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THREE. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. IT IS NOW SEVEN 1730.
WE'RE GOING TO COMMENCE THIS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS NUMBER ONE.
BUT BEFORE WE EVEN DO THAT, I WANT US ALL TO RISE AND AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
DEPUTY MAYOR. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RIGHT THERE. SO GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
PURSUANT TO OUR CITY CHARTER, THE MAYOR'S REQUIRED TO PRESENT THIS ANNUAL MESSAGE NOT JUST AS A MATTER OF DUTY, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND TO RECOGNIZE HOW FAR WE'VE COME AND TO CHART A PATH FORWARD FOR OUR GREAT CITY. THE CITY I CALL THE GREATEST CITY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF TRANSFORMATIVE FOR PALM BAY.
WE'VE ISSUED NEARLY 14,000 BUILDING PERMITS TOTALING $1.4 BILLION IN VALUE.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO WELCOME THE THREE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PUSH, WHO PUSHED FORWARD OUR 150 MILLION GOAL ROADS PROJECT WITH OVER 418 MILES ALREADY COMPLETED. WE BROKE GROUND ON NEW FIRE STATIONS, REINSTATED, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL CRIMES UNIT, CONTINUED EXPANDING OUR UTILITY SYSTEM TO MEETING OUR GROWING DEMAND.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE REMAINS STRONG.
OUR RECREATION PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 100 OR 300,000 PARTICIPANTS.
WE LAUNCHED A NEW MULTILINGUAL CITY CHAT BOX AND WE BEGAN CONSTRUCTION ON BUILDING E.
THE STATE OF THE ART FACILITY WILL ENHANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.
WE ALSO LOOKED. WE ALSO TOOK MEANINGFUL STEPS TOWARD REVITALIZING THE COMPOUND AND SECURED OVER HALF $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR SACRIFICE PARK, AN EFFORT WHICH EVERYONE KNOWS WAS NEAR AND DEAR AND CLOSE TO MY HEART TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN HEROES.
AS YOU'LL HEAR IN THE FULL ADDRESS. OUR CITY CONTINUES TO THRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY'S SHARED VISION, HARD WORK, AND UNWAVERING SPIRIT. I'M ALWAYS HASHTAG PALM BAY PROUD, AND I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS YOUR MAYOR, MAYOR OF THE GREATEST CITY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
NOW, I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME AS WE LOOK BACK ON AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR AND LOOK AHEAD TO A PROMISING FUTURE IN PALM BAY. DOCTOR ROBINSON, CUE THAT VIDEO.
IT'S A GREAT DAY, PALM BAY. I'M MAYOR ROB MEDINA, AND I'M HONORED TO PRESENT PALM BAY, HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS, REFLECTING ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LAST YEAR. IT MAKES ME EVEN MORE PALM BAY PROUD TO BE MAYOR OF THE GREATEST CITY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
WHILE OUR JOURNEY OF PROGRESS CONTINUES, WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN REINFORCING OUR FOUNDATION AND ENHANCING MANY ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR GOALS AND VALUES REMAIN. THE CITY PRIDES ITSELF ON THE VALUES OF COMMITMENT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE BEFORE SELF, TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST.
IN NOVEMBER, THE CITY SWORE IN THREE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE PROUDLY WELCOME COUNCIL MEMBERS MIKE HAMMER, CHANDLER LANGEVIN AND DEPUTY MAYOR MIKE JAFFE.
THE OATH OF OFFICE WAS ADMINISTERED TO EACH INCOMING COUNCIL MEMBER, AFFIRMING THEIR COMMITMENT TO FAITHFULLY SERVE THE CITIZENS OF PALM BAY, YOUR CITY COUNCIL AND CITY LEADERSHIP TEAM CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THE CITY'S VISION TO BUILD A THRIVING COMMUNITY
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DEDICATED TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, PUBLIC SAFETY, QUALITY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE MANY RECOGNITIONS AND ACCOLADES WE RECEIVED IN 2020 FOR PALM BAY CONTINUES TO BE RANKED AMONGST THE TOP FOR GROWTH, AFFORDABILITY, PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN 2024.
THE CITY ISSUED NEARLY 14,000 BUILDING PERMITS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 1.4 BILLION, WITH A B IN PROJECT VALUE, INCLUDING AN INCREASE OF 144 MILLION IN COMMERCIAL PROJECT VALUATION ALONE, WITH 129 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPROXIMATELY 8000 DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS.
