The City of Cocoa is now accepting applications for the UpStart Cocoa Small Business Development Program. This program is designed as a three-year forgivable loan program that awards up to $10,000 to a new start-up business or a business looking to expand into the City of Cocoa and is available to empower entrepreneurs to succeed in the City of Cocoa, attract minority businesses to the area, contribute to the economic vitality by promoting small business, and to cultivate vibrant neighborhoods through the encouragement of diverse businesses.
There will be five loans available through this program with some dedicated solely to the Diamond Square community. Applications opened on February 1, 2023. All applications must be submitted for review no later than March 15, 2023. Click the link below to learn more about the UpStart Cocoa program. Or watch the video above from one of our Informational Sessions about the UpStart program.
City Manager's Message
Cocoa City Council held its first priorities and planning special meeting on February 23, 2023, where they discussed various topics leading up to the preparation of the fiscal year 2024 budget preparation. If you weren't able to make this first meeting, we have the next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10am at Cocoa City Hall. You can also view the video recording of the first meeting on our website or read the recap in the news section of our website. As always, your Council representatives and city staff are always available for questions or concerns that citizens may have. There will be several public budget meetings leading up to the finalization and approval of the fiscal year 2024 budget in September 2023. You can see a listing of the proposed meetings in this newsletter and on our website. I hope you will take the opportunity to engage with your local government.
At the first priorities meeting, we were proud to debut our 2022 crime statistics informational video, which recapped another decrease in crime rate. This is the second consecutive year we have seen a decrease as the men and women of the Cocoa Police Department continue to work with our community to drive down crime. Watch Lt. Mike Dellatore talk more about the crime statistics below.
A request for proposals has been published to seek developers interested in building a hotel in Cocoa Village. The hope is to seek an interested and qualified developer that can complete the need for a hotel in the Cocoa Village community. You can read more about that RFP.
We have started to receive applications for our UpStart Cocoa Small Business Development Grants. Applications are due by March 15th. This is a great opportunity to assist our minority entrepreneurs in the Cocoa community. We have included information about the program in this newsletter along with a link to one of the informational sessions we held about the UpStart program.
As always, we continue to work together for the better of Cocoa and are excited for the year ahead.
-Stockton Whitten, Cocoa City Manager
Chlorine Conversion Notice for all Cocoa Utility Customers
As part of a regular maintenance program, Cocoa Utilities Department will conduct a free chlorine conversion starting March 3, 2023 through March 23, 2023. During this process, the water will be completely safe for consumption and use. However, some customers will notice the difference in odor and taste from free chlorine.
Plans are underway for the Fiscal Year 2024 City of Cocoa budget. The final proposed budget is Presented to Council in September for approval and begins October 1, 2023. Below is a list of public budget meetings planned.
March 20, 2023, 10:00 am-4:00 pm; Council Priorities & Goal Setting Special Meeting
July 10, 2023, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm; Budget Special Meeting
July 25, 2023, 6:00 pm; Tentative Millage
August 8, 2023, 6:00 pm; Preliminary Fire and Stormwater Assessment
August 22, 2023, 6:00 pm Final Fire and Stormwater Assessment
September 2023, TBD; Tentative Millage/ Budget and Final Millage/Budget
New Building Permit Kiosk at Cocoa City Hall
The City of Cocoa’s Building Department has implemented another new tool to help residents and contractors apply for building permits easier. The new kiosk, which allows residents to access the City’s building permit program, Citizen Serve, will be located on the 2nd floor in the Community Services Department and will assist citizens and contractors that may not have access to a computer or internet service. The Community Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8a-5p for access to this new Kiosk. The building permit program can also be accessed online from home allowing residents multiple ways to obtain permits.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Richard Glover
Heavy Equipment Operator
35 years of service to the citizens of Cocoa
Richard Glover has been a member of #TeamCocoa for thirty-five years. He started with the City of Cocoa as Maintenance Worker 1, then Utility Maintenance 1, and now holds the position of Heavy Equipment Operator.
Lee Wenner Park Parking Improvement Project
On Monday, February 6, 2023, the Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency Board approved for staff to begin working on a request for proposals (RFP) for a company to bid on the Lee Wenner Park Parking Lot Improvements Project. This project will maximize and increase standard vehicle parking while preserving boat trailer parking for the boating community.
Members of Council and Diamond Square Board Tour New Exhibits at the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum of African American History and Culture
Members of the Cocoa City Council, the Diamond Square Redevelopment Agency Board, and city staff got a sneak peek of the new exhibits at the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum of African American History and Culture located inside the Harry T. Moore Center. This historic building, which was Monroe High School, an all-black school in the Cocoa community, was dedicated as a museum of African American History and Culture in honor of Leon and Jewl Collins back in 2017, for their advocacy and contributions to the Cocoa community.
The City of Cocoa has received grants to assist with both renovations of the historic building, which was completed in 2017, and most recently a grant to assist with curating exhibits at the museum. The Florida Historical Society assisted with the most recent exhibit curation, adding information about local community leaders such as Rosa L. Jones, Harry T. Harriette V. Moore, the Highway Men artists, and more. They are also working on an exhibit discussing the historic case Gilbert vs. the Board of Education where a teacher sued the Board of Education for equal pay for black and white teachers.
The museum is currently seeking a community partner to assist with day-to-day operations. They are also looking to expand on items of significance to be included in the museum. For more information or to donate items to the museum, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (321) 433-8480.
Cocoa Council Members Tour the New Family Promise of Brevard Facility
On February 27, 2023, City Council members had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Family Promise of Brevard facility. This building was the former Cocoa Fire Station 1 facility that was vacated once the new stations were built in 2018. City Council approved a long-term lease with Family Promise to repurpose the vacant building, presenting an opportunity for redevelopment and expansion of resources in Brevard County, including homeless prevention programs, shelter, and stabilization for families. Family Promise will be celebrating its Grand Opening on April 1, 2023. Click below to learn more about Family Promise of Brevard.
City of Cocoa Awarded $888,000 in Grants to Help Save the Indian River Lagoon
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) awarded the City of Cocoa $888,000 to fund two projects that will result in a reduction of about 2,500 pounds of nitrogen and 450 pounds of phosphorus per year to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Members of Council Out and About
Councilwoman Koss and fellow Cocoa Rotary members filled grocery bags at the Brevard Sharing Center
Deputy Mayor Hearn spoke with students at Golf View Elementary .
Mayor Blake and Deputy Mayor Hearn helped judge the costume contest for Mardi Gras: Paws in the Park event February 18, 2023 pictured here with former Brevard Film Commissioner, Bonnie King.
Councilwoman Koss attended the annual Black History Gospel in The Park celebration at Provost Park on February 27, 2023.
On February 28, 2023, Councilman Goins read and discussed African American history with students at Suntree Elementary School.
On February 18, 2023, City of Cocoa Council members participated in the community cleanup at historic Hilltop Cemetery, Cocoa’s African American cemetery.
Mayor Blake attended the Cocoa Mardi Gras celebration in Cocoa Village on February 25th, pictured here with former Cocoa Mayor, Henry Parrish.
Mayor Blake attended the investor's dinner for local Cocoa business, Vaya Space. The Mayor is pictured here with Vaya Space CEO, Brent Willis.
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