Winter Park City Talk

June 11 City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting on June 11. Below are a few highlights of decisions made:

Mayor’s Report

• A proclamation was presented honoring Ronald Blocker for his tremendous accomplishments in public schools as the superintendent of the Orange County Public School System.

• Additional board appointments were confirmed.

Non-Action Items

• The April 2012 Financial Report was accepted.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of May 14 were tabled.

• The various purchases and formal solicitations were approved, however the continuing services contracts were tabled to the next meeting (a complete list can be found at cityofwinterpark.org > Government > City Commission > Agenda Packets).

• The Debt Management Policy was discussed and requested to be further reviewed by staff.

• Masci General Contractor Inc. was approved for the Fairbanks Avenue Roadway and Wastewater System Improvements Project.

Action items requiring discussion

• The City Commission narrowed down the naming opportunities to honor the memory and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Lake Island Park, which is bordered by Denning Drive, Morse Boulevard, Comstock Avenue and Harper Street, or Shady Park located adjacent to the Winter Park Community Center at the corner of New England and Pennsylvania avenues. The article following explains the public input process that will be considered as the City Commission continues this discussion on Monday, June 25.

• Electric Undergrounding, Tree Management and Reforestation Plan was approved.

• Staff was directed to develop an evaluation mechanism as it relates to federal lobbying services.

• The Purchasing Policy regarding local preference was approved.

• The Lawyer-Client Agreement with Fishman Haygood, et. al., was approved.

• The discussion of potential policy that governs City Commission written communication was tabled.

Public Hearings

• The second reading of the ordinance enacting revisions to single-family and accessory building regulations; adding pain management clinics as a permitted use in the I-1 zoning district, establishing parking requirements, and definition of pain management clinic; and adding special buffer requirements for vehicle-use areas abutting residential areas was approved with modifications.

• The second reading of the ordinance increasing taxicab rates was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance to vacate a 3-foot electric utility distribution easement located at 1302 W. Fairbanks Ave. for the new McDonald’s restaurant was approved.

• The request of CNL Commercial Real Estate for final Conditional Use Approval for a three-story, 86,600-square-foot office building on the site of the former state office building at 941 W. Morse Blvd., zoned (O-1), was approved.

A full copy of the June 11 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of June 25, pending approval by the City Commission.

Which park shall be renamed to MLK?

On June 11, the City Commission discussed potential renaming opportunities to honor the memory and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). After a presentation by the MLK Task Force and public input, the City Commission narrowed down the potential renaming opportunities to two city parks:

1. Lake Island Park bordered by Denning Drive, Morse Boulevard, Comstock Avenue and Harper Street.

OR

1. Shady Park located adjacent to the Winter Park Community Center at the corner of New England and Pennsylvania avenues.

The City Commission is seeking public feedback on which of these two parks the community prefers to rename in honor of Dr. King. Please provide your input on which one park you would like the City Commission to consider renaming by submitting your preference in one of the following ways:

1. Email [email protected]

2. Pick up and submit a survey at:

• Winter Park City Hall West Wing Lobby (401 S. Park Ave.)

• Winter Park Community Center (721 W. New England Ave.)

• Winter Park Public Library (460 E. New England Ave.)

• Winter Park Welcome Center (151 W. Lyman Ave.) All responses must be received by Monday, June 18, by 5 p.m., in order to be considered by the City Commission when they discuss this important topic at the City Commission meeting on Monday, June 25.

Thank you for helping the city make this decision as it selects the most appropriate place in the city of Winter Park to honor the work and life of one of the world’s most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The countdown continues!

The city of Winter Park invites the community to join in the celebration of the city’s 125th anniversary. The countdown began on June 9 and continues until Friday, Oct. 12 — the city’s celebration of its official incorporation as the “Town of Winter Park.” For the next 125 days, the city will be posting historical facts on Facebook® and Twitter® reminding the community about its rich and interesting history.

To prepare for this historic milestone, the City Commission appointed the following members to the city’s 125th Anniversary Task Force:

• Patrick Chapin, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce

• Cindy Bowman LaFronz, Rollins College

• Fairolyn Livingston, Hannibal Square Heritage Center

• Bob Melanson, Winter Park Public Library

• Kenneth Murrah, Murrah, Doyle and Wigle, P.A.

• Rev. Talia Raymond, First Congregational Church of Winter Park

• Susan Skolfield, Winter Park Historical Association

Since being appointed, the task force along with city staff has been working diligently on planning celebrations and partnering with existing events throughout the 2012 year to share the city’s 125th anniversary well wishes.

In addition, the city has launched a new 125th anniversary button on the home page of its official website, cityofwinterpark.org highlighting all of the celebrations and events, providing historical resources and pertinent information associated with this milestone.

“This anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Mayor Ken Bradley. “I am so honored to continue in the footsteps of our very first Mayor Robert White Jr., who was elected into office on Oct. 12, 1887. This is an exciting time for Winter Park. I look forward to celebrating our city’s history, but also building our preferred future this year with the community.”

To keep up to date on all of the city’s 125th anniversary celebrations, please click the 125th anniversary button on the home page of the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org, follow us on Facebook® and Twitter® or call 407-599-3428.

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