Winter Park City Talk

Dec. 8 City Commission meeting

There will be a City Commission meeting Monday, Dec. 8, at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers located at 401 S. Park Ave. For the most up-to-date agenda, please visit cityofwinterpark.org under What’s New. Below are a few topics of interest:

Mayor’s Report

• Golf Course Centennial Committee Recognition

• Recognition – “Baxter’s Bags Project”

City Manager’s Report

• Presentation of the 2014 Capacity Concurrency Analysis Report

Non-Action Items

• Tree planting presentation

• Professional consultants report

Consent Agenda

• Approve the minutes of Nov. 24, 2014.

• Approve the Fiscal Year 2015 budget amendment for the Tree Inventory Forestry Grant.

• Approve purchase requisitions, blanket purchase orders, piggyback contracts and a formal solicitation (for a complete listing visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• Library Facility Task Force recommendations (pending results of Dec. 2 City Commission Work Session discussion)

• Acquisition of the property located at 2600 Lee Road

Public Hearings

• Second reading of the ordinance removing the requirement for supermajority votes for the approval of certain conditional uses.

• Request by the City Commission to reconsider two sections of the Ravaudage Amended and Restated Development Order as approved by the City Commission on Nov. 11, 2014 and adopt by resolution additional amendments to the Amended and Restated Development Order.

• Request of Benjamin Partners, Ltd. and American Land Ventures Inc. for approval of setback variances for the fifth and sixth floors of the proposed six-story, 296-unit apartment project to be located 2-feet 2-inches into the required street setback on Bennett Avenue and 10-feet 2-inches into the required street setback on Lewis Drive.

Remember, if you are unable to attend 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.

Unveiling of “The Peacock Project” Fountain

The Parks & Recreation Department of the city of Winter Park will host a dedication ceremony for “The Peacock Project,” Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Park Rose Garden, located near the corner of Park and New England avenues in downtown Winter Park. The life-size peacock fountain is a limited edition design by Lloyd Leblanc, from England, who is known for his outside bronze sculptures. The fountain is the result of an Eagle Scout service project by John Michael Thomas, a sophomore at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, created in memory of his late friend Elizabeth Buckley.

According to Thomas, Troop 62, “I was inspired by my 13-year-old classmate who passed away from an inoperable brain tumor New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2012. Elizabeth loved playing in Central Park, loved gardening and roses, and loved peacocks.”

Vice Mayor Steven Leary will lead the dedication event, which will include the unveiling of the new fountain, remarks from Life Scout John Michael Thomas, and light refreshments.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

We are preparing to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the city on the evenings of Monday, Dec. 8, through Thursday, Dec. 11, and Monday, Dec. 15. Young and young-at-heart will have the chance to mingle with Old St. Nick himself as he rides his sleigh through Winter Park neighborhoods. “On Dasher, on Dancer and Donner and Blitzen!” Santa and Mrs. Claus will make stops in local neighborhoods according to the following schedule. (Times are approximate and subject to change).

• Monday, Dec. 8: Shady Park at 6:30 p.m.; Israel Simpson Court at 6:45 p.m.; and the Winter Park Country Club at 7:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Lake Knowles, east side, at 6:30 p.m.; and Phelps Park at 7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Brookshire Elementary at 6:15 p.m.; Lakemont Fire Station 62 at 7:15 p.m.; and Genius and Mizell avenues at 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 11: Briarwood Drive at 6:45 p.m.; Harland Park on Blueridge Road at 7:30 p.m.; and Chelton Circle at 8 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 15: DePugh Nursing Center at 6:30 p.m.; and Margaret Square at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus this holiday season, the city of Winter Park has many holiday events planned for all ages to enjoy. Gather with friends, family and loved ones to experience Winter Park’s holiday traditions.

Save the date!

Dinner on the Avenue tables are going on sale Monday, Jan. 5, at 8 a.m. at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave. More information is to come.

Flurry of ice skating!

The city’s annual holiday ice skating rink “Winter in the Park” is now open and the snow angels have arrived. If you haven’t been to the rink, you’re missing out on the city’s coolest event of the year! Not only has the city brought the cold wintery temperatures to Central Park West Meadow, located at 150 N. New York Ave., but you can also see Central Florida’s only outdoor projection lighting show that lights up the rink in a festive holiday display. If you want to check out the rink before you go, log on to cityofwinterpark.org/WITP and click on the Skatecam tab to see live streaming video (compliments of WKMG Local 6) of the skaters in action!

For only $12 per skater, snowflakes of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin and turn at “Winter in the Park.” For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/WITP.

For more information regarding the city of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on both Vimeo and YouTube.