Winter Park City Talk

July 25 City Commission Meeting Highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held on July 25 at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights of decisions made:

• Mayor’s Report

• The board appointments for the Construction Board of Adjustment and Keep Winter Park Beautiful were approved.

• Consent Agenda

• The minutes for the 7/11/11 City Commission meeting were approved.
• The Encroachment Agreement for the property located at 1270 Burning Tree Lane between Paul & Emmanuela Bough and the city was approved.
• The encroachment Agreement for the property located at 1580 Palm Avenue between David & Ann Fuller and the city was approved.
• The various contracts and agreements were approved (for a complete list of purchases and agreements, please access the Commission Agenda Packet at www.cityofwinterpark.org > Government > City Commission > Agenda Packets).

• Action Items Requiring Discussion

• The tentative millage rate was set at the same operating millage rate which is currently at 4.0923.
• The three-year Economic Development Plan was approved with an amendment.
• “Pink-Out” Winter Park was approved as presented.
• The request to Advertise Notice of Disposal for city property located at 941 West Morse Boulevard was approved.

• Public Hearings

• The following two requests of BankFIRST for properties at 1289 and 1301 Gene Street were approved:

• The first reading of an ordinance changing the Future Land Use Map designation of Office to Commercial was approved.

• The first reading of an ordinance changing the official zoning map designation of Office (O-1) District to Commercial (C-3) District was approved.

• The resolution designating 1240 Miller Avenue and 1111 South Orlando Avenue as the Dingman Economic Enhancement District and as a Brownfield area for the purpose of environmental remediation, rehabilitation and economic development was approved.

A full copy of the July 25 City Commission minutes will be available on the city’s official web site at www.cityofwinterpark.org the week of August 8, pending approval by the City Commission.

Purchasing Division Receives Award

The City of Winter Park’s Purchasing Division has been selected by the National Purchasing Institute (NPI) to receive the 2011 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award, designed to recognize excellence in procurement by organizations that obtain high scores on standardized criteria. Winter Park is one of only 21 government agencies in Florida and one of only 57 cities in the United States to receive this prestigious award.

The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award program is designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement productivity and leadership attributes in the procurement industry. The award program is sponsored by the NPI, the California Association of Public Procurement Officers, the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, the Institute of Supply Management, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), the National Association of State Procurement Officials, the National Association of Educational Procurement, and the Texas Public Purchasing Association.

The mission of Winter Park’s Purchasing Division is to procure quality goods and services at the lowest possible cost, consistent with the quality needed to provide the very best service to the public, while assuring fair and equal opportunity to all qualified vendors. The division is responsible for establishing purchasing policies, coordinating purchasing procedures, supporting all city departments, and contracting for the purchase of supplies and services exceeding the threshold for formal solicitation. Purchasing is also responsible for guarding against unethical or discriminatory practices in bidding or procurement activities as well as ensuring fair and open competition for vendors.

The award will be presented to the City Commission on Monday, August 8.

KWPB Teamed Up With Rollins College And Youth Can To Make Winter Park Green

The City of Winter Park’s Keep Winter Park Beautiful (KWPB) program teamed up with Rollins College and YOUth CAN, Inc., for “Green Spaces to Sustainable Places,” a volunteer component of Rollins College Office of Community Engagement’s SummerServe program.

On July 23, Rollins College students and faculty members volunteered to make Winter Park a more sustainable place by focusing on green spaces including neighborhood parks, ecological reserves, pocket parks and community gardens, all of which contribute to the environmental, economical and social sustainability of the city. In keeping with the theme, volunteers met on the lawn in front of the Rollins College Student Resource Center, and then walked or biked to the site.

The project occurred at Mead Garden, one of the city’s most unique and diverse green spaces. Mead Garden serves as an ecological reserve in addition to providing an amphitheater, nature trails, environmental learning center, and a new community garden which was made possible by a Winter Park Health Foundation Healthy Communities grant. Volunteers focused on the northwest section of the garden that previously served as a maintenance area for the city’s Parks & Recreation Department. They assisted city staff in removing invasive species, landscaping, and clearing space for permeable walking paths, benches, new signage and additional garden space for growing Florida wildflowers.

KWPB and Rollins College will plan future volunteer projects to continue making Winter Park a more sustainable and beautiful place to live, work, learn, and play. Those interested in volunteering with KWPB or making a monetary donation, should please e-mail [email protected], call 407-599-3364 or visit www.kwpb.org.

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