City Of Daytona Beach News - November 30, 2022

Commissioners sworn into office

Next commission meeting is Dec. 7
Daytona Beach Commissioners Monica Paris (Zone 1), Quanita May (Zone 3) and Dannette Henry (Zone 5) were sworn in last week by Judge Wesley Heidt. Paris is new to the commission. They will serve a four-year term and the first meeting of the full commission will be Wednesday, Dec. 7. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. (instead of 6 p.m.) due to the tree lighting ceremony at the Riverfront Esplanade at 5:30 p.m.

Meetings are broadcast live on www.CODB/DBTV and Spectrum Channel 490. They are also recorded and archived on the city’s website so people can watch them at any time. To receive agendas via text or email, sign up at www.CODB.us/Subscribe

Public forum for Hurricane Recovery Grants Thursday

The next public forum for the city’s Hurricane Recovery Grants will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Allen Chapel Fellowship Hall at 580 George W. Engram Blvd. Residents and business owners will be able to submit applications and get answers to their questions about the recovery grants. 

Coastal permitting open house Thursday

There will be an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Drive) to address emergency permitting for temporary and permanent repairs on coastal structures due to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. City, county and state representatives will be available to answer questions and assist with emergency permitting, especially concerning seawalls, sand sources and walkover repairs. Residents, consulting engineers and contractors are encouraged to attend so staff can guide them through the process.

City's new mobile app provides ease and convenience

The City of Daytona Beach’s new mobile app, DBCityConnect, is available to download from the Apple and Google app stores. Convenient features allow users mobile access to:

- Pay utility bills

- Search city job openings, meeting agendas and minutes

- View Daytona Beach Police Department’s website

- Schedule a virtual appointment with staff

- Access the city’s social media platforms

- Get the latest city news and active emergency alerts

- See calendars for city meetings, Peabody events and community events from the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s calendar

- Stops on the Black Heritage Trail 

- Subscribe to city newsletters, agendas and alert

Popular community center to be renamed to honor couple

The Midtown Cultural & Educational Center will be renamed the Julia T. and Charles W. Cherry Sr. Cultural & Educational Center in a public ceremony 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the center, which is located at 925 George W. Engram Blvd.

Commissioners approved the renaming of the facility in the Cherry’s honor to commemorate the couple’s legacy and philanthropic contributions to the City of Daytona Beach.

The community center features a gymnasium, a music recording studio, a dance studio, meeting rooms, a computer room and offices. It opened in 2012 and replaced the Cypress Street Recreation Center, also known as the PAL Center.

CLASH Endurance this weekend at the Speedway

Daytona International Speedway will host thousands of triathletes for CLASH Daytona this weekend. Pros will be aiming to capture a portion of the $100,000 prize purse and a variety of bonuses throughout the course. Friday night includes the “Jingle Jog” 5k. Spectators are welcome to attend the events. Live event coverage will air on CLASH Endurance digital channels. Additionally, the professional event will be showcased during a prime time broadcast airing on NBC at 4 p.m. Dec. 31. 

Entries being accepted for city’s Christmas Parade

Ring in the holidays in Daytona Beach at the Bells & Shells Christmas Parade on Beach Street! The parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and travel south on Beach Street to Basin Street. Enjoy local bands, festive floats and performances by community organizations. Prizes will be awarded to the best entries, which are being accepted now through Wednesday, Dec. 7. 

A December to Remember starts Dec. 7

Start a new holiday tradition this year while exploring the new Riverfront Esplanade overlooking the Halifax River in downtown Daytona Beach. A December to Remember at the Riverfront Esplanade is a multi-day extravaganza, starting Dec. 7, filled with community events, a movie on the lawn, holiday bazaar, Santa sightings, live music and more. A December to Remember will be from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31.  Although construction is ongoing on the south side of the esplanade, trees in the area will be decorated.