Winter Park City Talk

NOV 8 CITY COMMISSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The City Commission met on Nov. 8 at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights of the major decisions that were made.

CONSENT AGENDA:

•The minutes for the Oct. 25 City Commission meeting were approved.

•The agreement between AT&T® Wireless or assignee and Clear Wireless, LLC, for installation of additional equipment on the 170' communications tower at the Public Safety Facility was approved.

•The request to allow a special inflatable shopping bag, storefront banner, and countdown banner as part of the Publix re-opening special event of Thursday, Nov. 18 was approved.

•HD Supply Utilities, Ltd., was approved for the purchase of electric transformers.

•Timothy Jarrells Lawncare Service was awarded the contract as the primary contractor; TJ's Quality Construction Cleanup, LLC, was approved as secondary contractor; and the Mayor was authorized to execute both contractor agreements.

•The items listed under the purchases and contracts section were approved.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

•The first reading of the ordinance regarding salary increases for City Commission was approved.

•Proposed charter amendments:

-The first reading of the ordinance regarding a charter referendum election for the City Commission to serve four-year terms was approved with an amendment.

-First reading of the ordinance regarding a charter referendum election to provide that the Mayor and City Commissioners are limited to three consecutive full terms of office, subject to the condition that if the voters reject the charter amendment providing four-year terms, this provision is null and void was approved with an amendment.

•The first reading of an ordinance authorizing the refunding of all outstanding water and sewer revenue bonds, series 2004; providing for the issuance of not exceeding $17 million revenue bonds was approved with an amendment.

•The second reading of the ordinance regarding red light cameras was approved.

•The first reading of an ordinance to adopt regulations for signs in office districts on four-lane roads and for signs along Interstate 4 was approved with modifications.

•First reading of an ordinance regarding a lakefront setback code amendment was approved.

A full copy of the Nov. 8 City Commission minutes will be available on the city's official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org the week of Nov. 22, pending approval by the City Commission.

ICE RINK OPENS THIS WEEKEND!

Beginning this Saturday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 9 the City of Winter Park will bundle up once again for "Winter in the Park," the city's holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow, 150 N. New York Ave., in downtown Winter Park. This year, the rink is over 20 percent larger and is here two weeks longer for more skaters to enjoy!

Snowflakes of all ages and skill levels are invited to glide, spin, turn and have some icy fun at "Winter in the Park":

Monday thru Thursday: 3-9 p.m.

Friday: 3-10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.

See website for extended school holiday hours

Skate all day for only $10 per skater (skate rental included). Chilly group discounts are available for all this frigid fun. If you are interested in bringing your whole igloo to celebrate birthdays, special events, private parties or corporate holiday gatherings, the rink is available for rental opportunities. Advance reservations are required for private party and group reservations.

Each frosty night of "Winter in the Park" will feature something special. For example, two turtledoves can skate on Date Night, snow angels from various schools will have their special school nights, and don't forget to rub warm elbows with our elected officials at our very own "Politicians on Ice" night in December.

Holiday music, surprise visits from Santa, games, carolers and so much more will flurry around you as you enjoy "Winter in the Park." For more freezing information, please call 407-599-3203 or skate onto our blustery website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.

COFFEETALK FEATURING COMMISSIONER TOM MCMACKEN

If you have latte beans to grind or simply want to espresso your thoughts, please join Commissioner Tom McMacken for CoffeeTalk on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 7-8 p.m., at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W Lyman Ave. This is the last CoffeeTalk for the year to talk to your city leaders in a more casual, informal environment. Special thanks to our coffee provider Palmano's Roastery & Espresso Bar.

ONE-DAY-A-WEEK WATERING

With the change on Sunday to Eastern Standard Time comes a change in the days allowed for lawn and landscape irrigation. Starting last Sunday through March 13, irrigation throughout the region within the St. Johns River Water Management District is limited to no more than one day a week.

Irrigation has been allowed no more than two days a week since 2006. The move to one day a week is part of increased efforts to conserve our water resources and coincides with the reduced need for irrigation during the cooler months that are typically associated with Eastern Standard Time.

If your address ends in an odd number, you can water on Saturdays, and if your address ends in an even number, you can water on Sundays. Nonresidential irrigation can occur on Tuesdays. Watering can only occur before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

Why limit irrigation? It's estimated that about half of residential water use goes toward irrigation, and, in many cases, it's used inefficiently. Freshwater is a finite resource in Florida, and increased conservation will delay the need to implement some expensive alternative water supplies in the future.

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