Winter Park City Talk

May 23 City Commission meeting

There will be a City Commission meeting Monday, May 23, 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

• Recognition of Art in Chambers Artist Spencer Warlick

Consent Agenda

• Approve the minutes for May 9, 2016.

• Approve purchases, contracts and formal solicitation (for a complete listing visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

Public Hearings

• Request of the Winter Park Health Foundation:

— Approval of the final conditional use for a new ‘Project Wellness’ Facility at 2005 Mizell Ave., including a development agreement to provide for the entitlements, exceptions and for the consolidation of properties into 2005 Mizell Ave., and including provisions for the vacating and abandoning of city streets and the dedication to the city of substituting rights of way.

• Request of Phil Kean Designs Inc.

— Amend the Conditional Use Approval granted on Oct. 12, 2015, to redevelop the property at 652 W. Morse Blvd. in order to develop 10 residential units in lieu of the approved 11 residential units and to modify the approved architectural elements.

• Second reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 50, “Fire Prevention and Protection.”

• First reading of the ordinance vacating and abandoning utility easements for Lots 7 and 8 of Sevilla Subdivision.

• First reading of the ordinance for revisions to Section 58, Article VIII Historic Preservation.

• First reading of the ordinance for modifications to the Police Pension ordinance.

• First reading of the ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 58, Article V, Division 3 Flood Plain Regulations.

• The request of Mr. Robert Moore for the properties at 463 and 455 W. Lyman Ave., was tabled until Monday, June 13, per the request of the applicant.

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.

Let’s get “spriggy” with it!

The city’s Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to join in the Winter Park Golf Course (WPGC) renovation process by participating in this upcoming “sprigging” event. Sprigging is a planting process, done by hand, which serves as an alternative to planting seeds. Cut grass sections with roots (sprigs) are spread uniformly over the area in need, and then covered with soil or pressed into the ground. The sprigs currently being planted at WPGC will grow into lush, green grass that will cover the fairways of the newly renovated course. The entire community is invited to participate in the following event:

• Let’s Get “Spriggy” With It! will be Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. to noon. Gather on hole No. 1 with family and friends of all ages for a fun, educational morning to help complete the sprigging process. After the work is done, everyone is invited to enjoy hot dogs, lemonade, cotton candy, Italian ice and more. Come on out, and let’s get “spriggy” with it!

More than 32,000 rounds of golf are played annually on the nine-hole, 101-year-old WPGC. Players are drawn to the family-friendly course for its picturesque surroundings, challenging fairways, exciting camps, and variety of programs for professional and amateur players alike.

Based upon the research and recommendation of an appointed seven-member Golf Course Strategic Plan Task Force, the City Commission approved $1.2 million in its Fiscal Year 2016 budget to fund the golf course renovations. The project, awarded to KCR Contracting, LLC, includes the redesign/rebuilding of greens, tees, and fairways; replacement of existing grass; and installation of a completely new irrigation system.

For complete information regarding the renovation, the city has launched a “your new golf course” button on the home page of its official website at cityofwinterpark.org/golfnew.

Replacement of train rails and upgrades to crossings

The Florida Department of Transportation District 5 and Bombardier Inc., are currently making improvements to the train tracks and crossings along the SunRail corridor. Improvements include rail replacement, ballast installation, track resurfacing, and pedestrian and roadway crossing upgrades.

Throughout the month of May, approximately 50,000 linear feet of rail from the DeBary station to the Sand Lake Road station, will be replaced. Rail replacement in Winter Park is currently occurring Sunday through Thursday, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., and is expected to be completed by the end of May, weather permitting.

In addition, during the weekends in July, a total of 54 crossing improvements at 34 locations along the SunRail corridor, will receive upgrades. The following crossings in Winter Park are included in this work:

• North Denning Drive

• Pennsylvania Avenue/Webster Avenue

• Pennsylvania Avenue/Holt Avenue

• South Denning Drive

Please be aware of these activities as you travel through the area during this time. To find the latest information on this construction project, please visit cflroads.com and click on the SunRail logo > Track Renewal and Grade Crossing Updates or contact Gabriela Ruiz, public information specialist, at 407-687-1687 or [email protected].

Click It or Ticket

Once again, the Winter Park Police Department (WPPD) will participate in the national Click It or Ticket campaign in an effort to save lives through increased seat belt use. From Monday, May 23, to Sunday, June 5, law enforcement agencies around the country will be stepping up enforcement efforts. This enforcement period comes ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Regrettably, seat belt discussions too often overlook the proper use of child safety seats. Kids must be buckled as well. You can install your child seat with the assistance of certified personnel at the WPPD by appointment at no cost.

WPPD encourages everyone to wear their seatbelts and use proper child safety equipment at all times, but is asking drivers to have a heightened sense of awareness not just during the enforcement campaign. Remember from Monday, May 23 to Sunday, June 5: It’s Click It or Ticket. Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You’ll save $114, and may even save a life.

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.