Winter Park City Talk

Weekend of holiday events

This past weekend, the city of Winter Park dazzled in holiday lights and music as hundreds of families, friends and neighbors gathered in downtown for so many of our amazing events. The park was filled with blankets and chairs, streets were lined with eager children awaiting Santa’s arrival, and trees were illuminated with amazing globes of lights. Thank you to all of our city staff that works around the clock so all of us are able to have memories to treasure. If you have not had the opportunity to experience the holiday glow of downtown Winter Park, there are still many other opportunities to enjoy. Please visit cityofwinterpark.org for an entire listing of more festive events.

Dec. 8 City Commission highlights

Mayor’s Report

• The Winter Park Country Club 100th Anniversary Committee was recognized for their hard work in planning the events celebrating the course’s centennial anniversary.

• Baxter Murrell, a junior at Winter Park High School and Eagle Scout, was recognized for his “Baxter’s Bags Project” that raised over $18,000 in funds to buy and fill 400 backpacks for homeless residents of Central Florida.

City Manager’s Report

• 2908 Temple Trail was approved to be purchased at the bank-offered price.

• The 2014 Capacity Concurrency Analysis Report was presented.

Non-Action Items

• A scope of services was requested to be prepared for the following city services: legal, labor attorneys and state lobbyists.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of Nov. 24, 2014 were approved.

• The Fiscal Year 2015 budget amendment for the Tree Inventory Forestry Grant was approved.

• The purchase requisitions, blanket purchase orders, piggyback contracts and a formal solicitation were approved (for a complete listing visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• Library Facility Task Force recommendations were discussed and the following was approved:

• Continue working for the next six months to refine the program/space plan.

• City to dedicate up to $50,000 for professional fees.

• City’s initial investment to be $15 million toward a new or renovated library.

• Fundraising/philanthropy to be sought for the remainder of project costs.

• Consideration of three sites (City Hall, Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center and the existing site).

• Commission is also open to other locations if an opportunity presents itself.

• The acquisition of the property located at 2600 Lee Road was approved with an amendment to be demolished as permissible by city code.

Public Hearings

• Second reading of the ordinance removing the requirement for supermajority votes for the approval of certain conditional uses was approved.

• The request by the City Commission to reconsider section 10 E and F of the Ravaudage Amended and Restated Development Order was approved with an amendment.

• The request of Benjamin Partners, Ltd. and American Land Ventures Inc. for approval of setback amendments and six stories of the proposed 296-unit apartment project was approved with amendments.

A full copy of the Dec. 8 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Jan. 12, pending approval by the City Commission. Remember, if you are unable to attend the City Commission meetings, you can watch them live, gavel-to-gavel as they happen. During the meeting, simply log on to cityofwinterpark.org/cclive to easily stay tuned-in to official city business.

City blood drive

During this season of giving, donating blood is a wonderful way to give back and save a life. The Big Red Bus will be at Winter Park City Hall located at 401 S. Park Ave., on Monday, Dec. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All donors will receive a voucher for a free movie ticket and a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening. Photo ID is required. If an appointment is made online at oneblooddonor.org, please use the sponsor code #9355. For more information, please call 1-800-879-5020.

Unveiling of “The Peacock Project” Fountain

The Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Winter Park will host a dedication ceremony for “The Peacock Project,” Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Park Rose Garden, located near the corner of Park and New England avenues in downtown Winter Park. The life-size peacock fountain is a limited edition design by Lloyd Leblanc, from England, who is known for his outside bronze sculptures. The fountain is the result of an Eagle Scout Service Project by John Michael Thomas, a sophomore at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, created in memory of his late friend Elizabeth Buckley.

According to Thomas, Troop 62, “I was inspired by my 13-year-old classmate who passed away from an inoperable brain tumor New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2012. Elizabeth loved playing in Central Park, loved gardening and roses, and loved peacocks.”

Vice Mayor Steven Leary will lead the dedication event, which will include the unveiling of the new fountain, remarks from Life Scout John Michael Thomas, and light refreshments.

Dinner on the Avenue tables on sale Jan. 5

The city of Winter Park is proud to announce the 14th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 6 to 10 p.m. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year. Tables will go on sale Monday, Jan. 5, at 8 a.m., at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave.

Gather a table of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to dine under the stars on beautiful Park Avenue. Tables of eight (8) are available for just $125 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided - everything else is up to you. Get creative with table set-up and let your appetites decide whether you bring your own potluck dinner or hire a local caterer to satisfy your palate.

Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have decided on the winners.

For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/dinner or call 407-643-1613.

For more information regarding the city of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on both Vimeo and YouTube.