City Council Meeting

Regular City Council Meeting   08-25-2026 
 
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MINUTES 
City of Cocoa 
Regular Meeting of The City Council 
August 25, 2026 
A Regular City Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Cocoa City 
Hall, in City Council Chambers, located at 65 Stone Street, in Cocoa, Florida, 32922, 
as publicly noticed. 
I.   Opening Matters: 
 
Mayor Blake called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.   
 
Councilmember Weeks provided the invocation, and Cocoa Police Officers  led the 
assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.   
 
 The City Clerk took the roll. 
 
 PRESENT:  Michael C. Blake  Mayor 
Alex Goins   Deputy Mayor 
Lavander Hearn  Councilmember  
Lorraine Koss  Councilmember (arrived 6:08pm) 
Patricia Weeks  Councilmember 
    Anthony Garganese  City Attorney  
    Stockton Whitten  City Manager  
    Monica Arsenault  City Clerk 
 
 ABSENT:    
 
 OTHER STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
Abigail Morgan, Public Works Director; Rebecca Bowman, Finance Director; Charlene 
Neuterman, Community Services Director;  Jonathan Lamm , Fire Chief;  Evander 
Collier, Police Chief; Jack Walsh, Utilities Director; Lorne Stinnett, HR Director; Mary 
Humbert, Director of Business Systems and Innovation; Samantha Senger, 
Communications & Economic Development Director; Brian Dale, Procurement and 
Budget Manager; Luci Ribeiro , Planner; Mitch Lawyer , Interim Chief Technology 
Officer; and Kat Badalov, Helpdesk Support Tech. 


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II. Approval of Agenda and Minutes: 
1.  Agenda:  Regular Meeting of August 25, 2026. (2026-585). 
 
* MOTION by  Councilmember Weeks ; Seconded by Deputy Mayor Goins  to 
approve the agenda as written. 
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (4-0) 
2.  Minutes:  Regular Meeting of June 9, 2026. (2026-586). 
 
* MOTION by  Councilmember Weeks ; Seconded by Deputy Mayor Goins  to 
approve the June 9, 2026 meeting minutes as written.  
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (4-0) 
III. Awards and Presentations: 
 
1. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (2026-729). (Mayor) 
 Councilmember Weeks  read a proclamation into the record recognizing National 
Suicide Prevention Month. 
2. Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Day Proclamation.  (2026-746). (Deputy Mayor 
Goins) 
 Deputy Mayor Goins read a proclamation into the record recognizing VPK Day. 
IV. Delegations:  
 
Ms. Teri Butler, retiree from the City of Cocoa, wished to share that she has concerns 
regarding the employee benefit task force. She stated that she retired in 2018 and was 
the previous Finance Director. Additionally, current employees have the opportunit y 
to participate in discussions surrounding their benefits, but retirees are not able to 
participate in those discussions and have no say in their benefits and have no 
representation. She asked Council to consider establishing representation for retirees. 
 


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* MOTION by Mayor Blake; Seconded by Councilmember Weeks to take up to a 
ten-minute recess.   
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
* MOTION by  Mayor Blake; Seconded by Councilmember Weeks to add a few 
more minutes to the recess. 
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
* MOTION by Councilmember Weeks; Seconded by Mayor Blake to return from 
recess. 
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
Benjamin Lucas, 327 Belmont Dr., Cocoa, shared that he teaches 6-8th grade students 
at a local Charter school. They will be designing and building a model train station that 
they would like to present to Council in honor of the Brightline Station. He is hopeful 
that maybe Council will take some of their design and architectural ideas and apply 
them to the actual station.  
Paula Knowles, representing a non-profit organization called Jermar Warriors Sickle 
Cell Alliance, Inc ., shared that  her son passed away from sickle cell leukemia, and 
they started an organization to support those with sickle cell disease and help with 
health care. They wish to bring awareness to the disease and push information out to 
the public. They would like to ask Council to partner with them and help to support the 
cause.  
Marisol Lanza, 436 Satsuma St., Cocoa, spoke on behalf of a young relative that is 
staying with her. She shared that one of her neighbors keeps harassing her relative 
and the rest of her family and there are five security cameras facing her house. They 


