Palm Bay City Council Meeting: Recognizing Community Heroes and Addressing Key City Issues 🦸‍♀️🏗️

From Honoring Local Heroes to Shaping the City's Future: A Look at the May 16th Agenda

The Palm Bay City Council is gearing up for a busy session at their upcoming meeting, where they will recognize outstanding community members, approve impactful projects, and discuss crucial city matters. Here are the key details for attending the meeting and understanding the agenda:

• Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Council Chambers, Palm Bay City Hall, 120 Malabar Road SE

Honoring Local Heroes and Raising Awareness:

The meeting will kick off with a series of proclamations and recognitions, highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and raising awareness for important causes. These include:

• Presentation of the American Flag: The council will honor the service of Greg Minor and Javier Molinares with presentations of the American flag. 🇺🇸

• Recognition of Phil Weinberg: The council will recognize Phil Weinberg for his over nine years of dedicated service as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board. His commitment to the city's growth and development is truly commendable. 👏

• Proclamations: The council will issue proclamations recognizing National Safe Boating Week, Jewish American Heritage Month, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month, and National Caribbean American Heritage Month. These proclamations aim to raise awareness and promote understanding of these important observances. 🗓️

Streamlining City Business: Consent Agenda Approvals

The consent agenda for this meeting proposes a total allocation of over $4.5 million for various contracts, purchases, and resolutions. These items will be approved with a single vote without separate discussion, allowing the council to efficiently address routine city business. Here's a look at some of the key expenditures:

• $1,270,541: Castaways Point Park and Stearns Point Park Shoreline Improvements - Parks and Facilities Department 🏞️

• $923,768: Babcock Street and St. Johns Heritage Parkway Intersection Improvements - Change Order 4 - Public Works Department 🛣️

• $913,540: South Regional Water Reclamation Facility Construction - Change Order 7 - Utilities Department 🚰

• $458,608: 'Piggyback Purchase' - Cured-In-Place Pipe Installation Services - Public Works Department

• $126,441: Retrofitting Crisis Negotiation Team Van - Police Department 🚓

• $113,635: Lift Station Permanent Bypass Pump Installations, Task Order 24-09-WT - Utilities Department

• $128,200: Septic to Sewer Project Plan Funding Advocacy, Task Order 24-07-IS - Utilities Department

• $45,000: 'Piggyback Purchase', Omega Rifle-Rated Ballistic Armor Plates - Police Department

Shaping the City's Future: Public Hearings

Several public hearings will address proposals that could significantly impact the city's landscape and future development:

• Variance Request for The Palms Apartments (V24-00002): The council will review a request from Everly Mae Real Estate Fund LLC for a variance to reduce the required separation between two multi-family buildings within The Palms Apartments project from 30 feet to 12 feet. The developer cites the presence of existing power lines and an easement as creating a hardship and limiting their ability to develop the property efficiently. This request previously went before the Planning and Zoning board where a recommendation of denial was forwarded to the City Council. For more information on the details of the project and the Planning and Zoning board's recommendation of denial, you can refer to our previous coverage here. 🏢

• Substantial Amendment to the City's Approved Program Year 2023 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant Funds: The council will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed amendment to reallocate CDBG funds from the Goode Park project to the Down Payment Assistance Program. This amendment aims to address the critical need for affordable housing in Palm Bay by providing financial assistance to eligible homebuyers. 🏘️

• Preliminary Subdivision Approvals for Palm Bay Pointe East and West (PS23-00009 and PS23-00011): The council will discuss two separate requests for preliminary subdivision approvals for mixed-use developments known as Palm Bay Pointe East and West. These projects propose a combination of residential units and commercial parcels, potentially bringing new businesses and housing options to the city. The approval of Palm Bay Point West is contingent on the approval of Palm Bay Point East. 🏗️

New Business: Addressing Public Nuisances and Supporting First Responders

The "New Business" section of the agenda features several items that address important city issues and community needs:

• Public Nuisance Property (1881 Palm Bay Road): The council will consider authorizing the cleanup of the abandoned commercial property at 1881 Palm Bay Road, formerly known as The Crystal Palace. The property's condition has deteriorated significantly, posing safety and health concerns. The city anticipates a breach of the existing Repair Agreement with the property owner and seeks authorization to address the issue promptly. 🧹

• Collective Bargaining Agreements with IAFF and FOP: The council will discuss and potentially approve collective bargaining agreements with both the Palm Bay International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). These agreements are crucial for maintaining positive labor relations and ensuring fair compensation and working conditions for the city's first responders. 🤝

The Palm Bay City Council meeting promises to be a productive and informative session, covering a wide range of topics that impact the lives of residents. We encourage all community members to attend the meeting or tune in to the live broadcast to stay informed and engaged in local governance.

For those seeking a deeper dive into the agenda and supporting documentation, the full packet is available here: City Council online agenda.

For more information on Palm Bay news & events, be sure to visit The Palm Bayer 🌴