Cape Canaveral: Cape Canaveral City Council Meeting
Summary. The Cape Canaveral City Council held a regular meeting on January 20, 2026, addressing several significant items including honoring longtime resident Ray Lamar Russell with a proclamation, introducing new city engineer Rich Davis, and approving a major $4.7 million water reclamation facility emergency shoreline enhancement grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The council also appointed Luke Ezelay Haran as the city's honorary poet laureate for a two-year term. Several infrastructure matters were addressed, including approval of a gravity sewer cleaning proposal for $99,860 and manhole rehabilitations costing $28,320. The council discussed an impact fee study that could cost between $70,000-$90,000 to potentially increase revenue sources. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing preparations for increased rocket launch impacts on city infrastructure, with detailed reports on monitoring equipment installation and community outreach efforts. The meeting concluded with the sad news that the school board voted 5-0 to reassign all Cape Canaveral students from Cape View Elementary to Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, despite the city's efforts to find alternatives.
Agenda Items
4. Approval of Agenda
Council approved the agenda as written without amendments
- No changes requested to the agenda
5.1. Proclamation Honoring Ray Lamar Russell
Mayor Morrison read and presented a proclamation honoring Ray Lamar Russell for over five decades of service to Cape Canaveral
- Russell's NASA career from 1974-1991
- Service on recreation board and planning & zoning board
- Authored 'Lessons Learned in Planning and Zoning'
- Received lifetime service award in 2016
5.2. New City Staff Introduction - City Engineer Rich Davis
Introduction of Rich Davis as the city's first in-house city engineer position
- First time the city has had an in-house engineer position
- Previously contracted this service out
- Historical context from Ray Russell about past engineers
6. Public Participation
Five residents spoke on various issues including code enforcement, recreation facilities, Cape View Elementary, electric bikes, and infrastructure concerns
- Code enforcement hearing concerns
- Hansen Recreation Center shuffleboard court conditions
- Cape View Elementary closure emotional impact
- Electric bike enforcement patterns on weekends
- LNG development concerns and launch impacts
7. Manager's Matters
City manager provided updates on multiple ongoing projects and initiatives
- City hall air conditioner replacement timeline
- Splash pad opening at C5
- Nancy Hansen Recreation Complex contractor walkthrough
- Digital court recording software installation
- Personnel updates and hiring
- Muck Project details - $66 million county project
- Internship program development
- Impact fee schedule update study proposal
8.1. Consent Agenda - Approval of Minutes
Council approved revised meeting minutes
- Revised minutes were provided
9.1. Water Reclamation Facility Emergency Shoreline Enhancement Grant
Council approved Resolution 2026-01 accepting $4,757,900 grant from Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- Major funding from Florida legislature
- New employment authorization requirements in legislation
- Thanks to Representative Tyler Saroy and Senator Randy Fine
9.2. Honorary Poet Laureate Appointment
Council appointed Luke Ezelay Haran as honorary poet laureate for two years
- Luke shared two original poems about Cape Canaveral
- Two-year term appointment
- Support from poetry community at Cape Center
9.3. Joint Workshop with Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board
Scheduled joint workshop for February 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
- Board now has six members
- February 3rd allows 100% board participation
- Alternative dates of February 10-11 discussed
9.4. Gravity Sewer Cleaning Proposal
Council approved $99,860 proposal from Tetra Tech for phase three sewer inspection project
- Final phase of comprehensive sewer inspection
- Required by state legislation (SB 712, HB 1091)
- Creates baseline data for potential rocket launch damage
- 150-day timeline from approval
- Night work to avoid service interruption
9.5. Manhole Rehabilitations
Council approved $28,320 from wastewater fund to rehabilitate seven sewer manholes
- Prevents damage from hydrogen sulfide gas erosion
- Using competitive bid contract from Sun And Lake Of Sebring Improvement District
- Primary responsibility to prevent sewer backup
9.6. Second Reading - Ordinance Abolishing Board of Adjustment
Council passed Ordinance O9-2025 on second reading, transferring board of adjustment duties to city council
- Streamlines development permit review process
- Consolidates variance and special exception timelines with site plans
- Assigns zoning interpretations to community development director instead of building official
- No changes from first reading
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve the agenda as written
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, seconded by Council member Willis
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve the consent agenda (minutes)
Moved by Council member Willis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson
Passed 5-0
Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-01 (water reclamation facility grant)
Moved by Council member Willis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-02 appointing Luke Ezelay Haran as honorary poet laureate
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, seconded by Council member Willis
Passed 5-0
Motion to set joint meeting with Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board on February 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Moved by Council member Willis, seconded by Council member Shoriak
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve the gravity sewer cleaning proposal from Tetra Tech for $99,860
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, seconded by Council member King
Passed 5-0
Motion to authorize $28,320 from wastewater fund to rehabilitate seven sewer manholes
Moved by Council member King, seconded by Council member Willis
Passed 5-0
Motion to adopt Ordinance O9-2025 abolishing the board of adjustment
Moved by Council member Willis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jackson
Passed 5-0
Action Items
Follow up on expediting timeline for gravity sewer cleaning project
Assigned to City Manager Touchberry
Bring impact fee study proposal to council for approval before spending contingency funds
Assigned to Finance Director John DeLeo
Install permanent acoustic monitoring station on city hall
Assigned to Zach (Resiliency Division) · Due Next week
Deploy vibration sensors at additional condo sites
Assigned to Zach (Resiliency Division) · Due February or March
Create dedicated web page for rocket launch preparedness information
Assigned to City Staff
Follow up with questions and concerns on site plan ordinance before February meeting
Assigned to Council members · Due Before February meeting
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Cape Canaveral City Council held a regular meeting on January 20, 2026, addressing several significant items including honoring longtime resident Ray Lamar Russell with a proclamation, introducing new city engineer Rich Davis, and approving a major $4.7 million water reclamation facility emergency shoreline enhancement grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The council also appointed Luke Ezelay Haran as the city's honorary poet laureate for a two-year term. Several infrastructure matters were addressed, including approval of a gravity sewer cleaning proposal for $99,860 and manhole rehabilitations costing $28,320. The council discussed an impact fee study that could cost between $70,000-$90,000 to potentially increase revenue sources. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing preparations for increased rocket launch impacts on city infrastructure, with detailed reports on monitoring equipment installation and community outreach efforts. The meeting concluded with the sad news that the school board voted 5-0 to reassign all Cape Canaveral students from Cape View Elementary to Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, despite the city's efforts to find alternatives.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 12 agenda items: Approval of Agenda; Proclamation Honoring Ray Lamar Russell; New City Staff Introduction - City Engineer Rich Davis; Public Participation; Manager's Matters; Consent Agenda - Approval of Minutes; Water Reclamation Facility Emergency Shoreline Enhancement Grant; Honorary Poet Laureate Appointment; Joint Workshop with Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board; Gravity Sewer Cleaning Proposal; Manhole Rehabilitations; Second Reading - Ordinance Abolishing Board of Adjustment.
How many motions were voted on?
8 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
6 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
5 members were recorded as present: Mayor Morrison, Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Council member King, Council member Shoriak, Council member Willis.
What county is Cape Canaveral in?
Cape Canaveral is located in Brevard County, Florida. Browse other Brevard County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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