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are living in fear. There are drug deals going on there all day long and she can’t take 
it anymore. She wants something to be done. 
Deputy Mayor Goins asked Chief Collier if there is anything that can be done. He is 
an acquaintance of the gentleman Ms. Lanza is speaking of and is not quite sure of 
all the details Ms. Lanza has shared, however he knows this has been going on for a 
long time.   
Anita Gibson, 451 Stone St., Cocoa, spoke in furtherance of the dislike between Ms. 
Lanza and her neighbor. The gentleman is cutting Ms. Lanza’s trees down and blaring 
his music and then Ms. Lanza blares her music louder. They both have cameras facing 
each other’s property and the fighting is endless. She’d like something to be done to 
get these neighbors to be neighborly. It  is affecting all of the other surrounding 
neighbors. 
V.  Consent Agenda: 
 
1.  Street closure time change request and one additional street closure request outside 
the Central Business District. (2026-652). (Comm. & Economic Development Director) 
 
2.  Approve Change Order #1 to Purchase Order 84492 with Environmental Operating 
System, Inc. in the amount of $44,000.00 for additional Supplemental Carbon Micro -
C, utilizing piggyback agreement No. Y22 -170, increasing the total FY26 not -to-
exceed amount to $ 116,000.00; and approve Budget Adjustment (BAF) 26 -084-T. 
(2026-653). (Utilities Director) 
 
3. Approve multi -year contracts with Five9 Telecommunications (annual amount of 
$33,660.00; 5-year total of $168,300.00) and Verteks Consulting, Inc. (annual amount 
of $32,256.00; 5 -year total of $161,280.00) for a combined total annual cost of 
$65,916.00 (5-year cumulative total of $329,580.00) for the Utility Customer Service 
cloud-based call center platform; approve a Resolution waiving competitive bidding 
under the Standardization Purchase exception; and authorize the City Manager to 
execute the multi -year agreements from FY 2027 through FY 2031. (2026 -674). 
(Finance Director) 
 
4. Approval to renew group Medicare Advantage plan coverage for eligible retirees age 
65 and over with Humana. This is a multi -year agreement that spans nine months in 
FY 27 and three months in FY 28. (2026-679). (HR Director) 
 
5. Approve the contract award for ITB B -26-10-COC Cocoa Waterfront Public Docking 
and Breakwater Phase II to Shoreline Foundation, Inc., the lowest responsive and 
responsible bidder, in the amount of $2,425,925.00 (Base Bid plus Alternates); 
approve Resolution No. 2026 -XX establishing a project contingency of $398,475.00 
for a total authorized expenditure of $2,824,400.00; and authorize the City Manager 


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to execute the contract, related agreements, amendments, and purchase orders 
necessary to complete the project. (2026-696). (Public Works Director) 
 
6. Approve Task Order 2026-21 with Atlantic Development of Cocoa Inc. utilizing RFQ# 
20-18-COC for Utilities General Construction Contractor Services to abandon an out-
of-service stormwater pipe along Michigan Avenue at Stanford Drive in the amount of 
$77,466.75.  Authorize the City Manager to issue the purchase order. (2026 -701). 
(Public Works Director) 
 
7. Approve the use of contingency, BAF 26 -090-T, to resolve Stormwater negative 
accounts through year end. (2026-708). (Public Works Director) 
 
8. Approve a multi -year piggyback based on Brevard County Contract No. B -5-24-62 
with JSR Fueling Technologies, LLC for fuel pump, fuel site, and petroleum storage 
tank repair, maintenance, and inspection services through August 28, 2029.  (2026-
703). (Public Works Director) 
 
