoods is good for business and what's good for business is good for Coco. That is the multiplier effect for this summit.

Thank you. Good job. Thank you very much, sir. Good job. On behalf of the council, we look forward to October the 19th, correct? Yes. Make sure you submit your application in so we can vote on this. Okay. Uh but more so than anything else, I believe in like the five Ps. Proper preparation promotes positive productivity. I love it. And you all are making it happen. You're giving people future. You're giving people hope. And you're right because through the death of my father, I had a trustee and I had a trust. Yes. So there again, knowledge is power and this is what this summit is all about and I'm glad that we had the opportunity to meet and more to come.

Thank you so much. All right. Thank you very much. Appreciate you. All right. Any other cards for delegations? I think Mrs. uh Nita Gibson, I think you are the Lone Ranger. rise again. Ma'am, come on down. Long. You're the last one, ma'am. Good evening, everybody. Good evening.

My name is Anita Gibson. I live at 451 Stone Street, Coco, Florida. Uh 32922. I don't think that's necessary, but I just want to keep resonating my concern personally. Um be it over and over again or whatever. And I will do it until I see some results. I'm just going to speak on two issues. I'm still waiting for uh someone to give me uh first of all, I had a uh an approval for a revitalization or a renovation uh of my home last year, a year ago, and I did everything necessary and so forth and so on. But in the end, um the buck was passed to Habitat that did my home. So, right now, today, I'm waiting to see what's gone on with this. and I've got some feedback at the CRA, but that was just conversation. Um the fact of the matter is um the city staff does a great job at what they do, but I feel personally that they are inundated with too many projects that need research and take time and they are not able to handle the workload or the case load of different residents that I know personally too that have not had the work done that was supposedly to to be done. and have also spoken to Habitat who have uh given me uh quite a bit of lip uh information um as well as to what's going on with my home. Um I'm concerned more or less with my roof. Um I want to say that I sent in 38 pages of certified information because they said they didn't have enough. Um then that was a year ago. So this year, um, I've had several conversations with Habitat that I've documented, um, and it goes nowhere. And I just want to say one or two things quickly. I I still want to

know I I want to know what's going to happen with my my situation, but I have some grave concerns about our new growth that I'm happy about downtown Coco. I'm happy very happy about the homes that are coming up at the Michael Blake subdivision, but I am concerned. I don't go to the budget meetings, but how is our uh safety as the residents of Coco or Diamond Square is going to be incorporated if we don't have enough to for police and badges and cars and uniforms because one incident will bottleneck Stone Street from 520 and the surrounding areas. So, whatever it takes to make it work, I'm all in agreement and I have no qualms against the city staff or anybody, but I need what I need and everybody needs what they need. Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Gibson. Ma'am,

okay, Miss Singer, any other cards? Madam clerk, any other cards? All right, this concludes this portion of delegations proceeding forward to consent agenda item. What are the wishes of council? Move to approve. We got a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor Weeks, second by Councilwoman Calls. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor by saying I. I

any nazs? I have it unanimously. Proceeding on to item number 6-4, public hearing ordinance number 02205 LDR amendment creating four corners overlay district request to postpone to a date certain of October the 14th, 2025. Paisi, do you want to elaborate on this before I listen to the planner?

The only thing I need to elaborate on is that um that date is the the regular city council meeting. It's starts at 6 PM. So, okay. All righty. Um because of we're postponing this, do we need to hear from the planner? I just want to make sure. No.

Okay. I love it when we on a unanimous vote. I love it. Okay. So, what I will do is close this portion of it to council open to the public and you can elaborate on the request postponing of a certain date of October the 14th, 2025 for the um 02 2025 LDR amendment creating four corners overlay. Going once, going twice. Chair, I'd like to close this portion to the public and return to the council. Deputy Mayor Weeks, I just want to point out that the 14th is the day that we all have to leave to drive down after our council meeting that evening. Just pointing that out.

Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Well, you know, it should be SNS short and sweet. [Music] 14th is when we drive down and that's right the same day as the council meeting for the Florida uh redevelopment conference. I thought we're going to have Yeah. that night then. Yeah. Where we leave that night. So we have a three-hour drive after. Yeah. Well, on the road again. Yes, you're right. No. No. You're right. Okay. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. I. Any nays? Eyes had it unanimously.

Motion. Uh Pat uh C Deputy Mayor Weeks made the motion and a second was by Was that you? Councilwoman CS. If not, I'll second it. I I don't think I Okay, I second it. I'll call the question again. Do I need to call the question again? Because it was unanimous. No, I got it.

Okay, cool. Beans. Proceeding on to item number 6-2, ordinance number 01 2025, large scale comprehensive plan text amendment four corners overlay district request to postpone to a date certain of October the 14th, 2025. Equagen, I'm going through the motions. I mean same same request to postpone October 14th, 2025 at the next at the regular city council meeting at 6 pm.

Okay. Thank you very much. Equagani, do we have any questions? Seeing none, chair like to close this portion to council open to the public. If you have any concerns on this particular large scale comprehensive plan text amendment, four corners, please come forward and state your name pertaining to the postponing of it only. Going once, going twice. Chair would like to close this portion to the public and return to the council. What are the wishes of council? Move to approve. We got a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Sec. You got it. Okay. Second by Councilman Go. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor of saying I. I.

