Inside the Closed-Door Meeting: Sunshine Law Concerns in Satellite Beach

SATELLITE BEACH, FL — A meeting held by city officials on September 17, 2018, has come under scrutiny amid allegations of exclusion, misrepresentation, and possible violations of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law. The closed-door meeting, which involved discussions about local environmental health concerns and water contamination linked to Patrick Air Force Base, excluded several residents and advocacy groups, raising serious transparency issues.

Background and Meeting Setup

In an effort to address rising concerns about cancer clusters and potential contamination, environmental expert Bob Bowcock, in association with Erin Brockovich and local group of advocates, reached out to Satellite Beach officials requesting a collaborative meeting. The city agreed, and a session was scheduled for mid-September 2018.

However, the day before the meeting, City Manager Courtney Barker sent an email to Bowcock, objecting to the inclusion of certain residents, stating: 

“We have specifically left out people that we felt would be combative and non-productive.” 

As a result, Stel Bailey and others associated with Fight for Zero were denied entry to the meeting, while a known supporter of the city was granted access. 

Public Backlash and Internal Communications

After the exclusion, Barker’s administrative assistant Julie Finch sent an internal email to 25 recipients, including the Mayor and City Council, attributing the decision to growing "misinformation on Facebook" and discrediting environmental advocates. 

A subsequent email from Barker made further accusations against Bailey and her group, suggesting:

• They would “make a scene” and “edit video out of context”
• Their claims were “ridiculous”
• They were using the issue to “raise their profile”

These remarks were sent to city insiders the day before a public council meeting, appearing to rally political allies against local residents advocating for environmental accountability. 

Citizen Complaint and Sunshine Law Concerns

On September 22, 2018, a Brevard County resident filed a report alleging that the closed meeting may have violated Florida’s Sunshine Law, which guarantees public access to governmental meetings.

The matter was internally reviewed by the Satellite Beach Police Department, which ultimately declined to open a formal investigation. Commander Bert Berrios responded:

“No such violation occurred, therefore, we will not file an incident report or accept statements.”

However, the swift dismissal and internal handling of the complaint, along with subsequent emails between Chief Jeff M. Pearson and Commander Berrios, have drawn criticism from advocates who say the matter was brushed aside without adequate review or public explanation. 

Ethics and Transparency at Stake

Just one month earlier, on August 8, 2018, the city conducted a formal ethics and Sunshine Law training session for public officers and employees. Yet, by mid-September, those same officials made decisions to exclude members of the public, restrict media access, and selectively invite only favorable attendees—actions that contradict the spirit, if not the letter, of Florida’s open government statutes. 

City officials justified the meeting structure by claiming rotating council attendance and the private nature of certain discussions. But records suggest a deeper motive to control the narrative, suppress dissent, and sideline environmental advocates.

The September 17 meeting serves as a critical example of how public trust can be eroded when transparency and fairness are compromised. Despite repeated attempts by residents and nonprofits to collaborate constructively with city leaders, internal communications show a troubling pattern of dismissiveness, retaliation, and strategic exclusion.

While no legal action has been taken to date, the public record raises important questions about accountability, ethical governance, and whether Satellite Beach officials violated the rights of citizens seeking environmental answers in their community.

Satellite Beach Police

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