[{"_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",6466029,"mediaKeyId","5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2","parentId",5826108,"title","Cocoa council approves first reading to move sidewalk-cafe fee setting to council resolution","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",2022000,"endMs",2174000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2&start=2022&end=2174","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2/thumbnail_2022000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466029/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Cocoa-council-approves-first-reading-to-move-sidewalk-cafe-fee-setting-to-council-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466029-c7630014183bd7797c0c3b4d2a44f152/orig.mp4?Expires=1775419059&Signature=KVScGVPpyq~OyQCVt0zmeffvuRjl6H3SnnCmOKanYTnBFIyXo8K~W9pFjyM2F5hRIR39r6E2dDTcXUQNEAim86kP-rPk324FiHK9Wun~ilheOWeTKGOfOcG2DxsvPtQwP30O-DXF8oNJ5mHzFEtxx0HO1JgSMtO6nQOlnMurZRWTPubTj1t~-rHx4ePAuMl8IaAdl10UhhbxJ4AmLMdySteciMDMi3Lkr4LcWiBDStLAuVodmZuwSE-8fVem4j1kBVvIrjaIPLGWUxXj9FdiFvrYW5AWWcACy2XCjWqlrpt245ZwrCSKaZuRxi8xukIRkClix-IqKWnYRoeljGGr1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cocoa","date","2025-09-24T17:18:24.097Z","article","The Cocoa City Council on Sept. 23 approved on first reading Ordinance 11-2025, a procedural change that would let the council set annual sidewalk cafe permit fees by resolution rather than keeping a fixed $25 fee embedded in the city code.

City attorney Esquire Garganese summarized the ordinance as a narrow, procedural amendment to chapter 14, article 3, section 14-68. Planner Lucy (Miss Lucy) told council staff will prepare a planning and zoning fee schedule as a resolution for council review at a future meeting.

The change removes the fee amount from the code and gives the council the flexibility to update the annual fee by resolution. Deputy Mayor Weeks moved the ordinance forward and Councilwoman Koss seconded; the motion passed unanimously on first reading.

Staff said the item is a first reading and that council will see the fee schedule resolution at the next meeting when staff presents the published schedule for adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting, September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On first reading the council approved an ordinance amending chapter 14 to allow annual sidewalk cafe permit fees to be set by future council resolution instead of being hard-coded in the city code.","taxTitle","Cocoa, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",56163,"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},6466034,"Cocoa council declines FDOT request to take on Clear Lake Road landscaping, cites funding shortfall and missing irrigation",1561,2249000,3810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2&start=2249&end=3810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2/thumbnail_2249000.jpg","/articles/6466034/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Cocoa-council-declines-FDOT-request-to-take-on-Clear-Lake-Road-landscaping-cites-funding-shortfall-and-missing-irrigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466034-df9a5e4c198e0b5f7a4d0dfdbb0625b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775419059&Signature=ZutJ0-ZtcGTKfsHggJ54GRcGh70k2HcfO5yHWiCCYkrhaq~i0wwFWBI5it3JRQBRgE9Rpg01LcsHyAG-YLXAX2QPuGNcDUfrDf0LEuDpeUdJcFgGzjdndou~hUo4jT53u4N2Jt2d6MGTOPdsb1AEYz9VSOIMefbiYBtMclKnkJCtl4kYJaemgF~GGSqCj4f04N9oEPJhwLRk-S3tRuVXDxQnotP8qTaj9KINAbWMHIGxG4ipt43PenNG~WrJp5MCBDGNsLw6p4DfGo4tMP5Vk4SVx8FGeX-Q8hmwbvnn4yRrt1-lqdMiToW0Hx6lbHDuPf111ZyD2KSHiozLdDl~Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cocoa City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to decline the Florida Department of Transportation\u0000(FDOT) request that the city assume landscaping maintenance for Clear Lake Road medians and rights-of-way from State Road 520 to the south side of Michigan Avenue.

Public Works staff told the council that FDOT did not install irrigation in the medians during the recent Clear Lake Road safety project and that the project\u0000construction notes do not provide sufficient soil excavation or irrigation provisions to sustain plantings long term. Abby Morgan, presenting for staff, said the current memorandum of agreement (MOA) reimburses the city $62,530 a year for maintaining 11.364 miles of state roads but that the city's actual maintenance costs for that work total $174,974, creating a net annual deficit of $112,444.

Council members said those figures, plus the lack of irrigation and the severity of the roadway subgrade, made it infeasible to accept additional responsibility without new funding. \"No irrigation was installed in medians and rights of way as part of the safety project,\" Morgan said during her presentation. \"Unirrigated shrubs and ground covers are unlikely to survive long term.\" Councilwoman Koss added that the state's design and soil compaction standards can make plant survival difficult without heavier investment.