9. Approve BAF 26 -097-T for the Purchase of Panasonic Toughbook Computers for 
Public Safety. (2026-730). (Interim Chief Technology Officer) 
 
* MOTION by  Councilmember Hearn ; Seconded by  Councilmember Koss  to 
approve the Consent agenda.  
 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
VI. Public Hearings:  
1. Approve the Preliminary Assessment Resolution 2026 -064 for Fire Protection, for 
Fiscal Year 2027. (2026-693). (Finance Director)  
 
Ms. Bowman explained that  the fire protection assessment is an annual non -ad 
valorem charge levied on benefited properties to fund a portion of the City of Cocoa’s 
Fire Department operations and capital improvements. It helps ensure that essential 
fire protection and rescue services are available to all parcels in the City and provides 
a stable funding source outside of ad valorem taxes. 
Additionally, City Council approved the inclusion of a 3% rate increase in the FY2027 
budget during the July 7, 2026, Budget Workshop, based on recommendations from 
Stantec and City Staff. 
 


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This 3% increase to the Fire Protection Assessment for Fiscal Year 2027 will support 
ongoing Fire Department operations and capital improvements. The assessment, 
adopted under Ordinance 20 -2006 and compliant with Florida Statutes, is levied 
annually on benefited parcels within city limits.  
  
The assessment is projected to generate approximately $4.08 million in gross 
revenue, funding about 41% of the Fire Department's FY2027 budget. 
Ms. Bowman stated that staff is requesting the approval of  the Final Assessment 
Resolution 2026-064 for Fire Protection, for Fiscal Year 2027. 
Mayor Blake opened the Hearing for public comment. There being no questions or 
comments, the public portion of the Hearing was closed.  
* MOTION by Deputy Mayor Goins; Seconded by Mayor Blake to approve the Final 
Assessment Resolution 2026-064 for Fire Protection, for Fiscal Year 2027. 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
2. Approve the Final Assessment Resolution No. 2026 -065 for Fiscal Year 2027, 
Stormwater Utility Services. (2026-694). (Finance Director) 
 Ms. Bowman explained that the City of Cocoa established its Stormwater Utility Fee 
in 1992 (City Ordinance Sec. 22 -85) to fund ongoing operations and capital 
improvements needed to maintain stormwater infrastructure —such as drainage 
systems, ditches, swales, pipes, inlets, manholes, and retention/detention ponds.  
  
In 2018, the City retained Stantec Consulting to develop a  10-year financial plan for 
the Stormwater Fund. Stantec's modeling, based on FY 2018 audited data and the 
amended FY 2019 budget, was aligned with a parallel engineering review led by Mead 
& Hunt, which evaluated long-term infrastructure and regulatory needs, particularly for 
the Indian River Lagoon. 
  
At a May 14, 2019, workshop, Stantec proposed a shift from the existing rate structure, 
which factored both pervious and impervious surfaces, to an industry -standard 
approach based solely on impervious areas. This change aimed to promote equity 
and consist ency. During that workshop, the City Council also reviewed challenges 
associated with billing stormwater fees through utility accounts (e.g., vacant units, 


