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Cocoa approves grants for Pineda Causeway water main extension; design RFQ under review
Summary
The Cocoa City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan. 28 to amend the FY2025 budget to accept federal and state grant funding for Pineda Causeway Phase 2 design work on a proposed 16‑inch water main extension; staff said design procurement is underway and additional construction funding would be sought.
The Cocoa City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to accept grant funding for the Pineda Causeway Phase 2 project and amend the city’s fiscal year 2025 budget accordingly.
Mayor Blake moved to approve the resolution and Deputy Mayor Patricia Weeks seconded the motion; the council voted aye unanimously.
City staff described the purpose and history of the project: after a transmission failure during hurricanes several years ago, the city and the City of Melbourne studied a third transmission crossing to improve resilience. The approved item would accept $1,200,000 in federal funds and $135,000 in state funds to advance the project’s design and planning, according to the presentation. Staff described the project as a proposed 16‑inch water main extension approximately five miles long that would create a third, redundant transmission route across the causeway and allow water to flow in multiple directions to improve system resilience.
Project manager Jason Walsh (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Walsh) told the council the city has not yet incurred grant‑related expenses and that the city issued a request for qualifications for design services; evaluations are ongoing and a shortlist presentation is expected before staff issues a task order. Walsh said the city secured initial funding through a military resiliency grant program and through regional/state programs called out by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. He noted continued monitoring of a separate GRAMA award process that could affect grant administration.
Walsh and city staff said construction costs would be large and that the usual approach is to complete a design “on the shelf” and then pursue additional construction grants or partner funding. The council voted to approve the budget amendment and accept the grant funding with no recorded opposition.
The council did not authorize construction at this meeting; staff said next steps include finalizing design contracts if and when grants and conditions are confirmed and returning to council with task orders and contract approvals.