Council discussed two options prepared by staff: decline FDOT's request to expand the city's maintenance limits (keeping the current MOA in place), or negotiate with FDOT to revise landscape plans and seek additional reimbursement before assuming responsibility for the additional segments. The council approved the first option by voice vote. The motion to decline the FDOT expansion was placed on the floor by the chair and seconded by Councilman Hearn; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff said the existing MOA expires in March 2026, giving the city time to continue negotiations if it chooses. Morgan told council that FDOT had indicated it will maintain to FDOT standards unless the city agrees to take on higher-level standards at its own cost. Council members asked staff to prepare a more detailed fiscal analysis and an option that would show the cost to the city of building and maintaining medians to an enhanced, city-preferred standard. Councilmember Coles and others asked that staff consult IFAS or similar landscaping experts for best practices if the council later decides to pay for soil replacement and irrigation.

The council's vote preserves the city's current maintenance responsibilities under the existing MOA and rejects the proposal to add the Clear Lake medians and county segments without additional FDOT funding. Staff said it will return to council with further analysis if negotiations with FDOT continue or if council requests a city-funded enhancement plan.","The Cocoa City Council voted unanimously to decline the Florida Department of Transportation\u0000(FDOT) request that the city assume maintenance of newly built medians and rights-of-way on Clear Lake Road, citing a reimbursement gap, lack of irrigation and poor soil conditions.",{"_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},6466014,"Council renews municipal services agreement with Cocoa Village Main Street, approves parks grant and authorizes reapplication for railroad grant",530,3866000,4396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2&start=3866&end=4396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2/thumbnail_3866000.jpg","/articles/6466014/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Council-renews-municipal-services-agreement-with-Cocoa-Village-Main-Street-approves-parks-grant-and-authorizes-reapplication-for-railroad-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466014-540c37774492d7d176033522f6fe49bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775419059&Signature=dEly0tF2~ZheZ6WjkB7xisNLg1qhkIIfwg~aGBF-vi8JX86ePs96BThKV69FAwkVB8vaxi9KDslhZLDNzCWNMywfjl09f6N~6i6V4q8~XEzGr8l71bUz3kPf7Y71IhGWKnuMxVbt0fWHz6n~82M2SZanESKTzlvLASwjL6D7Rb8MR4J~Jh833YTgZPlApPSb2EOAON5oUm0g7a9Esa7v7rH~7yOtBoWHmh~n2O0JfSf~zFGCXYhx7-iV2Ho~8nxBy3K12pLjdo-KAQnMS~Brs1pRaIfWAuevQMVHaO~1RQVl9oprhjE~4q8jybH7nDJMk~B6E8ckxFmzyJT-NFSQUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cocoa City Council on Sept. 23 approved multiple administrative items related to downtown services and grant applications.

Council renewed the municipal services agreement with the Historic Cocoa Village Main Street Association. Miss Singer described the arrangement as a municipal services agreement under which Main Street provides services to the city and, in exchange, receives office space at the Porsche House for a discounted rate of $1 per year plus common-area maintenance of about $40 a month. The agreement expires in July 2026 and includes up to three one-year renewals by mutual consent; the city manager will have authority to approve renewals under the terms presented.

Council also approved a parks-related grant application and a grant listed as \"national recreation and park association grant 2025-914\"; the council approved staff to pursue that grant. During reports staff also said the city received a grant for day slips that staff described as \"just under $3,000,000.\" The meeting record did not include further contract details for that award.

Separately, staff sought and received council approval to reapply for a reissued federal railroad-related grant opportunity (described on the agenda as an application to a federal railroad program). Staff said the federal notice of funding had been reissued with wording changes and that staff would submit an updated application following the new NOFO. Miss Singer said staff had previously submitted an application and would reapply under the reissued terms; council authorized staff to proceed.

All motions on these items passed unanimously. Staff said it will return with grant NOFO details and any recommended agreements for council consideration where required.","The council approved a renewed municipal services agreement with Historic Cocoa Village Main Street Association, approved a parks-related grant, and authorized staff to reapply for a reissued federal railroad-related grant application.",{"_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},6466019,"Residents press council on traffic calming and delayed home repairs; staff pledges follow-up",1407,334000,1741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2&start=334&end=1741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2/thumbnail_334000.jpg","/articles/6466019/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Residents-press-council-on-traffic-calming-and-delayed-home-repairs-staff-pledges-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466019-06bec9232d1bc0e763933179e8e4becc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775419059&Signature=n85-qgLTIGM7Oi2LxXd~U4oiVlXQs2u~IF4-eOTsvQjy66nVF~pKuvXv0NwhJ-vHKNukZ~HJsYlNJEjjmjY6YvKxlg88LUODGdfjkoaAgqK1ZEuRELW5PmpJV2IEPwWaqHgKo4U3c2ej2fZ2Wgq6sztEUVk0cXpvRYlnM~8bo5uq-QIu2lbHfCcci2VM1mZqB2TjhNTqr-EvBS3RdZPdHfOzDVnsREmT5pCAgcchtqnMbDPyQ9vmaaBSRHINU6DWNHMiocPvwJNZ5xuu8tEuaRrkPkysCSZV9KFp1TkS0Wv2Ns0VEQnJyzfHcKZRjXDtsCV2tMfP1PxXa1q5IhyUPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two members of the public used the council\u0000public comment period on Sept. 23 to raise local safety and housing concerns and asked the city for follow-up.

