Contentious Palm Bay Council Meeting to Tackle Censure, Road Projects, and Budget Shifts
Palm Bay's City Council will tackle a consequential agenda on October 16, including the formal censure of a council member, millions in budget shifts, and key decisions on traffic and development.
Palm Bay City Council to Vote on Censure of Councilman Langevin
Palm Bay, FL – Headlining a packed agenda, the Palm Bay City Council will vote Thursday (October 16 at 6 PM, City Council Chambers) on a resolution to formally censure Councilman Chandler Langevin for “conduct unbecoming of an elected member” and for the improper use of city letterhead. The measure, Resolution 2025-41, cites a pattern of controversial public statements and alleges multiple violations of the City’s Code of Ethics. If passed, the censure would revoke Langevin’s ability to place items on the agenda, remove him from all city boards, and prohibit him from delivering council reports during meetings.
The resolution specifically points to Langevin’s social media posts in September 2025, which included statements like, “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States… They are here to exploit us financially and enrich India and Indians,” followed by a call to “deport all Indians immediately.” It also cites a letter he wrote on official city letterhead to Congressman Haridopolos advocating for the pardoning of Robert Rundo, founder of the white supremacist group Rise Above Movement (RAM). The council alleges this was a violation of Chapter 8.2-K of the City’s ethics code, which requires prior council consent for the use of city letterhead.
Multi-Million Dollar Budget Shifts Up for Approval
Council will also vote on re-appropriating over $11 million in funds from the previous fiscal year to cover delayed projects and purchases. Several items on the consent agenda detail these budget shifts:
$4.9 million for delayed vehicle and equipment purchases across the Fire, Public Works, Utilities, and Parks & Facilities departments. Delays are attributed to supply chain disruptions, including chassis and transmission shortages.
$6.3 million for six delayed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects within the Utilities Department, including sewer line programs and lift station rehabilitations.
Nearly $2.3 million for four Public Works projects that were not completed by the end of the fiscal year, including the Malabar Road PD&E Study and several culvert replacements delayed by weather and contract negotiations.
$19,315 for Police Department specialty vehicle carports, a project delayed by procurement and permitting issues.
These re-appropriations are necessary to ensure funding remains available for commitments made in the previous budget year.
Traffic and Infrastructure Projects Move Forward
Two significant traffic-related items are on the agenda:
San Filippo & Cogan Intersection: The council will consider a $179,693 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the design of intersection improvements at San Filippo and Cogan Drives. According to city staff, there were 16 traffic collisions at this location between January 2022 and December 2024, with half related to turning traffic. The design aims to add dedicated left-turn lanes to improve safety and traffic flow.
Malabar Road Medians: Following an FDOT study, the council will consider a temporary closure of the left-turn median breaks on Malabar Road between San Filippo Drive and I-95. The study concluded that this closure, combined with signal retiming, would help alleviate dangerous traffic stacking on the I-95 southbound exit ramp. The temporary closure will last six to twelve months to gather data and determine if a permanent closure is warranted. Business owners in the corridor have expressed concerns about customer access.
Development and Land Use Changes Face Scrutiny
The council will hold public hearings for three significant and controversial development proposals, two of which come with recommendations for denial from the city’s Planning & Zoning Board.
Willowbrook Subdivision: This project involves the rezoning of a 32.97-acre property southwest of St. Johns Heritage Parkway to RS-3 (Single-Family Residential). The developer plans to use administrative variances to create 74 single-family homes on 60- and 75-foot-wide lots, a different configuration from the adjacent Cypress Bay West PUD. The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval.
Cogan Plaza at Bayside Lakes: The council will consider a Preliminary Development Plan for a commercial project on Cogan Drive that includes a self-storage facility. The request comes after a previous attempt to approve the use via a PUD Agreement was denied by the council in December 2024. Despite a staff recommendation for approval, the Planning & Zoning Board voted 7-0 to recommend denial, citing incompatibility with the surrounding Bayside Lakes neighborhoods.
Moallem Townhome Project: Continued from a previous meeting, the council will hear a request from developer M. David Moallem to change the land use and zoning on an 11.6-acre parcel on Ulster Avenue to allow for a townhome community. Both city staff and the Planning & Zoning Board have recommended denial of the request, which would change the designation from Public/Semi-Public to Moderate Density Residential.
Council to Consider Changes to Public Comment Rules
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe has proposed a significant amendment to council procedures that would establish legal “standing” for speakers during the general public comment portion of meetings for non-agenda items. The change would limit speakers on general topics to city citizens, owners of property or businesses within Palm Bay, or individuals receiving utility services from the city who wish to speak on those services.
Crucially, this proposed restriction applies only to the open public comment period for general matters not on the agenda. Any member of the public, regardless of residency, would still have the right to speak on specific items listed on the council’s agenda, such as public hearings or consent items.
This type of rule is legally permissible for general comment periods, as courts have consistently upheld the authority of local governments to set reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on public speech to ensure meetings are orderly and efficient. The rationale behind such a change is to prioritize general comments from those with a direct legal or financial stake in the city’s governance and to ensure that council business is focused on the needs and concerns of the actual residents it serves.
Other Notable Agenda Items
Union Contracts: Council will vote to approve new three-year collective bargaining agreements with the NAGE Blue and NAGE White collar unions. The agreements include staggered wage increases totaling 5% annually and enhancements to longevity pay.
Evans Center: Following the withdrawal of the previously selected non-profit, the council will consider re-soliciting proposals for an organization to provide youth services at the Evans Center.
What’s Next
The City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at 120 Malabar Road SE. The votes on the censure resolution, major spending items, and road projects will have immediate and long-term impacts on the city’s governance, finances, and daily life for residents.