Any nays? Eyes have it unanimously. Now public hearing ordinance number 11-2025 sidewalk cafe permit fees. It's only the fees that we're going to discuss. Nothing but the fees. Esquire Garganise. Ordinance uh number 11, 2025, an ordinance of the city of Coco, Florida, amending chapter 14 offenses and miscellaneous provisions, article 3, sidewalk cafes, section 14-68 permit fee to specify that the annual permit fee for sidewalk cafes shall be established via resolution of the city council providing for codification, conflict, severability, and an effective date. This is first reading of this ordinance. It's it's really a a a ch proposed change to the um ordinance that's procedural. Currently, the fee for sidewalk uh permit, cafe permits is $25 and that's embedded in the actual city code itself. Uh the proposal would change that um procedure to then establish those um fees by resolution adopted by the council rather than hard coding it into the code. Okay. Do we have any questions for Paisano? Seeing none,

we would like to go to the planner next. Miss, good evening, mayor, council members. Thank you, Miss Luc. I would just like to highlight that uh in 1999 the city adopted ordinance 2-99 which created the framework for the sidewalk cafes in Koko village overlay zoning district and it since then has been $25. So uh we come to ask that staff recommends and come to ask council to approve this ordinance 11-205 and we are planning to bring the planning and zoning fee schedule as a resolution for the next city council for review and approval.

Yes ma'am. Do we have any questions for Miss Lucy? Seeing none, chair, I'd like to close this portion to council open to the public. Please come forward and state your name if you have any questions pertaining to this particular ordinance. Going once, going twice. Chair like to close this portion to the public and return to the council. What are the wishes of council? Move to approve. Had a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Second. Second by Councilwoman Calls. She's going to call the question. All in favor by saying I. I.

Any nays? Eyes have it unanimously. Now proceeding on to item number 6- one. And this particular item right here. Um

seven-1. I seven. Did what I say? Six. Yep. My apologies. Thank you. Six. Seven-1. Okay. Uh provide direction on FD. landscaping maintenance contract. Now, as you can also see, it's up to council to determine the current contract language budgeted item for fiscal year 2026. We did approve this original document back in January 2020, January the 8th, 2020, and we did modify it on June 11th, 2021. Um staff is recommending that declining F DOT's request for the city manager to assume the right of way of maintenance services to include medians on Clear Lake State Road 501 from State Road 520 to south of Michigan Avenue. Did I Did I miss anything?

Um I had a presentation. Yes, ma'am. Do your presentation. I just want to make sure I got my wording good. So I'll turn it over to you, Mrs. Morgan. Okay. Um, here's some background on this agenda item for for council. Get closer.

Yes. So, public works maintains state road rights of way under a current FDOT landscape maintenance contract. Covered roadways include US1, State Road 520, Fisk Boulevard, State Road 524, and Clear Lake Road. FDOT recently completed the Clear Lake Road speed management safety project from State Road 520 to the south side of Michigan Avenue. Landscape will be addressed separately following project completion. At an FDOT Clear Lake safety project landscape meeting in 2022, the following items were discussed and agreed upon. The city requested FDOT to manage construction of the landscaping project. City was to assume maintenance once the project was accepted. The MOA with reimbursement terms would be under development at that time. Discussions with the county to extend maintenance limits beyond city boundaries would take place. Roadway design would provide appropriate soil base for landscaping. City staff would coordinate with college for maintenance responsibilities and FDOT would be exploring irrigation sleeve options. So here is the status. So FDOT has proposed expanding the MOA to include State Road 520 to Dixon Boulevard on Clear Lake Road. FDOT also requested city to assume additional maintenance within rights of way and medians. At a recent meeting with FDOT, city staff declined responsibility for college

landscaping. FDOT may amend its agreement with the college. Staff also expressed concern about maintaining areas under county jurisdiction. Possible resolution depends on the MOA reimbursement. So these are some key challenges. No irrigation was installed in medians and rightsway as part of the safety project and retrofitting is unlikely. Soil excavation nodes are insufficient for planting survival success. Unerrigated shrubs ground cover are unlikely to survive long term. Increased maintenance costs are in are anticipated. Some other challenges include FDOT reimbursement does not offset city's six figure annual loss under the current maintenance agreement. Lack of irrigation remains a critical funding and plant survivability issue. County also faces similar budget constraints for ongoing maintenance. So it is unlikely they will res assume responsibility for their portion of Clear Lake Road. I felt it important to illustrate that the reimbursement to the city under the current MOA with FO FDOT for the maintenance of 11.364 miles of state roads is 62,530. The city maintenance costs are $174,974. This is a net cost of $112,444 to maintain state roads. This cost does not include staff, street sweeping, labor, and equipment depreciation.

Yeah. Council consideration. Option one, decline FDOT's request to assume assume rightaway maintenance on Clear Lake Road from 520 to Michigan Avenue. Or option two, to negotiate with FDOT to revise landscaping plans and assume maintenance responsibility from Dixon Boulevard to Michigan Avenue. What other wishes of the council? Thank you very much, Mrs. Morgan. more detailed and concise our presentation. Councilwoman calls. Yeah, I'm like, how did we get to this point?

