Winter Park City Talk

March 10 City Commission meeting

If you were unable to watch or attend the City Commission meeting held March 10 in City Hall Commission Chambers, below are a few highlights of decisions made at the meeting:

Mayor’s Report

• A proclamation was presented declaring March as Purchasing Month in Winter Park.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of 2/24/14 were approved.

• The various contracts and purchases were approved (for a complete listing, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• The collection of various fees associated with connecting utility services to the Grant Chapel was waived.

Public Hearings

• The second reading of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance vacating and abandoning the easement located at 2020 W. Fawsett Road was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance authorizing the conveyance of the city-owned property at 321 Hannibal Square West, in exchange for the property located at 325 S. Pennsylvania Ave. was approved.

• The resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was approved.

A full copy of the March 10 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of March 24, 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.

Enter to win

Enter to win a VIP Prize Package for “The 55th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival!” Simply send an email to [email protected] with “The 55th Annual WPSAF Prize” in the subject line.

• A response message will be sent to your email confirm that we have received your entry.

• Entries must be received by Tuesday, March 18, at 5 p.m.

• One randomly selected winner will be notified Wednesday, March 19.

VIP Prize Package will include:

• The 55th Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival poster signed by artist Bill Farnsworth

• Two passes for seating under the patron tent (Friday, March 21, featuring Buzzcatz, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., and Kim Waters, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.)

• Vintage T-shirts from previous Art Festivals

• Vintage note cards from previous Art Festivals

• Official Art Festival baseball cap and visor

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most prestigious outdoor art festivals. The 2014 festival will be held Friday, March 21, through Sunday, March 23, in Central Park and along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

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Increased police presence on St. Patrick’s Day

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Winter Park Police Department is urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs. During this holiday WPPD along with other law enforcement officials will be on high alert, cracking down on drunk drivers as part of its “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” public safety campaign.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 700 people were killed in crashes involving impaired drivers during St. Patrick’s Day holidays from 2006 to 2010 nationwide. WPPD will stop and arrest anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Please be responsible, and have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Get involved by volunteering on a city board

If you are interested in learning more about city government, one of the best opportunities to do this is by becoming a city board member. Depending on your area of interest, background and experience, Winter Park may have the perfect board for you. The city relies on the recommendations of its boards as it makes major decisions that impact the quality of life for its residents.

Each year the mayor reviews the applications and at the first City Commission meeting in May, then presents his slate of board appointments for the City Commission’s consideration and confirmation. Currently, there are positions open for the following boards:

• Board of Adjustments

• Code Enforcement Board

• Community Redevelopment Advisory Board

• Ethics Advisory Board

• Keep Winter Park Beautiful & Sustainable Advisory Board

• Lakes & Waterways Advisory Board

• Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

• Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board

• Tree Preservation Board

• Utilities Advisory Board

• Winter Park Police Officers’ Pension Board

If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a city board, please fill out the Board Application Form found online at cityofwinterpark.org and click on Government > Boards. Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 18.

Visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on Vimeo.