Maitland City Talk

Friday, June 3, 2011, was a wonderful and historic day for Maitland. That was the day we finally had the groundbreaking ceremony for our new city hall. It has been eagerly anticipated by our citizens for quite some time. The process began in 2004 with the approval by our citizens of the GO bonds for the project. Then, through the tireless efforts of multiple mayors, city councils, city managers, staff professionals, contractors and residents, we were finally ready for our new city hall to become a reality.

As mayor, it was my great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to participate in this very special event. Being a developer, I have participated in many groundbreakings; however, this is not just a groundbreaking but also a new beginning for our city.

Let me give you an understanding of the important history of this site. Originally, Packwood Hall was built at this location in 1873 by George Horatio Packwood. Packwood Hall served as a community center, a skating rink and a city hall. In 1881, the Maitland Depot was built here and provided an important economic engine for the city of Maitland. In 1925, a new city hall was built and that facility served as a center of city activities until 1974, when our former Mayor Homer Hough officially opened a newly constructed municipal campus. That campus included facilities to house the Police Department, Fire Department and our present City Hall.

All of these facilities provided a focal point for the community, creating not only a community center for government, but also commerce, culture and recreation for more than 125 years. Today, we are a part of the continuation of that Maitland heritage as we celebrate a milestone in the realization of a new city center anchored by a beautiful City Hall.

This project has, from its inception, chartered a course highlighted by resident pride in their hometown. Meetings, reviews, public input, deliberations, bond issues and planning and development for this project have all demonstrated the spirit that this new icon for the city will serve as a place where people will gather in the future to nurture our neighborhoods and our community as proud residents of Maitland. It has been designed to achieve LEED Certification with the U.S. Green Building Council and is scheduled to be completed in June of 2012.

I want to commend all of our public officials, volunteer boards and city staff for all their hard work and a job well done in making this groundbreaking possible. Furthermore, let me say a sincere thank you and offer my congratulations to our citizens for this is your state-of-the-art City Hall. For without your continuous support and approval, the groundbreaking would not have been possible.

We must also extend special thanks for the diligent professional services provided by our project design teams ACi, AVCON, Bobes Associates and MSI, as well as, looking forward to construction under the capable and skilled guidance of Wharton-Smith, Inc., the design-build contractor, Schweizer Waldroff Architects, Inc., Amore Engineering, Inc., Buholtz Professional Engineering, Inc., Klima Weeks Civil Engineering, Staley Consulting, Inc., and Williamson & Associates, Inc.

Special places like this do not happen without vision, and in this process, I have come to recognize that this project reflects the vision of our entire community — a vision for the future and a vision that embraces the creation of a vibrant and inviting city center for all our residents. It’s great to be finally under way.

City Council Meeting of June 13, 2011

City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The next meeting is scheduled for June 13 in the Council Chambers, 1776 Independence Lane. Below are items that will be addressed at that meeting. For updates, visit www.itsmymaitland.com

Public Hearing:

Second reading of an ordinance creating an independent Ad Hoc Charter Review Commission.

Decisions:

• Appointments: Board of Zoning Adjustment (2), Charter Review Committee (5 members and 2 at large), City Ambassador (1)

• Acceptance – Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

• Auto Connection – Settlement Agreement Request for Extension

• Resolution to terminate the Memorandum of Agreement for the Alternative Water Supply Project near State Road 46 in Seminole County

• Introduction - Ordinance to approve the FY12-2016 Capital Improvements Program

• Introduction - Ordinance to amend the Future Land Use Element of the 2030 CDP

• Introduction - Ordinance to approve the amendment adopting a “Mobility Plan

• Introduction - Ordinance that outlines a process for beer and wine sales and dispensing at Lake Lily Park, Quinn Strong Park and Lake Destiny Recreation Facility

Discussion Item:

• Program to purchase foreclosed homes for the purpose of renting the homes to law enforcement officers.