Palm Bay City Council Approves Apartment Project Amidst Leadership Shake-Up

Councilman Langevin Moves to Terminate City Manager in Surprise Motion During Council Reports

Palm Bay, FL -- The Palm Bay City Council convened on November 21, 2024, to address a range of important issues, including the approval of the Bilda Multi-Family Residential Apartments Project. During council reports toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Chandler Langevin made a motion to terminate the employment of City Manager Suzanne Sherman, citing concerns about the city's direction, inadequate progress on infrastructure projects, and a lack of responsiveness to community needs. He emphasized the need for leadership that aligns with the council's goals to effectively address public safety, development, and transparent governance. The sudden motion left many in the council chambers shocked, raising questions about the future direction of the city’s leadership.

Consent Agenda

The meeting began with the council approving the consent agenda, which included routine expenditures and various administrative items. The total of the expenditures approved as part of the consent agenda amounted to $2.5 million, covering infrastructure maintenance, public safety funding, and general city operations.

Public Hearings

Following the consent agenda, the council held several public hearings. These included requests for zoning changes and variances aimed at facilitating new residential and commercial developments across the city. One notable public hearing involved a request for rezoning a parcel near Malabar Road to allow for mixed-use development, which was approved after receiving no objections from the community.

Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

There were a few items that council members requested to remove from the consent agenda for separate discussion. These items mainly involved clarifications on contract extensions and budget reallocation requests. After brief discussions, these items were approved individually.

Old Business

The council then moved on to address old business, including updates on previously approved infrastructure projects. Mayor Medina provided a status update on the ongoing improvements to Emerson Drive, indicating that the project was ahead of schedule and expected to be completed by early next year.

New Business: Approval of Bilda Multi-Family Residential Apartments Project

Under new business, the council addressed Resolution 2024-44, which involved approving a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, also known as a Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA), for a proposed affordable rental development named 'Bilda Multi-Family Residential Apartments.' The project, which will provide 48 affordable housing units, is set to be located west of Bass Pro Drive NE and south of Executive Circle NE, in an area zoned for Community Commercial use.

The council's resolution acknowledged the importance of affordable housing but expressed concerns over certain provisions, such as mandatory state-level approvals and reduced local zoning control, which might undermine local authority and limit city oversight on developments. The resolution passed with a majority vote of 4-1, with Councilman Johnson dissenting, signaling the council's intent to cautiously embrace state mandates while retaining as much local control as possible. Additionally, the council noted that the city has the option of opting out of the tax breaks that Live Local projects carry with them, allowing for greater control over the financial implications. Mayor Medina stressed that while the city wants to address affordable housing, it must also safeguard Palm Bay's long-term planning and community character.

Pasco County's Approach: A Model for Palm Bay?

During the discussion on the Bilda Multi-Family Residential Apartments Project, the council considered steps taken by Pasco County, which recently opted out of certain property tax exemption provisions included in SB 102, a component of the Live Local Act. Pasco County's approach was brought up as a potential precedent for Palm Bay, highlighting an option to maintain local control and ensure developers contribute fairly to community needs.

Council members noted that Palm Bay could also opt out of these tax exemptions, similar to Pasco County. Councilman Hammer argued that adopting a similar approach could help protect Palm Bay's financial stability. He emphasized that tax incentives for developers could lead to a significant reduction in the revenue needed for essential services, like fire and police. Hammer underscored that if Palm Bay chooses to follow Pasco County's lead, it could maintain better control over development projects, ensuring they benefit the community rather than solely prioritizing developer profits.

Council Reports: Councilman Langevin’s Motion to Fire the City Manager

During the council report segment, Councilman Langevin made a motion to terminate the employment of City Manager Suzanne Sherman. He began by reading a proclamation detailing his concerns about the city's direction under the current administration, emphasizing, "We need leadership that fully aligns with the vision this council has for Palm Bay, especially as we face significant growth and development challenges." Langevin argued that Sherman was not adequately aligned with these priorities and that new leadership was essential to effectively tackle issues of public safety, infrastructure, and balanced growth.

The motion prompted a lengthy and intense discussion among the council members. Councilman Hammer voiced his support for Langevin's motion, asserting, "This council has ambitious goals, including improving infrastructure and ensuring public safety, and I believe we need someone at the helm who is fully committed to meeting those objectives without hesitation." Mayor Medina, however, urged caution, stating, "We owe it to our residents to make sure they are heard before we make such a drastic move."

After the discussion, the motion opened up for public comment, where several residents weighed in. There were public comments supporting both sides of the issue, with some residents emphasizing the need for leadership change to align with the council's goals, while others expressed their reservations, warning about the potential instability that such a sudden leadership change could create.

Once public comments concluded, Langevin officially made the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Hammer. The vote passed narrowly, 3-2, with Mayor Medina and Deputy Mayor Jaffe voting against it. Following the decision, the council turned their attention to naming an interim city manager to replace Suzanne Sherman.

Several department heads were approached during the meeting, but many declined the position, citing concerns over the abrupt transition and their existing responsibilities. It was apparent that, after witnessing what had just happened to Suzanne Sherman, few were eager to take on the interim role. Eventually, Brian Robinson, the IT Director, was appointed as the interim city manager.

Following this, the council agreed to initiate a formal search for a new city manager, emphasizing transparency and community involvement. They also scheduled a workshop on Monday, November 25th at 6 PM to further address the hiring process, allowing for public input and more detailed discussion.

Public Response: Concern Over Leadership and Housing Developments

The public response during the meeting was mixed, reflecting concerns on two separate issues. Some attendees voiced concern over the potential firing of the city manager, emphasizing the abrupt nature of the decision and potential consequences for city stability. Supporters of the firing argued that new leadership was necessary to bring Palm Bay in line with the council's goals, while opponents warned of the instability such a change might cause.

Others expressed frustration with the ongoing housing projects, such as the Bilda Apartments, worried about unchecked development and its impact on neighborhood character. Many residents feared that the approval of the Bilda Apartments could lead to uncontrolled development, ultimately undermining the character of existing neighborhoods. Pastor Mark Miller emphasized the importance of integrity, calling on the council to maintain accountability to both the community and God in their decisions.

Next Steps for Palm Bay

With the approval of the Bilda Multi-Family Residential Apartments Project resolution and the motion to dismiss the city manager, Palm Bay's leadership finds itself at a crossroads. The council will reconvene to deliberate on the city manager’s future while also navigating the implications of the new housing legislation. Mayor Medina reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the city's development remains balanced and that local governance retains a say in how Palm Bay evolves.

For more detailed coverage and updates on Palm Bay's local government and community news, visit The Palm Bayer.