Cocoa council directs staff to pursue LED sign option at Hilo Park, with budget changes

The City of Cocoa on April 29 directed staff to pursue a single-sided LED sign installation at Hilo Park and to make the budget adjustments necessary to fund the project. Councilman Hearn moved for option 1 and to authorize staff to reallocate funds as needed; the motion passed after discussion over placement and procurement.

City staff described two sign configurations and an estimated $2,500 one-time cost to run electric to the proposed site. Samantha Singer, a city staff member responsible for grants and incentives, described the options and told council, “we have an estimated expense to run electric of about $2,500” and noted that Florida Power & Light requires the site be addressed before service can be installed.

Council members debated whether the Junie Rios fund was an appropriate source and whether locating the boards concentrated communication in one area. Councilman Hearn argued the sign is important for emergency messaging and city outreach; he said the location provides good coverage for slow-moving traffic and could be used for hurricane or emergency alerts. The city manager, Stockton Witton, told the council that whether the procurement will come back to council depends on whether the city can piggyback an existing contract or must bid the work.

The council approved the direction to start the purchasing process and make any required budget changes so long as standard procurement steps are followed. City staff said public input would be needed if the action resulted in a final procurement that required formal advertisement.

The motion directs staff to begin purchasing steps for LED signage and to return necessary budget-change documents, with next steps dependent on procurement rules and vendor quotes.