Palm Bay, FL – The Palm Bay City Council will convene for its Regular Meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM, tackling a heavy agenda that blends crucial infrastructure investment with immediate public safety and regulatory compliance mandated by the State of Florida.
Before the gavel drops, residents attending the meeting can enjoy Holiday Season Merriment starting at 5:30 P.M., featuring the Ambassador Show Choir from Heritage High School.
The meeting features significant financial outlays for a massive fiber optic network expansion, a temporary but critical intervention to solve interstate traffic congestion, and the final reading of ordinances necessary to comply with new federal and state housing laws.
The Multi-Million Dollar Digital Upgrade
Under the Consent Agenda, Council will consider a substantial investment in the City’s foundational digital infrastructure, aligning with its strategic goal to develop resilient systems and reduce risk.
$1.58 Million Fiber Optic Expansion (Consent Agenda 4): The City proposes a total “piggyback purchase” of $1,585,400 to secure fiber optic cable, equipment, and installation services through an existing City of Cocoa contract with Danella Construction Corporation of Florida. The funds, drawn from the Information Technology and Utilities budgets (with $1,321,400 coming from Utilities), are earmarked to establish secure underground connections between key municipal facilities. This investment is positioned as a necessity to enhance network security and operational resilience, following an IT Risk Assessment in March 2023.
Malabar Road Traffic Experiment Moves Forward
A key item under New Business seeks to address the dangerous congestion issues near the I-95 interchange.
Temporary Median Closure Test (New Business 2): Council will vote on temporarily closing the two left-turn median breaks on Malabar Road (SR 514) between San Filippo Drive and I-95. Based on an FDOT study, the action is aimed at alleviating “excessive stacking” on the I-95 southbound exit ramp. The goal is to improve signal timing and clear the highway queue during peak travel times. The City plans to purchase reusable plastic Tuff Curb barriers for $27,533.77 to implement the 6-to-12-month test. Public Works engaged with affected businesses and property owners on October 6, 2025, with staff noting that one owner, despite concerns, understood the necessity of the approach.
Mandatory Compliance and Housing Regulation
Two ordinances facing their final reading demonstrate the need for immediate local action to adhere to evolving state requirements for fair housing and quality of life.
Reasonable Accommodation for Recovery Residences (Public Hearing 6 / Ordinance 2025-60): This ordinance is critical for the City to meet the January 1, 2026, state deadline imposed by Senate Bill 954. It establishes a formal procedure within the Land Development Code for processing requests for reasonable accommodation from zoning rules by persons with disabilities, particularly those operating Certified Recovery Residences. The proposed process includes administrative review within 60 days, no application fees, and a requirement for annual recertification, balancing federal Fair Housing mandates with local oversight. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the measure.
Weekend Construction Noise Limits (New Business 3 / Ordinance 2025-61): Councilman Langevin’s continued item proposes a change to Chapter 92 (Noise) to clarify construction hours on residential boundaries. The ordinance, carried over from the December 4 meeting, formalizes the weekend prohibition on loud construction work from 9:00 p.m. Saturday until 7:00 a.m. Monday, ensuring predictable quiet hours for residential areas.
Public Safety Funding Secured
The Police Department is slated to accept two external funding packages to continue critical victim advocacy and traffic enforcement programs.
VOCA Grant Acceptance (Consent Agenda 5): The City will consider executing an agreement for $56,910 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. This federal revenue, which comes with a complete match waiver, directly supports salaries for one Victim Advocate and one Senior Victim Advocate, ensuring continuous service for crime victims.
Pedestrian Safety Grant Increase (New Business 1): The Council will consider accepting a subgrant amendment that increases funding for the Pedestrian Bicycle Safety High Visibility Enforcement and Support Program by $28,062. This grant, provided through the University of North Florida, brings the total award to nearly $50,000, allowing the Police Department to extend high-visibility enforcement operations through May 2026 to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in targeted areas.
The meeting promises a detailed discussion on how Palm Bay plans to strategically invest in its future, manage traffic in the present, and adapt local law to meet state and federal mandates.
