PALM BAY, FL (The Palm Bayer) — The Palm Bay City Council convened on Thursday, August 6, 2026, with all five council members present: Mayor Rob Medina, Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe, Councilman Kenny Johnson, Councilman Mike Hammer, and Councilman Chandler Langevin. City Manager Matthew T. Morton, City Attorney Patricia Smith, and City Clerk Terese Jones also attended the meeting. Mayor Medina opened proceedings with a moment of silence for 18 fallen U.S. service members, reading their names into the official record.
Proclamations, Presentations, and Congressional Guest
Councilman Kenny Johnson presented a proclamation recognizing World Steel Pan Day on August 11, 2026, to Anthony Harris, band leader of the Palm Bay Panatics Steel Orchestra. The Panatics performed live in the courtyard outside City Hall before the meeting.
Sarah Dodd of Preferred Public Risk Underwriters presented the 2025-2026 Preferred Safety Award to City Safety Coordinator Brian Joseph.
U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos attended as a special guest during the presentation segment. Council members thanked him for his accessibility and work on federal appropriations for Palm Bay infrastructure projects.
Council Rejects $10M Demand for Majors Golf Course, Directs Condemnation
Under Unfinished Business, the council addressed the potential acquisition of the former Majors Golf Course property, also known as Eden at Bayside Lakes. An independent appraisal by Todle Armfield Wagner Appraisal and Research established the fee simple value of the 135.19-acre parcel at $7,030,000 as of May 22, 2026.
Seller Joy LLC submitted a proposal demanding $10 million for the site. The proposal contained a paragraph 4 zoning contingency allowing the seller to seek multi-family zoning changes and walk away from the sale if denied. City Attorney Patricia Smith advised council that contract zoning is illegal under Florida law and the city cannot grant preferential zoning commitments.
Public commenters Bill Batten, Steve Sneed, Pat D’Alpera, Robert Stice, and Charles Zotto addressed the dais. Speakers voiced opposition to paying above the appraised value and urged council to preserve open space without giving in to developer demands.
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe moved to counter Joy LLC at the $7,030,000 appraised value, delete paragraph 4, add deed covenants prohibiting multi-family housing on the remaining 53 acres, and direct the City Attorney to initiate eminent domain condemnation proceedings if the counteroffer is rejected. Mayor Medina seconded the motion, which passed unanimously 5-0.
Charter Vacancy Referendum and Land Development Code Updates
Council unanimously passed Ordinance 2026-20 on second reading, placing a single referendum question on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The amendment asks voters to revise the charter procedure for filling council vacancies. Former charter review chair Ken Delgado spoke during public comment regarding future charter updates.
Ordinance 2026-14 passed 5-0 on second reading, amending the Malabar Springs Community Development District boundary to remove a 0.06-acre cell tower parcel. Attorney Mike Eckert of QTEC Rock presented the item for the applicant.
Growth Management Director Althea Jefferson presented Ordinance 2026-22 on first reading, updating Land Development Code Chapter 179 for floodplain management and wellfield protection. The updates maintain compliance with Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA mandates. Council passed the first reading 5-0.
Emerald Lakes Easement Allocates $142,000 to Police Vehicles
Council pulled Consent Item 7 regarding the Emerald Lakes East Phase 1 drainage easement. Developer Excess Land Investment LLC agreed to make a one-time cash payment of $142,000 to the city while assuming full ongoing maintenance and liability for 10.18 acres of relocated stormwater pond parcels serving the future St. Johns Heritage Parkway widening.
Deputy Mayor Jaffe moved to approve the agreement and direct the $142,000 cash payment toward purchasing new Palm Bay Police Department vehicles, subject to legal verification by the City Attorney. Mayor Medina seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
Parkway Widening Design Amendment Approved
Under Procurement Item 1, Public Works Director Kevin Brinkley and Assistant Public Works Director Christine Sullivan presented an amendment to the St. Johns Heritage Parkway widening design agreement. Council approved a $430,330 task order amendment for GFT, formerly Scalar Consulting.
Brinkley explained that bidding for the parkway widening project is planned for summer 2027, paired with an adjacent roundabout construction package. The measure passed 5-0.
Council Reports: Aquatic Center Deficit, Waste Feasibility, and Code Enforcement
During reports, Councilman Chandler Langevin requested an update on the city boat parking ordinance, noting City Manager Matthew Morton had placed code enforcement actions on hold pending policy review. Councilman Mike Hammer thanked city staff for organizing employee wellness initiatives.
Councilman Kenny Johnson requested a workshop on Flock Automated License Plate Recognition cameras and discussed long-term waste disposal feasibility ahead of the 2030 solid waste contract expiration. Deputy Mayor Jaffe reported on Space Coast Economic Development Commission activities and school zone safety.
City Manager Matthew Morton alerted council to a projected $729,000 operating deficit at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center. Morton confirmed a letter was sent to community funding partners requesting financial support. Morton also reported that recruitment is underway for Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Building Official positions.
Public Comments: License Plate Cameras, Crosswalk Safety, and Staff Milestones
Resident Sheena Wallace spoke against Flock ALPR camera expansion, citing Fourth Amendment privacy protections. City Attorney Patricia Smith noted that federal precedent in U.S. v. Knotts (1983) established no expectation of privacy on public roadways. Resident Robert Stice spoke in support of license plate cameras for crime prevention.
Student Evangeline Van Hook requested a pedestrian crosswalk head signal at the intersection of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road. City Manager Morton responded that a temporary crossing guard has been assigned while signal design progresses.
Resident John McCall recognized two staff milestones, noting Bill Watkinson’s retirement after 41 years of service to Palm Bay and Kevin Brinkley’s one-year anniversary as Public Works Director.
This story is also published at news.thepalmbayer.com/news/palm-bay-council-recap-august-6-2026/ with additional inline visuals, related coverage links, and a video embed where available.
Sources
Palm Bay Regular City Council Meeting Transcript (August 6, 2026)
Palm Bay City Council Agenda Packet (August 6, 2026)
Todle Armfield Wagner Appraisal and Research (Effective May 22, 2026)
