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City of Palm Bay to Hold FBI Anti-Corruption Workshop on February 25

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 6:00pm, the City of Palm Bay will hold a workshop focused on preventing corruption in local government. The anti-corruption workshop will be facilitated by Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent and Private Sector Coordinator Andrew Sekela, who will provide information to Palm Bay City Council to promote education and awareness regarding public corruption statutes. The presentation will include detailed case analyses to provide examples of situations to avoid and guard against.
 
The anti-corruption briefing was requested by Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina at the December 3, 2020 Regular Council Meeting.
 
“It is a new day in Palm Bay. As I work with my fellow Councilmen to lead this great City, this is an important step we must take to honor our pledge to uphold an open and transparent local government. I encourage the public to join us as we listen to the FBI presentation and work together to identify strategies to strengthen our foundation of integrity and accountability,” said Mayor Medina.
 
Members of the public are encouraged join City Council and the Palm Bay staff leadership team for this informative session. The workshop will be held at 6:00pm in Council Chambers, located at 120 Malabar Road SE. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on the City’s Facebook page and available for viewing on the City of Palm Bay website.
 
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Palm Bay Ranks #2 in the 2021 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Milken Institute ranks Palm Bay as #2 on the 2021 Best Performing Cities Index (BPCI) emphasizing jobs, wages, innovation, and high-tech growth. Propelled by strong wage and job growth, the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) rose eight ranks from 2020’s index, which placed the region at #10.
 
The Palm Bay MSA earned the second-place position among this year’s Best-Performing Large Cities, improving on its 2020 performance by transforming one-year gains into long-term, well-paying jobs. According to the Milken report, this continued success is largely due to a diversified, high-tech industrial base, including a significant concentration of the nation’s aerospace and defense industries. In 2020, the Palm Bay MSA accounted for over a tenth of total direct defense spending in the Sunshine State and boasts 11 industries with higher concentrations than the national average.
 
The BPCI report notes that the Palm Bay MSA’s economic resiliency is largely due to its dynamic, concentrated high-tech sector. The report also finds that the Space Coast’s capacity for economic recovery in 2021 is reliant on an alignment between the opportunities in high-tech industries and the area’s affordable cost of living. The Milken Institute anticipates continued success for the Palm Bay MSA as a result of its share of the national defense and aerospace industries and diversified industrial base.
 
The City is currently in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan to address land use challenges and provide increased flexibility for commercial zoning. City Council also entertained a series of economic development incentives and inducements designed to attract favorable commercial development and quality jobs for residents, thereby strengthening the City’s tax base and diversifying the local economy. By implementing these types of strategic initiatives, the City of Palm Bay seeks to build on recent successes to sustain a high level of performance and encourage long-term economic growth.
 
To read the Milken Institute’s 2021 BPCI report in its entirety, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/reports-pdf/Best-Performing-Cities-2021.pdf
PALMBAYPD

Palm Bay Homicide Investigation Update

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Since the early morning hours on Christmas Eve, detectives have continued to work tirelessly to identify those responsible for the shooting death of Tyler McCoullough. On February 5th, 2021, detectives with the Major Case Unit were able to identify two alleged shooters and obtain arrest warrants for both. Today, detectives, along with members of our Crime Suppression Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office GAMEOVER Task Force located both individuals and took them into custody. The suspects have been identified as Hunter Oswiecinski, 17, and Toby Gamble Jr, 23, both of Melbourne. Oswiencinski and Gamble have both been charged with 1st degree premeditated murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
 
This case remains open and anyone with information is urged to contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or the call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456.
 
 
Palm Bay Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred during the early morning hours of December 24th, 2020. Police officers responded to the area of Forest Knoll Drive and Tree Ridge Lane after receiving calls about shots being heard. Patrol officers discovered a male who had been shot multiple times. The male victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The victim was identified as Tyler McCoullough, 33, of Palm Bay. At this time, detectives are searching for the suspect and determining a motive for the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or the call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456.
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Palm Bay Partners in Florida’s Largest Simultaneous Greenhouse Gas Inventory Initiative

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay, in collaboration with over 30 partners from local government, public and private agencies and entities within Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties will undertake Florida’s largest simultaneous Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory initiative as part of the East Central Florida Regional Resilience Collaborative (R2C).
 