THE CITY CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE RAPID GROWTH.
LAST YEAR, THE CITY JOINED THE RESILIENT CORRIDORS COALITION, WHICH WAS AWARDED A $1.5 MILLION GRANT FROM THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING OF KEY PARCELS, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON THE COMPOUND.
THE COMPOUND WAS ALSO NOMINATED FOR A LAND USE REVITALIZATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A NEXT STEPS ACTION PLAN FOR FACILITATING STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPOUND AS A COMMUNITY.
WITNESSING RAPID GROWTH IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST REGIONS OF OUR CITY, WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FROM ROADS TO NEW WASTEWATER PLANTS AND INVESTMENTS IN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE CITY STRIVES TO KEEP PACE WITH OUR DEMANDS.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO MANAGE THE CITY'S MOST SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.
THE MULTI-PHASE $150 MILLION GO ROADS PAVING INITIATIVE AS OF FEBRUARY 2025.
THE CITY HAS COMPLETED OVER 418 MILES OF ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF OUR CITY, INCLUDING ELDRON, GARVEY, PORT MALABAR, SECTIONS OF EMERSON PALM BAY COLONY, KIRBY INDUSTRIAL PARKS, AND MORE.
SEVERAL ADDITIONAL ROAD PROJECTS ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DESIGN, BID, AND CONSTRUCTION.
THE CONTRACTOR, RANGER CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMED A FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION, A PROCESS THAT PULVERIZES THE EXISTING ASPHALT AND BASE MATERIAL, MIXES CEMENT, EMULSION AND WATER, AND COMPACTS THE MATERIAL TO PRODUCE A STRONG, DURABLE STRUCTURAL BASE FOR THE NEW ROAD. THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT IS PLACED ON TOP OF THE NEW BASE STRUCTURE.
PALM BAY IS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING, AND OUR UTILITIES DEPARTMENT IS STRIVING TO KEEP PACE, MANAGING LARGE SCALE PROJECTS TO MEET THE CITY'S INCREASING WATER AND SEWER NEEDS. WITH MULTIPLE PLANT EXPANSIONS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION ON THE WAY, WE'RE BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
SOON, THIS FACILITY WILL SERVE SOUTHEAST PALM BAY, PROCESSING 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WASTEWATER EVERY DAY, WITH PLANS TO DOUBLE THAT CAPACITY. ON THE HEELS OF THE PLANT COMING ONLINE AT OUR SOUTH REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT, CONSTRUCTION IS ABOUT TO BEGIN TO BOOST CAPACITY FROM 6 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY TO 8 MILLION.
DESIGN IS UNDERWAY TO REACH 10 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY.
WE'RE ALSO MOVING FORWARD WITH THE FIRST PHASE OF A NEW NORTH REGIONAL REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT.
THIS PLANT WILL HELP PHASE OUT THE NORTH REGIONAL LIME SOFTENING PLANT, STARTING WITH 3 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY AND OFFERING ROOM TO EXPAND TO 10 MILLION IN THE FUTURE. THESE INVESTMENTS IN REVERSE OSMOSIS TECHNOLOGY WILL PROVIDE A RELIABLE WATER SOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND MEET FUTURE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.
OUR COMMITMENT TO PALM BAY GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY IS CLEAR.
WE'RE BUILDING TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. AS
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WITH ANY INCREASE IN DEVELOPMENT, SO DOES THE NEED TO INCREASE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.IN AUGUST OF 2024, THE CITY OF PALM BAY HELD A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW FIRE STATION SEVEN, MARKING A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN ENHANCING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES.
THIS PROJECT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES AND ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS. LOOK OUT FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE FALL OF 2025.
FIRE STATION SEVEN IS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING.
IT SERVES AS A PROTOTYPE FOR TWO FUTURE FIRE STATIONS, STREAMLINING DESIGN TIME AND COSTS.
FIRE STATION EIGHT PLANNED FOR NORTHWEST PALM BAY NEAR SAINT JOHNS HERITAGE PARKWAY AT MALABAR ROAD, ACROSS FROM THE NEW PUBLIX, IS IN THE EARLY STAGES.
