Cocoa City Council Regular Meeting – October 28, 2025

The Cocoa City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on October 28, 2025, to consider consent items, public hearings, board appointments, legislative priorities, a new inclusive playground proposal, and an LED message board project. The council also recognized community organizations and received an emergency response report on the October 26–27 storm.

Proclamations and Presentations

• The council honored Viewpoint with Cita and Friends, presenting a proclamation recognizing hosts Cita DeJean-Beggie and Ellen O'Neill and the team for 15 years of community radio service. DeJean-Beggie thanked the council and described the show as a platform for financial literacy, community issues, and local voices.
• Police Chief Carrier and the council proclaimed November 9–15, 2025, as Law Enforcement Records Personnel Week. Chief Carrier recognized records supervisor Sandra and the crime analyst team, noting the successful transition to FIBRS reporting and reduced crime each year over the last 4.5 years.

Consent Calendar

• The council amended the agenda to add consent item 5-13, Resolution 2025-082, which temporarily waives building permit fees for repairs related to structural damage caused by the October 26–27, 2025 storm. It also moved item 5-1, the Provost Park inclusive playground, from consent to council business.
• Minutes from the September 3, 2025 budget hearing and the September 9, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• The remaining consent calendar, including the storm-related permit fee waiver, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alec Greenwood asked to correct the record about an ethics complaint, stating he filed it over a council member's public statements about property he does not own and denied having a vendetta. He requested an apology. Councilmember Coss responded that the ethics commission found a difference of opinion is not corrupt behavior, that she would not apologize for representing constituents, and that the dispute had gone on for three years.
• Brad Whitmer praised the completed Lee Winner Park project and the funding award to rebuild day docks. He discussed the Sail to the Sun Rally expected around early December, the December 12 Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade, T-dock access, and suggested designating the South Boat Ramp as a dinghy landing area.
• Anita Gibson said she had mailed letters to specific people and asked recipients to respond promptly, saying she has pursued a resolution since last year.
• Dr. George Frazier thanked the council for supporting the Oct 19 Prosperity and Wealth Summit; he reported one family started estate planning, five families scheduled life insurance appointments, one family began a first-home purchase through NACA, and the seven families represented nearly $400,000 in new financial stability. He also announced a Wealth Club mastermind on Nov 8 at the Success Center.
• Pam Sche thanked Leisure Services and Public Works and promoted the Gobble Gobble, Walk then Wobble fundraiser, Nov 1–20, with a $20 fee to help the fire department provide Thanksgiving dinners.
• Rose Flowers spoke in support of the Provost Park inclusive playground, saying her child with special needs could use such equipment independently; Councilmember Goins acknowledged her advocacy.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 10-2025 – Uptown Forest Future Land Use Map Amendment: On second and final reading, city staff reported no changes or inquiries. The amendment changes the future land use designation for eight parcels totaling 1.9 acres, generally along Forest Avenue south of Mulberry Street and north of Peachtree Street, from high-density residential to mixed-use. The council approved it unanimously.
• Resolution 2025-077 – Modwash Lot Split: The council considered approval of a lot split at 1540 Clear Lake Road, dividing a 1.771-acre platted lot owned by Modwash LLC into a 1.201-acre lot and a 0.75-acre lot. Staff recommended conditions requiring a recorded shared-access easement and city consent before future sales would cause a loss of unity of title. Discussion raised concern about requiring city consent for future sales; the city attorney noted the access easement is intended to run with the land but was not prepared to alter the condition that night. After no public comment, the council approved the resolution with staff conditions unanimously.
• Planning and Zoning Board Reappointments: The council initially moved to reappoint Todd Anderson and Alec Greenwood through November 2028. Councilmember Coss opposed, citing term limits and a desire to keep the board dynamic. The city attorney noted both were term-limited and that the council's ballot procedure applied because there were four applicants for two regular seats and one alternate seat. The motion was rescinded, and a ranked ballot produced scores of Anderson 9, Susan 11, Greenwood 14, and Rex 16. The council then unanimously approved the ballot results and waived the term-limit requirement, seating Anderson and Susan as regular members and Greenwood as alternate.
• 2026 Legislative Priorities and State Appropriations Requests: Staff presented state appropriations requests including State Road 524/501 curve widening and station access road, septic-to-sewer conversions, Dr. Jolie Smith Community Health Facility, Provost Park redevelopment, and water quality baffle box installation. By consensus, the council ranked its top five legislative priorities as: (1) support for federal grant funding for the Cocoa Multimodal Station; (2) protection of local home rule; (3) property tax reform; (4) Senate Bill 180; and (5) additional state funding for the SHIP program and affordable housing initiatives.
• Provost Park Inclusive Playground: The council moved item 5-1 to council business and, after a video from a supporter, approved the inclusive playground unanimously.
• Outdoor Programmable Digital LED Message Board: Councilmember Goins proposed a digital LED message board at the city-owned parcel near the intersection of Dixon Boulevard and Fist Boulevard, citing communication gaps and emergency notification needs after recent flooding. He estimated a cost of roughly $9,000 to $10,000. The council unanimously authorized the city manager to identify exact pricing, solicit bids, procure and install the sign, and determine the funding source.

Staff and Council Reports

• Chief Lamb reported on the Oct 26–27 storm, saying more than 8 inches of rain fell in less than 2 hours, staff began damage surveys around 1 a.m., damage assessments were completed before lunch Monday, utility assessments were completed by 1 p.m., and full damage reports were sent to Brevard County Emergency Management before 4 p.m. He highlighted the new GIS mapping tool and praised city staff. The city manager added that the utility system serves a region and distributed a TPO elevator speech for the Cocoa Multimodal Station and Rail Project.
• Several councilmembers gave reports on community events, flooding observations, and a CRA conference; Councilmember Hearn discussed water issues and the Cocoa Village Playhouse basement flooding.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the modified agenda and consent calendar, including Resolution 2025-082.
• Approved Ordinance 10-2025 and Resolution 2025-077 unanimously.
• Appointed Anderson and Susan to the Planning and Zoning Board and Greenwood as alternate, with a term-limit waiver.
• Endorsed the 2026 legislative priorities and state appropriations requests.
• Approved the Provost Park inclusive playground and the LED message board unanimously.
• Received the storm response report, with ongoing follow-up on water and drainage concerns.