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Cocoa Beach adopts Ordinance 17‑18 updating beach signage and rescue‑device rules
Summary
On second reading the Cocoa Beach commission adopted Ordinance 17‑18 revising Chapter 5 to update definitions, authorize beach signage and set standards for rescue devices; public commenters raised safety concerns about a new rotary rescue unit installed near private access.
The Cocoa Beach City Commission adopted Ordinance 17‑18 on second reading, amending Chapter 5 (Beaches, Fills and Public Waterways) to revise the definition of motor vehicles and to update rules on authorized beach signage and rescue devices. The ordinance was adopted after a roll call vote of the commissioners present, with the measure passing.
The ordinance, presented by staff, revises language in Section 5‑50 and Section 5‑52 to clarify what constitutes authorized signage on the beach and to set parameters for rescue equipment placement and use. The city attorney read the ordinance summary and staff recommended adoption on second reading. After a motion to adopt and a second, the commission closed public comment and recorded affirmative votes from the commissioners in attendance, adopting the ordinance.
During public comment before the vote, Penny Kosich, manager at Beach Island Resort, urged the commission to reconsider certain rescue devices now referenced in the code. Kosich said she had entered an agreement previously to host a privately provided Drown‑0 station on resort property and that the new rotary device placed by a Rotary club adjacent to their private access could create risk. “I just feel the device is gonna cause more deaths, because whoever grabs it to use it has to swim out to the person,” Kosich said, arguing that traditional life rings are simpler to deploy for a bystander and safer for non‑professional rescuers.
Commission discussion during second reading focused on the code language and ensuring that any device placement and signage met the new municipal standards; no amendment to the ordinance was proposed at second reading. The city closed public comment, proceeded with the roll call and the ordinance was adopted by the commissioners present.
The ordinance text and exact operational standards for rescue devices will govern placement and signage moving forward. The transcript does not record additional staff direction or a schedule for equipment changes; staff indicated the ordinance provides codified standards that will be enforced according to the new code provisions.
The commission recessed after business and reconvened as the CRA to consider other items before the meeting concluded.