I AM ALSO PLEASED TO SHARE EXCITING PROGRESS FOR TEMPORARY FIRE STATION NINE IN SOUTHEAST PALM BAY.
THIS PAST JANUARY, CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A MODULAR AND TEMPORARY FIRE STATION TO MEET DEMANDS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST PALM BAY. THIS STATE OF THE ART STRUCTURE WILL HOUSE SEVEN FIREFIGHTERS AND BE EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE ENGINE, SQUAD VEHICLE AND HIGH WATER RESCUE VEHICLE. BUILT TO WITHSTAND 175 MILE PER HOUR WINDS AND EQUIPPED WITH HURRICANE IMPACT WINDOWS, THE STATION INCLUDES A THREE YEAR WARRANTY AND CAN BE RELOCATED TO SERVE OTHER AREAS FOLLOWING THE BUILD OF THE PERMANENT STATION.
FULLY FURNISHED UPON INSTALLATION, THIS TEMPORARY FIRE STATION ENSURES OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY, WHILE PLANS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE PERMANENT FIRE STATION NINE.
IN 2024, THE PALM BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT PROUDLY REESTABLISHED ITS GENERAL CRIMES UNIT, A VITAL TEAM ONCE DISSOLVED IN 2020 DUE TO BUDGET AND STAFFING CONSTRAINTS. NOW STAFFED WITH A DEDICATED SERGEANT AND THREE DETECTIVES, THE GENERAL CRIMES UNIT TACKLES A BROAD SPECTRUM OF FELONY PROPERTY CRIMES, INCLUDING VEHICLE, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES, GRAND THEFT, AND INCIDENTS INVOLVING STOLEN FIREARMS. IN LESS THAN A YEAR, OUR TEAM HAS MANAGED APPROXIMATELY 375 CASES, WITH OVER 160 ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, ABOUT 60 CASES RESULTING IN WARRANTS, ARRESTS OR CHARGES.
MANY EVOLVING INTO LARGER, MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL OPERATIONS, UNDERSCORING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO HOLDING CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURING A SAFER PALM BAY FOR ALL.
THIS PAST YEAR, THE CITY'S RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUED TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH DIVERSE PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SERVED OVER 304,000 THOUSAND PARTICIPANTS, FROM SWIM LESSONS TO PICKLEBALL TO KARATE AND DANCE TO SENIOR FITNESS. OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND AQUATIC CENTER ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED.
THE TURKEY CREEK SANCTUARY REMAINED A TREASURED ESCAPE, WELCOMING TRAIL VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND HOSTING NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS THRIVE, FOSTERING YOUTH SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVER 3400 YOUNG ATHLETES. WHETHER THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS OR DAILY PROGRAMS, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE AND ACTIVE PALM BAY FOR ALL.
PALM BAY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 30 PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS, 15 FACILITIES, TRAILS, PIERS, BOAT RAMPS, A NATURE SANCTUARY, A SENIOR CENTER, AND AN AQUATIC CENTER.
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RECENT PARKING FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE CASTAWAYS POINT AND STEARNS SHORELINE IMPROVEMENT, A NEW COURT AT LIBERTY PARK, A NEW PLAYGROUND AT WEST PINE ESTATES PARK, A NEW DISC GOLF PARK RENAMED RIVIERA PARK TO KEN GREEN MEMORIAL PARK, AND OPENED A SECOND DOG PARK AND PROVIDED NUMEROUS RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES TO CITY FACILITIES.OUR NEWEST PLAYGROUND RENOVATION WAS AT FRED POPPE REGIONAL PARK.
THE PLAYGROUND BOASTS THE CITY'S LARGEST ALL INCLUSIVE PLAY AREA, FEATURING A RUBBER SURFACE, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RAMPS AND A FULLY CONNECTED SIDEWALK FOR 360 DEGREE ACCESS.
THERE ARE THREE RAISED PLAY MOUNDS, SEVEN SLIDES, A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MERRY GO ROUND, A CLIMBING BOULDER, ACTIVITY PANELS, SHADE COVERINGS AND CLIMBING NETS.
