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Councilors support staff study to reopen Leon and Jewel Collins Museum; community committee and part‑time attendant proposed
Summary
Council members and local volunteers urged reopening the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum. Volunteer leader Greg Stowell proposed hiring a part‑time facility attendant and convening a community committee; council directed staff to return with implementation options.
Volunteers and council members told the Cocoa City Council they want the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum reopened to public hours and programming, and the council asked staff to return with an actionable plan that could include a part‑time attendant and a community advisory committee.
Greg Stowell, a volunteer with local museums and the Space Coast TPO, urged a modest, practical “plan B” to open Collins quickly while staff and the council continue to consider longer-term operating models. “Create a position at the Collins Museum for a facility attendant, part time, preferably from the community who knows the history and is willing to be the face of the museum,” Stowell said. He also recommended an open house to recruit volunteers and a short-term operating plan that relies on volunteers, interns and a small city-supported staff role.
Why it matters: council members said reopening the museum would preserve local history, enable oral-history projects, and provide programming tied to the city’s cultural heritage. Several council members proposed forming a community committee to guide programming and volunteer recruitment, and suggested using an existing vacant intern slot or reallocating a small budget item to pay a part‑time attendant while the city develops a longer-term operating model.
Caveats and next steps: staff and councilors noted past complications around museum property, collections and operating arrangements; a final staffing and funding approach will be brought back to council for formal action. City Manager Witten confirmed staff will explore an intern or part‑time funding approach, prepare an RFP or memorandum of understanding as appropriate, and present options for council consideration. Several council members asked staff to schedule a future workshop or special meeting at the museum to allow extended public discussion.
Ending: no formal budget amendment or hiring decision was made at the workshop; council direction was to develop options and return with recommended steps and cost estimates.