Funded by Audubon Florida and formalized on May 15, 2019, the R2C mission is to empower the communities in East Central Florida to advance regional resilience strategies that strengthen and protect the built infrastructure and natural environment, enhance health and equity, and ensure a thriving economy. Truly a community partnership, student fellows from University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, and Stetson University, are partnered with a representative from a participating city or county to undertake the climate cohort studies.
 
As the critical first step local governments can take to assess energy efficiency, baselines such as the GHG inventory help public sector organizations identify means to improve operational energy efficiency with the goal of shifting to renewable energy sources over time.  These efforts can result in eventual cost savings to taxpayers and a reduction in the emissions that contribute to climate change.
 
The municipal GHG inventory captures emissions produced by local government operations in buildings, fleet usage, and waste services, to name just a few.
 
“Florida’s local governments are seeing the impacts of our changing climate firsthand and are leading the way with this commitment to accountability and innovation,” said Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida. “We are thrilled to partner on this work to accelerate sustainability, save taxpayer dollars, and make Florida communities more resilient…all while providing on-the-job training for the next generation of leaders in this field.”
 
The City of Palm Bay is proud to participate in this initiative to further the City’s efforts to be a more environmentally friendly and sustainability-focused community on the Space Coast. The City’s initial efforts as a member of R2C will be ongoing through the end of spring 2021 and results will be shared with all community stakeholders as studies are completed.
 
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Brevard County/FDOH-Brevard COVID-19 Vaccination Status Report 1/22

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BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – More than 27,151 people have received a COVID-19 vaccination in Brevard County. As part of the state-run vaccination program, the Florida Department of Health-Brevard has administered more than 12,600 vaccinations, while others have received the vaccine through various other private and public institutions.

Brevard County Emergency Management has partnered with FDOH-Brevard for its vaccination operations, and Brevard County Government is helping supplement its vaccine operations with County employees. The primary goal is to get as many shots in arms as possible on a daily basis and, for now, the focus has been to schedule appointments and administer shots at the centrally located FDOH-Brevard Office in Viera.

Brevard County is also poised and ready to expand vaccination operations to other sites in the county, to do community outreach and to cater to those currently eligible for the vaccinations. Under executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis, those eligible must be 65 or older, must be a healthcare worker with direct patient contact, and must be a Florida resident. FDOH-Brevard is averaging 800 to 1,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day.

States are beholden to the federal government for vaccine supplies, and currently there is not enough vaccine being allocated to meet local demand.

Vaccines received by FDOH-Brevard so far.

12/28: 3,500

1/4: 1,400

1/11: 2,600

1/12: 1,000

1/19: 4,500

When FDOH-Brevard opened a phone line to accept  appointments for its first round of vaccines, its phone system was inundated with more than 260,000 calls in a two-day period. To assist residents frustrated by a busy phone line and unable to book appointments, the County implemented use of an Internet program called Eventbrite, which is commonly used to book online concert tickets and other activities or programs. This past Tuesday, appointments for 2,800 doses of the vaccine were booked within 22 minutes.

There are positive steps being taken to expand COVID-19 vaccination operations once supply begins to meet the demand:

  • The Florida Division Emergency Management is working to implement a statewide appointment system for COVID vaccinations that should be ready within weeks.
  • Earlier this week, Gov. DeSantis announced 22 Publix grocery stores in Brevard County will take appointments and provide COVID-19 shots to those eligible. 
  • On Tuesday, (Jan. 26)  the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners will consider a proposal to partner with the county’s three major hospital systems to administer the vaccine at five sites countywide. 
  • Other vaccines are expected to gain federal approval in the coming months.  

As appointments become available, Brevard County Emergency Management will continue to notify residents through press releases, social media and Emergency Text Alerts. To receive text alerts, simply create a text on your phone to the phone number, 888777, and in the text box type Brevardeoc, and then hit Send. You will receive a notification that alerts have been activated.

 
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COVID VACCINE UPDATE FOR BREVARD COUNTY RESIDENTS

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Effective January 21, 2021, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees signed a Public Health Advisory prioritizing Florida residents for COVID-19 vaccinations given in Florida.

This advisory outlines who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and provides clear direction and proof-of-residency requirements for all entities administering the vaccine in Florida.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments can only be made through an online system; appointments cannot be scheduled through our website or by e-mail or phone.