I mean, we requested that there be soils that would be able to um so that the landscaping would survive. And so did they just not do that or

they did they did provide uh u some percolation notes and and some excavation notes but uh uh this is a state road and we all know that um their their design criteria for road basin subgrade are you know are are more stringent than just a local road. And it's been our experience with taking on other segments of uh state roads like State Road 520 and US1 where we've repeatedly had have to replace medians because of their um they just don't survive,

right? Well, no, because they bring in a substandard soil and uh the it's a rough environment for plants to survive anyway. But um in the case of US1, I know we spent $1 million um and later um we came back, I think it was in 20 or 21, um and we had to put in to try to revive that same landscaping. um I don't know I think it was a hundred grand or something but you know so we've done quite a bit there is um irrigation and 520 I know that you can see the yes lines yes

and so what is the plan because our our entryways are really important to our image we've said you know many times that doesn't matter matter how nice the streets are, if your entryway to the city looks blighted, the assumption is the city's blighted. Um, so what is the solution here? Because even option one, I mean, how are we going to how are we going to get the result we want? The result we want is welcoming corridors. How do we get that? Yeah, the the the the state will let you take over the you know, remember we talked in the budget about um these additional expenses and so the state will be happy to say you the city of Cocoa can take over uh those rights of way uh on state roads there. Remember in the budget we're actually I think we're actually in this current fiscal year we're actually making some improvements to the medians on 520.

Yes. And so we're putting in irrigation our oursel or you all are actually putting in the irrigation uh to do that. Um so so 520 is being taken care of. I forget whether or not there's irrigation on US1. I think it's there was irrigation on US1. Yeah. On US one. So, so really the bottom line is if you're if the city's willing to pay for it, the state will let you pay for it, you know. So,

so um and and and you know, your ability to pay for it is is again the challenge because Mrs. Morgan has said that you're already just on the 11 point whatever miles that we take care of on their behalf, we're at a deficit of $112,000 already. Um, and again, in your in your tree uh fund, you you really have uh dollars that we're dedicating to the entry road for the for the station. But again, those are also one-time dollars. So I wouldn't I wouldn't suggest that you utilize those for recurring expenditures. And so with regards to this and Abby, go back a couple of slides. Go back to the what they really want us what they're really asking us. And so from Clear Lake from 520 to um to uh Michigan. Yeah, I'll say Michigan. They're asking us to take take over the whole thing, which includes, you know, you go in and out of the city, portions of the county, and so they're saying, "Hey, take that over. Um, take it all over." Obviously, the county will let you take that over, too, you know. So, so, um, and then I think around the curve, they're actually asking for us to do that, uh, too. When when Abby says the city declined responsibility for the college, that's me representing the city and saying to to Abby to tell FDOT that we don't have an ability to to maintain the landscaping for the college as much as we all love the college, you know, and so and so again, go back to the options, Abby. So, so again, e either either we're going to accept the amendment, which would include additional

responsibilities that we can't afford, or you're going to send us back to negotiate with them, and hopefully they bring more dollars to the table. Um, more dollars in my mind would be to clear up the deficit and to actually put new dollars on the table for the areas that you want us to take care of. Um again realizing that they're our partners and I know know a lot of times it doesn't feel that way you know absolutely

um they're our partners and so we got to maintain the relationship but in option two we would simply go back and say look look we simply can't afford to take on what you're asking us to take on and we'd like to actually uh talk about you actually clearing the deficit that already exists now I I know that there's going to be a favorable outcome, but I guess we would continue the discussions and then bring that back to you later. Or you could just go to an outright well, we'll maintain what we have or what we have currently under the agreement. The agreement is up in the spring of next year, Abby. Yes, in in March.

So, the agreement is up in March. So, you have a little bit of time to actually try to negotiate something. Um, but again, I I I you know, I wouldn't suggest that you that we just automatically accept what they're proposing without some negotiation of that. Stockton, may I add something?

Yes, ma'am. So FDOT was very clear in our discussions that whatever they would provide for reimbursement is what they would pay themselves uh to maintain to their typical standards. So there's no room for negotiating for a higher level of standard. They were very clear. So if you want that higher level, if you want it, then that's an additional expense that the city has to bear. I mean, the bottom line on that,

I'm in favor of option number one, decline F. DOT's request to assume road maintenance, State Road 520. Okay, I got a motion on the floor in a second. Wait, ma'am, I'm going to let you do your thing. Trust me, I'm not going to stop you. Just making the motion. Okay, I still have the floor. Yes, ma'am.

Um, yeah, I mean, I'm still going back to how do we get the result we want? Um, and I know that one of the issues if you substandard soils, I mean, I could have told you 520, you know, you just um you're not going to get a good landscape with poor soils. And I mean, I've had numerous conversations with EAS um with um the Scalera um about that. And her suggestion was, well, you're really going to have to enrich those soils. You're going to have to go in there and probably take some out and put in some higher quality soil to grow anything. And then of course you would have to um go with more natives so they have a higher chance of survival. But I'm just yeah I don't want to I certainly want to um not put us in a position where we have to spend more than we should but I don't think we can abandon our corridors. Um it this is really disappointing. It's disappointing we're getting it now too. Um because we've had since the town hall last year, people have been asking about you know the landscaping and you know the standard answer has been you know that that the the um the state has plans for that and it's just in process.

