Winter Park City Talk

Oct. 14 City Commission highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held Oct. 14 in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights of decisions made at the meeting:

Mayor’s Report

• A proclamation was presented declaring the week of Nov. 2 as the Week of the Family.

• A presentation was made to Luke Dunning as Employee of the Quarter.

• The board appointments for Code Enforcement Board, Utilities Advisory Board, Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board were approved.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes for the 9/23/13 meeting were approved.

• The purchases, contracts and formal solicitations were approved (for a complete listing, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• The purchase orders for several independent contractors who provide specialized and confidential investigative services on behalf of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency (HIDTA) were authorized, and the purchase order for facility expenses of HIDTA were approved.

• The Winter Park Firefighter’s Local 1598 IAFF Labor Contract was approved.

• The ground lease for Verizon Wireless for co-location of cell antennae on the public safety cell tower was approved, and the Mayor was authorized to execute the ground lease and Memorandum of Lease.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• The Urban Forestry Management Plan was discussed and staff was directed to have the Tree Preservation Board review the draft plan and summarize the important decision- making points prior to bringing forward to the Commission for approval.

• The City Commission requested staff to work with the various advisory boards prior to bringing the visioning planning process back for consideration.

• Territorial agreement with Duke Energy Florida was approved as presented.

Public Hearings

• The second reading of the ordinance amending Section 34-30, Title and Ownership of lots and spaces in the city cemeteries, to clarify the ownership interest that may be conferred and to add provision for the city to regain ownership of abandoned rights to be buried within a municipal cemetery, was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 26 Article III “Film Industry” to streamline the film permitting process and amend certain provisions was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance amending the Firefighters’ Pension Plan was approved.

A full copy of the Oct. 14 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Oct. 28, pending approval by the City Commission.

CoffeeTalk featuring Commissioner Carolyn Cooper

If you have a latté beans to grind or you simply want to espresso your thoughts, CoffeeTalk may be the cup for you. Please join an informal conversation with Commissioner Carolyn Cooper Thursday, Oct. 17 from 8 to 9 a.m., at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave.

CoffeeTalk gives the community an opportunity to sit down and talk with the Commissioner over a cup of coffee and chat about any city issues that are of interest to them. Special thanks to Palmano’s Cafe, Coffee & Wine Bar for donating the coffee for this special series. For more information, please call 407-599-3428.

Seeking applicants for Code Enforcement Board

The city is looking for interested residents to submit an application to fill a vacant position on the city’s Code Enforcement Board. This board is charged with examining cases presented by the city’s Code Compliance Officer and determines if the cases are in compliance with city code. Preference to fill the vacancies is given to city residents with experience as an architect, engineer, general contractor, subcontractor, realtor and/or businessperson. Approximately three hours per month is devoted to this board and members serve three-year terms. To be considered for this position, please submit an application online at cityofwinterpark.org/BoardApplicationForm.aspx

“Operation Gratitude” remembers soldiers this Halloween season

The Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department is once again supporting “Operation Gratitude Orlando,” a program designed to collect candy and gifts for American service men and women who are currently deployed in the remote regions of Afghanistan and other hostile regions of the world.

Residents of the community are encouraged to drop off candy and letters of appreciation between now and Monday, Nov. 18, to one of the following Winter Park locations:

• Station 61 > 343 W. Canton Ave.

• Station 62 > 300 S. Lakemont Ave.

• Station 64 > 1439 Howell Branch Road

• City Hall > 401 S. Park Ave.

• Winter Park Public Library > 460 E. New England Ave.

Items will also be collected at the city’s annual “Veterans Day Celebration” Friday, Nov. 8.

Since 2009, local event organizer, 17-year-old resident Andrew Weinstock, has collected more than 20,000 pounds of Halloween candy in support of “Operation Gratitude.” Last year, he collected 10,460 pounds of candy and his goal this year is to collect 12,000 pounds with the help of the local community.

For more information, please call 407-454-0878, email [email protected] or visit operationgratitude.com.

Winter Park veterans – save the date

On Friday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. the city of Winter Park will be presenting its third annual Veterans Day Celebration. This event will be held in honor of all of the veterans of Winter Park at the Winter Park Community Center Ruby Ball Amphitheater located at 721 W. New England Ave.

We are calling all veterans that have served in any military campaign (World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom or Afghanistan) or have served in any military branch in honor of our nation’s freedom. The city is holding this event to pay tribute to your dedicated service to our country. For more information regarding the city’s third annual Veterans Day Celebration, please call 407-599-3428.

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