Welcome to the

Weekly Roundup!

This week in West Melbourne...

Members of City Council Attend

Community Leadership Retreat

Mayor Pat Bentley, Deputy Mayor Diana Adams, and Council Member Daniel McDow (pictured below, left to right, with Service Dog Opus seated in the front row), attended the Melbourne Regional Chamber's Community Leadership Retreat "Leadership in Action" event. This event is an outstanding opportunity for elected officials, local leaders, and for-profit and non-profit business owners to meet and share ideas. Additionally, the participants strived to address the Space Coast's greatest strengths and challenges.

We are grateful that our elected officials take time from their schedules to attend these types of conferences and retreats. Participating in workshops, skill-building exercises, and team building activities nurtures development and creates a better environment among the Council that benefits every citizen, as our Council works together to improve everyone's quality of life.

City Leadership Attends LEAD Brevard Orientation

The City of West Melbourne is proud to announce that three of its dedicated public servants - Finance Director Candice Blake, Human Resources Director Jennifer Curran, and Recreation Director Erin Murphy - recently attended the orientation of LEAD Brevard. These seasoned leaders are preparing to begin a series of leadership training courses designed to enhance their skills and help the City achieve its goals more effectively.

The training program, Leadership Brevard, is a nine-month leadership development experience created to strengthen and build communities. It provides experiential and practical education framed around local issues, offering participants the opportunity to explore diverse perspectives across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Participants gain insight into local challenges and opportunities while expanding their personal and professional networks.

The sessions are designed to provide hands-on leadership training, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and innovation. As the City of West Melbourne continues to grow and thrive, these newly developed skills will enable our leaders to address challenges more efficiently and enhance teamwork across departments.

Through their participation, we look forward to benefiting from enhanced leadership abilities and the collaborative relationships built within this distinguished group of local leaders. The City of West Melbourne is excited to see the positive impact that Candice, Jennifer, and Erin will bring back to our organization.

Capital Projects Update!

Unless you happen to live near an ongoing project, as we go through our daily lives in this outstanding community, most residents are relatively unaware of the significant capital project improvements that are performed throughout the beautiful City of West Melbourne. Capital projects provide permanent structural changes/improvements to a City's asset or property in order to prolong its life, increase its value, and/or enhance its capabilities. These types of projects offer significant benefits to all our residents. The City's Capital Projects Manager Mark Petroni has provided the following updates for your information:

The Melbourne Estates New Watermain Replacement and Drainage Improvement Projects have been completed. The Watermain replacement project replaced old water lines and services, and, added fire hydrants and valves to avoid service interruptions and increase fire safety. At the intersection of Bossieux Boulevard and Henry Avenue, and, at Second Avenue and Stephenson Drive, a drainage improvement project has been completed. This project included replacing front yard ditches and culverts with new underground piping and drainage inlets. New headwalls and culverts were also added.

And - great news on top of good news - this Melbourne Estates project was funded through Community Development Block Grants that the City had received from the State of Florida Department of Commerce. 

And, Sheridan Estates Subdivision has spectacular new sidewalks! Thank you to all the residents for their patience and understanding. Sometimes a little dirt is necessary to realize significant progress.

These capital improvement projects are very beneficial to our community. We remain proud of these types of projects that reflect the City’s ongoing incredible efforts to continue to improve our infrastructure.  

Heritage Day is October 17!

The

Hype is High for Hydrant Hysteria!

As you can see in the flyer, below, in less than a month, the City of West Melbourne will be throwing a wonderful and informative event to celebrate its 65 years of incorporation.

If you have any doubts about whether this event will be fun, get ready to cheer on our own Public Works Department as they hold a practice competition with the City of Melbourne in preparation for this year’s Florida Section of the American Water Works Association's Hydrant Hysteria competition held in December. Both teams will start the competition with a fire hydrant that is fully disassembled including the bonnet, operating nut, shaft, seat, and hold down nut. The first team to fully reassemble the fire hydrant properly will be the winner. Sounds easy right? Well...no...there are significant time penalties for any infractions that are found, such as the hydrant not being straight or any nuts and bolts that are not fully tightened. The team that has the lowest time after two attempts will be the winner and receive the coveted “Melbourne vs. West Melbourne Hydrant Hysteria” trophy.