Just to clarify. Yeah. as part of the the project, the contractor is to maintain uh the medians for two years

and it was also presented at the town hall as a as a separate project. So So the state had already always intended on coming back and addressing the landscaping as a project separate from the construction of the road or the reconstruction of the road. And so I mean here's a staff suggestion. And so your option one option one uh declines to to expand our responsibilities. And so if you're interested in in how we get to a better uh aesthetic uh for our for our medians, then we'd have to bring you back a plan that obviously that would would include uh soil replacement. Um it's it's the on it's irrigation. it's the ongoing uh staff time for maintenance there because again um FDOT is only going to maintain to their standards which isn't a very high standard there and so so if you if you choose option one we could bring you back a full analysis of what that would look like in terms of um a full fiscal analysis of what what that would look Right.

And then have you done any um costing out of of doing um enhancing the soils? Do you have any idea?

Um no. Uh the um the project plans uh we received them. Um they do have uh uh general notes. um that uh do have do have uh details regarding you know excavation and percolation showing and proving and having re reports provided to the agency. Um and so the contractor uh that will be for that project will have to maintain that the medians for two years

starting next spring or whenever whenever they go out to bid for that project. Okay. And do we have have we consulted with IUS at all in terms of developing our corridors and best practices for doing that in terms of enriching the soils? This is a state road. If that I guess that would be a discussion between FDOT and and but for 520 I mean we're looking at enhancing those corridors. Yes. So have we done any consulting was people that are experts in this

more of an irrigation issue for five Oh yes for 520 more of an irrigation less about the soils on 520 we put in the irrigation and so um we haven't consulted with uh IUS and and Sally on that. I mean we can obviously let her look at what we intend on putting in there so I don't have a problem with that.

Well I can tell you she's thought about it quite a bit already. We've had several conversations um because this is a big issue. Well, how our corridors look is the and the perception of our city are just tied together and so there is concern for making them look better. Um the irrigation was there before too. Yeah, it was. Well, I mean, you could see that they had lines. You could see them. It was available, but we had to um um repipe it.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Well, my concern is, you know, the bottom line is making our corridors look good. I think it's really important to the the future of our city, to attracting business, to attracting residents. um and to changing our image. So, um I want us to take this really seriously and and um if we can seek out those resources that we have with EFAS, that would be great.

Um Deputy Mayor Wix and Councilman GS and then I'll call the question. Um, I'm just absolutely floored that they put in these medians and redid Clear Lake, which everybody hates. Um, and now they did not do it properly or put in the irrigation that they said that they were going to, and now expecting us to do it. I want to know if we can take the medians out. Um, that would be cheaper, I think. Um, I'm just throwing it out there. Um, also we could plant cactus because they don't require water.

Not exactly Florida, but you know, I'm just throwing out some ideas. Um, have the governor come down here, young lady. So, anyway, I I just I can't believe that they did this. And I shouldn't say that, but anyway, uh it's it's a bad situation. And um you know neither one of these options are very good. Um if we decline it that doesn't mean that we can't keep negotiating. Is that correct? That what I'm getting. If yeah with if you decline you're just not taking on those extra right

areas and that extra responsibility. I I'm assuming come the spring of 2026 then they would give us the agreement to resign for the areas that we're maintaining and then they would just maintain them to their the other areas to their standards there. And I and I would I would say, you know, because they're our partners, let me just say it this way. They they they would say they're not doing anything wrong. we we would say that we would we would uh um create and develop them to a higher standard and maintain them to a higher standard. So let's just say it that way that that um you know we see the need to to to have a higher standard in terms of the soil quality, in terms of irrigation. Um we see that differently um again because it's our city. it's their state road running through our city and so um so so again I think if you go one that it is we're back to the current agreement that we have again there's still some issues with that but again if you go one then we're going to we're going to bring back to you hey if if you really want to do this thing where there's pride in uh the medians that run through the city and you want to do it at what we would consider our our uh standard then we're going price that out for you.

Um, in the original agreement with them, didn't you say that they had said they would do irrigation? Yes, that they would look into it. They would look into it. We never we never received any communication from But that was Abby. Was that in the agreement or was that part of the discussions? It was part of the discussions at that 2022 meeting. Yeah. Okay. So, it wasn't in the So, never caught codified in the agreement. Okay. Well, that answers that for me. Thank you, Councilman Go. Sir,

yeah. I just have a question, Miss Morgan. Um, so the the $71,130 that they'll So, that's what they'll be paying the city um per year. If we That's the 62. 62 is the current amount of reimbursement that we get for maintaining the 11.64 or whatever it was miles of road for them.

Okay. 30. So if we if we just say we make a decision in our budget next year to enhance these islands to our standard, but they still maintain it, right? But they'll only maintain it to their standard, not ours. Because we technically they still own the roads, they own the rightways, and they're saying, "Hey, put whatever you want. Spend $1.5 million." But we are still going to provide the maintenance based on how we want to choose to provide that standard. Am I cor am I right? Correct.

