Winter Park City Talk

June 13 City Commission meeting and work session

There will be a City Commission work session Monday, June 13, at 2 p.m., in City Hall Commission Chambers located at 401 S. Park Ave. Following the work session, the Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 3:30 p.m. To view the agendas, please visit cityofwinterpark.org under What’s New.

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.

Tree trimming to impact travel on Palmer Avenue

The city’s Urban Forestry Division, in partnership with Davey Tree, will be pruning trees along Palmer, Stovin and Park avenues, between Lakemont Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92. This work began June 6 and will continue through Monday, June 20. This work is being conducted to lift low-hanging limbs for street clearance, remove any broken or dead limbs, and prevent potential damage to the trees from vehicles. Flagmen will be present to guide traffic through the work area during the hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Drivers are asked to plan accordingly and expect minor delays during this time period. This project is in effort to further the health of our tree canopy and provide a safer clearance along these heavily traveled roads.

For more information, please contact the Urban Forestry Division at 407-599-3325 or [email protected]

Road closure on U.S. Highway 17-92

The Florida Department of Transportation announced that U.S. Highway 17-92 will be closed to southbound traffic between Winter Park and Maitland, from 10 p.m. Friday, June 10, to 3 a.m. Saturday, June 11. This closure, beneath the U.S. 17-92 railroad bridge, is necessary to ensure the safety of motorists while work is done to improve the track and provide a smoother ride for SunRail passengers. Detour route signage will be placed at key locations along U.S. Highway 17-92 advising motorists of how to drive around the work zone. Please note that there will be no disruption to northbound traffic on U.S. Highway 17-92.

Be advised that inclement weather or other circumstances could alter the construction schedule.

Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings and construction areas. Be smart. Be safe.

For more information about SunRail schedules and station locations, please visit SunRail.com. Questions? Please contact Steve Olson at [email protected] or 386-943-5479 or Jessica Ottaviano at 386-943-5473 or [email protected]

Mayor Leary to kick off 2016 CoffeeTalk

The first CoffeeTalk of the 2016 season featuring Mayor Steve Leary will be held Friday, June 10, at 7:45 a.m., in conjunction with the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s “Good Morning Winter Park!” at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave.

Now in its 11th season, CoffeeTalk has become the place for citizens that have “a latte beans to grind” or who simply want to “espresso their thoughts.” The purpose of CoffeeTalk is to give citizens the opportunity to talk to their city leaders in a more casual, informal environment, and avoid the stage fright that is often experienced at large meetings.

Please make note of the following complete schedule for the upcoming 2016 CoffeeTalk season with our city leaders:

• Commissioner Greg Seidel, Thursday, July 14

• Vice Mayor Sarah Sprinkel, Thursday, Aug. 11

• Commissioner Carolyn Cooper, Thursday, Sept. 15

• Commissioner Pete Weldon, Thursday, Oct. 20

• City Manager Randy Knight, Thursday, Nov. 3

The CoffeeTalks listed above are held at 8 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave. Please mark your calendars for a cup of conversation and great coffee provided by Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen.

Free irrigation help

Attention Winter Park water customers: The city of Winter Park’s Water & Wastewater Utilities Department is offering free irrigation system audits and controller adjustment consultations based upon your specific needs. Whether you need monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual inspections, the city can schedule your irrigation assistance to keep your system operating more efficiently on a regular basis. To schedule an appointment, please call 407-599-3597.

The harmful effects of balloons

As the saying goes, “what goes up, must come down,” and this is particularly true for balloons given out at public events and released into the environment. In fact, Florida law prohibits the outdoor release of balloons in accordance with Florida Statute 379.233, and it is punishable by a fine of $250.

An estimated 30,000 balloons per day are found worldwide in the environment as litter. The Marine Conservation Society has reported a recent 260 percent increase in balloon pollution in Atlantic coastal waters alone. In Winter Park, balloon materials are found along the shoreline of many of our lakes and in tree canopies. Since animals are attracted to the bright colors found on balloons, they often mistake them as a potential food source. Once ingested, the balloons block the digestive system and can lead to starvation and death. In addition to being a digestive hazard, many animals die from entanglement in the ribbon or string that is attached to balloons. The strings often are found twisted around the feet and beaks of birds, particularly water birds.

Balloons also pose a threat by causing power outages and the potential for fires. Mylar and foil balloons can spark easily and this can lead to a brush or forest fire. When balloons clog drains and drainage pipes, flooding can result. Balloons are not biodegradable and take decades to break down. They also release harmful chemicals into the soil and water as they decompose.

Another concern is the use of helium, which is a non-renewable resource. Since helium is needed for critical applications like magnetic resonance imaging, ventilators, and for deep sea and space exploration, it is best to save this limited resource for the important uses it serves.

While balloons may be an eye-catching and attractive way to advertise an event or business venture, please consider offering environmentally-friendly alternatives like kites, pinwheels or bubbles. These alternatives protect our wildlife from harm and keep damaging pollutants out of our waterways.

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