Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cultural Heritage Museums topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cocoa council directs staff to place Leon & Jewel Collins Museum management on June 10 agenda after extended discussion
Summary
Council members pressed for a plan to bring the Leon & Jewel Collins Museum into regular public use, debated funding and operations, and agreed to place a detailed agenda item on June 10 to scope an RFP or other management options; no contract was approved on May 27.
The Cocoa City Council spent substantial time on May 27 debating how to reopen and manage the Leon & Jewel Collins Museum and directed staff to place a detailed agenda item on the June 10 council meeting to define an RFP or other management options.
Councilman Jarvis Goins urged the city to issue an RFP for a nonprofit or partner to manage the museum, saying it should include programming, regular hours and outreach to schools and colleges. Several councilmembers emphasized they supported the museum but differed on timing and funding; Councilwoman Carlson and others urged greater definition of goals, operating hours and budget before launching a procurement.
Council members discussed existing support for the museum on Michigan Avenue and cautioned the city must equitably consider any support across local museums. Deputy Mayor Weeks and others noted staff capacity is limited and that any CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) funds generally do not cover ongoing employee salaries. After debate a motion to place the museum management/ RFP scope on the June 10 council agenda passed by unanimous voice vote, with council asking staff to return with proposed scope and potential funding options rather than immediately committing specific dollars or contracts.