Okay. And and also there so there there are if you think about Clear Lake, remember Clear Lake running from 520 to Dixon, is it or is it Michigan? Well, yeah. The the project is was from 520 to south side of Michigan Avenue. Yeah. And so and so there are there are we we're only maintaining the medians that are within the city or are we maintaining the the county medians also? So the currently well before this project the safety project on clearly there were no medians. Right. Right. Right. So uh we were just maintaining the the the rights of way.

The rights of way. So, this is this is an addition of the medians that would be both within the city and and in the unincorporated county. Wow. Okay. I'm good, sir.

Donate some trees. Councilwoman Cost, your light is on. Uh, yeah. I just had a quick comment about the two years. I mean two years is what they uh when you're doing a landscape two years for it to establish. So usually your maintenance really drops off after that if you planted anyway if you planted a native landscape. Um there should be a lot less maintenance after two years but a lot less watering etc. But um I'm still on our options I'm like Mhm. We don't have any good ones. And uh

we have a motion on the floor by the chair and a second by uh Councilman Hearn. Chair's going to call the question for option number one. All in favor saying I. I I I have it unanimously. Proceeding on. Thank you all. Proceeding on to item number 7-2, historic Cocoa Village main street agreement 2025 2025-909. Miss Singer Ma'am.

Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh this is our annual agreement with the historic Cocoa Village Main Street Association. Um they this is a municipal services agreement. So they provide services to the city of Coco. In exchange, we provide them the office space at the Porsche House at a discounted rate of $1 per year um including common area maintenance um which is about $40 a month and um they again provide us uh the services that are listed in there. So again, this is a renewal of the uh agreement that expired in July 2026. Um, and this will go for a three-year up to three years, one-year renewals that they we both parties have to agree upon and it will give the city manager the authority to approve the renewals on the agreement. And I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have and we also have members of Main Street here if you have questions for them.

Chair like to make a motion approving the municipal service agreement with the historic Koko Village Main Street. Second, July 2026. Oh, jumped ahead. Second. It's all right ma'am. Chair is going to call a question. All in favor saying I. I. Any nays? Eyes have it unanimously. Thank you. Um proceeding on for this grant association for parks and national recreation and park association grant 2025-914. Um this is a no-brainer. Chair like to make a motion to approve.

Second. We have a motion on the floor by the chair and a second by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Would you like to say anything, Mrs. uh Singer? No, sir. I'm good. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I.

I have it unanimously. Our fourth and final item for tonight, Bright Line. U because you know we have a new delegation. what I mean by new delegation, new administration. We still have our um outstanding delegation and in support of the contract was written. It's a scriber adjustment now because it was written under the previous administration, but the new current administration is asking us to um you know enhance the word smmith and meet their standards and requirements. It's a no-brainer to me because we're right there on the cusp of this. So, chair like to make a motion. I will listen to you, Mrs. Singer, but I'm going to make the motion then I'mma listen to you and I need a second.

Second. Okay, Mrs. Singer, the floor is yours.

Um, yes, sir. Like you said, um, this is uh, if you all remember, we see approval about a year ago to apply for this FSP grant um that was for FY24. It was due in um I think it was due January of this year, 2025. We actually submitted in December. Um and we had been waiting this whole time to see what was going on. In the meantime, we've had a, you know, the the current administration has had a brief pause on grants. There's been, you know, reissued grants. Um so finally we got word this week that they are reissuing that grant um with uh three different uh additions to the the wording of the grant. So we are asking um and seeking permission to reapply for this new grant. Um and it would be very similar. We'll go through the the um NOFO that comes out with all of the details. We'll ensure that we have all the information. Um but it would be a very similar uh submission that we would have

and and and Congressman Mike Herdopoulos spearheads this um this event and as you know he's in charge of the space administration here. Um he's the chairperson or chairman. I'm a southern gentleman and I know for a fact that everyone knows we're right on the edge of making this come to reality. I believe in this. even uh Deputy Mayor Weeks collaborated with some certain individuals. I'm not um I don't I'm not sure, but she clearly denoted even during my three trips there at Washington DC, we met and had an an extended conversation with the congressmen, our our lobbyists, and various individuals from the different departments of transportation. Councilwoman Co. Yeah, I was going to ask um I didn't see any dates. Do you know when they would notify us? Have they said?

Well, um it doesn't it they it doesn't exactly say when they will notify us, but I I believe it's kind of that same time frame where we're hoping January. Remember the date it's due in January.

The due date is January. And so we don't know if this is rolling, i.e. they're going to they're going to make awards prior to the due date or they're going to wait for everybody to get in and then notify after the due date there. One of the things I I will say to you, I mean, um I sent you guys the email to note who I originally got the email from on the notice uh in that email. Um, I think that's very significant because we got this notification prior to the official notification coming out that they were going to reissue the grant there. And so just just uh take note of that. So there we we we've already set up meetings with uh Bright Line and and our other partners TPO. um they will have uh they being the railroad administration will have question and answer periods and and so we will ask all of those questions. Are you going to wait for everybody to get in to award or are we going to have a rolling sort of submission and and therefore a rolling award notices there. But none of those we we we don't know any of those right now. We just simply know that they've removed uh the DEI uh requirements of the grant. um they've removed um um other items in the grant and then they sort of alluded to what they were going to focus on in this uh reissued uh grant.

