Palm Bay, FL — City Council voted 3-2 Wednesday night to approve $674,383 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding that includes $37,483 for Catholic Charities homelessness prevention. The split vote followed Councilman Langevin’s lengthy objection citing the organization’s documented involvement in moving migrants across the U.S. border.
Langevin researched the issue after previous CDBG discussions. He spoke with investigative journalists who spent time at the Darién gap and southern border. Their conclusion: Catholic Charities was “the number one NGO in the United States, once these people got to the southern border, moving these people across the United States.”
His argument wasn’t about the homeless prevention program itself. Catholic Charities monitoring has been solid. The staff confirmed the organization had “one of the best performances” during audits.
The concern was organizational accountability. “The fact that we’re giving them money, whether it goes directly to the homeless stuff or not, that alleviates resources in other areas that they can do other things,” Langevin said. Any funding to one program frees up money for other activities.
Catholic Charities is affiliated with the world’s largest church. “If they want to do a righteous mission, let them raise money and do the righteous mission,” Langevin said. “The money that we are being trusted with by the taxpayers should be 100% above reproach.”
He also referenced federal spending cuts happening now. “We’re in the middle of a doge right now,” he said, referring to federal efficiency initiatives. “How do we justify being in a doge, not lowering people’s taxes, but then saying...we’re going to give money to a nonprofit that could raise money on its own?”
Deputy Mayor Jaffe voted no alongside Langevin. He gave no explanation. Mayor Medina and Councilmen Hammer and Johnson voted yes.
The Catholic Charities funding covers one-time rent and utility assistance for low-income households at risk of homelessness. It includes case management and budgeting help. Staff confirmed all dollars must be used for Palm Bay residents only.
New Federal Immigration Checks Coming for CDBG Recipients
Housing Director Nisqarter announced a major change during the meeting. The city will implement the SAVE program for all CDBG-funded services. SAVE stands for Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements.
The program is run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It’s an online tool that verifies immigration or citizenship status for anyone applying for public benefits. HUD added the requirement to the city’s grant agreement but provided no guidance on implementation.
Here’s how it works. Nonprofits spend their own money first, then ask the city for reimbursement. Under the new rules, the city will only reimburse for people who clear the SAVE system. Nonprofits bear the risk if someone doesn’t verify.
The timing matters. Federal immigration enforcement has ramped up significantly in 2026. This verification requirement adds another layer to local social service delivery.
Where the $674,000 Goes
The amendment converts Neighborhood Stabilization Program income into permanent CDBG funding. HUD approved the transfer January 29. The money splits across administration, social services, and capital improvements.
Administration gets $134,876 for salaries and grant management. That’s the 20% cap allowed by federal rules.
Public services receive $101,157 total. Aging Matters gets $26,724 for Meals on Wheels delivery of approximately 6,288 meals. Catholic Charities receives $37,483. Greater Melbourne PAL gets $26,250 for Creative Arts and Mental Wellness Initiative tuition for 25 youth. Matthew’s Hope Ministries gets $10,700 for Mobile Street Outreach salaries.
Capital improvements claim $438,349. Driskell Park receives $200,000 to replace two basketball courts including new sod and sidewalks. Liberty Park improvements split into two phases: $168,349 for Phase III sidewalks and parking lot work, plus $70,000 for Phase IV softball field and parking lot upgrades.
Councilman Hammer thanked staff for including Aging Matters. He asked for future funding to be split more evenly in thirds. He sees Matthew’s Hope and Aging Matters as underutilized assets for the city.
Victoria Park Project Canceled After Environmental Testing
A second CDBG amendment passed 4-1. This one cancels the Victoria Park Playground Renovation and redirects $400,365 to Liberty Park court repairs. Only Langevin voted no.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment killed the Victoria Park project. The adjacent property operated as an automobile salvage facility for over 30 years. Brevard Auto Salvage and Recycling Inc. left behind petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals from vehicle dismantling and scrap metal operations.
The park’s southwest border abuts the Florida East Coast Railroad right-of-way. The assessment also found arsenic-based herbicides historically used for vegetation control along the tracks. Those compounds are persistent in soil and may have migrated laterally into the park property.
The EPA is conducting Phase II assessment at no cost to the city. Phase I was paid with CDBG funds.
Deputy Mayor Jaffe questioned whether pulling $210,000 from Victoria Park would impact Phase II costs. Staff confirmed the EPA grant covers that work. The money is clean for reallocation.