Public Works

The West Melbourne Public Works Department provides a broad range of services that enhance our quality of life everyday. These hard working men and women provide an infrastructure of services including water, wastewater and stormwater treatment, public buildings, parks and grounds, and right-of-way management. We remain grateful for these outstanding employees who make the beautiful City of West Melbourne a remarkable place to live, work, and play.



Municipal Maintenance

The Streets and Drainage Department installed a ramp at the end of a sidewalk on the back side of Hammock Lakes Park. The ramp will help protect the sidewalk from being damaged by trucks and other equipment used to maintain the park. 

Heavy Equipment Operator Cory Backer used our Menzi to mow the banks of the C-8 and C-10 canals. We mow these and other large canals around the City two to three times a year not only for aesthetics, but to ensure optimum storm water drainage. 

A diseased pine tree was removed from the park along Doherty Drive. While the Crew was there, Sean Logan and Ray Barnett of Streets and Drainage trimmed some branches that were growing over the sidewalk. 

This week at Westbrooke Park, the Parks Maintenance Crew had their Contractor on-site installing some fresh playground mulch and the Crew hung a new volleyball net. Then, the Crew pressure washed the inside of the racquetball courts located at the Veterans Memorial Complex. 

Water and Sewer Maintenance

The Public Works Water Department completed 180 work orders, serviced 16 fire hydrants, exercised 25 in-line gate valves, painted 10 fire hydrants, and found multiple water valves that were buried under the grass on Wingate Boulevard.  

The Water Department also responded to multiple leaks this week. The first leak was on Mark Drive where a leaking one-inch service line was found under the sidewalk. The decision was made to replace the poly service line from the main to the meters. A two-inch casing was directionally drilled under the road and the entire service line was replaced. 

The second leak was on Piney Branch Way where they found a leaking service line off a glue joint manifold pipe. A temporary repair clamp was installed to stop the leak, and the manifold pipe is set up to be replaced next week.

The Water Department is also working to close out the small water line looping project on Old NASA Boulevard, as the final lift of asphalt was installed this week. This project included running 340 feet of new six-inch water main, connecting both ends to the existing water mains, flushing and taking water samples, and getting FDEP clearance - all done in-house by the Water Department. The Crew worked very hard and did a great job on this project from start to finish. 

The Sewer Team completed 104 work orders, 4 sewer inspections, and 56 sewer/reuse locates this week. The Maintenance Crew performed routine maintenance on lift stations throughout the City by pulling and removing the pumps to clean out the build-up located within them. 

The Maintenance Crew responded to a complaint of no reuse water on Brookshire Circle; however, no issue was found on the City's side of the system, and the customer was informed. It was then discovered that a cross connection with potable water and reuse water was present and the Crew passed the information along to the Water Department. 

The Maintenance Crew was on-hand for the inspection and installation of the new lift station wet well for the U.S. 192 Business Center. 

Vision Zero

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

Did you know that Florida Law prohibits using your wireless device while driving? Distracting driving is extremely risky - please put your phone down and pay attention to the road.

 Recreation Department

Parks promote positive mental health by providing access to nature and encouraging recreational and sporting activity. Parks and recreation connects people with nature and also with each other through events and activities. Come join your friends and neighbors at one of our many parks today!



Pickleball and Tennis Court Resurfacing  

The Pickleball and Tennis courts at Bryant Adams Park will be closed for resurfacing beginning September 23, 2024. We expect to reopen the courts, weather permitting, on October 4, 2024. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we enhance our facilities!

Senior Day at the Field of Dreams   

We were delighted to host 15 residents from Palm Bay Memory Care Community at our Seniors Day in the park last Friday. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and caregivers for enabling your residents to participate.

Upcoming Events - Save the dates!

Save the dates for some fantastic upcoming events designed for the special needs community! These events are perfect opportunities to connect, have fun, and create lasting memories

Community Development

West Melbourne remains one of the fastest growing communities in Brevard County. As we grow, our incredible and diligent team of Planners, Plans Examiners and Building Inspectors do all they can to ensure that all new construction is an asset to our community!

