Winter Park City Talk

Aug. 11 City Commission meeting

There will be a City Commission meeting Monday, Aug. 11, 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

• Proclamation – Graham Zusi Day

• Presentation – Service Award to Bill and Carol Swartz for 19 years of volunteering at the Olde Fashion 4th of July Celebration

• Recognition – Summer Youth Enrichment Program providers and participants

• Recognition – Core Value Coin recipients

Consent Agenda

• Approve the minutes of July 28, 2014.

• Approve contracts and purchase orders (for a complete listing, visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• Approve the restated Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Orange County and the city of Winter Park for Community Development Programs under the Urban County Program.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• Refine the visioning scope using assistance by an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP).

• Budget discussion.

Public Hearings

• Request of SunTrust Bank:

— To extend until Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, the Conditional Use approval granted to permit the redevelopment of the property at 295 S. New York Ave. with a new drive-in branch bank.

• Request of Mr. James Moye:

— To extend until Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, the Conditional Use approval granted for the condominium project at 125 S. Interlachen Ave.

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.

CoffeeTalk featuring Vice Mayor Steve Leary

If you have a latté beans to grind or you simply want to espresso your thoughts, CoffeeTalk may be the cup for you. The popular CoffeeTalk series this month features Vice Mayor Steve Leary on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 8 a.m., and you are invited to join him for conversation and a cup of coffee provided by Palmano’s Cafe, Coffee & Wine Bar. CoffeeTalk will be held at the Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave. For more information, please call 407-599-3428.

Chamber and city to explore value of great schools

On Thursday, Aug. 21, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and city of Winter Park will host an Education Update at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave. Presented by Rollins College Hamilton Holt School, the event will explore “Education & Economics: The Value of Great Schools,” via panel discussion moderated by WESH 2 News reporter Gail Paschall-Brown. Panelists for the breakfast event include:

• Mark Brewer, president/CEO, Central Florida Foundation

• Honorable Sarah Sprinkel, commissioner, city of Winter Park

• Honorable Bill Sublette, chairman, Orange County Public Schools

• Dr. Harry Kypraios, associate professor of economics, Rollins College

• John Caron, former president, Olive Garden

Throughout the morning, panelists will explore how quality educational opportunities help develop intellectual capital, inspire entrepreneurs, add economic value to our community, and instill a sense of civic pride.

The Chamber of Commerce will also hold a school supply drive in conjunction with the breakfast event. Attendees are encouraged to bring supplies to the event for A Gift For Teaching’s Back-to-School Drive. Recommended items include notebook paper, spiral notebooks, 24-count crayon boxes, eight-count marker packages, and 12-count colored pencil packages. A representative will be on hand to collect supplies and donations at the event.

Event registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., followed by breakfast and the program at 8 a.m. Admission is $25 for Chamber members in advance and $30 for non-members. Corporate tables are also available. Reservations are required by Wednesday, Aug. 13, and can be made by contacting the Chamber of Commerce at 407-644-8281 or online at winterpark.org.

The event is made possible by presenting sponsor Rollins College Hamilton Holt School, in addition to support from city of Winter Park and Winter Park/Maitland Observer.

Winter Park presents Art in Transit sculpture “Tree Whisperers”

The city of Winter Park and the Public Art Advisory Board are proud to present the Art in Transit sculpture “Tree Whisperers” at a dedication ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. at the Winter Park train station located at 148 W. Morse Blvd. City officials and board members will lead the ceremony to present the sculpture, which will serve to greet train passengers to Winter Park.

As part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s implementation of SunRail, all stations were given an “Art in Transit” grant to present artwork at each station. Due to Winter Park’s passion for art, the grant was supplemented by funding from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. The Public Art Advisory Board released a call for artists and ultimately recommended artist, architect and Winter Park resident Diane Gillett Boswell’s work titled “Tree Whisperers” to the City Commission. The new artwork was recently installed adjacent to the train station on the green space between the train station and Morse Boulevard, which was created after the demolition of the former station.

“Tree Whispers” features eight double-sided panels with photographic images of yellow flowering tabebuia trees against a blue sky. Several of these magnificent tabebuia trees delight visitors to Central Park every spring. According to artist Diane Gillett Boswell, “My passion for photography has always been part of my life alongside the pursuits of a professional career in architecture.” Her works are also on display at Orlando International Airport and the new Amway Center in Orlando. Much of her subject matter has focused on what she sees as the beauty and expressions in trees.

For more information regarding the Public Art Advisory Board, please call 407-599-3498.

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