Winter Park City Talk

May 14 City Commission meeting

There will be a City Commission meeting on Monday, May 14, at 3:30 p.m., at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 West Morse Boulevard. Below are a few topics of interest:

Mayor’s Report

• Recognition as a “Fit Friendly” company by American Heart Association

• Presentation of check from the Kenneth Murrah for the City of Winter Park Tree Fund

• 2012 Board appointments

• Proclamation - Emergency Medical Services Week, May 20-26, 2012

• Proclamation – Civility Month

• Presentation of FSAWWA Most Outstanding Class C Water Plant Award “W” prize: water conservation inter-municipality competition

• Katherine Ford’s passing

City Manager’s Report

• Development Report

Non-Action Items

• Financial Report – March 2012

Consent Agenda

• Approve the minutes of 4/23/2012.

• Approve various contracts and formal solicitations (a complete list can be found at www.cityofwinterpark.org > Government > City Commission > Agenda Packets).

• Approve the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Casselberry for Fire-Rescue Apparatus Inspections, Preventative Maintenance, Maintenance and Repairs.

• Approve the 4th annual Winter in the Park Holiday Ice Equipment Rental and Management Agreement with Magic Ice USA (and subsequent purchase requisitions), and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract.

• Approve the development and easement agreement for 121 Garfield Avenue to be able to officially record the sanitary sewer easement granted to the city in 2004 and the parking waivers approved at that time.

Action items requiring discussion

• Hannibal Square East street dining (Armando’s and Hannibal’s).

• Discussion of bidding out City Attorney contract.

• Discussion of bidding out Federal Lobbyist position.

• Modification or amendment to Purchasing Policy regarding local preference.

• Discuss potential policy that governs City Commission written communication.

• Proposed Sustainability Advisory Board.

Public Hearings

• First 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.

• First reading of the ordinance increasing taxicab rates.

• Resolution – Designating 1500 Berkshire Avenue as a historic resource on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places.

• Resolution – Supporting a communitywide initiative to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities in central Florida through education, engineering and enforcement

• Resolution – Requesting Florida Department of Transportation change the sign at the Interstate 4, Fairbanks Avenue exit from “Winter Park” to “Winter Park Historic District.”

City Commission Reports

• Commissioner Leary

• Commissioner Sprinkel

• Commissioner Cooper

o Records retention policy

• Commissioner McMacken

• Mayor Bradley

You can find the Commission’s full agenda at www.cityofwinterpark.org and by clicking on Government > City Commission > Packets.

May 28 City Commission meeting canceled

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the Monday, May 28, City Commission meeting has been canceled.

Employee of the Quarter

Please join us in congratulating Craig M. O’Neil, Assistant Director of Communications, on his nomination as employees of the first quarter of 2012. Mayor Bradley and the City Commission presented the award to Craig at the City Commission meeting on April 23.

The city has many employees that stand out above the rest, and the Communications Department is fortunate to have one in Craig. Since starting his career with the city in 2004, he has been in lock step with city management working toward establishing and maintaining the integrity, consistency, professionalism and high quality of the city’s image. His skill to see the big picture and how individual events, programs and initiatives fit into the city’s mission is impressive. His informative press releases and media alerts also serve as a reminder and resource of what continues to make this city the best place to live, work and play.

Craig is a true ambassador for the city with a positive attitude and contagious enthusiasm. He has created excellent working relationships with his fellow co-workers, residents, and merchants. He helps Florida Blood Centers save lives by coordinating the city’s blood drives, manages the department’s budget and helps educate youth via school tours. In addition, Craig helps recognize the hard work of others through the preparation of employee recognitions, proclamations, talking points, speeches and presentations. The unique and special things that make Winter Park shine and may normally be overlooked have come to the forefront through his diligent work.

Craig has an innate ability to befriend everyone he works with and has a warm sincerity about him that allows them to open their hearts and share their special stories with our community. Whether it is through a public presentation or through the written medium, Craig is able to bring out the best in people and as a result, bring out the best of our city.

The city’s Employee of the Quarter should be someone who doesn’t seek the limelight for him/herself, never casts a shadow over others, and only looks to make others shine as brightly as they can. Craig O’Neil is that person and we congratulate him as he is recognized as the Employee of the Quarter.

KABOOM!® names Winter Park “Playful City USA”

Although today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation, 213 cities and towns, including Winter Park, have earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM!® as 2012 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children. This is the second year that Winter Park has been recognized. Presented by The Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program advocating for local policies that increase play opportunities for children and a key platform in combating the play deficit.

Each of the 2012 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to addressing the play deficit. The evaluation of Winter Park’s 2011 play spaces resulted in capital funding to update Phelps Park and Ward Park playgrounds, and provide beautification for the parking areas at Lake Island, Cady Way and Phelps parks. Adding play day events to the city’s recreation programming was also well received by the community, and plans are underway to make the play day an annual tradition.

Winter Park and the other Playful City USA communities are now eligible for $15,000, $20,000 and $30,000 grants via Let’s Play™, a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, to get kids and families active nationwide.

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