Cocoa City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Cocoa City Council held its regular meeting on January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included agenda amendments, approval of prior minutes, recognition of community volunteers, public comments, a retirement investment presentation, passage of multiple ordinances, and discussions on street resurfacing, mural design, meeting schedules, and infrastructure concerns. All actions were taken unanimously except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the regular meetings of October 14, 2025 and October 28, 2025.
• Recognized Chef Wesley Smith and Kitchen Assistant Sonia Nosira for their service at the Sharing Center, which serves 120–130 meals per day to the community.
• Approved the consent agenda (item 5) as a whole.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anita Gibson (resident, 451 Stone Street) expressed frustration over unresolved home repair issues dating to a contract signed October 11, 2023, which was transferred to Habitat for Humanity. She stated she has sent correspondence to the city council, city manager, and the executive director of Habitat, and intends to escalate her concerns to the CRA Diamond Square Council.
• Triple G provided an update on the Cocoa Brevard Museum, reporting average daily attendance of 72 guests (over 10,000 total), 33 docent-led tours, 1,033 volunteer hours, 325 hours from train volunteers, 65 hours from Space Coast Geocachers, and 96 hours from master gardeners maintaining the butterfly garden. He noted a major win: American Cruise Lines will increase from 4 to 14 excursions in spring 2026. The museum's board has expanded to include a PhD and a certified educator, and an MOU with staff is being pursued.

Discussion Items

Recognition of Sharing Center Staff

• Councilmember Goins led a recognition ceremony for Chef Wesley Smith and Sonia Nosira, highlighting their dedication. Mayor and council members expressed gratitude, and the director of the Sharing Center thanked the council.

Retirement Investment Performance Presentation

• Justin Bogart of SageView presented the 2025 annual summary of the city's 457 and 401A retirement plans, which hold approximately $16 million in total assets. Three-year average returns were over 15% for the 457 plan and over 16% for the 401A plan. Fee benchmarking placed consulting fees in the top quartile and total costs in line with peers. The presentation also noted 63 new enrollees in the 457 plan in 2025 and updated 2026 contribution limits.

Street Resurfacing (Item 7-3)

• Public Works proposed the FY2026 annual street resurfacing project, budgeted at $500,000 (including $452,197 for construction with VA Paving via a county cooperative contract, plus a contingency of $47,803). The program targets streets in poor or failing condition based on a 2015 pavement condition index updated annually. Councilmember Coss raised concerns about equity, noting that District 4 has seen minimal resurfacing in recent years. Deputy Mayor Goins countered that historically underserved areas (e.g., Diamond Square) are now receiving infrastructure improvements. The item was approved unanimously.

Meeting Date Schedule (Item 7-4)

• Council discussed the 2026 meeting calendar. Councilmember Weeks successfully moved to retain individual district town hall meetings: District 3 on March 18, District 4 on October 20, and District 1 and 2 dates to be determined. A state-of-the-city meeting will also be scheduled on a date to be determined. The motion passed unanimously.

Vulnerability Assessment Resolution (Item 7-5)

• City Manager Witten presented a resolution accepting the final vulnerability assessment for sea level rise impacts through 2070, required by the FDEP grant (24 PLN 48). The resolution passed unanimously.

Ordinance Readings

• Four Corners Overlay District (First Reading): Ordinance 02-2025 (LDR amendment) and Ordinance 01-2025 (Comprehensive Plan text amendment) – both postponed to February 24, 2026, to allow staff more time to discuss design regulations with property owners. Unanimous.
• Solid Waste Agreement (Second Reading, Ordinance 14-2025) : Modified the franchise agreement with Waste Management of Florida, Inc. to correct an oversight and revise service charges. Public hearing held; no public comment. Approved unanimously.
• Natural Gas Franchise (Second Reading, Ordinance 13-2025) : Approved a non-exclusive franchise with Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc. (dba Florida City Gas). Councilmember Coss asked about the location of gas lines; city attorney explained that critical infrastructure maps are confidential. Approved unanimously.
• Reasonable Accommodation and Certified Recovery Residents (Second Reading, Ordinance 12-2025) : Added certified recovery residences as principal and special exception uses in certain districts. Approved unanimously.

Mural at Provost Park (Item 7-2)

• Council discussed a mural to be installed on the fitness court at Provost Park, which would highlight up to six historical figures. Each council member nominated three names (totaling 11 unique individuals: Ed Jones, Norman "Big Shook" Davis, Nathaniel Hooks, Dr. W.O. Wells Sr., James Rowe Sr., Mary Dorn, Mildred Williams, Frank Sullivan, Mrs. Monroe, Rishay Sims, and Rosemary McGill). The council agreed to survey the public on their preferences, then bring results back for final decision. A motion to close the name submission passed unanimously.

Councilmember Hearn's Initiatives (from Reports)n- Councilmember Hearn made two motions: (1) to display photos of all African American elected officials from Cocoa in the Collins Museum, and (2) to rename Valencia Avenue (near the museum and the Michael Blake subdivision) as "Jake Williams Jr. Drive." The city policy requiring resident signatures was waived since there are no residents on that street. Both motions passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of minutes: October 14 and 28, 2025 minutes approved.n- Recognition: Sharing Center staff recognized.n- Consent Agenda: Approved.n- Four Corners ordinances: Postponed to February 24, 2026.n- Solid waste ordinance: Approved seond reading.n- Natural gas franchise: Approved second reading.n- Reasonable accommodation ordinance: Approved second reading.n- Mural process: 11 names forwarded for public survey; council wi make final decision.n- Street resurfacing: Approved $500,000 project with contingency; new citywide pavement assessment budgetd for FY2026.n- Meeting schedules: Town halls on March 18 (D3), October 20 (D4), and TBD for D1, D2; state-of-the-city meeting TBD.n- Vulnerability assessment resolution: Approved.n- Councilmember Hearn's motions: Approved (museum photo display and street renaming).

Reports

• City Manager: Noted receipt of Excellence in Financial Reporting award (FGFOA), a $5.2 million water quality grant for septic-to-sewer project (J and K), and Cocoa High's 2025 graduation rate of 80.3% (up from 72% the previous year). Announced a hidden gems video contest entry.
• Economic Development: Upcoming business showcase and market on January 21, 2026 at the Cocoa Civic Center.
• Councilmember Weeks: Reported on storm-related sinkholes/erosions at several locations (Beverly Road, Indian River Dr., and others). Council requested a written report from staff on city stormwater pipe incidents.
• Councilmember Coss: Shared photos from holiday events, new development in District 4, and her attendance at a league of cities event.
• Deputy Mayor Goins: Provided updates on MLK events, a silent piano event, and a discussion with the city manager about zoning for duplexes/triplexes in Diamond Square to foster affordable housing.
• Councilmember Hearn: Presented photos from the 5k run for first responders and from holiday activities.