At the May 16 Regular Council Meeting, I was proud to join my fellow council members in approving new contracts for our Police and Fire teams. Public Safety is among the top priorities for our City and we stand behind our men and women in police and fire as they provide dedicated service every day. Highlights of the contract for Police include moving new hire officer pay on October 1, 2024 from $50,577 to $53,612, and continuing to provide increases so that starting pay October 1, 2026 will be $58,544. The Fire contract moves new hire firefighter pay on October 1, 2024 from $42,511 to $47,187, and also includes a paramedic annual incentive of $12,500. Starting pay by October 1, 2026 will rise to $56,058. As our City continues to experience tremendous growth, the need for additional police and fire services has also grown. Providing competitive wages and benefits positions the City to recruit and retain a high quality workforce to serve our community.
On June 18, the City of Palm Bay held a naming ceremony for Ken Greene Memorial Park, formerly Riviera Park, at 550 Riviera Dr. NE in Palm Bay. Ken Greene was a proud Marine Corps veteran, a devoted family man, and a respected member of the community. He dedicated his life to public service, serving as a Palm Bay City Council Member. He was actively involved in numerous ministries at Our Lady of Grace Church, volunteered at Port Malabar Elementary School, and founded the Sunday Shower Ministry at Daily Bread in Melbourne. Ken provided dedicated service to the City of Palm Bay as a member of City Council from 2002-2005 and 2010-2014. I was #PalmBayProud to be a part of the ceremony and honor the memory of the great Ken Greene.
On June 21, the City of Palm Bay held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Palm Bay Disc Golf Course located at 673 Krassner Dr. NW, in Palm Bay. The new disc golf course is situated on 25 acres of land positioned south of Krassner Drive and Boxthorn Ave NW, just to the east of Fred Poppe Regional Park. Parking and the course entrance are located inside Fred Poppe Regional Park at 325 Championship Circle NW.
Court Kingz returned to Palm Bay once again this year. This amazing non-profit organization is committed to making a lasting impact on today's youth through high-quality, community-focused prevention events and captivating streetball missions. I firmly support their mission, which is to provide opportunities for personal growth, faith, and community development and foster positive change in the lives of underserved youth. Keep an eye out for Court Kingz next summer!
Congratulations to Rogue Valley Microdevices (RVM) on signing a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms for up to $6.7 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This announcement follows the U.S. Department of Commerce's recent release and comes as RVM prepares to participate in SEMICON West this week. Rogue Valley Microdevices is the first MEMS manufacturing company to secure proposed funding under the CHIPS Act. This milestone also marks the first proposed CHIPS investment in a woman-owned and minority-owned business. The proposed CHIPS investment would support the construction of RVM’s pureplay microelectromechanical systems and sensor foundry facility in Palm Bay, an operational expansion with the potential to triple RVM’s manufacturing capacity while creating 75 new high-tech jobs in Florida. I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of Rogue Valley Microdevices for securing this funding to aid in the Palm Bay expansion project. Their commitment to innovation, job creation, and community support aligns perfectly with our City's vision for growth and development. I look forward to seeing the positive impact their new facility will bring to our community and the broader industry.
With Independence Day approaching, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for each and every one of you who call our city home. On this day, we commemorate the courage and resilience of those who came before us, who fought tirelessly for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Independence Day is not only a time for revelry and fireworks but also a moment for reflection. It's a day to honor the values that define us as a nation: liberty, equality, and justice for all. It's a day to recognize the sacrifices made by countless individuals who have paved the way for our collective prosperity and progress.
As Mayor of the greatest city on the face of the Earth, I am committed to upholding these principles and ensuring that our city remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come. Together, let us reaffirm our dedication to building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.
On this Independence Day, let us unite in our shared values and aspirations. Let us celebrate the diversity that enriches our city and reaffirm our commitment to creating a future where freedom and opportunity abound for all.
To keep the celebration going, I hope you all join me in celebrating our nation's independence at the 2024 Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 5, from 5-9pm at the Eastern Florida State College Palm Bay Campus, located at 250 Community College Parkway SE. We are pleased to welcome back Zambelli Fireworks, food trucks, and various vendors for the biggest and brightest Independence Day Celebration on the Space Coast!
Heads up, Palm Bay! Minton Road between Malabar Road and Jupiter Boulevard will be closed from July 8 to July 30 for road paving operations. Ranger Construction, the contractor for this project, will perform Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) on the roadway. The FDR process pulverizes the existing asphalt and base material, mixes cement, emulsion, and water, and compacts the materials to produce a strong, durable structural base for the new road. The asphalt pavement is placed on top of the new base structure. Variable message boards and detour signs will be in place during the duration of this project. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Eldron Boulevard. Please use caution in these areas and plan your travels accordingly. Residents wishing to access the Franklin T. Degroodt Public Library will do so through the Palm Bay City Hall parking lot through the west entrance off Malabar Road. Should you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Public Works Customer Service at (321) 952-3438.
It's budget season! Join us on Tuesday, July 9 at 6:00pm in Palm Bay Council Chambers for the mid-year review for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and data for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. More budget workshop dates will be forthcoming.
Finally, I would like to recognize July as Parks and Recreation Month! We honored staff with a proclamation at the June 25 Special Council Meeting, and I encourage residents to get out and enjoy their favorite Palm Bay park, maybe even visit a new one! We have over 30 to choose from! Events such as Free Ranger-Led Tours of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary and Free Movies at the Pool are happening all month long. Visit www.pbfl.org/parks for a full list of parks and to see what other events we have in store for this month.
