The Melbourne City Council on Oct. 14 gave staff direction to pursue transferring a small, city‑owned parcel to the Disabled American Veterans chapter that uses the site for veterans’ services, after public testimony from DAV leaders and a former council member.

Councilmember Marco Russo framed the request as a long‑standing community partnership and said state legislative champions had identified possible funding for veterans services. He told the council the parcel — acquired by the city in 1963 for $300 — could enable DAV to apply for state or federal grants that require an independent property holder or ownership structure. Russo described legislative support his office had discussed as “approximately $1,200,000” for related veteran services and said donating the parcel would unlock funding opportunities.

Commander Rodney of DAV Chapter 32 described the group’s outreach and claims assistance work and urged the council to proceed. “Please consider our request to donate the property,” he told the council, adding that DAV’s membership and veterans helped the organization provide thousands of dollars in compensation claims and benefit assistance for veterans in the county.

City Attorney advised the council about the code and process for disposing of city property and said a conveyance below fair market value requires a resolution stating “good cause.” Staff reported a recently completed appraisal valued the parcel at about $600,000. The attorney recommended embedding deed conditions that protect the public interest, such as a reverter clause that would return the property to the city if it ceased to be used for veterans’ services.

Councilmember Marco Russo moved to waive the city’s competitive‑bid requirements and direct staff to prepare a resolution and deed for the conveyed parcel; the motion passed unanimously. Councilmembers asked staff to return with a formal resolution and deed that include conditions ensuring the property’s use to benefit veterans and language to revert the parcel to the city if that use is discontinued.