Sorry. Thank you. I guess I'll make a motion to approve We already did. All right. That's right. We did this. That's right. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. I. I. I have it unanimously. This concludes this portion of the council meeting. Um, reports. Mr. City Manager.

Mayor, I don't think that we have any staff reports here. We we are attempting to schedule individual meetings with council members on a number of topics. Uh SB 180, open carry. Um we we've talked about the bright line and then um there's just a lot of discussion up in Tallahassee about the elimination of property taxes there. And so I would I would ask that you guys keep your eyes open on that. Um, and I'll just as an FYI, um, there's going to be a state of the cities event. This will be, I think, the third year, um, that that's happening. I'm participating. They asked the managers to come out and present on the state of the cities, and that is happening on uh, October 7th at 7:30 a.m. at the Space Coast Association of Realtors office in Melbourne. And that's it for me, sir.

Uh, Mr. City, uh, manager, I just want to compliment all 400 plus employees for doing an outstanding job as we've been embracing all this wet weather and you know what time of year it is. Just want to say thank you for their commitment and dedication and representing the city. They do a phenomenal job. Also want to say thank you to the police department um for resolving that issue without any negative events taking place. So kudos to you, Chief Cyer, and your staff, the men and women of the department. Mr. Mayor, I did forget one thing.

You're too young, sir. Go ahead. Thank you. It's very uh Yeah, I got to tell my kids that. I'm going show them this video where you said I was too young cuz they think I'm too old. Um we did get uh notice this week that we uh received the fine grant for the um the day slips and that is that's huge for the city. Yes. All right. [Applause] California. That's huge for a Cocoa Village. That was 2.9 or something. Just under three million.

Yeah, just a little bit under three. Um, again, you know, kudos to the staff. Uh, Charlene, I think Rebecca, Samantha, whomever was out there on that. Thank you, ladies. All the ladies doing it. What's up, guys? On that on that grand agreement. Um, and so, so that's that's huge for us. It's a it's a different design if I I think Abby was in on that too, if I'm not mistaken, Abby. That's a a different design, which keep your fingers crossed and knock on wood will hold up in any hurricanes that we may have sometime in the distant future.

So, again, just wanted to give a shout out to staff on that that uh that very big win. All right. Very good, sir. Um, okay. Ess no reports, sir. All right. All right. Are are the Boston Red Sox still in the um contention of going to the World Series, sir? Good question. They were on the cusp there a couple weeks ago. Yes, sir. Yes sir. I saw that hockey season. Yes sir.

Thank you pastor for being here in the audience pastor. Thank you. Okay. U Councilman Hearn who who do we have tonight? Sir odds. Odds. So that's one and three. Um I have no report but I would like to ask that we extend an invitation to representative um Tyler Soy to come and speak with us prior to the delegation because as you all know this is gubernatorial year and I would like for him to come and share some words of what's hot and as already as the city manager alluded to already but just to have that conversation with him because it makes a difference when we go to Tallahassee and we've discussed certain things and I already have a positive rapport with him and you know he's always greeted us warm. He's been instrumental with us with bright line and and so forth. So I'm requesting the council that Mr. See the manager, we extend Representative Tyler Oroy an invitation if you can attend.

Second. Okay. All in favor saying I. I. I. Okay. You got it, Mr. City Manager? Yes, sir. So, yes, sir. Okay. Uh, which odd would like to go first? I I went I went first last time. I'll go first. I give you You got it. Okay. Okay. Let's see if I can remember what order I have these in. There you go.

Um, let me make sure that was Is that my first? I know. Is that Was that my No, it wasn't. I got to go back. Okay, that's my first one. Uh, this was the gala for Bvard Children, Families in Need. Um, it's the uh it's the Realtor Association zone 501c3, but we have raised 1.4 4 million in the last uh 14 years and 100% of the donations are stay in this community. Our association pays for the maintenance I mean for all the costs involved with it. So

uh that's my daughter to my left there and then her friends to the right and left. Anyway, uh that was held and um it's it's a big event and we give back to everything from the hunger project to family promise and all of those and uh had to get a picture with Sheriff Ivy there who still brings up my uh speech and my roasting of him and and when he roasted me, one of his things he said was that I was a very successful realtor. I had sold one house in Coco last year and it was one I bought. So he said to me right out of the gate, "Is this where all those who've only sold one house get to come?" So anyway, uh but we gave him uh for Shop with a Cop $2,500 and if our own does not put in for grants from uh uh the foundation, you need to do that because we give away a lot of money from the realtor association. So um and then this was a state of the state wrapup and this was through the uh uh Accelerate Boulevard which is the uh Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce. It was excellent. It was held at the Cocoa Beach um country club and uh they gave some real insights and one of them being talking about the doing away with property taxes and he said they're mainly looking at doing away with it for homesteaded properties. Um, and they looked at that and said that in Bvard County right now, our tax rate, our u sales tax is 6 and a half%. They said if they went up to 8 and a half% it would cover the difference. Now, I don't know if those are hard and fast dollars, but that was what they said there. So, that was from Senator Wright who said that.