Permits Submitted: 20

Inspections Finalized: 545

Significant Projects

• Ascend at Hammock Landings, 300 units
• Eden at Heritage Lakes, 72 units
• Green Leaf, Carriage Gate/Minton, 55 units
• Epoch West Melbourne, Norfolk Parkway, 280 units
• Integra-Heritage Apartments, St. Johns Heritage Parkway
• Town Place Suites hotel, Norfolk Parkway
• Spring Hill Suites hotel, Hollywood Boulevard
• Take 5 Car Wash and Oil Change, West New Haven Avenue
• First Third Bank, West New Haven Avenue
• Westover Warehouse, Westover Drive
• West Melbourne Business Center, Coastal Lane
• Med Fast Urgent Care Center, Milwaukee Avenue and Minton Road
• Chick-Fil-A, Palm Bay Road
• Sunrise Estates, St. Johns Heritage Parkway, 155 units
• Integra-Artemis Apartments, St. Johns Heritage Parkway

Police Department

Our West Melbourne Police Department focuses on leadership through innovation to meet today's needs and future challenges. Preventing crime, apprehending criminals, serving the community in an outstanding manner, and expediting the flow of traffic in a safe, calm manner is what we do best! We remain grateful for the diligent efforts of this remarkable force of men and women.



Police Academy Graduation 

A new member of the Police Department, Anthony Romano, Jr., graduated from the Police Academy at Eastern Florida State College, completing the 770 hour class. He also received a class award for the Tactical Challenge Champion. He began the Field Training program the day after graduation, and will be in training for the next several months prior to being released to solo patrol duties.  

Election Meeting

Members of the command staff participated in a briefing coordinated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to discuss the upcoming election and any procedures to follow if there are any complaints or concerns.  

Citizen's Police Academy

Week 1 of the Citizen’s Academy took place this week, with 15 residents of the community attending to learn about Police Department operations. The first night included staff introductions, an overview of the structure of the department, and tours of the station.  

Department Branding Committee

The department has put together a branding committee of employees from all divisions that are reviewing some of the outward facing aspects of the agency. This includes an employee designed shoulder patch/logo, and revisions to our mission statement, which outlines the vision for our philosophy of service to the community. The committee finalized a new mission statement that will be prominently displayed within the station. The patch design will be unveiled in October when the patches are received and replaced on our current uniforms.

Notable Incidents and Activities

Residential Fire

West Melbourne Police Department and Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to residential fire in the 300 block of Wiregrass Avenue. The Officer arrived on scene to find that a grill and bird cage were on fire. A fire extinguisher was used by the Officer to extinguish the fire. The homeowner had a minor injury to their arm and minor damage on the outside of residence.

Possible Intruder

A resident of Hammock Lakes East contacted the Police and stated that approximately 12 hours prior, she had heard a door open and close in her residence. She believed that it was one of her children returning home and did not inquire further, as she did not hear anyone in the residence nor anyone walking around the house. When she later came out of her room, she observed her sliding glass door was open. She believed that the doors had been closed and locked the doors the night before. The Officer checked her home and there was no sign of an intruder and nothing was reported missing.

Illegal Sales

The Special Investigations Unit conducted compliance checks with several local tobacco and vape shops. There were three arrests made for selling nicotine to minors and one arrest for selling a hemp product to minors. Those who sold the products were given a court date to appear. 

Theft

A shopper left her purse in a shopping cart at a retail store. The purse was returned, but her cash was missing. An investigation is ongoing.

Traffic Stop=Drug Arrest

A traffic stop with the K9 unit led to an arrest for possession of Fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia.



Join Our Team

Vince Lombardi once famously said, "Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." Are you ready to be part of a team and really make a difference?



The City of West Melbourne is dedicated to being a vibrant, growing, and caring community that continually seeks excellence for residents. Our vision is to grow West Melbourne into the Space Coast’s premier location for homes, careers, and families.

We are looking for bright, motivated people who want to work in a challenging and dynamic environment while contributing to the success of their local government. Public service isn't just a job - it's a calling.

Positions Currently Available:

City Engineer

Police Officer

Police Officer in Training

Apply Now!

www.westmelbourne.gov/careers

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