1980

Year Date Event
1980 January 1 Commercial fishing is banned in Canals. Increase in Marine Patrol at night in canals to stop illegal fishing. 
1980 February 7 Future land use becomes big issue. Mayor Brown applies for representation to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
1980 February 12 The Regional Water Supply Authority was established.
1980 February 19 Local Businesses requested the City Commission create a Board of Trade.
1980 March 6 City Commission recommends a study of oil refinery's effects on coastal waters. Planning and Zoning Board to make the determination.
1980 May 13 The Thousand Islands is designated as a natural aquatic preserve.
1980 June 5 City Commission endorses a crime watch program and encourages the cooperation of civic organizations and individuals with the City police department.
1980 June 19 Fire Department high rise aerial equipment is being driven from California (500-600) miles a day. The equipment has passed performance tests. The equipment was purchased by a Local Developer however the City is paying for transport to Cocoa Beach.
1980 July 2 Living aboard watercraft more than three days is unlawful. The three day limit requires boats be anchored at a licensed marina.
1980 July 15 Police Department is concerned about home and business alarms in the City. In 1970 the department answered 844 alarms and 838 were false alarms. In 1978, they answered 820 alarms, and 815 were false alarms.
1980 October 10 1. Ocean front property is now appraised at $3,048 an ocean front foot.
2. Discussion on Holiday Inn expanding by purchasing the Beach Motel, the merging of the two represent the current location of Holiday Inn.
1981 February 19 The County has made an application for a $300,000 grant to develop Lori Wilson Park
1981 March 31 A proposal to annex Snug Harbor and points south was brought before the City Commission
1981 April 11  Alcoholic beverages, other than wine and beer, are permitted to be sold on Sunday in bars and lounges.
1981 April 14 Deferred compensation plans, similar to IRAs is first introduced to city employees.
1981 May 5 1. Sewage connection fees are raised from $550 to $1,000.
2. Street Lighting to be converted to pressure sodium lights which will save the city $28,000 per year.
1981 May 7
Recreation Board decides to not permit a closed structure in Lori Wilson Park unless it houses actual recreation activities, e.g. basketball, handball, etc.
1981 June 4 Permission to build a yacht club at the recreation center is denied. No private clubs are allowed on public lands.
1981 July 16 Rod Cavin of Alan Ladd Productions, addressed the Commission asking for approval to use the beach area at the end of Minutemen Causeway for a two-day shooting for the film, "The Right Stuff", to be released by Warner Bros. It is a story about the early space program, spanning Chuck Yeager's initial breaking of the sound barrier through the Mercury Astronaut program. Approval of the request was unanimous.
1981 August 20  Report on Canaveral Port Authority. The citizens of Cocoa Beach subsidize this port, and that in 1980, the cost to local residents was $140,000. It was suggested we could pave a lot of roads in the City with that kind of money, and that we should look into weaning the port from the taxing district.
1982 February 4 Commission discussed the City's need in getting service or perimeter roads in order to get vehicles off A1A, and requested a workshop on ideas of getting a tax bill with the sole purpose to raise money in order to buy land through condemnation procedures.
1983 February 3 Assistant City Manager requested authorization to build a pistol firing range on the west side of the Golf Course. It had been discussed at a workshop session and the use of this range would be limited to Police Departments and no one else would be permitted to use the course unless it was brought back to the Commission for approval. After a brief discussion the request was approved by all Commissioners present and voting.
1983 February 17 It was reported by the City Manager that police cars had been operating on LP gas for one year. In figuring the cost compared with cars using unleaded gas, the net saving to the City was about $1,168 per year.
1983 April 7  Cape Canaveral Hospital, when originally designed, was to be a 10-story building. At the time it was approved by referendum in setting up the tax district. The economy at the time was such that only a 4-story building was built. The hospital now needs to expand three more stories and this would push them a hair above the 85' height limit. The City Attorney advised that under equitable estoppel, the original project is grandfathered in and take precedence over the height limit adopted in the Zoning Ordinance of the City Charter. The Commission should just say "fine, the 85' limit does not apply in this particular case." Motion to Approve was passed by all Commissioners voting.
1983 October 6 The City Manager spoke on the subject of the Grand Jury investigation of the Cocoa Beach Police Department. The State Attorney's office was also asked to investigate the Florida Law Enforcement Department. Accusations were made regarding theft and other misconduct and findings of fact, and some items that were beyond the statue of limitations for prosecution. No person was willing to come forward to sign complaints or offer evidence against the officers charged with misconduct. In any case, the officers named in the complains were suspended with pay and have subsequently been notified that they will be terminated from their positions, and the case evidence submitted to the State for decertification of both officers.
Mayor Brown expressed his thanks that this was brought into the open by independent investigators, and noted that he was relieved the problem did not go beyond two officers. He stated this should signal to every officer that they are in positions of trust, and it is their duty to uphold the law and not be influenced by friendships with officers who may commit criminal acts.
1985 March 21 Motion to disapprove reorganization of Cape Canaveral Hospital to a private nonprofit hospital. A question was asked about where taxpayer money went when the hospital changed hands, and the Mayor responded it was his understanding ownership had not changed hands but that former tax monies paid went toward building and operating the hospital.
Under state law, the hospital will be operating as a private nonprofit hospital and that they do not need to meet in the Sunshine, they can be self-perpetuating and do not have to be accountable to any public officials or taxpayers who have helped build the hospital. Further, the physical assets, i.e., land, building and all equipment contained there will remain the property of the tax district in perpetuity and the hospital is merely leased. Any profits will be used to pay off the bond issue. Also, 65% of users of the hospital are residents of Merritt Island and 35% are from Cocoa Beach. Motion of disapproval passed by a vote of 4-1.