Cocoa City Council Regular Meeting Summary – April 14, 2026

The Cocoa City Council convened on April 14, 2026, for a regular meeting featuring the approval of several major development projects, recognition of community members, and extensive public testimony on flooding concerns. Key actions included the first reading of ordinances for a large industrial annexation on Grissom Parkway and a contentious 3-2 vote to approve a seven-home subdivision on Indian River Drive.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The agenda was approved with an amendment to add items for a community movie night and funding for the fire/EMT trainee program.
• Minutes: Minutes from the regular meetings of December 9, 2022, and January 13, 2026, were approved.

Presentations & Proclamations

• March to Graduation Campaign: Ms. Murray presented on the program aimed at increasing college attainment rates in the 32922 zip code (24% vs 50-58% countywide). In its pilot year, 85% of students reported having a plan after graduation. She requested council support and staff mentorship.
• Citizens Academy Graduation: Graduates of the City's Citizens Academy were recognized for completing the program.
• Lieutenant Raymond Rivers: Received a certificate of employee recognition for heroically rescuing a family from a house fire. Mayor Blake also thanked Fire Chief Lamb for his emotional support to the family.
• Administrative Professionals Week: Proclaimed the week of April 19-25, 2026.
• Fair Housing Month: April 2026 recognized (58th anniversary of the Act).
• Water Conservation Month: April 2026 proclaimed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Julie Shaw (Resident): Spoke about finding a large alligator on her property, illustrating the environmental conditions of the area.
• Residents on Coco Village Bay Estates (Item 6-8): Multiple residents from the Indian River Drive and Dixon Boulevard area offered extensive testimony against or with strong reservations about the project, primarily due to severe existing flooding issues.
  • Stan Lampy (Closest neighbor): Stated the drainage ditch has never been dry in eight years. He disputed claims of no active wildlife, citing alligators, red fox, and turkey vultures. He warned the driveway configurations would be underwater during storms.
  • Robert Markwith (Longtime resident, 1959): Recalled the area was a dry citrus grove and has become increasingly wet. He noted the city has not maintained the drainage channels.
  • Frank Manfredi (Former P&Z member): Argued the city lacks a real plan and is merely maximizing tax revenue. He questioned whether new homeowners would be fully informed about the flooding hazard.
  • Joseph Bacham (57-year resident): Called the property a "swamp" and urged denial, predicting lawsuits against the developer and the city if houses are built and flood.
  • Todd Riggs (MIT engineer, Resident): Criticized the standard of "no worse" as insufficient, arguing the project must "make it better" to protect current residents and the city from future liability.
  • Tim Quigley (Resident): Did not oppose the project but stated the flooding is a broader city issue and offered to personally fund backflow valves to test a solution.
  • James Smith (46-year resident): Opposed the project, specifically criticizing the lack of a rear access road for emergency egress during major flooding events.

Discussion & Action Items

• Public Safety Technology: Approved the purchase of up to four Flock cameras using budgeted funds to address violent crime in hot spots.
• Zoning Code Amendment (M2 District): Approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow large-scale commercial recreation and fitness facilities in the M2 manufacturing district.
• Grissom Parkway Annexation & Development: Approved the first readings of three ordinances to annex 45.26 acres and designate the land for Industrial/M2 Manufacturing use. The property will be developed into an industrial complex by Park Industrial LLC.
• Coco Village Bay Estates (7-Lot Subdivision): Approved the large-scale site plan and preliminary plat by a vote of 3-2.
  • Staff & Applicant Position: The project received unanimous P&Z approval. Staff and engineers presented a plan featuring stormwater ponds, wetland mitigation, and a retaining wall. The coastal floodplain fill was justified by storm surge modeling rather than traditional compensatory storage.
  • Council Opponents: Councilwoman Coss voted against the project, expressing serious concerns about floodplain loss, inadequate storm surge modeling, and the city's long-term liability. She calculated the tax revenue ($73,000/year) was insufficient for the area's infrastructure needs.
  • Council Supporters: Argued the developer met all rigorous environmental regulations and obtained approvals from the St. Johns Water Management District and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Appointments & Council Business

• Planning & Zoning Board: Richard Cravens Jr. was appointed to an alternate seat.
• Police Pension Board: Mary Jane Neff was appointed to a regular member seat (term ending Oct 1, 2028).
• Community Movie Night: Approved funding for a free community movie night at the Dr. Jolie Smith Center on May 2, 2026.
• Firefighter Trainee Program: Approved funding for up to four positions in the Cocoa High School firefighter/EMT trainee program. Fire Chief Lamb highlighted the program's success in creating a career pipeline.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: Agenda, Minutes, Zoning Text Amendment, Grissom Parkway annexations, Appointments, Movie Night, and Fire Academy funding all passed unanimously.
• Subdivision Vote: Coco Village Bay Estates passed with a 3-2 vote. Councilwoman Coss was recorded among the nays.
• Upcoming Events: Police Chief's Breakfast (April 23), Community Movie Night (May 2).
• Department Reports: City Manager reported successful Trash Bash and Arbor Day events. Police Chief noted significant progress in reducing department vacancies.