[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6210031,"mediaKeyId","3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179","parentId",3728544,"title","Council approves $7,000 to cover increased tariffs for Fourth of July fireworks","audioSeconds",340,"startMs",3960000,"endMs",4300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179&start=3960&end=4300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179/thumbnail_3960000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210031/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Council-approves-7000-to-cover-increased-tariffs-for-Fourth-of-July-fireworks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210031-3246a68479f603bbd84e8dcf73ac5650/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439980&Signature=eNO8NBQPiwTgcmvqpSJK9gtKQcHanWxRvHmchhFU9uFeq2UrriXBnUYzDcfzCzcCVdvX5ThvXU1WhDcvs-z-xl7Du08Yrp97oN1IaN5C29Yg-Ym1ZTNoO59nFaOlQmv8ldc8D0Nn1jXYOFqiQza9LsSzUSq6tx84Z6d9p~fFpKf1Z7WgQdb-9VVEEN4dyM59BKlrDi8JZxFxuAlWpNzJPZrYU45~kJFuv2TGsmirJbLL1ZiD53EC6YNfllziTdACt~GvxiZ2mPND5EULOYvBCO7l96d59erHzcaAz0G4mCKh5wBm8VjnqdTm2S~rFUGVJH2oxIDsHog3sawONI4QHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sebastian, FL","date","2025-06-10T11:18:20Z","article","The Sebastian City Council approved a $7,000 payment to Extreme FX LLC to cover increased tariffs and import fees on fireworks contracted for the city’s Freedom Festival.

Parks and events staff said the contractor notified the city that overseas supplier tariffs had risen sharply — staff cited a 145% tariff increase reported by the contractor — and that Extreme FX requested a 25% increase to the total contract price. The contract signed in 2022 included language that allows the city to cover tariffs if they occur; staff said the city had already paid a $14,000 down payment on this year’s show and would forfeit that deposit if the city did not approve the increase.

Event staff told the council they would not pay an asserted $700 late fee and had asked the contractor to remove that charge. Council members voted to approve the additional $7,000, which staff said would be processed as a purchase order to cover tariffs and associated import fees so the planned fireworks display can proceed.

The action was taken by roll call with all present voting yes. Staff said they will review future contracting options because this is the third year under the current three-year agreement and the city will solicit or negotiate future terms for fireworks services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 9, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council authorized a $7,000 purchase order to cover a contractor request tied to a 145% tariff increase on imported consumer fireworks, citing contract language that the city would cover tariffs.","taxTitle","Sebastian , Indian River County, Florida","taxId",52013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210036,"City accepts FDEP resilience planning grant and hires Kimley-Horn for adaptation plan",213,3487000,3700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179&start=3487&end=3700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179/thumbnail_3487000.jpg","/articles/6210036/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/City-accepts-FDEP-resilience-planning-grant-and-hires-Kimley-Horn-for-adaptation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210036-76686f5df6d236c4ddd4d336d5f61840/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439980&Signature=ZR-itBNh81tA2dDUBAZo-tCp-mENrhr37lXPHCs3biJXeemYOv1NZ10xxFW50bgywRR3O0t~Xc5sbNTyvLGZQSy70Gkx8Pmdf4W5v8X2fYzUM~TKzLu7JxT8lIZtYr~4pL4kEQwNHialoNiss1f4biFADvifkCF1ZEARA7eP7xxbpMHb5ZCtgMJALgIFy5v6DG~G1nvtkwrVRPsSaiF8XceiplQxnuUgSAhVD4h2vnz1i-npS8W4u5Bqvyq77-fPhtoD5tBnDdxCwYvQZvVgN6OmAmMK8UXiqvnlaWtn6a1DXwYlDQR7929h4H9bC7ZXEU-57Ypc4Gy8WEpjxunXAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sebastian City Council voted to accept a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Planning Grant (25PLN'23) and to authorize a contract with Kimley-Horn in the amount of $55,000 to prepare an adaptation plan based on a previously completed vulnerability assessment.

Planner Lisa Miller told council the grant application was submitted last year and that the award would fully fund the adaptation planning project. The adaptation plan will translate the city’s earlier vulnerability assessment into prioritized capital improvement projects addressing shoreline, seawalls, lift station resilience and lagoon infrastructure. Miller said Kimley-Horn, the firm that prepared the vulnerability assessment, is familiar with the project and staff recommended continuing with them for continuity.

Council approved Resolution R-25-20 to accept the FDEP grant and then approved CSA 11 to Kimley-Horn for $55,000, authorizing the city manager to execute the work order. Staff said the consultant will produce design-level recommendations and project lists that can support future grant-funded construction projects.