Um, this is the Winward Preserve from 528. You know, every time I drive 528, I'm watching it. So, I tried my grandson took this picture. I don't take pictures while I'm driving, chief. Anyway, um he took this picture, but it is coming along nicely out there. Um and then this was the uh mayor's uh league of mayors and uh Fort Lauderdale. And uh this is some of the folks there. And you can locally you can see Andrea there who's the uh mayor of West Melbourne. And um we had about 57 uh mayors and deputy mayors who were there. And we went on this airboat ride. And the building on the left there is part of the lock system down there. And our uh our guide told us that the this area was totally dry for 3 months this past summer because they just didn't get rain. And now they've had rain and they were able to open it up and fill it up with water. On the right you'll see Mr. Alligator. And I'm hoping wh was that the one with the Was that the movie one? Did Did I have one that was a movie or didn't come through?

I didn't look at your present. Okay, I'm sorry.

I'm not sure if Okay, I'll go back. Um anyway, that's uh one of them was a We had alligators who were coming at us. They were chasing us and that one there and it's either somebody's feeding them or something because they kept coming after us and uh coming right up towards the boat and you know the side of a of a airboat is not very high. So Peggy and I were quite concerned. She was sitting right in front of me there. So we took a picture and um then this was right after that and this was uh some of the talks was developing your message and it was excellent. the gentleman there uh he's uh had the record for a long time and I didn't get a picture of the alligator. It's up above his head was 14 feet 6 in and he had the record for Florida for a long time. He also um his name's Mr. Berseron

killing the alligator. Well, he did kill it. It's stuffed up up there. But this was from long long long time ago. uh he's uh well in his 80s so I don't know how long ago that alligator was but anyway it was a great presentation about how to make your message simple when talking to uh elected officials you know Tallahassee and stuff like that and not get into the weeds but have real stories and all that so it was excellent gentleman right there I took I sat next to him at dinner if you don't know that is uh Diesel from he's the mayor of Edgewater and he was elected at 18. Youngest mayor. Sorry. Go ahead. No, no, no, no, no. You're

great. Go ahead. Anyway, youngest He's now 21. Oh, boy is he old. He was legally he could drink that night. But anyway, um uh what an outstanding young man. He knew from the age of 13 or 12 that he wanted to run for office and uh is doing a phenomenal job there in Edgewater. So anyway, I just uh I so enjoyed chatting with him and talking with him and uh oh, here's my video. Look at that gator. Oh my goodness.

And and it's probably they told us about 11footer and you see I mean he Yeah, that'll that'll give you the woollies at night, let me tell you. So anyway, then I intended the Chambers honor and this was Mrs. Universe 2025. She said she did it for the crown. Look at her crown. Anyway, um but uh that was again a chamber event and they were honoring businesses which is really good and uh gave out awards for um variety of different uh business things uh small, medium, large businesses and but she did a great speech and uh that was really good. So anyway, um that was all I have.

Great job, ma'am. Thank you, Councilman G. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Um, so at our last council meeting, I did not um, which council probably know by now, um, but I I told the family I would I would make sure I say her name. Um, Miss Anne O'Hara uh, passed away um, August 27th. Uh, she was 102 years old. Um, so she's the mother of Susie Spearman and and Diane O'Hara. Um and and um and so me and the mayor two years ago we took her uh key to the city. Correct, sir. Um that you were there.

Yep. And appreciate the mayor also. Um he signed the um a proclamation for her. Uh thank you for the clerk's office for getting that done as well um at the last minute as always. Thank you for that though. Um so I wanted to just make sure I say that on on record. She she was very important to me. Um, one one of one of the first people that that truly encouraged me to run uh 7 years ago. And so I I really appreciate her and always, you know, try to shout her out anytime I can. Um, so, uh, September 26th, um, which is Friday, um, I will be speaking at Hilton Rialto Phippe Breard, um, at 8:30 a.m. Uh, and the topic is politics up to date. So, it should be very exciting. Um, but that's 8:30 a.m. um at the Hilton Rialto um um hotel. Um the next thing is I charter academy uh blue and gold gayla is October the 11th. Uh I encourage all council members to come. It's a school in our community um that need our support as always. Um, so that's October the 11th, 2025, 5:00 pm to 10 p.m. Um, at somewhere where we at? Oh, Rison at the port. Radison at the port. October 11, 2025. Uh, 5:00 p.m. Um, so that's all I had.

Okay, who goes next? Even go ahead. Sorry, sir. [Music] You don't want to go ahead.