To receive text alerts from Brevard County Emergency Management when additional vaccine is received and appointments are available, text BrevardEOC to 888777. When an alert is issued, it will include a link to the online registration system.

Please note: COVID-19 vaccinations are free of charge. Please do not register for a vaccination appointment that requires payment. Only follow appointment links from this site or Brevard County Emergency Management directly.

For those who received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine elsewhere in Florida, please review the 2ND DOSE tab below.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available on an appointment-only, drive-through basis for those age 65 and older and healthcare workers who provide direct patient care and are not part of a hospital system.

Location (for those with appointments): 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940

Review the COVID Vaccine Fact Sheet and screening questions on the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form prior to your appointment. Print and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form to bring to the appointment for more efficient service. We do not require the insurance information.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccination series is 2 doses, given 1 month apart. If you receive one dose of the Moderna vaccine, you should receive a second dose of the same vaccine 1 month later to complete the vaccination series. After vaccination you will be asked to wait for 15 minutes to be monitored for adverse reactions. Please see the attached “Moderna Facts and Privacy” for additional information on what to expect during and after the vaccination.

More information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/

Everyone, including those who have received both doses of vaccine, should continue to follow CDC recommendations on wearing face coverings, washing hands, and social distancing.

Register:

All available COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been claimed. There is tremendous demand for the vaccine and a limited supply, so check back on Wednesday, January 27 after 6:00 a.m. EST (5:00 a.m. CST) for your next opportunity.

https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine

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CDC issues new travel Guidelines due to COVID-19 concerns

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an Order on January 12, 2021 requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving from a foreign country to the US. This Order will be effective on January 26, 2021 and published in the Federal Register soon.

Here are some of the frequently ask questions in regards to the new guidelines:

Does this requirement apply to US citizens?

This Order applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling into the US, including US citizens and legal permanent residents.

Can foreign nationals under the Presidential Proclamation travel restriction now enter the US with a negative test?

Several Presidential proclamations established restrictions on the entry of certain travelers into the US in an effort to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With specific exceptions, foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during the past 14 days may not enter the US. For a full list of countries under the proclamations, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.

When do I need to get a test to travel to the US? And what kind of test do I need?

Get tested no more than 3 days before your flight to the US departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.

What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the US?

The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

What happens if I don’t take a test and want to travel to the US?

Air passengers traveling to the US are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.  Airlines must confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding. If a passenger chooses not to provide a test result or documentation of recovery, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

What happens if I test positive?

People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not provide a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.

What is a verifiable test result?

A verifiable test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy) of a laboratory test result. Testing must be performed using a viral test (NAAT or antigen), and negative results must be provided to the airline prior to boarding. The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A negative test result must show test was done within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result must show the test was done within the 3 months before the flight.

What kind of documentation of my test result do I need to provide?

CDC requires that air passengers arriving in the US have a paper or electronic copy of their test result for review by the airline before you board and for potential review by public health officials after you arrive in the US.

If I tested negative before my flight, do I need to get another test when I get to the US?

CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home or otherwise self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.

All travelers (including those who have recovered from COVID-19) should remember to wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart from people who are not in your household, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing and before eating. Travelers should look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick. Anyone sick with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and delay further travel.

For more information, visit After You Travel Internationally

Do I need to get a test before leaving the US?

CDC recommends that you get tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen) 1-3 days before you travel internationally. Travelers should additionally follow any requirements at their destination.

When does this order take effect?

This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Does this order apply to all flights?  Or just commercial flights?

This order applies to all flights, including private flights and general aviation aircraft (charter flights). Passengers traveling by air into the US are required to have proof of testing regardless of flight type.

Does the testing requirement apply to aircraft crew members?

Crew members on official duty, whether working or in an assigned deadhead status (transportation of a flight crew member as a passenger or non-operating flight crew member), are exempt from the testing requirement as long as they follow industry standard protocols for the prevention of COVID-19 as set forth in relevant Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If I have one or more connecting flights to the US, does the 3-day period apply to the first flight or the last one?

