Cocoa City Council Regular Meeting – August 11, 2026

The City Council of Cocoa, Florida, met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM at 65th Stone Street, downtown Cocoa. The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. Mayor Michael C. Blake presided, with Deputy Mayor Goyne, Councilmembers Hearn, Coss, and Weeks present. The council unanimously approved several routine items, held public hearings on utility and fire assessments, and heard a major announcement that the city had secured federal funding for the Brightline multimodal passenger station.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes for the regular meeting of August 11, 2026 (item 2-1), the special meeting of May 19, 2026 (item 2-2), and the regular meeting of May 26, 2026 (item 2-3).
• Consent Agenda: Approved the consent agenda (items listed under the consent portion) unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lloyd A. Roberts (Echo Connects): Presented a video of a free summer camp he operated for eight days, serving 3rd-6th grade students. He requested support for a spring break camp and a full-month summer program in July.
• Pastor Stephen A. Brock (Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church): Reported on the “Soul for Souls” event that provided new shoes to nearly 300 children, in partnership with Cocoa PD and community organizations. He thanked the city and announced a follow-up event after winter break.
• Paul Donovan: Raised drainage concerns on Angelica Street (water does not drain due to fill from a nearby development) and a dangerous grate on Michigan Avenue that caused his truck to slip. He asked the city to address these issues.
• Anita Gibson: Asked for paving of Fifth Boulevard and Stone Street, noting that construction traffic has left roads in poor condition.
• Robert Bliven (speaking on utility rates): Presented a historical comparison showing that his water/sewer bill rose from $45.11 (for 7,000 gallons in March 1999) to $138.32 (for the same consumption in February 2026), an increase of 106%, slightly above the CPI of 102% for the same period. He urged the city to keep rate increases minimal.
• Mr. East (Silice): Complained that the city had not repaired a leak at his home despite multiple calls.
• Ho Sway (speaking on the drone grant): Expressed concerns about privacy and potential misuse of drones by future leadership. He also questioned long-term costs once the grant expires.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – Florida Water Professionals Month: Mayor Blake proclaimed August 2026 as Florida Water Professionals Month. Utilities Director Jack Walsh accepted, and council thanked the utilities staff.
• Utility Rates and Handbook Changes (Public Hearing 6-1): Financial staff presented an annual rate update. Following the revenue sufficiency analysis by Stantec, the resolution calls for a 0% rate increase for FY2027 and 4% increases in subsequent years. The utility handbook includes updates, including a 180-day cap on temporary meters (used for construction). The hearing was opened, public comment heard, and then the council approved the item unanimously.
• Grissom Parkway Comp Plan Amendment & Rezoning (Public Hearings 6-2 & 6-3): Both items were postponed to a date certain of September 8, 2026. The council voted unanimously to postpone.
• Fire Protection Special Assessment (Public Hearing 6-4): The preliminary assessment resolution (2026-061) establishes a 3% rate increase for FY2027, recovering an estimated 39% of the fire department’s cost. Councilwoman Weeks asked about the history of the fire assessment. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Stormwater Utility Assessment (Public Hearing 6-5): Resolution 2026-062 sets a 2% rate increase for FY2027, based on a Stantec revenue sufficiency study. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Map Amendment – 155 Ruth Street (Public Hearing 6-6): First reading of an ordinance changing the zoning of two parcels (0.9 acres total) from Brevard County RU19 to City of Cocoa RU17 (single-family residential). The applicant intends to build one single-family home on each parcel. Staff analysis found consistency with the comprehensive plan and no adverse impacts. Approved on first reading unanimously.
• Street Renaming – Valencia Avenue to Jake Williams Junior Avenue (Item 7-1): Council approved the resolution unanimously.
• COPS Grant for Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) (Item 7-2): The council approved an application for a $200,000 federal Community Policing Micro Grant to acquire drones. A discussion ensued on privacy and safeguards; Police Chief Collier explained that drones would be used for tactical operations and emergencies. Deputy Mayor Goyne noted that the city manager has authority over police leadership. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved by unanimous votes.
• Brightline Station Funding Secured: City Manager Stockton Whitten announced that the city received a federal grant of approximately $57.48 million for the Cocoa Multimodal Station, which will ultimately cost about $95 million. Congressman Mike Haridopolos communicated the award earlier that day. Council members expressed excitement about the transformative economic development potential, including the creation of a “North Town Center.” The next steps include preliminary engineering and site design.
• Postponed Items: The Grissom Parkway comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning were postponed to September 8, 2026.
• Next Meeting: The council will hold its next regular meeting on a future date; the meeting adjourned with a motion.