Cocoa council confirms PNZ appointments, approves waterfront grant application and home disbursement budget amendment

The Cocoa City Council confirmed several board appointments and approved routine city business on March 18, including a phase-2 grant application for waterfront repairs and a HOME disbursement agreement with Brevard County.

At the start of the business portion, council members completed a ranked vote to fill openings on the Planning and Zoning (PNZ) board. The council accepted the clerk’s tally: Russell (Rusty) Sengle was selected for the regular member seat; Joseph Bachand remained an alternate; Keith Wall was named an additional alternate. The chair moved approval and the council voted to confirm the appointments.

The council also voted to authorize the city manager to apply for a phase 2 construction grant under the Waterways Assistance Program (WAP) to the Florida Inland Navigation District to replace docking systems and repair day slips damaged by hurricanes; staff referenced earlier Phase 1 funding and two prior packet entries (Hashtag 23-166 and 23-709 were cited in the agenda text). The council approved a resolution authorizing submission of the grant application.

In city business the council approved a HOME disbursement agreement between the City of Cocoa and Brevard County in the amount of $401,671.98 and a related fiscal-year budget amendment (Resolution reference in the agenda: 25-04-A). Council members described the appropriation as a straightforward allocation to housing-related programs and approved the budget amendment.

The council approved a sign and recognition item for Major Abbey Sweetwine (a local veteran) to be placed in the Habitat for Humanity Female Veterans Village at Diamond Square; staff said the sign would include a QR code linking to her history and that funding would be split among Diamond Square, the Habitat board and the city (each paying one-third).

Votes at a glance: - PNZ appointments (regular and alternate seats): confirmed (motion approved) - Phase 2 WAP grant application to Florida Inland Navigation District: approved (motion approved) - HOME disbursement agreement with Brevard County, $401,671.98, and related budget amendment: approved (motion approved) - Sign honoring Major Abbey Sweetwine (Diamond Square/Habitat project): approved (motion approved)

These items were approved by voice vote or unanimous aye counts as recorded in the meeting; staff said contracts or grant agreements would return to council or be executed by the city manager as allowed by the authorizations.