Winter Park City Talk

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new community center

The city of Winter Park invites the public to join them at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave. at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23. The 38,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will be open to the public for an interactive open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.

As part of the city’s sustainability initiative, the center was specifically designed to be more energy efficient, to conserve water, and improve indoor air quality for visitors and guests, making it the first city-owned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified green building. The city’s parks and recreation department will manage the center and facilitate all programming.

In the spirit of true community-building partnerships, many local neighborhood, business and philanthropic organizations have helped to make this project possible.

Sept. 26 commission meeting topics of interest

There will be a city commission meeting at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26 in City Hall Commission Chambers, 401 S. Park Ave., Winter Park. Below are a few topics of interest:

Mayor’s Report

• Presentation of Green Local Government Gold Certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition.
• Presentation of the Keep Winter Park Beautiful annual awards.

Non-Action Items

• Discussion items not needing decisions at this time: Orange County Commission redistricting.

Consent agenda

• Approve the minutes of Sept. 12
• Approve the following contracts:
• Renewal of medical insurance with Aetna and authorize the Mayor to execute the renewal package document
• Temporary extension of tree trimming of electric utility lines with Burford’s Tree Inc., through Wednesday, Nov. 30, and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement for temporary extension
• Temporary extension of underground electrical construction services with Heart Utilities, Inc., through Saturday, Dec. 31, and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement for temporary extension
• Approve the sanitary sewer and water main easement for 701 S. Orlando Ave., for the Oakley Corporation at the Hollieanna Shopping Center (Publix)
• Approve the Orange County School Board first amended and restated interlocal agreement for public school facility planning and implementation of concurrency
• Adopt the Fiscal Year 2012 Strategic Plan
• Action items requiring discussion
• Notice of Disposal proposals for the State Office Building, 941 W. Morse Blvd.
• Budget public hearings (to be held after 5 p.m.)
• Second reading of the ordinance adopting the millage rate
• Second reading of the ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2012 annual budget

Public hearings

• Resolution - Setting forth the city’s intent to use the uniform ad valorem method of collection of a non-ad valorem assessment for properties abutting Dixie Parkway and Williams Drive
• Request of Rollins College:
• First reading of the ordinance to amend or revise a conditional use approval to construct the Alfond Inn at Rollins College, consisting of a five-story, 112-room hotel with a restaurant/bar, meeting/ballroom space and on-site parking at 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, zoned R-4 (quasi judicial proceeding)
• Request of the city of Winter Park:
• -Second reading of the ordinance amending Article I, “Comprehensive Plan” to update the Capital Improvement Element to reflect the revised five-year Capital Improvement Plan inclusion within the data, inventory and analysis component of the Comprehensive Plan
• Second reading of the ordinance amending Article I, “Comprehensive Plan” so as to eliminate the twice-a-year limitation on amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, substituting for the current amendment procedures.
• Second reading of the ordinance to vacate and abandon a portion of the city utility easement located at 1680 Magnolia Ave., Winter Park
• Adoption of fee schedule effective Saturday, Oct. 1.
• First reading of the ordinance to repeal sections 62-51 and 62-53 of the city code and amend section 62-52 of the city code as required by Chapter 2011-109, Laws of Florida regarding firearms and ammunition.

City Commission reports

• Commissioner Leary
• Commissioner Sprinkel
• Commissioner Cooper
• Commissioner McMacken
• Mayor Bradley

1. Downtown parking plan

You can find the Commission’s full agenda and information on specific agenda items by visiting the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org and by clicking on Government > City Commission > Packets.

Art in Chambers

Opening reception for the “Art in Chambers” exhibition featuring artworks by Robert Reedy

The city of Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board newest “Art in Chambers” exhibition features artworks by Robert Reedy. The exhibition, entitled “Jody’s Gone” was inspired by Reedy’s childhood in rural Mississippi. There will be an opening reception from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Reedy’s work has been featured at numerous national and international galleries and museums, including the Museum of American Art at The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the American Crafts Museum in New York, and the Museum of American Ceramics in Pomona, Calif. Additionally, his work is in the private collections of former Vice President and Ambassador Walter Mondale and the Arrowmont School of Craft and Design.

“Art in Chambers,” a project of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board, showcases the city’s art collection, works by local artists, or those borrowed from local museums. “Art in Chambers” enlivens Winter Park’s public rooms and exposes residents and visitors to art, highlights the importance the city places on art and culture, provides city support to local artists and studios, and creates opportunities to educate the populace on the value of art and its place in a meaningful life.

Test the waters fishing tournament at Lake Island Park

The parks and recreation department of the city of Winter Park and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission present their annual Test the Waters Fishing Tournament from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at Lake Island Park located at 455 S Denning Drive.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in this fun-filled event. Bait, fishing poles and snacks will be provided for all participants. The city’s Parks & Recreation Department also guarantees that everyone will take home a fish!

For more information regarding the Test the Waters Fishing Tournament, please call 407-599-3203.

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