Regular City Council - July 25, 2023 at 5:30 PM

City Council

Regular Meeting

July 25, 2023

The City Council of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. 

Mayor Diesel called the City Council meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Daniel E. Diesel, Vice Mayor Joe C. Robinson, and City Council Members Jo Lynn Nelson and Dr. Sarah Stoeckel. Council Member Herman A. Cole, Jr., Col USAF Retired, was absent. 

Also present were City Manager Scott Larese, City Attorney Richard Broome, and City Clerk Wanda Wells. Assistant City Clerk Jolynn Donhoff completed the minutes of the meeting. 

Mayor Diesel requested a moment of silence. He then led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. City Clerk Wells read the procedures for public comment and participation. 

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SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Employee of the Month for June and July 2023 - No action was requested.

Public Works Operations Director Sandra Reller recognized Nachelle Anderson, Carlos Carmichael, Dontae Harris, David Montgomery, Mike Redman, and John Williams of the Public Works Streets Construction Crew as the City’s Employees of the Month for June 2023. She highlighted the nomination written for the group of employees and accepted plaques and gifts for each individual, who were unavailable to attend the Council meeting. 

Police Department Chief John Lau recognized Police Officer Darian Kraeuter of the Police Department as the Employee of the Month for July 2023. He highlighted the nomination and presented a plaque and gift to Police Officer Kraeuter.

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Fire Department Medal of Honor - No action was requested. Fire Lieutenant David Neeld and Driver/Operator Billy Wiegert were presented with the Fire Department Medal of Honor for rescuing four individuals and their pets from rising floodwaters during Hurricane Ian in 2022. 

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At 5:50 p.m., a recess was called. The meeting resumed at 6:06 p.m.    

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Public Works Department Spotlight - No action was requested. Public Works Department Director Kevin Cook and Public Works Operations Director Sandra Reller gave a video presentation that provided an overview on the services provided by the Public Works Department and the varying and specialized divisions within the department. This also included information on the recent merging of the Public Works and Water Resources Departments and the formal reorganization. 

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Mission Space Coast Overview - No action was requested. Angela Neal, Director of Special Projects, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast gave a presentation and update on the Mission Space Coast initiative and community involvement opportunities. 

Through collaboration with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) and the Space Coast Office of Tourism, Mission Space Coast was an initiative to define a unified brand for Brevard County. The unified brand would include a logo, tagline, imagery, and messaging. A unified brand would also tell the story of Brevard County through one voice to responsibly attract businesses, talent, and tourism.

Ms. Neal also presented information on community branding, the initiative’s process, phase implementation and completion, and getting involved.  

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Community Resiliency Stewardship Program - No action was requested. Community Development Director Brad Parrish presented a summary report on the Community Resiliency Stewardship Program Grant that was awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

The presentation highlighted information on the background on partnering with other public agencies on an education program on community and environmental resiliency, stewardship and long term strategies to protect fragile coastal resources, the City’s project team members, staff training and community outreach efforts, community training and open-house, community events, next steps, etc. 

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - No action was requested. Planning Department GIS Analyst Cindy Lieberman and GIS Technician Ashley Negrete gave a presentation on the City's GIS maps. The presentation highlighted information on the definition of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the various uses of GIS by the City’s departments, online GIS maps and viewability by the public and staff, competed projects, potential projects, project demonstration, etc.  

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PETITIONS AND REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC PRESENT 

Stan Johnston distributed information. He expressed his dissatisfaction with communicating with City staff, concerns for local projects, boundary disputes, etc. 

Billi Jo Clayton commented that her 84-unit condominium association was presently paying off a costly private loan for stormwater drainage infrastructure improvements near Harrison Street. She was specifically concerned whether new developments, such as Apollo Gardens, would impact the stormwater drainage system for her community. Ms. Clayton also expressed concern on the height of the Apollo Gardens project. She advised her condominium was 2-stories in height, whereas the proposed project was 3-stories in height. 

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With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.