🏛️ Palm Bay City Council Faces Packed Agenda: Utility Projects, Development, and Charter Review Appointments on May 15
Key decisions on major utility project costs, new development proposals, and crucial citizen commission appointments loom for the upcoming council session. 📝
Palm Bay, FL - Palm Bay City Council is poised to make critical decisions on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at its 6:00 PM regular meeting in the Council Chambers (120 Malabar Road SE), with significant utility project costs and influential commission appointments on the docket. Preceding the main meeting, Mayor Rob Medina will deliver the State of the City Message at 5:30 PM. Residents are encouraged to attend or watch the live broadcast.
Public Input Opportunities
The council will hear public comments on non-agenda issues and items listed under the 'Approval of Consent Agenda.' Speakers are required to complete a 'Public Comment Card' (orange) and will be limited to three (3) minutes. This remains a key opportunity for residents to voice concerns on topics not formally scheduled for a separate hearing.
Consent Agenda Highlights: Major Spending and Project Approvals - $8,936,644 In Expenditures
Several significant financial and project-related items are slated for approval under the consent agenda, which allows multiple items to be passed with a single vote unless a council member requests separate discussion.
South Regional Water Treatment Plant (SRWTP) Expansion Bid Award: Council will consider awarding a $3,700,000 bid to L7 Construction, Inc. for the SRWTP expansion from 6 to 8 million gallons per day (MGD). This project, crucial for the city's water infrastructure, is funded by the Utilities Department's Connection Fee Fund under project 23WS20.
Road Bond Paving and Funding: Council will consider a $1,411,730 bid from V.A. Paving, Inc. for paving in Port Malabar Unit 26 and cul-de-sacs in Unit 39. To cover costs exceeding the original 2021 budget due to subsequent scope changes and increased estimates, an additional $800,000 appropriation from the GO Road Program's Undesignated Fund Balance is also requested.
Utilities Department Vehicle Purchases: A substantial $2,024,834 expenditure is proposed for the purchase of 17 vehicles for the Utilities Department from multiple vendors. The proposed purchase includes:
Service Body Truck F450: 5 vehicles
Truck with Crane F550: 4 vehicles
Van Transit T250: 2 vehicles
Truck F150: 2 vehicles
Van Transit T350: 1 vehicle
Truck with Valve Exerciser F450: 1 vehicle
Dump Truck F550: 1 vehicle
Dump Truck F750: 1 vehicle
South Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SRWRF) Construction Change Order: A critical vote concerns Change Order 8 for the South Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SRWRF) construction, adding $153,646 to the project with RJ Sullivan Corporation. This wastewater facility, greenlit in November 2020 with a $24,458,000 contract, has seen its budget swell by over $3.5 million due to seven prior change orders and significant delays. The city is already levying daily liquidated damages against the contractor for missing the April 26, 2025, completion deadline, and this latest change order tackles ongoing operational, maintenance, and construction hurdles for the vital infrastructure.
SRWTP Blower Replacement: An award of $249,225 to Florida Design Contractors, LLC for blower replacement at the SRWTP, along with a $124,147 fund appropriation, is on the agenda. These blowers are vital for water processing.
Fire Station 8 Design Services: A contract for $259,530 with CPZ Architects, Inc. is proposed for site development design services for the future Fire Station 8. This station is planned for a 5-acre property on Malabar Road NW, just west of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway. 📍
Police Shooting Range Improvements Design: Council will consider a $195,032 contract with CPZ Architects, Inc. for design services for The Range, funded by an FDLE grant.
Norwood Water Quality Grant: Acceptance of a $1.8 million FDEP grant for the Norwood Water Quality Improvement Project is proposed, which will reimburse the city for ongoing work.
Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) Expenditures: Approval is sought for $8,500 in donations from the LETF to several community organizations, including the Rotary Club, Brevard Veterans Coalition, and the Community Read and Feed Summer Program.
Tourism Development Grant Application: The council will consider authorizing staff to apply for the Fiscal Year 2026 Tourism Development Office (TDO) Marketing Support Program.
Key Public Hearings
Several ordinances and development proposals are scheduled for public hearings, offering residents a chance to weigh in on specific issues.
Easement and Right-of-Way Vacations (Final Readings):
Ordinance 2025-20 proposes vacating a utility and drainage easement at Lot 2, Block 416, Port Malabar Unit 10 for a pool construction.
Ordinance 2025-21 considers vacating a drainage right-of-way in Port Malabar Unit 46 for a fence installation, with the city reserving a new easement.
Utilities Code Amendment (Final Reading): Ordinance 2025-19, if passed, will amend the Utilities Code to allow for an application filing fee for Utility Agreements.
Cypress Bay West Phase 2 Model Center Plat: Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group, Inc. is requesting final subdivision plan and plat approval for their "Cypress Bay West Phase 2 Model Center." This project involves the replat of three residential lots (Lots 89-91) and an adjacent recreation tract (Tract Rec-1) on approximately 4.285 acres. The site is located south of and adjacent to Hollingsworth Drive SE, near Mara Loma Boulevard SE, within the larger Cypress Bay West Phase 2 development. The replat is necessary to finalize a previously approved Final Development Plan (FDP) amendment, which slightly reduced the overall open space to allow for the expansion of one residential lot while ensuring the development still meets its open space requirements. The recreation tract is part of the community's designated open space. 🏗️
Land Development Code Amendments (First Readings - Continuance Expected):
Ordinance 2025-16 (Chapter 172, Development Review Procedures)
Ordinance amending Chapter 173 (Zoning)
Ordinance amending Chapter 175 (Tree Protection, Landscaping, Buffering)
The City Manager will be requesting that these three items be continued to the August 7, 2025, Regular Council Meeting to allow for further revisions.
Unfinished Business: Shaping the City's Future
Two important items from previous discussions will be revisited.
Charter Review Commission Appointments: A pivotal moment arrives with appointments to the Charter Review Commission. Each council member will name two city electors to this influential body, tasked with a comprehensive review of Palm Bay's City Charter. Their recommendations on issues like council vacancy procedures, election requirements, voting districts, and fiscal caps could significantly reshape the city's governance structure. 📜
Community Development Advisory Board Appointment: The council will appoint one member to the Community Development Advisory Board to fill an expiring 'resident of the City' position. Rebecca Thibert has reapplied.
New Business Before Council
New items include a resolution related to fees and scheduling a workshop.
Resolution 2025-23 - Amending Fee Schedule: This resolution will formally establish the new application fee for Utility Agreements, as enabled by Ordinance 2025-19 if it passes its final reading.
Workshop Scheduling: Council will consider scheduling a workshop for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM to discuss planning and strategic goals for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Stay Informed and Participate
Dive into the details: the complete meeting agenda is provided below for your review. The meeting provides an important forum for understanding and influencing local governance.
Email Your Thoughts: Share your feedback directly with the Mayor and City Council via email: Email City Officials
Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer.
One of the stated reasons for the Charter Review Committee is to re-visit the 3% CAP on Ad Valorem taxes the voters placed on uncontrolled spending in 2018. The City officials state that it puts too much of a burden on funding the needs of the city. It was presented in 2022 that eliminating the CAP entirely would provide about $2M in additional revenue annually. Surely, city officials can start thinking out of the box and create other sources of revenue and cost cuts to produce the same amount of revenue. Stop putting the burden on the residents.