July 2022 | Issue 5
Upcoming Events
July 4, 2022, 7p; Independence Day Celebration featuring a concert by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks over the Indian River Lagoon; Riverfront Park
July 15, 2022, 5p; Deuterman Productions presents Whiskey Myers with 49 Winchester, Chane Smith & The Saints; Riverfront Park
July 24, 2022, 4p; AEG presents Iration and Atmosphere Sunshine & Summer Nights Tour, Passafire, The Grouch with DJ Fresh; Riverfront Park
July 30, 2022, 5p; Historic Cocoa Village Main Street Christmas in July Sip & Stroll; Cocoa Village

See all events happening this month.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning & Zoning, 7/6/22, 6pm
Budget Priorities Workshop, 7/8/22, 2:30pm
Cocoa City Council, 7/12/22, 6pm
Diamond Square RDA Board, 7/18/22, 6pm
Code Enforcement Board, 7/21/22, 6pm
Cocoa City Council, 7/26/22, 6pm (Tentative Millage Budget Hearing)
Police Advisory Board, 7/28/22, 6pm

See the updated list of upcoming meetings this month.
How to read your
And how to detect for leaks
The City of Cocoa Utilities Department has two different kinds of meters throughout the over 80,000 connections in the regional utility system. The water meter at your home is typically located in the front of your yard, closest to the road, and is read on a monthly basis by the Customer Service Meter Readers. The two types of meters are manual meters and radio read meters. The video above shows how the two types of meters are read by the readers and how the consumption is billed each month.

The video also gives instructions on how to check for possible leaks in your home by checking the leak flag indicator on your meter. Leaks can be very common. Click the image below for more information on leak detection and reading your water meter.
There are also a number of ways you can conserve your water consumption. Click the image below to get more information about water conservation on the City's website.
City Manager's Message
Staff and City Council have been busy working on the fiscal year 23 budget which begins October 1, 2022. Several meetings have already been held with more to come in July and August before Council approval of the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget in September.
Our Community Engagement Unit of the Cocoa Police Department is well underway with our annual Cops and Kids Summer Program with Cocoa PAL. This program is just one of the many ways this unit reaches out to our community. They have visited a number of places with the PAL students including the beach, the pool to learn how to swim, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the Police and Fire Departments, and even to City Hall. These kids have had an exciting summer so far thanks to our dedicated officers, volunteers and the Cocoa PAL program. You can follow along to see all of their great adventures and how you can get involved by visiting the Cocoa PAL Facebook page.
The City of Cocoa is once again collecting school supplies this summer for the youth in our local Cocoa schools to start the school year off right with a backpack full of supplies. You can donate supplies to any City facility in the month of July. Needed supplies include backpacks, scissors, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, hand sanitizer, paper, rulers, folders, notebooks, composition books, highlighters and colored pencils. All supplies donated will be distributed at an event on August 5th at Provost Park beginning at 5pm. Come out and join us for food and fun family activities as we give away school supplies to our young Cocoa residents. Stay tuned to the City's website and social media pages for more information on the supply drive and related events. A flyer is also included in this newsletter below.
The City of Cocoa's Draft 5-year Consolidated Plan is now available to review. The plan is designed to help the city assess affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. We are now accepting public comment and feedback on the plan through July 12, 2022. View and provide your feedback on the plan now through July 12th. Visit the Housing and Neighborhood Services website to read the plan and provide feedback.
Cocoa City Council and members of staff are committed to continually working to enhance the quality of life for our residents, business owners and visitors every day. There are so many great things happening in our community and I hope you enjoy reading about all of the great news in this newsletter. Thank you for working with our Council and City Staff as we continue to make Cocoa a great place to live, work and play.

All of us together, are TEAM COCOA.