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inconsistent parcel-account matching). Council directed staff to transition to a non-ad 
valorem special assessment method using the Uniform Method of Collection under 
Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes, rather than continuing with the utility billing 
method. 
 As part of its fiduciary and legislative responsibilities, the City Council is tasked with 
reviewing and approving the Stormwater Assessment rates to ensure they are fair, 
legally compliant, and sufficient to support the City's stormwater management 
program. This includes evaluating the financial needs for maintaining and improving 
stormwater infrastructure, compliance with state and federal environmental 
regulations, and mitigating flooding risks. Council must consider public input, technical 
analyses, and  staff recommendations before adopting the preliminary and final 
assessment resolutions. Once adopted, the approved rates are transmitted to the 
Brevard County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector for inclusion in the annual 
property tax bill. 
 At the July 7, 2026, Budget Workshop, City Council approved Stantec's 
recommendation of 2% increase to the stormwater assessment rates for Fiscal Year 
2027. Per Florida Statutes and City Ordinance, a Preliminary Assessment Resolution 
must be adopted, followed by a Final Assessment Resolution after a duly noticed 
public hearing. The Final Public Hearing is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM 
in City Council Chambers. 
 The estimated gross Stormwater Assessment Revenue for Fiscal Year 2027 is $2.49 
million, Budgeted at 95% total: $2.36 million. 
 Ms. Bowman added that staff is requesting approval of the  Final Assessment 
Resolution No. 2026-065 for Fiscal Year 2027 Stormwater Utility Services and accept 
the Stormwater Rate Study prepared by our financial consultant, Stantec Consulting. 
Mayor Blake opened the Hearing for public comment. There being no questions or 
comments, the public portion of the Hearing was closed.  
* MOTION by Mayor Blake; Seconded by Councilmember Hearn to approve Final 
Assessment Resolution No. 2026 -065 for Fiscal Year 2027 Stormwater Utility 
Services. 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 


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3. PZ26-02100005 155 Ruth St Zoning Map Amendment Second and Final Reading. 
(2026-673). (Planner) 
 City Attorney Garganese announced that this is the Second and Final  Reading of 
Ordinance 12-2026 and read the title into the record as follows: 
ORDINANCE NO. 12-2026 
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COCOA, BREVARD 
COUNTY, FLORIDA,  AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION 
OF TWO (2) PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY, TOTALING 0.9 ACRES, MORE OR 
LESS, AND LOCATED GENERALLY SOUTH OF SR 520, WEST OF RUTH 
STREET, EAST OF VIRGINIA AVENUE, AND NORTH OF JACKSON STREET, IN 
COCOA, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DEPICTED AND DESCRIBED ON 
EXHIBIT “A” ATTACHED HERETO, FROM BREVARD COUNTY SINGLE-FAMILY 
RESIDENTIAL (RU -1-9), TO CITY OF COCOA SINGLE -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL 
(RU-1-7); PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT 
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
Mayor Blake opened the Hearing for public comment. There being no questions or 
comments, the public portion of the Hearing was closed.  
* MOTION by Councilmember Weeks ; Seconded by Councilmember Hearn  to 
approve Ordinance 12-2026 on Second  Reading.  
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
VII. Council Business: 
 
VIII. City Business: 
1. Council to approve a resolution amending the FY 2026 Budget, BAF 26 -096-A, to 
accept the 2025 BJA FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 
Program - Local Formula Award, JAG 15PBJA -25-GG-02953-JAGX-163503-FAW-
191745, in the amount of $18,159, project number GR2603. (2026-).(Police Chief) 
* MOTION by Deputy Mayor Goins ; Seconded by Councilmember Weeks  to 
approve a resolution amending the FY 2026 Budget, BAF 26 -096-A, to accept 
the 2025 BJA FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 


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Program - Local Formula Award, JAG 15PBJA-25-GG-02953-JAGX-163503-FAW-
191745, in the amount of $18,159, project number GR2603. 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
2. Accept State Legislative Line Item Appropriation for Provost Park Improvements. 
(2026-). (Comm. & Economic Development Director) 
 Ms. Senger shared that in October of 2025, staff submitted appropriation requests to 
our legislative delegates. The request was for $750,000 in appropriation funding to 
redevelop Provost Park. The State approved $375,000 for this project. The resolution 
is required by the Florida  Department of Environmental Protection Division of State 
Lands to start the grant agreement process. 
 
This grant will be administered as a cost reimbursement grant administered by the 
Division of State Lands through the Land and Recreation Grants Section. 
 
