Summary
Palm Bay approved co‑sponsorship for the Viva Brevard Festival, the Indian Kite Festival and the Family Christmas Extravaganza with varying votes and fee waivers; a public question prompted staff to explain a prior settlement that requires the city to provide police services for a longstanding parade.
The Palm Bay City Council approved co‑sponsorship requests for three community events and clarified why a longstanding Puerto Rican parade had earlier received different in‑kind arrangements under a prior legal settlement.
Recreation Director Daniel Waite presented three co‑sponsorship requests for fall/winter events. The items and outcomes were:
- Viva Brevard Festival (Brevard Hispanic Center), planned for Nov. 22 at Fred Poppy Regional Park; estimated attendance about 1,000, waiver of $4,107 in fees; council approved 5‑0.
- Indian Kite Festival (Indian Association of the Space Coast), Jan. 31, 2026 at Fred Poppy Regional Park; estimated attendance about 2,000; fee waiver of $3,857; council approved 4‑1.
- Seventeenth Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza at Fred Poppy Regional Park; based on past events staff estimated more than 15,000 attendees over the day, and the council approved a co‑sponsorship with fee waivers and reduced labor charges after the applicant agreed to provide volunteers; Mayor Medina abstained from the vote and the item passed 4‑0.
During public comment, resident Bill Batten asked why a different nonprofit (United Third Bridge) historically received equipment and facility services at no direct charge. City Attorney explained that a 2007 civil‑rights settlement with United Third Bridge required the city to provide police services for that parade and allowed rental options for other items; the attorney said the settlement did not obligate the city to provide all event services free of charge.
Waite told council the three current applicants had received co‑sponsorship in past years; under the revised co‑sponsorship policy, facility and equipment fees are waived but applicants are generally responsible for labor costs for the day of the event. Waite also noted one applicant qualified for administrative approval because the waived fees total under $1,500.
Why it matters: co‑sponsorships reduce event costs and allow community festivals to use city parks and services; the council’s action applied the city’s updated co‑sponsorship policy while honoring an older settlement that predated the policy.
Provenance: staff presentation of the three co‑sponsorship requests and the series of votes recorded on the record.