William Kyle said traffic on Factory Street has become too fast and asked the city to add speed tables to reduce the risk to children and older residents. Kyle said the corridor is being used as a cut-through when traffic backs up on nearby SR 520. City officials told him there is an established process for traffic-calming requests and that staff would follow up.

Resident Anita Gibson said she completed a renovation approval process through the city's program last year and has submitted large amounts of documentation, but the work on her roof and other items remains unresolved. Gibson said she has documented conversations with Habitat for Humanity and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and is frustrated by a lack of progress after a year. She also raised concerns about whether the city is budgeting adequately for police staffing and equipment as downtown housing projects proceed, saying a single incident could bottleneck Stone Street and surrounding neighborhoods.

City Manager Witten (referred to in the meeting) and other staff told commenters they would take the petitions and follow the city's paperwork and review processes. The city said it would investigate Kyle's traffic request and confirm next steps for Gibson with Habitat and CRA staff. No formal council action was taken during public comment; councilmembers thanked the speakers for bringing the issues forward and asked staff to report back when appropriate.","During public comment, a resident asked the council for speed tables on Factory Street to slow traffic; another resident urged action on a stalled home renovation coordinated with Habitat and raised safety concerns tied to local growth. City staff said they will follow established processes and investigate.",{"_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},6466024,"Local nonprofits ask Cocoa for sponsorship and partnership for Oct. 19 Prosperity and Wealth Summit",416,519000,935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2&start=519&end=935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826108-a38f33bc73ef223a9d9a8b98cbabe5e2/thumbnail_519000.jpg","/articles/6466024/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Local-nonprofits-ask-Cocoa-for-sponsorship-and-partnership-for-Oct-19-Prosperity-and-Wealth-Summit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466024-6da45a4f951a5248fc607703ca58326f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775419059&Signature=KK6vtP9wJ2qIoA1peq5TPJ4UaYLL2qBM~hU~Intpe-Hk2NbHVbHf8GlMoWHzwKy~70B81DhfD1EPPi~C13~qk51ivLt5NuTHgWQ51P6XSK9XXG3NWWlFJb1nBDahzc9He0wyowHhsYM-8IAiWDJCklEmF8M7ERupuzoXeXa42~~j~yGquH2CkLfEmcxP96E-1gHxBOzrx44fkZbAtKTqYvkRjshUjk3B7fpHV8gL61Xw9tPTF3rdztkeNYawCwj-534opqdMGPXcREKvEkx6NuYNaWsI-SSz6GGlElBK7e5ohL~8Lat3TlSJzO6MLjDiq6HhcnS3UwlXv8iJJ4s8mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Success Center, including program director George Frazier, and community faith leaders asked the Cocoa City Council on Sept. 23 to support the Prosperity and Wealth Summit, a one-day event planned for Oct. 19 that organizers said will be simulcast nationally and hosted locally at 217 Dixie Lane.

Frazier, who described the summit as a national, 15-city initiative, said the program connects families and small businesses to tools and resources aimed at building household wealth. \"The average family in Cocoa makes about $56,000 a year,\" Frazier said. \"But in order to buy a house, it costs between $260,000 and $300,000.\" He told council that the summit will pair training, business incubator services and resource tables from legal, financial and insurance experts.

Bishop Anthony Hatcher and other community leaders described local programming planned for the event, including free services and a health fair component. Organizers asked the council for help finding sponsors and promoting the event to residents. Council members said they would make the nonprofit donation application available and suggested outreach through staff and existing city channels.

Councilwoman Coles asked whether the city had money in its small nonprofit donation program; she was told there is a $5,000 allocation at the start of the fiscal year and that the city uses an application process for distribution. The clerk agreed to accept an application from the summit organizers for council consideration. Deputy Mayor Weeks confirmed the Oct. 19 date and that the local site is intended to host up to 500 in-person participants while the event is simulcast to other sites.

Organizers said they are working with partners in Rockledge and Melbourne and that the summit is intended to be the start of a year-long set of services following the one-day event. City staff did not commit specific sponsorship dollars during the meeting; staff and council asked for the formal application so the council could consider any donation through the city's established process.","Representatives of the Success Center and local faith leaders described the Prosperity and Wealth Summit, a national initiative being hosted in Cocoa/Rockledge on Oct. 19, and asked the council for partnership, publicity and potential sponsorship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cocoa council approves first reading to move sidewalk-cafe fee setting to council resolution

Cocoa council declines FDOT request to take on Clear Lake Road landscaping, cites funding shortfall and missing irrigation

Council renews municipal services agreement with Cocoa Village Main Street, approves parks grant and authorizes reapplication for railroad grant

Residents press council on traffic calming and delayed home repairs; staff pledges follow-up

Local nonprofits ask Cocoa for sponsorship and partnership for Oct. 19 Prosperity and Wealth Summit