Big Changes Coming to Palm Bay City Council Meetings!

Discover the Topics and Updates Impacting Your Community

Dec 27, 2024

The Palm Bay City Council is set to convene for its first meeting of the new year on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers located at 120 Malabar Road SE. This meeting will address a wide range of important issues affecting the community. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to take note of key agenda items and recent procedural changes.

New Procedures for Public Participation

Updates to how meetings are conducted aim to improve efficiency and streamline discussions:

Revised Public Comment Structure:

Citizens can no longer pull items directly from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
Instead, the public comment period now precedes the Consent Agenda, giving residents up to three minutes to address non-agenda items or items listed in the Consent Agenda.

Council-Controlled Consent Agenda:

Only Council members or the Mayor may pull items from the Consent Agenda for further discussion following public comments.

Elimination of Second Public Comment Period:

The public comment section previously held at the end of meetings has been removed.

These changes are designed to enhance the meeting’s structure while maintaining opportunities for public input.

Consent Agenda

Adoption of Previous Meeting Minutes:

Approval of minutes from three prior meetings held in November and December 2024.

Ordinance 2025-01:

Proposal to repeal the city’s Youth Advisory Board, allowing for a reassessment of how Palm Bay engages with its younger residents.

Budget Monitoring Report:

The City Council will review the unaudited quarterly Budget Monitoring Report for Fiscal Year 2024. This report provides transparency on how the city is managing taxpayer dollars. Highlights include:

General Fund Surplus: Revenues exceeded projections by $4.65 million, totaling $111.12 million (104.4% of the anticipated budget).
Controlled Spending: Expenditures amounted to $109.78 million (79.7% of the amended budget), leaving a healthy General Fund balance of $27.88 million.
Citywide Financial Health: Across all funds, the city collected $314.72 million, exceeding the amended budget by $30.1 million. Total expenses remained at 55.9% of the allocated budget, with a balance of $222.82 million for future needs.

These results demonstrate the city’s commitment to financial stewardship and support for essential programs.

Grant and Software Agreements:

Approval of a real-time threat management system provided by CERA Software Inc., funded externally at no cost to the city.
Submission of a $50,000 grant application to the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking, enhancing the Police Department’s investigative capabilities.

Canine Purchase Agreement:

The Council will deliberate on the transfer of ownership of “Zeke,” a Belgian Malinois retired from the Police Department due to medical and training challenges. A private citizen will adopt Zeke for $11,500, assuming full responsibility for his care. This agreement ensures Zeke’s well-being and provides compensation to the city.

Procurements

Modular Fire Stations:

The City Council will consider bids for modular fire stations to address immediate service needs. A $1.54 million project includes modular units housing up to seven firefighters and essential equipment. These structures are hurricane-resistant and relocatable, offering flexibility once permanent stations are built.

Engineering Services Extension:

The City Council will review an amendment to extend engineering services for the South Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SRWRF). Initially slated for completion in June 2022, the project has been delayed due to unforeseen site conditions, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, with the revised completion date now mid-2025.

The additional $523,155 funding will cover:

Addressing Unforeseen Challenges: Technical and environmental issues requiring adjustments to plans.
Maintaining Compliance: Ensuring adherence to updated regulatory standards.
Managing Schedule Adjustments: Resources to mitigate delays and keep the project on track.

This amendment is critical for meeting Palm Bay’s growing wastewater management needs while protecting the Indian River Lagoon. For a detailed history, visit The Palm Bayer’s analysis.

New Business

Economic Development Programs:

Discussion on initiatives to drive economic growth, including site readiness programs and workforce development.

Water Fluoridation:

A discussion led by Councilman Chandler Langevin regarding fluoridation of the city’s potable water supply.

How to Get Involved

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in person or watch the live broadcast on the City’s website and Space Coast Government TV. To participate in the public comment period, arrive early to complete a speaker’s card.

Stay informed and engaged as Palm Bay moves forward in 2025. For more updates on local issues and council meetings, visit The Palm Bayer. Let’s make a difference together!