If you are arriving on a direct flight to the US, your test must be done within the 3 days before your flight to the US departs. If you are arriving to the US via one or more connecting flights, your test must be done in the 3 days before the first flight in your itinerary, but only if the connecting flights were booked as a single passenger record with a final destination in the US and each connection (layover) is no longer than 24 hours long. If your connecting flight to the US was booked separately or a connection in your itinerary lasts longer than 24 hours, you will need to get tested within the 3 days before your flight that arrives in the US.

What happens if my flight is delayed and it goes over the 3-day limit for testing?

If your flight is delayed before departure, you will need to get re-tested if the delay causes your test to fall outside of the 3-day pre-departure testing period requirement.

If I am connecting through the US to another country, do I still need to get tested?

Yes.  Any flight entering the US, even for a connection, will require testing before departure.

What should airlines and operators of private flights or general aviation aircraft do with passenger attestations?

Operators of private flights and general aviation aircraft must maintain passenger attestations for two years, per the Order.

Do airlines and operators of private flights or general aviation aircraft need to keep copies of passenger test results?

No, passengers must show a copy of their test results to airline employees or the aircraft operator before boarding, but the airline or aircraft operator does not need to retain copies of test results.

What if I have had a COVID-19 vaccine?  Do I still need a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19?

Yes, all air passengers traveling to the US, regardless of vaccination status, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN BREVARD COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS RECENT EFFORTS IN PROVIDING COVID-19 VACCINE

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Viera, Fla — The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management, and local hospitals, is providing COVID-19 vaccination sites. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County will continue to issue this update every week.

County health departments have an important role to play in administering vaccine. Here’s a summary of some of our top efforts this week.

  • For the week ending January 8, 2021, DOH-Brevard administered 3,092 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This included their appointment-only drive-through vaccination efforts at the Viera clinic and doses provided through signed agreements to Brevard County Fire Rescue and Cape Canaveral Fire Rescue to vaccinate front-line, high-risk personnel. Coastal Health Systems of Brevard, Indialantic Fire Rescue, and Satellite Beach Fire Rescue also have signed agreements and are working with DOH-Brevard for vaccine administration this week.
  • Worked with Brevard County Emergency Management to streamline reservation process and provide messaging to the public through the county’s social media platforms.
  • No additional appointments are available at this time, however, once DOH-Brevard receives additional vaccine, more appointments will be made available. To receive text alerts from Brevard County Emergency Management when additional appointments are available, text BrevardEOC to 888777.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County continues to fight to protect health and safety as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine continues.

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Palm Bay appoints new City Manager

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On Thursday, January 7, 2021, the Palm Bay City Council voted to appoint Acting City Manager Suzanne Sherman to be the new City Manager of the City of Palm Bay. Ms. Sherman was hired as Palm Bay’s Deputy City Manager in January 2019 and has been serving in an interim capacity since the departure of former City Manager Lisa Morrell in July 2020.
 
“We have a new year and we need a new City Manager,” said Councilman Randy Foster, who brought the item forward for consideration.
 
Mayor Rob Medina expressed his support in Ms. Sherman saying, “Suzanne Sherman is a servant leader and what I’ve observed is not only a high level of morale, but a dedication to the people that work with her, a dedication to the City of Palm Bay, and a level of ethics that’s unwavering.”
 
Following the decision to appoint Ms. Sherman, the Palm Bay City Council voted to select Deputy Mayor Kenny Johnson to serve as the Council representative to handle contract negotiations. Contact details will be presented to City Council at the January 21, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.
 
Ms. Sherman boasts a long history with the City of Palm Bay, having been initially hired in January 2006 as a Budget Management Analyst. She subsequently held the positions of Risk Manager and Business Operations Division Manager. Ms. Sherman also served as Assistant to the City Manager and Acting Deputy City Manager for Palm Bay, until 2015 when she was hired as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Satellite Beach.
 
In addition to her extensive experience working in Brevard County, Ms. Sherman is also active in several professional organizations including the Florida City and County Management Association, the Space Coast Public Management Association, and the Florida League of Cities. She also attained her Certified Public Manager designation in 2012 and is an ICMA Credentialed Manager Candidate.
 
“It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to continue to serve Palm Bay in this capacity,” Sherman said. “Working with City Council and our leadership team, we will strive every day to meet the needs of our growing community by providing high quality, responsive services with integrity, prioritizing infrastructure improvements and support for our expanding residential and commercial sectors.”

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