Diamond Square Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting

MINUTES  
CITY OF COCOA 
DIAMOND SQUARE CRA 
REGULAR MEETING 
April 21, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Diamond Square Community Redevelopment Agency was held on 
April 21, 2025, at Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center, 415 Stone Street, Cocoa, FL, as 
publicly noticed. 
I. Call to Order 
Chairperson MOORE called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
Invocation:  Vice Chairperson MCQUEEN provided the invocation. 
Pledge of Allegiance:  Chairperson MOORE led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of 
the United States of America.
ROLL CALL: 
Tracy A. Moore Chairperson
Crystal McQueen Vice Chairperson
Larry Brown Agency Member
Brenda Fox Agency Member
Jackie Isom Agency Member
Angelia Smith Agency Member
Marilyn Smith Agency Member
Joseph Colombo Agency Attorney
Ryan Browne Recording Secretary 
PRESENT:
Tracy A. Moore Chairperson
Crystal McQueen Vice Chairperson
Larry Brown Agency Member
Brenda Fox Agency Member
Jackie Isom Agency Member
Angelia Smith Agency Member
Joseph Colombo Agency Attorney
Ryan Browne Recording Secretary 
ABSENT: 
Marilyn Smith Agency Member


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STAFF PRESENT:
City Manager WHITTEN and Council Liaison GOINS were present. 
 
I.Approval of Agenda:  
AGENDA: 
Agenda - Regular Meeting of April 21, 2025.
*MOTION by Agency Member FOX; SECONDED by Agency Member A. SMITH 
to approve the Agenda for the Regular Meeting of April 21, 2025, as written.  
AYES: MOORE, McQUEEN, BROWN, FOX, ISOM, A. SMITH, M. SMITH.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0)
MINUTES: 
Minutes - Special Meeting of February 24, 2025.
*MOTION by Agency Member FOX; SECONDED by Agency Member BROWN to 
approve the Minutes for the Special Meeting of February 24, 2025, as written.  
II.Delegations: 
1. Anita Gibson, Cocoa discussed the overgrown shrubs and hedges, and that the 
kitchen was not in working order at the Joe Lee Smith Center.  She also stated 
during the time period of May 28 the kids need something to do.  Agency 
Member BROWN asked about the kitchen stove and that it had not been fixed.  
City Manager Whitten explained the City shares in improvements over $5000 in 
repairs. This is a new agreement with the County, however, he will look into this.
2. Sheila from the audience stated that she just relocated from Jacksonville and 
needs a rehab on her home. She is trying to help her mother, Virginia Purdy who 
is 84 years old.  She has been on the waiting list for years.  The home is at 536 
South Varr Avenue.  She said she has spoken with City staff about this. 
Councilman GOINS added there have been a lot of people on the list, but it is 
getting shorter and the City can only do so many projects.  Discussion continued 
as regards to the process, requirements.  


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III.Presentations:
CRA Plan Update – Inspire Placemaking Collective. Presentation by Laura Martinez 
who walked through the method and how the plan was put together. She discussed the 
Framework allowed for development of updated goals for the community and the 
estimated TIF.  
IV.Action Items:
1. Request Agency approval of the Final Draft of the CRA Plan Update (2024-2025) 
and to provide any recommended changes.  Director Neuterman introduced the 
item stating the revenue has increased to a projected $569K.  There has not been 
home construction budgeted for next year.  We’ve kept the Grants and homebuyer 
assistance program in place and have the UpStart Program.  There is one 
candidate currently, and more applications are coming in.  
Discussion ensued among the board members with Agency Member M. SMITH 
asking about the interest.  Director Neuterman replied the remaining dollars from 
FY23 was in FY24 and staff won’t know the actual amount until the current FY is 
closed out in November.  She explained the budget line items and the costs 
associated with each. Vice Chair MCQUEEN mentioned the Threats and 
Weaknesses and would like to see more synergy between the two CRAs. Chair 
MOORE stated she loved the different approach as it was more imaginative and 
better visuals.  Agency Member BROWN asked about the business owners and 
the community engagement.  Small groups were held with stakeholders and 
workshops were open for everyone, however there was limited time and 
resources.  Agency Member BROWN added the plan was a good plan but shared 
concern about whether enough of the community was reached.  He would like to 
see a workshop. Vice Chair MCQUEEN agreed and City Manager Whitten added 
it would be a structured process and within the next two weeks, prior to accepting 
the Plan.  
*MOTION to approve by Agency Member BROWN; SECONDED by Agency 
Vice Chair MCQUEEN to table this item and for staff schedule a workshop and 
also vote on the plan.
AYES: MOORE, McQUEEN, BROWN, FOX, ISOM, A. SMITH, M. SMITH.
   