Council voted unanimously to accept the grant and hire Kimley-Horn; staff will oversee the adaptation plan work and return with recommended capital projects.","Sebastian accepted a Florida Resilient grant to fund an adaptation plan based on a prior vulnerability assessment and authorized a $55,000 professional services contract with Kimley-Horn to produce that plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210041,"Council approves FAA-funded apron expansion design, hires engineer and extends tenant lease at airport",397,3283000,3680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179&start=3283&end=3680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179/thumbnail_3283000.jpg","/articles/6210041/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Council-approves-FAA-funded-apron-expansion-design-hires-engineer-and-extends-tenant-lease-at-airport","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210041-d4a4e9365e4ca39080abfc95855572e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439980&Signature=U91wxXyY9KZ7xhjjHRayjQLGRrnnAzd1jGbYyGUS4eEhElofCm5mZ5fFfVZiQG6LC92efduYLjyFrcKSA7v6AJ47zPbY0sfQVUHeKEfdzmgcLZ1Z5OOFW1~J2lIhFBZg74siTibZjW4bgbkxLBmoDSJx8Ge-NVtAB-Mew-Btwm5vd4BggqDL-XpJepqFYsrSnPvV4cGxeXanuC0hNbLj8TWI5nArqBYu5T9BiVgbRgzhbohHZADxMn8tK72j1LINqsHIUgmkq7qYxWYpTShal2jrbEkkEPR-sxdRfP8I9SBgp~C-mIslqTir1bdnJNlT8Uzii6N31NgCbArTCkP8nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sebastian City Council approved a package of airport items including acceptance of an FAA grant for design of a terminal apron expansion, the selection of Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering to perform design and grant-application services, and a one-year lease extension for Connection Air LLC to continue office operations in the terminal building.

Airport staff explained the terminal apron currently supports six aircraft parking spaces and that growth in based and transient traffic — including a flight school and larger hangars — has created demand for more ramp spaces. The FAA grant will fund the design phase to expand the apron area; staff said the design would roughly double parking capacity from six to 12 spaces and avoid moving the existing fuel pump by reconfiguring pavement and access. The council approved Resolution R-25-19 to accept the FAA grant and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement.

Council then approved CSA 15 to Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering to perform the detailed design, survey, geotechnical testing and to assist with a future FAA construction grant. Staff said the increased FAA funding share reduced the city’s expected local share to roughly 2.5 percent, or about $5,121 for the design phase. The consultant selection passed on roll call.

The council also approved a lease extension for Connection Air LLC, a local charter operator that rents terminal office space and has signed a ground lease to build larger hangars on the airport. Staff said the tenant rents terminal office space for customer-facing operations and separately pays rent for shade hangar spaces. Council discussed whether landing or parking fees apply; staff explained the airport presently does not charge landing fees for tenants but does collect parking fees for transient aircraft through the fixed-base operator under its privileges.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the grant acceptance, consultant contract and lease extension. Staff said the apron design will include drainage improvements, light-pole relocation, and security-camera adjustments and will return with detailed plans and construction grant applications.","Council accepted an FAA grant to design a terminal apron expansion at Sebastian Municipal Airport, approved Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering for design services, and approved a one-year lease extension for tenant Connection Air LLC.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210046,"Council clears reading for townhome dimensional code changes, asks staff to review garage requirement",753,2427000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179&start=2427&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179/thumbnail_2427000.jpg","/articles/6210046/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Council-clears-reading-for-townhome-dimensional-code-changes-asks-staff-to-review-garage-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210046-6071d5945ccfb13141f7d0a6108b53a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439981&Signature=Wy25As1IyzKlhnqcu3MNdQOmKYtDZQG32tGY4RlJ9iggW6xMdaZJ1Lc-AmOjOkv0wB3Q3-lF2L4jqoDFYKLmLBzXG8k3djwrCt8spnU08hbBIi024Xym3-CVtk0JK65bRzFyTEvt~nc6YPqlMwNh8jr22OteP10pZC~dx28Qmi95H0Yeidh2UT3UZg~Xoml1Jz1F9dL60Tmhu8Dv2dAoyX7HbH-Ry2eOsb-ONdXbxZm3XY7GWVUZgYfCpmKZ1Dyb19G6-FW5RiXg6wi1BFlULzIprHjuOft7pjKsFCk6iHu~H0cIxL2SGaR0YjMenwTO~IhkyRmF3mT1aFCS7gCnUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sebastian City Council approved a motion to set a public hearing for Ordinance O-25-12, a land development text amendment that would change townhouse dimensional rules in the RM-8 and RM-10 zoning districts and schedule adoption hearings for June 25.

Jim Mann of the Community Development Department presented the amendment, saying the changes respond to recent townhome submittals showing a trend toward narrower lots and longer buildings. Mann said the proposal would reduce minimum lot width from 25 feet to 20 feet, increase lot depth from 75 to 90 feet, and change minimum lot area from 1,875 square feet to 1,800 square feet. For RM-8, he said the proposed side setback would drop from 10 feet to 5 feet while the minimum separation between buildings would increase from 15 feet to 20 feet. Mann described additional administrative corrections to reinstate footnotes added at the 2021 RM-10 code adoption that did not carry into the codified community code.