Stay Connected with the City of Cocoa this Hurricane Season
The City of Cocoa wants to make sure all residents and business owners are prepared this hurricane season. Make sure to visit our website www.CocoaFL.gov/hurricane to see contact information, storm alerts and updates, FAQs, and more. You can also sign up to receive text message and e-mail alerts right on the page. It also gives you helpful informational videos on ways you can stay prepared prior to a storms approach.
Temporary Change in Water Disinfection Method Complete
Beginning the later part of May, the Cocoa Utilities Department temporarily modified the disinfection process used to treat our drinking water. The change provided additional protection against contamination to help ensure that your water remains safe as we enter the summer months. The system went back to disinfecting with chloramines, which are a longer-lasting disinfection method.
Lee Wenner Park Boat Ramps Back Open
The boat ramps, Captain Ed Lanni T-Dock, day slips and boat parking at Lee Wenner Park are back open after a large dredging and restoration project that began in February.
Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Pool Now Open
The swimming pool at the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center in the Diamond Square community is now open. There are open swim hours every Saturday and Sunday from 1-5pm through August 7th. The entry fee is $1.00. There are also Aqua Zumba classes being held every Monday and Saturday at 10am with Jackie Lewis. For more information, visit the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Facebook Page.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Officer Cierra Johnson
Cocoa Police Officer, Community Engagement Unit

2 years of service to the citizens of Cocoa
Officer Cierra Johnson joined the Cocoa Police Department in May, 2020 and shortly after was assigned to the Community Engagement Unit, a special unit charged with community outreach and engagement for the Cocoa Police Department.
Annual Water Quality Report Now Available Online
The 2021 Water Quality Report (the newest report) is now available for viewing on the internet at www.cocoafl.org/ waterqualityreport. The 2021 Water Quality Report covers test results obtained during the 2021 calendar year. It describes where your water comes from and how the water is treated and purified before reaching your tap. Copies of the 2021 Water Quality Report will be available at the Cocoa City Hall lobby located at 65 Stone St. in Cocoa Village, the William H. Stephenson Utilities Building at 351 Shearer Blvd. in Cocoa, and all the public libraries in the Cocoa Utilities service area in July 2022. 
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
July 4th
The City of Cocoa will once again be partnering with the City of Rockledge and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra to host the free family concert honoring Independence Day. The event features a free family concert on the main stage in Riverfront Park beginning at 7pm by the renowned Brevard Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks display over the Indian River Lagoon beginning at 9:15pm. Vendors will be available with fun activities for the whole family. Make sure to arrive early to reserve your space in the park.
SAVE THE DATE FOR
COCOA'S FALL FESTIVAL
October 29th
The City of Cocoa will once again be hosting the Annual Fall Festival in Riverfront Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022 beginning at 3pm. Festivities will include a trick-or-treat trail, kids activities, food, vendors, and more. There will be a fun Halloween themed movie playing at the end of the event on the big outdoor movie screen. To participate in the event, or for more information, click below or reach out to our Leisure Services division at (321) 639-3500 x4 or nharris@cocoafl.org.
Citizens Academy Now Accepting Applications
Click below to find out more about the City of Cocoa Citizens Academy and how you can be a part of the next session.
The City of Cocoa Citizens Academy is an 10-session program designed to inform residents and community stakeholders about the operations of city government and what is involved in delivering and maintaining services to the citizens of Cocoa. The program is designed for residents and Cocoa business owners who are interested in learning more about their local government and how they can get involved in their community. Class size is limited to the first twenty (20) Cocoa residents or business owners that apply.
Parks Improvements
Cocoa City Council made it a priority this past year to improve the quality of our parks. A number of upgrades have been planned and are projected to be complete in the Fall of 2022. The first progress is the exercise equipment that will be installed at Bracco Pond Park bringing 9 different stations along the walking path surrounding the stormwater pond. For more information on parks upgrades click below.
New Utility Payment Kiosk Now Available at City Hall
The City of Cocoa now has a new digital utility payment kiosk located on the south side (Orange Street) of City Hall. This payment kiosk allows customers to make payments and get a receipt for their utility payment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without having to come inside City Hall.
Thomas Cole Stormwater Recreation Area Naming Event
On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Emma Jewel/Diamond Square CRA Master Stormwater Recreation Area was officially renamed the Thomas Cole Stormwater Recreation Area. Family and friends helped Council unveil the new signs. The park was officially renamed in February.
Survey
Each month we will ask residents to answer a question to give feedback on important topics in our community. Your feedback is important to us. Please take a moment to answer our survey.

June Question
How often do you utilize City parks?
Members of Council Out and About
Members of Council were on hand to celebrate the naming of the Thomas Cole Stormwater Recreation Area.
Mayor Blake welcomed the kids at the Cocoa PAL Cops and Kids Summer Program.
Members of Council were on hand for the City of Cocoa's Annual Memorial Day Tribute event at Riverfront Park.
CITY OF COCOA | www.CocoaFL.org