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) 
Chairperson MOORE reminded Agency Members, if it is not in the plan, we can not 
do it.  That is important.


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2. Request Agency consider additional compensation for Inspire Placemaking 
Collective to compensate them for extra time and effort required to complete the 
Diamond Square CRA Plan Update, including repeatedly needing to exceed the 
agreed upon number of revisions, in order to get the plan to meet agency 
standards.  Authorize City Manager to complete a BAF to adjust the budget to pay 
for the Change Order, if approved. 
Director NEUTERMAN introduced the item adding this is to consider additional 
compensation for Inspire Placemaking Collective to compensate them for extra 
time and effort required to complete the Diamond Square CRA Plan Update, 
including repeatedly needing to exceed the agreed upon number of revisions, in 
order to get the plan to meet agency standards. Councilman Goins stated this item 
is to change the cost amount from 10K to 20K and it does not include any change 
to the plan.   Chairperson MOORE reiterated, it is a dollar amount change.  
Councilman GOINS mentioned the Facade grants and that there are not many in 
the DS.  Agency Member BROWN asked how can we advertise to those 
businesses?  Director NEUTERMAN suggested to reach out to the property 
owners or handwritten letters, asking them if they want to apply.  Encourage the 
tenants to help the owner.  Agency Attorney COLOMBO added it could be 
problematic if you gave funds out ahead.  You don’t want to be a collection 
agency.  Director NEUTERMAN agreed that could be complicated and is not 
recommended. Agency Member FOX asked about code violations?  Director 
NETUERMAN added the invoices are approved 45 days within of receipt of 
invoice (per Florida statute).  We can encourage businesses especially along 520 
corridor.  Chairperson MOORE stated we used to go door-to-door to the 
businesses.  What is CCRA doing, she asked?  Director NEUTERMAN replied 
they simply have more businesses and word of mouth.  Chairperson MOORE 
suggested an education campaign with potential applicants. Agency Member M. 
SMITH asked if they can get a lower award?  Director NEUTERMAN replied if 
scope of their work is lower, they can offer lower.  
 
*MOTION to approve by Vice Chairperson MCQUEEN; SECONDED by Agency 
Member BROWN, as written.
AYES: MOORE, McQUEEN, BROWN, FOX, ISOM, A.SMITH, M.SMITH.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0)
V.Attorney’s Report:  None. 


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VI.Updates and Staff Report:  City Manager Whitten provided an update on the MCB 
Conceptual Development Plan buildout – for Lennar.  He stated there would be 32 
homes within 15 months.  A member of the audience asked about the home cost and he 
replied $279K.  He added there are five families that were income qualified.  Shauna 
Ginn of Cocoa Housing Authority explained the affordable housing rules.  
VII.Next Meeting Date: 
The next scheduled meeting of the Diamond Square Community Redevelopment 
Agency will be on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:00 pm at the City of Cocoa, Council 
Chambers, City Hall, located at 65 Stone Street, Cocoa, Florida unless a business 
need arises earlier.
VIII.Adjournment 
*MOTION to adjourn by Agency Member BROWN; SECONDED by Agency 
Member ISOM. 
AYES: MOORE, McQUEEN, BROWN, FOX, ISOM, A.SMITH, M.SMITH.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0)
MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.
 
__________________________
Tracy Moore, Chairperson 
Respectfully Submitted by:
________________________________
Ryan Browne, Recording Secretary