Winter Park City Talk

City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting Dec. 10. Below are a few highlights of decisions made:

Mayor’s Report

• The following awards and recognitions were presented:

• National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA Award

• Growth Award and Sterling Award

• 4th Quarter 2012 Business Recognition Award

• 2012 Plant Operations Excellence Award

• Plaques to Orwin Manor homes listed on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places

• Board appointments were approved.

Consent Agenda

• All of the items under consent were approved as presented.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• The Strategic Plan was approved.

• The organizational support policy discussion was tabled, however, it was approved to extend funding to those already receiving funding this year.

• The city attorney evaluation was approved.

• The lease agreement with Orlando Federal Credit Union was denied.

Public Hearings

• The second reading of the ordinances and resolutions related to the refunding CRA notes, the outstanding Orange Avenue Improvement Revenue Bond, Series 2007, and outstanding Park Avenue Refunding Improvement Revenue Bond, Series 2010, were approved.

• The second reading of the ordinances related to changing the existing zoning designation of the Winter Park YMCA for the properties located at 1751 and 1761 Palmer Ave. were approved.

• The first reading of the ordinances for Atlantic Housing Partners, LLLP, to change the existing designation for property located at 861 W. Canton Ave., and the Conditional Use approval to construct a four-story, 105-unit senior living facility of affordable and workforce senior housing units on the properties at 550 N. Denning Drive and 861 W. Canton Ave. were approved.

• The Conditional Use approval for Marlow’s Tavern to convert the former McDonald’s Restaurant at 1008 S. Orlando Ave. into a Marlow’s Tavern and Restaurant was approved.

• The resolution to use uniform ad valorem method of collection of a non-ad valorem assessment for properties lying in the city to fund improvements for underground electrical/BHN facilities was approved.

• The resolution to execute a highway landscape construction and maintenance agreement with the FDOT for the Lee Road median landscape project was approved.

A full copy of the Dec. 10 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Jan. 14, pending approval by the City Commission.

Ice rink skate cam

If you want to check out the rink before heading out on the ice, don’t forget you can log on to cityofwinterpark.org/WITP and click on the “Live Webcam Video” link provided by WKMG Local 6 and powered by Sprint 4G Network.

Vote for your favorite holiday window

The city of Winter Park Economic Development/CRA Department is proud to present its third annual “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest and Wristband Promotion. From now until Sunday, Dec. 30, you can vote for your favorite window online at cityofwinterpark.org/HWC.

Also, in support of our local business community, the Wristband Promotion encourages patrons of the “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink to show their wristbands at participating merchants to take advantage of a minimum savings of 15 percent off one item and other possible special storewide savings.

For information, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/WITP and click on the “Holiday Window” or “Wristband” tabs.

Friday is filled with unique holiday events

Although every day is an exceptional day to enjoy Winter Park, if you’re looking for one day in particular that offers some different festivities, Friday, Dec. 14, is packed with unique holiday excitement.

Beginning at 3 p.m., the city’s fourth annual “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink will be open and WKMG Local 6, the ice rink’s exclusive television sponsor, will be on site for WKMG Day until 9 p.m. Join local news personalities at “Winter in the Park” and possibly get a chance at your 15 seconds of fame as they broadcast live at the rink!

Then at 5 p.m., the Park Avenue Merchants Association will host an evening of holiday cheer during their Holiday Open House until 8 p.m. Luminaries will light up the Avenue and participating merchants will offer extended store hours and light refreshments. A portion of sales during the event will be donated to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For a list of participating merchants, visit ExperienceParkAvenue.com

At 5:15 p.m., bring the whole family to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art for a special night of free events including a gallery tour, art demonstration and live music. Following the tour, at 6 p.m. attend a demonstration of techniques for making stained-glass windows with artist Melody Spence in the McKean Pavilion (just behind the museum). Children attending the art demonstration will receive an art activity gift to take home. From 5 to 8 p.m. harpist Victoria Lynn Schultz will provide the perfect accompaniment to your stroll through the galleries.

Finish off the evening at 7 p.m. in Central Park West Meadow by catching a front-row seat to one of the most-acclaimed series of the year, “Downton Abbey,” during a free screening of its Season 3 premiere. WUCF TV, in partnership with the city, is hosting this special holiday event just behind the “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink tent at the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard in downtown Winter Park. This special event is open to the public, featuring the first 60 minutes of the two-hour Season 3 premiere that will air in its entirety at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, on Central Florida’s only PBS station, WUCF TV. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to the event.

Don’t let the fun stop there. Winter Park is hustling and bustling to make your holidays even more special. Visit cityofwinterpark.org for additional upcoming festive holiday events that you, your family and friends can all enjoy.

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