Once the agreement is drafted, it will come back to Council for acceptance and 
budgeting. 
* MOTION by Deputy Mayor Goins ; Seconded by Mayor Blake  to accept State 
Legislative Appropriation for Provost Park Improvements in the amount of 
$375,000 and a pprove a resolution authorizing the City to enter into an 
agreement for the grant funds. 
 THE VOTE ON THE MOTION WAS: 
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
IX.   Informational Agenda: 
1.  In accordance with the Financial Operations Manual (FOM) the City Manager shall 
submit to City Council in the form of an agenda item any approved change orders to 
construction contracts that the City Council has authorized the City Manager, by 
resolution, to approve in excess of the City Manager’s spending authority. (2026 -). 
(Finance Director) 
 


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2. In accordance with City Code, Section 2 -74, at the beginning of each month during 
the fiscal year, the City Manager shall submit to City Council data showing the relation 
between the estimated and actual income and expenses to date. (2026 -). (Finance 
Director) 
 
3.  FY 2026 July Budget Adjustment Report. (2026-). (Finance Director) 
 
4.  Police Department Capital Account Vehicle Purchase. (2026-). (Police Chief) 
 
5.  Bi-Weekly Report for August 7, 2026 - August 20, 2026. (2026-). (City Clerk) 
 
6.  Informational Only - The City of Cocoa's Open Board Vacancies. (2026-). (City Clerk) 
 
X.  Reports:   
 
Ms. Senger shared that the city is currently accepting applications for the upcoming 
Citizen’s Academy that starts in October. There are four seats left and she asked 
everyone to spread the word.  
 
Chief Collier shared that last week they had a Chief’s meeting at Oleander Pointe and 
about twenty-five residents came out to participate. He noted that it was a good and 
productive meeting and Mayor Blake and Councilmember Koss were in attendance.  
 
Deputy Mayor Goins provided his report and shared photos from events he recently 
attended. Additionally, he shared that he will be having a District 1 Update meeting 
after the Diamond Square CRA meeting at the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Center on 
September 21, 2026. The Diamond Square meeting starts at 6pm and his meeting will 
immediately follow.  
 
He also talked about flooding in the Barbara Jenkins and Valencia neighborhoods and 
shared his concerns. Thankfully the water had drained by the next morning. 
 
He was also happy to share that he took the Brightline train down to the Florida League 
of Cities conference two weeks ago.  
 
Councilmember Weeks shared photos from events she recently attended. She shared 
photos from the Florida League of Cities conference where they talked about 
Amendment 3 and she learned a lot. She also learned a lot about data centers and 
there is a lot of information out there that is accessible to the public. 
 
She shared photos from the Florida Realtor’s Association conference that she 
attended as well.  
 


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Councilmember Koss talked about the FLC Conference as well and felt it was really 
enlightening and very fascinating. She learned a lot about the data centers and was 
pleasantly surprised.  
 
Additionally, she attended an Astronomical Society meeting and learned a lot about 
lighting. As the area becomes more populated, the lights in the sky begin to diminish. 
This society is promoting smart lighting practices. She would like to bring back an 
agenda item for Council to consider smart lighting practices.  
 
Councilmember Hearn asked if we could put some pressure on FDOT to keep the 
medians on Clearlake clean as there is already some overgrowth going on.  
 
Additionally, along the SR520 and US1 corridor there are a lot of campaign signs, and 
he believes some of the signs are on city owned property. It looks unappealing and he 
asked if there are any restrictions on the placements of these signs.  
 
Mayor Blake shared photos from events he recently attended as well, including the 
FLC Conference, his appointment as Vice President to the Florida League of Mayors, 
and a Cops and Kids event with the Cocoa Police Department.  
 
XI.  Adjournment: 
 
* MOTION by Councilmember Weeks; Seconded by Mayor Blake to adjourn the 
Regular meeting of August 25, 2026.  
 AYES:  Blake, Weeks, Goins, Hearn, Koss 
 THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) 
 The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. 
 
 ________________________________ 
       Michael C. Blake, Mayor 
 ATTEST: 
 
  ______________________________ 
 Monica Arsenault, CMC, City Clerk