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Melbourne residents demand action after alleged death threats against vice mayor; council schedules hearing
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Melbourne City Council Nov. 13 that former councilmember Yvonne Minas threatened Vice Mayor David Newman during a Sept. 24 meeting, and urged her removal from city boards; council directed staff to schedule the formal statutory hearing required to consider removing an appointed member. (SEG 566–SEG 1464)
Dozens of residents called on the Melbourne City Council on Nov. 13 to act after what several witnesses described as repeated death threats by former councilmember Yvonne Minas toward Vice Mayor David Newman.
Multiple speakers told the council they heard Minas say, "I'm going to kill you," on three occasions following a Sept. 24 vote to rename a road for activist Charlie Kirk. Vice Mayor Newman said he reported the incident to police and that a city detective concluded that Minas threatened a public servant and recommended prosecution under Florida law. Witnesses at the council meeting recounted the remarks and urged removal from boards and other civic roles.
Residents asked for immediate consequences beyond the police referral. Austin Economo cited a police case number and called for Minas' removal from all city committees. Physician Giselle Saheli urged a psychiatric evaluation and asserted the comments posed a public-safety risk. Other speakers emphasized the chilling effect of threats on civic participation.
City staff and legal counsel cautioned the council about process. City Attorney explained that removal of an appointed board member is governed by state law and city code and requires a formal fact-finding hearing before council (a procedural hearing that allows the appointee to respond). The council asked staff to schedule and prepare the hearing rather than taking final removal action that evening.
Vice Mayor Newman described being startled by the remarks and said he filed a police report after the incident; staff confirmed the city detective's written conclusion recommending prosecution for threatening a public servant. Councilmembers indicated they would move to schedule a hearing to consider whether Minas' actions constitute misfeasance, malfeasance, neglect of duty, or other grounds for removal under state law.
No final action to remove Minas was taken that night; council direction was limited to initiating the statutory hearing process and asking staff to prepare the factual record and notice required for a future council hearing.
What’s next: Staff will schedule the formal removal hearing under the process described by the city attorney, and council will receive the evidence and allow the appointee to respond before making any determination. (Direction given; not a final removal.)