Liberty Park’s multiuse courts date to 1985. The foundation and perimeter fencing need complete replacement. The city combined the canceled Victoria Park funds with $190,365 from completed projects including Conklin Davis Center, Ken Greene Park, and Liberty Park Phase I work.
Councilman Hammer asked detailed questions after reading the environmental report. Staff assured him the contamination issue was serious and the cancellation necessary.
School Bus Safety Sparks Planning Board Discussion
Samantha Sarrow brought a systematic failure to council attention. She lives in the St. John’s Heritage subdivision. Her child travels 1.5 hours to reach a school 1.9 miles away.
The problem is straightforward. New housing developments get approved without planning for school bus transportation. No designated stops, no sidewalks, no safe crossings. Children either walk long distances on high-speed roads or wait in unsafe areas without traffic controls.
Sarrow’s child was initially expected to cross St. John’s Heritage Parkway without proper signage or pedestrian crossings. The school district rerouted the child to the proper side of the road. Now the trip is 1.5 hours on a bus for a 1.9-mile trip.
She solved this problem twice before in rental communities. Simple communication between school bus transportation and the HOA got buses into the neighborhood. But her subdivision does not have HOA power yet. Property management denied the bus entry citing concerns about the curb line and neighborhood appeal.
Deputy Mayor Jaffe has been working the issue. The school board met with the HOA as of February 9. They’re working to incorporate a bus stop inside the subdivision.
Jaffe identified a structural fix. “One thing that we need to do better as a council is somebody from the school board needs to sit on our planning and zoning board.” There’s a seat available. Having school board representation during development review would catch these issues before families move in.
Sarrow’s warning stands. “This matter deserves immediate investigation before a serious injury or tragedy occurs.” She’s right. Elementary students whose parents work early shifts have no good options when developments prioritize curb appeal over child safety.
Free Building From Kroger Saves City $250,000
City Manager Morton brought an opportunity to council. Kroger is pulling out of Florida and the southeast. They have a brand new modular building in Rockledge they never used. The city can have it free. Moving cost is about $40,000.
The building is nearly identical to what the city planned to buy for the police range Milo training system. Original purchase cost was $250,000. Net savings after moving costs: $225,000.
Staff inspected the building. It’s slightly smaller by a couple hundred square feet but will work for the Milo setup. The condition is perfect. Brand new, never assembled, never used.
Morton explained the strategy. The city augmented its Frank Tobar building legislative appropriation request. The plan: grab the free Kroger building now, then use the Frank Tobar appropriation funds for site work, Milo improvements, and remodeling two classrooms that are “in really bad shape.”
This advances the range project by $225,000 for essentially the same legislative request amount.
Deputy Mayor Jaffe urged caution. “I don’t think we should catch our chickens before they hatch.” Wait to see if the governor approves the Frank Tobar appropriation before spending on classroom remodels. Keep the money focused on Milo until appropriation success is confirmed.
Morton acknowledged the risk. If the appropriation fails, the building may sit unused for one or two years. But the opportunity is worth grabbing. Council gave unanimous thumbs up.
Flock Camera Contract Runs Five Years Longer Than Expected
Morton admitted a contract calculation error. The Flock camera system contract runs five years longer than staff originally thought. He promised to address Flock cameras in May as committed to the public. That conversation will still happen.
The discussion will include presentation, public comment, and comprehensive review of the camera program. Morton said it’s “absolutely imperative” to keep that commitment despite the longer contract timeline.
Property Tax Warning Raises Valid Concerns
Councilman Johnson warned colleagues about HB 203. The Florida House passed this property tax elimination proposal 80-30 on February 19. It would eliminate all non-school property taxes for homestead properties starting January 1, 2027.
The impact would be significant. The cost: $13.3-14.8 billion annually to cities, counties, and special districts. The mandate: local governments cannot reduce law enforcement, firefighter, or first responder funding below current levels. Johnson’s warning is valid. “Cities may be seeing a pinch in the near future.”
We’ve been tracking this proposal closely. The political reality is complicated.
The Florida Senate has shown minimal interest. Senate Appropriations Chair Ed Hooper said the Senate will introduce its own measure, but it won’t match the House version. The Senate hasn’t advanced any property tax plan during the 2026 session that ends March 13.
