Meeting Logistics
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM (Special Meeting) / 6:00 PM (Regular Meeting)
Location: Council Chambers, 120 Malabar Road SE
Watch Live: City Website or Space Coast Government TV
Palm Bay, FL – As the City of Palm Bay grapples with the friction between rapid population growth and aging infrastructure, the City Council faces a pivotal Thursday night involving high-stakes legal maneuvering and significant financial recalibrations. With an inverse condemnation lawsuit nearing a potential settlement and a municipal expansion project requiring a transparent “recalibration” of costs, the upcoming meetings pose a central question: Is the City effectively managing its liabilities while preparing for its future?
The Cost of Litigation: Davis v. City of Palm Bay
The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a Special Council Meeting focused exclusively on the active litigation of Davis v. City of Palm Bay (Case No. 05-2024-CA-028081). This “inverse condemnation” lawsuit, filed in May 2024, alleges that City construction activities—specifically road elevation changes and stormwater management—caused flooding and restricted access to private property, effectively “taking” it without compensation. The Council will meet in a closed attorney-client session to discuss settlement strategy, though case history suggests a resolution is imminent.
Mediation on November 24, 2025, resulted in a “complete agreement,” and the case is currently on inactive status. However, the stakes remain high; if the settlement is not finalized, a non-jury trial is firmly scheduled for March 2, 2026. The outcome of this session will likely determine whether the City pays a negotiated settlement now or risks a court judgment regarding its infrastructure practices later.
Infrastructure Realignment: The Truth About Building E
Moving into the Regular Council Meeting at 6:00 PM, the Council must address a significant governance and financial correction regarding the build-out of the City Hall Building E 3rd Floor. City management has candidly admitted that the Council previously relied on “incorrect and incomplete information” regarding the project’s scope and cost. Consequently, staff “paused the project to recalibrate” and is returning with a full disclosure: the project is no longer estimated at the previously presented ~$1.38 million but is now projected at $2,115,485.
This build-out is not merely administrative; it is the “primary enabler” for relieving severe overcrowding in the Police Department. The plan involves moving Finance and Procurement staff into the new Building E space, thereby allowing the Police Department to take over the entire east side of Building B. This “domino effect” is described as a temporary measure to bridge the gap while the City seeks funding for a future, dedicated Police Headquarters.
Strategic Shifts in Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement
The Police Department’s capacity issues are compounded by the city’s “growing traffic burden,” driven by a population surge of over 20,000 new residents. In response, the Council will consider a strategic amendment to the FDOT “Know Your Limits” grant. The Department is requesting to reallocate $15,715 of grant funding—originally designated for officer overtime—to purchase five (5) speed-capturing radar devices.
This shift from labor costs to technology investment aims to support the dedicated Traffic Unit’s “zero tolerance” approach to high-frequency crash locations. It is noteworthy that the grant explicitly prohibits using these funds for “automated traffic enforcement systems” (red light or speed cameras), distinguishing these handheld radars from the controversial automated surveillance systems that have drawn public scrutiny.
Community Investments and Legacy
Beyond internal city operations, the agenda features major awards impacting community services and transportation. The Procurement Department is recommending the award of the Evans Center lease to CITA (Committee for Improvement of Today and Tomorrow), following a competitive application process. This decision aims to reactivate the 6,068-square-foot facility at 1361 Florida Avenue NE, which serves as a neighborhood hub. CITA achieved the highest score in the evaluation, surpassing the Community Revitalization Alliance, and the lease agreement includes a nominal rent structure to encourage service provision over revenue generation.
The selection of CITA marks a distinct shift in strategy for the Evans Center. Known locally as the CITA Rescue Mission, the organization is a long-standing faith-based non-profit in the region with a history of providing transitional housing, job skills training, and education (including computer classes and tutoring) for at-risk populations. By awarding the lease to CITA, the City is effectively pivoting the Evans Center from its previous commercial-retail focus toward a dedicated community services model, leveraging CITA’s established infrastructure to deliver direct support to the neighborhood.
The meeting will also carry a somber tone as the Council issues a proclamation honoring the life of Caitlynn Sanaa Pierre. A young Palm Bay resident, Pierre was a recognized entrepreneur who founded Haitea, a business supporting Haitian women farmers, and the non-profit No Kanks Cancer. Her passing is a significant loss to the community, and the proclamation serves to recognize her impact as a “brilliant” student and “cancer warrior”.
Strengthening Accountability
Finally, in a move toward structural reform, the Council will hear the first reading of Ordinance 2026-03, creating a “Citizens Accountability Task Force”. Sponsored by Mayor Medina, this new board suggests a legislative push to institutionalize oversight and community feedback within the city’s governance framework.
This task force represents a potential shift towards more participatory governance, inviting residents to have a formal role in monitoring city performance. If passed, it could provide a structured channel for the community concerns often voiced during public comment periods, moving from reactive complaints to proactive oversight.
The ordinance outlines a specific composition for this seven-member body:
Appointment: The Task Force will consist of seven members in total: five appointed individually by the Mayor and Council members, plus two at-large members appointed by a majority vote of the Council.
Qualifications: The City is specifically seeking individuals with backgrounds in finance, auditing, law, public administration, or business management to ensure the body has the technical expertise to review city operations effectively.
Mandate: The use of “Task Force” rather than “Board” often implies a body with a specific, active mission—in this case, to review and advise on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public engagement—rather than just a standing regulatory function.
Get Involved
These decisions—from settling lawsuits to reshaping the Evans Center—impact the city’s budget and neighborhood character. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in person at the Council Chambers or watch the livestream on the City’s website. For those wishing to speak on non-agenda items, public comment cards must be submitted prior to the start of the meeting. This is your opportunity to go on the record and ensure oversight translates into action.