No, I don't. All right. So I went to the uh training workshop for planning officials last week. Um it was a a good group. We had uh Titusville. This was actually well uh Lucy was there of course for the planning conference but this was specifically a training workshop for uh those on the P&Zs and council members. So, you know, Titusville had had sent a whole group of people. Um, and I know that at one point we were doing this because I remember when my husband was on the PNZ, he did some sort of training like this too. And it just really helpful to understand the comp plan, the purpose for it. um the fact that you know it is that blueprint for our future that it's that covenant between our local government and citizens. And it's something to really look at and consider as we make these decisions because it's the one thing the one what keeps us looking forward to the future because so many of the things that we're doing have their real impact 10 and 20 years down the road. So understanding that it's also a legal foundation um and an opportunity to communicate with our communities and get their involvement and opinion on things. But um they talked about, you know, making it smart. So that's the the

acronym for being specific, measurable. We have our comp plan of course has objectives and um but does not get down to the uh the level of of smart, of being specific and measurable and achievable, relevant and time bound. Um, and I've had connecting to this to a call that I had this week from Ashley Ingram who's been calling me for the last couple of years actually. She's also called or contacted and communicated with the city manager regard to having a park in their neighborhood. And this, as we've discussed before, this is Cocoa Hills and Pineriidge area that is a park desert. And so I you know we have some reference to this in our comprehensive plan um that we will consider citing of future neighborhood parks. Um and of course it would apply to this area where they are not within walking distance to a park. um where Ashley as an example, a young woman um who is invested in this neighborhood and has a young child, planning to have more, but you know that park is really important to those young mothers especially. Um and then of course we've talked about the other things we can do with parks in terms of seniors and just the quality of life that they could provide to a neighborhood, to a community. Um, we talked about, let's see, you know, we've talked about or I think at our last meeting, making motions to make things happen.

Um, I've had this on my list every year for the last seven years. this particular neighborhood. Um because of course Coco Hills was in district 42 and I understand our constraints. But I think what I really need to be able to hold my head up with people like Ashley Ingram who have been asking year after year um you know even contacting the city manager is that we have start to get a little more granular apply that smart to this. I may not be able to give her that part in my term, but there should certainly be something on the books, some plan in place that sets a course for our future. And you know, it's the whole it's the whole Yogi Bear, you know, saying that if you don't know where you're going, you'll end up someplace else. Well, you know, we've spent a lot of money on parks. Um, but it wasn't necessarily, you know, our pri prioritizing. It was more making sure there was something going on in each district. This this really needs to be uh pushed up on a radar screen and at least have in mind a a framework uh you know a timeline or maybe even if we can't do a definite timeline the steps we need to do in order to get to the place where we can fulfill the needs of of this

particular neighborhood. So, um, you know, I'm asking and I don't know if this is a motion. I don't know if this is an agenda item, but I'll I'll make the motion that we direct staff to come up with a plan for this park desert. Um, and that can, you know, that I don't like having motions under reports and we have no other place to make agenda. Yes, you can ask them to put it on as an agenda item. Hey, then I'm asking that it be put on an agenda item in a way that we can discuss it.

I've, you know, I've talked about this many times. Um, but anyway, you know, my heart goes out to people that are really investing and again, that comp plan, that is our covenant. Um, and there's a lot of good stuff in there,

even about the conservation area. Uh, so last thing is that, you know, Ashley will probably be there. Um, October 21st is the town hall. I am sorry that I will not be at the next council meeting. Um, I will try to call in, but I'm going to be in a more remote area and and may not be able to make the connection. So, I'm going to miss the blue and gold gala as well, which I've attended in previous years. So, thank you very much. I'm going to miss it as well.

Good evening, everyone. Um, I didn't get my photos in in time, but I had some really great photos. I'll just save save them for the next one. Um, I got out in my district uh this weekend. I was able to make my rounds in the Cocoa Modern Manor neighborhood just north of Broadmore Acres. Um, greeted by many happy citizens to see the uh the drainage improvements, sidewalk improvements, as well as the new paving that's I believe is probably completed by today. Um, if you all get a chance to, you know, take a ride in that area, it just it looks like a whole new neighborhood and uh it's really brought some pride into that neighborhood. uh as you know that many of those streets were prone to flooding previously. Um we've had some heavy rains over the past couple weeks. Um I haven't witnessed any standing water on either street over there. Um so it's it's good anytime we could bring a neighborhood that's kind of been forgotten about and left behind for a while uh to see them, you know, come up. Um the park is looking great. Uh, I made my rounds as well out to uh, Broco Pond. Um, there was a tree out there. I think I believe it was Councilwoman Call. She attended the uh, planting ceremony for that tree. It's it's growing beautifully. The whole park just looked nice. Uh, I actually went around the whole city and visit all the parks and every park was fully attended. I was out uh, Councilwoman Weeks, your district. Uh, the uh, Junior Rios park was packed. I think it was a birthday party going on. Um it's just a beautiful thing to see that people are outside enjoying uh the city of Coco and what we have to offer. So I want to give a thanks to the council for supporting all those initiatives and um I I look forward to the city continue to do great things around. Okay. Thank you very much to all the

council members, ladies and gentlemen, both men and ladies for your commitment and dedication um to your district and you go beyond that. I also want to just say as we see um at the Leewana Park um those 75 new spaces you can clearly see the park is being used and we just talked about the slips. So I look forward to that grand opening that's coming very soon. want to just say thank you to all the employees, staffs, we members, director members. Um we do recognize your positive accomplishments and your commitments and your robust conversations that you have with us and I'm thankful and it's great to be on team Coco, affectionately known as hot chocolate, baby. That's right. So, I'm thankful. We appreciate you. We love you. Go in peace. And my thing is enjoy this beautiful weather that we have because we have many reasons to celebrate. I thank you. Chair entertains a motion to adjurnn.

Move to adjourn. Got a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Second. Second by Councilman Goins. All in favor say I. I'm