The proposal needs 60% approval in both House and Senate to reach the ballot. Then it needs 60% voter approval to pass. House Speaker Perez complained that the House remains “open to any of the Senate’s ideas, provided those ideas ever materialize as actions.” They haven’t.
Even Governor DeSantis has been absent on specifics. He posted on social media that it’s “better to do it right than do it quick” but offered no proposal of his own.
The 2026 ballot remains unlikely for this measure. But the conversation about property tax relief will continue. Homeowners watching tax bills climb after recent property value surges want solutions. The question is whether those solutions protect local government function or simply shift costs to fees and sales taxes.
Lagoon House Shoreline Protection Approved
Council approved $592,188 for Lagoon House shoreline protection. The project installs 178 Reef Arch concrete modules 15 feet offshore to prevent erosion and create marine habitat. Zulu Marine Services handles installation for $194,888. Ferguson Waterworks supplies the modules for $397,300 through sole-source purchase. The Florida Division of Emergency Management covers costs through the Local Agency Program.
Infrastructure Purchases Move Forward
Public Works received approval for $147,686 in stormwater dewatering pumps. Two 6-inch centrifugal pumps at $70,838 each plus accessories. Current equipment can’t handle the city’s growth and rainfall intensity. The pumps provide rapid water removal during storm events.
LMR Construction got a $774,159 contract for Cured-in-Place Pipe rehabilitation at 85 failed pipe locations citywide. The CIPP method lines existing pipes rather than excavating them. Public Works Director Kevin Brinkley explained the new technology saves money and minimizes disruption.
Variance and Development Ordinance Pass
The Cates family variance passed 5-0 despite staff recommending denial. The applicant’s contractor built a foundation 8.8 feet from the property line instead of the required 12 feet. Planning and Zoning recommended 6-0 approval. Neighbors signed support letters. Deputy Mayor Jaffe noted the Florida Building Code minimum separation is three feet, Palm Bay’s is five feet, and the variance asks for 8.8 feet. Councilman Langevin praised the family for doing things legally despite the contractor error.
Ordinance 2026-04 passed 5-0 removing development agreement requirements from preliminary development plans. Staff argued preliminary plans lack sufficient detail, forcing repeated agreement amendments. Planning and Zoning voted 6-0 to recommend denial, stating preliminary review provides advantages for public oversight. Councilman Hammer voted yes despite concerns about infrastructure commitments. Councilman Hammer opposed initially but voted yes after staff explanations about negotiation timing.
Fire Chief Updates Compound Brushfire Response
Fire Chief Stover presented updates on the Compound brushfire from February 1. The burn ban remains in effect following Brevard County’s lead. Three specialty high-water brush trucks purchased with impact fees played a major role. Those trucks cost $1.33 million. Chief estimated they helped protect $15 million in homes. The KBDI index stood above 600 the morning of February 20. The index runs 0-800 with 800 being worst conditions. Chief warned everyone: no open burning.
Board Appointments and Service Recognition
Council reappointed Benjamin Kiscoll and James Brock to the Police and Firefighters Retirement Pension Plan Board. Councilman Langevin noted he hadn’t met them personally. Mayor Medina confirmed Kiscoll is a retired Palm Bay firefighter who gave years of service to the city.
Council recognized board members for service milestones. One-year recognitions went to Leslie Roach and Chad Story (Infrastructure Advisory and Oversight Board), David Karaffa, Patric McNally, and Peter Filiberto (Planning and Zoning), and Joshua Frisbie (Recreation Advisory). Five-year recognitions went to Thomas Gaume Jr. (Infrastructure Advisory and Oversight Board) and Henry Morin (Community Development Advisory Board).
Deputy Chief Spears explained a highway safety grant amendment allowing equipment purchases in addition to overtime reimbursement. The grant will buy traffic enforcement equipment including radars and lasers. Council approved unanimously.
Mayor Spotlights Local Business
Mayor Medina awarded the first quarter 2026 Mayor’s Business Spotlight to Richard’s Paving and Seal Coating LLC. The fourth-generation family business has served the community for more than 15 years from their location at 640 Bluefield Street Southeast. Owner Richard brought three generations to the meeting including three-month-old grandson Jonathan, representing the fifth generation.
Meeting Information: Regular City Council meetings are held at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, 120 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907. Meetings are broadcast on the city website and Space Coast Government TV Channel 199.
