Palm Bay, FL — City Council meets Thursday at 6:00 PM to consider $1.5 million in infrastructure projects, significant changes to development review procedures, and substantial amendments to federal community development funding. The meeting includes decisions on lagoon restoration, stormwater upgrades, and a development ordinance that staff supports but the Planning and Zoning Board opposes.
Lagoon House Shoreline Protection Advances
Council will vote on a $592,188 project to install erosion control structures at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House Marine Resources Center on Dixie Highway. The project addresses ongoing shoreline loss threatening the facility.
The work splits into two components. Zulu Marine Services will install the breakwater structures for $194,888. Ferguson Waterworks will supply 178 Reef Arch concrete modules through a sole-source purchase totaling $397,300. The patented reef structures will be placed 15 feet from shore in the Indian River Lagoon.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management approved the project through the Local Agency Program. The concrete modules serve dual purposes: preventing erosion while creating habitat for marine life. Installation begins this spring.
CDBG Amendments Shift $674,000 to Parks and Services
Two federal grant amendments propose reallocating Community Development Block Grant funds. The first converts $674,383 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program income into permanent CDBG funding, distributing the money across administration, social services, and park improvements.
Public services receive $101,157 for four programs. Aging Matters gets $26,724 for Meals on Wheels delivery of approximately 6,288 meals. Catholic Charities receives $37,483 for homelessness prevention including rent and utility assistance. Greater Melbourne PAL secures $26,250 for Creative Arts and Mental Wellness Initiative tuition for 25 youth. Matthew’s Hope Ministries obtains $10,700 for Mobile Street Outreach salaries.
Capital improvements claim $438,349. Driskell Park will receive $200,000 to replace two basketball courts with new sod and sidewalks. Liberty Park improvements split into two phases: $168,349 for Phase III sidewalks and parking lot work, plus $70,000 for Phase IV softball field and parking lot upgrades. The remaining $134,876 covers administrative costs.
The second amendment cancels the Victoria Park Playground Renovation after environmental testing revealed contamination concerns. The adjacent property operated as an automobile salvage facility for over 30 years, with documented contamination from petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and arsenic-based herbicides from the nearby railroad right-of-way. Staff redirects the $210,000 plus $190,365 from completed projects to fund $400,365 in Liberty Park multiuse court repairs. The courts, built in 1985, need foundation and perimeter fencing replacement.
Development Agreement Timing Sparks Board Split
Ordinance 2026-04 shifts when developers must submit agreements for Planned Unit Developments. Current code requires agreements at both preliminary and final development plan stages. The proposed change eliminates the preliminary stage requirement, mandating agreements only during final plan submission.
Staff argues preliminary plans lack specific details on density, building layouts, and infrastructure needs. These details only emerge during final planning, forcing subsequent agreement amendments that duplicate work and delay projects. Moving the requirement to final plans ensures agreements reflect actual project specifications.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted 6-0 to recommend denial despite staff support. Board members stated the preliminary review process provides advantages for public oversight and early identification of development impacts. The ordinance requires two public hearings before final adoption.
Compound Brushfire Update Expected
Fire Chief Richard Stover will present an update on firefighting operations in the Compound area. The agenda provides no additional details about the presentation scope or current fire status. Residents concerned about the situation should attend for the latest information.
Stormwater, Pipe Replacement on Consent Agenda
Council will vote on routine infrastructure purchases through the consent agenda. Public Works requests $147,686 for two centrifugal dewatering pumps to manage flooding during storm events. Current equipment proves insufficient for the city’s growth and frequent high-intensity rainfall. The pumps provide rapid water removal during emergencies and routine site dewatering.
A separate consent item authorizes $774,159 for Cured-in-Place Pipe rehabilitation through LMR Construction. The project uses a Polk County piggyback contract to line failing stormwater pipes rather than excavating and replacing them. The CIPP method costs less than traditional replacement and causes minimal surface disruption.
Board Recognition Marks Service Milestones
Council will recognize six board members for service anniversaries. Leslie Roach and Chad Story complete one year on the Infrastructure Advisory and Oversight Board. David Karaffa, Patric McNally, and Peter Filiberto mark one year on Planning and Zoning. Joshua Frisbie reaches one year on Recreation Advisory.
Thomas Gaume Jr. receives recognition for five years on the Infrastructure Advisory and Oversight Board. Henry Morin marks five years on the Community Development Advisory Board.
Additional Business
Council will appoint two members to the Police and Firefighters’ Retirement Pension Plan Board. The meeting also includes consideration of federal highway safety grant applications, committee reports, and mayor and council updates.
The meeting begins at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at 120 Malabar Road SE. Public comment is available on non-agenda items, and citizens may attend in person or watch via the city website and Space Coast Government TV.
