The Palm Bay City Council voted Monday to deny the revised Sustainability Action Plan as presented, following an extended discussion about scope, staffing and costs.

Susan Conley, representing the Sustainability Advisory Board, outlined the board’s work and described the plan as a five-year framework that incorporates environmental, economic and social dimensions. “Sustainability is a social goal for people to coexist on Earth over a long period of time. Sustainability has 3 dimensions: environmental, economic, and social,” Conley said.

City staff and several councilmembers said the plan contains many good ideas but lacks implementation resources. City Manager Morton told council there is currently no staff or budget assigned to carry out the plan’s recommendations and warned that adopting the plan without committing resources would likely leave it “on the shelf.” “If we're not willing to step up behind it and allocate resources and staff, then ... it will just be a bookend,” Morton said.

Some councilmembers said they support the advisory board and suggested directing the board to pursue targeted, staff-light tasks (for example, scoping permeable pavement or grant research) instead of adopting the broad action plan. Others raised concerns about specific language in the plan — including references to pursuing solar market designation and citywide carbon goals — and the potential for unfunded mandates.

A motion by Councilman Langevin to deny the plan as written, seconded by Deputy Mayor Jaffe, passed on the council floor. Councilmembers also agreed to retain the Sustainability Advisory Board and to consider assigning specific, narrower tasks that do not require immediate new budget allocations.

Board members said they will work with staff to refine priorities and return with more narrowly scoped proposals tied to funding or grant opportunities.

The action removes the plan as a city‑adopted five‑year implementation document but preserves the advisory board’s role in advising staff and council on sustainability issues.