Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Risk review stalls plan for 3‑meter diving board at Cocoa Beach pool
Summary
City staff and the municipal insurance trust advised against installing a donated 3‑meter diving board at the city pool after a risk-management review cited liability and unauthorized-use concerns; the issue remains under discussion among commissioners.
City staff and the Florida League of Cities’ insurance program advised caution on installing a donated 3‑meter diving board at the Cocoa Beach community pool, effectively stalling the proposal discussed during public comment on June 5.
Public speaker Bill Talbot (spoke as Bill Tibet/Talbot in the record) told the commission the board had been offered free installation and had backing from parents and prospective collegiate users. He asked whether the commission had any update on insurance and risk review after an earlier presentation in March. City staff said risk-management analysis recommended against the board because the diving well would be removed from lane space and the board could attract unauthorized use and liability exposure.
AJ (city manager/staff) said the city’s municipal insurer, the Florida League of Cities Municipal Insurance Trust, “advised to be cautious because they didn’t have a good experience with that” and raised concerns around training, unauthorized use and liability. The League’s guidance, AJ said, could place the city at financial risk if the city pursued the installation contrary to that advice.
Speakers in public comment and some commissioners pushed back, saying usage could be limited to certified divers and scheduled team practices. A resident asked for further discussion and suggested commissioners meet with staff and risk counsel before ruling the proposal out. Commissioner Hutchinson said he wanted further research and a follow-up meeting with commissioners and management; Commissioner Williams said he wanted staff to continue the research and discussion.
No formal action or vote to install the board was taken at the meeting; staff and the commission agreed to continue researching options and to consult with the insurer and relevant stakeholders before returning with a recommendation.