THE CITY OF PALM BAY ALSO LAUNCHED ITS NEW WEBSITE CHATBOT AS PALM BAY, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WITH QUICK AND EASY ACCESS TO CITY INFORMATION AND SERVICES. ACCESSIBLE 24 OVER SEVEN THROUGH THE CITY'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE, AS PALM BAY OFFERS AN INTERACTIVE, USER FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AND NAVIGATE ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES WITH EASE.
WITH AN ADDED CAPABILITY TO RESPOND IN 71 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES USING AMAZON TRANSLATE.
IN MARCH 2024, THE CITY OF PALM BAY HELD A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR BUILDING A NEW BUILDING FOOTPRINT AT CITY HALL CAMPUS WITH THREE STOREYS AND A TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE OF 39,142.
BUILDING E WILL BE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY IMPLEMENTING SEVERAL LOW IMPACT DESIGN STANDARDS.
BUILDING E WILL HOUSE UTILITIES, CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND THE IT DEPARTMENT, CREATING A CUSTOMER SERVICE HUB AND BRINGING OUR 41 BUILDING DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES BACK ON CAMPUS AS THEY HAVE BEEN LEASING SPACE AT THE PALM BAY WEST PLAZA SINCE 2020. THIS NEW BUILDING WILL ALSO FREE UP SPACE WITHIN EXISTING FACILITIES TO ALLOW OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND ITS HEADQUARTERS OPERATION.
THAT YEAR, WE RAISED OVER $40,000, BUT I WASN'T DONE.
THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WE CONTINUED OUR MISSION OF BUILDING UPON THOSE EFFORTS TO GIVE THIS COMMUNITY AND OUR VALUED FIRST RESPONDERS A MEMORIAL TO BE PROUD OF. THANKS TO BREVARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVAL OF $250,000 IN FUNDING COMBINED WITH THE CITY SECURING OVER A 50% MATCH, INCLUDING $150,000 IN STATE APPROPRIATIONS AND $100,000 IN PRIVATE DONATIONS. WE WERE FINALLY READY TO BUILD THAT MEMORIAL.
THE ENHANCEMENTS TO SACRIFICE PARK INCLUDES SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS DESIGNED TO ELEVATE THE MEMORIAL'S IMPACT AS A COMMUNITY. AS PALM BAY PROUD, WE WILL STAND WITH THE FAMILY OF OUR FALLEN AS WE HONOR THEIR HEROES AND AS WE HONOR OUR HEROES WITH A MEMORIAL WHICH WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF, THEIR LEGACY WILL FOREVER LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS AND IN PALM BAY.
AT SACRIFICE PARK IN MAY OF 2025, WE WELCOMED OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, MATTHEW MORTON, A VISIONARY LEADER WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF DIVERSE EXPERIENCE IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
HIS CAREER REFLECTS A DEEP COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC VALUE, WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION IN MUNICIPAL FINANCE, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.
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HE HAS CONSISTENTLY EMPOWERED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADAPT, TO, EVOLVE AND THRIVE, FROM ENHANCING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO STRENGTHENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND LABOR RELATIONS.HIS APPROACH IS CENTERED ON INTEGRITY, ADAPTABILITY, AND A FORWARD THINKING LEADERSHIP.
PALM BAY IS POISED FOR A NEW ERA OF OPPORTUNITY.
UNDER HIS GUIDANCE, AND WE ARE EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE THAT LAYS AHEAD.
WHAT A YEAR IT'S BEEN. PALM BAY. DURING MY LATEST STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS, I EXPRESSED MY DEEP DEDICATION TO TURNING OUR CITY INTO A VIBRANT, PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO DO JUST THAT.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU. MAY GOD KEEP YOU, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR GREAT CITY WE CALL PALM BAY.
HOORAH! SO, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE STATE OF THE CITY HAS BEEN ISSUED, HAS BEEN DELIVERED IT IS PURSUANT TO THE CITY CHARTER THAT I DO SUBMIT TO THAT. HOWEVER, IT'S A TRUE BLESSING FOR ME TO BE MAYOR OF THIS GREAT CITY, AND I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE OPPORTUNITY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE GIVEN ME. THAT SAID, I FINISHED THAT STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IN ONE BREATH.
I HOPE I MOTIVATED YOU PALM BAY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
MAY GOD KEEP YOU, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR GREAT CITY.
HURRAH! THERE'S A TEN MINUTE RECESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.