Palm Bay City Council Meeting Recap: Interim City Manager Appointed, Public Grievances Aired, and Key Hearings Held
Key Developments: Scott Morgan as Interim City Manager, Public Grievances on Waste Management, Land Use Public Hearings, and Local Event Updates
Palm Bay, FL – On December 5th, the Palm Bay City Council convened to address significant city matters, including the appointment of a new interim city manager, resident grievances regarding services, and critical public hearings on land use changes. Below is a summary of the key outcomes from the meeting:
Appointment of Scott Morgan as Interim City Manager
During the meeting, the Palm Bay City Council unanimously appointed Scott Morgan as Interim City Manager. Morgan, who previously managed the City of West Melbourne, was praised for his extensive experience in infrastructure and budget management. His appointment is part of a transition plan following the previous city manager's departure, with the council emphasizing Morgan's expertise in steering the city during this transitional phase.
Morgan expressed his dedication to helping Palm Bay through this period, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining stability and assisting in the search for a permanent city manager. He outlined several key initiatives, including streamlining city operations, improving communication between city departments, and overseeing critical infrastructure projects to ensure they stay on track during this transitional period. This appointment follows recent discussions and workshops where Morgan emerged as the most suitable candidate for the role.
Public Comments on Republic Services
Public comments were a significant part of the meeting, with several citizens voicing their frustration regarding waste management services provided by Republic Services. Residents expressed concern over the quality of service, noting issues like garbage being scattered across streets and a lack of accountability. The Council received numerous complaints about Republic's trucks leaking trash and damaging freshly paved roads. In response, council members discussed potential measures to hold Republic accountable, such as imposing penalties for repeated violations and requiring regular inspections to ensure compliance with service standards.
The City’s Public Works Director assured residents that these concerns are being addressed through direct communication with Republic Services. Discussions include inspecting the trucks used in Palm Bay and ensuring that damaged trucks are either repaired or replaced. The Council also announced plans to schedule a workshop in January to hold Republic accountable, offering residents a platform to directly address their grievances with Republic representatives.
Additionally, here is the current franchise agreement and addendum that are in place between the city and Republic Services, which provide further details on the responsibilities and expectations for waste management services.
Public Hearings on Land Use Changes
Several public hearings were held during the meeting, addressing proposed changes to land use that could significantly impact the growth and development of Palm Bay.
Lotis Palm Bay Development: The first public hearing focused on Ordinance 2024-54, which proposes changing the land use designation for approximately 353.47 acres near Micco Road, east of Interstate 95, from Micco Park Village to Parkway Flex Use. This change aims to facilitate a mixed-use development known as Lotis Palm Bay, featuring residential, townhome, and commercial spaces designed to create a walkable community. Many residents attended the hearing to express their opinions, with several voicing support for the proposed amenities while others raised concerns over potential traffic increases.
Chaparral Planned Unit Development (PUD) Expansion: The council also held a public hearing regarding the Chaparral P.U.D. Phases 4B and 5A-B. This expansion proposes 521 new residential lots across 160.51 acres south of Malabar Road SW and west of Searle Avenue. This expansion is part of Palm Bay's broader development plan to accommodate the growing population while ensuring that infrastructure improvements keep pace with residential growth. Concerns raised by residents focused on the impact on local infrastructure and potential strain on existing services. The council assured residents that the installation of a new traffic light at Malabar Road and Wisteria Drive, completed as part of a previous phase, was aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving safety.
Reserve at Country Club Lakes Estates: Another significant hearing involved the preliminary subdivision plan and final plat approval for Reserve at Country Club Lakes Estates. This residential project consists of 199 single-family lots located at the terminus of Country Club Drive, west of Port Malabar Boulevard, and east of Riviera Drive. This marks the fifth and final phase of development for the area, originally part of the Port Malabar Country Club Golf Course. Residents raised questions about the lot sizes and density, which the council addressed by highlighting the variety of lot sizes available and emphasizing that the density remains consistent with the city's guidelines.
Community Engagement and Local Events
In addition to discussing city operations, the council proclaimed December 21st as "Family Christmas Extravaganza Day," celebrating a long-standing community event organized by local churches. The 16th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park, offering a free, fun-filled day for families with entertainment, food, live music, a Christmas parade, kids' activities, and a visit from Santa Claus. This year, notable highlights include a new holiday craft station for children, an expanded food truck lineup featuring local vendors, and a special evening fireworks display to conclude the event. This event aims to create lasting holiday memories for the entire community.
The council also approved a co-sponsorship request from the Indian Association of the Space Coast for the Third Annual Palm Bay Indian Kite Festival. This event, scheduled for January 26th, 2025, aims to foster community engagement and celebrate the city’s multicultural spirit. Council members praised these events for their role in building community relationships and providing enriching activities for residents.
Addressing Public Concerns
During the public comment portion, residents also raised concerns over speeding and traffic issues near Pineapple Cove, a local school. Citizens suggested possible solutions, including adding stop signs, reducing speed limits, and keeping school-related traffic within school property. The City’s Public Works Director committed to revisiting the traffic issues with the city’s consulting engineers and updating residents on potential improvements.
The council emphasized their commitment to finding practical solutions and improving the quality of life for residents across Palm Bay. This included a unified effort to address citizen complaints and uphold accountability for all contracted services.
Stay Informed
For more updates about local governance and community events in Palm Bay, visit The Palm Bayer. We aim to keep you informed and engaged with the latest news and developments that impact our community.
More and more building going on when will it stop?? Until every tree is gone and no more open spaces are left. They don’t realize the harm this is causing. Just greed it’s so sad !!