Several council members asked staff to revisit the code’s garage and parking language. One council member noted that RM-8 currently appears to require a garage while RM-10 allows off-street parking, carports or surface parking. That member said requiring an interior garage raises construction cost and reduces affordability, and asked whether RM-8 could allow other off-street parking solutions. Planning staff responded that “a carport is to be considered a garage” under the code definition but agreed to review the consistency between RM-8 and RM-10 and bring back language that would be cohesive for both districts.

Council members also requested a clearer redline version of the draft showing additions and deletions; staff said the printed packet omitted some footnotes when exported from the code system and that the corrected language would be included before final reading.

The council voted to set the ordinance reading and public hearing for June 25. The city will take public comment at that hearing and staff said it would return with clarified code language addressing the garage/carport definition and the 1- vs. 2-story setback differences between districts.","Council set a public hearing date for Ordinance O-25-12, a Land Development Code amendment changing townhouse lot widths and depths in RM-8 and RM-10 zones and corrected footnotes; members asked staff to evaluate whether garages should remain required in RM-8.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210051,"Council votes to leave vacant seat open until next election after attorney opinion",1345,4235000,5580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179&start=4235&end=5580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3728544-bf13ef57873c32b8edfbe3a6589b8179/thumbnail_4235000.jpg","/articles/6210051/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Council-votes-to-leave-vacant-seat-open-until-next-election-after-attorney-opinion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210051-19c34ec06ff7e9f224a20593b6a35cbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439981&Signature=GwWSLMsrSoPbGx7hvNnMGLWV4Uu6oUzC-1QdTmMDActOhc9CjQ5eFihVtwqBbkEEsFwZ73RF70b02kfZUqxxHM6XfFnxRHPu7~83vHoHBo1GME4m48bVemR4SjyBiRYKyTCuy6UpI7RGHVu42aThOTbsqm5qoW3CAYuhXBP0B1SsWkwxRfnCGCZ1gW18DUB6xSTm3YSsD7NgVY0fnWg7l2SzU-b97km-FAGj~cyIOUcZoYBTw16lWriuFkARo6V5Ortih2aw0QHzeChgXAX4QOgg76A2OabbyMjmpzE9Ume0eeZYTjEgtmNd-ptwTndyqZhL4EAzjW~BVhfGeMhuAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sebastian City Council voted unanimously to leave the council seat vacated by Council Member Dixon open until the next general election, after hearing a legal opinion that the charter language is ambiguous but supports leaving the seat vacant as a low-risk option.

City Attorney reviewed Charter section 2.08 and the applicable Florida law and told the council the charter is ambiguous about whether a vacancy should be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term or left for the next election. She said the council had four viable paths: appoint a replacement until the next general election, appoint for the remainder of the term, call a special election, or leave the seat vacant until the next election. The attorney advised that leaving the seat vacant “is recommended as minimal risk.”

The council also received a legal concurrence from Andrew Mai, outside complex counsel, who said, “I concur in her opinion,” and noted he saw no legal reason to recommend a special election. Several members of the public urged the council to let voters decide. Resident Grace Reed said, “I strongly support leaving this position vacant until the next election.” Vicky Drumheller told council she shared Reed’s view and that a short interim appointment would not give an appointee time to be effective before election season.

Resident Damien Gilliams, who told the clerk he had submitted a written request to be considered for appointment, said in public comment, “I respectfully assert that I am the appropriate individual to fill that current vacancy,” citing his candidacy and vote totals from the last municipal election. The council took public comment, acknowledged receipt of written materials on the item, and then closed public input before deliberation.

After discussion about legal risk, public trust and the timeline for candidate qualification with the supervisor of elections, a council member moved to adopt the attorney’s fourth option—leave the seat vacant and put the position on the next election ballot. The motion passed on roll call with all present members voting yes. The council directed the city clerk to coordinate with the supervisor of elections to place a one-year term (the remainder of the vacated seat’s term) on the upcoming election and to have the Charter Review Committee consider clarifying the charter language for future elections.

The council also noted the practical timeline: the clerk must comply with qualifying deadlines in mid-August, and that any change to the charter would likely require review by a charter committee and placement on a future ballot rather than the imminent election.","After legal review of City Charter section 2.08, the Sebastian City Council voted unanimously to leave the vacant council seat open and let voters fill it at the next general election rather than appointing a replacement or calling a special election.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $7,000 to cover increased tariffs for Fourth of July fireworks

City accepts FDEP resilience planning grant and hires Kimley-Horn for adaptation plan

Council approves FAA-funded apron expansion design, hires engineer and extends tenant lease at airport

Council clears reading for townhome dimensional code changes, asks staff to review garage requirement

Council votes to leave vacant seat open until next election after attorney opinion