City Council Regular Meeting of July 21, 2026

City Council · 2026-07-21 · agenda

[case Resolution No. 2026-12] The City Council is considering a resolution to suspend the processing of applications for data centers for six months to allow staff to develop requirements, regulations, and processes for their development. This action is in response to concerns about data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, and environmental impacts such as high energy consumption and water use. The city currently has no specific regulations for data centers, which can have significant impacts on infrastructure and surrounding communities. This temporary suspension is a proactive measure to ensure future data center projects are compatible with the city's infrastructure and land use goals. The city is also reviewing potential zoning districts for data centers. [East of Interstate 95 and west of Sheridan Lakes Subdivision; case Resolution No. 2026-13 (Case VAC-2026-01)] The City Council is considering approving the vacation and abandonment of a 20-foot wide by 405-foot long public utility easement on Parcel ID 27-36-34-00-1, located east of Interstate 95 and west of Sheridan Lakes Subdivision. The easement was established in 1994 but is not needed for the proposed development of an industrial warehouse by Frontline Coastal Industrial, as utilities will be extended from Coastal Lane. All affected utility providers have confirmed no existing or planned facilities within the easement and have no objections to its vacation. The easement is located in a developable area of the parcel and unnecessarily restricts the proposed site design. [City of West Melbourne; case Ordinance No. 2026-05] The City Council is considering approving Ordinance No. 2026-05 on second reading, which regulates micromobility devices and e-bikes. The ordinance aims to address concerns about reckless operation on city streets and sidewalks. It establishes definitions, prohibitions, and permitted uses, with specific rules for bicycles, micromobility devices, electric personal assistive mobility devices, and mopeds. Speed limits are set for sidewalks (15 MPH), and specific requirements for lighting, reflectors, helmets (for riders under 16), and operator age/ID (for Class 3 e-bikes) are included. Enforcement will be handled by the police department with a system of fines for violations, including penalties for parents/guardians allowing minors to violate the ordinance. A hearing officer will handle appeals. [City of West Melbourne; case Resolution No. 2026-15] The City Council is considering adopting Resolution No. 2026-15, which authorizes the transition of wastewater collection and treatment operations from being contracted out to being managed in-house through municipal staffing. This change aims to bring these essential services under direct city management. [Compass Point Neighborhood] The City Council is considering authorizing a change order to Insituform Technologies, LLC, through the Omnia Contract, for the second half of the Annual Manhole Rehabilitation project of Sanitary Sewer Manholes in the Compass Point Neighborhood. The change order is in the amount of $72,321.14. [case Ordinance No. 2026-05] Ordinance No. 2026-05, adopted by the City Council of West Melbourne on July 21, 2026, establishes regulations for micromobility devices and e-bikes. The ordinance creates Chapter 54, Article VII of the City Code, defining terms, outlining prohibitions, permitted uses, and enforcement procedures. It addresses concerns about reckless use and speed, particularly on sidewalks, and sets fines for violations. The ordinance aims to provide reasonable regulations for the safety of residents and visitors. It was passed on its second reading on July 21, 2026, following a first reading on June 16, 2026. [Preserve at Heritage Oaks subdivision] The City Council is considering approving a Traffic Enforcement Agreement with the Preserve at Heritage Oaks Subdivision Homeowners Association, Inc. This agreement would authorize the City to exercise traffic control jurisdiction over the private roads within the subdivision. The agreement is for one year and automatically renews unless terminated. The Association is responsible for installing and maintaining traffic control signs and markings. The City Council is being asked to establish a proposed millage rate of 1.7724 per thousand dollars of taxable value for advertising a public hearing on September 9, 2026. This hearing will consider adopting a tentative budget and proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2026-2027. The current millage rate is 1.8151. The proposed rate is a 'rolled-back' rate. The City's taxable value is approximately $3.474 billion. The City Council is considering an application from John Michael McWaters for a vacancy on the Business Advisory Board. McWaters owns a business located within the City of West Melbourne and has a business tax receipt. The Business Advisory Board advises City Council on measures to promote commercial establishments, surveys existing businesses, inventories vacant commercial land, and recommends methods to enhance business activity. [case Resolution No. 2026-15] The City Council is being asked to adopt Resolution No. 2026-15, authorizing the transition of Wastewater Collection and Treatment Operations from a contracted model to in-house management with municipal staffing. This transition is expected to result in annual savings of approximately $600,000. The current contract with Jacobs is set to end on April 30, 2027. The transition will involve creating a Wastewater Department Director position. [Compass Point Neighborhood, including 17 manholes in Compass Point and 1 in Manchester Lakes.] The City Council is being asked to authorize the City Manager to approve a change order to Insituform Technologies, LLC, for the second half of the Annual Manhole Rehabilitation project of Sanitary Sewer Manholes in the Compass Point Neighborhood. The change order is for $72,321.14. Insituform Technologies has been providing lining services for gravity sewer pipes and drainage pipes for 18 years, and now also for manhole lining. The first round of this project, totaling 21 manholes, was completed in April 2026 for $99,461.64. [City of West Melbourne; case Resolution 2026-14] The City Council is being asked to approve Resolution 2026-14, which opts the City out of the Live Local Act's ad valorem tax exemption for newly constructed multifamily developments providing affordable housing. This opt-out is based on findings that the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA has a surplus of affordable and available units. The opt-out is valid for two years, from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2029. This decision will result in an undetermined positive fiscal impact for the city by ensuring developments do not receive the tax exemption. This document is a compilation of data and reports related to Florida's housing market, including supply, new construction, sales, and rental markets, with a focus on affordability and assisted housing. It does not contain specific project proposals for contractors but provides market-level data. [Veterans Memorial Complex] The City Council is considering rescheduling two meetings, the Regular City Council Meeting and the West Melbourne-Brevard County Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to Wednesday, August 19, 2026. This is to accommodate the State of Florida's Primary Election, for which the Veterans Memorial Complex will be used as a voting precinct. The Brevard County Election Department will set up equipment on Monday, August 17, and remove it on the evening of the election.