Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landscaping Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cocoa council unanimously declines FDOT request to expand landscaping maintenance, cites six‑figure shortfall
Summary
The Cocoa City Council voted unanimously to decline Florida Department of Transportation’s request that the city assume additional maintenance of Clear Lake Road medians, citing a net annual shortfall of roughly $112,444 and lack of irrigation and suitable soils.
The Cocoa City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to decline a Florida Department of Transportation proposal that would have the city assume maintenance of medians and rights-of-way along Clear Lake Road from State Road 520 to South of Michigan Avenue.
City landscape staff told the council that under the current memorandum of agreement (MOA) FDOT reimburses the city $62,530 annually to maintain 11.364 miles of state road rights-of-way, while the city's estimated maintenance costs for that work total $174,974 — a net shortfall of about $112,444 that does not include staff time, street‑sweeping labor or equipment depreciation. Staff said medians created by a recent FDOT safety project lack irrigation and have soil conditions unlikely to support plant survivability without retrofit costs.
“FDOT has proposed expanding the MOA to include additional segments, but the reimbursement they offered would not cover the city’s increased recurring costs,” said Miss Morgan, who presented the FDOT history and the financial estimates to the council. She told members the contractor will maintain medians for two years after installation, but long‑term survival is doubtful given the current design and absence of irrigation sleeves.
Council debate focused on community image, soil quality and recurring expense. Councilwoman Koss pressed staff on whether FDOT built an adequate soil base and asked what it would take to achieve the higher aesthetic standard the city wants, saying, “Our entryways are really important to our image.” Several members said the city could pursue enhanced corridors but that such upgrades would require additional, ongoing funds for irrigation, soil replacement and ongoing maintenance.
The mayor moved to adopt Option 1 — declining FDOT’s request to expand the city’s maintenance obligation — a motion that was seconded and carried unanimously. City staff said they will continue negotiating with FDOT and, if council wants a higher aesthetic standard, will return with a full fiscal analysis and options (including costs to enrich soils and add irrigation).
The vote preserves the status quo MOA while leaving open staff negotiation to either secure adequate reimbursement or present the council with a priced plan for higher‑standard corridor improvements.
